Until my next post, feel free to post as much amongst yourselves during the time skip, either in this RP or separate standalones :D
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Green Names are the Superior Race
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Bio
You're an interesting species. An interesting mix. You're capable of such beautiful dreams, and such horrible nightmares. You feel so lost, so cut off, so alone, only you're not. See, in all our searching, the only thing we've found that makes the emptiness bearable, is each other.
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The white elf woman didn't even bother looking up toward Chartrose while speaking, "My payment is the completion of my Purpose and finally being free from it. I'll have no need for the physical once it is completed. Take what you please from my home. We'll be busy until it is done."
Now looking at Alya, the young half-breed could hear her voice in her head, "Alya Songweaver, I've waited for many years for you to come here, as my Purpose told me you would eventually. I am able to communicate with you like this because of your magic, our magic. You'll be able to communicate with any other mages in this fashion now that I've initiated you. My Purpose is to aid you in finding your own. Think as if you were talking, and I will hear you."
She let Alya have a moment to orient herself to this sensation before continuing, "All mages can communicate like this, but it requires you to have either been initiated or more practiced in your magic. But we are here for your Purpose. It is no coincidence you are mute Alya Songweaver. It happens quite rarely in White Elves, once every few generations or so. It is a sign of a greater Purpose, one that affects the whole of our race. You will remain mute until this Purpose is completed, and should you fail, our people will be devastated. How? I do not know. In the Feywild, those who received such a Purpose became Priests among our people. Each time they failed or died before completing it, our people suffered greatly.
My Purpose brought me to this specific place, to aid you in discovering your own. In the Feywild, Priests would meditate for years, decades to discover theirs. But this place is special. The water, the air, the light, even the location, all aid in helping one meditate more clearly. You need to find a relaxed state and begin there. I prefer my pose, legs crossed, hands resting gently in my lap. As a Songweaver, I pick a song, and sing it to myself. I then take away a single sense at a time, closing my eyes, tuning out the feeling of the warm air, until there's nothing left but the song. Then I take away my voice, but keep the song going within. Then I reduce the song, piece by piece until only a single, resonating note is left. That note is what you need to focus on, it will guide you to your Purpose." With that, the woman fell silent, having said her piece, she closed her eyes and stayed in her meditative pose. She didn't know how long it would take Alya, but she knew her Purpose would eventually reveal itself, she could feel it.
After however long it took for Alya to reach the note that brought her serenity, she'd feel a vision force itself into her mind, forcing a gasp from the young woman. The White Elf smiled, "She's done it." The vision that Alya saw was of a wonderful, fantastical world. It was full of plants and animals she'd never seen before, with fairies, and elves of so many types, and so many races that one recognized as those from the Feywild. Her view shifted, and there was a portal, much like the one she'd seen at the Tournament last season. Through that, she could see an island, a singular mountain, with many winged races atop it. She could see a familiar constellation in the night sky, and she knew she was looking at her world. Then there was a bright flash, and the portal was sealed.
Alya could feel the cries of anguish, the pain, of those trapped in the Feywild, cut off from their brethren. She found herself somehow knowing that the Feywild only connected to this plane and no others. Then a shadow came through where the portal had been, a black and crimson shadow. It moved along the ground, many of the denizens watching in fear, unsure what to think of it. It sank into the ground and disappeared, much to the relief of the others.
Alya's vision changed, and she knew that it was the current time. She was looking at the same area, she could feel it. But it was dark and twisted, corrupted and toxic. The streams were full of sludge, the bright plants, that had been the colors of the rainbow, were now replaced with dark things, full of thorns and danger. Her vision moved across this desolate forest, showing the devastation was everywhere until eventually it settled on a single settlement. It was full of the Fey, protected behind a massive Shield. They were able to keep out the corruption, but she could feel their energy fading.
And with that, the vision left her, leaving a single word on her mind. Jaspaiya.
When Alya's eyes opened, she'd see the woman who'd aided her glowing and smiling, "Thank you... there's a tunnel beneath my home that will lead you to your friends... You must do this Alya Songweaver. Follow your Purpose, find your voice." And in a flash of light, the woman completely disappeared, and Alya could feel that she'd ascended to another plane.
The homunculus had heard the woman's words, and pulled back the rug on the floor revealing the trapdoor. He opened it and peered in, finding a tunnel lit by more glowstones. It was large enough for everyone, including Tricia and the rams to walk through. It was a quick jaunt to a dead end, that when touched, would open up into the large cavern where the rest of the group was camped out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The group experienced very few other complications as they left the Underdark the next day. They traveled through the snowy mountains, the chill increasing and increasing, to the point that Rilana could feel its chill. On the morning of the 53rd, two days after
Rilana and Svarak spoke. They were moving through a valley between two mountains, when the heavy snow that had been falling became a complete whiteout. The cold went straight to the bone, even for Rilana, and she knew they'd need shelter soon or they'd all die.
The rams were able to press forward, when the group suddenly stepped into clear air. Looking around, they could see the blizzard acting like a hurricane. And they were in the eye of it. When any tried to leave the center, even to test the snow, they'd find the edge of the blizzard flowing so fast and hard that it would rip them away. They were trapped. Any attempt to view the blizzard from above would see that it had grown much larger, and was encompassing everything in eyesight. The valley continued onward, until it turned around a ridge, revealing a large stone tower.
There was a single door at the base of it, and investigation would reveal it was unlocked. Inside was a large, singular room, adorned with many decorations Rilana would recognize as from Frigmount. There was a large set of stairs winding along the wall, climbing upward to further floors, as well as downward into what was presumed to be the basement.
Now looking at Alya, the young half-breed could hear her voice in her head, "Alya Songweaver, I've waited for many years for you to come here, as my Purpose told me you would eventually. I am able to communicate with you like this because of your magic, our magic. You'll be able to communicate with any other mages in this fashion now that I've initiated you. My Purpose is to aid you in finding your own. Think as if you were talking, and I will hear you."
She let Alya have a moment to orient herself to this sensation before continuing, "All mages can communicate like this, but it requires you to have either been initiated or more practiced in your magic. But we are here for your Purpose. It is no coincidence you are mute Alya Songweaver. It happens quite rarely in White Elves, once every few generations or so. It is a sign of a greater Purpose, one that affects the whole of our race. You will remain mute until this Purpose is completed, and should you fail, our people will be devastated. How? I do not know. In the Feywild, those who received such a Purpose became Priests among our people. Each time they failed or died before completing it, our people suffered greatly.
My Purpose brought me to this specific place, to aid you in discovering your own. In the Feywild, Priests would meditate for years, decades to discover theirs. But this place is special. The water, the air, the light, even the location, all aid in helping one meditate more clearly. You need to find a relaxed state and begin there. I prefer my pose, legs crossed, hands resting gently in my lap. As a Songweaver, I pick a song, and sing it to myself. I then take away a single sense at a time, closing my eyes, tuning out the feeling of the warm air, until there's nothing left but the song. Then I take away my voice, but keep the song going within. Then I reduce the song, piece by piece until only a single, resonating note is left. That note is what you need to focus on, it will guide you to your Purpose." With that, the woman fell silent, having said her piece, she closed her eyes and stayed in her meditative pose. She didn't know how long it would take Alya, but she knew her Purpose would eventually reveal itself, she could feel it.
After however long it took for Alya to reach the note that brought her serenity, she'd feel a vision force itself into her mind, forcing a gasp from the young woman. The White Elf smiled, "She's done it." The vision that Alya saw was of a wonderful, fantastical world. It was full of plants and animals she'd never seen before, with fairies, and elves of so many types, and so many races that one recognized as those from the Feywild. Her view shifted, and there was a portal, much like the one she'd seen at the Tournament last season. Through that, she could see an island, a singular mountain, with many winged races atop it. She could see a familiar constellation in the night sky, and she knew she was looking at her world. Then there was a bright flash, and the portal was sealed.
Alya could feel the cries of anguish, the pain, of those trapped in the Feywild, cut off from their brethren. She found herself somehow knowing that the Feywild only connected to this plane and no others. Then a shadow came through where the portal had been, a black and crimson shadow. It moved along the ground, many of the denizens watching in fear, unsure what to think of it. It sank into the ground and disappeared, much to the relief of the others.
Alya's vision changed, and she knew that it was the current time. She was looking at the same area, she could feel it. But it was dark and twisted, corrupted and toxic. The streams were full of sludge, the bright plants, that had been the colors of the rainbow, were now replaced with dark things, full of thorns and danger. Her vision moved across this desolate forest, showing the devastation was everywhere until eventually it settled on a single settlement. It was full of the Fey, protected behind a massive Shield. They were able to keep out the corruption, but she could feel their energy fading.
And with that, the vision left her, leaving a single word on her mind. Jaspaiya.
When Alya's eyes opened, she'd see the woman who'd aided her glowing and smiling, "Thank you... there's a tunnel beneath my home that will lead you to your friends... You must do this Alya Songweaver. Follow your Purpose, find your voice." And in a flash of light, the woman completely disappeared, and Alya could feel that she'd ascended to another plane.
The homunculus had heard the woman's words, and pulled back the rug on the floor revealing the trapdoor. He opened it and peered in, finding a tunnel lit by more glowstones. It was large enough for everyone, including Tricia and the rams to walk through. It was a quick jaunt to a dead end, that when touched, would open up into the large cavern where the rest of the group was camped out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The group experienced very few other complications as they left the Underdark the next day. They traveled through the snowy mountains, the chill increasing and increasing, to the point that Rilana could feel its chill. On the morning of the 53rd, two days after
Rilana and Svarak spoke. They were moving through a valley between two mountains, when the heavy snow that had been falling became a complete whiteout. The cold went straight to the bone, even for Rilana, and she knew they'd need shelter soon or they'd all die.
The rams were able to press forward, when the group suddenly stepped into clear air. Looking around, they could see the blizzard acting like a hurricane. And they were in the eye of it. When any tried to leave the center, even to test the snow, they'd find the edge of the blizzard flowing so fast and hard that it would rip them away. They were trapped. Any attempt to view the blizzard from above would see that it had grown much larger, and was encompassing everything in eyesight. The valley continued onward, until it turned around a ridge, revealing a large stone tower.
There was a single door at the base of it, and investigation would reveal it was unlocked. Inside was a large, singular room, adorned with many decorations Rilana would recognize as from Frigmount. There was a large set of stairs winding along the wall, climbing upward to further floors, as well as downward into what was presumed to be the basement.
Her stomach tightened slightly as he moved in close, taking some of the bread and eating it. She heard his foreign words, saw the gesture that accompanied it. When he explained it to her, she awkwardly mimicked the arm movements, and slowly repeated the words. She then turned and said them again, with the gesture, followed in Common with, "For the food." She looked past him at the bedroll he'd placed, assuming it was for her. She looked back as he was testing his motion, knowing he was lying. Medics like her knew when stuff would keep hurting and when it wouldn't change. But she didn't point it out.
When he commanded her to go lay down, in a seemingly playful voice, she stiffened. Was this it? Was this when she was expected to... lay with him, as woman and man do? Her throat tightened, and she couldn't find any words, and even if she could, she had no idea what she would to say. Did he expect her to get undressed? To know... how to do it? She knew 'what' had to be done, but knowing and doing were two totally different things. She finished her food slowly, all taste of it like chalk now.
When she watched him close the flap, and start unlacing his boots, she was sure that was what was about to happen. She wished he'd undo her hands at least... if this was going to happen. She walked slowly over to the bedroll that was now her prison, and sat down, her legs tucked beneath her. Her pups got up briefly, Remus joining her as he did at home, with Remilia sitting off the edge, between her and the door. She then slipped into the bedroll, shivering visibly, before laying down, her back to Asher. She was on the verge of tears again, just hoping he'd leave her alone, if only just for tonight. It wouldn't be easier any other night, but she prayed that he'd let her find some semblance of comfort before violating her. She felt Remus scoot up next to her back. She clutched at a part of the bedroll just hoping he'd go away.
When he commanded her to go lay down, in a seemingly playful voice, she stiffened. Was this it? Was this when she was expected to... lay with him, as woman and man do? Her throat tightened, and she couldn't find any words, and even if she could, she had no idea what she would to say. Did he expect her to get undressed? To know... how to do it? She knew 'what' had to be done, but knowing and doing were two totally different things. She finished her food slowly, all taste of it like chalk now.
When she watched him close the flap, and start unlacing his boots, she was sure that was what was about to happen. She wished he'd undo her hands at least... if this was going to happen. She walked slowly over to the bedroll that was now her prison, and sat down, her legs tucked beneath her. Her pups got up briefly, Remus joining her as he did at home, with Remilia sitting off the edge, between her and the door. She then slipped into the bedroll, shivering visibly, before laying down, her back to Asher. She was on the verge of tears again, just hoping he'd leave her alone, if only just for tonight. It wouldn't be easier any other night, but she prayed that he'd let her find some semblance of comfort before violating her. She felt Remus scoot up next to her back. She clutched at a part of the bedroll just hoping he'd go away.
He'd expected her to ask about his longevity and his sword, but the surprise was evident when Rilana had asked about the other 'she' he'd mentioned. He sighed, the pain in his eyes at the forefront, "She... was a woman, a human woman, Chillborn. She was the handmaiden to the princess at the time, a glorious honor back then. For as handmaiden, she was tasked not just with serving the princess, but protecting her, training her in the arts of the world, be they creative, martial, intellectual, even magical. Her name was Juloya. She was a powerful mage, having mastered several disciplines, familiary among them. She was kind, selfless, endlessly patient."
He looked out at the lake, remembering those days vividly, "Did you know we had gods back then? Not far off, unseen gods that required faith to believe existed. Gods that walked among people, beings of so much power they could wipe out empires on a whim. And there was talk that a god was attempting to spread his domain, to become the God of Magic. None of the previous gods had ever had the strength or the audacity to attempt such a feat. If he'd succeeded, and all evidence indicated that he would, he could rip this world apart. But not just this one, all worlds, all distant lands, all peoples. And it would be so very easy for him. Thankfully the process took a good bit of time."
He drew his sword swiftly, laying it across their legs. It was cold to the touch, glowing slightly, "The leaders of each major empire, Ebonfort and Frigmount included, got together with their best mages, to figure out a way to stop him. And they did, a very nearly impossible task. One step of which resulted in what I am, and what happened to your city. We had to kill this world's magic."
He reached over and gently took her hand, and pressed it flat against the blade, and a memory forced itself into her mind, his voice narrating what she saw. Beneath her city, for she could feel that it was Frigmount, there was a massive crystalline stone, made of the same substance as his sword. Around it were a group of people, including a smaller, younger version of Svarak, standing there behind another Knight, presumably his Patron. "Our task was just one small part of the massive ritual that was required. That is the null stone, it is a very rare substance that is seemingly resistant to all magic, divine or mundane. Juloya, there," the memory showed a platinum blonde Chillborn standing before the stone, her body glowing with power, "Was going to use her magic to sort of... amplify the stone's power. It's complicated... a lot of the technical details above my head even now."
There was a crimson flash in the memory, and Rilana could feel the fear of young Svarak. A man had appeared in the group, smiling smugly. Svarak's patron gave a single shout, "Protect Juloya!" The man charged with several others toward the black robed human. With a flick of the wrist, their souls were plucked from their bodies, and floated before him, before he consumed them. Svarak drew a regular steel greatsword, but was thrown hard against the null stone by an unseen force, his body breaking under the impact. She could feel his pain, his surprise that he was somehow still alive.
"Juloya saved me."
A purple shield surrounded the robed man, and he looked annoyed, casting spell after spell at it, only to not have any effect. So he spoke, his voice velvety, "This won't hold me long mage, and when I'm free, you'll suffer a pain worse than death." The woman cast a blinding white light for a few moments over Svarak and his body knitted itself back together. As he struggled to rise, he saw his sword was useless, but his body had snapped a piece of the null stone off, a shard that looked exactly like the sword he held now.
Then her sweet voice filled the air, "Svarak... with all of them dead, I don't have the power to fuel the magic myself. There's still a way, but I need you to swear something for me."
The young man nodded, "When magic returns to the world, I need you to kill me." Rilana could feel the pain and anguish during this memory that he'd felt. She could feel the memories young Svarak and Juloya had shared. While she was researching how to perform the ritual, he assisted her, spent much time by her side, looked up to her. She taught him much about the world, about art, taught him their language. And he fell in love. But she never returned the love in the same way. She'd always be the woman of his dreams, and he'd always be the little brother she'd never had.
Juloya then cast the glow forth from her body to the sphere that trapped the robed man. Her body forced its way through the shield, merging with the man's. She was in control, so she held her own physical semblance, her eyes burning with the crimson light the man had exuded earlier. "If you don't kill me, it was all for nothing. I don't know how long it will take but..." she cast a blue light over him, "That will ensure you the ability to avoid the ravages of time until your purpose is complete. You can still die to blade, poison, and other mundane means, so you must train, train until you are unbeatable. Then slay me when magic has returned."
She then smiled at him, before the shield around her expanded rapidly outward, through the stone of the catacombs they occupied, encompassing the city and surrounding region, invisible to all others. She then walked toward the young Charr, touched his cheek gently, "It will be okay." She then walked through the nullstone, somehow, turned to face me, before one final flash burst forth, one the entire world saw. And that Svarak knew, thus Rilana now knew, that was the moment the world lost its magic. He saw her there, seeming to be asleep within the stone. And he wept.
He looted the bodies of his fallen brethren for anything of use, then buried them there next to her. Then Rilana was pulled from the memory, "And that is how I came to be, how the world came to be, and why I am coming with you. And that, Rilana Aurorime', is my story." He stood now, shivering, turning away as a tear fell, "We should head back to camp. This wind... it isn't right. Even you will freeze if you stay out here for too long."
He looked out at the lake, remembering those days vividly, "Did you know we had gods back then? Not far off, unseen gods that required faith to believe existed. Gods that walked among people, beings of so much power they could wipe out empires on a whim. And there was talk that a god was attempting to spread his domain, to become the God of Magic. None of the previous gods had ever had the strength or the audacity to attempt such a feat. If he'd succeeded, and all evidence indicated that he would, he could rip this world apart. But not just this one, all worlds, all distant lands, all peoples. And it would be so very easy for him. Thankfully the process took a good bit of time."
He drew his sword swiftly, laying it across their legs. It was cold to the touch, glowing slightly, "The leaders of each major empire, Ebonfort and Frigmount included, got together with their best mages, to figure out a way to stop him. And they did, a very nearly impossible task. One step of which resulted in what I am, and what happened to your city. We had to kill this world's magic."
He reached over and gently took her hand, and pressed it flat against the blade, and a memory forced itself into her mind, his voice narrating what she saw. Beneath her city, for she could feel that it was Frigmount, there was a massive crystalline stone, made of the same substance as his sword. Around it were a group of people, including a smaller, younger version of Svarak, standing there behind another Knight, presumably his Patron. "Our task was just one small part of the massive ritual that was required. That is the null stone, it is a very rare substance that is seemingly resistant to all magic, divine or mundane. Juloya, there," the memory showed a platinum blonde Chillborn standing before the stone, her body glowing with power, "Was going to use her magic to sort of... amplify the stone's power. It's complicated... a lot of the technical details above my head even now."
There was a crimson flash in the memory, and Rilana could feel the fear of young Svarak. A man had appeared in the group, smiling smugly. Svarak's patron gave a single shout, "Protect Juloya!" The man charged with several others toward the black robed human. With a flick of the wrist, their souls were plucked from their bodies, and floated before him, before he consumed them. Svarak drew a regular steel greatsword, but was thrown hard against the null stone by an unseen force, his body breaking under the impact. She could feel his pain, his surprise that he was somehow still alive.
"Juloya saved me."
A purple shield surrounded the robed man, and he looked annoyed, casting spell after spell at it, only to not have any effect. So he spoke, his voice velvety, "This won't hold me long mage, and when I'm free, you'll suffer a pain worse than death." The woman cast a blinding white light for a few moments over Svarak and his body knitted itself back together. As he struggled to rise, he saw his sword was useless, but his body had snapped a piece of the null stone off, a shard that looked exactly like the sword he held now.
Then her sweet voice filled the air, "Svarak... with all of them dead, I don't have the power to fuel the magic myself. There's still a way, but I need you to swear something for me."
The young man nodded, "When magic returns to the world, I need you to kill me." Rilana could feel the pain and anguish during this memory that he'd felt. She could feel the memories young Svarak and Juloya had shared. While she was researching how to perform the ritual, he assisted her, spent much time by her side, looked up to her. She taught him much about the world, about art, taught him their language. And he fell in love. But she never returned the love in the same way. She'd always be the woman of his dreams, and he'd always be the little brother she'd never had.
Juloya then cast the glow forth from her body to the sphere that trapped the robed man. Her body forced its way through the shield, merging with the man's. She was in control, so she held her own physical semblance, her eyes burning with the crimson light the man had exuded earlier. "If you don't kill me, it was all for nothing. I don't know how long it will take but..." she cast a blue light over him, "That will ensure you the ability to avoid the ravages of time until your purpose is complete. You can still die to blade, poison, and other mundane means, so you must train, train until you are unbeatable. Then slay me when magic has returned."
She then smiled at him, before the shield around her expanded rapidly outward, through the stone of the catacombs they occupied, encompassing the city and surrounding region, invisible to all others. She then walked toward the young Charr, touched his cheek gently, "It will be okay." She then walked through the nullstone, somehow, turned to face me, before one final flash burst forth, one the entire world saw. And that Svarak knew, thus Rilana now knew, that was the moment the world lost its magic. He saw her there, seeming to be asleep within the stone. And he wept.
He looted the bodies of his fallen brethren for anything of use, then buried them there next to her. Then Rilana was pulled from the memory, "And that is how I came to be, how the world came to be, and why I am coming with you. And that, Rilana Aurorime', is my story." He stood now, shivering, turning away as a tear fell, "We should head back to camp. This wind... it isn't right. Even you will freeze if you stay out here for too long."
Raffey felt the woman land near him, smiling. When she scolded him with those cold eyes of hers, all he could do was laugh heartily from his stomach, dodging a near tentacle slap. He watched as she took off, wondering at her plan. When he saw her bring down the herd animal, "See! It jus' bou' havin' fun Mehgoogoo!" He pulled his spear free of the creature's backs spinning it backwards into a proper combat position, crouching low. He thrust out once at the head that was facing him, just missing its throat. A tentacle lashed around the shaft, and he smiled, "Nah ya dun!" He twisted and yanked, feeling it slice the tentacle as he freed it, taking a heavy step back to maintain his center of gravity.
He thrust once more hitting the throat square on this time. The creature reared back unexpectedly, and Raffey had to step forward to maintain his grip on his spear. This brought him too close though, and a large tentacle slammed heavily into his exposed ribs, a pained groan escaping his lips. He'd barely held onto the spear, stepping forward quick enough to avoid the tentacle from wrapping around him. He kicked a foot against the creature's neck, to kick himself free and out of range. The creature stopped for some reason unknown to the monster hunter, giving him the opportune time. He pushed off his leg hard, landing on his back, spear free of the dead head's neck. The creature as a whole still seemed to be quite alive, and screaming in pain. That's when he noticed new tentacles, drenched in blood, smaller, coming out of the wounds. He stared curiously, before the creature sort of just... popped. Raffey was thrown, landing heavily on the cold grass, stunned, surprised at the grip that remained on his spear.
Where the creature once stood was a mass of red vines, roughly the same size as the creature they'd been inside. The vines were covered in razor sharp leaves and what appeared to be long thorns. The speed at which they struck out at Raffey was intense, wrapping around him and his spear with ease, thorns embedding deep into his chest, arms, and back, him screaming in pain. He had to act fast, feeling his spear splinter against him. He let loose a shrill, high pitched whistle, one he'd trained into Dibney, but had never used before now.
The beetle understood, scooping up the nearest person, that happened to be Megumi, into the safety of her chitinous, sticky mouth, and sped off. The vines lashed out at the beetle, but were useless against her armor. The vines grabbed many of the herd creatures that were too slow, taking them down and ripping flesh and limb apart. One snaked around Halbera's horse, over her legs, lifting both. The knight could hear the air escape her horse's lungs as the thorns impaled it. Her legs were protected by her armor, but she was trapped.
Then the creature stopped, lifting Raffey and Halbera (and her dead horse out). A group of people moved out of the trees, mostly on horses, at their forefront, a redheaded woman, her body covered in tattoos that looked similar to the vines the pair were currently caught in. "Seems someone else was hunting our prey. That's not very nice. Luckily for you, I'm in need of slaves for trade. So you'll live." She smiled lovingly at the vines creature, before nodding at the hairfoot halfling standing next to her. Two quick blows from a dart gun, and the world turned dark for Halbera and Raffey.
Dibney ran until she was certain she was safely from the creature, before spitting Megumi out. She looked back, the giant mass of vines still visible, the people that had approached it small dots in the distance. She chittered sadly, sure that her master was dead. The aaenshi on his wolf spotted them and rode up to Megumi, "What in the hell is that thing?" He knew she probably had no idea, but he felt it needed to be said. Megumi's sharper eyes could see that a woman and Raffey were tied up and slung over horses, indicating that they were still alive. The vine creature disappeared into a little red woman, and the group on horseback began heading their direction.
Nervously, "We... we should hide," already taking off into the forest. Dibney nudged at Megumi, then lowered her head to let her climb up, before following suit. As the party passed the forest line, Dibney saw her master, and shook excitedly, but made no noise. Once they were well off into the distance, the aaenshi said the obvious, "Well, they are heading the same direction we needed to go anyways. Perhaps a rescue is in order. And Sheila here," patting at his wolf, "Can keep up with this big gal, faster than any horses."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When Raffey and Halbera awoke, they were chained to posts so thick, they might as well be trees. They were near a fire, in the middle of a camp of their captors. Halbera's armor and weapons were gone, the pair of them only in their clothes and boots. This was their life for the next couple of tendays, until the day of the 24th of Jadeyan. On this day, they were led into a much larger camp, the rest of the tribe they assumed. During their imprisonment, they were treated well for the most part. They were fed, kept warm, but always chained to either a horse or a post. They were allowed to talk amongst themselves, but if they tried speaking to a tribe member, they were ignored.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Megumi and the aaenshi, who never gave his name, and their mounts had followed at a very safe distance, but never saw an opportunity to rescue their charges. They met little other trouble along the way, as anything dangerous was disposed of by the tribe they stalked. Once the group joined with the rest of the tribe, it all seemed hopeless, the aaenshi, suggesting that it was too late now.
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((Drache will be joining now, feel free to do as much posting either here or as separate stories up until the 24th. I'll post again for that, and continue on from there. :D))
He thrust once more hitting the throat square on this time. The creature reared back unexpectedly, and Raffey had to step forward to maintain his grip on his spear. This brought him too close though, and a large tentacle slammed heavily into his exposed ribs, a pained groan escaping his lips. He'd barely held onto the spear, stepping forward quick enough to avoid the tentacle from wrapping around him. He kicked a foot against the creature's neck, to kick himself free and out of range. The creature stopped for some reason unknown to the monster hunter, giving him the opportune time. He pushed off his leg hard, landing on his back, spear free of the dead head's neck. The creature as a whole still seemed to be quite alive, and screaming in pain. That's when he noticed new tentacles, drenched in blood, smaller, coming out of the wounds. He stared curiously, before the creature sort of just... popped. Raffey was thrown, landing heavily on the cold grass, stunned, surprised at the grip that remained on his spear.
Where the creature once stood was a mass of red vines, roughly the same size as the creature they'd been inside. The vines were covered in razor sharp leaves and what appeared to be long thorns. The speed at which they struck out at Raffey was intense, wrapping around him and his spear with ease, thorns embedding deep into his chest, arms, and back, him screaming in pain. He had to act fast, feeling his spear splinter against him. He let loose a shrill, high pitched whistle, one he'd trained into Dibney, but had never used before now.
The beetle understood, scooping up the nearest person, that happened to be Megumi, into the safety of her chitinous, sticky mouth, and sped off. The vines lashed out at the beetle, but were useless against her armor. The vines grabbed many of the herd creatures that were too slow, taking them down and ripping flesh and limb apart. One snaked around Halbera's horse, over her legs, lifting both. The knight could hear the air escape her horse's lungs as the thorns impaled it. Her legs were protected by her armor, but she was trapped.
Then the creature stopped, lifting Raffey and Halbera (and her dead horse out). A group of people moved out of the trees, mostly on horses, at their forefront, a redheaded woman, her body covered in tattoos that looked similar to the vines the pair were currently caught in. "Seems someone else was hunting our prey. That's not very nice. Luckily for you, I'm in need of slaves for trade. So you'll live." She smiled lovingly at the vines creature, before nodding at the hairfoot halfling standing next to her. Two quick blows from a dart gun, and the world turned dark for Halbera and Raffey.
Dibney ran until she was certain she was safely from the creature, before spitting Megumi out. She looked back, the giant mass of vines still visible, the people that had approached it small dots in the distance. She chittered sadly, sure that her master was dead. The aaenshi on his wolf spotted them and rode up to Megumi, "What in the hell is that thing?" He knew she probably had no idea, but he felt it needed to be said. Megumi's sharper eyes could see that a woman and Raffey were tied up and slung over horses, indicating that they were still alive. The vine creature disappeared into a little red woman, and the group on horseback began heading their direction.
Nervously, "We... we should hide," already taking off into the forest. Dibney nudged at Megumi, then lowered her head to let her climb up, before following suit. As the party passed the forest line, Dibney saw her master, and shook excitedly, but made no noise. Once they were well off into the distance, the aaenshi said the obvious, "Well, they are heading the same direction we needed to go anyways. Perhaps a rescue is in order. And Sheila here," patting at his wolf, "Can keep up with this big gal, faster than any horses."
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When Raffey and Halbera awoke, they were chained to posts so thick, they might as well be trees. They were near a fire, in the middle of a camp of their captors. Halbera's armor and weapons were gone, the pair of them only in their clothes and boots. This was their life for the next couple of tendays, until the day of the 24th of Jadeyan. On this day, they were led into a much larger camp, the rest of the tribe they assumed. During their imprisonment, they were treated well for the most part. They were fed, kept warm, but always chained to either a horse or a post. They were allowed to talk amongst themselves, but if they tried speaking to a tribe member, they were ignored.
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Megumi and the aaenshi, who never gave his name, and their mounts had followed at a very safe distance, but never saw an opportunity to rescue their charges. They met little other trouble along the way, as anything dangerous was disposed of by the tribe they stalked. Once the group joined with the rest of the tribe, it all seemed hopeless, the aaenshi, suggesting that it was too late now.
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((Drache will be joining now, feel free to do as much posting either here or as separate stories up until the 24th. I'll post again for that, and continue on from there. :D))
The path Alya followed grew warmer, the sound of the song growing louder. The knight that was bringing up the rear of the group "Oy, stop wanderin' off!" But his words were muffled in the woman's ears, as the song was dominating her hearing. Rolling his eyes, "Hinkley, let's follow her, better to stick together." This was followed by several swears directed at foolish women. After getting the mounts in order, following the woman and the Charr that were on foot, he commented again, "Are you just following the warmth or what?"
This path led deeper and deeper, the song that only Alya could hear very strong now. Eventually it opened into a room lit by a ceiling littered with natural glowstones set in the stone, and large steam filled spring. In the center of it were two unexpected things. The first was a quaint little cottage, built into the spring itself. The second was a naked White Elf woman sitting atop a rock, eyes closed, in what appeared to be a meditative pose. As Alya came into view, her eyes opened, a kind smile filling her face, "Welcome Alya, I've been waiting for you. Please, come, rest, your friends too. I won't keep you long, I know you are on a very important journey, and I am here to aid you."
She let loose a single melancholic note, and the steam parted, revealing a stone path across the water, leading to her house. "There's plenty of food and drink therein, help yourselves."
Then Alya could hear the woman in her head now, "Come, join me. I must help you, it is my Purpose." She gestured to a rock next to her in the spring. The water was a few feet deep, the bottom quite clearly seen. There were a few small strange fish and plants, but nothing terribly concerning.
The knight gawked at the naked woman for a bit, before composing himself. She was quite fit and beautiful and clearly not interested in anyone but the white haired woman. When she said there was food, he was more than willing, crossing the rocks, followed by the homonculus. Inside was various cuts of cooked fish and eel, as well as some foreign dish, that looked to be raw fish, foreign vegetables, rice, and seaweed. The man ate heartily, the homunculus exploring, for he had no need to eat. Mouth full, the knight shouted, "The foodsh great guysh, you should try it!"
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Svarak looked back at Rilana's panic, concern on his face. Not just for the rest of the group, but for the expedition as a whole. They'd already lost one man, with one knight missing, and now half the remaining people were gone. At this rate... he shook his head before he could finish the thought. Drisceya sighed, complying to the Envoy's orders. As she moved across the way to the other tunnel, she heard the woman speaking. She spoke loud enough that it would echo back, "Don't bother. There were no other paths, odds are they stumbled upon a deep dwarf tunnel. They open at the slightest touch, sometimes with triggers before hand, completely silent. I'd bet my sash on it. The trigger probably caused the wind too, as the wall opened without our noticing. The only chance at finding them now is to move forward and get lucky. Or find a deep dwarf and... coerce him."
She disappeared into the entrance, Svarak's eyes falling on the worried woman. "We need to trust her expertise. This is her world. This is as safe a camp as any other we might find down here. If we keep splitting up, there's going to be no one left. But it is your call."
Drisceya didn't return for two agonizing stretches, "We'll be through before midday tomorrow, if we leave at sunrise. There's only one other camp ahead, and I heard what sounded like underwyrm mating. You don't want to go anywhere near that, I've seen them accidentally destroy villages during it. We should wait."
This path led deeper and deeper, the song that only Alya could hear very strong now. Eventually it opened into a room lit by a ceiling littered with natural glowstones set in the stone, and large steam filled spring. In the center of it were two unexpected things. The first was a quaint little cottage, built into the spring itself. The second was a naked White Elf woman sitting atop a rock, eyes closed, in what appeared to be a meditative pose. As Alya came into view, her eyes opened, a kind smile filling her face, "Welcome Alya, I've been waiting for you. Please, come, rest, your friends too. I won't keep you long, I know you are on a very important journey, and I am here to aid you."
She let loose a single melancholic note, and the steam parted, revealing a stone path across the water, leading to her house. "There's plenty of food and drink therein, help yourselves."
Then Alya could hear the woman in her head now, "Come, join me. I must help you, it is my Purpose." She gestured to a rock next to her in the spring. The water was a few feet deep, the bottom quite clearly seen. There were a few small strange fish and plants, but nothing terribly concerning.
The knight gawked at the naked woman for a bit, before composing himself. She was quite fit and beautiful and clearly not interested in anyone but the white haired woman. When she said there was food, he was more than willing, crossing the rocks, followed by the homonculus. Inside was various cuts of cooked fish and eel, as well as some foreign dish, that looked to be raw fish, foreign vegetables, rice, and seaweed. The man ate heartily, the homunculus exploring, for he had no need to eat. Mouth full, the knight shouted, "The foodsh great guysh, you should try it!"
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Svarak looked back at Rilana's panic, concern on his face. Not just for the rest of the group, but for the expedition as a whole. They'd already lost one man, with one knight missing, and now half the remaining people were gone. At this rate... he shook his head before he could finish the thought. Drisceya sighed, complying to the Envoy's orders. As she moved across the way to the other tunnel, she heard the woman speaking. She spoke loud enough that it would echo back, "Don't bother. There were no other paths, odds are they stumbled upon a deep dwarf tunnel. They open at the slightest touch, sometimes with triggers before hand, completely silent. I'd bet my sash on it. The trigger probably caused the wind too, as the wall opened without our noticing. The only chance at finding them now is to move forward and get lucky. Or find a deep dwarf and... coerce him."
She disappeared into the entrance, Svarak's eyes falling on the worried woman. "We need to trust her expertise. This is her world. This is as safe a camp as any other we might find down here. If we keep splitting up, there's going to be no one left. But it is your call."
Drisceya didn't return for two agonizing stretches, "We'll be through before midday tomorrow, if we leave at sunrise. There's only one other camp ahead, and I heard what sounded like underwyrm mating. You don't want to go anywhere near that, I've seen them accidentally destroy villages during it. We should wait."
The woman entered the kitchen, not noticing anything of the odd. The stirring man quickly fell back into a restful sleep and she tutted. She moved over to the massive larder over by the left door, her back to Megumi, muttering to herself about salted pork. As she reached up into a high shelf, Megumi saw a black ebony pin stuck into the loose flap of a back pocket. Everyone knew what that pin signified, it was proof of knighthood.
The orc woman would be busy for a while finding her snack, and the path to the right hand door seemed clear, there were two paths, one by walking through the tables and chairs, and the other crawling beneath them, through the legs of the sleeping and passed out. Once upon reaching the other door, she'd see that it only led to the right. Once turning through it, she'd find herself face to face with her secretive friend from earlier, grinning widely.
He mouthed his words slowly so she could read his lips, making no noise, "I've finished what I came for, time to go." There was a sound like a footstep behind Megumi, loud enough to seem close and distract her from the man. But no one came through the door. When she turned back, the man was gone and she managed to see just in time as a coinpurse filled with coppers fall to the ground, spilling everywhere loudly. Several snoring people in the kitchen snorted or stopped altogether. Megumi had two paths in front of her. A set of stairs leading upward, or another leading downward.
Following the upward stairs would deposit her into a massive room filled with bunks and sleeping knights, with a large window at the end. It wasn't as bright, being opposite the side of the moon, an unobstructed path leading straight to it. Following the downward stairs would lead her to a cellar filled with various foodstuffs. There were two doors here, one with a very heavy lock on it. Peering through the bars of it would reveal that to be the vault, filled with more gold, gems, and other fine things, more than Megumi could believe have ever existed. The other door opened to a tight set of spiral stairs, passing an unlocked window to another floor.
The orc woman would be busy for a while finding her snack, and the path to the right hand door seemed clear, there were two paths, one by walking through the tables and chairs, and the other crawling beneath them, through the legs of the sleeping and passed out. Once upon reaching the other door, she'd see that it only led to the right. Once turning through it, she'd find herself face to face with her secretive friend from earlier, grinning widely.
He mouthed his words slowly so she could read his lips, making no noise, "I've finished what I came for, time to go." There was a sound like a footstep behind Megumi, loud enough to seem close and distract her from the man. But no one came through the door. When she turned back, the man was gone and she managed to see just in time as a coinpurse filled with coppers fall to the ground, spilling everywhere loudly. Several snoring people in the kitchen snorted or stopped altogether. Megumi had two paths in front of her. A set of stairs leading upward, or another leading downward.
Following the upward stairs would deposit her into a massive room filled with bunks and sleeping knights, with a large window at the end. It wasn't as bright, being opposite the side of the moon, an unobstructed path leading straight to it. Following the downward stairs would lead her to a cellar filled with various foodstuffs. There were two doors here, one with a very heavy lock on it. Peering through the bars of it would reveal that to be the vault, filled with more gold, gems, and other fine things, more than Megumi could believe have ever existed. The other door opened to a tight set of spiral stairs, passing an unlocked window to another floor.
The Alufiend's eyes widened in elated curiosity as the fire began acting on its own, while the drow stared silently in Drache's direction, giving no facial indication of his seeing her heat. The smell of the venison permeated everything, and the others hadn't seemed to notice the change in the fire. But she did. Her first thought was that a fire spirit had finally decided to present itself to her. She'd heard stories of such a thing happening, but none had done so. When it flared up suddenly, she clapped her hands gleefully, like a child might, laughing loudly. The drow was still as impassive as ever, while the human, Kraven, fell back on his ass in surprise.
"Dammit Laurel, I've asked you to not do that right by my face!"
The woman was clutching her sides in laughter now, "It's not me hun, I promise on your tiny cock! I think it's my fire spirit revealing itself!" Kraven groaned, he'd heard that so many times that it seemed as if it would never come true. The drow, though, heh'd quietly, knowingly. He nodded at the woman that had just revealed herself, and Laurel's eyes fell on her. For a moment, she was elated, "Ooh my fire spirit is so pretty!" She was bouncing on her rock seat, her tail waving excitedly.
"That's not a fire spirit. That's a she-drake, of sorts."
The woman's eyes were a bit disappointed, before quickly filling with a different sort of glee, "I've never met a dragon before! I thought that they all died off in the Death." She quickly bounced out of her seat, moving over quickly, eyes following every ample curve of Drache's body, moving in close, listening to the dragoness' words. Purring slightly as she was close now, "That would be the human, but feel free to join mine. I hope you bite... Sirik never does..." She walked around the dragoness, eyes drinking her up, then taking her by the hand, "Sit with me, I've not met another firespinner before either."
The conversation was pleasant as they waited on the food to cook, the woman showing much enthusiasm for pretty much anything that Drache talked about, making it evident that she was just that sort of upbeat person. Sirik didn't speak, while Kraven made fumbles with flirting. Eventually the conversation came around as to why they were here.
"Oh! We were hunting down a particularly nasty pack of Kelross. We're stopping here for the night, then meeting up with some friends of ours to the north. You're welcome to join us if you'd like, they'd love you. We're all mages, in tune with the spirits of the land. We spin fire, Sirik can make himself much stronger than possible, and Kraven can... well, we don't have a good name for it. He sort of stops other magic I guess. Look, I'll show you."
She summoned created a fireball, exuding the flames from her skin, before throwing it at the human. He stuck up a hand, and the fireball stopped before striking him, and it dropped into a powder that shimmered like the colors of the fire. "See? Neat huh?" She snuggled in closer to Drache, "It's an open offer too, I'd love for you to stick around a while, if you're not too busy." Her finger was moving up and down Drache's upper arm slowly, "I'd love to share our techniques. Our only other spiritspinner is water, and well, I don't like him much. So, will you join us? It will be fun, I promise."
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The sun rose, and once everyone was up and about, the trio was ready to depart, with or without the dragoness. If she decided to join them, they'd take her to their camp, telling her all about their culture and tribe. They were Kvaren, a special tribe known as Crimson Vines. They were only made of mages, and were roaming their massive territory gathering other mages and trying to learn more of their powers. She was told their leader, a woman named Keelie wasn't there yet, but would be coming soon. It was a fun, jovial atmosphere, filled with much food, drink, and frivolities. Every member there seemed incredibly accepting of Drache, many enticed by her magic, others by her feminine wiles. There were a few sore notes, like slaves, nonmagical, from a place called Ebonfort. She would be told that the slaves had tried to kill them, and that was why they were prisoners. Then on the day of the 24th, Keelie arrived with several of her bodyguards, and a few others.
If Drache didn't join them, her journey would be fairly uneventful until she awoke the day of the 28th.
(To be continued in They Have Returned)
"Dammit Laurel, I've asked you to not do that right by my face!"
The woman was clutching her sides in laughter now, "It's not me hun, I promise on your tiny cock! I think it's my fire spirit revealing itself!" Kraven groaned, he'd heard that so many times that it seemed as if it would never come true. The drow, though, heh'd quietly, knowingly. He nodded at the woman that had just revealed herself, and Laurel's eyes fell on her. For a moment, she was elated, "Ooh my fire spirit is so pretty!" She was bouncing on her rock seat, her tail waving excitedly.
"That's not a fire spirit. That's a she-drake, of sorts."
The woman's eyes were a bit disappointed, before quickly filling with a different sort of glee, "I've never met a dragon before! I thought that they all died off in the Death." She quickly bounced out of her seat, moving over quickly, eyes following every ample curve of Drache's body, moving in close, listening to the dragoness' words. Purring slightly as she was close now, "That would be the human, but feel free to join mine. I hope you bite... Sirik never does..." She walked around the dragoness, eyes drinking her up, then taking her by the hand, "Sit with me, I've not met another firespinner before either."
The conversation was pleasant as they waited on the food to cook, the woman showing much enthusiasm for pretty much anything that Drache talked about, making it evident that she was just that sort of upbeat person. Sirik didn't speak, while Kraven made fumbles with flirting. Eventually the conversation came around as to why they were here.
"Oh! We were hunting down a particularly nasty pack of Kelross. We're stopping here for the night, then meeting up with some friends of ours to the north. You're welcome to join us if you'd like, they'd love you. We're all mages, in tune with the spirits of the land. We spin fire, Sirik can make himself much stronger than possible, and Kraven can... well, we don't have a good name for it. He sort of stops other magic I guess. Look, I'll show you."
She summoned created a fireball, exuding the flames from her skin, before throwing it at the human. He stuck up a hand, and the fireball stopped before striking him, and it dropped into a powder that shimmered like the colors of the fire. "See? Neat huh?" She snuggled in closer to Drache, "It's an open offer too, I'd love for you to stick around a while, if you're not too busy." Her finger was moving up and down Drache's upper arm slowly, "I'd love to share our techniques. Our only other spiritspinner is water, and well, I don't like him much. So, will you join us? It will be fun, I promise."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The sun rose, and once everyone was up and about, the trio was ready to depart, with or without the dragoness. If she decided to join them, they'd take her to their camp, telling her all about their culture and tribe. They were Kvaren, a special tribe known as Crimson Vines. They were only made of mages, and were roaming their massive territory gathering other mages and trying to learn more of their powers. She was told their leader, a woman named Keelie wasn't there yet, but would be coming soon. It was a fun, jovial atmosphere, filled with much food, drink, and frivolities. Every member there seemed incredibly accepting of Drache, many enticed by her magic, others by her feminine wiles. There were a few sore notes, like slaves, nonmagical, from a place called Ebonfort. She would be told that the slaves had tried to kill them, and that was why they were prisoners. Then on the day of the 24th, Keelie arrived with several of her bodyguards, and a few others.
If Drache didn't join them, her journey would be fairly uneventful until she awoke the day of the 28th.
(To be continued in They Have Returned)
Trix listened intently to the pleasant woman. She'd never heard of Kerawac, but it was a big world out there. However, she stiffened at the mention of Screamers. When she looked at the woman and her smirk, she realized what it really was. The blasted woman was joking, albeit a tasteless one. Joking about being a Screamer was really bad, nearly everyone knew someone that had died to a Screamer raid. Trix was now regretting offering the first cup to someone with such a sick sense of humor.
The woman said she was here to enjoy the festivities, and Trix believed that, at least. That's why everyone came to festivals. She tossed the zest into her sauce pan, then squeezed the juice from the fruits in ass well. She then wrapped the cloves and cardamom in some cheese cloth and set it in the saucepan too. She added the sugar, cinnamon sticks, and water around the cheese cloth, filling the pan. She knelt down and stuck it in a hot part of the fire, bringing it to a simmer, swirling it to dissolve the sugar, since she couldn't stir at this angle. After checking it several times, she moved it to a stone so that it was at a lower heat, now able to stir it occasionally, until it was reduced. She then poured this mixture and the brandy into the cauldron, and tasted. She then repeated this entire process several times, over several slips, only half listening to the woman's awful joke continue.
Once it was to her liking, the mulled wine in the cauldron now simmering, she smiled. She ladled it into a cup, and handed it to the crude woman, a fake smile on her face now, not enjoying the company one bit, "First cup, as promised." She poured herself a cup as well and sipped at the sweet, warm goodness. She considered giving the woman a talking to about such jokes, but figured someone else could bother. Wasn't her place.
Then she heard a tiny, high pitched voice nearby. She turned and saw a fluttering fairy woman there, smiling at her, before awkwardly excusing herself. Trix watched her go, over to the next stall across the way, realizing that she must be quite shy. Fairies weren't terribly common here, but they weren't unseen either. Trix realized that she had no fairy sized cups or anything, but wanted to give something to the shy woman. She pondered at the conundrum, then had an idea. She reached into her cooking kit, and grabbed the smallest bowl she had, often reserved for spices. She then carefully ladled it into the tiny bowl, and left her stand to walk over to the woman, "You sounded cold, drink, my gift. I am Trix, welcome to the Winter Moon Festival."
She looked back over at her stand to make sure the woman wasn't doing anything untoward, but there were knights everywhere. A thief or vandal would be caught rather quickly, and a few probably already had been. "Why don't we head back over to mine, very warm by my fire?"
The woman said she was here to enjoy the festivities, and Trix believed that, at least. That's why everyone came to festivals. She tossed the zest into her sauce pan, then squeezed the juice from the fruits in ass well. She then wrapped the cloves and cardamom in some cheese cloth and set it in the saucepan too. She added the sugar, cinnamon sticks, and water around the cheese cloth, filling the pan. She knelt down and stuck it in a hot part of the fire, bringing it to a simmer, swirling it to dissolve the sugar, since she couldn't stir at this angle. After checking it several times, she moved it to a stone so that it was at a lower heat, now able to stir it occasionally, until it was reduced. She then poured this mixture and the brandy into the cauldron, and tasted. She then repeated this entire process several times, over several slips, only half listening to the woman's awful joke continue.
Once it was to her liking, the mulled wine in the cauldron now simmering, she smiled. She ladled it into a cup, and handed it to the crude woman, a fake smile on her face now, not enjoying the company one bit, "First cup, as promised." She poured herself a cup as well and sipped at the sweet, warm goodness. She considered giving the woman a talking to about such jokes, but figured someone else could bother. Wasn't her place.
Then she heard a tiny, high pitched voice nearby. She turned and saw a fluttering fairy woman there, smiling at her, before awkwardly excusing herself. Trix watched her go, over to the next stall across the way, realizing that she must be quite shy. Fairies weren't terribly common here, but they weren't unseen either. Trix realized that she had no fairy sized cups or anything, but wanted to give something to the shy woman. She pondered at the conundrum, then had an idea. She reached into her cooking kit, and grabbed the smallest bowl she had, often reserved for spices. She then carefully ladled it into the tiny bowl, and left her stand to walk over to the woman, "You sounded cold, drink, my gift. I am Trix, welcome to the Winter Moon Festival."
She looked back over at her stand to make sure the woman wasn't doing anything untoward, but there were knights everywhere. A thief or vandal would be caught rather quickly, and a few probably already had been. "Why don't we head back over to mine, very warm by my fire?"
Drache could feel the two sources of fire moving closer and closer. She could sense that they were smaller, the size of a human's head or so, and not very hot either, maybe the same temperature as a normal campfire. Eventually she'd see light coming around the side of the escarpment, casting elongated shadows. This was followed by wisps of conversation, and loud laughter, male voices.
"Yeah mate, it had horns as long as my legs!"
"You're full of it Kraven, no one has ever seen one that big, let alone killed it. And you're trying to tell us that you killed one, and its body just... disappeared? This is the harpies story all over again."
A female voice piped in, "Ha, where he seduced a whole nest of them into an orgy? Kistrayia said he can't even ride her for two slips without bursting."
This led to loud laughter, as the trio came into view. One male human, one male drow, and a female alufiend, covered in red tattoos that appeared to be like vines, all but the drow carrying torches. Then the drow sniffed, his eyes snapping straight toward the doused campfire. "It seems someone else has taken residence in our camp,"
The woman then spoke louder, seemingly at whoever was in "their camp," "Don't worry, enough room for the four of us right? No trouble from us, just passing through. We've even brought food if you want to share." Her voice sounded genuine, caring even.
The woman then cast a fireball at the dead campfire bringing it back to life, "You don't mind right? This really is one of our favorite spots. The bones in the rock are a favorite of mine." The human set down deer next to the fire, whereas the drow just parked his ass on a rock. The human began cleaning the deer, all of them staying on one side of the camp, so as to not spook Drache.
"Yeah mate, it had horns as long as my legs!"
"You're full of it Kraven, no one has ever seen one that big, let alone killed it. And you're trying to tell us that you killed one, and its body just... disappeared? This is the harpies story all over again."
A female voice piped in, "Ha, where he seduced a whole nest of them into an orgy? Kistrayia said he can't even ride her for two slips without bursting."
This led to loud laughter, as the trio came into view. One male human, one male drow, and a female alufiend, covered in red tattoos that appeared to be like vines, all but the drow carrying torches. Then the drow sniffed, his eyes snapping straight toward the doused campfire. "It seems someone else has taken residence in our camp,"
The woman then spoke louder, seemingly at whoever was in "their camp," "Don't worry, enough room for the four of us right? No trouble from us, just passing through. We've even brought food if you want to share." Her voice sounded genuine, caring even.
The woman then cast a fireball at the dead campfire bringing it back to life, "You don't mind right? This really is one of our favorite spots. The bones in the rock are a favorite of mine." The human set down deer next to the fire, whereas the drow just parked his ass on a rock. The human began cleaning the deer, all of them staying on one side of the camp, so as to not spook Drache.
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