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Post by Winter on Jan 11, 2006 13:02:15 GMT 8
Her left shoulder throbbed, a painful reminder of where a huge splinter had found its mark upon her retreating form not a week ago. Nothing can be said about the hut where it originated from or the village for that matter. She didn't wait to inspect the destruction brought upon the raiding party. That was the last encounter with a score of Fire Knights. At least they were who she suspected them to be given the ruthlessness and swift judgement upon an unsuspecting Earth community. And it was all because of harboring a water summoner. She shook her head, pushing lightly against the door to gain entry to yet another tavern. The search must go on. And perhaps this night will be a lucky one for the fatigued traveller.
A rush of warm air greeted her arrival, bringing forth the putrid smell of burnt tobacco and stale brew, petite framed clothed in travel garments of sapphire hues hidden underneath a worn grey cloak. Yes, perhaps this night she will find one of her kin if not the One. "Fire Kingdom be damned.." She muttered as she heads for the bar, azure orbs gliding in their socket taking mental notes of escape routes.
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Post by Yalar En Kemen - Syrus Durgar on Jan 12, 2006 8:16:54 GMT 8
The acrid scent of smoke and sulfur radiated without hinderance across the village grounds build amidst the forest's edge. Women and children who had survived the assault, most of whom had the luck to have succussfully fled before the raiders found them, slowly and in mourning, collected the remanents of their lives and said their goodbyes to their slain brothers, husbands, and fathers.
Every last male within the village above the age of 16 had taken up arms in defense; an effort of ultimate sacrifice and hopeless survival. One of the boys, bareally above the age of 14 happened to be close enough to hear the muttered words spoken by the reason Sul's forces had razed his home and family to the ground. He had left the scarred grounds and wandered, taking him to the same little tavern the summoner of Alu had come to pass. He looked to her, innocent green eyes amid an unscarred face, his hands and cheeks still lightly blackened with the sifting through soot and ash. "They rode upon horses of shadow and flame... it was like nothing I have ever seen," he told her almost as quietly as she had muttered. The boy continued, "why did they come?"
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Avenguard loomed in the horizon of the ruined village, beyond a seemingly endless canopy of trees and forest. There was activity within the earthen fortress, blood boiled and age old hatreds were sparked, rekindled to a ferocity that burned so hot, even Sul himself would have been hesitant to touch.
"Narvinye was right about that damned fool, he has sold his soul to the growing Shadow. If he wants a war, he can damn well have one," shouted the reverberating voice of the Yalar En Kemen as he pounded a fist upon a marble table within one of his grand dining halls of polished stone. Several of his summoners were gathered here in addition to a few 'guests' of Alu's own. Every voice fell to a silence, and it was almost possible to hear the landings of crumbs from across the room.
Syrus Montoya Durgar looked towards the Water summoners across from him; it was on a meeting over a month prior that he had personally met with their master: Narvinye, the Yalar En Alu, Master Summoner of Water... Goddess of East and Winter. She was a beautiful sight to behold, slender and pale... delicate fingers and a pair of blue-tinged lips to accent a head of hair that flowed as gingerly as the finest silks. Yet, she was young, as far as Summoners went. The youngest Yalar to date, ascended to power with the death of Winter's prior Master. Syrus was considered one of the Ancient, a being who had existed since the beginnings, a resiliant force who had denied defeat countless many times over the course of long forgotten centuries.
"Inform your Master, humble agents of Alu, that I wish to speak with her again. She has paid me a visit once in a place of my choosing, and it will only be fitting for her to lay the stage this time. I will meet her in person in one week's time," he told the assembly. Several nods were made and one of his followers almost dared to stand, almost dared to say that he did not trust Narvinye, and wanted to warn his liege of a suspected trap. The Yalar En Kemen shot him a glare the moment he had touched the armrests of his chair, and with that subtle hint, the overcautious summoner fell silent and returned to his seat.
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Post by Winter on Jan 14, 2006 13:13:49 GMT 8
She pulled her traveling cloak closer around her and took a seat at the narrow bar, not even bothering to ask either of the men flanking the stool if they had a friend who was using it; avoiding the toothy grin from the stout tender. And then she waited, eyeing dust riddled bottles upon racks on the wall as she listened intently to the myriad of conversation- from curious whispers to lewd remarks aimed at serving wenches more than ready to snap back with their own stinging retort. Auras swirled around her, weaving into intricate signatures. Some were familiars, some aliens. The tavern it would seem a melting pot of many races, and the majority was of Sul (Wind) and Kemen (Earth).
A gasp soon escaped as she felt the unmistakable tangle of fiery mana, signaling the presence of a Naurian; the Fire race. For a moment her eyelids fluttered shut, fingers clenching into fists. She must not draw attention to herself. She could not afford a confrontation. Not when she had used up most of her summoning energy. All too soon azure orbs would be revealed once again and soon they glide in their socket, searching the room for the nearest exit. And one seemed to be the only choice; the main entrance. She must escape but to make haste in her present company will surely be folly on her part.
The creaking of old hinges holding fast the wooden portal signals an entry to the warm tavern. As if on cue, she moved to rise, nostrils flaring lightly; unconsciously letting out a wisp of icy breath to escape, causing the temperature to drop a few degrees around the vicinity of the bar. But then there was a soft voice in the air, touching her senses and causing lithe form to turn and face the owner. Brilliant eyes widened, recognizing the disheveled boy. He came to her, eyes wide with shock; mirroring the innocent expectation of a young spirit of the Earth. “What are you doing here? Why did you follow me?” She managed finally, a pale hand reaching out to touch the boy’s shoulder, pulling him closer. “You Ma and Da must be worried sick looking for you by now.” She pauses, tearing her gaze from the boy, letting azure orbs glide from one unfamiliar face to the other, eyeing every corner warily. “Here, let me take you back to the village. Tis not safe here”
As they reached the wooden portal, her steps faltered feeling the desperate tug on her hand. “Why did they come?” The query was repeated. A silent sigh approaches, parting from her lips as another wisp of cold breath. “They came in search of summoners” She offered softly, pulling the boy beyond the parted door, averting her eyes from the child’s to stare absently at the looming tree line across the unattended field. “They have come for me”
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Post by Winter on Jan 15, 2006 15:00:19 GMT 8
A cloaked figure laid still upon the ground hidden in the shadows of the trees, he had been on the run for days now and he was exhausted. He needed to rest a least for a bit, finding a dark place that had not received any travel through it in years he would lay himself down and close his eyes. Not planning to fall asleep, but he did as sson as his pale lids would roll down to cover the crystal blue pools. He would stir in his state of light sleep and he would start to picture a young woman in his mind, a powerful summoner for Alu. She was Slender and gorgeous, and as she turned slowly and her beautiful long hair swayed infront of her face. Taren would jolt up from his state of sleep missing all together what her face had looked like. Grumbling he would stir and sit up his back against a tree trunk' That his the forth time in a row I have had this dream.... Each time I would wake before I could see her face.' He would say to himself ans he shook his head trying to gather himself, he stood and looked out from with in the trees seeing a overgrown field and the appearence of a village that had been attacked. Patting at the earthy dark brown cloak he would make sure his entire body was hidded away from the eyes of on lookers, his face shrouded by the overcast of shadows by his hood. He pushed on from the forest and walked toward the village doind well to suppress the elemental ability with in him makeing him seem nothing more then a normal man. With a stick in hand he would use it as if it was a walking stick he continue on with of a look of a feeble weak man hidden below a cloak. He was in search of food and drink , but was also trying to remain un-noticed by the fire knights of naur.
A figure enshrowded in tattered cloth had waited outside the quaint tavern, his body leaning against the wooden and stone building amid a veil of silence and patience. From his aura came the resonating feeling of Earth, cool and strong... unwavering. It wasn't until the Water Summoner, a minion of Alu, had exited before he moved again, pushing his frame and body away to follow closely at her side. "You will take me to your master," he told her in a stoic voice, his face hidden within the shadows of a large overhanging hood. "There is little time now that the war has started, my master is furious with these attacks, and there is much to be done," he continued while keeping stride for stride and placing a hand upon the small Kemen boy. Words had begun to be muttered from the shrowded man and the swirlings of the mana around them began to stir with every spoken syllable. There was a flash, and the boy was gone...
She had not felt his presence for she was too pre-occupied with the task at hand; sending the boy back to his village. And she had plans too. Summoning the undines would not tax her waning energy. But fate has other plans it would seem. The low rumble of man's voice entered her mind like a shrill echo; she almost cringed. Fear was not uncommon, even to the Highest of the Summoners. Especially now that the world in utter chaos. Before she could react, the child was gone from her grasp. Slowly she would turn to face her adversary or so she thought. But the signature of his mana and the ensuing syllables suggested otherwise. Chin would rise as icy blue eyes bore into emerald ones. "Why would I do that? I do not care for your Master and I shan't bother with bringing you to mine". For now the 'old man' walking down the road towards them was ignored but not forgotten. There was something oddly familiar about the auras emanating from his seemingly frail make.
Durgar.. the name would swirl within her tired mind as flashes of a meeting prior to the attacks invaded her reverie. "The high Summoner of Earth." She would state as azure orbs continue to bore into the eyes of the tall Kemen warrior. Obviously he was endowed with some summoning abilities though from the patent of his auras, he is not one of the chosen. A sigh of relief ensued, both of relief and disappointment. She had hoped to find at least one before she finds a place to retire after the battle with the Fire Knights. "I have no idea where to find the Lady." She would answer quietly. As the cloaked figure neared them, she turned her gaze and followed his deliberated movement; thin eyebrow lifting curiosly. For a moment later, her eyes would return to the stern visage, offering nothing but an emotionless expression. "As you so thoughtfully reminded me, I am not in Pinquelek".
"Are you not returning to your Realm? I shall follow you then, into the icey wastes," he told her, his body still as stone itself. He had other things he needed to do as well, and his mission to find the Master Summoner was not the only one he was given. The figure rose his hands to the edges of his hood and slowly he drew it back; eyes of a brilliant green burned with a swirling of mana that faintly made the viewer believe they were changing. His flesh was smooth, seemingly delicate and flawless - it made guessing his real age neigh impossible. He bowed then to the Alu, still suspecting her to be a minion like himself, "Tora," he said in self introduction.
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Post by Winter on Jan 15, 2006 15:01:14 GMT 8
'Cookie!' pipes up a little voice once Tora had bowed to Winter. For a moment it would appear as if the voice had come from no one at all, merely thrown from the old rain barrel near the side of the tavern where they held their meeting.Several short but strong tugs are given to the man's cloak each accompanied by a kind of whine.' Want cookie now!' the voice says again' Gimme cookie!' A round faced little urchin, no older than five years of age with long brownish red hair tied into cute little braids which cascade down her back. Her dress was smudged from her play almost like any commoner's child yet the quality of what she wore was different, more refined unlike her manners.'I want cookie!' she says again.
Taren's head lowered slowly keeping his features hidden below the shadows of the brown cloak that he wore. It had grown tattered at the bottle by his feet but it was still ong enough to hide the blue clothing that he ware below it. A bowl of hot stew was placed infront of him along with a glass of water and a piece of bread and he would nod in thanks and place the payment on top of the smooth wooden surface, a soft sigh would escape as he would see that he didn't have much left in the way of money. His head lowered back to the bowl and the steam would rise right up into his face and he took in the smell, slowly his gaze would turn toward the window and he would look out at the two as they would speak among each other.
It wasent the best looking or smelling but food is food. He slowly grabbed the break and tore a piece off and dipped it into the hot stew and then brought it to his thin pale lips and he ate it. He continued to dip piece after piece into the soup tell all of the bread was gone, he then brought his hand to grip the sthingy and he would finish off the stew and he would slide the bowl forward slowly away from him. His slender pale digits gripped the glass of water and he would bring it with in the shadows of his hood and he sipped at it slowly.Though he was inside and eating he was very aware of the presence of the earth summoner out side the tavern, slides to a corner and sits in it- ))
How she wished his words were true. Returning back to Pinquelek would be the ultimate bliss in this age of misery. But nay, she could not. Even if she had wanted to it was near impossible to return home. Not without finding the Aratar or at the very least, Alu En Arator. She simply watches as he unveils his visage, noting glow of Kemen's unique features upon his angular face. Her own was pale yet flawless, just like the icy corner of the world in which her race dwells. Long tresses of silver and ivory hues swayed as she moved when he bowed to introduced himself. But fingers rose just the same only to brush a few renegade strands from her face. “I.. I am Nienin. And I have no home. Not now anyway. The fire knights destroyed my village. Just as they did with one of yours. I am a rogue.” She professes, letting fingers fall back to their original place; eyes travelling back to the door of the tavern as if searching for the cloaked figure whom had apparently found refuge within. She shook her head as she returned her attention back to the Kemen warrior named Tora. But deep within she knew he was not just a commoner. “It was by chance that I passed through the now destroyed Kemen village and I was on my way to send the boy back to his parents. Now that you have done that for me. I best be on my..” Her words were cut off by the sudden intrusion. Azure orbs widening as they stare down at the small figure. “One of yours?” She would ask, though she felt it was not the case at all.
He had perked a brow at the shouting of the word 'cookie,' and the repeated tugging at his cloack forced him to eventually shoot a glance behind him. He saw nothing, until he looked down to spot a small child to be the source. The Kemen Summoner looked at the child, crouching down to be at eye level to the lass, he spoke then to Alu while inspecting runt, "Naur resides in this one... but her powers are not refined, mayhap not even yet discovered. That... or a ploy, what do you make of it?" He shook his head, looking the child over again, "no... she is not. Perhaps not Naur after all." His hands rested on his knees as he spoke, "I don't have any cookies." With that, he stood up and glanced back to the Summoner who had introduced herself as Nienin, "she may actually be Sul, my apologies, but I have been weary of Naur's agents of late and have been a bit paranoid for them everywhere I look. We must not stay here, Nienin, and in time you must return to Pinquelek, and I with you."
What cuts through the air one would consider a mix of a siren and dragon's roar all bundled into a high pitched bomb. Tears begin to stream from the little girl's eyes, her tiny frame seemingly incapable of such noise even for a second yet she continues to unleash her wail upon the village. A bit of the windows crack slightly in the tavern, though a few of the weaker containers burst outright in people's hands.This matters not to the child though as all her stength perhaps even her powers were focused on her tantrum.
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Post by Winter on Jan 15, 2006 15:01:41 GMT 8
Taren lowered the glass to the smooth bar top once again and he would slide it away from him, he ntoiced the thin layer of frost upon the glass. He slowly pushed back from the bar grabbing the stick carefully and tightly, he turned on his head and he moved off away from the stool and the bar keeping his weight pressed onto that of the stick as he moved in a manner that conitnued to show that he was a weak and frail being. Stopping infront of a window again he would look out through the dirtly glass to see that their was now a small girl with them now, he would sence that she had a power with in her though it was still young. Tilting his head again he looked to the cloaked woman and he would watch her carefully, she seemed so fimilar to him. He couldn't put his finger on it, he could tell she was hiding her power much like he was to keep form being detected. But many did that, to keep from attracking trouble, he could not tell if she was Alu or a summoner from a diffrent element. He slowly turned and shuffled toward the entrance of the tavern and he would place his slender digits to the wooden door fo the building and he pushed it open slowly and a soft exhale and a grunt makeing it seem as if it was hard for him to open it.
Any doubt in his mind on if this child were Naur's or Sul's was gone in that instant as he backed away in a half-frantic stagger cupping his hands to cover his ears. The shrill cry was unbelievable, the amount of pain it drove straight into his mind was amazing, impossible even! Tora stepped further away, ultimately forcing himself to tap into Kemen's gifts. He seemed to dissipate, vanish in plain sight and leave not a trace behind where he was standing simple moments before. A full hundred yards behind, he watched the child and the Water Summoner while trying to rid the ringing from his ears. The child had actually harmed him, that cry of hers more like a sonic blast against stone. She was definately one of Sul's...
She had to allow for a weary smile to spread along pink tiers as she continued to watch the small girl throwing tantrums their way. It was almost certain now that the girl possesses some form of Air summoning abilities; the shrill scream and shattering glass as proofs. Besides, it was almost unbelievable that one would find a carefree child, let alone a powerful one in this times of uncertainties. The very thought of imminent war robbed her face of the shadow of a smile. A heave of breath was taken as she continues to watch Tora and the child though her thoughts fled the scene and resides within the deep recesses. And then there's the matter about the cloaked figure and his undeniably familiar auras. Could he be one of hers or even the chosen one himself? She had to fought the urge to run back into the tavern. She had to at least feed her curiosity. “In time I would probably return to my homeland. But I have unfinished business here. I cannot leave until it has all settled” She offered quietly, tearing her gaze from the duo to reside upon the nearest window. A soft sigh escapes with a wisp of icy breath as she saw nothing but unfamiliar faces though she could feel more than one potent manas within. She turned slowly to face the Kemen warrior only to find the very person she had hoped to see standing just beyond the wooden portal. Azure orbs widens as they caught similar hued orbs staring back at her.
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