RunsWithSquirlz

Kingdom of Andalasia ------------------------------ The banners flew black in the sparkling Kingdom. The streets empty and the normally jovial crowds were nowhere to be seen. The people mourned for the loss of thier princess, but no one person mourned the loss greater than the King and Queen. The news of thier loss had only reached them in the few days past. The burnt remains of the caravan had been written up to raiders and barbarians, no one suspected that the Iron Maiden had any part of it. In comparison, the people of Illia only mourned for the loss of the chance to save thier dying King. The flickering glow of the fire cast it's somber light unto Queen Serene. She leaned into her velvet chair, hands folded over a thick book filled with pages of her daughters drawings. From the first scribble of her infant hands, to the later drawings and sketches of flowers and her pet dragon. The Queen was numb, hands shaking as the tears continued to roll down her cheeks "You were only 15...my little girl...". Her peace was disturbed by light rapping at the door. She arose to open the heavy door and turned her back to it once she did "Put the tray by the bed...I'm not yet hungry..." A jingle of jewelry and a faint hint of spice. The Queens mouth was covered and she was pulled back, a cold liquid oozing down her throat. Serene attempted to struggle against her unknown assailant, but it was too late, the poison was already taking effect. She was laid down upon her mattress, eyes fluttering open, struggling to see her attacker. "Rest in peace, dear Queen. I am sorry for your loss." a woman said in a thick Ka'taanese accent. Blue eyes, the Queen noted, the killer had blue eyes and raven hair. The darkness crept over her. The King was next. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Kingdom of Illia -------------------------- Prince Roric peeled the skin off a grape before popping it into his mouth with a scowl. In the far corner, The Iron Maiden stood after explaining recent events. "You. You let a little girl escape?" he snapped. "We presumed her dead, my lord." she replied calmly. "Are you an idiot? An inbred dog?! Did you find her body? Or the members of her party?!" "No...but I sent Crowley to search. It has been too long since he has returned and..." she began. "The old fool? You must be mad!" "As I was saying, my lord. His crow returned. Saliere has brought us news that they have headed into Ashcreek and intend to make it into Coppershine. The princess is guarded by two mages, an assassin, a Hunter, a thief, tinkerer and a bard. The woman and her beast still accompany her as well." Roric seemed pacified by her report, playing with the bowl of grapes before him "And the other crow? Have you heard from Penelope?" The Maiden nodded "Penelope was sent earlier to Andalasia, she should be carrying out her orders by now." Roric nodded and chuckled to himself happily "Let's see if they survive Ashcreek."

Tulla played with the fur on her bracers absentmindedly while staring into the fire. Her eyes flicked up and she watched Adrass with mild curiosity. She was never good at reading people but now, in thier moment of rest and quiet, she could see something bothering him. She guessed if she asked, he would give her a half-ass3d answer or not reply at all. That was fine, she hated prying into others business. It was in these times of solitude that she found herself wondering where she came from and why her of all people was chosen by the King. It made no sense. Whenever she would inquire where she came from, King Adrian would quickly change the subject or give her a vague answer. Tugg lifted his heavy head as a small lizard creature skittered into his view. It inflated the sack underneath its chin and sang to them, copying Roberts song once again. Mimics. Tugg hated these things. He tried to swipe it away with his paw, smacking the dirt and then lifting it up. The mimic was nowhere to be seen. Another cord stroke out and he shifted his gaze to find the Mimic clinging to the back of Roberts shirt. Tugg huffed and raised his paw again, intending to smash it into oblivion. The princess shifted, drawing her tunic further down her knees and spitting out a piece of jerky into her hand. She held the mush towards Finn "C'mon little one, time to eat. Carefully now." Her words were laced with strain and tiredness. It took so much to feed her energy to both Finn and Clarke, but she wouldn't let go of either. Tulla rose and unsheathed her sword, she didn't want to think. She needed a distraction. Anything. Quietly, she walked around the crackling fire and further into the dark woods, the sound of her steps soon faded into nothing. Tulla walked for awhile, finding a suitable tree, she began to practice. She slashed and jabbed at the bark, grunting with some effort as pieces flew off. Tulla put her frustration and anger into her thrusts. But why was she so angry? Why did this feeling not go away? What was that blasted dream? She couldn't understand the empty wanting that was growing inside her. And why...why did the sight of Whisper anger her so? What was she jealous of? ( not the post im worki ng on. Thatll be when i get to my computer)

Sorry dudes. I know you're waiting on me You can go ahead and start. I think im just gonna read it. Hav3 fun :3

Righto. Ive been battling writers block. My post should be formulated soon thanks to Mastodon. I really enjoy the characters thoughts by the way~ And im not sure about thread and needle, i didn't know of anuone was still interested

Tulla didn't like his answer but she bit the inside of her cheek "If you say so, mage." She kept her glare turned on the fire. Tulla kept her distrust to herself, the only one she seemed at ease around was Helena and possibly Dresden. To her, thwy were all a threat to the princess still.

She didn't speak, just simply observed the banter that was going on around her. Whisper gleamed as much information as she could from the ponies, not wanting to interject and get yelled at for a mistake. She found it slightly amusing that she had met another Whisper. But this one was so drastically different than her. Well they all were really. It took some time for her to work up the nerve to even board the train, it was frightening.

"Sure, one or two of those brutes, no problem. But a pack of them can take down Tugg as easily as if he were a small child. With game being as scarce as it is, I'd imagine we seem quite tasty." She broke off a tsig and threw it into the flames. Curiousity bit at her "Something bothering you, Zaddion? You seem more tuned out then usual." As the notes carried themselves on thin air, something or things far in the bushes seemed to be copying them. A few seconds behind the original notes, and in varying pitches. Something copied Roberts music, and as it did, it skimpered closer and closer to hear better.

Ohhhhhh but he did. Yes indeed-dy he did

Thats like, one of my top fave scary movies. I thought it was genius. Best Monster: The Unicorn I never laughed so hard in my life

Im getting a Cabin In The Woods vibe off the music box and puzzle sphere Please dont summon any evil sugar plum fairies or Hellraiser

Foiled! Hahhaha But the cart is with us now, no need for it to be pillaged and plundered No way would i leave that piece of work behind! Tugg needs something to scratch with, after all

So ill stick with the godess pendant. Tulla would grab it for Whisper. The rest can be divided between Zaddion and Robert. Why would Tulla want yucky marriage rings anyway?!

I can take the the goddess necklace and two of whatever rings Zaddion doesn't want. Oh, i forgot to mention that the crow is still following Zaddion.

"Direwolves. From the sound of it..."Tulla sighed into the crisp air. Though the bard played a sad song, it was comforting in the least to hear music. Anything but the silence. Tugg, free from his harness, plopped down heavily behind Robert. He enjoyed this humans strange noises. The princess sneezed lightly and tightened her grip on Clarke.

Tulla got clothes for Whisp and the jewelry

Well we need the cart, haha. But whether Clarke has that stuff in his cart is up to Torrent. But we decide what everyone geta here. Since i posted, everyone who hasnt claimed anything can do so here and the rest will be destroyed. If you wanted something, don't worry youll have it. The rest is just excess that gets burnt. As for the timeskip, fill us in wi th what you have or whatever youve done in the 2 days into Ashcreek.

PART 2: Ashcreek Forest & Beyond The night before thier journey was a quiet one. Tulla agreed with Adrass and whatever they didn't take from the loft, she threw into the fire. She couldn't bring herself to burn down the stable itself; claiming that it should be left for whatever animals that wished to be sheltered from the elements. What they couldn't carry was stacked into Clarkes cart but after much trying no one could seem to get it to move on its own. So Tugg was delegated to pull the cart by muscle. Ashcreek was eerily quiet, no birds or insects could be heard, only wind rustling the dead branches of trees. Whisper rode in the cart besides Clarke, holding his hand. She had been thinking about Lances words and how thier tinkerer would die whether she liked it or not. And she didn't. And he wouldn't. She kept her hand on him while she stroked Finn with the other. The princess had been quietly sharing her life energy with Clarke, believing or hoping that if he was tied to her, the forest could not take him away. She was tired but didn't show it. Tulla practiced with the sword, using trees as her dummies. It was thier second day in the cursed forest and she was already weary of all the silence and no signs of extra food. On the night of the 2nd day, as they crouched around a small fire, wolves howled in the distance.

Tulla thanked Dresden and headed over to the stables, gathering a few broken planks along the way. She set them down amd clicked her tongue for Tugg. He let out a low rumble and shot a tiny jet of fire; igniting the small pile. Whisper frowned at Adrass but pushed his comment aside "If we blindly run into Ashcreek in the middle of the night, none of us may come back alive. Even you." Her party healed to the best of her ability, the princess joined Lance, Helena and Robert. She scowled at his nickname for Clarke but found it best to keep her lips sealed. While he was talking to Helena, Whisper gingerly examined his mangled hand. She had never heard of Lady Valentine before, but that was of no surprise to her. There was still so much for her to learn beyond the walls of her castle. Slowly the sinews of his hand began to stitch together. "How do we get him back? From the forest?" She mumbled a little shakily. Tulla had been listening quietly to thier conversation. As she stared into the flames before her, her mind drifted back to her dream. It was unsettling that she had been Queen of a kingdom. The Andalasian Kingdom no less. The last minutes of her ordeal, Tulla had raised a sword to the crowd. She knew the sword well. Nephilim. Forged from the hide of an ancient dragon, imbued with unknown magicks. Blazingly silver with a smooth sapphire set in its hilt. She knew it because it hung between the thrones in court. It's sister sword, Ishtar was still at home in the courts of the Northern Lands. But why did she have it? Shaking the thoughts from her head, she passed the others and climbed into the loft. Though she was loathe to use magical items, doing anything else would help clear her mind.

Whisper would grab almost everything anyway. If it's new to her she'll want it. Hahha, it'll take Tulla some convincing to use magical items

Claim yoir items folks. My next post will be my last and then on to on Part 2

Yeah but i was applying for offensive bending, thats what i meant

Ah so my teacher is out?

Oh good. I haven't lost my touch :3