Midnight: A Lost Faith's Shadow. Book 1, The Awakening. Chapter 4, Pursuit

[maddmic]

Herger is visibly torn between his feelings and the wise words of Lodric.

He is giving thought to what Lodric said and is actually considering giving them his weapon. Then the elf speaks.....

The giant notices the change in the elfs face and his change in stance. The northman is unsure of what was said, but it is clear that the feral elf is readying himself for a conflict. Herger grips his greataxe and begins to search the trees for other arrows trained upon the group.

 

[Bobitron]

"STOP IT!"

Kaela's voice rings out through the tension, cutting through like a knife cuts butter.

"Why is it coming to this! Do we trust her to take our weapons? Does she trust us enough to allow us into the woods? She has no more reason to trust us than we do her. One of us must give. We are coming from a position where we need her help more than she needs us. Please, drop your weapons. If there is any hope that she can lead us to Aislinn, we must take it."

The slight girl steps in front of Valurel, facing him with pleading eyes. "Please."

 

[Toric_Arthendain]

Valurel relaxes his hostile stance slightly and looks up at Kaela. "There are things in these woods just as frightening as those that we have faced elsewhere, Kaela. Disarming only makes us more the fools that she claims we are. And she has told us nothing that might indicate that she knows anything about Aislinn's whereabouts. I'm through trusting those that wish to put us in a position of weakness without giving anything in return. You must understand my position. These are MY people treating us this way. I am bewildered and saddened. If this is what it has come to here, I will not allow them to take us without some assurances."

He stands up and steps to the side to where he can see the elf again, making an effort to compose himself before speaking. "You have likely heard what I just told my friend," he calls out. "I refuse to disarm and will not advise my friends to do so unless you offer us something in return. Bringing our weapons with us is not enough. I want to know what you know about Aislinn before I agree to turn myself over to your charge peacefully. I beg you, please tell us what you know of Elaurel and Aislinn. If you do so, I will disarm and come along peacefully. I do not want this to turn to violence any more than you do but I am through trusting those that wish to put us in a position of weakness without some offering in return."

He waits for the elf's response, arms hanging loosely at his sides, ready to take cover if things turn ugly.

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

Lodric carefully turns back to face the elf woman and the woods. He keeps his weight balanced upon the balls of his feet, ready to move quickly, while his eyes scan for others hidden in the trees.

 

[Bihlbo]

Still cowering behind the tree with his arms over his head, Mardo catches Kaela's eye and gives her a quick wink and a coy grin.

 

[Hrothgar]

OOC: Good roleplaying everyone! And sorry for the delay.

Frayed nerves and heated threats leave the Heroes in a rage. The female Elven warrior shows no sign of her resolve fading, her bow raised and trained on Herger. The wild Northman and Erenlander speak true, Giant. This wood is no longer sanctuary to those fleeing the Shadow. With Valurel's angry words, the Elf's beautiful, fey face controts angrily. So be it cousin, the Caraheen will bury you...

The intermittment groans that echoed throughout the ancient forest now seem concentrated around the Heroes. It is Mardo who first realizes what is happening, the flamboyant's Gnome's hands rests on a large oak. Mardo's coy expression turns to one of shock as the tree above him bends low, its wood groaning horribly. The other trees surrounding the Heroes shake and rustle, showering leaves on the Heroes as their boughs twist and bend, long branches hovering threateningly above the Heroes.

Kaela's angry words cut through the forest, even halting the advance of the encroaching forest. The Elf's bow is still drawn and trained on Herger, but she aims at her Erunsil cousin when he speaks. The woman speaks wise words, and I will barter information with you, Cousin, for you and your cohorts disarming and accompanying my force as prisoners.

The Elven warrior's eyes are focused entirely on Valurel, her bow trained on the Ghost's chest. Her speech is emotionless, cold. The Whisper first told us of an unknown force that penetrated Erethor two weeks ago. They struck where our scouts were not - they obviously knew where to slip into the Caraheen without encountering Elvish resistance. We mobilized quickly, sought aid from our allies, but we were not fast enough. They followed the ancient ways and stayed ahead of our efforts before disappearing into the Darkening Wood where even Elves dare not tread. She quivers with rage as she continues. Then came the Widowmaker, Thune. One of the few non-Elves that can hear the Whisper. He is nigh uncatchable and on the trail of those that you pursue.

As for the girl...she is dead. The Whisper told us so.

Now the Elven warrior's eyes survey the entire group. Now you know everything I know. If you wish to add your story to that already told, drop your weapons and follow me. Others will want to hear your story as well.

 

[Krug]

Starhl gasps when he hears the warrior say the girl is dead. "How do you know? I demand proof!!" He shouts in anger.

 

[Toric_Arthendain]

"The Whisper is their only proof, Starhl," Valurel says without taking his eyes off the elf with her bow trained on him. "The only way we will get more answers is to comply with her."

Valurel, his face expressionless, his emotions held firmly in check, tosses his bow in front of him, followed by his meager supply of arrows.

 

[Bihlbo]

Seeing things calm down, and recognizing the power the elves have over the group no matter who is armed with what, Mardo stands and moves closer to the others.

Upon hearing the news he says, "What is the point in continuing this pursuit if the girl is dead already?"

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

Lodric looks over at Mardo, "'The Whisper says she is dead'" I don't have any idea who this Whisper is. Perhaps he or she just wants us to believe Aislinn is dead so we will no longer pursue her. Maybe this Whisper is working with those elves with Fallax. I need more before I am convinced she is gone and there is no reason to go on."

ooc: I understand that The Whisper is a magical "spirit of the forest" that speaks to some of the elves of events happening within Erethor, but Lodric has no knowledge of any of this.