Chapter 2 -- Silent Dawn of the Sea

[Paladia Entonei]

Paladia had her bow notched and ready as the elf skidded around the last bend. Her long, graceful strides came to a stop as the elf was confronted with a horde of wild men before her. The first dozen stood on the trail, surrounding Minsyth and Shan, joined with a handful of trained archers perched atop cliffs and boulders around them.

The warrior spotted a female archer above taking aim at the others who had followed Paladia up the trail towards the ambush. Raising her bead to the cave-dweller, the Tethinrhim let fly. Her aim was true, as always, and the shot landed the woman in the chest.

Paladia paused a moment, her face losing all it's color. The warrior had never killed a soul. Her training had never required her so. Tears rimmed at her eyes, but the young, stoic elf refused to show weakness. I had no choice she told herself, I couldn't just let her shoot....

With a detirmined huff, Paladia looked up to the archers again. Those who had flanked the dead woman had fled in cowardice, apparently racing along a defined trail. All thoughts of guilt or regret dissolved, the elf moved to ready another shot.

But Paladia was rudely interupted as a sharp pain coursed through her left arm. Her entire left side pulsed with pain, as the wild-man brought his club up for a second, more solid, blow. The archer took a step back, only to feel herself up against the cold, rough surface of the side of the mountain. Four wild men stalked up to the elf, their eyes gleaming wildly with battle lust.

Clutching at her weapon in her left hand, which still tingled from the strike, Paladia's right arm dropped down to the concealed dagger on her hip. But the woman knew too well that with the four men closing in, she wouldn't have the speed to drop them all without another feirce, and probably fatal, strike.

"Fall down seven times, stand up eight"

[Halatir]

Traveling off the path, Halatir pushed himself to travel faster, harder, testing his limits to keep his mind off Twen... and Shailiha. Stepping and climbing nimbly over the rocks and boulders he enjoyed the solitude, even as he missed the company of his constant companions.

The circumstances of their separation were.. strange to say the least, but before he could embark on that memory, wild calls interrupted his thoughts, emanating from where he believed the main path into "Crazy Woman Pass" began.

Changing his pace to a slow jog, he weaved his way around the boulders, appearing over the path rather than in it as he had expected. The wild bearded men in the path instantly drew his attention, distracting him from the dead woman at his feet, an arrow imbedded in her chest. Stumbling over the body, his gaze fell on a red headed woman surrounded by four attackers. Bad odds.

Working his way to the ledge over her he tensed himself and drew his cutlass, leaping off and landing in crouch directly in front of the woman, immediately springing to stab one of the men through the chest, turning to square off with another in the next moment.

In the end, all that mattered was you...

[Paladia Entonei]

Her muscles tensing, Paladia readied her trained figure for a last desperate lunge. But all thoughts were shot as a blur landed before her. Expecting it to be another wild man, coming in for the kill, the elf poised to kill, but was stopped as she recognized the smooth, chiseled face of her elven kin.

With a curt nod of gratitude to the newcomer, Pally dug her left heel into the soil and spun, sidling past Halatir, her dagger hand out wide. The slow, bulky man who now stood in her way (a rather undesirable position) met a razor sharp blade in the cheek and the blunt connection of dagger hilt soon after. The elven warrior's smooth knockout left her victim unconcious on the trail and his companion wide eyed and slack jawed.

But that didn't last for long. The next opponent for Paladia was smart enough to take a step back as the Tethinrhim lashed out with her dagger. Thinking fast, Pally tucked her blade away and had her bow readied and squared on the bearded man's nose.

"Fall down seven times, stand up eight"

[Shan Gutarus]

Minsyth and Shan had managed to keep the ambush party at bay for a while, the shingar doing most of the work with growls and displayed teeth.

But, with help from their enthusiastic leader, the wild men were closing a circle in around the two. Minsyth unsheathed his longsword fully, wavering it threateningly at the nearest clubbed man. Shan on the other hand hunched his back, digging his front claws into the dirt and bearing his pearly white teeth.

This caused the men to hesitate slightly; not too keen on being mauled to death by three pygges of fur and sharp, pointy things. Growling, their leader urged them forward to attack.

Three young men, eager to please, lept forward. Two towards the elf and one closer to Shan. Minsyth busied himself with the two, parrying and swiping at their blunt clubs. Shanvorin was more reluctant to surge ahead into battle.

The shinger and the young man in front of him stalked each other, the two trying to get a feel for their opponent. Jeers came from the man's comrads, boosting his confidence.

Weilding a crude spear, the wild man sprung over Shan. The wild cat whipped to the side, dodging the spear only to face off with the bearded fellow again.

"The kitty's got spunk!" the man cried, a strange accent on his words.

"A dream can exist only in darkness."

[Urse the Distant]

Urse was torn.   If he moved away from his position guarding the child and the others, then they would be easy meat for these wild men who came from nowhere.  Yet, if he did nothing, he could see the warriors being overwhelmed.

He spoke to his goddess for guidance.  Looking down he saw a rock.

"Quick everyone!  Throw rocks!   It may be our only chance."

With enthusiasm he grabbed a couple of stones and pelted them at the wild men, all the time encouraging the others to join him.

"Queprur waits...."

The Favor of Querprur

Edited by: Urse the Distant at: 3/17/04 18:08

[Halatir]

As the woman took care of one of the men and turned on another in rapid succession, Halatir focused on his opponent, feinting and jabbing to cover up his lack of skill with the blade.

There was no time for a spell, so he took a deep breath and slipped into the stance his teachers had taught him for meditation, his blade angled down over his head and his left hand held out, towards his opponent. His face was neutral as he planned his moves in the split second he had, having to adjust the routine because of the blade in his hands.

Sliding into motion, he whipped his blade down and around, letting his left arm fall as he followed his cutlass into a quick twirl, letting it bring him one step closer to the wild man, taking the hilt in both hands as he came to face his opponent and jabbing ahead swiftly, pulling back before it even had the chance to hit, lifting his wrists towards his head to angle the blade down across his body before flipping his wrists to bring the blade into a downward slash, once again twirling and........ stopping as he saw his opponent running away down the path.

Smirking, he kept his cutlass ready, turning to see how the woman had faired in her battle and prepared to jump in if needed.

In the end, all that mattered was you...

[Kim Sandrage]

Kim turned to Urse,
"I will protect the child. You go a head and fight."
Turning back to the child.
"Come" Kim commanded and looked around for shelter. Seeing a few bushes with shadows she pulled the child with her and pulling her under her cloak she hid her and the child concentrating and managing to hide them both from the eyes of the people.  

Welcome to shadow world far under northern skies
Mountains and raging seas, valleys and icy winds Glory and majesty, triumph and victory
Legends and epic tales born between these dark lakes
For you a new one written with black blood

My Character Description!

(Lyrics from Luca Turilli - Magic Horizons

[Paladia Entonei]

Nyari shivered under cover, not capable of seeing around the bend to the fight. "W-what's happening? Who's fighting up there? I don't want to be left alone again," Nyari whispered, her large blue eyes rimming with tears. The little girl shuffled uncomfortably and caused the bush they hid behind to rustle.

A young archer on the cliff above was scanning the area, and noticed the unnatural movement. Grinning, he bent down on one knee and notched an arrow. Matching the bead up to the dark forms behind the bush, the wild-man let fly.

Palladia's own arrow still lay rested on the forehead of one of the ill trained warriors. "Why did you ambush us," the elf asked, keeping her words slow and deliberate. The man's face hardened, but as Pally pressured the arrow tip into his skin, he answered.

"We were...he said...told....you came through. We had to, so we can stay alive," he stuttered, shaking visibly.

Paladia's cruel eyes examined the man, then with a shove, sent him running down the path. The red haired elf turned to the new comer. "Thank you," she said coldly to Halatir with a curt nod, "I am in your debt." The woman's eyes narrowed as she caught a glimpse of Minsyth and Shanvorin having difficulties of their own.

"I have to help my -- them," she continued as she notched another arrow and took aim at one of the aggressors.

"Fall down seven times, stand up eight"

[Kim Sandrage]

Kim whispered tenderly to the child.
"Hush Nyari we do not want them to see us." Moving her arm found Nyari tighter she held on to the child trying to protect her.

Kim looked out from her cover and saw a man on the cliff notice them and aim an arrow at them. Quickly she pushed Nyari out of the way hoping she had enough time to get out the way herself .  

Welcome to shadow world far under northern skies
Mountains and raging seas, valleys and icy winds Glory and majesty, triumph and victory
Legends and epic tales born between these dark lakes
For you a new one written with black blood

My Character Description!

(Lyrics from Luca Turilli - Magic Horizons

[Halatir]

Nodding, Halatir sheathed his cutlass, pulling his quarterstaff from over his back and planting it upright into the ground in front of him. Closing his eyes, he spoke softly to the red haired elf, a soft accent tinging his voice

"Tell your friends to cover their eyes and be ready to take care of those that are left."

Staring past his staff in front of him, he focused on the closest of the attackers, giving her a moment to warn her friends as he picked out his targets. Raising his hands to the sky, his voice ringing out through the pass, "Vásh ór, Vásh ór!"

As he clapped his hands together, a round of thunder rolled across the sky and in a rapid succession of flashes, lighting struck, leaving his targets on the ground, some burned beyond recognition.

In the end, all that mattered was you...

[Paladia Entonei]

The arrow thudded into the ground, literally a hair away from Kim's shoulder. Cursing to himself, the archer slung his bow over his back and unsheathed a short sword. Coming away from his cover, the wild man jumped over the edge of the cliff which lined the one side of the path. His feet skipped off the steep rock, but just enough to keep him from a straight drop. Grinning, thinking he had them caught, the man charged the place where Kim and Nyari huddled on the ground, a gleaming sword in hand.

Further up the trail, Paladia stared curiously at Halatir. It took her a moment to understand, and then it finally clicked. Magic! The Tethinrhim was not used to magic, and generally distrusted it. The elf preferred tactile weapons to rid of her enemies.

Keeping a level enough head to heed the elf's warning, Paladia turned to the group where Minsyth and Shanvorin continued to lightly spar with their opponents.

"Get down!" she screamed in Styrash, meaning for Minsyth to understand but keep the wild men from knowing their fate. Having done all she could, Paladia brought one arm up against her face as Halatir began his spell.

"Fall down seven times, stand up eight"

[Shan Gutarus]

Minsyth sidled away from a weak jab. The wild men were toying with him, he knew, but it wouldn't be long until they wanted blood. Suddenly, a female voice peirced through the jeers of the men.

"Get down!" came the elvish cry, and from the tone of Paladia's voice, Minsyth knew to obey. He feigned quickly to the right, then dropped down to the ground and kicked his opponents legs out from under him. The elven warrior held his position on the ground, awaiting whatever was about to strike.

Shan on the other hand did not hear the warning. And even if he had, the wild cat wouldn't have understood it. The shingar's opponent was overconfident, which only caused Shan more energy to dodge his less than "teasing" jabs.

All of a sudden, a sharp crackle reached Shanvorin's ears. A bright light flashed and the cat was thrown back by a tremendous blast. Dirt and charred debris took flight as lightning struck the earth about them.

A club of one unfortunate man broke in half from the flash. While one end fell harmlessly to the ground, the other end of the weapon went flying. It hurtled towards Paladia and struck the warrior in her exposed ribs. Her sharp cry of pain brought Shanvorin to raise his head.

Around them lay charred bodies of the dead and the down. Those who had survived, a scarce four of the original wild men, lay groaning on the ground, struggling to stand.

"A dream can exist only in darkness."

[Kim Sandrage]

Kim saw the man headed towards them with his sword bearing. First the arrow now this, Kim was furious.
Pushing forward her hand she muttered a few words and it was as though the mans shadow went against him slowing him down slightly. This gave Kim enough time to push Nyari out the was and pull out her fan. She ran at him and attacked him. However Kims concentration dropped slightly giving the man time to attack back.
He managed to block many of her attacks, before she struck out with her leg and kicked the man down in suprise. Hovering over the man her foot on his weapon hand she stared at him.
"Why did you attack?" she questioned her blade going down to his neck.

Welcome to shadow world far under northern skies
Mountains and raging seas, valleys and icy winds Glory and majesty, triumph and victory
Legends and epic tales born between these dark lakes
For you a new one written with black blood

My Character Description!

(Lyrics from Luca Turilli - Magic Horizons

[Paladia Entonei]

Paladia watched in awe as lightening struck the ground, striking down her enemies. But a sudden blow knocked her breath from her lungs and stole away her thoughts of magic.

And airborn peice of club shot through the air. With her arms sheilding her face from the spell, Pally's ribs were left unprotected. The heavy wood collided with her left ribcage, throwing her back. Paladia could feel the agonizing crunch of bone as she hit the ground, crying out.

The elf lay there, gnashing her teeth, as the largest of the wild men stood from the burnt area. The large man, obviously their leader, stood and veritably shook with rage, his crazed eyes flicking back and forth from Halatir to Minsyth and back.

Further down the trail, a far more frightened wild man stared up at Kim, sweat beading on his forehead.

"Why did you attack?"

"Those were our orders," he stuttered. Something was strange about him. He was dirty and bore a scraggly beard of a man truly living in the wild. Yet as he spoke, the man's teeth were straight and white, his eyes glimmering with civility. "We jus' doing what told. Told to strike as you folk came up the trail."

"Fall down seven times, stand up eight"

[Kim Sandrage]

Kim stared at the man as he spoke. Something didn't feel right. She looked about briefly seeing many of the others scattered and a long haired man probably there leader. She decided to leave the elves to deal with him. Then looking back towards Nyari she checked the girl was unhurt.
"Are you okay Nyari?"
Looking back down at the man without waiting for a response she wondered what she should do with him.
"Nyari take the mans sword from his hand please. I have got his arm trapped and will keep an eye of him. Becareful though I do not know how many more are hidden"

Welcome to shadow world far under northern skies
Mountains and raging seas, valleys and icy winds Glory and majesty, triumph and victory
Legends and epic tales born between these dark lakes
For you a new one written with black blood

My Character Description!

(Lyrics from Luca Turilli - Magic Horizons

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