Bump
@Min: Tarien blinks. "The Lionhearts? Goodness. I can't imagine I know anymore than you, good sir, if you know enough to ask about them; I have heard that they were cursed by a contract they were fooled into signing, mislead by one of Szuriel's number, using a contract forged by rebels of Moloch in Nessus, since purged. I heard that while Asmodeus will not declare the contract invalid, he allowed its burden to be transferred to their leader, who now is doomed to walk the land, marked by his curse, unable to rest and unable to re-join his troops who now must all turn to mercenary work to survive. That is what Dr. Schrebel says, anyway, and he is a most knowledgeable man."
@Maiathreen: There is a growling sound, but it's unclear whether it's meant to be threatening or not. ::magus. you must understand. the land is very, very old, and it goes through a transformation every five thousand years; a kind of confluence of magical energies. this world you occupy exists on a demi-plane supported by four pillars that are fixed in time -- they exist in the everywhen -- and which is coterminous to all other planes. all lands are one land, as the saying goes. in one of the iterations of this place, the shadows ruled, and count ranalc of the first world made his home-in-exile here, and it was he that we shadowguards protected. when his time was up, so was ours, but some of us were not completely evil at heart, and wanted to help the fledgling new iteration of the Land to survive. we created a chasmal rend to channel off some of ranalc's power into the land, such that we could keep our strength, and such that new denizens of the land could use it as well. like all plans, it went awry. the center city was formed, and Mamban around it, flourishing even in the Brute Age, the Great Flowering, and through the Draconic Epoch of Kalaroth. Unfortunately, the god Norgorber, who attached himself to the center city, feared us and our power, and conspired with the rest of his pantheon to lock us away in weapons and stones and magic trinkets, kept from our true power, and kept from educating and informing the nascent new populace. somewhere out there are my brothers and sisters, shadow lords of old, ready to help this land through its next change, but as long as the center city exists, we can never fully regain our power. THIS is why I reacted to the leader of House del Corranus and the Sunderer. They are part of the outside forces that would keep me locked up.::
@Aylaeth: Aduila perks up a bit, though you can still sense a longstanding sadness behind her eyes. "Thank you, my lady. I...this started in the Dead City; the ruined and haunted landscape between Warbane and Stormfare. My p-partner and I saw another large group of refugees setting up yet another squat near the outskirts, and we stopped to speak with them and attempt to dissuade them from going through with it." Here the druid's tone becomes conspiratorial -- "I don't know if you've been there, my lady, but that place is a cancer, a foul thing, and should be done away with. It's no place anyone decent should live."
"There was a creature, a large vermin. It looked like a very large centipede, maybe a foot long, maybe a bit more. My partner is typically quite good at controlling such creatures and he attempted to speak with this one. It bit him, though, quite aggressively, and then...the wound spread...he...he's so sick. The Doves have him in their care, but they fear only celestial intervention can help."
War. How many had died in the Dragon's War now? Once, many years ago, General Damian Lamorak would have cared. He supposes that he could find out. Surely there were some scholars somewhere in Izmir, the last besieged bastion of freedom, that could answer the question. For now, he presses the issue out of his mind. The defense of Izmir is all that matters to him. Izmir, and Izmir alone, offered any hope to a world overran with Kalaroth's forces. The Land had seen countless horrors the last several years: Mamban crumbling into a vortex, Lanzhu destroyed by the Lich Queen, Warbane and Stormfare conquered and razed. But Izmir stands. She is a fortress city now, protected from draconic assault by stone and magic alike, but she stands proudly through a decade of siege.
General Lamorak leads the defenders - as he has, day after day without rest, since Korius Merit was killed - into battle. Streaking from above on his griffon with his soaring Skyknight bodyguards at his back, he cuts through a massive giant who had been flinging boulders at the city. The knights and paladine, sallying forth to drive back the latest incursion, slam into the Dragonflight soldiers and start to press them backwards. "Drive ahead, brave men of Izmir! Drive forward and reclaim this land for our city!" His words ring with inspiration, but he knows in his heart of hearts that he has been delaying the inevitable sack of Izmir for years. The soldiers dutifully roar in approval, slashing and hacking forward for land that they will have to retreat from to keep their casualties to a minimum. Preventing the enemy from gaining a foothold is the best they can hope for, and Damian knows that there will not be any force coming to rescue them. Where would it come from?
He barely sees the streak of flame coming, giving him just enough time to dodge it and to shout out a warning. One of the Skyknights doesn't hear it in time, getting incinerated in white-hot fire. Damian idly tries to recall the man's name, but cannot. None of the Skyknights of old, the legendary group that he led in the early days of the war - the days before all hope wasn't lost - were among the living. One by one, they had died horribly and permanently, lost to the cause. Their deaths had not been in vain, as they had eventually recovered eleven of the Abominations and delivered them to Izmir. The vile artifacts were the reason he fought so hard, even knowing that there was no victory in reach any longer. If Kalaroth got his hands on even one... He is sure that there was someone out there living in hidden freedom, and the Abominations would finish off this damaged world.
Kalaroth flies on his dark wings, hovering over his army. It was not the first time they had faced each other, nor would it be the last. Damian's lance gleams with holy energy as the dark dragon god approaches, still wrapped in his mortal shell. Damian smiles darkly, pleased that Kalaroth still hasn't managed to break out of it and return to his full power and might. This form, Damian reminds himself, was strong enough to tear out Aylaeth's heart and turn Brook to ash. "Kalaroth," he says with hate on his tongue. "Have you come to offer your surrender?"
The dragon god sneers on that face that Damian has learned to hate so strongly. "Just here to claim a few more of your friends. Oh, I don't think I can. I believe I've collected the whole set, haven't I? A pity. I'll have to settle for you." He points at Damian and unleashes a stream of pure flame at him. His magical shield holds it at bay, though his armor glows lightly - a sign that some of the flames are bleeding through the shield's wards. Damian frowns, noting that Kalaroth's blast is stronger than ever before, and grunts under its sustained power.
With difficulty, he brings his lance down to bear, holding back the flames with the shield in the other hand. He shouts out an order, over the flames and the din of battle below him. "Skyknights! Charge!"
Shaking his head, Captain Damian Lamorak looks around. The memory of battles yet fought had come unbidden to his mind, distracting him from the matter at hand. The Lady Diana del Raina del Covas looked at him with expecting eyes. "I offer my apologies, my lady. My mind was elsewhere, in another time and place. You were saying?"
Belsarious is still trying to unravel the mystery of the odd short young old man, who apparently holds vauable information and is a paradox created through time and strong chronomatic magic is afoot. Since the half man keeps altering in age and state of dress as well as amourous desire and chronic fatigue. But the information is needed as Belsarious himself is interested in chronomancy....
He works dilegently to prepare the herbal tea remedy....
@Maiathreen: As far as you can tell, Servais is telling the truth, or at least what he believes to be the truth.
Belsarious: You get the tea ready, and present to your strange host. There is an odd coalescing about his person, as if dozens of ghostly versions of him all snap into focus. He breathes deeply. "Ah. So much better. Now. How may I help you? I trust you met one of my other selves, to brew so expertly the Snowdrop tea?"
@Sir Damian: Raina del Covas gives you a smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes, then gestures for you to walk with her. "A bit of a stroll would be lovely. Tell me, good sir, do you know anything of my house? I will take no offense if you do not." She smiles again, this time more genuinely.
"Aye and I must gather some colored lizards, gekos I recall, I think this is tha point I receive yer information, though I hast already met tha you awaiting mah return."
"Back in Stormfare we ran into Seneferu who is he? He obviously knew quite a bit about you. You've been with me for a long time now why are you just now telling me about these things?" Maiatheen asks as he ponders on so many different things. So many angles nothing is as simple as it seems.
Damian tries to think of the details of her family name, but that knowledge was a lifetime of conflict ago. "I apologize for my ignorance, my lady. I have had little time for courtly affairs since the war began. I would love to hear more." The chivalric words come out of his mouth, but they are habit from a time long lost in Damian's past.
Min took in all the information as best he could, trying to digest it and focus on the fact he would soon have to face Damian. "Is there anyway I may meet the honorable Dr. Schrebel as it sounds like he does indeed know a lot about what I have been pursuing. Perhaps he can help me figure out a way to help the Lionhearts... That is if they want help..." He couldn't help but sound lost, he had pursued this goal alongside his comrades and now he received two conflicting stories. He thought of taking it up with those he had just hired name their current mercurial leader... But how to broach the subject without confrontation was beyond his ability to comprehend at the moment. Perhaps this Dr. Schrebel will give him clarity and insight he was lacking.
"Back in Stormfare we ran into Seneferu who is he? He obviously knew quite a bit about you. You've been with me for a long time now why are you just now telling me about these things?" Maiatheen asks as he ponders on so many different things. So many angles nothing is as simple as it seems.
"Seneferu is one with whom I fought, long long ago. It is only now that any of this becomes relevant, now, as the Confluence once again approaches, and there are disturbances in the plane of shadow. I fear the return of Count Ranalc."
"Aye and I must gather some colored lizards, gekos I recall, I think this is tha point I receive yer information, though I hast already met tha you awaiting mah return."
"Oh! So you're the one. Okay then. The first thing you have to understand, is that all lands are one land. We say this phrase, but not everyone understands its true meaning; this land is coterminous with all other wheres and whens. It connects to everything. The secret of chronomancy in this land is not a how, but a where. You must know the location of the Four Pillars, that is the key!"
"What kind of disturbances? Also if you protected Ranalc why do you fear his return?" Maiatheen asks with a frown as he wonders just what's all involved in the Great Confluence if it has so many different forces pressing in all at once for its power. "Is there anyway for us to access the chasmal rift you created and attempt to use some of its power for ourselves?" He asks imagining the uses they could make of something like that.
1d20+5
Damian tries to think of the details of her family name, but that knowledge was a lifetime of conflict ago. "I apologize for my ignorance, my lady. I have had little time for courtly affairs since the war began. I would love to hear more." The chivalric words come out of his mouth, but they are habit from a time long lost in Damian's past.
The lady del Covas scoffs. "Nonsense, sir. My house, though well-traveled and accounted-for in all places, does not make it a habit of being showy or public. We are not an aristocratic house, you see, but rather a "house" in the business sense. We are information brokers, knowledge traders, and I was alerted to your presence by certain faculty members within the university here, who saw a correlation between certain discoveries we have just made, and certain things related to your quest. There is a man, you see, in the city of Kutaisi, on the western edge of the Desert of Lop. His name is King Said Al-Mar-i-Anan Su. We believe you may be able to find answers to your quest there, or at least assistance."
Min took in all the information as best he could, trying to digest it and focus on the fact he would soon have to face Damian. "Is there anyway I may meet the honorable Dr. Schrebel as it sounds like he does indeed know a lot about what I have been pursuing. Perhaps he can help me figure out a way to help the Lionhearts... That is if they want help..." He couldn't help but sound lost, he had pursued this goal alongside his comrades and now he received two conflicting stories. He thought of taking it up with those he had just hired name their current mercurial leader... But how to broach the subject without confrontation was beyond his ability to comprehend at the moment. Perhaps this Dr. Schrebel will give him clarity and insight he was lacking.
"Well, I can show you where the doctor lives, but I cannot guarantee he will be receiving visitors at this time of night. He runs a museum at the boundary of Bog Hill and Traitor's Hill, and I'm certain it's well past business hours, though you could certainly call upon him tomorrow. He is an odd man, but is always willing to share whatever knowledge he has on a given subject, and he seems to have much."
"What kind of disturbances? Also if you protected Ranalc why do you fear his return?" Maiatheen asks with a frown as he wonders just what's all involved in the Great Confluence if it has so many different forces pressing in all at once for its power. "Is there anyway for us to access the chasmal rift you created and attempt to use some of its power for ourselves?" He asks imagining the uses they could make of something like that.
"Rumblings, ripplings. A gathering of power. I am...not certain what it all means. We can only wait and see. Ranalc is of the First World, and towards the end of his reign had gone mad in the particular way only the fey can go mad." A pause. "I do not know if you could utilize the rend. That is a question that is beyond me, though I doubt your frail mortal forms could survive long in such a place."
Min nods thankful for the mans help. "If you would please, I am in your debt even more it seems." He paused a long moment before asking his new ally. "The demon had told me that if I come face to face with the leader of the Lionhearts I will suffer for breaking the contractual agreements, of which there are many. Since I am a subcontractor I can take back my money and end the contract completely. I had hired the Lionhearts to aid my homeland and fight against those that have invade her but do you think the contract can be undone? Or am I wasting my time now?"
Damian nods, though he has a feeling that he is missing something. "Lady del Covas, I am compelled to ask. What do you know of my mission, and from where did you receive this information? I apologize for my suspicion, but I am no stranger to the world we live in. Information, more than any tangible item, comes at a price. I would have you name yours up front, or at least place the interest that your business house has with me and my Skyknights." He tries his best not to be gruff with her, but speaking in riddles and three-quarter-truths tests his patience.
"How might I know tha four pillars, and are they also locations or are they knowledges?"
"Rumblings, ripplings. A gathering of power. I am...not certain what it all means. We can only wait and see. Ranalc is of the First World, and towards the end of his reign had gone mad in the particular way only the fey can go mad." A pause. "I do not know if you could utilize the rend. That is a question that is beyond me, though I doubt your frail mortal forms could survive long in such a place."
Maiatheen sits silently for a moment as he thinks. "What exactly happened whilst I was in astral form with Camilla she seemed disturbed, is there anything I need to be aware of from her? I've also been wondering if Veriala had you could she have been collecting more of your brothers and sisters horded away?"
@Min: Tarien shakes his head as he gets up from the table. "You will have to direct that question to the good doctor, I am afraid. I cannot answer it for you. If you will follow me, I will take you to his museum. It is not too far from here. If he is available, you can ask him right away. If not, then you will at least know where he can be found so you can try again later."
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@Belsarious: The halfling answers without hesitation; "The four pillars are places, fixed both in space AND time. We know of two of them; the Uniter's Tower, not far south of here, is one of them. There is a stone structure on the borders of the southern Forgelands and the Land of Broken Roads. We know the other two must be in the north, but have not found them yet. Find them, and you find the key to unlocking the everywhen, and possibly the secrets of dwarf doors such as those Beltz Wellrock made back in his day."
@Maiathreen: Servais' voice continues to rumble in your head. "I do not know enough about the de Vestrille woman to say anything with confidence as regards her disposition. And where Veriala is concerned, most anything is possible."
@Sir Damian: "Your suspicion is both understandable and perfectly justified." replies Raina, "but I can tell you only this; there are those that do not believe General Merit has the fool-proof solution to the problem of the abominations that he thinks he does. Those..."interests" would have you know that other forces have slowly become aware of your quest, some for good and some for ill. Those who feel they represent the interests of the free citizens of this land want you to know they think there is another way, and that General Merit is playing right into the hands of the forces of darkness." She pauses. "As for how I know this, well, it is my business to know such things. And as for a fee, this has already been settled. If you wish to know more than I have already told you, however, then we can discuss fees." She gives you a wry, sidelong look.
"Indeed I shall affix them within my mind and use tha anchor gainst the choas o magics involved in tha everwhen, fierce magics require much tha non-casters do not understand."
"Now about tha gekos, or be tha further in tha future?"
"Have you any proof of this, or anything more specific to accuse General Merit of?" Damian asks with some tart peevishness. He stops walking and looks intently at her. "Surely you have researched the sort of man I am. I will not defy my chain of command under any circumstances. I am certainly willing to present any concerns you may have to the General if you present information to me that is both tangible and credible. A respectful ear is your payment, my lady, but you cannot expect me to act out of accordance to my duties to Izmir."
"Why did Seneferu mention the snow buds what do they have to do with anything?" I've also got an idea to release a little more of your power."
Maiatheen pulls out a small blade and slices the palm of his hand. He lets the blood drain off into a small brass bowl dipping a finger into the blood he begins to draw careful sigils along the edges of the blade. He draws the same symbols on his arms and over his heart. Both sets of symbols begin to glow with a blackish purple light beating alongside with Maiatheen's heart.
He then begins to chant softly the arcane words hypnotic in their rhythm. When he finishes there's a concussion like thunder with no sound. Servais seems sharper than normal the blade even darker, almost invisible in the shadow filled room. A dark eerie glow emanates from the blade dimming and increasing in sync with Maiatheen's own heart.
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@Belsarious: "The geckos? Yes, the geckos. They must go back to Mamban, to the Fountain of The Sunderer, and they must be placed in the trees around the fountain in the correct order."
@Maiathreen: "You heard what Seneferu said, magus; a leaf from the Snow Bud is my fee to the Sunderer for letting me go, for allowing me to remain unsundered from my place of power, from the Rend. The Snow Bud is a powerfully rare plant, and to pick a fresh leaf is a fearsome task, even were I at my full power."
@Sir Damian: The Lady del Covas gives you a flinty look. "I'm doing what I was paid to do, Captain. I'm not here to present evidence or plead anyone's case, though I can assure you our sources are the best. The only thing I will say -- and let it be known I do so only in defense of the reputation of my house -- is that Veriala and the Blue Shadow have left this plane to travel to the very demi-plane that General Merit thought so untraceable. This information comes from Gotrek Gurnisson, the Awakener, a Champion of Torag with whom I believe you are acquainted, yes?"
Min nods and when Tarien is ready they proceed to this museum. "If there is anything you need from Tarien please do not hesitate to ask. Unlike so many you have been of immense help so far all I have heard is that tehy were traitors, oathbreakers and that I should not persue them. This is a welcomed turn of events despte the dire spot I have placed myself in." He couldn't help but smile despite how grim his situation felt, he new that Damian's new attitude would be difficult to handle when he broke the news but knowing that Brook and Sarish were in danger and that an angry demon was coming for them once more was worth the trouble all of this caused...
@Maiathreen: "You heard what Seneferu said, magus; a leaf from the Snow Bud is my fee to the Sunderer for letting me go, for allowing me to remain unsundered from my place of power, from the Rend. The Snow Bud is a powerfully rare plant, and to pick a fresh leaf is a fearsome task, even were I at my full power."
"Who is Seneferu's master and will we run into him again?"
Damian politely replies to Diana in kind, having recovered some degree of his previous nature. "Yes, though Gotrek last introduced himself to me as a warrior of Iomedae - not Torag. I will alert General Merit to the possible incursion, though I imagine that he is still mourning the news of Na-Calanon. I will seek out King Said Al-Mar-i-Anan Su when we travel south to seek that Abomination, and request his aid. I thank you for the information that you have supplied. Do you have any other information you wish for me to be aware of?"
The knowledge though a swirling mass in his mind within the brink of sanity, coalesces into insight magic takes form and formula as he discovers how to teleport and how to shape magic into markings on the skin...
"So tha instruction on tha gekos, if it can be as good as that fer tha snow flake tea....does tha tea have any connection to tha snowglobe?"
@Min: You walk through the skulking shadows of Traitor's Hill toward the smelly and surly bulk of squat tenements that makes up what passes for neighborhoods in Bog Hill. At the intersection of Sluice Road and University Boulevard, Tarien turns left, following Sluice Road uphill for a few blocks before stopping at a very old three-story stone building. It is made almost entirely of dwarven-quarried stone blocks and has seven massive marble columns on the front. Twenty-two stairs lead to the front doors. The lower level is dark, but there are lights clearly visible in a window on the third floor.
"You may be in luck!" remarks Tarien. "Let us use the knocker and see if the doctor is in." He mounts the steps and gives the door three solid thumps with the mithral knocker that is as big around as a pie tin. There is a long pause. Tarien knocks again. Something moves in the shadows of a nearby alley. You hear footsteps from behind the door, and then it opens, revealing a horrific humanoid figure roughly 8' tall, but made entirely of bones. Tarien seems unfazed. "Ah! Eustacius. Magnificent. Do tell me; is the Doctor in? Is he seeing visitors?" The skeletal beast says nothing, but simply stands aside and gestures for you to enter. "Marvelous. I'll take that as a 'yes', then."
Tarien looks your way as he steps across the threshold. "Coming, Min?"
@Mai: You don't recall ever studying anything called a "snow bud". It rings no bells for you.
Servais breaks your reverie with his reply to your latest inquiries: :: Seneferu once served the Celestial Armies, but he fell for reasons I know not, and now is no one's master. I have no doubt we will see him again.::
@Captain Lamorak: The Lady del Covas shakes her head. "No, nothing else. I will remind you, though, that our House is everywhere that matters, and is always open for business." With that, she leaves you.
@Belsarious: "'Snowglobe'? Of what snowglobe do you speak, good sir?"
"Tha legendary Abomination of the long-dead archmage Marianasu."
DM
I tried to tie the chronomancy into gaining the spell teleport.
Can I assume I crafted and paid for resivior tattoo?
and possibly a couple spell tattoos?
Frowning slightly as she seeks to recall something, and as well with some confusion as to what the Guardian requires from her, she speaks her questio, sympathy clear in her tone "Your tale moves me Aduila, and it is my sincere wish to help you however I may, yet I must confess that I am unsure what it is that you feel I may be able to help you with. As I said, I have been blessed with many gifts, yet healing is not one of them. And while my companions are celestial in nature, it is true, neither of them are skilled I'm the healing arts either. So pray tell me, how may I help you and your ill companion?"
@Tarien: Min musters his courage, ignoring the warning signs that he should flee, RIGHT NOW, and nods to his guide as he follows him into the building. "Right behind you and does the good Doctor have someone patrolling in the alley over there?" His remark was followed by a brief nod in the direction of the alley as he followed Tarien inside. The horrific looking humanoid would bare watching though as his last run in with such a creature led to the new scar holes in his chest and side...
Let's see how far down the rabbit hole I go eh?
"I guess when we run into him again we'll have to repay him for his hospitality last time. Thank you for answering my questions, I know it's difficult for you." Maiatheen says as his way of ending the communion.
Livain was going to inquire of the orphans she cared for deeply in hopes of finding their whereabouts. She wanted to fit in with the locals as much as possible in hopes of having a low profile. First though she needed to go to the market for dinner that night and also to pick up a few odds and ends. Livain had put on her best garments and carefully placed her hair in an elaborate style adorned with metal pins etched with an elegant ivy motif. She rouged her lips lightly with a plum colored stain and lined her eyes carefully with kohl. She stared at herself in the small hand held mirror for a moment. One of pale hands encased the lacquered mirror while she gently cleaned some smudged kohl with the other. She paused a moment and felt almost like a stranger to herself. She didn’t remember the last time attempted any form of beautification. She looked down at her nails and decided to quickly dab some oil on them to polish them up a bit. She grabbed her largest bag that she had and after what seemed like an eternity of emptying out the bag of all its contents she was off to the market. The sky was gloomy and the soft scent of wet earth could be smelled all around. Livain relished this scent as she walked under the grey clouds.
She reaches a market buzzing with voices, footsteps and clinking of objects. She could smell incense, warm spices, animals, people and best of all: FOOD! At the entrance of the market was a stand of prepared foods that smelled like heaven to her. The red colored stand was laden with large silver colored chargers loaded with so many different foods that she took a while choosing what she finally wanted. She wanted something for dinner that both she and her husband would like. At last she settled on an array of meats prepared in delicate sauces, succulent roasted herbed pork, golden bread that flaked when bit into only to reveal a soft center with the aroma of warm butter, fresh berry jellies made from the finest berries gathered in the forest and pungent yet sweet cheeses that are nutty in flavor.
Pushing through the swarm of people she went from stand to stand seeing if there was anything of interest. She then walked by a tea stand where she could sample some of the finest warm mint tea. The mint was intense that she swore each sip was like a breath of icy mountain wind. She then also purchased a box of chamomile that was so naturally sweet it tasted like crisp apple. Her bag was quickly filling up but she had happened across another table filled with essential oils and all sorts of perfume. She found one that smelled like black roses, a fragrance she had longed to wear once again. She bought a fine night gown in the deepest shade of plum and eggplant and finished with the purchase of a soft woven shawl in the deepest color of night. Out of the market she went and walked down a dirt road to sit under one of the large oaks that grew through the city.
Next to the oak were some bushes and three teenage boys. She paid them no mind and began to take out a small wooden box filled with some of the pork she purchased. As soon as she pulled out the box she heard the most pitiful sound any creature could make. It sounded like a small wounded animal. As she listened closely she realized that the three boys were up to something. She heard what sounded like a stick striking flesh. She quickly placed the wooden box down and shot up from the base of the tree where she was once reclined. She jumped over the bush to discover the three punks kicking and hitting a small wyverling. The poor creature was curled up and crying out in fear. This sound was too familiar. She remembered that same hollow sound coming from the orphans she found. A surge of rage seared her muscles. Like a serpent she struck out at the largest one of the three landing a blow right in the kisser. The dopey fat kid stumbled back and his with his eyes wide open, his gaping mouth revealing windows in his teeth. That was when one of the other boys decided to try to attack her from behind with a stick. The wiry undisciplined kid didn’t stand a chance. She dodged it and twisted him over. She yanked the stick out of his dangling arm and walloped him on the back of his head and shoulders. Beads of sweat trickled from his dirty blond hair and down his pink puffy neck. He smelled of pure alcohol and soiled garments. “For the sake of the poor ladies you probably chase around town, take a bath!” The three boys took off screaming leaving the poor wyverling motionless on the ground. Livain drew in a deep breath afraid that the little thing might be dead. She reached down and scooped up the wyverling and carried it back to the base of the tree. She held her with all the tenderness of a mother with her new baby. Without a second thought she wrapped the wyverling in her new shawl and cradled it close. She began to open her eyes as the warmth of Livain’s chest radiated through the shawl. She looked down at the little creature and smiled.
“My name is Livain, what is yours” she asked in a quiet tone. The small wyverling tucked her face into the shawl and quivered for a moment. “Please do not be afraid, I just want to help”. She gently caressed the scaly face and looked at one of its injured eyes. She opened the box with the pork and offered her a piece. The little wyverling timidly took the piece of meat and swallowed it practically whole. Having the impression she must have been starving, Livain gladly gave her the whole box of the pork. The wyverling polished the pork off down to the last drop of sauce at the bottom of the box. She licked her scaly lips clean in satisfaction and yawned revealing teeth and a forked tongue. “Was it good? I heard it was some of the best around.” Livain smiled warmly again and the creature nodded. Then suddenly like a calm memory the name Saronnen Selene came into her mind. “Is that your name?” The wyverling gave a soft nod and then the words ::“you may call me Sar”:: popped into her mind. Livain then noticed Sar starting to relax in the shawl. Livain then took the opportunity to inspect Sar. She was an iridescent black that shined like a moon-bow and her belly was mottled in silver. Her eyes lightly glowed a bright white like a distant star. “You are beautiful! What happened that you were being attacked like that?”
Sar looked down and then an image of the wyverling hiding behind a dirty barrel looking hungrily at a fallen apple at the market filled Livains mind. She then saw the three boys pointing at the helpless wyverling accusing it of stealing. She could feel the hunger the poor creature felt and the desperation to eat the fallen apple just to survive. Livain’s eyes stared unblinking off into the distance while her mind is fed images of the terror the wyverling encountered. Livain’s face flushed with anger and clutched Sar tightly to herself.
“Never again will anyone else hurt your nor will you go hungry! Not as long as you are under my watch!” With those words she flops her full bag over her shoulder and carries the wyverling back to Maiathreen.
“Sar,” she said almost out of breath of carrying the heavy bag “My husband is going to be surprised to see me with you in my arms.” She let out a small breathy chuckle and quickly whipped away some sweat off of her brow. Together they stopped for a moment and watched the sunset. The fiery jewel toned light streamed though black clouds giving way to a large golden orb. Glimpses of the sun’s face glimmered through trees and clouds alike. A soft gust of wind carried lifeless leaves to Livain’s feet reminding her of the walk back to Miathreen. For the first time in a long time she felt like she was at peace. She found asylum in her husband from her chaotic life and her newest family member, Sar she found a new beginning. A deep smile found itself on Livain’s face as she walked and occasionally skipped back to Miathreen. Sar too felt like she found a fresh start and even a new home. Hope was in the scales of the little wyverling once more.