Amethyst ((INVITE ONLY))

[K9Guardian]

The sun hung low behind the mountains, painting the sky above the jagged black horizon with warm colors bordered by violet hues. Fiery rays of sunlight lanced over the land and struck the surface of one lonely tower, shattering into thousands of tiny raylets upon its walls, so that the tower shone like fierce flame in the approaching dusk. For this tower, upon its hilltop in a faraway land, was like no other tower built by mortal man; its construction was of purest amethyst.

 

[LightofHeaven]

"It's beautiul." Jin whispered to himself, still staring through the binoculars at the towr across the wide river from where he stood.

 

[K9Guardian]

"This is no time for sightseeing, Jin," a voice said from behind him. "You should be searching for signs of our quarry."

 

[LightofHeaven]

"I've scouted this entire area." Jin lowered the binoculars and turned to look back at the person behind him. "I found nothing but the tower."

 

[K9Guardian]

"Our orders are to find Kazic." The voice belonged to Aram. A tall youth about Jin's age, he stood with legs apart and arms folded, regarding Jin with unblinking eyes. His features looked as if they had been carved out of rough stone by a master artisan. "If we do not bring him back, our instructor will not be pleased."

 

[LightofHeaven]

"Come on, Aram." Jin gestured toward the horizon with a sweep of his hand. "There's no way we'll find him in this light. We should set up camp for the night."

 

[K9Guardian]

Aram shook his head, then unfolded his arms and walked past Jin to the edge of the low cliff on which they stood. Coolly, he surveyed the rugged landscape. "To qualify for the First Test of Fire, we must complete this training on time," he said, with his back towards Jin. "Or else we will have to start over. If you need rest, I will find Kazic alone."

 

[LightofHeaven]

Jin regarded AraM with a glare. "Don't you remember what Instructor Dolaire said?" Jin took a step closer to his companion. Aram stood just inches taller than Jin, but Jin carried more thick layers od muscle in his body. "Our success depends on each other."

 

[K9Guardian]

Aram's own binoculars hung from a cord around his neck, and he put these to his eyes, unruffled by Jin's retort. "Then curb your fascination with the scenery and stay on task. Something is moving down by the river."

 

[LightofHeaven]

Grudgingly, Jin stepped up beside Aram and peered through his own binoculars, squinting at the shado8wy figure running along the riverbank. "Looks like a mountain ape or sometrhing."

 

[K9Guardian]

"Not this far from the forests, city boy," Aram said. "Look closer. It is carrying something on its back. Perhaps this is one of Kazic's shape-shifts."

 

[LightofHeaven]

In the gathering darkness, Jin could barely make out the outline of a lump attaced to the figure's back. He lowered his binoculars. "Well then, perhaps we should go after it...captain."

 

[K9Guardian]

Aram let his binoculars drop to his chest. "You should control your emotions, Jin. They're the reason Instructor Dolaire is so hard on you." He turned and started down the slope of the cliff, cloak rippling as it trailed behind him.

 

[LightofHeaven]

Jin let out a frustrated sigh and followed Aram down the slope, stuffing his binoculars in a belt pouch beneath his cloak. "You're probably right." he said. But not entirely, tall fry. Dolaire believes in my potential to become a HAWK, and my emotions have nothing tro do with her being hard on me.

They reached the base of the clif within minutes and hurried along the riverbank in pursuit of the figure.

 

[K9Guardian]

When he reached the base of the cliff, Aram stopped. "Jin, wait!" But it was too late; Jin hurried by and started down the riverbank. Sighing, Aram took up his binocuulars again and quickly scanned the area. the figure was still there,, moving along ythe water's edge with that bundle on its back.

Aram's skin prickled with a premonition of danger. Storing away the binos, he took a crossbow bolt frrom his belt and loaded it onto a drevice strapped to his left forearm. Then he followed Jin slowly, searching the surrounding cliffs for threats.

 

[LightofHeaven]

"Halt!" Jin shouted, his voice echoing loudly across the rocky landscape.

The figure stopped and turned to stare at Jin twenty feet ahead.

 

[K9Guardian]

Typical of you, Jin. Giving aaway the element of surprise. Aram raised his arm and aimed the crossbow bolt at the figure. The forearm device, when fired, was deadly accurate at a range of fifty yards.If this was a hostile entity, Aram would have one chance at a shot before it reached Jin.

 

[LightofHeaven]

At this closer distance, Jin could make out the figure's bulky form, which was covered by a mass of wet fur. It was cvery much ape, but the face was far from ape-like. It resemblied the head o a frog; its large yellow eyes stared fearfully back at Jin.

It's a gorpa. Jin thought. He couldn't see the bundle it carried behind it, but he could see a pair of little fists gripging handfuls of hair around the creature's broad shoulders. And it's got a baby. But...

 

[K9Guardian]

Standing on the bank above and behind Jin, Aram frowned. A gorpa? Gorpas were half-sentient amphibians native to the Tirja swamps, far to the south. They never left their habitat. Something wasn't right.

He kept hiis armbow steady, tightening his fingers around the firing grip.

 

[K9Guardian]

Standing on the bank above and behind Jin, Aram frowned. A gorpa? Gorpas were half-sentient amphibians native to the Tirja swamps, far to the south. They never left their habitat. Something wasn't right.

He kept hiis armbow steady, tightening his fingers around the firing grip.