Chapter 2: Off to see a Sage

[Viresse]

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.

*pokey de Viresse at viresse@santharia.com* - character descriptions moderator
The Santharian Dream - Home sweet Home...

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

[Junas]

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.

Draw this darkness out like poison. Stab, retrieve, again decline. Help me drive the dagger deeper, trace with me explicit line. Take this blade a test of faith and strike me deep and true. I put all my trust in you.

[jamalian]

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."

[Muargath]

" '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

[Viresse]

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.

*pokey de Viresse at viresse@santharia.com* - character descriptions moderator
The Santharian Dream - Home sweet Home...

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

[Gararion]

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]

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

[Junas]

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.

Draw this darkness out like poison. Stab, retrieve, again decline. Help me drive the dagger deeper, trace with me explicit line. Take this blade a test of faith and strike me deep and true. I put all my trust in you.

[Viresse]

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.

*pokey de Viresse at viresse@santharia.com* - character descriptions moderator
The Santharian Dream - Home sweet Home...

[Muargath]

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

[jamalian]

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]

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.

Draw this darkness out like poison. Stab, retrieve, again decline. Help me drive the dagger deeper, trace with me explicit line. Take this blade a test of faith and strike me deep and true. I put all my trust in you.

[Gashnum Invraldi]

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

[jamalian]

"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."

[Sinen Darkchild]

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.

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