Nightspire.. Call for help restart.. {Closed for LadyLuxx}

[Elvenoff1]

Blood dripped from the crude, gray tone axe blade and pooled just a few inches from the heavy armored foot of the Gnolls leader. His fist clenched in triumph as he looked about the small clearing of trees. His war cry echoed through out the small forest as his men finished dispatching the small band of human warriors sent to stop them.

His massive, muscular frame covered with chain mail armor moved over to the edge of the cliff and gazed down toward the small establishment of humans. A hunger filled his eyes as another war cry escaped his lips, his cry was joined by the others and the eerie sound of a woven pack could be heard down in the villa...

The small outback town was nothing more than several merchant buildings tossed up to get the town started, for most of the people whom flocked here was people wanting to hit the virgin mountain range in hopes of finding the veins of rich minerals.

The land was beautiful, there was a huge lake and several small rivers and creeks connecting to a massive forest and several leagues of fertile grasslands in which formed a blissful opportunity for a thriving city.

However, this dream was hindered to the numerous attacks of wolves and other strange creatures that most of the commoners that came have never seen before nor heard of... THey sent many men into the forest and mountain ranges to seek out and stop this beast of burden, but the men never came back… So they decided to send out letters to the far reaches of the land asking for brave souls to come and assist them....

The keeper shifted his eyes over to the reinforced oak door. The approaching storm made the hinges squelched and pop as if someone was entering his establishment. The tavern of the Welcoming Wizard was lightly illuminated and kept warm by a single but large, center of the floor fireplace. There were several tables for patrons to sit around and talk of their daily dues. But this night the tavern was empty for the men wanted to be home with their families for the men of arms that left the day before hasn't returned nor sent anyone back with good news.

Baylor looked over at the two barmaids that were sitting on the stools next to him when the howling echoed from above the cliffs… “Not again!” exclaimed one of the maids whom began to cry… “We are all going to die?” she managed to mutter out between the gulfs of air... “Elizabeth, it’s going to be okay, someone will answer our letters requesting help...” Baylor eyes fell to the door once more wishing that it would be right now... He feared that the men of arms have met their fate.

Elvenoff held the small parchment that fell from the dead mans hand. It was clearly a call for help. He looked upon the dead mans face and saw the terror in his eyes. The call was to a town called Nightspire and a small map was drawn for those whom wished to go there. Elvenoff stood and pushed back his long blond hair from his eyes. His ocean blue orbs looked about the area for any signs of what has done this deed, but came up with nothing.

At the small tavern the Baylor continued to keep the young maids comfortable as possible as time passed on. The night falling heavy upon the town as fear rose among the townsfolk. Baylor looked upon the heavy door once more as the noise from the hinges creaked, but this time a rather tall, muscular man entered. His chain mail armor glistened in the firelight..."Greetings I am Elvenoff and I have come to your calling." Baylor rose and greeted him… "Come.." his hand gestured to a table for the man to take a seat.. “Let me get you something to eat and drink then we can talk…” Baylor hurried to the back and began preparing a meal for the newcomer...

 

[LadyLuxx]

It was a frightening time for all. Too many men had been sent to fight, yet none had returned. No one truly knew the extent of the urgency, many trying not to think of such things and to get on with their every day lives. Though many could not. There was one, in particular, who could not. Cecilia was a young girl, no more than twenty years of age, who had to battle with the idea that the young local boy she was seeing had gone out to fight and had yet to return home. Her friends had tried to reassure her many times that one day he would return and that she had nothing to worry about, but it was all too much for young Cecilia. The only times she didn't have to think about it was when she was working in her local Tavern. She was one of the younger barmaids there and enjoyed life behind the bar, serving drinks to the locals, meeting new acquaintances, talking fresh banter between the fellows. But everything had changed as of late. It was a quieter, scarier place. Baylor did well to comfort her and the others, though she would never be fully comforted, for the war was yet not won.

However, as the door to the Tavern creaked open with a welcomed breath, all heads turned towards it; including Cecilia's. Suddenly, she felt so full of hope and love for the strange man, for he had come to their rescue and call. Baylor was the first to greet him with open arms, encouraging him to sit whilst he fetched him some food and drink. Elizabeth was kind enough to offer help to Baylor, feeling more settled due to someone answering their cry for help. Cecilia, on the other hand, could not move from the stool just yet. She looked over towards the stranger, never having seen him before, and wondered why he had answered their plea in the first place. Perhaps she shouldn't feel so suspicious, but war did that to a woman.

She did not speak, nor move for quiet some time. Baylor and Elizabeth had soon returned with a drink and a meal for him to eat, placing it down upon the table he was now sat at. Baylor joined him, having a drink for himself; no doubt he needed one. "We have lots to talk about and I would like to thank you for answering our call, Elvenoff. I am Baylor and it is a pleasure to meet you, though I wish it could have been on better terms." He shook his head as a sigh escaped him.

Another howl whispered in the wind, flooding straight into the Tavern. Elizabeth cowered against the wall, sobbing into her hands as Baylor sweeped his surroundings. Cecilia, however, simply sat and didn't move, not even a flinch. Her eyes never left Elvenoff, feeling everything was suddenly too good to be true. It was the way she was, the way she had learnt to be.

"Damn wolves, for I have heard many a tale about them!" He bellowed loudly, letting his clenched fist thump against the table, hard enough to cause their drinks to spill over. "Many apologies..." He mumbled, calling for Elizabeth to help once more, though seeing how choked up she was, Baylor's eyes glanced towards Cecilia. It was the first time she had moved since the strange man had turned up at their door. She glided sweetly over towards them, her eyes on Baylor this time until she was there, standing beside them as she scooped up the two cups, now only half-full.

She didn't say a word, only turning on her heels and wandered off to fetch two more drinks for them. Again, it wasn't much longer before she returned. Placing them down upon the table and smiled sweetly towards Baylor and offered a gentle nod towards Elvenoff. "Be more careful this time, Baylor." She gently stroked his forearm, she saw him as her father, who was no longer with her anymore sadly. He nodded in acknowledge to her words and thanked her kindly just by looking at her. Once again she disappeared over towards the other side of the main portion of the Tavern, her eyes falling back upon Elvenoff from afar.

 

[Elvenoff1]

Elvenoff looked upon the man that hustled up to him and greeted him and instantly beckoned him to take a seat and he would serve the man drink and eat. His blue orbs moved about the room as the man lead him to a table. He noted the barmaids by the way they were dressed and a respectful nod was given to them, they appeared as stress as this man was except for one. She sat upon a stool at the end of the bar and only offered him an observing glance before shifting her eyes back to the back was the older man was still preparing the offered food.

With a heavy thud upon the chair Elvenoff lowered his gaze from the young lady to the smooth top of the old oak table. It has been a hard trip here and his fatigue was obvious to those that took a long enough gaze upon him. His face was heavy as well as his eye lids. Several times did they close only to pop open when his head jolted forward? He pushed himself up just in time for the one called Baylor and one of his maids placed a plate of ham, eggs and cheese in front of him along with a tankard of ale. His gaze moved up to the maid, “I thank thee kindly.” His tone of voice was shallow for a man of his size and stature. He then returned his gaze to Baylor whom sat across the table from him. His orbs studied the man for a moment before picking up a piece of cheese and taking half in a mannered bite. “It is a pleasure meeting you as well. Our acquaintance would not have crossed paths if the terms were not as they are.” he added before taking the last half of the offered cheese.

The howl brought a habitual reaction from Elvenoff as his hand went to the pommel of his sword. His eyes moved about the room knowing that there was nothing to fear yet, however, his ears remained perky. His eyes returned to Baylor when he shouted his creed of the wolves. His head lowered, hiding the small chuckled that escaped over his lips as the cold liquid ran off the table, spilled from his table bashing. His hand rose to waive off the apology that Baylor offered him. “No need my friend, tis nice to see enthusiasm in one so honorable as you.” He enjoyed seeing a man with sprit.

His eyes diverted from the man when the beckoned maid was called to the side of the table. It was the petite one that remained in the corner and offered only a small glance to him. He looked up to her face and took in her looks. He said nothing to her but did not stare at her either as his gaze returned to spirited older man. “I do have news of concern to give to thee constable of the town. Do you know where he may be in this time of night? I was sure I would have found him here.”

Baylor waited for Cecilia to walk away before speaking to him. “The constable and several other of the watch guard went out yesterday and we haven’t heard from them.” Baylor informed the warrior. “I fear Cecilia’s boyfriend was part of that group.” he added before she returned. He fell silent when she appeared at the table and informed him to be more careful. He nodded to her with a smile upon his face. “I will love.” he loved her as a daughter he never had. “She is my prize and joy here.”

Elvenoff only turned and looked at her when Baylor spoke of her. “I fear her loved one is dead, I came across a band of militia that was slaughtered; I found this parchment in a young man’s hand.” He replied with condolences.

Baylor instantly shot a gaze over to Cecilia with pain upon his face and sorrow in his eyes. He shook his head lightly and lowered his gaze to the floor. “This will kill her.” He whispered.

Elvenoff followed his gaze to the maid and took a deep breath, “I take it there is no more soldiers or adventurers here in town?” Baylor shook his head in a no fashion. “This is not good news. For what is coming is not wolves but worse.” Baylor looked at him with fear now. “What is coming?” Elvenoff only looked at him and shook his head. “Not now. Later when the ladies are sleeping we shall talk.” Baylor nodded, “Well I have to go speak to Cecilia.” Elvenoff only nodded to him…