Hell & Heaven

[ShadowFighter15]

A word of advice to any readers planning on taking up the adventuring lifestyle: keep track of who you piss off; that way, when you're being chased through a dark forest at night by bad guys, you'll have a better idea of who's wanting your head this time. A shame I didn't have that little pearl of wisdom when I needed it.

Damn, you'd think these guys'd at least have the courtesy to tell you who they are before they make with the crossbow bolts. I winced as I tried to pull my wings closer while running. I'm sure Dad would've liked to see me now - if the scaly bastard could ever bother to leave his cave. Running through a forest with a broken arm, a crossbow bolt in my chest (and the flight muscle for my left wing), holes in my wings from more crossbow bolts, my mithril chainmail damaged and I think I had one stuck through my tail (at least it didn't get stuck to a tree like last time that happened; that was humiliating).

Before I realised it, I'd passed the edge of the forest. I kept moving, not wanting to make myself an even easier target than the open field was already making me. I felt a prickling on the back of my neck, someone was casting a spell. I didn't know what it was, but I turned back to see if it came from there and saw a small hail of crossbow bolts racing towards me-

-only to bounce of an invisible wall about ten feet away from me. Wait, I thought. When did that- A blast of divine energy in the tree line interrupted my thoughts, and I saw a figure land on-top of the Wall of Force (no doubt having used a flight spell). With the light from the divine spell from before silhouetting the figure, all I could tell was that it was a woman, humanoid, and possessing a slender tail. And evidentially a mage of some sort, as she cut loose with a series of four balls of fire that streaked towards my attackers, incinerating some and causing a rather considerable blast.

There was a loud roar from above and a truly massive bird flew overhead to join the fray, an armoured figure leaping from its back and onto the Wall of Force as the roc started to lay into my now-fleeing assailants.

I've seen clerics and mages as strong as them cut loose before, but the sight always leaves me in awe. Even a guy like me; a swordsman who uses a lot of wands and other magical gear to supplement my sword-skills, would never come close to the sort of power people like that can throw out. I've even heard of mages powerful enough to create their own small plane of existence.

"Whoa. Guess Lady Luck was smiling on me tonight. Thanks for the save."

OOC: Need someone to play the two characters who saved mine. Details in "Threads That Need Players"


Name: Marcus Tendrak
Age: 20
Race: Half-human, half-silver dragon*
Height: 6' (6'6" counting wings)
Length: Roughly a foot
Description: Mostly humanoid, with the exception of two large, draconic wings and a long tail. Body covered in silver scales, fingers ending in sharp claws, teeth all pointed (like a dragon's), eyes are silvery-white with slit pupils. White hair reaches to his waist, tied back to keep it out of the way. Wears a light suit of mithril chainmail and carries a longsword wreathed in electricity and covered in a light frost. A trio of satchels hang from straps around his torso. At the moment, a crossbow bolt is sticking out of the left side of his chest, another is through his tail and his left arm is clearly broken and dislocated. Despite the injuries, he doesn't show any signs of pain.

*Before you wonder about the logistics involved in that; dragons can shapeshift (unlike in some of the dragon-related stories elsewhere on these forums)

 

[maskedgoddess]

Heaven and Hell. Appropriate. They had been to both and back, more times than either cared to think about. It seemed only right that they gave as good as they got. And they did. Whenever they came across others, be they in need of kindness or judgment, they were quick to hand it out. Over the years, the legend had become skewered. Many looked at them, assuming the Aasimar was Heaven and the Tiefling was Hell. Sometimes, yes, that was true. But the cleric could be a Hell in her own way.

"I swear, Suri, I saw something." The two sat on the back of the swift moving Roc, their eyes on the forest below them. The Roc, Marcomir, had been with them a while. They had saved his life, gaining his loyalty. The Tiefling leaned over more, trying for a better look. Her tail curled around the Aasimar, Suri's, waist. Both had enhanced eyesight, seeing further in the dark than normal humans.

"You saw normal night life in a populated forest, Karask. Can we please just find somewhere to camp? We all need some rest." Her voice was soft as she ran her gloved hand over the Marcomir's feathers. They had traveled most the day, with no real destination in mind. It was one of the rare times when the Roc got to follow the wind currents. Surinya would miss him when he choose to go his own way.

"There!" Was the only warning she got before Karask launched herself off Marcomir's back. Stifling a growl, Suri leaned, watching her partner spell-cast while falling. Getting closer, she caught sight of the mob after a single target. Marcomir followed Kara's decent, bringing Suri within range of the pursuers. Unsheathing her sword, she jumped from Marcomir's back, landing lightly on her feet. The gold of the sword gleamed in the firelight that blazed from some unfortunate few that Kara had focused on, her eyes flashing, quickly counting her foes. The Roc had landed on a few, already deciding the fate of those to be his dinner. Her lips curled slightly, in an almost smile. Counting to five, she gave them a head start, before taking off on foot to pursue the pursuers.

Kara checked. Down to four, Suri could handle those. Her smile was wide and wicked as she dispelled her wall and floated to the forest floor. Her smiled turned into a deep husky laugh when she spied her companion giving chase. Justice would find those quickly enough. Her tail curled around her right leg, rubbing it slightly.

"Whoa. Guess Lady Luck was smiling on me tonight. Thanks for the save."

Kara turned. Her red eyes glowed as she looked him over. With measured steps, she moved closer, she stopped short of him, remaining out of reaching distance. Her lips curled up again. "I suppose I've been called worse." She cast a glance behind her after a scream was suddenly stopped short. "Your welcome for the save. Though it seems they still managed to get bits of you." She turned back around, her eyes moving to his arm and tail. Resting her hands on her hips, she continued to take stock of his injuries.

"I lost the last 2." The soft melodic voice floated forward from behind Kara. Still carring her sword in hand, Suri moved to stand next to Kara. Now that the danger had passed, she needed to see who was the object of their rage. And why.

***

Aasimar:

Name: Surinya
Height: 6'3
Description: Surinya is serenity at it's extreme. Tall and slender, it is easy to overlook her physical power. (( see: http://www.resimlersokagi.com/data/media/26/elven_chainmail.jpg )) Covered from neck to foot in armor, many mistake her for an elvin woman until they look at her face. Pure gold eyes look out from pale purple skin. Rare among her kind, she has no additional markings on her skin. Her purple hair, only a shade lighter than her skin, is always pulled back into a braid, which reaches to her lower back. She carries a single thin long sword. The blade is gold, pearl wings create the cross-guard, with an amethyst gem at the end of the hilt. Aside from the sword and armor, she is unadorned, elegant in her simplicity.


Tiefling:

Name: Karask
Height: 5'7
Description: Eyes solid red, horns curling back over her curly black shoulder-length hair, and skin dusted red give away Karask's Tiefling heritage. That, and the whip-like tail often curled around her right leg. Dressed like a buxom pirate, Kara wears knee high soft leather boots over tight black pants, a billowy off the shoulder white shirt under a tight black vest. (( see: http://images.halloweencostumes.com/realistic_female_pirate_cos.jpg without the hat.)) With her she carries two onyx daggers strapped to her thighs and a staff of black ash. Her fingers are adorned with rings, at least one on each finger. Around her neck is a lace choker with a Blood Moon Ruby in the center.

 

[ShadowFighter15]

"I've been through worse," I said when the sorceress - who I could now tell was a tiefling - pointed out my injuries. "At least I didn't lose any limbs this time."

She was surprisingly attractive and was one of the few tieflings I'd met who didn't give me the sense that they were going to mug me (and quite a few have, unfortunately). She was also the first mage I'd met who didn't wear robes. Guess she didn't want to stop at bucking just one stereotype.

"I lost the last 2." I heard the tiefling's partner call as she came back. I'm no planar expert; but I can recognise an aasimar when I see one (an aasimar assassin cut my tail off a few years ago; a fortnight of no balance while trying to find someone to regenerate it is not an experience I care to repeat). This girl was the tallest I'd ever met though; slightly taller than me if you ignore my wings.

If her partner ignored the stereotypes of her kind and profession; this aasimar played them up, probably without realising it. Beauty, serenity and poise all rolled together was something common in aasimar (or at least their depictions in stories).

"Doesn't matter if a couple got away; I just wish I knew who they were. Listen, I hate to impose, but you wouldn't happen to have some healing spells free, would you? I used my last potion about ten minutes ago."

 

[maskedgoddess]

Surinya inclined her head and stepped around Karask. "It is no imposition." Sheathing her sword, she removed her gloves. On the back of both hands was the same design, white and black lines forming a shield with a crescent moon in the center. She moved close, closing her eyes. Holding her hands less than an inch from his skin, she began her prayer. She became a statue, unmoving save for the slight rise and fall of her chest, and her lips. They formed the words of her prayer, yet she didn't give voice to them.

"She'll be that way. And you'll be feeling some pain when that arm begins to heal." Kara shook her head and paced slightly. She was constant motion, even when she was standing still. With a shrug, as if saying there was nothing to be done about anything, she looked over at the Roc. He had finished his meal and had laid down near the trees. Knowing he was a better guard than any spell she could cast, she turned back to the man they had saved. If you could overlook the current wounds, he wasn't half bad looking.

"So, that happen often? You being chased by the gods know who for the gods know what reason? Or are you the type to have so many enemies, you can't keep up with them all?" The last part was more speculative than an actual question. She watched as his wings slowly knitted back together. It was interesting to watch, but she didn't envy him the feeling of the wound closing. Suri's healing was always felt. The last time she asked about that particular sensation, all Suri would tell her was that they were wounds given in battle, and as such, should not be forgotten least one forgot what caused them.

 

[ShadowFighter15]

"Thanks for the-" My eyes bugged out as the arm popped itself back into place, groaning through gritted teeth as it did so. I'm sure I looked a right laugh to my saviours (I've gotten similar reactions from travelling companions in the past). "-warning."

"It's not that I don't have too many enemies to keep track of," I continued as I felt the bolt in my chest work itself free while I tried (failingly) to ignore the pain. "It's that I never bothered to keep track of them in the first place. Stupid idea, I know, but I can't do much about it now. I never caught your names, by the way. I'm Marcus Tendrak." I stuck my sword into the ground and offered my hand to the tiefling.

 

[maskedgoddess]

Karask stifled a laugh. She knew it wasn't funny, knowing that at times it could hurt like hell. Still smiling, Kara shook his hand. Her grip was soft, a barely there touch. She held his hand for a few extra moments. She studied him as she settled on the ground. Her tail uncurled from her leg and flopped across her thighs, tapping slightly. "I'm Karask."

Names were powerful things. As a mage, she knew that given the right spell, one's own name could be someone's downfall. Suri had slowly adapted to giving only their first name, never their full. Her lips curled in a slight smirk. "And the lovely lady with her hands on you is Surinya."

At the sound of her name, Suri slowly dropped her hands, her lips no longer moving. She kept her eyes closed, and her breathing was deeper than it had been. Spells of any kind required something from the caster, even prayers. Sacrifices were the name of the game. Luckily for Kara and Suri, it was only energy that was sacrificed.

"Next time, Sir Tendrak, I would suggest not standing in front of the weapons aimed at you." Surinya's tone was straight, no teasing, no humor, nothing more than one warrior talking to another. That didn't stop Kara from letting out a laugh. Without opening her eyes, Suri turned away and walked towards the Roc, leaving Kara with Marcus.

 

[ShadowFighter15]

"Easier said than done when you don't know the weapons are there." Some thing twigged in the back of my head as Surinya walked over to their roc.

"Wait a minute; a tiefling mage named Karask and an aasimar priestess named Surinya? I've heard of you guys; Hell and Heaven, or something like that, right? I've followed some of your work; you two are pros. Although I think the bards might be exaggerating a few things; like how you got yourselves caught between opposite sides of the Blood War and had to fight your way out. With the numbers I've heard, no-one should've been able to get out of that."

 

[maskedgoddess]

As she walked over to the trees, Surinya pulled her gloves back on over her hands. She heard his comment, knew the truth to it. She merely choose not to reply. His wounds were more extensive than he had known, than she had guessed. She walked to Marcomir's side. They didn't have a saddle, but they did have a special pack set up that rested against his back, allowing them to carry items without hindering the creature. With a quick tug, the strap came undone and she pulled the pack from him. Setting it down, she removed a simple blue cloth and spread it out. In the center of the cloth was a blue book, engraved with the same crescent moon as on her hands. Kneeling before the book, she feel into that statue form again.

Kara shook her head and turned back to Marcus. "Looks like I'm on watch." With a smirk she hopped to her feet and gave a dramatic sweeping bow. Her laugh and body spoke of all manners of sin, as her tail coiled around her leg. "Heaven at your service, Sir." With a laugh and a wink, she rose back up, placing her hands on her hips. Her eyes lost some of their sparkle at the mention of Blood War. In her mind, Kara could still see the events. Each unfolding. One nightmare after the other. It was the beginning. Or the end, depending on your views. Suri had saved her life that day, and she hers. Though they never spoke of it, it was the moment their bond had been sealed.

Heaven and Hell met in the center.
The Sun's Ray clashing with Oppressing Night.
As the blood grew thicker and deeper,
Heaven and Hell released Justice's Might.

Yes, they had heard the tales, the next more horribly written than the last. And it was true that some things were exaggerated. But there was a lot more left out. Thank the Gods. "Don't believe everything you hear." Her eyes darted back to Suri's meditating form, before looking back at Marcus. "Suri and I met in this village square where a bard was rambling on about some deed of these two heroes. For a laugh, we'd thought we'd try traveling together. So far, the jokes haven't stopped and thus, here we stand before you. A tiefling spellcaster and an aasimar healer." She laughed, shrugging it off.

 

[ShadowFighter15]

The way she did that bow made me very glad that I couldn't blush (scales can't change colour just because of increased blood-flow) and gave me an idea on just how the fiendish blood got into her family. I noticed her mood darken for a moment when I mentioned the Blood War. Her story sounded convincing, but that dark flicker made me doubt it. Still; they saved my life, so the least I could do was to let them keep their past. Gods know there are a few times in my life I'd rather forget.

"So what's the cloth and book for?" I asked as I pulled my sword back out of the ground and sheathed it. I also noticed some of my blood on my shirt. Great, I thought. I was hoping to make that wand of prestidigitation last a little while longer, they aren't cheap.

 

[maskedgoddess]

Her heart beat a soft ticking in the distance, Surinya cleared her mind. The heart beat slowed, beating just enough to tie her to the mortal realm. Each priest and priestess communed differently with their god or goddess. Each had their rituals. For Surinya, it was a moment of reflection. Before her inner eye, she saw the events of the day. She saw her choices. The fight played out before her, each action and reaction previewed for her judgment.

How did she know that those she chose to attack were the ones in need of judgment? They were many, chasing a single wounded target.

Were they justified in giving chase? Unknown.

Why attack before knowing? It was unreasonable to send so many after one so badly wounded.

It would continue thus, as she meditated and her body rested.

Outside of Surinya's mind, Kara studied Marcus. He wasn't the first to be curious about the two. These were the same questions Kara always dealt with when Suri was in meditation. Instead of answering him right away, she walked over to the pack that Suri had left sitting on the ground. Opening it back up, she pulled out her sleeping roll. Closing the pack back, she looked around for the Roc. He was watching the two legs quietly, almost as if waiting for something. Kara smiled, a full smile. "Find a nice place to rest tonight, Friend. She'll call if we need you." The Roc dipped it's head, before taking to the skies.

Kara stood up, lifting her roll and moving over behind Suri. "So, the book and the cloth. Sweet Suri is a priestess. They are merely her tools for helping her focus herself. Much like a spell caster would use a wand or staff." It was the easiest way of explaining the drama of the devout. That, and she didn't like to just give away secrets.

Unrolling her bed, she settled onto it, her back to Suri and looked over Marcus again. There was something about him. After he'd been healed, he wasn't too bad looking. It had been a while since she spent personal time with a man. It was hard to tell his coloring in the dark, but she knew he had draconic blood in him. Those wings were a dead give away. Her eyes slowly moved down his body, taking in his armor and weapons. A fighting class, non spell or prayer related. Used a sword, even though those claws looked like they could do some nice damage. Metal armor, so not a thief. So why the mob? Not one to mind her manners, she turned the questions to him.

"So, what's a handsome devil like you doing being chased by an angry mob in the middle of the night? Were they Rangers after you for defiling their precious trees? Or Fathers defending their pure daughters from your evil ways?" She grinned at the last thought. She'd seen it happen. Traveling from town to town, one met all sorts of adventurers. Most were looking for the easy life. Those were the ones that usually got chased out of town for attempting to seduce a daughter.

 

[ShadowFighter15]

I laughed at her suggestion of why I'd be hunted. "Nothing quite so scandalous; most of my work comes from town guards and such, so I've made a few enemies who live a bit to the left of the law." I sat myself down next to Karask.

"I wasn't sure who they were at first, but now that I've had a chance to look at these crossbow bolts they were firing at me," I held up the bolt that had been through my tail. "I think I have a few theories. Not many organisations around here that use barbed bolts of adamantine like this and would come this far out into the middle of nowhere to kill me. There's an organised crime syndicate in that big city south of here, a stubborn lich out west and a rather unscrupulous mercenary group who wander all over the place; gods know where they're based now."

Something occurred to me as I thought about the last of those options. "If it's the mercenary group, then they'll probably have a second force as back-up in-case the first failed - it's what they did last time I fought with them. I'm probably just being paranoid, but I'd rather sleeping somewhere more secure. And I think I've got just the thing for that." I started rummaging through one of my bags. "Gah, where the hell was it?" I remarked as I reached further into the bag of holding, my entire arm inside it.

After some more failed rummaging, I decided I needed to see what the hell I was doing and stuck my head inside. "Where the hell are you, you bastard?" I can only imagine how I looked with my head and arm inside the thing, with my voice echoing out. I finally pulled my head and arm out of the bag, holding a scroll. "Gods, it's cluttered in there. Anyway, picked this up a while ago; a scroll of Magnificent Mansion. Creates an extradimensional mansion that only the people we want can enter and the entrance is completely invisible to anyone we don't want to come in. I can use some wands and such, but I doubt I'd be able to use something as complex as this successfully. Care to give it a try, or would you rather sleep outdoors? I think I've got some alarm stones in one of these bags."

 

[maskedgoddess]

Kara shifted so that she could look in Marcus' face as he sat next to her. Manners weren't her strong suit, and it just dawned on her that he, having been running for his life, probably didn't stop to pack a travel kit. Of course, taking such tame jobs, he most likely didn't keep an escape pack like the girls did. After the forth or fifth attempt on their lives, they started going everywhere with their pack. Just in case.

Kara focused on the bolt. "With time, I might be able to track the owner of the bolt. Of course, if they are who you think they are, we'll find out quicker than it would take me to research." Dropping her head to the side, her black hair cascading over her shoulders. Amusement lit her face as she watched him dive into the bag of holding, or a dementional pouch. She had seen a few of both of those. When he wasn't sucked in completely, she settled for a bag of holding. He had his head in now, and she couldn't hold back the laugh that rippled out of her. It was comical to see the head and half a torso inside a small pouch. Her tail uncurled from her leg and moved around Marcus. While he searched, the tail tested his armor, as if trying to figure out what it was.

He reappeared holding a scroll. Kara, choking back her laughter, listened patiently while he explained the spell. Giving in to a little eye roll, she shook her head. "If you want, I can cast it for you, but Suri can't be moved and I'm not leaving her out here alone. Besides, if they come back, it'll help fill the long hours till dawn." Kara looked around them. The first time that night, a frown marred her face. She hadn't realized how open the area was. She attempted to stand back up, but a sharp tug at her tail dropped her back down. "OOF." Blinking in surprise, she looked down over her shoulder. Sure enough, the tail had managed to latch onto some of his armor. While poking at his armor, the tail managed to slip through some of the links, entwining itself in his armor. Momentarily forgetting their exposed predicament, Kara glared at her tail. "Sorry, it has a mind of it's own some days."

 

[ShadowFighter15]

"Alarm stones it is then." I said as she mentioned Suri not being able to be moved. "You can keep the scroll though; think of it as partial repayment, nowhere near enough but I should be able to find a better way to repay you."

I felt a tug on my armour as she stood up and promptly fell back down. Somehow, her tail had worked itself into one of the holes in my chain shirt and was now caught in the damn thing.

"I know the feeling," I said after she apologised, my own tail coming up from another of my bags with a necklace of fireballs, dangling it over my shoulder. "Okay, let's see if we can't you free." I said as I started to unbutton the mithral armour; it'd be easier to get her tail out if I wasn't wearing it. With the shirt off, I was able to slide her tail free.

"You know; it might not be the same for all tieflings, but I remember hearing a rumour somewhere that a tiefling's tail was very sensitive. Any truth to that or is it just something writer's use to spice up a sex scene in a story?"

 

[maskedgoddess]

Kara shrugged and set the scroll down on the bedroll. They weren't suppose to take unnecessary payment for their help. Suri's rules. But what Suri doesn't know, Kara gets to keep. "Don't worry about payment. Our reward is knowing that we helped save someone." Her face was deadpan, but her tone implied that she had been merely parroting. Obviously, Kara didn't completely agree with the statement, but she followed it. It kept away the lectures.

Kara laughed even as her eyes took in his unarmored chest. She appreciated the male body, especially one as well shaped as his. Her laughter was directed towards the tail. "So, your not the thief, but your tail is." Her eyebrow arched slightly at the necklace. Mage mind working, narrowing down what all enchantments could be on such an item, how much it would cost, and how much time and skill it took to create such an item. She wasn't a thief, but she knew her craft and that item could be worth a small fortune.

Once free the tail curled around Kara's waist. If it could pout, it would definitely be doing so. Before the tail could get her into more trouble, she stood. The alarm stones would be nice, but she had her own early warning systems. Once standing the tail slid down her leg, curling again around her ankle. It didn't rub her skin this time. It was sulking. She looked to the forest, wondering if she should have kept Marcomir around. Ah, well. In her mind, she pictured a circle of shelves. Books lined each shelf. From one shelf, a book floated to the center and opened. Pages flipped as if looking for something. They had ran from that way, and again disappearing into the trees in that direction. Logic would say that they would return that way, should they choose to return. In her mind, the pages stopped flipping, the book floating open. A simple spell, but effective. She had altered the ALARM spell slightly. It wouldn't sound an alarm, merely send a magical warning to her, waking her if she was asleep, and letting her know the what and where of the barrier breach.

"If your friends decide to return, aside from the trees, what other direction are they likely to come at you?" She wasn't familiar with this area. But then, they never did stay anywhere long enough to become familiar with the area. Unless there was a major conflict. Like a war that they couldn't keep themselves out of. Or major injury that couldn't be healed completely by the holier than thou types. But that was neither here nor there. For now, she had to protect the current campsite. Suri would be out of commission unless the situation became dire, leaving just Marcus and Kara to fend for themselves against the semi-unknown. No good deed goes unpunished.

Caught off guard by his question, Kara turned to him, eyes wide. "Seriously? They write stuff like that?" She shook her head. Perhaps she was studying the wrong books whenever they came to a major city with a tower or library. "Not sure. There are times when the tail seems hyper-sensitive. And times when it's almost not there. Mostly, we just grow accustomed it's sensations and rarely notice them unless we focus on the darn thing." Again her eyes roamed his form, her lips curling wickedly. "The important thing is, the tail and i have never had any complaints."

 

[ShadowFighter15]

"Well then think of it as a gift." I said as I put my armour down on the ground and put the necklace back where I'd gotten it.

"I wouldn't say my tail's a thief; it just ends up doing things without me thinking about it." I watched her stand up, my eyes following her tail as it wrapped around her ankle. My gaze drifting along it, following it as it coiled around her leg and ran over her-

I stopped looking at that point; they saved me so I shouldn't go staring at their asses. I was snapped back to reality by her question. "Well, if it is that mercenary group; they'll probably have a force come at us from across the open ground. It'll only be a small force of horsemen, but they'll be surrounded by illusions to make them seem like a much larger force. The idea is to scare us into the trees, where their marksmen start sniping at us from the trees, like they were doing before you guys turned up.

If it's the lich, then he'll wake us up himself before attacking; he's got one hell of a melodramatic streak and likes to use illusions just to make his entrance seem cooler. He's a powerful wizard, but he's got to be a total idiot. He's entertaining at least, so that's something. We won't need to worry at all if it was the crime syndicate; they won't launch another attack until the survivors from the one before return."

Her last remark rattled me a bit (while adding a bit of strength to my idea of her being descended from a succubus or incubus) and I coughed to try and cover it. "Well that's... good to hear." Yeah; when I get thrown-off, a lot of my conversational wit disappears.

 

[maskedgoddess]

"Oh brother. Nothing is ever simple..." Kara sighed, turning in a circle. She would make the Alarm strongest across from the trees. The Lich would teleport in the center of their camp, so the Alarm wouldn't work completely as intended for him. However, should the swords for hire come at the from the open fields, attempting to drive them into the trees, they would circle around to flank them, forcing them to flee away, thus into the trees. Bah, it made her miss the days of kill them all, let the gods fight for the souls. "OK, Set your Alarm rocks just inside the tree line. That should give us a little warning as to when their Markers get into position. She stood facing the open field before them, her back to the trees.

Her shoulders dropped, the visible sign that her body just went liquid relaxed. Her tail slithered up her leg, wrapping around her waist to remain out of her way. Closing her red eyes, she took three deep even breaths. Her voice dropped to a husky whisper as she started to move. In her mind, she pictured their camp site. Mentally measuring the area out, she envisioned a shimmering blue runed circle surrounding them. It expanded a good bit as she pushed on the wall. Her body, during this time, had began to move, her feet slipping across the grass, her hands, fingers and arms snaked out in front of her and to the side of her. Each movement looked fluid and random, but they were all drawing the necessary runes to cast the Alarm. Her lips moved in the language of her birth. Magic was always stronger, when tied to personal attributes.

When she had finished, she appeared just a little more exhausted than when she started. Opening her eyes, she turned and flopped as ungracefully as she could onto her makeshift bed. Her lips curled as she closed her eyes. Her skin had lost some of the red tint. "Tongue tied? Don't worry, I get that a lot. I promise it wears off...eventually." Her voice was soft, a hint of amusement lit her voice. The tail uncurled from her waist and played in the grass, flicking here and there, slithering one direction then the next. "How about you? How sensitive is your tail?" She never bothered to check, having never slept with a draconic before.

 

[ShadowFighter15]

I pulled the alarm stones out of my bags along with a wand, which had a modified version of Mage Hand, allowing me to set all of the stones at once without having to even stand up.

Watching her cast her wards was... distracting, to say the least. But I was impressed by her grace and fluidity. As well as the way some of her movements lent her just the right amount of bounce.

I mentally kicked myself when that last thought came up. Damnit; stop perving on one of your saviours, you scaly idiot. I thought to myself as she finished her spell and flopped onto the bedroll like a puppet that just had an unfortunate encounter with some garden sheers.

I was a little shaken by her question about my tail (or at least because of that amused tone in her voice). "About as much as an arm or a leg, really. Why, you thinking of having some fun with it?"

 

[maskedgoddess]

Shifting her head to one side, she looked up at him. Her lips curled more, casting her features in teasing temptress set. "My dear Marcus Tendrak, I wouldn't ask if I didn't want to know." Her eyes closed for a few seconds before opening again. "And, as I have never happened upon one such as yourself that wasn't trying to take my head from my slender shoulders, I have not had the chance to find out for myself." She lowered her eyes to his pack, judging the size. Her slowed brain took a few moments to remind her that it was a bag of holding. "You got a bedroll in there? Might as well get comfortable while we wait for either the morning to come, or your friends to return."

She closed her eyes again, conserving her energy. Her mind replayed the fight. It had happened quickly, once they joined in. She wasn't paying too much attention to who or what she fried. In truth, she was more interested in the delicious creature she saw running for his life. Suri wouldn't grasp that concept, or at least Kara didn't think she would. She had never seen Suri show interest in that aspect of life. She was devout, giving herself to only few. To her God, first. In the last few years, Kara had come in second, and then those in need third. They were opposites. Which was fine. Suri could recharge herself in prayers. Kara was going to see how far she could 'recharge' herself with the sexy warrior next to her.

 

[ShadowFighter15]

Either she's damn good at this, or that demon blood just makes her that much better at it. I thought to myself. I was pretty sure she was trying to seduce me, but I was a little out of my depth; never having been on either end of seduction in the past... well okay, there was that girl out east, but she turned out to be an assassin so that doesn't count.

"I think I've got one in one of these bags." I replied when she asked about a bedroll as I started looking through them. "Well that's odd; it should be in here. I don't-" I'd say my blood ran cold, but it does that normally (being half-silver and all). "Oh crap; I left the damn thing behind! I'd set up camp for the night and had dinner cooking when I got ambushed. And I'm totally lost now so I won't be able to find it all again. Oh well; I'll be right with sleeping on the ground tonight. Gods know I've done it plenty of times in the past."

It might just be my scales, but cave floors? Not as bad as you'd think.