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 Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 9:24 am
The sun shone down through the window, the rays running softly over Shane's face; a warm wake-up call. He squinted as his eyelids opened to view the empty room. He got to his feet and turned towards the door of Alaura's room, cracking it slightly to peer inside. She slept soundly and all seemed well. Closing the door gently, as to not wake her, he made his way outside. He saw that only a few campfires were lit and some men from the earth kingdom were using the heat to warm their hands. Looking down at the trunk of the tree he was in, he noticed that the morning dew had covered its mossy bark; the gleam of the water reminding him of his homeland back in the water kingdom. Once everyone got up and had eaten their fill, the group was to set out for the kingdom of water. They would travel to get supplies and hopefully comrades to aid in the coming war. It would seem the best.... and the worst.... has yet to come.
Shane stuck out his right arm and the dew on the tree froze instantly. Taking a short leap off the side, he slide down the tree trunk on is feet. He used his left hand to melt, mold, and re-freeze the water at the base of the trunk, making it into a curve so that he would not just run into the ground. He slide up and off the curve in the ice, landing nimbly on the soft dirt. Using his right hand he melted the ice and formed it back into the dew that had been there before.
Making his way over to one of the nearby campfires, he smelt a familiar, vile stench wafting through the air. He recognized the horrid smell, remembering the food that the earthen people had made the day before. His stomach growled, but his face grimaced at the thought of consuming such a thing twice in a lifetime. Never the less, he knew he had to eat. He nodded to the earth kingdom man that handed him the bowl of what looked to be the remains of a dead animal, that had been mashed into an oatmeal-like substance.
He stared at the bowl, and wandered over behind a tree. It wont do me any good to eat if I wont be able to keep it in my stomach. He poured out the nefarious muck onto the ground and walked away, handing the bowl back to the man. He found some berries that he recognized and knew were safe. They had grown around his house back in the homeland. Not much, but better than nothing. Shane washed down the berries with some water while he leaned against a tree, watching as people awoke and walked to the fires.
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Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 1:09 pm
Celia had snuck back into the camp late into the night after eerybody else had gone to sleep. She knew, although she was not an immediate threat to them, she was rude and unwelcome. Consequently, this made her feel oddly uncomfortable, but then again, she'd never really felt comfortable in large groups of people. She had no tent or camp site set up of any sort, simply lay there there against a tree nearby the camp. Even as the morning dew dripped off, while she should've been frozen to death or the like, the air woman seemed unaffected. Perhaps years of endurence had hardened her? But all the same, she should've still felt some kind of effect of the cold morning.
Though there was a reason to everything. She'd struck her own small campfire away from the rest of the earthen males and started to cook her own meal. In spite of the earthan leader offering provisions and a night to stay, she knew they were untrusting of her and she was never too trusting of others. After a short while, a sweet aroma began to drift from her fire, contrasting with the earthen group's... unusual stench of a breakfast, mixing to create a sweet, horrible tasting sensation to the tongue and nose. Not much of a difference from before, save a slight sweetening in the air. Then again, there were many of them and just one of her.
She had plenty of money now anyhow, she could simply go into town and stock up on her provisions herself. Celia looked up as she noticed the blue haired water male from yesterday pour away his offered meal with a hidden grimace and pick out some berries to eat. A chuckle played on her lips, he wouldn't get much subtance out of that. And she was about to offer some food of her own but remembered that these people probably did not like her and she shrugged. "Oh well, if he wants some, he can ask for himself" and went back to eating.
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Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 3:13 pm
A low, trembling groan echoed throughout the small but oddly spacious room as white tresses whipped into the air with great force. A gasp followed the groan as Alaura shot up from her bed. Her heart was hammering and her head was pounding. Her sleep had not been entirely peaceful. In fact, the last moments had been torn asunder by horrid nightmares. Dreams of such cruel fates to those around her that the woman felt she might break under the pain. If she had not been the tough, hardened woman she was, she might have let her emotions free if only to cry just this once. But no, she would not allow herself such things. To her emotions were fickle and useless.
Instead she gently shifted her legs, slipping her feet free of her bed so that they touched the cool wood of the floor. She still felt weak, more than perhaps she should have, but she pushed such feelings aside inspite of what was good for her. Standing up Alaura looked about the empty room. Faron had long since moved on to catch his breakfast. Moving slowly to the door on baby steps to test her wobbly legs, Alaura opened it to find Shane gone as well. Knowing she was alone, Alaura felt a wave of relief wash over her as she moved back to the bed, falling onto it.
Dark circles had formed under her eyes and she seemed to have grown thinner in the past days. The strength that had once shone through her like the sun now seemed a struggle to find. Sitting up, Alaura let her elbows prop up on her knees, her hands holding her head as she felt the weight of her situation crashing down on her. It was in this stupour, drowned by her own thoughts and the odd feeling creeping about her that made her feel not quite right, that she did not notice until too late someone had come for her.
Only the slightest shuffling of feet alerted her, and only with enough time to lift her head and stare straight into the troubled face of Thalon, Alaura's 'right hand man'. His deep, hazel eyes burned with worry for his once unbreakable leader, now reduce to this fragile woman. Always he had held Alaura to the highest regards, wishing only to be ever by her side. He admired her, some might even say he loved her, though he denied the fact stubbornly if questioned. Now, standing with a plate full of wondrous food, he looked utterly heatbroken to see her like this.
Horror flew through her features as Alaura tried to pull herself up, taking a deep breath to fill her lungs. It would have worked, at least a little, if her plan had not been foiled by the hacking cough that grated through her lungs, causing her body to shake terribly and to hunch over in agony. It took her several terrifying minutes to recover, never a good sign in one so obviously stretched. Looking up to Thalon with the first ever signs of fear, it was now that Alaura had to acknowledge the voice in the back of her head screaming that things were not alright. Thalon, bringing over the food, sat next to her. "You have to eat, m'lady." None of the men called her that, not even Thalon had used the term before. Alaura made to protest but the stubborn man would hear none of it. He waited only until she finally, with great frustration, picked away at the food, slowly eating the meats, fruits, breads and other goods Thalon had collected and prepared to keep her strong.
Once he was sure she had given into his demands, Thalon reluctantly left. He had seen that connection between Alaura and Shane, seen the bond growing between them. He would never admit his jealousy for he valued Alaura as much as a captain and friend as he wished for other respects. He would not stand in the way of her bonds, should she choose them in another. Thus it was that, upon leaving her treehouse, he immediately worked his way through camp until he found the water man. "I think perhaps we should talk." He said, speaking in a low tone so that only Shane would hear his words. He did not want the other men to know of her grim condition, nor did he want a panick started. Furthermore, it was imperitive that no enemies, should there be any, overhear what he was about to tell this young man.
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Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 5:02 pm
Shane's eyes got a little wider as his nose caught hold of a weak, but sweet aroma. He was about to follow the smell, when a earth kingdom man whom he recognized to be Alaura's trusted friend, and the man who had helped to save his life from the first battle he fought with Alaura, came over to him. He listened to him speak softly and his brow showed great concern. Shane was puzzled by the man's statement. "What is this regarding?"
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Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 12:09 am
Ryal awoke to a very pungent smell winding it's way through the air. He looked over to Evan's cot, only to find it already folded into the corner of the tent. He quickly got dressed, and had begun to clean up his own mess, when the flap opened just far enough for a bowl to be thrust into his face. Ugh!!
Evan's voice came from outside the tent;Here, eat this. It'l put hair on your chest. If this doesn't, nothing on the planet will.
Eat This? You can't be serious...
Just take it. I don't want to stand here all day waiting for you to make up your mind. Evan tapped his foot, a gesture well known to Ryal. He only did this when he felt his time was truly being wasted.
Which, for Ryal usually ment he would be given some sort of duty later, as punishment. The last time, he was given the job of scrubbing the stone walkway in the King's outer gardens. While runners were still using them to carry messages back an forth between the castle and the outer villages. Ryal winced and took the bowl. He did the best he could to slurp it dow in one gulp, nearly lost it again when the taste hit his mouth, and went in search of water.
Evan chuckled as Ryal ran off past him in the direction of the lake. Shaking his head and grinning, he cleaned up the rest of the bedding and packed up the tent.
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Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 10:09 pm
Raphael planted one foot on the ground hard, stopped dead before the man. "As if I would spare your life, is that what you hope?" he laughed, spinning his scythe above his head once more, "With this singular blade I can cut a droplet of water in mid-descent... anything you have up your sleeve wont work... as a mere forewarning of course."
A wind rose up, casting mist from his blade into the air around him. His hands pumped water magic into the scythe, raining razor sharp mist down on both he and his adversary. It cut into his skin lightly, not really hurting as much as absorbing, after all it was his power.
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Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 5:46 pm
Thalon glanced up at Alaura's treehouse, then looked back to Shane. Though his expression seemed vague, his eyes shone with concern and worry. There was a doubt burrowing within him, doubt that Alaura was going to be alright. He hated such a feeling, but he simply couldn't help his thought. "It's Alaura." He said, looking Shane in the eyes before his gaze fell, the first sign of weakness that any one of the earthen soldiers had shown.
Alaura, meanwhile, sat within her room. Her coughing fit had caused a great deal of excitement when Thalon had been here. She had wished he had not seen her in such a moment of weakness, but there was little she could do now. She kenw simply that she would have to work harder to ensure he believed she was alright, whether she was or not. The truth was she could feel something wrong within her, but she refused to allow herself to believe it could be true.
Finishing the plate of food she had been brought, Alaura stood from her bed. She felt weak on her feet, but the feeling soon passed. For the most part she felt as if it had been nothing more than a mistake or a trick of her mind, at least until she moved to the window. She could see out the to the forest around her, and for the first time in her life she felt dizzied by the height of it. Leaning against the window, Alaura closed her eyes and sighed heavily, her weak form framed in the window. When finally she opened her eyes, those emerald gems fell gently on a familiar and comforting face, Shane's. Troubling, however, was the man he was talking to. Thalon, looking every bit troubled to Alaura, was speaking confidentially with Shane. Her heart hammered in her chest as Alaura feared the worst, that word would spread of her moment of weakness.
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Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 9:55 pm
Shane knew what the man was about to tell him. "She wouldn't want us to worry. I believe it's best if we let it go for now. She will be fine. She's not going to get perfectly well overnight. It will take some time for her to fully heal. She should be at the top of her skills by the time we reach my homeland." Shane placed a hand on his shoulder. "It's easy to see that you care for her, and you should know that I share your worry my friend." Shane lifted his hand from the man's shoulder and nodded to him. "If you'll excuse me now, I smell a wondrous aroma in the air."
Shane's stomach took hold of is senses as he wondered through the camp until he came upon the air user standing over her own creation. It smelled incredible. He peered into her pot as his stomach growled. "Would you mind if I tried some? I just couldn't help but smell what you're making."
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Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 11:29 pm
As a warm brew bubbled over her fire, Celia had been busying herself with some bread and other morsels she had on her. She observed the camp quietly as she'd often done so while stalknig her quarry. Although these people were not her enemy, it was a sot of comfort to read, watch and analyse people both as an entertainment to herself and to keep her abilities top notch. The lady of the camp hadn't come out yet, perhaps still weakened from her battle. If they were not eating, not one of Alaura's men were idle, working with effiency on whatever needed to be done.
A few people she saw didn't quite fit in. There was the queer duo, one she noted with amusement seemed to have eaten something strange and ran off. They, too, were only new to this camp and not comfortable with the rest of the rebellion group. Another was a man clad in bright, light colours. A paladin she recognised, but then again, all this she'd already known since the day before. Even so, without having the prior knowledge, she would've figured it out anyways.
Without her seething words that struck harshly, Celia barely seemed dislikeable at all. There was no aura or malice or any particular negative or unnerving air around her. If anything, she may have seemed difficult to approach simply because of her isolation, but aside from that Celia sat alone, compeltely harmlessly and unimpressionable. It was almost as if, should you try, that she would be a nice person after all. Maybe.
"Would you mind if I tried some? I just couldn't help but smell what you're making."
A voice took her attention away from people watching and to the water user (whom she believed had been referred to as Shane). Having partly expecting to be approached, she let a thin smile appear on her lips and a light chuckle escape. Without saying anything, Celia moved to one side, as if to offer Shane a spot by her fire. She couldn't help but let her grin spread a little bit more at the sound of Shane's stomach rumbling and inquried with a light tone "I see you're not too much for eating with your earthen... companions? Be my guest, that is, if you can find anything to eat it with."
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Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 11:53 pm
Shane nodded to the woman to show his thanks. He then raised his left hand, gathering the dew from the nearby plants and bringing them over to his palm. He took the liquid into both hands and formed it into a spoon shape. He then plucked a large leaf from a tree and poured the food into it, eating happily with his ice spoon. It was rather delicious indeed. "Thank you for your kindness. The food is wonderful. I haven't had a meal like this since I was last in my homeland."
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Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2008 12:08 am
She watched with interest as he moved about the lack of untensils problem. In spite of what she had thought had devleoped into a well hardened personality she couldn't help a light blush. She was avery solitary character, so it wasn't often she recieved a compliment, and, even if she had "thrown away" her past, thirteen years of habits and mannerisms were hard to get rid of. Of course she still liked to be treated nicely, no matter what she claimed. Though, when she'd realised her subconcious act, she coughed a little and forced a pokerfaced cover back on.
"Well then, I'm glad to have offered some reprieve for you."
Hm. Since when had she cared to bother being polite? Well, not that it was completely against her morals or anything. Yes, it was alright to be polite once in a while. "So, the water kingdom right?" Well, no duh. "What kind of circumstances have bought you into this kind of crew? Forgive me if I'm wrong, but it doesn't look as if (in spite of your close relationships) that you were originally part of any kind of party...?" Did she ever bother to voice her curiosities before? Why, yes, this was what peopel called MAKING CONVERSATION. Not that it was nessecary for her to know.
She coughed once more and took a bite into a piece of bread. Well, it couldn't hurt. It's not like she HAD to be a ruthless dislikeable brute all the time. But, the nagain, she couldn't let every compliment go to her head. No, of course, she wasn't that unguarded. This was just cause it was a rare occasion. Yes. That's it.
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Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2008 9:41 am
When Ryal reached the lake, he thrust his head into the water, taking two huge gulps before coming back up to breathe. This turned out to be a mistake, with his stomach already churning from the... whatever it was he had eaten... how can Evan eat this stuff...? He could feel the substance in the pit of his stomache, solid as a rock, now floating in at least a gallon of water. He was certain if it came back up, it would do so in that same form, and kill him in the process. notgood notgood notgood........ A hand on his shoulder made him jump out of his skin, only to realize it was Evan's.
You've a lot to learn, boy. Does he have to call me that..? You're not going to acomplish anything but making yourself sick that way. Young, rich, and shelterd...boy, you're not making this easy. He reached down and helped Ryal to his feet. From what I understand, we've got a bit of a jorney ahead of us. Once Ryal was on his feet again, Evan handed him his weapons. Come on. We should make an attempt to geet to know our traveling companions.
At the sound of a jorney, which Ryal guessed was NOT "a bit of a jorney", but most likely a long and dificult one, Ryal let out a substansial groan. He didn't feel the least bit ready for a trip. He buckled his quiver on, put his bow across his chest, and hung his sword on his belt, then followed Evan back to the main part of the camp.
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Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2008 6:55 pm
Keyla looked around the camp and glanced at Xavier as he started to speak. She nodded just a little to show that she had heard and listened to what he said. She chuckled as he started to laugh and tell her that it was just him though, the same sort of reaction she had given just a moment earlier. When he asked what she would do now, she turned to him and poked his shoulder lightly, "I'm gonna take you to the medic of course." She said and looked him in the eyes, "You didn't think I would let you walk around with those injuries, did you?" she asked a little amused as they made their way across the camp. "But after that, I don't know. I'm just like everyone else here on the ground, just another soldier although I can't really use any element to help in the came. I guess I could make some edible though.." She thought about that for a moment and then nodded, with a small sigh, "Yeah. I guess I'll do that." In a whisper she added "Because the earth soldiers food..well, lets just say it's not so very tasty at all." She chuckled after that and glanced around to see if anyone had heard. Thankfully it seemed no one had heard her.
She glanced up at the tree house where Alaura and every one that seemed to be of 'high stature' in this little rebel army, the ones that pulled the strings. After that they reached the medics hut, which thankfully was on the ground. "Well.. I guess I'll see you later then." Keyla turned to Xavier and smiled a little again, giving just a small wave before she turned to walk off.
Seilynn felt the small hand in hers tightening it's hold and looked down at the young girl. It was a sort of comfort as well. She gave crystal a small but warm smile. It was strange how this child seemed to understand Seilynn's every thought. Hearing what Crystal said, made Seilynn blink for a moment, a little surprised but there was also a slight feeling of honour in it. She didn't know what Crystal could do but to be offering it to protect Seilynn, that hopefully meant Seilynn had done something that had helped Crystal in some kind of way. At that thought Seilynn smiled a little more. "Thanks Crystal. It's much appreciated." She said in a soft and kind tone and looked at the girl before turning her eyes to the town again, which was slowly moving closer.
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 12:22 pm
Shane figured there was no harm in telling this woman about his travels thus far. Even if she were a spy, there wasn't much she could do with that information. "Well, I had heard about everything that was going on while I was at my home in the water kingdom. I didn't like the way things were headed, what with the Dark Kingdom attempting to overtake the Knorth. I know that the Kingdom of Water had its own affairs to worry about, but it just didn't seem like anyone was caring about the Knorth Kingdom. So, I made the decision to set out on my own and help as much as I could. No one would shed tears over me leaving, as I was just another guy working in the market to make due. My life was boring anyhow. I felt, that if I could do something to help save these people, even if I may die in the process... well it would be a life well spent in my eyes. Anyway, I traveled to the Knorth Kingdom and that is were I met Alaura, we fought together and pushed back the attack on the Knorth. In fact, the wall of frozen mud is probably still there. After that, the group just kept getting new members until we became what you see before you."
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 1:00 pm
In spite of what Shane told her, they seemed a fairly organised group - as much as "hastily" organised groups can get. There were a few loose ends here and there she could see were not an intergral part of the group yet. Although, what Celia found curious was his apparently conversion from a market man to fighter. From what she'd glimpsed, he'd seemed an adept fighter. Of course there was, she knew, much more he hadn't told her, and she wasn't surprised. After all, it's not like people exactly spilled their life stories when asked.
"And yet, you have the stance of a seasoned warrior..."
She found herself half mumbling in her thought. Once realising this, however, she glanced back to Shane and, in an attempt to make her previous statement sound intentional, she tacked on the end "While it sounds as if you have barely been together, the dark lord adel still sees your brigand of resistors enough of a threat to send this young Fire Prince after you? As I might mention, that's who the man from your fight the day before was... if you didn't know already." She didn't doubt he did. After all, Ferros Sung seemed the type to boast his power, then again, she'd hardly much time to observe him, save what information she'd gathered about him before hand.
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