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<blockquote data-quote="Angelsboi" data-source="post: 472784" data-attributes="member: 1219"> &quot;Sworn Enemies&quot;By Ryan Boell&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Crescent Quarillion sat down to dinner in the small house he shared with his mother, father and sister.&nbsp; He explained what happened in the woods and how he saved Illiya Starsword, the mayors' daughter.&nbsp; His father looked at the two suits of studded leather armor and the morning star he had brought back from his adventure.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &quot;Take it out to my shop and ill look them over and tell you how much they are worth.&quot;&nbsp; The middle-aged man with long dark hair tied back with a leather thong looked at his new chain shirt.&nbsp; &quot;Take that off as well and i will see what I can do with it.&nbsp; Maybe i can make it even better for you, my young man.&quot;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Crescent returned quickly and finished his dinner.&nbsp; His mother explained that she idn't think it would be a very good idea for him to continue with his adventuring.&nbsp; He continued talking to his parents of the things as his sister Luna fell into meditation by the hearth nestled up to her huskie, Sol.&nbsp; He eventually went to his room to meditate on what he learned that day.*&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; *&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; * &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; The next few weeks were grueling on Crescent.&nbsp; He helped his father around the shop as his father tempered and remade his chainshirt.&nbsp; It turns out that one of the suits of studded leather armor was very finely made.&nbsp; As it was nearing the third week, Crescent saw a cart drawn by a horse with two people riding on the bench from the North.&nbsp; The cart held melons and corn and even pumpkins.&nbsp; Crescent recognized the young man riding beside the older man.&nbsp; As the cart drew closer, the young man spoke to his father in elven; &quot;I will be home a little later papa.&quot;&nbsp; The lithe youth jumped fromt he cart and did a couple flips in the air and landed on his feet, smiling a bright smile at Crescent.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &quot;Ri'yon!&quot;&nbsp; Crescent hugged the young man.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Ri'yon smiled.&nbsp; He looked human to some, and like an elf to some.&nbsp; His ears weren't as defined as Crescent's and Luna's.&nbsp; His brown tunic was open and showed off his cut chest.&nbsp; His pants were firm and form fitting.&nbsp; His bare feet were oddly clean.&nbsp; His short dark was spiked a bit and his smile, was bright.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &quot;Hello sweety.&nbsp; What's been going on?&quot;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &quot;Not much.&nbsp; I saved Mayor Starswords' daughter.&quot;&nbsp; Crescent boasted.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &quot;Illiya?&quot;&nbsp; Ri'yon asked stunned.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &quot;Yupp.&nbsp; Saved her from some goblins.&nbsp; Damn filthy things.&quot;&nbsp; He looked at his beloved.&nbsp; &quot;How was your trip?&quot;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Ri'yon smiled.&nbsp; &quot;It was boring in Featherdale.&nbsp; My father took me to some farmer's market and I didn't get to attend some musicians festival I wanted to check out.&nbsp; But I did hear some interesting information though.&quot;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &quot;Like what?&quot;&nbsp; Crescent quizzed.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &quot;Well, it appears that a couple of adventurers in the villiage Featherdale ran into some orc raiders.&nbsp; On them, they discovered a parchment with some orc writing on it they couldn't read.&nbsp; Me, being able to read orcish, helped them out.&nbsp; It spoke of someone named Chief Van Dekk who was heading to the Dark Woods in order to uncover some hidden temple to Gruumsh.&quot;&nbsp; Both youths spat at the name.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &quot;The Dark Woods?&nbsp; Thats where the goblins kidnapped Illiya.&nbsp; Let's go find them and stop them!&quot;&nbsp; Crescent said in a hurry.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &quot;Only if you take me too.&quot;&nbsp; A small voice piped up from behind him.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Crescent slowly turned around to his his little sister, the same age as Ri'yon, standing there with her ever faithful companion, Sol.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &quot;No, you need to stay here.&quot;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &quot;Im coming regardless what you say, Crescent.&quot;&nbsp; She was young, yet defiant.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; He sighed, getting a little frusterated.&nbsp; &quot;You will only get in the way.&quot;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &quot;I can help.&quot;&nbsp; She said pulling out two sickles with strange engravings on them.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Crescent examined them unable to make out what they say.&nbsp; Ri'yon took a hold of them and looked at them and snickered at the writing.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &quot;What's it say?&quot;&nbsp; Crescent inquired of his lover.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &quot;It's in the tongue of the forrest.&nbsp; It says, 'May all that come from Correllion, return to him.'&quot;&nbsp; Ri'yon translated.&nbsp; Luna just smiled.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Crescent sighed and started to head to the woodline.&nbsp; &quot;Let's go then.&quot;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &quot;Wait.&quot;&nbsp; Said Ry'ion.&nbsp; He bolted of int he direction of his house.&nbsp; Crescent and luna followed and waited outside for about ten minutes.&nbsp; When he re-emerged, Ry'ion was wearing black stained leather armor and a coiled bullwhip on his hip.&nbsp; He smiled his devlish grin.&nbsp; &quot;Ready.&quot;&nbsp; He said.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; And with that, they walked together into the woods.*&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; *&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; * &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; The three set off for the woods and even though the midday sun rose high in the sky, the thick trees blocked out most of it.&nbsp; Thanks to the three's low light vision, they could see quite clearly, and even better than a human.&nbsp; Crescent started looking at the ground and found a set of medium-sized humanoid footprints.&nbsp; He could tell they were deffinately not gooblin.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; He followed them and, as usual, he got lost.&nbsp; After about 30 minutes of arguing with Ry'ion and Luna, they got back on track and followed them deeper into the Dark Woods.&nbsp; After about an hour, they found a stone building that was hidden very well behind trees and vines.&nbsp; Broken and crumbled stairs led up to the building that appeared to have a set of double wooden doors leading in.&nbsp; There was strange carving written across the top.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Ri'yon walked up and started looking.&nbsp; &quot;Abandon all hope ye who enter here.&nbsp; Very ominous I must say.&quot;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Crescent started looking around.&nbsp; &quot;I wonder if there are any traps?&quot;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &quot;Let's find out.&quot;&nbsp; Suggested Ri'yon.&nbsp; He looked around the door frame and above it.&nbsp; &quot;Nothing.&quot;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Crescent walked up to open the doors and instinctivly he and Ri'yon dodged out of the way as an arrow came flying past them.&nbsp; Ri'yon looked at the arrow that targeted a tree and back to Luna and Crescent.&nbsp; He blushed.&nbsp; &quot;Sorry.&quot;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; The door opened into a large room with two doors ont he right side about 20 feet apart and another set of doors on the left about 2 feet apart.&nbsp; There were two rows of four pews, every other pew had a humanoid figure sitting in it facing the alter at the far end.&nbsp; Candles were aglow in sconces and on the alter.&nbsp; As the fearless trio entered the unholy cathedral, the four figures turned at looke dat them with hollowless eyes and stood up and started moving toward them with a hastened speed.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Crescent pulled his dagger and rapier and struck one of the skeletons just chipping its bones.&nbsp; Luna tried to attack one with her two sickles while ever-faithful Sol tried to gnaw on one of the bone legs of the orcish skeletons.&nbsp; Ry'ion started singing a ballad of the great God Corellion Larethian and how the undead tremble in his wake.&nbsp; This seemed to rally his two close friends and they seemed to hit just a little bit harder and a little bit more accurate.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Claws shredded armor and flesh and sickles, teeth and metal scraped bones.&nbsp; It was a grueling fight for the three and even though they were desperately hurt, they prevailed in the end.&nbsp; Luna was bleeding profusely and Ry'ion needed help walking.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &quot;We need to go to the church of Corellion for help Crescent.&nbsp; We are hurt bad.&quot;&nbsp; Ry'ion suggested.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Crescent agrreed afetr looking at his lover, sister and her companion.&nbsp; They quickly found there way back through the woods to Star's Hollow and the sun was past the midday mark by a couple of hours.&nbsp; At least that was what Luna said.&nbsp; They headed toward the elven temple as luna sent her friend home.&nbsp; As they enetered, there was an unseen celestial choir singing in elven the praises of Lorethian. Two robed figures quickly rushed up to help the trio.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &quot;Good Corellion what happened?&quot;&nbsp; Asked the young man.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; His blond hair had a touch of mess and a rumpled look.&nbsp; It complemented his baby blue eyes, which in turn, complimentd his dark and light blue robes.&nbsp; He had a crescent moon tattooed in the middle of his forehead.&nbsp; The other figure, a young lady about the same age as the young man, walked up to Luna.&nbsp; She too bore the same robe and tattoo but her hair was coal black and her eyes the green of limes.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Crescent explained of what happened and both youths shuddered at the mention of Gruumsh, the orc god of evil.&nbsp; The young man, who introduced himself as ?, led Ry'ion back into a room to be healed.&nbsp; Crescent purchased a total of six potions of Corellions healing to help them in their fight.&nbsp; The young lady, ?, healed both Crescent and Luna.&nbsp; Crescent handed her the only posession of value he had.&nbsp; The large emerald he found int he goblin's lair.&nbsp; She nodded and took it into another room, where, she returned just five minutes later with change for Crescent.&nbsp; The young man returned with a healthy Ry'ion as well.&nbsp; After re-gearing back up, they headed back to the temple to finnish what they had intended to start.*&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; *&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; * &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Back in the temple, all three headed to the alter.&nbsp; There was a large peice of what appeared to be rotted elven flesh stretched above the alter on a wall with a red circle and a black diamond with rounded edges in the middle.&nbsp; All three were equally disgusted.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &quot;The symbol of Gruumsh.&quot;&nbsp; Ry'ion said to the other two.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &quot;Gee, Ry'ion, what was your first clue?&quot;&nbsp; Luna said sarcastically.&nbsp; She loved giving Ry'ion a hard time with all of his book smarts.&nbsp; After all, she thought it was funny.&nbsp; While she had been around on the earth for about 90 human years, he had been around onnly 80 human years and they were both roughly the same age and yet, she was wiser than he.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; They moved over to the far right door with Ry'ion in the lead to check traps.&nbsp; After finding none, Crescent opened the door into a room that had a small desk, chair and a book case on the left wall.&nbsp; The candlelight was enough for the two elves and the half-elf to see by.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &quot;Nothing in here.&quot;&nbsp; Said Luna and started to walk out.&nbsp; Crescents ears perked up.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &quot;Wait a minute.&quot;&nbsp; He walked over to the bookcaes and started searching it.&nbsp; &quot;There is something -&quot;&nbsp; He picked up a book and pulled it and the bookcase slid along the ground.&nbsp; &quot;- Here.&quot;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Crescent walked through the passage with Luna behind him and Ry'ion taking up the rear.&nbsp; They heard some gruff and rough voices from below as they followed the spiral staircase down into the earth.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &quot;They are speaking of blighting out fields and crops.&nbsp; They are hoping to starve us out of Star's Hollow so they can take over.&quot;&nbsp; Whispered Ry'ion.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &quot;Over my dead body.&quot;&nbsp; Crsescent whispered back.&nbsp; That's when he heard them stop talking.&nbsp; All three charged down the staircase, no one surprised.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &quot;Give it up orc scum!&quot;&nbsp; Cried out Crescent.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; The orc chuckled.&nbsp; He was about 5'10 and sitting on a makeshift throne 40 feet on the other side of the room.&nbsp; 5 feet in front of him on his left and right were two orcs standing at about 6'2 and well muscled.&nbsp; Each had on chainmail armor and one carried a greataxe and one carried a heavy pick.&nbsp; The chief wore armor made of bones and was carrying a shortspear and a foot and a half long stick decorated with something was sticking out of his belt.&nbsp; A shield was strapped to his arm.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &quot;Foolish elves.&quot;&nbsp; It spoke in rough common.&nbsp; &quot;I am Priest Van Dekk, Speaker to Gruumsh.&nbsp; You shall die here in our guards temple this very day!&quot;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; The pool in the middle of the room was filled with a red liquid although in the center was a black shape opening.&nbsp; A diamond shape with smooth edges.&nbsp; It was the Eye of Gruumsh.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; The two large guards moved in as the priest started chanting.&nbsp; Crescent, Luna dna Ry'ion knew that it was all over and they couldn't retreat.&nbsp; The guard with the greataxe moved in as Ry'ion started singing a beautiful epic ballad of Corellion stealing the eye of Gruumsh in the name of elves all over.&nbsp; The priest was getting quite irate.&nbsp; Crescent struck with his rapier and his dagger, missing with his rapier as it glanced off the greataxe but landed a blow with his dagger in the orcs side.&nbsp; It howled in pain as blood started gushing forth.&nbsp; Luna tried to strike with both her crescent shaped sickles but missed the orc badly.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; The other guard sat down and started listening to the ballad Ry'ion was singing, buying the trio a bit more time as the priest started casting another spell.&nbsp; The orc guard chuckled and brought the greataxe down both handed on Crescent hurting him very badly.&nbsp; Blood was gushing from a bad wound in his arm.&nbsp; Luna reached out as her hand was glowing green and touched her brother healing the wound slightly.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; The battle was going back and forth with the second guard finally getting up and heading into battle.&nbsp; Ry'ion's whip tripped the second guard buying Luna and Crescent more time to try to take down the first guard.&nbsp; They all fought bravely but eventually Luna and Ry'ion fell to the might of the orcs as only one orc fell to the elves.&nbsp; Crescent saw that his lover and sister were down and things were looking pretty grim.&nbsp; He struck the second bodyguard with his rapier and dagger landing a blow exactly in the guards weakspot bringing him down to his knees.&nbsp; It was now just him and the orc priest and Crescent was bleeding pretty badly.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; The priest snickered.&nbsp; &quot;Give up elf.&nbsp; Gruumsh will win today.&nbsp; Two sacrafices in his name to destroy three elves will suffice.&nbsp; He will thank me for destroying you.&quot;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &quot;They arent dead yet and neither am I bastard.&quot;&nbsp; Crescent lashed out with his rapier and dagger landing ablow causing the orc priest to howl.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; The priest tried to stab the elf and succeeded in peircing his side.&nbsp; Crescent was loosing blood and feeling light headed.&nbsp; He took out a potion and quickly drank down the minty brew as his wounds sealed up and the blood stopped.&nbsp; The priest was wide-eyed and shocked.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Rapier and dagger blows glanced off the shield and the shortpear couldn't hit the deftly quick elf, but each landed a small blow here and there.&nbsp; It was the rapiers final blow across the orcs face that dropped the evil priest in a heap.&nbsp; Crescent quickly ran to his sister and dropped a potion down her throat and did the same to his lover.&nbsp; After stripping the orcs of their posessions, they wuickly got the hell out of the temple.*&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; *&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; * &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; They limped back into town as the sun was setting on the horrizon.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &quot;I'm heading home.&nbsp; I'll meet you there k Crescent?&quot;&nbsp; Luna said, tired.&nbsp; Her brother just nodded.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &quot;You almost died today love.&quot;&nbsp; Crescent said to his dark-haired mate.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Ry'ion nodded, weak and tired.&nbsp; &quot;I'm going to head home.&quot;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Crescent grabbed his shoulder and stopped him.&nbsp; &quot;You could come stay the night with me.&nbsp; I could heal and dress your wounds.&quot;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; His lover smiled.&nbsp; &quot;I'd like that.&quot;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; And with that, they walked to Crescents' house holding hands, anticipating the stories they would tell his parents of stopping an invasion of Gruumsh's orcs and protecting Star's Hollow against the blight of Gruumsh.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Angelsboi, post: 472784, member: 1219"] [COLOR=green] [b][u]"Sworn Enemies"[/u][/b][u][/u][/COLOR] By Ryan Boell Crescent Quarillion sat down to dinner in the small house he shared with his mother, father and sister. He explained what happened in the woods and how he saved Illiya Starsword, the mayors' daughter. His father looked at the two suits of studded leather armor and the morning star he had brought back from his adventure. "Take it out to my shop and ill look them over and tell you how much they are worth." The middle-aged man with long dark hair tied back with a leather thong looked at his new chain shirt. "Take that off as well and i will see what I can do with it. Maybe i can make it even better for you, my young man." Crescent returned quickly and finished his dinner. His mother explained that she idn't think it would be a very good idea for him to continue with his adventuring. He continued talking to his parents of the things as his sister Luna fell into meditation by the hearth nestled up to her huskie, Sol. He eventually went to his room to meditate on what he learned that day. [COLOR=green][b]* * *[/b][/COLOR] The next few weeks were grueling on Crescent. He helped his father around the shop as his father tempered and remade his chainshirt. It turns out that one of the suits of studded leather armor was very finely made. As it was nearing the third week, Crescent saw a cart drawn by a horse with two people riding on the bench from the North. The cart held melons and corn and even pumpkins. Crescent recognized the young man riding beside the older man. As the cart drew closer, the young man spoke to his father in elven; "I will be home a little later papa." The lithe youth jumped fromt he cart and did a couple flips in the air and landed on his feet, smiling a bright smile at Crescent. "Ri'yon!" Crescent hugged the young man. Ri'yon smiled. He looked human to some, and like an elf to some. His ears weren't as defined as Crescent's and Luna's. His brown tunic was open and showed off his cut chest. His pants were firm and form fitting. His bare feet were oddly clean. His short dark was spiked a bit and his smile, was bright. "Hello sweety. What's been going on?" "Not much. I saved Mayor Starswords' daughter." Crescent boasted. "Illiya?" Ri'yon asked stunned. "Yupp. Saved her from some goblins. Damn filthy things." He looked at his beloved. "How was your trip?" Ri'yon smiled. "It was boring in Featherdale. My father took me to some farmer's market and I didn't get to attend some musicians festival I wanted to check out. But I did hear some interesting information though." "Like what?" Crescent quizzed. "Well, it appears that a couple of adventurers in the villiage Featherdale ran into some orc raiders. On them, they discovered a parchment with some orc writing on it they couldn't read. Me, being able to read orcish, helped them out. It spoke of someone named Chief Van Dekk who was heading to the Dark Woods in order to uncover some hidden temple to Gruumsh." Both youths spat at the name. "The Dark Woods? Thats where the goblins kidnapped Illiya. Let's go find them and stop them!" Crescent said in a hurry. "Only if you take me too." A small voice piped up from behind him. Crescent slowly turned around to his his little sister, the same age as Ri'yon, standing there with her ever faithful companion, Sol. "No, you need to stay here." "Im coming regardless what you say, Crescent." She was young, yet defiant. He sighed, getting a little frusterated. "You will only get in the way." "I can help." She said pulling out two sickles with strange engravings on them. Crescent examined them unable to make out what they say. Ri'yon took a hold of them and looked at them and snickered at the writing. "What's it say?" Crescent inquired of his lover. "It's in the tongue of the forrest. It says, 'May all that come from Correllion, return to him.'" Ri'yon translated. Luna just smiled. Crescent sighed and started to head to the woodline. "Let's go then." "Wait." Said Ry'ion. He bolted of int he direction of his house. Crescent and luna followed and waited outside for about ten minutes. When he re-emerged, Ry'ion was wearing black stained leather armor and a coiled bullwhip on his hip. He smiled his devlish grin. "Ready." He said. And with that, they walked together into the woods. [COLOR=green][b]* * *[/b][/COLOR] The three set off for the woods and even though the midday sun rose high in the sky, the thick trees blocked out most of it. Thanks to the three's low light vision, they could see quite clearly, and even better than a human. Crescent started looking at the ground and found a set of medium-sized humanoid footprints. He could tell they were deffinately not gooblin. He followed them and, as usual, he got lost. After about 30 minutes of arguing with Ry'ion and Luna, they got back on track and followed them deeper into the Dark Woods. After about an hour, they found a stone building that was hidden very well behind trees and vines. Broken and crumbled stairs led up to the building that appeared to have a set of double wooden doors leading in. There was strange carving written across the top. Ri'yon walked up and started looking. "Abandon all hope ye who enter here. Very ominous I must say." Crescent started looking around. "I wonder if there are any traps?" "Let's find out." Suggested Ri'yon. He looked around the door frame and above it. "Nothing." Crescent walked up to open the doors and instinctivly he and Ri'yon dodged out of the way as an arrow came flying past them. Ri'yon looked at the arrow that targeted a tree and back to Luna and Crescent. He blushed. "Sorry." The door opened into a large room with two doors ont he right side about 20 feet apart and another set of doors on the left about 2 feet apart. There were two rows of four pews, every other pew had a humanoid figure sitting in it facing the alter at the far end. Candles were aglow in sconces and on the alter. As the fearless trio entered the unholy cathedral, the four figures turned at looke dat them with hollowless eyes and stood up and started moving toward them with a hastened speed. Crescent pulled his dagger and rapier and struck one of the skeletons just chipping its bones. Luna tried to attack one with her two sickles while ever-faithful Sol tried to gnaw on one of the bone legs of the orcish skeletons. Ry'ion started singing a ballad of the great God Corellion Larethian and how the undead tremble in his wake. This seemed to rally his two close friends and they seemed to hit just a little bit harder and a little bit more accurate. Claws shredded armor and flesh and sickles, teeth and metal scraped bones. It was a grueling fight for the three and even though they were desperately hurt, they prevailed in the end. Luna was bleeding profusely and Ry'ion needed help walking. "We need to go to the church of Corellion for help Crescent. We are hurt bad." Ry'ion suggested. Crescent agrreed afetr looking at his lover, sister and her companion. They quickly found there way back through the woods to Star's Hollow and the sun was past the midday mark by a couple of hours. At least that was what Luna said. They headed toward the elven temple as luna sent her friend home. As they enetered, there was an unseen celestial choir singing in elven the praises of Lorethian. Two robed figures quickly rushed up to help the trio. "Good Corellion what happened?" Asked the young man. His blond hair had a touch of mess and a rumpled look. It complemented his baby blue eyes, which in turn, complimentd his dark and light blue robes. He had a crescent moon tattooed in the middle of his forehead. The other figure, a young lady about the same age as the young man, walked up to Luna. She too bore the same robe and tattoo but her hair was coal black and her eyes the green of limes. Crescent explained of what happened and both youths shuddered at the mention of Gruumsh, the orc god of evil. The young man, who introduced himself as ?, led Ry'ion back into a room to be healed. Crescent purchased a total of six potions of Corellions healing to help them in their fight. The young lady, ?, healed both Crescent and Luna. Crescent handed her the only posession of value he had. The large emerald he found int he goblin's lair. She nodded and took it into another room, where, she returned just five minutes later with change for Crescent. The young man returned with a healthy Ry'ion as well. After re-gearing back up, they headed back to the temple to finnish what they had intended to start. [COLOR=green][b]* * *[/b][/COLOR] Back in the temple, all three headed to the alter. There was a large peice of what appeared to be rotted elven flesh stretched above the alter on a wall with a red circle and a black diamond with rounded edges in the middle. All three were equally disgusted. "The symbol of Gruumsh." Ry'ion said to the other two. "Gee, Ry'ion, what was your first clue?" Luna said sarcastically. She loved giving Ry'ion a hard time with all of his book smarts. After all, she thought it was funny. While she had been around on the earth for about 90 human years, he had been around onnly 80 human years and they were both roughly the same age and yet, she was wiser than he. They moved over to the far right door with Ry'ion in the lead to check traps. After finding none, Crescent opened the door into a room that had a small desk, chair and a book case on the left wall. The candlelight was enough for the two elves and the half-elf to see by. "Nothing in here." Said Luna and started to walk out. Crescents ears perked up. "Wait a minute." He walked over to the bookcaes and started searching it. "There is something -" He picked up a book and pulled it and the bookcase slid along the ground. "- Here." Crescent walked through the passage with Luna behind him and Ry'ion taking up the rear. They heard some gruff and rough voices from below as they followed the spiral staircase down into the earth. "They are speaking of blighting out fields and crops. They are hoping to starve us out of Star's Hollow so they can take over." Whispered Ry'ion. "Over my dead body." Crsescent whispered back. That's when he heard them stop talking. All three charged down the staircase, no one surprised. "Give it up orc scum!" Cried out Crescent. The orc chuckled. He was about 5'10 and sitting on a makeshift throne 40 feet on the other side of the room. 5 feet in front of him on his left and right were two orcs standing at about 6'2 and well muscled. Each had on chainmail armor and one carried a greataxe and one carried a heavy pick. The chief wore armor made of bones and was carrying a shortspear and a foot and a half long stick decorated with something was sticking out of his belt. A shield was strapped to his arm. "Foolish elves." It spoke in rough common. "I am Priest Van Dekk, Speaker to Gruumsh. You shall die here in our guards temple this very day!" The pool in the middle of the room was filled with a red liquid although in the center was a black shape opening. A diamond shape with smooth edges. It was the Eye of Gruumsh. The two large guards moved in as the priest started chanting. Crescent, Luna dna Ry'ion knew that it was all over and they couldn't retreat. The guard with the greataxe moved in as Ry'ion started singing a beautiful epic ballad of Corellion stealing the eye of Gruumsh in the name of elves all over. The priest was getting quite irate. Crescent struck with his rapier and his dagger, missing with his rapier as it glanced off the greataxe but landed a blow with his dagger in the orcs side. It howled in pain as blood started gushing forth. Luna tried to strike with both her crescent shaped sickles but missed the orc badly. The other guard sat down and started listening to the ballad Ry'ion was singing, buying the trio a bit more time as the priest started casting another spell. The orc guard chuckled and brought the greataxe down both handed on Crescent hurting him very badly. Blood was gushing from a bad wound in his arm. Luna reached out as her hand was glowing green and touched her brother healing the wound slightly. The battle was going back and forth with the second guard finally getting up and heading into battle. Ry'ion's whip tripped the second guard buying Luna and Crescent more time to try to take down the first guard. They all fought bravely but eventually Luna and Ry'ion fell to the might of the orcs as only one orc fell to the elves. Crescent saw that his lover and sister were down and things were looking pretty grim. He struck the second bodyguard with his rapier and dagger landing a blow exactly in the guards weakspot bringing him down to his knees. It was now just him and the orc priest and Crescent was bleeding pretty badly. The priest snickered. "Give up elf. Gruumsh will win today. Two sacrafices in his name to destroy three elves will suffice. He will thank me for destroying you." "They arent dead yet and neither am I bastard." Crescent lashed out with his rapier and dagger landing ablow causing the orc priest to howl. The priest tried to stab the elf and succeeded in peircing his side. Crescent was loosing blood and feeling light headed. He took out a potion and quickly drank down the minty brew as his wounds sealed up and the blood stopped. The priest was wide-eyed and shocked. Rapier and dagger blows glanced off the shield and the shortpear couldn't hit the deftly quick elf, but each landed a small blow here and there. It was the rapiers final blow across the orcs face that dropped the evil priest in a heap. Crescent quickly ran to his sister and dropped a potion down her throat and did the same to his lover. After stripping the orcs of their posessions, they wuickly got the hell out of the temple. [COLOR=green][b]* * *[/b][/COLOR] They limped back into town as the sun was setting on the horrizon. "I'm heading home. I'll meet you there k Crescent?" Luna said, tired. Her brother just nodded. "You almost died today love." Crescent said to his dark-haired mate. Ry'ion nodded, weak and tired. "I'm going to head home." Crescent grabbed his shoulder and stopped him. "You could come stay the night with me. I could heal and dress your wounds." His lover smiled. "I'd like that." And with that, they walked to Crescents' house holding hands, anticipating the stories they would tell his parents of stopping an invasion of Gruumsh's orcs and protecting Star's Hollow against the blight of Gruumsh. [/QUOTE]

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