Just some seaweed. Silly getting worked up over that.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAacPXOGzzcu
She unwound it, then followed Han, who was by the exit wanting. He got out and stood next to Parcival.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAerWYXY0gMG
Swimming faster she shot out the exit and landed stomach first on the grass.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAx7GcdE3MWm
That was graceful.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAqvX6YJwJ4F
Don't you have better things to do than bug me?
984Please respect copyright.PENANAPtAO1nBoWk
Unnamed snickered.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAFULgEeWExL
"At last we are out of the mountain caverns!"
984Please respect copyright.PENANAdIhnRZnqfv
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.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAd8dRUc9dOp
"We should stop and get something to eat soon." Parcival got up slow and easy.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAKtj2UHo7HG
He hopped up shaking himself hard, spraying water off in all directions.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAIUuaJRWeoZ
She backed away, with an arm covering her eyes. "Watch it!"
984Please respect copyright.PENANAYAIFxXdWNO
His fur proofed out like a fluffy dandelion, his glasses the only spot of seriousness.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAbaHxdT450v
She broke out laughing to the point of tears.
984Please respect copyright.PENANA9ZtoS2tbry
"So cute. So cuddly. I can't stand it."
984Please respect copyright.PENANAkQXJRy4PjI
Han stamped over and got in her face.
984Please respect copyright.PENANARKyrqakZlx
"Don't say it."
984Please respect copyright.PENANAg27HqNSuWs
She waved her hands alternating them over the other. "Wouldn't dream of it."
984Please respect copyright.PENANAP0PsdZf6YX
He turned, wringing the water from his tail.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAzEh4Xw0sC1
He sniffed, then went over to a nearby flat rock and sat on it.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAkkItg7eQ5o
"A hot meal would be nice," she said.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAVbX4t0SCAf
"Well, what way now?"
984Please respect copyright.PENANA4WFoS0UDUJ
The map had stayed dry in the pouch. Unrolling it, she pointed to the small drawing of a silver tree.
984Please respect copyright.PENANARLnVWVSdrn
"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."
984Please respect copyright.PENANAYdFAC5iKY6
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.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAVAqBsyQbRS
"Do you know which beast?"
984Please respect copyright.PENANAiFAU3xhCmJ
"No."
984Please respect copyright.PENANASenalGzWos
"let's keep going and break for supper later," Parcival said.
984Please respect copyright.PENANA7sEyJgY9jV
"So be it."
984Please respect copyright.PENANAcRQ3zD4cyL
She lead the way.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAe1tHn7Wemx
The stomach stopped growing and reduced to a hollowness.
984Please respect copyright.PENANALVb0JYZNJa
####
984Please respect copyright.PENANAAXPt5C2oda
984Please respect copyright.PENANASqgOU6oCmR
984Please respect copyright.PENANAo574Z5eA7B
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.
984Please respect copyright.PENANA3GdrADKSay
There wasn't any chirping or any other sound.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAvNpCBnanQb
"Guard yourselves." Her right ear twitched violently. She pinched the lobe. Arg.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAkHgXe9yRUp
Far off in the west, was it the crunch of leafs underfoot? She strained, it stopped. Should I say something?
984Please respect copyright.PENANALokTG6q9Gt
"Well, the map stops here. Any idea where we should go next?" Parcival asked.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAYfkmWtfbbP
"We need to leave quickly."
984Please respect copyright.PENANA3VHIl0s5zB
"That's not an answer," Parcival said, rubbing his face.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAdUcU2jPLZX
Unrolling it, she scanned it.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAuwKLWJQszX
"If we go North-west here, and around this river, we can get to the city and exit this place faster."
984Please respect copyright.PENANAUW0g26MNX1
"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.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAFzWeY7Kw1G
Han trotted over to him.
984Please respect copyright.PENANApODywQ9aMd
"A rib bone must be broken off inside somewhere."
984Please respect copyright.PENANASfTlSZVswQ
"Let's camp by that giant stump. Can you fix him?" She pointed up ahead.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAH3E9BJj8AA
"Yes, but then that'll be it for the week healing bone isn't easy."
984Please respect copyright.PENANAfNS96qV55K
"Right."
984Please respect copyright.PENANAUHhgS0d7Er
Parcival was heavier than last time. She tried to pull him back up, but her arms weakened.
984Please respect copyright.PENANATmPJnbAPej
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."
984Please respect copyright.PENANAqNmBPTezQT
Startling, she nearly dropped him, then draped an arm over her shoulder.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAjuF8sSP7lU
"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.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAch5b91AR1X
The humor in his eyes vanished, all except for a spark that left as fast as it appeared.
984Please respect copyright.PENANA8wlQgexg4s
"We'll need a fire. I'll go get some wood," said Han.
984Please respect copyright.PENANA3EpeLH3GDy
She led Parcival over to the stump, he eased down leaning against it.
984Please respect copyright.PENANASnluVWp2PO
"It's time I told you something," Parcival reached for her hand.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAC26GLGlS8F
Ah, it's come to this. She stiffened.
984Please respect copyright.PENANA322yGsl9fa
She pulled her arm back. Those blue eyes were full of an emotion that he'd never showed before.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAieLxIC1oac
He stopped. His jaw tightened and his lips thinned.
984Please respect copyright.PENANA1875rq6OBq
"You know you never asked me what I am you know."
984Please respect copyright.PENANAKX9Dx9VVX0
Huh? She relaxed. Well, it can't be as bad as being asked to fry a person.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAgRECdZl9Iu
"Then you are?"
984Please respect copyright.PENANAYH4dDm98n9
"I'm a Paladin, or a "Seeker" as some call us."
984Please respect copyright.PENANAiUiozwqC1I
Interesting. The grand knights of Olenus.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAXFsrdwABVo
"I thought they couldn't lie."
984Please respect copyright.PENANAMwRxonOzb0
She pulled her daggers out brandishing them at the nape his neck.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAuAZxtOa7Ns
"Tell me the truth, now!" she spat out each word and leaned in next to his face.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAELOJsph5k8
"I have been. Put that down!"
984Please respect copyright.PENANAjHDSbBc3ng
Her hand shook, she lowered them.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAWWUUsIkr6o
"Damn you." She huffed and slid back.
984Please respect copyright.PENANA870wNdreHU
His voice thickened with emotion, and his eyes filled with a soft, gentle gleam.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAAZ3tiWAQJu
She sat silent.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAk9wI2A9hoA
"You're important to me. I care about you."
984Please respect copyright.PENANAAP5dEEJ2mH
She tilted her head. Okay? She leaned against the stump by him. What's missing here?
984Please respect copyright.PENANAL9LhyqBe9Q
"That," she paused, "I can believe." Then why tell about being a Seeker? She got up shaking her head between her hands.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAUQFmsmhafj
"Are you alright?"
984Please respect copyright.PENANAbY1rsRY2hE
She stood by him. All muddled and messed up. The more a thought came the faster it twisted and disappeared.
984Please respect copyright.PENANANVsSdroiZb
"Yes."
984Please respect copyright.PENANAMTGf56lQiq
She wandered off behind the stump, as a ridiculous heat covered her face. She pinched her forehead between the brows.
984Please respect copyright.PENANARYAzn0Tevq
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.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAHAwuxDd8nI
Relaxing, she went back and sat near him.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAQhEC8WsHSH
"I want to continue to the city. Perhaps one of the Elder priests can be of help.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAOZTzdQ4SGn
Only the Adapts had a chance of knowing what to do.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAwMmkhXxC8n
"Yes, that could work," Parcival closed his eyes, a hand gripped the grass.
984Please respect copyright.PENANA2ZAr3AvXAP
They still have no clue of this evil, the vines are only the symptom. She shivered.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAkC2nA7AzKT
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.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAWyfDOLyoVr
"Here."
984Please respect copyright.PENANAStvQoa6Hxt
Sitting close she wrapped them around his torso, then knotted it.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAeUMcHdQ4FH
"Thanks, feels a little better, nice and tight."
984Please respect copyright.PENANAHHMDndIwD9
She nodded.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAznYpbI416y
"I'll wait for Han."
984Please respect copyright.PENANA5NRu6wEVZG
She stood then jumped onto the stump. What was I thinking?
984Please respect copyright.PENANAFpM31jn8N0
Several hours passed, and as night took over the sky, a flapping nearby made her sit straight up.
984Please respect copyright.PENANA290tIIEWN4
A flapping nearby.
984Please respect copyright.PENANABIAnyb8OCM
Voices whispering. An unmistakable gurgling screech; above a Neckhawk circled.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAZOjDaDvHWV
Her heart exploded into rapid fire beats. He'll never quit. Where is Han?
984Please respect copyright.PENANAcm2blbWChv
Parcival was laying on his side asleep.
984Please respect copyright.PENANApsVnyQUsrE
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.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAtJEJIvMcnd
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.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAOtYXcaQUTc
"Follow the plan. I won't suffer any mistakes, she must be captured before it's too late."
984Please respect copyright.PENANAZmLZo1HSah
What plan? She slid down following them.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAEl75aIVjNB
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.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAVgW8dzQFr4
She followed silently behind them for a few more feet. She rushed out in front of them.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAb9tdtykTC6
"Stop, not another step." she tensed and held the daggers angled toward them.
984Please respect copyright.PENANA1eUFFA9rRl
"Well, that was easy," said a familiar voice.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAS89tNbWP0U
Her stomach dropped to her boots.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAYaPAEB7IF9
"Maxwell."
984Please respect copyright.PENANAX7KRrLfUhR
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!
984Please respect copyright.PENANACXdcaKu8wG
The vines moved under her skin deeper, her strength drained even more. She stiffened and stood tall. Have to hide this.
984Please respect copyright.PENANALch5wvwAXH
The man in black moved his free hand and tossed a black dot at her.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAkzhYtCM5Sn
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.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAx8EYklqq2W
"Be quiet or I'll kill them as they sleep."
984Please respect copyright.PENANAOJA3HDLvdm
She glared at him.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAR8wxL98IkW
"I doubt it. I have much planned for you," He spit on her face.
984Please respect copyright.PENANArkm0moIPnq
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.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAKamCMKXzXw
"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.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAld7ujxyXV0
Tears flooded her eyes, she blinked, trying to clear them.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAmNz4wLTWL2
"It burns, let me out!"
984Please respect copyright.PENANAIu4Z6md9BC
"One more, one single sound, and they will die. This is your choice, come with me or be responsible for their deaths."
984Please respect copyright.PENANA5AIdILccWd
The man next to him started to walk to the camp.
984Please respect copyright.PENANADMFFWLyAlL
She shuttered and lay there dragging in ragged breaths.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAUjcmEoN2i7
"Grab her before they wake up."
984Please respect copyright.PENANAatGinP6IKy
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.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAPHQdq5skEH
The bouncing of the horse slapped the netting onto her and she yowled then passed out.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAmmNbC0BbFe
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.
984Please respect copyright.PENANASwNjVppSPn
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.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAHVVI4kVkOD
They screamed.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAqvV15WZFOH
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.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAZEvwyW2hC2
The horse came to a stop, and she flopped around trying to fall off.
984Please respect copyright.PENANALYLP4jXe4S
"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.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAI7MPAiwOox
She stopped.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAgc8oRLl237
"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."
984Please respect copyright.PENANAtTNcbUgTvb
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?
984Please respect copyright.PENANAfqsHdMoM89
"Watch yourself here Jason, there are evils here, though not as vile as what we carry."
984Please respect copyright.PENANA51coF1AMmy
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.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAvqewWQ7Ai4
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.
984Please respect copyright.PENANACGqxYPiIxe
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.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAlBBykRKCuV
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.
984Please respect copyright.PENANA4uGkUfkraN
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.
984Please respect copyright.PENANApp9HdTl9hC
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.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAbEB3JBtzYQ
"Let's see you escape this time. The stairs are of metal infused with your favorite herb."
984Please respect copyright.PENANA4ESN7GYoPU
He moved her head more upright with his boot.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAB4COrNXaDo
She hissed at him.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAk6A3pkteQf
He knelt down and bent over her.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAq8S2kp4Hwy
"Just die already. Your so evil I can't believe they didn't kill you yet."
984Please respect copyright.PENANA2EL1BD5VVy
She lifted her head a fraction and spit on his face, then lay back down again exhausted.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAILtOCdudsz
"Hmm, maybe 2-3 weeks it will take."
984Please respect copyright.PENANAz54EtJg9ym
"What will?" she said in a weary voice.
984Please respect copyright.PENANA2e5SjsWNKy
"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.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAFOuXOocUhS
"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.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAge37UVd6i7
"Drained?"
984Please respect copyright.PENANAaMpUqW5cJw
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."
984Please respect copyright.PENANAX2MUa88ECJ
He grabbed her throat and squeezed. Pins of lights speckled her vision.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAUVg4hqeSUt
"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.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAgGYSjOExmT
He let go then walked back up the stairs of the cellar, and locked the door. With a click, she was in the darkness.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAJdRKzd3I2x
The familiar creeping sensation inside her head started up again.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAk2IQZpzPww
Well, if I did at least it-
984Please respect copyright.PENANAiIjru1xRQ7
Wong, I'll just wait for a new vessel to be born, time is nothing for me. You are nothing but a tool.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAr0xGwrLtHN
Then why don't you leave now?
984Please respect copyright.PENANA0YB4j2SPT7
The god laughed and made her laugh like a mad person.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAyYT29CcYvU
Because I enjoy nothing more than seeing an Elven suffer.
984Please respect copyright.PENANA2mIwv59uom
I hate you.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAlwzECQ1t4A
Thank you.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAr1J6gytbQi
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.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAfOZ3o1vPkh
The next morning the door opened once again. Footsteps.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAWTYWAgoPFn
Jason came down with a single mug of water. Ah, good to know his name again.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAK6S43njS5O
"Here," Jason said, he tapped her leg with his foot.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAaOD4Bhi7J4
She looked up at him, with her head to the side. He showed her the water.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAgGIvwdf7ZT
"You torment. Can't move." She closed her eyes expecting a kick in the face.
984Please respect copyright.PENANADAINtpBbZE
Jason knelt down and put the mug to her lips helping her drink it.
984Please respect copyright.PENANAcKGar0H6xH
"Why?"
984Please respect copyright.PENANA2dOS1AzapG
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."
984Please respect copyright.PENANA8KaZPfPTBx
He looked away, "Evil or not I'll bring you a drink once a day."
984Please respect copyright.PENANAqLnYK5ZjJB
The door closed, the cellar darkened, like her hope. Am I?