NationStates Jolt Archive

(Some sort of bump.)

ooc: sorry, I have been busy with a lot of stuff. I will make a write up sometime today.

Most of all, we need Macabees to continue the Search of Grail-thingy...

Is this still alive?

[OOC: I'll be posting the continuation tomorrow.]

Yeh it is a live still... I just haven't gotten around to posting in a few days. :(

The now larger group of four made their way around the mountain until Bane held up his hand for them to stop. Pointing to a part of the mountain only a short way away he said, "That is our way down the mountain to the center between the triangle of peeks. Its not an easy path so be careful.."

Bane and the group started off again until they finally found themselves above the point where he had been pointing. The wind had died down slightly and it was no longer snowing as hard, so Bane took the first step onto the side of the mountain. Carefully, he began making his way down the side, following the path he knew to be the safest - occasionally looking behind him to make sure everyone was ok. Because of his small stature, Loki was having a hard time of it, but he was making it.

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"Cook up some food for dinner, will ya Alric," Ar'mai called from inside her tent. "Bael'ther is no good at that kind of thing."

Bael'ther pointed to a deer that was standing a short way off in the forest and then shook his finger at it. He was trying to tell Alric not to cook meat or Ar'mai would be angry.

Alejandra followed Bane's lead, as well as helping Loki when he got mired in the snow or was otherwise having difficulties.

They continued to make their way down to the center of the triangle of peeks in between the three mountains. They would have to pass through the floor of the triangle formed by the mountains. It was quite snowy but also filled with natural barriers like trees and large rock formations. As they got farther and farther down the mountain, it appeared that it was quite undisturbed by people in a long time. Only the very powerful or knowing could pass through here safely Bane thought as he led the group, Its a good think we have the little one with us...

When they reached a spot that was not far from the bottom, after hours upon hours of trekking down the mountain, Bane stopped the group. "Okay," he said as they all came together, "Night is falling rapidly and nobody is quite sure what lays ahead of us down there. We have been lucky so far that we haven't been disturbed by anything more than the weather but I am not sure that will last," Bane commented. The snow had finished falling, though it now blanketed the ground in powdery mix, and the wind was no longer a problem because that mountains blocked it from entering. "I want you two," he said pointing to Alejandra and Loki, "To prepare yourselves and be ready to defend against anything. Princess, I know its going to be hard but I need you to remaing behind me at all times... it is for your own safety," he said as he looked at Daphne sternly. She nodded in response and Bane continued, "Okay... I think we should make our away across the bass before we rest for the night. Now, does anyone else have something to add or comment on?"

"Beside the fact that it's freezing, no." Alejandra replied as she loosened her blade in it's scabbard.

"Yes well, we will have to deal with it..." Bane commented. Loki looked around before snapping his gloved hand. "Well that certainly is convenient," Bane commented as he saw the ball of contained fire appear before them. It heated a small area slightly - not enough to make it warm, but still enough to make a difference - and it also provided light to guide them.

Powerful he will become...

"Well then... lets head off," Bane said as he placed his right hand on his massive blade and lead the group - with the ball of fire above his head - down to the bass of the triangle of peeks. "Be ready for anything," Bane said as the bass was quiet other than the sound of the groups feet on the ground.

"Thank you Loki." She said as she enjoyed the warmth, faint as it was.

As they pushed on across the bass, the light coming from the jewel at the top of Loki's staff began growing brighter and brighter.

When they were about half way into the foliage, growls could be heard.

Alejandra took hold of the hilt of her sword, ready to face whatever was growling.

From the darkness four six sets of glowing eyes were seen. More growls and roars were heard, though this time they were almost deafening.

Slowly, the six figures emerged from the darkness and were shown to be panthers - though twice the size of normal panthers.

"Princess... stay back," Bane said as he unsheathed his sword.

"I'll guard the princess, you tackle the beasties?" Alejandra said as she drew her sword.

"Uhhh," Bane murmered as the six giant jaguars began circling them. "I don't think that would be the best idea," he said as he noticed the eary green glow of their eyes.

"How do you want to do it then?" She asked as she made sure Daphne was between her, Loki and Bane.

"It is going to take the best of both of us to finish these beasts I believe," Bane said.

ooc: note* the jaguars have been magically enhanced (by someone you will meet later) and are much stronger, bigger, and smarter than normal jaguars.

"Alright then." She replied

The jaguars continued to circle the group. Bane was located on one side with Alejandra on the other and Loki and Daphne standing together in between the two knights. A few of the jaguars opened their mouths to show their threateningly large teeth which were stained red with blood.

Without warning, the jaguars attacked. Three of them lunged at Bane while the other three struck at Alejandra.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a grey looking jaguar bounded out of the darkness and headed straight for Loki and Daphne. "Ahh!" Daphne shrieked as she pointed at the incoming beast. Loki swung around just in time to see it bounding right for them - as it neared close enough, he swung his staff down and hit it directly in the nose. The jaguar stopped short as its nose burned immensely from a strange power coming off the jewel at the top of the staff - it then turned and whimpered back into the woods.

Alejandra stepped under the pouncing cats, bringing her sword up to gut the first one like a fish.

The jaguar that Alejandra had struck, had a massive gash in its underside. It whimpered and headed off into the darkness. However the other two jaguars that jumped at her, collided head on with her.

Meanwhile, Bane was taking a more defensive approach, knocking at the cats as they jumped and dodging them rather than attacking.

The three men set off from Paris that very hour, Rodriguez rather silent on his horse until they had left the city. He only let them in as they left the sprawling urban setting behind them. Not turning he began to speak, "I was approached by an old foe of mine. A fellow commander in Spain, working for the Valois but a mercenary nonetheless. We had fled to France together, but we ended up enemies due to a small strife between us two and an attempt to gain favour with the Valois in Paris. He, obviously, turned the victor, but I spread a rumour of his disloyalties towards the crown and he was booted from the castle grounds. To this day he has attempted to track me, and it seems he has finally succeeded. News has seeped in from the north that two British knights [OOC: I know that you might not be British, but the people don't] and a Spanish knight have left south to look for something holy. What we're looking for has no left the king's lips, apparently, but it might soon. I'm afraid we might be followed and thus we must pick up speed."

With that he began to gallop harder, towards the south. Their next stop would be in three days at Massangi. Until then they would sleep alongside the road. From Massangi they would head to Dijon, and then to Bourg. Their final destination was Carcasonne, near the Spanish border. Hopefully there they would find their prize...

ooc: good to see you again Mac

Alejandra had dropped her sword as she was tackled by the large beasts. Grabbing a dagger, she thrust it upward, aiming at the jaguar's throat.

Despite her efforts, the jaguar was able to easily evade the dagger and jumped onto her legs. The other jaguar began clawing at her chest with its long, sharp claws.

Bane too had been knocked to the ground by the three jaguars who were now clawing at him. He was trying to fight back, swinging his massive arms at them, though it was hard with his sword lying in the dirt many feet away. As he swung his right arm at the jaguars, he made contact with the side of one of their heads and knocked it away.

Loki stood frightened, holding on to Daphne's dress. "Loki... you have to help them... they are in trouble," Daphne said with a hint of fright in her voice. "Please help them," she said supprotingly as she bent down to his size.

"I... I-I can't!" Loki protested.

"Yes you can! You have it in you, Loki... please just try..."

Loki nodded his flimsy hat and turned to face the jaguars. "Firaja Mentleae... Gor!" Loki shouted as he smashed his staff into the ground. Suddenly three flaming elementals appeared at his side and struck the jaguars with amazing speed and power.

Alejandra twisted to avoid the claws, but got nicked a number of times.

Alric was kind of at a loss for what to cook. He dug threw his pack and pulled out his tin pot. He pulled out of his pack a few heads of cabbage he had bought two weeks ago in a village he passed. Alric placed them near the fire and left to find a creek to get water.

The remaining four jaguars were struck by the fire ementals and were instantly incinerated. "Wow..." was all Bane could manage to say as he slowly got to his feet.

"I can think of something, thank you LOki." Alejandra said as she got to her feet.

"Um... yeh," Loki was blushing, though it was impossible to tell because of the darkness that surrounded his face.

"Perhaps if everyone is alright, we should continue moving," Bane added. "We have already seen what lerks down here and I would rather not stay to see anything more."

"Good idea." Alejandra said as she made sure her cuts were clean and to get her sword.

Bane too retrieved his sword and then made sure the Princess was okay before setting off again. The power he possesses...

They continued to walk through the foliage towards the the opposite mountain. Bane, at the lead, occasionally looked behind him to make sure that the others were okay.

"Aww..." Loki said as he bent down at the side of the path. There sat a baby polarbear (http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b360/DMG2005/Fuzzy.jpg), the likes of which few had ever seen.

"He is so cute," Daphne exclaimed as she bent down next to Loki and looked at it.

"Yeh... so fuzzy," Loki commented as the baby polarbear nuzzled up against his leg - he started petting it.

"It's cute, but what's it doing here?" Alejandra asked cautiously.

Loki shrugged. "Living perhaps," he said. "It is pretty cold here..."

"I think he likes you," Daphne commented as the baby continued to nuzzle up against Loki.

"It's just odd." Alejandra replied

Loki looked up at her quizzically, "Why is that odd?"

"Can we go..." Bane said as he looked around nervously.

"Creepy woods, giant jaguars, and a baby polar bear?" She said, "And sure."

"Maybe its scared," Loki said as he continued to pet it. It gave a soft, cute, purr as he did so. "Can I take him with me...?" he asked them.

Bane looked from Daphne to Alejandra.

"As long as you're completely responsible for it, including killing it if it turns out to be nasty, I don't mind." Alejandra replied

Loki recoiled at the thought, "It isn't going to be nasty..." he said protecting it with his arms.

"Okay... lets go now," Bane said again.

"Okay," Loki replied as he scooped the baby polarbear into his arms and set off.

"So, what are you going to call it?" Daphne asked as she walked next to Loki, looking down at the ball of fuzz.

Loki pondered for a moment as he looked down at it, "How about Fuzzy?" he suggested.

"It's a cute name." Alejandra commented as the group set off again.

"Thanks," Loki beamed as the group with their new polar acquaintance, set off towards the other side of the bass.

They passed through the foliage of the bass undistrubred from that point out, though it was painfully obvious that they were being watched by something or someone.

As they reached the otherside, it was apparent that the group was quite tired from the long trek. It was already into the early morning hours (dark still) and they need rest, so Bane suggested that they go up no more than thirty feet to where he saw a landing, and make camp for the night.

"Alright, Loki can you set up a fire for the night to keep us warm," Bane said as they reached the landing. "I don't think we have any food, so we will have to make due until the morning... or the next time we can get some," he commented as his stomach grumbeled. "Now get some rest," he said as he lied down on the ground, "We are going to have another long day ahead of us."

ooc: don't worry... I will have them wake up in a few minutes.

Alejandra nodded and with sword in hand, laid down to sleep.

Alric found found a stream and started getting water. He began to take in his surroundings. There was always something about traveling that he liked. He did not like being cooped up in his father's castle. When the pot was full, he walked back to camp and hanged over the fire, waiting for it to boil.

In the morning, Loki woke up to see Bane rushing all around their small camp, looking high and low. "What are you looking for?" he asked innocently.

"The Princess! She is gone..." he yelled with a booming voice.

"Huh?!"

"Daphne disappeared sometime during the night... I have no idea where she is," he responded. Daphne's possessions seemed to remain undisturbed where she had fallen asleep the night before.

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Bael'ther sat down next to the fire and watched as the water inside the pot began to boil.

Meanwhile, inside her tent, Ar'mai was doing something unknown.

He threw the cabbage in the pot. Alric sat down next to Bael'ther, struggling to stay awake at the moment.

Alejandra quickly got up, "Are there any tracks?" She asked in a worried tone.

Ar'mai appeared from her tent wearing a long, yet thin, elven dress. "Food ready?" she asked sweetly.

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"No... no, no, no this can't be happening," Bane said as he looked around.

"Obviously it can, now what are we going to do about it?" Alejandra said

Stifulling a yawn, Alric looked into the pot, "Yes, it is."

He found a plate and put the cabbage on it. He took a some cabbage and passed the plate to Ar'mai.

"I don't know!" he said as he sounded defeated.

Fuzzy, the small baby polarbear had walked over to the edge of the mountain and stood looking up at it.

"Well... we might as well look for her somewhere," Loki said as he looked at Fuzzy.

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"Thank you," Ar'mai said as she layed feminely on the ground and took the plate.

Alric ate all of what he took (which is not surpprising since what happened when we last tried to cook). When he finished, he announced, "I am just going to lay down for a moment." In a minute, he was out cold.

"Great, we're following a bear, this couldn't get wierder, well lead on Fuzzy." She said

"Well... we have nowhere else to look," suggested Loki as he got up and led the group towards Fuzzy. Fuzzy turned around to look at them briefly before using his tiny little legs to scamper up the hill towards a high ledge above.

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"Alright," she said as Alric went to lay down. Ar'mai continued to eat, but left some of the food on her plate. Bael'ther, however, had cleaned out the pot and Ar'mai's remaining food.

A few minutes later, Ar'mai decided to retire for the night. "Bael'ther get some rest for the morning - you are going to need it." With that Ar'mai rubbed her hands together and when she opened them a snow owl appeared. It flew up into the tree and watched over them during the night.

Ar'mai and Bael'ther fell asleep a short time later - Ar'mai in her tent and Bael'ther on the ground.

"Let's be off then." She replied

Loki was already off and up the hill when Alejandra spoke. Bane had resigned himself to following them in tow with Alejandra.

Loki lead the group up the winding trail behind Fuzzy.

Eventually after the climb, the baby polar bear stopped on a ledge, similar to that of where Loki lived, albeit much lower down on the mountain.

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Ar'mai woke the next morning as the sun appeared through the dense forest. She walked over to Bael'ther and shook him to wake him up, "Pack up camp... I want to get moving as soon as possible."

She then walked over to Alric and allowed the bottom of her thin white dress to gently brush his face in order to wake him.

Alric shot up, "How long have I slept?" he asked.

"Long enough and yet not too long," she said to Alric in a quiet tone. She then stepped over him and grabbed up his sword, "Here," she said, "We are going to get going soon.

Bael'ther had finished packing up the camp and was waiting for them.

"Is this it Fuzzy?" She asked the bear.

Alric thanked her and took his sword. He took his pot and plates and stuffed them back into his pack and swung it onto his back and walked up beside Bael'ther.

Of course the bear could not respond nor is it certain that it would have. Instead, Fuzzy turned back to the path that was nearly one hundred feet above the, and continued to walk as fast as his little legs could carry him.

"Look," Bane said as he pointed high into the distance, "Your cave, Loki." Though Loki heard him, he followed after the polar bear.

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"Alright," Ar'mai said as she lead the way with her dress flowing majestically behind her.

It was a short walk, not more than a couple of minutes, until they found themselves at the path that led up towards the dragon holes. "Do you want to leave the stuff here? Or carry it up with us?" she asked.

He swung his pack off and looked at it. He always traveled with it but it would be easier to get up without it. He placed it up against a tree. Now he had only his sword and his armor he was wearing.

Alejandra followed Loki who was following the bear.

After Bane realized Alejandra wasn't paying attention to him, he quickly followed after her. "Hold up... you are going so fas-" he was in mid sentence when his voice cut off.

Loki continued to follow the baby polarbear along the path that lead god knows where. Bane, meanwhile, stood without speaking in front of a cave. Inside the cave sat a cloaked figure in front of a blazing fire.

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"Very good," she said turning back to the path ahead of them. "I want to make a quick pace but it is also going to be very steep and long... so... be quick but save your energy."

Bael'ther rolled his eyes, as could be seen through his armored helm - as Ar'mai started off in front of them, up the steep hill.

"Are you coming Bane?" She asked

Alric took up the rear on the path. Between having slept and having lost his burdun, he felt better than he had for a while.

"Bu-but... huh?" Bane was thoroughly confused at seeing a humanoid looking figure sitting silently with its back to him inside the cave. "Alejandra come here...!"

Loki and Fuzzy continued down the path and around the bend out of sight. Bane was peering into the cave, waiting for Alejandra to come over.

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The walk up the path was long and tiring as the morning sun beat down on their necks. Though, no matter how long hot it got or how steep the path became, Ar'mai seemed to have the energy for it - she almost seemed like she was skipping up the mountain.

ooc: just make a small comment or post or something (I will move it along again)

"Loki, wait." Alejandra called to him as she headed to see what Bane wanted.

Alric looked out across the water as they climbed. A busy day in the harbor of Bravium was beginig. He noticed how the men stearing the boats generaly avoided the island.

Loki didn't hear her and continued down the path after Fuzzy.

When Alejandra arrived at the cave's entrance next to Bane, Bane just stared in at the figure. "Look," he whispered as he pointed at the cloaked figure, "What the hell do you think it is doing here? And it hasn't even aknowledged my presence yet..."

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ooc: very nice
IC:

They had arrived at the part of the path in which it became smooth and flat - also a slight bit wider. The mountainesque's wall on to their left had begun to show signs of damage in the form of massive claw marks.

Occasionally there would be a cave or two, though they seemed to small for the dragon they were hunting.

"I have no idea." She replied, "Hey, who are you, and do you know what happened to Daphne?"

He never expected anything, not even a Dragon, could scratch stone like that. While he hadn't been paying attention, he had gotten his own foot caught in a scratch mark. He could see the other two of the party found it ammusing.

Now the figure turned towards them and though the cloak still covered its eyes, it spoke in what was clearly a women's voice. "I am Morgan d'Isel."

"As for your dear princess... do not worry... she lies right over there," she said with a laugh as she pointed to the unconsciouss form of Daphne in the corner of the cave.

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Ar'mai giggled lightly, though Bael'ther went back to where Alric was stuck and managed, with the help of his great strength, to help Alric out of his predicament.

"Watch your step," Ar'mai said as she continued down the path as it curved ever so slightly outwards.

"What did you do to her, and what do you want?" She asked

Alric muttered under his breath. He thanked Bael'ther and continued up the path.

"Oh just a sip or two of poison..." Morgan commented with laughter. "What I want? I want something only the little one can give," she continued on, "And if you want the girl to live... I would go get him."

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They had gone halfway around the ledge when Ar'mai stopped in front of a massive hole. "This has got to be it," she said as she saw the blood stained edges of the opening.

"What can he give you?" She asked, "Bane, you're faster, go get Loki."

Bane was already out of the cave and down the path as Alejandra ordered him to go after Loki. Loki and Fuzzy were had made some distance between the cave and themselves, but were slowing down as Bane was speeding up.

"Something of great importance to me..." Morgan commented to Alejandra.

"And what is that?" She asked

"Something of great power... something that will assure me that I am more powerful than any other," Morgan commetned.

Meanwhile Bane had caught up with Loki. "You have to come quick, Loki," Bane said.

"Why?"

"Just come on... its about Daphne," Bane said in a stern voice.

Nervous, Loki bent over and picked up Fuzzy in his arms. Then in turn, Bane picked up Loki unexpectedly and rushed back to the cave.

"And why did you have to resort to this, why could you not have asked for it, or earned it?" She asked

Morgan cackled, "I have earned it... I have earned it with years of hard work, plotting, and waiting for the right time," she said with manical laughter still in her voice. "And now that time has come," she said as Bane emerged breathing deeply with Loki on his shoulder still holding Fuzzy.

"This woman want's something from you in exchange for Daphne's life." She said to Lokie.

"Um... what do I have to give?" Loki said as he hopped down from Bane's side and placed the baby polarbear on the ground. Fuzzy walked over to Daphne slowly and nuzzled against her face.

Loki looked at Alejandra questioningly.

"She hasn't said." Alejandra replied

"Well, now I will enlighten you pathetic fools," Morgan said as Loki looked back to her. "You see... I have a brother... a very powerful brother that is. Though despite all his power, he still a fool who refuses to use it for himself. You could call my brother... Merlin," she said at last revealing who she was. "Nearly five years ago, after many year long years spent plotting and planning, I was able to trick my pathetic brother. You see, I trapped him and magically sealed him to his eternal fate inside that mountain," she continued as she pointed out of the cave and across the way. "The only thing left to do is to destroy his staff, thus eliminating him from power - effectively destroying him forever, and sealing my position as the most powerful sorceress in the world," she cackled again at the thought of her glorious plan succeeding. "It took me some time, but I finally tracked down the one who held the Staff of Merlin... you. I tried to take the staff from you but unfortunately I did not realize the power it held. Do you remember the night, do you Loki?" she asked in an ominous tone. "Let me remind you of it... a few years ago... it was a dark night night in the dead of winter, rain rattled the land as lightning split the skies... I appeared at your cabin door in the lowlands to the south... your pathetic parents saw me and tried to stop me... but they were weak, and I killed them-"

"NO!" Loki screamed out.

"Yes... I killed them with no effort at all... they were so weak. And there you were, there it was - the Staff of Merlin so close to my grasp. I reached out for it..." she continued though in a deeper voice, "But as I touched it, it glowed white with the power of Merlin... I recoiled from it as it burned my hand. Foolish me, I tried to grasp it again and again I was burned by its power. I was forced to flee, leaving the power I sought behind. Nearly five years I hid in the darkness, trying to figure out away around its power. I finally found my way here... to this cave... where my pathetic brother first formed the staff out of pure magic. It was HERE, I learned the secret of the staff... It was HERE, that I learned how I was to gain my true power over this Dominion. You see... the staff can not be taken by another - it has to be given... Your family was entrusted with the staff when I trapped Merlin in that cave. When I killed your parents, you became the protector of the staff and now... you will give it to me or I will kill the four of you where you stand."

"Now give me the staff!" she said in a thunderous voice that echoed throughout the cave.

Loki stood in the center, his legs beginning to faulter under him as he stood frightened in the center of the cave directly between Morgan and the two knights. He had no idea what he was supposed to do so he turned to look at Bane and Alejandra. He looked at Bane's face and he gave a resigned nod he then looked to Alejandra...

"You shouldn't give this power-hungry witch the staff before she heals Daphne." Alejandra said as Loki looked at her.

Loki nodded back at Alejandra before turning to face Morgan again. Morgan sighed gently but did not care as she was so close to her goal. "Fine, fine," she commented as she turned to Daphne and spoke a few inaudible words.

As fuzzy was licking her face, Daphne came to - albeit very slowly and woozily. Bane rushed over to her side and held her tightly. "I thought I lost you..." he whispered quietly to her as she simply smiled back, drained of her energy.

"Now the Staff!" Morgan demanded, her voice causing the very foundation of the cave to shake.

Loki swallowed hard before gathering up enough courage to spite Morgan one last time. "HERE!" he said with all his might and slammed the staff into the ground.

"At last... the staff is mine..." Morgan said. "So passed the Time of Peace,the Time of Merlin... as it gives birth to a new era, a new world order, the Time of Morgan!" she stepped forward and reached out for the staff.

Suddenly as she was about to grasp it, an odd glowing emerged from the staff. Loki's face was lit with wonder as all in the room stared at the miraculous event. Then Loki's hat lifted slightly and out jumped a strange, fuzzy blue creature. It landed easily on the staff and looked about...

"What in the world is that?" She asked of the Loki, refering to the blue fur ball. She also thought with a mental smile, "I knew it, Bane loves Daphne, and I'm sure it's mutual."

"Huh?" Loki said as he heard Alejandra break the eery silence, "Oh!" he said suddenly realizing that he hadn't introduced Nilrem to any of them. "This is Nilrem... he is an Ebor-"

"Enough!" came a foreboding voice. Though it was not obvious where it came from. "The time has come Loki... the time for you to know the truth about me."

"Huh!?" Loki said confused as he heard the voice. He then drew the only conclusion he could, "Nilrem!"

"Yes... it is I who speaks to you now," the voice called again. "It is time for you to know the truth," he repeated as he began to tell the story. "It was five years ago that I was imprisoned within the walls of the mountain. As you know, it was Morgan who trapped me there and there I remained... remain. With my last ounce of power before I was sealed off, I sent my staff to your cabin and insured its protection with your family. Along with it, I sent a tiny manifestation of myself... the being which you call Nilrem and sits before you now. Through Nilrem, though I was powerless to do anything, I was still able to guide you and assisst you along the way. I knew that someday this day would come where you had to meet with Morgan face to face in her quest for ultimate power..." The voice trailed off.

When it returned, it was accompanied by a soft rumbling noise in the distance, "You see... it was - is, Morgan's own greed that will lead to her downfall. If she had been content to leave me sealed in my unescapable prison deep within the mountain, I would have remained there till far after she had passed on... but no... she wanted to be rid of me for eternity and had sought to destroy my staff. The staff that lead her back to here... this cave, where it was forged many years ago by a naiver version of myself. The very staff that she sought to destroy me with... will give birth to me once again and topple what she strove to achieve."

Loki stood there bewildered, as was everyone else. He did not know what to make of the situation as his whole world was turned upside down.

"You see... the very spot where you now stand, I stood long ago and forged that staff. By returning it to the ground from which it came, it will free me... now!" the voice called out with a booming affect which shook the mountain.

As they stared at Nilrem, it became evident that the light was emanating from him and not the staff. A burst of blinding light suddenly shot out from Nilrem and enveloped the cave. When the light receded, Nilrem was no longer there, nor was the very staff he stood on.

"What... how!" Morgan screamed out in disbelief, "No! No, no, no... I will not let this happen!"

A loud explosion was heard and everyone turned to look outside the cave. Across the way, a beam of light slammed down from the heavens and hit the zenith of the mountain in which Loki's cave resided. It seemed to create a perfectly cylindrical hole in the mountain, right through to its very base. Then, all of a sudden, a figure emerged from the depths with the light shining upon him like an angel reborn. Like god coming to earth to proclaim the final judgement, so did the bearded wizard descend across the sky to promulgate the last judgement on Morgan.

"Morgan d'Isel, bretrayor of man, slayer of the innocent, you stand accused of the ultimate crime of treason. I have returned to pass judgement on thee by the order of the High Court of Wizengard. For your crimes committed against humanity and nature alike, the High Court of Wizengard hereby sentences you... to death! To be carried out immediately." The booming voice proclaimed the end of the Time of Morgan as the figure of old but strong man, cloaked in a robe as white as snow, entered the cave. "I am here now, to carry out the sentence according to the law," the figure said as it carryed the Staff of Merlin. "Have you any last words..."

"No... you can't do this... you are not strong enou-" Morgan protested but was silenced.

"ENOUGH!" commanded the voice that shook the heavens and caused thunder to roll through the sky. "Your time has come!" And with that, he slammed down the staff causing another, more powerful, blinding light to fill the cave. When it subsided, the body that once housed the hell driven soul of Morgan d'Isel, had disappeared, leaving her tattered clothing as the last remants or proof that she ever existed.

"Now," said the man in robe as he ushred them out of the cave. He snapped his fingers and the cave seemed to seal itself off behind them, "I am sure you have many questions... but this is not the place." He again tapped the ground with his staff and the six of them, including Fuzzy, were transported back to the high peek where Loki's cave lay.

As she looked around and tried to re-orient herself, she looked at the bearded man. "You are Merlin, then my quest was even more successful than intended or I thought it could be." She said

"Indeed I am... though I believe the end result of your quest has led you to more questions than answers, no?" Merlin said to the young knightress.

Bane was stunned at the turn of events and though he had many questions for the wizard, he was focused on the still weak Princess at the moment.

Loki, who hadn't spoken since the figure, who he had though to be Nilrem, intrerupted him back in the cave, still stood without saying a word. His mouth hung open in realization as thoughts zoomed through his brain at a million miles a minute.

"Yes it has raised many questions." She replied, "But also answered many."

"I am glad," Merlin said to the lady knightress before turning to Loki. "I know you have a question for me, Loki," he commented in a gentle voice, "And you will have your time to ask, and all will be explained - but for now... we return home."

"Everyone ready?"

"What do you mean return home, your home, my home, Loki's home, Bane's home or Daphne's home?" She asked

"Correct," he said cryptically with a wink to Alejandra.

A light began to form out of the top of Merlin's staff and soon grew so bright that everyone was blinded. "You will soon see..." the voice said through the light.

A moment later, the light began to slowly recede and the group of five could see their surroundings. They stood beneath a lovely tree in the courtyard of the king's castle. A large group of people, some chanting, were formed in a circle only twenty feet away - but none of them noticed the appearence of the group.

"So Daphne's home." Alejandra replied as she looked over and noticed the other peoples lack of reaction, "What's up with them?"

"I believe their attention is distracted by something more appealing than a group of misfits," the bearded wizard whispered to her. He then pointed to the scene they were all staring at.

Two guards' armed with swords lead a man, whose arms were binded securely behind his back, up onto the platform. They laid him down on a bench and tied him to it so that he couldn't move. Now a man dressed in a black robe, carrying a massive one-bladed axe, stepped onto the platform, "Sir Vaden... you have been found guilty of nine counts of murder, three counts of treason, and one count of attempting to kill the king. You have been sentenced to death for your crimes... any last words." Vaden merely spat at the crowd who was jeering and chanting, anticipating his death. "Very well..." continued the robed man, "If you so wish... you have the right to look upon the face of your executioner," he said as he pulled back the hood of his robe. Vaden still refused to look and merely lay there motionless. Pausing for a moment, the executioner raised the blade over his head... and brought it crashing down. The crowd roared with approvement as Vaden's head rolled off the bench and onto the platform, before coming to a stop at the edge.

Merlin lowered his head, "Come..." he said as he led them past the crowd and into the building that was the castle.

Alejandra looked away, and made sure to shelter Loki's eyes. After it was done she nodded her agreement, not trust herself to be able to speak without spewing.

As the group walked through the halls, the king had now heard about the knights' return. As they neared the grand hall, the doors burst open and out came the steamingly mad figure of Alfred. "Daphne!" he roared, "How dare y-... I will deal with you later," he said as he caught sight of Bane, "And YOU! I should have yo-"

"Eh hem," the white robed wizard cleared his throat.

"Mer... Merlin? Is that really you..." the King said as he broke off his rant.

Merlin simply smiled at him and the king instantly recognized it to be him. "Merlin! It is you... it has been five long years without you..."

"Yes, I am sure it has," Merlin said, "Though thanks to these two brave knights... I have returned."

"I see..." said the King, "Well, Bane... I guess I owe you an apol-"

"Not at all necessary, M' Liege," interrupted Bane, "It is I who should should be apologizi-"

This time it was Daphne's turn to interupt. She gripped Bane's hand tight and spoke to her farther, taking the blame, "Nay, it was my fault... I ran off and made Bane swear to either stay and not say a word or follow me and not get in the way... I was foolish."

"Well... there will be time for the full story later," the King said, "For now, I am sure you must be famished. Go," he ushered them into the grand hall where numerous plates of food were laid out on a table, "Eat." He watched as the two knights and princess entered to eat, as he stayed behind to catch up with his old friend Merlin.

"Allow me introduce you to, Loki," Merlin said as he gestured to the small figure at his side which the King had overlooked. "My nephew..."

Alejandra was slightly angered, and relieved that she wasn't complimented and chewed up respectively.

After, to both Alfred and Loki's surprise, Merlin revealed and explained his relationship to Loki, the king and archwizard caught up on what had happened.

A short period later, the King entered the Grand Hall with Merlin and Loki at his side, and made his way over to the table where the two knights and princess sat eating. "I suppose this is a bit overdue..." the King said as he approached the table, "Alejandra... will you please stand."

Alejandra stood, thought she was somewhat apprehensive, as to what the king's reaction would be.

"Kneel," the King said and Alejandra obliged.

"Kneel, Alejandra Raimunda Knight of the Order of the Hatchet... and arise Lady Alejandra Raimunda Knight of the Order of the Hatchet and Knightress of the Court of Stuart."

She arose with a smile, both at the acceptance and the fact that he wasn't chewing her out for making off with his daughter.

"So," Alric replyed, "how deep do you think this cave is."

(ooc: I doubt that i will be able to post often this week.)

The King smiled back at her as he knighted her with his sword before she rose. Then he turned to Bane, "And you..."

"Wait daddy," Daphne interrupted, "We have something to tell you..." She smiled at Bane briefly before explaining to her father, the king. "Me and Bane are in love... we want to get married."

Sigh The king looked at them for a moment, though it felt like a year to most, before giving his approval. "I guess if I have to let you go... it could be to no better man than Bane - after all he did return you in one piece."

"Grand!" Merlin said.

"Alright, send for some messengers... have them send out invitations all across the land and begin planning it," the king beamed to all who would listen.

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

"Judging by the size of the mountain... I doubt it could be to deep without making it unstable," Ar'mai suggested as she peared in.

"Shall we?" she said as she urged Bael'ther in ahead of her.


ooc1: thats fine... it isn't going to be much longer anyway.
ooc2: the wedding will occur at the end of Alric's quest as he is returning home.

"I knew it." Alejandra thought, as she decided to congratulate the two after dinner.

"Lets go then." Alric said as he fell in behind Bael'ther.

They had explored the dark cave for a couple of hours - though they were going in circles most of the time - and found no dragon. "Come on... he obviously isn't here right now," Ar'mai said as her keen elven eyes could see in even the darkest of places, "Lets wait outside."

She began heading back towards the entrance, whistling as she went so to provide a track for Alric to follow.

His hand he had on the hilt of his sword the whole time relaxed. He could barely see in the cave so he followed her whistling to the entrance of the cave.

Ar'mai was sitting just outside the cave with her legs dangling over the edge of the cliff as Bael'ther and Alric emerged. She had placed her bow to the side of her, though her quiver was still strapped around her back.

Bael'ther continued to stand throughout the time they waited for the mysterious dragon to arrive. The whole time his hands would be found resting on the hilt of his two colossal blades.


It was many hours later. The sound had begun to recede behind the endless waters, leaving only a orange tinted sky in its wake. Ar'mai had fallen asleep briefly in the warm sun before the night was being ushered in. But suddenly, she bolted upright - her attune eyes and ears spotted the dragon off in the distance as it screached and roared its way home.

Alric found himself nodding off as well. When he saw the dragon comming he drew his sword. Even at a distance he looked small and pitifull compared to the dragon.

The dragon closed the immense distance with the speed only possessed by the supernatural. As it closed in, the red scaled gradon tucked its wings in and formed into a dart - gaining speed as it directed itself at the three forms next to its cave.

Bael'ther quickly took cover between a small rock formation and the side of the mountain, while Ar'mai grabbed her bow up and with all due agility, scampered into the darkness of the cave.

The dragon let out a deafening screach that especially hurt the attune ears of the elven folk. Its two massive legs sported threatenginly large and sharp clawed feet - which now bore down upon where Alric had been standing.

Alric, knowing that standding there would mean looking death in the face. The only cover he could see and reach quickly was the cave. He darted quickly upwards looking and crawled into a smaller cave. Now that he has seen the dragon in full veiw, he knows that he cannot hope to stand in front of it and win. He crawled backwards a bit and waited.

The dragon landed swiftly in front of his cave and proceeded to prepare to burn Ar'mai out. Another roar sounded - though this time it was not from the dragon but rather the battle cry of Bael'ther. Pulling out his blessed blades, Bael jumped out from behind the rocks and proceeded to slash at the dragon's undefended mouth. Obviously the dragon was quite annoyed, as he turned on Bael'ther and swatted at him with one if its four strong, scaled limbs.

Watching this Alric decided that he had go out now. He crawled out and ran for the dragon, ready to slash it in one of its legs screaming at the top of his lungs. He told himself that he could not fear death now.

Sensing the re-emergance of Alric from behind her, the dragon turned its head slightly and began swatting at Alric with her tail. Though this also gave Bael'ther the momentary time to get back on his feet.

On instinct Alric jumped back a bit when the tail first swung. But the second time he was ready and saw it swinging back towards him. He readied his sword and slashed at the monster's tail as it came.

The dragon screamed out in pain as blood spewed from its tail. It jerked around with amazing speed to face Alric and at the same time its tail knocked landed squarely in the chest of Bael'ther - knocking the wind out of him and temporarily setting him out of the battle.

Steam began streaming out of the dragon's nose as it faced Alric with a flame burning in its eyes. Suddenly, a rock knocked it upside the head - the dragon reacted by turning its body to face the direction of the rock. Its tail now hung over the edge of the cliff as it faced into the cave. Though just as it turned to face the cave, a set of arrows caming flying out of the darnkess and landing directly into its eyes. "Now!"

Alric, having no fear now, charged forward. He aimed his strike towards the creatures belly, hopping to hit his vital organs.

Alas, the dragon's belly was as armored as the rest of her body and mere slashes would not penetrate it. As it was blinded by the arrows, it began flailing out in anger, letting loose balls of fire in every which way.

Ar'mai had to duck out of the way as one went crashing towards the cave. "The head!" came her voice from the darkness.

Being face to face with the Dragon, Alric gathered all of his strength and stabbed upwards towards the Dragons head.

Smelling the scent of the human directly in front of her, the dragon lashed out at Alric with a mighty clawed appendage. Just as she was about to hit Alric, he stabbed her through the jaw with his sword.

The blow was enough to send her into convulsions that spelled doom. Her claws started slashing about randomly before she stumbeled back and fell over the edge to her death.

Alric breathed a sigh of releif. Remembering that Bealther had been knocked down, he went over to him to see if he was alright.

Bael'ther had managed to prop himself up against the mountain as he regained his breath. "Don't worry... he will be fine," Ar'mai said as she emerged out of the darkness of the cave. She walked over to Bael'ther and removed his helmet which he had been wearing since Alric first saw him. Shen then placed her hands on both sides of his face, dropped her head, and whispered a prayer - as a result Bael'ther was re-energized and got to his feet.

"Now... lets go see about that dragon," Ar'mai said, "...Before it gets dark and the lions start feeding on it."

"Lets go then." Alric relplied. There seemed to be new energy in his step. He just now realized that he had acomplished what he had set out to do. Alric led the way down the mountain.

Ar'mai smiled as she followed behind Alric down the mountain - he seemed to be enjoying his accomplishment and deservedly so. The walk back down the mountain was, obviously, much easier than the trek up and so they arrived at the base a short time later as the last rays of sun were dying behind the distant lands.

They walked around the base for about twenty minutes before finding the body of the slain dragon laying on top of a broken tree. "Well... here she is."

Shouldering his pack, Alric looked at the dead dragon, the dragon he had slain. Well, to be completely honest, Ar'mai and Bealther had helped him. He had to thank them before they split up.

"Alright..." Ar'mai said as she took one of Bael'ther's smaller blades in her hands, "You take what you need and I will take the rest," she said as she she looked down upon it.

Alric looked at Ar'mai with a slightly quizical look, "What..." he managed to get out.

"Well... you are going to need a way to prove that you killed the dragon, aren't you?" Ar'mai suggested, "I doubt the King would knight you if you just said that you did."

"Besides... I didn't travel all this way for nothing," she continued to explain.

Noticing his pause and hesitation, Ar'ami decided to speak again, "Well, all I need is a hunk of meet and I am sure you would rather just be carrying a claw or something, so I will take that for now. We will set up camp back where we did last night - in the morning before we leave, you can decide what part you want to take with you."

With that she took her blade and cut off a large chunk of Dragon meat, which Bael'ther walked over to and picked up in his rippling arms. "Now off to camp we go..." she said as she skipped away.

When they arrived at camp a short time later, Ar'mai went about setting up her tent. "I don't think we should bother with cooking dinner tonight as we will soon be back in our respective civilizations in the morning," Ar'mai said as she walked into her tent, "Good night..."

The three men set off from Paris that very hour, Rodriguez rather silent on his horse until they had left the city. He only let them in as they left the sprawling urban setting behind them. Not turning he began to speak, "I was approached by an old foe of mine. A fellow commander in Spain, working for the Valois but a mercenary nonetheless. We had fled to France together, but we ended up enemies due to a small strife between us two and an attempt to gain favour with the Valois in Paris. He, obviously, turned the victor, but I spread a rumour of his disloyalties towards the crown and he was booted from the castle grounds. To this day he has attempted to track me, and it seems he has finally succeeded. News has seeped in from the north that two British knights [OOC: I know that you might not be British, but the people don't] and a Spanish knight have left south to look for something holy. What we're looking for has no left the king's lips, apparently, but it might soon. I'm afraid we might be followed and thus we must pick up speed."

With that he began to gallop harder, towards the south. Their next stop would be in three days at Massangi. Until then they would sleep alongside the road. From Massangi they would head to Dijon, and then to Bourg. Their final destination was Carcasonne, near the Spanish border. Hopefully there they would find their prize...

Sven nodded. "Yes, it would be wise indeed to move fast." He had not made many enemies during his travels, but then again, all it took was one. "Your acquaintence does seem to hold a very powerful grudge." Sven had never understood all the politicking that went on in the courts of these warm lands. Matters in Callisdrun were so much more simple, even between the Moroii clans. There was never any time to concern oneself with intrigue when just living took as much effort as it did. Not to mention the hordes on the border who'd love to see the destruction of the icy nation and its people.

He said to Rodriguez "It would be best to stay by rivers when we make camp, so as to have drinking and washwater. You probably already knew that, though."

"Good night," Alric replied, "and thank you. Thank you for helping me."

"Think nothing of it..." Ar'mai replied as the sound of blankets ruffling could be heard coming from her tent. "You helped us as much as we helped you..." she said as the sound stopped and sleep came over the tiny camp.

Sometime during the middle of the night, Ar'mai woke up and silently left camp. She made her way up the same path they had traveled earlier that day, then around the edge, and then up yet again a steeper and rocky path until she was on top of the mountain. With her, she had brought the massive piece of meat she had cut off from the dragon not so long ago and it was still fresh. After sticking it on a spike so the scent would carry across the wind, Ar'mai lay down and fell asleep.

When she woke up the next morning shortly before the sun rose, a magnificent winged horse was standing next to her, eating the dragon meat. Ar'mai jumped in glee as she had finally accomplished what she had been looking to do for years. Well... almost - first she had to sit crossed legged on the ground and whisper a long prayer to tame the wild horse... and then it was hers.

After naming it Gael'kadar, she hopped on and directed it down to camp. When they arrived, the horse walked over to Bael'ther and per Ar'mai's instructions, licked his face to wake him up. Ar'mai then dismounted and walked over to the slumbering Alric, "Wake up... it's time to go."

Alric began to sit up, and then sat in surprise of the winged horse. It is safe to say he had never seen anything like it before. He decided that he may just be still drowzy and put his pack on. "Lets go then." Alric replied.

"Well, come over here then," Ar'mai said as she had hopped onto the horse who waited in the clearing. "Just gimme your pack and I will tie it on to its side."

"Oh... did I forget to mention? Bael'ther is going to be taking the boat back to the otherside; You and I are going to be going... a faster way," Ar'mai explained, "I hope you don't mind riding bareback."

"Um, no I don't." Alric decieded that he may be insane or there actually may be a winged horse standing there. He might as well check and see. Alric threw his pack up to Ar'mai and went to climb up onto the horse's back.

"Alright..." Ar'mai said as Alric climbed onto the horse behind her, "Time to go..." She turned to Bael'ther who stood just feet away with the rest of the elves' stuff, "See you back home Bael... be good."

Bael'ther pounded his right fist against his armored chest and then saluted. As he did so, Ar'mai screamed out in excitement and urged the horse off. In a dazzling display of control and power, the winged horse took two gallops and flew off into the air...

It came as almost a complete shock to see that any ground that had been beneath Alric's feet was below him now. It was an almost indescribeble feeling that he could not describe as he held on and the wind whiped by and the ground below moved.

"Just hold on tight... it's a long way down," Ar'mai commented as they soared higher and faster into the sky. "We will be back at the castle in no time..."

He held on amazed, still looking over the side of the horse.

Hasdrubal yawned, and turned slightly when he heard Sven mumbling something about singing. "You go ahead. With my singing voice, it's better to remain silent" he said, smiling.

OOC: Asengar? Who's that? I thought there were only three of us.

He held on amazed, still looking over the side of the horse.

In no time at all, they had arrived back at castle. Ar'mai had the winged horse dive out of the cloud's at a steep angle so that they arrived without being noticed by the locals. The horse stopped by a hill just outside of the town surrounding the King's castle, on the edge of the woods.

"All right, Alric," Ar'mai said as they landed, "Go straight to the King and give him this," she produced three of the dragon's claws and handed them to him. "Oh... and tell him I say hello... but not anyone else."

"Alright," Alric replied as he took the claws, "I will. Goodbye then, unless we meet again at another time, of course." He turned to start walking back to the castle. He then remembered that he owed a man a horse there, but he would get him another horse later.

"Possibly..." Ar'mai replied as he was walking farther away, "But I doubt it... we elves tend to keep to ourselves." She then turned her horse into the woods and disappeared...

Alric continued to walk as she dissipeared. He looked back up at the castle, quite possibly his new home soon, and continued to the gate.

"Halt!" cried out a guard from behind the closed cross-iron gate. "Show your invitation in order to enter!"

"I am Alric Fitzgilbert," Alric replied, "I was sent on a quest by the king."

The two guards looked at each other for a brief moment before the other one spoke, "Anybody could claim that and we are under strict orders not to let anybody in..."

"My quest was to slay a dragon," Alric replied, "and this is my proof." He then held the claws of the dead dragon up in the air above his head.

The guards were speechless and stared at the claws for minutes. Finally one of the them tapped the other and he ran over to the gate's controls. Less than a minute later the gate was open.

Inside the castle walls, there were hundreds of people in elegant clothes and decorations of a wedding strewn every which way.

Alric wondered what the occasion was and politely steped to the side of the crowds so as to not disturb anything. He wandered towards the keep to try to find the king.

The King was inside his chambers preparing for the wedding that was soon to take place that afternoon.

ooc: dinner, bbl.

Hasdrubal yawned, and turned slightly when he heard Sven mumbling something about singing. "You go ahead. With my singing voice, it's better to remain silent" he said, smiling.

OOC: Asengar? Who's that? I thought there were only three of us.

OOC: Oh, that's right, Asengar was Staggering Drunks' Knight.
I'll edit

ooc: hey guys... just a note. My part (and interest) in the RP is coming to an end; much like Theao's has and Danard's is about to. So... you guys can continue your quest for the holy grail if you want though you don't have, but with the sporadic posting that has been happening (in that particular quest), it seems interest as waned.

Alric continued up to the keep.

The King was in his chambers talking with Sir Lancelot before the wedding ceremonies that were to begin soon. "Ah! Alric... you have returned," the King blurted out as he saw the man enter the room. "I assume you have completed your task?" he asked, raising an eye brow curiously.

Happy New Year!

"Yes my leige," Alric said as he bowed, "Will you need to see my proof that I did it."

King Alfred smiled, "Of course..."

Alric slienly produced the claws from his pack and hands it over towards the King, allowing him to see them.

King merely smiled as he saw the claws which were obviously those of a giant dragon. He extended his left arm and with two fingers out, pointed to the floor as he pulled out his sword with his right arm.

This was what he was hoping to acomplish, since he left his home. He kneeled down before his leige, ready to be knighted.

"Kneel Alric Fitzgilbert," the king said as he raised his sword. "And arise... Sir Alric, Knight of the Court of Stuarts," he spoke the words slowly as he touched either shoulder.

He winked at Alric and then bid him to join them at the wedding ceremony that was about to occur. As they reached the courtyard, it was strewn with the finest of decorations

***

"And do you, Sir Bane Spire, take Lady Daphne to be your lofty wedded wife in-"

"I do," Blane interrupted as he stared lovingly into the Princess' eyes.

The priest smiled, "By the power vested in me by King Alfred of the House of Stuart, I now pronounce you... husband and wife."

The crowd cheered as the two kissed and then made their across the flowered courtyard onto a waiting horse. After mounting quickly they rode off into the sunset, bound for their new lives as Prince and Princess.

Finished and Closed