[IC] The Sands of Blood (Dead)

[EWillden]

Vivian smirked and decided she could help even more, as Hugh mentioned that he wished the sun would go down. Once she was in position she out stretched her arm and opened the palm of her hand. A black orb forming as she concentrated. She then dropped it, as soon as the orb hit the ground a large dome engulfed the area in which the group took rest in. The globe was about twenty feet in in length and within it was complete darkness. No light poked its way inside and no light could be seen from within. It was a use full spell she had when she wanted to hide in the darkness. Now it was being used to block out the light of the sun. "It will keep active for about an hour or two. Maybe more if we are lucky." She said. She then used her hands to find the wall and then pressed her back against it and slid down. She rested her head against it and decided she would try to sleep again.

Ellis could still hear Sana nearby, taking care of the horse. He leaned forward his chin resting in his hands. "You know, you could always join him on that fur. I bet it is real comfortable. Who knows, you might even enjoy it." He said, once more teasing her. He had to laugh at the thought. "Also, cute conversation of retirement. I think he brought it up because he wanted to retire with you after all this. Just saying, that might be why he brought it up."
He continued. He couldn't see her face well enough to see any flushing ,but he could imagine it.

Garekk (been noticing that I had been spelling it wrong), was a little taken back by the globe of darkness forming. Some sort of spell created by Vivian. He just decided to find a spot and try to lay down with out crushing anyone. He managed to do it rather well. He could feel the heat from his eye and grumbled. He decided to yank the iron orb out of its socket and stick it in a pouch. He then proceeded to tear a piece off from his leather. Which was hard seeing as some of it was already torn. He then used the piece to wrap around his head. Mostly to cover the eye socket so sand wouldn't get in. He then pulled out his greatsword and laid his back against the sand. He then hugged his sword close to his body and tried to sleep.

[Inertia]

Tagged; Everyone in the party,

While everyone was teasing the flirting couple, Artos didn't really care nor mind, instead his mind being wrapped around the tome of enchanters long past. "Hn, so that would- no, I need to look at it from that angle... hmm." he said to himself outloud "They really didn't want just anyone cracking their code." he continued, glancing at Hugh and him removing his chest plate. With a raised eyebrow, he motioned for him to pass his chainmail "Let me tes- try enchanting that piece of armor for a second." he called out to Hugh.

Suddenly, he felt mana weaving ever so subtly in the air. Artos swiftly shut his tome and he unconsciously snapped his sword, Red Trinity, out of its ornate holster, looking around the area for any enemies. Promptly placing it back in its home when he noticed that the leader of the band, Vivian, was casting the spell. Being sensitive to energies being weaved, and casted around the individual is a natural affinity for most Magus'. Blackness suddenly filled his eyes, "They didn't detail this spell on any tome I've read before." he said in a suprised manner, whistling at the vast spell that was cast. "I might just ask you to teach me that spell, I'm a Magus after all."

He looked around and absolutely say nothing, Artos started casting "Mens Oculus", his eyes begin glowing an aura of red. "An enemy might still attack us, with the guise of darkness." he mentioned, "I am keeping watch, so I'll keep this spell on." planting his back against the wall, red eyes swimming around the darkness.

[Salrynn]

Ellyn was taken aback, she was just starting to sleep and everything turned black. She then struggled to sleep, not liking this pure, black darkness. She tried to anyway and kept tossing and turning... In the end she got up, spotting a red aura and walked towards it hoping she could talk to at least someone for a bit before going back to sleep. She finally trodded to this red aura. Noticing who it was;

'Everything ok...?' Ellyn asked Artos softly as she scratched the back of her neck since it felt really stiff, planting her back to the wall also. You never know, if she can't sleep maybe she could keep him company on watch... Albeit, that isn't recommended.

'Listen... thanks earlier, you are such a nice person... it's kind of inspired me... hehe'

[Afina]

"Oh great," Sana mumbled as everything went dark. She had to make her back to her bed roll and now couldn't see. Add to that Ellis began to tease her and lucky for her it was now dark otherwise he would have seen that her eyes were narrowed, her face was three shades of red, fists clinched, mouth agape in shock. He might have not been able to see her but he could probably hear the the various "oh! My! Why! Ohh!" she kept stammering out.

In a grand last huff she turned away from Rodger and stormed in what she thought was the direction of her bed roll. It was but what she had forgotten was that Hugh was smack between her bed roll and where she had left his horse.

Before she had a chance to make it back to her bed roll she felt her shin press against something and went tumbling down. A sharp short yelp came from her lips as she fell and a rough "umph" escaped her chest as she landed across Hughs body; legs sprawled out one side, arms to the other. "Shit...."she muttered, not realizing just yet that now she was sprawled out on top of not only the damned fur but Hugh as well.

[Ryu]

Before everything had gone dark due to the damned spell by the drow, Varis had made his way behind the Magus, standing just four feet behind him with his weapons drawn.

And then it dawned on him.

I can kill anyone I want and no one would notice, A thick grin spread on Varis' face as he slowly held his weapons up -- not in an effort to kill the Magus, but in an effort to see his own weapons.

And then it dawned on him once more.

... Wait... I can't see anyone... Varis' grin slowly faded, even though it's not like he was going to kill someone. It was too early for that, and the anger issues man seemed rather alright, and the cocky marksman had a thing going on with him, so he didn't want to perhaps destroy any potential future relationships, but the thought and possibility of actually being able to kill anyone in the dark of night entertained him.

Varis grumbled as he placed his two weapons in its scabbard, the motion having become instinctual after years of doing so, so no sight was actually needed. He gave out a rather angry sounding sigh before taking two steps to the right and taking five steps forward, hoping that he was somewhere close to the damned Magus. He wanted to at least be in distance where he could actually hear him.

"I'll be taking watch with you," Varis stated in his pompous tone of speaking before crouching down, taking out his dagger and sticking it into the ground. "My name is Varis. It's not Virus, it's not Veris, it's not Viris, it's Varis." Varis allowed for a small pause to fill. "And yours?"

[Inertia]

Tagged; Everyone in the party,

Fortunately, it seems like everything was still and nothing would attack the darkness. Until he saw shuffling to his left, glancing he noticed it was the flirting couple, the marksman had fallen on top of Hugh somehow. "There's still people here." he mentioned, sighing deeply. Then Artos heard the shuffling of feet, noticeably getting louder with each light thud. It was the Elven Bard, Ellyn. Seems like she had a rough time sleeping under this spell, as it was rather outlandish. "Seems like everything is quiet, atleast for now." he answered, raising an eyebrow at why she wasn't resting. She then placed her back against the wall, "Well, I didn't know I inspired people, but don't mention it, I don't think I deserve a thanks. Rather, thanks for the song." he mentioned, patting her head lightly, twice.

"Go rest for now, from my eyes you need it." Artos continued, noticing her fatigued disposition. "You're free to rest wherever." Then, he felt a presence somewhere, that also planted his back against the wall. It was the Elven male, who seemingly sighed and wanted to take watch with Artos. "Feel free to do so." he replied, rubbing his left eye as he was getting a little drowsy. "Well Varis, I'm called Artos Raulyn. I'd ask you another question- you know what nevermind."

[Warrior in the Shadows]

Hugh was only half asleep, able to see what was going on, but not really mentally present. He heard one of his weapons get moved and the sound of someone yelping in pain, and he lazily turned his head. All of a sudden he felt the impact of what appeared to be another person against his body, causing him to give a grunt, as the person fell full force on his torso. He was most definitely fully awake, and it was good for the other person that he wasn't wearing his armor.

He groaned, "What happened? Who is this?" He said in a low tired voice. He picked up his hand and laid it on the person's back, noticing how petite and firm of a figure it was. He was starting to realize it was female, after a short period of time, and noting the breasts he felt against the right of his torso. His heart seemed to beat a little faster, as he felt his hand up her back, tapping his hand a little to get her attention. "Uh, hello?" He cleared his throat. "You alright? Um, not sure who this is." He felt a little nervous when the thought struck him that it could be Sana, especially since he felt around her back to find out what was on top of him.

[Afina]

"Yes, I know, I found one," Sana groaned slightly as her face lay planted in the soft fur, slowly regaining her senses and coming to the realization that she had fallen on top of Hugh. If her face hadn't already red from embarrassment it would have gone so in that very instant. Feeling his hand on the bare skin of her back she tensed slightly from the touch and the warmth, it moving with his hand as it slid up her back, over the ties of her top and to her exposed shoulder. "It's me..." she said quietly, her voice shaken slightly from the spill but even more so from the fact she had managed to fall right on top of the man. "Sana..." she continued as she slowly pushed herself off him, coming up on all fours as she bridged over him.

With there being no light for which to see, Sana remained there for a moment trying to figure out how to move without making the situation worse. Finally she surrendered to the fact that it would just have to get much more awkward before it got any better. At least he hadn't awoke with a startle and thrown her off him, granted at least then she would be out of the way. Reaching out with one arm, she sought to find his shoulder. Once her fingers felt his chest, they slowly moved up until she could grip his shoulder and start righting herself. "I'm alright," she muttered. "Are you?" she asked as she continued to try to move.

Pulling herself up slowly as she swung one of her legs over his mid section. Her bed roll was on the other side of him and the last thing she wanted was to stand up, take a step and land right back where she had started. As her knee found the soft fur on the far side of him, she managed to straddle him some what as her other hand found his free shoulder and she was able to sit up fully.

"I am sooooo sorry," she whispered nervously, not realizing that her face was so close to his at first and that she was actually whispering against his ear. "I can't see shit," she followed up with quickly, still straddling him; half afraid to move and half not wanting to.

[Salrynn]

Ellyn shook her head and chucked 'it's ok... you looked like you needed it anyway' she said quietly as her head was patted twice which made a little blush on her face, she really grew attached to him which she knows she shouldn't due to their race... the age was far apart and she knew that wasn't the best intentions to. The main concern is that she will try to sleep for him and soon nodded 'ok... I will go to sleep...' and in a quick hug she walked back to her bedroll, slowly lying down to try to sleep once more, to which she did.

As she fell asleep she had dreamt of her poems and spells. Singing to everyone as a celebration of completing the quest they are currently doing, then just having a nice house and have elven kids or something, which she knows that possibly won't happen because of the constant bullying and not many like her.

[Fatal Error 1337]

"What are ye bloody doing ye damned elf!?" Bjoric shouted, startled by his sudden loss of vision. Already he could hear the chaos it was causing in the camp. "Are ye trying to get us all killed?"

Bjoric stood, raising the hammer above him and shouted 'Daylight' in ancient dwarven. Instead of the blinding flash that would accompany the spell normally, the darkness simply vanished. Though it hadn't been active long, the sudden return of sunlight was enough to make him squint. After a moment he was able to see once more.

And the first thing he was able to see was the archer straddling Hugh. He was speechless for half a second before his mouth erupted with laughter. "Bwahahaha!" He doubled over, unable to contain himself. Eventually the laughter turned breathless and became wheezing, tears rolling down his red cheeks.

[Warrior in the Shadows]

Hugh still had his hand on her back, noting the features he was feeling that helped him figure out who it was. Sana's back felt soft and firm, and her body felt so small compared to his. He then felt her lift herself up and shift position. "I'm alright..." He paused and gulped. He felt a little weak with her on top of him, like this. If it hadn't been for how nervous he was, he would have felt a little stronger.

He soon realized how close she was to him when she whispered in his ear. He felt a pleasant warm sensation develop in the pit of his stomach. He squirmed a little when he felt her straddle him. "Whoa, uh." Was his only reply. "Uh, yeah..." He gulped, "It's alright. Not your fault. It's pitch black." His voice felt a softer as he had little idea how to react as he felt her body against his. It was definitely soothing to feel her hands on his shoulder and chest. He just laid there, his hand was resting on her back still, as he hadn't thought to remove it.

He almost didn't want to leave this moment, until the lights came on upon Bjoric's command. The dwarf seemed to instantly burst out laughing and Hugh's face turned red. "Not what it looks like." He said, taking his hand off her back and waving them around. "But then again, it's gonna take me a long time to explain this." He looked up at Sana, still on top of him, still straddling him. "I'm so sorry." He said, apologizing for the embarrassment in advance.

[Markofkri]

Deila came upon a most odd scent, she sent off Bulbo for safe keeping, and low crawled for a better look at the scents origin. From a distance the wagon was obvious. Why were they here? What could they want? Curiosity was always her weakness and grandmother would scold her for being unable to defend herself from the temptation. She noticed the globe of darkness engulf an area. Deila decided to remain at the distance for now until she was more confident of a non hostile greeting. However it would get dark and she was tired of being on edge. Perhapse a closer look to get the full strength of this group....
Then her training kicked in and signaled for bulbo to get a good look at this troop. At the same time low crawled closer to the wagon. She froze hearing the loud sound of another person. This man cast off the darkness and Deila's face turned red as she saw one person sitting on top of the other. For a moment she held her breath and her lips parted, she didn't under stand this feeling but something told her to turn her head. This was a strange group indeed. Perhaps this person on top was the alpha? That had to be it!

[Afina]

Sana Sat there frozen in place, still feeling his hand on her back, skin to skin. It was warm and strong, comforting and more. "Yeah..." was all she could manage to whisper as she sat there, resting down a bit more as she pulled back slowly from his ear; her hair brushing his cheek as she did, finding herself trembling slightly.

Then the darkness gave away to light, the sudden change causing Sana to instinctively press her body down against his fully, burying her head under his chin; lips brushing against the hallow of his neck. A few blinks and her eyes adjusted about the time she heard Bjoric start howling with laughter, causing her to sit straight up, wide eyed and mortified. Looking around frantically for a moment before her eyes fell on Hugh.

He looked so embarrassed, waving his hand around trying to tell everyone it wasn't what they thought. Groaning inwardly she knew that no matter what she said or did they would think what they wanted to. "It's nothing," she said as she stood up over him and shot an icy look around, not at anyone in particular but the situation in general.

Taking a quick step, she moved from her position over Hugh and walked to her bed roll. Her face was flush, her heart was racing and her breath ragged. "Shut it," she snapped.

The embarrassment was bad enough, knowing how her body reacted to Hugh made it worse. The nail in the coffin was the look on his face. She had initially just wanted to say screw it and tell them it was exactly what it looked like. Then she saw his reaction. She had seen that reaction before when people were caught with her kind, even if nothing was going on. The total denial of being close to anything that tainted. It stung.

She turned back to face the group about to lay into them when she saw it. Someone that didn't belong. Grabbing an arrow and bow, she knocked it into place and aimed as her eyes narrowed. "Who the hell are you?" she yelled in a guttural and demanding voice.

[EWillden]

The sudden flash of light awakened Vivian and blinded her. She could hardly see at all rubbing her eyes. She couldn't even see what all the laughter was all about. All she had was the headache that followed from the blonding light. Until her eyes would return to normal she was effectively useless. She felt her eyes water from the sudden exposure. She tried to rise up from the ground placing her hands on the walls and using them to guide her. She couldn't possibly go within the ancient city if she couldn't see. After moving along the wall she ended up finding the entrance and falling through it. Wouldn't have been so bad if not for the stairs.

Standing over her at the foot of the stairs was a dark figure. It was tall and thin and almost looked like it was from out of this world. However, It was a creature created of necromancy. It leaned forward and picked her up and stair up at the entrance. If anyone saw him they eould recieve a cold stare before the creature turned and vanished into the darkness. It was a Wraith.

Garekk also not liking the sudden rush of light covered his remaining eye. However, his eyes adjusted much quicker then Vivians. Much quiker indeed. When he saw her fall through the door way he volunteered to go check on her. When he got to the entrance and looked down the stairs he froze. Staring back at him and holding the drow was something very terrorfying. It then turned away and disappeared into the darkness. He shook his head and ran down after it, he drew his greatsword and swung hoping to hit it. He heard a loud shriek and felt something drop with a loud thud. A female grunt was made and he smirked. The creature can bleed. That's all he needed to know. It lashed out however, with incredible strength nearly knocking Garekk to the ground. It was about to deal a heavy blow on him ,but then it stopped and looked behind it. It then vanished before his eye. He reached forward grabbing Vivian's arm and pulled her closer to him. He then wrapped his arms around and gripped his sword aiming it at the darkness. It was then he noticed no blood on it. He then realized he might have just surprised it causing it to drop Vivian. This did not help his mood.

Ellis laughed at the whole scene before him. Sana, straddling Hugh. He laughed so much tears gathered around his eyes. "Wow, i did not expect that, you move quick Sana. " he laughed even more ,but the sound of the shriek coming from the entrance where Garekk and Vivian disappeared to. "What the nine hells was that?" He added. It took all his strength to hold onto the reins as well as the sound must have startled Rodger as well.

[Salrynn]

Upon hearing the shriek Ellyn instantly stood up and ran to the scene to see what was going on, she was rather shocked as to what was going on... Confused she quickly tried to get into the wagon, giggling upon seeing Hugh and Sana together;

'HUGH AND SANA SITTIN IN A TREE!!
K.I.S.S.I.N.G
FIRST COMES LOVE
SECOND COMES MARRIAGE
THIRD COMES A BABY IN A GOLDEN CARRIAGE!'

This was repeated out of Ellyns mouth as she grabbed her harp the moment she entered the wagon, she knew that if she shouted that it might lighten the parties spirits. She quickly spotted her target, quickly tripping out the wagon (again) she moved close enough to gurekk, vivian and the opposed wraith to cast sleepsong, regardless if it looked like it was there or not, and with that she casted sleepsong;

'A long, long sleep, a famous sleep
That makes no show for dawn
By strech of limb or stir of lid, --
An independent one.

Was ever idleness like this?
Within a hut of stone
To bask the centuries away
Nor once look up for noon?'

[Inertia]

Tagged; Everyone in the party,

With Ellyn complying and out of the blue hugging him, his eyes widened in surprise with his cheeks flushing an almost unnoticeable light red, especially under the guise of darkness. After the ever sudden hug, she left. He just stood there in shock, until Artos felt another weave of mana situating near the dwarf. This time Artos didn't snap Red Trinity outside the holster, instead when the blinding light hit his eyes, and with 'Mind's Eye' still on, it stung. Quickly dispelling said spell, he looked towards the Dwarf, "A warning would be nice, Dwarf." Artos scowled, covering his eyes and placing his hood deeper under his eyes.

When the light dispersed, it was shown that the couple was doing something under the hood. "Atleast do it in the wagon." he said, looking towards the flushed couple. While everyone was jeering and taunting at said couple, Artos just stood there with a blank face and deeply sighed. All of a sudden a new face entered, a female and from what Artos could guess, some sort of magician. The flushed archer suddenly picked her bow up and aimed towards the woman. "Put the weapon away, lest it's a monster, we need not threaten or hurt anything." he said, motioning his hands to put her weapon down.

A shriek resounded through a doorway, and pulling Red Trinity out of her home, he rushed to the darkened way. Vivian and Garekk had disappeared from them, and it doesn't take a genius to know they both went in the darkness. Entering the rather foreboding and damp darkness, with the little light coming from outside he saw Garekk holding an unconscious Vivian. Casting a spell to try and see through the darkness, "Ignis" he chanted, with a single fire dancing around his left hand's index finger. Running down the flight of steps, he placed his hand on Ellyn who casted a spell with her harp. He noticed Garekk was aiming his weapon at the abyss, "What's the situation Garekk?" he asked, eyeing the unconscious Drow.

While his armor was enchanted to ward off spells, it seems like it was incomplete, his eyes beginning to feel heavy after the spell cast by Ellyn and soon hitting the floor with a loud thud.

[Afina]

"Not until we know intent. You don't have to be a monster to be deadly," she snarled at she kept her arrow worked right where it was. Sana stood her ground, hearing the scream and wondering if the shriek and the new woman were connected. "What the hell is going on over there," she screamed, refusing to take her eyes off the new comer.

At least for now, she thought, attention was taken off her and Hugh. Slowly stepping around to get closer to the group and the door, her aim remained true. "Who are you," she repeated once again as she eyed the woman. She knew there were more dangerous things out there than monsters and human could be the worst of them all.

As Ellyns song reached her ears, she began to get drowsy, her bow lowering slowly as she stumbled. "Hugh.." she whispered as she began to fall to the ground, sleep taking hold.

[Salrynn]

Ellyn noticed that this type of wrath was immune to her sleep spells and immediately stopped since she forgot the song could affect possibly all her party members, with a worried look she finally spoke. 'my song doesn't work and I am worried it will affect everyone now' she sighed. She keeps forgetting about her spell effects since she hardly uses them.

She got back to her harp and tried to cast her attack song but her throat was slightly dry and she needed a drink to sing more 'shoot...' she muttered 'bloody deserts'

[Markofkri]

Too close.... Grandmother must be rolling her eyes at this one.

Siting back on her feet, Deila put her hand on her chest she remembered the greeting at least. "Deila." She looked at the arrow intently she knew the simple mechanics of hunters, this was DEFINETLY the leader she thought. Now surrounded she knew only insects foolishly struggle in a web. The next few minutes would determine her final verdict of this group. She thought of a entangle spell formed by the roots underground to hold them long enough to retreat if necessary. The fact that this alpha held her action, made her curious.....
That was the last thought as deila flops to the left. Zzzzzzzz.

[Warrior in the Shadows]

Hugh's first reaction was to hold her when she pressed herself against him, but he hadn't. He wasn't sure whether or not she was okay with it. He just didn't know. He sat up, feeling his heart sink as she stood up and walked away from him. "I don't mind, I don't care, as long as you're here." He said in a low tone as she walked away. Once again, he felt stupid. His eyes sank to the ground as he sat up with his legs pretzel-ed. He rubbed his hand against his chest, remembering how much he didn't want her to leave.

His mood finally changed to anger when he heard Ellis laughing. "No more from you." He stood up, picking up his tomahawk. He wasn't even sure how to react to Ellyn's song, but he was just getting angrier. He threw the tomahawk into the ground, picked up his hammer and started walking in the direction of the strange new face. He looked very pissed off and almost like he was about to vent his frustrations in less then peaceful manners, until he heard the shriek. He stood still, "What was that?" Hugh looked around.

Suddenly he heard the song, as it started to have an effect on Sana. "Sana!" He called out, running over to her, trying to keep off the affects as they started to set in. He caught her in his arms, stumbling from his own sluggishness. "Fight it." He said, too softly to her. He hugged her against his body, trying to hold himself up as well. "FIGHT IT!" He let the words burst out, having to force them out as he was starting to succumb to the sleepsong. He was trying to hold both of them up from the sleep, using his hammer as balance with one hand.

"You can fight..." He began to slur and fall asleep standing up. Finally, he dropped the hammer from his grasp and brought his other hand around her waist, and held her. "Sana." He whispered her name as his legs gave way to the sleepiness, still holding on to her. "I just need to hold on... a little... longer." He blinked his eyelids as he continued to fight off the spell, finding his efforts futile.