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Post by Lady Elestirne on Aug 23, 2010 11:46:59 GMT -5
Olore's voice was sharp. The two of you will cross paths regardless whether he finds you or you call him out. There is no need to rush the encounter. You cannot fight him now as you are and, judging from the commotion,he is currently distracted by something. Take the time you have to rest and heal as best you might. Let Storm and Tsukasa bind your wounds and take some nourishment. Prepare for the fight to come Elestirne, instead of rushing into it. She nodded faintly, wearily; pressing her hand more tightly against her side as she winced from the throbbing in her wrists, and the sharp,stabbing pain in her side. She could see it would do her no good trying to argue.
The silver stallion nosed her gently. Rest while you can Elestirne, for you will need all of your strength and wits when you fight Telamon. Do not worry about endangering us. It is a choice we made and a risk we accepted when we came after you. Had it been only my choice I would have come alone, but the others insisted. And its useless to tell us to go back and leave you to deal with this on your own, for we will not and you know it.
Elestirne shook her head faintly. "You should not have come at all. Telamon used me as bait to draw you all out,away from the city." Her melodic voice held a certain bitterness,and her silver eyes dark with emotion. She took her hand from her side long enough to rub both wrists alternately; remembering the torment and chains, and thinking of the fight to come. An image came to her of a radiant silver star facing down a smothering darkness,and she shook her head a little to be rid of it. She had first dreamed of this the night after healing Tsukasa, and it had come to her a few times during uneasy sleep in her captivity, each time stronger and clearer. But there a was great unease there too...and memory of something she wanted to forget...
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Post by Lady Elestirne on Aug 18, 2010 10:54:37 GMT -5
Elestirne sank slowly to the ground,near a tree,and allowed herself to lean gingerly against it as she took slow,deep breaths to try to ease the stabbing agony in her side. She was only vaguely aware of Zigler getting some food out of a bag and tossing it to Storm, but not much else. She was focused too much on trying to determine the extent of her injuries. Her wrists were very tender-severely sprained at the very least,although the left could possibly be cracked. Her side...she probed it gingerly with the less injured hand and winced from the stabbing agony that resulted. Nothing seemed to be broken...but there could be a cracked rib or two. Both her side and wrists would have to be bandaged before she faced Telamon...but she couldn't do it,and Olore had no hands...
Her attention was brought abruptly back to the present as a scream of pure rage reached her ears;echoing from the city and,she somehow knew,the spire. She tensed reflexively-fighting to keep the agony from the sudden movement from showing on her face-and turned her head to see what appeared to be a cloud of dust near the spire,and a dark,winged form. Her face went grim.
"He's noticed I escaped," she murmured. Her voice was soft, but all heard her. "If not distracted by something else,he is bound to come hunting me soon. I cannot stay here and bring danger to all of you." Her silver eyes glittered and she made to stand. Her face went white as she tried to put her weight on her injured wrists to raise herself up though,and she sank back against the tree with her right hand pressed to her side and the left cradled to her chest again. "I need to face him before he comes seeking me."
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Post by Lady Elestirne on Aug 17, 2010 0:38:02 GMT -5
Elestirne kept a careful watch for Olore, not sure why he had disappeared like that. At the same time, she darted the occasional, wary glance to the gate; wondering how they were to get out without being challenged. The cloak may hide her well but even the orcs would be able to tell that she was too tall and thin, and they had to have been told about Telamon's elven prisoner. If they saw her ears, or noticed the distinctive rings of burned skin the chains had left...
Suddenly, a powerful shock wave ripped through the area from out of nowhere,sending the battered elf to her knees and knocking the orcs at the gate over. As she was painfully regaining her feet, she saw part of one wall crumble. A chill crept up her spine. It felt like powerful magic had been released-or unleased,she corrected herself. That could only mean the battle had ended. But who had won? Foreboding crept over her heart. Somehow, she did not think it had been Tatsumura.
Just then, she noticed Olore and the strange half-dwarven innkeeper of Mittelmarch heading for her. Olore reached her first, gave a brief,private explanation about Zigler, and knelt to allow her to mount. Realizing that her injured wrists made it difficult, he twisted his head around to boost her into the saddle with his muzzle.
Launching into a gallop, they bowled over the few orcs that had managed to scramble to their feet enough to block the way, and burst through the gate out into the open. Archers from above immedietely started to rain arrows down on them, for the hood of the rough cloak had fallen back to reveal Elestirne's pointed ears and other elven features clearly. She heard a voice she recognized as Storm's shout and was vaguely aware of him running out to meet them. No sooner had Olore reached the tree line and slowed to a stop, than did he pull her off the silver stallion and into a crushing hug.
Her already pale face went still paler and she cried out briefly as sharp pain flared through her injured side and wrists. As Storm released her,she shrugged the heavy cloak off. Wincing profoundly,she put one hand to her side;cradling the more seriously injured one protectively to her chest. A little unsteady and weak still,she swayed faintly as she looked at the three men with shadowed silver eyes.
Looking at her the others could see that she was thin, ragged,and weary;her clothes in tatters and her feet bare. The skin around both wrists were chafed raw and bore angry red burns in the distinctive markings of chains. Her fair face too,showed several nicks and cuts. She seemed both confused, as well as faintly worried otr troubled about something.
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Post by Lady Elestirne on Aug 12, 2010 1:02:48 GMT -5
Abrubtly, Elestirne realized she was out of the spire. She shook her head a little; disoriented. She didn't remember coming out... Taking in the familiar-and softly shimmering-form next to her, she relaxed and lowered her swords;suddenly weary. "Olore. You shouldn't have come. Where are the others?" Her voice was both disoppointed and relieved.
Tatsumura Wind-walker is battling Telamon, but that I'm sure you know. Storm is with naturally-along with the one called Tsukasa-but they are still outside the city and I fear the gate is held against them. Another-Zigler-is within the city bt I am not certain where and do not trust him. Authnor wanted to come but I forbade it. But we can speak of this later. I'm not certain how you got free, but I'll get you to the others before either they attempt to enter the city or Telamon comes hunting you.
Elestirne shook her head the barest amount. The battered elf pressed a hand to her side,wincing profoundly. "I was set free. And no-Telamon will come hunting me whatever we do. I'm not running Olore and any magic you use he'll sense. It is time to finish this. I'll seek him out first if I must."
You'll do no such thing. His response was sharp. You are injured Elestirne and need tending to,as well as rest. You are in no shape for a fight right now. Better we get out of the city and to the others, than we stay here and are discovered. The stallion seemed to think hard a moment. First we need to find you a cloak to cover your identity. Then we'll make for the gate.
Several moments later found Elestirne shrouded in a deep,long cloak she had-not without guilt-taken from its owner, now lying unconscious somewhere. As they approached the gate, it was quickly seen that a mob of orcs still blocked the opening. Elestirne glanced around guardedly while Olore, meanwhile,spotted a familiar figure. Telling Elestirne to wait, he shimmered into insubstantial form and quickly followed.
When he caught up he remained a few moments more as he was,allowing himself a glimmer of grim amusement as he imagined the reaction to come. When he judged enough time had gone by, the silver stallion reformed in a ghostly silver shimmer behind and slightly to the side of the subject of his attention and addressed him. Zigler. His 'voice' was sharp.
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Post by Lady Elestirne on Aug 3, 2010 11:42:01 GMT -5
Olore shifted uneasily. After realizing he was alone, and that the gate had been blocked to prevent Storm and Tsukasa from entering, he had promptly contacted both with the warning that they would have to find their own way, and that he was going on to the spire. As soon as he had passed the message he had shimmered into insubstantial form and continued weaving his way through the city until he had reached the spire.
Now, still invisible, he pawed at the ground and tensed suddenly as he felt a strong surge of magic, very close. His eyes narrowed. It felt like it had come from within the spire. As he was debating about whether he should enter, he felt Elestirne's presence coming nearer. At the same time, he felt the odd block that had been between them lift.
He had just resumed material form when Elestirne came out. She was thin, her clothes in tatters, her feet bare and her face pale and drawn with pain. Both wrists bore angry burns and a distinctive ring that suggested chains, and her face was scored with several nicks and cuts, but she was alive and carried both swords. Recalling the surge of magic he had felt he wondered if it had been to set her free even as he moved forward to lend a shoulder; seeing that she was obviously injured and seemed dazed. At the same time he sent a message to Tsukasa and Storm. I've found Elestirne. She's injured...but alive. Somehow she either got free on her own, or was set free. I am going to get her to an out of the way place if I can, before we are discovered. The sooner you two can get in the city, the better.
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Post by Lady Elestirne on Aug 2, 2010 0:46:23 GMT -5
Elestirne could not help but wince as fire burst from the sceptor in a narrow ray and concentrated on her chains-first the left, then the right. She felt the heated metal burning her skin, but refused to show the pain. She tried to turn her face away as the chains exploded, but a few bits struck her anyway, leaving angry red marks. As she felt herself falling forward, she instinctively stuck her hands out to absorb the impact;biting her lip to muffle the involuntary cry of pain. She stayed like that for a few moments,letting feeling come back, before she tried to move. Gingerly, she moved to a kneeling position, then standing; favoring one foot very slightly.
She looked at the vial Banith offered suspiciously, but saw no other choice and warily took it, opened it, and downed it;feeling some strength return instantly to her battered form. She hesitated a moment before limping the short distance to her sword and picking it up. Her silver eyes studied Banith speculatively, then she nodded briefly. "I thank you orc. I'd suggest to make yourself scarce. He had to have sensed the sceptor's use,and it might not be long before he decides to investigate it."
With that said, she turned her back on the orc and made her way carefully and painstakingly down to the next level and from there to the balcony, where she collected her other sword. She also found some bits of the food and vials from the store that Telamon had kicked off the spire's top. Carefully, she made sure both were ok before using them, then grimly continued on her way down and out of the spire; favoring her foot a little less with each step.
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Post by Lady Elestirne on Jul 31, 2010 11:46:37 GMT -5
Elestirne sagged a little in the chains: suddenly weary. She could no longer see what was going on because of the ice tower's collapse. Nor could she hear much beyond distant cries and yells. There seemed to be some sort of disturbance at the front gate and, once again, she thought she had glimpsed that familiar silver glint that was Olore, but she couldn't be sure of either.
She continued to keep her eyes on Banith; wondering when he would hold to his word and free her-if he had indeed been speaking the truth about doing so. The sooner she got free, the sooner she could retrieve her swords and go to aid Tatsumura. Why exactly he had come she had no idea, but if he and Olore were here, then Storm and Kotaro almost certainly were nearby. And likely Authnor as well. Elestirne refrained from hanging her head with an effort as she thought over what that implied. If any of them got hurt, she vowed, she would never forgive herself. Her piercingly bright silver eyes sharpened as she looked at Banith and after a moment she spoke. Her tone was icy and tinged with sarcasm. "If you expect me to uphold my part of the agreement orc, then you need to uphold yours'. Else, neither of us will get want they want. The one he is battling now cannot hold him off forever."
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Post by Lady Elestirne on Jul 27, 2010 1:07:46 GMT -5
Olore's ears flickered. His impassive gaze followed the odd scene for the briefest of moments before he shook his head with a stamp of his hoof.
If we help him, we draw attention to ourselves. And I cannot be sure but he might be the source of all the noise I heard earlier. If so,it is only helping us more. And we have limited time. We must use it. Olore pawed at the ground very delicately. I continue on. The longer we stand here,the greater the chance we'll be noticed,and I am not willing to risk it. The silver stallion looked at each of them briefly, then deliberately began to move forward. He made not a sound;moving past the mob silently as a ghost.
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Post by Lady Elestirne on Jul 23, 2010 23:33:53 GMT -5
The silver stallion looked at Storm shrewdly, then shook his fine head. Court not trouble 'till trouble courts you. Tatsumura Windwalker knows the risk he takes by doing this, and he willingly chose the path. He did so to give us a chance, and because he has wanted this fight ever since thier first encounter. I cannot say what will happen if he does not return Storm, save that life would go on as is its way. I know though, that he would not take such a risk as this if there were not a chance he can triumph. Trust in him,and let us not waste the time he is gifting us. The quicker we get to the spire and find and free Elestirne, the quicker we-and Elestirne if she is able-can aid Tatsumura if he needs our help. But until then, it is his and the fiend's fight only.
With that, Olore tossed his mane;the silver strands glittered and rippled like liquid light. The silver light limning him brightened as he stamped a hoof sharply, and his deep indigo eyes flared. Enough delaying. Let's go while Telamon's full attention is on Tatsumura. The silver stallion kicked into a trot, after making sure everyone had mounted;heading for the gates. We must be swift and silent.
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Post by Lady Elestirne on Jul 21, 2010 1:59:04 GMT -5
Olore whipped his head around as he sensed powerful magic, and heard a roar. He was just in time to see the winged shape launch itself from the spire, the alternate flashes of fire and ice,and the ice tower beginning to collapse.
Wheeling around sharply to face the others,Olore reared. It has begun! Now is our chance. We must move now and take the opportunity while we have it. We have no way of knowing how long Ttsumura will be able to distract Telamon. Olore reared again;lacing his ears back and sidling uneasily as he came back to earth. He pawed the ground agitatedly.
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Elestirne watched Telamon transform and take off with an unconsious sigh of relief, mixed with worry. She strained to try to catch a glimpse of the battle, but to no avail. She did however, see the ice tower shudder and start to fall and even-she thought-glimpsed a glint of sparkling silver in the woods away to the south. But she couldn't be sure.
She whipped her gaze back to Banith now;her silver eyes alive and glittering with an intensely bright and faintly icy glint. "If you still want me to kill Telamon orc, then cut me down now while he's distracted and you have the chance. You might not get another,and I still need to heal some in any case." She leveled a piercing stare on the orc;waiting
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Post by Lady Elestirne on Jul 16, 2010 11:07:47 GMT -5
Elestirne had turned her gaze from Banith to observe the rising dawn, and felt her spirits rise at the sight. Hope to grace the dawn.. she thought,feeling a glimmer of it stir in her breast.
But then she whipped her bright gaze back to-and past-the orc as she sensed a familiar, dreaded presence making its way up the stairs. Her eyes narrowed to a burning glare as Telamon breached the last step and advanced towards them. And,even though she was chained and could not possibly do anything,she couldn't help but recoil a little as he came too near;keeping her eyes on him warily. That gaze wavered though, as he kicked the package off the spire and her eyes unconsiously flickered that way to follow the swiftly dwindling bits of potential help. Her gaze snapped right back to the sorceror though-unwilling to take her eyes off him for even a second-but that brief glance had also shown her the slender spire of ice,and had even made out the small figure on it. Her spirits fell and it was all she could do to keep from hanging her head as she contemplated the implications behind Tatsumura's unexpected presence. At the same time, she saw the sky roiling and darkening,and felt the increasing cold beginning to bite keenly though her tattered clothing as snow began to fall. Her gaze though,she kept on Telamon;her silver orbs bright and piercing as she waited with bated breath to see what would happen.
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Post by Lady Elestirne on Jul 16, 2010 10:31:42 GMT -5
Olore had continued to keep his eyes on the spire,but now he shifted subtly. His head turned towards the direction Tatsumsura had gone, and his nostrils flared wide and skin shivered as the first hints of the cold reached him. He noticed both the roiling and darkening skies, and the slender spire of ice that was forming outside one of the walls. And he could hear too, a distant ruckus coming from the north that was entirely unrelated to Tatsumura's actions. The stallion nodded grimly,the silver glow surrounding him seeming to intensify. He stomped the ground and a flickering white flame sprang up briefly at the moment of impact,leaving a scorched mark. At last it is time!
Regarding the others, he at last left his vigilant position to go to them. The wind began to pick up and snow began to whip down but Olore remained undisturbed;neither seeming to touch him,or even riffle his mane. Lowering his head, he firmly but gently nudged Tsukasa and Storm to wakefullness,and-since he knew a simple nudge wouldn't do-kicked the odd half-dwarf. Not hard enough to injure, but hard enough to wake him.
When they were all fully awake he spoke;his deep bell-like voice vibrating with urgency and authority. It is time! We must go now. Tatsumura has challenged Telamon to give us an opening. And there seems to be some other sort of ruckus going on to the north. We must take the opportunity now while we have it and make for the spire. The silver stallion pawed the ground and half-reared agitatedly,his indigo eyes glowing with deep sapphirine light. We may not have much time!
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Post by Lady Elestirne on Jul 14, 2010 9:25:46 GMT -5
Olore's response was disgusted. They would have found us anyway. Telamon, at least,would have known that I would come for Elestirne. Now he will know for sure. The scouts will tell their master what they have seen, and he in turn will likely tell Telamon. The silver stallion swished his tail and stamped his hoof. It makes no sense to continue to delay and plan. We know where in the city Elestirne is being held,we know that it will be protected,and we know that Telamon will sense both of us the moment we enter-if he hasn't already-and move to challenge us or keep us from getting to the spire. And we know that it will not be easy. I have had quite enough of delaying and waiting. It is the time now for action.
Olore watched Masamune pull a short sceptor of ice out from his clothing,and set it carefully down by his hooves. The silver stallion's nostrils flared wide; scenting the immense power and magic in the object. His depthless eyes too,widened slightly as he understood both the sceptor's powers and use,and the windwalker's intent. He did not try to stop him though,merely nodded his head faintly. His silver coat and indigo eyes shone with their own,faint light,casting him in an otherworldly glow.
You are resolved on your path,so I will not try to turn you from it. I will stay with the others. They will need me to help them pinpoint where in the spire Elestirne is-and to deal with Telamon if you fail to distract him long enough. But if you need me,you have only to call. You still carry two of my hairs and they will help you. Olore stretched his neck out to touch his muzzle to the warrior's wide sleeve,then his arm. Fight well windwalker,with all the fury and bitterness of the ice and wind you command. We will join you as soon as we can.
He watched Tatsumura until the warrior had disappeared from sight,then turned his head to level a critical gaze on the rising dawn and the rest of the group;wondering how soon they might be up and on the way,and if he would have to wake them himself. He didn't like the idea of the windwalker facing Telamon alone-remembering how injured he had been in their first fight,and he yearned to stand at Tatsumura's side and fight with him when he faced the sorcerer-but he had to respect the decision. Besides,his path was clear. Getting to and freeing Elestirne was a much higher priority than trampling Telamon into dust-no matter how badly Olore yearned to. If Tatsumura wind-walker is defeated and Elestirn is unable to,then the sorcerer is mine, the stallion vowed. He shifted restlessly,shaking out his mane with a faint snort and stamp of his hoof as he turned his eyes back to the spire.
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Post by Lady Elestirne on Jul 13, 2010 10:50:36 GMT -5
Olore snorted softly as he continued his watchful vigil over the group. Dawn was beginning to rise in the east behind him, but he kept his gaze firmly in front of him;directed in the direction of the city and particularily the spire.
The dwarf's grating snores forced the stallion to lace his ears back flat to his skull, but other than that his position was competely unchanged. He tensed suddenly though as he sensed others moving about them. He could see nothing, but he knew that they were about. His nostrils flared. Scouts, he reasoned. He didn't get a hostile feeling from the unseen watchers, only keen wariness and watchfulness. Orcs likely. They'll tell their master that we are here and how many we number for sure,but they are not a threat. The real problem will be when we try to enter the city,for Telamon will certainly sense both I and the windwalker,and will likely not let either of us pass unchallenged. Of course,that will then give the others time to get to the spire and find Elestirne.
Olore snorted again,his eyes narrowing. The stallion found himself hoping ardently that the others decided to try to enter the city soon. He chafed at the delaying and talking about plans. If he had to,he thought resolutely,he would go in himself first and create the distraction/opening for the others..
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Post by Lady Elestirne on Jul 10, 2010 11:16:06 GMT -5
Elestirne watched wih extreme wariness as Banith bent and untied the package that had been brought to him,revealing some vials and bits of food that could possibly be versions of the cordial and waybread her people made. She eyed them speculatively before turning her attention back to Banith.
At his comment about her swords, she couldn't stop a faint flicker of triumph. So it seemed Banith and his people couldn't touch them. Telamon had,but that was another thing altogether. She closed her eyes briefly for the wave of pain that rippled though her in respons to a slight movement. At the same time though,she sent her consiousness out faintly;trying to identify the sword that was still on the spire. Her pain and the sceptor made it too difficult to focus though,and so, she ceased the effort;opening her eyes again to lance into the orc.
"What I wish is of no matter here and now. I would rather those that had come after me had stayed to help the city, not risked themselves foolishly for me. But if they are intent on finding and getting to me, then they will do so,and nothing will change their minds." The faint bitterness was back in her pained voice, more pronounced now. "If using the sceptor is the only way of freeing me, and Telamon is going to sense you using it,then free me now and have done orc-so that I have a chance to heal and retrieve my swords. I cannot face him in my current state and hope to win." The light of her piercing silver eyes brightened,intensified;the steely glint of determination more noticiable now. That bright gaze bore ino Banith as she dangled there;tensed and waiting.
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Post by Lady Elestirne on Jul 9, 2010 0:09:29 GMT -5
Elestirne kept her gaze steadily on the surprising Banith, even though it was an effort to keep her head up. Her wrists were in agony, but she pushed the pain away as best as she could and tried to keep it from showing on her face. She watched Banith with keen interest; her expression wavering between a look of wary distrust and outright suspicion as she studied the orc.
She had to admit to herself that she didn't like the idea of entering into an agreement with him. But, as she had said, desperate situations call for desperate alliances. And she didn't see what other choice she had, beyond continuing to hang there until Telamon had no more use for her or until she died. Banith had made a good point-there was no way to tell when Telamon might decide to come up again. And there was no denieing that, in her inmost heart, she wanted a way to strike out at the sorcerer. Especially now... But she also couldn't see how she was supposed to win against Telamon in her current state and still get out alive. And there was always the chance that Banith was lieing about freeing her... The elf sighed, but continued to keep her piercing silver eyes on the orc, waiting for what would come.
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Post by Lady Elestirne on Jul 7, 2010 23:09:31 GMT -5
Olore had snorted at Zigler's words, his ears flickering some, but other than that the stallion was motionless;his eyes still fixed on the spire. He pawed the ground once;digging a furrow. His voice was speculative.
If you and the others can get in, you still need to get to the spire and find Elestirne. But if you,as you said, can distract the guards at the gate,and any other denizens of the city, then I am quite certain I can distract Telamon. Or catch his attention. Enough that the rest of you should at least be able to get to the spire.
Having said such, the stallion fell back to his silent vigil, keeping guard over the little group and a watchful eye on the spire.
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Post by Lady Elestirne on Jul 1, 2010 15:30:23 GMT -5
Elestirne frowned a little;taking in the orc's surprising words and weighing them for sincerity. Her silver eyes were still narrowed, but thoughtfully now-not just suspiciously. The orc's words rang true enough. He both meant what he said and truly believed it.
The irony of the offer-of an elf accepting an orc's alliance so that both got what they wanted:the chance to strike down someone both held in mutual dislike-was not lost on her in the least. Yet she hesitated faintly. An elf and orc working together...it was unheard of,and any other elf would have spat in Banith's face and refused;certain they were either being mocked or set up at their captor's pleasure. Authnor certainly would have. The fierce warrior would die before allying himself with one of the monster races. Herself though... The battered elf shook her head slowly. She was both more open-minded,and more sensible.
"We do not need a war."she agreed slowly. "But any of those that may have come after me will not hesitate to kill your people if they hinder efforts to reach and free me. It seems we share a mutual dislike of Telamon orc,and can help each other accomplish something we both desire. The only issue is trust. But in desperate situations,desperate alliances must sometimes be made."
Elestirne's face hardened;wincing as pain rippled through her form. She nodded faintly, reluctantly. "If you hold to your end orc, I will do my utmost to bring about Telamon's demise. Nor will my swords be turned against any of your people-unles they seek to harm me or those that may have come in search of me. But you are forgetting two things if you expect this of me: I cannot win against him in my current physical state, and I need my swords back." She hesitated briefly and shifted minutely once more to try to relieve the agony of her wrists. Pain winced briefly across her features once more for the movement. Her expression reflected this pain,but it was also faintly grim. She watched this surprising orc very carefully;wondering what he would do and say next even as she also wondered what she would do if he held his word about freeing her. To say nothing of how she was to battle and win against Telamon in her current state. But she also knew herself well enough to know that-even as battered as she was now-if the sorcerer crossed her path she would fight with all she had. A steely,determined glint entered the elf's silver eyes and as she waited for Banith's next move she reflected briefly that it seemed Olore was going to be right about it coming to a battle between her and Telamon.
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Post by Lady Elestirne on Jul 1, 2010 0:06:55 GMT -5
Elestirne kept her eyes unblinkingly on the orc;her gaze still narrowed and suspicious. She could not help but to flinch slightly though,as he pointed the sceptor at her. She could feel the power of the artifact and loathed having it anywhere near her,let alone pointed at her. In her present state though,she could do nothing about it. Nor could the elf keep back a flicker of a startled reaction at the orc's words about sensing something aproaching the gate. She still had the nagging feeling that Olore was near... Was it possible...? The elf stored that thought away until later; focusing on Banith's words and the interesting things they implied.
"Striking you would gain nothing," the elf answered wearily. "Even if I wished to do so, I would not expend my energy unprovoked. And everything has a price-why would I expect anything less of an offer made by an orc?" The faint bitterness was still present in her musical voice.
She watched him with exceeding wariness and keen interest as he whistled and a goblin came running up the stairs with a package, which it then deposited before bowing and disappearing back down the stairs. Banith went to retrieve the package before returning to his previous position. Stopping once more outside her range-in case she did decide to try to lash out-he set the package down. She listened to his next words with great suspicion;her silver eyes narrowing still further. She was silent for a moment. When she spoke,her suspicion was plain in her melodic tones.
"You offer me my freedom...if I kill Telamon. To begin with,you must realize I cannot face him in my current state and hope to win the fight. Secondly,I must wonder why you wish him to be killed to begin with. Also,what motives you have for wanting his demise badly enough to free me." The elf winced faintly as she shifted slightly in her chains. Her expression was pained, but her gaze remained unblinkingly on the orc;watching him warily. "Not to mention how I am to know you will keep your word,or mean it. If you can guarentee that and what you offer me...you and I may indeed have an a agreement orc. But you still have the problem of how I might face Telamon and win in this current state."
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Post by Lady Elestirne on Jun 30, 2010 10:40:14 GMT -5
Olore shifted his position as Tatsumura unfurled the map;lowering his head so that he could see it better. The silver stallion nodded speculatively,thoughtfully. Yea,verily. And our problems lay in not only finding and freeing her, but in getting in the city and to the building she is being held in. He pawed at the ground. And that will not be easily done undetected or molested. Even less so if Telamon is on watch. And the size of the city makes it even more difficult. We are too few to search the entire thing and it would not be wise to be thus split either.
Tatsumura's next words gave the stallion pause,and he swung his head to follow the other's gaze. His indigo eyes narrowed and his ears laced back to lay flat against his skull as the depthless orbs flared angrily with deep sapphirine light. He nodded shortly,pawing the ground agitatedly as the muscles on his neck bulged and tensed. The faint silver light limning him seemed to brighten and flicker. Yea Tatsumura wind-walker....I would say that he does. If he is keeping her there,it will be even harder to find, get to, and free her without being detected and challenged. It is sure to be protected. So the question now becomes:what is our plan for getting into the city,and to and into the spire without attracting undue attention? After that,we must worry for how we are to find and free Elestirne and get out again.
Olore pawed at the ground again with a snort;every inch of his body tense as he kept his eyes on the tall spire.
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Post by Lady Elestirne on Jun 30, 2010 10:06:15 GMT -5
Elestirne stirred restlessly yet again;tensing subconsiously as she sensed a presence ascendig the stair and approaching where she hung in her chains,one vaguely familiar. It was evil, yet was not the smothering darkness that was Telamon. Even so,she cringed away reflectivey-though there was nowhere for her to go-and recognized the intruding presence as the orc Banith,holder of the sceptor.
With some effort she opened her eyes and focused on him;wondering what he could possibly want with her now when he had not taken any interest before. Her silver eyes,though pained-were bright and clear. They narrowed as they came to rest on the orc and the sceptor he carried;their gaze becoming intensely wary and cautious. She noticed he was standing a bit off,out of range of any strikes she may have thrown had she the strength to lash out. Her eyes narrowed still more at his words;her gaze becoming faintly suspicious.
"Telamon and I...have a past history," the elf said slowly. "He has sought me out each previous time I have been to these lands: either to try to tempt me to his cause,keep me from helping the people in their time of need, or both. Both times he failed. I have always helped these people when they have called on me for aid and so, very possibly, Telamon considers me a thorn in his side,and a threat to his designs and intentions. What he wants with me now that he has gotten me out of the way-beyond using me as bait for those that may have come after me-is as much your guess as it is mine." There was faint but definete bitterness in the elf's ragged, but still beautiful, musical voice. "The more important question to me now seems to be: what do you want with me and why have you come up here? If you are so curious as to why Telamon would risk a fight over me and why he considers me a threat you could have asked him yourself. Why come to me?" The faintest trace of venom entered her voice now and the light of her eyes were intense and piercingly bright as she waited to see what the orc would do and say.
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Post by Lady Elestirne on Jun 22, 2010 17:32:10 GMT -5
Olore snorted and dug at the ground;nodding briefly. Caution, yes, is to be duly commended. But I don't need to know the layout of the cursed city to find Elestirne. Once within-even if I am still blocked from speaking with her or learning her precise location, I will nontheless have an accurate sense of about where she is, if not an exact building.
The silver stallion pawed the ground again, his next words faintly regretful. If anything, I likely should be the first to enter. As I said, Telamon will likely notice me and seek me out, and I can thus provide the distraction/cover for the rest of you if needed. Though, I would prefer to be the first one to my lady, in case she needs to be carried away swiftly. Olore shifted;his depthless eyes dark and unreadable as he swished his long silver tail. Or perhaps the half-dwarf can go in first. He has a touch of the demonic to him.
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Post by Lady Elestirne on Jun 22, 2010 17:03:10 GMT -5
Elestirne stirred fitfully in a restless sleep. In reality, it had only been a week since her capture by Telamon, but to the battered and beaten elf, it felt instead like it had been two weeks of torture and torment.
In her most lucid moments, she could not stop wondering why Olore or any others had not come yet. Or even Wulf, who surely should have had enough time to locate Oof and get back by now. Or...a shred of a doubt had begun to grow in her mind. What if no one was coming? What if they-yea, even Olore-had been delayed somehow? That doubt needled Elestirne every instant of her waking moments between unconsiousness and half-sleep, and had even begun to intrude upon her in the brief periods of rest she allowed herself. She still got the disturbing feeling that Olore was very near...and yet, because of the cursed sceptor and her own, weakened state, she could not reach out to contact him mind-to-mind.
The elf stirred again weakly;testing her injured wrists. They were healing, but even her innate ability could not immedietly fix the damage that had been inflicted upon them and she could tell immedietly that the broken one would not hold up to grasping a sword without causing her agony. If she ever got free, she could not be certain of being able to fight with that hand.
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Post by Lady Elestirne on Jun 12, 2010 13:52:38 GMT -5
Olore shook his head with a snort. I do not. I am not concerned with maps. I know that Elestirne is in the city somewhere and that is enough for me. Where, we will find out when we get inside. I still cannot contact her. Wherever she is being held is sure to be heavily defended, or at least, protected. If anyone has a plan for getting inside, finding her, and getting her out, now would be a good time for speaking up. The silver stallion tossed his head and shifted;pinning his ears back and lashing his tail in irritation. Any thoughts are welcome,but I know it will not be easy,whatever we do.
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Post by Lady Elestirne on Jun 2, 2010 22:59:09 GMT -5
Olore had heard the dwarf's muttered remark, even from the distance he seemed to be at. The silver stallion merely shook his head, reared high-so that everyone would see him-pivoted smartly on his hind legs and took off.
The stallion kept the party moving at as swift a pace as the mortal horses could reasonably endure; stopping only briefly for noontime rests and some sleep for the benifet mostly of Tsukasa and Storm,and to give a respite to the poor horses. After 5 days of this, they at last began to come into sight of the walls of Moruiliima. Here, Olore stopped while they were still sheltered in the shade of the woods, and turned expectant eyes on the rest of the group even as he shifted irritatedly. Now is a good time for a plan. Telamon will almost certainly sense me, but the rest of you may escape detection while we search for Elestirne-at least, briefly. Any thoughts on how we might accomplish this? It will not be easy.
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