Just some seaweed. Silly getting worked up over that.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAIQ585c1Yw8
She unwound it, then followed Han, who was by the exit wanting. He got out and stood next to Parcival.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAN0PhC8V9Y6
Swimming faster she shot out the exit and landed stomach first on the grass.
777Please respect copyright.PENANApLPt6BbJWc
That was graceful.
777Please respect copyright.PENANA9qfcCvHvMS
Don't you have better things to do than bug me?
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Unnamed snickered.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAKX4gIHcnKn
"At last we are out of the mountain caverns!"
777Please respect copyright.PENANAts262egglU
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.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAK1IplyuhPN
"We should stop and get something to eat soon." Parcival got up slow and easy.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAgieIwULp7b
He hopped up shaking himself hard, spraying water off in all directions.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAYTFHt5FcgY
She backed away, with an arm covering her eyes. "Watch it!"
777Please respect copyright.PENANAtLHwl3JVqM
His fur proofed out like a fluffy dandelion, his glasses the only spot of seriousness.
777Please respect copyright.PENANANdvgWL6Ina
She broke out laughing to the point of tears.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAr3pgo4Rnj6
"So cute. So cuddly. I can't stand it."
777Please respect copyright.PENANAlMEod3iXmd
Han stamped over and got in her face.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAMeuFYcAXeW
"Don't say it."
777Please respect copyright.PENANAbweeg9c2Tr
She waved her hands alternating them over the other. "Wouldn't dream of it."
777Please respect copyright.PENANAPMC6U5c4qy
He turned, wringing the water from his tail.
777Please respect copyright.PENANA0vIRv3hsXV
He sniffed, then went over to a nearby flat rock and sat on it.
777Please respect copyright.PENANArc8ivZLqoS
"A hot meal would be nice," she said.
777Please respect copyright.PENANADabnmboUZC
"Well, what way now?"
777Please respect copyright.PENANAeFI9ODV0ML
The map had stayed dry in the pouch. Unrolling it, she pointed to the small drawing of a silver tree.
777Please respect copyright.PENANA3OxznRaknr
"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."
777Please respect copyright.PENANAp6E1b7xVUh
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.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAhALH9xmTgt
"Do you know which beast?"
777Please respect copyright.PENANAgxqgCO3hHN
"No."
777Please respect copyright.PENANA8h0FUbyHwd
"let's keep going and break for supper later," Parcival said.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAsmNPw3wASZ
"So be it."
777Please respect copyright.PENANAj7ibuXwoKH
She lead the way.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAug9lTVrSAN
The stomach stopped growing and reduced to a hollowness.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAj0R39AXEvw
####
777Please respect copyright.PENANAY6hp6YMTSo
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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.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAjmisHirMo2
There wasn't any chirping or any other sound.
777Please respect copyright.PENANA5zTDo3Ljdi
"Guard yourselves." Her right ear twitched violently. She pinched the lobe. Arg.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAKJJg7Sp06f
Far off in the west, was it the crunch of leafs underfoot? She strained, it stopped. Should I say something?
777Please respect copyright.PENANAsaY0bLtbh5
"Well, the map stops here. Any idea where we should go next?" Parcival asked.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAwAvEAG7Db8
"We need to leave quickly."
777Please respect copyright.PENANA7wmEk4hRgR
"That's not an answer," Parcival said, rubbing his face.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAMP40qKMNuV
Unrolling it, she scanned it.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAGqii47M27R
"If we go North-west here, and around this river, we can get to the city and exit this place faster."
777Please respect copyright.PENANA9nDQmtj5Ce
"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.
777Please respect copyright.PENANArUd976cBk2
Han trotted over to him.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAuzTbL3GBFD
"A rib bone must be broken off inside somewhere."
777Please respect copyright.PENANATuX6QdPyeJ
"Let's camp by that giant stump. Can you fix him?" She pointed up ahead.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAi8VkSNYYXb
"Yes, but then that'll be it for the week healing bone isn't easy."
777Please respect copyright.PENANAKhIInMH94V
"Right."
777Please respect copyright.PENANA8DaeI23fed
Parcival was heavier than last time. She tried to pull him back up, but her arms weakened.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAVbu1fLlhNM
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."
777Please respect copyright.PENANAw2QLgZL684
Startling, she nearly dropped him, then draped an arm over her shoulder.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAwyRQN5XiP0
"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.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAtjEGRKaCdY
The humor in his eyes vanished, all except for a spark that left as fast as it appeared.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAJQfiAryACM
"We'll need a fire. I'll go get some wood," said Han.
777Please respect copyright.PENANACgINhEpJ2Z
She led Parcival over to the stump, he eased down leaning against it.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAtD4Dy4stDy
"It's time I told you something," Parcival reached for her hand.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAYalJbDe9Uy
Ah, it's come to this. She stiffened.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAfUhAZAG6ch
She pulled her arm back. Those blue eyes were full of an emotion that he'd never showed before.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAbLjEmU5nkp
He stopped. His jaw tightened and his lips thinned.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAkRMITYj6iS
"You know you never asked me what I am you know."
777Please respect copyright.PENANAiStQjUut2R
Huh? She relaxed. Well, it can't be as bad as being asked to fry a person.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAHNnmpOsDg8
"Then you are?"
777Please respect copyright.PENANAWv93tO9ZDB
"I'm a Paladin, or a "Seeker" as some call us."
777Please respect copyright.PENANAdvF6Ld7nqI
Interesting. The grand knights of Olenus.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAswzlLFRUwv
"I thought they couldn't lie."
777Please respect copyright.PENANAJ1AR6qTBF7
She pulled her daggers out brandishing them at the nape his neck.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAmFC5fcUO9i
"Tell me the truth, now!" she spat out each word and leaned in next to his face.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAdHOkwoYjwq
"I have been. Put that down!"
777Please respect copyright.PENANAfcZChMe5vI
Her hand shook, she lowered them.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAl1BGsXrjlE
"Damn you." She huffed and slid back.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAugRVefWyWI
His voice thickened with emotion, and his eyes filled with a soft, gentle gleam.
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She sat silent.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAVNrMklDqLX
"You're important to me. I care about you."
777Please respect copyright.PENANAJO0ovDiOFj
She tilted her head. Okay? She leaned against the stump by him. What's missing here?
777Please respect copyright.PENANAtOIXnbfisO
"That," she paused, "I can believe." Then why tell about being a Seeker? She got up shaking her head between her hands.
777Please respect copyright.PENANADGrhGRyoRh
"Are you alright?"
777Please respect copyright.PENANA0wvL7N9iCk
She stood by him. All muddled and messed up. The more a thought came the faster it twisted and disappeared.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAte0LueNLWE
"Yes."
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She wandered off behind the stump, as a ridiculous heat covered her face. She pinched her forehead between the brows.
777Please respect copyright.PENANA4UWZWOnS1t
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.
777Please respect copyright.PENANA9cyrzVDZ8C
Relaxing, she went back and sat near him.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAMgEtBSmPdF
"I want to continue to the city. Perhaps one of the Elder priests can be of help.
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Only the Adapts had a chance of knowing what to do.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAAylVPX0C31
"Yes, that could work," Parcival closed his eyes, a hand gripped the grass.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAT8POlXl8WW
They still have no clue of this evil, the vines are only the symptom. She shivered.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAZWb4CopmZ1
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.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAtN2HqcWOZ3
"Here."
777Please respect copyright.PENANAhH3j7HRfr1
Sitting close she wrapped them around his torso, then knotted it.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAiDZ5bGq0YI
"Thanks, feels a little better, nice and tight."
777Please respect copyright.PENANAiVh57N2naq
She nodded.
777Please respect copyright.PENANA6PLxe0yNtu
"I'll wait for Han."
777Please respect copyright.PENANAKkDUnX1HfX
She stood then jumped onto the stump. What was I thinking?
777Please respect copyright.PENANAYAWpOHbHYV
Several hours passed, and as night took over the sky, a flapping nearby made her sit straight up.
777Please respect copyright.PENANA4Nf1iSyKBO
A flapping nearby.
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Voices whispering. An unmistakable gurgling screech; above a Neckhawk circled.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAWk8nM150fR
Her heart exploded into rapid fire beats. He'll never quit. Where is Han?
777Please respect copyright.PENANAIkGjnaseRT
Parcival was laying on his side asleep.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAAB3ruS2Cl2
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.
777Please respect copyright.PENANA0y1veu64Xy
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.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAMfdRxMLczm
"Follow the plan. I won't suffer any mistakes, she must be captured before it's too late."
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What plan? She slid down following them.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAY66kolvJnc
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.
777Please respect copyright.PENANATmLQ9AMemc
She followed silently behind them for a few more feet. She rushed out in front of them.
777Please respect copyright.PENANApa4SjURHL0
"Stop, not another step." she tensed and held the daggers angled toward them.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAlVAMYnypch
"Well, that was easy," said a familiar voice.
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Her stomach dropped to her boots.
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"Maxwell."
777Please respect copyright.PENANAbWy4SLpfg5
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!
777Please respect copyright.PENANACSwNaufh98
The vines moved under her skin deeper, her strength drained even more. She stiffened and stood tall. Have to hide this.
777Please respect copyright.PENANASDnGoXxJkV
The man in black moved his free hand and tossed a black dot at her.
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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.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAz4YdWmbsDa
"Be quiet or I'll kill them as they sleep."
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She glared at him.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAtGc2rGfBaP
"I doubt it. I have much planned for you," He spit on her face.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAfAFt68lKy8
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.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAWN4nblKT3F
"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.
777Please respect copyright.PENANA8PCaDCnjSS
Tears flooded her eyes, she blinked, trying to clear them.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAysnF5rD8ef
"It burns, let me out!"
777Please respect copyright.PENANAZ9nI38QW6K
"One more, one single sound, and they will die. This is your choice, come with me or be responsible for their deaths."
777Please respect copyright.PENANAYWv7b7Sxod
The man next to him started to walk to the camp.
777Please respect copyright.PENANACqoTP8bVKl
She shuttered and lay there dragging in ragged breaths.
777Please respect copyright.PENANA8ilhbNSQkS
"Grab her before they wake up."
777Please respect copyright.PENANAs13K8Fjszn
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.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAD6f3BgyTPe
The bouncing of the horse slapped the netting onto her and she yowled then passed out.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAHsh8IYxqrh
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.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAzrBsOT4xtF
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.
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They screamed.
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She woke. The screams replayed over and over. Then the pain hit again. Her armor smoked, the stench of burning leather made her gag. After a while, she stopped feeling anything.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAHcUdoZCz2L
The horse came to a stop, and she flopped around trying to fall off.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAWt9AozuJhd
"You would do well to stop moving, or I will poke with my short sword until you stop!" his tone cold like the ice of the north.
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She stopped.
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"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."
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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?
777Please respect copyright.PENANALNpQNNECCN
"Watch yourself here Jason, there are evils here, though not as vile as what we carry."
777Please respect copyright.PENANAfH3BtsXF7k
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.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAma9775chat
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.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAKNCqHeY9JT
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.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAQZhUEZgJTv
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.
777Please respect copyright.PENANALUJFBsIhQv
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.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAX76JoKmG55
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.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAh3qTV3Q3fs
"Let's see you escape this time. The stairs are of metal infused with your favorite herb."
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He moved her head more upright with his boot.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAOJc7PHP0UK
She hissed at him.
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He knelt down and bent over her.
777Please respect copyright.PENANA4kfo1VlzIw
"Just die already. Your so evil I can't believe they didn't kill you yet."
777Please respect copyright.PENANAwjm2nKe2XV
She lifted her head a fraction and spit on his face, then lay back down again exhausted.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAHHXEH93pbu
"Hmm, maybe 2-3 weeks it will take."
777Please respect copyright.PENANAegCQNQK3TD
"What will?" she said in a weary voice.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAAsrtmnQ1Ns
"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.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAFtAtxukQO8
"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.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAquzWxdV6B9
"Drained?"
777Please respect copyright.PENANAGMf27ZYdJz
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."
777Please respect copyright.PENANA7n6cm4VwW6
He grabbed her throat and squeezed. Pins of lights speckled her vision.
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"Remember those poor souls you destroyed? No matter what I do to you, nothing will ever bring them back. At least I can make you suffer!" spittle flew from his mouth.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAwwmFGOPJBc
He let go then walked back up the stairs of the cellar, and locked the door. With a click, she was in the darkness.
777Please respect copyright.PENANA8qnJvc4XAz
The familiar creeping sensation inside her head started up again.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAibQdILhxzJ
Well, if I did at least it-
777Please respect copyright.PENANAg1XVLxB1hB
Wong, I'll just wait for a new vessel to be born, time is nothing for me. You are nothing but a tool.
777Please respect copyright.PENANABL3Uw5cOke
Then why don't you leave now?
777Please respect copyright.PENANA3rXhlHarcL
The god laughed and made her laugh like a mad person.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAV4vAF9d3kG
Because I enjoy nothing more than seeing an Elven suffer.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAzDTDMRyu4Q
I hate you.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAJdK6k6oyer
Thank you.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAMGa9ZpW4xG
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.
777Please respect copyright.PENANArGJ8bOyAH8
The next morning the door opened once again. Footsteps.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAKecDfsa0bA
Jason came down with a single mug of water. Ah, good to know his name again.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAvbQRQBebKn
"Here," Jason said, he tapped her leg with his foot.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAYjes5JqHSA
She looked up at him, with her head to the side. He showed her the water.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAbNNIKJ6ntM
"You torment. Can't move." She closed her eyes expecting a kick in the face.
777Please respect copyright.PENANA5MWq5abK4p
Jason knelt down and put the mug to her lips helping her drink it.
777Please respect copyright.PENANAXFuKKBdI8P
"Why?"
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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."
777Please respect copyright.PENANAzasTM0GhWx
He looked away, "Evil or not I'll bring you a drink once a day."
777Please respect copyright.PENANA1nlKda1z44
The door closed, the cellar darkened, like her hope. Am I?