"Well how do we know how to act without any way of obtaining knowledge of what we
did. Also if this happened before then we did exactly what we thought was the best course of action at that moment. So basically we act like we normally would and that'll be exactly what we did." Theo said still sitting on the ground leaning his back against the tree. He was relaxed but his hands naturally fell to the hilt of a sword without him even knowing.
Over a millenium into the future, Vashnid City, Druinguard...
Cameron walked the streets of the city to which Nova had pinpointed. The ride had been one of the most agonizing experiences in his life, and he fully intended to catch a ride on Nova's ship home, if it meant that he had to steal it. Then again, when Nova asks for help, you never will know if you
will be going home again.
And what did she mean when she said that this was a chance to learn the truth? He knew that she was hiding something, but what could it possibly be that it had tempted him to come to this hellpit.
As he continued down the road, something strange came to him. There was something not right. This was a city, and it had a landing station in it. Yet why was it so quiet? No children on the streets, autoships zooming overhead. The town was submerged in a deep silence, quiet. Too quiet. The calm before the storm.
He turned the corner, and entered a small refreshment store. The door was unlocked, and the lights on. A neon sign telling people that the store sold candy at up to half-price flickered. Slowly, he walked down the short aisles, holding up his rifle, the only sound the thudding of his boot on the polished floor.
He walked on past the empty counter, when a sound, coming from the other end of the store caught his attention. Swearing under his breath, he loaded his gun, and approached the source of the sound...
Poe cursed under her breath she slid down the wall, watching a man aproach. She brought her gun to her face and silently loaded it, wondering if this man was friend or foe.
She stood up and peeked around the corner, then stepped out and raised the weapon to aim at his head.
Nova sighed. Sliding down against another tree. Looking around mindlessly, her eyes caughthold of the Lite, and a thought occured to her. "Ofcourse!" She stood up, scanning the vicinity. Turning to Crysst, she asked, "Are we far from the northeast shores of Jumaria?"
Crysst cocked his head. "One days walk at least. Though no more than a few hours, if you don’t mind flying that is." As he said this the mother dragon turned back into her larger form. "Though if you plan to venture there I suggest you be ready to do battle. Their have been several sightings of Ogres, as well as the Orc tribes that settle near the shores of Jumaria."
"Yes, I know. But I do not think it would be safe to fly through these lands on dragonback. This is the land of the Dark Knights, and they do not welcome dragons of the light. And they send patrols on dragonback daily." Nova mused. "Walking would be our best option, as it seems we are nailed in three ways. The orc tribes, the Dark Knight base, and the wild Silvidarthe elves that have been rumored to run wild through the woods to the south, setting ambushes on unwary travelers."
Crysst leaned back on his heels. "Then walking it is." He snapped his fingers and the great dragon transformed into a golden squirrel and ran up onto Nagin’s shoulder. "Though Breeze Rider will accompany you in case you get yourselves into trouble. As for the Silvidarthe and their wily ways, I will handle them guarantying you safe passage from them, though with the Orcs the Dark knights I have no ties, so with them you must deal."
Nova thought to herself,
The orcs, just slaughter them with their nut sized brains by the hundreds. As for the Dark Knights... I might have a way...
Pup nodded at what Crysst said and simply saud "Orcs shouldn't be a problem for they never were very smart. As for the dark knights, I'm sure we'll find a way past them. thank you for the help Crysst."
"It was a pleasure. I will meet you in Jumaria as soon as I have finished my dealings with the Silvidarthe." He gave a courteous bow and walked for the forest. "Well travels." He yelled out, as he disapeared behind the line of trees.
"So am I the only one who doesn't know what this Jumaria place is and how it relates to us?" Theo asked watching Crysst leave.
It seems so, Terrandis "spoke".
Giving the Lite an exasperated side glance, Nova answered, "Jumaria is a continent. A continent on the world of Druin. Now, if I were to walk these lands for a thousand years, I would see that I have suddenly arrived in Europe. How is this possible? I'll let you figure that one out by yourself."
"Okay so this is all before the apocalypse and the humans were left alone to think they and monkeys were the only humaniods." Theo said trying not to sound like he was irritated with saying something that everyone knew already. Then looked at Nova and asked. "So what's on Jumaria?"
"If you had ever read a fantasy book, every creature from every book put together. Ever wondered where people got all their ideas?" The corner of her lip tugged. "Orcs, goblins, unicorns, phoenixes, you name it, we've got it."
"Jumaria sounds like a very nice place to live in, with all of those creatures being in the same land a person would never get bored..." Pup smiled to herself at the thought. Thought she liked peace at times, she perfered some action to that peace.
Nova started towards the dense overgrowth of the forest before pausing as she heard Pup's statement. Without turning back to face her, she replied ominously, "Don't worry, you won't." With that she began cutting away low hanging braches with a dagger, motioning for the others to follow.
Nagin went and lifted the baby dragon from the ground before commencing to follow Nova, the golden squirrel chattering in his ear the entire time.
"I had a feeling today would be different." Theo said getting up and following everyone.
Terrandis reluctantly followed Nova, finding no better alternative. A sudden thought occured to him.
Wait! Why exactly are you taking us to the Temple of the Divine?
"Because the elves weren't the one to open the portal into your world. It was the gods."
Pup tilted her head to the side. "Really? Hmmmmmmm, I'm too young of a dragon to know these thing." She shook her head. "Ahhhhh, I wish I were older. Then I would know these things and not get into so much trouble......"
Not that I try, but sometimes being a human can be so interesting that I cannot hold back and without the proper knowledge I could get killed because of my curiousity.....
Nova continued cutting through the dense wood. She wondered briefly if Crysst had succeeded in swaying the Silvidarthians
. He would have to deal with every individual tribe, which is no easy thing. Now that they were in the elves' domain, they would have to be more cautious. Sheathing her knife, she continued on without cutting. "The elves can feel the pain of the woods," she explained.
"Anyone with an open enough mind can do that." Theo said as he put his hand on a cut down tree and felt a small pain in his left shoulder. "So, you still haven't answered my question of what we are going to in Jumaria." He said as he moved through the forest with perfect quietness. Even the leaves that moved when he brushed against him didn't make a sound.
Deftly stepping over a fallen log, Nova replied, "There were three surviving races. The dragons, who could not aid us, the humans, who remained - and the elves. They left through the help of not their oh-so-worshiped Shadowmaster, but with the aid of the gods." Ducking under a low hanging branch, she continued, 'If the fate of the world rests in our hands, I'm sure the dieties wouldn't hesitate to help us. 'Sides, this would be what 'I would have done' as you put it, Theo."
Nagin was used to following orders so he trailed behind discreetly. He had not known the man for long, but Crysst had seemed one to keep to his word, though Nagin was still on his toes. A warm sensation seeped into his body, sort of like that of the mind speaking of the elf-like creature, but different as well. A feeling of friendly intelligence, colors and emotions flooded his mind. He looked down to the hatchling, napping quietly in his arms. He must be dreaming... “So you are expecting to find the gods in Jumaria.” He scoffed, a bit doubtful.
"Oh, the gods are always with us..." Nova spoke without so much as looking back at Nagin. The stranger had been right. It would be about a day's walk to the Temple, however they would have to spend the night.
"Now you're starting to sound like a preacher." Theo said trailing behind quietly, except for when he spoke of course.
If Nova was offended by this remark, she chose to ignore it. A while traveling through the rough terrain later, she stopped abruptly. Holding up a finger in warning, she parted the branches in a nearby bush and glanced into the open glade.
"What, we there or something" Theo asked in an extremely low whisper to Nova, e was next to her ear so only she'd be able to hear it. Just in case there were enemies around.
Pup crouched down beside Theo, sniffing the air for any signs of like. She stiffened as she smelled the air; their were hundreds of creatures in this forest, not even counting the elves that were out there. "I don't like this Nova....."
An arrow whizzed into the bush and past Nova's ear, missing her head by inches. "Get down!" she yelled, somewhat pointlessly. Another volley of arrows followed.
Damn it! Nagin thought as he tumbled underneath the protection of a low lying shurb. A passing arrow had left him with a shallow wound on his leg. "Whats going on!" He yelled out to Nova over the twang of arrow fire.
"Ambush! It's the Silvidarthe!" Nova cried back. She, too, dived under a bush, two arrows passing over the spot she had been standing seconds ago. Should she slay them? Or would it only attract the attention of more of the accursed creatures?
"So, what, do we just stay crouched on the ground waiting for them to stick us with arrows?" Theo said with a sword already out while he croushed on the ground. "I'm saying kill them but at least take away their weapons." Then he saw an arrow a second before it came and raised his sword so it deflected the arrow. "I mean, they know where we are now." He said before moving to a different place.
Pup stayed where she was and smiled at the others as the arrows simply pinged off of her armored scales. "Well, if you are planing on doing something, I can help by being a bit of a shield for you guys. I wonder how the Silvidarthe feel about dragons......"
Nagin agreed, they had to do something, and fast. He could tell that these archers were trained, and if they just stood in this spot they wouldn't last long. They could use pup to their advantage, and counter the Silvidarthe's attack. The squirrel took up the form of a fox and gently lifted the hatchling from Nagin, carrying it away into thicker underbrush.
Nova smiled grimly. It was times like this that she wished she had a grenade on her. Moving to another spot, she checked through the bushes again, obversing the location and number of her enemy. Five... No six archers... And... One of the Silvidarthians had a strange look to them. Instead of wearing the usual scant leather clothing, he wore a long robe with some finery indicating that they had some status. Also, something else was intriguing... Nova could barely see the elf's lips moving as it muttered a spell. "It's a druid! We have to take him down before he finishes that spell!" Hoping her new armor would deflect the worst of the arrows, se began to make her way to the sorcerer at full speed, using the trees for cover. Already she began to feel a magic aura as the wood began to come to life from the spell.
A sword flashed by Nova inches away from her face and a branch fell to the ground and seemed to be twitching. Theo stepped on the branch and looked at Nova. "I don't what's happening but I've got you're back, just focus on the one who's making the trees come to life. Then he swung his sword ans cut down another branch that was coming at them. "I'll be your weed wacker, lets go." He said keeping an eye out for more things that would attack himself or Nova. He made sure of everthing, vines, branched, roots, leaves, pine cones, ect...
Briefly nodding her head, Nova jumped over a branch coming from underneath, and ducked as an arrow passed over her head. Picking up her pace even further, she had almost reached the druid when something caught her attention. The druid had noticed that one of the animals, a fox, was resisting his enchantment. Turning his powers away from the group to hit a even greater enemy, he shouted something in his elven tongue and sent vines shooting at the hatchling. Nova knew they had to hurry. Almost there... Let's hope Nagin can keep the hatchling safe for now...
Mouth twitching in anger Nagin unsheathed his Katana. His sword a blur, he sliced easily through the vines. Slipping the blade back into its sheath he backed into a tree, lowering into a crouch. His head cocked to the side as if he was listening to something, then seemingly he vanished. Swiftly climbing up a tree, his skin, clothes, and sword now gouged, and colored the deep brown of the tree, he dispatched the closest archer. Then he dropped back to the ground, his skin flickering to its normal color, and stood at the ready for another attack from the druid.
Again, the druid let forth another rally of vines, however this time coming from low in attempt to catch Nagin by the legs. But before they could reach him, they stopped, quivering in mid-air as though an invisible shield was holding them back. Terrandis focused on the vines with his mind, holding them away, then threw them back with a nod of his head. Making eye contact with the druid, he shouted to the elf's mind, We have no wish to harm you! in the same language of the Silvidarthe.
Shouting back to the lite harshly, the druid only increased his power.
Nova crept behind one elf, and kicked him in the back of the legs, causing them to collapse. She tried to pin him down to the ground, taking advantage of her armor weight.
Pup ran towards Nova, ignoring all of the arrows flying around. As she neared Nova, she yelled to her in her mind Nova, get on my back! That Druid is cooking up something really nasty! she skidded to a stop beside Nova and stomped on the elf's head, crushing his skull.
Nova made a face in exasperation. If she had wanted to kill the elf, she could have just dispatched his head... Too late now. Without a word, she leapt onto the Plague's back, holding her sword to the side.
Pup grinned and took off running towards the Druid, making sure to dodge the arrows that might hit Nova. Leaping over some logs, she dove straight for the Druid, ducking her head so Nova could do what she needed.
Instead of killing the druid outright, Nova jumped off Pup and onto him, knocking the elf down. With his hands andbody pinned, and mouth disabled, he would not be able to cast any spells. Nova spoke into his ear, pressing her blade against his neck. "Call your group off, or you die."
Hesitating for a moment, he called out something to the others. An arrow flew towards Nova and left a deep gash on her leg. Nova winced, and sighing, finished off the spellcaster. "Kill them all!" She ordered.
Nagin leapt into action, charging an archer. An arrow flew by, an inch from his face, and another he deflected with his sword. His foot met the thick bark of a tree, and he used it to push him self higher, jumping back and fourth between trees. Landing near the archer on a high branch he unsheathed his sword and sliced him in half diagonally so quickly that the blade was in its scabbard before the elf was dead. Landing in a crouch on the ground, he moved to slay another.
Pup nodded at Nova and chased after the only archer that was still alive on the ground. She stampeded towards him and when he jumped up to avoid her, she jumped up too.She collided with him mid-air and then landed on him, instantly killing him. "Sometimes I am very glad that I'm rather large, It comes in handy at times like these."
Then three more flew out of the thick leaves of the trees and fell on the ground unconsious. "Made sure they didn't get away to report anything." Theo said jumping down from the tree. His knuckles were bruised showing that he punched them out instead of killing them. "If you want to kill them go ahead but... I can't quite yet." He said looking at one of his swords.
Nova swiftly dispatched two, then stopped at the last. This elf was different, and was evidently younger. "We could keep him. I'm sure at some point having a bargain chip will come in handy. 'Sides, this young fella ain't gonna cause trouble.' She pressed the side of her blade up to the elf's neck, and gave him a swift kick to knock him back conscious.
Walking back over to the fox Nagin plunged his sword into the ground, then taking some leaves from the ground he cleans the blood off of the blade.
"Let's keep going, no reason to stay here any longer right?" Theo said walking over to the elf. He took away the elves weapons and lunged him over his shoulder. "I'll carry this guy." He said as he effortlessly carried the weight. "Wow, lighter than I expected"
Pup looked at Theo and shook her head. "Would it not make more sense if I carried him on my back? Then you would be free to move more easily just in case we run into more enemies." She inspected the young elf and sniffed him. "He can't weigh more than Nova and I ran with her on my back....."
"Are you sure he'd stay on though? I don't think he'll be able to hold on like Nova did." Theo said setting the elf on the pups back.
"Yes. I can hold him on with my magic and if something makes me lose hold with my magic I can grab him with my tail and hold on for a while." Rope-like shadows came from under Pup's scales and grabbed the elf, holding him down firmly.
If he makes trouble, I can knock him unconcious, Terrandis offered,
"Actually," Nova said, giving him a warning glance, "I think you're talents are better used as a interpreter."
Giving her an annoyed questioning glance back, Terrandis shoved back a retort.
Nagin shook the last shreds of leaf off of the blade and re-sheathed it. Walking over to the group he looked to Terrandis. "And where were you during the battle. Can you not fight?" He was a bit ticked off, but he was always moody after a battle when he had to kill, though he would not hesitate if it was required.
Terrandis smiled. Oh, I fought, alright. You just did not see it. To emphasize his point, Terrandis concrentrated on a branch lying over Nagin's head, and making sure he was watching, snapped it, sending the branch coming to Nagin's head.
Before anyone could bat an eye Nagin appeared behind Terrandis, the tip of the blade at the back of his neck. Leaves stirred in his wake, and the branch split into four pieces before it hit the ground. Nagin was drained, that was the fastest he had ever moved, and he passed it off as concentrated anger. If Terrandis decided to attack him now he would be hard pressed to defend himself.
Not at all intimiated by the blade held at his neck, Terrandis asked Nova, Are all humans this sensitive? I thought they appreaciated a little humor...
Nova acknowledged the fact that Nagin had gained abilities with this time alterization, and kept it stored for future referance, literally. "Kill yourselves if you will, but it isn't gonna help us get back to our time." Glancing at the rapidly darkening sky, she commented, "'Sides, I don't want to get caught in these woods at nightfall..."
Nagin removed the blade and slipped it back into its casing. "Fine, whatever, lets just go." He said beginning to walk away, then he looked lazily over his shoulder at Nova. "A question, where exactly will we be stopping then, if not the woods? Or will we travel through the night?"
Pup walked up by Nagin and sighed. "This place is so strange. For some odd reason I feel stronger and faster. Are you feeling that way too Nagin?" She turned her head towards him, humming quietly so she could 'see' his facial expression.
Leaving Pup's question unanswered as to let her figure it out by herself, Nova responded to Nagin, "I'd say stop for the night. It is safer than travelling by nightfall, as I am assuming that not all of us have night vision... But we'd better cover as much as we can while the sun is up. The Silvidarthe are elves of the moon, and are to be feared in the dark." Standing up wearily, Nova began to make her way to the wood, the wound on her leg causing her to limp slightly.
Nagin stopped to listen to Nova, then turned back to Pup. "Yeah, it’s weird. I've gotten faster in the short time that we've been here. Must be something of the time." Nova was starting to get a distance from them. "Come on." He turned to the fox touching her mind for a moment, then ran to catch up with Nova, it trailing close behind.
Pup frowned at Nagins answer, but shrugged and trotted to catch up with Nova. She looked at Nova and asked "Do you think there are any buildings or ruins out here in the forest? Those would be perfect for some shelter and we could put up a defense there."
"No ruins here. The Silvidarthe were the first to inhabit this area. They were also the last... And the only buildings would be inhabited. We will probably have to find an area in the wood. An open glade would actually be our best bet, as being within the trees would only disadvantage us." Nova spoke in a low tone, trying to avoid being heard by keen elven ears. "How is our little elf friend doing?"
"He is doing fine, though you might want to knock him out again because he's starting to move again." Pup looked over her shoulder at him and watched as his eyes started to open and his face paled in fear as he saw where he was. Pup 'smiled' at him, which made his fear-sent increase.
Eyeing the reddish sky, Nova commented, "Y'know what, we might as well find a place to stay now. I want to question him, and it's getting dark."
As they walked Nagin began to pick up small twigs and pieces of wood. No reason to be unprepared if they needed materials to start a fire. Soon they walked into a clearing, wider than it was long, the moon hung low in the sky. "How bout here?"
"I'm okay with anywhere but I don't think we should have a fire. The light and smoke can attract more people that I'm sure none of us want to meet while we're sleeping." Theo said as before climbing a tree. "I'm going to get a look around and keep watch while camp gets setup."
"Agreed. We don't want more attention than we already have. If the group we met earlier was part of a larger tribe, which it likely was, they probably will investigate." Nova leaned against the base of the tree which Theo was in. "As for now, I have a few questions I would like to ask the elf." She stood upright and approached the elf on Pup's back.
Pup nodded at Nova and the dark tendrils that were holding the elf on her back lifted him up and placed him in between Nova and her. "There you go Nova. I think I shall watch this in case you need any help with getting answers out of him."
"Don't worry, you're going to be completely cooperative, aren't you?" Nova asked the elf with a smirk.
There was no response.
"Don't think you're fooling us, we know you are awake. No matter." She gave him a nice kick that made the elf wince in pain, curling up.
The elf replied loud and harshly, however did not seem all too confident in his words.
"Your tribe's gonna save ya now, hmm? Best tell them not to come. We don't want anyone to get hurt."
Pup grinned evilly at the elf. "Oh, we would hate it if more people got hurt. After all, then we would maybe have to take more prisoners and question them as well. Hmmm, I wonder if your tribe has any really dangerous secrets to tell us.... ones that could possible start, oh, I don't know, a war?"
Before the Silvidarthian could do as much as open his mouth, Nova cut off sharply, "No, there are none," giving the Plague a warning glance. If the elf learned anything that might change the course of the future, the would probably have to get rid of him. Then again, they probably would have to anyway.
Pup laughed out loud while talking to Nova in her mind. Does it truly matter if he finds out? He'll have to be killed anyway, will he not? He knows too much as is to be let out alive. She looked over at the Silverdarthian and growled lightly at him.
Turning to Pup who he had apparantly just noticed, he gasped in shock, speaking in a terrifyed tone with awe.
"He askes what you are. He knows you're a dragon, but different at the same time." In a low tone Nova added, "Yes, he has learned too much."
Nagin sat cross legged on the floor, nudging the dirt with his toe as if he had nothing better to occupy his time. He stood and walked over to Nova and Pup. "Just get the information out of him quickly. No need in having him call more of his kind." He sniffed disaprovingly at the elf. "I think I might go for a brisk hunt. We have no food as far as I know."
Pup sighed and turned her head to Nagin. "You are right about both things. We do not have time for this nonsense ans I am rather hungry." As she said that her stomach rumbled quietly and Pup laughed.
A smile spread across Nagin's face, though it was malevolent as to frighten the elf boy, who Nagin suspected knew not their language. The elf was likely frightened sick, mistaking the stomach rumble for a growl of anger. "Venison and hare then?" He asked questioningly, recalling that the animals were still alive and hunted in this time.
"Guy's, looks like he called his elf buddies. There's a group looking for him in another clearing to the east. I can see them moving quickly this way. I'm not sure how many but more than before that's for sure." Theo said in a hushed voice only loud enough for the group to hear. Theo slid out a sword quickly and quietly and waited for the elves to come. "Quickly get ready. They'll spot us soon."
There are no spellcasters among them, Terrandis commented, making his way up a tree for a good view. The group is definately larger than the last, and they seem to have swords with them. The strength of the Silvidarthe is not to be underestimated. It rivals that of the dwarves, though dwarves would sooner cut off their beard than admit it.
"There doesn't have to be a fight," Nova whispered. "We can just trade the elf off, the Silvidarthe have some sense of honor." She secretly wondered why she even bothered. Why not arrange a parley and kill them on the spot when they are least expecting it? Wouldn't that be what she would have done?
Pup sighed and looked in the direction of the approaching Silvidarthen. "They are rather quiet runners, but I can hear them if I strain my senses. Are you sure it is wise to trade over their buddy there? I wounder just how much he understood of our conversation...."
Whatever we choose to do, we have to do it fast, and before we let them get to us Terrandis pointed out unecassarily.
"Well, it's too late for secrecy. He knows we're here, and his allies know we're here and besides. We killed some of their own. Even if we give him back we can't give them back the others that we killed." Theo said from his vantage point in the tree.
Wish I had guns... "Got any better ideas smartass?" Nova asked caustically.
"Hmmmmmm, what are the Silvidarthen's beliefs? If they think we are of the same beliefs they might not be so quick to attack. Also, what are they most afraid of?" Pup looked at the young elf on the ground in curiousity.
"Terrandis would know that. After all, you were half Silvidarthe, were you not?" Nova asked with a sly smile.
The Silvidarthians are among the few who are alleged to neutrality under the name of the true gods. They fear nothing, however of what they hate, there is much. the Lite responded coolly.
Nagin pulled his hand through his thick locks, now tangled with branches and matted with leaves. "First, perhaps, Theo, Terrandis, and myself could go and see how many elves are present. Terrandis can speak with them and try to calm them. If there is danger you two could come and will fight."
After that Theo put in. "Ya, I mean, if they see you they might get a bit freaked. No offense." He said to the pup. "and you... well most people seem to not like you right off the bat." Theo said to Nova thinking of why. Then the realization dawned on him. Why she knew so much about this time, why she knew all this about the apocolypse. Theo smiled as he thought to himself. So, the evil ruler of these times. Well, a higher chance then anyone else anyway Then before she could pick up on anything he quickly said, "No clue why, I think you're a likable enough person." He said to Nova.
Pup smiled uneasily and nodded. "You are right. I do tend to freak people out......" She looked down, sad of that fact. If only she had the guts to change and be like them, but she was afraid of what they would think. She looked up and nodded towards the approaching Silviarthians. "You'd better hurry if you plan on reaching them before they can see us."
Nova snorted in contempt. Ya, sure... "Just go and catch them before they catch us... Save the flattery for later."
Terrandis silently dropped to the ground from the tree, waiting for the others to take lead.
Theo sheathed his sword and started towards where the Silviarthians were coming from.
Nagin followed closely behind Theo. What are we getting ourselves into, he thought remembering the strenght of just a few of the elves.
Falling slightly back, Terrandis spoke, Alert me when I should speak. To himself, he thought, If I need to speak.
As Theo pushed through the bushes he thought, Why am I in front, I'm the one that knows the least about them. Then he stopped at the sight of all of the Silviarthians pointing arrows at them. "Now, now, now" Theo said with his hands in the air. "There's no need to point arrows at us. We don't want to hurt you. Am I'm sure the same goes for you." Theo said calmly being careful not to show any emotions and to not say anything offensive.
The Silvidarthians seemed befuddled by Theo's approach, looking ready to kill but holding off as Theo had left himself open. They would not kill a non-combatant.
Before anyone else could move, Terrandis called out in the elves' own tongue, We come in peace, brothers. Parley with us and speak before acting
The elves gave the Lite a distrustful glance. He spoke their language and had some similarities, but looked strange with his indigo translucent skin, almost demon-like. Had there been a druid among them, they would have known that he was stained with the blood of their kind, but fortunately, there was none.
"What is it you want?" One dared to cry out.
Nagin shifted uncomfortably in place, not daring to move too much, in case they took it as an attack and sent arrows flying at them. "Tell them all we want is peaceful passage through their lands, that we mean no harm and are just travelers.” The elves seemed eager enough to kill them, but if they were not seen as a threat, then perhaps they had a chance of getting through the forest without further incidence. But with their luck so far, this didn’t seem likely.
"This might help a bit." Theo said taking off his swords and letting them fall to the ground.
Terrandis respoke Nagin's words, and the elves lowered their weapons slightly, however not relieved of their tension. The apparant leader of the band was about to speak when a faint cry caught the elf's ears. They turned their head in the direction the sound came from.
Nova clasped her hand over the young elf's head just as he bagan to cry out. What was he thinking? Did he hope for a chance of rescue? She tightened her grip around the struggling elf's head, clearly threatening to twist his neck if he tried anything stupid.
Pup groaned. "Oh know, now they'll know what has happened. Perhaps we could come up with a deal with this guy and make it appeal as a misunderstanding...."
"Yes... That will be so very simple..." Nova retorted in a tone dripping with sarcasm.
Theo kept his calm, weaponless exterior as he stood in front of the elves but on the inside, in his soul and mind, he was already bent down with his swords in hand. So just in case a fight did break out he'd be the first with his weapons.
The elves grasped their weapons once more, and one of them cried out furiously, "What have you done with our brother?"
The others exchanged glances before the leader warned, "If any harm should have come to our comrades, our vengeance will know no bounds." With that, the group disappeared into the forest, heading towards the dirction from which they had heard the cry.
We must warn the others! Terrandis said to the others pointlessly.
Pup's ears twitched and she looked in the direction of the oncoming elves. "Uh oh, that's not good."
Before Terrandis said to warn the others Theo was already heading thier way with his weapons resheathed and he knew he elves were going to get there first.
Waiting for the elves to arrive, Nova made a split-second decision. As it seemed that the elves had no intention of talking things through this time, she decided to just shot them down. One flaw, she realized too late. She no longer had a gun...
Turning to Pup, she asked, "Think you can carry two?" motioning towards the hostage.
Pup smiled. "If you had asked that of any other dragonoid, they would have killed you on the spot. Yes, I can carry two. Get on!" She crouched down so Nova could get on with the hostage.
Theo threw his sword into the trees and made and elf stumble back and fall out of the tree and right in front of Pup and Nova. He came throgh the bushes and said, "I guess you noticed the elves are here?" His other two sword were already out and ready to block an arrow that came near them. "You guys have a plan because I suggest running for right now."
"Running sounds nice..." Nova leapt onto Pup's back, throwing the elf who was not much smaller than herself with considerable ease over her shoulder. "We've still got a bargaining piece."
Motioning for Nagin to go on ahead, Terrandis said, Hurry! I'll cover your back
Pup growled once Nova and the elf where safely on her back and took off running. She wove in and out of the trees, jumping over fallen trees with ease. "They had better hurry if they don't want to be left behind."
Theo ran off after Nova, Pup, and the elf had taken off. He'd cover their back if any elves got past Terrandis.
An elf leapt from a tree above a Terrandis, and dove full force at him. Altough he was almost twice the size of the elf, he lost his balance from the impact and fell to the ground. He raised his blade to block the elf's attack, however did not kill him as he easily could have done. No matter how long it may have been, he still could not harm his own race.
Nova tightened her hold on the captive threateningly when he began to struggle. "Head north for the mountains!" she shouted to everyone following. "I have some friends there that might be able to help."
Nagin looked back before he sprang lightly from his position after his companions. He skidded to a stop a few paces before he reached Terrandis. He began to heed his call, when a elf jumped out of the trees and landed on Terrandis, knocking him to the ground. Nagin ran forward and grabbed him by his hair and tossed him aside pretty easily. "Let go, or we'll lose them." He lopped away as lightly as a deer northward, making for Nova, Theo, and Pup.
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