NationStates Jolt Archive

"I don't know. Mother always wanted a dragon to tutor me. She used to tell me stories of how one of the Ageless taught her. She said that's how she got so smart. And why she enjoys to collect books," Eva replied. "Books...who would have thought. But I suppose if I get that old, there would be little else to do."

"Well, people do take up odd hobbies when they get older." She replied with a giggle as one of Lorathin's pet projects involved trying to ferment cheese with glowing fungi to create glow in the dark cheese. He was unfortunately not getting results.

Eva chuckled as she carefully wiped off several specks of dirt from her dress. "I can see you taking a variety of odd hobbies when you are older," she replied, not taking her eyes off her dress.

"Same with you." She replied with a giggle. Lúthien wondered if Eva was always so fastidious or if it was just because she was out in the 'wilds'.

"Horatio, this allegiance shall only last until he is needed. When we happen to take this nation completely under our control, then you, Horatio, and only you can kill him. Consider that a little gift of ours. But at the moment, he is to be brought here, alive."

Magledesh bowed low. "It shall be done, my master," he replied.

"Excellent work, both of you. Horatio, get yourself ready. Magledesh, open the remaining gates. When the enemy finally mobilizes an army, they will stand no chance," Valtrox smiled devilishly.


OOC: Sorry for my absence, internet mucking me about and work.

"Very well." Horatio replied bowing "My thanks, glorious master."

Horatio wasn't exactly sure what was meant by 'get yourself ready', but he was exhausted from opening the gate and was beggining to feel pangs of hunger. He also wanted to see this new demon at work. "You're wisdom knows no bounds my lord. If you would excuse me, i must prepare myself." He bowed low again and waited for a nod of dismissal.

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Mienna had finally chosen, she had resolved to choose wisdom at the next opportunity, she wanted to try to understand what she had become and how she knew these things which she shouldn't know, any help would be useful.

She had heard the goings on around her and had noticed Ixiar wander off for a moment, when he returned she opened her eyes and looking at him said: "Why do you indulge her commands? She has no real power over you and it would seem she needs to learn how to deal with the harships of life." Hailing from the world of animals she had always lived by the simple law; Kill or be Killed. She had retained her independance even when serving Horatio.

"Do so with haste, Horatio," Valtrox replied with a warm smile on his face.

Magledesh cocked an eyebrow and wrinkled his nose, but said nothing.

"I shall get to work immediately," Magledesh said as he spun around to the other gates.

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Ixair smiled at Mienna and slowly sat up, hugging his knees. "Well, I had her bag and I needed to give it to her," he chuckled.

He rubbed his chin for a few seconds and chuckled again. "And at one point she supposedly had power over me. However, it was also a nice thing to do, Mienna. Yes, I could have chosen not to, but I chose to. Why? Perhaps there is some sort of deeper meaning to this. Or perhaps we are overthinking it." He grinned and winked at Mienna.

"Besides, what if I didn't come to save you?"

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Eva smiled and looked at Luthien again. "Like what?" she asked curiously, a gentle smile creeping up her face.

"Thank you my lord." Horatio said as he stood, then turned and walked off in search of a place to eat, he asked one of the wandering demons and soon found the kitchens. He took some cold meat from the larder, he did not have the energy to warm raw meats magically so was forced to settle for these.

He consumed a great deal of them and feeling somewhat more awake made his way back to the garden to sit and meditate while watching Magledesh work.

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Mienna cocked her head at the answer and pondered. "I do not know what would have happened. But, i believe Horatio would have let them kill me, he had just brought me back. Perhaps i was just bait, but i think there is a purpose behind this that i do not understand. However, it was not me the demons were after, it was you and your friends." She indicated the others in a small sweeping motion that included the areas she had seen the others go. "I expect that we have not seen the last of them."

"Like what kind of hobbies?" Lúthien asked to clarify the question, "And do you mean mine or yours?"

Valtrox had disappeered as Magledesh continued to wave his hands around one of the portal, pointing fingers as if pushing several buttons, and muttering demonic words.

He spun around and glanced at the meditating druid, giving him a sneer. "What are you?" he asked with a cocky tone.

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Ixair frowned and looked at the others, suddenly realizing that this was much more than just an escort mission to get Rimoru safely to Mebbiwik's...this was something much more, grander than any of them. Greater than perhaps even those demons.

"These are awkward times, Mienna. As a crow, did you ever commune with the dragons?" he asked as he began to wonder where the dragons fit in with this.

"Like what kind of hobbies?" Lúthien asked to clarify the question, "And do you mean mine or yours?"

"My hobbies, you goon," Eva giggled, gently giving Luthien a teasing push.

Horatio disliked the demons sneer, but he merely looked at Magledesh and calmly answerew: "A useful ally and a dangerous enemy." Valtrox had after all put him in charge and he was too tired to put up with what appeared to be an overconfident demon. Though his power was unquestionable as he seemed to handle the portals well enough.

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Mienna shrugged, a look of genuine interest appeared on her face: "I have never met a dragon, why do you ask?"

"I think you'll take up flower arranging, and chasing boys as well." She replied with a grin.

"I doubt you are much a danger to me, however I meant your form. You look like a demon welp," Magledesh growled as he went to the next portal and began waving his hands around that one.

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Ixair smiled as he realized he got the woman's interest. He might as well have a bit of fun before he gives her the somewhat grim news.

"Oh, confidential stuff," he teased, a large grin on his face.

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Eva chuckled and unconsciously unruffled her dress. "Well, I'm not so good at flower arranging, and boys tend to hunt me down," she giggled again as she looked back at Luthien. "But there's always time, since old age is still a while away."

She leaned backwards on the log she sat on, letting her back curve to the round shape and her head dangle near the ground. "I see you writing stories...or textbooks...real boring ones. And being one of those people who live with the 'uncivilized' tribes like ogres, goblins, some minotaurs, so you can study them and prove how civilized they are. That and...chasing boys." She giggled again and slowly sat back up, stroking her silky hair with her hands.

"My demonic heritage has only recentel been awakened, it was surpressed by druids." Horatio answered dismissively. Most of his mind was focused on resting and regenerating some of the energy he had burnt, the rest was maintaining this conversatin and considering how to deal with the subject of armor, his body was changing almost constantly and conventional armors did not work, perhaps a kind of living armor, he would have to consider it.

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Mienna could see he was playing a game and wasn't serious, but was too curious to just ignore him. So she decided to jokingly insult his obvious pride. "Confidential you say? now i wonder who would trust you with something so secret?"

"What a shame," Magladesh replied as he knelt to the ground, placing his hand spread out amongst the dirt. With a word that sounded quite dangerous, to send chills through most mortals, the ground quaked with a shockwave as both gates lit up, a humming noise beginning to buzz through the air. The demi-god slowly stood up and cracked his neck. He was incredibly tired, but wouldn't show it to this 'welp'.

"Tell me when you are ready," he growled as he walked to the side and sat down.

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"Oh?" Ixair chuckled, a surprised look on his face. "Many people...and dragons." He smiled at Mienna, truly enjoying this much more playful side of her.

Horatio shivered slightly as Magledesh activated the gates, but didn't show it and remained unruffled as the ground shook. He lifted his hands from the groun revealing something similar to a choker that looked like it was made from intertwined grass.

If the magic worked, shortly after he wore it, it would grow a suit of flexible armor, it would not offer large protection, but it would not restrict his movements or be bulky, it would act as a second skin and would adapt to changes on his body. Since it should be a thin membrane it could also be concealed under clothing.

He had regained enough energy to get on the road at least, he assumed they would be mounted. "I intend to pack a few things for the road, but after that i am ready. Half an hour." He said and stood, stretching his legs slightly, clearly preparing to walk off to gather his things.

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Mienna smiled sweetly and said in a voice dripping with innocence: "So many people know this secret of yours? It can't be much of a secret, what harm would it do, one more person knowing?"

"Half an hour then," Magledesh replied, flexing his wings as he stretched and flexed his muscles. "I'll be waiting." He glared at Horatio, not letting the man escape his sight.

Magledesh wasn't always like this. He just enjoyed giving people a hard time, usually mortals or newcomers. It may be a trait he got after training with Habdebza, considering the powerful demon was not very nice to anyone, other than the great master himself.

In fact, Magledesh, at one point, was indeed an angel, a well loved one too. A hero amongst the heaven's.

He sighed as he looked at his demonic hand, briefly remembering the white light that once surrounded it, and his silver gauntlet.

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"Oh," Ixair said quietly, looking at Mienna, barely able to contain his laughter. "You catch on quickly Mienna...however, my fingers still hurt when you pecked at them. And I was trying to give you biscuits too...I thought birds enjoyed biscuits," he chuckled as he lay down again, resting his head on his hands.

"Interesting, but I don't think so." Lúthien replied with a grin. "I'm not much of a writer."

"What kind of hobbies do you think you'll have?" She asked as she watched Eva partially fidget. She decided to relax a bit as well and leaned back against an oak tree.

"Hmm...good question..." Eva replied as she stretched her legs and wiggled her toes.

"I don't know...I really want to become as powerful as my mom is...was...and...well, mother said I may rule a province...or I may even go rule another area...she said it depends if I listen to everyone's advice and pay attention...and prove myself...but I still have a while. We are also unsure if I will live as long as my mother," Eva grinned mischieviously and looked at Luthien. "And if the man of my dreams comes along, I told mother I'd give him thirty children. She about died," she giggled.

"And what about you? What are your plans and hobbys for the future?"

"So you want to be an empress as well. And what kind of man is the man of your dreams?" She asked with a smile as she thought of Eva with a swarm of children.

"For me, it involves finishing training, then I'll see what I want to do from there."

Horatio left the area and made his way to his room, tossed the choker on the bed and grabbed his pack, threw out the now mostly useless shirts that were inside and grabbed a large hooded robe to wear, he might have to act inconspicuous, though he couldn't imagine Magledesh blending in.

He changed into a fresh pair of trousers which would still fit and picked up the choker, he clipped it around his neck, it didn't entirely close together, but it was more comfortably that way, within minutes it began a very slow crawling growth downwards to cover him, the process would take several hours if not a whole day. He grabbed the robe he had laid out and covered himself. He slipped the scythe into the pack and placed the scimitar in a sheath on his belt.

He slung the pack onto his shoulder and stepped out into the corridor. He cast a cursory glance around and noticed a demon; Perhaps i should leave some note of what has occured for Kre'tahn when he returns. He approached the demon and told it that he was leaving on a quest from Valtrox, if Kre'tahn returned before himself, he was to assume command and to continue fortifying the palace.

He made sure the demon had understod before leaving and returning to the kitchen where he gathered a few provisions, consisting mainly of dried meats and thinks which would last long enough for a reasonable journey, Valtrox had implied the people were close though.

He then headed to the stables, slowly running over a checklist in his mind. Map, check. Provisions, check. Responsibilities, check. Own things, check. Just a means of transport left... a suitable mount for a 10 foot demon such as Magledesh would be problematic... He decided to return to the gardens first and ask the demon how he intended to travel.

By the time he arrived 25 minutes had passed, he waited till he was near to the demon and spoke; "Two things are concerning me, first, is there a way you could change your appearence to one more human? Also, how do you intend to travel?" He took out and examined the map, the supervisor of the factory had told him Miffin was at Malgavesh.

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Mienna was surprised at how easily she had responded, she had done similar things as a bird, but was still surprised, she couldn't help avoid a feeling that she was drawing on another persons experiences. At Ixiars comment she though back to why she had bitten him everything been differant then, she sighed and answered, though her voice was still light and innocent. "I didn't peck you over a biscuit" She paused for a moment before adding: "It was a piece of cake, and a good one at that. Anyway, you had annoyed me, i was entitled to."

ooc: I am really hating internet explorer...

"Oh...the man of my dreams..." Eva muttered as she looked up into the sky, her eyes having that dreamy look. "I want someone who lives long. Maybe not as long as me, so I may be able to switch partners once in a while. He must also be strong...but know his place beside mine. I don't want him skinny, like Lorathin, nor enormous like Kalzog. I just want to be able to trace his muscles when I lie next to him. His eyes...they must be piercing and bold, like mine. They can be any color as long as they are bold."

Eva sighed as she returned back to earth and looked at Luthien with a smile. "You don't plan to far ahead, do you?" she chuckled.

****

"Oh, I'm sorry, a cake. That justifies it," Ixair laughed as he turned himself onto his stomach and looked up at the green tinted woman. "But Mienna, after that, I cried for a very long time when no one was looking. I would ask myself 'Mienna hates me now! I thought we had something...Why? Why!?'. And then when you perched yourself on Kalzog's head, I thought to myself 'Now i know the truth...She does hate me!'" He wiped his eyes, as if wiping off tears, and added a sniffle.

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"More human? Welp, I do not wish to make myself appear like a pile of dragon droppings. Besides, if the going get's tough, I can either hide, or kill everything in sight, depending on the situation..." Magledesh replied as he looked straight into Horatio's eyes.

To the question of his mode of transportation, he flexed his long wings and gave a cocky smile. "Unlike you, my wings aren't pathetic."

"Ah. He sounds like he'll be rare to find." Lúthien commented, leaving aside the fact that Lorathin was in fairly good shape even if he didn't appear to be.

"Of course not, what if something changes to make my plans impossible? It's more practical to plan short term until you can ensure you can plan long term."

Mienna raised an eyebrow and stifled a laugh. She managed to say quite seriously: "I knew some elves were close to nature, but you have some... unusual tastes elf." Before she burst out laughing, after a moment she was able to control herself and said; "Now, back to the dragons..."

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Horatio could sense that he might get quite annoyed at this demon. he had got his bearings from the map. "Very well, fly if you like, we have over a days journey to Malgavesh, can you manage that?"

Ixair laughed with Mienna, happy she was not quite as wrathful as he thought she would be.
"Are crows always about business?" he chuckled as he wiped an actual tear of mirth out of his eye. "Alright, I'll tell you, but what I say is my interpretation along with a few other people's ideas. It could very well be false."

"Brace yourself because this, unfortunately, is not very mirthful," he said quietly, getting closer to Mienna. "The dragons are plotting something, and that something is not nice. I was defending myself...and stealing...something when I turned a corner, only to encounter a dragon tearing a town to shreds, including the town guard. Then, out of the sky, the king of all dragons, mind you, the dragon-god, if I don't go so far as to say it, appeared, and shattered all the buildings himself. I worry, Mienna, that these dragons were not just searching for some damsel in distress. I am worried of what they are doing..." Ixair whispered, keeping his eyes trained in Mienna's.

"Well, it's the hard ones that are our dreams, isn't it," Eva sighed, resting her chin on her hand.

"But if nothing happens to hamper your long term goals? I say, be ready, just in case. But then again, there's always time for both."

She looked up at Luthien again and gave her a weak smile. "So you haven't been thinking much of a guy you like?"

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Magledesh smiled as he slowly got up, towering over Horatio. "Would you like a lift, druid? I can also do that. It may be quicker...unless of course, one of Rimoru's many fine mounts includes something that flies."

Mienna shook her head: "Businesslike? No. Curious however... very, especially if something is shiny." She then quietened to listen to Ixiars account.

A shiver ran down her spine and a concerner look was on her face as she replied: "That does not sound normal at all." She though about the rumours that had always passed around the birds, dragons were a rare sight, but if one was seen rumours spread quickly and the stories stayed for a long time, a particularly old and probably distorted one came to mind. "I heard the king had been staying in a self-imposed exile where his family was killed. Why has he stirred...?"

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Horatio cast a suspicious eye over the demon, he could almost imigina it 'accidently' making him fall part way through the flight. "I do not know if she has any, but i will check. I would hate to tire you out." He was mainly toying with the demon, but couldn't imagine it being a particularly comfortable ride at laest.

Ixair chuckled as he thought up several quite obvious ideas from his new-found knowledge of shiny objects that could spark Mienna's curiousity.

"Hmm..." Ixair began as he thought of that old tail, which could very well be true, considering Dominatistradz had not been seen for generations. Just then, an idea sparked in his mind. "Rimoru has been alive for much longer than even I. Perhaps she would have some insight?"

Ixair slowly got up and extended his hand for her. "Shall we?"

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Magledesh let out another laugh. "I don't tire easily, welp." He cracked his knuckles as he advanced on the druid. "Unlike you, my blood is not tainted with mortality."

"Nope, no boys." She replied as she considered Eva's words and decided that they made sense to an extent and perhaps planning for a 'best case scenario' might be a good idea.

"Do you have a boyfriend?"

"You are so young, Luthy...maybe one of those is an aging forumla?" Eva giggled. "I'm just playing with you, Luthy. But you wait. When you reach your age of thinking about a man, it's the greatest time of your life...up to that point of course. Mother tells me that when I am older, life gets much more interesting...especially with powers like hers. I can't wait..."

When the subject of boyfriend came up, Eva looked down and frowned. "I don't have one anymore."

"You had one who went and did something jerkish?" She guessed, still not entirely believing that she'd become interested in boys.

ooc: Be back in a little bit, gonna eat dinner
"Well...yeah..." Eva replied with a sigh. "Some guys will do that to you. They think they can get away with having two girlfriends with neither of them knowing...or atleast one of them not knowing..."

"But it is great fun when you get one who is kind and loving...and performs your every little need...someone you can hug and cuddle with, even if it is just to keep warm..." Eva sighed again and sniffled. "What do you expect from guys, huh?"

"That sounds very jerkish." Lúthien said with sympathy.

"So wouldn't a puppy fit that description?"

Eva chuckled and shook her head. "No, puppies can't talk. And if they did, they'd only talk about food...although some guys do that too," she chuckled and smiled at Luthien. "When you get of age, you'll realize that men are just...special in their own unique way..."

"Maybe, but guys just don't seem interesting, at least in terms of getting married or anything like that." She commented

"So do you have a new guy you want to boyfriend?"

Eva smiled and nodded. "Of course...I have a bunch...but, they are for me to know," she giggled. "How are the medicines coming along?"

"I think I've figured out this one, but only to about sixty percent certainty. The syntax and word use of the language is an absolute nightmare. I'm not sure how dad can read or speak it." Lúthien commented, "To get it a hundred percent it'll probably take a bit longer."

"Ugh," Eva groaned. "It shouldn't take so long...Let's just randomly use them on people..."

"What if one makes all people of the opposite gender incurably attracted to them and you try it on an old man or something?" Lúthien asked with a raised eyebrow. Testing random magical medicines was not really the greatest idea.

"As long as I have a good time...besides...we can always use Ixair...or...the new girl...or Beatrice?" She giggled. "Where is Beatrice anyways?"

*********

Beatrice slowly made her way to the lake, and smiled weakly as she noticed Rimoru relaxing at the edge.

"I'm sorry," she said quietly and turned around.

"No, it's no problem," Rimoru replied, always one to flaunt her body. "Come on in...the water is fine."

Beatrice looked at Rimoru, only her head visible. She had been wanting to swim for quite a while...not ot mention wash herself off.

"Alright," she smiled as she began to walk back towards the lake.

"Now hold on a minute, Beatrice. You have to strip yourself to get clean."

Beatrice turned a dark purple and gently brought her hands to her shoulders. "But..."

"I won't look...I promise," Rimoru chuckled as she closed her yes and with a small flourish, placed her hand over her eyes.

Beatrice chuckled quietly and slowly stripped herself naked and quickly waded into the water.

"There, see? It wasn't so bad," Rimoru chuckled.

"If you are mean to Bea, I'll give you the wrong potion." She said, a vague threat as she didn't like Eva talking about mistreating her sister.

"Just let me translate. If we were to cease talking it'd go quicker. Maybe you could go talk with Ixair or Mienna or Uncle."

"I was just joking..." Eva sighed, rolling her eyes. "Fine then...How long do you think this will take?"

And I thought we were having something for a minute...but what else can I expect from an anti-social little prat... Eva thought angrily as she slowly got off the log and stretched.

"For all of them, maybe a day, to get this one nailed down for certain, maybe ten minutes. If I'm right, you'll probably like this one thought." She replied, "And I'm sorry if I offended you. I didn't realize you were just joking."

"Bleh..." Eva said, waving her hand without a care as she walked down the pathway.

"Just don't know how to have fun...just know how to be annoying," Eva growled to herself as she pushed away several bushes, and sat down on a large rock overlooking the city and sighed as she looked at the dimly lit palace that was once her home.

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Kalzog sniffed the air and quietly walked to the clearing where Eva and Luthien had been talking before the princess walked away.

"What are you doing, Luthy?" he rumbled softly.

"Hi uncle." Lúthien said as she looked over at the ogre with a smile. "I'm just trying to translate the descriptions and instructions on this bottle."

"So how are you?"

ooc: Gone for night

"I am alright," Kalzog said with a rare, warm smile. Very few get a smile like that, and Luthien was one of those few lucky ones.

He looked at the bottle and sat down near her. "What language?" he asked as he gently ruffled Luthien's hair.

"I'm not sure, it's a wierd one." She replied with a warm feeling at Kalzog's smile. She knew he didn't smile often or, in her opinion, enought, but really enjoyed the rare ones that he did let throught.

"Everyone says that to a language they don't understand," Kalzog replied as he glanced at the bottles. "Does look strange," he chuckled quietly.

"I just hope I don't find these in any of my drinks," he rumbled knowingly, giving the elf a wink. "By the way, I will say I really enjoyed the sweet rolls you left in my pack. "

Mienna took his hand and pulled herself up. "Very well, perhaps you should lead the way." The impropriety of going to see rimoru while she was naked had not occured to her. Such a think did not occur for birds.

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Horatio shrugged. "I would prefer a mount of my own." He said with an air of finality in the tone and turned to head towards the stables.

"Ya." Lúthien replied with a bit of a giggle.

"I'll keep Eva from trying to slip any in your food or drink." She said as she returned the wink, before adding, "I thought you'd like them."

ooc: Blast! I will be leaving in 30 mins and won't be back until tomorrow around 2:00 Central time. I tried to move your chars together in case you want to continue, although I really wanted to do this scene with Rimmy, because she does know a lot about them dragons, and it's just funny when she is in the water.

Ixair nodded and continued to hold her hand, memories of one incredible night flowing through his mind. He walked through the clearing and down a small incline, before stopping suddenly. Indeed, Rimoru had already gone into the lake. However, Beatrice was in there as well, gently washing herself off.

Rimoru's eyes perked up and found Ixair's. She smiled widely and swam closer. "Ixair, you always like to find me when I am bathing, don't you?" she giggled seductively.

Beatrice gasped as she turned around and immediately dived into the water, her nose barely above as she blushed again.

Ixair stiffled a chuckle and shook his head. "I was hoping to catch you before you started."

"Well...too late for that. But I am still, all ears," she smiled, her eyes moving towards his hands, holding Mienna's. She slowly frowned and looked up at the greenish crow-woman. "Rebuilding old ties, Ixair?"

Ixair blushed and gently let go of Mienna's hand. "Well...we were wondering about dragons. More specifically, what they are doing and what happened with their leader."

Rimoru's frown deepened and she brought a beautiful, smooth leg out of the water, gently running her hand over it. "I don't know. Maybe you should join us in the water?"

Beatrice burbled something under the water and began to swim away from Ixair.

Rimoru giggled and motioned for Mienna and Ixair to join her. "It'll be fun...besides, I need someone to scrub my back..."

A bright red Ixair looked at Mienna and cleared his throat. "Perhaps we should ask her later?" he said in an uncomfortable tone. He desperately wanted to join her. How marvelous it would be...look at her...an angel in the water...beckoning...just once, no one will know. He shook those thoughts away and looked where they had stopped. "Maybe Luthien will know something?"

"I think I've confirmed what this one does. If I'm right, and I can't say for a hundred percent certain, it is a potent hair growth formulae that'll also let you control what colour hair you have." She commented to Kalzog as she made a little notation on a scrap of paper and stuck it to the bottle.

Mienna watched people reactions with interest, Beatrice's reaction seemed to imply something wrong with the sitation, though Rimoru seemed fine with it. Odd.... She ignored Rimoru's comment then said. She inwardly laughed at Ixiars reaction then said to Rimoru: "Are you sure you nothing? nothing at all?" She frowned at the idea of joining them in the water, she had occasionally cought fishes as a bird, but getting overly wet was something she had avoided, the idea of bathing struck her as... unusual.

"Did you bake them yourself?" Kalzog asked the elf. "I know you are a good baker."

"Hair growth formula? Absurd. Now why would you have it?" he chuckled.

"Oh, come on, Mienna-bird. Enjoy the water!" Rimoru giggled, wistling to her like someone would do to a bird. "Then maybe I'll know something about dragons."

Ixair looked between the two, unsure of what to do.

Mienna frowned, that whistling had always annoyed her. She looked at Rimoru, then at Ixiar. "Not this time." Then pushed Ixiar towards the water. "Enjoy." she said as she took a few steps backwards.

"What-!?" Ixair gasped as he was pushed into the water. "Mienna?" he sputtered as he was unsure if she was mad at him as well.

Rimoru giggled and slowly swam to Ixair. "Come on, Ixy, let's...have some fun."

"Yes, I did." She said with a pleased smile.

"It was one of the things in the medical cubboard that might have been something else." Lúthien replied, "And since I didn't know which was which, I had to bring them all."

Mienna laughed and turned, took a few steps away before looking over her shoulder and saying "Have fun Ixy, find out about the dragons if you can." She walked behind some trees, but stayed close enough that she could keep an eye on things, she was interested to see how things turned out.

"Azrael's medical cubbard?"" Kalzog chuckled. "If he is keeping this stuff, it makes me wonder how old he is."

"Although, you have to tell me what all the others are. You have sparked my curiosity."

ooc: Probably my last post until tomorrow :(

Ixair sputtered and watched as Mienna walked away, only to feel something pull on his arm. Or someone. "Uh, Rimmy, What-what do you-"

"Oh hush...you forgot to take your clothing off! Let me help you!" Rimoru giggled.

Ixair's eyes widened as he felt his belt loosen and Rimoru's gentle hand crawl up his chest. Oh dear...

"I don't know. He usually diverted me when I asked about certain things." She replied with a faint frown, "But I know he's doing it for a good reason."

Looking up at the ogre she replied with an impish smile, "I will."

"Oh, you know?" Kalzog asked with a raised eyebrow, in regards to Lorathin diverting her from the medicines.

He sighed and stood up. "Good luck, Luthy. I will pay a visit to our princess friend," he chuckled as he followed the path Eva had taken earlier, coming to the princess and waiting for her to notice him.

She swayed her legs on the outcropping rock, looking down the steep hill and sighed. "I know you're there, ogre."

"I know. That's why I did not say anything," he rumbled back.

Eva could feel his bright red eyes burning into her back. She slowly turned, her own red eyes slowly falling to the ground. "I am a coward..." she whispered, tears gently falling down her cheeks.

"Yes you are," was all Kalzog said in response.

Eva wiped a few tears away and looked up at the ogre. "I don't want to be a coward anymore..."

"Then you know what to do."

Eva let out a short sob and nodded. "Yes...I am ready."

"Excellent," Kalzog growled, a devilish grin forming on his face.

Beatrice continued to swim away, before she stopped slowly and turned around.

Rimoru kissed Ixair on the lips slowly, his movements slowing down, before they brought their lips together again, kissing for a long time.

The dark elf frowned and floated as she noticed Ixair kissing Rimoru's neck as she began to take off his coat. She shivered slightly and looked up at the sky.

***

Rimoru moaned quietly as Ixair kissed her on the next, and carefully brought her hand to Ixair's chin and directed him to her face. "Hold on," she whispered. "Shall we take this to land?"

"Anyone can find us," Ixair whispered.

"Let them," Rimoru chuckled, biting Ixair's lower lip and giggling.

Ixair closed his eyes and shivered as he knew he shouldn't be doing this...but he couldn't stop. Now he knew the stories of Rimoru's seduction were false. It was not all magic...

"Rimmy...wha-" they kissed again. Each kiss, Ixair could feel himself wanting, lusting for Rimoru even more.

Rimoru's bright blue eyes looked into his own blue eyes and they both smiled as she gently kissed Ixair's neck.

"You aren't undressed yet," she whispered again.

"Rimoru...wait..." Ixair managed to gasp. He frowned slowly and wiped his mouth. "Are you...bleeding?"

Rimoru furrowed her brows and felt along her lips, her hands coming back red. "Oh...no..." she whispered and hurriedly swam away.

"Rimoru, wait!" Ixair called out as he swam after her.

"Yes, I do. He's trys to do it sneaky but I still realize he's doing it." She replied before adding, "Alright uncle Kal, I will."

After giving him a hug, she returned to the studying.

Horatio shrugged. "I would prefer a mount of my own." He said with an air of finality in the tone and turned to head towards the stables.

"All the better. I would also prefer not to be carrying a pitiful demon child in my hands," Megledesh chuckled as he flapped his wings, carrying him a foot off the ground.

***

Kre'tahn had watched the whole event take place, from his perch in the dark canopy. And was thoroughly disappointed. His men...or atleast half of them had been killed with barely a scratch on a single opponent. However...they had done what Horatio has asked...and Habdebza's wishes will come true as well...in a matter of time...

Kre'tahn motioned to a nearby demon, with his four hands. The demon immediately nodded and leapt off at incredible speeds. Perhaps my messenger will arrive to Horatio before he leaves the palace himself...if he does.

***

The messenger traveled for quite a long time, traveling under the shadows of night and buildings when the sun's rays began to show.

The demon looked about and slipped into the secret entrance to the palace, one of the few they knew about...

When it finally appeared within the palace, it sought the nearest demon to ask for Horatio.

"The master druid is about to leave, if he had not left already. You may find him out back with master Megledesh...however some of our patrols spotted him in the stables recently."

The demon nodded and ran again for the stables, walking in slowly. "Master druid, I have a message from Kre'tahn."

Rimoru quickly grabbed her pile of clothing, hurriedly dressing herself as she hopped towards the edge of the forest.

Ixair skipped behind her, putting on his cloak and buckling his pants. "Rimmy, wait!" He could see a trickle of blood slowly streaming down her chin from her mouth. Did I do something? Did I bite her?

"Ixair...please...go," Rimoru gurgled, pointing away from her as she began to run for the tree.

The prince, however, continued to follow her, a few steps into the forest, before stopping in horror.

Rimoru was on all fours, blood pouring out of her mouth. She coughed and sputtered as several strange goopy substances also came out. The ex-empress' face was full of tears.

She spat after a few gags and sat down next to a tree, her head lolling to the side to look mournfully at Ixair. "I told you not to come," she whispered in a hoarse voice.

"Rimmy...what...what's happening to you?" Ixair said sadly as he crouched next to her. He got a hankerchief out of his coat pocket and gently wiped away the small trickle of blood on her chin. With his remaining hand, he wiped away her tears.

"I...I don't know, Ixair..." she whispered, a fresh wave of tears rolling down her face. "Please...don't tell anyone."

"Rimmy, what if-"

"Please, Ixair...I beg of y-y-you," she gagged again and let out a few heaves as blood stained the green grass.

Ixair knew he would regret his decision, but he could not help but respect the wishes of the ex-empress. She looked so pitiful, without surrounded by riches and splendor, without her beautiful soft hair bouncing joyously, her full lips smiling, and her blue eyes asking for someone to care for her. He could feel several tears well up in his own eyes and he sat down next to her, leaning against the tree. "Will you be alright?"

"I think so," she whispered, gently leaning her head on Ixair's shoulder.

I hope so...

The little elf looked up with a smile. She was almost certain she'd figured out the outcome of ingesting a second potion.

Looking around, she wondered where Kalzog or any of the others were so she could share her discovery.

Luthien would hear some rustling bushes nearby, before a familiar bald green head would pop out and looked curiously at the elf girl. "Lutheeeen. Glurp looking for fat, green bug. Green bug run towards elf girl, but Glurp not sure if Elf girl eat it or smack it with a spoon," Glurp said as he crawled around on the floor, sniffing the ground occasionally.

Horatio had been in the stables for some minutes examining the various creatures. They seemed to have conflicting emotions, they recognised him as a druid, but also as something evil and some shied away, others stood there ground. One such was a Griffon, which Horatio was examining when the demon approached.

Horatio was caught unawares by it, but did his best to hide the surprise as he spoke to the demon without turning. "What news does he send?" He had a fair idea of what had happened, having felt some of it over the bond, but wanted to hear it from another source anyway.

------------------------------------------------------------

Mienna had not been close enough to hear the words spoken, but just as Rimoru and Ixiar had seemed to be getting intimate, they broke apart and then Rimoru left the water, soon followed by Ixiar. Is this customary for people?

They entered a thicket of trees and she lost sight of them and shrugged. She stood and walked to the water edge, where she squatted and placed her hand in the water, it was not cold, there was something inviting about it. She looked around and smiling gave Beatrice a small wave.

"Half our forces have been killed, however they have Mienna...and...we may be able to get rid of one of them, depending how her body takes it," the demon replied to the druid, his eyes scanning the surroundings. "What would you have us do? We may continue to watch them, or attack them again...however, we have also found out they wish to speak with a certain, Mebbiwik. And they are coming this way to reach him."

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

Beatrice slowly raised her hand and waved back shyly. "H-h-hello," she said somewhat quietly as she began to swim closer to Mienna. "Y-y-ou may join if you wish."

Lúthien smiled and replied, "No, I wouldn't have eaten your bug, and I haven't squished any recently."

She then looked at Glurp, "I hope you find your bug. I've managed to figure out what this potion does, or I think I have."

Glurp perked up and raised an eyebrow as he looked at Luthien. "Potion? What potion do?" he asked eagerly.

"I think it makes it so you can fly, as well as regenerate injuries or sicknesses." She replied to the eager goblin. "It might let you shape-shift to an extent as well."

"Hmmm...Fly? And Regurgitate? Be like fly, no?" Glurp smiled as he walked up to Luthien and tried to grab it. "Glurp want!"

"No." She replied, "Not regurgitate, regenerate."

As Glurp tried to grab the bottle he got a smack on the wrist from Lúthien. "What have I told you about asking? Beside, I have to make sure. Afterall we wouldn't want you to turn orange and shrink to the size of a mouse."

"Ow, Lutheen is good smacker. Lutheen should be famous in world for smacking," Glurp said softly, carressing his wrist. His lips frowned and his eyes got slightly teary, however he made sure not to cry. "Glurp no want to be smaller...then people step on Glurp more than usual..."

Kalzog poked his head between two large tree trunks and sniffed the air, his eyes darting left and right. "I get the feeling your mother or father would have a fit if they saw you doing this..." he grunted as he pushed himself to a small open area and stretched his arms out wide before him.

"Yeah...they probably would. They would say 'You are too young for this!'" Eva said, imitating her mother with a slightly nasal tone.

"Really? I think you are too young...I started at a comparably younger age than you are..." Kalzog replied.

Eva looked up at the ogre with a raised eyebrow. "Oh mysterious ogre, when shall you grace us with your history?"

"Perhaps sooner than you think..." he growled, he stretched his arms. "Stretch."

"What about them-"

"Stretch, now," Kalzog growled, his brows furrowed.

"Alright, alright, no need to get your undergarments tied into a knot," Eva said as she stretched her arms, then legs, with a few stretches, and copying some the ogre did. He was surprisingly flexible...But then again, Kalzog was unlike most ogres.

The ogre cracked his knuckles, then his neck, and clapped his hands together, before letting his dark red eyes settle on the princess.

Eva looked up with an intimidated look on her face, and slowly got up, not even reaching the ogre's torso.

"Eva, there are many forms of combat in the world. Each one having their strengths and weaknesses, but none being better than the other. They have their uses and their counterparts. Although I wish I could say I know every style of fighting there was, I did not remain with my master long enough. But now is not the time for my past."

"I think that is the first time...you...called...me...by..." Eva began, before stopping herself, noticing the impatient look on Kalzog's face.

"Being a female with the perfect body for breeding, you need to tie down some of your assets."

Eva giggled quietly and ran her hands down her body. "You know you love it, ol' ogre. Besides, I figured that maybe I can woo my enemies."

"Perhaps some enemies...wrap this around your chest," Kalzog said emotionless and stoic as he handed Eva a rather large bandage. "Preferably under your shirt. I hear it is more comfortable."

Eva raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "So you do want to see me take it all off, don't you? You sick ogre, you," Eva teased. She sighed when Kalzog closed his eyes and looked away. "Just can't take a joke..." She slowly took off her clothing, save the undergarments, and carefully examined her body. She was indeed quite beautiful, taking much of her mothers bodily traits. She sighed as she realized she may need to wish her lovelife goodbye, if the ogre won't let her go. She had made the choice...no turning back now. She fought back a few tears and wrapped the bandage tightly around her chest, making her look much flatter. She began to put on the dress, however she felt a rough hand on her shoulder. She looked up, a bit startled to see Kalzog looking down at her. "Have you been watching me this whole time?"

"You wish," he replied. Eva raised an eyebrow and made a gagging noise. "You'll find that dresses hinder combat. Now where shall we begin?"

The ogre gave Eva a devilish grin again as she coward slightly, as the first lesson began...

"I'm sorry Glurp, I just didn't want you to get hurt or sick." She replied with a kind smile. "Maybe later I can make you bigger, about the same size as Ixair, for a while."

"Glurp like!" the goblin replied happily. "Make Glurp larger than Ixair. Then Glurp put elf in backpack! Then Glurp step on other people!" The goblin let out another shrill laugh and looked at Luthien. "Who potion for, then?"

Horatio turned to the demon. "Her body?" most of the adventureres had been male; "Remember, some are to be kept alive."

He rubbed his cin as he considered what next. "You lost half your forces in the first attack, a second attack would not fare much better. Better to watch them. We should investigate this Mebbiwik. Take a few demons from the palace with you when you return and tell Kre'tahn to send a few ahead to find him first."

-----------------------------------------------

"You do not have to be worried, i'm a friend." Mienna replied, watching how she swam carefully, she was tempted by the water, but she still did not like the idea of just walking straight in. "How do you move through the water like that? and why don't you sink?"

"Yes, her, master druid. Why must we keep some of them alive?" the demon asked, slightly puzzled as his orders had been to kill them all. "I shall report our new orders immediately, master druid. For Valtrox." The demon bowed his head and speedily walked off, in the direction of where he came from, to retrieve some demons from the palace, then head back to Kre'Tahn. This will be quite fun...

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

"I'm sorry, Mienna...I f-forget you were not always...elfish..." Beatrice replied as she assumed the bird-creature was an elf of some sort.

Beatrice chuckled quietly and looked up towards the sky in thought. "Hmmm..."

"Well, I kick my legs and...flap my arms...I don't know how exactly I float...I just...do," she said with a quiet chuckle. "It is safe...stay in the shallow areas first."

"Habdebza wanted me to keep Rimoru and Alegain in the prison, you are supposed to bring them back, the rest can die." Horatio shouted after the demon. Inwardly cursing their apparently short memories. He returned his attention to the griffon and reached out to stroke it. "I have chosen you, will you be a willing mount? Or do i have to do this the hard way?"

-------------------------------------------------------

Mienna had not considered that she looked elfish, she was curious though. "Elfish... true." she said as she looked at her reflection in the water.

"Kick your legs and flap your arms. Sounds simple enough." Mienna replied as she stood, the others had been undressed so somewhat awkwardly slipped out of her own, leaving them in a small pile, and stepped cautiously into the water, reluctant to take her feet off the ground. She instantly noticed the weightlessness in the water and how her movements seemed heavy. She slowly stepped further out while whispering. "kick your legs, flap your arms." to herself repeatedly.

"I fail to see how you can do anything harmful to the creature," came a deep voice from behind Horatio. "But then again, I have never seen a druid like you."

Megledesh's sneered as he walked in, crossing his arms over his chest. "I was starting to get bored, alone by the gates. So I figured I'd seek you out here...and there you are."

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

Beatrice closed her eyes when Mienna stripped herself. How will I know when to open my eyes now? I hear her walking in, but I don't know when she is deep enough! Snap out of it, Beatrice, you can talk too! Quit being so shy...

"Please tell me when you are comfortbly in the water," Beatrice said aloud as she gently floated nearby Mienna.

"Any creature can be harmed, be it man, beast or even demon..." Horatio said. The griffon had not moved and Horatio was not in the mood for coaxing it out. Instead he just cast a spell to dominate its relatively simple mind for the time being. It obediantly stepped out.

"I was attending to matters which do not concern you." Hortio gave as his reason for taking so long.

--------------------------------------

Mienna was about to reply to Beatrice that she was ready when she put her foot on a slippery stone in the water and slipped, collapsing in the water, water filled her mouth and in panic she flapped vigorously and managed to right herself in the water. She had a caughing fit as she surfaced, gasping between breaths and flapping to keep float as she tried to find purchase with her feet.

"You wouldn't be that big, or at least not by my magic." She replied with a grin. "The potion is for emergencies."

"You could not harm a god, druid," Megledesh replied with narrowed eyes.

"Oh?" Megledesh asked, straightening up slightly. "It's alright, druid. I understand it when you don't want it to be known that you make love to your trees and plants." The demon let out a defiant laugh, his eyes challenging Horatio to defend himself against that one.

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

Beatrice let out a shriek and swam over to Mienna, wrapping an arm around her waist and taking her to the more shallow side. "Mienna? Are you alright?" she asked as she slowly moved away, wrapping her arms around her waist.

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

"Aww. Glurp can still dream," the goblin replied as it sat on the ground next to Luthien. "Emergencies? Like 'person thirsty' emergency?"

"No, like person in danger of death emergancy." Lúthien replied, "But if you're thirsty, I believe there is a lake nearby."

"Glurp thinks sounds too good to be true," Glurp replied. "But Glurp no thirsty. Glurp just hungry for bugs. What Lutheen doing? Drinking potions?"

"That's why I'm still not sure if I'm reading it right." She replied with a slight shake of her head at the language.

"I'm trying to read the stuff on these potions." Lúthien said before reaching over and grabbing a fairly large beetle. "Is this what you were looking for Glurp?"

"Maybe Lutheen should have little bit to try potion and see what it do. If it shrinks Lutheen, Lutheen won't shrink smaller than Glurp. If it turn Lutheen orange, Lutheen only have little orange color."

Glurp smiled and licked his lips as he nodded excitedly. "Yes yes, Glurp want!" He reached out for the beetle, but snapped his hands back and looked at Luthien with large round eyes. "May Glurp have bug, Lutheeeeen?" he asked quietly.

"I don't think I'd like to experiment like that." She replied with a grin.

Seeing he was slowly progressing to better manners, Lúthien smiled and replied, "Of course, here you go."

She then gave him the bug. "See how much nicer it is when you ask?"

Glurp smiled widely, revealing his small, pointed teeth as his hands rushed out to grab the bug and he tossed it in his mouth. Each chew had a loud crunch to it.

"Glurp thanks Lutheen. And Glurp has other solution to potion problem. Give little to one of others," the goblin narrowed his eyes in thought as he tried to think of people to use potion on. Tall mean princess...Glurp use potion on her. Hah! Glurp shrink her and make her obey Glurp! Hah! Then Princess see who in charge! "Use on Princess. Or green elf lady. Geen elf lady wouldn't mind. She already green."

"You're welcome Glurp." She replied with a bit of a green glint as she watched him eat.

Lúthien thought there were a few similarities between Kalzog and Glurp, but knew both would be offended at the comparison so decided not to mention it. "I don't think that would be very nice."

His words however gave her an idea on how to get to the bottom of her Mienna problem.

"Princess-girl mean to Glurp. Why not Lutheen be mean to princess-girl? Then we all happy! And potion no kill princess-girl! No no no, potion only get princess-girl embarassed...or smaller...Glurp like if princess-girl smaller then Glurp. Then princess-girl no bother Glurp!" The goblin babbled excitedly as his little mind began to open up to the possibilities.

"Because being mean only gets more meaness." Lúthien replied, "But if you really want to prank Eva, I might be able to find something for you."

"Glurp listening!" the goblin said excitedly, almost bouncing up and down. Instead, he scooted a bit closer to the elf, his smile getting wider by the second. He very much wanted to prank the princess, considering all the mean things she did before Luthien had made the strange door to the strange house.

"Well if you can find a blueish green herb that has jagged leaves, and slip it into her food, there will be interesting results." She replied as Glurp's smile looked like it was about to split his face.

"Lutheen help Glurp find it! Lutheen help Glurp find it! Pleeaaassee!" the goblin squealed with delight as he leapt up and took Luthien's hand and began to pull on it.

Lúthien smiled indulgently, "Alright, just let me leave a note so people don't worry." She commented as she pulled out a half sheet of folded paper from a pocket. Scribbling a note, she folded it and used a knife to pin it in a visible location, then got up and followed Glurp.

Glurp excitedly babbled to himself, probably in some goblin language, and occasionally chuckled crazily. "Where would Glurp and Lutheen find these plants?"

"By willow trees." Lúthien replied as she took Glurp's hand.

"Glurp find willow trees and then Glurp grind it up and put little plant bits in mean princess' food! He he, then Glurp laugh as meanie princess...meanie princess...Lutheeen, what would happen to meanie princess?" Glurp asked as he hobbled towards the nearest willow tree and started to pick out random plants and look at them.

"Wouldn't you prefere to find out when she eats it?" Lúthien asked as she walked over and put a hand on Glurp's shoulder. "You shouldn't just pick random plants, some might be poison ivy or something else."

"Hmmm..." Glurp paused as he tossed the plants away. "Alright. But Lutheen promises it be good?" he asked hopefully as he looked for the right plant.

"How do you define good. It'll be prankish." Lúthien replied as she helped Glurp look.

"Make Glurp real happy?" he asked as he pulled out a leaf with a blue tint to it. "Glurp find right plant?"

"I'm pretty sure you'll be happy with the results." She replied before looking at the plant, "That one's related, but not the right one."

"Bah!" Glurp spat and tossed the leaf over his shoulder. "Hurry, Lutheen! Glurp want see embarassed princess now!"

"I will Glurp." She replied with a smile as she continued to look for the leaf.

"Blue leaf!" Glurp shrieked as he pounced on a small, with a quite heavy bluish tint. "Glurp find?" His eyes almost begged for her to say yes. He desperately wanted to find out what the leaf did.

Lúthien took the leaf and looked at it before breaking the stem and lifting it up to smell it. With a smile she replied, "Yes you did. Good job Glurp."

"Ha ha! Glurp win! Glurp win! Hurry! Let's give it to meanie princess, soon to be red-faced princess!" Glurp laughed, bouncing up and down.

"We have to wait a bit first, and you can give it to her." She replied to the hyper-happy goblin.

"Bah! Why Glurp have to wait?" Glurp spat again, waving his arms frantically. "Glurp no wanna wait!"

"Because otherwise it won't work properly." Lúthien replied

"Sometimes waiting is necessary Glurp."

"Perhaps, perhaps not." He knew that gods could be harmed, but if he himself could harm one. He shrugged.

Horatio returned Megledesh's stare and clamly said. "Petty insults... have demons sunk so low that a mortal can best them? Answer me this, I have not seen any young, or even female demons enter this world. Has your preference of males grown so much that they have died out?"

-------------------------------------------------------------

Mienna had found some footing thanks to Beatrice and after coughing out some more water said in a strained voice. "Thank you, i'll survive." Staying afloat had taken a lot of effort and she she felt the drag of the water on her. She was unsure of whether she wanted to stay in or get out.

Glurp frowned and crossed his spindly arms across his chest. "Glurp waiting...ready yet?" he asked with a hopeful smile.

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

Megledesh immediately frowned as his wings flared out. "Watch where you tread, mortal. Females and Young stay below. The young cannot fight at their age. I am somewhat younger than my peers."

"But I will gladly make sure you never reproduce," he snarled as his left hand reached for the hilt of his sword, while his right reached for the druid's neck.

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

"You are doing alright, Mienna. Everyone has to take their first step at something, right?" Beatrice asked quietly as she watched the woman curiously.

Horatio stepped back, one hand wrapped his own hilt and spells running though his mind, ready to try and defend himself if he had to. "Nothing was meant by it. Surely you would not risk the wrath of Valtrox? I am sure he would not take kindly to you inability to keep your temper and attacking those in command, you were told to help me remember." He was unsure if using valtrox's name as shield would work, but he had stepped back to give himself more room just in case.

----------------------------------------------------

Mienna nodded slowly. "A first step... true, it is more difficult than i imagined." She was slowly trying to take the weight off her feet and float, but kept starting to sink and putting her feet back down in panic. "How long did you take to learn how to swim?"

Megledesh halted suddenly and stared at Horatio with his burning red eyes. "Apparantly our master holds you in high regard as well. However, I suggest you stay on your toes, druid. Many of my old masters' coworkers died of unknown causes..." the demon gave Horatio another fang-filled grin and slowly took his hand off the hilt of his sword. "I suggest not sleeping, druid," he added as he spun around and walked out of the room, his scorpion tail coiling up behind him. "I shall be awaiting you...out here."

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

Beatrice sank until her chin was barely touching the surface of the water. "I don't know, really. Well, I don't remember. I was quite young and...well, I would guess a few days," she giggled as she watched Mienna float upwards, then panic. "Don't panic, Mienna. You are tall enough to reach the ground easily."

The dark elf gave Mienna a cheery smile and continued to watch.

"It'll take about an hour or two for it to be ready." She replied as she smiled at him. "Shall we go back now or continue to explore."

"Explore?" Glurp asked, his ears perking up slightly. "Glurp always ready for little adventure. Or big...many things big for Glurp."

"Lutheen travel much, no? Lutheen go on many adventures?"

"Yes." She replied with a grin as Glurp was fun. Very odd, but fun. "I've gone on many adventures."

"Lutheen find giant bugs?" Glurp asked curiously as he walked about, looking around as if searching for something. "So where Lutheen wanna adventure with Glurp?"

"A few." Lúthien replied, thinking of the fantasies that might spark in Glurp.

"Where do you normally go when you explore?"

"Glurp go where Ixair-elf goes. Ixair elf needs all Glurp's help to live, since Glurp is great hero!" the Goblin replied.

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

Eva was breathing heavily, her eyes wild as she watched Kalzog's eyes burn and a cruel smile form on his face. Will he hurt me? I am his apprentice, aren't I? He cannot hurt me...not with my family nearby...right? She crouched low, as Kalzog had told her to about an hour and a half ago, and waited for the ogre to advance. One of the first things she noticed was to always always always watch her opponent. Her stomach still hurt from the uneventful predicament that had befallen her moments ago due to her distraction at a bird. She yelped as he charged at her, diving into a sumersault, and springing back on her feet. Unfortunately, the ogre was quicker than she anticipated and his arm was already cocked back. "Don't hurt me!"she squealed as she brought her arms up defensively.

Darkness...

*****

"Ow!" Eva sobbed, as she was sitting on the ground. She was bruised and battered as she held tightly onto her arm, looking up to the towering ogre for comfort, but recieving none. "Please...let's...stop..."

"Whine whine whine," Kalzog growled as he advanced in the cowering girl. His left hand wrapped around her waist and picked her up and set her back down on her feet. "Study my attack and think of how you can avoid it. Use your speed, don't try to defend yourself against an opponent many times stronger than yourself. We'll just break through your defenses and...break you..."

"You didn't need to hit me..." she sobbed, her knees buckling, however she stumbled about to keep her balance. "You told me...I was...ready..."

Kalzog frowned and sighed. "You are. You were ready to face an opponent and I gave you that challenge. You did fine...until you stood in one place while I punched."

In truth, Eva was doing amazingly well. Kalzog had to wonder if she practiced acrobatics before. He guessed she had, considering Rimoru was quite an acrobat as well. The empress did seem quite fond of her child...when her child wasn't trying to control the situation...which she seems to do often. Even in this fight, Eva had tried to control the situation...very good in a battle. She had surprised Kalzog, however, she was still hesitant. And besides, she only knew basic moves and blocks.

"Alright, Eva. We will begin again next time we have privacy. Go, drink, clean yourself off, whatever. I'll be around," the ogre grumbled as he stretched his muscles. "Make sure to stretch as well."

"I don't need to stretch again..." she scoffed, as she took off into the woods.

"Naive girl..."

"Then how about you lead the way?" She suggested as she still thought he exaggerated a bit, but after the incident with the demon she could be wrong.

"Glurp lead way?" the goblin asked, cocking his head slightly. He had never truly led the way before. Well...there was a time when he was chief of his goblin tribe. His incredible leading skills had lead his whole clan to blow themselves up. He was, the epidemy of leadership skills.

"Alright, Glurp lead way," Glurp replied with a toothy grin as he took Lutheen's hand and began to march randomly into a bunch of bushes.

"Why not." She replied with a smile.

As he lead her into the bushes, she figured she'd be messy by the time this adventure came to an end.

Rimoru lay, her body quaking every few minutes with a small sob, before she finally cried herself to sleep.

Ixair continued to stroke her head as he looked sadly at the trees in front of him. Why does she not want anyone to know? What if she...dies from this? What is this and how did it happen?

He looked at the silent Rimoru in his arm, her stomach gently rising and falling from her soft breath. She looked so peaceful in his arms, like nothing ever happened or ever will happen. He stroked her bright hair gently, feeling the smooth, silky strands in his fingers. He sighed as he carefully took hold of her hand on his waist and kissed it gently, before quietly slipping out of her grasp, leaving his coat on the ground for her to rest on. He stretched his arms our and slowly stood up, when he heard a whimper below. He looked at the ex-empress as she snuggled up with his coat, crying quietly as her hands brought it closer to her. She curled herself around it.

Ixair wiped a few tears out of his eyes and looked up at the sky. I shouldn't be doing this...this is someone else's job...

He walked out of the darkness of the forest, introducing his eyes to the slightly lighter atmosphere around him as the sun was still slowly rising. There he is... he thought as he noticed the tall, muscular elf coming down the mountain side, bandages evident on his body. Each step he took, away from Rimoru, seemed to be getting heavier as his mind continuously told him to go back and comfort her.

"Alegain..." he half-shouted, half-whispered. "Your wife...Rimoru...needs you..."
***********************************************************

"Shhh...Glurp hear something!" the goblin whispered sharply, even though Luthien had said very little. He peeked from behind a tree and noticed the seductress that Ixair had tried to get rid of many times in the past, whimpering and gripping what looked to be his friend's coat. He looked around, seeing no one. Even the forest was silent. "That Rim-lady, Glurp see? What she doing?"

Horatio watched Magledesh leave, he didn't consider the threat an idle one, but his life in the forest and druidic magic had given him a powerful resistance to most poisons and diseases, though he doubted the demon would be that subtle.

He sighed and turned to face the gryphon. It had backed way from the two while they have argued. Horatio beconed it over to him and grabbed a saddle which he placed on its back and tied under its wings. A few minutes later he was mounted and stepped outside to join Magledesh, he consulted the map to make sure he was facing the right way, then turned to Maglesesh and in a voice that suggested nothing had happened said; "Ready to go?"

---------------------------------------------------------

Mienna sighed, she hadn't even been in her new body a few days. Beatrice's cheery attitude and making everything sound easy made her feel embarrased, she felt he need to explain why and stood still as she could in the water, which she found somewhat harder than she expected as the water, though calm, was moving underneath the surface. "It is hard, i am a creature used to the air, water was something to be drunk and something that hindered flight when it was raining. Being in it like this is... unusual."

Lúthien looked and saw aunty Rimmy. She looked like she was having a nightmare or something.

"I'm not sure." She replied as she was confused as to what to do. Lorathin didn't suffer nightmares, so she didn't know how to treat them.

"I am more than ready, druid. I look forward to smelling the noxious fumes, the clotting smog, the burned trees. I look forward to seeing the destruction of whole forests, the smoke stacks of industry, the taint of pollution. That's what makes nations tick, Horatio- Industry, not nature," Megledesh smiled. It seemed he always took a jab at Horatio's profession whenever possible, as if trying to start a fight from the "welp".

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

"I'm sorry, Mienna," Beatrice replied, looking down, at her own feet. "I should have remembered you were once a bird. If I became a bird and you tried to teach me to fly, I would probably be the center of your jests for a while. Although I would enjoy flying. I have only gone once." She smiled weakly and spread her arms out, before swimming around.

"Floating is...difficult to explain, I'm afraid. I just...spread out my arms and take a deep breath...and kick off the ground. Then you get on your back or stomach and kick and wave your arms...It's...complicated..." Beatrice looked around and waded a bit closer to Mienna. "I would try to remain floating on your stomach, however...I think our man friends may be watching," she giggled quietly.

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

"Glurp say we poke her with a stick," the goblin said, picking up a long, thick stick. "Glurp do that to Ixair-Elf all the time- Wait! Glurp know now! Rim-Lady dissolved Ixair-elf, leaving only his coat! Now Rim-lady sleeping from tiredness! Glurp need bigger stick!"

The goblin began looking around for a larger stick, and more particularly, more pointy.

"No glurp. No poking aunty with a stick. If you do I'll never talk to you again." She said sternly.

"I don't think she'd dissolve Ixair. I think she is resting, and he probably left her his coat to keep warm."

Glurp looked up at Luthien with wide eyes and searched the girl's eyes for any hint of a bluff. He sighed and put down his stick. "Alright, Glurp listen to Lutheen. But if Ixair-elf gone, Glurp know he always right."

"Lutheen think we wake Rim-lady? Stop her crying?"

"If Ixair is gone, I will apologise and listen to you in the future." She agreed

Lúthien looked over at Rimoru. "That might be a good idea. But gently."

Glurp nodded and slowly walked towards Rimoru, before stopping and looking at Luthien. "Glurp scared...Ixair scared of Rim-Lady before...Lutheen wake her. Lutheen like Rim-Lady."

Rimoru twitched slightly and turned slowly, letting out another quiet sob, a small trickle of blood winding it's way out of her lips.

"Alright my brave little Glurp." Lúthien replied, teasing the goblin that was brave enought to tackle a demon but afeared of a sleeping lady.

Walking over, she noticed the slight amount of blood and hurried up. She was worried Rimoru might have bitten her tounge or some such and might be choking.

"Aunty?" She said as she gentle shook her god-mother.

Glurp looked up at Luthien and gave her a toothy grin. "Ixair-elf tells Glurp not to get lady-people angry."

As Luthien shook Rimoru, the ex-empress whimpered slightly. Her hand closest to Luthien searched around for the girl's hand, and when she reached it, she gently gripped it. "Don't leave my side," she whispered before wincing and letting go of the girl. She clenched her teeth and balled her fists as she curled into herself, twitching violently.

Horatio gave Megledesh a cold stare before answering. "And yet, nature could destroy them all on a whim. How many earthquakes, storms and tornado's could a city like that survive? Perhaps a disease from a plague of rats to kill most of the population? These people live on her sufferance." He kicked the mount into action and quickly gained height until the gyphon found a comfortable level to fly at.

------------------------------------------------------------------------


"There is no need to apologise and flying is difficult to learn, even when one naturally has wings." She gave Batrice a smile in return.

Mienna raised an eyebrow at Beatrice's comment and looked around, trying to spot any others, they were not immediately apparent. She wasn't entirely sure why floating one way of the other would make much of a differance, but during her life she had seen that men reacted differantly when a woman was revealing herself. She shrugged. "Where do you think these men are?"

Megledesh gave out a loud laugh before taking off after Horatio. "Yes, Nature can do that as well. It is fine by me. They are nothing to me. People are only pawns in a game the gods play. That is their goal in life, to appease another. Not just nature..."

"But I have to admit, nature has a bounty of entertainment. When a forest burns, I enjoy watching the bodies of the woodland critters and druids screaming and shriveling."

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

"I don't know, but I saw Ixair walk off into the woods with Rimoru...maybe they are both watching? I am not sure...I guess I am just worrying too much..." Beatrice replied quietly, her eyes darting back and forth amongst the surrounding area. "It's just...guys like to watch...women bathe...at least most..." She couldn't say them all. Bodista did not care either way. He wasn't lustful.

"A true druid could stop a fire with little trouble, if they burn, then that is natures will." Horatio shrugged, but Magledesh's attitude was beggining to get on his nerves.

------------------------------------------------------------------


Mienna laughed. She couldn't help it. "You are worrying too much. Those two would be too concerned with eachother to even think of watching us." Saying that though, she cast a wary glance around before again letting the water lift her up, she started to wave her arms as she had seen Beatrice doing and kicked her legs, she slowly edged forward, though her head was only just staying above the water.

"Oh, yes it is Nature's will...unless it isn't exactly fire," Megledesh chuckled, a small ball of fire forming in his right hand. "Are you sure we are going the right way?"

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

Beatrice smiled slightly when Mienna laughed at her. When she said Ixair and Rimoru being too concerned with each other, however, she darkened in the cheeks. "I don't think so," she said sternly, looking towards the area they walked off on. For the first time she can remember, she was feeling jealousy.

However, the feeling was short lived as it was replaced with joy in seeing Mienna clumsily and slowly move forward. Beatrice couldn't help but giggle as she watched the show. She clapped to help cheer Mienna on. "You are a bird-fish!" she chuckled.

"I won't aunty." She replied as she looked for some indication of what might be wrong before asking, "Is there anything I can do to help you?"

ooc: lol Theao...if I saw an ex-empress having a siezure, I think I'd be panicking...especially if she was my god-mother

Glurp looked wide-eyed at Luthien, then at Rimoru. "Lutheen killing Rim-Lady?" he asked in a shakey voice as he backed away.

Rimoru continued to shake and twitch, before she finally relaxed, wheezing heavily. Her face was glittering with tears as she looked up at Luthien. "I am just getting old, Luth-y..." she whispered as she held onto Luthien's hands. "Please...just...help me up..."

"Of course not." Lúthien almost snapped at Glurp.

"Yes aunty." She added as she helped her god-mother up. As she did, she thought she realized that maybe one of the potions she had might be able to help Rimmy.

ooc: You or I might, but she has no idea what a seizure is. She's concerned for Rimmy, but has no idea what is wrong(from her being very cold, to relieving past trauma to whatever else)

Rimoru leaned against a tree and smiled at Luthien. "I'm fine...I'm...fine..." she wheezed, her breath returning to normal. She huffed and wiped off her mouth. She seemed to get slightly paler, and wiped the remaining blood away from her mouth. Her eyes went to Luthien and Glurp and she frowned.

"J-just old age catching up to me..." she repeated. "I best be getting my magic back soon..." She smiled weakly and put her clean hand on Luthien's hair. "So...what are you doing?" she asked, as if nothing ever happened.

"Alright aunty." She replied, but remained dubious as Rimoru didn't seem entirely fine.

"I hope you get your magic back as well. Glurp and I were just exploring." Lúthien replied as she reached up and gave Rimmy's hand a squeeze.

"Adventurers?" Rimoru chuckled. "How come, whenever I wish to give you a hug...I am always a mess?"

Rimoru was soaked in sweat and dirt, in nearly every inch of her body. "Luthien, if-when we get my palace back, I would like it if you would visit me for a while and we can check out my library so you can read some books. I have...an extensive collection."

"But for now...I think...I may bathe again..." she sighed, stumbling towards the lake again. "Luthien, you may join if you wish...however you will need to leave Glurp."

The goblin stuck out his tongue. "Yeck! Goblins no like baths. Glurp no take bath since Glurp was littler!"

"I don't know, but it does seem to be that way." She said with a grin as she looked at the messy empress.

"That might be might be very nice. I'm sure daddy would find it interesting as well."

"If you don't mind, I think I might like to just dip my feet in rather than actually bathe." She commented as she'd prefere to relax rather than swim. "Do you think you'll be alright Glurp?"

ooc: "Lutheen, you may join if you wish...however you will need to leave Glurp."
Rimoru calling her Lutheen?

ooc: lol yes, Rimoru is actually a goblin. LoL Typo

Rimoru chuckled and nodded. "It's fine, Luthien. Just don't get as stinky as Glurp. We are bad enough with an ogre and a goblin who won't bathe!" She gave a few more coughs, before bringing her hand out for Luthien.

Just then, Alegain showed up, bandaged around the hands and waist. "Rimmy...are you...alright?" he asked quietly as he ran up to her and gave her a large hug. "I should have came earlier. However...I was busy trying to bandage myself with no hands..." He kissed Rimoru on the neck and she smiled, kissing him gently on the cheek. "It's alright, my lovely knight in shining armor. I am here and well, and I always will." She smiled at the somewhat confused Alegain and kissed him again on the cheek. "I am going to join the girls so I may bathe...I am quite a mess."

She stood on her tip toes and bit his ear gently. "Perhaps we can find our own little private 'bath' without Luthien or the others...another time though," she whispered in his ear, before slowly rubbing his chest.

"Whenever you wish, my love," Alegain smiled brightly, wrapping her in a hug.

"Come on, then Luthien. Let's go," Rimoru said as she broke away from Alegain who scratched at his right hand bandage with his left hand.

"Glurp be fine," the goblin sighed as he waved at Luthien. "Lutheen go and get herself...clean...ick!" He almost spat the word 'clean'.

"I won't aunty Rimmy." Lúthien said with a smile as being messy was fun at times. She might not have looked like it, but she did enjoy playing in the mud on every so often.

"Glurp, having a bath every so often is not bad. Maybe you just haven't found the right kind of bath toys to play with."

"Plus it makes you smell great," Rimoru added with a chuckle.

Glurp looked to either of the women and shook his head. "Glurp no know no bath toys. Glurp no want to be eaten by water and never seen again!" he replied. "And Glurp still smells good! Glurp show you!" the goblin began to advance towards a surprised Rimoru.

"It's quite all right," Rimoru giggled, holding onto Alegain again. "I have my own monkies to smell!"

"Who are these...monkies?" Alegain asked with a knowing smile.

"Eva. And Luthien," she chuckled, giving the girl a wink. "You are just my girlish indulgment." Rimoru giggled at Alegain's confused face and nuzzled up to him. "And I do take advantage of my indulgement whenever....I...Can," she whispered in Alegain's ear before she slowly kissed her husband's cheek.

"Eaten by water?" She asked as she'd never heard of anyone being eaten by plain old water.

Glurp nodded his large head. "Glurp seen goblins walk into water, only to fall in and never be seen again. Glurp seen water eat little elfs too! And momma-elf cry because momma-elf no want baby-elf be eaten!"

"Maybe they drowned..." She suggested tentatively. "But you don't have to worry if you just go in a little ways or just stick your feet in."

Glurp cocked his head and narrowed his eyes. "Drow-ned?"

Rimoru chuckled quietly, but brought a hand to her mouth. "I'm sorry...I shouldn't be laughing at such a...morbid subject," she said apologetically. She couldn't help it, however, as the goblin's description was somewhat entertaining.

"Glurp no deal with water. Sissy other creatures like water, like hoo-mans, Elf-es-eses, pixie-people...all of them...and more," Glurp said, crossing his scrawny arms across his chest."Goblins no need water."

"Water is nice, not sissy." She replied as she smiled at Glurp. "But since you don't like water, I won't continue to extole its virtues. Don't do anything too risky and I'll see you later."

Glurp raised an eyebrow at Luthien. "Virtues?" He looked around with narrowed eyes and then sighed. "Fine, Glurp come with, only to make sure Lutheen not get eaten by water! Then Glurp no have someone to prove how right Glurp always is!"

Rimoru chuckled and held out her hand for Luthien to take. "He'll come to the light soon enough," she chuckled.

"Alright Glurp. You can protect me from getting eaten by water." Lúthien replied, wondering how Glurp would protect her if the water decided to try eat her.

She then took Rimmy's hand so they could go to the lake and Rimoru could wash.

Rimoru chuckled as she brought Luthien with her and smiled as Mienna had was attempting to swim in the water. Alegain followed behind them, along with Glurp, however were stopped suddenly by Rimoru, wagging one finger in front of them. "Nuh-uh-uh! This is the girl's lake. You guys must find your own! Well...except Glurp," Rimoru chuckled, looking at the goblin. "But you must look away when we say so, alright?"

Glurp nodded his head, his face filled with uncertainty. Alegain's face was that of sadness. A lake of beautiful women was certainly a great sight to see.

"What if you need me?" Alegain asked hopefully.

"We won't," Rimoru teased as she lead Luthien towards the lake, her hips swaying very seductively as she looked back and winked at Alegain.

The ex-emperor winced and looked at the forest. Perhaps there is a vintage point somewhere in the forest...

She watched her godmother tease Alegain. She wondered if he'd try and be sneaky and then decided that there was a fairly good chance of it.

"So are you going to bathe now?" The elf asked as she took off her shoes and socks before sticking her feet in the water.

"Of course, Luthy," Rimoru chuckled. "However my clothing also needs to be washed, so I shall also try to get them somewhat cleaner," Rimoru said as she stuck her feet in the water as well, not having put on her footware when she ran to the forest.

"Glurp, look away," the ex-empress said as she looked at the goblin who was strangely quiet. The goblin nodded slowly and turned around.

Rimoru took off her shirt and pants, however she left on her undergarments as she let herself sink into the cool waters. She waded to the less shallow area and began to hum to herself as she gently rubbed her arms.
"Alright, Glurp. You may look," Rimoru called out to the goblin, who slowly looked around.

Eva groaned as she ached all over. Especially her arm...

She massaged it gently, wincing in pain occasionally as she limped to her rock out cropping she had been at before her pounding. She sat down with another groan and massaged arms, legs, feet, everything. Perhaps I can get Ixair to do this for me...I could use a full body massage... She smiled as she fantasized the elf, shirtless and smiling as he massaged her back, before engaging in an erotic kiss. Then, Ixair began to continue undressing himself and-

Something hit her in the head. Eva frowned as she was taken out of her fantasy and looked around. Her hand rubbed along something small and rough. A branch of nuts and berries. Eva frowned as she looked up and gasped as she could have sworn she saw something move.

"Hello?" she asked timidly, walking around. She examined the small branch, noticing it gave off a small glow- a white luminiscence. She looked up again but failed to notice anything moving. A shiver went down the princess' spine and she ran for the lake.

"Mother! Something is in the treetops! It threw a branch at me! It was big!" She called out as she ran out into the opening, to the lake.

"Did you pick out a shape?" Rimoru asked, a bit concerned. Suddenly, one of Rimoru's eyebrows rose as she looked at Eva.

"Wha-" Then Eva realized she still had the bandage wrapped around her chest. And little else on... Her face turned a deep scarlet and she gave an embarassed grin.

"Trying to be a man, Eva?" Rimoru asked as she still wondered why she would hide her beautiful curves like that.

Lúthien looked away a bit when Rimoru disrobed and just let her feet soak. "Does the water feel nice?" She asked of the mostly submerged god-mother.

She did a triple take at the oddly garbed Eva and wondered what had happened to her.

"I was just...testing..." Eva said quietly as she quickly wrapped placed her hands on the larger bruises on her body. "I was thinking...maybe...I could run faster..." she said as she fumbled for excuses.

"Well..." Rimoru chuckled as she raised both eyebrows and looked down for a minute. She was silent for a few seconds before giving out a chuckle and slowly nodding her head. "Yes..."

Eva chuckled too and began to unwrap her bandage when she noticed the goblin watching her with a glare.

"You again? What are you doing, you peeping tom?" she growled.

"Glurp no Tom! Glurp is Glurp!" The goblin growled as Eva walked towards the water, slowly unbandaging herself. When she was submerged up to her neck, she stopped unwrapping herself, however she kept the bandage on so she would not have to carry it.

"The water feels great, Luthy. Come join me!" Rimoru smiled.

"Luthy!" Beatrice called as she began to swim over, a broad smile on her face.

"Maybe later aunty." She replied as she continued to soak her feet while wondering what Eva had been up to as running did not seem like it was her thing.

"Hey Beatrice." She called back as she realized that the only girl, such that the term was applicable, missing was Mienna.

Beatrice swam up to her and smiled as she looked up at the younger elf. "Why don't you want to join us?" she asked with a small giggle. "You don't want your feet to shrivel up, do you?"

Glurp walked close to the water and carefully and slowly poked a clawed toe in the water. He shrieked and ran back a ways. It was quite evident that the reason the goblin had gotten so quiet was because he was so afraid of the water.

Beatrice giggled again and wrapped her arms around her chest as she looked up at Luthien. "Even Mienna is in here! But she is learning to swim. I am helping her!" she smiled proudly.

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

"Wow...look at all of them. All beautiful," Alegain chuckled as he squinted from the shade of the forest.

"Aye...it makes me want to...crash their party..." Ixair replied with a chuckle.

"Not yet...let them...settle in..." the ex-emperor replied with a smile.

Thye felt good that they could finally agree on something, and even have a friendly conversation about all the women in the lake...and when to jump in and join them.

"Oh, yes it is Nature's will...unless it isn't exactly fire," Megledesh chuckled, a small ball of fire forming in his right hand. "Are you sure we are going the right way?"


Horatio kept an eye on the ball of fire as he glanced over the side of the Gryphon, and made a show of checking the map, with or without it he could find his way, the map was just conveniant. He straightened and smiling at magledesh held out the map; "You can check if you want." If the demon reached over he would let go of it, petty, but then, so was magledesh.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Mienna tried to keep some distance between her and the others, but rapidly found herself drifitng into slightly deeper water and paddling back to where she could stand easily enough.

She watched the others with interest and was surprised when Eva charged onto the bank screaming of seeing something in the trees. Mienna raised an eyebrow, but the others seemed to shrug it off. She couldn't help the feeling she was being watched though. She looked round and then slowly drifted towards the Beatrice. "She is a good teacher, i haven't drowned yet." She could not really say what a good teacher was, but it felt appropriate to say it.

Then she turned to Eva, "What do you think you saw?" The demons might still be chasing them after all.

Megledesh looked carefully at the map, then Horatio. "Can't read maps, druid? Or does it pain you to see something made out of nature?" he chuckled as he reached for the map, the ball of fire dissipating in his hand.

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

Beatrice let out a gentle laugh and smiled at Mienna. "I would never let you drown, Mienna," the dark elf replied. She would not let anyone drown. She would not be the same if such a thing happened to one of her friends. She already lost her closest...

Eva smiled at Mienna, taking a mental note of her- definately someone beautiful enough to compete with the others for a man. "I don't know...I saw a shadow, something large. But it dropped a small branch on me...a glowing white one!"

"I just don't feel like taking a swim at the moment." Lúthien replied as she watched Glurp poke the water and recoil.

"Maybe it was a magic branch." She suggested as Eva told the story of the falling tree limb.

Beatrice replied with a bright eyed stare and a wide smile.

"A magic branch?" Eva asked, letting out a laugh. "With magic berries and acorns? Hah! Magic branch..." she shook her head as she swam around. "What kind of a foolish idea is a magic branch?"

"Oh? You get assaulted by glowing foliage on a daily basis Eva?" She asked with a bit of a smile.

The concept of a glowing branch being tossed by a mysterious entity made her thinks of nymphs, dryads and the various other wood-landers that lived, but they weren't often as overt as that. Or at least the very few she'd seen hadn't been.

"Not unless someone in my palace throws it," Eva replied, taking a glance at Rimoru, who chuckled and shrugged.

"Those trees don't glow," Rimoru commented as she floated about, seeming to look past her fellow females in the pool. Her smile widened, but she didn't say anything.

Then suddenly, Beatrice sprung out at Luthien and carried her into the water, laughing the whole way.

Glurp shrieked and ran about the shoreline. "Water attacking!" he shouted.

Horatio let go of the map, letting it fly backwards. "I don't need maps, they are for those who are so blind, that they can't see where they are going."

----------------------------------------------------------------

Eva's comment about what use were magic branchs put Mienna a bit on the defensive. "You have obviously never seen what a druid can do." She knew Horatio could turn berries and acorns into explosive weapons, but they wouldn't be thrown on a branch.

She frowned as her mind grasped at connections between the events; Magic branches could mean druids, Horatio was the only druid she knew was about, which meant demons. She couldn't overreact though, she could be wrong, but it was bothering her. She turned to Rimoru, "Are there any druids in the area?"

Megledesh's lips curled over his pointed teeth as he gave Horatio a deadly glare. "If we do not arrive in the right place within a day, I will personally rip off your head," the demon growled as he glanced at the map fallng to the ground.

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

"Most druids were driven off the land as the city got more and more developed. I don't think there are very many around," Rimoru replied to Mienna.

"So there, polly," Eva grumbled back, her eyes narrowng at Mienna.

Lúthien shrieked as she got ambushed by Beatrice and came up spluttering. With a faint scowl at Bea, she got partially out of the water and called to Glurp.

"I'm fine, it wasn't water that was attacking."

Beatrice frowned as she recieved a scowl and looked down. "I'm sorry," she said quietly.

"Water attack! You sputter, water attack!" Glurp called as he bounced around and pointed at the water.

Eva laughed and pointed at Luthien. "You're all wet!" she chuckled.

Rimoru looked up with a lopsided grin, but didn't laugh.

"It's alright." She said reassuringly to Beatrice. "I just didn't expect it."

"I was sputtering because some water went down the wrong way, not because I got attacked by it. And yes, I am all wet."

"Water go wrong way because water attack!" Glurp replied, stubborn to his goblin ways. "Goblins find way to fight water...Glurp know it." He narrowed his eyes at the lake and gave it a menacing glare for a few seconds before walking away.

Just then, Beatrice looked over at a patch of forest, not saying anything to Luthien, and heard something large walking, or ripping, through the forest. She could not tell as there was a lot of noise, sticks cracking, plants uprooted, perhaps even trees destroyed. She slowly began to swim back to her clothing, keeping an eye on the forest.

Rimoru seemed to hear it as well as she glanced over in the direction Beatrice did and cocked her head slightly.

Horatio merely nodded and made a slight adjustment to the direction he was going, he had a pretty good idea of how to get there and shouldn't be at risk of having his head ripped off by a disgruntled demon.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mienna nodded at Rimoru's comment, then gave Eva a look of contempt, "My name is Mienna." She almost hoped the branch was magical and wished it had done something to the princess when it hit her. "Perhaps we should send the men off to search a few trees, put to rest Eva's fears of tree jumping stick throwing beasts out to get her."

She laughed at Glurps behaviour and splashed some water in his general direction as he started to retreat. Mienna heard a noise and noticed several people already looking in that direction, she began to move towards the shore as well, looking to grab her clothes and weapon.

Megledesh continued fly alongside the druid for atleast thirty more minutes before he began to slow down, slowly positioning himself behind Horatio and a little above his head. I will enjoy annoying this cocky druid as much as I want...no one can stop me from that, right? He grinned as he began to plot out pranks to perform on the unsuspecting druid.

Suddenly, he let out a howl as he felt something blast into his mind. He began to plummet to the ground before he steadied himself. He looked wildly around, breathing heavily before he heard an all to familiar voice.

Come down here. I must speak with you. And Horatio. I am several miles north of your position, at a castle.

"Habdebza," Megledesh groaned. "Druid...Habdebza wishes to see us...North...near a castle..."


***********************************************************
Glurp screeched again and hopped away when Mienna splashed water at him.

"Whatever," Eva replied to Mienna. "I agree. The men should scout and find out what is out there...but I am not afraid," she added, glaring at Mienna. "I can handle myself-" She turned towards the sound and the blood drained from her face. She slowly sank into the water. "It's coming..." she gasped.

"Alright Glurp, I will continue to be careful about the water." She replied with a faint grin.

She then looked over at the strange sound before getting so she was only ankle deep in the water.

The hairs on the back of Horatios next prickled as Magledesh flew behind him, he couldn't help but think the demon was upto something and was somewhat surprised when the demon howled and plummeted, he banked his own mount and spiraled down after him. He leveled out nearby, regarding the demon with an expectant curiosity.

He raised an eyebrow at the news and inwardly swore. "Lead the way."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mienna moved as quickly as she could through the water, which wasn't very, but she wasn't particularly far from the shore and scrambled up the bank. Unbidden a spell came to her mind which rinsed the water off of her and conveniantly had a blurring effect which would conceal her body as she pulled on her clothes and grabbed her rapier, holding the shieth in one hand and the sword itself in the other.

She was tempted to shout for the men, but did not want to draw the things attention. She looked at the people in the water and beckoned towards the trees pointing away from where the noise was coming from. At least if they were in the forest they might not be noticed.

Megledesh massaged his temples as he began to soar northward, towards the direction of his old master. This was something he was not looking forward to. He could already feel the demi-god moving through his memories and thoughts, dissecting them and finding out how to use them.

Within the span of an hour, he noticed smoke from a small opening in the expanding forest and pointed towards it. "I believe that is him."

He descended and groaned as he saw Habdebza waiting for them, standing tall on a small rock out cropping.

Megledesh began to fold his wings, however yelped in surprise as they continued to fold in on themselves. He fought to keep control, however a series of loud cracks and pops were emitted by his wings. He screamed in pain as his wings crunched and wrinkled. He fell to the floor with a loud thud and dragged in the uneven ground all the way to the rock, where he hit his head rather hard. A string of curses came from the gasping demon as he tried to sit up.

"Good to see you again, old apprentice," Habdebza growled as his cloaked form walked off the edge of the rocks and onto the ground below. "I have began a search through the castle but as of yet, no luck. It is quite...unnerving. So I figured I should atleast make use of my stress relieving tools that were flying overhead."

He turned to Horatio and his bird and gave out a chuckle. "So...how are the prisoners?"

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

Beatrice swam quickly behind Mienna and ran off to her own clothing, covering herself with her hands and arms. In the trees nearby, the men cursed somewhat loudly.

Eva ran next, already being decently covered, followed by Rimoru, who made no effort to cover herself and seemed rather relaxed.

Suddenly, the forest grew silent.

Before something large exploded from it, leaves, branches, plants, and even a few large sticks being propelled all over. Eva screamed and ran into to the edge of the forest. Glurp began to tug at Luthien babbling and shrieking. Rimoru merely crossed her arms and waited.

The creature was massive, it's skin striped black in jagged designs, it's teeth large and pointed. It's muscles budged as it's eyes glowed a violent shade of red. It's hands could easily wrap around any one of the women and squish them.

"Kalzog...if you want to go, you could just ask..." Rimoru growled impatiently.

The ogre just burst out with deep laughter. "I could not help it...you should have seen it!"

Horatio watched Magledesh being 'greeted' by his master and couldn't help wincing at the sound of breaking bones, that and wondering what sort of punishment he would get for having let the prisoners escape. As he watched he landed the bird and dismounted, stepping away from the bird and towards Habdebza, he knelt.

"Unfortunate news, a band of highly skilled adventurers assaulted the palace and freed them. The matter is being rectified, they are being monitored." He was unsure if telling the truth was the best idea, but if he had lied and Habdebza had found out, any punishment would be that much worse. "Valtrox has dispatched us to gather his supporters and consolidate our powerbase in the city."

He was somewhat curious as to what Habdebza was doing exploring this castle when other, more important issues were apparently going on.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mienna tensed as the beast emerged, but as Rimoru addressed it she recognised the ogre's form and relaxed, she lowered the rapier and then sheathed it, tieing the belt back around her waist. "I would not have expected anything else from an ogre. If you wish to go, there were more direct means of asking." She glanced around and then not seeing the others said "Already scared the men? Or were we your first priority?"

"Yes...highly skilled adventurers?" Habdebza asked as the steady sound of metal rubbing on metal came from one of his sleeves. "I can make a guess as to who they are. No matter..."

"I have spoken to Valtrox a bit and I am glad you were able to speak with him as well...however...something bothers me..." Suddenly a his sword extended until it was about an inch away from Horatio's neck. "From the sound of your deal, you don't seem to trust me. I am deeply saddened."


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

"What fun is asking, anyways?" Kalzog replied, controling his laughter little by little. "Besides, I figured you ladies needed a little scare to keep you on your toes..."

Rimoru rolled her eyes as she clothed herself with her remaining clothes. "Always ruining a good bath, aren't you?"

"Indeed," the ogre grinned. "The men...they were a second priority. If I had gotten to them first, you know they would join me if only to see you all run to your clothing, naked...if they haven't already been watching you."

Alegain and Ixair chuckled and looked from woman to woman to ogre to woman.

"Let's get out of here before they realize we've been watching the whole time..." Ixair whispered.

Lúthien let out a loud 'Eeeeeeek' as the creature burst out. A few seconds later her face was graced with a bit of a scowl, but there was amusement also as while she disliked the prank, it was funny.

Walking up to the laughing ogre, she sternly said, "That was very not nice." She then smiled, "But I love you anyways and it was very funny."

Horatio tensed at the sound of metal being drawn and then a sword was almost at his neck, he swallowed and then said: "Trust... is not the issue, i merely wish to be able to work without a sword at my throat." His eyes followed the blade, "I find it... distracting." He was trying to say it as calmly as possible, though there was perhaps a hint of fear entering his voice.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mienna shrugged and flicked some dust off her shirt, "Surely if they see something they like, then that would attract them and they would have to try and gain our favour. I would not mind having one at my beck and call for a while." She was trying to apply the way that male birds tried to gain females attention through offerings and making nests to humanoid relationships.

Glurp had let out another shriek, however this time, he actually fainted, falling to the ground.

Kalzog smiled and gently pat Luthien on the head. "Since when was I ever nice?" he chuckled. "And I am glad I was not the only one who thought it was funny."

"Any idea where the men are?" Kalzog asked with a chuckle.

Rimoru pointed towards a patch of woods, her lips pursed, but a small smile at the edges.

Rimoru laughed at Mienna and nodded. "Sounds like a good plan. I do hope they heard it!"

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

Ixair did in fact hear it, a smile creeping up his lips.

Alegain, however, did not as they both ran to the drop off point. Alegain hurredly jumped on a log and assumed a sitting position, his brows slightly furrowed as if in deep thought. Ixair leaned against a tree and began humming to himself.

"So...how about the weather?" Ixair asked, trying to spark a conversation, as though they had been for the past hour or so, even though they had been conversing. However it was not about the weather at all...

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

The demi-god let out a laugh and his sword retracted, once he heard fear creeping into Horatio's voice. "That's how I like to work, actually. It is efficient that you do not have to look over lumbering fools..." he glanced at the struggling Megledesh, "And it tends to be quicker..."

The demon reached into his dark cloak and pulled out a small disk. "I have the thought that your target will not cooperate immediately. If he does not, and all other forms of persuation do not work, give him this." He held up a small disk, the symbol of Valtrox on one side, a skull on the other. He flipped it in the air towards Horatio and stepped back slightly.

Horatio watched as Habdebza drew the disk and flipped it, time seemed to slow as his mind examined the possibilities. He mentioned trust, it could be a trap. Catch the coin and suffer some form of punishment from it, why else would he step back? Or let the disk fall and possibly bring down his wrath, not to mention that the impact may set of whatever this coin is anyway....

Neither option was particularly favourable, but he couldn't let it drop, that was for certain, if he had a few more seconds he would have tried some form of spell to catch it by another means, but, he didn't have time. So he reached out a hand to catch it and wondered if he would regret the decision as he felt it touch his hand. Somehow as it had been falling he had managed to say "He will cooperate, by one means or another."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mienna walked over to the apparently unconcious goblin and picking up a branch poked him gently with it. "Perhaps we should go find them, since they seem unwilling to come to us, even after the racket Kalzog caused."

"Agreed," Rimoru chuckled. "But we need to do something to them I think...Any ideas?" She grinned mischieviously as she awaited thoughts.

Glurp pushed away the prodding stick and opened one eye. "Meeenna tryin' to make goblin-kabob?" he asked the green tinted elf.
*************************************************

The disk merely sat on Horatio's palm, the cold stoney glare of the skeleton staring up at him.

"Say his name three times and throw it at him. Or flip it at him. It would be sufficient to say he will not have any sleep until he returns it. Or he dies..." the demi-god replied as he walked up the pile of rocks he stood on earlier.

"It is reusable, should you find the need for multiple uses," he said, almost as an afterthought.

"You're usually nice, at least around me." She replied with a grin as she noticed that Glurp had passed out and Mienna went and began poking him.

"It was very funny thought. I especially liked how you spooked Eva."

"Well, that's because if I am not nice, you won't feed me," Kalzog chuckled, giving Luthien a wink.

"Tis a shame. Eva shouldn't be so scared all the time..."

Lúthien smiled back as she wouldn't withhold treats and food, maybe give them less but not cut him off cold.

"It might be that she's just had a somewhat sheltered life and is lacking some self-confidence."

"I think she has plenty of self-confidence...she just doesn't have courage," Kalzog replied as he walked closer to the woods, where Rimoru wrapped her arms around herself, her teeth clattering together.

"I forgot how cold it could get before the sun rose..." she stuttered.

"Well, there is that." She agreed as she felt it turn a bit chilly with the wet clothes and the temperature of the air and wrapped her arms around herself.

Kalzog laughed as the girls slowly began to shiver and shook his head. "Don't get sick," he said as he began to trek through the woods. He gently lifted Luthien and kept her in his arms to keep her somewhat warm.

"I th-th-think we s-s-should make a f-f-fire," Rimoru shivered as she walked behind the ogre.

Eva peeked out of a tree and shook her head. "How rude...I thought you were the tree things."

Kalzog raised an eyebrow as he kept walking. "Tree thing?"

"Yeah, a shadow I saw after it threw a glowing branch at me."

"A druid?"

"Impossible. They don't live here anymore."

"You never know..." Kalzog said as he searched the canopy. "When did you see it?"

"A little after...well...you know..."

Kalzog nodded slowly as he tried to imagine what else would be stalking the trees.

"Thank you uncle Kal." Lúthien said as she began warming somewhat in the ogre's arms.

"When Eva told the story of her magic branch, I thought it might have been a dryad or nymph or something like that." She commented as she snuggled in closer to the warmth of the ogre.

"Would there be dryads or nymphs in here?" Kalzog asked as he inwardly smiled at the snuggling elf.

"I doubt it..." Rimoru said quietly, looking at the ground as if she were hiding something.

Horatio examined the disk and rolled it round his hand, "His full name, or would the first name sufice?" He stood and prepared to follow Habdebza.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mienna laughed at the goblin. "No, your safe from that fate... for now" She followed the others and at the mention of the branch glanced round: "Did anybody pick the branch up? there may have been some clue on it."

"First name is sufficient," Habdebza replied as he stood next to his small fire. "Your target is strange and decieving. Don't let your temper take the best of you upon your first visit. You'll end up killing him. But...that says nothing about the thousands of bodyguards and hired mercenaries he may have stashed in his manor. There was a very peculiar dragon attack a while ago and he doesn't want to encounter another event like that...not that bodyguards will help."

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

Glurp let out a relieved sigh and wiped his forehead. "Glurp never knew Meeena like goblin meat!" he replied as a smile lit his face.

"I didn't pick up the branch. What if it turned me into a monster or something? Or made me into some sort of monster breeding thing?" Eva replied.

Kalzog chuckled and shook his head. "There are very few creatures of doing that. I don't think a tree dweller will do such a thing to you..."

Lúthien lightly chuckled at Eva's imagination. The princess must have gotten into some strange books in Rimoru's library or something to get such a oddballed idea. Had there been anything really dangerous in the area, aunty Rimmy was certain to have taken care of it earlier.

Eva scowled at Luthien and Kalzog. "It could happen!"

"Eva, darling, these woods have been devoid of..." Rimoru frowned as she searched for the right word. "...Unruly life for years. In fact the last incident was before you were born."

"But what if there are demons up there? Or evil sorcerors?" Eva countered.

Rimoru chuckled and shook her head. "The only thing I can come up with are some of the college boys spying on you."

Eva blushed and pursed her lips. When Rimoru went on her monthly college visits to make sure the institutions were working well, Eva would go along, just to look at the boys. And the men always enjoyed the two goddesses walking around or joining them for classes. In fact, if Rimoru or Eva wished to stay in a class, the men would push their friends or girlfriends out of the nearby chair just to get one of the royals to get in.

Horatio frowned, "I will endeaver to control myself." The idea of a small army waiting for them was not reassuring, but there mission was to talk, not to cause a small massacre. He raised an eyebrow. "A dragon attack? Unusual."

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mienna shook her head at Eva's foolishness. But she was right to be worried, they could still be being followed, though she couldn't imagine demons throwing branches unless there was some reason for it. "I cannot imagine demons throwing branches... or college boys for that matter."

"Do you always tease the boys so they try to get your attention Eva?" She asked as the idea of someone throwing a stick at the princess, to get her attention, sounded silly but possible.

"Indeed. However, it works to our advantage. If Dominatistradz is waging war on the mortal world, it makes our objectives much easier," Habdebza replied. "As long as we can achieve it before he takes over all of Lustria...or atleast the parts we don't have." The demi-god crouched by the fire, small shapes forming and dissolving, eventually a large dragon forming as well-Dominatistradz.

Megledesh had finally got up, his wings cracking together as they began to heal themselves. He winced slightly and looked up at the two with his eyes narrowed.

"Beware when you fly. Dragons have begun to prowl the areas much more than usual."

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

"How would you know, birdy? Maybe one of your distant relatives threw that branch at me?" Eva growled, annoyance seeping into her voice.

"Eva, be nice. Perhaps we should check out this branch before we come to any conclusions?"

"Yeah...I'll do so," Kalzog mumbled as he brushed away several branches that looked as though they were reaching for Luthien in his arm.

Eva mumbled something and crossed her arms as she looked at Luthien, walking alongside the ogre. "I don't teast boys to get their attention. I walk into a room and I get their attention. I just tease them to make it more entertaining," she began to smile and her eyes looked dreamy as she looked into the distance.

"That sounds like a good idea, maybe we'll find something out investigating the branch. Like why it was glowing and if it still is." She commented from her psuedo-hammock that was Kalzog's arm.

"So why does teasing them make it more entertaining?"

Eva chuckled and shook her head. "Boys think they know everything and can do anything. But if you make them work for your favor, they know you aren't easy to get and they try and try and try until they grow desperate and practically throw themselves at your feet. It makes for very interesting relationships. Besides, you are still flirting with them as you tease them."


Eva sighed and shook her head. "Luthien, when you become a teenager, you will thank me for all this knowledge. And I can't wait for that because then we may be able to connect with each other better," Eva said, before adding with a mumble, "or connect at all..."

"It sounds vaguely interesting, but slightly mean as well." She commented before adding, "When I am a teenager, you'll be an adult..."

"And?" Eva asked with a chuckle. "We'll both still be mature enough to handle this material, unlike you are now."

"Maybe." She replied dubiously. Lúthien could charm males, at least of the ogre and mages varieties.

Kalzog stopped suddenly and turned around as quietly as he could, his index finger perpendicular to his lips. He gently set the wet Luthien on the ground and jerked his thumb behind him. The two men were conversing about nothing in particular, acting oblivious to everything around them. Kalzog also pointed to Ixair and then his own ears to remind the women of the elf's incredible hearing.

He then pointed to all the women and silently acted out his previous prank on the women and then pointed to the men again.

"Do we want to do anything to them?" Rimoru whispered in a very quiet voice to Mienna, the closest person to her.

Ixair shifted his weight to the other side but said nothing about the whispers.

Horatio again frowned at the image formed in fire. "We will be careful. Is there anything else before we continue our flight?" He cast a glance over at Magledesh, wondering how long it would take his wings to heal to a functional level.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mienna watched the ogre miming his plan and smiled, she glanced at Rimoru and nodded before whispering back. "It could be funny." She gave the ogre a small thumbs up.

Lúthien had dried off a bit in Kalzog's arm and was thus only cool rather than chilly as she had been as she was set down.

As Kalzog mimed his prank, Lúthien nodded in agreement that he should do it but added a little negative gesture to get him to not take it to far if the guys decided it was time to fight back rather than scream like the girls had.

"Not really," Habdebza wheezed before shaking his head, another figure forming in the flames. The figure began to shape itself into a humanoid figure- a female- before the demi-god growled again and waved his hand, the fire going out instantly. He turned to face the druid, towering over the half-demon. "I cannot wait to see the full effects of your transformation," he wheezed before pointing to his griffon. "Now leave."

***********************************************
Kalzog watched the others for a few seconds, originally intending them to do a prank of their own. However when he recieved a thumbs up, a nod, and a negative gesture he was slightly confused. He stood their with an eyebrow raised before looking back at the men, realizing the women wanted him to do the same he did to them to the boys. I should work on my gesture-speak...but this will be fun non-the-less. His lips curled up into a wicked smile as he turned around again and began to make a lot of noise. He started to step slowly and heavily towards the two men, as well as crack a few branches, trees, plants, like he did with the women.

Kalzog suddenly turned his waist to look at the girls and motioned to all of them. He then opened his mouth wide and waved his hands above him. He then pointed to Eva with a stiffled chuckle. He then mouthed I want you all to scream.

He then continued to move.

Glurp however had just caught up with the women, babbling to himself. "Girls leaving Glurp to Glurp's self! Poor Glurp! Glurp is big hero! Glurp no know why women-" His eyes were transfixed on the ogre. "Hullo Ogre. Ogre eating children today?"

Kalzog's smile widened, much to the distress of the goblin.
***

"I guess we scream?" Rimoru giggled quietly, looking at the fuming Eva.

"I don't scream often," she growled, crossing her arms.

"Just do it now!" Rimoru replied, still laughing. She opened her mouth and let out a loud scream, however it was cut short with another chuckle.

Eva looked around, still frowning, before giving in and screaming loudly.
***

Ixair twitched as he heard something like whispering some ways back and shifted his weight. He smiled at Alegain and gestured behind him and then a symbol of women, using his upper chest.

Alegain chuckled but was cut short as he felt a shap pain in his stomach. "Blasted wounds," he wheezed, fighting for breath.

Ixair shook his head and sprang onto his feet when he head the ruckus from nearby. "It's a prank," he chuckled and slowly leaned on the tree again. Suddenly a scream erupted from the forest.

The elf looked at Alegain, who was slowly standing himself up. "What if it's not a prank?" Ixair unsheathed his sword and walked closer to the screams. The ex-emperor limped to his side as the loud noises got closer.

"Brace yourself," Ixair whispered as he got into a fighting position.

Suddenly, a little green shape popped out.

"Glurp?" both the men said at once.

"Glurp scary, no?" the goblin grinned.

"What was all that...screaming?" Ixair began before he noticed a look of horror cross the goblins face.

"Glurp run!"

Ixair and Alegain slowly turned around as they felt hot breath fall upon them, only to glance up at bright red eyes and dagger-like teeth. Both men stumbled and fell to the floor trying to run away until they heard the monster laugh. They looked at him again, realizing it was just Kalzog.

"You good for nothing oaf!" Ixair growled.

"We knew you were there," Alegain added.

Kalzog shook his head as he laughed. "The women wanted me to do it for not coming to their aide earlier."

Nor can i Horatio thought as he watched the display in the fire, wondering if it had any significance, at his dismissale he gave a short quick bow and said "As you wish." before walking quickly over to the gryphon and mounting. He looked at Magledesh. "Ready?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mienna watched as the men stumbld over themselves in response to the ogre's menacing charge. She couldn't help but laugh at thm and stepped out from behind the tree's. "I hope you didn't get too bored waiting for us."

Magledesh glared at Horatio as a few more pops could be heard coming from his back and wings. "I am ready," he growled, before glancing back at Habdebza.

The stronger of the two demi-gods just stared at the two, the shadow over his face making it impossible to determine exactly where he was looking, as his cloak made it impossible to find out what form the demi-god took.

Magledesh grunted and lifted off into the air, waiting for Horatio so he can continue following.

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

Ixair turned slightly, his mouth slightly ajar as he watched the wet Mienna come from the trees. "What a bunch of...pranksters!" Ixair chuckled. "I always knew you were very tricky, Mienna."

Rimoru and Eva came out too, laughing away. "It is nice to know my lions are only cubs," Rimoru giggled as she walked up to Alegain and gently wrapped her arms around him and kissed up his neck.

"Did you guys enjoy the show? I could see you two watching..."

"What? We weren't watching!" Ixair stammered, his cheeks turning a bit red.

"Mmm hmm," Rimoru replied with a shake of her head.

Eva chuckled and walked up to Ixair. "You are such a fraidy-cat," she smiled, giving the elf a good view of the loosened strap covering her upper chest. The elf's eyes boggled but he averted them elsewhere.

Beatrice came soon after, stiffling a giggle with her hand. "I hope you guys weren't too scared," she said quietly.

Ixair laughed and waved her over. "Nonsense. We didn't want you guys to think your plan didn't work, right Alegain?"

"Right," the ex-emperor said as his eyes were locked on Rimoru's as they engaged in kissing each other.

Beatrice stood next to Ixair amongst the other women and smiled cheerfully at them, before glancing at Rimoru and Alegain. She turned to look at Ixair again and pursed her lips just a little.

Lúthien let out a loud eeeeeeek on cue so that Kalzog could have sounds of fear to help his prank. As she watched Alegain and Ixair panic, she began giggling, bursting into full blown laughter at seeing thier faces when they realized.

She walked with the other girls to berate the menfolk, but she did wonder where Lorathin happened to be and what he was doing.

Seeing Magledesh take off, Horatio gave a small grunt and kicked the gryphon forward, soon he spiraling upwards to gain some height before striking off towards what he hoped was the right direction he would have to find a land mark to check his bearings, well, he could use magic, but he preferred to rely on luck for the moment.

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Mienna smiled and gave a small nod at Ixiars response and stayed slightly seperate as the others grouped together. "So... you wanted to get moving kalzog?"

Ixair smiled as Beatrice made her way over to him and as she reached him, he quickly wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her, circling around before setting her on the floor.

Beatrice was flushed, her whole body several shades darker, a smile on her lips. "What was that for?" she asked quietly, her eyes glittering.

"Spontanaiety," Ixair replied with a laugh, his eyes locking on hers, before she let out a quiet giggle and looked to the floor. Haha! She is falling for me... he mentally laughed. He knew when he first met her, that Beatrice would open up and possibly even fall in a crush with him. Not to mention he already had fallen for Beatrice when he first saw her. Then again, he's in love with all these woman around him...

He smiled at Mienna and walked over to her. "Care for a spin, too?" he chuckled.

Kalzog grunted before anything else could happen and nodded. "It is time to go. Eva, take us to your branch as we head out. We shall examine it on our way out."

Eva nodded and led the way to where she had sat before the branch bopped her on the head. She pointed and bounced at the branch that still glittered.

Kalzog picked it up, a tiny twig in his meaty hand, and sniffed. "Someone else hold it," he growled after a few minutes of examination.

Whoever would hold it would feel intense euphoria and a peace of mind only felt through intense meditation.

Lúthien looked up at the ogre and asked teasingly but with a smile, "Would you like me to hold it for you, if you're getting tired?"

She was curious as to Ixair and Beatrice and would have to grill him on his intentions toward her later but for now, the stick was the focus.

ooc: Apologies for not posting, missed the thread when you last posted.

A slight smile formed on Kalzog's lips as there were no takers for the glittering branch- until a small elven voice peeped out.

"Luthien?" Kalzog asked with a tinge of surprise. He raised an eyebrow and smiled. What if this thing is harmful? I won't give it to her. "Luthy, I won-"

"Give it to her, Kalzog. We'll be here in case something happens," Eva interrupted, looking at both ogre and elf.

"Here in case we are attacked," Kalzog growled. "Not if she-"

"We will take the branch if she doesn't say anything..."

Kalzog looked at Luthien and sighed as he held out the branch. "Luthy if you don't feel safe...don't take it," Kalzog whispered as he crouched down to get as eye level as he could, however still standing about half size taller.

"Yes uncle Kal?" She replied, a faint smile at the surprise lacing his voice.

She looked at Eva in amazement, wondering where she'd developed the confidence to interrupt the ogre in such a manner. It wasn't like her.

"Do you think it might be dangerous?" She asked as she trusted the ogre as much as she did Lorathin.

Kalzog took switched the branch to his other hand and showed Luthien his glowing palm. "There's some magic involved in it, but that's as far as I can tell. My tattoos prevent me from recieving benefits or damage from magical items. I cannot tell what it does," he replied to Luthien. "However, it didn't explode or attempt to engulf me in flames," Kalzog smiled.

"I believe it is safe. If not, we shall immediately pull it away from you," Kalzog said reassuringly, briefly glancing back angrily at the others. "You are very brave, Luthy...perhaps a bit too brave."

"Thats always a good thing." She replied with an answering smile as while she did find Kalzog to be a bit explosive, she'd be very upset if he were exploded.

"It's easy to be brave when I'm with you or Daddy." Lúthien replied, "But if you don't think it might cause a funny reaction with the spell on the branch, maybe I could try a spell to figure it out first."

Kalzog smiled and nodded. "That sounds good," he said finally.

Eva, knowing how long it took Luthien to figure out what one potion did, sighed impatiently and walked angrily up to the ogre and the elf girl.

"Come on now, we don't have all day! Luthien will probably take forever trying to figure out what the infernal branch does while one of us can just pick it up ourselves!" Eva growled as she reached for the branch.

"Eva, something bad could happen, you don't want to just-" Kalzog began to growl, moving around to push the princess away.

"Eva!" Rimoru yelled.

"Oh what a bunch of hog wash...Nothing happened when it fell on my head it's probably just-" Kalzog's arm missed Eva and she latched onto the branch pulling it away. Her face contorted to one of shock and her hand holding the branch tightened until the branch began to crack. Suddenly, she relaxed and her face broke out into a massive smile as she fell back onto a few rocks.

"Eva!" Rimoru and Alegain screamed as they rushed to their daughters body.

"Hello Mother. Hello Father," Eva said softly as she looked up at her parents. "It's quite a lovely day, is it not?"

Kalzog raised an eyebrow and looked at Eva as he stood up again. "Eva?"

As Eva was brought back to her feed she continued to smile and gave out a small chuckle. "Kalzzzzy...You do care for me!" she giggled as she skipped over to the ogre and wrapped her arms around his leg. "Oh Kalzy, you are quite a caring fellow for an ogre!"

"Gerroff me!" Kalzog growled as he pryed her away from his leg. Eva just let out another giggle and pushed her away from him.

"Ixy? Ixy Ixy Ixy!" Eva giggled as she pranced around Ixair.

"Well...I suppose we know what the branch does..." Ixair said as he watched the girl prance around him.

"Turns people into Lunatics," Kalzog growled under his breath.

"Weee!" Eva laughed as she did a cartwheel.

The branch was taking quite a bit of strain with all her movements and began to break apart, however Eva was not showing signs of returning to her normal self.

"Someone get it away from her!" Kalzog growled, growing annoyed of the happy girl.

"Tee hee! Not my branch!" She giggled as she walked behind Beatrice.

"Uhh..." Beatrice said quietly as she turned around. "P-princess Eva?"

"Just call me Eva...Or Evey...or Darling...or Sunshine...or..."

"Ugh! Stop her already!" Kalzog growled as he got closer to the prancing princess.

Lúthien was about to comment on the difference between a spell to determain an enchantment's effects and translating a language in which there are few similarities to the more common languages.

"Don't do it." She called as well when Eva grabbed the branch and watched the princess as the branch did its thing to her.

Eva began giggling and skipping and generally acting as if she'd been given a super-strength dose of some sort of joy juice.

"Whatever spell was on that is one I've never heard of." She commented as she tried to get her hands on the frolicing princess to slow her down a bit.

"Looooooothy!" Eva sang out as she took hold of Luthien's hands and began to prance around with her. "I didn't know you could dance!" she giggled as she danced past her dumbfounded parents.

"I wish I had that during childbirth," Rimoru commented as she looked at Alegain.

"What do you feel like Eva?" She asked as she was spun around with the hyper-happy princess.

Habdebza had finally reached the castle walls, effortlessly and untiring.

"How...disgusting...undead," he said aloud. The demi-god continued through the ruined gates, examining the destruction. No doubt some zombies would be running towards him...however he did feel other things, far more powerful than zombies. But nothing he couldn't handle...because there was nothing he can't handle.

When the great demi-god of evil entered the castle walls, it was silent... deathly silent. Not a soul stirred, not a being moved... there were no souls left and no bodies alive. Bodies littered the surrounding area, drained of their life fluids and cleaved by giant blades of doom. All that greeted the duo was the stench of rotting flesh as they trudged through the blood soaked courtyard. When they arrived at the main hall, the two massive stone doors flung open and the torches on the walls seemed to gather an intensity about them.

"Greetings..." The Dark Mistress (http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b360/DMG2005/Vira1.jpg) said as she sat upon her elevated throne. A set of stairs above them, Vira sat on what was quite literally a throne of skulls. "I would call you travelers, but then you are much more than that... are you not?"

Without so much as a sound, the entrance behind the demi-god and his companion was occupied by the vaunted Doom Guards (http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b360/DMG2005/DoomGuard.jpg). Though the flames of death were not lit and their swords remained sheathed, the dreaded Doom Guards were imposing figures nonetheless. Muscle bound brutes, standing over ten feet tall, they would make all but the strongest of beings quake as they stood in their presence. "I take it you have no interest in the soul that so incompetently defended this bastion before I took up residence..." Vira continued as she shifted in her seat, her voluptous bossum pronounved to the world. "So tell me... why have you disturbed me?"

"The citizens would be more than happy to aid us. They have already done so much for us all. Would you want me to speak with them, or do you wish to follow me?" Ikara asked with a nod.

At his explanation of defenses, she frowned slightly but nodded anyways. "Master General would not like the idea so much. But I will authorize it. We have lost to many to keep to our old tactics," she said sadly.

"How about both?" Sebastian responded to the first bit of what Lady Ikara had said. "Err, I mean that I will come with you when you speak with them. You know how it is, they will probably respond to one of their own better than a stranger such as I."

"You don't seem to approve despite your given authorization," he commented as he noticed her frowning. "If what I have suggested is what you have tried in the past and what has failed you to the brink of extinction, then we shall have to come up with other ideas. After we talk to the townsfolk, I have another idea..." It might be an unorthodox move that Sebastian was planning, but seeing how the officers of this army couldn't solve the constant battling, opening up a forum for the entire serving corps could be the right idea.

"Shoot the roof of the inn!" Conroy shouted to the mage who had set the tavern on fire earlier. Mixed with the alcohols, a few explosions had manifested themselves within. What a waste of good rum.... Debris was flung out in all directions, some of them piercing through some of his people, however, in their drunken states, they continued to fire.

"Split up yer targets!" Conroy shouted, ordering half of the remaining pirates to shoot at one side, where the arrows came from, and the other half to shoot at the other side. The mage would shoot fireballs at the man on the roof and if he showed himself, Conroy's deadly aim will pick him off...

Suddenly, horns blared as the sound of many heavy things pounded it's way through.

Conroy searched around, somewhat worried at this new appearance. If it were part of these meddlers, the pirates were in deep trouble...

As the newest encounter of the battle between elves and pirates continued, a heavy sound caught the ears of Ar'mai as well as the rest of her elven entourage. "Damn't!" the princess cried as she took cover against the wall of a building.

"M'lady?" One of the priestesses turned to Ar'mai, making sure she wasn't wounded or in pain. When she had been reassured that it was not a physical wounding, she questioned "What is wrong?" It was not like the princess to be so crass nor so open with her emotions. Something had stirred her insides...

"Do you not hear it?" Ar'mai responded quite upset. "The rogues have sent for reinforcements. We must get out of here before we are cornered..."

She whistled sharply and the hail of arrows stopped. The guards took cover where they could not be fired upon and looked to their lady for direction. "We must go before it is too late. Soon the rogues will know their reinforcements have arrived..."

"M'lady." Venisar appeared from the eves of the tavern's roof, leaning over the side and listening to their conversation. "We will take care of the retreat. Guards! Take positions for Lak'harna Sinalis... fire and mov-!"

"Wait!" Ar'mai interrupted as Venisar was barking orders. "Do you hear that?"

The party stood deathly silent as they strained their ears to hear the noise. After only a moment, one of the guards responded, "I hear nothing m'lady."

"Precisely!" Everyone looked at her with a confused and questioning face. "Why would these rogues halt their fire if their reinforcements had arrived? They should be doing just the opposite... pressing the attack and overrunning our position." She turned her head upwards to Venisar, "Can you see who it is?"

"I shall inquire to the rogues..." he jested before darting across the rooftops to gain a better vantage point. His eyes scanned towards the sound, looking to pick up a clue of who or what had arrived...

"I feel like...like the morning sun breaking through the clouds!" Eva giggled and brought Luthien into a close hug, squeezing her tightly.

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

Habdebza's small fuse finished quite early as one acted so cooly for destroying such a castle. It may not have been so important to the cult, but it was, afterall, cultists who were killed. Habdebza turned to look at the angels before turning back at the seductive self-proclaimed Mistress of the Castle.

Suddenly, the skull throne exploded as the demi-god mentally pulled the murderess woman down towards him her head feeling tremendous pressure unless she kept it leveled to the demi-god's kneecaps. "Several things, mi'lady. One, you address me as, atleast, My Lord, at most, Master. Two, I care for very few, you are not one of those few. Three, I will ask you...why have you disturbed me."

"I could be destroying civilizations...but I have to find out who defiled this sanctuary of Valtroxian dogs...only to find you...and your pathetic angel corps," Habdebza's eyes flared violently. "Tell me why I shouldn't kill your bodyguards and keep you around to rot in eternal punishment."

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

"Well, Sir Sebastion, I do approve...it's just...as I have said before...this war has taken it's toll on everyone. Even the Master General is losing his sanity...he is growing hard. Before this war, he was one of the top templars, his campaigns...always victorious. Now he is constantly humiliated by those believed to be 'uncivilized'. We kill perhaps a thousand a day, while we lose a few hundred. Not too bad of a tradeoff...however these creatures have thousands more to spare. We don't..." Ikara shook her head and sighed. She turned her horse towards the nearby villages. "Come, let's go."

"The Master General has grown too stubborn...desperately trying his tactics in attempts to rekindle the old flame of victory..."

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

Conroy heard his men slowly quiet down, the pops and fizzes of their rifles diminishing to nothing as the rumble of heavy creatures approached.

Again, the horn blew, a loud bass, projecting the image of strength and power. Indeed, that's what greeted him.

Thousands of enormous lizards pounded through. No, not lizards...drakes.

"What in blazes?" Conroy cursed as he looked for the elves. "Be this one o' thar tricks?"

"We don' know, capt'n...but they ain't shootin' at us!"

The drakes stopped halfway to the town center, where the pirates and elves were fighting, before four figures rode up towards the inn.

The figures were massive, no normal human or elf. And they were not quite as large as ogres.

"I wish to speak with that who is in charge," growled the one clad in crimson red plate mail with silver lining. His voice was commanding and strong, however it carried a strange accent, almost draconic...

Just then, two shapes eclipsed what light remained on the battle, as two small dragons landed on the outskirts of the city, prowling around as farmers ran to the comfort of their own homes.

"I am here," William growled as he held his dead elf friend in one hand, a sword in the other, as he pulled out of the Inn with a few wounds.

"In the name of Dominatistradz, this town, all it's possessions, and all its occupants will fall under control of the Great One and the Dragoon corps, such as myself. Any failure to comply will result in swift death, painful torture, slave labor, and...brainwashing," the leading invador said, almost gleefully.

William's face was full of shock as he looked around for help on those around him. "Ya can't honestly mean that...can you?"

"Do you think I would bring an army this large just to walk by your town?" the general laughed as he took off his large helmet, revealing a very draconic face, complete with burning red eyes, red scales, and horns.

"Well, jus' what do we 'ave 'ere?" Conroy growled as he got up and looked at the dragon man. "An' who da ye think ye are, bargin' into me town sayin' yer gonna take it from me?"

"I am General Vohinihth. And I am a dragoon, and a Drakonan, an elite species, the only other species that have a right to remain on this planet with the dragons," the leader said. He then looked up at a few buildings and smiled. "Elves, come out of hiding, lest I show you how insignificant you are to the power of the Dragoons."

"My, aren't ye a bit cocky..." Conroy growled as he looked around.

"I feel like...like the morning sun breaking through the clouds!" Eva giggled and brought Luthien into a close hug, squeezing her tightly.

Loki, lagging behind the group as usual, walked up to a most unusual scene. Eva was jumping around and giggling like she had no doubt never done before.

As he approached, the people who were wet from bathing warmed up and quickly dried.

"Umm... is... is she acting differently?" Loki wondered aloud, his first words in several days.

Rimoru jumped at Loki's voice, forgetting he was even around. It seemed to catch even Kalzog by surprise as he looked around for the short creature. "Aye...she is acting differently," Kalzog growled as he wondered how he should interrupt this little dance between Luthien and Eva.

"Lucy! You are back!" Eva giggled as she let go of Luthien and ran up to Loki, picking him up and hugging him tightly while spinning. "You were so quiet! You should speak up more! Less people would step on you!"

She laughed again as she twirled carelessly around.

Suddenly, the skull throne exploded as the demi-god mentally pulled the murderess woman down towards him her head feeling tremendous pressure unless she kept it leveled to the demi-god's kneecaps. "Several things, mi'lady. One, you address me as, atleast, My Lord, at most, Master. Two, I care for very few, you are not one of those few. Three, I will ask you...why have you disturbed me."

"I could be destroying civilizations...but I have to find out who defiled this sanctuary of Valtroxian dogs...only to find you...and your pathetic angel corps," Habdebza's eyes flared violently. "Tell me why I shouldn't kill your bodyguards and keep you around to rot in eternal punishment."

An intense pain shot through Vira as she flew through the air towards the apparent godlike being. She knew the duo was strong, but clearly she had underestimated his power... and as a rule, she didn't do that. However, despite the predicament and pain that should have humbled her, she remained as cocky and deadly as ever.

"I seek to stamp out all light... I caught scent of those who I seek revenge on," she responded through gasps of pain. "I do not wish to disturb your order... I only want to get what I deserve."

Even in pain, Vira knew she could simply kill herself and revive back at her castle if the demon sent her to the gates of hell.

Rimoru jumped at Loki's voice, forgetting he was even around. It seemed to catch even Kalzog by surprise as he looked around for the short creature. "Aye...she is acting differently," Kalzog growled as he wondered how he should interrupt this little dance between Luthien and Eva.

"Lucy! You are back!" Eva giggled as she let go of Luthien and ran up to Loki, picking him up and hugging him tightly while spinning. "You were so quiet! You should speak up more! Less people would step on you!"

She laughed again as she twirled carelessly around.

The young mage wondered why she was acting so joyfully as opposed to her normal princess demeanor, but he scarce had time to think before Eva picked him and startled twirling.

Even the quiet Loki couldn't help from letting out a scream of exhilaration and fear as he flew around in a circle.

Habdebza raised her to his hood and gave her body a good look. "Whom do you seek revenge on. What do you deserve?" he growled, relaxing his mental hold on her so she could once again touch the ground and walk- not far, but she would atleast feel the pressures gone.

He would admit that she had a beautiful body, but as always, he was not a lusty lover, nor was he a lover...in the general sense. However, Megledesh or the "Returned" demi-god would enjoy her company.

But that did not stop Habdebza from having his own fun with such woman, as he did with Teralynn occasionally.

As he stared into Vira's entrancing eyes, his mind scanned the area around, roaming over every dead body, every broken shield, every loose arrow. Powerful...yes...perhaps useful. Plans began to forumlate within his mind as he wondered how he could get this new comer to join under his little collection of destructive forces.

Plans within Plans...

"Well, Sir Sebastion, I do approve...it's just...as I have said before...this war has taken it's toll on everyone. Even the Master General is losing his sanity...he is growing hard. Before this war, he was one of the top templars, his campaigns...always victorious. Now he is constantly humiliated by those believed to be 'uncivilized'. We kill perhaps a thousand a day, while we lose a few hundred. Not too bad of a tradeoff...however these creatures have thousands more to spare. We don't..." Ikara shook her head and sighed. She turned her horse towards the nearby villages. "Come, let's go."

"The Master General has grown too stubborn...desperately trying his tactics in attempts to rekindle the old flame of victory..."

As Sebastian listened to Lady Ikara, he believed her to be wise beyond her years. Perhaps the hardships of war gain us more experience than we wish to see in a lifetime...

He kicked the side of Grael, his fearsome lionoid mount, and the beast began pacing intime with the horse's trot. "You are wise..." the knight said as he rode up next to Ikara. "But what would you have him do? What would you have them do?" He commented, pointing to the soldiers they passed with his eyes.

Eva giggled and stopped spinning as she put down Loki. "Gee little man! I thought you would enjoy it!" Eva giggled as she ran away from her lunging father. She picked up Loki again, giving him a tight hug before giggling and running down the hill, doing cart wheels and tumbles as she made her way down.

"Someone get that stick away from her!" Kalzog growled, knowing full well that even if someone got the stick away, another person would be stuck holding it...

Ikara smiled at Sebastion's compliment and shook her head, her cheeks slightly flushed. "I am not quite as wise as I may seem, Sir Sebastion. And I pay for my failures each minute I live..."

"I honestly don't know what else to do, Sir Knight. What else is there to do than hold up in our last city and defend ourselves to the last?"

She shook her head again and looked Sebastion straight in the eyes. "I hate to say this, as cowardly as it may seem, but I think I would just have a complete evacuation. Escape with what little we have left to Iskan. Empress Rimoru loved the Patriarch and was on relatively good terms with the Order. She may give us somewhere nice to live."

Habdebza raised her to his hood and gave her body a good look. "Whom do you seek revenge on. What do you deserve?" he growled, relaxing his mental hold on her so she could once again touch the ground and walk- not far, but she would atleast feel the pressures gone.

As he stared into Vira's entrancing eyes, his mind scanned the area around, roaming over every dead body, every broken shield, every loose arrow. Powerful...yes...perhaps useful. Plans began to forumlate within his mind as he wondered how he could get this new comer to join under his little collection of destructive forces.

The Dark Mistress gave one final gasp as she felt the pressure and pain subside momentarily, like a vice had been loosed from her neck. She slumped to the ground, falling to her back as she regained her own breath.

"What I deserve is revenge. What I seek is those who have slain my mentor. Beings of the light who ambushed him on his way here and destroyed his mortal flesh. I seek their souls!" She spat with a disgust never seen before in her eyes.

Her entrancing eyes...

Vira noticed the giant being staring into her beautiful eyes. No doubt he was too powerful to overcome with her trance at this point, but even so he would look - he would want to look; he would still be in control and he would hardly notice it, but he wanted to look into her eyes.

She slowly got to her feet, but never broke eye contact with the demigod. Her hands traced around her body as she stared deep into the void of his soul.

Eva giggled and stopped spinning as she put down Loki. "Gee little man! I thought you would enjoy it!" Eva giggled as she ran away from her lunging father. She picked up Loki again, giving him a tight hug before giggling and running down the hill, doing cart wheels and tumbles as she made her way down.

"Someone get that stick away from her!" Kalzog growled, knowing full well that even if someone got the stick away, another person would be stuck holding it...

Loki was panting for breath when Eva put him down, and trying to regain his equilibrium so that the woods didn't feel like they were spinning around him. "Ye-ah..." he managed to comment between breaths.

But before he could fully gain his normal breathing rate, the overzealous Eva grabbed him again and squeezed the life out of him.

"Pl-ea-se!" Loki begged of the others in tune with Kalzog's comment. He nearly collapsed to the ground, hunching over with his hat covering half of his face.

"And do you know who these people are? Why would they tie into this castle?" the demi-god growled, before he suddenly changed subjects.

"Do you enjoy love?" Habdebza asked softly as he continued to look into those eyes. A strange question coming from him, the one who does not love.

The demi-god remained still amongst all this, like a statue, except for perhaps a bit of leaning closer to her.

If Vira looked close enough, she may catch the glint of metal under Habdebza's dark hood.

Ikara smiled at Sebastion's compliment and shook her head, her cheeks slightly flushed. "I am not quite as wise as I may seem, Sir Sebastion. And I pay for my failures each minute I live..."

"I honestly don't know what else to do, Sir Knight. What else is there to do than hold up in our last city and defend ourselves to the last?"

She shook her head again and looked Sebastion straight in the eyes. "I hate to say this, as cowardly as it may seem, but I think I would just have a complete evacuation. Escape with what little we have left to Iskan. Empress Rimoru loved the Patriarch and was on relatively good terms with the Order. She may give us somewhere nice to live."

"Wise and humble," Sebastian reassured her as they trotted along. "But please... don't call me Sir Knight... Sebastian will do fine. There is no need for titles and honors during times such as these... for these are the times that try men's souls. These are the times that test the fortitude of our character, the passion of our honor, and the power of our strength."

"Believe me... there is no shame in evacuating. There is honor in saving one's countrymen and there is wisdom in knowing when one is beat," Sebastian continued as he looked into the distance. "To die for what one loves is honorable, but there is also honor in saving others and living to fight again."

They rode for a minute or two in silence as they both mulled over his words. "I say you leave it up to everyone for it is their lives too that is on the line. If they so wish to leave this land, then that is the best course of action... but if they want to die fighting for their home... then that too is the best decision. Either way, no honor shall be lost."

"And do you know who these people are? Why would they tie into this castle?" the demi-god growled, before he suddenly changed subjects.

"Do you enjoy love?" Habdebza asked softly as he continued to look into those eyes. A strange question coming from him, the one who does not love.

The demi-god remained still amongst all this, like a statue, except for perhaps a bit of leaning closer to her.

If Vira looked close enough, she may catch the glint of metal under Habdebza's dark hood.

"No, I know not of who they are... but I can feel their stench upon these lands," Vira continued, slowly returning to normal. "They have killed one close to me and for that, they will never escape - I will always feel their presence in the world."

"This castle..." she indicated with her hands, though never breaking eye contact, "is merely a foothold for me to track them down; my base of operations to gather a small force and send out scouts. Once I have taken their souls to the bloody deep... I shall leave."

Slightly taken off guard by his next question, Vira completely missed the glint of metal under his dark hood. "Love?" She thought for several moments about the word. "No. I do not enjoy love for I do not feel love. Lust on the other hand..." her voice trailed off ominously.

"I never realized how I love all this physical activity!" Eva laughed as she dodged her father again, cartwheeling past him and breaking out into a full sprint.

Finally, Ixair dived for her, catching her feet as he fell with a loud thud to the ground. Eva let out a short shriek as she fell as well.

"Ixair, I think we have fallen for each other!" Eva laughed as she tried to turn herself so she lay on her back.

Ixair, on the other hand, didn't want her to get away again, so he slowly made his way up her body and reached for the stick, playing a short game of tug-of-war with her until finally, he pulled the stick out of her grasp.

"Ack! no!" Eva screamed and suddenly fell silent. "Err...what happened?"

"Great things..." Ixair replied with a smile as his gaze fell from the branch to Eva herself. "Did I ever mention how beautiful you are, princess?"

Eva blushed and kept turning her head to get a better look at the elf prince. "Ixair?"

"Get off her!" Alegain growled as he pulled the elf off his daughter and pinned him to the ground.

"I love playing in the grass!" Ixair laughed.

"Kalzog, come get him while he is still pinned down!" Alegain shouted.

Sure enough, Kalzog came by and after a minute of trying to grasp Ixair's dodging hand, he finally pulled the stick from Ixair.

"Aww...but it felt so good..." Ixair groaned as he reached for the branch.

"This is indeed a strange branch..." Kalzog mumbled more to himself than anything as he turned towards the distant Library. "Let's get a move on."

Eva slowly got herself up, with some help from her mother. "What-what did I do? Why does my head hurt?"

"Lust...yes...we all feel that...but love...I love many things. I love battle, torture, and general wrong doings. But I think I may love to rip those eyes out of your skull, witch," Habdebza let out a deep chuckle as he reached out for her. He stopped himself and brought his gauntleted hands under his hood where a light tapping of metal emanated from. "I suggest you lower your eyes, lest I do so for you," he growled, keeping his eyes on hers, as if challenging her to disobey.

"How about this. You forget this castle, this senseless destruction of our mighty Valtrox's people...and we work to defeat those that fight for the light. I can direct you to them...but you must help me as well..."

"This is indeed a strange branch..." Kalzog mumbled more to himself than anything as he turned towards the distant Library. "Let's get a move on."

Eva slowly got herself up, with some help from her mother. "What-what did I do? Why does my head hurt?"

"You flung me around and squeezed me to death," the usually quite and not-so-glib Loki replied as Eva was back to normal. Surely he would get a rebuke for that comment, but he was still partially out of breath as he readjusted his hat and stared at the former princess with his bright yellow eyes.