The Silent Wood

The silent wood is an eerie place in which many dark colonies reside. (These will be added as they are created and will also be added to the ever-growing map as well.) It rests between the Darkford River and Camp Redwing. The trees are tall, ancient, and the animals themselves usually are none too friendly...

Baylan camped under a small tree hidden from view as he watched Jack.

Jack started into the supposedly haunted woods bravely. He wasn't one for superstitious tales, nor was he one to pass up the only forest not dominated by hunters.

He started forward, looking at each detail first. As a woodsman, he knew how to blend in silently with nature without disturbing the creatures he didn't want to challenge for territory.

Baylan smiled and followed him happily.

Jack stopped abruptly and dexterously slipped an arrow from his quiver, balancing it on his bow. He waited for a few seconds as he stared at a full leafy bush. He drew back the bowstring and loosed an arrow and chased after it into the bushes.

"Yes!" Jack cheered when he picked up a rabbit by its ears, yanking his arrow from its flank. He pulled a knife from his belt and cut the creature's throat to finish the kill.

Baylan looked away but looked back after he was finished. Even though he hunted he was still squeamish at the sight of blood, He moved a little closer to Jack his cloak brushing against a tree branch. He held his breath hoping the faint sound hadn't been heard.

Jack turned quickly, gripping on the handle of the knife. "Who's there?" he demanded.

He hid behind the tree trying to remain unseen his heart beat in fear.

"Don't be so paranoid," Sanguine said as he approached Jack. "You might end up shooting one of my handsome features," he said as he ran his hand through his hair.

Jack glared at Sanguine, "Don't sneak up on me while I'm hunting. I might just give you a scar to teach you something about personality."

"I love you too," Sanguine grinned as he slapped Jack's shoulder.

Baylan tilted his head in curiosity watching them. He snuck a little closer this time being more careful not to make a sound.

"So why did you come here?" Jack asked dryly.

Sanguine smiled, "I have to keep an eye on you. These woods are cursed!"

Jack shook his head and rolled his eyes, "Yeah, and I'm a dancing unicorn."

Baylan snickered at that before he could stop himself and he quickly ducked behind a tree again. He inwardly cursed himself for allowing that to slip out, it was hard not to he admired Jack.

Jack turned around, "What was that?"

"We're in a forest. Probably...humm...a forest creature?" Sanguine said dryly.

Jack shrugged, "Maybe you're right. Make yourself useful and hold my trophies," he said as he shoved the rabbit into Sanguine's arms.

Baylan inwardly sighed as he watched them.

"Why did you have to pick the cursed place to hunt?" Sanguine whined.

Jack rolled his eyes, "Because I like being away from the superstitions." Jack sheathed his knife and swiftly switched back to his bow and an arrow, loosing another arrow in a nearby bush. Jack dashed after his arrow and yanked it out of the leg of a squirrel before cutting its throat and handing it to Sanguine.

"You're too good at this," Sanguine shuddered at the blood.

Jack laughed, "Maybe a god blessed me."

Baylan watched them closely wanting to be that friendly with Jack. He inched forward silently.

"You never know," Sanguine said thoughtfully. "I'll find out which god watches over you from the day you were born...."

Jack shook his head. "Don't worry about it." Jack stared at the rabbit and squirrel that Sanguine was carrying, "Do you think I should take my hunting a little slower?"

Baylan stopped when he was fairly close but he stayed hidden still not sure if he could trust jack even though he wanted to. He was a little leary about Sanguine too.

Jack turned around, "Somebody else is here."

"You can track people mysteriously and you're not superstitious?" Sanguine asked wryly.

Jack shook his head, "Being aware of your surroundings isn't mystic," he said gingerly.

Baylan stiffened scared. Please don't find me...

"Do you think whatever is here is an enemy?" Sanguine asked.

Jack shook his head, "No. An enemy...they wouldn't...they would have acted by now," Jack said slowly.

"Maybe they're just bad at it," Sanguine grinned.

"Maybe they're an overprotective husband seeking revenge on you," Jack suggested with a wry smirk.

Baylan frowned in confusion. He gathered his courage and slowly stood up. "I'm noone's husband...Too young. And I don't want revenge." he said ready to run.

"Well, Sanguine, you can breath," Jack said quietly. "You're pretty young," Jack remarked. "You shouldn't be here alone."

"I've been following you for about a month..." Baylan said softly. "I don't have anywhere else to go...that extra food was from me."

"Well," Jack hesitated, "I guess you're not alone then."

"You won't...hurt me?"

"Of course not," Jack said with a smile. "Sanguine's an idiot, but harmless, too."

"Right," Sanguine nodded. "Wait..." Sanguine grumbled when he realized what Jack said.

Baylan snickered. "I'm Baylan..."

"Come on, let's get back to town," Jack suggested.

"Ok..."

A haunting melody filled the trees then, echoing around the group beautifully. Lorin sat in a tree some few hundred yards off, lost in his song as his long fingers delicately played over his crystal flute. His eyes were closed and silver hair billowed in an unfelt breeze.

Baylan shrank closer to the others and looked toward the sound.

"Oh no!" Sanguine cried, "The curse is gonna get us!"

Jack hung his head, sighing, "There is no curse..."

"Look..."Baylan said pointing to Lorin.

Lorin heard nothing of their conversation, he was so intensely into his music that nothing of his surroundings was given much thought.

"See?" Jack asked. "No curse."

"B-but..." Sanguine brandished an accusing finger at Lorin, "Demon!"

Baylan frowned at Sanguine. "Are you usually this jumpy?"

"Yes, he's superstitious and with very bad morals," Jack said dryly.

"I do what I know," Sanguine shrugged.

"He's bad? Why are you with him than?" Baylan asked looking at Jack with childlike curiosity.

"Friends like the things they have in common and respect each others' differences," Jack shrugged.

Sanguine uncoiled the whip from his belt, "Super powered items..." he looked around and sighed, "Are useless in the forest that silences spells..."

"Not this again..." Jack grumbled.

Baylan looked thoughtful. "Why do you trust me? I feel like we have some similar experiences and so I followed you...I wasn't sure I could trust you though but I am glad I can." He looked at Sanguine than. "I'm still not sure about you though..."

"Are you married?" Sanguine asked sheepishly.

"Huh? I told you I am too young. I'm only fourteen." Baylan said in confusion.

"Then you can trust me," Sanguine assured him with a smirk.

"Huh? Why does me not being married mean I can trust you...oh yea Jack said earlier...you're basically a pimp aren't you?" He asked bluntly.

Saunguine puffed out his chest, "I prefer the god's gift to women."

He burst out laughing. "Only if they are insane. It is said that if a man has a big ego than they are lacking in other areas." He said with a smirk. He turned to Jack with a smile. "I see why you like him...he is good for comedic relief."

"Indeed," Jack agreed.

Sanguine's chest deflated as he looked blankly between the two of them, "You don't believe me?"

Baylan pressed his lips together to keep from laughing. "Not...really. Why don't you try to find someone nice to stay with? Wouldn't that be better than multiple people?"

"Hell no," Sanguine detested. "Why only service one woman when you can give the gift that keeps on giving?"

Baylan wrinkled his nose in disgust. "You are gross..."

Soon the sound of beautiful singing was carried on the breeze. The lyrics were strange and haunting and they didn't sound like a melody a human could sing. It was a female voice.

"Oooh..." Sanguine's long ears twitched, "The singing of a beautiful woman..." he purred.

"Oh, dear," Jack sighed.

"Why doesn't he think that is supernatural?" Baylan said with a smirk.

"Because it involves a woman," Jack said flatly. "Sanguine, that woman bears the curse you are so afraid of."

"No she doesn't," Sanguine said dreamily. "Women are pure, delicate flowers that need our love and protection..."

"Sounds like fae." Baylan said.

"Great...he's under the spell," Jack huffed.

"It stopped..." Baylan said after a moment.

"Sanguine's still mesmerized," Jack sighed. "Do fae usually do that?"

Baylan nodded and walked over to Sanguine. "Sorry this may hurt...but it should help." He said as he brought his foot down hard onto his.

Sanguine blinked a few times, "Where's the pretty song?"

Baylan looked to Jack. Than he turned back to him. "It was a fae, maybe she was trying to lure you to her so you could be her slave."

Sanguine grabbed Baylan by the shoulders and began shaking him, "Why why WHY would you stop that?!"

Baylan looked scared and brought his foot between his legs as hard as he could. "DON'T TOUCH ME!" He snapped breaking free and hiding behind Jack. He trembled in fear.

"Then don't wake me from gorgeous women who want to have their way with me!" Sanguine returned.

Jack sighed, "Sanguine, he saved your life. If he didn't wake you, you know I would have, now, let's get moving before somebody other than a willing victim is incapacitated."

"I...was trying to help..." Baylan whispered holding one of his shoulders as though it pained him.

"And you did," Jack chimed in as he started walking.

"He did not!" Sanguine argued.

"Well, if you didn't know, fae that put you under their spells take away a certain friend after they're done with you," Jack said as he glanced over his shoulder.

"What?" Sanguine made a face.

"So I'd be thanking Baylan if I were you," Jack grinned.

Sanguine brought Baylan into a tight embrace, "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" he sobbed.

Baylan winced and nodded. "My...arm..." He whimpered. Sanguine noticed part of a long scar spanning his arm. His shirt had shifted to reveal part of it. It looked like it had to have been a painful wound, and it appeared to still hurt him.

"I'm sorry!" Sanguine whimpered.

"It's...ok. I am used to it..."

"Calm down, Sanguine," Jack muttered. "Let's head back the way we came..." he suggested.

Baylan sighed. "It is fine..."

"Well, if my senses are right, we're best to get a hurry, we'll small talk later." Jack tried to usher his companions quickly after him. Fae were never a good sign after all.

Baylan followed silently. "Jack? Why did she stop singing? Wouldn't she continue in an attempt to lure someone to her?" He asked after awhile.

Jack shrugged, "Maybe she captured a victim before Sanguine. That would make sense."

"Shouldn't we help than?"

"Do you really think we'd stand a chance with three men against a fae?" Jack asked quietly.

"I don't want to be..." Sanguine glanced down, "Less of a man..."

"I'm a boy maybe I could?"

"Uh..." Jack shrugged, "I don't know much about lore. Do you really want to chance it?"

"Yeah, remember..." Sanguine made a snipping pair of scissors motion near his groin.

He shook his head. "But I don't feel right if someone is in trouble..."

"Alrighty, if it starts singing again, cover your ears," Jack said as he started the other way.

"I don't think that's what I should be covering..." Sanguine said nervously.

"Are we going to help than?"

"Well, I am," Jack said quickly.

"Jack...you can't leave me!" Sanguine cried.

"So follow me..." Jack said sheepishly.

Baylan followed

---

Luna drew closer to Lorin letting her lyrics compliment his music. She was ready to run if need be but she was happy to hear beautiful music and couldn't help but sing. It had been nearly a month since she had left home.

Lorin opened his eyes slightly to take in her figure, the corners of his lips curled up into a smile and he continued to play, for her now. The tune took on a more mystic note, to better compliment her ethereal voice.

She changed her lyrics to fit it. She had long white/silver hair that cascaded down to her waist. Here eyes were garnet in hue and she was slim and delicate looking. She was beautiful and moths flew around her. She wore a white gown that flowed about her and it appeared she was barefoot.

Lorin stood and swayed lithely on his branch, still playing gracefully.

She backed away a little still singing but ready to run if the need arose.

Lorin finished the song and drew the flute away from his lips, "My lady, you have a beautiful voice, it was a pleasure playing with you. May I ask your name?" He said softly with a reassuring smile.

"It's...Luna. What about yours sir?" She asked her voice was as haunting and beautiful as her singing.

"I am Lorin." He gave a flourished bow, his voice, too, was hauntingly beautiful.

"Are you...a spirit?"

"An elf." He replied, "I have traveled far and long to travel yet farther before I return to my home. And yourself?"

"Human...I was a priestess...or at least trained as one. I tired of the special attention and came here where I have been living..." He noticed her ears were delicately pointed like a fae not an elf's and there was an exotic tilt to her eyes. her hair shimmered silver and her crescent moon birthmark on her forehead seemed to glow softly. Everything about her seemed to suggest she was fae and yet the way she spoke seemed to show that she wasn't lying and she believed what she said.

"Interesting." Lorin replied thoughtfully, "From the sound of your voice I'd have thought you elf or fae." If she believed herself human, he didn't feel it his place to tell her otherwise, sometimes it was best to be something else, "So you travel out here alone?"

She bit her lip gently and slowly nodded. "Yes...I...needed to get out...I didn't like the special treatment...you won't return me will you?"

"Sweet Luna, I would not dare return you to a place that does not allow you the heart's desire of freedom. You have naught to fear from me, this I swear to you." Lorin replied honestly.

She blushed. "Thank you...I grew up in the church...they said I was the daughter of Luna, that is why I was sheltered...."

"I think they should have chosen better reasons than the supposed lineage of a child." Lorin replied softly, "It must have been difficult."

She nodded. "I never grew accustomed to it..."

Lorin nodded sympathetically, "Can I tell you a secret?"

"I...if you wish." She blushed a little.

"I am a prince among my people, the youngest brother of three. Now I am the only one left and my parents wish me to return home so that I might be groomed for the throne. Yet there is still much of the world that I wish to see. This is why I can understand what you are going through, because in a sense... It is the same plight for freedom." Lorin murmured, fingering the mouthpiece of his flute.

She looked at him with concern. "I am sorry for the loss of your brothers. Would...it be alright if I traveled with you?" She asked uncertainly.

"I do not mourn them as much as I had in the past. And would you not have asked my companionship just now, it would have been my next request." He glanced up with a smile.

She blushed. "I feel I can trust you..."

"I am honored to have your trust." Lorin said with a graceful bow.

She blushed and bowed to him. "And I yours."

"Where would you like to go, what would you like to see?" Lorin asked.

"I...don't know...everything? I never got to leave the grounds of the temple...I want to see the world."

"The world can be a beautiful and mysterious place." Lorin said, "I've only seen portions of it myself."

"Where were you planning to head most recently?"

"Osham to stock up on food and water, and from there through the hellish heat of the goldcaster desert, and then beyond to the port to sail overseas. I mean to explore as far and wide as I can." Lorin replied.

"And you will allow me to come?"

"If it would please you to come with me." Lorin replied, "I would be happy to have your company."

"Yes please."

"I thank you for joining my company." Lorin smiled.

"Thank you for having me."

"Shall we be on our way?" Lorin asked.

She smiled and nodded."Lets."

"Alright then." Lorin replied, slipping his flute into it's case and beginning to walk.

She followed him. "That was a lovely tune. What was it called?"

"Technically its an epic tale of two lovers forced to flee their homes in order to be together... The melody tells of their trials and tribulations, and later... the happiness given them. It has no true title." Lorin replied wistfully.

"Oh...did you create it?"

"My mother did." Lorin replied.

"It is lovely."

"She would be glad to know that your voice accompanied the song."

Luna blushed. "Why is that?"

"Because your voice is beautiful and fit the part." He smiled.

She blushed. "Thank you...I've never gotten a compliment about my singing before...I was told it was a waste of time..."

"Music is not a waste of time, it is a manner of expression, story-telling and teaching." Lorin replied.

She smiled. "Thank you."

"I am grateful to you," He said, grasping her hand gently and leaning down to kiss the top of it.

She blushed. "Grateful? But why? I should be the one thankful to you for your help and allowing me to come with you."

"You have graced me with your company and added your voice to my song. I can never tell you how happy that makes me." Lorin replied.

She blushed. "My pleasure...but I am very thankful for your kindness as well. Thank you for letting me accompany you...there are bandits in these woods and some of them have come after me...I barely escaped."

---

"What are they?" Sanguine asked.

"He's an elf and she's a fae," Jack replied in a hushed whisper.

Baylan looked at them. "Doesn't look like he is in trouble..."

"Indeed... Jack agreed. "Let's be certain though..."

"How?"

"Watch and listen to see if he is tranced or not..." Jack replied.

Baylan fell silent and watched

---

Back to-Peculiar Hole in the Sky