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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Laurel" data-source="post: 1760628" data-attributes="member: 17067">Chapter One- “Shadows of the Past”Day Six–The Road North As has become my practice I was up before the sun started to light the sky. The few fires still crackle diminishing the light fog that blankets the others. As I stand, the paladins eyes flash open hand grabbing the hilt of her sword on the ground. I nod briefly to her, and then not trusting this area completely climb to the lower limbs of a near by tree. I know she has her own rituals to attend. I had witnessed Justice’s morning practice the first day on the road. She would draw her blade and pray to the light. The light her protector and the light her support. Each morning she seemed to swear an oath to protect those weaker or in need. That was her calling, that was what gave her that unique inner strength.  As I settle into the branches, automatically my breathing deepens and slows as I turn outward. Calling and feeling to that which surrounds me. Though we went about it differently I know we both got peace from our morning devotions, like with the two churches it seems the light approves of either method. As the dawn light touches my face, I smile briefly. Surprised at the strange feeling it caused, there hasn’t been much to smile or laugh over recently and they were never things I did with ease. With a sigh of regret I jump down the short ten foot drop, the force leaving a shallow indention in the dirt. The camp is being disassembled, but it seems each person has an assigned task or duty and they carry out like a well oiled machine. Before the sun can even fully rise, Mr. Miagi has them lined up and setting foot to path back to the roadway. Our little group seems much as they did every morning. Arfin with a hang over, Kareth with his contemplative silence, Selura with her morning perkiness, and Justice… I study her walking along beside Mr. Miagi, Brad and Kareth. With surprise I see her large sword is hanging from her hip, and instead a long curved blade resides on her back. A sword who’s handle was once wielded against Justice’s very life. It is the sword of the defeated warrior woman. I can only shrug at my thoughts knowing I will get no answers from those in front of me. We just have to get back to Thainesport, as we all have expressed. The sword’s ownership is between Justice and these people. My second surprise of the morning is Edriss. Normally he is content to avoid others like the plague, yet today he is scouting ahead with a new friend. Wielding knives and limbs as they show each other tricks of incapacitating a prey. It is the same warrior that stood toe-to-toe with Edriss knife to neck, but it seems their love of blades is letting them speak as words would not. Mr. Miagi seems preoccupied through the walk and finally he tells Brad there are bigger things to worry about then these questions he is pestering him about. Of course I can only assume he said as much as from Kareth the long speech turned into, “No talk. Worry- Ask Later.” Brad and Justice fall back some quietly talking amongst themselves, I hang back going to where the healers I worked with yesterday are positioned. Selura moves with ease through the throng of people, surprisingly silent since hitting the trail. The group moves quickly through the tall grass and scattered trees. Helping each other as needed, but making sure always to keep the pace going. Within a few hours we catch up to the struggling caravan. Mr. Miagi, immediately issues orders to his people and to Kareth. As I catch up to the group Kareth is telling us in common that Mr. Miagi wants the caravan leader brought to him. Arfin and Edriss hunker down near where Miagi’s people are setting up his tent, while Kareth follows Miagi like a student.  I on the other hand follow Justice and Brad as they go in search of Jaine. They find her pushing one of the heavy crates back onto the wagon with Joshua and another member of the caravan giving a hand or back as needed. As the situation is explained briefly to Jaine, Justice warns her, “They have a very strict and rigid sense of honor, so bow when you enter to greet him.” Jaine looks back at the wagon and then further to the line of weary and wounded people and animals. With a single glance to Joshua, she turns telling us to lead the way. Joshua’s face hardens, but he lets her walk off. Following with body tense ready to protect her should it be needed. As we approach Mr. Miagi’s tent set up in all it’s hasted glory Arfin and Edriss come to stand beside us. As Justice and Brad follow Jaine inside Kareth grabs their shoulders, telling us only Jaine and Mr. Miagi are to be at this meeting. Brad shrugs off Kareth’s hand and pushes forward, while Justice leans close, “With his magic he can traslate better then you can.” Mr. Miagi appears at the door, motioning Justice to enter. Left standing there I wonder at what secrets… no, they are not for me. And I will get to see now how close our group has really come.  After the curtain falls shutting us out of whatever conversation is happening I rest my back against a tree next to Arfin. I see he already has a flask in his hand, and the slight smell of ale that will reach a stench before dark falls.  A long hour later, the tent flap re-opens to Mr. Miagi and Joshua walking out, both telling their respective groups to break camp and pack up. While the orders are still being called out Justice and Brad re-appear. Neither look our direction and simply pass us. So much for the idea of closeness, and I feel a strong desire to return to Thainesport to finish this all. I watch as Justice and Brad go to their horses mounting up and resolutely ignoring our looks of inquiry. I stand looking back to the tent opening seeing Jaine finally emerge. She also walks past lost to her own internal thoughts.  I try to quell the sudden hurt I feel at being left out, I have always hated secrets and Michael and I never kept anything from each other. Trudging behind the caravan group and in front of Miagi’s people, my mind unbidden starts to dwell on my path and the possible future. Selura’s soft foot steps drag me from my unhappy thoughts. I don’t know if she just felt simply like singing or if she saw my mood reflected in my face, but without even glancing at me she began to sing. This was a faster happier melody somehow matching the pace Jaine had set. I took what she offered, and once again let my self be swept away with the song.  I looked over once to see her eyes riveted on Brad’s back, and felt my lips part in a smile of happiness. I could see the song effecting the others around us as they started to listen. Though most didn’t know the words, the elvish melody of young love was universal. Smiles were born, feet where lighter, and hearts seemed to grow stronger. Seeing all but Edriss I wondered if he heard the song, and if he was moved by it at all. He did not seem like the romantic type, and I laughed aloud as an image of Edriss in regal deep red blousy shirt and close fitting pants kneeling at the feet of a lady love reading her poetry from a scroll. As with most of Selura’s songs I let the words take me to where they would, but this time I placed Edriss’ dark face on the wooing lover in the song. I hadn’t felt this happy in weeks. I followed Selura as she worked her way towards the front, towards what looked to be her goal- the tall slender form of the high alder Brad. She stopped behind him continuing her song, patiently waiting. I saw again the change Selura’s music had on people as those around me seemed lifted. I looked in front of the column to the two dark figures walking along the roadway. Edriss and his new friend still flashing deadly blades, but I just smiled and went back to the daydream.  The ninja next to Edriss is suddenly whisked into the oak above. The line jolts to a holt, horses whiney, heads thrown back as reigns are yanked back. The harp sounds a horrible discordant note. A black ball of broken limbs is flung like a rag doll into the street with an empty spot where the head should have laid. A strange scaly beast drops from the air into the middle of the roadway. With serpent like eyes, and small fangs it issues forth a horrible deep growl. I have heard of such a beast, but my father spoke of it as a legend, a creature made up centuries ago to keep strangers out of the Druid’s Forest. Whether it was this beast of legend or not though, it’s scaly tail and razor teeth did damage as any real monster could. As me and my companions rush forward between the caravan and the beast its claws scrap the air above my head, as it’s mouth opens and sends a scorching ray of fire toward Jaine, Preston, and Mr. Miagi. As Arfin and Justice ran closer slashing it with blades and hammers, Edriss and I attack from the rear. The caravan and it’s leaders try to push animals and people back out of the way. The beast faced the sky letting loose a small roar as blood started dripping from the slight wounds Arfin and Justice were inflicting. Kareth bare hands flashing raced around them snapping bones and scales to give them more openings. Edriss’ bolts found weaknesses on it’s great belly sinking deep between hard scales. Seeing he was having more luck firing there I focused my attack along side his. I faltered once as the great tail snapped at Edriss. He fired the crossbow wildly, turning to leap over the spiked weapon. The creature changed attacks using claws and teeth to draw blood from those within his grasp. I was knocked down briefly thinking the beast had enough targets, not seeing until too late the sharp bone tips on it’s strange wings. Though none even scratched me the sheer force of the wind pushed me to my knees. I steady myself to one knee and continued to fire at any opening I saw. It tried to advance on the others behind us, but we seemed to be keeping it at bay. For some reason it seems a little uncoordinated on the ground, which helped us in quickly killing it. Finally it laid on the ground, we approached the carcass cautiously watching as the death twitching slowly stilled. I keep my bow ready as this is a strange creature. Selura motions me to its head and I spot a strange collar around its neck. “Someone thought they could tame this beast,” was all she said shaking her head. My only reply was a question of my own, “Why would someone keep such a pet as this?” “Where do ye think he came from?” asked the little dwarf busily prying off the jewel encrusted collar. I look to the sky and close my eyes as I let the wind tell me. “It was unsteady on the ground so it most likely came in on the west winds.If it left any tracks I should be able to follow it though.” Edriss immediately pips up that we should follow its tracks as best we can. In silent agreement, Justice quickly walks away to find Mr. Miagi. She tries to assure Mr. Miagi that we will meet up with them before they reach Thainsport; he nods gravely and later I learn gave his permission as a matter of honor. Brad goes over to look with wonder at the collar helping Arfin to chip the jewels away. I continue to walk around studying the carcass looking for weak points, for I think this is not the last we will see of these beasts. Justice walks back telling us for speed we will take the horses, she must know this will slow them down even more. The road slowly takes us from the dense, lively color of fall into the death and decay of a swamp. The soft mud shfts covering the tracks and making them harder to decipher, so I jump from my horse and lead him by the reigns. It seems the beast was too young to fly far, so it continually had to return to fleeing over land. Luckily for us, this meant it left deep clawed imprints for me to see.  With each step the mud gets slicker and pulls at my boots no matter how I try to find a better path. My horse cries out from behind me. I look back to find him already up to his belly in mud. He kicks trying to free himself, but with a sickening squish more of his flanks are lost in the mud. I quickly grab the bridal and attempt to calm him. Surprisingly, Edriss tosses the end of his rope to me while he ties the other end off to the horn of his saddle. My lighter weight lets me go around the horse so I wrap the rope around the horses belly. And I push, while everyone else pulls till finally he pops free and is soon on solid ground again. “That was too close,” since we now see no choice we leave the horses in a spot with some food and what looks to be no danger. Then we double back quickly, and though the markings are getting fainter I can still see some small signs. I feel Edriss grab my arm halting me, and the orc draws in his breath as we round a rotting tree twice the size his size. I look at Edriss, but he is staring ahead what I have begun to know as his death mask in place. Then I hear it, a faint rustling. We turn slowly toward the sound. A dark figure stands scant feet away errant lines of sunlight lighting his covered features. “Who are ye?” Asks the dwarf brandishing his axe. The figure moves forward lifting a mud covered hand in the sign of peace, “I am a talon for the king. My name is Arhconus.” At the last his hand pushes back his hood revealing a mud covered face. “I’m searching for a caravan.” Justice steps forward sword partially drawn, “And why are you searching for a caravan?” “I was sent to find it’s leader,” comes the calm voice. “Jaine,” comes the quite whisper from Selura. The mud man’s stark blue eyes quickly pierce Selura, “Where is the caravan?” “We can take you there, to them, but first we must do something. There is something plaguing these woods, we have seen it kill, but there may be more,” Justice interrupts. Brad looks to Justice worriedly. There is something more going on…something they know. He steps forward by Justice, “We can lead you straight to her, if you follow us now.” The figure stands silent for some moments and then finally simply states, “Yes.” Edriss motions me to start tracking again. I can hear in quiet whispers behind me Justice pelting Archonus with questions. He seems to give short answers concentrating in stead on the path we are leading him along. Talons are the King’s men, they follow a strict code of loyalty and law trained for combat and killing. I know with certainty that should his hand wash clean a strange tattoo would be found there. A tattoo all Talon’s are gifted with. Back home some whispered it give them special powers and binds them to their path, others just said it is simply to scare those into staying law abiding. I am just glad he is not focused on us, and perhaps he was sent to find Jaine when we did not return. I look up and see that I had led us to some sort of port. The shore line was a small bay with a small mountain across from us and tall wooden walls for surrounding defense on our side. Though the guards do not wear uniforms, they are definitely trained military. Archonus volunteers to investigate closer, but before he can even end his sentence Brad and Edriss stand beside him agreeing to join him. Though the new comers face remains blank, Edriss’ mouth curves into one of his smug smiles. As they slip away I see more of the flying beasts like the one we killed, though these are much larger and carry riders atop them. They also seem to have organized aerial warriors, as they roam in patterns above the mountain. Justice taps me on the shoulder and points toward the bay; calm waters leading out to calm sea nothing- With a spark and shimmer a three mast ship suddenly appears in the bay. I can not believe it, but when another strange ship appears at the same spot I know it is not just a quick trick of the eyes. There must be some portal like the one in Mr.Miagi’s encampment under the waves. Afrin grumbles, “Knew ‘e was no good” and points us to a ship docked at the port. Walking down the gang plank is the man from the tavern in Thainsport, John Darkson. He is still wearing the same clothing and the same naval commander’s sword. At the end of the ramp he stops and talks to a figure saluting him, so they must be an underling. They then walk off together, and as we study more of the camp from above the scout team returns. “There are too many, and no obvious way in,” was Archonus’s comments, while Edriss agreed he thought we should “get to Thanesport and report all we had seen.” I hang back for a few extra minutes to study this new enemy. I catch up to them quickly, my place in lead apparently easily taken over by Archonus. I spy something glinting far off to our left. I choose to remain silent watching it closely from the corner of my eye. It does not move and Arhconus seems to be leading us directly for it. Arfin exclaims suddenly, “What’s tha’?” Without a glance or a sound Archonus goes to investigate.  Following more slowly we gather round peering over his shoulder into some muddied water. As we stare looking at a dead body surrounded by shiny copper pieces under him, Edriss wades in to poke at the body. I feel something graze my foot, but when I look down I see only the normal underbrush. Then the vines at our feet start to rise up. One tendril quickly coils around Selura, trapping her arms and legs immobile. As I take a step forward I almost crash finding the vines have twisted around my ankles. I knock my bow and slowly pulling my feet from their grasp move toward Selura’s wiggling form. I see Arfin hammering something in the bog, and Selura is now completely covered by the vines. Not daring to shoot my bow and hit her inside, I take out my kukri and start to slice at the vines holding her. Furiously I hack away with my little knife knowing it will not be enough. I see the edge of Justice’s blade cut deep. Then it explodes from the inside. Selura stands two blades in hand a strange murderous glint in her eye. Mean time Arfin kills the head of the vine plant. Looking around I try to stifle a laugh, we are covered in goobs of green goo and a sticky white paste. I know I look horrible, but watching everyone’s reaction is priceless. Justice furiously wipes the slosh off her cloak and armor while Kareth running a large green finger through the substance on his shoulder and bringing it to his nose. I see Selura, Arfin, and Brad start to grin as well. How strange the things I find humor in now a days… Through the debris we find a bag of holding, more copper pieces and some horseshoes. Arfin after a quick scan can tell they have been empowered somehow, but not exactly with what. He can say they are not evil or bad, but not much else. The paladin knows her horse would love them, and so takes them without any of us protesting. We make our way back to our horses and then to the road as dusk settles. We know the caravan even at full march could not reach the city for another few days, and though it takes some convincing to get Archonus to not run off, we make a small camp and each sitting separately eat and sleep in peace. Justice again taking the first watch.</blockquote>

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