Seed of Light

[Armanoth the Dracolich]

I was sleeping on the stone floor of my cave when I started to roar for the longest time. When I was done I felt my master's presence more closer to me then ever. I looked for him in the room to no avial. So I finally spoke.

"Master? Where are you?Ma-"
It was then I felt a my spine tingle. And with his soul he heard his master.

You've done well to guard my phylactery so well. Never reveal it or try to destroy it , if you do you will merely be destroying yourself. guard me while i recover for a few days.

I knew not what to do with my Master currently residing within me I had no choice but to guard him till he left me yet again.

[Page Tigron Ciryandil]

*What Happened to Giggles*

It had been several months since Tigron had been released from the dungeon that both him and his brother Giggles had been held. The final message that he receive still haunted his to this day.

By now father has paid for my exile and you are the last of my family, go now and choose your own fate. That is my last act of kindness to you...

Tigron shutter at the thought of what could have happen Giggles. He had hoped that it wasn’t too late to save Giggles.

I have not seen a sign of Giggles and the mist hasn’t return me home. I hope that the gods will smile upon me.

While Tigron traveled through the Greatwood, he stumbled across a strange creature. The creature had skin the color of fresh fallen snow and armor the color of the abyss. It also smelled like the rotting flesh of a thousand corpses. The creature and Tigron locked eyes. Tigron could see the hatred filled the creature’s eyes. Without warning the creature attacked Tigron. Tigron started to unsheathe his sword, a strange bright blue light appeared before him. Tigron felt a strange familiarity with this light. The light made him feel warm inside even though it was cool to the touch. The light touch the creature and it burst into flames and turned into ash instantly.

Tigron tried to run from the scene but the light blocked every route that he tried to take. He then got a feeling that something was whispering inside his head.

You are to redeem him

Tigron squinted as he looked into the light.

“What are you?”

The light took the form of a white tiger with wings of an angel. The face was that of a tiger but it appeared to be wiser, kinder and more noble the any beast of this realm.

“I am the souls of your family, the guardian of your line. The line that you are now the last member of.”

Tigron had a confused look on his face.

“How can I be the last when I have many aunts and uncles back in….”

The tiger had a look of sorrow in his eyes.

“Your brother killed them all.”

Tigron drew his sword in anger.

“ You lie, my brother would never do anything of the sort.”

“You are both correct and mistaken. I was a part of your brother’s soul before his fall. The thing that took power over your brother and his soul are vying for power within inside of himself. Right now, it has control of him, but your brother still fights. He may still saved from this evil but he will not be able return to life. HE is a powerful lich now. You are the only one that can save him for his dark fate.”

Tigron withdrew his sword from the tiger’s neck with sadness and regret. His brother has died and returned as a lich. He was the only one left in his family’s long line. Anger, hate and sadness all filled his heart, but he still wanted to save his brother from his fate. A serious look came of across in eyes.

“What must I do to save my brother?”

The tiger appeared to smile.

“You must merge with me. If you do this, you will gain the abilities you need to fight the lich. Only then will you have the skills to save your brother’s human soul.”

Tigron placed his hand on the ruff of the tigers neck. Then he felt a bright and blazing light travel through him. The light gave him a great feeling of warmth, but it didn’t burn him. The light also gave him an awareness of what he has became.

“Hello brother”

Trigron saw what used to be his brother standing before him. He did nothing to hide his rotting flesh, which only grave more proof to what the spirit told Tigron.


“You know brother, I did not want to kill you in that dungeon all those months ago. You could have gone and lived a full life, but you could not leave it at that. I guess since you want to be a part of my life so much, I will have to turn you into one of the undead.”

Giggles lunged for Tigron’s face with his bare hands and he started to rip at it with his dark magic that come from the fingers of his right hand.

Giggles let out a inhuman cackle as he felt the flesh of Tigron’s face tear away easily.

“My poor, dear, dear brother. Do not now see the difference between you and me. Your honor and respect has done nothing to protect you. The flesh of your face has been ripped away. I am the one that controls the forces of life and death, and I can do so whenever I want”

Giggles went to point at Tigron and to gloat some more when he realized that his fingers were gone and that only seared stubs were all that remained. The searing agony was like a hot knifes being stabbed and twisted into his eyes. Giggles began to scream as held his hand not knowing what was happening.

Tigron turned to face his brother and the horror in Giggles’ eyes told Tigron that he was more than he once was. What Giggles saw was where there should be a bloody mess for his brother’s face: there was instead a new face appeared from his left side, a face of tiger that looked at him with furry in his eye.

“What have you done!? What are you now!? Wha-!” Giggles didn’t get to finish his question as Tigron struck him down with my left hand, which took the shape of a tiger claw. Giggles broken body was destroyed as it shattered into a million pieces. Each of the pieces dissolved into a black ooze and was soaked into the ground..

“Brother whether through death or life I will use my power to redeem you. Never forget that.”

With that Tigron left to find those who would aid him in his cause

[Lady Elestirne]

Elestirne's silver eyes flared briefly. "You forget yourself Nichtmar. I know the dangers of this full well. But you neglect somethings my friend. The undead said only that I must be alone at the center of the Greatwoods when-and if- I choose to keep this meeting, not that I cannot be accompanied on the way thither,should I choose to come. And Olore is always with me, whether visible or not. And I cannot be turned Nichtmar-there is no danger to me from that. As for being killed.." her eyes flared again and there was a strange note in her voice at the next words. "It shall not happen, for it is not my time. I have seen it.."

As he continued, her eyes narrowed thoughtfully and the troubled unease flickering in their depths now became obvious. "The problems with the undead may indeed have arisen at such a place...and this 'Master' the undead mentioned to me may well lair in such a place. But my dreams..." her look of unease intensified. "They...suggest that the true threat is not the undead rising, but something greater...graver. The undead is only a branch of the true threat...perhaps meant as a distraction from the true threat..." Her voice trailed off...worry audible in her tones. "Nichtmar...has aught else been happening besides the undead rising? The land calls to me...I sense dark magic on the air,and there is darkness and danger in my dreams."

She turned to Tsukasa now,with a faint shake of her head,almost gentle. "One cannot understand without first listening samurai. If one only listened first, much more might be understood in this world we walk,for the earth will speak to those who listen."

At his next question, she paused and hesitated a long moment. Authnor and her other elves tensed;their expressions becoming wary and guarded. Elestirne's expression was unreadable, her silver eyes flickering with what might had been uncertainty.

[ziglerrobertson]

OOC: figured I'd post what I have for new years, have a happy people, cause if you don't....I WILL find you. More to come, hope you enjoy.

The night is dark and silent as three men are vomited up out of the sewer near the stadium. The two short ones carry axes strapped to their backs, while the slim, dark tall one carry’s two skinny swords. Together the three of them advance towards the lantern lit main gates of the Stadium.

A few guards were posted by the High Council and the King when the Jovian’s were first interred in the stadium, more as a deterrent to the citizens of Mittelmarch to prevent acts of revenge and murder. So many long fruitless hours of watch had lulled the guards into a false sense of security. Three of them were in fact holding a conversation while their weapons were propped up against the stadium's gates.

As Zigler and his compatriots approached the circle of light made by the lanterns he untied his axe and brought it up in a swift, smooth motion. The other two did the same. None of the guards noticed a thing as they continued conversing with each other underneath a hanging lantern. With a nod from their Dwarven leader Dorian and Carneth sprang into action. Dorian struck first, his silent, but quick footsteps bringing him within easy striking distance of two guards, Carneth, though slower than Dorian took the remaining guard with a blow from the flat of his axe to the man’s head, knocking the man unconscious.

Before Carneth could confront Dorian about his needless killing a fourth guard steps out from the shadows, looking down at, and fusing with his belt and tunic. With quick, powerful strides Zigler walks up to the man who, upon seeing an unfamiliar pair of boots looks up. His eyes and mouth widen in alarm as he sees his fellow guards falling to the ground. The man’s eyes shift to Zigler as his hand reaches for his weapon and his chest sucks in air for a mighty bellow. Zigler charges the man and silently lets out the air in the guards’ lungs with the spiked back of his axe.

[Wulf]

Wulf nods in understanding as he reached his hand down, waiting for the thing to take him to the gates, as he wanted to get what he had learned back to the rest of them at the inn.

[Giggles "Adguin"]

Arsehead took his hand and within moments they were consumed by the earth. The feeling was as though you were being hugged by a bear from every direction it can all at once.. The dead didn't know this as they were immune.

When the feeling became almost too much to bear any longer they rose up.

"Now please remember, don't mention that you know anything about us! I know you are a man of your word but if even a peasant found out, they would burn us all till we stopped moving. Don't forget the Knowledge I gave you as well. I must be off. Good Luck, and be safe!"

With that Arsehead disappeared into the earth and rose back into Ravenwood. There Giggles stood before him. He grabbed Arsehead and lifted him up and tightened his grip in rage.

"YOU LET A MORTAL SEE YOUR DISGUISE AND LIVE!" he shouted so loud that even the rocks in the earth heard him.
"I....I....I had no choice master! He was too strong for me and I doubt even a Fallen could take him on! But I led him off our trail!"
Arsehead then explained what he told Wulf and how he had misled him.
"Hmm....." he let Arsehead drop to the ground.
"Fine, you are released for now. Go do as you see fit for a few days while I rest."
The image of Giggles over the Fallen had vanished as his will left him.
"I hope he never does that again." was all the Fallen could manage to say, having a look of losing something upon his face.

[Sir Nichtmar]

Nichtmar paused and searched his mind for anything else. “Perhaps there are things I have missed. I do not have the power of insight as you do. I know Banith, Lord of the Chu Ku’tal have organized the monster races and they took over the Jovian City. It’s now called Moruliima. I don’t believe they are an enemy…yet.”

Nichtmar scratches his chin, “Perhaps there’s a darkness guiding it all…but I don’t know.”

[Tsukasa]

Tsukasa stood there. A look of deep thought cross his face as he listen to the conversation between Lady Elestirne and Nichtmar. Something was tugging at the back of his mind. It was something that Authnor told him about her aiding Mittelmarch. Something about a sorcerer and a demon. Could this be the source of the dark magic that Lady Elestirne is sensing throughout the land? He closed his eyes in mediation.

[Lady Elestirne]

Authnor frowned, thinking as he listened to Sir Nichtmar and his lady. Something wasn't right.. If Elestirne had sensed-was sensing-dark magic and something amiss..then there was something wrong. He trusted what her instincts and intuition told her. If she was sensing that the dead rising was not the full threat, but a branch of it..and that dark magic was behind the full threat..then Authnor knew to trust her without question.

The red-haired elf started to say something,but noticed the intently thoughtful look the samurai Tsukasa was wearing. "You have thought of something," he observed politely, turning his intense emerald gaze on the mortal. "If it is something of potental help or importance it would be good to learn it."

[Tsukasa]

Tsukasa slowly opened his eyes. After a few moments more of thought, he decided to answer Authnor.

"Authnor-sama, Lady Elestirne-dono's mentioning of sensing dark magic remind me of something you told me about earlier. You mention that a sorcerer and a demon attacked Mittelmarch and the Shogunate. I need to know more about this. I have a feeling that those two might have a connection to the undead matter."

Tsukasa thought for a moment longer. Right now he had only a feeling. He was needing some hard cold facts to go with this feeling.

"What ever Lady Elestirne-dono and you can tell me will help. I also believe we should go to Ravenwood as soon as the weather will let travel. That seems the best place to start."

[Wulf]

After severel minutes of running he finaly made it back towards the town, and quickly headed into the gates befor finaly starting to walk, his clothes a little tattered and very dirty, along with the fact that he was decently sore from hitching the ride, yet he had made it back to town faster, it had taken a small price. He eventually walked towards the inn.

[telemachus]

High in the Iron Mountains he paces in the darkness of his old lair. He glanced at the broken table and the broken platter that once held fresh fruit, a crack spread across the center of the cavernous overlook. It was created a few years ago by the Samurai Tatsumara when he created an ice wall to delay the warlock Telemachus from killing Elestirne and her little party. The only area that seems to have been recently used is his laboratory in the corner. Cabinets filled with vials and various dark magic items. He should be working on more summoning blood for Cathan, but his mind is distracted.

He stops to look out to Mittelmarch.

“An elf and a horse stopping Giggles taint…only one elf I could think of…why…”

His once elvin mind now twisted like roots in brick. He wonders…

“Why did I not since her!?”

As he slams his fists his lab table. Glass breaks, fluids steam.
He looks at his hands. “It’s the demon…I cannot since her for some reason.”

“This time I come to you, Elestirne!”

He tears through the air as he changes into his wolf-dragon form and soars into the sky.

Moments later in Cedric’s inn…

The windows begin to rattle, bottles fall over. The center fire pit begins to grow with fire it begins to spin like a tornado. Tables and chairs are pushed out of the way and any smaller races would have left their feet. The only one not affected is Elestirne. The fire spun out of the pit and formed Telamon. Nichtmar charged, but with a flick of the wrist the Demon warlock sent him flying out the window. Before anyone else could charge a wall of fire that would sear to a touch circled the elf and Telamon. One guard tested the wall and lost his finger.

“I’m not here to kill you…first we talk…”

Ooc: please let Elestirne and I role play this before others jump in, no worries no ones gonna get hurt just fun story stuff

[Lady Elestirne]

Authnor's eyes flared with angry emerald light at Tsukasa's words and tensed perceptibly. The other elves of the group, seeing their leader's reaction-and hearing the words of Tsukasa-tensed also, with uneasy murmurs and sidelong glances. They, like Authnor,had been told by Elestirne of their queen's first visit, but only the barest details. Hands slid to their weapons by reflex and Authnor's own hands tightened into fists, one already gripping his hilt. His voice was somewhat harsh as he cast a quick, guarded glance to Elestirne-briefly including Nichtmar as well.

"I cannot tell you anything of that. Only Lady Elestirne can. I was not there that first visit here and I know only the barest details. But the sorcerer and demon attacked only Mittelmarch that first visit, for the Shogunate was not yet formed then. I do not know what happened in the lair of the sorcerer, nor do any of my elves. Only Elestirne-and Nichtmar who was part of the group to recover her-know that. I cannot answer you. We do not ask Queen Elestirne for the details of what happened." Authnor's eyes glittered brightly,and he cast another look to Elestirne, wondering for her reaction.

Elestirne, at the instant the sorcerer was mentioned, tensed reflectively,immediately. "It is not something I like speaking of," she said, her words directed at Tsukasa. "It is an encounter I would rather not re-live,and would be happier having it in the past, where it belongs." The elf-queen's silver eyes glittered. "But, to answer you, I do not know what information you seek. Telemachus could be behind this yes, and that is my worry-for the dark magic I sense is both familiar and yet alien...as though it were something I knew once, now changed. The sorcerer has caused trouble for Mittelmarch both of my previous times here, and it would not surprise me if he were doing so again now. But last I knew-or had been told-he had lost some of his power and most of his followers... If such is true, it is unlikely he is strong enough to threaten Mittelmarch on his own, and would have help if he is."

Just then, the windows of the inn began to rattle and the floor began to shake. Elestirne and her elves kept her feet, where others were sent to the floor. In fact, Elestirne was not moved at all,which she found most strange, given that even her elves had to fight to keep their balance. Without warning, the fire blazed up, growing higher and higher until it spun out of the pit to coalence into a humanoid form. Elestirne tensed anew as the strange familiar-yet-alien taint of dark magic she had been sensing since her arrival grew stronger. Her silver eyes narrowing in wariness and suspicion-even as faint trepidation pricked at her-she slid her slender hands to the hilts of her softly-shining swords but did not draw them.

The flames fell away from the form to reveal a familar figure-and one Elestirne had hoped not to see or be troubled by again. Almost absently, Elestirne registered Nichtmar charging and being sent flying out the window. The next instant, a blazing wall of fire sprang up, circling her and the revealed sorcerer. She heard the ring of swords and a cry of rage,and knew that Authnor and her elves had drawn their swords and were preparing to rush to her side. She flung up one hand to keep them from charging; warning them back in the same instant. One of the guards in the room decided to test the wall and had his finger promptly seared off.

In her mind, Elestirne felt a flare of recognition and rage, a wordless cry of anger-and remembered shame. Less than an instant later, there was a silver shimmer at her side and Olore materialized, facing the sorcerer. Every muscle in the silver stallion's elegant frame was taut and rigid. His ears were laced flat to his skull and his nostrils were flared;indigo eyes flashing warning as he lifted one slender foreleg and stamped the ground. The faint silvery light limning his form brightened to silvery-white,and the indigo light of his eyes intensified as well. Power emantated from and surrounded the silver stallion palpably;sensed and seen clearly by anyone near the circle of fire.

Elestirne lowered the hand she had thrown up to warn Authnor and her elves back and let it rest on Olore's neck. Her left hand, though, tightened'grasping the hilt of her sword lightly-but still not drawing it. She leveled a hard, piercingly bright gaze on the sorcerer stannding across from her. She held herself still, tense-as taut as a drawn bow-but there was nothing hostile in her bearing or face. Not yet. When she at last spoke, her voice rang with all its usual melodic tones. She spoke quietly,but all heard her; her words as clear as a pure stream.

"Telemacchus." The words were spoken politely,warily-yet there was a faint sharpness and iciness in her tone, possibly an even fainter contempt. Her silver eyes narrowed still more;their light intense,piercingly bright. "What is it, one wonders, that you would come to talk about, as well as why you would come to talk..."

[Wulf]

Just as Wulf walked into the inn, he felt the quake and saw the fireplace start to stir. He started to draw his weapon, as he saw a figure throw the recently injured guard flying across the room.

Before he could decide if he should make any sudden moves, the flames quickly surrounded another patron, though amidst the commotion, he could not see who it was.

He quickly came in and went over to the guard that had been flung like a ragdoll to see if he was unharmed.

[telemachus]

The fire roared around them. To those outside the border of flame, it burned to the touch , but inside it was like ice. Telamon’s demonic mask hid his face, but his black eyes fixed on Elestirne.

Those outside the flame could make out who was inside, but to hear was quite difficult.

“It’s Telamon now my dear.”

He was un-surprised at the sudden arrival of Alore.

“Aww…Alore” He gave a bow. “How I ‘see’ you now.”

To some to look upon Alore they would see but a horse, but now with his demon eyes, the spirit within the beast blazed. For Telamon, it hurt to look upon him, but of course he did not show this. And he was almost sure that Alore could see the dark abyss within him.

“You know I heard about some elf and her horse healing and reversing the Lich’s taint and I thought, No she wouldn’t come back and yet here you two are…Like old times, except minus the kidnapping and all the bloody orcs. Well yet anyway…” He winked to the Queen.

[Tsukasa]

Tsukasa slowly pulled himself up for the floor. His body ache through out. He saw a strange creature throw Nichtmar through the window and then put a wall of flame around Lady Elestirne and itself. He saw one of the guards test the heat of the flame, only to lose his finger to it. He then noticed Authnor and the other elves with the sword drawn and in a battle ready stance. He slowly made his way over to the elves. He could tell that they were very tense. They appeared to be prepared for action, but not acting at the moment so, Tsukasa decided to go check on Nichtmar.

When Tsukasa stepped outside, he saw the man with the silver mask standing by Nichtmar. Tsukasa didn't know what to think of the man, but decided to push his doubts about him beside for the moment.

"How is Nichtmar-san? Is he ok?"

[Sir Nichtmar]

Wulf used both of his arms to help up the ogre.

Nichtmar growled, “Thanks, What the hell is goin on…”


“AWWW” A guard yelled as his finger got burned off by the wall.

Tsukasa came around the corner.

“Eh I’m fine…we need in there.”

He looks to Wulf, “You seem limber think you can get to the roof and go through the chimney? Distract him long enough to drop that wall?”

[Lady Elestirne]

Elestirne’s chin lifted slightly, her jaw tightening. “Do not call me such. And whatever name you call yourself by now I shall ever know you by the first one. But…as you will…Telamon.” Her silver eyes glinted. “It seems you have changed since our last encounter-I can sense that clearly.”

He is demon-tainted…came Olore’s thought; privately to Elestirne. Little, if anything, of the elf-sorcerer remains in him Elestirne. He can glimpse me for what I am now and I see him for what he has become. Now all our questions are answered, for he is the dark magic we sensed upon arrival, yet did not recognize. He might indeed be behind everything that has happened but that should not be presumed. He has gained power though-that much is clear. The silver stallion watched ‘Telamon’ through narrowed eyes; the indigo blue orbs flaring with light. Every muscle in his body was still taut, his nostrils flared and ears half-back. He would not take his eyes from the sorcerer; the faint silver-white light still flickering about his form visible now only to the most observant.

The stallion’s ears laced flat back at Telamon’s bow-respectful and genuine though it was-and at his words. His response he didn’t bother to keep from the sorcerer. You may glimpse me now but I have always seen you for what you are. The darkness you have embraced, but the light is me and I am the light. And I know that it hurts you to look upon me.

At Telamon’s mention of a lich, Elestirne’s eyes flickered the barest amount; the only outward sign of a faint surprise swiftly and masterfully concealed. A lich? Immediately, her mind flashed to Tsukasa and the dream he had told her-and of the elements of death that had been present… Might a lich be behind the raising of the undead? It would certainly be powerful enough to...but the possibility only raised the question of why a lich would be troubling Mittelmarch to begin with, and if he and ‘Telamon’ were working together… With a mental shake, the elf-queen brought her thoughts back. Her eyes glinted faintly again.

"I healed a hero of Mittelmarch from the undead taint yes, and stopped him from turning,” Elestirne replied coolly, calmly. “But I did so alone. Olore did not help in that Telamon, though he did help destroy an undead that came to the healing center later. As for coming back…I did so because I was called upon to, to help and to heal. Not for any other reason you might have in your mind. It seems Mittelmarch needs me again and I will not deny help to my friends when they need it. You ought to have learned that when you tried to keep me from saving the Shogunate from the Jovians last winter." Her eyes glinted, not amused by the sorcerer’s joke or the potential hint in it. Olore snorted-stamping the ground-and Elestirne stroked his neck lightly, reassuringly. “Every time you appear trouble seems to accompany, or be close behind,” she remarked casually; her voice still cool. “And each time you and I have crossed paths you have either tried to hinder me or wanted something. I cannot help but wonder what it is you want this time, and what price you paid for the power you have gained in joining with a demon. What is it you want Telamon, with me, or otherwise? Why have you sought me out yet again?”

She and Olore waited for the response, both equally tense and as motionless as statues. Elestirne’s long midnight hair and Olore’s silver mane and tail stirred slightly in the breeze let in by the broken window; her hair shimmering with glints of silver with the movement, and Olore’s mane and tail shimmering silver and white. The area inside the ring of fire was ice-cold, but Elestirne betrayed not even the slightest sign of discomfort if she felt any. Her piercing silver eyes were fixed on Telamon; their gaze intensely bright and penetrating. Her expression was intent and wary, but still neutral and calm.

[Wulf]

Wulf nods as he quickly jumps up and grabs the edge of the roof, as i kick off of it, grabbing the edge of the roof and practicaly throwing myself onto the roof. After quickly making his way over to the chimney, he unsheathed his sword as he jumped down, rolling out of the fireplace just as he landed as he took a quick glance at his target as he swings hard at his back.

[Tsukasa]

Outside of the inn while Wulf is climbig up the roof.....

Tsukasa looked over to Nichtmar. A little smile crossed his face.

"That man in the silver mask is a very gifted individual. I believe we should go inside and be ready for whatever happens, Nichtmar-san."

Tsukasa entered the inn once again. He still saw the wall of flames, but he knew something was going to happen soon. He kept his hand near his katana.

[telemachus]

The blaze that encircled them seemed to breathe with the anger of Telamon. With each word of Olore and Elestirne it seemed to burn harder, mimicking the hate of Telamon.

A dark voice pours from Telamon, “What do I want? What do I want!?”

His fists grip and shake.

“It is not what I want. It is what the rest of my kind have wanted for ages. The world has known nothing but the light for so long, meanwhile my kind are forced off their lands, killed, destroyed, and enslaved. There is more than one path, my dear. I am here to tell you this world is no longer a place for light. So leave before you are extinguished like the rest.”

Just then Telamon’s back is cut and his blood steams as it hits the air. The wall of fire flickers and fades away. None of the building was burned. The demon turns to the holder of the blade. He sees the shinning skull and smiles. Like a rattler he snatches Wulf’s throat and they both turn into a mist and are gone.

[Tsukasa]

Tsukasa stood there for a moment. Anger took control of every muscle in his body, but he seemed to be able to control himself. The man with the silver mask was gone. The foul looking creature took him with him. Tsukasa cursed himself. Even though he couldn't do anything bout it, another innocent was lost. That is when he noticed Lady Elestirne. He was about to go talk to her and find out what that foul creature was, when he heard a blood chilling scream from outside. A woman walked into the inn. She was out of breath.

"Bandits are attacking."

[Raku]

occ: Please do not kill off Raku. Any of the other bandits are ok to kill. Thank you.

Raku entered the main gates of Mittelmarch with twenty bandits following her. She saw the villagers go about their life and that disgusted her. She decided it was time for some choas and gave the order for her bandits to attack.

Raku stood a few feet away as she watch the bandits attack the commoners, The bandits were slaughtering commoners right and left. Even with all the death and destruction, Raku was still bored. She decided to spice things up a little bit. She went to the closest villager.

"I thought this city is suppose to have fighters. I want you to go find me one. If you do, you might live to see tomorrow. If not, I will kill you were you stand."

She let the villager go as he ran in the direction of Cedric's Inn. As he arrived at the inn, he spotted Nichtmar still outside. The villager was out of breath.

"Sir...... bandits are.......at..... the.......main gate. Killing......people."

[Lady Elestirne]

Elestirne started to answer Telamon's words when a dark form dropped from the chimmy into position behind the sorcerer and, unsheathing a sword, struck at his back. As Telamon whirled-the wall of fire failing in the same instant-Elestirne recognized the form as the strange, masked one from the healing center. Before she could act,the sorcerer had siezed him by the throat and disappeared.

Olore lashed out with a foreleg in frustrated anger. White light flared up where the silver hoof had connected. And so the snake slithers away again...with a hostage to bait someone into following... His words were directed only to Elestirne, and the next ones held a marked amount of sarcasm. I wonder who he means to do so...

Elestirne stroked his neck. Peace... We have no way of knowing where he has gone-and I think something he said has inadvertantly given us an answer to one of our questions.. Her fair features creased into a troubled frown. Olore laced his ears back and shook out his mane, but did not respond. As they turned to face the others, Elestirne was met by Authnor-whom had sprung into motion the moment the wall had gone down.

The elven-knight looked her over keenly, protectively;with obvious concern. "My Queen! Are you allright? Have you any injury?" The other elves, only a second behind their leader, clustered about the three;their faces asking the same questions the knight was, and showing the same anger.

Elestirne held up her hand, shaking her head. "He did not touch me Authnor. Cease your worrying. Leave me be. I do not think he would have hurt me in any case. Now stand off,there are more important things than I here." As her elves parted obediently, she noted Tsukasa, but Nichtmar was still missing. Concern flickered over her face and she made her way to the samurai just as a flustered woman entered the inn, talking about bandits, and an attack. Elestirne looked to her, then to Tsukasa. She noted his curiousity-likely meant for her-but also saw his concern at his words, and she remembered what he had said to her was the reason he was here. She spoke softly, but her words were clear. "These may be those whom you were hunting samurai. You have your chance now to fulfill your duty,and doing such in this manner will also help Mittelmarch-if you should be torn between that duty and that of helping this land. Things there are that must be spoken of...but threats there are that must be seen to. I know there are things you likely wish to ask, but now is not the time, when there are innocents dying. One thing I will ask you though, and that is how Nichtmar is? I saw him be flung through the window."

Olore snorted; scraping a hoof against the floor. Shimmers of silver-white light danced about him. His indigo eyes glinted and he tossed his forelock out of his eyes as he spoke;his words audible to not just Elestirne and her elves, but Tsukasa as well. Nichtmar is fine, if shaken. He's been tossed about by the fiend before and lived. You need not worry about him. And we have not the time to, with bandits attacking. And not the time for questions either. Choose samurai. Curiousity, or duty? Silver-white light rippled through and limned Olore's entire form;haloing him in a faint silvery glow.

[Tsukasa]

Tsukasa stood there for a moment in shock. He knew that Olore was something more then a normal steed but he was prepared for Olore to speak to him. Olore's appearance also startled him. Even though he had questions to ask Lady Elestirne, Olore's words ran through his mind. Now wasn't the time to ask them. Now was the time to protect the city. Tsukasa's eyes make with Lady Elestirne's. His eyes communicated a sense of curiosity, relief that she was ok, and a sense of duty.

"Lady Elestirne-dono, I am relieved that you are ok. I wish to speak with you, but I do have a duty to fulfill. For now, I must take my leave." He bowed and left the inn.

As he stepped outside, he saw a villager come around the corner and started to speak to Nichtmar. He overheard that the bandits were at the main gate.

"Nichtmar-san, I will move ahead and engage the bandits."

Tsukasa headed to the main gate of Mittelmarch.