The Great Hunt

[BlazeofLife]

OOC:
this thread is by invitation only, if you wish to join please check out the Casting call at http://www.literotica.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=85550
This will be the only OOC in this thread, if anyone wishes to speak or ask questions out of character please do so in the casting call thread.
All IC posts authored by myself shall be told from the perspective of my character, Felix Minswaggle. All posts by him can be assumed to be local gossip around each of the other characters, and shall be assumed to be common knowledge, instantly available to them.

IC:
The streets of Illian were crowded, bedecked in festive colors and dizzying amidst a flurry of dancing and capering costumed revellers.
Truly, Felix thought, ambling slowly through the throng, this carnival was the most festive event he had ever seen. It had certainly taken a great deal of time to reach it!
Why, if not for the grande fireworks being lit over the city to celebrate the Feast of Teven, he might have stayed lost in that forest for days!
He shrugged, confident that his great skills would have saved him. He was, after all, a hero. Or would be, at least. When he found the horn, everyone would realize it. Then they'd know who he was. No more name calling. No more laughing. An end to the jeers that had chased him from his home.
He scowled, remembering the conspirators that had dogged his every step to get here. No matter what he did, they were there, telling their lies, poisoning people against him.
Lost in his thoughts, he continued along the laneway, oblivious to the shouted words around him, or the clatter of metal as guards began to chase after him. Oblivious, too, to the open area around him, or the strange platform ahead, with several lit firesticks atop it, ready to be set free into the night sky.
He was brought out of his reverie by a sharp pain in his shin, as it made harsh contact with the edge of the platform. Wincing, he stumbled, going to his knees, and narrowly avoiding the hail of sparks streaming from the misfired rockets. Over his sprawled figure they arched, impacting walls and dwellings all around him, and setting alight all the surroundings amidst anguished cries from those inside.
Shaking his head, and limping now with the pain in his leg, Felix spared little attention for the running figures all around him, and even less for the calamnity behind, as he nursed his injured leg. Lost in self-pity, he hadn't even noticed the events of the past moments, and was astounded when a guardsman yanked him roughly to the side.
"You! Stop where you are! Don't think you can get away, I recognise you from ...!"
The words trailed away as the hapless soldier was torn free of his charge by the now-stampeding crowd, and Felix wisely dove into the masses in the opposite direction.
Egad, he thought. Already my enemies are upon me. They must have circulated my description amongst the local constabulary, for the soldier spoke of recognition! But they will never stop me. I WILL find the Horn. Then We'll see...
Muttering, wrapped in his visions of grandeur, it was some time before the words being spoken to a hushed audience began to make their way through the fog of his fantasy thoughts.
"... And know this, that all those who stand here before us, are heroes already, for they come here to dedicate their lives and their livelihoods to the Hunt! And know this, that though you come here as you are, whether that be lord or peasant, master or serf, henceforth, you go forth and shall be known as, simply, and ultimately, a dedicated Hunter, and you shall seek that most holy of treasures, the Horn of Valere."
His eyes wide, Felix focused on the scene before him, from the collenaded walks, to the raised dais before him, and the gesticulating figure atop it.
Egad! I've come to the place! The swearing in! My unswerving instincts and cunning have brought me here, without even conscious direction! how can these others bear to continue this farce, when they must surely realize that greatness stands among them? That I stand amongst them here?
"... I say to you all now, that which shall be your idiom, your calling, and your lifebeat. Tia mi aven Moridin isainde vadin The Grave is no bar to my call. Go forth, Hunters, for you are the chosen select, and you shall brave dangers and craft adventures which shall be the legends to come, to be told by Bards for all eternity."
Clasping his hands before him, the old man bowed to them all, though it seemed to Felix that the geezer nearly fell over when that gaze came to rest upon his own splendid person.
A great cry went up from the multitudes, a vast cheer, and Felix took the opportunity to slip gracefully away, vanishing into the darkness like a shadow. Or so he fancied to himself; in reality, he left not a few tattered remnants of his disheveled cloak upon the broken boards that littered the walkways, and several cursing bystanders, nursing their own injuries where his careless and clumbsy attempts at stealth had left them with mashed toes, sore shins and upset carts.

 

[BlackOcean]

Illian Square

[COLOR=00394A]
He had done it Damer had taken the vow of the horn, walking thru the crowded streets his head swam with thoughts of adventure. Looking around for an Inn Damer stumbled over an old bum, “Sorry sir, here” he said as he threw the man a copper. Finally he came to a sign with the picture of a man hammering a peace of metal on a Anvil, under it the name Blacksmiths Anvil.

The Inn’s common room was basic a few tables a stage and a bar, looking around He could see a few men sitting around with mugs of ale and a few playing the dice. No one was paying attention to the young girl playing a harp on stage. A few serving girls no older than 16 were moving around with drinks and some food.

“May I help you?” a woman said, “My name is mistress Mary and I’m the proprietress of this Inn.” Mistress Mary was about in her late 30’s and was just turning gray at the temples, she was of average height and a little plump but when you looked in her eyes you knew she wasn’t someone to cross.

“I’m looking for a room and a bite to eat milady.” Damer said smiling a smile that had gotten him in trouble as much as not.

“Kat come here and take mister…”

“Damer Riatim at your service milady” Damer said bowing.

“We’ll take Mr. Riatim to the room at the end of the hall.” She finished
[/COLOR]

 

[Firesprite]

"Keiren Aes Sedai, your supper is ready" the chambermaid murmered. Rising gracefully from her seat by the window in the Palace at Camelyn, Keiren looked out over the new city and the old, towards the distant land of Illian.

Rumour had reached her that the Great Hunt was being called. Keiren, seeing no point in swearing the oath had elected months earlier to begin her own search.

The Queen thought that she was looking for references to healing in the extensive Royal Library, but in fact she was searching the oldest manuscripts for anything that might give her a lead on those fools in Illian.

Turning abruptly away from the window and her contemplation, she irritably waved the hovering maid out of the room, leaving her to dine alone with her Warder Mikale.

 

[petrel]

Megan sighed and streched, it was a hot afternoon and she was becoming a little bored. They had been sent here by the Green sisters to keep an eye on all of those who pledged for the great hunt - in such a welter of emotions and ego's there was often one or two who were of interest to the Aes Sadei - wilders, potential eyes and ears, or perish the thought darkfriends! she had orders to look out for anyone or anything unusual - although privatly she was beginning to think that anyone who wasn't out of the ordinary in this crowd would be best qualified as unusual!!

Nestrum had gone out earlier to wander round and see what he could see or sense - although in common with most warders 'wander' was probably more like 'stalk' or 'watch' she had arranged to meet him shortly in an Inn the other side of town - closer to the pledging area. She had returned to the inn they were staying in for a bath (much needed after the crowds) and to record her findings from the past two days before venturing out again.

She tucked her book into her pack and took a quick look round the room before leaving to meet Nestrum.

 

[Lethe]

Jaehan

The crowd was loud, too loud. It made Jaehan's head ache to hear them all. Why did people have to make so much noise?

He shifted uneasily. The night was warm, but his hood was pulled down over his face. His yellow eyes, glowing like fire in the night, tended to make people uneasy. He shook long brown hair out impatiently. He had not wanted to come here, he avoided large accumulations of people these days. They made him nervous, and sometimes that made him nervous, made him wonder at how far he had divorced himself from humanity.

Those around him nudged each other, and laughed softly, at this lean young man wearing furs of all things. But they didn't laugh too hard, as he walked armed, grasping a short ash spear.

He wasn't sure why he wanted to take the Oath before setting off. It just seemed right.

It was all over hurriedly, with an anticlimactic lack of ceremony. The noble performing the ritual blessing had many other Hunters to invest that night. Jaehan walked away a little sadly. He was a Hunter for the Horn, now, as opposed to a hunter of the forests, and prior to that a hunter of a city, but he felt no different. He wondered again if it would have been wiser to stay with the pack and hunt his own way.

'Life to you, Hunter', said someone in the crowd, still awaiting their turn as an oath.

Jaehan forced a smile. 'Life to you, my friend, and everlasting glory'

He disappeared into the night

 

[chewbacca71]

Nestrum

Wiping sweat from his brow, Nestum bellowed "Be there not a man in this city that could give me a good work out?" He motioned to the line of four men that he had already bested in single combat, many nursing wounds. "Are you all cowards or maybe darkfriends are you ?" This brought a murmur from the crowd and two men stepped forward. "Ah, we except this challenge. "

Nestrum"Ah, then why dont you two come at me, even with this padding on my sword, I will whip you both." Nestrum turned away from them in contempt. He could sense that the taller man would try to attack him with his back turned. Nestrum did Weasel in the henhouse a quick turn and a slash out that took the charging man by suprise. The man tripped over the sword and landed on his head, knocking himself out. Nestrum took a second to belly laugh with the rest of the crowd at such ineptitude. The second man rushed him, Nestrum dueled with him for a few minutes, than decisivly ended the match when he pushed his blade through the other mans guard and rapped him on the side of the head. The man feel unconsious at Nestrums feet.

Nestrum frowned momentarily at his two opponents and was about to issue the challenge again when he saw his Aes Sedai coming towards him. Megan Thorndale was a beautiful woman and a powerful aes sedai in her own right and he was proud that she had chosen him. However, at the moment, he looked at her sheepishly since she had told him to wander around the town for mention of the horn and he had got distracted teaching swordplay to these yokels. He sighed when she signalled him that it was time to go. As he unwrapped the padding from his sword, he heard a hush settle over the circle of people who had watched the sword play. "AH, it is a heron marked blade that I have, the better to teach these men how to fight with a sword" After leaving this slight out there for them all, Nestrum put his sword back in his sheathe, the padding in his backpack and started to follow Megan to the inn.

 

[Akashla]

Leira Sedai

In a small inn, a woman stood at an upstairs window, her long dark hair stirring in the breeze. Her blue eyes were a rarity where she came from, and they made her gaze seem even more intense.

Calmly surveying the bustling crowd, Leira watched for anything especially unusual. Briefly, she wondered how many other Sisters were searching for the Horn Of Valere. She had sensed the presence of at least one earlier that day.
"I wonder if they will take the pledge?" she mused aloud.
Logically, there was no reason to take the pledge, it was just a ritual, something to inspire confidence in the masses. However, there was a point to being in Illian, for it may hold information that she had not yet come across.

Sitting at the worn writing desk in the room she briefly flicked through the contents of her own notes. The White Ajah had no eyes and ears, but even so, Leira believed that she had heard all the rumours and stories about the location of the Horn. It stood to reason that one of those rumours would be true. It would just take a little time to decipher what was true and what was nonsense. And a little patience. Thankfully, Leira had both.

 

[petrel]

Megan sighed as she spotted Nestrum through the crowd - for a warder he could certianly get distracted at times - maybe that was why her mentor in the Green order Katrin Alorn had told her to bond him when Megan had gone to her for advice. As Katrin had always pointed out Megan wasn't exactly a 'typical' Aes Sadai herself yet.

She waited impatiantly whilst Nestrum extracted himself from the crowd of young men and then set off swiftly to the inn they had agreed to meet at, her back expressing dissaproval, even as she smiled slightly inwardly.

 

[chewbacca71]

Nestrum

Nestrum followed that Aes Sedai to the inn they were staying at. He watched as she ordered some food for the two of them, making sure his had a lot of meat. He sat across from her with his back against the wall, looking over the common room. He saw no one that struck his as dangerous, so started to eat the stew that was brought. He pulled his face up from his food, his blue eyes searching her face as he asked her some question about why they were here. "Megan , why is it that the Amyrlin Seat sent us here to my old hometown. I have not seen many of the people that I knew, so I am not sure what you are looking for. I am excited by the hunt of the horn that they have called. If I was not a warder, I would be in the thick of those people that are waiting to take the pledge. "

 

[BlazeofLife]

Felix Minswaggle

Stooped low over a large spread of parchment, Felix casually wiped chicken grease from his chin as he perused the tattered maps scattered across the table before him. Most were torn and dog-eared from their travels and travails in his scrip, and several now sported a myriad of new stains from the large plate of roast fowl and the tankard of ale placed upon them. Singling one out in particular, he gazed raptly at it, tracing a path across it with the gnawed end of a drumstick.
This is it. It's got to be! he thought, stopping at a dark spot on the map. In ornate letters beside the spot was the single word "Manetheren".
A ruined land, Manetheren had fallen at the end of the Trolloc Wars. If the Horn were anywhere, he thought, surely it would be there, in a land once ruled by a great king and his Channeler queen.
Smiling to himself at his own genius, and smiling, too, at the thought that all of those other fools out there searching for his prize would never think to look in such a place, he quickly gathered his papers and sauntered toward the door, waving to a barmaid as he went. Sniffing, she turned away, rubbing furtively at here posterior where his clumbsy fingers had pinched earlier. He waved, too, to the barkeep, confidant of his own importance and unmindful of the man's sudden frown as Felix exited the building.
Or tried to, at least. He had just time enough to take a deep breath of fresh air before a meaty hand came down firmly on his shoulder, stopping him in his tracks and spinning him around.
Felix scowled, poking his finger toward where he assumed his assailant's chest would be, then craned his head upward to look the beheamoth in the face and adjusted his finger upwards by several increments.
Belatedly, he recognized Nuggles, the bar's resident "Peacekeeper".
"Beware, cad, you know not what you face!", he cried, in a nasal squeak. He attempted to make a grand flourish to reach for his sword, but the brute's grip on his shoulder caused him to become tangled in his own cloak, and he stumbled, tripping over the half-drawn sword and falling to his knees. Perfect, he thought.
Leaning forward, and gathering his legs under him, he executed stork in the rushes, but forgot about the cloak hampering his sword arm and proptly fell forward upon his face, string his head on the cobblestones and blacking out.

Consciousness returned slowly, and he groaned, indulging the pain and keeping his eyes closed, trusting in his superior warrior's instincts to warn him if anyone so much as thought of approaching him.
Then a hand shook him roughly. He started; surely, he must be in the presence of an assassin, for them to come so close without his detection!
Opening his eyes quickly, he blinked, rolling away from the outstretched hand before him, and found himself falling to the ground, as his roll exceeded the surface area of the table he'd been lying upon.
The world slowly began to focus, and he saw the innkeeper before him, hiding an expression that made his eyes dance with mirth behind one clenched fist. The man cleared his throat, and Felix thought he noted a strained tone in the sound; could it be laughter? Surely not.
Climbing to his feet, he leaned upon the table for support, assuring himself mentally that he needed no support and simply wanted to convey a sense of weakness to lull his deceptively portly abductor.
"Where am I?" Looking around, and seeing no others in what he assumed was some form of dungeon for heroes, he returned his gaze to the figure before him. "And where are the others? The dozen who ambushed me from behind and smote me most ignobly from behind?" This last, reproachfully, and he sniffed, disdainful of those who would attack so cowardly.
The Innkeeper's look changed to one of bemusement, and he moved his hand, not bothering to hide his smile this time.
"You are in the backroom of my Inn, and there were no others. Nuggles said that you fell and hit your head while attempting to draw your sword on him." He left unsaid what else Nuggles had said, thinking it wiser to leave the man some measure of dignity, at least.
He's lying, thought Felix. No one man could have bested me, and I certainly didn't fall, lest it be when I was struck so rudely from the shadows. "I see," he said, noncomittally, playing along with the game. "And what is it that I am doing here? Am I your prisoner?"
Mentally, he prepared himself. A quick lunge to finish his captor, then a break through the open door, which would surelylead to a maze of catacombs, and not, as the other said, to an Inn.
"My prisoner? You might say that, as I have no intention of allowing you to leave until you've payed for the meal and ale that you had here."
"Pay! Pay!?!" I am a hunter! A hero! I do not pay !"
Outraged, he made up his mind and lunged for the jailor, reaching for his sword and preparing to skewer the obviously deranged man. He realized that his sword was not at his hip at the same moment he feet found it on the floor at the foot of the table, sending him sprawling into the edge of the open oaken door, and adding another bruise to his already swelling forehead.
The last thing he heard as spiralled once more into darkness was the Innkeeper's crafty voice, speaking as if from a great distance.
"Oh, you'll pay, if not with money, then in another way."
He had little time to reflect on the ominous sound of that last, as oblivion claimed him once more.

*********

Walking down the road, Felix glanced back at the small town once more, rubbing his head gingerly. With such ordeals as he had gone through, such misery endured at the hands of a sadist who thought that such activities should constitute mere payment for a simple meal, he must surely be destined to find the Horn!

*********
Looking at the distant figure, Giles the Innkeeper smiled, finally allowing his mirth to show. If such fools were called Hunters, now, then it seemed the Horn would remain hidden forever.
Too bad he'd left, though, Giles thought. He'd never seen anyone wash so many dishes in such a short time before. And the attention to detail! He shook his head. That one would have a great career as a dishwasher, if he ever gave up his foolish notions of grandeur.

Blaze

 

[Firesprite]

Having finished her meal, Keiren made her way back to the Royal library. There was something Mikale had said while they were eating that had led her to examine some ideas she'd had then discarded earlier. Moving to the correct shelf, she drew out some old documents and examined them. Deciding they were the correct ones, Keiren tucked them under her arm for the walk back to her rooms.

Keiren began to think about the supplies she'd need for the journey. It would take them a while to get there, but she was sure that this was the best place to start. Arriving back in her room she noticed the dishes had been cleared and Mikale was no-where in sight. Hearing noises from his room, Keiren opened the door. She jumped at the loud clatter at her feet as the dirty dishes crashed against one another.

With an exasperated sigh she saw Mikale was roughly taking the chambermaid, her squeels and shrieks of pain muffled by the pillow her face was pressed into. Mikale looked over to Keiren, a leer on his face as he continued his minstrations to the girl. "Mikale, will you finish? I know where we must go now" Keiren said calmly. The little slut was just getting what she deserved, what she'd been asking for with her coy looks and eager attentions, she's stupid to cry now Keiren thought.

Smiling slightly at the pleasure she could feel through the bond to her warder, she knew he was almost done. She left the door open as she went to pack her gear, glancing up occasionally at him, indulging his taste for an audience.

Finally he released, and gathering the exhausted and battered woman, brought her out to Keiren his Aes Sedai. Laying her hand on the girl she used the Power, first in a trick she'd taught herself as a wilder before entering the White Tower, and had been working on perfecting ever since. It was something like compulsion, she was able to make a person want to do something or feel something, but it had limitations, it was only effective if the person she was doing it to was weak or tired in body or mind already.

With quick and deft weaves Keiren spoke words into the woman's mind "You will only enjoy sex if it involves pain. You will obey my every wish." knowing the words had settled there permanantly, Keiren then wove healing, causing the girl to shudder slightly in Mikale's arms as her body was restored.

Releasing her she gazed around slightly bewildered, curtseyed deeply to Keiren Sedai, then scurried to get the dirty dishes and then to leave. Just as she was about to go out the door, Mikale snaked out an arm and pinched her nipple through her bodice, hard. She gasped, and the colour of arousal graced her cheeks before she glanced behind her at Keiren Sedai and hurried out the door.

 

[Lethe]

Jaehan

Jaehan was sick of Illian. The days and even the nights were hot and sticky here, making him perspire furiously in his furs. He had taken to long walks among the reedbeds by the river, but even there was not cool. Worst of all was the noise in his ears and the silence in his head. The wolves would not come near a great city like Illian, and Jaehan missed them more every day.

The city, filled with the arrogant, swaggering Hunters was on edge. Three men had been killed in fights in the hot, swampy nights already. Few were prepared to quit the city for fear thousands would follow, believing them to have some clue as to the location of the Horn. Jaehan had several times considered simply plunging into the forest and searching at random -but that was not the way. He needed the Horn, for considerations beyond selfish glory.

Eventually, he made up his mind grudgingly. A river-ship would carry him too fast for the wolves to keep up, and his solitude would be prolonged. But he had to move fast, and he wasted too much time in Illian already.

He walked through the slums of the Perfumed Quarter, avoiding the gaze of the destitute, prostitutes and beggars on every street corner. He had been there himself. He stopped on a narrow bridge, looked down at a small river-boat whose proprietor sat sunning himself with a white handkerchief over his face.

'Friend', called Jaehan. He called everyone friend, did this yellow-eyed Lugarder boy who had never known any friend in his life.

The man reluctantly removed his handkerchief and peered upwards. 'Yes?'

'Are you planning to take this thing upriver?'

The man grimaced. 'There's a Festival on'

'That was last week'

'My wife will be expecting me back'

'She'll be expecting you back with money in your hand'

The sailor sighed. 'Very well. Where do you wish to go, m'Lord?', he asked with heavy-handed irony.

Jaehan jumped lithely down into the little boat, causing it to rock and the sailor to curse.

'I wish to be taken upstream to meet the good rivership Luqa', said Jaehan.

 

[chewbacca71]

Nestrum

Looking around the Inn once again, Nestrum notices that there are a few incongruities in the room. More than the usual riffraff you would expect in such places there was also a strange man one table away. He seemed to be delighted at himself, since he kept smiling while no one else was there. Nestrum shook his head at such foolishness. Then he noticed that the stranger help what looked like a map. Getting up to go to the bar for another drink, Nestrum casually walked past the man to sneak a look at the map. He sees a familiar map with some unfamiliar writing. Manetheren, never heard of it. Maybe my Aes Sedai has.

Getting back to his seat , Nestrum mentions the name to his Aes Sedai. He sees her stiffen, but that is all the reaction he has. She remains strangely silent after this. Nestrum turns to look at the man, but sees that he has gotten up from the table. Nestrum also gets up to follow the man. Seeing the man being accosted for not paying his bill, Nestrum returns back to his table, but keeps an eye on the man to see what he will do.

 

[petrel]

Megan watches the strange man in the corner get accosted - another hunter for the horn she realises, her mind is elsewhere though and she comes to herself with a start realising she has been lost in her thoughts for too long.
'Nestrum, we are here for a reason - several reasons in fact. for now all you need to know is that we are suppoused to be looking out for anyone unusual - I think the tower is more concerned with potantial wilders or young girls with talent manifesting - but we are also suppoused to keep our eyes open for any (she dropped her voice) Male "wilders" and (she looked over her shoulder this time and leaning towards Nestrum lowered her voice still further) any darkfriends

she straightened up hoping the whispered confidence had looked like a girls flirting to anyone watching them. Strange but she ahdn't been able to shake an uneasy feeling - something was jarring on her.

She drained her fruit juice - maybe we should return to our own inn - we can wlak round and throguht he town first to see if there are any others like our friend over there - she gestured towards the man who had by now caused somewhat of a stir.

 

[chewbacca71]

Nestrum

Nestrum looks over at his Aes Sedai with a questioning look. "Male wilders you say, is the time for the Dragon upon us again. It has been a while since the last one. I would be interested to see if a male wilder could use his powers faster than I could run him through with my sword." Nestrum goes back to eating his food, keeping an eye out for the strange man at the door.

 

[BlazeofLife]

Felix Minswaggle

Picking his way through the rubble at the base of yet another among hundreds of seemingly identical cliffs, Felix frowned at the disarray, as though expecting it to move at his gaze. Who would have thought that ancient ruins could be so? ruined, he thought. Such could not be his destiny, to sift through debris and sand and dirt to find clues! His superior skills should be easily able to locate hidden doors, or secret repositories, or countless other things mentioned in the bard?s tales. Nothing had ever been said of the sheer filth of the ruins. There was actually DIRT everywhere! This wasn?t how he had pictured it, at all.
Panting with exertion, he rested one hand upon the remnants of a fluted column buried amidst a rubble-strewn slope, and nearly bit off his tongue when he felt the stone shift beneath his splayed fingers. Picking at it, his disgust placed aside for the moment for the sake of elation, he worked open the ancient mechanism, revealing a small niche built within the filigree. He reached within, gritting his teeth in anticipation of being bitten by all manner of small insects, but was rewarded with the feel of parchment, which he very nearly lost to haste as he tore it roughly from the opening.
Scanning the page quickly, he began to read, barely noticing the curving elegance of the script in his desire to peruse their contents.

Dearest Elenia;
In my thoughts you are always, for the very moon above doth glow for your beauty, and the stars sing your praises on high for all the vaunted vault of heaven to hear...

He snorted in disgust. A love poem? Surely not. Why would anyone wish to keep such drivel? Skimming hurriedly down the page, he soon came to more interesting material, located nearly at the bottom of the page.

...worry not, for our mission has been successful, and we return now to aid in the defense of our homeland. The instrument is safe. Never shall the dark hordes sound its call, and never shall we be forced to combat those who have lost their lives in the past to ensure our glorious future.

The Horn! It had to be! His hands began to shake, their grip on the parchment growing tighter, and he failed to notice the small cracks beginning to appear near the top of the page, as the years began to catch up with it.

...the Others have taken custody of the instrument, as was prophesied would happen. We followed the clues, and we have found them. The travels we have endured, we would gladly accept again, for their land is wondrous, though the gateway was difficult to navigate...

With a sigh as of great age, the parchment surrendered its tenuous grip on substantive reality, dispersing into the wind gusting through the canyons in a last literate scattering of dust before it joined the myriad of other debris below the cliffs.
Cursing, felix stood, scrubbing his hands together fastidiously to rid them of the last of the clinging dust.
So, he had a clue. But to where? It would have to be a strange land, indeed, to have seemed wondrous to dwellers of famed Manetheren. And to have a gateway, as though there were but one entrance?
He had a great deal of thinking to do.

Blaze

 

[Abraxas Winterlight]

Tepshen Morlanna

The dream always starts the same. I am standing on the slope of a hill after a battle. The wind is blowing the dust across my bloody body, but my blade is clean, the heron on the blade standing out. I look behind me and notice the creature, its scales glistening in the sun, its proud head surveying the battlefield. A man stands below it, clutching his side and holding a sword made of fire. Somehow I know I have a allegience to this man, and that he is somehow connected with the creature standing before me. Suddenly, the world shifts around me and I am standing in a field of blackness, like being dropped in a dark hole but I can see myself. Before me a face appears, cracked and bleeding, but with eyes that are flames. "Fool!, you choose to satnd with him, not me. Tarmon Gai'don approaches, and he will not stand victorious." The face then rushes at me, flames enveloping me from the mouth and eyes, & I start to scream as my flesh burns, and the Dark one laughes and laughes.....
I wake gasping for breath, my sword in my hand, but I don't remember drawing it. The dream, the same damn dream again. I listen to the sounds of the inn waking up around me, and begin to calm down. I put my blade up, then spash some water in the basin to wash the night-sweats off of me. This was the fifth time that I had woken to this nightmare.
I dress and go downstairs. Whitebridge was not much as towns go, and the Cock and Bull was not a very large inn either. But for such a small town, the food was good, and I did not get too many stares at my blade and dress. One of the serving girls came to me and dropped off my usual breakfast. I was getting known here, maybe it was time to move on.

 

[princessa]

"fools! can't men do anything right?" lady gentia muttered, watching them unhitch her carriage while standing in the mud outside the inn.

whinny!

one of the matched grey horses sidled away from the handler and splashed more mud upon the bystanders.
sputtering in disbelief at the pure imbeciles and the additional ton of mud on her thin blue silk dress, gentia slapped the stableboy away from the skittish horse and led the gelding to the stall herself.

"shh... i know these idiot illianers can't handle true beauties like you. hmph. nor certain fat domani pigs" she murmered to the animal.

sliding out from the stall, gentia ordered grain and water for her horses before marching to the door of the inn. walking inside, she noted that the common room was fairly clean and the innkeeper was an motherly woman with grey hair heading toward her.

"welcome to black sheep inn in the fine city of illian, my lady, i am called anna. the best room is ready for you along with a private dining room. if you would please follow me, my lady?" the friendly innkeeper chattered.
"and a bath as well, please." gentia requested.
"but of course!"

entering her room, she saw the large bed with a fluffy goosedown coverlet and the cheerfulness of the flowers on the dresser. she was thankful to be out of the carriage after the hours of travel since early morning.

knock, knock

the head of her small guard, brenn, walked in with her bags and settled them in the corner of the pleasant room.

"do you think we're safe, brenn?" gentia asked the loyal retainer.
"no doubt your father may still be searching and the beast as well, but i believe they have lost us, my lady. you will be safe as long as i and my men are able, however." the older faithful man replied.
"the beast?" she chuckled, "i call him a pig, but both suit the disgusting excuse for a man. thank you brenn."

the man bowed and left her alone in the room, thinking about how to begin her quest for the horn of valere now that she had escaped from the horrid fate finally left behind.

 

[petrel]

Megan sighed, Male wilders were a threat and although in most cases Nestrum would be well able to handle them at least physically she needed him to be a little more cautious. Male wilders were strong in Fire and Air and although (unusually for a woman) she had some strength in fire it would not nesecarily be a straightfoward thing to deal with a male wilder strong in power.

She tapped her foot impatiantly on the floor as she waited for her warder to finish eating 'wait here for me' she said having decided that it might be worth fidning out a little more about the man at the centre of the earlier disturbance.
she walked over to the innkeeper - a fien enough figure of a man if you liked them middle aged and well built! hmmm, flirting woudl probably ge her a lto further than anything else.
she put on her silliest most vacant smile and leaned over the bar counter looking up at the innkeep through her lashes,
'that man - the one who was casuing the trouble ealier on - he has left hasn't he master innkeep?'
the innkeeper smiled down at her 'no he hasn't left yet - he's out back washing up to pay for his meal and damages - some damn fools around in this hunt fo rhte horn - oh I'm sorry nmistress' he said quickly ' you woudln't be taking the pledge woudl you?'

'me? oh no -' Megan followed the direction of his eyes to were nestrum was sat 'oh thtas my bodyguard - he cetainly won't be taking hte pledge - i pay him far too well. Do you think he was mad then that man'

'mad - i'm not sure mistress - not dangerous if thats whats worrying you - delusions of granduer and glory thats all. You needn't worry about him - besides I'm sure your bodyguard could take good care of you'

Megan smiled again 'oh thank you you have set my mind at ease sir, I feel safer now'

She walked back to their table concsiuos of the innkeepers eyes following her; it could be a bore playing the silly flirt but it had cleared up one thign - this was no wilder or darkfriend.
'come along Nestrum we should be leaving'

she waiyted until they were outside the inn and then said 'I wish to walk back through the town where-ever the hunters ar congregating'

 

[chewbacca71]

Nestrum

Nestrum tries to hide a smile, as he sees his Aes Sedai sashay up to the counter and begin to talk to the innkeeper. A few minutes more and that man would be willing to part with his soul, just to be with her. Nestrum finishes eating his meal and is ready when she comes back to the table. He grabs his pack and weapons, making sure not to forget anything. Once outside, she asks him to take her where the Hunters are congregating. "Ah, I will take you there. Follow me, my lady. " Nestrum leads her to the town square, where men and women aplenty are saying their vows to the horn.

 

[Abraxas Winterlight]

Tepshen

I spent the day wandering the small town, restocking my supplies, and getting a feel for this area. People for the most part minded their own business, though the occasional child came to me, barraging me with questions to my delight. Usually the parent would come & lead off their curious child, but eventually I had a crowd of children following me around as I shopped.

Around sundown I made my way back to the inn. Walking up I began to feel uneasy, like something bad was going to happen. I had felt this way before, and my patrol was ambushed by trollocks, led by a Myrddraal. Not many of us survived that day. I checked to make sure my sword was loose in its scabbard, went into the inn.
The inn was strangely silent, and I found out why almost immediately. Four figures in white cloaks and polished silver armor.
Whitecloaks. I have had problems with them before.

 

[chewbacca71]

Nestrum

Nestrum looked over at Megan. "So what is it you are hoping to see here? The square is crowded with too many people to count. What is your fascination with all this? "

 

[petrel]

Megan sniffed inwardly - sometiomes men could be such fools, it was unpleasently nesecary for her to be amongst this heaving crowd of fools and greedy men. Only by watching and wlaking amongst them could she compile a full report to the heads of the Green Ajah, they would not be satisfied with vague reports and rumours - they would want to know everything - how many people had taken the pledge, what types of people where they were from and most importantly had Megan had event he slightest suspicion of the presence of darkfreinds or Wilders - male or female; it had been noted that female wilders when not foudn as village healers were often outcasts and drawn to adventures far away from their homes - hunters for the horn was a good place to start looking.

She had spotted a couple of girls herself earlier that were potentially interesting so at least she would have something positive to put in her report - mmm she thought quickly - she had better check these girls out further first.

Quickly she explained all of this to Nestrum finishing up with
'and if you dislike these crowds so much perhaps you can go back to the inn - I am after all perfectly capable of taking care of myself - really Nestrum there is hardly likely to be any danger here' She sniffed again more audibly this time - she knew nestrum wouldn't really leave her here but something about his questions annoyed her - really she thoguth she almost preferred it when he did his strong and silent routine - well almost; in truth men were annoying no matter what they did and Nestrum was just as bad as all the others; especially as she coudl rarely manage to ignore him. He had an annoying habit of appearing far to often in her thoughts even when he wasn't present.

 

[chewbacca71]

Nestrum

Nestrum looks over at Megan and nods his head. "No , that is quite alright. I will stay here with you. I am sure that with this large of a crowd, that there will be pickpockets aplenty. And its not like you can openly use your powers. You have seen how scared some people are of the power that you wield. " Nestrum turns his head and scans the crowd.

 

[princessa]

lady gentia mutters over various yellowed scrolls and tattered books in the small study of the inn.

"the cities rise and fall, the noble families gain power and lose it, false dragons come and are taken away by aes sedai witches, and the blood soaked idiotic land rearranges itself every few generations with power hungry men!" she fumes, frustrated at her search through history.
"brenn!" gentia yells.

the heavy wooden door opens immediately with one of her guards.

"this... this... pile of fire starter! useless! what am i supposed to find?" lady gentia demands.
"uh... i don't know, my lady. perhaps another city will have a better library. um... brenn has been summoned, my lady." the man replies carefully, observing her temper.
"you may go for now, kondor," she waves a dismissal and sits back down in her chair.

thump, thump!

"enter."
"my lady," brenn bows.
"no doubt they mentioned i was in a temper," gentia sniffs. "after all the offal to be found in the library of this city."
"i'm sorry, my lady." brenn replies carefully.
"no matter. i shall discover more about the horn of valere later. now, i wish to go shopping and shed my foul mood." she finally smiles.
"would my lady ride her mare or should i call for the carriage?" he asks.
"we can ride and see a bit more of this crowded town. i'll go up and change first before meeting you at the stable. no more than three or four men, please."
"yes, my lady." he responds before holding the study door open for her to depart.