Ethanria: Rise of the Immortals

[Edynol]

It is troubling times in the world of Ethanria. The demon queen Deldranna, a demonic goddess, now lives in this world. The long abandoned fortess of Coregarde once again glows with evil demonic magics, the Maul of Corruption now crawling with legions of demons and the corrupted. The queen of Zarangar, the elvin sorceress Lithea, has been corrupted and the Dagger Woods are now under Deldranna's control, the creatures of the once peaceful forest now vile, deformed, and vicious.

The Isle of Tranquil Storms has seen thunder and lightning for the first time in over five thousand years. Elves and toroks from Stormvale have left the isle for the first time in centuries to seek help from the outside lands, their queen, the Blue Dragon Broodmother Taerazana, has jioned the rest of the Dragon Brood Hierarchy in the Sanctuary of Dragonwood Vale to asses the looming threat.

The eight Immortals have not been heard from for thousands of years. Each one either in hiding or in exile, their identities hidden from everyone. Some serve as rulers, some as commoners, others wondering the world in self imposed exile. But the time has come for the Immortals to once again rise and save the world of Ethanria from eternal darkness.

It was a clear day when Edynol Crezlyn arrive in the town of Knotstrim, riding his black mare, Jexus, the sun just above the horrizon as night time approached. He wore loose, brown leather breeches and a light tan cotten shirt and a dark green cape made from some sort of scales.

The town gaurds prepared to close and lock the gates that protected the town from the threats of the Anthar Wastes. On occasion trolls or corrupted, savage orcs would attack the town walls, but they never succeeded. The town wasn't named the Iron Fist of Ethranar for nothing. Most of the townspeople still walked the streets while completing the last of their day's work and the shop owners locked up their shops and started sweeping the outside decks.

Edynol walked into the Sword and Border inn, one of the finest inns in this part of the world. It was two stories high and very well kept, the floors of the common room were even kept clean. A few guards stood inside the doors of the common room, which had large bar, a few dozen tables, and a stage with a small band. The band consisted of a violinist, a harp player, a piano player, and flute player. The woman with the harp was singing.

"Master Crezlyn," the chubby innkeeper called with a smile on her pudgy yet pretty face. She was tall for a woman, standing about five feet and eight inches tall. She looked to be in her early thirties or late twenties, her long red hair tied back and her green eyes warm yet observant. She was chubby, but not fat, and Edynol thought her to be quite beautiful. "It's great to see you again. Shall I have a top room arranged for you?" The rooms on the second floor were reserved for wealthier patrons and were larger than the regular rooms and had bigger, softer beds.

"Hello Myra. And yes that would be nice, thank you," Edynol said to her with a smile. He then headed to the bar and order a large ale and some roasted beef and potatoes. The man at the bar, The innkeeper's husband, handed Edynol an envelope. "News from the north?" Edynol asked. The man nodded and Edynol opened the letter and read it then put it in his pocket.

The barkeeper, a stocky man named Jahren, was in his mid thirties with sandy brown hair and a scar along his cheek. He was a lot kinder than most people would take him for at first glance. Despite the scar, though, he wasn't an ugly man. Rugged yes, but the sharp angles of his face and deep set eyes made him quite a picture for the ladies. "There has been more activity than usual on the pass through the wastes," he said in a deep, smooth voice. "Three out of five trade merchants have had to turn back before reaching Evergreen and one out of six don't make it at all."

Edynol nodded his head as he took a sip of ale. "Well, I talked to Commander Kiedrek in Avenstone, and he agreed to send a few hundred soldiers to help escort the route up to Evergreen, but it will be about a month before they arrive. Though I'll be heading north within the next day or so looks like, maybe I can gather some vollunteers to help clear the way for at least one train of caravans. Tresnia needs those supplies."

Jahen nodded. "I'll put some posters out and ask around town tonight and in the morning. Your drinks are on me tonight, my friend." Edy raised his glass an took another drink.

[Fayn]

Slightly earlier that day Shadow rode into town on a black stallion, thundering through the gates, the guards had to dive out of the way not to get run over by the large hoarse. His cloak blowing straight back from the speed, Shadow expertly pulled up to the stables stopping just short of the stable hand. Shadow was an expert hoarse-men from all the years of riding. He nimbly swung off the aggressive hoarse, casually throwing the rains over to the wide-eyed stable hand. Shadow gave a slight chuckle form the look on the humans face as he untied a large sage from his saddle, throwing his hood over his head and walked out of the stable and toward the Sword and Border inn.

He swung the door in wide as he walked in, letting the chilly air come in. He casually glanced at the music players as he walked up to the bar where Jahren stood. The stocky man eyed Shadow for a moment, then looked at the large sack he was holding. Shadow only smiled, then flung the sack on the table with a dull thunk. Jahren opened the bag and saw a few Orc heads along with a Troll's. Jahren's eyes wind wide for a moment but the moment passed as quickly as it came. Shadow leaned on the table with one elbow, casually tossing him a wink, "So...how much is that?" His smooth melodic voice giving Jahren the chills. This one always gave him the creeps, especially his two different eye colors. So intense where thous eyes. He always thought of Elves as kind gentle things. But that was not the case for Shadow. The Barkeeper mumbled a few moments, then tossed him a hand full sized bag of coins. Shadow caught it with ease and gave the man another wink for good measure before sitting down at a table, letting his boots rest on the table as he leaned back in his chair casually. He sat in the far corner so that he may watch all the going-ons of the Inn.

Shadow sat there for a few moments, flicking a gold coin in the air and catching it between the tips of his fingers, thinking how bored he was of this town, he needed something more challenging. Then Edynol walked in and started to talk to Jahren, so Shadow listened in with his keen hearing of that only of an Elf. Shadow's thin black eyebrow rose as he heard Edynol saying he needed volunteers. Shadow walked up, silent as death besides Edynol, waiting for him to finish. When he was done Shadow taped him on the shoulder lightly then said, "Greetings good sir, perhaps I could be of help?" The Barkeeper eyed Shadow a moment then nodded his agreement, wanting nothing more then to get ride of this scary Elf.

[Edynol]

Edynol turned and looked at the elf, studying him up and down. He then looked at Jahren, who nodded. He gave a return nod to the bartender then turned back to the elf. "Very well then, my friend. But it is only fair I tell you the conditions before you make your decision. This isn't bounty and I'm not looking for hired hands. I am looking for volunteers. Now it is very likely the merchants and King Silverforge will reward us for helping them, but if they can't, well, that's that. Of course you can always pick up a few troll heads from the wastes along the way and turn a profit there, but don't expect anything from the merchants. As you know, times have been tough."

Edynol took a swallow of ale and lit a pipe. "Now I'm not a man to make you go out of pocket, so if you need any supplies for the trip, I will pay for them myself. And whoever travels with me. And anyone who tries to steal from the caravans will be dealt with. Everyone will also stay together. It will not do for some hot head to run off hunting and lead an army of Wastefolk down on us. The orcs and trolls have been working together for some reason in most of these raids, and we all know that can't be good news."

Jahren wiped his forehead with a rag and took a drink of ale himself. "If they are organizing, actually combining their forces, they could overrun the entire southern border, except maybe Avenstone."

Edynol nodded in agreement. "After the train gets safely to Tresnia, I'll scout around report back with whatever I find, if I can. Has the king been alerted?"

"Yes," Jahren said after taking another sip. "The Vealian sent a few of their order to Palace to request his assistance in strengthening the borders. And as we all know, a request from them is like a demand from an empress."

Edynol nodded then turned back to the elf. "So, what is your decision? My name is Edynol, by the way."

[Pidge]

Earlier that morning a young man had walked up to the gates of the city, and it was quickly determined that he wasnt a threat. Let through, he had smiled kindly and thanked the guards before wandering off into the town of Knotstrim.

Jai had been flying for a few days and had been truely exhausted. When he had spotted the town he had landed and walked the rest of the way. The younger dragon, though young by dragon standards wasn't young at all, prefered to keep his identity more secretive. Flying in simply would not have done. Once he was within the gates though he immediately sought out an inn and came to the find the Sword and Border. He had purchased a room and quickly gone to bed, not caring about the time of day.

Now it was nearly sunset and the grey dragon awoke, yawning and stretching. It took him only moment to be wide awake and on his way to the bar room in human form. He had plans to simply get some sort of supper and return to his room but Jai's plans quickly changed.

As he entered the room he spotted two men speaking. One looked like he would have been slightly scary to the average human and he appeared to be volenteering for some sort of mission. The other man who later introduced himself as Edynol was explaining a bit about said mission. Jai gathered that it involved escorting some sort of caravan. An interesing job.

It had been quite some time since Jai had actually done anything useful. His hunt for the immortals seemed to consume his time. Perhaps this was a sign. Taking his time to consider the idea he finally concluded to atleast inquire about the mission. Approaching the two men Jai let off an easy smile.

"Pardon me good sirs, but where you two discussing an escort mission of some sort?" he paused before adding "If so will you be taking more volenteers?"

The bartender, Jahren, gave the frail looking boy a very odd look but said nothing. Jai knew what the man was thinking, he didn't look like he would be up to any real fighting.

"Please dont let my appearence persuade you not to allow me onto the team. Looks can be rather deceiving after all." He said quite calmly, almost too clamly. In fact most people would have considered Jai to be too polite and friendly for the current day and age. He liked to think he was simply a gentlemen and hoped these men where too.

[enaz]

Lix had been in this town for a few week and was hired to defend it, from the constant attacks at night. He had free room and board in the a local business in the city named The Sword and Border Inn. Right now he stood outside the gates to the town waiting to see that the last of the civilians were in. That's when he saw a little girl come running and fall infront of him. She told him about how there was a massive amount of trolls and orcs coming. Lix sent her to the Inn to go get help. He turned back and on the hill he could see heads pop up and slowly move his way. "Bring It!" Lix said as two green swords made out of energy appeared in his hands.

He rushed the beast head on crashing into their line and slashing and hacking. One tried to sneak up behind him, but he spun and threw one of the swords which impacted a orc in the face. Lix stabbed another into a nearby troll before spawning a giant axe and going crazy on the beasts. One troll tried to hit Lix with a club but he parried it and crashed the axe right on top of the beasts head. Lix didn't stop causing damage until he felt a sharp pain in his back and he went spiraling into a tree. He was starting to get dizzy, but could see other monsters trying to get to the city. "No!" Lix screamed as he pounded his fist against the ground and sending all the beasts around him flying away. He ran back to the one's closing in on the gate. He clapped his hands together and gathered more strength to where his body glowed a deep green. He released all of the energy into a blast that killed a great portion of the monsters, but not all of them. Tears streamed from his eyes as he fell to his knees and felt the helplessness that he couldn't stop them all. He needed more time to gather the energy from all the things around him. Even then he would still need help to save the village it was more than a army coming towards it.

[Fayn]

Shadow just smirked at the comment Edynol made about dashing off ahead and nodded as he explained the volunteer job to him. Shadow leaned against the table with his back, elbows propped up behind him to keep him balanced, "Sounds simple enough." He gave a disarming smile, "Oh, and don't worry about paying me. I grow tired of this place and need to move on. Plus, could use the practice." Shadow taped the hilt of one of his swords. He then saw the young man coming down the stairs, keeping one eye on Jai and the other on Edynol. He tilted his head slightly as Jai explained he was more then met the eye.

Shadow was about to make a snide remark when he heard screams coming from outside the Inn. He pushed off the table and drew one of his slender swords faster then ether of the men could blink, "Seems there is trouble brewing outside." he gave a wicked smile and ran outside, leaving the two inside. As soon as he came out the doors of the Inn he spotted Orcs and Trolls running wild in the streets. They stabbed and beat people trying to get away. Some guards tried to fight them off but failed miserably, the others simply ran away. Shadow let out a rare laugh and charged at the closet Orc. The monstrous green monster was about to cut down a woman holding a bundle of apples tell a slender sword pierced it's brain. Shadow kicked it's head to free his sword. He did not even look at the woman as he ran to his next victim. This time two Trolls where thrashing a merchant stand. Shadow threw a few daggers at the one on the right of him with his free hand, then charged the other, drawing his other sword. The Troll saw his brother fall in a spasm thanks to the daggers' poison. Then looked up to see an Elf charging him. Shadow swung down with all his might with both his slender swords at the ugly things head. The Troll barley blocked the attack with it's crude club. The Troll screamed in rage and pushed with the club, sending Shadow stumbling back. The Troll smiled and charged at Shadow, but as soon as it came up and swung down as hard as it could, Shadow was no where to be seen. It looked around confused tell it felt a horrible pain as a sword burst through it's stomach. Shadow just smiled evilly.

[Mattie2009]

Lucas sighed as he faltered in his flight for the eighth time that day. It was hard to fly with one wing; almost impossible, in fact. The damage could have been healed, but it would have been harder to re-adjust after all these years. Besides, he thought it looked good. Then, he heard screaming. A raid on a city? He thought, squinting towards the ground. Orcs and Trolls. Wonder what they're after? He wondered, beginning to dive towards the fight. The controlled decent turned into a steep tailspin. Nine times. He thought, grimacing. He tried in vain to regain control, but quickly realized that he was going to either crash or come very close.

He halted mere feet from the ground, touching down softly with an "I meant to do that" smile. Then, he looked up to see that most people were looking at him. The Orcs and Trolls seemed empowered by the appearence of a demon. Lucas rubbed his temples and drew a sword. Ah well. Nothing better to get the blood pumping than a fight, I suppose. He thought, before charging towards the nearest orc. A brief moment of silence passed before a sword poked out from the orc's chest. A troll was immolated by a hail of fire bolts. A different orc was standing over a cowering young boy, weapon raised. Just before it struck, a flash of metal struck the orc's neck, piercing to the windpipe and killing it instantly.

Then, a third orc he hadn't seen smashed him in the ribs with a club, sending him flying into a building. Clever, he thought as he set about mending his wounds. They do have some intelligence after all.

[Edynol]

Edynol looked to the polite man that volunteered. He had a really calm demeanor, it seemed. And he definitely wasn't fully human. Probably half demon, or maybe half dragon. But he seemed like a good guy. "Well, two volunteers just like that. Well, you are welcome to join. But just so you know..." Edynol was cut off by the sounds of screams and fighting outside. He looked at Jahren and the barkeeper grabbed a huge axe from under the bar. The two then followed Shadow outside.

Jahren let out a roar as he charged at an orc, his eyes had an intensity about them and the snarl on his face held the hint of a smile. It had been a while since he had used his axe, but he had lost none of his strength and prowess. The Barkeeper dispatched three orcs and a troll the first minute he was outside. He then saw someone get flung against a wall and went after the orc charging the fallen...demon? He cleaved the orc from shoulder to groin before it could reach the guy. He then offered Lucas a hand to help him up. "Are you alright?" Jahren asked.

Meanwhile, Edynol was dispatching orcs and trolls easily. Despite his average build, he swung the large claymore with ease and grace, it was almost as if he was dancing. He saw an orc going after a young woman and lopped its head off. He then wiped his blade off on its leather armor and slashed a troll from gut to neck in one fluid motion. He then went to the woman. "Get as many children you can and get them inside," he said in a calm voice. The woman nodded and ran to gather the scared children.

The sudden attack by trolls and orcs caught everyone by surprise, but the guards of Knotstrim were no pushovers and had quickly formed a defensive line, blocking off the rest of the town from the orcs and trolls. The guards were more than a match for the orcs, but there were so many, fatigue would wear them down before all the invaders were dead. But suddenly, a few dozen orcs and trolls went up in flames. Then others were frozen in ice and shattered by lightning. Edynol new that tactic, that style. He turned around and his eyes opened wide. "Anella? I mean, your Highness. What are you doing here?"

Anella Sareth-Ethran, the queen of Ethranar, and former traveling companion of Edynol's, stood there in her white battle-dress, her cold blue eyes as intense as ever and her aura shining bright. "You forget, Edy, that I am Vealian Mestai first, queen second," she said with smirk. "When Sister Kareena came to the palace with the news of an army in the Wastes, I came here right away. I had a feeling you would be here. You seem to have that knack for showing up just before we need you. The rest of army should be here in a few hours. I rode ahead to deliver the news. And if you call me Highness again, I'll knock you in the ear."

Edynol nodded. Anella was one of the very few living people that knew who he really was, and he trusted her completely. "Thank you, Anella. The guards can hold out til then. Especially with your help."

Anella then spoke in a whisper. "Why don't you, you know? You can make them all flee and never return." Edynol shook his head. "I can't reveal myself yet. Our mission requires subtlety. You know that." She nodded in agreement and Edynol went back to fighting the orcs and trolls as Anella blasted them from afar. After a few hours, when the reinforcements arrived, the invaders were finally driven back outside the gates. When they saw there was no chance of them winning that day, the orcs and trolls finally retreated back into the wastes.

Despite a few burned shops and houses, the town wasn't damaged much and there were only a few hundred casualties. Edynol had a few deep cuts on his arms and legs, but nothing a little healing wouldn't fix. Jahren had a long cut on his chest, but it wasn't too deep and would make a nice battle scar, which he liked. "You should get that healed by one of the priests," Edynol said to the large bartender as he leaned against the wall of the inn.

Jahren gave a bellowing laugh. "Nah. A few bandages will serve well enough. What's the point of winning a battle if you have nothing to show for it? Plus, I don't need to keep my skin pretty like you do."

Edynol laughed out loud with the man. "True, you can't really get much uglier than you already are." Jahren patted him on his sore shoulder as they both laughed and limped to a table inside the inn as Myra brought them both some hard ale.

The queen then entered the inn and threw a black cloth at Edynol before kneeling down to heal his wounds. "I found this on one of the orcs before they threw him on the burn pile."

Edynol looked at the cloth and there was a symbol on it, the mark of Deldranna. "This isn't good. If she has agent in the wastes bringing the Wastelanders back under her control, then word must be gotten to Eversong. I am headed to Tresnia soon and will bring word there."

Anella nodded as Jahren went to put up help wanted posters his wife made for volunteers to help Edynol. "I am going to Vealigarde at first light tomorrow," she said. "I'll convince High Seat Runeforge to send a few sisters there to warn the High Priestess." Edynol smiled and nodded as he took a sip of ale.

[Mattie2009]

Lucas grabbed Jahren's hand, allowing himself to be pulled to his feet. "Thanks," He nodded, throwing his sword. The blade impacted with an orc, striking it between the eyes. "Appreciate it." He said, before running off to collect his weapon.

Later, he walked tenatively into the inn, slumping wearily into a seat. His wings- well, wing settled over the back of the chair. It had been a long time since he'd been in a city for more than a few hours, let alone fought in one for that long. He ordered some ale, and was soon drinking. As he drank, he heard snippets of information here and there. Most of it useless; hearsay from drunks. One thing particularly caught his attention, though: talk of Deldranna. It was hard to pick up over the relentless waves of chatter, but he heard enough.

She's the reason behind this attack, eh? Come to mention it, the symbols on the armor of those orcs looked suspiciously similar. Evil Demons recruiting the race second most likely to be immediately seen as evil. Go figure. It's like a giant daisy-chain of stupid. He thought as he drank.

[Fayn]

Shadow easily dispatched a dozen more orcs and trolls before the gaurds got the upper hand and pushed them out of the town. Shadow frowned at the turn of events. He wanted more blood to spill and everyone was taking all the fun. He let out a sigh and slashed a orc across the throat as it tried to run by as an after thought.

Wiping his blades in the air to free his blades of blood, he put them in the sheaths. His keen elf ears picked up the conversion with Anella and Edynol, he listened in, tilted his head cerously as he heard the famous Queen say that Edynol could easily make them all leave. Though that was all he could make of it, he lifted his eyebrow. It would seem this human was more then met the eye. Shadow keep note of it and followed them into the bar.

Shadow walked silently up beside Edynol as he spook to the Queen. He spotted the man with the one wing and tilted his head slightly at the odd sight, but shrugged. He folded his arms across his chest and eyed Anella sourly with his one bright blue and one bright green eye, a slight scowl crossing his face. He hated royals, You still got me Edynol." He said his name slightly drawn out, then as an after thought yawned.

[enaz]

Lix was able to gain enough energy back to where he was able to fight back the orcs and trolls. The battle was one sided at first but slowly turned in his favor, to where they held out long enough till reinforcements arrived. After the battle was over he absorbed all of the dead orcs and trolls energy into him. He felt stronger, and he stored the leftovers into the stone in his ring.

Once back in the town he walked into the Inn and ordered some ale, he downed the mug in one gulp and walked towards the owner Jahren and the other people who stood around the table. "I thank you for all for your help, that was just to many for me to handle alone." He set a sack on the table filled with coins and walked back to the bar and ordered another ale. He felt horrible by how he hadn't stopped all the orcs, and trolls even though he knew he was just one person. He drank the next ale slowly, and enjoyed it.

[Pidge]

Jai had smiled when Edynol had accepted him until he heard the screams. He too had dashed out into the streets. So many trolls and orcs. It was a shame.

Jai chose to fight from his human form, dispatching the enemies with wind splicing techniques, they never saw it coming. He simply had to walk, or run, around and attack. Simple. He dispatched many many trolls and orcs without getting his hands dirty, until he saw one chasing a small girl. As the orc caught her Jai sprung. Using his hand like a blade he chopped the orcs head off and caught the girl as the monster fell. Setting her on her feet he smiled and told her to run. His attack had been a speacialty of his. It envolved using a wind splice controled by his hand. Wind splicing in general could be a bit erratic. This way he hadn't run the risk of injuring the girl. His hand was now soaked in blood but that wasnt an issue for him.

About then the Guards gained the upper hand, then reinforcements had arrived. With the battle ending Jai began retracing his steps to the inn. After a bit he found it and walked in. The others seemed to have already arrived and were enjoying some after battle drinks. It also seemed some new faces had appeared. One of these faces was that of the queen of Ethranar, who happened to be at the table with his new acquaintence Edynol. This interested the dragon but he decided not to inquire how the two knew one another.

As he walked up Jai gave a friendly smile and heard Shadow mention that Edynol still had him. He figured the elf meant as a volenteer and chose to speak up then.

"I too am still available." He continued to smile and added "Greetings Madam Anella." He inclined his head politely. There were rumors the queen disliked being addressed as your Highness and such, but Jai hoped he had been proper enough.

[Edynol]

Edynol acknowledged everyone who spoke to him. "Thank you," he said to Shadow and Jai. "I am glad to have you. You did well." He then turned to Lix. "Thanks for your help as well, stranger. You should join us up north. We'll be escorting a caravan train to Tresnia to protect them from what we just fought." He then turned to the queen. "You should get going as soon as you've rested. The High Seat will want to..."

He was cut off when Anella put a finger over his lips. "Shush. It's been three years. You will not just dismiss me so. Is that understood?"

Edynol sighed as he hung his head, then spoke in a whisper. "You know what is happening. This is more important than..."

He was cut off again when she raised a hand. "Do not portray me as naive, Edynol," she said, raising her voice. "I know I must head out with the dawn. My plans have not changed and I do not expect you to change yours." She put a hand on Edynol's cheek and spoke softer now. "Why keep this masquerade going. Do you honestly think there's a soul in this land that doesn't know about our past?"

Edynol looked at everyone around them and sighed again. "We will be leaving at first light. If yall are coming, having everything ready by then. I thank you again for all your help." He then stood up and went upstairs to his room, where Anella followed. Whispers could be heard all around the room.

When they reached the room, the next thing Edynol saw was Anella's hand comming full force t his face. He chose not to block it. "I am not some trifle you can just play with and forget about! I will not have it!"

Edynol rubbed his cheek as he spoke. "You know it's not like that, Anella. You know it! The line has to be kept taught! Your marriage is the only thing that ties the Vealian to Ethranar. With out that, the other kingdoms would not so amiable to lending support here. And if the West falls, the rest of southern kingdoms won't be far behind. We cannot risk just for the sake of our feelings."

"What risk," Anella said in almost a snarl. "Gareth holds no feelings for me, he has never even touched me. Not even to consummate the marriage! He loves Jennaeve, and he has no reservations about sneaking her into the palace. He's a good man, and knows what this marriage is all about. He told me he didn't want to keep me from the one I loved. He sees our marriage as nothing more than a clause in a contract, which is true."

Edynol hung his head for a moment before looking at her. "I know. I just don't want...I'll still be here long after you're gone. Long after your greatest grandchildren. I can't..."

He was cut off again with a finger. "Do you think you will miss me less if we never..." Edynol shook his head reluctantly. "Would it hurt less? No, it wouldn't. So why not use the time we have to make some happy memories in this eternity of existence?" Edynol thought for a moment, then finally gave in.

The next morning, Anella was gone. Edynol expected as much, she was always early to rise. He got dressed and packed up his small bag before heading down to the barroom for some breakfast. The sky was still dark, so there was plenty of time to eat before sunrise as he waited on whoever would join him. Hopefully the posters around town would bring in more volunteers.

[notsolucky]

The previous night

Umbra was in the inn, she was disguised as a human beggar woman, as she had been for the past few weeks. she was sitting at one of the closer tables to the barkeeper but it was still far enough out of the way that it wouldn't get instantly noticed. She was drinking some tea when a man who was friends with the barkeep walked in and started talking business. the barkeep passed him a note and mentioned something about a caravan. This only remotely interested Umbra as she kept drinking her tea and continued only somewhat eavesdropping into there conversation.

Not long after that an elf, who was fairly good at killing Umbras' people, joined the man and the barkeep in conversation. Things were starting to look dangerous for her to remain in the inn. If she were found out she would be dead for sure. She considered leaving, but the second she started standing up the elf at the bar grinned and tapped his sword.

Did he know?
is he going to kill me if try and escape?

She calmly sat back down and dismissed the incident as coincidence.

Right when Umbra felt safe enough to drink some more in peace, a chill ran down her spine. Not but 4 feet from her was a dragon coming down to eat. Umbra knew Dragons behaviorism and scents, this fragile looking person was a dragon. She unhooked the dragon teeth necklace that was around her neck and slid it down her shirt, hoping that the dragon didn't notice. The dragon joined in conversation with the others and didn't even see Umbra.

Now Umbra was surrounded by almost every kind of enemy imaginable and her fight or flight tendency kicked in, and she was going to make a run for it when the city conveniently came under attack...

Half of the inn ran outside to help, and Umbra was able to escape unscathed.

Something big was happening.

"I must return to Kwan'tiv, only there will i be able to talk to HER and see if this is HER doing... If she is running about I could get all the power I've always desired."

[Mattie2009]

Lucas was sitting at a nearby table, scanning the poster that he'd taken. Well, I can't say that it doesn't seem interesting. He thought about it briefly, then looked around for Edynol. Well, he's the one who has his name on the poster. It makes sense that he's the guy I need to ask. He thought, his eyes finding the man who had been talking about Deldranna. Seems similar enough.

Lucas dropped into a seat at placing the poster on the table in front of him. "I take it you're Edynol?" He asked. "I'm here about the help wanted thing." He continued, barely waiting for an answer. I doubt he'll let me join. "Well, if you'll let me." He sighed, looking directly at Edynol.

[Pidge]

Jai blinked as the Queen and Edynol left together. Now that was truely interesting.

Deciding to try and relax the rest of the night before he slept again, Jai finally ordered his meal and ate at the bar enjoying his surroundings and mild talks with the other patrons of the establishment. Jai stayed up fairly late. Since he had slept for most of the day he wouldnt need a terrible long rest tonight. Finally he excused himself to his own room.

The rooms were just big enough that a small dragon such as himself could revert to his dragon form and curl up to sleep. It was always more comfortable for him that way. He never understood why but it was. Stretching his wings as far as the room would allow, he fell into a content little sleep.

Waking the next morning before dawn, Jai took his time stare out the window and watch the early risers of the city. It was always interesting to watch others. At one point he thought he saw a familier female figure slipping away in the pre-dawn hours but he couldnt be sure. Finally rising he took on his human appearence and wandered down to the bar again.

One of the men from the previous night was looking over a poster. No one else was present. Sitting at a table he ordered some food again, it was smart to eat well while he could. Moments later Edynol arrived and the man with the Flyer approched him to discuss the mission. It looked as though the man was demon of sorts. It was odd, but Jai wasn't judgmental. It seemed no one had noticed him yet and he didn't mind. He would gladly stay at his little table until everyone began to head out. He liked to have his mornings to think.

[Fayn]

Shadow eyed Edynol and the Queen suspiciously as they went up stairs. I need to keep a close eye on that man, he thought to him self. Shadow was always suspicious. Some people would call him paranoid if they knew his real thoughts. Though no one ever got that close with out feeling his blades first. His paranoia keep him alive this long. He wanted to follow and eavesdrop on there conversation, but thought better of it. He would keep his distance, for now.

After he got a room he set a few home-made traps around his room and at the door. Shadow never left anything to chance. After he went to sleep with one eye closed he awoke before the sun was even over the horizon. He disassembled his traps then headed for down stairs. As his silent foot falls went down the usually creaky stairs of the inn, he saw a figure run out. His eyes squinted suspiciously, but just shrugged not caring to investigate further. He saw the strange man, no more then a boy Shadow thought as he eyed Jai from behind. He knew that the boy was more then he seemed. He walked over to Edynol and gave him a curt nod before sitting a few seats away, ordering his own breakfast.

[Edynol]

Edynol looked around to all who had gathered and nodded in approval. There looked to be about twenty, including some town guards and Grimwal Thunderhammer, a stought dwarf and the town blacksmith. "Grimwal, you're coming? What about the forge?"

Grimwal tapped the hilt of his large sledge hammer in the floor. "Aye! My apprentice will watch over things. Marlin will be opening up his own forge once he gets enough coin now, and this will give him some practice without me their looking over the lad's shoulder. Plus I've been meaning to go Tresnia for a few months now."

Edynol nodded and walked outside the inn, where his horse was waiting, a large black stallion with a saddle but no bit. The marchant train was just now arriving from the southern gate and Edynol hopped on Jexus just as the inn keeper ran. "Master Edynol! I had almost forgot," she said handing him a note.

Edynol read the note and frowned as he shook his head. "Dumb, foolish, hard-headed...Women! Have they no sense at all?" Myra raised an eyebrow at him and Edy huffed. "Oh don't look at me like that. You know what I mean." She smiled and 'tsked' as she shook her head before returning to the inn. Edynol sighed as the crumpled up the note and stuck it in his pocket. When the carvans approached the northern gate, Edynol looked around. "Okay everyone be on the look out! We only stop at mid-day and at night until we reach Evergreen. No wondering off, stay with the train. If you get yourself killed, it's your own fault." He then rode foreward as the gates opened.

[Pidge]

By the time they left there was a rather nice gathering of volenteers. It impressed Jai to be perfectly honest. He followed Edynol outside where the man mounted a horse and, after giving a short little speach about not killing yourself, rode to the gates as they were opening into the dawn light. The mechant train had gathered and fallowed as other volenteers took up positions alongside. Some rode some walked.

Since Jai seemed to have issues with horses, he believed they picked up on his dragon nature and assumed they were prey, he chose to walk. He could fly if he wanted to, but he still held and air of secrecy around him which he prefered to keep. Jai seemed like a misfit amongst the rough and ready bunch around him. No visible weapons, fragile, pale, he truely looked harmless. His appearence earned him quite a few odd looks as they started out, and Jai couldnt help but smile about it.

[Fayn]

Shadow could not finish his meal thanks to the smelly dwarf. He eyeballed Grimwal with displeasure. He pushed his plate aside and stood up, following Edynol outside. He yawned boredly as he mounted his black stallion. His horse on the other hand was in high spirits, huffing and puffing with excitement. He easily handled the animal as he rode forward behind and to the right of Edynol, only smirking slightly as he gave his speech about dieing. Perhaps this would be interesting after all.

[Mattie2009]

Lucas was in the air, hovering a few feet off of the ground as he looked over the group. Nice bunch of people. He thought. It's gonna be hard to keep pace with these guys. He frowned, trying not to pull too far ahead. Maybe I should just sit on top of the caravan? He wondered, trying to keep level. It'd be easier on me, and less stupid-looking for everyone else.

He seemed out of place; a wolf amongst sheep. It was easy to see why his presence would put people on edge, to say nothing of what would happen when they reached their destination. No doubt he would be regarded with suspision at the very least, if not attacked outright. He had a few questions for Edynol, too, but decided to keep them for later.

[Edynol]

Edynol ride at the front as the caravan train exited the city. A few of the bowmen picked up stray arrows that littered the ground that were still usable while other picked up weapons and weapon parts and brought them to Grimwal's small wagon. The wastelander's weapons were crude and those that weren't broken were of poor quality, but the metal could be melted down or reshaped into better weapons. He also took scraps and damaged pieces of armor. Though he was more of a weaponsmith than an armorsmith, he still did a decent job repairing or piecing together armor.

Everyone was wary and watchful, more conscerned with orcs and trolls than with the intense heat of the waste which was already rising in the early morning. Every few hours, Edynol rode a head with a few others to scout the area, but remained in sight of the train. A few cordons circled the air above. They would attack the train, but if anyone was foolish enough to wonder off too far, they'd quickly take advantage. Cordons weren't normaly so savage, mostly relying fruit and smaller prey, but here in the wastes, they'd eat just about anything. And they were one of the smallest of the many dangers of the Anthar Wastes.

A few hours into the trip, there was a loud noise in the distance as sand blew up into the air like a gyser. Grimwal growled and jumped of his wagon, saying, "I'll take care of this 'n," before feeling the ground. He then ran a few yards out and slammed his hammer to the ground, a slight vibration could be felt by those close by. Suddenly, a yellowish-orange liquid soaked up through the ground. "Blasted worms," Grimwal rumbled before heading back to his wagon.

The rest of the morning was pretty uneventful as they reached the first resting spot to eat and rest the horses. There were a few troll skulls impaled on pikes in the ground around the area. It seemed to be a ward of somekind.

*Lucas: You start to feel a bit uneasy when you come around the skulls, but nothing major.*

Edynol walks out to the middle of the camp and calls for everyone's attention. "I need seven people! We're going to scout around for a good distance. I need one to go East with me, and two more in each other direction. If you see anything that pose a problem, come back here right away, otherwise, be back in an hour." Edynol looked at Lucas and pointed. "Hey you, I could use an higher point of view out east. Wanna come along with me?"

[Mask]

The day before, as the battle was won an elf by the name of Syth stepped out of the edge of the woods.

"What just happened here?" Syth said to himself, orcs and trolls running out of the gates and back into the woods opposite of him. He saw the army enter the city just after they left. He was tired from traveling, he left the last town quickly and had to flee from their guards but he got enought money that he could go on without having to steal for a bit. The army made him nervous, he hoped they weren't there to catch him, if they needed an army to do that then he had no way to run. He couldn't keep going on to the next place he found. He needed to rest now so he took the chance and headed into the town.

The guards at the gate was more busy repairing stuff then watching and sceening who came in and out, it was easy to slip past without notice so he did. A few building and outdoor merchant stalls were destroyed but not much damage, they just got the fires to die out in two of them. Syth wondered how they even made it into the city. There was a large number but they didn't do much besides the little damage done here. He saw a group of people go into an Inn, then someone come back out and started putting up fliers. He waited for him to go back inside after putting them up then moved close enough to read one.

Escorting a merchant caravan. Seems easy enough and it will get me away form the army here. He moved closer to the flier and pulled it off of the wall. He decided not to stay at the Inn were the man came from, instead he went to a smaller Inn with just a simple bed in a small room. Just fine to spend the night in before he joined up with the people in the morning.

He left Ciph outside the city in the forest, he usually did when he went into places like this, ones he wasn't sure would be safe to bring the small primate. He didn't want to get caught and Ciph be put in some strange place, he will visit him in the morning like he always does while he starts his early morning ritual. He was so tired when he got to his room that he just took off his boots and coat and laid on the bed and fell asleep.

The next morning he left the Inn and city hours before anyone would be up. The guards were asleep at their posts so he just walked past th gates going into the forest to call for Ciph, who was probably still alseep or just waking up. "Hey Ciph you there?" Syth shouted, not soon after Ciph landed with a thump on Syth's shoulder. "Hey buddy." he gave Ciph a little pat on the head. Ciph yawned and hopped down on the ground next to Syth. Syth sat down crosslegged and for the next hour he spent his time in meditation absorbed in nature's power. He has to do this every day so he can use his nature magic, normally he doesn't need it but he does this anyway out of habit. Ciph never messed with him, he usually just went back to sleep during it like he did this time.

After he broke out of his meditation he picked up Ciph and headed back to town hiding him in his bag. "Keep quiet untill we get back out of town then I'll let you out ok?" Ciph nodded and kept silent. In the Sword and Border Inn, he waited for everyone to show up, eating some light breakfest leaving the fruit he ordered untouched for Ciph. Edynol showed up and gave them all a speech, his orders were simple enough.

He bought a wide brimmed hat before they left the town, instead of walking he rode on one of the merchant's wagons. When they stopped in the middle of the hot wastelands, Edynol asked for scouts, and for a reason he didn't quite know, Syth volunteered. "I can help scout, I have sharp eyes."

[Mattie2009]

Lucas nodded, stretching his wings to their full length. "Sure." He said, happy to get away from the mounted skulls-on-spears. In truth, he was rather suspicious that he had been specifically asked to go with Edynol, but he locked those suspicions away for now. Besides, maybe this would be a good time to ask. The problem lied in Edynol's unreadability. Lucas had no idea whether he wanted to use him as a scout or stab him without panicking the rest of the group. Lucas began to get some height as he followed Edynol west, half out of suspicion and half out of wanting to be sure that nothing was trying to get the drop on both of them.

[Pidge]

When asked for volenteers Jai spoke up. "I dont mind scouting to the south to make sure any of remaining trolls and orcs from yesterday aren't fallowing us."

When Edynol and Lucas headed out he peered around for a partner. "Would anyone like to acompany me?" A few people refused right away, not wanted to back-track into possibly dangerous terrirtory with someone who seemed so weak. In fact not that many people had volenteered at all so far. The only other person who had was an elf he had yet to be aquainted with.

"I could use an extra pair of sharp eyes." he started approaching the elf and extending one pale hand. "The name is Jai. I believe we haven't met yet." Giving an easy friendly smile.

[Fayn]

Shadow's two different colored eyes squinted as Edynol asked for scouts. Then he heard Jai say he needed some sharp eyes. He tilted his head back to him, thinking he was speaking to him, but noticed a different elf was there and shrugged. Before Edynol walked away he nudged him on the shoulder, "Witch way should I go?" He asked simply with slight boredom in his voice.

[Edynol]

Before leaving, edynol was approached by Shadow, who asked which way he should go. "Well, looks like we have people for every direction except west. There is probably not there except the ocean a few leagues away, but we can never be too certain."

"'Ey! I'll go west as well, I guess," came the voice of a female dwarf name Grettin. She was young for a dwarf, had green eyes and dark red hair tied back into two braids. "I suppose I could put up with wiry lil' elf for a while." She gives Shadow a good nudge as she walks past him. "Hurry along now, I can't have you slowin' meh down."

*Shadow: When you go west, you'll find a discarged metal box. It looks completely rusted and liable to fall apart at the slightest touch, but no matter how hard you try, you won't be able to open. It has a silver lock that's in perfect condition but instead of a keyhole, there is a rune on the lock. Maybe someone at the train could open it.*

To the south, nothing can be found but a few bones and skulls, but some howls can be heard from the south-east.

To the east, some smoke can be seen in the distance. Edynol calls up to Lucas, "Hey can you see who's making that smoke?" Edynol guessed it was a camp site set up by some of the orcs and trolls that fled the city, but it could easily be a group of firelizards cooking some prey or any number of other things in the wastes.

[Fayn]

Shadow sighed loudly at the sight of the Dwarf. Not another one! He thought as she then bumped him. He scowled at her, from her touch, "Don't touch me again..." He simply stated as he ran past her, no sound coming form the stealthy Elf as he did, "And don't you slow me down, Dwarf." He leaped over some boulders and around some trees, finally coming to a stop as he saw something gleaming off the sun, half buried in the dirt. Shadow bent down and pulled it out gently, it looked old. He tried opening it a few different ways to no avail, "Hmmm...magic must hold this shut..." As he noticed the ruin. He stood back up and walked back to the camp, perhaps he could find some one to open it. Shadow completely ignores the Dwarf that was following him. As soon as he got there he held it up, "Anyone think they can open this?" He asked loudly so all could hear.

[Mask]

Syth hopped down from the side of the merchant's wagon and walked over to Jai. He smiled back and shook Jai's hand, "I'm Syth and sure I'll go with you."

He headed off to the south with Jai, leaving Ciph in his bag on the merchant's wagon since he was asleep. He was thinking about showing him to everyone soon, he didn't like keeping Ciph cooped up like that for too long. He didn't see anything supicious other then an odd amount of bones and skulls.

He then heard howls from some kind of animal or think to the southeast. "Jai, want to go see what that is or just report back to the others?"

[Pidge]

Jai nodded when Syth introduced himself and the two set out. They had wandered about the southern area behind them for a bit. Lots of bones and skulls about but nothing too unusual. It was a quiet patrol until the howling started up towards the southeast.

He listened for a moment until he was fairly certain that all they were hearing was a pack of some harmless creatures in the distance. The howls were beautiful but nothing to fear.

"I think it would be fine to just report back Syth. I dont think the howling is anything to worry about." About then another spout of dust and sand like the one they had seen earlier was seen a ways off. "That could be trouble though. The worms seem to run rampant around here."

About then the sand moved near them and Jai blasted the area with a whirl wind. Sand blew around and the worm was tossed a bit before being sliced up. Sighing as he looked at the dead worm he shook his head. "Poor things, so hungry. I guess lets go." Not giving Syth any time to ask about his wind abilities.

Walking back to the merchant train, Jai first noticed the elf Shadow with what looked like a metal box. He was asking if anyone could open it, which prompted the question of why the elf couldnt open it himself. Jai decided he would wait and see what would happen. He didnt see Edynol yet so there wasnt anyone official to report to at the moment anyway. Besides all they had found was another worm.

[Edynol]

When Show asks about opening the box, Grimwal walks over and looks at it. "Hmm. Aye, I can open it for ye. Come to meh wagon right quick fella'." When he gets to his wagon, a grabs a small metal rod with a pointed tip. "Aye, this is a word rune, easy enough to open." He then traces the rod along the rune and mumbles a few strange words in a whisper. Suddenly, the lock pops open and the rusty box falls apart in Shadow's hands. Left in Shadow's hands are seven rings and a necklace. They all appear to be normal jewly, though finely crafted, except one of the rings has a blue stone that seems to glow. The ring is engraved with the name Jorstin Rholl VII.

Grimwal grunts when he sees the blue stone. "Hmm. Be careful with magic rings, never know what might happen if ye put one on. I'd ask around to see if anyone might recognize it or find an arcanist or something to figure out what it does."

After about half an hour, Edynol comes back on his horse. "There's a small camp of orcs to the west, but they shouldn't be a bother to us. No use fighting unless we have to, don't wanna risk bringing more down on us. There are only a dozen or so, so if they are stupid enough to come after us, they will be easily dealt with." He then gives the signal and the train starts moving again. The rest of the day and the next went smoothely, only a few stray waste hounds, large, jackel-like dogs, and a few desperate cordons attacked, but disposed of and used for fur and food.

After about half a week, just before sunset, baldes of green grass can be seen on the ground spread out really thin. "We are about half a day away from Evergreen, at the speed were are moving." It would normally be only about six to eight hours, but trains move really slow. "Let's set up camp here for tonight. Normally, there would be no need for a watch this close to Evergreen, but after the past week, I don't wanna take any chances. I'll help with the 1st and 4th watch."

[Mattie2009]

Lucas stretched, his wings extending to full length. "It doesn't seem that far. I could probably teleport over there if I wanted." He muttered to himself, leaping off the top of the wagon. His eyes were beginning to glow an eerie red in the dim light. "I'll probably be up for most of the night, so if anyone wants my help with watch, just ask." He said, sitting by one of the wagons and pulling out a flute. He noticed some odd stares from some people as he cleaned the instrument. "What?" He asked, shrugging. "Demon's gotta have something to do. Sharpening your sword, brooding and practicing evil laughs only take up so much of your day." He said, each word dripping with sarcasm.

[Mask]

Syth nodded back to Jai figuring it was nothing too. The way Jai handled the worm made him wonder if he was a mage or something, but he didn't really ask because it wasn't his business. He took a few seconds to stretch before jogging to catch up to jai on their way back to the convoy. Good thing that there wasn't anything following them. When they reached the band of merchant wagons Syth let Jai report in while he went to see how Ciph was doing.

Instead of leaving Ciph in his bag, he pulled him out of it and fed him some dried fruit. Over the next few days he didn't bother hiding Ciph from anyone. He felt better just letting him be free and roam around. Ciph occasionally got into trouble, but nothing too major almost everyone got used to him being around.

When they stopped just before they reached their destination, Syth sort of questioned how easy it has been getting here. It didn't seem too right, but he didn't voice those supicions to anyone. "I guess I can take one of the watches if you need me too. Not really tired." he said to Edynol.

[Fayn]

Shadow pocketed the rings. As they traveled he asked people in the group if they could recognize what the blue glowing ring could do. He hoped it was something that could be useful to him. As they came to a stop and Ed mentioned taking watch he walked up to him and showed him the ring with the engraved name of Jorstin Rholl VII, "Do you happen to recognize this? I found it when I went scouting. Dwarf said not to put it on unless I knew what the bloody thing does." Shadow kept his one blue eye and one green eye peeled, he felt some what uneasy due to not testing his blades against trolls and orcs.

[Pidge]

Unknown to most of the group Jai had been keeping watch for most of time he traveled. The dragon was unusually wrestless on the wastes for some reason. He didnt think it stemed from the typical dangers either, but he didnt know what exactly had been bothering him.

Instead of offering his help with the watch he decided he would simply stay up for the night like he had during the rest of their trip. Everyone who had taken a watch shift knew the little dragon liked to lurk about. He was positive Edynol knew by now. In fact he had kept some of the watchmen company on a night or two.

As he watched to see who else would volenteer for the watch, he noticed Shadow talking personally with Edynol. He also spotted the blue gleam of the ring. So the elf had decided to ask Edynol about it finally. He had spotted the elf asking about a few times, this had the potential to be interesting. He wasnt sure where the ring had come from but he guessed it had been found in the rusty box from a few days earlier.

A few days....at the thought Jai had the urge to revert to his dragon form and stretch his wings, he even felt he could trust most of his companions, but not yet. He was still nervous about revealing what he was. It was the one thing he truely kept secret for personal reasons.

[Edynol]

Edynol went over to Lucas and patted him on the shoulder, chuckling slightly. He then handed him a small jug of ale he got back in Knotstrim. "Try reciting some poetry. That'll really send their heads spinning." Edynol then pulled a small scroll from his pocket. "Here. I got this from another demon some years back. It's a scroll of transformation for appearing human. Tresnia isn't too friendly with demons. Study it and return it to me when you have it memorized."

He then went to his watch post and was approached by Shadow, who asked him about a ring. Edynol looked at it and tapped the stone with his finger. "Hmm. I don't know much about the arcane, but I am familiar with the Rholl family. They were priests of the Vealian Mestai before the fall of Anthar, but the line of priests ended centuries ago, though the family line still exists. I believe this ring allows the wearer to recover from wounds faster or it may amplify healing abilities. It wouldn't be cursed though, I know that much."

Edynol started building a small fire for watch and unsaddled his horse. He scratches Jexus' ears then says, "go take a run old friend." The horse then rides off into the night, seeming to vanish into the darkness beyond. Edynol then looks back at Shadow. "He'll be back. He gets edgey if he isn't allowed to run every now and then. We're not used to moving at a slow paces as this."

[Mattie2009]

Lucas read the scroll through, recognising the words immediately. He began to speak, the words flowing from his lips like water. Magical energy began to wrap around him, slowly obscuring his form. After a few seconds, the blue glow bound his wings, dissolving them from view. Eventually, the glow faded, leaving him wingless and little worse for wear otherwise. For all intents and purposes, he was human. His eyes remained the same, however. "Ah yes, the flaw of most transformation scrolls. It shouldn't be too hard to hide, though. The glowy thing only happens at night, and I doubt people will be looking at my eyes." He said, examining his back. "I feel lighter." He muttered, dispelling the illusion with a few more words. "If anyone there can somehow sense demons, we're all gonna be in trouble." He said, leaning back against the caravan. "It could be worse. I somehow got my hands on a cursed transformation scroll that turned its user into the opposite gender and couldn't be removed by normal means. I didn't know what it was at the time. That was a fun two months." He said, closing the scroll. "I sold it to a thief a few weeks later." He chuckled, passing the scroll back to Edynol.

[Fayn]

Shadow's keen eyes followed the horse for a moment then turned around, walking back to camp. Shadow raised his hand and waved behind him, "I prefer a faster pace as well. This caravan moves to slow." He then put the glowing ring on, hoping it would be useful. Shadow walked up to a tree, near the edge of camp, and ran up it with ease. He then swung under a thick branch to land softly with out a sound on the top of it. Shadow yawned bored, and leaned his back against the trunk, leaving one eye open as he slept, as always.

[Edynol]

Edynol laughed as he listened to Lucas, always enjoying a funny story. "That reminds me of the time a friend of mine was making a potion to make a girl fall in love with him, but it workled a little too well." Edy chuckled at the memory. "Every female, human and animal alike, gave him no peace for a week. Lucky for him he managed to get the girl he wanted and fleed the town.He won't ever go back there again I think. As far as I know, the potion is still in effect over those people, but won't affect anyone new."

Suddenly, the branch Shadow was sleeping on broke and fell to the ground. Aside from evergreen, the few trees left standing in the wastes were rotten and useless except for firewood. Edynol let out a chuckle. "The trees aren't very friendly out here, even to elves." A few of the others in the camp were also giggling. But luckly, Shadow felt no pain from the fall.

Out of seemingly nowhere, a loud roar could be heard high in the sky followed by the terrified screech of a cordon that was cut off half-way through, and a sudden feeling of dread passed over everyone. Whatever it was couldn't be seen though. Edynol looked up and grunted as a few feathers fell from the sky along with a few small drops of blood. "Be sure to watch the skies as well everyone. Have a good night's rest." Edynol then took a puff from his pipe.

[Jinxed]

Lanella Tyren stifled a yawn as she walked. Darkness had fallen, and any sane traveller would be holed up somewhere out of sight, resting. But she didn't want to stop moving. Sure, it was stupid and dangerous to be travelling at night, but as close as she was to the Anthar Wastes, it was equally as stupid to be travelling during the day. Her eyes had adjusted to the darkness, and her black cloak helped her to blend in to the shadows. It wouldn't fool any creatures of the night, but it made her feel a little better anyway. Her senses were on alert, in case anything did try to attack her, but for the time being, all was quiet.

Lanella had been staying in Tresnia, learning about the mountains from the dwarves there. She was curious as to how caves and caverns naturally formed, and how the dwarves had become so skilled in developing them. Tresnia itself was a wonder, built halfway into a mountain. She loved it there... But it was wanting for supplies. Rumors were spreading of trolls and orcs attacking travellers, and many believed those rumors... Fewer and fewer merchants were making it across the Wastes alive.

Because of such rumors, Lanella had decided to investigate, to make her way to the Wastes and find out exactly what was going on. And, perhaps, try to help anyone that was travelling across the Wastes, if they were having trouble.

She had left Tresnia about a week ago, after a hefty breakfast and a pat on the back from one of her friends, the owner of a small inn on the outskirts of Tresnia. Knowing very well how long it took to travel across the wastes, Lanella wanted to get as close to the wastes as she could that night, before embarking on her journey across them, especially considering that she had stopped in a few small towns to see what they had heard about happenings in the Anthar Wastes. None of it was good.

Lanella was on the brink of stopping for the night, when she heard the screech of a cordon. Looking around, there was nowhere for her to take shelter. She could only hope that the cordon had been enough of a meal for whatever had eaten it...

After another few steps, Lanella found that she wanted to slap herself. Not far from where she was standing, there seemed to be... a camp? Perhaps someone had made it across the wastes, or was just starting their journey. Or, of course, they could be trolls. Or orcs... Lanella decided to approach the camp quietly, until she could see what she was dealing with. And that was just what she did, sticking to the fringes of darkness around the camp until she conclusively decided it would be relatively safe to approach the people there. No orcs, or trolls... Maybe they knew something about what was going on in the Wastes. Well aware that sneaking up on the camp would be stupid and probably end up with someone mistaking her as an enemy, Lanella decided to say something to bring attention to herself.
"Um, hello there!" She raised her hands to show she was no enemy as she stepped into the light. "Might I ask where you all are headed?"

[Edynol]

As his horse came running back to the camp like the Devil himself was chasing him, probably spooked by the loud roar, Edynol heard someone yelling. It was a woman, asking where they were headed. A few of the guards on watch had their weapons half drawn and ready for attack, but Edynol waved a hand at them. "At ease guys," he said in a calm voice. He then walked over to the woman. "It's dangerous out here alone. You are lucky to be alive traveling this far alone. We are headed for Tresnia, me and a few volunteers are escorting this train so Tresnia can get the supplies it needs."

Some howling could be heard in the distance as small breeze came through the camp, the cold air giving most of the people goosebumps. "You are welcome to camp with us tonight, and if you're smart, you should travel with us to Tresnia. The orcs and trolls have been working together for some reason, and the wastes are more dangerous than ever. We'll be stopping at Evergreen tomorrow." He then motion for her to follow. "My name is Edynol. I am leading this expedition. Try not to cause any trouble or steal anything and we'll be on good terms. Otherwise, during times like these, I have no issue tying a woman up for the next hungry beast that comes along."

Edynol was silent for a few seconds before speaking again. "Forgive my rough manner. I didn't say that to sound mean or vindictive, just as a word of caution. I have traveled these wastes many times and had run-ins with women as innocent looking as you that turned out to be as vile as any orc or troll out here." He then offered the woman a peechplum to eat as a sign of good will.

[Jinxed]

Lanella couldn't help but chuckle as the man commented about it being dangerous. But otherwise she kept quiet, listening to him as he spoke, and following him when he indicated that she should. She took the peechplum when he offered, but didn't yet eat any of it.

"Well, first of all, it's nice to meet you Edynol. My name is Lanella." The cold breeze had stirred her hair, and she regretted not tying it up in a bun. Nonetheless, she left her hood down, considering it rather rude to pull it up in the middle of talking to someone. She ignored the goosebumps that ran down the back of her neck, and continued speaking. "And I completely understand your precaution. After all, it is dangerous out here." Lanella grinned and laughed a little, as if to an inside joke that only she understood. "I assure you, I am used to travelling alone, and I can handle myself... But I would be happy to join you, if you're sure it isn't a problem. You see, I came here from Tresnia to find out exactly what was going on out here in the Wastes. You don't know how glad I am to see a merchant expedition that has gotten across succesfully... Tresnia is wanting for supplies, with so few people getting there."

Lanella paused thoughtfully for a moment, going over in her head what he had said, and matching it up with the rumors that were circulating. "The trolls and orcs really are working together? I was hoping that was one of the more viscious rumors... That isn't a problem so easily solved as... say, a few rampant Burrow Worms." She rubbed her chin (a habit when she was thinking) and seemed to be looking past Edynol for a moment, a troubled look on her face. But then she looked back to him, smiling. "Well, nothing we can do about it at the moment." She grinned, and took a small bite of the peechplum, considering that it wasn't a very big fruit. "Oh, and don't worry. I'm not interested in stealing anything. And... I'm much prettier than any orc, inside and out." She laughed, and didn't consider the comment too vain. It wasn't very hard to be nicer than an orc.

[Edynol]

Edynol let out a chuckle, the woman seemed to be good company. "Well, a wise man once said one should always be wary of a pretty face and sweet tongue," he said with a wink and a small laugh. "Come, you may share my fire if you wish. I'll be on first and last watch, so if you want to get some sleep, I won't be around much to disturb you." When they reach his little camping spot, he took a small dagger from his saddle bag on the ground and stuck it in his belt, just in case.

"I have plenty of water and dry meat, if you want. We'll be restocking at Evergreen so feel free to help yourself. I'll be watching the east if you need anything. Most of the others might not be to friendly to a stranger who shows up in the middle of the wastes, so just keep your head down for a day or two 'til they get use to you. If you can help tend to any sick or injured though, you'll make fast friends. If not, everyone tries to help out one way or another." He then turned and headed back to his watch post.

[Fayn]

Shadow grunted slightly as he still lay on the branch that fell, a scowl coming over his face as he landed. He thought perhaps his light wight could hold him but guessed wrong. His keen ears picking up foot falls after the screech of the monster above, "We have company...and it's not the over sized bird..." He rolled off the broken branch and before anyone could blink tore out his swords from his scabbards. He was in a ready stance, focusing on thee foot falls, his sharp eyes seeing it to be a girl. He calmed slightly, but kept his guard up. One never knows.

[Jinxed]

Lanella stood by the fire as Edynol left to return to his watch.
"Sick and injured?" She murmered to herself, pondering her next step. She knew a lot about healing, and enjoyed it. But, was it very smart to start approaching people in the middle of the night to ask if any of them needed healing? Edynol was right; they'd be wary of a stranger who had appeared in the Wastes, even if she was good-intentioned. And she had been travelling all day. Was it smart to try and heal someone when she was tired? Well, she knew from experience that the answer to that question was no.

Lanella sat, and finished off the peechpear Edynol had given her, before removing her cloak and letting it sit on the ground next to her. The fire was warm, and she was used to the chill of the night. She'd spent more than enough time in it during her travels. She gazed around, looking at the few people who weren't sleeping. Most were ignoring her, though a few seemed to be watching her warily. She noticed an elf who didn't seem to quite have adjusted to her presence, which she didn't blame. Thinking about it, she probably seemed really suspicious.

[Edynol]

The night was pretty uneventful, after the first watch Edynol got about six hours of sleep before taking the last watch. A few desperate jackals approached the camp, but were easily disposed of and stripped of their skins. When Edynol went over to his camping spot, he gave Lanella a light nudge with his foot. "Good morning," he said with a smile. "We're about to pack up camp and head out. We should reach Evergreen before sunset. You can ride with Grimwal, the dwarf blacksmith. Be warned though, I think you caught his eye. He likes taller women for some reason." Edynol chuckled as he offer to help her up.

When the camp was packed up, they set out north for Evergreen. A few still cast odd looks at Lucas, but were less wary than before and seemed to becoming accepting of his presence there. Others were though had seemed to forget Lucas and were watching Lanella warily, except for Grimwal, who shot her a wink and a smile every now and then while trying to impress her with some of the weapons he had made.

A few younger women, some of the merchants' daughters, smiled and giggled at Jai and Shadow. They used to smile at Edynol that way, but that was before his relationship with the queen of Ethranar became more than just a rumor and was now more of a secret fact that few people spoke about anymore. Non-the-less, most people knew the ranger was not available and had a way about him sometimes that made him seem more threatening than the demons, orcs, and trolls that attacked the kingdoms. But for the people in this train, he was a familiar and well respected ranger and hunter. Almost everyone there he had saved or helped in some way.

The train moved at a steady pace, even picking up the pace the closer they got to Evergreen. They made better time than Edynol expected, taking a shorter rest stop than they days before, and after about eight hours, a few hours after mid-day, trees and green grass could be seen on the horizon. People started cheering and singing as they feasted their eyes on the welcoming sight. Evergreen Oasis. In the large, desolate wasteland of the Anthar Wastes was the one spot that remain untainted and uncorrupted from when the Nazra'gur devastated the once lush woodland kingdom of Anthar and handed the Vealian Mestai their first and only defeat over three thousand years ago.

When they finally stepped onto the fresh green grass and gazed at the trees and three large ponds, Edynol knelt down and muttered a small prayer. "We will rest here for two days while we restock on food and water. Do not leave the oasis. We are safe here, but there are all sorts of dangerous things that watch outside for someone foolish enough to venture off alone." Edynol then unsaddled Jexus and told him to take run. The horse ran straight to the nearest pond and waded in belly deep to cool himself off.

[Mattie2009]

"Nice place." Lucas smiled, stretching his wings with renewed vigor. His arms followed suit almost against his will. He walked over to a nearby tree and sat under it, playing a peaceful melody on the flute. It seemed to carry perfectly around the oasis, each note crystalline and calming. Lucas carried on like this for a few minutes before standing and bowing. "I can do better." He said, twirling the flute around one finger. He grinned and leapt into the air, soaring around the tree he had been under for a few seconds before landing on top of it. "I'll be here if you need me for anything." He said, lying flat with his head propped up on one hand.

[Pidge]

After the roar and screeching Jai truely was restless. He knew it would be risky but he had the itch to stretch his wings and fly. Deciding that it might be work investigating what had occured in the air he slipped away from the caravan unnoticed. Changing forms he took off in a fast strong flight.

Soaring he kept all his senses alert for danger as he flew. Even with a high threat level, it felt good to be back in his natural form. Jai flew close to camp for a good portion of the night before landing a ways away and reverting to his human form. Walking back he was glad to have had an uneventful, enjoyable night. Having relieved his case of the jitters, the younger dragon was actually able to sleep a few hours before dawn.

Rising early he assisted in packing up camp. When they moved out Jai couldnt help but smile back the flirtatious young girls. He was in good mood after catching a bit of sleep and some fly time. He was also excited about having almost reached evergreen. When they did finally come to the oasis Jai sighed with relief before walking up to the cool waters and sitting at their edge. Dipping a hand in he smiled before looking back at the caravan. It was a miricle they had all made it in one piece. He admired Lucas's music when he played. This place was so peaceful.

[Fayn]

(Sorry my last post was a bit late. Was meant for a few posts back.)

Shadow kept an eye on the woman that arrived in the middle of the other night. It would take more then a few smiles to convince him. Though he never did trust anyone. As the girls tried to flirt with him he just ignored them, his slight scowl never moving out of place. As they got to the oasis Shadow frowned, sad that nothing had confronted them. He was slightly on edge. Wanting nothing more then to feel his blades at work. That way he did not have to think. Thinking only made him feel remorse and anger. He filled his jug full of water and sat in the shade, slightly away from the main group on the outskirts.

[Jinxed]

Lanella travelled pretty comfortably with the group to Evergreen. She handled Grimwal's flirting as politely as she could; and would happily admit that the dwarf was very talented with his metalwork. Granted, most dwarves were, but Grimwal seemed to have a certain knack for it. Despite this, as soon as they reached Evergreen she politely dispatched herself from his company, and saught to tend to the sick and wounded. At least, those that would let her anywhere near them. Many of the group still kept their distance, which she completely understood. Having travelled alone for so long, she was used to wary stares. A woman travelling alone was hardly easily trusted.

She was bandaging up a child's scraped arm when she first saw the demon. It was out of the corner of her eye that she noticed movement, and looked over to see him land at the top of a tree. Her eyes widened and her expression hardened, but she didn't say anything. There had to be a reason these people were fine with his presence. She had never quite believed in the "demons are all evil" philosophy, but she did have issues with spending time around one. It made her jittery. However, she was well aware that causing a problem within a group that didn't trust her was stupid. And if they trusted the demon... Well, she'd just have to get used to it.

She turned to the child with a forced smile, told them they would be fine, and left. She sat on the bank of one of the ponds, a little away from most of the rest of the group. Continued isolation wouldn't gain her any trust, but she always liked a little quiet time to herself, to think... And she wasn't sure if she could handle anymore of Grimwal's flirting for a while.

[Edynol]

The few days they spent at Evergreen were a welcome respite from traveling the wastes the last week. Everyone rested and restocked on food and water, singing and telling stories during their down time, but something bugged Edynol. He expected a more dangerous journey than what they had so far. Of course, he didn't want the train to be attacked, or for people to get hurt, but the lack of assaults during the trip when the wastes had been more active than usual bugged him. And the fact Lanella made it all the way from Tresnia to where they were a few days ago unharmed was even more strange. Even in more peaceful times one did not simply travel the wastes alone and survive more than a day.

He knew by this time she was as she seemed, performing his own tests while everyone was distracted with something, and not a demon in disguise or under demonic influence. And she definitely wasn't an immortal, they would have sensed each other days before they met. There was one in Tresnia though, he knew that much. He wasn't close enough to tell which one it was, but he knew they were there, and they knew he was coming.

When they finally left the oasis, everyone was in good spirits. Most of the people seemed to warm up to Lanella after a few kind words from Edynol and Grimwal and her helping the few that had gotten sick during the trip. The train was making good time and everything was going their way, which was more than odd. But just as everyone was thinking they'd make to Tresnia with no problem, a large amount of smoke could be seen in the distance from the woods between Tresnia and the wastes. "I think I know why we have had such an easy journey so far," Edynol said in a blank tone. "Tresnia is under attack."

As they got closer to the woods, they could see the trees burning and being cut down. Explosions and flashes of fire and light could be seen from miles away. This was way worse than the attack on Knotstrim. That must've been a ploy to keep them distracted so they wouldn't come to Tresnia's aid. "Get the children and elderly together and put the wagons in a circle around them! Anyone who can fight be ready!" They did as he said and started moving the wagon as a few mothers and elderly people rounded up the children.

Suddenly, shouts and roars could be hear from the forest and were followed by hundreds of orcs and trolls. "Don't let them reach the wagons! Arhchers, take down as many as you can before they reach us!" There were only a few bowman with them, about twelve, but Edynol joined them as he pulled his bow from Jexus, who was much calmer than the other horses. They brought down about a hundred wastelanders before they closed in on them. Edynol then put away his bow and took out his claymore and started hacking away.

[Jinxed]

Lanella enjoyed the few days spent at Evergreen, though she remained to be wary of the demon among them. She found herself smiling more and more often as many of the group began to warm up to her. They truly were a wonderful group to be around, and she found herself idly wondering why she travelled alone so often. But she knew the answer to that question, and preferred not to dwell on it.

As the train got moving again, Lanella found herself continuing to travel with Grimwal. His flirting had lessened just a little, though she still found him winking at her every once in a while, and she was happy to find that they had developed a rather easy friendship. However, she often found herself walking alongside the caravan, chatting with various families and often hopping up on a moving wagon to help someone. She was walking when the attack on Tresnia came into view. Her steps faltered and she stared upon the scene with horror, at least until Edynol got the group moving to defend themselves. She helped a few straggling children get behind the shelter of the wagons, before pulling out her two daggers.

Lanella was no fool, taking on an army of orcs and trolls with two daggers was rather stupid. However, she wasn't the only one fighting. She stuck close to the caravans, ready to take out anyone who got through the others. And some did. It wasn't long before Lanella was ducking and dodging the oncoming enemies, plunging her daggers into any weakspots she could find, mainly their necks and eye-sockets. This was definitely a time she was glad not to be alone.

This fight was a time in which Lanella was glad to be quick. Her thin stature and fast movements made it pretty easy for her to stay out of the way of the worst of the fighting, but it didn't take long for her to realise that she would be very bruised at the end of it. If she wasn't dead, anyway. And she was pretty determined to not be dead.

As the fighting continued, she was able to heal a few of her own injuries with some murmered words, and even in the midst of the battle could at least reduce the seriousness of some of the injuries of her companions. But it didn't take long for her to realise that they would need to end the fight soon. There was only so much a merchant's caravan and escort could handle.

[Mattie2009]

Lucas was in the thick of things, keeping pressure on the attackers with demonic efficiency. He found himself slowly being pushed backwards as time went on, slowly taking hits from the relentless assault. Slowly growing eager to end the fight quickly, he whispered a quick enchantment. Power flowed around the sword and Lucas quickly felt himself regaining the upper hand. The blade seemed sharper, faster and less prone to bouncing off an enemy's defense. He soon found himself focusing more on magical assistance to straight combat. Slicing away a group that had broken through, Lucas began to heal his wounds. His flesh knitted itself back together, the shallow cuts made by the orcs undone. Empowered, he launched back into the fight, tearing the hordes limb from limb. As the fight began to draw to a close, he began to move back, keeping a decent length of sharpened steel between him and the orcs at any one time.

[Fayn]

The few days they had spent at Evergreen where slow and irritating time for Shadow. He trained, going through certain maneuvers, keeping his muscle memory razor sharp and exercised through most of the hours. He also practiced his dagger throwing techniques against a fallen log. Going through rolls and leaps as he threw them into the wood. The whole time he stayed isolated from the others, preferring privacy.

As they where making good time through the wastes, Shadow was concerned. He needed to feel his blades bite into enemy flesh, yet nothing note worthy had happened most of the trip. Then he heard Edynol yell a warning to everyone. Shadow could not help but smile. Finally. Shadow thought, as he then faded into the shadows of the trees, silent as death, he kept away from the main fighting force.

He moved around and flanked the orcs and trolls. Moving swiftly and silently up a tree trunk, he rained his daggers down upon his foes. Orcs and trolls died not knowing what killed them. As soon as he killed a few, he would jump from tree to tree, avoiding the fire and smoke. These elements only helped him as his confused victims tried to spot him, moving to fast for the trees to break from under him. If an orc or troll was close enough, or a branch low enough, Shadow would slit their throats from behind, then disappear into the trees and shadows yet again. This would cause pockets of groups to panic and run, giving shadow even easier kills. The whole time, Shadow was smiling.

[Pidge]

Jai had jumped into the thick of the fighting. Small in appearance but deadly. He cut down troll after troll and orc after orc with his hands. Using his wind based abilities to send enemies flying away from him, create buffers to protect him, and slice them to bloody bits. As many as he killed or injured they simply kept coming. The caravans weren't dealing so well either and there was only so much they could take.

Making a dash, killing along the way, he came up beside one of the merchants wagons throwing both hands out threw up a huge wind buffer that stopped then tossed a group of incoming orcs. It was a move that required extreme concentration if for no reason other than its size. Needing just a small moment to recover he was hit with a mace along the shoulder and tossed by a troll that had somehow escaped his large scale defense. Jai crumpled to the ground.

The troll laughed, until Jai moved. The young dragon wasn't use to actually taking hits. He was usually swift enough to dodge them and he had never been in a group so badly overrun. As his calm demeanor vanished, Jai eerily stood and turned. Eyeing his attacker he roared and shifted. For the first time Jai revealed his true nature to the group. He was stronger in dragon form, opening his mouth he released a wind blast and by moving his head decimated the small group of enemies around him.

Only about 15' in height, it was obvious he wasn't a fully grown dragon, but his fierce demeanor proved to intimidate some who tried attacking the merchants wagons, and Jai now had an upper-hand. Not only was his body tougher as a dragon, but he could fight with fangs and claws as well as elemental attacks.

[Edynol]

The battle seemed to be going well, the Tresnnian horns could be heard now, which meant the invaders being pushed back from the city. But then, a fel voice could be heard, like a whisper that stood out amongst all the screams and roars, muttering something in demonic tongue. A moment later, some of the priests started panicking as their healing powers seemed to no longer work as they should. Either they were healing incredibly slow or not at all. "Demons! There are demons fighting with them!" Edynol called out.

Suddenly, Edynol noticed some of the orcs had red eyes, which meant they weren't all corrupted orcs, some were orc/demon hybrids. Suddenly, loud screeches could be heard in the distance, and Edynol looked up to see about a dozen huge flying shapes. They weren't dragons, dragons roared. "Wyvern! Cover your ears!" One of the wyverns landed in front of Edynol and the others, a demon sitting on top of him, and let out a scream. The other swooped down and picked up men from both the escort and Tresnia's army.

As the one on the ground screamed, a soldier beside Edynol falling down with blood coming from his ears, Edynol moaned. "They want to use foul magic huh," he whispered to himself, looking around to make sure no one was watching him. Suddenly, a voice even darker than the one before filled the air. Creetch norgal sinth garrul. It was the ancient tongue of the underworld. Suddenly, the wyvern on the ground stopped screaching and fell to the ground. The demon riding him fell off and looked confused at what had happened. Suddenly, the dead wyvern's skin start moving and spliting open, and thousands of black locusts started pouring out, the wyvern deflating like a balloon. The bugs then started attack the enemy, but the wyvern in the sky were left alone for the moment.

One of the wyvern dove for Jai, his jaw aiming for his neck, and tackled him in the air while another one swooped down close to Shadow, the demon-orc on top throwing fire at the elf as the wyvern attempted to bite his head off. Elsewhere, a half elf demon went after Lucas with swords of fire, each swing sending a wave of flame. Another wyvern suddenly dove for the train, going after the healers and archers. Edynol lunged for the beast as Grimwal grabbed it's tale to slow it down. The beast went right for Lanella, but Edynol jumped between them, taking a nasty bite on his shoulder as he impaled the wyvern through the skull and Grimwal decapitated the demon riding it. Edynol let out a scream of pain.

As the battle went on, it was hard to tell who had the advantage, the locusts would take out a good number of their magic users, but they wouldn't win the battle for them. But Edynol gave a sigh of relief as some of the healers were getting back some of their power, though it was still a little weak.

[Mattie2009]

"You forget, Edynol! There is a demon fighting with us, too!" Lucas called, slightly taken aback at the sudden arrival of other demons. He regained his stride quickly. A second enchantment wrapped itself around the blade, followed by a third. Hellish red lines glew across the sword's surface, setting it ablaze. Shadowy afterimages began to follow the sword, seemingly able to do as much damage as the actual sword. He crashed through foes like a hot knife through butter, each swing clearing a fiery swath through the tide of enemies. Then, a duel-wielding demon/elf attacked him. "Couldn't spare a wyvern for an old demon, eh?" He snarled, lunging the the elf with malice burning in his eyes. The enchantments only serving to amplify the assault. It was the kind of attack that would make almost anyone turn and run. The demon was completely given in to the fighting, and every cell in his body was baying for blood.

[Pidge]

Instead of fighting the tackle Jai moved into it. Right wing giving a hard flap to propel them into a tail-spin. Craining his bitten neck and body he roled the wyvern under him in mid air. The creature no longer able to propel itself, let go trying to escape but another hard flap of his wing and jai drove the animal into the ground effectivly crushing it. Roling to his feet he wind blasted another group of orcs before soaring back into the air.

His neck was bleeding from the bite, but not horribly. It wasnt a deadly injury. He would keep fighting wyvern's in the sky. As a few engaged him he deftly spun and evaded them, attempting to knock them from the sky with wind blasts from his mouth, or wind splices from his wings. Once one of the creatures got too close and Jai latched onto it with his claws, twisting the animal a bit he blasted it. The wyvern crashed into a tree, injured and unable to fly, but not quite dead. Even so there were plenty of others airborn.

[Fayn]

Shadow was having a swell time when he heard the demonic voices in the air, seeing the priests panic as their healing spells failed. So, there are demons among there ranks. He thought as he threw a dagger right between the eyes of a glowing red eyed orc. Then hearing Edynol warning them about the demons, he shrugged. Demon, orc, human, or even elf, it did not matter to Shadow who he was murdering, as long as there was money to be had and a fight to fight.

Shadow's thin eyebrow rose as he saw locusts in the air and a dragon fighting for them. As he eyed the dragon over for a moment, a wyvren swooped down close to his hiding spot amongst the trees, the demon-orc on top noticing him threw a fire ball directed at the elf. At the last moment he saw the fire ball and dove to the side. The explosion catching his cloak on fire, Shadow rolled on the ground putting out the flames that licked at him. As the wyvren swooped past, it took a chomp at him. But to the beasts demise, Shadow rolled to the side and grabbed one of it's thick horns on it's head. The agile elf, using the horn as a swing, threw him self up and over the demon-orc, slicing the brutish demon straight across the head as he past. Shadow sailed through the air and landed on the ground in a roll, hitting hard. The demon-orc, seeming unhurt turned it's wyvren around for another assault. It smiled evilly as it spot the elf, but then had a confused look on it's face as a thin line of red erupted across it's head, splitting the demon-orc's head in half. Shadow stood up slowly and watched as the best flew past harmlessly. The wyvren confused as to why it's rider had not directed it, looked back at it's now dead rider. As the wyvren turned it's attention back to the sly elf, he was gone, back into the shadows of the trees.

[Jinxed]

Lanella's stomach filled with dread as the demons and wyverns entered the fight. Even with Tresnia's army appearing, this fight was going to be a difficult. Even if they won, there would be countless casualties, and she knew it. Lanella took the dragon's appearance in stride, not particularly caring where it came from, as long as it was fighting on their side. She noted quite a few powerful fighters for the caravan in a quick look around, but amidst all the screaming and fighting, it was hard to keep track of anything that was going on.

When the wyvern came at her, all Lanella could do was turn and duck, hoping to dodge the worst of the attack. But as she did so, Edynol and Grimwal interfered, killing the beast and its rider. Lanella was breathing heavily from the physical activity of battle, and shock. She couldn't help but wince as Edynol yelled out in pain, having taken a nasty bite to the shoulder.

"This may hurt a little..." Lanella said to him, straining to be heard above the sounds of the fighting going on around them. She put her hands on his shoulder, covering the wound as best she could as she began to murmer under her breath. The demons were somehow interfering with the healer's magics, but she was sure she could at least numb his shoulder, and help slow the bleeding... Her hands began to warm as she continued, and she was relieved to see that it was working, at least partially. His skin was beginning to stitch itself back together when a demon came up behind Lanella, poised to attack. Without moving her hands, or ceasing in her mumbling, Lanella turned and kicked the demon in his chest, making him stumble back. In the split second before he regained his composure, Lanella had grabbed one of her daggers and leapt at him, plunging the blade into his neck. He stuttered out his last breath, and fell to the ground.

"I can't help you anymore at the moment..." Lanella said to Edynol, wiping her bloody hands on her trousers. At this point, she was covered in blood, her own and that of her friends and enemies, but her face revealed no pain, only determination. She knew that once the adrenaline wore off, she'd be hurting, but she didn't have time to dwell on that.

"We need to end this battle, quickly."

[Edynol]

As the demon attacking Lucas continued his attack, he laughed as he dodged and parried most of his swings. "Why do fight with these mortals, brother? Why do you betray our queen? You could have power and glory, yet you fight with those who will never accept you, who will always despise what you are." The half demon elf then swung both blades inward together in an X and a wave of fire comes at Lucas, grazing the side of his face.

Jai suddenly takes a blast of dark lightning, but it seemed to be not as powerful as it looked and only had enough power to disorient him for a few moments as two wyvern dove for him. Meanwhile, Shadow takes a thrown dagger to the leg from an orc that was dying on the ground.

Edynol took deeps breaths as Lanella healed him partially. "Thank you," he said panting. "Their magic is weakening, but as soon as those locusts are gone, they'll get it back." Edynol then let out a small chuckle that held no humor in it. "Be glad whoever unleashed them is on our side."

Suddenly, a bright flash of light appeared from Tresnia's side and cheers could be heard from their soldiers. Glimmers of bright, shining armor could be seen mowing through the invaders' ranks, blasts of holy magic cutting through the demons like butter. There were about fifty men, paladins of the Hand of Light lead by the renown Harreck Jhennson. There were rumors saying he might be the Immortal of Light, but when Edynol first met him a few years ago, he knew he wasn't. He was powerful, yes, as powerful as any mortal man could become, but he was nowhere near as powerful as an immortal.

Harreck and his small band of paladins dominated the large numbers of the invaders like an army of hundreds. The large waves of holy magic killed all the locusts as well, but it didn't matter. The healers suddenly cheered as they regain all their power back as the dampening curse was snuffed out. As the two wyvern came at Jai, one of them was suddenly tackled by a Cordon with a dwarf paladin riding it. while the cordon buried its sharp talons in the wyvern, the dwarf smashed its skull in with huge hammer, sending it falling to the ground. "What say yeh to us swatting these flies from the air?" the dwarf said with a smile to Jai.

Edynol gave a sigh of relief when a few orcs and trolls started retreating despite the demons ordering them to stay and fight. Edynol then looked at Lanella and raised an eyebrow. "Looks like you got what you wished for," he said as he tested his shoulder. It was healed enough for now, he could have hit fully healed later. He then got up and went back to the front line. "Let's finish this! Everyone charge!"

[Pidge]

The lightning had come from no where and struck Jai hard, effectivly disorienting the dragon. For a moment he couldnt see or think and his wings wouldnt move. He began to fall from the sky but regained his composure enough to save himself, but not to dodge the incoming wyverns. Then a cordon swooped in, killing one attacker and starling the other out of its attack. Finally having his full senses back he realized the cordon had a dwarf rider. Listening to the dwarf, Jai smiled inside.

Lets... Jai said to the dwarf using the mental communication he prefered as a dragon. A strong flap of his wings sent him shooting off back towards the Wyvern who had been startled. With a freind to watch his back, Jai felt like it was time to stop dodging and start a head on assault. A fast flyer, he caught his target by the tail with his teeth. The wyvern spun to attack back but jai let go and hit the animal head on with a windblast, effectively killing it, but not before it could claw his face. Using a windblast that close wasnt smart, even if it was effective.

The dwarf on the cordon was busy killing another wyvern with his hammer when one dove into Jai again. The two ended up grappling until jai sunk his teeth into the softer skin at the beasts throat latch and tore it out, not risking anymore wind blasts. That wyvern dropped from the sky garggling blood, but Jai was covered in bite marks and scratches. He was getting tired, but still feeling the heat of the battle. The tides had turned though and he hoped it would end soon. Perhaps the demons and wyverns would retreat when they realized it was a losing battle.

[Jinxed]

"Oh... Thank the powers that be." Lanella murmered to herself once Edynol had run back into the fight. She allowed herself a tired sigh, before returning to the defense of the caravan. With large numbers of orcs and trolls retreating, the fighting became a bit easier. And with Edynol's men pushing forward, fewer enemies were breaking through to the wagons. But a few still were, which Lanella and a few others took care of. However, she was able to focus a little more on the healing of her comrades, taking care of serious wounds and staunching the less serious ones. There would be time for proper healing once the fighting was done.

Lanella continued to slash at the oncoming "soldiers" with her daggers, cutting more than a few throats and taking advantage of other weak spots. She was a gruesome sight; covered in the arterial blood of those she'd killed, and her own blood from the cuts she hadn't bothered to heal yet.
"These... demons need... to retreat." Lanella said to herself, panting heavily as she continued to move.

[Fayn]

Shadow moved among the shadows of the trees, avoiding the wyverns. He leaned against a tree and took a deep sigh. He was starting to tire and needed rest. As he pushed off the tree a dagger stuck into Shadow's calf. His leg buckled and he fell to his nee with a grunt. His two different eye's look over at the dieing orc with hate. In one fluid movement he ripped the crud dagger out of his leg and threw it into the dieing orc's throat. He let out another sigh as he looked at his leg. He tore a bit of his cloak and tied off the wound. That will have to do for now., he thought as he ran through the woods, a slight limp in his stride.

He stuck to the shadows as he came around back to the caravan. He then heard cheers and peeked over around a tree to see the paladins attacking the orcs, trolls, and demons with fury. Shadow shrugged then scrambled atop a wagon, throwing daggers into orcs and demons that tried getting close to the area. He kept low, hoping they would not notice him tell they had a dagger protruding from there throats. The poison on the daggers, paralyzing the ones he did not kill instantly.

[Mattie2009]

Lucas smiled and twisted, trying to avoid the flaming X. The flame wave bit into his shoulder despite his efforts. "Why do I fight with them?" He asked, backing up to avoid any more slices. "Do I really need a reason to help people?" He countered, landing into a kneel on the last step. "And I'm not your brother." He said, before lunging, a hellish gleam in his eyes. His sword's red mantle of flame turned blue, the afterimages becoming more solid and gaining a shadowy fire trail. Tiny gleams of magic glittered around his injured shoulder, slowly healing the wound. A blast of holy light cut him off and singed him slightly. "What the-?!" He gasped, surprised. Then he looked towards the source of the light. "Oh. Paladins." He said, slightly upset by the arrival of the biggest threat to him yet. Somehow, he managed to escape the demon-elf (Using the blast of light that separated them as a distraction) and make his way back to Edynol. "What do you suggest? If those paladins can sense demons, or those blasts goes anywhere near me, I'm dead." He said, hiding his wings with the transformation spell. "The former would be the most dangerous." He suggested, brutalizing any orcs that were stupid enough to still fight. His sword returned to normal as he dismissed the enchantments on it. The more 'normal' I look, the better. He thought, running a few of the stragglers through with the now-normal blade. Not that that'll save me if they can do what I think they can do. He added, grimly.

[Edynol]

Edynol turned to Lucas after decapitating another troll. "Don't worry about them. Go help guard the train, their attacks won't reach that far. Harreck may watch you carefully, but he has more sense than most paladins, he won't allow any of his men to do anything without good reason. Just try not to make any enemies and you'll be alright. I'll introduce you to Kiku once we're in Tresnia, you'll like her I think."

Eventually, the remaining demons, orcs, and trolls began to retreat from the hopeless battle. The dwarf and his Cordon fighting the wyvern flew over to Jai. "I be glad to have yeh on our side friend. Let's get on the ground and I'll help yeh out with your wounds." He then directed his cordon to land.

As the fighting died down, a few zealous paladins chasing the demons that fled, Harreck approached the train and gave Edynol a nod. "Well met, Ranger. I should've guessed you'd be amongst the defenders here. Battles always seem to turn to our favor when you're around." He then extended his hand and Edynol took it.

"I could say the same for you, Paladin," Edynol said with a chuckle. Harreck laughed and patted him on the shoulder. "I guess we are both lucky then," Harreck said with a smile. He shot a look towards Lucas and gave him an aknowledging nod. "I see you have brought some exceptional company with you this time. We would have sent troops to help escort the Caravans from Ethranar, but as I'm sure you've heard by now, there has been trouble from the north. Fleets of ship have been coming from the east, and we've been giving aid to Frozh Kholdar. My men have been busy keeping the forest roads safe, but then this invasion came just yesterday from seemingly nowhere."

Edynol nodded. "I have heard rumors, but hearing it is true still irks me. We have to start going on the offensive. Knotstrim was attacked just last week, but I think that was just a diversion to keep us there so these supplies wouldn't reach yall before this assault."

Harreck rubbed his chin, which had a grizzled beard from days of not shaving. Unlike most commanders, Harreck did not just stand back and issue orders, he rushed right in with his men. He truly considered himself an equal amongst his men, despite his prideful attitude. "I agree. I have been saying the same thing to the king, but he hasn't come to a decision yet. But after this, I'm sure he'll give the order." Harreck then sighed as he rubbed a hands through his golden blond hair. "Come, you and your charges should make camp with us." He shot a look at Lucas for a second then at the rest of the train. "Everyone is welcome, so long as they cause no trouble. We can help you tend to your wounded there as well, your healers look tired and in need of rest."

Edynol nodded gratefully. "Thank you, I accept your offer." Edynol then turned to the train. "Okay, let's load up the injured. Healers, you ride as well, tend only those that might die otherwise. Regain your strength." As the wagons started to move, Edynol went over to Lanella. "That goes for you too, you're both injured and tired. You can ride on Jexus, he'll be gentle. I know how prideful you Ethran women can be." Edynol gave her a friendly smile to show he was just teasing her.

[Mattie2009]

Lucas smiled as he watched the final enemies break and flee. He pulled a small vial from his belt pouch and drank it in a single gulp. "Maybe this won't be a problem after all. He did stare a lot, so he might have seen my eyes, though." He said in a low voice to Edynol so the paladins couldn't hear. As he jumped onto the closest wagon, he eyed Harreck looking at him again. Then again, maybe I'll be chased out of town by a lynch mob. He thought, pulling himself up. The disguised demon barely even slowed down the wagon, and in fact seemed to be completely weightless as he stood on the side of it. As close to flying as I'll get here. He realized, trying not to look too suspicious. He did say that as long as we don't cause any trouble, we won't have any problems, so there's that...

[Jinxed]

"You know... If you hadn't pretty much saved my life, I could take offense to that statement." Lanella replied, a tired grin on her face. "And how did you know I'm from Ethrangarde? I don't think I've said that once since I joined this caravan..." Lanella trailed off thoughtfully, before returning to the topic at hand.

"Besides. I'm not taking your horse. You're injured too, and I'll be fine. I'm not tired at all. Why in the world would I be tired?" Lanella was downright sarcastic, though she was serious. She really didn't want to take his horse, when he could be riding. Besides... She had a feeling that the moment she stopped moving, or got off her feet, she'd be unconcious. Tired really doesn't begin to describe the exhaustion that resulted from fighting and healing. She was definitely glad those paladins had come along, because she wasn't sure she'd be able to handle the aftermath of the fight, even with the other healers of the caravan. She knew they were all exhausted too, and most of them weren't as stubborn as she. In fact, she'd bet half of them had already passed out.

"I will rest when we are safe and camped." Lanella said stubbornly, before smiling again. "Besides, once I've passed out, a whole horde of demons wouldn't be able to wake me."

[Edynol]

Edynol patted Lucas on the shoulder and laughed. "Don't worry, Harreck doesn't lie. If he says something, he means it. And you won't be the only demon in Tresnia, just the newest one. Just keep your nose clean and keep yourself disguised and you will do alright there. Maybe Kiku will have something better than that old scroll."

Edynol then turned to Janella. "Well, your name, for one. Either you are Aven or Ethran, and seeing as Grimwal still has all his teeth from his attentions to you, I don't take you for an Aven. Then there was your choice to stay with wounded and help heal rather than rushing into the fight. Definitely not Aven." Edynol smiled at her and chuckled. "But anyway, my shoulder isn't in that bad of shape, and my legs are perfectly fine. But I cannot force you to ride if your mind is set." Definitely not Aven, at least they weren't stubborn as stones like the Ethrans were.

As they train made its way into the forest, a few mages and sorcerers were puting out the fires and soldiers were clearing out the rubble as other started making camp and setting up blockades with the fallen timber. Grimwal, who ran off as soon as they came into the forest, entered the camp carrying a huge boar on his shoulders and few Tresnians came bearing various other dead beasts, most of which were partially charred or dead from the battle.

A few of the Paladin shot wary eyes at Lucas, as if measuring him and deciding weather he was friend or foe, but none approached him. Then after Grimwal set the boar on the ground by a spit that was set up, he went over to Lucas and patted him on the back. "'Ey. Yeh did good back there lad. I don't know about er'one else, but yeh sure got my respect. If any o' these people give yeh any trouble, Ol' Grimmie's got yeh back." The dwarf then handed Lucas a skin full of ale.

Most of the healers from the train were already asleep in their wagons and the few others passed out as soon as they could find an area to lay their beddings. Several of the paladins, Harreck included, started healing the rest of the wounded. After the the ones who needed it most were healed, a young girl came to heal Edynol. "You still look exactly the same," she said, and Edynol studied her to no avail. "Edy, it's me, Delanna."

Edynol stared at the girl with wide eyes. "Delanna? You're a paladin now? But you're only...nineteen now. Wow. I forgot it's been almost eight years. You have really grown up haven't you."

The girl shrugged as she healed his shoulder. "Well, it was either join the Hand and travel the world helping others in need, like I've always wanted, or stay and marry the jerk father picked out for me and spend the rest of my life knitting, cooking, and bearing children for said jerk."

Edynol laughed loudly. "Well, I never you pictured you as that sort, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised." He then turned and gave Janella a smirk. "Now this is an Aven," he said gesturing to Delanna.

[Jinxed]

Lanella couldn't help but laugh a little as Edynol explained his logic. He was right, of course, but in her tired state she didn't find it anything more than amusing.
"Well, I have to say... It's nice to know someone besides Grimwal is paying attention to me." She joked, laughing as she walked. Exhaustion always made her giddy, and she wasn't sure whether to laugh at herself, or be worried that she was so tired and still standing.

Once they'd entered the camp, Lanella noticed Grimwal and a few others lugging dead animals, which reminded her of food; or more accurately, her need of it. "Food, sleep... Food, sleep..." Lanella murmered to herself, using her hands almost like scales as she contemplated which she wanted first. And then she noticed the red on her arms, and the flakiness of drying blood. This reminded her of how filthy she was, considering it wasn't just her arms. "Bath..." She groaned to herself. It was at that point she promised herself never to be in a battle again. Which, she knew, wasn't a promise she was likely to keep. Stupid demon queen and her power hungry antics.

Lanella couldn't help but grin as Edynol identified his friend as an Aven. "Yeah yeah... I get it. You know people. Or at least, where they come from." Lanella smiled at the girl, doing her best to seem friendly. However, she wasn't entirely sure how her more than grubby appearance helped. "It's nice to meet you. But if you both don't mind, I need to go sleep for a week."

Sleep won, and Lanella moved only a few feet away, resting against a tree. She pulled her cloak out of her untarnished bag, rolled it up to use as a pillow, and promptly passed out where she was.

[Mattie2009]

Lucas smiled at the dwarf. "Thanks, Grimwal. I appreciate it, but you really don't have to stick your neck out for me." He said, taking the skin. By this point, he was more concerned about his appearance. He couldn't sleep and hold an enchantment, but the strain of holding three weapon enchantments, fighting, healing and transforming was beginning to catch up to him. He reached to his belt and found a pair of metal claws. I'd forgotten about these things. He smiled, running his hand along one claw and removing the dust from it. Checking to make sure nobody was paying him any attention, he put them on, said a quick spell and used them to climb a nearby tree. There was no sound as the claws hit the tree, and even less noise when he made his way to a sturdy branch and fell asleep. His wings appeared, folding quickly onto his back. The claws held him to the tree, preventing him from falling.

[Pidge]

Jai followed the dwarf and cordon to the ground, but didnt revert to his human form just yet. He knew he would be easier healed in his human form, but he would withstand his injuries better as a dragon. Choosing to walk as a dragon alongside the caravan until they made camp he was relieved when everything was set up and people began healing others and the tired began to sleep. Finally he reverted to the slight human Jai.

Looking around he spotted Edynol and walked up to him, over hearing a funny bit of conversation before Lanella walked away and fell promptly asleep.

"Lucky thing you guys came along." Jai said acknowldging Delanna. "We might have been in trouble otherwise, eh Edynol?"

He smiled, Jai's wounds were still bleeding but he didnt seem very phased. His wounds were also a big clue as to where he had disappeared to during the fight. The multiple neck wounds being the clearest indicator that he had been their fighter in the sky. Currently Jai looked around and saw most of the paladins were busy healing someone, so he decided he wouldnt have an issue waiting a bit longer. Finally a young male paladin joined the group just long enough to heal Jai and move on, stretching he yawned.

"How bad were the casualties?" he asked on a less friendly note, looking back to Edynol.

[Edynol]

Edynol turned to Jai as Delanna greeted him. "Well, our escort lost two guards during the battle, and one other died from his wounds on our way here, they were too bad to heal. We got lucky." He then turned to Delanna. "How bout on your side?"

Delanna lowered her head and frowned. "We lost no one from the Hand, but two hundred and thirty seven soldiers were lost at last count and four missing. Jestin was killed as well." Jestin was her older brother, but only by a year.

Edynol put a hand on her shoulder. "He was only twenty. Didn't know he had joined the army either. He was a good kid, I'm sorry Delanna."

The girl gave him a hug and Edynol rubbed her back. "I'm not looking forward to telling mother. She never wanted him to join, but Father convinced him. Father and his politics, he always wanted me to marry into the royal family and a son who would become a general. Jestin wanted to be a builder, but he didn't want to disappoint Father, so he gave in to joining the army." Delanna pulled back and wiped the tears from her face. "Father buried him just an hour ago, and hasn't spoken a word since. I think he may have lost his will to fight."

Edynol shook his head and frowned. "I'm sure your father will be fine after he's had a chance to mourn. Just try to keep strong. Jestin is in a better place now, probably building his own palace to live in." Edynol then poured some ale for Delanna and Jai and one for himself and raised his glass. "To Jestin, a fine man, a loyal son, and a good brother." He then took a drink as did Delanna. "We should get some rest. You can stay in my camp here, if you want. You can sleep by Janella over there, she's a friend and a healer."

The next morning, Edynol woke up to partially cloudy sky, the sun gleaming through the clouds as a few soldiers and paladins flew the sky on cordons to watch for any trouble. Delanna was asleep with her head on his shoulder, she must have gotten restless and came over while he was asleep. It was an endearing trait of mortals, after the death of someone close they sought comfort in familiar arms. Made them feel safe and grounded, especially those as young as Delanna. This was her first major battle, so she hadn't had much time yet to get used to it.

Edynol got up slowly so not to wake her and brought a large washbowl and some towels to Janella for when she woke up. He then built a fire and made some tea as Grimwal brought over some pork and a few rabbits for breakfast. "Let them sleep for now, we've had a long journey and after last night, they deserve some rest." Grimwal nodded in agreement as he continued to make breakfast.

[Fayn]

Shadow threw a dagger into the back of a head of an orc that was retreating with the rest. After the throw Shadow waited for a few moments, then seeing no enemies he crawled off the wagon that he was hiding on.

As he touched the ground he grunted. The wound on his leg needed healing, so he looked around to see if there where any healers about. Seems the paladins are here, he thought as he walked up to one and taped his leg near his wound. The paladin obliged and put his hand over the wound. Speaking softly, a glow was seen from under the paladin's hand, the wound closed itself. The paladin nodded and walked off.

Shadow then headed to where most of the people were congregating, his limp gone. Wanting to hear want there next move was, he looked around for Edynol. Shadow spotted him in no time and walked up, but kept his distance. Wanting to hear rather then talk to him. After a while, Shadow grew bored stalking Edynol and headed off for some much needed rest. It seemed most were doing the same thing. He found a spot covered in shadow, a nook the base of a tree, near the edge of the encampment. He set his bed roll down and laid down in the nook. He slept with one eye opened.

Shadow awoke the next morning. His muscles stiffer then a bored as he tired to get up. Seems I strained my self more then I thought, he mused as he stretched out his muscles. Going threw his morning routine of exercise and stretches. After that he headed to where Edynol and Grimwal were. He sat down across from the dwarf, looking over at Edynol, "So what is the plan now, ranger?"

[Jinxed]

Lanella opened her eyes, and found herself staring at a tree. She'd slept through the night... That was normal. Actually, she was surprised to find herself awake so early. She had been in a few encounters that had nearly cost her life before, and after those events she had slept for, on average, nearly two days. Lanella then rolled onto her back, winced, and groaned quietly. And there were the bruises... She'd known yesterday that she'd be feeling them in the morning, and she was.

However, despite the soreness she was experiencing, Lanella was soon pulled into reality by nearby voices, and the smell of cooking meat. She pulled herself up into a sitting position, and stretched a little, before looking to the side. Towels... Water... She smiled. She really needed to get cleaned up. Though, if she was honest with herself... A head-first dive into a pond would be a lot more effective than a few towels and a basin of water. But she took what was in front of her, quite happily, and proceeded to clean herself up as well as she could, at least until she was in a better state to jump in a pond.

"Good morning... Good morning..." Lanella said rather groggily, as she pulled herself closer to the fire on which Grimwal was cooking breakfast. She rubbed her eyes, and was satisfied that she wouldn't be falling back asleep anytime soon.

"Don't mind me... I'm here for the food." Lanella joked quietly, grinning. It was actually half true. She hadn't had freshly cooked meat in a while, it had all been dried stuff and plants, mostly from her own stores. Though many of the members of the caravan were willing to share their food, Lanella had mostly given up variety for pride. She wasn't comfortable with taking someone else's food, generally. But... After the fight, she wasn't going to turn down fresh meat.

[Mattie2009]

Lucas woke with a yawn. After checking where he was, he transformed, placed the claws on his belt and dropped out of the tree. "Morning!" He said, rather overactive. He was more bored than hungry, and was about to take off before he remembered that he both had no wings in this form and that the paladins would evicerate him if he revealed that he was a demon. He flopped down underneath a tree and took out the flute. The melody he played on the tiny instrument was an upbeat, hopeful tune. It seemed to color the air shades of blue and green. Lucas concentrated on the song, weaving slivers of healing magic into every note. The song was practically second nature to him, but trying to add magic to it was brand new. As the song began to build towards a finish, he shifted position slightly, changing from a hunched posture to a straight one. He wouldn't exert himself by attempting to pour a full healing spell into a single song. That sort of skill was beyond him. Eventually he stopped channelling magic into the song, focusing more on the actual song. As the song ended, he stood and bowed slightly. Well, that wasted a few minutes. What now? He thought, leaning back against the tree.

[Pidge]

Jai had been quite exhausted from the battle. After listening to Edynol discuss the fatalities he had simply nodded before looking around for a place to sleep. It was always difficult to get comfortable as a human...then again he had already changed form once, and he was certain atleast half the caravan knew that. So finding a spot next to a wagon large enough for his dragon form he changed once more, curled up on the ground, and fell promptly to sleep.

Jai was sleeping like a rock and nothing woke him until he heard the sounds of music. Blinking his eyes he stretched his neck out and peered over the wagon he was curled up next to. Lucas was playing his flute again, and Jai decided it was a lovely thing to wake up to. He was feeling sore but well rested so standing he stretched his wings once before taking the time to change into his human form.

Walking around the wagon he yawned. Realising he was covered in dried blood from his wounds and the wyverns, he opted to try and clean up a bit. Using a wind charm it removed most of the blood from his skin and hair by blowing the dried flakes away, it also effectively dusted him off. Finally feeling normal enough to speak Jai smiled at Lucas first since he was closer "Wonderful music." he complimented him before moving to the campfire.

Finding a spot next to Lanella he sat down and smiled at the group. "How is everyone feeling this morning?" He asked in a rather friendly chipper voice.

[Edynol]

As everyone started to break camp, Edynol was already done packing up. "Well, when we reach Tresnia, we will be finshed. We should be approached by the Marchent's Counil, who will probably reward yall well. After that, I'll be heading to Eversong to see to some things."

Delanna, just waking up, overheard Edynol a walked over to him. "Edy, you aren't going to just leave as soon as you arrive, are you? Why not come to the inn? I know mother and father would be glad to see you."

Edynol thought for a bit before answering. "I might do that, Delanna. But first, I need to see Kiku." He turned to Lucas then. "She can do alot more for ya than that old scroll." He then started heading to the city with the rest of the army and the train. after a few hours, they reached the city gates and people cheered as the wagons entered, miraculously all of them fully intact.

Grimwal, now seeming to forget all about Janella, hopped off his wagon put each of his arms around two young women and started bragging about his exploits as they giggled. The dwarf loved his women. Then, a few old men and an old dwarf approached, a small wagon with bags being pulled behind them. Then started taking the small bags out and handing one to everyone. "On behalf of the city of Tresnia," the dwarf said, "the Merchant's Council thanks you all for risking your lives to protect the supplies we desperately need."

As they handed out the bags of gold, Edynol opened his up and took out just a few coins and handed the bag back. "Split that amongst the rest," he said, and he man nodded and smiled. Edynol then turned to Lucas. "Come with me. We best get to Kiku before nightfall." He then turned to the others. "If you all want, you can follow Delanna to her family's inn. I'll be there later tonight, and all drinks will be on me. You all did a great job and I thank you." He motioned for Lucas to follow.

When they reached a small shop, which had various herbs and charms on the windowsills, Edynol knocked on the door and a voice could be heard, yelling, "Be right there!" A moment later, a tall, elvish looking girl with purple eyes answered. "Edy! I was wondering when you'd come back!" She hugged him then stood back to look at him. She then looked to Lucas. "I see you brougbht a friend. A customer?"

Edynol nodded at the Kiku. She was young, for an elf. Looking in her early twenties and had a sweet smile. She was actually half demon, but aside from her purple eyes, she looked entirely elvish, naturally, with no augmentation or disguise spells. "This is Lucas. He is in need of some of your expertise."

Kiku smiled at Lucas. "Well, you're certainly not bad on the eyes. My name is Kiku. What can I do for you, Lucas?"

[Mattie2009]

Lucas followed Edynol to a shop. Doesn't look like much, but then again, neither does anyone here. He thought to himself, watching as a demon-elf hugged Edynol. Then she turned to him. "I could say the same about you!" He said, a half-smile on his face. "I need some transformation magic. Edynol here gave me a scroll that has worked up until now, but it's a temporary effect, and only lasts until I fall asleep. I'm not too keen on the idea of forgetting to cast it one morning and being chased out of town with a mob on my heels, so I don't suppose you have anything better?" He asked, trying to stay concise. He was feeling a bit foolish, and could feel the refreshing breeze of mid-afternoon wash over him. He would rather be in the inn, sharing a drink with the people he'd been travelling with for the past week or so. Still, it'd be better to get this out of the way quickly, so we can avoid any issues, the practical voice in the back of his mind said.

[Edynol]

"Hmm. I think I can help you out there," Kiku said. "What spell do you have?" Edynol handed her the scroll and Kiku laughed. "Wow. This is some really amature work. No locking rune, or a rune to guard against reverse transmorgrification. You're lucky someone didn't turn you into a woman, then you wouldn't be so good to look at." She then put the scroll in a small box under the counter. "I'll keep that one to give to a bad customer and give you a real spell for half price."

The girl then went to the back and went through some stuff. Edynol saw the half-smile he gave and chuckled. "I told ya you'd like her. Just don't make her angry, she can be really nasty when she wants to be."

"I heard that!" Came her voice from the back room before she returned to the front. "You forget I'm as much elf as I am demon." Edynol lowered his head, a smile still on his lips, and Kiku shook her head. "Well, not that what you say is untrue. But being bad can sometimes be really good, as the old saying goes." She gave Lucas a wink. "Isn't that right, Lucas?"

Edynol chuckled and asked about the spell and Kiku waved a dismissive hand at him. "Yeah, yeah. I have it. Gee, you Im..." she then coughed a bit. "You imp-loving demonhunters really know how to spoil a mood." She then held out a ring for Lucas to see with a black stone. "Here, just tap the stone twice, and no one will know what you are. No glowy eyes at night like most lesser spellscrolls do, and the spell won't go away until you tap on the crystal again." She went to hand him the ring but then took it back. "Oh! Where is my brain today? Forgot the most important part." She then took a small dagger from her belt and quickle pricked Lucas' finger and dropped the blood onto the stone, which turned red then back to black.

"Okay, this ring will work for you and only you until you die, and you don't have to wear it on your finger. You can keep it in your pocket or around your neck. Just don't let anyone else get it, or they can use it against you." She handed the ring to Lucas and held out her other hand. "That will be ten gold at half price, for that scroll."

[Mattie2009]

Lucas smiled at the banter. "I'll make a mental note." He said to Edynol, before taking the pouch of gold he'd gotten from the dwarf before entering the city and giving ten of the gold coins inside to Kiku. "There you go." He said, taking the ring and placing it on his finger. He dismissed the original spell and quickly tapped the ring twice. The only evidence of the switch was a faint blue outline of a pair of wings on his back. "Well, that was relatively painless." He said, watching the tiny prick on his finger seal and vanish. "It's a lot better than nothing, that's for certain." He said, pocketing the now coniderably lighter bag. "I suppose if it lets me walk around without ending up being thrown out of the city and possibly killed, it's worth it."

[Edynol]

Kiku poked Lucas really hard in the chest with her finger. "Hey, it's alot better than anything your little male mind could ever conjure up buddy. And don't you forget it." She then straighened his shirt out. "Now then, you make sure to drop from time to time. I might let you buy me dinner sometime."

Edynol chuckled as they left the shop. "She must really like you. She stakes a lot of pride in her work and I've seen her turn someone into a slug for less. Come, let's go meet the others for a drink." As the reached the inn, Delanna waved at them and her mother ran over and gave Edynol a hug.

"Edy! It's great to see you again," the woman said. "And you haven't changed a bit. You must have elvish blood in you somewhere."

Edynol returned the hug then shrugged. "Hello Denna. I suppose it might be possible, but as far as I know, both my parents were human." He then gave the woman a few gold coins. Drinks are on me. I trust my tab is still good?"

The woman smiled as she looked Edynol up and down. "Why of course it is! And after you all risked your lives to get those supplies to us, all your drinks and rooms are on the house tonight," she said as she handed Edynol his gold back.

[Fayn]

As the caravan came to town and people cheered for them, Shadow ducked out of the way and through the ally ways. He had some contacts here, thanks to his dark business. He wanted to know about what had happened sense he left this city years ago and more about this Edynol character. After some searching and talking to locals with tips, he could find nothing, witch made him even more suspicious. Later that day he came to an inn and sat in the back of building. Not letting him self be noticed, he stayed silent, watching the going ons of the tavern. Edynol came latter, and of course he knew some woman. Shadow's eyes narrowed, He seems to know everyone. He kept an eye on him.

[Jinxed]

When Jai joined their fire the morning after the battle, Lanella realised how little she'd gotten to know a majority of the members of the caravan and its escort. Sure, she'd been friendly with several of the families who had needed her assistance... And sure, she knew who most everyone was... But she had hardly spoken to most of them.

Before she really had the chance to act on her little... epiphany, everyone began to pack up camp. She took the opportunity to find a pond and clean herself up a bit better. There was only so much you could do with some wet towels.

At Tresnia, Lanella accepted the gold offered her, albeit a little reluctantly. She was a traveller, not a well-paying profession, so sometimes she had to swallow her pride and accept money for some of the things she did. She gazed around the familiar city with a sense of dread. She'd been there less than a week ago... And barely a day ago, someone had tried to attack it. Deldranna was getting bold, and Lanella could only wonder how anyone was supposed to stop her.

Fixed on this grim realization, Lanella spent most of her day at the inn everyone had drifted to. She really wasn't sure what her next step would be... She wasn't aware of anyone amassing fighters to retaliate against the Demon Queen, and noone really knew who or where the immortals were. She was, quite frankly, out of ideas.

[Edynol]

After a few hours of sitting at the bar and conversing, Edynol went to bed. He woke up early the next morning, and after a quick breakfast, and a new drink Delanna called Cafo, Edynol felt oddly energetic, which Delanna said was what the warm drink did. "I could get use to this. You'll have to show me how it's made sometime."

Delanna smiled. "It's easy. Just take some cafo beans, which look like this," she said as she handed him a handful of brown beans, "and boil them in water until it turn brown. Takes about five beans for a cup that size."

Edynol nodded and thanked her. "Well if you have any you can spare, I'd like to buy some when I get back." He then stood up and left the inn. After a few hours of walking, around mid-day, he came across a tavern in the north east part of the city, which was the lower-class part of Tresnia. But still, it was a safe area compared to most other cities. Thieves and cut-purses never lasted long in Tresnia.

As he entered the tavern, he found who he was looking for. An old man playing dice and drinking hard ale. Watching the old man play, he looked to be losing as much as he was winning, but seemed to be enjoying himself. After the guy he was dicing with got up and left, Edynol took his chair and threw a few gold coins on the table. "So it's you," the old man said as he handed Edynol the dice. Edynol gave a small nod and threw the dice, which landed a four and a six.

"That's ten," Edynol said in almost an announcing tone, and the old man slide two gold pieces across the table and took the dice. "You have avoided me for the past twenty years, until now. Why the change of heart?"

The old man put up a gold piece and rolled a three and a five, then Edynol put up two and the old man called. Edynol rolled two fives and took the gold. "Two tens in a row, if you weren't using my own dice I might get suspicious," the old man said out loud with a laugh. He then spoke more quietly. "Well, you should know why I would never cherish meeting you, of all people. But something is happening in the east. She has to be stopped, and no one can take her alone."

Edynol took a drink of ale and rolled the dice again. "So have you seen or heard anything of the others? I know about Ethanraza, so I'll speak with her last. But I think I might go to Eversong next."

The man took the dice and rolled a five and six, and took the gold. "The only other one I have heard any rumors on is in Froz Kholdar, somewhere in Modria Doman, but not in the main city itself. But I have a feeling she might be working as a Runesmith. Every fifty years, it seems a new forge opens in one of the small villages around the Northern Kingdoms, and everytime I go to said shop, she is away on a supply run."

"So what do you plan to do?" Edynol asked the old man befoire taking a sip of ale and throwing the dice, which landed double sixes.

"Great roll, my lad!" The old man announced. "I will head east, to Kodu Trahken. Remember, even in the wildest rumor there's a little truth."

Edynol nodded as he stood up. "Well, old man, I think I'll quit while my purse is still a few coins heavier. Hope to meet you again." He then flipped a coin onto the table for the old drunkard to buy another couple of ales before heading back to the inn.

[Pidge]

Jai tried hard to refuse the gold but they were persistant. Finally forced to take a bag, he liked the idea of getting to an inn for a real shower. He was in truth rather clean looking, but he felt dirty and disliked it. Meandering through the city for a bit he located a few clothing stores where he was able to replace his stained clothes before finally reaching the inn. Securing a room he showered and changed. Once done Jai was in a rather good mood, and decided to go join the festivities of the bar below. People from the caravan, the escort, and the city were all celebrating the arrival of the supplies and their victory. Jai was given a pint of ale before he could even decide if he wanted one.

As it was he did.

The night wore on and Edynol went to bed eventually. The dragon had drank his share but wasnt drunk, something he was particularly good about. Finally deciding that sleep was a good idea, Jai returned to his room and slept like the dead until the following morning. When he did wake up he was still in a good mood from the previous night and went down to the bar for breakfast. The girl Delanna was there.

"Good morning, seen anyone else yet?" he asked with a smile. She took his order and explained that Edynol had already been here and left. Jai nodded, it was interesting how the ranger always seemed to have somewhere to be.

[Mattie2009]

Lucas had drunk well into the night, glad to get off his feet and anywhere that wasn't a warzone. In truth, he had talked more than he drank before he retired to his room. Still, despite this, he awoke with a small storm raging in his mind. He was thankful for the ring, though. Casting a quick glance out of the window, he surmised it was mid-morning. Walking down the stairs, he nodded hi to Delanna and slumped into a seat, wondering what their next move was going to be. He also had a few questions for Edynol and Lanella.

[Jinxed]

Lanella wasn't sure what time it was when she eventually went to bed, but it didn't matter. She'd always been an early riser, and when she left her room the next morning, she discovered only a few others awake before her. Or maybe everyone else was just sleeping in...

"Good morning Jai, Lucas." She smiled, and made her way to the bar, ordering herself breakfast. She considered it a quirk that she had always preferred bar stools to sitting at an actual table, but she had no desire to change. She dug into her plentiful breakfast as soon as it arrived, after thanking Delanna.

Lanella wasn't entirely sure why, but she almost felt like she needed to spark some kind of conversation. She'd been travelling with Jai and Lucas for a while, and had barely spoken to them, which she actually felt kind of bad about. She had stumbled upon the caravan by chance, and pretty much taken in by everyone there... And hardly spoken to most of them.

"So... Um, Jai, Lucas..." Lanella started, turning in her stool so that she could see the both of them, "Any ideas as to what you'll be doing next?"

[Pidge]

Jai had finished most of his breakfast by the time Lucas had wandered down. The way he slumped into his seat Jai figured he might be feeling the after affects of a good night and left the demon be. Lanella came down next.

"Good morning." he replied when she greeted them. Finishing his breakfast he was enjoying some simple fruit juice when Lanella turned to them and asked what their plans for the future might be.

"Well Im hoping to hear word of someone trying to build an army to fight Deldranna. If word comes about I'll more than likely join. Until then I'll probably just travel, might stay here a bit though." he replied, it was an honest answer. He could see all the signs that the Demon Queen was organizing her troops for a wide scale attack, and Jai didn't like it. He just hoped others would see it too.

[Edynol]

When Edynol walked back inside the inn, Delanna waved at him. "So how bout those cafo beans?" He asked, and she tossed him a bag full. He then saw Janella, Jai, and Lucas sitting at a table and went to join them. "Good day, everyone. I trust you all slept well?" Delanna then brought him an ale.

"I think I will heading north with a small section of the Hand," Delanna said. "I've heard news that Modria Doman isn't doing too well. You seem to know almost every area pretty well, we could use your knowledge of the land."

Edynol shook his head. "I'm sorry, Delanna, but I will be heading east to Eversong. I might be headed north afterwards though, so I might see you up there."

Delanna blinked as she ran a hand through her hair. "Why would you go to that forsaken place? No one who goes there ever returns."

Edynol chuckled. "Oh delanna, don't tell me you actually believe those tales? Half the things you hear about Eversong are false. I have been there plenty of time. True, it's not the safest place for those that don't know the land, but that can be said about almost every place."

Delanna nodded reluctantly. "Well, you just be careful anyway. You know, the Hand of Light has been talking about accepting more than just paladins. I've heard Harreck mention you a few times as good first choice to extending our numbers."

Edynol shook his head and shuckled. "I would not make a soldier of the hand. Everyone respects the hand, but too many dislike me for doing the things no one else is willing to do. I'm the guy who does all the dirty jobs, and it would reflect badly on the Hand." Edynol then turned to the others. "If any of you are headed east, you are welcome to travel with me. I know Eversong really well, and you will be pretty safe the route I travel."

[Mattie2009]

Lucas shrugged at Lanella's question in an attempt to avoid it. Truth be told, he had no idea what he was going to do. He doubted there was much left to do but go with Edynol. He had nowhere to go and frankly felt like following the man to see what inane idea he'd concoct next. Eventually Edynol walked in, breaking his chain of thought. Lucas listened carefully, keeping his eyes focused elsewhere. Eventually he looked around as Edynol asked him, Jai and Lanella what they were going to do. The demon pretended to think about it for a while. "I suppose I'll come with. I don't particularly have anything else to do, so why not?" He shrugged, before placing his head on the table.

[Pidge]

Jai was a bit surprised with how forward Edynol was with asking them to travel with him. He smiled a bit, liking the idea. After all he had nothing better to do and simply traveled around anyway. He pondered it for a while, Lucas agreed, that made him consider it further. Even as a demon Jai sorta liked Lucas. He liked Lanella and Edynol as well, they all made good company.

"I like the idea of traveling together as well. I'll come." Jai said finally deciding he liked the idea enough to agree to it. "Will you ask anyone else from the escort?" Jai was the curious type.

[Edynol]

Edynol shook his head in response to Jai's question. "Not many humans or dwarves venture there. Too many old rumors about Eversong are taken as fact amongst the southern lands and most dwarves plain don't like orcs and elves." He then took a sip of ale and lit a pipe. "Plus, it's best to travel in small numbers. A large band of travelers might be seen as a threat by the people of that area. I need to travel quickly, as well. And fewer people move faster. I'm hoping to meet Queen Anella there and want to be there before or soon after she arrives. And Priestess Whispersong has something I need as well." Priestess Vellia Whispersong, the elf queen of Eversong vale. Edynol always felt a tinge of guilt when he thought about that name. Being one of the few who lived back in the Dark Age, she not only knew who Edynol was, but was one of the few that survived the destruction of Anthar. He had only seen her once since then, about twenty years ago, to try to make ammends, but was told to leave and never come back. He wondered how the queen would react to him coming back.

"I am not well liked in Eversong," Edynol said after a moment of thought. "And traveling with me, you may be treated to the same welcome as myself. But don't worry, the elves there never attack or take prisoners without good reason. They may take me prisoner, but as long as you don't interfere, you can travel behind peacefully. Their laws are different from those of man, you won't be arrested for traveling with someone who is wanted or bannished, but you will be watched carefully."

Edynol then finished his ale and stood up. "I'll be at the Eastern Gate just before sunset, if you still wish to join me. I could use your skills and talents on the road ahead, but I will bare no ill will if you decide not to come." He walked out of the inn and headed to the East Gate, Jexus walking beside him after comming from seemingly nowhere.

[Jinxed]

"I went to Eversong once... It was nice. Very easy to get lost around there though..." Lanella rested her elbow on the table, and her chin in her hand, staring seemingly into no where as she spoke mostly to herself. Whilst Edynol had spoken, and Lucas and Jai agreed to travelling, she'd been quiet. She watched as Edynol left the inn, a thoughtful look on her face.

"He's awfully well connected... I wonder how he knows so many important people..." Lanella murmered to herself, before shaking her head as if to empty it of thought. "I think I'll join you all to Eversong, if you don't mind my company."

[Pidge]

"I would never turn down the company of a lovely lady like yourself." Jai said before smiling. Then a thought clicked into his mind. "Umm...Lucas. Your comfortable traveling with a dragon arent you? I know our races dont typically get along..."

Jai was aware most demon truely disliked dragons, but he hoped Lucas wasnt one of them. He personally didnt hold a grudge against any race, and at this point he was even beginning to consider everyone from the traveling group his friends. He had spent more time with them then he had anyone else in years and was begining to get quite comfortable with them.

[Mattie2009]

Lucas looked around at Jai and stared at him. "Really? You're going to bring that up after we travelled across the wastes together and fought off an army of invading orcs?" He asked, head tilted. "Of course not, you fool." He said, suddenly stopping and looking around. Nobody who wasn't in on Lucas's true nature seemed to have taken notice of the exchange, but still. He turned back to Jai. "And is this really the best place?" He asked the dragon in a quieter tone. "We can discuss this all we want when we leave."

[Edynol]

When the others arrived, Edynol was sitting on Jexus and had four other horses with him, One for each of them and another to carry supplies. He hoped all of them would come, but if any of them decided not to, then a spare horse wouldn't hurt. "I'm glad you all decided to come. It will be nice to have some company." The first few days of the journey were peaceful. They little contact with others aside from a few peddlers and travelers going to and from Tresnia. On the third day, they stopped at a small trade village a few miles from the Eversong border. It was mostly populated by humans but had a few dwarves there, a blacksmith and runesmith and inn keeper. There were three main roads intersecting into the village, the one from Tresnia, one headed north to Frozh Kholdar, and a well guarded one that went to Eversong.

After staying at the village for a night and restocking on supplies, they crossed the border. After traveling a few more days, a strange, but beautiful voice could be heard singing in elvish. It seemed to be coming from everywhere and nowhere. Edynol and Jai remained unaffected, but Janella and Lucas started feeling safe and secure, like there was nothing that could possibly go wrong in this place. "Be mindful of your thoughts," Edynol said. "The deepwoods of Eversong are enchanted to cause people to drop their guard and be caught unaware by the scouts that patrol the forest."

As the sun set, it was already getting pretty dark because of all the tree cover and Edynol came to a stop at a small clearing. There was no longer any road or path to follow, but Edynol didn't need one. "Let's set up camp for the night. We should split the watches, I will take first and third, Jai will take the second, since the enchantment doesn't affect those with dragon blood. Lucas and Janella, you can decide which shifts you will take. And remember, there are also orcs in these woods, but the ones on this side aren't evil, they are mostly druids, so don't attack them if they approach. The ones on the eastern border aren't evil either, per se', but they are savage and do not like humans very much." As Edynol started to set up camp, he spoke to Janella. "You said you've been to Eversong before?" Edynol asked idly. "What brought you here previously?"

[Jinxed]

Lanella enjoyed the first few days of their journey to Eversong, enjoying the rare pleasure of travelling with other people. She'd made a lot of friends in her years of travel, but she had never really spent a lot of time around any of them. She was used to travelling on her own.

Though warned by Edynol to stay on her guard, Lanella couldn't help but be lulled into serenity by the voice penetrating the woods. She knew, in the back of her mind, that the feeling of security was false, but she also knew that there wasn't a whole lot of chance of actually being hurt. Even the scouts of Eversong were relatively nice. After all, they'd gotten her to the capital the first time she'd been there. Still, she kept her eyes open for anyone else in the woods.

Lanella grinned when Edynol asked her about her previous visit to Eversong. "It was three years ago when I first came to Eversong Vale. Just months before, I'd crossed the Wastes for the first time, travelling with a merchant train for safety. After some time in Tresnia and the surrounding area, I was just... drawn here. All the rumors about people disappearing intrigued me. It was curiosity, really. I only ended up wandering the woods for a few days before some of the scouts found me. They kindly escorted me to the capital, I had a nice time, I moved on. I haven't been back since... Those were the days when I was just travelling for pleasure, going wherever I fancied. Lately I've been trying to figure out what's going on. Deldranna is getting braver with her armies, and I've been interested in finding a way to stop her. Or at least, find out what's being done to stop her... Someone's got to do something, I guess..." Lanella trailed off, staring blankly in thought. Then she smiled, and focused on Edynol.

"Sorry, that was an answer dealing with a bit more than you asked for..." She couldn't help but chuckle, pretty much laughing at herself.

[Edynol]

Edynol nodded at Janella and smiled as he built a small campfire and put on some tea. "No appology needed, I was just sparking a conversation. But you're right, something does need to be done. That's the main reason I am traveling so much lately. I'm trying to organize an offensive against the demon queen. It's high time for everyone to stop worrying about their own lands and people and put their differences aside and confront Deldranna and her forces."

When the water started boiling, Edynol added a few leaves to it. "Priestess Whispersong is a caring queen, but as I'm sure you know, she sees and worries about nothing beyond the borders of her realm. What little she hears from travelers about the world outside she dismisses as trivial things that don't conscern her, so it's likely she doesn't know the state the world is in or about Deldranna's armies growing. And I think Deldranna is counting on that. She will leave Eversong alone, give Whispersong no reason to send her armies across the border, keeping her ignorant and complacent, until she's ready to strike. If that happens, Eversong won't stand a chance."

When the tea was finished, Edynol poured everyone a cup. "That's why Anella...I mean, Queen Anella Sareth-Ethran is on her way here, if she isn't here already. Not many people know this, but Priestess Whispersong used to be a Vealian Mestai before the fall of Anthar and Old Vealinar, which was where Evergreen Oasis is now. So if anyone can convince her, Queen Anella can. She's Vealian Mestai first, queen second." After taking a sip of tea, edynol leaned back against a tree and lit his pipe.

[Mattie2009]

(Happy 100 replies, guys!)

Lucas had dismissed the enchantment by now, and was lying on the ground listening to the chatter between Edynol and Janella. "Wait." He said, holding a hand up in the air. "Even if it was just rumours, I'd take notice of someone attempting to take over the world. Very few people would have the audacity to lie about it, and it certainly isn't a trivial matter. Why would she be so hasty to dismiss it as not her problem?" he asked, sitting upright. "And even the most complacent and dismissive of people will take notice of someone being attacked practically at their royal front doorstep. Unless Deldranna's plan for this place hinges on the Priestess having a stroke and forgetting what an army is supposed to do, which, for the record, I extremely doubt is likely or even possible, I don't see her logic here." He said. "Hrm. Then again, who can understand the logic of people who want to take over the world? Most of them are so crazy they can't even spell their own name without killing someone." He muttered, hand on his chin.

[Edynol]

Edynol took a drag from his pipe and blew out a puff of smoke before looking at Lucas. "The attacks on Telanthria have just begun recently, remember. And not many people venture into Eversong and even fewer venture out. It is not difficult to remain ignorant of the world when nothing affects you or your land. For centuries Deldranna's forces have been contained in the Maul of Corruption, but something's happened recently across the sea in Aedranar. I haven't been in the eastern lands in many years, so I don't know what the situation is over there."

A sudden ruffle in some near by bushes averted Edynol's attention, but it turned out to only be a rabbit. "I know alot more about the world today than Whispersong does, better than most, actually, and even I do not know all of what's happening to the north. As for the attack on Tresnia, it's very likely anyone in Eversong even knows about it, we are probably the first people traveling from Tresnia to enter Eversong in years, and their scouts on the southern border were most likely distracted in the same way Knotstrim was so they wouldn't see the attack on Tresnia." Edynol took another drag from his pipe and let it out. "So now do you see how easy it is for someone to be kept ignorant of the world outside?"

[Mattie2009]

Lucas blinked. "In all my years, never has so much explained so little." He said, leaning back. "Wait. Knotstrim was 'distracted' by an army of orcs. If Eversong was distacted in the same way... Gnaargh. All this meta-distractional nonsense is giving me a headache. I'll just say that if you want to keep someone unaware of something, assaulting them seems extremely counterproductive." He said, before rubbing his head and laying back, eyes fixed on the sky. He considered playing the flute for a moment, but quickly decided against it. His eyes were beginning their nightly dim glow. "You're either the smartest person I've met, or the craziest." He said to Edynol. Then; "I fail to see how anyone will fall asleep with this singing." He muttered. "Anyone got earplugs?"

[Setsa]

Setsa was amongst the scouts that night on patrol in that peticular area...their conversation easy enough for them to hear from a distance. Never had the scouts seen such a mix of races before all together especially in their woods. Not believing it herself until she saw for her own eyes as she approached high in the trees above while the others moved in below; taking their time to make their move when few were awake.

Apparently one amongst the group was recognized enough to cause the leader to edge closer bow drawn not even bothering to watch and wait any longer. To her they were just another set of intruders that would be brought to the Queen for further questioning unless they proved a threat otherwise.

Moments later Setsa got the tap on her shoulder 'curse it me again?' she thought to herself not liking to be the one to first approach newcomers lately thinking it was to serve as a punishment for filling their ears the past night with warnings that something in the land wasnt right. Dropping down silently to the thick grass below she walked slowly to the burning fire not carrying any weapons she posed no threat as the light started to dance on her soft bare skin illuminating her own firey red hair.

[Edynol]

Edynol chuckled at Lucas' response and was about to reply when he noticed a figure standing in the fire light. She was a young elf, less than two-hundred years most likely, her red hair not too uncommon from the elves in this region. But knowing elves, she would not be alone. "Good evening, my friend," Edynol said to the young girl. "We are travelers here to see Priestess Whispersong."

As soon as he was finished speaking, one of the elves with her appeared from on of the trees beside her, his bow knocked and ready. "Sharath'adar, you are not welcome in Eversong," the older elf said. Sharath'adar was the elvin name given to him which meant Dark Reaper. At the mention of the title, another elf appeared off to the side. "You were banished from our land. One does not simply break their own banishment from Eversong."

"I am here to see your queen. It's of the utmost importance. There is trouble in the world, and Whispersong must hear my news if she is to act accordingly for the good of the world."

The elf looked blankly at Edynol for a moment as if he heard the same story before. "You intrude into our homeland, then expect to be granted an audience with Her Holiness? The troubles of men are of no conscern to us. Our obligation is to our land and keeping our own borders safe."

Edynol let out a sigh and rubbed his forehead. "So you think to deny me? I know I was banished, and I don't seek forgiveness for my crimes against your people, some things cannot be forgiven. But trust me, why would I risk coming here, knowing your laws, in small company, if it were not important? If you wish it, I will hand over my sword and you may take me under arrest. But I must see Priestess Whispersong."

The elf stood in thought for a moment before gesturing to the other one to the side, who came and took Edynol's claymore. "Setsa. Bind him and watch him closely," the older elf said. Edynol then turned to his three companions. "Remember what I said. Let them take me. We don't want any trouble."

[Jinxed]

"The problem, Lucas, is that the High Priestess keeps herself ignorant of the outside world. Deldranna only has to make sure things stay that way, and she won't have to worry about Eversong until she's ready to conquer it." Lanella added to the discussion before the elvin scout appeared.

"Sharath'adar?" Lanella whispered to herself, her expression thoughtful and slightly confused, once the second elf had emerged from the trees and spoken. Lanella was no expert in elvish, but she did understand the negative undertones of the name. What Edynol had done that was so bad, Lanella wasn't sure she wanted to know. Despite this, she was convinced that he was a "good guy" (so to speak) and someone with good intentions; so she didn't allow herself to completely change her opinion of him based on something that had really pissed the elves off.

"Oh, no worries about that from me Edynol. I'm not impervious to arrows, so I won't stir up any trouble. Besides, I quite like the elves. I'm not going to make myself their enemy." She was grinning by the time she ended her second sentence, portraying that she was, mostly, joking. "So, how are things in Eversong?" Lanella asked the nearest elf, a good-natured smile on her face; her posture completely relaxed.

[Setsa]

"Thank you all for comming willingly " Setsa said as she approached closer smiling back to Lanella "The city is lively and prosperous thank you." A scripted response for the moment until she knew more about the group though she was surprised to hear that they too were well aware of the comming threat outside their realm; which proved to be an inner relief for herself.

" I am known as Setsa, one of the healers in Eversong. Before we soon leave is there anyone in need of a healer's touch? We won't be stoping until we arrive at high sun tomorrow.....seeing as you all agree to follow us in good spirits no one will be handcuffed but Edynol in his own agreed reason." Her voice was soft casting a glance over each one as the other elves gathered the weapons as per protocal.

Approaching Edynol after his wrists were securely bound she looked at the scouting leader then back to the one of his own ill name. "As for an audience with our queen even though there will be much protest....you are entitled to such though it may not be until the day after we arrive, she will not rush to hear your request I am certain."

[Pidge]

Jai knew as soon as he asked that his question at the bar had been on the thicker side of idiocy, but he didnt always think before speaking. It was still nice to know they were all friends though.

When they left out everything seemed reasonably calm. The group got along well, the supply stop was nice, the horses well behaved. Jai was impressed that his horse didnt seemed spooked by him like so many others. As they entered the woods and Jai heard the singing he thought it was nice but it didnt affect him. When they stopped for the night he listened to the conversations with a smile on his face and even chuckled a bit to himself when Lucas and Edynol were discussing Deldranna's war reasoning. What Jai found most interesting though was the fact that Edynol wanted to works towards fighting the demon queen...perhaps sticking with him wasnt such a bad idea. Jai didnt add to the conversation this time. He was more of a thinker than a speaker.

Suddenly an elf appeared, then two more. Jai remained silent still and simply watched. The encounter remained peaceful and he was glad. Even dragons could be injured with arrows. When the elf Setsa asked if they needed healing Jai gave her a smile.

"No miss I am fairly certain we are all in good health, but thank you for the kind offer." he said continueing to smile. The dragon had met elves before but he had never been to Eversong, so this was a new experience for him.

(catch up done...beating myself in the head now cause it sucks)

[Edynol]

When Edynol's hands were bound, Jexus let out an odd, gutteral sound that seemed to be a cross between a niegh and a growl as he nudged Setsa in the back with his nose. "Easy boy," Edynol said as he looked back at the horse. Jexus' ears twitched as he gave snort, but he settled down and walked with the other horses. After a few hours, they came across another group of scouts, and after a few words were exchanged, one of them ran ahead hastely to alert their queen. The journey lasted the rest of the night and most of the next day, but despite is current restraints, it was more pleasant than he expected.

The city of Eversong Vale was marvelous sight to behold. Once a part of Anthar, the city was once named Thel'mavra'la, The Mystical Valley. Surrounding a huge dragon-oak, in which a small palace was built within its large trunk ina way that didn't harm the tree, were several large Marble statues of fallen leaders and healers from times forgotten by most. Bridges made from eloquently combined marble and wood and vines crossed several clear streams as several animals roamed amongst the citizens with no worry. And though most of the people were elves, there were a few orcs and humans among them that interacted peacefull, actually enjoying each others' company.

But before they could enter the city, a sudden breeze picked up and everyone stopped what they were doing as a white figure seemed to glide down the main path. It was Priestess Whispersong. A few of the elves looked quizzically at each other. It was very uncommon for the queen to respond to a summon request so quickly, and even more so for her to go outside the city walls without a guard. "Why do you return, Sharath'adar? I thought at our last meeting I made it clear you were no longer welcome within the tranquil borders of Eversong Vale, but I guess I shouldn't be surprised that your word is as empty as your soul."

Jexus made that odd gutteral sound again and a dark, menacing look briefly passed over Edynol's face but was gone in a blink and replaced by a blank expression. The last few words struck a nerve. "Easy, Jexus," he said before looking Vellia in the eye. "I accepted my banishment, Vellia, but I didn't promise to never return." A few gasps arose from the crowd that had gathered behind Vellia, no one addressed their queen so formally. "But this is more important than the problems between us. I really must speak with you, but out here in the open is not the place. Deldranna has many spies, and I promise, some are here hiding in plain sight amongst your people."

Vellia stared at Edynol for a long moment, her face emotionless as stone, before she finally closed her eyes and let out a sigh. "Unbind him. We will talk in private."

One of the elvin guards and one orc guard stepped up to her side. "We shall attend you, your Holiness," the orc said, but she waved a dismissive hand at him. "That won't be neccessary, Tharil. I have no use for guards when dealing with this man." She then turned to Setsa and the other scouts. "Do not let our new guests wonder unsupervised, but make them feel welcome."

Edynol looked to his companions and gave them a nod. "I'll be back soon, I hope," he said before turning to follow the priestess to her palace in the tree.

[Mattie2009]

Lucas sighed. "I suppose not everything can go smoothly." He muttered before walking off, his bone wing gliding smoothly over, or rather past Setsa, the gap where a wing would be helping this. His thoughts were turned to Edynol; the name the elves here had given him was not a good one. The tone they spoke it in made that crystal clear. Still, the more attention on him, the less there was on the rest of them. He stopped and turned, mainly because the only reason he had walked off in the first place was to do that to Setsa. "So, what are we going to do now? We can't really go anywhere until those two are finished discussing what they need to discuss, so what now?"

[Setsa]

Setsa nodding in understanding to Jai before they made the rest of the trip to Eversong she hadn't seen a dragon built more for the air and movement before, more interesting was how all of them seemed to at the moment do well together. But Eversong wasn't a pure-elven place either.

With the Queen making immediate time to see the one ill named Sharath'adar; giving new instructions out to the scouting team that eyed their...guests... talking very briefly as they were talking about who would take first watch over them. She intended to least give them a chance to rest and enjoy the city as this could take awhile. Taking a deep breath in as the one named Lucas brushed or moved his bare wing over her form raising an eyebrow as he does such.

"Well you all are welcomed to stay in my large dwelling until the meeting is over with however long that takes....right now we are preparing for a festival tomorrow night that is quite wonderful so there is alot of activity around us. " Taking the reins of Jexus softly stroking his neck "Your steads can be let out to pasture as well...even if the scouts are watching you they too know thats no excuse to be unwelcoming wether they care to or not."

[Pidge]

Jai smiled as a breeze blew his pale hair and his lavender eyes took in the city of Eversong for the first time. He petted his own horse absent mindedly when they came to a stop. He listened intently to the conversation between the preistess and Edynol. He also caught the strange look on Edynols face...it bothered him but he didnt say a word. Then as Edynol left, Lucas brought up the idea of what to do now. Setsa said they were welcome to her home.

"Thats very kind of you Setsa." Jai started noting her offer. "And, if you dont mind me asking, Lucas has a point and I dont think any of use but Lanella know much about the city. What all is there to do and see in Eversong? This festival sounds interesting..."

[Edynol]

After a few hours, the sounds of chimes arose throughout the city. They had a nice, tranquil melody that seemed to flow with the sound of the wind. Sevral figures, both orcs and elves, dressed in fine white robes approached and entered the palace as everyone in the city stopped what they were doing and came from there dwellings to await the imminent announcement that always followed a meeting of the queen's council. Everyone was talking and wondering what the announcement would be. It had been twenty years, when Edynol was here last, since the last council meeting.

After about an hour bright lights of strong holy magic shone from the palace and loud screams could be heard that seemed to be coming from Edynol. After about half an hour more, the light faded away and the palace doors opened. When the Queen and her council walked out, two of them were carrying Edynol, who was barely able to stand even with their aid. His normal clothes were replace with a white robe and holy energy rose from his head and shoulders like smoke. The two elves helped Edynol infront of Priestess Whispersong and let him fall to the ground.

Edynol then struggled to raise himself to one knee and bowed as best he could, which was not so much a bow as him hunching over his knee. Vellia then raised a hand and everyone went silent. "This man has willingly faced the Sa'de la'Grace and survived as per our customs and laws. I here-by absolve him of his crimes and lift his banishment." The Sa'de la'Grace was a spell that priests linked their powers together to cast. It made the target confront the souls of all the lives they'd taken, each touch from a soul seeming to burn the target's heart. Most people died from the Sa'de la'Grace, and the few who did survive were mostly driven mad from it. The punishment Edynol recieved would have killed a hundred men a hundred times over, but being an immortal, he was forced to endure it without the luxury of death.

Vellia gestured to two of the priests and they went and helped Edynol back to his feet. "Take him to the Healing House. Be sure he gets plenty of food and water and is treated well. The name Sharath'adar is never to be spoken again within our borders." She then turned to a few of the guards that had approached. "Send a few scouts out to the southern border. Any humans who cross are to be esorted here with all haste. I am expecting someone." As the priests carried Edynol to the Healing House, a few guards went to spready the orders to a few scouts.

[Setsa]

Accompanying the group to her large dwelling she pays no mind to the curious watchful eyes that follow. " Well the Tanri festival is much like what I've heard to be a celebration of the summer soulstice? A few days held here every year where almost everyone comes to celebrate the crops sprouting from spring planting, and all the hard work everyone in our region puts in to keep us going strong for another season. Each night there is music, dancing, the best food, elven wine and ale one can drink.....games and stories are told....at high moon the Dancing Lights are cast into the sky. Which I do admit is one of my favorite things to see durring the next few days."

Opening her door she steps in inviting the rest, "there are 2 other bedrooms upstairs that you can use to rest however you wish to divide them up amongst eachother. I do have plenty of pillows and warm blankets to help." Setsa was trying to least keep their minds off of Edynol while the time past. Her dwelling made of stone walls so that the trees were not destroyed it was big enough to suit her needs providing plenty of sunlight through the windows. "The kitchen is open for your hunger and bathrooms are on both levels.....I have a small garden in the back for fresh goods and plenty of space if any prefer to just set up tents outside....just be weary of the young sapling trees please.....you are free to go in and out as you see fit."

Hearing the call of the council Setsas ears perked up looking to towards the palace trees "something is happening ....the council hasnt been called in many season cycles....please excuse me." In a quickened pace she joined the others who waited to see what was decided....seeing Edynol emerge in such a weakened state with explination from the Queen she was glad that she trusted her inner thought about the good spirit of him and the group.....requesting at the healing house that she was informed when he was awake so the others could see him.

[Zackereth]

The Half elf dressed in a light green cloak and sat near a large tree humming a tune while fiddling with his model. He smiled to his masterpiece which turned out to look like a small owl he thought a moment then took his knife to make a small hole above the head and slipped a small leather tread through it and tied it. He then closed his eyes and stood placing the figurine in his pocket.

He strolled into small town and seen some movement in the house and walked towards it. He could smell the crops that grew around and smiled. He then laughed. "Great place to start anew." He looked down the road and thought a moment. "Perhaps i should ask someone around perhaps there might be someone who can tell me where I am and where I may rest my tired head." He seen movement again in the house of what seemed to be one of healing. He then cracked his neck and walked over to the healing house and knocked lightly on the door. Wiping off his forehead with a cloth he waited for someone to answer.

[Jinxed]

Lanella listened to Setsa's explanation of their festival with interest, and gazed around the elf's home in awe. Her last (and only) visit to Eversong had only been about a week, and not in the time of any festivals or parties... She'd mostly hung around a small tavern she'd come across, run by a human but thriving in several races. She'd learned a lot about the elves there, but she'd learned more about what it was like to live among them.

As the chimes had rung through the city, Lanella had followed Setsa, and visibly winced as Edynol's screaming could be heard. She had no idea what was going on, and seemed herself in pain when he was brought from the palace. She wasn't sure how he had survived such an ordeal, judging by the murmering that surrounded her as he was taken to the healing house. Shaking off the worry that had settled itself in her stomach, Lanella sought out the Tavern she'd so loved, The Nightingale's Song. It was, like much of the rest of Eversong, a very peaceful place. However, she didn't spend long there, and wandered restlessly through the city. She knew she was being watched, but she didn't mind. Though not as intense, the same had happened the first time she was there. She wandered a small market for a while, and came across a slender silver bracelet, which immediately caught her attention. She wasn't much for the jewelry, but the wavy silver band with a single green stone set plainly in the center immediately found a place in her heart. Without much thought, she bought it, and was delighted by it. The bracelet seemed to fit her wrist perfectly, slipping gently on but not off again. She smiled, and made her way to the healing house, with a little help from some of the locals. She arrived to find someone at the door, and she cocked her head to the side curiously as she approached.

"Hi there." She smiled, addressing him. "Are you here to see someone?" She asked, assuming someone would soon answer the door. Apparently he couldn't just go in... Considering that he was waiting there, and had probably knocked. She didn't find it too strange...

[Zackereth]

The half elf turned and smile. "Why hello there. No, Im waiting for one to answer who mightt know the answer i seek. Im new here and in need of a bit of guidance." He winked with his Left eye that its silver tone glinted off the sun. He then looked towards the door and turned to ask "And your name might be? Mine is Zackereth Hilttail. You can call me Zack or whichever your comfortable with." He smiled and looked down at her bracelet then up. "Wonderful bracelet you have on you." He Then looked at the door and sighed. "Seem I might as well ask you for the answer i seek. What is this beautiful place and anywhere i can take camp at along with Find shops around for ration and supplies or work perhaps?" He smiled.

[Setsa]

The healing house then opened towards Zack and Lanella after tending to some patients that just weren't recovering well, needing her healing hands to speed the process foward. Checking on Edynol as he was still resting she placed a single finger on his forehead silencing his mind with a calming melody so that he may rest in peace awakening only when he is ready.

By the time she saw the pair waiting for the door she overheard only the end of the conversation. "This is Eversong sir" Setsa smiling warmly though it had been a long night and day so far. "From what I know the inns are crowded due to the gatherings for the festival starting tonight....if you cant find any lodging you may stay at my dwelling either inside or out back depending on what the woman beside you and her group hasnt claimed to sleep as is. Long as you respect those inside ofcourse." Worried about the mixed races there now she didnt need trouble. "If you'll excuse me....I myself need to get ready for tonight...Lanella, I have some silks that should fit you if you like...Edynol is asleep and resting well I made sure myself...someone will find us if he wakes up or with any news. You know where I'll be"

Smiling to them both she went back to her now full dwelling to take a well deserved bath and dress into some of the best silks she had...looking foward to dancing to the musicians tonight.

[Zackereth]

Zack laughed and politely said "I will leave the confortable area to you and the others. I like sleeping under a tree anyhow" He winked and took the figurine nacklace of the small owl he carved out of his pocket and handed it to Lanella and bowed "If you need any help with anything never hesitate to ask. I am very talent with some work that i do." He bowed and headed to the back to set up his living area under a tree. He then sat under the tree after laying his bed covers on the ground and started to hum a soft tune. Even though he wasn't he had a knowing to his family songs and his racial traditions. He then whispered after humming the last note. "Even shall this body crumble. the soul is immortal." He then looked into the tree and smiled. "Well Zack, New town, New things to do. Anew shall you become. Just hope for some dirty work to do later on."

[Edynol]

The next day, everything for the festival was set up and the roads were crowded with people. Flags and banners lined the main street leading from the palace and children were playing all around while everyone else was engaged in pleasent conversation. Edynol slept til almost noon, and was still feeling weak, but he well enough to get up and walk around. Some new clothes were laid out for him, a green and brown shirt made from thin leather and cloth and brown leather trousers. The colors were about the same as his regular clothes, which were destroyed during the Sa'de la'Grace, but the designs were different. They suited him though and were confortable.

An elf priest and orc guard followed him from the Healing House. The guard to both watch and protect him in his weakened state, and the priest to look after him incase he fell ill. In his current state, it wouldn't take much a incapsitate him, well, not much by his standards anyway. An arrow through the heart or a powerful blast of magic and he would be out for days. Jexus found him soon after he left the Healing House and walked beside him. The horse had an odd air about him, his neck stiff and steps soft for a horse, he seemed more like a guard dog than a horse.

As they walked towards the center of the city, where the main part of the festival was held, Edynol started hearing talk of a messenger. Edynol got to the messenger the same time Vellia did. "The queen..." the exhausted man said trying to catch his breath. "Queen Anella...She was taken."

Edynol knelt down infront of the man. "Taken! How? She has crossed the wastes many times, nothing there is capable of incapacitating her. How are you here and she is not. Tell me!"

"We were taken by surprised by orcs riding wyvern. They killed everyone but me and Queen Anella. She killed them all though, dozens of them like they were bugs beneath her boot. But then there was a guy, an elf, I think, with markings on his face. He was powerful. She held up against him long enough for me to get away. She told to get here as fast as I can, and to find Priestess Eversong. She said you might be here too, Master Crezlyn."

"I have to go now. I have to get to her." He grabbed the saddle on Jexus, but the horse side-stepped and edynol fell to his knees, a near-by priest catching him from falling on his face. "Damn you beast! I will not put up with your stubborness right now!"

Vellia grabbed him by the shoulders and held him down as did a few guards. As weak as Edynol was, it didn't take much to hold him down. "You are in no condition to go on a crusade into Anthar. Wait. Anella is a strong sister. And if they were to kill her, she'd be dead instead of captured. Stay and regain your strength. I will send some of my best soldiers with you to help save her."

Edynol looked at her, his eyes bloodshot from unshed tears of anger. "You will send soldiers across the border?"

Vellia closed her eyes and nodded. "If there is one man in the waste strong enough to capture Anella, and to do so one her way here, then it is clear something is happening, and it conscerns all of us." She then took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "The kingdom of Eversong will go to war." Just as the last words left her mouth, one of the elvin guards standing behind her lunged at her with a dagger and planted it in her shoulder, missing its mark for her neck, then chaos started as several dozen elves and orcs started attacking the citizens. The spies Edynol said were all around finally revealed themselves.

[Zackereth]

Zackereth was nearby over hearing the conversation between them and came into view. Slung his bow off his Shoulder and Started to Fire arrows by the sec at many of the attacks. He moved quickly in front of Edynol and drew several daggers and started piercing Many of the attackers with them flying fast hitting their marks with Deadly precision. Zack then Yelled "We have to stop the attack and fast, It may seem we have no choice but to fight. I will help as much as i can!" Zackereth ran over to a large group of attackers and started swinging swiftly blocking their attacks with ease and Killing those who have shown danger upon the civilians.

[Mattie2009]

Lucas was, at the time, strolling around the city. He was looking notably more upbeat than before, and his wing had grown a few shades darker. Then, he heard the screams. A spy that was trying to sneak up behind him was quickly decapitated with a swift swing of his sword. He inspected the body. "Better luck next time, old chap." He said, half grinning. Before he ran off to find Edynol, he picked up the dagger the spy had been carrying. "Nice craftsmanship." He muttered before carefully placing it in a pouch on his belt. While in the air he saw what was going on. Pure chaos. He spotted Edynol and hurled himself at the ground nearby. What followed was a decidedly undignified landing. After plucking himself from the ground, he began throwing fire bolts with both hands, trying to pick off as many spies as he could. "Morning, Edynol!" He called out to him over the slaughter.

[Jinxed]

Lanella had no time to respond to Zackereth before Setsa emerged from the healing house. She was happy to hear that Edynol was doing well, though it wasn't much of a surprise. She was confident in the healing abilities of the elves here, and she knew that Edynol was tough. She had a feeling that no matter what he went through, he'd handle it.

Left on her own, Lanella hung the small wooden owl from her neck, and continued wandering throughout the city.

Lanella awoke in a very good mood the next morning. Despite Setsa's kind offer of lending Lanella some nice clothes for the festival, Lanella had stumbled across a dress the day before, and bought it. She was moving through her gold rather quickly... But Lanella was used to fending for herself anyway. A little spending money never lasted long in her pocket. The dress was a silky forest green, and very simple in design. It was pulled in at the waist, and the skirt fell to just above her knees. She'd also purchased some simple brown sandals, which laced around her feet and halfway up her shin. She also wore the bracelet she'd bought, and the small wooden owl around her neck.

The morning of the festival was lovely. She wandered the streets of the city on her own, enjoying the friendliness and good spirits of everyone celebrating. She was gradually heading towards the middle of the city, where the most people were, when she noticed a bit of a commotion ahead. She pushed her way through the crowds in time for the High Priestess to declare war, and for the killing to begin.

She noticed Zackereth jump into the fray, and would have happily joined him; except for the fact that she didn't have her daggers on her. She'd dressed for a fun and relaxed day, not yet another battle. Instead of joining the fight, Lanella fell into the only other thing she was good for; healing. Though she didn't have any of her medicines on her either, she could work magic for a while.

"Here we go again..." She said to herself, trying to help many of the innocent citizens caught in the fray away from danger, and healing as many of the injured ones as she could. After a few moments, she noticed a small girl pressing herself up against the wall of a building, obviously terrified. And bleeding. Lanella ducked between two men who were fighting to get to the girl. As she did, an elf looking almost crazed approached, weilding a dagger. It was clear he didn't really know what he was doing, but he was definitely on Deldranna's side. As he swung the dagger down towards her, Lanella twisted out of the way, then grabbed his arm with one hand, while pulling the dagger from his hand with the other. He retaliated by swinging his free fist towards her face. As she turned to avoid it, he wrenched his other hand free, and jabbed her in the stomach. With barely a second to recover herself, Lanella straightened and kneed the man in the groin. As he doubled over in pain, she elbowed him in the back of the head, knocking him out. Breathing heavily, she turned to the girl, and got her away from the fight. She took a moment to heal the gash on the girl's arm, before telling her to run, and turning back to the fight. Now she had a dagger, she would be able to handle herself better as she got the injured away from the fighting.

[Setsa]

Setsa was in the market replenishing some supplies from the last scouting outing when many people raced past her towards the palace something about the Queen being hurt. Immediatley she followed others to where the fight was, up all night dancing with some of the musicians she hadnt had the chance to go home to change her silk attire. First she saw the Queen, then Edynol both in bad shape.

"My queen! What happened!?!" Helping to prop up the queen against something she immediatley without waiting for a response touched the shoulder, the feeling of warmth from the rising sun flooding her body. The wound healing fast and with ease she made sure the Queen was back to full health before helping her stand back up.

[Pidge]

When the announcement of Edynol's being cleared of his crimes occured, jai had been standing outside Setsa's wonder home simply enjoying the view. Edynol was weak but he was tough and the dragon figured he would recover. He also felt like going to the healing area would be a waste. He had no healing magic and would only be in the way. So Jai chose to explore the city and rest the day before the festival instead. Everyone had been in good spirits and he didnt mind be under close watch. Jai fretted about weather Edynol really was ok or not but he figured the man was. Everyone seemed to know they were in the same party so he figured word would find him if Edynol wasnt ok. By the end of the day he had purchased a new set of clothes that suited him. A pale blue silk tunic and black leather pants with matching boots. The colors contrasted his pale appearence well and he decided he would wear them for the festival the next day.

The festival's start had been wonderful. The colorful banners and mass amount of people celebrating was simply enthraling and Jai felt very excited. He was enjoying everything when he passed through the center of the city. He saw Edynol then, trying to mount his horse, who wasnt cooperating. He wasnt close enough to hear what was said, but the worst occured. Someone lunged and stabbed Whispersong. Jai was swept up in the commotion and lost sight of Edynol and the priestess. The spys were attacking and Jai was quick to jump into the defense.

Slicing away at enemys the dragon was having to focus hard in the chaos. He didnt want to accidentaly hit an innocent and wind was hard to control. It was this extreme focus in the large throng of people that made him miss the enemy sneaking up behind him. The elf took a dagger and slammed it deep into the dragons shoulder in hopes of killing him, or atleast causing him to loose the function of his arm. The elf met a quick end after that but Jai's arm would barely move. Cursing the fact that it was too crowded to fight in his dragon form Jai carried on his assault with one hand and some stronger attack magic.

[Zackereth]

An Orc went for Zack's head and Zack rolled away and jumped and kicked off a wagon nearby and drove to daggers into the orcs neck. As the orc fell, Zack stood on its back for a safe landing and ripped out the daggers and threw into the throats of two on coming enemy. He look around to see Lanella. he noticed she was wearing his necklace he gave her. He looked back forward and seen a orc ready to swing at him. He drew his sabre swiftly and blocked the blow and drove his last dagger into the heart of the orc. he threw him down to the side and ran to Lanella. "Are you alright."

[Jinxed]

"Oh, hello there." Lanella smiled when Zackereth appeared, not immediately answering his question. She was, at the time, healing a rather nasty wound in the leg of a very disgruntled elf. The man was propped against a broken cart as she worked on his leg, her hands seeming to glow slightly. "Yes, I'm fine. I can handle myself in a brawl, so no need to worry. We just need to finish the fighting, and soon." Her focus left the elven man as his leg healed, and he ran off. Before turning her focus to Zackereth completely, she ducked a punch, which hadn't been aimed for her, but was uncomfortably close. She crossed her arms, and looked at Zackereth with a small smile on her face. She seemed at ease, though every muscle was on alert.

"Any ideas?"

[Zackereth]

Zackereth laughed and smiled "Well you impressed me." he winked and went serious and drew a long rope that was hanging from his side and whipped it at an enemy which caught him around the neck and firmly tugged hard force enough to break his neck. Zack then seen a group of citizens cornered by an enemy who looked like he was enjoying the citizens fear. He rushed in from behind and wrapped the rope around his neck and placed his foot firmly on his back and force him downward to kick the enemy backwards causing the enemy to crash its head hard on ground and smashing his neck. Zack then sprung up recovered his rope and drew his sword and tied it to the rope and started to wield it like a ball and chain but with a sword. After downing a few he worked the citizens closer to Lanella and shouted "See if any are injured. Ill start focusing on ending this fight." right when he said that an arrow came in from the high right roof of a home and hit him in the right arm. Zack growled and drew a dagger and Launched it into the archers forehead. He then reached for the arrow and was hit by another arrow into the back. Zack howled in pain and fell to his knees. He ripped the arrow out of his arm and turned and used his own bow and fired it into the neck of the second archer "Payback hurts dont it...." and he fell forward unconscious.

[Setsa]

Letting the Queen catch her breath and regain her composure Setsa was astounded that such bloodshed was happening on these grounds. Restoring some of Edynol's energy from the weakened state that he was; she took an extra sword from one of the guards putting it within his hands. "I trust you'll be alright for now?" seeing closeby a long dagger picking it up for her own protection thankful for what weapon skills she had learned being with the scouts.

Nodding to the Queen she darted off into the crowd to find anyone else needing help, calling the names of those she's has gotten to know in the short amount of time hoping they were all doing well.

[Jinxed]

"See if any are injured? I happen to see someone injured... reckless isn't the half of it..." Lanella murmered to herself, rushing to the now unconcious Zackereth. Her sarcastic narrative was a habit she didn't care to break, as in its own strange little way, it calmed her. Wasting no time, Lanella grabbed Zackereth by hooking her arms under his and around his chest, and dragging his limp body away from the worst of the fighting. With a small struggle, she managed to get him propped against the wall of a building.

She noticed Setsa in the crowd, and remembered the girl to be a healer. Zackereth was hurt pretty badly, and she was already feeling drained. "Setsa!" She called, trying to get the elf's attention through the crowd, as she waved towards the girl, trying to make herself noticable. One of the corrupted elves noticed her, but was quickly dispatched with a dagger to the forehead. She turned back to Zackereth, and wincing, pulled the arrow from his back, glad that the tip didn't break off. It was that wound she set to healing first, while glancing around frantically. Fighting was very not good, and she hoped it would stop soon. Too many people were getting hurt.

[Setsa]

Seeing Lanella waving a bit frantic at her she raced over to see the unconcious Zachereth on his side the arrow on the ground, quickly tearing off his shirt. "ok...its not hitting organs...try using a spell to calm him this isnt going to be great for him." With that Setsa leaned him against Lanella to expose his back more placing both hands on either side of the bleeding wound the sun's warmth spreading from her hands into the injured flesh. Slowly but surely he would start breathing normally again...the feeling comming back into his arm and body.

Eyes focused on the work infront of her Setsa used her mindsight to keep a look out as they were more vulnerable. "To the right...2 males....axe and shortsword" trying to help Lanella as the man was leaning against her.

[Jinxed]

Lanella happily let Setsa take over in healing Zackereth's back; already exhausted. She supported his weight while Setsa worked, and even used some spells to work on healing his arm, though she was far too drained to use anything fast-acting. When Setsa pointed out the two men closing in, Lanella sighed. She was now unarmed, and supporting an unconcious friend. She couldn't exactly fight them off very easily.

Instead, Lanella closed her eyes, delving into her memory. Her year spent in Aradon learning magic had not been wasted. Though she had primarily focused on healing, she'd picked up a few other useful spells as well. It took a moment, but then the words of old spells bubbled to the surface of her mind. She opened her eyes, and leveled her gaze on the man weilding a shortsword, her lips moving, and her voice tumbling in quickly murmered words. In seconds, the man yelled out, releasing his grip on the now scalding sword. In another moment, a small explosion formed under them, sending the men's scorched bodies harmlessly to the ground. The girl sighed, and shifted Zackereth's weight so that she could support him more easily. Her limbs were beginning to feel heavy. Even in their battle after crossing the Wastes, Lanella hadn't used so much draining magic all at once. It was an unfamiliar feeling to her, and she was starting to feel hopeless. If the fighting continued on much longer, she would steadily become of no use. She couldn't help anyone if she worked herself to unconciousness.

"I had no idea Deldranna had so many spies in Eversong. I would have thought this to be the hardest place to infiltrate, considering how strangers are recieved here..." Lanella mused out loud to herself, only half addressing Setsa with her pondering. It really wasn't the time or place to be considering such things anyway. Then she looked at the elf. "We need to get him, and the other injured citizens and fighters, away from the fighting. Is there somewhere nearby where people will be safe?"

[Edynol]

Edynol felt a little better after being healed, but he still was weak. Healing could only do so much with what he had gone through. He needed something more to regain his strength, but it was the last thing he wanted to do and it looked like he wasn't needed much at the time. Everyone seemed to have things well in hand now as the spies' numbers shrank. One of the high priests, Lurien Telranell who was helping heal approached Vellia, a look of worry on his face. Lurien was one of the most highly respected priests in Eversong and concidered by most to be Vellia's advisor, though there was no real station or title. "Me queen, you must get to safety. the battle has turned to our favor, and we do not want to risk you getting hit by a lucky arrow."

Vellia turned to Lurien and shook her head. "No Lurien. You know I value your council and advice, but we are all in this together."

"But your Holiness, things are well in hand. We need to discuss our plans, decide what we're going to do, come up with a stratagey. And the sooner the better."

Vellia shot a blast of holy energy at one of the intruders, burning them into white ash. "I have already decided what to do, Lurien."

Lurien put a hand on her shoulder and spoke more softly now. "Tha is good, my queen, but would it not be wise to discuss how to do it? Come, these pesky intruders are finished and don't deserve your attention any longers." Vellia sighed, but then reluctantly nodded. But something wasn't right. Vellia was one of the most strong willed and stubborn people Edynol had ever met, she'd never give in that quickly.

Edynol then noticed the ring on Lurien's finger glowing red when it used to be white. Edynol twisted the small sword in his hand, it was too small for taste, he was used to large swords. He threw the sword, aming for Lurien's back, but hit him in the upper leg. Lurien screamed and Vellia turned and glared at him. "Edynol! What are your doing!"

"Get away from him Vellia. He is one of the spies. He's compelling you! You never take anyone's advice unless you agree with or you have no other choice. Think!" Vellia gave Edynol a blank look, as if she were thinking of an answer to a question. A few priests came to heal Lurien as a few guards took Edynol's arms.

Vellia shook her head. "I have known Lurien for over twelve-hundred years. He is my most trusted councelor."

"He's been brainwashing you for those twelve-hundred years! Think! Why have you not even left Eversong in hundreds of uyears? Why did you sever ties with the Vealian Mestai?"

Vellia thought for a long moment, and then finally looked at Lurien. "Because it was brought to my attention they only sought to use me to shape my people the way they thought society should be. To help bring the world around to their way of thinking." She thought about her answer some more before nodding to a few guards. "Guards, I want you to hold Lurien until I have time to question him."

As the guards went to take Lurien, his eyes flashed red and both guards went up in flames. Edynol then lunged at him as he fired at Vellia, causing him to miss. Suddenly, more elves and orcs jumped from the trees in an ambush. Lurien then glared at Edynol. "You and your friends will regret disrupting my plans, ranger." He then shot a blast of dark magic at Edynol that did nothing at all, but Edynol faked it and fell to the ground.

Vellia shot a blast of Spirit Fire, a holy spell forbidden in many lands, but Lurien threw up a shield to block it and shot black lightning at Vellia, knocking her back, disoriented. He then turned to everyone else and sent blasts of fire and dark magic and deflected any spell or attack that came his way. The man seemed unstoppable as more intruders appeared from trees and bushes.

Suddenly, an orc jumped on Edynol as he tried to get up and put a dagger in his shoulder. Edynol screamed and and elbowed him in the face before taking the dagger from his shoulder and sticking it in the orc's heart. The Edynol shook his head, he had to do it or too many more would die. Suddenly, he started talking in a fel, terrible voice as he mutterd words from the underworld. "Gaj dun girrok! Nij d'ha badu'ul!" The orc Edynol stabbed suddenly screamed as his skin turned from green to white and decomposed as Edynol became consumed with a dark aura.

*Lucas: You suddenly feel energized beyond what you thought possible and your injured wing suddenly heals fully.*

Suddenly the sky turned dark as fallen soldiers from both sides started to rise and attack the intruders. Lurien stared at Edynol in shock before unleashing more dark magic at Edynol, but he was unaffected by it. Lurien then tried using holy magic, throwing spirit fire at him, but Edynol held out his hand the spirit fire was consumed by black flames. "Nazra'gur!" Lurien yelled before ordering everyone to attack Edynol, but they were too busy getting killed by former allies and people they had already killed to assist him.

Edynol then chanted again, dark and terrible, the black aura radiating around him could be felt for miles. "Zin hi'rajh varrul." Suddenly, Lurien screamed as his skin started to boil and grow black, putrid lesions. He then let out another scream as the lesions started oozing and bursting, but it was cut short as black vomit spewed from his mouth. His skin then started to fall from his body as his muscles and bones liquified into a puddle of black ooze. Edynol then held up his hand and ozze faded away, leaving a spot on the ground of dead earth much like what is seen in the Anthar Wastes. The rest of the intruders than screamed and started fleeing and raised dead fell to the ground as the souls inhabiting them returned to the underworld. Edynol then fell to one knee, exhausted, before crawling to a nearby tree and leaning against it. Vellia attempted to heal him, but he waved her away. "There's...nothing...to be healed," Edynol said, panting. "I just need rest." Everyone just stood there, not sure rather to cheer him or curse him.

[Pidge]

Jai held his own, even one handed. Killing enemies and ushering innocents to safety and healers. He was getting tired and the pain in his shoulder was starting to throw off his focus. He knew they had gained the upperhand, the evil elves and orcs were becoming fewer and far between...then something happened.

There was an ambush for one, but it didnt even phase the dragon. What had Jai spooked up was the feeling on complete and utter darkness filling the area. He saw the dead bodies rising and prepared to fight again but they began attacking the ambushers. He watched for a moment before realizing that the power source for this darkness was coming from the center of the city.

Running, he used the wind to push himself along and speed up, until he was close enough to see what had occured. Edynol was speaking in a strange language and Jai felt the black aura like a slap to the face. A priest was disolved before his eyes and Jai was left in utter shock as the Darkness vanished and Edynol fell to the ground, moving slowly to lean against a tree. Like everyone else Jai stood stunned for a moment. When his brain finally began to process what he had seen, he realized why Edynol had always seemed so strange to him. Just about everyone knew about the immortals but no one knew who they were. Now Jai was certain Edynol was the immortal of darkness.

Finally approaching Edynol carefully, Jai stopped to look at a few people who were lingering nearby. His expression said 'nothing to see here' and they for the most part, politely moved on glancing over their shoulders. Then he kneeled down so as to get eye level with Edynol. He didnt mind that Whispersong was near because he figured she already knew what he was about to say.

"So your the immortal of darkness." It wasnt a question but a statement. "A tired immortal too. Where are you staying? Ill help you there." he spoke quietly, and Jai himself was tired but Edynol looked terrible and he wanted to help his friend. Thinking of friends Jai looked up and around to see if he could spot Lanella, Lucas, or Setsa.

[Setsa]

Setsa was walking with blood on her, course just about everyone had blood on them from others or themselves in the end. Two Orc guards following behind her, one with the fully healed Zachereth and other one with Lanella. Touching Jai on his good shoulder smiling up at him "we're here....all safe and well enough. I thought I saw Lucas handling his own not too long ago as well."

Noticing Jai's eyes comming in and out of focus she looks to the Queen for a long moment before a single nod. "Tonight then yes my Queen..." looking to the Orcs "take them to my dwelling...lay them on the beds please; I think we ALL need time to rest and recover...Jai if you can make it there I can take my time healing you as well..." A reassuring smile of her face. A third orc took it upon himself to carry Edynol over carefully following the other, as the rest of the people searched for their loved ones amongst the city praying to the gods they we not amongst the dead laying on the ground.

Setsa did her best to help guide Jai keeping a sharp eye for Lucas...wanting everyone back to the dwelling as there was nothing else they could do for the moment here...the dead would be morned later.

[Jinxed]

Lanella couldn't help but be relieved as the fighting drew to a halt. She didn't take the time to be surprised, or in awe... It was news to her that Edynol was an immortal, but she understood, or thought she understood, his reasons for hiding it. At least everyone was ok. That was all that mattered, really.

Though she was walking on her own, the Orc guard that followed her as she followed Setsa watched the girl warily. Exhaustion was practically leaking from her like water from a tap. To be expected, she knew. Working magic, especially magic she'd worked so hard just to learn in the first place, was always going to be an exhausting matter. She just had to develop her stamina. Even more than she had, anyway... She was quiet until their little group started moving back towards Setsa's dwelling.

"Glad to see you're ok, Jai." She smiled, addressing the dragon. "Though I guess I shouldn't have worried at all, after that battle at the Wastes. Or, edge of the Wastes... And Edynol," she turned her focus to him, laughing a little bit at the sight of him being carried by an orc, "you're an immortal. Explains a lot... But I'm glad you're ok, too." She smiled broadly. It was probably the giddiness of exhaustion that was doing it, but she found herself in an oddly good mood.

[Zackereth]

Zackereth was now locked in a nightmare. The night sky fell onto the forest as he looked around. "Wait i remember this place...." He looked through the trees and seen 3 figures around a small fire laughing. One was a Large burly man. His long black hair covered his face as he laughed. The Elvish woman beside him was leaning close to him her eyes a bright silver. Her hair was a light blonde with silvery tone. And sitting on a log was the younger version of Zackereth. Back then he also had long black hair and his eyes were of his mothers. The boy laughed as his father told another joke. Zackereth moved in a bit closer to see more of what was going on. When a large bear appeared into the small clearing. The boy yelled and went to his mother and she moved him behind his father whom drew a sword from his sheath. Zack watched in horror as his father approached the bear. The bear swiped at the man with hard right knocking the sword out of his hands. The bear then lunged at his fathers neck and bit hard tearing his neck apart. Zacks mother cried in horror as the man fell lifeless. Zacks mother then demanded that Zack run into the forest. The boy did but hid behind a tree. Zack then watched his mother die and with that Zackereth sprung awake With sweat beading down his forehead and breathing hard. He then wiped the sweat from his face and looked around. Regaining breath.......

[Mattie2009]

Lucas examined his wing as Edynol went wild on the spies. "Well. That's new." He said, flapping it experimentally. He walked up to where Edynol was standing and patted him gently on the back. "I've made my decision. You're definately the craziest person I've met." He said, smiling. "Nice going." He chuckled. "So what now?" He asked, referring to Jai, Setsa and Lanella. His wings had turned even darker in the wake of the dark aura Edynol hit everyone with. There was very little chance they could be mistaken for their original grey now.

[Edynol]

Edynol was vaguely aware of what was being said to him before he eventually drifted off to sleep. As they walked, Vellia walked up beside Setsa. "Setsa," she said softly as she layed a hand on her shoulder. "I owe you an appology. For years I have ignored your warnings and dismissed you as an imaginative child. I realize now how wrong I had been." She cursed Lurien in her thoughts and cursed herself for letting him control her like that. "I don't know if you can forgive me, but at least accept this as a token of my appreciation for all you have done and tried to do."

Vellia handed Setsa a pendant, intricately woven silver surrounding a green gem that glowed when she placed it in Setsa's hand. "This is a powerful druidic talisman. The emerald is actually sap from the Great Tree Aedranel, the source of life giving magic. This will allow you heal even the gravest of wounds, perhapse even bring someone back from death if their spirit hasn't left their body. But use it wisely, its power is not limitless." She then thought to herself for a moment. "I would also ask that you travel with the Immortal. His task is more important than any other and he may need you. After today, there are very few people I can actually trust, and you're one of them."

A few hours later, Edynol woke in a bed and room he didn't recognize, but Vellia was siting in a chair beside him. "Where..." he started, but was cut off be Vellia. "You are in Setsa's home. She volunteered to let you and your companions use her home, and for now, it is alot safer than the Healing House. No telling how many of Deldranna's spies are still in the city." She took a deep breath and lowered her head before letting it out. "Edynol, I have been a fool. I never should have bannished you. I let my personal feelings rule over my reasoning."

Edynol put a hand on hers and shook his head. "It is not your fault. You were being manipulated by someone close to you. You owe me no appologies."

Vellia looked at him and smiled. "Perhapse that may be the case, but not all of my decision can be so conveniently excused. What happened at Old Vealinar occured long before I met Lurien. I coulod have saved thousands, but I let my anger and thirst for vengance against you cloud my judgement. I came to realize that what you did was in similar response, even what you did to my brother, but when you showed up twenty years ago, all those painful memories and feeling came back. And Lurien somehow sensed them and used his powers to intensify them." After a short pause, she laid a hand on his shoulder. "But after today, I think I am ready to let them go. You have my forgiveness, Edynol."

Edynol smiled for the first time in days and shed a tear for the first time in centuries. He didn't think he deserved it, but he wouldn't dare reject it. It was her choice, not his. "Thank you, Vellia. That means more than you know." Vellia smiled again before leaving the room to tell the others he was awake.

[Setsa]

Setsa healed everyone in her house having to take longer on Jai in his dragon form. But by the afternoon everyone was resting in their own way besides her and the queen as they quietly talked...agreeing to hold a private meeting tonight here to further talk about their plan of attack. Setsa strongly agreeing to join the Immortal's task with the rest of them using her mindsight everynight to report directly to the queen of the current events so that the elven army could properly assist them as Edynol's allies at the right time.

The pendant at its new home on her neck just as ready as she was to do what must be done. Hearing Zackereth start to stir a bit more violently she went upstairs to the guest bedroom placing a cool cloth on hs head while the dream worked on his inner thoughts. Handing him a glass of cool mint water to calm the mind when he finally woke up. "Shhhh....Lenella is asleep beside you on the other bed....we're all here in my house...everyone is alright and resting how they need......" Knowing where Lanella got the necklace from she figured it may help them both to rest in the same room....kind energy upon the weak is best to heal. "Can you walk? Who or what can I get you? " Ears perking up she smiles "you'll be happy to know Edynol is awake."

[Zackereth]

Zackereth tooked the glass and drank it down quickly then looked to looked to Lanella. "Water would be fine, thank you." He said with smile still looking to Lanella and handing Setsa the glass. "I not know of Edynol, yet. But meet with him i shall in time. I want to help out in whatever cause this group is going towards. Speaking of which. As long as I live now. I will protect the healer laying there. My mother has always told me. Find something to protect even if its something you know not alot about." he laughed "My Mother did that for my father. She saved him from harms way of a deadly poison." He went sad then looked to Lanella and smiled again. "I wouldnt be able to say it to her face though yet. Too shy of man I am." He laughed silently. "Sorry, I usually ramble on like this after waking. But yes, some water would be good for me." He looked to his satchel that now sat on the small table near him and sat there looking towards Lanella. Hoping when she wakes he can tell her why he is wanting to protect her.

[Jinxed]

Upon arrival at Setsa's house, Lanella had promptly fallen asleep in the guest room provided. She really liked Setsa, the girl was just so easy to get along with. And she was genuinely kind, Lanella knew. Even for Eversong, which Lanella knew was a naturally peaceful place, Setsa was remarkably nice.

Lanella woke, hours later, very slowly. Emerging from a very deep sleep, she was disorientated for a moment, and very groggy. Despite knowing how exhausted she'd been, she felt pretty rested. She was also pretty sure she hadn't slept for very long at all, and she doubted the day had even ended yet. When she finally opened her eyes, she noted Setsa and Zackereth in the room as well, both of them awake. She was glad to see that Zackereth was alright, though she really hadn't doubted that he would be. She knew Setsa was good at what she did, and Lanella had helped. A little... Before Setsa had taken over, anyway. Lanella sat up, positioning herself on the edge of the bed, so that her feet touched the floor.

"Good morning." She said to the two with a smile, before pausing and looking a little confused. "Or afternoon... Or whatever time of day it is. I'm not sure how long I was out that time." She chuckled, and then realised that it had been little more than a week... Well, a bit more than a week, perhaps, since she had been fighting side by side with Edynol, and Lucas, and Jai against the orcs and trolls of the Wastes. This was new for her; she'd never been in more than a tavern brawl before. Not that she'd purposefully participated in that tavern brawl... She'd been pulled in by the crossfire. Even travelling on her own, she'd never really dealt with more than groups of two or three attackers.

But hey, she'd get used to it. Knowing that Edynol was an immortal... Well, Lanella would continue travelling with him as long as she was welcome. And would definitely do anything she could to help. That had been her goal in the first place, really. She'd been searching for a way she could help in the fight against Deldranna. And she had definitely found one.

"So how are you two?"

[Pidge]

Jai had been healed in his dragon form to ensure the damage to his shoulder wouldnt affect his flying abilities. One Setsa was done he thanked her, and not having the energy to revert to his human form again he had simply curled up outside to sleep. Earlier he had been quite happy to see all of his new friends alive, but he had just smiled at all of them quite tired. Lucas had asked them all 'now what?' at some point and Jai though he had responded with 'We sleep for the rest of our lives.' or something else slightly sarcastic but he wasnt sure he had actually said anything. He had managed to walk to Setsas house atleast. Now he slept hard and for a long time. When he finally woke, the young dragon yawned and stretched. Reverting to his much smaller human form he walked into Setsas house to see where everyone was.

He thought he could hear Lanella speak from a room, but he decided not to intrude. Instead he removed the ruined shirt he had worn and thanked the gods that he had purchased leather pants that wouldnt ruin so easily, then took up a chair in the room. Thinking about his clothes he smirked at touched the earring he wore. It was odd bit of magic that in a way absorbed his clothes when he turned dragon and put them back in place when he turned human. A nice way to never end up naked, but his thoughts quickly shifted to his friends.

He was positive he had heard Lanella at this point. He knew Lucas had been alright and Edynol had to be alright. He guessed since Lanella had to be speaking with someone that Setsa or the new fellow Zackereth was in the room with her, or possibly both. That meant everyone was actually ok...again...That was two battles the group had endured together that they had all survived. Perhaps this was a sign. Jai couldnt help but smirk as he lounged in the chair.

[Setsa]

Seeing that Lanella was good she handed her the mint water to clear her head setting down a pitcher of ice water on the stand between the beds looking at Zachereth with a "she's all yours now," expression...picking up the serving tray of deep rich oak she silently closes the door behind her. Going back downstairs her smile brightened upon seeing Jai inside and well "well guess you didn't need to sleep long afterall...glad to see you inside now, everyone is doing well recovering faster for the most part than normal, mind you I'm not complaining." Setting the tray down beside Jai she handed him a readied drink of pomegranite, mint, and juices from the Moura Rasberries she grew in her backyard. Letting him to drink it Setsa returned with a new shirt very like the one that got ruined placing it beside him and a jar of cream for one's recovering muscles...though her gifts were bestowed at birth she was smart to know what can aid those in the after effects.

Positioning herself at the healed shoulder to the side ..."may I?" Slowly, gentle as she could began to rub the cream on his shoulder while the other hand felt around to double check her work as dragons were more tricky structural wise. Her hands always warm and soothing while they rubbed his shoulder out Setsa concentrating on her work. "Well we may have to put this muscle cream on everyday for a few days...but your flight won't be affected at all....you're lucky it didn't penetrate even deeper Jai."

Setsa was loyal to her friends putting their needs in front of hers, time for her to sleep would come later she can withstand few more days at this pace.

[Zackereth]

Zackereth nodded to Setsa in thanks and looked to Lanella. "Thank you." He said in very serious tone. "Without you and Setsa. I would of been dead. Although alone i have a feeling sticking next to you i wont feel so alone anymore...." He looked to the small owl figurine and smiled gaining a bit more courage to say the words he was looking for. "I want to protect you. Like my elven mother before me protected my human father. And from now on I want to help you and your group end the suffering that Ive seen during that battle." He put heart into every word he said and looked to Lanella with his bright silver eyes. "The owl means wisdom and kind nature. I know it was a random gift that i gave you. But now I know i was meant to give it to you." He then went silent and waited for Lanella's answer.

[Edynol]

When Edynol finally got enough energy to move, he got and went to the next room, where everyone was together, including a new face he didn't know. Edynol wasn't sure how they would react to him since he revealed himself. Some of them he had been traveling with for almost a month without dropping so much as a hint. Would they see him as the same person? Would they know his past? Not many people living today knew the true story of the Nazra'gur, the name still used in stories to frighten children. Over the centuries the stories had been distorted and changed to where only those who lived back then knew the Nazra'gur and the Immortal of Darkness were one in the same.

Part of what was going on in the wastes was his fault, in a way. The orcs and trolls that inhabitted the place were descendants of those that served as Edynol's destructive army during the Dark Age, when the once beautiful, thriving kingdom of Anthar was decimated by plagues and seemingly endless hordes of demons, undead, and other monstrous creations. How Vellia managed to forgive him, he couldn't fathom. In a way, she suffered more than anyone. Not only had Edynol killed her husband, but he raised him as a lich and Vellia was forced to watch him die again, that time by her own hand.

Edynol took a deep breath and let it out before finally entering the room, where he leaned against the inside of the doorway. "Is everyone alright?" He asked as he looked around at everyone.

[Jinxed]

Lanella was silent as Zackereth spoke, a mildly surprised look on her face. When he finished speaking, that look melted into a small smile. Thoughtlessly, she raised her hand and wrapped it around the owl hanging from her neck, fiddling with the necklace. She took a moment to work out exactly what she wanted to say, before her small smile broke out into a full grin.

"I would like that." She didn't feel any need to elaborate, and just grinned. "So, the owl means wisdom and kindness? Which of us is the owl?" She chuckled, surprised that she was in such a good mood, considering all the fighting they'd been involved in just hours ago.

[Zackereth]

Zackereth stood and smiled. "Well then." he held out his hand to Lanella "Ready to go see the others. I have a question to ask the whole group really?" He lead her down the stairs into the room where Edynol was leaning against the doorway Zack then passed him with a nod and stood on the other side of the door. Edynol spoke and Zack answered "A bit sore but it will soon go away. And you?" He asked back to be polite.

[Setsa]

Setsa was wiping her hands off on a hand towel from the muscle cream when Edynol emerged from the room. "Yes it seems so everyone is up and healed, I'm doing what I can on our flyers to make sure their wings will be alright...just a little relaxation of the wing base should do the trick. Though Lucas still need to let me check." says with a smirk. "Lanella and Zachereth..." looking at them both before giving Edynol a look of 'he's alright...yes they are together.' .."Are recovering fast too."

Setsa while they were all resting took it upon herself to make some hearty stew in the kitchen plenty for the hungriest appetites with fresh baked bread and a few apple pies from the towns orchards. The smell now drafting through the entire house. "Dinner will be done momentarily then the Queen will be returning here as Edynol knows I am sure....she's asked for a meeting to discuss everyone's next move. I also ask to join all of you as the Queen's "liason" but....her eyes soft and kind now "I also feel I have served my purpose here and to leave Eversong with you is where i need to be that is if everyone agrees."

[Jinxed]

"There was nothing wrong with me in the first place." Lanella informed Setsa, grinning widely. "I just wore myself out using too much magic. Again." She laughed, and then paused, looking into space with a look of mixed curiosity and wonder. "Do I smell apple pie? Can we skip the stew and go straight to desert?" Lanella asked eagerly, only half joking. It had been a long time since she'd had apple pie. In fact, lately she'd been living on dried meat and vegetables. But that happens when you spend most of your days on the road.

"And the group grows bigger..." Lanella said, mostly to herself, contentedly. "I for one would love to have you with us Setsa." The girl smiled. Despite the fighting, the Queen's declaration of war, and a lot of people getting hurt... Well, Lanella was in a brilliant mood.

[Edynol]

Edynol smiled, he was glad they still seemed to see him the way they did before. "Thank you, Setsa. Vellia will coming back here? Well, now that I think about, somewhere more private might be best for now, assuming we are in a private dwelling and not a section of the palace?"

Just as the last words left his mouth, Vellia entered along with Falric, an orc guard who was one of the few she knew she could trust, who was carrying a large sword. "We are not in the palace, Edynol," she said, having heard Edynol's last few words through the door. "Setsa was kind enough to let us use her home. If she hasn't told you already, I asked her to stay with you, even after you leave Eversong. And though I am guilty of overlooking her gift for so many years," she said softly as she touched Setsa's cheek softly, "she has the rare ability of foresight. Though it is not fully developed, she is truely gifted and has strong potential, if she can find someone to train her. I trust your travels will take you to Tremal Knell?"

Edynol nodded. "I will need to talk to Aedaraza," he said before looking to Setsa then back to Vellia. "I would glad to have her travel with me, if it is indeed her choice."

Vellia smiled before turning to Setsa. "Yes, it is your choice. But if you decide to go, I urge you to find a torock named Bock Farseer. Properly trained, you may even be powerful enough to learn foretelling" She then turned back to Edynol. "I have something for you." She then motion to Falric.

The orc handed the large sword to Edynol, and elvin style claymore. "Since your last sword was lost in the battle, we had this one made for you," the orc said in a deep, ridged voice. "It is made from diamon laced mithril. It will never need sharpening."

Edynol smiled and thanked Falric and Vellia began speaking again. "Now that pleasentries or done with, we need to talk about a battle plan. As I'm sure you already know, we cannot leave Anella Sareth in whoever's hands has her. For someone to take her and hold her, he must be extremely powerful. I think I may know who it is, though. The messenger said he looked like an elf with red hair and marking on his face and arms."

Edynol grimmaced, a dark, menacing intensity in his eyes that made Falric take a step back. "Kaldorn," Edynol muttered, anger quite evident in his tone.

Vellia nodded solemly. "Yes," she said before turning to the others. "Kaldorn is no ordinary demon. He may be a half breed, but hemore powerful than any other demon save Deldranna herself. He faced Ethanraza herself and survived, though he was severely wounded." She then looked at Edynol. "And no offense Edynol, but you are nowhere near as powerful as she is yet. And in your weakened state, it is possible he might even be able to kill you, or at least incapacitate you for a long time."

Edynol nodded. "No offense taken. I'm, afraid you speak truth." Edynol then turned to the others. "I will need all the help I can get if I am to beat him and save Anella. Would you all be willing to venture into the most dangerous part of the wastes?"

[Zackereth]

Zack smiled and Stepped foreward. "May not know me, and i may not know you. But I will venture with you seeing you will need more of help then ever at the moment." He put out a hand for Edynol to shake. The look in his silver eyes and the ongoing strength in his voice pushed to show Edynol the truth in his words and the willingness to help out. "I promise I will not let you down. Ill fight to the death to achieve our goal if i have to." He looked to the others. "In fact if i seen the hearts of theses people around us after only one day of arriving to this town and heart they've shown in battle earlier. I believe they possibly will not turn down helping in this venture." He smiled and held out his hand firm still to shake Edynol's.

[Pidge]

Jai nodded when Setsa told him about the muscle cream and he thanked her greatly for the new shirt. After letting Setsa rub the cream into his shoulder he thanked her again. "I am quite lucky it didnt go deeper and you have my undying gratitude for healing me so well Setsa."

Pulling on his tunic and discarding the old one, he was surprised when Edynol walked in and leaned against the door, soon after Lanella and Zack entered. It also became apparent that Setsa had been cooking. Jai couldnt help but smile brightly at everyone. The announcment was made that Vellia would arrive for a secret meeting and Jai's smile became slightly more serious. Once the priestess arrived he learned of the full situation. So Anella had been taken and they were to rescue her. Edynol asked if they would accompany him...and Jai was truely worried. The immortal seemed to be doubting his own strengths and he would definently need assistance.

Zack jumped in first, introducing himself to Edynol and thusly everyone. Their little group was growing. Setsa was to join too and Jai honestly didnt mind either joining.

"I am with you too Edynol. We have been together long enough now that I dont think much could stop me from tagging along." The dragon smirked a bit then smiled a genuine smile that let him know he was in it till the end. Then addressing everyone he added "Your all my friends now, and a true friend is something I havent had for a long time."

[Setsa]

Setsa smiled after hearing the others agreeing that she should come. "I tell you now that my loyalty is to the group ofcourse along with the Queen as always" smiling to the Queen who nods back. "I will do all that I can to see we are successful, " smelling the dinner done "excuse me...dinner is ready.."

After some noise in the kitchen Setsa returns with a big tray holding everyone's dinner of hearty stew, salad, and fresh bread the pie cooling on the counter. Serving her queen first, then Edynol and then everyone else she finally sat down to rest for the first time all day.

[Pidge]

While the rest of the group seemed to be thinking, Setsa agreed to join and she served dinner. Jai had no issue with waiting his turn, and when all were served and Setsa finally sat down it became apparent to the dragon how tired the elf was. Her chair of choice wasnt to far from his, so with a small lean he caught her attention with a gentle hand on her arm.

"Dinner looks wonderful but you are nearly as exhausted as we were. Once this meeting is over and we have a plan you need to be the one to sleep" he said quietly with a smile. He was concerned that Setsa seemed to be overworking herself at their expense. Jai also wasnt a free-loader of any sort. "Ill do the dishes and such for you once everyone is done here so you can get some real rest." he added still smiling. He returned to his dinner after that, not giving the elf a chance to refuse his offer.

[Setsa]

Eating her meal quickly, a bad habit of hers... Setsa leaned over to Jai now, hand softly on his arm leaning over enough to whisper in his ear " don't worry so much over me hmmm? I can still last days before I need any rest...lets worry about getting you and the others fully recovered before me first Jai..." a smiles on her lips as she wasn't use to someone caring over her as such "but thank you so much for your concern." Standing up she sets to the kitchen with the tray pouring herself some mint and Mor'ina rasberry drink to help her mind and energy before getting things in order to serve dessert as she was sure the meeting would start soon.

[Mattie2009]

Lucas chuckled. "A life-threatening hostage situation? How can I say no?" he said with a smile. Eventually Setsa came in with the food, and all sarcasm was forgotten. The demon was half-starved from all the fighting, and set upon his food with a vengeance. He had activated the ring before sitting down, and for all intents and purposes looked quite mundane. Despite his hunger, he was trying his hardest to not seem rude.

[Jinxed]

"Edynol." Lanella said, ignoring the food in front of her for a moment. She was very aware that she hadn't technically answered Edynol's question about journeying to the Wastes, but she'd already decided to stick with him and help however she could, so it wasn't like she'd taken the time to deliberate. "After everything we've been through already, did you really think any of us would turn you down?" She smiled brightly, and finally dug into her dinner, savoring each bite. When she was on the move, Lanella had become accustomed to eating dried meat, or whatever she could scavenge. And when she wasn't on the move, Lanella rarely had enough money to pay for a decent meal. So for her, a big dinner like this, especially with her friends around, was a special treat. And she didn't have any complaints about Setsa's cooking, either.

However, Lanella didn't really have the chance to thank Setsa before the elf disappeared back into the kitchen. Smiling, and quietly excusing herself from the group, Lanella took her plate into the kitchen.
"Hey, Setsa." She smiled. "Dinner was amazing. I rarely get to eat that good... It was a treat. Thank you very much." While she'd been speaking, Lanella kept glancing at the apple pie, which looked and smelled absolutely mouthwatering. Pie was an even rarer treat than a decent meal for her, and apple pie was undeniably her favorite.

"Would you like some help with the dessert?"

[Edynol]

Edynol smiled slightly and nodded after everyone agreed to go with him. "Thank you, all of you. You are the bravest people I've met in a long time. I know it might seem sudden, but I plan on heading out tomorrow. Anella may be alive now, but not telling how long she will remain so."

Vellia nodded in agreement. "You will have my armies behind you as well, Edynol. Garrock and the Moonguard have also agreed to come with you." The Moonguard, an ancient organization of druids trained to use the power of nature as a weapon for the soul purpose of protecting the world's wildlife and plantlife. It was rare for them to go on the offensive, but the way things are today, they thought it best not to sit and wait.

"That is very good news, Vellia. Their skills will help us all emmensely." Edynol then turned to Setsa when she returned with desert. "Thank you for the meal, young druid. You have shown us all great kindness. I am in your debt." He then looked at everyone else. "I am in debted to you all. Very few people have shown me such honor, courage, and heart, especially in the face of all that we have faced or have yet to face. It truely is an honor to have you all fight with me."

Vellia gave him a hug, which was surprising to Edynol. Just a day ago, she despised him and seemed cold as stone, but sense Lurien was unmasked and killed, she had returned to her true self and no longer saw him as an enemy. "Despite all that has happened, I am glad you returned to Eversong," she said with a warm smile. "So what is your plan? You know the wastes a lot better than I, so I think you should lead our assult."

Edynol thought for a bit before answering. "I believe we should devide our armies into three forces. I think I know where Kaldorn would have set up his command post. Do you remember the city of Tathara?" Vellia nodded and Edynol continued. "While it was not protected like Evergreen was, it was protected enough that Storm Palace and a few of its ramparts are still mostly intact. Kaldorn would know this as well. I think we should split up into two forces so we can hit it from both ramparts. Now both forces will need a way of scouting from the air, so I suggest Janella, Zack, and Jai go with the eastern force and Lucas and Setsa come with me and the western force. Bothe forces should then meet in the center of the city infront of the palace, if things go as planned."

"I sent messenger to Tresnia," Vellia said cutting in. "Their windriders would be a great help against their wyvern."

Edynol nodded in agreement. "Yes, I didn't think about that. Thank you. If we set out in two days at mid day, they should catch up with us before we reach the city. I suggest everyone take the time between now and then to rest and gather whatever supplies you might need." Tired from standing in his weakened state, Edynol took a seat in a near by chair.

[Zackereth]

Zack smiled. "Big day ahead of us. Either we live or die. We tried. But lets not thank of that. No! Lets enjoy tonight and lets sleep well. Means all of you. I for one need to collect a new bow, sword, and a few other tricks up my sleeves." He knew of what tomorrow may bring and knew the dangers. But his parents have always taught him. Whenever the world may seem dry and full of bad things to come. Always think of whats good and fight for it if needed. He then walked into the kitchen after patting Edynol on the shoulder lightly and saying. "Good is within you, sir. Keep it that way and never give up." He then walked into the Kitchen with a smile on his face to see Lanella and Setsa. He bowed to Setsa. "You M'lady are a great cook, very wonderful meal." He then looked to Lanella and said. "I am going to go looking around town for a sturdy bow and a large quiver of arrows. Perhaps a sword. Have you like seen things just burst into flames? I might figure out some tricks for that." He then leaned in and kissed Lanella's forehead. And went for the door. "I will return in no time."

Zackereth walked down the road and on the way helped with a few of the clean ups that were taking occur after the fighting. This was new to him and he liked it alot. He seemed happier that he could help out with whatever he could. He came to a shop and looked upon some garment. the garment was fit for a female battle attire. He smiled and asked the price on the garment and got a reasonable price for it left the store with it tucked under his arm. He thought Lanella would like it. He came to a blacksmith and asked for a sword. One of good quality but not one that was too expensive. The blacksmith handed over a nice saber and Zackereth laughed to himself recognizing it was a his blade he lost during the fight but payed the man anyhow. Zack then asked if the man knew of someone to sell him a bow and the blacksmith kindly pointed him in the right direction. After buying the bow and much more arrows then needed him stopped by a small wine dealer and bought a few bottles of cheap yet effective wine he knew the wine would be flammable and knew exactly what to use it for.

He returned to Setsa's dwelling with everything in his arms and walked on past everyone to set to work on his tricks and on something special. Zack found it sometimes to release his nervousness and his shyness to make things like his mother and father have taught him of how to make his own clothes out of scraps and woodcarvings. He looked at the bundle that contained the garment he wanted to give to Lanella and came with a quick idea. he took out a green cloth from his bags and tore bits of thread from it along with threads of a brown shirt. After hours of working he raised the new top attire which now on the back bore an owl like the figurine he gave her. Under the owl contained these words in Elvish. "Wise one yet majestic in every way." He smiled and folded it up and placed it on the rest of the clothing onto Lanella's bed that she slept on after the battle. He then layed on his bed and closed his eyes and started to hum a song his mother use to sing to him long ago. Yet this one was a song that told a tale of adventure, troublesome, death, and at the end a peacefull ending.

[Setsa]

Setsa smiled at Lanella and her obvious lust for the pie. Accepting her help, they plate enough slices for everyone, saving one aside for Zachereth who left early that evening to get a head start on supplies. "Go ahead and take the pie out to everyone....I need to finish things up in here thank you Lanella." Giving the woman a small hug she turned her focus on cleaning up the kitchen from the meal. They would be leaving soon tomorrow she'd have to restock on supplies to get her through to the next town they may stop at on the way if any. She didn't have any armor but maybe she'll find something to suit her needs...a weapon..that she definetly didn't have for such a battle. Her throwing blades would have to work for now....remembering her father's battle staff in the attic maybe she could talk to a weaponsmith about adding a blade to an end....

Her mind was racing through a checklist of things she have to do...but tonight was still time to rest and relax some. Stepping outside she sat on a bench looking up into the sky....the Dancing of the Lights started up....apparently the mages still thought it a good idea to proceed to livin the spirits in Eversong.....So Setsa watched alone, enjoying the warm night air.

[Edynol]

After Edynol finished his pie, he nodded at Zack before he left. "That sounds like a good idea, friend, he said before Zack left the house. Vellia left soon after to go be with her people for what was left of the festival. Then, Setsa left to go outside and after a few minutes Edynol went outside to join her and get some fresh air. He sat on the bench beside and watched the light show silently for a few minutes before finally saying something. "It seems I have bad timing. I wish I could have waited a few more days before bringing all of this down on your people. I'm sorry to have ruined your festival."

The light show was brilliant, each flash temporarily making the night seem like day as the different colors reflected off the water in the streams and giving beautiful hues to everything else around including their own skin. Jexus trotted around a few yard from them, the horse seemed to be enjoying the show as well. "At least it wasn't totally ruined. There so few reasons to celebrate anything these days, but it's good to see people being happy in festive. Reminds us of what we're fighting for."

He then touched the green emerald hanging around her neck and smiled. "I have a question to ask you. After this battle, we will be going to Aedenar, to Tremal Knell and the Aedran Woods. I know you might want to stay and train your ability, but there is something I have been wanting to do for a long time, and I think you are the one to help me do it. I want to restore Anthar to the way it used to be before I...Before it was destroyed. I have an idea that involves taking bark or some leaves from each of the Great Trees. What we get from from Teldrinel, the Moonguard I think will help me to cleanse the corruption, and with what we get from Aedranel, along with your pendant here, we can cure the land and help it to regrow. See, alot of the danger in the wastes comes not from just orcs and trolls and demons, but from beasts that without any vegitation to feed off of, have turned to canables, eating anything they can get."

He let go of her pendant and looked her in the eyes. "I believe it was fate that you happened to be in the scouting party and were the first to approach us that first evening. You have the purest heart I have ever seen. Not many people would take three wondering strangers traveling with a banished man into their home and care for them. And what I have in mind, it will take the purest heart and soul to cleanse the soil of Anthar and help it to regrow. Would you be willing to help me with that?"

[Setsa]

Setsa smiled still looking up at the night's sky filled with the dancing colors from the festival. "You must not worry so....the festival will continue this week as it always has....its good for us to remember especially today, that good will always triumph in times of dispair. " She looked over to Edynol " that is something we All need to remember and keep in our longing hearts."

She remained very still when he touched the pendant that was just given to her by the Queen. Listening intently as he explained his intent after he rescued the one woman he cherishes most. "My time here in Eversong has passed....I know all that I can from here; now serving as the Queen's trusted ambassador for this most important mission. I would not wish to come back here where I would just be another healer amongst the many elven....." She had chosen her words very carefully to express what she needed to say....

"Therefore Edynol....I would be most pleased to help you restore Anthar to a greater glory than what it once was before; long as I can stay there ofcourse....besides.." smiling cheerfully past the wisdom in her eyes. "I always loved a challenge and whats a greater challenge than this?!"

[Pidge]

Jai nodded when he listened to the rest of the meeting. It sounded like a good plan to him and he had no problem acting as the eyes in the sky for his group. Everyone began to break off after this, and Setsa was a stubborn one. Tired as she was she had zipped off and cleaned the kitchen even after his offer. He would just have to find something else to do for her then, he could be stubborn too.

When the light show started though he knew that would have to wait. He slipped outside past where Setsa and Edynol were talking, not catching a word of it. Laying down in his back in the grass he smiled as he enjoyed the colorful light show. Tomorrow would be a busy day, but relaxing now couldnt hurt. He couldnt keep his mind still though. The dragon typically didnt care weapons, his teeth and claws usually worked well along with his wind, but this was going to be a huge battle. He would need a few things...dragon armor if he could find it, but it was difficult to come by. He finally quieted his mind by deciding to head out early before dawn to seach the shops.

[Edynol]

Edynol smiled at Setsa when she responded, such selfless ambition was what he admired most this young elf. He only hoped that he could make good with his plans so her dreams, along with everybody else's, would come true someday. "I admire your spirit and resolve. I think you will have a wonderful future in the days to come. And the druids of Aedenar will surely be happy to welcome you."

After sitting for a while longer to watch the sky lights, he finally stood up. "Well, I am in need of some more rest. Please wake me if anything arises." He then went back inside to get some sleep. He hated being weak like this, sleeping the hours away while others suffered, but he knew he couldn't go up against Kaldorn as he was and more depended on him than his own guilt and pride. He lay awake for almost an hour before finally falling into a fitfull sleep.

[Setsa]

Bidding Edynol good night, Setsa went inside for a moment. Returning to the backyard with her jar of muscle cream she kneeled down on the grass beside Jai. "I know you're enjoying the show but I need to work this into your shoulder just so it doesn't get stiff and frozen by dawn..." With Jai laying on his stomach she brushed off the grass from his skin before taking a damp sponge in her hand; slowly wiping his back free of dirt and sweat. "Everyone needs to be in top condition for the travel and most important...the upcoming battle."

Setsa slowly applied the cream on to the shoulder where the wound once was, feeling his muscles tense up her hands started to glow in the sunrise's healing colors. Humming softly as she coaxed the muscles to relax and mend faster while skilled fingers worked out each knot. "I know you said that you'd do the dishes...but I want you to heal up fully first, then worry about me hmmm?" Smiling softly as she looked up at the light dance in its grand finally. "Besides I can take care of myself.....a wounded dragon is more important right now....Is there anything I can get you to ease in slumber?" the elven woman asked finishing up on his neck before removing her hands from his back. "There....you may need to stretch your wing out tomorrow so I can see how you're doing but you should be able to rest well now."

Pleased with her work she stood up, gathering the supplies. Reminding herself to pick all the healing herbs from her garden tomorrow morning so they can be dried and packed up...she needed to find armor and hope to find a suitible weapon soon.....maybe if she updated her father's war staff.... the one thing she treasured the most from him besides memories before he was killed.

[Pidge]

Jai was reluctant to roll over, and he frowned when Setsa mentioned the dishes. He was going to do them but she was to quick. He waited until she was done to respond to her questions, and a smirk crossed his face when he finally thought of a working answer.

"Alright, I have no issue with taking a test flight tomorrow to test my wings. Ill enjoy the flying really...I get a bit anxious when I dont get airborne for a while." he said first then standing he added "And I cant help but worry about you Setsa, no matter what you say. You have just been to good to me really..." He paused there, waiting for her to gather up all of her supplies before walking up behind her and without so much as a hint scooping her up bridle style. He managed to do it in such a graceful way the elf didnt drop a single thing or spill anything. "And the only thing you can do to assure me a peaceful rest is to get one yourself, and I will make sure you do so. Dont struggle, I am stronger than you."

The last part was said with a rather happy proud smile. Jai was going to put Setsa in her bed himself if that was what it was going to take to make sure she got there. He could be stubborn himself. Walking her into the house and to her room he gentle sat her on the bed and took her healing supplies, placing them on a bedside table. Looking back at her with his lavender eyes he smiled rather contently. "Promise me you will get some much needed sleep now dear." He said "I truthfully dont want you all exhausted tomorrow...I like you too much already to see you that way."

[Jinxed]

Lanella happily helped Setsa with dessert, before taking a portion to everyone in the other room. She returned to an empty kitchen, and decided to eat her pie in solitude, being sure to thoroughly enjoy it. She had a feeling it would be a while before she got more, or even such a brilliant meal. At least, a while once they left.

Although they had been involved in yet another fight that day, Lanella wasn't sure if she she could remember a time she'd been so content as she was then. Sure, she'd been happy over the years, traveling wherever she wished. But all that traveling meant that she'd rarely been surrounded by as many friends as sat in and around Setsa's house at that moment.

After she'd finished her pie, and probably stood in the kitchen for quite a while, just thinking, Lanella glanced at the piece of pie they'd set aside for Zackereth. She had a feeling he was probably back by now, or would be soon, and decided to take his dessert to him. She smiled to herself, thinking of everything he'd said to her earlier. Everything to do with him was completely new to her... In her years of travel she'd never met anyone, or had the time for anyone like him. She'd always been alone.

Grabbing the plate, Lanella decided to go up to the room where she and Zackereth had been after the fight, figuring that if he wasnt back yet, he'd probably go up there when he did get back. And if he was back... Well, he was probably there, since she hadn't seen him anywhere else. As she approached the room, she could hear Zackereth humming, and smiled. She entered quietly, noting that his eyes were closed, and just listened to him for a little while.

"That's a very nice tune." Lanella said, the smile still on her face. "I brought you some pie. We set a slice aside for you, I thought you might want it." She set the plate on the nightstand next to his bed, and planned to sit on hers, but noticed a bundle of clothing which hadn't been there before.

"What's this?" she asked herself, speaking quietly as she picked up the top, and smiled as she unfolded it, seeing the owl. She turned and sat on the bed, the top resting on her lap as she looked at Zackereth, another smile on her face. "Did you get this for me? You shouldn't have..." she looked down, running her fingers over the writing. "I'm afraid I'm not too familiar with elvish... What does it say?"

[Zackereth]

Zackereth smiled and sat up himself now in a seated position. He took the pie and set it upon his lap and looked to Lanella. "It is and I want you to have it. The writing on it means 'Very wise yet majestic in every way.' I thought of you the entire time I ws around looking and seen that and had to get it for you....." He then took a bite of the pie. The pie was outstanding from the first bite. The apple fillings texture was so soft and the taste melted your taste buds to consume the whole flavor. And he set the rest to the side. "I dont eat alot usually. Ill finish it by morning." He laughed and looked to Lanella.

Her kind nature and smile never grew old to him. Every moment she smiled was a spark of happiness to him. Even when times become rough he can look to her smile to help him get through. He was alone for years upon years of his life after his mother and father were mauled. He finally found someone to stay near and never be alone. He spoke after that thought. "My parents always told me your never alone, because there is always someone out there just like you. I feel that staying near you. Ill never be alone." He reached over and traced the owl and smiled. "I bought the attire, But hand made the owl and writing. Kinda say i have fast weaving skills but when really I just have had time it stitch that old cloak many times from battle damage." He laughed. Then waited for Lanella to speak.

[Setsa]

Setsa being quickly picked up and carried off to her room all her supplies prevented herself from struggling even if she wanted to. Jai's determination to make sure she sleeps well calmed her stubborn spirit for the night at least.

"Yes Jai.." touching his hand softly as she sat up in bed, "I promise to rest in bed just so you can rest easy tonight.....and because I like you too much I promise that I won't go into the city for supplies and equiptment tomorrow without you."

Bidding him goodnight Setsa took a hot bath to help her relax then quickly fell asleep in her bed. Knowing soon she probably wouldn't be sleeping in such a comfy bed again.

As soon as the sun just started to light up the night sky above Eversong, Setsa was awake and getting ready for the day. Very quietly opening the door to her bedroom she tiptoed across the living room not wanting to wake up anyone that was sleeping above in the guest bedrooms. Dressing in one of her favorite light blue silk dresses the corset lacings in the front to help accentuate her assets, shell off the shoulder sleeves as the hem kissed her knees. She kept her promise to Jai but was determined to prove she was just fine by getting up early enough and making a grand breakfast. Putting her basket of supplies from last night up on her dining table she turned around the corner into the kitchen. Suddenly stopping dead in her tracks, letting out a sigh as she leaned her back against the counter. "You are suppose to still be asleep like the others Jai...."

[Pidge]

Jai said goodnight to Setsa, glad she had mentioned going with him for supplies. The company would be wonderful, and he was even happier that she actually was going to bed and getting some sleep. The next morning he himself tried to be sneaky...creeping out of bed before dawn to dress in his leather and the blue shirt Setsa had given him to replace the one he had purchased. He left his room slipping into the kitchen hoping that he was as silent as he felt he had been. He had just opened a cabinet when he was caught.

"So are you." he retorted stopping in his tracks and closing the cabinet he had just opened. "Let me guess...you were going to make breakfast. That just isn't fair at all since you made dinner. I was going to make breakfast." he grumbled the last part a bit, but it didnt look like Setsa was going to budge her resolve either. Finally sighing and leaning against the counter he smiled.

"You know...since we both are awake, and we both should be resting, we could save each other some energy by sharing breakfast duty?" It was a good idea in theory.

[Edynol]

Over the next two days, no one did very much other than rest and gather supplies. Vellia gathered her armies and everyone getting ready to march into the wastes as they waited for Edynol and his companions. Only Vellia and a few scouts and guards were left behind to safeguard the city as all the mothers, children, and elderly living around Eversong were moved to the city. Edynol was sitting on Jexus at the head of the army as he waited for Lucas and Setsa to join him. He was still weakened, it would take about a week of rest for him to fully recover, but he was alot better than he was a few days ago.

Once everyone arrived and was ready, the army set out. Several scouts and guards saluted them as they made their way to the southern border. When they finally reached the border of the wastes, the army halted for a short while as Edynol went over to Jai, Zack, and Janella. "You all be careful. Jai, if anything at all seems amiss, you fly over and tell me immediately. We will do the same likewise. If you see any enemy scouts, kill them immediately. We cannot afford to be discovered too soon." He then bid them farewell and rode back to his side before the to forces split up.

As they traveled the wastes, both forces came across a few enemy settlements and scouts as well as the normal dangers of Hyenas, wild cordons, and burrow worms, but nothing too threatening. On the second day out, there was rain. It was very rare for it to rain in the wastes, but with Kaldorn in the area, no doubt he was summoning storms to keep his forces hydrated.

Around noon on the third day, the summoned storm still not ceasing as rain poured down, the Windriders from Tresnia arrived, ready to give their assistance, along with a few ground troops. And to Edynol's surprise, Grimwal was with them as well. "Grimwal! It is good to see you, my friend. What are you doing here?"

The dwarf shook Edy's hand as he sat upon his large bull. "I heard ye name mention, Edy ol' pal."

Edynol ran a hand through his hair. "So what else have you heard? Any other..." He couldn't finish as Grimwal cut him off.

"Oh, I've known for good while. You don't become a master runesmith without learning how to put things together. But I never spoke of what I suspected, as I'm sure you know."

Edynol smiled and nodded. "Well, the time for remaining hidden is over, now. No doubt rumors have spread across all borders now." He then looked up as he smelled the faint scent of smoke in the air, the rain and wet air making the smoke smell stronger as the wind carried it. Edynol then sent a scout to alert the other force that they had reached the enemy's stronghold and to prepare for battle.

[Setsa]

Agreeing with Jai to put their stubborness aside they together made most most the meals, working well together, for the remaining time in Eversong. Gathering supplies and armor took longer than expected as Jai was rather picky on making sure the armor for her fit well and would serve its purpose well....she didn't argue at all with this not being seasoned into battles. The end result was a thick but somewhat flexible hard dark blue leather armor with attached armored short skirt able to fit over her thin clothes to allow for better movement. Setsa's legs protected only by thick armored shin guards, fitting snuggly over her knee high boots.

She did recieve a great surprise from the Queen's weapon smith beign gifted with a Dragon Tree rune staff fashioned with an axe blade enchanted to hit each blow deadly and true. The balanced weight was perfect for her own strength and level of skill.....hopeing she would be doing more healing than fighting even Setsa knew that wasn't going to be possible ....everyone would be needed to fight.

As the days of travel passed she gave nightly reports to the queen back in Eversong with her mind, relaying key events and discussions that would help them better prepare and keep the alliance strong. When it finally came time to part the troops she bid her dear friends a safe and successful journey until they meet again. Dismounting from her large draft stallion approaching Jai, hands on his dragon snout looking into his eyes. "Watch yourself my Sev'ron...I don't want to have to hunt you down just to save your life from injury..." Kissing his head, soon mounting back up giving a final wave to them joining back up with Edynol and Lucus as the large troops parted ways for the same cause.

When the Windriders joined up days later they stopped to discuss any news...Setsa was riding back to the lead after healing a few creatures pulling equiptment, all the rain main the road much rougher yet they couldn't afford to slow down. Head covered with her long blue cloak to try and keep dry she stopped in front of Edynol handing the reins over to an elven soldier.

"Well we should be able to move faster now....no injuries were critical from the rough roads....a little light on the journey I suppose." Letting a soft smile on her lips that hasn't appeared since the rain started; noticing the dwarf Grimwal her smile grew a little. "Ahhh so this is the Grimwal that you have told me about Edynol....I am indeed glad to see you decided to join this .." Looking up at the rain still pouring down "wet adventure."

[Jinxed]

"Always someone out there just like you..." Lanella continued to stare down at the owl, her lips forming a small smile. She then looked back up at Zackereth, chuckling. "Well, I guess those repairs have been good practice. Thank you." She then stood up, and picking up the entire outfit, put it on the bedside table next to her bed. "If you don't mind, I think I'm going to go to bed now. I'll see you in the morning."

Over the next two days, Lanella mostly focused on everything she'd need for the mission ahead. She restocked her supply of dried herbs, and basic healing supplies like bandages. She also fixed up her bag, which had gotten pretty roughed up lately. Lanella was very attached to her bag, which she'd carried with her since she had first left Ethrangarde. It always seemed like there was enough room for just one more thing, and she made sure that it always had what she needed.

It also came to her attention that she'd probably need a proper weapon. Though her throwing daggers worked fine in self defense, she was expecting a proper fight. They were pretty much going to war, after all. She ended up with a shortsword, pretty much as basic as she could get. It would get the job done; it didn't need to look pretty.

Lanella wasn't much of a horse rider, and chose to walk alongside their procession as they set out for the wastes. She was stubborn, and ignored many of the arguments that she would tire out, not be able to keep up, or not be able to go as far as those on horseback. However, Lanella had been a traveller for five years, and had never used a horse. She was a decent runner, and would be perfectly capable of going as far and as long as everyone else. Besides, she wasn't the only one on foot.

Lanella travelled in the outfit Zackereth had given her, knowing that on the road, anything could happen. She didn't want to be caught unawares. However, for a while it seemed such caution was unnecessary. When they encountered the few enemies on the wastes, after splitting up, they were usually handled before Lanella knew they were even there. She had a feeling that because she was known to be a healer, some of the troops were assuming she couldn't fight, and taking care of things without getting her involved. It bothered her, but she put up with it. They'd have a fight enough when they reached their destination.

Lanella put up with the rain, but did so huddled under her cloak. As she walked, the hood hid her face almost completely, but she liked it. She could see just fine, but the black material almost felt... cozy.

"I have never seen this much rain before in my life. And these are the Wastes, for goodness' sake. If those idiots wanted to camp here, they should put up with the heat." Lanella complained to herself in similar fashions almost constantly, her disgruntled mood matched with her arms crossed across her chest, and her slumped shoulders.

[SQJ]

Time was something that fascinated Kaldorn. It was the one thing that connected everyone. He’d travelled through to lands at speeds so high he’d out run the moon and the sun. He’d spoken to people in lands where the sun had yet to touch yet burned his flesh. Yet no one, it seemed, could not outrun time. No one could out run their age, not at least him as long as he’d lived as many spells as he’d accumulated to live as long as he had he could not avoid the inevitable.

As youthful as his limbs remained it did little to destroy the weight upon him. The very thought that he would suffer millennia after millennia fighting the hard fight to stay alive for reason he wasn’t too sure of himself put him off his appetite. He brushed away the gold chalice being offered to him but quickly changed his mind waving it over. A human slave, female and young, sidled over, holding the silver chalice over her head. Her took it and moved the chalice around slowly the corrupted waters hissed and bubbled before he poured it out for the sake of it.

Slowly Kaldorn made his way up to his feet and walked across his newly built halls, his fortress was still under construction but much of it had been completed most importantly the outer and inner walls and the base of the Keep.

His arms behind his back he moved quietly down to the dungeons of his fortress. All around he could hear activity from the world above. Demons and both the Orcs and trolls he’d recruited. All working to make the fortress not only impregnable but functioning, the only clean waters in the radius of a week’s walking had been diverted to feed the few wheat fields that had been grown. Siege material could not be forged because of the lack of trees. Both the well stocked stores and the lack of vegetation around the fortress itself ensured that a siege of the fort could never last. But still his men worked on to complete the land so people would still seek the grounds out. Most of everything had been imported, corn, hops, wood all being hastily worked on, all loud and noisy.

It was all a wall of sound until Kaldorn set foot into the dungeon then all sound from the world above disappeared. He could now hear the sounds of screams and cries matched only by the snapping of whips. Tied down and held down were the leaders of the tribes he’d been forced to take control of. Those who had tried to support them lay there too but most had not survived their ‘punishments’ The smell of rotting meat and faeces filled the air. Kaldorn passed through it as though passing through a solid mist.

That was until he stopped at a solid granite wall. Thick, so thick and so solid that its appearance promised an eternity of hacking to get through and with Kaldorn’s most impressive spell work, the promise was not a weak one.

Raising a blue necklace to the wall, the wall around him shimmered and turned into a waterfall of mist. He passed through it and the noises of the world behind him disappeared to nothing. After ten minutes of walking the mist stopped. He was in a small room barely five steps in any direction. It was filled with tiny white bones of rats and snakes. Out the centre of the dome water dripped slowly. It rate of falling approximately one drop per minute. Something scuttled across the room but he ignored it.

Kaldorn raised his hand and the bones shook pulling themselves up against each other forming up in the centre forming three mounds. The largest middle form turned into a small table and the other two formed chairs. Kaldorn pulled the furthest chair and offered it up, looking up for the first time. There was a woman bound by her ankles and wrists to thick chains, her clothes turned into shredded rags, clothing which had once been dull grey robes now did little to hide much as bits of rob still held together by luck alone, there were teeth marks where they’d been chewed on, most likely by her. Or perhaps the rats before the rats and snakes themselves met an unfortunate fate.
A chess board formed out of the bits of bone and Kaldorn patted the chair he wanted her to sit on. “Sit” He said sounding melancholy. There was little point to hide his foul mood from her. After all he’d released his fury upon her so many times before getting little information in return. “Come play with me. I have much to speak of. You appear to be the only pair of ear worth the effort of talking.”

[Pidge]

Jai truely enjoyed their last few days in Eversong. He spent a lot of time with Setsa and the closer they got to leaving the more worried and troubled he became for her safety. Perhaps that was why he had been so picky with her armor and such. Setsa had been equally picky about him, forcing him to buy some well fitting black leather armor for his human body and eventually helping him find some metal dragon armor at a special craft shop. She also forced him to use some fitting spells on that armor and fly with it on to make sure it wouldnt hinder him.

When they did leave out from Eversong he was a bit saddened to be in a seporate group from Setsa but he didnt complain. They were atleast able to travel together part of the way. He chose to travel in his dragon form, simply because a horse would do him little good in battle. It was nice because it gave him time to truely adjust to his armor, but when the time came to finally split up and Setsa said goodbye he couldnt help but start to worry about her again.

'You stay safe as well, lest I have to come rescue you from capture...or worse..' he told Setsa mentally before she rode away. He didnt want to think about or worse.

After some time they were joined by reinforcements and the trudge continued. The battlefield was looming nearer and nearer and the rain refused to stop. It didnt bother the dragon, water simply running off his scales and his armor keeping him fairly dry. As he walked with Lanella and Zack he laughed to himself in his mind.

'I agree Lanella, one shouldnt be able to play with the weather as he has. Though Im not complaining about the lack of heat.' He spoke to her mentally, while giving a very dragonish huff outloud.

[Zackereth]

Zackereth spent the next few days preparing his knives and sharpening his blade. He packed away his bed roll and some rations. Zack never carried alot when he traveled. So He spent those days helping Lanella and the others with what they were needing in the journey. He spent them getting to know the others well and helping the people of Eversong. On the last night before the journey Zack sang a song for them all. The song was a tale of a party of four traveling in to the waste. It contained passion, battle, death, and victory. Zack spent the days working on this song and knew it meant alot to him and them.

The day they set out Zack bid his farewell to those who were traveling apart from him, Jai, and Lanella. He then put up his hood and patted Edynol's shoulder. "See you at the end my friend." He smiled and started to walk with Lanella.

The rain would not let up on the third day. He laughed "Well this is gloomy." Zack smiled and looked to Lanella then to Jai. He then went into a serious face. He knew this was a serious time but in his time roaming this land he always thought some humor was a way to keep one from going to complete depression or to make the adventure a gloomy one. Zack then decided to hum the song from the night before they set off. Hoping it would help keep Lanella and Jai from thinking of this rain too much.

[Edynol]

Anella spat at Kaldorn's feet when he spoke to her, the cuts and scratches burning and itching as she was confined and bound by magic. The rags she wore dirty and torn, stained with dirt and blood. What I wouldn't give for a bath right now, She thought to herself. If this demon thought torture would get anything worthwhile out of her, he was sorely mistaken. Avens and Vealians were the two most stubborn people in the world when it came to enduring torture, and she was both. "You know your attempts to get any information out of me are futile. You'd be wise to just kill me and save yourself a lot of trouble in the future," she as she took a seat at his table. Her tone and expression were still stern and confident, betraying no sign of the pain and worry she felt.

She had been studying the man while she'd been there. His markings and the way he wore his hair told her he probably didn't like his elvish appearance. This was common with alot of halfbreed demons, though this guy seemed to despise his non-demon side more so than most others. "I hope you know you will never leave Anthar alive, unless you are bound like I am. You're just a little elf, probably a bastard child of some other demon and disowned by your own mother." She then reached out her hand to touch his face. "A shame you hade to mar your skin so. I can tell you were probably quite beautiful at one time. When my love comes to destroy you, I'll instruct him not to damage your face too much when we remove those foul markings from your skin." Anella then waited for the torture that was most likely to come.

[Jinxed]

Lanella couldn't help but chuckle a little at Jai's response to her complaining. She didn't like to dwell on unpleasant thoughts, and so often found it easy to smile and joke, even when she knew she was heading, figuratively, into the belly of the beast.

"Well, to each his own. I prefer the heat to this... But I guess this stupid rain has its merits. Even if they don't benefit us..." To tell the truth, she detested the rain. But, that wasn't because it was rain. It was because it was rain in the Wastes. She'd travelled across the Wastes many times since her first journey across, and had come to love the heat. She understood the land wasn't supposed to be so barren, but she'd grown to kind of like it. The days spent in the Wastes tended to blur together, and when she was alone Lanella enjoyed getting lost in her thoughts, which was easy for her in such a blank landscape.

Lanella didn't get much of a chance to enjoy Zackereth's humming for two reasons. One, the rain was loud and her hood muffled most of the sounds around her. And two, there was a commotion ahead. Lanella and the others weren't right at the front of their procession, but they weren't all that far back either. And it seemed there was a disturbance at the front. Even through the rain and her hood, and Zack's humming, it wasn't long before the sounds of fighting reached her ears.

"It looks like our presence is known. I'm sure we aren't at the stronghold yet... So they must have sent someone to get in our way." Lanella grinned, but it was a grim smile, matched with determination in her eyes as she grabbed her new short sword. "Jai, Zackereth... Looks like we've got some fighting to do."

[SQJ]

Without looking up he grabbed her hand and twisted her wrist, coming just short of snapping it. "Come now, you dont want me to ruin your hands now do you? How ever will you play with me?" He said his tone almost playful despite his fury.

He punched out with the palm of his free hand and a solid force hit her squarely in the chest and she smashed right through her chair. "Such a common tact. So common are your words upon me yet I would be a lair if I had said I had heard such in many a life time, I guess there are certain things one cannot grow past. I know what I am, I know my shortcomings." He slowed on these words, letting them fall upon him. He took a slow breath, allowing composure to win over all other emotion. "Where as you seem to struggle to realise who you are. You seen to forget your position and rank. You think," he swallowed a grin, "as you lie there that you have earn some small victory against me. And now the pain which follows henceforth will be some form of victory dance. You think you will find some joy in the coming agony?"

Kaldorn stood up from his chair and straightened his robes slowly as though the act of casting his spell had somehow wrinkled the edges of his robe. "No Anella, there will be no such victory for you. Consider not what you hope will be but rather," He paused moving over her and stepping on her twisted wrist. "consider what is. You're love is coming. Yes. But I have an army. Large and battle hardened, hardened through pathetic inter clan squabbles yes but battle harden none the less. This is land known to me. Known to my army. These are not the lush lands of the north. This is not the Evergreen. This is not your kingdom. This is what is. Now knowing what is shall we look as what is safe to assume will be?"

He raised his boot and dropped it upon her wrist once again, breaking her wrist, he raised his boots up and stomped on her hand.
"They will feel the heat the arid dryness of these lands." He stomped slowly on her now broken index finger, applying more weight onto her to savour her pain.

"Your people, his people, will die a horrendous death. They will die running, running away. there will be no quarter expected and none given. This is the way of these lands. They will come to terms with such the hard way. Think Anella, your people will die, all of them, your love will die. And do you know what they will die for? They will die for you. For no one else would they come to this land to fight for, only you. You who were foolish enough, arrogant enough to be caught. I have what I need from you Anella. I have you and soon I have have the heads of all those you love."

He stopped with a mad pleasure pulling her hands out only to crush them to the point where he was sure she couldn't so much as twich them without the same agonising pain of his first step. He took a breath to calm himself. "Now consider this. Consider that you're right. Consider that your poeple bizzarely win out. I and only I have the key and I will not open it for any purpose but my own. If the battle is lost, you will be lost. For you this dank darkness, this oppressive wieght of shame you hold. This rock. It will be all you will ever have. The water from the roof may last but eventtually snakes and rates will learn not to come and you shall wither away to nothing. Then you will beg and plead for me, you will crave the pain I give just for the company. Assuming you do not strangle yourself with your own chains" He kicked her in the chest then rammemd his boot hard into her stomach.

"Thank you Anella, my time here is filled with few pleasures as the fortifications are still being perfecte. I had been feeling weary from the monotomy of it all. You helped clear that." He breathed dusting himself off and clearing the blood off his shoes with what was left of her robes.

[Setsa]

Setsa checked in with Jai off and on throughout the days just to keep a link between the two parties....the smaller fights she wasn't concerned about as that was to be expected. When word to prepare for battle spread she grabbed her rune staff from the back of the saddle placing it across her lap ready to fight if needed. Alerting Jai of their destination her mind saw what he did....the troops sent out by Kaldorn have been watching the others and were attacking now against the front lines.

Not wanting to distract him, know Jai already would have felt her presence she broke the connection not knowing what demon there would be able to sence it....riding fast up ahead to Edynol who was leading the front. " The others were being watched....Kaldorn's troops I think caught them off guard somewhat as there's a big fight in the front lines.... I think Kaldorn's waiting for us....I don't want to try to seek him out until the opertune moment, I don't know how strong his mind senses are."

Touching another's mind can leave a trace...leavign them vulnerable that was the one thing they didn't need. "You're the one who know the area....what's your command?"

[Edynol]

As Kaldorn's troops approached both forces, Edynol ran out ahead and called for the archers before turning to Setsa. "I know you may want to fight, but we will have strong need of healers. Kill anything that approaches you if you have the chance, but try to save your energy for those who need healing. Instruct all the other healers set up a temporary triage center."

Edynol turned to one of the captains, an orc named Bock, "Bock, you're in charge of protecting the healers, get a few hundred men to watch over them." The orc gave him a salute and went to gather some guards. When the enemy troops got closer, Edynol gave the order to fire and the archers let loose, killing a few hundred troops. The enemy casters then threw bolts of fire and shadow and earth. Most of them were deflected by shields, but a few still got through, killing several elves and orcs. When they wyverns started coming, the Dwarf windriders engaged them. They windriders were outnumbered, but they were far more skilled at aerial combat.

Suddenly, there was a large web of energy thrown at them from the enemy commander. The web didn't do any harm, really, but a few priests and druids started yelling that their shields were being drained. As time went on, more and more of the enemy's spells were getting through, allowing more enemy troops to break through the front line.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the battle, the commander of the second force, an orc named Bromman, did the same thing Edynol did, ordering a triage set up and guards for the healers. But though they were doing better than Edynol's side, as far as numbers went, the healer began feeling a dampener on their healing abilities, which resulted in more deaths than there normally would have been.

[Mattie2009]

Lucas was enjoying himself thoroughly. Despite the supercharge Edynol had given him burning to be released, he was running off of his own power so as not to give the game away. The rain had saturated every inch of his person, but the rainclouds had already given him an idea. He aimed his shots as best he could, occasionally charging a blast of fan lightning to keep the enemy on their toes. Most shots were blocked by the enemy mage's shields, but those that did get through hit hard and the constant onslaught was beginning to wear them down. Eventually he stopped and retreated to the back lines, assisting the healers with what remained of his power. The idea he had concocted was beginning to take a more coherent form, but it was still too early to commit to anything. It's a plan best kept until we get to this Kaldorn guy. He thought. It's way to early to use my ace, so to speak.

[Setsa]

Understanding Edynol's position, Setsa and Bock races off to gather some men and the healers. Being quick to set up a triage tent for the wounded. It was not long at all after they were set up that the wounded started limping ang being carried in. Working well the Brock to sort the wounded soon as they were seen approaching by degree of injury it allowed the healers a good rotation of patients to prevent their own exhaustion. Setsa herself kept busy running everything taking the ones in the worst conditions personally; hands glowing with the suns warmth time and time again blood was all over that she summoned a couple of druids to the tent to summon more clean water....it was an important factor that she couldn't ignore in this chaos.

Seeing Lucas in the entrance of the tent she grabbed his arm fast with a purpose. "You're comming with me! Rushing him over to two soldiers, one an orc whos leg was shattered and side gushing blood. The other a windrider who was unconcious from a high fall his head and arm skinned to almost the bone amongst other injuries.
"Don't heal them just calm both their minds and even out their breath now there is no time!!" Her armor and silk clothing underneath were all covered in blood hands touching each one of their chests standing between them she reached deep within herself. Entire arms glowing brightly she pushed the warm energy into their bodies hard all at once, building up and doing it again..'frooom!' Again..'froooom!!' Repeating this on them both as they were fading underneath her touch, their entire bodies needed the energy. Looking hard at Lucas as she kept it up loose strands of hair in her face the healing light pushed from her arms into the two as it spread through their bodies like a waving surge of energy.

"COME ON!!" she'd scream building more energy each time before it sent through...long minutes passed until it started to work as she needed it to....calling over other healers to take over once they were just stabalized enough to recieve pure healing energy. Stepping aside the adrenaline kept her going too many were needed back in the field.....touching minds with Edynol very quickly to keep him informed on triage's status before going back to the crucial task at hand pushing the loose strands in her face back against her head in a swoop not caring about the blood that started to dry on her locks.

Going back into the center of the chaos, dertermined not to stop until this was over.

[Pidge]

When the fighting first broke out Jai set back on his haunches and shot into the sky with a burst of wind and a strong flap of his wings. He shot to the frontlines. Firstly to keep the Captains in the half of the army he was in informed of enemy movements. He could communicate with them without leaving much trace so he did so and left them to inform the ground troops and create their own formations. He lost track of Lanella and Zack in the chaos below after a while and hoped they were safe, unable to try and speak to them currently. He was distracted by trying to assist the frontline by using some defensive spells of his own to push the enemy back and confuse them.

An enemy druid threw his own spell at Jai, stunning the dragon momentarily...but he recovered and continued his fight. Then the wyvern riders appeared. Jai checked to make sure the windriders had things under control before he kept at the enemys frontlines. He was forced to gain altitude fast as the druids broke down his defenses and the archers took aim. During the cliimb he was ambused by a wyvern rider. The attack would have caused a terrible injury had the dragon not been wearing armor, but as it stood he was able to blast the foul creature and send it plumiting from the skys.

[Jinxed]

Lanella was rather annoyed when she was pushed in with the healers, but she knew it was where she would be needed the most. The battle was full of experienced fighters, not girls like her who only knew how to save their own skin in a fight. She would work best with the healers.

But still, she didn't like being treated like... well, like a little girl.

Her frustration was put aside as soon as the first injured soldiers arrived, and immediately she had her hands full with patients. She was one of the busiest healers, because she didn't give herself time to rest. She'd already been in two battles, and she knew that surrendering to her growing weariness would mean more death. And she wasn't going to put up with that. Even as other healers sat for a while, had some food, regained their energy, Lanella was moving from patient to patient, doing everything she could.

But then she felt it... Her healing abilities being dampened. She knew the same was happening to everyone working alongside her, and a rising fury sprouted in the girl. People were beginning to bleed out and die of their injuries before her very eyes, when they should have been fixed pretty easily. Lanella was desperately trying to continue the healing, but simple things that had taken her seconds were now taking a lot longer, and she could feel her energy fading fast. She couldn't keep it up much longer, and she knew it. Which left only one option.

Lanella grabbed her sword, and rushed out towards the bulk of the battle. Enemies were starting to break through the ranks, but for the most part ignoring the injured and the healers. Which meant they knew that the healers were being hindered... Which meant they knew who was doing it...

"It must be their commander... He'll be known well enough that the troops will know not to bother with the medics right away... And I bet he isn't amidst the fighting, or isn't very much." Lanella spoke to herself like she always did when she was problem solving, and began to search for... anyone, really. If she could spot their commander, things would be easier, but there were too many people around. She could see that Jai was fighting airborn, so she couldn't easily get to him. And she couldn't see Zackereth, though she was sure he was around somewhere nearby, fighting. "We have to go after their commander!" Lanella said, frustrated, in a loud voice. A nearby soldier, obviously considering himself more experienced than she was, laughed.

"Easier said than done, girly." He said, before charging back into the fight. Lanella glared in his direction, but knew she couldn't afford to be distracted by him. She took a few of the enemy soldiers on as she tried to think of a solution. "If only we could get by all these soldiers... Jai, Zackereth... I don't know what to do." She sighed, knowing that too many people were preoccupied with the fighting to try and bypass most of it to go for the commander.

[Edynol]

As the battle raged on, Edynol got a report from the other force that their healing was being dampened. He then turned to Grimwal. "Go alert the windriders to search out the enemy commander on the northern side. We need to bring them down." Grimwal nodded and rode off on his bull. Edynol then saw a wyvern falling from the sky amidst the enemy and started chanting in a terrible voice. "Creetch norgal sinth garrul!" And the wyvern's skin burst open and black locusts flew out and started off to the north to help the other force bring down the enemy casters.

Edynol decapitated a few more orcs and trolls to give himself more room as he plunged his hand in the chest wound of a dying troll. "Gaj dun girrok! Nij d'ha badu'ul," he chanted, his voice able to be heard for miles. The sky darkened as a surge of dark energy could be felt as hundreds of corpses suddenly rose and charged the enemy. It wasn't much, but it helped by them some time. The innitial shock was enough for the undead soldiers to kill of a few thousand enemy troops, but with Edynol not strong enough to make more, the enemy would soon recover and kill them all.

Setsa: A few hours after the locusts appear, you and the other healers feel your healing powers start to return, slowly.

Jai: Towards the back of the enemy force, you see a demon being carried on a small platform by half a dozen trolls. He looks almost like an orc, but has horns and red skin. He seems to be directing all the attacks while fighting off what's left of the locusts.

After getting another report that the Northern force was doing better than his force, Edynol gave a brief smile, glad they were doing alright without him and that the locusts helped. But his smile suddenly went away as he saw a huge flock of wyvern riders in a V formation head directly towards them, most of them getting past the windriders. He knew what they were after, the healers. Edynol ran to the back of the force, to the triage center, yell for everyone to move and throw up as many shields as possible. When Edynol reached the healers, he yelled, "Everyone get down!" Black lightning shot from his hands, attacking the demon mages on the wyverns as well as the fire blasts they were shooting. But a few still got through, killing a few dozen healers, and one hit Edynol head on, burning almost all his armor and clothes to cinders, leaving him with only his trousers and a shirt charred to almost nothing as he lay groaning on the ground, calling for his horse, Jexus.

Jexus came trotting up quickly, hearing Edynol's weak call, and gave a snort. All Edynol could get out was a few words. "It's time, old friend," The horse oddly nodded, then turn and ran towards the front line.

A loud, terrible roar could be heard for miles, a since of dread making everyone on both sides pause for a short moment. As everyone on Edynol's side of the battle looked to where the louad noise came from, they saw his horse turn into an expanding cloud of black smoke that started raising to the sky. Suddenly, what was just moments ago a black stallion, was a full grown black dragon, about a hundred feet long and seventy feet tall.

Jeraxustraz, Also known as the Broodless and Shadow Wing, let loose another loud roar as black flames incinerated the flesh of thousands of ground troops, leaving behind only bones, before going after the wyverns, decapitating each one he caught with one snap of his jaw. He then flew like the wind to the northern force and muttered words in Draconic tongue. "Gan'ritoth set'al meylar," he chanted, and the dampening field vanished before he went back to slaughtering wyvern, giving a nod to Jai as he flew past him.

[Setsa]

When the wyverns were attacking the triage tent many healers started screaming, stopping everything to drop to the ground. "Get UP!! They depend on us!!" Too many were sitting on the ground against the walls trying to keep it together as they waited to be seen the wave of wounded far surpassed the able healers on hand.

Setsa smiled when she saw Edynol comming to help the sign of the Locusts were a hidden blessing as their strengths were renewed for the moment. Breathing a little easier as she concentrated on the windrider on the table they had the worse wounds most times from the landed attack..and the fall...the fall nearly killed them if they weren't sent to her fast enough. Blasts were suddenly hitting the triage screams were heard of death biting her lip to try and keep it together until a well aimed blast hit right in front of Setsa. "AAAIIIIIHHHHHHHHHH!!!" she loud scream was heard even from the outside landing hard many feet from where she once stood the windrider she was trying to save was nothing but bones now. It took some of troops assigned to guard them to wake her up minutes later...she black out cold.

Breathing shallowly she slowly was helped to sit up "uuunnnghh...what..." the healer was phasing in and out until she realized what happened...slowly gaining her focus back to see Edynol knocked back hard..... "Out of my way...get the other healers up on their feet..." Slowly standing up she stumbled somewhat to him landing hard on her knees groaning, leaning over the dazed and weak man as his stallion turned into his true form to lead the attacks. "Always got to be doing too much again huh Edynol? " Wincing at her own pain with a sharp breath, she definetly had a minor concussion as blood was trickling down from her temple still trying to catch the wind knocked out of her body. "Lets see you back up...." Sitting up straight on her knees in a broad stance, closing her eyes to even out her breathing as both hands found unburnt areas on his chest and torso. I've got to remember how to do this again when this all ends Was the last thought she had before her arms started to glow a bright white again...looking into his weak eyes. "Hold on Edynol..." taking a solid deep breath she sent released the pure energy in a huge surge straight into his core his body covered in blinding white light. Coughing hard not knowing she had a bad gash on her side "talk about loving the light" trying to brighten the mood as she built up sending surge after energy surge into their leader until the wounds closed shut....it would have to do for now....she couldnt give him any more energy. "Go....now..." Setsa manage to whisper Brock picking her up letting know that he'd make sure she survived running her back tot he triage.

[Pidge]

Jai was surprised by the appearence of the other dragon. Jai nodded back, and within minutes the wyverns on their side seemed to be having a time of it. Shooting out at highspeed over the enemies side jai layed some hard hitting attacks into the center of their troops before shooting back up into the sky to avoid attacks. Leveling back out he checked to see what damage he had done. Pleased he spotted someone. Unknowingly he had flown out over the rear of the enemy, but was high enough to remain undetected.

This man was being carried along and doing little fighting except for dispatching what was left of Edynols locusts. He had horns and red skin but looked quite orc like...he had to be the commander as he was giving orders. Checking the progress of his own troops Jai realized they would never reach the demon on their own...and what a surprise it would be if the commander came under attack? without proper orders the enemy would be crippled and their troops would have a chance.

Digging for a mental connection he found Lanella and Zack both. 'I am coming for yall...we need to attack and distract the commander. Ive spotted him, but I cant fight him myself...' then Jai turned back, still flying quite high and finding Lanella first he dove hard and fast to the ground, scattering the attackers and blasting them as he landed. Looking back at Lanella he said 'Get on and we will get Zack'.

Jai planned to fly them over the chaos and drop unexpectantly on the enemy commander. It was the only way they would reach the demon.

[Jinxed]

Lanella was surprised when Jai landed near her, but she didn't waste a moment. He'd realised that they needed to attack the commander, which was just what she had realised moments ago. She climbed onto his back, not giving herself much time to think about it. She had never ridden a dragon before; or anything that flies. She'd hardly even ridden a horse before...

"Any idea how we can take out the commander? I think he's a mage of some sort, I believe it was the commander who was able to dampen the healers' powers. I have a feeling it's going to be really hard to get close to him." Lanella was no military soldier. She didn't have a knack for strategy, and before she'd met Edynol and the group, she'd never been in a battle. Truthfully, she didn't know what she was doing, but she did have common sense. And she had seen what magic was capable of during the year she had spent learning the healing magics. This was by no means going to be easy.

[Edynol]

As the battle waged on, Jeraxustraz had killed all but a few wyvern and their riders, the few that survived fleeing back to the city. When he turned his assult back on the ground troops on the northern side, they started retreating, the orcish demon yelling for them turn back and fight. When the large dragon turned back to the south to help the other force, the demon looked up and saw Jai and Janella. He didn't do much while Jeraxustraz was there, not wanting to draw his attention, he knew he was no match for a full grown dragon. But once he was out of site, he turned his attention to the smaller dragon with a human girl on top. He then threw a ball of green and black energy at Jai.

Jai: The ball of energy didn't do much damage initially, only burning your scales a bit, but suddenly, your muscles start to ache and small lesions started grow, your scales turning yellow and black in spots as your whole body start getting warmer. You start feeling very sick and weak.

One the southern side, as Setsa lay on one of the cots in the triage center, a few other druids, two male elves and a female orc, show up and hold hands as they start to heal her. "Her Holiness gave us instructions to make sure you remain well," the woman orc said. "Please try to be more careful, she has high hopes for you." A green glow surrounds your body, healinf all your wounds and restoring some of your energy.

A few minutes later, a dark shadow falls over the area as Jeraxustraz flies over. The demon commander sees the dragon and smiles. "Oh he will make a nice trophy," he said to himself, confident in his abilities. He then let loose a blast of demon fire, hitting the dragon on the side of his face. Jexus roared in pain, but then turned to the demon and snarled. The blast only managed to anger him more than hurt him. The demon then swallowed a lump in his thoat as the the dragon let loose black flames in a circle around him, killing everything close to the demon. He then landed infront of him and looked him in the eye and gave the demon a grin. He turned pale and couldn't move a muscle as Jexus opened his mouth and chomped down, cutting his body in half at the waste as he flung his legs across the field. The rest of the army started retreating then, seeing their commander slaughtered.
________________________________________________

As Anella lay on the floor, barely able to move from the cuts and broken bones, she bare became aware of a half human demon running into the room to talk to Kaldorn. "Master Kaldorn, your radiance, our forces are retreating! General Malkeroth is dead and they have a dragon, he's slaughtering everyone! And they have someone else with them, he's able to raise the dead and send them against us. I've never seen anything like it!" The man was visibly shaken, his face pale and his glowing red eyes shifting nervously. Anella smiled at the news, despite the pain she was in.

The man continued. "And they didn't come from the south, it's not the king's armies. They come from the north, from the elf forest I think."

[Pidge]

Jai thought about it 'I dont know either Lanella but we have to try...now just hold on tight, take off is rough' and Jai shot into the sky, leveled out and shot out towards the enemy line. The flight was amazingly smooth once in the sky, and his armor gave Lanella something to hold on to. They hadnt managed to find Zakareth in the chaos, but as the battle went they didnt have a choice but to attack.

As they approched Jai saw the demon commander spot him and throw a ball of energy at him. 'Hold on' was all the warning Lanella got before Jai barrel rolled out of the way, managing to keep her from falling in the progress. He felt a light burning on a few of his scales, but it was nothing to worry about and he flew on...then things got worse...

It became hard to fly, his scales lost their pale grey color and yellowed, he felt feverish...he was sputtering out, loosing flight height. Knowing he couldnt go down amoungst the enemy troops he worked hard, gained enough height to be hidden in the clouds, and flew over the enemy commander, past all the troops, and landed unseen behind a soaked sand dune. Jai started coughing after a minute, and the idea of getting back into the sky was impossible.

'That energy shot did more then just burn me...' he told Lanella.

[Setsa]

With a new found energy Setsa was running all over the triage again doing what she does best after telling the ones who helped her that healing can be a hazardous job. Though all of them knew this well enough. News of the enemy commander's death traveled to the triage swiftly followed with weakened cheers, but cheers none the less. The healer coaxing an elven fighter to lay back down so she can finish working on his leg agreeing this was good news but until Edynol says to relax...there was no reason for anyone to let their guards down.

"Just lay down and hold still ..." pushing him down with a bit more force this time. Soon enough handing back over his weapon letting the warrior run off to kill any enemy stragglers. But there was something that was getting at her; a sinking feeling that she couldn't shake off ..one of them was badly hurt. Wiping the table with a wet rag and bucket of clean water to rinse the blood off; opening a quick link to her friends. Zachereth couldn't be detected...that wasn't good at all she thought to herself searching for the others. A gasp left her lips as her body ached reaching to Jai and Lanella..."no.....hang in there guys!" Immediatly linking to Edynol there was no time to waste....

Edynol....Zachereth is undetectable, and Lanella and Jai are hurt badly hidden behind some dunes..the commander hit them hard they won't last long out there! Relaying what she saw to his mind before going back to work biting her lip hoping that they were helped in time.

[Zackereth]

Zack was in the middle of the chaos fighting with all he could. His body was starting to wear out. He took a few hits but those were just wounds that he merely dodged but knicked his cloth and skin. He Pulled two bottles off his side and tossed them high over head and ran through the fighting The bottles lit hit the ground and burst into something not expected from ordinary small explosives. He seen overhead Jai and Lanella were falling and said to himself "No...." he then hit the edge and threw his last this time creating a large smoke screen. when the smoke cleared Zack was gone.

He rolled over the dune and slid down next to Jai and Lanella. He searched Lanella for cuts. Then turned to see that Jai was injured with an energy blast. He pulled a small vial from his side satchel, popped the cork out and pour it onto the injured area. He watched as the color from the injury lightened to his scale color. "That should take a bit of the pain off. Whom did this to you?" He then looked over and seen the commander. He looked to Jai and Lanella. All Elves had the use of mind communication. Zack knew he was half elf and some of the skills were harder to use with his human blood. He put alot of use to this ability only with his mother when he was young. He concentrated hard then found Setsa presence and spoke "Setsa! Need to hurry." He put his hand on Lanella's and held a cloth to Jai wound to keep the antidote near the wound. Zack needed to do something and needed to do it fast.

[Edynol]

When Setsa reaches out to Edynol telepathically, as tired and weak as he was, he didn't think about the effects it would have on her when he responded. Suddenly, her body got a terrible chill and her skin turned pale as a dark, menacing voice spoke in words she couldn't understand. It seemed to grip at her soul, pulling her down into a dark abyss from which there was no escape. She was barely able to make out a few words, fly and aid, before the link was severed and she was back in the living world.

Edynol called out to Jeraxustraz, who had long ago gotten used to his mind. The dragon then flew to Setsa, several troops backing away, staring warily at the dragon. When he landed infront of Setsa, he spoke to her mind. "Jai has been infected with a plague. Lanella is with him, but I don't think she can cure it by herself. Get on my back, I will fly you to them." The dragon then lowered his head for her to climb on.

[Jinxed]

Flight wasn't too bad... It was new to Lanella, but it was kind of cool. If they weren't trying so hard to take out the enemy commander, or flying over a battle scene, it could be really nice. She found herself wondering what it was like, seeing everything from the air, before Jai barrel rolled out of the way of an enemy attack. And Lanella's awe was gone. She clung to the armor on Jai's back, clenching her eyes shut even as he smoothed out, and eventually landed. As they hit the sand, she jumped down from his back, immediately panicking. It was obvious that something was very wrong with Jai.

"I'm not sure what he did to you-" She was cut off by Zack's appearance, and she couldn't help but smile, though it was a worried smile. "The enemy commander is some kind of mage. He was able to dampen the healers' powers earlier, and now this... We have to take him out." Without another word, she put both of her hands on Jai's scales, closing her eyes and concentrating as hard as she could on healing. She could feel that it was doing something... But not nearly enough. She kept working, feeling her energy drain as she did so, until her vision began to gray and she stepped back, allowing herself to fall to the ground, and rest in a sitting position.

"I think that will help you for a while..." She said to Jai, trying to push off her dizziness. "But its going to take a lot more than I'm capable of to get rid of that curse completely. And we won't be able to get you that help until we've defeated the enemy. Zackereth," She paused, looking at him. "On your way here... Did you see anything that could help us figure out how to kill the commander?"

[Setsa]

Shaking the deep dark chills she managed to receive the shaky link from Zachereth for help then seeing the dragon she nods first rubbing his snout just right in thanks before climbing on. "Well this will be new....come on Jerax time is critical on this one!" Holding tightly as they flew overpointing out to him with a touch that the other commander was still alive and fighting. Hoping he didn't see her as the more they are hidden specifically the better. The dunes would keep them relatively secret for long enough she hoped.....gripping tighter as they land she thanked him with a kiss to the head before racing to teh 3 of her friends. "Get his armor OFF!!! I can't see the amount of damage with it on!"

The blood from her previous injuries was very noticeable, her armor torm on the side from the hit she took and blood dried on her face from the temple but she wasn't inthe mood to explain to Jai what happened....she was alive thats all that mattered. Helping to remove his armor Setsa kneeled at his side behind his front powerful legs "Hold on we'll get you back in the air soon.." Patting his leg smiling softly to ease his racing mind. Hands on his wound as she starts "Lanella....summon some water to help cool him down, the wetsand will get under his scales and rub him raw when it dries.

Setsa worked fast as she could keeping a link with Jerax so he could relay to Edynol...she wouldn't speak to his mind until she absolutely had to....the plague was well in effect and she was worried this would take it all from her again.

[Zackereth]

Zack sighed "Nothing at all to much combat. Point me in the direction and ill go after him." He looked over the Dune and smiled seeing the commander. He slid back down. "I need just something to keep him distracted." He then seen a dragon land near and seen Setsa. "Thank the gods. Setsa" He spoke to her. "I need Edynol's to help with this one. Seems we took the dangerous side." he chuckled.

[Pidge]

Jai was indeed quite sick, for a moment though she felt Setsas mind brush his. He didnt like that, he knew she would panic. Zack appeared then to his surprise, he was happy Zack was alive. Between Zack and Lanellas help Jai felt felt better, enough to stand on his own. His scales had paled back out into an almost gray color, but still slightly yellowed. He still felt feverish but he could think.

'Thank you both.' he said.

He could tell Setsa was coming, but he didnt expect her to get there that fast...then again she had flown and Jai nodded to Jerax. Setsa took over immediately but Jai was reluctant. She was covered in blood and he could tell a lot of it was her own. Upon a closer inspection though he found that she was ok and had been healed herself. She was tired though.

Shed of his armor, he eyed Setsa as she started. 'Your very worn out, dont hurt yourself helping me.' he told the elf. He could feel her thoughts, she was thinking exactly what he was. He also knew there wouldnt be any arguing with her. Instead he focused on Zack for a moment.

'Ive got the energy to launch one solid attack and distract him. I can do that before getting healed if we do it now.' he looked at Setsa with a look that said she couldnt argue with him about this.

[Jinxed]

"You are so lucky I know how to do that," Lanella sighed, doing as Setsa said. She didn't have time to be surprised at the dragon Setsa had been riding, though she did realise that it was the same dragon who'd flown above earlier.

"I'm sure I can help too." Lanella smiled grimly, pulling herself to her feet, swaying slightly. She was well aware that she had put way too much energy into trying to help Jai, but she also knew that there was no choice but to keep going. They were in the midst of a battle, it was no time to be sleeping on the job.

"We just need to distract him, right? If you can get close, you think you can kill him?" She looked at Zackereth questioningly, though there was a small smile on her face.

[Zackereth]

Zackereth looked at Lanella and smiled "No i dont think I can but I do believe in trying." He laughed "Now Jai, Very important that your blast is accurate and your aiming is perfect cause your gonna have to hit him if not it will fail. Once you see an explosion in the air... Fire. Understood?" He didnt wait for the dragons answer and ran from the dune and rushed acrossed the battle field clearing his path and closer and closer made his way to the commander.

[Setsa]

Setsa thanked Lanella very grateful for any energy to help she could spare staring down Jai with a "don't start with me and I won't start with your injuries until later..."

Healing him enough to help him give enough energy to distract the commander for Zackereth. "Hurry and be accurate you need much more work done on you but you can make it over to the otherside of the battle to Edynol if you must." Putting on his armor really quick any help for protection is better than nothing. "Lanella if there is anything I can do for you, any of you please let me know." Smiling warmly sitting down beside her trying to rest for a brief moment. This battle was intense and everyone was hurting from it....Setsa knew she'd be out cold after this if it kept up just like Lanella or anyone else there is only so much energy in one body to use. "Hot Springs, elven wine, and being pampered by the ones that care for us....we both get through this, we're doing it lanella sound good?"

[Jinxed]

"You had me at hot springs, Setsa." Lanella grinned, plopping back down on the sand. Although she knew the fight was still raging pretty badly, she couldn't help but just pause. With no one bothering them, and the fight out of sight, she almost felt like she could just let herself pass out, and try to recover the energy she'd lost trying to help Jai and all the other injured soldiers. But she wouldn't allow herself to do that until she knew the fight, at least for the time being, was won. She then sighed angrily.

"If I could just give Deldranna a piece of my mind... Her stupid world domination antics are totally messing with my schedule. This is all pointless, really. She's never going to win." Lanella's eyes narrowed, and though she'd started off jokingly, she was pretty serious as she stared into the distance. "I won't allow it." Then she chuckled. "That's pretty self-centered, actually. I doubt I could really take her on..." She then grinned at Setsa. "Well, I suppose we should take advantage of this moment of peace. We're going to have our work cut out for us once the guys stop the fighting."

[Pidge]

Jai nodded to Zack, he would be deadly accurate. Once Setsa gave him leave Jai slipped silently over the first dune, coming up almost directly behind the commander, about fifty foot away. Perfect range for what he had planned. Flattening out, Jai wasnt visible to anyone...he waited...waited...he was feeling a lot better, but he knew he wasnt healed completely.

Then came the explosion Zack had mentioned. The dragon rose, planted his feet, and let loose a massive wind blast from his mouth that combined with a wind splice from his wings. It was like a small lethal tornadoe hit the commander in the back. It was the kind of attack that took a lot of energy but had very strong results. Jai took a heavy breath after the blast...he could make it to where the others were but he was worn out.

[Zackereth]

Zackereth seen the explosion and it wasnt his. Zack was 5 feet from the Commander at this time and knew it was a loss if he wasn't hit by the blast. Zackereth rushed in and before the the commander could think to block it. Zack grabbed ahold of the Commander in a choke. "I will not let you live!" He shouted and he sent a message to Setsa "Might have to come get me on this one." With that the blast hit With a large explosion.

Zack hit the ground behind him hard as he looked up to see no sign of the commander and to see the army retreat. He felt the rain on his face. His chest stung and burned and he looked down to see blood. He forced himself up and started to walk back to the dunes every limb of his body was aching. He walked past Jai and leaned against him and patted his unharmed scales gently "Nice shot." Zack needed a breather.

[Pidge]

Jai was impressed with himself...that was probably the best aimed shot he had ever taken. Perhaps it was fluke, or perhaps he had responded to how desperate the situation was. Now they were all tired...but the battle seemed won. Without a commander on either side their own forces were begining to conquer the battle. Jai had a hard feeling in his gut though...something wasnt quite right.

This had been too easy...there was worse to come he was sure of it. Right now though they all needed to retreat and heal. As Zack gave him a pat Jai nosed him lightly.

'You did a good job holding him still friend. Few would have jumped in front of that blast like you did...Im just sorry it hit you as well...' then he nearly smiled to himself 'atleast it didnt have the same effects on you as it did him'

Returning to the girls jai said 'Shall we leave this mess and all get healed? Our men are doing fine now...' He was just starting to feel a slight bit feverish again.

[Setsa]

Hearing Zackereth's request Setsa healed Lanella restore her strength as she didn't know if she could both of the brave guys. Walking over to them not wanting them to move much she placed her hand on Jai's snout looking at him weary. "Enough of your bravery for now...." Kissing his head softly feeling the fever back. "Hmmm and here I thought I told you to be safe so I didn't have to come and heal your again. But lets get you at full strength so you can carry me back...I am in no shape to ride." Giving him a look of "yea yea I know I know..."

Knowing it was mostly weakness the plague least in control now she plopped down against his side behind his right from leg hand on his scales under the thick damaged armor. Kissing his shoulder facign him Setsa's hand glowed warmly sending the healer's soothing gift throughout the dragon's body breathing shallow herself it forced her to concentrate on what was so natural to do. After what seemed like forever for the elf the process was finally fully completed as she doze in and out of focus...seeing Jai there not remembering she just healed him. The healer knew she was in the safest place and passed out.

[SQJ]

Kaldorn turned his head to the messenger, his eyes dead as though looking at a world beyond the one of the half demon. They focused into a glare before he turned and kicked Anella one more time knocking her out. He didn't want her getting any of her hopes up.

"Damn those fools. Where is the other general? You know it does not matter. This is what you are to do. I want every archer we have pulling back slowly to the main caste walls, tell them to leave the fortressed outer walls. No man should be there. They should all be using the arrows I assigned them by now. Tell them to keep firing. Bring the men back, allow them rest and recovery but not much, they must be battle ready within the hour. Bring in the wounded to be healed those that cannot be healed must be killed or left behind. I want my personal archer divisions upon the highest walls clearing a path for the warriors down below. The siege equipment must be set up facing the largest group attacking. Why are you still here go!"

Kaldorn demanded before raising his fist. The human demons disappeared in a panicked blur of speed. Kaldorn glared at the ground running a personal inventory. Necromancy? who did he know who could raise the dead or produce a dragon of such magnitude as to turn the tides against him, Kaldorn of all people.

He took a deep breath out through his nose feeling his stomach muscles contract. He did it again and white smoke blew out his nostrils. He hated elves. They were a nuisance, weak and pathetic and deserving of death. His mother was no exception, except for one thing she'd once said to him that he could remember.

'There is so much within you that goes to waste when on tries too hard to focus on the world outside. Pull all within yourself and you shall grow for you have no limits.'

Those words had rung in his mind moments before he'd taken her life and they rung in his mind now as he started to focus his energies. The magic with in the gap in the rock that Anella had to call her home started to deteriorate. It moved from a prison cell that supported her to a nothing more than a gap in the rock. The water that had been dropping down became a continuous running stream. The mechanism that had been draining the waters and urine from the room disappeared. The water started to pool and fill the floor.

Kaldorn passed the room's entrance and it locked behind him becoming nothing more than rock once again. the power of the spell he cast began to grow exponential in power as all life and magic was pulled from every single prison and torturer alike. Screams were cut short as their life forces were pulled from them.

Over three hundred died by the time he reached the doors of his keep the rest running away. Power surged from his body in the form of electric sparks. He reached out and the skies turned black turning the dark day to the blackest of night.

One by one wyvens and other creatures dropped out the sky. New traveled fast amongst his men. Kaldorn was entering the fray.

[Edynol]

When the skies darkened, Edynol, who's wounds were fully healed now, looked up. He found a half dead demon on the ground as he walk and plunged his head into her chest as he drained her life force from her body, restoring a little more of his energy. He could feel the dark magic in the air as he stole the souls from the enemy soldiers that weren't quite dead yet, each one making a little stronger, but there were not nearly enough to restore most of his lost strength.

Jeraxustraz landed beside him, his teeth red with blood from soldiers and wyvern, and Edynol sat on his neck. As they armies approached the city's ramparts, they were able to see each other once again. Edynol and Jexus flew high to get an overlook, and there he saw the red-haired elf demon, Kaldorn. The archers around the palace started firing on the army as they entered the city, several soldiers goin down before they even engaged the enemy warriors in combat.

Jexus breathed shadowfire down upon the archers and Kaldorn. A most of the archers were incinerated, but Kaldorn only suffered a few blackened burns. Suddenly, a red haired man walked up behind Kaldorn, he looked to be human except for his firey red eyes. "I will take care the dragon, Master" he said in a calm, confident tone. "But would you mind not killing the mage? She is powerful and would make good breeding stock." Without waiting for a response, the man turned into an inferno of flames that went up into the air. Then the flames formed into a giant fire dragon as big as Jexus.

Jexus landed on the ground to Edynol got off. "I have been waiting for a challenge," Jexus growled before flying into the air to meet the dragon. The two seemed to dance in the air, breathing black and red fire at each others as they tried to get the advantage. Jexus drew the first blood when he clawed the other dragon's face. The dragon then shot fire and hit Jexus in the side, burning his scales til the turned red from the intense heat. The red dragon then flew away for a bit and breathed fire down on the army, killing hundreds of Eversong elves and orcs.

Edynol looked up at Kaldorn as the demon stood up high in his palace overlook the battle. He glared at him as he drained a few more souls from thpose dying around him. Suddenly, Kaldorn feel a chill come over him and the magic that darkened the sky seemed to distort, as if it wanted to no longer obey the demon. He then hears Edynol's voice in his head, dark and terrible. "I see you Kaldorn. You will die this day, demon, and your soul will be mine!" And as sudden as it appeared, the chill vanished and everything was as it was.

Edynol then saw Jai, the largest one in their army beside Jexus, he wasn't hard to spot. He went over to him and saw Janella, Setsa, and Zack with him. He looked rather weak himself. "My friends, how are you holding up?" He asked in a tired voice.

[Pidge]

(hope this is ok)

When Setsa passed out Jai knew it was from expending too much energy on Lanella and himself. He was worried about her...he had to do something. There wasnt time for him to take her back to be healed, she needed energy now. Edynol came to them but he ignored the immortal for the moment and shifted back into his human form.

He kneeled down and pulled Setsa close to him. Focusing deep within himself he unlocked the power of the wind resting in him, called up the energy, bending it and reshaping it like he did the air. Giving Setsa a soft kiss on the lips he pushed the energy into her body like a soft breeze. When he pulled back a moment later Setsa was waking and he smiled. It had worked! He had heard that dragons could exchange energy but never had he tried it.

"Welcome back darling...now dont scare me like that and I wont scare you. Deal?" He said to Setsa, giving her one more quick kiss before returning his attention to the battle.

Looking at Edynol finally his face took on a more serious look, though he still held Setsa close. "Im fine, Setsa will be fine, she just spent too much energy on Lanella and I, Zack needs some healing done." he reported. Since Setsa had restored some of Lanellas energy and Jai Setsa's he figured the girls could fix Zack up easily in a minute. "All alive, breathing, and ready to fight I think." he added smiling to his companions with a look that said 'lets end this'.

[Jinxed]

Lanella let Jai take care of Setsa. Although the elf had helped Lanella by providing a bit more energy, Lanella knew she shouldn't be wasting that energy so soon. But Jai was right, Zack needed to be healed.

"Good to see that you're ok, Edynol. But everyone is tired, and these guys seem to have a new surprise for us everytime we push forward." She had not missed the fire dragon that the enemy had produced, and she knew they would be in trouble if they couldn't defeat it. Lanella then pulled herself to her feet and approached Zackereth, placing a hand on his chest.

"Hold still, could you?" She said before beginning to mutter inteligibly, her words helping to project the healing spells she was so fond of. During her year learning those very spells, Lanella had often pushed herself to her limits, helping to develop her stamina. And she hadn't appreciated that determination any more than she did at that moment, knowing that someone else probably would have given up on healing by then, if they hadn't passed out already. She then looked back at Edynol.

"I don't suppose you have some brilliant plan, do you?"

[Zackereth]

Zackereth let Lanella finish up with his chest wound and looked to Edynol. "Im fine. Whats the plan? I agree with Jai. This must end!" Zack looked serious then smiled. "But not yet. I need a small moment to breath fresh air again." He laughed. Zack then looked at Lanella and smiled after the wound was healed. He then kissed her forehead and said "Thank you. Now go tend to Setsa. She will need some water once she has awaken."

[Edynol]

The archers let loos a volley to the palace walls as they pushed the enemy back beyond the ramparts to the palace base. Hundreds of demons and wastelanders fell from the walls and a more came to take their place only to be met by blasts of nature magic from the druids. Edynol looked around for a moment trying to get clear view of the situation. Jexus was fighting the dragon, and despite how tired he was, he had the upper hand as he bit the dragon's neck and threw him into the upper dome of the palace. Large chunks of cement came crashing down, killed a few hundred more archers and knocking out a few platforms. One large chunk almost hit Kaldorn.

"Both sides have taken heavy losses," Edynol said to Jai. "We need to find a way into the palace without attracting Kaldorn's attention. If we're gonna defeat him, we need to be close." He then thought for a moment. "Zack, you're probably the stealthiest one here. Do you think you could sneak around the base of the palace and see if there is another way in? It shouldn't be heavily guarded with everyone focused on the ramparts."

[Setsa]

Setsa slowly woke up after Jai's energy was transfered over smiling up at him. "Now thats a great wake up call...definetly will have to do that more often." Slowly sitting up nodding "yes I will try not to scare you like that again....I can keep going longer now but I'm telling you now soon as I can I'm sleeping...everyone needs to. Standing up she sees that everyone was alive and for the most part well staying at Jai's side knowing he'd only worry and grow more protective if she ventured too far from his reach.

"I'm ready to end this now the casalties alone took a big chunk of our troops." Looking up at the rain still all drenched to the bone "Jai dearest....is there a way with your wind abilities to create enough of a warm breeze to cover us and the palace in a thick fog??? That would allow Zackereth to sneak in undetected better perhaps...." The two dragons were still fighting so hard there had to be a way to kill the fire dragon and fast....though the damage to the palace did help.

[Pidge]

Jai thought about it for a moment, there had to be a way to create some fog with his abilities. Finally he came to a conclusion that would work.

"Yea, I think I can create some fog...it should only take a few minutes." he said. Focusing himself again he placed his hands on the soaked sands. He wasnt able to warm the air, no fire abilities to couple the wind with, but he could move already warmed air. Sand was a loose substrait and it had lots of air in it. The constant rain had soaked and removed or cooled most of the air in the upper layer but searching deeper he found that the ground was dry, ever further and the years of sun that had beaten down on the wastes had made the earth below warm. Latching onto the air pockets he drew them quickly to the surface where they met the cool wet air and started to create fog.

He continued to pull the air up until the area of the battle was covered in a mist. No one was sure where it had come from, but it was there. "That should do." he finally said standing upright once more. It had taken quite a bit of energy but Jai still felt well. "Do your sneaking Zack and then we can get rid of this guy."

[SQJ]

[Yo my internet cap hit so I'm out until the beginning of next month. You guys move pretty fast so I don't expect Kaldorn to be alive then the 1st comes around. If that's the case. I had an awesome time with you guys and you guys are all epic. I hope to post with you in other places or Temp at some other point! hope I didn't go too far what's a good climax in an enemy battle if the bad guy doesn't push you guys to the brink of defeat right? My fav stories are the ones where the good guys win by luck so I push Kaldorn pretty hard in this. One again Hope its cool ^_^]


A chill hit him hard, threatening to completely disrupt the spell. A voice spoke. It was not the voice of the man he'd expected but rather another. Edynol. That was surprise, Kaldorn hadn't expected him. Yet in the recesses of his mind things started to make a little more sense. Of course he would be here and the king not. He was the one after Anella, it was the only reason Anella would have any kind of confidence in being saved. She didn't have confidence in her people! She had confidence in the fact that Edynol was an immortal! He flushed the thought for another time, refocusing on his spell once again.

Steam oozed slowly from Kaldorn's skin as a dense fog mixed with the rains fell over him. He'd never looked up at the attack for a moment when the dragon had come down and torn his archer detail apart, leaving him alone on the palace roof. He was overly focused upon the spell he was working not concerned with anything but the work at hand until the last utterances of his spell were completed. All injury and energy lost was nothing more than a detail until the spell was over.

Down below his lieutenants were following the orders at hand. Their best spell workers had been pulled back while the main army continued their tactical retreat with the opposing army coming at them. The first of the siege equipment had been pulled up slowly. Massive tribuchets were pulled up and loaded up with a single black rock each, sparks of fire burst from it as mages cast their spells. It turned to a dark grey camouflaging them in the mist.

Kaldorn looked up as the last words of the spell left his lips. He reached out feeling the mist upon his skin and grinned wide. This was perfect, he didn't even have to activate the spell himself. It looked a though the enemy was doing him a favour! The fog dispersed in a solid line around the walls of the palace separating any chance of an electric connection that could risk killing his own unnecessary.

Violent bursts of lighting streaked across the black cloud forming a circle of power bursts across the sky. Everything steel below started to glow, starting with the arrows shot by his mean as warriors surge forwards. A wall of lighting shot up from the middle of the enemy ranks and pushed backward annihilating enemy middle and back line taking enemy re-enforcements with it. Anything air born with the exception of the two dragons dropped.

The first magically charged missile was launched into the air. It reached deep into the enemy back line. Rather fortunately it wasn't as though the mist could suddenly hide an entire army.

Kaldorn reached out before the missile started to fall giving it increased height it fell down fast and hard aimed at the enemy triage. The rock burst into flames before impact exploding outwards into large burning boulders which themselves exploded to smaller but heavy rocks. A fiery wave of molten Lava fell over the triage leaving nothing but a slow cooling pool of fire.

Kaldorn grinned and coughed as he felt his knees shake, he'd used so much of himself in that attack but the tides had turned back in his favour. Missile after invisible missile shot into the enemy's direction. "No more help for your army Edynol. What will you do now. Will you stay and hold your attack? Regroup? Run? What?" He whispered to himself before taking a seat on the edge of the palace roof, a group of demonic healers aiding him to get his breath back.

[Zackereth]

Zackereth nodded and went into the mist disappearing from Enemy sight. He moved his way to the left side of the base and looked around. He came upon two patroling officers. They hadnt seen him cause he hid behind the nearest statue. The men were laughing. They split apart from the statue and walked foreward. As they both appeared in Zacks view he Hit them in the gut forcing them both to bend over. Zack then flipped them onto there backs and took out two daggers and ran them through the neck. After stabbing them he covered their mouths and they died silent. Zack picked each one up and set them away from the patrolling site and hid them well. He then moved back to the wall and examined it closer. He came to a small opening and looked in peering around the wall into the doorway. He seen that it was all clear and sent a message this time to Edynol. "Left side of the base is a small entryway. Seems all clear. Whats the plan from here?" He then seen movement inside and waited. The figure headed to look outside and Zack covered his face with his Cloak and moved. Before the man in armour could do anything. Zack had thrown a dagger into his mouth. The man fell to his knees and Zack moved him into a dark corner. Zack then waited for Edynol's Next command. "Very few guards but it should be easy to take anyout that do come by." He spoke to Edynol.

[Setsa]

Seeing that everyone was well enough she went with Lanella to see what could be done elsewhere. "Please take me to your triage...and lets see what support we can heal and send back out..sound good to you?" Smiling warm and friendly to the woman as they went across the dunes staight to the troops. Hoping they would all keep safe as this last attack with luck was very dangerous. Looking to Jai in a "stay safe ...I don't want to be trying to save your life." Way with her eyes blowing him a kiss for luck.

[Jinxed]

"Sounds good Setsa... But even I'll admit we need to be careful. Both of us are running at our limits. We won't do anyone any good if we pass out; or in your case, pass out again." Lanella realised they needed to be careful, the enemy's attacks continuing to cripple their forces. She crept around the dunes, knowing Setsa would follow, trying to avoid getting caught up in the fight, before finally getting to the second triage. It was a disaster zone.

"Let's hope Edynol, Jai, and Zackereth succeed. We can't afford to fail, the army will be wiped out. Let's hope they don't need our help, either. I don't know if we'll be able to get to them through this mess." Lanella got straight to work, the surviving healers recognizing her and getting her straight to where she was needed, and getting Setsa involved as well. Lanella didn't give herself another moment to worry about the guys.

[Edynol]

Edynol shook his head. "I think you both should come with us. If Anella is still alive, no doubt she'll need healing." When the lightning broke out, Edynol glared at Kaldorn up high on the rise of the palace. He then muttered something and lesions started appearing on the demon's skin, but his healers were right there to help him. "I bought us some time. I can weaken Kaldorn, but in my current state I'll need your help to defeat him."

Edynol started heading towards the other side of the palace as he lead them to the door. "Jai, do you know windwalking? We'll need our steps to be silent. Surprise will help nus greatly against Kaldorn. He's known for many things, but his ability to improvise is not among them." When they got to the passagway on the other side, he stopped again. "We should find Anella first and free here. Knowing Kaldorn, he probably has a force field around her, which means he can crush her anytime. She will probably be on one of the upper levels." There was large banging nois and the palace shook as bits of cement fell to the ground as Jexus was thrown into the palace. "We should hurry."

[Pidge]

"Yes I can Windwalk...and I can silence your steps too...easy." he said following Edynol to where Zackareth was. He made a few hand motions and all three of their steps fell silent. Windwalking was an unusual spell in the fact that cushioned the persons steps with the air under their feet to silence their movements. Using it on a useful level took training and performing it on multiple people took focus. Because of this Jai didnt say much as they moved.

The door was small but not a problem for Jai in his slight human form. He nodded to Edynol when he mentioned saving Anella first. It made sense to him. As more concrete fell and the dragons battle raged in the sky Jai wished for a moment he was full grown and could help Jexus, but he felt his skills were much more needed down here with Edynol and Zackareth. Keeping the windwalking spell active he waited for Edynol to take the lead further into the castle.

[Setsa]

Setsa was with Jinxed as they worked to return what soldiers they could to the battle rinsing her hands with water her mind a jumble as news reached them about the total destruction of the triage she was working out. So glad she wasn't there at the time shaking the thought out of her head another on came in.

Pain....excruciating pain!! Blood all over the floor, weakness and desperation as the woman sent out this last cry for help. Setsa kept focus gripping the water barrel tightly. A strange wall doorway accessible by a single touch...Edynol could access it...rats all over, dripping water... Had to be a dungeon a deep dungeon ...time....she had to hurry!!

"Lanella!! Lanella we got to go!! I know where she is we have to tell Edynol she will need both of us to heal hurry!! Running out of the triage grabbing the nearest strong and swift horse ordering one for Lanella too she waited for her to come out. Both racing to the others, not wanting to paticulary do this but left with no option she searched for Edynol reaching his mind taking a deep breath before speaking into his mind.

" Edynol!! I know where she is!! She managed to reach my mind shes so weak and wounded...we have to hurry! We're both comming fast as we can right now where are you!

[Edynol]

Going after the red dragon's throat, Jexus sank his teeth into his flesh and drove him into the ground, collapsing one the archway to the temple and a few dozen archers and casters. "Time for play is over, fallen brother," he said in a deep, gutteral voice. He then bit the dragon again and released dark magic into his body. The dragon roared a blood curdling roar and his scales turned grey and black before his flesh started decaying rapidly until all that was left were blood covered bones. He then recieved a message from Edynol, telling him to get Setsa. Jexus turned back into his horse form and sniffed out Setsa, finding her running towards the palace. "Come, elf friend. I will take you to him," he said to her telepathically.

Back at the palace, Edynol and the others reached the back door, which to their luck, was warded with dark magic. Edynol simply opened the door, absorbing the ward and gaining some energy in the process. Whatever the ward was intended to do, it was powerful, for Edynol noticibly looked more solid and stronger than he looked before. When the snuck inside, the hall was empty. Kaldorn was expecting mere mortals, no doubt, so he didn't bother placing guards. Or if he was expecting Edynol, he knew guards wouldn't do any good.

[Zackereth]

Zackereth looked around the hall. "I dont know about you two. But I dont like the look of this." Thinking back at many of the castles he's broke into searching for treasures. "Usually the one who ran such a castle would make at least some traps to prevent their side from losing." He looked to Edynol. "What do you think?" He said in a low voice then pulled out his daggers just in case.

[Jinxed]

Lanella was almost stunned at Setsa's frantic behavior. It only took her a moment to pick up on the essence of what Setsa was saying, and she almost ran along after her. But...

"Miss Lanella, please, we need your help." Besides Setsa, Lanella was probably one of the most capable healers there. Or perhaps more likely, she was just the most stubborn. But any time she felt herself failing, she just reminded herself that she hadn't spent that year studying for nothing. The other healings were calling her, and she just couldn't leave that mess of suffering. She didn't have the same sense of urgency Setsa did, because she hadn't seen what Setsa had. Or heard what Setsa had, or whatever.

"Setsa, you can handle it. I need to stay here!" Lanella shouted after the elf, already turning back to the chaos. She was a traveller, sure. And sure, she had no problems joining in a fight. But when it all came down to it... Lanella was a healer. She was good at it, and she enjoyed it, and she belonged. It was something she was meant to do, and Lanella got straight to work, not even giving herself a second's rest.

[Mattie2009]

Lucas chuckled gently. "Would traps have stopped us?" He asked as he stepped out of a dark, shimmering mist. "I doubt any guards Kaldorn could have posted down here could delay us for more than a few seconds, what with Edynol's ability to reduce people to little more than disease-ridden corpses." He chuckled, patting Zackareth on the back. "Anyway, what's our first order of business in here? Rescuing Anella or removing some dead weight from Kaldorn?" He asked. "He doesn't really need his head, does he?" He said, taking a few steps forwards. "Nice place." He muttered. "I say we find Anella as soon as possible, then retreat and immolate this depressing place- and Kaldorn- from a distance."

[Setsa]

Setsa immediatley mounted into the saddle of Jexus as they races off...all she saw was their surroundings moving past them in a blur. As time was of the up most importance she wasn't going to complain. Even kind of admitting to herself that the ride was exilerating as they approached the palace going as deep inside as they could along the solid stone passageways until she saw her friends debating over their next move. Jumping down from the saddle she kissed Jexus's head in thanks before running over to them. "ok...still debating which I loved more, flying or racing with Jexus" Hoping to lighten the mood some Setsa prepared her mind touching Edynol's arm she relayed the information from Anella herself. "She so weak Edynol....we got to get her now.....if Kaldorn wasnts to protect her so, maybe going to her will be teh best to make him come to you.

[Edynol]

As they wondered the palace, the came upong a stairway that lead down into a large room that looked to had been a scullery at one point. Rusted pots and cracked jars and dishes were strown here and there as the stentch of rotten meat could be smelt all around. As the made their way through the scullery and into the kitchen, a few dirty looking rat came and tried vainly to chew through everyone's boots. Edynol just stomped on a few and paid them no more heed than that.

Exiting the kitchen, they came to a maze of hallways that made them have to turn around several times before they finally came to a large room that looked to had been a war room once. There were torches lit and chairs around a long table with maps and papers spread out across it. Then off in a corner, he saw her. Anella was laying curled up and barely clothed, her once fine dress was tattered and torn, her decency maintained more by her undergarments than the dress now. Edynol ran over to her and and sat on the floor, holding her against his chest. He then smiled and let out a relieved sigh. "She lives. She injured and incredibly weak, but she lives."

Edynol looked to Setsa and motioned her to come over. "Heal her. Do whatever you have to do." His tone was harsh, his expression blank, and his eyes held a cold glare that was directed at no one in the room. He then started walking out to find Kaldorn.

[Pidge]

Jai couldnt help smiling as Setsa arrived, but he was serious again within seconds. It bothered him how frantic she was...this was bad. He remained quiet, asuring that their steps were silent as the went through to castle to prevent unwanted attention. Passing through a maze of hallways Jai felt absolutely choked. As a wind dragon he disliked beging underground or cramped into hallways. Then they found her, and it definently wasnt good.

When Edynol left Jai watched him. It was clear the immortal was going to kill Kaldorn for what he had done. "Lucas, Zack...follow Edynol, he might need help. As furious as he is he is still weakened. I can lend Setsa energy for healing when she needs it, and she might. I can also fly her and Anella out of here afterwards and guard them till then. I will find you guys once they are safe."

It made sense and he hoped they wouldnt argue. He was worried Edynol might also loose his self control when he found Kaldorn and Lucas was definently going to be the best for handling that since the dark magic didnt affect him like it did the others.

[Setsa]

Setsa kneeled down beside Anella " She'll be better than ever when I am done Edynol don't you worry...and yes my dear Jai; I just may need a small amount of energy later on but first thing first..." Placing her skilled hands on the woman she closed her eyes. Sensing life and energy still fighting the healer didn't feel it was nessesary to give her more. Focusing on the wounds themselves a hand to her forehead, another on Anella's torso gently, they started to glow like the warming sun. Paying attention to each wound with the greatest of care one by one they were gone. Restoring the body that much more, everyone counted.

A bead of sweat formed, running down off her temple as the soft cracks of the battle above them continued on. Reminding those present that time was still an important factor. Sensing Anella's mind awakening once more searching for answers that they had no time to explain in detail. Setsa pushed herself a little more...

Lady Anella....I am Setsa, good friend of your Edynol. Please stay still as I am mending your body to full health and time is of the essence. Know that you are in good company who will assure your safety, Edynol can explains things soon enough to you...

I took several more long minutes before the elven healer was finally done, the sound of the ceiling starting to lose its integrity brought her back to their surroundings looking down to the woman of health. "Welcome back Lady Anella...please allow me to assist you in putting some fresh clothing on." Motioning for Jai to turn and not look the girls got her dressed in a simple enough traveling gown that Setsa grabbed before she left on horseback. Helping the exhausted woman up to her own two feet...

"My strong Jai....we're ready to fly out of here when you are, with great speed too if you can manage." Giving him a reassuring smile with their small victory searching for Edynol's mind slowly getting use to the chilled darkness each time though it wasn't any better she could at least push it out of her bones faster.

Edynol...Anella is alive, fully healed and well. Leaving as we speak I hope you find victory soon...we'll meet back at the triage where she can rest.

[Edynol]

When Anella opened her eyes, she looked around with a confused expression at the new faces. Then when Setsa spoke, she smiled. Her icey blue eyes stared intently at Setsa as she spoke, puting a hand on Jai's arm. "Thank you, my friends," she said in a low, warm tone. "Where is Edynol? I need to see him. I thought he'd be here." She then closed her eyes and looked in the direction he went. "He's going after Kaldorn. We cannot leave. Not yet. He is weak and angry. He'll try to kill him on his own, and he is in no condition to do that right now."

Anella leaned against a wall, her legs still a bit wobbly from not standing for so long. "I will not leave and run, I don't care what that fool of a man says. Besides, I want Kaldorn alive. He may have weakened me, but I still have some teeth left." After getting some strength back in her legs, she stood, a bit shorter than Setsa, but her pressence was commanding and strong and made her seems a giantess, despite being weakened.

As they walked, they passed a window and when Anella looked out, seeing all the elves and orcs fighting the enemy, she smiled wonderously. "So I take it Edynol and Queen Eversong have amended their differences?" she asked as she looked to Setsa.

Meanwhile, Edynol climbed several flights of stairs as he made his way up to the upper levels of the palace. When Zack and Lucas caught up, he turned to them. "Be very quite. If we must fight before we get to Kaldorn, try to kill them silently." Just as he said that, a demon came around the corner alone. He opened his bouth to yell, but only a choking noise came out as a black, putrid substance poured from his mouth and started leaking from his ears and eyes before he crumpled to the ground, his bones melting beneath his skin as he deflated like a balloon.

[Pidge]

Jai stood guard and gave Setsa energy by touching her shoulder when she needed it. When asked to turn around he already had. Jai was no peeping tom or pervert. Plus Edynol would more then likely kill him. When told it was time to leave Jai was impressed to hear Anella protest the idea so vehamntly, and he didnt fight when she took his arm for support.

It was clear Anella was stubborn and refusing to leave. He accepted that easily enough, but would make a few suggestions still. He was going to do what was best for the group, and that included Anella.

"Lady Anella I love your fighting spirit but Edynol has two very trustworthy friends with him who are strong fighters and I plan to join them...he will be fine." smiling he added "You are very dear to Edynol, and I can only imagine what would happen to him if you were to get killed after your rescue...and, pardon me, but your still quite weak. Im not going to make you leave but I would prefer if you didnt fight. Im requesting that you please hang back with Setsa, not just for your own sake by Edynols as well...he would go absolutely ballistic if you were injured again." He sounded all business, then grinned "Now do we want to catch up to Edynol or what?"

Making sure Anella had her balance and footing Jai ran forward enough to have the space he needed and changed into his dragon body. He didnt have the room to stretch his wings but if he kept his head low he could easily carry the two and run through the passages faster then they could run.

'Mount up ladies...' he said into both of their minds. Flying was smoother, but using the wind to lighten his steps would make the run almost as smooth and silent.

[Mattie2009]

"Lovely." Lucas grimaced at the rapidly-decaying demon. "You're about as sophisticated in combat as a cardboard box," He said, gesturing to the skeleton, "But you get things done. Let's kill this guy and leave. This place gives me the creeps." He muttered. "Does Kaldorn still have his healers with him? I might be able to deal with them before they can undo whatever damage we cause." He said, watching a bolt of dark energy lance between his fingertips.

[Setsa]

Setsa helped Anella mount up on Jai's back rubbing his snout softly before kissing his head long. "Thank you...please get us away from here safely and I'll give you the best back rub ever hmm my dearest?" Rubbing under his head just right before climbing on his back to sit behind Anella. "Jai is right my Lady Anella....our trusted and loyal friends are with Edynol as we speak; I have the upmost confidence that they will destroy Kaldorn and return safely." Wanting to ease her mind she gave a soft smile before they launched off into the air away from most of the danger.

[Edynol]

Anella refused their help, waving Setsa away when she tried to help her onto Jai. "I am far from invalid," she snapped at the druid. "I have gotten to where I am by running everytime I get a few scrapes and bruises. I have fought in much worse condition than I am in now. You two can fly back if you want, but I know Edynol. If he doesn't get himself hurt, or worse, he will kill Kaldorn before we have a chance to put him to the question." She then paused and let out a sigh. "I am greatful for your aid, please don't misread me. But I am Vealian Mestai, and I won't stand idly by so long as I can still walk."

Anella then turned and walked hastily up another flight of stairs as she followed the others' trail of dead bodies, a few of which were obviously Edynol's work from the empty skins in black puddles of rotted blood. She called out to Edynol both out loud and telepathically, but he was in his own world and did not hear her. "We must hurry. More than just lives depend on what Kaldorn may know about the enemy."

[Pidge]

(I think you misread me setsa..Jai offered to take them to edynol and the others by foot because the hallway was too small to fly in...oh well tis ok)

Jai looked at Setsa. 'I told you she wouldnt listen now lets find Edynol and end this mess, Im ready to fight not run. Plus shes right, Ed will kill him before he gets any info from him...and dont worry i know your tired but ill keep you safe.' Rubbing Setsas shoulder with his snout for a moment, he made sure she was secure before taking off up the stairs. Fallowing the direction Anella went, he was quick to catch up to her.

'Your right, you wanna fight then you can fight. Just forget what we said earlier. Now I can run faster then you so if you want to hurry get on and ill take you strait to Edynol and the others...your right. We need to question Kaldorn before we kill him.' Seeing as how they were working towards the same goal now it didnt take much more convincing, because after all Jai was the fastest runner in his dragon body. With both the girls riding Jai followed the trail of bodies running very quickly and destroying any guards he saw before they could say a word. He used the windwalking spell on his own feet to silence his steps and finally he caught sight of their friends.

Coming up behind them he stopped 'Your reinforcements have arrived. Now whats the plan?' For dragon it was weird how silent his movements were, even with the windwalking.

[Setsa]

Setsa held on tightly as then reached Edynol and the others ready for further orders as she stayed on Jai's back. What they said was true enough....Kaldorn was a major piece of the puzzle that could answer alot of questions. Ofcourse the less he resisted the better it would be on them all. "You alright guys? anyone injured here or need an energy boost?? Best to keep our wits about us before any of you try to break his mind. "

A small smile formed on her lips as she talked. They were so close to being done with the battle for the moment. The thought of rest and recovery was so tempting she'd do anything to just hurry this up.

[Zackereth]

Zackereth watched the hallways as they healed Anella. When the healing was done he ran along side them silently. They needed to follow Edynol and give him the best help they can. And to Zackereth that means to sacrifice himself if necessary.

[Edynol]

When the other caught up to Edynol, he turned to see them, a frown on his face as he saw Anella. "You should be resting, Anella. You have done enough already and I will not risk you again."

Anella hopped off Jai and walked up to Edynol, staring him straight in the eye. "You should know better than that by now, you stone-headed man! But I know you, and you cannot kill him until we bleed him of information first." She then grabbed his arm tightly. "And I will be there to help with the questioning," she said with a cold glare in her eyes, making it obvious she wasn't asking for permission.

Edynol shook his head, the faintest of a smile appearing on his expressionless face. He knew there would be no talking her out of it, so he sighed. "Very well. It's good to see he took none of your spirit away, even though you could do without so much of it." She she grinned at him and nodded. Edynol knew that look and knew she had something devious in mind for after the battle. When they reached the uppermost section of the palace, they found Kaldorn on a balcony directing the other casters as he occasionally joined in on the attacks. All his ground troops were either wiped out or retreating back into the palace's battlements, and only a few score of archers and casters remained.

"Kaldorn," Edynol yelled when he snuck up behind kaldorn. The demon-elf turned around in surprise and scowled at him. "Give up Kaldorn, and if you answer our questions, I promis you a quick and painless death."

Kaldorn glared at him and shot a look at Anella as if she broke the rules by not telling him her love was not a human king, but an immortal. "Married to a king, yet lover to an immortal, the Nazra'gur, of all people. Your hunger for power makes me regret having kept you prisoner when I could have just taken you to my bed and won you over to my side." He then looked at Edynol. "And look at you, Nazra'gur. I almost felt like staying behind and following you when you started your rampage all those centuries ago. Your talent for cruelty, I shame myself for admitting, even outshines Her Magnificence's. You both would have been welcome allies, but you chpose to help the weak."

Edynol glared at Kaldorn before drawing his sword. "Enough talk, little elf," he said with a blank expression. Kaldorn glared back at the title Edynol gave him and roared out as he cast red lightning at Anella. Edynol held out his hand and a shield went up to protect them. But as kaldorn continued his assult, Edynol started breathing heavily.

Kaldorn let out a sour laugh. "So, you are not at your full strength. I can feel your power waning. You always were a rash person. Unpredictable, yes, but never thinking things through. I stood against Ethanraza herself and survived, and you think to come at me not at full strength? Ha! I have always wanted to kill an immortal. After today, after I kiill you and your friends and take your little mage lover back to Deldranna, she might take me for her mate. Then I will become a Goddd!" The other mages and warlocks with him joined in on the assult when he finished speaking, attacking the others as Kaldorn focused on Edynol.

[Mattie2009]

Lucas rubbed his forehead. "Please, somebody normal come out." He groaned, before throwing a second shield over Edynol's. "God this, you lunatic." He said, hurling bolts of dark energy at the casters. The shield protecting Edynol's began to hum slightly as the electricity impacted it, sending red sparks spinning across its surface. "I'll turn this place to ashen cinders before I allow you to leave." He said, his wings growing half a shade lighter. He turned to Edynol. "I don't suppose you have a quick and decisive way to beat this delusional nutjob?" He asked hopefully.

[Pidge]

Jai launched a few wind blasts at the different casters who attacked him, whenever one got close to him he smacked then with his armored tail, sending them crashing back. The attacks thrown at him were mostly nullified through hitting them with his own attacks and he simply dodged the ones that werent. After a bit they stopped trying to get close...he had broken a few apparently with his tail lashes.

Jai was currently on the defensive, but he had an idea. Kaldorns concentration would need to be broken if Edynol and the others were going to get a good solid hit on him.

'Guys im armored and I can defend myself pretty easily...Kaldorn wont be expecting one of us to just charge him. It might distract him enough for you to stun him or something.' Jai suggested deflecting a few more attacks, actually using his tail to send a fire ball launched at him back at its caster once.

[Setsa]

Removing her dragon twig staff from the secure harness on her back to better carry it along with her. Setsa had no time to think about what she was doing, only letting her inner mind and instinctual gifts take over. Something her powerful druid father always told her to do when she was mastering her healing abilities. "Well...even if it's small it will still help our side..Kaldorn has to be subdued to questioning before death....be we can't wait forever." She reasoned with herself before raising the staff up high closing her eyes for a moment she felt a strong breeze surround her body as it passed through the fortress. The moment Setsa opened her eyes her dragon twig staff glowed as well the rune jewels illuminated as she gathers the very breeze that kissed her skin directing it to kaldorn as it twisted round and round him, removing the very air he breathed as he rose up into the air arms pinned firmly to his sides as he started to breath shallow. "Edynol I don't know how long I can hold this so you better talk fast and talk now!."

[Edynol]

As one of the warlocks went flying over the edge from Jai's wind attacks, Kaldorn suddenly rose into the air, gasping for breath. Anella then conjured some water from the rain and wrapped it around the demon, freezing it to hold him in place with Setsa's air spell. But before Edynol could react to the halting of Kaldorn's assault, the demon closed his eyes and the ice and wind went away and he landed back down. "You think to hold me with little tricks as those?" he said mockingly. He then held out his hand and the very air started to grow cold.

Setsa and Anella suddenly start to feel their bodies freeze as the water inside them starts to freeze, stiffening their limbs. Edynol let loose some black lightning, some of it making its way through Kaldorn's shield. It hit him hard enough to disorient him and release his hold on the girls, but didn't hurt him much. Edynol then lunged at the demon with his sword, surprising him with such an attack. He aimed for Kaldorn's shoulder, but he moved in an attempt to dodge and Edynol caught his hand, severing it at the wrist. Kaldorn then let loose a blast of demon fire, sending Edynol flying back through the doorway and into the other room as two of the priests came to heal his hand. "Kill those damnable priests," Edynol said in a strained voice as he slowly got to his feet.

[Setsa]

Setsa agreed with Edynol....those priests were defeating the purpose of anything they did against Kaldorn. She for one had enough of it; standing tall her dragon twig staff infront of her body palm resting on top. The elf stared straight in to the eyes of the priests muttering several words in elven tongue. The druid staff started to glow, duel blades a crimson red; rising above her head turning to its side as it started to spin. Faster and faster as she kept muttering whispered words not breaking eye contact for even a moment. When the staff spun so fast above her head that all one could see was a spinning, swirling red light; the priests could be heard screaming in pain as deep slashes started to cut into their flash from an unseen blade. Blood all over until one by one the priests fell to the ground from a painful death. If one looked at Setsa's eyes they were now golden glowing orbs as she kept the spell alive....

[Zackereth]

Zack was fighting a warlock when he heard Edynol order to kill the priest. He seen setsa kill the priest and thenn looked to see Kaldorn. He killed the warlock he was fighting and ran to help Eynol with Kaldorn. He ran over and helped Edynol to his feet. "You all right, Edynol?" Kaldorn then lashed out with another blast of demon fire. Zackereth pushed Edynol Away and the blast hit Zack head on. Zack spawled accrossed the floor hitting the wall hard. Zack forced himself up and drew his sword. 0Some how he had to get close to him.

[Edynol]

When Edynol was helped up by Zack, he nodded his thanks to him. "I'm alright," he said panting lightly. He then saw Zack hit by some demon fire and sent flying against the wall. Seeing as he wasn't incinerated, Edynol knew Kaldorn was getting weaker. He then saw Kaldorn take a shot at Lucas, shooting shards of ice at the demon, impaling him to a wall. The markings on his skin began to glow and he started raining Lucas of his energy to strengthen himself. Lucas passed out before Edynol could interrupt Kaldorn, blood leaking from his wounds as his breathing looked to have stopped.

After the priests were all killed, Kaldorn glared at Setsa and raised his hand. Suddenly, Setsa gasped for air as the air was forced from her lungs before her blood started boiling. But before the spell could do any major damage, Edynol tackled Kaldorn and stuck a dagger in his chest before uttering some dark chant. Kaldorn's skin started to turn pale, but the demon managed to throw Edynol off him and pull the dagger from his chest. "You'll have to do better than that, Nazra'gur," Kaldorn said with a sour chuckle before shooting raising his hands.

Long spikes of rock suddenly rose from the stone floor, impaling Edynol through his hands, shoulder, and legs. Kaldorn then turned from Edynol, who was incapacitated for the moment, and shot lightning at Jai, sending the dragon through a wall to the outside and falling from two hundred feet. But one of the druids down below caught Jai with a wind spell before he could crash to the ground. Lanella saw this and came to heal his wounds, though she was really exhausted.

Kaldorn then saw Zack get to his feet and sent a large stone from the wall at him, crushing his shoulder bone though it was only a glancing blow. Anella ran to Edynol and made two of the spikes impaling him go back into the floor, but Kaldorn shot lightning at her, making her kneel, screaming, to the floor. He then looked at everyone before smiling at Edynol. "You didn't honestly think you stood a chance, did you immortal? You should have waited til you were at full strength, then you might have stood a chance." Kaldorn then raised his hands and started gather energy from the lightning coming from the storm above. The sky then got dark as Kaldorn got ready to blast Edynol with all his might.

Seemingly out of nowhere, a man, human by his appearance, dressed in black robes walked from the shadows. He looked at Setsa with familiar golden eyes and gave her a nod and a grin. He then muttered words in elvin tongue, then in draconic before aiming has hand at Edynol. A flood of dark magic flew from his hand into Edynol. Kaldorn looked at the man and glared, sending a blast of lightning at him, but before it could strike, the man turned into a whisp of shadow and vanished. Kaldorn grunted and turned back to Edynol, who was still kneeling. Then with all his might, he sent red lightning into Edynol to finish him off. But the lightning seemed to do nothing. There was a shield there that absorbed a large amount of it, and what was left over did very little.

Suddenly, the earth spikes vanished and Edynol stood up tall as he muttered words from the underworld. "NO!" Kaldorn yelled as he back away. His skin then turned pale again as Edynol grabbed his throat. His red hair turned pale white and his eyes started clouding over as Edynol pulled his soul from his body.

Anella, barely able to stand on her own, went to Edynol and touched his shoulder. "We need him alive," she said. Edynol looked at her, his expression like stone and eyes like black ice, cold and menacing as death itself. He then sighed and his eyes turned back to normal.

Edynol sighed as he held Kaldorn's soul, barely keeping the demon alive. "Very well. I will question him. Go tend to the others if you can." Anella nodded and went over to Setsa.

"Are you strong enough to heal the others?" anella asked Setsa. "I'm all but drained, so I can't do much on my own."

[Setsa]

Setsa slowly rose up onto her own two feet, all of them were definetly feeling the toll of the drawn out battle but so close to the end. Setsa could only hope Edynol made a short questioning and ended Kaldorn's life quickly. "Yes....yes I think I have just enough to heal everyone.... It may not be full strength but close enough will have to do."

Going to Zachereth first seeing as Edynol was fairing well she knelt beside him. One hand on his chest another on the busted up shoulder. "Keep getting busted up and Jinxed will have a few choice words for you." Trying to lighten up the mood as the healing was quick enough hearing the bones crack and groan as they reset and mended back together as if never broken in the first place. "Ok...go keep Edynol company, make sure he doesn't kill himself with the questioning or we're all in trouble.

Carefully peering over the edge to see the fate of Jai it was a great relief to her when the dragon was moving around some thanks to Lanella waving to her gratefully. Lucas was limp and near death..."not on my watch...you owe me for this one." Summoning the deep energy inside herself letting it build up inside her arms as they glowed brightly.

Whum....."come on".....WHum...."Up Lucas"....WHUm!! "thats it your time here hasn't ended..." Drawing deeper in herself her glowing arms turned a brilliant green before sending the energy deep into the core of Lucas..... WHUM!!!........ A steady pace of breathing came from the one beneath her. Smiling with the small but crucial victory she helped Lucas to sit up waving over Anella to watch over him as he regained is composure. "Give him a few minutes and he'll be able to walk on his own two feet."

Leaning back against the stone wall taking a moment to catch her own breath her mind racing on who that mystery druid was, though she wasn't going to complain from the extra help that turned this towards their favor. Anella was alive and well for the most part so their rescue mission was successful. Setsa keeping a weary eye on Edynol just incase she would have to step in, or have Anella.

[Edynol]

When Lucas started breathing easier, Anella went over to Edynol, who had Kaldorn by the throat. "You can go ahead and kill me," Kaldorn said defiantly. "I'll never betray my goddess!"

Edynol still had a blank expression, he might as well had been deciding what kind of beans to buy at the market. "You don't get it, demon. You are already dead. Notice you aren't breathing and your heart is no longer beating. I am simply keeping your soul from passing on into my domain." A dark aura then appeared around Edynol and Kaldorn screamed as spots on his skin started decayting rapidly, turning gray and cracking as dark blood, already thickening from coagulation, oozed out. "The choice is yours. Tell us what we want to know, or I will keep you in this body until it turns to dust. Then when you finally do pass into my domain, you face an eternity of torture instead of a peaceful sleep."

Kaldorn looked at Edynol in horror before finally talking. "Okay! Okay," he said shrieked. He then calmed a bit when Edynol slowed down the decaying of his flesh. "She is planning on doing what you tried to do. You inspired her, you know. She is going after the Great Trees. She plans to corrupt them and use their power against the world. She has been planting spies from the natives we've corrupted, but I never bothered to learn their names. When she is ready, they are going to attack the great forests and corrupt the trees' conduits, allowing her to corrupt the trees themselves. When she succeeds, she will be unstoppable. She'll rival the Creator himself! She personally hunt down you and every last immortal until she..."

Kaldorn suddenly went silent as Edynol let go of his neck, letting the corpse fall to the ground. He then turned to Anella and the others. "We have to get to Aedranar, to Tremal Knell," Edynol said in a low tone as the dark aura around him vanished.

Anella then walked up and took his hand in hers. "We should go to Vealigarde and speak to the High Priestess. She needs to know what we have learned here and she canprovide us with quick passage across the seas."

Edynol thought for bit as he looked out over the battlefield. With out Kaldorn and his priests' protection, the enemy soldier were quickly overwhelmed and slaughtered efficiently. Edynol finally turned back to Anella and nodded. "Very well. We will go to Vealigarde and speak with Runeforge." He then looked to everyone. "I couldn't have done this without you all. Once we reach Vealigarde, we should all stay for a few days, maybe a week, to rest and gather our strength. You all deserve it."

(Okay this is the last post for everyone for this rp. I will put up the second chapter soon.)

[Setsa]

"Now that sounds like a good idea" Setsa said as the group placed foot on solid ground outside of the fortress. What army survived tired but cheering for success that a little more peace had been regained and established. Thanking a soldier for bring her horse to the elf she mounted up into the saddle taking hold of the reins; giving the loyal stallion a pat on the neck sitting tall as she rode to Jai. "Well we made it...both having to save eachother's hides but we made it." Kissing his dragon head softly. Time to rest now and I for one am ready to move on away from here." Looking to Anella and Edynol as the rest of them were soon prepared to be on the move once more. "I gave you my word Edynol that I would help you raise and rebuild Anthar....and I still will as Eversong is no longer my home. You have my loyalty to you and your cause." Giving a single nod ready to ride with the group she had taken with pure heart into her home. Now her greatest of friends.

[Jinxed]

Jai was honestly the last person that Lanella had the strength to heal. Adrenaline kept her awake, and her eyes were wide as Edynol and the others reappeared from the fortress, though her gaze wasn't entirely aware as if she had been well rested. In fact, her eyes were almost glazed, and to be truthful she had pretty much just been going through the motions of whatever she did for a while. She could look around and practically see all of her energy, in the faces of the soldiers around her. They'd been healed of their wounds, the nasty and the minor. Of course, not everyone she had worked on was standing nearby. Many had died, needlessly. It really pissed her off, what Deldranna was doing. Innocent people were being killed because she wanted control of more land and people than she had any business ruling. Despite knowing that there was still a long way to go against the Demon Queen; Lanella relished the thought of resting.

"Well done everyone. I'm so glad you're all ok." Lanella was clearly exhausted, and her speech was rather dulled compared to the usual joy that rested behind her tone. However, she did have a smile on her face. The end was still a way off, but for now... For now, everything would be ok.

As usual, Lanella refused a horse as they prepared to move on. Her legs would work just fine until she got the chance to rest. Or, maybe more accurately, collapse. That was how it usually worked for her, anyway...

[Pidge]

The lighting strike had not only hit Jai but knocked him out in the same motion. If he hadnt been resuced from his fall it would have probably crippled him if not killed him. Thankfully he was rescued, and thankfully as exhausted as she was Lanella healed him of his little lightning encounter and he came to quickly thanking her greatly but feeling entirely sapped of his strength as well. Side effects from the electricity he figured. He did start to move around a bit. Looking up he wondered if everyone else was ok, and seeing Setsa peer over the edge he felt some relief.

Unable to fly he simply waited with the troops until the others rode down and joined then. He let out a low rumble when Setsa kissed his head 'Yes, we made it...all of us. And I think I might just like saving you Setsa, I better since I doubt this will be the last time we both get hurt.' and he gave her shoulder a slight nuzzle.

Listening to her speak to Edynol Jai felt a lot of pride for his little elf, she was truely a gem and he would protect her though this journey...he would protect all his friends if he could.

Tucking up his wings he was going to walk. He didnt have the energy to take on his human form and ride at the moment and he didnt have the energy to fly, but wherever this adventure took him and his friends and he was prepared to go.

(my final post yay for ch2!)