::Looks around in this strange land::

[Nyte]

::ba blink, blink:: ooooooo ARIC!!!!! ::her voice goes from soft to a snarl::

::he watches him disappear into the shadows, knowing it would be close to useless to follow him::

::she mumbles something under her breath, turning to look at the smirking stranger:: oo dont you start ::gives him a wicked glare::

 

[Brenna]

::a giggle is heard from the other side of the clearing as Aric fades into the shadows:: and he thinks he's sooo clever ::another lovely red headed female in tight leather travel gear makes her way into the clearing looking about:: Nyte where do you find these quaint out of the way spots? ::walks over and pets Mael and Nyte notices she has Favard tossed over her shoulder as it sits up and grins at her with pointed teeth. She nods to the two strangers:: Greetings, I'm a friend of Nyte and her boon companion for getting into trouble. ::glances about:: so what mischief are we getting into today?

 

[Nyte]

::her jaw drops to the ground, the light catching on her fangs:: wha..who...gah..you and that imp aric!

::narrows her eyes catching a glimpse of Favard:: ooo and you brought that cashmere welcome mat of yours too..

::she was obviously not in a good mood. Casting one more dirty glare over to path aric had taken, she picked up her cape checking for her favorite blade she always carries on her travels. She stepped through the brush, heading towards where Sibeal had gone, leaving Brenna behind with that irratating overconfident man::

 

[Darb]

Aesbus struggled back to his feet. He was in much pain. He began to make his way over to Drac and with every step he was reminded why he traveled alone and why he avoided women. (they're all so damn cocky) he thought to himself!
He put his foot in the sitrrup and began to climb onto Drac.
Once seated, Aesbus turned and looked over this new stranger. (great, ANOTHER woman, he thought...I had best keep my distance for the good of my health)
"My name is Aesbus, and if you're anything like you 'friend' than I would prefer that you stay over there. I'll be leaving now to contiue on my journey, please let your friend know what a 'pleasure' it was to make her aquaintance."
With that he gave Drac a nudge with the heel of his boot and they began to move forward.
He saw where Sibeal had gone and wondered to himself why he hoped that she was ok.
He gave Brenna a nod as he strode by on Drac and she smiled politely.

 

[Aric_Tairwyne]

::watching the man ride off from his spot amid the foliage to the side of the road, a slight tip to his head, thinking to himself:: "Well, I suppose he just couldn't handle it..." ::a shrug as he looks about, reaching up to drag back a raven lock from his eyes:: "Oh well, I suppose that just leaves me alone with these three..." ::glancing down the way Sibeal and Nyte went and shakes his head before standing and making his way back to the clearing::
You should keep your tailing back a few more yards... I could hear you snapping along through the woods behind me, Brenna dear. ::he tips his head slightly, watching the smirk form on her face::

 

[Darb]

Aesbus reached down and patted Drac on the neck.
"Ready big guy!" Aesbus said into his ear.
"Am I ready? I've been ready since all those people started showing up! I wanted to jump in but I knew you wouldn't have approved."
"What they don't know won't hurt them." Aesbus said laughing a little.
"I doubt that little woman would have brought her knee up like that if she knew whose groin she was laying into." Drac replied.
"Well, friend, I'm certain that that wasn't the last we've seen of her. She is a from a far-away land! I'll cut her some slack." Aesbus grinned at the thought of meeting her again.

He looked around and made sure that they were completely out of sight. Satisfied that they were he reached into his satchel and pulled out the ring. He placed it on his finger, "let's go", he said calmly.

"As you wish Your Majesty" replied Drac.

The mighty stallion reared up on its hind legs and then the two travelers vanished into thin air...

 

[ShyGoddess]

Sibeal:

She sat in a little clearing by the stream. She didn't need to scout, they were not far from the place she had adopted as her home. She didn't know what to think. They hadn't seen her. She had doubled back around the camp, making her way here to think. She had been in under a weeping willow, who's branches had hidden her from view. She had almost called out, but had been shocked into silence when Drac had spoken. And then they had just, disappeared. Poof, no smoke, no nothing. One minute Aesbus and Drac were there and the next, they were gone. Your Masjesty? Who was this strange man? Why had he come here? She intended to find out. She would part ways with Nyte, she would make better time that way. Besides, the place she was going didn't like unknown vistors.

"Come Maven, we must be on our way. It is a long journey to where we must go."

 

[Nyte]

::She pauses in the brush, slowing her breathing to nothing, listening very closely::

"Ready big guy!" ::Nyte listened in closely hearing the man's voice::

::She blinked hearing another male voice, not Aric's. She leaned closer to where the voices were comming from:: "Am I ready? I've been ready since all those people started showing up! I wanted to jump in but I knew you wouldn't have approved."

::Nyte made her way silently though the brush, only a few feet from where Aesbus and Drac were, hidden from view using an old Ravnos vampyre trick::

"As you wish Your Majesty" ::She heard the horse reply. Being from the land she was from, she was not surprized. After all she's seen a shadow demon, a rug with teeth and even a baby True Brujah vamp dragon as pets::

::she blinked. One instant they were there, the next - gone. She made her way over to where aric and bre were.:: yknow theres more to that flirt then meets the eye. His horse, if its really that, called him your majesty. ::looks over at aric:: Think he can lead us to the cure for Kat and Toria?

::Nyte looked back over to where he disappeared, concern for her daughter and bre's daughter clear in her eyes::

 

[Aric_Tairwyne]

:resses his lips together tightly a moment:: Perhaps so, I don't know... ::quirking an eyebrow:: So that is why you are out here in this strange place then? ::shaking his head slowly:: Well, I guess it's as good a place as any. Maybe I'll scout out a bit. ::looking between the two of them:: Think the two of you can get along while I'm gone? ::whistling slightly to call forth his nightmare, the ever black stallion trots up to him from amoung the trees with a whinney::
I'll be about, call if you need me. ::a turn and a hop, slipping up to the back of the horse as he fetches the reins:: And please... don't kill each other... ::a smirk, he looks to the horse:: <w> Come now ShadowRunner, let's go. ::with that the horse trots back to the trees, taking him with him back to the embrace of the night::

 

[Nyte]

::Aric slowed his horse in a clearing, glancing behind him to see if Brenna and Nyte were still following and in one piece provided they haven't killed each other by now. His girls were always so jealous over each other and fought nearly constantly over some petty things::
::He heard a feint whistling sound, as he was thrown to the ground. His "nightmare" fell onto of him, some type of dart embedded firmly into his flank::

::Aric barely had time to process this information before a searing pain shot through his skull and the world faded into the blackness::

::He awoke groggily, quickly finding out that he was shackled to some sort of wall, only second to realizing he was naked from the waist up and weaponless:: bloody hell ::he muttered tugging on the shackles::

::He started murmuring in some ancient language, only to discover that his spell was not working::

It's no use. Magic won't work here. ::he heard a voice say. Looking up he discovered it was non other then mr soprano Aesbus, in the same predicament as he was::



[Edited by Nyte on 06-23-2000 at 01:23 AM]

 

[Brenna]

::The turn of a key is heard in the lock and both men look to see who is coming. As they watch their guard enters the room, if you could call this person a guard. Oh yes, he had a sword and all the implements, but he sashayed instead of walked and he looked them over in a most disturbing manner. Then he spoke:: Congratulations gentlemen, you have won the distinct honor of becoming members of her majesty, the Sultana Dhaara's harem with the chance of becoming her favorite. Her Majesty is always looking for fine ::looks them over:: outlander studs since the men of her kingdom were stricken with the Phag, and I am your keeper Anal. ::As the guard is speaking to them lovely young women in sheer and skimpy outfits come into the room. The women are bearing towels and sponges and other bathing items, and proceed to strip the men completely and wash the grime away from their trip and anoint them with oil and in general groom them. The guard watches avidly, and the girls giggle and carefully wash every inch of them. Unfortunately for the fellows this means, they find Aric's hidden lock pick kit and Aesbus's hidden dagger and the guard tells them more:: I know one of you is a magicker, or rather was. ::smriks:: In this land only women can work magic. No one knows why. So no spells, no enchantments, and if you were a shapeshifter you are locked into your current form. ::Anal smirks at them again and the women bush the hair of the men in the final preparation for their presentation to the Sultana Dhaara. Bathed, petted, and pampered Anal takes them to the throne room to meet their fate::

Meanwhile, back with Bre and Nyte...

[Edited by Brenna on 06-23-2000 at 01:25 AM]

 

[Nyte]

::Nyte's ears perk up a bit, hearing a horse scream:: Brenna! Did you hear that? ::Bre shook her head as nyte noticed the screaming stopping::

::Nyte followed Aric's path through the woods, looking around for the other woman and her cat, with Bre close to her heels only to find aric's "horse" laying on its side, its breathing heavy::

Shh boy ::Nyte comforted the animal kneeling down to look at the dart::

He's been taken ::brenna said, picking up an old dagger in a worn leather sheath. It was Aric's favorite, the one that belonged to his father.::

::Nyte took the dagger in her hand turning it over with a concerned look in her eyes::

 

[Darb]

Aesbus' eyes flickered open. It took a minute for them to adjust to this dimly lit place. He very quickly tried to replay the events that brought him to this place.

The last thing he remembered was reappearing at the entrance to the Shadowlands...he and Drac were beginning to make camp when he was hit in the back of the head with a blinding blow. Now he's here chained to a wall. What was going on?

He looked up and saw Nyte and Brenna's friend Aric chained across the cell from him. He began to awake. Aric tried to speak magik but it didn't work.

Then a guard came in followed several scantly clad females.
Aesbus was helpless as the women stripped him naked and began to bathe him. Aric tried to resist at first but he was still weak from the potion that they had given him.
The guard and the ladies led us into the Sultana's bed chamber and there left us chained to her wall.

"Drac, Drac, can you hear me" Aesbus sent his thoughts out. They said magick was useless but they didn't say psychic powers were not available.
"I hear you Sire, what happened!!??!!" Drac replied urgently.
"I'm not sure yet but both Aric and I are chained to the wall of some Sultana and under heavy guard. I need you to go find Sibeal and tell her what has happened. Use the ring to find her and ask her if she knows of this Sultana...hurry Drac these people must not find out my true identity...I don't need to tell you the consequences if they do!!"

 

[Triatic]

Aesbus stiffened in shock as he felt a third mind enter the link.

"What the-" sent the new thoughts, coming through clearly. "The Sultana's bedchamber? Oh, Powers. You're in trouble, friend. Play along, I'll see if I can get to you. Be careful with your thought-sendings around here...there might be watchers. My name is Taren. I'm a friend."

With that, the touch of the foreign mind faded.

 

[Darb]

Aesbus' head shot up! Someone else could hear. They said they were a friend, but he had met a lot of people recently that they said they were friendly and he ended up getting kneed in the groin. Under the circumstances though any help would be well appreciated.
The thoughts did sound sincere and worried. Who was this Sultana and why were Aric and I the only men around here?

The voice had said to play along...I guess he'll find out what that meant soon enough.

"Aric, are you alright? Do you have any idea what's going on here?" Aesbus asked this mysterious stranger.

 

[ShyGoddess]

Sibeal:

"Maven, did you hear that? Shhh...Listen. It sounds like a horse. I know what happened last time, but we have to find out what is wrong. Come."

Sibeal turned toward the sound, following it to a clearing, where a beautiful, black stallion awaited.

"Drac! What are you doing here? And where is Aesbus?"

"Please don't be afraid."

"I'm not, I was there when you and Aesbus disappeared. Tell me what's wrong."

"Aesbus has been taken by the Sultana Dhaara. Do you know her?"

"Of course. She lives in the land of Balencea. Men are a rare and precious commodity. A plague hit those that lived there. It is a very strange place. Men with magic, have no powers. Only women can work spells. I don't think he is any harm, but we must go there at once. But we will need help. Will you take me back. We must find Nyte."

"Of course. Come we must make haste."

Sibeal mounted Drac, and let him take charge.

"What about Maven?" Drac asked looking at the tiger.

"Do not worry about her. She can keep up. She can find Nyte. Go girl. Lead the way."

They set off on their journey, hoping for the best, but expecting the worst.

 

[Aric_Tairwyne]

::mutters low, glancing to his his new "companion" next to him:: Oh, not exactly... but I'm pretty sure hazarding a guess of slavery... or more specifically... pleasure slaves is not too risky a bet. ::sighing to himself before returning his eyes forward to think, tugging slightly at the chains, yes they'd managed to find the daggers and picks hidden amoung his clothes, but like all good thieves his clothing was not the only place where he could keep a pick or such::
<w> Don't worry, might not have my magic... but I'm not out of tricks just yet. ::though he waits, watching the ones set to guard them intently to learn the patterns and figure when the most proper time to pull his aces are::

 

[Nyte]

::Nyte and Bre were wandering the trail getting no where fast. It was like Aric suddenly vanished. Oh of course there were signs of a struggle at the site where he was attacked but the clues ended there::

::Nyte heard a noise and ran right smack into Sibeal:: URMP! ::she muttered barely comming up to the woman's chest. At times she hated being of "a petite stature" ok, she was short::

Pardon me ::Sibeal said quietly. Nyte wasn't sure if she trusted her yet. Oh sure she seemed nice and all but nyte was ALWAYS cautious..even cautious with brenna over there. Her dearest friend even once pulled a dagger at her for attacking aric::

::Nyte looked up and saw the horse:: Hey isn't that mr vanity's horse?

He's disappeared ::was all Sibeal said, as she didnt need to say anymore::

He's not the only one ::bre spoke up:: Our companions gone as well. And he's not an easy person to take down.

Sibeal just simply arched an eyebrow.

MEANWHILE........

::Aric had found his chance. He slipped his hand slowly out of the bindings. At first it didn't look like he could but slowly and slowly his hand started to slip through::

::Aesbus blinked a bit, trying the trick with his own shackles, which of course didnt work:: Former Thief..Never caught either ::Aric said with a wink leaving the prince or whatever he is to ponder on how this man of a noticeable wealthy stature of power could have been a thief::

::Aric slipped himself free, climbing the wall to jump the guard from above as soon as the door opened. At the precise moment aric pounced, landing square on Anal's back, attempting to subdue him. Of course, the larger man did not fall, but simply tossed aric unceremoniously to the ground in a heap::

Now now ::anal spoke in rather high tones so common of the Sultana's guards:: Do I have to use my own special ::he winks at Aric:: punishment for that stunt? HMmm?

 

[Aric_Tairwyne]

::a slight smirk, used to dealing with these larger types, though he is hardly small in stature:: Oh... I don't know, perhaps we can work some kind of deal out? ::slowly palming the pick he used to break free... of course they missed that one, they really can't search a man's throat now can they?... he watches Anal lean down over him with a grin while he speaks:: -Oh... we will be working out something... but it won't be any kind of deal.-
::a smirk, looking intently to Anal's eyes:: Oh, then I should say you watch me careful then... ::a wink as brings his hand up quickly, forcing the pick up in through Anal's eye with a growl, illiciting a howl Anal he straightens to clutch a hand over his face:: -Ah! You'll pay!- Not likely! ::hopping up quickly to his feet reaching to snag up Anal's sword with a spin about, smashing the butt of the hilt to his temple, the blow causing him to crumple to the floor:: The bigger they are... ::a shrug, looking to the stunned man on the wall:: Like I said, not without my tricks.
::leaning to pick up the keys and hurries over to unlock the cuffs:: Now, I suggest we get away... ::looking to him:: Before more guards come from the screaming, no? ::a smirk, not waiting as he turns to collect what little of his clothes he can find in the room, tugging them on before hurrying out the door::

 

[Brenna]

::As they dash down the hall ... yes! A door! Freedom! Then crash ... right into the Sultana's personal guard and entourage who snags both of them and subdues them.. though Aric was a bit of a problem. He fights dirty don't ya know. A beautiful lady draped in jewels wearing a crown watches the fracas. As the guards hold them tight she steps down and lightly trails a hand down both of them:: My what handsome specimens... ::her hand runs lower and cups Aric's manhood stroking it with delicate finger:: Tell me stranger ... do you know how to use this? ::rubs her thumb in circles over the tip, then lets go and steps back and says in a brisk tone:: well it's to be hopped you do, because you each will have a chance to become my favorite. The winner gets me... ::absently trails her hand down over her voluptuous form:: and the loser becomes Anal's favorite. ::claps her hands:: Girls, you obviously missed something or they wouldn't be lose. Take them back to the bathing chambers and do a body cavity search and prepare them. But first... :: pulls a vial out and tips the contents into a skin of wine, and hands it to a guard. They force both men to drink down a hearty portion:: just a little something to put you boys in the mood... ::laughs and continues on to her chambers with the guards and attendants taking the protesting men to be prepared::

 

[ShyGoddess]

Sibeal:

They were traveling at a fast pace. She knew they didn't trust her, at least Nyte didn't, but that didn't matter right now. For some reason she had an urgent need to find Aesbus. She had a bad feeling, that if they didn't get there soon, they wouldn't be able to bring the men back.

Sibeal had filled in Nyte and Brenna on where the men had been taken and by whom. They were all in argeement on the plan to get into Sultana's palace. The only thing more sought after then men, was fine horseflesh. Drac had agreed to be the bait. The three would pose as merchants coming to sell Sultana the finest steed in all the land. Sibeal had a felling that Aesbus wouldn't like it when he found out.

They entered the capital of the Balencea before night fall, finding an inn to stay the night in. There was nothing the three could do until morning. So, they bedded down to wait.

 

[Brenna]

::In the middle of the night Brenna hears something and wakes up the other two:: come on.. I hear something... ::They creep down to the stables to hear voices:: Nyte, they are going to steal the horses and take them to the castle. I'm going to shift into a roan horse so they will take me too. I'll be able to let you two inside then. ::Brenna folds up favard and thrusts him at Nyte:: I know I can trust you to take care of my darling pet. ::Nyte hesitantly takes him and gives her a weak smile and says:: I promise he'll come back to you in as good of a condition as you left him with me ::gives her a bright smile and hesitantly pets Favard. Bre hugs her:: I knew I could count on you. ::so saying she slinks into the stable and shifts into the horse. The royal thieves happy at finding a third wonderful horse take her as well. As soon as Bre is out of sight Nyte stuffs Favard into a bag, but leaves it open for air for the creature. Then turns to Sibeal:: We'd best be off or we'll lose them. ::so saying she slinks off after them melting into the shadows::

 

[Nyte]

::it was rather easy to follow them, seeing how bre made sure to mark the trail with deep "hoof" prints and lots of broken branches::

::Nyte let mael lead the trail, him also holding the pack containing that boot eating rug of bre's. Nyte was rather spooked by things of brenna's, esp that castle of hers where the tea served itself::

You don't trust me do you? ::sibeal said breaking the silence::

I dont trust anyone ::nyte said in a dismissive way::

::mael interrupted:; That is an understatement cherie ::in his soft accent, so much like Nyte's::

::Nyte rolled her eyes, as sibeal blinked seeing how even an animal that looked so much like a wolf was actually not a wolf:: Shh ::Nyte hissed, stopping under a tree as the horses and Bre were led inside this huge palace::

Now we wait..::nyte looked back at sibeal with an evil and huge grin, the moonlight making her fangs look sinister:: want a nice comfy cushion to sit on? ::nyte tossed the pack at her as she caught it with ease::

Ummm...thank ye? ::Sibeal eyed the seemingly normal and harmless rug, then dropped it as Favard raised his head and gave her a big toothy smile showing his 5 rows of sharp little teeth::

::Aric and his "companion" were dragged out of their cells by Anal and a few more of the sultana's "queer" guards, the only survivors of the great plague. Aric fought in protest but found himself putting up a weaker fight::

Bloody hell ::he swore feeling himself starting to weaken being locked in one shape, as he was the shifter talked about::

::Aesbus looked up with a question written on his face as what new peril faced his companion in this unfortunate place, when anal roughly shoved them both into a bath of water, with scantly clad harem girls::

::slowly the castle door crept open:: Now ::nyte whispered leading sibeal inside. Mael picked up Favard in his jaws - lest his master get a chewing for leaving him behind to be turned into a welcome mat..or worst..a sweater::

[Edited by Nyte on 06-25-2000 at 01:49 AM]

 

[Brenna]

::Bre meets them at the gate having knocked out the guards there and opened it.:: Hurry, we have to be gone before those two sleeping beauties waken ::gestures at the gate guards. She stoops and takes Favard from Mael and gives him a whispered of thanks and flings the rug over her shoulder:: Come on.. ::Grins:: The boys are about to get a bath.

 

[Nyte]

MMM...aric in a bath...::Nyte got an all to familiar glint in her eyes as bre gave her a nice shove inside::

Mind..gutter...bad ::bre said rolling her eyes as she knew nyte all too well::

::Nyte crept down the hall, not even making a single sound as she did. She spied around the corner seeing what she was looking for. With a single pounce, she took down her victim with a well timed draining of a certain amount of blood. Enough to render them unconscious yet keep them alive. An art honed by many years being what she was::

::she so daintily wiped the blood from her lips, as sibeal backed away, obviously not knowing what nyte was prior to this moment::

fiend! ::she shrieked a tad too loudly. Luckily there was no one around to hear it::

::Nyte rolled her eyes, winking to bre - the only one,in this land, besides aric and mael who knew all what nyte was:: more to me then meets the eye mdear...::She tossed two harem dresses at them, freshly taken from the fallen woman::

::as sibeal and bre changed into them, nyte rummaged through the woman's pockets, finding a rather nice dagger which she slipped into her boot:: vous dormez, vous détruisez ::she said in her native tongue, bringing a slight grin to bre's lips. Aric wasnt the only thief around with his skill level. Nyte picked up a horse skin pouch sniffing at the contents::

Malade! ::nyte threw the pounce at bre, who pulled out the contents::

Labiatae ::bre said, looking at the herbs:: Its what we needed for kat and toria.

::nyte slipped on the dress, it was hardly what shed wear, all sheer and everything but it would do in a pinch:: good..now we need to rescue arics ass and then get it back to em..before......::she trailed off slipping down the hall to where the sound of running water and female giggles were coming from::

Kat? ::Sibeal asked raising her brows::

::bre shot her a look, not in the mood to explain things now:: her daughter...a sickness hit the children in our land..mine and hers are among the victims ::she turned away not about to say more::