Chapter 2: Off to see a Sage

[Gashnum Invraldi]

(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 Darkchild]

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.

[Muargath]

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

[Gashnum Invraldi]

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

[Muargath]

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 Invraldi]

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]

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.

Gararion
Active Characters: Gararion, Jerardomas, Thriondir Rilmarion, Barendd Holderhek, Birennor
Character Mod at ~Santharia~ Live the Dream

[Muargath]

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]

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.

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.

[Elende]

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]

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.

*pokey de Viresse at viresse@santharia.com* - Adventures of Sorren Administrator
The Santharian Dream - Home sweet Home...

[Gashnum Invraldi]

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]

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

[Dray Ducroix]

"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*

[Muargath]

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

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