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Post by Phoenix on Apr 6, 2006 6:36:47 GMT -5
Did Avariella wonder why she was there, no not really. Avariella was there so that she didn't have explain to the very large man where all his money had gone when he had passed out. A little of her colourless liquid and it would be bedtime for the largest of creatures, though she had given him several just to be sure. He'd have a huge headache and probably wouldn't be all that understanding. Granted she was not here to listen to this woman's mystical chattering but it was keeping her out of trouble and it couldn't hurt.
However Avariella started to concentrate a great deal more as the woman carried on talking. Granted she wasn't all that interested in noble reasons but "great rewards" were definitely her speciality.
For a good while Avariella daydreamed about the possibilities and did not hear a word that was spoken in the room. What would it be? Money? No it wasn't all that great and besieds she could get that on her own. Maybe it was gold, beautiful fabrics, precious jewels, fine wines ...
Yes Avariella had definitely been in her own little world and when the door opened and the sillohette of a tall male became apparent she was pulled from her reverie. She stood quickly, the sound of scraping wood filled the room and a deft hand hovered over the dagger concealed at her hip.
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Post by Catmcnat on Apr 6, 2006 6:37:07 GMT -5
The woman noticed Avariella perk when she mentioned the ‘great rewards’ it did not matter that she was hungry for wealth, most people were in this day and age. Perhaps once they got going her heart would change.
“First, let me introduce myself, I am simply known as Cara. I have no other names so please don’t use any.” She said softly as she re-seated herself at the head of the table.
“I come to this place in search of hero’s, in search of the men and women who will fulfil a great prophecy. The road is hard and brings many enemies along with it, but what you fight for, that is the most noble cause in this day and age.”
“Perhaps when you were younger your parents might have told you stories of great winged lizards who ruled the earth and skies; lizards that could breath fire and ice, use magic and cause havoc or keep peace.” Cara paused “I speak of the dragons!” she added in a whisper. She still worried about whom might eavesdrop, but relaxed a little as she remembered warriors resided in the room.
“I will fill you in on a brief history and how you fit in” she chuckled as she reached into her bag and pulled out a rather beautiful hipflask of which she started to drink. She ran her fingers along the detailed silver engravings, which held many marks of old lore. Celtic symbols covered the entire flask, along with the same dragon marking that sat upon her skin.
After many hours the night was getting late and the candles on the wooden table had almost burnt out.
“So you see, you are the descendants of great men and women who have protected and fought for dragons through many generations. You must be the fourth, or even fifth generation and the last of our ‘kind’.” She stated sadly. “Your parents and their parents before them were part of the religion I am now a part of. They were once Dragonez Worshippers. The norm with our religion is not to let in outsiders and for the offspring of members to join us and help fight the undying fight. Even though the dragons have remained hidden for hundreds of years, people do not forget that quickly, especially the elves. They once hunted dragons with men but for reasons unknown to us they stopped for a time; but the greed of men, it still remains, and if they find out about what has been going on under their noses for so long, they will hunt us down, find out what they need to know, kill us and then return to the ways of their fore fathers and hunt the remaining dragons until extinction.” Cara finished as she took the last sip from her flask.
“The question now remains, will you help me or will you leave?”
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Post by RuThor on Apr 6, 2006 6:37:24 GMT -5
"You've got to be joking." That came from Khaid, who was standing, errect and vivid, on Ru's shoulder. For a moment Ru didn't react, so used to Khaid talking in any form, and it was a moment before he realized that a talking monkey was not a common sight.
"Khaid!" Ru yelped, but the little brown monkey barged on.
"You're going to trust a kid, a female, and a-" He paused, trying to find a good quality to point out about the man who had just entered, and failing. With an embarrased expression (if, for that matter, monkeys could look embarrased), he started again. "You're going to trust a bunch of ragtag, random people with something like that?"
"Khaid, be quiet!"
"I've heard of this Dragonez stuff. I don't believe a word of it. It's all lore, and I'll bet either you're completely barmy or you're trying to get a few people killed!"
The monkey crossed its arms in a huff, leaving a red-faced Ru muttering, "Monkeys generally don't talk, Khaid," under his breath.
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Post by Catmcnat on Apr 6, 2006 6:37:45 GMT -5
Anger welled up within Cara as the monkey’s words filled her ears. For a moment she did not react, she simply let the words swell in her head. She slowly stood and rested both her slender hands on top of the wooden table eyes gazing down at them.
Her anger at what had been said could be seen in her hands. Her knuckles began to whiten as she began to dig her fingernails into the hard wood. Her wrists and fore arms began to shake slightly, but still she did not raise her head or speak a word.
If her head had been up, the others would have seen that the tattoo on her cheek began to glow a pale pink as she began to boil over the top with rage.
“And what would a flea-ridden beast like yourself know?” she questioned quietly with a shaky voice “Hmm? Well?” she added coldly.
“It may well be teachings from old, but at least I believe in something. I believe in these, what did you call them…’ragtag’ people because I can see the potential within. Do not underestimate the human spirit! Humans, even though they can be easily misguided, can accomplish great things when they set their minds and hearts to it. I have faith.” She added emotionally.
“And if you, oh foul hearted, narrow-minded being, cannot find something to believe in, then I pity you. You do not have the emotional and spiritual capacity to believe in something that you might not actually be able to see. Do you believe in the air around you? Well you must do seeing as you breath it, but let me ask you this…how come you can believe that the air is there but you cannot see it? You are being a hypocrite of what I say. I feel this prophecy as you feel the air you breath. But, if you are that narrow-minded, I will give you proof that the dragon lords do still exist.” She added with a fiery tone.
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Post by RuThor on Apr 6, 2006 6:38:06 GMT -5
The monkey grinned, showing a row of very sharp teeth. "As a matter of fact, I don't breath."
"Khaid, shut up!"
The monkey snorted, his tail flicking back and forth. "And I'm not flea-ridden. I've only got one, and that's because of the dirt." Khaid's image shimmered slightly, and instead of a monkey, on Ru's shoulder stood a large eagle with a sharp beak. "So watch what you call-"
With an air of impatience, Ru snapped, "Khaid, cut it out! Can't you keep your mouth shut?"
The djinni seemed to realize that he had strayed far from the role of 'quiet and loveable animal companion', and gave itself a very un-birdlike shake. "It's still stupid," it said indignantly before falling silent with a disgusted look at Cara.
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Post by Catmcnat on Apr 6, 2006 6:38:26 GMT -5
“So you are some kind of shifter…” Cara thought allowed, “…That would account for your disgusting manners and temper.” she added snidely under her breath “Anyway, it has nothing to do with you Khaid it is then people sat here that make the final decisions, the people here that will undergo the task, and it is the people here that will suceed and reap the hard earnt rewards."
With her arguments finished Cara seated herself once more with a small sigh. "As I explained...be..fore.." she began as she rummaged through her leather bag "...the first thing...we need to do is...aha! Here we go!" came her exclamation as she dumped a dusty piece of rolled up partchment on the table and began to unroll it. "We need to find Sirrush!" she beamed.
With the partchment unrolled it was clear to see the image drawn upon it. A mighty beast, a dragon, on of the ancients, was painted upon this paper. A huge black scaled brute with two enormous horns protruding from the back of his skull and running parallel with his spine. Many other tiny spikes were littered around the two dominant ones and ran around his jaw line, which were all ivory in colour. His mouth had been drawn open revealing rows of sharp pointed teeth that could easily tear apart any flesh; and down his spine ran thousands of tiny spike reaching almost to the tip of his tail. His claws were massive. On each foot he housed five massive toes with long pointed silver claws. In between his front and hind legs rested two large folded wings. Long black fingers ran through them and the thin membrane that helped his flight was a deep black in colour as well. To top it off, a thick, strong tail extended and curled around his body that looked powerful enough to knock any man off his horse. To add to the majesty of this creature, the artist had added the detailed silver Celtic markings that covered Sirrush’s body truly making him a sight to behold.
This is the creature we must find before we can get anywhere.” Cara said a little triumphantly as she examined the work. “Look at the date on this” she added casually “This was only painted a few years ago. It is unlike any copy I have ever seen as the image is so life like. Must just be a coincidence” she finished airily as she aimed the hint at Khaid.
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Post by Phoenix on Apr 6, 2006 6:38:45 GMT -5
As the light of the flickering candle reached the mans face and it was clear that he was not who she had thought it had been she sat down casually. This had been a very strange night.
For hours she sat listening to the woman talk about the legends and the Dragoon something or other. To be honest Avariella had not been paying that much attention and the womans voice had a soft lulling quality. In fact she had started to doze as the candle had burnt low and lost most of its light.
Darkness, glittering darkness swooped in and out of her dreams, a huge and awe inspiring presence which had graced her unconsious mind since she was very young. Avariella had never come to know what it was, she could just feel its strength, however just lately it had been getting clearer. It had become more substantial and she could make out plates of shining black that covered it, and now for the first time it was coming into focus, she was finally going to know.
"You've got to be joking" Avariella started at the shout, half recalling what she had seen. It was not until the voice spoke again that it became clear who had spoken. "Holy shit" The obscenity was spoken unbelievingly as Avariella watched the little monkey. She had a wild look in her eye as the animal argued with the woman and it was all she could do to close her gaping mouth.
And then as it changed into the eagle a wry look crossed her face. He would sell for a pretty penny! Avariella sat and watched the "bird" intently and smiled sweetly at the flustered boy. Again the womans words went mostly unheard as she pondered how she could steal it. In fact it was only the curious glance in Cara's direction that let Avariella see the object of her dreams. A dragon.
"I'll help you." The words came from nowhere and Avariella was slightly surprised however the warm feeling she had gained ensured that she would honour them.
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Post by Calypso on Apr 6, 2006 6:39:06 GMT -5
At first, Calypso had hesitated, hanging back by the door. Avariella's reaction to his entrance had initially had him worried that she'd recognised him despite the scars, but as she subsided and Cara began to talk, he'd felt less worried and more interested. After maybe twenty minutes he moved forward and took a chair, leaning his elbows on the table as he rested his chin on his fists.
He hardly reacted when Khaid started talking, too busy staring at the tabletop to do anything other than let their angry words wash over him. He looked up blankly, seeing Khaid change shape, but he didn't have it in him to be surprised any more. The Dragonez? Him? His parents?! It couldn't be possible. But he found himself believing Cara despite that all.
His brother. Dead, but leaving Calypso without a satisfying explanation for it. But this... dragons, hunters, elves... Maybe. Maybe.
And then the picture was placed in front of him. He stared at it a little, and frowned, rubbing the back of his neck as he sat back and stretched slightly, having sat in the same position for too long. Cara had a point. The picture was extremely lifelike. Far too much so for his liking.
"You want us to go and find a dragon?" He asked incredulously. "How in hell are we supposed to survive an encounter with that! I mean, I can live with you saying we're all members of some ancient religion, and I'm perfectly happy with the idea of great rewards, but dragons?! If they even exist, it'd be suicide! And if there's other people who want to stop us, and they're able to take down one of those," he gestured at the picture, "how are we supposed to fight them? You're asking us to risk our lives for... for nothing."
He trailed off, aware that he'd become the focus of attention. He didn't even know these people. Gods, he wished he was drunk enough not to care!
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Post by RuThor on Apr 6, 2006 6:39:34 GMT -5
Ru was quiet as the disgruntled Khaid settled again on his shoulder, and he didn't notice when the thief smiled at him.
Now that the great lump of feathers on his shoulder wasn't picking a fight, he could see the insanity of the whole idea. Personally, he agreed with the man on most points. But still...
"It wouldn't be for nothing," he put in quietly. "Not if she's right. At least we'd be trying..."
The eagle turned its head sharply, flapping its wings dangerously close to Ru's ear. "You're not going along with this, are you?" Khaid cried, nearly hopping.
Ru hesitated, nodded, then shook his head. "I don't know," he admitted, examining his knees.
Khaid gave a horse-like huff of irritation, and shook himself again.
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Post by Catmcnat on Apr 6, 2006 6:39:53 GMT -5
“At least one will help” she sighed.
“We are not fighting the dragons, we must merely gain their trust. Sirrush has waited for us for hundreds of years so he will not kill us without good reasoning.” She grumbled. Why were they being so difficult? Her uncle (May the dragons Lords protect him) had made this task sound so simple when he had explained it to her. Why couldn’t he come with her and help. Another sigh escaped her soft lips.
Perhaps another attempt at getting them on side “Everything will be provided for you, I have horses waiting in the stables, packs prepared for each one of you for the journey, and I have brought along with me the weapons created by the dragons of which you shall wield.” She added hopefully.
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Post by Calypso on Apr 6, 2006 6:40:21 GMT -5
The scars around Calypso's eyes crumpled as he screwed his eyes shut for a moment, then asked quietly, "What weapons?"
He could hardly believe he was still sitting here. That spoke volumes about just how convinced he really was. He was halfway to being certain that Cassiter had been one of these Dragonez before he died. And if he helped them now, perhaps he could find the people who'd killed his brother.
Besides which, he told himself, a little worried that he could feel such a thirst for vengeance, the more people who owed him a favour the better. Naturally, he would only agree to this if it was in his own interest.
Of course. He would not take on anything for any reason other than the promise of a reward. Definitely not.
Damn.
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Post by RuThor on Apr 6, 2006 6:40:39 GMT -5
Ru hesitated a moment more before he said quietly, "I'll help you." This led Khaid to let out a chicken-like squawk.
"You are going along with it! There's no such thing as an easy charge with you, is there?"
Ru didn't respond. He looked Cara square in the eyes and asked, "Are we leaving soon?" His mind was ablaze with thoughts and questions, but he limited himself to one- he found that once he started to talk too much, he didn't stop.
Khaid, meanwhile, folded his wings and hopped from Ru's shoulder to the back of the chair and turned his back.
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Post by Mac Old Site on Apr 6, 2006 6:41:41 GMT -5
The sgin, he knew what the sign said. For some reason though that didn't surprise him as much as finding that tiny tattooed dragon on his forearm had. Licking chapped lips the man rolls back his linen shirt sleeve to reveal a tiny dragon amidst a tortured and scarred forearm. A gleam lite his mad, gray eyes as he turned to the tavern.
"The Purple Boar," he murmured from a strong chin marred by blond fuzz. He stroked a gloved hand through his light, honey colored hair; beneath clean cut clothes his finely built body was deteriorating. His wife's family had taken pity on him for a while after her death, but to him it wasn't the same.
"Selene, my darling, I will find some answers," one hand went to the hilt of a finely made, short sword that's twin hung on his other hip while he led his gelding to the hitching post.
As he stepped into the tavern the smells of smoke, gin, sweat, and people overcame all his senses. "Ugh," he spluttered and coughed bent over before making it to the bar with some glances his way. It wasn't that he was old, he was in his prime years to be exact, it was only that he had always had a disliking for taverns and close knit places, not to mention a horribly dribbling nose.
"I am here about the poster," he breathed to the tender before an attack of coughing erupted.
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Post by Phoenix on Apr 6, 2006 6:42:10 GMT -5
Avariella had pulled the sheet of parchment quietly infront of her and sat looking at it intently. Once again she had began to ignore the conversation around her, and instead looked upon the creature which was the figment of her dreams. Her fingers were lost amongst the gentle coils of auburn hair which glinted a fiery red in the flickering candle light. Even the squalking of the strange animal could not distact her from studying the picture.
Finally she leant back in the chair agitatedly. It was most unlike her to stick to her word, being a thief and all, but she felt that this time she would. It was as if some stronger force was willing her to do so and she was powerless to disobey, it was a feeling she wasn't used to and wasnt too fond of.
Avariella drummed her fingers on the thick oak table distactedly looking once again at the drawing, but stopped abrubtly as it turned quiet. "Well, I'll leave you to continue your discussion and to ... decide." There was a screeching as her chair scraped across the floor. Her eyes found the door and she walked towards it saying quietly, "I need a drink."
As the door opened it felt as if white hot needles had attacked her dark eyes and she turned away, covering them with her hand and closing the door behind her. The thief made her way to the bar and her heeled shoes made a rythmic little melody upon the floor boards, the barmaid reappeared from collecting the glasses of the mindlessly drunk and asked what she wanted moodily "I'll have the strongest spirit you have and plenty of it."
The scowling serving wench slammed the cup on the top slopping the colourless liquid onto Avariella clothes. "If you think I'm paying for that your wrong." Avariella said angrily wiping down the front of the emerald silk, oh well perhaps it was back to her travelling clothes in the morning.
Avariella took a gulp of the spirit and it promptly burned her mouth and her throat as she swallowed, causing her to contort her features. She let out a loud expletive and it was not until she looked up once agian that she noticed the blond bearded man. She smiled vaguely, her mother would be rolling in her grave right now, and her father, there was no way she would be able to rob this one, finery or no.
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Post by Mac Old Site on Apr 6, 2006 6:42:32 GMT -5
He turned his gaze to the lady in silks. He sat upon his own bar stool two seats from her; his hunkered figure wheezing with each intake of the smoky air as his gray eyes searched her for any signs of treachery. Ever since he'd found an assassin in his chambers after his wife's death he had reasons to suspect everyone.
He returned the vague smile and placed a few coins on the table. "I'll take care of it," he mumbled through dry lips.
((Short but sweet. . . haha XD))
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A quest
Apr 18, 2006 17:42:09 GMT -5
Post by ~Cat~ on Apr 18, 2006 17:42:09 GMT -5
/Why must everything be so difficult?/
Even if she had no other emotions left in her body the feeling of being rather disheartened remained strong. At least now she had two who would accompany her, and two was certainly better than none. Perhaps others still lingered outside their quiet back room and they could be picked up on the way out.
“Right!” a sharp scraping filled the room as Cara briskly pushed her chair back and stood up. Bending over the table and glaring at Khaid she winked at the young Ru and shot an enquiring look at the man that sat near him. “We have wasted enough time and I prefer to travel under the veil of the night sky.” The parchment she rolled up made a slight rustling noise, but Cara spoke no more; it was up to the males to decide if they would push aside their stubbornness and join. She would wait for no one.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
It definitely was cheerier in the main room of the inn, even if it did stink of booze and smoke. Cara moved boldly amongst the drunks that looked up from their mugs hopefully.
“Avariella, I see you have made a new friend…” her tone was lighter and she seemed in a better mood due to the thought of actually being able to leave that night. Before her new female companion had a chance to reply, Cara attention wavered as something in the room flooded her subconciousness; what on earth was it? It seemed to be a familiar scent, the scent of fresh linen, but Cara had no real recollection of it. She racked her brain to try and remember where she had encountered it before but the memory seemed to evade but still manage to taunt her.
She turned back to Avariella and her ‘friend’ in an attempt to ignore these thoughts. “We should leave soon.”
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Mac
Junior mage
Official WTF
Mercurial, Aloof, Contemplative
Posts: 224
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A quest
Apr 18, 2006 18:35:54 GMT -5
Post by Mac on Apr 18, 2006 18:35:54 GMT -5
His gray eyes found Cara's tattoo easily. It was an exact twin to his in all but size, and seeing it awakened a new portion of his mind that had been locked away long ago.
e straightened and bowed to Avariella and Cara with no signs of being affected at all by the smoke, "Miladies, please accept me as a campanion on your quest." He bowed with a hand on a sword's hilt, "My sword is yours." It would have been wrong for him to preform the traditional bow of knights, for that was only used for kings and loved ones. The bow itself was over used by many fickle knights before it dwindled away into a mere bow of recognition.
Standing straight he pulled his shoulders back like he had when he was a knight; stone-faced and towering, he almost looked like the youthful and handsome Sir Randlin Weatherstone the Steadfast he had once been knighted.
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A quest
Apr 25, 2006 5:58:32 GMT -5
Post by ~Cat~ on Apr 25, 2006 5:58:32 GMT -5
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Mac
Junior mage
Official WTF
Mercurial, Aloof, Contemplative
Posts: 224
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A quest
Apr 26, 2006 21:32:51 GMT -5
Post by Mac on Apr 26, 2006 21:32:51 GMT -5
((Wow, it's awesome! Did you draw it? Kind of has the Celtic appeal if that's what you are going for but going just a tad overboard on the tattoos makes him even more mystic.))
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A quest
Apr 30, 2006 13:05:01 GMT -5
Post by Lali on Apr 30, 2006 13:05:01 GMT -5
OOC *falls off chair* That is BEAUTIFUL!! Gwah. *is speechless*
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