x
Just some seaweed. Silly getting worked up over that.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAD54Nr48NQI
She unwound it, then followed Han, who was by the exit wanting. He got out and stood next to Parcival.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAKx8m77VP8e
Swimming faster she shot out the exit and landed stomach first on the grass.
730Please respect copyright.PENANA41kecurTMj
That was graceful.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAcxmXteNGD3
Don't you have better things to do than bug me?
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Unnamed snickered.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAnbcwkNsUFD
"At last we are out of the mountain caverns!"
730Please respect copyright.PENANAP2xeGpFEIa
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.
730Please respect copyright.PENANABlL2PlbrMC
"We should stop and get something to eat soon." Parcival got up slow and easy.
730Please respect copyright.PENANASCNLobuhtz
He hopped up shaking himself hard, spraying water off in all directions.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAzMrefemnsi
She backed away, with an arm covering her eyes. "Watch it!"
730Please respect copyright.PENANA1wB9uGEgVO
His fur proofed out like a fluffy dandelion, his glasses the only spot of seriousness.
730Please respect copyright.PENANA7dtILxZwLB
She broke out laughing to the point of tears.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAftBHLpK4TV
"So cute. So cuddly. I can't stand it."
730Please respect copyright.PENANAAlZQSlQbKs
Han stamped over and got in her face.
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"Don't say it."
730Please respect copyright.PENANAxGYPMuXaym
She waved her hands alternating them over the other. "Wouldn't dream of it."
730Please respect copyright.PENANA2JFdPO4cAx
He turned, wringing the water from his tail.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAdGfva2SOyi
He sniffed, then went over to a nearby flat rock and sat on it.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAPwngQh8jxM
"A hot meal would be nice," she said.
730Please respect copyright.PENANANLRNQJJONx
"Well, what way now?"
730Please respect copyright.PENANApoofnJSCgS
The map had stayed dry in the pouch. Unrolling it, she pointed to the small drawing of a silver tree.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAu8txqjrR6e
"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."
730Please respect copyright.PENANAaaqaKoEqZj
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.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAUKH5wS5YeS
"Do you know which beast?"
730Please respect copyright.PENANAEXzuWlHXEZ
"No."
730Please respect copyright.PENANAHTEK9SrOyl
"let's keep going and break for supper later," Parcival said.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAlGjwNvfQoE
"So be it."
730Please respect copyright.PENANAm6OGqoxrg9
She lead the way.
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The stomach stopped growing and reduced to a hollowness.
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####
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730Please respect copyright.PENANAlA4OPmwEyO
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.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAicw4WztPQa
There wasn't any chirping or any other sound.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAT4olKnfkib
"Guard yourselves." Her right ear twitched violently. She pinched the lobe. Arg.
730Please respect copyright.PENANALLjPSl85ax
Far off in the west, was it the crunch of leafs underfoot? She strained, it stopped. Should I say something?
730Please respect copyright.PENANA3sQtipR3cW
"Well, the map stops here. Any idea where we should go next?" Parcival asked.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAXAJic9TsOQ
"We need to leave quickly."
730Please respect copyright.PENANAE9ABOMAJMp
"That's not an answer," Parcival said, rubbing his face.
730Please respect copyright.PENANA19BoSRHz2Q
Unrolling it, she scanned it.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAhOD2E8WkBm
"If we go North-west here, and around this river, we can get to the city and exit this place faster."
730Please respect copyright.PENANAVo40BxAzTU
"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.
730Please respect copyright.PENANA4LDpto5psK
Han trotted over to him.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAZzFffgabql
"A rib bone must be broken off inside somewhere."
730Please respect copyright.PENANA1McSmlVvRG
"Let's camp by that giant stump. Can you fix him?" She pointed up ahead.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAhvqdqXYIBw
"Yes, but then that'll be it for the week healing bone isn't easy."
730Please respect copyright.PENANAs5rfEHHMpZ
"Right."
730Please respect copyright.PENANAuKsTltXh1i
Parcival was heavier than last time. She tried to pull him back up, but her arms weakened.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAneAerlwVoG
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."
730Please respect copyright.PENANAB8y0niunw7
Startling, she nearly dropped him, then draped an arm over her shoulder.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAa0CjIMXzEk
"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.
730Please respect copyright.PENANA4wD2zj079w
The humor in his eyes vanished, all except for a spark that left as fast as it appeared.
730Please respect copyright.PENANATLWugZN7q9
"We'll need a fire. I'll go get some wood," said Han.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAWNElJlhmHA
She led Parcival over to the stump, he eased down leaning against it.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAK8fxIh0sXB
"It's time I told you something," Parcival reached for her hand.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAa5DRR0U1ue
Ah, it's come to this. She stiffened.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAw0cjx7NDAf
She pulled her arm back. Those blue eyes were full of an emotion that he'd never showed before.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAk6N7o3L7C4
He stopped. His jaw tightened and his lips thinned.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAn2Vqt2AkNG
"You know you never asked me what I am you know."
730Please respect copyright.PENANAawlVbQ37To
Huh? She relaxed. Well, it can't be as bad as being asked to fry a person.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAiwgLsbW6pQ
"Then you are?"
730Please respect copyright.PENANAgsGI4kVek5
"I'm a Paladin, or a "Seeker" as some call us."
730Please respect copyright.PENANAclnWp5K6jk
Interesting. The grand knights of Olenus.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAS9aLKsg62E
"I thought they couldn't lie."
730Please respect copyright.PENANARG5JYpC5s1
She pulled her daggers out brandishing them at the nape his neck.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAj5lwPVImEU
"Tell me the truth, now!" she spat out each word and leaned in next to his face.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAmde9Xc744c
"I have been. Put that down!"
730Please respect copyright.PENANAnHlRNQ6eB6
Her hand shook, she lowered them.
730Please respect copyright.PENANA0W7mIfi41Y
"Damn you." She huffed and slid back.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAJpOHvSfOQv
His voice thickened with emotion, and his eyes filled with a soft, gentle gleam.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAKe5BmlStL6
She sat silent.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAtYZ3Zlwwud
"You're important to me. I care about you."
730Please respect copyright.PENANA6zPCm50wX5
She tilted her head. Okay? She leaned against the stump by him. What's missing here?
730Please respect copyright.PENANAxBdoUBOW5H
"That," she paused, "I can believe." Then why tell about being a Seeker? She got up shaking her head between her hands.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAHUXeP4po6D
"Are you alright?"
730Please respect copyright.PENANAYpVniu7GCK
She stood by him. All muddled and messed up. The more a thought came the faster it twisted and disappeared.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAfAn8maNYUh
"Yes."
730Please respect copyright.PENANAa2z5XLK6jB
She wandered off behind the stump, as a ridiculous heat covered her face. She pinched her forehead between the brows.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAhzujo4iZdc
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.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAHT9FELLykc
Relaxing, she went back and sat near him.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAiZwv0OFCXr
"I want to continue to the city. Perhaps one of the Elder priests can be of help.
730Please respect copyright.PENANABGE04O2KN2
Only the Adapts had a chance of knowing what to do.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAFtpsniV5LQ
"Yes, that could work," Parcival closed his eyes, a hand gripped the grass.
730Please respect copyright.PENANArOlwv7dOQj
They still have no clue of this evil, the vines are only the symptom. She shivered.
730Please respect copyright.PENANA3V7VLfZSfQ
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.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAsOp47LY8zx
"Here."
730Please respect copyright.PENANAagA6JixaMO
Sitting close she wrapped them around his torso, then knotted it.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAva4heyNEHP
"Thanks, feels a little better, nice and tight."
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She nodded.
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"I'll wait for Han."
730Please respect copyright.PENANAfJprHpeIAi
She stood then jumped onto the stump. What was I thinking?
730Please respect copyright.PENANAKNn2ZNQVog
Several hours passed, and as night took over the sky, a flapping nearby made her sit straight up.
730Please respect copyright.PENANA8IeRo9CZc0
A flapping nearby.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAt1HSjTyQGH
Voices whispering. An unmistakable gurgling screech; above a Neckhawk circled.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAZyQ7oJbznL
Her heart exploded into rapid fire beats. He'll never quit. Where is Han?
730Please respect copyright.PENANABRpEg77ln3
Parcival was laying on his side asleep.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAUVvFwlqKF9
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.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAkEznICyzYk
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.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAbiyJnp2NDR
"Follow the plan. I won't suffer any mistakes, she must be captured before it's too late."
730Please respect copyright.PENANAAVah2dt0iJ
What plan? She slid down following them.
730Please respect copyright.PENANA4r4wwzJusU
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.
730Please respect copyright.PENANANaUgEOSKui
She followed silently behind them for a few more feet. She rushed out in front of them.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAqJE6EY2WtG
"Stop, not another step." she tensed and held the daggers angled toward them.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAI0L56UbHz4
"Well, that was easy," said a familiar voice.
730Please respect copyright.PENANA8TnUFjPog2
Her stomach dropped to her boots.
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"Maxwell."
730Please respect copyright.PENANAXogvw58q74
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!
730Please respect copyright.PENANAU11mmII1Pf
The vines moved under her skin deeper, her strength drained even more. She stiffened and stood tall. Have to hide this.
730Please respect copyright.PENANADgfjZ3Yord
The man in black moved his free hand and tossed a black dot at her.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAc7MPyuUpwL
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.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAXGfojt5e5G
"Be quiet or I'll kill them as they sleep."
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She glared at him.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAKQPpkea3FO
"I doubt it. I have much planned for you," He spit on her face.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAUWYUU7ngMd
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.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAj79IitQkwu
"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.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAc7P2KVEmCJ
Tears flooded her eyes, she blinked, trying to clear them.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAZ7jbP0keaw
"It burns, let me out!"
730Please respect copyright.PENANAzwXcABPiZS
"One more, one single sound, and they will die. This is your choice, come with me or be responsible for their deaths."
730Please respect copyright.PENANAQZV4Hi9c2U
The man next to him started to walk to the camp.
730Please respect copyright.PENANACb2tDZg4C2
She shuttered and lay there dragging in ragged breaths.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAPVbZ9Nreq6
"Grab her before they wake up."
730Please respect copyright.PENANAs0zlhvI0sf
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.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAr5bo4YmdpW
The bouncing of the horse slapped the netting onto her and she yowled then passed out.
730Please respect copyright.PENANA0CzOXwhsYc
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.
730Please respect copyright.PENANATtN69xojjh
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.
730Please respect copyright.PENANA4RcIsTvk31
They screamed.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAh9eoG7OFcA
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.
730Please respect copyright.PENANA2YXg0EDj3n
The horse came to a stop, and she flopped around trying to fall off.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAWhrmjgY8aF
"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.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAhGo970VJNs
She stopped.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAo2Gj7PQJp4
"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."
730Please respect copyright.PENANAZutE6ArhN3
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?
730Please respect copyright.PENANAd8l3NYnB3T
"Watch yourself here Jason, there are evils here, though not as vile as what we carry."
730Please respect copyright.PENANA8X9b0z238W
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.
730Please respect copyright.PENANArWonUmQfU8
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.
730Please respect copyright.PENANA7wnsD7ol9K
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.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAQ2kDx39yPN
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.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAlHcql5pcDx
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.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAfawc0dzXpE
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.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAFCPrGIYGMl
"Let's see you escape this time. The stairs are of metal infused with your favorite herb."
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He moved her head more upright with his boot.
730Please respect copyright.PENANADrysyWoHbR
She hissed at him.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAvg9KdRZ8Nm
He knelt down and bent over her.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAHouaDinp7s
"Just die already. Your so evil I can't believe they didn't kill you yet."
730Please respect copyright.PENANA1pQ6FJtjWH
She lifted her head a fraction and spit on his face, then lay back down again exhausted.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAIXPGBbmAPz
"Hmm, maybe 2-3 weeks it will take."
730Please respect copyright.PENANAmJuuBuHjLB
"What will?" she said in a weary voice.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAao3jWXqzVS
"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.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAtMO1rPWKTZ
"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.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAbbBgwsdIqx
"Drained?"
730Please respect copyright.PENANAB4zL6oiGSp
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."
730Please respect copyright.PENANA9ktUYQVfTH
He grabbed her throat and squeezed. Pins of lights speckled her vision.
730Please respect copyright.PENANA8VvPq7vSq8
"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.
730Please respect copyright.PENANApRAd5UoB5M
He let go then walked back up the stairs of the cellar, and locked the door. With a click, she was in the darkness.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAysrnVi0ZsI
The familiar creeping sensation inside her head started up again.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAQCB9sFgrLb
Well, if I did at least it-
730Please respect copyright.PENANAA4BbDK2stY
Wong, I'll just wait for a new vessel to be born, time is nothing for me. You are nothing but a tool.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAkrtoSa2aFH
Then why don't you leave now?
730Please respect copyright.PENANAmW7Dm9YPFM
The god laughed and made her laugh like a mad person.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAryPf0n89a1
Because I enjoy nothing more than seeing an Elven suffer.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAnQsLe7bIpK
I hate you.
730Please respect copyright.PENANA4EKunJP8xx
Thank you.
730Please respect copyright.PENANADNierCM9E4
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.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAxvrTDMP4E9
The next morning the door opened once again. Footsteps.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAQpWw6JLLw1
Jason came down with a single mug of water. Ah, good to know his name again.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAo0LytDnsKT
"Here," Jason said, he tapped her leg with his foot.
730Please respect copyright.PENANANi1NdSfBfk
She looked up at him, with her head to the side. He showed her the water.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAgRf66fujV0
"You torment. Can't move." She closed her eyes expecting a kick in the face.
730Please respect copyright.PENANAOtVGQDKFha
Jason knelt down and put the mug to her lips helping her drink it.
730Please respect copyright.PENANADbqdEFKRxH
"Why?"
730Please respect copyright.PENANAup6G8P9Wlo
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."
730Please respect copyright.PENANAacg0b4EFHN
He looked away, "Evil or not I'll bring you a drink once a day."
730Please respect copyright.PENANA8vKA3YqzMy
The door closed, the cellar darkened, like her hope. Am I?