Turn 126
The giant killed by Crystal is discovered to have been felled by a small dart
lodged in it's throat. Barbaxle kicks the dead beast, and the dart pokes its
point out the side of the neck (allowing for a bloody but nevertheless intact
retrieval Crystal). Laban exits the cave, and shocks the elves present by
presenting himself as a Doweirarre and results in Wulfgar, still angry over
the visit to the temple going into a rage and launching an attack at the
unsuspecting dark elf. Keldar, in an attempt to save the Doweirarre begins
the spell casting process, which sends Gareth into a tailspin as he charges
the little gnome bumping him and purposefully distracting the spell, and
sending his horse to succesfully block Wulfgar from a hasty attack. Keldar,
squeaking with frustration warns Gareth about future attempts to halt a spell
midcast warning about the dangers of wild castings and magic gone awry, while
Gareth reminds Keldar that ALL magic goes awry these days miscast or not. The
gypsies began gathering themselves together, and prepare to return to their
fallen comrades to bury the dead. Caoihmin decides he will ride with the
gypsies, and take leave of the party for now, to aid his fellow kinsmen in
their struggle to return to normalcy. Looking about, you realize that Reggie
isnt present, and you note that the last time he was noticed was back at the
gypsy massacre. Crystal and Cole discuss dancing, and everything settles as
Laban asks to not be judged by the color of his skin, and most group members
concur.
Gareth clasped arms with Cao. "We shall miss your presence, my friend.
Your fire warmed us all, but I see your calling has been overtaken; Pikahl
ward you in your travels until we meet again. Please take these monies to
aid the folk in re-establishing themselves." A bag of coins passed from the
knight unto the gypsy. Hearing mutters of concern about Reggie as farewells
were announced, Gareth vaulted aggressively into the saddle of his great
chestnut mare. "Wulfgar, Vincas, Kay - with me. Others assist in the
burial or secure the area." Hyah'ing with effect, the blue, gold, and steel
warrior of faith galloped on flashing hooves for the incident scene, lest
harm befall his hungry little companion.
Whisper frowns at the horses and says to the nearest person, "Someday,
someone will have to explain to me the slavery of these fine beasts."
Cole walks to Wulfgar after he has calmed a bit " I
cannot tell you what to feel, but I hated everyone in
this party when we started, Humans... Elves it didn't
matter. My father was the Kings chief guard, the
equivalent of Gareth, until he fell in love with my
mother, an elven peasant. When the King found out he
was stripped of his title and land because of his
love, but even my mothers family wouldn't accept
them, they were banished from both people's and had to
live in the forrest, until they were killed by these
monsterlike creatures, no one around to help them no
one around to save them. Because of people who hated
other races my parents were exiled and died for their
trouble. And with that memory, along with being raised
by human hating gnomes, I grew to hate everyone, I
only came on this journey to find what happened to
those monsters. I think I've made a few friends and
that's why I can't sit by and watch you two fight. I
don't like his people or what they have done anymore
than you do but I can't hate him for it." Cole walks
off to talk to Crystal some more and act's normal
again.
Vincas smiles at the newcomers and mounts his horse to follow Gareth.
"Seems we've lost one along the way...not unusual for Reggie. I look forward
to sharing stories with you all 'round a table in a roadhouse someday...or
at least a skin of wine around the campfire."
He smiles the best he can considering the carnage and rides off to look for
a stray gnome.
Looking up when Cole walks over Wulfgar listens to him as he speaks but says
nothing even going as far as to glance towards Laban when Cole talks of his
families demise at the hands of the Giants. He looks at his friends and
stays put with a small growl when Gareth shouts at him to come. When Cole
walks away he sits quietly by himself deep in his thoughts for a few minutes
before he stands and goes to his horse reaching deep into his saddlebag he
pulls forth a handful of food and proceeds to feed his horse and rub him
down.
Laban walks to Edo "Well my friend it seems that I have stirred up quite a
little commotion here!" He looks at the rest of the group as some mount
horses and ride away up the hill others are tending to the gypsies and
seeing if any of the wagons are fixable.
"Are you going to answer my question Wolfie, ol' boy? What's the big deal
about Laban? Well, besides his name..", Kay continues to rub down her horse,
"You talk about his kind slaughtering somebody, but isn't he an elf? I don't
expect a history lesson, just tell me what I should know about his 'kind', I
mean, it's not like you're busy or anything."
"Too much for me my friend. Come, we do not need the likes of these.
Quick to act, slow to think. Nay, my path lies in a different direction.
Yours is for you to decide. Whatever you chose, I shall always call you
friend."
"Cole, if you are finished flirting, perhaps you could describe for us a
good direction to travel that would help complete your maps. As much fun
as it has been, the smell of the giant is beginning to get to me. I for
one do not wish to smell it once it begins to rot either, and not to
mention all of the friendly scavengers that will come along and feed
too..." Jahl goes back to helping the gypsies repair their wagon.
Keldar looks about, torn by the decisions facing him. On one side are the
the group he's known for a short time, off on their quest that a god had
sent him here to help them complete. On the other, an unusual group, with
a few members of the mysterious elven race. A chance to gain knowledge.
"Vincas! you go off anscout fer Reggie. I doubt we'll find'em though.
Prolly found sum fishin' hole and decided to try it out. I'm gunna stay
'ere and try an' fix these carts fer the Gypsies. Cum back an' get me when
yer done hunting Reggie!"
Keldar move towards the wagon, seeing what help he can give to getting the
gypsies back on the road.
At Jahl's jibe Cole digs out his map and studies it
for a moment, " South or east from here, two town's
that we know of to the east and who knows what to the
south." Cole watches as Vincas go off looking for
Reggie "I think we should all go to look for Reggie."
Wulfgar look up at Kay, "I do not want to talk about it, but as you insist,
his kind think it a good way to blood their warriors, they open a gateway to
the surface world and sneak up on a group of Elves who are dancing n the
woods or doing something that Elves do be it tending to the needs of the
forest or whatever. They then attack mercilessly and brutally killing and
butchering all Elves there. I have seen the aftermath of one of these
attacks and it is not for the weak hearted." His eyes go sad and he lowers
his head memories flooding back into his mind "Thus I find it hard to
understand why the others trust him so quickly, I will go along with his
plea to be judged differently but he has a black mark against him which he
must prove to me he does not deserve."
Arilyn walks up behind Wulfgar and places her hand on his shoulder.
"Wasn't life easier as a child? I remember all the fun I had deep in the
forest. I had no fears and had no concept of time. I lived in peace and
our families were joined with nature in a wonderous bond."
She rubs his neck, trying to ease the tension that has tightened his
muscles. "I never wanted to grow up...and now that I am, I have dreams
of being a child again. I get angry at myself for wishing for things
that are not possible."
She strokes his hair and moves her fingers to massage his temples.
"Seeing such brutal and horrid death makes me wish more and more that I
could just disappear back into my childhood." She continues to rub and
stroke. "But, time should not be wasted on such foolish thoughts.
Wulfgar, I don't want what happened to those poor people to happen to
me. I am good with the sword and the bow but I know I can be better. Can
you help train me with the sword...and perhaps Kay can help me with the
bow?"
Wulfgar relaxes somewhat at Arilyn's gentle ministrations a sigh escapes his
lips as he goes back to a time long ago when another female he knew used to
do exactly what Arilyn is doing now. He smiles then seems to snap back to
the present, "Arilyn!! You tease me with your actions then brush me away
when I respond." He steps back from her and away from her gentle hands.
"If you want my help to train you I will as I have already offered this to
you." He smiles at her looking at her beautiful face and gentle eyes, his
heart almost misses a beat in the confusion of his thoughts as he looks at
her. What a fine figure of a woman she really is.
Arilyn looks at Wulfgar's eyes. His eyes are filled with such warmth,
intelligence and knowledge. She feels her pulse quicken and her cheeks
flush with a glowing warmth. She puts her hands gently to her breasts,
looking at him with shocked surprise. "Me...tease? I never realized that
I was even capable of that." She smiles...a warm and gentle smile that
has smitten so many men. She moves a curl of hair from her eyes and
slowly moistens her lips with her tongue. "Could such an innocent elf
hold power over a man? I hardly think so." She draws her sword and
stands in a defensive posture. She moves around Wulfgar, her sword
raised high. Her movements are sleek and silent. Like a leopard stalking
her victims she moves, each step flowing in such graceful movements. It
is almost like a dance. A dance as light as a spring breeze and as fresh
as the morning dew. Her eyes sparkle as she moves around him, each wave
of her sword showing the smooth contours of her body. If she had impure
intents she would be a temptress...perhaps unknowingly she is a
seductress. Is she playing or is she sincere? Does she even know that
herself. She giggles as she twirls, slashing at an imaginary dragon. She
has slain a red dragon and she curtsies before the beast. Her smile
radiates a glow that would make the gods want her...perhaps a
goddess...or even an angel. She stops and raises the handle of her sword
to her lips. "Unsheathe your weapon, Sir."
Wulfgar shakes his head and slides his sword out of it's sheath, he slowly
turns to face Arilyn, the point of his sword lowers to touch the ground
"Arilyn I meant we could do this when we camped down for rest somewhere!"
He looks at her slowly she walks around him he changes his focus to envelop
her whole body readying himself to react to the first sign of movement be it
in her footwork or her shoulders. "Whenever you are ready!" He smiles to
himself and slowly changes the balance within himself to be able to step
aside or backwards depending on her movement. "you see again you tease by
your dancing around me like that you show me the shape of your body and you
must know any man would be distracted by that sight!" He gently lays the
trap of trying to make her come at him.
Arilyn grins as she sees Wulfgar unsheath his sword. "Should not a
warrior be ready to fight at any time? Not just when it becomes
convenient?"
She lowers the tip of her sword to the ground. "And should a warrior not
use everything they have to their advantage?"
She waits for his response, moving her sword once more into a salute.
Her other hand reaches up and her long delicate fingers begin to
unbutton her tunic. Each pull of her string is slow and deliberate. Is
she being a seductress or is she trying to draw his mind away from the
move that she may be planning?
She slips her tunic off one shoulder and then off the other, dropping it
to the ground. She moves to the right, her left leg crossing in front of
her right leg. Her knees are bent, her toes moving over the ground like
at a cat's paws. Her balance is flawless, her movement like a gentle
breeze.
She unties the top string of her top, her neck shining with the glow of
her wetness. She unties the second string of her blouse, revealing the
soft curves of the tops of her breasts. She moves her wrists and her
sword circles before you...a slight ripple gently moves in waves over
her softness. She looks at your eyes...waiting for a sign of
distraction.
She stops. "Are you distracted, Wulfgar?" she smiles. "Perhaps it is I
that can teach you."
She swings at him, her sword whistling as it cuts through the air. She
steps quickly to the left, raising her sword to block.
Wulfgar dodges the swipe from Arilyn with ease and smiles then slowly moves
to his right and circles her himself. "Well now, student moves Master
moves!" he grins and jerks his shoulder feigning a move to her right but
stops and moves to her left again stopping and stepping back keeping her on
edge as to his avenue of attack. He watches her show with outward interest
even licks his lips when she unties the top of her blouse he smiles even
broader and then nods his head. "Well I would be lying if I said I was not
enjoying the show however you leave yourself open to attack by keeping both
your hands busy like that!" He lunges forward swinging his sword to the
right and his free hand to the left to help keep his balance and if she
parries his sword to flick it forward and untie the next fastener of her
blouse.
Wulfgar smiles as Arilyn suddenly tries to cover herself up, "You seem to be
somewhat at an inconvenience friend Arilyn. I show you now to never use
womanly charms against me at least in a fight." He slowly steps in close to
block her from the sight of the others blushing slightly as he averts his
eyes from the sight of her chest. "I am sorry Arilyn! I only meant to open
the next fastener!" He wraps his arm around her and pulls her to him not
tightly allowing her to fasten her blouse up without anyone else staring at
her.
All of Arilyn's carefully thought out moves of offense and defense,
vanished with one swipe of Wulfgar's sword. The swing so crisp, she
barely noticed that she was now showing far more than she ever intended.
Before she can move to cover herself a wash of red blush rises from her
neck and up to her cheeks. She barely hears his apology...and with the
accuracy he has, she somewhat doubts his sincerity. However, Arilyn is
amused at his attempt to block her 'charms' from the others. Wulgar's
gallantry sends a gentle shiver over her body. Wrapped carefully in his
arms, she covers herself...
Turn 126b