Adventures of Caelereth

The night sounds fill Sinen's ears as he continues to walk down the path. The conversation of the others floating into his ears and being shoved to the back of his mind. His attention drifts off to a time not to long ago, He sees her in his mind, then he comes back to the present. He looks to Dray.

"we should reach our destination by nightfall of the next day. The sun should rise in about four hours. I don't think we should need to stop until we reach our destination. What do you think?"

Sinen looks on forward down the path.

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

She clutched her spear tightly as she walked, her blonde hair a muted yellow-green in the moon's cold light. She didn't much like walking at night. If she had to she preferred it under cover of trees.

A small gust of wind billowed her green skirt and tossed wayward strands of hair into her tanned face. Viresse shivered and rose a hand to her face, pulling the hairs away. She then wrapped her thin arm across her chest and gripped her shoulder with her nimble fingers in a vain attempt to keep warm. She did not complain; never did she complain. Not out loud, anyway.

During the day it's never this cold, she thought. She wondered if they were to sleep; or even pause to huddle and keep warm. She then wondered if anyone else was cold, and she looked to all those ahead of her to see any signs of fatigue.

Edited by: Viresse  at: 2/8/03 2:13:57 am

Gararion looked about the various members once again...just the same as he had been doing all along this long road they head down on.

They continued to walk down the road, with no sign of ceasing at all.  Gararion was used to walking, wizards often were.  Though walking seemed easier for him as he seemed to walk with the winds themselves.

Just then Gararion felt the a cool breeze flow past him.  It was quite refreshing and cool.  One who learned to control the winds learned to accept their coolness and powers.  But surely these cool breezes would take their toll on the others.

Gararion looked about and then noticed the elven maiden Viresse.  She seemed to not be fairing as well as himself during these travels, nor seemed to like traveling through the night.

Gararion then quickened his pace as he caught up to Sinen.  As he got closer he heard the words that came from SInen mouth.

As he came to Sinen side he soke up.

"Beg my parden Sinen but I suggest that we head for some cover from the cool nights winds and rest a bit.  Many people may not fare as well as other when travelling during the night.  I myself have travelled the road, during day and night, and have seen many strange things happen upon the roads I have travelled.

As well some seem to not fair as well as others with this cool breezes that are setting in."

((ooc: im back, so i can RP Jamalian again))




Jamalian looked up as Sinen questioned the group.
"I need no rest, but if the others do, i will have no problem with stopping. If you all want to sleep, i will stand guard."
He lowered his head once again, his face slowly fading into the shadows.

Sinen listens to Gararion's words then replies

"There isn't much in the way of shelter out here. There's flat land west until a small mountain chain, and to the east is the Heath of Cijur. I would stop, but little shelter will we find. I don't know if you noticed but the cool breezes rest heavily on my mind. The may soon become foul winds instead. We shall see."

Apparently looking for something Sinen continues forward until he spots a slight rise in the land just east of the road. He walks over that way and dissappears as if he jumped into a hole. Actually it is a small spot in the land that has been gorged out and the rise he spotted in were the ground overhangs the crevice. Sinen calls to the rest as he comes up to the side of the rise where he had just dissappeared from.

"We shall rest down here until day break. It will shelter us from the wind, and a fire can be built."

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

Muargath listened with much interest as Gashnum related the tale of his life, these past few months.  And then he said, "And what about you, what has Muargath been up to as of late?"

"Me?  Oh, I've been up to no-good as usual!"  She chuckled.  "Actually, as you may or may not remember, when I left the Thirsty Herald Inn I was rather low on coin.  So I hooked up with a caravan that was headed in the same direction- no way was I going to walk back through that desert, my feet would have never forgave me!  Then I had an unfortunate exchange with the merchant who owned the caravan.  He wanted payment for the ride, and I'm not talking about coin either!  I convinced him that it was in the best interest of his future descendants that he give up that notion..."  Muargath patted the hilt of her dagger to make her point.

"After that, I just wandered about until I ended up in Elsreth.  You know, towns really should post their laws on their outskirts... how was I to know that gambling is only allowed in certain establishments?  What's a gal to do when she can't host a simple, innocent cardgame in a tavern?  Pah!  Good thing they thought I was leaving north, when I really snuck out to the south.  And that is how I ended up in the little town where I found this bunch."  She waved her hand  to indicate the people they were traveling with.

Up ahead, the rest of the group paused on the road, or gathering were around Sinen.  "Oh, looks like we are going to camp.  That good, I was hoping we'd rest soon.  I thought it odd that we'd left the inn at dark instead of daybreak.  Urgent business calls, though..."  She grinned slyly at Gashnum, "Now about that wine you mentioned..."    

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

*Dray is about to respond to Sinen when the mage appraoched the two and made his point about others not fairing so well here in the cold breezes*

"Yes some are not used to the weather as much as we may be Sinen"

*Sinen then darts off and finds a place with shelter from the winds and ushers everybody inside*

"Well this is good...you said we should reach this sages house at the end of the next day right? so this would put us there if we leave at Daybreak sometime in the evening after next? or durring that day.... mayhaps Sinen it would be better if a smaller group appraoched this sage, the others could rest here or somewhere else we may find and you and I could bring back the information to them. We would make excellant time if it were only a few seasoned travelers that made the journey don't you agree?"

"Actually, Dray I was thinking as much myself. It's not that she would mind the company but she has little space for guests, and we could move much quicker as a small party. Two or three maybe. I'm thinking we can get everyone settled here and then myself and two or three others will go on ahead. Since there is a town near where we are heading the rest can continue that direction when they have rested and we meet them their. What do you think?"

Sinen starts to work on building a small fire for warmth and light. When that is finished he turns back to Dray.

"The question is who to take with me?"

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

Junas followed the group still and Sinen now stopped they were now making camp for the night. He felt relieved as he sat on the ground, his armour was beginning to feel heavy on his shoulders. He slipped it off and placed in inside his pack so he wouldn't need to remember too much when they left. He looked around and saw Muargath with Gashnum he looked at her for a moment and smiled lightly before turning around and observing the others. Sinen was building up a fire and Dray was close with him. He rolled onto his back and looked up into the sky at the bright stars. He continued to gaze for a long while.

---

*ooc: grumbles. darn ezboard. Uhm...
Okay.
Here I simply sat by the fire and thought of people lying and hiding their motives while I didn't realize I did the same.
Sorry about that...*

Edited by: Viresse  at: 2/9/03 5:48:05 pm

Gararion watches as Sinen agrees and goes off quickly off the road finds a suitable place for shelter.

As Gararion joins Sinen and as he moves closer he hears the words spoken from both Sinen and the man along with him who he picked up the name of Dray.

"Be my parden Sinen but if it wouldn't be too much a bother I wish to travel with you to this mage.  I have traveled many years on foot thus you may have no worries of myself slowing your travel there.  I only ask you this for I wish to meet and hear the words of this sage myself."

Gararion looks around after he speaks these words.  It seemed the elven maiden that he had meet at the begining of this venture was deep in thought.

Gararion now waited the response from Sinen.

Gashnum chuckled along with Muargath at her tale.It seemed she could always find trouble in a town. No matter where.

The two wanderer's now lagged quite a way's behind the rest of the group, due to Gashnums leg injury. But they could easily make them out ahead. After a few minutes the wind began to pick up, it carried a cool crispness with it, after trekking through the southern desert's for a month it was almost welcome to Gashnum.

"It looks like the've found a place to rest, and its about time. I'm quite tired" Gashnum said to Muargath who was nearby.Gashnum could see Sinen start a fire just as they approached.

"Go ahead and warm up, im going to unload the horse." Gashnum said as he came to a stop.

Gashnum drew his horse to a stop just outside of the depression. He drove the blade of his spear into the soil, the sharp tip easily dug into the earth. He pressed down on it for a second more then released it, the spear stood. Its banner waved proudly in the cool breeze, snapping back and forth as the wind whipped into and out of the depression. he took his horses lead and carefully tied it around his spear, he quickly made three tight knots, then tugged on the rope to make sure it was secure, it was.

Gashnum unstrapped the saddle bags from his horse and set them on the ground nearby, this took him nearly five minutes and as he worked he listened to the others talking of going off to find a 'sage'.

I'd go if it weren't for my leg Gashnum thought as he watched several members of the group talking. His leg was now quite stiff and he was in a fair bit of pain right now.(indeed this is the main reason for his love of drink.) His hands worked with practiced ease as they freed the horse of its burden. An oddly shaped bundle rattled as he set it on the grassy floor of the dip in the earth. Gashnum knelt down, and regretted doing so as his leg sent a bolt of pain wracking through the left side of his body as his knee bent. He nearly fell, but caught himself with one hand on the ground. He hoped dearly that no one had noticed his show of weakness.

Once he was rebalanced he untied a length of twine from the sack. He fished around inside for a few moments, and then drew out two bottles that were clearly marked to be of Southern Santhalan vintage. And aged nicely, judging from the generous coat of dust on the two bottles. He tucked the two bottles under his arm, then shuffled over to a large bundle and picked it up. Gashnum then slowly straightened and stood to his full height. Slightly favoring his right leg.

Gashnum approached the campfire with a smile. Everyone else had gathered about the fire to warm up. Gashnum threw down his large bundle near the fire. Several faces looked at him questioningly.

"They're blankets, go ahead and take one if your cold." Gashnum waved a hand at the bundle. he then took the two bottles of wine from the crook of his arm, holding one in each hand he sat down.

"So, who'se thirsty?" Gashnum asked with a wink and a smile to Muargath as he offered a bottle up in her direction.

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

Edited by: Gashnum Invraldi at: 2/9/03 10:25:19 am

*Dray looks around after Sinen asks who he should take with him to see the sage. The mage of the group speaks up and requests to go saying he will not slow the people down at all for he has traveled by foot for a long while. Dray surveys the group and not a one of the group seems to have not needed the rest. The young man had removed his armor and was laying back staring at the stars. The man they had met had a obvious leg impairment. The elf maiden was deep in thought it seemed. Dray looked back to Sinen*

"I shall go as well. The others seem to be a bit tired or neededful of this break. Myself I am ready to go for I a used to travel like this and I carry light. You should direct them to this town Sinen then you, me and......I don't believe I know your name sir....I am Dray Ducroix and you are?"

*Dray extends his hand to the elven mage as he waits for Sinen and the mage to answer him*

Muargath did as Gashnum suggested and sat near the fire with the others.

She hadn't realized just how chilly the night had become until the heat from the flames reached her outstretched hands.  An uncontrollable shiver snuck up her spine.   She opened up her cloak a bit to allow the warmth to enter, while watching her traveler-friend unpack his horse.  Duster came over to Muargath and lay down by her feet, near the fire as well.  The dog also watched Gashnum attentively.  When Gashnum offered the blankets, she gladly retrieved one from the bundle and wrapped it around her... not even bothering to remove her cloak first.  

As he handed her the wine bottle, Muargath grinned, "Yes!  Thank you! You, my friend, you are a life-saver!"  She expertly unwrapped the sealing wax from the dusty bottle, tossing the bit of debris into the crackling fire.  Looking the bottle over, she absently wiped the dust away, reading the label- Whisperdown Vineyards.  Well, well... Count Ardanbal's own.  This is an extaordinary  surprise!  She peered at Gashnum with a small, mysterious smile and wondered what more interesting tid-bits he'd inadvertanty offer in their company.  Turning her attention back to the task at hand, Muargath uncorked the bottle with her knife, taking very little time to do so.  She glanced around hesitantly for a moment.  Hmm.  No mugs or glasses.  Oh well...  She shrugged her shoulders a bit and took a swig straight from the bottle.  The strong bite of alcohol was balanced with a fine, fruity bouquet and it wasn't too dry either.  

"Mmmm.  Nice."  She took another swig before offerring the bottle to the person sitting next to her, who just so happened to be Sinen.  He was still feeding pieces of wood into the fire and  had been discussing moving on without the majority of the group.  This was a conversation that Muargath had been listening but only with half an ear.  

She gently nudged Sinen's shoulder with the butt of the wine bottle to get his attention.  "Here, Sinen, this is a fine wine... you should try it.  Much better than the stuff they served at that last little tavern.  Ha!  Such a place couldn't even afford to stock this vintage."  She smiled.

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

"No thanks, Muargath. I don't think I shall partake of this wine."

Looking around at everyone.

"Listen up everyone. I have come to a conclusion. Myself, Dray, and Gararion shall head on to see the sage. Everyone else will rest the night here and then Head on to a town called Hog. It lies down this path in the direction we have been travelling. The path will fork. Take the left hand and you will come to the town. Make for there and wait for us three. We'll arrive shortly after you."

Turns to Dray and Gararion.

"We will go on then. Everyone should be fine from here to the town."

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

Muargath shrugged her shoulders again, barely noticable under the blanket wrapped around her.  "No problem, more for us."

As she listened to Sinen's decree, Muargath took another sip from the bottle.  So no visiting the sage after all.  Just as well, with my luck she's probably a some insane hedge-wizard, living in some gods-forsaken mud hut out in the middle of nowhere... or worse, another wizened old elf roosting in a treetop!  Muargath passed the bottle in the other direction... to Junas who was lying on his back, stargazing.  "Here you go, Junas.  Have a drink."  She winked at the young man who was, in all possibility, older than she.

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

"You best get on your way then mate." Gashnum said to Sinen.
"You find your sage, and I'll make sure the rest of us get to Hog on time." Gashnum threw a small stick onto the fire.
He looked around to the group.
"We'll set out at sunrise."

Gashnum smiled as Muargath opened the bottle and took a drink. He missed the look that she gave to him. As he was opening the second bottle.

Gashnum popped the cork on the second bottle and took a healthy swig of the rare vintage. Gashnum swallowed and took another drink. He sighed as the alcohol entered his stomach. He offered the bottle to the the nearest person on his left. It was the elven maiden who, he took note, looked quite cold.

"Here. take a drink, It will warm you up." Gashnum extended his hand and offered her the bottle.

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

Edited by: Gashnum Invraldi at: 2/10/03 3:45:38 am

Gararion turned to Dray and spoke.

"Yes I know your first name, I picked it up as I approched both you and Sinen and offered to join you.  And I believe the words you speak are true.  My name is Gararion."

Gararion help his held out and shook Dray's hand.

As Sinen anounced their departure Gararion readied himself for the venture, which didn't take much doing.

Jamalian sat quietly. He felt no need to rest, but as he had the chance, he might aswell sit down for a while.
He leaned back on the stump of a fallen Oak tree and layed his head back on the rough bark.

Junas sat up quickly when Muargath talked to him handing him the bottle of wine. He smiled and took the bottle, taking a large sip of the delicious wine. It flowed down, burning his throat, a good burning, warming his belly. He handed it back to Muargath.
"Thank you," he said sweetly while smiling.

---

She furrowed her brows as Sinen spoke.
They were going ahead without her. She wouldn't be able to watch them at the Sage's. They could be plotting very important things while they were gone. That was not good. She felt she needed to know what exactly was happening and how it was to happen. An orange flicker erupted in the corner of her mind's eye as she thought; to her it was a color of indecision.

If they depart, then foul things she could avert would happen.
She paused in her thought for a moment.
I sould so self-righteous, don't I?
The orange color faded from her mind's eye as she shook her head slightly. She looked to Sinen, speaking to him in a tone that sounded hurt and decisive in attempt to get a rise out of him.

"While you lead this band, I have no qualms of your leadership. But I am not fond of this Idea of seperation, Sinen. Is there a reason You hurry so? " She cocked a brow as she spoke, she had questioned his intent. Her plan of questioning everyone's intent began to move.

Perhaps it was good that the trio departed. While Gararion seemed like a man she could trust; she was not sure. But while they were gone she could strike up a conversation with the others and question their intent in the guise of polite interest. Perhaps she should let them go, so long as she could take Gararion aside and speak to him.

She looked to Gararion with a questioning look. She hoped he read it properly and they could step aside and speak if possible.

Edited by: Viresse  at: 2/11/03 3:10:46 am

Viresse seemed to be ignoring Gashnum so he brought the bottle back up to his lips and knocked back another drink. He could feel the wine burning its way through him. Gashnum loved that feeling, soon he would be able to fall asleep despite the pain in his leg.

Gashnum watched the elf-maiden converse with the mage-like character Gararion. Who was going to see the sage with Sinen. Viresse seemed to be deep in thought, in fact ever since Gashnum had joined up with the group it seemed that she had been deeply thinking. Maybe she was a tad paranoid, or was she just shy. Gashnum hadn't had many run in's with elves so he couldn't really judge what this one was thinking.

Gashnum didn't care weather or not these three went on to see this sage, all he cared about was making sure his hide and the hide of his friends got through it all and further north. He had a shipment to deliver afterall...

Gashnum took another drink then put the cork in the bottle and set it near Muargath without a word. His mind was set on sleep now, for he hadn't slept in nearly an entire day and was weary. He gathered a blanket from the bundle and laid it on the ground, he took another and cast it over himself. He laid down, with his feet to the fire and his back on the ground. He looked up at the sky but the stars were no longer out. The wind had brought in cloud cover. They would be lucky indeed if they were not wet when they awoke at sunrise.

Gashnum closed his eyes. He could see the flickering glow of the fire through his eyelids, to him it was soothing. Noticing his master was going to sleep, Duster came over and laid himself down near Gashnums side. There was still some scattered conversation around the fire as Sinen and his two chosen were preparing to set off. Before he fell asleep Gashnum sat up and spoke to those who were staying.

"Its best we get some sleep now. We must set out at sunrise if we are to make the best time." Gashnum didn't wait for replies he returned to his blanket and covered his face with his hood to keep his ears warm. And soon he fell asleep to the sound of the crackling fire..

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

Edited by: Gashnum Invraldi at: 2/12/03 4:38:55 am

Gararion stood waiting for the time that would come as they would depart.

Gararion took one last glance at each member of the party that would be left behind.  As his eyes strayed across Viresse face he icked up on a questioning look.

Gararion looked back at Viresse giving a look of aknowledgment as he made his way up back on the road away from the ears of the others.  

He wondered if Viresse would follow...

She watched the group quietly as Gashnum started to make a bed for himself. She was unhappy with that aspect as he stated that all should get some sleep. That meant no interrogation by the fire this night. She pursed her lips.
Well, nothing's going to happen your way if you don't try and do something. You need to stop floating about the river and be a rock! Set yourself and see what's coming.
She noticed Gararion had caught her eye and departed over the burm. She excused herself and departed, following him.

Upon the other side, she spoke to Gararion in a hushed tone that only the Elves could pick up. She did wonder if Sinen would be able to hear them, but she shrugged it off. At leats he'll know her intent.

" Gararion, I'm still not sure if I can trust anyone. Including you, I hope you understand.  But if we are of the same interests; to make sure that the fabled Fire Gem does not fall into corrupt hands, then we need to trust one another. And I am defenitely going to need your help as you depart on... I can't have them leave without the knowledge that you will watch them with that goal in mind."

She raised her brows and waited for an answer.

Gararion listened silently as the wind blew cooler and stronger on the road here to Viresse's words.

As she raised her brows waiting for a response Gararion took no time in asnwering the elven maiden.  He knew his purpose and was happy to know Viresse's as well.

"I understand that trust has to be earned not gained in the ways of life and often this may take many years amoung some.  Being a mage my soul has meet many who distrust me for my powers in the mystics.  But mostly what causes this mistrust is one's own lack of magic."

Gararion paused for a moment to let his words sink in, then continued to speak in the low voice that matched the quietness that Viresse had spoken in.

"Our mind think and speak as one being Viresse.  I too am here to make sure that power does not fall within evil hands once again.  I have lived through and seen many days where both the good and evil have been corrupted by power that is presented to them.  I have learned to understand these power and the pull they have towards the ways of darkness as I hold great power within myself.  So I agree in the words that come your mouth.  We do need to trust each other if we hope that this power does not fall in the hands of those who may be currupted by the power of this Fire Gem.  I will share all knowledge that I obtain on our journey to this sage that we seek in return for knowledge that I am certian that yourself will obtain."

Gararion now remained silent as the wind wrapped his cloak around him.  Gararion seemed to breath in the refreshing air that the cool breezes brought.

Muargath noticed that besides herself and Gashnum, only Junas had accepted any of the wonderful Whisperdown wine.  As she took another drink from the bottle, she watched the others sitting around the fire... and those who refused to.  How rude, some of these people.  Here we are, supposedly traveling for the same purpose and to the same end,  and what adventuring party do we make?  A sad, sorry one, I'd say!

Gashnum set his lightly corked bottle by her, where the neck was tilted and resting against her outer thigh, before he settled into his blankets.  Muargath gladly took ownership of the half-empty bottle, for hers would not stay full forever.  Sadly, it was very nearly gone already.  She took another swallow and welcomed the slow, familiar burn of fruity goodness that filled her body with it's magical warmth.  A lightness of being slowly engulfed her and she was truly happy for the first time in a long while.  She watched the elves stepping out from the camp area, the wizard elf and the female elf- she still didn't know their names- and supposed they were off to play or talk business.. whatever elves do.  Muargath suspected nothing, because she couldn't care less what those two were doing.  

In fact, Muargath cared very little that the party was apparently splitting up so soon...  In her experience, when a group divided so early in a venture, it meant that the whole thing was a major bust.  It just wasn't going to happen.  Truthfully, this wouldn't be the first time she'd been ditched from a party, but still and all, it was very rude to do it to these other, fine people.   Tilting her head back, she let the last of the wine trickle into her mouth.  Mmmm.  Licking her lips, she set this empty bottle between her feet and absently reached for the other one with her one, free hand, for the other was holding her blanket shut around her.  She pulled the cork with her teeth and spit it into the fire.  Ptoo!

She didn't bother to offer it again, anticipating that it will only be refused again.  She smiled mysteriously at that, and continued to watch Sinen and Dray discuss their departing mission.    

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

Hefting his pack of equipment up on his back Sinen turns to Dray.
"Let us be moving."

Sinen walks in the direction Gararion and Viresse had just gone. His ears picking up their conversation. He smiles. When he is near enough to not need to yell he speaks in a slow steady voice.

"Viresse, I wouldn't split the group like this if not for a dark feeling on my mind. Something moves that is unwholesome. You can be assured that my intentions with this fire gem are none other than good. I trust you'll look after the rest while we head on. Gararion, we should get moving. Time is against us already."

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

Jamalian looked around himself. The group was splitting and everyone he was left with seemed tired.

"If anyone wants to sleep, ill stay guard. Im not tired anyway, so i feel no need to even try to sleep."

He pulled a throwing knife from its sheathe on his belt and held the blade tightly. As the moon rose higher in the starry nights sky, its light shone from the knives gold trim.

"If anyone wants to sleep, I'll stay guard. I'm not tired anyway, so I feel no need to even try to sleep."  It was the short, dark-haired elf who spoke.  

Muargath glanced over at him and watched him heft his knife by the blade.  She smiled, her eyes a bit glassy.  "You wish to guard?  I won't stop you..."  She took another swallow of wine, then shook the bottle a little to gauge how much liquid was left in it.  She stared into the flickering flames of the campfire.  "So, Hog, is it?  Ah, it's just as well... I was heading in that general direction anyway.  Better to travel with people," she spoke aloud, possibly to Jamalian, or maybe to the sleeping Gashnum, or even just to the fire itself, "especially people you know, than by jus' yerself.  So's I've always thought."

She thought back to all the times she's traveled alone....and sighed in wistful regret.

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

Gashnum was  fast approaching sleep. He was at that edge, where reality mixes with dream. Duster's head lay across his thigh, the hound was already in the land of dreams. Gashnum loved sleep, in fact it was one of the things he did most often, especially after a good drink.  He could half hear the fire-side conversation. To him it was almost a dream, but for the moment he was anchored to reality.

"especially people you know, than by jus' yerself. So's I've always thought."  Muargath's inebriated voice came through to Gashnum.

His subconcious attached the statement to a dream-like image of Muargath. His concious attempted a coherent response. But in his condition, it was little more than gibberish.

"mmm.... yes, it always was better on the road...... when you know someone...." Gashnum's voice trailed off. His own drunken state forced his voice to continue to speak his thoughts.
" 'Cause ya know.." His voice was growing fainter as sleep took him.
"These roads, can be... lonely" The last word was almost lost to the wind, and Gashnum fell into sleep at last. His mind settling into a complete dream state. He would not wake untill sunrise.

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

Edited by: Gashnum Invraldi at: 2/12/03 5:10:10 am

She nodded contentedly with Gararion's words, she liked the way he spoke of things. It must have been his schooling. But his words hit a chord when he spoke of those without knoweldge for magic. She tried not to convey it but felt a bit hurt. But so Be it. She never had any fondness for the warping of the Dream.

She continued to listen to Gararion, and was glad to hear that they were of the same side. He would share what he knew when he learned of it.

And Sinen spoke to them. She turned her head qickly to look at him, her hair whipping slighly. While she knew he'd be capable of doing so, she didn't expect him to. His words... she couldn't put her finger on it. She did not entirely like the way they sounded, and she felt that his words were only to cover himself. He may not have said them if he had not heard her. She did not show any outward expression of her thoughts, but the idea of covering one's intentions was weighing heavily upon her as she looked at Sinen.

She looked to Gararion.
" Sinen says it is time to Go. Perhaps you should depart." She smiled as much as she could to cover her feelings and went back over the hump of the hill, looking to those that were still awake. She tried to look friendly as she sat; her worries had cleared for the moment.

Edited by: Viresse  at: 2/12/03 8:08:10 am

Junas listened, it appeared that Jamalian would be standing guard that night. He lay down on his back and continued stargazing, he listened carefully to the words of his companions.

---

Jamalian laughed as Gashnum slowly drifted off in a drunken state, his words fading into non-existance.

"I guess he had a little too much to drink. Anyway, get some sleep if you need it. Tomorrow might be a long day. I will wake you at sunset if need be."

" 'Cause ya know.." Gashnum's voice grew fainter as sleep took him.  "These roads, can be... lonely"

Muargath nodded a bit in response, the crackling of the fire lulled her.  She could hear Junas settling back down in repose.  Jamalian's laughter, however, caused her gaze to move to the elf who was still hefting his knife by the blade.

To him she replied, "Don't find any sleep, he finds me..."  Muargath lifted the bottle to her mouth again as the female elf walked back into the camp and sat across from the fire.  Muargath paused with the bottle a hair's breadth from her lips as she spied the other's smile, something that had been, so far, outside of this elf's repertoire.  Something was up, and somewhere in the back of her fuzzy mind, Muargath recognized this, but in her current state, she really didn't care much either.  

Lowering the bottle a bit, Muargath said, "So's you d'cided to stay, I see... Why izzat?"  Then she did take another sip, but only a small one.  She was truly curious to what the elf would say.

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

She settled into her spot and looked into the fire a moment. She was never fond of that element; it was chaotic in a disastrous way, not in a whimsical way like the Wind. She kept peering into it, it seemed alive.

She shook off the thought, she had been spacing out far too much on this trip and that was not good. Especially if she HAD to be attentive.

Muargath posed a question to her, her tongue thick with the effects of the vintage she poised near her lips. Viresse cocked a blonde brow and contemplated the pale-haired woman across the fire from her.
The white-haired girl dressed well and seemed better mannered than most journeyfolk. Viresse thought this of interest. While Muargath was still an unknown to Viresse in terms of her goals, Viresse assumed she was only interested in the monetary aspect of the Fire Gem. Which was better than using for ill. She smiled a bit as she responded.

" Well, Sinen hadn't invited me to depart, so I won't. Why I am not sure, but I think it had to do with my intolerance for night travel.  
And to tell you the truth, I think I'd prefer to stay in a large group of people in comfort rather than departing into a Night that sees fit of letting Baveras and Grothar barrage us with their combined skills."

She shrugged slightly. She thought for a moment, then continued to speak, feeling that perhaps letting a hint of where her intentions lay would allow the others the urge to divulge their own.

" Gararion and I seek the same outcome to this journey, so I feel that if anything happens of interest he will let me know."
She looked to Muargath.
" Is there still a chance I can sample that vintage? I was unaware of the first passing and would think it a shame as an adventurer if I didn't." She smiled, apparently much more relaxed now that Sinen had departed.

*ooc: Muargath. I had made an assumption of you from your demeanor and mode of dress. I hope that's okay as I'm trying not to use you "internal monologue" as a basis.

Edited by: Viresse  at: 2/13/03 5:23:40 am

Gararion watched as Viresse decended back towards the other members who would remain behind.

Gararion looked at Sinen now and loked him over, what did he truly desire this stone for.  While looking in the direction of Sinen he spoke.

"May I suggest we make way to our destination Sinen as I lack the interest in staying in one place for two long unless I am gaining knowledge."

Gararion then waited for any signal that they would depart watching both the men that would accompany him closely.

Muargath listened as the golden-haired elf talked about Sinen's recent departure, ending with, "Gararion and I seek the same outcome to this journey, so I feel that if anything happens of interest he will let me know."  And then she asked with a smile, "Is there still a chance I can sample that vintage? I was unaware of the first passing and would think it a shame as an adventurer if I didn't."

Muargath hesitated a moment, a little surprised that the elf wanted a drink after all.  Handing the bottle across to the elf- liquid sloshing some, as it was still about a quarter of the way full- she said, "Gar...arion?  Tha's the wizard's name?"  She paused a bit while the elf tasted the wine.  "I'm Muargath.  And who might you be?"  

She chuckled and snuggled the blanket tighter around her now that she wasn't holding the wine anymore.  "The gem's got all these people fired up... 's pretty funny actually.  A child's tale is all it is really.  'S no proof it's out there.  'S no reason to run after it in the night."  


For a few moments, Muargath closed her dark gray eyes and just listened to the fire and the sounds of the night.  When she opened them again, they were surprisingly clear and alert.  She stared across the fire at the elf, "I'm just coming along to see if it's true..."

 

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

The stars illuminated the sky over Junas's head. He recognized many of the constellations, his father had taught them to him before he died. Memories of his father came back and Junas gripped his sword tightly. He winced as if in a great pain, when he released his sword the pain faded and he was thrown back into reality, sitting at the fire next to Muargath, there was something about Muargath that made Junas feel different. He couldn't explain it, he hadn't known Muargath long enough to feel for her, but she is different from any other woman that I have ever known. He lay back once again and slowly closed his eyes appearing to sleep but staying alert with the surrounding events.

---

She was glad to recieve the bottle from Muargath, who did hesitate a moment before doing so. The movement of the liquid was a a bit loud, indicating there wasn't a whole lot left. Viresse held the bottle aloft a moment as she observed the dusty flask. It had to be good if it was so drained. She took a sip.

It was quite aged, she first noticed. The bite it contained set a shiver of red through her mind's eye; an indication of surprise. It still held its fruity roots beside the age so it was a delight to partake. It simmered like a warm tea down her throat and into her near-empty belly, though the strong taste of fermentation carried within it a more pleasurable effect that plain tea.

She took her lips away from the bottle, and nodded in approval.
" My, this is Quite a fine wine. If I may say so, I am surprised that such a vintage would be found on an adventure. Usually only the finest Courts would serve such quality. "
She paused a moment, and set a small joke-
"I am humbled by your ability to share, Duchess Muargath! "
She handed the bottle back, enough left in the bottle to allow a heavy swig for its possessor.

She recalled Muargath had asked her of Gararion and herself as she had taken a sip. She continued on that line.
" The Elven mage, Yes. Gararion is his name. And I am called Viresse. I am sorry if I did not introduce myself earlier; I was quite busy thinking about the trip. I sorely wonder if it shall be my last... "

" But of what you say of the Gem; I know nothing of it other than what I had learend in the Tavern.  But as I have been taught since the first day of my Long life, all tales have a founding in Reality. So if the Gem is real and has the Power that the tales say, then it must be placed into the proper hands or Be Destroyed. Gararion and I want to see to this; For Gararion knows of it more than I do, and I feel it would be unjust of me if I didn't do so." Viresse sighed. She had revealed her Intention. She hoped it wasn't a mistake.

She listened to Muargath's Intention and was taken aback, thoguh she hoped it wasn't apparent as the fire's light flickered over her olive-complected face.  The white-haired lady was Truly and adventurer, not just one seeking knowledge like Herself. Just when you thought you knew everything about them.... these Humans are just as unpredicatble as ever.

Muargath nodded in agreement as the wine was highly complimented.  "I cannot take the credit.  It was Gashnum who brought the drink to this fire."  She glanced to the trader and smiled, for he was fast in his dreams.  He looked so at piece, thus.  His dog, Duster, lay curled up between them.  She reached out a hand to run lightly down Duster's fur-covered shoulders and back... the hound's ear twitched a bit but he did not wake.

And on her other side Junas seemed a bit restless, but when
Muargath looked over at him, he was again resting on his back with his eyes closed.  Hmm.. Maybe I just imagined him moving?  Oooh.. This wine...  Turning back to Viresse, she said, "This vintage comes from the fertile river valley between the Auturian Woods and Marcogg, from the Whisperdown Vineyard.  It's worth more than it's weight in gold... my friend Gashnum was very generous indeed."  

She grinned and accepted the bottle back from the elf.  Tilting the bottle back, she took the last of its contents.  Muargath carefully set it next to its empty predecessor.

"Well, Viresse... it seems that we all need to bide our time until we find this gem, should it exist in more than just a child's imagination."  A yawn threatened to overtake her and she managed to stifle it.  Muargath smiled at the elf.  "Our best bet is to make our way to Hog as quickly as we can then, and see if Sinen and Gararion make it back in good time.  What other option is there?"

At this point, the yawn came and she stretched within her blanket.  Still smiling, she muttered, "I think sleep has finally found me...  Pardon, while I close my eyes a bit?"  Muargath scooted back from the fire a bit and lay down in the narrow space between Gashnum and Junas.  She curled up within the warm blanket.  "Good night, Viresse... it was nice meeting you."  She drew the blanket up further so her face was hidden from view.

The two wine-bottles sat empty on the ground not far from her head, reflecting the light cast by the flickering flames.  

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

At this point Jamalian stood. Something was bothering him, but he couldnt think of what it was. He looked around and the surroundings were as normal. Those that he was with seemed to be trustworthy enough so far, but still he couldnt  relax until he was comfortable that everything was ok.

Junas opened his eyes slowly for a moment before sleep swept him away into his dreams. He sat up and looked around quickly, Gararion and Sinen seemed to be off to the side with Dray. What are they up to at this time of the night? Junas wondered, he then lay back with the possibilities of what the three were doing.

Junas had confidence in the three, he only knew Sinen, not very well in fact but in his heart he knew that whatever they were going to do was for the good of them all. Sleep then consumed Junas as he lay back beside Muargath gazing at the stars once again for a moment before falling asleep.

---

A little less than four hours after those who were to leave departed and those who stayed behind the fell asleep, the cloudy sky began to grow brighter. The first rays of the sun were casting themselves against the clouds. Soon, the light was reaching its way into the small grassy depression which harbored a small party of travellers, all but one of whom were asleep. But that would soon change.

Gashnum awoke as the sun's light came into his eyes. He sat up with a wide yawn and rubbed the dust of sleep from his eyes. Duster was laying between Muargath and himself. It appeared that both were still soundly asleep, snuggled close together.

Gashnum pulled the dew-dampened blanket from him and set it over the one he had slept upon. As he stood his back popped several times. He released a grunt as he stretched out his leg, it was then that he noticed an elf kneeling on the other side of campfire. It looked like the elf had stayed up all night. Gashnum nodded to him.
I'm glad someone remembered to stay up.

He folded up his blankets and placed them back in the package, along with the two empty wine bottles. Gashnum left the fire to give his horse a fresh feed bag, he returned with a frying pan and a length of sausages. Gashnum set the pan on the fire, then arranged the sausages in the pan. He poured a bit of water from his skin into the pan so they would not burn to quickly.
I hope everyone likes sausage... he thought, if not then more for me
The thought brought a small smile to his face.

As the smell of cooking meat began to fill the campsite Gashnum knelt down near Muargath and rested a hand softly on her shoulder.
"Wake up, breakfast is nearly ready."

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

Edited by: Gashnum Invraldi at: 2/16/03 5:24:30 am

"What can i say. I cannot sleep out in the open. There are too many mad people around who will either kill you or steal your possessions."

What he really meant was that he never slept with strangers who he had just met because he never trusted anyone until he knew them properly.

"Sausage sounds good. Thank you."

Shortly after Viresse headed back to the group Dray came over stating he was ready. Sinen turned to the direction they were to travel.

"Let us go then."

Dray nodds in agreement and Sinen and Dray start off on this trek through the darkness of night.

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

She was lost in the restful nothingness of a dreamless sleep, the kind where time passes in an instant.  She'd only just closed her eyes when she felt someone touching her shoulder lightly and a friendly voice saying, "Wake up, breakfast is nearly ready."

Before she even opened her eyes, Muargath could smell the delicious aroma of cooked sausage.  This brought a smile to her lips.  "Good morning to you, too, Gashnum..."  She looked up at the overcast sky and was happy to see it did not rain during the night.  She slowly stretched under the cover.  There was no apparent effect on her from the large amount of wine she drank the night before.  She knew there wouldn't be.  Sitting up, she began to fold up her blanket then decided to let the campfire dry off the dew first instead.

Muargath brought out her eating knife and speared one of the sausages.  It tasted as delicious as it smelled.  She gave the last piece to Duster and scratched him behind the ears.  "Thank you for the breakfast.  I doubt that any of us thought far enough ahead to bring food.  It sure makes sleeping outside nicer when you wake up to a hot meal."

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

Gashnum ate a sausage. They were quite good actually, better than some things he had eaten. It seemed that the elf who had stayed awake was talking to him. Gashnum didn't remember saying anything to him, perhaps he was saying his thoughts aloud.
maybe im not getting enough sleep he thought to himself.

Gashnum nodded to Muargath.

"I should have plenty of food to last. I try to be prepared." he smiled

"There's nothing like being caught miles away from anyone with no food, and believe me, I know."

Gashnum stepped over to the fire and took the pan off the flames so the rest of the sausages would not burn. He began to pack his things together. He hoped they would be off within the hour.

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

Junas slowly awoke rubbing his eyes. He looked around and saw that Gashnum appeared to have made breakfast. He looked at Muargath, it looked as though she had already ate. "Good morning Muargath, how did you sleep?"
Junas's stomach rumbled loudly and looked to Gashnum. "Are those sausages for anyone?" Junas asked while laughing.

---

Jamalian picked up a freshly cooked sausage, burning his fingers a little as he took a bite.

"Mmmmm, these are great. Thank you."

"Go ahead and help yourself, Junas.  He made them for everyone."  She reached out and grabbed another one out of the pan with her fingers, now that they were cooled a bit.  It was still hot.  "Oooh.. hot!"  Smiling at the young man, she bit into the sausage and munched on most of it, feeding the remainder to Duster who was begging as usual.  "Mmmm.  Wonderful!"  She winked at Junas then grabbed her blanket.

Muargath stood up and folded her blanket carefully.  She brought it over to Gashnum.  "Is there anything I can help you with?"  She couldn't help the concern that sounded in her voice.  She noticed his limp again, even though he tried to hide it and she knew somehow that he was in pain.  In the time she'd known him, she'd never asked about his injury.  But don't worry, my friend, I won't mention it if you won't... it must be a matter of pride and I know all about that. You'll tell me about it, all in your own good time.

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

Edited by: Muargath   at: 2/17/03 12:33:50 am

Atrii smiled at Muargath as she stood and folded her blanket, she then walked over to Gashnum. Atrii reached and grabbed the hot sausages, he quickly bit into it before it burnt him too quickly, then he ate the remainder as it got quite hot quickly on his fingesr. "Mmmm... thank you for breakfast Gashnum." The ranger thanked Gashnum, he had already provided so much but Atrii knew very little about him. Muargath seemed to know him and like him quite a lot so Atrii assumed Gashnum was an alright fellow.

---

Gashnum nodded to Junas, who had thanked him for breakfast.
"Your quite welcome my young friend."

"Is there anything I can help you with?"Muargath asked while handing him her blanket. Gashnum noticed some concern in her voice, but he didn't think anything of it, in fact he was happy for the help.

Gashnum nodded and motioned her over to the numerous sacks, bags and packs that were his life. "ahh, yes." he said

"I could use some help loading the horse."
Gashnum walked over to the stack of bags, heavily favoring his right leg.The bags were stacked near his horse. Gashnum bent down to lift the converted pack saddle and set it on his horse. Muargath began to gather bags and tie them in place.

The two worked silently for a few minutes until Muargath picked up an oddly shaped sack, it was bulging almost to the point of splitting down the middle. Its contents shifted strangely, this was no bag of common adventuring supplies. Gashnum tensed slightly.I promised him that nobody would know I was moving these..... He spoke in the hope that Muargath wouldn't pay any attention to the strange parcel.

"So, did you sleep well?" he asked as he lifted another bag into place while trying to keep his calm. Gashnum stopped lifting and looked over to Muargath as she finished tying the heavy sack into place on the saddle.

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

Edited by: Gashnum Invraldi at: 2/17/03 2:13:18 am

She rolled her shoulders as she sat up, a rock had somehow found a nice spot in between her shoulder-blades as she slept. With sleep-bleary eyes she looked around at those that were awakening, for she was confused. She didn't recall going to sleep but she had. In a bad position as well she realized, as she tried to rub a knot out of her neck.

The smell of food invaded her nostrils; while her stomach wanted food the idea of consuming sausage was not something she was looking forward to. She looked over at the fire and smiled nevertheless; he hotplate was bristling with food. Someone was kind enough to make food for all.

As she stood and stretched out her stiffened muscles she thoight of the prospect. This group seems a fair more polite than the night before. The mood seemed cold and uninviting, but with the day's light a sense of whimsy was carried. She hoped she could trust everyone here, she kind of had to.

She walked to the fire and warmed her hands, and she glanced to Gashnum.

" The wine you had offered to the party last night was superb. Muargath had given me a fair amout of background on It and I appreciate your generosity." She smiled politely.

Travelling with Dray and Gararion following shortly behind, Sinen looks up to the stars in the sky. He mumbles something he doesn't think is audible to the two behind him.

"My dear Alia, are you still there? I will know shortly. Will this time be different? Will you come with me this time?"

He looks forward from the stars and speaks to his two companions on the trek to the sage.

"Daylight will come soon. We still have a ways. I leave it up to you two to decide whether or not to stop for breakfast then. I, myself, don't think I'll have much of an appetite."

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

Gararion followed the two closely behind them.  He often fell in the rear for that is where one skilled in magical art was most leathal though Gararion was often considered leathal no matter where he stood.

As Gararion followed his elven ear picked up the words that whispered from Sinen mouth.  Thoughts now went through his mind.

Who is this Alia. Does he plan on using the powers of the Fire Gem against this Alia or to her favor.  I must press this further when given the chance.

Gararion quickened his pace so he was on the other side of Sinen, Dray on the other.

"Hunger is not present within myself at this moment so if Dray doesn't mind may we move onward."

"If that is fine with Dray then we will continue. I shall not be hungry for a long time."

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

*Dray just smiles at the 2 elves as he reaches into a side pouch and pulls out a piece of fruit and takes a big bite out of it as he continues to walk along smiling. After he finishes the fruit he starts whistling a tune and he goes*

Travelling for a few hours brought the first signs of light over the horizon. Sinen begins to hum a tune from his past to himself. The cool breeze blows in at their backs. Sinen stops humming after a time and looks to Gararion.

"If I might ask you a question though I would like to know why you decided to join me in my search for this fire gem."

He looks on ahead and starts humming again.

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

As the others helped themselves to the sausage, Muargath happily assisted Gashnum with the task of packing.  

"It's been awhile since I've had to do this.  I prefer to travel light."  She smiled as she finished tying one bag on, then turned to pick up another.  Now this one is strange, I wonder what's inside?  But as tempted as she was to peek under the flap, she did not.  Instead, she brought it up and added it to the packsaddle.  

"Did I sleep well?"  She met Gashnum's gaze over the top of the loaded saddle. "I suppose I did, and I have you and Count Ardanbal to thank for that!"  Muargath grinned and winked at him.  She took a last look around.  "That was the last one.  We should be leaving soon."

Just then, Viresse said her thank you to Gashnum, and Muargath went to her own pack and rummaged through it.  She pulled out a folded cloth and her silver comb.  "I'll be right back..."  And then she walked out of the camp area.

Now, I know I heard water around here last night... aha!  There you are!  She approached the small, babbling brook.  Carefully stepping down a clay and rock covered bank, she made her way to the waterside.  She washed her face and hands in the chilly water, and toweled off with the cloth she'd brought.  Then she sat on a nearby rock and combed her long, white hair, humming softly as she did so.  She was please her hair wasn't too tangled during the night.      

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

Gararion looked at Sinen.

What harm can be done if I shall tell this elven man why I have come to join him on this journey, for surely he would ask the same of all who joined him.

Gararion looked onward as the wind blew past him.  It seemed to play with him as it swirled around his body, wrapping his plain black cloak around his body tightly.

"I chose to join yourself and the others for I feel it is my duty to watch over the artifacts of Sorren, for I know much about great relics.  

But I fear that I have lost the knowledge I once had about this Fire Gem, though it name is not strange to my mind."

Gashnum finished tying the final knot and gave the horse a pat on his flank.Muargath excused herself and as she was leaving Gashnum turned and thanked her for her help.

The lady elf turned and thanked him, he didn't know her name, so this would probably be as good a time for introduction as he would probably get. He approached her and extended his right hand in greeting.

'Ahh, your quite welcome lady, I have an...ahh.. working agreement with the count." he worked up a sly grin and a wily twinkle was in his eye.

"We have not yet been properly introduced. My name is Gashnum. And what may I call you?" he asked, his hand remained outstretched towards Viresse.

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

*Dray listens as Sinen and Gararion talk and stops whistling his tune*

"A right a noble cause you have there Gararion. I myself always willing to help a friend and always looking for an adventure and this little quest fulfilled both of those for me. If I may ask what is your field of expertiese in the ways of magic?"

As Dray spoke Gararion once again sensed a magical essence about him.

"My knowledge is in the winds and how to control them.  

But I also sense a magical essence about yourself.  May I also ask the same question of yourself...what field is your skills in?"

She smiled a bit as Gashnum introduced himself formally. His choice of wording in the area of the Wine made hr feel as if he had gotten it in less that pleasurable circumstances; at least in terms of the Count.

"Well, Friend Gashnum, I am called Viresse bu many. Those that are fond of me call me Vir, but as of yet none seem to be so. Mayhaps that will change in the coming days." She cocks a brow in suggestion, her smile beaming as bright as the sun.

"I know you have only encountered our Band as of last night, but you have been awake this morning longer than I. Do we plan on leaving shortly?"
She glanced over to the direction Muargath had departed, who she felt would be bet to lead the Band for the next leg of the Journey. While older than many of them in the Group, Viresse was not a Leader, and disliked being forced into that position.

She inhaled deeply; letting the fresh morining air fill her lungs. The Older elf felt alive again the Injera's touch. Night was the worst time for her; as if the Evening was covering her in a funeral shroud.

Viresse drifted into her own thoiguhts for a moment as her Mind's eye drew a veil of blue. The Tanned elf knew that she was getting on in age, but she knew that she would not pass on until she was ready. And she did not feel so yet. Perhaps.. after this trip... or the next....

She shook her head vaguely as if to toss the thoughts from her mind.

Gashnum's grin only shrunk slightly at the mention of less than pleasurable relations with the Count.  Gashnum would never push anyone into a sour deal...well at least not too hard

Gashnum nodded.The smile on his face finaly faded.
"I'd like for us to set out as soon as possible. we have quite a ways to go if I know this country at all."

When Viresse turned her gaze to Muargath, Gashnum looked as well. It seemed she had found a small spring and was fixing her hair. Gashnum watched her for a few moments then turned to the campfire.

Gashnum released a long, loud whistle which brought Duster to his side. The hound sat obediently , his tail wagging frenetically. The whistle also brought the attention of the group to him. He cleared his throat.

"Make yourselves ready my friends, for we are setting off!"
Gashnum pulled his spear from the ground nearby and set it over his shoulder, in the other hand he carried the horses lead. He removed his hood, as the sun was becoming quite warm. He waited until everyone had their things together before he set off at a slow pace.

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

Jamalian strolled along a quite a way behind Gashnum. He liked to be at the back of the group. He felt safe because he knew that he was very aware and that he could defend himself.

He watched as most of the others paced forwards, moving past him.

*Dray  does not respond right away to Gararion, he seems to think for a few seconds before he does finally respond*

"I do not have a major field of expertise.....I tend to dabble in most forms of magic, albeit sometimes it backfires and the magic fails me. Otherwise I am just good with a sword"

*It seems for a moment as though Dray would add more, but he just smiles and nods his head as the 3 continue their trek*

The sun has risen completely above the horizon now. The three were moving at a considerable pace. The sounds of birds and such fill the air, and the cool breezes blow gently on the backs of the three. The dark feeling inside Sinen's head only made him more uneasy though.

Let this not end with disaster. May all who have joined me so far not face anything that may threaten their lives.

"Dray, you know what is odd? I only have fragments of memory from our little fray in the tower with the wizard those few years back. Remember then?"

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

Muargath heard Gashnum calling in the distance and she quickly gathered her things and ran back to the campsite.  She stowed her towel and comb in her pack, then slung it over her shoulder.  The others were already out of the slight depression and on the road again.  Muargath caught up to them, passing Jamalian who seemed to be purposefully holding back.  She nodded to him as she went by.

She scooted past everyone else and walked next to Gashnum.  Looking up at the sky she said, "Oh good... doesn't look like rain anytime soon.  All the better for us."  She smiled.

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

Gashnum returned Muargath's smile warmly. He sidestepped slightly to walk closer to her.
"Yes indeed, tis much easier to travel when it is dry." The two walked on for a few more minutes bantering about the weather. Soon they came to a point where the path split into two directions one heading off into the east and the other continued in the direction they were heading. A broken signpost lay on the ground, its wording was long decayed and useless. Before the rest of the group caught up with him Gashnum pulled large map from a pack on the horse, he carefully unfolded it and deciphered where they were. He showed the map to Muargath.

"Here we are" he said, pointing to a spot on the map, devoid of any markings.
"And here, " Gashnum moved his finger slightly to a small hut wich represented a village. "Is Hog, looks like we've got at least a two day hike ahead of us, if the weather holds out." Gashnum looked skyward. The sun shone back down at him brightly and he was forced to look back to Muargath.

"I think we should be going this way." Gashnum pointed northward.
"What do you think?" he looked to Muargath for approval.

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 peered at the map and then looked at the forked road.  "Hmm.  I don't think so... we started out in Leseris, which is north, north-west of Hogg, last time I checked.  We need to head south.  Unless these roads are both going to round to the right... wait a minute!"  She glanced at Gashnum, "You aren't pulling my leg now, are you?"  

Muargath scrutinized the map a bit more while scratching behind her ear in thought with her index finder.  "How old is this map anyway?"

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

Edited by: Muargath   at: 2/21/03 2:51:25 am

The sun rose into the sky, and on the three travelled. IT began to sink back to the horizon and still on they went. A forest was growing before them. They would reach it sometime after night fall at their current pace. Under the orange glow of the setting sun a strange silence rests upon the area of the three travellers. Sinen looks back to Gararion and Dray.

"Something isn't right here. It's to quiet."

As the words come out of his mouth an obviously female scream pierces the air accompanied by the howls and yells of what could only be guessed to be orcs. The sounds come from just up the path over the shallow hill. Sinen takes off at a run and sees the pack of 12 orcs and the elven lady they attack......

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

Gashnum shook his head ernestly.

"umm..." he started
"How old is this map anyway?" Muargath queried.
Gashnum shrugged in response.

"It all depends on what you make this year out to be" he pointed to a smudged number on the bottom left hand corner of the map.
"Honestly I've never been able to figure out what it says. But if this is really Hogg then we've got to go east I suppose." He turned the map slightly and traced his finger down to the place which might be Hogg.

"But I think this trail will lead us through the Heath of Cijur." He tapped a dark spot on the map which might have been a stain, or a representation of the heath.

"So east then?" he asked as he turned from Muargath to face the overgrown trail that lead into the rising sun.

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

Edited by: Gashnum Invraldi at: 2/21/03 6:04:26 am

"East."  She said decisively, sounding a lot more confident than she felt.  "We have to go east anyway, whether it is now or later shouldn't make a difference.  If that is the way the road leads..."  She didn't need to finish the sentence.

As Gashnum rolled up his map, Muargath walked on ahead a bit.  The road to the left led up a very gradual upward slope, not much but enough so that one couldn't see too far ahead.  The scrubby evergreen trees broke up the horizon as well.  The birds were out in force, flying about and singing like they do.  Hunting insects, of which there were far too many, that thrived in the wilderness.  For someone who prefers the city life, I sure do spend way too much time outside!  I've got to find someplace to settle down...

Turning, she looked back at the others, shielding her eyes from the sun with one hand.

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

She was glad to be moving in the sun and the land; she had missed the plains a good deal, despite her birth in the forests.
The open expanses allowed life to thrive at every turn, life begetting life. Animals sacrificing so that others may thrive; as that has been the Way since the beginning.
She beamed, her smile wide across her tanned face, her blone hair whipping in the gentle breeze as she turned her head ever which way as she observed what she had missed.

She simply tagged along the main group just before Jamalian as they cut a path through the grasses. Viresse was lost in her own thoughts again, but they seemed a fair amount more pleasant than those the night before. She seemed almost happy to be among a group of strangers.

She looked to Muargath and Gashnum. She smiled cheerfully as she looked them over, then cupped her hand over her mouth  to call to them.

" No true rush friends! We shall reach Hog when Seyella decides we are fit to do so!" She chuckled to herself.  

" No true rush friends! We shall reach Hog when Seyella decides we are fit to do so!" Viresse chuckled to herself happily. The sound of her laughter carried to Gashnum and he turned to look at the elf.

"We're in no hurry my friend." Gashnum chuckled himself, this place had a life to it that was infectious.
"we're just a little anxious, don't want to get lost and all.." Gashnum's voice trailed off.

The sun was now almost fully up and it filled Gashnum with a youthfull exuberance. There was a spring in his step which had not been with him since his teenage years. Duster bounded energetically through the tall grass beside the trail. Scattering pheasants and grouse into the air. The hound barked a few times playfully then returned to his masters side.

Gashnum continued walking, picking up his pace a bit as the trail began to curve, a dark smudge was evident on the horizon. But was it terrain or cloud cover, Gashnum could not tell.

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

As Jamalian noticed the group pulling away from him a little, he stepped up his pace just enough to keep up with them.

He looked up ahead wondering what was there. It was too dark to see, but the Sun had risen and there was darkness up ahead.

He knew that this wasnt a good sign, but he felt no need to go rushing off ahead to find out what it was. He would be more interested when he got further.

The sun was high in the sky now and beating down on the small party as they walked down the dusty road.  Muargath pulled her pack open and took out a small, metal, water flask to drink.  It was half empty now and the water was warm.  But it's better than dying of thirst, I think.   She'd noted the darkness on the horizon before, but as she slipped the flask back in her canvas pack, she thought the dark haze was growing larger- or perhaps coming closer!  What is that?  It...doesn't look like.. a....cloud...

Alarmed, Muargath moved closer to Gashnum and pointed ahead.  "That dark patch over there, you see it?  I doesn't look like a cloud.  In fact, I think it's moving toward us!"

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

As Muargath grew anxious, Jamalian stayed calm. It seemed as though it was moving closer to them, and they werent too far from it.

"Relax. It is not hamring us yet and we must not turn back, so we must keep going. It may not be anything but a little heavy fog blocking the Sunlight from that direction."

He had a feeling that something was wrong, but worrying was the last thing they needed to be doing.

"No, it isn't any fog. Its too bright for fog to be out."

Gashnum pointed ahead, the dark spot was growing bigger, but only because they were moving closer to it.

"That my friends, is the heath of Cijur." he turned to face the bulk of the group but kept walking near Muargath.

"I fear that this path will bring us through it and then loop down to Hogg."  Gashnum smiled encouragingly

"Not to worry. We'll only be in there for a day or so"
He waved his hand forward
"Let us continue onward." Gashnum leaned down and whispered to Muargath

"Have you ever been through there before? 'cause I haven't"

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

"No, Gashnum, I haven't been this way before."  She shook her head slowly, "Honestly, my eyes must be playing tricks on me, or maybe it's this heat, but I coulda sworn that was a swarm of something heading this way..."  

Muargath blinked and rubbed her eyes.  She reached for her water flask, but she'd forgotten it was empty... "Damn!" She muttered under her breath.

"Hey Gashnum," she said while still keeping an eye on the mysteriously dark horizon, "you were traveling in this direction when we found you, right?  Weren't you already planning on visiting Hogg?"    

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

Edited by: Muargath   at: 2/22/03 10:36:55 pm

"you were traveling in this direction when we found you, right? Weren't you already planning on visiting Hogg?" Muargath asked, her eyes on the horizon.

"Well I was, but I've never come in from this direction before."  He pulled on the horses lead, it seemed the animal was in a mood to travel quite slow.

"See" he began, gesturing back and to his right. "I usually come in from the west on my way south. I've never been on this road before."

He walked on, Duster at his side, at every step a small cloud of dust puffed up around his booted feet. He was quite hot and sweating heavily.

He spoke a bit nervously
"In truth, im worried about what awaits us in the heath, it could well be bigger than what my map says.."  his thoughts were growing more concered and fretful as they group approached the woody heath.

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

Junas had all of his belongings packed and was following the rest of the group from the rear. He was behind Muargath and Gashnum watching Muargath, he couldn't stop staring at her. He looked away for a moment and found himself looking at her again.

---

"I've never traveled through a heath before... what exactly is it?  It's not going to be dangerous, do you think?"  Muargath's mouth suddenly went very dry...  

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

"A heath? A heath is an area of open land, so why the hell is that thing there? If we are about to walk into the unknown, id like to know. I like to be prepared for such situations."

Jamalian looked ahead. There was definately something wrong, but he wasnt turning back now. They would be wasting too much time and he couldnt be bothered to walk a longer way.

OOC: Sorry for absence there.  I explained in main OOC Forum

IC:

Gararion's ear picked up the female voice that screamed in the distance. He can tell from the words that come that she is a elven women.  

Sinen burst off in a heat of movement, Gararion in clus presute but not running in the same manner but walking with increased speed, wind aiding his way.

Gararion now stood at least 20 peds away from the Orcs and the elven female.  With a wave of his hand the six closest unaware Orcs were sudenly lifted from the ground and thrown into there friends behind the, all landing on the ground leaving the elven women alone.

Gararion looked to Sinen.

Is he just going to stand there and do nothing?  And where is this Dray man.  Surely when it comes down to it those melee fighters would want some action, they usually always did from what I have seen from many of their kind.  Why didn't the act now?

Acting quickly after Gararion, Sinen drew his sword from his side. Upon clearing the sheath the blade begins to emit a purple glow. Sinen pulls the horn that dangles at his side to his lips and lets a blast that hangs upon the air for several minutes after it really ended. The orcs starting to stand back up seem to tremble at this sound. Sinen runs forward and with a single swing of his sword takes the head off one of the orcs. Spinning around he lets a second head roll from its shoulders then his eyes fall on the elven lady and he lets the blade tip rest lightly on the ground.

"Alia."

He stares at her for a moment and then continues to speak.

"why are out here in the middle of nowhere?"

An orc charges at Sinen and he spins pulling his sword up and driving it deep into the orc's stomach. With a single flick of his wrist he slices up the the orc's mid chest area and rips the sword out. Then looks back at the elven lady.

She speaks in a shaken soft voice.

(Alia)"I have my reasons. Healing herbs mostly. The true question is why are you here? She already knows the answer."

Sinen doesn't respond at all the Alia's comment.

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

Gararion hears the words that come from Sinen mouth, one of them sounding familar, Alia.

This is the female that he spoke of....

Gararion stood back and looked at Dray.

Why does he remain?  Does he have some fear of combat or some dark memories that keep him at bay?

OOC:Sorry for not posting, but I was away from a computer for 4 days, I intended on posting a message saying so, but it looks like I forgot to...anyways back now...
_______________________________________________

*Dray hears the cry of the female and races off after Sinen and Gararion, both of the elves beat Dray to the punch being smaller, lighter, and fleeter of foot than he. Dray wastes no time in drawing his swords after he sees Gararion fling the orcs into each other. He looks at Sinen as he dispatches 3 orcs and gets engrossed in a conversation with the woman. Dray races by Gararion then Sinen and with longsword and short sword drawn he blocks a club ready to slam into Sinen and thrusts with his other sword into the belly of the orc. Dray places his foot against the orc and kicks it off his sword and swings around slicing the throat of another*

"Hey Sinen you may have something to say, but how about saying it after we fight?"

*Dray dives away and rolls to into a crouch avoiding a blow from an orc then leaps out blades in front knocking the orc onto its back blades sinking into the chest. Dray flips over his swords and yanks them free blocking a sword from another orc and kicking the orc with his shin guards in place to drop the orc to a knee where Dray uses his swords like a pair or scissors to takes the orcs head off. Dray then races a few peds away from the elven female to keep to rest of the orcs away from her.*

Now here is the question, do I try to use my magic, or stick with the blades? their numbers are down, but all are getting back to their feet now....

Jst a few days have passed since Elende has managed to escape his Drow hunters, although it seemed ages to him. He would have managed to be further from this cursed place, the Paelelon forest if it was wasn't for this arrow........

 Elende felt angry with himself for allowing someone, even hunters as skilled as the Eophyrhim, to spot him. Although he escaped from his would-be captor, the poison was taking its toll, slowly he felt his strength failing him, the life of his body leaving him.

 Although half Eophyrhim himself, he did not share the poison resistance the drow are famous for, on the contrary. His sensitivity to poisons forced to learn ways of dealing with them from an early age. But out in the wilderness the were few things he could do, especially in this state. From what knowledge he had of herbal law he managed to delay the effects of the poison combining the therapautic  effects of different plants.


 As he left Paelelon he was heading south, more by chance than by choice as the ones that dictated his moves were the Drow hunters. He was hoping to reach Hog, where, hopefully, he could find someone, anyone, to heal him. But two days with the poison runing in his vein were a long time...too long probably.

 The bright light from the sun only made matters worse. Bright light was something he never go used to. Elende felt the poisonm running through his vein, draining the last drops of his life. His vision become and more blurred as time passed, his legs could barely hold him.

 As everything seemed to come to an end, he managed to distinguish four humanoid figures in the distance, or was is three, or two? Everything was a blur once again. Gathering all his will power he closed in on the figures.



 As he approached he manged to distiguish that there were foour humanoid figures, although distinguishing anything too detailed was beyond his powers at that point. A figure with white flowing hair, possibly a woman he guessed,  was one of the figures he could is in some detail. But could his attention was a slender fugure that to him seemedd to glow, possibly an elf he guessed. With still the light on its face, he thought.

 He tried to speak as he felt his strength failing him completely.
I nee-eed hee.......
Darkness overcame him. He fell on the ground unconcious. He was in a place between life and death, between light and darkness

Edited by: Elende at: 2/25/03 1:03:31 am

(OOC: this fits in nicely   )

The dark spot on the horizon was now quite close, perhaps a half mile from the group. They were all quite anxious and no one was talking at the moment. Soon a figure became visible on the path ahead, he was shambling towards them at a very slow pace.

Could this be the foul work of a sorcerer? Gashnum thought. But before he could voice his worry the figure collapsed on the dusty trail. And then it became evident what the black stain in the sky was.

"Vultures!" Gashnum cried out. He pointed with his spear towards the thick flock of the carrion beasts.Some were begining to decend on the unconcious form.

"We must quicken our pace if we are to solve the mystery of this man." Gashnum quickened his step with a grimace. He could never match the rate at which the rest of the group could travel but he would try.

"We must choose caution here, we know not what this person conceals." Gashnum waved the rest of the group on towards the birds and the fallen man.  

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

Edited by: Gashnum Invraldi at: 2/25/03 1:23:58 am

Sinen spins around blocking a blow from one orc, and in a reverse swing slashes open the orc's chest. He quickly reverses swing again and knocks off the orc's head. Another orcs leaps torwards Sinen and finds himself impaled on Sinen's sword. Sinen flings the dead orc off and moves closer to to Alia sword ready for the next attacker.

"Dray, I still count 6. Let's take care of them."

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

At Gashnum's behest, Muargath ran forward toward the fallen man, her cloak of beige, lightweight material flowing behind her and her leather boots kicking up a trail of flying dust from the dry road.  As she approached him, her attention was drawn to the large, grotesque birds that cried out with their hideous squawks of warning as they swooped in for their meal...

She put on the speed to try and reach the unconscious man before the birds did, already growing winded from running in the hot sun.  As she ran, Muargath fumbled with the hilt of her dagger on her waist belt, pulling on the safety tie with trembling fingers.  

At the last, she did win the race, gaining on the man just as the birds did.  She half collapsed to her knees over him and waved the short blade violently in the air, point up to fend off the hovering vultures.  They were everywhere she looked, surrounding them both some of them landing on the roadway, and she tried desperately to keep her body between scavenger and prey...

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

Edited by: Muargath   at: 2/25/03 2:41:58 am

As Gashnum began to jog painfully onward, his cloak flapped loosly behind him, it was barely stirred by his slow speed. He snapped his fingers, and Duster came to his side, the hounds tail was straight as an arrow.  

"Go... get them." He wheezed out between gasping breaths.Gashnum pointed to the birds, then clapped his hands together once. The hound began baying loudly as he chased after Muargath.

The dog reached the man, and Muargath shortly after the white-haired woman had arrived. Duster jumped up at the birds, snapping his jaws together and growling threateningly, soon the flock was scattered back to the skies. Gashnum arrived shortly after, limping badly. His horse stopped nearby and Gashnum set down his spear and hastily unfasted a large waterskin, he drank from it greedily for several moments before he came to Muargath and offered her the skin.

"here." he said, breathing heavily. He handed her the waterskin.

"Whose your friend?" He toed the man's body with one of his feet. There was no response.  He crouched down slowly, his leg was cramping up badly now. The man's face was covered by a hood which was tightly tied about his head. His face was drenched with persperation, his cloak was also soaked through. The mans eyes were closed, Gashnum lifted a lid cautiously revealing the golden-green eyes.

an Elf...he whispered to himself. The elf's pupils were dialated, and his eyes were blood-shot. Gashnum turned the elf slightly and found an open wound. It was begining to scab over, but the flesh was a tell-tale black, several black veins snaked away from the wound.

poisoned.... But why?
Gashnum looked into Muargaths eyes worryingly.
"If we are going to save this man we must hurry, Get the green satchel from my horse. Quickly!" he didn't shout but gave his voice an urgent tone, one that was usually obeyed without question. Gashnum turned his attention back to the wound. He drew his short sword from his belt and prepared to reopen the poisoned gash.

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

Edited by: Gashnum Invraldi at: 2/25/03 3:04:22 am

Just when she thought that she, too, would get gobbled up by the cloud of ugly birds, Muargath heard the loud baying of a hound neaby and there was Duster, chasing off all of the vultures!  Muargath's heart was racing, but she was extremely glad for the reprieval.

Beathing heavily from the short, yet exertive ordeal, Muargath slowly got to her feet.  She resheathed her dagger then rubbed her right shoulder which was sore from waving her arm around like she did for defense of this stranger.  

"Here."  Said Gashnum.  She accepted the waterskin from him with a brief nod and proceeded to gulp down several mouthfuls of clean but tepid water.

"Whose your friend?" Gashnum asked.  Muargath shrugged her shoulders, wincing because she forgot her shoulder was sore, and then drank some more water.  He began to check the fallen man over while she watched.  She looked back at Viresse, Jonas and Jamalian who were still a ways back on the road.  For some reason, they hadn't come forward to aid them.  When she turned her gaze back to Gashnum, he met her eyes and said hastily, "If we are going to save this man we must hurry, Get the green satchel from my horse. Quickly!"

"Green satchel..."  She repeated as she handed the waterskin back to Gashnum, practically dropping it in his hands.  She went quickly to the horse and rooted amongst the various parcels and bags before finding the right one.  She fumbled with the knot for a few moments before realizing it was a simple slip knot- just in case of an emergency such as this one- and she tugged on the strap.  The satchel came free.  

She brought it over and knelt down next to Gashnum while opening the green, leather bag's flap.  It was filled with many small pouches and a lot of bottles in various sizes, stoppered with corks or sealed in different colored waxes.  Little labels were tied here and there, some with odd writings or symbols.  She gazes in wonder at the odd assortment, but then a flash of sunlight off of Gashnum's blade caught her attention...

"What are you going to do with that?"  She asked.  Then she saw the fallen man's blacken wound.  "Oh...."

 

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

Gashnum very nearly dropped the waterskin, but managed to set it safely on the ground before Muargath returned to his side with the satchel. She opened it up for him.

Gashnum reached over into the satchel and rooted about for a few moments. He pulled out a small bottle of rubbing alcohol and a a small towel from the satchel. He pulled the cork from the bottle and tipped some into the towel. Gashnum rubbed the sharp edge of his blade with the towel and then the man's wound.

He set the bottle and the towel aside and began his work. He set the tip of the blade gently at on edge of the wound, then drew it sharply across the skin. A thick pus followed the blades cut, the wound did not bleed.

a bad sign.. he's been exposed for quite a while

Gashnum tossed his sword onto the ground at his side. His actions were hurried but practiced. He knew what he was doing. He gently pulled the two sides of the cut apart, more pus flowed, but the wound finaly began to bleed, a little.

He turned back to the satchel, held open by both of Muargath's shaking hands. He pulled out a small paper packet, its yellowing label declared it be Dried Odea Moss
With one hand holding open the elf's wound, Gashnum tore open the packet with his teeth. He brought it over the elfs' wound and tipped the packet into the bleeding cut. Gashnum discarded the packet near his sword and began rubbing the elfs' wound. After a few moments of work the wound was covered in a slimy green paste. The moss had done its work.

Gashnum picked up the waterskin and poured a small bit of water onto his hands, which were covered in a bloody pasty mess. He carefully cleaned all the debris from his hands.
Gashnum let out a relieved sigh, he had done all that he could for this man, the moss would have to do the rest.

"Muargath, hand me one of those bandages would you?" Muargath obliged and handed Gashnum a rolled up bandage. Gashnum wound it around the elfs' wounded arm and tied it firmly, but not to tight. He replaced the remaining wrap into the satchel.

He turned to Muargath.
"That moss I gave him, should do the trick." he smiled nervously
"But its been known to make elves a little too... happy." He took a long drink from the waterskin.
"but he should wake up before nightfall."

"And Muargath," He placed his hand over hers. "Thanks for your help, you did great." He smiled in his almost comical manner. His eyes looked tired, but their youthfull twinkle was still evident.

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

Edited by: Gashnum Invraldi at: 2/25/03 5:40:36 am

Gararion watched as the men seemed to handle themselves fairly well when in melee combat.

Gararion thought it would better at this moment if he would halt his use of magic for it might surprise the other two with its power causing more harm than good at this moment.  But if the need come he would freely remove any threat to them.

Muargath's stomach did a flip-flop as Gashnum worked the man's garish wound.  She was not much for healing others, and she had to look away when the cutting and draining were done.  

She held the waterbag out for Gashnum and he took it to pour water on his hands so he could wash them off.  "Muargath, hand me one of those bandages would you?"

"Here..." She watched Gashnum wrap the man's arm.  The man's face was still mostly covered by his cloak hood, but now that Muargath looked closer, she could see by the angle of his jaw and the definition of his chin that the man had elven blood in him.  A lock of long, dark red hair spilled out of the hood as well, and she wondered at that.

She turned to Gashnum again, when she realized he was speaking to her, "...should wake up before nightfall.  And Muargath," He placed his hand over hers. "Thanks for your help, you did great."

She smiled back, the brightness of the sun's glare making her eyes squint.  "You are welcome.  I didn't know you could do all this.  You surprise me, Gashnum." She put her other hand on his and gave it a small squeeze.  "We should make a camp and wait for him to recover.  We can't just leave him out in the open alone."  She stood up and picked up the waterflask.  Her gaze swept the area and she noted that the vultures were not far away... they were perched all around on any branch, bush or rock big enough to hold them.  "Those birds aren't going away either."

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

Junas quickened his pace with the rest of the group to save the unconscious figure, as Gashnum healed the male Junas looked him over.An Elf? I have seen many of these in my short time away from home. They are quite an interesting race.

The group decided to camp for the night to allow the man to regain his strength. Once again they were delayed.

---

To Elende it seemed that a life time has passed him by. He couldn’t remember much of had come to pass in the last few hours, and he could recall felt more like a hazy dream than reality. The last thing he clearly remembered was the crackling sound of fire and the gentle wind on his face. He opened slowly his eyes, but still everything was a blur, although they started gradually to clear.

  His right hand subconsciously grasped his left arm. His wound was bandaged, the bandaged felt wet with seemed to be a thick green paste. His brought his fingers, soaked by the green stuff, close to his nose to sample the smell….

   Odea moss.. he whispered to himself Am I saved after all? Am I back to the place of my birth?  

   This medicinal plant grew  almost exclusively, near the Auturian forest. Legends say that the Gods themselves plant it there to help the Tethinrhim Elves recover from the destruction of their forest-home.

   As he began to slowly regain his senses, he felt as if he was waking into, and not  from, a dream. He felt euphoric, although still weak from the struggle with the vile poison

 Turning his head to his side he saw a company of people, just a  couple of peds away, sitting around a fire. Judging by their equipment and outfits they must have been adventurers. A dog seemed to have fallen asleep  in the lap of one of them, and a horse was standing some peds away from them.

     Elende threw aside the blanket that was covering him and tried quickly to stand up. The dizziness he felt was ever stronger now and he struggled for a few seconds until he fully regained his balance. The five adventurers turned their curious gaze at Elende. Meeting their gaze, he took a deep bow and one knee touched the ground.

  Greatings travellers. My life is yours noble sirs…..and ladies he said in a deep voice and   turning his sight to  the elf maiden and the white haired woman as he uttered the last two words.

I am Elende Io’nor. Let Ava and Arvins be  witnesses that this deed I will not forget till  the leaves of my life turn brown

Viresse furrowed her brows as she looked at the Dark Elven fellow. He didn't give a truly cold presence like Most did, and he didn't look wholly Moh. Was there a hint of red in his hair?
She was a tad confused as to why anyone helped him; while they are elves, they represent chaos and the Destruction of Sorren. She drummed her finger on her skirted knee and continued to look upon him, a wash of orange caressing her mind's eye.
Holy Ava, you sure know how to make an Styras feel needed...
She glanced over to Muargath and Gashnum. They were so willing to help the fellow, and so quick about it she had not the chance to place a word in edgewise. No matter, though. If the moh'styros was true, he'd not wish to hang about for long.

" My friends. We should not mistake illness for kindness." She looked to Muargath. " He is healed. Feed him and send him upon his way. I don't believe the Moh'styros will desire to stay...."
She looked to the Dark Elf again. Unless he knows something... She quickly thought of Sinen and chewed her lip.

The sun had just recently set, its glow still perforating the few whispy clouds that had moved in over the new campsite. Gashnum sat near the fire, Duster's head resting on his thigh. In his hand he held a waterskin, he would occaisionaly sip from it. Gashnum had not yet began the nights meal.

Soon the elf came into consciousness and he stood shakily to his feet, casting the blanket aside he spoke to them all. He thanked the group for their help with his wound and introduced himself with a bow. Gashnum turned and smiled to Muargath.
"I told you he'd be up before night fell."

Before Gashnum could say anything to the elf Viresse spoke up. Gashnum listened to her speak, he didn't have a particular opinion about the new elf just yet. Elende he had called himself.  Gashnum spoke up right after Viresse.

"Viresse, I had no desire to see this man eaten by a flock of foul featherd vultures! we could do nothing other than stop in his aid!" Before Viresse could be allowed to respond he turned to Elende.

"My friend" he addressed Elende.
"If your business is peacefull then join us here by the fire and soon we will eat and you can tell us how you came to be poisoned." He glanced quickly to Viresse.

"But I am inclined to agree with Viresse. If your business is otherwise then please make your way out of this camp, for I have no desire to be in the presence of one who had dark alliances."
Gashnum stroked Duster's head quietly while he spoke, waiting for the elfs' response.

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

Elende looked at the fives companions as  they finished addressing him. He bowed his head slighlty as he felt disappointed with the reactions. But what could he expect anyway.
  "I am half-drow, I cannot and will never escape this fact" he thought.

 Under normal circumsatnces he would have walked away with his beaten pride and his battered soul. But the euphoric feeling from the odea moss   paste gave him courage to at least try to win the trust of these paople.

 After a small pause he finally spoke......

" I cannot blame you for not trusting me...I will not hide from you that Dark ELven blood does run in my veins, but I do not claim to be one of their kind."
 Elende felt the tension rising as he mentioned his drow heritage, so decided to continue his story so as to not allow any interuptions.

" I was niether born as a Drow, nor raised as one. I was born in the Auturian forest...."
 
 With this last coulpe of words one of the companions, a black haired elf, seemed to become more interested in his story.

" So, I call my self a Tethinhrim Elf, as I was raised as one and also joined the Kaierian Warriors. My father however..." with the mention of his father his facial features became twisted, revealing disgust and even hate...." he deceived me, using his foul tongue he convinced me to betray my mother and my people..to leave Auritian for Paelelon. "

 Elende didn't risk stopping his speech to check on his 'audience', hje feared that the moment he stopped he wouldn't be allowed to continue.

" The Paelelon forest was my home for more than ten years. Only the last few years, however, I managed to realise what has come to pass. I had fallen from Ava's arms to Coor's embrace. I was treading the path of darkness for too long.
 I finally found the strength to leave this cursed place only a few days ago...and yuo saw for yourselves this decision was not welcomed by the Drow. As for my destination...I cannot tell you anything....I simply do not know where to go...South most probably...towards the Auturian forest"

 From the tone of his voice it was apparant that he didnt; know if he actually wanted to go back there, but he felt he had said enough to explain himself.
 Elende finally paused, he could see the companies exchanging glances, trying to decide ontheri course of action.
The man with the dof on his lap seemed as if was ready to say something, but Elende quickly interupted.

  " Dear travelleres I have nothing of value to give you in return...for what you have done for me. And I do not expext you to gladly accept me in  your company. But I would beg you for some water and food for  I was hunted for days and my waterskin is empty and I had eaten very little in these last few days.....I think I should be leaving alone to discuss and decide...I will be rigt there" he pointed at point that he was resting.

He took a bow and turned away. He picked up the blanket he had just thrown, sat on the soft ground and gazed at the night sky. He felt satisfied that he was honest with the adventurers, although they had no way of knowing that he was, and for not begging for a place among them. He did what he should. He turned his gaze once more towards the stars.  

" They have saved my life....already they have done enough. Should I be asking for more?"

 Elende tried to give the matter no further though, now he could only wait.......



 

Edited by: Elende at: 2/27/03 1:49:16 am

"Sinen, Sinen, never one to be cautious when in battle"

*Dray speaks after Sinen has spoke and dispatched a few moe orcs. Dray just shakes his head and meets the on comming rush of 2 more orcs. He blocks a club from either side and drops flat to the ground dodging swings from them as well. Dray slices each one acros the legs amd rolls to his back where he blocks 2 more club blows*

"Ah crap your in a bad position now Dray what to do...."

*Dray is being overpowered by the might of the orcs so in desperation he resorts to his magic. A little bit of flame comes from Dray's fingers into the orc's faces. They fall back clutching their faces from the minor burns. Dray then gets to his feet and slices both across the chest and then thrusting them through the heart. Dray turns to make sure they are dead and is caught from behind by a club to the back. Dray flys a few peds and lands with a thud*

"Ohhh that hurt good thing my chain mail is on"

*Dray pushes to his hands and knees and sees the orc racing up behind him. Dray waits til the last second and mule kicks the orc right in the stomache. Dray then gets to his feet and stares down the orc. The orc swings and dray catches his club between his 2 swords. The orc presses down and once again Dray is overpowered by the stronger orc. Dray uses the orc's power against him and leaps backwards as the orc stumbles fowards without anything to restrain his force. Dray seizes his chance and thrusts his swords into the shoulders of the orc, but is surprised as the orc rises up and knocks Dray back before he can retrieve his weapons. The orc enraged and bleeding with a sword sticking straight up into the air out of each shoulder races towards Dray. Dray uses his magic to create a small area of ice that the orc soon after steps upon and slips falling on his face. Dray then rips out his blades and thrusts them into the back as the orc tries to get to his feet.*

"There we go all said and done, this one almost got me though"

*Dray looks over to see Sinen fightin off 2 other orcs, but a 3rd is comming up form the back. Dray once again uses his magic, but as it tends to do it fails him and nothing happens, and he is too far away to reach Sinen in time to help*

Earlier, while setting up camp, Muargath had kept stealing glances at the unconscious dark elf.  She'd seen elves before, sure, but in all her travels, Muargath had never seen or met a dark elf.  From the stories she heard, dark elves had hearts of blackest evil, and lived to spread chaos and destruction in their wake.  And here, one had stumbled onto thier path.  Anticipating the worst, she socially withdrew from the others and worked in silence; gathering wood, building a fire, and taking care of the pack horse so Gashnum can sit and rest his leg.

Muargath was adding more wood to the fire when the dark elf awoke.  She didn't see him stand up, only heard him start talking.  She looked up, momentarily alarmed, and scooted back away from the flames to sit on the log near Gashnum.  Along with the others, she listened to Elende's words.  When Viresse suggested that they should send him away, she didn't look to sure of herself.  But Gashnum jumped to the dark elf's defense, gave him the benefit of the doubt.  Gashnum, always the diplomat...  She'd have smiled if she weren't so anxious.  Instead, Muargath looked into the flickering flames and listened some more... After Elende said his piece, he retreated so they could talk more or less in private.  

Having held her tongue thus far, Muargath decided to finally say something.  She looked around at the faces of their small group- Viresse, Junas, Jamalian and Gashnum- wondering what they all were thinking.  "Maybe if he allowed someone else to carry his weapons as a show of faith...only until we know we can trust him?"  She paused and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly.  "It's not like we can outrun him, if he chooses to follow us.  Either way, it will only be until we reach Hog, right?"      

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

Sinen's blade with its purple glow cleaves another orcs head off. Sinen blocks another blow from a club from the orc to his right. He attempts to attack but a blow to his back sends him scattering to the ground. Dazed and disoriented he scrambles to get up. The two orcs advance on him. The female elf, Alia, seems almost in a trance as she starts to move her hands similiar to weaving cloth. Sinen blocks one orc's club and sends a fist to the other's stomach, just as the ground underneath the one he blocked the attack from explodes upward impaling the orc on a thin spire of rocky earth. Sinen spins and drives his blade deep into the remaining orc's heart. He looks around and glares at the one remaining orc. It flees in fear.

"Dray, Gararion, we should move on."

He looks at Alia.

"Thank you for that."

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

"Absolutely." Gashnum stated, in agreement with Muargath.
Duster awoke at the sound of his masters voice and the hound perked up his ears curiously.

"We've got to give this man a chance, and if we don't" Gashnum lowered his voice.

"Whats to say he wont finish us off where we sit." Gashnum leaned back having made his point. He threw a stick he had been gesturing with into the fire. As an afterthought he said, mostly to Muargath but audible to the group

"And like my father always said, 'Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer."

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

Gararion watches the display of magic showed by this female.

Truely I will need to speak to her about this.

Gararion followed Sinen and Dray as they now seemed to force the threat away....

Muargath nodded in agreement.  "Your father was very wise."  She looked at Elende who sat quite a ways away, staring at the night sky.  She didn't doubt that he could hear every word they said.  Probably... elves hear better than dogs can!  "So who's going to tell him?  We saved his hide, we should probably feed him."  Her own stomach was starting to rumble.

She looked at Gashnum, "You have any more of those sausages?  I guess it's my turn to cook..."  

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

Edited by: Muargath   at: 2/28/03 8:19:36 am

She listened to Gashnum come to the Moh'styros defense. While it was against what she had felt, humans were an ambiguous sort and she hoped that allowing Elende into the band didn't come to ill. It would be on her shoulders if it did, or so she felt.

Elende began to speak again. He spoke of being half Tethinirhim. He spoke of his upbringing in the Auturian (sp?) and his turn to Dark by his Eophyrhim father . While she listened, she was fairly entertained. But she was not sure if she trusted him.
She didn't trust anyone in the group. She wasn't even sure of the Fire Gem. The old Jhell had the urge to go on this journey and did so. She hoped she wouldn't pay for it....

Muargath came to a more steady conclusion that Viresse was more assured of. She said to take the ecu'Moh's ( "broken Dark", indicating him being half-dark elf)  weapons until Hog. Viresse nodded, while she didn't like the idea of being within the vicinity of such a strong Co'orish influence it seemed she didn't have a choice.

The white-haired girl spoke of telling the ecu'Moh their decision. Viresse stood.
" I will tell him. I feel that the moh'styros will understand it more from me than from you all. I expressed my distaste of him and feel that it would be best for all if he only disliked ONE of us instead of us all."
She looked to Gashnum.
"And if you do still have a fair amount of sausage, I'd enjoy having a meal of them." She smiled in a friendly manner, then departed to tell Elende.

"Ahhh, yes indeed I do, yes I do." Duster's ears rose even further at the mention of 'sausage'.

"Muargath if you want to cook, you can find them in that brown haversack." Gashnum pointed to a particulary large and bulky brown sack on the horse.

"And the pan is there as well." Gashnum turned to Viresse

"Oh and Viresse, don't be too harsh on the elven fellow, I don't think he can take much in his state."

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

   Elende tried to ignore the conversation of the five companions. He could have heard anything they said if he wanted to, they were only a few peds away. He kept himself busy with his thoughts, with pictures from his past.
 Acceptance did not come easily in the Auturian forest because of my dark elven heritage, same story in the Paelelon this because I was not a pure drow…same story now….. He had to realise that is going is the way are going to be.

 Once again he turned his gaze in the stars, when he felt a voice talking to himself, a voice in his head.
What do these people know of your suffering, of the pain from falling from grace. NOTHING, everything was easy for them and now they judge you? How can they, what do they know?
 Elende felt as if his father was talking to him, as if darkness was calling him. He was holding his head and trying to dismiss all this though. He had to battle this demon from within. He felt like screaming…but suddenly the voice stopped and felt someone approaching.

  He turned his head to see who was it and was surprised to see the elven maiden approaching. He quickly stood up and waited for her to tell him what their decision was…

So now he is a dark elf? Well half Drow, I have heard much of them but he seems to be nothing like what I was told. Junas simply had been following the conversation with little intent on getting involved. He knew nothing of the dark elves and had no real opinion on anything that was occuring at the moment.

Muargath asked Gashnum for more sausages, she would be cooking tonight Junas assumed.

---

As Viresse walked off, Muargath went over to the horse and retrieved the brown haversack and the frying pan.  She came back over to the fire and made sure there was more than enough wood to keep the fire going.  Seemed a little low.  

"Would somebody please go collect some more wood?"  She asked no one in particular.

There was a ring of stones banking the shallow pit and another stone set within the circle.  Muargath centered the pan between this stone and the arc of stones that formed this ring.  It was a near perfect fit.  Turning to that brown leather sack, she found inside a small bottle of cooking oil.  She popped the cork out and poured some in the pan, stoppering it right after and putting it back where she found it.  After she unwrapped the sausages, she counted out two apiece and set them carefully in the pan to avoid any oil splatter.  She wrapped up the remainder, noting there was only enough for one more meal for a group of this size.  We should compensate Gashnum for his kindness.  It's not like he had to share his food with us.  I, for one, will repay him when we reach Hog...  

There was a long two-tined fork in the haversack as well, it was with this that Muargath moved the sausages around in the pan so that each would have maximum exposure to the heat.  She took some more wood and added it to the fire, slipping it carefully into the scant space below the pan.  Looking up, she noticed that Junas was watching her.  She smiled at the young knight before turning her attention back to the cooking...    

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

Edited by: Muargath   at: 3/1/03 10:34:44 pm

With the sun starting to sink from the sky, and a forest growing before them the group treks onward. the Elven lady, Alia stays near Sinen and keeps to herself. Sinen looks back to Dray.

"We are near our destination."

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

Junas walked up to Muargath as she began cooking the sausages. "I haven't had much chance to talk to you for a while... how do you come to meet Gashnum? He is an awfully nice fellow."

---

Muargath poked around at the sausages as they slowly started to sizzle.  "We met several months ago, at an desert inn called The Thirsty Herald."  She grinned at the memory.  "We played an interesting game of cards.  Unfortunately, I lost all my Wa'er to a knight named Jerardomas.  Luck was not with me that day... well, it was in my meeting Gashnum, but not in the cards."  She winked at Gashnum then.    

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

She tried not to stare too intently at the ecu'moh as she approached him. While she had a natural dislike for them, she did feel a sense of kinship that all elves seemed to have. She then felt quickly annoyed as She nibbled at the inside of her lip. Kinship with a DROW!? The road has tainted you indeed!

She stood before the ecu'moh for a moment, then dropped to one knee so she would speak to him on eye level. Viresse peered at him for a second too long with her brown eyes.

" Me'kroi'Gashnum is preparing food and we will eat shortly. Do you wish to partake of it?"

She paused long enough for him to answer, Then cleared her throat and spoke low, so that only Elende could hear her.

" While I myself do not like the prospect presented, I have no choice. The Me'kroi have concluded that they shall take you along... But I have a condition that I myself have made." She took a quick, deep breath of air before continuing, and hoped that this didn't anger the Ecu'moh. He seemed reasonable but... she couldn't trust anyone.

"I wish to take your weapons. This will keep us safe, or so I feel. I pray to Ava you have not the skill of your Clerics or I will be forced to bind you." She breathed out slowly and looked at the Ecu'Moh, for any signs of anger or resentment.

Gashnum returned Muargath's smile with a wink and a nod.
"Ahh yes, quite a game that was."

"It was fortunate that we did happen to meet each other, else I would have been playing a lonely game of solitaire." He smiled then while watching Muargath poke at the sausages.

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

Elende listened carefully to what the elven maiden had to tell him. Of all the five companions, she seemed to be most suspicious of him. As a matter of fact, Elende got the impression that  she  suspected  no-one but herself.  

 Taking a few second to consider her proposal, Elende fnally answered.

" My weapons are my only possesions....I trust that you will take good care of them. I hope that it would bring you some comfort  knowing that having been raising as a Tethnrhim elf I am unacostumed in the ways of the hunter-clerics"

  The elven maiden didnt' seem to be convinced by his last statement. Elende paused for a few moments as he was thinking of what to say next.

 There is no point trying to convince anyone his words. I would have to prove myself worthy of their trust with actions...not words. I only hope that I get a chance to prove myself...

 
" I do not expect you to trust my words...but I will try and prove your judgement wrong. I thank you for your honesty, however.".
He said this words with no hint of irony or cynicism. Taking a deep breath, he looking at the elven woman's brown eyes.

" If you have nothing more to say on this matter, I suggest to join the rest. I have been without nourishment for more than a day and I would greatly desire some food"

She nodded slowly as the ecu'moh finished his statement. She wanted more than anything to have an ally on the trip, and while Gararion had her friendship and trust for the most part, he was not here.

She had the me'kroi. But as they had just proven, as unpredictable as the waves....

She looked to the ecu'moh.
Ava... you have to be kidding me. Art thou?

She presented an empty hand and took his weapons; the only possessions he said he had. She held a tight grip to them and presented a hand in gesture toward the fire.

"While I am wary, I do not consider myself to be cruel. Sit by the flame and warm yourself, and eat your fill. It appears you are low on strength and have wounds to tend, I am but an aged Elf with a quick step."

She had to force off a smile as she spoke...

"Solitaire?"  Muargath chuckled.  "I think not!  If I weren't there, Jerardomas would have won all your silver instead!"  She laughed.  "I guess I was lucky for you..."

She started to turn the sausages over, rolling them a quarter at a time so they would brown evenly.  The smell was delightful.  She noted that Viresse and Elende were approaching the campfire and that Viress had the dark elf's weapons safely in hand.  Somehow, this made her feel only a little better.  

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

As the elven woman finished her statement, she appeared to....smile. Elende did not expect such thing but he was pleasantly surpised, enough to return the gesture. He then around to pick up his gear. All that he had with him was a small back-pack, which was almost empty with his bow and and an empty quiver  attached to it. His blades he kept seperately, but he  fastened the sheathed swords on the back pack before handing everything over to the elven woman.

 The rest of the companins were aware of the two elves approaching but tried to seem as unconcerned as possible. As if this whole situation was simply ....ordinary. As he approached the fire, his blood red hair appeared to lightne up, and if they were on fire.

 Elende felt that he had to say something....anything. Finally, he spoke.....

"First you saved me from the vile poison, and now you ready to save me again...this time from starvation"
 

Junas looked at Muargath and smiled. "Thirsty Herald, I think I have heard of it... may be somewhere else I am thinking of though," he laughed slightly before looking for a moment at Elende. "What do you think of our new companion over there then?" He asked as he jolted his head in the drow's direction.

---

OOC: You think we should carry Dray Sinen?  I have been waiting for his reasponse so I could post but it seems that I will get none.  SO I post now...

---

Gararion listened to the words of Sinen.

Finally they would meet this mage that Sinen spoke so highly of.  But other things were on Gararion's mind now.  Who was this female that now joined them.  What was the purpose of her path crossing ours?

Gararion made his way closer to Sinen.

"Words have been running through my mind and now these words must make their escape young elf.  Why does this female join us?"

It was straight outward question and Gararion knew it.  But he didn't want to take the time to figure a way to hide his question within other words.  He felt at this moment this was the best path to take, though it may prove to gain no knowledge from this elf at all...

"What do you think of our new companion over there then?"  Junas had asked just as the two elves were approaching him from behind.  Apparently, the young knight didn't know they were so close.  Muargath met Junas' eyes then flicked her gaze briefly over his shoulder before returning to his eyes again.  She slowly shook her head.  Maybe he'll understand.  Ah, but he is young and inexperienced... but he'll learn.

Muargath turned back to the sausages which were finally done, a fine crispy brown, yet not burned.  "They are ready.  Everyone help themselves.  Careful, they are very hot!"  She moved over to the log that Gashnum was sitting on, waiting for the others to eat first.  She glanced briefly at the red-haired drow as he thanked them all again for saving him from starvation.  She nodded respectfully to Elende, perhaps even nervously, but she did not reply.

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

Junas looked at Muargath as she avoided the question and made a very hidden gesture over his shoulder. Junas looked away and forgot about the question he had asked.

"They are ready. Everyone help themselves. Careful, they are very hot!" Muargath informed everyone. Junas reached and grabbed one of the sausages, it burned his fingers but ignored the pain as he was nearly starving. It cooled for a moment in the air before Junas popped it in his mouth finishing it in seconds.

"Mmm... very good Muargath and thank you very much." He smiled at her before turning to Gashnum.

"And thank you once again for providing the food. Big feast on me when we get to an inn or something like that." Junas laughed a bit but he was serious even though some of them may not believe it. Junas had quite a lot of money that he received from his mother when he left home, and what he wanted the most was to share it.

---

OOC:Sorry guys, but I have been really busy latly I will post as much as possible. and necessary



*Dray looked ahead as Sinen said they neared their destination. Gararion then asked a why the female elf had joined them, and Dray realized that he was slightly curious about that too. Although Sinen and her seemed to know each other that was all Dray knew. Dray pulled a piece of fruit out of a pouch at his side and started eating it as they continued on and waited to hear Sinen's response*

Gashnum scooched over slightly to make room for Muargath on the log. He wasn't quite hungry enough to get up and get a sausage yet. But he nodded modestly as the group thanked him for the food.
As Muargath sat down Gashnum smiled up to her. From the edge of the camp the two sat and watched the rest of the group eating. Gashnum's gaze rested mostly on Elende, the new elf. He wasn't quite sure about him yet, but Gashnum had given him the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps that might pay off later.

Gashnum spoke quietly to Muargath.
"Thanks for cooking tonight." his tone was serious. He patted his leg twice.
"I don't think I could have managed it, hah! maybe i'm getting to old for this kind of adventure." he laughed louder than he intended and looked up to see if anyone had taken any extra notice to him.

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

Not looking at either Dray or Gararion, but looking forward in the direction of their final destination.

"This here is Alia Locktear. She joins us at least for this small leg of our journey for she studies herbs from our sage's vast library. She is also a very close friend of mine. One I have been away from for a long time."

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

Chuckling at the Gashnum's laughter, Muargath gently nudged him with her elbow. "You are not old!  A little seasoned, maybe, but then, aren't we all?  As for cooking, it was my turn, I think.  We are all in this together and should share the duties... as much as we can, that is."

They sat in a comfortable silence for a few moments, watching the rest of the company.  Muargath's gaze went to Gashnum's leg twice before she finally asked, "How did it happen?  I mean, I've noticed your leg pains you... were you wounded somehow?"    

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

"well, I guess your right.." Gashnum said, agreeing that he wasn't that old, a smile happily spread across his face.

The two sat silently for a moment before Muargath voiced her curiosity about his leg. Gashnum frowned slightly at the question, it wasn't that he didn't want to tell her, it was only that he didn't want to be seen as a weak link in the group. He reluctantly began to speak, making sure that the rest of the group was attending to their food.

"When I was younger, just about twenty years old if I remember correctly. I joined the Remusian army. I was foolhardy then but what can I say.." He chuckled a little at the memory then continued on.

"My platoon got called up for an outside  patrol one day. We had been out for about three hours when we were ambushed by an orc raiding party."The middle-aged trader turned slightly, as his legs were begining to get a little too hot this near the fire.

"There were about forty of us, maybe twice as many orcs. They came around from all sides and closed in on us. Picking us off one at a time. Our captain was wounded early on in the fight and it went downhill from there." He paused for a moment gathering his memories together. He decided on the shorter version for now.

"Well.. Long story short an orc put a spear through my leg. Went all the way through and broke the bone in the process. I guess the orcs didn't find any honor in killing a wounded opponent so they left me to die on the tundra after they finished off everyone else, except for two others who were wounded as well." Gashnum shook his head several times as the bad memories came flooding back. Old pain began to seep into his leg, inspired by the ancient memories. As an afterthought he added.
"I got the ork the stabbed me though..." Gashnum forced himself to laugh at this, laughing always was the best medicine. He turned to Muargath awaiting her opinion, hoping that she wouldn't think less of him for not gaining the wound through some valourious act.

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

She took a seat acroos from Muargath and Gashnum but a good distance form Elende. She set his weapons beside her, close enough to reach but far enough for her to be comfortable.

She looked at the weapons a moment. She had heard of Moh'styros' skills with such things. Laced with poison, they jump from their scabbards and search for blood. She shivered a bit at the thought, but played it off as pretending to be cold. She listened to Gashnum and Muargath, and as she heard the former Remusian warrior speak of his limp ( which she had noticed but had taken no favor of, he travels so he should be treated no different than others) she found a grain of respect and and even trust for the man. She cocked her head slightly. She was surprised at her feelings; she wanted to trust no one.

But the longer the group was together, it seemed the more she did so. And not out of need as she usually expected.

She let a touch of a smile cross her face. Sometimes the night wasn't so bad. She looked to the stars, as she had the night before, and remembered what her goal was when Sinen led Gararion and the other man away.

" Gashnum; It seems you are along for the ride this journey, are you not? Has Muargath told you of the Fire Gem?" She looked to Gahsnum, and then regretted her questioning.

She quickly darted her eyes to the ecu'Moh, and swallowed. Perhaps that was a slip-up. She was getting dull in her old age... she closed her eyes for a moment and cursed herself, then looked to Gashnum for an answer, hoping that Elende did not pry...

She listened in silence as Gashnum described the attack by orcs.  The thought of being stabbed in the leg hard enough to break a man's leg-bone was rather terrifying to her... she couldn't avoid seeing it in her mind's eye and Muargath shuddered involuntarily as a shiver went down her spine.  

She glanced over at him with wide eyes, wondering how he can laugh over such a thing, and found him looking at her.  Muargath was at a loss for words, but thankfully, Viresse chose that moment to say, "Gashnum; It seems you are along for the ride this journey, are you not? Has Muargath told you of the Fire Gem?"

Muargath cleared her throat a little, "Uhm, yeah.. the Fire Gem.  I mean... no, I didn't Vir.  Please, go ahead and tell him, would you?"  She managed a small smile in Gashnum's direction and turned her address to him.  "You might be able to help us, yes?"  She winked at himthen, hoping he'd take her cue.  

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

Elende tried to appear as he was attendin to his food. However he was paying attention to everything that was going on. He was carefully observing the five companions, listening to what they were saying measuring their reactions.

 It seemed to him that this is what he did for his whole life. That's why he was the hunter...the shadowhunter, lurking in the shadows while stalking his prey. Observing it till he knew enough to predict its reactions, its next movement.

 So far he had learned the names of three of them, the white haired woman, Maugrath, the older human, Gashnum, the elven maiden, Vir.

 He listened at Gashnum's story, about his injury and then......Vir said something about the Fire Gem. From what he heard, it seemed that Vir, Maygrath, the black haired elf and the younger human, were on a quest to find this fire gem. They probably met with Gashnum on their way to Hog.

 That's all he had managed to deduce from the discusions. But there were still questions that needed answering.
Why did Vir mention the Fire Gem, when she knew that  he could hear they wwere saying?
Was it intentional, and if yes is it some kind of test or are they beginning to show trust him?

  He was not sure of what to do next, should he just ask them and get his answer, or should wait and get some more information?

 He decided that the latter was a better option...for the time being.

Edited by: Elende at: 3/8/03 4:21:19 pm

Gashnum smiled playfully a small laugh spilled from him.

"Ahh, yes I suppose you could keep me around. In case you need a little something to eat along the way." he winked back at Muargath keeping a straight face. The man turned to face Viresse for a moment.

"Tell me of this fire gem?" i've not heard of it." of course Gashnum had heard of it, but he wanted to make Viresse tell what she knew.

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 turned her attention to Viresse, suddenly aware that everyone in their small group was quiet and listening to this conversation.  It matters not to me who hears this.  We are all, more or less, in this together whether we like it or not.  Besides, I doubt anything will come of it- this fantastical flight after a children's legend!  Bah! What could come of it?  Nothing- and that is my bet!  Yet, even so... Gashnum did say he knew something of our quest.  Curious.... how would he even know what we are searching for?  He wasn't at the inn.  In fact, we ran into him far down the road. These thoughts whipped like a wildfire through her mind before Viresse even had chance to answer.

Muargath glanced momentarily at Gashnum.  She trusted him.  Why?  She couldn't answer that.  Or maybe she could... Kindred spirits.  That's why...  Nodding minutely, she looked back to the golden-haired elf.  

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

Edited by: Muargath   at: 3/9/03 4:28:47 am

The sun had set about an hour prior when The four, Sinen, Dray, Gararion, and Alia, stepped into the forest. A Short distance before them was a ladder going up into a quite large building built up in the trees extending over the area of 5 trees. The soft glow of lanterns pours through the windows. Sinen turns around and looks at Dray and Gararion.

"We have arrived. A word of warning. Don't take any word she will say for granted. It may seem like random comments and small bits of wisdom, but she knows more than any could hope for in one's life time. She is in fact much older than any one person would ever live. Remember, this sage has moments when she will look on into the endless expanse of the sea of the future. Show her respect, she very well deserves it."

With that he turns and climbs up the ladder followed by Alia.

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

*Dray admires the setup and whistles lowly as he looks around at all of it. He then looks back at Gararion and shrugs at Sinen's comment before he heads up the ladder after the female elf Alia*

Inside the sage's abode, Alia heads off down a hallway to the right and into her personal room. Sinen turns to the Dray and Gararion.

"We're expected. Follow me."

He turns and heads through the door directly infront of him. through it is a very large room which serves as a library of books to rival most lore libraries. At a desk in the center of the room sits a quite old elven woman. She sits back to the door, but even though the door opens soundlessly and Sinen makes no noise in entering she still speaks.

SAGE"Welcome, alas, young Sinen. I have awaited your return for nigh 50 years. Why is it you seek that which you seek?"

SINEN"I have meant to return many times in the past. Sorry I have been so long in returning. I seek the Fire Gem as I know you know for nothing other than a very bad feeling in the pit of my stomache. An evil moves to gain its power. My visionary dreams have revealed to me as much. I just don't know where I may find it."

SAGE"So you and two of your companions have come to me for guidance. You have brought a man named Dray and an Elf named Gararion here have you not? I will tell you what I know as I feel that you are right. Evil is ever about and seeking powers such as that of that infernal gem. It should have been destroyed not sealed away. It's exact location I do not even know, but still there is hope. Before you may release the 8 seals placed on the gem's resting place you must seek out the 8 Spirit Dragons. Each is the key to a seal, and all are required to gain access to that damned gem."

SINEN"To track down the eight dragons of spirit one must walk the world over and journey into what seems like the most infernal pits of the damned."

SAGE"So, you have read your father's journel I see. Good man. A shame he dissappeared. Alas, something big builds on the horizon of time. Beware, Sinen, to disturb the rest of the Fire Gem is to disturb the balance of peace."

Sinen looks down at the floor.

If not for the warning in my heart I would end this quest here. I still have trust amongst my group to earn and that may be a difficult task.

SAGE"Time marches ever forward and life lingers, clinging to what once was and is no longer, a false hope that what was once will come to be again. Remember that young Sinen. What was will never be again. They are gone. Keep your friends close, but always keep those you have little trust in even closer. You might find a surprise waiting you with the rest of your group in the form of another companion. Be prepared....."

She stands and takes a book from the shelf and sits back down to read..........

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

Gararion listens to the words of the sages but believe he knew read of something else, within the walls of Ximax..but still those pages of wisdom were lost to his aged mind.

Gararion closely watched the reactions of the Dray and Sinen, as he stood behind the two.

Gashnum waited for Viresse to speak, and waited, and waited. He frowned slightly at the time it took for the usually puncutal elf to answer, perhaps she was regretting what she had said, it was almost obvious that she was fighting some kind of internal battle.
Maybe I should change the subject.... Gashnum decided what to do with a tiny shake of his head.

He continued to wait for a moment, and caught Muargath's eye as she turned to look at him. Gashnum smiled a little, and the two were locked together for a moment, before Gashnum broke the gaze by speaking.
"Viresse, perhaps you could tell us at another time. I for one am quite tired and wish to take my rest now." He looked to the rest of the group, and especially at Muargath.

"What do you all think?"

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 was glad when Gashnum changed the subject after so long a pause.  She nodded in agreement with his suggestion.  "I'm pretty tired too."  She sighed and stood up to stretch the kinks out of her back.  

"I'll get your blankets, Gashnum.  Just you sit tight."  She walked over to the pack horse and started to unload the same blankets that he had loaned everyone the night before.  

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

*Dray looks around the room and is almost surprised by how alert this sage was with the silence they entered with and then that she knew his name even. Dray stood there listening to everything she had to say after that. At the mention of the spirit Dragons, Dray tensed up for a second, and then relaxed as his mind began to wander*

Spirit Dragons? I know I have heard something about them before... maybe not...will we have to fight these dragons? Or are they just keys and not real dragons... this could unlock a piece of the puzzle that is my life if they are dragons... peaceful and intelligent maybe so I could speak with them...I can only hope

*Dray is still lost in thought as the other 2 go to leave and Sinen comes up and places his hand on Dray's shoulder and Dray snaps out of it and looks back and sees they are ready to leave*

"Sorry....just day dreaming"

Junas sat alone, occasionaly nibbling on some food. He watched Gashnum and Muargath talk for a moment before looking at their new companion. The dark elf, Junas tried to think. His name was Elende, yes he remebered. He slowly rose to his feet and walked up beside Elende and sat down.
"Hello, I haven't had a chance to speak with you yet. My name is Junas." The young human greeted the elf as he extended his hand to him in hopes of gaining a friendship.

---

"Dray, Gararion, I think we shall stay the night here. Get a bite to eat and rest. Give the others time to reach Hog. I didn't think that I alone travel faster than them, and if they went into the heath then it will take longer. Besides, there isn't much hurry, she would like us to stay."

He walks back into the main room where Alia is waiting for them.

ALIA"I've prepared rooms for each of you. They are at the end of the hall down the right wing. Dinner will be served shortly in the dinner hall which is the left wing. You can clean yourselves up or do whatever you'd like. Also Melina, your sage, bids you take a look through her library if you'd like."

She turns to head into the dinner hall.

SINEN"Alia, I'd like to talk to you later. There is much catching up to do."

She pauses a second and then goes off into the dinner hall. Sinen heads down to his room at the end of the right wing and shuts the door.

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

Gararion makes his way directly to the library of this Melina.  He begins to read the pages of text that are placed within it.

ooc:  *sigh* weekends, you know...

Viresse looked to Muargath as she suggested that She tell Gashnum the story of the Fire Gem. She nodded absently, and then gathered all she knew of it, which to be honest was not much. While she thoguht the others talked, the ecu'moh awkwardly quiet. She darted her eyes to Elende as she thought, she knew he listened. One was alsways still when they listened; she had done it many times in this trip already.

She finally cleared her throat and looked to Gashnum, and spoke.
" To be honest with you, I only know of the Fire Gem from the story that I heard in the tavern shortly before we departed. If I had deducted corretcly, it had massive magic power, cure any illness and allow the owner to live forever."
She smiled to herself, it sounded completely untrue when it was spoke of that way.
" I came along on this trip to make sure the Gem didn't fall into the wrong hands. Gararion seems to share the same goal, so we have come to trust each other."

She blinked, and sat for a moment. She had revealed her intentions. She looked to all that were present, and hoped that she would not be thought different of. That would make the trip a fair more unbearable.
She realized that her thoughts made it seem as if she was Better than those she travelled with. She slowly drew her knees to her chest and wrapped her tan arms around them. She had suddenly felt foolish and small, and prayed to Seyelle that she had done the right thing.

ooc: you can tell Gashnum more, Muargath, Vir doesn't know much.

Edited by: Viresse  at: 3/17/03 4:46:50 am

Muargath walked back with an armload of blankets and began to pass them out.  She even gave one to Elende, handing it to him from a nearly a ped away.  

Muargath heard Viresse speak and when the elf was done, she added this, "That's more than I know.  Like I said before, it is a child's tale, this Fire Gem.  I will be amazed if there is any truth to it at all!  Sinen seems pretty convinced it is real.  Either he knows something I don't... or he is completely mad.  I'm hoping he is not mad."  Unfortunately, Muargath wasn't so good at hiding her cynicism.  She smirked and laid out a blanket on the ground by her canvas pack.  She lay down on the blanket and tried to get comfortable before folding it over on herself.  "I take it that you are all hoping he isn't mad either..."

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

*He enters the room he guesses was prepared for him and sits down on the edge of the bed inside. Dray then begins to relieve himself of his equipment. First goes the swords then followed by the forearm and shin guards. The backpack he sets at his feet and as he removes his cloak and chainmail he pulls the package from the family out of he bag. Dray sits back down and opens the package and stares at the elegant cloak again. He sighs as memories flood back to him. Dray shrugs as if in acceptance of something and goes to clean himself up before dinner*

Gashnum accepted a blanket from Muargath. He remained sitting on the log near the fire, and he wrapped the blanket about himself. Duster lay a bit away, fast asleep. Gashnum nodded in agreement with Muargath, he also wished that their leader wasn't mentally lost.

After a moment Gashnum eased himself off the log and lay on the hard packed ground near Muargath. He rolled over on his side so he could talk to her and in a hushed tone, inaudible to the others who were still talking about the reality of the gem.

"muargath...muargath, " he finaly got her attention.
"that stone," He paused to look up for a moment, deciding that nobody was paying particular attention he continued.
"... im convinced that its real, in fact, thats why im out here." He smiled and winked to her.
"Why else would I be in this part of the world?" he asked sarcastically the smile still on his face.

"Best that we get some sleep." Gashnum rolled over to face away from the fire and closed his eyes, his leg sparaodically paining him.

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

She was surprised that Muargath knew as much as she did. Why were they all out running around looking for a stone that they were'nt sure even existed?
One thing was for sure, she hoped that Sinen didn't have a bolt loose. The only thing worse thatwandering the wilderness with near-strangers, was wandering it while being led by a demented leader. She shivered and wrapped her arms around herself. She felt her eyelids begin to droop, and she almost let them, until she caught sight of the Ecu'Moh's poisoned blades. Her eyes snapped open.
" If we feel we need it, I shall keep watch tonight."
She looked to the others, but her eyes slid toward Elende. The caution in her eyes was only magnified by the campfire.

Muargath heard Gashnum whispering her name and looked over.  She nodded subtilely at his revelation.  Somehow, she was not surprised.  Beside the fact that he'd said as much when they'd first ran into him, Muargath was very sure that Gashnum knew far more about this whole business than she did.  She closed her eyes and smiled to herself, glad that he was here.

As she drifted off to sleep, a shining, red gem floated in her mind's eye, spinning and sparkling in an aura of dazzling crimson...

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

Inside his room, Sinen lays down on the bed to grab some rest before dinner was served. Needless to say he drifted in to dreams quite easily.

Countryside burns and green turns to blacken ash. The black cloaked figure holds aloft the red orb and cackles. Futile battle rages around, but none withstand the power of the gem....except.....8 dragons born of spirits appear........

Sinen is awoken by the ringing of a bell and Alia calling that dinner is ready. Sinen gets up and heads to the dinner hall.

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

*Dray hears the dinner bell and smiles. He puts the elegant cloak made for him on and smiles as he opens his door and the aroma of food reaches him. He follows the sound of the voice to the dining hall*

Gararions hear the faint sound of chimes ringing as his mind is in depth within the pages of the texts that sit before him.  He had almost finished each text within this sages collection.

He places the ribbon attached to one of the texts within the pages he is at currently at in one text.  Then standing he closes the text and raises with his own spellbook and staff in hand.

Walking toward the dinner hall, dusting off the little dust that has collected on his plain black cloak he stops just infront of the door looking within.

SHould he honor these men here by showing them his true position and the finest garmets they have probally ever seen worn by a traveller he wonders.

Muargath woke up in the dead of night with the uncomfortable feeling of a full bladder.  Grumbling under her breath about the inconvenience of it all, she crawled out of her blanket and tip-toed out of the camp to find some privacy.

A few minutes later, she returned and, finding she was wide awake, sat down by the fire.  She nodded to Viresse, who was still on watch.  "All quiet tonight?"  Casting about the group with her eyes, she noticed that Jamalian was still awake too.  Muargath smirked and looked at Viresse.  "Don't you elves ever sleep?"

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

In the dining hall The sage and Alia sit at a rather large table with three other places set around it. Several different dishes of food are placed on the table....all of which should have taken far more time to prepare than it did. You name it, it's there. Sinen sits down in the spot next to Alia, and smiles at her.....

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

She was thinking quietly to herslef, staring at the embers of the fire as they slowly dwindled to a mere glow.
Viresse thought of those she travelled with.
Were they trustworthy? She didn't have much of a choice. If worse came to worse, she could leave them all at the Next town. But that would leave the Fire Gem without an eye to govern it. Was it even real? Was she wasting the last years of her life on frugal instinct?
She sighed and thought of those Afar.
Was Gararion well? She hoped so. Sinen was far untrustworthy, no matter his words. He felt... odd to her and she was wary of him. And that Dray fellow was his colleague, and was therein wrapped in the same category...

A rustle caught her interest, and she shaw a shape rise from Muargath's sleeping area. She assumed it to be Muargath. Ith mumbled, then staggered off. After a short time, it returned... it was Muargath.

"Don't you Ever sleep?"

Viresse smirked.
"We do. We are just far more in tune with our Ca'rall.. We can tell when we are tired far better, and rest ourselves better. We therefore have to sleep less." She looked to Jamalian.
"And if I rememebr correctly, he just doesn't sleep." She raised her brows and Shrugged.
" By the By. With the ecu'moh about, I'll not sleep until I can trust him."

Muargath glanced over at the dark elf when Viresse referred to him.  He seemed to be resting too, yet he was an elf as well, so probably didn't need sleep either.  "I understand."  She sighed.  "Well, I had better get a few more winks in, or I'll be to tired to travel tomorrow."

She smiled at Viresse and then went back to her blanket.  Muargath did fall back asleep eventually, but it took several long minutes...

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

Gararion sits down at the table, directly accross from the sage.  He looked at the food that was presented.  He waited for any hints to what the topic of conversation would be, hopefully revealing more to him that what has been recently...

Elende was sitting quite having his dinner when the strangest thing happened.
 The young human stood up walked towards Elende and say next to him.

 ""Hello, I haven't had a chance to speak with you yet. My name is Junas."   The young human said as he extented his arm to Elende.

 Elende was taken by surprise, he never thought or even hoped that one would come up to him so openly. He simply didn't know what to say. The arts of conversation, diplomacy and all other social skills were simply unknown to him.

 Being a Kaierian warrior you are taught to hide you emotions, you are discouraged of expressing yourself in any other way apart by using your weapons. And on top of that his dark elevn heritage made him not the most popular trainee.
  Same story when he left to the Paelelon forest. Not only was he faced with the harsh ways of the Eophyrhim but he had to put up with their scorn because he was not a pure drow.

  Severeal moments passed before he replied to Junas. Elende returned the gesture and shook Junas' hand.

"Greeting and well met Junas, I believe you already know my name".  Although Elende tried to sound as friendly as he could, his tone was clearly formal. Elende turned his gaze away from Junas for a moment as he was trying to think whart to say next.

   " Some of your companions might think you too foolish....or too brave for being so friendly with me"

 The young human smiled at Elende's reply and was quick to reply.
   "There is only a thin line between foolishness and bravery after all" Junas continued to smile as he was talking to Elende.

 The elf finaly produce a slight grin to the edlight of Junas.
 "There is  a great deal of wisdom in your words young Junas"

  Muagrath then appaered in front of  him with an armload of blankets. She handed him one, although she almost threw it at him. She probably didn't feel at ease around him, Elende thought.

 Junas and Elende talked for several more minutes before deciding to call it 'night' and get some much needed rest.



ooc: By the way, Vir, Elende's blades are no poisoned. I explain the reason in my CD.



 

It was the light that woke her up, as the sun rose over the horizon and it's rays penetrated the thin skin of Muargath's closed eyelids.  She quietly groaned in frustration as she drew the blanket up over her face, but it was too late... there would be no more sleep for her.  She finally sat up and looked around at her companions, noting that Viresse  and Jamalian were still awake.  She thought, At least I won't be the only one who is tired today...

"Fine morning to you, Vir."  Muargath greeted the elf with golden-hair as she stood up.  She walked over to  the edge of the camp, down wind, and shook out the blanket before folding it up again.  She stowed it away in the pack items then walked back over to the banked fire.  "I suppose we should wake the others and get going.  Hog isn't getting any closer like this..."

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

Although Elende had recovered well from the poison, it had drained a lot of his strength. Last night he had fallen in a deep sleep, at leasr for elven standards. He recalled talking with Junas, and then the next things he heard was the white haired woman's voice....
  "Fine morning to you, Vir."

Surprised that he had managed to fall in such a deep sleep, he opened suddenly his eyes. The rays of light burned his eyes. In a way the pain reminded him that he was an elf that had fallen from the light, an elf that had thread the path of darkness.
 He tried to find his cloak with one hand covering his eyes from the painfull sunlight. Quickly putting it on he pulled the hood down to block as much sunlight as possible. He picked up the blanket that Muargath gave him and folded it.

 Muargath was standing close to Vir and the black-haired elf suggesting that they should wake up the others, Junas and Gashnum who seemed to be sleeping heavily. Vir and the other elf had surely noticed that Elende was awake. However, Muargath was not aware of this fact as he was outside her view.

 With what seemed as practiced steps, Elende approache the white haired woman while holding the blanket. His stepd didn't make even the slightest sound. It was something that had become second nature to him through long years of practising stealthy movement.

 "Good morning to you all, kind travellers." Elende said when he approached the small group, facing in turn Vir and the other elf and then turning his gaze towards Muargath. She almost jumped when she realised that Elende was standing almost next to her.

"Thanks a lot for the blanket.". Holding the blanket with both hands he offered it to  Muargath and waited for her her to take it.

 

Edited by: Elende at: 3/28/03 11:34:52 pm

Junas awoke slowly the follwoing morning, most of the others had already rose from their sleep as the young man looked around. "Good morning all," he said happily smiling at Muargath and nodding to Elende, he slowly rose and packed his things thinking of what the new day would soon bring them.

---

*ooc: Vir only knows what she Hears, and she heard that Eophyrhim blades were poisoned. She doens't know that YOURS aren't...*

Vir let out a heavy sigh, and let the chill early morning air fill her lungs. All the land was abathed in a blanket of warm gold; only the way a morning Injoh could splay as it rolled slowly above the distant hills. She let her brown eyes scan the camp- most all seems a fair bitt cozy as they slept, save for He who stayed awake. Viresse herself had a stiff back from sitting upon the ground all night, but still felt well enough to not desire sleep. Besides, when they reached Hog they should have a better bed than the earth. Or so she hoped.

Muaragth greeted her with an odd disposition in her voice. Whetehr it was tiredness or cheerfulness it was unclear, the lack of words did well-define what time of day it was. Apparently Muargath would enjoy a bed once they Reached Hog. In fact, she assumed Everyone would. Including the Ecu'Moh, who seemed to stir slightly.
Was he awakening?
Viresse slowly grabbed for the weapons that sat by her side all night; in case the Moh'styros decided to do something "Expected." She looked to Muargath and stood, approaching the lady while clasping the weapons in one hand.

" No, while Hog is named for a beast, much like its name sake; It moves for no one." She smiled meekly at her own joke, then cleared her throat. "While I feel a bit of a Hunger pang, I feel that we should be well and good if we reach Hog lather today and eat there. I do not wish to exhaust Gashnum of his own supplies; in fact I feel as if I should re-imburse him for such. Besides; in Hog we will have our choice of meals in that Town and sausage will be the least on our mind." She paused for a moment and was ready to continue, when a voice squarely caught her off guard, just behind her.

She took no revelance in the words but quickly struck out with the back of her hand, striking whomever it was somewhere on the Face- whether it was a forehead or a cheek it was uncertain. She followed through the movement and was a bit perturbed to find it was the Ecu'moh who had done so.

She bared her teeth as she glared at him. She was angry at being surprised, but calmed slightly when she realized she expected it from him. She made no motion to help or apologize.
"  Moh'styros. I shall advise you not to do it again, or I will be more fierce in my retaliation. " She huffed loudly at him, and looked to Muargath.

As Elende was looking at Muargath as he gave her the blanket, he couldn't see Vir's reaction to all of these.

 With his hood pulled down he didn't see Vir's back-hand coming at him......he did but it was too late to dodge the blow. It caught him squarely on the cheek.

 He really didnt' know how to react to this. He thought he heard his father talking to him..I told of the threacherous 'light' elves and how they treat our kin...
 Elende tried to dismiss this kind of thoughts. However he couldn't help frustrated by Vir's reaction. He felt his veins swelling with blood, he felt his hands screaming fro a sword, he felt darkness calling him to succumb to his rage.

 Suddenly he heard a voice only a few peds away....
" Good morning all"

Elende recognised Junas' voice. Last night the young human treated him as an equal...as a friend, whetever that means. Thinking of the man's kindness help Elende to resist to his rage.

"I apologise, I didn't mean to....." he then turned his gaze to Muargath.
"Will you take the blanket or shall I place it somewhere else?"

Elende tried to hide his anger the best he could, although he could hide his feeling relatively well his words and tone betrayed him most of the times.

Edited by: Elende at: 3/29/03 3:26:42 am

"Gah!" Muargath jumped, startled by the proximity of the dark elf's voice.  She had not heard him approach.  What happened next went quickly- Viresse spun and smacked Elende in the face and Junas approached, quite cheerful considering all that was going on.  

Viresse warned her darker kin to never do that again- and Muargath could only think she meant the sneaking up on people part- and then Elende, still holding out the blanket said, "I apologise, I didn't mean to....." he then turned his gaze to Muargath.  "Will you take the blanket or shall I place it somewhere else?"  Standing this close she glance up at Elende, for he was taller than she, and could see his face directly within the shadows of his hood.  She saw pride, and anger held well in check, but more importantly, she saw something else- a yearning for acceptance- that melted her resolve.  She quickly glanced at Viresse and then Junas before turning her gaze back to Elende.  Then she slowly smiled.

"Of course."  She reached out and took the folded, thick-woven cloth.  "And it should be me who apologizes..."  She was looking at him for the first time, and he didn't seem so terrible.  Of all the stories she'd heard when she was younger, of all the bad things that this dark and scary race was capable of, she just couldn't see this elf doing any of those atrocities.  She took a deep breath and let it out slow. "...I am sorry."  She looked around at the others.  "Come on, we are wasting time standing here.  Let's pack up."  

She turned and went over to Gashnum who had slept through all this excitment.  "Gashnum, come friend... time to wake up."  She gently shook his shoulder.  

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

Gashnum woke up suddenly from a nightmare. Something from his past was haunting him again, mists and shadows had invaded his mind during the night. He reached out towards his assailant and grasped Muargaths arm.

Gashnum opened his eyes, and saw that he was no longer pursued by the spirits of the night. He released Muargath and sat up. He ran a hand through his hair numbly. He was still trying to come to full awakedness. He tried to look past Muargath but his eyes wouldn't focus properly yet. Gashnum threw the blanket from over him.

"What'd I missss?" he said, somewhat confused and very much tired.

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

She winced when Gashnum abruptly gripped her arm, but Muargath then realized he was waking from a bad dream... "It's all right.  You didn't miss anything... except a good night's sleep.  But then, didn't we all."  She chuckled, trying to make light of the situation.  She hoped that would sooth his nerves a bit.

She rubbed her arm for a moment but kept her attention on him.  "You look awful.  Are you feeling unwell?"  She didn't do a good job of covering up the concern in her voice, so she gathered up his blanket and folded it over a couple of times as a distraction.  

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

She watched as Gashnum awoke and he and Muargath shared a conversation, while keeping an eye on Elende. That last reaction from Elende threw her for a loop. She had hoped to trust him as she had earlier, but his 'sneak' had startled her and she disliked it immensely. She tried not to show her diappointment as she watched the group.

He'll have to something near-momentus to gather my trust again... if at all. She furrowed her brows as she thought of that, but still kept a good eye on the Group, and mostly Elende.

When Gashnum didn't answer, she looked back at him.  She reached out slowly, so as not to alarm him, and felt his forhead for fever.  He wasn't hot, that was good.  She put the folded blanket down.  "I'll get you some water."  She retrieved his waterskin and opened it for him.  She crouched down next to him, offering the drink.  "Here.  Not too quickly now."  

With concerned and observant eyes she studied Gashnum, wondering if her friend was ill in some way she couldn't see...

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

So many things have come to pass in these last moments....or so it seemed to Elende.

 He was glad that he was holding that blaket and that he didn't have his blades on him...... Although a part of him wished otherwise.

 He could hear voices of the past in his head, the dark laughter that sent shivers down his spine...it was the voice of his most feared enemy, his nemesis....his father.
 Ha ha ha ha, I told you my son your place is among the proud and noble people of the Eophyrhim, not among the treacgerous and mischeavious and elves of the light. They hold no respect and pity for our people....

 Although Elende knew it in his heart that these were lies.he couldn't help feeling that they do hold some truth.....at least in his case. His worst fear now was that Vir  might just prove his father right..... He tried to not give the matter  further though, for the sake of his sanity and his very survival if for no other reason.

 Elende then tried to find a shady spot to sit and wait for the others to get ready to depart. He then realised Muargath's reaction. For the first time she seemed to not be afraid of him....she even looked him in the eyes.....she even said she was sorry! What for...why did she apologise?

 He then stood up and walked towards her. This time he tried to make as much noise as possible so that no one would be surprised. Muargath was sitting by Gashnum's side offering him some water.


  He turned towards Gashnum to greet him and then to Muargath...
" Is there a way that I can  be of any assistance to you?"
 He tried his best to sound friendly and warm....but such skills were beyond him. His tone remained formal, almost distant, almost dark.

Gashnum would have responded if he had been able. Something began to cloud his vision, and his throat tightened involuntarily. He almost blacked out for a moment, maybe he had, it was hard for him to tell. When he opened his eyes again Muargath was holding his waterskin out to him, she tipped a sip of water into his mouth. He swallowed gladly.

"Thank you." he croaked dryly. He would have sat up but he wasn't sure he could trust his body, he remained laying down. Over the past few months this had happened at an increasing rate. He would wake up, black out for a short while then awake again with a headache. This can't be good. he thought to himself. I'm getting to old for this...

He looked up into Muargath's eyes, they were concerned about him, he could tell. The last thing he wanted was to burden his friends, he would keep this a secret as long as he could.

"Shall we then?" Gashnum asked, moving to get up, but taking his time.

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

He approached her again, this time she heard him... "Is there a way that I can be of any assistance to you?"  He asked rather stiffly.

Muargath nodded and handed him Gashnum's folded blanket.  "Could you, please, tie this onto the horse?  Once we get everything packed up, we can set off."  She turned back to Gashnum, not meaning to be so dismissive of the dark elf, but her friend was trying to say thank you in a very gravelly voice.

"Don't be in such a hurry, my friend.  We still have some packing to do.  But I'll help you over to this log where you can rest some.  And see, Vir made some tea, it should still be warm..."  She helped him over to the same place he sat the night before, then left him to pour some of the still-hot brew into a small clay mug.  She put the mug into his hands, noting they seemed a little cold.  "Here, Gashnum.  You sip on this and I'll go see about your horse."  She patted his shoulder gently before grabbing the fry pan and walking over to check on Elende's progress.

She moved to the far side of the pack horse and attached the cook-pan with a leather tie.  Looking across the animal's back at Elende, she smiled.  "I appreciate the help.  Usually, Gashnum is the one to do this."  Her gray eyes flicked past the dark elf's shoulder and rested with concern on the trader who cradled the tea in both hands, a little wisp of steam drifted from the cup.  She looked back at Elende, somewhat embarrassed to be caught being so emotional by this stranger.  Muargath shrugged her shoulders casually and turned back to tying the leather strip.

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

Gashnum sat confusedly on the dead log, a mug of steaming tea held in his hands. The rising vapor caressed his cold, unshaven face.

Funny.... I don't remember getting any tea.. Gashnum's mind tried to grasp how he had received the drink. It didn't really matter so he sipped.
"MMmmm" he said to himself and took another drink of the delicious brew. The herbs in the tea soon began to wake his tired mind.

damn my feeble body, I can only hope that it will carry me to this quests final destination.... Gashnums thoughts trailed off as he watched Muargath over by a horse packing it. Gashnum was confused for a moment before he realized that it was his horse that she was loading. Then he remembered that she had helped to wake him from a troubled sleep not ten minutes before. He thanked her internally, but for now he would have to rest on his log. The old trader took another sip of hi

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 took a last look around the camp, satisfied that nothing was left behind.  Somebody had put out the fire, carefully breaking apart and scattering the last few charred pieces of wood so as not to spread an unnatural fire in the wilderness.  She's seen a wildfire once, they were not a good thing!

She stepped over to Gashnum and crouched next to him, resting a hand on his knee.  "Are you feeling up to it, my friend?  We are packed and ready to go.  It is a time like this that I wished your horse was for you to ride..."  

She patiently helped him to his feet, and the party set off down the path again.  One that would eventually lead them to the comforts of Hog, where the group could await the return of Sinen's group in some measure of style.

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

The small group traveled for most of the day, stopping frequently so Gashnum could rest.  The weather held out, being clear and sunny yet not too hot for a smooth, cool breeze blew in from the east, carrying the fresh, moistrous air of the great sea.  

The path led them out of the Heath of Cijur sometime around the noon hour.  Here the road split to east and west,  following along a path high on a cliffside that overlooked a swift waterway which flowed past Hog toward its eternal destination of the Adanian Sea.  On the opposite side of the river lay the lush Almatrar Woods, its treetops spanning to the southern horizon.  The party turned west.  This road was used frequently by merchants and travelers between Hog and Yorick, the port town at the mouth of the river.  It wasn't long before a small caravan overtook them and Muargath was able to procure a ride on one of the wagons for Gashnum.

And it was with this caravan, owned by a merchant named Mortimus Pride, that the group reached Hog at last.  After settling Gashnum in a cozy room at a small inn called The Riverside, Muargath went in search of a healer, or someone who deals with medicinals, as she was much worried about Gashnum's poor health...  

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

Edited by: Muargath   at: 4/24/03 8:40:54 pm

Muargath purposefully strode down the wide, main street of Hog, noting that the place was a smallish town, or rather a largish village.  New construction was evident here and there, so she guessed the population must be growing somewhat.  She hoped that even a town this size would have an apothecary.  As luck would have it, there was one and she received directions from one of the friendly locals, the first time she asked.

She approached the small shop now.  The entrance was nestled within a narrow alley off the main strip, certainly not easily found by anyone out for an evening stroll.  A small sign over the door read Mable's and there was a crude icon of a flask or open bottle with smoke or steam emitting from the neck.  Muargath pushed upen the plain, wooden door and stepped into the dingy shop.

There was a sharp oder of clashing scents that hung in the air like a think, invisible cloud.  Muargath resisted the urge to cough, and restricted her breathing to a shallow intake.  The walls were lined with narrow shelving from the low ceiling almost to the floor.  The center of the square room had a low table filled with all manner of vessels- from open, glass vials to carved, wooden bowls to small, woven baskets- and all had some substance within, most of which was unidentifiable.  

She almost jumped when a small head popped up from beyond the table, a gnarled, weathered face full of age and wisdom.  A gnome!  Dark gray hair pulled back into a tight top-knot that flipped in whatever direction it chose, eyes of beady-blackness, and a wide, bright grin with only one tooth missing.  

"Greetings!  Greetings"  Cried the gnome in a cracked, and obviously female voice.  "Do come in!  I am Mable and this is my shop as you most likely surmised.  What can I do for you today?"  Mable came out from behind the table, using a stubby walking cane to keep her balance.  Her woven silk robes were of a brown color, that mostly hid the various stains from mixing her wares.

"Greetings to you, Mable."  Muargath replied. "I am Muargath, a traveler who will be staying here in Hog for a short time.  I was wondering if you had any potions or teas for pain and fatigue?"

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

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

Gashnum could easily remember the trip, every agonizing step burned in his brain. His only joy was that they were finally stopped. He assured the group that he would be fine after a good nights rest in a bed at the small inn. Muargath helped him up the stairs to his room. Duster was allowed to accompany his owner into the his bedchamber.  Gashnum managed a weakened thank you as he collapsed on the cot-like bed.  He watched Muargath stop in the door for a moment before she left the room, Gashnum was about to say something but a sharp pain seared through his head and he fell to his pillow sem-conscious.



(ooc will add more later, sorry I haven't posted but this week has been really awkward for me. Will try to do more, sorry  )

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

OOC:  Hope Dray and Gararion doesn't mind....the plan is that I'll sum up a the three's time at the sage's which will be longer than planned thus we will arrive in Hog after the other group...


After the feast which among many other things the topic of exactly why such an artifact like the Fire Gem was created was discussed..In end being a conclusion that either its creators were mad or desperate....Anyway As the three's stay comes to an end A few days later than planned Each stand outside the sage's abode....The girl elf they rescued earlier comes running out...

ALIA-"Sinen, I wish to go with you this time....at least for a part of the journey...."

SINEN-"Come what may of my decision and whether or not my companions support it I will say yes for the time being....Alia, I must warn you though that this is a dangerous quest with many unknown perils....."

with that he tunrs....

"Come, we are already late in leaving and I fear our other companions will be restlessly awaiting our arrival in hog...plus an uneasy feeling continues to grow in my mind....."

He sets off towards hog at nearly a run....

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

She was pleased by the size of the town of Hog. Not big.
Not little. Shops were quaint and easy to access, and the shopkeepers were cheerfully friendly. She wondered if it was the area. Being so close to the deserted Altramar, and the Drow Paelelon, they must be happy to see a wood elf.

She sampled different food at shopcarts, observed a minstrel group and bartered with a weaponsmith for a fore-length shamshir. She could tell it was a replica, for the wood in the handle was low quality, but its size was quaint and easy to use. She eventually gave him her earrings for them.

Viresse wandered back to teh tavern where they had dropped off Gashnum. She assumed that everyone would come back here. She ordered taenish dumplings and a pint of aohu'o ale, and enjoyed every warm bite.

Gararion follows in silence taking in all that was said (what was it that was said again  ) during their stay their.  He found it easy to keep pace with Sinen as he had the wind to his back, though it blew towards them.

After a day's march the group finally arrived at Hog. The small town was quite familiar to Elende. He had come here before with his father to trade, usually for selling furs, cloths and of course always keeping an eye for agood deal in the finest weapond they could find.


 Although he had handed his backpack together with his weapons to Viresse, he kept a little 'something' for himself. Two dagger lie hidden in his boots. As always only the best quality would be enough for any Eophyrhim.

 After the group stopped at a tavern to drop off Gashnum, Viresse left to have a look around and Muargath as well, although she seemed quite worried. Taking advantage of the absence of Viresse.....the ever vigilant....Elende left the group for a while.

 Making his way through the streets of Hog he finally arrived at a merchant's shop. As  he pulled out the two daggers from his boots, the merchant appeared to be at a loss. The people of Hog had often dealinga with the Drow of the Paelelorn, and although they welcomed the trade with the dark elves they knew that it was not wise to anger them.

  The daggers were of the finest craftmanship, decorated with small carving along the blade and the handle.
 
 Elende approached the merchant and handed him the daggers.

I seek a fair price for these daggers

 A bit of bullying or frightening the merchant was always a good method to get above than average prices for anything you sell. Elende didn't like this method but he needed the money. He didn't want to be the beast of burden in the group. His only possesion were his weapons and those were at the hands of others.

 He accepted the price the merchant suggested without further bartering, since he didn't want to be absent for too long.

 He returned at the tavern and found that fortunatelly Vir had not returned.
  At least there won't be any interogation for the time being
  He sat at the table with the rest of the group after ordering something to eat and drink.

Moving at a quick pace the once trio now group of four head towards Hog, stopping to rest only when they must....Day fails and night comes...still they move...Alia staying always near Sinen. At length the finally reach Hog by mid day of the second day.....Now just to find the others if they are even still waiting for them....

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