Just some seaweed. Silly getting worked up over that.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAAes6TdVCu8
She unwound it, then followed Han, who was by the exit wanting. He got out and stood next to Parcival.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAMWkEuWkOoA
Swimming faster she shot out the exit and landed stomach first on the grass.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAIP8cdrsDoK
That was graceful.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAdZL4RaTYIM
Don't you have better things to do than bug me?
926Please respect copyright.PENANA4C1sAkN2bz
Unnamed snickered.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAnHCSYY34eP
"At last we are out of the mountain caverns!"
926Please respect copyright.PENANAE794YB7ggv
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.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAQNXoKTATVQ
"We should stop and get something to eat soon." Parcival got up slow and easy.
926Please respect copyright.PENANA51nO7tO7zH
He hopped up shaking himself hard, spraying water off in all directions.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAQpUwGPftns
She backed away, with an arm covering her eyes. "Watch it!"
926Please respect copyright.PENANASEe8s48CRc
His fur proofed out like a fluffy dandelion, his glasses the only spot of seriousness.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAZ13vFVyO94
She broke out laughing to the point of tears.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAtRY2PG7CP1
"So cute. So cuddly. I can't stand it."
926Please respect copyright.PENANAAxdG4ENn1W
Han stamped over and got in her face.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAFZyxujixM9
"Don't say it."
926Please respect copyright.PENANAMnwOZ3HS4Z
She waved her hands alternating them over the other. "Wouldn't dream of it."
926Please respect copyright.PENANAprsWQbcz3Y
He turned, wringing the water from his tail.
926Please respect copyright.PENANARMoSAUaQkM
He sniffed, then went over to a nearby flat rock and sat on it.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAIpBIEMBaBg
"A hot meal would be nice," she said.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAGpKCF65ekr
"Well, what way now?"
926Please respect copyright.PENANAGGB7kt0AHm
The map had stayed dry in the pouch. Unrolling it, she pointed to the small drawing of a silver tree.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAgW0AZhDfJa
"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."
926Please respect copyright.PENANALb5LHxvv7l
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.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAejIEjHzKDw
"Do you know which beast?"
926Please respect copyright.PENANAvM4l8GLNNJ
"No."
926Please respect copyright.PENANAaqixM6H33X
"let's keep going and break for supper later," Parcival said.
926Please respect copyright.PENANA9znpES5RqM
"So be it."
926Please respect copyright.PENANALkuf4tviOI
She lead the way.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAHk2Z4zs1yL
The stomach stopped growing and reduced to a hollowness.
926Please respect copyright.PENANApVZPryaFE8
####
926Please respect copyright.PENANA22bA0md9su
926Please respect copyright.PENANAMsG0X3FO7S
926Please respect copyright.PENANAZ8lJUPnw7m
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.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAcwXVPXAKg5
There wasn't any chirping or any other sound.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAWcdruv09wq
"Guard yourselves." Her right ear twitched violently. She pinched the lobe. Arg.
926Please respect copyright.PENANA6982ytVUMg
Far off in the west, was it the crunch of leafs underfoot? She strained, it stopped. Should I say something?
926Please respect copyright.PENANA0OOpM1lFJJ
"Well, the map stops here. Any idea where we should go next?" Parcival asked.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAK2dSqjgcF0
"We need to leave quickly."
926Please respect copyright.PENANAGShscDhrbT
"That's not an answer," Parcival said, rubbing his face.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAjVd8Wkr17E
Unrolling it, she scanned it.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAVRDXxs2AxC
"If we go North-west here, and around this river, we can get to the city and exit this place faster."
926Please respect copyright.PENANAHW2cTXPewa
"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.
926Please respect copyright.PENANADG15oUv98Z
Han trotted over to him.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAnyL1VZsG4r
"A rib bone must be broken off inside somewhere."
926Please respect copyright.PENANA0ba1jMKU42
"Let's camp by that giant stump. Can you fix him?" She pointed up ahead.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAbpjmW8fU6o
"Yes, but then that'll be it for the week healing bone isn't easy."
926Please respect copyright.PENANA0KZJSn4bni
"Right."
926Please respect copyright.PENANA3EYoo2q9eI
Parcival was heavier than last time. She tried to pull him back up, but her arms weakened.
926Please respect copyright.PENANASM1iCLQScA
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."
926Please respect copyright.PENANA11yMX4yg90
Startling, she nearly dropped him, then draped an arm over her shoulder.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAWo6zYu9sMa
"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.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAClnLiozhO0
The humor in his eyes vanished, all except for a spark that left as fast as it appeared.
926Please respect copyright.PENANARdbhabKiwd
"We'll need a fire. I'll go get some wood," said Han.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAOqZvEVfL1g
She led Parcival over to the stump, he eased down leaning against it.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAp7zATmRetn
"It's time I told you something," Parcival reached for her hand.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAZgORKvNI57
Ah, it's come to this. She stiffened.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAzhgq45r8zy
She pulled her arm back. Those blue eyes were full of an emotion that he'd never showed before.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAarpRwSFThr
He stopped. His jaw tightened and his lips thinned.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAHOnYZxzm5O
"You know you never asked me what I am you know."
926Please respect copyright.PENANAhTL9K6Y9Ht
Huh? She relaxed. Well, it can't be as bad as being asked to fry a person.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAhvyFVewTjM
"Then you are?"
926Please respect copyright.PENANA0jYSg5CGEb
"I'm a Paladin, or a "Seeker" as some call us."
926Please respect copyright.PENANAYpdBzY3Ppm
Interesting. The grand knights of Olenus.
926Please respect copyright.PENANA89FPGuRhh1
"I thought they couldn't lie."
926Please respect copyright.PENANAeyqq1VIzzV
She pulled her daggers out brandishing them at the nape his neck.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAzaToM1T2jJ
"Tell me the truth, now!" she spat out each word and leaned in next to his face.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAdd5G7BwzG0
"I have been. Put that down!"
926Please respect copyright.PENANAlXgiKO7Yq7
Her hand shook, she lowered them.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAJVtY4VqBXA
"Damn you." She huffed and slid back.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAqAzUvkW8gT
His voice thickened with emotion, and his eyes filled with a soft, gentle gleam.
926Please respect copyright.PENANA0xoLQe5nCi
She sat silent.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAwhiIXVM8KG
"You're important to me. I care about you."
926Please respect copyright.PENANAhh5kUWVcfE
She tilted her head. Okay? She leaned against the stump by him. What's missing here?
926Please respect copyright.PENANAzIfncHJC6E
"That," she paused, "I can believe." Then why tell about being a Seeker? She got up shaking her head between her hands.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAbVg9M6oDJh
"Are you alright?"
926Please respect copyright.PENANAbXeFK2NUDj
She stood by him. All muddled and messed up. The more a thought came the faster it twisted and disappeared.
926Please respect copyright.PENANADhP60G1OK0
"Yes."
926Please respect copyright.PENANAbLmfRIhw2v
She wandered off behind the stump, as a ridiculous heat covered her face. She pinched her forehead between the brows.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAMHom6BFqAM
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.
926Please respect copyright.PENANA3QUIXjlI6J
Relaxing, she went back and sat near him.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAewl0YJxuze
"I want to continue to the city. Perhaps one of the Elder priests can be of help.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAvm9ky54vxs
Only the Adapts had a chance of knowing what to do.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAUvfEGBnWmY
"Yes, that could work," Parcival closed his eyes, a hand gripped the grass.
926Please respect copyright.PENANA2K0RkjMugW
They still have no clue of this evil, the vines are only the symptom. She shivered.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAQpV33ITc4m
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.
926Please respect copyright.PENANANS0yJlAKo9
"Here."
926Please respect copyright.PENANAA9ua1mXI70
Sitting close she wrapped them around his torso, then knotted it.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAwSsXF7Yybt
"Thanks, feels a little better, nice and tight."
926Please respect copyright.PENANAztrWXzsqzl
She nodded.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAVmB8RUFFWO
"I'll wait for Han."
926Please respect copyright.PENANAe2YIljBIke
She stood then jumped onto the stump. What was I thinking?
926Please respect copyright.PENANACN2rnei8I6
Several hours passed, and as night took over the sky, a flapping nearby made her sit straight up.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAj28M2KElGP
A flapping nearby.
926Please respect copyright.PENANA7VuaMYK2xR
Voices whispering. An unmistakable gurgling screech; above a Neckhawk circled.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAhSw4QrzjgE
Her heart exploded into rapid fire beats. He'll never quit. Where is Han?
926Please respect copyright.PENANAaKSybtcvrh
Parcival was laying on his side asleep.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAqgyceEH939
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.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAkxKnxdKyCA
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.
926Please respect copyright.PENANANFjZeUDKD8
"Follow the plan. I won't suffer any mistakes, she must be captured before it's too late."
926Please respect copyright.PENANAQDHbeeRbat
What plan? She slid down following them.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAqgQZEZabbQ
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.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAcSpnfvc8Wy
She followed silently behind them for a few more feet. She rushed out in front of them.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAS18vDUY0jY
"Stop, not another step." she tensed and held the daggers angled toward them.
926Please respect copyright.PENANASvdaz4EiAG
"Well, that was easy," said a familiar voice.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAW3tPwu6Gdy
Her stomach dropped to her boots.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAlAVCaItC1F
"Maxwell."
926Please respect copyright.PENANACrOEUZM15s
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!
926Please respect copyright.PENANAFlcj05nKu7
The vines moved under her skin deeper, her strength drained even more. She stiffened and stood tall. Have to hide this.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAk45fXxpGuL
The man in black moved his free hand and tossed a black dot at her.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAA6EKtHtyus
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.
926Please respect copyright.PENANADNkJR2zYnF
"Be quiet or I'll kill them as they sleep."
926Please respect copyright.PENANA2Zluy7lcZk
She glared at him.
926Please respect copyright.PENANATAMbsZ0T1m
"I doubt it. I have much planned for you," He spit on her face.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAkp3IpwNGnX
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.
926Please respect copyright.PENANA7PBYgr2Cc6
"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.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAxxmteigqYY
Tears flooded her eyes, she blinked, trying to clear them.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAoeEL06H8cT
"It burns, let me out!"
926Please respect copyright.PENANAnxwF0MgYOM
"One more, one single sound, and they will die. This is your choice, come with me or be responsible for their deaths."
926Please respect copyright.PENANAy5VchQmx1l
The man next to him started to walk to the camp.
926Please respect copyright.PENANACiFsuk3bZt
She shuttered and lay there dragging in ragged breaths.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAzbmRmSdH25
"Grab her before they wake up."
926Please respect copyright.PENANAP4OFPEojjh
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.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAAmckuzIvTY
The bouncing of the horse slapped the netting onto her and she yowled then passed out.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAoMmh617IBZ
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.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAzHeUM519xe
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.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAJFajrqhLSO
They screamed.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAS5BgLEvzk2
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.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAvJsAKRwMfH
The horse came to a stop, and she flopped around trying to fall off.
926Please respect copyright.PENANA3TGFlMXMU7
"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.
926Please respect copyright.PENANA2dWslJY9hA
She stopped.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAWMyaOOKUte
"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."
926Please respect copyright.PENANAiDAg6Le6yi
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?
926Please respect copyright.PENANAdw35OnCvVE
"Watch yourself here Jason, there are evils here, though not as vile as what we carry."
926Please respect copyright.PENANAhb1n0nrvo4
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.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAKjmgWeWzyO
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.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAyH152dtAtA
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.
926Please respect copyright.PENANA5DJLrGpRfi
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.
926Please respect copyright.PENANA1dbNFqP29X
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.
926Please respect copyright.PENANA1NyLMqnkMp
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.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAOEuHiZXEA4
"Let's see you escape this time. The stairs are of metal infused with your favorite herb."
926Please respect copyright.PENANA4yRMZMnJi6
He moved her head more upright with his boot.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAeMInerJWFu
She hissed at him.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAJ66OjiFlki
He knelt down and bent over her.
926Please respect copyright.PENANA2EZDBwnRF1
"Just die already. Your so evil I can't believe they didn't kill you yet."
926Please respect copyright.PENANAfzKm8v62AG
She lifted her head a fraction and spit on his face, then lay back down again exhausted.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAu2R2uz1C1U
"Hmm, maybe 2-3 weeks it will take."
926Please respect copyright.PENANAiMk9dFxKTh
"What will?" she said in a weary voice.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAkaHAOUFE2d
"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.
926Please respect copyright.PENANARrdyF8Md12
"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.
926Please respect copyright.PENANATp9NrNIIeo
"Drained?"
926Please respect copyright.PENANAP9xnIKWYgS
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."
926Please respect copyright.PENANAhW53LE3deg
He grabbed her throat and squeezed. Pins of lights speckled her vision.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAIFlBIgCQMt
"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.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAo6e1PMAlv2
He let go then walked back up the stairs of the cellar, and locked the door. With a click, she was in the darkness.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAenPTaCaOoU
The familiar creeping sensation inside her head started up again.
926Please respect copyright.PENANADXn9O0j9mW
Well, if I did at least it-
926Please respect copyright.PENANAyLXDWEAuqg
Wong, I'll just wait for a new vessel to be born, time is nothing for me. You are nothing but a tool.
926Please respect copyright.PENANA6EamjRpjkW
Then why don't you leave now?
926Please respect copyright.PENANAUVqjNXHWbo
The god laughed and made her laugh like a mad person.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAqWnx6jyvzI
Because I enjoy nothing more than seeing an Elven suffer.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAtpGZeq5u1c
I hate you.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAZHmNdJ7sEV
Thank you.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAOYICqcHuyA
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.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAUHNi5USNCW
The next morning the door opened once again. Footsteps.
926Please respect copyright.PENANA5vHmM1jFXM
Jason came down with a single mug of water. Ah, good to know his name again.
926Please respect copyright.PENANA8ne1ES9AZa
"Here," Jason said, he tapped her leg with his foot.
926Please respect copyright.PENANA0RETk2FATv
She looked up at him, with her head to the side. He showed her the water.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAvgKafH1Ohp
"You torment. Can't move." She closed her eyes expecting a kick in the face.
926Please respect copyright.PENANAqIttfDEorD
Jason knelt down and put the mug to her lips helping her drink it.
926Please respect copyright.PENANADOCHTXe2gb
"Why?"
926Please respect copyright.PENANA9YXNMCMP6y
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."
926Please respect copyright.PENANAHej8WP4SYt
He looked away, "Evil or not I'll bring you a drink once a day."
926Please respect copyright.PENANA7TsfHEyq5B
The door closed, the cellar darkened, like her hope. Am I?