[h1][color=LightCoral]Mar[/color][/h1] [hider=Mar's Dream..] [center][u]~~~Naga Origins...the First Blood Spill~~~[/u][/center] Mists swirled and covered the rocky edge of the sea bluff where three figures stood. Each one was distinctly different but also eerily similar, namely in the lower half traits shared by their future children, the Naga. At the front was [url=http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2013/052/b/a/ba287dc84ab365b4e6dd6ebf7c1c46c7-d5vrrky.png]Xanaphya[/url], the goddess made from the sea itself, who led her sisters behind her cautiously. Her hands held tightly to her weapons, her body filled with grace and aggression before her eyes widened to see the macabre sight set in front of her on the inland coast. Her webbed fins rattled in alarm, size increased to appear bigger, followed by a harsh hiss yet her flesh seemed to grow a paler blue at the scene. A sense of dread filled the trio’s Matriarch while her eyes panned the evidence she had hoped wasn’t so. Thousands of Naga bodies, mostly Kyiira’s children from their district earthy appearance, laid scattered over the bluff’s base. Matriarch, Huntress, and Crafter, male and female, all suffered the same fate. There wasn’t any mercy for the young or old. Their limbs, wings, fins and tails lay into twisted positions, skin from many varieties were colored by their own life blood. Empty eyes seemed to plead for help and transfixed in their terror only to be shells of their former selves. Their bodies riddled with enough wounds that went beyond simple defense or nature. Wings rustled behind Xanaphya causing the Goddess’s angler head to twist back, her eyes spotted the sight of Dyesa drawn nearby. The minor Goddess and second oldest, [url=http://topwalls.net/wallpapers/2014/02/angel-girl-armor-600x960.jpeg] Dyesa[/url] face had a look of shock. “By all Tiien’s creation, what has happened?” She asked with a sorrow etched within her words. “Helkyso’s doing…” Xanaphya answer came in a cold and simple phrased, her eyes still fixed upon the nearest child. She ignored her sister’s unsettle look as she continued. “He did kill them as I suspect was a lesson to our children to stop exploring the outside world. I didn’t think he would consider going this far when he mentioned it idly.” Kyiira’s voice had sudden spoken, her tone sharp and riddled with pain. It seemed sharper then the blade she carried, a chained scythe as her words choked back the misery that filled her while she accused Xanaphya. “You knew about this? You let this happen? Let him kill [i]our[/i] children?” Xanaphya was silent. Her eyes seemed to be filled with guilt and shame, not a word in her defense and that seemed to inflamed her sister’s temper. No sisterly love passed between the pair upon discovering the deep, dark truth. It was little surprise one jumped to the wrong conclusion. Immediately the land Naga lounged only to be met half way, stopped in her tracks, by wings of scale and feathers, Dyesa’s figure pushed to block her. “Enough! It will do no good now… They’re dead, they’re dead I say Kyiira!” Her arms wrapped about the Land Naga, the Land Goddess’s weapon dropped, while anger and hate filled her eyes full of tears. Kyiira’s head pressed into the Sky Naga’s shoulder letting the sobs rack her whole being. Shortly her own sisters were swept into the depression seeping from Kyiira. Unable to look at Kyiira’s usually strong and proud figure, Xanaphya’s attention turned upon the nearest corpse: a small, barely of age, child. A young boy with ridge fins and brightly colored tail, his origins dated back to her own lineage, stared back with hollow face up at her until she leaned over. Her arms reached for the far too light body then softly pulled him to her dampen face. The cheeks wasn’t wet from the salty sea spray or the rain that lightly drizzled over the grave site, her eyes closed to feel the full weight of losing a child. While her lost was minor compared to Kyiira, it didn't make the pain fade or lessen. For Kyiira, her pain would spread in many descendant from her rare bloodline creating deep emotions and eventually those emotions would evolve into Malice for all Naga. Still cradling the child's lifeless form, Xanaphya vowed to mend her sister’s broken heart before she settled the corpse upon the ground. She can’t allow this to happen again…[/hider] Mar had stirred during the conversation taking place. Her arms pushed herself upright while her mind whirled with enough emotions to set her body in pain, even her bones. It felt like her heart had went dead inside her chest, a fact that was impossible, while let the dizziness fade. She raised her fingers to touch her temple. [i][color=Lightcoral]Was that a dream...?[/color][/i] It was then did she note her torso and head been salved and bandaged again, her eyes looking downward to brush over the workmanship. Only one person could've been that sloppy. Althalus. Her nose caught the scents of food and flame meeting, the meat roasting with vegetables and roots blending their tastes. It reminded her how Lyn enjoyed her meals well cooked rather then raw, despite Mar's insistence she ate at least some raw meat. Her mother instinct cringed inside. It hurt to know she missed her child and naturally it tugged to return to the College. The others had gathered closely to the fire though Mar hung furthest back, her ears listening but her voice silent. Althalus was the first to speak, “So, we all know that the mages we're hunting are in the woods. And we all know we can't just go back to the College and say 'well, we captured one mage, and insulted a diplomat, but decided that going after the others in the woods would be too much of a problem.'. Not only would that ruin the College's relationship with whoever we're doing this for, the College would just send another group of mages. One they feel could properly deal with the situation. So. Does anyone have any ideas?" Grey sat nearby, his hand running a sharping stone along the axe's blade before he finally set it aside to speak. He sighed then begin,[b][color=MediumVioletRed]“We don't know how powerful they are, or how many there are, or even if they have minions or bodyguards, or the like. We don't have the element of surprise, I'm far from stealthy, we probably don't have the numbers, some of us are not exactly made of iron, and Coco and Mar are wounded. The smart course of action would be to return home, and yet..." [/color][/b]His eyes shifted upward though his words continued.[b][color=MediumVioletRed] "I can't stomach the thought of those marauders free to wreak havoc any longer than they already have... If we must fight, we need to prepare accordingly. Learn to work as a team."[/color][/b] When Grey finished, his eyes looked each of them as if seeking their thoughts. Coco on the other hand, had been sitting cross legged and straighten back to the conversation. She seemed to almost start and then fell back from it, waiting until Grey had finished before she started. Her posture shifted when she placed both hands on her knees causing her leaves to bristle. Her anger and questions made it easy to see where she stood in this. "This forest is my home. My brothers and sisters--They're in there. Who knows what those sick fleshlings are doing to them right now?" The plant like being then stretched her legs, bring up one knee to rest her chin upon. Her scent was clearly worried as far as Mar's tongue could tell. "I've got to make sure they're doing okay. The Tree, the Cave, the other Foreas, all of them. So, I'm staying. I can't return to the College until I make sure they're safe." Coco turned her head towards Grey to protest her health, "I'm not wounded. It's just a bruise. I'm a tough tree." For a moment, her leaves quivered and her chocolate scent strengthened while her artefact blinking a pink light in rapid succession. Mar assumed it was a positive sign. Finally Leith stood upright, when both Grey and Coco concluded, with a chuckle. [color=Cyan]"The kid should know more about the people we're after. Questioning him might be a good idea."[/color] He paused, considering his next words. [color=Cyan]"I'm also thinking that if he is fully cooperative, key word being fully, he could possibly give us an edge. It'd be a lot better than having him as dead weight, and he did seem dead set on going after these men before he sicced the town on us." [/color] [color=LightCoral]”It is more likely to fail as before Grey attempted to kill the boy, I attempted to gain some information. None of it was much use. Also, I doubt he'll be anymore cooperative then before. There's something else you've over looked. When he wakes, what's to stop him from spelling our weapons and slaughtering us with them? This time if we revive him and he tries to kill us, [i]I[/i] have only option: to kill him. Can you live with the consequence?”[/color] Mar asked quietly, not sure if she could stop the slaughter again unless she killed him. A matter that would've been best to have dealt out originally then later. Her eyes settled on Leith as he was the one who suggested though she would likely be the executioner, her eyes fixed on him harshly and would seem to judge his next answer...much like the Goddess she unknowingly resembled. [h1][color=Goldenrod]Khan[/color][/h1] Khan was too exhausted to fight when he heard Lucilia mumble something, his body lowered to a chair within her office and his knee no longer screaming in pain. His teeth had stopped short of grinding into the root when he felt the weight removed. Allowing himself to rest, Khan rested his free hand on his other knee leaving the other to stretch out and the pain to dull. His head turned to see Lucilia walk to her cabinet and open the doors, her reddish eyes scanning the interior before selecting some coffee beans then mixing them together into a key blend. Brewing and straining the dark liquid, the steam floated on the top while she prepared both mugs. Finally topping her own off with a red liquid that distinctively looked like Marrow Draught, she then passed him his own. Nodding, he gently took the still warm cup and took a sip. The flavor was slightly bitter, like almonds, lingering on his tongue long after the liquid disappeared down his throat. It cleared most the dryness yet heated his gullet considerately causing him to resist the urge to cough. It lacked sweetness and the subtleness of his tea, though in his opinion it wasn’t half bad for a change of pace. Feeling guilty about his earlier display of weakness, Khan managed another sip before Lucilia’s harsh tongue caught his attention. The headmaster flinched visibly. His remorse filling his figure and feeling more like a small child for being told what he already knew. For a moment it had lingered while she scolded him. Reminded him of his position and in addition, again how important it was. “I suppose you’ve already talked to Uicle, haven’t you?” Khan asked, his eyebrow raised while he left it linger for a moment. With resistance, he sighed softly. “Lucilia, this matter is far more complicated than any of you can understand. As for my intentions, the vines are a safety measure. One to protect against anything Kudd might throw at us in the future. Demon or otherwise. After the poisoning, I get the feeling he’s only begun…” Lucilia Riovas Khan listened to her further ridicule and chide him, his hand held the mug tightly throughout the one sided conversation. He knew she was putting words into his mouth and accepted it. It was a matter he had brought on himself after all, deserving her bitterness and anger, while rarely taking a sip. It wasn't that he didn't trust but merely it was safer for all them. Kudd was dangerous. No one could deny this fact, one he knew better than them since he had encounter the God twice already. One too many times for his own liking and deep down he regretted having gained the bastard's obsession. Time would soon tell the results of his foolish youth. He hoped those he called allies and friends could survive it, his heart tighten within his chest. It made him realize how little he had truly told them. Most the teachers at the College believed he used demonomancy the normal way, a matter he hadn't corrected and preferred it remain that way. His thoughts were torn from his coffee when Lucilia glanced at her watch. It seemed like clockwork when there was a knock at the door causing Lucilia to rub her tired eyes, her figure traveled to the desk and gather some papers. They ruffled during her next words. [color=crimson]"I have another new applicant to handle, Headmaster. As your personal physician I am telling you that you need to rest. No more experiments, no magic, just relax and don't hurt yourself. Retire to your room and I'll be sure to bring you whatever documents that warrant your attention. With so much going on just this past few hour I'm sure I can find something for you to work on." [/color] Breathing once, she straightened herself up and turned to the door. Her fingers flipped the lock and waved off the gaurdsmen, her attention focused on the new arrival. Khan's eyes studied, slightly curious, over the dwarf noting the strange arm before he rose upright. Careful not to interrupt her, he set down the mostly drank mug, then waited until the pair had edged into the room. [color=Goldenrod] “It's not that I don't trust you, Lucilia... I just value your lives over hurt feelings and betrayal. Your distrust and hate I can live with, but your death is another matter.”[/color] Khan said surprisingly seriously when he picked up his cane and twisted about to exit, leaving the pair to their current task. What he would do next even he wasn't sure so in the end, he let his feet lead him to the only person he felt could make sense of this mess: Ovak. [h1][color=pink]Lyn[/color][/h1] Lyn had fallen asleep during the trip, her figure still wrapped and cradled in Alaira's arms. She had been spared the sight of the Guardsman snapping the pychomancer's name thanks to her hiding spot as well Alaira, else her mind would've been scarred by the cruelty in her current state. The bear sat in one corner nearby while its beady eyes stared forward during the trip. When they camped, her body stirred slowly and felt slightly achy while her arms pushed upward to an upright position. Her golden eyes peered over the wagon side as she felt her bear grip her hand, causing her to look down and snatch it up into her arm. Once out, she stretched to work out the kinks in her muscles. It had been rather painful sitting all day in a bumpy, continually moving wagon she offered to help which kept her from exploring the area around the store. During dinner, she struggled to fully eat the gruel and tried to hide her wrinkling expression, she noted the thick tension in the small room. It wasn't hard since the caravan master had distanced himself from her Aunt or the others seemed rather upset, though the reason was a mystery to her. Night came when the caravan man told them when they would be leaving, his figure heading off for the night and vanishing to his sleeping area. The bad part, Lyn wasn't tired. Her mind thanks to the events of the day had seemed to make her more active than her body was use to. It was clear in her slight restlessness.