Although she is in good physical shape from cheerleading, the surprise and stress of the past little while coupled with the long walk leave her quite tired. Finding an almost comfortable stump she sits down gratefully. Her mistrust level of the wizard rises sharply again as he simply ups and leaves them, all alone, not only in a strange and dark wood but in a whole new world! But she is too tired to protest and lets him leave without comment. Plus, it gives her the first opportunity to speak with her schoolmates without him there.
"I can't believe he just left us here all alone like that! With nothing to defend ourselves but a glowy stick! What do you guys really think of Yalm? You think we can trust him? I mean, this whole thing is more than a little crazy right? I can't be the only one thinking that!"
Wrapping her arms around herself and looking around at the dark woods outside the sticks' radius and thinking of the boys talk of animals she asks in a more quiet voice "And, um, hey, any of you guys know how to build a fire?" thinking of the singing trees she adds quickly "But, you know, a safe one!"
the sounds of the forest are too overwhelming to pick out anything in particular and you are indeed blinded by the glowy stick :)
Trent looks over at Ashley and wordlessly walks over and takes his coat off and places it on her shoulders.
"I dont think we should start a fire, if what yalm says is true someone will be looking for us. A fire will only attract attention. i don't think Yalm would abandon his worlds only hope in a clearing that is possibly dangerous. Try to relax guys Im sure everything will be explained soon.
After he says that he walks back over and leans up against the now silent tree and places a hand on it, rubbing his palm softly against the rough bark.
Terry doesn't sit down, but stands and rocks a little bit from side to side to keep from tightening up. "We have a couple of things besides the glowy stick." Reaching into one pocket of his cargo pants, he produces a small nylon-wrapped item. "Good thing they don't use metal detectors yet at PF High...multitool," He pulls out a leather belt pouch. "...clasp knife...portable screwdriver and ratchet set...I suppose the lockpicks aren't good for weapons, but I might find something to open with them...LED flashlight, even though it's not as cool as the glowy stick...small can of WD-40...and a pair of leather work gloves." He looks around at the other three. "Everybody's got a hobby, right? Mine's getting places that are hard to get to."
After Ashley voices her concerns, Reggy thinks a bit, then says, "Yeah, I'd say this all seems pretty... surreal. I think we can trust Yalm, though. After all, he seems to know this place, and without him we're pretty much stranded. He doesn't seem like a bad guy, either." Reginald doesn't let his eyes linger on Ashley too long, feeling embarrassed just from looking at her. He turns and looks instead to the woods around them, peering in to the darkness where Yalm left them.
Ashkey smiles up warmly at Tent as he offers his coat and words of comfort. 'Hmmm, he's not quite as cute as Terry but he definitely has something going on. I like that he's not coming on too strong either. Hmmmm....' the cheerleader muses to herself for a while as she gives the young man leaning up against the tree a long look. Doing so, she completely misses Reg's uneasiness around her.
When Terry brings out his multi-tool and explains his 'hobby' she gives him a bit of a strange look but then suddenly realizes that she hasn't left the other world entirely behind either. Reaching into her pocket she pulls out her smartphone and gives it a long look, realizing that whatever charge the battery has now may be the last it ever gets. Still though...
Siging, she does a quick search and a moment later the beautiful music of one of her favourite groups begins drifting hauntingly through the forest night. She is careful not to play it Too loud though.
Terry taps his hand quietly against his leg in time to the music. He smiles to himself as a thought crosses his mind. Wonder how many bars we get here? Heh...'Can you hear me now?'
As you all sit waiting Terry feels a strong grip on his shoulder. You all turn just in time to see the most hideous old.....thing you've ever seen. With no idea what it is or where it came from, you all freak. Then you will notice Yalm standing stall next to the hunched figure. The strange person chuckles allowing you to identify it as an old woman. "Rather high strung aren't they." She responds. Yalm chuckles. "Kids, this is my dear friend, Agatha. She has a hovel we will be staying the night at not far from here. Gather your things and come along."
Yalm and Agatha lead you to a large tree in about ten minutes walk off the beaten trail. "Ah home sweet home." Agatha announces. She goes up to the tree and knocks twice, pauses, knocks once, pauses again, and knocks three times. Then a door appears in the trunk of the tree and opens to reveal a rather large room. The room was at least six feet high and Yalm had to duck to enter. Everything was made of gnarly wood. The table and chair, there was an animal skin rug on the floor. A fire place with a cauldron in it. The cauldron had a nice stew of some sort in it. The smells of spices fills the air with the most desirable aroma. Enough to make ones mouth water. There was a hammock on the far side of the room. A variety of strange knick knacks could be seen hanging on hooks and sitting on selves. None of you have ever seen anything like it. The only problem was, Space was tight with six people.
Agatha turns to you. "Here let me get some cushions. Made them myself." Agatha recovers some cushions from a closet and sets one for each of you in the clear spot on the floor. "Now have a seat, supper is almost ready." Yalm is the first to sit down setting his staff and hat off to the side. "Thank you for this Agatha." As the rest of you seat, feel from to share your expressions, questions, and concerns.
Terry jumps at least two feet into the air, trying to spin around to see what grabbed him and ending up not quite falling into a heap backing away from the crone. After Yalm's introduction, he says (in a voice that starts out higher-pitched than normal) "A--A--Agatha. Glad to meet you. I'm...." His voice trails off as he visibly mulls something over. "Yalm, is it OK for us to tell people our real names here?"
He picks up his pack and follows. Bet they did that on purpose. Still, I suppose I'd better get used to being surprised...gonna happen a lot, I'm afraid.
Once they reach the tree and Agatha opens it, Terry thinks to himself Hee! She lives in a hollow tree. I wonder.... "Um, ma'am? Agatha? Your last name wouldn't be Keebler, would it? He glances around at the other three teens, trying to hide a smile.
After they enter the tree, Terry will do his best to keep his elbows in and not bump into anything. It's like Grandma's apartment, only better decorated. "Thank you for having us over, ma'am. It smells wonderful. And it's much nicer than a hovel." He again looks around at his fellow Pathfinders, then back to the wizard. "Yalm, can we talk about what you told us before? About why we're here?"
Reggy sees the ghastly visage of the woman half-lit by the moon and the glow of the stick. He immediately snaps up, and ends up tripping over his own foot and falling on his face. He gets up quickly, ready to confront whatever she is, but then sees Yalm, and hesitates. When Yalm explains, Reginald backs down, and stutters out, "Ah... Hi..." He tries to look Agatha in the face, but instead looks away to Yalm. She freaks him out a great deal, even after she made them all jump.
Reggy follows behind Yalm and Agatha uneasily as they approach a tree. He looks over Agatha's shoulder, curious as to what's going to happen next. After all, with singing trees and magic lighting, he is just about ready to see anything. Will the tree stand up and dance? He pictures it, and smiles to himself. Then he gets back to what's happening, and sees the door open in the tree. Hearing Terry's comment makes Reggy put down his guard, but when he looks back to Agatha unconsciously for a response he looks away again. He doesn't know what about her he finds so repulsive. He had a computer with the internet, so you'd think he'd be desensitized to ugly sights. Yet, it isn't so much her countenance that made him shudder... He can't place his finger exactly on it.
He snaps back out of his thoughts again, and looks to Yalm when Terry asks the questions. Though the promise of food has Reginald's curiousity perked, he's more interested in knowing why all this crazy stuff is going on. He looks to Yalm expectantly.
With the dark, their being all alone, and the music playing from her smartphone with the sudden arrival of Yalm and the thing Ashely does indeed freak. Her freaking includes jumping up, screaming, falling and trying to back away, not necessarily in that order.
When it is immediately clear that the hideous creature is actually with Yalm, her face immediately turns red with both embarrassment and anger. When she happens to notice the brief flash of pain in Agatha's eyes her heart suddenly goes out to the other woman, as they form the kind of connection only two women can with each other. Still though, her dominant emotion at the moment is anger.
"Yes we're high strung! And why shouldn't we be! We were left for ages, all alone, in the dark, in a strange forest, on a totally different world, and with nothing to defend ourselves with but a glowy stick! HOW DARE YOU SNEAK UP ON US LIKE THAT YALM! You're certainly not doing a very good job of impressing this supposed savior of your world so far at least. I did not find that funny At All!"
Taking a few breaths to calm herself but still in high snit Ashley stomps along behind the others as they move on. When they reach the the tree house Ashley turns a warm smile on Agatha, clearly giving Yalm the cold shoulder to make clear her displeasure with him. "Why, this is a lovely home Agatha! I really love what you've done with it! Why, back home, a design like this would really be a big hit! Did you really design all this yourself?"
She knows she may be going a bit overboard but at the same time she figures the old lady likely doesn't get many visitors and would enjoy the praise. Plus she really wants to make clear to Yalm that she did not appreciate his leaving them alone and then scaring the bejessus out of them.
Ashley's reaction gives Terry a chance to pull himself together. As she pauses for breath, he (trying not to be condescending, but probably failing miserably) says quietly, "Hey, Ashley? Not that I'm, you know, disagreeing with you or anything, but we should keep it down out here." He looks up at Agatha and Yalm and continues in the same low tone. "No offense, but I kinda expected a wizard to be, you know, um, wise. God knows how far that entirely avoidable outburst carried. Next time, give us some warning when you come back, and we'll try to be quieter. Right, Ashley?"
Agatha and Yalm laugh. Agatha exclaims, "Most of the creatures in this particular forest are harmless. The dangerous creatures usually a bit to docile to attack these days. They seem to be living in fear. I know none of would attack you."
-----
At Agatha's she responds nicely to Ashley's response. "My your such a sweet and likable girl. You must be quite popular where you're from
Yalm addresses Terry. "What would you like to know concerning you being here?"
Trenton had been looking out into the dark as he leaned up against the tree waiting for Yalm's return. Spotting a pair of shadowy figures Trenton tenses up but quickly makes out Yalm's distinguishing figure and relaxes but only to tense up again at Ashley's squeal and winces at her upbraiding of Yalm sneaking up on them. He winces several times and moves to speak only to go quiet as they make to head out from the clearing.
Perception
When they reach Agatha's home Trent looks skeptically at it and at the lack of room but does not fail to mention his thanks for having them as his mother would have reminded him to do so when entering a friends home. He looks around and takes a seat on the rough flooring and listens to the others questions his own following the same lines only more along the path of when would they learn magic and what did the elements mean.
"Yalm I did have a question." Trenton waits until Yalm turns to address him.
"Can you you tell us more about when the old sorcerers were given powers by the elementals? And what does that mean to us?"
"Trent's question's a good one to start with, but what I was really asking is whether we were OK to talk about things like that in front of Agatha. I figure we can, but I was a little distracted when you called her a dear friend and it didn't register right away." He smiles sheepishly.
As you all eat your squirrel stew, Yalm sets himself up for a long story. "Many years ago, the elementals took the forms humans and began to pass their powers onto the mortals of this world. The elementals sought after specific individuals who were especially in tune with the elements. These individuals were then infused with the powers of the elements. There are also beings that are born of the elements who breed with mortals to produce to different variants of the same kind of powers. Therefore there are to forms of each elemental power. These forms allow for different versatility and a difference in sorcerers. There are the Aquatic Sorcerers and the Marid Sorcerers, The Deep Earth Sorcerers and the Shaitan Sorcerers, the Flame Sorcerers and the Ifreet Sorcerers, The Stormborn and the Djinn sorcerers. There is also the very elementals themselves. Now it is said that there are certain individuals that can be found in other worlds that also posses these traits inherently. The way I have seen it, Each of you are draw to a specific element and there is a chance, that each of you will master all three of each elemental forms which will make you all, more powerful than any sorcerer who has ever existed. I mean. You'd have to be to defeat Xivasar. What's better, there are four of you against him. This will be the most colossal battle Kellmanor has ever witnessed. Truly can't wait to see it in action." Yalm cleared his throat. "Sorry, I get carried away when talking about things like that gets me excited. Sorry for that"
Agatha laughs. "Here let me set up your beds for the night." Agatha sets up bedrolls along the floor. You all curl up on the floor and fall asleep for the night.
The next morning you are awoken by Yalm. "Time to get up, we have to get moving." Yalm's seems to be in a bit of a hurry. He doesn't give you much time to ask questions and if you manage a question or two he simply responds "Not now, we'll talk more once we are at may place."
Agatha approaches bearing five carefully wrapped satchels. "Here, some fresh rations for the day. You each get one. Before you leave, the old women gives you each a hug and a large bundle. [b]"Here you go. For the road. I really must thank you for coming to visit a lonely old woman. I wish we had more time to talk but it seems Yalm is in a hurry and I wouldn't want to keep you from saving us all. Take care and best of luck. Oh and if you ever get some free time, do come and visit."
As you leave, she stands at the door waving good-bye.
Once on the road Yalm has accelerated your place extensively. Again, he leaves you no opportunity to ask questions. After 4 hours on quick hiking he stops. "Okay, rest and eat. I am going to look around. Do not worry, I will be close and will know if any danger approaches you. Trust me, no harm will come to you." With that, Yalm races off into the woods and vanishes yet again.
In the satchel are fresh fruits and vegetables along with some freshly cooked and salted venesion. You remember the smell when you were awakened. There is also a piece of bread that is much softer than the stuff you had before. All the food is organic with no additives, pesticides, or genetic engineering. Good food. You also each got a water skin with it.
You will have noticed a rather distressed look on Yalm's face for most the morning. Though you have yet to have the opportunity to talk to him, and barely to each other. You know something isn't right.
Pausing while stretching his legs, Terry looks after Yalm as he rushes off. "Huh. What's up with him? It's all happy singing trees and you're going to crush the bad guy one minute, then all of a sudden rush rush rush. Whatever."
He looks around where Yalm left the group. "Hey, he says we're safe here, but I think we need to watch out for ourselves. After we eat, let's find someplace we can hide and watch for trouble while we rest."
Perception
Trenton frowns as he looks at Yalm's worried expression but at Terry's words Trenton turns his head and looks at him sidelong.
"I dont think we should move, we have no idea of what is ahead and if we move we might get lost without chance of Yalm finding us again. But you are right we should be careful no one should wander off alone."
His mouth full, Terry pauses to swallow before answering Trent. "Yeah, you're right. Maybe we could climb the trees right here, so we could see when Yalm gets back." He looks around. "I guess I don't like being so easy to sneak up on. At least, Agatha and Yalm made it look pretty easy."
Reginald doesn't say much until he's done with his food, which doesn't take very long. He gives a satisfied sigh and tells Terry, "I don't think we need to climb any trees. We were fine last time he left, right? I just hope he doesn't surprise us again this time." He sips from his waterskin and looks pensive. "So, what do you guys think of this Xivasar guy? I mean, obviously he's a bad guy, but he sounds really strong. Why do they think we can do anything here? I woulda picked Yalm instead of us." He looks down at his hands and thinks.
"i think it has to do something with these elementals they keep talking about, the stories they told us sound like these things were some sort of force, like gods I suppose. I don't know. I think if they could've picked Yalm they would've. Maybe its like genetics or something. You know, like something in our genes make it more accessible to us?" Trent says in reply to Reginald. He then goes over to one of the trees near the path and touches it wondering if it would sing again sometime for him. Though he keeps a wary eye on his companions unsure how they were really taking this new experience none of them really looked like they had spent much time outdoors, hiking or running and the like.
"Could be, Trent. I'm trying not to think about it too hard right now, 'cause--well, you were reading Wheel of Time, right? I've read some fantasy, too, and I don't want to assume anything until we find out more. Prophecy, for one. If it's like in Wheel of Time or Harry Potter, it'll come true, but not the way you think it will. But we don't know how it works here." He pauses to take off his shoes and socks, then does some leg stretches. "What do you think, Ashley?"
Reginald perks up a little at the mention of genes, as biology was one of his favorite classes. "Huh, yeah, maybe we've got some rare genetic markers that make us more receptive to these powers. I guess he has some magic that allowed him to identify us..." He looks at the rest of the group, then turns a bit bashful, hoping they don't deem him too nerdy for his terminology. He listens to Terry's ideas, though doesn't know much about fate or prophesy or anything like that, so he decides to stay quiet on the subject. He glances sidelong at the empty satchel that used to contain his meal, wishing he had some more. Agatha's fruits and vegetables were really good, much better than anything he had back home. Well, anytyhing but his mom's home cooking. He thinks of his mother's "famous" green bean casserole that he's always loved so much, and he reminisces about the wonderful food his mom always makes for him. Or, made...
Trenton notices Reginald's glance and tosses him his own food satchel where he hadn't eaten most of the food. "Here. I'm not that hungry and I don't want it to go bad so you'd be doin me a favor if you ate it Reginald. You'll need the extra energy if we hike anymore."
Trenton flashes him a quick smile and then takes a small pull from the water-skin. Before scanning the area once more looking for Yalm's return.
Yalm returns quickly and without surprise as you seem him moving at a brisk pace of in the distance. He approaches. "Everything should be fine for now, but we need to get moving. My place is another couple of hours walk from here so lets go." With that you all are up and following the wizard once more.
After another three more hours of traveling in the dense forest, you come to a quaint little clearing. The sunlight is still lingering but will set in the next two too three hours. In the clearing you see a very cozy looking cottage and a horse coral. Next to the cottage is a four story tower that looks like it came right off a castle. Yalm gestures. "Ah here at last. Home sweet home." As Yalm approaches and you follow, you will allow notice the coral is not housing just any horses, but Unicorns. There are three of the brilliantly white and pure steeds racing majestically around in the coral. Also you will all notice a young boy black haired boy among the horses waving in your direction. Yalm waves back. "And there is my faithful servant Leorn. How are you ma boy?"
As you approach the fence, the boy known as Leorn runs up to meet you all. "Yalm! Something has happened. Alexander has been in your room and he is quite upset. He's been cursing for the past hour and moving about in a hurry. I think he is preparing to leave." Yalm looked noticeably stricken at hearing the news. "Oh no! Not now!" Yalm exclaimed. With that he ran off to the cottage leaving you with the boy known as Leorn.
If you all take a look at Leorn you will instantly be aware of his long pointy ears. He's an elf. He is also more attractive looking than any man any of you have ever seen. There is not a single blemish on his perfectly sculpted face. He looks to you and smiles. "Don't worry about that. Family trouble. I'm sure Yalm will sort things out." Leorn looks at the house with a concerned expression on his face. "At least I hope it works out this time."
Leorn then looks back at the rest of you with a more perky and excited expression. "Wow, you must be them. The Sorcerers Yalm was always speaking about. My name is Leorn. I am Yalm's servant, I for the most part take care of him and in return, he takes care of me. So what are your names and where did Yalm find you?" He waits eagerly to hear your responses.
Ashley had been unusually quiet for most of journey so far. The young woman kept bouncing back and forth between various emotions. One minute she was afraid wondering 'What have I got myself into??' while the next she was marveling at some spectacular, fantastical sight she had never seen before.
Nothing, however, could have prepared her for, or has thus far come close to equaling the incredible thrill of delight which rockets through her at the sight of unicorns!
Squealing in absolute joy, like a little girl she runs over to the fence, trying to get as close to them as she can. Enchanted by them, she completely misses the first exchange between Yalm and the boy. When she does finally notice him though she does a double take 'HELLO! Wow! What a hottie! First unicorns and now him?? Maybe this place won't be so bad after all!'
Blushing slightly but recovering with grace Ashley gives her best, megawatt smile and says coyly "Uh, hi! I'm Ashley! You..are you really an Elf??" Feeling slightly embarrassed at her lame line, she turns once again toward the beautiful, magical creatures to cover her embarrassment and asks "And you get to hang around unicorns all day! What are their names?" as she reaches out her hand over the fence, hoping one of the magnificent creatures will come to her. She had read that they supposedly only liked girls, well, virgin girls, so she was a little worried. But really there had only been that one time with her ex, and she hoped that 1.5 minutes wouldn't really count.
Reginald is amazed at the sight of unicorns, like real unicorns, with a real horn and everything! He feels that this land must be full of such amazing things that you could only hear about in fairy tales at home, and wonders at what other spectacles their little group might see yet.
When seeing the boy in the fields initially, Reginald didn't notice his ears. However, when the boy got closer, it was obvious that they weren't ordinary human ears. Their size seemed to be stretched out to nearly absurd proportions. And yet, they didn't seem out of place when taken with the rest of the boy's head as a whole. Ashley steals the word right out of Reginald's mouth, as he silently wonders whether this boy was a real life elf.
This place seemed to never run out of fascinating things for Reggy to see, and he becomes excited at the prospect of what they might see next. Maybe Yalm would show them a dragon? A minotaur? A little village of tiny pixies? Being in this place with wonders that he could only imagine before, it was like a dream come true. Reginald pinches himself a little to ensure he's not just sleeping. A look of easy happiness is spread across his face as he looks at the unicorns, and past them to the majestic landscapes beyond.
As the small party treks into the clearing, Terry is at first so relieved to be someplace to stop that he doesn't really register what else is there. There's probably some really good reason we had to come out so far away from where Yalm lives, but all this walking still sucks. At least it's pretty. He smiles, struck by a thought. We do much more of this, and by the time we get back I'm going to be in great shape for parkour!
When he realizes what he's seeing, he's speechless. Unicorns...elves...singing trees and evil wizards...what next? What will the cities be like? Will there be castles and palaces, like Neuschwanstein and Versailles? Cathedrals, like Chartres? He looks around again, agog at the graceful creatures and the elf. Then he pauses to shake his head, as if to clear it. No assumptions. No assumptions. These are real, and I can't assume they're going to be like in stories.
Trenton looks at the tower wondering why there was such a structure in the middle of seeming-less nowhere. And then he spied the Unicorns, he watched as Ashley ran to them and then later flirted with the elf man. Trenton had to admit he was good looking but then he had read many fantasy novels, elves were expected to be good looking, but nothing could've prepared him for the sight of real unicorns.
"Um...who is Alexander?" Trenton fumbles now shy again at a new person but has to ask the reason why Yalm would run off like that.
Leorn seems taken aback by Ashley's question. "What? Of course I'm an elf. Well actually I am a wood elf. Not like the mighty high elves or moon elves that live in the far east of Edanor. But I still count as an elf. Are you human?"
At the question about the Unicorns Leorns mood heightens to excitement. He begins to point them out. "Out here in the field are Gezebelle, Gloria, Gammie, and Grace. It the table still are Gabriela, Gina, and Galinda. They are all girls and Yalm and my's best friends. They take us everywhere. There is a male and he is over there by the door. That is Alexander's horse Gabriel."
At the question about his expression turns noticeably uneasy. "Well he is, um well I mean to say. Gosh he is Yalm's grandson and is suppose to inherit great powers. Much like you all are suppose to. He's.......a bit upset right now so let's not talk about it. Leorn quickly changes the question. "So I um didn't get your names.
"Oh im sorry, my names Trenton." Trenton trailed off as he waited for the others to introduce themselves. Woodelves, moonelves, highelves I wonder what the difference is and if their men look like this, I wonder what there woman look like. Certainly wouldn't mind meeting one of them.
Focusing back toward the young boy, Reginald listens without speaking. When asked his name, Reginald says, "Oh, I'm Reggy. Hi." He thinks about what the elf said about Yalm's grandson, and how he would inherit great powers from him. He wonders if one of his relatives could be a great mage like Yalm is. Could his grandma use magic too?
He looks back to Leorn and says, "So, is that the only way to use magic? If you have a relative who can, I mean."
"I'm Terry. Pleased to meet you! I'm sorry, we don't have elves where we're from, so...." He shrugs and looks down at his feet, flustered, but perks up at something Reginald says. "Hey! Maybe you were right--it *is* genetic! Or...oh, no." I sure hope I'm wrong, but....
"Leorn, I'm sorry, but I have to ask you some things about Alexander and Yalm. And magic. We don't have that where we're from, either.
"OK, so Yalm is a great wizard with lots of magic power, right? And Alexander is supposed to inherit that--like, Yalm had left it to him in his will, OK? But now we're here, and Yalm maybe figures there isn't time to train us to beat Xivasar before the Big X covers the world with that cloud and it's game over. So he's going to take Alexander's inheritance and give it to us, and Al's all butthurt about it? (I would be, too. Just sayin'.) Is that what's going on with them?"
Having already introduced herself Ashley lets the boys talk while she focus' back on the unicorns once again, trying to call them all by name. They are all so wonderful she is happy to be just near any of them but in one of them...maybe it's something about the beautiful steed's long flowing mane, or maybe a certain twinkle in the beautiful, intelligent eyes, but Ashley finds herself most drawn to Gezebelle in particular, feeling a certain connection with the magical mare.
Leorn looks at Terry a bit confused. "Strange. Alexander has no magical talent to speak of. Alexander was suppose to help escort you to Edanor and aid in leading an army against Xivasar. He is suppose to inherit a special sword that Yalm had sacrificed much to find." Leorn suddenly looks a bit uncomfortable. "You um....haven't seen.....well by chance none of you met another elf by the name of Jemmi have you?"
"You're the first elf any of us has ever seen, unless Jemmi is disguised as an old woman and calling herself Agatha." He looks around at the other teens. "Or unless one of you has taken much weirder vacations than I have!"
At Leorn's explanation, Terry stops. No assumptions, no assumptions. "Sorry, you said Alexander was supposed to inherit great power, like us, and that sounded like magic power to me."
Trenton frowns wondering on Leorn's question "Who is Jemmi?"
Trenton looks at the elf man and wonders about his concerns. Brother? Sister? Relative? Lover?
Leorn looks stricken when you mention that none of you have met any other elves since you've been here. "He's...he's nobody of importance.
His expression is that of someone who has JUST lost someone close to him. He is fighting back the emotions and trying to stay collected but you can see that he is tormented with grief inside.
Leorn straightens up. There is something a little off but he seems to be okay. [b]"Well the sword Alexander was suppose to inheret was going to give him the power of magic immunity. No spells of any sort would harm or effect him. So it is indeed a lot of power especially considering the enemy we are suppose to face."
Disappointed that the unicorns haven't been responding to her so far, Ashley turns around at the mention of the sword "A sword that gives magical immunity? That sounds so familiar...where have I...? Wait! Yes! I..I've read about that! In a story! A book series called 'The Guardians of the Flame', by Joel Rosenburg! This is too strange!" looking around at her companions, her face takes on an even greater shock "And, holy shit! Look at us! We're...we're just them! People from one world who get brought into a magical fantasy world by some wizard! It's...it's like we're characters in a book or someone's story! This is crazy! Am I loosing my mind??"
Looking lost and somewhat hysterical at the moment Ashely looks from one boy to another, desperately searching for someone to make sense of all of this for her.
"Hey, we've been here less than two days. Give us time...so far, we've only met Yalm, Agatha, and you. Oh, and heard the trees singing, which was really cool."
The fact that Leorn said "the enemy we are supposed to face" doesn't escape Reginald, and he assumes that they won't be the only ones in this fight, which makes him feel better. These people have made the task of the four teens seem pretty insurmountable so far, so it was reassuring to hear that they would have help.
Listening to Ashley carefully, Reggy recalls that he's heard of that series before, though he hasn't actually read it. He mutters, "Huh, is it a good series? I might wanna read it..." Then when Ashley links their situation to the book, Reggy says, "Are the other things in the book linking up? Like, was it 3 guys and 1 girl, and singing trees and unicorns?" Maybe Ashley was onto something, if this was the case.
Perception
Diplomacy
Trenton studies the elf's face for a moment and says "He must've been someone very close to you, and this happened recently didn't it? Maybe if you told us what he looks like we could keep an eye out for him?" Trent was slightly hesitant to be talking so much in front of people he had hardly just met and certainly in front of a real elf, but, he had dealt with loss often enough to recognize a need for comfort even if it was a friendly offer to try and help when one could, he smiles shyly at everyone else hoping for their encouragement.
Leorn sighs heavily. "He is dead." Before you can say anything you here a commotion at the door and two men barge out of the the door. One is Yalm but the other is an armored young man. The young man seems vary upset. Yalm is following the man pleading. "Please don't go! Your needed here! We will save Kellmanor like you want!" The young man turns on Yalm. "Silence old man! I know what your up too and I will not go along with such a mad scheme! Kellmanor needs heroes not more magic caster! You seek to control me and use me as a puppet in your little plan but I will not have it!" With that the man loads the last of his things onto another Unicorn standing just outside the cottage. He quickly mounts inspite of Yalm's pleas. Be begins to ride when suddenly he notices the four of you. He stares in disbelief. "Gods. Yalm you are a fool." He turns violently to the wizard. "These are unseasoned brats and nothing more. Your madness goes even deeper than I realized. Your lucky I don't cut you down where you stand!" He turns back to you. "You! Children! Go back to wherever it is this old fool dragged you from! Whatever he promises don't believe it! It is all lies! He will only use you for his mad plan to defeat Xivasar! Now go!" Without another word The man kicks at his horse and races off into the forest. Yalm tries to give chase but is too slow on foot to even hope to catch. He is left standing there with his hand reached out as if he is beckoning for the boy to return. He lowers his hand and let his head hang in defeat. He then looks over and notices you. He walks over and looks very uncomfortable. "I am sorry you had to see that. That was Alexander my grandson. He.......did not believe in the prophecy. Come, lets go inside and get you some food. Leorn get dinner ready please." Leorn turned to Yalm. "Yes master I will have it done in a jiffy." Leorn whistled to the Unicorns and they all head into the stable. You all follow Yalm into the house. It is a cozy looking cottage of decent size and with more than one room. You all take a seat at the long table. Yalm sits down at the end. The rest of you sit where you like.