A new beginning..

[Moridanu]

*The amber leaves of the ancient trees surrounding her rustled as the cool breeze blew in from the North. Moridanu tilted her head slightly, listening to their song and grateful that for the first time since the war began, the breeze did not bring with it the stench of death. She wrapped her arms around her lithe frame as she stood under a large maple tree overlooking the small village that was now all that remained of her former kingdom.


Terrance had scouted the site, and he had done a good job with choosing a spot that met their current needs. The area was surrounded by tall mountains and large shady trees that provided a sense of protection and peace. The one entry way through two tall mountains was easily guarded by two guard towers currently being built out of sharp spikes and tree branches. A handful of able bodied men and their almost grown sons were splitting tree trunks as she watched, using two sharp axes she had managed to acquire from a travelling salesman a few days ago. These two tools, so necessary for their daily survival, were two of only a handful of tools she and Terrance had managed to scavenge recently. A few hoes, a wheelbarrow and a hammer and box of nails had been all that they could find, but these few items had made a major difference to the beginning stages of early life she was now witnessing sprouting up in the site of the new village. A few farms were being worked in a far corner of the land, nearest the bubbling brook with its fresh cool water and supply of jumping fish. A large shelter (at first the only building to house the survivors) was being reinforced in the centre of the village, destined to become a communal hall of sorts once the village was fully established. Scattered tents and makeshift cabins had been erected near the farms, creating a close community of housing for the handful of surviving families that had made the trek with Moridanu to this new home.


As the sun was just beginning to set, a dark shadow was slowly creeping over the trees but would soon engulf the village in darkness. As she watched, torches were lit in strategic places around the camp, and Moridanu smiled as she hugged herself and watched the villagers pack up their tools and call it a day. Two of the youngest boys peeled away from the group to stop off at a large clearing, where Terrance was busy training the most physically fit of the men and teenagers in physical combat. The sound of blades hitting metal rang out from the clearing, before silence settled upon the forest as Terrance ended the lesson with a quick summary before sending the men on their way. Moridanu gathered her skirts around her and prepared to go and join him in the clearing, but was distracted by a gentle but distinct humming followed by a soft vibration on her chest. Reaching down, she pulled out the long golden chain that hung down between her cleavage, retrieving the large oval locket which hung on the end. At the thought of talking to Crowe, Moridanu paused to take a deep breath, running a shaky hand through her auburn curls before clicking the clasp open to reveal an oval mirror inside.


There, just as she had known they would be, were a pair of worried dark eyes almost hidden by a shock of dark feathered hair. Her own emerald eyes lit up when she saw him, and she smiled into the mirror. His lips were reflected back at her and she hoped that she would see them curve into a smile also.

~Crowe! It does m’heart good to see ye! Pray tell, is there any news? The most recent caravan arrived this morning, thank ye for the supplies! The injured parties have been taken to the hospital tent, I am set to go and visit them shortly…~ she trailed off, looking at him expectantly as she waited to hear his latest message.*

[Talisen Phoenix]

With fresh eyes Talisen watched the small creature’s chest rise and fall gently and rhythmically. It was all he could do it seemed. Talisen placed a hand on Camus Chest, Hoping the Faun would react to his touch, to move, to smile. But there was nothing left of Camus, he was an empty husk, and all he could do was sleep.

‘Camus please wake up’

He pleaded quietly, but the Faun continued to sleep, breathing gently. A week after they’d arrived from Yellederia, Camus had stopped breathing. If wasn’t for the little Gnome who took care of the Infirmary, he surely would have died. Talisen smiled as the Gnome rushed by, she stopped to check on the Faun, opening each eyelid and opening the Fauns mouth.

‘It’s not impossible of course; people wake up from comas all the time. Perhaps he just needs a good sleep’.

Talisen smiled; the few survivors who had known Talisen before no longer recongised him. They expected Talisen, a tall human with broad shoulders. Now, he was little more than a child. Not human at all. His long pointed ears were a constant reminder of his reborn race. Talisen had no idea how or why he was reborn an Elven child, all he knew was that Camus struggled to recreate a body and used what he could of his surroundings, the Elven nation of Yellederia. Talisen looked down at his small body and sighed deeply; his long black hair was still dead straight and traveled down his back. His face wasn’t scarred anymore, but his eyes were still twin pools of the blackest ebony. He wore a navy blue sleeveless tunic and leather pants; he’d got from the elves.

Talisen said goodbye to Camus and headed out of the Infirmary into the chill air. Bendelsain was cold in the winter, but even in autumn the cold felt far worse up in the mountains. Talisen drew his arms around his chest and shivered as he made his way to his small one manned tent. Talisen felt lost without his school, his pupils, most of them probably would have died. He wondered if his betrayer was still slithering around Kendelah, serving her master Lucien. Talisen felt a fresh wave erupt from him. Air around his shimmered as his body produced heat. As Talisen crossed a fresh path towards his tent, he could see a horse drawn carriage rolling towards them from beyond the guard towers. Talisen hurried towards them. The Guardsmen had their arrows pointed at the cart, but Talisen waved them away. The carriage had no passengers.

‘It’s ok, another shipment from Yellederia!’

Talisen stroked the horses muzzle and spoke gently to horse. Several of the surviving women came to meet the shipment.

‘Ladies, the latest shipment from our allies in Yellederia, I think you’ll find it’s silk, leathers and furs. We’ll have to get to work fashioning some winter cloaks’.

He smiled warmly but the women looked at him warily. They weren’t sure what to make of the little elf. Talisen looked around at all the trees that surrounded the village. It was time he crafted a new staff.

[sabis]

'Sabis arrives at the end of the caravan. The ranger is old beyond mortality, and secretive beyond paranoia to most people. But this place, his home for the last years, the longest time he has spent in any place in nearly a millenia, he walks freely. He lowers his hood as soon as he enters the secluded spot, showing his face openly, a face that hasn't aged a day, or shown a scar from any of the War's battles, not even from the blast in his attempt to rescue Talisen.'

'He helps afew packages get unloaded, basic supplies such as food and medicine, then moves on to see to that upgrading communal hall. He helped build the original structure, showed the refugees how to build the simple yet sturdy mead hall building of his original Nordic origin, a building that would withstand storms and rain and wind with ease while sheltering hundreds, even thousands of large enough. He's no engineer, but he knows the mead hall structure well, and he checks in frequently while home to be sure they don't collapse the old walls.'

'With that out of the way, he goes to check with the woodsmen. Most of the grown men he counts among his fellows as men of the woods are too old to train as rangers, but some of the boys, even a young girl or two, in the village, some as young as 12, show talent in the art. His goal is to find an apprentice, maybe afew, that he can teach the fine arts he knows.'

'Once all his various errands are completed, he heads off to find the Queen. He's been gone for over a week to escort the caravan, and he needs to get an update on things.'

[Nakodai]

Nakodai's golden eyes snapped open, pupils constricting against the fading light that filtered through the canopy of autumn leaves overhead. She rolled over and stretched; fingers gently kneading the soft grass where she lay, her tail flicking languidly behind her. She missed this. She'd been asleep for so long, unable to smell the heady scent of the earth, to hear the melody of the wind as it whispered through the trees...

Glancing over her shoulder, she spied the hospital tent a few yards away and sighed. She'd slipped out the moment they left her alone. It made her uncomfortable, the way they fussed over her. Didn't they know what she was? Her kind had destroyed their kingdom, slaughtered their loved ones. Brought them more pain and sorrow than they should have ever known.

Yet they watched over her body as it lay dormant, vulnerable while it worked to heal the damage wrought upon it. And when she finally woke, thrashing against the heavy white sheets, pure panic etched into her features, they did not flinch. Safe, they'd said. It was the only word she'd understood at first.

And then they'd brought her here.

Her tunic, the only clothing she'd worn for nearly two centuries had been unsalvagable even to her capable hands. One of the younger soldiers had managed to find her a loose linen shirt and a pair of tan breeches, which she now wore. Before the caravan had left they'd offered her a heavy cloak as well, but she merely shook her head. Her blood ran hot, hotter by far than any human's, and it would keep her warm enough. Besides, there were countless others among them that would need the protection against the harsh chill of the coming months.

With a flick of her ear and a last look towards the rapidly darkening sky she stood, her dark hair tumbling over her shoulders in thick waves as she bent to brush the dirt from her knees. The Queen was set to pay the newly arrived a visit this evening, and she supposed she ought to get back before anyone noticed her abscence.

[Moridanu]

(( Transcript of LIVE RP CHAT (!!!!!!! ) ))

*The sun had finally retired for the evening, succumbing to the persistent full moon which now hung heavy and golden in the ever darkening sky. The trees of the surrounding forest were reduced to dim shadowy silhouettes against the indigo tinged clouds which appeared to be an ever present fixture in Morthika since the war had begun. Moridanu cast a worried glance up at the sky as she snapped her locket shut. Her brief discussion with Crowe had been cut short due to the arrival of some wounded soldiers at his battlement and she had been unable to relieve her anxiety through the brief exchange. Although they were connected by an unbreakable bond, Moridanu had never felt more separated from Crowe than she did at this moment. He was preoccupied, caught up in the throes of being so deeply immersed in the battleground that he had shown little interest in her fledgling village as she had tried to tell him of their latest achievements. The warrior essence that was such a core component of her soul was all but screaming at her that she should be there herself, fighting alongside her soldiers and turning the tide of war back in their favour, however as she walked slowly down the hill towards the softly burning lights of the village, she knew that this was where she should be. Heaving a deep sigh, Moridanu stepped lightly through the forest, making little noise as she made her way through the dark trees. She instantly became aware of at least one other presence and her shoulders tensed despite her instincts telling her that her visitor was friend and not foe. Instinctively, she reached down for the silver dagger that was tucked into the top of one calf skin boot.*

Would be a shame to bloody your dagger, oh Queen, on one whome it would not even kill, especially one of your closest allies... 'Sabis. The Ranger. The Old Man. He has many names, but few know the truth of him. Moridanu learned long ago of the details of the Immortal he is, back during the War. He's been one of the chief scouts and worked closely with many aspects of the village from its inception. But beyond that, he's also been scout, messenger, and spy, not only personaly carrying the Queen's messages to Crowe, but also sneaking in and out of the countryside around the occupied capital. Beyond that, however, he's had the courage, or more likely insanity, to sneak into Bendelsain itself more then once. But now his dark blue eyes swirl within like ocean seas during a storm with his latest intelligence reports.' Especially since I have news


*At the sound of his familiar voice, Moridanu let out the breath that she had not realised she had been holding and turned to look at the face of the old man who had become one of her strongest allies in this torturous war. ~Sabis..~ she smiled, releasing her hold on her dagger and straightening up. Her emerald orbs found his dark blue eyes and her smile broadened. ~It does m’heart good to see ye have returned. Pray tell, what be this news that ye speak of? I just finished speaking with Crowe and it saddens me to see more injured soldiers arriving daily…~ she trailed off as the smile slipped from her lips. ~I pray ye have happy news? she asked, somewhat hopefully. *

Rumors and the usual spying reports. Lucien still has yet to expand his territorial control around the city, even his furthest abroad scouts stay within arrowshot of the walls. And as per usual of demons, kill one or two in the right locations and slipping into the city was easy enough. 'He speaks casually, his deep accent Norse in nature. He crosses his arms as he steps in closer, close enough that they can speak comfortably without having to raise voices any. He also enjoys looking out over these woods, the wilderness good for his own heart.' Easier then usual, actually. I got far enough into the city to get beyond guards and into the palace itself. He's planning something, though I couldn't get to a position to find out any specifics. Only rumors. Though some rumors were more interesting then others. Lucien hasn't left the palace grounds since the invasion, apperantly he's had some powerful wards placed there to keep extra-planar beings out, and from what I heard, he did this from fear of someone.


*Moridanu listened eagerly for any news of Bendelsain, though when Sabis spoke of entering her beloved Kendelah, her breath caught in her throat and she felt her eyes misting up. She missed her childhood home so much that her heart ached at the thought of Lucien and his evil darkness staining the happy memories she had created there with Crowe. Sabis himself knew the inner workings of the palace, given his time there during her coronation, and she nodded as he spoke, listening carefully. Arching a brow at his latest statement, she murmured ~ He is fearing a visit?~ she chewed on her bottom lip thoughtfully. ~I would love nothing more than t’march in there and demand m’kingdom back, however the reality is I have no army t’do so. Ye were there Sabis! Ye know how badly we were defeated.. and that was when we were at full strength..~ she turned from him and began her custom of pacing while she thought out loud. ~Lucien knows this! There is no reason he could be fearing a visit from me…. so then.. who could he be fearing??!~*


I didn't get much on that. 'He grins a little to himself. Demons have always been a poor lot for HOLDING territory. They make great shock troops, as do orcs, goblins, and all the other vermin races, taking territory through numbers and brute force. Bu they just simply don't have the stability to hold on.' Their numbers are dwindling. Not very quickly mind you, but several of his army die every day due to in-fighting. As for visits, I managed to get a rumor out of one orc, a sergeant I believe, and apperantly someone from another plane had a stake in our battle there. I was able to get little from him, but my inquiries with a remaining contact on Celestis proved fruitful. It seems one of theirs, a Celestial, that is, had a son that died in the battle, a paladin. Seems our Celestial appeared after the battle and left with abit of a threat. But enough of rumors and speculation, intelligence hasn't changed much. His fortifications are still crude and minimal, his troops still undisciplined. If I could make contact with the dwarves that sent those troops into the first battle, I think we would have the forces to take back the kingdom.

(( To be continued.... ))

[Moridanu]

(( After an incredibly enjoyable last few hours in the chat, here is the transcript of the first LIVE GROUP RP in the chat for many years. We actually got to have all the main players in the War in one place and enjoyed ourselves immensely. That said, we havent Live RPed forever, so there are many one liners and typos.. LOL.. But shit.. we had fun! For anyone who cares.. and just cause I said I would... here is the transcript. I suppose it IS kinda important as it leads into two new subplots to be explored. OH.. and yeah..looking for players to play Dwarfs so if youre interested in being one, let us know.. LoL..

Oh and to Sabis, Gilligan and BB... THANKS BOYS!! xoxoxxoxo ))

[Moridanu]
*Appearing quietly just outside the tavern door, Moridanu cast a quick anxious glance around the dark street before rapping her knuckles six times against the heavy oak door. She heard the sound of the peep hole being opened before several locks slid back and the door was opened by an old man with a hunched back. He smiled wearily before bowing down even lower ~My Queen..~ he sighed, before moving aside to allow her entry. ~Many thanks Benovalin..~ she smiled, while sweeping inside the tavern. The boarded up windows meant that the place had a distinctly musky smell to it, but the place still felt safe and familiar to her. She waited for Benovalin to slide the locks back into place before she followed him over to the bar. A few candles burnt low, strategically placed around the tavern to allow just enough light to see by, but not enough light to shine out through any cracks in the boarded up windows. For all extensive purposes, the tavern appeared deserted from the outside. The tavern trade that Benovalin ( a loyal servant to the Rebel faction) mainly dealt with now involved supplying ale and whiskey to the battle weary troops at Crowes battlement. When needed though, the tavern provided a safe haven for Moridanu and Crowe to meet, and she almost skipped to the bar at the thought of seeing Crowe again. ~I take it he hasn’t arrived yet?~ she asked Benovalin as she slid onto her usual stool and the old man shook his head. ~Nay, Master sent word he may be late..~ He bent down and retrieved her favourite goblet, filled to the brim with dark stout. ~Your drink, My Queen..~*


[Crowe]
'Afew minutes later, wrapped in a black cloak, long, broad bladed sword across his black, the general knocks at the door. His body mass is hidden well by the large cape and hood, but definitely the warrior type, the door is opened and with a nod he is allowed in. He pulls the hood down and straightens his hair slightly. He slides right up to the bar by his Queen, excited to see her, but hiding it, and hiding it well even.' M'lady. Does me good to know you made it here, though it was dangerous of you to come. The demon patrols are thin, but as I'm sure our green-cloaked friend told you they are still in heavy control of the territory. If you were hurt just to see me....


[Moridanu]
*Her heart leapt as she heard him enter, swivelling in her seat to watch him approach. With nobody else here to impress with her apparent “Queenly” disposition, she could forget what was expected of a Lady and threw her arms around him. Holding him close, she nodded and rolled her eyes as she pulled away enough to smile up at him. ~Yes.. yes.. I know it be dangerous.. isn’t it always? But I had to see ye! It has been far too long! Here..~ she pulled a stool out for him and shrugged her way out of her own cloak revealing her soft brown pants and pale green tunic which matched her glowing emerald orbs perfectly. ~Have a seat..~ Benovalin presented Crowe with his drink and then shuffled away, discreetly leaving them both to talk in private*


[Crowe]
'He sighs. He is born to defend her, it is not jut his mission, not just his purpose, but his passion. He slips off his cloak as well, wearing the lighter of his two armors, a shirt of light but strong chainmail over his customary blackened tunic and pants, lightweight and made for ease of movement with sturdy boots. He nods to the tender and picks up his drink as he sits, taking a sip.' Yes my Queen. How fares your new home?


[Moridanu]
*She sipped her drink and smiled as he asked about her new home. ~I pray that one day soon ye may come and see it for ye’self. It is simple, yet quaint. The people are working hard to make it a home, and Terrance is working hard to train the few able men we have left to become soldiers. We just need more weapons… Thank ye for the supplies ye have sent. Sabis accompanied the last caravan with the injured and the animal pelts. I have housed the injured in the infirmary and intend to visit them soon… while a wonderful woman who is a talented seamstress has already begun to make winter furs from the pelts.~ she paused long enough to take another sip. ~In a short time, it is already becoming home. We have a few farms going now, so if ye find any goats or cows along the way, please send them down..~ she giggled at the thought of a cow being loaded up into the caravan. ~ How do things fare at the battlement?~ *


[Crowe]
We have shortages, of course. Men, arms, armor, training. Sleep. But we are holding. It isn't easy, but it keeps their attention on us, where we are fortified and ready to fight. That ranger said he's looking for candidates among your people to train as scouts for me, and if they become as skilled as he, they would prove useful. I still don't understand why he stays on, but I am greateful.


[Sabis]
'He followed the Queen. He is much like Crowe in his thinking her wandering around unescorted is not only dangerous, but simply absurd, but unlike Crowe, instead of protesting, the wiley old man shadowed her. Having figured out not long after the battle a way to mask his massive aura, it's much easier for him to get around these lands now without being detected. But he's patient, and knows showing up immediatly would give him away for what he did, so he waits in the crook of a tree branch about a quarter mile down the road, pefectly hidden amongst the leaves.'


[Moridanu] *She nodded. ~Aye, Sabis has proved a trusted and reliable ally. I am truly grateful for his continued assistance and support. Before I left to meet ye this eve, he was debriefing me on his latest jaunt to Kendelah.. ~ at the mention of her former home, her emerald eyes misted up and she couldn’t help but offer a slight sniff as she briefly wiped her eyes before raising her goblet to her lips once more. Draining her drink in two long gulps she held the goblet up and Benovalin appeared from the shadows. He took the goblet silently and refilled it quickly, placing it back in front of her before looking questioningly at Crowe and indicating his glass as Moridanu continued. ~ Apparently a Celestial has expressed an interest in what is happening on this plane, though I can not think who he may mean. Can ye?~*


Demon_Auditor
In a dark corner of the tavern, one of the candles flickers. The flame extinguishes itself without even the whiser of wind and the corner becomes pitch black. The Demon Auditor steps from the shadows and flaps his coat about himself as if fanning away smoke.:: Sheesh....haven't done that in awhile... ::He looks around and spots Mori and Crowe, then strolls on over like it's just the most natural thing in the world, and grins broadly.:: So this is where you two have been meeting up!


[Crowe]
A Celestial? I've never met one to my knowledge. They can be flighty sometimes, but usually they are very strict, very orderly, and very arrogant. If one has taken an interest in our home, we have gained a VERY powerful ally. If can make contact with it, or with any of the other potentially affected people in the realms, we might be able to hold Lucien where he is until his forces fall apart on their own.


[Talisen]
Talisen could see the Queen high above him, along a rocky outpost. He felt a new surge of remorse and shame. He looked down at his small body and sighed sadly. People treated him differently now, they were scared of him, scared for him. And he hadn’t had a chance to speak to the Queen yet, not properly. He makes his trek towards the Queen, climbing the steep and freshly crafted path.


[Moridanu]
*She nodded thoughtfully. ~Aye but how can we make contact?~ she asked before taking another sip of her drink. Choking on the dark liquid as Terrance popped into being in one dark corner, her eyes widened and a huge grin formed on her lips as he strode over towards them. ~M’love!~ she cried. ~Aye, we finally found a time where we were both free for a debrief in person. I would have invited ye, but ye were still busy training the men when I left..~ she rose from her stool and was in front of him in one stride. Reaching up with one arm, she gently stroked the hair at the nape of his neck, before pulling his head closer to hers. Kissing him briefly, she let him go regretfully and re took her seat, mindful of Crowe’s eyes upon them. Blushing slightly, she raised her hand and the barkeep shuffled forward. He bowed to Terrance and waited expectantly for his order.*


[Sabis]
'Noting all the new visitors, the old man decides now would be a good time to slip in. As usual for him, he can't just walk up to a door. It takes him an extra two or three minutes, but he manages to slip up to the door without once being outside the shadows and their security. A knock at the door, learned by watching the others, gets him entrance and he pulls his own hood down upon stepping inside, moving up to the bar himself.' Well well, I suppose we have the whole chain of command here tonight...


[Talisen]
Talisen had no need for a hood anymore, so few people recognized him anymore, but he knew that his friends would, whatever the case. Talisen made his way through the new tavern entrance; he sniffed the air, enjoying the smell of fresh wood. His dark black eyes scanned his surroundings, no hint of white in the twin black pools. He noticed his friends sitting together and moved to join them.

Demon_Auditor
Demon_Auditor licks his lips after the kiss and can't stop grinning. "Sorry," he replies lamely. He strides to the bar and claps Crowe on the back, "What's shaking, Crowe?" He shrugs at the barkeep and waves a hand,"Nothing for me." And then a look at the door when Sabis enters. "Good grief! You said it. We ought to rename this the Chain of Command Tavern!"


[Crowe]
'He hides his internal wounds well, not showing his hurt. He does nod to his fellow general though, a greeting of respect for his warrior prowess.' I don't know. I don't know anyone from that plane, or how to get hold of anyone there. Or even if we should. Celestials NEVER have the interests of our plane at heart, they fight the demons and devils religiously, but we are usually meaningless to them. I can understand wanting to fight Lucien of course, but why not bring their own War already? Why just one of them... 'He spots the ranger as well and nods to him, having seen him only days before.'


[Talisen]
‘Celestials can be tricky. You have to be careful, there’s more than one heaven and thousands of afterlives to choose from. They’re not all golden and glowing, some are downright nasty’. Talisen nodded, sliding himself into the conversation, he smiled at Mori self consciously. He waved down the barman, but he was overlooked, again. They thought he was too young. Talisen sighed.


[Moridanu]
*She grinned at Tallisen, racing over to hug him before hugging Sabis as well. She knows that the old ranger is probably not accustomed to being hugged so frequently by his Queen, but her joy at having all of her team together in the one place again, combined with the alcohol she was quickly consuming meant that she was in a very happy, huggy mood right now. She bounced back to her stool , scooting it a bit closer to Terrance and allowing room for Sabis and Tallisen to join them at the bar. Benovalin set about getting drinks and when everyone was served he disappeared again. She turned her attention back to the conversation, nodding thoughtfully at the mention of the Celestial. ~Aye, the little interaction I have had with one in the past showed me that their motives are usually self gratifiying. Sabis, did ye not mention that perhaps their son had died during the war?~*

Demon Auditor
Demon_Auditor takes a seat on the other side of Mori and adjusts his coat around himself. "Feel like I haven't worn this thing in ages..." he mutters to himself. He listens to the conversation idly for a moment and gives a questioning look. "Good grief...sounds like more trouble than it's worth." He gives Talisen a strange look, then waves down the barman properly, "Whatever he's having," he gestures.


[Sabis]
Celestials can be as useful as they are troublesome though. This one must be powerful, that's for certain. He was able to appear, in the throne room, before Lucien himself, right through his early wards. Do any of you remember a human paladin in the battle, not one of yours? Seems this Celestial of ours was his father, and THAT is why he's suddenly itnerested. The boy didn't survive the battle.


[Moridanu]
*She noticed Terrance ensure that Tallisen received his drink and she snuggled closer to him, smiling her thanks before she turned her attention back to the conversation. ~There were so many souls involved in the war I did not notice one Paladin from another…. perhaps we shall just have to wait to see if this Celestial chooses to appear to us? If they decided to appear to Lucien first however, what does that tell us regarding their intentions?!~*


[Talisen]
‘Then we may have a problem, Celestials have trouble seeing grays. For all we know, he may blame his offspring’s death on us’. Talisen gave the Demon Auditor a knowing smile and holds his drink happily. ‘Thank you Keeper – sorry Auditor, a lot has changed since my death it seems’. Talisen smiles warmly and turns back to his drink. ‘We still have those damnable Harpies to deal with, I may have to trouble to Crowe’s battlement to further the protective charms that Miss Ondessa set up, as well as our own’.


[Crowe]
I didn't pay attention to every individual warrior that came through. We had many come, and most died. If a Celestial lost a child in the battle... That WOULD explain alot. He's likely not allowed to interfere directly, not without cause. This IS still our war. Revenge is often not something they are allowed to take just because they want to. Something restrains him, perhaps as long as we can still win this, he can't join the battle.

Demon Auditor
Demon_Auditor gives out a low whistle, "So he's after revenge... Wonderful," he groans. Yeah, he's feeling quite useful right now. He gives Talisen a pat on the back, nodding, "Yep, so to speak." He rifles about in his coat and produces a pipe. He flicks his fingers to light it and takes a drag, wrapping an arm around Mori's shoulders lazily.


[Moridanu]
*Sighing at the thought of another hassel in this ongoing war, Moridanu drained her drink. ~Fantastic, just what we need.. another headache..~ The feel of that familar arm around her shoulder felt heavenly and she sighed happily as she leant back against him, breathing in the smell of his pipe and enjoying the company of these men who had become her strongest allies and most trusted friends. ~ This is so nice boys.. I have missed these times..~*


[Sabis]
Revenge is a powerful motivator. My contacts on Celestis are trying to find him but it will take time. And you're right, Crowe. They are usually tied up in their own rules and traditions, but I think thi one broke those, severely, just in appearing before Lucien. And he IS a powerful one. I found out from my source, an orc I... "questioned", that the spot he appeared has remained clean, protected, and uncorrupted since his deperature, despite the damage done around it.


[Talisen]
‘If this Celestial, is stationed around Kendelah, perhaps we should send Oona Ondessa after him? I’ve spoken on briefly to her, but she seems troubled by young Camus’ sacrifice. What do you say your highness? Do we wait for his move or do we act before he has a chance’? Talisen says warily, shifting his gaze between his fellow Generals’.


[Crowe]
I don't believe he IS stationed here then. If he were, he'd probably be here now, with us, or fighting Lucien on his own. If this were his territory, he'd be actively striking down demons left and right. But he's not. So for now we have to assume we can't count on him.


Demon Auditor
Demon_Auditor rubs his chin as he balances his pipe with his teeth, then takes it out and blows a smoke ring to one side. "I say we just let this Celestial come to us. If he's even still interested. The last thing we need is a loose cannon; we've had enough of those, and they all ended poorly." So basically he agrees with Crowe. Imagine that. He sucks on his pipe some more as he listens.


[Moridanu]
*Moridanu nodded at Talisen ~ I am not sure Tal.. Sabis is of the impression that things might not be as dire as we thought. The demon horde Lucien has used to claim Kendelah for his own seem to be killing each other off with in fighting and such... ~ She sighed wearily and looked over to Crowe. ~ All I do know is that we do not have the troops or the weapons to launch another attack. I do not want to wait for the Celestial to make a move.. I am sick of waiting on others to decide the fate of my Kingdom.. but can we act now ourselves? The answer is sadly no..~ She shrugged. ~I have not spoken with Oona in many moons.. Do ye think she would be willing to act on our behalf?~ she trails off as Terrance offers his two cents, nodding as he speaks. ~Aye, perhaps that would be the best plan of attack.. I do not know..~ she rubs her temples*


[Talisen]
‘I disagree with The Auditor and Crowe, I think we should track him down, force him to acknowledge his allegiances, but as always, it’s your call Moridanu. The decision falls to you’ Talisen said solemnly, watching the Queens expression carefully. ‘Goblins, Orc’s and Demons have fought and killed each other since the dawn of time, it doesn’t mean we can count on them killing each other, Lucien’s armies are vast. Oona will do what she’s asked of, I’m sure of that, she still fights under the Morthikan Banner’.


[Sabis]
Dwarves. 'The word comes out of him calmly, collectedly. And seemingly at random as Mori talks about weapons and troops.' I know from what I found right after the battle that there ARE dwarves here in this region somewhere. They sent just over three hundred troops to ambush the demons right outside the gate, and not all of them died. My vote lies in patience and alliance building. Defend ourselves, keep the demons' focus on the fortifcations, and try to grow our army through allies. The dwarven force was well equipped, well enough to to lose two hundred, even three hundred, would not have been a heavy blow. And we all know how well the produce arms and armor.


[Moridanu]
*Moridanu sipped her drink slowly, listening to the battle savvy men around her discuss this latest development. The mention of the Dwarven army caused her to arch a slender amber brow at Crowe, before she reached over for Terrance's pipe. ~Give me a toke m'love?~ she grinned evily*


[Crowe]
'He nods to Sabis, and bows to Mori as he stands.' Troops and weapons ARE what we need. But I don't TRUST outsiders. Not very quickly anyway. 'His eyes somehow purposely avoid both Terrance AND Sabis as he comments there, and he pulls his cloak back on.' I'm sure by now my men need me. I'll continue to fight the battles as long as it takes, as long as we win the greater War. 'He heads out the door after that, making his way back to base.'


[Talisen]
‘The Dwarves? Are you certain? We never realised there was a city of Gnomes under Kendelah, that was destroyed during the attack, there’s only a handful left, of thousands.’ Talisen said grimly, thinking of Sim and Dara the woman who ran the Infirmary. ‘How was the Dwarven citadel spared?


Demon Auditor
Demon Auditor shrugs and lends Mori his pipe, "It's just some tobacco. We get plenty from the caravans." He nods as the conversation turns to more favorable choices. "Dwarves would be strong allies indeed. I don't mind if Oona wants to go find the Celestial, that way we don't spread our forces too thin. Meanwhile we can work on finding and speaking to the Dwarves and seeking their aid." He gives Crowe a nod, not reacting to the lack of a gaze in his direction.


[Moridanu]
*Pulled from her reprieve by the realisation that Crowe was taking his leave, Moridanu took a quick toke of the pipe and handed it back to Terrance, blowing smoke in his face with a cheeky grin before rising from her seat. She moved to walk Crowe to the door, but realised that he had left without allowing her to say goodbye. Sitting back down, she sighed sadly and shot Terrance a look before reaching back for the pipe. ~I have only had limited contact with the Dwarves, though it has been of a favourable nature. Perhaps Oona could be the full extent of the energy we spend on the Celestial .. at least for now.~She turned to Talisen, and nodded slightly. ~Tal, I shall leave it to ye to speak to Oona and express our concerns. Please tell her if she has any questions, to speak to me directly.~ Taking another toke of the pipe, she handed it back to Terrance, snuggling up beside him, growing suddenly weary. Now that Crowe was no longer there to spare his feelings, she reached over and took Terrances free hand, lacing her fingers through his. ~IF we can make contact with the Dwarves, I do believe they would be a good source of weapons. The limited supply we have been receiving from Crowe has been good for general training but no where near efficient for actual battles. Who wants to assume responsbibilty for this task?~*


[Sabis]
I know some of dwarven cultures and traditions, and the language of course, but nothing on locating them. I'm a ranger, not a caver. 'Cavers are, in essence, rangers, but nearly all of them are dwarves. Because they fulfill all the duties and have all the skills a ranger has in the forest, except underground in the tunnels.' I can spend some more of my time helping the smithy in the village Mori, my father was a smith and tought me the trade. I forged the blades I use in battle myself, but I'm trained in making very specific weapons, and not in bulk.


[Talisen]
‘Dwarves won’t give over weapons and tools easily; they take great pride in Dwarven built weapons and don’t like the idea of Humans or Elves using their weapons, even in a time of war, it might be a struggle. We need a diplomat’. Talisen said, taking another sip of his drink, he wasn’t used to his small body yet and he could immediately feel the alcohols effect on his small frame.


[Moridanu]
*She nodded happily. ~Sounds like a plan Sabis, I must say I do not know what we would do without ye.~ She nodded at Talisens wise words. AYE, my fears exactly Tal~*


Demon Auditor
ODA peers at Talisen, spotting the tipsiness, and nods. "True enough." He sighs quietly, "I suppose I could try...I'm no culture or tradition expert, but I think I could talk to them in their own language easily enough. I'd hate to leave the village, though... Too bad we don't have any dwarven friends."


[Sabis]
Agreed. I can give you details on what you'll need to know. The alliance would be hard to secure, but arms and armor dwarves eagerly sell for the right price. They take GREAT pride in their trade, and nothing makes a dwarven craftsan happier then to sell his creations and be rewarded for his hard work. Were I a diplomat I'd go myself, but.... I'm simply not the type.


[Talisen]
‘Hmm... Are we adverse to trickery?’ Talisen said with a cheeky grin. ‘I can conjure up a glamour, one that could easily fool Dwarves, they’re not known for their magical tendencies. All we need is a good actor... Auditor?’ He said again, grinning widely.


[Moridanu]
* She laughed at the thought of Terrance being a good actor. ~ Oh I would pay good money to see that Tal..~ she sipped her drink, deep in thought. ~Perhaps we could bribe the Dwarves? I am sure there must be something that they would like.. something we could use as a bartering tool?~*


Demon_Auditor
Demon Auditor chuckles, "A glamour, huh? Make me look like one of them? We might try that, but I'm not sure trickery is a good way to start off on the right foot. I don't mind acting if I can get coaching, but I like Mori's idea better. I'm sure they'll be a bit more open for the right price."


[Sabis]
'Sabis gets to thinking, pondering what dwarves would like.' They like craftsmanship, fine quality. Rarity. And history. Dwarves live in clans, and trace family lineage almost religiously.... 'He looks up and smiles softly, a smile he hasn't had in many, many years. Probably since before the Queen was born! He reaches into his pack, a bag of holding, a magic item that holds far more then it should be able to, and after some digging, pulls out a fine looking axe, one handed to a large man, but a two-hander to a dwarf. It's old, very obviously old, but has been lovingly cared for by it's owner, the edge keen, the handle's metal polished. But there is something more. He swings it once in the air and lightning trails behind it, arcing and cracking in a dazzling display.' This will do. This... was my father's. Give this to their emmisary when you meet them, Terrance. Tell them it belonged to the father of one of the Queen's warriors. I imagine it will be well received. 'Heflips it over and holds it out to him handle first.'

[Talisen]
Talisen jaw drops at the fine weapon Sabis produced, he looks at the blade carefully before it’s passed off the Demon Auditor. ‘This blade was forged at the turn of the Century. It was inscribed and imbued with a blue lightning Hawk, its priceless Sabis. Are you sure about this?’ He ran his finger along the hilt, blue electricity crackled at his fingertips and he resists the urge to take it in his hands. ‘The Hawks have been extinct for a hundred years. Six feet tall they were, eggs were made of diamond’.


[Sabis]
This blade is far older then you think, Talisen. My father forged it more then a millenium and a half ago, for himself to wield in battle. He died with it in his hands. But it is nothing more then a memory for me. I don't fight with an axe, I use swords, and bow. Better to let a dwarf take it and carve up the evils they face then sit in my bag for another thousand years.


Demon_Auditor
Demon_Auditor blinks at the axe. He can hardly understand the weight of it until he takes it in his hand, and he simply marvels at it. "This is...indeed...fine! I believe this should work just fine. Just fine." He doesn't make any motion to take it out of Talisen's reach, letting him touch it.


[Moridanu]
*Moridanu gazes in wonder at the beautiful blade that is passed slowly to her lover. It glistened even in the murky candlelight and she gazed in wonder at it before looking at Sabis.
Aye it is truly a work of art Sabis.. are ye sure ye want to lose it for such a task?~ Her gaze turned to Terrance as she realised that somehow he had ben given the task of approaching the Dwarves. Worried for his safety, her grip tightened on his hand.*


[Sabis]
Dwarves are a good lot. Always have been. They wouldn't attack someone coming to them to look for friendship and trade. And giving a gift, especially something more meaningful then simple gold, smoothes over many of their initial worries. I would go myself, as I said, but I just don't do well underground. I'm sure eventually I will meet them, but the initial meeting should be someone closer to the Queen.


[Sabis]
Dwarves are a good lot. Always have been. They wouldn't attack someone coming to them to look for friendship and trade. And giving a gift, especially something more meaningful then simple gold, smoothes over many of their initial worries. I would go myself, as I said, but I just don't do well underground. I'm sure eventually I will meet them, but the initial meeting should be someone closer to the Queen.


Demon_Auditor
smiles at Mori, "Don't worry, love..." He nods at Sabis, "I'll do my best, then, and keep this safe." He takes another long look at the axe and releases his grip on Mori and uses that hand to open his coat. The axe is handed into the fabric, through the coat, and disappears into the inky depths with only a slight ripple. He smiles at Mori and puts his hand back in hers.


[Moridanu]
*As the blade disappears inside his coat, Moridanu feels a stab of fear inside her heart. ~Perhaps I should accompany ye on your mission m'love? What message would it send to the Dwarves if the Queen herself could not be bothered to make such a meeting?~*


Demon_Auditor
nods, "True, true... Especially in these times. I'm sure they're well aware of the situation out here, regardless of their ambivalence towards it. We can make a trip out of it!" he jokes.


[Sabis]
Actually, it would be best NOT to go, your highness. They would see it as desperation, possibly even begging. Your time must not be important if you can go wandering the tunnels or the ground in search of dwarves to make friends with, yes? Best to send one close advisor, your best, and a small troupe of merchants and an escort. Maybe a third the size of a typical caravan. We can speak more of this before you go, sir, but I must return to the village. I have some boys who need to be woken for night watch training. 'He bows and turns for the door, pulling his hood back up. Once outside, he takes to a shadow, then another, and is nothing more then a shadow amongst the trees all the way home.'


[Moridanu]
*Feeling slightly relieved, she allows herself to relax as she smiles at him. Sabis offers his opinion before taking his leave, and she smiles and nods her farewell before grinning at Terrance. ~Alone at last!~*


Demon_Auditor
sighs and nods as Sabis leaves. "True, very true....we want this to seem like a trade expidition, not a plea for help...one is far more agreeable than the other, and less costly in terms of commitment..." Once Sabis is gone he smiles in return to Mori, "Yes..."


[Moridanu]
*She giggles into her goblet.*

((Cleaned it up a little Mori, because i'm OCD.... hope thats cool.))

[Oona Ondessa]

A small troupe of Goblins stomped through the Ellendre Forest, once the home to the Morthikan elves. The last few who still lived were killed during the war and before that, Elyza the dark lords consort single headedly destroyed a whole battalion of Elves. The once sacred forest had been desecrated by the dark lord’s armies, now it was little more than a black stain on a once beautiful landscape.

The small pack of Goblins were considered lieutenants in Lucien’s army, six altogether. They had gotten word from one of the many demons that slithered across the land whispering secrets feverishly, that spirits stirred in the forest. Something was at foot, too many soldiers were going missing, more and more every day, of course Lucien probably suspected that the Queen was readying herself for another march into his country, but his sheer arrogance would tell him that the Queen had finally been defeated; he would find her of course, hiding in a spider hole and he would snuff her out once and for all.

As the Goblins made their way through the forest, they stopped to kick over every burnt out tree stump and remnants of life they could find, they made a game of it. The tallest Goblin, the leader found a small green shrub growing from the charred filth and ash. He grinned toothlessly as he bought his foot down on the shrub, endings its short life. The Goblins erupted into applause and cheer at the cleverness of their leader. Unluckily enough; someone was watching them, someone who didn’t take kindly to death and destruction. A tall woman emerged from the shadows. The Goblins readied themselves, pulling out their weapons and growling menacingly.

‘No spirit at all, just a bitch!’

The Leader spat as he saw the woman approaching out of the shadows, then they saw who she was.

‘You’re supposed to be dead elf whore!’

He screamed again, swinging his dirty rusty blade through the air.

‘Strange, I thought so too. Funnily enough, it’s you who WILL be dead’.

The woman said, with a deep but feminine voice.

‘It’s Oona Ondessa’.

One of the Goblins’ whimpered as he pissed himself.

‘They say she dragged Discord straight to hell with her!’

Another said fearfully, the corner of Oona’s mouth lifted ever so slightly. True she had been dragged to hell, but she clawed her way out. Oona wore thick leather pants, with dark mauve knee high boots. Her purple tunic was sleeveless and long but tucked in around each hip, allowing the lacy fabric to flow around her crotch and backside. Her dark tattoos twisted and coiled around her arms and body, they coiled ominously around her right eye. Her skin was almost snow white and her large eyes glinted a brilliant violet. Her long nails were adorned with silver rings as were her long pointed elven ears. She was well known for her stunning but gothic beauty, she was one of the most beautiful creatures in Morthika.

‘We must report this to the Lucien!’

The leader said as he spat on the ground again. Oona laughed.

‘Oh you won’t get a chance to report me to your overlord… you won’t make it out of this forest alive.

The Goblin growled and pulled out a throwing Dagger, with breakneck speed he flung the blade at Oona’s head and followed it with another. Oona moved her neck to the side, her long dark hair swung in the air, and the blade flew inches past her ear. She reached behind her and pulled out a beautiful curved purple Katana, she knocked the second blade upwards into the air and with her free hand she caught it. She flung the Dagger to the leaders second, it struck the Goblin through the neck and he fell to the ground, choking on his own blood. The Goblin who had wet himself dropped his blade, he turned to run, but Oona’s eyes were changing colour, the whites filled with dark ink and she spoke a word loudly, her voice seemed to echo through the forest from all directions. She stomped her heavy boot into the ground and the earth replied by shaking violet. The Goblins tried to run, but the ground cracked around them, trapping them from each other. Oona leaped forward, swinging her blade expertly.

‘You know I was never one for swords, but they do something for the psyche you see. I thought I should learn, and Crowe’s been teaching me well, don’t you think?’

She said as the Leader swung his swords towards Oona, she parried the attack, and smashed the Goblin in the face with her free hand. Liquid Iron ran through Oona’s veins, not blood and as a result, she was incredibly heavy and dense with the strength to match. The Goblins neck snapped backwards and Oona took her chance. She swung her blade sideways and slashed the Goblins neck wide open. Oona wondered for a second, if she should let the other Goblins live, let them tell Lucien that Oona was alive, she thought of Camus, her dearest friend, brain dead. He’d still be with her if it wasn’t for Lucien and his forces and she supposed surprise was still one of her greatest weapon, she wasn’t working alone anymore she had Crowe to think of.

And so, Oona Ondessa born from a Willow, killed every single Goblin in the Ellendre forest, and as she slinked away into the night, a tiny green sprout left its hiding place under the charred soot and grew.

[Moridanu]

*The moon was high in the sky, its soft golden glow filling the atmosphere above the forest with a sprinkling of mist that settled upon the leaves of the trees like a warm woollen shawl. Moridanu smiled up at the moon, feeling a sense of contentment that she had not felt in many moons such as this. With her hand firmly held in Terrance’s strong grip, she strolled beside her lover as they made their way back from the meeting of the Resistance in the nearby tavern.


The meeting with Crowe, Sabis, Talisen, Terrance and herself had been a surprise of sorts but productive all the same. It had filled her heart with joy to be surrounded by the men she had come to trust with her life and the lives of the people in her kingdom, and although they had been focused on discussing the ongoing war movement, strategies and developments, she had been mainly content to sit back and enjoy their company.


The fact that she had had some time to enjoy Terrance’s company on her own during the long walk home had been an added bonus, one she planned to relish for as long as she could. Although they could’ve easily teleported back to the village, they had both mutually agreed without words that a walk home would be a nice way to end their evening together. She giggled to herself as the thought of their most recent detour off the path crossed her mind, and she reached up to pull a twig out of her hair. Grateful that most of the moisture from the waterfalls mist had dried from her hair, she was still feeling slightly damp and was looking forward to climbing into a warm bed. Before she could retire for the evening however, Moridanu had one last stop to make.


As they reached the entrance to the village, she sensed another’s presence and almost reached down for the silver dagger tucked into her boot before she realised it was just one of the guards hidden in the trees. He called down a low sound reminiscent of the call of a lark and she responded in kind before moving forward into the village. The soft glow of burning torches in strategic places, lit the path for the two of them to take into the heart of the village, and they followed it until they reached the centre of the small village. Most of the villagers had retired for the evening, while the few that she did see out and about clearly had the intention of following their kinsmen as they set about with their head down, taking care of the last few chores of the day before they went to their own makeshift tents and cabins.


Moridanu led Terrance down a slight hill and onto a narrow path through a thick patch of dense oak trees. In a clearing at the end of the path stood a large tent which Terrance had constructed himself –the infirmary. Turning to Terrance, she stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek, nuzzling his neck slightly as she whispered ~Now remember m’love.. one of the new arrivals is reportedly more than a tad skittish. I fear we may need t’go easy on her at first… don’t want t’scare her now. ~ she smiled and squeezed his hand before letting it go to pull open the tent door.


Inside there were three rows of beds, two of which were empty. The third row held a lot of injured soldiers and one nurse was bandaging the leg of an old lady who had been caught up in the battle of Bendelsain. In a bed at the end of the row lay Nakkodai. Walking quickly to the young girl, Moridanu offered her a kind smile.


~Hello there… welcome! I know things must be confusing given ye ordeal.. but ye are safe here child, so please… rest and get strong again. M’name be Moridanu, and this here is Terrance.. is there anything we can be getting for ye?~*

[Talisen Phoenix]

Talisen left the Inn rather shakily. He was careful with each step, the last thing he needed was to fall over drunk and embarrass himself. Luckily enough, there weren’t a great deal of people in the tiny village, so when He slid down a small ravine and landed hard of his backside, nobody saw. He took a deep breath and lay in place, enjoying the sensation of the cool mountain air on his skin. Various lanterns and small bonfires were being lit around the village. Talisen felt a pang of regret in his chest; he had fallen in love with the elf Idabelle in those volatile months as a bodiless wisp. When he was finally resurrected at the cost of all the priests of her city, she couldn’t love him back. A man trapped in the body of a child. It would almost be poetic, if it was somebody else. The moon was beginning to take its place in the sky and dusk was taking over.

Talisen lifted a hand up to his face. A pulse of red electricity sparked from his fingertips and danced across his palm. His powers still existed of course, but he hadn’t had a chance to test them. He was the last of the Arch Battlemages, a small corps of highly trained warriors who could use magic in its most devastating and offensive manner. They had all been killed, some by Lucien personally. It had taken all of Talisen’s strength and might to destroy Lucien’s last battalion of Ogres. At the cost of his eyesight. It felt somewhat hollow, they had beaten back Lucien at the time, but he’d come back, stronger, more ferocious than ever and it was they who had to flee. Talisen imagined how proud Lucien would be, knowing he had finally killed the last of the Battlemages, or so he thought.

It was time. Talisen pulled himself up; he spoke an ancient incantation known to Battlemages the world over. His voice came out in a booming raspy way, almost as if his voice was coming from several different sources at once, none his own mouth.

‘When Thunder Rolls and the heavens part.
A mage is summoned full of might.
Black and red, white and gold.
Spells of music spoken untold.
Through Hell and smoke a stone is forged,
A catalyst which holds their own,
Blood and magic, copper and dust
Rise weapon, so the ancients know!’

As Talisen repeated the incantation, his blue eyes began to glow an unsettling red and he floated into the air, spinning majestically through the air. He finally rested over a large stone ledge, an ancient Oak tree with gnarled roots sat neatly on the ledge overlooking the small village. Talisen pressed his hand against the oak and thunderous crack of lighting exploded above him. The thunder struck the tree, splitting it’s almighty trunk in half. The stump had caught fire and blazed close to Talisen. He reached forwards and plunged his hand into the burning remains. He groaned in pain and gritted his teeth. Talisen pulled his hand out of the trunk, in his hand was a long gnarled staff, made from the same dark oak. Atop the gnarled staff was a brilliant blue stone, the wood seemed to reach around the stone like claws protecting it.

Talisen fell to the ground exhausted. He smiled at his new staff and held it close to his chest. Blue electricity danced from the stone running up and down its smooth and braided surface.

‘A new weapon for a new age’.

He whispered as the smell of magic filled the air, rolling across the valley.

[sabis]

'Talisen is not the only one hard at work come the morning sun. Sabis, whose father was a proud blacksmith and maker of arms and armor for his people many hundreds of years ago, has been a smith himself since he was old enough to lift a hammer. He keeps his own small forge at the edge of the woods, right outside the home he made for himself here. Not a home of walls and carpentry, but a home of sky and air. He cleared himself an area and made camp, with a large hand-made tarp to cover the area for shade when it's hot or rainy, and a tent for storms. Despite his comfort in this village, he is still a very private person, and while his camp has several logs that he has done some finishing to to make them comfortable for sitting, he has had nearly no visitors since they moved here.'

'But the ringing of hammer on metal has echoed out of this corner of the village all night, a Master smith hard at work with practiced precision and rythem. The ranger has much work to do, and he is nearly finished. By the time the sun reaches it's apex, his work is completed. He bundles part of his work into his equipment for himself and packs the rest for bringing into town. He delivers his package of goods to the town's primary smith, a new set of blades for the town's warriors, hand crafted by Sabis and blessed especially for combatting demons. While it may seem a minor part in the grand scheme of things, a dozen swords that can slice through demons like tissue paper can play a major role when the time comes.'

'But more significant is what only the most observant would have seen. He no longer wears his old armor, armor he had worn for centuries. He put it away for safe keeping, for when he finds an apprentice for himself that he can entrust with it. The items packed away... were for himself. His new armor made for the next, upcoming War....'

[mori]

I forgot my password and it seems I’m locked out.