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 Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2008 8:38 pm
In an instant the man had darted out and almost disappeared. "So you can move huh?" she smirked. She was very impressed by Arjay. Ali had never seen anyone who could have the senses and speed of an elf, without being one. She took off after him. He was able to move faster, but she had no problems with at least keeping pace with him. She was now wishing that she had placed her fathers bracers on instead of shoving them into her ruck sack, with those she would be able to match (if not beat) the humans speed. She let the smallest of grins escape and was glad that the cowl was pulled tight so he could not see her admiration.
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Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2008 10:51 pm
Incoming message. . .
I didn't bother to hold back when I felt her keeping pace. If she could go as fast as me, power to her. My focus was the huge structure looming up ahead. I don't think I have ever been so happy to see a castle in my life. I sped up a bit, my excitement taking over. only for a moment though. Couldn't leave her in my dust.
The trip to the castle took all of about forty-five minutes. A record if I do say so myself. And I do. Most people would have had to hike for hours at least.
"This is the Haven. Lucid was expecting me.." I paused at this. What would he think at my bringing some stranger to his home. Only one way to find out. I slowed to a sedate walk as I made my way up to the large double doors that made the entrance to the castle. Lifting the one heavy bronze knocker that hung there, I let it drop. The sound made a very loud thunk. I then stepped back to wait. I knew from experience that it would not take long for the Master Vampire to answer. All there was left to do now was wait.
End of message.
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Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 3:54 am
Ali was even more enthralled with him as he moved even faster. She, however, was not able to move faster without the enchanted bracer. He had told her that most worn them on their wrist to increase the speed of their sword play, but he had found them better on his ankles. She had trained with her father while wearing them and her foot speed had doubled at least. As she followed this amazing man, a large structure began to come into view. She was in complete awe as the magnitude of this beautiful castle began to unfold before her. She slowed and came to a stop next to Arjay, "So, this is 'The Haven' as you called it?" she said more to herself than to him.
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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 6:20 pm
Julian frowned as he watched his sister move ahead of him with that infinite grace she had always possessed. Mentally cursing at her stubbornness which at times he admired and hated simultaneously he put on a burst of preternatural speed, moving forward and grabbing hold of his twins arm, he pulled back against him, curving her into the shelter of his body to avoid the few rocks that tumbled down the mountain side from above them.
"Dammit, Crissy how many times do I have to tell you. Stay with me." he he muttered softly, his voice taking on a hard edge.
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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 6:29 pm
Christiana laughed softly, fitting easily into the curve of her brothers shoulder. He had told her to stay close to him on several occasions, but what fun would life be if she couldn't even keep her older brother on his toes. Besides, she hadn't been in any real danger, she had heard the rocks begin there decent and knew her brother would pull some heroic stunt to pull her out of the way. Rather ridiculous when you thought about it but hey, if it gave her twins ego a boost she didn't mind letting him rescue her.
"Oh please...stop complaining, it's not like I wondered miles ahead of you or anything."she answered softly, her lips curving into a small smile. Raising her gaze to meet his, her pale blue eyes danced with laughter. Pulling back, she turned in a small circle, and breathed in the night, loving the clean mountain air and the smell of slat that came from the water somewhere near the mountains. She could hear the waves crashing against the rocks far from her. the sound was muffled by the distance, but it didn't faze her any.
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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 6:41 pm
Sighing, Julian watched his sister with eyes the same pale blue as her own. Scanning the area around them, he curved a hand around the hilt of one of his sabers and moved forward. He knew that his constant warning to Crissy went in one ear and out the other, and normally he dealt with that. He was very used to repeating himself when it came to his twin. However the further they moved into the mountains, the more uneasy Julian became. The residents of Anica village had told them that if they wished to learn about a vampire, their best bet was a place beyond the Delmorian mountains. Though they had said the passage through the mountains was far to dangerous and had suggested that they cut around and into plains that were said to go on for miles. Miles of plains that his sister could get them lost in....he'd risk the mountains thank you. Shaking his head, he once again returned his attention to Christiana and couldn't help the slight smile that tugged at the corners of his mouth at her obvious joy. Crissy had always been easy to please, and there was some comfort in knowing that some things didn't change.
"Come on Crissy...you can dance when we get there. I'd rather not have to spend another rising in these mountains."
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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 6:54 pm
Making a face at her brother, Crissy sighed and dropped her arms, moving forward with reluctance.
"Oh don't be such a kill joy Julian." she muttered and grabbed her brothers hand to help ease his worry. lacing her fingers through his she pulled him along. Knowing that far to much weighed on the mind of her twin as of late, she did all she could to lighten it. Even if that meant pretending she did as he told her for a few days. She could only tolerate it for so long after all. Though for some odd reason, she had to admit, she felt uneasy as well, and wanted not to push further into the mountains but to turn around and run the opposite direction. The feeling was subtle but kept getting stronger as they moved forward and she knew enough to recognize the compulsion spell behind it. The weave was complicated and took a great deal of power. She was good...no qualms about that but she didn't know if she was that good. While she could have possibly unraveled the compulsion, it would have taken her days to try to find the power source, the pattern of the spell and undo what had been wrought. Someone didn't like to be disturbed and she was very afraid that whoever it was would do everything in their power to keep them out. It seemed to her that they had quite a bit of power...too much in fact.
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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 6:59 pm
A constant shadow in his sisters mind, Julian frowned at her thoughts. His sister might appear delicate and fragile but she was powerful, and any spelled that she feared had to be a dangerous one. It was hard to frighten his sister, she was made of sterner stuff than she looked. A fact that always proud of, but just now, he was worried. He wanted to turn around and leave her in the village while he traveled through the mountains alone. Though he knew his twins will well enough to know that not okay would she most likely punish him by binding his vocal chords or something equally atrocious once she caught up with him, but she would move on her won to catch up with him. Resigned, he tightened his hand on his blade, and moved forward silently.
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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 9:51 pm
Somewhere not far from the intruders, the shadows tightened, pooling together until they were so thick one could not see through them. From this, Lucid watched them, moving back until her was inside the shadows of the mountain itself. It was unusual for people to come this far through the mountains. Most of the time, the bandits that Lucid tolerated and allowed to run the mountains close to the Haven did a good job of keeping people away. He was content, for now, just to sit and watch.
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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 10:00 pm
Crissy felt the presence of several others and heard the faint heartbeats. She knew many were near and eased her brothers mind by staying just in front of him. Julian had taught her well. Even when you knew a fight was coming, it was best to let the enemy think they could take you by surprise. It put that particular element of battle back into in their hands...where it should be. Besides, she could play the poor, defenseless little female...for a while anyway, she thought ruefully, dancing over the rocks.
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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 10:13 pm
Julian also heard the various heartbeats, but he also felt the presence of another...another immortal and was hesitant to reveal his power or that of his sisters.
:Act defenseless Christiana...allow me to handle the mortals. We may need your skills for other things. Do not reveal them.: He stated firmly in her mind, as the mortals revealed themselves from the shadows of the mountain, forming into a loose circle around them. Julian didn't wait for his sisters answer, nor did he have to wait long for the coming attack as several wolves launched themselves from the shadows toward him. His moves were instinctive and automatic, knocking the nearest one to his sister away from her and watching coldly as it struck the rocks. He simply moved quickly, out of others reach, replicating his image to confuse the animals. His gaze searching over the wolves for the alpha. Upon finding him, he frowned at it's size, and odd coloring from the rest of the pack. But what puzzled him most was the odd barrier that surrounded the creatures mind. Hesitant to push through it, he simply forced an image of the pack's destruction at his hands into the wolves mind. Moments later a resounding howl echoed throughout the mountains, and the pack pulled back into the safety of the mountains that surrounded them. Julian simply stood with his sister behind him in the loose circle of men that remained. The were confused by the wolves actions and had lost much of their confidence because of his and his twins lack of fear. Watching them, he let his eyes go void of everything, revealing the ruthless killer that he could be. Stilling every muscle in his body, he waited, not wanting to kill if there was no need. The men probably considered the mountains their home and that he and his sister were the intruders.
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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 10:27 pm
Having watched the display, Lucid heaved a small, mental sigh. It wasn't that the mountain men couldn't handle themselves, oh no. It was they mortals never stood up well against vampires. There tended to be a lot of bloodshed involved in such things and it was generally not the vampire's blood that was shed. The shadows twisted, forming together until the man inside was whole again. He then stepped from them, into the dim moonlight.
"That will do, gentlemen." he said softly. The men whirled to look at him, then took off in various directions out of fear. This went ignored by Lucid, who stood where he was, frowning at the two young vampires that now stood before him. There was something about them, he decided. Something strikingly odd, yet familiar. "Who are you and what do you want?" he asked after studying them for a long moment in silence and coming up with nothing.
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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 10:33 pm
Frowning, Crissy shifted to stand behind her brother, not liking his order but knowing better than to waste time arguing about such things now. As she watched the scene play out before her, she stiffened as the other vampire revealed his presence. Indeed...it seemed that they might need her skills for other things. At the mans rather imperious demand she remained silent, though her eyes flashed at the strangers arrogance, not liking his tone as he formed his question. Oh, it had been a question, but the tone had made it a demand. An order for an answer...she had never done well with orders. Feeling her brothers warning brush against her mind, she bit her tongue, silencing herself.
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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 10:38 pm
Feeling his sisters fiery response made Julian want to smile, though he refrained, knowing now was not the time to show amusement at his twins spirit. He met the others vampires eyes with his own and was startled to find himself looking into the same shade of blue as he and his twin possessed. Still ready for an attack, he moved to place himself between the other immortal and Christiana, not leaving anything to chance.
"We are simply passing through. No more...no less." he answered truthfully, though he deliberately evaded the question regarding their business in the area.
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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 10:55 pm
Lucid fought the urge to make a sarcastic remark regarding them having no boat and headed toward an ocean. He did, however, wonder for a moment what they planned to do once they reached the edge of the land. Surely someone told them that they would run into the ocean eventually if they went too far? Not that this was any of his problem, really. He gave in to the next temptation that hit him.
"In that case, I hope you both can swim, as there is nothing but water at the end of this spit of land." he said, keeping his expression a bored one. "Other than my home, of course."
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