Decision and Deception (Invite Only)

[Lady Elestirne]

Elestirne raised her head briefly to regard the orc; recognizing him to be the holder of the sceptor by the feel of his presence. She resisted the urge to cringe away from the evil she sensed from him as he knelt close to her. "Better alive to be bait, than food in an orc's belly yes,"she agreed after a moment. "But the silent one is no friend of mine-I had only seen him once before this and do not know why he attempted to free me. You might ask Telamon that."

[telemachus]

Telamon had taken Elestirne back to her chains at the top of the spire and left her.

Later that night…

A goblin with goggles hanging from his neck, a pocketed vest, and fingerless gloves shouted to Wulf as he walked through the streets of Moruliima. “Hey, Silver Face! You need travel? Look in Hurry!” said the cracky high voice.

[Wulf]

Wulf stopped and look around real quick, then finaly finding the source of the voice, he turned too it, as he looked to what the goblin was speaking of.

[telemachus]

The pilot goblin urged.

“Aye, come come Shiny Face!”

The goblin waves him over and they walk around the corner of a building. There was a giant corral and within three dragons sat with a saddle at the base of their necks and along the back looked like a harness with hand holds and a spot for packs in back. There were two other goblins dressed like the one that came to Wulf seeing to their gear. Then several others that seemed to be prepping the Dragons. One had just tossed a cows leg up and the dragon snatched it with a vial slurp.

“Welcome to Dragon Wind. We fly just bout anywhere and if can’t we get close. Want go somewhere quick quick?”

[Wulf]

Wulf nods as he brings out a notebook and writes something quickly then hands it to the goblin.

It reads: "I need to find a hill giant named oof. He is possibly in Mittelmarch, so if you could either send me there, or straight to this Oof, then that would be my destination."

[telemachus]

The goblin explained to Wulf that they don’t go too close to Mittelmarch and that the Kyuden is their closest stop. He told him how he had arranged a deal with Masamune to park their Dragons just outside the Samurai’s keep.

…some time later…

The Dragon landed by a similar corral as the one in Moruliima. The winged beast leaned down for the passengers to get off.

“Welcome to Keeyoooden Mass ah moon ah!” The goblin announced and then led the dragon into the corral. Another Dragon had just taken off.

[Wulf]

Wulf stepped out into the yard as he looked around. He had never been to this place before and thus he needed to go and find his position.

He started to walk up to the small keep not knowing what to expect.

[Lady Elestirne]

Elestirne sagged tiredly in the new, stronger chains that had been affixed to the pillar. Much of her energy had been drained in the 'escape' attempt and she had to wonder why Telamon would even have bothered with such a thing...except to demoralize and dishearten her… Which, come to think of it, seemed perfectly in character for him. After so many days of hanging by her wrists though, it had taken much strength and effort just to stand, grasp her swords, and face the sorcerer. Now she had no energy to spare and dangled limply at the end of the chains, letting her head hang wearily. Her injuries-new and old-sent agony flaring throughout her body. Her wrists especially hurt and-after gingerly investigating with her ability-she concluded one was broken and the other dislocated. She winced, but determinedly pushed the pain away; focusing on her ability to try to ease it a little.

Her eyes were dark as she thought. And worried. She had always known that she could not escape. She had not even been expecting the one called Wulf’s brave but foolish-and fruitless-attempt. But she had to wonder now when rescue would come. She knew that Olore was out there, and coming for her. And,while she couldn't be sure exactly how long she had been here-several days at the least,perhaps even a week-it had to have been long enough for Olore to be getting very close. Unless something had happened to him or those with him to delay them... Perhaps they hadn't been able to break free of the enemies advancing on Mittelmarch...or hadn't been able to figure out where she had been taken... The elf shook her head negatively. No. Olore was too smart for that-he would have figured it out. So they had to be close... But what was preventing them from reaching and freeing her? That, she had no answer to. She had to hope though,that release would come soon. She would never submit to Telamon of course,and knew that he would not kill her...but the torture and beatings were beginning to take a toll on her spirit all the same...

She had some small consolation in the fact that-in all the time of her captivity-she had seen no smoke from either the direction of Mittelmarch or the Kyuden. She dared to hope that it meant that both places were still free,and her friends and elves safe. But she had no way of knowing for sure. Elestirne bowed her head fully-even as she sent a prayer heavenward to Araira Stargiver;asking the Heavenqueen to give her the strength to continue to endure. She found herself wondering if Telamon would choose to torture her again tonight,or if he would let her be. Briefly,she thought longingly of her swords-mere feet away somewhere on the surface of the spire-and reflected grimly that-when she was free again-she would strike at Telamon if she could... After all,Olore had hinted it would come to a battle between them...

[Sir Storm Brightblade]

Storm keeping his head down now realizing he had disturbed Tatsamura's meditations hastily says, "Elestirne has been captured again by Telemachus. Sir Nichtmar has put me in charge of a rescue team for this mission and I came to request aid in any way that you can give. I also am inclined to ask if you are interested in joining our group to help us retrieve her."

Just as Storm finishes his report a soldier runs up the stairs and sees the group infront of the shogun.

"My lords," says the soldier while bowing, "a odd figure approaches the gates. We do not know whether to allow him access for he travels alone and we would like you and the shogun if he so chooses to come down and see what we do."

Storm stands and smiles, "Well lets meet our new guest then shall we? Soldier, esscort my uncle, our friendly samurai, and Olore here to my chambers and then Lady Elestirne's chambers. Uncle, Tsukasa gather some of my things and then proceed to her room and gather what she will need, Olore will help you pack."

With finishing he along with Tatsamura go down to the gate. Storm looks at Tatsamura and says when they are out of ear shot, "How fares the wound you got him Telemachus the last time you two fought?"

[Tatsumura Masamune]

Masamune sat there quitely listening to Akururi. After it was all heard, Masamune closed his eyes for a moment. He stood up slowly, walking over to the stand holding his swords. He picked, them up, sliding them into his belt.

"I will join you, Akururi-san."

The sudden interruption by the soldier caused little noticible reaction from the Shogun. He simply nods his head to the soldier. Walking out of the lightless room, he nods to Tsukasa, and towards the spirit horse Olore, not saying anything, though the powerful horse could tell that their was something on the Shogun's mind.

Walking outside next to Akururi, the question comes to him. Masamune stops for a moment, looking at his hands for a moment.

"I am fine. My strength has returned in full, as have my powers."

Without saying anymore, Masamune walks towards the gate, seeing the dragon depot outside with it's grouping of goblins, and the strange masked visitor.

[Lady Elestirne]

Olore shook out his mane and stomped his hoof;irritated with being thus apparentally ignored. But, on reflection, he realized that if they were all tense or in the grip of strong emotions they may not have heard him. That had been known to happen before. He watched Tatsumura carefully for the windwalker's reaction. When he announced that he would go, the silver stallion nodded;pleased. When he spoke, his words were audible to everyone. Good, I had hoped you might come with windwalker The stallion wheeled as best he could in the tight confines of the corridor; his next thoughts adressed only to Tsukasa and the strange dwarf Storm called 'uncle'. The stallion snorted. We need no escort. I know the way. Come. It will not take long. To Storm and Tatsumura he added, somewhat pointedly. We will meet you at the gates.

Without further ado, the stallion led the two where Storm's room was and waited patiently while they collected what the young samurai might need for the trip. Afterwards, they continued to what had been Elestirne's room while she had been here last year and Olore was both pleased and surprised to find that the elves who had been left here had stocked it in obvious hopes that Elestirne would return there after healing Nichtmar... The stallion directed the two to grab some fresh clothes, as well as bandages and healing kits,and other odds and ends that may come in useful. The insightful elves had also, optimistically left fresh stores of the healing elven waybread in the Queen's room and Olore made sure these were taken along and packed up;knowing they would be needed. As long as they were in their wrappings,they would stay fresh. There were a few flasks of elven cordial and they too,were added.

That done, Olore led the two back through the kyuden and stopped at the gates to wait for the four riders to ready themselves and their mounts and join him. All the while, he kept an anxious eye on the now dark skies and shifted uneasily;swishing his tale with a worried look in his depthless eyes. Once again...he was forced to wonder if any would see the problems him being fully tacked and moving through likely hostile territory might present...

[Wulf]

After being stopped at the gates, he starts writing in his journal trying to gain his way in with the guards. After they send somone off to ask for permission, Wulf waits patiently as he starts writing again. Just as he finishes writing, he notices an interesting group starting towards him as a couple of samurais and the guard from earlier walkinf towards him.

[Sir Nichtmar]

Ooc: the mount isn't his. There's a new service setup by some goblins who can train dragons and use them for public transport. Its not free and they only stop at their waypoints. I'll make a travel map soon. They made a deal to put a waypoint just outside of the kyuden. Closest to MM. IC u probably knew about it.

[Sir Storm Brightblade]

ooc: news to me. i'll go change.

[Lady Elestirne]

Olore fidgeted impatiently;stomping the ground and swishing his tail. His worried eyes were on the now-dark skies. If they delay any longer, we'll have to stop for the night to let them sleep. And we have wasted quite enough time..

It was with some relief that Olore noticed the familiar figures of Tatsumura and Storm approaching the gates. The silver stallion pawed the ground with a snort and nodded his fine head briefly to them, before scanning for Tsukasa and the odd dwarf. It was then he noticed the vaguely familiar figure that approached; the strange, masked one that had aided him and his lady at the healing center. And whom had been captured by Telamon days before. The stallion's indigo blue eyes narrowed in wary suspicion and his ears went back in warning. Shifting his stance slightly,Olore projected his thoughts to the silent one. I know you. You helped my lady contain an undead in the healing center. But you were captured by Telamon days ago when you tried to divert his attention from my lady. How and why are you here now silent one? He waited, a little curious to see what would happen, even though he was impatient to be off and on the way.

[ziglerrobertson]

Every time the strange horse spoke into his mind Zigler would feel mild pain throbbing for hours in his head. He didn't know why, but it was eerily familiar, yet different, to the way both Telamon and Cathan had 'talked' to him on that day not too long ago. Standing around the Kyuden would only get them a break. It was past time for them to be moving.

"Lad's. Ye all kin stay here and be chatting things up to yer hearts content. I fer one am a might thirsty and anxious to be gettin' on in our plans." Having said that Zigler climbs up his horse and, once settled, looks around at those gathered. "Methinks I'll go on ahead and scout out this City of Monsters and who knows, they might stand me a pint or two..."

Zigler kicks his horse into motion and sets off at a fast gallop, turning his head back toward those assembled, "If'n any of ye want ta come along, now would be the best of times ta be about it!"

[telemachus]

The goblin pilot made his way into the Kyuden after passing the security check. The outside chef already had a bowl of rice and meat waiting for him. The goblin took the bowl and took a seat and began eating.

"Good stuff, thin eye. Weird but good. I like the spicy sauce."

The Chef nodded and waves his knife in thanks and says something in Japanese.

The goblin replied, "Yeah, yeah, yeah... maybe one day me know what you saying."

[Lady Elestirne]

Olore looked at the strange dwarf;briefly startled,and yet oddly pleased as well. So at least one of them was paying attention... The stallion tossed his head,sending his mane rippling like a waterfall of light as it shimmered silver in the darkness. He adressed all of them in a ringing voice. The dwarf speaks sense. I'd be amused if it wasn't such a dire situation. Bu it's well past time to go. We've delayed far too much here and I will tolerate no more. As it is, we may already have to stop for the night for you to rest your horses. The silver stallion cast a brief look to Wulf-again wondering why he had come and how he had gotten free of Telamon-before shaking his head.

Wheeling around sharply,Olore cantered fluidly through the gates, then seemed to shimmer briefly and disappear in a silver haze... Only to reappear further down the road with a shimmer of silver light, well ahead of Zigler's mount yet still clearly visible. Come. How will you scout if you do not know the way there to begin with?

[ziglerrobertson]

"Dang fool 'orse" Zigler says to the strange animal, knowing that even so far away it could still 'hear' him. "'Course I knows the way......in a general sense ya might say but still..."

Zigler turns his head and looks at the setting sun, then once more at the Kyuden. He can just see the small group still gathered inside the gates. Grabbing tightly to the reins Zigler stands up in the saddle and waves once back at them, then resumes his seat and rides towards the riderless horse in the distance.

Zigler, thinking to himself, "'sides, where else ca' a dwarf fin' a decent drink ou' here save in 'Monster Town......" Carefully, he reaches into his pouch and slips a piece of green stick into his mouth, hoping to stop the headache he knows is on the way.

[Lady Elestirne]

Olore had heard the dwarf's muttered remark, even from the distance he seemed to be at. The silver stallion merely shook his head, reared high-so that everyone would see him-pivoted smartly on his hind legs and took off.

The stallion kept the party moving at as swift a pace as the mortal horses could reasonably endure; stopping only briefly for noontime rests and some sleep for the benifet mostly of Tsukasa and Storm,and to give a respite to the poor horses. After 5 days of this, they at last began to come into sight of the walls of Moruiliima. Here, Olore stopped while they were still sheltered in the shade of the woods, and turned expectant eyes on the rest of the group even as he shifted irritatedly. Now is a good time for a plan. Telamon will almost certainly sense me, but the rest of you may escape detection while we search for Elestirne-at least, briefly. Any thoughts on how we might accomplish this? It will not be easy.

[Tsukasa]

Tsukasa sat there for a moment in deep thought.

"Does anyone have a map to this monster city?"

He looked around at the rest of the group.

[Lady Elestirne]

Olore shook his head with a snort. I do not. I am not concerned with maps. I know that Elestirne is in the city somewhere and that is enough for me. Where, we will find out when we get inside. I still cannot contact her. Wherever she is being held is sure to be heavily defended, or at least, protected. If anyone has a plan for getting inside, finding her, and getting her out, now would be a good time for speaking up. The silver stallion tossed his head and shifted;pinning his ears back and lashing his tail in irritation. Any thoughts are welcome,but I know it will not be easy,whatever we do.

[Tsukasa]

"Olore, I respect you wisdom and you need for haste. I wish not to go in blind. If we can get a feel for the layout of the city, it will make things less complicated. What ever we decide to do, I stress caution."

Tsukasa thought for a moment.

"I would recommend that we enter the city separately or in pairs. It might make things a little less specious."

[Lady Elestirne]

Elestirne stirred fitfully in a restless sleep. In reality, it had only been a week since her capture by Telamon, but to the battered and beaten elf, it felt instead like it had been two weeks of torture and torment.

In her most lucid moments, she could not stop wondering why Olore or any others had not come yet. Or even Wulf, who surely should have had enough time to locate Oof and get back by now. Or...a shred of a doubt had begun to grow in her mind. What if no one was coming? What if they-yea, even Olore-had been delayed somehow? That doubt needled Elestirne every instant of her waking moments between unconsiousness and half-sleep, and had even begun to intrude upon her in the brief periods of rest she allowed herself. She still got the disturbing feeling that Olore was very near...and yet, because of the cursed sceptor and her own, weakened state, she could not reach out to contact him mind-to-mind.

The elf stirred again weakly;testing her injured wrists. They were healing, but even her innate ability could not immedietly fix the damage that had been inflicted upon them and she could tell immedietly that the broken one would not hold up to grasping a sword without causing her agony. If she ever got free, she could not be certain of being able to fight with that hand.

[Lady Elestirne]

Olore snorted and dug at the ground;nodding briefly. Caution, yes, is to be duly commended. But I don't need to know the layout of the cursed city to find Elestirne. Once within-even if I am still blocked from speaking with her or learning her precise location, I will nontheless have an accurate sense of about where she is, if not an exact building.

The silver stallion pawed the ground again, his next words faintly regretful. If anything, I likely should be the first to enter. As I said, Telamon will likely notice me and seek me out, and I can thus provide the distraction/cover for the rest of you if needed. Though, I would prefer to be the first one to my lady, in case she needs to be carried away swiftly. Olore shifted;his depthless eyes dark and unreadable as he swished his long silver tail. Or perhaps the half-dwarf can go in first. He has a touch of the demonic to him.