|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2015 8:59 am
This Quest is for Teiluj who is striving to become a Healer.
 OOC
||. The quest prompt must be answered with a 2000 word reply (can be more).
||. Respond to the prompt given with an adventure of your own creation as long as it meets the requirements of the specific tasks.
||. NPCs may be used as long as they advance the quest in an interesting manner.
||. You cannot include any playable characters other than the quest taker.
||. Your responses will be graded with a Pass or Fail. Those who fail will have to continue with assistance from the staff.
||. Questions about quests can be asked here.
IC
Teiluj had been picking Takoda's brain for clues, help, anything to get Nkole's memory back. And it would have seemed like it wasn't going very far until Takoda dropped a silly comment about a book. He quickly retracted it and would give no more information to Teiluj about it.
It was up to her to try to find out about the book without Takoda's help, or without him even knowing she was looking. He seemed to be thoroughly against her even asking about it.
After poking around, she's found that this mystery book had recipes for potions to alter and regain memories. It was the only one of its kind, but it was lost in the northern part of Jauhar - in the Dying Forest.
Quest Tasks
||. The quest should begin with Teiluj searching for more information about the book.
||. She will find that the owner of the book has long since disappeared and their book and hut are somewhere in the Dying Forest. Though no one knows exactly where.
||. Teiluj should go looking for the book in the Dying Forest to the north.
||. Once in the dying forest she will find evidence of the Bug Mages and their wreaking havoc and will have to avoid them in order to get by, as well as other nasty animals and dangers.
||. Teiluj will find the dusty decrepit hut with the book still inside, but the dead owner as well.
||. The quest should end with Teiluj leaving the forest with the book... though no one's sure if the potions will even work.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2015 8:20 am
Wandering through the forest towards the village Teiluj smiled wanly, it was such an automatic path for her that she hadn’t even realized where she was going. She walked in silence beside Tao, her juvenile Radaku. He had been a gift from her mother and now like Starline was one of her close companions. She sighed as she broke into a sprint, easily aware of the powerful Radaku moving to keep pace with her, keeping time with the plodding of her own feet on the forest floor. Takoda had refused to let her push the subject of the mentioned book. Why mention something and then retract it? Did he think she was incapable of using this book? Or was he trying to go for it himself? Was he trying to keep her from going after it because she was a hybrid?
Memories of the conversation with Takoda swirled in her head. What if there really was a way, some type of potion or incantation that could restore Nkoles memory? She had to try everything she could, right? She owed him that much. Teiluj growled in frustration, she had no idea where to even begin. Tapping her foot briefly against a root, Teiluj paused to pick up a strange colored stone that had caught her eye. Twirling it in her hands for a moment, she watched the way it glinted and an idea struck her. What if she started asking around the market in Ast? Pursing her lips she shook her head and chucked the rock into the trees. It was a silly idea she thought, watching as Tao gave a happy sounding bark and took off after it. Her yellow eyes followed the Radaku as he disappeared into the hedges.
The more she mulled on the idea about what she could find in Ast the less likely it seemed that anyone there would know anything about this mysterious book Takoda had let slip. Though trying to imagine getting information in either Emeka or Andile seemed even less likely with the recently renewed hostility from the Alkidikes. Biting back a sigh Teiluj separated a small section of hair and started running her fingers down the length of it. Over and over she stroked the lock, the rhythmic motions seemed to keep her thoughts flowing. Perhaps if she looked through the books she had one more time..? What if there was hidden information in them? Something you had to really look for to find? And if not, what about the traders whose main income was selling books? Maybe they also had information on this one.
Nodding to herself Teiluj aimed straight for her home. Reaching the place she shared with her mother and the amnesiac oban earthling she was trying to help, Teiluj flung the door open. Dashing up the stairs towards her room she headed straight towards the location where their variety of books were stored. Maya watched in stunned silence as her daughter hurried up the stairs towards her bedroom with nary a word towards her. She opened her mouth, wanting to call out, but Maya could not think of a single thing to say. At least not in any way that wouldn’t risk setting Teiluj off and driving her away from home.
However, Teiluj had spent almost the entire day just trying to find Takoda and after finding him, she was now able to summon forth small amounts of magic and had a better understanding of how some of the healing techniques worked. Sleep was dragging hard on the hybrid girl, and her mind was rapidly becoming foggy. In the morning she would likely find more strength to seek answers she was looking for. Trying to push herself now would not be wise, especially since she had made her promise to Nkole. She wouldn’t do anything that would cause her to leave him. His face entered her mind and she couldn’t help the flush that crossed her cheeks. But her thoughts weren’t enough to keep her awake. With a weary sound she flopped down onto her bed and gathered up the pillows around her, hugged them close, and squeaked at the thoughts that raced through her mind. Sleep was quick to claim her once she settled and her mind provided her with dreams that her heart offered, filled with promises of things that could happen once she found what she searched for.
Despite her late night the first things on Teiluj’s mind when woke was how a certain trader in the market could possibly have information leading to a book that could help Nkole. The pleasant dreams from her slumber faded rapidly in the morning air. Just recalling the trader and their possible wealth of information had Teiluj leaping out of bed. She didn’t linger in her room, only taking the needed time to see to her morning ritual before darting quickly down the stairs and out of the house. Slowing down for food was not an option, not when her trail could already be going cold.
In her rush the distance between her home and that of the market dwindled rapidly, a trip that usually took a bit of time passed in the span of a few minutes. Tao was once again quickly following on her heels, and had been since leaving the house. As the market came into sight all Teiluj could do now was hope that the one trader she was looking for would be there when she arrived. On the other hand, she was skeptical of entering the Market when so many people were now starting to worry about the tyranny of a strange group of Alkidikes. Rubbing her right arm absently, Teiluj winced at the bruises that lingered. She had a better reason than most to fear them. Yellow eyes shifted from one Shifter to the next without the sight of a single Alkidike entering her gaze, Teiluj felt a little more courage fill her veins. There were no tall Amazonian women in the market today. Could it be possible that the traders would be more friendly now that their large shadow was no longer hovering over them?
Teiluj racked her brain as she tried to remember where the particular trader was located. He had to know something, her gut had told her that he knew more than he was letting on. Eye’s hopeful, Teiuj moved past one stall after another. Searching each trader and their stalls, it was still early in the morning and there was a chance the trader she was looking for hadn’t arrived yet. Stumbling upon one trader who seemed to trade in books Teiluj had asked a couple questions about the mysterious book to no avail. Thanking them for their time, Teiluj moved on to another stall, once again asking the same questions. She was completely unaware that someone was following her as she moved, listening to her as she asked questions, studying the way she moved.
It wasn’t until Teiluj had asked just about every trader in the market that the figure approached her. With a piece of paper held out for her. “I know of this book you seek. It’s made by an old shifter, he was a great author of many books. Though some of his books are experimental and others downright unorthodox. The last rumor has seen of him he was said to be heading into the dying forest.”
Teiluj couldn’t help but squeal joyfully at the help she had unexpectedly received from the stranger. Taking the paper in her hands Teiluj scanned it over. It seemed to mark a place in the northern forest. She remembered being warned about this area, and had never had the nerve to venture into it as a youngling. This part of the forest was dark, and seemed to house more dangers. Some Teiluj could remember the rumors of, were even worse than the Menzuri. Shivering Teiluj gripped the paper scanning it over. “Where in the dying forest?” She asked, glancing up at the stranger blinking at the sudden space in front of her. The figure had disappeared as rapidly as it had appeared leaving the hybrid feeling a little dazed and confused.
This was at least a good starting point, from there Teiluj wandered through the market asking just about anyone who would talk to her questions. Did they know who this author was? Would they know where he lived? How could she find this house? The only information she was able to glean had been choppy, disorganized and several even contradicted themselves. Sorting through all the information in her head, Teiluj settled on her own conclusions about the sages location. It was near a river, but not one that connected to Ast. It was deep in the forest and could easily be identified by a bundle of Jade vine in the shape of a wreath.
Sucking in a deep breath of air the mixed blooded girl turned back towards home. She was going to need Tao and Starline to help for this journey. And of course let Nkole know she would be going on a journey for a little while. She hoped he would be ok while she was gone, especially with her mother still refusing to accept him. Then again, Maya was starting to debate the idea of going on a journey to Tale and beyond just to get away from him. Her mother really could be stubborn sometimes about the strangest things, at least Teiluj thought so, but after hearing Isaris’ story she was starting to wonder if there was some truth to it.
It hadn’t taken her long to gather up her things, or to let Nkole know she was going to be gone for a while. Tao was not big enough for Teiluj to ride on, but he was strong enough to fight, Starline had however reached her full growth. The large kinfa stood much taller than Teiluj herself and was now accustomed to the saddle which allowed Teiluj the ability to ride her.
Certain that her things were prepared Teiluj gave one last look back at the house, at Nkole. It would take her several days to get to the northern part of Jauhar, to reach the dying forest she had avoided as a youngling. Without clear instructions on where the sage’s hut was located Teiluj could only guess, she would have to search the entire area in order to be sure if it was there or not. But that could take days in itself, mumbling to herself Teiluj started off towards the northern forests.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 04, 2015 7:17 pm
Getting to the northern part of Jauhar had been easy. The journey there had been rather uneventful, Starline had taken to flying up above the canopy where it was easier for her to spread her wings, while Tao kept pace beside the hybrid. Teiluj had been traveling northeast for the past three days, in order to reach the Dying Forest. She had come close to it before, but never this close. A shiver ran up her spine, staring out among the trees with a narrowed gaze as the early morning breeze whipped through her multi colored locks, Teiluj could feel a tangible tension ahead of her. An evil aura, a whisper in the darkness, a vapid pall of something wicked that Teiluj couldn’t quite place. Around her was a too-still silence that felt malicious and she would swear that she could feel the presence of corruption, smell the malignant stench of something vile. She had always feared this part of the forest, the rumors of creatures so terrifying they could kill you on sight, bug mages.
Swallowing hard the stillness rang in her ears, letting her eyes once again roam the landscape Teiluj started into the forest. The map she had received was all but abandoned, it however was of no more use to Teiluj. It had no directions on where to go, no hits of where to look for the sage's hut. Taking a fortifying breath the hybrid started off into the Dying Forest, her eyes moved from the trees to the ground, from left to right as she moved slowly but steadily forward. Strange burn marks were seen sporadically across the bark of trees, almost like a trail. Like the fire was trying to catch someone who must have been running away. Running for their life maybe? Could someone be injured out here?
The strange sound similar to that of humming and clicking insects started behind her, startling both Tao and Teiluj. Her eyes widened with panic and Teiluj could feel tendrils of fear begin to creep up on her. She knew what the bug mages were supposed to sound like and the sounds she currently heard sparked the memory of nearly forgotten warnings in her mind. Not wanting to see if the warnings held merit or not, Teiluj didn’t even spare a glance behind her as she took off at a run even deeper into the forest. A strange hound-like bark, unfamiliar to Teiluj started up behind her as well. She pushed herself faster, driven by an urgency that stemmed from her unspoken fear and a wild imagination; Teiluj took the first chance she saw to climb one of closest the trees. Her fingers moved slowly as she grasped at the bark in places often changing her mind before it would be required to hold her slim weight. She had been taught by some of the shifter younglings -as a youngling- how to climb trees but she wasn’t able to move as fast as them. She wasn’t even all that sure of her footing after having watched Nkole fall from a tree. It would do her no good to fall and injure herself here.
Glancing down towards the ground she easily spotted Tao and was pleased to see him moving as quietly through the foliage as he could. He was moving in a pattern that made him rather unpredictable, and it was only due to her height advantage that she could track him. Absently she wondered when and where he had learned that skill, but couldn’t deny its usefulness. The strange singular barking sound was joined by several more and Teiluj could feel her heart jump as fire flooded her veins, giving her the energy to push forward. Tao continued to slink his way through the under foliage as Teiluj tried to quietly keep up with him in the branches. The longer she traveled this way the better she seemed to be getting at it. The only problem she faced now was how they were going to shake the creatures currently tailing them and avoid the animals that were ahead of them.
The sound of another bark off to their right caught both Tao and Teiluj off guard. A dark shadow lept from the brushes towards Tao. Teiluj gave a yelp, her hand instinctively reaching out towards her Radaku though there was nothing she could do. Growling Tao lowered his body towards the ground, his belly brushing the grass of the forest floor before his tail flicked up with a smacking sound, hitting the creature’s soft underside. Tao gave a stern sounding growl before his body seemed to bend in half as he twisted out of reach from a set of claws aimed for his neck. The shadow snapped forward with its teeth bared as it tried once again to catch Tao, Teiluj felt powerless as she looked on. She was afraid to help her companion and risk injury all the while afraid she would lose him if she just stood in the safety of the trees and did nothing.
Snarls erupted between the fighting pair and Teiluj couldn’t help but notice the strange similarity the dark hound carried to the Radaku’s figure. Almost like it was a twisted, sinister version of the Radaku she had come to know so much about. Horn-like spikes protruded from it’s spine, taunt leathery skin looked like it had been dried on it’s frame easily showing the muscles underneath. Even it’s snarls seemed to have an eerie echo to them. Another difference was that it seemed to lack the same whip-like tail that Radakus had, as well as the long mane along it’s back.
Antenna twitching Teiluj could feel the approach of the other hound-like creatures she had heard in the distance. Fearing they were something akin to the one Tao was currently engaged with, the young hybrid leaned forward on her branch. Yelling for Tao to run, Teiluj took her own advice and had already returned to moving forward through the branches unaware of what was now passing below her. She was no longer paying attention to the forest floor, she was occupied with trying to flee the clicking sounds that seemed to follow her, that circled about her as if trying to herd her through the forest.
She had to get away from whatever it was that was following her. Her yellow eyes watched as Tao did as he was told, kicking off into the trees, his tail held low to the ground in case he needed it for defense. Every so often he would whip his tail from one side to the other, it seemed to give him the added benefit of agility that the other creature couldn’t possibly hope to attain. Her heart ached to see him leave her sight, worried for him, pleading to Aisha that Tao would survive and return to her. She couldn’t lose Tao on this journey! No, she had actually grown attached to the young Radaku and didn’t want to lose him to anything, or anyone.
Teiluj watched as Tao darted out of sight only for the rest of the pack to join the lone one who had managed to catch Tao unaware. A shiver of fear ran up Teiluj’s spine as the incessant humming around her grew louder, the clicks grew sharper and the young part Alkidike had the sneaking suspicion she was being hunted. So focused on Tao, Teiluj hadn’t noticed the closing proximity of one bipedal figure. Her heart lurched again as she felt something reaching for her. Turning around Teiluj screamed, the cloaked figure had returned. And yet it seemed so very different from what she had seen in the market. The cloak shrouding it’s head however appeared to be of the same material as the man who had given her the map. Had this all been a trap? There was a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach as she came to realize what was going on. Was there even an old sage in the dying forest? If so was it the same one she was seeking after all?
Her head spun with questions and fear froze her in place as the creature reached out to grab her. Stumbling back to keep from getting caught in it’s grasp Teiluj’s feet slipped off the branch supporting her. Yelping in fright at the sudden drop she tried to reach out, to grab another branch to stop her fall. Hitting a few branches on her way down Teiluj expected to land on the hard floor. Instead she found her body crashing into the frigid waters of a river. The cloaked figure followed her into the depths of the river still attempting to grab her around the neck. Teiluj kicked out, propelling herself through the water and trying to aim for the shore. She struggled against the swift undercurrent and thankfully the Bug Mage seemed to be having much the same problem she was, if not more. His cloak added weight to his body, further slowing him down if he didn’t decide to take it off.
Glancing back to check if it was still following her, Teiju almost screamed, but the burning in her lungs reminded her of how little air she had managed to breath before being submerged. She had never dreamed that such a terrifying yet sentient being could exist. Spurred on by her need to survive Teiluj struggled to breach the surface, breaking through into the air and quickly filled her lungs before she was once again pulled back under. Kicking as quickly as she could Teiluj pushed herself towards the shore, surfacing for air every chance she got.
Pulling herself onto the shore Teiluj coughed, her lungs burned with the need for air. Her head felt light as flecks of color swam in front of her gaze, a headrush no doubt, Teiluj thought to herself as she pushed to her feet. Her fingers shook as she pushed her hair back and out of her face. Glancing back into the water Teiluj felt some peace she had escaped the bug mage that was following her. Shivering at the memory of its face and hands as it reached out towards her, they somehow reminded her of the Alkidikes, as if they were both polar opposites of each other in some way and yet both still terrifying. Coughing against the pain in her chest Teiluj wiped the back of her hand against her mouth, it was a good thing she hadn’t brought any of her books with her. They would have been destroyed in the water, and that would have been a major setback.
Remembering Tao, Teiluj’s heart clenched painfully in her chest. The water dripping off her body left her feeling cold and clammy in the cool air. Her hair felt colder against her back than the clothes did against her skin. Shivering at the light breeze Teiluj listened to the world around her and heard only silence. A rustling in the trees nearby had Teiluj panicking, whirling around with her fists held in front of her, the hybrid tried to take on a more threatening pose. Yellow eyes focused on the brushline a smile spread across her face, her eyes lighting up with joy as her gaze settled on Tao’s familiar form.
She scrambled over the short distance in her haste to embrace Tao. She held him tightly in place for a moment before moving back to check him over. He had a few scrapes along his flank and the way he held his hind paw off the ground, Teiluj could only assume he must be hurting. Gathering up the magic she could, Teiluj pressed her hand onto Tao’s injury. It was a simple thing, summoning her magic to help mend his hide and ease his pain. “You’ve done an amazing job Tao, I’m so proud of you.”
Looking past Tao towards the house Teiluj had noticed, but dismissed in her haste to see to her familiar, Teiluj first searched the front of the house, her eyes settling on a bundle of dying Jade Vine. It was a long vine-like plant with tresses of claw-like flowers. Her shoulders rolled forward as she hung her head. “What kind of trick is this?” Teiluj asked aloud, “Who stumbles accidentally upon a hut in the middle of nowhere after getting chased around by things that want to kill you? And it just so happens to be the one I’m looking for.” Her tone was sarcastic as she spoke to Tao. “Seriously. Things like this don’t happen outside silly fables.” The way she spoke reminded herself of the way her mother often talked. Blushing Teiluj closed her eyes.
Rocking back on her heels, Teiluj placed a hand on Tao’s head before she started forward again. An odd hush in the surrounding forest nagged at her. The sense that there was some sort of significance in the unearthly silence weighed on her mind. Drawing nearer to the door of the small earthen dwelling, she felt a strange sense of foreboding as she pushed the twig like mat out of the way. The home was dark, dank from age and molding paper. There was an even stronger smell in the home leaving Teiluj to bring her hand up to cup it over her nose.
Teiluj gasped softly and broke away from Tao’s side as her eyes settled on a humanoid figure on the floor. Moving to kneel beside the old man sprawled on the floor. Her fingers moved to his neck hoping to find a pulse. A trick she had learned in the book Takoda had given her. “He’s dead,” she murmured as she gently closed his eyes. There was something about the old sages death that worried her. It couldn’t have been that long either, even though his body was so obviously cold. His body looked like it had been alive and yet paralyzed until his life had expired. What could possibly have done something so horrific to him? Teiluj wondered to herself.
Keeping her hand over her nose Teiluj fell back into a sitting position. Her eyes watered from the stench of the building. She had come here to ask for his help, his advice, and potentially borrow a book or two and some tips. Now however she had arrived to find a dead man, what could she do from here? Were his books free to take? Staggering her breathing, Teiluj’s eyes took in the rest of the small hut. Books were scattered throughout the space. Reaching for the first one closest to her Teiluj flipped through the pages it was just a sketchbook. Placing the book beside her Teiluj reached for another. Pausing as her eyes settled on the sage in the middle of the floor. She couldn’t leave him like this. Especially if she was going to be lifting some books from his home.
Clenching her fists Teiluj wandered outside, perhaps it would be best if she prepared a grave for him. It was the appropriate thing to do, right? Falling to her knees on the ground in front of the house Teiluj brushed her hand against the hard soil. Perhaps a grave would not be a good idea after all. The soil was solid and far too packed together for her to break apart without an aid of some sort. Casting her eyes about the forest Teiluj noticed several more scorch marks. Biting her bottom lip she rose again to her feet. Rain spattered against the ground, rustling in the leaves as Teiluj stared up at the pale sky. The dark forest was so different from the Jauhar that she knew, this place felt twisted, probably the reason why it was called the Dying Forest. Mounds of dingy old soot piled up against the trees here, and yet the house had remained untouched by the flames. ‘we are supposed to take care of the forest.’ Teiluj thought with a grimace twisting her lips. Were the ‘Bug Mages’ responsible for this kind of destruction?
This place had a way of making her feel stunted, lost, and alone. Tao yawned and moved to settle against the root of a tree. The feelings themselves were not new to the mixed blooded girl, but the feelings of animosity were. The wind shifted directions, blowing around her wet locks and sending another chill down her spine. No matter how hurtful the Alkidike and earthlings had been towards her, she just couldn’t bring herself to hate them. Yet here, here where she was in a life or death situation where she had to fight, Teiluj found herself developing negative feelings towards the bug mages. Narrowing her eyes on the rushing water the mixed girl’s antenna twitched, hybrids like herself weren’t the enemy. They were misunderstood, but what about these bug mages? The tips of her fingers felt numb as she thought about them. Her heart raced, unlike the other beings of Jauhar, these didn’t seem to show compassion towards other sentient beings.
Wrapping her arms around herself in an attempt to alleviate the discomfort her own feelings were giving her, Teiluj turned away from the river. Until now, she hadn’t hated anything in the world. Seeing the destruction that someone could cause made her suspicious of what the other races would do if given the same freedom. Her eyes turned back towards the hut, she couldn’t leave the old sage's body like that, especially if she was going to stoop so low as to take one of his books. That was with the assumption she could even find the book to start with. Heaving a sigh Teiluj touched the side of her arm, fingers tracing the green marking that spanned it. Her mind worked hard to come up with a possible solution. She didn’t know the old man, and so would not know how to best go about honoring him. Running her hand through her bangs Teiluj focused on several branches around her feet. Dead twigs the fire had not completely claimed before it had been extinguished.
What about a pyre? She asked herself, bending over to pick up a twig, twirling the rough bark between her fingers. If she turned him to ashes then at least no one else could desecrate his body. Nodding to herself Teiluj set about the task of building the pyre. Gathering the bark and wood had been easy considering all the damages that had already occurred in the area.
Returning to the hut Teiluj covered her nose again and approached the old man. Looking him over Teiluj wondered what could have been the cause of his death. There seemed to be no signs of burns, no outward injury that could possibly be the cause. Was it something internal? Whatever it was, the night was certainly here and Teiluj had to move quickly. Gripping the man by the edges of his clothing, Teiluj struggled to pull his thick heavy frame towards the door. Failing to move him far the young woman called out for Tao to come help. He was swift to answer her and after watching Teiluj attempt to pull the man from the house, he was all too eager to join in on the game.
Relieved to have Tao’s help, Teiluj was able to move the dead body towards the crude pile of wood she had tried to craft into a type of bed for him to lay on. It had taken her great effort to get his body on the wood before she settled down with a long branch in her hand. This was the hardest part of all, calling upon her magic for help. She knew that compassion towards others and the desire to see them better was the source of her healing. Was it possible that she could call upon other elements as well, just as Takoda had done with the earth during her lessons?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 11:28 am
Staring down at the end of the branch, Teiluj let the same feelings emerge as she attempted to light the tip of the branch on fire. Nothing seemed to happen. Teiluj’s expression darkened as she touched the end of the stick, there was no warmth there. Crossing her legs in front of her Teiluj tried again, reaching deep within the part of her that had awakened. Goop seemed to cover the end of the stick and Teiluj nearly chucked it into the pile of wood in front of her. That wasn’t what she had intended to do. Picking up a thicker stick in front of her Teiluj glared at the end of her stick, the feelings of frustration and anger seemed to pulse in her mind as she struggled to bring flames to life. Reaching back into the part of her that controlled magic Teiluj focused again on the edge of the stick. Nearly chuking the object forward as bright blue flames flickered to life.
Staring in disbelief at the merrily crackling fire Teiluj had to smile at it, no matter how fleeting it was. It was exhausting every time she tried to call upon a new form of magic, it felt as if she had to tear down walls within her own body to be able to reach the power inside. Satisfied Teiluj rolled forward onto her knees, poking her stick into the mound of wood she had constructed for the pyre. Flames seemed to spread slowly across her makeshift funeral bed, and Teiluj couldn’t help but stare, transfixed, as the flames moved to devour everything it touched. So mesmerized by the dancing blue flames it was a wonder it hadn’t leapt to anything else.
There was an ache in her head that seemed to radiate out throughout her body, dragging her down and clouding her mind. Her eyes drooped as she continued to watch the flames dancing about one another. Sleep was quickly overcoming her and she was barely aware of Tao’s approach as he moved to curl up against her. The added comfort and gentle warmth of another living being finally wore her down, easily settling her nerves enough that she drifted off.
Several hours passed before Teiluj woke from her slumber. Her green eyes staring out blankly into the river not far from where she lay. It took her sleep addled mind a bit to recall where she was, and just what had happened to her. Tao was curled up against her back almost protectively. Rolling over so she could get a better look at the Radaku, Teiluj couldn’t help but smile. Running her hand down his muzzle affectionately before she lifted her hand to stroke his long mane and horns. “Thank you Tao. How about we finally find this book and go home?”
Tao gave a happy rumble at her words, stretching out his front legs with a yawn before rising to his feet. He stretched one hind leg out behind him after the other before turning back to Teiluj, his eyes following her as she moved towards the hut, away from the dying flames.
Pushing past the crude mat hanging in the doorway Teiluj entered the small hut. The horrid smell still lingered in the musty, dank, hut but it wasn’t nearly as bad now that the dead body had been pulled out of the living space. Looking around the room Teiluj felt a little overwhelmed, books were scattered everywhere and none of them seemed to be upon the shelves. It was almost like someone had ransacked the sage's hut in search of something important.
Lifting up the first book thrown haphazardly by the shelves, Teiluj flipped through the first couple pages. More sketches of plants and animals. Sighing she placed the book on the top shelf, figuring that if she placed the books she had already looked at there, not only was she helping to organize the place, it would help her keep track of what she had already searched. Hours seemed to tick by as Teiluj worked steadily through the books. Every once in a while stumbling upon one that had a rune on the cover. Those books she had placed aside somewhere else. These ones weren’t like the rest of the books, they contained spells, potion recipes and information about various magical tools or books that closely resembled some of the ones back home.
Nimble fingers plucked another book from the floor, green eyes systematically searching for a symbol. Nothing. Checking the inside Teiluj wasn’t surprised to find journaling. That seemed to be what the majority of the books in here were. Journals, writings, sketches, with the odd magical tome mixed in. She had even stumbled upon several bags of seeds which she had claimed, not wanting to let them die in the twisted forest. She was going to take them home and plant them and hope that the forests taint hadn’t infected them.
Picking up the next book Teiluj paused before opening to the pages. The rune on the front of the book shimmered, it seemed to appear different than the rest of the books around her, including the ones that held spells. Reading the first page a slow smile crept upon her lips, her face lighting up with pleasure. Snapping the book closed she hugged the tome close to her chest. Takoda had known something after all! Teiluj remained standing as she was for a brief moment as Nkole’s face swam into the forefront of her mind.
Maybe now, once she returned home she could test out some of the potions in the book? She wasn’t sure if the book could really help, but what if it did? A sudden wave of fear struck her. Did she really want his memory back? What if the new memories they had been creating were suddenly erased when his old ones returned to him. Gripping the book tighter to her chest Teiluj looked towards the doorway. Would bringing back his memory cause her to lose him?
Shaking her head Teiluj tried to shove the painful feelings back down. He was probably only showing these feelings towards her because she was all he knew. Doubt crawled into her heart, what if he had someone waiting for him back home? He had mentioned his parents choosing him a mate. Turning sadly away from the semi-organized mess,Teiluj left the house, still clinging to the book. What if that strange faceless woman loved Nkole? Part of her wanted to keep him by her side, but she couldn't do so in all consciousness if he had someone waiting for him, someone he needed to remember.
Glancing at the dead embers a tear slipped from her eyes. She owed him his memory if nothing else. Even if it meant she would lose him, there was no way she could selfishly keep him in the dark. Giving a look to Tao, Teiluj ran her fingers along his back. “Lets go home Tao, we have been gone for too long.” Looking around the forest Teiluj paused. She wanted to head home but didn’t know what direction to turn, let alone what direction she had come from. Under normal circumstances Teiluj would have been able to tell what direction to head given the way the lichen grew on the trees. Or the way the fungus tilted, however here in the forest where so much of it had been consumed and scarred by fire she felt lost. Having lived mostly among the ground in the forest Teiluj still had trouble telling the direction by the way the sun moved.
With a huff Teiluj shoved the book into her satchel all the while looking around. Tao took off into the trees at a quick run, much faster than Teiluj’s exhausted body would be able to keep up with. Reaching up Teiluj gently fingered the pendant on her neck, a habit she did whenever she was lost in thought. The moment her fingers brushed against it was when she remembered her other companion. That’s right! She had starline accompany them from above the tree’s because she couldn’t fly in the dense foliage. All she would have to do is climb up there to join her Kinfa and they could easily fly home that way. It would still take them another three days before they could get back to Ast but at least she wouldn’t be left wandering the forest and potentially wind up getting herself killed by the bug mages.
Word Count:6501
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 11:53 am
Word count total of 6501 Finished and ready for review heart
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 5:33 pm
Class Quest Result
Pass!
Teiluj has passed and received a rank of Healer!
Congratulations Teiluj!
Silver_tigress18 Teiluj may choose 1 regular shop item as a reward for her struggle with the ethics of getting Nkole's memories back. Please PM Suhuba with your choice.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
