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 Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 8:10 am
Seraphis silently accepted the return of his coin and placed it back into his purse. Continuing to pour over his spell book, he carefully selected the spells he knew most suited to combat, plus a few defensive spells. He silently mouthed the incants to each one, burning the words into his immediate memory. He could feel the magic’s tingle as each incant locked itself in his brain. After a long silence, he looked up from his book to see how Silver was fairing.
Seraphis immediately saw the question in the half elf’s blue eyes. Since their meeting in the Hunter’s Hangout, he figured Silver to be the type who felt uncomfortable asking for or accepting help. The affirmation of his assumptions became all too clear to him in this moment. He could see the vulnerability that played across her features even though she made a valiant attempt to hide it. Most men would not have seen through such a façade, however, wizards hardly fell into that category. He decided to save her the trouble and a bit of face by asking first.
“Lady Silver,” he began in a bit of an awkward tone, “I intend to head north to the mountains to search for the Wind Spawn as soon as possible. While I have managed by myself, thus far, you can see that I am ill equipped for the dangers that the road presents. Since you seem to have an interest in the area, I wonder if I could ask something of you.” Seraphis paused for a moment to make sure he had Silver’s attention. When he was satisfied that he did, he continued. “Would you be so kind as to accompany me on this journey and lend me your sword? I would be indebted to you.”
It was at that moment that Seraphis heard someone shouting about recruiting spawn hunters. While the prospect piqued his interest, he stoically ignored it and waited for Silver’s reply.
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Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 10:27 am
To say Silver was relieved that he had spoken first was an understatement. Instantly, some of the stiffness in her shoulders and the worry in her face faded. She barely noticed the girl from before calling for spawn hunters to join her. Someone was willing to go with her to Falcon's Ridge once the darkness spawn was dealt with and make sure no one there had been harmed. That was all she cared about.
Her pride could handle playing the role of swordswoman. She had already noticed his lack of proper weaponry back at the bar, and for a moment her mind wondered how on earth he got this far without being robbed. However, she felt she owed him a warning. "I would be glad to accompany you. My home village is in that region, so I know the quickest way. However, the going will be slow if you stay with me. My leg does not permit me to run or even walk very quickly, and I must rest it every few hours or so, more so on journeys than in any other case," she said, some of her bitterness returning to her tone as she spoke of her handicap. "If you are willing to deal with the slow pace I am forced to set, then my broadswords at your use." For a moment, she worried over whether he would immediately change his mind now that she had warned him, but pushed it aside. He had seen her leg on the way here, and back in the Hunter's Hangout. Surely he had taken it into consideration before asking her... right?
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Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 10:50 am
Seraphis smiled slightly at Silver. He had waited seven years to take his revenge on Tidal. What was a slow journey compared to that? He was in no rush and the only concern he could think of was that he would have to stretch his food stores a little further to compensate. Not a big worry, all in all. He gestured with his staff as if to wave away her concerns.
"Pay it no mind, my lady," he said with a charming smile, "While I am eager to see the spawn eliminated, haste is not a priority. If nothing more, I will be glad that I am not footsore when the time to fight comes." His attempt to make light of the situation was a bad one and he knew it, but he hoped that it served to ease her worry some.
"I believe a hunting party is being formed in the square," he said, gesturing to the location with his staff, "I would join them if you would accompany me."
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Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 11:57 am
Silver felt her body relax completely when he said that, relieved that he wasn't going to be upset with her. She winced at his bad attempt to make light of the situation, but grinned a little to show him that she appreciated his efforts. Nodding in agreement, she used the wall to help herself up, keeping her weight off of her leg to spare it the strain. Her sword sheaths clattered against the bricks of the wall, like they always did. She checked them to make sure it didn't harm them, though it rarely did, then moved on to check the dagger hidden in her boot. Once sure everything was in place, she started to move forward. However, her leg wasn't having any of it, now that the muscles had finally completely relaxed. It siezed up, refusing to hold any weight or even move, a common enough occurance, though she usually caught her leg's strain before it reached this stage. She winced, preparing for the inevitable taste of dirt, for the second time today.
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Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 2:52 pm
Seraphis strode alongside Silver, cutting a direct path toward the speaker on the table. As they neared their destination, he noticed Silver's misstep out of the corner of his eye. Reflexively, he dropped his staff, turned and wrapped his arms around her. The swiftness of the movement had removed Seraphis' hood and had turned Silver in his arms so they were face to face. In that moment, they locked eyes and time stopped for Seraphis. He felt, within the core of his being, that this moment was somehow significant, though he could not place the exact reason why. Such uncertainty was an unfamiliar feeling to him.
Quite suddenly, he realized that he was staring. A very rude habit to fall into, last time he checked. He awkwardly helped Silver to her feet and let out a very quick, "Forgiveme." Eager to take the focus off the present situation, he picked up his staff and turned to address the speaker atop the table, though, he found that he would have trouble with even that!
The person standing on the table had quite an androgynous look. Seraphis pondered for a moment if he should address the speaker as a mam or a sir. He quickly decided to do neither.
"Ho, there!" Seraphis said, addressing the speaker, "We would join you. I am Seraphis Darkstar, at your service." He bowed low and paused his speech, figuring that Silver would rather introduce herself.
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Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 5:27 pm
Was she brave enough? She had to admit that in a battle she wouldn’t be too much help, healing was more a post battle assistance and he singing wouldn’t be of any help right now. But she had said she would join the group and that her powers were to Blade’s and Grenth’s use.
Well if their plan was to get rid of the competition then Doina would do her best. She was still working on her offense power but she could probably distract a few of the other hunters with her powers. As Blade gave her an option she sighed and nodded to herself. She was worried about her friends but she knew the Sisterhood of Itare would make it out of the town fine. They had learned their lessons in retreating to safety when Tidal destroyed their home. Even if it wasn’t the monster itself but a spawn they didn’t take any chances.
‘I hope that I’ll be able to meet up with them again. So that they’ll know I’m alright.’ she thought regretfully.
Doina smiled at the familiar gesture, she hoped that she could give the same gesture to her friends. Doina watched as Blade stood on the table and called out to the crowd, asking for more to join them. Doina looked around, seeing if anyone would step up. No one looked to be willing to join them, either they wanted to get of the town as soon as possible or they hunters that didn’t want to join with the small group.
"Ho, there!"
Doina looked in the direction of the voice and saw the image of a male. The thing that caught Doina’s eye was the wooden staff the man had with him. She couldn’t be sure but it looked to be made of oak. It was strange for Doina to see someone with a staff around. Years ago, in her village it was a common sight with the elderly and those with arcane powers, even her master had one, though it was made of willow. But since her village was destroyed and the sisterhood had been on the move, she had seen less and less of old magic users and staffs.
The man introduced himself as Seraphis and Doina was about to introduce herself when she cught sight of a familiar person. It was Silver, the woman she had tried to help earlier in the day. It seems that the two of them were acquaintances.
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Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 7:33 pm
Silver gasped, startled, when she found herself in the male's arms rather than on the ground. Meeting his bright green eyes, she felt her ears turn pink as she suddenly felt very embarressed. What is wrong with me? she marveled, trying to figure out what this strange reaction was, seeing as she had never felt this way before. It unsettled her deeply, knocking her normally solid state of mind off-balance. For all her momentary discomfort, she was quick to struggle back to her feet. My inability to stay standing embarressed me... she thought quickly, trying to deny any feelings to the contrary, That's all... surely it is nothing else... She was quick to continue to follow Seraphis, though she stayed slightly behind him out of habit.
She stopped when he did, then scowled slightly when he didn't mention her name, knowing she would actually have to introduce herself. She placed one hand on the hilt of one of her swords as comforting reflex; she hated speaking to people. "We've met," she said shortly, "though I suppose I'll remind you. I am Silver Lark."
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Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 9:59 pm
"You're with me? Good!" Grenth was with her as well! He hadn't been too much of a fighter back then. However: neither had she. But she could remember the way he'd fought well and as she was now could recognize the potential he'd had back then. He had surely gotten better. Especially since the tricky little jackass had decided to scare her earlier.
It, however, looked as if no one was going to come. Blade huffed and crossed her working arm over her chest. Oh well, she could try at the next town. After all: while there was protection in numbers there was speed in the few. Although she didn't know how quickly Doina could travel. The elf had said that she was used to it, though. If anything Blade would just grab the elf and carry her on her own back. She doubted that the situation would come to that. She could, after all, sense the shadow spawn's aura and would be able to tell if they had to kick the pace back up.
Ahaha! She'd spoken too soon! And she was happy at the moment to have been proven wrong. A man's voice pierced over the sounds of the crowd, making it easy to pinpoint where he was. He standing there along with the half-elf with the bad leg, whom Blade could distinctly remember dealing with earlier. So, they were Seraphis Darkstar and Silver Lark?
"Good to meet you both, Seraphis and Silver. And I do remember you, Lady Silver." It was typical of an elf to name their child something like that. Although names like that never lost their ring. "My name is Blade and this is my companion Grenth," she gestured to the teleporter and then looked over to see that Doina was still there. Well, since the elf was still here and watching her, she must be with them. "Along with Doina, a musician and healer." Blade grinned at the two before sitting down on her heels and looked over at the elf. "Lady Doina, I suggest that if you wish to grab anything or say your good-byes to your sisterhood that you go do it now. You have ten minutes." Blade smiled at her and then hopped off of the table. She looked between her two new companions and nodded to herself over nothing in particular, making a few mental notes before beginning to speak.
"I have no intended destination in mind," Blade stated as her fingers worked to tie her small purse to her belt. "Since I have no spawn leads there isn't a specific direction that I've decided to go in." After some struggling Blade untied the bag and merely dropped it. Instead of hitting the ground, however, it flew strait into it. Better said she'd actually absorbed it in her shadow. The stupid thing was dragging her belt down again and pickpockets were probably going to try and abuse the current situation. They knew no shame, although they did have to eat. So she may as well not tempt them with her jingling wallet. "I suppose that it would be too much to hope that one of you had at least a vague idea of where to go now?"
Blade's gaze averted when she spotted Ebon running over to where they were from the crowd. She waved to him and nodded before returning her gaze to the others.
{{Since Doom has been busy he asked that I just post that Ebon was following the group. So don't try to communicate with him unless you expect to not get a response. xD;}}
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Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 10:03 am
Seraphis noticed Silver's scathing glance and winced internally. He made a mental note of it and moved on.
"It is a pleasure to meet you all," he said jovially, "It is fortunate for you that we have come, for we do have a destination in mind. The Lady Silver and I had intended to travel to the mountains in the north. We heard, from a reliable source, that the Wind Spawn was spotted there, terrorizing some elven settlements. If we are to travel there together, be mindful that my companion's leg does not treat her well and it will slow our pace a bit." With that said, Seraphis moved to stand closer to Silver. His posture became firm and unmoving. He lock eyes with Blade, his penetrating emeralds subconsciously taking on a fierce, protective quality.
"What say you?"
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Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 10:30 am
Silver blinked and her balance wavered, startled when Seraphis moved closer to her in what she recognized as a protective stance. On one hand, she was perturbed that he was protecting her. She could take care of herself, she had for who-knows how many decades. However, a treacherous part of her was whispering in her figurative ear, It's nice to have someone stand up for me for a change... Usually, they let me see to myself, not bothering to worry about me... Shoving that part of her into a figurative broom closet, she reminded herself, I don't have time for such ridiculous... She paused in her thoughts, not wanting to admit to herself what these feelings were. Denial had been a close friend for a while now. Anyway, I don't have time for it! There are important events taking place here, and I need to be paying attention to that, not to a male half-elf. With that, she tried to relax her stance again, finding her mental and physical balance.
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Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 12:35 pm
The mountains, eh? Blade nodded to Seraphis, her eyes meeting his. She found that he was looking at her with unusual intensity. It wasn't, however, the look that males usually gave her. It was, however, a protective look. Had she done something? She looked right back at him, although not in a challenging manner. Well, she had stepped up to protect that a*****e earlier against Lark. According to the close proximity the two were holding they probably already knew each other or had spent some times with the elves. From the looks of their ears, they were elven. Elves had a smaller space bubble than humans did and would stand very close together even if they had just met. She had actually unnerved quite a few people by doing the same thing when she had left her elven home. Well, she couldn't blame him for acting protective, although she hadn't intended to make her little speech earlier seem threatening towards Silver.
"Welcome to the group. The northern mountains it is." Blade answered, her own bright sapphires continuing to remain locked with his emeralds until she broke their eye contact to look over at Silver. "And I don't mind your leg, Lady Silver." Blade had taken notice of it earlier, probably after the first few seconds of seeing the elf for the first time. Besides, if she had denied Silver Blade would have just been a hypocrite. "If you need help with it, don't hesitate to ask me." The same offer that Blade had given to Doina was actually already applied to Silver. If she needed to be carried, Blade wouldn't mind doing it. Blade also knew that Ebon would be willing to carry Silver if she wanted him to. Blade herself didn't say any of this out loud, though. People who were crippled seemed to either not mind help at all or were very independent. She didn't want to offer to carry Silver and unintentionally insult the woman. Getting off on the wrong foot with a new teammate was one of the worst ways to start a group, if not the. She knew that all too well with Ebon. After what had happened it was a miracle that the two were still traveling together. "Just as long as you know how to use that weapon you're carrying enough you're more than welcome with me.
"And it's noon now, so..." Blade tapped on her lip for a few moments of thought before continuing. "That's about six or seven hours of daylight to burn. Even if we maintained a slow pace we should be able to gain enough distance between us and the shadow spawn to be safe." And Grenth was a teleporter, so if Silver happened to fall behind he should be able to take care of it. Or at least she hoped that he would be willing to. With all of this confirmed in her mind Blade bowed to the two, something that was common courtesy among elves.
Then, the pain in her arm slowly felt as if it was lifting, numb washing over it before it started to prickle. It seemed as if the shadow spawn was leaving. But Blade knew that it was only for a short time. It had come very close to the settlement so she had no doubt that it planned to strike soon, that she was sure of. She lifted her now usable arm up, flexing it and twisting it around to test how much of it had returned. From the looks of it, all. It was good to have it back. A smile lit up on Blade's face and she bent down, pressing her fingers against her own cold shadow. An object met the tip of her skin and she grabbed it along with another item. Standing up she now held a miniature harp, plucking the strings experimentally to be sure that they were tuned. No harm in having a little music for their travels. It would help relieve the tension that Blade was sure to be there. The shadow spawn didn't make everyone instantly hit the road for nothing. "I know lots of elven songs, along with plenty of others. Anyone care to make a few requests for what I should play while we walk?" Blade lifted her eyes up to her new party members, the corners of her mouth lifting for a smile.
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Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 2:03 pm
As Blade introduced them Doina smiled and bowed slightly in greeting. Now that the man, Serphis was closer she could see his pointed ears. So he was an elf! Or at least half one. Doina found a strange joy begin to bubble inside her, despite the situation. It had been awhile since she saw a elfin male outside of the settlements. Even if they held no resemblance other than sharing the same gender, male elves reminded her of her brother.
Doina turned to Blade as she addressed her and nodded quickly before heading off in the direction of the inn the sisterhood was staying at. She only had ten minutes? That sure wasn’t a lot of time! It was a good thing that the inn wasn’t far but she didn’t know if she could say all her goodbyes in the remaining ten minutes. And there was still the outcome of them not letting her go, or trying to keep her from going.
She made it to the inn in a little under five minutes, fighting against the current of fleeing guests. Doina looked around for her friends, hoping that she wouldn’t have to go up to the other floors to find them. Luck seemed to be on her side today as she spotted the group of elfin maidens, located in a corner. It seemed they had packed all of their things, even Doina’s, she could see emerald sack near their feet. Making her way over she waved to them, the group of women all rushing towards her.
“Why did it take you so long to come back?”
“You heard the warning, we need to get out of here before the shadow spawn shows up!”
“You can’t lag around this time!”
She tried to get a word in between the words of her friends but it finally took her an impatient sigh and a loud whistle to get their attention. Once the babbling women were quiet Doina took a breath and began to tell them of her plan.
“I don’t have the time to explain now but I’m leaving the group. Those people I was with before, they’re spawn hunters and the information that they gave I think will really help me.”
She was probably confusing them, by the looks on their faces and the thing she feared the most happened as just about all of them jumped to tell her that she was crazy and that she couldn’t go. Only one person was silent in the group and that was Gytha. Gytha pierced the noise with her own whistle and when everyone fell silent she spoke.
“Doina has the right to take whatever path she sees fit. We are a sisterhood, not a prison and it is not up to the group decide on things that personally concern Doina.”
Gytha reached down and grabbed the emerald bag, handing it to the thankful Doina. She had a bittersweet smile on her face, she didn’t want the younger girl to go. She didn’t think it was one of her brighter ideas but she did believe what she said.
“Make sure to come back to us little one. And maybe explain what goes on in that little head of yours to choose such a dangerous road.”
Doina nodded and the same hand gesture Blade gave her she gave to Gytha and the other elves. That soon resulted in a group hug, Doina sniffling slightly. She couldn’t break down and cry! She was about to join up with a bunch of spawn hunters! Stepping away from them she wiped at her eyes and turned, heading out of the inn. She had maybe three, two minutes to get back to the group. Picking up her pace to a run, she slung her bag over her shoulder.
In the distance she could see the group, slowing down her pace till she came to a stop beside them .She caught her breath, placing her hand over her chest. She managed to catch the last bit of what Blade said and spoke as she brushed a lock of hair behind her ear.
“I..have one. And I’ll be happy to accompany it on my flute.”
Just as soon as she caught her breath.
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Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 8:43 pm
Seraphis visibly relaxed as he listened to Blade's response. He felt a little bad for his display toward her. Gods knew she didn't do anything to warrant it, but people in these times tended to be two-faced and unpredictable. He didn't like to take chances and that often meant to assert himself more than he usually would. Besides, he felt compelled to stick up for Silver. The issue of her impediment was a sensitive one and he just couldn't stand by and let her feel like she was by herself in this...
Pleased that the encounter turned out for the best, Seraphis smiled and turned to Silver. His smile faded when he noticed the slight look of perturbation painted on her face. He winced, realizing that he blew it again. His hand moved behind his head out of nervous habit as he opened his mouth to attempt an explanation.
"I was...erm," he stammered, "I mean, that is... I didn't mean to... I-I don't..." He paused, letting out a soft sigh. "I'm sorry," he whispered to Silver, "It wasn't my place to do that."
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Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 5:51 am
He... He's apologizing...? This man did nothing Silver expected! She thought she had a good idea of the nature of other beings, but he always did something out of character of that nature. Shaking her head to try and hide her bafflement, she muttered softly, "Nevermind... It's fine..." Her mind turned away from her current confusion to a more pressing problem. Meeting Seraphis's gaze, she asked softly, "Which way are we to go? Most of the mountain passes close during the Blood Moon." She used the elven names for the months; the Blood Moon was only a couple of weeks away, the current moon called the Barley Moon. "The two passes I'm the most familiar with are about two and a half weeks away, at the pace I travel. Moonrise Pass is closest, both to us and to Falcon's Ridge, but I've never heard of it being open once the Blood Moon rises. A little farther, about three days, away is Hightide Pass. It will stay open till at least the middle of the month, though I've heard of it being clear on Dead's Night, at the end of the Blood Moon." Once she presented the information, she waited for a response. Personally, she wouldn't risk being caught in a mountain blizzard and take Hightide Pass, but she would do as the group liked.
((I'm using Tamora Pierce's calender from her Circle of Magic/Circle Opens/Will of the Empress series. It's actually fairly accurate to a medieval calender. PM me if you want a copy for reference, if you don't own Cold Fire.))
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Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 8:12 am
Seraphis' hand dropped to his side. Despite Silver's assurance that things were fine, he still felt a little awkward about the situation. Still, he forced himself to focus on the issues at hand. He listened carefully to what Silver was saying and scratched his chin, trying to decide on the best course of action. While Moonrise Pass would be the fastest route, he was almost certain, from Silver's description, that they would not make it before it was completely blocked. He had a few powerful spells in his arsenal, but none that were capable of clearing an entire pass. Hightide Pass seemed the most prudent choice. Perhaps their new companions had an idea.
"Hightide Pass seems the safest bet," Seraphis told Silver in a hushed tone, "However, I know nothing of the area. Unless our new companions have any ideas, I think you are the most qualified to make that decision." He went silent for another moment as an idea entered his head. He wasn't sure if it would make half a week's difference, but it would certainly help if Silver's pride could handle it. In the face of the impending danger approaching her hometown, he thought she might be able to bear it for this journey.
"I do have something that might help," he said, "We could only use it twice a day, three times at most, but it would allow you to rest your leg and keep moving with the group. Tell me, first, about how much do you weigh?" Seraphis let it hang at that, asking one of the few questions that often proved fatal when asking it to a woman.
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