"Temper, temper. I'm sure you have more important things to be doing then yelling at me like that. Well good luck on whatever you do next, " the one armed man said as he tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword, stepped back into a dark corner of the room and faded.
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"Some people like the lull..."
- Thread starter Quiby
- Start date
- Watchers 0
Y
Yuki
Guest
Yuki moved back into the room to examine the corner the one-armed human had disappeared into. He had completely vanished, certainly by some form of magic. She let out a small hiss of frustration, mostly at herself. Even though the human had deserved so much more for treating the situation as if it were nothing an amusing diversion.
She turned from the corner and walked out of the room, leaving the temptation of the books behind her. Apparently her outburst hadn't attracted any real attention, and aside from a few curious glances at the hooded figure walking through the Abby, she left unnoticed.
A few minutes after entering the tree line of the forest, she stopped and rested against a tree. Thinking through her options. Concluding that there weren't all that many open to her, even less after driving the human away.
"Wael de'natha murrpau," she muttered under her breath, resting her head back on the tree. A few deep breaths did nothing to change her situation; she still needed to get to wrong.
The hood of her cloak snagged on a piece of rough bark, pulling the heavy material from over her head before she had chance to stop it.
"Xsa!" she cursed as the cool night air replaced the stuffy confines provided by the snow leopard pelt lining. She stepped forward to free the hood and looked in the direction of the Abby, making sure that she wasn't being followed. Her eyes saw more in the darkness than any of the humans in the area every could, which meant that if she couldn't see any of them, then it was likely that none of them could see her.
Her face was mostly feline in appearance, save for a few slight differences around the eyes sockets. Her chin and lower cheek fur was snow white, contrasting strongly with the black fur that masked the entire left side of her head, barring a patch on her left ear. The right of her face features a bold L-shape of black fur running from her ear down to meet the black on the left of her face, and then down over her eye. The rest of her face had a light ginger colour, contributing to the overall patchwork appearance of her colouring.
A few hairs that refused to be tied back came forward to form a partial fringe, while the rest was tied up high on the crown of her head. Making a controlled descent down her back in a sleeve of black velvet.
She reached up to brush a strand of her "fringe" out of her face with a white-furred hand, complete with pink pads on the palm and small claw-like fingernails. The rest of her arm was similarly white, with the exception of a ring of fur around her wrist. Looking very much like a bracelet of intertwined black and gold.
After a moment of thought, she decided to leave the hood down, offering her considerably better use of her senses. Even if it did make her look rather conspicuous, not that many people travelled at night to see her.
She took a final glance behind her and set off in the direction of the dungeon at a brisk walk. Vowing that no amount of distance could keep her from her dalharil, her daughter.
Out of Character:
I'm so sorry about the greatly descriptive, and often enigmatic nature of my last couple of posts. It is the product of spending more hours over the past two days researching and studying moon phases, the Drow and tortoiseshell/calico cats for this character than I have sleeping. I'd not even heard of Klinefelter's Syndrome before tonight, but know I am really quite knowledgeable (not that it's really relevant, since Yuki's female).
She turned from the corner and walked out of the room, leaving the temptation of the books behind her. Apparently her outburst hadn't attracted any real attention, and aside from a few curious glances at the hooded figure walking through the Abby, she left unnoticed.
A few minutes after entering the tree line of the forest, she stopped and rested against a tree. Thinking through her options. Concluding that there weren't all that many open to her, even less after driving the human away.
"Wael de'natha murrpau," she muttered under her breath, resting her head back on the tree. A few deep breaths did nothing to change her situation; she still needed to get to wrong.
The hood of her cloak snagged on a piece of rough bark, pulling the heavy material from over her head before she had chance to stop it.
"Xsa!" she cursed as the cool night air replaced the stuffy confines provided by the snow leopard pelt lining. She stepped forward to free the hood and looked in the direction of the Abby, making sure that she wasn't being followed. Her eyes saw more in the darkness than any of the humans in the area every could, which meant that if she couldn't see any of them, then it was likely that none of them could see her.
Her face was mostly feline in appearance, save for a few slight differences around the eyes sockets. Her chin and lower cheek fur was snow white, contrasting strongly with the black fur that masked the entire left side of her head, barring a patch on her left ear. The right of her face features a bold L-shape of black fur running from her ear down to meet the black on the left of her face, and then down over her eye. The rest of her face had a light ginger colour, contributing to the overall patchwork appearance of her colouring.
A few hairs that refused to be tied back came forward to form a partial fringe, while the rest was tied up high on the crown of her head. Making a controlled descent down her back in a sleeve of black velvet.
She reached up to brush a strand of her "fringe" out of her face with a white-furred hand, complete with pink pads on the palm and small claw-like fingernails. The rest of her arm was similarly white, with the exception of a ring of fur around her wrist. Looking very much like a bracelet of intertwined black and gold.
After a moment of thought, she decided to leave the hood down, offering her considerably better use of her senses. Even if it did make her look rather conspicuous, not that many people travelled at night to see her.
She took a final glance behind her and set off in the direction of the dungeon at a brisk walk. Vowing that no amount of distance could keep her from her dalharil, her daughter.
Out of Character:
I'm so sorry about the greatly descriptive, and often enigmatic nature of my last couple of posts. It is the product of spending more hours over the past two days researching and studying moon phases, the Drow and tortoiseshell/calico cats for this character than I have sleeping. I'd not even heard of Klinefelter's Syndrome before tonight, but know I am really quite knowledgeable (not that it's really relevant, since Yuki's female).
Q
Quiby
Guest
“Do I look like a ranger?” she asked, her voice impatient and pained, “they were in a forest somewhere between here and there. I couldn’t tell the difference between the trees around Yew and those around Trinsic; they all look the same to me.”
“You could always send your loyal handmaid to look for them,” she suggested, glancing over at Xylon noting the increasingly tempestuous expression on the creature’s bloodstained face. “Of course, she might just find them and tell…”
<font color=red>Xylon launched herself across the room in a rush of wind, using her wings as well as her limbs to propel her at the girl. She hadn’t thought twice about silencing her when it became apparent that she was going to reveal how Yew had found out about the invasion. In fact she didn’t even think once, she just did it.
Her right hand found the girls neck and squeezed, just enough to silence her, but not enough to injure her too seriously. Ideally, that would be enough to convince a person to hold their tongue, but Xylon had a feeling that the girl didn’t fear death enough for it to convince her.
Xylon’s momentum forced the girl from the hands of her escorts and the pair of them crashed into the wall. “Do not presume to come here and spread your lies,” she snarled, holding her face as close to the girls as was possible with the difference of height between them.</font color=red>
“You could always send your loyal handmaid to look for them,” she suggested, glancing over at Xylon noting the increasingly tempestuous expression on the creature’s bloodstained face. “Of course, she might just find them and tell…”
<font color=red>Xylon launched herself across the room in a rush of wind, using her wings as well as her limbs to propel her at the girl. She hadn’t thought twice about silencing her when it became apparent that she was going to reveal how Yew had found out about the invasion. In fact she didn’t even think once, she just did it.
Her right hand found the girls neck and squeezed, just enough to silence her, but not enough to injure her too seriously. Ideally, that would be enough to convince a person to hold their tongue, but Xylon had a feeling that the girl didn’t fear death enough for it to convince her.
Xylon’s momentum forced the girl from the hands of her escorts and the pair of them crashed into the wall. “Do not presume to come here and spread your lies,” she snarled, holding her face as close to the girls as was possible with the difference of height between them.</font color=red>
"Well..." Kysh said, "It doesn't look like they are buying the army bit. Any ideas?"
"Not sure unless any one here can summon an army," Neph responded.
Kysh thought that over for a moment, then smiled, "That's not such a bad idea. He sent out scouts to see if there is an army out here let's give them one."
"How are three of us going to make scouts think there is an army here?"
Kysh just smiled back.
***
"Ok the Juka scouts are almost here. Every one get set."
Kysh knew this was going to have to be fast. His eyes were glowing bright green as he used the cretures of the forest to track the Jukan scouts. When they were close enough His eyes changed to a blueish glow and Kysh became very still. At the same time 6 patches of mist formed near by each patch clearing to reveal a solen warrior. At this moment the Jukan Scouts came into view. The Solen Warriors wasted no time and in a matter of seconds half of the surprised Jukans on the ground in small pools of acid. The two knights began yelling back and forth as if giving commands to people out of sight. The Jukans being sure they had stumbled into the advance scouts of the army they were looking for fled. The solen pursued at a slower pace then the remaining Jukan and faded into a cloud of mist as they passed out of sight.
As the last solen warrior dissapeared the glow in Kysh's eyes vanished and Neph caught him as be began to collapse.
Kysh looked up at Neph and said, "I think I'm getting better at this. This is the frist time I didn't completly pass out ofter summoning."
"Yes but you look like you could pass out at any moment. We'd better find you a place to rest while we see if you plan worked," Neph said as he picked the elvish boy up and began to carry him back to a safer area.
____________________________________________________________________
"Enough! Xylon release her. Guards put the girl in with the other prisoners till we find out if there is indeed an army out there or not, unless of course there is any more information she would like to give, "Zeazrom said giving both Xylon and the girl a menacing look.
"Not sure unless any one here can summon an army," Neph responded.
Kysh thought that over for a moment, then smiled, "That's not such a bad idea. He sent out scouts to see if there is an army out here let's give them one."
"How are three of us going to make scouts think there is an army here?"
Kysh just smiled back.
***
"Ok the Juka scouts are almost here. Every one get set."
Kysh knew this was going to have to be fast. His eyes were glowing bright green as he used the cretures of the forest to track the Jukan scouts. When they were close enough His eyes changed to a blueish glow and Kysh became very still. At the same time 6 patches of mist formed near by each patch clearing to reveal a solen warrior. At this moment the Jukan Scouts came into view. The Solen Warriors wasted no time and in a matter of seconds half of the surprised Jukans on the ground in small pools of acid. The two knights began yelling back and forth as if giving commands to people out of sight. The Jukans being sure they had stumbled into the advance scouts of the army they were looking for fled. The solen pursued at a slower pace then the remaining Jukan and faded into a cloud of mist as they passed out of sight.
As the last solen warrior dissapeared the glow in Kysh's eyes vanished and Neph caught him as be began to collapse.
Kysh looked up at Neph and said, "I think I'm getting better at this. This is the frist time I didn't completly pass out ofter summoning."
"Yes but you look like you could pass out at any moment. We'd better find you a place to rest while we see if you plan worked," Neph said as he picked the elvish boy up and began to carry him back to a safer area.
____________________________________________________________________
"Enough! Xylon release her. Guards put the girl in with the other prisoners till we find out if there is indeed an army out there or not, unless of course there is any more information she would like to give, "Zeazrom said giving both Xylon and the girl a menacing look.
Y
Yuki
Guest
Yuki slipped the small book back into one of the pouches at her belt, sliding it easily behind the silk-wrapped deck of cards. Of the three pouches at her waist, the one with her journal in was certainly most cherished. The other two carried spell components and a small amount of currency, both of which were easily replaced.
The book had been her journal, a much smaller than the larger volumes she kept in chronological order on the shelves of the place she called home. A small cottage, built far south of Trinsic, over the ruins of a building that had fallen there many years before.
She placed her hands on the ground; fingers splayed, enjoying the sensation of the cool grass on her pads. Putting the rest of her weight on the balls of her feet, she straightened her legs, arching her back in a cat-like stretch. Beneath the cloak, her tail quivered with the sheer ecstasy that came from a good, satisfying stretch.
She had paused to write in her journal after another attempt to hasten her journey failed. The spell had worked perfectly, and as planned the localized cloud of mist had faded to revel a horse with a deep brown coat. No sooner than she had taken a step towards the horse, it had bolted into the night. Apparently affected in the same way as just about every other creature in the land.
It had occurred to her long ago that wildlife just didn’t like her. She reasoned that it was probably down to the corruption of her elven blood; to them, on an instinctual level, she was probably little better than undead. Her presence was generally tolerated; at least until she attempted to approach the creature, or did anything that could conceivably be taken as an aggressive act.
Some time ago she had been asleep at the foot of a tree, when a curious unicorn had passed by. Naturally the unicorn investigated the strange sleeping creature, and a few sniffs was all it took to disturb her slumber. Upon her awakening, the creature had turned to bolt, kicking her in the ribs in the process. The memory alone was enough to make her wince.
With the knowledge that the road ahead of her was to be a long one, she got to her feet once again and continued in the direction of the dungeon.
The book had been her journal, a much smaller than the larger volumes she kept in chronological order on the shelves of the place she called home. A small cottage, built far south of Trinsic, over the ruins of a building that had fallen there many years before.
She placed her hands on the ground; fingers splayed, enjoying the sensation of the cool grass on her pads. Putting the rest of her weight on the balls of her feet, she straightened her legs, arching her back in a cat-like stretch. Beneath the cloak, her tail quivered with the sheer ecstasy that came from a good, satisfying stretch.
She had paused to write in her journal after another attempt to hasten her journey failed. The spell had worked perfectly, and as planned the localized cloud of mist had faded to revel a horse with a deep brown coat. No sooner than she had taken a step towards the horse, it had bolted into the night. Apparently affected in the same way as just about every other creature in the land.
It had occurred to her long ago that wildlife just didn’t like her. She reasoned that it was probably down to the corruption of her elven blood; to them, on an instinctual level, she was probably little better than undead. Her presence was generally tolerated; at least until she attempted to approach the creature, or did anything that could conceivably be taken as an aggressive act.
Some time ago she had been asleep at the foot of a tree, when a curious unicorn had passed by. Naturally the unicorn investigated the strange sleeping creature, and a few sniffs was all it took to disturb her slumber. Upon her awakening, the creature had turned to bolt, kicking her in the ribs in the process. The memory alone was enough to make her wince.
With the knowledge that the road ahead of her was to be a long one, she got to her feet once again and continued in the direction of the dungeon.
Q
Quiby
Guest
Hikaru stared impassively at Xylon, as the dragoon who was clearly her master, demanded she stood down. The animosity between the pair was obvious to all in the room, but after a moment of reluctance on Xylon’s part, she released Hikaru. Her master clearly hadn’t seen the look in her eyes, but Hikaru saw, and realised that it would be much better to leave the creature as the dragoon’s right hand.
Although the reluctance had been towards the cessation of her near-asphyxiating grip, and ordinarily such a disinclination would be a bad thing; Hikaru realised that the creature was to be an ally, albeit a dangerous one.
She locked eyes with the dragoon for a long moment, looking for something that she could use in her favour, but found nothing. Obviously the dragoon was as good as she was at hiding her thoughts from even a skilled observer.
“Since you do not believe what I have already said to be the truth, there is nothing more I have to say,” she said coldly. Her eyes went to undead creature, who was similarly watching her, despite having returned to a half-kneeling position before the dragoon, and then back to the dragoon.
<font color=red>There was something about the girl that appealed to Xylon, although she couldn’t be sure what it was. Perhaps it was that her blood red braids were as bold a hairstyle as she was in her approach to any given situation, even if that boldness was had to tell from foolishness.
Not only wasn’t she afraid to take risks, but she was also far from being predictable, making encounters with her anything but dull. It was just a shame that she was so mortal.
Her attention returned to her master, confident in the knowledge that even though they were fated to be at odds with each other, they were working towards at least one common goal.</font color=red>
Quiby opened her eyes slowly, guessing that very little time had passed since she’d closed them. She was having trouble sleeping for any length of time, whether through guilt at what she was to do, or just the restlessness that came with sheer boredom.
For as long as she could remember, she had kept busy during her every waking moment, be it through work or social pursuits. But there was nothing she could do when locked in a cell with nine other people. The four Meer made her somewhat uncomfortable, their appearances reminding her about the questions she still had about what she was. The five elves reminded her of Kysh, mainly because of her relative lack of experience with elves, they all looked mostly alike to her. Although one of the elves, a girl, seemed to bear a closer resemblance to her friend than the others.
Further adding to her frustration was the influence her feline side was exerting over her overall behaviour. She usually had little trouble keeping it under control, but it was as if something had been stimulating it, leaving her with almost uncontrollable urges. One such urge was to seek attention from the elves, or the Meer. Even her tail was looking like a tempting moving target to chase, more so every time it caught her eye.
Although the reluctance had been towards the cessation of her near-asphyxiating grip, and ordinarily such a disinclination would be a bad thing; Hikaru realised that the creature was to be an ally, albeit a dangerous one.
She locked eyes with the dragoon for a long moment, looking for something that she could use in her favour, but found nothing. Obviously the dragoon was as good as she was at hiding her thoughts from even a skilled observer.
“Since you do not believe what I have already said to be the truth, there is nothing more I have to say,” she said coldly. Her eyes went to undead creature, who was similarly watching her, despite having returned to a half-kneeling position before the dragoon, and then back to the dragoon.
<font color=red>There was something about the girl that appealed to Xylon, although she couldn’t be sure what it was. Perhaps it was that her blood red braids were as bold a hairstyle as she was in her approach to any given situation, even if that boldness was had to tell from foolishness.
Not only wasn’t she afraid to take risks, but she was also far from being predictable, making encounters with her anything but dull. It was just a shame that she was so mortal.
Her attention returned to her master, confident in the knowledge that even though they were fated to be at odds with each other, they were working towards at least one common goal.</font color=red>
Quiby opened her eyes slowly, guessing that very little time had passed since she’d closed them. She was having trouble sleeping for any length of time, whether through guilt at what she was to do, or just the restlessness that came with sheer boredom.
For as long as she could remember, she had kept busy during her every waking moment, be it through work or social pursuits. But there was nothing she could do when locked in a cell with nine other people. The four Meer made her somewhat uncomfortable, their appearances reminding her about the questions she still had about what she was. The five elves reminded her of Kysh, mainly because of her relative lack of experience with elves, they all looked mostly alike to her. Although one of the elves, a girl, seemed to bear a closer resemblance to her friend than the others.
Further adding to her frustration was the influence her feline side was exerting over her overall behaviour. She usually had little trouble keeping it under control, but it was as if something had been stimulating it, leaving her with almost uncontrollable urges. One such urge was to seek attention from the elves, or the Meer. Even her tail was looking like a tempting moving target to chase, more so every time it caught her eye.
<font color=red> The young elf girl was bored. Since being brought to this new land nothing much had really happened. The guards only ever opened the doors long enough to slip some food in. Only one other prisoner had arrived, the strange cat like woman.
Then it was like someone was listening to her, for as she was thinking she might go crazy if something didn't happen soon, the door opened just long enough for another young woman to be pushed inside. This woman looked like a warrior but her eyes didn't stay on the woman for long for when the door shut she noticed a small mouse seem to jump off the woman and stat looking around the dungeon. She thought it strange for not many people traveled around with mice. The young elf girl called the mouse over to her, not out loud but with her mind, her eyes giving a softglow as she did so. </font color=red>
____________________________________________________________________
Zeazrom had sent the woman warrior away for some time when news came of the attack on his scouting party. Zeazrom listened carfully to the details of the ambush impassivly. After he had heard all the information he sat thinking for a few minutes. Finally he called, "Xylon. I want you to take the main part of the army and return go to the place our scouts were ambushed and find this "Army" and wipe it out. But if you do not find this army after an hour I want you to come back here immediatly. Understood?"
Then it was like someone was listening to her, for as she was thinking she might go crazy if something didn't happen soon, the door opened just long enough for another young woman to be pushed inside. This woman looked like a warrior but her eyes didn't stay on the woman for long for when the door shut she noticed a small mouse seem to jump off the woman and stat looking around the dungeon. She thought it strange for not many people traveled around with mice. The young elf girl called the mouse over to her, not out loud but with her mind, her eyes giving a softglow as she did so. </font color=red>
____________________________________________________________________
Zeazrom had sent the woman warrior away for some time when news came of the attack on his scouting party. Zeazrom listened carfully to the details of the ambush impassivly. After he had heard all the information he sat thinking for a few minutes. Finally he called, "Xylon. I want you to take the main part of the army and return go to the place our scouts were ambushed and find this "Army" and wipe it out. But if you do not find this army after an hour I want you to come back here immediatly. Understood?"
Q
Quiby
Guest
Quiby opened an eye as the door to the cell opened, so far the only times the door had opened was when the guards had delivered food, and she hadn’t been feeling much like eating. She had left as much as possible of her food for the other prisoners, eating enough to take the edge off her hunger, but nothing more. Among other things, she knew that if she ate too much when she wasn’t doing anything, she’d needing bigger clothes.
She watched the red-haired woman stumble through the door, her sleepy mind failing to comprehend what was actually happening.
It was only when the mouse scurried out of her hair, and skittered over to the elven girl that Quiby’s brain woke up.
She had been curled up on her side until she’d seen the mouse, but without a moment’s pause she had rolled over, positioning her body like a cat ready to pounce.
It took a moment for her to realise what she was about to do, and quickly lifted herself into a kneeling position, her cheeks flushed.
The girl’s movement caught Hikaru’s eye, and she watched with some amusement as she made as if to pounce on the mouse, before apparently realising what she was about to do. She recovered quickly and her eyes found Hikaru.
“Milady!” She exclaimed, jumping to her feet “What are you doing here?”
Hikaru looked at the girl a moment, noting that she looked worried about something, and was trying hard to hide it. “More to the point,” she said, limping over in Quiby’s direction, “what are you doing here?”
Quiby looked suddenly uncomfortable, her neck seeming to sink into her shoulders, “I… I do not know…”
Hikaru put a comforting hand on the girl’s shoulder, shattering any illusions she had been cultivating about not being sensitive. Even if she had been as stonehearted as she led people to believe, she would most likely have found it equally hard to resist comforting the girl.
She lowered herself into a crouch with a grunt of discomfort, feeling a few of her wounds opening up again, bringing herself down to below the girl’s eye level. Her hand went behind the girl’s shoulder, and she looked her in the eye.
“Everything’s going to be alright,” she said with certainty, drawing the girl into a hug that she hoped would be comforting.
Quiby’s eyes showed the surprise she felt at the embrace, having previously thought it beyond the lady, fortunately she wouldn’t be able to see. It seemed that she had been wrong from the start, that the woman wore a mask to hide herself.
She smiled slightly as she rested her head against the lady’s, realising that she was feeling a lot better, and noticing how interesting her braids looked.
<font color=red>“It will be done,” acknowledged Xylon, standing sharply.
She didn’t believe that there really was an army, even though something had driven the scouts back. It didn’t make sense to her that the guards of Yew would suffer any loses to the defence of the town to counterattack. Although the tactic seemed a good one, it sounded too audacious to be true.
She turned and left, steeling herself for the task ahead, commanding an army wasn’t going to be an easy task.</font color=red>
Hikaru looked past Quiby to the elven girl, who held Mishkin in her hand, her eyes looking for a clue that the girl knew what was happening. Talking about the events that were actually unfolding would be bad; the dragoon probably had a spy among the prisoners, or at least someone listening closely at the door.
The girl certainly bore a resemblance to the boy she had travelled with, making her hopeful that her words were true; that everything would be alright.
She watched the red-haired woman stumble through the door, her sleepy mind failing to comprehend what was actually happening.
It was only when the mouse scurried out of her hair, and skittered over to the elven girl that Quiby’s brain woke up.
She had been curled up on her side until she’d seen the mouse, but without a moment’s pause she had rolled over, positioning her body like a cat ready to pounce.
It took a moment for her to realise what she was about to do, and quickly lifted herself into a kneeling position, her cheeks flushed.
The girl’s movement caught Hikaru’s eye, and she watched with some amusement as she made as if to pounce on the mouse, before apparently realising what she was about to do. She recovered quickly and her eyes found Hikaru.
“Milady!” She exclaimed, jumping to her feet “What are you doing here?”
Hikaru looked at the girl a moment, noting that she looked worried about something, and was trying hard to hide it. “More to the point,” she said, limping over in Quiby’s direction, “what are you doing here?”
Quiby looked suddenly uncomfortable, her neck seeming to sink into her shoulders, “I… I do not know…”
Hikaru put a comforting hand on the girl’s shoulder, shattering any illusions she had been cultivating about not being sensitive. Even if she had been as stonehearted as she led people to believe, she would most likely have found it equally hard to resist comforting the girl.
She lowered herself into a crouch with a grunt of discomfort, feeling a few of her wounds opening up again, bringing herself down to below the girl’s eye level. Her hand went behind the girl’s shoulder, and she looked her in the eye.
“Everything’s going to be alright,” she said with certainty, drawing the girl into a hug that she hoped would be comforting.
Quiby’s eyes showed the surprise she felt at the embrace, having previously thought it beyond the lady, fortunately she wouldn’t be able to see. It seemed that she had been wrong from the start, that the woman wore a mask to hide herself.
She smiled slightly as she rested her head against the lady’s, realising that she was feeling a lot better, and noticing how interesting her braids looked.
<font color=red>“It will be done,” acknowledged Xylon, standing sharply.
She didn’t believe that there really was an army, even though something had driven the scouts back. It didn’t make sense to her that the guards of Yew would suffer any loses to the defence of the town to counterattack. Although the tactic seemed a good one, it sounded too audacious to be true.
She turned and left, steeling herself for the task ahead, commanding an army wasn’t going to be an easy task.</font color=red>
Hikaru looked past Quiby to the elven girl, who held Mishkin in her hand, her eyes looking for a clue that the girl knew what was happening. Talking about the events that were actually unfolding would be bad; the dragoon probably had a spy among the prisoners, or at least someone listening closely at the door.
The girl certainly bore a resemblance to the boy she had travelled with, making her hopeful that her words were true; that everything would be alright.
Y
Yuki
Guest
"I'm getting too old for this," muttered Yuki, admitting to the obvious as she rested against a tree. It seemed that age had crept up on her while she had been deeply engrossed in her studies.
"If I were only fifty years younger," she mused wistfully, her fingers working on loosening her belt beneath her cloak.
It was as clear as a cloudless sky to her that she wasn't going to make it to the dungeon nearly as quickly as she felt necessary, not by foot at least. Even if she had the time, her joints would likely protest strongly. Which left her only one other option she could think of, and she had thought of a lot of options.
Once she had removed the belt and placed it on the grass in front of her, she directed her attention to the clasp at the neck of her cloak, releasing it easily. The robe slid from her shoulders, revealing her body to me mostly black-furred, mottled with ginger. It slid past her pure black tail and formed a pile on the floor behind her; a mixture of grey velvet and snow-leopard fur. In a way she was sorry to leave it behind.
She turned and picked the cloak off the floor, showing it a last bit of respect before leaving without it by hanging it on a branch high enough to keep it off the ground. With any luck, she reasoned, someone will come along and find it.
After stroking the soft folds one last time, savouring the feel of the material on her pads, she returned her attention to the belt. From within one of the pouches, she took a small handful of spell components, taking care to secure it afterwards.
She took a moment to focus on the spell she was about to cast, and began reciting the words of power, along with the necessary bodily movements.
Yuki wrapped the talons of her right foot around the soft leather of her belt, resting all of her weight on her left leg. Finding herself appreciative of the muscle groupings of this particular species of large raptor, who's for she had though most suited to her long travel.
She had remembered something she had read in a book, about Golden Eagles using wind currents at high altitudes, allowing them to travel great distances with ease. She didn't know if it would really work for her, but if that failed her, she would be able to fly much faster than she could walk. That is, if she could remember how to fly.
It had been a long time since she'd last used polymorph magic to change her form into that of an avian, or indeed any form for that matter. She didn't like to do it, and would have continued on foot if she believed that it was really an option.
She spread her wings, remembering a smaller bird of prey she had handled once, and the other times she had flown.
She successfully cleared the tree canopy on her ninth attempt, having suffered a broad range of failures on her previous eight tries. Every beat of her huge wings brought her more confidence, as she became more familiar with motions involved with flight.
As the first thermal current pulled at her wings, a piercing screech of triumph escaped her beak. Breaking the almost deathly silence of the night for miles around.
"If I were only fifty years younger," she mused wistfully, her fingers working on loosening her belt beneath her cloak.
It was as clear as a cloudless sky to her that she wasn't going to make it to the dungeon nearly as quickly as she felt necessary, not by foot at least. Even if she had the time, her joints would likely protest strongly. Which left her only one other option she could think of, and she had thought of a lot of options.
Once she had removed the belt and placed it on the grass in front of her, she directed her attention to the clasp at the neck of her cloak, releasing it easily. The robe slid from her shoulders, revealing her body to me mostly black-furred, mottled with ginger. It slid past her pure black tail and formed a pile on the floor behind her; a mixture of grey velvet and snow-leopard fur. In a way she was sorry to leave it behind.
She turned and picked the cloak off the floor, showing it a last bit of respect before leaving without it by hanging it on a branch high enough to keep it off the ground. With any luck, she reasoned, someone will come along and find it.
After stroking the soft folds one last time, savouring the feel of the material on her pads, she returned her attention to the belt. From within one of the pouches, she took a small handful of spell components, taking care to secure it afterwards.
She took a moment to focus on the spell she was about to cast, and began reciting the words of power, along with the necessary bodily movements.
Yuki wrapped the talons of her right foot around the soft leather of her belt, resting all of her weight on her left leg. Finding herself appreciative of the muscle groupings of this particular species of large raptor, who's for she had though most suited to her long travel.
She had remembered something she had read in a book, about Golden Eagles using wind currents at high altitudes, allowing them to travel great distances with ease. She didn't know if it would really work for her, but if that failed her, she would be able to fly much faster than she could walk. That is, if she could remember how to fly.
It had been a long time since she'd last used polymorph magic to change her form into that of an avian, or indeed any form for that matter. She didn't like to do it, and would have continued on foot if she believed that it was really an option.
She spread her wings, remembering a smaller bird of prey she had handled once, and the other times she had flown.
She successfully cleared the tree canopy on her ninth attempt, having suffered a broad range of failures on her previous eight tries. Every beat of her huge wings brought her more confidence, as she became more familiar with motions involved with flight.
As the first thermal current pulled at her wings, a piercing screech of triumph escaped her beak. Breaking the almost deathly silence of the night for miles around.
<font color=blue> Neph watched as the army began to leave the dungeon from their hiding spot part of the way up the mountain. It would seem that Kysh's idea had worked. Neph glanced over where the elf boy was sleeping peacefully. His little stunt had taken quite a bit out of him but if they were going to get in and rescue the prisoners then they would have to move as soon as the army was out of sight. Turning to his fellow Knight Neph spoke, "I think it's time we wake him up and get ready to go."</font color=blue>
____________________________________________________________________
<font color=red>The elf girl looked up and the new woman, her eyes still glowing green, "This mouse says he was with as some sort of spy. What does he mean by that? What's your name? Can you speak to animals with your mind too? Everyone calls me Jesa."</font color=red>
____________________________________________________________________
<font color=red>The elf girl looked up and the new woman, her eyes still glowing green, "This mouse says he was with as some sort of spy. What does he mean by that? What's your name? Can you speak to animals with your mind too? Everyone calls me Jesa."</font color=red>
Q
Quiby
Guest
“A spy?” asked Quiby, turning her head so that she was looking at the red-haired lady, but reluctant to separate herself from the embrace. Although it was a little unnerving to be being comforted by being comforted by her, it was comforting nonetheless, and she allowed herself to think that perhaps the red-haired lady was finding some comfort in it.
Hikaru raised her hands and gentle removed the cat-like girl’s arms from her shoulders, before standing awkwardly, feeling a certain amount of regret for being quite so thorough with her injuries. The Jukans hadn’t checked her wounds, and had barely checked her for concealed weapons.
“Well, the Roden Shiar will not be happy about you telling her this, Mishkin.” She said with false scorn, managing to keep a straight face until a few seconds after she’d finished speaking.
“I’m sorry,” she said, smiling. “I just never thought of mice as being prone to delusions of grandeur. I think he’s told you a little mistruth there”
Quiby looked at the red-haired woman, quite certain that the humour of her words had gone over her head. It seemed that, for every thing she learned from being around people, another two things that she had yet to learn became apparent.
It was quite clear to her that the lady had just pulled on another mask, and that she was hiding something. The only reason she could tell was through having witnessed her being outwardly cold in the Inn, being sensitive and comforting a short time back, and now open and talkative.
“Milady,” she interrupted, “perhaps you should rest if you are hurt”
Hikaru accepted the girl’s assistance without argument, since she did feel quite bad because of her wounds. It occurred to her that she didn’t really know what the girl’s name really was, although she thought she’d hear someone calling her something like ‘kitty’. She also realised that she’d habitually avoided the question of her name, which was an oversight she didn’t feel like correcting immediately.
<font color=red>“Keep the troops moving, Ma’arden,” ordered Xylon; addressing the Jukan lord she had at her side. Despite her superiority in the army, she knew that the Jukans didn’t like taking orders from her, especially after calling the truce at Yew.
Ma’arden still respected her leadership, and the Jukans followed his orders, even if he was only relaying her orders.
“I will go above and look for evidence of this army,” she stated, before peeling off into the shadows to the left, and taking flight.</font color=red>
Hikaru raised her hands and gentle removed the cat-like girl’s arms from her shoulders, before standing awkwardly, feeling a certain amount of regret for being quite so thorough with her injuries. The Jukans hadn’t checked her wounds, and had barely checked her for concealed weapons.
“Well, the Roden Shiar will not be happy about you telling her this, Mishkin.” She said with false scorn, managing to keep a straight face until a few seconds after she’d finished speaking.
“I’m sorry,” she said, smiling. “I just never thought of mice as being prone to delusions of grandeur. I think he’s told you a little mistruth there”
Quiby looked at the red-haired woman, quite certain that the humour of her words had gone over her head. It seemed that, for every thing she learned from being around people, another two things that she had yet to learn became apparent.
It was quite clear to her that the lady had just pulled on another mask, and that she was hiding something. The only reason she could tell was through having witnessed her being outwardly cold in the Inn, being sensitive and comforting a short time back, and now open and talkative.
“Milady,” she interrupted, “perhaps you should rest if you are hurt”
Hikaru accepted the girl’s assistance without argument, since she did feel quite bad because of her wounds. It occurred to her that she didn’t really know what the girl’s name really was, although she thought she’d hear someone calling her something like ‘kitty’. She also realised that she’d habitually avoided the question of her name, which was an oversight she didn’t feel like correcting immediately.
<font color=red>“Keep the troops moving, Ma’arden,” ordered Xylon; addressing the Jukan lord she had at her side. Despite her superiority in the army, she knew that the Jukans didn’t like taking orders from her, especially after calling the truce at Yew.
Ma’arden still respected her leadership, and the Jukans followed his orders, even if he was only relaying her orders.
“I will go above and look for evidence of this army,” she stated, before peeling off into the shadows to the left, and taking flight.</font color=red>
Y
Yuki
Guest
Yuki wiped the tears from her eyes for what had to have been the hundredth time. Using the backs of her hands, which were already sodden with her tears.
“My babies,” she whispered to herself in between sobs. Her logical mind dealing with the idea of her first daughter being undead a lot better than her heart was. There could be no other explanation for her animation, since she had been stillborn.
She had been seeking her brown-furred daughter, assuming that the black-furred twin had been resting peacefully for the past 40-something years. She felt a mixture of guilt, for making the logical assumption that her first daughter would remain dead, and anger towards whomever had condemned her to such a fate as undeath.
It was quite obvious that the black-furred twin had been anything but a captive of the Jukan armies, on the contrary, it seemed that she held a position in them. Which could only mean that her second daughter was still being held captive in the dungeon. Which lead her to something of a dilemma.
It had been an easy decision to make; come hell or high water, she would find her daughter. But as she blinked back the last of her tears and pulled herself to her feet, she realised that she didn’t have a plan for even getting into the dungeon, let alone getting out with her daughter.
She pulled the belt around her waist again after recovering it from where she had discarded it in a fit of emotion. Checking each pouch was still secure, and its contents were still intact. She had noted, and ignored in favour of her grief, that she had lost the velvet sleeve that had been keeping her hair in order when she had polymorphed.
“A cat’s vanity,” she sighed to herself, remarking on the length as she arranged it behind her shoulders. It has been a point of pride with her that she had grown her hair as long as she had, and still managed to keep it looking as perfect as the rest of her coat. No easy task when the hair reached her ankles when she stood straight.
With the army far behind her, heading to Yew, or wherever it was they were going along with one of her daughters. She began walking the final distance to the dungeon, trying to formulate a plan for how she would rescue her daughter.
At least the absence of the army would make things easier, although she doubted it would be by much.
“My babies,” she whispered to herself in between sobs. Her logical mind dealing with the idea of her first daughter being undead a lot better than her heart was. There could be no other explanation for her animation, since she had been stillborn.
She had been seeking her brown-furred daughter, assuming that the black-furred twin had been resting peacefully for the past 40-something years. She felt a mixture of guilt, for making the logical assumption that her first daughter would remain dead, and anger towards whomever had condemned her to such a fate as undeath.
It was quite obvious that the black-furred twin had been anything but a captive of the Jukan armies, on the contrary, it seemed that she held a position in them. Which could only mean that her second daughter was still being held captive in the dungeon. Which lead her to something of a dilemma.
It had been an easy decision to make; come hell or high water, she would find her daughter. But as she blinked back the last of her tears and pulled herself to her feet, she realised that she didn’t have a plan for even getting into the dungeon, let alone getting out with her daughter.
She pulled the belt around her waist again after recovering it from where she had discarded it in a fit of emotion. Checking each pouch was still secure, and its contents were still intact. She had noted, and ignored in favour of her grief, that she had lost the velvet sleeve that had been keeping her hair in order when she had polymorphed.
“A cat’s vanity,” she sighed to herself, remarking on the length as she arranged it behind her shoulders. It has been a point of pride with her that she had grown her hair as long as she had, and still managed to keep it looking as perfect as the rest of her coat. No easy task when the hair reached her ankles when she stood straight.
With the army far behind her, heading to Yew, or wherever it was they were going along with one of her daughters. She began walking the final distance to the dungeon, trying to formulate a plan for how she would rescue her daughter.
At least the absence of the army would make things easier, although she doubted it would be by much.
<font color=blue> What ever happened had to have happened in the last few moments. As soon as the guards were out of sight, Neph, Kysh, and Teanas had approched the dungeon entrance to find the Juken guards all dead. Someone or something had taken these guards by surprise and killed them in the short time between the army leaving and their arriving. The thought of Gad went through Nephs head but Gad had not only been the one to orphen Kysh but had lost his arm to Kysh later. Why would he be helping them now.
Neph turned to Kysh who was inspecting one of the Juken bodys obviously thinking the same thing as Neph, "Kysh..."
"Someone else is come, "Kysh said turning to face a figure coming into sight, "and they don't look Juken."</font color=blue>
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<font color=red>Jesa went over to a corner of the prison area where water dripping from the cieling made a puddle that was the only water source. As she darnk she felt movment right to the side of her. Looking to the direction she felt the movment she thought she saw a shadow move in the dark corner of the room for a moment but then saw nothing, well not nothing looking closer she noticed a small pouch on the ground. She grabbed it quickly and looking around to make sure no one was looking opened the pouch and peered inside. The pouch held a few of each spell casting Regent. She hid the pouch quickly in her clothes and finished getting her drink. Jesa was getting the feeling that something was going to happen.</font color=red>
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Zeazrom's room on the third level of the dungeon was occupied by a number of Jukan warriors. Speaking to one of the Juka Lords, Zeazrom commanded, "I want the Prisoners moved from the Prison on the 1st level down to the second level. They will be more crowded but they will be more secure. I also want the guard doubled on th-"
It was as if someone had extinguished all the tourches at once and then lit dark one's to make it even darker. The room erupted into confusion as not only had every thing suddenly gone dark but despite the darkness it was as if shadows could be seen moving and the sounds of feet and whisperings. Zeazrom could also hear the Jukens some being kill by something and others attempting to fight whatever was attacking them.
Zeazrom knew what it was. A very well trained Shadow Assassin. Zeazrom closed his eyes and focused his senses. Sure enough he could feel a dark form moving around the room taking out his warriors one by one. Suddenly he felt it the form move towards him. Zeazrom lifted his sword in time to hear the clash of metal and feel the blow through his own sword. The dark figure backed away from Zeazrom and suddenly the spell of darkness was lefted. Before Zeazrom stood a young man dressed in black holding with his left, and only, arm a sword with the symbol of Chaos on it.
The Assassin gave Zeazrom a smile and said, "Not bad. Not many people have resisted my darkness technique."
"It's obvious that I'm not the first," Zeazrom said eyeing the man's right shoulder where an arm should've been, "Now what do you want here and why did you kill my officers?"
"I didn't want to see those prisoners be uncomfortable in a small cell on the second level. Nothing worse then not haing room to streatch out."
Zeazroms face turned red with anger, "you will pay for this," he shouted as he drew his sword and attacked.
Neph turned to Kysh who was inspecting one of the Juken bodys obviously thinking the same thing as Neph, "Kysh..."
"Someone else is come, "Kysh said turning to face a figure coming into sight, "and they don't look Juken."</font color=blue>
____________________________________________________________________
<font color=red>Jesa went over to a corner of the prison area where water dripping from the cieling made a puddle that was the only water source. As she darnk she felt movment right to the side of her. Looking to the direction she felt the movment she thought she saw a shadow move in the dark corner of the room for a moment but then saw nothing, well not nothing looking closer she noticed a small pouch on the ground. She grabbed it quickly and looking around to make sure no one was looking opened the pouch and peered inside. The pouch held a few of each spell casting Regent. She hid the pouch quickly in her clothes and finished getting her drink. Jesa was getting the feeling that something was going to happen.</font color=red>
____________________________________________________________________
Zeazrom's room on the third level of the dungeon was occupied by a number of Jukan warriors. Speaking to one of the Juka Lords, Zeazrom commanded, "I want the Prisoners moved from the Prison on the 1st level down to the second level. They will be more crowded but they will be more secure. I also want the guard doubled on th-"
It was as if someone had extinguished all the tourches at once and then lit dark one's to make it even darker. The room erupted into confusion as not only had every thing suddenly gone dark but despite the darkness it was as if shadows could be seen moving and the sounds of feet and whisperings. Zeazrom could also hear the Jukens some being kill by something and others attempting to fight whatever was attacking them.
Zeazrom knew what it was. A very well trained Shadow Assassin. Zeazrom closed his eyes and focused his senses. Sure enough he could feel a dark form moving around the room taking out his warriors one by one. Suddenly he felt it the form move towards him. Zeazrom lifted his sword in time to hear the clash of metal and feel the blow through his own sword. The dark figure backed away from Zeazrom and suddenly the spell of darkness was lefted. Before Zeazrom stood a young man dressed in black holding with his left, and only, arm a sword with the symbol of Chaos on it.
The Assassin gave Zeazrom a smile and said, "Not bad. Not many people have resisted my darkness technique."
"It's obvious that I'm not the first," Zeazrom said eyeing the man's right shoulder where an arm should've been, "Now what do you want here and why did you kill my officers?"
"I didn't want to see those prisoners be uncomfortable in a small cell on the second level. Nothing worse then not haing room to streatch out."
Zeazroms face turned red with anger, "you will pay for this," he shouted as he drew his sword and attacked.
Y
Yuki
Guest
Yuki stopped a few words short of completing her spell, allowing the mystical energies that were now free of her binding incantations to dissipate harmlessly into the ether.
She had been expecting the entrance to the dungeon to be heavily guarded, and felt a pang of disappointment when it turned out not to be. It was about the 17th time since waking that things hadn’t gone as she had intended. It was become a trend for her day.
Despite the mild disappointment that her preparations had been for naught, she also felt a certain relief. Her hastily prepared a plan to get past the past the guards, formulated as she walked the last leg of her journey, regrettably involved decimating the guards completely. An idea that didn’t sit at all well with her, after all, they were only soldiers following the orders of their commander. The idea of slaughtering them indiscriminately for following the orders given them, or at worse, a cultural bias towards aggression, left her with a bad taste in her mouth.
It seemed that the fates were finally smiling on her. Somehow, the Jukan guards were already out of the way, apparently long before she’d arrived. Let alone finished the conjuration that would draw a number of burning rocks from the heavens down to earth.
Not a moment too soon, she considered. Had she made it as far as the last word of power, she would doubtlessly have annihilated the three humans who were gathered around the fallen Juka.
No, she corrected herself, not humans. For them to be humans would mean the youngest of them was nothing more than a child, perhaps in his early teens. Humans were fully capable of doing some stupid things, but taking a child with only a little over 10 years experience with solid foods into a hostile environment seemed unlikely, even for them.
She approached with caution, although the only outward clue to this was her fingers within her pouch of spell components. Her carriage was of the sort of arrogant confidence one might expect of a cat, combined with equally fitting grace in every step.
These must be those the one-armed man spoke of, she reasoned, quickening her step a little, eager to get down to rescuing her daughter.
The façade crumbled the instant the trio turned to face her, causing her to freeze in her tracks, in the middle of a graceful step. She had considered the triad to be normal adventurers, out looking for a profit, or at the very least a good fight. An assumption that had only heightened the disdain she felt towards them, just another group with no respect for life.
When they turned in her direction, no doubt aware of her approach, her attention was drawn to the insignia on their armour. It wasn’t common practice for adventurers to ally themselves to any political power, and so she had been expecting to see plain armour.
She suddenly felt a lot smaller than she had previously, not to mention underdressed, now that three fully-armoured Knights of the Virtues faced her. Including, she noted with surprise, the Knight of Virtues himself. Strangely, the superior title was held by the youngest of the group, with the possible exception of the human. Not only did she find herself looking down quite significantly to look the boy in the face, but also he wore a green cloak of low rank. Yet another question among many for her to ponder, when she had the time.
In the short time it took for her to reach the group, she concluded that it would be inappropriate to address the knights in the common language. Regardless of the consequences that may arise from revealing any clue to her heritage.
“Quessir en’i virtea,” she said respectfully to the Elven child with a bow.
“Quessir, Teanas,” she said, addressing the elder of the two elves with another bow.
“Latanehal, bhen,” she said to the human last, glad for being able to hide her wince with a bow. “Hiraethamin,” she added by way of apology, her greeting had sounded a lot less respectful than she had intended.
Out of Character:
I do apologise, not only because of the large amount of Elvish in this post, but for the translation. It is shoddy at best; so if anyone’s thinking about trying to translate it themselves, please spare me the humiliation.
Basically, she’s greeted Kysh respectfully, but by title, because she doesn’t know his name.
She greeted Teanas by name, because she actually recognised him, and knows his name.
Finally she greets Neph along the lines of “honourable human” which she realises, too late, doesn’t sound quite as respectful as she intended. So she apologises (“sorrow is mine”).
Although my written Elvish is far from perfect, Yuki’s is supposed to be practically flawless, if a little rusty.
Maybe in future I’ll just type it in English, and just point out that she’s speaking in Elvish if she is.
She had been expecting the entrance to the dungeon to be heavily guarded, and felt a pang of disappointment when it turned out not to be. It was about the 17th time since waking that things hadn’t gone as she had intended. It was become a trend for her day.
Despite the mild disappointment that her preparations had been for naught, she also felt a certain relief. Her hastily prepared a plan to get past the past the guards, formulated as she walked the last leg of her journey, regrettably involved decimating the guards completely. An idea that didn’t sit at all well with her, after all, they were only soldiers following the orders of their commander. The idea of slaughtering them indiscriminately for following the orders given them, or at worse, a cultural bias towards aggression, left her with a bad taste in her mouth.
It seemed that the fates were finally smiling on her. Somehow, the Jukan guards were already out of the way, apparently long before she’d arrived. Let alone finished the conjuration that would draw a number of burning rocks from the heavens down to earth.
Not a moment too soon, she considered. Had she made it as far as the last word of power, she would doubtlessly have annihilated the three humans who were gathered around the fallen Juka.
No, she corrected herself, not humans. For them to be humans would mean the youngest of them was nothing more than a child, perhaps in his early teens. Humans were fully capable of doing some stupid things, but taking a child with only a little over 10 years experience with solid foods into a hostile environment seemed unlikely, even for them.
She approached with caution, although the only outward clue to this was her fingers within her pouch of spell components. Her carriage was of the sort of arrogant confidence one might expect of a cat, combined with equally fitting grace in every step.
These must be those the one-armed man spoke of, she reasoned, quickening her step a little, eager to get down to rescuing her daughter.
The façade crumbled the instant the trio turned to face her, causing her to freeze in her tracks, in the middle of a graceful step. She had considered the triad to be normal adventurers, out looking for a profit, or at the very least a good fight. An assumption that had only heightened the disdain she felt towards them, just another group with no respect for life.
When they turned in her direction, no doubt aware of her approach, her attention was drawn to the insignia on their armour. It wasn’t common practice for adventurers to ally themselves to any political power, and so she had been expecting to see plain armour.
She suddenly felt a lot smaller than she had previously, not to mention underdressed, now that three fully-armoured Knights of the Virtues faced her. Including, she noted with surprise, the Knight of Virtues himself. Strangely, the superior title was held by the youngest of the group, with the possible exception of the human. Not only did she find herself looking down quite significantly to look the boy in the face, but also he wore a green cloak of low rank. Yet another question among many for her to ponder, when she had the time.
In the short time it took for her to reach the group, she concluded that it would be inappropriate to address the knights in the common language. Regardless of the consequences that may arise from revealing any clue to her heritage.
“Quessir en’i virtea,” she said respectfully to the Elven child with a bow.
“Quessir, Teanas,” she said, addressing the elder of the two elves with another bow.
“Latanehal, bhen,” she said to the human last, glad for being able to hide her wince with a bow. “Hiraethamin,” she added by way of apology, her greeting had sounded a lot less respectful than she had intended.
Out of Character:
I do apologise, not only because of the large amount of Elvish in this post, but for the translation. It is shoddy at best; so if anyone’s thinking about trying to translate it themselves, please spare me the humiliation.
Basically, she’s greeted Kysh respectfully, but by title, because she doesn’t know his name.
She greeted Teanas by name, because she actually recognised him, and knows his name.
Finally she greets Neph along the lines of “honourable human” which she realises, too late, doesn’t sound quite as respectful as she intended. So she apologises (“sorrow is mine”).
Although my written Elvish is far from perfect, Yuki’s is supposed to be practically flawless, if a little rusty.
Maybe in future I’ll just type it in English, and just point out that she’s speaking in Elvish if she is.
Q
Quiby
Guest
<font color=red>Xylon looked back in the direction of the dungeon, searching for clues of trouble with her one good eye. No matter how hard she tried she could find no evidence of trouble at the dungeon, or the supposedly approaching army.
She was confident that the guards at the entrance to the dungeon could hold out against a modest attacking force, unless they had a mage with them, and in that case, she would surely have seen evidence of the spells cast.
As for the attacking army, she was more convinced than ever that it didn't exist. She could see no errant light from campfires, not the accompanying columns of smoke. There wasn?t a sight, sound, or smell of them that her senses could find, and her ears and nose were not easily evaded.
Her master was in trouble, doubtlessly, and the idea conflicted with her. There was a good chance that she would be free by sunrise, which she knew was a good thing. But she still held some trepidation; he was still her master, and although she had disobeyed him already, she didn't want to lose him.
"He will surely summon me, if he needs me," she said, with the slightest of smiles on her face. She would continued searching for the time being, and await the time for her to return, unless he summoned her sooner.</font color=red>
Hikaru didn't much care what the other prisoners were doing, and so for the first time in as long as she cared to remember, she stopped paying attention to her surroundings. She was tired, her wounds hurt, and something in the cell smelled very, very bad.
Although she didn?t put a lot of stock in sentimental rituals, she usually spent her birthdays doing something more pleasurable than being in a lot of pain, in a prison cell. Although she had to admit that the cat-like girl beside her made the hours pass a little more easily.
At the moment she was back to toying with her braids, switching between batting them with the tips of her fingers and just fidgeting with them. It had been aggravating to begin with, but the expression on the girl?s face when she?d turned to chastise her had dissuaded her. And now the increasingly catlike behaviour was growing on her, especially the almost purring sighs of contentment she occasionally let out as her furry cheek rested on Hikaru's bare arm.
OOC: ( Had to edit because I forgot colours (I blame Yuki for bad parenting). Oh, and opera has a wonderful habit of replacing my speech marks and inverted commas with ?'s (I blame Yuki for that, too) )
She was confident that the guards at the entrance to the dungeon could hold out against a modest attacking force, unless they had a mage with them, and in that case, she would surely have seen evidence of the spells cast.
As for the attacking army, she was more convinced than ever that it didn't exist. She could see no errant light from campfires, not the accompanying columns of smoke. There wasn?t a sight, sound, or smell of them that her senses could find, and her ears and nose were not easily evaded.
Her master was in trouble, doubtlessly, and the idea conflicted with her. There was a good chance that she would be free by sunrise, which she knew was a good thing. But she still held some trepidation; he was still her master, and although she had disobeyed him already, she didn't want to lose him.
"He will surely summon me, if he needs me," she said, with the slightest of smiles on her face. She would continued searching for the time being, and await the time for her to return, unless he summoned her sooner.</font color=red>
Hikaru didn't much care what the other prisoners were doing, and so for the first time in as long as she cared to remember, she stopped paying attention to her surroundings. She was tired, her wounds hurt, and something in the cell smelled very, very bad.
Although she didn?t put a lot of stock in sentimental rituals, she usually spent her birthdays doing something more pleasurable than being in a lot of pain, in a prison cell. Although she had to admit that the cat-like girl beside her made the hours pass a little more easily.
At the moment she was back to toying with her braids, switching between batting them with the tips of her fingers and just fidgeting with them. It had been aggravating to begin with, but the expression on the girl?s face when she?d turned to chastise her had dissuaded her. And now the increasingly catlike behaviour was growing on her, especially the almost purring sighs of contentment she occasionally let out as her furry cheek rested on Hikaru's bare arm.
OOC: ( Had to edit because I forgot colours (I blame Yuki for bad parenting). Oh, and opera has a wonderful habit of replacing my speech marks and inverted commas with ?'s (I blame Yuki for that, too) )
"By your accent and knowledge of who we are I'd say you are from one of the our hidden cites. Would you please Identify yourself and your purpose here," Teanas asked resting his hand on the sword of Honesty.
However before the newcomer could answer Kysh interupted, "Your related to Xylon and Quiby some how aren't you? Are you here for Xylon?"
However before the newcomer could answer Kysh interupted, "Your related to Xylon and Quiby some how aren't you? Are you here for Xylon?"
Y
Yuki
Guest
Yuki looked from Teanas to the boy, who had interrupted the old knight.
She assumed that "Xylon" was the name that had been given to the black-furred twin; since she had long-since learned that her other daughter had been given the name "Quiby".
“Xylon should have been resting peacefully for the past forty years,” she explained, trying to keep her voice from faltering. “I had heard that Quiby was a captive of the Juka in this dungeon, and so I am here for her. But it seems that I am here to rescue both of my daughters.”
She looked back to Teanas. He had asked her a question, and she had yet to answer it. The symbol of honesty on his armour inspired her; she would answer with honesty, and live or die by the consequences.
"My name is Yuki,” she said without hesitation. “Formerly Lynna Syranov, outcast of Zarama”
She assumed that "Xylon" was the name that had been given to the black-furred twin; since she had long-since learned that her other daughter had been given the name "Quiby".
“Xylon should have been resting peacefully for the past forty years,” she explained, trying to keep her voice from faltering. “I had heard that Quiby was a captive of the Juka in this dungeon, and so I am here for her. But it seems that I am here to rescue both of my daughters.”
She looked back to Teanas. He had asked her a question, and she had yet to answer it. The symbol of honesty on his armour inspired her; she would answer with honesty, and live or die by the consequences.
"My name is Yuki,” she said without hesitation. “Formerly Lynna Syranov, outcast of Zarama”
G
Guest
Guest
Valg considered the group quietly, his eyes falling on Yuki after all was said and done. He hadn't heard Elven in a while, but she knew it, as well as the Drow. She had the distinct accent of both oddly enough. He only wondered if the others knew. He was sitting on a large rock alongside the entrance, one of the many that seemed to have piled up with the slow erosion of the rocks. He studied them all in turn, his eyes coming to rest on Kysh slowly. He has matured since I last saw him in that alley with Karadur. He waited and watched, slowly contemplating whether to follow them or actually let his presence be known. The only way they would see him now is if they sensed the magic that ran through his body. Being half shapeshifter and half Blood, he wasn't easily detected by any if he didn't want to be.
C: How's it going? I've lost pretty much what's going on with the story, and I'm too busy to sit here and read up on it for hours on end, so I brought Valg instead of Karadur. I don't know how many of you read Terry Brooks and Anne Bishop, but Valg is a mix of Truhls Rohk [Antrax] (spelled wrong, I know, but I'm in a hurry) and an Ebon-Grey Jeweled Warlord Prince [Black Jewels Trilogy]. If you have any questions as to his appearance, I haven't even begun to consider it, because I honestly can't think of any picture that would define all of him. But if you remember, I introduced Valg in A farewell's begining. One last note, if you don't already know, or want to see what Yuki says when she speaks Elven or Drow, I've Found she uses http://www.grey-company.org/Maerdyn for the Drow and http://grey-company.org/Language/ for the Elven. If not, then she has some new way of finding the language. ^_^
C: How's it going? I've lost pretty much what's going on with the story, and I'm too busy to sit here and read up on it for hours on end, so I brought Valg instead of Karadur. I don't know how many of you read Terry Brooks and Anne Bishop, but Valg is a mix of Truhls Rohk [Antrax] (spelled wrong, I know, but I'm in a hurry) and an Ebon-Grey Jeweled Warlord Prince [Black Jewels Trilogy]. If you have any questions as to his appearance, I haven't even begun to consider it, because I honestly can't think of any picture that would define all of him. But if you remember, I introduced Valg in A farewell's begining. One last note, if you don't already know, or want to see what Yuki says when she speaks Elven or Drow, I've Found she uses http://www.grey-company.org/Maerdyn for the Drow and http://grey-company.org/Language/ for the Elven. If not, then she has some new way of finding the language. ^_^"Quiby!? Quiby is here?" Kysh hadn't been back to the Inn since before the recent Juka attack on Yew. The army hadn't bothered that area so he had assumed that everyone at the Inn were fine, "What happened? How did she-"
"Perhaps we should discuss all this later," Neph interrupted, "We still have people to rescue and we should get it done before the next changing of the guards.
"Yuki," Neph turned to the newcomer, "If you would, we would like you to help us rescue everyone that the Juka are holding prisoner here. Will you help us?"
"Perhaps we should discuss all this later," Neph interrupted, "We still have people to rescue and we should get it done before the next changing of the guards.
"Yuki," Neph turned to the newcomer, "If you would, we would like you to help us rescue everyone that the Juka are holding prisoner here. Will you help us?"
Y
Yuki
Guest
Yuki studied each of the trio for a moment, seeing nothing in their faces to give her cause to doubt the idea of allying herself with them. Of course, having spent more of her life with her head in a book than with people, she wasn’t very observant when it came to judging the intentions of people.
After a significant pause she walked around the group and began in the direction of the dungeon. After a few steps, she stopped and looked back. “We should make haste,” she said, and continued walking, confident that she had kept her conflicting feelings hidden from the knights. In a way, she was greatly looking forward to working with them, it was an honour she considered beyond her. On the other hand, she was still stinging a little after eighty-something years of being outcast, and she had become very cynical of the elves.
Out of Character:
You are right, Karadur, I had been using the Drow translator you specified. Although for Elvish, I had been using a pair of offline dictionaries, which is the reason for my horrendous translations in that respect.
After a significant pause she walked around the group and began in the direction of the dungeon. After a few steps, she stopped and looked back. “We should make haste,” she said, and continued walking, confident that she had kept her conflicting feelings hidden from the knights. In a way, she was greatly looking forward to working with them, it was an honour she considered beyond her. On the other hand, she was still stinging a little after eighty-something years of being outcast, and she had become very cynical of the elves.
Out of Character:
You are right, Karadur, I had been using the Drow translator you specified. Although for Elvish, I had been using a pair of offline dictionaries, which is the reason for my horrendous translations in that respect.
The group passed a few more dead Juka and only two live ones which were quickly and quietly dealt with. It took them very little time to work their way to the main holding cell. The door was large and locked. They checked the bodies of the dead juka they found near by but couldn't find a key on any of them.
Kysh studied the lock for a moment then opening his shoulder pack whispered, "Guess I'll have to use my master key."
Putting the pack right under the doors key hole, a slime's tendrail rose out of it and began oozing into the keyhole. Soon the room was full of the smell of acid on metel, "This shouldn't take long. There is a reason I named him Metal.... It's his favorite food, "Kysh gave the rest of the group a smile. So far this was easy.
Kysh studied the lock for a moment then opening his shoulder pack whispered, "Guess I'll have to use my master key."
Putting the pack right under the doors key hole, a slime's tendrail rose out of it and began oozing into the keyhole. Soon the room was full of the smell of acid on metel, "This shouldn't take long. There is a reason I named him Metal.... It's his favorite food, "Kysh gave the rest of the group a smile. So far this was easy.
Y
Yuki
Guest
Yuki had recovered a bandage that had been dropped by one of the slain Juka. Apparently the creature hadn’t even had time to begin applying it before being sent to whatever, if any, afterlife the warrior race believed in. With it, she tied her hair back, aiming to keep it mostly out of the way as the moved through the mostly deserted dungeon.
The elves and the human kept a brisk pace, allowing her no time to do any more to keep it under control. Under ideal circumstances, she would have taken pause to weave it into a single plait, although considering the resistance they were meeting; her hair wasn’t about to be a problem.
Other than the bandage, which had not technically been taken from a corpse, she had left the fallen warriors well alone. The idea of searching a corpse for useful items was distasteful at best, and besides, there was nothing she needed that she didn’t have already. Except maybe something to cover herself with, preferably something that wasn’t stained in Jukan blood.
When they reached the cell, she wasn’t at all surprised to see more dead guards. It was becoming a definite trend, as predictable as the vague sensation of the walls closing in around her when the tunnel layout, or her companions blocked her view out of the immediate vicinity.
As the elves and the human searched the bodies of the guards, Yuki looked away. Focusing her attentions on the distant darkness, partly to be alert for incoming dangers, and partly in the hope of stopping the walls from moving.
Her ability to smell incoming threats was lost as the stench of acid on metal filled the corridor, leaving her with only her hearing, and her slightly watering eyes. She was more surprised at the boy’s control over the slime than she was of the presence of the slime, since she had smelled the creature earlier, but had not presumed to ask questions.
Quiby watched as the door swung slowly open, wondering whom it was behind it. The guards were a lot firmer in their actions, and the voices she had heard through the door had not been those of the guards. If she’d been forced to guess, she would have said the language was common, although only because it was the most common language used in the dungeon aside from the native language of the Juka.
She heard the words of the dragoon in her mind, “If anyone comes and tries to rescue these prisoners, you will put that right through the back of their neck and kill them as soon as they have their back to you.” She longed, not for the first time, that the shadows of the cell would swallow her, thereby saving her from her unpleasant duty.
Why, she asked herself, why am I here? I am just a cook, why can I not just live a normal life? She already knew the answer to her question, even before she had asked it. Because I am not normal, she answered herself needlessly, fighting back the sudden urge to cry.
Out of Character:
I am sorry for the delay in replying, I had intended to write a post shortly after New Year had finally passed (those extended pub opening hours were a killer), but then I ended up visiting Michelle, and didn’t actually get around to penning a response until now.
Quiby has asked me to play Quiby for a wee while, because she has a few problems, and doesn’t seem inclined to creative writing (not her exact words, admittedly).
The elves and the human kept a brisk pace, allowing her no time to do any more to keep it under control. Under ideal circumstances, she would have taken pause to weave it into a single plait, although considering the resistance they were meeting; her hair wasn’t about to be a problem.
Other than the bandage, which had not technically been taken from a corpse, she had left the fallen warriors well alone. The idea of searching a corpse for useful items was distasteful at best, and besides, there was nothing she needed that she didn’t have already. Except maybe something to cover herself with, preferably something that wasn’t stained in Jukan blood.
When they reached the cell, she wasn’t at all surprised to see more dead guards. It was becoming a definite trend, as predictable as the vague sensation of the walls closing in around her when the tunnel layout, or her companions blocked her view out of the immediate vicinity.
As the elves and the human searched the bodies of the guards, Yuki looked away. Focusing her attentions on the distant darkness, partly to be alert for incoming dangers, and partly in the hope of stopping the walls from moving.
Her ability to smell incoming threats was lost as the stench of acid on metal filled the corridor, leaving her with only her hearing, and her slightly watering eyes. She was more surprised at the boy’s control over the slime than she was of the presence of the slime, since she had smelled the creature earlier, but had not presumed to ask questions.
Quiby watched as the door swung slowly open, wondering whom it was behind it. The guards were a lot firmer in their actions, and the voices she had heard through the door had not been those of the guards. If she’d been forced to guess, she would have said the language was common, although only because it was the most common language used in the dungeon aside from the native language of the Juka.
She heard the words of the dragoon in her mind, “If anyone comes and tries to rescue these prisoners, you will put that right through the back of their neck and kill them as soon as they have their back to you.” She longed, not for the first time, that the shadows of the cell would swallow her, thereby saving her from her unpleasant duty.
Why, she asked herself, why am I here? I am just a cook, why can I not just live a normal life? She already knew the answer to her question, even before she had asked it. Because I am not normal, she answered herself needlessly, fighting back the sudden urge to cry.
Out of Character:
I am sorry for the delay in replying, I had intended to write a post shortly after New Year had finally passed (those extended pub opening hours were a killer), but then I ended up visiting Michelle, and didn’t actually get around to penning a response until now.
Quiby has asked me to play Quiby for a wee while, because she has a few problems, and doesn’t seem inclined to creative writing (not her exact words, admittedly).
G
Guest
Guest
Valg watched the small group make their way to the cell, following slowly, not in any hurry. When the strange cat that looked like Karadur's friend, Quiby, looking in his direction, he quickly melded into the shadows while putting a vision spell on himself so he wouldn't be seen that easily. He sent out a small probe and gently brushed against Yuki's mind to see if she had noticed him. When he found nothing lining her outer barriers, he guessed that she hadn't. He moved along the wall and stopped as the group did, eyeing the small slime as it went to work on the door. He looked at the Elven boy, Kysh, and studied him momentarily before moving out of the shadows, though he still had a hunting spell to keep them from seeing him. Though the internal sense of something being behind you, or next to you would certainly set the group's hair, and fur, on end.
He moved to the door and let the spell drop, leaning on the frame the door was attached to like he had been watching Metal consume the door the entire time. He slowly glanced at the others and pulled back the hood to show a faint glimmer of a smile. Faint because he was only partially there. He had the lookings of a warrior, but also a beautiful face that would leave most men to shame. Looking slightly like a ghost, it wasn't easy to keep the appearance because he was half shape-shifter, and his looks seemed to fade to something else, something not quite real, when he didn't keep them in check.
He moved to the door and let the spell drop, leaning on the frame the door was attached to like he had been watching Metal consume the door the entire time. He slowly glanced at the others and pulled back the hood to show a faint glimmer of a smile. Faint because he was only partially there. He had the lookings of a warrior, but also a beautiful face that would leave most men to shame. Looking slightly like a ghost, it wasn't easy to keep the appearance because he was half shape-shifter, and his looks seemed to fade to something else, something not quite real, when he didn't keep them in check.
While Kysh seemed to ignore the sudden appearence of a man right next to the door he was working on, Teanas did not. Stepping between the boy and what almost looked like a ghost Teanas demanded with drawn sword, "Who are you, where did you come from?"
Teanas paused a moment to let him respond but any response was interupted by the sound a the door opening while Kysh exclaimed, "We got it!"
Kysh immediatly the cell and immediatly recognized Hikaru and Quiby.
"Hikaru, you'll b happy to know your plan worked," Kysh smiled, then looking at her wounds added calling outside the door, "Neph get in here some of these people need healing."
Kysh looked at the other prisoners and noticed a young elf girl looking intently at him. Kysh walked past Quiby towards the girl and asked, "Are you Jesa?"
"Y-Yes I am."
I'm.... I'm Kysh," Kysh suddenly felt very awkward.
The too young elves looked at each other for a second then Jes suddenly threw her arms around Kysh. Kysh immediatly stiffened up not sure what to do. This was the first time he had ever been a brother before, and had no idea what to do. Just as he was wondering if he maybe should hug his sister back Jesa suddenly let go and hit Kysh hard to the stomech saying, "What took you so long!! Do you know how long we've been waiting here for you!!"
"Sorry," Kysh answered as he tried to stand back up.
____________________________________________________________________
Zeazrom easily blocked another attack from the assassin with his shield. The assassin backed off and faded into the shadows. Zeazrom spun around in time to block another attack from the assassin who had appeared behind him. This had been going on for a couple minutes now, The assassin, dispite his powers and skills not being able to penetrate Zeazrom's defence.
"How long are you going to keep this up assassin?"
"I think another 5 minutes should be enough," The one armed assassin sneered back.
"If your refering to any rescue attempts I'm afraid no one will be leaving here. I've already summoned Xylon back with my army. They should be back any moment now."
The assassin stared for a moment then seriously added, "Well... I guess I might as well finish this now. The assassin attacked again swinging his sword over his head down on Zeazrom. Zeazrom perried easily not only knocking the assassin's sword back up knocking it out of his hand sending it flying over his with his arm sticking into the air above him swordless. Zeazrom took this twist of good fate to to attack. He lunged forward preparing to attack the defensless assassin when suddenly realized the assassin had pulled a dagger from a sheath hidden in his cloths right under his neck. The assassin brought his arm down releasing his dagger aimed right at Zeazrom's sword hand.Zeazrom had no choice but to move both his body and hand out of the way of what was clearly an attempt to both disarm and poison him.
It was close, Zeazrom felt the dagger brush up against the hairs on his fingers. Meanwhile the assassin had fallen back quickly in order to recover his sword.
"Nice try assassin. You came close. I didn't expect you to pretend to lose your grip on your sword, but you should know you can't beat me."
"Oh, I never intended to beat you, "The assassin gave a sinister smile. I came here for 3 reasons, first to distract you to what is happening in your own dungeon, second to kill that juka mage you made those mind control rings for you. The third reason I just finished with that last attack. So I do belive I'll be taking my leave from you now."
The shadow assassin faded into the darkness leaving Zeazrom alone and slightly confused then it suddenly hit him what had happened. Zeazrom looked downat his right hand and around his index finger was one of of his two rings. Only the figure of Quiby that had been on the ring was missing. Cut off by the dagger. His spell over Quiby was broken and Since the assassin had killed the Juka mage that had made the rings....
Zeazrom checked the ring that he used to control Xylon that he kept on his left index finger. It was still safe having been protected by his shield during the fight. The Chaos Dragoon marched out of the room, his army should be returning with Xylon and Zeazrom wanted to personally make sure none of those prisoners left his dungeon alive.
Teanas paused a moment to let him respond but any response was interupted by the sound a the door opening while Kysh exclaimed, "We got it!"
Kysh immediatly the cell and immediatly recognized Hikaru and Quiby.
"Hikaru, you'll b happy to know your plan worked," Kysh smiled, then looking at her wounds added calling outside the door, "Neph get in here some of these people need healing."
Kysh looked at the other prisoners and noticed a young elf girl looking intently at him. Kysh walked past Quiby towards the girl and asked, "Are you Jesa?"
"Y-Yes I am."
I'm.... I'm Kysh," Kysh suddenly felt very awkward.
The too young elves looked at each other for a second then Jes suddenly threw her arms around Kysh. Kysh immediatly stiffened up not sure what to do. This was the first time he had ever been a brother before, and had no idea what to do. Just as he was wondering if he maybe should hug his sister back Jesa suddenly let go and hit Kysh hard to the stomech saying, "What took you so long!! Do you know how long we've been waiting here for you!!"
"Sorry," Kysh answered as he tried to stand back up.
____________________________________________________________________
Zeazrom easily blocked another attack from the assassin with his shield. The assassin backed off and faded into the shadows. Zeazrom spun around in time to block another attack from the assassin who had appeared behind him. This had been going on for a couple minutes now, The assassin, dispite his powers and skills not being able to penetrate Zeazrom's defence.
"How long are you going to keep this up assassin?"
"I think another 5 minutes should be enough," The one armed assassin sneered back.
"If your refering to any rescue attempts I'm afraid no one will be leaving here. I've already summoned Xylon back with my army. They should be back any moment now."
The assassin stared for a moment then seriously added, "Well... I guess I might as well finish this now. The assassin attacked again swinging his sword over his head down on Zeazrom. Zeazrom perried easily not only knocking the assassin's sword back up knocking it out of his hand sending it flying over his with his arm sticking into the air above him swordless. Zeazrom took this twist of good fate to to attack. He lunged forward preparing to attack the defensless assassin when suddenly realized the assassin had pulled a dagger from a sheath hidden in his cloths right under his neck. The assassin brought his arm down releasing his dagger aimed right at Zeazrom's sword hand.Zeazrom had no choice but to move both his body and hand out of the way of what was clearly an attempt to both disarm and poison him.
It was close, Zeazrom felt the dagger brush up against the hairs on his fingers. Meanwhile the assassin had fallen back quickly in order to recover his sword.
"Nice try assassin. You came close. I didn't expect you to pretend to lose your grip on your sword, but you should know you can't beat me."
"Oh, I never intended to beat you, "The assassin gave a sinister smile. I came here for 3 reasons, first to distract you to what is happening in your own dungeon, second to kill that juka mage you made those mind control rings for you. The third reason I just finished with that last attack. So I do belive I'll be taking my leave from you now."
The shadow assassin faded into the darkness leaving Zeazrom alone and slightly confused then it suddenly hit him what had happened. Zeazrom looked downat his right hand and around his index finger was one of of his two rings. Only the figure of Quiby that had been on the ring was missing. Cut off by the dagger. His spell over Quiby was broken and Since the assassin had killed the Juka mage that had made the rings....
Zeazrom checked the ring that he used to control Xylon that he kept on his left index finger. It was still safe having been protected by his shield during the fight. The Chaos Dragoon marched out of the room, his army should be returning with Xylon and Zeazrom wanted to personally make sure none of those prisoners left his dungeon alive.
Y
Yuki
Guest
Quiby leapt to her feet and rushed over to Kysh, casting as scathing a glare at the elven girl as she could manage. She held out her right hand to Kysh to help him up and turned to look the girl in the eye.
“You should not bit the hand that feeds you, milady,” she said, almost sternly. “I am sure that Lord Kysh has gone through many pains to come here and rescue you, and you would do well to appreciate his efforts before scolding his timing.”
Hikaru looked on in wonder. The girl had been completely focused on something beyond the reality that surrounded her that she hadn’t even acknowledged the boy’s entrance into the cell. But now she was quite thoroughly bending the elven girl’s ear. She decided that she was beginning to get quite attached to the little feline girl, and her peculiarities.
Outside the cell, Yuki figured that the politely worded chastisement had come from the lip of her daughter, and now more than ever, she longed to meet her. However, she couldn’t ignore the stranger who had appeared beside the cell door, seeming as if he had been standing there all along. Without her noticing, no less.
She mentally kicked herself for not suspecting the presence of whoever had killed all the Jukans, and using the appropriate spells to investigate. She said nothing as she dipped her fingers into her pouch of spell components, allowing the knight, or the stranger to do all the talking.
Xylon swept down into the relatively narrow confines of the dungeon, gliding on wings that brushed occasionally on the walls to either side. She had received the summons from her master, and passed the orders on to the army, before returning ahead of the troops.
She became more angered with every Jukan corpse that passed beneath her. Each one meant that whoever had killed them had made it a little closer to her master. And unlike her, he was mortal.
She reached a tight corner and twisted in midair, using her momentum to land on the wall as if it were solid ground. Springing off and taking flight again before gravity could have its way with her.
After a few minutes of flying and running through the tunnels, she reached the door to her master’s chamber and threw it open without a care for protocol. The scene inside largely reflected the rest of the dungeon, with the corpses of fallen Juka lying at her feet. Although her master was still standing, apparently examining a ring on his finger, of all things.
“Master,” she addressed him, dropping to one knee as she did so, “you bid the army to return?”
Out of Character:
I’m sorry if it wasn’t very clear in my last message that Quiby has in fact left me in charge of all her characters, hopefully she will return soon and lighten my burden^^
I also apologise if this post is a little poor, I’m kind of in shock.
Last night the burglar alarm went off, which usually means that we missed a cat that was sleeping in an alarmed area (the little critters get up to stretch and all hell breaks loose). Imagine my surprise when the alarm reported being triggered in an area that animals don’t go in (the cellar).
Three cheers for the element of surprise, and adrenalin!
“You should not bit the hand that feeds you, milady,” she said, almost sternly. “I am sure that Lord Kysh has gone through many pains to come here and rescue you, and you would do well to appreciate his efforts before scolding his timing.”
Hikaru looked on in wonder. The girl had been completely focused on something beyond the reality that surrounded her that she hadn’t even acknowledged the boy’s entrance into the cell. But now she was quite thoroughly bending the elven girl’s ear. She decided that she was beginning to get quite attached to the little feline girl, and her peculiarities.
Outside the cell, Yuki figured that the politely worded chastisement had come from the lip of her daughter, and now more than ever, she longed to meet her. However, she couldn’t ignore the stranger who had appeared beside the cell door, seeming as if he had been standing there all along. Without her noticing, no less.
She mentally kicked herself for not suspecting the presence of whoever had killed all the Jukans, and using the appropriate spells to investigate. She said nothing as she dipped her fingers into her pouch of spell components, allowing the knight, or the stranger to do all the talking.
Xylon swept down into the relatively narrow confines of the dungeon, gliding on wings that brushed occasionally on the walls to either side. She had received the summons from her master, and passed the orders on to the army, before returning ahead of the troops.
She became more angered with every Jukan corpse that passed beneath her. Each one meant that whoever had killed them had made it a little closer to her master. And unlike her, he was mortal.
She reached a tight corner and twisted in midair, using her momentum to land on the wall as if it were solid ground. Springing off and taking flight again before gravity could have its way with her.
After a few minutes of flying and running through the tunnels, she reached the door to her master’s chamber and threw it open without a care for protocol. The scene inside largely reflected the rest of the dungeon, with the corpses of fallen Juka lying at her feet. Although her master was still standing, apparently examining a ring on his finger, of all things.
“Master,” she addressed him, dropping to one knee as she did so, “you bid the army to return?”
Out of Character:
I’m sorry if it wasn’t very clear in my last message that Quiby has in fact left me in charge of all her characters, hopefully she will return soon and lighten my burden^^
I also apologise if this post is a little poor, I’m kind of in shock.
Last night the burglar alarm went off, which usually means that we missed a cat that was sleeping in an alarmed area (the little critters get up to stretch and all hell breaks loose). Imagine my surprise when the alarm reported being triggered in an area that animals don’t go in (the cellar).
Three cheers for the element of surprise, and adrenalin!
G
Guest
Guest
Valg watched Teanas for a second before bringing his hands together and giving a quick bow in a mocking manner. "I am known as Valg." With a quick grin he added, "which means death in the Gnome tongue." He got a dreamy look and then spoke in a quiet voice, "That was a fun time. Too bad the Gnome villages ran out." He looked back up and then to Kysh.
"The boy has grown since I've seen him last." Speaking to Teanas as he watched the scolding of Kysh for his timing. He looked back up to Teanas and dissapeared into the shadows before appearing behind him, speaking in a calm, quiet voice so close to the Elf's neck that he might have kissed it. "I come from wherever I want."
Before an elbow could be thrown, or anything of the sort, he melted back into the shadows, coming up next to Yuki with his arms crossed, looking at her. "And who is this ravishing creature?"
C: If you hadn't noticed, I'm in a playful mood, yet a seductive one. I've spent too much time reading the Black Jewels Trilogy. I even had a dream that they made a movie out of it last night. ;;
"The boy has grown since I've seen him last." Speaking to Teanas as he watched the scolding of Kysh for his timing. He looked back up to Teanas and dissapeared into the shadows before appearing behind him, speaking in a calm, quiet voice so close to the Elf's neck that he might have kissed it. "I come from wherever I want."
Before an elbow could be thrown, or anything of the sort, he melted back into the shadows, coming up next to Yuki with his arms crossed, looking at her. "And who is this ravishing creature?"
C: If you hadn't noticed, I'm in a playful mood, yet a seductive one. I've spent too much time reading the Black Jewels Trilogy. I even had a dream that they made a movie out of it last night. ;;
Y
Yuki
Guest
Yuki thought back to the moments before the four of them had entered the dungeon, when she had introduced herself to the three lords of her people. The first time she had spoken her real name in over eighty years.
That she still considered the elves as her people would have brought a smile to her lips, but she hadn’t smiled for almost as long as she had been in exile. Not through lack of things to smile about, however, she had been in love during that time, and had plenty of reasons. But her largely feline face didn’t lend itself to expressing of emotions, unless one considered the curl of her cleft upper lip to be a permanent smile.
While they had been standing outside the dungeon, she had felt the presence of magic. Although she had attributed it to the presence of the swords of virtue, or the Juka mages that accompanied the warriors on occasions. The presence had mostly been with them through the endless tunnels of the dungeon, although it had fluctuated somewhat.
“You already know,” said Yuki, with an enlightened glint in her eye. She took a step backwards, to put the dungeon wall between herself and any attempts by the stranger to appear behind her. She decided that she would bite him, hard, if he played his disappearing games with her.
“You have been following us since we entered this dungeon,” she said calmly. “You are not the only skilled magic user in the land, and clearly not the most disciplined, either.” She added by way of explanation, although she was certain that if she could sense his magical ability, then he could sense hers.
After a moment of pause, during which she did nothing but look deeply into his eyes, she reached out and grabbed his neck with her right hand. He could not hide if she had hold of him, and the pseudo-claws pressing into the flesh of his neck would hopefully make him think twice about trying.
“You have yet to answer Lord Teanas’ second question,” she growled, “and you should explain why you are here at the same time.”
That she still considered the elves as her people would have brought a smile to her lips, but she hadn’t smiled for almost as long as she had been in exile. Not through lack of things to smile about, however, she had been in love during that time, and had plenty of reasons. But her largely feline face didn’t lend itself to expressing of emotions, unless one considered the curl of her cleft upper lip to be a permanent smile.
While they had been standing outside the dungeon, she had felt the presence of magic. Although she had attributed it to the presence of the swords of virtue, or the Juka mages that accompanied the warriors on occasions. The presence had mostly been with them through the endless tunnels of the dungeon, although it had fluctuated somewhat.
“You already know,” said Yuki, with an enlightened glint in her eye. She took a step backwards, to put the dungeon wall between herself and any attempts by the stranger to appear behind her. She decided that she would bite him, hard, if he played his disappearing games with her.
“You have been following us since we entered this dungeon,” she said calmly. “You are not the only skilled magic user in the land, and clearly not the most disciplined, either.” She added by way of explanation, although she was certain that if she could sense his magical ability, then he could sense hers.
After a moment of pause, during which she did nothing but look deeply into his eyes, she reached out and grabbed his neck with her right hand. He could not hide if she had hold of him, and the pseudo-claws pressing into the flesh of his neck would hopefully make him think twice about trying.
“You have yet to answer Lord Teanas’ second question,” she growled, “and you should explain why you are here at the same time.”
G
Guest
Guest
With a quick grin to Yuki, Valg shot a blast of pressure into her mind. Nothing too extreme, if anything it would make her feel like she were about to feint. He muttered to himself as he tried to throw an Arcerian sight shield over himself to steal away their vision of him. He backed away from her and leaned against the wall opposite them all before dropping the sight shield. He looked at Yuki, his eyes narrowing just a little before they open back up with a glint of pleasure.
“She speaks truthfully. I have been here the entire time. Since the entrance to the cave at least.” He stopped speaking a moment before his eyes went to Teanas. “If I had a place to come from, I wouldn’t tell you anyways. But honestly, where can a mercenary say he is from when he has no home? I was born in Qualinest, same as Karadur, if that puts your mind at ease.” He paused once more. Sure, Kysh knew Karadur, and Quiby, but they were out of ear shot at the moment. So he had to explain to them why he was here.
He threw a sight shield around himself and walked over to where Kysh stood, still being scolded by his sister. He dropped the shield a few feet from him, the girl, and Quiby. He spoke to Teanas and Yuki as he leaned against the wall watching Kysh.
“I came to watch over him,” he said in a quiet voice.
“She speaks truthfully. I have been here the entire time. Since the entrance to the cave at least.” He stopped speaking a moment before his eyes went to Teanas. “If I had a place to come from, I wouldn’t tell you anyways. But honestly, where can a mercenary say he is from when he has no home? I was born in Qualinest, same as Karadur, if that puts your mind at ease.” He paused once more. Sure, Kysh knew Karadur, and Quiby, but they were out of ear shot at the moment. So he had to explain to them why he was here.
He threw a sight shield around himself and walked over to where Kysh stood, still being scolded by his sister. He dropped the shield a few feet from him, the girl, and Quiby. He spoke to Teanas and Yuki as he leaned against the wall watching Kysh.
“I came to watch over him,” he said in a quiet voice.
Y
Yuki
Guest
By the time Yuki had recovered from the stranger’s apparent attack on her, he had already disappeared. Only to reappear in the cell a few moments later close to where she imagined the young Knight of the Virtues was. She growled deeply in her throat and took a step towards the cell door, fully intending not to allow his attack to go unpunished.
As she took the step, her perspective changed, allowing her to see a little more of the cell than before. In addition to what she had seen before, she saw two of the Meer prisoners looking rather lost, unsure whether this was really a rescue. All the clues pointed to it, but no one had actually announced it to prisoners.
More importantly to her, she could now see the trio that Valg had appeared close to. It seemed to her that Kysh had been knocked from his feet, presumably by the elven girl whom he was looking up at. The pair of elves were of similar age, and bore a resemblance to the other, leading Yuki to believe that they were related. Perhaps this was the reason that three highly honoured members of elven society had chosen to risk life and limb to rescue prisoners.
Beside the elves stood a girl of roughly comparable age, offering her hand to Kysh, no doubt to help him to his feet. There could be no doubt that the girl was her daughter, from the ears and tail, to the kindly nature she had only heard about from those fortunate enough to experience it.
“What right do I have to just walk into her life after 40 years?” she asked herself in a soft voice.
After a moment of hesitation, she stepped backwards out of the cell again. Quiby had been too engrossed to notice her entrance, and for the same reason missed her exit.
Once she had passed beyond the sights of everyone within the cell, she slumped back against the wall and let out a long sigh.
“No matter how bad an elf I was,” she said, casting a sidelong glance at Teanas, “I make an even worse mother.” Her eyes reflected none of the humour that the words had meant to convey, and so she returned them to the wall opposite her.
As she took the step, her perspective changed, allowing her to see a little more of the cell than before. In addition to what she had seen before, she saw two of the Meer prisoners looking rather lost, unsure whether this was really a rescue. All the clues pointed to it, but no one had actually announced it to prisoners.
More importantly to her, she could now see the trio that Valg had appeared close to. It seemed to her that Kysh had been knocked from his feet, presumably by the elven girl whom he was looking up at. The pair of elves were of similar age, and bore a resemblance to the other, leading Yuki to believe that they were related. Perhaps this was the reason that three highly honoured members of elven society had chosen to risk life and limb to rescue prisoners.
Beside the elves stood a girl of roughly comparable age, offering her hand to Kysh, no doubt to help him to his feet. There could be no doubt that the girl was her daughter, from the ears and tail, to the kindly nature she had only heard about from those fortunate enough to experience it.
“What right do I have to just walk into her life after 40 years?” she asked herself in a soft voice.
After a moment of hesitation, she stepped backwards out of the cell again. Quiby had been too engrossed to notice her entrance, and for the same reason missed her exit.
Once she had passed beyond the sights of everyone within the cell, she slumped back against the wall and let out a long sigh.
“No matter how bad an elf I was,” she said, casting a sidelong glance at Teanas, “I make an even worse mother.” Her eyes reflected none of the humour that the words had meant to convey, and so she returned them to the wall opposite her.
G
Guest
Guest
Valg watched Kysh, his eyes growing a slight bit larger as he looked on. He pulled his hood back up and walked out of the cell, past Teanas, to Yuki, who looked to be hiding from them all. He stood against the wall lightly, not wanting to press too hard for fear of her hearing him at a time beyond his liking. He spoke up in a quiet voice, barely above a whisper.
"You look like the feline within the cell. Might there be some relation?" Without waiting for an answer he added, "Or are you too frightened to find out if she even cares she has another that might want her close?"
He pushed away from the wall and dissapeared quickly before speaking, "More Juka have come." He quickly sent up a small shield around Teanas as an arrow struck it and bounced off. Then the shield was gone and Valg was moving toward the way he had followed them in, the Arcerian sight shield gone now.
"You look like the feline within the cell. Might there be some relation?" Without waiting for an answer he added, "Or are you too frightened to find out if she even cares she has another that might want her close?"
He pushed away from the wall and dissapeared quickly before speaking, "More Juka have come." He quickly sent up a small shield around Teanas as an arrow struck it and bounced off. Then the shield was gone and Valg was moving toward the way he had followed them in, the Arcerian sight shield gone now.
Kysh heard the sound of fighting outside and turning quickly to Neph ordered, "Neph protect everyone here looks like were going to have to fight our way out."
Kysh pulled out his change rod and headed outside the cell. Behind him Jesa called out, "Hey wait up! Your not going anywhere without me!"
"Just stay with Neph please," Kysh answered as he left the cell.
Outside it looked like small force of Juka had stumbled onto the rescue.
"Teanas! We need to get these people here out now! The animals outside are warning me that the Juka army is returning. We don't have much time."
"Well Kysh, unless anyone preasent knows a quick way out we're going to have fight through these juka," Teanas answered as a Jukan warrior engaged him, "Unfortunatly none of the prisoners from Ilshinar would know the Gate Spell since the spell doesn't work in Ilshinar, not that any of them would have reagents for the spell anyway."
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"Xylon, follow me," Zeazrom motioned for the undead creture to follow him, "There are people trying to rescue the prisoners. I sent a small group to slow them down but they may need more help till the rest of the army arrives."
Zeazrom left the room with about 10 Jukan following him.
Kysh pulled out his change rod and headed outside the cell. Behind him Jesa called out, "Hey wait up! Your not going anywhere without me!"
"Just stay with Neph please," Kysh answered as he left the cell.
Outside it looked like small force of Juka had stumbled onto the rescue.
"Teanas! We need to get these people here out now! The animals outside are warning me that the Juka army is returning. We don't have much time."
"Well Kysh, unless anyone preasent knows a quick way out we're going to have fight through these juka," Teanas answered as a Jukan warrior engaged him, "Unfortunatly none of the prisoners from Ilshinar would know the Gate Spell since the spell doesn't work in Ilshinar, not that any of them would have reagents for the spell anyway."
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"Xylon, follow me," Zeazrom motioned for the undead creture to follow him, "There are people trying to rescue the prisoners. I sent a small group to slow them down but they may need more help till the rest of the army arrives."
Zeazrom left the room with about 10 Jukan following him.
Y
Yuki
Guest
Xylon stood and followed her master neither word nor hesitation. He would likely not listen to her objections, no matter how emphatically she voiced them, and so she would take her place at his side and protect him, as was her duty.
Yuki looked from Teanas to the attacking Juka, and then back to Teanas.
“I can open a gateway, but it will take some time,” she stated. “We should pray that it takes me no longer than the army does to arrive, otherwise I fear we shall all fall”
She dropped to a crouch as an arrow passed through the space where her head had been previously, placing her hands on the ground in between her knees.
She looked up at Teanas for a moment before springing in the direction of the cell door, narrowly avoiding a collision with a human girl with braids that almost matched the colour of her bloodied bandages, who had stooped to pick up a weapon from one of the fallen Juka.
“What was that all about?” asked Hikaru to Teanas, as she came up beside him, putting her newly acquired blade to use without hesitation. She wanted to ask more about the creature that had almost bowled her over, but this was neither the time nor the place, she had seen enough to recognise an ally, but that just left more questions.
Yuki cast a glance around the cell, her eyes lingering for a moment when they reached Quiby, before reluctantly moving on until they reached Neph. She took a step towards him and spoke to him in lowered tones.
“I will try to open a gate to safety,” she explained quickly, “although I can feel her eyes boring into me.” Her eyes glanced in the direction of Quiby, who was staring at her along with the rest of the prisoners. “Please try to keep me from being distracted, and be sure that they all reach safety.”
Without waiting for a response, she turned her back on the prisoners and dipped her fingers in her pouch of spell components. A moment later, she began chanting the pseudo-gargish words of power that would eventually create a gateway to the only safe place she knew.
Out of Character:
I’m sorry if my replies get delayed, but it’s quite hard to sit down and type when I get home from work, which involves 8 hours of sitting and typing a day.
Yuki looked from Teanas to the attacking Juka, and then back to Teanas.
“I can open a gateway, but it will take some time,” she stated. “We should pray that it takes me no longer than the army does to arrive, otherwise I fear we shall all fall”
She dropped to a crouch as an arrow passed through the space where her head had been previously, placing her hands on the ground in between her knees.
She looked up at Teanas for a moment before springing in the direction of the cell door, narrowly avoiding a collision with a human girl with braids that almost matched the colour of her bloodied bandages, who had stooped to pick up a weapon from one of the fallen Juka.
“What was that all about?” asked Hikaru to Teanas, as she came up beside him, putting her newly acquired blade to use without hesitation. She wanted to ask more about the creature that had almost bowled her over, but this was neither the time nor the place, she had seen enough to recognise an ally, but that just left more questions.
Yuki cast a glance around the cell, her eyes lingering for a moment when they reached Quiby, before reluctantly moving on until they reached Neph. She took a step towards him and spoke to him in lowered tones.
“I will try to open a gate to safety,” she explained quickly, “although I can feel her eyes boring into me.” Her eyes glanced in the direction of Quiby, who was staring at her along with the rest of the prisoners. “Please try to keep me from being distracted, and be sure that they all reach safety.”
Without waiting for a response, she turned her back on the prisoners and dipped her fingers in her pouch of spell components. A moment later, she began chanting the pseudo-gargish words of power that would eventually create a gateway to the only safe place she knew.
Out of Character:
I’m sorry if my replies get delayed, but it’s quite hard to sit down and type when I get home from work, which involves 8 hours of sitting and typing a day.
"Yuki is going to open a gate so we can all get out of here," Teanas answered Hikaru's question as he began a fight with a juka warrior, "We just need to buy her some time."
Kysh, whose rod had taken the form of the Sword of Valor, darted around the Juda warrior he was fighting with a speed that could only have been aided by magic from his sword. He quickly stabbed the Jukan in the back and then stepped back out of the path of an arrow which he snatched out of the air as it tried to pass him. Continuing the spin he started catching the arrow Kysh faced the passage where arrow had come from and strung the arrow in the bow that had taken the place of the sword. The arrow changed into five bolts of light as Kysh released it and five jukans down the passageway collapsed clenching their throats which had holes burned through them.
"Teanas," Kysh spoke calmly, "As soon as Yuki get's the gate open, you and Hikaru will make sure everyone get's through."
"My young Kysh, your father used to speak in that exact same tone useing simular words before doing something extremly stupid. Should I dare ask what's in you head?"
"I still have buisness to take care of here."
"That's what I was afraid you'd say."
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Zeazrom lead his force down the passage and soon came in view of the fighting out side the dungeon cell. A small group of warriors were defending the entrance to the dungeon and the jukans he had sent ahead of him were doing a less then satisfactory job. His eyes soon met the eyes of the young elf he had seen in the battle for Yew.
Turning to Xylon and the rest of the juken soldiers with him he ordered, "Kill everyone but leave the boy to me."
Zeazrom had watched the boy wipe out almost 20 of his soldiers by himself at Yew and he couldn't afford to wast his forces like that. The young elf noticed Zeazrom and they locked eyes for a moment. The face and body was that of a child but in the eyes, not glowing as they had been at Yew, he saw an experinced warrior. A warrior that had seen the death of both loved ones and foes. He saw both age and youth in those eyes as only the eyes of an elf could show. This would be and intreasting fight.
ooc- My turn to apoligise. Right now I'm full time looking for a job (I hate being unemployed) and this last week I felt like rereading a few of my favorite Orson Scott Card (a great Sci. FI. writer) books. Unfortunatly when I read a book it's hard to switch my mind way from the world the book takes me.
It took five hours (the same amount of time it takes me to read a novel) of playing UO today and yesterday to get my mind back in UO storytelling mode. Even now my mind keeps going back to the world of sci fi. I guess I'll have to admitt to my self that as much as I love fantasy, sci fi will always remain my favorite. Which reminds me, I think they are waiting for me on the SWG story tread also....
Kysh, whose rod had taken the form of the Sword of Valor, darted around the Juda warrior he was fighting with a speed that could only have been aided by magic from his sword. He quickly stabbed the Jukan in the back and then stepped back out of the path of an arrow which he snatched out of the air as it tried to pass him. Continuing the spin he started catching the arrow Kysh faced the passage where arrow had come from and strung the arrow in the bow that had taken the place of the sword. The arrow changed into five bolts of light as Kysh released it and five jukans down the passageway collapsed clenching their throats which had holes burned through them.
"Teanas," Kysh spoke calmly, "As soon as Yuki get's the gate open, you and Hikaru will make sure everyone get's through."
"My young Kysh, your father used to speak in that exact same tone useing simular words before doing something extremly stupid. Should I dare ask what's in you head?"
"I still have buisness to take care of here."
"That's what I was afraid you'd say."
____________________________________________________________________
Zeazrom lead his force down the passage and soon came in view of the fighting out side the dungeon cell. A small group of warriors were defending the entrance to the dungeon and the jukans he had sent ahead of him were doing a less then satisfactory job. His eyes soon met the eyes of the young elf he had seen in the battle for Yew.
Turning to Xylon and the rest of the juken soldiers with him he ordered, "Kill everyone but leave the boy to me."
Zeazrom had watched the boy wipe out almost 20 of his soldiers by himself at Yew and he couldn't afford to wast his forces like that. The young elf noticed Zeazrom and they locked eyes for a moment. The face and body was that of a child but in the eyes, not glowing as they had been at Yew, he saw an experinced warrior. A warrior that had seen the death of both loved ones and foes. He saw both age and youth in those eyes as only the eyes of an elf could show. This would be and intreasting fight.
ooc- My turn to apoligise. Right now I'm full time looking for a job (I hate being unemployed) and this last week I felt like rereading a few of my favorite Orson Scott Card (a great Sci. FI. writer) books. Unfortunatly when I read a book it's hard to switch my mind way from the world the book takes me.
It took five hours (the same amount of time it takes me to read a novel) of playing UO today and yesterday to get my mind back in UO storytelling mode. Even now my mind keeps going back to the world of sci fi. I guess I'll have to admitt to my self that as much as I love fantasy, sci fi will always remain my favorite. Which reminds me, I think they are waiting for me on the SWG story tread also....
Y
Yuki
Guest
“That’s the patchwork cat, right?” asked Hikaru rhetorically. She shifted her position, albeit too slowly to fully avoid the Jukan blade that had been intended for her, it was largely luck that had the blade glanced off the hardened leather on her right shoulder.
“Tell her I appreciate the offer,” she continued, grunting with the effort of forcing the heavy blade of her looted sword through the heavy armour of one of the warriors, “but I owe my life to the boy, and I am bound to protect him until he considers the debt discharged”
She blocked a vicious slash from another warrior, who had unceremoniously planted his left foot on the corpse of Hikaru’s last victim. The impact of the sword reminded her just how much weaker she was than the Juka she was facing, even without taking the lingering effects of her former injuries into account.
“Besides,” she added as Teanas slew the Juka before it had opportunity to attack her again, “I promised Misa that... In the name of the abyss!” her exclamation came as she saw the black-winged undead cat-like girl walking purposefully in, ahead of a fresh contingent of warriors, apparently to join the fight, “whose side is she on this time?”
Yuki spoke the final word of power and rose to her feet, stepping back from the magical gateway that had begun appearing. Through it, the prisoners could see a single-story house, nestled between a lush forest, and a low cliff leading down to the sea. From within the cell, they could feel the gentle breeze as it found its way through the gateway, and could almost smell the forest above the dank smells of the dungeon.
The house had been built with the assistance of elven magic, urging the aged trees at each corner to share their strength with the building, become living counterparts for the dead timbers that made up human buildings. Lending the strength of their boughs in support of the mossy thatched roof that helped make the house seem more like a part of the forest.
“My home is yours,” she said graciously, bowing slightly and gesturing towards the gateway. “There should be room enough for all of you to rest and recover, far from the dangers that surround us now”
She reached into a pouch and pulled out a key that seemed to have been made of silver, and walked over to Quiby, who had barely moved since Yuki had entered the cell. She put the key into the girl’s palm and bent her knees to whisper something in her ear, to which the girl nodded with very little hesitation.
Yuki straightened and stepped back, “you will have to go through one at a time, and wait for the person before you to step clear before you pass through. I will follow when everyone has gone through to safety, but until then, my daughter will open the door for you.”
She turned and walked out of the cell as soon as she had finished speaking, with the dual purposes of keeping her from being a distraction to her daughter, and assisting those outside of the cell, who seemed to be quite well, all things considered.
“The gate is… Xsa!” she cursed, falling back into the drow language as she saw what was happening.
“Tell her I appreciate the offer,” she continued, grunting with the effort of forcing the heavy blade of her looted sword through the heavy armour of one of the warriors, “but I owe my life to the boy, and I am bound to protect him until he considers the debt discharged”
She blocked a vicious slash from another warrior, who had unceremoniously planted his left foot on the corpse of Hikaru’s last victim. The impact of the sword reminded her just how much weaker she was than the Juka she was facing, even without taking the lingering effects of her former injuries into account.
“Besides,” she added as Teanas slew the Juka before it had opportunity to attack her again, “I promised Misa that... In the name of the abyss!” her exclamation came as she saw the black-winged undead cat-like girl walking purposefully in, ahead of a fresh contingent of warriors, apparently to join the fight, “whose side is she on this time?”
Yuki spoke the final word of power and rose to her feet, stepping back from the magical gateway that had begun appearing. Through it, the prisoners could see a single-story house, nestled between a lush forest, and a low cliff leading down to the sea. From within the cell, they could feel the gentle breeze as it found its way through the gateway, and could almost smell the forest above the dank smells of the dungeon.
The house had been built with the assistance of elven magic, urging the aged trees at each corner to share their strength with the building, become living counterparts for the dead timbers that made up human buildings. Lending the strength of their boughs in support of the mossy thatched roof that helped make the house seem more like a part of the forest.
“My home is yours,” she said graciously, bowing slightly and gesturing towards the gateway. “There should be room enough for all of you to rest and recover, far from the dangers that surround us now”
She reached into a pouch and pulled out a key that seemed to have been made of silver, and walked over to Quiby, who had barely moved since Yuki had entered the cell. She put the key into the girl’s palm and bent her knees to whisper something in her ear, to which the girl nodded with very little hesitation.
Yuki straightened and stepped back, “you will have to go through one at a time, and wait for the person before you to step clear before you pass through. I will follow when everyone has gone through to safety, but until then, my daughter will open the door for you.”
She turned and walked out of the cell as soon as she had finished speaking, with the dual purposes of keeping her from being a distraction to her daughter, and assisting those outside of the cell, who seemed to be quite well, all things considered.
“The gate is… Xsa!” she cursed, falling back into the drow language as she saw what was happening.
<font color=blue>Neph heard Yuki's shout of surprise and he ran to the door way. Reinforcement were there but it didn't look like the main army had arrived.
"Teanas!"
Teanas looked back to where he had heard his voice and saw Neph. Speaking to the others fighting Teanas quickly told them to move back to the doorway towards Neph. While Neph was forbidden by the sword of Compassion to fight he could use the sword to form a barrier to protect those fighting from arrows or wepon blows one at a time. Unfortunatly he could not use the sword to protect himself so that would be Teanas' job.
"Most of the prisoners have gone through the gate. We need to go also unless we want to become make this our new home. Where's Kysh?
"He's just down the tunnal going after that Chaos Dragoon. He ordered us to make sure everyone got through the gate and to leave with them... So I take that to mean we can stay until these lovely ladies decide it's time to go."</font color=blue>
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The young elf was fast. Not only was he fast but well trained in using a double bladed staff. The boy could almost seem to attack with it and parry Zeazrom's blows at the same time. But Zeazrom was also fast enough with his sword and shield.... and he was much stronger then the boy. The boy was skilled at dodging while redirecting blows but it was obvious he would never beable to outright block a blow.
Zeazrom soon had Kysh where he wanted him and brought his sword down on Kysh with crushing strength. There was no way the boy would be able to dodge it in time. Kysh didn't even try to dodge. He held his double bladed staff to block to blow and right before the wepons connected it transformed into a sword. Kysh was forced to one knee by the blow but held.
At first Zeazrom was confused as to how the boy could block such a blow but then noticed the sword the boy now used had the symbol of Valor on it and suddenly understood. He had heard of a wepon that could take any form it's owner wished and mimic any magic powers of wepons that it has ever come in contact with. It had taken the form of the Sword of Valor and there for copied it's ability to give it's wielder extra speed and strength. Allowing the boy to block blows normally to strong for him.
"So this is the power of the Rod of Ilshen."
Kysh didn't answer and so Zeazrom added, "Here's another one for you to block."
The blow came low this time so that Zeazrom's sword was coming up at Kysh. Kysh blocked this blow also but becaues of Kysh's low body wieght the boy was lifted right of the ground and sent by the force of the blow smashing hard into the wall behind him. Kysh fell to the floor dazed.
Zeazrom stepped up to Kysh, "I'm sorry but too many of my soldiers have died becaues of you. Good bye."
Zeazrom was just about to bring down his sword to end the fight when he was struck from behind by a bolt of energy. Picking himself up the dragoon looked behind him. It was the young elf girl.
"Yes," exclaimed Jesa, "I got the spell in only four tries that time!"
"Too bad you won't have time for a second spell then, "Zeazrom charged the girl but just before his sword could make contact with the girl's face a sword appeared in frount of her blocking his sword.
Why was it every time he was about to kill, someone new came to block hi-.... It wasn't someone new. It was the boy again... only... he was different. He was now as tall as Zeazrom and the boys eyes were glowing red.
"Thanks Jesa, now you need to get to that gate and leave him to me," Kysh ordered.
Now it was Kysh's turn to strike low and Zeazrom's turn to get knocked back. Now it Zeazrom found himself having to dodge and parry blows. The boy had taken a form that was much stronger then before. Zeazrom slowly gave up ground until he found himself with his back to a wall. A blow from Kysh sent Zeazrom's shield flying. Zeazrom grabbed his sword with both hands to block the next blow and the two ended up in a deadlock again, each one pushing their own sword at the other.
At the moment that Zeazrom felt he was about to be overpowered he noticed that the young elf suddenly seemed to start losing strength. Looking into the boys face he could see sweat pouring down and the red glow in his eyes were dimming. Kysh had spent all his energy in those last series of attacks. As the glow in Kysh's eyes dissapeared he shrunk down to his normal size and started to collapse. Zeazrom caught the boy with his free hand and Kysh tried grabbed Zeazrom's hand trying to pull himself free with what little energy he had left. Zeazrom raised his sword to once again deliver a final blow, "NOthing's going to stop me this time from killing yo- aaaaggghhh!!!"
Zeazrom dropped both his sword and Kysh as the slime wrapped itself around his leg and began eating his leg. With a good kick the slime came flying off and and upon landing moved between Kysh and Zeazrom.
Zeazrom was furious. Not only was he interupted again when killing someone but This boy who didn't have the strength to stand had the nerve to laugh at him. Then the boy said something that turned his blood cold.
"Hey Xylon, give me a hand with this guy."
Kysh was now wearing the ring that Zeazrom had used to control Xylon. He must have slipped it off at the moment the slime attacked. The boy was Xylon's master now...
ooc- feel free to have Xylon do anything you want to Zeazrom short of killing him. I will need him the in the future.
"Teanas!"
Teanas looked back to where he had heard his voice and saw Neph. Speaking to the others fighting Teanas quickly told them to move back to the doorway towards Neph. While Neph was forbidden by the sword of Compassion to fight he could use the sword to form a barrier to protect those fighting from arrows or wepon blows one at a time. Unfortunatly he could not use the sword to protect himself so that would be Teanas' job.
"Most of the prisoners have gone through the gate. We need to go also unless we want to become make this our new home. Where's Kysh?
"He's just down the tunnal going after that Chaos Dragoon. He ordered us to make sure everyone got through the gate and to leave with them... So I take that to mean we can stay until these lovely ladies decide it's time to go."</font color=blue>
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The young elf was fast. Not only was he fast but well trained in using a double bladed staff. The boy could almost seem to attack with it and parry Zeazrom's blows at the same time. But Zeazrom was also fast enough with his sword and shield.... and he was much stronger then the boy. The boy was skilled at dodging while redirecting blows but it was obvious he would never beable to outright block a blow.
Zeazrom soon had Kysh where he wanted him and brought his sword down on Kysh with crushing strength. There was no way the boy would be able to dodge it in time. Kysh didn't even try to dodge. He held his double bladed staff to block to blow and right before the wepons connected it transformed into a sword. Kysh was forced to one knee by the blow but held.
At first Zeazrom was confused as to how the boy could block such a blow but then noticed the sword the boy now used had the symbol of Valor on it and suddenly understood. He had heard of a wepon that could take any form it's owner wished and mimic any magic powers of wepons that it has ever come in contact with. It had taken the form of the Sword of Valor and there for copied it's ability to give it's wielder extra speed and strength. Allowing the boy to block blows normally to strong for him.
"So this is the power of the Rod of Ilshen."
Kysh didn't answer and so Zeazrom added, "Here's another one for you to block."
The blow came low this time so that Zeazrom's sword was coming up at Kysh. Kysh blocked this blow also but becaues of Kysh's low body wieght the boy was lifted right of the ground and sent by the force of the blow smashing hard into the wall behind him. Kysh fell to the floor dazed.
Zeazrom stepped up to Kysh, "I'm sorry but too many of my soldiers have died becaues of you. Good bye."
Zeazrom was just about to bring down his sword to end the fight when he was struck from behind by a bolt of energy. Picking himself up the dragoon looked behind him. It was the young elf girl.
"Yes," exclaimed Jesa, "I got the spell in only four tries that time!"
"Too bad you won't have time for a second spell then, "Zeazrom charged the girl but just before his sword could make contact with the girl's face a sword appeared in frount of her blocking his sword.
Why was it every time he was about to kill, someone new came to block hi-.... It wasn't someone new. It was the boy again... only... he was different. He was now as tall as Zeazrom and the boys eyes were glowing red.
"Thanks Jesa, now you need to get to that gate and leave him to me," Kysh ordered.
Now it was Kysh's turn to strike low and Zeazrom's turn to get knocked back. Now it Zeazrom found himself having to dodge and parry blows. The boy had taken a form that was much stronger then before. Zeazrom slowly gave up ground until he found himself with his back to a wall. A blow from Kysh sent Zeazrom's shield flying. Zeazrom grabbed his sword with both hands to block the next blow and the two ended up in a deadlock again, each one pushing their own sword at the other.
At the moment that Zeazrom felt he was about to be overpowered he noticed that the young elf suddenly seemed to start losing strength. Looking into the boys face he could see sweat pouring down and the red glow in his eyes were dimming. Kysh had spent all his energy in those last series of attacks. As the glow in Kysh's eyes dissapeared he shrunk down to his normal size and started to collapse. Zeazrom caught the boy with his free hand and Kysh tried grabbed Zeazrom's hand trying to pull himself free with what little energy he had left. Zeazrom raised his sword to once again deliver a final blow, "NOthing's going to stop me this time from killing yo- aaaaggghhh!!!"
Zeazrom dropped both his sword and Kysh as the slime wrapped itself around his leg and began eating his leg. With a good kick the slime came flying off and and upon landing moved between Kysh and Zeazrom.
Zeazrom was furious. Not only was he interupted again when killing someone but This boy who didn't have the strength to stand had the nerve to laugh at him. Then the boy said something that turned his blood cold.
"Hey Xylon, give me a hand with this guy."
Kysh was now wearing the ring that Zeazrom had used to control Xylon. He must have slipped it off at the moment the slime attacked. The boy was Xylon's master now...
ooc- feel free to have Xylon do anything you want to Zeazrom short of killing him. I will need him the in the future.
Y
Yuki
Guest
“You flatter me,” said Yuki to Teanas, without looking at him. “It is not through arrogance that I remind you that I am the only person capable of opening a gateway. To be anything but the last person to leave would be nothing short of irresponsible.”
She pointed to the rock ceiling a number of metres down the tunnel and muttered a few words of power. After a short delay, an explosion created a small-scale cave-in over the heads of a pair of Jukan warriors.
“Although, to tell the truth, I grow somewhat weary.” She admitted, “I am more suited to the field of study than the field of battle, and even my spell components are waning.”
Hikaru looked across to Yuki, “There is someone waiting for me outside the dungeon, you needn’t worry about leaving me behind.”
“As you wish,” said Yuki absently, her eyes fixed on Xylon. She wondered whether it would be possible to take her other daughter with them, without endangering the prisoners.
Quiby stopped a short way from the gate and looked around, she could still hear the faint sounds of battle coming from the dungeon she had just left, although the calm tranquillity of her current location seemed to drown out even the memory of the dungeon. The breeze coming off the sea was soothing in both its freshness, and the sound it made as it passed through the trees. The air was clean, although compared to the dungeon; the air in a smoky barroom would seem fresh.
She walked slowly to the edge of the cliff and looked down to the sea, where it lapped gently against the grey rocks, adding its noise to the overall ambience. She took a breath and turned towards the house, the home of the lady who had claimed to be her mother. Could it really be true that she had finally met her mother?
The feel of the cool grass on the soles of her feet did little to calm her nerves, and she glanced in the direction of the gate, hoping that her mother had come through it already, but all she could see were the prisoners gathered in small groups. They were probably waiting at a courteous distance for her to open the door; the door to her mother’s house.
The key slid easily into the lock, although it refused to turn either way, probably waiting for her to recite the words her mother had told her.
“Draa averieler,” she whispered, testing the key again.
It turned easily, and the door swung to her touch, allowing her a first glimpse into her mother’s life.
Even from the inside, the house seemed to have been grown, rather than built, without a single corner that wasn’t naturally rounded. The walls were lined with books of all types, placed on the shelves with a tidiness that was mirrored throughout the house, and seemed similar to the manner in which she kept the kitchen back at the inn.
Xylon froze mid-step as Kysh removed the ring from her master’s finger, feeling the familiar sensation of losing one master, only to gain another. She turned to face Kysh and her former master and approached them both; it was obvious that her new master would not want her to attack those that he was allied with.
She nodded in response to his command to assist with her former master and stepped in between the two of them. She looked up at him, her eye filled with all the things she wasn’t saying, that she was now a servant of his enemies. He would know as well as anyone how formidable an ally she was, and by extension, how formidable an opposition she had become. Plus, there was the benefit that she was practically unstoppable, unless she wanted to be.
“Call off your forces,” she demanded flatly, the look in her eye indicating that she wouldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer.
She pointed to the rock ceiling a number of metres down the tunnel and muttered a few words of power. After a short delay, an explosion created a small-scale cave-in over the heads of a pair of Jukan warriors.
“Although, to tell the truth, I grow somewhat weary.” She admitted, “I am more suited to the field of study than the field of battle, and even my spell components are waning.”
Hikaru looked across to Yuki, “There is someone waiting for me outside the dungeon, you needn’t worry about leaving me behind.”
“As you wish,” said Yuki absently, her eyes fixed on Xylon. She wondered whether it would be possible to take her other daughter with them, without endangering the prisoners.
Quiby stopped a short way from the gate and looked around, she could still hear the faint sounds of battle coming from the dungeon she had just left, although the calm tranquillity of her current location seemed to drown out even the memory of the dungeon. The breeze coming off the sea was soothing in both its freshness, and the sound it made as it passed through the trees. The air was clean, although compared to the dungeon; the air in a smoky barroom would seem fresh.
She walked slowly to the edge of the cliff and looked down to the sea, where it lapped gently against the grey rocks, adding its noise to the overall ambience. She took a breath and turned towards the house, the home of the lady who had claimed to be her mother. Could it really be true that she had finally met her mother?
The feel of the cool grass on the soles of her feet did little to calm her nerves, and she glanced in the direction of the gate, hoping that her mother had come through it already, but all she could see were the prisoners gathered in small groups. They were probably waiting at a courteous distance for her to open the door; the door to her mother’s house.
The key slid easily into the lock, although it refused to turn either way, probably waiting for her to recite the words her mother had told her.
“Draa averieler,” she whispered, testing the key again.
It turned easily, and the door swung to her touch, allowing her a first glimpse into her mother’s life.
Even from the inside, the house seemed to have been grown, rather than built, without a single corner that wasn’t naturally rounded. The walls were lined with books of all types, placed on the shelves with a tidiness that was mirrored throughout the house, and seemed similar to the manner in which she kept the kitchen back at the inn.
Xylon froze mid-step as Kysh removed the ring from her master’s finger, feeling the familiar sensation of losing one master, only to gain another. She turned to face Kysh and her former master and approached them both; it was obvious that her new master would not want her to attack those that he was allied with.
She nodded in response to his command to assist with her former master and stepped in between the two of them. She looked up at him, her eye filled with all the things she wasn’t saying, that she was now a servant of his enemies. He would know as well as anyone how formidable an ally she was, and by extension, how formidable an opposition she had become. Plus, there was the benefit that she was practically unstoppable, unless she wanted to be.
“Call off your forces,” she demanded flatly, the look in her eye indicating that she wouldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer.
Zeazrom looked at Xylon for a moment seething with anger. He knew he could take on the undead creture but the two elf children were right there and he could feel someone unseen nearby. He was out numbered and knew he couldn't win.
"All forces fall back to the entrance," He would meet his army.
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<font color=red>"Kysh that was great!" Jesa ran over to give Kysh a hug who had stood up right before Zeazrom had left. Then stepping backcontinued, "You have to teach me how to do that thing with the red eyes. I wan-.... Kysh?.... Kysh!!"
As soon as the last Juka was out of sight Kysh collapsed. Jesa knelt down and started to shake him, "Kysh? Wake up! Come on! Teanas, Neph, get over here!"
Both Teanas and Neph were over there in know time. Neph looked over Kysh but found no injuries other then some nasty bruises, "Don't worry Jesa, it takes alot out of him to tap into his more powerful powers and he hasn't spared an use of his powers today. He just needs rest and we need to get out of here. Yuki?"
"All forces fall back to the entrance," He would meet his army.
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<font color=red>"Kysh that was great!" Jesa ran over to give Kysh a hug who had stood up right before Zeazrom had left. Then stepping backcontinued, "You have to teach me how to do that thing with the red eyes. I wan-.... Kysh?.... Kysh!!"
As soon as the last Juka was out of sight Kysh collapsed. Jesa knelt down and started to shake him, "Kysh? Wake up! Come on! Teanas, Neph, get over here!"
Both Teanas and Neph were over there in know time. Neph looked over Kysh but found no injuries other then some nasty bruises, "Don't worry Jesa, it takes alot out of him to tap into his more powerful powers and he hasn't spared an use of his powers today. He just needs rest and we need to get out of here. Yuki?"
G
Guest
Guest
Valg followed the last Juka until he was out of sight of the others before materializing in front of him. The Juka came to a quick halt and before he was able to scream for help, his throat was torn out. Valg quickly began to change his shape, using his magic to play with the minds of those around him so they only saw one of their own. He followed the others out and kept among them, slightly slouched which couldn't be helped from years of naturally doing so.
ooc: Sorry, I haven't had much of a chance to write. I'm trying whenever I get a chance.
ooc: Sorry, I haven't had much of a chance to write. I'm trying whenever I get a chance.
Y
Yuki
Guest
“The gate has not collapsed yet,” answered Yuki. “Although I am a user of magic, not a worker of miracles,” she explained, as the regarded the knights with curiosity. She had thought, to begin with, that the knights were just using her to help them do whatever it was they were trying to do. In fact, that could still be the case, but it seemed to her that they trusted her, at least in part, despite her rather dark past with the elves.
She crouched beside Kysh and slipped the ring gently from his finger. Looking up to Neph, she held it out to him, “please take care of my daughter, Lord Neph.” It would not be right for her to wear the ring herself; otherwise her daughter would look upon her as a mistress, not a mother.
She looked then to Jesa, who was looking at her with the curiosity she had come to expect from just about anyone who wasn’t used to her. “Please go with Lady Hikaru,” she looked over her shoulder to the red-haired girl who looked a little shocked by what she had just said. “I swear that after we have both had rest, I will return with you to find your friend,” she said sincerely. After a moment of hesitation, Hikaru nodded, albeit reluctantly, and looked to Jesa.
She then slipped an arm behind Kysh’s back, and he other under his knees, and lifted him gently until she was level with Teanas.
“Lord Teanas, you should take him,” she said firmly. “I should be the last through, in case the Gateway should collapse; I am the only one who can get anyone who remains on this side out. Lord Kysh should not be the last through with me.”
On the other side of the gate, Quiby stared longingly at the dark shape from the patio-like area of the house, growing more anxious with each moment that passed without anyone coming through.
The thought that her mother may have fallen in the effort to save the prisoners formed a lump in her throat, and caused the occasional tear to run from her eyes.
She crouched beside Kysh and slipped the ring gently from his finger. Looking up to Neph, she held it out to him, “please take care of my daughter, Lord Neph.” It would not be right for her to wear the ring herself; otherwise her daughter would look upon her as a mistress, not a mother.
She looked then to Jesa, who was looking at her with the curiosity she had come to expect from just about anyone who wasn’t used to her. “Please go with Lady Hikaru,” she looked over her shoulder to the red-haired girl who looked a little shocked by what she had just said. “I swear that after we have both had rest, I will return with you to find your friend,” she said sincerely. After a moment of hesitation, Hikaru nodded, albeit reluctantly, and looked to Jesa.
She then slipped an arm behind Kysh’s back, and he other under his knees, and lifted him gently until she was level with Teanas.
“Lord Teanas, you should take him,” she said firmly. “I should be the last through, in case the Gateway should collapse; I am the only one who can get anyone who remains on this side out. Lord Kysh should not be the last through with me.”
On the other side of the gate, Quiby stared longingly at the dark shape from the patio-like area of the house, growing more anxious with each moment that passed without anyone coming through.
The thought that her mother may have fallen in the effort to save the prisoners formed a lump in her throat, and caused the occasional tear to run from her eyes.
<font color=blue>Neph passed through the gate behind Teanas and Jesa followed by Xylon. They were at what Neph understood to be Yuki's house.
"Jesa," Teanas turned to the young elf, "Let's get your brother into the house where he can rest. You will be responsible for him for the time being."
As they took Kysh into the house Neph turned to Xylon, "First order of buisness is what to do with you. Kysh is taking what will likely be a very long nap so I will talk for him. You have saved Kysh's life on more then one occasion and dispite your evil master made it possible to save many lives in Yew. For these actions I will leave it up to you what your distiny will be and the distiny of this ring.</font color=blue>
"Jesa," Teanas turned to the young elf, "Let's get your brother into the house where he can rest. You will be responsible for him for the time being."
As they took Kysh into the house Neph turned to Xylon, "First order of buisness is what to do with you. Kysh is taking what will likely be a very long nap so I will talk for him. You have saved Kysh's life on more then one occasion and dispite your evil master made it possible to save many lives in Yew. For these actions I will leave it up to you what your distiny will be and the distiny of this ring.</font color=blue>
Y
Yuki
Guest
Xylon took a breath, and was about to speak when a familiar voice called from the direction of the house.
“Sister!” called Quiby, as she ran in their direction, with all the coordination one could expect from a kitten who kitten who had only just learned to walk. It was clear that the life she lead didn’t involve a lot of haste beyond a brisk walk between tables.
Xylon looked over in surprise, having assumed that her sister would have been happily waiting tables at the inn. “It is my fault that she was dragged into this,” she said in a low voice, almost a growl. “If I had known, I would have…”
She stopped mid-sentence as Quiby tripped over something, probably her own feet. With a powerful beat of her wings, she was airborne. Two more beats brought her back down to earth, at her sister’s side, although to her annoyance, she hadn’t been quick enough to do anything to break her sister’s fall. At least she’d had the sense to turn her head to the side before she hit the floor, or she’d have come out of it with a lot worse than a grazed cheek.
She reached out and brushed the dirt off of her sister’s cheek, feeling the warmth of a living body identical to her own. This was the first time she had ‘seen’ her sister, having only met her once before, a long time before she had repaired the extensive damage that had been done to her eyes. She still didn’t understand a lot of what she saw, but her other senses still served her as well as they had while she was blind, despite the distraction of sight. One thing she didn’t understand was the expression on her sister’s face, which was unlike anything she had seen before.
Her other senses gave her some answers to her questions, in the shape of the scent of blood, stronger than would have come from her cheek.
“You are bleeding,” she observed, casting her eye down the body of her twin. Upon seeing no evidence of blood on her back, she turned the girl over as gently as she could, although the change in her expression was almost as worrying as her pained moans.
“Friend,” called out Yuki, not entirely sure that she was being very convincing, or that the person that she was trying to convince was even out there. The presence of the gate made it difficult to tell whether there were any other magical presences nearby, being a rather large magical presence itself.
“If you are still here, then you should leave now.” She called, “the gate leads to safety, and I really think that you should go through it.”
“Not that I suspect you’re exactly out there listening to me, let alone likely to take me up on my kind offer,” she muttered, scanning the darkness again.
She waited impatiently for the gate to close, so that she would be able to feel if the stranger was near. Of course, by that time, she’d be unable to help, because the gate would have disappeared, and casting another would probably drain her too much to be able to make it through herself.
Eventually, the gate collapsed, allowing her to determine that the stranger was nowhere nearby. It was a wasted effort, but she’d have been left wondering if she’d left a person behind if she hadn’t checked.
“Where did this come from?” asked Xylon, indicating the dagger of Jukan design, which had been the cause of the bleeding. To Xylon, it seemed as though it had been hidden in her dress, for some reason, and she had fallen in such a way that she had managed to stab herself with it.
“He… Wanted me to…” faltered Quiby, in part because of the pain, but also the shame she felt at being controlled, as she no doubt had. She stopped as Neph laid the hilt of his sword on her now-bare midriff; Xylon had torn aside the cloth as Neph had explained that the sword would heal her.
“It’s not working,” said Xylon a few moments after the hilt had touched her sister’s skin.
“Sister!” called Quiby, as she ran in their direction, with all the coordination one could expect from a kitten who kitten who had only just learned to walk. It was clear that the life she lead didn’t involve a lot of haste beyond a brisk walk between tables.
Xylon looked over in surprise, having assumed that her sister would have been happily waiting tables at the inn. “It is my fault that she was dragged into this,” she said in a low voice, almost a growl. “If I had known, I would have…”
She stopped mid-sentence as Quiby tripped over something, probably her own feet. With a powerful beat of her wings, she was airborne. Two more beats brought her back down to earth, at her sister’s side, although to her annoyance, she hadn’t been quick enough to do anything to break her sister’s fall. At least she’d had the sense to turn her head to the side before she hit the floor, or she’d have come out of it with a lot worse than a grazed cheek.
She reached out and brushed the dirt off of her sister’s cheek, feeling the warmth of a living body identical to her own. This was the first time she had ‘seen’ her sister, having only met her once before, a long time before she had repaired the extensive damage that had been done to her eyes. She still didn’t understand a lot of what she saw, but her other senses still served her as well as they had while she was blind, despite the distraction of sight. One thing she didn’t understand was the expression on her sister’s face, which was unlike anything she had seen before.
Her other senses gave her some answers to her questions, in the shape of the scent of blood, stronger than would have come from her cheek.
“You are bleeding,” she observed, casting her eye down the body of her twin. Upon seeing no evidence of blood on her back, she turned the girl over as gently as she could, although the change in her expression was almost as worrying as her pained moans.
“Friend,” called out Yuki, not entirely sure that she was being very convincing, or that the person that she was trying to convince was even out there. The presence of the gate made it difficult to tell whether there were any other magical presences nearby, being a rather large magical presence itself.
“If you are still here, then you should leave now.” She called, “the gate leads to safety, and I really think that you should go through it.”
“Not that I suspect you’re exactly out there listening to me, let alone likely to take me up on my kind offer,” she muttered, scanning the darkness again.
She waited impatiently for the gate to close, so that she would be able to feel if the stranger was near. Of course, by that time, she’d be unable to help, because the gate would have disappeared, and casting another would probably drain her too much to be able to make it through herself.
Eventually, the gate collapsed, allowing her to determine that the stranger was nowhere nearby. It was a wasted effort, but she’d have been left wondering if she’d left a person behind if she hadn’t checked.
“Where did this come from?” asked Xylon, indicating the dagger of Jukan design, which had been the cause of the bleeding. To Xylon, it seemed as though it had been hidden in her dress, for some reason, and she had fallen in such a way that she had managed to stab herself with it.
“He… Wanted me to…” faltered Quiby, in part because of the pain, but also the shame she felt at being controlled, as she no doubt had. She stopped as Neph laid the hilt of his sword on her now-bare midriff; Xylon had torn aside the cloth as Neph had explained that the sword would heal her.
“It’s not working,” said Xylon a few moments after the hilt had touched her sister’s skin.
<font color=blue>"Your right it isn't working," Neph agreed with great concern, "Let me see that dagger."
The dagger seemed to be of normal Juken design, but upon closer look Neph noticed a symbol on the the bottom of the blade. Neph didn't recogize the symbol. Looking back to the house he saw Teanas. He motioned for the elf to come over and said as Teanas arrived, "The girl tripped and was injured by this blade. My sword doesn't seem to be able to heal the wound."
Neph handed his fellow knight the dagger and pointed out the symbol he had found.
"While I've never seen this symbol before it looks like an ancient symbol once described to me. The symbol I think is from ancient Ilshenar and is the symbol for Despise."
"Despise?"
"Yes, Neph, The Swords of Virtue are all extremly ancient. The Juka and Meer are both from that ancient past. The Juka were brought to this time by Exodus from ancient times and the Meer slept from the time that the Juka dissapeared in the past to the time they reappeared here in presant times. It is likely that our Swords of Virtue were known to both sides. It's possible that the Juka fought aganst these very swords and it's possible that they made magic weapons to counter their power.
"Despise is the anti-virtue to Compassion, which might be why your sword has no effect. I will need to consult with Lamas back at Mantis. He is the oldest and wisest elf known."
Teanas looked around a moment then asked, "By the way where is Yuki. By what I saw in her house she also looks to be one with much knowledge prehaps she knows somthing. Did she not make it through the gate?"
The dagger seemed to be of normal Juken design, but upon closer look Neph noticed a symbol on the the bottom of the blade. Neph didn't recogize the symbol. Looking back to the house he saw Teanas. He motioned for the elf to come over and said as Teanas arrived, "The girl tripped and was injured by this blade. My sword doesn't seem to be able to heal the wound."
Neph handed his fellow knight the dagger and pointed out the symbol he had found.
"While I've never seen this symbol before it looks like an ancient symbol once described to me. The symbol I think is from ancient Ilshenar and is the symbol for Despise."
"Despise?"
"Yes, Neph, The Swords of Virtue are all extremly ancient. The Juka and Meer are both from that ancient past. The Juka were brought to this time by Exodus from ancient times and the Meer slept from the time that the Juka dissapeared in the past to the time they reappeared here in presant times. It is likely that our Swords of Virtue were known to both sides. It's possible that the Juka fought aganst these very swords and it's possible that they made magic weapons to counter their power.
"Despise is the anti-virtue to Compassion, which might be why your sword has no effect. I will need to consult with Lamas back at Mantis. He is the oldest and wisest elf known."
Teanas looked around a moment then asked, "By the way where is Yuki. By what I saw in her house she also looks to be one with much knowledge prehaps she knows somthing. Did she not make it through the gate?"
Y
Yuki
Guest
Xylon let out a deep, throaty growl and turned to Neph.
“Say the word,” she said, her voice rich with anger, “and I will render him unable to see the use of these weapons again.”
“No,” whispered Quiby, attracting her sister’s attention as quickly as her anger had diverted it. “Please, I have missed you, stay with me.”
The undead girl’s face softened a little, and she took the hand her sister was reaching to her with. Although she felt a sense of accomplishment from following orders, it couldn’t compare with the feeling of being asked to do something by someone who cared about her. She would stay.
“I hate to intrude,” interrupted Hikaru, “but I’m curious, too. Wasn’t the patchwork cat supposed to be following us?”
“I prefer ‘tortoiseshell’, personally,” said Yuki from behind Hikaru. She had arrived soundlessly, via alternative paths of magic in time to catch Hikaru’s sentence.
Without another word, she stepped past Hikaru and looked at the scene before her. Her only living daughter had been wounded somehow, presumably by the bloodied dagger that Teanas had been examining. Neph had his sword drawn, and had presumable tried to heal her daughter with its magic, although it had clearly not worked, since the child was still wounded.
“Mother,” said Quiby weakly, smiling slightly despite the pain. “I’m sorry…”
“You have nothing to apologise for,” argued Yuki softly, crouching down beside her. She leant over the wound and sniffed the air, and then moved up to stop before her daughter’s face. She looked into the child’s eyes for a moment before leaning down and touching noses with her, “we’ll take care of you,” she whispered.
Quiby didn’t answer; she had already drifted off into some manner of sleep.
“There is no poison,” she said, mainly to Neph and Teanas, “but the wound smells of something worse.” She drew out a small selection of spell components from the relevant pouch, and uttered the words of magic of a common healing spell. The girl’s skin seemed to shimmer a little as the spell sought out damage to be healed, although the wound remained untouched.
“I wish I could say that I didn’t expect that,” she sighed, “Xylon, would you take your sister indoors and make her comfortable?”
After a brief hesitation, Xylon slipped her arms under her daughter, and lifted her gently, exercising surprising delicacy for a creature that could do so much harm. Yuki watched for a moment, and then turned back to the group.
“I know a little of healing,” said Hikaru, “enough for a field dressing, at least.”
“I will be forever in your debt,” acknowledged Yuki, to which the red-braided girl turned and followed the two children to the house.
“As much as I am loathed to admit it, I am at a loss.” She said, a small amount of desperation in her voice, “I have never seen, nor have I smelled, a curse like it”
“Say the word,” she said, her voice rich with anger, “and I will render him unable to see the use of these weapons again.”
“No,” whispered Quiby, attracting her sister’s attention as quickly as her anger had diverted it. “Please, I have missed you, stay with me.”
The undead girl’s face softened a little, and she took the hand her sister was reaching to her with. Although she felt a sense of accomplishment from following orders, it couldn’t compare with the feeling of being asked to do something by someone who cared about her. She would stay.
“I hate to intrude,” interrupted Hikaru, “but I’m curious, too. Wasn’t the patchwork cat supposed to be following us?”
“I prefer ‘tortoiseshell’, personally,” said Yuki from behind Hikaru. She had arrived soundlessly, via alternative paths of magic in time to catch Hikaru’s sentence.
Without another word, she stepped past Hikaru and looked at the scene before her. Her only living daughter had been wounded somehow, presumably by the bloodied dagger that Teanas had been examining. Neph had his sword drawn, and had presumable tried to heal her daughter with its magic, although it had clearly not worked, since the child was still wounded.
“Mother,” said Quiby weakly, smiling slightly despite the pain. “I’m sorry…”
“You have nothing to apologise for,” argued Yuki softly, crouching down beside her. She leant over the wound and sniffed the air, and then moved up to stop before her daughter’s face. She looked into the child’s eyes for a moment before leaning down and touching noses with her, “we’ll take care of you,” she whispered.
Quiby didn’t answer; she had already drifted off into some manner of sleep.
“There is no poison,” she said, mainly to Neph and Teanas, “but the wound smells of something worse.” She drew out a small selection of spell components from the relevant pouch, and uttered the words of magic of a common healing spell. The girl’s skin seemed to shimmer a little as the spell sought out damage to be healed, although the wound remained untouched.
“I wish I could say that I didn’t expect that,” she sighed, “Xylon, would you take your sister indoors and make her comfortable?”
After a brief hesitation, Xylon slipped her arms under her daughter, and lifted her gently, exercising surprising delicacy for a creature that could do so much harm. Yuki watched for a moment, and then turned back to the group.
“I know a little of healing,” said Hikaru, “enough for a field dressing, at least.”
“I will be forever in your debt,” acknowledged Yuki, to which the red-braided girl turned and followed the two children to the house.
“As much as I am loathed to admit it, I am at a loss.” She said, a small amount of desperation in her voice, “I have never seen, nor have I smelled, a curse like it”
G
Guest
Guest
ooc: Wow, it's like 2 in the morning. To think I could sleep for a few hours and then drive an hour to a party just to come in and sit on the computer for 30 minutes. @_@ Just thought I'd check up on you hooligans before I go party again.
IC:
Valg watched the other Juka as he followed, hearing the very distant voice of Yuki. He smiled to himself within his hood. Somebody seemed to notice he was missing. He hadn't had that happen in a long time. He also built his life around being able to dissapear when he wanted to though. For now, he would let them figure out what to do on their own while he played spy games.
He followed to the Juka into their makeshift camp, which they had set up not far from the entrance. Valg let a small hiss of dissaproval escape his lips as he looked upon the makeshift tents surrounding him, which caused one of the closer Juka to look at him in an odd manner. He glanced back and then looked straight forward, to where it seemed all the others were heading. Yes, he could play spy very well for now.
IC:
Valg watched the other Juka as he followed, hearing the very distant voice of Yuki. He smiled to himself within his hood. Somebody seemed to notice he was missing. He hadn't had that happen in a long time. He also built his life around being able to dissapear when he wanted to though. For now, he would let them figure out what to do on their own while he played spy games.
He followed to the Juka into their makeshift camp, which they had set up not far from the entrance. Valg let a small hiss of dissaproval escape his lips as he looked upon the makeshift tents surrounding him, which caused one of the closer Juka to look at him in an odd manner. He glanced back and then looked straight forward, to where it seemed all the others were heading. Yes, he could play spy very well for now.
<font color=blue>"I would take the young lady inside the house for now but then I would see about getting her back over to Yew where you have better access to medicins. I'm going to take the meer and my fellow elves back to Ilshenar and consult with Lamas about this dagger. I'll hurry back with anything I learn. Neph you stay here and see what you can do to help and to tend to Kysh."
Teanas quickly readied those that would be returning to Ilshenar so that they could travel with all speed, "Jesa we must leave now. Say you farewells quickly."
"Farewell," Jesa said not even turning way from her brother's bedside for a moment.
"Shall I assum then you intend to stay here?"
"You win the prize. Of course I'm staying. Kysh hasn't woke up yet."
"As you wish I'm not about to seaperate you now. Neph one more thing for you to worry about then."
"No problem, " Neph responded with a slight grin, "I've always dreamt about babysitting a couple of kids both of whom are double my age. Just hurry back I'm more worried about the they young girl that is injured."
"I will hurry as much as possible. Take care my friend."
"Take care your self."</font color=blue>
____________________________________________________________________
Zeazrom left the dungeon entrance and mounted his swamp dragon. A juka lord stood nearby and as Zeazrom turned to leave he left his last commands, "Have the men guard the dungeon until I return. If we are going to succeed in our plans we will need allies now. I will return every few days or so. You are to do nothing but defend this dungeon till I say otherwise."
With those last words Zeazrom turned and rode off.
ooc-I think it's time to hop to a new thread. I'll start the new thread and It'll be titled Recoveries. Hope nobody minds if I kinda skip a day or too and teleport every one back to the Inn. It's an easy staging ground for our next adventure.
Teanas quickly readied those that would be returning to Ilshenar so that they could travel with all speed, "Jesa we must leave now. Say you farewells quickly."
"Farewell," Jesa said not even turning way from her brother's bedside for a moment.
"Shall I assum then you intend to stay here?"
"You win the prize. Of course I'm staying. Kysh hasn't woke up yet."
"As you wish I'm not about to seaperate you now. Neph one more thing for you to worry about then."
"No problem, " Neph responded with a slight grin, "I've always dreamt about babysitting a couple of kids both of whom are double my age. Just hurry back I'm more worried about the they young girl that is injured."
"I will hurry as much as possible. Take care my friend."
"Take care your self."</font color=blue>
____________________________________________________________________
Zeazrom left the dungeon entrance and mounted his swamp dragon. A juka lord stood nearby and as Zeazrom turned to leave he left his last commands, "Have the men guard the dungeon until I return. If we are going to succeed in our plans we will need allies now. I will return every few days or so. You are to do nothing but defend this dungeon till I say otherwise."
With those last words Zeazrom turned and rode off.
ooc-I think it's time to hop to a new thread. I'll start the new thread and It'll be titled Recoveries. Hope nobody minds if I kinda skip a day or too and teleport every one back to the Inn. It's an easy staging ground for our next adventure.