Midnight: A Lost Faith's Shadow. Book 1, The Awakening. Chapter 1, The Charge

[Toric_Arthendain]

Valurel turns to his companions. "Someone here not long ago. Boot tracks," he points at the depressions in the earth. "Smell something too," he says, sniffing the air again.

When he notices the old man and the little elf climbing the slope, he continues to sniff the air, trying to discern if those are the unwashed ones that he smelled a few moments earlier. He remains in a defensive crouch as the approach.

 

[Bobitron]

"Me can't wait to test blade against orc," says Starhl to Kaela, flashing a brief smile.

Kaela returns the smile. "If I were only strong enough to wield it..." Those who know her find the statement strangely out of place on her lips. Her nature has always been a tender one.

When she notices the new arrivals, she grabs Aislinn's hand tightly and pulls her close, standing behind Reznik for protection.

 

[Krug]

Starhl

"Who be new people?" says Starhl, putting away his sword. He eyes them suspiciously.

 

[elapse]

Newcomers...

Reznik
Reznik shrugs to Starhl's words almost wishing it was orcs. He stands with his companions as they watch the old man and small creature approach, but unlike the fighter he keeps his blades in his hands.

"I hope you are correct, Jon. Perhaps you should hail them." Reznik says to his companion.

 

[Hrothgar]

Valurel's nose wrinkles as the wind rushes up the hill carrying the old man's scent. The old man seems bent on rushing up the hill in a frenzied haste, not paying attention to his surroundings. Reaching the lip of the cave, he glances up to meet the gaze of the Heroes, and slides down several feet in the damp moss as he raises his skinny, mud covered arms protectively over his face. Aieee! His agents have found me!

 

[Dirigible]

Jon Rane

"Well, there's only one way to find out...' Jon sets off down the slope, his sore limbs jerking like a manic marionette. When he's about half way down, the old man's shriek splits the air, making him hesitate. He eyes hte old man and the diminutive creature warily, but then remembers that the ally-to-bastard ratio is well in his favour.

"Hello!Hail! Stay your fear, old fellow. We're no men of the Shadow..." Jon pauses, realising that the man was speaking his native tongue. I've been speaking Norther so long, I must be muddled... he thinks ruefully. "We're not friends of the Demon King, old man! You're safe!"

Jon slows to a careful walk, arms slightly spread, smiling as warmly as he can.

 

[Micar Sin]

Morn quickly stepped back against the wall, gripping his sepi as he eyed the bedraggled group before him..."Calm yourself Fallax...I've rarely seen agents of the shadow who looked quite so....haggard..." Morn turned to the group before him "I assume you are refugees from Caft seeking sanctuary in this place, correct?"

 

[Hrothgar]

The old man called Fallax seems to gain a measure of bravery at Jon's words. Slowly climbing the last few feet, Fallax edges cautiously into the cave, his apprehensive gaze on the armed Heroes. He glances quickly over the debris and ancient artifacts stacked around the cave entrance before turning back to the Heroes. Where did you come from? And what do you want with my treasures?

 

[Dirigible]

Jon Rane

Jon looks the two of them up and down, pursing his lips slightly. "You're no vision of beuaty yourself, my fine fey friend." He nods at Micar's words, and responds with a mild lie. "Yes, we're from Caft... escaped there not long before the orcs came." He glances at his colleagues, not sure if he canbluff any details that are called for, and glosses over the fact. "And we have no interest in your treasures, old man."

Alright, now that was a complete lie.

Jon Rane grins a little broader.

 

[Bobitron]

Kaela stays quiet, peeking out from behind Reznik's back.