Just some seaweed. Silly getting worked up over that.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAnelXfaRvaD
She unwound it, then followed Han, who was by the exit wanting. He got out and stood next to Parcival.
742Please respect copyright.PENANA2ZkLvf8Gum
Swimming faster she shot out the exit and landed stomach first on the grass.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAuQCHex0QwU
That was graceful.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAPFN5cTPSMV
Don't you have better things to do than bug me?
742Please respect copyright.PENANAWxeBsHrcdR
Unnamed snickered.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAeSC5hcMJrL
"At last we are out of the mountain caverns!"
742Please respect copyright.PENANAwB60AtuP8v
She rolled on her back while eyeing them. Han looked away, then back again, smiling a little, his ears flicked. He flopped on his back chewing on a jerky stick.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAPCEr3EzerS
"We should stop and get something to eat soon." Parcival got up slow and easy.
742Please respect copyright.PENANApWfiupqB9G
He hopped up shaking himself hard, spraying water off in all directions.
742Please respect copyright.PENANATrpcSb1zFA
She backed away, with an arm covering her eyes. "Watch it!"
742Please respect copyright.PENANAwQsyzcFyrG
His fur proofed out like a fluffy dandelion, his glasses the only spot of seriousness.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAZRh2ve48N4
She broke out laughing to the point of tears.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAqrEXdjwKYd
"So cute. So cuddly. I can't stand it."
742Please respect copyright.PENANAuKcTXmogLS
Han stamped over and got in her face.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAC8Fke4Eozo
"Don't say it."
742Please respect copyright.PENANABn8iHR9lqH
She waved her hands alternating them over the other. "Wouldn't dream of it."
742Please respect copyright.PENANAwjx4KD6Zi5
He turned, wringing the water from his tail.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAC2jlr9ASjR
He sniffed, then went over to a nearby flat rock and sat on it.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAmie3ieaBW4
"A hot meal would be nice," she said.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAXxgTElDNsV
"Well, what way now?"
742Please respect copyright.PENANAzc4lx1UBFn
The map had stayed dry in the pouch. Unrolling it, she pointed to the small drawing of a silver tree.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAFqnLtIV9UO
"I know a short cut. If we cut through The Silver Forest we can get their much faster. It's is said to home one of the great five beasts, so watch yourself here."
742Please respect copyright.PENANAmYEtVq1DRA
The map had shown by cutting through here, the travel time would be cut in half. Her stomach growled. Dang it, the underground cavern river had swept away all the food.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAoLUxxeoJub
"Do you know which beast?"
742Please respect copyright.PENANAiUizu1ddDG
"No."
742Please respect copyright.PENANABrWzDhZiBL
"let's keep going and break for supper later," Parcival said.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAV300bzBdE3
"So be it."
742Please respect copyright.PENANAUQw7CDYm24
She lead the way.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAdG9XGgSMG4
The stomach stopped growing and reduced to a hollowness.
742Please respect copyright.PENANASs9UIr5cJX
####
742Please respect copyright.PENANArExFZQdsmD
742Please respect copyright.PENANAOPDcGcSQ3G
742Please respect copyright.PENANASoG0byLVuH
Here we go. The trees long silver trunks shined where the sunlight hit them. Draping down from each of the branches were delicate crystal leafs.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAhe1M8LdRBq
There wasn't any chirping or any other sound.
742Please respect copyright.PENANANXFYWmK6cU
"Guard yourselves." Her right ear twitched violently. She pinched the lobe. Arg.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAKQuiUVGdOW
Far off in the west, was it the crunch of leafs underfoot? She strained, it stopped. Should I say something?
742Please respect copyright.PENANAzfcMZd463x
"Well, the map stops here. Any idea where we should go next?" Parcival asked.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAYBFTEsG6qk
"We need to leave quickly."
742Please respect copyright.PENANAF72RvgN8RJ
"That's not an answer," Parcival said, rubbing his face.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAX8NJOhe1Gd
Unrolling it, she scanned it.
742Please respect copyright.PENANA4LmGSw9sGF
"If we go North-west here, and around this river, we can get to the city and exit this place faster."
742Please respect copyright.PENANAETyC6AUirJ
"Let's do it," he said. That last word came out as a wheeze and he gripped his side. His face paled as he thumped down onto the ground.
742Please respect copyright.PENANA4aXd4vHSKV
Han trotted over to him.
742Please respect copyright.PENANA5E8msARdCG
"A rib bone must be broken off inside somewhere."
742Please respect copyright.PENANAmHhcYys7P6
"Let's camp by that giant stump. Can you fix him?" She pointed up ahead.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAGy6N8LA9LN
"Yes, but then that'll be it for the week healing bone isn't easy."
742Please respect copyright.PENANAeRZEP6Y5Am
"Right."
742Please respect copyright.PENANAGaOmxdmIsf
Parcival was heavier than last time. She tried to pull him back up, but her arms weakened.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAXBesbRQnIK
He eyed her. "You're getting worse. I thought I was mistaken before, but now am sure of it. That strength of yours is gone."
742Please respect copyright.PENANAR1yOGftWxv
Startling, she nearly dropped him, then draped an arm over her shoulder.
742Please respect copyright.PENANA2bgrrevuUP
"I'm only tired. No need to overreact." If the gods were kind an inn would show up on the road out. Some food would bring it back up to half at least.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAV13WX8cS9s
The humor in his eyes vanished, all except for a spark that left as fast as it appeared.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAGunKqXt4s2
"We'll need a fire. I'll go get some wood," said Han.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAo2mXgL5yMh
She led Parcival over to the stump, he eased down leaning against it.
742Please respect copyright.PENANA8BWFEigjAw
"It's time I told you something," Parcival reached for her hand.
742Please respect copyright.PENANA8JZeDPODqC
Ah, it's come to this. She stiffened.
742Please respect copyright.PENANA1M21gvfJq3
She pulled her arm back. Those blue eyes were full of an emotion that he'd never showed before.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAzD1jsn4HaD
He stopped. His jaw tightened and his lips thinned.
742Please respect copyright.PENANA74b84UakeI
"You know you never asked me what I am you know."
742Please respect copyright.PENANATV7g8SPZRk
Huh? She relaxed. Well, it can't be as bad as being asked to fry a person.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAiG6W81K2kD
"Then you are?"
742Please respect copyright.PENANAkZ6h79qZND
"I'm a Paladin, or a "Seeker" as some call us."
742Please respect copyright.PENANAYL6iVJjqk6
Interesting. The grand knights of Olenus.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAIHApbAZsAg
"I thought they couldn't lie."
742Please respect copyright.PENANAePfYLS2M9v
She pulled her daggers out brandishing them at the nape his neck.
742Please respect copyright.PENANATp4wVDzL4x
"Tell me the truth, now!" she spat out each word and leaned in next to his face.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAqpnXkf5njr
"I have been. Put that down!"
742Please respect copyright.PENANA1Rz18zLoed
Her hand shook, she lowered them.
742Please respect copyright.PENANArXFvRcpmO4
"Damn you." She huffed and slid back.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAriPSUckhjI
His voice thickened with emotion, and his eyes filled with a soft, gentle gleam.
742Please respect copyright.PENANA7Sx3UQRCBs
She sat silent.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAmFYwz5p4VA
"You're important to me. I care about you."
742Please respect copyright.PENANAxlfEguW3YU
She tilted her head. Okay? She leaned against the stump by him. What's missing here?
742Please respect copyright.PENANAvwKvMjUZjq
"That," she paused, "I can believe." Then why tell about being a Seeker? She got up shaking her head between her hands.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAYHakkQrfj1
"Are you alright?"
742Please respect copyright.PENANAGHCjYDkmWB
She stood by him. All muddled and messed up. The more a thought came the faster it twisted and disappeared.
742Please respect copyright.PENANALY0CUwWD43
"Yes."
742Please respect copyright.PENANAeuX4xu8Ymz
She wandered off behind the stump, as a ridiculous heat covered her face. She pinched her forehead between the brows.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAWU95ULwZh3
It's not like he said he loved me. This is good, he'll be safe in the city that's coming up, ditch him there.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAkjZUrlGTnl
Relaxing, she went back and sat near him.
742Please respect copyright.PENANA2ioaaVfaTw
"I want to continue to the city. Perhaps one of the Elder priests can be of help.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAFuBrnA3Omn
Only the Adapts had a chance of knowing what to do.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAMgjUZOyq0P
"Yes, that could work," Parcival closed his eyes, a hand gripped the grass.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAxMyAnGROqo
They still have no clue of this evil, the vines are only the symptom. She shivered.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAKtSMAvGnEB
She turned away. Rude to stare for that long. Opening the largest pouch she pulled out an old thin blanket. She ripped it into strips with a dagger.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAxmhkksuD7A
"Here."
742Please respect copyright.PENANA6LEraIo3Sq
Sitting close she wrapped them around his torso, then knotted it.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAT60sLz2Ztk
"Thanks, feels a little better, nice and tight."
742Please respect copyright.PENANANCPh5bqtSP
She nodded.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAphDG7Bx7FF
"I'll wait for Han."
742Please respect copyright.PENANACbELDkDCo4
She stood then jumped onto the stump. What was I thinking?
742Please respect copyright.PENANAfoCcxVpUpw
Several hours passed, and as night took over the sky, a flapping nearby made her sit straight up.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAUYI0QIYIv5
A flapping nearby.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAnMbN4suTw6
Voices whispering. An unmistakable gurgling screech; above a Neckhawk circled.
742Please respect copyright.PENANArQEBygbX7c
Her heart exploded into rapid fire beats. He'll never quit. Where is Han?
742Please respect copyright.PENANAvpS7YtvY4U
Parcival was laying on his side asleep.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAQ3AGuS63V9
She rolled over into a crouching position. Her ears rotated towards the forests start. She called the wind spirits whispering a quick prayer, before heading over.
742Please respect copyright.PENANADDEOLjOF8Z
Awhile later back the way the party had came, two hooded men stood together on the pathway. She scurried up a large silver maple. It was best to make sure, it wouldn't do to kill innocent humans.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAkuE8fSTuJu
"Follow the plan. I won't suffer any mistakes, she must be captured before it's too late."
742Please respect copyright.PENANA8SQz93CVGC
What plan? She slid down following them.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAr0ZWdT2T95
They're going towards the camp! Fate is so cruel. She unsheathed her daggers, careful not to let them ring against the scabbards. Like hell.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAe0vIsQmCMM
She followed silently behind them for a few more feet. She rushed out in front of them.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAPoEowiU8TN
"Stop, not another step." she tensed and held the daggers angled toward them.
742Please respect copyright.PENANASu6ulhB1w8
"Well, that was easy," said a familiar voice.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAciY1Yr45iD
Her stomach dropped to her boots.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAoCT3LTQVO4
"Maxwell."
742Please respect copyright.PENANAm6O6bD1vad
He pulled down his hood and gestured to the other man that was with him. Who was he again? Her mind felt fuzzy trying to remember the red haired man's name. No! Not now!
742Please respect copyright.PENANAXZq4YcbAVv
The vines moved under her skin deeper, her strength drained even more. She stiffened and stood tall. Have to hide this.
742Please respect copyright.PENANA5ISKXc1VZB
The man in black moved his free hand and tossed a black dot at her.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAqcYaZn1Sq6
Bolting to the right, but the dot opened faster than she could see, and entrapped her in a netting. She tried to cut it loose, but was unable to, where her hands touched it they burned and smoked! She hissed in pain.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAJuDLnUIC7Q
"Be quiet or I'll kill them as they sleep."
742Please respect copyright.PENANA0W8kKfAflA
She glared at him.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAVzN6RxRDj4
"I doubt it. I have much planned for you," He spit on her face.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAjQydE83mnQ
She rolled on the ground, but the netting's poison burned into her skin. She screamed as it seared a criss-cross into the top of her hand. Her hand swelled and blistered.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAXkJAxiRjPH
"You Mirror of Nor! Why do you do this?" it already was eating away at any armor as well as where it touched her skin.
742Please respect copyright.PENANASzsGu4IVQr
Tears flooded her eyes, she blinked, trying to clear them.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAGysNu6gqwG
"It burns, let me out!"
742Please respect copyright.PENANAIoCVEHnqvf
"One more, one single sound, and they will die. This is your choice, come with me or be responsible for their deaths."
742Please respect copyright.PENANACYBaNuH4Q2
The man next to him started to walk to the camp.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAxLrBtiLOtT
She shuttered and lay there dragging in ragged breaths.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAgFRmtR4U6C
"Grab her before they wake up."
742Please respect copyright.PENANAVT7DyoGWus
The man's ringlets blew and swirled as the breeze caught them. He scooped her up, then laid her on her stomach on top of the saddle. Jumping on the horse, he took off with the soldiers following him.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAVbPeW6wycm
The bouncing of the horse slapped the netting onto her and she yowled then passed out.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAArzwrvRA1v
The guilt and sorrow of that day come back like a blast of light. As the fire sparked it caught the city's banner that stood near the entrance, the fire crept up its edges and then worked towards the middle until the banner looked like a great toothed beast, angry and of flame.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAaNnVtD2lZu
A young boy of black ringlets stood behind the banner clutched to his mother. She could see him staring at her, staring straight into her soul. Hope was absent in them, just the blaze reflected back. Their mouths opened.
742Please respect copyright.PENANA1f4imzXNSw
They screamed.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAOyA7TBukVU
She woke. The screams replayed over and over. Then the pain hit again. Her armor smoked, the stench of burning leather made her gag. After a while, she stopped feeling anything.
742Please respect copyright.PENANACENsOF9uUe
The horse came to a stop, and she flopped around trying to fall off.
742Please respect copyright.PENANA4ezA46Xw4B
"You would do well to stop moving, or I will poke with my short sword until you stop!" his tone cold like the ice of the north.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAzhHMEfljPm
She stopped.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAIylCth4jDJ
"That's better. I have a new home now, and I think you'll be the perfect addition to it. Provided some measures are taken with you of course."
742Please respect copyright.PENANA3vnwNDILGe
She begin hyperventilating, dizzy. No, don't pass out. All of this confused her, the poison was a well kept secret. How had he managed to learn about it?
742Please respect copyright.PENANA2WJXItUoLz
"Watch yourself here Jason, there are evils here, though not as vile as what we carry."
742Please respect copyright.PENANA0Az8bS5QTV
She felt the horse shift to the right and then as the cable stones appeared below. Wonder what place this is? But what one and why? Why not just kill her? Perhaps it was the poison or just exhaustion, nothing made sense.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAlMZJ39oAyf
The sounds of a city. Merchants hocking their wares. A child that whined to his mother, about being bored. The sun cooked her where her skin was exposed. The blisters popped, the pain returned. She moaned. Sweat tricked in streams down the sides of her face.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAWflneIsPQK
Trying not to pass out, she bit her lower lip hard. The pain and salty taste of blood woke her some. The past few days have used much of her energy reserves, and she was at her limit. It was hard to think.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAngG4DfsJXv
The house stopped again. He picked her up, then tossed her over his shoulder. She moaned again. She held still to avoid the netting from touching her anywhere else. This day is pure hell. Just glad that they left the others alone. She closed her eyes. A sicking coolness shuttered up and down her.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAH5X3sqmHuu
When she opened them again, they had taken her into a house. From the looks of the wood flooring, benches and rugs it was moderately wealthy.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAb6tWbiCnU7
He took her down a long flight of stairs. He dumped her out of the netting, she tumbled out of it and rolled onto the cool compact dirt. She managed to turn her head to breathe better. Everything screamed at her to move, to fight and get away. Her body wouldn't cooperate. She heard a clink.
742Please respect copyright.PENANA0X0AGVVOA0
"Let's see you escape this time. The stairs are of metal infused with your favorite herb."
742Please respect copyright.PENANAjfGcPoDttH
He moved her head more upright with his boot.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAjAIpr5UeUN
She hissed at him.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAKEUhcrOup3
He knelt down and bent over her.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAUeOZJGpOhG
"Just die already. Your so evil I can't believe they didn't kill you yet."
742Please respect copyright.PENANAE3ylYD4ZZx
She lifted her head a fraction and spit on his face, then lay back down again exhausted.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAl06bJbWLY3
"Hmm, maybe 2-3 weeks it will take."
742Please respect copyright.PENANAU4g6ZucGbh
"What will?" she said in a weary voice.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAVPG6odfs0M
"Oh come now, surely you know. Don't play the helpless women with me." He smiled at her. Not a sneer a smile, like this, was a happy day. She wanted to run away from that smile.
742Please respect copyright.PENANARB8NYkLrr0
"Once your magics are drained, you'll become fully mortal and weak." He smiled again, with a wide grin, it didn't reach his eyes. They told the truth, in their dark blue depths of a hate for her so vast she shivered.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAKzqlr3PjQ5
"Drained?"
742Please respect copyright.PENANASr5rtrrTBp
He pointed at the wall behind her. "We had been preparing for you. Each of these walls mortar is layered with enchanted Elven bane. You will die here."
742Please respect copyright.PENANAJj3c4HurhR
He grabbed her throat and squeezed. Pins of lights speckled her vision.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAUZiOTFGKIn
"Remember those poor souls you destroyed? No matter what I do to you, nothing will ever bring them back. At least I can make you suffer!" spittle flew from his mouth.
742Please respect copyright.PENANARdkdAa3Ows
He let go then walked back up the stairs of the cellar, and locked the door. With a click, she was in the darkness.
742Please respect copyright.PENANADQZ8iJCvmh
The familiar creeping sensation inside her head started up again.
742Please respect copyright.PENANA1obotYY9dC
Well, if I did at least it-
742Please respect copyright.PENANAB0I7a2XKWq
Wong, I'll just wait for a new vessel to be born, time is nothing for me. You are nothing but a tool.
742Please respect copyright.PENANA2ajiGRrqKx
Then why don't you leave now?
742Please respect copyright.PENANAD5FjJlHxyV
The god laughed and made her laugh like a mad person.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAro2XYUoYKN
Because I enjoy nothing more than seeing an Elven suffer.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAKFrpyC9YLC
I hate you.
742Please respect copyright.PENANA2RXyqXYzt7
Thank you.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAmN9ECzlYSq
Sleep never came an unseen wave of the cursed Elven Bane slammed into her hourly. By the next morning, she couldn't even lift her head.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAjiGIimtmE9
The next morning the door opened once again. Footsteps.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAJ9Wexrb1Z0
Jason came down with a single mug of water. Ah, good to know his name again.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAHJS26VUAlQ
"Here," Jason said, he tapped her leg with his foot.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAjJL3YbfFVw
She looked up at him, with her head to the side. He showed her the water.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAYDEWqFa6zk
"You torment. Can't move." She closed her eyes expecting a kick in the face.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAv9rhAIKCFx
Jason knelt down and put the mug to her lips helping her drink it.
742Please respect copyright.PENANAPCUMyqLULm
"Why?"
742Please respect copyright.PENANAO3OZeCRXBm
As he walked up the stairs to exit he turned around. "I'm sure glad I am not in your place. Knowing him, he will find a way to keep you alive for as long as possible."
742Please respect copyright.PENANA5YhcDVkwwR
He looked away, "Evil or not I'll bring you a drink once a day."
742Please respect copyright.PENANArKHwHVMxEq
The door closed, the cellar darkened, like her hope. Am I?