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Road to the Grail
- Thread starter will_wait4Him
- Start date
CJF
...love alters not...
- Feb 26, 2002
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Hehe, my mind is whrealing with ideas! Rather sad ones at that, but oh well. I know that everything turns out to be a happily ever after in (most) fairy tales.
Rea and Arannte mounted their horses, and rode hard along the river, staying hidden among the trees, but close enough sot hat they could see the water, but no one could see them. They only stopped for a few small breaks to rest their horses, and then they were off. That night, they only stopped once, and that was to rest their horses. The next day, they stopped a little longer, so their horses had time to sleep, and them as well. This went on for day's, until they reached a town. It was early in the morning, so no one was up yet. But there was something not quite right about the town. Arannte, with her keen sences, noticed right away. Rea didn't like the looks of the town, and soon she got a bad feeling in her stomach.
Over the next few day's, the group fcaed nothing. No Orcs, or dragons or goblins or evil of any kind. This made the group uneasy. A few escorts from Robin's village offered to take them as far as the end of the forest. But as they neared the end of the forest, something wasn't quite right. Some of the people in the group could feel it, but Arannte was not there to confirm it. So they tried to ignore it, but it just got stronger with every step.
Even those without a special power could feel it. Rebecca, with each step she took, felt a shiver go down her back. She looked into the trees, but saw nothing. Mystic's ears perked up, and she stopped.
"C'mon Mystic," Rebecca whispered. But Mystic just stood where she was. Rebecca dismounted, and pulled Mystic along beside her.
Suddenly, quicker than sight, the group was surrounded by a group of wild cats. They're eyes glowed a floresent green. They had obviously been taken over by evil forces. Rebecca let go of Mystics reins, and drew out her sword. The rest of the group stood, battle ready.
g2g to school! I will finish when I get back. Please don't end this fight! I want to bring in my other chaacter. So, until I get home!
Rea and Arannte mounted their horses, and rode hard along the river, staying hidden among the trees, but close enough sot hat they could see the water, but no one could see them. They only stopped for a few small breaks to rest their horses, and then they were off. That night, they only stopped once, and that was to rest their horses. The next day, they stopped a little longer, so their horses had time to sleep, and them as well. This went on for day's, until they reached a town. It was early in the morning, so no one was up yet. But there was something not quite right about the town. Arannte, with her keen sences, noticed right away. Rea didn't like the looks of the town, and soon she got a bad feeling in her stomach.
Over the next few day's, the group fcaed nothing. No Orcs, or dragons or goblins or evil of any kind. This made the group uneasy. A few escorts from Robin's village offered to take them as far as the end of the forest. But as they neared the end of the forest, something wasn't quite right. Some of the people in the group could feel it, but Arannte was not there to confirm it. So they tried to ignore it, but it just got stronger with every step.
Even those without a special power could feel it. Rebecca, with each step she took, felt a shiver go down her back. She looked into the trees, but saw nothing. Mystic's ears perked up, and she stopped.
"C'mon Mystic," Rebecca whispered. But Mystic just stood where she was. Rebecca dismounted, and pulled Mystic along beside her.
Suddenly, quicker than sight, the group was surrounded by a group of wild cats. They're eyes glowed a floresent green. They had obviously been taken over by evil forces. Rebecca let go of Mystics reins, and drew out her sword. The rest of the group stood, battle ready.
g2g to school! I will finish when I get back. Please don't end this fight! I want to bring in my other chaacter. So, until I get home!
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CJF
...love alters not...
- Feb 26, 2002
- 6,147
- 172
- 36
- Faith
- Pentecostal
- Marital Status
- Single
- Politics
- US-Republican
The cat's walked in closer. Rebecca looked the cat closest to her in the eyes. The evil green color just stared right back. Suddenly, all at once the cat's jumped. Rebecca dodged out of the way of a cat. She sliced into the cats side, as it lept by. But the wound didn't seem to bother it. Mystic reared and ran out of the group, and into the forest. The cat that had lundged at Rebecca, faced her once more. Suddenly, Rebecca heard a voice inside her head.
"You cannot escape. Trying to would be folly. You are surrounded. Give up...or be destroyed!" the cat lunged at Rebecca who easily dodged the attack.
"I'll never give up!" Rebecca thought. The cat smiled, as if he'd heard her thoughts!
"You will once I'm through with you." the voice said again. Rebecca gasped. The cat could read her thoughts, and talk back to her! Rebecca glared at the cat, and got into a battle stance. Something happened then, Rebecca did not exspect. The cat stood on it's hind legs, and out of nowhere, grabbed a sword. It to got into a fighting position. Rebecca blocked the first blow easily. As the caut swung at her head, she ducked and sliced into it's yellowy fur. Blood trickled down the cat's side, as it let out a cry of anger and pain.
"You will regret that!" the voice yelled. The cat slashed at Rebecca. She rolled out of reach and just in time, before the sword would have cut straight through her. The cat threw away the sword, and got down on all fours.
"Now, I can finish you off." the voice said again.
Rebecca stood her ground. The cat lunged, and Rebecca jumped out of the way. But the cat turrned on a dime and ran towards her. Rebecca moved aside and swung down on the cats front paw. The sword barely touched it, but it was enough to draw blood. The cat glared at her, it's evil eyes glowing with anger. Suddenly, Rebecca was forced to the ground. She rolled on her back, and gasped in a scream. Another cat had joined in. The one she had faced before walked over to her.
"I told you you would regret it." the voice said. Rebecca kicked both cats, turrned and reached for her sword, but she wasn't quick enough. Both cats attacked her. Rebecca currled into a ball, hiding her face and neck. She felt the cat's claws digging into the back. She tried to keep in her screams of agony, but the pain was to unbearable. Her screams escaped from her mouth, and reached the ears of a man not to far off. His head turrned towards the sound.
"Did you hear that?" he asked on of his guards.
"What?" the guard asked.
"That scream! Did you not hear it?"
"It's probly some peasent sir. Let us move on."
But the man had other ideas. He turrned his horse in the direction of the scream.
"Your Highness! Do come back here!" the guard yelled.
But Prince Edward had other ideas. When he reached his destination he was suprised to discover a group of cats had attacked a group of people. He strung his bow and aimed at one cat who was attacking a young woman along with another cat. He let the arrow fly, and it hit true. The spotted cat fell to the ground. The second noticed, and ran towards him. He strung his bow once again, and shot the second cat. His guards had gotten the hint, and they began helping the group in their struggle to kill the cats. Edward looked at the yound woman and his jaw dropped. He dismounted his horse and walked over to her.
"Thank you, sir." she said wiping her hair out of her face.
"Roxanne?" Edward asked. The girls eyes widened. She led him out of sight of the group.
"Edward?" she asked. Edward nodded.
"What are you doing here in England?" she asked.
"Well, my mother sent me here to fetch someone she need to speak to. We were traveling through this forest when we heard your screams. Oh my goodness, Roxanne, I thought I'd never see you again! What happened? You dissapeared."
Rebecca explained what ahd happened.
"And I didn't feel comfortable going back, so I came here."
"You changed your name to Rebecca then?"
"Yes."
"Rebecca or Roxanne, makes no difference. Either one is fit for a Queen. Come, I must get you back to France."
"No, Edward. There is something I must tell you."
"Tell me on the way. But first let me get you a horse."
"No, Edward! I can't go back with you."
Edward turrned around. "What? You're talking nonsense."
"Edward, I want you to call of our betrothedment."
"What?" Edward said facing her.
"I want you, to go back to France and marry someone who will stand by you to the end."
g2g!
"You cannot escape. Trying to would be folly. You are surrounded. Give up...or be destroyed!" the cat lunged at Rebecca who easily dodged the attack.
"I'll never give up!" Rebecca thought. The cat smiled, as if he'd heard her thoughts!
"You will once I'm through with you." the voice said again. Rebecca gasped. The cat could read her thoughts, and talk back to her! Rebecca glared at the cat, and got into a battle stance. Something happened then, Rebecca did not exspect. The cat stood on it's hind legs, and out of nowhere, grabbed a sword. It to got into a fighting position. Rebecca blocked the first blow easily. As the caut swung at her head, she ducked and sliced into it's yellowy fur. Blood trickled down the cat's side, as it let out a cry of anger and pain.
"You will regret that!" the voice yelled. The cat slashed at Rebecca. She rolled out of reach and just in time, before the sword would have cut straight through her. The cat threw away the sword, and got down on all fours.
"Now, I can finish you off." the voice said again.
Rebecca stood her ground. The cat lunged, and Rebecca jumped out of the way. But the cat turrned on a dime and ran towards her. Rebecca moved aside and swung down on the cats front paw. The sword barely touched it, but it was enough to draw blood. The cat glared at her, it's evil eyes glowing with anger. Suddenly, Rebecca was forced to the ground. She rolled on her back, and gasped in a scream. Another cat had joined in. The one she had faced before walked over to her.
"I told you you would regret it." the voice said. Rebecca kicked both cats, turrned and reached for her sword, but she wasn't quick enough. Both cats attacked her. Rebecca currled into a ball, hiding her face and neck. She felt the cat's claws digging into the back. She tried to keep in her screams of agony, but the pain was to unbearable. Her screams escaped from her mouth, and reached the ears of a man not to far off. His head turrned towards the sound.
"Did you hear that?" he asked on of his guards.
"What?" the guard asked.
"That scream! Did you not hear it?"
"It's probly some peasent sir. Let us move on."
But the man had other ideas. He turrned his horse in the direction of the scream.
"Your Highness! Do come back here!" the guard yelled.
But Prince Edward had other ideas. When he reached his destination he was suprised to discover a group of cats had attacked a group of people. He strung his bow and aimed at one cat who was attacking a young woman along with another cat. He let the arrow fly, and it hit true. The spotted cat fell to the ground. The second noticed, and ran towards him. He strung his bow once again, and shot the second cat. His guards had gotten the hint, and they began helping the group in their struggle to kill the cats. Edward looked at the yound woman and his jaw dropped. He dismounted his horse and walked over to her.
"Thank you, sir." she said wiping her hair out of her face.
"Roxanne?" Edward asked. The girls eyes widened. She led him out of sight of the group.
"Edward?" she asked. Edward nodded.
"What are you doing here in England?" she asked.
"Well, my mother sent me here to fetch someone she need to speak to. We were traveling through this forest when we heard your screams. Oh my goodness, Roxanne, I thought I'd never see you again! What happened? You dissapeared."
Rebecca explained what ahd happened.
"And I didn't feel comfortable going back, so I came here."
"You changed your name to Rebecca then?"
"Yes."
"Rebecca or Roxanne, makes no difference. Either one is fit for a Queen. Come, I must get you back to France."
"No, Edward. There is something I must tell you."
"Tell me on the way. But first let me get you a horse."
"No, Edward! I can't go back with you."
Edward turrned around. "What? You're talking nonsense."
"Edward, I want you to call of our betrothedment."
"What?" Edward said facing her.
"I want you, to go back to France and marry someone who will stand by you to the end."
g2g!
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Kookaburra
searching for The Hidden Country
Sorry I haven't posted before now...been washing floors, etc. I think I'll take your idea of evil animals a little farther.
~~~~~
They were in dangerous territory, and the stress on Rea's face was obvious as she strained to peer through the gloom. A single missed step would mean her death.
She looked off to the left, and she could dimly see the ebony flanks of Nightmare through the fog.
~~~~~
Arannte was silent, her face emotionless. She was numbed from cold and exhaustion, but her senses were on full alert. And something was nagging at the back of her mind.
I should know what it is! she told herself. I've been through here before. A gust of wind lifted the sultry cloud around them momentarily, and she quickly absorbed the scene before her before the curtain was swung around them once more.
"Arannte!" She heard Rea's muffled voice. "Did you see that?"
Arannte could have slapped herself for being such a fool. The words forced themselves from her mouth and each one seemed to mock her. "Yes. I should have known." The words seemed flat.
"Well? What do you suggest we do? We can't just wait for them to get to us first! We must choose our ground carefully if we want to make it out of here." Rea said, her voice impatient and with thinly veiled fear.
Nightmare's nostrils flared, and Arannte swung her around immediately. "Let's go!" she shouted, and Rea's eyes flashed with the old feelings.
"What on earth are you doing?! You're heading straight for them!" She shouted, but saw Arannte was riding quickly down the steep slope straight for the dark blurs barely seen through the mist, her sword raised and arrow on string. The glint of metal shone like a beacon, and Rea spurred Gwanthi into a gallop and took off with a leap, mane and tail streaming out behind her.
Arannte charged on, and the advancing dark shapes materialized into the startling visages of black, demon horses, of the shape and form of Nightmare herself, who was snorting and straining at the bit.
Puzzled that the horses were in a group--as they usually shunned company and killed intruders--she swept down on them as fast as Nightmare's fleet legs could take her--and faster even then.
Then she was in the thick of it, nine horses and any one of them armed with hooves, teeth and magic.
Nightmare tossed her head and bared her teeth, flying at the nearest animal. This gave Arannte time to look straight into the eyes of the nearest demon-horse, and that glimpse was all it took for her to let loose the two shafts on her string.
A horse spun and fell, and the voice echoed in Arannte's head, 'Wow, I'm impressed. You killed one of mine. But it won't end up you're way.' Arannte didn't flinch, but instead raised her sword and swung at the nearest horse, who was too close to dodge, but instead snapped angrily at Nightmare's shoulder.
But Nightmare was not idle. Just as the blood seeped from the ugly lasceration, she wheeled and planted her powerful forelegs in the middle of the beast's chest, and drew enough blood to form a dark, sticky puddle instantly.
The horse with the two arrows shivered violently and snapped half-heartedly at Arannte's wrist, but got only air as it staggered back and joined the other horse.
Rea hit the flanks of the remaining seven with speed and momentum enough to carry her through the crush to her beleagred opponant. One more horse fell with an anguished shriek, but the rest backed off and paced around the two friends, snapping jaws and dripping saliva and blood. Their eyes were glowing scarlet, and they were stronger than ever.
Give up...or die. said the voice, but Arannte could sense there was a quieter, more persistant sound behind it, and she could sense that one of the horses was almost free of the possession, was fighting to break free.
She pinpointed the horse and encircled it with pillars of light. Instantly, the demon left it and fled to the other horses, which turned on it and tried to slay it, but found themselves once more attacked from the other side.
They rushed the two friends, snorting and breathing dangerous darts of fire and daggar-like shards of ice that rent the air with a deadly hiss.
Unable to dodge one piece of ice, Arannte found time suspended, and she gritted her teeth and forced her leaden arm to slap it out of the way before she found time resumed its normal pace, and her hand was bleeding.
And even then, with gashes and bleeding wounds all over their bodies, Rea and Arannte faced the demon-haunted horses, that bore down on them.
Gwanthi and Nightmare seemed almost lazy, their tails flicking, and only their eyes betraying life. A diamond fire shot from Gwanthi's eyes and enveloped him (her?) and his rider. Gold flames smouldered just behind the thin black veil of Nightmare's eyes as he took one horse as his, and stared directly at it.
Suddenly, without warning, a dozen arrows whistled out of the night and lit among the dark horses, and squeels of pain issued forth as Arannte ducked a shaft and spurred Nightmare towards Rea.
"Let's get out of here!"
It took nothing more to get Gwanthi in full flight, the silvery tail streaming out behind him as a small contingent of mounted dark elves rushed after them.
Flying hooves thudded against the turf, and Arannte turned just enough to see the non-posessed horse speeding after them, tossing it's dark head and snorting as it raced pell-mell over the grass, before being cut down by an arrow from an elf, who proceeded to draw a bead on Arannte, only to find his bow jinxed and shattered in his very hands.
Arannte's afore-neatly braided hair was messy; strands of her hair were streaming out behind her as she urged Nightmare on faster.
One dark elf fell from an arrow in his spine before the rest turned back, unwilling to risk death without assurance of victory.
Rea's face was dark as she looked behind her. "They killed a perfectly good horse!" She exclaimed bitterly, and swung Gwanthi around, aiming an arrow at the badly injured and suffering animal, shutting her eyes so as not to see the quick and painless death.
"Wait!" Arannte said, and she pushed the arrow down. She dismounted and pressed her fingers to the ugly arrow wound in the horse's side. Slowly, a golden haze encompassed them and the horse's wound stopped bleeding and closed. It shut its eyes and shuddered slightly before being unbodied.
Rea felt a tear slide down her cheek. "At least it died easy."
Arannte felt like strangling every one of the dark elves with her bare hands. "The other group will hear of our passing if they go this way," she said quietly, and then added, "There is sign of our passing, and Roxanne knows the trail of Nightmare."
Rea nodded and looked towards the horizon. The fog had lifted, and the cold fingers of dawn reached into the sky. The gleam of the sunlight on the sea shimmered before them as they rode on.
A mere two hours later, they reached the beach. The waves washed across the black pebbles, and Rea looked over to Arannte and saw her smile briefly, then dismount and shut her eyes.
Puzzled at this inaction, it still being early morning, she jumped off Gwanthi and knelt by her friend. "Are you all right? But more importantly...how are we going to get to Ireland?" She started when she saw the patch of grassy ground they were standing on encompassed in a white glow, then a sharp snap underneath her feet and a loud rumble threw Rea off her feet.
She was immediately back on her feet, and horrified to see that water was filling a large crack in the earth between them and the rest of the land. Then, even more terrible, the ground strained and groaned, and became lower in the middle than the outside.
Then she realized that Arannte had made a vessal for them. It was gigantic, and Nightmare promptly tore up a mouthful of grass and lay panting for a moment, before plunging into the sea and surfacing a little distance away, letting the salt water clean out her wounds. Gwanthi soon joined her.
Arannte opened her eyes and stared back towards the land, now quite a ways away, the distance of two hundred meters seperated them now. With her far-seeing eyes, Arannte could see the group descending down the slopes of a mountain in their direction, having fought off mountain lions. She had the feeling they would soon reach, then leave the shore, perhaps a week later.
With her last shred of energy, she sent a mental message to Rebecca, and felt some sense of realization before she shut her eyes once more and let exhaustion wash over her. Roxanne, if you hear this...we're headed for Ireland. I have the feeling our paths will cross again, and soon. May God bless you and your fellow travellors. And your new companions that accompany you.... her train of thought trailed off as Rea turned to her and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Get some sleep, would you?"
Arannte felt sleep smother her, and she smiled up at her friend. "I am. We're safe now. It'll be a while before we get there...make sure Nightmare gets into no mischief while I rest a bit, would you? Wake me when it's my turn for watch."
~~~~~
Far from them, Rebecca felt a small quake that sent shivers up her spine, and a bright white glow shone briefly north of them, and a quick gust of wind blew her hair away from her face as she turned Mystic down the mountainside.
Roxanne, if you hear this...we're headed for Ireland. I have the feeling our paths will cross again, and soon. May God bless you and your fellow travellors. And your new companions that accompany you....
Rebecca smiled and turned to the person riding next to her. "I know where Arannte is--she's safe."
Edward gave her a strange look. "Who is Arannte?"
Robin frowned. "Shouldn't she be at least a week's ride from here at the rate they were travelling?"
[edit]Rebecca[/edit] gave him a look. "That quake, wind and light was her, I know. And she just sent me a message. She's more powerful than you think." She didn't tell him Arannte had said they would meet again, but she was determined it would be so.
The group was silent as they descended the slopes of the mountain, the sunlight shining on the dew.
~~~~~
I'll try to post about Schy soon, but I don't have enough time right now.
~~~~~
They were in dangerous territory, and the stress on Rea's face was obvious as she strained to peer through the gloom. A single missed step would mean her death.
She looked off to the left, and she could dimly see the ebony flanks of Nightmare through the fog.
~~~~~
Arannte was silent, her face emotionless. She was numbed from cold and exhaustion, but her senses were on full alert. And something was nagging at the back of her mind.
I should know what it is! she told herself. I've been through here before. A gust of wind lifted the sultry cloud around them momentarily, and she quickly absorbed the scene before her before the curtain was swung around them once more.
"Arannte!" She heard Rea's muffled voice. "Did you see that?"
Arannte could have slapped herself for being such a fool. The words forced themselves from her mouth and each one seemed to mock her. "Yes. I should have known." The words seemed flat.
"Well? What do you suggest we do? We can't just wait for them to get to us first! We must choose our ground carefully if we want to make it out of here." Rea said, her voice impatient and with thinly veiled fear.
Nightmare's nostrils flared, and Arannte swung her around immediately. "Let's go!" she shouted, and Rea's eyes flashed with the old feelings.
"What on earth are you doing?! You're heading straight for them!" She shouted, but saw Arannte was riding quickly down the steep slope straight for the dark blurs barely seen through the mist, her sword raised and arrow on string. The glint of metal shone like a beacon, and Rea spurred Gwanthi into a gallop and took off with a leap, mane and tail streaming out behind her.
Arannte charged on, and the advancing dark shapes materialized into the startling visages of black, demon horses, of the shape and form of Nightmare herself, who was snorting and straining at the bit.
Puzzled that the horses were in a group--as they usually shunned company and killed intruders--she swept down on them as fast as Nightmare's fleet legs could take her--and faster even then.
Then she was in the thick of it, nine horses and any one of them armed with hooves, teeth and magic.
Nightmare tossed her head and bared her teeth, flying at the nearest animal. This gave Arannte time to look straight into the eyes of the nearest demon-horse, and that glimpse was all it took for her to let loose the two shafts on her string.
A horse spun and fell, and the voice echoed in Arannte's head, 'Wow, I'm impressed. You killed one of mine. But it won't end up you're way.' Arannte didn't flinch, but instead raised her sword and swung at the nearest horse, who was too close to dodge, but instead snapped angrily at Nightmare's shoulder.
But Nightmare was not idle. Just as the blood seeped from the ugly lasceration, she wheeled and planted her powerful forelegs in the middle of the beast's chest, and drew enough blood to form a dark, sticky puddle instantly.
The horse with the two arrows shivered violently and snapped half-heartedly at Arannte's wrist, but got only air as it staggered back and joined the other horse.
Rea hit the flanks of the remaining seven with speed and momentum enough to carry her through the crush to her beleagred opponant. One more horse fell with an anguished shriek, but the rest backed off and paced around the two friends, snapping jaws and dripping saliva and blood. Their eyes were glowing scarlet, and they were stronger than ever.
Give up...or die. said the voice, but Arannte could sense there was a quieter, more persistant sound behind it, and she could sense that one of the horses was almost free of the possession, was fighting to break free.
She pinpointed the horse and encircled it with pillars of light. Instantly, the demon left it and fled to the other horses, which turned on it and tried to slay it, but found themselves once more attacked from the other side.
They rushed the two friends, snorting and breathing dangerous darts of fire and daggar-like shards of ice that rent the air with a deadly hiss.
Unable to dodge one piece of ice, Arannte found time suspended, and she gritted her teeth and forced her leaden arm to slap it out of the way before she found time resumed its normal pace, and her hand was bleeding.
And even then, with gashes and bleeding wounds all over their bodies, Rea and Arannte faced the demon-haunted horses, that bore down on them.
Gwanthi and Nightmare seemed almost lazy, their tails flicking, and only their eyes betraying life. A diamond fire shot from Gwanthi's eyes and enveloped him (her?) and his rider. Gold flames smouldered just behind the thin black veil of Nightmare's eyes as he took one horse as his, and stared directly at it.
Suddenly, without warning, a dozen arrows whistled out of the night and lit among the dark horses, and squeels of pain issued forth as Arannte ducked a shaft and spurred Nightmare towards Rea.
"Let's get out of here!"
It took nothing more to get Gwanthi in full flight, the silvery tail streaming out behind him as a small contingent of mounted dark elves rushed after them.
Flying hooves thudded against the turf, and Arannte turned just enough to see the non-posessed horse speeding after them, tossing it's dark head and snorting as it raced pell-mell over the grass, before being cut down by an arrow from an elf, who proceeded to draw a bead on Arannte, only to find his bow jinxed and shattered in his very hands.
Arannte's afore-neatly braided hair was messy; strands of her hair were streaming out behind her as she urged Nightmare on faster.
One dark elf fell from an arrow in his spine before the rest turned back, unwilling to risk death without assurance of victory.
Rea's face was dark as she looked behind her. "They killed a perfectly good horse!" She exclaimed bitterly, and swung Gwanthi around, aiming an arrow at the badly injured and suffering animal, shutting her eyes so as not to see the quick and painless death.
"Wait!" Arannte said, and she pushed the arrow down. She dismounted and pressed her fingers to the ugly arrow wound in the horse's side. Slowly, a golden haze encompassed them and the horse's wound stopped bleeding and closed. It shut its eyes and shuddered slightly before being unbodied.
Rea felt a tear slide down her cheek. "At least it died easy."
Arannte felt like strangling every one of the dark elves with her bare hands. "The other group will hear of our passing if they go this way," she said quietly, and then added, "There is sign of our passing, and Roxanne knows the trail of Nightmare."
Rea nodded and looked towards the horizon. The fog had lifted, and the cold fingers of dawn reached into the sky. The gleam of the sunlight on the sea shimmered before them as they rode on.
A mere two hours later, they reached the beach. The waves washed across the black pebbles, and Rea looked over to Arannte and saw her smile briefly, then dismount and shut her eyes.
Puzzled at this inaction, it still being early morning, she jumped off Gwanthi and knelt by her friend. "Are you all right? But more importantly...how are we going to get to Ireland?" She started when she saw the patch of grassy ground they were standing on encompassed in a white glow, then a sharp snap underneath her feet and a loud rumble threw Rea off her feet.
She was immediately back on her feet, and horrified to see that water was filling a large crack in the earth between them and the rest of the land. Then, even more terrible, the ground strained and groaned, and became lower in the middle than the outside.
Then she realized that Arannte had made a vessal for them. It was gigantic, and Nightmare promptly tore up a mouthful of grass and lay panting for a moment, before plunging into the sea and surfacing a little distance away, letting the salt water clean out her wounds. Gwanthi soon joined her.
Arannte opened her eyes and stared back towards the land, now quite a ways away, the distance of two hundred meters seperated them now. With her far-seeing eyes, Arannte could see the group descending down the slopes of a mountain in their direction, having fought off mountain lions. She had the feeling they would soon reach, then leave the shore, perhaps a week later.
With her last shred of energy, she sent a mental message to Rebecca, and felt some sense of realization before she shut her eyes once more and let exhaustion wash over her. Roxanne, if you hear this...we're headed for Ireland. I have the feeling our paths will cross again, and soon. May God bless you and your fellow travellors. And your new companions that accompany you.... her train of thought trailed off as Rea turned to her and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Get some sleep, would you?"
Arannte felt sleep smother her, and she smiled up at her friend. "I am. We're safe now. It'll be a while before we get there...make sure Nightmare gets into no mischief while I rest a bit, would you? Wake me when it's my turn for watch."
~~~~~
Far from them, Rebecca felt a small quake that sent shivers up her spine, and a bright white glow shone briefly north of them, and a quick gust of wind blew her hair away from her face as she turned Mystic down the mountainside.
Roxanne, if you hear this...we're headed for Ireland. I have the feeling our paths will cross again, and soon. May God bless you and your fellow travellors. And your new companions that accompany you....
Rebecca smiled and turned to the person riding next to her. "I know where Arannte is--she's safe."
Edward gave her a strange look. "Who is Arannte?"
Robin frowned. "Shouldn't she be at least a week's ride from here at the rate they were travelling?"
[edit]Rebecca[/edit] gave him a look. "That quake, wind and light was her, I know. And she just sent me a message. She's more powerful than you think." She didn't tell him Arannte had said they would meet again, but she was determined it would be so.
The group was silent as they descended the slopes of the mountain, the sunlight shining on the dew.
~~~~~
I'll try to post about Schy soon, but I don't have enough time right now.
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CJF
...love alters not...
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Rebecca kicked Mystic into a trot down the side of the mountain. Edward rode up next to her.
"Who is Arannte anyway?" he asked. Rebecca smiled.
"A friend. A very cloe one at that." her smile faded slightly. "And that is all you need know as of now." She said, and kicked Mystic a head. Robin rode up next to Rebecca.
"How are you holding up?" he asked. Rebecca smiled and shook her head.
"I'm fine. And you?"
"If you're fine, then I'm fine."
"Really?" Rebecca asked playfully.
"Yes." Robin replied.
"Hm. Well that answers my question." She said.
Edward sighed, trying to sort out his emotions.
Edward, you jump to too many conclusions. You should have known that she would have fallen in loven with someone else!
"Who is Arannte anyway?" he asked. Rebecca smiled.
"A friend. A very cloe one at that." her smile faded slightly. "And that is all you need know as of now." She said, and kicked Mystic a head. Robin rode up next to Rebecca.
"How are you holding up?" he asked. Rebecca smiled and shook her head.
"I'm fine. And you?"
"If you're fine, then I'm fine."
"Really?" Rebecca asked playfully.
"Yes." Robin replied.
"Hm. Well that answers my question." She said.
Edward sighed, trying to sort out his emotions.
Edward, you jump to too many conclusions. You should have known that she would have fallen in loven with someone else!
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Kookaburra
searching for The Hidden Country
Ok, don't have time or energy to post much, so:
~~~~~
The sea breeze wafted gently over the strange vessal, and Rea wondered that the ocean was so calm, almost as calm as a sea of glass. Then again, she thought, looking at Arannte, I've seen stranger. And it's probably Arannte's doing.
Arannte finally awoke from her two-day sleep to the sound of bird calls as a few roosted on the strange little island. She lay back and smiled, strong once more.
~~~~~
Schy rode quietly behind one of Eduard's men, his eyes sharp and using his magic to scan for evil. Around his neck was fastened another set of claws to his previous kills, and the fresh scars on his arms evidenced his close call.
He could feel Durin's eyes boring into the back of his head, and he felt some feeling of resentment that the dwarf was higher in Even's favor than Schy himself. But he kept himself in check and found himself relaxing a little more in the saddle.
But evil has a way of attacking at the worst moment.
~~~~~
The sea breeze wafted gently over the strange vessal, and Rea wondered that the ocean was so calm, almost as calm as a sea of glass. Then again, she thought, looking at Arannte, I've seen stranger. And it's probably Arannte's doing.
Arannte finally awoke from her two-day sleep to the sound of bird calls as a few roosted on the strange little island. She lay back and smiled, strong once more.
~~~~~
Schy rode quietly behind one of Eduard's men, his eyes sharp and using his magic to scan for evil. Around his neck was fastened another set of claws to his previous kills, and the fresh scars on his arms evidenced his close call.
He could feel Durin's eyes boring into the back of his head, and he felt some feeling of resentment that the dwarf was higher in Even's favor than Schy himself. But he kept himself in check and found himself relaxing a little more in the saddle.
But evil has a way of attacking at the worst moment.
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CJF
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Rea noticed Arannte had awoken. But Rea had no desire to sleep just yet. Her mind was still dweling on all of her past experiences and dreams. She wondered what Arannte would say about the things she wished for. Best to keep them concealed, for now anyways. But Rea couldn't get rid of the feeling in her stomach, that it would be better to reveal them now. She decided against the thought, and tried to get some rest.
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Kookaburra
searching for The Hidden Country
The hilly country was a continual marvel to Schy as they rode down into a canyon, the only sounds the click of hoof on stone and the musical tinkling of water falling from the surrounding cliffs into still, dark pools surrounded by Nightshade and ferns.
Schy scorned the still water, and refilled his canteen only from one specific little rushing brook that didn't pause or pool anywhere along its length but cascaded over the rocks in a slender trickle.
Rylan swung his horse and headed for the river, where already horses were wading in and sucking in great quantities of slow-moving water after two days without, having just crossed a stretch of salty grass-land. The riders were lifting their now-full canteens to their lips and splashing each other playfully and laughing.
"No!" Schy's eyes widened. "Rylan!"
The other swung his horse around, and Rylan stopped on the brink of the river, the water lapping gently at his horse's hocks. "What?" he demanded, and Schy pointed to the men in the river. "Get the men away from the water! Before they drink it!"
On a quick command, the horses scrambled for the river bank, but they tried in vain to regain land, thrashing in the water as foam dotted the churning liquid.
Quickly, they were dragged down, and Rylan had to veritably drag his horse out, which was suffering from madness and only when two other horses were harnessed on either side was he dragged from the enchanted water, froth at his lips and his eyes rolling.
Then, and only then, was Schy able to approach the struggling horse and calm him, breaking the spell that drew him irrisistably into the depths.
Rebecca looked on, her face pale, as the last horse floundered in the muddied river, his rider unable to escape. Prince Eduard stood stonefaced as he watched his surviving men rush to the edge of the water only to check their sudden impulse and turn away, their faces dark.
Schy stood still beside his horse and looked towards Durin, who's face was unreadable, his ax poised as if ready to strike at an invisible menace. "I've been here before. This is the Thangforze, the Enchanted Valley."
The others were silent as if they hadn't heard, shocked deeply at the loss of so many men.
"Thangforze...Eduin Vayi to the Chyska." Schy said quietly. "Here, this little trickle is not poisoned, it is the only water drinkable."
Prince Eduard looked to protest, but he stopped himself and cupped his hands, pouring water on his forehead. Then he lifted his head and looked towards the river. "I call it the Irradam Lea."
"Death Spring," Schy said to himself, and he moved back from the water to allow Rebecca and Robin to get to it on the narrow shelf as it poured into a dark hole in the ground.
Schy scorned the still water, and refilled his canteen only from one specific little rushing brook that didn't pause or pool anywhere along its length but cascaded over the rocks in a slender trickle.
Rylan swung his horse and headed for the river, where already horses were wading in and sucking in great quantities of slow-moving water after two days without, having just crossed a stretch of salty grass-land. The riders were lifting their now-full canteens to their lips and splashing each other playfully and laughing.
"No!" Schy's eyes widened. "Rylan!"
The other swung his horse around, and Rylan stopped on the brink of the river, the water lapping gently at his horse's hocks. "What?" he demanded, and Schy pointed to the men in the river. "Get the men away from the water! Before they drink it!"
On a quick command, the horses scrambled for the river bank, but they tried in vain to regain land, thrashing in the water as foam dotted the churning liquid.
Quickly, they were dragged down, and Rylan had to veritably drag his horse out, which was suffering from madness and only when two other horses were harnessed on either side was he dragged from the enchanted water, froth at his lips and his eyes rolling.
Then, and only then, was Schy able to approach the struggling horse and calm him, breaking the spell that drew him irrisistably into the depths.
Rebecca looked on, her face pale, as the last horse floundered in the muddied river, his rider unable to escape. Prince Eduard stood stonefaced as he watched his surviving men rush to the edge of the water only to check their sudden impulse and turn away, their faces dark.
Schy stood still beside his horse and looked towards Durin, who's face was unreadable, his ax poised as if ready to strike at an invisible menace. "I've been here before. This is the Thangforze, the Enchanted Valley."
The others were silent as if they hadn't heard, shocked deeply at the loss of so many men.
"Thangforze...Eduin Vayi to the Chyska." Schy said quietly. "Here, this little trickle is not poisoned, it is the only water drinkable."
Prince Eduard looked to protest, but he stopped himself and cupped his hands, pouring water on his forehead. Then he lifted his head and looked towards the river. "I call it the Irradam Lea."
"Death Spring," Schy said to himself, and he moved back from the water to allow Rebecca and Robin to get to it on the narrow shelf as it poured into a dark hole in the ground.
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CJF
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Whoa, that was intense! Wow. Great post!
Edward filled his cantine quickly, and moved aside to that the, rather long line that had formed behind him in the last two seconds, could keep moving. Rebecca and Robin filled their cantines, and moved aside. Rebecca walked over to Mystic poured a little bit of water into her hand, careful not to spill any, and let Mystic lap it up with her tounge. Whe it was gone, she nudged Rebecca as if to beg for more. Rebecca smiled and poured more water into her hand. Again, Mystic licked it dry. After everyone had gotten their cantines filled, the horses were watered, bathed and whatever else they needed. Afterwards, the group made camp and rested for the night. The horses frolicked and ran happily around in the canyon.
Rea lay on her back, and opening her eyes was amzed to see a sky filled with glittering jewls. They seem so close! Almost like I could reach up and grab one... Rea proceeded to lift her arm and try to grab one. She heard a small chuckle to her right.
"I already tired. They're still millions of miles away." Arannte said. Rea sat up, and tucked her legs under her chin.
"How long has it been since we left shore?" Rea asked.
"Almost a week."
Rea groaned. "I hope we can ride first class on the way back." Rea said. Arannte laughed.
"I'm serious." Rea said, trying to prevent a smile at the sudden outburst of laughter that had just erupted from her friend.
"I know. That's what's so funny. You travel alone in the wilderness without a complaint but when it comes to riding on the ocean on a small peaice of land..." The two friends laughed at the ironic thought.
"Praise God that we haven't hit a storm yet." Arannte said.
"Tell me about it. I hope we don't hit one at all. It might hit us back." Rea joked. Arannte shook her head and rolled her eyes.
"Anywyas, how much further until we reach Ireland?" Rea asked.
Edward filled his cantine quickly, and moved aside to that the, rather long line that had formed behind him in the last two seconds, could keep moving. Rebecca and Robin filled their cantines, and moved aside. Rebecca walked over to Mystic poured a little bit of water into her hand, careful not to spill any, and let Mystic lap it up with her tounge. Whe it was gone, she nudged Rebecca as if to beg for more. Rebecca smiled and poured more water into her hand. Again, Mystic licked it dry. After everyone had gotten their cantines filled, the horses were watered, bathed and whatever else they needed. Afterwards, the group made camp and rested for the night. The horses frolicked and ran happily around in the canyon.
Rea lay on her back, and opening her eyes was amzed to see a sky filled with glittering jewls. They seem so close! Almost like I could reach up and grab one... Rea proceeded to lift her arm and try to grab one. She heard a small chuckle to her right.
"I already tired. They're still millions of miles away." Arannte said. Rea sat up, and tucked her legs under her chin.
"How long has it been since we left shore?" Rea asked.
"Almost a week."
Rea groaned. "I hope we can ride first class on the way back." Rea said. Arannte laughed.
"I'm serious." Rea said, trying to prevent a smile at the sudden outburst of laughter that had just erupted from her friend.
"I know. That's what's so funny. You travel alone in the wilderness without a complaint but when it comes to riding on the ocean on a small peaice of land..." The two friends laughed at the ironic thought.
"Praise God that we haven't hit a storm yet." Arannte said.
"Tell me about it. I hope we don't hit one at all. It might hit us back." Rea joked. Arannte shook her head and rolled her eyes.
"Anywyas, how much further until we reach Ireland?" Rea asked.
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Kookaburra
searching for The Hidden Country
"How much further until we reach Ireland?" Came the question on the still air, and Arannte propped herself on her elbow and looked over at Rea, who looked to her for an answer.
"We should see the coast by dawn." She said calmly, and Rea gave her an incredulous look.
"Dawn?!" she asked, "But...shouldn't it be much longer?"
Nightmare trotted over quickly, dripping wet and gleaming darker than night under the starlight. Gwanthi followed quickly, a silvery blur. Nightmare nudged her wet muzzle against Arannte's side, and she made a half-annoyed, half-happy mood.
"Let's say...I've been helping us along a bit. Only I can't control the weather, only currents to some extent." She said, between laughs as she rolled onto her back and watched Nightmare tear off into the night and tear up the turf, kicking her heels around. Then the horse rolled on her back and rubbed her back on the ground, her legs waving in the air. "I think the horses are ready to reach land."
Rea smiled. "Well, so am I. But at least this little island doesn't rock. If it wasn't for the waves that occasionally splash over the west end, I'd think we were standing still."
Arannte stretched and sat up. She looked at the stars and wished she had the power to dance among them once more.
'Not yet...in due time.' said a voice in her head, and she laid back again, resting her head in her hand. Maybe tomorrow.... she thought, and before she knew it, she'd drifted off and the cool wind of predawn greeted her as she stood up.
She could see Rea off to her right, her eyes closed and sleeping peacefully. Arannte looked up at the sky, and could see the colorful fingers of dawn reaching up into the cloudy sky.
The cliffs of the coast were silhouetted in the distance, and Arannte hurried back to Rea, who was awake then and washing her face in a pool of dew that gathered on a rock ledge. She looked up at her and smiled. "Good morning, stranger. What's up?"
Arannte gestured towards the sea. "We'll be there in about an hour."
"We should see the coast by dawn." She said calmly, and Rea gave her an incredulous look.
"Dawn?!" she asked, "But...shouldn't it be much longer?"
Nightmare trotted over quickly, dripping wet and gleaming darker than night under the starlight. Gwanthi followed quickly, a silvery blur. Nightmare nudged her wet muzzle against Arannte's side, and she made a half-annoyed, half-happy mood.
"Let's say...I've been helping us along a bit. Only I can't control the weather, only currents to some extent." She said, between laughs as she rolled onto her back and watched Nightmare tear off into the night and tear up the turf, kicking her heels around. Then the horse rolled on her back and rubbed her back on the ground, her legs waving in the air. "I think the horses are ready to reach land."
Rea smiled. "Well, so am I. But at least this little island doesn't rock. If it wasn't for the waves that occasionally splash over the west end, I'd think we were standing still."
Arannte stretched and sat up. She looked at the stars and wished she had the power to dance among them once more.
'Not yet...in due time.' said a voice in her head, and she laid back again, resting her head in her hand. Maybe tomorrow.... she thought, and before she knew it, she'd drifted off and the cool wind of predawn greeted her as she stood up.
She could see Rea off to her right, her eyes closed and sleeping peacefully. Arannte looked up at the sky, and could see the colorful fingers of dawn reaching up into the cloudy sky.
The cliffs of the coast were silhouetted in the distance, and Arannte hurried back to Rea, who was awake then and washing her face in a pool of dew that gathered on a rock ledge. She looked up at her and smiled. "Good morning, stranger. What's up?"
Arannte gestured towards the sea. "We'll be there in about an hour."
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CJF
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A squeal of joy erupted aburbtly from Rea, who was now smiling, laughing and dancing around on the small island. Arannte's eyes were wide, a small smile on her face, showing she was shocked. Rea stopped when she noticed how she was acting, and sat on the ground. The two friends tried to contain their laughter, but instead they burst into the loud joyfull noise. They laughed so hard they were almost rolling over the sides! Nightmare and Gwanthi neighed as if to laugh along.
Before long, they reached the hard ground of Ireland.
"Ireland." Rea said, stepping off onto solid ground, leading Gwanthi along behind her.
Before long, they reached the hard ground of Ireland.
"Ireland." Rea said, stepping off onto solid ground, leading Gwanthi along behind her.
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Blessed-one
a long journey ahead
i can't even remember where my group's at?
----
It was a fine morning and they all felt refreshed from the night. Robbin, Rebecca and Nyanie were making some breakfast, and Even, Loakin and the rest were deciding where to go. Rylan joined them, Edward was there too.
"Ok, we need a direction of some sort," Even said, "Any suggestions?"
----
It was a fine morning and they all felt refreshed from the night. Robbin, Rebecca and Nyanie were making some breakfast, and Even, Loakin and the rest were deciding where to go. Rylan joined them, Edward was there too.
"Ok, we need a direction of some sort," Even said, "Any suggestions?"
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Kookaburra
searching for The Hidden Country
"Ireland...." Came Rea's soft, subdued voice.
"Who would have thought?" Arannte said in a very, very serious voice...which only served to crack them up again. But once they had calmed down somewhat, Arannte looked back towards their little island and anchored it securely to the sea bottom.
"Let's go." She said, and Rea shot her a look.
"Where to?"
"The spot is inland about two hard days of riding. We're needed in a small town, because they've been having trouble with a couple werewolves and they need some professional hunters," Arannte said.
"Well, that rules you out!" Rea exclaimed, and grinned.
Arannte nudged Gwanthi into the stream and laughed when Rea fell off, but soon was regretting it when she found herself jerked from on top of Nightmare, who had a devilish look in her eye. "Oh...you...."
They climbed out of the water and remounted their respective horses.
~~~~~
Um, Darrions, I'm going to pm you....
"Who would have thought?" Arannte said in a very, very serious voice...which only served to crack them up again. But once they had calmed down somewhat, Arannte looked back towards their little island and anchored it securely to the sea bottom.
"Let's go." She said, and Rea shot her a look.
"Where to?"
"The spot is inland about two hard days of riding. We're needed in a small town, because they've been having trouble with a couple werewolves and they need some professional hunters," Arannte said.
"Well, that rules you out!" Rea exclaimed, and grinned.
Arannte nudged Gwanthi into the stream and laughed when Rea fell off, but soon was regretting it when she found herself jerked from on top of Nightmare, who had a devilish look in her eye. "Oh...you...."
They climbed out of the water and remounted their respective horses.
~~~~~
Um, Darrions, I'm going to pm you....
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Kookaburra
searching for The Hidden Country
Galadriel cape? You lucky thing! I'm going to find a picture of shadowfax now. 
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