Legend of Nak-thokin

Plot Summary
There is a a thumping noise as the group sleeps. Suddenly, they wake up and the thumping ends. Thor emerges at the cavern entrance as the group saddle up. The group travel on through the day and into the night. A bitter cold sweeps over the group as they shudder. They set up a fire and feel it's warmth. Behind them, in a forest, something howls. A creature hits the fire and extinguishes it. Through the bright moon light this fearsome creature is seen, it is a Nak-thokin of ancient elven lore, a terrible beast capable of ripping men limb from limb. The group engage it in a destructive battle. Thor is wounded. Lesharn's lyre is destroyed. Lesharn is wounded. Rue is wounded. The battle rages on until a combined effort slays the creature. It slumps into the dust. As the others treat their wounds Vaedron and Shandor cut up the meat and the coat of fur. Jenn emerges from the shadows and approaches the group, she, too was attacked by the beast, she was the only survivor of her group. Mihwen still has not been found after she escaped from the palace and her absence is becoming painfully obvious. Without Mihwen to heal wounds several of the group have to suffer immense pain as Shandor reveals that to get to the elven port to take them back to Emerald Bay they would have to travel through the forest, where more Nak-thokin could lurk. They begin to go through the forest, something is following them. After a few minutes travel several figures surround the group. They are the ex-Royal guard, led by... Mihwen. As Mihwen rushes to heal her friends one of the guard's attack. Shandor kills him with the 'Gift' bow, with harnesses some form of magic. They battle again, several more are wounded and the guards are all slain. By the time this battle is over it is sun-rise. The group talk and joke for a while before settling off to sleep at this unusual time. Full Logs

[Narrator] The group are still asleep. It is early morning. Shandor had fallen asleep a few minutes ago from his guard duty. Something in the shadows outside is moving. It is in the nearby bushes.

[Narrator] Thump. Thump. The group are awoken by the noise. As they wake the noise ceases.

Shandor yawns and hops up

Shandor grins, no-one notices he had fallen asleep

Dramicus says, "what was that?"

Celemir leaps back into the shadows weapon drawn

Dytalorien blinks and stretches.

Rue is more asleep than unconscious, and murmurs in her sleep.

Vaedron yawns and rubs his eyes

Shandor looks at Dramicus, 'What was what?'

Celemir says "That sound.."

Vaedron says "yeah what was that"

Shandor raises an eyebrow, 'I've been- er awake the entire time, I heard nothing.'

Dytalorien looks about inquiringly.

Dramicus says, "I though I heard something..."

Vaedron looks suspiciously at Shandor

Shandor says, 'Who was on guard and definitely wasn't asleep? That's right, me.'

Rue 's eyes flicker open. "What..."

Lesharn yawns, 'I must've fell asleep'

Shandor stretches

Vaedron says "I think someone should go check out that noise."

Rue sits up shakily.

Dytalorien stands up and moves about, to get rid of the last tendrils of sleep.

Shandor smiles, the golden 'Gift' robe still on him.

Thor says 'ello folks

Shandor says, 'Thor!'

Dytalorien blinks at the sight of Thor.

Dramicus stands up

Shandor grins, 'Thor you old ale guzzler how are you?'

Thor says Isn't it little Shindy

Vaedron slowly stands

Rue winces as her wounds begin to ache again.

Shandor says, 'I'm twice as tall as you.'

Dytalorien waves to Thor.

Shandor continues grinning.

Rue stands and walks over to the group, trying to act as if she isn't wounded.

Dramicus asks, "was that you who made all the noise?"

Celemir looks at rue and winces

Shandor turns to Rue, 'How are you?'

Thor says surprised you found so many friends, how can a stinky elf like you do that?

Rue smiles weakly. "Great. Never better."

Dytalorien grins and chuckles, "He didn't we found him."

Shandor grins, 'How can you still walk?'

Thor smiles

Celemir sneaks up the cave sticking to the shadows like glue to investigate the sign

Shandor says, 'You should have lost your legs ten times over, oh wait I saved you.'

Rue grins coyly. "Didn't get stabbed in the leg.

Vaedron follows Celemir

Thor says 'Wont you present me for the rest?'

Rue tilts her head curiously, looking around. "We're in a cave..."

Shandor nods, 'Thor, this is the rest, the rest this is a drunken old fool.'

Dytalorien rolls his eyes, "Dytalorien, pleasure to meet you Thor."

Shandor gathers up his belongings and moves to his horse.

Rue offers a hand. "Rue Merdian."

Lesharn stretches his arms.

Thor says, not better then some Dwarven ale

Celemir reaches the mouth cave and looks out cautiously

Dramicus says, "aye, I have met many drunken fools while i was still a sailor"

Thor wipes his hand, Thor

Shandor looks through his backpack

Rue looks down at her shirt. "It's ruined. Damn. I liked this tunic."

Shandor says, 'We are heading to the Elven port of Clar-rinth, from there we sail back to Emerald Bay, and on to the next 'Gifts', which are the' he checks some scrolls, 'Troll 'Gifts', a legendary 'Skull' club and the skin of a magical Griffon.'

Dytalorien scratches his head, "Shall we finish with the niceties and continue onward?"

Rue blinks. "More Gifts?"

Thor mutters... trolls..

Vaedron agrees with Dytalorien

Shandor says, 'Yes, there's plenty.'

Dytalorien nods, "We'll need them all."

Shandor says, 'Okay then, everyone get on a horse. Rue you don't have one so you can use mine, I'll run.'

Rue doesn't understand the point, but gives a lopsided shrug, her left arm moving less than her right.

Vaedron slowly climbs onto his horse

Rue looks at Shandor. "Are you sure? I could..."

Dytalorien climbs upon a horse, and gets ready to go.

Lesharn clambers to his feet.

Rue gives up trying to make do for herself. "Fine."

Shandor nods, 'Get on the horse.... now.'

Lesharn hoists himself on top of a pony.

Celemir mounts up and sheaths his dagger

Vaedron says "Come on everyone, lets get ready"

Dramicus gets on his horse

Shandor gathers all of his items together.

Rue slowly pulls herself onto Shandor's horse with only her right arm.

Lesharn gets out a halfling pastry and gobbles it down.

Dytalorien scratches his head.

Lesharn hums a little melody to himself.

Vaedron ties his staff to the back of his horse.

Rue looks at Shandor. "Do you want me to at least carry your items?

Shandor goes to the entrance of the cavern.

Shandor shakes his head, 'I'm fine.'

Lesharn rummages through this satchel and gets a set of juggling balls.

Vaedron follows Shandor.

Shandor looks at the cavern walls, 'Till we meet again fair tales.'

Celemir dismounts and gives the reigns to Shandor "mind him for me"

Lesharn starts juggling.

Dytalorien watches Lesharn with interest.

Shandor takes the reigns and leads the horse a little down the dirt path.

Lesharn flashes Dytalorien a grin.

Celemir moves over to a secluded spot facing the rising sun and knees down muttering a few words of prayer

Rue sighs. "I'm a hindrance. At least let me assist a little bit..."

Shandor looks at Lesharn and smiles, 'I haven't seen you juggle in a while.'

Dytalorien grins back, "Would you be able to continue that while riding?"

Lesharn nods at Shandor.

Lesharn says, 'Uhm. I haven’t tried that actually...'

Shandor says, 'Always a first time.'

Dytalorien chuckles, "Eh, just a suggestion."

Rue huffs dejectedly.

Shandor begins jogging forward, 'Come on you lot.'

Lesharn fumbles and a juggling ball gets out of control hitting Dramicus on the head.

Dramicus shouts "ouch!"

Lesharn exclaims, 's-s-sorry!'

Shandor chuckles softly, 'I'm sure Dramicus liked being in your act.'

Lesharn stares at the ground.

Lesharn blushes.

Shandor grins.

Celemir returns and remounts his horse

Vaedron looks impatiently at the rest of the group.

Thor rides up to Shandor 'where are we ‘eadin’ old friend?

Dytalorien chortles politely.

Shandor lets go of Celemir's horse's reigns

Rue turns around, and giggles with a joy that she hadn't felt since...

Shandor looks at Thor, 'We are heading to an elven port.'

Celemir thanks Shandor and pulls on his hood

Shandor picks up the pace and starts running.

Thor says 'See you dumped the other female... not a good choice'

Vaedron says, "Hurry we must get to the port."

Dramicus smiles back, "its alright Lesharn, I am just a bit on edge today"

Shandor says, 'Mihwen... Mihwen?!'

Shandor says, 'Where is she?'

Dytalorien blinks and perks up.

Shandor looks around, 'We completely forgot her how could we?'

Lesharn smiles wearily at Dramicus.

Celemir says "The witch?"

Shandor corrects, 'The healer.'

Rue looks at Celemir curiously. "The who?"

Dytalorien furrows his brows, "I'm sure she would rather not be called that."

Celemir says "I saw her fleeing the palace as I left"

Lesharn studies the surroundings.

Shandor says, 'So did I, but where did she go?'

Celemir shrugs

Shandor says, 'I hope she's okay.'

Vaedron is angered by yet again another set back.

Lesharn mutters, 'How could we leave her behind?'

[Narrator] The group continue riding into the day as the day fades into night time and the bitter cold washes over them.

Dytalorien pulls his cloak more securely about himself, to cast aside the cold.

Celemir pulls his cloak tighter around his body and shivers

Rue tries to wrap her cloak around herself, as her ripped tunic doesn't do much good.

Shandor rubs his hands together, he had long forgotten about running.

Vaedron putting his hood up states, "I hope we get there soon."

Lesharn s teeth rattle, 'halflings don't got much f-f-fat...'

Shandor says, 'I think we should light a fire and warm up before we carry on.'

Dytalorien shivers and nods enthusiastically.

Thor says, Shindy still weak I see

Vaedron agrees with Shandor.

Dramicus shivers as a flake of snow lands on his arm

Shandor spots a suitable area on the edge of a grand forest.

Celemir says "it’ll only grow colder, if we stop now we will have to wait until morning to ride again"

Lesharn asks Dramicus, 'Did I cause that bruise on the side of your head?'

Shandor is already over collecting pieces of wood.

Celemir says "Not that anybody listens to me..."

Dytalorien grins and Celemir, "We won't make much progress in this weather anyways."

Vaedron chuckles at Celemirs suggestion.

Shandor assembles the wood together. 'Dytalorien, do you still have your tinder.'

Dramicus replies, "nope

Dytalorien tosses Shandor a box constructed of wood.

Vaedron says "No problem"

Shandor sighs, 'I'll have to use my spell again.'

Lesharn tosses a grin at Dramicus.

Shandor grabs the box, 'Nevermind.'

Vaedron mumbles a few words and a fire starts

Shandor grins and throws the box back, 'Nevermind again, it seems.'

Rue hops down from the horse and removes her cloak.

Dytalorien catches the box, and replaces it within his belongings.

Celemir dismounts and finds a suitably distant part of the camp in which to huddle

Shandor sits down next to the fire and rubs his hands together.

Dytalorien moves off his horse and paces about, in an attempt to dispel the cold.

Rue sits a bit of a distance away from the fire, edgy about the flames.

Lesharn slides off his pony clumsily.

Shandor says, 'This robe is odd, it appears to keep my temperature at a nice warmth.

Vaedron sighs and grumbles, "I could really use some food."

Dramicus dismounts his horse and sits next to the fire

Lesharn gets an apple from his bard satchel and passes it to Vaedron.

Rue wraps her cloak around her, wondering about the use of a ratty, bloodied tunic.

Dytalorien says dryly, "Well, lucky you."

Dytalorien sneezes and curses to himself.

[Narrator] The group sit down and light a fire, each one clinging to the warmth it gave off.

Vaedron rubs his hands while he sits by the fire.

[Narrator] As they sit by the fire, behind them is a forest. In the forest, something is moving. And the something, is heading towards them.

Lesharn cries out in panic.

Dytalorien perks up at the sound of movement.

Rue 's ears pick up a sound. "Squirrel..." She mutters to herself.

[Narrator] As they get weary and begin to drift off to sleep a terrific howl fills them with fear.

Shandor leaps up.

Dramicus stands up and picks up his lance

Celemir draws his dagger and dives back into the shadows

Shandor looks around, 'What in Tarkna?'

Rue stands and draws her sword.

Dytalorien frowns and grasps the hilt of his sabre.

Vaedron raises his head off the ground.

Lesharn shoves his head INTO his satchel.

Rue approaches and stands beside the others.

Dramicus says, "Rue, you are in no condition to fight"

Vaedron quickly runs to his stuff and grabs his staff.

[Narrator] By the bright moon light the something is vaguely illuminated.

Rue shakes her head.

[Narrator] The thing leaps at the dying fire, striking it and sending the group into darkness, save the moon light.

Rue "Flesh wounds." She mutters.

Shandor draws his bow, it had no bowstring and when he had tried to attach one, it 'rejected' it.

Lesharn says, 'I don’t see a thing!'

Dytalorien curses, and draws his long curved sabre forth.

Rue cocks an eyebrow at Shandor. "In need of a bow, I'd say."

Vaedron begins to chant trying to relight the fire.

Dramicus asks, "is that thing a wolf?"

Shandor says, 'I don't know, everyone, get ready.'

Celemir looks around attempting to glean something of their assailants identity

[Narrator] The thing charges through the group knocking them away from each other.

Dytalorien wishes he could see clearly.

[Narrator] Suddenly, in the moon light its features can be made out. It has a long, sharp nose, like a beak, this beak, however, has rows of fangs each one looking more vicious than the last. It has bright yellow eyes that fix you with a steely gaze which petrifies you.

Lesharn pulls his out of his satchel clutching it tightly.

[Narrator] It has sharp black claws. A coat of rough fur. Its ears are sharp and always listening. It is the size of two trolls standing on each other's shoulders. It roars the terrifying roar.

Rue goes sprawling to the ground, landing on her wounded arm.

[Narrator] It is a Nak-thokin of ancient Elven Lore.

Rue hisses in pain, and stands angrily.

Celemir leaps at the shadowy figure blade aimed at the back of its head

[Narrator] It dives forward at Thor, ripping into the dwarf's chest before he could swing his axe.

Lunius staggers to his feet.

Thor says 'lets chase it down!'

Shandor yells, 'Thor!'

Rue gasps.

Shandor ducks a second swipe from the beast and instinctively drew on the bow string that wasn't there. Something felt different about it. An arrow of energy seemed to form, Shandor let it go. It flew through the air and struck into the beast.

Shandor looks down at the bow, it was magical, that was for certain.

Shandor dived again as the beast swung at him.

Vaedron yells, "Look out!"

Dytalorien curses and rushes toward the Nak-thokin.

Celemir swings in a powerful wide arch missing the head but driving his dagger deep into the things back

Rue stared at the creature.

[Narrator] The Nak-thokin growls and hits some away with its jaw. It is swiping and clawing at the group in all directions, each time howling.

Rue cries. "Where do we attack it?"

Thor pulls his axe and charge the beast

Shandor yells, 'Anywhere.'

Lesharn cries, 'Noo!' and slams his oaken lyre into the massive body of the Nak-thokin.

Celemir yells "Anywhere!"

Dytalorien rolls backwards and away, before regaining his feet.

Shandor fires the bow again.

Vaedron chants some words in elven, causing a fireball to hurtle from his staff, but misses the beast.

Rue raises her eyebrows. "If you say so..."

Dramicus charges the beast with his lance, only to be knocked to the ground

Celemir is thrown backwards, his dagger still dug deep into the creatures back

Lesharn is tossed aside and falls into a lifeless heap.

Shandor is knocked away by the beast.

Shandor draws his sword as his bow flies away.

Celemir rolls with the fall and springs back to his feet some yards away

Vaedron pulls out a small dagger he has kept in his boot.

Rue ducks as the bird charges over her, but it catches her head, and sends her tumbling.

Thor tries to hit the beast with his axe but miss it

Shandor charges forward and slices the beast.

Dytalorien runs swiftly to the beast and attempts to slam the pommel of his saber down upon it's head.

Dramicus climbs to his feet

Shandor starts stabbing and thrusting into the beast.

Rue stands up, her wounds reopened. She curses, and swings her sword at the beast with swift precision.

Lesharn moans as a puddle of blood surges from his head.

Vaedron separated from the group yells for help.

Dytalorien chops down wildly at the beast, his strokes all missing.

Rue looks at Lesharn. "Oh..."

Celemir removes the blade from the creatures back and takes careful aim at the small of its neck

Rue wonders if she should attack or lend assistance.

Shandor is knocked away by the beast. He flies backwards and crashes into a tree

Dramicus shouts, "you picked a bad day to piss me off!"

Lunius runs to Lesharn

Dytalorien mumbles and moves toward Lesharn, dragging him back and away from the creature.

Lesharn tries to speak but his voice is garbled.

Dramicus leaps into the air with his lance in hand

Shandor clambers to his feet again, 'Be careful!'

Vaedron forms a small fire in the palm of his hand to find his way back to the group.

Shandor runs to Lesharn.

Rue looks at Lunius and nods. She runs to the beast, and slashes her sword at it.

Shandor is knocked to the ground.

Dytalorien curses and wishes Mihwen was with them.

Shandor looks to see a paw crash into his face.

Dytalorien lunges at the beast once again, bring his sabre about in a powerful stroke, which ends in futility.

Celemir is thrown back with the dagger in hand and hits his head on a rock and all goes black

Rue looks around at the chaos. "What luck."

Shandor yells in surprise and pain.

Shandor lands on the ground and yells again. 'Everyone attack it at once!'

Thor is laying on the ground shouting

Shandor turns to Thor, he dashes over.

Dramicus notices that the creature can see him and is swatted away

Rue leaps atop the creature's back, and sinks her long sword into his back.

Shandor looks at Thor, the beast's wound is deep, 'Help! I need help here!'

Dytalorien moves his sabre about enthrallingly before chopping diagonally at the creature, scoring a hit.

Vaedron yells some elven words, lightning bolts shoot from the sky at the beast.

[Narrator] The Nak-thokin screeches in pain. It releases one final, shattering, thundering roar before collapsing into the dust, dead.

Rue leaps from the creature and lands nimbly on the ground.

Vaedron sighs in relief

Dytalorien pants heavily and wipes his brow.

Shandor says, 'It's skin would provide good protection in the cold, and it's body should provide good food.'

Rue looks at her reopened wounds. "Damn..." she whispers

Shandor says, 'But I need help with Thor.'

Thor looks at Shandor and tries to smile. *i need the help' before he pass out

Celemir slowly comes to

Lesharn grits his teeth in pain as blood and tears collide.

Celemir says "OW!"

Lesharn moans, 'I'm bleeding.'

Lesharn faints.

Shandor growls, 'Help.'

Rue makes her way to Shandor. "What can I do?"

Shandor says, 'Help the wounded, do what you can.'

Dytalorien mutters as he looks about.

Shandor says, 'Look after yourself Rue.'

Lunius "Oh god, someone help!" He wraps a rough bandage round Lesharn's face.

Rue rolls her eyes. "I'm FINE."

Dramicus staggers to his feet

Dytalorien glares at Rue, "No, you're not. No quit with your obstinacy."

Shandor rips some of his tunic up to make bandages.

Rue motions to everyone else with her hand. "Everyone else needs more help than I do."

Shandor wraps Thor's chest up in bandages, 'The one time you don't wear your armour.... idiot.'

Dytalorien rummages through his belongings, in an attempt to find something to serve as a bandage.

Vaedron mumbles in elven starting a new fire.

Celemir walks over to the creature

Shandor says, 'I don't know any healing spells, I'm not good with that sort of thing.'

Rue rips off pieces of her tunic that aren't soaked in blood. "Here." She says. "These are of no use to me. It's ruined."

Shandor takes them and thanks Rue.

Celemir says "What in the name of the Nanjarii was that?!?"

Shandor finishes wrapping up Thor

Shandor says, 'I think it was Nak-thokin.'

Dytalorien sighs and gives up, finding nothing useful.

Shandor says, 'It's a ancient beast.'

Celemir says "a na-tho wha?"

Shandor continues, 'It's not even meant to be alive.'

Shandor says ,' Well, it's not now.'

Dytalorien blinks.

Lunius "I'm registering a complaint..."

Vaedron sighs, "Well I hope that was the only one."

Lunius "Guys... look at Les... he is in bad shape"

Celemir says "There could be more?!?!"

Shandor says, 'Somebody help Lesharn.'

Dramicus hobbles over to Lesharn

Rue turns. "Oh..." She paused. "Does he need more bandages?"

Vaedron turns to Celemir, "I hope not"

Dytalorien gazes over to Lesharn, "There's not much we can do other than bandage him up."

Celemir says "Sod sleeping tonight"

Lunius "I doubt it... he needs to breath... and you should have SOME fabric left on tonight Rue"

Shandor says, 'That's the best I can do old friend.'

Dytalorien grins, "She can wear the skin of the beast..."

Rue sighs. "I only ripped off the bottom. I still have..." She pauses. "The sleeves..."

Rue wrinkles her nose.

Lunius laughs.

Dramicus says, "now is not the time to laugh and have a good time my friend"

Shandor says, 'Indeed.'

Vaedron pulls out his dagger and cuts off a piece of meat from the creature. He walks over the fire and begins to cook it.

Celemir grunts and cleans off his dagger "this is one half-elf who's not sleeping tonight"

Dytalorien sighs and sets about to find some wood for a new fire.

Lunius "well... it could well have gotten worse..."

Rue sighs. "I'm guessing you won't let me help?"

Shandor says, 'I don't see how.'

Celemir says "Worse!? How could it be worse?"

Vaedron says, "We could all be dead."

Rue sighs again. "We could all be dead."

Rue chuckles.

Vaedron chuckles

Dramicus says, "well, there could have been two..."

Celemir says "We have supposedly non-existent creatures attacking us with very real claws, its freezing cold...death would be preferable!"

Shandor says, 'Some of us are near death.'

Shandor stands up from Thor.

Rue nods. "There's no doubting that."

Vaedron says, "Anyone think that was what was following us in the cave?"

Rue shrugs. "Who knows?"

Shandor says, 'Maybe, maybe not.'

Dytalorien shakes his head, "It came from the forest...most likely not."

Rue walks over to the creature and pulls her sword from its back. She wrinkles her nose at the putrid stench.

Celemir says "This is why I hate the outdoors..."

Dytalorien shrugs, "What now, do we sit and we wait for another?"

Vaedron sighs, "Well, I guess we could start moving again."

Lunius "I'm more worried about the injured..."

Shandor says, 'well, you don't want to hear this.'

Shandor says, 'We have to travel through that forest, I say we leave now. Grab some torches and lets move.'

Rue rips some fabric from the bottom of her cloak, seeing as she has no fabric to spare on her tunic, and wraps it around the re-opened injury on her left arm.

Jenn stumbles into the camp area from the forest

Dytalorien blinks and mumbles.

Vaedron nods to Shandor

Lesharn s body shivers, his head twitching from side to side.

Shandor looks up to the new person, ' Hail.'

Rue shrugs indifferently.

Thor makes some strange sounds while laying on the ground

Celemir draws his dagger

Celemir says "Who the hell are you?!"

Jenn weakly smiles and mumbles something foreign

Shandor looks at Thor, 'Even when you are knocked out you whine.'

Dytalorien blinks and waves to Jenn.

Shandor says, 'Now now Celemir.'

Shandor says, 'Hail, care to tell us your name?'

Rue stares at the stranger with distrust.

Vaedron looks suspiciously at the newcomer.

Celemir says "Excuse me for being weary, do I need to point out that thing next to our campfire"

Shandor steps towards Jenn, 'Ignore them, they are just annoyed.'

Rue looks at the ground and shakes her head, retreating to a shadow to mutter to herself.

Jenn talks haltingly "I came...was attacked...."

Shandor says, 'By what?'

Dytalorien furrows his brows, and points to the beast, "Would that be it?"

Jenn "ye-s..."

Lesharn shivers.

Celemir says "It took lumps out of the entire group, how did you survive alone?"

Shandor nods, 'You are safe now.'

Lunius "Sure it wasn't another one of the same things..?"

Dytalorien gulps, "It's a wonder you survived..."

Celemir mumbles something about witches

Vaedron sighs, "Well I think we should continue."

Shandor walks over to the beast and kicks it, 'I think we should cut the meat up, pack it up and start moving.'

Jenn laughs bitterly, "I didn’t survive alone."

Rue sits against a tree and sinks to the ground, staring at the fire nervously.

Celemir takes darting looks around

Jenn says alarmed "Don't touch the thing."

Vaedron says, "If we wait here we will be picked off by another beast."

Dytalorien says to Jenn, "Perhaps another time, you can tell us your tale. But now we need to get moving."

Jenn says "Would it be alright if I travelled with you?"

Celemir says "You know something about them?"

Jenn says softly, "Not much..."

Dytalorien scans the immediate area, looking for the horses.

Celemir says "Then it wont take long to explain"

Lunius leans against a tree, trying to stay alert.

Vaedron points Dytalorien towards the horses.

Dytalorien nods and runs to gather them.

Jenn stays silent, face pale and gaunt in the moonlight

Dramicus says, "Jenn, any information would be helpful"

Vaedron begins to gather his items.

Dytalorien leads all the horses back toward the camp, holding the reigns tightly.

Celemir says "You’ve survived that "thing" and want our help but you wont tell us what you know...why do I smell a trap?"

Shandor begins cutting up the beast meat.'

Dytalorien grins and chuckles, "And I thought I was cynical.."

Rue stands and walks to the horses, silently packing her things.

Jenn says, "I promise you! I mean you no harm!"

Shandor says, ' Celemir, leave it, just be calm.'

Vaedron takes his meat away from the fire and cuts off a piece and eats it.

Celemir says "Bah! Promises mean bugger all!"

Dytalorien waves placating to Jenn, "No worries, I'm sure you can join us."

Vaedron says, "Not bad"

Celemir sheaths his dagger and glares at her

Jenn looks over at him eating the meat, face draining of her remaining colour

Rue stops in her tracks at Celemir's words.

Lesharn shivers uncontrollably.

Rue shakes her head and continues to pack.

Shandor says, ' Celemir, that is no way to speak to a lady.'

Celemir says "Maybe not but I’m doing so anyway"

Rue kneels and touches Lesharn's head. "Poor man..."

Shandor finishes cutting and packing up the meat.

Dytalorien furrows his brows at the sight of Lesharn and moves towards him.

Dytalorien removes his tanned hide cloak and wraps it securely about him, "Mayhap that will help him."

Dramicus asks, "Jenn is something wrong?"

Celemir mounts his horse "We going to wait for the next one?"

Shandor says, 'Something about the meat, perhaps?'

Rue looks at Shandor "There are no ladies out here. Only creatures trying to survive."

Vaedron hops up onto his horse and impatiently waits for the rest of the group.

Jenn says, "Nothing...nothing, but if you were wise, you would leave and not eat the meat of the creature"

Lunius "But some of them are lady creatures..."

Shandor says, 'Okay, we need to move now.'

Vaedron nods at Shandor

Rue shakes her head. "Allow me to rephrase. It doesn't matter who is a lady. We all need to live."

Shandor says, 'Rue can you share a horse with Thor?'

Jenn nods

Dytalorien lifts Lesharn and asks, "Whose gonna carry Lesharn?"

Dramicus answers, "I will"

Rue nods. "Gladly. I'd love to help."

Celemir opens his pack and smiles reaching inside for a few moments before closing it again

Shandor walks to the edge of the forest, 'There's a path here, let's go.'

Shandor enters the forest, 'Come on!'

Vaedron races over to the path.

Rue kicks her horse and starts off.

Dytalorien nods to Dramicus and moves towards him, handing Lesharn over.

Dytalorien gazes about the camp, and gathers the splintered pieces of Lesharn's lyre.

[Narrator] And so the group march proudly into the dark, deep forest, the torches casting poor light around them. Their faces half hidden by the darkness the torches can't seem to light.

[Narrator] As they travel another something is following, either side of them.

Shandor whispers quietly, 'Everyone draw your weapons, I think something is here.'

Rue perks her ears.

Lunius draws his sabre.

Vaedron looks around without calm.

Shandor says, 'Don't make any threaten moves just keep walking forward.'

Rue draws her long sword again. "Another battle?"

Lunius "I sincerely hope not."

Vaedron sets his eyes back on the path but is clutching his staff.

Shandor says, 'I don't know,'

Dytalorien frowns but continues forward, one hand upon the hilt of his long curved saber.

[Narrator] As the group enter a small clearing something surrounds them.

Dramicus smiles, "I am surprised no one has ever seen any of these before, we already found three"

Celemir draws his dagger once more and crouches down into a defensive posture

Shandor says, 'Get in a circle formation, everyone facing out ready to fight.'

Shandor says, 'And be quiet.'

Vaedron mutters a small prayer.

Lunius sighs and does so.

Rue turns to Thor, and runs a soothing hand over his head. "I hope you'll be ok. I can't stand anymore deaths..."

Dytalorien enters the formation and draws forth his sabre.

Celemir shrinks back into the shadows watching carefully

Dramicus gets in a circle

Rue joins the formation as well.

Shandor says, 'Okay, remain still.'

Vaedron clutches his staff with both hands ready to fight.

Rue whispers "What should we do with our wounded?"

[Narrator] The sound of thumping gets unbearable as suddenly a figure emerges in front of Shandor.

Shandor throws a torch towards the figure.

Jenn joins in hesitantly, drawing out her short sword

[Narrator] The torch illuminates the figure for one brief second, it's features look like…. Mihwen's. It happened to fast for anyone to make out the figure.

[Narrator] Several people step out of the surrounding forest. They each look slightly alike, each wore the Royal Guard symbol, but the armour is damaged and tatty.

Shandor calls out, 'Who are you?'

Dytalorien grits his teeth.

Mihwen smiles "is this a way to welcome an old friend?"

Vaedron grumbles to himself

Shandor looks at the figure, 'Mihwen?'

Celemir looks at them with fear quickly turning to anger

Rue looks at the guards, her heart stuck in her throat.

Dytalorien blinks at the sight before him.

Shandor says, 'Don't attack, just stay still.'

Mihwen smiles who else would it be

Vaedron strains his eyes to see who it is.

Shandor says, 'What are you doing with these Mihwen?'

Jenn whispers to Shandor, "Who is she...?"

Celemir sneaks up behind one and puts a blade to his throat

Shandor says, ' Celemir, if you do that, you become the enemy to us.'

Shandor waves to Jenn, 'An old friend, we'll explain later.'

Dramicus mutters, "Jenn, are these the people who helped you?"

Rue shakes her head profusely. "Celemir..."

Mihwen turns her head around and says ‘it's all okay’

Mihwen walke towards the group

Celemir says "They let her die, they should have stopped them!"

Dytalorien mumbles.

Vaedron glares at Celemir.

Shandor says, 'So, why are you here Mihwen? With them?'

Mihwen looks at shandor 'just some friends, the kings old soldiers

Rue kicks her horse, and trots over to Celemir. "Don't."

Shandor says, 'Yea, the king didn't like me if you remember.'

Celemir says "you cowardly should have protected her...now, now" Celemir drops his weapon and storms off into the night

Mihwen looks around and spots Lesharn

Lunius "Someone should follow Celemir"

Rue watches Celemir, and decides to follow him.

Rue calls "I will."

Dytalorien mumbles and nods to Rue.

Rue trots off towards Celemir.

Mihwen says 'what have happened?' while running towards him

Lunius "Not alone."

Shandor says, 'We were attacked.'

Lunius also follows Celemir.

Dramicus says, "by some weird bird wolf thing"

Rue calls back "I'll be fine." With a slight laugh, knowing they'll send someone after her.

Celemir walks quickly seemingly ignorant to the threat of attack

Shandor lets Mihwen to see Lesharn.'

Mihwen takes Lesharn down from the horse and place him on the ground

Jenn sheaths her blade, suddenly interested in her hands

Shandor looks at the guards, 'You don't move a muscle.'

Dytalorien watches the scene from afar with interest.

Vaedron stares at the guards.

[Narrator] A guard steps forward with a sword raised high.

Rue "Celemir?" She looks around. "God...Doesn't he know it's dangerous?"

Mihwen asks Shandor 'what have happened with him?' whole examining Lesharn

Shandor instinctively shoots him with an arrow.

Lunius walks quickly after Celemir. Talking to Rue... "I highly doubt it."

Celemir picks up his pace almost running now

Dytalorien furrows his brows and raises his sabre.

Shandor says, 'Oh no...'

[Narrator] The guards charge into to kill the group

Mihwen turns around *NOW STOP IT'

Shandor draws his sword.

[Narrator] The guards ignore Mihwen

Vaedron quickly casts a spell shooting a fireball at a guard hitting him in the chest.

Rue hears charging. She stops her horse, and he rears into the air. "Woah!" She steadies her horse.

Shandor says, 'My bad.'

Shandor yells, 'Fight!!'

Rue turns to Lunius. "What should we do?"

Dytalorien leaps off his horse and rushes toward the guards.

Shandor dives at a guard, slicing his throat.

Celemir hears the sounds of battle and turns charging headlong back the way he came

Rue screams into the night. "Celemir! The guards attacked! Celemir!"

Shandor is hit with the hilt of a blade and falls into the dust.

Lunius "Here, he’s coming!"

Dytalorien leaps forward and slashes at the nearest guard, bringing his head to ground.

Shandor spins round and sends a guard into the air with a spell

Rue holds out her wounded left arm. "Get on my horse!"

Mihwen turns around, her face is very irritated, as she points at a guard he falls to the ground

Vaedron is distracted by the fighting and is slashed in the arm by a guard.

Jenn casts a spell, a bar of white light streaking and hitting a guard

Dramicus kicks a guard and he falls back into a tree branch which impales him

Vaedron quickly turns around and bashes the guard with his staff.

Shandor kicks a guard while recovering his sword.

Dytalorien smashes the pommel of his sabre down upon one of the guards head, rendering him inert.

Lunius rides back to the guards alongside the other horse "I hope we're not too late!"

Shandor grabs the sword and runs through a guard.

Rue thrusts out her arm. "Get on Celemir!"

Celemir leaps out of a nearby bush a spare blade in hand and slashes the guards throat

Dytalorien thrusts his sabre deep into the guard as he lies prone.

Shandor jumps into the air and kicks two guards in the heads

Rue shakes her head, seeing Celemir already gone, and rushes to the battleground.

Rue draws her sword and spins it at a guard, taking his head clear off.

Shandor slashes out and beheads a guard.

Vaedron casts a spell causing lighting bolts to shoot from the sky at a guard.

Dytalorien sidesteps an oncoming blow and slashes the abdomen of the guard open.

Celemir drops his dagger picking up the guards long sword and charges the next one hacking and slashing with rage

Shandor chases and guard down and snaps his neck.

Lunius rides down a guard, then kicks another one casually, thrusting smoothly with his sabre through the guards exposed neck.

[Narrator] The last of the guards falls to the ground, dead

Mihwen turns around and walks up to Lesharn

Shandor stands over a dead guard, 'I don't see how that was my fault.'

Celemir continues hacking at the corpse sobbing

Rue rides to the others, her eyes open wide.

Vaedron tears a piece of cloth from his robe and wraps his would tightly

Jenn looks over at Shandor, "I thought you said they were friends."

Shandor says, 'I never said that, their ex-king hates me.'

Dytalorien pants as sweat drips down his face.

Rue looks at Celemir, and rides to him. She leaps from her horse and touches his shoulder lightly. "Celemir..." She whispers.

Mihwen says anyone got any silver?

Shandor thinks, 'Yeah Mihwen, one second.'

Lunius dismounts and leans on a tree sweating.

Vaedron looks through his stuff.

Mihwen 'need it for Lesharn'

Celemir continues slashing at the dead guards face

Dytalorien shakes his head regrettably towards Mihwen.

Shandor opens his back pack and removes a small piece pf silver.

Rue kneels and looks at Celemir. "Celemir...he's dead."

Shandor passes it to Mihwen, 'I'm sorry, I didn't mean to spark that off.'

Celemir lifts the blade high and plunges it into the guards chest and drops to his knees

Vaedron pulls Celemir off the dead guard.

Mihwen takes the silver piece place it on Lesharn and say 'now everyone move back'

Lunius "I think he’s making sure of that."

Shandor looks at the bodies littering the clearing, 'Who were those guys.'

Rue stares at Celemir with pursed lips.

Dytalorien takes a step backwards.

Mihwen place her hands on Lesharn chest

Vaedron says, "You got some problems Celemir"

Shandor moves back

Rue nods, and places her hands on Celemir's shoulders. "What happened?"

Lesharn s body starts trembling.

Celemir shakes Rue's hand off and moves into a corner

Lunius "Celemir..."

Mihwen makes some strange noises

Lesharn s body starts shaking violently.

Vaedron pulls out a piece of meat he cooked and eats a piece.

Dytalorien furrows his brows.

Jenn looks over at Mihwen, interested

Shandor looks hopefully towards Lesharn.

Lesharn s eyes pop open and he bursts into tears.

Lesharn stutters, 'it was a b-b-big hairy monster'

Mihwen falls to the ground

Lunius "Celemir.. what happened?"

Shandor runs over to the two.

Lesharn sobs, 'I hit him with my l-lyre...the lyre my mother gave me...'

Lesharn touches his head and discovers a bandage.

Dytalorien blinks and grins, "Well, he's better."

Dramicus rushes to Mihwen and picks her up

Shandor lies Mihwen down in a more comfortable position.'

Vaedron rests his back against a tree waiting for the group to continue.

Celemir says "None of your business, leave me alone"

Lesharn stares at a sticky finger covered with blood and says 'my head is throbbing with pain...'

Lunius "No... what happened?"

Shandor looks at Lesharn, 'Dytalorien saved your lyre, we can rebuild it.'

Celemir pulls his hood further down over his head and ignores Lunius

Lesharn nods sadly.

Mihwen looks up at Shandor 'Thanks'

Dytalorien nods to Lesharn and goes to collect the oaken splinters from his belongings.

Lesharn exclaims, 'Mihwen!'

Shandor nods.

Vaedron looks around impatiently, "Are we ever going to get moving?"

Mihwen turns around 'There you are'

Shandor says, 'Can you help Thor?'

Lesharn smiles happily and says, 'You're alive!'

Mihwen smiles 'of course I am'

Shandor smiles, 'Indeed, I honestly thought I would never see you again.'

Shandor quickly says, 'Er, we, we would never see you.'

Lesharn says to Dytalorien, 'Thank you for saving the parts of my lyre'

Dytalorien nods to Lesharn, "Aye, no trouble."

Jenn walks over to Mihwen and murmurs something

Dytalorien gathers the splinters from his belongings and walks over to Lesharn, crouching down before handing it to him saying, "Here you are."

Mihwen says 'Where's Thor?'

Lesharn asks, 'Did anyone get my satchel?'

Shandor points to a horse.

Shandor goes over to the horse and lifts Thor off.

Lesharn smiles at Dytalorien.

Dytalorien blinks and gulps, "What satchel?"

Lesharn stutters, 'My b-bard satchel'

Shandor grins and passes Lesharn the satchel

Vaedron climbs onto his horse ready to continue.

Shandor says, 'I found it, it however has less apples in it now.'

Shandor grins.

Mihwen looks at him and places her hands on his head

Lesharn grins at Shandor and gets a small wooden box from his container.

Dytalorien releases a sigh of relief.

Lesharn places the remains of his lyre in a small wooden box.

Mihwen says 'Thor will be alright, he's sleeping now. Someone just clean up his wound'

Lesharn sighs, 'Maybe I'll find someone to fix my lyre for me someday...'

Shandor says, 'I know an elf in the A'lure woods that could help you out there.'

Dytalorien says to Lesharn, "I'm sure you will."

Lunius feels an arrow that he hadn’t felt penetrating his torso. "Wha-?" he says weakly and slumps to the ground.

Shandor says, 'Perhaps we could visit.'

Vaedron says, "Sounds good to me"

Mihwen turns around to the rest 'I see you are all new here'

Shandor looks at Lunius, 'And the new are falling fast.'

Mihwen 'I'm Mihwen'

Dytalorien chuckles and grins, "I am."

Lesharn waves to Jenn and says, 'I don't believe we've met?'

Jenn bows slightly

Lesharn recalls his manners and tips his head towards Jenn.

Mihwen walks up to Dytalorien 'who are all new faces?'

Dytalorien replies to Mihwen, "I've got as much of an idea as you do."

Mihwen smiles at Dytalorien 'well you're travelling with them'

Lesharn gets a halfling raspberry pie from his satchel and winks, 'Anyone hungry?'

Shandor says, 'They are people, I think, that's about it.'

Rue smiles. "Sure Lesharn."

Dytalorien pokes the pie and grins, "That's too small a portion."

Shandor says, 'And we've got Nak-thokin meat if you want it.'

Vaedron turns to Lesharn and pulls out a piece of meat, "I prefer this."

Dytalorien grins towards to Mihwen, "So are you, well now, that is."

Lesharn smiles at Rue and passes her the pie.

Rue looked at her arm and wrinkles her nose. "It bled through the bandage." She mutters.

Jenn 's eyes widen at the sight of the Nak-thokin meat

Rue takes the pie and has a small bite. "It's quite good." she says.

Mihwen walks up to Lesharn 'So what kind of adventures have you been up to my little friend?

Lesharn glances at Rue and blushes.

Shandor says, 'Okay, let's eat and get moving.'

Dramicus says, "good idea

Mihwen looks at Rue 'let me see that'

Dytalorien muses, "How about we do both at once?"

Vaedron takes a few more bites of meat.

Lesharn says to Mihwen, 'I don't recall much actually... I woke up in this cell'

Rue holds out her arm. "I can live with it if it's going to bother your magic power."

Shandor nods and picks Thor up and puts him on a horse.

Dytalorien remounts his horse.

Rue points to the puncture wound on her stomach. "That too, but like I said..."

Jenn says, "I wouldn't...eat the meat...if I were you..."

Mihwen smiles and take up some fresh bandage from a bag

Lesharn wrinkles his nose at Vaedron and asks, 'Is that the hairy monster meat?'

Shandor says, 'Why not Jenn?'

Vaedron says, "And why not?"

Dytalorien chuckles.

Rue looks at Jenn, and is suddenly glad she's having pie, not beast meat.

Lesharn gags, 'It was four trolls high, I swear it.'

Dytalorien grins, "Other than the fact that its hairy."

Mihwen says 'good as new'

Jenn shakes her head slightly, "Slight headaches, stomach aches..."

Vaedron says, "Meat is Meat, nothing special."

Shandor picks up a piece of meat and takes a bite, 'Tastes fine to me.'

Mihwen looks at the human women 'And you might be?'

Rue smiles. "Thanks bunches. They've been bothering me about it since the castle." She smirks. "I couldn't convince them it was nothing."

Jenn says slightly irked, "Suit yourselves."

Lesharn mutters something about hairy monsters and foul stench under his breathe.

Jenn turns and faces Mihwen, "No-one in particular, name is Jenn..."

Dytalorien chuckles at Jenn's expression, "Don't worry, let them reap their own rewards."

Vaedron turns to Shandor, "Shall we continue on?"

Dramicus says, "I would take Jenn's word if I were you, you don't know if the beast had a disease"

Shandor nods

Lesharn asks Jenn, 'Are you a lady of the woods?'

Mihwen 'I'm Mihwen'

Shandor says, 'We have to go soon, now really.'

Rue mounts her horse. "Where are we headed?"

Jenn looks around, avoiding the questions, "We really should move."

Vaedron grunts in agreement.

Dytalorien nods to Shandor in understanding.

Mihwen looks at Shandor 'but i got no horse'

Shandor says, 'Can you share with Lesharn?'

Lesharn smiles happily.

Shandor says, 'Rue can you share with Thor again.'

Vaedron says, "You can share mine if you want."

Dramicus says, "Mihwen, you can take mine"

Rue nods.

Mihwen looks at Dramicus 'but what would you use?'

Vaedron dismounts and grabs Lunius

Vaedron mounts Lunius on the back of his horse.

Lesharn says, 'Dramicus save me from drowning once...'

Vaedron climbs back on his horse.

Shandor says, 'Okay, let's go.'

Jenn says to no-one in particular, "I'll walk."

Rue looks at Lesharn with a smirk. "You need a lot of saving my good man."

Lesharn pulls himself onto his pony.

Dytalorien inquires of Jenn, "You sure you can keep up?"

Lesharn nods at Rue and says sadly, 'Yes, I'm not much of a hero.'

Jenn says, "I can try."

Rue grins. "You should learn to fight."

Vaedron begins moving away from the group.

Shandor says, 'Perhaps not, but you are a fine bard.'

Celemir grabs the sword of the captain of the guard and mounts his horse keeping a good distance between himself and the group

Dytalorien nods, "If you think you can, I've no objection."

Shandor slaps his forehead, 'I kept forgetting to teach you to fight Lesharn, I am sorry friend.'

Jenn shrugs, "Not much of a choice, my steed was killed."

Jenn says, "We should move."

Mihwen looks at Jenn 'just share horse with someone'

Rue looks at Shandor. "Where to?"

Lesharn says, 'I don't know if I'm much good at it. I've already failed everything I set out to do. I was once a royal minstrel at the courts of Torindal.'

Dytalorien ponders and says to Jenn, "You could share with someone. Rue perhaps."

Vaedron yells back to the group, "Hurry up its almost daybreak."

Shandor looks at Rue, 'We are heading to an elven port.'

Rue shakes her head. "I've already got Thor on the back of my horse."

Jenn breaks into a jog, "I'll manage."

Shandor says to Dytalorien, 'No, Rue is sharing with Thor.'

Shandor says, 'Come along now.'

Dytalorien nods, "Aye, my mistake."

Shandor walks along the dirt path.

Lesharn says, 'Mihwen, what became of my mule Appleseed?'

Shandor turns round, 'Come along.'

Dytalorien pushes his horse into a graceful canter.

Dramicus follows Shandor

Shandor says, ' Lesharn, we left it at Emerald Bay.'

Jenn trails alongside Shandor

Lesharn urges his horse into a trot.

Shandor says, 'We can pick it up when we get back.'

Vaedron slows down so the rest of the group can catch up.

Lesharn sniffs sadly at Shandor.

Mihwen looks at Lesharn 'sorry i have no idea'

Rue 's horse begins a leisurely jog. She glares at it, and kicks her heels...repeatedly. "C'mon you oaf."

Dytalorien grins at Lesharn, "We can pick him up."

Shandor says, 'When we get to port we are taking a boat to Emerald bay again.'

Lesharn says, 'My sister will kill me if I don't return him safely home.'

Mihwen walks up to Shandor 'why such a hurry?'

[Narrator] With all the excitement the group have barely noticed that it is day break

Lesharn yawns.

Dytalorien yawns with fatigue.

Shandor says, ' Mihwen world at risk and all.'

Vaedron rubs his eyes.

Rue looks at the horizon. The sun spreads her wings over the horizon, and Rue smiles, albeit sadly.

Shandor looks at the horizon, 'When did the sky go yellow.'

Shandor was speaking purely from fatigue

Jenn asks, "Where are we headed to?"

Lesharn starts singing a song about an elven ranger that set out to find a squirrel.

Vaedron says, "The pot"

Dytalorien frowns, "Don't suppose I can convince everyone to stop and sleep, could I?"

Shandor says, 'Clar- clar- something, I've said it before... some port.' <+Vaedron> port

Jenn looks slightly fazed by Lesharn's singing

Dytalorien rubs his sore shoulders and sighs dejectedly.

Shandor sways slightly with the song.

Shandor hums along in parts and smiles.

Vaedron takes off his bandage to check his wound.

Celemir opens his pack and smiles sadly before putting in some food

Mihwen asks Shandor 'what happened with you after the museum?'

Dytalorien rummages about and finds his silver flute.

Shandor says, 'We were thrown into a dungeon by the king, we got out, fought and watched the king die.'

Dytalorien plays a melodious tune to accompany Lesharn's song.

Lesharn nods at Dytalorien and sings a verse about the elven ranger coming across a black bear.

Shandor continues, 'And then we escaped and got the ancient's cavern.'

Vaedron listens quietly to the music.

Dytalorien picks up the pace, and attempts to keep up with Lesharn.

Mihwen laughs ' he was fun'

Jenn looks questioningly at Shandor, "What cavern?"

Shandor says, 'What happened to you?'

Shandor sighs, 'I've already told enough non-elves about it, an ancient cavern where the elven hid from a Troll army.'

Mihwen says 'I was brought to the castle after we got caught'

Mihwen 'the king said he had other plans for me'

Lesharn sings about how the squirrel appeared to lure the bear away.

Rue continues to watch the sun spread her wings. She looks behind her, the landscape closely resembling that of Illuriad.

Rue shakes her head, and focuses on the path ahead, although her mind drifts elsewhere.

Vaedron starts to fall asleep on his horse.

Dytalorien sways slightly and plays a dulcet tune to compliment Lesharn's verse.

Shandor says, 'How did you escape Mihwen?'

Mihwen say 'but I didn’t like them so a few people got hurt'

Lesharn s voiced is slightly saddened as he tells of how the squirrel was killed by the bear, but saved the rangers life.

Dytalorien transitions the tune into a melancholic one, and ends with an enthralling climax.

Lesharn claps his hands in approval to Dytalorien.

Dytalorien nods and grins sheepishly towards Lesharn.

Shandor smiles and applauds the two.

Rue 's head hangs, staring at the horse. She is sombre, unlike the rest who seemed to be in conversation, or in song.

Vaedron wakes up at the sound of the applause.

Lesharn gasps.

Lesharn gets a golden mining pick from his satchel.

Lesharn asks, 'Mining pick? Does that remind you of someone?'

Dytalorien blinks at stares wondering at the pick.

Celemir urges his horse forward catching up with Rue

Shandor says, 'Hmm, I don't think we will be at port for several hours, I think we should set up camp and get some rest.'

Rue 's hair hangs in front of her face, and shields the few tears that fall onto her horse's back.

Lesharn scratches his head, 'Wonder how that got here..'

Vaedron looks at the sun to have some idea what time it is.

Jenn yawns

Celemir turns to her "Seems I’m not the only one who’s upset"

Rue doesn't notice Celemir's approach, but rather, sobs softly.

Shandor stops the group.

Dytalorien looks back to Rue worriedly as he hears the subtle sobs.

Rue snaps her head up and dries her tears quickly.

Shandor says, 'Okay, let's set up camp here.'

Lesharn places his hand on Rues shoulder, but only lets it rest there briefly.

Shandor looks at Rue.

Vaedron nods to Shandor

Rue clears her throat and lowers herself to the ground.

Mihwen walks up to Rue and speaks with her in elven 'Want to talk about it?'

Lesharn looks worriedly at Rue, but remains silent.

Vaedron slowly climbs down from his horse.

Celemir notices the crowd gathering around Rue and drops back

Rue shakes her head, and replies "It's too complicated." in Elven as well.

Dytalorien stays upon his horse gazing at the scene.

Vaedron lowers Lunius from his horse.

Shandor lowers Thor onto the ground.

Lesharn gets a small wooden box from his satchel and opens it to examine the pieces of his mothers oaken lyre.

Rue turns and takes Thor from the horse with great difficulty.

Rue mock pants as she finishes lowering him.

Mihwen says 'If you change your mind just call me'

Shandor stands in sunlight for a moment and sighs, he let the warmth go over him.

Dytalorien hesitantly lowers himself from his mount.

Rue nods slowly.

Vaedron rests his head against a rock and pulls his hood over his eyes.

Mihwen looks at the group 'Food anyone?'

Jenn shudders slightly and sits down

Vaedron begins to fall asleep.

Celemir dismounts and walks over to a corner and carefully puts his sack down and removes something

Dytalorien raises his hand, "Me."

Rue walks off by herself to a place where she can survey the surrounding area.

Shandor sits down, 'I'm too tired to guard, again.'

Lesharn asks, 'When can I remove the bandages on my head?'

Rue says "I can guard today." Before she walks off.

Rue says it not as a suggestion, but as a statement.

[Narrator] The group bask in the sunlight

Lesharn shakes his head and says to Mihwen, 'She’s not stubborn, just determined...'

Dytalorien blinks and asks, "Is she in any condition to guard?"

Celemir puts it back in the pack and follows Rue

Shandor says, 'No point in fighter her, she does what she wants anyway.'

Rue sits on the hill where she can privately let her emotions flow.

Rue places her head in her hands and sobs freely.

Celemir walks up quietly behind her

Dytalorien nods and says, "Better be a bit wary then, she doesn't seem to be in the best shape."

Mihwen asks 'Anyone got some food?'

Dytalorien blinks and grins to Mihwen, "Aren't you the cook?"

Lesharn gets a halfling pastry and passes it to Mihwen.

Shandor lies down on the dust.

Vaedron slowly awakens.

Jenn tosses a bulky sack to Mihwen from her pack

Shandor says, 'G'night or g'day all, which ever.'

Lesharn says, 'That sea-snake we killed was the best meat I've ever eaten.'

Vaedron looks around trying to remember where he is.

Celemir hands her a handkerchief "You’ll find it difficult to guard with your vision blurred like that

Mihwen looks at Lesharn, how many of those do you have left?

Lesharn says, 'That’s my last one, but I want you to have it.'

Vaedron pulls out a piece of meat and offers it to Mihwen.

Jenn jumps up suddenly, "Who else ate the Nak. meat?"

Mihwen looks at Lesharn 'are you sure?'

Shandor looks up at the group, 'I did Jenn.'

Dytalorien shakes his head towards Jenn.

Rue picks her head up again.

Lesharn nods at Mihwen.

Mihwen looks at Vaedron 'No thanks'

Rue stares off into the distance, murmuring a light "Thank you" as she gently takes the handkerchief.

Vaedron nods to Mihwen

Jenn groans and puts her head down, "Tell me when you start to feel nauseous."

Lesharn says, 'I heard you get hairy hands by eating hairy meat.'

Rue blots her eyes and stops crying.

Dytalorien grins and looks towards Shandor.

Jenn laughs

[Narrator] The sun is rising in the sky nicely spreading warmth onto the group

Celemir looks down at Rue's puffy eyes and flushed cheeks "I know why I feel pain, but you seem to be fine, why is it you cry?"

Vaedron ignores the warnings and continues to eat the meat.

Mihwen turns around and when Lesharn is looking another way she place the pastry in a little box

Lesharn s eyes follow a flock of ravens.

Shandor sits up, 'I can't sleep in the daytime with people talking.' He sighs and stands up.

Rue shakes her head. "I don't know where to begin." She says shakily. "If you intend to listen, I suggest you sit."

Celemir sits down beside her

Jenn walks over to where Shandor is and sits, watching Vaedron with a bemused look on her face,

Dytalorien strums his fingers upon his silver flute, in contemplation.

Mihwen ask *do anyone happen to have some apples? haven’t had one for a long time'

Shandor looks at Dytalorien and Lesharn, ' I've always wanted to learn an instrument...'

Shandor says, ' Lesharn had some, but I didn't eat them, no way...'

Shandor looks guilty

Lesharn says, 'I wish I had some apples...'

Jenn calls over to Mihwen, "Look in the bag i tossed to you."

Rue stares around. "I'm a Princess. My father was King Drazenka. I..." She bites her lip, thinking. "I found out that he...planned to have me marry a rich prince."

Kamrock says, 'Oh, Aye, Music is something I admire, and yet I envy.'

Lesharn says, 'Shandor, I could teach you.'

Dytalorien sighs and plops down on the ground, yawning, "Aye, a wonderful pasttime."

Rue continues. "He was going to kill of the members of my new family one by one...A cunning plot. He would take their land and riches for himself."

Shandor says, 'I would welcome that Lesharn, and at the same time I could teach you to fight.'

Dytalorien grins, "In exchange for fighting lessons?"

Mihwen pick up an apple from the bag..

Lesharn says, 'perhaps when we reach the ship?'

Rue waved her hand at the landscape. "Fhendriel and I ran away. We came to a small town named Illuriad. It was set in a place exactly like this."

Celemir says "Fhendriel?"

Dytalorien stretches on the ground, staring musingly at the sky.

Shandor looks around, 'I'm surprised none of you are tired.'

Rue pauses, picturing the embers of Illuriad before continuing. "My lover." She explained. "But that night, my father's army...his special army...the Black Knights came after us.

Rue "They set the town afire, killing all of the families...the children."

Lesharn says, 'I can't sleep with the pain under my bandages...'

Rue looks at the ground. "They killed Fhendriel before my very eyes..."

Jenn answers Shandor, "I can go without sleep for a bit longer.."

Dytalorien says, "Who says we aren't?"

Mihwen walks up to Lesharn

Rue continues, her voice shaking. "I had to leave...I couldn't even seek revenge. The knights were too strong. I stopped on my horse, and looked back at Illuriad. It was all cinders. Everyone was dead, because of me."

Mihwen looks at Lesharn head while saying 'isn’t Rue's story sad'

Dytalorien closes his eyes, and thinks to himself.

Kamrock picks a rock off the floor and examines it.

Celemir says "That couldn’t have been your fault, your father did that not you"

Lesharn nods slowly at Mihwen.

Jenn chews on her lips, looking down at her boots.

Rue whispers. "They'll never stop following me...Those guards scared me...I thought they were the Black Knights. I thought they would kill everyone...and it would be because of me. Because I put myself where I shouldn't be."

Vaedron sits quietly listening to the story.

Celemir says "if there’s one thing life has taught me its that you should be wherever you choose to be"

Dytalorien opens his eyes and sits up, gazing about his surroundings.

Celemir says "You couldn’t have known they’d do that"

Dytalorien clears his head of his previous thoughts.

Mihwen rises and says 'time for me to pull back'

Rue shakes her head. "It's silly. I knew they weren't...But still. It made me think that maybe I should leave. I'm putting everyone in danger by being here. I don't know if and when they'll attack...but..." her voice drifts off.

Mihwen say see you in a few hours

Rue looks at Celemir. "Not if it's putting people in danger..."

Shandor nods to Mihwen.

Rue "Innocent people.."

Jenn looks questioningly at Mihwen, "Where are you going..?"

Mihwen 'I’m tired, it have been a long day'

Shandor grins, 'And night and day again.'

Rue stands and dusts off what's left of her tunic. "I volunteered for guard duty. I'd best get started."

Jenn lets out a nervous laugh

Dytalorien nods to Mihwen, "Peaceful slumber to you, then."

Mihwen walks away getting ready for sleep

Mihwen says same to you..

Rue hands Celemir his handkerchief, which is only slightly wet. "Here...Thank you."

Shandor says, 'I might try sleeping again...'

Vaedron puts his hood down and tries to sleep.

Dytalorien chuckles and says, "I think we all deserve some rest..."

Shandor nods

Celemir says "Keep it, you'll be needing it more than I"

Shandor sits down on the ground and thinks about Ariea, his one love.

Vaedron grunts in agreement to Dytalorien

Rue nods gratefully. "Thank you..." She whispers.

Celemir opens his pack and hoists a small black cat out setting him down gently on the grass

Dytalorien lays down once again upon the hard earth and stares impassively at the sky.

Kamrock says, 'Shandor, we'll finish this, and then you can finish all your business.'

Rue walks back to the group, and stands in front of them with a heavy hearted sigh.

Shandor raises an eyebrow from his slumber, 'Huh?'

Jenn sighs deeply and lays down on her back,

Shandor curses, 'Will I ever sleep...'

Dytalorien smiles despite himself.

Kamrock shakes his head, 'Not with me around.'

Shandor says, 'Then come here, I've got a sword that wants to meet you.'

Dytalorien chuckles politely, still with his back upon the ground.

Rue looks at Shandor and Kamrock. She tilts her head curiously.

Celemir gently pets Tiger and sighs looking out at the setting sun a sad look on his face

Vaedron sighs and continues to try and sleep

Kamrock stands and leans on his axe.

Jenn looks over at Shandor's face and laughs softly

Shandor drifts off to sleep.

Rue turns away to let the last few tears fall. She wipes her eyes with the handkerchief, and puts it away. She shakes her head. "Tears are for the weak..." She whispers.

Dytalorien laughs when he hears Shandor's snores.

Shandor is suddenly awoken by Thor's snoring. He curses loudly in an unknown language.

Kamrock laughs loudly.

Jenn laughs along, unable to stop herself

Rue giggles slightly, the sombre attitude fading away.

Shandor is tempted to kick Thor, but stops himself.

Dytalorien shakes his head, managing to rub brown earth within his white mane.

Shandor says, 'He's nearly dead and he can annoy me to Tarkna

Jenn hands Shandor some beeswax, "You can use this, if you can afford to lose hearing while you sleep."

Shandor shakes his head, 'Thanks, but no thanks.'

Lesharn chuckles and says, 'In Evylee we use the apple crust for that.'

Dytalorien chuckles and says, "Take it Shandor, we've got a guard."

Shandor grins, 'I'll just smother Thor.'

Jenn laughs, "Good luck,"

Jenn winks

Kamrock pats Shandors back, 'You need to sleep deeper, like Thor does.'

Shandor says, 'He's nearly dead, no wonder he's asleep.'

Rue looks at Kamrock. "Aren't you going to sleep?"

Vaedron wakes ups suddenly due to stomach aches

Celemir sits with a small fire watching over the sleeping group, Tiger curled up on his lap sleeping softly

Kamrock shakes his head, 'I have slept a lot in my life.'

Vaedron runs behind a tree and vomits.

Dytalorien snickers at the sound of someone throwing up.

Vaedron comes back and says, "Ok maybe I shouldn’t have eaten the meat."

Rue 's eyes dart to Vaedron. "Ooh...the meat."

Jenn opens her eyes and looks at Vaedron, grimacing slightly,

Dytalorien smiles and says to Jenn, "Now you can say, I told you so."

Lesharn says, 'some of us learn the hard way...'

Kamrock is reminded of Hang overs.

Jenn says, "That isn't the worst of it boy,"

Shandor grins, 'I'm fine...'

Dytalorien chuckles, "Let's wait and see..."

Shandor 's face contorts with uncomfort. 'Then again...'

Vaedron runs back to the tree and vomits again.

Jenn laughs, "I told you so?"

Dytalorien stifles some laughter.

Vaedron glares at Jenn.

Shandor grins, I'm still not sick.'

Jenn winks at Dytalorien

Dytalorien shakes his head, and chuckles.

Jenn says, "wait for it,"

Jenn laughs slightly,

Jenn smiles at Vaedron,

Vaedron goes back to the group and sits down rocking himself back and forth.

Shandor grins, 'I'm asleep, I can't be ill...'

Kamrock pulls a leather pouch from his belt.

Rue draws her long sword and slings it over her back in boredom.

Kamrock pulls out a worn and dirty pipe.

Jenn looks over worriedly at Vaedron, "I could give you some amaranth to ease the stomach pains, but you're going to need it later for...

Kamrock looks at the pipe and sighs, 'Was brand new when I came out this way.'

Vaedron falls asleep

Lesharn nods off.

Dytalorien closes his eyes, and slowly slips into slumber.

Shandor is asleep