Road to the Grail

[CJF]

Rebecca tried her hardest to stay in her saddle. But it was to no avail. The wind, and the current were too strong. Rebecca was knocked from the saddle, onto hard ground, which was soon covered by water. Rebecca looked around, and not seeing Arannte, started worrying. Rebecca looked frantically for Arannte. She finally spotted her, almost completly covered by water, and unconcious. Rebecca made her way towards Arannte.
Suddenly, a sharp claw pludged in front of her, nearly slicing her in two. Rebecca jumped back, and pulled out her sword. She swung at the gigantic hand in front of her, but the hand moved, and reached to pick her up. Rebecca jumped back, but not in time. She was lifted from the ground, and high into the air.
Rebecca sliced into the hand of the dragon. The dragon roared in anger, as Rebecca frantically kept slicing through the hand. The dragon tossed her aside. Rebecca was swung-rather lightly- into the trunk of a tree. Rebecca reached out to grab something, but landed with a loud thud on the ground. Rebecca winced at the pain, and tried to lift herself from the ground. A sharp pain shot through her back.


sorry g2g!

 

[Kookaburra]

Arannte could feel the water plucking at the edges of her dark cloak, and she opened her eyes.

Her head turned to the side, life slowly trickled back into her mind, and her wounds had stopped hurting, numbed by fear and adrenaline.

Her hand twitched, and she recognized that she was lying on the ground, a furrow of dirt evidencing the last place the watery claw had dug before slamming her down again and again.

She balled her fist and shut her eyes tight, concentrating on the ache that was now shooting up her side.

A slight glow concentrated over her fist, and then she touched her side. The pain vanished, erased, and she opened her eyes again.

She lifted her head, and looked around quietly. She could hear the dragon to her left, snuffling at something and roaring every now and then. She couldn't see it, however, because she was on the other side of a small ridge, where she had fallen and had been forgotten by all but her faithful horses, who stood nearby, flicking their tails patiently while glaring at the menace that ignored them.

She rolled over and stumbled warily to her feet, leaning on a fallen tree for support as she concentrated again.

The glow formed over her fingers, and she touched her wounded leg. The ugly wound closed and some of the swelling went down.

She opened her eyes and forced herself to stop. I promised I wouldn't do that anymore! she exclaimed to herself, and then she mentally kicked herself. You must keep it secret. Only Rebecca knows.

Then, she remembered Rebecca. Where is she? she craned her neck and peeked above the hummock.

Rebecca was half-lying, half-leaning against a tree in front of her, blood staining the back of her cloak. "Rebecca!" she shouted, and then leapt out of her hiding place. She darted forward to her friend, and saw the dragon looking their way. She ducked and drew her sword, whistling for her horses.

She touched Rebecca's shoulder, and when she didn't reply, she lifted her up and put her on Mystic, who was standing nearby. Then she slapped the horse, who took off into the trees towards safety.

Arannte swung up onto Nightmare and went after her, the water dragon roaring with anger as he lunged up the creek bank towards her, pulling down young trees and gouging the earth with his claws, tearing apart foliage as he raced for her.

Nightmare froze momentarily, and then was floating on the wind--or seemed to be--her hooves hardly touching the turf as she sped over the grass, following Mystic's trail.

 

[will_wait4Him]

I'll make another character...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Name: Gradd
Age: 37
Gender: Male
Originality: English
Discription: Gradd is more of a outdoor forest type guy. Dark curly brown hair with crystal blue eyes. Has a gotey[sp] and likes to keep it short. Tanned skin and a pretty big build. Has a dragon tooth necklace.
Personality: Gradd likes to help people just as much as he likes to slay dragons.
Weapon/s: A long sword, crossbow, and arrows with explosive arrowheads.
Marital Status: Once married, but a dragon killed his wife.
World Status: Nuetrul
Brief History: Gradd was born in a poor village. At the age of 19, he met a girl who would become his wife at the age of 20. They had a child at the age of 23. When he was 25, the village was attacked by a dragon. Along with the entire village, his wife and his son were burned to ashes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~
Earlier
~~~~

William ran between the legs of the dragon and sliced at its toes in an attempt to bring it down. William glanced to his left to see Arannte being flung off her black horse! William began to run over to her when he was tackled by the dragons mighty tale! William went flying into a nearby rock and hit the back of his head. William reached back and felt a large hole in his skin!

Loakin ran over to William and poured the water from his pouch onto the wound. William yelled in pain as the ice cold liquid trickled into his ripped and bloodied skin. William glanced back at Arannte who seemed to be standing against a tree trunk. She had something glowing in her hand. At that time, William blacked out. Loakin dragged William to the two kings and ran back to the battle.

~~~
Now
~~~

Even monuvered his white steed around the mighty dragon as it focused on Rebecca and Arannte! Even charged towards the dragon's left ankle and sliced anything within range that had scales! The dragon roared in frustration as there were to many targets. The dragon reared back up on it's hind legs to get ready to burst its acid out towards Rebecca when Loakin threw his knife into the dragons stomach! The dragon again, was on all fours.

Rylan hopped onto one of the dragons scaly feet and began cutting into the skin where the ankle bone was closer to the surface. The dragon flicked its foot and sent Rylan rolling into the water. The water formed into a fist and held Rylan up into air. Marion ran over to the watery fist that incasing Rylan and began hacking into the fist! The fist gave in and let Rylan go! Rylan gasped for air from the tight grip of the fist.

Rose flew up to the back of the dragons head and stealthly landed behind its ear. She grabbed some flowers grod, a powder that can irritate the skin really badly, out of her side pouch. Rose threw the grod into the dragons waxy ear and flew away. Even continued to hack at the dragons ankles when the dragon suddenly became way more aggitated then it was. Even galloped his horse to the shore for safety.

The dragon scratched relentlessly at its ear trying to releave the irritating itch. It fell to the ground and began to rub its ear along a nearby boulder. Loakin ran to the dragons stomach and swung at its soft underbelly. The dragon saw Loakin and swiped him into the air!

This is it, thought Loakin falling back towards the earth.

All of a sudden, Rose caught Loakin just in time before the dragon could get back up and begin its terror once again. Rose set Loakin back onto the ground and lifted up his shirt. His entire stomach was brused[sp] and his arm was broken. Rose began tending to his wounds.

Even was continuing his hacking when the dragons tale flicked Even's horse into a nearby tree! Even was sent flying beyond the tree and into a sharp rock. Even tried to lift his back off the rock, but it was too deep into his lower back. Even yelled as he tried relentlessly to get free of the sharp rock, but it was no good. The harder he tried, the more it cut into his skin and flesh!

As he tried to get free, he saw a shadow walk up behind him! Even turned his body, accidently ripping the rock from his back. Even yelled in the face of the stranger who was nelt down beside him.
"Quiet you fool!" said the man with a low toned voice.
"W-ah-who are you?" asked Even feeling somebody begin to stitch his back up.
"Call me Gradd."
"My friends."
"They'll have to wait, you've lost a lot of blood. We need to get this washed."
Gradd picked Even up with ease and carried him over to his brown horse. Gradd opened a pouch on his saddle and took out a black powder. He mixed it with some thick liquid and poored it onto the now stitched hole. Even yelled as the the liquid began to sting his back, but slowly, it made the wound numb. Gradd left Even and ran towards the dragon.

Meanwhile, Rylan and Henry struggled to take down the mighty dragon on their own. Henry and Rylan monuvered on both sides of the dragon in a desprit attempt to confuse it but so far it wasn't working.
"You won't take it down that easily." said a voice from the woods.
Rylan and Henry switched their attention to the man walking out of the woods holding a crossbow.
"Who are you?" asked Rylan.
"No time, go to the other side and distract the dragon."
The two galloped over to the back of the dragon and began slicing at its tale. The dragon turned around and opened its mouth to spew its acid. All of a sudden, there was an explotion on its back. The dragon roared in pain as water splattered all over the trees around it! Gradd ran over to the side of the dragon and fired another explosive towards its side. This time, the dragon dodged the arrow and spit acid towards Gradd. Gradd dived to the side and ran behind a tree.

"Explosives won't work, it's not any normal dragon." yelled Rylan.
"I think I noticed that." yelled back Gradd.
"We have to somehow evapperate it or something!" yelled Henry.
This gave Gradd and idea. Gradd ran over to Rose.
"Your a farry, right?" asked Gradd.
"Yah, who are you?" asked Rose knodding her head.
"I need some magical dust."
"No, I stopped doing magic a long time ago."
"Look, in order to defeat this dragon and save your friends, I'm going to need some dust, now flap them wings of yours and give it to me.
Rose thought about for a while and finally gave into Gradd's yelling. She flapped her wings hard and finally, magical dust began to float out of her wings. Gradd caught some and mixed it with a potion. Gradd sterred his arrow head in with the mix and cocked it onto his crossbow.

Gradd aimed his crossbow towards the dragon, then suddenly, the dragon splashed a wave of water into Gradd just as he fired! The magical arrow fired and exploded in the air. The magical dust mixed with the explosive created a napalm and ingulfed the forest in flames! Rebecca and Arannte tried their best to dodge the rain of fire, but it was to late. They were surrounded by flames!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hope I got all the characters in!

 

[Kookaburra]

Arannte could feel the flames around her, burning and cracking her skin as she dove towards Rebecca, who's horse had long since escaped through the flames, leaving her behind.
The fingers of fire were over her head all around, and not yet touching her.
She touched the charred skin, and then swolllowed, shutting her eyes. She didn't know whether to or not to use her inherited magic, the long-forgotten powers that healed her and others when needed.
Finally, amidst the searing heat, she heard an answer, and she put her hand to Rebecca's forehead. The charred flesh healed immediately and a glow surrounded the two as Arannte half-carried half-led Rebecca through the fire, Nightmare beside her, unburnable, invulnerable and healed with magic other than Arannte's.
The fire had spread, and it was all she could do to find her way out of the inferno, but finally they reached the creek and splashed across, leaving the fire behind, and she could still hear the dragon over the sound of the flames.
She also could hear shouting ahead of her, and as the threesome raced up the bank, the smoke cleared somewhat and Arannte staggared against a tree, exhausted. Smoke poured out of her hair--unsinged, and off her clothes--unburnt.
Rebecca was fully awake now. "Arannte, you saved my life."
"As you did mine, Roxanne."
"Don't call me that!"
"Fine." Arannte collapsed into a sitting position, her strength sapped as she noticed the newcomer. Then she lost consciousness again.

 

[Blessed-one]

i was writing something up when your post showed up... guess i'll just rewrite the whole thing.
----

"Evaporate? sounds like a great idea! but we have quite a heavy amount of water here!" Rylan shouted as he and Henry ran away from Gradd who was setting off explosives.
The dragon only thrashed harder and roared on, its tail slashing trees down while the water held up the solid form of the dragon. As the others kept on distracting the dragon, Gradd came up with another idea and reluctantly, Rose let down some of her magic dust.

Unfortunately, Gradd was washed off into a torret of water and he misfired, his shot ended up burning the surrounding forest and putting the rest of the group in risk. However, the water from the dragon was doing a great job in quieting down the flame, while the dragon remained unharm and enraged by all the activities.

Rylan continued his attack with the others. Meanwhile, Nyanie was standing a little away from them and studying the elemental being with a measured eye. Studying as a healer, she had also acquired knowledge from the magical world but as a saved Christian now, the knowledge was no longer needed. Frowning, she watched while the the claw of the dragon swept aside Rylan and Henry, and Gradd was trying to get his head above the surging water.

The fight continued, and something daunted on her. Water can't stand earth, yet with enough magic, a water elemental would manage to withstand the touch of earth, but only....
Spurring her horse towards the fight, careful to avoid the snakelike water, she shouted, "Keep at it, and lure it further away from the river!"
Loakin managed to grab Gradd out of the water, "And what does it do?"
The charred wood hissed, as a result of being hit directly by acid flying from the dragon's mouth.

"If it was further away from its source, it'll be weakened and we can then kill it."

Rylan dodged the dragon's sweeping tail, "Very well, if we were still alive by then."
"Let's do it then!" Gradd grinned, he was back on his feet.

 

[Kookaburra]

good post! I'll try and reply later.

 

[Grimr]

Grishnack strode towards the largest window in the throne room outside his Dwarf and goblin engineers, and human slaves were rebuilding and fortifying the castle already they had cutting a deep trench around the castle and were filling it with water from a nearby river. Another batch of slaves was beginning the construction of a far larger wall one that would circle the castle and half of the land. My lord the Orgocks are ready to go after the young king. Good have Shrinkar lead them. And general I want sentries sent out every three hours on Griffins to patrol our Northern border when Lord Dagon arrives in three days I want to know about it as soon as possible. Yes master the goblin general left Grishnack looking out the window. The Ninety Orgocks plus one Goblin flew off on Griffins.

 

[CJF]

Rebecca breathed heavily, trying to regain her strength to help in the fight against the dragon. She sat next to Arannte, who had lost conciousness, and eventually layed on her back, trying harder than ever to get her strength up, but it was no use. The strength she had, was certainly not enough to fight a dragon. Rebecca forced herself to sit up. Slowly, and painfully, she sat up, and turrned when she heard a familliar nicker. She saw Mystic running towards her. Rebecca smiled, and slowly stood. A sudden head rush of dizziness almost caused her to collapse, but Mystic-as if she knew Rebecca was going to fall-helped her gain her balance.
Rebecca pet Mystic on the nose, trying to hide the sudden tears now flowing down her ash covered cheeks. Rebecca's mind wandered to her past; her mother and her father, the city she would have ruled, and her role as a Princess. As much as she disliked her parent's choice of battle, she found herself longing and wishing she were back in France. But she knew what would happen if she were to go back, and reveal herself. She remembered reading in a book of law once, and it told of the penalty for Royalty to run from his/her country.
If a King, Queen, Prince or Princess should choose to run from the throne, and then decide to come back, the penalty could be either baneshment, or even death. The reason for this is: if a Royal runs from the throne, they are considered an outlaw, and enamy, a traitor. Enamy's who cross the borders into another country without welcome are executed. If the Royal is found escaping, and then found returning, they are considered an enamy comming into enamy territory.
However, if the Royal is brought back to the country(by guards, townspeople or even the people from the other country) the Royal is only banished.
Rebecca was brought back to reality, when Arannte sturred. Rebecca tried to wipe away the ever flowing tears from her eyes.

 

[will_wait4Him]

Even's eyes slowly opened as he lay quiet beside Gradd's horse. It took Even a while to remember what had happened and to remember who Gradd was. Even groaned as he struggled to get to his feet. He grabbed his sword and hopped on Gradd's horse and began his way back to the fight.

William also reawoke along side the the two kings of Ireland and Scotland. They were both seeking cover behind a group of trees. William tried to stand up, but the gouge in the back of his head affected his motor abilities. William wound up back on his butt.

Loakin watched from a far as the fires that once ingulfed the surrounding trees began to fade. Rylan, Henry, Rose, Arrante, Rebecca, Gradd, and Nyanie faught the mighty dragon who was still thrashing about.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm not sure what to post. Someobody else and can take down the dragon.

 

[CJF]

You up this late Josh? It's only 9:43 here, but still.



Rebecca helped Arannte sit up. She gave Arannte some water from her, almost empty, cantine as she sat up. Rebecca looked at the group.


WB!

 

[Kookaburra]

Arannte could tell it would take teamwork to take down the dragon, but she didn't feel much like doing anything but lying against that tree.
The bark scratched her back, and a mist was cool against her brow as the dragon raged on, chasing people everywhere.
She felt the knife in its sling on her back.
She drew it, and contemplated it for a moment.
Then, as soon as she could get her breath, she was in the air and leaping up on the dragon's shoulder, clinging for dear life as she swung his head around, the horns on the forehead striking for her.
She ducked and grabbed a handhold further up.
By then, the others had caught on and were jabbing at the dragon with their spears and other weapons to distract it.
Arannte straddled the neck just behind the head, and she held on tight to the ears as she rode the worst roller coaster of her life.
It took all she had to keep her one hand free, which she rested on the dragon's head.
Slowly, quietly, the dragon began to fall asleep! Overcome by her intense magic, it rolled to the side and yawned.
She jumped free and the others leapt forward, and Gradd put his sword in a chink of its armor and pierced its neck.
The dragon fought the sleep, but slowly began to die, bleeding water back into the creek, where it finally turned into a rush of water and receeded back into the water.
Even drove his spear deep into the ground and looked her way. She knew he might never trust her again.

 

[CJF]

Rebecca smiled and collapsed onto the ground.

 

[will_wait4Him]

Even looked back down at the dragon, who was bleeding water back intothe magical raging river. Soon, the river shrunk back to the regular creek.

The whole group gasped in relief as everybody regrouped with their horses.
"I think we've all deserved a nice rest." said Even.
"Agreed, but by any means, let's get out of this retchid forest!" replied Alagan hopping onto his horse.
Even suddenly heard a grunt beside him. It was Gradd.
"I think I'll be having my horse back now." said Gradd with his arms crossed.
Even grinned and slowly got off of the horse. Rylan helped Even to his own horse and the group was on their way. Even stopped and road back to Gradd, but he was gone.
"Sir, what's the matter?" asked Henry.
"Nothing, I was just hoping to ask Gradd to come with us." replied Even turning around.
The group once again, headed for a formitable resting spot for the night.

 

[Blessed-one]

Something has happened and Nyanie was sure of it, else the dragon wouldn't have died off so quickly when it was still close to the river. Arannte.... Nyanie cocked her head and shrugged.

"Where to?" she said, looking at the injured party.
"Any place in mind?" someone called.
Rylan was helping Even to his horse, "There should be a village nearby, but we don't want that, do we?"

 

[will_wait4Him]

Even knodded.
"Anything but here. We'll all need to keep a low profile though." said Even.

 

[Blessed-one]

Rylan nodded curtly, "Then we can probably turn from here. There's an abandoned village just south of here." he paused, "At least we should be able to find shelter, so long as we managed to avoid some of the..."

"There was killing done," Even said, taking Rylan's hints.
Rylan signed, "I admit that we'll be safer there though, if not for the need... unless you want to stay in the open."

 

[will_wait4Him]

Even gave it some long thought and finally decided."We'll stay at the outskirts of thw villager. If we need any supplies, we'll send two poeple in for it." said Even.

 

[Kookaburra]

Arannte rode almost at the back of the small entourage, her strength slowly returning. They know. went through her head a dozen times, and she carefully weighed the options of leaving the party and striking off on her own. They have to have realized what this means. She jumped Nightmare over a large, fallen treebranch. They can't afford to have someone like me in their mission. She reined in, and waited until Rebecca rode up beside her on Mystic.
"What's wrong?" She asked, glancing over at her friend on the black horse, now quiet, showing none of her former anger.
"I--I don't think I'm wanted any more." Arannte replied, remembering the curious looks from the others in the group, some of them almost menacing. "I'm afraid I'm more a danger to this group than an asset."
Rebecca chuckled a little. "Bosh and nonsense, Rann. I'd be more of a danger than you." Her face clouded a little.
Arannte was silent. "He's looking for you. I saw him two weeks ago." Rebecca spurred her horse. "He will never stop." she said, shrugging. "It will be my death someday."
"Perhaps. Maybe my death as well."
"Why would he want you?" The slight sarcasm in the comment dug at Arannte's pride, but she refused to banter.
"It was I in the last fight, Roxanne, that aided your escape, concluding in my banishment from the village. It was I who was the one who was tortured and refused to tell your whereabouts. It was I--" her eyes glittered "Who's entire family was slaughtered."
Rebecca gripped her pommel. She had to admit that the man hunting her had just as much reason to kill Arannte as a judge to hang a theif.
"I highly doubt I'll still be with this group at the end of a week." Said Arannte. "I will have struck off on my own."
Rebecca smiled. "Then Godspeed, friend."

 

[Blessed-one]

Nyanie followed behind, she fully understood Rylan's reason in choosing the village for the enemy has taken what they wanted from there. There was no need for another raid, the place was totally desserted and isolated.

One thing kept nagging on her mind, and Nyanie couldn't help looking back at Arannte, who was talking with Rebecca with a worried face. Slowly, without making it obvious, Nyanie dropped back towards the back of the group, and she hailed the pair with a slight smile.

"How're you two doing? You seems to be doing fine for one being thrown about by the dragon," she said, trying to make it humourous.

 

[Kookaburra]

Arannte smiled weakly. "Yes, I suppose I am doing well."
Rebecca was looking the other way.
Nyanie kept her mount next to Arannte, and something about her expression told Arannte that she knew.
"In fact, it wasn't that difficult, when I knew what to do." She said softly.
Nyanie's expression did not change. "How?"
Arannte was silent for a moment, and then said it very quietly. "Magic."
She hoped she hadn't just signed her death sentance.