Seed of Light

[Tsukasa]

Tsukasa closed the rest of the distanced between him and Authnor so that they were only a few feet apart. He then bowed to Authnor.

"Greetings Authnor-sama. I woke up in one of the rooms upstairs this morning, but I have no memory of how I got there. I remember speaking to Lady Elestirne-dono, Nichtmar-san and yourself after dealing with the stranger and the undead bandits. I remember the battle between me and the stranger. I remember how I got the injury. I also remember that I was going to get a room for the night her at the inn, but I do not remember ever paying for the room. Do you know what happen?"

Tsukasa gave a quick scan of the group of elves again.

"I see that Lady Elestirne-dono isn't here with you. Is everything well with her?"

Tsukasa waited for Authnor's answer. He winced as a dull pain traveled up his right arm.

[Lady Elestirne]

The tall elf inclined his head in response to the bow,but was silent a few moments as he deliberated how best to answer. At last he decided the straight-forward approach was best and said, almost gently. "You collapsed. Shortly after you returned here. My lady was the first to you and determined that there was poison on the blade that had marked you. A flesh-eating one, if I recall her words correctly. I saw only that the wound was black and rotting, but I know she said it had to be seen to,or it would spread."

Authnor's eyes glinted again,faintly. "She is the one that healed you and drew the poison from the wound. She let a 'traditional' healer clean and bandage the cut when she was done though, for the effort to cleanse you of the poison taxed her remaining strength sorely. You have her to thank for your life. I do not wish to contemplate what might have happened had the poison been allowed to spread."

The elf chose his next words with care,his emerald eyes hardening and glinting with something that was either displeasure or unhappiness. It might have been both,and showed faintly in his voice as well. "My Lady Elestirne I forced to rest after she saw to you,for she was very weary and near the limit of her stength and I did not wish for her to exhaust herself utterly. She had done a great deal last night,for this land,and its people,and I do not believe it has been appreciated. If she has not come down she is either still resting,or deep in meditation. I left Honored Olore to watch over her, so she is well-protected,but it does trouble me if she is not yet awake."

Authnor's keen eyes noted Tsukasa's wince and flicker of pain, and he added. "If you still are pained, perhaps my lady will deign to finish healing the wound. But she has done a great deal already and I would not press her. Not unless she feels gracious enough to."

[Tsukasa]

Tsukasa thought on Authnor words for a bit. He was taken back a bit at the news that Lady Elestirne healed him at the cost of her own energy. He would love for the wound to be fulled healed, but he also know it would be selfish to ask for that. A look of concern entered Tsukasa's eyes. He took a deep breath.

"Authnor-sama, I am truly grateful for what Lady Elestirne-dono did for me. If not for her, I would not still be part of this world. The pain in my arm is minor and it will heal naturally. I wish not to tax her strength any more then I have all done."

Tsukasa took a moment to debate with himself to tell Authnor about what was bothering him or not. He wasn't sure if Authnor would be able to help him or even be willing to help him, but he decided to trust the elf.

"Authnor-sama, I have something else that has been troubling me. What do you know about dreams and their meanings?"

[Lady Elestirne]

Authnor's lips thinned,but his eyes widened just a little. As before, he was silent a few moments before speaking. "You are considerate. That is good. And you are grateful and recognize the import of what she has done for you when already so weary. That is better, to my mind. It is..good to find someone properly grateful for what she has done. Rare it is to find someone who-though they may be grateful of what has been done-does not either ask for/expect more,and whom also understands the full import of the act, not just the act itself. To my thinking,too many mortals are never properly grateful when they are helped,and seem to think it more their due,rather than the gift it truly is.."

Briefly Authnor's eyes flashed. "I have seen it before, where my lady was not fully appreciated,and, for all that she has done yesterday and the night of our arrival, it seemed as though that was true once more. It is not so with you at least I see."

The elf paused now, his eyes darkening as his forehead creased into a small frown. He answered slowly. "My race believes that there are messages all around us. Some we see, and some we do not. There are the dreams of sleep...and there are...other dreams...the ones that mean something. My people believe that these should never be ignored-no matter how strange-for there is nearly alway a message or meaning to be had in them. I am told such dreams are often cryptic and symbolic."

The elf-knight shook his head faintly,almost regretfully. "I am a warrior, not a seer or mystic. It is not for me to wander the twisting paths of dreams and portents and decode the messages and meanings hidden therein. My concern is the real, waking world..not the intangible dreamworld where few things are what they seem.. If it is a dream that troubles you I can try to help you, but my lady Elestirne would be the better one to turn to for counsel in such a matter. Not for naught is one of her names 'Dreamseeker' among us. She sees much that is hidden or veiled,and understands it. Perhaps she can aid you in unraveling the tangled threads of dreams,and find meaning in them. " Authnor's eyes flared momentarily with emerald fire again. "But I shan't allow you to disturb my queen from her rest-if resting she still is-to question on a dream. Unless it is so important that it cannot be delayed."

[Tsukasa]

Tsukasa mediated for a moment. He felt like his dream was something the was urgent, but he also wish not to disturb Lady Elestirne's rest.

"Authnor-sama, the meaning behind my dream is something I wish to know. It has been troubling me since I awoke this morning. I do not desire their meaning more then I desire for Lady Elestirne-dono to rest. I have a request though. I wish to speak with Lady Elestirne-dono when she is ready to entertain guest."

Tsukasa stood there for a brief moment. He was curious about the elves, and was planning on talking to Lady Elestirne about them. Maybe Authnor would be able to tell him a few things about his race.

"Authnor-sama, I wish to know more about your race. Would you be willing to answer a few questions I have?"

[Lady Elestirne]

Authnor blinked in surprise,startled by this strange mortal and the even stranger depths of consideration ands courtesy he was displaying,but nodded faintly. Here was a man who thought for others before himslf. He had had observed something of the same trait in the queen's otorno,and in Kotaro and a few others he had met on his first visit here. In fact, most of those who were able to claim friendship to the queen-if not all-possessed that trait to some degree. The queen herself had it in abundance. She had shown that irrevocably by the way she had put herself in danger to save the Shogunate and help Mittelmarch.

Realizing he had let his thoughts drift,Authnor returned his attention to the conversation at hand. " Only my queen can say when-or if-she is ready to speak after resting,especially about things like the meanings of dreams."

Authnor paused a bit,choosing his next words with obvious care. "It depends what you would ask,and how,for there are some things we will never tell to the children of men . Like the dwarves,we will reveal some things about ourselves,but keep others secret,as they should be. Some things are not meant to be known,by either the children of men or us. I will tell you though,that we elves of Artanor I have noticed to be...different...from other elves I have seen here,and elsewhere.
Questions are tricky things with us. They sometimes can be considered blunt demands for knowledge rather than requests. I am more open-minded than most of my kind,but be careful of what you ask and how you ask it. Ask what you will but be prepared for the possibility that you might recieve no answer,or not the one you expected at least."

[Tsukasa]

Tsukasa sat for a while. He wanted to know as much as he could find out about these new allies. He decided to go with one of the most important ones.

"Thank you Authnor-sama for allowing me to ask you these questions. I see Lady Elestirne-dono and yourself as allies for whatever the future holds in reguards to the undead rising and wish that you will view me in the same light. Authnor-sama, I have seen how people here in Mittelmarch hold Lady Elestirne-dono in with respect and with honor. I have heard stories of how she has helped both Mittelmarch in the past. I would like to know what she did to help them. I have also notice that she is willing to put her own life at risk without wanting a reward. In that way she seems to share some of the values with that of the samurai. Is that a common thing among elves?"

Tsukasa had a thoughtful look in his eyes. He wanted to ask Authnor about Lady Elestirne's healing ability, but thought it might be easier for him to talk to her directly when she was ready to talk to people once again.

[Giggles "Adguin"]

"Forgive me Telamon, but I sense a strong force coming towards my home. I must destroy it before he destroys me." Giggles had hoped that Telamon would buy that story for he was now off too kill the one thing left of his family.
He politly bowed and left in such a hurry as to show the urgency of the matter.

Arsehead, having his disguise restored with the 'death' of Charlie, Safely navigated the cemetery while getting Wulf to the Main house.
"Well since you now know what I am, I have to ask not only why you have returned so soon but also what you intended to do with your knowledge."
He awaited Wulf's reply

In Mittelmarch, the fountain remained black, it wasn't until the daylight hit it that it's true effect began. Being a creature created from black magic but having no will the black slime tried to reach for one of the eleven guards just to have them move away from it as it was beginning to form into a blob like shape. It moved with only the desire to be feed.

[Lady Elestirne]

Authnor gave Tsukasa a keen,piercing look. "None can tell truly or with certainty what paths the future shall unravel. Only time and your actions will say if I will hold you an ally. But if you are aught like that samurai whom I befriended my first time here,then you have very little chance of being seen as my enemy. My lady and Honored Olore both seem to trust you and their judgement is uncannily sound. But if its undead your blades are set against you can indeed count me an ally. We of elven-kind abhor the undead.

"As for how my queen has helped Mittelmarch,I will try to be a brief as possible, for the full tale of her deeds here would take some time to recount. My queen's first time here was perhaps...five or six years ago as mortals reckon time. She helped defend the land against a sorcerer and a demon. The sorcerer captured her to keep her from going for aid, but she managed to escape with the aid of Sir Nichtmar, her otorno Storm, Olore and others. She also saved three lives on that first visit-Storm's, a dwarf named Baethor's and one called Tatsumura,whom leads the Shoguntate not far from here. I was not with on that journey,and have never pressed her for details about what happened." Briefly,Authnor's face hardened,and his hands clenched into fists at his side,before they relaxed.

"Her last visit,a year ago around this time,I was with her. She saved the Shogunate-and all within it-from complete destruction by a terrible enemy of Mittelmarch's and managed to warn Mittelmarch as well,though she could not prevent that attack. She had another run-in with the same sorcerer that had captured her the first time also-though this encounter he tried to prevent her from aiding her friends and allies. What she has done for Mittelmarch and the Shogunate she does only and ever out of/for friendship and a desire to help, never for glory,riches or honor. It is for this,I think, that the people of this land esteem,respect and honor her so. I expect that regard is bound to increase once it becomes common knowledge that she has saved Nichtmar's life and prevented him from becoming/turning undead."

Authnor hesitated now-unease briefly plain on his angled face. "As to the last thing you ask child of man...Elestirne has proven herself time and time again to be an uncommonally selfless individual,and one of very noble and honorable character, despite-or mayhaps because of-the things she has suffered and seen,and the choices she has had to make... But it is not my place to speak of such. Only she has that right.

"But, to answer you, many elves would willingly risk their life for a friend I think-certainly family-and would be willing to help someone in trouble or need if they were of good... Some would not,and care only for themselves and their own. Such is true among humans as well,if perhaps to a greater extent... But my lady-queen Elestirne...she is different. Her first thought and concern is for others,and she would look to/care for them first before herself if it came to a choice. Because of the unique...nature," Authnor hesitated another time, this time more profoundly;a strange look on his face. "-of her healng ability she often can and does sense and feel another's pain,sometime's literally. That,and her great compassion, sensititivity and kindness/gentleness means that she cannot help but try to help someone if needed,and heal them if she can. I think sometimes that she would help/heal the world if she could. But since she cannot,she seems to make a point to heal/mend where she can, where it is needed,and to spread peace as well-whether she is appreciated or not for her efforts. Not many elves truly care for the other races to help and bleed for them as Elestirne has. She cares where others do not...perhaps as her way of balancing things. Or sometimes I must wonder if she cares precisely because others do not.." Authnor looked thoughtful.

"We, like the dwarves, prefer to keep to our own, and let you children of men-and the dwarves and other races as well-tend to yourselves and your troubles by yourselves. Unless those troubles directly involve or threaten us,we do not often intervene to help."

The elf-knight shook his head faintly. "It is not necesarily a good view on things, but it is a very common one among us longer-lived races on a whole. We will keep to ourselves,and not involve ourselves in mortal affairs or troubles, unless we feature in it somehow,or it is threatening us. Elestirne believes differently. She owes nothing to this land and it's inhabitants,nor is she bound to them in any way. By my reckoning, it is Mittelmarch and its people that owe her-more than they might ever realize or appreciate- yet she has never hesitated to help them if they need her, especially if the call/plea comes from her otorno,whom she counts a friend closer than any other. She is one whom is intensely loyal and devoted to those whom have the privilige of calling her friend,and I believe she holds that friendship almost as binding a bond as an actual oath of service or fealty." The elven-knight hesitated yet again,once more looking uneasy-whether from the topic in dicussion or the long speech in the common tongue it could not be seen. Likely both.

"I would almost say that she takes her friendship nigh as seriously as I take my oath to her. And I would die for my queen-without question or regret-if I had to. But,perhaps I have said too much. Yet,I did warn you." There was a faint glint of humour in the elf's emerald eyes. "Have you aught more to ask perhaps? I sense another question biting at your tongue,but hesitance as well,as though you are uneasy about asking it."

[Wulf]

Wulf took out his notebook and pen as he knelt to one knee, writing something down. After a few minutes, he hands the notebook over to the thing, and it reads:

I intend no harm on what i hav learned about you, nor any other of the people here, i only wish to ask your freind, the one who took me in for the night, if he could help us with a problem in the town nearby. I know he is an undead as well, and since the town seems to be getting raided with undead, i wish to know if he may know of a way to help out the town, or at least help me try to find out why there attacking the town.

[Giggles "Adguin"]

Arsehead read the letter. Though how he was able to as his head was shoved up his butt was beyond anyone's notion.

"Giles is on leave for now..... He won't let us know what he's doing, but Perhaps I can be of help...."

He thought long and hard about how to answer Wulf's question.

"Since you already know, all the people here are undead. From the babes in the cribs to the farmers in the fields. We are all restless souls. Lost from our home lands, our souls were cursed, wandering the void of the lands. That was when Giles took our restless souls and brought us back to the land of the living, to try and rest our weary souls in the bodies that we had. Unfortunately for me,....this was how I died so I can't look like I was before.

"While he did this in kindness The door he opened must have not been shut fully. Those who hold grudges against Mittelmarch must be possessing the recently departed. This is not good. If it is found out that we are here, we'll be blamed for this travesty! Please you must not let the knowledge of our existence here be known! Some here are so close to fulfilling what they need to pass on!

"As for how to stop them....unlike us they are not very strong, in a spiritual sense. Strong signs of faith will ward them away, and ancient chants while destroy the bond that holds them to the body. The only way they could hold on beyond that is if One who has strong magics is forcing the bound. Like our master with us."

Arsehead wabbled along as they spoke.

"With out our master to tell you more that is all I can offer, that and a quicker way home if you can hold your breath for about five minutes."
He awaited the note to come form Wulf.

[Tsukasa]

Lower level of Cedric's Inn....

Tsukasa was awed by what Authnor had told him about Lady Elestirne's aid when Mittelmarch and the Shogunate were attacked . A part of him was glad that she was able to help in the defense of the Shogunate and to help preserve the samurai tradition here in Mittelmarch. As he thought on what Authnor told him about Lady Elestirne's healing ability, a wave of sadness came over him. He hated to cause anyone pain. The sadness showed in his eyes.

"Authnor-Samoa, I am truly sorry for causing Lady Elestirne-dono pain."

Tsukasa thought for a moment.

"Authnor-sama, I do have other questions, but I think it would not be wise to ask them. I wish to wait for Lady Elestirne-dono to discuss my dream with her."

[Lady Elestirne]

Elestirne,after Authnor had left,lay down on the simple bed and closed her eyes. Sleep,after all that had happened,came swiftly. Rest did not. As before, in Artanor,she dreamed. Her awareness rippled out...searching...seeking. Disjointed images and thoughts drifted across her concsiousness.

Nichtmar had been healed yes,so all danger there was past. But...like she had told Storm, the ogre's plight had not been the only reason he had summoned her-urgent though it had been. Nichtmar was only a small part of it. There was something more...something graver. The undead were rising true...but this was bigger than even that... It was dark magic-Olore and her had both sensed it upon arriviving. There was something else about/to it though... What she and Olore had sense had felt undeniablyfamiliar-so familiar. And yet,there had been something utterly strange and alien about it too... That it was a threat though...there was no doubting that...

She saw the threads of darkness again. They twisted through the land as insidiously as ever,perhaps more so. And they remained as invisible as ever. And just as dangerous. To her, there seemed to be a few places in the land that were almost covered with the twisting threads of darkness-almost wholly tainted or taken. Both areas were unfamiliar to her, so she could not name them, but one-she noted with alarm-seemed to be relatively near to Mittelmarch...Too near for comfort. But..somehow she sensed that these two dark patches were not the origins of the threat-not the true danger to Mittelmarch-but branches of it... But if that was so...then where was the true threat,the true danger? Where did it lie? What-or who-was it? And why were they troubling Mittelmarch? Questions..questions without answers.. But not quite. The wrongness...the strange, yet oddly familiar taint of dark magic she had sensed upon arriving..there were touches of it in the patch nearest Mittelmarch...but it seemed to come from the mountains north of the city. And it was powerful...

In her sleep, Elestirne frowned. The mountains north of the city were where the sorcerer Telemachus had laired. As far as she knew,he was still alive,though his power had seemed..diminished in some way the last she had run-in with him. But surely..if he was behind this somehow Storm would have told her...and his letter had mentioned nothing of the sort. Telemachus was not a necromancer though..so he could not be raising the undead on his own. Unless...he was provoking someone to...and he was certainly cunning enough to do that. But it did not seem like his way of things...if he was causing trouble,he'd be more likely to do so directly rather than indirectly. And yet..he couldn't be underestimated. If he had truly lost his power,then he would certainly be desperate enough to cause trouble and chaos through someone else. But...-unease now flickered over the elf's sleeping face-would Storm not have told her if Telemachus was stirring things up? Not if he did not know... If it was Telemachus...he could be acting secretely,not letting his hand in things to be seen. A troubled look now touched the sleeping elf's features. Whatever-whoever-the danger was that threatened,it did not bode well...for the dark magic was powerful...

The land seemed to call to her. For help..for healing.. She was needed. Something dark, evil and powerful threatened the land, and the threat was largely unsensed and unknown. The undead were not the whole of it-something darker and more powerful was behind the troubles of Mittelmarch. And the inhabitants and citizens seemed to see only the obvious,and not think that there was something else behind it... The threads of darkness tightened on the land;relying on the people's ignorance and preoccupation with the current threat to move freely. It was taint that afflicted the land-dark magic and evil that threatened-and light would be called,as always to defend and combat it. She herself had struck the first blows...but surely...she was not meant to deal with the threat entirely by herself? Whatever it was that was the true threat to the land and her friends, surely it was too big for just one champion of light and goodness to combat and defeat... Yet,even as that thought crossed her consciousness she seemed to see herself as a radiant star facing an unknown-yet familiar-darkness/evil. A voice seemed to murmur to her: "Even a small star, by its light alone, can banish darkness. And you are radiant even among the stars,a champion of the light,for the forces of good-as you have proven time and again. Mittelmarch will look to you to help them realize and defeat this threat,and you will not be alone,for you have Olore,and you have a strength the darkness does not.."

Elestirne woke abruptly,and sat up in the bed. A quick glance out the window revealed it was morning...just past dawn. Rising, she settled herself on the floor and began to meditate,as was her custom. Olore was no longer in the room, but that did not trouble her. The silver stallion was never far,and would always come if she needed him. But,after an hour of meditation, the troubled unease that had plagued her during her dreaming was still with her,as was the odd images from it;predominently that of spreading darkness and a radiant star confronting/banishing the darkness. It had felt uncomfortably as though her dream had been telling her that only she could combat/deal with the darkness that threatened. And it had felt disturbingly familiar... Unsettled,Elestirne abandoned her meditation and opening her eyes,robed herself in a fresh dress of soft lavender-blue and went downstairs. A look of troubled unease lingered in her silver eyes and the set of her fair features.

Upon reaching the ground floor,it was only a moment's search before she located her elves and Authnor near the door. The samurai Tsukasa was with them,and appeared to be talking to Authnor. The elven-queen was pleased to see him up and awake-though not surprised to see him awake before her-and wondered if he remembered anything of her healing him. Then again...he had been very feverish. On silent steps,she crossed the room and approached. She halted perhaps a foot away and waited to noticed. Whatever they had been speaking of,it certainly seemed to have engaged Authnor's attention,for his face was thoughtful-and faintly relieved. Even puzzled.

Patiently,Elestirne waited;knowing that she might-to a keen observer-seem pale and a little weary still,even faintly troubled. She looked for Nichtmar as she waited,remembering that he had not answered her inqueries last night,and feeling that he,somehow, might have some answers or insight into what was going on.

[Tsukasa]

As Tsukasa and Authnor were talking, Tsukasa noticed Lady Elestirne had entered the lower level of the inn. He was surprised to see her. She seemed busy looking for someone, but also looked as if she had something troubling her. Tsukasa's eyes filled with sorrow. She has given so much of herself to the aid of Mittlemarch and to himself without expecting anything in return. He only wished for a way to help her with what was troubling her. Tsukasa and Authnor continue their discussion. As they finished, Tsukasa noticed that Lady Elestirne was only a few feet away now. He bowed to her.

"Greetings and good morning Lady Elestirne-dono. Authnor-sama told me what happen last night. If not for your actions, I would have past on from this world. I am truly grateful for you did. If I can aid you in any way, do not be afraid to ask."

Tsukasa paused in a moment of thought. He winced again as pain, that was a little sharper then the last, traveled up his arm. He took a deep breath and forced the pain away from his mind.

"Lady Elestirne-dono, I was told that you are the one of the people to seek when trying to interpret the meaning of dreams. It it is not too much to ask, I seek your aid in discovering what the meaning behind a dream I had last night.

[Lady Elestirne]

Tsukasa and Authnor noticed her in the same instant, but it was Tsukasa to speak and react first. She nodded slightly to aknowledge his bow-and Authnor's; weariness and unease still glimmering faintly in her eyes for those keen enough to observe it. Authnor did, and his brow furrowed in concern, but he said nothing.

Elestirne's own eyes darkened faintly at the samurai's words;the unease in them,and in her features deepening. She shook her head faintly at, what sounded to her to be an expression of gratitude for a life saved,and the feeling of that life now being owed. As ever, she was uncomfortable with such. "You do not need to thank me, nor should you feel that you owe me anything. You were injured and I had the ability and skill to help and prevent things from becoming worse. As a healer,I am drawn to help and heal. To not have done so would have been forsaking my calling and shunning my nature. Never would I do such a thing."

Her practiced eyes noticed Tsukasa's wince of pain and his efforts to ignore it, and her silver eyes darkened further in worry and concern. They darkened at his next words also.

"You are not the only one to have dreamed last night." Elestirne's beautifully lyrical voice sounded faintly tired and worried, and the weariness and unease glimmered faintly in her eyes and face again. "I too,dreamed last eve.. And if I gleaned its meaning right.." The unease visible on her face deepened. "then I am most troubled and disturbed. But to answer you, I will aid you,yes. If I might. Dreams such as you mean them do not give up their secrets easily-not even to one skilled in wandering the dream-path and divining the meanings hidden therein. But I will aid how I can. I too,seek answers,though mine may be harder to come by."

She glanced at Authnor briefly;realizing that Tsukasa must have come to him with questions once he had woken,and that the elven-knight had answered them as best as he could. And as politely to. The faint look of relief on the older elf's face told her much on how he had felt about the questioning. Clearly he had told the samurai who had healed him-though if he had let slip how she did not know-and had also told him that she was skilled at divining the meanings of dreams, being a seeress and somewhat of a mystic. Indeed,one of the names her people had given to her was that of 'Dreamseeker',for she knew and understood much that was veiled and hidden.

Her brow furrowed just slightly as she waited for Tsukasa to answer. She could tell that he was very troubled, likely by this dream of his, and in pain from the healing cut-but she also detected no small amount of awe and sorrow to him,odd emotions to be together,and strongly felt. She sensed too, that they were directed/felt towards her. What else had he asked? Or, rather, what else had Authnor told him? She frowned slightly,her unease deepening as she thought that over, as well as her dream and the answers she needed and feared somewhat to discover...

[Wulf]

After hearing all that he had to say, he quickly noded and started to jot down something in his notebook, then handed it to him again. It read:

Thank you for all th information, and i will keep this land a secret, as it does not harm anyone in the town. Now, this quicker route home, what path do i travel?

[Tsukasa]

Tsukasa eyes widen in surprised when Lady Elestirne mention that she had a dream last night too. He could see that she was uncomfortable and uneasy about something. He wonder what her dream was about. He pushed that to the back of his mind. He closed his eyes to focus on what he need to tell her.

"Lady Elestirne-dono, you may feel that I do not need to thank you, but I do. I also wish to help you as my way of showing gratitude and to show you the honor you deserve."

Tsukasa closed his eyes once again. He mediated on his next few words.

"My dream started off with me standing before a statue of myself made out of pure jade. It had a cut on the right arm just like I received from the stranger. The cut and the jade around it was turning into obsidian. I closed my eyes and then when I open once again I was in a desert. I saw a prince being chased by a black cloud. The prince called for help. I wasn't able to help him as the black cloud engulfed the prince. There was a bright light and then I found myself in a cemetery. I heard the prince call for help once more. Then I saw the leader of the bandits. I chased her through the woods, but then I feel into grassy field again. The statue was there again and there was a brook running beside it. I remember a sliverish blue glow and then a feeling of calm and my body being made whole again."

Tsukasa paused for a moment in thought. He took a few deep breathes.

"The next thing I remember in my dream is being in a desert again. The black cloud return and it stopped right in front of me. A winged tiger came and fought the black cloud. The fight ended a bright flash of light blinded me. After I regained my sight, the prince stood before me. He asked for help as the black cloud took the form of a skeleton behind him. I was helpless to do anything to stop it from attacking the prince. It taunted me by saying that the prince was one soul I couldn't save. That is when I woke up."

Tsukasa took a few more deep breathes. Telling Lady Elestirne about his dream made him feel uneasy once again.

[Giggles "Adguin"]

Arsehead read the note and "looked" at Wulf.
"Well the quickest route for mortals is the one you took to get here. The quickest route for us is below you." He said as taped his left boot on the ground.

"We are blessed with the ability to travel through the earth, as fish swim through water. It has helped us stay hidden when we travel the lands. We can't give this gift to the living however, but they can hitch a ride so to speak. When we travel through the earth we can take cargo of a reasonable size with us.

"The draw back obviously is that you won't be-able to breath for a few minutes. Movement to tell us you are in danger is impossible with the earth pressing on you, and we have no magics or knowledge on how to preserve or restore life. But It is the quickest way we have. I'm the fastest in it next to Giles so I can take you there in five minutes compared to twenty."

He handed the notebook back to Wulf awaiting his reply.





Meanwhile Giggles sat against a old oak tree. Looking at a piece of parchment. It was faded to a light brown and contained no writing or spells on it.

All that was on it was a crest of a winged Tiger. It the crest of the Family of Tigron, his family that he had slaughtered down to his distant cousins.

He cursed at him self for feeling remorse at his actions for he knew what was to blame for them, his human half trying to weaken him yet again.

He then thought of what might happen when he confronts his brother and all his spells were made worthless by his human self. That was when he decided to make a back up plan.

Putting the parchment away he stood before the elder oak that had been there for over four hundred years. He caressed it slightly and rubbed it as one would a long lost lover.
He then without hesitation stabbed his right arm all the way into the tree and started a dark chant.

The tree life force fought the lich and it put up a decent fight but the dark magic was stronger, more corrupt. the tree split upwards in a pentagram shape.

He removed his arm and stood before one of the cracks. The tree fell into it's five pieces away from the center and outwards.
In the center of the dead stump a serpentine blade stood with a skull at it's hilt.



Giggles took the blade and wielded it. He was at best an amateur. He flung it around as a child would a stick.

After he was done he dropped it towards the earth; blade first, and it went in as though the land was water.

This may prove useful as it is a simple sword that responds to my very will. Using the life force of the tree, all he made was a sword that could travel as he and his minions do.

[Sir Nichtmar]

Nichtmar awoke the next morning and met with guard. He let them know to keep an extra eye out for undead type things and to let him know immediately if anything strange occurs. He saw the collection of elves outside and headed to them quickly.

The ogre lifted a brow as he stepped upon Tsukasa talking about a dream.

A quick look to Tsukasa “Pardon,”

And then a bow to the Elvin queen.

“Your Majesty, good morning, I thank you very much for saving my life. I’ve arranged for your things to be moved to the Lord’s house. Rooms have been prepared for you and your guard. I’m not sure where Alore would like to stay? Just let myself or one of the guards know and it will be done.”

He took a breath. “To more important things though, did you uncover anything with the boy?”

[Lady Elestirne]

Elestirne had noticed Tsukasa’s eyes widening, and the surprise he tried to mask, but she pushed it from her mind, even though she wondered at it. If the reason for it was meant to be known, it would be revealed later.

She did shake her head again though, at his words. Faintly, but firmly. “No. I need no honor and do not ask for any to be given. Nor will I accept any gratitude for doing something that is as much my nature as breathing is. One might as well be grateful to a flower because it blooms and brings happiness in that blooming.”

Her keen gaze turned intently thoughtful as he began to describe his dream, though unease lingered on her face and in her eyes like a shadow. When he finished Elestirne, upon seeing how visibly uneasy he was-raised a hand to gently silence him. “Anyone would be troubled from such a dream as you described whether it was a nightmare or a dream of meaning. Some of this is easy to decipher. The statue was you, reflecting your current state of health. Why it was jade I do not know-that I sense, is something of meaning only to you-but the blackness was the poison spreading and eating away at the area around the wound. Later, when you saw the statue again, the feeling of being made whole that you describe was you being healed and the poison being purged from your body by me.” Elestirne paused a moment. “The silver-blue glow and the calm you felt were me. The water is also indicative of me perhaps. I had wondered if you would recall anything of the healing, but you were so feverish I thought it unlikely.

“The rest of the dream is not as simple. The desert…traditionally barreness…could also be isolation. The prince and the black cloud you mention-and the cry for help…danger and darkness. Someone needs help, possibly desperately, and since it was you they appeared to it could be someone you saw or know, or someone only you can help. The fact that you saw the danger and heard the cry, but were unable to help suggests that you are not meant to, or that the danger has already happened, is happening.” Elestirne shook her head faintly. “Possibly it is meant as a warning you are meant to tell others. Even I cannot be certain here. Dreams can hold many meanings and the obvious is seldom the true answer, or the answer you expect it to be.”

The elven-queen’s silver eyes darkened. “The bandit though, and the fact that you chased her… It is something unfinished from your past, from before you came here-a task or thing that you yearn to finish or complete. Very possibly something that you must finish, or something you will not let rest until it is finished and dealt with. The cemetery…and the fact that this black cloud of yours took the shape of a skeleton…it is unquestioningly death.” Elestirne wore a look of deep concentration and thoughtfulness. “I may be wrong, but it seems to me that what you have seen/dreamed…is a cry for help from a tormented soul. Possibly someone who once was good, but whose acts/deeds will-or already have-turn them to evil. Or, perhaps they are possessed by it and it is gaining a stronger hold, over the part of them that was/is good. Over time, the cry for help will grow weaker, and then fade altogether as the good left in the person ‘dies’, and there is only the evil left. The fact that you saw the person as a prince could be an insight into what they are or were.” Elestirne frowned faintly here. “The skeleton then, could indicate what they might-or have-become, with the evil that has touched and possibly possessed them…but that I cannot be sure of. It does seem fairly certain though that somewhere there is someone who needs help, if help can still be given. The winged tiger could possibly be a protector, or another clue to the identity of the prince. I am sorry.” Elestirne’s final words rang with genuine sincerity. “I can glean no more from what you have told me. Dreams are mysterious things and oft will keep secrets even from those that seek to decipher them.”

[Lady Elestirne]

ooc: Nichtmar, we're all still on the ground floor of Cedric's Inn yet. Tsukasa and I have only recently woken

As Nichtmar approached,Elestirne paused,her silver eyes flickering in a quick glance to the ogre. She nodded politely to him as he bowed to her after aknowledging Tsukasa, but sighed at his words.

"And fair dawn to you as well friend. But, please. You owe me no thanks or gratitude Nichtmar. As I have just explained to Tsukasa, I did nothing but follow my nature and, in your case, friendship. Poor friend, poorer ally would I have been if I had not responded to Storm's message and come to aid you. But a lucky thing it was that I did,or Mittelmarch would now be lacking one of its finest warriors and greatest heroes."

To his next words about hers and her escorts things being moved to the Lord's house, she betrayed a faint hint of surprise, the barest flicker. Authnor blinked-as surprised as she-but it seemed to her as though there was a flicker of triumph carefully hidden under the surprise.

"That...was not necesary friend," she said at last. "But I thank you for it anyway. I will accept the hospitality even though I feel it is an unneeded luxury. I would be just as comfortable on a hard floor as I would a soft bed. You need show me no special treatment because of who I am or what I have done for you." Elestirne shook her head, her long midnight hair shimmering with sparkles of silver, and sighed faintly. She seemed faintly, yet visibly uncomfortable with the thought. "But if it is already done and arranged,then let it be. As to Olore my friend...he will stay where he will. You know that well enough. But leave a stall open for him in the stables nearest the Lord's house. Rest assured that he will find me."

At his last words, Elestirne's lovely silver eyes clouded. "I thought I had explained all that I knew and learned last night Nichtmar. Were you not paying attention? Or perhaps you were still disoriented from the healing... The boy was possessed by an undead raven, forced to destroy himself by a more powerful undead because he had spoken to me and apparentally given too much away. My guess was that it is undead birds that somehow infect...possess a victim and turn them undead. You were very lucky to have only been scratched. The undead hinted I might find more answers-maybe even speak with the 'Master' they mentioned-if I come to the center of the Greatwoods alone. I am not certain of this, and Authnor and Tsukasa have already voiced the opinion that I should not, not alone at least." Her silver eyes lanced into the ogre. "I would know your thought. And I need to-must- know what has been happening in this land between the time I left last year and now. I can sense dark magic-familiar yet alien- and I have had unsettling dreams last night. Nichtmar please. If I am to help Mittelmarch,I must know what is going on. I have...suspicions, but I need answers to make sense of they and my dreams. Can you tell me anything?"

As she waited,her gaze flickering between Tsukasa and Nichtmar, she reflected back on her dream and the look of troubled unease became more pronounced in her silver eyes.

[Sir Nichtmar]

Nichtmar listened and his head was a bit foggy yesterday. He listened to her talk about meeting this foul being alone.


“Alone!? Milady that would be foolish. He knows you are powerful, because you can stop his taint. You are a threat. He’s luring you out to kill you or worse turn you. You must see that.”


He head circled around the thought of what he might know. “I believe it may have started with the incident at Ravenwood Cemetery.”

Nichtmar went on to explain how a priest and a small battalion went missing. There were rumors of the dead walking and something about a fountain that spewed black liquid. Mittelmarch didn’t have the men to risk an investigation. The Jovians were still a threat at the time.

“I suppose we could start there, but with snow starting to fall it would be a hard travel.”

[Wulf]

Wulf noded and quickly wrote back:

If you would aid my travel then much appretiation would be given, however im not sure if i couldhold my breath for the full 5 minutes... maybe if you could come up halfway there and allow me to gain my breath, then that would work, if you do not mind. What is the closest you can get me to town?

[Tsukasa]

In Cedric's Inn....

Tsukasa stood there in a moment of thought. Lady Elestirne's explanation of his dream troubled him. He felt that it was his duty to help and protect everyone in Mittelmarch to the best of his abilities, and the thought of not being able to help one person made him feel weak. Then there was the healing that that Lady Elestirne performed. It made Tsukasa very curious.

"Lady Elestirne-dono, I wish to thank you for taking the time to listen to my dream and to help with the discovery of the meaning behind the dream."

Tsukasa paused for a moment. He was trying to pick his next words wisely.

"Lady Elestirne-dono, your ability to heal is something of a puzzle to me. We have healers back in my homeland, but they call on the spirits of the elements to be able to heal. It appears that you do it with out calling on the spirits. How is that possible?"

Tsukasa then waited and listen to what Nichtmar had to say. When Nichtmar mention Ravenwood Cemetery, Tsusaka's body went cold like a winter night. He listen to Nichtmar tell of the events that happen at the cemetery. Something didn't feel right about all of this, but something also told him that this might be the direction he need to go in.

"Nichtmar-san, I wish to join in the investigation of the cemetery. I believe that this cemetery might be connected to my dream. I need to find this out."

[Giggles "Adguin"]

*Refer to new character post for details.*

Arsehead was about to reply that he could do a halfway break and then get him outside of the town gates when all of a sudden he, and every undead in all of The Land Between, screamed in anguish and anger.

many Lesser Undead were destroyed while their screams continued to echo.

"MY MASTER HAS BEEN DESTROYED! WHO DID THIS-" Arsehead had started to say.

Just as suddenly as it began the screaming stopped. All the undead were once again exposed, their disguise wore off almost in the blink of an eye.
"Wulf I can dilvege too much but my master's body has been destroyed. It'll be sometime before we can move his spirit into a new vessel! I'll take you halfway, that will only take two minutes and to be safe I'll make a break halfway. But I must now be quick for we must all hide before anyone finds us out!
He awaited Wulf's reply.