Curse

Symeon · Dec 30, 2005, 06:18 PM // 18:18

Crow led the group through the backalleys of Lion's Arch, through thorn bushes, hedges, gaps in walls...Shashiya had never noticed these things before. Crow seemed to know exactly where she was going, and was moving fast. She didn't ever look back at the others.
And all the while they could hear noises from behind - shouts, cries, stamping. The Lionguard had obviously moved away from the door, and were in a confused state. They might even be following us already, thought Shashiya. Though they don't look it, the Lionguard have eyes all over the place.
All of a sudden, they reached the wall. Crow stopped abrupty, and brushed some dust off her clothes. The others did the same, and watched her for he next movement. She scratched her head, then darted to the left, running parallel with the wall. They could see a gate ahead of them. It was the one that led out into North Kryta Province.
'Quick,' Crow whispered, turning around briefly. They all kept running, the gate now in full sight.
Then, Crow stopped, and Shashiya nearly fell over as she skidded to a halt. Crow pointed up at the wall. They all now saw something they hadn't seen while they were running - a vine running up the side of the wall.
'Climb,' Crow hissed. 'There's another on the other side. Just be quick - there won't be anyone patrolling except for further along the wall, they shouldn't see us, but we need to be wary of the Lionguard that were onto us, they'll be following us.'
And Crow began to climb. Shashiya followed straight behind, as did the others. The vine was very sticky, and didn't swing at all. Crow reached the top with great speed, leaving the others still struggling as they slid down the vine on the other side. Eventually, they were all out of Lion's Arch, and ready to move.
But little did they know, they had been seen as they climbed the vine. And the person that had seen them was not one of the Lionguards down below.
The night sentry ran from his post, down the steps of the tower, heading straight for the Lionguards at the murder scene.

Symeon · Dec 30, 2005, 09:49 PM // 21:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Obsidian Dragon

OOC: Just missed the cut I see. Care to make an exception for a mesmer?? You guys dont have one in the story?? I'd love to participate

Go on then I guess...besides, in things like this people are always absent for a bit so having on extra than a 'good' amount isn't bad...
Said even though I wasn't the starter of this thread.

4runner · Dec 30, 2005, 11:56 PM // 23:56

OOC: dam good story telling guys!! Woot Woot!!!

ownage of teh elite · Dec 31, 2005, 03:14 AM // 03:14

"Pleasant day isn't it?" Vanatiel questioned, his eyes curious. The necromancer was sitting on the ground, talking to a slender yet fit beautiful young girl. Little did she know, that he was actually secretly interrogating her for useful information.

"Aye" she agreed, nodding her head in approvement. She was staring up at the sun, watching the white clouds roll lazily by. Looking down, she RED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GOed her head and eyed the necromancer. "So...are you from these parts...Mr...?"

Vanatiel smiled, careful not to reveal his four fangs. "Well, no actually. I'm from...out of town." Vanatiel grinned even fuller. "You can call me Mr...Lietanav. Yes...you can call me Mr. Lietanav."

The young girl smiled when she heard the name. "Ah, so Mr. Lietanav, your foreign name is most foreign. I'd love to hear about your home land. I have traveled many places in Tyria, though Lions Arch is my favorite. The beauty...the sunshine...the creatures..."

Vanatiel kept his smile. "Yes...It's a very bright place...a bit too much sun for me. A-." Vanatiel stopped in mid-sentence, inturrupted by the girl.

"Oh, please forgive me! I've forgotten to tell you my name! My name is Shelly!"

"That's a nice name, Shelly. Well met."

"Well Mr. Lietanav, I still wish to know about your homeland!"

Vanatiel's smile faded. His thoughts were now fading back...long long ago, to where he was born. Barely hanging onto reality, nearly lost in his memories, Vanatiel told Shelly about his homeland.

"Well...my homeland was a very dark place. Very dark indeed. There was hardly ever as much sunlight as Kryta has. My homeland was always cold. There was never much warmth nor sunlight when I grew up. In this place of cold and darkness, their were many dangerous and strange creatures that inhabited the most darkest places, where absolutely no sunlight penetrated. Places, where any human would fear to be. The creatures, I don't know fully about. I just know that they were extremely dangerous, extremely huge, and extremely smart. I still remember, sometimes when I sat on the cliff walls overlooking The Abyss I heard horrific roars of some type of thing. Well, I'm getting off topic...So let's just say that my homeland wasn't butterflies and rainbows." Vanatiel said.

Suddenly, there was a shout. The necromancer turned to face the noise, coming from the gates. Vanatiel couldn't hear it at first, but then it came into focus.

"THE MURDERER'S HAVE ESCAPED! ALERT THE WHITE MANTLE IMMEDIATELY!"

Vanatiel cussed under his breath. He didn't expect Crow and her little band of friends to be leaving so soon. Just when he was truly enjoying himself.

"Crow...I will make you and your friends pay. One...for having your pet nearly kill me, and two...for ruining my conversation." Vanatiel whispered through gritted teeth.

Shelly looked at him. "Something the matter Mr. Leitanav?"

Vanatiel stood up and smiled at Shelly.

"It seems that I am needed elsewhere."

"Oh."

"Nice talking to you Shelly."

"You too Mr. Leitanav"

With that, Vanatiel ran towards the gates, which were now closing.

The necromancer ran faster, panting with adrenaline.

Just as it was about to close, he jumped threw, doing a front flip roll in one fluid motion.

"Phew." Vanatiel said to himself.

Shelly wasn't worth interrogating, although she was a sweet girl. He couldn't have killed her anyways. But he didn't need any information now. His plans were laid down, straight ahead. He would follow Crow and her friends through night and day. He would stalk them like a hawk does a mouse. And when they least expect it, he will pounce and extract his revenge.

Jay the Jake · Dec 31, 2005, 04:38 PM // 16:38

OOC Will have a pic of Jake on here as soon as a get a good one of him.....

Jake sat leaning against the tree listening to the group he had heard just moments ago. Though they had quieted down greatly he could sense them out there. Their current trek would not bring them any closer to his position, so Jake rested his head against the tree and closed his eyes. He would let them pass and follow at a distance so as not to raise suspicion on their part. While keeping his senses alert to his surroundings Jake let his mind wonder to a place he visited often in his memories but hadnt seen in ages.
He was 7 again standing in a clearing, a small column of smoke rising in the background. The smell of freshly baked bread reaching his nose and the sounds of birds singing in his ears. The sun was just starting to sink below the tops of the trees which were just starting to change from the varied shadows of green to browns and reds like they did this time last year and the year before. I bet they do that this time every year thought the little boy, standing there looking at the clouds as they rolled slowly by.
It was just about time thought the boy, better start concentrating. Jake pulled his cloak on tighter and lifted the hood over his auburn long hair and secured it tightly. Double checking to make sure all his hair was under the hood and the leaves and long grass was securely in place, jake knelt down in the grass quickly blending in with his surroundings. Looking off to the west Jake concentrated on treeline slowly scanning the terrian and listening to nature. I am going to get him today thought Jake as he adjusted his grip on the bow in his right hand. Jake stopped breathing was that leaves rustling he heard. Slowly Jake turned his head to the right looking off towards the cabin. No he didnt go that way I would have heard one of my traps thought Jake. There it is again! Over to his left the birds fell quiet. Quickly scanning the trees from under his hood he thought about moving but remembered the first lesson. The first to move is always the loser in this game. Concentrating even harder he thought he saw movement there, yes just to the left of the trail he saw something. Crouching he moved off towards an old stump he often used to set up targets on.
If I can just make it to that stump I will have him. As the outline of the stump started to appear through the grass, sounds of breaking twigs reached his ears. Stopping instantly, Jake lowered himself down onto one knee. He slowly eased the bow up and took aim in the direction of the trail. There is something wrong here his mind kept telling. This is too easy I am missing something Jake thought as doubt started to fill his mind. His breath came in rapid rasps now, the bow was shaky in his hand.
" Got yeah! Stump in middle of the meadow to the east and south of it. Your facing the trail and I can see your bow shaking from here." came a loud deep voice. A big gasp escaped his lips and Jake stood up. " Am I ever going to win against you" Jake yelled. A tall man in brown and green leathers stepped out of the trees some 60 feet behind Jake. In the deep voice the man said " Not today, son" A big smile spread acrossed his face as he saw his son, the little boy in the cloak running towards him.
Jakes eyes popped open! What was that. Girl was facing to the rear her chest nearly touching the ground. Her lips curled into a snarl she was breathing a deep low throaty growl. Sounds of snapping twigs and branches came through the trees and invaded Jakes dream of long ago. Sounds of armor could now be heard too. Must be the Lionsguard thought Jake. They must have realized they had gone the wrong way when they reached the damp ground near the swamps and didnt see any foot prints. Now he could hear voices 5 no 6 of them. Quickly Jake pulled the cloak from his back and while whispering instructions to Girl he donned it, laid down in the grass and pulled the hood up over his head. As Girl laid down underneath the cloak with him, Jake covered the cloak with leaves and dead tall grass from nearby. From under the cloak both creatures slowed their breathing till neither could hear themselves let alone the other.

Storm Crow · Dec 31, 2005, 09:11 PM // 21:11

Jumping from shadow to shadow, Crow hurried the others along. Just at the edge of a bog she stopped.

"Go on, meet me on the other side." she said, running back into the wood.

She went from dappled shadow to the tall grass faster than the best ranger in Kryta. Silently she scaled a tree, crouching on a low lying branch. She knew there was someone tracking them, and she intended to catch them.

She waited until she finally saw the slightest movement in the grass. She jumped from her perch, behind the sneaky man and his lynx. With the edge of her blade she flipped over the cloak under which they were hidden.

The lynx tried to jump for her, but Garion was right there, and being much larger than the small lynx, stared it down with ease.

"Who are you, and why do you follow us?" she asked the ranger.

Jay the Jake · Jan 01, 2006, 02:18 AM // 02:18

Laying perfectly still under the cloak Jake hear the Lionsguards approach. At one point 2 of them were practically standing on top of Girl and him. Finally at what seemed like ages they moved on. Jake and Girl remained under the cloak deciding to wait awhile longer. Reaching into a bag Jake pulled out some dried meat and he and Girl ate silently giving the guards time to put plenty of distance between the two parties.
When he felt it was safe Jake returned the rest of the meat back to its place in the bag and started to remove the cloak when Girl let out a soft growl. At that moment the cloak was thrown off him and Girl with the tip of a blade. There standing above him was a female in black, aye an elementalist thought Jake. With some ranger training also he said to himself. This being evident by the stalker companion of his and the way she was able to approach him without detection.
Jake stood told Girl to sit and looked at the Elementalist. Scared he was not for she was standing standing upon a trap he had set prior to taking a seat against that tree. Her stalker was standing on the trigger in fact. Any moment on his part and this Elementalist and the stalker would disappear in a cloud. The gas inside his traps he made himself. This was made just afew days ago in the swamp. It wont kill her but she will be temporarily blinded and the fumes would leave her sick retching for 2-3 days.
Very strange indeed, it had been some time since Jake had meet an Elementalist. This one carried herself quite well too, I wonder? He looked straight into her eyes and said " My name is Jay the Jake, I come from a land far from here. I recently arrived at this corrupt broken place. Looking for work I was approached and offered a task to clear the swamps of skales for a small reward. Just earlier today I returned from those same swamps. Something had happened outside the inn. A guardsman started asking me stupid questions right after he saw me coming out of the trees... He threatened my companion here and I corrected him in his manners. From my resting spot up there I hear you approach decided to follow you. Hoping to overhear someone in your group talk about what happened in town."
He could see the Elementalist wasnt totally convinced. Jake sat down and looked up at her. " So whats going on in town? Or are you going to stand there and hold that blade on me all day. Also Elementalist where did you get your training at. I can only name a few places & people that could give someone such ranger training as you have?"

HawkofStorms · Jan 01, 2006, 06:28 AM // 06:28

There was a loud bang as the door to the inn fell off its hinges. The member of the Lionguard had simply meant to open the door. Apparently, the oak door had not wanted to take any more stress today. Since he was sort of embarrassed, it took the Lionguard a bit longer then usually for him to realize that the room was dark.

“Harzan, have you secured all the witnesses for questioning yet? I want to get breakfast soon.” There was a pause as the man looked into the dark room. TK stood there frozen. Things did not look good. He was in a room surrounded by murdered members of the Lionguard. There is no way they would believe that he had just stumbled in here. They would execute him for sure. TK stayed still. He tried to stay hidden in the shadows. “Harzan?” said the Lionguard again. This time he was clearly nervous. TK heard the sound of a sword being drawn. Maybe there was a backdoor out of here, thought TK.

TK took one step backwards. Immediately his foot hit a stool that was behind him. “Whose there?” shouted the Lionguard, altered by the noise. Crud, thought TK. TK quickly hobbled towards the door. As he got closer to the Lionguard, TK raised his hand that clutched his cane. A burst of light erupted from the cane, illuminating the room in a brilliant flash. The Lionguard reeled back, clutching his eyes.

TK slipped by him and was out the door. It would be only seconds before members of the Lionguard were all around him. TK could just picture in his mind the torture chambers that he would be placed into if he were caught. He would not enjoy that fate at all. TK was far too frail to last long under those sorts of conditions. TK stumbled as he tried to get to the city gate as quickly as possible. It was then that he saw them.

Off in the distance he could see two or three figures near the top of the city wall. They were climbing over it. They must be the murderers, thought TK wildly. Why else would anyone act so suspiciously? TK heard shouts behind him. The alarm was being raised. A few guards were rushing over from the wall towards the inn, with TK stuck in the middle. He would have to make a break for it. Not on this leg though, he thought as he took another step, and grimaced in pain. Adrenaline could only do so much.

Thinking quickly, TK spread out his arms and tried to relax. Letting the cool breeze play across his face, TK began to pull a specific lore and magic he could hardly remember out from the inner recesses of his mind and onto center stage. That cool breeze became rough. The wind whipped his cape across his face and the hot sand shimmered at his feet. And soon TK was gliding along the ground, moving as quick as the wind, and towards the gates to freedom. As he whizzed by the startled gate guards, TK heard cries behind him. “The murderers have escaped! Alert the White Mantle immediately!” shouted a man who sounded a lot like the one whom TK had momentarily blinded.

Panting, TK collapsed behind a large rock, clutching his storm artifact for energy and his swollen knee to dull the pain. What a bad morning, thought TK. At least the strong winds had help eliminate the smell of dead fish from his clothes. Almost, muttered TK regretfully as he sniffed himself. Now, TK only had one thing to do. He had to find those killers. A good number of those guards might be able to identify him. If he did not find the true culprits, he might never clear his name.

Storm Crow · Jan 01, 2006, 07:37 AM // 07:37

Crow looked down at Garion's feet, where this man 'Jay' had looked a moment before. She spoke to him in the ancient language.

"Stay Gari, move and we'll both be blind."

She lowered and sheathed her blade, making quick haste to get away from the trap. "Run Gari!" she yelled at him in the old tongue. Garion lept from the trigger pad on which he was standing and into a nearby tree. The gasses from the trap flew into the air, clogging it with a blinding substance.

"Now, you're quite a sneaky fellow, Jay. Tell me, where did you get such training as to be able not to tell we were coming? My Stalker here is large enough to be heard a mile away, and surely I could not have escaped your, shall we say, 'accute' hearing."

The lynx growled again as Garion came from his perch in the tree.

"Tell me, where did you aquire such an interesting animal? It certainly seems to care for you quite fondly." she said mockingly, slowly twirling her finger around Gari's ear as he purred softly.

NuitNoir · Jan 01, 2006, 05:40 PM // 17:40

In a rush, Crow barked out a command for us the wait for her across the bog and disappeared. "how annoying", Rial thought. It hasn't been a good day and she was back where she started, in the woods. She began to wade through the bog.

Just then, behind her came a scale. "HA!" she smiles and quickly dispatches the creature with a swift Banish finishing it off with a Smite. "Just a wee one", Rial chuckles. But before she could search it for anything salvagable, out came more of its like, and they were bigger. *Crap*, as she casts a Retribution on her self before the first blast hits her. "I can do with some help her" she yells at the Warrior and Necro who had done a better job at crossing the bog and were already across it.

She is faced by three older scales. After the initial hit, they begin to circle her. A drop of perspiration, rolls off her chin, as she curses herself for her lack of training in Smiting. She recalls the time when her teachers, former Monks of the Abby, told her to pick a disciple and go with it. She had decided that Dwayna wanted her to be a healer. Ya, she's got some basic smiting skills, but hardly enough for a face off, well at least it's only 3, this place was crawling with them not too long ago.

"let's see" she mumbbles, *if they get close enough i could always do a Symbol of Wrath and i do have one trump card, my bane signet*

Jay the Jake · Jan 02, 2006, 05:36 AM // 05:36

Sitting there on the ground Jay waited for the dust from his trap to subside. It had been placed so it would discharge outward away from him and Girl. Having had no effects of the trap affect him and his furry companion Jay looked up at the overconfident Elementalist and with a smirk started this tale.
"This here is Girl, thats what I call her. She actually found me really. My old companion was a stalker like yours. Thorn was his name, so named cause in battle he was just that to any foe. A thorn in their side they couldnt get rid of. Thorn and me were together for a long time. I inherited him from someone dear to me. In fact thats what brought me to this part of the world. Thorn and I had been searching for this person for sometime. We were crossing the snow covered mountains to the north and east of here. We had crested the peak two days prior when we happened into a sizeable group of mountain trolls. The trolls werent happy to see us and instantly attacked. Thorn took three of them before one was lucky enough to get a hold on him. Last time I saw Thorn alive he was being thrown over the edge of a ridge. I quickly dispatched the foe I was dealing with and his partner who had gotten ahold of Thorn. When I reached the edge of the ridge. I could just make out Thorns body some ways down. A half days hike brought me no closer to his body. I sat there injuried and bleeding for 2 days and nights striking down any creature that ventured towards Thorns body. Till at last I was down to my last arrow. I took a strip of leather from my cloaked affixed it to the end, light the bow and sent it to his body. After a prayer to the gods to watch over my friend I continued my trek down the mountain.
2 days later very weak and vulnerable I finally left the mountains and entered this place. I quickly started gathering material to make a remedy thought to me years before by a great ranger. After the materials were gathered and applied to my wounds I found a cave where I holed up and succumbed to my exhaustion. Sometime later I awoke to find Girl her sitting at the entrance eyeing me curiously. I thought I was done for then, being to weak to even raise my head. I laid there and our eyes met. After afew seconds of this Lynx here approached me, took a whiff of my wounds then of the remaining material lying beside me. I dont remember how much after that fore I fell asleep again. It must have been the next morning or the day after cause I remember waking up finding the sun rising but lowrer than it was the last time I opened my eyes. This lynx here was sitting at the entrance like the time before. However this time my collection of materials was larger than before and there was also broken twigs and small branches with fruit attached laying beside me. So it went on like that day in day out me waking up and finding this animal sitting there at the entrance to the cave always looking outward with a fresh pile of materials and food lying beside me. With time my wounds healed and I was able to move again. I spent 3 more days in the cave, hunting, catching fish in the nearby creek for food, replenishing my bows at night. With the dawn of the fourth day I gathered my things thank this creature for her protection and aid, then made ready to setout to continue my trek. Girl here followed and hasnt stopped in the month since that day. I tried naming her but she wouldnt have it, Girl is what she is and Girl is what she requests to go by."
"So you have heard my story of how I got here. Would you be so kind as to answer my first question. That being, who was the person that so taught you the skills of the ranger. I pry only cause my father was a ranger trainer at the academy and was there that horrible day some time back. I havent seen or heard of him since. See my trek is in search of him, Thorn was his companion and he safeguarded me through that ordeal. Thorn and I have been searching for my father since that very day."

Ristaron · Jan 02, 2006, 05:54 AM // 05:54

OOC: I leave for a few days and the thread gets overrun. x.x
I'm guessing I'm the OP... I can't tell people to leave... so I'll have to say this is getting all too confusing. We need to bring the people in the story together rather than have ten different stories all over Lion's Arch.
As I missed a fair bit of the narrative, I'll have to fill in what my character has been doing... here goes.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Ristaron opened his eyes from his trancelike state. The midnight orbs shifted towards the door, something on this floor had made a rucous. A moment later there was another bang and a snarl.
A fight was taking place.
Ristaron leapt for his cloak on the bed, donning it in a swift twirl. His rapiers still at his hips, the ranger flipped up his hood and swung open the door. Well-fitted leather boots made little sound on the wood floor, though the aged boards groaned to support yet another patron. Instincts working overtime, Ristaron heard someone begin ascending the steps and before the second step was landed the ranger had become nothing more than another shadow. Eyes of darkest blue watching for who was approaching, they widened to realize that it was a lionguard.
Another bang sounded from down the hall, the lionguard paused.
Ristaron scrutinized the man. And decided he was nothing compared to what would have killed Firstwatch Morgin.
"I wouldn't go that way", Ristaron said, stepping out from the shadows. The lionguard spun, his hand on the hilt of his sword. It was the lionguard policy to not draw weapon unless the enemy had first. The foreign ranger raised his hands to the side, in a sign of peace.
"There is a fight in there", Ristaron said, "one that is best left to sort itself out for the time being."
The lionguard took a confident step forward, Ristaron didn't move.
"Call for backup", the ranger said, "but not in here. Have the place watched."
"Who are you?" the lionguard asked.
"A friend of Firstwatch Morgin", Ristaron replied, "and I implore you not to ruin your chance of capturing his killer."
"How do you know it's his killer?" The lionguard tilted his head to see beneath the darkness of Ristaron's hood. The ranger sighed and slowly raised his hand to the fabric, and drew back.
"It is just a hunch, but I've been listening", he said as the hood fell back.
The lionguard's eyes narrowed, but a moment later the lionguard removed his hand from the hilt of his sword. The man made a light bow.
"Master Ristaron, we have been looking for you".
It was now the ranger's turn to tilt his head.
"No time for questions, please follow me."

"My name is Aramik", the lionguard said as they left the inn. They descended the steps and Aramik turned to look back at the inn briefly.
"Where are we going?" Ristaron asked.
"The barracks".
"Am I a suspect in the murder?"
Aramik looked to the foreign ranger. "The whole city is suspect."
Ristaron didn't miss that his question was avoided.
A loud noise behind them in the inn told Ristaron his warnings were not going to be heeded.

As they approached the stairway to the hilltop where the barracks were situated, Aramik and Ristaron were joined by three more Guards. Working his brain overtime, Ristaron managed to retain a calm demeanor. Nobody was ever escorted by more than two guards unless they were either highly dangerous (which, admittedly, Ristaron was), or a very valuable target. The foreigner's hands itched to hold his faithful rapiers, but peace was a greater security that Ristaron forced himself to embrace.
In the end, four guards would not stop Ristaron.
Not when he had taught their teachers how to fight.

-------

It was several hours now that Ristaron had sat in the bare room. With chipped walls and plain atmosphere, the ranger had been unable to find much to entertain himself with. At last, there was a brief knock at the door, and a moment later one of the Captains of the Watch entered.
"Good morning", the man said politely. Ristaron smiled, a bare curving of the corners of his onyx lips. The Captain took a seat across from Ristaron at the single, oak table.
"You're no doubt convinced that you're a suspect", the man said. Ristaron's midnight eyes lifted and locked with the Captain's.
"I assure you, you are not."
"Then why am I here?"
"Protective custody", the Guard said. Ristaron's blank expression was all the man needed to see to know it was overkill to defend someone like the venerable ranger.
"My name is Orym", the man said, extending a hand. To this Ristaron was surprised, but he took it.
"There has been some commotion in the city this night", he went on, "and I came to the same conclusion you would have given me had I suggested we take you to safety. The Firstwatch had a high opinion of you, and I am well aware that you served some years ago as a combat instructor in the barracks."
"I don't mean to be rude", Ristaron interrupted, "but if you want my help we had better leave soon. The morn will chase away the demons of the night."

-------

Ristaron and three Lionguards watched from atop the gate as they were closing. The last one to make it through was a shady necromancer, who took the gates at a run.
"There's your killer", Ristaron whispered to Aramik, who went to stand. But the ranger held him strongly down.
"Wait!" he said quietly.
Before Aramik could question him, Ristaron pointed a gloved hand out along the wall, where a small party had just slipped over.
"Crow..." Ristaron said to himself.
"Who?" Aramik implored.
"Nevermind", Ristaron said quickly, "I suggest you don't give the necromancer a great head start. You may lose him in the jungle."
"I may lose him in the jungle?!" Aramik exclaimed, "what about you?"
But Ristaron was already gone, rushing along the rampart of the gate. Hopping the guard rail, the nimble ranger raced along the top of the wall, to the vine where he crouched and watched Crow's party fly into the North Krytan Province.
"What are you up to now, you old dog".
Like a cat, Ristaron flew down the vine and with sure steps he followed them into the wilderness.

Ristaron had lived in forests longer than most men had lived, he was more at home in the trees than any other place. Through the thickest bush he went unhindered, leaving virtually no trace of his passing. Thick trunks rushed by as the ranger wove artistically between the boughs and stems and branches.
Then, he stopped, his warrior instincts sensing the presence of another.

Soundlessly, Ristaron felt his way to the other, who turned out to be several others. He tensed at a rush of commotion, and smelt the faint odour of blinding gas - a rare talent was that of the creator. When the voices resumed, Ristaron went closer. He sounded clumsy to himself, but not even the keen ears of Garion the magnificent cat perked at his approach until he was knelt beside the cat.
With a quiet word in the forgotten tongue, and a soft scratch behind the creature's ears, Garion recalled the newcomer.
Ristaron stood slowly and watched the seated ranger's eyes lock on him. Now he only waited for Crow.

Edit: word count: 1247

Storm Crow · Jan 02, 2006, 09:32 AM // 09:32

"Well. If you truly wish to know, I was trained by my uncle, brother of my father. Kerk Arrowfeather was his name. I cared for him quite deeply, and he taught me how to sneak out of the house at night when I wanted to go see him. I was always light of foot, but he taught me to merely be a shadow upon our old oaken floors.

"He really was a diligent man. He never stood me up on a night of training. Yes, I did say night. He always said it was a quieter atmosphere in which to make me but a whisper on the cold midnight wind.

"I always spoke fondly of his Stalker, Rayne. She was a very magnificent beast, and only Garion has come to match and defeat her size. In fact, she was his mother, bred with a male not quite as large as she."-she chuckled softly-"Uncle Kerk never sctually expected him to get as large as he did. None of the other kittens were as small as he at birth, but he grew rapidly for his first year of life, and outgrew them soon enough. He would always strut around, showing off his size to his brothers, Sunfyre and Drere, and sisters, Snoh and Lytenyng.

"He taught me what he could of his profession. Always making sure I was as good or better than he before moving on to the next task. The first elements we conquered were the easiest- but the most crucial. Stealth and agility. I was better than most at, making but the most minute squeak on the old floorboards, and easily dodging the fastest blade. Next fletching of arrows, followed by marksmanship and trap-making.

"These were the last gifts he gave to me before he left to fight the Charr back in Ascalon." She quietly took off her blade, flipping it over to reveal the back of the sheath. Lightly engraved upon the back of the hilt was an old line from a verse, edited a little to fit the situation "Though I walk through the valley, under the Shadow of Death, I shall fear no evil, for as my training returns to memory, I shall always remember you, my beloved neice. Never to forget how you loved me so. Use them well, and never forget me Crow, I love you." A small insignia, painted what seemed black, stood solemnly at the end of the verse, carved by her uncle himself, and painted with her blood, it stood as a reminder to her. Even pain cannot weaken the strongest man, for there is only one thing that can truly make anyone cry in agony.

In the back of the sheath itself was a small outlining groove, which she played at, forcing the old hinges to open. An old arrow, a scroll, and a small vial lay within. The arrow had almost rot away, leaving the old feathers and the barbed tip, dull from disuse, to stand in it's place. The scroll told instructions of what lay in the vial. "Only the best is good enough for you, my neice. Use this dye on anything you wish to remain hidden from sight, even yourself, but it does not take much, so be careful of what you spend it on."

A small stream of tears ran down her right cheek as she closed the compartment and shined the hilt of her blade. Garion looked up at her with sorrowful eyes, giving a soft cross between a roar and growl, saying what seemed to her obvious in his eyes. "Don't remember him as a memory, remember him as someone who you truly loved, as he shall never die if he remains in your heart, as my mother remains in mine. Shush now, don't cry, it's all going to be just fine, I promise." She thre her arms around the huge cat, just barely latching her fingers together on the opposite side. He softly licked her ear and placed a paw larger than her hand comfortingly on her shoulder.

"You can come on out now." Crow said quietly. "And you can stop telling my cat to be quiet, he knows how to do that well enough."

Jay the Jake · Jan 02, 2006, 10:13 AM // 10:13

While listening to her story Jake inner alarm went off. something is out there approaching now. Right then a ranger approached the large stalker and knelt down to speak to him. Well I dont recognize this one but if that stalker knows him then surely this elementalist does. After the stranger stood back up both rangers made eye contact, shared a silent hello and then Jakes attention returned to the story and the person telling it. She was showing him the gifts and reading the inscription. All those people lost, for every person lost how many were looking for them thought Jake. There are more pressing matters at hand right now like what happened last night in town. My search will have to wait awhile father thought Jake. As she was finishing her story the stalker approached and Jake stood. The elementalist called out for the stranger to approach. So they do know one another. Time to figure out exactly what is going on here. Jake was just about to ask that very question when the stranger turned to talk to the elementalist

Nitefreak · Jan 02, 2006, 06:26 PM // 18:26

"Ah, finally. Back in Lion's Arch where there are tons of people who will pay me lots of money to get to Droknar's Forge." Gwydion said. People just love feeling the freezing cold of the mountains of shiverpeaks. "Well, I better be off."
As soon as Gwydion had spoken to himself he found a very interesting bit of commotion going in a wooded glade near the bogs. Dust was settling from a trap that had probably been set off an hour or so ago and he could barely make out the outline of two animals and two or three people. From the look of it, they all looked wary of each other. This caused Gwydion's innate sense of caution to kick in and he drew his storm bow and placed 4 arrows in it ready to release them when necessary. Unfortunately, it was at that time that a groupmate decided to run up to him for help with some bog skales.
"Oh, crap. They heard me." said Gwydion as he ran to help the three others fight off the blog.

megalomaniac_mutant · Jan 02, 2006, 08:12 PM // 20:12

hmm yes good work guys! just read the whole thread. Unfortunatley its getting a lil confusing latley..

Dont stop doing stuff like that;;; like to join one too but dis one´s a little crowded, so ill wait till more stuff comes up.
Greetings, and eat a lot marshmallows.

peace

M

Ristaron · Jan 02, 2006, 09:15 PM // 21:15

His onyx lips curved into a slight smile, Ristaron stepped out of the darkest shadows of the trees and directly into Crow's line of sight.
"Hello Crow".
As the memories of old friendships returned, Ristaron opened his arms to accept an embrace.

OOC: Ristaron used to be in Ascalon a lot, but I'll leave meeting place up to you... Ristaron has been pretty much everywhere in Tyria (he even stayed with the Druids for a time, before they disappeared, and wandered the desert in search of answers after his wife was killed (he didn't ascend, though)).
Yes, he's old... between 100 and 150. No he's not human

NuitNoir · Jan 03, 2006, 05:58 PM // 17:58

Battered and wounded, Rial managed to stumble upon a rather strange scene. Crow was in the arms of a man, for a man he was, but strange from the looks of him.

Moments earlier, she had finally decided to make a run for it. She flipped through her options quickly. Rushing past the beast towards her two other companions would mean going deeper into the bog or making a mad dash back into the woods. "Her best chance at living was the woods" she grimaced. She was sure the other two would be able to handle this mess she'd gotten herself into, but for now, alone, she didn't stand a chance.

Tapping into her more latent gifts, Rial cast a hex, "May the beast be slow and clumsy, may they tarry with weight unrealized"...slow they were, but vicious nevertheless. As she dashed through them, she was hit with several blows and poisoned. She would have to deal with that later, for now, distance and cover were her priority.

And so in pain and blooded, she stumbled along, no longer the graceful dancer of wood and bark, but like a drunk in the middle of a crowded inn. For although she was barely healed, the scrimish had taken it's toil. So it was only by luck she came across Crow, surrounded by men.

Jay the Jake · Jan 06, 2006, 09:52 AM // 09:52

As the elementalist and the new stranger embraced Jake wondered just how many people are in these woods. That though was interrupted by a small monk that came stumbling up to the group. Bloody and weakened by an obvious battle with something or things Jake said a quick command to Girl and as she took off in the direction the monk came to finish off whatever it was that got ahold of this monk Jake reached into one of his bags and pulled from it a small object. "I lucked into running into a monk sometime back and he taught me but acouple of his traits. It wont be enough to completely heal you young one but it will start the process. Maybe one of these others can also finish off what I start."
After completing the well known pray Jake turned to the stranger that came out of the woods prior to this monk. "Jake is the name, I take it you know this elementalist here. So maybe you can answer the question I put to her. What exactly happened in town." Jake looked at the monk " Or maybe you know the answer to that question. Here it isnt much but take it you'll need it." said Jake has he handed the monk what remained of his fruit.

Ristaron · Jan 06, 2006, 08:09 PM // 20:09

Ristaron's reflexes left little to be desired as Rial lost the strength in her legs. The agile ranger dipped to catch her and helped her to the ground.
"She's poisoned", he said offhandedly. He tore off his left glove and removed a ring from the middle finger. A rune was branded on it, and the others gawked when they realized it was a signet ring. An antidote signet ring, at that.
Ristaron pressed the metal to one of Rial's wounds, which grew hot.
"Accept the pain", Ristaron pleaded, "it will cure the poison".
The ranger turned back to Jake, who was still waiting for his answer.
"There was a murder in town", he answered, "Morgin, Firstwatch of the Lionguard was killed."
Ristaron saw no need to divulge any further information about who the murderer was at this point, and returned to the wounded monk.
"What is your name?" he asked.
He only hoped that out here, in the wild, the colour of his skin wouldn't matter as much to the monk as it does in-town. Communication was the monk's best friend right now.