private The Fall of Andalasia ~Book 1~

[Torrent505 370]

@@Dji,

 

Sarah looked down at the bolt uncertainly as she started to get ahold of herself, she had thought for a moment maybe the woman might hurt her and was bad and after her new friend.  But now she was giving Sarah a gift?  She looked down at the bolt and ran her fingers over the carver letters,  "It will stop bad things from happening to me?" she was a bit confused, "Is it a good luck charm?  What does it mean?  I-I can't read."  she blushed at that, she hated that some children in the town learned to read from their parents and she couldn't.

[Sekel 694]

@@Torrent505

Helena sighed in relief when the girl didn't run away at the sight of the bolt. "At least, I think it will. First time I've done this actually. I like to think that it's a good luck charm." Helena answered and frowned when she heard that Sarah couldn't read. "It says my name on it. It says Helena and I want you to keep it. Yes, its a good luck charm and I hope it will keep you safe." Helena told the girl softly, believing in the words and hoped that she did the same. She looked at the way towards Whisper and the others. Sighing she gave the girl a hug and stood up to walk away. "I got to go now but I wish you luck in the job you've been tasked with. The bolt will keep you safe. I promise." Helena said, wishing that the words would hold true.

[Shadow Dancer 111]

@,  I looked at the hunter, "The short man has not harmed the princess Hunter, it so happens he possesses nor uses magic and is a tinkerer, so i'm sure that both of you will get along just fine. On top of that he is proposing to join the group." I just hoped that the rash Hunter would not do anything stupid.

[Torrent505 370]

Finn stopped growling and backed away from Clarke, he quickly turned and licked Whisper's face then gave a snort and practically pranced away with his head held. His way of saying "you talked to me, fights over and I win!"

 

********************

 

Sarah ran her hand over the bolt again, "Helena..." Maybe this woman wasn't bad. She sighed "...Okay, he had three fingers on his hand and told me that the woman to look out for wore Hunters clothes like him. That's all I know really."

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

@@RunsWithSquirlz,

 

Robert sighed and shook his head. "I trust you and the princess, and maybe Helena. Dresden's an idiot but I don't think he'd betray us or anything. Indicus has been suspicious from the moment he showed up. As for those two, I really don't know. The Hunter seems to have noble intentions, but his views are twisted by the teachings of his order. The new guy though, I can't say I like him. I can't quite read him, and that bothers me. I think he'll help us for now, but I don't know how long he'll stay an ally. That's about all I can say. And don't worry, I'll make sure you're the first to hear my song when it's done. I think I might have a verse or two for you pretty soon, actually. I've been working on the part where you took me with you as we ran from the mercenaries. And thanks again for that, by the way. You're going to look like a proper hero in this song without a doubt. Tulla, the beautiful maiden who saved me from a band of mercenaries and my own foolishness."

[Sekel 694]

@@Torrent505

"Okay. Thank you." Helena thanked the girl, wondering about the hunter with the three fingers. Could it be...? "A woman in Hunter clothes like him ... 'He's alive, but too close to the fire. He's as much of a hunter as you are now' ... I think I got it. I"ll help you look for her on my travels, alright?" Helena said rhetorically, smiled one last time at the girl and vanished from sight right in front of her. As soon as she did, she sped off and back to the group. She hated revealing her name but maybe the girl wasn't so bad ... a hunter with three fingers ... Helena will have to look at Adrass's hands the next she sees him, just in case her hunch proved true.

 

Arriving back at the group, Helena stumbled a bit as she forced herself to a full stop. Reappearing, she rolled froward and slid a few feet in her attempt to stop. "Never stopped like that before ..." Helena muttered and walked to the group, gauging the situation. Apparently Adrass had rejoined while pointing a gun at the Tinkerer. Everyone else sort of watched with the bard scribbling away and talking at the same time. She walked over to a tree and climbed up to the lowest limb. There, she tok out one of her newly-acquired bolts and tinkered with it, trying to make it as sharp as she could while watching the scene to see how things played out.

Edited August 1, 2014 by Dji

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

Adrass.

 

Still advancing without lowering his weapon, Adrass chances a sidelong glance at Whisper. She didn't seem majorly injured, and certainly she wasn't bound...

 

"Is this true?" He snapped as he came to a stop several meters away from the group. Without actually giving anyone else a chance to answer, he continued to speak. "Need I remind you, Princess, that so far on our journey every single stranger that we have met has tried to kill you, including the kings personal guard no less?"

 

He took a step closer to the engineer - eyes narrowed as his nose flared. Nothing, at least, nothing that he could sense over the cluster of mages nearby. Even when doing nothing the damnable princess managed to complicate matters!

 

"What business is it of yours who we are and what we do? What's your stake in this?"

 

Turning to the rest of the group (still pointing the unloaded gun at the tinker) he gestured angrily with his sword.

 

"And all of you! You might seek death readily, but would you at least try to not but your monarch in harms way? Just once?! "

Edited August 1, 2014 by Cinderscribe

[Torrent505 370]

"What business?" Clarke asked keeping his hands raised, "It is literally my business, I'm a Tinkerer I fix or improve things and considering I was able to ascertain the true identity of 'Miss Whisp' there in moments then confirm it and begin to isolate from the public her within an hour, I think if this party isn't broken it certainly NEEDS improvement. Truly all I would have needed is a grove of trees and an ambush here would have been ideal."

 

He slowly began to lower his hands, he didn't believe keeping them raised any longer would serve any purpose other than to betray the concept that he was a threat. "My stake in this is simple, it's my potential profit from saving a princess and a king. The rewards and gratitude of two kingdoms, need it be anything more? Yes, it is a base and selfish motivation but also a logical and honest one. Can any of you say you are hired guards for anything different?" His eyes focused on the Hunter in interest, "You seem quite protective of a mage princess and a band of undesirables for a Witch Hunter, what is your stake in this?" It came out sounding harsh and insulting but Clarke didn't mean it in that way, he was genuinely curious.

[Sanctified Absence 126]

"Try not to get her into harms way?" Zaddion clenched his gloved fist at the hunter's words, that would've been the furthest he intended to take it were it not for Clarke's answers pushing him further onwards. Raising a finger to Adrass it was time for the Mage to speak his mind. "You were the one who left our group just because you didn't trust a Mage," the hunter's anger would be met with some of the Mage's own. "I do not have the gift with the sword or the tongue, if I aided this group as best I could you would be no less angry, no more trusting of me!"

 

-- Chamber of Attunement, 14 years ago --

 

"The boy's a Magickal genius, a prodigy by all accounts!" The old, frail, red robed wizard cried out in protest. He was one of many who sat around the great circular room. Arcane runes littered the walls and floor, providing light and a steady balance to the elements present in the chamber. In the centre knelt a small boy, drenched in black smoke as his attunement was revealed by the enchanted binds placed upon him.

 

"Shadow Magick is forbidden, we all know this!" Another, much younger wizard wearing golden interjected, "his Magickal potential only makes matters worse, who knows how much destruction he could release when he falls to the Black arts." Most of the others appeared to be in agreement with this, the sturdy earth Mage, the calm water Mage and even the majestic air Mage were but a few who feared this boy's future.

 

"But how do we know he will fall? Shadow Magick itself has no malevolence, it's as much a part of nature as Fire or Light!" It appeared as though the lord of Fire was alone in his pleas, desperately crying out in his attempt to prevent the boy's soul from being purged until it was nothing but a lifeless imitation.

 

"SILENCE!" All fell quiet as the highest positioned Mage stood. His white robes glittering and flowing in the Light... 

 

-- Present day -- 

 

Looking down at his own shaking arm, Zaddion aggressively turned from the Hunter and retreated towards Helena, calming himself as much as he could. The Mage felt he was almost completely useless to the group by this point, his Magick was barely more useful than that of Dresden or Helena's powers yet he was also left without combat ability "You there, I have something to ask of you."

Edited August 1, 2014 by Sanctified Absence

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

Adrass.

 

"It doesn't take a huge effort to turn away the whispers of the unnatural taint: integrity isn't a gift."

 

Adrass retorted in a monotone voice - sounding as if he was repeating something for the thousandth time before looking back at Clarke. With a single movement, the pistol was returned to its place beneath the new coat beside its five siblings. He returned the sword to rest balanced across his shoulder and simply stared for a moment or two, before shrugging.

 

"So... little more than a magpie, come looking for shiny coins" He said. "Greed is predictable. It's natural - it makes sense. I can work with that: void knows we're doomed it another hunter picks up our scent, we need more people grounded in reality."

 

He made no effort to abilities: either for his behaviour, his language or his threats. To his way of thinking, he had done nothing wrong.

 

"Money doesn't concern me - you're welcome to it. I'm here to find the greater of two evils: Witches that pose a true threat. The princess here seems to be just as good at layering them as I had hoped: more so, in fact. For my part, I make certain that she lives to reach the king."

[RunsWithSquirlz 274]

"Please.Stop."

 

Her voice came out as a squeak; scared but pleading. The princess had never been in the middle of an argument of this kind and she wanted it over. She desperately wanted everyone to get along, for her sake and the others.

 

"Clarke, I'll give you anything you want, in return for your help. You have my word." she said sincerely; gazing at him. With unease; she turned to look at Adrass; deeply saddened by his attitude towards her kind. She couldn't understand. Whisper could not think of a race or creed she hated, they were all wonderful in their own way. Even the ones considered evil. Sure there were evil mages but the whole kind? What had turned him this way?

 

"Whatever you think of mages is your concern only and yet you project it upon us. I had come to believe that your Order were noble in cause; protecting us from the ones who strayed from the Ancient's path. But you have showed me differently. A Witch Hunter indeed..." Whisper stared indifferently at him for a moment before turning away.

 

"Dresden, could you dart to the market and finish with the supplies? Add black dye if you will. And hurry." she asked. Whisper scooped up Finn; placing him on her shoulders.

 

"Indicus, may I speak with you for a moment?" she approached him wearily.

[Flying Ace 142]

@@RunsWithSquirlz, @,

Dresden nodded, "yeah, I'll be back shortly." Dresden walked past Adrass; giving him a look and saying, "not all mages are evil; I've met people who are more deserving then mages." Dresden let his mind wonder; why does Adrass have such a hatred for mages? I know there are bad ones but that shouldn't condemned every mage.

[Shadow Dancer 111]

@@RunsWithSquirlz, I was examining my items for damage whe the princess gained my attention so I put my items away and turned my attention to the princess, "What do you want?" I was not annoyed by the request but curious, and I made sure my voice did not give Whisper the wrong impression. 

[Sekel 694]

@@Sanctified Absence

Helena watched the argument with apparent interest; her bolt put away in favour of watching and listening. Her attention was torn away though when Zaddion asked her something. She looked in his direction and slid off the branch, crouching as she landed. Helena got up, out of the crouch and walked over to Zaddion. "What do you want me for?"

[Torrent505 370]

Clarke scowled at Adrass, "so you're here to kill the darker mages that she attracts yet you scold the other members of her guard for putting her in needless danger? I've always heard Witch Hunters were hypocritical. Well I'm sorry to disappoint you but the path I wish to take is the one that will attract the least amount of attention. We should sail down the coast to Mirrors Point, then head up to the capital. They wouldn't expect us to come up from the southern most point. To get a ship we should head to Coppershine Harbor, the costumes, parties and drunks their should give 'traveling musicians' excellent cover and if not I have connections with the one running things there... Through my less than legal weapons dealings, he can get us a ship with no questions asked."

 

He let out a heavy sigh, "those are probably the easy parts though, if the Iron Maiden and her mercenaries are on your tail we need to lose them and the best way to do that is to go through Ashcreek Forest. All of Illia is too afraid of those woods to follow us and worst we would probably need to worry about are whatever nasty creatures occasionally eat those using the path, but I know of people who have travelled through the woods without any problem at all."

Edited August 1, 2014 by Torrent505

[RunsWithSquirlz 274]

"I wish to learn more about you. You work directly under the Illian banner, do you not? You've been a shadow thus far." Whisper folded her hands and looked at him calmly.

 

The princess listened closely to the tinkerer in the meanwhile; getting goosebumps at the mention of Ashcreek.

[Sekel 694]

@@Torrent505, @@Sanctified Absence

Whil she waited for an answer from Zaddion, she overheard the Tinkerer say something about Ashcreek Forest. Just hearing that name gave her shivers. "Ashcreek Forest!? Why are we going there!? Haven't you heard about the disappearances and legends surrounding that place!?" Helena asked in shock. Why wiuld the Tinkerer want to lead Whisper there? To get away from the Iron Maiden most likely but sureky he's heard of the things that go on in that place. Helena sighed and rubbed her eyes. "Going invisible for a long period gives me a headache. I've heard what happens in that forest and even he admitted that practically all of Illia is scared of that place."

[Shadow Dancer 111]

@@RunsWithSquirlz, "Yes the contract was given to me by the crown, as for being a shadow its my job it also keeps me alive. Unless you mean that I don't talk much, that is a different matter altogether." I answered calmly and wanting too see how much she wanted to know about me.

[RunsWithSquirlz 274]

"What were the conditions of the contract? What stops you from formally joining us? Things would go much easier, I think." She answered.

 

The morning was dragging on and soon they would have to leave, she hoped Dresden was alright. Whisper pet Finn whilst lost in thought.

[Torrent505 370]

"I am a man of logic and science, miss... I haven't gotten your name yet..." He looked around, "I haven't gotten most of your names, overheard Dresden and Indicus." Clarke pointed after the water Mage and at the armored fellow, he actually sounded angry "none of you are very polite are you? I'm Clarke everyone and I'm sure it will be 'good' to be working with all of you." He calmed down again after the little rant was out of his system, it frustrated him not to know things.

 

He looked back the former cripple, letting out a deep breathe, "sorry, as I was saying I am a man of science and logic, ghosts do not exist. Even magic can be measured, quantified, sensed and controlled, there is a science behind it-" he gestured at his cart, "we Tinkerers have even found way to mimic Mage magic in carefully controlled devices to put in the hands of the common folk. But a soul has never had any evidence of existence, so again are no such things are ghosts. The forest has some nasty beasties in it and possibly gasses that cause hallucinations, that's all. Like I've said I know other black market traders that have traveled the paths fine, a few may have seen things or lost a guard or two but what other safer choice do we have? Heck I'll even make us breathing masks before we enter."

 

***********

 

Finn leaned contentedly into the petting giving rumblings like a cat purring. Despite everything that had happened he had to admit he was enjoying the fact he could spend all his time with Whisper, in the castle he would always eventually be shoo'ed away when she was with others, he was taking a real liking to all these other humans... Well most of them.

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

Adrass.

 

Adrass rolled his eyes at the contemptuous words of the two-bit tinker - the one who suddenly seemed to consider himself morally superior for having no ethics beyond self serving money grubbing for the highest bidder: wow betide anyone else realise that their enemies might offer him more compensation to slit their throats in the night.

 

Of course, they were all too busy with their self-righteousness and storybook heroism to consider the practicalities and facts. Perhaps the assassin might actually consider something of the type: if he bothered to actually try and display some kind of emotion.

 

"It's all magic, one way or another. Let me worry about that. If its monsters you're concerned about... we have an abundance of artillery." He shrugged in an offhand manner, referring to the spellcasters. "They insist on studying the black arts, we may as well put them to use. Perhaps find their redemption there."

[Shadow Dancer 111]

"My loyalty to the Assassins Guild is what stops me from 'formally joining you as you say, the conditions I get you to the king safely." I said this in a less blunt and more conversational tone as to not intimidate or scare Whisper, as that would not be good.

[Flying Ace 142]

Dresden opened the door to the General Goods Story where he was greeted warmly by the owner, "Welcome my friend! What can I do for you today?"
"Yes, I need supplies for my group; we're traveling performers but we were attacked by bandits last night." The man nodded, "Yeah, we get problems from the occasional bandit as well, what do you need?"

"Well, I'll need food, medical supplies, oh and I also need black dye." The owner whistled, "Well, that is a lot of stuff but no worries! I think I got what you need." The owner went into the back room to see if he had what Dresden Requested. A few minuets later he returned carrying a big sack; he reached under the counter and pulled out a bottle of black dye. "Here you go my friend! Everything you need to get you back on the road!" The owner said placing the dye in a small pouch and tossing the sack at Dresden; which he caught with a grunt. "That will be five silvers" Dresden heaved the sack over his chest and tossed the gold coin onto the counter, "there, that should cover it." The man grabbed the gold and gave Dresden five silvers in change, "thank you come again!" Dresden gave a salute as he walked out the door.

[Sanctified Absence 126]

"Perhaps this would best be discussed some other time, when we have more of it to spend," the Mage slowly turned from Helena, still a little angry but not enough to let it sway his judgement any further. He was almost amused by Clarke's logic, surely just because one can not find evidence for something doesn't automatically mean it can't exist, or at least until one can find evidence against the claim in question. 

 

As the group around him spoke of their destination it seemed that once again Zaddion would have to once again take the role of the silent follower, he had no knowledge of this land and only a little on its Magickal properties. All he was to the group was an optional store of Magickal knowledge and walking light, perhaps it was this out of everything that made him most upset.

Edited August 2, 2014 by Sanctified Absence

[Sekel 694]

@@Sanctified Absence

Helena looked at Clarke with a glare. "The name's Helena and just because you can't see it or prove it scientifically or however you want to say it, doesn't mean that it doesn't exist." Helena told him sternly, having calmed down from her earlier rant. She crossed her arms and walked closer to Zaddion. "You said you wanted to talk to me but now we don't have enough time? We may as well talk now before things get hectic again."