Adventures of Caelereth

OOC: ok chapter 3....lets jump start this story before it needs to be....

 Fools rush into battle blindly, but who is really the fool? The fool or the fool who follows him.

Mable grinned again, "My dear, you have come to the right place..."  

You got that right, old woman...  The old, gnome healer's words ran through Muargath's mind again as she chuckled and hurried down the main street back to the inn.  She had cleverly occupied the medecine woman's time with witty and friendly conversation, while the herbs and potions were mixed for Gashnum's benefit.  Once the price was agreed upon, Muargath masterfully pretended that she hadn't realized she'd left her money pouch back at the inn... and how she needed to run and get it first.  And Mable, so kind and wise, yet so blissfully naive, allowed Muargath to walk out the door with the goods- after Muargath swore to return right away with the coin to pay, of course!  Muargath just couldn't believe her good luck!  By the time she realizes that I'm not coming back, we'll be well on our way...  Additionally, Muargath had given the woman a fake name and told her she was staying at the Goose-Hollow Inn, which was on the other side of town.  Sometimes she was just too clever for her own good.

Reaching the Riverside Inn's front porch, Muargath hurried inside, closing the heavy, wooden door firmly behind her.  She waved to Vir and Elende as she went by with the precious, and deviously gained, medicinal goods, stopping at the bar only long enough to get a pot of boiling water and a clean mug from the bartender.  She quickly went upstairs to Gashnum's room.  

Her friend was unconscious on the bed, breathing rather shallow.  Duster, laying on the floor by the small bed, looked up as she entered the room and whined quietly.  "Don't worry, boy... we'll make him better."  She reassured the dog, but also to reassure herself as well.  

Setting the items on the  nearby table, she carefully opened the herb-pouch and put a good measure into a piece of cheesecloth and tied the end tight, then dropped the small bundle into the hot water to steep.  She remembered the old gnome's instructions- to only let the water turn a light brown, like worn leather, because if it gets too dark, it would possibly stop Gashnum's heart.  She wanted Gashnum to live...

Muargath watched the tea from the corner of her eye as she turned her attention to a small, glass vial Mable had handed her.  The liquid inside was clear and green-tinged and of an oily consistancy.  Three drops only, every two bells for one day.  Then after that, twice a day until all gone.  She pulled out the cork and winced as the bitter smell reached her sensative nose.  Oh, this stuff is awful!  I am so sorry, Gashnum!  

Muargath sat down on the small bed next to him.  Lucky for her, he was already on his back.  She turned over the cork and put three drops onto the inside part where it sat in a tiny puddle.  She placed the vial in the remaining cheesecloth so it remained upright, then gently opened Gashnum's mouth with her free hand so she could access his tongue.  Before he could react, she gently, yet firmly swiped the tilted cork across his tongue, pulling it out quickly in case he should involuntarily snap his teeth shut...  

"There is serenity in Chaos.
Seek ye the Eye of the Hurricane."
- so says the Principia Discordia

Edited by: Muargath   at: 5/2/03 6:41:15 am

Nothing.  No reaction at all.  And with as bitter as this stuff was, at the very least he should have made a face, even when unconscious.  Concern flared in Muargath as she grabbed the vial and quickly stoppered it with the cork.  Tossing it back onto the bundle of cheesecloth, she leaned forward and put both her hands on Gashnum's face.  His skin was so hot!  Oh no... !   From the floor, Duster whined again...

She pulled back and tried not to panic, all the while wringing her hands.  Uhm... let's see... the old gnome said the tea would counter the fever.  But if he isn't awake, how will he drink?  Suddenly remembering the tea, she glanced over and saw it was just the right color.  She fished the soaked bundle out with her fingers, Ooh, ouch, hot! dropping the soggy little pouch onto the table next to the small pot.  She then poured some of the brownish, steaming liquid into the mug.  Too hot to drink, this needs to cool...  Picking up the mug, she blew on the tea's surface twice, then set it down again.  I need a spoon to stir it, it'll cool faster...

Jumping up from the side of the cot, she went to the bureau where the wash basin sat and saw the pitcher was empty.  She grabbed it up and ran out the door, barely closing it behind her. Once down the stairs, she fairly shoved the pitcher into the barkeep's hands and said, "Fill this please...cool water!  And I need a spoon, too!  And hurry!"  Looking around franticly, she caught Vir's eye and waved her over, then pointed toward the stairs.  Muargath couldn't help but look worried...

"There is serenity in Chaos.
Seek ye the Eye of the Hurricane."
- so says the Principia Discordia

Hurrying to the local inn, hoping the rest will be there, Sinen bursts through the door into the inn building. He spots Muargath and Virisse quite quickly.....Alia stumbles in behind him....

SINEN "Muargath, sorry for the delay....Dray and Gararion are just behind me.....You look troubled...what's wrong?"

 Fools rush into battle blindly, but who is really the fool? The fool or the fool who follows him.

Muargath saw Sinen come through the door.  Even so, there was little relief at the sight of him.  "Sinen!  Thank the gods for your safe arrival!"  

The barkeep returned just then with a full pitcher and a spoon and Muargath only paused to add, "I have a very sick friend upstairs, so I can't talk right now!  Vir will have to fill you in..."  before dashing back up the stairs.  

"There is serenity in Chaos.
Seek ye the Eye of the Hurricane."
- so says the Principia Discordia

With a full belly, she leaned back in the chair and began to relax, when a flurry of thunderous steps came down teh sairs. Natural curiouslity piqued and she looked, to see Muargath flustered like a Taenish whose chicks had been taken. Muargath waved her over and then pointed to the Stairs.

She rose from her chair with a confused look, and thought about what could be going on... the Traveller with the horse...? He must be doing poorly... or she's over-reacting.
Vir began to make her way over, Sinen arrived, apparently alone.

Viresse stopped in her tracks. They're back?! Well, then where is Gararion?! And that other fellow? She furrowed her brows and began to walk toward Muargath, which is where Sinen headed.

She only caught the last words Muargath said to Sinen as she took the pitcher back up the stairs. " ... Vir will have to fill you in..."

Vir watched Muargath thunder up the stairs, then looked to Sinen, her eyes narrowed accusingly. "You will not get answers until I get mine own... Where is Gararion? ... and who is she? "

Edited by: Viresse  at: 5/5/03 9:57:00 pm

*Sinen takes off once he reaches hog saying he is going to find the others. Dray who was used to long travel and days with little rest was even fatigued.*

"Geeze elves can put up with anything I guess....you tired at all Gararion?"

*Dray looks over at the robed elf as he continues at a slower pace than Sinen towards the inn where they were to meet with the others. Dray was looking forward to a day of rest and relaxing in a bed. He had enough money for a night he believed.*

SINEN "Vir, Gararion and Dray are behind me...We just got into Hog a little while ago and I took off for the inn as fast as I could....Let's just say I was let in on a bit of knowledge that I may be needed back....This here is Alia Locktear, a close friend if you will."

The lady steps forward....

ALIA "A pleasure to meet you...."

 Fools rush into battle blindly, but who is really the fool? The fool or the fool who follows him.

Muargath went quickly back into the room and set the pitcher down too fast, accidently sloshing some water out onto the table's wooden surface.  

One glance at her friend and she saw Gashnum's face was flush from the fever, yet there was no moisture on his skin.  Alarmed, she dropped the spoon into the tea mug, snatched up a nearby towl and plunged it into wide open mouth of the pitcher, soaked up some water and halfway rang it out with both hands.  She took this wet cloth and gently wiped at his brow, down along the side of his face and to his neck, hoping the cool water would revive Gashnum enough for him to drink the tea.  Oh!  The tea...!  She sat next to him on the bed and began to stir the hot liquid with spoon in left hand while dabbing at his skin with the cloth in right hand.

"There is serenity in Chaos.
Seek ye the Eye of the Hurricane."
- so says the Principia Discordia

She lets her brows unfurrow, and nods once. She looks to the Alia person and shakes strongly, more as a sign of strength than of friendship. Better not have a nice spell up your sleeve or... she couldn't think of what she'd do. She shrugged it off and looked to the stairs.

"I'm going upstairs to see if I can help at all. If you wish to follow, so be it. Maybe Lady Alia can help?" She did not look at Sinen at all as she spoke, she kept her eyes on Alia.

The door, still ajar from when she rushed in, opened further as Viresse entered the small room.  Muargath looked up, her gray eyes flooded with relief that someone had come to help her.  Duster, sitting patiently on the floor at her feet, whined softly.  Even he knew the gavity of the situation.

Muargath let go of the spoon in the mug.  "Vir, do you know how I can get him to drink some of this tea?  He isn't waking!  I'm at a total loss.... I'm not a healer..."  She paused to plunge the small towel into the pitcher again and wring it out.  Water dripping from her hands, she folded the cloth and laid it over Gashnum's fevered brow.  "I don't know what to do, Vir!  Please help?"  As he continued to breathe in shallow rasps, she reached out and smoothed back a damp lock of his hair.

"There is serenity in Chaos.
Seek ye the Eye of the Hurricane."
- so says the Principia Discordia

Both Alia and Sinen follow Vir upstairs to find Gashnum in a fevered and sickly state and Muargath trying to help him....Alia steps quietly into the room and calmly walks near the sick man...

ALIA "Please, allow me to treat his fever. You shall find it difficult at best to get him to drink in his state, but there is something I can do. I am not only trained as a healer, but my magical abilities can be of useful in suppressing fever as well."  

 Fools rush into battle blindly, but who is really the fool? The fool or the fool who follows him.

Sinen and an unfamiliar woman came into the room right behind Viresse.  The woman approached and much to Muargath's astonishment, offered to help using magic...  

Muargath got up and back a few steps away.  "If you think it will help... please try.  He's had some of this," she indicated the small, corked vial that was nearly lost in a jumble of cheesecloth on the table, "and the old gnome told me it would ease his pain.  And this tea is to cool the fever.  But he won't wake up."  Muargath was wringing her hands and shuffling from one foot to the other as she spoke, clearly agitated by the whole ordeal.  "He was awake when I left, uhm, sort of.  Maybe a little disoreinted... he was mumbling a bit...  But I wasn't gone for very long, just long enough for Mable to mix up this medicine.  And I came back and he looked even worse.  All hot and feverish but not sweating... does that mean anything?  He needs more water, right?"  

"Oh, come here, Duster!"  She said, suddenly patting her thigh to call the dog, "Let the lady have some room to work."  Duster obediently got up and moved over by Muargath's feet, almost like he knew this was no time to be stubborn.

"There is serenity in Chaos.
Seek ye the Eye of the Hurricane."
- so says the Principia Discordia

Alia steps beside the bed and kneels there placing one hand just above Gashnum's forhead. She weaves her other hand through a series of intricate motions as her eyes slide shut and a quiet light forms below her palm above Gashnum....She lefts her hand come to rest on his forehead and speaks in a gentle voice.."Sleep peacefully. Awaken tomorrow without the fires of fever. Find yourself rejuvenated and ready for the journey that lies ahead of you. Sleep your troubles away." The light dies and she stands and turns to Muargath...

ALIA "He will rest peacefully for the night and awaken tomorrow. His fever wil drop shortly and it should break completely by midnight and no later...My suggestion is to stay by his side until he awakens, but he should not need any real attention. Sinen, I think it best that we definately wait and rest a bit...The Fire Gem will have to wait no matter what the cost may be. That is my suggestion take it or leave it, but trust me as you always have."

SINEN "Muargath, Vir, I must say that we will wait a day or two more before setting out...I myself need to figure out what next anyway...Alia will be with us for a while so I hope you will show her some respect and hospitality. I'll be downstairs if you need me."

Sinen heads back downstairs and sits in a corner to think...Alia stays upstairs to keep and eye on Gashnum.

 Fools rush into battle blindly, but who is really the fool? The fool or the fool who follows him.

She stepped into the door to see a plaintive Muargath, in a pain that while she knew humans could have, had never herself seen before upon one. Muargath seemed scared, and worried... and lost. An emotion began to well up in Vir, who was allowed to wallow in it as Alia and Sinen came in and Vir slipped into the background.

Vir had the odd feeling to wrap an arm around Muargath- to console the short-lived human that things were to be fine. Whether it was the truth or not, Humans never seemed to matter in that respect. They needed touch and consolation in all matters of doubt and insecurity, and just those words of confidence lifted their spirits, even in the darkest hours.
In Elven sense, all things are to be well in the sleeping Mind of Ava, but Humans have no love for She the Creator, only for her children and their gifts. Then to whom should the pained Muargath turn to, in the dire need for consolation?

Viresse awoke herself from her thought as Alia seemed to finish a task of Magic. Vir was constantly wary of magic, and more wary of the stranger who wielded it. She took a wide berth of her and reached the side of Muargath, who had the Gashnum's dog at her feet. She looked to Gashnum and spoke to Muargath, not wanting to see her pain so up-close.

" Me'kroi... Seyella's Decree and Nehtor's hand will do what they can for Friend Gashnum. Either way he slips, it shall be better for him. Let Seyella slide Fate the Waking way, and Nehtor's touch in Healing..."

She let out a sigh, and glanced at Muargath out of the corner of her eye. So fragile they are....

"Thank all the gods, for you Alia.  Thank you for helping!"  The relief she felt was near overwhelming.

She looked to the golden-haired elf who now stood by her, "I am so glad you are all here to help Gashnum..."  Muargath took Viresse's hand and gave it a quick squeeze before moving back to the bed.  "We should make him more comfortable."  She pushed the blanket aside and began to untie one of his leather boots.

~~~


Between the three of them, they were able to remove Gashnum's outer clothing and settle him into the bed with some extra blankets brought by the innkeeper.  Muargath removed the medicines to the far side of the room, incase he should awake and accidently ingest them.  Clean water was brought up and a full glass set on the table by his bed.  He seemed much better now, not quite so flush and though sometime during the night, his fever broke completely, he continued to sleep as Alia predicted he would.  

Shortly after his upturn in health, Muargath persuaded Alia to go and get some rest.  Alone with her recovering friend, Muargath sat in a chair pulled next to the cot, not being able to sleep, herself.  

This is how the dawn found her...

"There is serenity in Chaos.
Seek ye the Eye of the Hurricane."
- so says the Principia Discordia

The early morning sunlight of the new dawn found Gashnum in near-perfect health. His terrible fever had finaly broken, and he had stopped sweating during the night, several hours before. Now he was sleeping deeply, his breaths, regular now, were long, deep, and strong.

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

     Gashnum awoke with a sharp intake of breath, as many people do when they have slept for a long period of time and wake suddenly. He had no active memory of the last eighteen, or so, hours. His outer layer of clothing, including his boots he realized,  was removed, and he didn't remember taking them off. He was plagued by the unkown, where was his horse, his spear, his dog? More questions flooded into his mind, he sat up rubbing inefectivly at the crust that had infested his eyes during his ,fever induced, sleep. Gashnum looked foggily around the room, the room he had never seen before. He posed a question to the occupants therein, being that he could not see well, and was very confused.

"Where am I, have I been robbed?" Gashnum slowly began to take in the details of the small, cozy, chamber. The pitcher of crystal clear water on the table next to him, his clothes folded neatly over an oaken chest nearby, his precious spear propped against the wall, and a feminine figure, nearly asleep, in a chair nearby. The woman looked vaguely familiar. He asked his question again, leaving out his concern about robbery.

"Where am I?" His voice carried much concern and confusion, for he truely was both.

The warrior who acts out of honour cannot fail. His duty is hounour itself. Even his death - if it is honourable - is a reward and can be no failure, for it has come through duty. Seek honour as you act, therefore, and you will know no fear.
-From the 183rd Ritual of Devotion

Running.  Her legs ached, her lungs ached.  She could hardly catch her breath.  She spent, it seemed, the entire night, or longer perhaps, running down this unfamiliar trail through a never-changing forest landscape... always too dark to see far enough, or to see clearly enough.  And no matter which path she took, she kept returning to the same, forked divergence!  Exhaustion consumed her, frustration overwhelmed her.  To the left or to the right, it didn't matter.  It always ended up the same.  She knew she had to catch up to them, if only she could find them!   "Where am I, have I been robbed?"  The muffled voice filtered through the black tree line, echoed in the distance.  A long pause later, and the voice was much closer, sounding as confused as she felt.   "Where am I?"  

Muargath opened her eyes to see Gashnum sitting up in his bed, looking a little disoriented.  Her dream faded, but the unease remained.  She pulled herself up, somewhat stiffly, and cleared her throat quietly.  "All is right, my friend.  You are safe."  She stretched and yawned wide.  "Mmm.  How are you feeling?  Can I get you anything?  Water?  Are you hungry?"  

Muargath stood up a little shakily due to her lack of sleep, but she'd gone longer without good rest so she soon gained her bearings.  Leaning forward, she ran her hand along Gashnum's brow and cheek, just to be sure the fever had truly gone.  "Alia's a miracle worker, if ever I saw one.  Here, let me get you a towel for your face."   She went over to the wash basin, poured some water in it and brought a fresh towel, along with the basin, back to the table by the cot.  Wringing out the towel, she handed it to him.  

She walked over to the window and pulled aside the curtain, looking out into the daylight.  The sunshine seemed so foreign to her all of a sudden...   "Sinen is here.  He arrived last night.  He took Duster with him when he turned in.  Poor dog didn't want to go, but you can't keep him locked inside all night.  He needed fresh air and exercise and Sinen offered to take him out for a walk.  I would've, but I..."  She let the curtain drop and the room dimmed dramatically.  "I was needed here."  She turned and smiled at Gashnum.

"There is serenity in Chaos.
Seek ye the Eye of the Hurricane."
- so says the Principia Discordia

The morning sun invaded Elende's room and burned his eyes. He quickly jumped off the bed. He also felt guilty that he allowed himself to fall asleep so deeply.
 However, he was glad because he felt his strength return to him. Luckily enough his parents found out in an early age that Elende was sensetive to poisons of every kind. That's why he learned some basic herbalism from an early age....just in case.

  The last night was quite eventful, Gashnum's sickness, the arrival of Sinen and Alia, Alia healing Gashnum and Muargath's worries and desperate attempts to help her friend.

 WIth all these going on Sinen didn't pay much attention at the newcomer. Elende let the subject slip as Gashnum's condition was a more serius problem.  
 
  Elende quickly got ready and made his way for the lounge. As he was walking down the stairs he saw Sinen entering the inn. He was not alone, it seemed that Gashnum's dog was with him.   He must have taken the dog...Duster I think...for a walk.....

 Sinen closed the door behind him and as he turned around he was clearly surpirsed to see Elende standing only a few paces away.

  " Gashnum is recovering well I hear.....so maybe it is time for me to answer some of the questions you may have. The others...I assume...have filled you in on what has happened. "
 
 
 

Her stomach grumbled and all of a sudden she realized she was ravenous.  

"I'll leave you to wash up and get dressed then."  Muargath smiled at Gashnum as she moved toward the door.  "If you want, I can check on you later.  But if you are feeling up to it, why don't you come down and join me for breakfast?"

She stepped out into the hallway and quietly closed the door behind her.  After a short pause, she ran her fingers through her hair and went downstairs.  Sinen and Elende were talking by the inn's entrance.  Muargath left them to their conversation and approached the barkeep instead.

"Is it too early to order some food?  No?  Great.  I'll be sitting over by the fireplace."  She indicated the empty table by the unlit hearth.  "Whatever you are serving will be fine... but some toast would be nice, too.  And some hot tea would be much appreciated, too!"  She walked over and sat down, yawning the whole way.  She felt so tired and knew she needed a bath, yet food took precedance.    

"There is serenity in Chaos.
Seek ye the Eye of the Hurricane."
- so says the Principia Discordia

She sat in the far corner of the tavern, trying to rest while not wanting to sleep. With the Arrival of Sinen, she felt she could not let her guard down- even if he catered to the ill-man's dog. She crossed her arms over her chest and watched they play of things, thinking of the situation at hand.

Still no Gararion... she thought and took a sip of water, setting the glass back down on the table. I truly wonder about Sinen now- I can't let my guard down.
She thought of Muargath and Gashnum, who seemed to be doing better as movements were heard upstairs, in a more comforting fashion. All though late yesterday afternoon, the pace upstairs seemed rushed and precise, and now the rhythm of movement seemed almost calm. Things had to be getting better.
And They seemed to be trustworthy. The Care Muargath exerted for her friend revealed weakenss- something that a person with a plan would not have revealed. And Gashnum was obviously with weakness- but that did not make him trustworthy. But Muargath's fondness for him seemed to speak for his character...
She watched Elende with scrutinizing eyes.
She still did noty know what to make of the ecu'moh. Is he to be trusted? Even without weapons he may very well be a force to be recokned with, and the surpise he incurred upon her a few days ago was trust-inspiring. It will be a great while before she can trust Elende...
But the time may never come for Sinen...
She arose and departed for upstairs, to check on Elende's weapons- she had stowed them in Gashnum's room for the evening. She passed by the bar as she did so, watching those tehre to see if they were to say anything to her.

Sinen looks at the one called Elende...
"I do not have any questions and I knew what happened before I got here...There are many powers in the world, and at least one is a close personal friend of mine...If I am correct in my knowledge your name is Elende...correct..."

 Fools rush into battle blindly, but who is really the fool? The fool or the fool who follows him.

Elende wondered at Sinen's words. He clearly implied that somehow he knew of him before he came to Hog. And what were these powers he mentioned?

" That is correct I am Elende. From what you said you seem to know enough about me.... Your friends, as you may know already, saved my life. As a sign of gratitude I offer to help you in your quest. What you seek in of no interest to me...I am seeking something of greater personal value....my destiny. The gods willed it for our paths to cross it seems."

"I think you will find that it may seem to be gods but another force is yet at work upon our world...I care not what your motives are as long as you don't get in my way..."

 Fools rush into battle blindly, but who is really the fool? The fool or the fool who follows him.

Duster ran over from Sinen's side and sat next to Muargath's feet, placing his muzzle on her knee.  She smiled and scratched him behind his ears.  

The innkeeper brought her a big mug of steaming tea and she thanked him profusely.  "Do you have any scraps for the dog?  Or maybe a small cut of beef or mutton?"

"I think we have something..."

She smiled up at him through her weariness.  "Thank you, again.  Just put it on my tab."  As he walked off, Muargath leaned back in her chair, cradling the mug in both hands, drawing warmth from it.  The tea smelled wonderful, but was too hot to drink just yet.  I hope Gashnum decides to join me...  

"There is serenity in Chaos.
Seek ye the Eye of the Hurricane."
- so says the Principia Discordia

She made her way up the stairs and down the hall, her spirits rising a bit. Hopefully Gashnum was well enough to move on today...

She knocked on the door to his room and awaited an answer- she didn't want to see something... umproper...

  Elende took a few seconds contemplating Sinen's last words. He almost became lost to his thoughts when he heard a dog barking.... probably Duster , he thought. He turned he head and spotted Duster waiting,  by Muargath's side, uneasy. It seemed that the dog sensed that breakfast was not be served shortly.

 Sinen waited patienlty for Elende's reply....

" I wish not ti interfere with your business...but from from what I have learned your quest is a noble one...and of great importance. I  to offer my services to you...freely. If you wish it, I would like to partake in this quest. If not...."

 

Gashnum had been bumbling about his room for the last ten minutes. Putting on his clothes, and having particular trouble with his boots. But he did finaly manage to lace them properly, just as he heard a sharp raping on the door.

"Unnggh" Gashnum groaned as the sharp noised amplified his leftover headache from the previous night. He put a hand against his head in a vain attempt to block the pain, he rose from his sitting position on the bed to answer the door.

"This will be the inkeeper, come to collect the rent...." Gashnum said to himself distraughtly, he prepared a confused, tired look for the innkeeper, he unlatched the door and opened it quickly.

"I'm sure my frie.... Oh Viresse...." gashnum fumbled for words for a moment, gathered himself and continued.

"I.. I want to thank you for putting me up here, I don't know what came over me...." he trailed off and lowered his gaze to the floor.

The warrior who acts out of honour cannot fail. His duty is hounour itself. Even his death - if it is honourable - is a reward and can be no failure, for it has come through duty. Seek honour as you act, therefore, and you will know no fear.
-From the 183rd Ritual of Devotion

"Well, you are welcome to accompany us as long as you like Elende...You will find that as long as you trust in my descisions I will trust in any advice you offer...Now, if you will excuse me, I am going to check on my dear friend Alia...She had quite a tough night after helping heal Gashnum..."

Sinen stands and heads off upstairs...

 Fools rush into battle blindly, but who is really the fool? The fool or the fool who follows him.

She heard a groan and furrowed her brows. While a groan is usually a sound of pain, hearing anything from the Man is better than nothing. Slow steps reached the door, and he began to murmur as he opened the door.
Gashnum was surprised to find Vir there, and she tried to smile politely as he took in the surprise.

He thanked her for putting him up in the Room, and she bowed her head as she tried to deflect the gratitude.
" Your friend Muargath was the one that nursed you, for as much as she could handle. You had her quite scared... perhaps you should thank her." She looked up and continued. "Sinen is here- he is the one that leads this- I don't wish to call it a group as so few of us know each other, but he is the- I dareasy, Leader. If you feel well, you can meet him."

"As for me, I had stashed Elende's weapons here. I came to retrieve them. I can fetch them- or if you wish privacy, you can retrieve them from the closet." She awaited an answer, but was patient.

Finding Alia in her room he speaks softly...

SINEN "Good morning...How are feeling? I think Gashnum is recovering quite well. I'm not completely sure of the next move, but I'd say its going to be northward as best I can figure...Now begins a search with few clues."

ALIA "Well, you know this could end very badly just as well as end well. I only feel it is neccessary to discover if this gem does in fact exist. I'll be down in a few minutes...We can talk more later..."

Sinen leaves and heads back downstairs stopping by Gashnum's room long enough to knock hard on the door and yell in that when everyone gets downstairs he would announce the next course of action...

 Fools rush into battle blindly, but who is really the fool? The fool or the fool who follows him.

Gararion had travelled in silence.  His thoughts blurred with what has happened to him in his past and what was still to come.  When they reached Hog, Gararion quietly departed and walked within the city alone, coming to a small house near the outskirts of the town.  A friend, one who he had met long ago lived here now, but it seemed that he no longer lived within the house, nor did anyone it seemed.  With that Gararion went to open to the door but found it locked, speaking a few words elven words allowed him passage through the door.

Once inside he made his way to a table where a latern rested, covered in a heavy layer of dust and held to the table by frail cobwebs.  Starting the latern he watched as the webs within the latern burned quickly and a spider made its way out from within the latern and down onto the table, dissappearing from sight under the table.

The latern casted an erie light upon the small house, showing its decay and death.  These signs he had seen far to many times within his live, once with his own Sarah.  Gararion picked up the latern, the cobwebs that held it in place slowly tearing and floating to the table to rest, leaving a star pattern over a circle of table that remain fairly clean and dust free.  He made his way around the place and found a room, the room he rested in many years ago.  Here he rested for the night, alone with his thoughts.




Morning came, it beams of light breaking through the closed window.  Each beam visable as the dust traveled through it, almost giving the house a new look a magical look as if dust was magical dust which sparkled as it floated about.

Gararion left the latern in its new place on the floor beside the bed he rested in, and made his departure.  He had thought of many things throughout the night, not getting much sleep, due to his thoughts and the fact that a aged bed was not as comfortable as he had thought it to be at first.  Once again he repeated the elven words he had used earlier and made his way through the the locked doors, leaing the house locked to all new comers.  With a few last fairwells to the house Gararion made his way to the place he had watched the others go to last, hopefully he hadn't missed them.

Upon reaching the small building Gararion entered and moved to an empty table and rested in silence.

"Be welcome m'lady" Gashnum waved his arm in a gesture of welcome encompasing his room. He took a step back to allow Viresse room to enter.

"If you'll excuse me though, I feel like I haven't eaten in months." Gashnum made his way past the elf maiden and down the hallway. His gait was unsteady and slow, but eventually he reached the head of the stairs. And he began his slow descent. Gashnum's old leather boots thumped wholesomly on the worn wooden stairs. He entered the bustling common room of the inn. He spotted Muargath at a table near the fireplace. And he walked over, a smile on his face, and only a minor limp visible in his walk.

The warrior who acts out of honour cannot fail. His duty is hounour itself. Even his death - if it is honourable - is a reward and can be no failure, for it has come through duty. Seek honour as you act, therefore, and you will know no fear.
-From the 183rd Ritual of Devotion

Muargath looked up from scratching Duster's ears, when the dog suddenly barked happily and ran over to his human companion, Gashnum.  Duster war waggin his tail so excitedly, Muargath was afraid he'd break something!  She smiled, "Well there you are!  I was hoping you'd hurry down.  I've ordered a big breakfast and I didn't feel like eating it alone."  Her casual glance took in Gararion (who'd just entered the inn a few minutes before) and Elende who were each sitting alone at different tables not far away.  Sinen had disappeared upstairs, as had Viresse.  "I've already checked on your horse early this morning, he is in the stables and doing well."
   
    Just then the innkeeper returned with a big platter of hot buns, steaming sausages and boiled eggs, a pile of fried potatos and a large stack of toast.  A jar of redberry-jam with a spoon sticking out of it, a small stack of carved, wooden plates, a like number of three-prong forks and a salt-tin.    He cheerily said, "Here you are.  Would you like some more tea?  And something for you sir?"  He left the plates in a stack.  "I've a few strips of lamb in the kitchen, left over from last night , for the dog."

    The innkeeper then wandered off, returning a few minutes later with Gashnum's drink and the meat strips piled on an old tin plate, the latter of which he placed on the floor between Muargath and Gashnum after handing the recovering peddler his order.  "Its on your tab, M'lady."  Then he left them alone.

    Muargath, talking around a piece of fresh toast, said, "I wonder what Sinen found out about the gem?  It must be something, or he wouldn't have brought this woman, Alia, along with him... you know, the healer?  Hmmm.  Maybe you might not remember her so well.  You were pretty out of it last night."  She smiled a small, knowing smile then, and winked at Gashnum before taking another sip of hot tea.  She brushed the crumbs off her fingers and reached for an egg.
     

"There is serenity in Chaos.
Seek ye the Eye of the Hurricane."
- so says the Principia Discordia

Gashnum picked up his drink, fresh coffee, black. He took a sip.
"Ahhhh." and then another sip, it was quite good, and very hot. Just they way he liked it. Steam from his mug billowed between him and Muargath. At his feet Duster annialated the plate of scrapes, licking frantically the dog pushed the plate into the middle of the rooms floor. Wagging his tail all the way.

Gashnum smiled at his hound. He turned to Muargath, about to thank her, and he caught the last part of her sentance.

"...you know, the healer? Hmmm. Maybe you might not remember her so well. You were pretty out of it last night." There was a knowing look on her face, Gashnum blushed slightly, embarrassed about last night predicament.

"I want to.. uhh.. thank you for last night." He set down his steaming mug and leaned in a little closer to Muargath.

"its good to know that I have a stalwort friend to count on, when I can't trust my body." He smiled as best he could, despite the fact that he was loosing trust in his health.

"if there is anything I can do to repay you for that.. Than I am at your service." he winked then, letting her know that he wasn't being deathly serious.

The warrior who acts out of honour cannot fail. His duty is hounour itself. Even his death - if it is honourable - is a reward and can be no failure, for it has come through duty. Seek honour as you act, therefore, and you will know no fear.
-From the 183rd Ritual of Devotion

Muargath laughed then, a light chuckle filled with great amuesment, "Oh, I'll let you know when you can pay me back, my friend!"  She smiled and shook her head, white hair flowing loosly about her shoulders.  She looked again at the large amount of food on the platter and the extra plates available.

Turning slightly she called out to Gararion and Elende,  "Come, now, why don't you two join us?  We have food aplenty here and Sinen should be returning at any time to speak with us, so we might as well be sitting together!"  Muargath was in a rare mood, clearly delighted, even after her long night of uncomfortable sleep in a hard, wooden chair.  Perhaps it was the good food, or perhaps it was the company, but she was feeling ready to travel on... maybe even the entire length of the day!  

"There is serenity in Chaos.
Seek ye the Eye of the Hurricane."
- so says the Principia Discordia

Returning to the common room Sinen makes for the gathering group at the table...Alia follows shortly behind him...

SINEN "Good morning my companions...I have after considerable thought decided upon the next course of action...we are to head North to Elsreth. From there we will take a boat out to Alvang on an island in the Ancythrian sea...something tells me the first key to the puzzle we must solve lies there...after Alvang we take a boat to the northern shore of the sea and head northeast past Doovens to the small coastal city of Veltin...From there I don't know what next as of now. Are there any questions as to my plan

 Fools rush into battle blindly, but who is really the fool? The fool or the fool who follows him.

Edited by: Sinen Darkchild at: 5/28/03 11:14:18 pm

Muargath looked to her left and then to her right, around at all the people gathered, with a puzzled expression evident on her fair face.  After a moment, she tentatively raised her hand in the air, catching Sinen's attention, "Didn't we just leave Elsreth?  I mean, we were there only a few days ago, do we really need to retrace our steps?"  She bit her lower lip in consternation, slowly lowering her hand again.  

"Or maybe we can go to... Cavthan... instead?"  She suggested this alternate route, although there was little hope in her tone.  Damn, damn!  Just my awful luck!  I can't go back to Elsreth... Co'or's Crossed Eyes!  She looked at Sinen, with a darker,  more intense gaze, "Cavthan wouldn't be much out of the way, maybe only one or two days, and you might find ne information there too.   Regarding the Fire Gem, that is. You know there was nothing in Elsreth..."  

Would he take the hint that she really wanted to avoid the town they just left?  She would soon find out.

"There is serenity in Chaos.
Seek ye the Eye of the Hurricane."
- so says the Principia Discordia

SINEN "Muargath, you are quite mistake which I will contribute to the Gashnum's recent illness, but anyways, we just came from Leseris, a town not on any standard map due to its size...Elsreth holds a possible clue to the puzzle, but most importantly it holds free passage to the next destination from there...now as I speak of this puzzle let me fill you all in on what I learned. While the location of the Fire Gem is still unknown to me, I have learned that the gem is sealed under 8 seals which can only be released by the eight spirit dragons...these dragons are the very essence of of the gem's creators and thus also I believe the key to finding the gem itself, but even upon finding it without them the seals cannot be opened. To Elsreth we head and while you seem troubled about that Muargath let me assure you, I don't know why or if your just mistaken on locations, but nothing will happen there that is beyond my ability to handle....in one fashion or another..."

 Fools rush into battle blindly, but who is really the fool? The fool or the fool who follows him.

Nodding her understanding, Muargath quietly sips her tea which has now grown cold.  Such a fool I am, I was the one in Elsreth, not them.  I could always try a disguise...  yeah, that might work.  Or I can just keep a real low profile, maybe hide out in one of the smaller inns...  She looked around to see if anyone else had anything to say on the matter.

    Just how far am I willing to go to see this thing through?  

"There is serenity in Chaos.
Seek ye the Eye of the Hurricane."
- so says the Principia Discordia

Elende gladly accepted Muargath's invitation. He greeted her and Gashnum by just nobbing his head. He sat silenlty, occasionally eating something from the food that Muargth had offered, listening to Sinen's plans.


 At length Elende broke his silence...

" Sinen, although I have noobjections to the proposed course of action, I need to remind of one find....something that might put you all in danger. If we indeed head north to Elsreth we will pass near the Paelelon forest....I suppose crossing it is out of the question. The Drow are indeed slow to forget and the sight of will surely attract their attention...and not in a good way.  Unless you intend to take the long way, by either heading towards the Kairian teeth or the Seanin Swamps and then to Elsreth, I strongly suggest to pass this acursed forest during the day when the drow are less vigilant."

SINEN "Elende, I had planned on heading aroune the western side of the forest as to avoid it at all cost...I have no great love for the drow and they even less of a love for me so I'd as soon not deal with them now...your concern is welcome though..."

 Fools rush into battle blindly, but who is really the fool? The fool or the fool who follows him.

Elende was releaved to know that his companions were not reckless enough to attempt to cross the Paelelon forest. Despite the fact that the shortest route from Hog to Elrseth passed through the forest.

 However, the prospect of passing even close to this forest was not a happy one. So many things have happened and the memories were still fresh. He only wished that his presence wouldn't endanger his companion. If only the drow know of my approaching the forest....
 Just the though of that sent Elende  shivers  down his spine. Images from the past were racing through his mind. Emotions of fear and of anger were taking hold of him.
  He remain still and looking down at his hands. A small drop of sweat made its way from his forehead. He felt the sound it made as it fell on the table like the ringing sound of the hammer on the anvil.
 
  He felt like screaming, like running away from all this pain...but where to?
Deep inside he knew that he can't run away from his dark past forever. Sooner or later he would have to face it...It better be sooner than later .

 He suddenly realised that he was not alone and wished that Sinen and the rest hadn't noticed his reactions to all these.

Edited by: Elende at: 5/29/03 10:40:54 pm

*Dray had sat just a bit aways from the others by himself against the wall. He noticed all that happened especially the new addition to the groups party the dark skinned elf. Dray knew of the drow, although he had never encountered one in his life, all he knew, was that the dark skinned elves were nothing like their brethern, in fact they were the opposite. This one was far from the dimly lit areas they enjoyed, and seemed to fear heading near them at all. Dray was intriqued and wonders what might have happened.*

"Sinen, that sounds like a good plan, at least we now have a place to start. As for the forest and the drow, let them be of no worry to any of you. Let myself and Gararion deal with any interuptions from the drow, although I doubt any will arise at all."

SINEN "Dray, my friend...we may very well have a run in with the drow whether we want it or not...while I know Elende fears it I know that I will handle them myself...this is a personal matter that I am trying to avoid for the time being...though I appreciate the help from an old friend...We'll leave when everyone is ready...meet up here when you all are ready if you are not already and we will leave..."

 Fools rush into battle blindly, but who is really the fool? The fool or the fool who follows him.

Muargath set down her cup.  "I am ready.  Let me just run up and get my pack.  We'll need a little time to load up Gashnum's horse," She looked over to him, "that is, if you feel up to traveling."

She waited to see what Gashnum had to say before she left to go upstairs.

"There is serenity in Chaos.
Seek ye the Eye of the Hurricane."
- so says the Principia Discordia

She came down the stairs, Elende's weapons tightly wound in cloth. She had taken the sheet from the bed upstairs and wrapped his weapons within it- to both protect and conceal. She wandered toward the group seated at the table and laid the wrapped weapons upon the table.

" Now that Gashnum seems well, I would assume we leave soon."

"Yes, as soon as Sinen deems it fit."  Muargath hurried past Viresse and up the stairs to gather her things.

A few minutes later, she was back in the common room, wearing her light-colored cloak and carrying her woven, sling-bag.  "Did I miss anything?"  She could see by everyone's faces that she didn't.  She glanced at the door, growing impatient.

"There is serenity in Chaos.
Seek ye the Eye of the Hurricane."
- so says the Principia Discordia

Standing up Sinen calmly walks upstairs to return moments later with both his and Alia's gear...He hands hers to her and looks to each of the others...

SINEN "So begins the next phase of this adventure...The search for the spirit dragons...onward to Elsreth."

He walks out the door and heads for the town gates....

 Fools rush into battle blindly, but who is really the fool? The fool or the fool who follows him.

Muargath follows Sinen out the door, after looking around at the others.  Now was the moment of truth... who would stay and who would go?

"There is serenity in Chaos.
Seek ye the Eye of the Hurricane."
- so says the Principia Discordia

*Dray does not hesitate to follow Sinen out of the tavern and towards the town gate. his gear not much more than what he carries he had it all with him waiting to leave as it was. Dray wanted some answers and some pieces to a puzzle and he was not getting any here so it is time to look elsewhere*

SInen walked out off the inn and Muargath and Dray followed after a little while.

  Viresse had placed something wrapped with a sheet on the table. Although concealed, Elende knew what was within it.

  Elende stood up and walked towards Viresse this time trying to make his presence as  noticable as he could. As he approached the elven maiden he greeted her by nobbing his head.
  " I will be following Sinen in his quest and therefore we will be travelling together for quite some time I assume. I owe a geat debt to you and your companions but still I ask from you another favour. I speak to you as a lost child to someone wiser than I.....I have tread the dark path long enough and forsaken the ways of Ava...but now I seek the light ....and need your guidance and advice. I seek to cleanse the  taint of darkness inside me....even if that must be trough fire and steel."