Abby - 2000-06-04
"Keleos frowned, absorbing this. She was still recovering from her duel with Sevarius, and not at full power; promising herself to something else at the moment would not be wise. Particularly when she wasn't sure if there was anyone after her for revenge, and there was Elexa to think of.he town is used to travelers and although may not be happy with such a strange group as ourselves, our numbers should keep us safe for a while. We can sleep and talk there. If you prefer we can camp outside and I will search for game. I am happy to pay for the inn for those who cannot afford and I still have a proposal to put before you. I will aid your endeavors and abide by whatever decision you make."
"There is an evil in the forest not of elvish origin spreading its influence subtly. It may have already marked us all and there could be much benefit to staying together."
But she *was* still at low power, and it would hurt nothing to have a pyromancer and a Kethiel hunter at her side if anything popped up. Too, Muranog would be a great deal more able to keep Elexa from repeating the incident that had flamed the stable in Ansleigh.
Finally she sighed faintly. "I myself would prefer to camp, but one of us," she indicated Daemil, still dead to the world across the pommel of her saddle, "is injured, and will be the better for a night in shelter. I cannot speak for you, but should worst come to worst, I believe that I and--my kinsman," the word felt stiff and unnatural on her tongue, and she stumbled on it, "--can hold off a mob." Suddenly she missed her armor. She'd intended to have it sent to her once she reached Torrigan, along with a small cache of money... (Damnation. What a mess. How am I to manage this?)
She shook her head, sternly clearing the irritation from her face. "I think that it would be best if we stayed together, at least for now. Once we are settled and fed, and our companion is well and conscious, then perhaps we can make plans. I should be able to afford myself and my charge." (For now,) she added silently, chafing at the knowledge that she might in the future have to depend on the generosity of her companions.
"I suggest we adjourn to the local inn, and see to finding aid for this young man."
Martin - 2000-06-06
uranog listened to Keleos' words and nodded in agreement with her. "Indeed, our first priority must be your unconscious companion, since he is clearly in no state to fend for himself. Let us proceed into the village and seek an inn for the night. Once we have our shelter organised, we can plan further." The pyromancer nudged his horse and the black stallion began to trot down the path into the village of Stoneley Mill, heading for the village inn.
Joel - 2000-06-09
tartled, Tal's body twitched. He could not believe that he was so wrapped up in his desires in the woods that he had forgotten their hurt companion. Daemil quietly draped across Keleos' saddle had escaped his attention, either that or the evil influence in the woods was already at work on him.
As a healer, he was mortified that he had ignored a patient's suffering. As he felt the heavy weight of his metal hand tug on his arm, he thought how his single-mindedness served him both cruelly and exquisitely at the same time. Although his reserves were depleted there was still much that could be done.
He turned towards Keleos, "Milady, please forgive me, I was so caught up in our confrontation and the aftermath, I forgot about the man you carry. I have some training as a healer and if you give me but a moment I can attempt to help our companion. I will do what I can now and hopefully finish it at the inn. If I am not successful then we shall find additional help."
Tal, seeing the hesitation on her face, said "Milady if you do not trust me now then my request for your help will surely fall on deaf ears. There is an evil in the forest that must be fought. If I must I will fight it alone."
"Farewell. And good luck to you and your charges. If you see my sister, please give her my love."
Tal turned and rode off, back into the forest...
Gavin - 2000-07-21
arkness still surrounded Daemil. But it was not a friendly darkness. Somehow he could feel it watching him, plotting and scheming. It sounded like something was whispering just on the edge of his hearing.
Then the darkness started to take a form. A swirling, black nebulous cloud. Deamil wanted to move away from it, push it away, but he could not move and he wasn't even sure he had a body here. Wherever here was...
The darkness brushed through his awareness, and coldness ran through him. Then, as it swept through him again, he heard it.
"All that you hoped is lost. All that you gain is forfeit, but live for us, with us, as us, and you can have whatever you desire."
The darkness was suddenly transparent. It hadn't changed, but somehow his perception had. Now he saw trees, and plants and animals all with a link, a part, of this cloud. And there were people, and elves!
All were carrying on with their life, but occasionally something seemed to pull on their link, and something about them changed.
~No I will NOT be controlled~ he thought, not entirely sure how to speak. All his life in the Order, his life had been controlled and regimented.
"You are ours, we are yours... You cannot reject us now."
The darkness pressed down around him again. Still transparent, but pressing upon him so he was less able to see.
"You are special. We need you. You are the bridge."
~Leave me ALONE!!~ Daemil was feeling terrified now. When would he wake up? ~It's only a dream. It's only a dream.~
"We are not a dream. But if you want to be alone..."
And he was alone. In somewhere that was beyond even blackness. It was as if the darkness before had been some sort of illumination. He could hear nothing, feel nothing, and see nothing.
At first it was a bit of a relief. But soon he felt like he wanted to scream. Daemil tried meditation, but found that he needed something to be there to concentrate. His fear and panic grew, until finally he couldn't stop himself from screaming...
Krell - 2000/09/20
rell stayed low, his beast form allowing him the ability to press himself on the ground. As he watched, a procession of men and women atop horses trotted along a worn path in the earth. In his hunger, he had missed the signs of the trail entirely.
Carefully, Krell crept along the route, and at a safe distance shifted to his human form. He returned to the kill, and dragged it along.
It didn't take long for his lean muscles to carry him up to the slow-moving caravan. His appearance was not warmly received.
"Who goes there," bellowed the lead rider, sword sliding free of its sheath.
Krell dropped the deer in the path just ahead. "I am Krell," he snarled, "And I ask for rights to travel with you in trade for a meal."
The driver could tell by Krell's lines that he was not a man by any means. "Fine Llowra, you can travel with us. Best to pull your weight, we need no burdens."
Krell almost felt like challenging the fool, but thought better of it. He simply dragged his kill to a horse, and bagged it up.
With that Krell shifted and trotted along side the caravan, knowing his adventure had now begun.
Copyright (c) 1999-2000 Abigail Laughlin and the members of the Circle of Stone.