NationStates Jolt Archive

(OOC thread (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=534491))


Thera
Tal'theran Republic

Senator Palletrix read over the letter slowly, a peculiar trait of his that extended to his other activities. Often seen strolling the Theran streets at a leisurely pace, or being quick to listen but slow to speak in a senate debate, he nonetheless exuded a sense of high mental acuity in his old age despite the near-crawling pace that he moved at. When he finally does raise his voice to be heard in senate meetings, the other senators would quickly quiet down to hear what insight he had to provide on the matter at hand.

But he was not at a senate meeting right now. Instead, he was at his estate in the city, intending to enjoy a quiet afternoon free of the senate squabbles, when a senate messenger disrupted his day off with the letter.

Rotting farm fields. No obvious reasons why it was happening so suddenly. Talk of potential famine. It seemed that something was afflicting the lands of the Gaireth Protectorate, rendering them no longer capable of growing food. And with the harvest season nearing, people were starting to panic, as Gaireth provided the Republic with much of its staple foods.

Carefully folding the letter back up, he looked at the young messenger and asked in an almost curious tone, "Why did the senate send this to me on my day off? And is not Senator Tristus the representative of that particular allied province?"

The messenger was warned that Palletrix may ask such questions, and was prepared for them. "The senate wishes to hear what your recommendations are to deal with this situation, sir. The only geomancers in the Republic are engaged in battle or are too far away from us to be able get to Gaireth in time to figure out what the problem is and fix it before the senators fear it may be too late."

Palletrix slowly took in a deep breath and likewise expelled it. Passing the letter back to the messenger, he paused to consider something, then said, "Very well. Tell the senate to send for a centurion by the name of Tovius Veralion. He is in the XIIth Legion."

"Yes, sir," the messenger said, pocketing the letter into a pouch worn at his waist. Anticipating the questions the other senators would throw at him, he asked, "Is he a farmer or scholar versed in this type of problem, sir?"

The senator clasped his hands behind his back and looked out of a large window, the bright afternoon sun causing him to squint a little. "No. He is a fisherman, actually. And he is only twenty-four; I would not imagine he has had much time to study such things."

The messenger furrowed his eyebrows a bit. "But sir, how would such a young officer, with no experience in anything relat-"

Palletrix held up a hand to quiet the messenger. He turned his head toward the messenger, and the sunlight allowed the messenger to see the senator's face a lot better. His skin was wrinkled and his thinning hair has completely gone white. The faintest hints of a scar ran over the eyebrow above Palletrix's left eye, and continued on further down the cheek - probably a result of military duties in the senator's earlier years. The eyes were a hazel brown, with a swirling pattern. Something about those youthful eyes told the messenger that Palletrix looked older than he actually was, which the messenger figured was a result of the stressful life of a senator.

"Tell the senate..." Palletrix paused for a moment, "...tell them simply to trust me on this one. Have Mister Veralion go to Gaireth and discern the cause of this blight. But he is not to bring his century with him - we do not want to alarm the civilians there any more than needed. Just one or two companions, if he so desires."

"Yes, sir," the messenger said, sounding not too sure, before being dismissed to go back to the senate.

The old man look back out his window and at all the people walking along the street below, going about their daily business. Taking a deep breath and releasing it slowly, he turned and walked down a marble-surfaced hallway. Partway down, he paused to say, "And so, it begins."

"Let's hope history doesn't repeat itself this time," a voice said in reply from a concealed location.

Palletrix nodded in agreement. "Indeed, let us hope." He continued walking down the hall.


The Korovirian Jungle
Korovir

Ebol made his way through the thick underbrush, carefully following the thin trail and using his gnarled staff to help steady himself. His only article of clothing was worn around his waist, covering up strategic areas. Old and intricate tattoos spiraled around his chocolate-colored skin, and a necklace of small bones and teeth hung loosely around his neck. He stopped at what appeared to be the middle of nowhere, and with some effort and the creaking of joints, he lowered himself to a sitting position on an old tree stump. Bending over just a bit more, he grabbed a handful of rich, black soil, and ground it a bit between his dark fingers before lifting it up to his nose to smell it. It was moist and pungent, reminding him of long ago when he would go out and hunt by himself for days at a time.

But something was not right. The smell of the soil was off somehow, and Ebol was not able to pinpoint what exactly it was. He turned his hand over and let the soil fall back to the ground.

"Lanu", he said. Ever since Lanu Jbina was a child, Ebol always seemed to have a knack for finding him, no matter how well hidden the youngster was. "There is something I would like to speak with you about. Please come out."


Eindaal
Eringaard Magocracy

"Next order of business?" Magus Milana asked, stacking a some pieces of parchment onto a large stack of other notes and letters near the edge of her oaken desk.

Her assistant picked up a scroll and unrolled it. Holding it up near a group of candles for better lighting, he said, "The villages along the eastern border are saying that their crops are dying without reason. They say they need help or else the entire season's yield will be lost." The assistant lowered the scroll, "Heh, leave it to the peioné to whine about every little thing."

"Now now, Darius," Milana said while still clearing up some desk space. "If it weren't for them running the farms, it'd be you out there. So. This does sound rather serious. The crops are dying?"

Darius nodded and muttered, "Probably forgot to add water."

The magus gave him a stern look. "Could be a localized problem. Probably something in the soil. Summon an Eringardé to the council chambers. Preferably a geomancer. Or at least someone with any knowledge in earth magic."

The assistant was scribbling something down with an ink quill, but stopped and looked up at Milana. "Do you think it could be a Tal'theran trick?"

Milana considered that for a moment before saying, "Unlikely. Not their style. But summon two Eringardé to the chambers instead. Just in case."

Darius nodded and scribbled some more notes down.

Lanu crept silently through the vegetation, and approaching the old man, thumped him gently on his bald head.

Laughing, Lanu said, "You fell for my trap Ebol!" He danced over to the shadowy form that Ebol had mistaken for him. He lifted it from the ground revealing that it consisted of carefully arranged logs. "Finally, I was able to hide from even you." He sighed contented with himself, until he noticed the unamused look on Ebol's face.

"I'm sorry, Ebol," he said as hurried to take a seat by the man. "Speak your mind, please. I will listen."

Eringaard magocracy

William MacDonnalbar MacElry MacAwthyr looked at the two youngsters facing him. They had shown themselves as evokers, mages that specialized in on the fly casting. In Eringaard, they were the Eleventh Hour specialists, and the kids needed training.

"First lesson. We all know that I'm not allowed to kill you with my magic. Doesn't mean I can't kill you at all. Attack me." The one on the left raised his staff and aimed, unleashing a spout of flame at William. The other used wind. William buried his swordpoint into the ground, allowing lightning to blast up a smoke screen of dust and dirt. The wind and fire went straight through, only to meet with a rock wall and dissipating.

The right hand one used snow to break through, only to show William as not being there. As they advanced, a wall rose up to seperate the two of them. They turned, blasting holes that only resealed, again and again for ten total times. By the tenth time thay had blasted a hole, Will had gotten behind the pyromancer, and kicked him into his partner. As they got up, they found themselves with necks at swordpoint and under heel.

"Never lose sight of your opponent. Never. You're dismissed."

As William sheathed his blade and left, a messenger approached him. "William MacDonnalbar MacElry MacAwthyr?"

"Four names of nine written. What can I help you with?"

The messenger looked a little surprised. "You have nine written names? Why only the four then?"

"If I've memorized less than half, I can be hailed and beckoned, but without the other five from my lips, I can not be compelled, ordered, or harmed by anybody uttering my full name. What have you got for me?"

The messenger delivered a scroll, and then stepped back, averting his eyes. William looked at the scroll. "Don't know why you're looking away, you're escorting me directly to the High Council Chambers anyways. Let's go."

North of Farastos
Tal'theran Republic

Weakly stretching his arm forward, Thibault stared at the sunlight filtering through his fingers, he gazed at all the specs of matter casually floating around waiting to come to rest. An empty bottle of wine soon reminded him why everything seemed so much louder. A familiar female's arm was draped over his chest. Aside from the splitting hangover, everything seemed peaceful, but he couldn't help but wonder why he was awake. Not one to brush off an omen, Thibault emerged from the tent in nothing but his shoes. A gust of wind soon filled his nostrils with the stench of burning timber. Distant screams were coming closer.

"Kora!" Thibault yelled running into the tent. Hastily putting on his clothes with a single arm is hard enough, but coupled with a hangover it's nearly impossible. His second in command shrugged off the shouting and rolled over, pulling a majority of the covers with her.

"Dammit get yer lazy ass out of bed!" He shouted a second time to no avail.

Screams and the clatter of heavy cavalry roared throughout the camp. Most of his men were either asleep or taxing the roads. Stepping outside he could see his comrades being chased down by soldiers on horseback, some desperately trying to defend themselves against the attackers. Most were cut down before realizing what had happened.

A momentary lapse in awareness had almost cost Thibault his head as a sword bounced off his shoulder guard and skimmed the edge of his ear. A large clump of his hair floated to the dirt. The legionnaire turned his horse and came back for a second attack. Thibault casually squared himself up with the horse. The soldier made a pass to the his enemy's right swinging his sword low, striking the bandit from his stomach and tore its way through his shoulder. However a solid strike the legionnaire may have landed, Thibault had returned one two fold. The knight's arm, severed at the elbow, landed limp at his feet. The horse sprinted off through the morning smoke leaving the bandit gasping for a single breath. With whatever strength he could summon, he hobbled his way into the open plains, collapsing less than a mile away. By some divine roll of the dice, the cavalry pursuing him had ran right over top of their prey completely unaware.

Thibault nearly bit his tongue off trying not to scream when one of the horses had crushed his right hand. Overwhelmed by pain, he fainted, resting in soft soil and high grass.

By night fall the chaos was overtaken with an ominous silence. The vast encampment they had built, all but ashes and tinder. Their horses taken, loot reclaimed, and their men tossed into a burning pile. However charred her face, Thibault could still recognize Kora's hand stretched from the blaze.

He sighed before kissing his die and changing his heading back to the plains. "Better you than me kid." Whatever remorse he felt was soon washed away by the relief that his wound was pretty shallow.

Farastos
Tal'theran Republic

Tovius was returning to his family home in Farastos after a strange meeting with his Pilus Posterior, or the Head Centurion of his cohort. Apparently he had just been temporarily reassigned to another duty, and his century will be led by another officer in the interrim. At first, Tovius thought he had gotten into trouble, but as his superior officer explained the new assignment, it became clear that this was not the case. Still, Tovius was confused as to why he was chosen for the task of investigating the dying farms in Gaireth, and his superior officer seemed to be just as in dark as he was. But orders were orders, and Tovius always followed them.

Ironically enough, he was close to Gaireth's southwestern border not that long ago, when his legion was stationed there to defend it from skirmishes started by the Hatriole Kingdom. This was also where Tovius received a field promotion to his current rank in a minor battle during which his centurion was slain. Shortly after that fight, the XIIth Legion began marching south to defend the peninsula against an expected raid from the Hatriole pirate fleets, while the legion that was still in Gaireth spread itself even thinner to make up for the departure of the XIIth Legion. They had marched so far south by now that it would have been faster for Tovius to go to Farastos and board a ship to sail up the coast than it would have been for him to retrace his steps all the way back up the peninsula.

He was not going to complain. After all, this gave him the opportunity for a brief visit to his family home. As he and his horse went on ahead of the legion, he passed through wide, gently rolling fields of meter-high grasses. The scenes were fairly pleasant, until he came upon crisped bodies heaped up into a large pile. He pulled on the reins to bring his mount to a stop so that he could get a better look. Did the Hatriole pirates already get here and plundered the area? But this was the middle of a vacant field, with the nearest town still a ways away. Then Tovius saw several signs that told him what really happened here. This must have been a group of brigands, and the local legionary forces made an example of them by leaving them out here, as a warning to anyone else who planned to make thievery their vocation.

Horse and rider continued on their southbound journey. Tovius was not going to give those outlaws a second thought. It was not much longer before he crested a hill and saw his hometown not too far away. With a smile, he raced toward it. Upon entering the port town, he spurred his horse down the familiar sidestreets to avoid the more crowded (and smelly) main ones. All of the architecture of the buildings lining the sidestreets had a clear Evenaran influence in their designs. Evenaris, the name given to the general region of the peninsula and islands to the west-northwest of Farastos, had colonized many places hundreds of years ago, including the town of Farastos. But now nearly all of these colonies, including Evenaris itself, were all a part of the Republic.

Soon enough, the young centurion arrived at the doorstep of his family home. It was a fairly modest place, although it was a little more upscale than those of the poorer fishing families in the town. Dismounting his ride, Tovius tied the reins up to a post next to the entrance and rapped on the wooden door. There was a moment's wait before the door opened and Tovius saw a similar face to his.

"Garius," Tovius greeted, with just the thinnest layer of ice in his tone.

"Tovius," the other man replied in like manner.

Tovius' older brother disagreed with the younger one's choice to join the legions rather than stick with the family business, and he made that feeling quite clear on multiple occassions. But neither of them could deny that they were glad to see one another, at least to some extent.

"Come in," Garius said, opening the door wider and stepping aside. "Mother's in the back. Oh, and there's someone else you may interested in seeing here."

The centurion stepped inside, wondering who Garius was talking about, but that was answered quickly enough. A grin formed on his face, "Uncle Thibault!"


The Korovirian Jungle
Korovir

Ebol jumped slightly in his seat when Lanu startled him. He then rubbed the top of his head, even though it did not really hurt. Under normal circumstances, he would have been amused and laughed, as it was not every day that Lanu won. This, however, was not normal circumstances.

With a sigh, he said, "Lanu, you spend much more time out here with the trees and animals than an old man like myself does. Have you felt something different with the land lately?" He did not really expect an answer, though, and he soon continued with, "I was communing with the jungle spirits this morning, and they tell me they are dying. I was unable to make out anything more than that, I am afraid."

He paused to look at a bird chirping in the trees before returning his gaze to the younger man. "The other elders and I have discussed it, and none of us could determine what the cause of it is. We decided that a druid from the southern forest is needed to discern what is happening. Since, in the whole tribe, you have the most experience in surviving on your own..." Ebol's sentence trailed off to allow Lanu to figure out where he was headed.


Ocean
Somewhere south of the Eringaard coastlines

Captain Rahab looked out over the deck of his ship, then up at the sky. It was a fairly cloudless day, but he could already smell the incoming storm. He would rather wait out the storm somewhere more protected, but if his memory served him well, there was no safe port close enough to their current location for them to reach before the storm would hit. They would just have to sit through the rough.

His eyes returned to the ship, where he scrutinized the new deckhands he just picked up at the last stop. His previous trip did not go too well, and he lost a number of good sailors, as well as some pricey cargo. Down on men and money, he resorted to hiring inexperienced people who were desperate for work.

And then there was that Orome character, who was standing by the rails and looking out at the endless waves - he did not particularly like her. He got the sense of something dangerous about her at that horse of hers, but she offered to pay for the passage, and he was not going to turn down good, precious metals.

"You there!" the captain shouted as he spotted a deckhand who was just idling up on deck. "What're y'doing?"

The deckhand looked up at Rahab and shrugged. "Err, I don't know...sir...captain...sir...?"

"Then go below decks an' secure tha cargo," Rahab ordered. "A storm is coming our way!"

Nodding unsurely, the deckhand said, "Err, yes...I mean, aye, sir...captain."

"Go!" said Rahab.

The deckhand practically jumped straight up at that, and headed toward the stairs to the lower decks when the ship suddenly listed to one side from a large wave, causing the deckhand to stumble and crash into Orome.


Che'el d' Mithuth
Underdark

"You sense it too."

"Just barely, Mistress."

"It grows weaker - unnoticeable if close attention is not paid."

"Is it a natural cycle?"

"It is possible. But this is happening much too soon for a normal cycle."

"Something wrong with the earth node?"

"No. I do not sense any problems with it."

"Then what is causing it?"

"I do not know. It is likely a result of the deeds of the surface dwellers." A pause. "The node is strong. The faerzress will not dwindle too much. There is no need to worry."

"Yes, Mistress."

"But...send someone to the surface to see what the surface dwellers are doing to cause this. Someone expendable."

"Yes, Mistress."

Haerle'e bowed her head and stepped back from her mistress before going to the cavern containing the communications orb. Stepping up to it, the pattern in the black orb swirled before showing her a faint image of Bean'le. Haerle'e did not particularly cared if she caught Bean'le in a private moment when she did that; she needed to summon him, and that was that. "Bean'le. The entrance hall. NOW."

The orb's patterns swirled again and his image disappeared, severing the communications link before he could say anything back.

Thibault stood bowing his head slightly with a wide grin. No matter how many friends and lovers he had shrugged off as disposable; this, he felt, was the closest family he could have.

Seeing a centurion instinctively caused his fingers to reach for his blade, but his reason withdrew them forward for a formal handshake.

"Little boots." Thibault said jokingly as was the nickname he had given Tovius when he was young. "You're not general yet? I'm dissapointed."

With a sigh, the young elf stood. He'd just finished his post kill ritual and had been about to take a brief nap when the call had come through. It had been awhile since he'd been called upon by Haerle'e. She had her own assassin, a skilled thought rather unimaginative killer, who was starting to grizzle. He didn't think he was being taken as her's for it was unlikely that the old bastard had been caught or killed just yet.

Unlike many of the guild he didn't seek to follow any of the traditional pathways of advancement of either killing his predecessor or being assigned to a female. Arming himself, albeit with high discretion weapons, he headed to see what the Matron's present favourite wanted.

After making sure the standard traps were set up as well as a couple of his own personal design he travelled the corridors and passageways. The fact that he was one of the current Matron's great grandchildren helped little in her affection thought the fact that he was a matriarical decendent did put himself up on many of his cousins and even a few of his uncles and great-uncles.

With the rare skills that had granted him the name of Bean, he slid into Haerle'e's receiving room and into a kneel as he waited for her to turn and acknowledge his presence and inform him what, and if she desired, why she'd summoned him.

Farastos
Tal'theran Republic

Tovius grinned all the more as he clasped hands for the handshake. "I'm getting there, don't you worry. Just got promoted to a centurion, and they're already sending me on a special mission. But what about you? What have you been doing lately? I haven't heard anything in a long time."

Footsteps emanated from the back, and a woman's voice said, "Is that..." The origin of the voice then appeared through an open doorway, and the woman's face lit up. "Tovius!"

"Hello, mother," said the legionnaire.

Laurel, even shorter than Tovius, quickly closed the distance between the two and gave her son a hug, although it was a little awkward given the armor Tovius was still wearing. "How have you been? I can't believe you're a centurion already! Are you getting enough to eat? You must be tired, sit down! How are they treating you in the army? Let me make something for you to eat! You're so skinny, you must not have enough to eat!"

"Mother," Tovius said, trying to get her to stop.


Che'el d' Mithuth
Underdark

Haerle'e did not react right away, allowing a brief pause to show that she was in control. Not that this was needed, of course. But it never hurt to do it.

With a brisk twist of the heel, she turned to face Bean'le with a mostly neutral expression, although signs of distaste can be seen if one looked closely enough.

"The surface dwellers above us are causing the faerzress to diminish. Find out how they are doing it, and stop them by any means necessary. If you are incapable of doing so, then at least report back on how they are doing it. If you cannot even do that, then do not let me see or even hear of you. Is that understood?"


South of Eavana
Gaireth Protectorate

Caeli walked through the fields of her family's farm with just her head sticking above the field of wheat. She was absentmindedly running one palm over the top of the wheat stalks as she moved by them, creating a rippling pattern as the stalks swayed back and forth after she had passed over them.

She crinkled her nose as a particularly gross smell wafted into her nostrils. This was not a normal smell on the farm; it was not like the outhouse or the "presents" the farm animals left behind after a meal. No, this smell reminded Caeli more of the time when she accidentally left a squash in an unnoticed corner of the house, only to find it a long time later from the stench issuing forth from it.

But this was no forgotten squash. The odor would assail her senses randomly throughout the fields, and from what she heard her father say, it seemed like all of the nearby farms had the same, weird smell also. Maybe it had something to do with why all of the wheat heads drooped more than usual and looked so miserable?

Up ahead, she could see her big brother moving through the field alone. It was sometimes a little difficult to find her brother by himself these days, especially with Caeli being given more chores and having less free time. She made a bee line for him.

When the adults would be too busy for her, her big brother could usually be counted on to at least give her some attention, even if he was busy too. She tried not to abuse that too much, though, as she understood that a lot of work had to be done each day on that farm.

Reaching him, she looked up at her mucher taller brother. Her typical sweet expression was not there, but instead she had an unusually serious look in her face. "Nald? Are you busy?"


Penrhyn
Gaireth Protectorate

Fayalin saw death. Every sign of life seemed gone as her forest whithered into dead trees before her, the green leaves fading to brown and falling to the dry and barren ground. The farms outside of the forest were abandoned, the crop shrivelled and blackened, almost as if a fire wiped out everything. The village buildings appeared untouched, but there were no signs of life about them.

Towns, cities, nations. Everything was desolate. No animals roamed, no fishes swam, not so much as an ant crawled.

Then she was flying fast through the lands. Black fields, brown lakes, wrinkled mountain ranges all zipped below her.

Suddenly she was no longer outside, but in somewhere very dark. A vertical shaft of light landed on something sitting on a round pedestal. Fayalin's hand reach out for it and picked it up. It looked and felt like it was made of a dark gray stone. It was about the size and shape of a torch handle, with one end narrower than the other. The surface of the object was covered in intricate scenes of people and creatures and gods, but Fayalin could not tell what it meant.

Knock

A white light issued forth from the wide end of the object, and she could now see the land blooming with life once again.

Knock knock

Green grass sprouted from the dead ground. Blossoms bloomed on skeletal trees, and animals were in abundance again.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

Fayalin awoke with a startle. Someone was knocking on the door to her home, and a small voice was calling her name from the other side. She felt something in her hand, and when she looked down, it was a small wooden carving about an inch in diameter engraved with a single shaft of wheat in which the ear was unusually large compared to the rest of the shaft - the symbol of the fertility goddess. Strangely enough, she never possessed anything like that before...

"Centurion eh?" Thibault remarked before sitting back down. Such awkward situations only fortified his belief in never getting close to someone. However, he promised to keep an eye on Tovius.

Without hesitation Thibault stood as Laurel entered the room. The first rule of freeloading is to be unbearably polite.

"I've been doing odd jobs to get by." He replied growing even more uncomfortable. "Some guy paid me to deliver some medicine to Farastos, and I figured I'd stop by. Enough questions, you should listen to your mother, you look awfully puny."

William entered the chamber with his head and back straight. He didn't bow. There was a reason for this. The official rules of the council equated mages as equals, and thus if you were willing to defend yourself if another mage claimed "dishonor," then you weren't required to bend your spine. Since the only acceptable, both legally and socially, method of settling such disputes was the Duel, William didn't fear his head too much.

His job was, essentially, to be a champion, a Duelist for hire. There were others better than he, sure, and assassins abound. But there was an unspoken pact of brotherhood and mutual respect amongst professional Duelists, thus meaning that the few that could press him into submission wouldn't do it, and assassinations for such matters were rather costly for both parties. Hence, William entered without bowing.

"William MacDonnalbar MacElry MacAwthyr, Eringardé of the Realm, formally presenting myself to hear petition and to offer both counsel and service to the High Council of this Realm. How May a Mage Serve?"

I hate ships almost as much as I hate inns. I should have taken the long way round the butt end of the Antion Sea, but damn it I think I hate assassins worst of all. Poisonous little sneaks. The next one I find I'll make a damn example of...damn this rolling endless sea, it's more depressing than my thoughts are!..and now it's building up to storm? aaargh Orome caught and steadied the sailor almost absently, not even bothering to glare at the clumsy oaf. She had other things on her mind. She wasn't a seasoned sailor, but the captain, though currently down on his luck he might be, was. And if he said a storm was building, she believed him.

Black Fang was going to be difficult, he hated leaving land. And she only had so many rabbits left. He'd want a double portion as a bribe to keep calm while the storm raged. Though I can always feed him that sailor, no one would miss his scrawny ass She thought maliciously as she swept one last look about the horizon.

She turned frim the rail and moving with a tiger's lethal grace, went to the Captain's side. "How long before the storm hits us?

South of Eavana
Gaireth Protectorate

Nald walked carefully to the pig pen. In his hand was a bucket full of slop to fed the pigs. He was just trying to complete another one of his daily choirs. It was only midday, so he still had so much more to do. Nald let out deep sigh. As he walked along he started to daydream.

He dreamed about leaving the farm and joining the Legions in Tal'theran Republic. Once in the Legion he would fight for the Republic and explore new part of the world. Nald always wanted to visit new places and meet new people, but he was stuck at the family farm. The only place he had traveled to was Evana, where his father only picked up supplies. He knew that he had a responsible to help out and watch out for his younger sister.

Nald quickly broke out of his dream, when he smelled something rotting. He thought that it was probably from the animal pen, but he was to far to pick up that odor. Then he looked around. The only thing that could have made that smell was the field of wheat. A couple of nights ago Nald had overheard father talk to mother about the field. Father had said that the field was slowly dying, and that wasn't just a random case. Other farms had also had the same problem. He even said that farmers north of Averyn field were dying also. Upon hearing this Nald became very worried. If the crop died, then there might not be enough gold for the year. Nald had not told Caeli, and he usually told her everything.

Suddenly something caught Nald's eye. Something was moving through the field. Then he noticed that it was just Caeli. The dirty blond hair moved through the field and finally came to Nald, though Nald noticed that she had a serious look in her face. Instantly he wondered what was wrong with her. He stopped and smiled warmly.

"I am never too busy to talk with you, Caeli." Nald said as he stopped walking. Anyways he needed the break.

"Yes." He replied, his mouth the only part of him moving. He understood both the spoken and unspoken messages, the ones saying that if he were to come back with just information on what and how they were doing it, he would be well advised to slit his own throat to save them the trouble.

Once being given permission to leave or rather ordered to leave, as that was the only real method of departing from a female without direct orders from another and still being able to keep your skin intact and your head where it was suppose to be.

Bypassing his own security system he gathered up his necessary supplies. As he worked he wondered how many would die before he returned. Even minor problems could shift the balance enough to lead to the ruin of a house and with the fact that the current one was his, this might even be considered a form of insurance.

Putting the last things in place he chuckled. It might be that he would be the last one standing afterall, at least as far as his graduating class was concerned. The final exam for any given crop of assassins was settled in one of a few manners, those that had been taken by a mistress, those that had eliminated another senior assassin or the last one of the remainder that was alive were the only ones who graduated the five year final testing period.

He then left beginning the march to the surface world for only the second time in a hundred years.

Icarus had been leaning against a column in the council chamber slowly twirling three polished black stones in mid-air, an activity he used to both clam himself and keep himself busy.

As the second mage arrived, Icarus raised an eyebrow as the names kept coming, and then stepped forward and said, "If we're being formal... Icarus Daedalus Fick, Erigaardé of the Realm, Geomancer Adept. How may I serve the esteemed Council?" He bowed his head slightly at the last words.

Lanu nodded as Ebol trailed off. "I too have noticed the pain of the land. Every hunt, game becomes more rare. Something must be done, I agree. If the elders believe I am the man to do it, I will go."

His face was stony as he looked to the south. He knew that the way was perilous, but he'd weathered much worse. It shouldn't be to hard to find this druid anyway. He'd tracked a great deal of elusive game in his time, and he always got his quarry.

Penrhyn, Gaireth Protectorate

Fayalin stared at the talisman in her hand in confusion, wondering where it had come from. She shivered involuntarily as she quickly glanced around, looking for any other sign of intrusion, but finding none, her gaze returned to the wooden carving. Images from the dream replayed themselves in her head, and she tried to work out whether it had been a nightmare, or just a normal dream, but all she could decide was that it didn’t really fit into either.

It certainly hadn’t been a pleasant dream; it had seemed as though the entire world was dead, with no sign of any living plant, animal or person. Only a terrible plague or great evil could cause something like that to occur. That certainly was the stuff of nightmares. But then it had gone on to show her finding an object, which had regenerated the land as soon as she had touched it. That, although the setting was not desirable, was a far pleasanter turn of events than the average nightmare contained. It just didn’t fit properly.

She looked up as the knock on her door sounded again, finally registering that which had roused her. She hurriedly got out of bed, discarding the wooden carving onto the rumpled blankets. Pausing to grab her cloak and wrap it around her to conceal her state of dress, or rather lack of it, she went to the door and drew back the bolt. After a moment to make sure she was vaguely presentable, she opened the door a little, and looked out expectantly.
“Yes?” she asked.

Farastos
Tal'theran Republic

"I'm eating fine. And I really need to get going soon," Tovius said, mostly to his mother. "I was just dropping by on my way to the docks. I've got to catch a ship that's heading up north shortly."

He turned to Thibault. "You've been to Gaireth a couple of times before, right? That's where I'm going on this mission, and a guide to the interior would be great. I mean, if you're done with your current jobs and are interested. I'm sure you'd be recompensed well for your help."


The Korovirian Jungle
Korovir

Ebol placed a wrinkled hand on Lanu's shoulder and squeezed slightly. He knew Lanu could be trusted with this. "Then go. We will await your return with a druid." He pulled his hand back, expression growing graver. "Should anything happen to us, you have permission to do whatever you believe necessary to save the spirits and the lands. That will be your priority."

After all, without the tribe, the spirits and the land could still thrive. But without the spirits and the land, then there would be no tribe to begin with.

The old man slowly got back on his feet with the help of his walking stick and a hand from the younger man. "And Lanu, your parents wish you well."


Eindaal
Eringaard Magocracy

The main council chamber was in the shape of a semicricle. The front entrance sat in the center of the flat wall, and the council members were positioned along the curved one. Columns spaced every few yards apart were connected by arches, and under each arch was a seat for a council member on the second and third floors of the room. On the walls behind these seats hung a banner, each decorated according to the council member it belonged to, with many of them showing the emblem of certain mage guilds. A section dedicated to spectators was along the flat wall to the left of the entrance, while its mirror image to the right of the entrance was reserved for officials such as the court historian.

Only three council members were present today, all of whom were seated straight-backed on the second floor, looking down at the two mages that introduced themselves.

"Welcome to the Council, gentlemen," said the most elderly of the three, a human male with gray hair. He was wearing a dark blue cashmere robe and a staff leaned against the wall, next to his draping banner.

"You have been summoned to investigate a matter," said the human female council member. She was younger than the man, wearing a crimson red dress of a velour material. "The crops in the farms of East Eringaard are dying. There is no known cause. You will investigate the cause and cure it if you can. The town of Senhild was the first to notice this happening. That will be a good location to begin your investigaton. Be warned, unlikely as it is, of Tal'theran duplicity. Needless to say, time is of the essence, as we would not want the entire season's yield to be lost. You will be given allowances for expected daily expenses during the investigation, to a reasonable degree. Questions?"


Ocean
Somewhere south of the Eringaard coastlines

Rahab hated it when passengers went straight to him with their questions as if he did not have better things to do. That was what the first mate was for, after all. But he loathed to alienate passengers who could potentially be future customers, so he put on his most amicable attitude and said to Orome, "Not more than half an hour's time, by my judgement. No need t' worry, lass." He held up his necklace, which was a simple cord attached to a coin with the image of a dolphin. If Orome knew the Tal'theran culture enough, she would recognize it as representative of their ocean god and as the protector of mariners. "Praise Merius, he has always protected this ship during-"

The captain gasped, his eyes going wide and his grip on the necklace loosening. His mouth was moving jerkily, but no other sound came out of it. One of the new hires had just jammed a dagger into the captain's back. Thunder roared in the cloudless sky and the waves suddenly got a lot choppier.

Another sailor was sneaking up behind Orome to give her the same fate as the captain's.


South of Eavana
Gaireth Protectorate

Caeli was wearing a simple peasantry dress and walked barefoot. Wrapped around her neck was a similarly simple summer scarf, a trend she picked up from a recent visit to the town. She was a bit paler than she normally was around this time of year, and her eyes looked a little sunken, as if she did not have a good night's sleep. She looked at her brother as if trying to form the right words, but not knowing how.

Finally, she said, "Nald...I've been having these dreams...for a while now. I thought they were just nightmares...but they aren't going away." She chewed on her lower lip. "There's this big, scary dog in it, and I would always get on it to ride it, even though I'm afraid of it. And it would run really fast through the fields, and the next thing I know, I'm inside a stone building with no windows. There are people there, but I can't see their faces... One of them is coming at me...and there's pain...and I want to scream but I can't..."

Her eyes were wet as she tried to hold back from crying. "I don't know what to do. The nightmares won't stop."


Penrhyn
Gaireth Protectorate

A young boy, just six years of age, was standing at Fayalin's door. His name was Jaylin, and his cheeks were bright as he huffed and puffed, having ran straight here instead of to his own parents. "Miss Faye! Kavlin's hurt! You have to help him!" His tiny hands reached out for hers and he tried to pull her with him.

Unless stopped by Fayalin, he would lead her past the edge of the village, where the tree line started up abruptly, through a trail, into the brush, over a tiny stream, and into a small clearing where several old tree trunks laid, strewn across the ground.

Leaning against one of the horizontal trunks sat the twin brother of Jaylin. His face grimaced in pain as he cradled his left arm in his other one.

"Help him! Help him! Please!" cried Jaylin, yanking Fayalin's hand onward.

Nald intently looked at Caeli. He could see that something was bothering her. She did not seem the ball of sunshine that she usually was. Caeli looked a little sickly. It pained Nald's heart to see her in this state. He had made a promise to their father to always protect Caeli. From that moment on Nald had always been her protector. He ensured that nothing bad would happen to her. Nald could tell that Caeli was having trouble telling him something, and then he got on his knees. He was trying to comfort her. Nald looked into her eyes as she talked.

Nald seemed to be startled by Caeli's story. What startled him was that she had the dream more than once. It was a foreshadowing of something that was to come or a child's wild imagination. Nald knew that their parents would probably brush it off as just a dream. To Nald something felt very wrong about the whole thing. He held her hands as just looked she was going to cry.

"Sister, I will never let anything happen to you. They are just merely dreams. Just remember that I will always protect you." Nald replied with a weak smile.

For some reason this dream was worrying Nald, but he could not show this to Caeli. He brought her closer to him and gave her a big hug. Then he let go and kissed her on the cheek. Any tears that she had produced were wiped away with his agile hands.

"So...what is your next choir for today? I was actually on my way to the pig pen right now. Do you want a lift there?" Nald said as he position himself for a piggyback ride.

This is what i've been waiting for. Thought Viktor as he stirred in his seat near the entrance. Rumours of the blighted land had reached his normally quite disconnected ears and reminded him of an ancient history he had read. Needless to say, his curiosity had been aroused and he had been skulking around the council chambers waiting for the matter to be adressed.

He rose and approached the council, his deep purple formal robe gave a slight rustle as he walked past the others, through it was drowned out by the knocking noise of his gnarled dark wood staff tapping the floor with each step. He did not need to introduce himself, though it was rare that he intervened without being summoned.

He inclined his head to each council member in turn and then said: "Members of the council. It is my intention to accompany these two on their investigation." He produced a note from his pocket. "There are good reasons for my request and they are written here." With a wave of his hand sent it across the room to the young female who had shown concern in the matter. "Please read it at your leasure and pass on my concerns to the other council members." He then moved to stand beside the other two mages.

Kiten was in a foul mood. The last time he'd ventured to the surface, as part of his first and last raid, they'd gone by an easy route. Since then however that portion of the network of tunnels had collapsed which had forced him to backtrack and detour passed a nest of the stinking darkmantles. The nasty little critters had an annoying tendency to drop on anyone passing by.

Fortunately for him and unfortunately for the old Svirfneblin their paths had crossed and the gnome was now serving dinner, or rather as dinner. As he approached the surface he took the time to wrap a few strips of a whitish gauze around his eyes. It had two benefits, one of cutting down the glare as he hadn't been able to get his hands on any of the specially designed goggles in the time permitting, and also any seeing him might think he were blind and underestimate him.

The fact that it turned out to be overcast helped as he pulled his hood up and stepped up into a forest like the one his ancestors had come from, if smaller in size. Hearing the sounds of the water pounding the shore, he remembered surfacers tended to build near water and approached it.

No towns were present but there was a ship and while the view was somewhat obscured, due to distance as well as the brightness it appeared they were trying to kill each other. Deciding to take a break to help adjust to partial sunlight at least, he pulled out a bit of food and began eating and watching the fight.

Penrhyn, Gaireth Protectorate

With both the dream and the mysterious carving immediately forgotten, Fayalin held back against Jaylin’s pull only long enough to slip her feet into a pair of low boots and grab the bag with her herbs and bandages that rested just inside the door. As she began to follow the young boy, her steps made slightly awkward by the cloak she was determinedly holding closed around her, she worried momentarily about her attire, but soon brushed that aside in her concern for Jaylin’s twin brother.

She stumbled a few times as they ran through the forest, due to the way the cloak was wrapped around her legs, but each time she kept her footing. Just as she began wondering exactly how far from the village the two boys had been, they reached the clearing with all the fallen tree trunks, and Fayalin spotted the slumped form of Kavlin against one of the logs.

She knelt down beside the injured boy, and immediately reached into her bag. She pulled out a small bundle of cloth which, after she unfolded it, revealed several leaves of a plant. Quickly selecting the smallest she could see, she pushed it into Kavlin’s mouth with the instruction “Suck that for me, please.” The leaves of that particular plant were sweet-tasting and also helped to numb the pain from minor injuries a little. It had a more potent effect on children, which was why she had given him the smallest leaf she had.

Having done that, she pulled an empty flask from the bag, with a cork stopper loosely jammed in it, and pushed it into Jaylin’s hands.
“Run to the river and fill that with water for me,” she told him. “Then bring it back here as quickly as you can. But be careful not to drop it or hurt yourself either.” Once Jaylin had gone, she turned back to Kavlin. “Now, tell me what happened,” she instructed gently, as she began looking at his arm to see what was wrong, being careful not to touch it just yet.

Lanu smiled as Ebol mentioned his parents. They had been dead since his early teen years, but Ebol had never lost contact with them or any of the other spirits. Such was his task as shaman.

After helping Ebol back to the camp, Lanu packed everything he would need for a journey of several days. He carried dried meat and some tough Korovirian bread to nourish him during the trip. As he made his way out of the village, he was stopped by a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see Kara, a yound woman from the tribe. He smiled at her, but she frowned back at him. Lanu and Kara had been friends since childhood, and she often worried about him.

She looked him in the eyes and held out a large pouch. "Ebol wanted me to give these to you," she sighed. "They're beads to pay the druid with if a fee is required."

Lanu nodded, "Thank you Kara. And don't let worry cloud that beautiful face of yours, I'll be back before you know I'm gone."

He smiled at her again, and gently touched her cheek. Slowly, he wrapped her in a hug, releasing only after whispering in her ear, "I'll be fine, I promise." She smiled at him, finally, and he laughed. "There's that beautiful smile."

As he turned and walked away from the village, her smile faded. She looked distant as though staring into herself for a moment, and then she said quietly, "A storm approaches... and I fear for us all, especially you Lanu."

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

The journey had been uneventful. Except for one night when he'd thought he was being stalked by a wildcat, he had encountered little wildlife of note. In fact, he couldn't remember a time when so few bugs clouded the air. He was nearing his destination, the Great Tree, the She-Guardian, Allekar. It was there that he was to begin searching for the druid.

Like an accusing finger stretched out toward the sky god, Ciel, Allekar stood in the middle of a stand of smaller trees. Lanu walked around the massive girth of its trunk. He found the altar on the south side; a ceremonial fire still smoldered on it. It didn't take him long to find the trail of the person who tend the altar and the tree, this was the druid he sought. Following the trail carefully, it led him to a small <insert house type here>. Knocking on the door, he called out, "Hello? I seek the druid of these woods."

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

Icarus nodded, "My esteemed colleagues, I have two questions. Will we be provided with mounts, and when will we leave?"

Thibault's hand bristled through his rugged beard until a finger got caught in the tangled mess. A quick tug liberated his pointer.

"Well I can't let you go and get lost. Not to mention I'll be able to hear all about your wild adventures among the Legions." He replied grinning slightly. "Also the offer of compensations inclines me to tag along."

Not as if I can return to the encampment, and finding another band of bandits to plunder with won't be easy. At least I can keep my promise now, even if my soul rotted away decades ago.

Eyes are wonderful. Not as windows to the soul, most souls were too darn dirty to be seen in the eyes, but they made wonderful mirrors. Just as the Captains wide eyes were doing now, reflecting, with some slight distortion, the man creeping up behind Orome.

Her blade was in her hands even before she finished the first half of ther spin. The long, slightly curved blade made of a deep aquamarine crystal (http://www.atddm.com/mystlong.jpg) sang with a lovely musical note as it split the air, then sliced spine deep across the creepers midsection.

The blade scarely slowed as it bisected the man and Orome continued the circular move to face the man who'd stabbed the Captain from behind. The blade finished it's own circle by taking the man's head from his shoulders.

The entire movement took little more time than it take to draw a deep breath, and Black Fangs war cry could be heard rising from the hold. He knew when his partner drew blood, he could taste the fire in her mind.

Why is it never a simple "Stop the Tal'theran Bastards" job. I can understand that. It's simple. Easy. Not to mention a generally efficient and practical way to get rid of border problems. William's thoughts raced through as he was briefed on the assignment. He knew Icarus by reputation.

Wonder if he was trying to be biting, or he was simply unsure when he said "formal?" I'll have to ask him later. The questions about transit were level headed, though. William felt that Icarus had enough sense to keep his head as they encountered Fates Know What. Zhalthus, though, that was what threw William off. If things got hairy, well, he didn't want to think about that just yet.

Still, dealing with the pestilince would require the guy's knowledge, though the actual work would probably have to be done by the two younger party members. Since Will favored Fulgurmancy over Geomancy, Icarus would probably have to be the focuser for more complex spellwork. Let the good times roll.

Farastos
Tal'theran Republic

"Excellent," said Tovius. "Like I said, though, there isn't much time before the ship departs - I only dropped by to say hello. We should leave for the docks soon."

Garius snorted, "Never any time for the family anymore."

Tovius glared at his brother. "I have a duty to the Republic."

"What about duty to the family?" Garius crossed his arms. "To the business?"

"Stop it, you two!" Laurel demanded. "I don't want another reunion ruined by your bickering." Picking up a small cloth package, she held it up to Tovius and said, "At least take this. It's not much, you came without notice, but it's something to take along with you."

Taking the package, Tovius gave her another hug and said, "Thank you, mother." Looking at Thibault, "Ready? Or do you need to gather anything first?"


Eindaal
Eringaard Magocracy

The woman arched a thin eyebrow upon hearing Viktor uncharacteristically voicing his intentions in such a manner. But Viktor was a trusted part of the council, even if he was not an actual council member himself, so his words were definitely worth listening to. Catching the note, she glanced over it rather than answer the questions posed by Icarus.

"Milana?" the human in the blue robe asked.

The woman looked over at the man, lifted the note a little, and said, "Here." The note burst into flames and disappeared before a similar burst of flames appeared by the man and the note materialized, floating into his lap.

He read it with a puzzled expression at first, which slowly turned into a grave one. "You had better read this as well, Dalodromir." The note then rippled through the air toward the third council member, a middle-aged elf with long hair and a pine green outfit.

The elf in turn read the note, then nodded without a word. The older man nodded to the woman, and she said, "Very well, Viktor, the council has approved your request." Finally looking over at Icarus, she said, "Yes to the mount, although given the new circumstance," a nod to Viktor, "a four-horse carriage may serve better in this case than just the mounts would. I believe Mister Zhalfus has experience with driving such coaches if neither of you two do. As for the question of when, as soon as you three are ready, although preferably not too long from now."


Ocean
Somewhere south of the Eringaard coastlines

"Captain!" one of the sailors from the deck shouted as Rahab was attacked from behind. He drew a shortsword and began running up to where his captain was, only to be intercepted by two of the new hires. The ship erupted into a battle between the old sailors loyal to the captain and the new, treacherous ones, while several more people tried to jump Orome.

The winds seemed to be picking up exponentially from every direction, causing the ship to twist and turn as clouds formed from nothing in the sky and cast everything in a gray light. With the winds and aggravated waves combined, the ship nearly capsized several times as it swirled speedily toward the coast line. Several sailors, caught off guard by the sudden changes, were tossed overboard by the heaving and disappeared under the frothing waters.

The ship was certainly not going to last under these conditions for long.


South of Eavana
Gaireth Protectorate

Caeli hugged back. When offered the ride, a smile appeared on her lips. With a sniff, she said, "Mother did ask me to help mend some clothes, but she didn't say wheeeen."

Penrhyn
Gaireth Protectorate

Jaylin nodded, running to the river with the flask as told.

Trying not to spit out the leaves on accident while talking, Kavlin said, "We were playing over there." He looked over at a pile of dead lumber at the other end of the clearing. "I heard a hissing sound and something black moved really fast and hit me in the shoulder. My whole arm hurts really badly."

Upon closer inspection, one could see that the boy's veins were darker than usual in the left hand and in the lower portions of the left side of his neck - the rest of his left arm and shoulder was hidden under his shirt.

"Lead the way." Thibault suggested raising his hand towards the door.

These particular surface worlders were funny but idiots. The dark elves, who'd raised treachery, assassinations and the double cross to an art form wouldn't do this kind of foolishness. It was what made their politics so much fun however. They'd've been wise to kill just prior to landing, not when still out to sea and do so in a much less overt manner. It seemed the ship would be crashing in short order however which might lead to interesting results and perhaps some useful supplies, especially if there didn't happen to be any survivors.

Leaving his rest against the bark of a tree Kiten headed toward the beach were survivors and supplies might wash up and took a position that was sheltered behind a boulder that still afforded him a steller view of the area.

A wide smile appeared Nald's face as Caeli got onto his back. It was good for him to know that he had cheered her up. He could not bare to see her unhappy or sad. Anyways this ride would at least delay feeding the smelly pigs for a while. Once Caeli was on his hand grabbed a hold of the bucket full of slop. He definitely did not want to forget this.

Then his body straighten itself slowly, to make sure Caeli did not fall off. Nald paused for a second, then started to run down the trail. He was going to make a slight detour to the pig pen, to drop off the bucket, and then make the real piggyback ride beginning. Nald quickly made it to the stable, and dropped the bucket on the ground. Then he bolted straight out and into the wheat field.

As he ran along he made a couple of jumps, but firmly grasped Caeli. He was going to make sure that she had a fun time.

Orome cursed heartily as she tried to keep her footing while the ship bucked and heaved like a mad thing. However that heavong stood her in good stead as two of those attempting to made it up the near vertical stairs that lead to the stern deck were swept over board. That left only three.

A booted foot caught the first one under the chin as his head rose above the edge of the deck. He mada a strangling sound and fell backwards taking the one on his heels with him. However it also took Orome to one knee and caused her to nearly loose her grip on her sword. With a wrench she threw herself backwrd into a back flip that managed to lad her on her feet.

Glad for the momentary respite she ran to the captains side, and was relieved to find him still alive. "This is goning to hurt worse that the initial wound, but..." and slapped a hand against him.

Every second of pain the man would have suffered during the normal course of healing struck in the blink of an eye and had him screaming and writhing, but before his convulsions could break bone he was healed. Shocky and disoriented, but no longer but a few hands spans from the grim reaper either. Orome sighed in slightly exhausted pleasure. Sometimes it was better than sex "Though I think that says something for the quality of bed sport that has come my way of late" Orome groused under her breath.

"Captain if you have an sort ain with the sea, I think you ought to make use of it 'fore your ship sinks, or tears itself apart." She saggered slightly as she stood, she would fight tired from this, but hopefully it would all balance out.

William noted the interest about the note. Seems that Zhalfus probably knew something about this from those dusty old tomes. Ah, well, the sooner we get this over with, the better.

"Milana," said William, after hearing the time frame for departure, "somebody will need to communicate to the Academy's administration that I'll be on temporary leave for Council purposes. But tell them I still intend to stay as an instructor when I return."

Penrhyn, Gaireth Protectorate

A forest adder! realised Fayalin with a jolt, as Kavlin explained what had happened. She reached round and pulled the boy’s shirt down around his shoulder, and immediately spotted what she feared. There were two small puncture wounds there, already closed up, the skin around them an angry red colour. She frantically began racking her brains for the correct combination of herbs to counteract the effects of the poison, and praying that she had them with her.

“Don’t worry, you’ll be just fine,” she told him reassuringly, though inwardly she didn’t feel nearly as confident. Adder bites were not normally fatal to an adult, but children were more susceptible to the venom, particularly one as young as Kavlin. Why couldn’t you have come across a grass snake instead? she silently asked. The ingredients for the antidote suddenly surfaced, and she began searching through her bag, laying each one out on a piece of cloth in front of her, offering a hasty, silent prayer of thanks to Eovia that she had them all.

“You can spit that out now,” she told him, after another minute or so. She looked worriedly in the direction that Jaylin had gone to get water. Come on, hurry, Jaylin, she urged him. She really needed a fire, but there was no time to make one and get it hot enough, so she would have to improvise. She took two oddly-shaped rocks from her bag, and began grinding the herbs she would need into powder between them, collecting it on the piece of cloth.

Icarus nodded, acknowledging the grant of mounts, and then assumed based on William's last request the answer to his other question. "We are to leave immediately then?"

"Immediately, if not sooner." Viktor said with a deep bow to each of the council members. "This is one of the rare times that i hope i am wrong about something." He said gravely, before adding with slightly forced gaiety: "Better safe that sorry though."

He turned to the other two and with barely conceled eagerness to be on the way he said: "I am all but prepared already, you two make haste and meet me outside the front entrace." He did not mean to sound commanding, but if he was right, speed was of the essence. With that he turned and headed for the exit of the chamber.

As Viktor sped away, Icarus turned to William. After adjusting his dark brown robes which identified him as a geomancer, he hoisted the bag that had been resting at his feet. "I'm all packed up. Meet you out there?"

William nodded as Viktor left to gather his last minute necessities. Turning to Icarus, he responded simply "I just need to get my good weapons." He left Icarus to go to the side entrance, where the guard held his crafted gear.

A cloak from his mother to afford protection, woven with shielding love. His weapons, swords forged by he and his father, which fulgurmancy and acidified metals had polished to never let the edge go dull. They never let him bring his effects into the Council Chambers. He had little reason to wonder why.

Meeting Icarus by the main entrance, he dropped his travel bag at his feet. On top of it was a saddle, stirrups, and bridle. Riding gear for the unexpected. William didn't intend to wait for the carriage to become wrecked at those really inopportune times. "Guess we're waiting for Zhalfus then, eh?"

Zhalfus appeared mere moments afterward, he had changed into set of fine, but sturdy travelling garb and had switched the staff he normall used for a seperate more slender staff which had a deep blue crystal at the top. He had a small pack slung across his back which bulged with a variety of useful things inside and waved at the other two. "Sorry, setting my affairs in order took longer than i expected."

"Shall we then?" He said as he climbed onto the front of the carriage and took the reins, resting his staff in a slot for it behind him and waiting for the other two to get aboard.

Icarus smiled as he saw Viktor's over stuffed pack. Atleast we have horses, he thought to himself before slinging his pack into the carriage and climbing aboard himself.

Farastos
Tal'theran Republic

Bidding farewell to Laurel and grunting an acknowledgment to Garius' existence, Tovius departed through the front door. The walk to the docks involved a bit of complaining about brothers and a lot of reminiscing about childhood; at least, for Tovius.

The docks were a busy place, what with merchants coming in and out with cargo, fishermen and their loads of freshly caught aquatic creatures, and the Tal'theran navy providing maintenance on their vessels. It was not too difficult finding the right merchant ship Tovius wanted, as the dock master always kept a record of which ship was where for how long and with what cargo. The young centurion turned his horse over to the care of the local legionary stables before boarding the merchant ship with Thibault.

"The plan is to travel up the eastern coastline until we reach the Rhiann River," Tovius explained. "We'll then take a boat upriver into the Geralyn Forest until we reach the Ael River. Once we get there, we'll be going downstream on the Ael until we pass Aervyn and get off the river to go the rest of the way over land."

Following the eastern coastline of the peninsula, the merchant vessel stopped at several of the port towns and cities it passed by to do some trading. A pod of dolphins swam ahead of the ship for some time, they passed by some clusters of trees on what appeared to be pyramidal islands, and the occasional whale made its presence known by making a big splash in the distance.

Soon enough, they reached the Rhiann River and transferred to a river boat whose shallower draft allowed easy navigation up the waterway. The going was slower than with the merchant ship, as the rowers had to struggle against the river's current. But the river's speed was quite slow in this stretch, so it was not too much of a challenge. The rolling hillsides soon gave way to the coniferous trees of the Geralyn Forest.

But as they went deeper into the heart of the forest, Tovius gripped onto his shield and shortsword all the more. "Something's out there," he said quietly to Thibault, giving a quick point of his chin toward the eastern shore of the river. "They've been following us since we entered the forest. Do you have any weapons?"


Eindaal
Eringaard Magocracy

"And Viktor," said Milana right before the court historian departed, "as the senior mage in the party, you are in charge of the investigation. Heimlin be with you all."

Once outside and settled in to the ride, the horses pulled the carriage and the three occupants along after a flip of the reins from Viktor. Stone streets and towers gave way to dirt paths and wooden apartments. Outside the capital of the country were farms of grains as well as orchards and vineyards. The journey to Senhild took a few days and, aside from the bumpiness of the roads, was rather uneventful.

Soon enough, the three mages were at the outskirts of Senhild, with its town hall in the center of the cluster of buildings and half a story taller than anything else there.


Ocean
Somewhere south of the Eringaard coastlines

The captain was gasping for air after he was healed, still a little uncertain as to what had just transpired. Then, realizing what was happening, he bolted to his feet and grabbed onto a railing to steady himself.

Both sides of crewmen were still fighting each other, although it was dying down as many of the sailors were more interested in keeping themselves from being thrown off the ship than they were in killing one another. The waters quickly calmed down upon the captain's healing, and the waves were nowhere near as big as they were a moment ago. However, when Rahab looked up, he could see that the same could not be said of the sky.

The dark gray clouds were swirling together as if it were a whirlpool in the heavens, growing larger with each passing second. Lightning flashed around inside of the dark clouds, and the wind was continuing to build up from every direction, tossing the ship around despite the calmer waters and threatening to rip the mast of the ship off.

"Cumulas," the captain whispered, a noticeable tinge of fright in his normally confident voice. He looked over to Orome, "Cumulas has been angered. Only the gods know what."

A particularly strong gust of wind tips the boat, making the deck nearly vertical for several endless seconds and forcing the captain to hold on for dear life while several of the sailors and anything else not strapped down went flying off into the waters.


Penrhyn
Gaireth Protectorate

Jaylin came running back, holding onto the flask like his very own life depended on it.

Kavlin spat the leaves out as told, but it looked like his status was degenerating quickly.

A loud hissing sound can be heard somewhere in the pile of logs that Kavlin pointed to earlier.

The South Korovirian Woods
Korovir

"Hello? I seek the druid of these woods."

A knock came at the wooden door of the hollowed-out tree that hid the entrance to the druidess' underground burrow. The tree was noticeably larger than most of those in the surrounding area, but not nearly quite so large of the forest's main spirit, and upon close inspection one would notice that the wooden door was not attached to the tree, but rather a part of it. It echoed down the entry chamber until it filled the small abode and reached the ears of the lone occupant.

Herbs and spices sizzled in a small wooden wok as they were prepared for one final offering before she departed, filling the burrow with a rich and flavorful smell. Outside, as the man stood patiently at the door, a small chipmunk stuck his head out of one of the old tree's knots and glanced around. Without turning to face the door across the room and up the five-foot dirt tunnel, Elva bid the man enter as the door swung open accordingly.

Inside, all of the belongings seemed to be all natural; nothing manufactured or forged, nor any other sign of developed civilization. By the entryway, a medium sized bag formed of large dioscorea leaves sat on a smooth pole of wood. The contents were that of traveling and all of which could be found or fashioned from the forest that Elva protected.

South of Eavana
Gaireth Protectorate

Caeli giggled and held on. She may be getting older, but she could not imagine ever getting too old for a piggyback ride. Soon the tears were dried and the nightmares were pushed to the back of her mind.

***

Later that day, Nald's father approached him while he was cleaning up the cow pens. "Nald, there's a meeting in the town tonight, and I'd like you to come with me. You're old enough now to start playing more of a role in your community."

Nald's father was the representative for the cluster of farms south of Eavana. Instead of every man of the house going to the town whenever a meeting was scheduled, the representative would go, make any questions, comments, or votes as necessary, and report back to the others in the southern farms the outcome of the meeting. The farmers in this cluster had a tendency to select their representatives based off of heritage, so Nald's father was not the first in the family line to be the representative of the southern farms, and there was a fair chance he was not going to be the last either.

"Your mother is preparing our dinner and we'll be eating it on the road. When you're done here, wash up and take Nallie-" their donkey, "out of the stables."

Kiten would have been laughing quite hard at the fate of the surface worlders and their ship save for his assassin's training. He did take the time to kill a man thought. The sailor, one who'd been attempting to kill the girl, had just managed to get a safe hold on a boulder when Kiten appeared on the top of the stone.

"Please, help me." The man called to the man obscured by a cloak. Crouching down the dark elf made as if to offer his hand when a gust of wind blew the hood of the cloak back and the lightning flashed behind his 'savior' illuminating the 'boogyman'. Eyes widening, the poor sailor who'd decided on mutiny had time for only a brief scream before his wrist parted ways with his hand and he plunged back.

It would be unlikely he'd ever be found again and even if the body reappeared it'd be so damaged from the rocks and barnacles it wouldn't be human any more. Whipping the blood off he slid back into his sheltered position to watch if anything else happened, like the ship wrecking which was what he was counting on.

Nald was daydreaming once again while cleaning the cow pens. A wide grin was on his face as he shoveled up the cow droppings. No, he was not happy about cleaning the pen, but about his sister. He had raised his sister's sprits, from her gloomy unhappiness, though in the back of his mind Caeli's dream still bothered him. There was something about it that made a cold shiver run up his shine. Many times today Nald thought about telling father or mother, but decided against it. He was just simply overreacting.

Suddenly his concentration was broken by the arrival of his father. Nald put the remains of the cow dung off of the shovel, into the bucket, and looked up to Dyroth, his father.

After his father was finished talking, Nald was relieved that this would not be another boring day. He did not mind taking care of the farm and protecting Caeli, but he longed of something more. But sadly both of his parents wanted him to continue on with the family farm. Nald saw the trips to Eavana as a quick escape.

Quickly he finished cleaning up the cow pen, and did a fast wash. Before he brought out the donkey he went to find Caeli. He said good bye to her, and that he would be back very soon. Nald kissed her on the forehead and gave her a compassionate hug. Those lovely blue eyes looked back at him as he stepped into the outside. Nald knew that she would make a fine wife one day. Caeli was fairly attractive and age would enhance this feature only more.

Nald quickly went into the stable and found Nallie. He led the donkey out of the stables and waited next to it. Nald was very eager to go.

Thibault rested his hand on the hilt of his trusty recurved blade tucked away on his right hip. He had been trying to pickup how many footsteps there were, but the constant clamor of the rowers made it impossible.

"I trust you don't carry that sword just for show." He boasted sliding his left arm out of the sling.

While incapable of using his bad arm for combat, he used it effectively at tricking opponents by covering his blade, throwing false swings, and taking damage if need be. Rising to a knee he was ready to leap from the boat ahead of Tovius.

Thibault's eyes strained on the silhouettes dancing from behind the brush. The muscles in his legs twitched. his palms became moist with sweat, and his heart pounded with the resolve to keep his promise.

Orome whooped as the deck went verticle for a moment, the ship rearing like a bucking horse "By all the Kami! This is not what I bargained for." She clutched hard at stern deck railing. Then when the ship dropped back into the waters with a massive spray she leaped down to the main deck, and down the hatch to the stall were Black Fang was held. She staggered as the deck canted craizily underfoot.

"Yeah bitch later, get up on deck, we're getting off this scow." Orome threw Black Fangs minimal harness on him and grabbed up her back pack. Her weapons and gold were on her already, and the rest she didn't mind losing. Slapping the furious Helcorn on his broad rump "Move it or drown in this hold!"

Screaming in fury Black Fan barely made it on to deck, then charged the railing. He could see and smell land and that was all the incentive he needed.

Orome was pitched off her feet, and groaned at the collection of bruises she was gathering. But after a few minutes of letting her rattled head settle she followed Black Fang to the main deck.

Icarus shivered despite the summer warmth as he walked through the town center. He had had a growing feeling of discomfort as they had neared the town, and it had worsened when they arrived. He saw that the townspeople were desperate for the help he and his companions could provide, but the ill that he felt from the earth was stronger than any he had felt before. He had never read of any disturbance this great since Starfall.

The earth's scream rattled through him, and it filled him with agony to hear its pain.

"This place is damned," he said in a low voice to his companions. "It feels as if the very earth bleeds here, but it is not the center of the wound."

He turned slowly in place until he was overcome by a wave of pain and nausea. He fell, his shadow cast long by the rays of the dying sun. Before losing himself to the darkness encroaching in his mind, he whispered, "The center lies to the east." He collapsed lightly onto the ground, unconscious.

Lanu had to deck to enter the strange abode, but found it accomodating once he was inside. The humble furnishingsmade him feel immediately at home, reminding him of his small thatch hut in his village. He followed the smell of food cooking farther into the home until he found the kitchen where an elf woman was cooking.

Unsure of how to proceed, Lanu said, "Hello, I am Lanu Jbina. I come from the north seeking help for my tribe..." He trailed off to see how she reacted to the idea.

William saw more than desperation on the people. He felt the earth's lament as well. But on the townspeople, he saw the one thing he truly feared. Hate. The High Council's hand was heavy, pompous, over-bearing, arrogant, and at times cruel. Famine was all that was needed for another rebellion to start.

Turning to Zhalfus, he picked up the limp form of Icarus. "We need lodgings, and food. His strength is sapped by the wails his mind hears. And I don't want to sound presumptuous, but for the sake of every deity you worship, pay a fair price for all that we need."

Even as he said so, William felt another mental lash. This one was quick, sudden, and angry. Looking at the clouds, he saw why. "I think we'd better hurry. The skies are about to unleash their torrents."

Viktor was far less in tune to the woes of the earth, but even he could feel the disturbance and could see the anguish on the townpeoples faces. He had heard Icarus's direction and gave William a nod before darting toward a fair sized building with the symbol of an inn above its door.

When he entered he approched the innkeeper and bearing Williams warning in mind asked very politely said: "I would request a room large enough for three and whatever food you can manage at such short notice." He cast a glance around the room where a few scattered townfolk and workers at the inn were watching him with accusing eyes.

Geralyn Forest
Gaireth Protectorate Eastern Border

Tovius watched as Thibault's legs tensed up in preparation for a leap. With a subtle shake of his head, he said, "I wouldn't." Looking into the water, he could just make out schools of snake-like shadows along the bottom of the river. "I heard the sailors talking about migratory elvers, and from the sounds of it, jumping into the water won't be pretty."

"Aye," the boat's captain piped in behind the two. "I'd rather have a pack of wild dogs come after me than those things. Stand a better chance of surviving. And as long as those people on the shores only follow us, then I won't complain. Better than to get my men into an unneeded fight, I say."

Just then, something came shooting out of the brush at the three men. Tovius noticed it in time to jerk his head out of the way, but did not get the chance to raise his shield to block it. The end of the spear embedded itself into the captain, who keeled over onto the deck of the boat.

"We are under attack!" the first officer roared to his crew. Every other rower grabbed a round shield in one hand to protect those still rowing, and a nearby weapon in the other hand. Some of the sailors picked up javelins and bows just as several more spears started shooting out from the eastern shore of the Rhiann River.

Tovius swiftly moved to the aft, where he placed his equipment, and positioned his large shield to face the incoming projectiles. Sheathing his shortsword, he picked up one his legionary javelins. When the first wave of spears stopped, he peeked over the top edge of his shield to see if he can spot one of the spear throwers. No use wasting one of his two javelins by blindly throwing it into the brush, after all.

The sailors with projectiles of their own returned fire, and the exchange did not go on for long before a number of the sailors were taken out. Some of them fell into the river and soon thereafter began screaming as a dark swarm in the water quickly engulfed the sailors and dragged them under. By the commands of the first offer, those still rowing were double-timing it, planning to get to the Ael River and hopefully away from their assailants, but it soon became evident that they were losing numbers too quickly. With a new order from the captain, the boat moved toward the western shore to reach the safety of the trees.

"They keep disappearing under the brush and reappearing somewhere else," Tovius said, unable to target someone quickly enough before their shadows were already gone.

With a lurch and some grinding noise, the boat hit the western shore. "Grab the emergency supplies!" the first officer shouted at some of his men. "Everybody else, off the boat!"


The South Korovirian Woods
Korovir

The echoes of a distant thunder reverberated through the house tree.


Senhild
Eringaard Magocracy

The innkeeper looked at Viktor with a mixture of wariness and fear, but tried to sound at least somewhat casual as he gave the pricetag for the requested room and board. After receiving the money upfront, he handed the mage a key and gave the directions to the location of the room.

The room itself was probably one of the bigger ones available. It had a fireplace and all the usual furnitures in such a room, including a small table for four as well as a desk and a number of candles. There were two beds that could fit two people each.


South of Eavana
Gaireth Protectorate

As father and son traveled northbound, it became all the more evident that all of the farms in the area really were affected by whatever was slowly killing Nald's farm. If anything, it seemed worse the closer to Eavana they got.

To take his mind off of the depressing scene, Dyroth started talking to Nald between bites of bread and dried fruits about what being a man involved - among which, of course, was the topic of marriage and starting a family of his own.

"So, has there been anyone in particular that you've had an eye on?"


Ocean
Somewhere south of the Eringaard coastlines

The buffeting winds caused the calm ocean waters to start churning in a wide circle around the boat, threatening to drag Orome and her horse back toward the center of the storm as they swam to the shore.

Yet, as if the very ocean itself was fighting back against the whirlpool, it seemed like the waters were pushing Orome and Black Fang forward until they reached the safely of land.

If they looked back, they would see the ship was now turning in circles around its middle, with the dark clouds still swirling directly over it and lightning flashing every now and then.

The South Korovirian Woods
Korovir

"Hello, I am Lanu Jbina. I come from the north seeking help for my tribe..."

For a moment, as Lanu's voice trailed off into only a light echo through the small underground lodging, Elva remained at one side of the room over the roasting spices. As soon as they were finished, she picked them up in a large leaf and wrapped them up so that they could be carried easily. The rugged looking man stood uneasily near the entryway as she moved towards him and then continued past.

Her head bent down lightly when she moved into the damp, dirt-built entryway letting her hair hang down against her ample bosom. The tight yet loose dress that clung to her body seemed to threaten revealing the body beneath, but as she emerged from the wooden door on the other end it remained covering her chest. Reaching up easily to the closest knot to the door, Elva held the twine held leaf of burnt spices and herbs next to the tree. As before, a cute little chipmunk peeked his head out and looked around before his eyes settled on the druidess' hand. Despite appearances, the chipmunk grabbed the handmade bag in his mouth and scampered up the tree to fulfill Elva's request that he take it to the shrine of the forest's main spirit.

Only after her task was finished did she reenter her home to respond to the man. However, when she spoke, she did not look him in the eye or even face him, but rather grabbed up her rucksack and the last few belongings that she needed. There was something about him that disturbed her senses. "Yes... I know where you have come from," she responded calmly. The spirits and animals of the woods had informed her once the man had entered her realm. "You have traveled quickly; the help you request must be urgent... but what, I wonder, would you need help with." Her natural mistrust of the organized peoples of the world was always informing her decisions...

The tension eased from Lanu as the druidess acknowledged him and appeared willing to help with the problem his people had encountered. It was then that he noticed just how beautiful she was. He managed to hold his gaze to her eyes as he responded to her inquiry. "The spirits of our ancestors, usually tied to the earth by the vitality of the forest, have been drifting from us and many are already lost. Our forest is dying, and my people can see no cause.

"I was sent to find you only because I am skilled at surviving in the wild. These problems are far beyond me," he finished quietly, slightly uncomfortable about revealing his short comings to this beautiful woman, yet knowing it was necessary.

After recieving the key Viktor thanked the man and paused only long enough to request that the food be taken straight to the room before shotting back outside to help see to Icarus.

"The room is ready. Can you manage him or do you want a hand?" He said indicating Icarus's limp form as he reached William.

The South Korovirian Woods
Korovir

"Our forest is dying, and my people can see no cause. I was sent to find you only because I am skilled at surviving in the wild. These problems are far beyond me."

Bidding him to follow as she exited her dwelling - the door would close, seemingly on its own power, behind them - Elva slung the leaf-bag over her shoulders and neck, and only then did vines connected to it appear; they wrapped around her shoulders and back, creating an easy back carrying device for her pack.

She did not stop her pace eastwards as she responded to Lanu. "I know of this disturbance; the spirits have spoken to me and I can sense the pain in these forests," Elva revealed as they entered an area of thickening trees. Most forests became more dense the farther one journeyed in, but this one was just the opposite, becoming dense on the outside as the younger trees still vied for control over the soil in their area and the protection of the spirits that lived in the forest.

"So... you are just a messenger," she responded with a slight sign of annoyance, clearly thinking that he wouldn't be of much use. However, his comment about being skilled at surviving in the wild also caused her tense slightly; with humans that generally meant being destructive as they generally did not know how to live in peace with nature. Far beyond you indeed...

Without dwelling too long on his comments, Elva continued on, "I am traveling to the east where I sense the answers will lie. You may be of use when we reach Scryven and then beyond..." The journey would have to take them across the seas and through the various kingdoms, and even if he knew little of the disturbance beyond his own people, he could be useful when dealing with other silka - humans that had developed and expanded sickly.

As they went further away from the farm, Nald finally found out how widespread the destruction was. It was simply sad to see this once bountiful fields now die. Nald knew that some of the farmers would not make it pass this year. Thankfully his father drew his attention away from the landscape, but the question was no better.

Nald stood there silent there for a second, then quickly stuffed his mouth. Dyroth could have probably tell that Nald was unconformable about the subject. In general the other sex was a very touchy subject to Nald. He became almost deathly nervous while talking to women or even while around them. There was just something inside him that made his stomach churn. Nald often wondered why it happened, but just came to accept it. Though these last few months he had no interaction with the opposite sex, except for Caeli and his mother. He was just running away from his fear. Nald took a big gulp and sighed for a second.

"Father you know how I feel...about women..." Nald replied as he looked away from his father. Then he tried to cover it up. "Lately I haven't even time to think about women. There is just too much to do."

Lanu was unsure. His world was limited to the jungle he was born in, the same jungle he hunted, and that his father had hunted before him. He had heard before of the cities across the seas, but had never had any interest in seeing them.

He walked behind her, his footfalls making no sound. The sky that occaisionally peeked through the clouds was a forbidding steely gray. It would rain soon.

Sighing as he continued to follow her he said, "I was sent only to retrieve you, and pay you if I must. If going with you will solve this though, I will go. Can you send a message to Ebol, our shaman, telling him that I am going with you?"

The South Korovirian Woods
Korovir

"I was sent only to retrieve you, and pay you if I must. If going with you will solve this though, I will go. Can you send a message to Ebol, our shaman, telling him that I am going with you?"

"Pay me?" She burst out in nigh-laughter at the thought of payment in some golden coins or even material objects. "What need have I for your payment?" she asked rhetorically.

"By all means though, you need not journey with me..." Elva added; while he may be of use to speak with the other humans in town, he was quite expendable. "However, if you behave yourself you may accompany me to find out why your spirits are leaving you."

As for sending a message to the shaman, Elva turned her head up towards the trees and gave an inaudible call to one of the forest's watchers. An owl descended from the tops of a nearby tree, and landed on a low branch in the path ahead of them. Elva, speaking to it in plain English, told the owl to relay the message to the shaman...

---------------------------------------------------
Scryven
Korovir

Later that day...

A few hours of walking through the peaceful nature of the forest followed by a small trip across the hills landed the unlikely duo at the edge of the town of Scryven. The town lay on the strait that separated the island from the rest of the continent and allowed one of the shortest distances across by boat.

"Alright then... we will need passage across the strait," Elva said to Lanu. "This is where you come in..." She had no money and little dealings with either humans or organized society - not that she didn't have knowledge of them - and Lanu, though coming from what seemed like a tribal village, would be slightly better versed in accomplishing these tasks.

As the projectiles began littering the deck, the career brigand began bouncing in place as if ready to box someone. Javelins glanced by narrowly while Thibault continued his evasive dance. Lurching onto shore he waited for the crew to make their advance onto the beach. No doubt the enemy was waiting for this, and it didn't seem right for Thibault to hurl himself into the fray without seeing what he was up against.

The beast that had clawed its way out of the ship was an unusual one, for the dark elf. Quadrupeds didn't normally grow tall in the Underdark and were rarely as massive. Not being quite sure as to what he was facing stayed his hand for while he had poisons that should bring the beast down, it might be tough enough to still come after him before it dropped and he really hated fighting two at once, that and it appeared he was dealing with a female.

Engrained habit had made it rather difficult to strike at a member of the fairer and stronger sex, without the bidding of another of the same gender. Hunching his cloak back up so that it put his face into shadows so that only the blindfold could be made out with any ease, Kiten hobbled out from behind his position.

He was confident that if the woman did see him then she'd see a blind-man and not a threat, a tactic he'd used to good effect before. However, due to a couple flaws in his disguise, namely that surface world blind had to rely on a stick or staff for navigation would give at least partial lie to his visual claim.

Somewhere between the northern Aristumnos and southern Eringaard coasts

"Of every magical object I posses," Selim Savid thought aloud, "Why the hell don't I have a compass? Even a normal one would do." Staring up at the sky incomprehensibly, after spending a few minutes trying (and failing) to judge his location by the position of the sun-he had never had any gift with astrology anyways-Selim hefted his huge pack over his shoulder and continued to plod on. Trying to pick up anything in Aristumnos had been absolutely useless, but what else was new? For the time being, he was simply following the coastline north to the Magocracy; he expected Eringaard to have at least a few good items, being run by wizards and whatnot.

Gifted with an horribly awful lack of directional sense, Selim Savid, musician, antique collected, and swindler extraordinaire, had realized a few days after leaving Aristumnos that he had no real idea where he was going; after traveling west for a few days, he eventually reached the coast, then headed north. For all he knew, he might have already passed Eringaard's boarders already. A drop of rain hit Selim's forehead as he wandered in his thoughts.

"What the...now it's storming?" The ill-tempered, short man swore loudly, though no one could hear him. "And I left my tent behind in Aristumnos, too. Hmmf...There had better be an inn around here or I'm going to...oh, my, that looks interesting." Straining his eye to gaze out at the ocean, he could just barely make out what seemed to be a large ship tossing and turning in the storm, though it seemed more like a monsoon out on the water. He watched as men and supplies were flung overboard by the swelling currents, shivering in the increasing cold. Selim had never liked traveling by ship for this very reason.

"Poor bastards..." Selim set his bag down and pulled his long coat over his head, doing his best to protect himself from the light rains around him. This would definitely be worth watching. I wonder if there'll by anything to plunder after this is all over with, he thought hopefully. Gasping, Selim suddenly spied a pair of somethings drifting towards land. Amazing...did someone survived? He walked tenetively down to shore, unsure weather or not whoever he saw was dead or alive.

William merely shrugged as he shouldered Icarus. "Get my bag. Bring it to the room, I'll need it. I can get the kid." The toughest part was the narrow stairwell. When Icarus woke up, he'd have a bruise on the back of his head which would be attributed to "that rather sudden fall when you fainted." It was courtesy of the switchback, but Icarus didn't need to know that.

Laying him out in the bed, William pulled out hawk feathers and tied one to each bedpost. The effect was immediate, easing the breathing of Icarus tremendously. "He's mostly a straight up geomancer," William explained. "Those feathers were given by a friendly hawk, and carry an attunance to air within them. Blocks out Icarus's connection with Earth, but also keeps the wails of the ground from assaulting his mind. He'll need food when he wakes."

William sat for a minute in one of the chairs. He tuned out the wails, a fortunate by product of his dual nature. Diametric forces, such as Air and Earth, cancelled the strongest connections. While eliminating the highest forms of practicing that art, it did grant one useful talents. A wider adaptability was one. Lessening the susceptibility to fainting was another.

On the other hand, when the sky and the earth both suffered, as they did now, it left William drained, and very aware of the throbbing inside his head. It also meant that the trick working for Icarus was useless, only capable of leaving him completely open to the element he didn't block out. There was only one cure for this type of pain. "Viktor, get me some alcohol. Actually, make it more than some."

Black Fang shook himself vigorously as he cleared the tide line, and turned to watch Orome stagger ashore then drop to her hands and knees just above the high tide line.

His mental comments went ignored. Orome was too busy vomiting up the stomach full of ocean she'd unintentionally swallowed in the nearly two mile swim to shore.

However as the small man with the huge pack and his coat over his head approached from one direction and the only slightly taller figure of a cloaked blind man from a slightly different angle, the burly, ebon pelted predator pivoted on clawed paddhooves to face them both - one after the other. The beast looked equine, if one ignored the long, pointed, spiral horn that grew from it's forehead, the glowing red eyes, lethally clawed paddhoves and the carnivores fangs that gleamed as it screamed a challenge at the two men.

"I'd" Orome husked in a tired voice as she managed to stand, after a couple of wavering attempts "Be careful if I were you. He's pissed and hungry." She didn't pay the men much attention, but her first looks at them had been -despite her still roiling guts - keenly observant. She staggered over to where her pack had been washed up by the incoming waves.

"You'll find easier pickings than I if you just move along and scavenge from the dead bodies that have washed up here and there. When the gods take exception to one another there is generally enough scavenge for all so inclined." Her left hand rested lightly on the hilt of the dirk she wore at her hip and her right hand was free to reach for the blade she carried across her back.

Orome really didn't want to fight, she was far more interested in making a temporary camp, getting clean, dry and fed, but she'd kill both of the strangers in a heart beat if they made any hostile moves. Her temper was really short at the moment.

Selim took a step back hesitantly as the fierce-looking black unicorn burst from the waves, kicking and screaming furiously. This was a magnificent animal, and obviously not one to be trifled with. He eyed the blades the women was carrying with even more wariness; of all the combative arts in the world, swordsmanship was his worse. He would have to try and be diplomatic with this one.

"You misunderstand me, lady!" Selim was started to struggle with his pack as he heaved it back over his shoulder. "I mean you no harm! I'm just a traveling minstrel, and a collector of valuable antiques, if you have any. I've got a good deal of fresh food with me if you want some assistance. First day's meals are free!" He wasn't going to pass up the opportunity for a profit, even if the woman had just nearly drowned. "I probably have something for your...uh...horse thing, too." He backed away a few steps as the "horse thing" in question started stamping around, baring it's fangs. "Just tell it not to eat me, all right?"

"Mi'lady, I am a but a blind man. Am I to understand there has been an accident and if so, are there any assistances I make?" He was of course lying through his teeth for he'd watched much of the action but to a dark elf a lie was no more revealing than the truth.

The beast was the more unpredicateble and thus dangerous of the two, but the lady seemed to have it under control to an extent at least and thus for the moment partially dismissable.

The claimed wandering minstrel was suspicious, at least to Kiten's experiance for the other member of the profession had not been burdened by anywhere near the mass of goods this one bore. He would also be watched.

Geralyn Forest
Gaireth Protectorate Eastern Border

Tovius grabbed his own possessions and backed up, keeping his shield between himself and the incoming projectiles. He lifted it just in time to catch an arrow on the shield's upper edge. He jumped the few feet from the edge of the boat to the ground, and saw that only a small handful of sailors survived the attack.

"Stay where you are!" someone shouted from the trees. Half a dozen men in black leather appeared from the brush, spears pointed at those who made it off the boat alive.

The first officer spoke up, "You can have the boat if you want, but leave us be."

"I don't care about you or your boats," said the black-clad man who spoke before. "I want the one named Tovius Veralion. Hand him over to me, and the rest of you are free to go."

The sailors all looked over at the young centurion. Tovius in turn looked around, not exactly sure why these people wanted him in particular.

He was about to ask just that when the first officer said, "Take him."

Tovius frowned and glanced over to Thibault. Even if Thibault helped him, it would still be 3-to-1 odds, with the potential to be even worse should the sailors help the black-leathered men.

He should not have brought Thibault along. Knowing the man, Thibault would probably get himself killed while helping Tovius, and then not only would Tovius be captured, but Thibault would be dead. Tovius had made up his mind; there was only one right thing to do in this case.

"Fine," he said, taking a slow step forward. "I will go." He hoped that the others did not notice that he still had his weapons on him, despite the size of his javelins.


Scryven
Korovir

The town of Scryven was certainly more populated than what Lanu and Elva were normally used to. But being so close to the druids of the southern forest, the inhabitants of this town tried to make it as environmentally friendly as possible for people without the powers of a druid to help them.

What appeared to be small hills at first turned out to be the homes of the townspeople, utilizing the natural landscape to make their homes in. The additional advantage to using peat covered in a mound of dirt and grass was that it provided great insulation against the normally cold coastal weather.

As one of the main port towns of the island, as well as one of the closest ones to mainland, Scryven was a popular place for traders, and ships were not too hard to find. Most of them were tiny, local boats not designed to cross deep waters. There were a few bigger ones, though, but even these were no larger than several dozen yards in length. Nonetheless, these bigger ones were certainly sea-worthy vessels.


Senhild
Eringaard Magocracy

There was a knock on the door. "The food you've order is ready," the innkeeper's voice said from the other side.


South of Eavana
Gaireth Protectorate

Dyroth chuckled. "Don't use that old excuse on me - I used it on your grandfather when I was about your age."

The sun was close to making its downward journey for the evening. Eavana could be seen in the distance, not too far away. A few farmers were out and about in their wilting fields.

"What about the new family in the east fields? What was their daughter's name? Baryya? You've met her before, right?"


Beach
Somewhere south of Eringaard

Thunder rumbled and lightning afforded brief and bright flashes of light on the overcast shore. The swirling winds were cold, but were no doubt freezing for someone just swimming in the ocean.

Penrhyn, Gaireth Protectorate

Just as Fayalin was beginning to wonder if something had happened to Jaylin as well, the young boy came running up to her. Fayalin took it immediately, without a word of thanks, removed the stopper and, after carefully lifting the cloth that the powdered herbs had collected on, poured the powder into the flask. As she put the stopper back in and shook the flask, she finally spoke to Jaylin again.
“Now, run back to the village and tell your parents what’s happened,” she told him, doing her best to conceal her fear for Kavlin’s obviously worsening condition from his brother, “They’ll probably be wondering where you are.”

After he had disappeared into the trees again, she pulled the stopper out of the flask again, and held it up to Kavlin’s mouth.
“Drink this; it’ll make everything better,” she told him, her voice heavy with false confidence, and tilted the flask to help him do so. After he had managed to swallow about a third of the contents, she brought it down and took a piece of clean cloth from her bag. Hurriedly soaking the cloth with most of the rest of the concoction, she carefully began to wipe the area around the bite mark on Kavlin’s shoulder.

She was nearly finished when the loud hiss sounded throughout the clearing, causing her to freeze in panic; an icy hand clutching at her stomach. Adders aren’t normally territorial, she thought wildly, that snake should be miles away by now. However, she couldn’t deny that it was still nearby, and, by the sound of it, still angry. Hurriedly, she threw everything back into her bag, making as much noise as possible; she knew that snakes would normally move away from loud noises, and that it was the best way to avoid directly encountering a snake in the first place. But she knew already that this snake was not acting normally, and so there was panic in her actions.

She flung the bag over her shoulder, then carefully picked up Kavlin and began moving back towards the village as fast as she could. It was fortunate that the boy was as young as he was, otherwise this would have caused her considerable trouble. Even so, she felt her arms growing heavy with the weight in her arms after only a minute or so.
“Gentle Eovia,” she muttered as she ran, “please protect us from the serpent we have angered, and please ward off the poison within this child and let him run freely again.” After repeating the hasty prayer a couple of times, she remembered the instructions she had given to Jaylin. “Jaylin,” she shouted at the top of her voice, “Stay away… from that clearing… and go back… to the village…” the words came out in separated groups as she fought to get them out between gasps for air.

Penrhyn
Gaireth Protectorate

Something slithered with amazing speed past Fayalin as she did her best to run through the uneven forest ground, brushing the outside of her foot momentarily as it did so. Moving a couple of yards in front of the young woman, the adder raised its upper body threateningly, but held back from striking.

Not a normal snake indeed.

A low, sinister chuckle sounded behind her as a three men in black leather approached. The two on the sides carried spears and stopped a few yards away while the one in the middle, the source of the chuckling, continued onward in a circle around Fayalin. He had a weathered face and several old scars around any exposed bodyparts. A sword was sheathed at his side, and several dagger handles protruded from various parts of his garments. He stopped walking once he reached the adder, and the snake spiraled up one of the man's leg, then up his lowered arm.

Raising his arm to face level, he looked straight into the snake's eyes. "Amazing creatures, these adder, are they not?" Now looking at Fayalin and the child in her arms, he said in his deep voice, "Miss Leishan, I presume?"

Nald simply shook his head. Baryya was only a year younger than Nald. She had long cascade of golden locks, and a slightly tanned complexion. Her bright blue eyes also seem to enchant Nald when he saw her. Just seeing her eyes you could tell that their was something special about her. Nald could tell when he first met her. Her warm smile seemed to comfort him.

But usually their brief encounters ended in him saying that he had to get back to work. Nald usually only said a hello, and nothing more. When he did try to start a conversation he would end up as a bumbling idiot. This would result in him trying a dark red, in the cheeks, and saying a good bye, before running off. He often scolded himself because of these actions.

His head moved to get a look at the setting sun. It was a red, which Nald had never seen before. Nald would often sit a top the stable and watch the sun slowly set. Sometimes Caeli would join him. It was one of the few moments where he totally alone. Nald's attention soon was directed toward Eavana.

Penrhyn, Gaireth Protectorate

Fayalin barely held back a scream as she felt the snake touch her foot, then, as it turned in front of her and confronted her, she stopped moving in an instant, and was instead frozen to the spot, staring back at the snake in terror. She nearly screamed again when she heard the unpleasant laughter behind her, and tried her best to look around for the source of the noise without taking her eyes off the snake.

As the man entered her field of view, her heart sank even further. She could tell from his appearance that he would make no effort to help her or, if he did, there would be a terrible price to pay, in which case she might prefer death at the fangs of the snake, which she was now certain was no ordinary adder. She watched in horrified bewilderment as the man fearlessly approached the snake and it obligingly slithered up onto his arm. She barely registered his first statement, but the use of her name meant that the second question jarred her back to reality.

“Y-y-y…” she stuttered, her voice a high-pitched squeak. “W-w-who are you? W-w-what do y-y-you want?” she managed to ask eventually, clutching Kavlin closer to her, his condition temporarily forgotten in her fear for her own life. In a brief moment of rational thought, she realised that not only was she unarmed - her staff and dagger were in her house - but she was also undressed, with only the cloak which had miraculously stayed around her shoulders during her flight covering her nightdress. But even if both conditions had been reversed, she would not have been hopeful for her chances to escape. And even if she somehow did manage to disable the man, there was still the snake and, she realised for the first time, two other men behind her.

"Just tell it not to eat me, all right?"

Orome snorted at that. "He doesn't always listen to me. No Helcorn worth his salt would."

Mi'lady, I am a but a blind man. Am I to understand there has been an accident and if so, are there any assistances I make?"
That earned the supposedly blind man a sharp scathing look that was accompanied by a chuff of disbelief, but no open challenge.

"I am used to looking after myself. But thank you both." Orome said with formal courtesy, there had been no reason to be rude and the strict courtesy of her father s court had never truly left her. She spun around to look at the deity spawned weather off shore, shivering as a particularly fierce blast of wind stgruck her. "But I will give you both some advice. Get back in the tree line, as far from the shore as you can. The gods are having a pissing contest and mere mortals who get caught up inbetween have only themselves to blame.

Shivvering continuously now she grabbed up her pack, groaning under her breath at it's water logged weight, and determinedly marched into the woods. She hoped to find naturally occuring shelter within a mile. The walk would help keep her warm, the trees would break the wind and she could biut hope to find a fresh water stream or pool.

Black Fang took rear guard, giving the two men glares and snorts as he padded silently after Orome, his stalking movements made silent by the thick padds he had instead of true hooves.

Senhild
Eringaard Magocracy

There was a knock on the door. "The food you've order is ready," the innkeeper's voice said from the other side.


Viktor had easily brought Williams pack into the bedroom and left it tucked neatly in a corner before watching in slight fascination the two weakened wizards, he had rarely spent time watching the effects the environment had on them. He was no specialist as these two were and remained only slightly aware of the disturbances.

When he heard the knock at the door Viktor quickly answered it and ushered the food in. "Thank you good sir." He said giving the inn keeper an approving nod and then said. "Please could we also have several flagons of your strongest alcohol?" He was already fishing the coins out of a pocket and gave them to the innkeeper hastily before shooing him out of the room.

When they were alone he turned to the other two mages and said slightly fearfully: "We should not stay here longer than necessary, it is becoming increasingly likely that i am right and we do not have much time." He fidgeted for a moment while thinking. "Icarus said the disturbance lies to the east? I propose we head there after you have recovered sufficiently."

Senhild
Eringaard Magocracy

A second set of rapping came from the door, different sounding than how the innkeeper knocked, and coming much sooner than one would expect the innkeeper to have returned.


Eavana
Gaireth Protectorate

Dyroth chuckled again and tousled Nald's hair. "Well, I'll have to make sure the two of you meet one of these days. She's from a nice family, from what I've heard."

It was almost dark by the time they reached the town. As it was almost time for the meeting to occur, Dyroth went straight to the town center, where other people were also gathering for the meeting. He told Nald to tie up their donkey in the stables and rejoin him in the main building.

The main building of the town center looked like it used to be a huge barn that was eventually converted into a meeting hall. It was fairly crowded, with people standing in close proximity to one another on the ground as well as on the walkways of the second floor, and anyone wanting in would have to squeeze past the elven militia captain, who appeared to be splitting his attention between the discussion and his surroundings. A couple of boys around Nald's age were hanging off of the diagonal beams near the ceiling, looking bored.

"The Tal'therans are taking too long!" someone in the crowd said as Nald made his way in. "There will be nothing left of our fields by the time they get here!"

Another person in the crowd said, "What? You'd rather ask for help from Eringaard? They'd sooner enslave us like the rest of their peasantry!"

An older man was standing on a raised platform in the middle of the mass of people present. "Now now, Radaln, you know full well the Republic considers our farms as important," the man interjected in a tired voice, hoping to keep the bickering from continuing between the two. "I'm sure they are sending their experts as quickly as possible to deal with this. But all this grousing will not help us at all in this situation. Let us move onto another, more pressing matter now. Darin, if you'd please?"

Someone stepped onto the platform, standing behind and to the side of the old man. "The nightwatchmen and local militiamen have been made aware of this already, but it is best that everyone knows and so can keep a lookout. There have been reports from several people about something moving through the streets during the darkest hours of the night. From what these people have seen, it appears to be a canine-like creature, about four or five feet high to the shoulders. A couple of sightings have also been made to the south of the town. There've been no reports of any attacks so far, but it is always best to make sure your families are indoors at a reasonable hour and that your doors and windows are barred at nights."


Penrhyn
Gaireth Protectorate

"Do not worry your pretty little head about such things, Miss Leishan," said the man with a snicker while petting the crown of his snake. The adder was motionless save for the flicking in and out of its forked tongue.

The deep voice continued, "But I must insist that you follow me. Oh, and please leave the boy." Despite his calm tone and the use of the magic word, "please," it was evident that this was more of an order than a request.

Kavlin moaned quietly, still feeling the pain of the poison pulsing through his veins. His grip on Fayalin seemed to grow weaker, but he did not seem to want to let go of her.

There was some shifting from the two spearman behind Fayalin, and one could almost sense their eyes roving up and down her back.

Icarus had gained consciousness as Viktor made the order for alcohol. He had spent the few intervening moments establishing blocks in his mind against the disturbance. It should no longer have as great a physical effect on him.

As Viktor made his suggestion, Icarus opened his eyes and said, "We can't leave that soon. The people will think the Council has abandoned them. It could set the country side into uproar. We have to atleast put on a little show, tell them the problem is solved. It will be weeks before they know the difference."

He turned his head looking at the others seriously, "This is the greatest disturbance I've ever felt. I've never even read of one so powerful. It rivals the Starfall itself. I agree that we must leave, but we need to consider the consequences of our actions."

Slowly he sat up becoming momentarily light headed, but after a moment, the feeling left him. He stood and walked to the table where the food lay and was beginning to eat when there was a knock at the door.

Penrhyn, Gaireth Protectorate

Fayalin’s stomach gave a sickening lurch as she heard the words she had been dreading, and a tear rolled slowly down her cheek. She stared silently at the earth beneath her feet as more tears followed it, and she envisioned what would happen next. The three men would force themselves on her, and by the next morning she would be lying dead somewhere in the forest, probably never to be found. And Kavlin, without further treatment, would in all likelihood die from the poison flowing in his veins.

She looked up resolutely, her cheeks shining with tears.
“N-n-n…” she began, but the protest died on her lips as she looked at the snake, and her eyes dropped back to the dirt. If she refused to cooperate with them, then Kavlin would certainly die, probably after they set the snake on him again. If she left him and surrendered herself, then there was at least a chance, however slim, that he might survive. She looked up again; the same resolution in her eyes, but with exactly the opposite decision.
“Yes…” she whispered hoarsely, barely audible, tears rolling freely down her cheeks.

She walked slowly over to a tree and gently laid Kavlin down against it. Despite his growing fever, he seemed to realise what was happening, and grasped her cloak more tightly. She forced him to release his grip, then kissed his forehead soothingly.
“You’ll be alright,” she told him softly, “Your parents will find you and look after you.”

She stood up slowly, and looked up at the sky, visible between the gaps in the leaves overheard. Gentle Eovia, if the gods have decided that it is my time to die, then I will not argue. But please, I beg of you, protect Kavlin from harm and let him defeat the evil that flows within him. After she had finished the silent prayer, she looked down and closed her eyes briefly, then turned and walked slowly towards the leader of the group, her head down in submission, gripping her cloak tightly about her.

Nald now had a disgruntled look on his face. That was probably the last thing he needed. He could just picture it right now. Baryya would try to start a conversation, but he would just freeze up and do something very embarrassing or run away. Nald shook the image out of his mind and gave his father a menacing look.

Nald, still a little angry, complied with his father's order. He easily tied up the donkey, and rushed to the meeting. As Nald made it to the door he could easily see the elven militia captain from a distance. The imposing feature seemed to produce a small amount of fear within Nald. He could see the elven captain was trying to keep the unwanted guests out. Once Nald finally made his way up, the elven captain pushed him back. Nald tried to explain that his father was within the building, but the captain was being persistent.

So Nald made his way out of the crowd and observed the building from the sidelines. He needed to get into the building no matter what. Quickly he thought of a plan.

A few minutes later a few barrels caught fire and the captain ran to expel it. He was soon replaced by an unexperienced private. With easy Nald made his way in, but the others were still stuck outside. It had been another victory for the great Nald. Nald chuckled as he saw the elven captain having trouble with the flaming barrels.

"That will teach him." Nald said quietly to himself.

Then his ears picked up something. They were talking about the farm crisis. He scampered to the second level and found a place to sit. He listened to the different men, so he could learn more about the dying fields. But to Nald dismay all the men did was bicker. No new information was gained, besides the fact that the Tal'therans were doing nothing in sort to help the farms.

Suddenly Nald's look of bored turned to fear. The man named Darin had caused this abrupt change of emotion, but the one word that had changed it all was canine-like creature. He remembered back to when Caeli had told her dream. Her dog sounded a like this canine-like creature that Darin had explained. This only worsened Nald's fear about Caeli's dream. Had she seen something from the future? He felt that he needed to get home right now and tell Caeli to be careful during the night, but he stayed seated. Hopefully right now she was tucked away for bed.

If something happened to her, Nald would feel that he was responsible for it.

"Is there something the matter?" He asked with a faint mental smile before the sound of worry tinged his voice, "You sound ill. You come with me, have place that's dry, you rest get better."

Had a normal woman, by his standards, given him the dismissal that she had, he would have left her as she desired, but Orome's politeness worked against her. Women commanded, they were imperious, their merest request would send a man to his death. They did not ask.

He followed after her, approaching as he navigated the terrain with relative ease and much more than he should. He did have a place that was dry, relatively easy to warm and would be safe, simply as it was known, by the locals at least, as an entrance to the Underdark, where death was anything but quick and painless. Being a native of the world beneath the world however, he knew that it was an unofficial safe haven and rest stop and if he could just get the woman to follow then he could perhaps start solving the mystery of the surface problem, and people.

Eavana
Gaireth Protectorate

Jaso was in no mood for the meeting, but with the situation going from a mild concern to the dire straights in such a short time, there had to be something done. So as the sun began to set and the hour of the meeting drew knew, he reluctantly left his workshop, covered in sut and ash, but decked out in his polished armor, with his twin scimitars in their sheaths. The meeting house was in that less than stellar former barn that really should of been knocked over and remade. However, with the majority of the province having their coffers less than adequately fool with the failure of the crops, no one could afford to do so. How he now regretted not bringing Smanthis with him on his sojourn, his brother had a gift for creating marvelous buildings, it was he who had creating the statue of Icacius that depicted the god perfectly with the book of virtue in one hand, and the crest of knowledge upon his robe. Surely he could of done something with this rubbish, but he had told Smanthis to stay and take care of the kingdom, though he knew that his brother would of followed him to the ends of the world. This was all mute as he arrived at the meeting place and dispersed his militia around the complex, making sure only those delegates that were invited would be allowed in.

As the delegates began to arrive and file in, quite overcrowding the area availble, Jaso was trying to catch the jist of the conversation. It was what he had expected, the delegates were argueing over what should be done. But what else should he expect? Most of these men were farmers not diplomats or abmassadors, obviously not skilled in the ways of persuasion and tactful speech. Just as the captain was about to make his opinions known, a young man tried to barge his way through the guard and into the meeting house. The boy tried to persuade the captain that he was with his farther who had already entered the building, but Jaso was not buying it. He had already had a bad enough day as it was, and he was not going to let some little prat enter. As the lad eventual left, Jaso went back to doing a bit of eavesdropping, but yet again this was short lived, as a couple of empty barrels caught fire and Jaso was forced into action, struggling to put out the flame. By the time he had put out the small fire, and ventured back to the entrance, the meeting was coming to a close with the delegates not being able to come to a conclusion on how to deal with the situation. Jaso hoped that some sort of aid would come, for without it, he did not see how they could continue to survive with the cheif source of income in the region faltering.

Run. I... I won't. RUN.

Thibault denied his instincts and found the strength to step forward, curved blade drawn. The weapon whistled as it twirled slowly in his hand, slicing through the humid air.

"You morons attack the very person you're sent to find." He mocked leaping from the ship. "Such diplomatic skills should be rewarded; perhaps I can slit your throats and use your tongues as neck ties."

"Crew. These men slaughtered your comrades. Let them die screaming into the shallow waters without so much as a warning. Are you going to trust their words, or are you actually going to turn your defenseless backs to them?"

You will die. About time really. Dumbass, you should live. I am, to the fullest I can.

"Tovius. These men tried to kill you already. I promise you their intentions have not changed since." Thibault added squaring himself directly behind his 'nephew'.

Selim raised his eyebrows as the women gave him a stern stare and walked off, horse-thing in stride. That's one tough customer. It would obviously take quite a bit of effort to win this women over, especially with her equine companion. Selim shivered again and put his coat back over his head as the wind and rain began to pick up significantly. He cast a glare at the sky, giving an inaudible swear. The Gods...As if.

He rushed after the pair, giving the blind man a short, uncertain glance as he once again pried at the shipwreck survivor.

"Come now, even such a strong and independent woman such as yourself can enjoy a bit of fresh food after such a perilous journey. Or-what about a little music?" Careful not to get to close to the Hellcorn, he got as near to the woman as he could. "I'm Selim Savid, and I am skilled in many musical arts! Would you not like some entertainment on your journey? The charge would be minimal-no, for you, free!" Selim ground his teeth painfully at this, but it wasn't like he had a choice.

Selim looked around quizzically. "Say, does anyone know where we are?" It took him a second to realize how stupid the question was. Of Course no one knew; he was asking himself, already hopelessly lost, a blind man, and a women who had just swum to shore from a dying ship. Still, he held out some hope that, when she was rested, the woman might know where she was going.

Once Orome had reached the shelter of the forest she stopped and sighed, looking at the two men following her.

You sound ill. You come with me, have place that's dry, you rest get better."

"I'm not ill, I'm just rather chiiled to the bone and tired after a short two mile swim." Her tone was adamant, and more than a little tinged with anger. Sometimes people were so exapserating. As both of the men were being, in abundance.

"Say, does anyone know where we are?"

She began laughing at that, a full rich bell tones sound. "On aren't you in trouble. One NOT so blind man, moving along with far too much agility, and offering help so very much not needed that it makes one suspicious.
And you... one over burdened tradesman with a dire need, apparently , to off load his goods no matter what."

"Now leave me alone before I let Black Fang turn you both into snacks" Orome tossed over her shoulder as she turned and began moving deeper into the forrest, glad that the trees and undergrowth broke the wind.

Selim sighed apathetically. This woman wouldn't take to anything, apparently. At least she was as smart, or perhaps smarter, than she looked; sparing another glance at the other man, he could see truth in the woman's words. For being blind, he was quite fluid and fast. Still, it wasn't impossible to be both blind and quick; those without sight since birth could accomplish the feat, or so Selim had heard. He didn't really care either way, though; the guy looked comparatively harmless, at least to the woman.

"Just trying to make a living, lady." Selim grumbled as he kept his pursuit, although he lessened his pace considerably to give his quarry more headway. With a flourish, he reached back into his bag and swept out a gracefully crafted violin, adorned with strange, inlaid symbols, apparently set in some sort of shiny pearl. "We could at least use some music to brighten the mood, though, don't you all agree?" Selim withdrew a companion bow, taking a short time to get the proper tuning. Usually, the bad weather would convince most musicians not to risk such a valuable piece to warping, but Selim didn't seem to mind as he started up a playful jig, completely contrasting the surrounding skies and mood in general.

Geralyn Forest
Gaireth Protectorate

Tovius had taken a few more steps toward three of the black-clad men, who pointed the tips of their spears to the sky when it appeared that the centurion was surrendering without a fight. He was surrounded on three sides when Thibault drew his sword, causing the men to his right and left to ready their spears again, this time towards Thibault.

He took a deep breath and let it out as Thibault continued to speak. This was what he was hoping to avoid. He was not going to let himself be killed without a fight, but he wanted to at least get away from Thibault and the others when he tried to attack the six men. But he could not fault Thibault for his loyalty - it was an admirable trait that was highly esteemed in the legions.

The young centurion was motionless while Thibault spoke, but as he finished speaking and before the element of surprise could be lost, Tovius dropped his javelins, swung his shield hard to the left, and knocked that spearman down, stunned. His other hand was already pulling out his shortsword, holding it like a dagger as he yanked his arm back and to the right, allowing the blade to slide inbetween the ribs of the man standing in that direction. Without a moment's pause he slipped the reddened blade out in a wide arc so that it slit the throat of the man in front of him, who was just about to lower his spear in response to Tovius' assault.

Tovius raised his shield in preparation for an attack from the other three men while he twisted the handle of his sword so that he could hold it normally now. But it appeared that Thibault and the sailors took the cue and were already on it.


Eavana
Gaireth Protectorate

"Where did it come from?" someone from the crowd asked about the large canine.

Darin shook his head, "We don't know anything about it beyond what has already been mentioned. My best guess would be that it wandered down here from the hills and got lost. Since no one has seen it during the day, it's probably a nocturnal creature and sleeps during daytime. Everyone should make sure that their barns or any other place that the canine can hide in are locked up tight. If any of your animals disappear, let one of us know."

The older man spoke up, "Mister Mar'tach, have you or your men found anything else in regards to this creature?"

"Psst! Nald!" someone whispered above where Nald was sitting. A boy around Nald's age named Tomin was lying on a wooden beam up above. He had light brown hair and usually carried a mischevious grin. Tomin was from the east fields, and of the few times Nald saw Baryya, Tomin could often be found not far away. Looking around to make sure no one else was close enough to overhear, he whispered, "You bored too? We can liven things up around here..."


Penrhyn
Gaireth Protectorate

"Good response," the man with the snake said, the sour look on his face that was a result of Fayalin's initial refusal now disappearing. He seemed rather patient as Fayalin released Kavlin, folding his snake-free arm behind his back as we waited, looking almost...aristocratic...for a moment.

As Fayalin came back, he said, "If you would please follow me." He began walking east, and the two spearmen took up the rear behind Fayalin. The pace was moderate, allowing the young woman to be able to follow without too much difficulty, but it was just fast enough to show that this was no leisurely stroll for fun.

"So, Miss Leishan," the leader's deep voice started up. "I understand that you are a healer. Is that correct?"

He stepped over a fallen log that was covered in moss. Turning around, he offered a hand for the lady to help her get over the log. A hint of a grin appeared at the edge of his lips as he wondered whether Fayalin would even accept the help or not.

The sound of rushing water somewhere farther east suggested that the Rhiann River was not too far off.

The older man spoke up, "Mister Mar'tach, have you or your men found anything else in regards to this creature?"

Jaso walked to the edge of the platform so that he could get a better view of the crowd, and they him. With a serious look on the captain's face, he recalled his and his men's progress.

"Unfortunately nothing has been found. Not even a single track leading in or out of the field where he has been sighted. I must reitirate my request for seeking aid from a ranger or druid. I know that they are not the most favorible of sorts, but they have knowledge of the land that could help us track down this creature and perhaps shed some light on the faltering crops."

Nald listened to the men speak bellow with a worried expression. He wondered if Caeli's dream was slowly becoming a reality. Suddenly his train of thought was broken by someone calling his name. Nald looked around and saw no familiar faces. He thought for a second, then suddenly looked up.

It was only Tomin. Nald shook his head with his own devilish grin. Tomin was know for being a prankster. If someone played a prank it was usually Tomin. Back when they were younger if you saw Tomin, you also saw Nald alongside him. They were literally inseparable, but over time both Nald and Tomin had gotten more chores. So in turn their time together lessen. Nald sometimes wished that he could go back to the lazy days of sitting in the fields with Tomin. Those were the good days. Yes, Nald and Tomin still pulled pranks together, but they were far less numerous.

Nald got a hold of the beam and pulled himself up. Now they could plan their prank in privacy. Nald situated himself so he would be directly across from Tomin.

"Good to see you, Tomin." Nald whispered as they did their secret hand shake. "Yeah I think we need to definitely liven this place up. It has been a while since the Deadly Duo has pulled something."

Penrhyn, Gaireth Protectorate

Fayalin hesitated for just a second, then reluctantly followed the leader of group, aware of the armed men behind her. She tried to walk as slowly as she could, pulling her cloak around herself as tightly as she could, so that it hindered her steps a little and forced her to take only small paces. The bag with her herbs in hung from one shoulder, forgotten by the terrified young woman.

The question about her occupation surprised her, but only for a moment.
“W-w-why do y-you care?” she squeaked back, “Y-y-you seem to n-know who I am anyway.”
She had decided to offer as much passive resistance as possible, but she would not actively resist or try and escape unless help appeared. If she did, then any deal she had managed to make with the gods for Kavlin’s life might be made forfeit.

When they reached the fallen log, she stubbornly refused the help of the gang leader, instead choosing to sit down on the log, raise her legs up and swivel herself over the log, before setting her feet back on the ground and standing up again. The process had also taken her considerably longer than it would had she accepted the help, and anything that delayed them reaching whatever destination they were making for was a good idea to her right now.

Viktor nodded at Icarus. "I meant only that we shouldn't tarry longer than necessary, if we can be wrapped up by tommorow at the latest that would be best." He herd the knock at the door and raised an eyebrow. That was remarkably quick, perhaps too quick he thought as he turned to the door, sliding his pack behind it to act as a doorstop just in case. He then opened it enough to see outside and said. "Can we help you?"

"You need heat and sleep then." He replied as she seemed be getting closer to proper behavior, thought was still a long way off. "We are here, I know relatively where we are, since I live nearby." Kiten replied to the odd man's questions.

"Lady, mistake you have made. Blind I am not, but dead you may be if help you do not accept." He was being honest for the environs of the entrances to the Underdark held perils that were in ways as dangerous as those of the Underdark itself and cold, wet and tired, even with a ferocious guardian were asking for problems.

Thibault admired Tovius' ability momentarily. One of the attackers lunged aggressively, thrusting his spear wildly. Pivoting his body 90 degrees the weapon passed harmlessly; simultaneously guiding it with his sword past his left hip. A single upward slash carved deep through the fighter's throat. A brutal chorus of the blade's designed ability to howl, the man's gruesome panting created the chaos Thibault had come to know so well.

His instincts honed, he evaded a second strike before tossing his cape into the air. In the confusion a single sharp whistle rang out from the chaos. As the long cloak settled two attackers fell dead. Realizing close ranged combat was unacceptable, they formed a five man semi circle, using their spears to keep the distance safe. Slowly they began turning him towards the river, thrusting their weapons to push him further back.

In a desperate move, Thibault hurled his blade into chest of the man in the center. Immediately turning the other warriors into a frenzied attack. One on launched a solid thrust, but Thibault had grabbed the shaft and pushed it into the man to his right. Without thinking he moved his arm around lefties' neck, crushing the back of his knee with a bone breaking kick. The remaining two backed off as he clenched on tightly to his new found meat shield.

"How dae it feel to have 'yer asses kicked by a man wit one arm?" Thibault mocked letting his brigand accent slip. His eyes passed the exhausted attackers to Tovius, who had surprised him earlier.

Geralyn Forest
Gaireth Protectorate

"Not bad...for an old man," Tovius grinned at Thibault. He relaxed from his ready stance as the rest of the sailors decided to join the winning side and surrounded the remaining two spearmen that Thibault was facing off with. Smartly, the spearmen dropped their weapons, but not without a spit to the ground near Thibault's feet.

The man whom Tovius initially stunned with his shield began to moan, and the centurion quickly pointed the tip of his shortsword at the man's throat. Realizing what was happening, the black-clad man froze, eyes looking at the uncomfortably close sword.

"What did you want with me?" Tovius asked of him.

"I-I don't know. The b-boss just said to capture you, dead or alive," said the man on the ground.

"Who's your boss?"

The man looked around, wild-eyed, but seemed too afraid to say anything.

"Speak!" the young centurion pressed the tip of his shortsword harder against the man's neck.

"H-h-his name is Far-" the man's words were cut off as a knife suddenly stuck out of his chest.

***

The grin on the face of the man with the snake grew larger from Fayalin's rejection. Lowering his offered hand, he continued walking, now along side her. "A bit feisty, aren't we? Very well, then. Have it your way...for now."

He stopped in mid stride and held a hand up, telling the others to not move as well. "I hear fighting." Looking to his two spearmen, he pointed to the southeast and said, "Go investigate."

The other two men obeyed and ran in the direction indicated. The gang leader grabbed Fayalin roughly in the arm and half dragged her along as he ran toward the southeast as well, seeming to not care if he was hurting her in the process.

"You, don't say a word," he ordered Fayalin. The snake that had wound itself around the man's free hand opened it mouth wide as it hissed, as if to indicate what would happen to her if she did not follow his command.

The two spearmen stopped at the edge of a small cliff, only a few yards high. When the leader and Fayalin caught up, they could see more black-leathered men down below, many of whom were out of commission. A legionnaire had a sword at the throat of one of the black-clad men, and as the one on the ground was about to reveal the name of his leader, the man holding onto Fayalin let go and pulled out one of his knives. In a smooth motion and with a well-placed aim, he threw the weapon and silenced his underling. The leader grabbed onto Fayalin again, but this time using the hand with the snake. The adder slithered off the man's arm and around Fayalin's neck.

"Mister Veralion," the leader greeted as he let go of Fayalin now that his pet was keeping her in line, "well met." Looking over to the one-armed man, he said, "And you must be Mister Niv. I see you are the fighter that they say you are, despite your...handicap."

Tovius looked up to the top of the small cliff and saw three more men wearing the same garments as his assailants, as well as a woman who seemed rather out of place. "Who are you? What do you want?"

"Who I am is not important. What I want is obvious," replied the leader.

The boat's first officer hefted up a spear and prepared to launch it to the top of the cliff.

"Nuh-uh-uh," the leader wagged a finger. "You attack us, my adder kills her." The snake around Fayalin's neck lifted its head and opened its mouth, the poisonous fangs a mere inch from her cheek.

Tovius had no idea who the woman was, but it was pretty clear that she was a hostage in this situation. And as a legionnaire of the Republic, he was charged with the safety and protection of the people within the Republic and the inhabitants of its territories. For someone who took his duties as seriously as Tovius, he could not permit any actions that would endanger said lives.

"Stand down," the young centurion ordered the sailor.

The first officer's arm froze as he looked over at Tovius, uncertain whether to listen to that command or not. Then he hesistantly lowered it.

"Good," said the gang leader. "Now, if you would all please drop your weapons."

Tovius did not like this, to say the least. To refuse would be to place the life of the woman in danger. There was no way he could stop that snake from striking her. On the other hand, to comply may mean the deaths of not only himself, but of Thibault and the sailors. He could not ask them to make such a sacrifice. This seemed strangely familiar to what happened just minutes ago...

Dropping his sword, Tovius took a few steps forward. "It's me you want; leave the others out of this." He glanced briefly behind him at the others, wondering if they were going to drop their weapons as well or, as Thibault did before, try to fight.


Senhild
Eringaard Magocracy

"Ah, yes, Warryn Anvers," a soft-voiced man said from the other side of the door. He was wearing clothes that the locals would consider high quality and expensive, but for someone used to the mage courts in the capital city, it was a bit shabby. "I'm the town curator. You were sent from the Council to help us, yes?"

He tried to peek into the room. "There were others with you, yes? One is ill? Shall I call for a healer?"


Forest
Somewhere south of Eringaard

The trickling of a freshwater stream could be heard nearby, with ample dried twigs and broken branches further up the bank.

A stone formation stood near a part of this stream, and if one looked closely enough at it, what seemed like the faint imprint of a hand was jutting out of the rockface.

Something shifted momentarily in Selim's bag, too slight to notice if he were not paying close enough attention to it.


Eavana
Gaireth Protectorate

A murmur rose from the crowd as people began talking about trackless canines or tracker rangers or farm tract druids. The old man on the platform raised his hands to try to silence the people. "If no one from the Republic comes to help us soon, then we may very well have to," he agreed with Jaso.

"How are we going to pay for those services? We don't have that much money to throw away!" someone yelled from the crowd.

"None of us would survive the winter season if we don't! Our livelihoods depend on saving the fields!" someone else shouted.

"Captain Mar'tach," Darin spoke up over the crowd. "Should we decide to go with your idea, do you have any rangers or druids in mind who could be of service to us?"

On the crossbeams of the building's roof above the mass of people, Tomin gave Nald a sly look. Checking once again to make sure no one was looking in their direction, he covertly pulled out a very small pouch and a similarly tiny waterskin from his tunic.

"Here," he handed them to Nald. "I got these from a traveler passing through the area a little while back. Pour the water on the bag, and get out of the area as quickly as possible - it'll make a smell you won't believe. I've got my own," he patted a slight bulge in his tunic. "We'll split up, and when I give the signal, we'll add the water. Make sure the bag doesn't get wet until then!"

Geralyn Forest, Gaireth Protectorate

Fayalin had heard nothing before the leader brought them to a halt, and even after he had given his reason, she could still hear nothing. Of course, even when she tried, she still wasn’t really concentrating enough to pick up the sounds of battle. She was too afraid to concentrate on anything properly. She cried out in pain as the leader roughly gripped her arm and pulled her after him. She stumbled several times due to the cloak constricting her legs, but each time was dragged upward and on to her feet again by the iron grip on her arm, and only the snake waving menacingly in front of her prevented her from crying out again.

When they stopped at the top of a small drop, she looked down at what was there. It was her first time seeing the aftermath of a battle, and she felt sick as she looked at the bodies of the dead. It did not register to her that many of those who had fought were dressed similarly to her captors, though it might have done had she been less afraid. She did recognise the legionnaire’s uniform though, having seen them in passing on her occasional trips to a larger village or the nearest town, to acquire things she could not get in the tiny community of Penrhyn.

When the leader grabbed her arm again, she shrieked, but it quickly died away into a strangled gasp as the snake slid up her arm. She stood there, paralysed in terror, her wide eyes never leaving the head of the snake. She was completely oblivious to the events around her now; the adder poised at her throat held every last bit of her attention. She neither heard the ultimatum to the legionnaire; who’s choice would determine her immediate life or death, nor saw his submission to the gang’s demand. As far as Fayalin was concerned right now, the entire universe consisted of herself and the adder at her throat.

"You fought pretty well yourself...for a child." Thibault replied laughing. After ordering one of the black clad men to retrieve his sword, he let his hostage go.

Kill them while they're unarmed! We may need them. Hrmm

As Thibault juggled the decision with his natural instincts, a projectile hissed through the air.

At that distance, with such aim.

Thibault ignored the order to stand down. He defiantly stared the gang leader down.

"Ey, Nae one calls me 'mister'." He yelled pointing his weapon. Infuriated that Tovius was willing to sacrifice himself for a stranger. "As fer the girl, ye must think I give a damn about er don't ya! Go 'n kill er for all I care, just save some fer me, ya fox faced bastard!"

Nald had a wide grin across his face as he grabbed the two bags. This would certainly liven up the attitude of this place. This boring old meeting needed a little fun. Tomin was no genius, but he was good at doing what he liked, pranks. Truly tonight would be there biggest prank yet. He gave a hardy pat on the back to Tomin, then looked at him.

"Tomin, this has to be the best prank you thought up yet." Nald said, before he climbed down from the wooden crossbeam. He looked back up and gave Tomin a wink, before he left.

Nald swiftly moved across to the other side, but this time to the first floor. Once this bag went off the odor would affect the people around it, but also the people above. He did wondered what was exactly in this bag. As he made his way over he looked at it. It just seemed like any other ordinary bag. Nald got into position, and looked around for Tomin, so he could give the signal.

William got himself out of the chair to meet the curator. "Curator Anvers, it is a pleasure to meet you," said William, offering his hand to the curator. Noticing a mark on his hand, he shook it with his pinky curled up. It was a sign passed along to the mundane movement that the mage was sympathetic to their cause. The sleeves of his cloak concealed the view from Viktor's eyes, in addition to Viktor being on the wrong side of the handshake to see it.

"It is not a question of illness, Curator. My friend, and to a lesser extent myself, were initially overcome by our attunance to the earth. As it stands, we must wait until the storm passes to be able to examine the fields. If you could give us a history of what has so far occurred, and the localized point of origin, it would help us immensely."

The jig the mad minstrel began playing was the final straw.

"'AAARGH shut that racket up" Orome demanded in a wrath laden voice as she glowered at the capering fool. "Black Fang you have my permision to eat him." Orome declared with an evil smile directed toward the minstrel.

"Later Lady o'mine," the Helcorn's voice seemed to come from every where and yet nowhere "I hear, and scent, sweet water. Enough for both of us to drink our fill, refill your waterskins and for both of us to wash the salt off our bodies." The massively built Helcorn did how ever pivot in such a way that his heavy tail, which flowed nearly to the ground, slapped across the small musicians face and chest. It was a tail currently sodden with wter, sand and seaweed. His mental laugh was clearly 'heard' by all, and his lambent crimson eyes flared brighter for a moment. He was evide4ntly delighted to put an end to the caterwalling of the violin.

Lady, mistake you have made. Blind I am not, but dead you may be if help you do not accept."

Orome stalked towards the unblind man and made a swipe towards the wrappings that cover his eye, but at the last minute - for it was but a feint, attempting not to snag his wrapings but the hood of his cape. She, like the minstrel, had known people born blind who accomplished incredible feats of agility and such...but never swaddled away under encumbering capes.

After shifting his pack and opening the door Viktor backed away to allow the curator to enter, but before he could do anything further William stood and interrupted, shrugging Viktor sat on one of the beds and listened intently to the curators answers.

OOC: The beer hasn't actually arrived yet by the way.

Geralyn Forest
Gaireth Protectorate

Tovius had a feeling that would happen. Thibault was sometimes not one to make things easy. The young centurion's face was unreadable as he looked back over at the man standing at the top of the cliff.

"What you think is irrelevant, Mister Niv," said the leader. Looking to Tovius, "And regardless, it looks like our good centurion disagrees with you. Don't you, Mister Veralion? Tell you what; since you are being so agreeable, I will allow the rest of these people to go their way...despite your friend's attitude. I always reward good behavior, after all." A wicked smile formed on the man's face.

Everything went black for Fayalin, and she once again saw a beam of light shining down on a pedestal with the conical object lying atop it. A woman's voice that filled the whole of the darkness whispered...

In day they hide,
In night they show.
When life has died,
Their numbers grow.

The wide end of the object glowed brightly before Fayalin's vision faded away to be replaced by what was currently happening around her.

Tovius was trying to think of something, anything, to stop the three men at the top of the cliff without getting anyone else hurt, but nothing was coming to him. The surprise attack he used earlier on the spearmen down here would obviously not work in this case.

But then something else happened. As the legionnaire watched the leader on the cliff, vines began growing at an alarming rate behind the black-clad men. Sensing something amiss, the leader looked around just as the vines quickly wrapped around him and continued growing. He and his two spearmen were shouting something, but it was already being muffled by the green growth.

The adder clinging around Fayalin's neck hissed and prepared to strike her, but another vine whipped out from the mass and entangled itself around the snake's head. It pulled the snake off of Fayalin and into the now large mound of vines that the three men were buried under.

Tovius blinked.


Senhild
Eringaard Magocracy

"Err, umm, yes, right," said the curator. "There's not much to say, really. A couple of weeks back some of the farmers noticed the crops looking like they were diseased. But it was affecting all crops equally, and there didn't appear to be any localization. All of our fields were affected around the same time. The crops are still dying, but you said you could sense it, yes? So you believe you can help us, then, yes?"


Eavana
Gaireth Protectorate

Tomin got down from the beam as well, inconspicuously making his way through the crowd on the upstairs walkways and keeping an eye out for Nald. Good, Nald was going to the opposite end of the building on the bottom floor. That would help them to maximize their damage.

Catching Nald's eyes, Tomin gave a nod and poured the water onto the bag. He then dropped the bag and just as inconspicuously made his way out of there. After a few seconds, the people in the immediate vicinity of the two bags began wrinkling their noses as the smell of rotten eggs filled their nostrils. It quickly grew worse and began spreading throughout the modified barn, and everyone began yelling and pushing to get out into the fresh air outside.

"Nald?" Dyroth tried to shout over the crowd to find his son, gagging a few times from the odor emanating from the pouches. "Nald!?"

Thibault's weapon clattered on the rocks at his feet.

"Kid, your good heart is admirable, but that is what lost your father." He said as his heart sank. Successfully he had fought the slab rising in his throat, but a single tear managed to slide down his merciless cheek.

The bandit, wrapped in tragic memories, fell to a knee as if trying to gather something he had lost long ago.

Orome had an advantage no man would in her gambit and that was that she wasn't. Countless lifetimes of conditioning came into play as she struck for the edge of his cloak, slowing his reactions and giving her ample time to see what she was looking for.

Quickly darting back, but not so quick as to preserve his secret, he returned the hood to its obscuring position. Logic demanded that all three must die, for Kiten knew that if word of his presence became known than his mission was doomed and he was dead. Unfortunately he also knew that at the present moment his chances of slaying them all was impossible.

As his mind raced, inspiration hit him. It would never work in any city of the Underdark but he'd heard surface dwellers were quite sentimental. Remaining far enought away that he could react, Kiten fell to his knees and put an imploring tone in his voice. "Please Mistress, I am a fugitive, forgive my deceptions."

Selim quickly shook the water off his violin as the massive hellcorn attempted to put a stop to his rather inappropriately joyous music. Snorting derisively, he flung his bow across the top string of his instrument, which screeched horrendously; the air around Selim seemed to sigh, contracting and expanding in slow sighs. He circled to eye the big creature, barely noticing as the woman rushed for the blind idiot as he wiped the last drops of water from the violin; such a piece would normally have been ruined, but the instrument seemed completely unaffected by the supposed damage.

"That was a stupid mistake, horse." Selim ran the bow across the violin a again, this time on one of the lower strings; a deep thrumming resounded as the trees around him shook violently, even for today's weather. "I'd like to see you try it again." This is not a normal minstrel you face, horse.

Nald finally saw Tomin. Sweat rolled down his face as he waited. It had been a long time since their last prank. Maybe he was just a little rusty. Plus what was the worse that could happen? Then Nald shook his and remembered why he was here. Looking back at Tomin, he saw him give the signal. Nald followed Tomin's suite and poured the water onto the bag. Immediately he dropped the bag, but not before getting a small whiff. The small whiff was horrendous, and Nald started to gag.

Then silently he made he was out. Behind him he could hear people gag as he once had. Nald bolted once he got close enough to the door. Once he got outside he was glad to finally get some fresh air. Soon after though people started to rush out, but in the yelling he heard a familiar voice, the voice of his father.

"Father I am over here." Nald called out as he waved his hands. He could only see the top of his father's head. Another prank successful executed.

"Please Mistress, I am a fugitive, forgive my deceptions."

Orome had leapt backwards as the unblind man had darted backwards, her blade sliding free as she now recognised him for what he was. "Oh damn a Drow." She said in disgust, but that was tempered by what she said next "Well, at least you aren't one of their stupidly arrogant useless females. You might have some redeeming feetures. And get the hell up off your knees." She commanded as she sheathed her sword and winced at the horrendous squeal of the minstrel's violin.

"That was a stupid mistake, horse."

"I don't think you want to theaten him. That's no horse, much less a unicorn. Black Fang's a full grown Helcorn, and while he has none of his original powers while enfleshed, he can scarecly be affected by majic." Orome shuddered at the new lower note that the man produced on the enchanted violin. "But It's making my temper even less happy. And while he might not want to kill you at the moment, that might not hold for me." Though she had directed part of her attention to the music maker she did not let the drow completely out of sight or mind.

Black Fang, with heroic restraint ignored the minstrel and his aural barrier with fine distain, and headed towards the stream. He wasn't going to mention that the sound waves were making his skin itch something fierce...oh course that could have been a combination of salt and sand as well.

William nodded through his headache. That beer better be here soon, or heads will roll. "We'll do everything we can to help you while we're here, Anvers. But if you say it's not a local point of origin, then that means we have to find it. The Council's ledgers show that you were the first to report the problem, hence why they sent us to you. They'll probably send others out to other localities, though how many is up to them, and useless information over these distances." This last part was a bit of a lie. If the town thought that there were others being sent out to distant points of the land, thay would have more hope. The weeks of travel needed to verify this claim left time for it to be fulfilled.

"I don't know about my comrades, but I can't start until the storm passes. When the sky and the earth dance, I am neither subtle nor sensitive, and useless at dissecting the imprints of metaphysical forces." Another tremor went through William's mind. He needed the booze, or else he'd receive so much overload that he'd end up shooting off spells that, coupled with his inability to inflict suffering, would send him reeling into a coma.

Geralyn Forest, Gaireth Protectorate

Fayalin glanced around in confusion as the world disappeared around her, enveloped in darkness but for the pillar of light shining on the pedestal. It was as though she had been somehow transported through time and space, and her emotional state had changed appropriately. The snake at her throat and the standoff between the bandits and the legionnaire seemed like a distant memory, and her fear was gone. It took her a few moments to realise that this was not the first time the scene had been before her. It’s just like my dream, she realised suddenly, but I’m not asleep now, so… It wasn’t a dream at all? Is it a vision? A vision of what? Her questions were beginning to spiral out of control for her, when she heard the voice; little more than a whisper, yet it could be heard with mystifying clarity.

The voice immediately banished all the questions from Fayalin’s mind, and the words imprinted themselves deep into her memory. But they made no sense to the confused young woman; it sounded like an obscure riddle, but she knew it was supposed to mean something. If this was a vision, then someone or something was trying to tell her something, but it just wasn’t getting through.

“I don’t understand,” she said in confusion as the darkness faded, “What are you trying to tell me?” But then the darkness was gone, the snake was back at her throat and her fear had retaken it’s place the forefront of her mind. But even now, something was different. She heard the cries from behind her, though she dared not turn to see what was happening. The snake suddenly pulled back and made as if to strike her, and a scream began to form in her throat. But before either event could reach it’s completion, a vine shot from over her shoulder and entangled the snake, pulling it forcefully from her.

For a few seconds, she stood there, completely motionless, as her dazed mind struggled to comprehend what had just happened. Then it all came through at once. Her legs gave way beneath her, and she fell to the ground, crumpling as though the weight of the entire world had been placed on her. She did not move after hitting the floor either, though a closer examination would reveal her to be sobbing and mumbling incoherently, but unharmed except for the minor cuts and scrapes from her passage through the forest.

Lanu had been talking to ship masters all day long. None had been willing to take his beads as payment. They thought them nothing more than small trinkets. In truth, the bag represented weeks of careful work by skilled craftswomen. He hoped that his luck would change at this next ship, a medium sized grain transport. He approached the captain and inquired, "I'm looking to secure passage for myself and my companion to the mainland."

As he listened to the two speaking Viktor reached into his pack and removed a crystal almost identical to the one on his staff, except that it was a deep red instead of blue and several sheets of paper. Still with one ear to the conversation he lay his staff across his lap and carefully unscrewed the blue crystal from the top of it and placed it on the papers before replacing it with the red one.

With his eyes on the paper he leant over the staff slightly and quietly whispered: "Is this working?" before giving a satisfied nod. If anyone looked at the paper as he spoke they might have seen it recording what he said. "You two will need to rest and regain your energy. While i am not so skilled in these matters i can take a look around so as no time is wasted." He indicated the paper with the crystal on it. "That is tied into the staff and will record what i say."

Geralyn Forest
Gaireth Protectorate

Tovius glanced back at Thibault and the others, a puzzled look on his face. That was certainly not something he saw every day. Was it a trick? Or was a god helping them? Or something else?

But then the woman at the top of the cliff collapsed, and the young centurion pushed those questions out of his mind. Quickly grabbing his sword off the ground, he ran off to the side where an earthen ramp sloped up to the top of the few-yards-high cliff. He slowed down as he approached the mass of vines, eyeing it warily and keeping his shortsword at the ready just in case anyone should jump out of it, or if the vines decided to consume him as well.

When the green mass seemed to ignore his presence, and nothing else moved up there, Tovius closed the rest of the distance to the fallen women and knelt down beside her, being sure to keep a little bit of space between them. "Are you hurt, ma'am?"

She seemed to be mumbling something, but he could not make out what she was saying. He looked over at Thibault, not knowing what to do. If he had his century with him here, he would send for the medic to tend to her. But now, aside from quick ways to dress battle wounds and to keep them from getting infected, which Tovius doubted was what this lady needed, he knew little else in regards to medicine.


Scryven
Korovir

The captain of the transport ship had deep wrinkles in his face and the roots of the hair above his ears were graying. He eyed the bag that Lanu held and the few beads that the tribesman had in the open, realizing from his trading experience the quality of the work.

"We're heading down to the Evenaris Peninsula next," he said in a gruff, though not unfriendly voice. "Where are you and your friend headed?"

An windless breeze seemed to blow through the tops of the trees around the town as the tree tips began swaying back and forth as one.

Elva. Elva. Elva. All the trees in the area seemed to call out to the druid in a shouting whisper. Allekar speaks with is in contact with one named Eovia Eovia Eovia...she says going by water by sea by ship will take too long much too long...it will be too late too late by the time you reach reach the source the source of the dying lands dying lands...you must go by land you must instead...Allekar Allekar sends her farewell...she may fall silent fall to the termites silent forever by doing this...but she believes it to be necessary yes necessary...you both you and the hunter must go to the cedar Kédron must come to me and place your palms upon him unto that cedar...

An old cedar near the edge of town, not too far away, groaned slightly.


Senhild
Eringaard Magocracy

"Ah, well, if you need anything from me," Anvers said, "just let me know, yes? I will see what I can do to help. You can find me at the town hall, or if I am not there, then someone there will know where to find me. Let me know if there is anything you want, yes?"

The innkeeper made his way through the opened doorway with a tray of alcohol and set it down on the table. There were other servers in the tavern below, but apparently they were either busy, or the innkeeper did not trust sending any of them up here to the three mages.


Forest
Somewhere south of Eringaard

Selim's bag jerked again, and a clear, crystal ring slowly floated out of it and toward the rock formation in a straight line.


Eavana
Gaireth Protectorate

"Son!" Dyroth said, finally finding Nald, coughing a couple of times before taking in several lungfuls of air. "Are you alright?"

Tomin was nowhere to be found. He was likely far away from the meeting place already, avoiding people like Jaso.

William nodded to the curator as he left. He took a minute to look at the scribing spell that Viktor had set up. It was subtle, and impressive. His mood began to lighten when the innkeeper entered. Praise be to the One. My booze is here. He payed the coins for the drink, then opened the small barrel of beer.

Drinking down a pint, he then relaxed in his chair as his headache began to lesson. Now he had time to think, and the disjointed, impractical nature of a drunkard's thoughts were available to shed light on the subject at hand. It was as the drink was starting to really take effect that the first question hit him. Why does the sky rage as it does? The rain, wind, and lightning feel like themselves, only stronger. That should not be causing this pestilence in the crops. And yet the air feels wronged. This bears inquiry.

Geralyn Forest, Gaireth Protectorate

Though none but an elf would be able to discern it, Fayalin was mumbling ‘Thank you’ over and over again, making clear as best she was currently able her never-ending gratitude to the gods for deciding that today would not be the day she died. Her eyes were screwed tightly shut, and she did not hear the legionnaire’s approach. She gave a start when she heard his voice, immediately stopping her mumbled prayer, then looked up slowly, her eyes red and watery and her face wet with tears. The legionnaire was there, kneeling a short distance away.

“I…” she started, but trailed off and looked as though she were about to burst into tears again. She gave a fleeting impression of being about to throw herself into the legionnaire’s arms as well, but that was gone as soon as it had appeared. Then a worried expression appeared onto her face, suddenly remembering what had happened, and she looked back at the forest, beyond the mound of vines that had swallowed her captors.

“Kavlin!” she exclaimed, and was unexpectedly on her feet, darting into the forest. But she stopped only a few metres into the trees, and glanced around uncertainly. She had completely lost track of where she was after being captured, and had no idea exactly where she had left the wounded boy, nor in which direction that location was. Fresh tears began to roll down her cheeks as she agonised over the fate of the young boy, convincing herself that it would be her fault if he were to die from that snake bite.

Selim slid his violin back into his pack gracefully; he had other defenses against the woman's blade if he needed them. The Hellcorn was the only variable in this situation that made him particularly nervous. Relaxing himself somewhat, Selim made his way over to the woman and now-revealed "Blind" man, observing the two intensely.

"A Drow, huh? Never met one of your kind before. What are you doing so high above ground, can I ask?" Selim had heard plenty of stories about the strengths of the Drow, and was never inclined not to believe any of them; caution would probably be the best course of action to take in this situation. Looking over his shoulder for a moment to check on that troublesome Hellcorn, a small object suddenly tugged, then slipped out of his bag.

"Hey! What the hell, come back here! I had to go all the way to the Wyvern mountains to find you, dammit!" Selim had almost forgotten about that particular ring, never having witnessed it do anything so strange before. He looked around helplessly as the piece of jewelry drifted slowly through the trees.

"What the hell am I supposed to do with this?" He looked desperetely at the woman and Drow as he followed quickly behind the ring, wondering where it's destination would lie.

Orome had to laugh, it was simply too much for anything but humor. She could have laughed till her sides ached, but her throat ws too raw and parched from the salt water. "I think you had better just follow the bouncing ring, and since I am in dire need of the fresh water, I too now hear, I'm following you I think."

She looked back fully at the still kneeling Drow. "Kneel there until your knees give out for all I care, but it takes a brave Drow male to venture above ground alone, so as I said you might have some worth. But, so there is no misunderstnding between us. I'll kill you with out hesitation if I have to. And second, again for no misunderstandings,...I Do Not trust you any further than could throw Black Fang."

Black Fang had already reached the stream and surveyed it carefully for hidden and not so hidden dangers.

Geralyn Forest
Gaireth Protectorate

Tovius watched the woman and started to wonder whether she was not completely right in the head or something. But of course, he would never say anything to that degree. Plus, she did just have a snake wrapped around her head, ready to sink its fangs into her. He ought to give her the benefit of the doubt.

Standing up, he first looked back down the small cliff and said to the sailors, "Secure the area. There may be more of them. Check the river to make sure none of the ones from the eastern shore are crossing over."

Turning back to Fayalin, he asked of her, "Are you from around here? Do you need us to take you back to your home?" A pause as he considered the word she was shouting, figuring it to be someone's name. "And who's Kavlin? Were they captured by these men as well?"


Senhild
Eringaard Magocracy

The innkeeper accepted the payment with a thanks and left quickly, trying to stay as far away from Viktor's magic casting as possible.


Forest
Somewhere south of Eringaard

The ring floated over to the barely discernible handprint jutting out of the side of the large collection of boulders and settled itself in the palm of the hand. It just floated there for a moment, defying gravity, before the imprint became more defined, and a hand of stone reached out from the rock formation to grasp onto the crystal ring, completely enveloping it in its fingers.

"Yes father, I barely made it out of there. People pushed me aside, but somehow I made it through. It smelled horrible in there. I wonder what happened." Nald stated as he looked around.

So far no one had suspected that the prank was pulled by Tomin or Nald. He scanned one more time and did not see Tomin. Tomin must have gotten away safely. Then his attention went back to his father.

"So father do you think the meeting is canceled now? I bet most of the people do not want to go back in there. I can smell it from here." Nald asked as he pointed back to the building. He had an eager expression to go back home. Right now he was somewhat worried about Caeli.

Selim stared mutely as the stone hand reached out of the rocks and seized his precious ring in it's cold, lifeless hands. Angrily, he stomped over to the rock-thing and started to yell at it.

"Listen here...hand! You have no idea what trouble I had to go to get that stupid ring, so you'd better get it back! Trust me, you don't even want to know who you're dealing with...even if I can't get it do do anything, it's still probably worth a fortune on the civilized markets!" The hand had no apparent reaction. Dropping his bag and pulling up his sleeves, Selim tried with all his might to pry the stone hands open, with little success.

"I'm telling you, I'm deadly serious about this, Mr. Hand. You'll see it my way sooner or later." He kicked the hand with his foot, hopping up and down with pain. Desperately, he looked back to the woman.

"Any ideas?" He said lamely, massaging his toes painfully. "This sort of thing doesn't really happen to me on a regular basis."

Geralyn Forest, Gaireth Protectorate

The trees around her all looked the same, and Fayalin could not even begin to narrow down the right direction for her to take to get back to Kavlin or the village. She had never seen this place, even though it couldn’t be that far from her village. Her mind blocked out the legionnaire’s words to start with, but the questions directed at her came through. She turned to face him, her face full of worry.

“I… The snake attacked him. I tried to help him, but they made me leave him behind. He’s all alone and dying and it’s all my fault,” she blurted in reply, the words all falling over each other in their efforts to get out first. She was working herself into a panic again, though she didn’t realise it, and tears continued to roll freely down her cheeks. The snake had absolutely terrified her, and even though it was now gone, she was still an emotional wreck because of it.

She fell to her hands and knees and began sobbing again, her breath coming in gasps between sobs, her hair falling about her face and hiding it from view. Her bag slipped from her shoulder and fell to the dirt, scattering a few herbs and a cloth bandage about her. The cloak suddenly followed suit, as gravity finally noticed that there was nothing holding it up at the moment. Fayalin remained oblivious to the fact that her thin nightdress was now the only thing separating her from the elements.

Geralyn Forest
Gaireth Protectorate

The centurion frowned a bit upon hearing about the snake attack on someone else. "I'll help you look for him. He may still be alive." Judging from the look of that adder, though, Tovius figured this Kavlin fellow was probably doomed.

As Fayalin's cloak fell, Tovius quickly turned to face away, his cheeks flushing a bit in embarassment. "Uh...erm, collect your stuff and I'll tell the others in my group that I'll be searching for your friend."

He walked toward the edge of the cliff to look at the sailors and Thibault again. "Would you be able to continue sailing upriver?" he asked the first officer.

With a shake of his head, the sailor said, "Nay. I've lost too many men to row with good speed against the current, and we could be attacked again. The only way out of here by boat is to go back south."

Tovius nodded his understanding. "You should head back, then. I'll find another way to get to my destination. Is your ship salvageable?"

"Should be fine," said the first officer. "We'll just push it back out into the waters. Even if we do get attacked by those men again, I'd take my chances with the boat over going home by foot any day."

"Alright." Tovius looked over at Thibault, "I've a little bit of tracking skills, but we may need more than that to get through this forest and find someone named Kavlin who was attacked by these guys earlier," he jerked his head toward the jumble of vines. "Think you can help with that? Or if you can even keep going, old man?" he asked with a slight grin.

Thibault's statement about Tovius' father was not forgotten, but he figured that this was neither the time nor the placement to bring that particular subject up. Especially when he had to at least act optimistic for the crying woman behind him.


Forest
Somewhere south of Eringaard

The stone hand began dissolving, the gray rock turning into fine grains of sand and falling to the ground below. Once all the rock sand had fallen away, a skeletal hand was left in its place, still clutching tightly onto the crystal ring.

It started pushing out of the rock. Slowly, the white bones of the wrists, the forearm, the upper arm, all slid out of the rockface, slipping through the stone formation as if the entire thing was loose sand. Soon enough, a full skeletal body stood in front of the rock formation. Its empty eye sockets looked down at the ring in its hand, and it used its other hand to help place the ring onto a boney middle finger.


Eavana
Gaireth Protectorate

Dyroth nodded, "I don't think there'll be much of a meeting going on in there. At least, not until that smell clears out first. What was that?" The last question was mostly to himself, as he did not expect Nald to know the answer.

"We might as well start getting ready to go, before it gets too late," the father said. The sky was black and the stars were out already. A bright, circular moon brightened the streets and all the people clustered out there much better than the torches could ever have. "Go and get Nallie. I'll look for others heading in the same direction as us. Better to be safe and have a large group, what with the large dog on the loose."

Memories

"Fall back!" Thibault screamed to what remained of the Legion he was attached to. Barbarians had descended on them in endless numbers, annihilating all who were in their way.

"If we fall back the town will fall to them!" An older voice shouted back in the chaos of battle. Frozen by the pile of his comrades around him, Thibault broke his fear by sprinting away.

I have to get away... I have to survive.

The sound of vines cracking and branches snapping around the hostage and strange men broke Thibault out of his day dream.

"What the hell..." He muttered staring in awe at could only be described as a miracle.

"Alright." Tovius looked over at Thibault, "I've a little bit of tracking skills, but we may need more than that to get through this forest and find someone named Kavlin who was attacked by these guys earlier," he jerked his head toward the jumble of vines. "Think you can help with that? Or if you can even keep going, old man?" he asked with a slight grin.

"I'm not going to waste my time for a dead man." He replied bitterly picking up his weapon.

"Okay father" replied Nald as he nodded in agreement. "But just make sure that we have some people going our direction. Something doesn't feel right about that dog they talked about. It seems to strike fear in me, but for reasons I do not know."

Nald said nothing more, then went off to retrieve Nallie. What he had said was true. His merry mood was now gone, but replaced with fear. This dog was something evil. He could just feel it in his veins. Something made it feel cold. Nald shook his head. This fear was definitely messing with his mind.

Once he got to Nallie, he untied the rope and lead the donkey back to his father.

Eavana
Gaireth Protectorate

"I know of one ranger who would suit the job. However, I'm not sure if he can be found. Like most of his kind, he likes to wander the realms and do whatever he can where he can. When he is in these parts, he likes to make his home on the outskirts of the Geralyn Forest. He goes by the alias Evening Sun, as he is one of those that believes that a person can have no control over you if they don't know your whole name."

It was as he finished the last word that the awful stench reached him and nearly made him convulse in aversion to the foul smell. As the crowd began to find their way out in a hurry, Jaso had a sneaky suspicion who had created the distraction, but had more important things to worry abuot than a bunch of kids trying to get some cheap thrills.

Geralyn Forest, Gaireth Protectorate

The sobs stopped abruptly when the legionnaire offered his help to find Kavlin, and Fayalin looked up gratefully.
“You will?” she asked, then stopped. The fact that he was resolutely facing away from her confused her for a while, then the reality of her situation came crashing in on her as he spoke again and she realised where her cloak was. She gave an embarrassed gasp and her cheeks burned as red as her hair as she hurriedly pulled the lightweight, pale grey cloak up around herself, leaving the hood lying unused down her back, and remembered to fasten the clasp below her throat this time, then dried her face on the soft material.

She quickly gathered up the herbs and bandage that had fallen around her and put them back in her bag, which she then looped over her shoulder. Then she waited for the legionnaire to return. For now at least, she appeared to be in much better control of her emotions, though how long that lasted would depend on how quickly they found Kavlin, and what state he was in when they did. She still had no idea which direction to go in, but she assumed the legionnaire was capable of tracking, and she was fairly sure that their tracks would not be hard to find.

Fortunately for her, Fayalin did not hear the pessimistic riposte the legionnaire’s comrade gave him, else it might have triggered another bout of tears. She did not look back at any of the other men either, staring into the trees as if searching for a sign leading the way to Kavlin. She half turned when the legionnaire returned, and spoke in a voice laden with concern.
“I gave him an antidote as best I could,” she told the legionnaire, “But he’s only a boy, and I don’t know if it was enough. And that wasn’t a normal adder,” she added quietly.

The slight buzz in William's head was a welcome relief to the unyielding pressure of the forces outside. "Icarus, tell me, can you sense anything specific in the earth? I know the pressure is still around, and I can feel it too, but the strom is overloading what capacity I had left, so I have to stay drunk for the night. But the sky is as angry as the earth, and I would suppose water and fire would be in their throes as well. That, or whatever is out there is indriectly altering my entire sensory perception."

Geralyn Forest
Gaireth Protectorate

The grin faded from Tovius when he got his reply from Thibault. "The boat can't go upstream, and I can't go downstream without first going west and investigating why the farms are dying there. You can return with the sailors in the boat if you wish, but I have a mission to complete."

He glanced slightly to the side to make sure the woman was more decent again before approaching her a second time. "It appears that the gods favor you," he glanced over at where the three black-leather men were trapped. "Perhaps this protection encompasses your boy as well. But let us not wait too much longer. My supplies are down there," he tilted his head toward the Rhiann River. "I'm going to go grab them quickly and be right back, alright? Don't go off into the forest by yourself."

With that, he headed toward the earthen ramp again and went back down to where the others were. Wiping the blood off his shortsword with a piece of cloth from one of the fallen attackers, he approached Thibault and said in a quieter voice, "She must be from a local town of some sort. Helping her would be the quickest way to finding that town, and from that town, a boat to continue down the Ael River on." He threw the soiled cloth to the ground and sheathed his sword. "But if you wish to go back, I'll understand. I'm...sorry, I never meant to bring you into the midst of these attacks. I have no idea who they are or what they want." His gaze drifted over to the black-clad men on the ground. Looking back at Thibault, he said, "But anyway, if you do decide to go back, I'll make sure to tell the next Republic official I pass by to have the senate recompense you for coming this far with me."

Grabbing the two javelins and the pack that he dropped earlier, Tovius started back up the earthen ramp.


South of Eavana
Gaireth Protectorate

It was a small group that went back to the southern fields that night, but some was better than none as everyone else in the little group were glad to have other people by their sides should they encounter any trouble. There were sightings of the creature in the southern fields, after all.

The brightness of Selenia shone down upon the expanse of fields that stretched out in every which way. In the silvery glow of night, Dyroth almost forgot about the fact that all of the wheat in these fields were slowly decaying. Almost forgot, but not quite.

One or two people would break off from the group every now and again as they went off in their own direction to home. Finally, Dyroth and Nald made it to their own farm. The house on their modest plot of land was dark and quiet.


Eavana
Gaireth Protectorate

The large group of people from the gathering soon dispersed, going every which way as the meeting was called to an end and another one promised on a different date and time.

Most people went off in groups ranging from a pair to a dozen people, chatting about the stench just overwhelmed the place or about other topics of discussion brought up by the night's meeting. One man, however, strolled quietly by himself away from the center of the town.

He had long, black hair, and walked with a calm gait, hands clasped behind his back. He made his way through the alleys of the town, and the already dead grasses and weeds sprouting from the streets seemed to go a deathly shade paler in the moonlight whenever he passed by them, no doubt unnoticeable to anyone without a keen eye.

Nald kept quite the entire journey back home, but his eyes were set on the horizon. He was constantly trying to search for the familiar outline of the families' house. Nald was on the edge right now. All of this talk of some kind of dog creature just was freaking him out. From the description this dog sounded like the one from Caeli's dream. He just hoped that she was alright. It was just very unsettling.

He sighed, one of relief, once he saw the frame of their house, though he noticed that there was no light coming from the house. There should have been at least a small candle emitting light. Nald shook his head, and knew that his fear was playing games with him.

Nald followed his father inside and said good night to both of his parents. Before he went to his bedroom, Nald stopped in Caeli's room. Silently he entered and saw that she was peacefully sleeping. A calm expression was on her face. It seemed as thought another quiet night would pass by. Nald creped up to her and kissed her forehead. As quickly and silently as he came in, he left.

Nald did his nightly rituals, and kneeled before his bed. He prayed to Eovia hoping that the harvest was not a complete lost. Then he got into his bed and quickly fell asleep. Nald had finally gotten some well deserved rest after another long day of work.

"As much as I hate carrying baggage ." Thibault paused pointing to Fayalin. "Someone has to keep you alive, or at least from making any more stupid mistakes."

The long haired brigand marched up and stood beside the women with a slight smile.

"Antidote eh? I'm not familiar with these woods, but the wildlife seems to enjoy flesh to great ends." He added stepping forward a little. "But, if burying what remains of his body will keep you from whining anymore than by Peraclus I'll find every bit of him with all haste."

Thibault hated people who were helpless, women and children more so. Anyone who would slow him down made him frustrated to no end.

"Since we nearly died trying to help you, you could at least return the favor eventually." He turned his head only to show her a single wink. All he wanted to do was drive her away, especially if the kid was still alive.

"Of course Mistress." He replied as he rose. This was more like it was suppose to be, for all the strangeness about it, thought the 'minstrel' would die if he tried using that instrument again or at least wish he was. Kiten's ears were still sore from the racket.

He did follow the two surfacers and the beast to the rock face, alert as he studied the strange ring. The skeleton was interesting, but otherwise of little value.

On a positive note, his eyes seemed to have adjusted to the light, or at least the level that prevailed. He knew he'd have to re-cover his eyes before the sun came out if he wanted to see at all.

Selim stepped back, giving the skeleton a doubtful look. He had seen plenty of strange things in his time, but a member of the Undead crawling out of a rock and stealing his ring was a new one. Unsure of what to do, he picked up a fallen branch off the ground and gave the skeleton a hearty poke in the ribs.

"Hey, you! Give my ring back, will ya?" Another poke, this one aimed for the eye sockets. "If you don't, I might just have to tie you up in my sack and beat you with this stick." A third poke to the knees. "It's not like you have any use for it, anyways-you're already dead! I didn't know they held fashion shows in the underworld these days."

Geralyn Forest, Gaireth Protectorate

When the legionnaire spoke to her again, not one, but two of his statements began ricocheting around inside Fayalin’s head, demanding attention from her. The gods favour me? she asked herself uncertainly, Is that… The visions I had, and that little charm in my hand when I… But before that thought could reach completion, the other statement threw itself into the forefront of her mind, blocking the first and forcing her attention on to it. Wait, did he just suggest that Kavlin is my son? she realised with a start.

That thought was somewhat unsettling to the young woman, though she couldn’t begin to explain why. She turned to correct this misunderstanding on the legionnaire’s part, but he was some distance away and talking to one of his companions, who looked vaguely untrustworthy in her opinion. Momentarily deprived of the opportunity to rebuff the statement, she found herself thinking about children. She’d never really thought about it before, and anyway, there was one crucial element missing from her life before children could be thought of.

“We must find him,” she declared, when the legionnaire came back, “His parents will be worried when his brother told them what happened.” There, she thought, that cleared that up nicely. Then the other man came over and callously dismissed the possibility that Kavlin was still alive. There was a stab of pain at her heart as she briefly and unwilling entertained that thought, but she stubbornly pushed it away, refusing to believe it. She glared fiercely at him for suggesting such a thing, then looked away, ignoring him and coincidentally not seeing the wink he gave her.

Geralyn Forest
Gaireth Protectorate

The woman seemed really distressed earlier over someone who was not her own child, but maybe the boy was her nephew. Or perhaps she just really, really cared about children. Tovius never really understood women, and did not really to try to at this moment in time, as he was trying to focus on the matter at hand.

Shaking his head slightly at Thibault after Fayalin looked away from them, he mouthed to Thibault, 'We need her help.'

To Fayalin, "Don't mind my traveling companion, ma'am. The attack from those men has placed a bit of stress on all of us."

He gave Thibault another look to tell him not to say anything that could ruin their chances of finding civilization soon.

"Those look like the footprints those men left while coming up to the cliff," the centurion pointed to a trail of imprints in the soft soil. Two sets were deep and spread out, belonging to the two spearmen that ran up here. Another set was not as spread out, and a fourth one left much smaller prints that were spaced close together.

With the efforts of Thibault, they managed to retrace the path of the men and Fayalin through the forest while ignoring other tracks that mingled with these ones on the trails.

The tree that Fayalin left Kavlin at was devoid of anyone, but another two pairs of footprints could be found there. One belonged to a man, while the small size of the other one indicated a child, probably around five or six years of age. Following those tracks, the trio soon found themselves at the village of Penrhyn.


Forest
Somewhere south of Eringaard

There was some grinding noise as the skeleton turned its head to look at Selim and the others, and several particles of the gray sand dislodged themselves from its neck and fell to the ground. It seemed like the skeleton was grinning despite the lack of lips and muscles to grin with. Shoving the branch aside, it said in a hoarse voice, "Praythee, cease thy vellication."

A transparent fire enveloped the crystal ring, resembling heat rising from a hot surface on a cold morning. The skeleton held its hand up to admire the ring on it. "Long veritably have I abided without my Sar'daz." Looking at the three humanoids assembled, it said, "I thank you for your assist in rendering back this ring mine. I shall requite your services in like kind."

The skeleton seemed to be looking at each person individually, but all at the same time, peering deep into them. "What seekest thou?"

It began to delve even deeper into each of the three's minds, not needing a vocal answer to the question.


South of Eavana
Gaireth Protectorate

"Nald?" Caeli's small voice said shortly after Nald was in bed. The room was dark, but the voice appeared to be emanating from Nald's doorway. "I had the dream again, Nald."

Groggily Nald woke up upon hearing his younger sister's voice. Slowly he got up and ushered her to him. Now Caeli was sitting beside Nald, as he put his arm around her. He knew that he needed to comfort her. These dreams were really starting to mess her up. They were also starting to have an effect on Nald, after the recent meeting. He knew that it would be best if he did not tell Caeli about the dog that lurked around in the field, but if he just told her to be very cautious.

"Caeli...everything is going to be alright." Nald said as he rested his hand in her blond hair. "I will always be here to protect you, but just be extra care in the fields. I don't want you to get hurt."

Nald sighed and loooked at his younger sister. He hoped that these dreams soon pasted.

"If you want to, you can sleep with me for tonight. Actually any night that you feel scared just come in here and sleep with me." Nald stated as he smiled down to her.

Viktor left the other two mages in the room and quickly left the inn, nodding his thanks to the innkeeper before stepping outside once again. He took a look around and with some embarrasment saw that they had left the carriage sitting in the middle of the road where they had disembarked. He turned back to the inn and asked the innkeeper where to leave it overnight and placing it there.

Then resolutely ignoring the suspicious stares from the peasents he walked resolutely to the nearest field, leapt the fence and began examining plants, relaying descriptions through his staff to the paper in the room with the occasional comment wishing he had brought a drink or complaint concerning the smell.

Geralyn Forest, Gaireth Protectorate

Fayalin followed the two men in silence as they sought out the tracks her captors had made during their trek through the forest. As they followed the trail, she slowly became increasingly more worried about the young boy, though she managed to hide it fairly well this time. Her concern for Kavlin was not due to any blood relation, but merely from her standpoint as a healer; she didn’t like to see anyone suffer, particularly not a child. Though, as she would be the first to admit, except possibly to their faces, she was quite fond of the twins. She didn’t want the legionnaire’s companion to see her upset again, because she knew he would only make a snide comment, and she wasn’t sure she could shrug it off so easily again.

When they reached the place she recognised as being where she had left Kavlin, she rushed out in front of the two men upon seeing his lack of presence. She went directly over to the tree and looked around, almost as though she expected him to be hiding behind it, then looked at the ground for any sign of him having moved at all. Not knowing anything about tracking, it took her a while to recognise the tracks for what they were, by which time the two men had already begun to follow them. She hurriedly caught up, somewhat afraid to be alone in this forest now.

She ran ahead again when the buildings of the village came into sight, dashing past the two men. Without a hint of hesitation she ran across the clearing that the village sat in, straight to the house of the twins’ parents and hammered on the door, her lack of confidence not letting her just burst in, even though the door would not be locked. She continued her frantic knocking until the door was opened.
“Is he okay?” she asked frantically, “Please let him be okay.”

Thibault had seen it so many times before. The woman huddled around an abandoned child who was not of theirs, the man pleading his woman to leave the child, and finally the shrill screams as his blade tore through the huddled mass. Had they ran they may have escaped, but their needless sacrifice continued to annoy the former soldier to this day.

Her help with what? Cooking? Rearing children?

Something had pulled at him, she did seem unusual, he could sense a strange aura. A feeling that he couldn't describe, and perhaps this is what really pissed him off.

He half heartedly searched tracks behind Tovius, who seemed to be capable for such an easy task.

Orome had halted when the skeleton began pulling itself out of the stone, her hand whipping to her sword. She'd not had any experience with such undead personally though she had heard of them. They were supposed to be fearsomely hard to damage, the walking piles of bones being animated by the darkest of majics.

As it emerged comepletley and settled the ring on it's finger she backed up a few steps, wanting nothing to do with it. The minstrels reaction was not comical to her in the least, the fool man was flirting with getting himself slain in a trice. And his sloppily done blows, not only made her wince at the sight of such meager combat capability, were not doing the skeleton any damange. To the point where the skeleton seemed to be ignoring him as it admired the ring it had set upon it's finger.

"Drow you might not want to get too close, those things are reputedly mosnterously hard to destroy, and I don't think it will take kindly to the gadfly buzzing about it much longer."

Orome began moving in a wide circle to avoid getting any closer to the revenant and the greedy minsterel, then it's commentary stopped her cold once again

"What seekest thou?"

The feeling of ghostly fingers riffling through her head had Orome fighting, futilely, to keep the intruder out. Fine sweat broke out on her forehead Stop it, Stop It, STOP IT she demanded in the violated privacy of her mind as she bit her lower lip till it bled.

Icarus looked slightly taken aback by William's question. "How does the earth feel?" He paused for a moment. "It feels like its being stabbed as though by a knife or sword."

He thought hard for a moment, "Only once have I read of anything like this. In a myth, the Legend of Garza the Groundshaker. In the story he posessed a weapon of such power that it could kill the very earth. He used it to kill the giant, Urial, who had been ravaging his kingdom. Before his death, he hurled the weapon into the air, and it never returned to the ground, thus it was lost to the ages. That's just a children's story though, hardly worth basing a theory on."

He sipped the ale that he had selected from the tray, the alcohol slowly dulling the pain in the back of his mind.

Penrhyn
Gaireth Protectorate

"We shouldn't be too far from the Ael River," Tovius said after the woman ran off upon seeing the village. "I'll go see if any of the locals have a boat we can use to head west in, or at the least some horses. I'll meet you back here when I find something. Keep an eye out in case we were followed by the attackers from earlier, if you'd please."

A pause. "And thank you for coming along." With that, the centurion headed off into the village in search of transportation.

***

A woman opened the door that Fayalin was pounding on. "Thank the gods you're here, Faye!" she grabbed the healer lightly by the wrist and led her over to the bed where Kavlin was lying in. "Yarin and Jaylin found him out in the woods. Will he be alright?"

The little boy's forehead was still burning up, but the dark coloration in his veins seemed to have subsided. He moaned in his restless sleep, but when his fever breaks, if it would break, he would probably recover back to full health.

***

A rustle and the snapping of twigs could be heard in the woods not far from Thibault.


Senhild
Eringaard Magocracy

A middle-aged woman, dressed in an Evenaran-styled stola dress, stepped seemingly out of nowhere between the tall stalks of the farm plants Viktor was so busy studying. Her brown hair was tied up into a bun on top, and braids of hair encircled her head like a crown of leaves.

She was looking in Viktor's direction, but her eyes were distant, as if looking through and well beyond the mage. "What you seek will not be found here," she said. "Go east you must to the Gaireth town of Eavana, but beware the creatures of the moon."

A noise in another direction distracted the Eringaard mage, and when he looked back to her, she was nowhere to be found.


South of Eavana
Gaireth Protectorate

Caeli placed her head on her big brother's shoulder. She hated those dreams, and she hated feeling so helpless within them. She also hated having to always bother her brother so much; she did not want to be a pest to him, but he could always make her feel safer, better. And so she would go to him whenever she needed that sense of security.

Holding back the forming tears, she said, "Promise me nothing'll happen to me?"

"Yes I promise to protect. Nothing is going to happen, although that might change if father finds out that we stayed up all night. So I think it is time we go back to sleep." Nald replied as he patted her on the head and gently smiled. As long as he lived Nald was going to make sure nothing hurt her. This was a life long promise he was going to keep, even if it meant that he would have to die.

He got back into his bed with Caeli and waited for her to fall asleep. Once she was, Nald slowly drifted off too.

Thibault strayed a good distance behind Tovius lost in his thoughts. Normally he would have remedied this by drowning himself in wine until he stopped thinking.

*snap*

"Dammit!" He muttered reaching towards his blade. Whatever it was had got the drop on him.

Senhild
Eringaard Magocracy

Viktor almost jumped when he noticed the woman suddenly appear, but looked her up and down and noticed she didn't seem to be looking at him, but past him to god knows what and that she was dressed in garb unlike what he saw on the common peasents he had seen and memerable for its strangeness. "Hello? Who are you?"

She didn't respond but her cryptic message puzzled him and he was about to question her but a noise from behind distracted him and when he looked back she was gone. He looked around before relaying the entire event into his staff while it was still fresh in his mind.

He stood still for a moment afterward, puzzling over the curious event, what she meant about the creatures of the moon and how she knew about what was going on. Viktor and his companions had already resolved to go east, but now they might have a destination.

Viktor shrugged and looked back around the field, seeing nothing that would add to what he had already mentioned to the others he shrugged and began heading to the town centre. He had already picked up samples of the dieing wheat, the dry and broken land and the dank water.

As he reached the town he paused and headed to the town hall searching for Warryn Anvers, he might know who this woman he had met was.

Penrhyn
Gaireth Protectorate

A bush shook just a bit before going still. All of a sudden, some of the branches parted and out jumped...

...a bunny rabbit. A little piece of green root was hanging from its mouth as its whiskers twitched and its eyes peered up at Thibault. With another sudden move, it shot off to the side and bounced away from the human.

WHZZP

A spear embedded itself into the ground a foot away from Thibault. Several men clothed in black leather appeared from behind the trees. Some had spears, some had swords, and others still had bows with the arrows nocked and pointing at Thibault's chest.

"What's a'ells y' do t' our cap'n?" said one of the men, who carried what looked like a cutlass and a patch over one eye.


Senhild
Eringaard Magocracy

"A woman wearing such strange clothing, hmm?" Warryn Anvers tried to recall such a person when Viktor described her to him. Finally shaking his head, he said in his soft voice, "No, sorry, I don't know of any such woman from this town. Certainly none that would wear that manner of clothing. But I can send my people out to every house in town and ask for her. That will help you, yes?"


South of Eavana
Gaireth Protectorate

A distant howl awoke Nald in the middle of the night. It was still very dark in his room, but the circular moon shone brightly and afforded some light to this dwelling place.

Caeli was nowhere to be found. Not in Nald's room, not in her room, not in the house, not anywhere in the fields around it.

Penrhyn, Gaireth Protectorate

Fayalin gladly allowed herself to be led to Kavlin’s bedside, grateful to see that he was still alive. She knelt down beside him and laid her hand on his forehead, frowning at his high temperature, then gently rolled him over so she could look at the puncture wounds from the fangs. If his condition hadn’t still been rather worrying, she would have allowed herself to collapse in relief.

“Bring me some cold water and some hot water,” she instructed quickly, and set her bag down beside her, swiftly removing a few items. While one parent went to get the water, she explained Kavlin’s condition to the other. “He was bitten by an adder. I gave him an antidote, and if he’s made it this far, he has a good chance of living.” She paused, then realised she would have to explain why she wasn’t there when they had found him. “As I was treating him, some brigands appeared and captured me. They told me I had to leave Kavlin there, and if I hadn’t, they would have killed him. There’s a legionnaire outside; he and his companions rescued me and led me back here.”

While her account wasn’t entirely accurate, it was as accurate as she was prepared to admit to right now, and she wasn’t entirely sure what had happened anyway. To work that out would require a quiet period to herself, where she could organise her thoughts and work out what was really going on. She might want to talk to that legionnaire before he left too, to see what he knew about this.

She heard nothing of the confrontation that was unfolding outside bar a few muffled voices, their owners unrecognisable. There were no shouts either, so it was unlikely to draw attention, and even if it did, she had other things to worry about. And Fayalin was still in no position to influence the situation, as nothing had really changed since her capture; she was still unarmed and undressed.

Nald a woke once he heard the howl. He sounded if it had come from some unearthly beast. At once he noticed that Caeli was nowhere in his room. He panicked for a second, and thought that she must have gone back to her own room. Silently Nald got up and entered her room. She wasn't there either. Quickly, but silently, Nald searched the whole house and still he could not find Caeli.

Now he was very worried. This was unlike Caeli to go disappear during the night like this. Nald slipped outside and looked around into the fields. He did not see any of the wheat move. Had her dream finally come true? Nald simply shook his head and knew that his mind was probably playing tricks on him. That howl was probably from his dream. Gathering his courage, Nald entered the field of wheat.

"Caeli, where are you?" Nald called out.

Viktor shrugged. "There is no need for such things." He gave a rueful smile. "I expected as much in truth. Do not trouble yourself or others with it." The woman had already helped and if she did exist, the townspeople may misunderstand and see her connection with the mystery as a cause. "I will return to my room and consult with my colleagues." After shaking Avers hand he left and went back into the inn.

When he arrived in the room he saw that William was well down the road of becoming drunk and that Icarus had recovered somewhat. He nodded a greeting to the others and removed his wet cloak and hung it in a corner to dry before returning the blue crystal to its rightful place on his staff and placing the red one back in his bag before glancing over the scribbled words on the page finding the womans cryptic message. "While outside my investigations were interrupted by a mysterious woman garbed in the clothes of Eavana and stated that our way lies to the east and our destination is the town her garb came from."

He took a seat and turning to the others said in a low voice; "I would like you two to accomplish whatever tasks you deem necessary as soon as possible in the morning. You have said the cause does not lie here, therefore we must move with all haste toward the cause."

WHZZP!

His hand drew away from his blade, it seemed to be the same group from before. Made no sense in starting a fight with people he could relate to.

"Yer Cap'n?" Thibault replied pressing a finger underneath his lip. "Eaten by a tree last I saw. Not for certain w'n'hell that was all about. Anyway got any liquor?"

An old cedar near the edge of town, not too far away, groaned slightly.

Scryven
Korovir

"Never mind," Elva said briskly to the elder captain as she grabbed Lanu's wrist and dragged him away from the docks...

She had heard nature's message. It was both uplifting and saddening at the same time. Her beloved Allekar was going to sacrifice herself for the sake of the chance that Elva could help save the dying lands of the world. A tear slowly slipped down her soft white cheek, pausing midway as if in remembrance before it swiftly finish its path and left the surface of her face - a fitting action, Elva thought.

However, the winds had also given her two names that she did not recognize. Without bothering to explain it to Lanu, she turned backwards towards him as she continued towards the cedar on the edge of the town, "Do you know Eovia or Kédron?"

Upon reaching the cedar, she thrust Lanu's hand forward towards the bark and similarly placed hers on its rough surface.

Selim stared hard at the skeleton before discarding his stick; he felt a strange ringing in his ears, and an even stranger sensation in the air. Perhaps he should not interfere with this creature after all; it seemed older and much more powerful than he previously thought. Still, as he looked longingly at his lost ring, he decided that now was a better time than ever to get eaten by a skeleton.

"Look, bonehead, I seekest my ring. Doust thou comprehendest?" Selim struggled with the words; he had never had much of a grip on old English, anyways. "I-ist went througheth alot of troublest to findeth that stupid thingest, and I'd appreciatest if you gavest it backeth." He winced at his grammar; now he was just beginning to sound dumb.

"Very well," said William. He wasn't drunk yet, and had considerably slowed his alcohol consumption. Gaireth. That was technically independent, but its military alliance made this a job much like many that he had taken before. Well, if the Tal'therans were going to be involved, then that meant they would probably have to do some killing at some point.

"If you don't want to, I'll send a letter to the Council telling them to prepare a disavowance. Going into Gaireth lands is asking for Tal'theran interference, so they might as well be forewarned. Or are we going to travel as official envoys on a fact finding mission regarding a 'problem that transcends borders?' Or do we do both?"

"Undead, why did it have to be undead." Kiten thought briefly as he gazed at the skeleton. The walking dead had come closer to catching him than any other threat when he'd gone to eliminate a double agent, not even the 'Leeches' had come as close. Feeling the faintest touches of the entity's thoughts, he stilled his mind. It was a skill everyone had but few could realize for it involved the consious end of thought which most could not manage for they almost inevitiably thought, 'I'm not thinking', rather than actually stopping thought.

However the sight of Orome did mean that he was going to have to be doing something. Shifting to a language that he'd thought was a dead one, for it was the language of the willing undead which was something rather unlikely in the Underdark where those who'd been returned were slaves rather than free, he barked a command in the siblant and rattling tounge. "Cease thine actions for they do offend my mistress."

Penrhyn
Gaireth Protectorate

The men in black looked at each other in puzzlement. A particularly large and dim-witted one in the group seemed especially confused.

The one who just spoke considered Thibault. The one-armed man was speaking like one of his own types, but that was a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it gave them a commonality to draw upon. On the other hand, his type cannot be trusted, and so neither could the man they had partially surrounded. Plus, who ever heard of a tree eating a man?

"What tree are y' talkin' about?"

***

Yarin seemed noticeably less tense when Fayalin told him what happened and that his son had a good chance of surviving. His wife came back with a bucket of cool water and a small pot of hot water, which was already sitting over the fire when Fayalin arrived.

"We'll have to make sure that we thank you and this legionnaire and his companions appropriately," Yarin said.


Scryven
Korovir

At first, nothing happened. But then both hands began sinking into the bark - or rather, the cedar was actively sucking their hands into it.

Greetings, druidess and hunter, a voice rung in their head. I am Kédron. Relax, and this will be much easier for us.

The two were up to their shoulders in the tree trunk, and soon enough their heads were consumed as well, sending them into complete darkness. Strangely enough, the two could move around in the darkness, but not as freely as they would through the air, and there was no ground to walk on. It was like they were floating aimlessly under the water, with no up or down, and no way to see where they were going.

We are sending you to another tree, in the direction of the sunrise - much distant from here and much closer to the source. The voice was stronger now that the two were fully inside of the tree. The spirit Eovia is sending one of her followers to heal the land, one named Fayalin. Seek her and cooperate with her. This is Allekar's wish.

The voice was growing distant, and soon could no longer be heard. After a while, the coolness of air graced their fingertips, their hands, their arms. They popped out of another cedar tree, but in a forest much different than the one Elva hailed from.

Not too far away were a group of men wearing black leather. Beyond them was a one-armed man, and beyond that man was a small cluster of simple buildings.

"What tree are y' talkin' about?" one of the black-clad men seemed to be asking the one-armed man.


Forest
Somewhere south of Eringaard

"This band is mine, and what belongs thusly I shall retain in possession mine," came the hoarse but calm voice of the skeleton.

Turning its yellowing head toward the drow and, as if in submission, it stopped probing into the three's minds. But it was already too late.

"I perceive the desires of your hearts. One doth pursue treasures imbued with might," it peered at Selim through its eyeless sockets. "A second doth seek the gift of the Eringardé, and the third to eschew a fall from grace by his interdiction of the dying of the lands."

It held up the hand with the crystal ring on it, palm out. A light flowed out of the hand and began encircling around the three people and the mount. "I believe ye may find that which ye desire here...in time..."

The light surrounded them, and when it faded away they found themselves in what appeared to be a room at an inn. Three people were in the room, and a nearby table was laden with food and alcohol. The skeleton was nowhere to be found.

Viktor, William, and Icarus would fine the place to be rather crowded all of a sudden.


South of Eavana
Gaireth Protectorate

There was a low growling somewhere in the fields. Not like that of a large beast preparing to pounce; rather, it sounded more like a small creature struggling with something.

The sight which set William off was the Helcorn. He didn't really know what it was, thinking is was some form of demonic war-horse. The other three were the next to register. One was a woman, foreing looking with eyes and ears neither elven nor human, indicating some other partial racial inheritance. Then there was the bard, with a look of loss and confounance. Lastly was a smaller man with his hood drawn forward to obscure his features, though it appeared as though he had darker skin.

Reacting instinctively, William drew his blade and took aim at the rather jumpy and startled animal, letting a few bolts of electricity crackle along its length, and managed enough control to speak without giving away his drunken condition. "If any of you have an attachment to that animal, I'd suggest you calm it now! And then explain why you're here, and invading our privacy. I'm not in a mood for splitting heads tonight."

Nald became startled once he heard the growling. It was something that Nald had never heard before. He had a couple of encounters with wolves, but this creature did not even sound like it. Cautiously he made his way to the creature. He was still worried about Caeli.

Icarus looked remarkably calm as the group of strangers invaded the room from seemingly nowhere. After his past years of training, he'd learned to take events like these in stride. Listening to what William had said and asked, he found nothing he could add. He looked over to the new arrivals inquisitively and was silent.

"You know I think I know what I hate more than inns or assassins, and thats Prophecy. And with my luck" She looked around and sighed in not so mock disgust "Yes, it's an Inn, I'd recognise one any where, Obviously the skeleton was acting to fulfill some Prophecy or other, and let me guess, one of you just so happens to practise the fine and ancient art of assassination."

The rant done she looked over at the man with the dagger then at Black Fang and shrugged. Her life had never been 'normal' by any stretch of the imagination.

She looked at the three who had already been in the room when she and the others arrived so unexpectedly and asked resignedly "You don't happen to know if there are any more rooms to rent? I'm tired, I'm still sodden and chilled from an unanticipated swin in the ocean, and I an none to sure where I am exactly. So Black Fang and I will cease troubling you if you can but give any answer to that question.

Selim almost stormed out of the Inn as he came to his senses; he had half a mind of hunt down that stupid skeleton and pry his ring from his very fingers if he needed to. He was distracted by a rather large sword pointing in his general direction, rolling his eyes at the electricity dancing up the blade. Selim possessed far more useful things in his bag of tricks than a such a sword, although it was an interesting piece to be sure. He wondered if the man would be interested in selling it.

"Selim Savid is my name-Musician, collector of old things, and professional wanderer-and believe me, I have absolutely no idea why I'm here. I was wandering around a forest in Eringaard last time I checked, and got thrown here by a magical skeleton who stole my ring." His voice was shaky, as he was still somewhat dazed from the experience. Ignoring the stares the rest of the patrons, Selim suddenly threw up his hands excitedly. "But who really gives a damn? I'm in an Inn! Beer! Music! Women! Festivities, and such things!" He seemed to completely forget about his previous forest companions as he pulled up a chair and set his heavy bag down.

"Would anyone care for a serenade before we all pass out drunk?"

Finding himself in a strange room with more strangers was quite unsettling as far as Kiten was concerned. He was fortunate that he'd gotten his cloak's hood up thought prior to the skeleton's actions. The fact that one had drawn a sword prompted a reply in kind, albeit a very much discreet one. Two slight, slender blades came to rested against the inside of his wrists with the handles balanced against his partially cupped fingers, accessible in an instant.

He awaited Orome's decision for while she was no dark elf, she was the closest thing to a dark elven woman he'd met yet. Her comment about one of them being an assassin was quite accurate thought she hadn't phrased it as a direct question which made it ignorable. A bed would be interesting but as he doubted she would permit him to utilize any room she had, he'd be in all likelyhood resting outside her room.

"I wasn't really pay'n much mind to the situation, but last I saw the shrubbery just wrapped around 'em. Last I saw of 'em." Thibault replied sitting down a large flat rock.

"The woman that was dragging us along had something to do with it. Other than that I'm about as clueless as baby Huey there."

Penrhyn, Gaireth Protectorate

“Oh, no, there’s no need to thank me,” replied Fayalin firmly, “I’m just doing my job.” She didn’t want anything more than a word of thanks and a smile on Kavlin’s face in return for her actions, mostly because it would make her feel terribly guilty that it had been because of her that she hadn’t been able to stay with him, and possibly even because of her that he had been hurt in the first place. Those men had certainly known who she was, and had seemed to be after her specifically, so she had a horrible feeling Kavlin’s apparent accident had been a trap carefully designed to snare her.

She dropped a couple of herbs into the pot of hot water, then soaked a length of cloth bandage in the cold water, then folded it and laid it on his forehead to cool him down a little. She checked Kavlin’s pulse briefly, hoping for a strong, though probably fast beat. She soaked another piece of cloth in the cold water and began gently dabbing at the areas of exposed skin, trying to help take the edge off his high fever. After a minute, she stopped and stood up.

“Do what you can to try and keep him cool,” she said, “I’ll be back in a minute.” She headed for the door, intending to return to her own house to dress quickly and pick up one of the salves she kept ready made, but didn’t carry with her all the time. But when she got to the door, she froze for a second in the act of opening the door, then hurriedly pushed it almost closed again, leaving just a hairline crack through which she could observe what was happening outside, straining her ears to make sure she picked up every word that was said.

"What tree are y' talkin' about?" one of the black-clad men seemed to be asking the one-armed man.

Penrhyn
Gaireth Protectorate

Having received Allekar's instructions from the spirit of the cedar tree they had sunk into, Elva knew what she must do to help heal the land. Allekar was very wise and very frequently right in her advice and guidance.

"Perhaps this tree?" Elva responded to the men who were talking amongst themselves a little away. Having just appeared out of a tree herself, it was, if not the correct answer, at least one that would gain their attention.

Deciding to test her luck, though also wondering where exactly she was currently, she continued to the group, "None of you would happen to be the one called Faylin, would you?"

Thibault drew his sword and turned sharply to greet the new guest. He knew what the bandits were capable of, but she may have been capable for what happened earlier. Combat he had mastered, but magics were completely foreign to him. Cheap tricks used to mow down skilled swordsmen.

"What's it to ya?" He asked ever ready to sprint towards the clearing.

William had to supress a laugh at the bard. They were traditionally swindlers, sleazy, and often doubled as merchants that sold their wares under the table. "My apologies, but under the curcumstances I think you would have done the same," he said to the woman, lowering his blade. "Then to your questions. You are in the town of Senhild, an agricultural town in the eastern portion of the Eringaard Magocracy. The travel is light at this time of year, so there will be free rooms. The stables, however, may have trouble accomodating your rather large, and if you will allow me, bestial mount. Take that up with the inn keeper.

"As for the last question, no, none of us are assassins, or at least, I'm not, and I know the old one isn't. Our younger companion is calm, silent, and though I believe it to be part of his training as a geomancer, you are free to think what you will about him, or any of us. I'd ask your companions, though. We are here investigating a matter for our governing council, and," he said, indicating the horse-creature, "we are being deprived of our dinner, as your mount seems to be enjoying our ham, much to my loss." This was the point that really annoyed William. Getting a decent ham was one of the few comforts he enjoyed on the job.

Black Fang didn't bat an eye as he finished the last of the ham, and Orome threw up her hands with a chuff of amused despair. " His manner are excretiable aren't they, but better your ham than you. Once I am settled I will gladly replace the ham with the best available."

She tugged at a lock of salt matted hair as she thought on what the man had said "I am Orome Heartfyre, forgive my rudeness in not introducing myself. I was off the southwest coat of Eringaard, bound there, here, to seek more knowledge of healing. It is one of my avocations." She sighed and looked at Black Fang who was looking for more meat. "Forgive me but I'd better get him to where he can hunt on his own. I'll return with a replacement as soon as possible."

Orome had been thinking furiously. The Drow had done her no harm, and yet he'd be slain without hesitation if discovered. Not all of them were irredemeably loathesome, most were just products of an abysmal environment. Just as I could have been if I'd allowed the wretchedness of my fathers court to infect me. She thought, but did not realise that perhaps her mothers heritage in some ways mitiagted her upbringing as well. It did her no harm to keep him alive for now. She nudged her pair of packs with her foot " Carry these." She commanded as she turned without a glance in his direction, but her words had been clearly addressed to him.

Throwing open the door, she stepped aside and waited with crossed arms. "Well, you big lummox, get on out of here, I'll buy you a whole pig for your dinner once you're outside where your messy eating habits won't be so hard to clean up."

Black Fang flattened his ears and snapped at her with his mouthful of razor sharp fangs but Orome just ignored him. He some how managed to maneuver is bulk out the door and thence out the inn. His progress could be followed by the sound of shrieks and breaking crockery.

Kiten was happy than Orome didn't question if either he or the man were assassins. While he could be as evasive and even directly false in the fase of a general or indirect question, but the only way he could directly lie to her was if a dark elven woman instructed it for only one of higher rank could override a command as far as a male was concerned.

At her command he bowed somewhat while the blades disappeared back to where they'd been, something only a master card-shark might have noticed and only if he'd been watching for it. "Yes Mistress." He said as he picked up the two bags and followed after the woman and her horse.

As the others made their way from the room, Icarus leaned over to William and indicated the hooded man. "He had knives at the ready... I could feel the tang of the metal in his sleeves. Interesting that the woman accuses us of being assassins when there is one in her midst already."

Selim waved his hand dismissively as his former companions left the inn; they obviously didn't know what they were missing. His eyes sparkled as he looked around; he desperately loved inns with all his heart, having very nearly grown up in them from all his traveling. He turned to the other two men casually as they spoke of assassins.

"Come, come, forget about those two; they'll just get you into trouble if you let them. Watch out for that horse, too." He reached into his pack and pulled out a long bottle of wine-how it remained in his pack unbroken one couldn't tell. "Who wants to get friendly?" Said Selim, chuckling. "This is prime Prisiian wine, better than any of the stuff you'll get in Eringaard. All we need now is a few nice young ladies to entertain us, eh?"

William nodded. Keeping his voice so that only Icarus heard, he said "Then she doesn't know. We tell her when he's not around. And did you see his submission?" An immediate amount of inquiry presented itself in William's mind. But he had more important business first.

Looking at the newcomer, he smiled a grin much too smug to be completely benign. "You're a bard, yes? Well, as you and your companions have intruded on our privacy, let's have a few songs to lighten the mood. And if you would be so kind as to fill my tankard with that wine, I'd be much less likely to accidentally bury my sword somewhere near the fork in your legs. I know most people like to use glass, but this is Eringaard, and emptying a tankard is a sign of strength."

Icarus nodded to William indicating that he'd noticed the submissive nature of the man... or creature.

Icarus looked at the bard with a raised eyebrow. "Better than Eringaardé wine? This I'll have to taste."

Orome had no trouble finding the Inkeeper, he presented himself to her the minute she entered the common room, and was most wrathful at the startlement and destruction Black Fang had accomplished. Oh not purely on his own, the upset he had caused had inself caused a fair amount of crockerly breakage. Fortunately her money pouch had been full of gold coin from the employment she had finished just before setting sail, and though it took much of it, it procured her the innkeeps undying freindship, a plump swine for Black Fang, and a two bedroom suite for her and her servant, meals, clean clothes and best of all as far as Orome was concerned, a hot bath. And the now profusely pleasant inn keeper assured her the tub was large and the water would be as hot as she desired it.

"Take my bags on to the room. I'll be up soon enough" Orome told her 'servant'.

It took a few more gold pieces for the local hostler to rent her the large pen in back of his stables. That way Black Fang wouldn't have to chase his dinner thought the city streets. "Though warn your stable hands good that it's as much as their life to enter the pen now. Don't tempt him, and consider yourself warned." Orome made sure the warning was down in public, with a wide eyed garda looking and listineing one. She had long expereince in dealing with people unsed to Helcorns, though that included most every one. Once she had made sure he had plenty of fresh water, and clean straw to bed down in, she left him to the second part of his dinner. Orome knew the fascinated crowd would take home vivid tales of the pig eating monster, though for a Helcorn Black Fang ate tidily, and didn't play with his food.

Selim raised his eyebrows as he poured the fine wine into William's tankard. Luckily, the wine glass was quite large, leaving plenty for himself and the other man.

"If you think you can down a whole tankard of this stuff and still walk afterwards, I'll eat that Hellcorn," he proclaimed, somewhat seriously as he pulled his violin from his pack, carefully tuning. Throwing the bottle towards the other man, he started up a quick, energetic tune, this time accompanied with words. Surprisingly, Selim's singing voice was quite the opposite of his usually gruff speaking voice.

Just a Vargos girl....
Living in a lonely world...
She took the midnight horse goin' anywhere...

Just a city boy...
Born and raised in South Thera...
He took the midnight horse goin' anywhere...

A singer in a smoky room,
A smell of wine and cheap perfume....
For a smile they can share the night,
It goes on and on and on and on....

Don't stop...believing.....
Hold on to that feEEEEeeeling,
Street Torch...people...
Ahhhhoh, ahhh, ohhh, AUH!

No doubt any bystander standing outside would have been completely confused at the loud ruckus inside the Inn; the song was a favorite in the Tal'theran Republic, but not as well known in the Magocracy.

Thibault drew his sword and turned sharply to greet the new guest. He knew what the bandits were capable of, but she may have been capable for what happened earlier. Combat he had mastered, but magics were completely foreign to him. Cheap tricks used to mow down skilled swordsmen.

"What's it to ya?" He asked ever ready to sprint towards the clearing.

Penrhyn
Gaireth Protectorate

At the drawing of one of the men's swords, Elva did not become hesitant or nervous or cautious as many would in her position. Instead, she put on an air of confidence despite the circumstances and began walking forward heavily. It was not that she particularly felt bold or even the ability to overcome all the men if they charged her with their swords, but rather that she would be able to utilize her abilities better to defend herself and attack the men if they were closer to nature and out of the clearing.

While continuing to close the distance between them, and hoping that Lanu would follow her with equal confidence in his step, she responded, "It is worth this lands existence as you know it... is that enough for you?" She did not trust strangers, especially those carrying tools forged in fire and stolen from the earth, but then his answer was one she had heard generally meant some sort of affirmative answer to the initial question.

Lanu advanced slowly behind Elva, bow string drawn tight and arrow ready. The drawing of swords had raised alarms in his head and he had responded as he always did to a threat. He moved his aim from target to target ensuring that they all minded their manners.

William raised an eyebrow. "That was a Helcorn? I've heard tales of the creature, but I've never seen one. No wonder the thing was so jumpy." Taking the wine, he looked at it. Well, the man had left himself open, and William had just eaten. He raised it to "companionship, and the further study of magic," clinking glasses with all three men, and then downing it.

He wasn't impressed with the choice of song, though. He winked at Viktor, then turned back to the bard. "Now, Viktor, as an historian, I look to you to witness our new friend's claim. I walk in a straight line, and he eats the Helcorn." William proceeded to do so, walking the edge of the carpet before the alcohol was too far absorbed. Looking back at Selim, he smiled. "Time to pay up."

Selim sputtered on the wine he had momentarily sipped as William proceeded to walk as healthily as any sober man along the carpet of the room; he had never met anyone who could actually hold their liquor well enough to do such a thing before. And, of course, he himself wouldn't fare well squaring off against the Hellcorn.

"What magics do you use to do such a thing!" Selim waved his arms wildly, trying hard to worm his way out of his situation. "I can't believe a normal man can drink that much Prisiian finery and still walk. It must be sorcery! Besides, it would be a shame to eat such a rare animal-an offense to nature, it would be! Not like I couldn't, of course."

"Yes mistress." He replied as he took the bags to the rooms that Orome had rented. This was not the most welcome of situations, thought it did promise an effective cover for who'd think to investigate a simple menial.

Placing the two bags on a dresser, he was tempted to rifle through it but then decided that it wasn't really that useful. Kiten shut the door, leaving a tiny tan coloured thread between door and frame and sought after Orome, with all the sound of a cat.

Penrhyn
Gaireth Protectorate

"Tha woman?" the man with the cutlass asked.

"Must be the one the captain was after," another of the black-leathered men, who carried a bow, suggested.

A woman's voice spoke up behind the group, and they all turned around to face the source of the sound. Was this the woman their captain was searching for? Faylin...that sounded like the name their captain mentioned...

The man with the cutlass and eyepatch eyed the woman and her dark friend warily. At least the one-armed man had a kindred spirit - and did not draw any arrows upon him and his men. These two newcomers were certainly not to his liking. "I's wondrun' tha same thin' li'l lass. 'Cept I dun care 'bout no lan's 'xistence."

Looking over to some of his men, he said, "Go 'n look fer 'er. She can't've gone far."

Some of the black-clad men nodded and rushed off toward the village.

"As fer you two," the eyepatched man said, looking back at Elva and Lanu, "I's be highly suggestin' ya be stoppin' yer search fer 'er." He held up his cutlass to get his point across.


Senhild
Eringaard Magocracy

Gold can persuade all manners of men, and those of Senhild were no different. Unusual and menacing as the woman and her entourage appeared, the coins made a bigger impression on the locals, and it would certainly not be passed up if all they had to do was put up with the weird strangers for a little while.

Orome and Kiten still garnered a lot of curious stares, but now that their fanged mount was no longer causing a ruckus within the tavern, things were starting to settle down again. Those assembled in the stables watched with wide eyes the strange meat-eating creature kept there.

Aside from the arrival of the visitors, little else seemed to be happening in the quiet town of Senhild, and the night progressed without incident.


South of Eavana
Gaireth Protectorate

As Nald parted the grain stalks in front of him, he looked down and saw what appeared to be a small wolf; a mere whelp. Its fur coating was still soft and fuzzy from infancy, and it was busy gnawing at something.

Upon closer inspection, Nald could see some kind of black root arching out of the ground, and one of the baby wolf's forelegs appears to be trapped in it. The wolf was trying to pull the root away with its mouth so that it could free its leg, but to no avail.

The black root itself did not appear to be anything Nald was familiar with, especially with no trees close enough for it to belong to.

Penrhyn
Gaireth Protectorate

Seeing Fayalin's strange reaction at the door, Yarin stepped over and tried to peek out of the crack in the doorway as well. "What's going on?"

The mother was splitting her attention between taking care of Kavlin as instructed and looking over at the other two at the doorway, although most of her attention was on her son.


Eavana
Gaireth Protectorate

The man with the long, black hair continued walking with his steady gait and disappeared around the corner of an alley. A nearby weed on the ground wilted dry and crumbled to pieces.

William began drinking large amounts of water after he finished the wine, and made it to the out closet to relieve himself before getting back, this time starting to stumble. "It's no magic, my friend. I simply know that if I drink it quickly enough, and have recently eaten, the drink will only start to affect me after I have finished it. However, I do feel it coming on, and were it not for the large amounts of water, then in the morning I'd have a splitting headache. As it is, I won't be in the best condition, but I'll be ambulatory, and potent. That is enough."

So finished with explaining the "feat," William slowly made it to his small bedchamber, quickly passing out on the small and somewhat firm bed.

Nald paused for a second and looked closely at what it was doing. This young wolf certainly did not look like the creature that emitted that deathly howl. As he intently looked at it, Nald could now see that it was stuck. Now was the question of what he should do. He could simply leave it here or help.

Coming to a quick decision, Nald slowly walked up to the young wolf, then he got on his knees. He carefully watched the wolf to make sure that he wasn't bitten. Once he looked down at the root, he noticed that it was nothing that he had seen before. Nald pulled the root and let the wolf be free.

Thibault cleared his throat as to speak in a more proper tongue.

"I don't care about the land, and as a rule of thumb, I don't care about anything but myself." He replied turning his blade vertically. An archer slid in from the corner of his eye.

Those bandits will make good distractions, and I'm fast enough to move in and around these trees like a ghost. I'd close in from all sides on 'em and slit their throats.

"I've got you pegged lady. You're not accustomed to battle are you? You fear death, not just your own, but the death of the lands. How pathetic." Thibault added tightening the grip on his sword.

Looking over to some of his men, he said, "Go 'n look fer 'er. She can't've gone far."

Some of the black-clad men nodded and rushed off toward the village.

"As fer you two," the eyepatched man said, looking back at Elva and Lanu, "I's be highly suggestin' ya be stoppin' yer search fer 'er." He held up his cutlass to get his point across.

Penrhyn
Gaireth Protectorate

"I guess that means she is near..." Elva said as she turned to Lanu, ignoring the threat of the eyepatched man. This encounter, the third of the day with men, reminded her of their inferiority and why she despised such peoples. The mystery of who Faylin was, was growing in her mind; just how did everyone know of her?

She noticed some of the men dash off into the forest, no doubt in search of Faylin as the eyepatched man had asked. Her eyes darted to the right as the men disappeared behind brush and tree. But they would not find the forest to be so hospitable. Heavy tree branches swung at the men's bodies, catching them off guard as they ran past. Sharp thorns on bushes seemed to be bushed outward at them as they tried to make their way through. Roots picked up from the ground, tripping them, and the very essence of nature seemed to be attacking them...

Screams echoed across the tree trunks...

"I've got you pegged lady. You're not accustomed to battle are you? You fear death, not just your own, but the death of the lands. How pathetic."

"Oh there are much greater things than death that I fear in life..." she responded quickly. But then there was some feeling of the fear of death in the immortal elf's mind... so far from her home - she thought - and without the protection of Allekar...

Penrhyn
Gaireth Protectorate

Most of the black-leathered men who were sent to search for Fayalin were impeded by the trees and bushes. Their cries of surprise and pain rang out at both sides of the main group, causing those still remaining to look about uncertainly. A few however, managed to get out of the treeline before getting too banged up, as the group was already near the boundary separating the forest from the village. Wisely, they decided not to go back into the forest to help their comrades.

"What ar'ya doin'!? Stoppit!" the eyepatched man demanded of Elva, knowing she was somehow behind the screams of his men. Without waiting for an answer, he waved his cutlass in her and Lanu's general direction and shouted to his men, "Surroun'em!"

With just a little bit of hesitation, the men that were left slowly approached the two newcomers, their eyes looking around constantly in case whatever caused the screams of the others should come after them next.

"I'm not bein' out fer yer blood, but I ain't oppose' t'it if'n ya don't be stoppin'. Now."

Meanwhile, one of the men who made it to the village before being attacked by the forest charged the nearest door, which happened to belong to Yarin's house. Yarin grabbed Fayalin and pulled her to the side as a kick sent the weak door swinging on its hinges and crashing into the wall behind it. Standing at the door was a black-leathered man with a machete in one hand. "I'm looking for a woman named Fay'lin. Help me and I'll let you live."

A few other men were running and breaking into other houses nearby as well.


Senhild
Eringaard Magocracy

The sun dawned bright and cheery the next morning. There was not a cloud in the sky, though a distant rumble could still be heard on occasion for those paying attention.

Rumor of some strange lady in strange garments had already spread throughout the town, and the few people that were in the tavern at this early hour were discussing their theories about who this lady could be. But of course, their conversations were immediately hushed if any of them saw one of the mages from the night before.


South of Eavana
Gaireth Protectorate

The young wolf limped whenever it put the formerly trapped foreleg down on the ground and whimpered. It stopped after a short while and just sat down, looking up at Nald like a lost puppy would, still whimpering slightly.

A few stray clouds passed in front of the round moon, casting shadows across the fields every now and then.

Fairly clear which of the two factions Thibault would side with.

"This Fayalin you're looking for." He began drawing a grin. "I can lead you to her, my friend is watching after her in a cabin not far away."

Truth is he had lost track of Tovius, but he was more concerned about what he would do with such a threat. She was dangerous, and a forward attack would be foolish. His mind was wrapped on how exactly he would turn around and stab her.

Catch her off guard. Lead her and when she comes within arms reach...

However, these two had same mysterious aura as Fayalin. Utterly indescribable, all he knew was that they were special. The same kind of special as Tovius and his father. Regardless he was more focused on exactly how to kill the two.

Having gone to sleep before the others, it was only natural that William woke up first as well. Arising as the morning star sat in the sky, he spent the first hour and a half emptying his bladder and drinking water to kill the headache from the night before. Reaching a state approaching normalcy, he went to the local stables and purchased for himself a well stood stallion. He was by no means an expert when it came to equestrian matters, though the stable, not wanting to suffer his wrath, did not try to steal his money. It was big, though by no means comparable to the Helcorn.

Going back to the inn, he took his breakfast in silence, waiting for both his companions to join him and to see his new acquiantances off should they be travelling seperate ways.

Nald started to walk off, but looked back. It was not right just to leave that poor young hurt wolf there. He went back and slowly picked it up. If he did not take it, then it would surely die. Nald knew that somehow he was destined to meet with this wolf. Carefully he held the wolf in both of his hands, and he remembered that he still had to find his sister. So he continued further into the wheat field.

Penrhyn, Gaireth Protectorate

Fayalin tore her gaze away from the crack between the door and frame for a moment to look at Yarin, mounting fear visible on her face as she listened to the exchange between the bandits and the legionnaire’s companion. She was certain he would sell her out if it seemed like the best way out of his situation, regardless of what his legionnaire friend thought, especially since the soldier wasn’t there.

“They’re dressed like the men who kidnapped me,” she told Yarin, her voice trembling slightly. The appearance of two other people confused her, but the confusion was quickly replaced with shock when the new arrivals also appeared to be looking for her. Her mounting fear gnawed away at her as she watched. “How do they all know who I am?” she whispered apprehensively to herself, “Why are they all looking for me?”

A number of screams caused her to try and shift her gaze to locate the source and reason, but she couldn’t see anything from the narrow field of view she had. From the exchange that followed it though, it appeared to be the work of one of the new arrivals. She froze when she spotted one of the bandits heading straight for Yarin’s house, and would have been discovered instantly if not for Yarin pulling her aside and pushing her out of sight. As the brigand announced his purpose to Yarin, Fayalin held her breath and stood frozen in terror, not daring to make a sound.

"I'm not bein' out fer yer blood, but I ain't oppose' t'it if'n ya don't be stoppin'. Now."

Penrhyn
Gaireth Protectorate

"This Fayalin you're looking for." He began drawing a grin. "I can lead you to her, my friend is watching after her in a cabin not far away."

"Brilliant then..." Elva replied to the man who she had decided she liked more than the others. Especially now that they were surrounding her and Lanu.

"Take the archers..." she whispered quietly to Lanu without moving her mouth or head to reveal anything. As the men closed in carefully around her, she debated her possible responses. Fleeing would probably just get Lanu killed and who knew about that other man who promised to help her. With so many enemies in strategic positions around them, she decided that only brute strength and intimidation would suffice...

Right before all of their eyes, the strangest event began to unfold. The beautiful young elf that stood before them with a dangerous glint in her eyes slowly faded as the form of a giant Kodiak Bear took her place. Standing at roughly ten feet on its [her] hind legs and weighing in at over a ton and a half, Elva had become a frightening example of nature's power. In what must of been a state of shock for the surrounding men, Elva released a powerful, limb-shaking roar as she charged at the two men with swords, clawed paws swinging wildly...

The elf's sweet voice had begun to grow on the old killer. It reminded him of Kora, whom he had abandoned to the swords of attacking legionaries. The woman who until that day had been carrying his first child, the woman he loved, but was too proud to ever even accept it.

Kill them to survive. You must!...This feeling, this aura around them. I can't.

By the time Thibault had come to his sense a wild bear was shredding through the rogues. Fear overcame him, a man who had seen it all was too frightened to move. He had begun to worry for the sweet elf.

The bowstring twanged softly twice as arrows embedded themselves in the skulls of the two archers that had been accosting Lanu and Elva. Lanu was about to nock another arrow when the other men began to run away. Unsure as to what had frightened them, he looked behind himself and saw the giant bear. Never in the jungles of Korovir had he encountered such a ferocious beast. He backed away slowly looking for a sign of where Elva had gone, fearing for her safety.

Finding Orome occupied, Kiten decided to take the liberty to 'socialize'. Since elves tended to less sleep than most he was in the taproom at early hours and thus learning of the gossips. None had, as yet, mentioned the 'servant' as more than perhaps a groom or somesuch for a lady travelling discreetly. While not ideal, it was better than some nosy busybody prying.

Changing places to a darker corner of the room as one of the three from earlier arrived, he fidgetted. Where another might have squirmed in his seat or twiddled his thumbs, Kiten applied various concotions to a few of his darts and needles, however he did it effectively blind as he kept his hands beneth the table and did it solely by feel.

Penrhyn
Gaireth Protectorate

The two archers were dead before they could fire off a shot, their arrows zipping off in random directions. The other men screamed as the bear came after them, running away toward the village rather than facing the creature.

At Yarin's house, the black-clad man waited for an answer, but when both Fayalin and Yarin seemed frozen in place, he shrugged and said, "Well, guess that means you're not cooperating." He hefted the machete up, ready to slice it down on Yarin between the neck and the shoulder. After all, he was looking for a woman, not a man; Yarin was expendable.

Before he could bring it down on the villager, Tovius came up from behind and smacked him across the back of his head with the butt of a shortsword. The man's eyes rolled to the top of his head and fell limply to the floor.

An arrow zipped by Tovius' head and glanced off of his helmet. The legionnaire brought his red shield up in the direction the arrow came from, keeping himself safely behind it save for his eyes, which peeked over the top. He charged the archer while another arrow was being reloaded, but the archer ran off instead.

Seeing movement at the edge of his vision, Tovius paused by a house and looked around just in time to see a particularly large but dumb-looking man slam right into him. The large man knocked him clear off his feet and through the wall of the house, which happened to belong to Fayalin. Wood splintered and hay was falling down from the newly made hole in the side of the house as the large man peered inside to see what condition the legionnaire was in.


South of Eavana
Gaireth Protectorate

The baby wolf started sniffing Nald's hand as it tried to balance itself to keep from falling off. It would lick an occasional spot on the boy's hand, then gave a small yelp.

But then another growling started up, and this time not from the wolf pup. A fully grown she-wolf slipped silently through the field and glared up at Nald, her eyes reflecting the bright moonlight. Her fangs were bared as she growled again at the human.

Viktor had remained silent for most of the evening before and listened to the others without really contributing anything while he pondered what they were going to do next.

In the morning he awoken by William leaving the room, but did not stir for some time as he reexamined his thoughts from the night before and his impression of the strange people who had appeared in there room.

Eventually he rose, used a small spell to freshen his clothes and made his way down to the common room to order some breakfast. Seeing William already there he joined him at the table.

William greeted Viktor as he sat. "I've been thinking about our next course of action. If we're travelling into Gaireth lands, I can't be seen entering with you. I've acquired a horse, and I have the riding gear, so I'll travel away from you and Icarus. The Gaireth officials may still remember that assignment that the Council gave to Henry Daneson and I Spring before last." Viktor had been present when the mission was assigned, as well as recording the statements after. It had been nearly eighteen months since, but it was still one that William remembered in detail.

He and a pyromancer, Henry, had been sent out to the border to watch the spring movements of half of a legion that had wintered conspicuously close to the border. When the soldiers changed into bandit gear, and began riding out in parties, they realized what was going on. The soldiers would act as highway men, and do some pillaging, enough to "justify" the legion's presence and to set the stage for some land acquisition in order to bring the bandits in line.

They had dealt with the issue swiftly. By over pulsing the clouds, William started a rainstorm from a position up the small river valley where the legion was camped. It tired him out, but the precipitation was all that Henry needed. By blasting through the levees that had been built, the camp was flooded when most of the raiding parties had returned. Their retreat to Eringaard lands had been dogged by some of the survivors, and the pattern of the storm was recognizable. If William returned, and did anything similar, those with a decent memory would realize just who he was. Thus he was motivated to seperate from Viktor and Icarus until in a region more populated, and thus less volatile.

"What do you think?" he asked of the venerable man.

Viktor nodded gravely, he remembered the mission William mentioned well enough to see the need for it, although he was not pleased with the idea. "It makes sense, have you considered how you will cross the borders without drawing too much attention to yourself?" He himself had been thinking about how he and Icarus would present themselves at the border.

He chewed thoughtfully on his breakfast before adding: "When do you plan to seperate from us? and do you have any suggestions as to how we should meet up?" Williams experience in these matters was far greater than Viktor's, who had hardly ever travelled far from the capitol and only had second hand experience with these matters.

Senhild
Eringaard Magocracy

There were gasps and shuffling of chairs from the tavern's patrons as an apparition appeared in the middle of the room. The woman who met Viktor in the fields the previous evening now stood there in her foreign dress, looking at Viktor and William, but not exactly at them. Like with yesterday, her eyes seemed distant and unfocused on the two she was looking at.

"Time is scarce, and your chances become scarcer still if tally you should. That which you seek cannot be found in the day - only in night will such be revealed. You must find that which you seek in one week's time lest all be for naught."

She disappeared back into the air, and several of the early morning patrons scrambled out of the tavern.

"The border is about a day's ride from here. There are paths that I've used before, ones that go through the woods, and are less guarded where the border definitions are difficult to identify. I can slip in without much trouble. You're an officer of the Council, though. You've got the diplomatic immunity to get in, and Icarus's record is considerably more pleasing to the humanitarian eye. I figure that between that, and all the tact one such as yourself needs to survive in your position, you can get yourself in." The other issue that was brought up was more troubling.

Continuing with his breakfast, William thought over the constraints. "I'll seperate and travel through the foothills. The trail branches not far, so I should be gone by noon. I have the garb, and enough experience traveling through Gaireth, to pass inspection. I talked to the stable hand when I bought my horse. Eavana is two days from the border, and well marked. Given an extra day for getting through without trouble, that means we meet up on the fourth night. I'll meet Icarus on the western side of the village. He's a very proficient geomancer, so he'll find me." It was by no means an ideal situation. But it would have to do.

He was about to go upstairs when the woman appeared. As she left, he looked at the faces staring intently at he and Viktor. This changed things. He recognized prophecy when he saw it. "Viktor, I'm leaving as soon as I can. Tell Icarus to keep an ear to the ground, and an eye to the sky. Listen and watch for my sign. If those horses can be pushed, I'd suggest you do so."

In the chaos the attackers had begun running in all directions. Many past their old enemy.Thibault violently plunged his sword into the stomach of a man clad in black. The man's eyes wide in disbelief.

"You're one of us..." He quivered before being thrown into the woods.

Now to take care of that damn bear.

The animal had seemed obsessed with the bandits, as if they had taken one of her pups. Either way Thibault knew the creature needed to be put down, lest it continue towards Tovius. Sprinting over the dismembered bodies he made a strike for the rear of the beast. A single lunge that would disabled one of the Kodiak's hind legs.

"I was planning to go through the borders as normal, i will think up a suitable excuse." Viktor said nodding his agreement. "The fourth night it is then, i will explain the situation to Icarus."

He paused and looked slightly startled as he recognised the woman who appeared. He had been sure there was something magical about her, but even so, it was rare to see such a thing especially in the circumstances.

Viktor nodded at William. "I don't think Icarus and I will tarry long behind you. May Heimlin aid you and Lündell favour you in your journey." He quickly devoured the rest of his breakfast before hurrying upstairs to apprise Icarus of the situation.

As Viktor left, William bade him farewell. "May the All-Maker's designs protect you on your journey." After Viktor was gone, William sat with the hooded assassin.

"I don't want the bard travelling with me. You, on the other hand, are capable of taking care of yourself. I don't trust you, mostly because my friend thinks you're an assassin. My gut tells me to agree. But it also tells me that you're not after my head, so thus, I have no quarrel with you. Whether you are after the lady is none of my business. If you are, so be it, I am not here to interfere. Just carry this message. I leave for Eavana in an hour. If you, the lady, or both of you wish to accompany me, by all means, do so. I'm sure you heard my discussion with my friend. And just to be up front with you, my job is to find out what's causing the crop plague." He stood, and as he left, turned back to Kiten. "An hour," he repeated.

William knew Viktor had most of the purse given by the Council, so he allowed the historian to pick up the tab. Taking his belongings, he took his saddle from the carriage, and led his horse to the eastern gate of the town.

Nald heard another growl and just thought that it was the baby wolf, but stopped dead in his tracks once he saw the she-wolf. This was definitely more threaten than the creature that he held in his hands. Nald nervously looked at the wolf. It could easily kill Nald with one strike. Sweat rolled down his head as he continued to look at the wolf.

He wondered why this she-wolf was here. Then he remembered the baby wolf. Slowly he set the young wolf down and started to back up. This was just a concerned mother that was worried about its child. Nald knew that his own mother would have done the same. He then started to make a slow retreat the same way he came.

Penrhyn
Gaireth Protectorate

"Le's git outta 'ere!" the eyepatched man shouted at the big and dumb-looking one as he ran through the village and away from the bear. The big one gaped at the eyepatched man and lumbered after him.

With a groan, Tovius stumbled back out of the hole in Fayalin's house and looked around for the attacker that was no longer there. Thibault suddenly came to the forefront of his thoughts and he ran back to where he had last seen the ex-legionnaire. As he rounded the corner of Yarin's house, his eyes widened upon seeing the bear and Thibault trying to take it on by himself.

He saw his two javelins, which he had left beside Yarin's exterior wall just prior to sneaking up behind and knocking out the black-clad man with the machete. Grabbing them, Tovius ran toward Thibault and the bear, and hefted one up in readiness to launch it at the bear attacking Thibault once the opening presented itself.

Sprinting over the dismembered bodies he made a strike for the rear of the beast. A single lunge that would disabled one of the Kodiak's hind legs.

Penrhyn
Gaireth Protectorate

With the attackers fleeing wildly, scared out of their minds by the appearance of a savage Kodiak bear, Elva found her job done. Morphing into animal form was tiring as it was, bear-form even more so than others, but with the added weight of the day's events, she found herself weary and tired. Thus when her giant bear eyes caught sight of the last men fleeing, she began making the change back into her normal elf-form...

Her massive thighs and calves - those of the bear - slowly transformed back into their normal, fine, delicate legs... however, though the blade of her would-be ally was aimed at a much larger target, as she morphed back, it still managed to catch her on the back of the thigh. Had Thibault known that the bear would disappear and made his cut accordingly, the situation could have been much, much worse. Instead of a limbless Elva though, she merely received a deep painful gash.

Falling to the ground in weariness and pain, Elva let out a gasp and scream of pain as blood dripped onto the ground...

Looking from the limp, bleeding form of Elva to Thibault, Lanu exclaimed, "Idiot! What were you thinking?"

He flew into action, retrieving cloth from the dead archers and then quickly bandaging her leg. He picked her up carefully and set out in the direction he had gathered the village was. The forest seemed to open before him to make his travel easier. He looked down at the beautiful, unconscious form in his arms and then back at the trees that bent out of his way. It was as if the forest itself cared for Elva and wanted to see her taken to care.

Coming out of the forest, he made his way to the first house he saw. He banged on the door and called out, "I need help! I need to find a healer!"

The bear was...how?

"Hrmph. It's just a scratch." Thibault grunted before turning away. He wanted to apologize, but that soon became utterly unthinkable.

"Idiot! What were you thinking?"

"If she was any bit skilled she would have dodged it, at least slightly." He scowled before walking in the opposite direction.

Penrhyn, Gaireth Protectorate

Fayalin remained frozen in place as the brigand raised his weapon to cut down Yarin, unable to move herself or force herself to speak out to stop the action. Nor did she move when the brigand suddenly crumpled under a blow by the legionnaire. Before any of them could say anything, an arrow narrowly missed him and he quickly disappeared to deal with the archer. When control of her limbs eventually returned, she moved so she could watch what was happening outside again.

A scream, followed a short time later by a cry for help and, more significantly, a healer, brought Fayalin out of her near trance-like state. She went back to Kavlin’s bedside and gathered her things into her bag as quickly as she could.
“Take the herbs out of the water and try and get him to drink it,” she instructed his mother. “It should help break his fever,” she explained as she stood up again. “Bring me the cold water,” she told Yarin as she passed him on her way out the door.

“I’m a healer,” called Fayalin in response as she ran over to the man holding an apparently unconscious woman, who she assumed was the person needing her attention. “What’s…” She caught the question before it really got started, having spotted the bloodstained bandage on the woman’s leg. “Put her down on her front,” she told the man sharply. Once he had done so, she untied the bandage carefully to inspect the wound, though instead of removing the bandage entirely, she moved it up the leg slightly and used it to apply a tourniquet to temporarily staunch the flow of blood while she worked on the wound. The cut was deep, but clean, so after she had washed and bound it, it should heal well enough as long as it was allowed to. She removed a cloth from her bag and looked around to see where Yarin was with the water.

Lanu was incredibly relieved when someone came to his aid so quickly. "Thank you, thank you," he said softly thanking both his ancestors who he hoped still ingered and the girl who had helped him. As the girl worked and his sense of danger diminished, he realized that he had no real way of paying the healer for her services. Thinking it better to be up front about it, he said, "I have only these beads to offer for this help you have given us. I hope that will suffice."

Orome sauntered down the stairs feeling much better than she had the night before. She'd gotten a good sleep under her belt after a long bath to clean every speck of salt and dirt off of her. And her freshly laundered clothes made a huge differernce as well. In travelling kimono, hakama, and a well tailored haori she felt prepared to face anything as she ented the inn's taproom, intent on nothing more than breaking her fast.

She noticed the man she owed a ham to leaving, after speaking with a figure unseen but in a cloak she recognized. The drow and one of the three from the night before had been conversing. Orome briefly wondered what about but with a small shrug decided that it was none of her business. After taking a seat at an empty table along one wall, she gave her breakfast order to a passing servant wench "A thick slice of ham, eggs scrambled, biscuits and honey. Hot tea and fresh fruit."

Penrhyn
Gaireth Protectorate

Tovius was pulling his right arm back to throw the javelin when the bear transformed into the figure of a woman. His arm froze as he saw what happened, a puzzled expression forming on his face. Lowering the arm and the javelin, the legionnaire watched as a dark man carried the unconscious woman toward the village, asking for help.

"What in the names of the gods?" Tovius muttered. Looking to the edge of the forest and seeing Thibault stalking off, Tovius jogged after the other man. He slowed down just slightly when he saw the dead bodies of a few black-leathered men, but then continued on toward Thibault.

"I've secured us a long canoe," the centurion said upon catching up to his friend. "It's a little big for just the two of us, but it'll do."

He looked back at the dead bodies and the two newcomers being aided by Fayalin. "Who are they?" he tilted his head at Lanu and Elva.

Meanwhile, Yarin's wife was shaking a bit when Fayalin's command snapped her out of it. Nodding to the healer, the wife scooped out the herbs and poured some of the steaming water into a wooden cup to bring to her son's lips.

Yarin did not want to have the unconscious man still in his house, in case he should wake up and threaten everyone again. Kicking the machete away, Yarin first dragged the unconscious man outside, then instructed his wife to lock the door after he left. Picking up the bucket of cold water, he followed after Fayalin while constantly looking back at the knocked-out attacker lying face-down in the dirt outside the house.


Senhild
Eringaard Magocracy

The server was still a little spooked at what she just saw and was walking over to the innkeeper when Orome stopped her. Blinking a few times, the girl then realized what Orome was trying to do. "Oh, uh, sorry, miss. Honey's scarce in these parts, and I don't think there's a single fresh fruit in the entire region. All the farm crops have been dying, you see."

A small man dressed slightly better than the other commoners came through the front door. Warryn Anvers looked around, and upon not seeing any of the mages in the common area, made a bee-line for the stairs that led up to Viktor's and Icarus' room. Upon reaching their room, he knocked on the door a few times.


South of Eavana
Gaireth Protectorate

The she-wolf continued growling at Nald as she took a few careful steps forward. Once Nald had backed up enough, she lowered her head and used her mouth to pick up the infant wolf around the neck. The she-wolf glared at Nald again before turning around and disappearing back into the field.

But then more low, growling sounds could be heard all around Nald as several more wolves appeared through the grain stalks. The rest of the pack had surrounded him. They eyed Nald hungrily.

Viktor closed the door somewhat loudly when he entered the bedroom and prodded Icarus with the base of his staff. "Wakey wakey. Time is short and we have needs make haste to Eavana. William is going on ahead due to certain past events in Gaireth lands he has to take the road less travelled. We will be sticking to the main roads and going as an official envoy. Any objections?"

He moved over to his pack and dug out a map and marked the route to Eavana, looking for places where a detour might shorten the journey. After a few minutes he returned it to his pack with a dissatisfied frown and reached into his pocket, digging out the coin purse given to him by the council. There was still an ample amount of coin in it and he had other means of gathing money if it came to it.

He had just tucked it back into his pocket when he heard a knocking at the door. He hurried over and opened it quite freely, seeing Anvers standing there he gave the man a nod and said: "Morning sir, is there something we can help you with?"

"...Any objections?"

Icarus groaned, "Only to being poked with that bloody staff of yours." Slowly, he rolled over and fell out of the bed, picking himself up and grabbing the pitcher of water that had appeared with the food from the night before. He took a deep swig, and then poured the remainder over his head. Now fully awake, he said, "D'accord. Seems like a good enough plan, although, how are we to find William when we get to Eavana?"

Senhild
Eringaard Magocracy

"Master Zhalfus, I heard the woman reappeared in the tavern," the soft spoken Warryn Anvers said. "She said that time was running out, yes? Running out for what, do you know? Our fields? What do you intend to do? Any way that my humble resources can be of aid?"

Viktor couldn't help but smile at Icarus's response. "William said to keep your ear to the ground and your eyes to the sky, you will know when he is near, though he plans to approach from the west." Casting another glance around the room looking for anything he had missed he said: "I would recommend that you ready yourself, we have a few days hard travel ahead of us and we will rest only when it is of the utmost importance." He couldn't help but wince slightly at the thought of it, it was extremely rare that he had to embark on these journeys.

In response to Anvers, Zhalfus shrugged calmly, there wasn't much point in lying, though there was also no need to tell the whole truth. In his most rational and reasuring tone he stated: "We are already acting on the womans warning, she guides us to Eavana and so we shall follow. Know that the blight that infects you're fields is not isolated and rest assured that several of the most capable mages in the world have been dispatched to rectify this problem and we shall do our best." It wasn't too far from the truth and he did not plan to explain further.

He tilted his head slighty doing a mental checklist of what they might need on the trip before answering Anvers last question. "We should be well stocked for our journey. Use your resources to keep the people calm and do what you can to save the crops. We will aid however we can before we depart, but we can not stay here longer than necessary. Thank you for the kind offer however."

He paused for another moment, glancing heavenward briefly as if in thought before asking in a more somber tone. "Is there a shrine to the god's in the village?"

Kiten smiled at seeing Orome as he now wouldn't need to disturbe her and would get to 'drop' the decision into her lap. He was somewhat interested in following the man, more so he could find the friend and question him than anything else. As he got up and walked over toward her, he did wonder if the surface-worlder problems were related to his own assignment and if they were how he'd get others to do the grunt work.

"Greetings and good morn Mistress. The one who refered to himself as William, who you are indebted ham to, has a proposition that he desired put to you. He invited us to travel with him to a place called Eavana and states his departure is in one hour. He also claims he seeks to a solution to the problems that are affecting crops." He said in a quiet voice after the servant had departed with her order. He remained standing and would stay so unless given leave to be seated or dismissed.

Senhild
Eringaard Magocracy

"Ah, yes, yes," Anvers nodded, understanding the need for haste. If he disapproved of the idea that the mages were following the strange woman's advice to leave Senhild and go to a Gaireth town instead, he gave no indication of it.

When asked the question, the edge of his lips twitched ever so slightly at the term "village" being applied to his town. "There is a chapel in the northeast quarter of the town."

Nald's expression turned one from relief to quickly one of bewilderment. This was just going to top of the whole night. Now a pack of wolves wanted to take a midnight snack, but Nald wasn't going to let that happen. He looked around at each of the wolves, and took a big gulp. This was definitely not going to be a piece of cake to get out of. He wondered if these beasts had already gotten Caeli. Right now he had to hope for the best, and think about the situation at hand.

Now was the time of action. Nald leaped forward at a wolf and quickly picked it up. The wolf was overhead, but was soon thrown straight into another of its pack. Nald then quickly ran into the field.

Icarus hadn't really unpacked anything, but did take the time to use a small spell to dry his clothes.

He turned to Anvers, "I'll do what I can to decrease the effects this blight is having on your crops."

Walking out from the room and through the dining area, he exited the inn. Slowly, he walked to the edge of the fields, taking down his mental barriers as he went. The pain rose in his head, but this time he savored it, tasted it, held it close like a lover. He communed with the earth so that he might find the balm that he could apply to ease its suffering. Slowly, he knelt and place his hands on the ground at the edge of the fields. He began an incantation under his breath, using the language of rock and stone, "Dach tar nach, dach tar rohka, dach tar deirta, vitach witeth cuolect, witeth litach, puracht Entinemet!"

His voice rumbled like a far off rock slide as the earth beneath him trembled like a living thing. Suddenly, all was still as the pain in the earth was soothed. Rolling over and falling on his back, Icarus blinked several times. The spell had taken far more out of him than he had expected. He lay there for a few moments looking at the sky before he rose to his feet. He looked out over the field to see small green shoots beginning to poke up through the soil.

Smiling, he made his way back to the inn before settling heavily into a seat in the dining area. Feebly waving a servant over he ordered some water, and then surveyed the other occupants of the inn. The woman from the previous night sat with her assassin companion not far away. He raised his hand and waved them towards him.

"Honey scarce and no fruit? Has some one cursed your fields?" In her homelands such things were uncommon but known of. "Hmmm then just ham and eggs. I'll also need your best smoked ham, wrapped for travel, and several loaves of travel bread. I'll be leaving shortly." Orome intended destination was the capital, and hearing that the region was close to suffering famine made her disinclined to stay.

"Greetings and good morn Mistress. The one who refered to himself as William, who you are indebted ham to, has a proposition that he desired put to you. He invited us to travel with him to a place called Eavana and states his departure is in one hour. He also claims he seeks to a solution to the problems that are affecting crops."


"Sit down, you hovering over me makes me think I am back at my father's court." Orome cocked her head as she thought on what he'd said. "Well I've ordered the ham, but why does he want a complete stranger to come with him to investigate cursed fields? I know nothing of farming." That wasn't exactly true, one learned a lot in one hundred plus years of living, but she'd never made a formal study of agriculture.

Her gaze sharpened "What I am curious about is why You are on the surface? It's instant death, if you are discovered, in most every place here beneath the sun. So tell me why." She didn't put command into her voice, but it was more than a mere request.

She noted the quiet man from the night before moving exhaustedly into the inn. His obvious weariness made her frown, and when he waved them over she nodded and held up a hand signalling that she'd be there in just a moment. She wanted to hear the Drows answer first..and to learn his name.

"Oh and what IS your name?"

"If I were to hazard a guess, than he seeks perhaps additional protection for he seems to be splitting with his earlier comrads and your prior companion would make a formidable deterent to bandits and thier ilk or perhaps he seeks to lure you into the wilds and set upon you." Kiten replied, for by the time they made it out of childhood dark elves had developed a quite healthy sense of paranoia and became use to looking a situation from multiple angles to better determain where the poison or dagger might be located.

He looked at her curiously thought it was less than obvious as his hood obscured much about his facial expressions.

"The reason given is that something related to the actions of your kind is disturbing that which is important to my kind. Of course it is quite natural that there are many more reasons that I have not be given." He replied as he had any number of valid and in all likelyhood factual but they weren't the official reason and thus he felt no need to share them. "My name, the full name is Bean'le Kiten Letas. That which I was refered to by those who I grew with is Kiten."

"You are as round about as a wind spinner, aren't you Kiten." Orome practically choked with laughter at his name."I however prefer more direct speak and action. Is something affecting your food sources as well? And they sent a male to check it out? They must not be too concerned. Or they sent you out so as to see you dead with none to take the blame" She did not mean to be insulting, it was just her assessment of how the drow - from what she knew of them- looked at thing. To Drow females, nothing of great importance was to be intreusted to males.

Orome paued as the serving wench brought her her breakfast, but before she began eating she looked sharply at Kiten. "Did they give you funds and equipement? You seem to have little in the way of supplies, unless you are hiding a backpack under that cloak. Have you eaten this morning?"

"I've secured us a long canoe,"

Thibault muttered something incoherent while keeping his back to Tovius.

She helped us, she effectively saved Tovius when I couldn't. Still I almost killed her. Pathetic...pathetic...I am pathetic.

The leather of his hilt squealed as Thibault began crushing it under his grip.

Kill them. Kill them all. Take their goods, start over.

The thought was pleasing. Thibault wanted nothing more but to erase anyone who might remember this moment.

Thump. Thump. Thump, Thump, WHUMP!

The sound of Selim's body falling down the stairs was quite distinct; his large bag quickly followed him with a couple more bangs and crashes, landing unceremoniously on his head. Shaking the heavy pack off him with great effort, he stumbled around confusedly, looking around the inn while trying to keep his balance, barely succeeding. Spotting Orome and the Drow, he nearly collapsed in front of them.

"Uhh....I feel dead. At least I would be better off dead." He shook his head, attempting to clear it of his obviously gigantic alcohol-induced headache. Worried that Orome might grant his wish, he suddenly produced a tiny golden flask with what appeared to be an accompanying eye dropper of some sort. "Good thing I have a secret cure!" Squeezing the dropper into the flask, he produced a single drop of a milky white substance before taking a peek inside the tiny flask.

"Huh. Only two or three drops left...well, can't say I don't need it." Shutting his eyes tightly, he squeezed the dropper yet again, and the liquid fell into his mouth. For a moment, nothing happened; then, Selim started to shake violently as he fell over, much to the alarm of the Inn patrons around him. For about ten seconds, he rolled and writhed in what seemed to be horrible agony before....

THHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB!

The greatest human-produced wind this side of the Wastes suddenly emitted itself from Selim's nether regions-around the south entrance, to be precise. The ghastly smell wafted through the air, poisoning drinks and causing quite a bit of disgust from the others in the room. Right as rain and apparently not affected by the awful stench, Selim hopped up, as if fully refreshed, shaking the minuscule flask excitedly.

"Would you believe it? A cure for hangovers! I got it from a Dwarven alchemist friend up north a few years back-that was before he got eaten by a dragon, of course. This was the last of his stores. Lucky I got my hands on it, eh? Too bad it's almost empty now..."

"I do not know the precise nature of the disturbence thought I did not notice anything in the way of food shortages." He replied, a faint evasion for he knew more than he had said. "I am quite skilled in my fields thought it is also quite likely that should I fall there will be those who are pleased and not just those who fear I seek thier positions."

"It is not likely that those who would personally like my head have the skill nor the influence amongst thier mistresses to send me out like this. There are also easier ways to do it, such as the other races of the Underdark. But no, little in the way of supplies as you might think of them but many of that which makes me most effective."

As he was about to answer her question about food his stomach growled slightly revealing the truth before he had a chance to deny or confirm anything. While trained to survive on little, his body had gotten use to regular imput of consumables and protested the lack. The sight and stench of the man made Kiten quite likely to grant the man his request of death but he figured that many others had first claim, Orome not least of all as she was the nearest at the time. Fortunately most assassins that had any use for poison tended to build up something of an immunity to the whole group of hazardous products so he was less bothered by the noxious stench than he may have been. It still left him somewhat queasy but not anything like it could have.

Orome was about to order breakfast for Kten when Selim tumbled down the stairs. She went pale as the minstrel farted a nearly lethal gas and stood, her face tight with disgust. Looking at Kiten she ignored Selim and his comments completely. "Come with me, I think we will enjoy breakfast outside rather than inside." If she stayed, the temptation to slay the odoriferous man might be too great.

Waiving down the waitress she once again placed her original breakfast order of eggs ham and biscuits " For two, and a pot of stew, and a pound or two of good sharp cheese as well as the travel bread and ham I first spoke of, packed for travel as well if you please. I'll be leaving within the hour."

Orome didn't fear that the man from last night would try to set on her. She could take care of him if he tried anything, but she did want to ask him why he felt he needed her company, and if he could affort it. She'd played bodyguard before and knew what a good one, such as herself, charged. Though he wasn't going in the direction she intended, it might be of interest to her.

She headed towards Icarus without a backwards glance to see if Kiten followed. She hoped the minstrel would take the hint and NOT follow her.
Once she arrived at the table where Icarus sat she informed him "If you wish to talk I think it would be safer done outside. Care to join me and dine in a more pleasant atmosphere?"

Penrhyn, Gaireth Protectorate

“I require no payment,” replied Fayalin without looking up, as she soaked the cloth in the water and began carefully bathing the woman’s wound, “Though if you would like to make a donation so that I may buy more bandages and supplies and help others in their turn, it would be much appreciated.” After a couple of minutes, soaking the cloth in the water again every twenty seconds or so, when the wound was suitably clean in Fayalin’s opinion, she spoke again. “I need a sharp needle and some clean thread,” she declared, to no-one in particular, though it was obvious she expected someone to do something about it.

The cloth was discarded into the bucket, and she reached into her bag and pulled out a small wooden box, which she opened. The inside was treated to be waterproof, and it held a dark paste. Pausing only to wash her hand in the water first, she scooped some of the paste out and began to smear it around and inside the wound. As she had expected, the unconscious woman moaned and twitched under her touch, as the paste stung quite badly when it was applied. But the stinging would pass soon, and the paste would both help protect against infection and help seal the wound faster.

Fayalin washed her hand in the water again, wiping off what remained of the paste on her hand with the cloth, then pushed the lid back on to the box and returned it to her bag. She inspected the wound briefly, removing a roll of bandage from her bag, then looked up expectantly to see where her needle and thread were. Any events around her passed her by completely; when she was working, she had a tendency to blank everything else out to help her concentrate better.

Senhild, Eringaard Magocracy

Icarus looked up at the woman, conveying through his eyes the sheer exhaustion that weighed him down. "If we must, I will follow. I was merely looking to make pleasant conversation. I'm sorry but we didn't formally make acquaintainces last night, I'm Icarus Fick, Eringaardé of the Realm, and Geomancer Adept." He extended his hand to her both for a handshake and to ask for help standing.

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

Penrhyn, Gaireth Protectorate

A needle and thread was something that Lanu could help with. Often when on the hunt, he would have to stitch up small wounds and so he always held a small curved thorn and some gut string with him. Retrieving the two items from a small pouch at his waist, he handed them to Fayalin when she looked up for them.

Viktor nodded his thanks to Icarus just before he left to work his magic on the fields and returned his attention to Anvers. He was about to speak, but was interrupted by the sounds of some commotion which he felt compelled to investigate, though when he reached the top of the stairs in time to see the man's 'recovery', he found his curiosity much dampened and turned back to Anvers. "Thank you my good man. I will pay me respects to the gods before i leave and ask them to aid you however they deem best. It is unlikely that we will meet again fter we leave, so i bid you good day."

After that he took a deep breath and descended into the common room, making his way quickly out of the inn and headed towards the chapel to pay his respecgts to the gods and leave a small tribute to Lündell.

Thibault moved into the doorway watching silently. These strangers worked so well together as if they had known each other all their lives.

"Let this be a lesson for anyone else who gets in my way. Next time, I'll butcher you." He scowled to the group before leaving.

If we must, I will follow. I was merely looking to make pleasant conversation. I'm sorry but we didn't formally make acquaintainces last night, I'm Icarus Fick, Eringaardé of the Realm, and Geomancer Adept

Orome frowned once again at the sight of his exhaustion, and gently but firmly took his hands in hers, carefully lifting him to his feet.

"I think you need to eat, and not in this poisonous atmosphere, Master Fick. Those fumes would fell a buzzard!" She shot another dark look the way of the minstrel, then waved to the serving girl again, calling for her to bring the Geomancers breakfast out with the ones for herself and her servant.

Once they were seated at the table sheltered by the sprawling oak that shaded most of the inn's courtyard she spoke slowly, feeling her way though the subject. "And it's more than just crops, it's the land itself isn't it? I've been feeling something strange all morning, though it is very faint and elusive. My mother was part Kami, and though I inherited little of her 'otherness..." Orome explained "I am Fire and Air, Healing and Weapons, with little of Earth and Water resonating in me, but something ..." Shaking her head she couldn't bring the feeling into any sort of focus or definition.

Penrhyn
Gaireth Protectorate

Tovius frowned as Thibault ignored him and threatened the other people. He would need to have a talk with that Thibault. But first...

The centurion approached Fayalin, Yarin, Lanu, and Elva after Thibault stepped away. The dark man and the unconscious woman did not seem like they were a part of the group of black-leathered men, and the grisly mauling of some of the black-clad men seemed to be the work of the bear/woman. This may indicate that these two could be friends, or were at least neutral, and Thibault's statement did not settle well with Tovius should that be the case. But he needed to find out what really happened, and Thibault apparently was in no mood to discuss it.

"My apologies for the man's attitude," the legionnaire said to the group, tilting his head toward Thibault to indicate who he was talking about. "I am Centurion Tovius Veralion of the XIIth Legion." Looking at Lanu, "May I ask who you are and what your purpose is here? You two do not appear to be native to this region."


Senhild
Eringaard Magocracy

The townspeople who saw Icarus and the sudden sprouting of green shoots started up a commotion as they rushed to the fields to examine the new growth better. Some of the people began chatting excitedly while others just blinked hard, as if not believing what their eyes were seeing.

What they did not know, and what Icarus could just barely make out in his exhausted state, was that whatever was eating away at the lands was already starting to ever so slowly corrupt the geomancer's work.

The serving girl, not knowing what transpired outside in the fields, went about her normal duties. Hands still a little unsteady from the apparition earlier, she nonetheless brought out the orders made to Orome and the others.


South of Eavana
Gaireth Protectorate

One of the smaller wolves was caught off guard by the human's sudden lunge and grab. With a yelp, it collided into another wolf.

The others in the pack immediately went into action, chasing down the human with ease. No more than a few seconds passed before something knocked into Nald's back, causing him to fall forward in the field.

A heavy quadruped was on his back, lowering its snout toward Nald's neck and growling in a deep, low sound. The other wolves crept around, once again surrounding the human and growling hungrily.

Then they all went silent and froze. With their ears perked up and their nose sniffing the air, it was as if they all detected something else in the area - something that would silence and frighten even them.

"And it's more than just crops, it's the land itself isn't it? I've been feeling something strange all morning, though it is very faint and elusive. My mother was part Kami, and though I inherited little of her 'otherness..." Orome explained "I am Fire and Air, Healing and Weapons, with little of Earth and Water resonating in me, but something ..."

Icarus nodded slowly, more from his exhaustion than anything else. "You have the elemental sense... had you been born in Eringaard, you would have been raised a mage."

He thought for a moment, "I know what you are feeling, and it affects me more than you can imagine. It is, to a large extent, responsible for my current fatigue. When one has mentally and spiritually tied themself to an element, it pains them when that element is pained.

"From what William has told me of Air, I infer that all the elements are experiencing the same blight. It is our task, as assigned by the High Council, to investigate the matter."

He looked out into the fields before gesturing towards them. "You see what effect this has had here. It destroys all life in its path, and it seems to be spreading at an alarming rate." He looked back at her gravely, "It is the greatest threat we have seen in this age."

He sipped his water and ate some of the food that had been brought for him. "Even had I not been assigned to investigate, I feel that it would be my duty as a living being to see this blight eradicated. Which is why I wanted to talk to you... I would like for you to accompany us on our mission."

Penrhyn, Gaireth Protectorate

“Thank you,” acknowledged Fayalin briefly as she took the needle and thread. She wasted no time in threading it and immediately set to work carefully sewing the two sides of the wound back together. She was silently glad the woman was unconscious at this point, as the combined process of the antiseptic paste she had applied and the stitching could be fairly painful. She worked quickly, but methodically, making sure she left no slack in the thread before starting the next stitch. Though she did not realise it, she had unconsciously prevented herself from hearing what the legionnaire’s companion had said, nor even noted his presence.

After completely closing up the wound and tying off the thread, she handed the needle back to the man, and set about bandaging the wound, repeatedly winding it around the woman’s leg until the entire length of the cut was covered by a double layer of cloth, which she then knotted firmly. Lastly, she released the tourniquet, hoping that she had been fast enough to avoid damaging the leg through the lack of blood. She rinsed her hands in the water bucket again, then stood up. “Now find a bed for her to rest in, and if she wakes up, do not let her put any weight on that leg. Or even move it much preferably,” she told the man, “I’m sure one of the villagers will be willing to put her up for a while. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” Her cheeks reddened again as she remembered that she was standing in front of the three men in nothing more than her nightdress and cloak.

She hurriedly went over to her house, with the intention of finally putting some proper clothes on, but drew up short and gave a horrified gasp when she saw the damage done to her little home. As if in a dream, she passed through the doorway and began despondently sorting through the wreckage of the wall, trying to find anything she could to salvage. At the back of her mind, she vaguely wondered what she had done to deserve everything that had happened to her today.

Kiten had followed Orome and the man out of the inn. If he could've taken Selim's hindquarters to one of the dark elves distilleries he'd have a most excellent poison but as it was he just didn't want to have to deal with the smell or let it set into his clothes. The fresh air was most welcome if the light wasn't.

He listened to the conversation the two where having as he tried to determain if this, or the other one, was the friend who'd claimed he was an assassin. The man didn't have the look of one in Kiten's profession but then the surface worlders were weird and might have different standards and tactics to eliminate those that were disagreeable.

Nald knew that his gamble had not payed off, once he felt the claws dig into his skin. The moment Nald knew that he was a goner. All he hoped for was that Caeli was safe. If these damn wolves had gotten her, then his sacrifice would have gone in vain. Then he noticed that the wolves had become eerily. This was definitely not a good sign.

"But why? I can protect you if bandits or other fellens strike, and Heal much but this feeling is so vague and wraithlike that if I even think of trying to think about it, concentrate on it, it vanishes like a willow d' wisp." Orome shook her head, her frustration clearly visible.

The she looked over, now noticing that Kiten was not eating "Eat, going hungry does no one good" And she took her own advice and dug into the freshly brought out breakfast. After several bites she resumed "Your friend, William, left a message for me through Kiten, he wants me to travel with him. But..."

She looked at the exhausted Icarus with observant and knowing eyes "But I think you and the other need me more. Neither of you have the look of people used to roughing it in the wilds...and that is something I am more than used to. I don't come cheap, but then again I'm worth it. Do you have mounts? Supplies?"

Despite what Thibault showed, he was dedicated to the group's cause. His eyes scanned the forest for any of the black clad men, more importantly, their leader.

"Well done Mr. Niv..."

Only a few should know his last name. These men were professionals of the highest order. It didn't follow that they would surrender so easily. After all, they had Tovius and the woman within their grasp. Thibault sat down a nearby stump rolling up his pant leg. Blood poured out as his leather hide pants slid up past his calf. A spear had struck his thigh earlier, not a serious wound, but enough to make the difference in a fight. He clenched his teeth before rubbing a thick gel on the wound. The black substance settled in the wound and soon felt as if he had been set on fire.

Icarus smiled when she described the feeling that most young apprentices go through when beginning their training. "The skill can be honed with years of careful training. My people, the Eringaardé, specialize in that training."

He slightly resented being told that he couldn't survive in the wild, but admitted that he didn't have much experience in it. "I'm glad that we'll have your company, Miss..."

Orome caught the slight look of resentment on Icarus's face and her voice was rough but kind "If you are that tired from the lands illness, travel will not do much to let you regain your strength. You'll rest and grow strong to deal with the problem, while I deal with the problems of getting you and your friend there safely. I've been travelling since I left my fathers court, over a hundred years ago" She chuckled at his look, for she didn't look much more than a half a hand older than he.

"And my name is Orome, means the 'sound of horns'; most specifically the great bronze belled battle horns my people used, though they will never be heard again."

Kiten began eating, quite rapidly as he had been waiting for Orome's permission. Should either of his companions be sensitive to exhibitions of magic they might notice a brief surge from Kiten. He'd utilized one of the spells he'd learnt that was something all assassins should know and use regularly but most didn't see the benefits as worth the time and energy it cost to learn.

"Are you the one who made the suggestion that lead your companion William to believe that I am what he believes I am?" He asked as he took a bite of the food Orome had provided.

Not especially concerned with anyone's feelings on his potent stench, Selim slowly followed behind Orome and Icarus, listening in on the conversation. He had heard of a severe famine in the Republic a few weeks back, but had decided to pay it no mind; plagues and pestilence happened all the time, after all. It seemed the situation was more serious that he first thought. Realizing his smell already gave his already poor stealth skills a serious downgrade, Selim butted into the conversation quickly.

"Hey, now, I don't know where you're all planning on going, but you wouldn't be thinking about ditching me, would you?" Selim peered at Orome with the best puppy-dog eyes he could manage. "And after all we've been through, too! Besides, you'll need someone like me-it's always good to have a skilled tradesman on a long journey, or else you'll just be getting ripped off left and right by all those untrustworthy merchants that travel around, eh? Not to mention I'm a free source of entertainment and music!" Turning to Icarus, he waggled his finger annoyingly in the man's face.

"Plus, you and that William fellow still owe me from all the drinks last night. Come on, you can trust me! I'm more useful than you might think!"

Kiten gave Orome a look at Selim's following and stinking, a look that seemed to ask if he could do something of an at least semi-permenant and unpleasent nature to the stinker. The merchant was unpleasent, ingratiating and servile. He had the nature of an opportunistic slave who'd sell another out for a few more scraps and while betrayal and treachery were intrinsic to a dark elf that didn't meant that it was seen as a virtue in others.

Orome, stood, politely excused herself from Icarus. "Please don't watch." Then she picked up the smaller man, hefting him with ease. Determinedly she strode towards the nearest horse trough. Her obvious intent was to toss the impourtuning, smarmy little man into it's algea hidden depths.

"I wouldn't travel with you if I had to. You are a loud, obnoxious, smelly, disgusting specimin of manhood. I want you no where near me. You are of no use to me and you are rude beyond my capacity to tolerate."

"Are you the one who made the suggestion that lead your companion William to believe that I am what he believes I am?"

Icarus turned to the hooded man who shared the table with him and Orome. "Even the best assassin, if they use metallic weapons, will be revealed to me before they have a chance to attack," he whispered to Kiten so that Orome might no hear. "I felt the blades at your wrists last night. I won't tell Orome as you seem to have no designs against her."

Icarus turned with a little effort as Selim walked out. Seeing what Orome had done he was both surprised by her strength and disappointed by her quick judgment. Disciples of Earth were taught great patience in their training, because most often, Earth was the slowest element.

Hoping to stop the dunking of Selim, Icarus called out, "Hold on Orome. There's no need to soak the poor man. He has just as much stake in this as anyone." He directed his next words towards Selim, "I agree with Orome though. You appear to be a rude, self serving, profiteer, not exactly the person I had intended to accompany me and Viktor on our journey. No offense, but the only recognizable skill of yours that I've seen is the ability to create a fart so nasty that you could spoil the Helcorn's appetite."

He looked Selim in the eyes, "I'm not saying you can't go... Just that I don't want you to come with me."

"Then your world must be filled with them for how many people carry metallic weapons?" He asked sardonically and rhetorically for most everyone had a knife or somethime on them.

Kiten was hoping that Stinky got dunked, and dunked, and dunked somemore. As it was, it didn't seem likely that the flatulating minstrel would be welcome anytime soon.

As the others back in town discussed, William watched as the marker on the sun dial surpassed the hour mark. Guess I'm travelling alone, then. Oh well, at least I don't have to put up with that bard. Swinging into place, William decided to afford himself one liberty, that of attaching the sword hilt to the saddle. It would be easier if anything came up while on the road. That done, he urged his horse on, approaching an endurance gallop as the town vanished behind them.

By mid day, he had found and taken his detour, curving to the northern stand of hills on the border where slipping in wouldn't be much of a problem. Despite his distaste of travelling like this, it was familiar, due to the number of times that he had been forced to travel along back roads in a solitary manner. Not all he had done had been for the Council. He wondered, as he rode, how long until the eventual uprising came, and more importantly, whether the rumors that a descendant of the old King's line still lived were true.

Icarus smiled and tapped his nose, "Most people don't carry their blades concealed at their wrists."

"I am Centurion Tovius Veralion of the XIIth Legion." Looking at Lanu, "May I ask who you are and what your purpose is here? You two do not appear to be native to this region."

Lanu replied to the man, "I am Lanu Jbina. My purpose here... I am not even sure where here is..."

Penrhyn
Gaireth Protectorate

Tovius furrowed his eyebrows a bit. The dark man avoided answering what his purpose was, and the fact that he was "not even sure" where he was seemed a bit unusual, if not outright suspicious. The legionnaire was unfamiliar with the man's dress, so he was not sure what else to make of this Lanu Jbina.

"You are in the Gaireth Protectorate. Where did you come from?"

Then the woman he had met near the river earlier that day said something to the foreigner and walked off. Tovius only glanced briefly at her and her strange sense of fashion before returning his attention to Lanu.

Looking at the unconscious elf, he said to Lanu, "And do you need any help with her? A healer's advice had best be heeded."

***

In Fayalin's partially ruined home, the small wooden circle with the symbol of Eovia brightened tremendously, contrasting greatly against its dark background to grab Fayalin's attention.

When she reached out for it, she received a vision much like before or a darkened place with a shaft of light beaming down on a strange item. This time, Tovius, Thibault, Lanu, and Elva were all standing near her as her hand reached out for the item. But then the vision disappeared just as she grabbed hold of it, and Fayalin would find herself back in the ruined home, clutching onto the wooden carving.

***

The surrounding woods were quiet after the surviving black-clad men ran away.


East of Senhild
Eringaard Magocracy

The route that William took encountered only the occasional patrols along the border, being the less traveled path. William had little trouble avoiding these patrols, however, and slipped into Gaireth lands.


South of Eavana
Gaireth Protectorate

There was an eerie howl somewhere in the distance, and the wolves immediately dashed off into the field, their tails between their hind legs. If Nald looked around, he would see the top of a large, lupine creature at the top of a distant hill.

Nald was pleasantry surprised when the wolves scurried off. He thought that his parents would be crying for days over his death, but oddly enough luck was on his side. Slowly he got up and scanned the area. That same howl he heard early had scared off the wolves. Looking around he saw the creature atop the hill. Something told Nald to run after it. He gazed at it for a brief second, then rushed toward the hill.

Thibault lied back against a rock and stared into the sky. Clouds began passing each other, some slower than others, some darker, some bigger. Where were they going, and when they got there, what would happen to them? Are they destined to chase across the heavens, or is there some purpose in their delicate ballet?

A surge of comfort fell over the man as he just continued his gaze into the sky.

Happiness, is that what I've been fighting for?

"So nice out right now." Thibault gently claimed before closing his eyes. Normally it would be impossible for him to sleep without the aid of alcohol, but the exhaustion of battle, and pressing demand of travel, overtook him.

Eavana
Gaireth Protectorate

Jaso had returned to his blacksmith, which happened to be adjoined to his small home, for the evening. With the situation still unresolved, he would most likely have to take matters into his own hands shortly. However, his coffers were a tad short since it had been many weeks since his last order had been finished. With the need for currency now, Jaso took up a few unfinished swords, his hammer, and threw some coal into the furnance. With any luck, he could get three orders finished by sunrise. A loud banging went on throughout the night, and it was these type of nights that his neighbors sometimes pondered the wisdom in living soo close to the communities blacksmith. But with the services he provided for the city, and his ability to keep the militia in fighting form, they could sacrifice a night of sleep every couple of weeks, and Jaso could be none the happier that he had all three orders ready for the guardsmen, and would only need to seek them out and get his payment before he could begin his search for Evening Sun.

Lanu looked momentarily stunned, "Gaireth!... but how is that possible?"

He looked at the legionnaire, "I am from Korovir, as is my companion. Do not worry, I will make us shelter for the night."

Leaving the others behind, he walked a little ways into the woods and set Elva down softly on a large growth of moss. After looking at her momentarily to assure that she was still asleep and the bleeding hadn't begun again, he set about building a lean-to, and a fire to accompany it. When the shelter was complete, he set Elva inside it and knelt down and touched his fingers to the pile of wood in front of it, kindling a small flame. The fire provided a little warmth and light and would make the shelter quite comfortable.

Lanu layed down outside the shelter by the fire and lulled himself into a light sleep so that he would be alert if any of the black clad men returned.

Penrhyn
Gaireth Protectorate

Lanu's initial reply did little to help Tovius understand what was going on. Did these two travel here all the way from the western coast and not realize they were in Gaireth until they reached Gaireth's easternmost border?

Tovius decided to drop that line of thought. The two did not appear to be too dangerous, even if the man was armed. He was not harassing the villagers, after all. Plus, the centurion still had a mission to complete, and he did not have the time to stop every foreign-looking person and question them.

After watching Lanu go off to set up camp for a few moments, Tovius decided to go look for Thibault. It was getting really late and it would be a good idea to settle in for the night. The tent that the legionnaire brought along in his pack was only big enough to fit one man comfortably, which he was thinking about offering to Thibault.

Tovius had a feeling that he would not be able to sleep too well that night anyway, and figured he would just keep watch for any more black-clad attackers.

Going through the village in the direction where he last saw Thibault heading in, Tovius spotted the home with the large hole in the wall, caused by the large man who smashed Tovius right through it earlier. Seeing it made the legionnaire's back suddenly start to ache, as if it was holding back on sending the pain signals to his brain until the fighting was well over with. He brought his hand around to his back and felt that the armor there had been dented in a few places.

Great.

He would have to repair the armor or else the dents would continue to dig into his back, and he was not particular good at metalworking.

That would have to be dealt with later, however. As he approached the hole in the wall, he peered in and saw the cloaked young woman from before. "Is this your home?" He glanced around at the hole itself, "My apologies for the damage. A particularly large brute decided to make a new door for you and figured to use me as his tool of choice. They're gone now, so you needn't worry about them anymore. I'll keep watch around the village tonight to make sure they don't come back while everyone's sleeping."

Moving along, he found Thibault fast asleep by a rock. He backed away a bit, searched through his pack, pulled out his red legionary cloak, and quietly approached the sleeping man to place the cloak down next to him, should he get cold during the night.

Tovius then quietly crept away again, now only taking short naps inbetween keeping a lookout for any signs of attackers, until morning came to wake everyone else up.


South of Eavana
Gaireth Protectorate

The large creature was already quite a ways from the hill by the time Nald reached there. It was not moving so fast that Nald would lose it, however, and Nald could see it heading north, to Eavana.

Once reaching the top of the hill, Nald could see the creature off in the distance. He took a brief rest and continued on following the creature. Nald knew that his parents would freak out of they found both of their children. Nald needed to make sure that he did not travel out too far. So that he would make it back in time for their morning rituals. But right now that was at back of his head. He was more concerned about finding Caeli.

'You need a blade to cut me? Ahaha"

A single man slaughtered a small detachment of elite legionnaires, impossible. I don't fight for happiness, I fight to find that man and avenge.. Maybe my arm will stop aching.

Thibault snapped out of his sleep sweating heavily.

His cloak?

"I hate waking up without a hangover." He mumbled throwing the crimson cloth to the side.