A Desperate Race (any1 welcome)

Maskannai · Sep 23, 2010

Young elves always have training of some kind as they grow from adolesence to adulthood. Being priviledged means that there are more things expected of a young elf. Being a prince means even more. Damian had always known that being priviledged meant that he also had certain responsibilities that he couldn't ignore. He knew it all too well since all his teachers had drilled that in to his head from very early on. Unlike some that are born into wealth and responsibility he did not begrudge it or want any different life. His was a perfect temper suited to the life of royalty and he grew up very happily in what some might consider a prison, but to him the palace was a wonderful playground.

He had woken one bright sunny morning and decided that he wanted to go for a ride, something that he did every few days. His stallion was a beautiful beast who loved going riding as much as Damian did. He'd had his horse saddled and left just after the morning meal, four guards riding alongside. He alwys had guards wherever he went since, as the only heir to the throne currently, he had to be protected at all times. They had ridden out into the forest, pacing themselves so the horses wouldn't tire too quickly. The guards were all friends of Damian as well since they'd been with him for a long time now and they all knew he liked to ride for most of a day.

Half way through their excursion struck in the form of a black arrow that suddenly bloomed from the chest of one of the guards. The poor elf looked around at his companions in confusion, then went limp and fell from his saddle. His body crashed to the ground and his horse whinnied in concern and confusion. The others including Damian pulled their horses up and went back to their fellow, whose body was already starting to lose its heat. They did not panick, well trained as they were, but instead surrounded Damian with their own bodies and started galloping for home. They didn't get very far before more arrows took the lives of two more guards. Damian was very confused at this point, wondering who was killing his friends more than anything else. When he and the last guard, an elf named Nimaar stopped for a moment to let the horses breathe and get a drink they were suddenly surrounded by creatures Damian had heard of from his historian, but had never seen in person. Two dark elves dropped from the trees, one raising her bow while the other held a rapier at the ready. Neither spoke a word, but when Nimaar tried to fight to save them both he lost his life as well.

Damian was now alone with two dark elves, far from home and without any way to contact his father, the King, or anyone else. He was forced to allow the two dark elves to capture him since he knew that he couldn't fight back and actually live. They made him leave his stallion behind, however, and walked him for several hours until they reached a small outcropping of rocks with a hidden entrance into their underground world. From then on Damian couldn't see properly unless there was some small light since he did not have the infrared vision that the drow had to be able to see in the absolute darkness they lived in. He was drugged and taken to the house of the first Matron, her being the head of the twelve ruling houses, then placed in a dungeon even farther underground. He sat there in the darkness for what felt like forever, groggy from the drugs and unable to do anything, then they would come for him and torture him, for what he was not sure since they never spoke in anything but their native language. Sometimes he felt like they were just doing it for the fun of the torture itself. One night one of them finally spoke the evlen tongue in between bouts, asking him about his home and its defenses. Through his poor vision and his drugged mind he felt an alarm go off. Somehow he knew that he shouldn't talk about his home to these monsters. They drugged him even moreheavily and returned him to his cell after that and left him.

Under the light of a single candle Damian lay on the cot in his cell, his mind foggy and depressed. He knew he had to find help somehow otherwise he was going to die in this hell hole. He tried reaching out with his mind and found that he could see outside the boundries of the drow kingdom for the first time since he had been brought there. He hastily touched the first mind he found, that of a female elf somewhere far off. He imprinted the image of himself in the dark cell in her sleeping mind and sent with it a desperate plea. He did this every time his mind was able to reach out, always reaching the mind of the same female elf. He hoped that she would remember his plea and help soon as he knew he couldn't hold out forever.

Maskannai looked over at Troy and the little girl he had brought with him for some reason she obviously didn't understand. She knew they couldn't afford for someone to find them here since they were probably being hunted now after killing those four back at the inn. She walked over to Troy and the little girl, then looked down into her face and narrowed her eyes, then stood again and stepped away. She didn't really want to get involved if it was something that was going to slow down her own quest.

"We need to make plans and try to figure out where to go from here," she said aloud to everyone gathered in the small clearing. She nodded at her brother, who was standing next to the strange demon that had been at the inn as well.

"If we camp here for the night I may have a better idea of a direction when morning comes," she added after thinking over her dreams for a moment. She needed to deeply analyze each dream to see if she could get a sense of direction from them.

Aragon-Draco · Sep 24, 2010

Michael sat on a log near the fire. He was worried, because he'd never seen his sister so full of trepidation. He wondered what it was that was affecting her, but as he was younger, he kept silent. His thoughts roamed the gamut of things he'd experienced. As he thought, he remembered why he knew Zike the demon by sight and by name. It was in a dream...

No one lived after the Uruc attack, and not even he could believe he was alive. Pain racked his form as he lay face up on the ground, his head on a rock, bloody and gashed. He looked slowly around through foggy, unfocused eyes, and stared at a form that seemed to kneel beside him. "Who..are..you?" Michael painfully asked.

"I....am....Zike, .... a Vuldrik... Demon. Remember....Me....." And his dream faded.

".....ichael!....Michael....WAKE UP, MICHAEL!" Shaken out of his reverie by Maskannai, he lurched forward and promptly emptied his belly into the fire pit.

"I am sorry, my sister, Good Knight, Zike, and guest. I did not intend to contaminate the fire. My thoughts disturbed me." He bowed, thoroughly embarrassed. What elf does that? How utterly aweful!, he thought. He withdrew to a far portion of the clearing to refrain from further embarrassment.

Corvus Corax · Sep 26, 2010

Shittttttttttttttttty pooooooooooooooooooost SWOOSH

Reckless. So reckless. So eager to finally kill him and have it done with, the small girl had acted before it was time. Alaine Briard muttered under her breath, glaring up at the Knight before bending and barreling into him, uncaring of the dagger. Which was more recklessness on her part but why stop now, she was on a roll! All her "roll" got her was Troy stepping aside for her to charge at nothing till she lost her balance and ate dirt, her bound hands not letting her catch herself.
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What. A. Day. The scrawny child lost it, tossing a tantrum as she stood with difficulty and tried to repeat the action…only with success this time. BUUUUUT- That's not how things work when you're in reality and not in your mind, imagining how you want things to go.
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Alaine was lifted up in the air, being jostled about as Troy shook her roughly. "Stop that screeching at once and speak, CHILD!" Troy ground out his words through clenched teeth, in the commotion tearing an amulet tied onto a small braid in the girl's dirty hair out. It fell to the ground, a sound crunch rising through Alaines tantrum as Troy stepped on and broke it.
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A change took place and the child's face went pale, an honest heart clenching sob replacing the tantrum. "You didn't help him…After he was hurt he was too proud to ask for help. Too proud…and you were the one who let him get hurt. You killed my father. My family." Her words came out choked and small, barely loud enough to hear. Pathetic and defeated feeling she pulled away till Troy set her to her feet, falling down to lay her cheek against the broken bauble. <o:p></o:p>

October Knight · Sep 27, 2010

As the elf, Michael talked with the hooded figure that had showed some seriously amazing skills, Troy kept his eyes trained on the young girl. His chest rose and fell in a tired way, it was as if he was forcing the breath into his lungs, unable to breath of his own free will. In all honesty he was a tired and mentally exhausted man; Tired of the knighthood he had been sword to uphold, tired of the service to a kingdom that went to more over small territorially issues. Most of all he was mentally wasted; His mind was a jellied mess, torn to shred by visions of murder and killing that would never go away.

He listened as Maskaania spoke, nodding that he thought they should camp her, but still kept his eyes zeroed in on the girl. For whatever reason he was feeling a bit obsessive over why she was on him like bees on honey. She wanted him dead? That much was sure, but as he studded the hate in her eyes she began to cry, through the tears he picked out enough to learn that they shared a few things in common. For one, they both hailed from the same kingdom, and for two he had known her father.

A vicious flashback split through his mind like a hatchet through firewood. And as their small fire crackled and hissed, there in the Woods outside the castle, Troy was transported to years ago.

~~~~~~Its was two years after Troy had become a Knight. He, along with a small unit of men were awaiting re-enforcement in a small camp just two miles north of their enemy. The past three days they had fought off small bands of men who kept driving them farther and farther back. Each time they would lose a few more men. It had been over a week and food was running very short. One night, Troy stood his shift as guard. The nights air was thick and humid as it had been a very hot and long summer that year. There was no wind to move the heat and it seemed to just sit there, like a furnace without proper ventilation. Troy was like a brick wall that night. The enemy who hailed from the far south, had been taunting them with war cries in the night. Some times they would scream for hours on end. It was just a bloody howl that reached the ears of the few of Troy's warriors that remained, but it did accomplish its goal. It was slowly breaking their will. The tension was so thick it would break a steel Knife before it could be cut. Low clouds passed over the moon, shielding its bright glow. Giving the night an even darker look. And that was when it happened.

Out of what seemed to be nowhere came the sound of many bow strings being drawn back in unison. Troy had less than a second to react as the camps low fire flickered and lit the terrible scene, the enemy was all around the sleeping men with arrows aimed at their skulls. How had they been so quite? How did Troy let them get so close to the camp with noticing them? questions flooded through his mind but were followed by no answers. From where he stood he was hidden, and all he could do was watch as every man in his unit was killed. Shot through the head. Those that did not die instantly were stabbed through their blankets as they slept. It was so fast only a few screams were heard. The Enemy assassins had killed every solider except Troy, or so he thought. ~~~~~There was an even deeper memory from that night, one that Troy was sure involved her father, but the Knight couldn't bring himself to look that far into his shattered mind….at least not tonight.

He snapped out of it, for the moment his flashback had ended. He didn't have let it play out to know who her father was. The little one was no doubt an orphan, and Troy had a pretty good idea that her father had also been a Knight, under the same King that Troy was. IF he was right in assuming, he owed this girl more than he could ever give.

In a notion of giving up, Troy dropped his knife to the soft dirt at his feet and sat down next to the girl, for the moment, ignoring everyone else. He looked to the girl, he was almost positive he knew now who she was, but he would not say it. HE wanted her to say it.

"Aye, little one. I believe I do owe you with my life. If it helps any, just know that the tortured existence I live is worse than death." He stared even deeper into her red, tear streaked face "Can I help you in anyway? Or is my death the only thing that will save you?"

Whisper · Sep 30, 2010

OOC: I'm really sorry about not posting for so long. I just swamped with work and didn't plan my time well to deal with that, the rest of the world, and this place. I'll be posted Friday so please don't add any more posts so mine doesn't need to be soo damn large! ... T-T
:morose:

Maskannai · Sep 30, 2010

(OOC: don't worry whisper.. we aren't posting until you have posted..)

Whisper · Oct 1, 2010

<m:smallfrac m:val="off"> <m:dispdef> <m:lmargin m:val="0"> <m:rmargin m:val="0"> <m:defjc m:val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent m:val="1440"> <m:intlim m:val="subSup"> <m:narylim m:val="undOvr"> </m:narylim></m:intlim> </m:wrapindent> Zike's eyes narrowed as he stared at Michael for a few seconds before turning around and walking away. The Vuldrik clan used the word 'seer' for people who know or see things which they shouldn't. It wasn't their original word, but one they adopted. In almost all cases, as the Vuldrik understood it, seer's tend to go crazy. Keeping his distance so he isn't there when Michael snaps is why Zike didn't push the subject any further and just left it as is. He didn't need to respond to Micheal's suggestion of using telepathy to communicate for a very simple reason. How a Vuldrik thinks is very different from an elf. Zike had to translate what Micheal had said when Michael first communicated, that's why Zike hadn't responded instantly. The language, emotions, structure, and thought patterns are different. Since humans are elves are so similar, it makes sense that they have little trouble with such forms of communication.

As Zike walked away, he caught sight of the knight with a bound child. The extremes there's humans take. He eyed the dagger in the knight's hand as he walked, but decided to not interfere since he'd not witnessed the cause of all of this. The female elf appeared to jump into the conflict for a moment but then announced she needed time to plan and they were to rest here. None of this really involved Zike, but he felt that possibly his own objective may be reached if he accompanies them. However, first something had to be done about the current atmosphere.

Zike moved as far away from the group as he could without leaving the ward and climbed up into a tree, high enough and within dense leaves that he could not be seen. There, he wrapped himself in his cloak and propped himself up so that he would not fall. Vuldrik don't enjoy being vulnerable at any time. The fact that many humanoids can so easily sleep is bizarre to him, but he understands that it's probably for the best that they are that way. Zike took in a deep breath and then became as silent and motionless as stone.</m:defjc></m:rmargin></m:lmargin></m:dispdef></m:smallfrac>

Maskannai · Oct 1, 2010

Thankfully for the fragile minds of many that first night passed uneventfully and they were all able to get some rest. Maskannai meditated for the four hours that her body required of her to get her rest then stood watch until the sun rose. During her meditations she had another vision of the unknown elf, this one even more real than any before.

Damian was strapped to a wall, his arms strung above him with his hands tied together by a black rope of some kind. The material of the rope was sharp and dug into his sensitive wrists. Blood dripped down his arms from the wounds and ran down his bare sides. The elf had been stripped of any coverings and was facing the wall he was against. Across his back were scars from old wounds and fresh open wounds as well that ran with more blood. The cause of these would was in the hands of a female dark elf who stood five feet from his limp body. In her graceful hand was a deadly looking whip that had many strands attached to the handle. Each strand had many sharp barbs that had been dipped in a toxin that made his body feel like it was on fire and made him lose what little control he had left. He screamed as she laid across his back with the weapon and opened many gashes in his flesh. His mind was screaming in pain as well and through his pain he reached out to the female elf and transmitted a single word.

"Loome," was all he could get out in Quenya before he passed out from the pain and hung like dead from the rope. His attacker approached and nooded, a grim smile across her delicate dark features. She cut the rope then and he dropped to the ground, a heap of bloody flesh. She then ordered the healers to come and make his physical body whole again so they could continue their torturing again the following night. Her blood red and black robes of a priestess of hell swished around her gently as she turned and left the room.

It was at that moment that Maskannai came out of her meditations and stood in one fluid motion. It was still dark, but there was a little light so she could see well. The sleeping bodies of her strange comrades were laying in various places around the embers of their fire, some whimpering in their sleep softly as they had their own terrors to dream about. She stepped out of the circle and went to stand beneath the tree where Zike was aloft. Leaning against the trunk she waited for the sun to rise.

As morning descended she had an image imprinted in her mind of a grove similar to this very one expect for a jutting rock formation that had a dark fissure cracked in its middle and even more darkness emanating from beyond. She knew this was where they needed to start their search for the unknown elf. She waited for the others to wake from their rest, then communicated what she had learned from her dream and where she felt they needed to go.

Aragon-Draco · Oct 2, 2010

Michael knew no reason he should have seen the demon in dreams. That one dream was the only one he'd ever had, and he could not explain it. Also, why the memory of it had him so upset was a mystery. He was only a young elf, with a penchant for telepathy, as speaking came difficult for him, being born with little speech ability.

Now, his sister no doubt considered him to be a failure. He went to a small pool, bathed, then clothed himself, and prayed. He gave earnest prayer to his personal deity, and then, meditated, sitting on a rock. Losing himself in the spirit-world was easy. Maintainance of self was difficult. He always was tired after a good long meditation, so he slept, elf-style, eyes open, mind wandering. Dreamless.

He awoke with a start with his sister once again shaking him. "Maskannai, what is it?" he asked, a little worried.

Corvus Corax · Oct 2, 2010

Alaine woke with a start, her back killing her since she had slept with her hands still bound. Not being able to toss and turn had made her already angry little self even more grumpier. Her eyes narrowed at the sleeping knight across from her and she sulked at the memory of last night. He had stubbornly made her let him wash the dirt off her face (Even though she didnt want to be touched by HIM.) and had tried to repair her amulet, with no success on the latter. Then, to top things off, had sent her to bed early. A evil grin came to her little face as she stumbled up to her feet, inching closer and closer to the knights things before squatting and grabbing one of the knights boots. Alaine held the boot in her teeth as she made a wobbly run for the nearby stream, hoping she wouldn't be caught.

October Knight · Oct 2, 2010

Troy slept, and for once, he had no dreams -bad or good. It was a relief to finally get a good nights sleep. He woke early and saw that the little one, Alaine, was gone. He sat up looking around. He didn't see the others right away as his attention was diverted. Damn', thought Troy, where the hell could she have gone with her hands still tied? He sat up and quickly put his shirt on, then he stood and found his boots, one of them at least. Where was the other? Troy searched the immediate area, but came up with nothing. Then out of the corner of his eye he saw something running down towards the lake. He took off after it, not sure if it was the Child or not, but notching by this point. It was something running, and with no shoes he gave chase.

He made his way down to a near by stream, there he was her. With his boot clenched in her teeth. He sprinted towards her, grabbing her around the waist with one hand and ripping the boot free with the other. He was angry.

"What is the matter with you? I tried to be civil and you keep pulling this shi…" He stopped looking into the face of the small Child. "Look, it is either come with us, or be left here to die."

He walked back towards the other, half dragging and half caring Alaine. Troy felt a little annoyed to say the least. He hadn't signed up to be a baby sitter, and now he felt partly responsible for her.

He back to where he had slept the night before and kneeled down to talk to her.

"I'm gonna cut your hands free now." He said pulling out his dagger once again "You're not going to kill me, and stop playing games, we are all being hunted now if you want to stay alive you have little choice but to stay with us."

Whisper · Oct 3, 2010

Day was finally upon them. The others had already awoken, but Zike had yet to emerge from the tree. A few minutes after the knight and child had ran off somewhere, the leaves in the tree Zike as in began to rustle. Suddenly a black heap of cloth dropped down from the tree. Slow Zike began to stand up, however something was a little different from the day before, he looked… shorter. The cloaked figure stood approximately five and a half feet tall now. A flesh colored hand escaped the confines of the cloak and pulled away the hood, revealing long blond curly hair. The face of a young woman who looked to be about seventeen years of age with green eyes and fair skin. Something was poking up from beneath the cloak behind her. Zike reached back and pulled out a weapon which hadn't been seen yet. Two large and thick metal blades attached with a metal handle wrapped with leather in the middle, large enough for her to grasp with two hands and have room to spare.

Zike began to spin the weapon to her left with two hands, then switched sides quickly. She repeated this several times and all the while her joints were popping like one would do with one's knuckles. She suddenly brought it over head and then finally in a single fluid motion brought the weapon down around the right, tugged with the left hand which brought it around to the left and down. One blade dug into the earth seven inches and there it stood up right next to her. The weapon was a tall as she was. Zike stretched and bent her body around, still making noises from being just finished. From out of the cloak emerged a familiar set of spider like claws, however this time the other set came out to stretch as well. Even though Zike had changed her body, her weight was only slightly less, most of it went into creating dense muscles. The claws on her back remained the same length because they were made out of dense bone and thus would take longer to remove or change. Also, there was little sense in weakening herself.

This body was smaller, weaker, and less defended. However there was a positive trade off. The first is a slightly shorter reaction time, meaning she was now more maneuverable. The second is that instead of being resistant to magic, she could now use it a little. All Zike would have to do is remember some of the spells she'd learned. There was also an added benefit of this humanoid body; her throat was made to speak their language. Even Zike's brain had changed a little, allowing him to think the same as them. This made communicating with them much easier. Zike's spider like claws drew back beneath the cloak and she finally took the time to look around at where was there. Once everyone had assembled, Zike decided that it was time she formally introduced herself to everyone.

"I am Zike, a demon of the Vuldrik clan. My reason for being here are of my own, but I will accompany you for my mission and your own may be connected in some way." Her voice had a strong tone, but was feminine and nothing like the day before.

Maskannai · Oct 5, 2010

Maskannai stepped back from her brother once he was awake and kneeled next to him. She was troubled by her most recent dream and wanted to talk to everyone once they were all awake and ready to go.

"I just need to speak with everyone and figured you would want to be awake for it," she replied when he asked what she wanted. Once everyone was awake and gathered around the fire that had since gone cold she began.

"I had another dream about the elf that has been in my dreams for a while now. He is being held by dark elves somewhere underground. He passed an image to me through my dream that showed the entrance to the underground world of the darkelves. If we find this entrance we will have to go underground and follow the path to the drow city to save him," she said, her voice strong so that all of them could understand the importance of what she was saying.

"The entrance is in a small glade similar to this one with a very distinctive rock formation that has a dark opening in it. Can any of you think of a possible area that would have such an opening?" she asked, hoping that one of the group would be able to shed a little light on where she was picturing.

Aragon-Draco · Oct 5, 2010

Michael looked at his sister, startled. He stood, and said, "I may be able to help. On my way to the city, I passed through the Red Forest, and as I passed, I saw a strange, high spire-like out-cropping of rock, having a cave about halfway up. By your description. Maskannai, this is a likely entrance. I know where it is, as it imprinted itself upon my mind very strongly."

He sat, head down, sure now that the faces of his companions showed their disgust, despite the fact he had not looked into the faces to see. His outburst the night before had him still in a state of embarrassment. I have brought shame on my kind.

Corvus Corax · Oct 8, 2010

Alaine sat on a rock across from Troy, right in front of where the fire had been the night before. She stamped her feet down into the dirt and ash, stirring up small clouds that drifted over to Troy's boots. Heel toe…heel toe went her tiny feet, as if she were clogging. The mans boots were already dusty and worn in at least, so the action didn't much matter…but…It was enough to annoy anyone. The poor guy. Alaine's hands absentmindedly rubbed at where the ropes had been, her feet going still as she started to think. The adults voices droned on, becoming a far off buzz as she fell into herself. What they were talking about didn't concern her. She was…well she didn't quite know what she felt about all of this.

The knight had to pay in some way…she was certain of that.

But...how?

October Knight · Oct 8, 2010

Troy watched over the little one, seemingly like a father figure or older brother. She had made him feel partly responsible for her. It did do some good for the Knight though, with her safety in his though he had less time to think about his dreams and flash backs. He tied his boots up and fastened his belt, listening as the Elves talked about something or other.

"I think we should get a move on then, better to be on the move as we are currently being hunted."

Then the hooded Figure appeared suddenly from a nearby tree.

"I am Zike, a demon of the Vuldrik clan. My reason for being here are of my own, but I will accompany you for my mission and your own may be connected in some way." Her voice had a strong tone, but was feminine and nothing like the day before.

The Knight, who initially assumed that 'Zike' was a Male, saw that she was indeed a she. Seeing the way she had fought back at the castle commons room, there was only really one way to respond.

"I for one would be more than glad to have you with me, in battle or otherwise." HE extended his hand to her, not knowing strange customs of different races, but as always practicing his own.

"I am Troy, I was once a Knight, but recently darkness has haunted my thoughts. It has left me with bad dream…" He trailed off, again looking to Alaine. "The little one is with me, I am bound to her by blood and she to me." He left it at that, hoping that everyone would understand.

Troy looked to the elves, ready to embark to this place where the tortured elf was being held According to Maskannai. The only thing Troy needed now was a weapon, he felt naked without one.

Whisper · Oct 8, 2010

Zike watched as the knight approached with the young girl. Her eyes locked onto his hand when he extended it. There wasn't a moment's hesitation, Zike reached out her hand. But instead of shaking his hand like one would do when shaking hands. She clasped his hand so that their thumbs interlocked. This was, as Zike understood it, the human's way of shaking hands between two fellow warriors. They don't really shake hands, but grip each others hand for a moment. Zike didn't know that Troy was one a knight, but many little things like the way he moved and talked fitted best with that of a warrior.

"Well met Troy." Zike let go after a second which might have felt a little longer since her hand strength was still imprecise so she might have gripped a little too hard. Referring to the darkness that haunted Troy's thoughts, Zike replied, "I see… That is a powerful foe all warriors face in time…" Her eyes drifted over to the little girl. Zike didn't really understand what he meant other then he and she were related by blood. However his actions didn't support such a conclusion. Zike decided to stick with what she'd thought the night before, not to get involved. Zike gave a slight wave, something she'd learned humans often do in greeting another human from a distance.

Technically, Zike wasn't a warrior. The Vudrik are split up into houses and don't have an official army. Everyone fights when they must so they all have some level of training. However, Zike had seen enough action that she was familiar enough with the art of war to be considered one. She turned her attention over to the elves which she'd been eavesdropping on their conversation for some time. Something about the Drow, otherwise called dark elves, having captured the elf they are looking for.

Zike walked closer to the female elf before speaking. "The Drow, they looked like you, but with dark skin and live underground correct?" She thought for a moment, her eyes slowly lowing toward the ground. "Then perhaps I…" Zike's eyes drew back up quickly to gaze at Maskannai. "Since the seer claims to know where to go and I see nothing more we need to do here, so let us not delay any further." Zike walked over to the weapon she'd planted in the ground and grabbed it. She turned around abruptly to face the rest of them, waiting for the direction for them to travel and for everyone to be ready.

Was she maybe, eager or excited to get going? It's hard to tell when the target of such speculation is a being which can change its body and mind so much. Zike was for all intents and purposes, human now.

Maskannai · Oct 9, 2010

Maskannai felt assured that all of her new companions were eager and willing to follow her into danger to save an elf none of them even knew. She was happy to have her brother and his spells at her back as well. Having grown up together she knew what his strengths and weaknesses were fairly well. Because of her knowledge she also knew how best to work with him well. She didn't know the others, but she was confident they would be able to work well together.

"Have you no sword?" She asked, looking at Troy and noticing no weapon at his hip. She had only her own rapier and whipdagger, both of which were used for different kinds of combat, so could not spare either for his use.

"We shall barter for a sword at the next village a days travel through the forest then," when he had confirmed that he didn't have a weapon with which to fight.

"Let us be off then so we can finish our task quickly," she added, then led the group out of the small grove to the main road that led away from the elven city. The forest way quiet except for its own natural noises as they started their journey towards a great danger, the drow city undergound.

((Ooc: random encounters welcome..))

Aragon-Draco · Oct 9, 2010

The group travelled with little trouble until the point where the road split to go either to the mountains or into the Red Forest. At that point, a small horde of Uruc attacked from behind. Michael, being at the back, was the first to see the attackers. He impulsively had wards up and had blasted a mental and verbal warning to every member of the party. Having no other weapon, he began casting fireballs at the Uruc.

One by one, they fell, but he, alone, was no match for the horde of beasts. Time seemed to slow as he cast, his energy slowly ebbing. At times like this, he wished he carried a rapier, or some similar weapon. He somehow dislodged one of the Uruc Scythes from the grip of a rampaging Uruc and killed the beast with it. Still, he felt like his warning had not been received well.

October Knight · Oct 13, 2010

Troy nodded at the female demon.

"Aye, besides staying alive, my only hope is to one day rid myself of these dreams."

"No, at the moment I have only this dagger and the cloths on my back. We left in such a hurry I..." He trailed off a bit after responding to Maskannai. He really needed a weapon and some armor.

He looked at the rest of the party, already in a short amount of time he felt that for as mismatched as they were they would do well together. Sometimes the best of alleys could be found in the most dire of situations. Troy for one had lost a good many friends in battle, over time he had learned to let no one close to him. It was a safety mechanism that prevented him from being hurt, and although he was surrounded by people who cared he always felt alone. Emotionally he was like a corpse. His guard was up, like a massive brick wall barring his feelings from the outside world. Troy hated the fact that he was making new friends, the thought of losing them, like so many others he had lost, hurt too much, but at the same time he would do anything in his power to protect them.

As the group disembarked, Troy kept an ever watchful eye on the little one. Part of him was making sure she wouldn't get into more danger and another part was watching her because he knew she wanted him dead. It was strange to say the least.

Troy was walking when all of the sudden something split in his head, like a thundering echo that swirled his brains around and pounded them against his skull. His had shot to his head. He felt the urge to let his nightmares take over and send him into another flashback, but his heart stayed strong. His eyes stayed open to reality and he focused on what was important; Helping his allies.

Then He saw it; A horde of approaching Uruc. They were vicious, drooling, grisly looking creatures. Troy grabbed his weapon, the small dagger. Years of servitude as a knight had made him a great hand to hand combatant. As Michael burned them to the ground with balls of fire, Troy held his ground. One of the beasts charged him, in a moment of sheer speed and strength he side steeped and thrust his dagger deep into the throat of the creature, he felt it slide in all the way to the hilt. Black blood poured down from where he had no doubt punctured an artery. He pulled the knife out as the dead Uruc fell to the ground. He wasted no time in grabbing the beasts weapon, a rather gnarled looking Long sword. It was rusted a bit, but would be a much better weapon than the dagger. Just then he realized that Alaine was defenseless, he threw her the dagger and turned back to the approaching horde, he was a Knight, as he had always been, ready to die on the battlefield.

As another group approached, Troy swung, Cleaving the first one through the neck and shoulder. It let out a violent shirk as it doubled over and hit the ground. Another came at him from the left, Troy deflected his blow and drove his blade deep into its midsection. Troy pulled the blade out just as another approached. Troy instantly turned to face his opponent. He could see thick streams of liquid pouring from its mouth. Troy let out a battle cry as he brought his blade down again and again onto the creature. He kept chopping, over and over. For a moment he was caught in a state of blood lust. When he finally stopped there was nothing but a hacked body at his feet. The bottoms of his boots were now covered in thick black blood.

…And they kept coming

A Desperate Race (any1 welcome)

Maskannai

Guest

Aragon-Draco

Guest

Corvus Corax

Guest

October Knight

Hi-def

Whisper

Guest

Maskannai

Guest

Whisper

Guest

Maskannai

Guest

Aragon-Draco

Guest

Corvus Corax

Guest

October Knight

Hi-def

Whisper

Guest

Maskannai

Guest

Aragon-Draco

Guest

Corvus Corax

Guest

October Knight

Hi-def

Whisper

Guest

Maskannai

Guest

Aragon-Draco

Guest

October Knight

Hi-def