Returning the Last Shard

[Kaanta]

Kaanta stood out in the field remembering the old days years ago when the good queen Kyra still ruled this chaotic land and he and his companions had quested for the shards of the Silver Cross. The Silver Cross. The only artifact of a race long gone with the exception of himself and "his" horse. It had channeled the magic of the land for centuries on end, making the land into a plentiful society of peace. The land was always fertile and there was no such thing as evil. If a raiding party or invading army ever though to attack, they would feel a peace come over them as soon as they entered the land and would either turn back or settle right there and join the holy and peaceful covenant, extending the border and creating a new provincial town.

This does not mean, of course, that they did not learn the arts of battle. But the knowledge was not learned, perfected, and passed down for the sake of the fight, but as a way of mental and bodily control, as it was meant to be used.

A thousand years before the destruction of the cross, a human born to the first caravan of non-elvin inhabitants of the landhad posessed within her evil brought from the far lands and not effected as she came as an innocent babe and it was not yet awakened. She was truly the first "witch" of the land. On the day of the wedding of her brother to a priestess of the elven church, the first marriage of a human to an elf, she wrought a soul binding curse that when the parchment of the announcement of the wedding was read again in a thousnad years' time, she would come back as the destroyer and obliterate the covenant that her brother and people had made with the elves and the land.

A thousand years later, a young man was searching through the library, looking for the lineage of his family and came upon this parchment by accident (at this time I would like to note that Kaanta was a direct descendant of the first marrige as it was called). Upon reading it, the witch posessed his body and, while paying no heed to any person, he went to the altar of the silver cross, its radiant glow pulsating as it distributed the life force of magic throughout the land. He went up to the cross and reached out to take it.

Upon the contact of the barest bit of his skin with the cross, the witch's spitir ripped out of him and into the cross. The surge of evil shattered the cross into five fragments. Three of them flew to distant parts of the kingdom as an aetheral beast of shadowy hatred held two more. A great rift opened between the two shards as several beasts of undescribable hate poured out.

Kaanta shuddered as he rememberd that horrid battlwe that had destroyed the city. He himself had killed seven beasts and had been one of the two warriors to finally ward off the witch. The final battle had been him and his lifelong friend Drav fighting for both their own and the lives of the kingdom. Drav had been wounded early on as the witch plunged one of the shards deep into his leg. Near the end of the fight, she stabbed Kaanta in the heart and swallowed him full. This was her undoing, for the one weakness of her spell was the offspring of her family. the direct descendant of the bond that unleashed hatred she posessed. Upon swallowing him, she was one again banished and Kaanta was put into stasis for five years. The remnants of the kingdom ran to faraway places.

Upon waking, five more years of healing passed Kaanta by till the day the drow princess Kyra D'Naeth and her caravan of goodhearted servants decided to start their good civilization on this land. At this time, Kaanta brought forth to her the knowledge of the land and begged her to help him in his quest to regain the shards. The first was in the woods of the northwest. There, they fought a mighty battle with a dragon and a good man, Kyra's bodyguard fell forever on the spot. The mighty sorcerer Zathan stole the three shards (for Drav was a member of the group) and stole to the ice plains and fjords of the far north to retrieve the fourth, for he realized the full potential of the silver cross and was afraid of the results if the shard was reformed.

The party went back to the city and there found that they were being invaded by the Firfirsle, lizard men that stand upright and have the intelligence of a human. While they pressed back the first attack, Zathan returned, realizing that the shard was needed for the land or the land would become a desolate wasteland when the last of the original inhabitants died.

Many years had passed since then and Kyra and her court have long been buried in the now extensive catacombs. There is a new atack on the kingdom by the firfirsle and they have succeeded in taking the eastern keep. Kaanta has been summoned by the ruler to help with the invasion and he will soon set out for the final shard once the invasion has been thwarted.

As Kaanta finally came out of his long reverie, he mounted Varme and rode to the castle to hear the King's request.

[Mordraken]

Krzzizick stepped carefully through the forest, following next to the well-worn sandy path that he, roughly, was sure led to the kingdom of the humans. As long as he stayed in the green shadows of the forest, he figured, he wouldn't have to deal with any, how would one put it, "unwarrented attention". Humans and elves alike, the ones he had known in the past, feared what they didn't understand. He feared more, however, those who DID know about his race, the culture he rejected many decades ago. He would be an enemy to the humans until he could convince someone, ANYONE, that his intentions were only to help. As he walked he went through in his mind what he could offer the king and his subjects: being one of the Lizardfolk, he knew more about them and their patterns than anyone else; he also could lend a hand by altering the battlefield to aid his allies. He desperately hoped that the king would listen. Krzzizick could only imagine the hideous fate that awaited him if he didn't succeed in his plea.

[Kaantaa]

As Kaantaa sat on his horse travelling towards the King's palace, he heard some rustling behind him. Warily, he dismounted from Varme silently and headed towards the noise on cat's feet. With purpose intent on the prey, he quickly and quietly drew his twin sabres and stalked his prey like a Big Cat on the prowl.

The world was silent but for the chirping of a lone cicada and the whispering hush of the wind. He finally got his first glimpse of the itended prey. A firfirsle. Rage ripped through him as he saw the enemy of his country. this . . . beast and his species were the reason for the death of his friend in arms the queen Kyra D'Neth anad he hated them for that. Filled with the rush of adrenaline, he sprang, clearing the two yard high brush, on the back of the beast.

He raised his twin blades of Death and Judgment and started to slice down at the lizard when they were stopped by some sort of magic rune.

Pleasssse don't kill me. You make me use magick on you and unfortunate horse. I want help you. I go to ssseee your king to requesssst permisssion to helpssss.

Kaantaa, untrusting but seeing this lizard's power, slowly got off, not giving his guard a rest for a moment. The lizard looked at him with touches of hurt and disdain, but it was overrided by a deep sense of imploring and an odd yearning. For what, Kaantaa had no idea.

You see why I ssstay off path? I want to help you. I hatess my kind. HATESS thems. Will you travel with me to the King's throne?


Kaantaa thought for a moment, still filled with loathing for this "learned lizard, this firfirsle shaman". He realized, however, that he could not kill him now, and the king could perhaps interrogate him.

All right, but you cannot ride on Varme and for the safety of my mind, please hand me that rod.

[Mordraken]

Yessss, you take Krzzizick staff. The firfirsle presented the staff to the raging grey elf fighter. Krzzizick thought it smarter to make this one think him helpless than to attempt to take him down.
This is why he felt it was smart to try and help them. Too much emotion stood in the way of good perspective. Plus, where else was he to go? Back to his bretheren? Unlikely. The scandal of a high Ckrashuz leaving the ranks of the firfirsle nation is an unforgivable sin. And firfirsle have long memories. It wouldn't be easy to just waltz into the castle undetected or without suspicion, but it would be actually be an attainable goal.
These grey elves need all the help he could give them.

[Kaantaa]

Kaantaa took thte staff with caution and placed it deeply in his travelling bag. He mounted Varme again and headed downwards on the trail towards the dity of D'Naeth.

Lizard, if I were a shaman, I'd be wary of my own magic. The land doesn't know how to react to it anymore, you see. Ever since the shard broke. I'd watch yourself. I've seen many spells gone awry when cast. Even by powerful mages.

They rode on for the better part of a day towards the capital across the depressingly flat plains. As the sun was seting in the far west, a tall figure stood silouetted in the sun about a mile away. He too was travelling towards D'Naeth. At their current speed, they would catch up with the solitary traveller in an hour or so.

That's odd. Never seen a lone traveler up here before. THe land's especially wild.He looked down to his side at the firfirsle shaman.Then again, today hasn't exactly been a normal day has it?

He tapped varme on the side and they sped up a little bit more towards the tall dark figure. He hoped to overtake the man before nightfall came.

[Harthar]

It had been some time since the large man had left his tribe, his home, he hadn't fled because he feared death or being hunted by his peers. No he had left because he wanted to go somewhere where he would be able to live in peace for his long life. Very few of his kind had this feeling and by the time they had matured the warrior instinct within all of his race would take over and they would crave war. But he was different. He was a very skilled warrior, but he did not want to be a warrior. He wanted to be needed for something greater then killing for land or for cattle. He wanted to be needed for something Honorable and truely good.

For years he traveled and finally he came to border of all the Tribe lands and to the edge of a land that had never before been explored. He looked back to his homeland and with a grim smile he turned and continued his journey toward the center of this land. His long, strong legs did not need a horse for him to travel fast, his endurence was at its peek and he was young and energetic. He jogged at a pace that would be called a run by the smaller races of the world. Humans for example would be hard pressed to keep up with the Toblakai. When he had reached where he assumed would be the center of this uninhabited land, he began to build his home. Using the large trees as cover until he had created a home big enough for the Toblakai to sleep in. He scouted the area and made sure he was familiar with his surroundings whilst on hunting trips for food and hide to make new cloths.

He lived like this for a year, perhaps two, before he felt the earge to go exploring some more of this uninhabited land. And so he left his little home and traveled in an ever widening circle around his home. Eventually coming across a road that looked to have been used. This he frowned at as he had not known this place was inhabited. The Toblakai followed the road. Until he could see up ahead of him three shapes. One looked to be a very small horse or a pony and the other two looked humanoid.

The large man continued to walk up the road toward these two creatures.

[Kaantaa]

The sun slowly closed over the landscape. Everything shone a brilliant orange, then turned to a rich gold, a faint yellow, then the land was slowly inveloped on the dusty grey dusk of evening. Kaantaa and the lizard had finally caught up with the stranger.

As he rode to the tall man's side, he coldly inspected the behemoth, who was barely shorter than himself mounted, for any sign of nervousness. He then called out to the figure.

Ho, Stranger! What brings you this way? Are you travelling to D'Naeth? You don't look to be a native. We're still a good half day's travel from the city. Perhaps you will dine with me and my lizard friend tonight? It grows dark.

Kaantaa dismounted Varme, patting the good horse's neck, and took off the travelling pack before releasing the horse to the plains for the night. He unrolled the pack, setting up the spit and pot, and started a fore for dinner. Jerkey stew wasn't the best food, but it carried well.

It's good stuff. That I promise you. There's no finer jerky in this twisted kingdom.

He offered the ever blurring shape a steaming bowl, poured one for himself, and scraped out the bottom mush forthe lizard, handing it a cracked bowl that let the viscous ooze slowly seep out.

Stranger, may I inquire as to why you travel to the capital?

[Harthar]

The huge warrior slowed as the two groups met up. His eyes moving slowly over the man upon the horse who had spoken, assessing the man's weapons and build. As well as taking a good look at the man's eyes, they usually betrayed a level of intelligence in people who were smart. Still not replying to the man, he looked down at the lizard creature and could not stop his lip from slightly curling in disgust at such a vile creature. Not wishing to look upon the being any longer he turned back to the horseman and spoke in his faultering common. His face had a language of its own which was ancient because his race was so long lived.

"D`Naeth? That city of you people? Me travel to big city of small creatures. Small creatures look like you. Me no native to this land. Half day from big city? We continue, be there by sunrise. Dark ok. Me no fear dark. You friend to lizard? Me can eat lizard if you no like it."

He had eaten lizard before... although those were slightly smaller and would perhaps taste slightly better then these larger humanoid lizards. The Barbarian had heard tales of large lizards that some called Dragons, but this thing was nothing like those tales. Mabye the tales were wrong. He doesn't look so powerful.

When the rider dismounted and set his horse off the tribesman shrugged and moved to the place where the fire would be built. When offered the broth the barbarian narrowed his eyes for a moment at the foriegn substance. He had never heard of, let alone eaten jerky before, but he would try it. He did not think this rider would try and poison the large man. And if the rider tried to the barbarian was confident he could summon enough energy to kill the rider before he himself tied.

He ate some of it and then smiled at the taste and quickly finished the bowl off. Once it was gone he looked into the pot for more. Taking what was left and eating all of that too. He found he was still hungry, but he did not tell the rider and the lizard because that would not be right.

"Me explore round home. Found road. Following, see where go. Thought place be deserted. Found out not. I travel with you and lizard until me leave. I Raliric Ered`Gard, of tribe of Ered`Gard, of race of Thelomen Toblakai. Champion of Ered`Gard tribe."

The big man took out his knife from its sheath and made a small cut into the end of his finger. He then held it over the flame until one drop fell into the fire. This was a custom which his tribe did. It ment there was a truce at the camp until the sunrose to three-quarters above the horizon. No one could be killed or injured by another person until after that time. After he had done it he stabbed his knife into the ground and took his Huge sword from his back which he could easily use one handed.

[Kaantaa]

The food was finished. Kaantaa scraped any remaining scraps left and flung them deep into the field for the ravens that would come during the night. He rolled up the pot and sat down, taking out a small drum. He played it softly and methodically, using the time to meditate. The soft taps and riffs filled the night air with a calming rhythm. The tall man told him his name and situation, ending with an odd ritual, but Kaantaa could tell it was meant to signify peace, not danger. The giant pulled his sword out. It was a mighty weapon, and Kaantaa watched as the giant practiced technique. It was a beautiful weapon and while the warrior did his manovers, it became part of him. The man was obviously a skilled fighter. Kaantaa nodded affirmatively in his direction, swaying slowly to the beat. The drum gave off an incredibly rich, deep sound for such a small instrument.

Warrior Raliric Ered`Gard, I would like to welcome you to my kingdom. I am of no royalty, but I have lived here longer than anyone. I apologise for the short supply of food, for I have been scouting for several days, living on the land without paying too close attention to my food stores. I did not expect company. Tomorrow's journey should be fast.

Full night was on them now. Kaantaa reluctantly put away his drum and unrolled his thin grass sleeping mat. He bedded down, asuring himself that he would awake quickly enough if that lizard pulled anything. Or that giant for that matter. Soon later, he drifted into the light sleep of a trained warrior.

* * *

The sun's red rays crept over the horizon, right into Kaantaa's eyes. Nature's alarm clock had succeeded as he silently grimaced and stood. He rolled up his grass mat and let a burst of air speed between his teeth. Soon after, Varme trotted up to his side. He loaded up the horse with the bundles and went over to the lizard. It was sleeping of course.

It would be so easy to kill him now... no. I must not.

He prodded the lozard's tail with his right boot till the lizard groggily opened his eyes.

Get up, swampbreath. Morning is here.

He turned to the mound that was the giant warrior. Obviously awake. Obviously testing Kaantaa's perception. He walked back to Varme and mounted. Soon after, the tall man stood up and the firfirsle begrudgingly stood up. By ten, the city was in plain view, its solid grey walls rising from the expansive plains, a deep forest rising on the far side of the city.

As he had said, by midday, they arrived at the main gate. As they neared, a small dustcloud was being kicked up.

What the Devil is this? Looks like some dandy's making a fuss.

A tall proud elf was sneering at a man wearing leathers with a clamp on one ear. He heard some comment pertaining to "barbarian magic" from the haughty young elf.

[Harthar]

Raliric had awakened when the sun had first peaked up from the horizon, but when he heard the rider get up, the large warrior stayed in his sleeping position and listened for what the man was doing. He heard the man pack up his horse and then go over and kick the lizard awake then turn his attention to Raliric. Who on cue moved fluidly to his feet and inclined his head to the rider. His hand moved down to take up the large two-handed sword and to secure it once more to his back. Then he retreived his knife and sheathed it. He was once more ready to travel.

They started out and reached the city at midday just as the rider had said. But the barbarian frowned slightly at the disagreement that was going on. He did not want to be held up by such petty squobbles of a scrawny humanoid with long ears. And so the Toblakai moved forward, making his way toward the disagreeing parties. Upon arriving he said one word in his strong, deep and now booming voice.

"Quiet!"

Once they had all quieted down he then spoke to the elf.

"Tell me what wrong."

[Mordraken]

Krz didn't appreciate the amount of maligning he recieved, but reminded himself of the gravity of his mission, and how he needed to hold back his primal insticts, at least, for now. Wishing he could bask at least for a short time before going onto the castle, this seemed an impossibility as the paranoid mounted warrior and this barbarian fellow who reminded him too much of home. Mounted Warrior. His warnings about the instability of magick angered Krz more than it worried him. The arrogance of a grey elf telling him anything about magick, Urraggg! He was tempted to prove the fellow wrong, but now, so close to his goal, he did not seek to jepordize it with feats of magick power. Your time will come, grey elf, he thought, then purged the idea from his mind.
The ridiculous barbarian then got involved in a minor scuffle in the entrance of the city. There's always something, isn't there? Eager to get on his way, Krz tapped the grey elf on the shoulder, and whispered, "Ssshouldn't we go around thissss confrontation? I imagine the king'sss patience is finite." As is mine, he almost added.

[Talen]

Arc was starting to feel the rope around his neck that was the punishment for murder. Trying to talk his way out of the problem Arc was talking fast, faster than he hoped the elf was following and cockiness he didn't feel, complete with kicking dirt and fluttering hand motions.

The guard had stopped him under the suspicion that he fit the description of someone who had killed a man two days ago in a bar. The guard was as right as rain, Arc was as guilty as hell but he wasn't about it answer to the charge. No one would respect his form of magic and he would have no one on his side, not the place you want to be after accused of murder. The fellow had gotten rough with him, for a reason Arc still didn't understand. When Arc used one of his favorite spell against the man, a spell that controlled muscle, Arc had put a little to much zip on the spell as he was trying to run away and the man's back muscles had tightened so much that the muscles had snapped his own spine.

"I cannot believe you stop me from leaving this place you uncivilized sot, when my master hears about this you'll be tied to a . ."Quiet!" . . ."Tell me what wrong."

Looking over at the giant Arc knew he wasn't from around here and quickly put a sudden thought into play.

Moving quickly to the giants side Arc waved at the guard he has speaking to and the three others not so far away.

That guard just killed my sister and others won't do anything about it.

Before sliding out of the gaints view and taking off at a run in the opposite direction of the gate.

[Kaantaa]

Kaantaa jumped off Varme and tackled the running man the man struggled a bit, but stopped when Kaanta started pushing on a pressure point.

Now calm down. I'm not going to do anything to you. I just want to fiind out what happened. Now I'm going to stand up and I would request that you do me the favor of not trying to run.

He turned towards the thin elf standing next to the town guard, frowning at the young man. He was one of the richer pompous dandies in town and had a knack for irriitating even the most complacent people.

Aesil, For what reason do you torment this man? You know I am on good terms with those who control your money flow. It would be a shame if I had to cut them off...

The tall elf glared at Kaantaa. He was absolutely astonished that this old, wizened, uncouth man would threaten his money supply.

What you say is true, Keeper. I would be rather put out without my money. This... barbarian trash killed one of my men in a bar recently using some type of twisted magic.

This is a serious charge for you to say, Aesil Perhaps we should bring this to the king? I have business there today already.

As the entire group started towards the castle, Kaantaa drifted unnoticed over to the barbarian.

I know not if you indeed killed this man although the evidence seems against you. I am an old advisor of the king and may be able to relieve you of legal difficulties in trade for some of your services in the "project" that I will soon be departing on. Do you accept?

[Talen]

Thrashing as the person brought him down and held him Arc tried to fight free, he had not prepared any spells because he though it would draw to much attention to him. Left with only his physical ability Arc wasn't helpless but in the hold of one so large a fellow he couldn't fight free, and the shooting pain the followed didn't help much. Being handled and steered by the guards after the tall fellows words Arc fought free of them long enough to advance at the pompous elf hissing and drawing lines in the air. Arc grinned jadedly as the elf stumbled backwards into a pile of horse shit nearly falling down. Being taken savagely for his display Arc was hit in the back and grabbed with his arms forced roughly behind his back before they were tied.

Arc didn't know what the tall fellow spoke of but no one associated themselves with a murder for nothing. Whatever this favor was Arc was certainly willing to consider it, he was imprisoned with little hope of getting free after all, besides if he found himself in a problem he could always run if the chance presented if self. On top of every thing else he was felling Arc had a glimmer of hope about meeting the King, every citizen is bombarded with the thought that the king was infallible, surly he would see that the murder charge was true but with certain circumstances.

[Harthar]

Raliric merely stood there as all this happened, he did not speak a word after this man, Arc, had talked to him. He merely watched as the events took place and finally the Rider took control of the situation. They began to head toward the castle but when Raliric saw the elves men rough housing this new member of their odd group, the large barbarian took charge of the prisoner. He moved forward and knocked the elves men aside with two sweeps of his long right arm. He knew that the men would be angry and would try and get Raliric out of the way, but the large man didn't care. He walked beside the Prisoner and said in an even tone.

"If you try escape, I catch and carry you by feet. Keep walking at side and I no harm you, nor let elf men harm you. Deal?"

The Barbarian didn't wait for an answer as he continued.

"Me Raliric. You?"

[Talen]

OOC(sorry bout that, i though i was waiting, rather that being the one who being waited on)

IC:

"Deal?"

Arc almost chuckled, what the hell was he going to say, No, the fellow could literally tear him limb from limb. Straining his neck up at the giant Arc agrees non-verbally with a simple nod.

Moving his tied arms around trying to work the sting out of the gauds hit Arc was watching the fore mention guards as they dealt calmly with the pompous elf, all the while shooting looks at the giant.

"Me Raliric. You?"

Raising an eyebrow Arc answered

"My name is Arcen, but people just call me Arc." Motioning his chin at Kaantaa Arc went on "Who is the high string-bean may I ask?"

[Lordcherry]

(OOC: Allo, Kaanta. Long time no see. Hope you're on AIM, got an interesting story to tell you. Anyway.. hope there's room for an old fighter and his son to rescue their homeland. )




It was getting dark as the ragged-looking, cloaked party of two reached the Western Gate to the city. The smaller, younger-looking of the pair was mounted upon a strong, rough looking stallion. The older of the pair was busy at the gate's horse door, arguing with the man there. The cloak's hood slipped off of his head, and the light of the moon, reflected in the rain, caught his golden hair. There were a few streaks of grey, but the color was still vibrant, the face it framed strong. The man at the gate waved his arms in the night air, emphasising his point. Eventually the argument ceased, and with the clink of coins falling into the gatekeeper's hands, the two moved into the dark, rain-soaked interior of the city. There wasn't much in the way of room left in many of the inns they visited. Three, four streets they tried, no openings. The pair passed a slightly dillapidated, worn-looking house at the end of the fourth street. The older's eyes sparkled for a moment, a tear running down one of his cheeks. He broke open the door, and lead the horse through the small doorway. The younger had dismounted and moved into the room ahead, to start a fire and clear some space.

"Eram, check the back room,"said the older, his voice rough now from the argument with the gatekeeper. "and make sure there's still beds in those rooms. Should be. This place looks untouched."

A fire was soon started, and Eram returned from his circut of the house, reporting that everything was indeed almost untouched, and the beds were still in excellent condition. Taking a glance at the dark, leather-wrapped shape on the horses saddlebags, the golden, faintly glowing runes on the pommel of his sword confirmed the older's guess. So, there was still some magic working here after all, thought he. After they had made a meager meal of some dried meat and small cups of tea, Eram rolled up in his cloak, rested his head on his bedroll, and slept. Taking his cloak off, the elder man shook the water off, and placed it over the young man's sleeping form. Taking hold of thin, golden chain around his neck, he stroked a small jade bird that was hung from it, and whispered to himself in the twilight.

"If only you'd have lived to see him now, Kyra. He's so beautiful. Your son. He's grown up so quickly. Nearly seventeen already. Great one with a sword, he is." he chuckled at that, staring off into nothing, as if remembering something from long ago. "Like his father, I suppose, yes. Saved my life, he did. Two of those damned lizards snuck up on us in the night. I barely woke up in time. They were on us. Before I could even think, Kyra, he had my sword out and one of them's head rolling 'tween it's scaly legs. Amazing."

He talked for a while, maybe an hour or so, like that. Dawn came, peeking its pink and golden light through the cracked, aged glass of the windows. Eram was just waking up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, and greeting the dawn. He looked about, for his father, but then realized he must have gone to get more wood for the fire, or out to ask more people if they'd seen the man his father was looking for. Eram barely remembered him. An uncle from when he was very young, though he often wondered how a grey elf named Kaantaa could be his uncle. Occasionally he just suspected his father was making it up.

On the street just outside the house, peddlers were already hawking their wares, stopping the meager passersby for a look at their items. Some of them did think it was strange that a golden-haired man with a sword was asking about elves. But they payed it no mind and went about their day. The golden-haired warrior stalked off towards the palace in the distance, muttering to himself, a pouch banging against his hip as he walked.

"Where are you, Kaanta? I found it. Now where the hell are you?"

[Kaanta]

Upon entering the castle, the men were quickly ushered to a waiting room. He dismissed the city guards and foppish elf and turned to Raliric, Arcen, and Krzzizick.

I must attend to some urgent business with the king. I will be back shortly. Please wait here in the meantime and try not to kill eachother.

Faster than the herald could announce the Kaanta's presence, the king called out to him in a loud voice.

Kaanta, you old hound, it's good to see you. I wish it were not under such circumstances. The Firfirsle draw ever near. I'm not sure how much longer we can hold the front. I've called you down here for the request that you assemble a team of highly specialized individuals for a raid of the utmost importance and secrecy.

Kaanta nodded with understanding and replied in a boice with absolutely no tone of subservience. Both he and the king knew that he was outside of the king's rule.

Allow me a day to gather my team. I have but one question at the moment. There is a firfirsle defector that wishes to undermine the current firfirsle leadership. I believe he would be a valuable asset to the group, especially if we enter their territory. I will keep a close eye on him, of course, and at the first sign of unwanted behavior, well... Kaanta tapped his twin blades, an apathetic expression on his weathered grey face.

The king nodded in thought, and after a minute of heavy consideration, approved ov the firfirsle's participation as long as it was necessary. Kaanta nodded again and left, stepping out into the main courtyard.

[Harthar]

Raliric shrugged at Arc's question and then turned to Kaanta as he spoke to them. The barbarian wordlessly nodded to the rider he so far did not even know the name of, nor did he trust him overly. It was morning and their pact had expired. Raliric's hands were ready though, and they were sufficient enough weapons to dispose of these small, thin creatures that looked like him, but where much smaller. His muscles momentarily rippled as he clenched his fists.

He waited against a wall, his back against the stone so that he knew nothing would come from that direction that was as small as these humanoids around him. And if something did come from that direction he would most probably be able to hear it bashing the wall down in time to move or bash the wall down and meet the creature in the center. Either way, he still lent against the wall and watched the creatures around him, not trusting any of them at all. Not allowing himself to trust them. Because trusting that which you were not familiar with, without using the formalities, would be a grave mistake for a warrior of his race and size. Often some people would attack because they saw him as a challenge to be over come. They neer over came that challenge.

The creature he watched the most was the lizard. He did not like the creature because it was much different from even the thin, small creatures that were in the room as well. This was a creature that Raliric somehow felt was evil, dangerous and should be watched and kept a tab on. He would not make it his job, but he would not dismiss it from his mind.

He waited for Kaanta.

[Talen]

I must attend to some urgent business with the king. I will be back shortly. Please wait here in the meantime and try not to kill eachother.

Sar watched the tall narrow fellow leave and glances at the giant.

I don't think we have to worry about any one dieing as long as you watch where you are putting your feet down.

Sar smiles at the giant before strolling slowly around the room looking closely at all the places he could use to exit the room. A door opening Rune wasn't easy but if he drew it as he drew another to keep anyone from stopping him he would have a chance and an unbearable head ache from using that gift that he had never heard of a Rune mage having. Being able to have his mind on two runes at the same time was a gift he had used before but didn't look forward to again.

Sar stopped his stroll around the room at the door he had entered figuring it was the best to make a run threw an area he had all ready seen. Sar leans back against the wall getting comfortable next to the door.