Chapter 2: Discovery

[SeverineHalo]

Hours had passed since the fight in the forest. Everything was pretty much quiet as usual. Hardly anyone spoke of Lilas' death, for everyone probably figured he deserved such a fate. Severine was looking down , hardly paying attention to the scene in front of him. All that fighting was making him tired.

"There it is!"

Severine looked up, and saw Sheren village in the distance.

"Once again, the lone soldier walks off into the sunset..." -Anonymous

[Phiona Whitefire]

As the caravan continued onward, a subtle bend in the road revealed a great wall of roughly-hewn treetrunks, some ten ped in height.  This massive wall dissapeared into the forest on each side.  It was interupted at the road by a wide, strong-looking gate set under a tower that rose even higher than the wall.  A half-dozen men were guarding the gate, but they opened it for the caravan as soon as they saw Voltaire waving to them.  After the caravan entered, the gate was closed again.  There were guards set on the inside of the gates as well.

Once through the gate, the road dipped down a casual slope giving a view of the village of Sheren and the realization that this entire community was surrounded by the wall of trees.  One other tower and gate was in the distance, where the road continued on outside of the village.  

The majority of buildings were in three distinct groupings.  Roughly in the center, built in a wide circle about an open space, the businesses stood: a tavern, a small inn, stables and smithy, a church, a meeting house, a few shops and such.  The other two groups of buildings appeared to be dwellings and they were scattered in no particular order indicating they were built with no planning in mind.  The surrounding areas, within the walls of course, were filled with farmplots, herd enclosures, work areas, and lone buildings that were built farther out from the others.  All in all Sheren was comprised of some sixty or seventy buildings.

Taking its time, the caravan traveled down the road toward a rather large building on the outskirts of the village proper- a supply house or storage building of some kind.  There was no sign indicating the name of business or who owned the building.  Once the wagons were safely lined up next to the wide open door, Voltaire was able to address his hired guards and drivers.

"Fear not that thy life shall come to an end, but rather fear that it shall never have a beginning."    -John Henry Cardinal Newman (1801 - 1890)

Edited by: Phiona Whitefire at: 8/26/03 22:45

[SeverineHalo]

Severine slowly got off Rosebud, and took a looka round the village once all the caravans were lined up.  For a city that was well-protected...it looked too organized. The people walked around in small groups...what few people there were in the streets around this time. The soldiers watched them very carefully, eyeing their every move. They did the same when Severine and the caravan arrived.  Severine kept his hand near his sword...just in case if anything happened. He moved close to Tierria, who also got off her horse.

"There's something about this village," Severine began. "I can't quite put my finger on it-"

"Ladies and gentlemen!" Crestus' loud voice out done Severine's own, getting his attention along with everyone else. "Thank you for helping me on this journey to Sheren village! Even though we suffered a tragic loss...it's good that the rest of us survived. As you know, my men buried Lilas, and made a small grave for him in the forest. Unfortunately, he has no family that can be contacted. I want to thank our new group of elves who helped us in our battle. Ripp, I expect that you will continue with me on my travel to Klinsor. As for the rest of you, you're welcome to come along as well. You will all be paid in the morning...I'll be waiting for you all in the bar area of the Sheren Inn. The elves will be paid as well for their help. I'll also pay for you're stay tonight, so the inn will be free for you all! I also want to discuss other matters with you in the morning! Since the people here have a curfew...I suggest heading to the right away. My helpers and the soldiers will take care of the rest here. Once again, I thank you all. As for our friend Ren, the soldiers will make sure he gets to the infirmary."

With this said, Crestus walked into the supply house, followed by a few soldiers. At this point, all the wagons went inside, leaving the guards outside with their mounts.

"Well" said Severine, turning to everyone. "I guess we should turn in for the night...get some stress off of today's matters, huh?"

"Once again, the lone soldier walks off into the sunset..." -Anonymous

[Penrith the Crazed]

Penrith bounded through the forest, glancing over his shoulder every few seconds. He was carefully weaving in and out of the trees, because a face-to-face encounter with a tree wasn't on his to-do list.

He finally reached the edge of the forest, and he was surprised that there was a city there. He'd never been this way before. Penrith pulled his hood up, over his head. He had had it off while running, exposing his dark-blonde hair. Penrith was breathing heavily and perspiring even more. When you have a bounty hunter after you, it's not easy to be calm.

The wanted-man noticed that there was a caravan of sorts on a road leading to the city.

"That place looks heavily guarded..." Penrith thought to himself. "I wonder if they've got wanted posters for me around here." He glanced back to the woods. Apparently he had lost the tracker awhile back.

"That guy just had to be rich and powerful, didn't he?" The man said aloud, to no one in particular, shaking his head. Penrith looked around at the walls, to see if there were any openings of any sort he could exploit to get into the city. An opening for a river, a drainage hole, anything....

[DarkMorpher]

Sieg saw a group crouding around one man, he has a speach going on about some battle.

Sieg had stopped in town to rest on his way to, well where ever.  The man had gone on about paying his men, and it looked as if he lost a few and needed a little more.  

The man had finished his speach, and the group started to scatter away, most likely to meet in the same spot.  Sieg slowly aproached the man before he left to turn in and started to speak, removing his dark blue hood.

"Sir, I couldn't help to over hear that you lost a few warriors today.  I was trained as a Korenjaan, and maybe my assistance would be needed.  Of course not for free," Sieg finished off chuckling.

[Phiona Whitefire]

Phiona listened to Voltaire along with the rest of them.  Afterwards, since the rotund merchant had invited the lot of them to the inn, everyone began to gather their packs and luggage and to head that way, toward the center of the village.

A curfew?  Did he say curfew?  Her eyes narrowed in suspicion at this, and darted from one soldier to the next.  She didn't like this one bit.  She was starting to feel trapped... first by the wall and now by the abnormal amount of guards in the village.  With a small nudge to her mare's sides, Phiona turned and rode down to the stables, located next to the Sheren Inn.  She took an extra long time brushing down the warhorse and settling her in a stall while thinking about this new situation.  The guards were too regimented and there were far too many of them.  She wondered what was going on.

Grabbing her pack and weapons, she left the stables and went straight to the inn.  She managed to get one of the last few private rooms, glad that most of the caravan workers were sleeping in the cheaper, common room for the night.  After stowing her things in the room, she changed into her last, unstained tunic and went downstairs carrying only a long-handled dirk for protection.  This she tucked in her belt.

Finding an empty stool at the bar, she ordered a meal and an ale, paying the coin up front with a little extra for speedy delivery.  She glanced frequently around the room, keeping a good watch on the mood of the room's occupants and keeping to herself as well.  

"Fear not that thy life shall come to an end, but rather fear that it shall never have a beginning."    -John Henry Cardinal Newman (1801 - 1890)

[SeverineHalo]

Crestus looked at the man who asked him about work. "Well I am making my way to Klinsoir in a few days" he said. "I couyld use anotheer guard. Let's talk business..." Crestus led the man away from the group.

Severine and Tierria began moving their way to the Sheren Inn. Many of the passing guards were eyeing Tierria with inteerst, and Severine with resentment.

And Crestus expects me to join these people, Severine thought to himself.

The village did look too heavily guarded...as if the guards were guarding a fortress rather than a small village. Along the way to the Inn, Severine kept his hand on his sword. Tierria was feeling nervous as well, but did her best to make the most of it. He knew deep down inside the girl was scared...after what happened during last afternoon's events. She even almost lost her beloved horse. Severine put a soothing hand on his friend's arm, and stroked it lightly. Tierria turned to him and smiled a bit, which made Severine feel good inside.

Inisde the Shere Inn was like walking into a small tavern that only served royal soldiers and mercenaries. Most of who was in there were soliders. And it wasn't too many either. Severine saw Phiona go upstairs, but decided not to call her, thinking that she was going to go to sleep. After getting their rooms settled with the inn keeper, the two entered a room that looked like it was probably more expensive then the common ones. They would share this room, for there were only a few of these left. Severine would rather have a second room, but Tierria insisted that he stay with her.

"Not bad," said Severine, taking off his armor and looking around. "Not bad at all..."

"Yes" said Tierria, smiling. "It is nice..." The Stratanian girl reached into her sack for her things after setting her staff against the wall. Pulling out her nightgown, Tierria laid it upon the only bed in the room, big enough to have the two of them sleep in it. Seeing this, Severine walked towards the door.

"I'll be on my way..." he said. "I'll come back later."

Tierria blushed a little, and started to giggle. "Sevy" she said. "I don't mind changing in front of you.  It's not like you're going to come on to me or anything..." she continued to giggle as she reached to untie her hair.

Severine stared at Tierria for a moment, wondering if that was a joke or rather some kind of flirtatious hint. "It's alright...really...you can have sometime to yourself..." Severine handed his sheath with the Sword of Halo in it, and gave it to Tierria. "Keep this with you while you sleep. I don't trust what is going on here. I thought you the basics of swordplay...should catch these men off guard if they come in here. I'll be back in two hours.

Tierria nodded, and took the sword. Severine then kissed her on the forehead. "Sweet dreasm Tierria. Just in case you fall asleep that is." Severine smiled a bit, and walked out the room.

Downstairs, Severine saw that a few of the soldiers left. There were no villagers at all in the facility or anyone else besides the employees. Anyone but Phiona that is. She was sitting by herself, chekcing out her surroundings. Severine knew she was just a ssuspicious as he was.

"Hey Phiona" greeted Severine. "I guess you're down to your last tunic, huh? Pretty soon you'll be wearing nothing..." grinning at the woman, Severine found a seat next to her.

"Once again, the lone soldier walks off into the sunset..." -Anonymous

Edited by: SeverineHalo at: 8/28/03 18:26

[Phiona Whitefire]

"You'd like that, wouldn't you?"  She retorted, a bit sharply.  After an awkward pause, Phiona glanced over at Severine and smiled, "Uhm, I'm sorry.  This place has me on edge."  She looked over her shoulder at the rest of the room before bringing her gaze back to his.  

Phiona opened her mouth to say something else and just then her the barkeep arrived with her supper- a bowl of spicey venison stew on a platter filled with hard cheese, sliced apples and a thick slab of  hot, dark bread dripping with butter.  To the server she said, "Another one for my friend."  indicating Severine beside her.  She hastily dug in her pouch and brought out a couple more silvery coins to pay for it.  After the barkeep asked Severine what he'd like to drink, them man scooped up the money and left about his business.

Phiona turned away form her food and looked at Severine again.  In a quiet voice, so she wouldn't be overheard, she said, "This place reminds me of a stockade."  When she saw that he might not have understood her, she added under her breath, "A jail, a military jail."

Continuing in a hushed tone, she said, "And it may be the curfew, but except for these guards, I haven't seen any villagers but for a couple women...and they seem pretty intimidated."





 

"Fear not that thy life shall come to an end, but rather fear that it shall never have a beginning."    -John Henry Cardinal Newman (1801 - 1890)

[SeverineHalo]

After ordering his apple juice, he turned to Phiona. He listened closely to what she had to say in a hushed tone. Slowly nodding to to himself, Severine looked around and saw a few soldiers were eyeing them suspiciously.

"I never been in a stockade before Phiona...but I agree with you." Severine started to lightly tap his fingers in the counter. "Something doesn't seem too right...as if they're hiding something." Severine spoke in the same tone his companion did. "We should see what's up with this village in the morning. It's too risky now, and more of the people will be outside tomrrow. We can maybe get some info from them."

After recieving his dish, Severine smiled. "Thanks for paying for my food. Would it surprsie you knowing that I saved your life because I knew you was going to pay for my next meal?" Severine wanted to kill the tension that was in the room, trying to relax from the suspicions that clouded his mind.

"Once again, the lone soldier walks off into the sunset..." -Anonymous

[Tierria Selig]

Tierria sat on the bed, holding the Sword of Halo close to her...the way she would be holding Severine right now. She felt a bit worried about the current situation they were all in. Someone died (even though they deserved that death), she was almost raped, and Severine seemed like he was fighting against an inner rage. Ever since they accepted that mission, things have been weird. Already Severine was showing interest in another woman, Zeadon was too quiet, three elves show up out of nowhere, the guards that were left actually showed some kind of honor, and now it seemed like they just walked into a prision. Holding the sword tighter, Tierria sighed to herself. She wished Severine was her right now...golding her tight...easing her fears like he always did. There was many a time where he protected her from lechers and annoying suitors. And now, she needed his protection. She needed Severine. The soft, gentle Severine that she fell in love with. She was hoping that the move she made not too long would have them making love...but it didn't work. Once again, Severine of the Halo clan pushed her aside. She wanted to be with him so bad...these past few days were a little hectic for her. They were hectic for him as well without a doubt...and she wanted to ease his soul...even a little bit.

Starting to comb her hair, Tierria started to silently wish that Severine would come through that door. But he didn't. She knew she probably would be asleep just about time he came back. She didn't mind much...just as long as he kept her company through outt he night. She was starting to feel scared...being in such a mysterious place...in a room all by herself. She wanted more courage...but couldn't come up with any. Sighing to herself, the lonely girl lied in her bed. She started to think about what it would be like if he made the move on her earlier...and she soon fell asleep...holding the Sword of Halo close to her.  

"How do you heal a man's heart when you always end up wounding it?"

[Ripp Dide]

Ripp glanced about the [ivillage[/b[/i]   noticing the heavy fortifications he was impressed with the look of readiness on all the guards.  

Following a few of the others into the tavern he saw the Shendar and young human female, a rather attractive one at that.  With his wide grin he waled over to their table and sat down next to the Shendar

"'ello, have you decided on whether or not to accept Crestus's off he spouted abruptly.  Then a look of self-consciousness creased his sharp angled features, he went on, "Ah, forgive my manners I failed to intorduce myself: Ripp Dide, water druid and member of the Sanhorrhim elven tribe." he finished with a miniature bow from his seat.  

Feeling a slight pressure against his leg he looked down to see Eva, peering up at him from the floor.   Reaching into one of the many pouches around his waist he grabbed out of one a small piece of salted fish and gave it to the Slinker.  The magiced compass tattooed on his hand spinning idlely only pausing momentarily to point toward on of the town wells.

"I am prepared to meet my maker, but, is my maker prepared to meet me?"

Edited by: Ripp Dide at: 8/29/03 22:49

[Penrith the Crazed]

Penrith watched the village intently. He was waiting to see if at anytime the guards left the gate unattended. He was getting very bored doing this, and was getting ready to just walk up and ask to be let in. The man wasn't used to thinking about things, he usually just acted on impulse, but he decided not to do that for awhile, based on his current prediciment.

He was getting very worried, too. The bounty hunter could be upon him at any moment. Penrith was getting very nervous and fidgeting alot. He glanced back at every noise he heard, expecting to be caught or killed. Suddenly, he noticed something. One of the guards turned the corner while partol the walls, and he was out of sight of the others.

Penrith watched and saw he rounded the corner every few minutes. He looked around him and found a nice sturdy stick. So, he swiftly and quietly ran over to the wall. He stood by the corner, just out of sight. He waited a little while and finally the man rounded the corner. Penrith was ready and gave the man a quick jab the the throat and hit him over the top of the head with the piece of wood. It didn't make to much noise and it was done very quickly. Luckly, the helmet the man wore wasn't very strong.

Penrith quickly got into the mans clothes, and he was just the right size. He slipped the helmet over his head and it was perfect, it hid his face from view. The wanted-man dragged the guard off into the woods. Hopefully he was dead and wouldn't expose Penrith, but he wasn't quite sure. He covered the man up and ran back to the village. He began patrolling like the man was and came to the gates.

"I need to check on something," Penrith said in a deep voice, hopeing that's what the man sounded like, "I need to get inside."

[Phiona Whitefire]

Phiona chuckled at Severine's witty remark, finally turning to her food once his had arrived.  It was a delicious meal and she quickly ordered another ale to quench the spiciness of the main dish.

They ate in silence and had just finished when the elf, Ripp Dide, joined them by sitting in a recently vacated barstool next to the Shandar warrior.

" 'Ello, have you decided on whether or not to accept Crestus's off-- Ah, forgive my manners!   I failed to intorduce myself.  Ripp Dide, water druid and member of the Sanhorrhim elven tribe."

Phiona recognized Ripp as one of the elves she'd seen right after the ambush.  These elves, she'd deduced, came to the caravan's aid and then traveled with it afterward to this village.  She finished her ale, pushing both the mug and tray to the far side of the counter, before she said, "Well met.  I am Phiona Whitefire."  

She turned to face Severine and Ripp, leaning against the counter.  "As for your question, I'm not sure yet..."  

"Fear not that thy life shall come to an end, but rather fear that it shall never have a beginning."    -John Henry Cardinal Newman (1801 - 1890)

[Elraralia Horfiwiel]

Once they made it into the village, Elraralia looked around feeling as if she was trapped. She had been in numerouse villages throughout her life, but she had never seen one like this.  The closest thing that she had ever seen to something like this, was a prison camp holding the hostages of one war or another.  Strange how a village would seem like that...

Once she entered the Inn, she made her way up to the rooms she assumed they were assigned to, quietly following the rest of the group.  Entering the room, se set her things on the bed, and took a moment to recollect what had happened.  It seemed so strange to think that just two days ago she was wandering some lone path, away from everything.  

Sitting down on the bed beside her things, she picked up her quiver, counting the arrows that she had left.

'Twelve...definitly will need to make more of those...' she murmered to herself, and setting them down, she felt her stomach grumble as the smells from below in the tavern began wafting up.

Making her way down, she spotted the rest of the group sitting at the bar.  Heading over to them, she looked at the seat next to one of the females of the group.

"Do you mind if I sit here?" she asked gesturing at the stool.

[Phiona Whitefire]

"Do you mind if I sit here?"

Phiona turned to look at the female elf, another of the three that helped the caravan earlier.  Nodding, Phiona said, "Please do."   She introduced herself to the red-haired Tethinrhim.  

To the barkeeper, Phiona said, "Another round for us..."  She put more silver on the counter.

"Fear not that thy life shall come to an end, but rather fear that it shall never have a beginning."    -John Henry Cardinal Newman (1801 - 1890)

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