The Four Kingdoms: The Arrival of the Desert Kingdom

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Listening to Noryia Malace followed her into her home. It was fairly modest, but then again this would be the first time Malace has actually been inside someone's home. She's been into castles, inns, armories, and various other buildings, but never one's home. And despite her own dislike of the area around it, this was a nice home. Malace would like something like this, though with more furnishing. Maybe some weapons here and there, hunting trophies. Malace continued to look around as she went to Noryia's couch, careful not to get her blood on it. Malace also took the time to remove most of her equipment so she doesn't scuff the furniture, only keeping her machete near her. As she was taking her stuff off Malace noted her journal, tearing out a sheet of paper, writing on it, and handing it to Noryia. On it was her full name: Malachite Orchid.
 
As Noryia waited for Nory to return she quietly watched Malace take off most of her things. She took the paper that was handed to her and gave Malace a kind smile, then said. "It's very nice to meet you Malachte Orchid. I am Noryia, and-" Noryia motioned to the door Nory had gone in minutes ago, "The other girl who looks like myself is Nory."

Nory returned seconds later holding two simple white hand towels in her left hand and in her right hand held a clay basin of crystal clear water. "Here you go." She said placing the basin on the floor next to Noryia's feet where she had taken a seat next to Malace. "Thank you" Noryia spoke softly. Turning her attention to Malace once more. "I have never worked with wounds larger then bruises and shallow cuts, I am not quite sure on how to treat your wound completely…" She trailed of, trying to think of what to say next.
 
The orc looked at the two dainty elvish women and suddenly a violent urge struck her. She felt... Compelled to attack them. She controlled herself fortunately, but visibly she froze up. She had not idea what brought this urge onward. Perhaps it was simply her body's reaction to the arrow in her arm. She knows her magic has a sort of "Defensive" measure to revert to animal form when severely wounded. Though she'd hardly call her injury sever. She could handle it herself if she had the time. Speaking of handling her wound Noryia was kind enough to help her, however she's never dealt with an injury of this severity. Fortunately Malace has, and even if Noryia has not this would be much easier with an assistant.

Removing her bandage the first thing that hit her was the smell. The ripe stench of her flesh soaked with sweat and blood. Already her skin was starting to become inflamed and puss forming. This wasn't unusual for Malace though this does mean simply pulling the arrow head out was going to be more complicated. She'd need to ensure that her body didn't cause any more inflammation if she tried to work the arrow head out. Taking one of the towels that Nory had brought Malace created a tourniquet to slow the blood flow. This caused her arm to go a bit numb, but not enough that it'd be life threatening.

With her free hand Malace looked towards Noryia and used two fingers to simulate the opening and closing of tweezers. What they'd need to do is extract the arrow head, but there was another part they must do as well. Using both hands Malace made two hooked fingers, put them close together, then slowly pulled them apart, stopping a small distance away from each other. She needed someone, either Nory or Noryia, to gently hold open her wound so they would have a cleaner extraction of the arrow head. If someone could help move the flesh around her wound open a bit more, they should be able to see the dull grey piece of metal in her arm, and using the tweezer be able to extract it. No doubt it would cause a lot of bleeding, but it should be less so now that Malace had cut off a bit of circulation, giving them some time to bandage the wound before it gets worse.
 
Because of the elven blood in Noryia she had a slightly more sensitive nose then normal humans. The smell of blood was strong enough to make Noryia want to hold her nose. But, she made no such movement. She watched the orc as she began to remove the arrow. Noryia's gaze caught that of Malace as the orc simulated the wound open. Even without knowledge of medical procedures, Mortis got the feeling of what Malace was wanting her to do.

Noryia's right hand's fingers were carefully place on Malce's arm, with her pointer finger on one side of the injury and the last three fingers were on the other side of the wound. Mortis didn't want to cause more pain for the orc, but she hoped this is want the orc was wanting.
 
With Noryia's help Malace carefully directed her to spread her wound a bit wider, cause more blood to leak, but also allowed Malace to see the arrow head in her arm. Fortunately there was still a bit of the arrow shaft left inside, so with careful and dexterous fingers Malace gently pulled the arrowhead out of her arm. To be frank, it hurt. While she was able to extract it the arrow head had cause some internal lacerations and removing it cause some wounds to open. But with the arrow head out it was now somewhat safe to leave it to heal. Quickly Malace took the white cloth and used it to staunch the blood. Looking back at Noryia Malace used her other hand to simulate drinking. She needed alcohol, or at least something to clean her wound to ensure she doesn't succumb to infection later. The white cloth was also quickly becoming dripping red.
 
Noryia really didn't not care for the site or smell of blood, it reminded too much of her past but it was not so much she couldn't help. She couldn't stop herself from flinching as the arrow head was removed from the wound in the arm she was holding open. The half elf gently let go of the wound so Malace could staunch the wound. Her eyes locked on to Malace's when the latter looked at the half elf. She watched the orc simulate drinking, she reached down and lifted the cray basin of water and ask "Will this work? Or do you need something else?" Noryia wasn't a mind reader so she wasn't totally sure what Malace was asking for but she was pretty sure she wanted water.

Nory watched in totally silent as the arrow was removed by Malace and Noryia. She just stood there wondering what she could to do to help. After Malace used one of towels she got feeling they might need more soon. So Nory turned and left without a word.
 
Shaking her head Malace wondered what she'd need to do to tell Noryia what she needed. Malace never learned sign language and she doubt that Noryia would know what sign language was anyways. Looking around she picked up the second clean down and, using her own blood, wrote the word "ALCOHOL" on it, hopefully enough for Noryia to get the message. She then simulated pouring and rubbing her wound with an imgainary bottle of alcohol, so that noryia knew or at least had some idea of what Malace intended to do with the stuff. While Malace could always go without disinfecting that was dangerous and even she wouldn't bank on her own fairly high fortitude to ignore the effects of a dirty wound. But with the arrow out Malace could at least relax a little, and indeed she visibly began to slouch and show a fairly passive attitude. She'd like to leave as soon as possible, but while she was here she might as well make use of the hospitality and heal up.
 
Noryia nodded understanding Malace wasn't in need of water and placed the basin back on the floor. She watched Malace write what she was in need of. Noryia bit the edge of her lip thinking then said "I don't have any, but if you can wait a short while I'll send Nory to go get some..." Her words trailed off as she tried to think of another way to get some faster for Malace to clean her wound. Though, she was glad that Malace had gotten more comfortable in the couch they were both sitting on.
 
Nodding her head Malace just sat in silence, closing her eyes and meditating. Really it was all she could do; not like she had anything to talk to Noryia about. As she sat there and meditated, she felt the urges again... But this time it came from a force from within. It was her body, not her mind, that was causing these urges. Her curse. "To hell with this curse! You do not control me." Malace thought to herself. Savage as she may be she was in control of herself as much as she controlled the world around her. Perhaps not the best example, but at least Malace was making sure not to give into her savage desires.

After a few minutes of soothing the beast inside Malace opened her eyes and looked at Noryia. No sense in putting it off any longer; Noryia likely had some questions about Malace's silence, and her only answer was to open her mouth and reveal that Malace had no tongue. This was also important if she intended to offer any food to Malace, as she has a hard time chewing hard food or meats, and couldn't taste them anyways. Taking her journal out Malace used her charcoal pen to write a note for Noryia. "Who are you?" Was written on the note.

(Just so you know, Bold/Italicized statements are Malace's own thoughts, while just Italicized are things she writes down.)
 
"I'm fine. At Least we're both still alive." Her voice is shaky but she can stand up straight. Looking over towards the unguarded cabin, she starts walking towards it. "So, where exactly is the sword?"

Even though the cabin didn't look very big, she knew that such an item that had to be guarded by a demoness wouldnt just be in the closet. But then again, she knew nothing of the sword before this. So it could be in a glass case somewhere. Stepping up the one step that led to the front door, she opened the door and walked into the front room. With the demoness gone, the place seemed to be much more cozier.
 
Noryia waited for Nory to return from whatever she was doing. As she waited she watched Malace meditate. Nory returned fairly quickly, "Here I brought a couple more cloths just in case." She said setting them down on the floor next the basin of water.

"Nory, will you please go into town and get a bottle of alcohol?" Noryia asked her clone.

Nory gave Noryia a funny look before nodding her head. She knew Noryia had never in her life tasted a drop of that stuff, though neither had Nory for that matter. Nory reached and grabbed the soiled towels before leaving out the front door.

After Nory had left Noryia's gaze returned to Malace thinking of who this person could be, not that it really mattered because she probably would want to leave as soon as she could. She had thought about why Malace hadn't spoken to her, even when they were in tunnels when it would have been much easier to speak rather than write it out. Her eyes got wide when Malace opened her eyes and showed her the missing tongue, well, that explains the no talking. She read the question the Malace asked her. And thought it would just be easier to pass time while they waited for Nory to get back.

"I am a halfblooded elf who lives by herself in a forest and creates clones to keep her company." Noryia said simply. She wasn't sure completely what all Malace wanted to know about herself, but she gave her the short version.
(I guess, but thanks for confirming my guesses.)
 
Malace raised her eyebrow at Noryia's curt statement of who she was. While some people might be put off with such short summaries, Malace has learned to love them. Less to write a responds to. She also was glad that she had sent Nory, presumably one of her clones, to fetch alcohol. Though Malace was worried about the clone attracting the wrong kind of trouble back to this humble abode. Malace has no idea where this village is at or who is within it. But there wasn't much else for her to do, so she stopped worry about it. She wrote a new note in responds to Noyria. "How?"
 
Noryia read the message and thought about her answer. For one she wasn't very clear about what she was asking 'How' about, was about being halfblooded or creating clones of herself. Well best answer one and if she gets one wrong then Malace will tell her… "I create a clones using magic" She said patting her flute that had been leaned against the couch.
 
Eyes widening Malace took her piece of paper back and scribbled another question. "Could you show me?" Malace has never seen clone magic before. The closest thing she's ever seen were illusion copies, a hassle to deal with since you can't tell which one is real until an arrow flies through it. Malace watched Noryia with rapt attention, hoping to perhaps learn something from this experience.
 
Noryia smiled at the question and replied with "I would love to." She took pride in ability to create clones, but one of the down sides of living alone meant she could never show it off to anyone.

Without any hesitation she picked up her flute and brought it up to lips. Noryia starting playing it, but like before no music came out of it. Once more the end of the flute grew and curved and its blossom at the end bloomed and the two fairies started flying around. The fairies movements were not random, It fact they started to flying in small circles starting from the floor and soon reached the same height as Noryia. As their flight patterns got higher it left what looked like little flowers. The hundreds of little flowers were floating it the shape of a female body. When the fairies reached the head the flowers started stretch till they touched each other than merged, this happened all at once all over the glowing body. Then the blue glowing body started to gain color in its cheeks, and its whole body. When it was completely colored pink hair grew from its head as well as a golden head dress like Noryia's. One of the great things about a clone it that it is formed with cloths on so Noryia didn't have to worry about that. The body had been floating just above the floor till now when it slowly landed on the ground where it was sitting on its knees with its head hanging down, as if it was sleeping.

Noryia pulled the flute away from her lips and let out a small sigh, making clones was one of the things that took more magic then say summoning a cat or something like it. Standing up she set her flute on the couch and walked up to the lifeless clones she knelt down and reached around the clones head and touched the golden head dress, the tip of Noryia's fingers started glowing as she press it to the headdress. The ornate headdress started glowing and it looked like glowing water was flowing thought the headdress, all at once the clone gasped and her eyes opened. Noryia stood up and then help the clone she just brought to life to her feet. "Malachte, met Ria." The half elf smiled widely and looked into Malace's eyes to see what her reaction would be.
 
Malace could hardly believe that she was seeing. She's seen the miracles of nature before, and many magical phenomenons. She's seen a dragon born to life, a golem awakened, even bare witness to the rising of a god. Yet somehow Noryia's act of creating a clone was yet another memorable experience under the orc's belt. Malace simply smiled at Noryia and Ria, though she dared not get too close. How intelligent was Ria? Did she have a personality? Would she be able to live on her own? Is she mortal, like Malace, or ageless like most elves? Malace wasn't sure if Half-Elves also had an elf's ageless immortality, though she presumed they were at least long-lived. Aside from obvious reasons Malace was speechless. She did quickly write a new note for Noryia on a new piece of paper. "Could you do me?"
 
Noryia kept smiling, she was happy to finally show someone one of things she had taught herself how to do. She read the note and in response she shook her head 'no'. "I am sorry, I can't. I can only clone myself right now." She said somewhat sadly. "Though, I do wish I could." She added.

Noryia was very young, even for a half-blood elf. And because of being so young she couldn't such amazing things like creating clones for other people. Plus, she didn't have the magic power reserve for it, at least not yet. Elves magic reserve grew as they aged, also with age they could do more powerful spells. Noryia really wanted to be able to do it, but she knew if she were to try it could use all of her magic and then it would deplete her so much she would never be able use magic again.

Ria smiled shyly at Malace, she knew who the orc was and how Noryia met; it was one of the cool things of being clone, she got the same knowledge of her creator. Though, she did not get Noryia's memories, she just knew things like who people were, where things were, or how to do things like reading and writing.
 
Nodding her head Malace figured it may have been too much to ask. She looked at Ria, uncertain what to do with her. Smile? Try to write her a greeting? Play a game with her? Ria looked just as old as Noryia did, though for elves they both looked fairly youthful. Then again from the sound of it Noryia has been living here for quite some time, away from the distress of the world. Malace wasn't old herself, but she's seen a lot of things.

There wasn't much else to do now except wait. Having no idea how close the village was Malace didn't expect Nory to come back anytime soon. Debating if she should just take a nap Malace's stomach began to growl. How long as it been since she's eaten? And yet Malace dared not ask Noryia for food. She's already done so much for her by taking her in and helping treat her wounds. Once Nory came back and Malace could disinfect her wounds, she could go hunting and get something to eat by herself.

Looking at Noryia, Malace pointed at herself, then pretended to lay her head on her hands, a sort of way for Malace to say she was going to go to sleep. She pointed towards the couch to indicate she was going to sleep on the couch, but she didn't do it immediately. Malace wasn't certain if Noryia would be okay with her sleeping on her couch, or if she wanted the orc to do something to repay her hospitality. Honestly, Malace just wanted to rest and relax now.

(When Malachite goes to sleep she's going to have a strange dream that will hopefully put her on an adventure to obtain greater power, though it may or may not involve getting attacked later after she wakes up, inadvertently involving Noryia in the process.)
 
Noryia understood what malice was wanting to do, sleep. Now that the orc had brought up the subject of sleep Noryia found that she herself was kinda of sleepy. Though, she was sure she wasn't as tired as the one who got shoot with an arrow. To Noryia it looked as if Malachite was asking for permission to sleep on her couch, and she responded with "Go on and sleep, it will be a little while before Nory returns." She smiled brightly. "Come on Ria, let's go so Malachite can sleep." With that both clone and creator left the room.

They went to the small kitchen that was a few rooms down from the main room where Malachite was. Noryia had also realized she was hungry from using up a good amount of magic, and she hadn't eaten since much earlier that day. She thought that it would be a good idea to make a meal for both Noryia and Malachite, thankfully clones didn't have to eat to live. Though, the elf wasn't sure on what the orc liked to eat, so she chose to just make the kinds of food she would normally make.

As she started her cooking she began thinking… She had always like helping people, like if they got lost she would help back on track, or if they fell and maybe sprained an ankle she would send a clone to help them get to the closet town. Noryia loved to help, but she knew that her fear of hurting people got in the way of leaving her forest to go and help others. The thoughts of what Nory had told her, the things about the kings of the four kingdoms looking for heroes because of the new threat. Secretly, she wanted to go and fight, but she also knew that her ability was not very useful for much.

And after being her for so long with no one but Nory to keep company, it got very lonely. In true, she was very happy to have Malachite her. Though she was still worried about hurting her, but Malachite looked like someone who wouldn't be hurt so easily. With all her thinking, one thing she couldn't help but wonder was if Malace was one of the heroes that Nory had spoken of, perhaps she would ask Malace later.

(Ok, cool, I love fight scenes)
 
Necropolis walked towards the cabin along with Evangeline, and nodded as she said that it was good that they were alive. Yes, but I'm concerned about the fact that she said she was going easy on us... While she may just be trying to find comfort in defeat, it could be true... If that's so, than I fear that we may not do well in our next encounter. Necropolis thought on it as they moved forward, but moments before Evangeline touched the door-handle, Necropolis said I don't know, we'll just have to look for it. The door opens, and the room had changed slightly, but not enough to notice a difference. It was brighter inside, there were a few more accommodations that had been hidden, and a trapdoor leading to an underground area was now visible. Necropolis opened the door, but they had another great surprise as a skeleton jumped on Necropolis, knocking him over. It cackled in his face, then jumped back down into the cellar and seemed to disappear. That was... strange, to say the least. Necropolis stood and descended down the stairway, which was at least 10 feet deep, where there was lots of treasure, as in enough to make the kingdom of Solidaria free from asking for loans from the kingdom of riches. The skeleton came running back with a goblet full of gems and gold, and set it at Necropolis' feet before running back into the treasury, only to come back with many fine necklaces for Evangeline. The skeleton was either having a giveaway, being very generous and thankful towards the two heroes, or was trying to distract them from the sword. It became clear as the third option when Necropolis grabbed the skeleton by his skull, lifting him up to eye level and showing his necklace, which read "Gerald Farrell, Wielder of the Icebreather". Guarding the precious sword, are we? Fortunately, instead of trying to lie, Gerald nodded as best as he could with someone holding his skull, which means that his body just ended up shaking back and forth. Can you take us to the sword? Gerald shakes it's body back and forth to say no, so Necropolis scoffs and drops the skeleton, and is startled when Gerald falls apart. Necropolis is about to speak when Gerald's necklace glows and he is pieced back together again.
 
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