"I guess I'm ready too." Lielay sighed and patter her leg for Snappy to
come.
Joy and Lielay left the Glade and walked the road towards the Pass. Joy was overwhelmed that she had finally left Surefall Glade; she kept on thanking Lielay over and over again. Snappy walked along side with Lielay, instead of bounding off ahead like he usually did. Her charm spell on him was very powerful; he always wanted to be at her side. She smiled down on him; she had a new addition to her family.
*****
Walking the same road as Lielay, Albain tried to hurry the others, he was eager to find Lielay and apologize to her. He missed her dearly, even though it had only been a couple of days since he last saw her. He didn't know that in about an hour's time he would be reunited with her. He also didn't know that there was danger behind them that would take everyone by surprise.
*****
Carefully, Valamora led the group through the Pass with great speed. Durk was itching to fight, itching to kill; he was becoming very impatient. Palou kept reminding him that he would get his share of blood once the time came. Valamora made it very clear that she was to be left Mirk; the others could fight over the elves. Little did they know that there were more then just the elves and Mirk. As they moved, the dark elf group caught no attention form others and if they did, Valamora would kill the poor innocent people that saw them. They were like shadows to the eye as they passed.
*****
Shifting her packs so it was more comfortable Lielay stopped, "I think it's time for a break, don't you?" she asked Joy.
"Yeah, I'm thirsty." She sat down and pulled out her water flask.
The two sat, ate, and drank for almost a half an hour returning to their walk. Snappy was back to regular himself, chasing Nightingale around, his eyes burned with excitement. The two girls giggled and picked up their things. As Lielay picked up the blanket they were sitting on, a picture fell out of it. Bending down to examine it, Lielay gasped and almost dropped it again.
"What is it?" Joy asked curiously.
"This picture, it fell out of the blanket." Lielay stuttered.
"Who's it of?" Joy moved closer.
"Me."
"Can I see?"
"It's of me, Caleb, and Danny. This picture is from my living room in Kelethin."
"How'd it get here?" Joy said while looking at it.
"Caleb or Joshua must have slipped it in my bag." Lielay wiped her eyes.
"That was." Joy broke off. She was staring ahead of them, "What is that?"
Lielay looked up and saw bright figures walking in their direction. It was very strange; orange, red, blue, and brown were all clashed together horrifically. Lielay picked up her pack and scooped Snappy in her arms. "Let's go see what it is." She said.
"Are you sure? What if they're dangerous?" Joy asked nervously.
"I'll burn them to a crisp." She laughed.
*****
Albain looked up and saw two forms moving their way. He tapped Mirk on shoulder and pointed ahead. "What do you think it isss?" the iksar asked.
"No clue, could be people."
"Want to check it out?" Kanoldar added.
"Yes, I want to ask if they have seen Lielay." Albain hurried his pace to a fast jog and the other two followed behind. Closer, the people came and he saw a smaller form in one of their arms, it was a baby lion. He slowed to a jog and wondered why anyone would have a lion as a pet. "That's an elf!" Albain shouted as he watched the people walk closer.
"A little excited, isn't he?" Kanoldar asked.
"Maybe. Let'sss follow him ssso he doesssn't get hurt." Mirk laughed.
*****
"What the hell?" Joy said as the orange dressed person started running towards them.
"Get your weapon out just in case." Lielay put down Snappy and pulled out her sword.
*****
Running closer, Albain saw the features of the elf; long brown hair, big green eyes, small slender body, it was Lielay! He jumped in joy and shouted. "Lielay!" he was tripping over himself trying to run faster.
*****
"Did that person just yell your name?"
"Yeah I think. its Albain!" Lielay sheathed her sword and ran to him.
The two wood elves embraced each other. Albain stared into her beautiful eyes until he felt claws digging into his leg. He looked down and saw the baby lion attacking his leg. Lielay busted out laughing as Snappy tried to bite Albain. He shook it off and with a confused expression looked at Lielay. The other three were gathered around the two; Joy was laughing with Lielay and the other two just smiled.
"What is that?" Albain pointed to the cub.
"He's a lion and his name is Snappy." Lielay smiled.
"Is he your pet?" he tilted his head.
"Yes." She kissed him softly.
"I'm not even going to ask." He shook his head.
"Well, what about you, I'm not going to ask what your wearing." She looked him up and down.
"It was for the celebration in Rivervale. The halflings dressed me." He held out his hands.
"So, you've been celebrating instead of finding me." She crossed her arms.
"Can we drop this already?" Kanoldar spoke up.
"You're here." Lielay peered at him, so did Joy.
"Well, yes I'm on my way to Qeynos and I was traveling with Albain and Mirk."
"Oh." Lielay slowly shook her head, still confused why he was traveling with Albain.
"Albain got a horssse." Mirk smiled.
"A horse! Where?" she looked behind them all. "I don't see it."
"No, not here. We have to go to Shar Vahl," Lielay's expression was blank, "in Luclin." Albain chuckled.
"Like I know where that is."
"On the moon." Albain smiled. The five sat down and talked about Luclin, Snappy, Albain's clothes, and much more. They were all unaware of Valamora not even an hour away.
*****
Traveling through the dreary, misty Karanas, time passed rather quickly in Valamora's point of view. Puma had been sent out ahead an hour ago and the rest walked slowly, waiting for him to return. As if magically cued, Puma came running out from behind a tree, a large smile covered his face. "What?" Palou glared.
"Mirk, the wood elves, and two other people are just ahead." The tall dark elf rubbed his hands together.
"What are they doing?" Valamora demanded as she held one of her daggers up.
"Sitting and talking." Puma eyes the blade.
"Excellent." Valamora took out the rest of her daggers. She set out at a run with the sun reflecting off the deadly blades and her red eyes. Palou took out his long sword and chased after her. The other four pulled out their weapons and followed after Palou.
*****
Mirk stood up to stretch; arms over his head, he turned behind his group. He then saw them, Valamora in the front with her daggers raised and the other five behind her with their weapons out. "Get up! Get your weaponsss out! It'sss Valamora!" he lunged for his staff.
Lielay and Albain were already up with their swords unsheathed, Joy and Kanoldar looked at Valamora coming and jumped up fast after the elves. Lielay started chanting, a moment later Valamora had roots climbing up her legs. Palou rushed over to her and cut the roots away. Lielay cursed to herself. Both groups collided with their weapons drawn.
Valamora went straight for Mirk who was all too ready for her. He had his staff up and was ready to fight. The two circled each other, both with evil glints in their eyes.
Palou was already engaged in a head to head battle with Albain. Albain's quick moves kept him from getting hacked to pieces. Palou was having trouble catching him and he cursed aloud.
Durk just went to the closest person who happened to be Lielay. He swung his sword at her, but she dodged it. Lielay ran from the other fighters and Durk followed her. They were well away from the others and had plenty of space to battle.
Joy and Puma were attacking each other before the others began. Puma pounced on her and the two were rolling on the ground trying to sink their fists into one another's face. Joy hit his nose with such force that it broke. The blood from it stained both of their clothes.
Kanoldar and Aaron were throwing spells back and forth trying to kill the other one. Both already had wounds that bleed through their robes and covered the ground. Kanoldar quickly casted some buff spells on himself before throwing another fire spell towards Aaron.
Meanwhile, Kanoldar's air element pet, Snappy, and Nightingale took on Erin. Nightingale swooped low and dropped small pebbles on Erin's head breaking his concentration for his spells. Snappy jumped up trying to get Erin's throat, while the air element attacked from behind. Erin kicked Snappy away, but he kept on coming back. He wasn't able to cast one spell because of the three pets attacking him.
"I see your missing one of your horns." Valamora smirked at Mirk.
"That'sss becaussse sssome evil witch tore it off."
She threw her head back and laughed, "Yes, and it was so pleasurable when the flesh ripped and the wall spattered with blood."
"You enjoy tormenting people, don't you?" he hissed.
"Of course, now if you shut up I will be taking that other horn of yours, then I'll kill you." She lunged at him. One of her daggers dug deep into his shoulder, Mirk hissed in pain. Valamora jerked the dagger out and lunged again. Mirk caught her in midair and did a flying kick that sent her sprawling to the ground. She held her jaw and jumped up.
Albain was bleeding heavily from a gash on his side. He tried to parry Palou's attacked and cast a spell at the same time, but he was unable to do so. Palou had much more cuts and bruises then Albain, his arm, chest, leg, and above his eye all bleed freely.
"You know we don't have to do this." Lielay panted as Durk circled her.
"I know, I want to though, I need to." His green eyes glinted red.
Lielay looked at him closely, her jaw dropped and she smiled, "Your part wood elf, aren't you?"
"I don't know what you talking about." He lowered his eyes.
"You can't deny it, your skin is much lighter then the others and you have green eyes." She put her hands on her hips.
"Doesn't mean I'm a wood elf." He barked.
"Whatever, you are partly. You make a cute little wood elf." She joked.
"Take that back!" he pounced on her. "I'm not cute!"
The two toppled to the ground and rolled a few feet. Lielay tried to hold Durk's wrists away; he held a dagger close to her neck. She thrusted her leg up and kicked Durk between his legs. He groaned and rolled off her; he lay twitching on the ground. Lielay back flipped up and jumped a few feet way. Durk slowly got up and sheathed his dagger.
"It's not worth fighting you. I'll never win." He bowed to her.
"Are you joking?" Lielay was shocked.
"I will not fight you or your companions. I promise." He sat down and began bandaging his fresh wounds.
Kanoldar lay bleeding on the ground with Aaron hovering over him grinning. The dark elf grabbed Kanoldar's neck and surprisingly lifted him up. Kanoldar choked and tried to pry Aaron's hand off his neck. Out of nowhere, Lielay jumped on Aaron's back and held him in a headlock. Aaron let got of Kanoldar and flipped Lielay over his back. Lielay kicked her feet in his face and quickly got up.
Puma was now sitting by Durk tending to his wounds also. He too gave up fighting and left Joy alone. Puma and Durk watched Joy take over for the exhausted pets. Erin still had pebbles dropped on his head from Nightingale, but Snappy and the element stopped. Kanoldar's pet disappeared and Snappy lay on his side panting franticly, his eyes rolled madly. Joy shot an arrow into Erin's thigh and he collapsed. She stood on his chest with another arrow nocked to her bow.
"No, I don't want to die!" Erin wailed.
"Oh really? Why shouldn't I kill you? You attacked us first." She aimed the arrow at Erin's heart.
"I wont do it again. Valamora made us do it." He pleaded.
"How do I know you wont do it again?"
"I promise. Take my weapons."
Joy hesitated then bent down and grabbed the short sword he carried, "Get out of my face and never come near me again. And if you try to cast a spell on me or the others, I'll have Nightingale peck out your eyes."
Erin got up and rushed over to the other two dark elves. He told them what Joy had just said and they all scooted in closer to one another. Nightingale landed on Joy's shoulder and chirped in her ear musically. Joy then hurried over to Snappy and felt his side. He had more then one rib broken and he was bleeding. She bandaged his chest and forced him to drink water.
Mirk had Valamora pinned to the ground with his foot and tail. His chest rose rapidly and his once blue robes were torn and stained red. Valamora glared at him, her white silvery hair was all over her face.
"You ssshould have never come back." Mirk held his foot down harder.
She moaned, "They'll never accept you Mirk. Look at you, you're an iksar, they are wood elves. Do you really think that they'll stay with you? They have their own lives, they don't need a dumb-ass like you to slow then down."
Mirk's nostrils flared. He bent down and placed his knee to her neck and applied pressure. She squirmed and tried to free herself, she tried to breathe. Her eyes grew wide and her evil glare turned to worry. Mirk didn't budge a bit. Valamora's eyes started rolling and the whites were showing. Finally Mirk raised his knee. She lay there gasping for air, not able to move.
Neither Albain nor Palou was moving. Both lay motionless on the blood- covered ground. Albain's eyes were closed and Palou's were open, he never blinked. Faintly and painfully Albain chanted a spell, light blue light surrounded him and his minor cuts were healed completely. His larger wounds still bled though.
Aaron blasted Lielay's sword out of her hand. She looked around for it before she pulled out a small dagger from her pants. She faced him again. "What else do you got hiding up those tight pants?" Aaron laughed.
"You pervert! How dare you say that to a lady!" she threw the dagger and is stuck Aaron's arm.
He charged and tackled her to the ground. With his knees, he held her down; he then began chanting a spell. It fizzled. He tried again, but this time he was flung off of Lielay and the spell never worked. Albain picked Lielay up and handed her, her sword. Before the two druids could cast a spell, Valamora spoke up.
"Boy's, its time to go." Everyone stared at her as if she were insane.
Joy and Lielay left the Glade and walked the road towards the Pass. Joy was overwhelmed that she had finally left Surefall Glade; she kept on thanking Lielay over and over again. Snappy walked along side with Lielay, instead of bounding off ahead like he usually did. Her charm spell on him was very powerful; he always wanted to be at her side. She smiled down on him; she had a new addition to her family.
*****
Walking the same road as Lielay, Albain tried to hurry the others, he was eager to find Lielay and apologize to her. He missed her dearly, even though it had only been a couple of days since he last saw her. He didn't know that in about an hour's time he would be reunited with her. He also didn't know that there was danger behind them that would take everyone by surprise.
*****
Carefully, Valamora led the group through the Pass with great speed. Durk was itching to fight, itching to kill; he was becoming very impatient. Palou kept reminding him that he would get his share of blood once the time came. Valamora made it very clear that she was to be left Mirk; the others could fight over the elves. Little did they know that there were more then just the elves and Mirk. As they moved, the dark elf group caught no attention form others and if they did, Valamora would kill the poor innocent people that saw them. They were like shadows to the eye as they passed.
*****
Shifting her packs so it was more comfortable Lielay stopped, "I think it's time for a break, don't you?" she asked Joy.
"Yeah, I'm thirsty." She sat down and pulled out her water flask.
The two sat, ate, and drank for almost a half an hour returning to their walk. Snappy was back to regular himself, chasing Nightingale around, his eyes burned with excitement. The two girls giggled and picked up their things. As Lielay picked up the blanket they were sitting on, a picture fell out of it. Bending down to examine it, Lielay gasped and almost dropped it again.
"What is it?" Joy asked curiously.
"This picture, it fell out of the blanket." Lielay stuttered.
"Who's it of?" Joy moved closer.
"Me."
"Can I see?"
"It's of me, Caleb, and Danny. This picture is from my living room in Kelethin."
"How'd it get here?" Joy said while looking at it.
"Caleb or Joshua must have slipped it in my bag." Lielay wiped her eyes.
"That was." Joy broke off. She was staring ahead of them, "What is that?"
Lielay looked up and saw bright figures walking in their direction. It was very strange; orange, red, blue, and brown were all clashed together horrifically. Lielay picked up her pack and scooped Snappy in her arms. "Let's go see what it is." She said.
"Are you sure? What if they're dangerous?" Joy asked nervously.
"I'll burn them to a crisp." She laughed.
*****
Albain looked up and saw two forms moving their way. He tapped Mirk on shoulder and pointed ahead. "What do you think it isss?" the iksar asked.
"No clue, could be people."
"Want to check it out?" Kanoldar added.
"Yes, I want to ask if they have seen Lielay." Albain hurried his pace to a fast jog and the other two followed behind. Closer, the people came and he saw a smaller form in one of their arms, it was a baby lion. He slowed to a jog and wondered why anyone would have a lion as a pet. "That's an elf!" Albain shouted as he watched the people walk closer.
"A little excited, isn't he?" Kanoldar asked.
"Maybe. Let'sss follow him ssso he doesssn't get hurt." Mirk laughed.
*****
"What the hell?" Joy said as the orange dressed person started running towards them.
"Get your weapon out just in case." Lielay put down Snappy and pulled out her sword.
*****
Running closer, Albain saw the features of the elf; long brown hair, big green eyes, small slender body, it was Lielay! He jumped in joy and shouted. "Lielay!" he was tripping over himself trying to run faster.
*****
"Did that person just yell your name?"
"Yeah I think. its Albain!" Lielay sheathed her sword and ran to him.
The two wood elves embraced each other. Albain stared into her beautiful eyes until he felt claws digging into his leg. He looked down and saw the baby lion attacking his leg. Lielay busted out laughing as Snappy tried to bite Albain. He shook it off and with a confused expression looked at Lielay. The other three were gathered around the two; Joy was laughing with Lielay and the other two just smiled.
"What is that?" Albain pointed to the cub.
"He's a lion and his name is Snappy." Lielay smiled.
"Is he your pet?" he tilted his head.
"Yes." She kissed him softly.
"I'm not even going to ask." He shook his head.
"Well, what about you, I'm not going to ask what your wearing." She looked him up and down.
"It was for the celebration in Rivervale. The halflings dressed me." He held out his hands.
"So, you've been celebrating instead of finding me." She crossed her arms.
"Can we drop this already?" Kanoldar spoke up.
"You're here." Lielay peered at him, so did Joy.
"Well, yes I'm on my way to Qeynos and I was traveling with Albain and Mirk."
"Oh." Lielay slowly shook her head, still confused why he was traveling with Albain.
"Albain got a horssse." Mirk smiled.
"A horse! Where?" she looked behind them all. "I don't see it."
"No, not here. We have to go to Shar Vahl," Lielay's expression was blank, "in Luclin." Albain chuckled.
"Like I know where that is."
"On the moon." Albain smiled. The five sat down and talked about Luclin, Snappy, Albain's clothes, and much more. They were all unaware of Valamora not even an hour away.
*****
Traveling through the dreary, misty Karanas, time passed rather quickly in Valamora's point of view. Puma had been sent out ahead an hour ago and the rest walked slowly, waiting for him to return. As if magically cued, Puma came running out from behind a tree, a large smile covered his face. "What?" Palou glared.
"Mirk, the wood elves, and two other people are just ahead." The tall dark elf rubbed his hands together.
"What are they doing?" Valamora demanded as she held one of her daggers up.
"Sitting and talking." Puma eyes the blade.
"Excellent." Valamora took out the rest of her daggers. She set out at a run with the sun reflecting off the deadly blades and her red eyes. Palou took out his long sword and chased after her. The other four pulled out their weapons and followed after Palou.
*****
Mirk stood up to stretch; arms over his head, he turned behind his group. He then saw them, Valamora in the front with her daggers raised and the other five behind her with their weapons out. "Get up! Get your weaponsss out! It'sss Valamora!" he lunged for his staff.
Lielay and Albain were already up with their swords unsheathed, Joy and Kanoldar looked at Valamora coming and jumped up fast after the elves. Lielay started chanting, a moment later Valamora had roots climbing up her legs. Palou rushed over to her and cut the roots away. Lielay cursed to herself. Both groups collided with their weapons drawn.
Valamora went straight for Mirk who was all too ready for her. He had his staff up and was ready to fight. The two circled each other, both with evil glints in their eyes.
Palou was already engaged in a head to head battle with Albain. Albain's quick moves kept him from getting hacked to pieces. Palou was having trouble catching him and he cursed aloud.
Durk just went to the closest person who happened to be Lielay. He swung his sword at her, but she dodged it. Lielay ran from the other fighters and Durk followed her. They were well away from the others and had plenty of space to battle.
Joy and Puma were attacking each other before the others began. Puma pounced on her and the two were rolling on the ground trying to sink their fists into one another's face. Joy hit his nose with such force that it broke. The blood from it stained both of their clothes.
Kanoldar and Aaron were throwing spells back and forth trying to kill the other one. Both already had wounds that bleed through their robes and covered the ground. Kanoldar quickly casted some buff spells on himself before throwing another fire spell towards Aaron.
Meanwhile, Kanoldar's air element pet, Snappy, and Nightingale took on Erin. Nightingale swooped low and dropped small pebbles on Erin's head breaking his concentration for his spells. Snappy jumped up trying to get Erin's throat, while the air element attacked from behind. Erin kicked Snappy away, but he kept on coming back. He wasn't able to cast one spell because of the three pets attacking him.
"I see your missing one of your horns." Valamora smirked at Mirk.
"That'sss becaussse sssome evil witch tore it off."
She threw her head back and laughed, "Yes, and it was so pleasurable when the flesh ripped and the wall spattered with blood."
"You enjoy tormenting people, don't you?" he hissed.
"Of course, now if you shut up I will be taking that other horn of yours, then I'll kill you." She lunged at him. One of her daggers dug deep into his shoulder, Mirk hissed in pain. Valamora jerked the dagger out and lunged again. Mirk caught her in midair and did a flying kick that sent her sprawling to the ground. She held her jaw and jumped up.
Albain was bleeding heavily from a gash on his side. He tried to parry Palou's attacked and cast a spell at the same time, but he was unable to do so. Palou had much more cuts and bruises then Albain, his arm, chest, leg, and above his eye all bleed freely.
"You know we don't have to do this." Lielay panted as Durk circled her.
"I know, I want to though, I need to." His green eyes glinted red.
Lielay looked at him closely, her jaw dropped and she smiled, "Your part wood elf, aren't you?"
"I don't know what you talking about." He lowered his eyes.
"You can't deny it, your skin is much lighter then the others and you have green eyes." She put her hands on her hips.
"Doesn't mean I'm a wood elf." He barked.
"Whatever, you are partly. You make a cute little wood elf." She joked.
"Take that back!" he pounced on her. "I'm not cute!"
The two toppled to the ground and rolled a few feet. Lielay tried to hold Durk's wrists away; he held a dagger close to her neck. She thrusted her leg up and kicked Durk between his legs. He groaned and rolled off her; he lay twitching on the ground. Lielay back flipped up and jumped a few feet way. Durk slowly got up and sheathed his dagger.
"It's not worth fighting you. I'll never win." He bowed to her.
"Are you joking?" Lielay was shocked.
"I will not fight you or your companions. I promise." He sat down and began bandaging his fresh wounds.
Kanoldar lay bleeding on the ground with Aaron hovering over him grinning. The dark elf grabbed Kanoldar's neck and surprisingly lifted him up. Kanoldar choked and tried to pry Aaron's hand off his neck. Out of nowhere, Lielay jumped on Aaron's back and held him in a headlock. Aaron let got of Kanoldar and flipped Lielay over his back. Lielay kicked her feet in his face and quickly got up.
Puma was now sitting by Durk tending to his wounds also. He too gave up fighting and left Joy alone. Puma and Durk watched Joy take over for the exhausted pets. Erin still had pebbles dropped on his head from Nightingale, but Snappy and the element stopped. Kanoldar's pet disappeared and Snappy lay on his side panting franticly, his eyes rolled madly. Joy shot an arrow into Erin's thigh and he collapsed. She stood on his chest with another arrow nocked to her bow.
"No, I don't want to die!" Erin wailed.
"Oh really? Why shouldn't I kill you? You attacked us first." She aimed the arrow at Erin's heart.
"I wont do it again. Valamora made us do it." He pleaded.
"How do I know you wont do it again?"
"I promise. Take my weapons."
Joy hesitated then bent down and grabbed the short sword he carried, "Get out of my face and never come near me again. And if you try to cast a spell on me or the others, I'll have Nightingale peck out your eyes."
Erin got up and rushed over to the other two dark elves. He told them what Joy had just said and they all scooted in closer to one another. Nightingale landed on Joy's shoulder and chirped in her ear musically. Joy then hurried over to Snappy and felt his side. He had more then one rib broken and he was bleeding. She bandaged his chest and forced him to drink water.
Mirk had Valamora pinned to the ground with his foot and tail. His chest rose rapidly and his once blue robes were torn and stained red. Valamora glared at him, her white silvery hair was all over her face.
"You ssshould have never come back." Mirk held his foot down harder.
She moaned, "They'll never accept you Mirk. Look at you, you're an iksar, they are wood elves. Do you really think that they'll stay with you? They have their own lives, they don't need a dumb-ass like you to slow then down."
Mirk's nostrils flared. He bent down and placed his knee to her neck and applied pressure. She squirmed and tried to free herself, she tried to breathe. Her eyes grew wide and her evil glare turned to worry. Mirk didn't budge a bit. Valamora's eyes started rolling and the whites were showing. Finally Mirk raised his knee. She lay there gasping for air, not able to move.
Neither Albain nor Palou was moving. Both lay motionless on the blood- covered ground. Albain's eyes were closed and Palou's were open, he never blinked. Faintly and painfully Albain chanted a spell, light blue light surrounded him and his minor cuts were healed completely. His larger wounds still bled though.
Aaron blasted Lielay's sword out of her hand. She looked around for it before she pulled out a small dagger from her pants. She faced him again. "What else do you got hiding up those tight pants?" Aaron laughed.
"You pervert! How dare you say that to a lady!" she threw the dagger and is stuck Aaron's arm.
He charged and tackled her to the ground. With his knees, he held her down; he then began chanting a spell. It fizzled. He tried again, but this time he was flung off of Lielay and the spell never worked. Albain picked Lielay up and handed her, her sword. Before the two druids could cast a spell, Valamora spoke up.
"Boy's, its time to go." Everyone stared at her as if she were insane.
