The Forest

[Soul Edge]

Drago settled down into his seat with the centaurs arrival.He returned the centaur's greeting with an almost imperceptible nod,before settling back into his spot,calming himself.

He watched and laughed softly to himself as the young she-elf worked circles around her elders easily.She would be one to bring great changes to the bunch of elder creatures here,himself included.As K'larn moved to his rightful place on the council,Drago folded his wings against his back slightly,and made himself comfortable.He would listen and make comments when he deemed he might need to,but he wouldnt let his anger get the best of him again.

 

[Darkthought]

Talamein

The shadowed man stood alone in the dark, wet cave. It was the uppermost room in the cavernous web, and the only one with a break in the rock wall large enough to look through.
He wasn't looking at anything in particular, as the forest canopy that he gazed down upon looked similar for many miles around under tonights moon. Anyone who glanced upon his face would know he was not there for the scenery. He was in deep thought over the happenings of late.
Everything, so far, had gone better than planned. It was a twist of good luck that it had been Calash's lover leading the negotiating party with the Reine. He had thought it would take the first massacre and a few extra sorties thoughout the open lands to enrage Calash, but the man seemed possessed after his personal loss. It could not have been any better.
The cavern-hide had turned out to be perfect. Even though it could not be distinguished by one passing within feet of the entrance, his ivy illusion placed across the doorway made it, from the outside, appear like any other mound of earth. Inside however, there was ample room for storage of equipment and rations to feed his armies for ages. The Reine seemed happy in the lower areas, where the water dripped onto slime-covered rock, eventually winding down to the pool in the bottom cave. His sunlight orb made the cave feel almost exactly like their home, and he was sure he could keep them happy here well past there usefullness to him.
He strained his eyes briefly, in a vain attempt to see the Reine party set-up for the raid on the forest council. This night would bring good tidings. The Reine knew not to harm Calash, but instead, to see to it that he barely escaped, without the perception that they were helping him do just this.
He wanted Calash enraged further. He wanted him to see the eyes of his enemies, and know thaty those eyes wanted him, and all his people, dead. The Reine were no match for the people of the forest en mass, or for the might of Calash's army, if indeed the Prince's brother sent him ample reinforcement. Tonight was not for victory, it was simply a stirring of the boiling waters, and soon.... very soon, those waters would spill into the fire.

 

[Darkthought]

Mk'golk

"I thank you for the honour of this task," the young warrior had told the Carutu.
It was a task full of honour, this Mk'golk knew, but it was also a suicide run. He had assigned this young man, gangly even for a Reine, the task of starting the assault, and from his hidden perch high in the rafters of the council room, the Carutu would watch his plan unfold. He had been worried the dragon would spot him, or the many seeing eyes of the elves, but Talamein had given him the talisman he wore upon his neck, and told him if he stayed still, it would block any "feelings" of his presence from these obviously inferior woodland folk.
He watched excitedly as Calash, the arrogant underling, had lashed repeatedly at the forest creatures, even as they attempted to talk to him in peace. He was careful to keep an eye on the young elven maiden who had played such a horrible tune before. She was unpredictable, and he was cautious of those that were strange even to there own.
He watched the dreadful mutant wolf spit violently as he addressed the human, and laughed quietly to himself.
The Centaur had been a surprise, he'd have to ask Talamein about it later, but it worried him nought with the force he had hidden in the woods outside the chamber.
This was not the might of the woods, this was the leadership. Though most had come with a host of personal guard, there was no army amassed here that could equal his own, should the need for it arise. But this would be a simple night. Attack, stir the folk, and retreat. The main core of his force should not have to show there face tonght. He had been warned by Talamein not to show how many heads he represented, whatever the cost. He would heed that warning. The young warrior he had appointed the task, plus a few other scattered about in the open, may be lost tonight, but they were of no consequence in the overall plan. A few he could spare. A few of his weakest.
He looked down to where his warrior was placed. Hidden in the shadows, and covered with an old discarded elven cloak. From here, and obviously from down there, he looked like simply another member of the elven representative. His gaze drifted back to the human. His head was down and he was placed at the very edge of the dais... a perfect situation, almost exactly what he had told the warrior to wait for. And what was he waiting for? The time was right!
He was just starting to think the warrior had cowered from his task when it began.

"You will not live to see the sun again, filthy human!' was screamed through the council chamber.

The young warrior drew back his weapon, bounded forward, and took a swipe at the Prince. Careful not to seriously hurt the man, his slice glazed the outside of his left arm.

With this shreaking call, six more Reine bounded through the door of the chamber, all cloaked and hooded like the first warrior. They raised crossbows, and sent 6 perfectly aimed bolts just wide of Calash, into the gathered crowd behind him.

Mk'golk almost shouted in glee, but he kept his silence as the scene unfolded below.

 

[Lethe]

Finally, the creatures showed their true colours. Calash felt almost grateful for the attack. He had grown sick of their lies and dissembling.

Reeling away from the creature's attack, he jumped backwards from the dais, hours of patient drilling taking over. The pain in his shoulder stung, but it was not a serious wound. The forest creatures had taken his blade when they freed his hand, but Maia had taught him some basics of self defence as protection against assassins. Calash grinned savagely at the appropriateness of that.

The attempt on his life had thrown the council into a furore. It seemed that some had wanted to preserve him as a hostage. They couldn't even trust their own allies. Calash laughed like a man possessed as he ran through the chaotic scene, disregarded in the fight to establish order

 

[Darkthought]

Mk'golk

After witnessing the scene begin to enfold below him, Mk'golk quicly makes haste for the shadowed window in the upper reaches of the council chamber. Not wanting to be discovered or found out, he chose not to see the final outcome, but to save his own hide.
The warriors had their orders... remain cloaked, gather the dead, and run for the hills as fast as they could. If they were followed, stand and fight... survivors were to meet at Stonetree pass. He was sure even the simplest of his warrior could handle that.

 

[chewbacca71]

Razorfang

Razorfang watched as the assassin threw off his cloak. He was not able to reach either the assassin or the prince when the press of bodies erupted near the prince. Razorfang was able to grab ahold of one of the Reine as it tried to retreat after shooting its arrow. He grabbed the back of its cloak and lifted it off the ground. He threw the creature into the wall of the council chamber.

He reached the bow before the creature did, crushing it into kindling with a stomp of his thickly muscled legs. The creature snarled at Razorfang and drew a thick short sword from the scabbard at its waist. Razorfang smiled, baring his canines, as he warily circled his opponent. He feinted with his right claw and then leaped of to his left. The creature swiped with his sword and lost sight of the werewolf momentarily, not a good thing.

Razorfang reached its claws around the creatures neck and placed a nail on the artery in its neck. "Yield , foul creature or I will slice out your life force. " The creature struggles, but Razorfang increases his pressure, not letting the creature break free. "Keep struggling and you will die you worthless creature, I have no more patience left for the likes of you. "

 

[Soul Edge]

Drago lashed his tail out and managed to block one or two of the arrows from hurting abny of the assembled personage,then moved forwardfrom the side of the building(being careful not to trample anyone.When he had to,he could move very fast,and he caught the Reine warrior off gurad,swiping it with his forearm,wich sent it hurtling into the wall.It slumped to the ground as he pinned another one down with a claw pressed lightly against its chest.

"dont move,or il kill you".he stated,giving the warrior a warning.a crossbow bounced into the scales next to his left eye,coming dangerously close to hitting it.He turned his head and looked for the one who fired,who was standing about 20 feet away,trying to reload the crossbow in its hand.His tail lashed out,the large, barbed tail smashing into its chest.Its arm would have porbably shielded the blow partly,he thought to himself as an excuse.He looked around,noticing the one or two creatures of the council hurt being treated by others.he nodded in satisfaction and looked around.He saw the human escaping."Deal with that later",he mumbled to himself,while removing the warrior under his claws of his weapons.

 

[Mistress]

Liviana

She felt herself being tugged out of the room through a back hallway, a hand securely over her mouth so that she could not scream. The grip was a strong one, she tried to struggle away but she could not. She could not understand why she couldn't get free from the grasp, she knew she was not a weakling! A frustrated growl came from her and she kicked her legs about hoping to hit someone or something! She squealed as who ever it was tightened their arms around her, crushing her own arms to her sides.

"Quiet!” The voice rang out in the silence of the hall, "Please?"

Liviana stopped struggling...'Please?' she thought, 'Well now, this will be interesting'

 

[Darkthought]

K'larn

He had seen the attack start momnets before it happened, but was positioned to far away to stop it's ferocity. He watched silently as Razorfang and Drago took care of business, restraining those they could, and causing the others to flee, but something else had gathered his attention. It came from outside. Focusing hard, he caught the whispers of voices in the battle-raged air seeping in. He saw a couple of the invaders withdraw silently as the others occupied the Council members. He moved quickly and silently, then paused briefly. The number of voices were uncountable, and he may need help with this scouting mission.
Seeing most of the forest leaders occupied, he saw his unlikely partner standing silently, watching the goings on. There was no time to explain, he needed to move fast. Reaching one arm around her waist, and the other clasped firmly over her mouth, he headed for the back hall. They'd need to move silently, sticking to the shadows.
She struggled briefly, understandable in the situation. He tightened his grip... she had more strength than her figure would suggest. He moved his other arm over hers, to stifle her flailing, causing a small squeal to emit from her mouth.

"Quiet!" he said, a little louder than he had intended. Remembering himself, and the task he was on, he added, "Please?"

Her struggle lessened, and her voice ceased. He would release her as soon as they were in a better place for observation.

He silently slipped out the back door, still holding the maiden in his arms. Almost invisibly they closed the gap from the door to the woods, and settled in beside the twisted arms of an ancient oak. He let her slip to the ground softly, and turned to her.

"I'm sorry for the abruptness of my actions, but it was unavoidable. I'll explain much in time, for now, we must be still and silent. Tune your ears for the sounds of whisper, and travel. Nevermind the sounds of the escaping human, he is not our concern. Listen for something else... something or things of many lowered voices, it is that we seek," he stated in a voice so quiet it sounded almost like blowing leaves.

He looked at her bewildered face, and waited for her response, yet tuned his senses and searched for the source of his trouble at the same time. He knew this night had only just begun.

 

[chewbacca71]

Razorfang

Razorfang gave the creature a little love tap across the face, a thin line of blood trickled onto the floor. "Ok now talk to us. Why did you attack the council? Who ordered this? Who are you working for? Answer me now, or that trickle of blood will no longer be coming from your cheek, but from your throat. "

 

[Mistress]

Liviana stared at him a moment, then she collected herself and shook her head. Taking a deep breath, and without questioning him she focused on the forest around her. A frown spread across her face and she tilted her head to one side. Slowly turning around in a circle she stopped suddenly and stood there a moment. Her head rose back up and she bit her lip, "A spell chant?"

She moved to K'Larn's side, "Is that what you hear too? It sounds...sounds like some kind of chant!"

Her eyes flashed with excitment and she bounced giggling like a child. "Oh bless the Gods, I hear it, THATS what you heard in the building isn't it? Thats why you got that look on your face! And to think I have elven ears and I did not hear it first!"

A lift of his eyebrow forced her to stop jumping about and she stiffled a giggle and then nodded. "Ok, I do hear it, now what? Do we head in that direction or do we gather others to help?" She quickly tied back her raven curls and smiled brightly....

 

[Darkthought]

K'larn

He stood dimbfounded by the gleefull elf. It was in his nature to be stern, and it was nought often that he was anything but serious, but it the presence of this bubble of energy, it was tough not to smile a little.
The veil of innocence lifted from her eyes, and he knew it was time to move of. He raised an eyebrow at her in an attempt to raise her awareness of the situation. She caught it immediately.

Good, it is as I figured. She has her grandfathers intuition. A pity a man such as he should die so young, but his line has been blest with this one.

"We move, now, quietly."

He then did what he had not done in centuries... not since he had offered it to this very child's own blood. He dropped to his front knees, and turned to her.

"Climb on, you will not fall. We must make haste, I feel if we are to track this strange happening, our time is growing thin. It is best to keep this mission small. It is not ours to draw blood at this time, though we will if other options fail. We need to discover what it is, truly, we are facing. The human threat is great, but I fear it is not the worst we have. Climb on, friend, and make nothing of this, our time is at hand."

 

[Mistress]

Liviana

Her big violet eyes blinked in surprise yet again, K’Larn was actually going to let her ride him! In a way this unnerved her, she had never ridden a Centaur before and was for the first time in a long time unsure of herself. Taking a deep breath, she climb onto him, then her hands wrapped around his waist in order to hold on. She giggled and squeezed him in a hug then smiled brightly. "Alright, I'm ready!"

Then quickly she added in an almost silent prayer, "Oh...please be careful!"

 

[Baphomet]

<OOC: Excuse me, it would appear that I have jumped the gun, heh, sorry, re-posted under the OOC thread.>

 

[Baphomet]

Arloch

OOC: The Bio's in the OOC thread, been approved, here I go =)

IC:

He crouched behind a tree, from where he could comfortably watch the escaping human. Interesting, it was abnormally quick for a man, how cumbersome they were, it almost made him laugh. He stalked it slowly through the woods, with one question slowly beating through his head..."Is it more valuable as an unwitting guide, or as a meal?" He was thirsty, and wanted blood, but he also needed direction. What a quandry. At that moment he looked up from his hiding place, only to spot an Elven Female, bow drawn..

"Oh, a visitor?"

 

[chewbacca71]

Razorfang

It seemed the threat of further violence had loosened the creatures tongue. It opened its mouth to speak when suddenly its eyes bulged , almost protruding from its head. It tried to speak , but only a croak issued from the rapidly closing throat. Razorfang grabbed the creature, yelling for it to talk to him. It was to no avail as the creature keeled over, dead from lack of air. Razorfang howled in frustration as it looked towards the others around it. "Well, I guess we can be pretty sure that magic is involved in all this. "

 

[1sexylady]

I am so sorry I don't know what the proper thing to do here, but Chewey will be gone for a month. He asked me to let people know. I am sorry to barge in..