Just some seaweed. Silly getting worked up over that.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAiDRkvWIURh
She unwound it, then followed Han, who was by the exit wanting. He got out and stood next to Parcival.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAKQj99N3lAB
Swimming faster she shot out the exit and landed stomach first on the grass.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAGryG31Lg1P
That was graceful.
962Please respect copyright.PENANA14OgMWteYo
Don't you have better things to do than bug me?
962Please respect copyright.PENANAes40qYlbk3
Unnamed snickered.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAhuTuNQ7j7V
"At last we are out of the mountain caverns!"
962Please respect copyright.PENANA1Ile2tGpah
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.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAmCHJNalTYB
"We should stop and get something to eat soon." Parcival got up slow and easy.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAHlL0lKNdp0
He hopped up shaking himself hard, spraying water off in all directions.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAI1ujwVqBUH
She backed away, with an arm covering her eyes. "Watch it!"
962Please respect copyright.PENANA9YtjTm3WPt
His fur proofed out like a fluffy dandelion, his glasses the only spot of seriousness.
962Please respect copyright.PENANA3nNC22WKYt
She broke out laughing to the point of tears.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAQrJA6ZTgM7
"So cute. So cuddly. I can't stand it."
962Please respect copyright.PENANAPSoAfJHHc7
Han stamped over and got in her face.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAYg7GXwIigk
"Don't say it."
962Please respect copyright.PENANAkO0xlTxn8E
She waved her hands alternating them over the other. "Wouldn't dream of it."
962Please respect copyright.PENANAIEn7tpf7xO
He turned, wringing the water from his tail.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAtmn0SblaRC
He sniffed, then went over to a nearby flat rock and sat on it.
962Please respect copyright.PENANA5qxhABfjGT
"A hot meal would be nice," she said.
962Please respect copyright.PENANANtZf13nb7O
"Well, what way now?"
962Please respect copyright.PENANACyjDYiLbTS
The map had stayed dry in the pouch. Unrolling it, she pointed to the small drawing of a silver tree.
962Please respect copyright.PENANA1yvSvNiiu4
"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."
962Please respect copyright.PENANAP7Pft2v0V8
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.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAU8iZMj9IFF
"Do you know which beast?"
962Please respect copyright.PENANA2cospdLDoY
"No."
962Please respect copyright.PENANAaul1kI4DmY
"let's keep going and break for supper later," Parcival said.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAM2X5nOGHpy
"So be it."
962Please respect copyright.PENANANXg3UAiUyO
She lead the way.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAtb17kReKGQ
The stomach stopped growing and reduced to a hollowness.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAyixhV4RgjM
####
962Please respect copyright.PENANAkMiNadwMHA
962Please respect copyright.PENANAo8snzioILt
962Please respect copyright.PENANADSPuqD1LCR
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.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAR6lZUj6476
There wasn't any chirping or any other sound.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAEhOqJrYICr
"Guard yourselves." Her right ear twitched violently. She pinched the lobe. Arg.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAP9DMplciJp
Far off in the west, was it the crunch of leafs underfoot? She strained, it stopped. Should I say something?
962Please respect copyright.PENANAt66iR71VPb
"Well, the map stops here. Any idea where we should go next?" Parcival asked.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAxCtlyE0s7T
"We need to leave quickly."
962Please respect copyright.PENANAqJWAU7X4p8
"That's not an answer," Parcival said, rubbing his face.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAiwsyEF4j9V
Unrolling it, she scanned it.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAVdm2KLeSOE
"If we go North-west here, and around this river, we can get to the city and exit this place faster."
962Please respect copyright.PENANACgmU5J4qTR
"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.
962Please respect copyright.PENANA5CvPWyTgVR
Han trotted over to him.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAcAMFFMZ4u3
"A rib bone must be broken off inside somewhere."
962Please respect copyright.PENANABKuVPxGE2r
"Let's camp by that giant stump. Can you fix him?" She pointed up ahead.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAQkn41C8epp
"Yes, but then that'll be it for the week healing bone isn't easy."
962Please respect copyright.PENANAFXOWqY23Wy
"Right."
962Please respect copyright.PENANAcIow8OGjNB
Parcival was heavier than last time. She tried to pull him back up, but her arms weakened.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAkbEfHTcP6x
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."
962Please respect copyright.PENANAAjCqK4LpCy
Startling, she nearly dropped him, then draped an arm over her shoulder.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAYi69S3PKOL
"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.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAdwbMft6Bul
The humor in his eyes vanished, all except for a spark that left as fast as it appeared.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAuPqPQTwdFo
"We'll need a fire. I'll go get some wood," said Han.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAHuppnFTHTc
She led Parcival over to the stump, he eased down leaning against it.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAaI9IjzSxsR
"It's time I told you something," Parcival reached for her hand.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAaXlpLpZ68E
Ah, it's come to this. She stiffened.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAcQmargDlpU
She pulled her arm back. Those blue eyes were full of an emotion that he'd never showed before.
962Please respect copyright.PENANApHyVhpCyHR
He stopped. His jaw tightened and his lips thinned.
962Please respect copyright.PENANA1TwcvAmZn9
"You know you never asked me what I am you know."
962Please respect copyright.PENANAQXdMv5zLAk
Huh? She relaxed. Well, it can't be as bad as being asked to fry a person.
962Please respect copyright.PENANA70d5thbSnv
"Then you are?"
962Please respect copyright.PENANAgCb8hLnagO
"I'm a Paladin, or a "Seeker" as some call us."
962Please respect copyright.PENANAR9OYcEknK2
Interesting. The grand knights of Olenus.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAuzQxetysz2
"I thought they couldn't lie."
962Please respect copyright.PENANAFn46snMuYJ
She pulled her daggers out brandishing them at the nape his neck.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAXyo5UA1oZ8
"Tell me the truth, now!" she spat out each word and leaned in next to his face.
962Please respect copyright.PENANA1mo1PQa5Wz
"I have been. Put that down!"
962Please respect copyright.PENANAeiZVKSa5xX
Her hand shook, she lowered them.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAV0UVIus4CQ
"Damn you." She huffed and slid back.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAAxkdSHNLSh
His voice thickened with emotion, and his eyes filled with a soft, gentle gleam.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAhigOolTS3R
She sat silent.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAQLxeqJiddt
"You're important to me. I care about you."
962Please respect copyright.PENANAWKXi5bHp9R
She tilted her head. Okay? She leaned against the stump by him. What's missing here?
962Please respect copyright.PENANAEq7yZ2qlPP
"That," she paused, "I can believe." Then why tell about being a Seeker? She got up shaking her head between her hands.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAaahtxJbgW3
"Are you alright?"
962Please respect copyright.PENANAQCju7R6uFe
She stood by him. All muddled and messed up. The more a thought came the faster it twisted and disappeared.
962Please respect copyright.PENANA0jFO5fxHkC
"Yes."
962Please respect copyright.PENANAjjaHjiXXef
She wandered off behind the stump, as a ridiculous heat covered her face. She pinched her forehead between the brows.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAjr6bXSVCC7
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.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAUH07edsRDB
Relaxing, she went back and sat near him.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAvqUybiQEjC
"I want to continue to the city. Perhaps one of the Elder priests can be of help.
962Please respect copyright.PENANALdOqbRb9w0
Only the Adapts had a chance of knowing what to do.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAZxRhy3Zwu3
"Yes, that could work," Parcival closed his eyes, a hand gripped the grass.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAOKCoB8jPKk
They still have no clue of this evil, the vines are only the symptom. She shivered.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAxk89dypDfi
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.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAh7tiWf2SsG
"Here."
962Please respect copyright.PENANAP5rCCAosNQ
Sitting close she wrapped them around his torso, then knotted it.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAWpoUmNkMqo
"Thanks, feels a little better, nice and tight."
962Please respect copyright.PENANAAu7c6Y3q3n
She nodded.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAkdehQK45NB
"I'll wait for Han."
962Please respect copyright.PENANAzK6qNdVgrF
She stood then jumped onto the stump. What was I thinking?
962Please respect copyright.PENANALMBg663kC0
Several hours passed, and as night took over the sky, a flapping nearby made her sit straight up.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAk1vVNYJ2LG
A flapping nearby.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAA6IVvOD4BY
Voices whispering. An unmistakable gurgling screech; above a Neckhawk circled.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAmIgZw425QS
Her heart exploded into rapid fire beats. He'll never quit. Where is Han?
962Please respect copyright.PENANAxkj1HHrUyA
Parcival was laying on his side asleep.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAdY2gZX3SLj
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.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAEtXfc4t3ky
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.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAzzPzmN89jm
"Follow the plan. I won't suffer any mistakes, she must be captured before it's too late."
962Please respect copyright.PENANAVyiO61Fh8F
What plan? She slid down following them.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAcBmHLByhX8
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.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAsY2QZKOqFQ
She followed silently behind them for a few more feet. She rushed out in front of them.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAxBz33GDeUz
"Stop, not another step." she tensed and held the daggers angled toward them.
962Please respect copyright.PENANA3Lk428wIb2
"Well, that was easy," said a familiar voice.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAt5XGuHM2Tl
Her stomach dropped to her boots.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAH2K23gzfDe
"Maxwell."
962Please respect copyright.PENANAdExedKEsqe
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!
962Please respect copyright.PENANAM9PYEX6fxy
The vines moved under her skin deeper, her strength drained even more. She stiffened and stood tall. Have to hide this.
962Please respect copyright.PENANA02YkMUfSSd
The man in black moved his free hand and tossed a black dot at her.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAexuS50j9Ov
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.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAkVy9vFfGuP
"Be quiet or I'll kill them as they sleep."
962Please respect copyright.PENANAvv82ClINkV
She glared at him.
962Please respect copyright.PENANADh6XZGhb13
"I doubt it. I have much planned for you," He spit on her face.
962Please respect copyright.PENANA8FmoDAhZvr
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.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAE4Oko6H1AO
"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.
962Please respect copyright.PENANArqIiVaroS6
Tears flooded her eyes, she blinked, trying to clear them.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAT4FICmYimS
"It burns, let me out!"
962Please respect copyright.PENANAtkcmPmzoQ6
"One more, one single sound, and they will die. This is your choice, come with me or be responsible for their deaths."
962Please respect copyright.PENANAhHNDGCrEaC
The man next to him started to walk to the camp.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAUlr0v3jksa
She shuttered and lay there dragging in ragged breaths.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAjM5Hs6RLOg
"Grab her before they wake up."
962Please respect copyright.PENANAG0ErWA3tDe
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.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAKaKMZEb3YH
The bouncing of the horse slapped the netting onto her and she yowled then passed out.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAI3jIMAhH05
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.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAPs55oTLAF7
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.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAfC7dpGz3Dv
They screamed.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAqnXsPVG7Wx
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.
962Please respect copyright.PENANARkzuC7QvN0
The horse came to a stop, and she flopped around trying to fall off.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAU6d6x55MXI
"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.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAjH8j17iSp3
She stopped.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAs19Z7m9iWz
"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."
962Please respect copyright.PENANA7sqqY3JHps
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?
962Please respect copyright.PENANAQLnWw3Z6Pu
"Watch yourself here Jason, there are evils here, though not as vile as what we carry."
962Please respect copyright.PENANADBuo9YZRjl
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.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAZDbcn8KxO7
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.
962Please respect copyright.PENANA0rRczi8U5Z
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.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAM51rM93gia
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.
962Please respect copyright.PENANA95AiGpC5T3
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.
962Please respect copyright.PENANA9lD7gGQfPq
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.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAd7xSax0dtz
"Let's see you escape this time. The stairs are of metal infused with your favorite herb."
962Please respect copyright.PENANAtLWcjGoe2B
He moved her head more upright with his boot.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAc4aeXCuuvA
She hissed at him.
962Please respect copyright.PENANADWLojugxYC
He knelt down and bent over her.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAQgLhtDcjHJ
"Just die already. Your so evil I can't believe they didn't kill you yet."
962Please respect copyright.PENANApWkALxx1d7
She lifted her head a fraction and spit on his face, then lay back down again exhausted.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAhWFwXhpLjX
"Hmm, maybe 2-3 weeks it will take."
962Please respect copyright.PENANA5mK4RRQgV4
"What will?" she said in a weary voice.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAQwNZZrFKwJ
"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.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAO291WHEdsG
"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.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAcrGVlOR83b
"Drained?"
962Please respect copyright.PENANAh2vbWc33NA
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."
962Please respect copyright.PENANAc1kZXhMAty
He grabbed her throat and squeezed. Pins of lights speckled her vision.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAwVr76hTIoZ
"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.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAIV8lHglF7s
He let go then walked back up the stairs of the cellar, and locked the door. With a click, she was in the darkness.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAnhL1Pr0yzx
The familiar creeping sensation inside her head started up again.
962Please respect copyright.PENANA0VheHSmPKB
Well, if I did at least it-
962Please respect copyright.PENANAyWKwJEJfZZ
Wong, I'll just wait for a new vessel to be born, time is nothing for me. You are nothing but a tool.
962Please respect copyright.PENANA6OzhpuIe3S
Then why don't you leave now?
962Please respect copyright.PENANAqBuRSN7RyT
The god laughed and made her laugh like a mad person.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAA0HavlaB5A
Because I enjoy nothing more than seeing an Elven suffer.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAkibJ2rZ3Si
I hate you.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAb5DYC9LbFs
Thank you.
962Please respect copyright.PENANATHa5FG3SWN
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.
962Please respect copyright.PENANApe453Um83e
The next morning the door opened once again. Footsteps.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAc9gbzDbC2l
Jason came down with a single mug of water. Ah, good to know his name again.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAUKa151Skfn
"Here," Jason said, he tapped her leg with his foot.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAIcklWHV2t3
She looked up at him, with her head to the side. He showed her the water.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAo5LOxecYLg
"You torment. Can't move." She closed her eyes expecting a kick in the face.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAo6T25WZA9f
Jason knelt down and put the mug to her lips helping her drink it.
962Please respect copyright.PENANAf85Gy0Y9Z4
"Why?"
962Please respect copyright.PENANAa9LL93chQF
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."
962Please respect copyright.PENANAnphq5x2bBB
He looked away, "Evil or not I'll bring you a drink once a day."
962Please respect copyright.PENANAVRHpOhW1Xf
The door closed, the cellar darkened, like her hope. Am I?