Circle of Stone

The Story

Page 27

Amber - 2000-02-15

elene flushed angrily at Trevor's rebukings, but didn't say anything. She *had* been foolish, and Star *had* tried to warn her. She shivered as the hounds bayed again, only dimly hearing Trevor's question.

"Where I am from?" She eeped, blinking. (Great! What do I do now?! If I tell him I ran away, he'll take me back for sure!)

But it turned out she didn't have to answer him, because just then, a soaked Felana stepped out of the bushes, remarking on how wet she was and Star's high strung personality.

"Why does everyone have to remark on how highstrung Star is?! Don't you think I know it?! I'm riding him!" She yelled.

A mistake.

Star, the whites of his eyes showing from fear of the predatory Felana in front of him, heard her angry voice and reacting, rearing into the air and screaming his fear and rage.

With a shriek, Selene lost her seat on the horse and flew off, hitting the ground with a thud. "Ow.." She moaned, propped herself up on a elbow and fixing a stormy grey blue glare on Star.

"STUPID NAG!!!" She yelled, and Star reared again, flicking his tail at her defiantly. She stood, making a grab for the horse's reins, but Star pranced out of her reach.

And then, the Felana moved again, and Star screamed in fear, and turned, hightailing it away. Selene watched the horse go with darkly dismayed grey blue eyes.

"Great! Stupid nag!!" She sighed, blowing a curl out of her eyes, mud soaking into her clothes. Sniffing, she turned, and raised her arm to command her servants to go after it when she realized.. she didn't have any servants.

She deflated, sagging to the ground against a tree, not caring that Trevor and the Felana were staring at her. Tears sprang to her eyes as the strains of the past few days finally crept in on her and she drew her knees up to her chest, wrapping her arms around them and laying her head on her arms.

And she cried...

Joel - 2000-02-18

al delayed his response for a moment. He looked around noticing the still ready bows of the Redtooth clan. He slowly reached for his long straight braid and stroked it, running his fingers over some of the carvings there, and brushing the small amber beehive again for good luck. It was probably a good thing to have activated that spell before he stepped out.

Focusing on the party, the small, exotic Shenmari and her charge and responded "It is not easy to hide things in these woods, although some manage. These elves are not my clan, but I will attempt to calm them. It is unfortunate that the only thing keener then a young elves' ears is often his bow finger. I suggest you prepare for rapid movement, if I am unsuccessful. I do have some caves to the east."

Switching for a moment to archaic and out of practice Shenmari, Tal said "I would speak with you", incling his head to Keleos and Muranog.

Turning to the woods, Tal began to speak in Elvish. "Kinsmen, before you shoot I ask you hear me. I have returned to the Kethiel after many years to find my family's caves abandoned and strangers freely walking through our woods. Times have changed.
Would you shoot these peaceful strangers and let murderers roam free? This (pointing at Muranog) is a fire mage, by his robes and manner, a powerful one. Can you kill him before, he unleashes his wrath on you and these woods? I have returned to walk green paths long forgotten, would you have me walk through cinders instead? Would you have these humans see me cry before them for the blackened husk of Redtooth land?
(Moving and gesturing as he speaks) I ask that you hold your arrows until wiser council then us can arrive. I ask for some of your eldars. I ask for Ketteri, Omalla, Achellion or Janella friends of my youth, perhaps parents of some of you. I ask for Esteron or Quavellis, your leaders in my day.
Tell them, I am Taletherion Darkecat. I have come home to find my family's caves abandoned, to murder, potential fire and blood. Tell them I ask for their help and wise council.

Noting the hesitation of the young elves, Tal said: "I will escort these people to my family's cave or out of the woods at their discretion. If they stay, I will watch over them there until others arrive."

Tal turned back to the party. "My apologies for the long speech. I believe I have gotten us safe passage out of the woods or to my family's caves, they are abandoned but servicable but nearby. The others will confer and problems could still arise, but I believe you will all be safe. Please choose your direction and let us move quickly."

As Tal finished speaking he noted the first of the bees he had summoned coming into the clearing. He hoped his distraction would not be needed but held the arriving swarm ready just in case.

Diana - 2000-02-18

iel cringed as the animal shrieked and dumped Selene into the mud. Seeing that she had brought this about, she attempted to capture the horse’s reins and prevent such a fine animal from escaping.

Danger! Lemme go! Runrunrunrun! his body language fairly screamed at her. Despite her best efforts, she only seemed to succeed in chasing him off. Tiel turned around to apologize, but the woman seemed to have lost her control and was sobbing uncontrollably.

“Lady,” Tiel began after Selene’s sobs had tapered of to a more manageable level, unsure of how to continue with her apology. The woman was obviously from a prosperous family, as her clothing, mannerisms, and steed indicated. “Lady, I’m afraid I’ve frightened away your horse and I feel a bit obliged to recapture him.” The look on her face was one of utter mortification. *Never* had an animal reacted so badly to her non-Presence, and she didn’t know how to go about amending it.

“I, err, by the way, am Terithiel Aminae. Tiel, for short,” she said hesitantly, introducing herself for the first time.

Tracking the horse and finding him would be no problem, but because she had caused this havoc, she was uncomfortable. Had she earned the girl’s enmity?

“You and Sir Knight should be going very soon. They’re getting closer. And *fast*,” she told Selene, indicating behind them. The hounds were definately closer, almost at their proverbial ‘back door’.

Spellbinder - 2000-02-18

revor noted Selene’s reaction to his gentle rebuke, or what he thought was gentle. He was still experiencing the after effects of the fight, an almost euphoric high and release of the tension that had preceded the action, so his words were not chosen with much thought as to how they would be received by Selene. Not that Trevor worried that much about what he said. He was an almost totally honest person, in that he seldom kept any thoughts back from those whom he deemed in need of them. He was young and had much to learn about diplomacy. To Trevor diplomacy was for royals and not much use when faced with danger in the forest.

Trevor observed the hesitancy in Selene’s manner when he questioned about where she was from. Was she a fugitive? She certainly didn’t look like one. But then, what did a fugitive look like anyway? Not like her, he decided. Her clothing, though muddy, was that of one accustomed to having the best. Was she of royal descent? If she wasn’t a fugitive, then what was she? Trevor was about to speak when his horse reared slightly and snorted. He looked down at a very wet, very unhappy Felana, the same one he had met on the trail earlier. He grinned and said, “Well, I didn’t expect to see you again.” He chuckled ruefully at the Felana’s declaration, “Yes, indeed you are, though I expect you aren’t alone.” Selene’s response to the Felana’s observation of her steed’s behavior caught Trevor by surprise. She was obviously still distressed from her near disaster at the hands of the cutthroats, or so Trevor surmised. He could see what was about to happen and made a grab for the bridle of Selene’s now agitated mount. He was just a bit too late and could only watch as the horse reared and dumped Selene unceremoniously into the mud. Her enraged shrieks and the expression on her face caused Trevor to smother a smile. Had it been one of his friends he would have had a side splitting laugh at their expense. The Felana tried to help as Selene got back up and attempted to get her horse under control, but it only made matters worse. The horse reared again and with a scream, it galloped off, mud flying from hooves. Trevor was tempted to go after it, but decided that Selene’s safety was more pressing, since he really didn’t know the Felana or the whereabouts of the bandits. The hounds sounded as if they were getting closer as well.

Trevor watched Selene’s behavior after her mount’s disappearance. That she appeared to be a pampered royal was confirmed when she unconsciously turned and signaled for servants to retrieve her horse, and seeing none, she seemed to totally lose her reserves and slid down a tree behind her and began to cry. Trevor shot a dubious look at the Felana and shrugged. He dismounted and slogged through the clinging mud to where Selene sat crying. He crouched nearby and tried to think of something appropriate to say to her. He waited for her crying spell to run it’s course. After a few minutes her sobs began to lose their strength. Trevor reached his hand out, but stopped and pulled off his gauntlet. He then reached out tentatively and touched her arm. “Hey, it’s all right. We’ll get your horse back. He won’t go too far, I’m thinking.” Selene looked up at him after a moment, her face stained with tears. Trevor offered her a kerchief, which she took and began to dab her face with it. “Selene, it is getting late. If we are to go somewhere, we must be about it.” Trevor paused and then continued, “It’s none of my business as to why you are here, but it is my business to ensure your safety. If you’d like, we can go to my home. My mother and sister would be delighted to meet you and to get you into some dry clothes. However, we are too far away to make it there before nightfall. I might suggest that you ride with me until we can either find your horse or set up camp. Does that sound reasonable to you?” He regarded her with his cool blue gray eyes, his expression friendly, yet reserved. He stood and held out his hand.

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