Just some seaweed. Silly getting worked up over that.
919Please respect copyright.PENANA9ZF3MnykZg
She unwound it, then followed Han, who was by the exit wanting. He got out and stood next to Parcival.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAWO7EFeiXhn
Swimming faster she shot out the exit and landed stomach first on the grass.
919Please respect copyright.PENANA7j5fiGLu5d
That was graceful.
919Please respect copyright.PENANA6cIuu7GDCm
Don't you have better things to do than bug me?
919Please respect copyright.PENANAsBk1pHKVsO
Unnamed snickered.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAUp0B3SCVPz
"At last we are out of the mountain caverns!"
919Please respect copyright.PENANA5te4gz1Bhu
She rolled on her back while eyeing them. Han looked away, then back again, smiling a little, his ears flicked. He flopped on his back chewing on a jerky stick.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAkL6DeANIvf
"We should stop and get something to eat soon." Parcival got up slow and easy.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAxGwCrBK5Qs
He hopped up shaking himself hard, spraying water off in all directions.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAGWIif826Um
She backed away, with an arm covering her eyes. "Watch it!"
919Please respect copyright.PENANAYduqQ2NuLG
His fur proofed out like a fluffy dandelion, his glasses the only spot of seriousness.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAEtgtvmn0XO
She broke out laughing to the point of tears.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAj2cyBjZfPo
"So cute. So cuddly. I can't stand it."
919Please respect copyright.PENANA0iNnIZYztz
Han stamped over and got in her face.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAPBS1hgQNq8
"Don't say it."
919Please respect copyright.PENANA1s989fXYQW
She waved her hands alternating them over the other. "Wouldn't dream of it."
919Please respect copyright.PENANACQPWSUHuf3
He turned, wringing the water from his tail.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAf6NcYNfBVc
He sniffed, then went over to a nearby flat rock and sat on it.
919Please respect copyright.PENANA8V3PcsiSH1
"A hot meal would be nice," she said.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAX3zkmwTiup
"Well, what way now?"
919Please respect copyright.PENANAQPjFlB8IkD
The map had stayed dry in the pouch. Unrolling it, she pointed to the small drawing of a silver tree.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAGTkNO1Vg2e
"I know a short cut. If we cut through The Silver Forest we can get their much faster. It's is said to home one of the great five beasts, so watch yourself here."
919Please respect copyright.PENANACOYKeyZKER
The map had shown by cutting through here, the travel time would be cut in half. Her stomach growled. Dang it, the underground cavern river had swept away all the food.
919Please respect copyright.PENANA4MhQeeCq4E
"Do you know which beast?"
919Please respect copyright.PENANAcSRRxKEUYr
"No."
919Please respect copyright.PENANAJZYZh6bEhI
"let's keep going and break for supper later," Parcival said.
919Please respect copyright.PENANALRcuTds4og
"So be it."
919Please respect copyright.PENANAp9BA0dsf5j
She lead the way.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAxENJN8O8cH
The stomach stopped growing and reduced to a hollowness.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAcuHP608NLd
####
919Please respect copyright.PENANAj2G0vcTEXI
919Please respect copyright.PENANAYh4CtcdJ3U
919Please respect copyright.PENANADVhTHOvDq1
Here we go. The trees long silver trunks shined where the sunlight hit them. Draping down from each of the branches were delicate crystal leafs.
919Please respect copyright.PENANA056GrLhZXr
There wasn't any chirping or any other sound.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAfjdmcFPkd4
"Guard yourselves." Her right ear twitched violently. She pinched the lobe. Arg.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAw6dlrqMjGa
Far off in the west, was it the crunch of leafs underfoot? She strained, it stopped. Should I say something?
919Please respect copyright.PENANAli2hGij361
"Well, the map stops here. Any idea where we should go next?" Parcival asked.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAp6zfqrILV0
"We need to leave quickly."
919Please respect copyright.PENANA4UfisOP8pa
"That's not an answer," Parcival said, rubbing his face.
919Please respect copyright.PENANA5iYUtotmRt
Unrolling it, she scanned it.
919Please respect copyright.PENANADQhueIqHNv
"If we go North-west here, and around this river, we can get to the city and exit this place faster."
919Please respect copyright.PENANA1bdoSyKKTa
"Let's do it," he said. That last word came out as a wheeze and he gripped his side. His face paled as he thumped down onto the ground.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAP1dLvKcpc9
Han trotted over to him.
919Please respect copyright.PENANATQX8fROfCj
"A rib bone must be broken off inside somewhere."
919Please respect copyright.PENANAIYI0bgp6bc
"Let's camp by that giant stump. Can you fix him?" She pointed up ahead.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAJKsbf7nJAr
"Yes, but then that'll be it for the week healing bone isn't easy."
919Please respect copyright.PENANAZNRhyz77SE
"Right."
919Please respect copyright.PENANAzxJVQIfjGw
Parcival was heavier than last time. She tried to pull him back up, but her arms weakened.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAudW6wG1Wgq
He eyed her. "You're getting worse. I thought I was mistaken before, but now am sure of it. That strength of yours is gone."
919Please respect copyright.PENANAEH73C6inip
Startling, she nearly dropped him, then draped an arm over her shoulder.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAeq32Fr1PXO
"I'm only tired. No need to overreact." If the gods were kind an inn would show up on the road out. Some food would bring it back up to half at least.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAU67BrObjvc
The humor in his eyes vanished, all except for a spark that left as fast as it appeared.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAYMVprJc5La
"We'll need a fire. I'll go get some wood," said Han.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAQVXwtNd85K
She led Parcival over to the stump, he eased down leaning against it.
919Please respect copyright.PENANACpd2M4kbYi
"It's time I told you something," Parcival reached for her hand.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAYtJAJ8GrMt
Ah, it's come to this. She stiffened.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAIEhHRdiYy7
She pulled her arm back. Those blue eyes were full of an emotion that he'd never showed before.
919Please respect copyright.PENANARMbEwtV0A7
He stopped. His jaw tightened and his lips thinned.
919Please respect copyright.PENANApb3WHWeV2o
"You know you never asked me what I am you know."
919Please respect copyright.PENANA9qST8PZYiz
Huh? She relaxed. Well, it can't be as bad as being asked to fry a person.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAl7jDDtpQbh
"Then you are?"
919Please respect copyright.PENANAV6wwQpyr22
"I'm a Paladin, or a "Seeker" as some call us."
919Please respect copyright.PENANAlLcDju2jsH
Interesting. The grand knights of Olenus.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAFBoij6busY
"I thought they couldn't lie."
919Please respect copyright.PENANA4jmB1VvX6t
She pulled her daggers out brandishing them at the nape his neck.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAw46mv66ZPG
"Tell me the truth, now!" she spat out each word and leaned in next to his face.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAxT2Lg3bWks
"I have been. Put that down!"
919Please respect copyright.PENANAVK9Fzgy5Wp
Her hand shook, she lowered them.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAUVVHRZJpkZ
"Damn you." She huffed and slid back.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAk16neLj9Tn
His voice thickened with emotion, and his eyes filled with a soft, gentle gleam.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAoAVt9pFPNo
She sat silent.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAtNmLbzAcq6
"You're important to me. I care about you."
919Please respect copyright.PENANAKRdN70EgCl
She tilted her head. Okay? She leaned against the stump by him. What's missing here?
919Please respect copyright.PENANAwTW2ZozDvK
"That," she paused, "I can believe." Then why tell about being a Seeker? She got up shaking her head between her hands.
919Please respect copyright.PENANA2TeLGrOiYX
"Are you alright?"
919Please respect copyright.PENANAnCHZoy8i2i
She stood by him. All muddled and messed up. The more a thought came the faster it twisted and disappeared.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAIMuPmY4pxb
"Yes."
919Please respect copyright.PENANAFIn9Zw3xTE
She wandered off behind the stump, as a ridiculous heat covered her face. She pinched her forehead between the brows.
919Please respect copyright.PENANATBauf7vBi1
It's not like he said he loved me. This is good, he'll be safe in the city that's coming up, ditch him there.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAbSejiGSE1E
Relaxing, she went back and sat near him.
919Please respect copyright.PENANApR8mWjuE6P
"I want to continue to the city. Perhaps one of the Elder priests can be of help.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAnQNHq0XDhF
Only the Adapts had a chance of knowing what to do.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAFUn0n3b88n
"Yes, that could work," Parcival closed his eyes, a hand gripped the grass.
919Please respect copyright.PENANA6LJFyBShMA
They still have no clue of this evil, the vines are only the symptom. She shivered.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAtpvloFL5jD
She turned away. Rude to stare for that long. Opening the largest pouch she pulled out an old thin blanket. She ripped it into strips with a dagger.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAVt8XFGyWir
"Here."
919Please respect copyright.PENANAaTMnaT3Jzt
Sitting close she wrapped them around his torso, then knotted it.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAFbc5Q7bBOQ
"Thanks, feels a little better, nice and tight."
919Please respect copyright.PENANAmKTugWt5iD
She nodded.
919Please respect copyright.PENANA0CQIMrAp00
"I'll wait for Han."
919Please respect copyright.PENANAaL4z61jHcK
She stood then jumped onto the stump. What was I thinking?
919Please respect copyright.PENANAXulDrinLIb
Several hours passed, and as night took over the sky, a flapping nearby made her sit straight up.
919Please respect copyright.PENANArBQile7deO
A flapping nearby.
919Please respect copyright.PENANA2OdccQ9d4F
Voices whispering. An unmistakable gurgling screech; above a Neckhawk circled.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAQjILV4O9sl
Her heart exploded into rapid fire beats. He'll never quit. Where is Han?
919Please respect copyright.PENANAN4DtXyEZTp
Parcival was laying on his side asleep.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAuumGIX5CBP
She rolled over into a crouching position. Her ears rotated towards the forests start. She called the wind spirits whispering a quick prayer, before heading over.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAZ6aUXV3TaN
Awhile later back the way the party had came, two hooded men stood together on the pathway. She scurried up a large silver maple. It was best to make sure, it wouldn't do to kill innocent humans.
919Please respect copyright.PENANA2YB8A72pTB
"Follow the plan. I won't suffer any mistakes, she must be captured before it's too late."
919Please respect copyright.PENANAdCiLT4LeN2
What plan? She slid down following them.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAWdRBwn3owx
They're going towards the camp! Fate is so cruel. She unsheathed her daggers, careful not to let them ring against the scabbards. Like hell.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAxrAS6He4mJ
She followed silently behind them for a few more feet. She rushed out in front of them.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAUzFunM1iB1
"Stop, not another step." she tensed and held the daggers angled toward them.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAh8dGsnFcHn
"Well, that was easy," said a familiar voice.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAslwrzQiBjt
Her stomach dropped to her boots.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAQmf8bYNGsx
"Maxwell."
919Please respect copyright.PENANArdD05NT55Z
He pulled down his hood and gestured to the other man that was with him. Who was he again? Her mind felt fuzzy trying to remember the red haired man's name. No! Not now!
919Please respect copyright.PENANA9cBGC8CYaQ
The vines moved under her skin deeper, her strength drained even more. She stiffened and stood tall. Have to hide this.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAkVfscqAEBJ
The man in black moved his free hand and tossed a black dot at her.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAmb8Bmrml5J
Bolting to the right, but the dot opened faster than she could see, and entrapped her in a netting. She tried to cut it loose, but was unable to, where her hands touched it they burned and smoked! She hissed in pain.
919Please respect copyright.PENANA6xHd7JTYyg
"Be quiet or I'll kill them as they sleep."
919Please respect copyright.PENANAOQpYTXAmNQ
She glared at him.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAqnhg0Rk0p0
"I doubt it. I have much planned for you," He spit on her face.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAG1Uf0BNlYD
She rolled on the ground, but the netting's poison burned into her skin. She screamed as it seared a criss-cross into the top of her hand. Her hand swelled and blistered.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAzBtGcyzG3k
"You Mirror of Nor! Why do you do this?" it already was eating away at any armor as well as where it touched her skin.
919Please respect copyright.PENANA9GosDipgJs
Tears flooded her eyes, she blinked, trying to clear them.
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"It burns, let me out!"
919Please respect copyright.PENANAx2ZGmniTrQ
"One more, one single sound, and they will die. This is your choice, come with me or be responsible for their deaths."
919Please respect copyright.PENANANOGChvK6MT
The man next to him started to walk to the camp.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAeiAAPVVZic
She shuttered and lay there dragging in ragged breaths.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAZhvbRVmPal
"Grab her before they wake up."
919Please respect copyright.PENANANZT0kN5zXE
The man's ringlets blew and swirled as the breeze caught them. He scooped her up, then laid her on her stomach on top of the saddle. Jumping on the horse, he took off with the soldiers following him.
919Please respect copyright.PENANACRYJgnNjme
The bouncing of the horse slapped the netting onto her and she yowled then passed out.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAD3c7oOXXo4
The guilt and sorrow of that day come back like a blast of light. As the fire sparked it caught the city's banner that stood near the entrance, the fire crept up its edges and then worked towards the middle until the banner looked like a great toothed beast, angry and of flame.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAuHcHVIOG4x
A young boy of black ringlets stood behind the banner clutched to his mother. She could see him staring at her, staring straight into her soul. Hope was absent in them, just the blaze reflected back. Their mouths opened.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAo0FQWGoDvS
They screamed.
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She woke. The screams replayed over and over. Then the pain hit again. Her armor smoked, the stench of burning leather made her gag. After a while, she stopped feeling anything.
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The horse came to a stop, and she flopped around trying to fall off.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAeCkzhnkl8Z
"You would do well to stop moving, or I will poke with my short sword until you stop!" his tone cold like the ice of the north.
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She stopped.
919Please respect copyright.PENANA2HabO09fkq
"That's better. I have a new home now, and I think you'll be the perfect addition to it. Provided some measures are taken with you of course."
919Please respect copyright.PENANAGGYEAGA2LN
She begin hyperventilating, dizzy. No, don't pass out. All of this confused her, the poison was a well kept secret. How had he managed to learn about it?
919Please respect copyright.PENANA2IJyLOxtfT
"Watch yourself here Jason, there are evils here, though not as vile as what we carry."
919Please respect copyright.PENANABDjQCXWRVd
She felt the horse shift to the right and then as the cable stones appeared below. Wonder what place this is? But what one and why? Why not just kill her? Perhaps it was the poison or just exhaustion, nothing made sense.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAEPzD7GL08s
The sounds of a city. Merchants hocking their wares. A child that whined to his mother, about being bored. The sun cooked her where her skin was exposed. The blisters popped, the pain returned. She moaned. Sweat tricked in streams down the sides of her face.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAIdkdGRVAMY
Trying not to pass out, she bit her lower lip hard. The pain and salty taste of blood woke her some. The past few days have used much of her energy reserves, and she was at her limit. It was hard to think.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAAoCVgYpuWK
The house stopped again. He picked her up, then tossed her over his shoulder. She moaned again. She held still to avoid the netting from touching her anywhere else. This day is pure hell. Just glad that they left the others alone. She closed her eyes. A sicking coolness shuttered up and down her.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAgCmMlHcEqJ
When she opened them again, they had taken her into a house. From the looks of the wood flooring, benches and rugs it was moderately wealthy.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAKG7TYM4d1e
He took her down a long flight of stairs. He dumped her out of the netting, she tumbled out of it and rolled onto the cool compact dirt. She managed to turn her head to breathe better. Everything screamed at her to move, to fight and get away. Her body wouldn't cooperate. She heard a clink.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAmKLKkLxpiT
"Let's see you escape this time. The stairs are of metal infused with your favorite herb."
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He moved her head more upright with his boot.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAkBf6Bk07XC
She hissed at him.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAJ1a2oxgyMX
He knelt down and bent over her.
919Please respect copyright.PENANA7o5HcQ902c
"Just die already. Your so evil I can't believe they didn't kill you yet."
919Please respect copyright.PENANATODH2ABf7e
She lifted her head a fraction and spit on his face, then lay back down again exhausted.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAU3NOFVljvV
"Hmm, maybe 2-3 weeks it will take."
919Please respect copyright.PENANAGF9nzRYL2F
"What will?" she said in a weary voice.
919Please respect copyright.PENANATDgd9gV11G
"Oh come now, surely you know. Don't play the helpless women with me." He smiled at her. Not a sneer a smile, like this, was a happy day. She wanted to run away from that smile.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAIigwkVJjsA
"Once your magics are drained, you'll become fully mortal and weak." He smiled again, with a wide grin, it didn't reach his eyes. They told the truth, in their dark blue depths of a hate for her so vast she shivered.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAHXKP4tI9k6
"Drained?"
919Please respect copyright.PENANAskbFdZjNDI
He pointed at the wall behind her. "We had been preparing for you. Each of these walls mortar is layered with enchanted Elven bane. You will die here."
919Please respect copyright.PENANA0f00rOlDmE
He grabbed her throat and squeezed. Pins of lights speckled her vision.
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"Remember those poor souls you destroyed? No matter what I do to you, nothing will ever bring them back. At least I can make you suffer!" spittle flew from his mouth.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAPZbn7djtNX
He let go then walked back up the stairs of the cellar, and locked the door. With a click, she was in the darkness.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAsx8pVsZzn5
The familiar creeping sensation inside her head started up again.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAvFNvN25eFv
Well, if I did at least it-
919Please respect copyright.PENANAlb6m1HZrFs
Wong, I'll just wait for a new vessel to be born, time is nothing for me. You are nothing but a tool.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAteSsGZ6TgH
Then why don't you leave now?
919Please respect copyright.PENANAzkLdGTLm8R
The god laughed and made her laugh like a mad person.
919Please respect copyright.PENANA98ovvvpRmx
Because I enjoy nothing more than seeing an Elven suffer.
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I hate you.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAnyTyKL4TiE
Thank you.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAgLSZC2w2O0
Sleep never came an unseen wave of the cursed Elven Bane slammed into her hourly. By the next morning, she couldn't even lift her head.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAIJ9MXoUXYg
The next morning the door opened once again. Footsteps.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAOdkZ6VoXy4
Jason came down with a single mug of water. Ah, good to know his name again.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAFLWGNsSati
"Here," Jason said, he tapped her leg with his foot.
919Please respect copyright.PENANARdxQBqaLK5
She looked up at him, with her head to the side. He showed her the water.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAvWzM9c5cZO
"You torment. Can't move." She closed her eyes expecting a kick in the face.
919Please respect copyright.PENANA77sEbl0MpD
Jason knelt down and put the mug to her lips helping her drink it.
919Please respect copyright.PENANAgT8uzFx24K
"Why?"
919Please respect copyright.PENANAPs3Fqe6NZ6
As he walked up the stairs to exit he turned around. "I'm sure glad I am not in your place. Knowing him, he will find a way to keep you alive for as long as possible."
919Please respect copyright.PENANANNKresKHFx
He looked away, "Evil or not I'll bring you a drink once a day."
919Please respect copyright.PENANApX3inM7nnk
The door closed, the cellar darkened, like her hope. Am I?