x
Just some seaweed. Silly getting worked up over that.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAkbJrbRl5Ox
She unwound it, then followed Han, who was by the exit wanting. He got out and stood next to Parcival.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAXskxtH8VYs
Swimming faster she shot out the exit and landed stomach first on the grass.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAAHYQZUGYjP
That was graceful.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAKBd329uNQB
Don't you have better things to do than bug me?
743Please respect copyright.PENANAZBQyUavfoz
Unnamed snickered.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAGp71wsmwZX
"At last we are out of the mountain caverns!"
743Please respect copyright.PENANA8QZ2Mx9AVb
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.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAp3BYXdLdDF
"We should stop and get something to eat soon." Parcival got up slow and easy.
743Please respect copyright.PENANARuM6mgIrPX
He hopped up shaking himself hard, spraying water off in all directions.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAjs7mbKSpcb
She backed away, with an arm covering her eyes. "Watch it!"
743Please respect copyright.PENANAa9iOyvYvOl
His fur proofed out like a fluffy dandelion, his glasses the only spot of seriousness.
743Please respect copyright.PENANALu01lgB2YM
She broke out laughing to the point of tears.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAeCiDW75vw6
"So cute. So cuddly. I can't stand it."
743Please respect copyright.PENANA5XZpqQ2KLU
Han stamped over and got in her face.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAdzAHx6YZZP
"Don't say it."
743Please respect copyright.PENANAxc3g6xOgTz
She waved her hands alternating them over the other. "Wouldn't dream of it."
743Please respect copyright.PENANASV2Ie0P3o7
He turned, wringing the water from his tail.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAtFZk3IFLb8
He sniffed, then went over to a nearby flat rock and sat on it.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAHh6XVgPwj1
"A hot meal would be nice," she said.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAT1RZ1TO0dL
"Well, what way now?"
743Please respect copyright.PENANAcz5hJMcrkO
The map had stayed dry in the pouch. Unrolling it, she pointed to the small drawing of a silver tree.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAzCQUNZ0S1T
"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."
743Please respect copyright.PENANAK8076jzwbk
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.
743Please respect copyright.PENANA8aga4Hs5K2
"Do you know which beast?"
743Please respect copyright.PENANA3ZkdbQVveY
"No."
743Please respect copyright.PENANA2UezdP3ISz
"let's keep going and break for supper later," Parcival said.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAJNApgT1Ops
"So be it."
743Please respect copyright.PENANA10kI3RtOQT
She lead the way.
743Please respect copyright.PENANA0qG1nTeFBb
The stomach stopped growing and reduced to a hollowness.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAtSCUAqhOmF
####
743Please respect copyright.PENANASaO12muJqH
743Please respect copyright.PENANAIbysDEJyNI
743Please respect copyright.PENANA95cSeTLRWZ
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.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAwDhabGzMah
There wasn't any chirping or any other sound.
743Please respect copyright.PENANACQNtl5nifv
"Guard yourselves." Her right ear twitched violently. She pinched the lobe. Arg.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAJXPKq5HOjY
Far off in the west, was it the crunch of leafs underfoot? She strained, it stopped. Should I say something?
743Please respect copyright.PENANA8EtiWiqSNp
"Well, the map stops here. Any idea where we should go next?" Parcival asked.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAWSBrejeujT
"We need to leave quickly."
743Please respect copyright.PENANAXyTjUYH9KX
"That's not an answer," Parcival said, rubbing his face.
743Please respect copyright.PENANASEf05NyNND
Unrolling it, she scanned it.
743Please respect copyright.PENANADGPQAG5GwG
"If we go North-west here, and around this river, we can get to the city and exit this place faster."
743Please respect copyright.PENANAYs4yAISqJ2
"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.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAHD7CHvZKqS
Han trotted over to him.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAqvzYdNtKpn
"A rib bone must be broken off inside somewhere."
743Please respect copyright.PENANApiREaAi1oA
"Let's camp by that giant stump. Can you fix him?" She pointed up ahead.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAKq0W6sJhWw
"Yes, but then that'll be it for the week healing bone isn't easy."
743Please respect copyright.PENANA3E52baxPgM
"Right."
743Please respect copyright.PENANAS9FmUQVKM4
Parcival was heavier than last time. She tried to pull him back up, but her arms weakened.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAMH6AVQYUh0
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."
743Please respect copyright.PENANA5tlo58EL4d
Startling, she nearly dropped him, then draped an arm over her shoulder.
743Please respect copyright.PENANARlOO5cEnlI
"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.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAqJgwvAqt3b
The humor in his eyes vanished, all except for a spark that left as fast as it appeared.
743Please respect copyright.PENANALtoGpmUCJG
"We'll need a fire. I'll go get some wood," said Han.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAhjsTrKZmEv
She led Parcival over to the stump, he eased down leaning against it.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAB8URo5UX1D
"It's time I told you something," Parcival reached for her hand.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAhiLWa9FfOi
Ah, it's come to this. She stiffened.
743Please respect copyright.PENANA8KEJA2wC3B
She pulled her arm back. Those blue eyes were full of an emotion that he'd never showed before.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAGJO08BZdf2
He stopped. His jaw tightened and his lips thinned.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAk4Z2Ae0uFx
"You know you never asked me what I am you know."
743Please respect copyright.PENANAqIM3UHVh0Q
Huh? She relaxed. Well, it can't be as bad as being asked to fry a person.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAeQPngVZvMt
"Then you are?"
743Please respect copyright.PENANA20VYbNj6AH
"I'm a Paladin, or a "Seeker" as some call us."
743Please respect copyright.PENANALCDdMuAP5s
Interesting. The grand knights of Olenus.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAS7UEE3Ysgv
"I thought they couldn't lie."
743Please respect copyright.PENANASDMO9VUxI0
She pulled her daggers out brandishing them at the nape his neck.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAiYefWDFcLR
"Tell me the truth, now!" she spat out each word and leaned in next to his face.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAMuPIj9SHxk
"I have been. Put that down!"
743Please respect copyright.PENANAF3B71EYupP
Her hand shook, she lowered them.
743Please respect copyright.PENANA3BRxHQtorU
"Damn you." She huffed and slid back.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAgX5TfHrMFT
His voice thickened with emotion, and his eyes filled with a soft, gentle gleam.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAaDY3psDZbP
She sat silent.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAFW77KZqxkj
"You're important to me. I care about you."
743Please respect copyright.PENANAyJu3tmrbSg
She tilted her head. Okay? She leaned against the stump by him. What's missing here?
743Please respect copyright.PENANAQvD21Robh7
"That," she paused, "I can believe." Then why tell about being a Seeker? She got up shaking her head between her hands.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAjnwH5iThbX
"Are you alright?"
743Please respect copyright.PENANAYUB6jTceyP
She stood by him. All muddled and messed up. The more a thought came the faster it twisted and disappeared.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAKFPeGYSAyO
"Yes."
743Please respect copyright.PENANABddQowAdwQ
She wandered off behind the stump, as a ridiculous heat covered her face. She pinched her forehead between the brows.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAFDWv8jl3yX
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.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAfjrJlhu1id
Relaxing, she went back and sat near him.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAsT3tkw3WYb
"I want to continue to the city. Perhaps one of the Elder priests can be of help.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAVO4qTemzGg
Only the Adapts had a chance of knowing what to do.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAqbJpWmFWpN
"Yes, that could work," Parcival closed his eyes, a hand gripped the grass.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAlimFNOmyun
They still have no clue of this evil, the vines are only the symptom. She shivered.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAesleFZzYWZ
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.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAuUGTu0CEgj
"Here."
743Please respect copyright.PENANAmqZ5hpMIJe
Sitting close she wrapped them around his torso, then knotted it.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAaV3AMWd4FA
"Thanks, feels a little better, nice and tight."
743Please respect copyright.PENANA0zgdtyaR7F
She nodded.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAL6YNp2rbOf
"I'll wait for Han."
743Please respect copyright.PENANAVoKfG3P5Yq
She stood then jumped onto the stump. What was I thinking?
743Please respect copyright.PENANAIBqqhBeDw3
Several hours passed, and as night took over the sky, a flapping nearby made her sit straight up.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAAMapIV2BgY
A flapping nearby.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAVinsRFEMY5
Voices whispering. An unmistakable gurgling screech; above a Neckhawk circled.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAkC2dpIQW7r
Her heart exploded into rapid fire beats. He'll never quit. Where is Han?
743Please respect copyright.PENANAnDNUlp4zsM
Parcival was laying on his side asleep.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAEe9GmASLzj
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.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAKAdwNaq0NY
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.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAIOzfR6G4F1
"Follow the plan. I won't suffer any mistakes, she must be captured before it's too late."
743Please respect copyright.PENANAjHu1m1VVfn
What plan? She slid down following them.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAQtoxOHnvMU
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.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAqwf3gJ6NiR
She followed silently behind them for a few more feet. She rushed out in front of them.
743Please respect copyright.PENANA3Ggo2VvOjT
"Stop, not another step." she tensed and held the daggers angled toward them.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAQZ0fLw2Tfi
"Well, that was easy," said a familiar voice.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAYdiBZnQ7CF
Her stomach dropped to her boots.
743Please respect copyright.PENANARnlcriXtyV
"Maxwell."
743Please respect copyright.PENANAyzlXipTYwk
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!
743Please respect copyright.PENANAsOvWf0oyNd
The vines moved under her skin deeper, her strength drained even more. She stiffened and stood tall. Have to hide this.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAZEW0NJezEO
The man in black moved his free hand and tossed a black dot at her.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAd2lOCOSVNN
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.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAmkUbCAvn93
"Be quiet or I'll kill them as they sleep."
743Please respect copyright.PENANAddZCDJDXku
She glared at him.
743Please respect copyright.PENANA1zulokayFf
"I doubt it. I have much planned for you," He spit on her face.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAVtC5bYXxN8
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.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAwByvCFWBxt
"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.
743Please respect copyright.PENANASMVMRdgnl3
Tears flooded her eyes, she blinked, trying to clear them.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAQX3Wxe10aK
"It burns, let me out!"
743Please respect copyright.PENANAs7LEqhRq9l
"One more, one single sound, and they will die. This is your choice, come with me or be responsible for their deaths."
743Please respect copyright.PENANA8u1rcwPAWc
The man next to him started to walk to the camp.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAJFHtS3HpIK
She shuttered and lay there dragging in ragged breaths.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAoeQDxXWiKE
"Grab her before they wake up."
743Please respect copyright.PENANAguTDIAEhem
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.
743Please respect copyright.PENANA8gI2S7cv2j
The bouncing of the horse slapped the netting onto her and she yowled then passed out.
743Please respect copyright.PENANA2B543DtULF
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.
743Please respect copyright.PENANABEKb13ygOW
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.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAndJ1x5lgTt
They screamed.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAETRkY0THc9
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.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAUm2GMWQEbe
The horse came to a stop, and she flopped around trying to fall off.
743Please respect copyright.PENANA4eSRVhG37q
"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.
743Please respect copyright.PENANABT1KLymLlO
She stopped.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAFMM1igcyU5
"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."
743Please respect copyright.PENANA6QcHfP0zU2
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?
743Please respect copyright.PENANAwCiaJDFBUC
"Watch yourself here Jason, there are evils here, though not as vile as what we carry."
743Please respect copyright.PENANA0EomcsOyEH
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.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAbNYjlYmxXa
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.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAoUeX3rmD7D
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.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAE1yjgJ1Q83
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.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAr18LhbHxpi
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.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAsFQAE6XVIT
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.
743Please respect copyright.PENANA0gPcfvttTp
"Let's see you escape this time. The stairs are of metal infused with your favorite herb."
743Please respect copyright.PENANANtRcyopDL1
He moved her head more upright with his boot.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAzXlXyeTL7r
She hissed at him.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAAiTNlwBpjv
He knelt down and bent over her.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAYRxXhGlq9O
"Just die already. Your so evil I can't believe they didn't kill you yet."
743Please respect copyright.PENANAZRvC8OWnTR
She lifted her head a fraction and spit on his face, then lay back down again exhausted.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAOAr3fVRZsg
"Hmm, maybe 2-3 weeks it will take."
743Please respect copyright.PENANAu4ZcYGQ4wr
"What will?" she said in a weary voice.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAEXQegw27Ue
"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.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAD9GhqYvkqT
"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.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAxQ2rkOG5Nc
"Drained?"
743Please respect copyright.PENANAsIF3cxkdSZ
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."
743Please respect copyright.PENANAoOOCRfT5RK
He grabbed her throat and squeezed. Pins of lights speckled her vision.
743Please respect copyright.PENANARqE4j5lIB3
"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.
743Please respect copyright.PENANA0oBMZNkn7t
He let go then walked back up the stairs of the cellar, and locked the door. With a click, she was in the darkness.
743Please respect copyright.PENANApiEahCGSfJ
The familiar creeping sensation inside her head started up again.
743Please respect copyright.PENANA9l946lZXwd
Well, if I did at least it-
743Please respect copyright.PENANAVgDdhV8315
Wong, I'll just wait for a new vessel to be born, time is nothing for me. You are nothing but a tool.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAWV8NmpLhYa
Then why don't you leave now?
743Please respect copyright.PENANAjUoxSuv3kX
The god laughed and made her laugh like a mad person.
743Please respect copyright.PENANA5fezNCVJjI
Because I enjoy nothing more than seeing an Elven suffer.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAUVsgfr22hi
I hate you.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAzbnTo2TQQk
Thank you.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAiyKnoBbRza
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.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAgRBaLMOVld
The next morning the door opened once again. Footsteps.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAr7FcaBRJn7
Jason came down with a single mug of water. Ah, good to know his name again.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAUhzWmPAxi0
"Here," Jason said, he tapped her leg with his foot.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAh8V42JSSp5
She looked up at him, with her head to the side. He showed her the water.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAtOIXN7HEhb
"You torment. Can't move." She closed her eyes expecting a kick in the face.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAcyNRe3ncDN
Jason knelt down and put the mug to her lips helping her drink it.
743Please respect copyright.PENANAy6UKhNXakZ
"Why?"
743Please respect copyright.PENANAPkBvea4i29
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."
743Please respect copyright.PENANAAtA0ibCKkk
He looked away, "Evil or not I'll bring you a drink once a day."
743Please respect copyright.PENANAdzvyXdMySk
The door closed, the cellar darkened, like her hope. Am I?