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The short fall was still quite a fright and Therian knew not what was to come. The fall came to an end when he felt his body caught by someone and he was no longer falling. Therian opened his eyes to find himself in the arms of Viridi and he instantly felt horrible for making her do this. She's already done so much for him. If only he hadn't wandered off in the middle of the night out of curiosity, he wouldn't have put Viridi in such position. Worst, if Geist heard about how much he had screwed up, Therian feared he'd be in for a scolding.

Not wanting Viridi to carry him longer then necessary, Therian was quick to get back on his feet as soon as his rescuer released him. However, it's still too soon for him to recover from his order and he slumped slightly carrying his own weight. He could only do as he was told. "There's no reason for me not to trust you. You've done so much for me already and we've only just met. I'll obey your every word." Therian said with a tired voice.

When the fiends approached, the frightened Therian wanted to back away but stuck even closer to Viridi since she was the only one he knew that wouldn't do him harm. From behind Viridi, Therian watched, both curious and terrified. It was one thing to be told about phylomancy in the form of a story but it's a completely different experience seeing it first hand. Therian nodded at the new instructions given to him but the smell won't be a bother since his bloodied nose made sure of it. However, Therian wasn't entirely unaffected by the stench, the foul air did leave a vomit-like taste in his mouth that was most discomforting that he'd hope to clear with a few hacks in vain, the taste was still there.

It was tough being so close to a summon that looked like a mangled flesh monster but Therian did his best to keep up with Viridi in his current state. Once they reached the wall, he proceed with the next instruction he was told earlier. Not wanting to give Viridi much discomfort either, he did clung onto her back in a manner that would not restrict the raven haired blood alchemist's movements, this made all even more difficult with the body size difference between the two. And a certain body part unique to the opposite gender. Therian would be seen with reddened face if wasn't already bruised, battered and bloody.

All Therian could do now was close his eyes, bury his face against Viridi's nape, and waited for them to finally get the chance to be away from this cursed place.

• Eulei Silvarius
  The Wanderer of The Rangers-in-Exile
  The Convergence: Outside of the Barricade.
  Making a suggestion
  
  
  
  The crimsonette curtly nodded at Bale's words. The magic of the Old was returning. There were already two signs: the Raptor attack not long ago and their "shared" dreams. It would be save to assume there's more people having the same nightmares out there. Nevertheless, within the quartet, perhaps it was only Eulei who found jouissance at knowledge that Old Magic was returning.
  
  From the covers of her apple-red tresses, the Ranger studied each and everyone present before her. Lyn whom was unresponsive for now. Bale whom showed distaste at the mentioning of the Covenant. Finally, Wilkur whom inquired if there were books he could use to study, anxious and perhaps paranoid?
  
  "Regardless if we ride to Aldaris now or later~" with a jubilant smile, "How about we go inside the palisade and enjoy some food and rum?" was Eulei's suggestion.
  
  It might help ease Wilkur whom was somewhat overwrought. Bale who does need to relax and Lyn who might enjoy the delicacies available. The young one reminded Eulei of herself as someone whom traveled to various locations.
  
  "And as for those tombs Wilkur. I possess a collection back at my place, some are related to the Old Magic or Alchemy. I'm not sure how helpful they could be but its better than nothing." Her gaze flicked from the Kelander to Bale, tucking strands of her apple-red hair, showing her left eye. She silently asked if this was alright for now until they could find something at the Western Keep.
  
  Eulei had learned about the Keep, a former place owned by the Covenant. The Kelander was correct that the Covenant would have some knowledge about the Old Magic. She did possess some tombs that came from the Covenant. As for how she got her hands on them, Eulei has her ways.
  
  
  

Maynard Engler
The Temple of the Pallid Order
Just needs a little finesse

Maynard relinquished a single cinder to the zelote, then gave her slack on the rope to move toward the imposing stone and brass door. All of the material was enchanted and mister Engler saw where past attempts to use blasting powder had rendered little more than a soot stain on the tilework. Equally curious were the very clear signs of trespass beyond the door by past pyromancers... could be that the portal would seal up behind them.

That would mean keeping the zelote hostage alive, lest the Temple of the Pallid Order become a tomb.

His musings were interrupted by footsteps. Maynard hardly even turned his body to glance back at the entrance foyer, and watch Llamyrl approach. Padded footfalls slowly brought the young woman into the fading sunlight as it streamed through the cracks in the masonry, and soon she was also lit by the torches the rogue had set up.

"I've gotten the necessities we'll need." She proffered a satchel with numerous pouches, of an odd shape and leather craftsmanship. Good. "So any progress at your side?"

Maynard nodded silently for a moment, then unhooked his metal-toothed whip "Biter" and held it, a passive threat, in clasped hands while he stared down the old haggard zelote.

"Makin some headway, Lal. Soon es our new friend Sally sets heself to work." The old woman shot a glare back as she was heating up the cinder.

"My name's no-"

"Frankly speakin I cen't give a s**t wha yer name es. Open the damnable door, ma employer's here and I en't known for my patience, which ye've all but used up by now." He tipped down his hat and uncoiled his whip slightly, letting the small metal blades glint in the light. His eyebrows raised as he nodded to the door. Sally returned to opening the seal.

It was a marvelous display. The cinder glowed bright in her hand as she traced the rune-writing, indecipherable as it was, until it too lit a brilliant gold. Deep within the stonework walls, Maynard tracked the sounds of gears shifting and levers falling, a hidden machinery undoing the physical locks. Only the magical barriers could stand in their way now, and with a distinct "pop!" he felt a wave of compressed air blast past him. The room seemed to somehow brighten a bit, and sparks flew from along the seam of the circular door.

Everything fell quiet, with naught but the occasional banging from metal as it expanded and contracted in the changing heat.

It measured out like a clock.

Bang. Everyone squinted.

Bang. The zelote stepped back.

Bang The door creaked a bit on its hinge.

"BWAHH!" Maynard leapt at the zelote with his hands and Biter raised, causing her to jump and cry out in dread.

[******** you! ******** YOU!" She choked back tears of fear as Maynard doubled over, laughing.

"Oh, Oh Sally! Ye shoulda seen tha look on yer ugly face! Ha ha ha!!" He giggled, then tugged at her rope like a leash. With a raised nod to the door, the rogue looked back at Llamyrl.
They were ready to plunge deeper in.

"Sir John the Nettle"
Sir John Barton of Hakeswille,
Commander of the Last Marchers of the Legion,
Reverer of St Poldron of the Hopeless Gate;
The Free Forest, south of Lake Verdun

"The arrangement's been stated. If you don't like, I've already said - that's tough." Sir John said plainly as they continued to walk ahead, forcing Hetfield to have to keep turning or walking backwards to stay facing him whilst in front. "I'm not interested in you, I'm interested in the task at hand and the people it affects. You should be thinking of that too, but instead you're saying you want more proof that these marauders and werefolk are a threat? Well, a newborn knows to feel threatened by them, but if you're not quite at that stage yet, we could always wait for them to kill more people..."

Their argument seemingly trailing off, Sir John noted that the man was walking away. A knight strode up next to the commander, catching up with him. "Looks like he's leaving, sir - should we go after him?" Unlike with Hetfield, Sir John looked at the knight addressing him. "Don't be bloody stupid, that's the best thing to happen to me all day." he replied bluntly, jovial in tone but by no means joking in sentiment.

The group kept marching, clomping through ever-denser shrubs and bushes. With every heavy fall of his boots, Sir John almost found his contempt for the useless Rangers reflecting itself in his rather destructive gait. Still, not to worry - the mission's fruition would surely be in sight soon. It was simply a case of reaching a vantage point just north of Convergence and being able to set up camp there; mind you if there was one thing about the Last Marchers, it was that they very rarely complained about conditions of comfort. With rapid progress, they should find the group in around a day or two.

L ʏ ɴ :: Tʜᴇ Wᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ

Lᴏᴄᴀᴛɪᴏɴ :: Convergence, Gateway to the Free Forest
Iɴᴛᴇʀᴀᴄᴛɪᴏɴs :: Balamaethor "Bale" Calminaion; Captain Wilkur Creighton; Eulei Silvarius
Aᴄᴛɪᴏɴ :: Spacing Out
Dɪsᴘᴏsɪᴛɪᴏɴ :: Distracted



With introductions out of the way, it wasn't long until Bale and the one called Creighton began to talk between themselves with Eulei interjecting as she pleased, leaving Lyn to her own devices, which included listening for the most part, but gave her plenty of room and space to admire both the grandeur scale of the trees, the smells and sights of the forest as the canopy far above their heads painted a glorious pattern of light upon the forest floor.
Resisting the urge to dance amidst the beams of light as evening fell across the forest, Lyn spared Eulei more than a couple of glances, the woman was captivating, everything from her coloring, shape, demeanor... her smell even was lucid, and now that she wasn't so pressed for attention, Lyn let her mind wander and the mental image of Eulei as she'd pictured the redhead before returned to mind.
Nurturing the image, Lyn's attention withdrew and she became oblivious to the conversation, even as they touched upon a matter she could have personally related to, she found her eyes turned inward as she lavished in the picturesque imagination of debauchery that she'd conjured mentally.

Great beams of light, reminiscent of the imagery around her filled the space, bathing the forest floor in a radiance that was both earthly and ethereal, in it's scope, Eulei lay upon her back, her glorious skin, bathed in the glow of the setting sun, her brilliant scarlet hair putting even the dusk sky to shame as it lay sprawled about her head, lifted away from her shoulders and face, baring her gild-plated eyes, her eyelids half-closed in correspondence with a playful, beckoning smirk that promised delights that were unique to people as radiantly attractive as she was.
With features, seductive and inviting, Lyn was drawn to her, the woman's mouth moved, her succulent lips closing and parting in a way that made Lyn's toes go numb in anticipation, but the words that resounded in her ears were anything but alluring.

"You are just lost" She remarks, her voice unchanged, but her tone a grim and terrible reminder, one that brought Lyn back to reality with a jarred awakening and a fresh reminder of the vivid terrors that had plagued her sleeping and waking hours for several days now.

Stumbling backward out of nowhere, Lyn caught her balance, the bells in her hair chiming happily despite her abrupt reentry to to the living, breathing world around her.

She was thankful that no one seemed to have taken note as Bale was addressing another man, a ranger clearly, who held the attention of all gathered.
Shaking her head to clear the lingering fragments of the daydream from her head, Lyn was oblivious to what had happened in the time she'd been "gone" but it would seem that the time for talking had come to an end - Bale had made the decision to rendezvous with a group of Mercenaries that weren't evidently meant to be in the Forest and had more or less dictated Eulei and Creighton to accompany him, giving Lyn the freedom to decide for herself.

"Mah feet take me north, ye've got me thanks fer saving me hide." Lyn replied without hesitation, indicating she wouldn't be going with them. Nodding an additional show of thanks to both Creighton and Bale who had ensured she'd be allowed to remain in the Free Forest rather than being turned back to Perland. "An hopefully ah'll see ye all 'gain. Especially ye." Lyn remarked, turning her eyes towards Eulei, a playful - if unguarded smile of appreciation putting her intentions on full display. "An with less clothes." Lyn concluded before nodding her head to the trio and turning irrevocably towards the north.

Ziiek turned to follow, whipping around to snap at Wilkur's horse, just to hear the animal bray it's fright before loping off to Lyn's side once more as they headed towards the Free Forest's Northern Border.

Valentina Rasmussen
Daughter of Chief Uric Rasmussen - Cursed - Cast Out
Risland
Nom nom nom

Valentina was pinned to the tree, and though she should have fought back he was not denying her the sweet nectar within his veins. So instead, she let him hold onto her as long as he wanted. Her mind dulled out, the blood that dribbled down her chin and onto her top (and his) sent her into a lull. It could have been an eternity or just a few seconds before she unhooked her teeth. The pooling of blood continued, and she lapped at it. Spreading crimson up the side of his neck as she enjoyed herself.

But, then she heard something and her head shot around sharply.

"Noo, mine!" she hissed, clutching even stronger to Dirk.















Konstantin Hass
First Guard to Chief Uric Rasmussen, Protector of Valentina Rasmussen
Risland
Just one night of peace and quiet, please...

The food had cooked up nicely, potatoes and meat boiling away in a stew to the point that it wafted throughout the clearing. Had there been some wandering souls, perhaps even they might be drawn in by the scent. However, it had been all quiet for hours. In fact, had Konstantin not had so much faith in his tying of knots he might have woken up that Valentina had run off ages ago. But instead, he slipped his axes back into his belt and began sharpening his daggers.

It took him another fifteen or so minutes of sharpening before they reflected the beams of sunlight like a mirror. And then he served up two wooden bowls of stew, carrying them over to the tent. They smelled great, and some stale bread torn up would soak up the juice just perfectly.

Slipping past the tent door, simply a flat of fabric, he stopped dead. Two bowls of stew hit the ground, spilling into his moccasins. "For Gods sake," he cursed, jumping back trying to stop his toes from getting burned. The pain left his mind seconds later as he knelt beside the snapped bindings and droplets of blood that had been left behind during the daring escape.

Rushing out of the back of the tent, he roared loudly towards the sky in the direction that the Rasmussen daughter had run.

"VALENTINA!!!"

Birds fluttered from the trees, screeching with alarm as his roar echoed across the forest. And then there was pure silence. Nothing daring to make a peep in challenge.

There was nothing that Konstantin could do as he took a dagger from his belt and sliced across his upper forearm. He could feel it pumping into the palm of his hand, as he collected enough to cast a spell. He felt his body heat up, rage swarming through his system, but his mind controlled himself enough to hold off the mindless berserk rage that someone unskilled might fall victim to.

Running, he could follow Valentina's tracks easy enough, jumping over logs and skipping along rocks with the fleetness of a nimble deer, and the swiftness of a jungle cat. No normal human would keep up, unless on horseback as he moved through the underbrush.

He came across a creek, scuff marks indicating that she had tumbled into the creek.

He followed it down stream as the last of his rage swelled within him, bursting from the forest to witness some foolish young man messing around with Chief Uric Rasmussen's daughter. With an effortless push, he separated them both. Dirk getting thrown into his 'friends' whilst Valentina was tossed considerably further almost taking the poor sod drinking from the creek with her, as she fell into the water. Where she would surface spitting and cursing like a banshee.

"How dare you, it is too dangerous!" he yelled, taking out his axes in case a fight broke out.