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Steel Dragon's "Tales of Orea"
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<blockquote data-quote="steeldragons" data-source="post: 5408391" data-attributes="member: 92511"><p>“Erevan!” shouted Alaria, “It has Haelan!” her hand tentatively went to the scroll case which held along with her scrolls, the wand given her by her mentor, the wizard Ventior.</p><p> </p><p> Before she could draw it, the wizardess noted the dark shapes of the two large carrion birds were getting larger, heading straight for their position. “Manat’s star!” Alaria thought. The birds were huge and getting larger. They appeared as huge vultures with collars of frilled white feathers and horned crests. Great condors, Alaria realized. She’d seen one at the Menagerie in Ablidon in childhood. “Take cover! The birds are coming for us.” Alaria warned.</p><p> </p><p> Erevan, ears still rang from the harpy’s initial attack but let fly two bolts from his bow at the retreating creature carrying off the halfling. One struck, winging it. The abductor faltered but didn’t fall from the sky, simply flying lower and soon out of Erevan’s range.</p><p> </p><p> Alaria and Trihna helped Braddok and Coerraine to their feet and the party hurried beneath the thick cover of the surrounding woods as the condor’s shrieks pierced the afternoon.</p><p> </p><p> “Hurry. Before we lose her.” Erevan commanded and took off in the direction he’d last seen the harpy.</p><p> </p><p> Alaria attempted to follow but the elf was much swifter in the thick underbrush. Her eyes shifting skyward every so often to see if the great winged birds of prey were upon them. In the occasional breaks in the treetops, she didn’t notice them.</p><p> </p><p> Braddok and Coerraine, now aware that their hair-footed companion had been taken from them, gave chase after the elf. Trihna, Alaria and Duor kept up as best they could.</p><p> </p><p> A short distance later, the group reassembled at the edge of the wood. The forest ended abruptly at the edge of the great rock promontory they’d seen from their approach in the boat. Before them was a wide, long, and slightly inclined expanse of solid stone. No trees or vegetation beyond a few clumps of intrepid weeds. No cover to speak of. No harpy or condors in sight.</p><p> </p><p> Then, Erevan heard the flapping of wings and saw the edge of the harpy momentarily off the side of the cliff. Then it disappeared. After several moments he heard and saw no more.</p><p> </p><p> “There!” pointed Erevan. “There must be a ledge or cave in the cliff where the creature lairs.” </p><p> </p><p> “We can’t go out there.” Said Trihna, still winded from their chase. “Those vultures will tear us apart. Did you see the size of them?”</p><p> </p><p> “I’m with…the Wavemaster.” Panted Duor, bent over.</p><p> </p><p> “Waverider.” Said Trihna. Duor waved a hand in a mock flourish, still gasping for air.</p><p> </p><p> “We don’t seem to have much choice.” said Coerraine. “Our brother-in-arms needs us.” He looked to Alaria. The young Redstar Knight was ever aware of the chain of command. As far as he was concerned, Alaria was still his superior. </p><p> </p><p> “Any tricks up those sleeves, boss lady?” Duor input.</p><p> </p><p> As Alaria struggled to formulate a plan, the leaves in the branches above them roared as a shadow passed quickly over them and then the huge shape of one of the great condors soared out over the long promontory. Its shriek pierced the sky as it circled low for a moment and then lazily floated high out over the sea before circling back.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> Haelan struggled to stay conscious through the pain of the talons tearing into his shoulder. The haze of green passed in a blur beneath him. His slightly oversized helmet had been lost in his abduction and the wind torn through his hair. He looked up once and quickly looked away when he saw the harpy’s voluptuous breasts just above him. He blushed despite himself. </p><p> </p><p> “This would be an exhilarating experience,” the halfling priest supposed, “if I weren’t about to die.” </p><p> </p><p> Haelan gave a moment’s thought to using the pinecone-headed mace that still hung on his belt. He thought better of it considering the drop.</p><p> </p><p> The blur of green became a blur of grey and then the blue green of the sea. Haelan’s stomach nearly leapt into his throat as his winged abductor dropped what must have been tens of feet in midair. He flinched at the renewed pain of the jolt as the harpy came to an abrupt halt and lifted slightly as she turned to face a great cliff face.</p><p> </p><p> At first, Haelan surmised he was to be tossed upon the rocks, like he'd seen seabirds do with crabs or clams. Then, he noticed the opening in the great natural wall of rock. He saw two others as they approached.</p><p> </p><p> Haelan was still several feet from the cliff when he was hurled by his captor straight at one of the openings. He landed within the cave with a clanking thud and tumbled uncontrollably down a passage coming to rest in a large open chamber.</p><p></p><p></p><p>Battered, bruised and bleeding from the rents in his shoulders, the halfling was just able to right himself as the harpy swooped in effortlessly in the passage he’d just rolled through. A hurried attempt to stand led to a dizzied collapse to his hands and knees but the cleric still managed to get a grip on his mace.</p><p> </p><p> Before he could say anything, the harpy let out two sharp notes and heard a series of similar short shrieks from elsewhere. It was then he noticed the two other passages leading off into darkness to either side of the one his abductor now blocked.</p><p> </p><p> The harpy merely held her ground and smirked. </p><p> </p><p> Haelan knew he had limited time. He was in no condition to take on this creature and might well expire before he had the chance. His mind raced with options. Surely his companions would be coming for him…he just needed some time.</p><p> </p><p> “Stay back!” Haelan pronounced, wearily holding his mace out towards the harpy.</p><p> </p><p> The bird-woman let out a sharp cackle which was soon joined by cooing giggles around him. To Haelan’s horror, from the other two passages, two other harpy’s hopped into view.</p><p> </p><p> “Here now, Grizzelda. What have you brought us?” said the one to the left. She looked similar to the harpy who had brought him here but was slightly smaller with darker hair and plumage. Same color as Alaria’s hair, Haelan thought, in spite of himself.</p><p> </p><p> “She’s brought a Hilltender of Faerantha, evil one. The Harvest Mother will not stand for this affront.” Haelan said with all of the bravado he could muster, which he realized was not much. </p><p> </p><p> Another round of cackling giggles filled the chamber.</p><p> </p><p> “Oooo. A feisty one. I do like them feisty.” The voice came from his right where the third harpy leaned forward with a bright expectant smile. This one’s plumage and hair had a rusty red tint to it. “But really, Grizzelda.” the red-headed harpy backed abruptly. A look of disappointment crossed her lovely face. “It’ll hardly make a bite for each of us. And I am so tired of goblin.”</p><p> </p><p> “Goblin?!” Haelan spat with surprise and indignation.</p><p> </p><p> “Oh, this is no goblin, Shireen.” Said Grizzelda. Her gaze did not waver from her prey. “This, dear sisters, is vaaria. A might more hairy than goblin, but sooo juicy and sweet.”</p><p> </p><p> “Vaaria!” announced the dark-haired harpy with glee. “I haven’t had vaaria in ages!” She clapped her clawed hands together in a manner of a child at Yuletide. “Can I have a leg, Grizzelda? Can I, pleeeease?” the dark-haired harpy asked pleadingly.</p><p> </p><p> “You’ll have none!” Haelan said in determined horror. He slammed his mace into the cavern floor and shouted a prayer to Faerantha. A ring of silver light burst into sight around the halfling priest and he nearly collapsed from the effort.</p><p> </p><p> “AAGH!” shrieked Shireen. “What’s it doing?!”</p><p> </p><p> Grizzelda lunged forward, arms outstretched only to be stopped by the invisible barrier in a shower of silver sparks. </p><p> </p><p> The dark-haired harpy shrieked in dismay. “It knows magic, Grizzelda?! You brought a mage into our lair!”</p><p> </p><p> Grizzelda stood very near the barrier’s edge. She cautiously extended a long-taloned finger. A small white light sparked at its touch. “Pah!” spat the senior harpy. “It is no mage. A priest of their ‘nature mother…’” She gave Haelan a sidelong glance and spat with all intended insult “A weak one at that.” </p><p> </p><p> Haelan glowered back at the harpy.</p><p> </p><p> “It is a small spell.” She raked the barrier with her whole hand. Silver sparks zapped again at the touch. “It doesn’t even hurt.” Grizzelda held out her hand for the others to view. Then she leaned her face as close as she dared and smiled a mouth full of horrid pointed teeth. “And…it will wear off soon enough.”</p><p> </p><p> Haelan centered himself and prayed for healing. He knew Grizzelda was right and he was in little shape to take on one of these creatures, let alone three. Just need a little more time for his companions to arrive. With a warm golden glow and the scent of honey filling his nose, Haelan felt the reinvigorating power of his goddess staunch his bleeding and mend his torn muscles.</p><p> </p><p> “ACK! He’s doing it again!” shrieked Shireen. At this point she fluttered and hopped back to the mouth of the passage from which she’d emerged, obviously disquieted.</p><p> </p><p> “Be still!” chirped Grizzelda. “It is nothing. He’ll be ours soon enough. The fear and desperation shall only make him all the sweeter.” With that, the elder harpy hopped back to the passage through which Haelan had been thrown. </p><p> </p><p> “Come, sisters. The vaaria had friends. There was an elf and huuuuman mennnn.” Haelan shuddered to see Grizzelda lick her lips in apparent ecstasy at the very thought of his companions.</p><p> </p><p> “Men?!” Shireen perked, hopping forward again.</p><p> </p><p> “HUMAN men?” the dark-haired harpy was clapping again and hopping in place. This harpy also ruffled her feathers in excitement. “Why didn’t you say that sooner? What are we wasting time on this tidbit for?”</p><p> </p><p> “Calm yourself, Estraytha.” Grizzelda ordered. “We must be cautious. These men are armed and obvious warriors. I saw them land on the southern beach in the storm last night. They fought off the giant crabs. And one of their companions is a <em>real</em> wizard. Their capture shall require some…thought.”</p><p> </p><p> “Oh Grizzelda. You are too cautious. Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve had a human man to play with?” Estraytha mumbled in obvious disappointment.</p><p> </p><p> “No matter!” shrieked Grizzelda, obviously at the end of her patience. She perked as the sound of a great bird’s call echoed down into the lair.</p><p> </p><p> Haelan assumed it must have come from one of the giant birds they’d seen before the harpy’s attack.</p><p> </p><p> “Ah. They’ve arrived.” Grizzelda turned to the out-of-reach halfling. “That was sooner than I expected.” Turning back to the entry passage the senior harpy barked her orders. “Come, Shireen. Estraytha, stay here and guard him.”</p><p> </p><p> “Stay here?!? But Grizzel…” Estraytha protested.</p><p> </p><p> “Guard him!” commanded the senior harpy. The feathers on her neck and wings bristled and if Haelan had not feared the sinister thing before, he certainly did now. “And there’d better be at least a leg left for me when we return with the others. Come, Shireen.” With that Grizzelda hopped up the passage and took flight. The red-headed Shireen hopped after her and shot her sister an apologetic shrug before taking wing.</p><p> </p><p> Estraytha folded her arms in a huff and scowled at the daelvar priest. Haelan offered another sympathetic shrug and bright smile.</p><p> </p><p> “Humph.” Muttered Estraytha and turned to scowl at the passageway.</p><p> </p><p> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="steeldragons, post: 5408391, member: 92511"] “Erevan!” shouted Alaria, “It has Haelan!” her hand tentatively went to the scroll case which held along with her scrolls, the wand given her by her mentor, the wizard Ventior. Before she could draw it, the wizardess noted the dark shapes of the two large carrion birds were getting larger, heading straight for their position. “Manat’s star!” Alaria thought. The birds were huge and getting larger. They appeared as huge vultures with collars of frilled white feathers and horned crests. Great condors, Alaria realized. She’d seen one at the Menagerie in Ablidon in childhood. “Take cover! The birds are coming for us.” Alaria warned. Erevan, ears still rang from the harpy’s initial attack but let fly two bolts from his bow at the retreating creature carrying off the halfling. One struck, winging it. The abductor faltered but didn’t fall from the sky, simply flying lower and soon out of Erevan’s range. Alaria and Trihna helped Braddok and Coerraine to their feet and the party hurried beneath the thick cover of the surrounding woods as the condor’s shrieks pierced the afternoon. “Hurry. Before we lose her.” Erevan commanded and took off in the direction he’d last seen the harpy. Alaria attempted to follow but the elf was much swifter in the thick underbrush. Her eyes shifting skyward every so often to see if the great winged birds of prey were upon them. In the occasional breaks in the treetops, she didn’t notice them. Braddok and Coerraine, now aware that their hair-footed companion had been taken from them, gave chase after the elf. Trihna, Alaria and Duor kept up as best they could. A short distance later, the group reassembled at the edge of the wood. The forest ended abruptly at the edge of the great rock promontory they’d seen from their approach in the boat. Before them was a wide, long, and slightly inclined expanse of solid stone. No trees or vegetation beyond a few clumps of intrepid weeds. No cover to speak of. No harpy or condors in sight. Then, Erevan heard the flapping of wings and saw the edge of the harpy momentarily off the side of the cliff. Then it disappeared. After several moments he heard and saw no more. “There!” pointed Erevan. “There must be a ledge or cave in the cliff where the creature lairs.” “We can’t go out there.” Said Trihna, still winded from their chase. “Those vultures will tear us apart. Did you see the size of them?” “I’m with…the Wavemaster.” Panted Duor, bent over. “Waverider.” Said Trihna. Duor waved a hand in a mock flourish, still gasping for air. “We don’t seem to have much choice.” said Coerraine. “Our brother-in-arms needs us.” He looked to Alaria. The young Redstar Knight was ever aware of the chain of command. As far as he was concerned, Alaria was still his superior. “Any tricks up those sleeves, boss lady?” Duor input. As Alaria struggled to formulate a plan, the leaves in the branches above them roared as a shadow passed quickly over them and then the huge shape of one of the great condors soared out over the long promontory. Its shriek pierced the sky as it circled low for a moment and then lazily floated high out over the sea before circling back. Haelan struggled to stay conscious through the pain of the talons tearing into his shoulder. The haze of green passed in a blur beneath him. His slightly oversized helmet had been lost in his abduction and the wind torn through his hair. He looked up once and quickly looked away when he saw the harpy’s voluptuous breasts just above him. He blushed despite himself. “This would be an exhilarating experience,” the halfling priest supposed, “if I weren’t about to die.” Haelan gave a moment’s thought to using the pinecone-headed mace that still hung on his belt. He thought better of it considering the drop. The blur of green became a blur of grey and then the blue green of the sea. Haelan’s stomach nearly leapt into his throat as his winged abductor dropped what must have been tens of feet in midair. He flinched at the renewed pain of the jolt as the harpy came to an abrupt halt and lifted slightly as she turned to face a great cliff face. At first, Haelan surmised he was to be tossed upon the rocks, like he'd seen seabirds do with crabs or clams. Then, he noticed the opening in the great natural wall of rock. He saw two others as they approached. Haelan was still several feet from the cliff when he was hurled by his captor straight at one of the openings. He landed within the cave with a clanking thud and tumbled uncontrollably down a passage coming to rest in a large open chamber. Battered, bruised and bleeding from the rents in his shoulders, the halfling was just able to right himself as the harpy swooped in effortlessly in the passage he’d just rolled through. A hurried attempt to stand led to a dizzied collapse to his hands and knees but the cleric still managed to get a grip on his mace. Before he could say anything, the harpy let out two sharp notes and heard a series of similar short shrieks from elsewhere. It was then he noticed the two other passages leading off into darkness to either side of the one his abductor now blocked. The harpy merely held her ground and smirked. Haelan knew he had limited time. He was in no condition to take on this creature and might well expire before he had the chance. His mind raced with options. Surely his companions would be coming for him…he just needed some time. “Stay back!” Haelan pronounced, wearily holding his mace out towards the harpy. The bird-woman let out a sharp cackle which was soon joined by cooing giggles around him. To Haelan’s horror, from the other two passages, two other harpy’s hopped into view. “Here now, Grizzelda. What have you brought us?” said the one to the left. She looked similar to the harpy who had brought him here but was slightly smaller with darker hair and plumage. Same color as Alaria’s hair, Haelan thought, in spite of himself. “She’s brought a Hilltender of Faerantha, evil one. The Harvest Mother will not stand for this affront.” Haelan said with all of the bravado he could muster, which he realized was not much. Another round of cackling giggles filled the chamber. “Oooo. A feisty one. I do like them feisty.” The voice came from his right where the third harpy leaned forward with a bright expectant smile. This one’s plumage and hair had a rusty red tint to it. “But really, Grizzelda.” the red-headed harpy backed abruptly. A look of disappointment crossed her lovely face. “It’ll hardly make a bite for each of us. And I am so tired of goblin.” “Goblin?!” Haelan spat with surprise and indignation. “Oh, this is no goblin, Shireen.” Said Grizzelda. Her gaze did not waver from her prey. “This, dear sisters, is vaaria. A might more hairy than goblin, but sooo juicy and sweet.” “Vaaria!” announced the dark-haired harpy with glee. “I haven’t had vaaria in ages!” She clapped her clawed hands together in a manner of a child at Yuletide. “Can I have a leg, Grizzelda? Can I, pleeeease?” the dark-haired harpy asked pleadingly. “You’ll have none!” Haelan said in determined horror. He slammed his mace into the cavern floor and shouted a prayer to Faerantha. A ring of silver light burst into sight around the halfling priest and he nearly collapsed from the effort. “AAGH!” shrieked Shireen. “What’s it doing?!” Grizzelda lunged forward, arms outstretched only to be stopped by the invisible barrier in a shower of silver sparks. The dark-haired harpy shrieked in dismay. “It knows magic, Grizzelda?! You brought a mage into our lair!” Grizzelda stood very near the barrier’s edge. She cautiously extended a long-taloned finger. A small white light sparked at its touch. “Pah!” spat the senior harpy. “It is no mage. A priest of their ‘nature mother…’” She gave Haelan a sidelong glance and spat with all intended insult “A weak one at that.” Haelan glowered back at the harpy. “It is a small spell.” She raked the barrier with her whole hand. Silver sparks zapped again at the touch. “It doesn’t even hurt.” Grizzelda held out her hand for the others to view. Then she leaned her face as close as she dared and smiled a mouth full of horrid pointed teeth. “And…it will wear off soon enough.” Haelan centered himself and prayed for healing. He knew Grizzelda was right and he was in little shape to take on one of these creatures, let alone three. Just need a little more time for his companions to arrive. With a warm golden glow and the scent of honey filling his nose, Haelan felt the reinvigorating power of his goddess staunch his bleeding and mend his torn muscles. “ACK! He’s doing it again!” shrieked Shireen. At this point she fluttered and hopped back to the mouth of the passage from which she’d emerged, obviously disquieted. “Be still!” chirped Grizzelda. “It is nothing. He’ll be ours soon enough. The fear and desperation shall only make him all the sweeter.” With that, the elder harpy hopped back to the passage through which Haelan had been thrown. “Come, sisters. The vaaria had friends. There was an elf and huuuuman mennnn.” Haelan shuddered to see Grizzelda lick her lips in apparent ecstasy at the very thought of his companions. “Men?!” Shireen perked, hopping forward again. “HUMAN men?” the dark-haired harpy was clapping again and hopping in place. This harpy also ruffled her feathers in excitement. “Why didn’t you say that sooner? What are we wasting time on this tidbit for?” “Calm yourself, Estraytha.” Grizzelda ordered. “We must be cautious. These men are armed and obvious warriors. I saw them land on the southern beach in the storm last night. They fought off the giant crabs. And one of their companions is a [I]real[/I] wizard. Their capture shall require some…thought.” “Oh Grizzelda. You are too cautious. Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve had a human man to play with?” Estraytha mumbled in obvious disappointment. “No matter!” shrieked Grizzelda, obviously at the end of her patience. She perked as the sound of a great bird’s call echoed down into the lair. Haelan assumed it must have come from one of the giant birds they’d seen before the harpy’s attack. “Ah. They’ve arrived.” Grizzelda turned to the out-of-reach halfling. “That was sooner than I expected.” Turning back to the entry passage the senior harpy barked her orders. “Come, Shireen. Estraytha, stay here and guard him.” “Stay here?!? But Grizzel…” Estraytha protested. “Guard him!” commanded the senior harpy. The feathers on her neck and wings bristled and if Haelan had not feared the sinister thing before, he certainly did now. “And there’d better be at least a leg left for me when we return with the others. Come, Shireen.” With that Grizzelda hopped up the passage and took flight. The red-headed Shireen hopped after her and shot her sister an apologetic shrug before taking wing. Estraytha folded her arms in a huff and scowled at the daelvar priest. Haelan offered another sympathetic shrug and bright smile. “Humph.” Muttered Estraytha and turned to scowl at the passageway. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [/QUOTE]
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