The Elmwood
Role Play Boards => Fantasy => Topic started by: Maxx on
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This thread is for the Witcher based Fantasy RP run by Darkflame.
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Never stop dreaming. Imagination is the key to this world. And before all of you saps start groaning and rolling your eyes, this isn't one of those flowery-you-can-be-anything types of speeches. I don't give a shit what you all do once you leave here. This is about survival. What does imagination have to do with survival you ask? Well, I'll tell you even if you didn't ask. Imagination keeps you sharp. Imagination gives you fear. You lose that, you die. The moment you are sitting there, cynical and self righteous, thinking you have seen everything and nothing can surprise you, YOU WILL DIE. Because those things out there never stop imagining. They imagine how thier enemies hunt them, they imagine how they hunt, how they can survive one more day, one more season. That's why it's important. So stay sharp, stay fearful, keep imagining: and stay alive.
- excerpt from Raven Huntsman Graduation Lecture
It is a dangerous time. The world is rife with war, disease, and the unknown. Monsters hunt men and men hunt monsters while most people try and survive another day. That's right, humans aren't alone in the world. There are things out there that would kill them for fun, or for thier next meal, just as humans hunt animals. The general populace do not realize the dangers lurking in places unseen. They toil in thier fields, sweat in thier blacksmith shops, and laugh in the tavern, bolstered by heady drink and entertainment. Bards sing of the feats of great heroes and the beauty of damsels.
Our story begins on the edge of a lake. The waters are placid in the waning light of the evening sun. Off in the distance, the faint lights of civilization can be seen, as well as the peaks of mountains. A marshy area creates a musty scent nearby, and the low murmer of bedding wetland birds carries along the air.
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Madis poked at the embers to get the fresh wood to ignite. The pot at the edge of the firepit held a stew made from rabbit and some vegetables that had been in his saddlebags. The horses grazed nearby, nickering softly in the waning light. He peered over his glasses at the others with him, a dour looking elf and a plumekith, the latter of which stood out with her crimson hair and wings that seemed to melt into its length. That color was sure to garner attention when they made it to town tomorrow. It was part of the reason he chose to wait to move on. He needed to think about how he was going to handle her... oddness. The elf was easy. Most people wouldnt have a clue he wasnt human. They would just assume that he was an extremely short and angry man.
"Eat. Rest. Tomorrow we go into town." He said, not usually one for mincing words. His copper eyes turned to the sky and the deep violet of the setting sun as he wondered if this one would survive.
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Raijin wandered closer to the fire's edge ladeling out a bowl of the stew. "I'll keep watch through the night Madis," she said casually to the elder hunter as if this was their normal routine.
The young plumekith wore soft leather breeches tucked into boots that came to her knees. She wore an open back top to accommodate her wings. When they'd left the school the quartermaster had tried to convince her that she needed just a top that covered her breast; he thought better of it after she'd given him the subtle reminder that she had rather sharp talons on her hands.
On her side was strapped a short sword, and tucked into boot sheath was a knife.
She settled against a tree far enough from the fire so as it wouldn't ruin her night vision.
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Blackthorn the Elf
(https://i.pinimg.com/474x/d5/3b/3c/d53b3c3f62cdd94c39a2e9e1a1f38b0d.jpg)
Raijin wasn't the only one far from the fire. Blackthorn had found a comfortable place to settle in the crook of a tree branch. His dusky red clothing blended well into the shadows. His bow, never far from his hand, had an arrow on the string. He was snoring softly, which meant he was awake and aware, baiting anyone who dared to try and approach.
He'd found the training at Pex Illudai to be a combination of enlightenment and torture; torture because he'd been forced to spend so much time indoors and enlightening because he'd learned so much about how to kill even more of the monsters. As an elf he could be expected to live another thousand years. He doubted he would make it that long. He would be good for several centuries but eventually his limbs would start to slow, his aim would slip and he would miss that one critical shot. It didn't bother him that he'd die a violent death hunting monsters. It was all he had left.
He wasn't surprised that he'd been assigned to Madis; the human had a reputation for being hard on his apprentices and Blackthorn had been surviving on his own for a very long time. If anyone could survive as Madis' apprentice, it was him.
This of course left the question as to why they'd sent the plumekith. She wasn't a fully trained hunter. It meant that he would likely have to keep an eye on her. She wouldn't be as hard to keep alive as a human but she'd die in her own time, leaving him alone again. Best not to get too attached.
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Madis nodded to the plumkith, his eyes flicking to where the elf sat perched in a tree. If anyone he had ever known was dark, it was that guy. Madis never bothered to dig into anyone's past but it was obvious he took great pleasure in the killing of monsters. If anything it made Madis want to keep a closer eye on him than the plumkith. She was actually pretty predictable, not to mention useful. He pulled out his knife and shapening stone, working on its edge for a while before tucking it away and leaning against his pack to catch some sleep.
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Wymsin had picked a place to camp close to the lake a large crop of rocks studded the beach much to Wymsin's delight as she used her elemental magic to bespell the stones into a large pile ,then reshape the earth into coned shell shape. She crawled into the magically made rock shelter happy that herself and the wolf would find the shelter protected from eh elements as well as made things easily defensible.
She started a small file being careful as she tucked her stary long hair behind her pointed ears as she gentle blew on the spark as it took to the tinder. The sun had set and the moon was slowly rising. She would have time to get the fire going before she offered salutations to the moon goddess.
(Mod what phase of the moon is it?)
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Blackthorn the Elf
(https://i.pinimg.com/474x/d5/3b/3c/d53b3c3f62cdd94c39a2e9e1a1f38b0d.jpg)
The bright flicker of flame caught his eye. From his vantage in the trees, Blackthorn could make out two figures that occasionally blocked the flame, one tall and slim, the other blocky, likely a pack animal of some sort. He slithered out of the tree like a squirrel and moved over to Madis.
"There's a campfire not far away, over by the rocks. One person and probably a pony or a mule. Want me to go check it out? Maybe invite them to join us, should they be in need of a little protection?" There was an odd cadence to Blackthorn's words. Even though he spoke several languages, he always defaulted to his native tongue's meter and rhythm. It occasionally made him sound stupid or mechanical.
The elf carefully checked the goose feather fletchings on the arrow he had knocked. It was one of a dozen he'd made over the past week, when he hadn't been training. He'd rejected two after they were done, passing them on to the archery master at Pex Illudai. They were good enough to train with but they simply lacked the perfection he required to kill monsters in the field. The fragrance of the cedar shaft was still detectable. It was a pleasant smell and always helped to calm him. There would likely be no need for it, should Madis send him to check the other camp but he felt far better with a nocked bow in his hands than without one.
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Wymsin had the fire going well she set down the a dozen clams she had managed to hunt from the lake bed along with a small amount of watercress and a large fat perch. She set them on the rocks to slow cook via heat before making her way to the beach.
The moon rose into the sky as she adjusted her robes and knelt on the sandy beach her dire wolf sat beside her watching her. She would do her salutation every night to the lady of the moon as she softly sung her evening hymn. Her sweet voice filled the night as she offered her song to the Moon goddess.
'Silver light rises in the night skies
her gentle light and knowing eyes
watch ov'r us on dark of night
protect man and child with your lunar light.
For we are all your children, sweet goddess
your blessed light illuminates us
It staves the dark and all thats ill
your wisdom and light please let it fill
Our hearts and souls against the night
Blessed be your gentle light...'
She poured some of her ceremonial wine into a small bowl and left it as an offering to the goddess before returning to her fire to see that the dozen clams had opened to reveal their meaty delights inside. She flipped the large perch over and offered her dire wolf scout some of the fish guts that she had cooked. The Wolf wagged his tail and gobbled up the bits that she offered by hand. "Nothing much in the way of dinner. I will gladly share my fish Scout. Sadly the snares didn't bless us with anything so maybe tonight we will see better luck should Our Lady bless us with a little fortune." She said softly to her companion as she peet his large head and turned her silvereyes to the moon.
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"You can go if you want. Don't attack anything solo, got it?" Madis said, not opening his eyes. He wasn't so sure about the elf offering help to anyone else out there. He didn't come across as friendly. "keep watch Rai."
(the moon is nearly full- it will reach full in 3 nights)
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Blackthorn the Elf
(https://i.pinimg.com/474x/d5/3b/3c/d53b3c3f62cdd94c39a2e9e1a1f38b0d.jpg)
Don't attack anything solo.
It was almost an insult to someone who had been the last survivor of an infestation that had wiped out his people. Blackthorn didn't argue, however. There was no point. Madis had given his instructions and was not likely to change them. "Don't attack anything solo," he echoed before vanishing into the night.
The moon was bright in the cloudless sky, not quite full but close to it. Blackthorn didn't stop to admire the beauty of the star-filled night sky, something he might have done a lifetime ago. There wasn't much room for beauty in his life. He stalked across the distance between their camp and the camp of the stranger, being careful to stay downwind. It wouldn't do to alert something unpleasant to his presence.
It was unlikely to be anything other than a traveler; only civilized species used fire. Then again, civilized was a slippery term. The ones that had ignored his people's pleas had been civilized. Every individual needed to be assessed on their own merit or lack thereof. He would see what he would see and would make his decision at that point.
But he wouldn't attack anything solo. Not unless he was threatened.
His ears told him more than his nose as he approached. They told him he had one thing to fear from the camp. They told him that what he had taken for a pony was a dire wolf, a rare and dangerous beast that could be made fiercely loyal and protective, if found and trained young enough. They told him that he was dealing with a moon priestess and she was a little on the hungry side. It gave him the perfect approach. He froze stock still, then after a moment, drew back the string on his bow and released the arrow.
It flew unerringly to its target, a sure, swift and silent kill. The impetus of the arrow knocked the target flying. With silent steps, Blackthorn closed the distance. If he had been uncertain of his reception at they young woman's camp, he knew exactly what it would be now.
"Priestess of the moon," he called out. "I am called Blackthorn and I am an elf. I hear that you find your evening meal a little thin. Control your companion and allow me to enter the circle of your fire and I will offer a nice fat freshly killed rabbit to your pot. I saw your fire and thought to offer you the safety of additional company."
He made no mention of Madis or Raijin. No sense spilling all his secrets in one go.
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Raijin nodded wordlessly as she settled against the trunk of an old tree on the edge of the camp. She watched as Blackthorn left to survey the other camp, like Madis she wasn't all that sure of the elf, but her history had taught her to be leery of anyone new that she came across.
Like now, the elf-kin had stayed to himself, his body language speaking of a harrowing history that he did not wish to share with others and Raijin would honor that unspoken wish.
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Wymsin heard the voice call out from the dark and froze for a second. She slid her hood up and her Direwolf let out a soft woof. "Scout sit." The wolf sat. "I cannot say no to a rabbit. Feel free to join us at my fire, friend."
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Blackthorn the Elf
(https://i.pinimg.com/474x/d5/3b/3c/d53b3c3f62cdd94c39a2e9e1a1f38b0d.jpg)
Blackthorn strode into the firelight, arms wide, with his bow in one hand and the rabbit in the other. "I must say, I mistook your friend for a pony at first," he said. "He's quite an impressive specimen."
His eyes took in the shaped stone. Certainly it wasn't natural. It made an excellent defensible position, sheltered and secure. If Madis had known about this location, he likely would have camped here. We did not camp here, therefore he did not know. If he did not know, it must be new. If it is new, it is likely that the moon priestess shaped the stone. A powerful gift to be sure.
"Would you like to clean the rabbit or would you prefer that I do so?" he asked. "I assume the offal will go to your furry friend?"
Even sitting, he could see that she was a small woman. He'd learned not to get his hopes up after years of disappointment. She was far more likely to be a tiny human than an elf, even if there was a trace of the Elven cadence in her speech, even if her accent did stroke across his flesh in a manner that raised goosebumps....
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Wymsin watched as the elf surveyed her camp. She wasn't entirely sure if it passed inspection but she was pretty sure it did, it looked better than most she had shared with others on the road, other than it was a touch cool being so close to the lake without a fire the dampness would be felt by morning's sunrise.
She hadn't seen an elf in a long time not since she was a young child. She looked at the rabbit and back to him. "Scout will eat whatever you wish to give him. You killed it so if you want me to clean it I can, unless that is something you would prefer to do..." She paused for a moment "I'd likely be a terrible hostess if I didn't at least cook it. I have some spices packed in my bags in my stone hut if you want to get to cleaning while I rummage about. Scout will eat the guts and believe it or not even the fir itself if you have no use for it."
Truthfully it was kind of nice to meet with someone on the road. She was on route to the next town to see what sort of help she could offer to villagers be it penned letters, healing, prayer, potions and salves or to offer her services as a mage.
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Blackthorn the Elf
(https://i.pinimg.com/474x/d5/3b/3c/d53b3c3f62cdd94c39a2e9e1a1f38b0d.jpg)
"My companions and are heading for town as well," Blackthorn said, slinging the bow over his shoulder and finding a convenient rock to sit on. "From Pex Illudai. I saw your fire and thought it best to check to see if you were in need of assistance or if you bore watching."
He pulled out a knife and began quickly skinning and gutting the rabbit. It was still a fresh kill. The blood would still be hot in the organs. Whether the big beast would find that it made the tiny meal more palatable was anyone's guess. "Toss it to him, leave it on the ground or let you do the honours?" the elf asked. "The one answer I will not accept is 'let him eat it out of your hands, because my hands are bloody and I don't want to risk them on his ability to tell elf flesh from rabbit."
Once he'd given the skin and offal to the dire wolf and the rest of the rabbit to Wymsin, he washed his hands in the lake before returning to the stone ringed camp site. He had no use for the fur and no means to tan it even if he didn't. His purse had a healthy mix of silver and copper, so there was no need to try and supplement his income through the fur trade.
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"You can toss it on the rock sir...." She paused "Forgive me I just realized I haven't made introductions. "Im Sister Wymsin Woodsvale. Pex Illudai isnt that the huntsman guild ?"
She watched as the elf tossed teh bits onto the nearby rock and Scout walked over to swallow the offerings in one bite. He licked his chops as Wymsin Spitted the carcass and produced some sea salt and dried onion to rub into the meat before setting it on the fire.
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Blackthorn the Elf
(https://i.pinimg.com/474x/d5/3b/3c/d53b3c3f62cdd94c39a2e9e1a1f38b0d.jpg)
Wymsin It was an Elven name. Hearing it was like a knife in his heart.
"A beautiful name," he said thickly. "It means 'lighthearted' in Elven."
He was glad she changed the subject. "Yes, it's a school for huntsman. One of the last. I've been there for the last eight years or so, training. Filling in the holes in my knowledge. Honing my craft. They were teaching me how to kill the monsters. Now I get to see if what they taught me holds up in the real world If it does?"
His grin was feral. The light of the fire made him look almost demonic.
"I'll keep putting monsters in the ground."
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"Well if you are traveling with friends you could always join my site. I don't know how many you are but I created the hut to hold me and scout. He could sleep outside and I could likely sleep four in there, potentially five if they are all as small as you and I and we are really friendly...." Wymsin said thoughtfully "Monster hunters that sounds exciting. You should have your friend or friends join me Id love to hear your story and chronicle it if you wouldn't mind. An interview with a real living breathing elf and his monster hunting friends would make for a interesting read and tale to be told. Don't leave them waiting go talk to them and let me know what you decide. If you are not interested I wont be offended I can meet you in the morning and we can travel together to the next town."
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Blackthorn the Elf
(https://i.pinimg.com/474x/d5/3b/3c/d53b3c3f62cdd94c39a2e9e1a1f38b0d.jpg)
"There will always be more monster hunters but I'm likely the last elf you'll ever see," Blackthorn said. "The Everglades are gone and you are the closest I've come to seeing one of my own kind in a very long time. I'd be more than happy to share your fire and my story but I really should tell the others what I found here."
The elf picked up his bow and headed out into the shadows. It didn't take him long to return to Madis' fire. No doubt the old hunter had spotted him coming. "I'm afraid I must report that I failed to follow your instructions," he said, a note of amusement colouring the odd cadence of his words. I engaged a ferocious rabbit on combat and through the skin of my teeth and a lucky shot was able to present it as a gift to Sister Wymsin Woodsvale, priestess of the moon and shaper of stone. She's crafted quite a functional campsite by manipulating the rock. She's invited the three of us to join her for the night. I see it as a wise choice, given the shelter her camp provides. Even if you do not choose to, I will be joining her. She's headed for town in the morning, so if all else fails, I will be able to meet you there. Fair warning, she will ask you to tell stories of the things you've done. She's either lonely, starved for excitement or a chronicler, potentially all three. She also has a pet dire wolf, so she is not exactly the delicate flower that she appears. There is some steel to her."
Whether Matis chose to change camps or not didn't matter to Blackthorn. Unless specifically forbidden, he intended to return to Wymsin's camp. He'd drop a word in Raijin's ear to let her know what was going on before doing so, to make sure the Plumekin was on the same page as everyone else.
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Madis half sat up, eyeing the elf as if he had grown a second head. "Was that a joke?" In the time he had spent with the dour man, not once had he even attempted anything so remotely mirthful. He pulled his glasses out of a pocket and considered what he had said. "Fine, although if what you say is true about the direwolf, she has no need of you or I or anyone for that matter. And I am not telling stories." He continued sourly. She wouldn't want to hear them if she knew anyways, he thought to himself. "Raijin, put out the fire and follow."
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Blackthorn the Elf
(https://i.pinimg.com/474x/d5/3b/3c/d53b3c3f62cdd94c39a2e9e1a1f38b0d.jpg)
"Can't say I'd recognize a joke if I heard one," Blackthorn replied, still amused, although his tone grew serious. "Not entirely certain about the direwolf either. It seems quite passive, although that doesn't mean that it is passive. Certainly she has it well trained. There's a pack harness for it, of all things. Don't worry, old man. I'll keep her busy with my own tales, while you have your nap."
The jokes, the mild, mocking disrespect, they were components of a personality long submerged by grief. Something about Blackthorn's meeting with the priestess had had a considerable affect on him. He picked up his pack and slung it over one shoulder, leaving his bow arm free. That, at least hadn't changed.
When they were ready, he led his two companions to Wymsin's camp, approaching it cautiously, rather than boldly. That too hadn't changed. "Halloo sister Wymsin," he called out. "I bring Master Randsel and Lady Raijin to join your camp."
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The young priestess heard Blackthorn call out from the darkness. She gently put a hand on Scouts back and bade hm to sit. The wolf sniffed the air caching the scent of the others in the dark of the wood. "Please welcome come sit by the fire I have a pot of herbs boiling on the fire if you want something to ward off the chill of the night. Forgive me for not having more to offer. But a nice clover and blackberry tea is better than nothing." She said as she stood by the fire and waited for the party to join her. She couldn't help but be excited.
New folks to meet new tales to hear and a chance to learn more about monsters to add to her travel bestiary, the Moon goddess had blessed her with a boon it would seem.
The moon priestess kept her hood up but the others could see was almost the same height as their elf, her ears would be hidden but she wore her hair long and free flowing as it spilled out from under her hood and rested on her chest and dark blue robes.
There was indeed a seashell shaped stone hut that stood ten feet from the firepit she had constructed and empty clam shells littered the edge of the fire pit. The fire had a spit rabbit over it, a gift from Blackthorn it smelt fragrant and spiced and ready to eat. It would be pulled from the flames and cut up to share amongst her visitors so that all could have a small portion of warm meat to go with the tea she had. It wasn't a spread worthy of renowned monster hunters but it would hopefully do and would not been seen as inadequate or insulting.
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Madis grunted, coming into the firelight with a pot carried carefully, the handle wrapped in cloth. "Still some stew left from our meal. Use it if you want." He set the pot down by the fire and went to settle the horses, who were used to some dangerous things near them luckily or else they would have been badly on edge. Pex Illudai trained more than just people to hunt monsters, after all. When he was done, he found himself a comfortable enough place to settle down, not saying another word.
(ooc: tomorrow we will move on to the next day in game so post any passing conversation or interactions you want to today. next day means town, so we can get our last player into the game)
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Raijin did as she was bid and followed along behind Madis and Blackthorn. As she moved between the trees she pulled on the cloak the school had gifted her when she was given the privilege of leaving its walls. She knew it had been bespelled to hide her wings when in towns.
"Please just call me Raijin, I have no title." She said as they entered the camp and Blackthorn introduced them. She moved to the edge of the firelight and sat down to study the forest around them and the lake. She then turned her hawk like eyes towards the direwolf.
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Wymsin tended to her guests fixing those tea that wanted it and had provided a mug . To be offered stew to tuck into was a blessing.
She Carefully served up rabbit to any that showed interest and began lightly conversing with those around the fire hoping to hear If she could tell and a little bit about each person if they were willing to share.
The priestess Pulled out a large book and a stick of charcoal and happily began sketching the visitors at her fire as they made introductions and her large dire wolf sat beside her watching the newcomers with curiosity.
Blackthorne had promised her a tale that evening and he had delivered she sat down at the fire and listened intently has he shared his origin story. how he came to be around her fire that night and the sad fate of his Elven Kingdom as they all sat around sipping tea and listening.
It made her heart ache to hear but he was the last of his people and that no one had come to save them. Wymsin wasn't one to often get upset but this night had her feeling many different things from sadness to anger to pity. She wanted nothing more than to be able to comfort the elf and tell him that everything would be alright however that would be a lie and totally untrue. She thanked him for his contribution to her book and noticed the time.
I should probably let you good Folk turn in for the night for the morning will be coming soon and I do not want to deprive you of any sleep. Feel free to rest I will take First Watch."
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Morning came quiet and sullen, much like the men of the party. Clouds had moved in overnight, obscuring what might have been a lovely sunrise, and the threat of rain hung heavy in the air. Madis pulled fruit and bread from the saddlebags of his horse, the last of that type of food he had left. The bread was slightly hard, and the fruit was very soft, both bordering on being inedible. Still it was breakfast.
One thier fast had been broken, and camp packed, they headed towards town, with the older man never once having addressed or introduced himself to thier newest party addition. It would take them several hours to make it to the town, depending on the weather. If it decided to turn bad, it would take them til nightfall. If not, a bit after noon, just in time for a late lunch.
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Blackthorn the Elf
(https://i.pinimg.com/474x/d5/3b/3c/d53b3c3f62cdd94c39a2e9e1a1f38b0d.jpg)
Blackthorn hadn't slept. It was nothing new. He often went days without sleeping but it was rarely by choice. His insomnia would alternate with nightmares, so had learned long ago how to function in any state of fatigue short of full exhaustion.
This time he'd deliberately forgone sleep to stay up with Wymsin. After a shaky start, she'd rapidly began recovering the Elven she hadn't used since childhood and Blackthorn rejoiced at the sound of a language he despaired ever hearing again. He was disappointed that one of her early experiments in divination had revealed the fact that neither of her parents lived; he'd been prepared to cross the continent to help her search.
Their conversation had continued after they broke camp. The Elven archer had taken only passing notice of the weather, turning up his hood against the chilly wind that carried the promise of rain. It was fortunate that the rain held off until they were nearing the town but the in came down in an unforgiving torrent.
Everything they owned was soaked within minutes.
It was with evident relief that they opened the door to the inviting warmth of the tavern and stepped inside, dripping and chilled to the bone.
"Shut the door, ya daft bastards!" somebody yelled. "You're letting the storm in!"
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The trip into town was uneventful but Blackthorn had invited her into dusting off her elven and conversing on the road. It felt weird at first and potentially rude but after a few attempts to talk to Madis and the others she succumbed to the temptation to chat with the elf.
It was strange she had spent the entire night talking with the elven man and despite that she wasn't overly tired as they hiked the road to the nearest town. He was a well- spring of information and she couldn't resist taking it all in she just worried about her books not having enough space to make short notes about everything. It was a wonderful problem to have though she mused as she realized she had met an elf that could teach her to elf. Her whole life her tainted blood had always been brought up and commented upon as something to be ashamed of. And yet she had a living breathing elf telling her she was elven despite not being fully elven. It made her heart less heavy and hadn't realized she was carrying the weight until that morning when they were packing up to hit the road.
The group was an interesting mix and she didn't want to force things with the monster hunting troop. She was definitely the chatty one of the group followed by the elf then the female monster hunter then Madis. Though admittedly she hadnt pushed to hard for them to talk when Blackthorn had told his story it had been long and the hunters wanted sleep.
Talking to the elf had passed time on the road she hadn't realized how much she missed having a social connection with someone. She had little in the way of friends as the Mages guild and traveling from Moon Shrine to Moonshrine let her spend short durations with others that wore the cloth, but there was always a formality with her not being from that particular church that she struggled to get past. Talking to the elf was easy even if her elven was a bit shaky to start off with she wasn't sure why talking with him was so simple and organic maybe it was because he was an elf? Maybe it was because of his tragic history. Or maybe it was a case of knowing the elf had 500 years of knowledge in his brain and it was the only opportunity to learn as much of it as she could, but as she walked down the road she told herself she would follow him and his group. Unless her goddess stated otherwise through dream or vision she wanted to be there and witness whatever may come from this adventure.
The rain had come and hit fast and hard she was relieved as the hit town and they entered the tavern bringing scout hesitantly inside as he shook off at the door before entering. The heat of the fire was so welcoming and exhaustion reared its head as the heat of the building seeped through her wet clothes and found a table that was open enough to tuck Scout under and for the Monster Hunters to settle in around.
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Narisha sat with her back to the wall next to the fire. The slight smell of smoke that seemed to cling to her mixed with that from the fire. The slightest of shimmers that wafted off her hands as she cradled a mug of ale and heated it with just a touch of her magic was imperceptible against the heat shimmers being radiated by the fire. She looked up as the door opened and four people entered accompanied by a Dire Wolf. Although she had never met the man Narisha recognized Madis Randsel from the descriptions she had been given by a few of the Hunters she had worked with in the past. She noted that the party was soaked to the skin and figured that the weather must have turned south since she had made town and found the tavern two days ago.
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Raijin had kept her cloak on for the rest of the night and while they traveled to the next town.
She’d watched the skies as the clouds started to darken the longer, they remained on the road. She hated when it rained while she and Madis were on the road. It meant that she would have to remain in a drenched cloak until they could leave the town.
Just as she’d figured their luck didn’t hold out, Raijin was glad that Blackthorn had made for a tavern as soon as they made the town. She lowered her hood so she could at least let her hair dry, if not her wings. She gave Madis a long suffering stare and a silent plea to get them a room so she could dry her feathers and stretch her wings just a bit.
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Wymsin regarded the woman with much sympathy she was drenched as well but wanted to repay the hunters for their company and escort on the road. From the inner pockets of her robes she fished out a gold coin and slid it across the table "Please allow me to purchase a room for you hunters. Master Madis it would bring me much joy to treat you to a shared room so you can rest yourselves properly in a soft bed and somewhere warm and dry. Please let me repay your kindness for the escort to town and perhaps if there is coin left you can treat yourselves to some mulled wine to chase away the chill." she said softly in her accented voice, as clear an indicator that she was not from their country as was the coin she had slid their way.
-
Blackthorn the Elf
(https://i.pinimg.com/474x/d5/3b/3c/d53b3c3f62cdd94c39a2e9e1a1f38b0d.jpg)
"That coin should buy us mulled wine, lodgings, a hearty bowl of stew, a loaf of bread and there should still be enough to get Master Madis a visit from the innkeeper's wife," Blackthorn said. He slid his hand partially over the coin. "It will also buy us unwanted attention," he added. "There are those who would slit all our throats on the off chance that they could find more gold."
His eyes swept the inn, pausing here and there when he spotted someone who didn't look like a regular customer. Most of them would go home at the end of the night; some few would remain to share the inn's accommodations. These were the ones he was interested in. Few farmers or merchants would hazard an attempted theft or attack on a group of travelers, even one as small as theirs, not unless they were desperate or had similar numbers. It was the other travelers that might make the attempt, because they were unknown in these parts and could disappear as quickly as they had arrived.
-
Narisha saw the look the red haired woman had given Master Randel. It was a look that she had seen many times in the past. Gently she sent out tendrils of her magic and wrapped it around the group of hunters. It worked its way under their clothing to bathe their bodies in a warmth that was reminiscent of a soft wool blanket. If any of them were sensitive enough they would feel like there was a soft, warm summer breeze blowing over their skin. The faintest smell of smoke followed the trail of magic as it started to slowly warm and dry the party. Another tendril of magic was released into the smoke coming off the taverns fire and suddenly Narisha could hear all that was being said in the room.
-
Madis gestured with his chin to slide the coin back to the preistess. "That's better suited for a larger town. You want to repay us for whatever reason, be useful. If you still feel like spending that, then wait til we get somewhere where they can break it, not it break them." Madis said softly as his eyes scanned the room as well. He had another reason though, as his nose picked up the faint whiff of a smoke that wasn't what should be, given the type of wood he could see stacked next to the modest fire. Couple that with the sensation of warmth against his skin under his clothes, and either the tavern keeper had managed to get ahold of a very expensive enchantment, or someone in the room had magical ability.
-
Wymsin's cheeks brightened with mild embarrassment but she obediently put her hand back over the coin and retracted it. It once again vanished into the inner folds of her vestments. She reached down and pet Scout suddenly feeling a bit better the chill of the rain wasn't penetrating to the bones anymore. The wet cloak and robes felt almost warmly moist...
"Apologies gentlefolk." Wymsin said quietly as she stood from the table and went to talk to the barkeep. It was her duty to the church to see out those that might need help in any town she passed through. She patiently waited for the barkeep to have a moment and she inquired about getting a pitcher of mulled wine and to ask if there was anyone in the small village that might be in need of a healer or spiritual guidance.
-
Raijin wanted to kick Madis in the shins for ignoring her look, the only thing that stayed her foot from trying to connect was the knowledge that the direwolf was under the table.
She felt the warmth starting to seep into her bones and her clothing to dry. The enchantment was a welcome surprise but the plumekith had been traveling with Madis for 9 years now and she took note of the subtle way the old coot studied the taproom. It was a look that she'd grown accustom to when he was hunting.
Taking her cue from the man Raijin began to study the room allowing her other senses to sharpen. She studied her surroundings, noting who was interested in them and who had gone back to their tankard of ale. She glanced at the fireplace, she watched the flames dance and eat away at the kindling.
As she watched the fire, a taloned finger tapped the tabletop, a well practiced signal for Madis to look in the same direction as her.
-
Narisha had kept her attention on the party of hunters ever since they had entered the tavern, trying not to be to obvious in her attentions. She drank her ale and ate her supper looking for all intent and purposes as just another patron. Suddenly her gaze snapped to the far NW corner of the tavern. There, at a table meant to seat four, where at least eight men. They were all heavy set, dirty and rough looking. Nothing special or unique about them to have drawn her attention away from Master Randsel and his companions. But sidetracked she was. It was something in their tone of voice that had carried to her on the smoke and air. She pushed a tiny bit more magic into the thread that wove around the tavern and suddenly their voices were much clearer to her.
'How much do you think we could get for one those two bitches in the Northern markets?' one of the men asked the others looking at the other two women.
'The red haired one we might be able to get upwards of 10 gold if we could deliver her in good condition,' another man answered. 'Redheads are scarce in the North and demand a prime price, or so I have heard. The other one,' he shrugged, ' depends on how hard up the slave pens are for breeders.'
Narish had to think fast. Was she going to walk up to Master Randsel and tell him and his companions what she had heard? Was she going to remain quiet and wait till the men left, follow them and then take care of the situation when they were all outside? Was she going to do nothing and leave the hunters to fend for themselves? That last option had her skin crawling. She had worked with hunters in the past and knew them to be honorable men and women who willing risked their lives hunting down and destroying the monsters that roamed the wilds and on occasion found their way into a town but she was not yet ready to reveal herself to them.
Then an answer presented itself to her. The wind outside shifted and now blew against the wall of the tavern. The window near the men's table opened just a tiny bit wider as it was buffeted by the wind outside. The torch above their head danced and sputtered, tiny bits of pitch falling from it.
Narisha reached out with her magic once more and small gust of wind entered through the open window. The torch sputtered and tried to go out but her magic held the flame firm. With the new influx of air the torch flared and danced, pitch dropping from it to the table and men below. Another small gust of wind and the torch went out leaving a small area of the tavern in shadow. Suddenly the men all started yelling and slapping at themselves as the hot pitch ignited small fires in their clothes and hair.
She returned her attention to her meal and the hunters with a smirk on her face.
-
The barmaid set to work warming up the requested wine, considering Wymsin's question. "Well, Heddy's son had a fall from the top of the barn the other day, old man Nord just lost his wife- they were married for longer'n most of us can remember- but you might be in just the right place. Looks like you have some folks in need." She said, her hand stopping mid pour to stare into the corner where the rough men were.... catching fire. "Hope you have some burn ointment in your pack priestess..."
Madis flicked his eyes to Raijin, then to the fireplace, then to the corner. "Give the priestess a hand." He told Blackthorn. "Might be some dark forces at work here." He muttered roughly.
-
Many thanks Barkeep. I will definitely pay them a visit if you could give me directions I will likely trek over to their place after a quick bit of food and drink to warm up. It be nice to weather out the storm and then visit, but waiting for it to stop raining is selfish especially now that I know that there is someone injured. Back injuries or leg injuries can be quite serious. I don't have any burn cream on me..." She looked to the rough men patting themselves out. In the meantime perhaps you are right if they are hurt bad enough, I can offer them assistance if my Goddess deems it." She slid the man a couple copper for his time and service and made her way over to the table.
"I can't help but see you gentlemen are having trouble. May I be of assistance I am Sister Wymsin a Priestess of the moon temple."
-
Blackthorn the Elf
(https://i.pinimg.com/474x/d5/3b/3c/d53b3c3f62cdd94c39a2e9e1a1f38b0d.jpg)
Blackthorn nodded. He wasn't a healer but then Madis knew that. He was being sent to assist Wymsin as a message to someone, whether it was the table of burned men or to some one else in the tavern. He was already feeling warmer and dryer than he should, which meant there was magic at work here. The moon priestess hadn't done it. The Plumekith hadn't done it. That meant somebody else.
Somebody in the tavern could control heat, which likely meant fire and air. Given what had happened at the other table, either the magic needed to balance weal with woe or somebody had taken a shine to them and a dislike to the other table.
"And I am Blackthorn, hunter, rather than healer. If any of you are too badly hurt for Wymsin to tend to, I can offer a swift and merciful death." He maintained a straight face for a good six heartbeats, before the corners of his mouth twitched up slightly. "I'm jesting, of course. the good sister dislikes unnecessary death."
Perhaps there was just the slightest emphasis on the word 'unnecessary'.
-
One of the rough looking men stood up. He had managed to avoid most of the pitch from the light. "That's big talk coming from someone so little." He growled, fixing the much shorter elf with a glare. He looked like he had seem much better days in his youth, but since then hard living and lots of fights had ruined what might have been a vaguely attractive face.
"Why don't you buzz off little fly and let the pretty girl help out out in peace?" Another one said. Most of the men hadnt suffered much more than singed clothes and hair. A few had some minor burns on unprotected skin,but nothing that was too dangerous.
Back at the table, Madis sighed. If this kept up, either the elf or the direwolf would cause some damage and they would be forced to leave. "I was hoping for a few more days of quiet." He muttered softly.
-
Raijin snorted at Madis' words. "We only have quiet days when in the forest," she said lifting an eyebrow at the older hunter.
She slipped from the bench and made for the fireplace. She gave the woman sitting in one of the chairs a side glance. "If you were the one to dry us then thank you. Now if you can help with those men again that would be much appreciated."
-
Wymsin sighed. "Please let us just be calm there is no reason for anyone to have their hackles up. She looked to Blackthorn he had her by almost an inch and sadly the two of then stood under the five foot mark. "My friends humor can be a bit dark apologies, but if you do not need any healing, by the judge of things what I can see you aren't too badly harmed, we will just return to our table and leave you to your drink and food..."
-
Narisha barely glanced at the shorter red head. "Debt owed but not repaid," was her only reply. She doubted that the other woman would know what was meant by her words but that didn't matter at the moment. Her eyes went back to the table of men that the other two hunters were speaking with. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she made note of the interactions. "It looks like your companions will be in need of some aid momentarily." Taking a few more sips of her ale, Narisha continued to watch what was unfolding across the room.
-
Blackthorn the Elf
(https://i.pinimg.com/474x/d5/3b/3c/d53b3c3f62cdd94c39a2e9e1a1f38b0d.jpg)
Blackthorn grinned. “Isn’t that the correct term?” he asked, looking entirely too innocent. “If you are beyond healing, you seek a merciful death? You have my apologies if I was incorrect. This is a second language for me.” He nodded towards Wymsin. “She is a gifted healer. Very well thought of. Travels with my mentor, a great and skilled hunter. He can track a falcon on a cloudy day.”
Perhaps the warning would be too subtle. They were dealing with not one but two hunters. He didn’t mention Wymsin’s other abilities, that was her secret to keep or reveal as she saw fit. In truth the warning was intended to save the miserable lives of the men at the table. There wasnt any one of them they would make him break a sweat and it would take all of them to give him any sort of challenge at all. Blackthorn had a lot of experience with killing humans quickly and in small numbers.
-
Narisha glanced over to see how Master Randel was handling the situation with his two companions. She was ready to take things in hand if needed. Sighing once more she shook her head at the apparent stupidity of the locals. She had not made any attempt to hide the fact of who and what she is. It always amazed her how times people ignored the rumors and stories that told of Hedge Witches and their abilities. Mostly that was all they were, rumors and stories, many having been started and circulated by the Hedge Witches themselves. Yet over and over again people did or said things that, if even a quarter of said stories were true, would bring their whole towns to being burned to the ground and every man, woman and child to their graves. Luckily that was not how Hedge Witches operated, at least not most of them.
-
Madis bowed his head and sighed. The slavers were not taking threats from the short and wiry elf, and it was mostly expected that would happen, but they had just made it into town, and while the locals would know him, they wouldn't know his travelling companions, and the slavers aren't usually in this town. Either they were looking for something in particular, or they had been chased out of thier chosen hunting ground and were looking to make some coin on the way to a new one.
Madis raised himself from his chair, making his way towards the table in the corner with a much softer step than would be expected of a man of his size.
"Didn't I just tell you to shove off?" the speaker was standing, a grimace on his dark face as Madis came up behind the smaller elf and tossed something onto the table. "You think you can come off making threats and not..."
One of the other men grabbed the speaker's wrist and yanked, cutting off his speech. "Shut it, Sen. Look."
The words had all of them looking to the table. "Shit." The one called Sen cursed, spitting into the corner. On the table was a token bearing a raven. "Lets go."
When the last of them was gone into the pouring rain, Madis scooped the token off the table. "Hunstmen. Not Hunters." He told Blackthorn in passing as he headed back to the table, where a pitcher of mulled wine now sat. The barkeep gave him a nod.
-
Narisha leaned against back against the wall, sighed and visibly relaxed. She closed her eyes for a split second while taking a deep breath. The torch she had put out sputtered back to life as she pulled her some of her magic threads back into herself. One was left as she kept an ear on the rest of the room. "It looks as if your companions do not need my further assistance after all," she murmured. "You should return to Master Randel before he comes looking for you." A glance at the red headed woman and than over to the table where her companions sat made Narisha's point for her.
-
Raijin watched as Madis moved back to the table from ending the confrontation with the other men.
She nodded at the woman, turning to go back to her companions, "Perhaps you would like to join us, I'm sure that the mulled wine will help with some of the drain you are feeling."
-
Wymsin rejoined the others at the table and sat down beside the elf. She saw the innkeep brining over a large pitcher of steaming hot spiced wine on a tray with several cups. "This will be so nice." She sighed. "Please dont be shy join us if you would like if you wish for company and no ill will."
-
Blackthorn the Elf
(https://i.pinimg.com/474x/d5/3b/3c/d53b3c3f62cdd94c39a2e9e1a1f38b0d.jpg)
"Huntsman." Blackthorn nodded. “Apologies, Master Madis. For all the instruction I received, I still consider myself a hunter. Perhaps it is because the term is 'Huntman and it is obvious that I am not a man."
The Elf inhaled deeply when the spiced wine arrived. "Someone knows how to chase the chill of a heavy rain away," he said cryptically. He could have been taking about the mulled wine or the magic somebody had used to surreptitiously dry and warm them.
-
Narisha smiled at the smaller red headed woman. "I believe some company would be enjoyable." She pickup her mug of ale and her small bowl of stew and followed to where the huntsmen were seated. Slowly she placed both cup and bowl on the table in front of an empty chair. Just as slowly she removed her cloak, revealing the red dress she wore underneath with the a small round pin sporting the image of a cougar attached near her left breast. "Your companion has extended an offer of companionship for the evening. May I join you?" She directed her words to Master Randsel.
-
Madis flicked his eyes over at the woman in the red dress. "That's fine." He said simply, pouring himself a cup of the warm wine. As always he was a man of few words, choosing to not reply to the elf's explination as to his wording. He didn't need to tell the barkeep to bring food, it was expected. This was the closest town to Pex Illudai, the home of the Raven Hunstmen, so his habits were rather well known within the town. When the barkeep brought the food over, however, he paused to speak with Madis. "I know your priestess friend was asking about people who could use healing and whatnot, but there's been a bit of another type of problem pop up that I think you might want to know about." Madis turned, to show he was paying attention to the man's next words. " That bit of ruins out in the forest, the ones everyone says is haunted? Well a bunch of the kids in town went out there- you know to prove thier mettle and whatnot. Thing is, a couple of 'em didn't come back, an' the ones that did... they all have different stories. Some of the menfolk went to look for themselves, and found nothing. Might be something someone of your expertise might help with. I know the townsfolk would like to know what happened to those kids."
-
Blackthorn the Elf
(https://i.pinimg.com/474x/d5/3b/3c/d53b3c3f62cdd94c39a2e9e1a1f38b0d.jpg)
Blackthorn immediately began turning the news over in his head. Witnesses often had different stories and frequently added details in the telling, either because they were suggestible or because things just crept in. Even if there stories were different, they'd need to talk to the children to learn what they knew.
It didn't surprise him that the townsfolk had found nothing; they didn't know what to look for and didn't want to find ruined corpses of children, so without realizing they were doing it, they likely avoided the areas they were most likely to find them. It wasn't their fault. It was just their nature.
The prey didn't narrow it down much, as far as what creatures were responsible. Children were small and noisy. They could attract any sort of creatures. They needed to narrow down the possibilities. It might even have been a case of rivalry taken too far or dares pushed past the point of safety. Monsters and ghosts made convenient scapegoats for mistakes and murder.
"Did they go at night or during the day? Boys and girls or just boys?" Blackthorn asked. "Can we talk to them?"
-
Raijin slipped into her chair, cloak still securely wrapped about her body. She listened to Blackthorn ask his questions about the children who'd gone to the ruins. The plumekith female couldn't fault his thinking, even her mind had traveled down the paths of accidents and the such.
Raijin didn't bother to look at barkeep as he continued to speak, her eyes were trained on Madis. She didn't doubt that he would look into the matter, for her it was a more about whether or not that he was going to send her out to scout the area around the ruins. The old huntsman enjoyed the fact that she could, as he'd so succinctly put it one time, get a birds eye view.
Raijin had toyed with the idea of picking him up in his sleep and dumping him in the lake they'd camped near for that one. The only thing that had stopped her was that he'd either wake up the moment she touched him, or he'd wait until she was dropping him from the air to pull her down with him.
-
Wymsin listened silently but nodded as the others talked. The town needed help in more than one way and she would help however she could. "If I could be of any help please let me know. I might not be a hunter but as a healer that has had to travel the roads, I've had to learn over the last five years how to hold my own in a fight against pests." She offered the new comer a hand to shake. "Im Wymsin do you have a name friend?"
-
Narisha sat up a little straighter at the bar keeps words of missing children. She had passes the ruins in question on her way into town, not closely but close enough to feel that something was off about them. There hadn't been time to stop and investigate when she passed, she had been guiding a small group of travelers through the woods to town and there was no one with the party that could aided her if she found something. She turned to the priestess, "Narisha," was all she said not offering a surname or anything else. Her eyes returned to Master Randsel.
-
"At dusk." The barkeep said, shaking his head. "A group of 6 boys, some older, some younger. Two missing. I guess you can talk to the rest, if thier parents let you, that is. Don't know what you'll get from it. I'll write it all down for you."
Madis nodded. When the barkeep walked away to find something to write with , he tapped his glass with a finger. "Odd. Checked there before. Found nothing." He grunted.
-
"I passed by those same ruins not two days past while guiding a group of travelers through the forest and to town. There was something not right about them....something seemed off. The feeling I got from them is hard to explain but something is definitely wrong out there." She kept her voice low, her words only for those sitting at the table. "If you plan on investigating I am offering my services Master Randsel."
-
Raijin listened to the bar keep as he answered the questions posed to him. She thought about all the times that her and Madis had passed the ruins and not sensed anything off about the place.
She was pulled from her musings by Narisha’s comment about how the ruins felt strange to her. “Madis it is possible that we haven’t noticed because of how many times we’ve been near to those ruins. I’m going to hazard to say that Ms Narisha isn’t a local.” She said waiting for Madis to nod for her to go on.
“If that is the case then mayhap I should take her and we scout out the ruins, I will be one to get us there the fastest with out the need of horses.”
-
Blackthorn the Elf
(https://i.pinimg.com/474x/d5/3b/3c/d53b3c3f62cdd94c39a2e9e1a1f38b0d.jpg)
"Or something has moved in since you were there last," Blackthorn suggested. "We can't be the only things that are free range hunters. Perhaps something came across the ruins and decided that it might make a good temporary lair. Or something was driven out of its previous range and has settled in the ruins, which gives us not one problem but two."
-
"If there had been others with me who could have stayed behind and assisted me in investigating while assuring the travelers would not be delayed and still safe I would have taken the time. But alas I was the sole guide and guard for the travelers hence the reason for not delaying. Without being able to utilize my powers I can not say what is there or when it arrived." She turned her attention to the other red head. "If you have some alternate means of travel it would be best to do so under the cover of darkness. Those slavers who were here earlier would not stop hunting you if they discovered you had means to travel other than foot, beast or cart." Letting out a soft sigh she continued. "Women with power are in very high demand in the Northing slave markets. It is best not to advertise such things unless one has some protection like belonging to a temple order," she took a quick but pointed look at the priestess, "or you are a full fledged member of a Huntsman School. Anything less will most likely make you a target."
-
Wymsin had be silent taking in the information as the huntsmen discussed things with the new comer. She looked to Narisha and shook her head "I have no training with the huntsmen and am not affiliated with the academy in any way. I am a moon priestess and all my knowledge comes from book and learning out on the field as it were. I would like to assist where I can however, if you will have me... However... I can understand not wanting to do so and being wary of me slowing you down or impeding your hunt. I do not wish to make things harder for you and your lot. So if this is the case I can stay behind and tend to the sick and injured folk in this town if that is preferable." She said softly.
The story about the missing kids was intriguing but she was not a huntsmen and didn't want to offend the group by jumping in and assuming that she would be welcomed for a hunt.
-
"I have no training as a huntsman either dear priestess. However I do have powers and skills that they have found useful in the past and therefore have been hired on any number of occasions to assist." She still kept her voice low, not willing to alert others as to their conversation.
-
Wymsin nodded. "I understand but I will leave the decision to Master Madis After all him and his huntsmen do this for a living. Monster hunting is more of an incidental for me when I travel. I've only really dealt with things like goblins, gremlins, kobolds, you know minor nuisances."
-
To answer Narisha's question about if she was a full fledged Huntsman, Raijin pulled out a pin that was emblazoned with a raven on it, much like the token that Madis had used to run the slavers off.
"Also I wouldn't leave from within the limits of the town; they would probably call Madis on me," she said with a grin as she laid her hand flat on the table to show her taloned hand. "And leaving under the cover of night won't hinder my abilities." Raijin explained in a low voice.
The red-head turned to look at the Moon Priestess, "You are a healer, and if those children are indeed still breathing they will most likely need to be seen to. My talents lend themselves to other things," she said lifting her shoulders in a shrug. "Also your friend beneath us will help us in protecting the children if it comes to it. Wolves of all flavors are protective of young ones."
"And yes Blackthorn it is very possible that something foul has taken up residence within the ruins. I fear your bow will be put to good use in this mystery."
Raijin finally turned to Madis, having more than likely spoken all the words that he wouldn't say. "So what do you want me to do?"
-
Madis mulled the facts. They had arrived in town a bit after lunch to a torrential downpour, but he could already hear the rain slackening, and from experience he was reasonably sure clear skies were on the way. That would give them a couple hours before nightfall. He looked at Wymsin. "If you want to talk to the children here, do so. Doubt they will have much, but maybe. If you do, Rai will stay with you and assist, then you both can join us at the ruins, as long as it is before nightfall." He looked at Blackthorn. "We leave after our meal. Rain should stop by then." His gaze peered at Narisha over his glasses. "If you can fight, come with us. " It was the only time Madis ever spoke much. If those kids were alive, the longer they were out there, the less likely they were to stay that way.
-
Wymsin listened to the old Huntsman, "When i ordered the spiced wine, I learned that my gifts as a healer might be needed Apparently a village named Heddy has a son that took a spill from atop a barn which means I will likely be looking at tending broken bones. Not sure the child's age but I could interview him and make sure he is treated. A man by the name of Nord recently lost his wife so there might be need of a burial blessing so she doesn't come back from the grave, and to give him some spiritual council but perhaps he too has heard of things. I do not mind interviewing additional children Master Madis but I do need to make sure the people in this village are healthy and whole. We are like two sides of the same coin in a way. You protect and take care of those that are in need but do so with strength and sword. I do so with the gift of healing and the boons my goddess grants. May she always illuminate our paths in the dark of night...." Wymsin said as she reached for her silver moon shaped holy symbol and gently kissed it.
-
Raijin nodded and turned to look at Wymsin as she spoke.
"I see no problems with tending to those you've mentioned. As you pointed out we may learn something from the young boy. But we may also learn things from the elders as well." She said flicking her eyes back to Madis.
"What would you like us to do if it takes longer than we hope and night befalls us? I'm sure that Scout will watch out for his mistress." Raijin said feeling the direwolf shift as she said his name.
-
Wymsin was pleased to hear that no one was upset with her wanting to tend the sick and injured. She listened to see if there is anything that she could add because there was a good chance that it could take them past the sunsetting before they could meet up with the crew. " Scout and I have pretty good eyesight when it comes to the evening light. It's kind of the joys of my heritage and with him being a direwolf." She said with a smile looking over at her new companion for the day." As long as you're good with Travelling in the evening we could meet with Master Maddis so long as he approves. "
Maddis gave a nod he wasn't the Priestesses caretaker.
Wymsin and Raijin left the inn after their meal and wine with a plan. Wymsin had talked to the inn keep and got directions to Heddy's home as well as that for the widower.
They made good time and soon found the thatched farm home and began walking up the drive. "Any guesses on what it might be out there? Miss Raijin?" The priestess asked as they walked through the village, the rain had died down to a misty trickle.
-
Blackthorn the Elf
(https://i.pinimg.com/474x/d5/3b/3c/d53b3c3f62cdd94c39a2e9e1a1f38b0d.jpg)
Blackthorn nodded. He'd wanted to speak to the children but it was likely they'd told the story so many times that it had drifted too far from the truth to gain anything useful.
"Even if they are simply lost or trapped, the weather will stand them in no favour," he said. "Cold and exposure can kill as easily as the night bred creatures we hunt. My bow is ready and I am prepared to search any crevices we find."
-
Narisha bit her tongue when Master Randsel made his remarks about her being able to fight. Either he had not noticed the pin upon her left breast or he was simply ignoring it. She hadn't been given the honor of receiving such an accolade because she was a pretty face and nice distraction. No, she had earned it with her skills in tracking and as a guide, as well as her abilities as a Hedge Witch including her combat skills. The Huntsman who had given her the pin had even told her that she was the first in the history of working with the Cougar School who had warranted such. It had warmed her heart to hear those words spoken aloud after so many years working side by side with them.
She nodded at Master Randsel. "I will accompany you to the ruins. Even it my fighting skills are not at the same level of a trained Huntsman I have other ways of assisting in the search for the missing children." Narisha felt no need to elaborate further at this time. They would come to find out how much of an ally she could actually be in time, provided she had the time to prove herself.
-
Madis grunted. At least he didn't have to try and keep the priestess alive if they came across something nasty right away. He could tell the other woman was taking offence to something he said, but frankly he had stopped caring about that a long time ago. Thier meal done, he stood and headed for the exit. Ther first thing he would do is go to the horses, as there was equipment there that would likely prove useful. Then, without checking of the others followed, he set off to the edge of town towards the woods and the ruins.
-
Raijin thought about Wymsin question. “It could be anything from a forest creature like a wolf or a bear that has decided to den up in the ruins to something like a Naga. Though I highly doubt that last one, the snake creatures like warmer climes than this.”
She studied humble home of the farmer and his family. She lifted her hand and rapted on the door.
The door was pulled up by a harried woman. “Aye wot are ye wantin?” She asked as the sound of a babe wailed in the background that was competing with the sound of a young boy complaining about how his arm hurt.
-
"What about something like a vampire or revenant? The kids that disappeared were all male we know that but is that because the boys tend to just hang out with boys and the girls hang out with girls or is there more to see...Ghouls or ghasts might be a thing too. I kind of worry that the windorer might not have put his partner to rest properly. If that is the case it could mean that they might have returned from the grave.... Thus my desire to investigate that to rule it out." She said softly as she waited for the cottage door to open.
It did indeed open and Wymsin offered the over tired woman a smile. "Hello I am Sister Wymsin from the Church of Selene, Goddess of the Moon, magic and knowledge. I have heard rumors you have a wee one that took a spill and might be in need of healing?"
-
Blackthorn the Elf
(https://i.pinimg.com/474x/d5/3b/3c/d53b3c3f62cdd94c39a2e9e1a1f38b0d.jpg)
He left his backpack in the inn; there was nothing in it that he needed and if he didn't come back, somebody would be the proud owner of some clothes and his bowyers' tools. If he did come back and it had gone missing, the innkeeper would have some questions to answer.
All told, he had something in the neighbourhood of sixty arrows either in his quiver or on his horse. If he needed more, they were very likely pretty much Or- i duin ú- a lunt*
Up the river without a boat*
-
~In town
The woman at the door pushed some of her fuzzy hair out of her face with a huff. "Aye, fool boy were playin were he shoudnt o' " She passed an annoyed look over her shoulder. "outa let 'im deal with the consequences." She grumbled, but pulled the door open wide. "Ye might see if ye can magic some sense inta his head while yer at it." A thumb jabbed the direction, then the woman waddled off to the cradle to handle the babe.
~Outside of town
Madis said nothing more as he and the others headed into the woods, the smell of the recent rain heavy in the air. The clouds had not yet completely parted, so the way was rather dark, and the rain dripping from the trees made an eerie atmosphere as they travelled.
The ruins were said to have been some nobleman's keep at some point in time, but none of the townsfolk living now could remember it being anything more than ruins. Many of the young boys had had the same test of courage there, but beyond a few scuffs and maybe a bruise, there had never been anything more than childish stories that had come of it. Still, Madis himself had investigated this place before, as had a few of the other huntsmen, one or two even had used it as a campground and no one had found anything dangerous. It was most likely just that the boys had gotten frightened and fell down a hole or got lost, not the type of thing huntsmen usually handle, but just in case, it was worth a look.
-
Wymsin entered the woman's cottage and got to work inspecting the boy after introducing herself she was careful not to cause him pain and softly asked how his injury came to be while Raijin was free to quiz the mother and the rest of the family about anything that might be out of miss,
The boys leg was in fact broken the leg was discolored and swollen the leg had been splint but it was not set properly she sighed softly to herself as she opened her healers kit pulling out a small bottle of milky liquid and poured half a mouth full into a small sake cup. She added some powdered willow bark to the mixture and a spoon full of honey to the concoction as she mixed it and waited for the boy to tell his story.
-
The boy told Wymsin he had climbed up to the highest rafter in the barn cause his best friend dared him to and he's no coward, but when he got up there and was yelling down to his friend he was hit in the face with something. His friend, the lousy loser that he was- they had a bet, and the boy obviously didn't wanna have to pony up and clean the horse stalls- said it was a bird or a bat or something, but he didn't believe it one bit, and he hoped his ma was gonna make sure that chore went to the other boy since it was only fair.
-
wymsin nodded "Can you remember any strange smells or noises in the barn? You say it definitely wasn't a bird or a bat. What else could it maybe be? Do you remember maybe the color or texture of what hit you in the face perhaps?" She asked as she offered the boy the draught to drink.
-
Narisha followed the two Huntsmen out into the night. She had redoned her cloak as the left the tavern and stopped for a moment at the men's horses. Her own riding beast had been left in a slightly marshy area a little South East of the village, not because she feared bringing it into town but because the beast hailed from the Fire Marshes far to the South and East and was most at home in a wet, boggy environment. She kept her mouth closed and her eyes open as they traveled. Soon it was almost too dark to see, the moon still being hidden by leaden clouds that refused to give way. A small globe of dim yellow light appeared above her upturned left palm and hovered there, giving off just enough light for the three to see a few feet on all sides but not enough for man or beast to see them lest they were within a foot or two of the group.
As the drew closer to the ruins the feeling of wrongness began to press on her, sending a chill down her spine. The moment they crossed over the decrepit threshold and into what was once the courtyard a wave of nausea and despair washed over her but it gone in a fleeting second. "Did either of you feel that?" she quietly asked her two companions.
-
Blackthorn the Elf
(https://i.pinimg.com/474x/d5/3b/3c/d53b3c3f62cdd94c39a2e9e1a1f38b0d.jpg)
Blckthorn shook his head but he silently slid off his horse and melted into the shadows. He had an arrow nocked but not drawn as he sought out a vantage point where he could survey as much of the ruin as possible.
His eyes were made for the dark. He could see signed that there had been many visitors to the site over the years; a moss covered rock that had been turned by the passage of a clumsy foot, a name written on a high arch, a long burned out fire. This was far from an abandoned place. It might not be habitable but there were often people here and now perhaps there was something else.
-
Raijin listened to Wymsin question the little boy about his adventure in the barn. She turned to look at the woman of the house and moved to ask her if she knew about anything ruins.
"They're nothin' more than a pile o' stones that are a death trap for fools." The woman said, letting Raijin know she didn't know anything useful.
The young boy was telling Wymsin about what he thought his friend had thrown at him. "It were soft and a lil leathery, like the balls we use to play handball with.
Raijin silently excused herself from the house. She flicked her eyes over to the barn and moved towards the building.
The plumekith opened the door slowly so that the hinges did creak and startle whatever was living in the barn.
-
Wymsin nodded and as the medicine finally kicked in she went to work resetting the boys leg as the milk of the poppy made the lad slip into a deep sleep.
It didn't take long to fix what was an improper set, then she used her clerical magic. Praying softly as she pressed the moon shaped holy symbol against the boy as she reverently chanted.
The rush that came from using magic begin to unfurl in her belly and fill through her fingers tips as she laid her hands on the boys injured leg.Her magic was not as potent as it could be. With the sun not having fully set yet but she knew when he healing was done. She rose from the boys bedside and smoothed out her clerical robes. "Your lad is healed as best as I can. The moon goddess had granted me a boon so your son will not walk with a limp and will be as whole as he was before his fall if you can just keep him in bed and off the leg for the next three days mum. That is by far a better deal than him being laid up for a couple months. In three nights time he should be up and running around and ready to help with the chores once more." She said as she found the mother and gave he the report. Any donation to the church is welcome be it coin or if that is not possible I am more than happy to accept payment in the form of something else be it some small farm animals or a small portion of what you grow to cover the costs of the milk of the poppy and other materials used while healing your son. After this if I have your permission I would like to scout out your barn just to put your sons fears to rest over thee being anything unusual in the area..."
-
The farmer’s wife went over to a dish set on the mantle of the fireplace and pulled two coppers from it. It was the best that she could offer the priestess as times were tight. “I have no problem with ye lookin in the barn,” she said as she turned away to attended to the meal she was prepping.
*
Raijin watched as a small bat moved cautiously along the rafters. She flicked her amber hued eyes over to Wymsin when she entered the barn. When it looked like the moon priestess was going to say something Raijin motioned for silence and pointed up at the rafters she’d been watching.
“A fledged pup by the looks of it,” Raijin said, “it must have gotten separated from its colony when the morn was coming. The boy probably startled it from its sleep when he shouted down to his friend.”
“I’ll go up and bring the poor creature down so that this doesn’t happen again any time soon. I’m sure the boy won’t believe us if we told him that it was indeed a bat that hit him in the face.” Raijin continued in the same soft tone she’d started out using when she first pointed the bat out.
While it would have been just as easy to fly up to the rafters, Raijin used the ladder to gain access to the loft of the barn and the subsequent rafters. Once she was close enough to the bat, she coaxed the little creature into her hand. Black eyes watched her with a fair amount of suspicion.
Once the pup had transferred itself to her hand, she offered it her shoulder and the long lock of hair that spilled over it.
As she felt it settle close to her neck holding on to her hair like the vines that draped the trees to the south, Raijin moved to the edge of the loft and jumped down, to land in a crouch at the feet of Scout and Wymsin.
-
Wymsin sighed and gave Scout a pet on his flank as the dire wolf sniffed the air. "Well it seems like it was a bust. No monsters just a bat. "I finished healing the child. So since we have no more business here. I guess the widower is next on the list. The sun is starting to set so we should make haste. I am sure the others have likely managed to make their way out to the ruins or must be very close to it. We can touch base with the man ask about anything unusual and I can make sure proper funeral rites were done. If not... It will likely take an hour to perform them. "
The 3/4 elven priestess looked to Raijin giving the woman a soft smile. "I know this isn't terribly exciting but I thank you for the company and escort. With luck out companions are having better luck than we are. It hasn't been a wash however, you have a new friend one of the many goddesses children of the night."
-
Madis:
The elder huntsman dismounted and tied the reigns of his horse to the remains of what might have been a window. He hadn't answered Narisha when she'd asked if they'd felt something.
His instincts were telling him that something was different with the ruins, but at the moment he couldn't pinpoint what it was.
Madis moved away from his mount and started looking for signs of the boys who'd gone missing.
*******
Raijin lifted her shoulders in a shrug, "It's not so bad. You have your duties to do for your order, Madis understands that and respects it."
Her hand went to the youngling bat that still hid in her hair. She'd expected it to take wing once it was outside the barn, but it seemed to be content where it was. "So it would seem," she agreed with Wymsin.
-
Wymsin and Raijin got directions from the mother and made their way down to the widowers. It was semi fortunate to find out he lived near the outer edge of the town that would guide them in the right direction to the ruins once the business there was concluded.
By the time they reached the house the sun was slipping below the horizon the night sky awash in vibrant reds oranges and dark purples as she had Scout sit out front the cabins path and gently knocked on the door.
"We might get lucky and this could be a quick visit." She said offering the woman a smile.
-
Narisha wasn't put off by the fact that Master Randsel had not answered her. She had worked with enough Huntsmen in the past to know that most were dour, taciturn individuals who let their actions speak for them. Following behind the two huntsmen as they searched she kept her eyes and ears open for anything that didn't belong
-
The visit to the widower was a simple one. He hadn't heard anything odd lately, and his wife was buried next to the tiny chapel in town, in the graveyard consecrated to a local deity. They had been married since they were both young, and had multiple children. A couple of them even had survived. In a couple days his son was supposed to come from the big city on the other side of the forest for a visit.
----
Out at the ruins, Blackthorn began to see signs of some sort of commotion in what used to be a room, far before nature had started to take things over. It looked like it might be where the boys had been carousing before they had all run for home.
-
Blackthorn the Elf
(https://i.pinimg.com/474x/d5/3b/3c/d53b3c3f62cdd94c39a2e9e1a1f38b0d.jpg)
The elf knelt.
Seems like they were doing more than just testing each other's courage.
"Madis. This looks like where everything started." His voice was soft and low. It didn't carry much beyond the older huntsman's ears. He pointed to the remains of a fire, long extinguished by the rain. "With the storm we just had, the fire wouldn't have kept them warm but I suspect that the wine they brought might have."
He nudged one of the bottles. It was still partially full. "Something must have scared them to abandon a bottle of wine before it was consumed. The fact that they were drinking it means that they would likely not have been in their right minds when they ran, so they probably scattered."
He stirred the remains of the fire, looking for signs that they'd been smoking as well as drinking. Young humans rarely obeyed when they were warmed not to do something.
-
Wymsin sighed. "Well it turned out to be a short visit. We cannot do anything for the widower but at least he was laid to rest properly, no need to worry about zombies revenants or vampires. We can scratch that off the list of potential things that might be a miss in this small village, Miss Raijin." She said as she the woman and the Direwolf made their way through the village and towards the outskirts to town. The sun had sunk below the horizon and with it the song of night was starting as the cicadas began to fall silent but the sounds of Crickets and night birds began to add their bit parts to the evenings symphony.
A gentle breeze stirred the night air as the clouds above them sped by it rustled the canopy of the trees, their long limbs outstretched to the heavens dances in the breeze sighing as they walked down the road leading out of the village and towards the ruins.
Wymsin turned to look at the village its inhabitants shelters illuminated with modest light from lamps torches and candles as they ventured to meet up with their companions.
With luck their investigation bore more fruit than theirs had....
-
Madis joined the elf near the remains of what looked like an improptu party. His eyes scanned thier surroundings before dropping to the ground as he knelt. "Scattered." He said simply, pointing to the faint signs that the children had ran off in different directions. "Follow those." He pointed to some tracks heading to the north.
he stood and turned to Narisha. "You have magic? Something is off here. Whatever scared them wasn't a beast."
-
Raijin smiled at Wymsin as she mentioned that at least they wouldn’t have to deal with the undead at the ruins. “Yes, the undead would be a bit of a problem, because I fear the young boys would have been lost to their parents.” The plumekith said as she peered out from beneath the cowl of her hood.
“Forgive me, my appearance may be shocking,” Raijin said in a near whisper, but she needed to take the cloak off, her wings were starting to cramp as she’d been wearing the covering for nearly a whole day cycle. As she took the cloak off, she could feel the direwolf watching her, assessing if she would be a threat as crimson wings came into view finally.
-
Wymsin nodded in agreement with Undead mentioned in conversation. When Raijin took off her cloak and the crimson wings erupted forth the priestess gave an impressive nod. "Wow. You are a plumekith!" She exclaimed softly. "I've read things in old books back at the guild I studied in and saw some rough sketches. They certainly haven't done your kind justice though. I would have not guessed you were anything but human. When we have some spare time later and if you would allow it, I'd be honored to draw you. Your wings the color and shape. They are magnificent."
Scout sniffed at the woman cocking his head as the wings popped out but he stood beside his mostly elven master taking in the scene
-
Blackthorn the Elf
(https://i.pinimg.com/474x/d5/3b/3c/d53b3c3f62cdd94c39a2e9e1a1f38b0d.jpg)
Blackthorn nodded.
The tracks spread in many directions but the ones Madis had suggested he follow were notable for many reasons. They moved away from the town, as if their maker didn't know which direction safety lay. They were unsteady, as if their maker had had more to drink than he was able to handle. He would have made a prime target for anything looking for easy prey.
Alone and isolated.
Confused and unsteady.
The perfect prey for any predator.
The elf put the slightest amount of tension on his bowstring.
But now the predator is the prey. The hunter is hunted. but does it also hunt the hunter?
Of course it does. Because it will want to defend its kill.
-
Narisha looked at Master Randsel. "It could very well have been a beast. Just not one from the natural world." She moved to stand beside him and looked at the tracks and the debris littering the ground. Slowly she pulled the glove off her right hand, balled it into a fist and took a knee. "I will need your protection once I have entered the trance. All of my focus and senses will be attuned to whatever the land wishes me to see and I will be defenseless till I am free of it. If it seems like I am starting to become lost within a good slap across the face should return me to the here and now. If that doesn't work a boot to the ribs will break it. Do not fear hurting me. I have endured much worse in the past," she said without even looking at the man with her. With that she unballed her fist and slapped it onto the ground hard. Opening her mind, Narisha let the magic flow through her and out her hand connecting her to past. Her vision started to grey at the edges as she was pulled into the trance. The further into the past she traveled the more her vision greyed out, like a grey piece of cloth was being drawn across her eyes obscuring but not completely blocking her ability to see. The ruins around her became fuzzier and less distinct as the activities of the past began to become clearer and crisper within her minds eye.
-
Raijin smiled at Wymsin’s wonder at her true appearance. “I have no problems with you drawing my likeness.
“I’m not surprised that your order’s text has not done justice to my people. We rarely leave our mountain homes.” Raijin said. When she looked over at the moon priestess, Raijin could see the questions dancing in the other’s eyes.
“I had managed to wander away from my clan’s village, a good enough way that I couldn’t find my way back. I’d yet learned how to fly; my wings had just formed. I think in the end my clan had moved on because the humans were starting to use the pass close to the village. My parents must have thought me killed.
“By the time I was found by a passing Huntsman I’d gone as close to feral as my kind could be. I was trying to steal some of the man’s food when he caught me. Thinking I was one of the monsters that would be a problem for the kingdom and thus something Huntsmen would need to fight and kill. He thought it best to bring me back to the school as a teaching aid. It was Madis who recognized what I was; he made sure that I wasn’t mistreated by the others.”
Raijin stopped speaking for a moment to assess how Wymsin was taking her story. The plumekith could see something close to sadness. “Do not feel sorry for me, I have had a good life with the school and when the headmaster finally allowed me to leave the walls of the school it was with Madis as his companion. I am not nor will I ever be a true Huntsman.”
-
"It is sad your tale, but you found someone to take you in and care for you so it isn't as tragic as it could have been. Still you must miss your people. Discovering Blackthorn I find myself with so many questions about elves. My family was lost to a war in my country which lays across the sea north of here.War came and with it everything changed. New rules, new lords, new institutions, that forced me to change as well. Now I am free to follow my own path so long as the goddess wills it." She said as they walked towards the ruins listening to the sound of the crickets.
" A quarter candles burn more and we should be at the ruins unless you wish to go ahead of me. Scout can be my protection should it come to that. I may be a healer but I have means to protect myself if needs be." she reassured the woman.
-
Narisha's vision of the past solidified and she saw what had transpired just a few days ago. Images were crystal clear but she wasn't actually in the true vision, more like she was a wraith watching what had transpired from the edges of the mists.
`The children were laughing and carousing in the firelight, some of the younger ones occasionally looked nervously past the light of the fire. One of them jumped up, apparently reacting to something. Soon they were all jumping up, looking around. Something moved just past the firelight, and they all jumped to look in that direction. Then one stumbled and fell, but he had not moved. It seemed to be a catalyst for the others as they started scrambling and scattering. As the last of them left the light of the fire, there was something odd. A large root that was arched up and had clear space underneath it... Moved. It slid back down into the earth, leaving just the top of it visible.`
Narisha snapped out of the trance almost as if someone had snapped their fingers and broken an invisible thread. There was an oddness to the feel of nature around her, as if something, or someone was watching her, very possibly trying to reach out to her. Slowly she climbed back to her feet, dusted off her hand and replaced her glove. She looked around trying to get her bearing and orient herself to what she around herself now and what she had seen around her in the vision. Mostly she was looking for the large root she had made note of. AS she looked she spoke.
"The children were most definitely here. This was their fire. They were not afraid at first, laughter abounded. But then something was in moving in the night, just outside the bounds of the light from the fire. Something they could not see or put a name to. One of the younger ones fell, or tripped, but he did not move before he did so. The others ran then, fleeing in random directions. There was a large root that moved just as the last of the children exited the ring of light. The root had been arched high but sank into the ground as the youngsters fled." She shook her head. "I am trying to orient myself to see if I can figure out just where that root is. There will not be much of it showing unless it has arched back up, but I do not notice it in that configuration. There is something else. Something odd with nature itself here."
Narisha didn't speak of the feelings of being watched. Of something or someone trying to possibly reach out to her. She didn't want to make any assumptions and as of now she wasn't sure what all they were dealing with. She opened a different 'door' in her mind and left herself open to the natural ebb and tide of the world around her.
-
Raijin listened to Wymsin’s tale and felt for her, as she understood in a way what the young woman had gone through. At her mention of traveling ahead, Raijin shook her head, “I will stay with you.”
As they drew closer to the ruins, Raijin began to get a strange feeling that she was being watched. She paused and look about but could see nothing of note. When Wymsin asked if something was wrong, she shook her head no, and continued to move towards the center of the ruins.
As Narisha and Madis came into view Raijin stumbled as her vision seemed to fog. She righted herself and found a place to sit. Wymsin looked on in concern, “Go to Madis to let him know we are here. I will be a long shortly.” She said as her vision started to waiver as if she were seeing heatwaves from the ground.
She didn’t know if the priestess had heeded her words or not because when her vision finally cleared, she was seeing not the ruins that surrounded them but a beautiful tower complex. In this new place she was standing next to an old oak that dominated the center of the courtyard.
Raijin watched as a woman step from behind the tree, or at least that’s how she thought of it. She was of an ethereal beauty, Raijin would be hard pressed to explain what she looked like to Wymsin, even if she were allowed to do so.
The plumekith knew that she was ‘seeing’ what the gods wanted her to see and that they wouldn’t allow her to utter a word of what she knew. When she came back, she would be struck mute for a time, but her and Madis had worked out a system to let him know that she’d been given knowledge that was needed.
In this strange vision Raijin moved to follow the woman as she seemingly danced towards the arched opening of the courtyard. Standing there was a group of what looked like men, but before she could see who and what they were the scene changed on her.
Again, she was standing next to the oak tree, but instead of the whole complex, she was surrounded by the ruins she was used to seeing. Where once the tower stood was a younger oak tree, Raijin didn’t think much of it really, as it seemed the forest was reclaiming her land.
This time the red head moved around the oak her fingers trailing along the rough bark of the stately tree. As she came around the trunk, she again saw the beauty that had been in the first but this time she saw with her a boy child, it seemed that they were playing some game.
Like before she wasn’t able to get close to the people before the scene changed on her again. When Raijin blinked her eyes open, she felt rain hitting her face. A flash of lightening caused the young plumekith to dance away from the tree. In horror she watched as the trunk was cleaved in two from the strike of lightening.
Raijin shook her head, knowing instinctively that the tree would soon start to wither away. It pained her to watch and the woman who’d been a star in this tale the gods were telling her, ran into the courtyard, rain lashing against her willowy body. She fell at the base of the large oak and wept.
The scene seemed to shift one last time to show Raijin a young man cradling a woman with brittle skin and straw like hair. A voice seeped into her mind, <<She is dying, soon she will be lost just as her tree will be lost. You need to protect her treasure.>>
Raijin came to leaning against the crumbling wall that she sat against when her sight had kicked in and she been given her tour. She brought a talon tipped hand up to wipe away the tears that escaped her eyes. She knew what she needed to do as she climbed to her feet again, intent on getting to Madis.
-
Wymsin was worried but did as instructed. The Plumekith was not well as a healer she might have been able to offer help, but she had no real knowledge if the physiologic make up of her species were the same as Humans or elves.
She put on a stoic face and began to run to the ruins. Her eleven heritage made it easy to see in the dark so there was little chance of tripping and twisting an ankle in the dark. She hiked up the hem of her clerical robes and ran her wolf joined her side bounding beside her sniffling and wagging his tail as if his two legged companion was playing. He didn't smell fear but it was rare the tiny two leg ran...
Wymsin made it to the clearing and saw the group standing near a burnt out fire. "Ma-Master.. Madis." Wymsin breathed softly panting. "Raijin needs you... shes unwell. Shes about two and a half to three... furlongs back the way I came on the road. She was asking for you."
-
Blackthorn the Elf
(https://i.pinimg.com/474x/d5/3b/3c/d53b3c3f62cdd94c39a2e9e1a1f38b0d.jpg)
Blackthorn nodded.
He followed the tracks. It seemed that several of the boys must have fallen in behind one of the others; their tracks were overlapped. They'd chosen poorly. They were all headed in the wrong direction. They were going deeper into the ruins, oblivious to the dangers that might lurk in the crumbling rocks.
The tracks passed through an archway that had collapsed long ago. The fallen rocks would have tripped them, sent them sprawling into... darkness. What human eyes couldn't have seen, Blackthorn's elven ones saw immediately. The floor beyond the arch was gone, revealing a deep chasm. It didn't make sense. Even if the boys had indeed run helter skelter through the arch, the first to fall would have had time to call out a warming.
Unless their weight had caused the old floor to collapse.
Blackthorn moved carefully forward, not passing through the arch. He relaxed the draw on the bow and held the arrow on the string with the knuckle of his bow hand. It freed one hand to explore the floor, feeling for fresh, sharp edges on newly exposed stone. He heard pebbles crumbling under his fingers. The edge was still in danger of collapse. It wouldn't bear his weight and the collapse had indeed been-
"H-hello? Is there anyone up there?"
"MADIS I'VE FOUND THEM!" The elf called out. "Yes, there is someone here," he said, in answer to the frightened voice.
"We fell through the floor," the voice said. "There are some broken bottles down here. Balor cut his leg but we got the bleeding stopped. The sides are slippery and the top keeps caving in. Kale twisted his ankle when he tried to climb out, so we didn't try again. Can you get us out? We just want to go home."
The voice was weak with fatigue, thick with the swollen tongue of thirst. Nothing a good meal and a nights sleep wouldn't cure, unless the cut leg festered. "We'll get you home," Blackthorn said. "But it will take more than me to pull you out." He edged forward as far as he dared. It was just far enough to make out two shapes at the bottom of the pit. It looked like it might have been at one point some form of storage room. He could only see about half of it; no doubt the other missing boy was hidden in the shadow of the overhang.
"He talks funny. I don't think he's here to help us." Blackthorn grinned grimly at the whispered statement from below.
"THEY'RE DOWN A HOLE. WE NEED A ROPE."
And they make perfect bait.
Blackthorn made no moved to try and see if he could fish the boys out himself. He set his back to a wall and once more put tension on the bowstring. He would not be caught unawares by something that might use the boys as bait for larger prey.
He had no intention of joining them in some creature's larder.
-
Madis turned to the direction Wymsin had come from, his eyes sharp. The girl had just come barreling into the ruins with no heed for safety. Her god must really like her, considering what Narisha had just told him. Far donw the path he could just barely make out the bright crimson of his winged companion. If she was "unwell" as the priestess said, then she must be seeing. "She'll be fine in a moment." He told Wymsin and turned back to looking around at the ground, considering what Narisha had told him. Just then he heard Blackthorn's voice carry back from where he had followed the trail of the boys. He looked to Narisha. "Stay here. Keep looking, and tell Raijin what you saw when she gets here."
Then he turned to Wymsin. "Come with me. Watch your step, there's something out here that can control nature."
-
Raijin was able to gather herself enough to start making her way towards the spot that Madis and Narisha occupied.
Amber eyes took in the action that was taking place and understood that when she spied the Huntsman and Wymsin hurry off in another direction that it was possible that the children had been found. By the lack of Blackthorn’s appearance near the others Raijin could only guess as to that it was him who’d found them.
And if that were the case, she could guess that the children would be well guarded, she’d taken note of the elf’s heighten state of alertness. Raijin didn’t know all of his history, but the air about him spoke of hardships.
Raijin moved with caution until she joined with Narisha. “Have they found the boys?” she asked. As long as she didn’t have to try and tell the group what she saw she wouldn’t be struck mute, the moment she thought about speaking of the vision her voice would be rendered useless until the morning.
-
Wymsin nodded to Madis but felt bad she should return to the woman since Madis didn't seem overly concerned. Why send her off to get him then? She shook her head and heard the Huntsmen tell her to follow him. Creatures that could control nature. "Might be a dryad in the area or a treant?" she said just thinking of the two most common critters that popped into her head.
She obeyed but offered a softly whispered prayer to her goddess to watch over Raijin and to keep anything dark and sinister in the night away from her.
-
Narisha gave a brief glance at the other red headed woman and nodded once, returning her attention to the surrounding area. "From what Master Blackthorn called back to us the missing children have falling into some sort of pit and will aid in order to escape. Master Randsel has taken the healer with him to render aid. He bid me to wait for you and to relay what my vision told me about the night they boys disappeared." She took two small steps to her left and slowly turned in a circle, keeping her eyes on the ground about a dozen feet in front of herself.
"I saw the boys here, at night, in the light of a fire. They were all in good spirits for the most part. Some of the younger boys were rightful nervous about being in the ruins after dark and kept looking past the firelight. Something spooked one of the boys, he jumped from his seat. It was not long till they were all on their feet, trying to see into to the dark. Just past the edge of the firelight something moved and all the boys turned to look, trying to see what was out there. One of the boys stumbled and fell yet he had not moved from his position. Suddenly all of the boys were running in different directions. When the last of them had past into the darkness from the firelight something odd happened. A large tree root that had been arched high with a clear space beneath moved. It sunk into the ground so that only the very top of it still showed."
She paused for a moment, taking a deep breath and slowly letting it out. "I have been trying to see if I can find where that root is but it has not been an easy task. For one, the vision took place in the dead of night with only the flickering light of a camp fire to see by. Secondly, things always look a little different in my visions than they do in the real world so it is a little disorienting most of the time when I try to find a specific item or location. Thirdly, there are a lot of tree roots in this area that only show the top portion. Without any other true landmark to orient to it is going to be very difficult for me to determine which root is the right one. Unless nature gives me a hint I am afraid that it may just be a lost cause trying to find it."
-
Raijin nodded, “Yes that is the trick thing about visions, they can be misleading in some ways. Is it possible that nature is hiding what frightened the boys?”
She turned to look around the area, while she couldn’t help Narisha with the search for the wayward root; she could try to find the oak that she’d seen in her own vision. The more Raijin thought about it she wondered if the root was connected to the oak she’d seen. The final words of which ever god had seen fit to share his or her knowledge almost made in a sure thing that they were.
Eyes well suited for the night, peered into the gathering gloom of the night and the forest. Raijin studied everything she saw with a critical air about her. Finally, she’d spotted what it was she’d been looking for. A large oak stood in the middle of a copse of smaller trees, the trunk was marred by a scorch line that could have been made by a strike of lightening.
She moved over to Narisha and tapped her on the shoulder. She would have to point the tree out to the woman and hope that Madis would return from saving the boys from the pit in time for him to interpret what it was that she was trying to say with the gesticulations she’d eventually be making.
-
Madis grunted in answer to Wymsin's question, his eyes scanning the area as they headed towards Blackthorn. When they got there, he put out a hand to stop the priestess from going too far. "Have you found a solid place from which to pull them out?" He asked the elf, crouching and testing the ground with a hand.
-----
There was a sort of movement near the trees that Raijin had found, almost as if there was a breeze coming through, but the air was still and almost oppressive.
-
Blackthorn the Elf
(https://i.pinimg.com/474x/d5/3b/3c/d53b3c3f62cdd94c39a2e9e1a1f38b0d.jpg)
Blackthorn shook his head. "Not on this side. I have little trust in the arch. Perhaps the other side might show more promise but I wasn't about to risk trying to make the trip around until I had someone else here."
He pointed into the darkness, not sure whether there was enough light for Madis to see the other side of the pit. "The other side looks like it might be more stable. It shouldn't be too hard to make my way around. If it's stable, we can pull them up over there."
-
Madis nodded. "Go." He didn't have to say he would be watching just in case, it was a given. His eyes scanned the area, then moved back to the form of the dour elf as he moved to try and make his way around. True to his thoughts, the ground was more stable on the other side, most likely because there was more under the surface to hold it in place. There were pieces of leftover building around that would be good to anchor a rope to.
-
There was a sort of movement near the trees that Raijin had found, almost as if there was a breeze coming through, but the air was still and almost oppressive.
Raijin couldn't stop the shiver that ran through her at the feelings she was picking up on. She wouldn't call herself anything close to a mystic like the other two women in the party. But some survival instinct was trying to make her run for the hills; not that she'd ever listened to that instinct before.
-
Blackthorn the Elf
(https://i.pinimg.com/474x/d5/3b/3c/d53b3c3f62cdd94c39a2e9e1a1f38b0d.jpg)
Blackthorn moved around to the other side of the pit. It took him a few minutes; he had to find a path and he wanted to make sure he wasn't ambushed along the way. Paranoia was a word the elf had never heard of but if he had, he would have considered it a life skill.
"This pillar looks sturdy enough," he said, slinging the rope around it. He tied a loop at the end of the rope and lashed his water skin to it. Then he lowered it into the pit. "Here's some water. Send up the wounded first," he called down. "I'll pull you up."
It would be a perfect opportunity to ambush him, while he was pulling an injured boy out of the pit. It would also serve to further injure the already wounded. He set a knife within easy reach.
-
Wymsin had been late to the scene. She had watched the situation silently as the Huntsmen worked. After all they were trained and qualified however the longer she watched the more she felt uneasy about the situation.
Hesitantly her fingers touched the old man's arm to get his attention as she softly asked, "Master Madis may I ask you something? I do not want to be an annoyance or to ruin a good thing with what you have going on here, but I might be of assistance. Do you recall the small stone hut you slept in the night we met? I made that using magic. The element of earth and air are my strong suits. I could potentially craft a set of stairs, but it would mean using stone from around the hole to make that staircase. What are your thoughts on this? If you deign it too dangerous I wholeheartedly understand."
-
Madis looked at Wymsin for a moment before turning back to watching the pit, and Blackthorn. "There is something out here that may take grave offence at the use of that kind of magic. Best keep it simple. Does your wolf alert you to strange smells?"
Down in the pit, there was scuffling, and the sounds of more than one voice thanking one deity or another. The rope twitched and swayed as the waterskin was passed around before being untied.
-
"Scout only tends to be vocal if there are things about. So yes. He signals." Wymsin replied. "If the staircase is too much I could try a stone ladder using the rubble from the ruin. " Scout sat not to far away and she commanded him to watch as she let Madis decide what to do next.
Admittedly the ruin were creepy but lots of places in various states of decay were. She couldn't feel anything really out of place. Perhaps it was time for a bit of help from the divine.
Wymsin pulled out her holy symbol the copper and gold and silvered lunar disc and called upon her goddess for protection from dark things in the area. While not a true barrier it had the ability to potentially dissuade evil from wanting to cross the small blessed area much in the same way a line of salt could repel an ant.
-
Rajin looked over and noticed that Narisha was still looking for the signs of the root that had scarred the children. With a bit of a shrug, the plumekith began to pick her way towards the tree that she was sure was the one from her vision. The air was growing every more oppressive as she drew closer to the trunk. "Please I mean you no harm," she said in a low enough voice that one would need to be standing next to her to hear her words.
-
Madis didn't say anything to Wymsin's second offer, instead stopping as if to listen. Down in the pit, the rope twitched and a small voice called up. "ready. Ecky's leg is hurt ."
As Blackthorn made to pull the boy up, Madis turned around, his eyes scanning the area behind Wymsin.
----
A fluttering of leaves went across the tree, and a few drifted sadly towards the ground, freed by the movement. The air around the tree was still, it made Raijin think of a thing in mourning.
-
Blackthorn the Elf
(https://i.pinimg.com/474x/d5/3b/3c/d53b3c3f62cdd94c39a2e9e1a1f38b0d.jpg)
Blackthorn nodded. "Try not to move to much," he said. "Equally, I will try not to jostle you too much."
He looped the rope over his arm and began to pull the injured boy up. "Wymsin, if you could make your way around here, you will have a patient in a few moments."
And if what is coming up is not an injured child or if something comes at me from behind, I will be in a very vulnerable position if I am alone....
-
Raijin felt a tear slipped down her face as she moved ever closer to the tree in question. "I'm sorry you were hurt. I wish I could do something to help you."She said still in that soft voice she'd first used.
-
After a few moments, a mess of dark hair came into view. The boy was covered in dirt, and it looked like he had been crying from the streaks in the dirt on his face. He was clenching his teeth, fear and pain evident in the line of his lips and the way he clutched the rope tied around him.
------
There was a sound almost like a whisper that came past Raijin's ear. It felt like a soft breeze, and the leaves rustled again. There seemed like there was almost an undercurrent of electricity buzzing along the ground as she approached the tree. A strange sound drew her eyes away, and she spotted a small squirrel chewing on a nut nearby. It squeaked and ran off, and when Raijin looked back to the tree there was someone there. She was frail and grey, her skin seeming withered. It was a she, or perhaps it just felt like a she for some reason, because there was nothing in particular that pointed to one gender or another.
-
Raijin blinked a tad startled by the sudden appearance of the frail woman, but the vision Raijin had, had, just before arriving at the site, floated up from her memories.
"This yours isn't it?" She asked in a soft voice, even though she knew the answer would be 'yes'
-
Narisha almost jumped when the other woman tapped her on the shoulder. She took a quick look at where she pointed and nodded once before she went back to scanning the area for the root. She closed her eyes and called up as much of the vision as she could. There truly were no landmarks for her to orient herself by. She let out a soft sigh and opened her eyes. Giving the area one last look she turned to speak to the other woman only to find that she was not where she last was. Narisha looked around for the red of Raijin's hair and saw it some distance away in a small copse of trees.
-
Wymsin made her way to the young boy and examined the child. Pulling out her lunar holy symbol she laid hands on the boy and gently prayed as she pressed it to flesh and asked her goddess for the power and divine grace to mend the boys leg.
A gently glow and the tingle of magic ran through her hands and she could feel in her gut that her prayers had been answered as the boys face relaxed some the pain diminished.
Her silver eyes looked to the others around her as they searched for something unknown. The others could sense something but she could not. She took care to wrap the boy in her cloak to stave off the chill of the night as she comforted him and Scout stood nearby alert and sniffing the air, his ears alert and perked listening for anything that might be out there.
"I have tended to the wee lad. He should be fine to walk. My goddess blessed me with a healing boon and the boys leg is fine. What is it that you think is out there?" She softly whispered as she scanned the treeline.
-
"Don't know." Madis grunted. "Keep going." He told Blackthorn. The sooner they got the children, the sooner they could get back to town and be done with this. There was something here, allright, and he didn't want to have to try and protect a bunch of children while he investigated.
----
The woman- if it was a woman- nodded slowly, then looked past Raijin towards where Narisha was. Then she turned and placed her hand upon what appeared to be a large tree. A shiver, and flood of magic rolled across the ground like a low lying fog, as the image of the tree seemed to waver. It took several long minutes for the illusion to fade, leaving behind the sight of a tall, dark tower choked with vines.
-
The magic of the illusion danced along Raijin's skin as it dropped from around the dark tower. She stepped closer to the tower, and looked over at the woman, "What you protect is in there isn't it?" she asked as amber eyes looked through the gloom of the entrance to the tower. "You want our help, don't you?"
-
Blackthorn the Elf
(https://i.pinimg.com/474x/d5/3b/3c/d53b3c3f62cdd94c39a2e9e1a1f38b0d.jpg)
Blackthorn shook his head and lowered the rope back into the pit. "Perhaps nothing," he said. "Perhaps something. I always assume that it is something. It has helped keep me alive."
"Hurry now," he called the the boys remaining in the pit. "Let's get you both out and get you home. One at a time now. I can't lift you both. There is a healer up here who can tend your wounds far better than I can. She'll be able to make you well enough to handle the beating your parents are going to lay on you when you finally get home tonight."
When he felt weight on the rope, he began to pull anew. He would get the second boy out of the pit as quickly as was safe but even so it would be a long few moments for the boy who was down in the darkness all alone.
I'll need to pull and keep an eye on the hole at the same time. Wymsin, I pray that you have my back....
-
Madis watched Blackthorn for a moment with un unreadable expression. The elf's penchance for paranoia just might lend to him surviving longer than any of his other apprentices had. But then again, maybe it wouldn't. Something made him turn, maybe it was a sound, maybe it was a feeling, it wasn't something that could easily be named, but it was real none the less. He looked around warily, knowing there was something different yet unable to place it for a long moment.
Then he looked up.
Towering over the tops of the trees that had been reclaiming the land here was a hulking shape that had not been there before. A dark tone came to Madis's voice as he took it in and spoke one word that encompassed the broad range of emotions brought on by the appearance of the mysterious tower:
"Fuck."
-
Wymsin heard the old man swear her wolf scout let out a soft growl.
The priestess held her holy symbol in her hand and she softly and quickly spoke as she called upon her faith for her goddess. "Oh Holy mother of knowledge and shining silent lunar light, shield us from evil in all directions! Protect Us!"
A cool tingle of magic waved through the night air and for a moment and there was a brief seconds glow of gentle light that surrounded a fifty foot radius around the group.
Creatures with ill intent and evil in their hearts would find crossing the now invisible barrier would feel deterred from entering the circle. Strong creatures could still pass but the unease from penetrating the circle could provide a distraction and make them less focused.
-
Narisha the Hedge Witch
Narisha felt a faint tickle run up her spine. Kind of like the soft tickle of a kittens whiskers or the brush of a spiders web. Her head snapped up and her eyes focused on what she could see of the other red haired woman. Quickly she started moving in that direction, careful not to catch on a root or rock. She didn't slow her pace when she saw the tower come into being but did when sensed another presence in the immediate vicinity. Narisha couldn't see anyone else nearby but there was a definite feel of another soul other than those that had accompanied her out there the children they had come to find.
-
The figure before Raijin nodded slowly, seeming to wilt even more before her eyes. A gnarled finger pointed to the base of the tower where a thick tangle of vines wrapped tightly around a darker surface- perhaps a door or doorway?
___
Madis looked over at Wymsin, then at Blackthorn. Then he deftly picked his way around to help the elf pull up the next child. They needed to get the kids on thier way home. Who knew what was in that tower or why no one had known about it before, but if Raijin had 'seen', then he was sure there was going to be something to be done.
-
Raijin nodded in understanding to the silent being. She moved towards the thick tangle of vines. As she reached out to touch the wood beneath, the vines seemed to slither away on their own accord.
She meant no harm so the magic had choosen to allow her to pass through.
Raijin entered the tower and studied the darkened room, it was barren save for the base of a wending staircase.
-
Narisha saw the vines that covered the lower part of the tower. Then she watched as the smaller woman seemed to just walk right into them. She was still to far away to see if there was an opening in the vines that allowed access to the tower itself or if something else happened. Making her way to the spot where she had last seen Raijin Narisha took a good look at the vines. They were old and thick, but beyond them she could see something darker. There was a door there, or possibly an unfettered entrance way. Slowly and warily she raised her hand to touch the space beyond the vines and nearly leapt out of her skin when they moved aside for her.
Cautiously she entered the tower room. There was almost light in the room for her to see by but in an instant one of her small, dim, yellow balls of light was hovering above her left shoulder. The light showed her a bare room with a winding set of stairs that round upwards. She slowly moved around the room, curious as is the stairs would lead downwards as well as up. There was no indication that there was any means to descend from the current location but she did find a area behind them that obviously was once used for storage. Inside was an assortment of odds and ends, all broken, discolored with time, rotting, rusted and covered in dust.
Narisha returned to the central room and made her way to the base of the winding staircase. The stones were worn from years of use but otherwise seemed to be in fair repair. A loose stone could be seen here and there but nothing that could not be avoided if one was careful with ones feet.
-
Blackthorn the Elf
(https://i.pinimg.com/474x/d5/3b/3c/d53b3c3f62cdd94c39a2e9e1a1f38b0d.jpg)
Blackthorn nodded to Madis when he joined him. "One more," he said, as he tossed the rope back down into the hole. "You're a brave young man, waiting while your friends are rescued. Now it's your turn."
He looked at the tower than had appeared out of nowhere.
A vanishing tower. Well there's something I hadn't expected and will now have to add to my list of things to watch out for. One wonders what we will find inside or how long we will be trapped inside if it disappears while we are in there.
"Can you three find your way home by yourselves or do you need somebody to take you back to the village?" he asked, as he reached out to grab the hand of the third trapped boy.
-
"We can find the way." The eldest of the three nodded, more than happy to be out of the hole and ready to go home.
"Go." Madis said.
They watched the boys hurry off into the night, giving the rest of the ruins a wide berth. Then Madis turned and headed back the way Wymsin had come. "Come or don't." he said simply to the priestess.
----
The stairs seemed to go on for far longer than the tower seemed tall enough to hold, and near the top, Narisha caught up to Raijin, who had paused to look out a narrow window. A faint sliver of light came through that tiny gap, falling on a door at the top of the stairs, lending it a faint shimmer.
-
"Goddess guide me. Give me a sign if your will is to proceed into this tower and help these folks." The moon priestess whispered into the night air inside her protective circle as she listened and kept her eyes peeled.
A magically appearing tower was something she had never read or heard about in her life. She put a hand on Scout's back and watched at the others walked towards it and into the interior.
-
A break in the clouds offered a measure of light into the ruins, casting strange shadows and illuminating the tower like something out of a dream. There was a small window visible at the top, but no light shown out from it.
Madis came to the base of the structure and laid a hand against the cool stone where it was visible between the vines. His sharp eyes taking in the way the vines were withering in spots. "This way." He said, moving around the base, letting his hand slide through the vines to find the opening.
-
Blackthorn the Elf
(https://i.pinimg.com/474x/d5/3b/3c/d53b3c3f62cdd94c39a2e9e1a1f38b0d.jpg)
Blackthorn had an arrow nocked as he followed Mathis. He tried to keep an eye on their back trail, just in case something was following them. Given their surroundings, anything that decided to hunt here would be powerful. It'd have to be, in order to thrive in this place of eldritch magic and shifting realities.
"Do you expect that there might be something living inside?" Blackthorn asked. "Or should I anticipate restless spirits or something more monstrous?"
The elf had his own theories as to what they would find; he just wanted to know what Mathis was expecting. The old hunter had all the assembled knowledge of all his fellows, whereas Blackthorn only had his own experiences to draw on.
-
Madis paused, turning his searching gaze back to his apprentice. "Don't know." He said simply. He had seen similar things over the years but this was distinct, and it had a certain flavor to it that had the old man more cautious than usual. "Not a lot powerful enough to hide a tower like that. "
-
The moonlight on the tower as the clouds parted was enough for spur Wymsin into action.
"Scout come." She said softly as the wolfs ear perked and followed her into the tower.
-
Raijin stood at the top of the stairs and studied the door in front of her. It was made of some wood she couldn't readily identify. Runes were carved into the lintel but she wasn't confident in her ability to translate them. But the handle is what made her reach out to open the door. It was that of an ornate dragon slumbering.
-
Madis found the opening to get into the tower just as Raijin reached for the handle of the door. A rush of magic surged outwards as her hand grasped the handle. The Dragon on the handle opened its eyes, yawned, and slid through her hand to crawl across the surface of the door and sit on a small ledge, where it curled up, the door swinging inwards soundlessly. Lights began to pop to life inside the room, giving it a warm glow, and illuminating a large bed surrounded by curtains and piles of pillows piled against it.
Madis looked up at the surge of magic, a worried look on his face. "not dark magic at least." He grumbled under his breath.
-
Raijin blinked as the suddenly lit candles of the room. She stepped over the threshold and peered around the room. Besides just the bed, that dominated the room there was a small table that had two low backed chairs, that was against the far wall and beneath the only window.
A fireplace was on the other side of the room, though it wasn't as yet lit for the night. Finally she studied the bed with its curtains and piles of pillows. The whole room spoke of wealth and hiding. In a way it reminded Raijin of her time before Madis. It was this feeling that had her calling out a quiet "Hello."
-
Blackthorn the Elf
(https://i.pinimg.com/474x/d5/3b/3c/d53b3c3f62cdd94c39a2e9e1a1f38b0d.jpg)
Blackthorn watched the dragon slither off the door handle. He knew there was no point aiming an arrow at it. He had no doubt that he would be able to hit it. He just didn't have any surety that his arrows would do anything against its metal body. If it turned on them, it would take magic to defeat it.
He took his eyes off it briefly, to check the interior of the next room.
Room for one guest. That isn't a good sign. The tower isn't usually here, so the person trapped here is mostly alone. Likely it appears and lures people inside. Somehow, one is chosen as the companion of whoever lives here. How long they last is anyone's guess, leaving the resident alone. And the cycle repeats. Assuming I am even close about what's going on here.
He turned back to the dragon. "Do you have a name, Door Guardian?"
-
Wymsin entered the tower and noted everyone had moved up the stairs. She let her eyes sweep along the floor she stood on before they drifted towards the stairs.
Softly she whispered an enchantment for light a small ball the size of her fist floated in the air its pale light and shape reminiscent of the moon as it danced in the air and followed her as she took the steps up to the next level where Blackthorne stood.
Her pale silver eyes spotted the runes around the door and she grew excited her time studying with the church and mages guild had cultivated a love of runic lore and language. Cocking her head she carefully approached the light from her illuminated globe helping her read the runes on the door frame in hopes that she would be able to understand what was written.
"The others are safe and accounted for Blackthorn?" She asked.
-
Blackthorn the Elf
(https://i.pinimg.com/474x/d5/3b/3c/d53b3c3f62cdd94c39a2e9e1a1f38b0d.jpg)
"Accounted for, yes. Safe? So far," Blackthorn said. "I'm trying to figure out whether the dragon there is alive or just an animated pierce of metal. I'm not sure which would be more troubling."
He watched as the half-elf examined the door frame. Hopefully she would learn something useful from what she found there.
-
The dragon on the door didn't move as it was spoken to, having returned to an inanimate object. Madis scowled. "Great, Draconic." He huffed under his breath, his hand hovering over his sword as he followed Raijin into the room, looking around. It looked like nothing had stirred in the room for a long time, even though there was no obvious dust in the room.
A stirring came from behind the the curtains on the bed, as if something or someone was waking up. Indeed, a yawn could be heard.
-
Wymsin's brow furrowed as she studied the runes trying to decipher them. Her slender fine fingers caressing the chiseled runes. "Without malice... enter... gold or golden..." She sighed. "I can't translate it all. Maybe half or just a bit less the the context is strange. Then again its Draconic it isn't a forte for me. I didn't have a ton of exposure to it during my time studying under the mages at the tower in my town. But it is better than nothing. My guess is we will be okay so long as we don't do anything violent in the room it wont activate anything sinister. What do you guys see in there?" She called out as she remained in the hallway beside Blackthorn.
-
Raijin turned when she heard Madis speak for the first time since he'd caught up to her "Sorry, they wanted me to come," she said in explanation.
A hand slowly started to draw the bed curtains to the side.
-
Madis wore an incredibly weary look as he watched the bed, not bothering to answer Raijin's words. Of course she had followed the damn vision. They had tried not doing that before. It ended badly. Very badly. Like people died kind of badly.
"It's a ward." He said, turning his head ever so slightly so Wymsin could hear him but he could keep his eyes on the pale hand drawing the curtains aside. It was small, delicate, like that of a female perhaps, adorned with golden rings. "It says He who is without malice, enter freely into the domain of the golden one."
That meant as long as they didn't try to attack whoever this was, they wouldn't have to worry about that magic going off. The hand on the curtain stopped, then pushed the gossamer fabric to the side in a rush as the occupant of the bed thrust his head out to look around. Hair that shone like gold topped the young mans head, his skin smooth and milky, clear blue eyes scanning the room until they lit upon what they sought.
"Viceroy.. Emos?" The young man's voice was full of question, and it was obvious who that question was directed at.
Madis pulled his glasses off and wiped them with a cloth he pulled out of his pocket, sighing deeply. Yep, he had been right to have a bad feeling about this tower.
-
Wymsin had chosen to stay in the hall but peeked around the door frame to hear the voice call out. 'Viceroy.. Emos?'
Her brow furrowed as she watched as she felt the name was familiar. Her time studying both at her church and the mages guild had made her consume much in the way of knowledge but when it came to the whos who of different countries and political ties and lines of power the information tended to fold inwards on itself and could blur. Not being from this country but from further north and waters that needed crossing to come here, she felt the nagging thought that she could know the name despite not being able to place it. She let out a soft sigh as she closed her silvery eyes "Does the name Viceroy Emos ring a bell to you at all?" She whispered to her elven companion as she watched Madis and the stranger curiously.
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Blackthorn the Elf
(https://i.pinimg.com/474x/d5/3b/3c/d53b3c3f62cdd94c39a2e9e1a1f38b0d.jpg)
Blackthorn shook his head. "Beyond having heard the word 'viceroy' as a title for one who serves a king and speaks with his voice, the words have no meaning for me. I have never heard the name Emos."
He looked around the warded door. "Neither can I swear to a freedom from malice," he added. "Does that refer to evil? Or simply to hate or even anger? I would rather not take the risk, simply to stand in the presence of the Golden One, whoever that is or whatever that means. If it comes right down to it, there is nothing in that room that I can't hit with an arrow and I've yet to see an arrow that wasn't free of any emotion at all, so it should not trigger the wards."
Hopefully.
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Raijin tilited her head to the side in a very bird like manner. She also lifted a brow in question at the new title and name the golden man uttered.
Madis and Raijin had been traveling together long enough that she'd heard what others called him. This was completely new to her, and if Madis wanted her to know the history of the name and title he would tell her in his own time.
"I believe in this instance Blackthorn, malice implies any ill intent to this young man." Raijin said softly, knowing her words could possibly draw attention to herself.
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Blackthorn the Elf
(https://i.pinimg.com/474x/d5/3b/3c/d53b3c3f62cdd94c39a2e9e1a1f38b0d.jpg)
“Then I will not pass this ward,” Blackthorn said. “For until it is proven otherwise, I consider this young man a threat and will treat him accordingly.”
He tapped the arrow he had knocked with one finger, to indicate his meaning of ‘accordingly’. Were there need, he could have the arrow draw and in flight before his heart could finish a single beat. It was no threat. It was simply a statement.
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"That is a very old name." Madis said, pinching the bridge of his nose below his glasses, his eyebrows furrowing. It was more emotion than Raijin had seen from the old monster hunter in all the time they had been together. In the span of a few hours things had gotten unbelievably complicated. "Might I have the name of the one who speaks it?"
The young man slid through the curtains to stand next to the bed, frowning slightly at the request. He was dressed in exotic finery, the edges of his clothes embroidered with strange arcane looking symbols. "Do you not recognize me? I am Orrin, youngest son of King Duvrion the Wise.
( at this point you all get a chance to recognize the name of the King. Blackthorn, you have a 40% chance of recognize it from texts at the hunters school, Wymsin, you have a 55% chance due to your studies between the mage tower and religious training. you may roll this yourself or I can roll it for you.)
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Blackthorn saw Wymsin's eyes widen. Clearly, she'd recognized the name. He was a little surprised. The names were a thousand years old. "If he is who he says he is, he's going to find himself very alone. His father's kingdom fell ten centuries ago. And yet he seems to recognize Madis."
The moon Priestess nodded as she nervously tucked a strand of her long brown hair behind her ear. Softly in Elven as to not interrupt Madis and the conversation inside the room she whispered. "That would make this young man over a thousand years old if this is true. The King Duvrion was wise and talented in the arts of arcane crafting. But I read that his line was wiped out assassinated... along with his sons Merrick, Judian, and Ells." She looked to her elven companion and licked her lips a story I remember reading about in my time at the mages guild. They had books on many things. Ancient history from around the world. I heard rumor that the King himself was even possibly a dragon, but I can't confirm it. Not sure how that works with offspring he doesn't look very draconic so perhaps the dragon thing was in reference to how he defended him homelands. I just recall after their passing they split his lands up into smaller territories. I suspect that where we are might even be a part of his old lands he ruled, but definitely not the heart of his country. "
She pursed her lips sighing softly. "If what he says is true, I don't know how he would handle knowing Orrin's family has... Passed beyond the veil. What are your thoughts on what is happening here?"
"Your history seems to have missed a son," Blackthorn replied. "I'd be more concerned with him trying to recover his lost kingdom. Nobles seem inordinately attached to things they think they own."
"Last of his line in a world that likely cares little about it. You two share that in common." Wymsin said wincing slightly realizing it wasn't super diplomatic. "Apologies I didn't mean for it to come out like that. But when the time comes perhaps, we can find a way to console him. What do you know of dragons? Have you ever met one before? Can they take human shape?"
"I take no offense," Blackthorn said. "He is, however, only the last of his line, whereas I am the last of my kind and couldn't give a fiddler's fuck about whether he is distraught or stoically unmoved by the news. There are always those who would seek favour and reward from one such as he. Should his existence be discovered, war would surely follow soon after."
The elf pursed his lips. "Four kinds. Black, green, rock, red and white. The more horns they have, the more powerful. It's been a while since any have been seen. They were likely hunted to extinction over a century ago. There are always stories but I've never come across a verifiable record of a dragon that could turn into a man. Or vice versa for that matter."
Wymsin nodded. She felt her heart race as she thought of the knowledge and ancient history that she could learn from the young man if he was willing to part any of his memory. History was important but she knew that she wasn't going to be foolish and just ask dozens of questions as she had when she had first met Blackthorn. "So, what do we do with him is the next question? He can't likely stay here, and we definitely don't need a pissed off half dragon man rampaging the country over something that happened a thousand years ago. I hope Madis knows what he's doing but if he doesn’t, I can't think of a way to subtly tell him that what we are dealing with here might be someone that is very dangerous if he provoke or upset him." The small priestess said in elven her face a stressed grimace.
"Are you two done muttering back there?" Madis's voice cut through their conversation blandly. He had yet to answer the golden-haired young man, who was watching him with a concerned look, chewing his lip. " "Was I perhaps wrong? Are you not my father's most trusted friend?"
Madis held a hand up to the young man as a gesture of patience.
"Not remotely," Blackthorn replied, lapsing back into a language he was certain Madis would understand. "We're discussing whether you were likely to introduce us to your old friend or whether you were going to continue denying that you are apparently older than dirt."
Wymsin’s mouth fell open at the comment as she looked at the Elf and how casually he just threw that comment out there. It seemed like she and him had something in common, a lack of tact or delicate hand at diplomacy when surprised. She was thankful Madis couldn't see her in the hallway as the crimson slowly crept up her cheeks and coloring the tips of her ears. She chose to slide her hood back up to hide herself in the meager shadows the hood offered feeling chided.
"as long as you put your arrow away." Madis said, an eyebrow raised as he looked towards the doorway. "Then you both may enter, and we can discuss my relationship with dirt to your heart's content."
The young man's face lit up and he stifled a laugh.
"Then you will have to be content to have only Wymsin join you," Blackthorn said. "I will stay here with my arrow ready." He met Madis' eyes squarely. He understood the need for personal secrets but this one was just a little too big to be easily forgiven.
"I am okay with staying out here and letting you two get acquainted...Or re-acquainted if you know each other? Or explaining that maybe you're more likely an ancestor and a dead ringer for this advisor since that is more likely and logical of the two choices rather than assuming you're as old as... Well, an elf..." Wymsin said shifting back into the common tongue speaking slowly trying to not offend as she leaned against the door frame.
Surprisingly, Madis chuckled. "What, blackthorn, do you think that I shall kill you now that you've discovered my terrible secret?" He said, moving so that his body was between the doorway and the apparent prince. "While it does complicate things, I have no intentions in doing so. Yes, I am who he says I am, yes, I am as old as...Dirt...as you say. No, no one else knows. No one needed to know."
Behind him, Raijin was just standing there in confused shock over the situation, and the golden-haired prince watched him, sensing the tension.
"How is that even possible?" Wymsin breathed softly at the confession. Humans had a life span of a century if they were fortunate. Perhaps a rare elixir to extend his life? Maybe he wasn't human but chose to pose as one? Perhaps a curse or maybe he was touched and blessed by the gods. She had so many questions but likely a barrage would only annoy the old man. Besides, they had a Prince that may or may not be a dragon or half dragon waiting for answers. Her questions would be paltry in comparison to his or so she assumed. Her silver eyes flicked back and forth to the people in the room and back to Blackthorns carefully neutral expression.
"You needn't fear me, Master," Blackthorn said. He nodded towards the door frame. "It is the rather vague use of the word Malice that holds me fast. I have no certainty that I could safely cross this portal. Your longevity is disconcerting at worst but hardly what I would consider problematic. I see no need to share your secret. It is yours and not mine, after all is said and done.
And it certainly expands the number of stories that we could share. I would be pleased to hear your perspective on times long past."
There was a faint shift in Madis's stance, as if he had somehow relaxed without truly seeming to. "Ah, yes. Magic can be tricky. “he glanced at Wymsin. " And I do not know for certain, although I begin to think it is somehow tied to my oath. " He then turned. "My prince, " he said with a sight bow and an odd pause as if he were pondering something. " As you have heard, you were indeed not mistaken. May I introduce my travelling companions." He introduced Raijin first as she was in the room. She wasn't exactly sure what to do so after an awkward moment she mimicked Madis. " And there are Blackthorn, my apprentice, and Wymsin, priestess of the moon goddess."
Wymsin gave the golden-haired lad a polite bow and a nod of her head.
The elf nodded but didn’t relax. He didn’t make it to the age he had achieved without paranoia.
"It truly is a pleasure to meet you all." Orrin said with a dazzling smile. "And Emos! I swear you haven't changed a bit! Well, except for your wardrobe that is. Ah! I feel terrible not being able to offer much hospitality. It would be wonderful to be able to sit and talk comfortably with you all, but, well... " he gave an elegant shrug. " The tower wasn't really meant to accommodate visitors, and I am not supposed to leave without Aravel. "
"She is fading," Raijin said softly.
Orrin looked alarmed and rushed towards the window leaning out to look. "Oh no! Her tree..."
Madis watched him with his usual unreadable look, then grunted. "Ah. Dryad."
"Her tree was struck during a storm," Raijin explained finally free to speak about some of her vision.
“Can we replant a seed?” Blackthorn asked. “If not for her then perhaps a child? I know little of dryads save what is common knowledge. Could she be saved that way?”
Madis turned. " We would have to look to see if there is a seed. " He looked to Orrin. " How long has she been protecting you?" He asked, finally understanding why they never found the tower before now. A greater dryad would have been able to draw people away with her magic.
Orrin looked back at Madis with a sheepish look. "I... Do not actually know. "
Madis looked thoughtful. "Let’s look then. You as well, my prince. I think to do so would be acceptable, given the circumstances."
The group left the tower heading back out into the night. Scout was tentatively sniffing the air as they left as Wymsin plumbed the depths of her memories trying to recall anything that might be helpful.
The concept and practice of taking care of plants from her days in the church and at the mages guild had given her some decent practice when it came to horticulture. Without plants you couldn't make potions, salves, or tinctures. "If we can find no seeds perhaps, we can try taking a cutting and cultivating it, but are Dryads not ones to lay with man to reproduce?"
“Or an elf,” Blackthorn said, nodding. “But hamadryads bind themselves to specific trees. If this Aravel’s tree is truly dying, she is likely to go mad from grief. If that happens, who knows how much damage someone of that power could do. Hopefully fortune favours us and the tree can be saved, a seed can be found, or a cutting will suffice as being the same tree.” The elf looked around in the darkness, seeking out the dryad’s tree. It had likely been hidden by magic like the tower but with the dryad’s life fading now both would be exposed. “A thousand years. She’s very old as it is. We might not be able to save her.”
"oh, she's not that old." Orrin said with a smile. He had been gently holding onto Madis's sleeve as they exited the tower and was looking around. "Although from the look of things it has been a long time since we last saw each other."
Madis looked at the young man, " is she the only one who took care of you?"
"Oh no, certainly not. But yes, the only dryad. We used to play together." His smile at the memory faded a bit. " Then things got dangerous again and she put me back to sleep." He said sadly, then shook his head. "This way."
He guided them through the dim light to where her tree stood, split by lightning, and dying. Madis stopped as he saw it, a shadow crossing his face for a moment. "You won't find a seed." He said after a moment.
“Not with that attitude,” Blackthorn muttered. He turned to Wymsin. “I’d wait until we got her permission before taking a cutting. With her tree that badly damaged, she might be a bit defensive.” He looked at the tree. “Aen Woedbeanna? How may one of the Aen Seishe aid you in your time of need?”
Wymsin nodded her eyes studying the tree. She had never laid eyes on a dryad before and had only read about them in books. Still, it was proving to be an educational experience and she wanted to try to commit as much as she could to memory so she could draw things out later on when she had time to add them to her sketchbook.
A withered face appeared between the crack in the tree, and soot fell down as the tree shifted further apart.
"Oh, Aravel..." Orrin sighed, sorrow in his melodic voice. He walked past them all to reach out a slender hand. " You should have woken me."
The dryad reached out a hand that was nothing more than thin twigs and brushed the golden-haired youth's outstretched hand lightly before she looked past him to blackthorn.
Orrin nodded. "she can't speak anymore, not out loud at least. She wants to know if I will be safe with you. "
"Certainly, safer than going alone. But by nature, our way of life and traveling on the roads and thru wilds does mean it is not without peril." Wymsin answered in earnest.
“If your lineage is discovered, you will not be safe anywhere, no matter your companions,” Blackthorn answered. “But if she asks for my oath to protect you come what may, she asks much of the last of the elves. Still a life could be well spent fulfilling a lesser oath to one such as she.”
"She doesn't have to ask for an oath from you, Blackthorn." Madis had spoken more this day than the elf had heard in all the time they'd known each other. "I gave his father an oath. It is for me to protect him now that I know he still lives. I do not expect any of you to share that task, although should you choose to stay, I will not turn you away."
Blackthorn turned to look at Madis. “As hard as it may be to believe, this isn’t about you,” the elf said.
Wymsin pointed heavenwards "A bit spread thin on oaths. The goddess received my oath many moons ago. The mages guild had their way of binding me as well. However, I travel where needed. Children of the moon we are all teachers, historians, sages, scribes, and chroniclers. Since having met you only a short while Master Madis, I've seen and experienced much. You draw the strange and unexpected your way."
Raijin gave Madis a bland look. "I am bound to you, just as Aravel is bound to her tree."
"It would seem no one is dissuaded. So, what comes next and what do we do with the young man in question? Do you have a plan?" Wymsin asked the grizzled hunter.
Madis crossed his arms, considering them with a raised eyebrow. " Not a damn clue. Blackthorn is right. If anyone finds out who he is, hell will come calling, to be sure. He can't stay here anymore though, not with the influx of slavers and the serious lack of magical protection."
"It will be fine, Aravel." Orrin told the dryad softly. "That's viceroy Emos. He was my father's best friend. I played on his knee when I was very little. It seems he has strong and honorable companions as well."
“You are overly generous with your praise and a poor judge of character,” Blackthorn said. “Honour has little to do with my nature.”
He turned to Aravel. “Is there aught we can do to save you?” he asked in the elder tongue. “I am no healer of trees but surely there must be something. Wymsin carries a great deal of knowledge of plants and in addition to serving the moon goddess is also a mage. Surely there is something. We could bind the split trunk together with stout rope or perhaps take a cutting, since Madis seems convinced that looking for a seed is pointless.”
While usually one to speak rarely on the common tongue, Blackthorn was almost talkative in his native language.
"I'm not so sure of that." Orrin told blackthorn with a cheeky grin, then looked at Aravel when he spoke to her directly. "Oh, Emos is right in a way. You won't find a seed until she dies. " His expression softened. "She's been holding on, hoping someone would come. Your arrival was almost too late. "
"So, there is nothing we can do for your dutiful retainer? Except make her comfortable?" Wymsin asked softly. She had so many questions...so many and yet this was likely not the time to ask them. The knowledge and answers were close enough to touch and yet she had to show patience and wait. The magic of mages came with a price she had that drilled into her head as a young candidate when she had joined the mages guild and undergone training. Her elven blood had made elemental magic come with some ease where others struggled, and the price paid for using it was less steep. However perhaps they could use transferal magic to take the life force of another tree to pour into the dryads tree. She voiced the idea to the group as the taking of a cutting and trying to cultivate it on the road seemed less plausible and successful. But then again it seemed like the only option that might work for certain. Still, it was a case of would a dryad be alright with her doing that to one of the other trees in the area…
Madis spoke up. "Even were that possible, think. Would it be a kind thing to keep her here? Say it works and she lives on. She is tied to this spot, where no doubt the appearance of the tower will draw the curious from town, or perhaps some of those slavers from earlier. She would know no peace."
Orrin tilted his head as he considered the half elf. "Aravel is one of many who protected me over the years. She is perhaps the one that taught me the most, the one I know most well. While I am saddened to see her go, I could never be so selfish as to keep her here for my sake." He told her.
Suddenly Madis grabbed his head and fell to a knee, gasping. To the others it appeared as if something had caused him great pain. His vision blurred as a memory swept through his mind that had been hidden to him. He and the king had been drinking and laughing, celebrating something. Perhaps a child? Yes, that seemed right, because the conversation turned to Madis's lack of relationship.
"One day, my friend, I hope you will find love and know the joy of fatherhood." The king had said, a heavy hand patting Madis's shoulder.
"Such things are not for me." He had scoffed, shaking his head. "No, I told you, didn't I? I owe you my life. Don't take my oath so lightly."
The king had chuckled. "Always so serious. Still, it is comforting to have such a trustworthy protector for my family. You will protect them for me, won't you?"
"Of course! I am yours to command, my King."
That heavy hand went to Madis's shoulder once more, clear blue eyes locking gaze with his own. " Then my command is this. Protect them when I cannot. But do not protect them with your life, Emos. Live to protect them."
A wave of dizziness had come over him then. At the time he had thought the drink had gone to his head, but now he remembered Duvrion had said something else after that, as he had gently laid his friends head on the table, so he wasn't injured. "I'm afraid I'm selfish after all. No doubt I've truly earned your ire now."
Wymsin's brow furrowed. She held her tongue but found it hard as she cast a look over to Blackthorn. She wanted to say something in particular. Her heart ached but she held fast and did not spit venom. She chose her words carefully, as diplomatically as she could instead." Abandoning your protector here after so many years of faithful service," She let out a heavy sigh. "If I recall and perhaps, I am wrong with her tree mostly dead is there not a chance she could go mad and attack any that come into this clearing? If you don't mind, I would like to take a clipping, if you are just going to leave her to her own demise. A small chance of survival is better than none at all. And a potted seedling is something that we could take with us. She is the first of her kind I have met, and I do not know how common her kind is, but it seems cruel to just abandon her. Centuries of knowledge and the things she has seen, the things she must know..."
Orrin gave that elegant shrug again, his face showing confusion. " Mad? Maybe one lesser than she." His brows furrowed as he looked over at Madis, who seemed in pain. " And Emos is right to say leaving her here would be a cruel thanks. I intend to bring her seed with us so that it can be planted somewhere beautiful." His blue eyes shifted back to her.
"How does that work. Will she regain her memories? Or is it akin to siring children? " Wymsin asked as she closed her silver eyes pressed her fingers to them. Perhaps it was her halfbreed heart that made her blood hot about the subject, then again maybe it was just her being herself, a later time she would ask the elf, but she wanted to know more and likely was coming across to the old man and the blonde as being difficult. She needed to know more to let her conscience be at peace.(edited)
"Beautiful to her or to you?" Blackthorn asked. "I suspect the two would be vastly different because yours would include some element of renewing her service. You seem concerned that she might meet slavers, when she would be safe in her tree and yet you seem to forget that she has been literally bound to your service for centuries. Whoever bound her to your protection was a cruel master, for I cannot see this being a choice for her. A thousand years ago, when your father was a noble loved enough to be overthrown, you all lived a parasite's life, you would not have thought twice about bending another to your will."
The elf looked at Madis. "Your oath is sworn to this one or his father? I trust you less. And I trust him not at all, especially when he speaks for the dryad. He claims they are her words, but I hear only his."
Orrin blinked. " Someone has obviously hurt you." He said to Blackthorn.
Madis shook his head, standing again. "He wasn't overthrown." He said softly. " He was murdered... they all were... by creatures I had never seen before and haven't since. "
Orrin's expression darkened at the mention of what happened to his family. He stepped away from the tree and to Madis's side. His blue eyes turned back to blackthorn. " You want to speak with her yourself? Go ahead. Touch her. But I'll tell you this, you won't get words. " He shrugged and turned to Wymsin. " To answer your question, it's like both. It would be her child and yet she would have access to ancestral memories, since you seem most concerned with the knowledge you would be denied by her death. Perhaps the elf was right, and I mistook the type of company my father's friend keeps. "
"Perhaps it best before we embark that we sit and parlay and have truth. I think you misunderstand my intentions. My concern was that you wished to murder her. And that for all her years of service she would be cast aside with little thought young man. The years of your slumber and I you expect that was a long passing of time, to lose her and not have someone that could catch you up on the current climate... That was part of my concern and not 'selfish reasons' if I do so lie may the goddess strike me dead where I stand right now." Wymsin said softly but her eyes locked the youths and did not back down. "I wished to not bombard you with questions before we took to the road but you sir, seem to have regained a certain level of piss and vinegar, so let us speak clearly and in earnest about things, unless you prefer to have your secrets...I feel the air needs clearing like a clouded night it seems a lack of knowledge has clouded things for many of us."
Raijin watched the exchange in silence. She moved towards Madis, pulling her cloak off freeing her wings. She peered at Orrin as he grouched about the others. In a gesture picked up from years spent with the grizzled hunter she pinched the bridge of her nose. "I could have been spared this vision," she muttered to Madis.
"I am familiar with the concept," Blackthorn said, in answer to Orrin's description of how communing with the dryad would be. "Mind to mind, concepts conveyed by touch. And I'm pretty sure murder counts as a way of overthrowing a kingdom, Madis."
He approached the dryad, laying aside his bow and unbuckling his sword belt. To Aravel he would kneel. To this relic from the past who had somehow escaped his family's fate and had no place in this time? Never.
My apologies if my harsh words to your charge offends you. That is not my intention. I would know if there was aught that could save your life. I am Blackthorn, last of the Everglade elves. I have seen far too many trees that I knew in my youth die to allow a hamadryad's tree to pass without at least an attempt to have both it and you. Tell me, woodsoul, how can I serve you in this desperate hour?(edited)
Wymsin settled her petite frame down onto the grass and sat cross legged as she watched Blackthorn go to the tree and touch it. She watched the golden-haired youth hoping that he would see that all she desired was clarification. Her dire wolf settled down beside her licking the side of her face as she let the time pass as the silence and the sound of the wind in the trees and the crickets song kept them company.
The fact was she had somehow managed to encounter something more mysterious and curious than anything she had seen in her time on earth. A decade of living in the church and learning the love, compassion, and skills necessary to become a member of the moon goddesses clergy, could not have prepared her for tonight. Neither did the decade of strict tutelage and training that came with the many harsh and dangerous lessons that the Mages Guild had challenged her with during her time with them in her hometown of Nicklebey.
Cast out into the world to do as she desired for the past five years, she felt a small kernel of self-doubt. They had not let her take the final rite at the guild of mages. The tower advisors and council had argued that due to her elven heritage she would live long and that she would serve them better if she were not to be placed at the side of a King or Queen to advise, but to be given time to traverse the world and cultivate her talents further before they settled on letting her take the final rite. No one would know of this with the exception of she and the council.
She suddenly was grateful for not being tied down with the unfortunate concept of being tied to a noble family and having to clean up their messes and yet somehow, she had managed to find herself in this strange situation. She had no claim on anything this much was true and should they ask her to shove off and leave them, she would have to respect that. Still, she had much she wanted to know before she could make a more informed decision, they were all interesting folks. Each with their own unique tale and flavor or origins. Madis the undying. Blackthorn the last Elf of the Everglades, Raijin the mysterious Plumekith, and then Narisha the hedge witch who seemingly found talk to be cheap and did so sparingly. They all had their own mysterious origins and secrets to be sure and now this blonde prince from a millennia ago. The truth and deeper understanding had to prevail, she told herself silently as she looked up to the sky at the shining moon as she bid her goddess to help her see with more clarity and let cooler heads prevail.
The dryad sent a feeling of peace to blackthorn. He got the impression that neither was she angry with him for his words, nor pained by her own situation. He received an image next, of hands taking something from her chest, followed by the image of that thing, which looked like a nut of some type, being planted near a waterfall.
Orrin sighed. "I was asleep for a long time. Aravel taught me everything she could, and there were others who did as well. Has it truly been a thousand years since that night?"
Madis grunted. "We both might have been spared. " He grumbled to Raijin. "It has, and I agree that a discussion should take place. As soon as my surly apprentice is finished, that is."
Orrin shrugged. " I am sure he has his reasons for being so sour. "
I will seek your waterfall and when I find it, I will bury your soulseed there and will keep it safe and help it grow. May there be peace in the shadow of your boughs.
He was reluctant to pull away, but he knew his reasons were selfish. If the dryad was prepared to for this version of her life to end, who was he to try and force her to remain? He would do as she bade him. No doubt Wymsin would assist.
Wymsin nodded as Madis agreed that they would have a chance to talk. Talking was good. Her eyes left the night sky to look upon Blackthorn as his hands slipped off the dying trees trunk. She cocked her head ever so slightly to the right as she studied his face in the moonlight looking to see what information had come from wood spirit and his silent conversation. She didn't want to burden the Dryad with touching her and asking her things if she was close to death, she would be a nuisance. Not being a full-blooded elf; it felt like it might be unwelcomed. Perhaps offensive and sacrilegious in a sense. A mixture of curiosity wonder and sadness filled her chest as she felt so ineffective and helpless. every thought and suggestion she could think of was starting to look like it was not going to be enough. A small pang of hope that a seed could be planted. It wouldn't be a new life for the dryad, but a continuation of her line and the ancestral memories would live on in the new tree and creature that grew. Perhaps they could find somewhere far from the reaches of man to plant her seed so she would not have to worry about man's axes and fire.
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When Blackthorn was finished communing with the dryad, Madis looked around, finding some rubble nearby that would be a fair enough place to settle and talk.
"Let’s sit for a while. There's much to talk about." He said. "No fire, though." He added, his eyes flicking to the dryad before he gestured for Orrin to precede him.
"You think?" Blackthorn asked, his tone holding an almost foreign note of humor. "I suppose next, you'll suggest I not whittle."
"Is that what you call it?" Raijin quipped at the normally grumpy elf.
Wymsin ignored the elf's mildly teasing snark and settled down at the rubble "So earlier the children we rescued the whole situation was that due to the dryad?" She asked eager to start with the questions and satiate her curiosity.
"They fell down a hole," Blackthorn pointed out. "I suspect there was more drinking than dryad at the core of that misadventure."
"And the sinister feeling from before? Are we safe here tonight has the danger passed?" The priestess asked her eyes looked out into the darkness unsure if it was safe to relax and chat so casually. Paranoia was a life skill Blackthorn had said to her once.
Madis sighed. "In truth the sinister feeling could have been an imagined thing. I don't sense anything out of sorts now that the tower has been revealed. And I agree, I think drink had more to do with those kids issue than she did. The most she could manage in such a state is subtle movements or shifts. More than enough for drunken youths to carry into their imaginations."
Orrin settled onto a chunk of stone, his fingers tracing along what might have been some sort of carving at one point in time but was now only shallow furrows in the stone.
"That is how I found the tower in the first place." Raijin affirmed, "she wanted it to be found I think."
"If she knew her time was near, she was likely trying to lure anyone here who might be strong enough to take over her vigil," Blackthorn suggested. "It just so happened that we met her standards, although it is possible that her standards might have slipped a little as the end drew near."
"We met the gods standards more like." The plumekith grumbled as she rubbed at her forehead, the first hints of a headache forming.
"They do work in mysterious ways." Wymsin agreed.
"Annoying more like. Here we want you to see this, but no sharing with others." Raijin returned.
"We are as flies to the gods," Blackthorn said, grimly, his good mood suddenly soured. "They kill us for their sport."
Raijin looked over to Madis, waiting for him or Orrin to weigh in.
Madis crossed his arms over his chest. "Can't say for certain the why's of this. All I can say is a safe place needs to be found, if there even is one anymore.". He shook his head, a dark look on his face.
"A thousand years..." Orrin said, looking up through the breaks in the foliage. "No one ever told me how long it had been. No doubt the world is much changed from what it was in my youth."
Wymsin nodded "It likely has. That begs the question why the anxiety of having the young man with us and anyone knowing. It has been a thousand years. His country is now more lands divided parceled and run but various noble houses throughout the regions. There is no way to reclaim anything nor would it be advised to try and stir things up unless it is less about that and more to do with him being a dragon? Are you actually a dragon you don't very much look like what I would expect one to look like from the research tomes I have had the pleasure of perusing..."
"You do seem to have a thing for this dragon theory, don't you?" Blackthorn asked.
"Wymsin has a point, Madis. We could keep Orrin with us and protected far better than leaving him somewhere." Raijin said with a lift of one shoulder.
"She does, doesn't she?" Madis chuckled. He looked over at the golden-haired youth.
Orrin tilted his head. "What do you expect a dragon to look like?"
"Besides, I think we'll find he's going to need help adapting to life beyond his tower. No turning into a dragon Orrin." Raijin said unphased by his question to the priestess.
"What you look like? Umm more like a dragon? You know scales big teeth wings that sort of thing. Nowhere in the texts did I come across the fact that they could change into a more humanoid shape and for the record I like knowledge Blackthorn this just happens to be a chance to learn something more. You know the safest place to hide something is normally in plain sight. Change the lads name and maybe you can teach him to be less lordly and more like one of your Ravens. It is just a thought." Wymsin said as she looked to the others to see what they thought of the idea.
Madis blinked in surprise at the suggestion and gave Wymsin a considering look. "That is a fair suggestion." He told her.
Orrin tilted his head the other way. "Turn into a dragon?" He asked Raijin, obviously confused by what she said. "And why would I want to be a raven? Do you really have that sort of magic Emos?"
"It also allows him to have time to learn and see how time has changed things. Learning on the go about the new regional shifts. Fair hair like his might stick out more so than if you could color it as well. He is a pretty young thing that can attract looks. If you want to make sure he isn't recognized at all we can alter his appearance. I have some experience in trying to blend in hide features and look more human than some folks have." She paused and looked at Orrin. "Okay I read texts your family line was referred to as dragons. So perhaps it was a translation error or an interpretive seasoning in the text in reference to your father or family's personality and temperament, if you are not actually carrying draconic blood in your veins. I mean you do look very human. But in the tower the wards were draconic... So, I am genuinely confused. If that were the case and you are one or partially one, I really don't know how you could get a human and a dragon to reproduce the logistics of that seem very...challenging...I just want clarification, so we don't have any more shocking surprised. Either way I am good with what I hear so long as it is the truth." She finally finished.
"Raven is a name given to those that hunt monsters," Blackthorn said, showing Orrin the raven badge, he wore. "So, named because of the symbol of Pex Illudai, the college that trains them."
Orrin nodded as he looked at the badge, then looked at Madis. "Is that what you do now? Hunt monsters?"
Madis nodded. "After that night, I searched the world for whatever it was that attacked that night. I figured bringing together others with like minds would possibly help my search. It didn't." He sighed.
Orrin nodded. "Are you going to tell them? It might be important."
Raijin snorted out a dry laugh. "Madis sharing information...sorry my dear we didn't bring any hard liquor."
"If that is the case, I pity you for your lack of sex life," Blackthorn muttered.
Madis gave blackthorn a wry look, then sighed. "Yes, it might be important." He replied to Orrin. Then he looked to Wymsin. "Do not write this anywhere, even a private journal. "
Wymsin looked Mildly confused but chose to listen to see what would come of the conversation but she nodded as Madis bad her to secrecy. "As you wish she said." With a curt nod as she expectantly waited for the old man to divulge.
"Remember the wording of the ward? The golden one it mentions is Orrin. He...is...a golden dragon. " Madis said, clearly uncomfortable.
Orrin patted his shoulder with a soft smile. "Scales and all." He added.
Wymsin was silent but nodded at the statement. "I see..." She said as she slowly reached out with an outstretched finger in Orrin's direction. She desperately wanted to touch the golden-haired boy her curiosity piqued. She wanted to see if he felt scaly. Perhaps it was an illusion. There was so much she wanted to know. "Fascinating truly can I touch him?"
Orrin laughed, "usually one would ask the person themselves that question, or was I taught incorrectly?"
Wymsin blushed and was grateful for the low levels of light the moonlight would soften the reddening of her cheeks. "Ah yes I apologize. But also, because Madis seems to be your long-time chaperone or protector and you is ward. Is it permissible to touch you? Opportunities like this are exceedingly rare and I just am overly excited it would seem. Do you have any idea on what we will be calling you once we leave here and take to the road. What will your new alias be?" She asked the noble lad thoughts and questions streaking through her mind as fast as falling stars during an evening shower.
Blackthorn looked between Wymsin and Madis, then between Madis and Orrin and finally between Orrin and Wymsin. "You mean she's RIGHT?"
With Blackthorn's outburst Raijin moved away from the group. "I'll keep a lookout," she said before taking to the air.
Madis snorted, the noise falling into a deep chuckle as he waved Raijin on to her task. "Yes." He finally said, shoulders shaking with contained mirth.
Orrin smiled at Wymsin, Madis's laughter making it break into a full grin. "Yes, you may touch me, no I do not know what new name I shall use. It was not something that had been in consideration in my hiding. But I was half joking about the scales, those aren’t in visible places.
"Don't tell her that," Blackthorn warned. "She's curious enough to ask."
Orrin looked at Blackthorn with wide eyes. "Oh, well, I will keep that in mind for future discussions."
Wymsin touched the lads hand but the comment Blackthorn made was not wrong. "Not visible... In visible places..." she echoed, and she shut her eyes as she bit her tongue she really did want to ask. Where were the scales?! His back? His ass? The family jewels? She made a soft strangled whimper of frustration as she bit her lower lip and stopped herself from asking, but it was so very hard. Now she wanted nothing more to find a bathhouse and to try and get everyone to acquiesce to a communal bath...But for now she would be good and not ask though it was likely apparent to everyone just how hard it was to refrain.
Madis raised an eyebrow as he watched Wymsin turn all shades of pink trying to bite back the urge to ask.
"Are you well?" Orrin asked Wymsin.
Wymsin cracked open one of her shut eyes her silver eye settling on the lad as she nodded and stopped biting her lower lip. "Yup, I mean... Yes, never better." She quickly replied.
"You... look to be in pain?" He inquired further.
The priestess opened both her eyes and let out a long exhale shaking her head from side to side. "Heavens no. I just...Blackthorn is not wrong. I'm just a very curious person. Most of my clergymen are...we delight in knowledge the intake of it as well as departing it to others. It is just I don't want to overwhelm or be too intrusive...I mean certainly not upon the first evening of meeting you. Seemingly we will have time to ask more questions since you will be staying close by to Master Madis."
“Wait,” Blackthorn said. “GOLD dragon? What manner of beast is that?” He looked at Madis accusingly. “Why are they never mentioned at the college? To protect your friend?”
Madis scoffed. "To protect my friend? Orrin is the only golden dragon I have ever known of, and I thought he was dead. He was so young then; I'm surprised he even remembers me at all. There wasn't any information I could even give at any case."
"Is curiosity really so painful?" Orrin mused.
"It can be for those that like quiet. I can prattle on for hours. Ask your friend on the trip to the nearby town Blackthorn was kind enough to indulge my curiosities about things, but to some it can be annoying admittedly. Raijin and Madis are more the silent observational types secretive and mysterious. Truthfully, this is the most I have seen your old friend speak, mind you I just met these folks a short while ago and have been overjoyed at the well spring of knowledge this troop has." Wymsin confessed. "For an alias what does the concept of Owen or perhaps Ren sound to you? I mean the second is similar to your name but also delights in the fact that Madis is a Raven, a type of bird and Ren sounds like Wren which also another bird species...I know I am easily entertained..."
Orrin, cocked his head, watching her. "You are certainly different from anyone I have ever known."
"Likely due to being a half breed. I get that a lot. I never truly fit in anywhere and yet the goddess embraced me to be one of her lunar servants so there must be a rhyme or reason to why I am as I am." She confessed.
“Unsatisfied curiosity is painful to some,” Blackthorn said, looking at Wymsin and back at Orrin. “Her name suggestions make sense. You could also explain a reaction to your real name as a mishearing.”
Orrin nodded. "That is true, although I don't expect to hear my name being spoken by just anyone." He looked pensive.
"Maybe just other long lived or dangerous folk that have knowledge also I recall a mention of a creature killing your family. I don't mean to be blunt, but you guys skipped over the details. Was it sentient could it still be alive? What exactly was it Master Madis?" The tiny priestess asked.
"That's exactly what I have been saying, Wymsin. I do not know what they were, and I have searched the world over to find one. I never have. " Madis said.
"Can you draw it or describe it?" She queried curiously.
"Perhaps. But that is a conversation for later. Now we must decide where to go from here." Madis said.
"My vote would be to go back to town for food drink and a bed to sleep in. Also, to check back in with how the children faired and to potentially collect any rewards or donations for your services rendered. Is that possible?" The half elf asked as her stomach growled loudly. "What say you Raijin and Blackthorn? I am hardly the expert in what do in this situation, but I do know clearer heads prevail after rest and food normally."
“You may find the ones you help less generous after the aid has been rendered,” Blackthorn said. “And promised rewards forgotten. Helping is often a thankless activity. Still, we do have beds waiting, assuming the innkeeper hasn’t sold them out from under us.”
Madis nodded. "All true, blackthorn. And it sounds like our priestess is in need of a meal."
"That was her stomach? I thought she had a small beast hidden somewhere." Orrin said.
"What can I say rescuing children, investigating strange towers, and exploring the mysteries of the universe is exhausting and hungry work." Wymsin paused. She very much wanted to sleep in a sheltered place and to have a warm meal, but she felt a guilty pang within. "What do you do about the Dryad though? Does it not seem cruel when she is on her last legs to abandon her to die on her own after everything she has gone through or her seed?"
"I shall stay with her. I daresay it will not be long now that she knows I will be leaving with you all." Orrin said. Madis looked at him. "If you stay, I stay." He said.
Raijin landed and sighed as she heard the debate that was about to happen. "I will stay with her, the rest of you can head back to the inn. Once she passes, I will bring her seed to you.”
“I think you may have competition for that task,” Blackthorn said. “He who she guarded for so long has the most valid claim. I would say my promise to her slightly edges Madis’ responsibility to remain with our new friend but I would not presume to try to displace him.” The elf looked at Wymsin, then at Orrin. “I cannot swear to knowing the vitality of dryads. Would it sap her remaining strength to commune with those who are taking up her vigil? Surely she must harbor some reservations regarding the strangers she is releasing you to.”
Orrin tilted his head as he considered the question. "She and I have a kind of bond born of closeness, so it takes her nearly nothing to commune with me and can do so over a small distance. It didn't seem to cost her much strength to speak to you, perhaps due to your familiarity with the means, perhaps due to your closeness to nature."
Raijin shrugged, "I offered only because I could fly to the inn. I'll do whatever it is Madis wishes of me to do."
"You are all strong and capable the choices are of course yours to make." Wymsin replied with a nod. "Though Raijin has the ability of flight." She sighed musing "It must be lovely and handy to do so."
"Sometimes it isn't as useful as it might seem to have wings." Raijin said thinking of all the times she to wear her cloak for days on end.
“You’re likely considered quite the prize,” Blackthorn said. “Making flying unwise in an area so rich in those willing to exploit their fellow beings for profit.”
Raijin nodded, "Just my hair color is enough to draw unwanted attention from time to time."
Blackthorn smiled wryly. “Try pointed ears some time.”
"Easy to mask with long enough hair." Raijin returned pulling the sides of her hair up and over the tops of her ears. "Annoying, but useful in a pinch."
"Well, I think your hair and wings are beautiful." Wymsin exclaimed, "They remind me of embers in a hearth fire."
Madis sighed. "I agree with Blackthorn. After running into those slavers, it's best to especially careful.
Raijin sighed, of course she knew the elf and grouch were right, but it didn't mean that she liked it. "I know, it was just an offer."
Wymsin looked thoughtful. "Well, we do have a tower here. We could stay in it and just try to hunt tonight and get some food that way. If we did that no one would be in danger of being solo and having to worry about Slavers. There is safety in numbers, and we could stay here with the Dryad until she passes on, so she won't be alone. It is a valiant and compassionate thing to do and worth missing a meal or two over."
"It is a far more defensible position than an inn," Raijin agreed knowing from her small bit of time with Blackthorn that he would like it.
“I should be able to scare up something edible,” Blackthorn offered. “Of course, my opinion of edible may vary from yours.”
"Scout needs to be able to go out and find himself something to eat it's been rather slim pickings for the last couple days for the two of us. Who knows he might manage the drumming up a deer or something and chasing it your way Blackthorn." Wymsin said as she pat the dire wolf's large head.
Madis nodded. "Then it's settled. We have shelter here, and food can be found. We will settle things with the inn keep when we are able to return to town."
This post has been brought to you by Darkflame, LadyJallyn, Maxx, and Wyn
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It had been a long vigil. It didn’t take long for Blackthorn’s keen senses to detect dinner for the small group. The porcupine that Scout knew well enough to avoid was no match for the elven archer. It roasted over a small fire and the scent had everyone’s mouth watering. It did little to raise the spirits of the group and they waited for the dryad’a passing.
The night had been a long one. Wymsin had foraged around the site looking for edible plants. The area had a wide amount of dandelion growth so she found herself harvesting tender leaves and wild sorrel to boil up for the group for those that were interested to pair with Blackthorns meaty bounty.
She after the meal made her way outside the tower to do her evening meditation and prayer. That evening she added the others in her prayers and the Dryad hoping for a peaceful and painless passing for the magical woodland being.
Blackthorn was not above a little emotional blackmail in order to get the moon priestess to commune with Aravel before she slipped away. He suggested that it might make the dryad feel less alone knowing she was there. He pointed out that it would allow Orrin’s guardian to know that she could trust time. In the face of Wymsin’s rebuttals, he finally resorted to just telling her to touch the tree.
Raijin had taken up her normal post on the outskirts of the group watching the night as moved around them. Watching Blackthorn and Wymsin reminded her of the first time she'd been made to travel with Madis years ago.
Wymsin eventually caved to Blackthorns request he was like a dog with a bone. She was very open about the fact that she didn't want to stress the dryad but it was more than that. A feeling in her gut the anxiety of the event and to try might be seen as sacreligious. That she wouldn't be good enough. She was a half breed neither man or elf. She eventually put a shaky hand on the tree feeling shameful and nervous but also secretly curious as she had never spoken mind to mind with a creature before. She shut her eyes and and waited for the dryad to yell at her, to rebuke her but it never came.
A strange surprise. After some passing of time she eventually let her fingers slide from the trunk and softly thanked the tree as she made her way back to the tower to curl up on the floor in the lobby of the tower.
A small candle was lit and despite the fact she was exhausted from the previous days travels walking the entire day then investigating and helping the villagers before coming here, she pulled out her book and began to sketch.
The others eventually found her passed out on the floor the tiny candle stub had gone out and the moon priestess was using her book as a pillow, unconscious to the world as she slept on the open pages.
“Should we tell her when she wakes that she has charcoal on her face?” Blackthorn asked. He didn’t know why he had taken such a shine to the little almost elf. Probably because he hasn’t seen a drop of elven blood anywhere before this, not in centuries. As much as he wanted to know what he passed between the two, he also knew how intensely private it was, so he held his tongue. In the end, he found himself beside Aravel’s tree and told her tales of what had happened beyond the ruins while she has guarded her ward. Perhaps it gave her comfort to hear of the many joys that had been known; he specifically avoided telling her of the horrors that occurred. He liked to think he was helping. Certainly she made no attempt to stop him. He wondered if he’d know the moment she was gone; if not there was a good chance that he was wasting his breath on a dead tree.
Wyn01/29/2021
Raijin looked up and chuckled, "I think she would appreciate it."
The air had a stillness to it in the moments just before dawn. It was then that Orrin approached where Blackthorn was sitting next to the tree. "It's time." He said softly. "Thank you for sharing your stories with her."
“I only hope it made things better,” the elf said. “I’d feel terrible to know I filled her last moments with unwanted noise, “
"Sometimes it knowing that one isn't alone that will help make their passing easier." Raijin said as she kicked at Madis' booted feet.
Blackthorn raised an amused eyebrow. “Trying to give him a hint?”
The winged woman shrugged, "That or telling him he's on breakfast duty."
Scout appeared from the wood like a ghost with a bloody muzzle but looking like he was in good spirits as he sniffed the air and trotted over to the tower. Something fuzzy in his maw as he lay down on the steps he spat out the rear end of a half eaten rabbit he settled onto the cobble stone as he panted happily. The wolves pale yellow eyes watched the others outside as he waited for his companion to come out of the tower patiently.
“Looks like Wymsin’s breakfast is taken care of,” the elf said.
Madis grunted and sat up, looking around to catch sight of everyone's whereabouts.
Orrin gave blackthorn a smile. "She appreciated it. It's been a long time since she had that kind of companionship. In a few moments you will be able to take her seed."
Raijin snickered, "We're all here Madis," she said with a grin. "You have breakfast duty this morning."
The old hunter grunted again and stood before heading off with half a wave to her and blackthorn
Blackthorn let out a slow breath. It was such a small statement that covered an enormous responsibility. “I feel as though I am about to become a father,” he said. “Am like all expectant fathers, I have no idea whether I will do what is best for her seed.”
"You will know when and where to plant her seed when the time is right." Raijin explained softly.
“A waterfall,” Blackthorn said. “She showed me a waterfall. I don’t know if it is a place she knew or whether it was a place she saw in her mind’s eye. I suspect I will know it when I see it.” He almost smiled for a moment. “Odd that I should go so quickly from a life dedicated to death to one dedicated to a single life so quickly, even if it is only for a short time.”
"she told me of a place she remembered from her ancestors, a beautiful valley where her kind lived with yours. We could maybe try to find it?" Orrin asked softly.
“We will,” Blackthorn said, nodding. “Such places are well hidden but they can be found by those who seek for the right reasons. Perhaps they will even let us leave once our task is complete.”
"Death is a chance for life to renew itself." Raijin said softly, "You've been given the chance to share your history with one who shares your peoples blood in the priestess."
Orrin placed a hand on the tree one last time. "Farewell for now my friend." He said, and for a moment, it looked as if he was weeping, but when he raised his head his eyes were dry, if rimmed with red.
“She’s been recording my tales,” Blackthorn said. “Even the silly stories I was told as a child.”
He placed a hand on Orrin’s shoulder but said nothing. There would be no words that would easy his grief. Not for a long time.
Raijin shook her head, "Teach her how to be elf-kin."
Orrin looked surprised at the gesture from blackthorn. He nodded, the ghost of a sad smile on his lips. "Thank you." Then he turned towards the tower. "I shall wake the priestess."
“I can teach her how to be an elf,”Blackthorn answered. “But I cannot teach her how to be elf-kin because I don’t know how.”
“Mind the dire wolf,” Blackthorn cautioned. “It might not take kindly to anyone rousing her.”
Scout let the golden hair boy pass he sniffed at Ren tentatively his ears dropped slightly as he snatched the half eaten rabbit fleeing the doors step as he brought it over to the fire to the one that smelled closest to his companion and dropped it at Blackthorns feet as he looked back at the tower that the golden haired one had entered.
"You know but you have forgotten, and there is no harm in that." Raijin mused. "I would not truly know how to be with a clan of plumekin."
"Lady Priestess? Morning has come... and you have drooled upon your book."
Wymsin let out a soft noise as Orrin stirred her for the day. She sat up blinking looking at the book she had fallen asleep on. She softly thanked the young boy for rousing her unaware that her cheek was stained from charcoal as she reverently inspected her book. "Not drool but a bit of smudging.." she said as she looked at the picture of the dryads tree and the tower they had found. "It is not so bad luckily. When we have time I can ink the pages and it will be a fine rendition and tribute to your guardian." She said gently as she wiped the sleep from her eyes and slipped the book into the saddle bag. "Do you all sleep well. How is your guardian this morn? Is she still with us?" She gently asked.
“She is the first one with any elven blood that I have seen in a very long time. Between us we hold all the living elven blood. A sad end for a noble people. Not that Scout cares. He just wants me to cook his mistress breakfast.” He reached out to stroke the dire wolf’s head. “Let‘s see if there are enough coals to cook this, shall we?”
Orrin shook his head sadly. "She has passed just now. Thank you for communing with her upon her last night. She was much comforted by the companionship. Your wolf has brought you breakfast I believe, and Em... no, sorry, I will have to adjust to his given name.. and I will have to ask them all again from you all, there has been so much in so little time I am afraid that I have forgotten."
Wymsin stood she made a pained face at the news. As she closed her eyes and let out a breath. "I am truly sorry lad. I feel a sting in my heart. It pains me so but I do not know why." She said softly as a few tears slipped down her stained cheeks. "Your guardian gave me a special gift and I knew her for but the briefest of moments at yet I ...hurt. My condolences on your loss Ren." She sniffed gently looking up the stairs of the tower.
"I assume we will be leaving shortly? Do you have what you need from here? It would be best to salvage what you can that we can use or sell so you have coin to care for yourself upon the road and clothing for your travels." Wymsin said trying to focus on the things that needed to be done rather than the ache in her chest.
Orrin reached out and reverently wiped at tear from her cheek. "She deserves tears." He said with a sad smile. "Thank you for shedding them where I cannot. " Then he looked up the stairs at the room that had been his protection- and his prison. "I have but one item to retrieve." He told her as he turned towards the steps.
Wymsin nodded "Your kind cannot shed tears?" She asked curiously "I will wait outside with the others while you collect what you seek. Thank you for your kind words though I feel like it should be I that should console you." She said as she slung the saddle bags over her shoulder.
He paused. "I.. was trained very young to not cry. Dragon tears are powerful spell components." He said simply, then walked up the stairs, leaving her to go to the rest. Madis had not yet returned from his search for food.
Wymsin walked out into the morning her eyes squinted against the bold and bright morning light. It seemed the group had let her sleep past sunrise. A thankful blessing as it meant she had more than a couple hours of sleep. It was still not quite as much as she had wanted but she realized somehow she would have to adjust her normal schedule to mesh better with the groups. As a priestess of the moon she normally kept later hours into the night and didn't rouse until midday.
She made her way to the fire with her saddle packs giving scout a ruffle as she sat down at the fire looking tired and a bit forlorn as she greeted them still unaware that her cheeks held traces from her laboured charcoal sketches from her evenings work. "My lady of the night has seen us through to another morning." She said gently as she rifled through her bag pulling out a small pot and a satchel as she emptied her water skin into the pot. Can I offer you all a small treat this morning to invigorate and boost spirits?"
Madis came back then, a couple of squirrels hung over his shoulder. He gave the moon priestess a nod and looked around. "Where's Ren?"
"He said he needed to fetch something from the tower before we travel." Wymsin answered as she opened a fragrant satchel.
With care she pulled out a silver spoon and ladled two spoonfuls into the pot the leaves were dark, almost black but the others noted dried bits of apple and the scent of ground cinnamon bark as she dumped it into the pot and put it over the fire.
Madis grunted acknowledgement and sat down to skin the small animals he had brought back.
Blackthorn looked at Wymsin. He made a gesture , brushing off his cheek before pointing at her. “Scout was kind enough to provide your breakfast,” he said. “I only had to remove the skin and a few stray rocks and twigs. Be careful when you bite in. I may not have gotten them all. And her’s everyone else’s breakfast. Thank you Madis,”
"Thank you Blackthorn. Scout is a lovely creature like that. A clever boy sometimes he brings me gifts from his hunts. No doubt he ate a few before bringing me this gift." She said missing the hint that the elf had given her as she watched the pot hoping it would soon boil.
When Orrin came back from the tower he was holding the small stone dragon that had been perched on the door. "I do hope you all do not mind if I ask for a reminder of names. " He said as he sat on a piece of rubble.
Raijin smiled and moved over to Wymsin. "You have charcoal on you cheek." She said softly to the other female.
Blackthorn looked amused. His own attempt had been subtle. Perhaps Wymsin would not be too embarrassed by Raijin’s directness.
The priestess blushed and fished out a handkerchief as she wiped her sullied cheeks. "Thank you Raijin sometimes I put too much into my work and it leaves a mark." She said in way of mild jest. As breakfast was being cooked and the tea on the fire simmered. Wymsin reintroduced herself to Orrin or Ren as she had decided to call him for simplicity and his protection. Wymsin or Priestess or Sister Woodsvale was fine to call or address her by.
“Given the range that Wymsin presents, I feel a little lax in having only a single name to offer,” Blackthorn said. “I am Blackthorn, last of the Everglade elves. I suppose ‘hey elf’ would work. None other would answer to it. “
Orrin nodded. "Wymsin..." he tested the weight of the name for a moment, "And you said the red one is Raijin... and Blackthorn. That may be the easiest to remember."
Madis worked on cooking the squirrels. "Call me Madis. That's the name I use now. and you are going to be Ren. We need to get you clothes in town, but I have an extra cloak we can use to cover you til then."
"You may call me either Raijin, or just Rai." The plumemin said as she settled away from the fire and stretched out one of her wings looking over the flight feathers.
“A cloak will cover his clothes,”Blackthorn said. “What will cover his presence? And, for that matter, the presence of the tower?”
"The tower will draw people for certain, but they will find nothing of interest. I have what made it special right here." Orrin said, as he patted the stone dragon. "As for my presence, what do you mean?"
Madis shrugged. "once we leave, this place becomes nothing more than the remains of an old .. whatever it was."
“We left without you and come back with you . People will ask questions.”
Wymsin shrugged "I could craft him a good luck charm. It was said by my masters at the mages guild that elves were blessed with certain gifts. The ability to tread silently and to pass with little notice or little trace. They would often cut my hair citing it could be used in charm work to create small items that contained luck for those that wore them. I do not know how successful it would be but I wouldn't mind giving up a lock if it it brings comfort. It won't be as potent as if it were from Blackthorn due to the blood taint I carry." She said uncertain if the offer would be accepted.
"He was a lost traveler. " Raijin said blandly.
"we came upon him as he travelled. " Madis said simply, nodding to raijin
“Works,” Blackthorn said. “Although he hardly looks like a lost traveller. Not hungry or dirty enough.”
"Dirts easy." Madis said, and pulled the meat from the fire. "we have squirrel and ... smells like some sort of tea. Lets break our fast and decide on our story."
The group broke their fast enjoying an apple cinnamon black tea from the far reaches of a distant land plucked from a mountain called Mount Sencha Wymsin explained. A gift from helping a merchant she had met on the road that had been attacked by Goblins, as the group ate their roasted meat and sipped the warm beverage.
"Rather than a lost traveler can he not be one of your apprentices or a chronicler from your hunters school Master Madis?" Wymsin offered as she sipped her tea.
"In these parts it is likely few would question what you said. We could purchase him appropriate traveling gear from town. The bedding in his chambers was quite fine and could be repurposed by any tailor. Bringing that to town to trade would likely earn you a full set of clothing for him to wear that will help him blend in more with the locals." Wymsin offered in way of suggestion. Ren had said nothing in the tower was of importance but the boy knew little of how poor the common folk in the area were. The furniture and bedding sitting in the tower alone was worth a small boon let alone any other incidentals he might have like combs mirrors and books.
"the bedding can't be taken from my chambers." Orrin said.
Madis gave him a quizzical look.
Orrin tapped the dragon. "Magic item. Everything in that room was made by this."
"Interesting so it might just come to pass that the tower itself might become a way station for weary travelers to use then if nothing can leave it. Interesting but I guess fortuitous for any that pass by and discover it. Did you wish to destroy the runes on the door at the very least to hide traces of who it might of belonged to at least?" The priestess asked.
"you misunderstand. The runes are parts of the magic, as is the furniture and items in the room. This item creates a safe space wherever it is activated. If anyone enters the tower now, they will find only the remnants of whatever was there before this item was activated. "
"So it will be empty?" She asked curiously trying to understand how the ancient magics worked.
“Convenient,” Blackthorn said.
"yes, the tower will be empty." Orrin nodded.
Madis made a face. "Very. And that means that stone dragon is a very expensive and rare magic item."
“At least we know Ren will have some spending money once we sell it,” Blackthorn said with an almost straight face. Magic was never worth the problems associated with it in his mind.
"only a very large city would have someone who could even recognize what it is." Madis said.
Wymsin nodded at Madis as he explained. At some point they would need to hit a larger city. She cleared her throat. "Which cities in this country have mages guilds if I may be so bold to ask. It has been a while since I last handed in a report of my travels and deeds that have I have done. Plus I will be expected to turn in to pay my dues as well. So far my travels have only taken me through small villages but nothing large enough to call an actual city. No fear I will not breathe anything about Ren in my reports. You have my word on my Goddess Selene"
Madis considered her for a moment. "Other side of the forest . It'll take some time to get there though. "
"Did you have plans on where you were traveling before you met me on the road? I would not want to interfere with your business. I just thought I would bring it up since, I am normally expected to report in twice a year. As long as it is done in the next month or two I see no issues." She said.
“I was being facetious,” Blackthorn said. “Assuming that is the right word. It is likely to spawn more questions than we want to answer if we try sell it.”
"you mean like where did we get it? " Madis said with a raised eyebrow, then turned to Wymsin. " We weren't on a hunt when we met you. Just travelling. Field work is the last step to earning full huntsman status."
"Though it might be wise to head to the city to gather provisions before we look for the place that the dryad wishes for her seed to be planted." Raijin said tilting her head to the side in thought.
"Provisions and a chance to properly outfit your ward Master Madis. But if you are keen and willing after that a trip to largest city closest by with a mages guild would be appreciated. Not that I have much coin for dues. The country folk here don't seem to have much in the way of coin to pay for services. Though I know the guild would likely let me batter to pay my dues in other ways." Wymsin said grimacing slightly ashamed she hadn't been able to collect enough for a decent tribute to her guild association.
"If your guild does not take into account where and how you have traveled and insist on squeezing every drop out of you, perhaps their coffers need to be lightened so that they too know the burden that comes from working for your keep," Blackthorn muttered darkly.
"we go to town, settle things, make sure we have all we came with, and head for the city on the other side of the forest. There, we gather provisions for a long trip, and handle your mages guild." Madis said wryly. "I assume you will wish to continue travelling with us."
Wymsin chuckled nervously "No no it is fine it is all part of the rules and regulations. Being a Priestess and buying supplies to aid others and heal them eats into that. It is a delicate balancing act to try and make sure both my orders get what they deserve from myself. I just go a little crazy on inks and paints sometimes for my books that I am writing. I am sure I can make things work out. I of course would be delighted to still travel with you all unless the guild insists I have work elsewhere." She insisted.
Raijin cut a look over to Blackthorn as he muttered about relieving Wymsin's guild of their gold to see how they liked it. "Husbondi Varlis would be the one you'd like to send a message to." She said just softly enough for the elf to pick up.
Madis grunted as he picked his teeth. "So we need a plausible story for our new companion Ren. He doesn't know enough about recent history to fit in well yet."
Blackthorn looked at the colourful Plumekith. "Good to know," he replied softly. It could have been a response to Wymsin but it was more likely aimed at Raijin.
With breakfast finished the group put out their cook fire and packed up to return back to the village. Wymsin saddled bagged Scout and it wasn't too long before the group made their way back to town. It would be good check in on the villagers and make sure the children made it back to town fine and to check in on the lad whose leg she had reset. Perhaps they would have some good fortune come their way. She patted her wolf and walked with the rest of the Ravens and young Ren as she listened to the morning songs of the birds.
Madis had pulled his extra cloak out for Orrin to use, the drab brown of it perfect for travel, and covered his expensive clothes well enough that they shouldn't have too much trouble. Still, he was an attractive "young" man, so he hoped there wouldn't be any trouble.
"You mentioned a mage guild, but I thought you are a priestess. Are you beholden to a deity of magic?" Orrin asked conversationally.
"Well you see I was originally raised by the temple of Selene she's the goddess of the moon, astrology, science , knowledge and the feminine. She's very popular with sages and those that like to learn and teach. But my country went to war or I should say were invaded about twenty five years ago. So when the armies reached the town of Nicklebey many were put to the sword I was maybe 15 summers of age when they came to our temple the mages erected a great tower in our town and they took me from the temple to have me train under them. My mixed heritage was a curiosity of sorts and for the next decade I trained with that order until they cast me out. I never got to take my ascension to become a court mage however. Instead they sent me out to travel the world and to learn and report back to them about my travels. I might be able to one day finish my studies there but the stipulation for taking the accestion ritual comes with a hefty price tag and sadly I cannot pay it." Wymsin explained to Ren. "So I walk both worlds when it comes to magic that of the mages as well as the divine."
Blackthorn spat. "You owe them nothing," he said.
Raijin shook her head at Blackthorn, at times he would prove that his name was a fitting one for him when he turned nearly as surly as Madis.
Orrin looked thoughtful. "I must say, such a deity is befitting of your curiosity. However, I must agree with Blackthorn on this. This mage guild you speak of does not seem to be a particularly well meaning one. "
Madis grunted. "Was different once. Mages would take apprentices. Earned your teaching, not line the pockets of big headed fools with more ego than talent. "
"They brought enlightenment to our country and science alchemy and other things. I was fortunate they took me in rather than put me to the sword as they did with many others. I was taught much but I was hardly top of the class. There is a saying back in our guild about how to check the quality of a good mage if a court wishes to employ. She rolled up her robe sleeves showing her arms and hoisted her robes to show off some leg. "As you can see I am not an arm or leg scared mage. My specialites lay in elemental magic though I can do other types just nothing of high order. Mild divination transmutation things of that sort. If I could have taken the Accestion ritual I would have been an adequate mage to serve a noble court or so my Master said." Wymsin explained looking a bit forlorn. "Magic comes with a price however. As I said earlier I cannot pay the price to earn my place where I could be held in regard. The suspect I might live to be older than a normal human due to the elven taint I carry so they say I have time to procure proper tribute and payment perhaps."
Raijin moved closer to Madis so that she wasn't in Blackthorn's line of fire, she knew that the elf wouldn't like having the blood of his people called a taint to her being.
"Taint?" Blackthorn rose to his feet. "You are more than three fourths elf and these invaders have the gall to call it an elven taint? I think they mislabeled the portion that brings the taint. They force you to learn their magic at sword point and when you emerge unmarked they call you a failure? What is this precious ascension? And what need is there for you to serve one of their nobles, should they deign to deem you worthy to lick such loft boots? I may have a few extra words to drop in a few ears, once I reach your guild house, Wymsin."
"agreed." Orrin said. Enlightenment should not come at the cost of lives, and earning your place should not come at the cost of dignity.. or coin."
"Oh you misunderstand. It is an honor to help guide the noble houses to help them stay their hand from war and to bring peace and prosperity to their lands. It is a noble calling Blackthorn. And being unmarked is good. I am not a failure per se, they just think I need more seasoning and it isn't coin. Magic comes at a cost at least the mage type. I must present them with an appropriate student to keep our numbers as they are. However due to my... T-" Wymsin corrected herself. "Due to my heritage. Finding another with blood like mine would be difficult. Gods know I tried I gave it my all. But Elves are rare. Any that lived in my country fled, were driven out or were harvested or executed. It makes it hard to have someone to present them with. So it isn't a matter of coin. I had the best and brightest of the council come to try and work with me to aid me in being able to afford the price." She cast her eyes and muttered "But I failed them in that too. But my faith I have for my goddess I still carry hope that she has a plan. Nothing happens by chance. It is all a part of a greater design."
"Why should it matter that the student you bring them be just like you. It should only matter that it is a student." Raijin said with a certain amount of curiosity.
"So they demand you give them a child before they will place you in slavery to a noble family and then tell you that they do you an honour?" Blackthorn shook his head. "No. Were you the bastard child of the lowliest syphilitic whore, I would say they did you no favours. These mages, they are slavers in fancy dress, selling women. Tell me, how many men were bound to noble houses? Damned few, I'll wager."
Wymsin looked annoyed she took a breath. "Both men and women trained there in numbers though it was slightly more men than women. Most women do not have the heart or guts to stay the course and make it to the end of training. It is perilous and demanding work. How can you not see that the fruits of our labour are not just. Nobles can be hot headed and in desperate need of wise counsel and our magical abilities to serve not just the noble houses but the lands they rule over to protect everyone. If I could have given them a child for theirs to raise and train until the age of Twenty I am sure he or she would have been a wondrous addition to the council. They are not slavers they saved me. The armies that came were the ones that put many to the sword not the magical council folk." She countered trying to get the elf to see her perspective. "They gave me life where I would not have had one. They saved me. They took me in and they taught me despite my otherness..."
Orrin looked horrified. "Is this truly the world now? How can you speak so, when even I, who have been kept in secret can see this is nothing but an abomination?"
Madis stayed silent, but his face wore a dark look.
"And taught you to hate yourself. Wisdom comes not from magic and an army is a sword wielded by those in power. It was those mages that commanded the army to lay waste to your homeland. They were the winds pushing the locusts into your fields. And they told you every day that they saved you and you were beholden to them until you believed the words they said, rather than trusting yourself to remember what they did." Blackthorn shook his head. He almost spoke further but looked at Madis and said nothing more.
Raijin nudged Madis in the ribs, pointing out the begins of the town. "Maybe Blackthorn and I should stay here while you and Wymsin settle with the inn keep and check the children."
"Politics are complicated Blackthorn. Ren can tell you that. The Black King was to blame. He had no mage to counsel him. He was mad and drunk with power. He sailed his armies down to our Island country to claim it as one of his territories. The mages came shortly afterwards to try and clean up the mess and maintain order." Wymsin argue but sighed. "Forget I mentioned any of it. None of you will truly understand what happened. You were not there to see it you were not there to live it."
She looked to Madis "I will go with you Master Madis if it should please you. I feel if I stay here to try and explain anything else I will only irritate your apprentice." She said looking disappointed and distressed.
"no. I'll handle the villagers alone. " He stopped and looked to Wymsin. "You don't want to explain anymore, then don't. Ren doesn't know courtly politics- he was too young to live it. But I did. And I tell you this- they lied to you. If you choose to continue to believe it to save your sanity, that is your decision, but you cannot make us believe thier lies as well."
Raijin blinked at Madis, sometimes she wondered if his ability at tact had fled him over his long travels. Then there were times that he proved her wrong.
"The world is not so black and white." She protested. "There are many shades of gray. You are entitled to your opinions but since you are not a part of the hermetic order of mages, there are just somethings you won't be able to fully understand Master Madis and that is fine. As you said I don't have to try and convince any of you. It is what it is and what is done is done it is in the past. I do not question how you run your academy and what you do though I am sure some folk might see your work as having ulterior motives as well if you were to ask around. It is all about perspective. Shades of gray sir it is all shades of gray. " Wymsin sighed and began walking towards the town with her dire wolf. "I need to go into town to restock provisions so I will leave you to your Raven business."
"Blackthorn. Black King. Black arrow. Black heart. I'm not seeing any grey."
"Of that we agree upon Blackthorn. If he had not come to my Island we would be living in very different times. The mages are not to blame but the Black King. But he is worlds away and untouchable." The half blooded Priestess said as she headed into town.
She had paid up front for food and drink and a spot on the common room floor so she had no business there. She would check on the boy who's leg she mended and then hit the market to restock food supplies and perhaps some tanned leather if it was available.
The whole exchange made her heart ache but she wasn't about to let haughty pride get in the way of things. The group was a well spring of knowledge and she had listened to the Dryad and shared her tale. She would look over the group and try to mend that which was broken and by the God's blood there was much that needed mending it would seem.
The elf wrapped Wymsin in a rough embrace. "You are better than you know," he said. "And you deserve much better than you have been given. Let's find a place to bury a seed, shall we?"
Wymsin stiffly accepted the hug "I'm not leaving your group unless you all wish me to part ways with your party. Your seed will find a place but I doubt it will be here. Unless you know of a place that has waterfalls. I know of none here my country had many with great resources it was why we were sacked. Rare trees lush forests much silver and many rare ores."
"damn right you are staying." Madis growled. "Even if I have to bury those self rightious pricks in coin til they suffocate from the weight. " He turned to raijin. " Stay with Ren, out of sight."
"Yes, sir," She said pulling the lordling with her. "We are better off the road, Madis will know how to find us."
"I didn't mean here, you silly goose," Blackthorn said, tweaking Wymsin's nose. "We have a long way to go to find the right spot. Go with Madis. We'll be here waiting. Likely in the tower because it's the only shelter anywhere nearby."
Wymsin left without a word. She curbed her emotions as she entered the town. The Elf's words felt patronizing but she had to tell herself they were foreigners they didn't understand what had happened in her country. They were ignorant in the ways of how she was raised and the teachings and hours of study she had put in both when it came to the guild and her temples order. Patience and a kind heart and knowledge were the tools to remedy to most things. In time maybe she could show them that they were wrong but that time was not now, not today.
-
Madis watched Wymsin go into the town proper and turned to blackthorn. "Sounds like we have some monsters to hunt. "
Blackthorn checked the tip of an arrow. "One or two," he said softly.
Raijin stretched out both of her wings, cuffing the men in the back of their heads. "Go Madis, and we will wait for you. We can speak of hunting later when the blood has cooled a bit."
Blackthorn turned to look at Raijin. "My blood has been cold for a thousand years. You don't get this old by being rash. Right Madis?"
Madis gave her a look. " You're supposed to be watching Ren." Then he nodded to blackthorn. " The best huntsmen are patient and cunning. Rash is not either of those things. I will return shortly." Then he walked towards the town.
"We need to be," Blackthorn said, nodding. "Our prey is often both as well."
Raijin rolled her eyes at Madis. "Old coot."
The trip into town took her a couple hours as she dropped by the farm house to see how the boy was fairing and was glad to see he was upright and mobile out in the farmyard feeding chickens. Knowing he was well she made her way to the town market. She bought herself some cheese, hard tack, salted meat, dried oats, root vegetables, some tanned leather, a small bottle of glue, and a couple bottles of wine so she could use it in her ceremonies to her goddess. She had much work to do on the road still to ensure Ren and the others would be safe.
The time in town helped her cool her emotions and no one bothered her in town as she shopped, not when the large direwolf accompanied her. She soon returned outside of the town to meet with the others feeling weary but level headed.
Madis had not yet returned when Wymsin made it to where the others were waiting, hidden from the road. Orrin had spent the time trying to learn what he could from blackthorn and Raijin.
Blackthorn filled Ren in as well as he could but his knowledge of the history of the land was somewhat coloured by his own experiences. He had his own questions but knew that many of them also swirled inside Wymsin's head. Instead he asked about Aravel and how long she had stood her lonely vigil.
"I am unsure. Dryads feel time different than others, so she was never able to fully explain how much time was passing, and the others before her tried to not bring up the subject. I suspect mostly because they did not want to burden me with such things. " Orrin told him.
"I suppose that makes a bit of sense." Raijin mused, "They would age far faster than you would, and I imagine that for them talking of time reminded them of how short their own lives would be."
"Short is a relative term," Blackthorn said. "Hamadryads live for hundreds of years." He nodded to Wymsin, then frowned. "Madis isn't with you?"
"No he told me he was dealing with the Raven business of checking on the missing children you folk rescued. I checked in on the lad who's leg I set and then went to market to get provisions. I believe he might have gone to the inn to settle the bill from yesterday as well." The Priestess replied. "Thank families can eat up a lot of free time with wanting to ply you with drink and gifts or just words of thanks."
"He's not in danger... ...yet." Raijin muttered.
"not in danger? It seems so odd to think of him as a monster hunter. My only memories of him were of sitting upon his knee as he showed me pictures in books." Orrin said whistfully.
"He is legendary among the Ravens," Blackthorn said. "Although he has a reputation for being hard on his apprentices. Far less harsh than any monster would be, so I am pleased and proud to call him my master. I suspect he may have chosen me for my heritage, to sharpen those skills I already have and hone my instincts further."
"More like he was made to take you on as an apprentice. He's not very keen on having others around him," Raijin said honestly. "He tolerates me only because he has no choice."
Orrin looked down. "I know in all this time he must have changed. To have lived while everyone else died... I was lucky in that I was so young I barely understood what had happened. "
Blackthorn looked at Raijin. "Should we give him an hour?"
Wymsin remained quiet as she listened to the talk of the Old Raven and what the others should do. She was not a Raven so her input didn't matter as strongly as the others. Outside the town she let them debate as she didn't wander far gathering and foraging for what she could come across that might be of use later that eve for something food wise. Fresh clover flowers and plantain found their way into her collectable tote bag as she kept and ear open to their conversation, not wanting to intrude.
"I would think that would would be advisable." She said tapping a taloned finger against her thigh.
It didn't quite take the hour for Madis to be seen exiting the town with a bag over his shoulder.
Raijin lifted a crimson brow in question.
Madis came over and dropped the bag in front of Orrin. " Those should fit reasonably well. " He slung the other items that were hidden by the bag back over his shoulder- two dead chickens.
Orrin opened the bag and pulled out some clothing. "Ah, so I blend in better. Shall I change now, or is this too open here?"
“That depends on whether you want Wymsin to find out where your scales are,” Blackthorn said. “Your room near the top of the tower would be appropriately private.”
"honestly I can just tell her where they are, but I imagine she will want to touch them, is that not correct, lady priestess?" Orrin said, directing the question at Wymsin.
"Yes! Please!" Wymsin blurted out excitedly before trying to compose herself. "I mean for knowledge sake it would be appreciated." Giving the golden haired lad a nod.
Orrin blinked in surprise, then laughed. "Your excitement is infectious. But I suppose if we are supposed to be keeping what I am a secret, that privacy would be best. "
"We can go back to the tower before heading to the city. I told the townsfolk that there might be some residual magic there that might not be safe, but that there were no dangerous monsters there. Had to tell them something since the kids saw the tower."
Wymsin nodded eager to focus on the secrets the young man was going to divulge as they made their way into the tower. Another mystery would be put to rest and she couldn't help but internally feel a little giddy the tense conversation from hours ago temporarily forgotten as she watched Madis give Ren his new clothing her silvery eyes watching the exchange and waiting.
The return to the tower was a reasonable decision considering the travel time between the town and it. Daylight was gone by the time they had returned to the familiar setting and Madis set about making camp away from where the dryads tree had been. Orrin looked up at the tower with a faint look of sadness.
"Well, I suppose I shall open the offer for all. If you wish to examine my body out of scholarly interest or plain old curiosity, join me upstairs." He said, the barest hint of amusement coloring his melodic voice.
Wymsin didn't need a second invite she tailed the young prince much like a shadow as he took to the stairs as she desperately told herself to commit every detail to memory. Her fingers itched to hold a piece of charcoal and a sketch pad but she was unsure if such things would be permissible. She decided that fortune favored the bold and asked as she climbed the tower stairs citing that she wouldn't draw any faces just the pattern if it was permitted. She prayed silently to her goddess as she waited to see the response.
Raijin watched as Wymsin moved off to follow Orrin up the stairs to his room. As they traveled further up the winding stairs she looked over to Blackthorn and spoke. "So how much do you want to wager on her squealing like a little girl when she see his scales?"
“Sucker bet,” Blackthorn replied. “I’ll keep watch down here. I have no interest in where he keeps his scales.” He chuckled. “Of course if you offered to show me the feathers you hide under your clothes, I might squeal like a little girl when I saw them too.”
"I'll let you explain that one Madis," Raijin returned sweetly before she moved off to join Wymsin.
Wymsin crossed over into bed chamber past the runes on the outside of the door and leaned against the wall her face wore an expectant and curious expression. "So will you permit me to sketch your body for science and posterity? " She asked.
"ain't touching that with a polestaff." Madis said with a grunt as he worked the fire to get it ready to cook the chickens he had gotten in town earlier that day.
Orrin had activated the magic item shaped like a dragon as they came to the top of the stairs, and the empty room became his chambers once more, the priestess giving off a perceptible aura of excitement and curiosity as she queried about her note taking.
Orrin pursed his lips as he thought. "Im not sure that is wise. If someone were to find your notebook, or demand the fruits of your labors, then my secret would not be so secret anymore. From what I have heard from you all, it seems that my kind are not well known, and likely because we are hiding or... worse."
The half blood priestess nodded "I understand. Honestly with everything I read in my time at both orders I studied under, it very much seemed as if your kind was extinct. I will not sketch then but just commit to memory. Perhaps one day when I am old and gray I can try to recall it for posterity sake when you and have have parted ways and the decades have passed. As it is I do not even know how long I might live for myself. Elves were supposed to be ageless or close to that unless they died from unnatural causes. Perhaps with the mix of elf blood in my veins maybe I will live past a century perhaps maybe even two or three. I guess time will tell. Would you like me to face the wall for your modesty sake until you are ready to show me?"
"what a curious question. Modesty, and yet, you do not know exactly where my scales are." He laughed, a delighted sound. "No, I am rather used to changing clothes with others around, it does not offend my sense of modesty." He swung the cloak from his shoulders and lay it across a nearby table. Then he pulled out the clothing that Madis had procured. It was simple, but well enough made. Then he began divesting himself of his rich clothing, the jacket being the first to come off, then he leaned down and pulled off his boots, setting them to the side. When he straightened, he unwrapped the sash around his waist and laid it with the jacket on the table and loosened the fastens on his shirt. When the soft fabric slid up over his head, a glorious trail of gold became visible following his spine, spreading out to touch his shoulder blades, then narrowing again to dissapear into his hair.
"Oh!" Wymsin exclaimed softly. "They are so shiny. Are they made from real gold? Do you shed at all I mean the scales like Lizards do?"
He chuckled, looking over his shoulder. "No, they are not gold like jewelry or coins. You cannot melt them down. Yes, I do shed, but not often, and they lose much of their luster when they leave my body. You can touch them, but carefully. Stroke from the top down. If you go the other way you will cut yourself."
Raijin had made it up the stairs in time to lean against the door frame. She'd heard Madis' response to her teasing. He old hunter knew for a fact that she only had feathers on her wings. Though the students at the school had once told her that her hair felt like goose down.
"If I didn't know what you were referring to Ren, I'd say you were trying to seduce the priestess."
Wymsin couldn't help her curiosity as she left the wall and crossed the room to examine the lads back. her fingers gently caressed the scales as she leaned in to inspect them gaging the temperature and texture. "Fascinating..."
"Seduce? I daresay not. I would't have the faintest idea where to begin. I may have been born a thousand years ago, but my life experience is far far less." He replied to Raijin, then closed his eyes, momentarily distracted by the priestess's fingers tracing over his back. The scales were smooth and hard, pleasantly cool, and dainty. The largest of them clustered between his shoulder blades and were about the size of a copper coin.
Wymsin leaned in her breath gently tickling Ren's back as she closed her eyes and inhaled deeply to see if he smelled like a human or more like a reptile checking to see if he had the dusty musk smell that some of the lizards of her home land had. It would be difficult and inappropriate to compare him to an iguana or a snake or bearded dragon, his scales were much larger than that but still the need to learn what she could pushed past the barriers of proper etiquette. She gently touched the scaled her finger nail gently tapped on one as she tried to determine the thickness and hardness of them.
Raijin snickered at the two, "Relax, Ren, I know you haven't the faintest clue how to go about seducing anyone. It was the statement and how it was said that meant one could have interpreted in a less pure way."
The plumekin shook her head as she watched Wymsin begin her examination of the dragon. "Careful in how you go about you name of Ren's uniqueness."
"Did you want to get close and take a gander?" Wymsin asked the Plumekin. "hes like nothing I have ever laid eyes on. Ren doesn't seem to mind."
Orrin squirmed a bit at the unfamiliar sensation of her breath and touch. "I don't mind, but it does tickle a bit."
"I'm fine where I am," Raijin said her voice taking on just a hint of tightness.
Wymsin opened her silver eyes and looked at the winged woman "Are you okay is something bothering you?"
"It just brings up memories best left in the past," She said softly, "I do not fault you for wanting to learn and how it is you are going about it. Just..." Raijin shook her head to clear her thoughts.
"why did you come if not to see for yourself?" Orrin asked
"Ah. I see Raijin...Perhaps a tale to tell left best for a later time..." Wymsin said as if it was enough of an explanation. It wasn't but she didn't want to press. She stepped away for Ren "I think my curiosity has been sated for the time being. We should probably let you get dressed so we can tend to pressing matters like food and travel plans." She said as she smoothed her hands over her navy blue robes..
"Came up to see, but not touch," Raijin said as if that might help explain why she wished to stay put. "Yes, I think I wouldn't mind sharing part of my story at another time."
"At your leisure my dear." Wymsin said. "I promise not to render judgment and to remain impartial and respectful." She said thinking about how her sharing of some of her history had sat with the group she had choden to travel with. Sharing could be hard and while her memories were not painful it seemed that Raijins tale was likely full of hardships and sadness that she had never experienced or so she suspected.
"very well." Orrin told the priestess and proceeded to untie the keeps on his pants and let them drop. The motion revealed the rest of his lean body, including the scales that continued down past where his waistband had been and lead directly to a small pointed appendage about the length of the woman's finger- he had a tail.
"Wow." Wymsin breathed her eyes swept the young mans body. "Now that is something I have only seen in Kobolds. Is it prehensile?" She asked curiously.
Raijin turned from her place against the door frame with a bit of a cough.
"I beg your pardon?" Orrin asked, half turning to look at her.
"The tail? Is it prehensile could you hold a quill with it?" Wymsin asked curiously.
‘Is it prehensile?’ Blackthorn cocked his head. “Ever hear part of a conversation that makes you NOT want to hear the rest?” he asked Madis.
"yep." Madis said, turning the chicken over so it didn't burn.
"Why ever would I want to?" Orrin asked, his hand going to the small appendage.
"Well if it is it could come in handy say if for example you were tied up. You could use it to pick at the knots to get loose. How stiff can you make it? Enough to back up and stab someone?" Wymsin persisted with her questions.
"what? Stab someone? Why? It's a tail. I've simply never been able to hide it. I don't really have experience in changing forms. It's always been too dangerous." Orrin looked terribly confused.
"The world can be a dangerous place. Maybe you can practice but if it isn't prehensile I guess that is fine too. Knowing you have one now I kind am surprised that it isn't longer and bigger. When you compare reptile species usually the tail is as long as the body or at least half the length it is curious. Thank you for sharing. Can I ask you one more question?" She asked innocently.
"I .. suppose..." He said, looking lost by her reasoning.
"So do the scales continue along further? Blackthorn made a joke earlier about things... I guess the bluntest way to put it would be are the family jewels actually scaled is the member a gold one or like a mans?" She asked her face straight her eyes curious.
"What?" He asked, completely confused.
"You know your staff, lance, rod, baby maker, Pisser..." Wymsin said gesturing towards the lads groin.
Raijin nearly fell face first when Wymsin asked about Orrin's family jewels. She drew in a quick breath to stop the fit of giggles trying to break free.
Blackthorn sighed and hung his head. “I need to go for a walk. Not only am I hearing the conversation and the questions, I’ve got answers for them.”
He looked up the stairs. “Think about what he just said about the scales Wymsin. If you stroke the wrong way you get cut. Think about it.”
"Scale armored penis," the plumekin said finally losing the battle not to laugh like she'd just escaped a loons home.
Wymsin nodded "Ah yes I suppose that does make sense." She said calling out to the hallway. "Thank you Blackthorn. I had to ask when breeding maybe lady dragons don't mind scales...I mean just look at cats. I mean they don't have scales but the do have barbs..."
Orrin blinked, finally getting what was being said as the winged woman desolved into a fit of laughter, and looked down at his crotch, then back up. "I didn't know it had so many names..."
"Oh it has way more than that. But those are the universal ones I know." Wymsin beamed. "So the answer is no scales then? You Raijin I have to tell you that you have a delightfully pleasant laugh."
"um... No." Orrin said, looking a little uncomfortable.
LadyJToday at 8:10 PM
"Fair enough. Color my curiosity satisfied. Thank you for letting me ask and study you. I feel blessed to lay eyes on one as rare as yourself Ren your secret is safe with me." Wymsin. "Should we go downstairs maybe we can get Blackthorn to tell us more tales of his people so I can chronicle the life and legends of his folk."
Blackthorn sagged. “I used to not have a problem keeping my mouth shut,” he said.
"women." Madis nodded sagely at Blackthorns comment.
Orrin just nodded and carefully started to re dress himself in the clothes Madis gave him.
Raijin thanked Wymsin for the compliment, a blush threatening to stain her cheeks, before moving down the stairs.
"You look more serfish now." Wymsin said nodding in approval. "You know... if your country here has walnut trees we could dye your hair. The outer part of the nut and inner part of the husks can be used to stain things a dark brown. You can even use it cosmetically to make temporary tattoos and create beauty marks or freckles. If you have Henna trees here we could color your hair auburn."
"why would I wish to color my hair?" He asked, not completely sure of all she was speaking of.
"Your hair is blonde it draws attention. The majority of the residents in this country I have come across have black or varying shades of brown like mine or darker. If we colored your hair you would blend in more with the crowd. Camouflage like your new clothes. Slavers seem to be a big problem here. You are a pretty boy with pretty golden hair and clear skin. Many a rich man might wish to purchase such a thing to be a body servant." Wymsin explained calmly. "The more you blend the less chance of having the potential of one of them trying to abscond with you."
He nodded and went to the window to look out. "I am so confused as to how I feel to leave this place. It is exciting, but frightening as well. This room has been my sanctuary as well as my prison for so long. " He turned and offered her a small smile, then gathered his things from the table and headed for the stairs down.
"I understand that. I have been traveling from my country and homeland for.. This is the fifth year. I was terrified and saddened to have to leave the mages enclave but they said I had to go and experience the world and learn more. They can only teach so much via lesson and book somethings you just have to experience for yourself, the good things, the bad, and everything in between or you will not grow. Besides Ren you are in good company you have Madis and the other Ravens to oversee and help you learn and grow. It isn't all bad." The tiny priestess said offering him a compassionate and empathetic smile.
Orrin paused on the stairs and offered her a smile back. "Yes, I'm sure you are right." He said, then finished his trek down and out to where the others were.
"That'll work for now." Madis said upon seeing him. "Chickens almost done."