Merryn spotted a small Elven village, a few miles in. The others are tired we'll rest here. The town appeared empty.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAhVBxSwqT0a
She inspected each house, cottage, and shack as she passed it. A window on one was cracked, its glass half on the ground, covered in grime.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAp7btFWRpuZ
All around, cobwebs everywhere on the eves of the buildings, over the dry and cracking intricate scroll work.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAOa1lDusaRa
She stood on her tiptoes peering in one, a thick layer of dust was over the furniture.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAIXWcasZff6
Plates, silverware as if a family was going to have dinner, the glasses aged with a film.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAKF8b7or3SB
Han sniffed. "It smells stale here. Even the air."
770Please respect copyright.PENANANNln90Fv8S
She turned, Hans fur stood on end, his whiskers quivered.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAOJ4f9T6dDy
"We'll rest for the night, then move on." Dead zone. Not even insects lurked under foot.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAbAvMOG8MqL
A horse stall ahead, its wooden frame grayed with age.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAmSMKJ7uY18
"Here we go. Stay here, I'll be back out in a while."
770Please respect copyright.PENANAKwi0Kc8Z3M
"All right," Parcival said.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAUGClH4jXMI
A cold breeze pushed her hair into her face, and she brushed it back with a hand.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAtzaKSr71no
She took care of Angel, then closed the stall.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAf1k62dbEV8
"Poor girl, you rest up."
770Please respect copyright.PENANA0YHEZJs7Hc
Her muzzle soft and silky she stroked it, before going back. Wonder what happened to this town?
770Please respect copyright.PENANAjQ0krKWNnn
She went over to Han.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAKdx74yhTKl
"Let's get you out of this cold."
770Please respect copyright.PENANAKGzRHz9SmW
She walked by Parcival.
770Please respect copyright.PENANABGdWzuITNZ
"I'll come get you in a bit." This had to be the worst place to stay the night. The Jade cat offered few options.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAMc8zXfuDrp
That should do. A cottage near was in the fair shape.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAVUHUubfNiN
Behind a skittering.
770Please respect copyright.PENANA7zR7zQRcnu
Nothing behind them. Now what?
770Please respect copyright.PENANA1vJjC0iDDv
Must be over tired. Inside in a back room, she helped Han onto a bed, he sprawled on it finished. He cuddled the blanket, snoring.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAVqx100Nxj8
She headed back and brought Parcival in.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAjzzmhJA3C6
She peeked out a window, "What was that?"
770Please respect copyright.PENANAkQPt15xBLf
"What was what?" Parcival said. He eased in a soft padded chair.
770Please respect copyright.PENANABvOGi4xr6O
A movement outside? Hum, now everything was still.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAYd5stmQNt6
"I'm going to go scout around the town for a while for supplies, and such." Hope it's not that cat again.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAuRWbi9pZgq
Closing the door behind she walked around. She cast the Luminous spell, but it came faint and decayed fizzling out. Am still too tired. A warm, thick breeze carried the scent of old rot. Yuck.
770Please respect copyright.PENANA45juiQwtnS
A small inn was to the right, its door hung on an upper hinge. It creaked as it moved from side to side.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAAw7Uj05CkS
The spirit of Kage wouldn't answer. Need food and rest or soon be of no use to them. Fine, will just have to slip in without help.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAaR57KaHjkw
Inside most of the rough tables had fallen on their sides, one carved one was still upright. An old rusty sword stuck into it.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAYKipovHkcz
Going over to it, she yanked it out of the table. A thin blade, with a mass of nicks and rust along its edge.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAJ4zt09DvFV
She put it back. A room to the left with a sign above the doorway: Kitchen.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAjkp0UWYe4Z
The shelves were filthy with dust and cobwebs. A bag of rice on the shelf, she dusted and picked it up. The top ripped open. Gross Nug-worms spilled out of the bag! She tossed it away.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAKrBZODGKuw
The worms wriggled and squirmed under the floor boards, disappearing out of sight.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAGth0M11Ghc
Hate, hate, hate, nug-worms! Further into the kitchen was a broken pantry. Only the top shelf was left on it a dust covered bag of jerky. This looks edible. She beat off the dust and took it.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAXF8YysSZ5q
Skitter.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAjq9g6Ua0UJ
Whipped around. Nothing.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAdrJw6W8ZDw
Back outside, she checked from side to side. The rest of the houses were empty.
770Please respect copyright.PENANArVBgpKslAW
In the last house in the town paintings on the walls of portraits. One painting of a woman had vivid golden eyes.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAsetBDYHYlW
The painting bulged and flopped. She jumped back.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAUXdwO2Q4VH
With her dagger, she moved it. A handful of nug-worms fell out with a squishy thump. They vanished under the floor.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAK7mm14eM18
Time to check on the others. Back inside the cottage Han and Parcival are asleep. She sat in a rickety chair by Parcival and crossed her arms behind her head drifting off.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAZ4WsIz454B
Han patted her shoulder.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAwWvCsPOPBS
"Wake up."
770Please respect copyright.PENANAy4DjQXiaFq
"Morn'." She rubbed her eyes.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAK9JFxBv77x
Parcival yawned.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAqMTI1PTq9b
She took out the jerky placing it on the table.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAD6JaRlnaP7
"Thanks."
770Please respect copyright.PENANAS0Q7RMhYyw
"I'm going to go get Angel." She walked to the door.
770Please respect copyright.PENANApYke4W12rd
"Who? Oh, right, the horse."
770Please respect copyright.PENANAOHAHtBb0Ps
Outside her ears twitched, a scraping?
770Please respect copyright.PENANAfd8s9WNi7M
She turned around.
770Please respect copyright.PENANA8oXkllM3tK
Nothing was there. This place ...
770Please respect copyright.PENANATzWvbgaMyh
She walked over to the stall. Angel hadn't touched the straw or water. It was time to go staying here for one minute longer-
770Please respect copyright.PENANACFGA0IMedX
Skitter. Again?
770Please respect copyright.PENANA4cVZBmqzuP
Shuffle.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAd6DHTXzqsu
Scrape.
770Please respect copyright.PENANANGyuxMBDvp
The rain splattered on her cheek. She jumped a little, then walked faster to the stall.
770Please respect copyright.PENANA1xnGpmO9QN
"Shop hiding, come out!"
770Please respect copyright.PENANAaiEOnvKyGD
Skitter.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAHy0gG0PHgu
pop. Pop. POP.
770Please respect copyright.PENANA6N2NpOKeB6
Her skin crawled, nothing was behind.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAmJz6g0F2gy
"Come on already! Enough! Face me!"
770Please respect copyright.PENANA93QRd9SROc
She pulled her daggers out holding one near her face and the other down low to deliver a one-two stab if needed.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAb0X5zy0wW7
Her heart thudded in her chest. Stay calm.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAvJ1xAZyiFH
The birds hadn't chirped at all today. This place just felt wrong.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAdUrJUqpb1u
She went back to the cottage.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAhvbalxXklp
Parcival had his armor chest plate off. It was an odd piece, with bolts and hinges. Must be that new technology that the blacksmiths in the last city were going on about.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAnAlLRnZynH
"It's useless now."
770Please respect copyright.PENANADj8djRjLDa
She closed the door and stood by him.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAWjV5BA8hWM
"Have you noticed anything strange about this town?"
770Please respect copyright.PENANA74tfyqDHmC
He placed the armor chest piece on the table.
770Please respect copyright.PENANA4Y4JRoRgnm
"No, it's been quiet.
770Please respect copyright.PENANArDhzjTuQcz
His eyebrows scrunched up.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAFsGU0SdZHC
Why?"
770Please respect copyright.PENANAp12K91Rk4z
She sat. "Hum, I've seen and heard some strange things. A few nug-worms are here."
770Please respect copyright.PENANA7hpY1teOZ7
"That's not much to worry about. We should get going.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAYpToK6iViA
He stood and went over to Han patting his back.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAoxZmtvWyIG
"Time to go."
770Please respect copyright.PENANApYPIatbaXi
A weakness punched through her body. The vines moved around in her and siphoned away more energy. They didn't take much, as there wasn't much to take. It hurt less this time. Need to eat soon. Stomach was hollow and it pinched. Could just eat the jerky.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAiFzwGCmKjm
"Let's leave now breakfast can wait, this place is just ... wrong." She rubbed an arm.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAOZD6eCCKrW
Han rolled over stretching.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAvSrQU8rOKV
"Fine with me."
770Please respect copyright.PENANAv5tQtbSg0y
Outside again at the stable, she brought out the horse, handing the reins to Han.
770Please respect copyright.PENANA9iOQve7apy
The clouds darkened above and burst open. Crappy rain came as a thick sheet flattering her hair to the sides of her face.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAzmKPHbT4rG
"There should be a pathway that leads to the entrance of the city of Galrta."
770Please respect copyright.PENANA97XkxGE8nO
The rain, rat-a-tat-tat on the rooftops, drowning out the horse's hoof clops and footfalls.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAbmIMyIFa7o
Past the last house in town, an object flashed in the brown withered grass. Nudging it with a foot it flipped over. The rusted blade. A trap?
770Please respect copyright.PENANA3Pg65hne2l
"Get back!"
770Please respect copyright.PENANA2uuURxbqI1
Merryn pulled Angel back away. What in blue blazes?
770Please respect copyright.PENANA42IbE6fvx8
Skitter.
770Please respect copyright.PENANABp7MR8sDp4
"Can you hear that?"
770Please respect copyright.PENANA5r49GlUi1N
Parcival joined her. "No."
770Please respect copyright.PENANAlsKRyhjuqg
Skitter.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAMgTnmEGpm7
Just what was happening?
770Please respect copyright.PENANAQhz6SC7Fxm
Not but ten feet into the forest the skittering grew louder.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAlOXGxIkKih
Parcival came over and took her map out of her pack, "Where to next?" he held it up to her.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAdw7KVU6ZLh
Calm stay calm. She took the map, studying its layout.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAkvbzwMeVT5
"If we go a bit northeast for a while we should be able to get back on the road to the city after a few days travel."
770Please respect copyright.PENANASrWRPS1L5v
She craned her neck, behind them the nug-worms, joined together into a large mass.
770Please respect copyright.PENANA6il8tv3zcm
It jutted out at her. Before she could sidestep it the nug-worms swarmed over, leaving her head free. They devoured Angel's flesh in seconds, the bloody bones cluttered to the ground. A mass of the maggot like creatures covered Parcival and Han.
770Please respect copyright.PENANArC4uhOgZyE
The jade green cat stepped out of the forest shadows, it cackled.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAr6fvAfQSJz
The cat twisted, bending into odd angles that no animal in nature ever should reformed from the paws up. It's skeletal structure and fur transformed to a humanoid shape. Last it's paws they changed to feet where dark brown leather boots flowed over them.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAC1Kb4Ahpom
A creature no longer; A man stood in black pants, and a buttoned red vest decorated with gold etching. His hard handsome face framed by black ringlets were piercing eyes glowed behind. Both of his arms raised, he whispered an incantation.
770Please respect copyright.PENANARB2zi9FKHF
She blinked, and the worms turned into a handful of Elven villagers, the pupils a pure black. They silently scooted over, picked her and the others up.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAvxoDFWmKV2
"Let them go!"
770Please respect copyright.PENANAUxE8VDEjIn
She turned her head towards a crackling sound and wished she hadn't. At first, it was a dot but grew larger, its edges crackled with energy like a mass of curving lighting. Maxwell stopped chanting and went through it.
770Please respect copyright.PENANADxcsLrNJEJ
"Don't you ignore me!" she screamed.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAvMw4optLbu
"Why is every day filled with stuff like this?" Han shouted.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAoOdhm9pQOf
Han was pulled though first, he craned his head their eyes met that look went straight to her heart.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAjW7BaNKwvm
A sticking rush of pins and needles ran through her skin.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAywmW6HMqdl
Time seemed to slow.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAFcEECLd5w8
The villagers brought her over to the portal.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAUDFz0D86hL
####
770Please respect copyright.PENANAg1BKDhupwv
770Please respect copyright.PENANAWDvAHN35Oq
770Please respect copyright.PENANAemm9D9F9VL
On the other side, a desolate land, void of vegetation except for ancient leafless trees. An angry sky sparked with lighting overhead that flashed lighting the darkness randomly.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAHLB7VeaQ06
The villagers carried her what seemed to be Eastward. The others took Parcival and Han to the North-east. The men flopped over the shoulders of the villagers.
770Please respect copyright.PENANANNMMcxaG1X
"Hey! Bring them back!"
770Please respect copyright.PENANALQT9BURde2
She fought and kicked at the ones holding her. The one on the right punched her stomach. The blow hurt and took her breath away, she slumped back. Have to help them.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAnxWM3ZnL15
What a waste of space I am... how can I if I keep getting caught. She titled her head slightly. A large building off a head came to view. They have to put me down at some point.
770Please respect copyright.PENANARhR9grDfgl
Not long later they brought her inside and carried her up several flights of stairs to a small room. It had a window, a boring table with flat benches, and small desk behind it. Nothing decorated the cold gray brick walls.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAU0zmiWJCk5
They set her down on a bench and walked out locking the door. Really? So no shackles or cell? Suspicious.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAzUtEEwwuU8
When the past awakens to the future the planet cries in pain. He weakens us, rid us of him, Unnamed said.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAwvmtiap8P1
Huh? What are you babbling about?
770Please respect copyright.PENANAyVrjtNkZpG
Unnamed did not answer.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAJOtileKeYd
Maxwell came and closed the door behind him with a loud click. He put two wine glasses down on the table, ran his hands over his hair, and turned around facing her.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAxuX4JtBZuk
Dang, it. No time to look around.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAyoLZZbSD33
"Such a sour look, it doesn't become you." An amused look crossed his face.
770Please respect copyright.PENANADe9214pQwp
She glared.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAoXz6pFQU03
"Now is that any way to act to the only one who can actually help you? Your idiot friends know nothing of what is going on. I mean, how smart can they be if they haven't even caught on to what you are?"
770Please respect copyright.PENANA0ydCGbuPS6
"It's my onus, not theirs. Besides, it's forbidden you know that. You were there with Mother those years ago."
770Please respect copyright.PENANAey2OhlYMmT
She stood up watching him while she pulled off pieces of the vines.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAPeYrlROT8s
Maxwell nodded. "Yes. It was discussed at the treaty summit. I never imagined you'd fail so horribly." His face convoluted before smoothing back.
770Please respect copyright.PENANA3awrRh9OhE
Wonder what he's up to? She sat down trying to control her inner panic.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAUZdgFdt7ZG
"Drink it'll calm you old ally," said Maxwell. His voice buttery and far too calm. Like a man that had everything he wanted.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAYMddHpSDfF
He held out a glass of wine. A bitter scent struck her. Poison?
770Please respect copyright.PENANA63IkAyeGy7
Just deal with Maxwell, take it one step at a time. She willed her hand to stop shaking and reached out for the glass trying not to drop it.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAl12KtDwwic
She coughed a few times, as her throat felt thick and dry.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAaWFlgRucFy
She wet her lips with it, pretending to swallow. If not poison, then a sleep tonic. The red wine showed no discoloration.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAbcIOmYwdNC
"It isn't you know. If I wanted to, you would've been dead an hour ago." He swirled the wine in the glass and looked to the side.
770Please respect copyright.PENANA89VFkfASTN
Keep him talking. While his head turned she scanned around the room for any weapons or a way out. There has to be a way out of here.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAy8PhGfs87o
"I doubt you of all people desire to help me."
770Please respect copyright.PENANAswp332U58L
He leaned forward, and she stopped searching. She almost fell back onto the floor from tilting her chair as he was only an inch away.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAx8NeeRW2Q0
"True, by helping you I help myself. That thing must die."
770Please respect copyright.PENANAlsl6Oz02zj
His eyes fill with rage, a darkness shadowed around his face. laying his hands on the arm of the chair, he gripped it until the wood cracked and splintered.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAHM5SDzQmam
She cupped her neck with a hand and sat further back.
770Please respect copyright.PENANArXQeu9tu8O
"Make no mistake, I still hate you. I will hate you until I turn to dust until this planet grows cold and desolate. I will hate you until all things end."
770Please respect copyright.PENANAqRZknYfYKP
He hung his head clenching his jaw. His hair covered his face with shadow. The brights of his eyes piercing through.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAsSHUH4P9Wp
He grunted, stood up and pushed the chair back, it slid across the floor and thunked into the wall.
770Please respect copyright.PENANAFcWUEhhHlW
"I have other matters to attend to, it is advised you stay in this room. I will punish any disobedience."
770Please respect copyright.PENANAJlC2YW3Lyq
His voice tightened and laced with unmistakable hate. Leaving, he closed and locked the door.
ns 172.69.6.52da2