Seed of Light

[Sir Nichtmar]

Unless you've been invited ahead of time please PM me if interested in joining this RP thread and I'll let you know your cue to enter.


The war with the Jovians is over. A blanket of peace warms the city of Mittelmarch, but something isn’t right. A shadowy feeling of dread pricks at our hearts. These strange happenings of the dead rising, feelings of being watched, people gone missing. Something is happening, it’s elusive. At least with the Jovians we could see the enemy. Like a half whisper, the name Dark Father has been slithering through the streets. No one knows the meaning of it. Telamon has been helping Dark Followers to do what they do, and urge them to work together. The Chu Ku’tal have taken Jove and renamed it Moruliima, a place for the dark races. Kanthea has been overtaken by a plague. It’s like no one saw it coming. Like a snake these happenings have slithered into position.

A night like most in Mittelmarch, the streets lit by candle lamps and torches, guards walk the streets and alleys, folk trade on Main Street, the taverns beat and bang, and Nichtmar finishes the last of his guard duty on the roof of Silver Moon. He searches for the angry drunk, the plotting villain, but the streets are once again quiet. Just as the ogre was about to open the trapdoor a strange red eyed crow landed on the ledge. Its caw hurt his ears. He stepped towards it. It looked dead. Its messy feathers barely hid its sticky blood covered skin. The board creaked and gave away Nichtmar. The crow turned its head and cawed. Nichtmar raised his open hands to show no threat, but the crow fluttered at him and scrapped his hand. Nichtmar grabbed it and threw it against the brick chimney. It hit the floor and Nichtmar stomped it. Blood squirted across the floor.

“Stupid bird,” he said as he looked at the scrapes on his left hand.

He gave it no thought and headed to Cedric’s Inn, as usual after his guard duty, and as he started his drink he collapsed to the floor.

[Sir Storm Brightblade]

Storm was making his rounds at Cedric's Inn as a bartender and looking around to see who was coming into the inn tonight. For some reason the Inn was quiet. Usually there were people being loud and having a good time, but it was unusually quiet, like a gloom had come over the inn's inhabitants to make them edgy.

Storm looked up when he saw Nichtmar walk into the inn and waved him over to his usual table he took after his guard duty. He walked over and handed the ogre his usual drink.

"Anything exciting happen tonight during your rounds Sir Nichtmar?" Storm asked with genuine curiosity.

As Nichtmar took his first drink while he shook his head. Before he could even set his drink down he collapsed to the floor with a thunderous thump.

Storm instincively knelt down as he saw the ogre lying there. He felt his pulse and found that he still had one, though it was slightly lower than usual. He gently slapped Nichtmar's face to see if he could get a reaction and got nothing.

Looking to over to one of the patrons he said, "Well don't just stand there! Get the guards in here and tell them to bring a healer!"

Storm turned back to Nichtmar and kept tapping his face.

"Nichtmar? Can you hear me? Wake up."

[ziglerrobertson]

Zigler had taken Storm's place behind the bar as the young samurai went to serve Nichtmar. A few weeks had passed since the fall of Jove. And although prices at the Inn had risen markedly, the current drink price was no more than any other Inn in the city. During those weeks Zigler, with the help of Jed and a few others had fixed the floor and added two rooms to the Inn and refurbished the stables out back. One the rooms was currently being occupied by the silent man in the silver mask, the other would remain empty for now. The arrival of Jovian citizens in Mittelmarch had come as a shock to the Inn Keeper, and the High Council's decision to house them even more so. Several nights had passed in which the Bard fell asleep to thoughts of their slaughter. But he knew well that their massacre was not within his power.

Zigler was bent behind the bar when Nichtmar collapsed. The orge's bulk sent the various barrels and bottles dancing on their shelves underneath the bar. Quickly coming out from behind the bar Zigler ran to Storm and Nichtmar's side. Reaching them as Storm was demanding the someone call for the Gaurd.

"Lets get 'im on the table laddie. Lord knows that whatever's wrong wit him they won't wanna treat him on the floor."

While some of the more sober patrons ran out into the street and began yelling, the remaining few helped the two move the orge onto a nearby table. Soon after the Guards and the Healer arrived and, using their arms and some rope Zigler retrieved from the basement formed a travois and carried Nichtmar heavy body out the door and towards the Healing Center. As they left Zigler noticed a bleeding wound on Nichtmar's hand.

"Carneth!, Dorian!" said Zigler as he and Storm turned to follow the Guardsmen and Healers, "Stay here an 'old down the fort, 'm goin' ta follow 'em an' see what breaks." Adding action to words the Bard and the Samurai head out the door.

[Sir Nichtmar]

Young healers carry Nichtmar to the Healing Center. They place him on one of the several gurneys. An old bald man walks up with a white-large and pointy mustache and patch on his chin. With a strange set of spectacles he rotates the layers of lenses and bends over close to the wound on the ogre’s hand.

“Hmm…oh….mmhhmm……” This goes on for a minute or so

Rotates a lens to a purple colored one.


“Ahhh…I see…. Yep!”

He slides the glasses up onto his bald head. Looks to Zigler and Storm.


“He’ll die in about a week.” He begins to step towards the nurse at the entrance.


“Next Patient!”

[ziglerrobertson]

An angry Zigler walks around the gurney and grabs the Healer's belt, twisting him around.

"An just whot in the seven levels o' hell do yea think yea be doing," demands the dwarf, "treat him!" To add extra weight to his demand the Inn Keeper pushes the Healer roughly towards Nichtmar's prostrate form.

"I cannot!" yells the Healer as he turns back around and bends ominously over the dwarf. "I have no potions or herbs or powder's that can help this man." He says while pointing at Nichtmar.

Zigler's eyes squint as his anger rises and his right hand moves towards the hilt of his dagger. "Then get me one who CAN!" Shouts the Bard. "This man's a good patron an' 'n excellent warrior, he WILL be cared fer !" Zigler's hand grasps the dagger's hilt.

[Sir Nichtmar]

The Healer spins around.

"Sir!!!" He brushes down his robes as Zigler yells at him.

"Listen Dwarf, his scrape will heal on it's own! He's poisoned by the undead taint. An ancient dark magic that can't be healed by any means we have in this world. Maybe if we had an Elvin Kingdom, but they're arent any in the Land Between."

[Lady Elestirne]

A small, quiet cough distracted the three and they turned. An elf detached herself from the shadows in which she had been half-hidden.

"Not in this land no, are there any with the skill to heal the ogre. But I know of one who can, if we reach her in time, and Storm should have remembered her as he is her great friend and swornbrother. A great friend too, to Mittelmarch and the Shogunate. It was she that halted the Jovian attack on the kyuden and saved the Shogunate from being overtaken and killed." The elf fixed the three of them, especially the healer and dwarvish one, with a penetrating look. "Had you never heard mention of my Lady Elestirne,Queen of Artanor the Veiled? If she were here,she could heal the ogre. But she will come only if summoned and in great need,and at the behest of one she trusts." The elf's eyes lingered on Storm and her next words seemed to adress him specifically more than everyone. "If you want to save the ogre, send for her. Go to the kyuden and send the two swiftest elf-riders with the message and a token she will recognize. But you must not delay. She is the best-and maybe only-hope for the ogre,and he,as you said, does not have much time."

[ziglerrobertson]

As the slight elf spoke Zigler's attention to the Healer fades and the more the Bard listens the Healer might as well no longer be there. "Aki me lad," says Zigler as he turns to the young samurai, " it looks like we be going on a trip."

Zigler turns back to the elf. "Young Miss, I have no right to ask, but could ye watch over Nictmar until we return with this 'Elestirne'.?" The elf replies with a nod and Zigler's gaze turns angry again as his eyes alight upon the Healer. "And You! You will keep Nichtmar here and care fer 'im until we return."

Without letting the Healer add in another pompous word the Inn Keeper collects Storm with his eyes and the two of them head off back to their rooms through the light of the rising moon to prepare for the short trip to the Kyuden Tatsumara.

[Lady Elestirne]

As the elf watched the two depart, she shook her head faintly. Young she was yes, but, at well over a century old, she was older than both the dwarvish one and samurai put together, she was certain. Possibly even with adding the human healer into the mix.. But this was no proper time to muse on such trivial things. She wondered if the dwarvish one realized that her Queen dwelled far away-and wondered to, if he and the samurai expected to accompany the two elf-riders and the message,and if they would be allowed to.. That, the elf decided, was for her superiors at the kyuden to deal with, not her.

With that,she turned her attention to the ogre, whose name was apparentally Nichtmar, and hoped that-whatever else happened-the messengers were able to reach Elestirne and convince her to come.. The ogre was apparentally someone important to this land,and, if she remembered right,a friend of the Queen's as well. Besides, Elestirne might be needed for more for just healing this Nichtmar, the elf added to herself. Her Queen was one of the only ones she knew of that had combated dark magic and lived,and dark magic was rising in this land. One way or the other,Elestirne was needed here. The elf could only hope the Queen arrived in time.

[ziglerrobertson]

Zigler and Storm had traveled halfway to the Kyuden when the moon began to fall, along with the temperature, sharply. despite the urgency of their mission they both did not want to test the dangers of the Great Wood, especially at night and with the recent reports of strange, undead creatures roaming the Forest's Southern reaches. The two had lite a warm fire, and settled in for the cold night when all of a sudden Storm's slumber was pierced by a roar, as if a dragon had decided to tear apart the fabric that held the Land together.

Grabbing and unsheathing his sword quietly he remained ensconced in his furs as the creatures noise abated. Relaxing his grip, thinking the beast had missed both him and Uncle Ziggy the young samurai begins to drop off to sleep again.

Again the noise pierces the night and Storm leaps out from under his sleeping furs, ready for the attack. Looking around in the dim light of the fire, Storm searches for the creatures form amongst the shadows of the night. The creature makes its presence known, yet again, it's noise coming from across the fire where Zigler is sleeping. Storm gallantly leaps over the fire and comes to his friends defense, landing on the far side of the fire, back to Zigler's still form.

"Snoooooooooooooorrrrruuuuugggggghhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!"

The sound came from behind him, the samurai quickly turns. His blade slashing out at knee level only to discover Zigler's wide open mouth as the horrible sound abates yet again. Unsure of himself Storm stands next to Zigler's still sleeping, and snoring, form.

....................

Zigler awoke early the next morning, well rested and ready to get to the Kyuden. After packing up both his gear, and Storms the dwarf toes his companion in the side.

"HEY! Laddie, 'tis time we be on our way. Be getting up or you'll find more than a cold breeze upon yer face!" Zigler laughs as Storm struggles to awaken. After a few more hours of traveling the two approach the town surrounding the Kyuden and are soon approaching the very gates of Tatsumura's home.

[Lady Elestirne]

An elven scout's keen eyes had picked out Zigler and Storm long before they ever came in sight of the town around the kyuden, and he had sent a friendly hawk ahead with the news, while he continud to shadow the pair;keeping to the trees while he could. When he no longer could do so,the elf retrieved his horse and followed the pair cautiously at a safe distance. The young samurai he recognized:he was a friend of the Queen's and had stood and fought with her and her elves when she had defended and helped save the kyuden from the Jovian attack. His returning to the kyuden was no strange thing. But this other, this dwarven one, the scout had never seen him before.

Unbeknownst to either of them, he had crept close when they had settled down to snatch some brief rest in the middle of the night,halfway to the Kyuden. The samurai might have sensed him, but the scout felt he had been too unnerved by his companion's thunderous snores to notice. When they had drawn within sight of the town, the elf withdrew and went back to his post.

As the two passed the gates of Tatsumura's home they noticed that, despite the early hour, many were already awake and moving about-several of those elves who watched them enter with curiousity and wariness. One elf, a tall male with gold flecked blue eyes, moved forward to intercept them. There was a large hawk on his arm and, in the moment before he had noticed them it had looked as though he had been talking or listening to the bird. The hawk looked at the pair and screeched, but the elf stoked its breast,murmuring something,and it calmed. After a moment,he lifted his arm and it took wing;swiftly climbing into the sky. The elf watched it go, then turned his keen gaze on Storm and Zigler. "Fair dawn to you, Storm, otorno-e-ris, " he said carefully in the common tongue, though with an distinct accent as he strived for the correct pronounciation. "We had advance word of your approach and the looks on your faces suggest something is wrong. Might we learn of it or should one get Tatsumura?" His voice was polite as could be, but there was the faintest hesitance to it, as though he were unnused to-or uncomfortable-in asking questions. His gaze, like the rest of his kind was wary, but there was curiousity-and possibly worry-in his eyes.

[ziglerrobertson]

Storm began to reply, "Yes, perhaps we should have someone fetch..."

"Aki me boy-o, why don' I just go find Tat and tell him meself." the dwarf interrupted, "That way ye can be tellin' this string bean whats happin' and get things runnin' along as well. Make sure ta be askin' fer the fastest riders." With that Zigler quickly ducks into the Kyuden in order to find Tatsumura and inform him of Nichtmar's illness and of the duo's mission here.

On his way to the top room Zigler spies two riders leaving the grounds at high speed. The Bard smiles to himself as he continues up the stairs.

"I HATE these god danged things!"

[Kotaro]

"Then perhaps you should use them more often," came a voice from the top of the stairs, a pleasant tenor. Kotaro stood in his usual garb, sans kataginu. "Good to see you, Zigler-san. I assume you are looking for Tatsumura-dono. He is in his chambers, likely practicing his calligraphy. I'll take you there, if you like."

[ziglerrobertson]

"Hehehe," the dwarf chuckles, "Verra well old friend, lets be abo't it." With that the two continue to climb the stairs to the top of the Kyuden. both telling each other stories of whats happened since last they met on one dark night. Zigler also tells Kotaro of Nichtmar's illness and his and Storms mission here. After many minutes the two reach the door to Tatsumura's room and Zigler reaches out his hand to knock on the wooden frame.

[Lady Elestirne]

Dark deams plagued the elf's sleep. Visions of death, darkness, and plague flitted through her consciousness, all tinted with the same nagging undercurrent of impending danger and need for help. She saw darkness and evil snaking into a land at peace; roiling as invisibly across it as the magic threaded throughout it and the mists that guarded it. Silent and invisible,the threat would be sensed but not defended against, and would continue to sprad inexorably until it overwhelmed the entire land. The darkness had a familiar taint-familiar, yet strange nd alien too, like something once remembered or met but changed in some way since the meeting. And there were messenger; racing both wind and time to reach help and hope...

Elestirne jolted awake with a start. Silver eyes snapped open and the elven queen sat up. Leaving the bed, she went to her balcony and stepped out. Cold air swirled around her, lifting her hair and carrying an icy tint in its breath. Winter was on its way.. She took a deep breath, the fresh air clearing her mind. Memories came back to her as she stood there.

Nigh a year ago, close to this time, she had helped to save Mittelmarch and the kyuden from a great danger and enemy. The kyuden she had succeeded in defending and saving, but Mittelmach had fallen. She had wanted to stay and help her friends take the city back, but,because of the wounds she had sustained and the fact she had done more than expected of her by defending and saving the kyuden she had-at the insistence of Storm and her other friends-reluctantly returned to Artanor and safety. She had not gone though, without first extracting a promise that-should she be needed-she would be called for. In the time since then, she had heard news, but only scattered bits: Mittelmarch had been retaken,there was war on the Jovians, the Jovians had been defeated..there was trouble in Kanthea,and other things. It was as though she was delibereately being kept in the dark, something she did not care for at all.. Added to that, there were these feelings of anxiety and strange dreams that had been bothering her over this last month or so.. And now this night's dream, which had had a tint of foresight to it...

Something was amiss somewhere. Something was not right... Elestirne felt it acutely. It had felt like this before,when the Jovians had threatened Mittelmarch. Something was wrong. She was needed..

The elven-queen lifted her gaze to the sky. The inky darkness was lightening to pearly grey, threaded with ribbons of rose and gold. Dawn wa approaching. Birds were starting to sing. But, despite the peacefullness of the moment Elestirne felt only mounting unease. There was something more than winter's breath in the air. There was an..expectancy, a tension. Something was going to happen..

Returning to the room she dressed; the feeling of unease still prickling insistently at the back of her mind. As she finished and stepped out into the corridor, she noticed the utter silence , unusual even for the empty royal floor.. Olore, do you notice anything?, she sent; knowing that the stallion's senses were infinetely keener than her's, physical and spiritual both. His answer came back swiftly.

It is quiet, perhaps unusually so, but there is nothing amiss in your realm. Something is amiss though...somewhere. There are strange things on the wind Elestirne. Urgency, tension...and need. Something is coming. You best prepare.

A thoughtful frown creased Elestirne's brow as she swiftly made her way down to the main floor. Olore was there; waiting for her at the foot of the staircase. The silver stallion greeted her with a nuzzle and soft nicker, and as one they began to make their way to the Hall of Light. There were a few elves awake and wandering the corridors and these nodded and bowed to the Queen as she passed with her eldritch compainion, but did not speak to her-noting her troubled look. The word that the Queen was troubled though, spread like wildfire throughout the Palace;soon rippling into the city itself.

Authnor met Elestirne and Olore at the entrance to the Hall; already garbed in Court robes, but with his sword at his side like always. His expression though, betrayed that he too, had spent a restless night. He too, noted the look on his Queen's face but when he asked what was wrong he recieved only a faint shake of the head and the words: "Something is coming...and I am needed." Troubled by the cryptic answer, but knowing his queen's powers of foresight and intuition-and knowing better than to question them-he sent a messenger dove to the pass; asking them in turn to send a message to the scouts and patrols and have them be alert for anything unusual...

[Lady Elestirne]

After only a few hours a messenger came into the palace, made his way to the Hall of Light, and spilled into a bow and bended knee before Elestirne and Authnor. The Queen-after sharing a glance-with the Knight-Commander-bade him rise and speak. His news came out in a rush. Riders had come to the borders in the night and passed into her lands. Scouts had seen them and sent word by hawk ahead to the second outpost, who had sent this scout with all speed through the pass to Silvermind. The riders, he reports, seemed to know their way and were making for the pass with all speed;pushing their horses hard. They were elves, and they wore Artanor's colors. If they kept to their current pace, they should reach the city by around sun's height. At this, Authnor and Elestirne traded another glance, then Elestirne kindly dismissed the exhausted scout and bade him to get rest.

As they waited, Elestirne's mind was beset with questions. The scout had said that the riders wore Artanor's symbol and colors.. But she had not dispatched any riders, anywhere, and by that logic, none should be returning. All of her elves were present and accounted for. Except-and her brow furrowed slightly at this-the remainder of the force she had taken when she had gone to aid Mittemarch against the Jovian threat. Some-archers and scouts mostly, with some healers-she had left with Tatsumura in case the Jovians had decided to threaten the kyuden again. These two then, who were trying reach her with such speed,must be part of that contingent-sent back to her and home.. But why..? Her thoughts turned back to her dream, and what she had seen and felt... Could it be that Mittelmarch needed her yet again...? Were they under attack again, or was one of her friends in need? Unable to answer these questions, Elestirne reluctantly settled herself on her throne in the Hall of Light and waited.

The sun was just passing its zenith when a sudden commotion and bustle of activity showed that the riders had passed through the city gates and were on swift route to the Moonstone Palace. A few minutes later, a tattoo of hoofbeats announced their arrival, and Elestirne could imagine them galloping up and throwing themselves off their weary, sweating mounts. She winced in sympathy for the animals, and hoped the message was worth the urgency.. Moments later the pair were entering the Hall. Weariness was plain on their faces, and their clothing was stained and bedraggled, as though they had not even paused to sleep... Worry furrowed the elven queen's brow now, as the pair bowed deeply and knelt while giving her the ritual gesture of greeting. She bade them rise and speak; at the same time ordering for refreshment to be brought to them.

Their message came out swiftly. One approached and solemnly handed her a rolled scroll,with a token she recognized instantly. The handwriting on the scroll too, as she opened it, was also instantly familiar, and she read swiftly; her dread growing even as her feelings of intuition and anxiety were confirmed. The scroll and token were from Storm. Mittelmarch was not under attack-or had not been when the knight-turned-samurai had penned the message-but there were reports of undead rising, and Nichtmar had been attacked and poisoned by something of undead nature. Even now, he lay dying and one of Mittelmarch's healers had estimated he had no more than a week to live. It seemed they had no one with the skill or ability to heal him/deal with such dark and evil magic. The only name to come up with the hope/chance of healing him had been...hers. Storm bade-almost pleaded-for her to come to Mittelmarch with all speed to heal and save Nichtmar. As she finished reading , one of the messengers began to speak, but she waved him to silence-before even Authnor could tell him to hold his tongue.

"You need not say anything. Go and rest, as you well deserve. Your part in this is over and you did exceedingly well to reach me so swiftly-and you are lucky the mists were kind to you. You two will stay here,and I will answer my sworn-brother's plea for help and set out immediently." Catching-and stopping-Authnor's expected protest before it even left his lips, she spoke again. "And nothing from you either dear friend. We do not have the time to waste and besides, you need not worry, for you are coming with me. And yea, an escort also if you insist. But be swift. We leave as soon as you and they are ready. Every second lost hastens my friend's demise and, if I am really his only hope and chance then I will brook nothing delaying me from reaching him. Either you are ready when I am or you are left behind. See to it Authnor."

Authnor blinked-startled-then snapped a brisk, brief, salute and deep bow. "At once my Queen!" Shooing the messengers out before him,the Knight-Commander immediently set to his task; calling for his horse, armour and pack to be readied, while swiftly gathering handpicked elves into a double escort(24 instead of the usual 12) and making sure they had what they needed and would be mounted by the time he was ready. Forty-five minutes later, they set out;Olore setting the swiftest pace the elf-horses could keep.

Just over two days later, they had reached the place the two messengers had told Elestirne the mists had released them at-just over a day from her borderlands. The mists had been very kind to release the messengers so close, Elestirne realized with no small amount of surprise-and profound gratitude. The last time, it had taken over a week of traveling before the mists had taken them. Perhaps the urgency of the message had had an effect...she mused. She hoped te mists would be as kind this time as well. Sensing something at the same time that Olore flared his nostrils and snorted, she raised her hand. The elves drew to a halt;milling uneasily behind her. As she had hoped, a mist began to form ahead of the party and she gestured them forward. The mist swallowed them,thickening until they could not see anything.

When it cleared, the elves found themselves in a thick forest, with mist drifting around them. After making sure that everyone was accounted for, Elestirne urged them back into their swift pace-but relenting a little by settling for a swiift, ground-eating canter instead of a gallop. As they broke from the woods, they realized it was full night. There was no moon,and the night was cloudy. Ahead some distance, they could make out something that may be a city or settlement, but it was some hours away if it was the city. As the elves made for it, a few snorts of warning and faint glows limning their weapons alerted them to danger. Elestirne tensed and threw her hand up at the same instant that Olore's nostrils flared. The elves halted and smoothly drew together in an inpenetratable, outward-facing ring as they waited for the threat to reveal itself...

As they waited tersely-niether they nor their horses stirring a muscle-the elves' keen eyesight picked out movement, and shapes coming towards them. That same keen eyesight-and exceedingly sharp hearing-allowed them to identify the attackers as orcs,a party over twice their number. Grimly, the elven escort lowered their spears into position, while four of them take up their bows. Howling, the orcs slam into them, but the elves hold their ring and several of the beasts are skewered on the spears, others falling to the arrows of the four archers. Those orcs unlucky enough to be wounded and inside the reach of the spears, were trampled by the hooves of the disciplined war-horses;whose angry neighs split the calm night,mingled with the screams of the orcs and the calm,clear commands of Elestirne not to break rank;echoed by Authnor. After another attempt, during which over half of them were slain outright, the orcs turned to flee. Once again the elves lifted bows and a few more of the orcs fell from the warning shots-for none broke rank to pursue.

Demoralized, the handful left fled,gibbering in terror. Once they were sure the orcs wouldn't return, Elestirne ordered her force to look themselves over. Aside from scratches and bruises,a few minor wounds, they were utterly unscathed. Relieved, she ordered the lanterns recovered and the formation broke. But, as they prepared to launch back into their canter, Olore snorted. We have drawn attention, he noted to Elestirne, who repeated it to Authnor in an undertone and whom in turn spread it to the escort. Someone is coming. Possibly two someones. The elves drew themselves up;poised to ride, but ready to face this possible new threat. One of the warriors murmured something to his companion,and was silenced sharply by Authnor. Once the footsteps could be heard,and it was seen that the approaching figure was man-shaped,and had a lantern and was therefore likely human, Authnor-at a nod from Elestirne-called a challenge. Realizing he had called out in elven, Authnor reissued the challenge, in common. "We see you. Who goes and are you friend or foe?"

[Tsukasa]

Tsukasa was about an hour into the woods when it got to dark for him to continue. He allowed his mind to wonder a bit as he prepared to make camp. He thought about earlier in the day, when he heard rumors about the bandit leader heading north through the woods. He also heard rumors about the dead rising and how Nichtmar has fallen ill to some strange disease. Deep down inside himself, he felt that the dead rising and Nichtmar’s illness where somehow connected, but he didn’t know how. So, he decide to follow the lead on the bandit leader.

While setting up camp, Tsukasa heard a strange inhuman cry of some strange beast and then the musical commands of a unknown source. He also heard the neighs of horses. So, Tsukasa decided that someone might be of need and went toward the sound. While he was on his way he saw three orcs running toward him. The orcs stopped and looked at Tsukasa. He set down his lantern and placed his hands on both his katana and wakizashi. The first orc attacked with a crudely made sword. He took a wide swipe with it and Tsukasa was able to dodge it and run the orc through the stomach with his katana. Sensing another attack coming from behind, he turned and caught the next orc with his wakizashi across the throat. He then took a defensive stance and waited for the final orc to attack. The orc decided to attack. He attack with a straight down, two handed chop motion. Tsukasa side step the orc’s attack, and ran his wakizashi through the side of the orc and then took the orcs head off with his katana. He sheathes his swords and pick his lantern back up. Then Tsukasa continues.

As Tsukasa continued forward, he heard someone call out in a strange but musical tongue. He stopped. He could tell by the tone, that whoever it was, thought he could be a threat. Then he heard the voice again, but this time a language he could understand. He asked who he was. Tsukasa stepped forward. As he stepped forward he notice that there is a strange sliver glow up head. He continues toward the glow very cautiously . He kept his hand near his katana and took very slow steps . He noticed orcs bodies all over the ground. Some appeared to be run through with what he concluded to be a yari or spear, and some had arrows sticking out of them. He continue to move forward though. As he does so, in a clear loud voice he speaks out. “Greetings. I’m Tsukasa, and I come from Mittelmarch. I was on the trail of a bandit when I heard the sounds of battle. I came to offer my aid. I mean you no hostilities.”

[Lady Elestirne]

At hearing the stranger's voice-the tone of it proving to the sharp-eared elves that he was mortal-a few of them began to murmur amongst themselves in their own tongue. Authnor silenced them sharply, then answered the mortal, again in common.

"We are no bandits stranger, and as you see, there is no need for aid. The foul beasts are not likely to return. And if they do, the worse for them." Seeing that the mortal was inching closer,carefully;unable to see them, but trying to get close enough to,the older elf glanced to Elestirne. She indicated to let him approach, then stop him. He was probally drawn by the faint luminence of Olore-which might be the only thing he could see, Authnor realized;remembering that mortals had poor night vision. When he had come within about twenty feet(close enough to make out the vague,overall shapes of the elves and their horses), Authnor-at Elestirne's nod-spoke again. "Hold. Come no nearer stranger." His voice was a tinge sharper than he wanted, but it carried the desired warning. "You say you are of Mittelmarch. We ride for the city. If you are friend to those of good, you will not hinder us, as these orcs tried to."

Olore shook out his mane-the action,to Tsukasa's night vision, little more than shimmer of silver on one of the horse-shapes. His words only Elestirne and Authnor heard. Those were no normal orcs, but ones driven mad by undead taint. As Storm's message said, there is more amiss here than Nichtmar's illness. The dead are stirring, and their taint is spreading. This I can sense, and so can Elestirne. There is something else amiss here too and it has a whiff of demon and dark magic, yet disturbingly famliar. The silver stallion stamped,with a snort, and Elestirne patted his neck. We should hasten on to the city and Nichtmar, not linger out here, conversing with curious, chance-met mortals.

[Tsukasa]

As Tsukasa continued forward, he removed his hand from his katana. He didn't want to appear hostile toward them. He stopped when the one that has been talking to him ordered him to stop. He was curious about what he was seeing, but didn't want to offend those who were show trust in him. The horse was the one that made him the most curious of all of them. It appeared to him, that the horse's mane was made of shimmers of silver. The horse and these people are nothing like the other races he has encountered during his short time in Mittelmarch.

"I wish not delay you any longer, but are you going to Mittelmarch to help the one named Nichtmar? He has fallen ill to some strange disease, Also the dead is rising all around. I don't know how but I think those two are connected."

[Lady Elestirne]

Some of the tension in the air eased perceptibly, as the elves noted the mortal taking his hand from the hilt of his weapon. They did likewise, watching warily as he continued to inch nearer,until Authnor curtly ordered him to stop. The man stopped about twenty feet away, the limit of his sight. He could see them now, but vaguely only, and they probally only appeared as vague,indistinct shapes. They could see he was curious and puzzled, and guessed accurately that he must never have seen elves before. His words-confirming what Olore had said to Elestirne and Authnor only a moment earlier-caused surprise to the rest of the escort and a brief murmur of surprise and consternation broke out among them, until silenced by both Authnor's curt look and Elestirne's raised hand. Authnor started to reply to the strange mortal, but Elestirne's raised hand silenced him too.

Without her prompting Olore moved forward deliberately, Authnor right behind her;until they were near enough to the edge of the lanterns light that Tsukasa could see them distinctly;noting both the fine,proud stallions-one a silver, the other blood-bay-and their riders' slender frames and piercingly bright eyes, though their ears were covered by their hoods. Their angled features were somewhat cast in shadow,but the fairness of their faces could still be seen. Elestirne's midnight hair gave back glimmers of silver as the faint lamp-light hit it. Olore's coat shimmered silver as well,his mane and tail silver-white,and he seemed to have a soft silver glow clinging to his form. His deep,starry blue eyes glowed too, and showed a startling intelligence, depth,and knowing as they settled on Tsukasa.

Elestirne noted instantly that this..'Tsukasa' was dressed startingly like her friends of the Shogunate. She debated about asking, but knew it was not the time for such questions. Besides, his words merited answering. Her voice was cool,clear and calm as she spoke,beautiful and musical-but her silver eyes were intense and piercing.

"Yes, the dead are rising. These orcs were touched by the taint and maddened by it. It is troubling. We know too,of Nichtmar's plight and yes, we-I-ride to aid him. Possibly the two events are connected, but it is not certain. I do know that,whenever trouble comes to Mittelmarch, I seem to be called to help...and I was called this time at the behest of a friend,to heal Nichtmar if it can be done." Elestirne's voice was thoughtful, but betrayed just a faint hint of worry as well. Her gaze flickered briefly in the direction of the city. "If the message I recieved was right, he has little time left, and thus no time for delay. And if my intuition is right...Mittelmarch is in danger."

[Tsukasa]

Tsukasa noticed the otherworldly beauty of the young lady's face and her steed. Looking at her, Tsukasa notice a beautiful crown of silver with a other precious stone set in the center and diamonds set through out the rest of the crown. Tsukasa looked into the eyes of her steed and noticed how her steed seems to possess an intelligence that is greater then a normal steed.

What are the strange and beautiful people. I do not believe they are from anywhere near Mittelmarch. Where did they come from Tsukasa didn't dare ask what was going through his mind though. He didn't dare delay them too much longer.

As she spoke to Tsukasa, her voice seemed to relax him and put him at ease, but her message had him worried. After she finished speaking to him, Tsukasa meditated on her words for a few minutes.

"With all due respect, if Mittelmarch is in danger, I wish to help you defend her. I may have only recently been brought here by the mist's magic, but I consider Mittelmarch my home, and it is my duty to protect her and all of her citizens."

[Lady Elestirne]

What might have been a faint smile touched the edges of Elestirne's lips, but it was hard to tell-for it was there and gone in an instant.. Her beautifully melodic voice held a faint tint of grimness.

"Many things there are unseen and unknown in this world, which are only seen or sensed by those whom know what to look for..or whom are sensitive to them.. Not a few of them are dangerous, but such things cannot always be defended against-especially if one does not know what they are defending against. If you want to help defend Mittelmarch, knowledge of what threatens it is crucial,and your first step." Olore pawed the ground, blowing out his breath. Catching his leader's anxiety,Mornaur tossed his mane with a snort. Authnor steadied the blood-bay with a pat and Elestirne, understanding Olore's silent message,spoke to the mortal in a slightly firmer tone.

"But this is not the time nor place for a casual conversation. We can afford no delay on our errand. Already,we have been slowed. A life could well depend on our reaching the city in time,and if I truly am the only hope to heal Nichtmar-as I was given to understand-then I will delay not at all in getting to him and doing what I can. We thank you for the aid you wanted to give. Though it was not needed,the thought is no less appreciated." Olore stamped, nostrils flaring and intelligent,depthless eyes remaining fixed on Tsukasa as he tossed his mane.

[Cathán Neamhnaofa]

As Zigler opens the door to Tatsumura's chamber. He sees Tatsumura huddled over a table studying what looks to be maps. Before he enters Cathán appears in front of him. With a slight grin, Cathán grabs Zigler and vanishes them away from the Kyuden.

When they reappear in the Land, Cathán and Zigler are standing at the foot of the Iron Mountains. The wind slightly blows loose snow from the trees.

Not waiting for Zigler to start asking questions "Over the past year you and I have come much closer and by what I've seen, you are on the path I am for killing. Do you want more power and more freedom in killing whoever and whenever you want?"

[ziglerrobertson]

Zigler quickly recovers from the shock and his face breaks into a psychotic grin that all to many former Jovian's could attest to seeing. "I likes the way ye thinks laddie, what do ye need me to be doin'"

[Cathán Neamhnaofa]

Seeing that all to familiar grin, Cathán continued, "I didn't think you would object to this idea. I have had an idea for a while to bring back The Brotherhood of the Crimson Fang, my old unit, but this time it will consist of demons. I can give you what you want but at some cost. You will have to agree to being a host body for a demon." Cathán's eyes start glowing brighter red with the excitement growing and seeing his plans slowly being accomplished.