Staring out through the window which looked out over the city of Westbridge, the corners of Throm's mouth rose slightly into that of a smile at the sight of the sun taking shape at the horizon's edge. He had been leaning against the glass panes for the past ten minutes at least. Though fatigued, sleep had failed to meet him this past night.
"Worth every second of slumber missed..." He whispered to himself, raising an eyebrow in irritation as the breath from his words fogged up the window. Reaching out a hand he wiped the condensation clear with a gloved palm. Once again he had been lost within thoughts of the previous day, unto the dawn of this very one. Once again, Sanria had been party to the thoughts running rampant within his mind. This was the second time that Throm had been witness to the splendor that was her Observatory. This time it was different however. Its beauty had seemed somehow magnified, though he was certain it was due to the fact that he was looking at her through different eyes.
Finding a smile upon his face once again, he shook it off moving slowly from the window. He had been sorry to see her go, nearly wishing he could freeze time so as to allow himself the ability to say all he wanted to say. Chastizing himself, he sank into the chair behind his desk. Wondering for a moment how many times he had second guessed himself these past few weeks, he shook such thoughts off as one would water from the hair, tiny particles of doubt still lingering. Speaking to the invisible woman who had left the manor hours ago, he whispered. "We spoke of demons. Would you wish to be around me further if you knew the ones I carried?"
Sighing, he rubbed the side of his jaw, thinking about perhaps getting some sleep for a bit. Suddenly a very masculine voice sounded out directly behind him. "Why yes Throm I would!"
Gasping in surprise, Throm jumped up, kicking the chair behind him as hard as he could towards his intruder. Diving over his desk, he bearhugged the weapon harness he had earlier slung so carelessly at the windowsill. Landing upon his chest, he heard the sound of the chair hitting the wall with a dull thud. It had clearly missed its target. Rolling onto his back, Throm jumped to the floor, drawing a large sword simultaneously, of which he pointed at the shadowed figure near the balcony. A chuckle sounded out from the figure who clapped his hands once together, stepping forward into the light revealing his black cloaked form. Still chuckling, the figure reached down and picked the chair up from where it had bounced off of the wall.
Replacing it behind the desk, he nodded towards Throm, the hem of his hood falling back slightly to reveal a lock of pure white hair. Swiping his sword through the air, Throm angrily replaced the blade in its holster. "How did you get in here?"
Giving an exaggerated shrug, the other man simply stated. "You put the enchantments on this particular tower, perhaps you would be better suited to explain it."
The now fully awake Throm finally steadied his breath, nodding for the other man to take a seat. The man shook his head once slowly. "I'm sorry...I cannot stay. I came simply to let you know that I am happy for you."
"How did you--"
"It is my job to be in the know."
The figure cut him off. Nodding, Throm managed a small smile. "Of course...thank you."
Without a word the figure turned into the last of the morning shadows which lingered about the room and was gone. Laughing in spite of himself, Throm shook his head. Perhaps at least one of his demons had been lifted after all.
A Date?
Sanria lay in her bed staring up at the vaulted ceiling and the comforting twinkle of the crystals. Her hand rested on her stomach, easily rising up and down with each measured breath she took. The sound of the waterfall gave everything within the appearance of a peaceful room, but did little to soothe the torrent that swirled within Sanria.
She hadn't honestly expected to see Throm so soon after his missive had arrived, but as she went out to gather herbs, there he was. Sanria led him to the grove to join her in gathering valerian where they had a wonderful time simply talking. She told him of Lady Kitiara's garden and her wedding there so long ago. She looked over at him so many times part of her hoping once again to see familiar white robes and brown eyes, but they were not there. It was in fact a compliment that she felt so at east with Throm that she could slip into a comfortability much like she had long ago, but her heart still ached. With time, however, she was beginning to see that she had to let go of the past and as the time passed with Throm, and she began to see him for himself, the more she realized that things might end up ok.
At the Prancing Stallion, they had roast, and for the first time - it was different. Though she had been to this place so many times before, it was new. Sitting across from him with the candle between them, she began to discover a deep attraction. She could see herself with this man for the rest of her days. They sat then, side by side on the soft cushion, her head on his shoulder just talking. She felt like a girl again.
They then went to Crystabelle Village - a place where Sanria had never been. They were like children as they laughed and fought with tickling feathers - and the kiss that came as a form of truce nearly melted Sanria. She did attempt to adjust her thinking at that point - it was nothing more than a somewhat playful overture, but she spent the rest of the time in the deep hope that it would happen again. It was not in vain, for as they parted ways, Sanria was given the very thing she desired. Her hands held both sides of Throm's face and for a long moment, she looked up into the green eyes and her heart and mind raced.
Why, then, she was laying here so tormented was beyond her. Why was she still clinging to a marriage that was explicitly ended, when fate (and life it seemed) was offering her a new opportunity at what could be absolutely wonderful? How was it that already she could see herself falling in love with a man she barely knew? Sanria rolled over, putting her face in her bed as she slammed her fist into the covers.
"Damn it, Thasmudyan. Why?"
She hadn't honestly expected to see Throm so soon after his missive had arrived, but as she went out to gather herbs, there he was. Sanria led him to the grove to join her in gathering valerian where they had a wonderful time simply talking. She told him of Lady Kitiara's garden and her wedding there so long ago. She looked over at him so many times part of her hoping once again to see familiar white robes and brown eyes, but they were not there. It was in fact a compliment that she felt so at east with Throm that she could slip into a comfortability much like she had long ago, but her heart still ached. With time, however, she was beginning to see that she had to let go of the past and as the time passed with Throm, and she began to see him for himself, the more she realized that things might end up ok.
At the Prancing Stallion, they had roast, and for the first time - it was different. Though she had been to this place so many times before, it was new. Sitting across from him with the candle between them, she began to discover a deep attraction. She could see herself with this man for the rest of her days. They sat then, side by side on the soft cushion, her head on his shoulder just talking. She felt like a girl again.
They then went to Crystabelle Village - a place where Sanria had never been. They were like children as they laughed and fought with tickling feathers - and the kiss that came as a form of truce nearly melted Sanria. She did attempt to adjust her thinking at that point - it was nothing more than a somewhat playful overture, but she spent the rest of the time in the deep hope that it would happen again. It was not in vain, for as they parted ways, Sanria was given the very thing she desired. Her hands held both sides of Throm's face and for a long moment, she looked up into the green eyes and her heart and mind raced.
Why, then, she was laying here so tormented was beyond her. Why was she still clinging to a marriage that was explicitly ended, when fate (and life it seemed) was offering her a new opportunity at what could be absolutely wonderful? How was it that already she could see herself falling in love with a man she barely knew? Sanria rolled over, putting her face in her bed as she slammed her fist into the covers.
"Damn it, Thasmudyan. Why?"
A Continent Away
Sitting within steamed confines of the Bathing room, Throm had lost himself for perhaps the last hour within the warm waters of the hot tub. For one who always knew himself to predict the turns of future events, he was at a loss. This did not bring him concern however. No, he was far too lost within his thoughts of his own to be worried over trivial things as that. From curious to intrigue. From intrigue to like. From like to attraction. And from attraction affection. These were waters he had thought he could never tread again. Allowing a small shrug to himself, he recounted that this had not been the first time he'd been mistaken. "Snowball drink?"
Snapped out of his reverie he looked at the winged man standing before him, and blinked himself back into reality. "No thank you Sirim, all is well over here."
Nodding the man retreated back into the mists of the steam which concealed the better part of the room. Throm allowed himself to slip back into his thoughts, sinking lower into the water. His sides still hurt from laughing so hard. He could still taste her kiss upon his lips. The morning had begun with a visit to see Sanria for tea as they had both wished in their letters. What what was going to be had turned into an herb gathering escapade within forests in which Sanria was raised. What words had said on parchment, both had confirmed with words at the Prancing Stallion Tavern over one of the best roast dinners Throm had yet to encounter. And then there was the Village. He had always known it to be a magical place, however the magic it would hold now would forever be a different one indeed to him.
Still, there were the questions of his origin. He had managed to dance around them many times in the past. Jokes when referencing his past, would only hold up so long, this he knew. Eventually such a time would come, when he would be forced to make a choice. Either tell all, or carry on as he had these many years. Shaking off such dark feelings, he smiled once again at the thought of the day the both of them had together and gave himself up to the better part of his mood.
Snapped out of his reverie he looked at the winged man standing before him, and blinked himself back into reality. "No thank you Sirim, all is well over here."
Nodding the man retreated back into the mists of the steam which concealed the better part of the room. Throm allowed himself to slip back into his thoughts, sinking lower into the water. His sides still hurt from laughing so hard. He could still taste her kiss upon his lips. The morning had begun with a visit to see Sanria for tea as they had both wished in their letters. What what was going to be had turned into an herb gathering escapade within forests in which Sanria was raised. What words had said on parchment, both had confirmed with words at the Prancing Stallion Tavern over one of the best roast dinners Throm had yet to encounter. And then there was the Village. He had always known it to be a magical place, however the magic it would hold now would forever be a different one indeed to him.
Still, there were the questions of his origin. He had managed to dance around them many times in the past. Jokes when referencing his past, would only hold up so long, this he knew. Eventually such a time would come, when he would be forced to make a choice. Either tell all, or carry on as he had these many years. Shaking off such dark feelings, he smiled once again at the thought of the day the both of them had together and gave himself up to the better part of his mood.
Time Spent
Sanria sat in her kitchen, both her hands upon a single piece of parchment. She stared at the rolling script, touching it every now and again as though the very act would bring forth the author. It wasn't a goodbye note she held in her hand, it held more of a promising outlook. Throm would join her for tea.
Sanria carefully laid the missive on the table and slid her hands around the cup of slowly cooling tea before her. A small ball of doubt sat in the center of her stomach, preventing her from even taking a sip. Thasmudyan told her to move ahead, to go on with life. She was trying, but it was hard to let go of one aspect of that life, and deal with the others. What would Tarran think? What would Emalia think?
What, at any rate, was happening with Emalia? Sanria had no clue where her daughter was, how she was, or even if she still lived. In a way, she was afraid to find out. She still recalled a time when Nanashi talked to her of bringing down the Rok, as well as Thasmudyan, rushing to find her and inform her of Sephiroth speaking to the masses. How Emalia could fall in line with thoughts like those that Nanashi had spoken to her years past, puzzled her. But to try to speak to her daughter about it could only end in the same type of disaster as the last time she tried.
Sanria shook her head and again and let go of the cup, taking hold of Throm's note in both her hands. Her eyes were drawn to a single passage and like a girl, she read it again and again to drown out all her other thoughts save one: "Truth be told I have enjoyed our meetings, no I have looked forward to them in a sense that I have failed to express before in our conversations. I must say that I admire your candor, for it is one that I did not possess when I felt the same way towards you."
Sanria carefully laid the missive on the table and slid her hands around the cup of slowly cooling tea before her. A small ball of doubt sat in the center of her stomach, preventing her from even taking a sip. Thasmudyan told her to move ahead, to go on with life. She was trying, but it was hard to let go of one aspect of that life, and deal with the others. What would Tarran think? What would Emalia think?
What, at any rate, was happening with Emalia? Sanria had no clue where her daughter was, how she was, or even if she still lived. In a way, she was afraid to find out. She still recalled a time when Nanashi talked to her of bringing down the Rok, as well as Thasmudyan, rushing to find her and inform her of Sephiroth speaking to the masses. How Emalia could fall in line with thoughts like those that Nanashi had spoken to her years past, puzzled her. But to try to speak to her daughter about it could only end in the same type of disaster as the last time she tried.
Sanria shook her head and again and let go of the cup, taking hold of Throm's note in both her hands. Her eyes were drawn to a single passage and like a girl, she read it again and again to drown out all her other thoughts save one: "Truth be told I have enjoyed our meetings, no I have looked forward to them in a sense that I have failed to express before in our conversations. I must say that I admire your candor, for it is one that I did not possess when I felt the same way towards you."
Torment Investigation
Psycho heard whispers and talk of torment and disturbance among his flock. He went to Willow Lake an instantly felt that there was still disturbance and pain so close to home. The lake's surface was laden with a fading energy of malevolent intent. The mighty guardian treant brought images of the Forest of Good and Evil. There must be something he wasn't seeing something below the surface of this once peaceful sanctuary of the Rivenshield Temptress.
'What evil has come and lain in my domain' Psycho asked the Treant. The treant's responce was like much the treants do, slow....'There ... has been . some- ..thing in ..the' The Treant began. 'The Lake ... yes i know. Aren’t you the guardian here what presence has been here' Psycho exclaimed impatient
'Nothing I have seen Nothing I could have done.' The Treant says a little quicker Psycho is obviously a little flustered and angry. 'I will get some information and you will help me.'
Many of the flames surrounding Psycho flare as the anger fuels the chaos inside of Psycho. He moves over the the Treant and some of the flames creep slowly over the ground the Treant stands upon. The flames seem to melt into the ground burrowing and nesting among the banks of the water. He begins to get a sour taste in his mouth as he exclaims 'There is a strange and powerful magic the likes of which I have known.' I also detect signs of a faded poison and there is still much of it here.
After placing a small trap of his own Psycho sneers and leaves determined to discover more information. His next focus is on the Forest of Good and Evil. He is determined to see if the Guardians of that forest have any information on the poison or the events surrounding Willow Lake.
'What evil has come and lain in my domain' Psycho asked the Treant. The treant's responce was like much the treants do, slow....'There ... has been . some- ..thing in ..the' The Treant began. 'The Lake ... yes i know. Aren’t you the guardian here what presence has been here' Psycho exclaimed impatient
'Nothing I have seen Nothing I could have done.' The Treant says a little quicker Psycho is obviously a little flustered and angry. 'I will get some information and you will help me.'
Many of the flames surrounding Psycho flare as the anger fuels the chaos inside of Psycho. He moves over the the Treant and some of the flames creep slowly over the ground the Treant stands upon. The flames seem to melt into the ground burrowing and nesting among the banks of the water. He begins to get a sour taste in his mouth as he exclaims 'There is a strange and powerful magic the likes of which I have known.' I also detect signs of a faded poison and there is still much of it here.
After placing a small trap of his own Psycho sneers and leaves determined to discover more information. His next focus is on the Forest of Good and Evil. He is determined to see if the Guardians of that forest have any information on the poison or the events surrounding Willow Lake.
A Flashback
After being pulled from Willow Lake by Khyron's spell, Dorian spent many days in disoriented confusion. Nightmares tormented her sporadic sleep, her non-sleeping hours where plagued by illusions.
Out of necessity, Dorian spent most of each of those times in the company of the Apostles' healer, questions constantly running through her confused mind. "What was it?" "How?" Then once the healers spells took more affect, "Why?"
Only one answer to each of the questions made any sense. Keldon. 'They' are once again looking for Keldon.'
"My lakes pollution, it has to be from those who seek what should not be found. Now is not the time," runs constantly through Dorian's mind. "Perhaps the one that bears the Crimson flag. She might be the one. I need to find her."
With that thought playing round and round in her head, Dorian sets out in search, knowing Sune will guide her.
Out of necessity, Dorian spent most of each of those times in the company of the Apostles' healer, questions constantly running through her confused mind. "What was it?" "How?" Then once the healers spells took more affect, "Why?"
Only one answer to each of the questions made any sense. Keldon. 'They' are once again looking for Keldon.'
"My lakes pollution, it has to be from those who seek what should not be found. Now is not the time," runs constantly through Dorian's mind. "Perhaps the one that bears the Crimson flag. She might be the one. I need to find her."
With that thought playing round and round in her head, Dorian sets out in search, knowing Sune will guide her.
Hope
As Colin sprinted at full speed with the combined weight of all their gear on his back he felt none of it. He gave hardly a thought to what damage he might be doing to his body. After all, he wasn't worried about himself, but if something happened to Emalia... Colin willed his legs to move even faster as he kept his eye on Nephesh and Hellstrom flying overhead. He would not be able to catch them, but he was determined not to lose sight of them. It would have been so much easier to just be up there too, but Colin was fairly sure the potion would have had no effect for him, and that would have raised questions that Colin did not want to face, not with the prospect of meeting up with Emalia present. At least Colin was grateful that they had accepted his refusal without question.
When he first saw the two flying figures descending Colin didn't know why, but then he saw it, a thin wisp of smoke snaking its way towards the heavens. Colin immediately veered his course towards its source, his thick legs thrashing the sparse undergrowth before him as he left the path. It took only minutes for Colin to reach the small fire and he dropped the packs at the sight of its creator standing there talking to Nephesh and Hellstrom. Emalia looked every bit like an angel to Colin, her white robes peeking out beneath a brown traveling cloak and her hair shimmering with the rain that still clung to it. He rushed over to her, oblivious to her look of disbelief still directed towards Hellstrom.
Colin wanted nothing more than to take Emalia in his arms yet he resisted. After all, she had decided to leave on her own. He would have to take comfort instead in the fact that she appeared unharmed. As the four of them spoke it wasn't long before Colin came to the realization that Emalia knew their woodsman companion and it was then Colin learned the name he had missed the first time around: Hellstrom. To Colin, it felt like he had just been clubbed in the gut. Not only did they know each other, but here was Emalia's recent love, and they had led him right to her.
"I have to get rid of him." was Colin's first thought, yet he paused. It was true that Hellstrom had been invaluable in finding Emalia, which Colin voiced aloud, and if he said or did the wrong thing he only risked pushing Emalia away. However the sight of Emalia's hand resting on Hellstrom's arm as she spoke to him urged Colin to do something.
"Where do you think you will go from here?" Colin inquired of Hellstrom, hoping to prompt him along his way. However, the move quickly backfired on him as both Nephesh and Emalia requested for Hellstrom to join them.
It seemed that Hellstrom was the only one who understood the suggestion in Colin's inquiry and he attempted to refuse, "As much as I would enjoy company after so long alone my presence here will only serve to cause problems."
Things still didn't go as Colin had hoped when it dawned on Emalia what Hellstrom was referring to. "Oh no..." she whispered and looked to the ground."Why can't she let him go!?" Colin thought to himself with an unseen scowl, "He has caused her such pain and I have been there with her every step of the way. He doesn't deserve her! I should just spare her the trouble and eliminate..." his thoughts were redirected with the speed of a sword parry, "I have to talk to him. I will show Emalia that I have changed."
As Emalia pulled Nephesh aside to speak to him Colin took the opportunity to offer his own invitation to Hellstrom. Colin was dismayed at how quickly Hellstrom accepted, but the words had already been said.
Hellstrom went off into the woods with his bow and Colin was left with only his thoughts. Had he really made the right decision? He wanted to show Emalia a different side of him, and Hellstrom could be a true asset in the journey ahead, but he had just invited the competition for Emalia's love to travel with them further.
Colin was broken from his thoughts when Emalia came up from behind to speak to him. Unfortunately, the first thing she asked wasn't his first choice of subjects. "Where did Hellstrom go?"
Colin sighed to himself and kept his gaze on the grass at his feet. "I think he's hunting."
When his response was met with silence Colin realized he wasn't going to bring Emalia closer to him with his current attitude. He stood up, brushed himself off, and turned to face Emalia with a smile forced upon his face.
Emalia gave him a look of gratitude and spoke quietly, "Thank you Colin. I'm very sorry I've been so spiteful."
Colin shrugged off the words but within his spirits immediately lifted. "No, you've been under a lot of pressure, that's all." "I'm going to try to do better. I know you want what is best for me."
The words moved Colin deeply, an encouraging breeze for the flame of hope within him which moments ago felt in danger of being snuffed out. Colin knew not what to say, instead simply offering a friendly hug. Colin was elated when she accepted the hug with a smile. As he held her close he was very aware of her slender body pressed against him, the softness of her still damp hair against his cheek. He never wanted this moment to end, yet he knew if it lingered too long in silence it wouldn't be right. Still close to her, Colin brought up how worried he had been and they spoke briefly about Emalia's scuffles. They finally parted when Nephesh came over to pester Colin about where their supplies were and Emalia was drawn over to Hellstrom's offer of cooked venison.
Colin forced himself to eat with the rest, dismayed as he was watching Emalia sitting beside Hellstrom as they did so. However, Emalia's words and her touch still lingered in his mind, granting him patience and hope. He would hold onto those thoughts throughout his sleepless night by the fire, long after laying Emalia down to rest.
When he first saw the two flying figures descending Colin didn't know why, but then he saw it, a thin wisp of smoke snaking its way towards the heavens. Colin immediately veered his course towards its source, his thick legs thrashing the sparse undergrowth before him as he left the path. It took only minutes for Colin to reach the small fire and he dropped the packs at the sight of its creator standing there talking to Nephesh and Hellstrom. Emalia looked every bit like an angel to Colin, her white robes peeking out beneath a brown traveling cloak and her hair shimmering with the rain that still clung to it. He rushed over to her, oblivious to her look of disbelief still directed towards Hellstrom.
Colin wanted nothing more than to take Emalia in his arms yet he resisted. After all, she had decided to leave on her own. He would have to take comfort instead in the fact that she appeared unharmed. As the four of them spoke it wasn't long before Colin came to the realization that Emalia knew their woodsman companion and it was then Colin learned the name he had missed the first time around: Hellstrom. To Colin, it felt like he had just been clubbed in the gut. Not only did they know each other, but here was Emalia's recent love, and they had led him right to her.
"I have to get rid of him." was Colin's first thought, yet he paused. It was true that Hellstrom had been invaluable in finding Emalia, which Colin voiced aloud, and if he said or did the wrong thing he only risked pushing Emalia away. However the sight of Emalia's hand resting on Hellstrom's arm as she spoke to him urged Colin to do something.
"Where do you think you will go from here?" Colin inquired of Hellstrom, hoping to prompt him along his way. However, the move quickly backfired on him as both Nephesh and Emalia requested for Hellstrom to join them.
It seemed that Hellstrom was the only one who understood the suggestion in Colin's inquiry and he attempted to refuse, "As much as I would enjoy company after so long alone my presence here will only serve to cause problems."
Things still didn't go as Colin had hoped when it dawned on Emalia what Hellstrom was referring to. "Oh no..." she whispered and looked to the ground."Why can't she let him go!?" Colin thought to himself with an unseen scowl, "He has caused her such pain and I have been there with her every step of the way. He doesn't deserve her! I should just spare her the trouble and eliminate..." his thoughts were redirected with the speed of a sword parry, "I have to talk to him. I will show Emalia that I have changed."
As Emalia pulled Nephesh aside to speak to him Colin took the opportunity to offer his own invitation to Hellstrom. Colin was dismayed at how quickly Hellstrom accepted, but the words had already been said.
Hellstrom went off into the woods with his bow and Colin was left with only his thoughts. Had he really made the right decision? He wanted to show Emalia a different side of him, and Hellstrom could be a true asset in the journey ahead, but he had just invited the competition for Emalia's love to travel with them further.
Colin was broken from his thoughts when Emalia came up from behind to speak to him. Unfortunately, the first thing she asked wasn't his first choice of subjects. "Where did Hellstrom go?"
Colin sighed to himself and kept his gaze on the grass at his feet. "I think he's hunting."
When his response was met with silence Colin realized he wasn't going to bring Emalia closer to him with his current attitude. He stood up, brushed himself off, and turned to face Emalia with a smile forced upon his face.
Emalia gave him a look of gratitude and spoke quietly, "Thank you Colin. I'm very sorry I've been so spiteful."
Colin shrugged off the words but within his spirits immediately lifted. "No, you've been under a lot of pressure, that's all." "I'm going to try to do better. I know you want what is best for me."
The words moved Colin deeply, an encouraging breeze for the flame of hope within him which moments ago felt in danger of being snuffed out. Colin knew not what to say, instead simply offering a friendly hug. Colin was elated when she accepted the hug with a smile. As he held her close he was very aware of her slender body pressed against him, the softness of her still damp hair against his cheek. He never wanted this moment to end, yet he knew if it lingered too long in silence it wouldn't be right. Still close to her, Colin brought up how worried he had been and they spoke briefly about Emalia's scuffles. They finally parted when Nephesh came over to pester Colin about where their supplies were and Emalia was drawn over to Hellstrom's offer of cooked venison.
Colin forced himself to eat with the rest, dismayed as he was watching Emalia sitting beside Hellstrom as they did so. However, Emalia's words and her touch still lingered in his mind, granting him patience and hope. He would hold onto those thoughts throughout his sleepless night by the fire, long after laying Emalia down to rest.
Silent Reflection
Hellstrom slipped silently into the woods and found a tree close to the edge of the camp. He quickly climbed to a spot where he could look at the camp without being seen and pondered the odd circumstances that had brought all 4 of them together. Colin and Emalia at least Hellstrom knew even if he only knew Colin's name from Emalia. The child halfling Nephesh was a rather odd addition to their crew. Not to mention his incredible grasp of the use of magic.
In the camp Colin sat outside his tent looking off into the woods obviously absorbed in his own thoughts. Emalia slept like the dead in Hellstrom's tent, and Nephesh was sleeping in his own tent not far from the others.
Hellstrom, satisfied that everything would be safe in the camp decided to take the opportunity to scout the area a little bit. He nimbly leapt from branch to branch from tree to tree so as not to leave any trace on the ground as to where he had gone. After traveling this way for a short time, Hellstrom dropped to the ground and found a suitable small tree that he could use to make a staff out of. Offering a small prayer to Ehlonna, Hellstrom cut the young tree down and removed the small branches from its young trunk. It was a perfect weight and slightly taller than he was.
Hellstrom walked for a bit and found the clearing that he had killed the deer in earlier that evening, which reminded him that he needed to wrap that meat in something so that he could dry it properly later. So many things were swirling through his thoughts. Hellstrom knew that he would be unable to concentrate on the important things if he did not calm down and still the swirl of unimportant thoughts.
Hellstrom stripped off his shirt in the rain and walked out into the center of the clearing. With the rain falling and the lightning flashing overhead, Hellstrom spent a short while meditating, consciousness floating in the void devoid of thought.
Standing, Hellstrom held his newfound staff out in front of him. The staff spun as Hellstrom flowed into the forms he had learned in his training, the movements ingrained in his flesh from countless hours practicing in the elven woods.
After two hours of this, Hellstrom stopped in the middle of the clearing again, his thoughts collected and calm despite the situation at hand. The solution was simple really. They were going north and he was as well. Even if he wanted to avoid the others, it was likely they would run across each other again before long. Not to mention that regardless of Colin's strength and courage the woods was not a place for someone who knew nothing of it to be alone. Emalia would be safer with someone who knew what to watch for helping them.
Hellstrom sat down in the field watching the edge of the horizon lighten slightly as the new day approached. He had promised the others he would return before the sun came up over the horizon, and he was not one to break a promise. He gathered his shirt not bothering to put it back on, it was wet after all. New staff in one hand and soaked shirt in the other Hellstrom jogged back toward the camp to help the others break camp and gain some ground on their travels.
In the camp Colin sat outside his tent looking off into the woods obviously absorbed in his own thoughts. Emalia slept like the dead in Hellstrom's tent, and Nephesh was sleeping in his own tent not far from the others.
Hellstrom, satisfied that everything would be safe in the camp decided to take the opportunity to scout the area a little bit. He nimbly leapt from branch to branch from tree to tree so as not to leave any trace on the ground as to where he had gone. After traveling this way for a short time, Hellstrom dropped to the ground and found a suitable small tree that he could use to make a staff out of. Offering a small prayer to Ehlonna, Hellstrom cut the young tree down and removed the small branches from its young trunk. It was a perfect weight and slightly taller than he was.
Hellstrom walked for a bit and found the clearing that he had killed the deer in earlier that evening, which reminded him that he needed to wrap that meat in something so that he could dry it properly later. So many things were swirling through his thoughts. Hellstrom knew that he would be unable to concentrate on the important things if he did not calm down and still the swirl of unimportant thoughts.
Hellstrom stripped off his shirt in the rain and walked out into the center of the clearing. With the rain falling and the lightning flashing overhead, Hellstrom spent a short while meditating, consciousness floating in the void devoid of thought.
Standing, Hellstrom held his newfound staff out in front of him. The staff spun as Hellstrom flowed into the forms he had learned in his training, the movements ingrained in his flesh from countless hours practicing in the elven woods.
After two hours of this, Hellstrom stopped in the middle of the clearing again, his thoughts collected and calm despite the situation at hand. The solution was simple really. They were going north and he was as well. Even if he wanted to avoid the others, it was likely they would run across each other again before long. Not to mention that regardless of Colin's strength and courage the woods was not a place for someone who knew nothing of it to be alone. Emalia would be safer with someone who knew what to watch for helping them.
Hellstrom sat down in the field watching the edge of the horizon lighten slightly as the new day approached. He had promised the others he would return before the sun came up over the horizon, and he was not one to break a promise. He gathered his shirt not bothering to put it back on, it was wet after all. New staff in one hand and soaked shirt in the other Hellstrom jogged back toward the camp to help the others break camp and gain some ground on their travels.
Found
Emalia sped through the air, groaning. Not two moments before the weather was fine, then one by one the cold droplets of rain began to pelt her like little stinging barbs on her forehead. Everything on her body was getting saturated, and it was apparent that she would either need to land and make camp, or suffer the consequences of biting cold air on a freezing wet body.
The trees weren't welcoming as Emalia drifted down between the branches. Evergreen needles pricked at her ankles and nabbed at her cloak before she finally alighted at their trunks with a soft thud. Beneath the thick mantle of living needles the rain had barely touched the ground. Shivering, she made a small fire - carefully clearing away any of the brush that might turn the small flame into a rolling inferno.
Emalia let out a deep sigh and wiped her damp hair back from her face. She hadn't the time to even wring it out when the sound of soft footfalls reached her ears. She spun about quickly to see the form of Nephesh, complacently walking into her camp. It was much like seeing an apparition though she knew it was no trick. "How by the Gods did you get here..." Before she could finish, the man who landed behind the halfling tore the very breath from her chest. Her vision began to swim and only the frigid water that ran down her hair kept her from dropping to the ground. "Hellstrom..."
Emalia walked over to him, noting the fact that he looked more rugged than before, but still his black hair shone (many thanks to the wet weather that created an even more powerful vision). She wanted more than anything to throw her arms around his neck, perhaps even to kiss him, but a quick reminder of her situation - their - situation, stopped her from making a fool of herself... and more the better. "Emalia! Are you alright?"
In her heart she knew that out of these three people, two should not be together - yet here they were. "You know each other?" "Of course," Emalia answered, "this is Hellstrom."
How many times had Emalia cried on Colin's shoulder, or sat with him as he listened to her breaking heart over Hellstrom? She easily could have counted, as they were written plainly on Colin's face. Even though his countenance was grim, Colin kept silent, much to Emalia's relief.
She couldn't be sure how it all came about, but Emalia immediately wanted to know about the other Guardians. She spoke with Hellstrom, amidst Nephesh's noted questions and eventually had to explain to everyone why she had run off. There wasn't really a way to say it without simply saying it - she honestly felt that the mission she was on was no longer her own.
As Colin reassured her, Emalia sat wondering what she should do. A question which was answered as Hellstrom began to excuse himself. "Oh please... don't... don't go." 'Gods there must be something wrong with me... what am I doing?!' Emalia quickly thought, but the words were out before she could think anything over. The truth was she wanted him near, even if the tension had suddenly become unbearable.
Emalia stared between Colin and Hellstrom as they spoke until interrupted by a note. "Are they enemies?" it read.
She looked down at the small boy and gently lead him a few paces from the camp. "They are not enemies but, I believe, if I may be so bold to say it, they are both in love, or something much like it, with me." "Both parents may love a child and love one another. What is wrong with that?"
She could only smile, as here was a child - no matter how much he knew about The Apprentice, nor what kind of guide he might be to her, still unknowing of the intimacies of the heart. "Nothing at all."
Emalia told Nephesh a bit about the problems between she and Hellstrom, and could barely hold herself silent as the boy looked at her incredulously. "Why would Hellstrom be mad at you for joining the Church?"
"He does not believe as the church does... and it is why I, too, make this trip. To be certain
I am ready. It's complicated, but please, say nothing."
"If he does not know of the Truth, shouldn't I tell him?"
"I, after everything, am glad to see his face look on me with something better than anger."
"He must listen! The voice will make him understand."
"Please, Nephesh, I'm begging you not to put me in such torment again." Her heart beat miles a minute as she sunk down into the bed of needles, memories of Hellstrom's enraged face as they argued before, assailing her. She looked up, almost ready to cry, when the boy reached over and gave her a hug. It was one of the most welcome things in the world.
The venison was delicious compared to the half-hearted spells and mysterious food Emalia had found in her pack. As she chewed, Hellstrom spoke in a whisper: "In all my wandering lately in all the random choices and directions I've taken I never dreamed I would ever see you again." "Nor did I."
Emalia watched in silence as Hellstrom handed Colin a piece of the venison, letting the conversation drop there. Famished, Emalia inhaled the rest of her deer, then walked to the nearest tree. With hunger out of the way, the only thing left to dwell upon was where she would be going, and how to keep everything calm.
She curled within the cloak given her by the traveler, and put her head on her knees. At the sound of the pan flute, courtesy of Nephesh's skilled playing, Emalia drifted off into a dreamless sleep - her thoughts of what was to come dissipating like her breath in the chill Hammer air.
The trees weren't welcoming as Emalia drifted down between the branches. Evergreen needles pricked at her ankles and nabbed at her cloak before she finally alighted at their trunks with a soft thud. Beneath the thick mantle of living needles the rain had barely touched the ground. Shivering, she made a small fire - carefully clearing away any of the brush that might turn the small flame into a rolling inferno.
Emalia let out a deep sigh and wiped her damp hair back from her face. She hadn't the time to even wring it out when the sound of soft footfalls reached her ears. She spun about quickly to see the form of Nephesh, complacently walking into her camp. It was much like seeing an apparition though she knew it was no trick. "How by the Gods did you get here..." Before she could finish, the man who landed behind the halfling tore the very breath from her chest. Her vision began to swim and only the frigid water that ran down her hair kept her from dropping to the ground. "Hellstrom..."
Emalia walked over to him, noting the fact that he looked more rugged than before, but still his black hair shone (many thanks to the wet weather that created an even more powerful vision). She wanted more than anything to throw her arms around his neck, perhaps even to kiss him, but a quick reminder of her situation - their - situation, stopped her from making a fool of herself... and more the better. "Emalia! Are you alright?"
In her heart she knew that out of these three people, two should not be together - yet here they were. "You know each other?" "Of course," Emalia answered, "this is Hellstrom."
How many times had Emalia cried on Colin's shoulder, or sat with him as he listened to her breaking heart over Hellstrom? She easily could have counted, as they were written plainly on Colin's face. Even though his countenance was grim, Colin kept silent, much to Emalia's relief.
She couldn't be sure how it all came about, but Emalia immediately wanted to know about the other Guardians. She spoke with Hellstrom, amidst Nephesh's noted questions and eventually had to explain to everyone why she had run off. There wasn't really a way to say it without simply saying it - she honestly felt that the mission she was on was no longer her own.
As Colin reassured her, Emalia sat wondering what she should do. A question which was answered as Hellstrom began to excuse himself. "Oh please... don't... don't go." 'Gods there must be something wrong with me... what am I doing?!' Emalia quickly thought, but the words were out before she could think anything over. The truth was she wanted him near, even if the tension had suddenly become unbearable.
Emalia stared between Colin and Hellstrom as they spoke until interrupted by a note. "Are they enemies?" it read.
She looked down at the small boy and gently lead him a few paces from the camp. "They are not enemies but, I believe, if I may be so bold to say it, they are both in love, or something much like it, with me." "Both parents may love a child and love one another. What is wrong with that?"
She could only smile, as here was a child - no matter how much he knew about The Apprentice, nor what kind of guide he might be to her, still unknowing of the intimacies of the heart. "Nothing at all."
Emalia told Nephesh a bit about the problems between she and Hellstrom, and could barely hold herself silent as the boy looked at her incredulously. "Why would Hellstrom be mad at you for joining the Church?"
"He does not believe as the church does... and it is why I, too, make this trip. To be certain
I am ready. It's complicated, but please, say nothing."
"If he does not know of the Truth, shouldn't I tell him?"
"I, after everything, am glad to see his face look on me with something better than anger."
"He must listen! The voice will make him understand."
"Please, Nephesh, I'm begging you not to put me in such torment again." Her heart beat miles a minute as she sunk down into the bed of needles, memories of Hellstrom's enraged face as they argued before, assailing her. She looked up, almost ready to cry, when the boy reached over and gave her a hug. It was one of the most welcome things in the world.
The venison was delicious compared to the half-hearted spells and mysterious food Emalia had found in her pack. As she chewed, Hellstrom spoke in a whisper: "In all my wandering lately in all the random choices and directions I've taken I never dreamed I would ever see you again." "Nor did I."
Emalia watched in silence as Hellstrom handed Colin a piece of the venison, letting the conversation drop there. Famished, Emalia inhaled the rest of her deer, then walked to the nearest tree. With hunger out of the way, the only thing left to dwell upon was where she would be going, and how to keep everything calm.
She curled within the cloak given her by the traveler, and put her head on her knees. At the sound of the pan flute, courtesy of Nephesh's skilled playing, Emalia drifted off into a dreamless sleep - her thoughts of what was to come dissipating like her breath in the chill Hammer air.
New Companions
After the odd meeting with the child Nephesh and his impatient companion Colin, Hellstrom quickly made his way back through the city to collect his belongings and secure a horse to cart supplies to allow for faster travel. If he was right then his new companions would need all the haste that could be afforded.
As he approached the others at the gate he made a hasty apology for the time it took and strapped the other two travelers bags to the horses back. After a few seconds to make sure he had everything they headed out of the north gate. After a few minutes of uncomfortable silence, Hellstrom started asking questions. "I need a general physical description of who I’m tracking" Hellstrom begins casually.
"She's a beautiful girl.. Brown wavy hair..." Colin replied dreamily. After some explanation that quality of character an beauty do not show in a footprint, Hellstrom finally got what he needed. Not that it mattered at that particular moment. The trail was well beaten and there was no picking an individual footprint out of it. Besides it was more than likely that the target was moving in a cart or some such vehicle.
Hellstrom tried not to pay too much attention to what the other two said. After all this was not his trek they were looking for a friend they believed to be in danger. These were not his friends and as soon as the job was done he would be on his way. Hellstrom thought about the payment that had been promised and he knew that in the end he would accept no payment, He had been headed north anyways and he had no need of the money.
After a short time they picked up the pace and started moving at a quick jog. Nephesh not able to keep the pace pulled himself up on the back of the horse and smiled happily at himself. Hellstrom chuckled politely and pulled off his traveling cloak stuffing it in a pocket of his backpack. Running felt good, it had been quite some time since he had gotten the chance to really stretch out and cover some ground. After a couple hours of running Hellstrom sees something on the ground and halts. "There was a struggle here," Hellstrom says evenly as he looks at the marks on the ground where two bodies had thrashed around."Can you tell what happened?" Colin asks worriedly."Two sets of footprints enter the path from this side,” Hellstrom says hesitantly. "Orc footprints."
"What else can you tell?" Colin asks as Nephesh falls off of the horses back obviously sleeping. Hellstrom walks around the area in a circle looking at the ground some more before saying, "One set of human footsteps. Human...Female by the shape, though she’s running so I cant tell weight." The other two look at Hellstrom as if asking what to do. Hellstrom adds "Followed by two sets of Orc footprints." Hellstrom points northward and says, "They are headed in that direction, I suggest we hurry." Hellstrom says as he grabs the lead ropes of the horse and sprints off to the north.
Colin is not far behind and to Hellstrom's surprise He is carrying Nephesh on his shoulders with little strain. Not too much further down the trail the trio run into another area of struggle and once again Hellstrom sets about figuring out what happened.
"Something was dragged off the trail here." Hellstrom says as he follows something into the woods a short ways. "A body of an Orc. It’s still warm." Hellstrom yells back to the other two. Hellstrom continues to search the area for more sign of what took place as Nephesh happily bounced up to the body of the orc and pulled out a small blue stone that he starts making symbols in the air with. "What type of weapon does your friend carry?" Hellstrom asks cryptically. "I ask because I found one more burnt corpse and two that were bludgeoned to death."
Colin looks at Hellstrom for a moment thinking and finally says "You know... I haven't seen any on her.", then with another moments thought he adds "I don't think she could inflict wounds like these."
At this time Nephesh grabs Colin by the wrist pointing out the ephemeral spirit of the orc hovering over the burned corpse it recently had been liberated from. Hellstrom makes a comment about the human Male footprints interspersed with the orc and female prints before wandering off to figure out where they went.
Nephesh jots a quick note on his notepad and hands it to Colin to which he replies "Gladly." Turning to the orcish spirit Colin says bluntly, "You are dead, creature. What happened here?" The orc growls and struggles against the magic holding his essence in place over his corpse before settling and saying, "Brown man, white woman... no give me food or weapons. Brown man bring out stick." A look of hatred crosses the orc's face as Colin asks, "The white woman. Was she small and thin?""Me break her in half if let. So small. Ho'ktar crush her. But dead now." The orc responds in kind looking down again at his ruined body."The better question you should be asking is how many were in his raiding party." Hellstrom says over his shoulder to Colin before standing up and walking over to where Nephesh was concentrating over the body of the orc. "How many were in your Party Orc?" Hellstrom demands of the orc.
"We four... plus two. She burn us. She whip us. She need die, suffer for Ho'ktar and comrades." the orc hissed hatefully. With this last reply Nephesh's energy is spent and the apparition blinks out of existence. After some argument about whether or not they should depart, Hellstrom points out that the only way that the woman could have left the area with no trace as she had appeared to do, was to use magic. Hellstrom utters a few words under his breath, a small spell the elves had taught him years ago to improve vision over distance. With the spell complete he leapt into the branches of a nearby tree quickly climbing out of sight to the top.
As he searched the horizon he picked out a figure flying quickly to the north at an incredible altitude. It was wearing a dark cloak and getting smaller by the second. Hellstrom climbed back down the tree hastily to inform his companions of what he had learned.
After some discussion and a quick argument about the intelligence of chasing a flying woman on foot, Nephesh pulls out two small vials from his bag and quickly jots down a note that says "Drink."
Hellstrom with a little hesitation drinks the fluid. Colin refused his so Nephesh shrugged and downed the fluid himself. As Nephesh quickly ascended to the tops of the trees Hellstrom realized what the vial was, a potion containing a flight spell. Hellstrom raised to the treetops himself to follow Nephesh as Colin gathered the supplies, shouldering the entire weight of the combined bags himself left the horse speeding off after the two on foot at full sprint.
As Nephesh descended into the woods just outside the perimeter of the camp Hellstrom stayed a few paces behind. After all this was their friend not his they were chasing. It would be better for her to see one of them first. As he walked into the camp and caught sight of the person he had been chasing for the whole day the breath in his throat caught and he could not breathe. He could only stand dumbfounded and speechless at the edge of the camp as Emalia's eyes fell on Nephesh first.
"How by the Gods did you get here..." Emalia says more than a little surprised to see the child. Then she notices Hellstrom standing behind Nephesh with his mouth hanging open in shock. Nephesh hastily scribbles a note and holds it out to Emalia who doesn’t even seem to notice as she slowly walks over to Hellstrom and whispers, "Hellstrom..." To which he replies in a shaky whisper of his own "Emalia...". Hellstrom looks over at Nephesh who looks as though he is confused by the events taking place before him before looking back to Emalia.
As the two looked at each other Colin came racing into the camp after seeing the small fire off in the distance. He threw down the packs and looked at Emalia and said, "Emalia! Are you alright?" Emalia looked at Colin shocked yet again to see another familiar face in this already unlikely group.
"I had no idea... I should have asked for a name..." Hellstrom mumbles more to himself than anything. "I was so worried for you." Colin says affectionately. "Why? I was in no danger... and had no idea you two of all people would have come together." Emalia replies. "I never thought I would see another guardian again much less you...." Hellstrom quietly says, still obviously quite shocked at what he is seeing. The others are too absorbed to notice Nephesh turn toward the edge of the camp and release a bolt of Pink lightning into the wood.
"You know each other?" Colin asks hesitantly. "Of course... this is Hellstrom." Emalia says as Hellstrom grabs something out of his bag and holds it up for the group to see. It is a different cloak than the one he wore. One with the emblem of the Crimson Guardians sewn to the breast.
A grim look crosses Colin's face as he hears the name again and finally understands who Hellstrom was. "I... didn’t know." Colin stutters.
Nephesh looked at Hellstrom with a new appreciation of who he was and scribbled a hasty thank you note to which Hellstrom replied, "No payment is necessary Nephesh... I had no idea...""How is everyone back home?" Emalia asked Hellstrom."I don’t know Emalia, I have not been to the clan hall in what seems like ages." Hellstrom replied still not quite sure what to think."But, why?" Emalia asks with a sound of concern tinting her voice."Remember that last time we saw eachother?" Hellstrom asks. Emalia nods and Hellstrom adds, "I left that day.""Hellstrom... they're probably worried sick about you..." Emalia responds."I couldn’t bear the problems i was causing with everyone I spoke to." Hellstrom said flatly. Emalia attempted to assure him that he had not caused problems, but Hellstrom was not so sure. After all what was Emalia doing in the middle of a distant continent being tracked by a mute child with a gift for magic and Colin.
Hellstrom could feel the tension in the air from Colin, he knew that Colin was looking at them now, stewing about the hand Emalia had placed on Hellstrom's arm as they spoke.
Nephesh hands Hellstrom a note reading "I am honored by your presence, and hope that this day dawns on a new friendship, Hellstrom."
Hellstrom responds with a noncommittal "Thank you Nephesh and You have been a good traveling companion indeed." before returning his attention to Colin.
"We appreciate your help Hellstrom. Where do you think you will go from here?" Colin says hastily, making it quite obvious he wished it to be other than with their party.
"I was headed northward. It was the only reason I accepted this job to begin with." Hellstrom explained. Nephesh quickly wrote a note asking him to join them on their journey and Emalia requested the same. Hellstrom could not help but look at Colin and see the distaste in his eyes for the idea.
After a hushed conversation between Emalia and Hellstrom, Emalia finally understood why Hellstrom was hesitant to join the party on the northward journey. Colin looked up at the group from his place on the ground and added. "Hellstrom... Your help has been invaluable in getting us this far... If you can help us to get Emalia where she is going in safety, then your presence will be welcomed."
Hellstrom could see sincerity on Colin's face but Hellstrom knew eventually his presence was going to cause problems. Colin approached Hellstrom and added quietly so that the others could not hear "We both know I care for Emalia... as more than a friend. Despite my greatest hopes, though, she doesn't seem to share my feelings... Don't leave on my account."
Hellstrom looks at Colin for a moment before nodding and the two part directions. Colin to pick blades of grass while sitting on the ground, and Hellstrom to stare into the woods contemplating the events of the day.
As Hellstrom strung his bow with a quick motion and silently slipped into the woods so as not to alert his prey his thoughts slipped away from thoughts of Emalia and the others back at the camp site. He stalked the sound further into the woods until he came to a small clearing and in the clearing was a deer feeding on the grass. Hellstrom crept up to the edge of the clearing and silently drew his arrow back to his ear and took aim.
He waited for the perfect moment and let the arrow fly. His aim was true and the arrow punctured the deer’s heart felling it within moments. Hellstrom walked to the corpse of the deer and knelt next to it saying a small prayer for the animal thanking it for its sacrifice before pulling out his knife and removing the internal organs for the wolves to eat.
A short time later Hellstrom re-entered the clearing with deer carcass in tow. He flopped it at the edge of the clearing and proceeded to hastily skin one hind quarter to get enough meat to make a meal for the 4 person group. With a few adjustments the small fire was perfect for coking and Hellstrom grabbed a small pan from his pack and proceeded to cook some of the Venison.
Nephesh came up beside Hellstrom and looking at the meat on the pan and then over at the carcass wrote a note and handed it to Hellstrom reading, "Teach me?" Hellstrom looked at the child with a look of surprise.
"You want to learn to skin an animal?" Hellstrom asked skeptically. Nephesh nodded his head and leaving the meat to cook a bit longer walked to the corpse of the deer and showing Nephesh how to hold the knife showed him by cutting away a few inches of the hide from the deer. Hellstrom handed the razor sharp knife to Nephesh and watched as he tried to duplicate the task.
Hellstrom satisfied that he would not completely ruin the hide then said. "Don’t make too many holes in the hide and I shall show you how to make a good warm shirt out of the hide," before turning back to the fire to check on the meat, which was done. Hellstrom divided the meat into 4 pieces and sharpening 4 sticks, placed a generous helping of the meat on each one.
After everyone had eaten Nephesh finished skinning the deer, he had made a few holes but nothing that could not be repaired. Hellstrom made a mental note to cure the hide on the next nights stop. Emalia fell asleep against a tree before she could even move to the tent that Hellstrom had offered her. Hellstrom would have no need of it this night. There was no sleep to be had for him.
After giving assurance that he would be back before the sun rose, Hellstrom slipped back into the forest to contemplate the day and decide for certain whether or not he wanted to be included in this group.
As he approached the others at the gate he made a hasty apology for the time it took and strapped the other two travelers bags to the horses back. After a few seconds to make sure he had everything they headed out of the north gate. After a few minutes of uncomfortable silence, Hellstrom started asking questions. "I need a general physical description of who I’m tracking" Hellstrom begins casually.
"She's a beautiful girl.. Brown wavy hair..." Colin replied dreamily. After some explanation that quality of character an beauty do not show in a footprint, Hellstrom finally got what he needed. Not that it mattered at that particular moment. The trail was well beaten and there was no picking an individual footprint out of it. Besides it was more than likely that the target was moving in a cart or some such vehicle.
Hellstrom tried not to pay too much attention to what the other two said. After all this was not his trek they were looking for a friend they believed to be in danger. These were not his friends and as soon as the job was done he would be on his way. Hellstrom thought about the payment that had been promised and he knew that in the end he would accept no payment, He had been headed north anyways and he had no need of the money.
After a short time they picked up the pace and started moving at a quick jog. Nephesh not able to keep the pace pulled himself up on the back of the horse and smiled happily at himself. Hellstrom chuckled politely and pulled off his traveling cloak stuffing it in a pocket of his backpack. Running felt good, it had been quite some time since he had gotten the chance to really stretch out and cover some ground. After a couple hours of running Hellstrom sees something on the ground and halts. "There was a struggle here," Hellstrom says evenly as he looks at the marks on the ground where two bodies had thrashed around."Can you tell what happened?" Colin asks worriedly."Two sets of footprints enter the path from this side,” Hellstrom says hesitantly. "Orc footprints."
"What else can you tell?" Colin asks as Nephesh falls off of the horses back obviously sleeping. Hellstrom walks around the area in a circle looking at the ground some more before saying, "One set of human footsteps. Human...Female by the shape, though she’s running so I cant tell weight." The other two look at Hellstrom as if asking what to do. Hellstrom adds "Followed by two sets of Orc footprints." Hellstrom points northward and says, "They are headed in that direction, I suggest we hurry." Hellstrom says as he grabs the lead ropes of the horse and sprints off to the north.
Colin is not far behind and to Hellstrom's surprise He is carrying Nephesh on his shoulders with little strain. Not too much further down the trail the trio run into another area of struggle and once again Hellstrom sets about figuring out what happened.
"Something was dragged off the trail here." Hellstrom says as he follows something into the woods a short ways. "A body of an Orc. It’s still warm." Hellstrom yells back to the other two. Hellstrom continues to search the area for more sign of what took place as Nephesh happily bounced up to the body of the orc and pulled out a small blue stone that he starts making symbols in the air with. "What type of weapon does your friend carry?" Hellstrom asks cryptically. "I ask because I found one more burnt corpse and two that were bludgeoned to death."
Colin looks at Hellstrom for a moment thinking and finally says "You know... I haven't seen any on her.", then with another moments thought he adds "I don't think she could inflict wounds like these."
At this time Nephesh grabs Colin by the wrist pointing out the ephemeral spirit of the orc hovering over the burned corpse it recently had been liberated from. Hellstrom makes a comment about the human Male footprints interspersed with the orc and female prints before wandering off to figure out where they went.
Nephesh jots a quick note on his notepad and hands it to Colin to which he replies "Gladly." Turning to the orcish spirit Colin says bluntly, "You are dead, creature. What happened here?" The orc growls and struggles against the magic holding his essence in place over his corpse before settling and saying, "Brown man, white woman... no give me food or weapons. Brown man bring out stick." A look of hatred crosses the orc's face as Colin asks, "The white woman. Was she small and thin?""Me break her in half if let. So small. Ho'ktar crush her. But dead now." The orc responds in kind looking down again at his ruined body."The better question you should be asking is how many were in his raiding party." Hellstrom says over his shoulder to Colin before standing up and walking over to where Nephesh was concentrating over the body of the orc. "How many were in your Party Orc?" Hellstrom demands of the orc.
"We four... plus two. She burn us. She whip us. She need die, suffer for Ho'ktar and comrades." the orc hissed hatefully. With this last reply Nephesh's energy is spent and the apparition blinks out of existence. After some argument about whether or not they should depart, Hellstrom points out that the only way that the woman could have left the area with no trace as she had appeared to do, was to use magic. Hellstrom utters a few words under his breath, a small spell the elves had taught him years ago to improve vision over distance. With the spell complete he leapt into the branches of a nearby tree quickly climbing out of sight to the top.
As he searched the horizon he picked out a figure flying quickly to the north at an incredible altitude. It was wearing a dark cloak and getting smaller by the second. Hellstrom climbed back down the tree hastily to inform his companions of what he had learned.
After some discussion and a quick argument about the intelligence of chasing a flying woman on foot, Nephesh pulls out two small vials from his bag and quickly jots down a note that says "Drink."
Hellstrom with a little hesitation drinks the fluid. Colin refused his so Nephesh shrugged and downed the fluid himself. As Nephesh quickly ascended to the tops of the trees Hellstrom realized what the vial was, a potion containing a flight spell. Hellstrom raised to the treetops himself to follow Nephesh as Colin gathered the supplies, shouldering the entire weight of the combined bags himself left the horse speeding off after the two on foot at full sprint.
As Nephesh descended into the woods just outside the perimeter of the camp Hellstrom stayed a few paces behind. After all this was their friend not his they were chasing. It would be better for her to see one of them first. As he walked into the camp and caught sight of the person he had been chasing for the whole day the breath in his throat caught and he could not breathe. He could only stand dumbfounded and speechless at the edge of the camp as Emalia's eyes fell on Nephesh first.
"How by the Gods did you get here..." Emalia says more than a little surprised to see the child. Then she notices Hellstrom standing behind Nephesh with his mouth hanging open in shock. Nephesh hastily scribbles a note and holds it out to Emalia who doesn’t even seem to notice as she slowly walks over to Hellstrom and whispers, "Hellstrom..." To which he replies in a shaky whisper of his own "Emalia...". Hellstrom looks over at Nephesh who looks as though he is confused by the events taking place before him before looking back to Emalia.
As the two looked at each other Colin came racing into the camp after seeing the small fire off in the distance. He threw down the packs and looked at Emalia and said, "Emalia! Are you alright?" Emalia looked at Colin shocked yet again to see another familiar face in this already unlikely group.
"I had no idea... I should have asked for a name..." Hellstrom mumbles more to himself than anything. "I was so worried for you." Colin says affectionately. "Why? I was in no danger... and had no idea you two of all people would have come together." Emalia replies. "I never thought I would see another guardian again much less you...." Hellstrom quietly says, still obviously quite shocked at what he is seeing. The others are too absorbed to notice Nephesh turn toward the edge of the camp and release a bolt of Pink lightning into the wood.
"You know each other?" Colin asks hesitantly. "Of course... this is Hellstrom." Emalia says as Hellstrom grabs something out of his bag and holds it up for the group to see. It is a different cloak than the one he wore. One with the emblem of the Crimson Guardians sewn to the breast.
A grim look crosses Colin's face as he hears the name again and finally understands who Hellstrom was. "I... didn’t know." Colin stutters.
Nephesh looked at Hellstrom with a new appreciation of who he was and scribbled a hasty thank you note to which Hellstrom replied, "No payment is necessary Nephesh... I had no idea...""How is everyone back home?" Emalia asked Hellstrom."I don’t know Emalia, I have not been to the clan hall in what seems like ages." Hellstrom replied still not quite sure what to think."But, why?" Emalia asks with a sound of concern tinting her voice."Remember that last time we saw eachother?" Hellstrom asks. Emalia nods and Hellstrom adds, "I left that day.""Hellstrom... they're probably worried sick about you..." Emalia responds."I couldn’t bear the problems i was causing with everyone I spoke to." Hellstrom said flatly. Emalia attempted to assure him that he had not caused problems, but Hellstrom was not so sure. After all what was Emalia doing in the middle of a distant continent being tracked by a mute child with a gift for magic and Colin.
Hellstrom could feel the tension in the air from Colin, he knew that Colin was looking at them now, stewing about the hand Emalia had placed on Hellstrom's arm as they spoke.
Nephesh hands Hellstrom a note reading "I am honored by your presence, and hope that this day dawns on a new friendship, Hellstrom."
Hellstrom responds with a noncommittal "Thank you Nephesh and You have been a good traveling companion indeed." before returning his attention to Colin.
"We appreciate your help Hellstrom. Where do you think you will go from here?" Colin says hastily, making it quite obvious he wished it to be other than with their party.
"I was headed northward. It was the only reason I accepted this job to begin with." Hellstrom explained. Nephesh quickly wrote a note asking him to join them on their journey and Emalia requested the same. Hellstrom could not help but look at Colin and see the distaste in his eyes for the idea.
After a hushed conversation between Emalia and Hellstrom, Emalia finally understood why Hellstrom was hesitant to join the party on the northward journey. Colin looked up at the group from his place on the ground and added. "Hellstrom... Your help has been invaluable in getting us this far... If you can help us to get Emalia where she is going in safety, then your presence will be welcomed."
Hellstrom could see sincerity on Colin's face but Hellstrom knew eventually his presence was going to cause problems. Colin approached Hellstrom and added quietly so that the others could not hear "We both know I care for Emalia... as more than a friend. Despite my greatest hopes, though, she doesn't seem to share my feelings... Don't leave on my account."
Hellstrom looks at Colin for a moment before nodding and the two part directions. Colin to pick blades of grass while sitting on the ground, and Hellstrom to stare into the woods contemplating the events of the day.
As Hellstrom strung his bow with a quick motion and silently slipped into the woods so as not to alert his prey his thoughts slipped away from thoughts of Emalia and the others back at the camp site. He stalked the sound further into the woods until he came to a small clearing and in the clearing was a deer feeding on the grass. Hellstrom crept up to the edge of the clearing and silently drew his arrow back to his ear and took aim.
He waited for the perfect moment and let the arrow fly. His aim was true and the arrow punctured the deer’s heart felling it within moments. Hellstrom walked to the corpse of the deer and knelt next to it saying a small prayer for the animal thanking it for its sacrifice before pulling out his knife and removing the internal organs for the wolves to eat.
A short time later Hellstrom re-entered the clearing with deer carcass in tow. He flopped it at the edge of the clearing and proceeded to hastily skin one hind quarter to get enough meat to make a meal for the 4 person group. With a few adjustments the small fire was perfect for coking and Hellstrom grabbed a small pan from his pack and proceeded to cook some of the Venison.
Nephesh came up beside Hellstrom and looking at the meat on the pan and then over at the carcass wrote a note and handed it to Hellstrom reading, "Teach me?" Hellstrom looked at the child with a look of surprise.
"You want to learn to skin an animal?" Hellstrom asked skeptically. Nephesh nodded his head and leaving the meat to cook a bit longer walked to the corpse of the deer and showing Nephesh how to hold the knife showed him by cutting away a few inches of the hide from the deer. Hellstrom handed the razor sharp knife to Nephesh and watched as he tried to duplicate the task.
Hellstrom satisfied that he would not completely ruin the hide then said. "Don’t make too many holes in the hide and I shall show you how to make a good warm shirt out of the hide," before turning back to the fire to check on the meat, which was done. Hellstrom divided the meat into 4 pieces and sharpening 4 sticks, placed a generous helping of the meat on each one.
After everyone had eaten Nephesh finished skinning the deer, he had made a few holes but nothing that could not be repaired. Hellstrom made a mental note to cure the hide on the next nights stop. Emalia fell asleep against a tree before she could even move to the tent that Hellstrom had offered her. Hellstrom would have no need of it this night. There was no sleep to be had for him.
After giving assurance that he would be back before the sun rose, Hellstrom slipped back into the forest to contemplate the day and decide for certain whether or not he wanted to be included in this group.
In Her Sleep
Port Llast was behind him, and the young girl in white robes, in front. Tailing the girl was easy enough, thus far; for apart from his family 'gift', it had been one of the skills he was trained for in his youth. It was a kind of family heritage, only enhanced by the blood-line ability that seemed dominant within the family.
Soon enough, however, things had begun to take a more complicated turn, as they usually did. Keeping his distance as always, he spotted something from within the trees. "This is not good..." the figure thought to himself. And sure enough, a moment later a large orc had sprung out towards the girl, grabbing for her cloak, while another shouted instructions to get her bag. Xarkuss was faced with a difficult choice. To come out of hiding and protect her from the beasts, would be to reveal himself, and risk earning her distrust. On the other hand, the beasts might harm her, and that was unacceptable.
At first he hesitated, having faith in the fact that she is, after all, a Guardian. But the instant the orc advanced upon her, grabbing for the young girl's throat, it was decided it was just not worth the risk, Dagger in one hand, and the other just about to guide a spell to the back of the beast's head.
Just then a magnificent ray of light suddenly collided with the hulking creature's face, rendering him into a frenzy of agony, and making it collapse to the ground. It was done with impressive force, as was the second one that followed just moments after. Xarkuss couldn't help but smile from under his cloak, as he reassumed his hidden position, and quickly proceeded to follow the girl again; regretting he could not stay behind and make sure that no other orcs followed, as he might lose her.
Going further up the steeping path, the girl was sprinting, clearly trying to put a good distance between her and the two orcs. The farther she went, the colder it got; and having lost her heavy cloak to the beasts, it seemed unlikely that she would be able to continue her journey.
He would wait until she was asleep...
The girl was soon out of breath and sat on a nearby rock, breathing heavily into the frosty air. Just then a figure approached her, and seemingly startled her, as he initiated conversation. Again, the hidden figure was ready to act if something didn't look right, but the stranger seemed harmless enough; or at least, of no ill intent. Just to be safe, though, Xarkuss decided to use his gift, for additional concealment. Just in case. His form immediately began to fade, taking a much less tangible, more misty/shadow-like presence.
It was not long after, that a larger band of orcs appeared to be making their way towards the girl, and her new companion, stranger; seemingly bent on avenging their fallen friends. However, this time there was apparently no need to worry, for the stranger had also noticed the creatures' approach, and the manner and stance in which he held his weapon, suggested he was quite capable of handling the situation. Yet, Xarkuss still advanced a bit closer to the scene, to be able to act in case anything was amiss.
The girl had also aided in fending-off a few of the beasts, but in doing so, she had also exerted the last of her physical stamina, and quickly collapsed beside a near-by tree. The man was still busy in battle with the creatures, but did not look to be in need of any aid. It was time.
Xarkuss discretely approached the unconscious Emalia, and reached within his cloak, depositing something within the girl's robe-pocket. Then (seemingly retrieved out of thin air) deposited some more items into the girl's pack.
The girl awakened some time after, in the presence of the stranger who had protected her from the orcs; the same stranger who had also seemingly saved Xarkuss the need to reveal his presence. It was fortunate, to say the least.
Soon enough, however, things had begun to take a more complicated turn, as they usually did. Keeping his distance as always, he spotted something from within the trees. "This is not good..." the figure thought to himself. And sure enough, a moment later a large orc had sprung out towards the girl, grabbing for her cloak, while another shouted instructions to get her bag. Xarkuss was faced with a difficult choice. To come out of hiding and protect her from the beasts, would be to reveal himself, and risk earning her distrust. On the other hand, the beasts might harm her, and that was unacceptable.
At first he hesitated, having faith in the fact that she is, after all, a Guardian. But the instant the orc advanced upon her, grabbing for the young girl's throat, it was decided it was just not worth the risk, Dagger in one hand, and the other just about to guide a spell to the back of the beast's head.
Just then a magnificent ray of light suddenly collided with the hulking creature's face, rendering him into a frenzy of agony, and making it collapse to the ground. It was done with impressive force, as was the second one that followed just moments after. Xarkuss couldn't help but smile from under his cloak, as he reassumed his hidden position, and quickly proceeded to follow the girl again; regretting he could not stay behind and make sure that no other orcs followed, as he might lose her.
Going further up the steeping path, the girl was sprinting, clearly trying to put a good distance between her and the two orcs. The farther she went, the colder it got; and having lost her heavy cloak to the beasts, it seemed unlikely that she would be able to continue her journey.
He would wait until she was asleep...
The girl was soon out of breath and sat on a nearby rock, breathing heavily into the frosty air. Just then a figure approached her, and seemingly startled her, as he initiated conversation. Again, the hidden figure was ready to act if something didn't look right, but the stranger seemed harmless enough; or at least, of no ill intent. Just to be safe, though, Xarkuss decided to use his gift, for additional concealment. Just in case. His form immediately began to fade, taking a much less tangible, more misty/shadow-like presence.
It was not long after, that a larger band of orcs appeared to be making their way towards the girl, and her new companion, stranger; seemingly bent on avenging their fallen friends. However, this time there was apparently no need to worry, for the stranger had also noticed the creatures' approach, and the manner and stance in which he held his weapon, suggested he was quite capable of handling the situation. Yet, Xarkuss still advanced a bit closer to the scene, to be able to act in case anything was amiss.
The girl had also aided in fending-off a few of the beasts, but in doing so, she had also exerted the last of her physical stamina, and quickly collapsed beside a near-by tree. The man was still busy in battle with the creatures, but did not look to be in need of any aid. It was time.
Xarkuss discretely approached the unconscious Emalia, and reached within his cloak, depositing something within the girl's robe-pocket. Then (seemingly retrieved out of thin air) deposited some more items into the girl's pack.
The girl awakened some time after, in the presence of the stranger who had protected her from the orcs; the same stranger who had also seemingly saved Xarkuss the need to reveal his presence. It was fortunate, to say the least.
You Take the High Road
Emalia set out from Port Llast headed northward on the High Road. The road had suddenly become much less traveled and much more inclined than when she had started out. The more she headed upward, the colder it became, and it was welcome for her to pull out the warm cloak she had picked up in Port Llast. She had been walking for hours, noting certain movements within the trees which she could never quite decipher. As the trees came nearer to the road, what sounded like grunting whispers reached her ears – and forced her to pick up her pace. She had begun jogging when the first orc burst from the trees.
The beast was menacingly tall and bulged with unnatural muscle, all bent on procuring Emalia's items, and perhaps, Emalia herself. The thick hand latched onto the cloak, pulling it off even as it threatened to choke Emalia and send her sprawling backward.
"Get bag!" one of the orcs shouted to his companion. Dutifully, the second tromped after Emalia. Here, Emalia faced the choice. She had to do something, for there was no hope of her outrunning the orcs behind her. She was spun around by the force of her pack being pulled off of her shoulder, and watched as the fruits rolled down the road. Instantly, the orc was upon her with thick hands about her neck, full intent on killing her. Before he could cease her breathing, however, Emalia called out a spell, bringing down a ray of light so intense, the orc let go with an alacrity that belied his frame, and gripped his beady black eyes in howls of fury. The orc companion, upon hearing the cries, rushed Emalia with his club now brandished high above his head. Before he could bring it down to connect with her head, a second blinding ray of light hit him full on in the face, sending him into the same contortions as his ally. Quickly, Emalia scooped up what little fruit she could, stuffed it into her pack, and began racing up the road - hopeful that the two orcs behind her would need quite a long while to recover.
The day wore on with no further incident, if being freezing cold with hardly any food were to be considered non-incidental. Emalia trudged up the road, her light cloak pulled as tightly as could be managed about her. The encounter with the orcs had left her weakened physically, and it was in no way remedied by the fact that she had run almost to the point of collapse on a road uphill. She finally felt safe enough to seat herself on a rock, her breath coming out in the air as a vaporous trail, "Am I truly to die here?""That's up to you, of course. I wouldn't recommend going forward if you plan on living though. It gets worse and you've not the gear for it."
Fear shot through Emalia like a lightning arc and quickly she looked around. "I have no money..." She spun around, finally spotting a slender man dressed in a heavy brown cloak and loose wool clothes. Emalia fought to calm herself, trying with difficulty to pull on her experience as a Guardian to help. "Can I aid you?"
Again the stranger, who spoke in quiet, low tones, recommended for Emalia to turn back. "I can't. I can't go back. I have to go into these mountains." "Have to? You don't have to do anything. But even if you did, I'm saying you should go back to get supplies first.""I can't. I have people following me. They don't understand that it's my mission." The traveler followed her, and they both talked over matters of the Apprentice, the Jihad, her losing so many people she cared for, and the fact that the whole of this journey was being undertaken in the hopes that she would determine at last if this path was the correct one. She was meant to do something more than mill around Westbridge or the Caverns and-
The traveler, without a word, unhooked his staff from his back. The orcs were back, and this time, there were more. "Drop money and weapons and maybe live," the leader barked. Emalia's mouth dropped open as the traveler sprung into action. Never before had she occasion to see someone who moved with cat-like fluidity, nor the ability to handle a weapon as if it were an extension of his own body. Emalia did next to nothing, using her whip to fell one of the orcs, her spell to drop another, and she took off running, hopeful that the man would follow her. Farther up the road, she used the rest of her energy to kill yet another orc.
As soon as the charred body hit the ground, Emalia staggered over to a tree and collapsed. When she came to, the brown-cloaked man sat by her in silence. She felt more rested than she ever had since the start of her journey. They talked for a long while of Emalia's past, and why she was truly undertaking such a seemingly foolhardy mission. No matter how much talked, Emalia could see nothing beyond going farther north. With indifference, he tossed her his warm cloak. Emalia, strong in her conviction that she was well rested and able to continue, rose high into the air. In her sights, the City of Luskan. She had no idea of what lay within the city, and only gave thought of getting provisions. In the frigid altitude, she made her way through the air, well above any orcs that might give her trouble.
The beast was menacingly tall and bulged with unnatural muscle, all bent on procuring Emalia's items, and perhaps, Emalia herself. The thick hand latched onto the cloak, pulling it off even as it threatened to choke Emalia and send her sprawling backward.
"Get bag!" one of the orcs shouted to his companion. Dutifully, the second tromped after Emalia. Here, Emalia faced the choice. She had to do something, for there was no hope of her outrunning the orcs behind her. She was spun around by the force of her pack being pulled off of her shoulder, and watched as the fruits rolled down the road. Instantly, the orc was upon her with thick hands about her neck, full intent on killing her. Before he could cease her breathing, however, Emalia called out a spell, bringing down a ray of light so intense, the orc let go with an alacrity that belied his frame, and gripped his beady black eyes in howls of fury. The orc companion, upon hearing the cries, rushed Emalia with his club now brandished high above his head. Before he could bring it down to connect with her head, a second blinding ray of light hit him full on in the face, sending him into the same contortions as his ally. Quickly, Emalia scooped up what little fruit she could, stuffed it into her pack, and began racing up the road - hopeful that the two orcs behind her would need quite a long while to recover.
The day wore on with no further incident, if being freezing cold with hardly any food were to be considered non-incidental. Emalia trudged up the road, her light cloak pulled as tightly as could be managed about her. The encounter with the orcs had left her weakened physically, and it was in no way remedied by the fact that she had run almost to the point of collapse on a road uphill. She finally felt safe enough to seat herself on a rock, her breath coming out in the air as a vaporous trail, "Am I truly to die here?""That's up to you, of course. I wouldn't recommend going forward if you plan on living though. It gets worse and you've not the gear for it."
Fear shot through Emalia like a lightning arc and quickly she looked around. "I have no money..." She spun around, finally spotting a slender man dressed in a heavy brown cloak and loose wool clothes. Emalia fought to calm herself, trying with difficulty to pull on her experience as a Guardian to help. "Can I aid you?"
Again the stranger, who spoke in quiet, low tones, recommended for Emalia to turn back. "I can't. I can't go back. I have to go into these mountains." "Have to? You don't have to do anything. But even if you did, I'm saying you should go back to get supplies first.""I can't. I have people following me. They don't understand that it's my mission." The traveler followed her, and they both talked over matters of the Apprentice, the Jihad, her losing so many people she cared for, and the fact that the whole of this journey was being undertaken in the hopes that she would determine at last if this path was the correct one. She was meant to do something more than mill around Westbridge or the Caverns and-
The traveler, without a word, unhooked his staff from his back. The orcs were back, and this time, there were more. "Drop money and weapons and maybe live," the leader barked. Emalia's mouth dropped open as the traveler sprung into action. Never before had she occasion to see someone who moved with cat-like fluidity, nor the ability to handle a weapon as if it were an extension of his own body. Emalia did next to nothing, using her whip to fell one of the orcs, her spell to drop another, and she took off running, hopeful that the man would follow her. Farther up the road, she used the rest of her energy to kill yet another orc.
As soon as the charred body hit the ground, Emalia staggered over to a tree and collapsed. When she came to, the brown-cloaked man sat by her in silence. She felt more rested than she ever had since the start of her journey. They talked for a long while of Emalia's past, and why she was truly undertaking such a seemingly foolhardy mission. No matter how much talked, Emalia could see nothing beyond going farther north. With indifference, he tossed her his warm cloak. Emalia, strong in her conviction that she was well rested and able to continue, rose high into the air. In her sights, the City of Luskan. She had no idea of what lay within the city, and only gave thought of getting provisions. In the frigid altitude, she made her way through the air, well above any orcs that might give her trouble.
Guidance
“That damned halfling, I just know he drug her off without me." Colin swore as he hastily gathered his possessions from his chamber in the temple of Lathander and shoved them into his pack. He had just returned from spending almost two hours searching about the Waterdeep marketplace for Emalia. They had been gathering the last of their supplies in preparation for the trip northward. One minute she was right there with him and the next, she was gone. At first Colin had thought that perhaps she had just stopped in a store without him noticing but as the time wore on and he searched every store on the street, he realized that was not the case. It was then the darker thoughts began to creep in. Maybe there was a thief... a rapist... an assassin. As Colin had paced through alleyway after alleyway his dark imaginings threatened to send him into a state of panic. Then a new thought had come to him and he latched onto it like a drowning man to driftwood. Nephesh. That halfling must have snatched her away and convinced her to leave Colin here. Leave the outsider, the Faithless. That had to be it.
That brought Colin to his present state. He finished shoving items into his pack, threw it onto his shoulder and headed for the temple doors. Colin would be damned if he was going to let that little bastard lead Emalia away from him. Colin hadn't come this far to let some child fanatic lead her to her death.
Colin's stomping boot steps echoed throughout the large temple foyer as he reached the exit doors. He grasped one of the large wooden doors and threw it wide with such force that it crashed into the wall beside with a loud boom. A few surprised shrieks could be heard from temple patrons yet Colin paid no heed as he stormed through the doorway. Colin was halfway down the temple stairs before he noticed him. Right there, sitting on the lowest stair and playing with some rocks as if he had not a care in the world, was Nephesh. Colin stormed directly over to the halfling boy. "Where is she!?"
Nephesh looked genuinely startled as he turned his attention to Colin, holding up his hands in confusion.
Colin was not prepared for this reaction yet he was not going to let up. "Emalia. Where is she? Did you take her somewhere?"
At this Nephesh shook his head and communicated with a note, as was normal for the mute. "Perhaps she got lost in the marketplace?"
Colin didn't like this. He had been convinced that Nephesh had whisked Emalia away, yet he could not deny the honesty he was in the boy's eyes. "No, no. It wasn't even that busy today." Colin began pacing, the terrible scenarios of Emalia's fate starting to creep back into his thoughts.
Nephesh tried to offer more helpful suggestions yet none of it settled Colin. Finally, fed up, Colin demanded of him, "If your god is so wise and all knowing, ask Him where she is."
"That is not how these things work," Nephesh replied, "We do the bidding of the gods. They do not do the bidding of mortals. I am merely her guide on the path. This journey is hers to make, even if it is not convenient."
Those last words got Colin thinking. The journey. Emalia has been so focused on the journey, how it is her's to make, one of self discovery, one she must make alone. Could it be she simply left both of them to strike out on her own? Suddenly another piece of driftwood had bobbed to the surface for the drowning man.
Just as Colin was about to act on his new train of thought Nephesh stood and gestured for Colin to follow him. "What, where are you going?" Colin asked. Nephesh didn't answer, instead simply shrugging and heading back into the temple.
"It's just as well, I don't need him." Colin thought, yet he hesitated. He had no idea where Emalia was headed. As much as he hated the thought, if Colin could bring him along perhaps the halfling could be useful. With an annoyed growl he followed him into the temple. Although Colin walked quickly to catch up to Nephesh the boy always seemed to stay a few steps ahead, leading Colin through passages in the temple which he had never seen. Colin's irritation grew the further he followed. He didn't like the halfling much to begin with and the current situation was not improving his disposition. When he finally caught the boy by the shoulder it was because he stopped before a doorway guarded by two paladins in rose-colored armor. Ignoring Nephesh's irritated look Colin asked him, "Ok, so what is this place?"
The boy didn't answer, instead simply gesturing to the guards who stepped aside to allow the pair to pass. Nephesh continued through the doorway, again signaling Colin to follow.
Colin's jaw tensed. "I should just snap his little..." Colin's thought stopped short, rebounding in another direction. "I'll just find out what he's doing."
Nephesh led Colin through a seemingly endless maze of catacombs which gave way to tunnels and caverns. Colin's frustration built as they walked. All this time they were spending he could have at least been making some progress towards finding Emalia, catching up to her. After what seemed like an eternity the boy finally stopped before a passage which was covered by a beautiful golden-red tapestry.
As Colin stood there, breathing heavily with irritation, Nephesh handed him another note. "Beyond this chamber she lies, one who answers all questions pertaining to the dawn. Ask what you will, though the answers you find may trouble you."
Colin calmed a bit now that there seemed to be a point to this little trip yet the words were practically nonsense. "The dawn?" He asked, hoping for clarification, yet the boy simply nodded.
"What does that mean? Why must you be so cryptic?"
"I give only the answers I know."
Colin threw up his arms in frustration but it was obvious he wasn't going to get a clear answer. "Whatever, let's just do this."
Nephesh nodded and swept the tapestry aside, allowing Colin to follow him into the chamber. They emerged into a large cavern, the walls lined in musty red velvet tapestries depicting Lathander and the morning sun. At the center of the room a red elk rested, its black feminine eyes closed in the soft sighs of sleep. Nephesh slowly approached the center of the cavern, kneeling before the elk in respect and supplication.
Colin followed behind, his eyes scanning the clearly ancient tapestries in appreciation until his eyes fell upon the elk. He shook his head in disbelief. "A deer? Are you serious?" Colin's dumbfounded gaze fell to Nephesh and was met with a disapproving glare. The boy made an indication of silence and pointed to the floor beside him, directing Colin to occupy it. "This is ridiculous." Colin thought, yet he couldn't ignore the boy's seriousness. He reluctantly took the spot beside Nephesh, sitting instead of kneeling.
It was then the elk rose from her slumber. She gracefully stood and approached the pair, directing her probing gaze to Nephesh. "This one insults me." She spoke in a deep melodic voice. Colin's eyes grew wide upon hearing the elk speak and she turned her gaze upon him. "I am no deer mortal."
Colin's shock quickly faded as reason began to kick in. "There has to be magic at work here," he thought, "Some sort of illusion."
The elk snorted and spoke again, "That he is." The comment was directed at Nephesh, yet Colin had seen the boy write nothing. "What do you seek?""Where is Emalia?" Colin asked bluntly, clearly suspecting he was still wasting valuable time. He got no response from the elk but instead got a note from Nephesh."She who answers all questions pertaining to the dawn."Colin rolled his eyes in disgust. "More of his incessant nonsense." he thought.
The elk looked back to Colin and reared her head high, obviously displeased. "So long as he fouls this meeting, no answer shall he obtain. Respect is what I demand in return for an answer."
Colin couldn't believe it. Not only was he wasting his time now he was being insulted. His jaw tensed and a faint red glow crept into his eyes. "I will just slit it's..." but the thought ended there, redirected almost as soon as it came. "The time is already spent, I might as well continue to play along." He drew in a calming breath and lowered his head in reverence. After a moment of silence the elk spoke again, "The one you seek walks the road between sunrise and sunset."
Colin took in another calming breath to ward off his anger. These words meant nothing to him. "I'm sorry, what does that mean?" Colin asked in a controlled tone.
Nephesh handed him another note, "She is on a road, Faithless." Colin crushed the note in his hand, not knowing how much more of this he could suffer.
"She may or may not arrive before the sun sets on her life." the elk continued, as if finishing her previous statement.
This definitely got Colin's attention, his head darting up and his gaze fixing on the elk. "What are you saying? Her life is in danger?"
The elk spoke again, not directly addressing Colin, "Darkness closes in around her in many forms. The horizon between sunrise and sunset. She chases the appearance of the dawn cresting, without knowing the place it truly resides. Darkness..." she turns her gaze briefly upon Colin, "In all its forms... seeks her out. It will find her first on her path to redemption."
Colin had reached his limit. All he had heard was blathering nonsense and hints at Emalia's doom. Colin spoke in a deep, almost unearthly growl, "You speak nothing but nonsense!" Colin was going to end this creature's miserable life. His fury would be released and no amount of restraint was going to stop him. Sandorin would see the folly of his ways. He began reaching for his weapons and almost made it up off the floor before the feeling hit him. It was as if he ran headlong into a wall of utter darkness. There was an explosion of pain in his head, accompanied by a piercing scream which only he heard. The big man crumpled to the floor.
Colin picked himself up off the cavern floor. He had no idea how long he had been laying there. He felt a mild ache in his head and his vision was a bit dim but he was still in control of his body. He looked about the cavern and saw only Nephesh. "Where is it? Where did it go?" "We have our answers. We must leave now."
Colin felt only despair. The elk had appeared to truly know something about Emalia and now it was gone.
Nephesh promised an explanation to Colin and led him back through the tunnels and catacombs into the temple proper.
They soon found themselves in Npehesh's room. As Nephesh began adding his supplies to Colin's pack the big man started to emerge from his despondency. "What are you doing?"
"Preparing you." said his written response
"For what?"
Nephesh then began to take Colin through the meaning of the elk's words. With Colin's mind now clear he was now able to understand. Emalia was traveling northward along The Long Road towards the mountains. He couldn't believe how foolish he had been, and without the boy, how lost he would still be. He offered a sincere apology to Nephesh yet the boy simply reminded him that there were more important matters at hand. Neither one of them would be of particular use in tracking Emalia but they knew her general direction would have to set out hoping for the best. Nephesh quickly finished his packing and they set out from the temple. On the way through the Waterdeep marketplace Nephesh took a sudden detour over to an obvious woodsman perusing one of the market stalls. Colin's confusion was only momentary before realizing the boy was looking for a tracker. Colin was anxious to get their journey underway but he couldn't discount the value of a proficient tracker. With some impatience, Colin followed Nephesh over to the stranger. Colin stood a few steps behind, content to allow Nephesh to carry out the majority of the conversation.
As the two spoke of Nephesh's handicap, price, and their intentions, Colin found his attention drawn northward. His impatient gaze scanned the horizon, barely able to make out the faint outline of mountains in the distance. He almost felt if he could just focus hard enough he might catch a glimpse of white robes somewhere out there. With his attention so focused, Colin completely missed the woodsman's name as introductions were made: Hellstrom.
Colin was relieved when Nephesh and Hellstrom finally concluded the arrangements. It was decided the three of them would meet at the north gates of the city and set out that same day. The arrangements made, Colin had but one thought in his mind as his gaze returned to the north.
"Please be safe Emalia... I'm coming."
That brought Colin to his present state. He finished shoving items into his pack, threw it onto his shoulder and headed for the temple doors. Colin would be damned if he was going to let that little bastard lead Emalia away from him. Colin hadn't come this far to let some child fanatic lead her to her death.
Colin's stomping boot steps echoed throughout the large temple foyer as he reached the exit doors. He grasped one of the large wooden doors and threw it wide with such force that it crashed into the wall beside with a loud boom. A few surprised shrieks could be heard from temple patrons yet Colin paid no heed as he stormed through the doorway. Colin was halfway down the temple stairs before he noticed him. Right there, sitting on the lowest stair and playing with some rocks as if he had not a care in the world, was Nephesh. Colin stormed directly over to the halfling boy. "Where is she!?"
Nephesh looked genuinely startled as he turned his attention to Colin, holding up his hands in confusion.
Colin was not prepared for this reaction yet he was not going to let up. "Emalia. Where is she? Did you take her somewhere?"
At this Nephesh shook his head and communicated with a note, as was normal for the mute. "Perhaps she got lost in the marketplace?"
Colin didn't like this. He had been convinced that Nephesh had whisked Emalia away, yet he could not deny the honesty he was in the boy's eyes. "No, no. It wasn't even that busy today." Colin began pacing, the terrible scenarios of Emalia's fate starting to creep back into his thoughts.
Nephesh tried to offer more helpful suggestions yet none of it settled Colin. Finally, fed up, Colin demanded of him, "If your god is so wise and all knowing, ask Him where she is."
"That is not how these things work," Nephesh replied, "We do the bidding of the gods. They do not do the bidding of mortals. I am merely her guide on the path. This journey is hers to make, even if it is not convenient."
Those last words got Colin thinking. The journey. Emalia has been so focused on the journey, how it is her's to make, one of self discovery, one she must make alone. Could it be she simply left both of them to strike out on her own? Suddenly another piece of driftwood had bobbed to the surface for the drowning man.
Just as Colin was about to act on his new train of thought Nephesh stood and gestured for Colin to follow him. "What, where are you going?" Colin asked. Nephesh didn't answer, instead simply shrugging and heading back into the temple.
"It's just as well, I don't need him." Colin thought, yet he hesitated. He had no idea where Emalia was headed. As much as he hated the thought, if Colin could bring him along perhaps the halfling could be useful. With an annoyed growl he followed him into the temple. Although Colin walked quickly to catch up to Nephesh the boy always seemed to stay a few steps ahead, leading Colin through passages in the temple which he had never seen. Colin's irritation grew the further he followed. He didn't like the halfling much to begin with and the current situation was not improving his disposition. When he finally caught the boy by the shoulder it was because he stopped before a doorway guarded by two paladins in rose-colored armor. Ignoring Nephesh's irritated look Colin asked him, "Ok, so what is this place?"
The boy didn't answer, instead simply gesturing to the guards who stepped aside to allow the pair to pass. Nephesh continued through the doorway, again signaling Colin to follow.
Colin's jaw tensed. "I should just snap his little..." Colin's thought stopped short, rebounding in another direction. "I'll just find out what he's doing."
Nephesh led Colin through a seemingly endless maze of catacombs which gave way to tunnels and caverns. Colin's frustration built as they walked. All this time they were spending he could have at least been making some progress towards finding Emalia, catching up to her. After what seemed like an eternity the boy finally stopped before a passage which was covered by a beautiful golden-red tapestry.
As Colin stood there, breathing heavily with irritation, Nephesh handed him another note. "Beyond this chamber she lies, one who answers all questions pertaining to the dawn. Ask what you will, though the answers you find may trouble you."
Colin calmed a bit now that there seemed to be a point to this little trip yet the words were practically nonsense. "The dawn?" He asked, hoping for clarification, yet the boy simply nodded.
"What does that mean? Why must you be so cryptic?"
"I give only the answers I know."
Colin threw up his arms in frustration but it was obvious he wasn't going to get a clear answer. "Whatever, let's just do this."
Nephesh nodded and swept the tapestry aside, allowing Colin to follow him into the chamber. They emerged into a large cavern, the walls lined in musty red velvet tapestries depicting Lathander and the morning sun. At the center of the room a red elk rested, its black feminine eyes closed in the soft sighs of sleep. Nephesh slowly approached the center of the cavern, kneeling before the elk in respect and supplication.
Colin followed behind, his eyes scanning the clearly ancient tapestries in appreciation until his eyes fell upon the elk. He shook his head in disbelief. "A deer? Are you serious?" Colin's dumbfounded gaze fell to Nephesh and was met with a disapproving glare. The boy made an indication of silence and pointed to the floor beside him, directing Colin to occupy it. "This is ridiculous." Colin thought, yet he couldn't ignore the boy's seriousness. He reluctantly took the spot beside Nephesh, sitting instead of kneeling.
It was then the elk rose from her slumber. She gracefully stood and approached the pair, directing her probing gaze to Nephesh. "This one insults me." She spoke in a deep melodic voice. Colin's eyes grew wide upon hearing the elk speak and she turned her gaze upon him. "I am no deer mortal."
Colin's shock quickly faded as reason began to kick in. "There has to be magic at work here," he thought, "Some sort of illusion."
The elk snorted and spoke again, "That he is." The comment was directed at Nephesh, yet Colin had seen the boy write nothing. "What do you seek?""Where is Emalia?" Colin asked bluntly, clearly suspecting he was still wasting valuable time. He got no response from the elk but instead got a note from Nephesh."She who answers all questions pertaining to the dawn."Colin rolled his eyes in disgust. "More of his incessant nonsense." he thought.
The elk looked back to Colin and reared her head high, obviously displeased. "So long as he fouls this meeting, no answer shall he obtain. Respect is what I demand in return for an answer."
Colin couldn't believe it. Not only was he wasting his time now he was being insulted. His jaw tensed and a faint red glow crept into his eyes. "I will just slit it's..." but the thought ended there, redirected almost as soon as it came. "The time is already spent, I might as well continue to play along." He drew in a calming breath and lowered his head in reverence. After a moment of silence the elk spoke again, "The one you seek walks the road between sunrise and sunset."
Colin took in another calming breath to ward off his anger. These words meant nothing to him. "I'm sorry, what does that mean?" Colin asked in a controlled tone.
Nephesh handed him another note, "She is on a road, Faithless." Colin crushed the note in his hand, not knowing how much more of this he could suffer.
"She may or may not arrive before the sun sets on her life." the elk continued, as if finishing her previous statement.
This definitely got Colin's attention, his head darting up and his gaze fixing on the elk. "What are you saying? Her life is in danger?"
The elk spoke again, not directly addressing Colin, "Darkness closes in around her in many forms. The horizon between sunrise and sunset. She chases the appearance of the dawn cresting, without knowing the place it truly resides. Darkness..." she turns her gaze briefly upon Colin, "In all its forms... seeks her out. It will find her first on her path to redemption."
Colin had reached his limit. All he had heard was blathering nonsense and hints at Emalia's doom. Colin spoke in a deep, almost unearthly growl, "You speak nothing but nonsense!" Colin was going to end this creature's miserable life. His fury would be released and no amount of restraint was going to stop him. Sandorin would see the folly of his ways. He began reaching for his weapons and almost made it up off the floor before the feeling hit him. It was as if he ran headlong into a wall of utter darkness. There was an explosion of pain in his head, accompanied by a piercing scream which only he heard. The big man crumpled to the floor.
Colin picked himself up off the cavern floor. He had no idea how long he had been laying there. He felt a mild ache in his head and his vision was a bit dim but he was still in control of his body. He looked about the cavern and saw only Nephesh. "Where is it? Where did it go?" "We have our answers. We must leave now."
Colin felt only despair. The elk had appeared to truly know something about Emalia and now it was gone.
Nephesh promised an explanation to Colin and led him back through the tunnels and catacombs into the temple proper.
They soon found themselves in Npehesh's room. As Nephesh began adding his supplies to Colin's pack the big man started to emerge from his despondency. "What are you doing?"
"Preparing you." said his written response
"For what?"
Nephesh then began to take Colin through the meaning of the elk's words. With Colin's mind now clear he was now able to understand. Emalia was traveling northward along The Long Road towards the mountains. He couldn't believe how foolish he had been, and without the boy, how lost he would still be. He offered a sincere apology to Nephesh yet the boy simply reminded him that there were more important matters at hand. Neither one of them would be of particular use in tracking Emalia but they knew her general direction would have to set out hoping for the best. Nephesh quickly finished his packing and they set out from the temple. On the way through the Waterdeep marketplace Nephesh took a sudden detour over to an obvious woodsman perusing one of the market stalls. Colin's confusion was only momentary before realizing the boy was looking for a tracker. Colin was anxious to get their journey underway but he couldn't discount the value of a proficient tracker. With some impatience, Colin followed Nephesh over to the stranger. Colin stood a few steps behind, content to allow Nephesh to carry out the majority of the conversation.
As the two spoke of Nephesh's handicap, price, and their intentions, Colin found his attention drawn northward. His impatient gaze scanned the horizon, barely able to make out the faint outline of mountains in the distance. He almost felt if he could just focus hard enough he might catch a glimpse of white robes somewhere out there. With his attention so focused, Colin completely missed the woodsman's name as introductions were made: Hellstrom.
Colin was relieved when Nephesh and Hellstrom finally concluded the arrangements. It was decided the three of them would meet at the north gates of the city and set out that same day. The arrangements made, Colin had but one thought in his mind as his gaze returned to the north.
"Please be safe Emalia... I'm coming."
Landfall
As Hellstrom stepped off of the boat onto the dock of the Waterdeep shipping port the smell of the "City of Splendors" assaulted his nose. Hellstrom had been in the wilderness for too long obviously and he was anxious to leave. However, he was close to running out of supplies since his recent stop in Mahn Tor, and had not had a chance to replenish his dried meat stores. As soon as he had his supplies he intended to leave the city behind and go back to what he was used to.
Before long his nose got used to the smell of city life and as he was wandering around in this unfamiliar pit of thieves and vagabonds looking for a grocer to get supplies from, he decided that he would stay the night in one of the many inns that he had seen. A rest in a good soft bed would be good after sleeping so long on the ground or on the deck of a merchant vessel.
After a delicious meal of roasted venison and securing a room for his use at a decent looking inn, Hellstrom found himself scouting out the city. He decided that he would be leaving through the north gate and heading northward as that area of land was covered by the thickest forest. Hellstrom wanted plenty of cover to keep out of the cold night air. After looking out the gates at the woodlands bit longer he turned back to the inn where he had left his bag and newly acquired supplies for that much needed rest.
Before long his nose got used to the smell of city life and as he was wandering around in this unfamiliar pit of thieves and vagabonds looking for a grocer to get supplies from, he decided that he would stay the night in one of the many inns that he had seen. A rest in a good soft bed would be good after sleeping so long on the ground or on the deck of a merchant vessel.
After a delicious meal of roasted venison and securing a room for his use at a decent looking inn, Hellstrom found himself scouting out the city. He decided that he would be leaving through the north gate and heading northward as that area of land was covered by the thickest forest. Hellstrom wanted plenty of cover to keep out of the cold night air. After looking out the gates at the woodlands bit longer he turned back to the inn where he had left his bag and newly acquired supplies for that much needed rest.
Hide n Seek
It had been a long time, but some skills are just never forgotten. He had been tailing her for hours, now; and judging by the supplies being gathered, the 'outing' did not seem like it would be ending anytime soon. Out the northern gate, and onto the northward path, it did not seem like she was intending on keeping their appointment, that night. But then, considering the circumstances, it seemed unlikely that should would, anyway.
As if merely to confirm the speculation, however, the young girl in white managed to hitch a ride on an old worn-down cart, seemingly headed in the same direction. This would be a long walk, but the girl was just too important to lose track of.
It was not till the next day that they had apparently arrived at her destination, and a meeting with someone at the Alliance Arms Inn was a welcome chance for Xarkuss to take a breather, and wait for the next move. It was not too long before she reemerged; notably without her companion, which made it all the easier.
The Question was... what now?
As if merely to confirm the speculation, however, the young girl in white managed to hitch a ride on an old worn-down cart, seemingly headed in the same direction. This would be a long walk, but the girl was just too important to lose track of.
It was not till the next day that they had apparently arrived at her destination, and a meeting with someone at the Alliance Arms Inn was a welcome chance for Xarkuss to take a breather, and wait for the next move. It was not too long before she reemerged; notably without her companion, which made it all the easier.
The Question was... what now?
Voyage to Waterdeep
Journal entry dated Tuesday the 23rd of Ches
The cold wastes of the inhospitable northern region of Mahn Tor finally convinced me to travel elsewhere, hence how I find myself sitting on the freezing deck of this cargo ship headed for Waterdeep. Thank god I don't get sea sickness or the pitching and rolling of this forsaken vessel would throw me into a fit of heaving. Two days in this boat sleeping in the cold wind is more than even I can bear. It will be only one more day and we shall make landfall in Waterdeep. From there I have no idea where i will go. Ill just let my feet be my guide and go where they take me.
Hellstrom Oldostin
The cold wastes of the inhospitable northern region of Mahn Tor finally convinced me to travel elsewhere, hence how I find myself sitting on the freezing deck of this cargo ship headed for Waterdeep. Thank god I don't get sea sickness or the pitching and rolling of this forsaken vessel would throw me into a fit of heaving. Two days in this boat sleeping in the cold wind is more than even I can bear. It will be only one more day and we shall make landfall in Waterdeep. From there I have no idea where i will go. Ill just let my feet be my guide and go where they take me.
Hellstrom Oldostin
Tinge of Doubt
Fate. It had to be, nothing short of it, really. Emalia had heard no voices this day, but as she got off of the horse-drawn cart in Port Llast, rubbing her back end no less, she ran into a lady she had spoken with many times before in Market Square of Westbridge. There really was no confusing her, the green eye and hazel looked over Emalia's shocked face, seeming to gather in an instant that Emalia was doing something she "shouldn't." A few brief apologies passed before Emalia was clued in to the fact that she had done the right thing: "Emalia, I've no idea why we have come to meet on this path, but I have been looking to speak with you."
Emalia and Dorian seated themselves at an oak table in the Alliance Arms Inn.
It hadn't changed since the first time she had been there to buy lemonade for Hellstrom, nor the more recent time before she had gone to Waterdeep. Now, however, she had company at the oaken table.
Emalia downed her two glasses of lemonade, and in short order, found out that Dorian was a member of the Sunites. "What magic fate! That's wonderful!" Emalia straightened, her face gleaming. "Then you can tell me where to find this, Keldon fellow."
"No. I cannot tell you."
"Isn't he Sunite as well?" Emalia asked, slumping in her seat.
"He surely is that and one most cherished."
"I just needed to ask him something."
"If you do not mind, what are you wanting to ask him?"
Emalia spent a few moments getting to what her desire was, directions. She was on a journey to the Temple of Light to find her path in life. She had been told Keldon knew how to get there. Once there, she assumed easily that the Priests would aid her in discovering herself. It was only when Dorian mentioned, "One of those..." that Emalia became confused. "Many," Dorian said, "seek Keldon and the place he resides, most for the wrong reason." And it was with this that Emalia sat wondering what the wrong reason could possibly be. She found herself wondering why, exactly, it had been suggested so easily for her to take this, as her journey to self discovery.
Looking over at Dorian, Emalia found herself wondering about Grobnak. Before she could delve into her own thoughts on the matter with any scrutiny, Dorian began scratching at the ground by her foot and looking rather pained.
Emalia saw the woman shiver and moved to help, but something in her own mind held her back. She was on the verge of an explanation from Dorian, but it would have to wait. "Suffice it to say, Keldon can be contacted," Dorian said through her pains. Emalia watched her, confused and worried.
"Keep safe, be sure to do that."
"I shall do my best."
Dorian parted from Emalia's company, barely able to recite her spell to vanish. Emalia stood in the middle of the inn for a long moment. The urge to continue was overwhelming and so she again headed out on the mountainous road with thoughts circling her. "One of those..." "Wrong reason..." She didn't know in the least what it could mean, but hearing it come from the mouth of someone like Dorian, who had helped her before, was unsettling. Almost as much so as the orcs that seemed to be growing in number the farther north she traveled.
Emalia and Dorian seated themselves at an oak table in the Alliance Arms Inn.
It hadn't changed since the first time she had been there to buy lemonade for Hellstrom, nor the more recent time before she had gone to Waterdeep. Now, however, she had company at the oaken table.
Emalia downed her two glasses of lemonade, and in short order, found out that Dorian was a member of the Sunites. "What magic fate! That's wonderful!" Emalia straightened, her face gleaming. "Then you can tell me where to find this, Keldon fellow."
"No. I cannot tell you."
"Isn't he Sunite as well?" Emalia asked, slumping in her seat.
"He surely is that and one most cherished."
"I just needed to ask him something."
"If you do not mind, what are you wanting to ask him?"
Emalia spent a few moments getting to what her desire was, directions. She was on a journey to the Temple of Light to find her path in life. She had been told Keldon knew how to get there. Once there, she assumed easily that the Priests would aid her in discovering herself. It was only when Dorian mentioned, "One of those..." that Emalia became confused. "Many," Dorian said, "seek Keldon and the place he resides, most for the wrong reason." And it was with this that Emalia sat wondering what the wrong reason could possibly be. She found herself wondering why, exactly, it had been suggested so easily for her to take this, as her journey to self discovery.
Looking over at Dorian, Emalia found herself wondering about Grobnak. Before she could delve into her own thoughts on the matter with any scrutiny, Dorian began scratching at the ground by her foot and looking rather pained.
Emalia saw the woman shiver and moved to help, but something in her own mind held her back. She was on the verge of an explanation from Dorian, but it would have to wait. "Suffice it to say, Keldon can be contacted," Dorian said through her pains. Emalia watched her, confused and worried.
"Keep safe, be sure to do that."
"I shall do my best."
Dorian parted from Emalia's company, barely able to recite her spell to vanish. Emalia stood in the middle of the inn for a long moment. The urge to continue was overwhelming and so she again headed out on the mountainous road with thoughts circling her. "One of those..." "Wrong reason..." She didn't know in the least what it could mean, but hearing it come from the mouth of someone like Dorian, who had helped her before, was unsettling. Almost as much so as the orcs that seemed to be growing in number the farther north she traveled.
Runaway
Emalia walked out of the House of the Moon with laden pockets of fruits and vegetables. She was actually in good spirits, having had a tune played for her by Koniev, though his flattery was a little awk-ward for her to handle. He was definitely nice enough - even lending her a little money when she couldn't find her bank ID. Most refreshing was her freedom from Nephesh, Colin, or anyone else for that matter.
As she parted ways with Koniev, she wondered if it wouldn't just be best to set out on her own. It would be so much easier for her to go out alone, no one to worry about or talk to... after all, this was her quest - she was seeking herself.
Emalia kept her eyes shifting around every corner, drawing more attention than she avoided, but bought what little supplies she thought she might need. Her heart raced as she flipped her white hood over her head and darted through the city. 'North to the mountains, north to the mountains,' she chanted as she shuffled amongst the crowds of the Northern Gate and onto the road ahead.
"Sir!" Emalia ran behind a groaning cart, the horse pulling it looking as unsteady as its load.
"Sir! Please... wait..."
"Hold," the older man called, pulling on the reigns and stopping his horse. He looked down at Emalia with chubby sun-reddened cheeks, waiting.
"Are you going far north?"
"Ayea."
"Might I ride along?"
"Well, goin' only as far as Port Llast. Might take a day ern two. Dunno ya eithern."
"I will give you the last coin I hold." Emalia pulled a platinum coin from the fold in her robe, passing it up to the interested man. He grunted as he looked it over.
"Climb in the back. Don't eat my food or drink my wine. Best to not drink my wine - that's the only damn thing tha sells in Blasted Llast."
"I won't touch a thing, I have all my own provisions."
"Mmm."
The wheels began complaining again and Emalia sat between a couple of barrels of wine while the slats that made up the wagon groaned against each other. She watched the city walls slowly - slowly - grow smaller as the cart miraculously headed up the mountain road. As day turned into night and into day again, Emalia wished for the sake of her back side she would have run away while she was already *in* Port Llast.
As she parted ways with Koniev, she wondered if it wouldn't just be best to set out on her own. It would be so much easier for her to go out alone, no one to worry about or talk to... after all, this was her quest - she was seeking herself.
Emalia kept her eyes shifting around every corner, drawing more attention than she avoided, but bought what little supplies she thought she might need. Her heart raced as she flipped her white hood over her head and darted through the city. 'North to the mountains, north to the mountains,' she chanted as she shuffled amongst the crowds of the Northern Gate and onto the road ahead.
"Sir!" Emalia ran behind a groaning cart, the horse pulling it looking as unsteady as its load.
"Sir! Please... wait..."
"Hold," the older man called, pulling on the reigns and stopping his horse. He looked down at Emalia with chubby sun-reddened cheeks, waiting.
"Are you going far north?"
"Ayea."
"Might I ride along?"
"Well, goin' only as far as Port Llast. Might take a day ern two. Dunno ya eithern."
"I will give you the last coin I hold." Emalia pulled a platinum coin from the fold in her robe, passing it up to the interested man. He grunted as he looked it over.
"Climb in the back. Don't eat my food or drink my wine. Best to not drink my wine - that's the only damn thing tha sells in Blasted Llast."
"I won't touch a thing, I have all my own provisions."
"Mmm."
The wheels began complaining again and Emalia sat between a couple of barrels of wine while the slats that made up the wagon groaned against each other. She watched the city walls slowly - slowly - grow smaller as the cart miraculously headed up the mountain road. As day turned into night and into day again, Emalia wished for the sake of her back side she would have run away while she was already *in* Port Llast.
See the light
The bell tolled the midnight hour as Emalia slipped from her room in the Spire of Morning Temple. She looked up and down the hall, hoping that outside the very, very, very early risers, Colin would not see her or follow her. She was hoping to be able to slip out beneath the stars and into Ardeep to have but a moment alone, but as she slid down the stairs, she caught sight of a familiar figure.
The man stood there, much as he did earlier, looking as though he was ready to do more damage. Emalia hesitated, unsure of whether she should turn around, when the man noticed her. Too late to run. Emalia descended the rest of the stairs - oddly struck by just how many people were still awake within the temple. She approached the figure, her hands clasped in front of her, as the man shouted out his desire to find "faithful." "I heard you earlier," Emalia began, hoping to determine what this man might be doing here, moreover, hoping to determine whether or not she had even heard his earlier display correctly, "how can you hope to persuade by being so violent?" "Who are you.""I believe I might be one of which you spoke earlier, but I wouldn't dare act the way you did to prove it." Emalia watched the figure with a calm reserve that would have, perhaps, made her father proud.
They spoke a bit, all the while Emalia continued to look over her shoulder. That she should be worried so deeply on whether Colin would come down the stairs actually irritated her. He wasn't her keeper, he shouldn't be so concerned. Her attention went to the now revealed face of the man calling himself Xarkuss. Eyes like a snake, though they gave her no fear. If one could look upon Grobnak and be kind, a bescarred man would be an easy task. It wasn't until she perceived his hands moving to where he might have weapons, that she backed away.
Emalia had barely mentioned Nephesh, and the fact that the boy was also a faithful, when Colin's voice came floating down the stairs, "Emalia... what are you doing?"
Colin's wary gaze set Emalia off inside. He was not her keeper! "I'm speaking with a person I've recently met."
As they all stood there, Colin wrapped in a warped sense of cuckoldry, Xarkuss being subjected to this show of brute jealousy, Emalia's eyes grew darker. Xarkuss soon excused himself, and when Colin finally decided it was time to eat, Emalia left him standing with a view of her door in his face.
Emalia had not time to read the note she had slipped into her robe from Xarkuss' hand, before a gentle knock cut across the silence of her room. "Who is it and what do you want." She said, knowing full well all aspects and answers to her question.
"You're upset with me, aren't you?" Colin asked when he had been given permission to enter. It was a foolish question and it sent Emalia reeling.
"Colin, I think you should leave. I don't mean this room, I mean this temple."
It took little time for Colin to admit just how jealous he was. And not much longer after that for him to plead his case for staying. Before she could truly go into her reasons for irritation, yet another knock came into the room. The small halfling boy, Nephesh, walked in and immediately, Colin knelt down, offering apologies to him.
It was irritating, yet Emalia couldn't help but admire the desire for this man to win back her good graces. Both Nephesh and Colin reconciled some of their differences, when both Colin and Emalia heard the voice. Emalia knew nothing else but that she had to go to the mountains. Where, why, she didn't know. But they had to go. They had to go - now.
Nephesh could barely slow her for the ritual of greeting the newly risen day, and Colin could barely have it sensical for her to gather provisions.
The sun rose, and Emalia's thanks were given to Lathander. Without knowing where Tamilyn had disappeared to, knowing that they would need to leave very soon, it was decided to leave a note for Tamilyn within the temple. The note... Emalia went to her room, making certain to use packing as an excuse, and pulled the note from her robe that she had been given earlier. "Midnight..." Emalia read.
It couldn't be done. The voice of The Apprentice himself had urged her to the mountains, they had to leave today. She glanced at the note again, the parchment suddenly blank and devoid of any form of ink. Something here was not what it should be.
The man stood there, much as he did earlier, looking as though he was ready to do more damage. Emalia hesitated, unsure of whether she should turn around, when the man noticed her. Too late to run. Emalia descended the rest of the stairs - oddly struck by just how many people were still awake within the temple. She approached the figure, her hands clasped in front of her, as the man shouted out his desire to find "faithful." "I heard you earlier," Emalia began, hoping to determine what this man might be doing here, moreover, hoping to determine whether or not she had even heard his earlier display correctly, "how can you hope to persuade by being so violent?" "Who are you.""I believe I might be one of which you spoke earlier, but I wouldn't dare act the way you did to prove it." Emalia watched the figure with a calm reserve that would have, perhaps, made her father proud.
They spoke a bit, all the while Emalia continued to look over her shoulder. That she should be worried so deeply on whether Colin would come down the stairs actually irritated her. He wasn't her keeper, he shouldn't be so concerned. Her attention went to the now revealed face of the man calling himself Xarkuss. Eyes like a snake, though they gave her no fear. If one could look upon Grobnak and be kind, a bescarred man would be an easy task. It wasn't until she perceived his hands moving to where he might have weapons, that she backed away.
Emalia had barely mentioned Nephesh, and the fact that the boy was also a faithful, when Colin's voice came floating down the stairs, "Emalia... what are you doing?"
Colin's wary gaze set Emalia off inside. He was not her keeper! "I'm speaking with a person I've recently met."
As they all stood there, Colin wrapped in a warped sense of cuckoldry, Xarkuss being subjected to this show of brute jealousy, Emalia's eyes grew darker. Xarkuss soon excused himself, and when Colin finally decided it was time to eat, Emalia left him standing with a view of her door in his face.
Emalia had not time to read the note she had slipped into her robe from Xarkuss' hand, before a gentle knock cut across the silence of her room. "Who is it and what do you want." She said, knowing full well all aspects and answers to her question.
"You're upset with me, aren't you?" Colin asked when he had been given permission to enter. It was a foolish question and it sent Emalia reeling.
"Colin, I think you should leave. I don't mean this room, I mean this temple."
It took little time for Colin to admit just how jealous he was. And not much longer after that for him to plead his case for staying. Before she could truly go into her reasons for irritation, yet another knock came into the room. The small halfling boy, Nephesh, walked in and immediately, Colin knelt down, offering apologies to him.
It was irritating, yet Emalia couldn't help but admire the desire for this man to win back her good graces. Both Nephesh and Colin reconciled some of their differences, when both Colin and Emalia heard the voice. Emalia knew nothing else but that she had to go to the mountains. Where, why, she didn't know. But they had to go. They had to go - now.
Nephesh could barely slow her for the ritual of greeting the newly risen day, and Colin could barely have it sensical for her to gather provisions.
The sun rose, and Emalia's thanks were given to Lathander. Without knowing where Tamilyn had disappeared to, knowing that they would need to leave very soon, it was decided to leave a note for Tamilyn within the temple. The note... Emalia went to her room, making certain to use packing as an excuse, and pulled the note from her robe that she had been given earlier. "Midnight..." Emalia read.
It couldn't be done. The voice of The Apprentice himself had urged her to the mountains, they had to leave today. She glanced at the note again, the parchment suddenly blank and devoid of any form of ink. Something here was not what it should be.
Introductions
The voice of the crowds had slowly begun to rise, chattering and gossiping amongst each other. Amused at the reaction of the locals, the dark figure replaced his hood, concealing his features again; as he slowly turned, to seemingly leave the assembled crowds, with their new-found topic-of-gossip for the day.
A voice came from within the, now scattering and departing, crowds; "Why do you spread word of your faith with violence?". Xarkuss turned his head to see the young, slender girl who had made her way through the crowds towards him. Pausing for a few moments to examine the girl; from under his hood he slowly asked back, with the slight hiss in his voice "Who are you...".
Slightly taken aback, "I..."
"And what is it to you, how I deal with one who chose to attack me..."
Slightly hesitant, the girl replies "I am one of whom you seek..."
"You are one of His faithful, then?"
"I am"
After another moment's pause, the figure nodded slightly; "I sympathize with the man, who mistook me for one of whom brought harm to his sister, upon his claim... that is why I spared his life, and merely rendered him unconscious...even though, it did not seem that he would extend me the same courtesy".
The girl nodded her understanding. "It is cruel how others would judge you because of your beliefs"
"It is crueler, still, how they would judge you , upon your appearance..."
The girl attempted as much as possible to look for a distinctive feature, upon the dark figure, and clearly couldn't find it; however the puzzlement on her face was clear. "It is not my figure I speak of"
The girl was clearly curious, but also quite hesitant, and obviously trying not to sound rude. "Can you... uhh..."
With a slightly more threatening voice, the man replied "I don't know you. And how am I supposed to know whether you really are one of His faithful...?".
"I'm still here, aren't I?"
"I promise I'm not like others..."
"If you are who you claim you are, then I know you are not like others"
The man hesitated, then decided there was no harm in it; he raised his hands and slowly removed the hood, revealing his scarred face, and snake-like eyes. Surprisingly, the girl approached the man even more, and began to examine him more closely. Xarkuss discretely showed his unease, and distrust, moving his hands closer to where his daggers lay, from within the robes that concealed them.
"Were you born this way?"
"I was... chosen"
Hesitantly again she continued "Were you one of those carrying Hemelia"
"No, I'm afraid I was not blessed as such"
After stepping back she continued, "Why do you seek the followers of the Apprentice?"
"I think I have answered enough questions today; especially to one of which I do not even know a name..."
She nodded, and replied that she also did not know of his.
"You may call me Xarkuss, then", and to this she introduced herself as 'Emalia Haverland' and that she was on a journey to discover herself, and her purpose in life. He commented on how they seemed to have a shared interest, but that he also sought guidance, as he was 'instructed'. She had mentioned someone called Nephesh, but before the conversation could go any further, the girl abruptly stopped upon noticing the approaching figure of a large man.
Previously, Xarkuss had ignored the fact that she would occasionally look around in apprehension; but replacing the hood, concealing his form yet again, before the man's approach, Emalia also seemingly took notice and quickly cleared her throat, trailing away from the conversation, and instead proceeded to introduce the large man as Colin, her 'friend' and 'sort-of-bodyguard'. At which point he introduced himself instead as her 'travel companion'. It was apparent that the man's arrival caused her unease, concerning the subject of her faith.
"Is he one of us?"
"No"
That was all he needed to know. From that point on in the conversation, the man called Colin was trying to get Emalia to leave, or 'go eat' as he put it. Emalia invited Xarkuss to join them. He considered his options, then agreed to join them, hoping to get another chance to speak privately with the girl; as well as meeting this 'Nephesh'. It quickly became clear, however, that he would not be present. It was clear, at that point, that it would have to wait for another time. Xarkuss excused himself, and extended his hand, for Emalia to take, then shook that of the man called Colin, who either hoped to be intimidating, or just got a feeling of self-accomplishment from squeezing people's hands.
Xarkuss turned and walked-away, as Emalia discretely hid the piece of parchment, apparently left in her hand just moments earlier. It read:
Meet me at the entrance to the temple at midnight. We may then speak more freely, and perhaps discover why 'He' saw fit to bring this meeting to pass, today.
A voice came from within the, now scattering and departing, crowds; "Why do you spread word of your faith with violence?". Xarkuss turned his head to see the young, slender girl who had made her way through the crowds towards him. Pausing for a few moments to examine the girl; from under his hood he slowly asked back, with the slight hiss in his voice "Who are you...".
Slightly taken aback, "I..."
"And what is it to you, how I deal with one who chose to attack me..."
Slightly hesitant, the girl replies "I am one of whom you seek..."
"You are one of His faithful, then?"
"I am"
After another moment's pause, the figure nodded slightly; "I sympathize with the man, who mistook me for one of whom brought harm to his sister, upon his claim... that is why I spared his life, and merely rendered him unconscious...even though, it did not seem that he would extend me the same courtesy".
The girl nodded her understanding. "It is cruel how others would judge you because of your beliefs"
"It is crueler, still, how they would judge you , upon your appearance..."
The girl attempted as much as possible to look for a distinctive feature, upon the dark figure, and clearly couldn't find it; however the puzzlement on her face was clear. "It is not my figure I speak of"
The girl was clearly curious, but also quite hesitant, and obviously trying not to sound rude. "Can you... uhh..."
With a slightly more threatening voice, the man replied "I don't know you. And how am I supposed to know whether you really are one of His faithful...?".
"I'm still here, aren't I?"
"I promise I'm not like others..."
"If you are who you claim you are, then I know you are not like others"
The man hesitated, then decided there was no harm in it; he raised his hands and slowly removed the hood, revealing his scarred face, and snake-like eyes. Surprisingly, the girl approached the man even more, and began to examine him more closely. Xarkuss discretely showed his unease, and distrust, moving his hands closer to where his daggers lay, from within the robes that concealed them.
"Were you born this way?"
"I was... chosen"
Hesitantly again she continued "Were you one of those carrying Hemelia"
"No, I'm afraid I was not blessed as such"
After stepping back she continued, "Why do you seek the followers of the Apprentice?"
"I think I have answered enough questions today; especially to one of which I do not even know a name..."
She nodded, and replied that she also did not know of his.
"You may call me Xarkuss, then", and to this she introduced herself as 'Emalia Haverland' and that she was on a journey to discover herself, and her purpose in life. He commented on how they seemed to have a shared interest, but that he also sought guidance, as he was 'instructed'. She had mentioned someone called Nephesh, but before the conversation could go any further, the girl abruptly stopped upon noticing the approaching figure of a large man.
Previously, Xarkuss had ignored the fact that she would occasionally look around in apprehension; but replacing the hood, concealing his form yet again, before the man's approach, Emalia also seemingly took notice and quickly cleared her throat, trailing away from the conversation, and instead proceeded to introduce the large man as Colin, her 'friend' and 'sort-of-bodyguard'. At which point he introduced himself instead as her 'travel companion'. It was apparent that the man's arrival caused her unease, concerning the subject of her faith.
"Is he one of us?"
"No"
That was all he needed to know. From that point on in the conversation, the man called Colin was trying to get Emalia to leave, or 'go eat' as he put it. Emalia invited Xarkuss to join them. He considered his options, then agreed to join them, hoping to get another chance to speak privately with the girl; as well as meeting this 'Nephesh'. It quickly became clear, however, that he would not be present. It was clear, at that point, that it would have to wait for another time. Xarkuss excused himself, and extended his hand, for Emalia to take, then shook that of the man called Colin, who either hoped to be intimidating, or just got a feeling of self-accomplishment from squeezing people's hands.
Xarkuss turned and walked-away, as Emalia discretely hid the piece of parchment, apparently left in her hand just moments earlier. It read:
Meet me at the entrance to the temple at midnight. We may then speak more freely, and perhaps discover why 'He' saw fit to bring this meeting to pass, today.
Death by Death
Sanria slammed her front door, tears unchecked as they streamed down her face. She went directly to her bedroom, slamming that door as well, before collapsing onto her bed - face down - in a heap of tears, sobs, curls, and robes. Her anguish was palpable, and it caused her to roll into a ball in the hopes of making it go away. She made up her mind as she wet her pillows with her tears, that she wouldn't leave her home. She was tired, so very tired, of everyone telling her what a great mother she was, how strong her daughter was, when the truth was that she had not raised her daughter at all. Emalia raised herself and cared for her - Emalia never had a mother at all. Emalia had a grown child.
All she wanted to do was to sit in Festival Square and remember. Maybe that was really a bad thing to do, wishing so badly to forget by remembering. Then she ran into the skeleton. It was a bit difficult for her to look at him in a positive light - after being so long with one that was life itself - to see an undead was a bit disconcerting. Elbryan, regardless, was a leader in the Guardians. A fact which concerned Sanria little beyond the idea of his being part of what his daughter was part of.
The conversation between them shifted to Kaz, and Elbryan had asked her for a favor. Tell Kaz hello. Why would she hesitate, and so she agreed. Then - her mistake. She invited the pile of bones to Festival Square. It honestly was something she should not have done, but her drive to be there was intense. She knew, as the skeleton spoke, he was trying to be helpful. She knew, as he began to question her, he was attempting to get her to see just how things had worked out. But what he didn't know, was that she was no ignorant simpleton. What he didn't know, was the whole story.
When he attempted to stop her from going by means of her daughter, a mother-daughter bond, a desire to have a hand in Emalia's life, it was all she could stand. Who was he to attempt to delve into her private life and sort affairs years in the making with simple questions that would better be asked of children?
Sanria stormed into the Illuminati Clan Hall, no eyes watched her. She stormed down the dirt path and into the woods, no eyes watched her. She slammed her door - once, then again - and no eyes watched her. She was alone and it appeared, that is the way it would just have to stay.
All she wanted to do was to sit in Festival Square and remember. Maybe that was really a bad thing to do, wishing so badly to forget by remembering. Then she ran into the skeleton. It was a bit difficult for her to look at him in a positive light - after being so long with one that was life itself - to see an undead was a bit disconcerting. Elbryan, regardless, was a leader in the Guardians. A fact which concerned Sanria little beyond the idea of his being part of what his daughter was part of.
The conversation between them shifted to Kaz, and Elbryan had asked her for a favor. Tell Kaz hello. Why would she hesitate, and so she agreed. Then - her mistake. She invited the pile of bones to Festival Square. It honestly was something she should not have done, but her drive to be there was intense. She knew, as the skeleton spoke, he was trying to be helpful. She knew, as he began to question her, he was attempting to get her to see just how things had worked out. But what he didn't know, was that she was no ignorant simpleton. What he didn't know, was the whole story.
When he attempted to stop her from going by means of her daughter, a mother-daughter bond, a desire to have a hand in Emalia's life, it was all she could stand. Who was he to attempt to delve into her private life and sort affairs years in the making with simple questions that would better be asked of children?
Sanria stormed into the Illuminati Clan Hall, no eyes watched her. She stormed down the dirt path and into the woods, no eyes watched her. She slammed her door - once, then again - and no eyes watched her. She was alone and it appeared, that is the way it would just have to stay.
Glade of Stars
Sanria spent long enough hiding in the Illuminati Clan Hall, and she knew this fact in that the words on the pages of her book were starting to move of their own accord against the eggshell-colored pages. She slammed the book closed, after all, she really did know all there was to know about herbs, and grabbed her pack.
Using all the magic of her clan, she arrived in Market Square unnoticed and headed south. She could already see the bench in Festival Square and Tony's pizza stand. It was familiar, even for all the idiotic rantings Tony spouted, doubly amplified by the raging, bible-thumping prophet. They were at odds, those two, forever locked in a battle of indulgence and piety. Sin of gluttony, and sin of... of... ungluttony.
Sanria walked to the bench, her mind flashing back to a time long past and friends long gone. Sitting upon it, she ran a hand on the white wash and tears sprang to her eyes. Here was where she realized what she had to do to change the course of her life. Here, they had all realized just how much Sanria loved Thasmudyan. Here, she understood that she would never be happy unless she were given fully to the man dressed in white. Here, on this bench, she stopped lying. "Damn, whore, buy somma my fuckin' pizza!" Tony Jr. yelled. "You come here every day - buy some-a goddamned pizza! You think you're-a too good for my-a pizza?"
The words meant nothing to her as Sanria's eyes connected to the fountain. She was losing herself to her past, seeing it as though she were still there, when a familiar voice pulled her to the loveless place she currently resided. Green eyes and a kind smile greeted her, as Throm invited her to his home. It was a tour for tour, and though part of Sanria's heart ached to leave the square, she wouldn't deny someone else happiness at giving back.
Throm's home was massive and absolutely beautiful. Everything about the home was stunning, right down to the indoor stars. He had fountains, balconies, fireplaces, and a ballroom that put almost everything she had seen to shame. The music filled the room and she wanted nothing more than to dance - but it was a desire that would not be spoken of - not here.
They ended their tour (after so much by way of enjoyable chatting, a quick snack of chicken... or was it dinner...), in the one place Sanria had already drawn into her heart. The Glade. The magic took the sound from the city away and in the heart of the trees and the blanket of sky above, her very soul was soothed. They both lay there, looking up at the sky (occasionally Sanria would steal a glance at Throm, her eyes lingering a hair too long before she would remind herself that it was rude), until at last - Sanria knew she had to go. With a peck on the cheek in way of thanks, she went back to her clan hall.
Sanria stared now at the table, not aware that she didn't even have a book in front of her, and thought of the paths life can take, and how sometimes, things really are a matter of black and white.
Using all the magic of her clan, she arrived in Market Square unnoticed and headed south. She could already see the bench in Festival Square and Tony's pizza stand. It was familiar, even for all the idiotic rantings Tony spouted, doubly amplified by the raging, bible-thumping prophet. They were at odds, those two, forever locked in a battle of indulgence and piety. Sin of gluttony, and sin of... of... ungluttony.
Sanria walked to the bench, her mind flashing back to a time long past and friends long gone. Sitting upon it, she ran a hand on the white wash and tears sprang to her eyes. Here was where she realized what she had to do to change the course of her life. Here, they had all realized just how much Sanria loved Thasmudyan. Here, she understood that she would never be happy unless she were given fully to the man dressed in white. Here, on this bench, she stopped lying. "Damn, whore, buy somma my fuckin' pizza!" Tony Jr. yelled. "You come here every day - buy some-a goddamned pizza! You think you're-a too good for my-a pizza?"
The words meant nothing to her as Sanria's eyes connected to the fountain. She was losing herself to her past, seeing it as though she were still there, when a familiar voice pulled her to the loveless place she currently resided. Green eyes and a kind smile greeted her, as Throm invited her to his home. It was a tour for tour, and though part of Sanria's heart ached to leave the square, she wouldn't deny someone else happiness at giving back.
Throm's home was massive and absolutely beautiful. Everything about the home was stunning, right down to the indoor stars. He had fountains, balconies, fireplaces, and a ballroom that put almost everything she had seen to shame. The music filled the room and she wanted nothing more than to dance - but it was a desire that would not be spoken of - not here.
They ended their tour (after so much by way of enjoyable chatting, a quick snack of chicken... or was it dinner...), in the one place Sanria had already drawn into her heart. The Glade. The magic took the sound from the city away and in the heart of the trees and the blanket of sky above, her very soul was soothed. They both lay there, looking up at the sky (occasionally Sanria would steal a glance at Throm, her eyes lingering a hair too long before she would remind herself that it was rude), until at last - Sanria knew she had to go. With a peck on the cheek in way of thanks, she went back to her clan hall.
Sanria stared now at the table, not aware that she didn't even have a book in front of her, and thought of the paths life can take, and how sometimes, things really are a matter of black and white.
My Own Worst Enemy
“Not again." Colin thought to himself. Here he stood in a stairwell of the temple. Alone. Emalia had just stormed off, obviously angry with him for how he had acted when he found her talking to a very shady looking character by the name of Xarkuss.
"Just what exactly am I doing here anyway?" Colin asked himself; but he knew the answer. When they were alone together, things were so much better. The time in her cabin on the sailing vessel which brought them here. The other night in Emalia's chamber in the temple. Ah, that night. It had remained in the forefront of his mind ever since. They had been so close, and how Colin had wanted to take that step. To just lean down and draw her lips to his. To take her fully into his arms and become one. Yet he couldn't. What if she rejected him? He did not want to jeopardize the closeness that had just begin to grow between them.
Yet here he was, standing by himself in the cold stone stairwell. It was just when they were around these "believers" that seemed to be popping out of nowhere. He just didn't trust them. The way that they sucked Emalia in. She was too vulnerable, they could hurt her too easily. And then the fact that each of them seemed to be trying to turn her away from him, looking upon him like an intruding outsider. His behavior was only pushing Emalia away but he just couldn't help himself. Apparently thoughts of distrust and jealousy still had a place within him. "Damn Sandorin, who qualified you to decide..." Colin's thoughts immediately ricocheted off in another direction, "I'm going to have to talk to her, and I'm going to have to change this. Otherwise I'm going to lose her."
Colin took a deep breath, straightened himself, and moved on.
"Just what exactly am I doing here anyway?" Colin asked himself; but he knew the answer. When they were alone together, things were so much better. The time in her cabin on the sailing vessel which brought them here. The other night in Emalia's chamber in the temple. Ah, that night. It had remained in the forefront of his mind ever since. They had been so close, and how Colin had wanted to take that step. To just lean down and draw her lips to his. To take her fully into his arms and become one. Yet he couldn't. What if she rejected him? He did not want to jeopardize the closeness that had just begin to grow between them.
Yet here he was, standing by himself in the cold stone stairwell. It was just when they were around these "believers" that seemed to be popping out of nowhere. He just didn't trust them. The way that they sucked Emalia in. She was too vulnerable, they could hurt her too easily. And then the fact that each of them seemed to be trying to turn her away from him, looking upon him like an intruding outsider. His behavior was only pushing Emalia away but he just couldn't help himself. Apparently thoughts of distrust and jealousy still had a place within him. "Damn Sandorin, who qualified you to decide..." Colin's thoughts immediately ricocheted off in another direction, "I'm going to have to talk to her, and I'm going to have to change this. Otherwise I'm going to lose her."
Colin took a deep breath, straightened himself, and moved on.
Cookies
Sanria walked had just left Throm's company when she ran into Kaz. She was still elated with herself, having made it through showing her home to someone that she barely knew and that she had hardly even been back to even clean since Thasmudyan's departure. At this point, she was enjoying with her whole soul, a pot pie from Tom's Bakery. Throm, as it turned out, had been absolutely right – the pies were extraordinary.
She was walking back to Market Square when she spotted Kaz on the bench. Of course she felt the need to offer the silver-haired wizard her new found treat, and lead him to Tom's. Eventually, she felt her elation leaving - how was she to know Kaz didn't like meat?
As they spoke longer, Kaz made mention of his distinct lack of friends. Taking a moment to introduce Rakasha to him, the three found themselves being stared at by a very impatient Tom. hey relocated to Annie's and spoke at length of names and homelands until Rakasha found herself called away on clan business.
Once alone, Kaz and Sanria spoke even more about life, age, and Emalia's ability to heal while lacking the many years of study that most priests endure. They talked about pasts, mainly Sanria's, since kaz still couldn't account for time from his last visit to Westbridge.
When things got onto the topic of Emalia's father – all Sanria could think to do was leave. Thasmudyan was always there - as was the fact that he wouldn't be there for her, or, more importantly - their daughter - the very one that needed him the most in order to truly understand herself.
She was walking back to Market Square when she spotted Kaz on the bench. Of course she felt the need to offer the silver-haired wizard her new found treat, and lead him to Tom's. Eventually, she felt her elation leaving - how was she to know Kaz didn't like meat?
As they spoke longer, Kaz made mention of his distinct lack of friends. Taking a moment to introduce Rakasha to him, the three found themselves being stared at by a very impatient Tom. hey relocated to Annie's and spoke at length of names and homelands until Rakasha found herself called away on clan business.
Once alone, Kaz and Sanria spoke even more about life, age, and Emalia's ability to heal while lacking the many years of study that most priests endure. They talked about pasts, mainly Sanria's, since kaz still couldn't account for time from his last visit to Westbridge.
When things got onto the topic of Emalia's father – all Sanria could think to do was leave. Thasmudyan was always there - as was the fact that he wouldn't be there for her, or, more importantly - their daughter - the very one that needed him the most in order to truly understand herself.
Star Catching
A page from the journal of Throm uth Bannon...
1st Day of Hammer
The Year 1274
I can't help but smile as I write the latest entry into my journal as this morning I awoke within the Glade beside my house. Reminiscent of days when I was far younger (minus the influence of a strong drink) it has been ages since I last awoke in a strange place.
Returning from the Market Square Pub yesterday, I ran across a friend of which I have met many times within the course of the past month. Again it seems I was to meet Sanria Haverland in Festival Square as I was walking home. I wonder if Festival Square holds a special meaning for Sanria, or if perhaps it is just chance that I have run into her twice there. The first time I thought she meant to kill an ex-Guardian named Kaz. This last time the way she sat alone in the Square I wouldn't have been able to picture her even holding a sword, much less wielding it against someone. Once again we found ourselves caught in a tide of conversation. I find that words seem to come easier these days, whilst she is around. This leads me to reflect that for one who speaks little, do I now make an ass of myself. Again I'm forced a smile, as I couldn't care less whether I appear an ass or not in this sense. The conversations we hold peak my interest (apparently hers as well as we've had many now), and this is enough.
As just the other day, she allowed me a peek of her world by inviting me to her home, I wished to show the same this time. Often times as I meet others I have been told I am loathe to open up. Perhaps in revealing the place in which I live...each room containing a piece of my core being...I may have been able to compensate for this shortcoming. Though the sound of another voice within the Manor is rare indeed, I am happy to write that hers was a welcomed voice in every sense. She was kind enough to allow me to tour the greater part of the Manor with her, indulging me even by allowing me to keep bantering on as we went. Sanria seemed especially drawn to the Forest Glade just outside. I suppose for one who follows the path of nature, the indoors hold very little in the way of comfort.
(*The next paragraph has been scratched out in pen beyond legibility*)
At the end of the evening we parted ways within the Glade once more, as she returned to the city. I remained however, watching the stars above, until I finally could stay awake no longer. It was there I awakened this very morn. Covered in the dew of the morning, and still filled with the recent memories of the previous day, I left a Glade which now strangely felt more of a home than any building.
1st Day of Hammer
The Year 1274
I can't help but smile as I write the latest entry into my journal as this morning I awoke within the Glade beside my house. Reminiscent of days when I was far younger (minus the influence of a strong drink) it has been ages since I last awoke in a strange place.
Returning from the Market Square Pub yesterday, I ran across a friend of which I have met many times within the course of the past month. Again it seems I was to meet Sanria Haverland in Festival Square as I was walking home. I wonder if Festival Square holds a special meaning for Sanria, or if perhaps it is just chance that I have run into her twice there. The first time I thought she meant to kill an ex-Guardian named Kaz. This last time the way she sat alone in the Square I wouldn't have been able to picture her even holding a sword, much less wielding it against someone. Once again we found ourselves caught in a tide of conversation. I find that words seem to come easier these days, whilst she is around. This leads me to reflect that for one who speaks little, do I now make an ass of myself. Again I'm forced a smile, as I couldn't care less whether I appear an ass or not in this sense. The conversations we hold peak my interest (apparently hers as well as we've had many now), and this is enough.
As just the other day, she allowed me a peek of her world by inviting me to her home, I wished to show the same this time. Often times as I meet others I have been told I am loathe to open up. Perhaps in revealing the place in which I live...each room containing a piece of my core being...I may have been able to compensate for this shortcoming. Though the sound of another voice within the Manor is rare indeed, I am happy to write that hers was a welcomed voice in every sense. She was kind enough to allow me to tour the greater part of the Manor with her, indulging me even by allowing me to keep bantering on as we went. Sanria seemed especially drawn to the Forest Glade just outside. I suppose for one who follows the path of nature, the indoors hold very little in the way of comfort.
(*The next paragraph has been scratched out in pen beyond legibility*)
At the end of the evening we parted ways within the Glade once more, as she returned to the city. I remained however, watching the stars above, until I finally could stay awake no longer. It was there I awakened this very morn. Covered in the dew of the morning, and still filled with the recent memories of the previous day, I left a Glade which now strangely felt more of a home than any building.
Tea for Two
Sanria sat in the study within the halls of the Illuminati. The tome before her, "Haon'Dor - A History", lay open; its spine ponderously flat even as the leaves of pages made a small arc. As seemed to be the case with her lately, Sanria was thinking as she stared at the same word she had been for hours. Since the note left to her by Thasmudyan, her days had been spent in and out of the depths of despair, or the height of some sort of eerie elation.
At this very moment, Sanria's mind wrapped around a simple cup of tea. Not a few days prior she had met Throm and Kaz, and spent a good deal of time talking with them. They were like old friends almost, catching up on things, though none of them knew anything about the others. In her typical nature, she offered them hospitality if ever they were in the area of her home... a place she hadn't been back to since she got her letter.
It wasn't unusual for Sanria to find herself in the bakery, for after she had tired of her chicken or mushrooms (thank the stars and Gods above for magic), she often found comfort in the various breads Tom whipped up. She was selecting a loaf, one to take back to the hall and dip into a bit of herbal oil, when Throm walked into the shop to purchase his own luxury item - pot pies.
They chatted easily - Sanria felt quite comfortable knowing he was a guardian and a father, someone to watch over Emalia while she couldn't. It wasn't long into the conversation before Sanria felt it right to invite Throm to see her home. She led the way, heedless to the fact that many were not accustomed to such a distance, until they arrived into the shimmering cavern entry.
And here was where Sanria's mind stood. Throm had come in for a cup of tea. Grinding the herbs and boiling the water had been so natural for her and soothing. She sat across from him as they chatted about their children, the Jihad, and small matters - and it felt absolutely natural. She had contemplated since Thasmudyan left how unnatural things in the cavern felt, and just how she never would have believed herself capable of sitting with any other man in her home.
It wasn't that she had a love for Throm, in fact, though he was stunningly handsome, she didn't know him any more than many she had chatted with in the realms. It was, more than anything else, that a man was in her home and she wasn't absolutely dejected. That she wasn't dwelling on Thasmudyan came as a bit of a shock to her. Even when they went to the observatory, having what felt like the entirety of the realms spread out before them, it didn't feel the least bit strange. Nothing was forced, no one was nervous. Her whole idea of what would happen if she were to walk back into the cavern; the thought that having anyone else in her home would be wrong... simply wasn't happening. It was disturbing.
Sanria gave Throm a tour of every part of her house, watching his face and green eyes as they would light up in awe of the natural stone, the shimmering of the crystals, the absolute harmony of nature and civilization. He was so interesting, so intricate, so full of kindness for his fellow beings of the realms, and so full of love for his son, that she felt a connection. Odd, she thought now, still staring at the same word in her tome, how a cup of tea could reveal so much.
At this very moment, Sanria's mind wrapped around a simple cup of tea. Not a few days prior she had met Throm and Kaz, and spent a good deal of time talking with them. They were like old friends almost, catching up on things, though none of them knew anything about the others. In her typical nature, she offered them hospitality if ever they were in the area of her home... a place she hadn't been back to since she got her letter.
It wasn't unusual for Sanria to find herself in the bakery, for after she had tired of her chicken or mushrooms (thank the stars and Gods above for magic), she often found comfort in the various breads Tom whipped up. She was selecting a loaf, one to take back to the hall and dip into a bit of herbal oil, when Throm walked into the shop to purchase his own luxury item - pot pies.
They chatted easily - Sanria felt quite comfortable knowing he was a guardian and a father, someone to watch over Emalia while she couldn't. It wasn't long into the conversation before Sanria felt it right to invite Throm to see her home. She led the way, heedless to the fact that many were not accustomed to such a distance, until they arrived into the shimmering cavern entry.
And here was where Sanria's mind stood. Throm had come in for a cup of tea. Grinding the herbs and boiling the water had been so natural for her and soothing. She sat across from him as they chatted about their children, the Jihad, and small matters - and it felt absolutely natural. She had contemplated since Thasmudyan left how unnatural things in the cavern felt, and just how she never would have believed herself capable of sitting with any other man in her home.
It wasn't that she had a love for Throm, in fact, though he was stunningly handsome, she didn't know him any more than many she had chatted with in the realms. It was, more than anything else, that a man was in her home and she wasn't absolutely dejected. That she wasn't dwelling on Thasmudyan came as a bit of a shock to her. Even when they went to the observatory, having what felt like the entirety of the realms spread out before them, it didn't feel the least bit strange. Nothing was forced, no one was nervous. Her whole idea of what would happen if she were to walk back into the cavern; the thought that having anyone else in her home would be wrong... simply wasn't happening. It was disturbing.
Sanria gave Throm a tour of every part of her house, watching his face and green eyes as they would light up in awe of the natural stone, the shimmering of the crystals, the absolute harmony of nature and civilization. He was so interesting, so intricate, so full of kindness for his fellow beings of the realms, and so full of love for his son, that she felt a connection. Odd, she thought now, still staring at the same word in her tome, how a cup of tea could reveal so much.
Chance Meetings and Uncomfortable Circumstances
After such a long time away from the world he had departed so long ago, Kaz sat in Festival Square watching the people he did not know walking past. He adjusted the sword that was strapped to his back carefully. He was still not accustomed to carrying it. It had been years since anyone had attacked him openly, but twice Kaz had found himself at the point of a weapon and had to talk himself out of it. Luckily Kaz knew some tricks to make himself more persuasive, and he walked away with his coin purse and life both intact.
After some time a beautiful woman walked into the square with her eyes down and headed straight for the fountain like she had no intention of stopping. "Before you decide to walk clean through that fountain I would recommend a small spell." Kaz says jovially with a slight smirk on his face. The woman looks up at Kaz slightly startled and says "You mean Me?"
Kaz nodded slightly from his place on the bench "you look as though you have plenty on your mind." Kaz comments casually. The woman explained about her husband leaving and Kaz offered his limited experience on the matter of Love. She also talked about her young daughter Emalia, which led to conversations about the "Jihad", yet one more thing that Kaz must have missed in his long absence from the workings of this world along with the giant Rock sitting practically motionless over head. The conversation turned from that to weapons as the Woman asked about the Sword strapped to Kaz's Back. "You don’t appear to be the sort to wear such a weapon." She said with a slight smile on her face. This eventually ended in the woman challenging Kaz to a sparring match in which she pulled out her two hulking swords and twirled them menacingly obviously ready to take out some agression. The situation was quickly diffused by a tall man sporting the insignia of the Crimson Guardians, Kaz's clan from before his departure.
"Stand down My lady." The man said evenly. The woman looked at him and obviously noting his insignia said hurriedly, "Nay, it was just to spar." And quickly followed with a barrage of questions about her daughters whereabouts and if she was ok or not, All of which the guardian answered reassuringly.
When the woman mentioned that Kaz had been a Guardian at one point the hair stood up on the back of Kaz's neck as The Man looked him over and introduced himself as Throm uth Bannon. The family name sounded familiar though it had been a long time and his old memory failed him. The woman introduced herself as Sanria Haverland, and Kaz introduced himself as just Kaz, purposefully leaving out his complete name in hopes that his first name would not tip the scales of the Guardian's memory as to who he was.
After some small talk Kaz politely excused himself and slung his sheath back across his back and murmured some hasty goodbyes and promises of help should it be needed to Sanria. and Excused himself to head back to the Yawning Portal Inn and the Much needed drink that awaited him.
After some time a beautiful woman walked into the square with her eyes down and headed straight for the fountain like she had no intention of stopping. "Before you decide to walk clean through that fountain I would recommend a small spell." Kaz says jovially with a slight smirk on his face. The woman looks up at Kaz slightly startled and says "You mean Me?"
Kaz nodded slightly from his place on the bench "you look as though you have plenty on your mind." Kaz comments casually. The woman explained about her husband leaving and Kaz offered his limited experience on the matter of Love. She also talked about her young daughter Emalia, which led to conversations about the "Jihad", yet one more thing that Kaz must have missed in his long absence from the workings of this world along with the giant Rock sitting practically motionless over head. The conversation turned from that to weapons as the Woman asked about the Sword strapped to Kaz's Back. "You don’t appear to be the sort to wear such a weapon." She said with a slight smile on her face. This eventually ended in the woman challenging Kaz to a sparring match in which she pulled out her two hulking swords and twirled them menacingly obviously ready to take out some agression. The situation was quickly diffused by a tall man sporting the insignia of the Crimson Guardians, Kaz's clan from before his departure.
"Stand down My lady." The man said evenly. The woman looked at him and obviously noting his insignia said hurriedly, "Nay, it was just to spar." And quickly followed with a barrage of questions about her daughters whereabouts and if she was ok or not, All of which the guardian answered reassuringly.
When the woman mentioned that Kaz had been a Guardian at one point the hair stood up on the back of Kaz's neck as The Man looked him over and introduced himself as Throm uth Bannon. The family name sounded familiar though it had been a long time and his old memory failed him. The woman introduced herself as Sanria Haverland, and Kaz introduced himself as just Kaz, purposefully leaving out his complete name in hopes that his first name would not tip the scales of the Guardian's memory as to who he was.
After some small talk Kaz politely excused himself and slung his sheath back across his back and murmured some hasty goodbyes and promises of help should it be needed to Sanria. and Excused himself to head back to the Yawning Portal Inn and the Much needed drink that awaited him.
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