Bob Biter

Dropping down from the tree, Dreggan eyed the makeshift plate and its contents warily.

"Never had bear meat before. I guess there's a first time for everything!"

He then proceded to eat his share slowly, as it was new to him and he also didn't want to cramp up, especially if there was more fighting to be had that day. While eating, he did some basic hand work with his sais.

__________________
A plan is just a list of things that don't happen.

Menoman

Aspin returned to the castle very late. He found Sar studying in his library (which i tried to describe earlier but had a very misunderstandting mistype).

"Your late..."

"I know sir, I stopped at the top of the peak to tell the orcs what happened to their companions, the Orc Champion was furious and he sent out 2 groups of 20 orcs. But thats not all, he sent one group consisting of a orc magus and orc overlord warrior." Aspin smiled.

So did the Duke.

"It may take awhile for them to track down the heathens that slew their companions but when they do... " Aspin smiled again.

The Duke did not... "The orcs are just killing themselves, perhaps the Orc Magus and Overlord can harm them but they'll never defeat them. That girl with them, something she did blocked the Tarok from seeing what she was doing."

"We'll see, they have many treaturous things to pass before their even 5 miles within my castle. "

__________________

Dixie

Nina realized that the rabbit she had shared with Anca earlier had not been altogether filling, as there was little good meat on such an animal. She was relieved to see Dreggan begin eating the meat and reached for her own hungrily. It was well-cooked, tender, and juicy. She hadn't had such a meal in awhile. Anca eagerly accepted the pieces she tossed to him occasionally.

As she ate, she scanned Matt's thoughts. Telepathy was a strange power. Those who didn't have it assumed that those who did just went around reading everybody's mind all the time. Nina had found that it was much more conducive to her own survival to not know everyone's thoughts. She only used her power when it was absolutely necessary, or when her curiosity overcame her. She was also careful not to delve too deep, the demons one could uncover deep in someone's mind could be traumatizing.

She found that Matt's childhood had been one of some confusion, terrible loss, but also love and happiness. 'Hmm, these warriors seem to have motives other than money for taking this quest...Interesting.'

__________________
talk is cheap, so i buy every word you said.
scared me half to death, now i'm half dead.

SSJwrestler

Accepting Matt's food with a gracious smile, Vanelee began to take small bites out of the bear meat. The meat was extremely juicey, so bits of juice spilled out of the corner of his mouth on to his chin.

Not wanting to appear a slob, Vanelee took the end of his cloak and discretely wiped his chin, but as he did this his eyes met with Nina's, who had apparently seen the whole thing. She smiled as she tried to stifle a laugh, and her actions were met by a warm smile from Vanelee.

After the group had finished what they could of the bear meat, they packaged the rest in some spare cloth to be eaten later. Vanelee stood with a resolute look on his face and turned to the others.

"I think it's time we move on now. We have a mission, and we are lagging behind right now. I think we should move swiftly and try to reach the base of the mountains by night fall."

Vanelee waited for his companions to show their agreeance.

Dixie

[AS AMARTH, OR ELDAIRE, OR WHOEVER, MATT!]

Matt finshed consuming his meat with a satisfied sigh. He stood and nodded in agreement with Vanelee.

"Yeah, I agree. Let's go!"

__________________
talk is cheap, so i buy every word you said.
scared me half to death, now i'm half dead.

Dixie

(as herself...grrr...)

Snapping back from her brief exchange with Vanelee, Nina quickly agreed with his suggestion to move on and began gathering her things.

__________________
talk is cheap, so i buy every word you said.
scared me half to death, now i'm half dead.

Bob Biter

Dreggan was already set to go and was waiting for the others. From his vantage point in the tree, he could see that the fotrest they were in had several clearings, with low mountains beyond about 10-15 miles away.

"We should move fast and avoid the clearings. The mountains are reasonably far away, but if we take only one more break to eat in the late afternoon, we should be there by nightfall. Let's move."

With that, the thief started hopping from one branch to the next with amazing speed and grace.

__________________
A plan is just a list of things that don't happen.

Dixie

Nina stuck close to Vanelee as they moved through the trees, unable to resist her desire to be near him. She felt as though she were falling under some kind of spell, a wickedly clever one that she could not shake nor counter. Still, she heard the voice of a man from her past echoing through her head. "You must travel to the edge of everything you have ever known and then step into the unknown before you will find what you are looking for..." She knew she would never be happy unless she found it, the wise mage's words would haunt her forever if she failed. Why, then, did she feel as if Vanelee's love was all she would ever need, as if his heart beat within her own chest? Surely this was some mistake! She wasn't meant to fall in love, especially not with a rogue elf!

__________________
talk is cheap, so i buy every word you said.
scared me half to death, now i'm half dead.

Dixie

[AS AMARTH]

Matt frolicked across the forest floor, bounding along, smilling broadly. His pack bounced on his back as he went. Hmm. A mage, a thief, a rogue, and a monk. This is the stuff legends are made of. This is SO COOL! He jumped up into the trees with Dreggan and continued his travelling. "Watcha doin' up here?" As soon as he asked, he hit his head on a branch and fell back to the forest floor. "OUCH!"

__________________
talk is cheap, so i buy every word you said.
scared me half to death, now i'm half dead.

Bob Biter

__________________
A plan is just a list of things that don't happen.

Amarth

Matt was starting to pull ahead of the group when he came to a sudden halt.

"Hey guys, check this out. These rocks are different than the rest."

More importantly, they seem to be emitting chi...

SSJwrestler

Vanelee halted at Matt's warning, with Nina close to his side. The sudden alarm had slightly startled him, but something seemed to ease his weariness right away. Something close. Something warm. Something ever so beautiful....

"Do you sense the force being emitted by these rocks you guys?" Vanelee asked turning to his companions.

Turning back to the rocks, Vanelee looked upon them with a confused smile upon his facE.

'What on Earth could the Duke have up his sleeve?'

Dixie

Nina nearly stumbled into Vanelee when he stopped, but checked herself quickly and scolded herself for walking too close to him. She had been so wrapped up in his every move that she hadn't noticed the rocks until they were a few feet away.
'What in the world?' she thought. The presence emitted by these rocks felt animate and living, as if they weren't rocks at all, as if they had some kind of spell placed on them. 'A spell placed on rocks! Ofcourse!' Realizing the danger that was ahead of them, Nina grabbed Vanelee's arm.
"Wait, these rocks are dangerous, I think it would be best to formulate a plan first."

__________________
talk is cheap, so i buy every word you said.
scared me half to death, now i'm half dead.

SSJwrestler

"Dangerous?" Vanelee questioned Nina with his warm grey eyes. "Do you know what the Duke is up to?"

Seeing a look of slight despair on his young miss' face, Vanelee stopped talking and agreed with her that they needed a plan.

'HIS young miss?' Vanelee thought t himself as he turned to consult with the others. "When did I start thinking of Nina as belonging to me? I'm sure she wouldn't like that, not one bit. But it's different with her I suppose...she wouldn't be mine..she'd just be...'

Vanelee meant to turn back around to whisper something to Nina, but decided against it at the last moment. Wrenching to brain to disenage the thought. 'Best to just smile and be silent.'

Again turning back to the others, Vanelee spoke. "So are we all in agreeance that THIS time we'll plan before acting."

Vanelee kept a close eye on Matt for his response.

Amarth

Matt eyed the rocks wearily.

"I don't see what's so dangerous about rocks, but if everyone thinks we need a plan then I suppose we can develop one."

SSJwrestler

With an amused look on his face and a look of slight surprise due to Matt's response, Vanelee spoke. "Well, here's what I was thinking. Matt and Nina have the best sensing abilities, and apprarently the best melee skills, so I think they should engage whatever these things are first."

Turning to Nina, Vanelee said "Maybe you can use some sort of shielding spell to guard Matt and yourself until we are certain what our enemy is.'

"Dreggan and I can stay back a bit to cover you two, sinc we both have ranged attacks. Dreggan with his needles and I with my..."

With this, Vanelee finally removed his cloak and set it on the ground next to him. The elf had apparently been hiding himself since the beginning of the journey. He was not frale as he appeared, but rather built with lean muscle. Not bulky muscle, but oviously present.

He wore a typical elvish outift, but the true stroy was what he wore on his back. Slinged across his back along with his sleeping mat was an elvish bow and a quiver of arrows.

Removig the bow, Vanelee strung it, and tested the taught string. The bow was white as snow, and it's surface smooth and sleek. Taking an arrow from the quiver, Vanelee placed it on the bows string. The arrows had white fletches, and the points seemed to gleamed. Obviously enchanted with elven magic.

Looking up his companions with his warm grey eyes twinkling, Vanelee said " So are we agreed then?"

Dixie

Nina nearly swooned as Vanelee threw off his cloak. She had been attracted to him before she had any idea what he might be hiding under the cloak, now...
Well, it was going to be tough.
Nina gaped for a moment before stammering in agreement with Vanelee's plan.
Looking to Matt in an attempt to regain composure, Nina smiled. "Shall we?"

__________________
talk is cheap, so i buy every word you said.
scared me half to death, now i'm half dead.

Amarth

"So long as I get to punch stuff! I still don't understand what we're fighting against though..."

Dixie

"I believe these rocks have the ability to move and think similarly to living creatures. However, they are still rocks, so they're virtually indestructible unless attacked at a point of weakness. If we can move in closer, I can assess where their weaknesses lie."

__________________
talk is cheap, so i buy every word you said.
scared me half to death, now i'm half dead.

Amarth

"Oh. Okay! Leave it to me!"

Matt began to move towards the rocks when suddenly they transformed into huge golems. One of them swung at Matt, but he did a back hand spring and dodged.

"Woah!"

SSJwrestler

"Be ready you two!" Vanelee warned Nina and Matt.

Not waiting for the golem on the right to attack again, Vanelee drew his bow and released the arrow. With amazing accuracy, Vanelee hit the golem in the forehead, if the golem had a face. The arrow clttered on the golem's hard surface easily, but not before it removed a chunk about as big as a fist from its body.

Vanelee now drew another arrow, and readied himself to fire again. He watched as Nina and Matt took on fighting stances, but his attention was mostly focused on Nina.

Her body moved with fluid-like grace and was captivating to the eyes. She was undoubtedly the most beautiful woman Vanelee had ever laid eyes on, which was a compliment itself considering he came from the elvish kingdom. But the thing that captured his soul the most was the young miss's heart and fighting spirit.

'Be careful young miss...be careful.' Vanelee thought to himself, before he jerked himself from his daydreams of the beautiful mage and focused his energies on the fight.

Dixie

Nina moved in quickly, seeing Matt barely dodge the golem's attack. Holding her staff straight out in front of her, she created an energy field which burst forth from the end of the staff and shielded herself and Matt from the rock creatures temporarily. 'Now for a closer look...'
Nina edged up quickly to the golems, analyzing their solid bodies. She noted the identical cracks which seemed to run down from their shoulders, dividing their arms from their torsos. Also, the one on the right seemed to have a small crevice across his center.
She yelled back to Dreggan and Vanelee to aim for these areas.
Vanelee had already unleashed an arrow that had shattered part of one golem's "head." 'Amazing,' Nina thought, 'how could an arrow do that?' She glanced back for a moment and watched Vanelee prepare another arrow. He was steady and calm, even in the face of such strange creatures. Nina felt surprisingly safe knowing he was there.

__________________
talk is cheap, so i buy every word you said.
scared me half to death, now i'm half dead.

Dixie

Nina realized that she was a bit too much of an added burden on these boys.
Bringing her arms across her chest, she focused her energy inward on a spell to enhance speed and strength. Shaking off her cloak, she removed the shield from herself and darted towards the golems. Jumping at the last second, she ripped her leg through the air and across the head of the golem that had already been impaired by Vanelee's arrow. The top of the golem's head shattered and crumbled to the ground. Spinning around, she brought the other leg up in a fan kick and finished the job. The decapitated golem stumbled around, swinging furiously. Nina darted and dodged the attacks, leaping backwards to get out of range.

__________________
talk is cheap, so i buy every word you said.
scared me half to death, now i'm half dead.

SSJwrestler

OCC: Is this Dixie as Amarth or Dixie as Dixie.....little confused


umm..nevermind

SSJwrestler

Hearing Nina's advice through the clatter of Matt's battle with the golem, Vanelee took aim again. He let an arrow fly, which hit the crevice between the arm and torso of the golem on the left. A chunk was taken from the golems body as the arrow clattered off it's surface, though this time a bit larger. This attack hindered the golem a bit, making it's a good deal slower.

"Focus you energies on the left golem you two." Vanelee said to Nina and Matt. "Let's dispose of him quickly, like we did his friend."

With these words. Vanelee looked over to his side to see how Dreggan was getting along.

Amarth

Matt faced the one with two arms, surrounded by the energy field. The golem punched Matt, but it had little effect.

"Ha! Now taste this!"

Matt threw a punch at the golem but it had almost no effect on the creature.

The energy field is blocking my chi flow outside my body.

"Nina, take the field off me!"

Nina obliged and began to casta spell on herself while Matt powered up as much as he could. He was about to throw another punch, but the golem caught him across the face first. Matt was sent flying and hit hard against a tree. When he sat up, he had a huge red space over the right side of his face that was beginning to bruise.

"You bastard!"

As Matt's rage grew, so did his power. His passion fuelled his chi. He once again lunged towards the golem. The golem threw another punch with his huge arm, but Matt ducked and came with a spinning kick to the point where the bottom arm of the two arm side met with his torso. A burst of wind exploded from where the blow landed as the chi attack flowed through the golem. The spot where Matt kicked was shattered and the arm was sent flying. Matt jumped backwards to avoid another blow and took a fighting stance again.

"Whew! This battle's really gonna test our endurance."

SSJwrestler

"Let's not test our endurance Matt and get on with it!" Vanelee yelled.

He did not mean to lose his temper, but he never liked battles going on for longer than they needed to. Especially when there was the chance that someone speci...um...he..could ge hurt....

Vanelee quickly drew another arrow and fired it with the same speed. It hit it's mark in the other crevice next to the golem's arm. Vanelee had cosen to aim there to hinder the monster's punch that was meant for Nina.

Seeing that she dodged the attack easily, Vanelee looked up in time to see the monster's other arm launching a small boulder at it's distant attacker, HIM!

The boulder was travelling at a gret speed and he had nearly no time to dodge. The boulder grazed the elf's arm as he rolled to dodge, but seemed to do now damage. For as the elf rolled back into a fighting position, another arrow was on it's way and hit the golem in it's arm again. This time the crevice cracked all the way and the golems severed appendage fell to the ground shattering.

With this arm freely bleeding now, Vanelee drew another arrow and readied himself for another shot.

Dixie

Nina felt a seething pain slice through her arm even though she had not been hit.
"What the...?" She glanced back to see blood running down Vanelee's arm where she had felt the stab of pain. As she was looking back, the golem she had been fighting swung violently, hitting her in the chest and knocking her to the ground.

__________________
talk is cheap, so i buy every word you said.
scared me half to death, now i'm half dead.

SSJwrestler

OCC:
have to reposition this post to make sense.

Amarth

Matt shot a blast of energy at the golem in front of him, leaving the front of his torso covered in cracks as he fell to the ground and began writhing in pain. Then, Matt seemed to disappear for a moment, and he reappeared next to the downed Nina, catching another punch that was coming for her from the normal golem.

"You guys gotta be more careful. Stop distracting one another. We're in battle!"

The golem went to punch Matt, but he retreated in a series of back hand springs. The golem began running, best as a slow clumsy golem can, after Matt. The one he originally attacked was finally beginning to stand again. Matt jumped sideways and moved with all of his speed, once again becoming too much for the golem to follow. The next time either of the golems saw him was as his foot shattered the torso of the one he had cracked. The rocks fell lifeless to the ground.

"What a shame, giving life to something like this. It's so sad. When does its pain end once the fight is over? Is it still alive now? It has no meaning, no purpose. I pity these creatures."

Dixie

Nina got up with some difficulty, cursing herself for being so foolish. She could've died because of some ridiculous infatuation! Once she was on her feet, she concentrated on healing herself...and Vanelee. She thanked Matt for his fervent intervention and then considered what to say to the elf who seemed to be struggling with the same thing.

__________________
talk is cheap, so i buy every word you said.
scared me half to death, now i'm half dead.

SSJwrestler

Vanelee felt the air rush out of his lungs as he released his next arrow. He was able to stay on his feet, and amazingly the arrow still hit it's mark, taking another chunk out of it's arm.

As he stood there trying to regain his breath, Vanelee saw Nina laying on the ground holding her chest. A surge of rage swept through Vanelee.

He drew two arrows from his quiver and mounted them both on his bow. He released the two arrows, and they struck the golem that Matt wasn't enagaging in the middle of his torso, where the other crevice was located. The arrows did minimal damage yet again.

"Damnit!" Vanelee yelled in a harsh voice.

He then drew two more arrows and released them in the same fashion he did before. Again minimal damage.

The elf continued these attacks until a large crater formed in the middle of the golem's torso. Seeing this, the elf reached for two more arrows, but found only one remained in his quiver.

'Shit!' he thought. Only one golem stood now, and he only had one arrow.

He then drew the last arrow and mounted it on his bow. He pulled the bow back as far as it could reach and released.

'Please...' he thought.

The arrow easily hit its mark, and the a deafening groan was emitted from the remaining golem. The boulderous form now split in half, falling to rubble as it hit the ground...the golems had been defeated.

Exhausted from his fit of rage, Vanelee fell to one knee. But he was up in an instant, regaining his focus and remebering his fallen miss. Dropping his bow, the elf ran to mage's side, which was currently occupied by Matt.

He looked her down from head to toe seeing that her shirt was now stained with blood. The injury was not life threatening, a good sign.

The elf, couldn't take his gaze off the injured mage. Thoughts of 'you idiot' and 'stupid elf' kept running through is head. He tried to ask "Are you okay?", but couldn't find the words.

Averting his eyes from Nina for a brief second, Vanelee viewed the groups surroundings. He then turned back to Matt and Nina.

"I think we should move into the forest, out of the open and set up camp."

Amarth

As the warriors walked to camp, Matt got to thinking (which hurt his brain just a little).

"Hey guys, doesn't it seem a bit suspicious to you that we've been attacked twice already by very powerful forces? The first time may have been intended for the castle, but the second time was definately put here specifically for us, wouldn't you say? I mean, I think the Duke may be on to our plot, and if he is, we need to alert the king somehow."

[OOC: Dreggan, if you want to go back in time a little and post your blows in the battle feel free. (Actually I reccomend it). Or you should at least post something creative about not fighting, y'know? Those are just my thoughts anyway. Sorry we went ahead without you, but we have no lives.]

SSJwrestler

Vanelee was deep in thought as the group set up camp. He kept darting glances at Nina, who had distanced herself from him after being so close on their morning journey. She seemed angry.

' I thought she had feelings for me...' Vanelee thought to himself, trying to find a reason for the mage's shift in temperment 'Maybe I was being a fool....maybe..'

Vanelee looked over his shoulder as he laid his sleeping mat down, in time to meet eyes with Nina. She immediately turned the other way to break the eye contact.

'Well...' Vanelee thought 'Way to go elf...nice protection..not only did risk her life with your foolish assumptions of true feelings...you also risked the mission..'

Feeling disgusted with himself, Vanelee walked a few yards away from the camp and sat himself by a tree to think.

Dixie

Nina wanted to go to Vanelee, but she was afraid of her own weakness. He looked hurt and it killed her to do it, but how could she admit that she had fallen for him?
She watched him leave the camp and slump down against a tree a few yards away. "Shit," she whispered aloud. Anca whimpered in reply. Nina realized she had to go to him now or she would never regain her focus.
She approached quietly, startling Vanelee out of his thoughts. "Mind if I sit with you?"

__________________
talk is cheap, so i buy every word you said.
scared me half to death, now i'm half dead.

SSJwrestler

Startled by the arrival of Nina by his side, Vanelee let out a light gasp. In response to her question, the elf only nodded lightly, not wanting to look her in the eyes.

"Are you ok?" he asked, still staring at the ground. "Nina, I..I'm sorry.."

Dixie

"Vanelee, it's not your fault, I shouldn't have lost my focus like that, I just..." Realizing that she had almost let her emotions take control of her, Nina stopped abruptly. "You did what you could and it was enough." Nina sat against a tree facing Vanelee and looked at the ground. She wanted to tell him that he was amazing and perfect and...why couldn't she just say it?

__________________
talk is cheap, so i buy every word you said.
scared me half to death, now i'm half dead.

SSJwrestler

Vanelee finally looked up at Nina after hearing her words. All he needed was a look in her eyes to confirm what he believed.

' Look up!' he pleaded in his mind. 'Please look up...'

Dixie

Nina swallowed hard, fighting back a lump that had formed in her throat. She looked up at Vanelee, her eyes glistening and full of emotion.

__________________
talk is cheap, so i buy every word you said.
scared me half to death, now i'm half dead.

Amarth

Matt, not sensing the tenderness of the moment, broke in on it.

"Hey guys! Did you hear what I said or not? Nina, you're a mage and have your crafty ways, is there any way you can contact the king and let him know the Duke is on to his plot? The army he summoned may be in trouble!"