Welcome to Gaia! ::

Selce sheathed her sword and stared in the direction of the sound. She glared in the direction as if she could see the mage and his friend but soom sighed and held her hand's out palms up, as a gesture that she had no weapons out. She gritted her teeth as it would now take longer to use her magic if this shadow mage forced them to do so.

"Fine, no weapons, can we go on now?" She asked, Selce wondered if everything but the arrow had been illusions.
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Aisha hadn't been close enough to the group to get treated to the nice 'welcoming' they seemed to be getting from a elven shadow mage. She made sure her weapons and armor was there, and no buckles were broken. She moved parralel to the group. She tried to wander far enough in to get past the mage's defenses, but stay close enough to track the human's rebel group. "Ah if only I was allowed to kill you all." She whispered quietly.

While scanning the area for the shadow mage, Kayn saw a brief glimpse of body heat flitting in between the trees to the side of them. There was no way that could be the shadow mage- who in the world runs alongside the people that they’re toying with while casting magic?!

Kayn twisted her head to peer through the trees as they walked- someone was definitely following them. She clenched her teeth in a snarl and glared at where she had seen it, resisting the urge to run off and hunt it down since they were getting closer to finding the elven shadow mage. There were far too many things to be on the lookout for, although suddenly the shadow mage’s voice had just revealed to itself that it was leaving.

Great, Kayn snarled to herself. Just great.

A man, hooded and cloaked in brown, with green fabrics and black, studded leather armor, walked easily through the forest, seeking its master. He'd heard of this wily elf and his shadow majic, and was hoping that, perhaps, he'd be willing to let some of his company pass in safety. He found the ragtag band of Althenna's dodging arrows and trying to swipe at the elf in question, and of course missing the shadowy projections which of course were nothing more than that: shadows. He started laughing, until he noticed Althenna's pain.
"Now, NOW, Master Elf! Could you not stave your arrows and spells? P'raps an offer of friendship could be enough to prove good intentions? We have no interest in harming your mighty oaks, your vast timbres! Why must you launch your darts so?" He laughed merrily at the madness of it all.

Althenna was secretly grateful for the support and had to lean heavily on Valora to stay upright as waves of dizziness lapped at her senses.

"It's always nice to add one more crazy into the mix." Althenna chuckled in a feeble attempt to lighten things up a bit, though her breath was still labored, "I'm sure it will all work out."

If she ever lived to think back on this moment, she would surely be furious with herself for saying such a thing for it went against nearly all of her nature.

The hooded man laughed at that too.
"Well, there's a singular soul! Old Elf Wood-man, king of the Forest Trolls! What a riot!" He laughed some more. "Now quickly, my Lady! Drink the vial! His intentions are good, and I happen to have more of the same should his humour be wicked." He pulled out a green vial that bore a striking resemblance to the one in Althenna's hand.

Anduril glanced at the man.Great, he thought."If you have any help to give then feel free to join us."

(if ur all waiting for me dont bother I aint gonna come out in the open just yet so keep going with the story)

Althenna was still feeling the effects of the poison but they didn't seem to be progressing. Which would give her more time to find the mysterious -- irritating -- elf.

"We are going in search of those who would help us in a rather risky job." She answered, starting forward again, still feeling dizzy, and now, chilled despite the summer air.