x
Just some seaweed. Silly getting worked up over that.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAZlZyEXUJ8F
She unwound it, then followed Han, who was by the exit wanting. He got out and stood next to Parcival.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAbYnZvRzu0u
Swimming faster she shot out the exit and landed stomach first on the grass.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAIzGjc9QHTG
That was graceful.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAW4EszxqcGI
Don't you have better things to do than bug me?
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Unnamed snickered.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAD0lRL4pXhP
"At last we are out of the mountain caverns!"
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She rolled on her back while eyeing them. Han looked away, then back again, smiling a little, his ears flicked. He flopped on his back chewing on a jerky stick.
758Please respect copyright.PENANA4c4fsGgJvv
"We should stop and get something to eat soon." Parcival got up slow and easy.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAe3ryJ5T96U
He hopped up shaking himself hard, spraying water off in all directions.
758Please respect copyright.PENANA7vMrxLQSBv
She backed away, with an arm covering her eyes. "Watch it!"
758Please respect copyright.PENANAgVuTIVO5P4
His fur proofed out like a fluffy dandelion, his glasses the only spot of seriousness.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAUqZps2BpBU
She broke out laughing to the point of tears.
758Please respect copyright.PENANA9pc2GSGXB7
"So cute. So cuddly. I can't stand it."
758Please respect copyright.PENANAfGp11AkvwS
Han stamped over and got in her face.
758Please respect copyright.PENANARwl0ZVSMDf
"Don't say it."
758Please respect copyright.PENANAF5XcW7Ljbc
She waved her hands alternating them over the other. "Wouldn't dream of it."
758Please respect copyright.PENANA63p0uu6i9n
He turned, wringing the water from his tail.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAvU35AMPApj
He sniffed, then went over to a nearby flat rock and sat on it.
758Please respect copyright.PENANA8M9nfmaKtX
"A hot meal would be nice," she said.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAoYcntj4cKZ
"Well, what way now?"
758Please respect copyright.PENANA1K52JUg74y
The map had stayed dry in the pouch. Unrolling it, she pointed to the small drawing of a silver tree.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAgCTT4upUNY
"I know a short cut. If we cut through The Silver Forest we can get their much faster. It's is said to home one of the great five beasts, so watch yourself here."
758Please respect copyright.PENANAKpgn3oo96I
The map had shown by cutting through here, the travel time would be cut in half. Her stomach growled. Dang it, the underground cavern river had swept away all the food.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAuanKyBg0qb
"Do you know which beast?"
758Please respect copyright.PENANAdWA5GefxGW
"No."
758Please respect copyright.PENANALCOWVcCYcQ
"let's keep going and break for supper later," Parcival said.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAbppjsWW1uO
"So be it."
758Please respect copyright.PENANA51pSy4geei
She lead the way.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAzHLtAFHFio
The stomach stopped growing and reduced to a hollowness.
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####
758Please respect copyright.PENANA4ptXyUGHhQ
758Please respect copyright.PENANARLak6CTwnL
758Please respect copyright.PENANAwOloh4z0CH
Here we go. The trees long silver trunks shined where the sunlight hit them. Draping down from each of the branches were delicate crystal leafs.
758Please respect copyright.PENANA7kQSSWYigN
There wasn't any chirping or any other sound.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAIGaXz2DdB5
"Guard yourselves." Her right ear twitched violently. She pinched the lobe. Arg.
758Please respect copyright.PENANATH9AtV95Ba
Far off in the west, was it the crunch of leafs underfoot? She strained, it stopped. Should I say something?
758Please respect copyright.PENANA6rzNkkn6IT
"Well, the map stops here. Any idea where we should go next?" Parcival asked.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAnd9Oi5vY1c
"We need to leave quickly."
758Please respect copyright.PENANAXx0u3DLfgV
"That's not an answer," Parcival said, rubbing his face.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAvpCpvMHWy4
Unrolling it, she scanned it.
758Please respect copyright.PENANALExcjvl0tw
"If we go North-west here, and around this river, we can get to the city and exit this place faster."
758Please respect copyright.PENANAtOQkb3LgLL
"Let's do it," he said. That last word came out as a wheeze and he gripped his side. His face paled as he thumped down onto the ground.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAtSRKwo2l9g
Han trotted over to him.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAPNGqhTnpt6
"A rib bone must be broken off inside somewhere."
758Please respect copyright.PENANA8U5UpGc3eX
"Let's camp by that giant stump. Can you fix him?" She pointed up ahead.
758Please respect copyright.PENANArW0UFLFtC8
"Yes, but then that'll be it for the week healing bone isn't easy."
758Please respect copyright.PENANAT3NIyGtWR4
"Right."
758Please respect copyright.PENANAmJ75IsXcY0
Parcival was heavier than last time. She tried to pull him back up, but her arms weakened.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAOFSAvjMqMu
He eyed her. "You're getting worse. I thought I was mistaken before, but now am sure of it. That strength of yours is gone."
758Please respect copyright.PENANA4m9d7fZz8P
Startling, she nearly dropped him, then draped an arm over her shoulder.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAqEPuGC4zqp
"I'm only tired. No need to overreact." If the gods were kind an inn would show up on the road out. Some food would bring it back up to half at least.
758Please respect copyright.PENANASBROqJpSKB
The humor in his eyes vanished, all except for a spark that left as fast as it appeared.
758Please respect copyright.PENANATqEA02tkEx
"We'll need a fire. I'll go get some wood," said Han.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAPrH2ysocQE
She led Parcival over to the stump, he eased down leaning against it.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAnkBVTt7cpJ
"It's time I told you something," Parcival reached for her hand.
758Please respect copyright.PENANA5TAPMvqrAJ
Ah, it's come to this. She stiffened.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAnZZ6bPgrk5
She pulled her arm back. Those blue eyes were full of an emotion that he'd never showed before.
758Please respect copyright.PENANA2zaiITIteS
He stopped. His jaw tightened and his lips thinned.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAdRvnTJLHU2
"You know you never asked me what I am you know."
758Please respect copyright.PENANAWArFAbxCpx
Huh? She relaxed. Well, it can't be as bad as being asked to fry a person.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAGi2x7Hebdj
"Then you are?"
758Please respect copyright.PENANA0ufqMRNpJA
"I'm a Paladin, or a "Seeker" as some call us."
758Please respect copyright.PENANAl7z5HelM3U
Interesting. The grand knights of Olenus.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAhvZ4FROeIE
"I thought they couldn't lie."
758Please respect copyright.PENANARIFQBzNw3h
She pulled her daggers out brandishing them at the nape his neck.
758Please respect copyright.PENANACpDXRr5R74
"Tell me the truth, now!" she spat out each word and leaned in next to his face.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAH8mng7faVG
"I have been. Put that down!"
758Please respect copyright.PENANAfrxeWtvFaj
Her hand shook, she lowered them.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAyp0DFGVnc6
"Damn you." She huffed and slid back.
758Please respect copyright.PENANADboWxGsrTZ
His voice thickened with emotion, and his eyes filled with a soft, gentle gleam.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAKDoDRPK9GO
She sat silent.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAfmWO4dvLGW
"You're important to me. I care about you."
758Please respect copyright.PENANACLR4d7NZpf
She tilted her head. Okay? She leaned against the stump by him. What's missing here?
758Please respect copyright.PENANAFELcmysaCj
"That," she paused, "I can believe." Then why tell about being a Seeker? She got up shaking her head between her hands.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAf5p8qJG9fm
"Are you alright?"
758Please respect copyright.PENANASlO9Lxu95g
She stood by him. All muddled and messed up. The more a thought came the faster it twisted and disappeared.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAp0ax69Litt
"Yes."
758Please respect copyright.PENANAJ6k2mpr00P
She wandered off behind the stump, as a ridiculous heat covered her face. She pinched her forehead between the brows.
758Please respect copyright.PENANA9clLPdzZs3
It's not like he said he loved me. This is good, he'll be safe in the city that's coming up, ditch him there.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAvTvtJ2KmxK
Relaxing, she went back and sat near him.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAZIak3Oyie0
"I want to continue to the city. Perhaps one of the Elder priests can be of help.
758Please respect copyright.PENANANadA2KnE0y
Only the Adapts had a chance of knowing what to do.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAfQHr4HCV33
"Yes, that could work," Parcival closed his eyes, a hand gripped the grass.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAdCy7a9xuXe
They still have no clue of this evil, the vines are only the symptom. She shivered.
758Please respect copyright.PENANARfQqrMVWSt
She turned away. Rude to stare for that long. Opening the largest pouch she pulled out an old thin blanket. She ripped it into strips with a dagger.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAOz11dcDswN
"Here."
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Sitting close she wrapped them around his torso, then knotted it.
758Please respect copyright.PENANA2tewDp0OG6
"Thanks, feels a little better, nice and tight."
758Please respect copyright.PENANAGpDdRtKgw2
She nodded.
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"I'll wait for Han."
758Please respect copyright.PENANAVfNnjXv0p7
She stood then jumped onto the stump. What was I thinking?
758Please respect copyright.PENANAojdpz6t8oT
Several hours passed, and as night took over the sky, a flapping nearby made her sit straight up.
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A flapping nearby.
758Please respect copyright.PENANA3M7I1oHJw6
Voices whispering. An unmistakable gurgling screech; above a Neckhawk circled.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAldt78InwOa
Her heart exploded into rapid fire beats. He'll never quit. Where is Han?
758Please respect copyright.PENANAFf4XfuoMqD
Parcival was laying on his side asleep.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAp0S2HenXya
She rolled over into a crouching position. Her ears rotated towards the forests start. She called the wind spirits whispering a quick prayer, before heading over.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAiNVPFYEw2I
Awhile later back the way the party had came, two hooded men stood together on the pathway. She scurried up a large silver maple. It was best to make sure, it wouldn't do to kill innocent humans.
758Please respect copyright.PENANALdAT4gDxeO
"Follow the plan. I won't suffer any mistakes, she must be captured before it's too late."
758Please respect copyright.PENANAHoMOCJfpNL
What plan? She slid down following them.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAqBoqY3K5gS
They're going towards the camp! Fate is so cruel. She unsheathed her daggers, careful not to let them ring against the scabbards. Like hell.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAC8Rl6CsHF9
She followed silently behind them for a few more feet. She rushed out in front of them.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAw6YN8USyXx
"Stop, not another step." she tensed and held the daggers angled toward them.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAFUohpliIJj
"Well, that was easy," said a familiar voice.
758Please respect copyright.PENANA9ctxL0pFQ5
Her stomach dropped to her boots.
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"Maxwell."
758Please respect copyright.PENANAe5cndevt1N
He pulled down his hood and gestured to the other man that was with him. Who was he again? Her mind felt fuzzy trying to remember the red haired man's name. No! Not now!
758Please respect copyright.PENANA92Yl3N6ymo
The vines moved under her skin deeper, her strength drained even more. She stiffened and stood tall. Have to hide this.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAgtvelwu9OX
The man in black moved his free hand and tossed a black dot at her.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAi6Jzv6FdZl
Bolting to the right, but the dot opened faster than she could see, and entrapped her in a netting. She tried to cut it loose, but was unable to, where her hands touched it they burned and smoked! She hissed in pain.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAL5WlEBOGH5
"Be quiet or I'll kill them as they sleep."
758Please respect copyright.PENANAfW04o2al0l
She glared at him.
758Please respect copyright.PENANARXocAXHNPu
"I doubt it. I have much planned for you," He spit on her face.
758Please respect copyright.PENANASYtQ5yp8wx
She rolled on the ground, but the netting's poison burned into her skin. She screamed as it seared a criss-cross into the top of her hand. Her hand swelled and blistered.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAATBQADZgsW
"You Mirror of Nor! Why do you do this?" it already was eating away at any armor as well as where it touched her skin.
758Please respect copyright.PENANApWt21IJbko
Tears flooded her eyes, she blinked, trying to clear them.
758Please respect copyright.PENANADUlyiPg9K2
"It burns, let me out!"
758Please respect copyright.PENANAZy00sGgE98
"One more, one single sound, and they will die. This is your choice, come with me or be responsible for their deaths."
758Please respect copyright.PENANAPQlTgDMtsp
The man next to him started to walk to the camp.
758Please respect copyright.PENANANOLRzsWJqf
She shuttered and lay there dragging in ragged breaths.
758Please respect copyright.PENANA1uXxNA7Vut
"Grab her before they wake up."
758Please respect copyright.PENANAS0N3Wvnl6S
The man's ringlets blew and swirled as the breeze caught them. He scooped her up, then laid her on her stomach on top of the saddle. Jumping on the horse, he took off with the soldiers following him.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAmGmvsNDequ
The bouncing of the horse slapped the netting onto her and she yowled then passed out.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAb2Jufsyvro
The guilt and sorrow of that day come back like a blast of light. As the fire sparked it caught the city's banner that stood near the entrance, the fire crept up its edges and then worked towards the middle until the banner looked like a great toothed beast, angry and of flame.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAsBaCptVdlL
A young boy of black ringlets stood behind the banner clutched to his mother. She could see him staring at her, staring straight into her soul. Hope was absent in them, just the blaze reflected back. Their mouths opened.
758Please respect copyright.PENANA36RzxTzdTr
They screamed.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAu7mxgzfaIv
She woke. The screams replayed over and over. Then the pain hit again. Her armor smoked, the stench of burning leather made her gag. After a while, she stopped feeling anything.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAKADg5USBMF
The horse came to a stop, and she flopped around trying to fall off.
758Please respect copyright.PENANA4qobODO5yc
"You would do well to stop moving, or I will poke with my short sword until you stop!" his tone cold like the ice of the north.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAS3Acpiwcrc
She stopped.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAqDzcvtPE3r
"That's better. I have a new home now, and I think you'll be the perfect addition to it. Provided some measures are taken with you of course."
758Please respect copyright.PENANAHgqArCIInF
She begin hyperventilating, dizzy. No, don't pass out. All of this confused her, the poison was a well kept secret. How had he managed to learn about it?
758Please respect copyright.PENANAMseS6PdJZA
"Watch yourself here Jason, there are evils here, though not as vile as what we carry."
758Please respect copyright.PENANAYO46tVimtI
She felt the horse shift to the right and then as the cable stones appeared below. Wonder what place this is? But what one and why? Why not just kill her? Perhaps it was the poison or just exhaustion, nothing made sense.
758Please respect copyright.PENANASNNE3OYILk
The sounds of a city. Merchants hocking their wares. A child that whined to his mother, about being bored. The sun cooked her where her skin was exposed. The blisters popped, the pain returned. She moaned. Sweat tricked in streams down the sides of her face.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAg6JFPVwrIS
Trying not to pass out, she bit her lower lip hard. The pain and salty taste of blood woke her some. The past few days have used much of her energy reserves, and she was at her limit. It was hard to think.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAP29OOgD56E
The house stopped again. He picked her up, then tossed her over his shoulder. She moaned again. She held still to avoid the netting from touching her anywhere else. This day is pure hell. Just glad that they left the others alone. She closed her eyes. A sicking coolness shuttered up and down her.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAIsraLjic7F
When she opened them again, they had taken her into a house. From the looks of the wood flooring, benches and rugs it was moderately wealthy.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAEPikQEMgKb
He took her down a long flight of stairs. He dumped her out of the netting, she tumbled out of it and rolled onto the cool compact dirt. She managed to turn her head to breathe better. Everything screamed at her to move, to fight and get away. Her body wouldn't cooperate. She heard a clink.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAuO1Rmzsumd
"Let's see you escape this time. The stairs are of metal infused with your favorite herb."
758Please respect copyright.PENANA6gBt94dwk3
He moved her head more upright with his boot.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAn1BdMrMJ7Z
She hissed at him.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAJClPR8ajSv
He knelt down and bent over her.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAoaeNSwzKSG
"Just die already. Your so evil I can't believe they didn't kill you yet."
758Please respect copyright.PENANAgZcvY7cb5s
She lifted her head a fraction and spit on his face, then lay back down again exhausted.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAVmEoJNPNkW
"Hmm, maybe 2-3 weeks it will take."
758Please respect copyright.PENANAr7fFaNycgG
"What will?" she said in a weary voice.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAJhzUKKSX02
"Oh come now, surely you know. Don't play the helpless women with me." He smiled at her. Not a sneer a smile, like this, was a happy day. She wanted to run away from that smile.
758Please respect copyright.PENANA2v3maSf6ZU
"Once your magics are drained, you'll become fully mortal and weak." He smiled again, with a wide grin, it didn't reach his eyes. They told the truth, in their dark blue depths of a hate for her so vast she shivered.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAZGW0yuZqbX
"Drained?"
758Please respect copyright.PENANA6rkCCm4gqf
He pointed at the wall behind her. "We had been preparing for you. Each of these walls mortar is layered with enchanted Elven bane. You will die here."
758Please respect copyright.PENANAPjNVEJhqa3
He grabbed her throat and squeezed. Pins of lights speckled her vision.
758Please respect copyright.PENANA3JDnwIs5MR
"Remember those poor souls you destroyed? No matter what I do to you, nothing will ever bring them back. At least I can make you suffer!" spittle flew from his mouth.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAPk4ZOYfFdD
He let go then walked back up the stairs of the cellar, and locked the door. With a click, she was in the darkness.
758Please respect copyright.PENANA7b1cqKt97r
The familiar creeping sensation inside her head started up again.
758Please respect copyright.PENANA30qnigvoSO
Well, if I did at least it-
758Please respect copyright.PENANAU4zJASmnD7
Wong, I'll just wait for a new vessel to be born, time is nothing for me. You are nothing but a tool.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAFh0B2nGjoS
Then why don't you leave now?
758Please respect copyright.PENANAcAANk4LvSh
The god laughed and made her laugh like a mad person.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAYiZHkOluWb
Because I enjoy nothing more than seeing an Elven suffer.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAsmefcdou3R
I hate you.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAmLBROaMJan
Thank you.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAL9iUdk3Chm
Sleep never came an unseen wave of the cursed Elven Bane slammed into her hourly. By the next morning, she couldn't even lift her head.
758Please respect copyright.PENANARUCxRQ8wQE
The next morning the door opened once again. Footsteps.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAXl9Xkrqati
Jason came down with a single mug of water. Ah, good to know his name again.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAiljnVMzc1K
"Here," Jason said, he tapped her leg with his foot.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAX7DTrAlzaR
She looked up at him, with her head to the side. He showed her the water.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAH6Vrb5EtvN
"You torment. Can't move." She closed her eyes expecting a kick in the face.
758Please respect copyright.PENANACysJvSJFdV
Jason knelt down and put the mug to her lips helping her drink it.
758Please respect copyright.PENANAmDXprup4mD
"Why?"
758Please respect copyright.PENANAjADr99hi80
As he walked up the stairs to exit he turned around. "I'm sure glad I am not in your place. Knowing him, he will find a way to keep you alive for as long as possible."
758Please respect copyright.PENANAnwIHq6HwHP
He looked away, "Evil or not I'll bring you a drink once a day."
758Please respect copyright.PENANAn2uubnbESm
The door closed, the cellar darkened, like her hope. Am I?