Nothern Shadows

[Arcane]

Durwyn looked up while he was eating. Gylderon approached him with a bowl. "Why arent you eating with us Durwyn? You have as much a right to the food than the rest of us while in this party." Durwyn looked surprised at the elf's concern. "I dont think that half-elf likes me..." "If anything, I shouldnt like you because I am all elf, but ye seem like a likable fellow...come!" With that, Durwyn stood and followed Gylderon to the fire, where Gilthanas and Anduin conversed. Durwyn was handed a bowl by Casan. Gylderon watched Gilthanas as the half-elf glared daggers at him. Gylderon never stopped watching the half-elf as Casan proceeded to speak to him and Durwyn. "Where in the south are ye from Gylderon?" Casan and Durwyn asked at the same time. "I hail from the forests of Tethyr..." even to his or hers friends, elves never wholly reveal which forest they are from...for obvious reasons. "Tethyr? What in the Nine Hells are ye doing all the way in the north Gylderon?" Casan asked. "I had buisiness..." Assasins never reveal why there are some place at some time. Casan looked at him and nodded; this was enough for the moment. Gylderon looked around, Kilden was taking the watch, Vren was eating alone. Anduin, Gilthanas and Sedgemon were still conversing. And him, Casan and Durwyn were talking together. "If there is anything I could respect about that hybrid Gilthanas...its his cooking..." Gylderon thought. Perhaps if they do eventually respect each other's differences...he might ask Gilthanas to teach him. Gylderon looked around once more. Anduin was looking ready to move. Gylderon stood and walked over to his bedroll, where he proceeded to pack it up. When he finished, he walked casually over to Anduin. Anduin looked up, Sedge murmered a greeting and Gilthanas glared.

"Are we ready to move?"

[Magus]

No one else save Gylderon was up when Gilthanas rose from his bedroll. Left with the choice of confonting Gylderon again or doing something productive, he chose the latter. Might as well make breakfast... he thought. Sedgemon slept soundly as he rummaged through the wizard’s pack. Gilthanas shook his head. An army could pass right over them and the sleeping mage wouldn’t even stir. As he went through his friend’s belongings, he began to appreciate the load the wizard had been lugging. Well, maybe disdain more than appreciate. He couldn’t believe Sedgemon would strain himself lugging all this junk along, especially at his age...

The thought gave him pause. He looked carefully at his sleeping friend. His graying hair, his face lined with age...he really was getting old. He looked at the pack, then at Sedgemon, slumbering there peacefully. He picked up the pack and carried it over to the fire. Maybe he couldn’t make his friend younger, but he could help him out, though he refused to help himself.

An hour later a large pot of stew bubbled nicely, while several roasts dangled invitingly over an open fire. He was putting on the finishing touches of wine when the halfling came up. Gilthanas glared coldly at him. In his mind, those who associated with orcs were hardly more trustworthy than orcs themselves.

"Gilthanas," called Vren. He wanted a word with this one. "There is no need to hide your hate against Durn. I shall not hurt you any more than you may hurt Durn, although it will have a thousand fold better result. For us to hunt the beast you must leave your petty misgivings for him, else you may leave one or more of your appendages behind."

“Is that a threat, little one?” Gilthanas’s voice was barely above a whisper. His eyes glinted dangerously, his hand straying slowly to his katana. Vren’s eyes widened, and he took a step back, drawing his falchion. He stood there solidly, sword held out in front of him, frightened but determined. He wouldn’t back down, not with his friend on the line.

Prepared to cut the fool down if he had to, Gilthanas paused when he gazed into the young one's eyes. The halfling was scared. Scared, but standing his ground, though he probably wanted nothing more than to run. All this, for a miserable orc?

“Hmph,” Gilthanas grunted disdainfully, his hand leaving the hilt. He stared icily at the foolish halfling, the young one’s sword brandished ridiculously in front of him. “Let me give you some advice,” he finally spoke, his voice soft, the threat leaving his eyes. “Don’t make a threat unless you’re prepared for the consequences.” He then went back to his cooking, dismissing the hot-headed youngster.

* * * * *

An hour later he stood at the edge of camp, staring off into the dark forest. Though the sun had just risen, scarcely a few rays had penetrated the thick canopy, leaving the whole dim and foreboding. Remembering his dream, a melancholy mood had passed over him and he hadn’t touched his food. The view here suited his mood well.

He heard footsteps behind him. "We have to work this out," came a voice, Anduin’s. "We can't afford to have this sort of distance when we encounter the creature." They talked for a while. Gilthanas did his best to act normal, though he really just wanted to be left alone.

“Nor did I, but it seems it has. What do you purpose we do about it?" he heard himself saying.

Anduin ****ed his head towards Gilthanas. "I say we accept what happened. She is dead now, and we can't do anything about that." Anduin stood back up. "It doesn't matter how much we cared about her, or even how much she cared about us." Anduin took one last glance at Gilthanas, and turned to walk back to the camp.

Gilthanas barely covered his surprise. He knew! Come to think of it...he had probably known all along. And all this time he had thought that Anduin was angry because he blamed him for Kis’thana’s death. Not that it mattered. It was his fault. He was too weak to save her. If only he was full human...he would have had the strength...

NO! What was he thinking? That was ridiculous. Humans were a lower being. They had brute strength perhaps, but nothing more. But brute strength was what he had so desperately needed...

With a muffled roar he drew his katana and swung it into the tree next to him. It sliced halfway through before grinding to a halt. He pulled it out and looked down at it. Not even a scratch. He looked at the image mirrored in the shining blade. A stony face stared back at him. But it was a fraud. One just had to look at the eyes, swirling with anger and confusion. He squeezed the hilt tighter. A ripple ran along the blade’s surface. When it had passed, the same face stared back at him, yet different. The eyes were cool and calm; emotionless barriers that blocked any insight into the mind behind them. When he looked up, the image was reality.

He heard Sedgemon calling him. He turned around and walked back to the camp.

* * * * *

“You did what?!” Sedgemon cried.

“I used up all our rations. Wine too,” Gilthanas replied calmly.

“Why? Why?” Sedgemon was almost in tears. Anduin could hardly contain his mirth.

Gilthanas eyed his friend sternly. “You shouldn’t have been carrying all that, and you know it. It’s best to travel light.”

Sedgemon stared down at his empty pack ruefully. The frostberry wine, the wonderful pastries imported from Silverymoon... “Couldn’t you have at least left the elven bloodwine?” he muttered sadly.

“Eat your fill now. We’ll be leaving soon.” Gilthanas responded.

“Yes, indeed. Everyone else is already packed,” Anduin chided. “Oh, but I forgot. You ARE packed,” Anduin added with a chuckle. Sedgemon glared at him sullenly.

Anduin looked up as Gylderon walked over. Sedge murmured a half-hearted greeting while Gilthanas glared.

"Are we ready to move?"

[Craig]

“Hmph,” Gilthanas grunted disdainfully, his hand leaving the hilt. He stared icily at the foolish halfling, the young one’s sword brandished ridiculously in front of him. “Let me give you some advice,” he finally spoke, his voice soft, the threat leaving his eyes. “Don’t make a threat unless you’re prepared for the consequences.” He then went back to his cooking, dismissing the hot-headed youngster.

Vrens Falchion slumped to the ground, "You are no threat, " Said Vren, "The sword knows," This time to himself, but the half elf heard none of it.

[Durwyn]

Durn made sure that everything of his was packed. Medical kit, small kincknaks, and his weapon. My armor is on and I have my shield. He looked dainfully at it. At least I took the spikes off he thought. At the edge of camp, where he was, he heard a noise. He went to investigate it. Just a squirrel he thought when he saw it. He came back, and saw that everyone was getting ready to leave. Picking up his shield, putting it on his back. He strapped his heavy mace on his belt and his throwing axe on the other side. Maybe Casan can tell me a bit about what lives in this forest, I always did like animals he thoght as they started to leave.

[Rob-hin]

It was the best meal Casan had eaten in years. He could cook his own dinner since he had lived alone in the forest for many years now. But he never had used the ingredients Gilthanas had used.
“Elven bloodwine” He remembered Sedge say, and tried to remember it.

Casan was positive about things to come after a meal like this. He even wanted to compliment Gilthanas about it, but soon reconsidered.

Something suddenly startled Durn and he went off to see what it was. “It’s a squirrel.” Casan wanted to say, but didn’t somehow. After a while Durn came back to the group and walked up to Casan. “It was a squirrel, wasn’t it?” Casan asked. “Yes, yes it was. You know a lot about this forest don’t you?”
Casan got a little exited, nobody had asked him about the forest and he liked talking about it. “It’s the most beautiful place in the world! All sorts of creatures live here, from small mice till dangerous yetis. Have you been here in the winter? It’s beautiful in the winter… when snow covers all and everything is quite.”
Casan made big arm movement when he talked; he talked fast and it was hard to keep up. But Durn liked listening to Casan as he talked about the woods and all creatures in it, big and small.
“Have you seen my owl already? His name is Lucky, I know…silly name, but he has a lot of luck most of the time.” Durn laughed. “Yes, I’ve noticed him”
“It’s kind of sad actually; he lost his mate not long ago. And since black owls are very rare, I’m hoping he can find a new mate before he is too old.”

By that time, the group was starting to get moving and Casan still needed to strap up his pack. “Get moving, I’ll catch up in a second.” He told Durn while he grabbed his pack. “I’ll strap on my pack then we’ll talk more.”

[Nippy]

Kilden had been silent a long time, the newcomers had surprised him and they recieved very different responses from the group. He silently took a bowl of stew and was surprised at how good and filling it was. He kept silent again and left the bowl, returning to his pack and picking it up. He cleaved a strong bough from a tree and stripped the vegetation off of it. It was a strong staff, straight and was a good walking aid. He stood waiting for everyone to get ready and stood alongside Anduin, determined to ask him some more of the shrouded man's past...

[Arcane]

On the road, Gylderon walked quickly up to wher Anduin was and asked him:"Shall I scout the road ahead? I won't go far, but it might prove useful, seeing that when I want to, no one sees me." Anduin nodded but said to Gylderon, "Only five hundred metres Gylderon, then come back." The assasin nodded and drew his long sword. Anduin was staring at him and withdrew in a little surpise as the elf faded. Gylderon quietly but quickly walked the paths of the forest. He met nothing on his path but heard a little crunching of leaves, as if something big and heavy was coming his way..."Not the manner of the beast we are looking for," he thought. The yeti came into view, big and menacing. Gylderon remembered the corpse of the one he saw right before his capture...it was lucky for Gylderon, that he was in the shadows, or else the yeti would have torn him in two. He observed the beast, and it started to go in the direction of his companions. Gylderon crept over behind and, with a quick stab with his long sword, ran underneath its legs and towards his party. The yeti roared in pain but began running after the elf. He reached the party and ran over to Anduin:"Yeti, at least three hundred meters in front..." Anduin nodded and drew his blade. Gilthanas his bow, Sedge was overcome with a look of concentration, Kilden his blade, Vren his falchion, Casan his two blades, while Lucky, sensing the danger, flew into a near by tree, and Durwyn began chanting. Gylderon hid again, letting the three warriors up front. He crouched behind a tree and waited....

The yeti came into view

[Rob-hin]

After a short while walking, Gylderon took of to scout ahead. The rest of the group continued on the small forest path. Suddenly a load roar got everybody’s attention. Short after Gylderon came running from the sounds origin. “Yeti, at least three hundred meters in front..." he shouted. Then he hid behind a tree. Probably waiting for a chance to strike. Casan thought.

The yeti came roaring and crashed through some small trees. As he noticed the group, he came to a halt and prepared himself for what would come.

In a split second, many thoughts ran through Casan’s mind. It’s injured, could Gylderon have attacked it? If it wasn’t so hostile, perhaps I could have charmed it so it would leave us alone. He was determent to confront Gylderon why he attacked it, when it had done no harm to anybody.

Casan didn’t want to kill the animal since it was only defending himself. But he had no choice. His quarterstaff could break if he hit the animal with it. Besides, it would hardly feel it. So he was forced to draw his twin swords once again.

An arrow flew through the sky and pierced the poor beast. From the corner of his eyes, Casan saw Gilthanas placing another arrow on his bow. Alright let’s get this over with! Casan rushed forwards and jabbed with his twin swords towards the beasts his abdomen.

[Craig]

Vren clenched the handle to his falchion, took a deep breath and stood near Casan, I hope the yeti doesn't see me! he thought; and tried to get in a flanking position.

[Rail]

Sedge hoped that a quick spell from him could scare the beast off. Anyone who had spent some time in the Dale knew Yeti were ambush beasts. If you show enough power or fire, they would be easily scared off. But first, you had to spot them, which was not an easy thing. Their coats blended into the surrounding tundra and forest, summer or winter.

Gilthanas' arrow cut short those hopes.

The treacherous half-elf, thought the old wizard smiling to himself. Indeed, though the rations had been discarded, his pack was noticeably lighter. The night's sleep had done much for the aging brewer, and his legs felt much better than the had during the previous day's march. Perhaps his body was becoming once again accustomed to the life of an adventurer.

Still, all that Frostberry Wine and Winter White had gone to waste! Does he know how much love had gone into making those? They were supposed to be for sharing with friends over a campfire. But sedge knew the wisdom behind Gilthanas' actions, and while he may pout for a bit, it was foolish of him to bring so much in the first place.

He brought his attention back to the now wounded yeti. The beast snarled in anger and rage, snapping off the first arrow protruding from it's chest and charging toward the group. Casan ran forward, swords in hand, while Anduin and Kilden readied themselves for the oncoming beast. Well, thought the wizard, No need to waste some of my best spells on a yeti. We may need them soon. He moved behind his half-elven friend, as the warrior, a blur of motion, had fired his second arrow over Casan's shoulder and was nocking his third.

[Durwyn]

He drew out his mace, and lept foward, using what he knew about Yeti to decide where to strike. He saw Vren setting up a flanking position and decided that he would destract the creature. He made sure the creature easily saw his blow, and it was deflected easily. Durn knew that Vren was almost ready to attack and kept the creature destracted. When Vren sliced the falchion across the creature's back, Durn used the destraction to smash his mace into the creature's stomach. But the creature just stood back up and continued to fight. How much can this creature take wondered Durn. The creature then did a quick blow and Durn was knocked off balnce. He was thrown several feet away and when he got up, the creature was still fighting strong.

[Arcane]

The yeti yelled in pain as the warriors continually pounded on it.

Gylderon yelled in victory as he came leaping from the trees, his long sword raised in a two handed grip, the blade facing down.

He hit the yeti on the back of its neck and it roared even louder. The blade was pulled out and Gylderon backflipped off the yeti and landed perfectly. He then proceeded to gain a flanking position, opposite Vren, and hewed at the legs of the great white beast. "Why won't this yeti fall?!" he thought.

Vren was hacking on the other leg. Durwyn, Anduin, Kilden and Casan were hacking at it up front. Sedge and Gilthanas battled it from range.

Gylderon stabbed at the leg and the yeti roared in pain. Vren too had apparently stabbed its other leg.

"This beast has taken more than a fair share of how much normal ones can take...why wont it fall?"

[Craig]

Vren was amazed yet again how quick, such a cumbersome blade could move, and much with out his own thought.

[Rob-hin]

Gylderon leapt on the back of the yeti and drove his sword through its neck; the yeti rose up in pain. It was gigantic, the biggest Casan had seen in a long time.

The yeti claws were about to strike down on Casan who had now way of avoiding them. Luckily, at that time Durn slammed his mace into the beast’s leg, a loud cracking sound could be heard from far.
It could no longer keep standing and the yeti fell down again, thus giving Casan the opportunity to drive one of his swords into the creature’s abdomen.

It had one more attack in him. As it made one last, all or nothing attack, Anduin went in; dodged a swing of one of its big claws, and drove his sword though the yeti’s skull. All life escaped from it right after Anduins well placed jab and it fell down on the ground.

The group jumped away from the creature, not to be crushed under it’s weighed. For a minute, they just stood there; looking it, covered with blood and arrows sticking out if it from all sides.

Suddenly, Casan felt the rage again. Why did this happen, it didn’t need to be killed!
“Gylderon! What were you thinking attacking it before it even posed a threat to us? It didn’t have to die, I could have made it go away if it wasn’t so aggressive!” Casan dropped his swords and walked over to him. “What were you thinking!?”

Casan struggled to control himself.

[Magus]

Gilthanas stayed another arrow as the yeti collapsed to the ground. He replaced the arrow and returned the bow to his back, drawing his katana as he strolled calmly over to the fallen yeti, peppered with arrows and bleeding profusely from countless slashes. Ignoring Casan’s outburst, he examined his handiwork, frowning. His aim could have been better. A single shot was sufficient to kill almost any creature, be it man or monster. It was almost shameful that he had fired so many arrows without hitting a single vital spot. “Careless,” he muttered, shaking his head. He would have to work on his archery when he got the time.

A bloody hand clenched below him. Down flashed the katana, severing the creature’s head once and for all. The hand fell limp.

Gilthanas looked over at the rest of the group. “Let’s go.” He then proceeded down the path.