Surveying the room Mursalin noticed, it was a small dwelling, a cottage of some sort. Very clean and tidy, a small table, a kitchen area and this bed. That was about it.
His head throbbed again from the intensity of the light, as the sun had just come out from behind the clouds. He tried to recall what had happened to him, but his mind was a blank. He remembered the worgs, the fireball blast, the odd company of individuals retiring for the night, and he taking his usual watch.
Something had happened during the watch, but what? What had happened to him....judging by his state he had been attacked, but by what? All this thinking seemed to take a toll on him. The soft bed the lack of danger the cool breeze and brilliant sunlight provided every incentive to sleep, and sleep he did....
Vengeance of the Heart
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Rob-hin
- Posts: 4832
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Serena looked up after looking at the ground for a minute, thinking. Magus stood by waiting patiently, trying to get this confused woman to put down the defence that she had put up around her. He smiled when she looked at him.
She didn’t trust him, there had been too many slick people around her when she lived in the castle of her father. All of them had betrayed or hurt her in one way or another. Hunger, sleep and exhaustion had lowered her resistance. “Do as you wish.” She responded, answering the warm question with a cold shower.
Magus barely reacted to this cold answer, as if he expected it. He just kept on smiling friendly.
Even though Serena felt like she would fall asleep as soon as she closed her eyes, something grabbed her attention. She looked around, searching for something. Magus didn’t seem to feel what she felt, but he noticed the change in her. Just as he wanted to ask what was wrong, Serena seemed to relax. Convinced by her exhaustion rather then logical thinking, Serena wanted to believe all was quiet. And it was, nearby at least. But something was coming. “It can’t be him… that’s impossible.”
At this moment, Serena’s stomach wanted to let everyone know it desired attention. It let out a low rumbling sound. Magus laughed and said; “I take it you are hungry? How about a bite to eat?”
He swung his backpack onto the ground and pulled out a blanket, then he started covering it with food. “Good thing I take good care of my stuff, so this didn’t burn up. We wouldn’t have anything to eat otherwise.” He looked at Serena, she didn’t see much humour in his words. She focused only on the food in front of her.
She didn’t trust him, there had been too many slick people around her when she lived in the castle of her father. All of them had betrayed or hurt her in one way or another. Hunger, sleep and exhaustion had lowered her resistance. “Do as you wish.” She responded, answering the warm question with a cold shower.
Magus barely reacted to this cold answer, as if he expected it. He just kept on smiling friendly.
Even though Serena felt like she would fall asleep as soon as she closed her eyes, something grabbed her attention. She looked around, searching for something. Magus didn’t seem to feel what she felt, but he noticed the change in her. Just as he wanted to ask what was wrong, Serena seemed to relax. Convinced by her exhaustion rather then logical thinking, Serena wanted to believe all was quiet. And it was, nearby at least. But something was coming. “It can’t be him… that’s impossible.”
At this moment, Serena’s stomach wanted to let everyone know it desired attention. It let out a low rumbling sound. Magus laughed and said; “I take it you are hungry? How about a bite to eat?”
He swung his backpack onto the ground and pulled out a blanket, then he started covering it with food. “Good thing I take good care of my stuff, so this didn’t burn up. We wouldn’t have anything to eat otherwise.” He looked at Serena, she didn’t see much humour in his words. She focused only on the food in front of her.
Guinness is good for you.
Gives you strength.
Gives you strength.
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Azmodan
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Halya took a little step forwards at the sight of food... she was still hungy.. because she was not as skilled as a ranger yet, she had a hard time finding the proper amout of food in the forrest... she could never remember if it was poisunous or not... so at the sight of real food her stomac twitched...
she stopped... she wanted to simply jump in the middle of the mages food, and start eating.. but it would be rude, so she stopped herself..
Magus noticed the elf, moving nervously back and forward.. and smiled to himself.. "its allright, there is enough for you too.." Halya lit up in a bright smile.. "thank you" she said happily and made a little cheerful jump on the spot.. as if trying to controll her eagerness to get to the blanket...
She did get her self under control, and walked slowly and mesured over to the woman and the mage.. and sat down in one fluid move... and took a piece of fruit...
her eyes ran over the food... it had been a long, long time since she had seen so much food... this was truely send from above the thought in pure amazement over the mage...
she stopped... she wanted to simply jump in the middle of the mages food, and start eating.. but it would be rude, so she stopped herself..
Magus noticed the elf, moving nervously back and forward.. and smiled to himself.. "its allright, there is enough for you too.." Halya lit up in a bright smile.. "thank you" she said happily and made a little cheerful jump on the spot.. as if trying to controll her eagerness to get to the blanket...
She did get her self under control, and walked slowly and mesured over to the woman and the mage.. and sat down in one fluid move... and took a piece of fruit...
her eyes ran over the food... it had been a long, long time since she had seen so much food... this was truely send from above the thought in pure amazement over the mage...
* Dail u-... chyn ... U-danno i failad a thi; an uben tannatha le failad.*
* Stupid ring, Stupid quest, Stupid fellowship *
* Stupid ring, Stupid quest, Stupid fellowship *
Magus sat and patiently waited for the two to finish eating, only taking a few bites every now and then himself. He wasn’t particularly hungry…though he hadn’t eaten since last night. But it was good to see that Serena and Halya were appreciating the food, at least. As the food disappeared, he wondered what the others were doing. He glanced into the forest, but couldn’t make anything out within the shadowed boughs. They were hanging back for some reason. He wondered why.
He noticed Celestia wasn’t eating. “Not hungry too, huh?” he murmured sympathetically. She looked away. That’s odd, he thought. “Are you feeling well?” Silence. A cold, hurt feeling seeped into him, puzzling him further. At first, he thought his tired mind was playing tricks on him. Slowly he realized that the feeling was not his own. Then was this…how she felt? “Is something wrong, Cel?” he ventured. “Are you…mad at me for something?”
“Why Magus so nice to the bad ladies?” she asked without turning, her soft voice barely audible.
He was taken aback. “Serena is a bit cold,” he replied softly, so that only Celestia could hear him. “I don’t know yet whether we can trust her. But I don’t think she’s bad. And Halya seems friendly enough. Why don’t you like her?”
“Has creepy eyes. She smiles, but she no good. Pretends to be nice, but she just like other bad lady. Cel knows it.”
Creepy eyes? Other bad lady? “What do you mean she has creepy eyes?” he asked, puzzled.
She glanced at him. “Has creepy eyes, like other bad lady that stole Magus’s ring.”
He thought for a moment. She must be referring to the almond eyes characteristic of elves. Come to think of it…she hadn’t met any other elves besides the two at the inn and Halya, had she? “Cel, just because she’s an elf doesn’t mean she’s anything like the two elves at the Inn. All elves are different, just like everybody else.” She nodded slowly, though she seemed unconvinced. He looked at her thoughtfully. “Is there some other reason you don’t like her?”
Celestia just glared at her and said nothing. Magus sighed and offered her a piece of bread. She took it and began to nibble at it. Well, at least she was eating now. She didn’t seem to be upset anymore, though he still didn’t quite understand why she was mad at him in the first place. There was still much about Celestia he didn’t understand, it seemed.
Halya and Serena looked like they were finished eating. “I hope the food was to your liking," he began. "Now that we’re settled, why don’t we properly introduce ourselves? I am Magus, a traveling mage of sorts. I go here and there…wherever my services are needed. And this is my familiar, Celestia,” he said, eyeing the little pixie sitting on his shoulder. She stared at the two women suspiciously. “Don’t mind her,” he said with a smile. “She has a little trouble trusting people she’s just met. Anyway, I’m here with a few friends to investigate a bandit attack on the Umar Inn, where we were all staying. The culprits were in the employ of Baron Izquierda, so we wish to know the meaning of this unprovoked aggression by men under his hire.”
“I think that about covers it. And you ladies?”
He noticed Celestia wasn’t eating. “Not hungry too, huh?” he murmured sympathetically. She looked away. That’s odd, he thought. “Are you feeling well?” Silence. A cold, hurt feeling seeped into him, puzzling him further. At first, he thought his tired mind was playing tricks on him. Slowly he realized that the feeling was not his own. Then was this…how she felt? “Is something wrong, Cel?” he ventured. “Are you…mad at me for something?”
“Why Magus so nice to the bad ladies?” she asked without turning, her soft voice barely audible.
He was taken aback. “Serena is a bit cold,” he replied softly, so that only Celestia could hear him. “I don’t know yet whether we can trust her. But I don’t think she’s bad. And Halya seems friendly enough. Why don’t you like her?”
“Has creepy eyes. She smiles, but she no good. Pretends to be nice, but she just like other bad lady. Cel knows it.”
Creepy eyes? Other bad lady? “What do you mean she has creepy eyes?” he asked, puzzled.
She glanced at him. “Has creepy eyes, like other bad lady that stole Magus’s ring.”
He thought for a moment. She must be referring to the almond eyes characteristic of elves. Come to think of it…she hadn’t met any other elves besides the two at the inn and Halya, had she? “Cel, just because she’s an elf doesn’t mean she’s anything like the two elves at the Inn. All elves are different, just like everybody else.” She nodded slowly, though she seemed unconvinced. He looked at her thoughtfully. “Is there some other reason you don’t like her?”
Celestia just glared at her and said nothing. Magus sighed and offered her a piece of bread. She took it and began to nibble at it. Well, at least she was eating now. She didn’t seem to be upset anymore, though he still didn’t quite understand why she was mad at him in the first place. There was still much about Celestia he didn’t understand, it seemed.
Halya and Serena looked like they were finished eating. “I hope the food was to your liking," he began. "Now that we’re settled, why don’t we properly introduce ourselves? I am Magus, a traveling mage of sorts. I go here and there…wherever my services are needed. And this is my familiar, Celestia,” he said, eyeing the little pixie sitting on his shoulder. She stared at the two women suspiciously. “Don’t mind her,” he said with a smile. “She has a little trouble trusting people she’s just met. Anyway, I’m here with a few friends to investigate a bandit attack on the Umar Inn, where we were all staying. The culprits were in the employ of Baron Izquierda, so we wish to know the meaning of this unprovoked aggression by men under his hire.”
“I think that about covers it. And you ladies?”
Lost Souls: A bereft lover. A masterless familiar. Friends gone their separate ways. Time marches on, and destiny heralds the meeting of comrades old and new. Can they find what they're seeking? Or will the search bring them only more pain?
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Rob-hin
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“My… story?” Muttered Serena, completely ignoring the little pixie’s two little suspicious looking eyes.
For a moment, Serena had the chance to tell somebody about what had happened to her. Too get the load of her shoulders… “My business are mine alone.” She just couldn’t.
“… they were there for me. Those men I mean. He has send them, no one should know about me. The freak, unwanted, unloved.” For a moment, she almost lost herself. Serena couldn’t tell him much, but this he could know. “Now, it’s my time. He fears me, he fears what I’m going to do to him. He fears my vengeance.”
She looked up at Magus, looking him straight in the eyes. He could tell she didn’t want too be this way, but that she has too. She has too make Izquierda pay for what he has done.
She stretched her arms and legs and rose to her feet, she felt better then she had felt in weeks. The food wasn’t great, but it was most nutritious.
“But” She said with a smile “Don’t believe all that crazy cook told you. Though I was a secret, I wasn’t locked up in a dungeon.” Her smile disappeared. “I had a nice room, but…” A tear rolled down her cheek and she turned around, looking at the forest.
There was that feeling again.
So it was him… looking for her. He was still far away, and it would take him a while to get here. Let alone find her, hopefully.
***
From a distance, Gurney still stood with Acolytus.
Acolytus seemed to have relaxed a bit, but it was always hard for Gurney too tell his mood. “Aye friend, I’d like too join em. What do you say?
For a moment, Serena had the chance to tell somebody about what had happened to her. Too get the load of her shoulders… “My business are mine alone.” She just couldn’t.
“… they were there for me. Those men I mean. He has send them, no one should know about me. The freak, unwanted, unloved.” For a moment, she almost lost herself. Serena couldn’t tell him much, but this he could know. “Now, it’s my time. He fears me, he fears what I’m going to do to him. He fears my vengeance.”
She looked up at Magus, looking him straight in the eyes. He could tell she didn’t want too be this way, but that she has too. She has too make Izquierda pay for what he has done.
She stretched her arms and legs and rose to her feet, she felt better then she had felt in weeks. The food wasn’t great, but it was most nutritious.
“But” She said with a smile “Don’t believe all that crazy cook told you. Though I was a secret, I wasn’t locked up in a dungeon.” Her smile disappeared. “I had a nice room, but…” A tear rolled down her cheek and she turned around, looking at the forest.
There was that feeling again.
So it was him… looking for her. He was still far away, and it would take him a while to get here. Let alone find her, hopefully.
***
From a distance, Gurney still stood with Acolytus.
Acolytus seemed to have relaxed a bit, but it was always hard for Gurney too tell his mood. “Aye friend, I’d like too join em. What do you say?
Guinness is good for you.
Gives you strength.
Gives you strength.
Acolytus was now crouching on the gound, and holding onto his spear in front of him. He was leaning against it in his crouch position. Acolytus was trying to concentrate on the conversation from afar, but couldnt pick up many words. Acolytus then heard the words of the bard.
“Aye friend, I’d like too join em. What do you say?"
Acolytus head swung to the side and looked up towards the standing, bard, "Do as you wish, I am not encumbering you to stay. That cold woman, the one called Serena, she has something toiling within her, and its controlling her. This makes her dangerous. I dare naught approach, but I dare to keep a keen and watchful eye. I know she is critical to our current quest, but I know naught where she lies. Perhaps she is the ice that will kill the fire, or perhaps she is the spark that will ignite it."
Acolytus stared at Gurney for a good silent 30 seconds. Acolytus then shifted his eyes back forwards towards the 2 strangers, Magus and Gurdio, who stood quietly, behind all of this.
“Aye friend, I’d like too join em. What do you say?"
Acolytus head swung to the side and looked up towards the standing, bard, "Do as you wish, I am not encumbering you to stay. That cold woman, the one called Serena, she has something toiling within her, and its controlling her. This makes her dangerous. I dare naught approach, but I dare to keep a keen and watchful eye. I know she is critical to our current quest, but I know naught where she lies. Perhaps she is the ice that will kill the fire, or perhaps she is the spark that will ignite it."
Acolytus stared at Gurney for a good silent 30 seconds. Acolytus then shifted his eyes back forwards towards the 2 strangers, Magus and Gurdio, who stood quietly, behind all of this.
“Caw, Caw!” The call of the wild calls you. Are you listening? Do you dare challenge their power? Do you dare invade? Nature will always triumph in the end.
[color=sky blue]I know that I die gracefully in vain. I know inside detiorates in pain.[/color]-Razed in Black
[color=sky blue]I know that I die gracefully in vain. I know inside detiorates in pain.[/color]-Razed in Black
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Azmodan
- Posts: 722
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Halya sat and listend to Serena speaking.. and when she stopped, she felt like she was about to cry herself. Magus shifted his gaze from Serena to Halya, as a invertation to speak.. Halya moved abit nervous in her seat.. "there isn't really much to say, im trained as a rager by my father, in.. ehm... lack of sons" she allmost whisperd.. she got more nervous as more ears listend.. "i...i.." she cleared her throat "it's my first time alone in the woods, and.... " she trailed off.. not sure she would tell them that she actually got lost.. and in a desperart try to get the conversation away from herself, she looked at Magus and smiled a bit insecure.. "i think your fae is cute" ... just after having said that, she imediatly regretted... why couldent she say anything right?
* Dail u-... chyn ... U-danno i failad a thi; an uben tannatha le failad.*
* Stupid ring, Stupid quest, Stupid fellowship *
* Stupid ring, Stupid quest, Stupid fellowship *
“But,” Serena said with a smile, “don’t believe all that crazy cook told you. Though I was a secret, I wasn’t locked up in a dungeon.” Her smile disappeared. “I had a nice room, but…” A tear rolled down her cheek and she turned around, looking at the forest.
Magus nodded solemnly, suppressing a small smile of his own at her deduction. His respect for her rose a notch. Though he wondered why the cook had deceived them, he accepted her words without hesitation.
At that moment he saw a sudden change come over her, her attention elsewhere. There it was again. Something was bothering her…as if she sensed something out there that he couldn’t. Was it the presence of Gurney and Acolytus, veiled in the woods, that troubled her? The explanation was logical enough, but somehow it didn’t satisfy him. He couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that began to settle in the back of his mind.
He looked to Halya, hoping to break the tension. He watched, a bit bewildered, as she stuttered and trailed off, barely coherent. He wondered what made her so nervous, so uncomfortable. Did she have the same sense that something wasn’t quite right?
Halya paused, as if she didn’t know what to say. Then she smiled at him again, an insecure smile that touched him deeply. He flushed a bit, wondering why he was getting embarrassed.
"I think your fae is cute," she said softly, looking away immediately.
“Oh!” Magus replied, surprised. “Thank you. I’m sure Cel…” He trailed off as he glanced at Celestia. She sat with her face down, turmoil and indecision written all over her pretty features. He found he couldn’t look away.
“Thank you…” came a soft murmur, after a long silence.
Halya looked back in surprise. “What…was that?”
Celestia raised her head and looked her in the eye. “Thank you.” For a moment she looked like she might say more, but she remained silent. She gazed at Halya, the suspicion fading from her eyes. In its place was a kind of childlike curiosity, her inquisitive eyes regarding her as if for the first time.
Magus finally cleared his throat, breaking the silence. “Now that we’ve all introduced ourselves…” He paused, hesitating for a long moment. Finally he turned to Serena.
“What do you intend to do?”
His voice was low, and his eyes regarded her seriously. The question seemed to hang in the air, the possibilities echoing in the stagnant sky. But he already knew the answer. He already knew what he had to do. Yet he had to ask; he had to hear it from her.
As he awaited her answer, one thought lingered in his mind. He glanced at Halya.
With whom would she side?
Magus nodded solemnly, suppressing a small smile of his own at her deduction. His respect for her rose a notch. Though he wondered why the cook had deceived them, he accepted her words without hesitation.
At that moment he saw a sudden change come over her, her attention elsewhere. There it was again. Something was bothering her…as if she sensed something out there that he couldn’t. Was it the presence of Gurney and Acolytus, veiled in the woods, that troubled her? The explanation was logical enough, but somehow it didn’t satisfy him. He couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that began to settle in the back of his mind.
He looked to Halya, hoping to break the tension. He watched, a bit bewildered, as she stuttered and trailed off, barely coherent. He wondered what made her so nervous, so uncomfortable. Did she have the same sense that something wasn’t quite right?
Halya paused, as if she didn’t know what to say. Then she smiled at him again, an insecure smile that touched him deeply. He flushed a bit, wondering why he was getting embarrassed.
"I think your fae is cute," she said softly, looking away immediately.
“Oh!” Magus replied, surprised. “Thank you. I’m sure Cel…” He trailed off as he glanced at Celestia. She sat with her face down, turmoil and indecision written all over her pretty features. He found he couldn’t look away.
“Thank you…” came a soft murmur, after a long silence.
Halya looked back in surprise. “What…was that?”
Celestia raised her head and looked her in the eye. “Thank you.” For a moment she looked like she might say more, but she remained silent. She gazed at Halya, the suspicion fading from her eyes. In its place was a kind of childlike curiosity, her inquisitive eyes regarding her as if for the first time.
Magus finally cleared his throat, breaking the silence. “Now that we’ve all introduced ourselves…” He paused, hesitating for a long moment. Finally he turned to Serena.
“What do you intend to do?”
His voice was low, and his eyes regarded her seriously. The question seemed to hang in the air, the possibilities echoing in the stagnant sky. But he already knew the answer. He already knew what he had to do. Yet he had to ask; he had to hear it from her.
As he awaited her answer, one thought lingered in his mind. He glanced at Halya.
With whom would she side?
Lost Souls: A bereft lover. A masterless familiar. Friends gone their separate ways. Time marches on, and destiny heralds the meeting of comrades old and new. Can they find what they're seeking? Or will the search bring them only more pain?
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Rob-hin
- Posts: 4832
- Joined: Tue Aug 21, 2001 11:00 am
- Location: In the Batcave with catwoman. *prrrr*
- Contact:
“Isn’t it obvious?” Serena looked up at the mage called Magus. “I will kill him.”
A pain in her chest seemed to tear her up from the inside and her gaze dropped down from the mage to the ground. “I know it’s not right… but justice is to be served. My way. My justice.” Her voice had a soft chill in it.
“Now I have the power to make it so.” Her hand slid over her robes unwittingly, sliding over an object of power which she had hidden from sight.
“But I fear I may not get close enough to him to do so. He made powerful allies after my disappearance; he must know what I have planned for him. How I do not know… perhaps his wizard discovered my planes somehow.”
She gazed into the forest again. “We are being watched.” With a nod, she pointed towards a tree at the edge of the open spot. “It’s Galuz, Izquierda’s gnome spy. He functions as the eyes of the baron on the field.” Halya and Magus looked at the spot discreetly; there they saw a small figure dressed in rags, trying to keep himself hidden and then take off into the forest.
“And since he knows we are here, the people who are after me will know soon too. One of them I know somewhat. It’s Izquierda’s wizard… but he’s not alone.”
She focused on Magus and Halya again, looking them straight in the eyes. “They are after you to now. They will think you are with me, besides, they are not allowed to leave behind any witnesses.”
Serena focused her thoughts for a while. “I can’t reach my father by myself and you will want to find him yourself too. Though our motives are different, our path is the same. It would be in both our best interests to work together. We’ll see what we’ll do once… if we get there.”
Serena felt better after this short rest, and she had the energy to travel again.
“We should get going, they can be here soon.”
***
Mursalin awoke by the sound of an opening door.
The pretty girl stepped back inside, followed by an older man; grey and he looked like he had passed fifty years of age long ago.
“I brought my father.” She said with a big smile on her face. “He can help you.”
The man stepped forward. ‘Hey there lad, I’m Alinda’s father; Borneal.”
Mursalin was about to introduce himself but Borneal interrupted him. “I know who you are lad. You are that paladin that has been hanging around here for a while right?
Painfully, Mursalin responded with a nod. He still didn’t feel all that well.
“Relax.” Borneal commanded. Then he focussed and made strange gestures and spoke strange words. Most of it Mursalin recognised as words of healing, tapping into the divine powers of the gods. With both hands, Borneal then pointed at Mursalin.
Bright lights filed the room and it blinded Mursalin for a second, but he was not afraid.
Immediately he started to feel better, the pain slowly slowed out of his body. He thankfully looked up from his bed.
Borneal bowed. “It is the least I can do after all you have done for our village all these months.” The he turned and stepped out of the door again. “I’ll leave you two alone then.” He grinned softly.
Alinda kneeled down next to Mursalin’s bed. “My dad is a healer by profession, he can’t fight, but he’s the best healer in these parts.” She smiled at Mursalin again.
A pain in her chest seemed to tear her up from the inside and her gaze dropped down from the mage to the ground. “I know it’s not right… but justice is to be served. My way. My justice.” Her voice had a soft chill in it.
“Now I have the power to make it so.” Her hand slid over her robes unwittingly, sliding over an object of power which she had hidden from sight.
“But I fear I may not get close enough to him to do so. He made powerful allies after my disappearance; he must know what I have planned for him. How I do not know… perhaps his wizard discovered my planes somehow.”
She gazed into the forest again. “We are being watched.” With a nod, she pointed towards a tree at the edge of the open spot. “It’s Galuz, Izquierda’s gnome spy. He functions as the eyes of the baron on the field.” Halya and Magus looked at the spot discreetly; there they saw a small figure dressed in rags, trying to keep himself hidden and then take off into the forest.
“And since he knows we are here, the people who are after me will know soon too. One of them I know somewhat. It’s Izquierda’s wizard… but he’s not alone.”
She focused on Magus and Halya again, looking them straight in the eyes. “They are after you to now. They will think you are with me, besides, they are not allowed to leave behind any witnesses.”
Serena focused her thoughts for a while. “I can’t reach my father by myself and you will want to find him yourself too. Though our motives are different, our path is the same. It would be in both our best interests to work together. We’ll see what we’ll do once… if we get there.”
Serena felt better after this short rest, and she had the energy to travel again.
“We should get going, they can be here soon.”
***
Mursalin awoke by the sound of an opening door.
The pretty girl stepped back inside, followed by an older man; grey and he looked like he had passed fifty years of age long ago.
“I brought my father.” She said with a big smile on her face. “He can help you.”
The man stepped forward. ‘Hey there lad, I’m Alinda’s father; Borneal.”
Mursalin was about to introduce himself but Borneal interrupted him. “I know who you are lad. You are that paladin that has been hanging around here for a while right?
Painfully, Mursalin responded with a nod. He still didn’t feel all that well.
“Relax.” Borneal commanded. Then he focussed and made strange gestures and spoke strange words. Most of it Mursalin recognised as words of healing, tapping into the divine powers of the gods. With both hands, Borneal then pointed at Mursalin.
Bright lights filed the room and it blinded Mursalin for a second, but he was not afraid.
Immediately he started to feel better, the pain slowly slowed out of his body. He thankfully looked up from his bed.
Borneal bowed. “It is the least I can do after all you have done for our village all these months.” The he turned and stepped out of the door again. “I’ll leave you two alone then.” He grinned softly.
Alinda kneeled down next to Mursalin’s bed. “My dad is a healer by profession, he can’t fight, but he’s the best healer in these parts.” She smiled at Mursalin again.
Guinness is good for you.
Gives you strength.
Gives you strength.
"That he seems to be" Mursalin replied. He was still in pain but he did feel better, and his strenght was back. Mursalin pushed himself off the bed into a sitting position, realising thankfully that he was still clothed. Now.... Looking at Alinda he asked "Where did you place my armor and equipment, also i have been in these parts for some time, but i never met you before why is that? Also how far are we from the village, and what happened to me?"
For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun? - Khalil Gibran
"We shall fight on the beaches. We shall fight on the landing grounds. We shall fight in the fields, and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills. We shall never surrender!" - Winston Churchill
"We shall fight on the beaches. We shall fight on the landing grounds. We shall fight in the fields, and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills. We shall never surrender!" - Winston Churchill
“We should get going, they could be here soon.”
Magus nodded, hiding his surprise. He could hardly believe she had just suggested they join forces, considering her paranoia to this point. Was he beginning to gain her trust, then? He looked at her thoughtfully. Was she worthy of his trust? She was a volatile one, completely unpredictable. He remembered the feeling he’d gotten when he cast the detect evil spell last night. He’d felt great evil, but also good within her. As if something drove her to being the way she was, something powerful and more intense than she could or wanted to resist.
The thought lingered in his mind as he absently began to gather up his belongings. Something powerful and more intense than she could or wanted to resist…
Was it just her tragic past…or perhaps something more? The uneasy feeling returned as Magus dwelt on the question without success.
Magus nodded, hiding his surprise. He could hardly believe she had just suggested they join forces, considering her paranoia to this point. Was he beginning to gain her trust, then? He looked at her thoughtfully. Was she worthy of his trust? She was a volatile one, completely unpredictable. He remembered the feeling he’d gotten when he cast the detect evil spell last night. He’d felt great evil, but also good within her. As if something drove her to being the way she was, something powerful and more intense than she could or wanted to resist.
The thought lingered in his mind as he absently began to gather up his belongings. Something powerful and more intense than she could or wanted to resist…
Was it just her tragic past…or perhaps something more? The uneasy feeling returned as Magus dwelt on the question without success.
Lost Souls: A bereft lover. A masterless familiar. Friends gone their separate ways. Time marches on, and destiny heralds the meeting of comrades old and new. Can they find what they're seeking? Or will the search bring them only more pain?
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Azmodan
- Posts: 722
- Joined: Mon May 06, 2002 7:30 am
- Location: would you belive me if I said; Doriath?
- Contact:
“We should get going, they can be here soon.”
As soon as Halya had heard Serena utter that sentence. She was ready to jump on her feet and.. and ... what?.. go off on adventure? Or was it the handsome half-elf? She didn’t quite know right now. But for some reason she felt like she needed to prove something to the mage. “then lets go!” Halya spurted out, and smiled another bright smile.
Magus looked at her and shook his head lightly.. was she not aware of the danger?
But Halya just jumped on her feet, as light as a feather.. and begun to fasten her weapons again. Hoping she did it right... it would be so embarrassing if she did this wrong.. noone would want to travel with a inexperienced child.. and she had just used so much time trying to convince them she was not!.
If she did it wrong, none seemed to notice.. busy with their own preparations for a quick depature.
As soon as Halya had heard Serena utter that sentence. She was ready to jump on her feet and.. and ... what?.. go off on adventure? Or was it the handsome half-elf? She didn’t quite know right now. But for some reason she felt like she needed to prove something to the mage. “then lets go!” Halya spurted out, and smiled another bright smile.
Magus looked at her and shook his head lightly.. was she not aware of the danger?
But Halya just jumped on her feet, as light as a feather.. and begun to fasten her weapons again. Hoping she did it right... it would be so embarrassing if she did this wrong.. noone would want to travel with a inexperienced child.. and she had just used so much time trying to convince them she was not!.
If she did it wrong, none seemed to notice.. busy with their own preparations for a quick depature.
* Dail u-... chyn ... U-danno i failad a thi; an uben tannatha le failad.*
* Stupid ring, Stupid quest, Stupid fellowship *
* Stupid ring, Stupid quest, Stupid fellowship *
“Then let’s go!” Halya spurted out, and smiled another bright smile.
Magus looked at her and shook his head lightly…was she not aware of the danger? He considered chiding her for taking the situation too lightly…but as he watched her, cheerfully fastening her weapons as if donning a costume for some festive celebration, his voice faltered. She had never taken the life of a fellow person, had she? He sighed quietly. Well, there was nothing to be done for it. As Serena said, they were all targets now. He didn’t doubt her words, either. He had set off on this adventure with the small but firm hope that the attack on the Inn was some sort of misunderstanding. But the more he thought about it, the more he realized he’d just been deluding himself. Like it or not, a bloody fight now seemed inevitable.
As he thought about what had to be done, he felt a little unsettled. Oddly, what disturbed him wasn’t that he would have to kill, or even that he could die. Cowardice was a natural instinct, nothing to be ashamed of. No, what bothered him was the eager tension building in his body. The thought of killing didn’t bother him. Quite the opposite. It invigorated him. He began to wonder if there was something wrong with him.
Silently he regarded Halya, prettily flamboyant as she prepared to set off on an exciting adventure. He smiled despite himself; he had taken an immediate liking to her, though he was hard pressed to lay a finger on the reason. Her youthful innocence, perhaps? He wondered…if her exuberance was the mark of inexperience, what about his dubious eagerness? He’d killed when necessity compelled him to, and though he avoided taking life when possible, he’d never thought twice about it when he did. What was the mark of experience, then? he thought, bitterly ironic. Apathy? Callousness?
Bloodlust?
These thoughts still fresh in his mind, he glanced at Celestia. She eyed Serena closely. Recalling the other occasions when he had sensed her feelings, he concentrated hard, seeing if he could will the link between them open once again. Nothing. He tried again, with the same result. What was he doing wrong? Puzzled, he decided to try one more time. Relaxing his mind with a meditation technique he’d learned, he opened his mind and gazed at his oddly serious-looking pixie. It was almost imperceptible at first, but gradually he felt Celestia’s mental presence, a faint consciousness that faded in and out as he observed wonderingly. As soon as he concentrated on it, it faded and disappeared. His follow-up attempt was unsuccessful. Oh well. At least he was making progress.
Might as well do it the tried-and-true way, then.
“She still bothers you, huh?” he asked softly, echoing his own thoughts.
Cel turned and nodded, unusually sober. She glanced back at Serena. “It’s cold,” she whispered. She shivered slightly. “Black…cold. Cel doesn’t want to travel with the bad lady. Not at all.”
“Are you alright?” he asked, concerned, momentarily forgetting his question. “You’re not getting sick, are you?”
She shook her head. “No…Cel is fine.” She nestled a little closer to his neck. Her smooth hair tickled against his skin.
“Well…alright.” Distracted, he realized he’d lost his train of thought. Oh well.
“Well, are you coming or not?” Startled, he saw Serena calling to him from the edge of the clearing. Halya stood next to her, looking at him anxiously.
“Oh, my pardon.” How long had he been standing there? He hurried over, chiding himself for being so absentminded. He winced as he heard a series of small gasps from the jolting and slowed down. “Sorry about that…” he apologized ruefully. He heard a small hmph in response.
Just then he looked back in alarm. The others…weren’t they coming?
Magus looked at her and shook his head lightly…was she not aware of the danger? He considered chiding her for taking the situation too lightly…but as he watched her, cheerfully fastening her weapons as if donning a costume for some festive celebration, his voice faltered. She had never taken the life of a fellow person, had she? He sighed quietly. Well, there was nothing to be done for it. As Serena said, they were all targets now. He didn’t doubt her words, either. He had set off on this adventure with the small but firm hope that the attack on the Inn was some sort of misunderstanding. But the more he thought about it, the more he realized he’d just been deluding himself. Like it or not, a bloody fight now seemed inevitable.
As he thought about what had to be done, he felt a little unsettled. Oddly, what disturbed him wasn’t that he would have to kill, or even that he could die. Cowardice was a natural instinct, nothing to be ashamed of. No, what bothered him was the eager tension building in his body. The thought of killing didn’t bother him. Quite the opposite. It invigorated him. He began to wonder if there was something wrong with him.
Silently he regarded Halya, prettily flamboyant as she prepared to set off on an exciting adventure. He smiled despite himself; he had taken an immediate liking to her, though he was hard pressed to lay a finger on the reason. Her youthful innocence, perhaps? He wondered…if her exuberance was the mark of inexperience, what about his dubious eagerness? He’d killed when necessity compelled him to, and though he avoided taking life when possible, he’d never thought twice about it when he did. What was the mark of experience, then? he thought, bitterly ironic. Apathy? Callousness?
Bloodlust?
These thoughts still fresh in his mind, he glanced at Celestia. She eyed Serena closely. Recalling the other occasions when he had sensed her feelings, he concentrated hard, seeing if he could will the link between them open once again. Nothing. He tried again, with the same result. What was he doing wrong? Puzzled, he decided to try one more time. Relaxing his mind with a meditation technique he’d learned, he opened his mind and gazed at his oddly serious-looking pixie. It was almost imperceptible at first, but gradually he felt Celestia’s mental presence, a faint consciousness that faded in and out as he observed wonderingly. As soon as he concentrated on it, it faded and disappeared. His follow-up attempt was unsuccessful. Oh well. At least he was making progress.
Might as well do it the tried-and-true way, then.
“She still bothers you, huh?” he asked softly, echoing his own thoughts.
Cel turned and nodded, unusually sober. She glanced back at Serena. “It’s cold,” she whispered. She shivered slightly. “Black…cold. Cel doesn’t want to travel with the bad lady. Not at all.”
“Are you alright?” he asked, concerned, momentarily forgetting his question. “You’re not getting sick, are you?”
She shook her head. “No…Cel is fine.” She nestled a little closer to his neck. Her smooth hair tickled against his skin.
“Well…alright.” Distracted, he realized he’d lost his train of thought. Oh well.
“Well, are you coming or not?” Startled, he saw Serena calling to him from the edge of the clearing. Halya stood next to her, looking at him anxiously.
“Oh, my pardon.” How long had he been standing there? He hurried over, chiding himself for being so absentminded. He winced as he heard a series of small gasps from the jolting and slowed down. “Sorry about that…” he apologized ruefully. He heard a small hmph in response.
Just then he looked back in alarm. The others…weren’t they coming?
Lost Souls: A bereft lover. A masterless familiar. Friends gone their separate ways. Time marches on, and destiny heralds the meeting of comrades old and new. Can they find what they're seeking? Or will the search bring them only more pain?
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Rudar Dimble
- Posts: 924
- Joined: Sat Apr 13, 2002 11:00 am
- Location: "I did? Hmm...I must be getting old."
- Contact:
Just when everybody seemed to agree to go with Serena, Gurdio, who had been quiet all day now, stepped forward.
"Why should we go with this woman? Sure her story is a terrible one, but so are many others within these realms. Haven't you heard what she said? Her father has made powerful allies. Do you really think we are the ones to take up arms against such a foe?"
He looked around, waiting for a response.
"A don't know whether I am ready to risk my life to help someone I just met a few minutes ago. I am not even sure if I would risk my life for my own relatives for crying out loud!"
Gurdio made his speech more powerful with some gestures.
"I would be willing to go, IF there would be a reward of some kind in it for me."
He looked Serena straight in the eyes, waiting for an answer, offer or denial, he did not know.
"Why should we go with this woman? Sure her story is a terrible one, but so are many others within these realms. Haven't you heard what she said? Her father has made powerful allies. Do you really think we are the ones to take up arms against such a foe?"
He looked around, waiting for a response.
"A don't know whether I am ready to risk my life to help someone I just met a few minutes ago. I am not even sure if I would risk my life for my own relatives for crying out loud!"
Gurdio made his speech more powerful with some gestures.
"I would be willing to go, IF there would be a reward of some kind in it for me."
He looked Serena straight in the eyes, waiting for an answer, offer or denial, he did not know.
Broken promises
"They made us many promises,
more than I can remember.
But they kept but one -
They promised to take our land...
and they took it"
Chief Red Cloud
"They made us many promises,
more than I can remember.
But they kept but one -
They promised to take our land...
and they took it"
Chief Red Cloud
Magus opened his mouth to speak, then thought better of it. He turned to Serena and watched her reaction, his expression curious as he waited to see how this would play out.
Lost Souls: A bereft lover. A masterless familiar. Friends gone their separate ways. Time marches on, and destiny heralds the meeting of comrades old and new. Can they find what they're seeking? Or will the search bring them only more pain?
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Rob-hin
- Posts: 4832
- Joined: Tue Aug 21, 2001 11:00 am
- Location: In the Batcave with catwoman. *prrrr*
- Contact:
Serena turned around and looked at the gnome.
"I would be willing to go, IF there would be a reward of some kind in it for me."
“You’d be WILLING to go?” What was this foolish gnome thinking? “Let’s get one thing straight. I don’t want you near me; I don’t want anything to with the likes of you or your friends! But I can’t reach my father alone, his mercenaries will find and stop me before I’d even come close. The same applies to you.”
Gurdio wasn’t impressed.
“Why should I even want to talk to that no good father of yours? Those mercenaries aren’t even after me!”
In response, Serena let out a sarcastic smirk.
“And if they think I’m on your side…” Gurdio continued. “… we could easily prove them otherwise. Heh, I… euh, we’d probably be rewarded for delivering you to them.”
With her arms crossed in front of her body, Serena listened to Gurdio. She didn’t try to hide the fact that he irritated her to death. “Are you really that stupid? Do you honestly believe that they will let you live?”
She tossed her head back and laughed at the top of her lungs. It was the first time the rest had heard her laugh but it made the hairs on the back of their neck stand up.
“Fool! My father is not what he appears to be. He may not be crude to his people because he needs them, but to his own daughter… Besides, you know nothing of what goes on behind the castle walls.”
“What has this…” Gurdio started, but he was interrupted when Serena continued.
“He won’t stop at anything to find me; to stop me. No witnesses. Not even those who help him, it would mean he has to pay you. Killing you is so much cheaper.”
Gurdio let his gaze slid down and he looked at the ground. Thinking, looking for another way out. Serena noticed this; “So, either you follow me to his keep, you try to capture or even kill me… or you run away. What will it be?”
“I don't think of it as running away. My qualities have a price and if you are not ready to for them, you won't see them. So what will it be?
“Fine.” Serena waived his answer away with a gesture of her hand. “Get yourself killed then I don’t care. They will find you, you know.”
'I know, I know? No I don't know! I don't know your father and I don't know you. The only think I know is that you came up with this ridiculous story. Why would I believe you?”
“Well, then you’d have to just believe my bright blue eyes then, since I can not and will prove anything. Die if you must.” Tired of this argument, Serena then turned away and set course towards her final goal. Her father’s castle.
“Good luck” shouted Gurdio, with a little hesitation in his voice. He wasn't sure whether he had done the right thing...
He looked towards the others, waiting for their reaction. But he was sure of one thing, whatever their decision on the matter might be he wouldn't go with this woman......not as a free mercenary!
***
In the distance, Gurney and Acolytus seemed to have a slight argument.
“What do you mean, you’re leaving?”
“I’m sorry my friend, but I choose life in the wild. I have seen enough death and killing in my life.” Then Acolytus turned away from Gurney, nodded to his trusty four legged friend and started walking. “I’m sorry, goodbye.”
He walked away and didn’t look back.
“But… but.” Gurney sighted. “Damn it!” Confused about what he should do next, he looked at the rest of the group and saw that they were about to set of.
“Hey, wait up for old Gurney!”
As he reached the rest, he could hear on last line of what seemed to be a much heated argument. “Good luck” shouted Gurdio.
“What? Aren’t you coming with us? He looked at the gnome.
“No.” He responded. “Risk is high and payment is low. So I’m leaving.”
Gurney wasn’t about to loose another party member.
“What about the adventure? The good we’ll be doing?
“I will not put my life on the line only for adventure or good, I need the money. I’ve just been robbed remember, I told you about it?”
“I heard the baron is rich beyond your dreams…”Gurney thought out loud. “… and I doubt Serena is after her money. You could make a pretty penny no matter how this ends.”
"Hmm....that makes sense. But she has to promise me to give me at least 7500 gold pieces worth of loot, no matter what we will find in the castle"
“I will guarantee that you get your money. How about that?” Gurney disliked the leaving of the druid and he was not about to loose another party member. He recond that they’d need all the help they could get.
“But if it’s not in the castle, then I will pay you myself. I have my resources. I’m positive it is there though, that and even more. I’ve been there before and the place is covered with gold.”
“So you know it? Why didn't you tell me before? Ah, you might have, but I am not always paying attention. And frankly I don't even care, I do trust YOU on your word, Gurney”
Gurdio looked at Serena.
“So, what are we waiting for? Let's go!”
"I would be willing to go, IF there would be a reward of some kind in it for me."
“You’d be WILLING to go?” What was this foolish gnome thinking? “Let’s get one thing straight. I don’t want you near me; I don’t want anything to with the likes of you or your friends! But I can’t reach my father alone, his mercenaries will find and stop me before I’d even come close. The same applies to you.”
Gurdio wasn’t impressed.
“Why should I even want to talk to that no good father of yours? Those mercenaries aren’t even after me!”
In response, Serena let out a sarcastic smirk.
“And if they think I’m on your side…” Gurdio continued. “… we could easily prove them otherwise. Heh, I… euh, we’d probably be rewarded for delivering you to them.”
With her arms crossed in front of her body, Serena listened to Gurdio. She didn’t try to hide the fact that he irritated her to death. “Are you really that stupid? Do you honestly believe that they will let you live?”
She tossed her head back and laughed at the top of her lungs. It was the first time the rest had heard her laugh but it made the hairs on the back of their neck stand up.
“Fool! My father is not what he appears to be. He may not be crude to his people because he needs them, but to his own daughter… Besides, you know nothing of what goes on behind the castle walls.”
“What has this…” Gurdio started, but he was interrupted when Serena continued.
“He won’t stop at anything to find me; to stop me. No witnesses. Not even those who help him, it would mean he has to pay you. Killing you is so much cheaper.”
Gurdio let his gaze slid down and he looked at the ground. Thinking, looking for another way out. Serena noticed this; “So, either you follow me to his keep, you try to capture or even kill me… or you run away. What will it be?”
“I don't think of it as running away. My qualities have a price and if you are not ready to for them, you won't see them. So what will it be?
“Fine.” Serena waived his answer away with a gesture of her hand. “Get yourself killed then I don’t care. They will find you, you know.”
'I know, I know? No I don't know! I don't know your father and I don't know you. The only think I know is that you came up with this ridiculous story. Why would I believe you?”
“Well, then you’d have to just believe my bright blue eyes then, since I can not and will prove anything. Die if you must.” Tired of this argument, Serena then turned away and set course towards her final goal. Her father’s castle.
“Good luck” shouted Gurdio, with a little hesitation in his voice. He wasn't sure whether he had done the right thing...
He looked towards the others, waiting for their reaction. But he was sure of one thing, whatever their decision on the matter might be he wouldn't go with this woman......not as a free mercenary!
***
In the distance, Gurney and Acolytus seemed to have a slight argument.
“What do you mean, you’re leaving?”
“I’m sorry my friend, but I choose life in the wild. I have seen enough death and killing in my life.” Then Acolytus turned away from Gurney, nodded to his trusty four legged friend and started walking. “I’m sorry, goodbye.”
He walked away and didn’t look back.
“But… but.” Gurney sighted. “Damn it!” Confused about what he should do next, he looked at the rest of the group and saw that they were about to set of.
“Hey, wait up for old Gurney!”
As he reached the rest, he could hear on last line of what seemed to be a much heated argument. “Good luck” shouted Gurdio.
“What? Aren’t you coming with us? He looked at the gnome.
“No.” He responded. “Risk is high and payment is low. So I’m leaving.”
Gurney wasn’t about to loose another party member.
“What about the adventure? The good we’ll be doing?
“I will not put my life on the line only for adventure or good, I need the money. I’ve just been robbed remember, I told you about it?”
“I heard the baron is rich beyond your dreams…”Gurney thought out loud. “… and I doubt Serena is after her money. You could make a pretty penny no matter how this ends.”
"Hmm....that makes sense. But she has to promise me to give me at least 7500 gold pieces worth of loot, no matter what we will find in the castle"
“I will guarantee that you get your money. How about that?” Gurney disliked the leaving of the druid and he was not about to loose another party member. He recond that they’d need all the help they could get.
“But if it’s not in the castle, then I will pay you myself. I have my resources. I’m positive it is there though, that and even more. I’ve been there before and the place is covered with gold.”
“So you know it? Why didn't you tell me before? Ah, you might have, but I am not always paying attention. And frankly I don't even care, I do trust YOU on your word, Gurney”
Gurdio looked at Serena.
“So, what are we waiting for? Let's go!”
Guinness is good for you.
Gives you strength.
Gives you strength.
Magus looked at Gurdio, his face expressionless. He was a little disappointed, though it was hard to tell from his expression. He could hardly fault the guy for having cold feet…but to agree to accompany them, solely on the basis that there was money in it for him? It was so…shameless. What was worse, Gurney had even given his word to pay the gnome himself if the loot was insufficient, and Gurdio had calmly accepted as if he’d expected no less. He acted as if he was a mere bystander to this whole ordeal, when he was just as involved as they all were. They had set out to investigate this matter as a team, and now he wanted to pretend as if nothing had happened? Magus had expected better of him; that was all.
“Like a fox. Cel knew not to trust him.” Magus glanced at her in surprise. She looked back at him, her gaze clearing saying ‘I told you so’.
“Yes, I suppose you’re right.” He breathed a long sigh.
Where was Acolytus, anyway? He looked back just in time to see the druid disappear into the woods. Then he was…leaving? Magus wanted to stop him, but decided to let him go. He didn’t seem like the easily persuaded type, and besides, it was probably best this way. His bristly demeanor reminded him all too well of Serena. From what he could tell, they had more than a bit in common, those two. Not that it would make them get along any better. No, the party didn’t need any more unsociable personalities. It would be unstable enough as it was. He said a silent farewell to Acolytus, the taciturn defender of nature, and turned his back.
They set out soon after. Magus brought up the rear, alone, the contemplative mood having taken him strongly once again. He recalled Gurdio and Serena’s heated exchange.
"I would be willing to go, IF there would be a reward of some kind in it for me.”
“You’d be WILLING to go? Let’s get one thing straight. I don’t want you near me; I don’t want anything to with the likes of you or your friends! But I can’t reach my father alone, his mercenaries will find and stop me before I’d even come close. The same applies to you.”
So they were all just means to an end for her. He knew it was silly to think so…but he had thought that he’d actually connected with her, if only a little. People did say things in anger that they didn’t really mean…but from what little he knew of her, he didn’t doubt she meant it. So, if not for comradery…then what was the point of this whole escapade? To save their skins? To loot the Baron for all he was worth? He should have listened to his intuition at the start of this whole fiasco. He shouldn’t have gotten involved. By now he could have found another inn to rest comfortably until his next job. Why had he thrown it away? Why had he abandoned his peaceful life as a traveling mage to go on some reckless adventure?
He thought about it for a moment. He was bored. That was it. He was tired of living a life of predictable monotony, of sitting in taverns listening to others boast their tall tales and wild accomplishments. Most of all, he wanted to make a difference, if only a small one. He could enchant baubles and remove petty curses all he wanted, but he would never know what was he was missing if he never emerged from his comfortable little box every now and then.
“Master?”
“Hm?” His familiar’s voice startled him back to reality, her deferential tone grabbing his attention. He glanced at her, wondering what was on her mind.
“Why do we travel with these strange people? Why don’t Magus and Cel go off on their own adventure?” Her eyes shined at the prospect.
Magus smiled, chuckling lightly. She c0cked her head, looking a bit puzzled at his reaction. “That would be fun.” He patted her head gently. It was an odd gesture, her head small as it was. He used the tip of his outstretched hand, touching her head as one would a fragile flower, delicately admiring. She smiled back from under his hand adoringly, and for a moment he was genuinely tempted to slip away as Cel suggested. Back here as he was, no doubt they wouldn’t notice his absence for some time…
“Like a fox. Cel knew not to trust him.” Magus glanced at her in surprise. She looked back at him, her gaze clearing saying ‘I told you so’.
“Yes, I suppose you’re right.” He breathed a long sigh.
Where was Acolytus, anyway? He looked back just in time to see the druid disappear into the woods. Then he was…leaving? Magus wanted to stop him, but decided to let him go. He didn’t seem like the easily persuaded type, and besides, it was probably best this way. His bristly demeanor reminded him all too well of Serena. From what he could tell, they had more than a bit in common, those two. Not that it would make them get along any better. No, the party didn’t need any more unsociable personalities. It would be unstable enough as it was. He said a silent farewell to Acolytus, the taciturn defender of nature, and turned his back.
They set out soon after. Magus brought up the rear, alone, the contemplative mood having taken him strongly once again. He recalled Gurdio and Serena’s heated exchange.
"I would be willing to go, IF there would be a reward of some kind in it for me.”
“You’d be WILLING to go? Let’s get one thing straight. I don’t want you near me; I don’t want anything to with the likes of you or your friends! But I can’t reach my father alone, his mercenaries will find and stop me before I’d even come close. The same applies to you.”
So they were all just means to an end for her. He knew it was silly to think so…but he had thought that he’d actually connected with her, if only a little. People did say things in anger that they didn’t really mean…but from what little he knew of her, he didn’t doubt she meant it. So, if not for comradery…then what was the point of this whole escapade? To save their skins? To loot the Baron for all he was worth? He should have listened to his intuition at the start of this whole fiasco. He shouldn’t have gotten involved. By now he could have found another inn to rest comfortably until his next job. Why had he thrown it away? Why had he abandoned his peaceful life as a traveling mage to go on some reckless adventure?
He thought about it for a moment. He was bored. That was it. He was tired of living a life of predictable monotony, of sitting in taverns listening to others boast their tall tales and wild accomplishments. Most of all, he wanted to make a difference, if only a small one. He could enchant baubles and remove petty curses all he wanted, but he would never know what was he was missing if he never emerged from his comfortable little box every now and then.
“Master?”
“Hm?” His familiar’s voice startled him back to reality, her deferential tone grabbing his attention. He glanced at her, wondering what was on her mind.
“Why do we travel with these strange people? Why don’t Magus and Cel go off on their own adventure?” Her eyes shined at the prospect.
Magus smiled, chuckling lightly. She c0cked her head, looking a bit puzzled at his reaction. “That would be fun.” He patted her head gently. It was an odd gesture, her head small as it was. He used the tip of his outstretched hand, touching her head as one would a fragile flower, delicately admiring. She smiled back from under his hand adoringly, and for a moment he was genuinely tempted to slip away as Cel suggested. Back here as he was, no doubt they wouldn’t notice his absence for some time…
Lost Souls: A bereft lover. A masterless familiar. Friends gone their separate ways. Time marches on, and destiny heralds the meeting of comrades old and new. Can they find what they're seeking? Or will the search bring them only more pain?
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Azmodan
- Posts: 722
- Joined: Mon May 06, 2002 7:30 am
- Location: would you belive me if I said; Doriath?
- Contact:
Halya had stepped back from the group. She felt she had no place in this discussion.. her gaze was locked on her feet, as she nervously played with the edge of her sleeve.. maybe she should just disappear into the forest?. Maybe she had no place in this.
* Dail u-... chyn ... U-danno i failad a thi; an uben tannatha le failad.*
* Stupid ring, Stupid quest, Stupid fellowship *
* Stupid ring, Stupid quest, Stupid fellowship *
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Rob-hin
- Posts: 4832
- Joined: Tue Aug 21, 2001 11:00 am
- Location: In the Batcave with catwoman. *prrrr*
- Contact:
Gurney and Gurdio caught up with the rest of the group, who were just a couple feet ahead of them. There Gurney noticed a newcomer, a lovely Elven girl who seemed to be a bit nervous. Then he noticed Magus, he too seemed nervous. Could he have second thoughts about this adventure?
First he walked up to Magus and he swung his arm around Magus’s shoulders. “What do say? Let’s go help that lovely lady there do the right thing.”
Gurney dragged Magus with him towards the new girl. “Hello there! I’m Gurney and I guess you’ll be joining us?” Gurney swung his arm around her too, now he dragged the both of them with him. On his left he held Magus and on his right he held Halya. Unaware that due to this strange position, Gurney’s rapier shifted a little and it pocked Magus in the side somewhat.
“Shall we?” Gurney said with a big smile on his face, and he started walking towards where Serena had disappeared into the forest.
First he walked up to Magus and he swung his arm around Magus’s shoulders. “What do say? Let’s go help that lovely lady there do the right thing.”
Gurney dragged Magus with him towards the new girl. “Hello there! I’m Gurney and I guess you’ll be joining us?” Gurney swung his arm around her too, now he dragged the both of them with him. On his left he held Magus and on his right he held Halya. Unaware that due to this strange position, Gurney’s rapier shifted a little and it pocked Magus in the side somewhat.
“Shall we?” Gurney said with a big smile on his face, and he started walking towards where Serena had disappeared into the forest.
Guinness is good for you.
Gives you strength.
Gives you strength.
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Rob-hin
- Posts: 4832
- Joined: Tue Aug 21, 2001 11:00 am
- Location: In the Batcave with catwoman. *prrrr*
- Contact:
“Where did you place my armour and equipment, also I have been in these parts for some time, but I never met you before why is that? Also how far are we from the village and what happened to me?"
Alinda pointed towards a big wooden chest. “Your stuff is in there.”
She looked a bit disappointed. Perhaps she hoped for Mursalin to thank her or perhaps she hoped that he would stay a bit longer.
“We…” She paused. “My father and I and my little brother and sister live just outside Windspear. It’s not far though, we know what happened there. But I don’t know what happened to you. My little brother and sister found you just a couple of feet from here, you were hurt badly. Unfortunately we had to wait for dad to return from herding his sheep so he could heal you.”
She held her hand in front of her mouth and laughed softly. “If it wasn’t for my little brother and sister, who broke the rule by being out that late, we would have found you.”
Alinda pointed towards a big wooden chest. “Your stuff is in there.”
She looked a bit disappointed. Perhaps she hoped for Mursalin to thank her or perhaps she hoped that he would stay a bit longer.
“We…” She paused. “My father and I and my little brother and sister live just outside Windspear. It’s not far though, we know what happened there. But I don’t know what happened to you. My little brother and sister found you just a couple of feet from here, you were hurt badly. Unfortunately we had to wait for dad to return from herding his sheep so he could heal you.”
She held her hand in front of her mouth and laughed softly. “If it wasn’t for my little brother and sister, who broke the rule by being out that late, we would have found you.”
Guinness is good for you.
Gives you strength.
Gives you strength.