Just some seaweed. Silly getting worked up over that.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAH91JS2eqju
She unwound it, then followed Han, who was by the exit wanting. He got out and stood next to Parcival.
956Please respect copyright.PENANA2XI7FotMs8
Swimming faster she shot out the exit and landed stomach first on the grass.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAhR4sKnWA3h
That was graceful.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAtt5NFfq1DI
Don't you have better things to do than bug me?
956Please respect copyright.PENANAcnuqX09HRl
Unnamed snickered.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAtj3Jpn2llV
"At last we are out of the mountain caverns!"
956Please respect copyright.PENANASBLXm7NAbl
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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAq1SwAvb7KV
"We should stop and get something to eat soon." Parcival got up slow and easy.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAV76COKhPco
He hopped up shaking himself hard, spraying water off in all directions.
956Please respect copyright.PENANATfCZUSz40U
She backed away, with an arm covering her eyes. "Watch it!"
956Please respect copyright.PENANAMu018ICZv3
His fur proofed out like a fluffy dandelion, his glasses the only spot of seriousness.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAqnZNbEtkvG
She broke out laughing to the point of tears.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAhZRb2FNIlN
"So cute. So cuddly. I can't stand it."
956Please respect copyright.PENANADKcGZ9VaAk
Han stamped over and got in her face.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAETbsZTQAzq
"Don't say it."
956Please respect copyright.PENANA0zxnUe9oGs
She waved her hands alternating them over the other. "Wouldn't dream of it."
956Please respect copyright.PENANAMdrlxsMa4A
He turned, wringing the water from his tail.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAnMbzZFivgu
He sniffed, then went over to a nearby flat rock and sat on it.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAgYmjKM7rbD
"A hot meal would be nice," she said.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAr3T3tcbqv9
"Well, what way now?"
956Please respect copyright.PENANAwJAwEuHso3
The map had stayed dry in the pouch. Unrolling it, she pointed to the small drawing of a silver tree.
956Please respect copyright.PENANA9tyhOPGhVd
"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."
956Please respect copyright.PENANAB4DbayS29R
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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAC5NCXaXK5e
"Do you know which beast?"
956Please respect copyright.PENANA6DBUEC74gL
"No."
956Please respect copyright.PENANAZV8woCYqH3
"let's keep going and break for supper later," Parcival said.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAyWFayCnWFa
"So be it."
956Please respect copyright.PENANAviIEzS3ovC
She lead the way.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAuQzzY6uEWz
The stomach stopped growing and reduced to a hollowness.
956Please respect copyright.PENANATj3Em78E9I
####
956Please respect copyright.PENANAmU1iMcuQwM
956Please respect copyright.PENANA6iTOnMq6qY
956Please respect copyright.PENANA4BJ0Fgw8vG
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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAm0ejJ6F8X2
There wasn't any chirping or any other sound.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAfa532r5s4S
"Guard yourselves." Her right ear twitched violently. She pinched the lobe. Arg.
956Please respect copyright.PENANArcUhUgSsp5
Far off in the west, was it the crunch of leafs underfoot? She strained, it stopped. Should I say something?
956Please respect copyright.PENANAs6UkgbneAL
"Well, the map stops here. Any idea where we should go next?" Parcival asked.
956Please respect copyright.PENANASnuo5ZOzqJ
"We need to leave quickly."
956Please respect copyright.PENANAdt2u4BP3ir
"That's not an answer," Parcival said, rubbing his face.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAAQGLsJiijS
Unrolling it, she scanned it.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAyAQ8461rC8
"If we go North-west here, and around this river, we can get to the city and exit this place faster."
956Please respect copyright.PENANAlrK5ASAOla
"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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANALDKUU71hPw
Han trotted over to him.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAuKJ6fkTRaP
"A rib bone must be broken off inside somewhere."
956Please respect copyright.PENANA1ZscSiQqZ0
"Let's camp by that giant stump. Can you fix him?" She pointed up ahead.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAN6nTIoGKsE
"Yes, but then that'll be it for the week healing bone isn't easy."
956Please respect copyright.PENANArdlQm1f7TV
"Right."
956Please respect copyright.PENANAJe2cpCJLEB
Parcival was heavier than last time. She tried to pull him back up, but her arms weakened.
956Please respect copyright.PENANArRV9ZFkZrf
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."
956Please respect copyright.PENANAghTWISHZqn
Startling, she nearly dropped him, then draped an arm over her shoulder.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAMuEBauia95
"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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAkWpwsQfBse
The humor in his eyes vanished, all except for a spark that left as fast as it appeared.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAbNsIlriRzG
"We'll need a fire. I'll go get some wood," said Han.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAqpTq4fYCqh
She led Parcival over to the stump, he eased down leaning against it.
956Please respect copyright.PENANA0Hl1ZprxRJ
"It's time I told you something," Parcival reached for her hand.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAZOkHgy6FVJ
Ah, it's come to this. She stiffened.
956Please respect copyright.PENANA79WacXLzdi
She pulled her arm back. Those blue eyes were full of an emotion that he'd never showed before.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAMMkqNY0QGd
He stopped. His jaw tightened and his lips thinned.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAaa7JfOexzg
"You know you never asked me what I am you know."
956Please respect copyright.PENANACPG0wH3XjI
Huh? She relaxed. Well, it can't be as bad as being asked to fry a person.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAf4BtNKZXmt
"Then you are?"
956Please respect copyright.PENANASr6wD0XPkg
"I'm a Paladin, or a "Seeker" as some call us."
956Please respect copyright.PENANAC3yvbUWicN
Interesting. The grand knights of Olenus.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAibqey03F5v
"I thought they couldn't lie."
956Please respect copyright.PENANAxAWqST2E6i
She pulled her daggers out brandishing them at the nape his neck.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAOgUCmeBTpq
"Tell me the truth, now!" she spat out each word and leaned in next to his face.
956Please respect copyright.PENANALreQg2TVgx
"I have been. Put that down!"
956Please respect copyright.PENANA8Mi0SGoVzI
Her hand shook, she lowered them.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAg4tfz9YY7J
"Damn you." She huffed and slid back.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAV9KdU3dp3m
His voice thickened with emotion, and his eyes filled with a soft, gentle gleam.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAfyYAXZ53wP
She sat silent.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAsv4hMKmmxA
"You're important to me. I care about you."
956Please respect copyright.PENANACpNljtJnsC
She tilted her head. Okay? She leaned against the stump by him. What's missing here?
956Please respect copyright.PENANAfDE7U8QJoX
"That," she paused, "I can believe." Then why tell about being a Seeker? She got up shaking her head between her hands.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAPHA622XQpm
"Are you alright?"
956Please respect copyright.PENANAeRkdAmBurp
She stood by him. All muddled and messed up. The more a thought came the faster it twisted and disappeared.
956Please respect copyright.PENANA7KLMDHpXMC
"Yes."
956Please respect copyright.PENANAlIMHGC5M23
She wandered off behind the stump, as a ridiculous heat covered her face. She pinched her forehead between the brows.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAF6IO62nuwX
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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAbBB5FSYnqM
Relaxing, she went back and sat near him.
956Please respect copyright.PENANA30v7RV2zKF
"I want to continue to the city. Perhaps one of the Elder priests can be of help.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAUUveT1zqSC
Only the Adapts had a chance of knowing what to do.
956Please respect copyright.PENANACmN2eyK4MX
"Yes, that could work," Parcival closed his eyes, a hand gripped the grass.
956Please respect copyright.PENANA4nO2cuaVup
They still have no clue of this evil, the vines are only the symptom. She shivered.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAm04HRqvYwX
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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAAlnLWqZvQA
"Here."
956Please respect copyright.PENANAlZAA0EJXsF
Sitting close she wrapped them around his torso, then knotted it.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAQcYqL9ag0T
"Thanks, feels a little better, nice and tight."
956Please respect copyright.PENANAeOpXSfpB95
She nodded.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAHSK0MWwWlE
"I'll wait for Han."
956Please respect copyright.PENANA0J0bz2StlP
She stood then jumped onto the stump. What was I thinking?
956Please respect copyright.PENANA8ar7CHWEgJ
Several hours passed, and as night took over the sky, a flapping nearby made her sit straight up.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAzJwOTFp2Xk
A flapping nearby.
956Please respect copyright.PENANA6f42Lwhms2
Voices whispering. An unmistakable gurgling screech; above a Neckhawk circled.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAbI9XvtvlPW
Her heart exploded into rapid fire beats. He'll never quit. Where is Han?
956Please respect copyright.PENANAJb53PsyPdP
Parcival was laying on his side asleep.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAU9Zivh60aH
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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAgZB4LYbf7t
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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANA45eNGcWuVI
"Follow the plan. I won't suffer any mistakes, she must be captured before it's too late."
956Please respect copyright.PENANAAVoc5bkewv
What plan? She slid down following them.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAtO5ByXOSJm
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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAJko3MHwVI2
She followed silently behind them for a few more feet. She rushed out in front of them.
956Please respect copyright.PENANA4kv0vRVa80
"Stop, not another step." she tensed and held the daggers angled toward them.
956Please respect copyright.PENANA6kyv9SiBMx
"Well, that was easy," said a familiar voice.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAF54jqjPQZI
Her stomach dropped to her boots.
956Please respect copyright.PENANANOeSqevpNY
"Maxwell."
956Please respect copyright.PENANA0edzsEHnSe
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!
956Please respect copyright.PENANAxV47WF39B3
The vines moved under her skin deeper, her strength drained even more. She stiffened and stood tall. Have to hide this.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAzxMQTL0ycy
The man in black moved his free hand and tossed a black dot at her.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAUYnYnSmqgQ
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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANALWxBlRrNYU
"Be quiet or I'll kill them as they sleep."
956Please respect copyright.PENANAcklr2uAP7B
She glared at him.
956Please respect copyright.PENANADTPS1TZcH3
"I doubt it. I have much planned for you," He spit on her face.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAMeb1nPkQY9
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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANACIGy9PCubE
"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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAMUVd6YB2TZ
Tears flooded her eyes, she blinked, trying to clear them.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAgUZxPyVbjh
"It burns, let me out!"
956Please respect copyright.PENANAe7ARJL64GA
"One more, one single sound, and they will die. This is your choice, come with me or be responsible for their deaths."
956Please respect copyright.PENANAFkWlj0VnD3
The man next to him started to walk to the camp.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAJ5j6fTODGu
She shuttered and lay there dragging in ragged breaths.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAhvXa16e3Js
"Grab her before they wake up."
956Please respect copyright.PENANAZB0juHUgK5
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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAoYcj3kd2Zm
The bouncing of the horse slapped the netting onto her and she yowled then passed out.
956Please respect copyright.PENANA4qPkyvL9RD
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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAtjK0JdD5Uh
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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAWQciQLymm9
They screamed.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAQxOoBjptWG
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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAPfNKGhfXEo
The horse came to a stop, and she flopped around trying to fall off.
956Please respect copyright.PENANA5wyhrkCkk2
"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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAeOMkgGgidc
She stopped.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAV6Q980PgC1
"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."
956Please respect copyright.PENANAUtReEIV1cU
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?
956Please respect copyright.PENANAvGwCJIieq1
"Watch yourself here Jason, there are evils here, though not as vile as what we carry."
956Please respect copyright.PENANAnWBkxzRTt7
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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAeHPjIYKVMk
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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAvA6kBOwir5
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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANA8ysWWTrb0h
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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAjS9WTFwE0T
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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAeMsHtOKdak
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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAHdBYucP4SR
"Let's see you escape this time. The stairs are of metal infused with your favorite herb."
956Please respect copyright.PENANAG3lftW6uot
He moved her head more upright with his boot.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAh4tYtIXB39
She hissed at him.
956Please respect copyright.PENANASrk9NXqLB5
He knelt down and bent over her.
956Please respect copyright.PENANA3H7dmlN6dh
"Just die already. Your so evil I can't believe they didn't kill you yet."
956Please respect copyright.PENANAkEjtztVzkN
She lifted her head a fraction and spit on his face, then lay back down again exhausted.
956Please respect copyright.PENANA2KdkndIYUw
"Hmm, maybe 2-3 weeks it will take."
956Please respect copyright.PENANASDNIVfFwJs
"What will?" she said in a weary voice.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAlHItXeC1ou
"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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAxQqbWoy2Gj
"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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAo7zLXvCBK5
"Drained?"
956Please respect copyright.PENANAp1j1iC55CZ
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."
956Please respect copyright.PENANAPvEVJGZEWa
He grabbed her throat and squeezed. Pins of lights speckled her vision.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAlPJOmiqq6k
"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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANA2bU6s8q8Kx
He let go then walked back up the stairs of the cellar, and locked the door. With a click, she was in the darkness.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAtmyoJighTY
The familiar creeping sensation inside her head started up again.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAByAjdfBQnT
Well, if I did at least it-
956Please respect copyright.PENANArnTUXhqZYF
Wong, I'll just wait for a new vessel to be born, time is nothing for me. You are nothing but a tool.
956Please respect copyright.PENANA8weXNKEZK3
Then why don't you leave now?
956Please respect copyright.PENANA5vOAVcpSw1
The god laughed and made her laugh like a mad person.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAAggV1KRWwK
Because I enjoy nothing more than seeing an Elven suffer.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAMBC5zqszxM
I hate you.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAWk86CKcbzd
Thank you.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAMoKaubMmj5
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.
956Please respect copyright.PENANALDHfCgJoLD
The next morning the door opened once again. Footsteps.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAJ4kYxRDp5C
Jason came down with a single mug of water. Ah, good to know his name again.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAHChaLM4DXw
"Here," Jason said, he tapped her leg with his foot.
956Please respect copyright.PENANAgSJUjliQcg
She looked up at him, with her head to the side. He showed her the water.
956Please respect copyright.PENANArePneeAR0h
"You torment. Can't move." She closed her eyes expecting a kick in the face.
956Please respect copyright.PENANA00BdsTritE
Jason knelt down and put the mug to her lips helping her drink it.
956Please respect copyright.PENANA1L819Bywoj
"Why?"
956Please respect copyright.PENANAo39pMoQHhj
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."
956Please respect copyright.PENANAWrEuI5OS16
He looked away, "Evil or not I'll bring you a drink once a day."
956Please respect copyright.PENANAUb0dRSHZ9F
The door closed, the cellar darkened, like her hope. Am I?