Researching the Treasures of the past(ell and moth

[dantieduurden]

It was dawn at Isenstar Lake, the sun was just beginning its great journey over the world. Painting the sun a golden color. In the background one could see the forest of Du Weldenvarden and its glory just beginning to awaken as did the rest of the world. All around you could hear the sounds of the wind blowing through empty buildings that had been abandoned since the blue divide, the last remnants of the once great city being ancient siege engines and wooden structures that towered above all but those in Du Weldenvarden and Ilirea. At its time it was a beautiful place, but after the war little was left of the once beautiful town, now the animals had begun to take back what was theirs. And this is where Darek found himself after many days of walking.

Darek was often known for taking pilgrimages to strange areas of the land, and few in Ilirea took notice of his absence for he only trained those who were to young to be accepted into the riders, and only to those who could pay the right price for his skills. At the moment his last two students had fully graduate from the rider's training, one at the top of his class, and the other only slightly lower. With a worn walking stick, a bag packed with only sleeping materials, and his weapons strapped to his leather belt, Darek had set out only days after returning from the slave markets in Teirm with a sour demeanor. Though he did not tell anyone he had gone there to acquire a companion to talk with about the world, and in turn to learn from, instead he was chased out of there like a wild animal for being a vampire in mans world. Darek had told his friend's that he had been going on a spirit journey to find himself and he did not want any to follow him. Whether they listened or not he did not know, for they could be scrying him at any time for he had not put wards up to stop them from doing so.

Before he had left Darek had gone to a young scholar named Niko and handed him a key. " This is the key to my house scholar, I give to you my collection so that you may enjoy it as much as I have." and after doing that Darek had walked away with his walking stick he had made in hand saying to the scholar that he would be back, but not saying when. And that was how Darek had finally arrived at his destination, it had taken him a week's time to travel to the once great town, and that was only because each day he worked for hours on his walking staff, engraving it with the events of the day before in picture like symbols. At the moment it had a dragon in flight, a wolf and her pups, and a few normal looking people that had caught Dareks eyes on his travels.

When Darek was finally done engraving his walking stick of the past days events he stood up to his full height and took of his weather worn cloak and stretched his wings. " It has been awhile since I have been able t do this." Darek laughed to himself as he then took of his shirt and began to do the forth stage of the dance of snake and crane. For three hours Darek stretched his muscles, relaxing them for the road ahead. When he finally finished he walked over to a stream not to far from his camp. Putting his belongings on the side of he stream he quickly undressed the rest of the way and cleaned himself in the stream. Once he was finished he got out and cast one of the few spells he still could and dried himself off before dressing himself back up. " No need for my cloak." Darek smiled as he looked up at the sun which was now in the center of the sky, " Well better get moving, wouldn't want to delay getting to the town anymore then I have." And with that Darek made his way north heading towards the woods and a small ways before them the town that was in ruin.

[ladymoth]

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“Anything good down there?” Thertayn asked to a green shape rising though the water from the depths. Ehm grabbed onto a river rock and lifted his torso out of the water with one hand, with his other hand he slapped down a hand full of pearls from a necklace, and three gold pieces. “Ha! I knew that those rich human’s wealth would have gone down this river!” Thertayn exclaimed happily splashing his toes out of the river and grabbing the pearls in his hands “Quick, get back down there and fetch more up!” thertayn ordered as he threw the pearl necklace around his neck for safe keeping.

Ehm slapped the rock quickly and pointed behind Thertayn at the figure down and across the stream. Thertayn twisted around then jumped into the stream with his brother. The two of them watched in silence as the elf went about his usual routine then stretched his long black wings. Thertayn and Ehm exchanged looks, Ehm’s of foreboding and Thertayn’s of want for adventure. “Get back down there” Thertayn whispered then slipped down stream with the tide rising up on the other side. “Ahoy!” Thertayn called to Darek pocketing his gold coins and pearl necklace “Ahoy there, you’re an odd fellow!” Thertayn climbed up onto a bolder, the water dripping off of his clothes and over the lip of the rock. The sun was hot up here, and already drying him. “Are you a fallen angel? What brings you here?”

▲▼▲▼► Elsewhere downstream the circus had come to a standstill. The other members of the circus were stopped by a river with bread and cheese, enjoying the sun and fresh water, which was warm enough to swim in. Jeralt on the other hand had to stand away from the group, his hood up and his gloves on, banished to the fringes because of his hunger. It was common practice for him in these times to stand down wind and wait for another traveler to come by, but none seemed to be coming. Now then in the distance he saw a small band of horses on the horizon, he thought one of the riders looked familiar.

[Elloria]

((“Italics” is the Ancient Language.))

“Josk, I really think we should pick up the pace. We’ve got a lot of ground to cover by tonight and at this rate we probably won’t make DuWeldenvarden by then, let alone any elven city. If you would just-”

“Enough, Desil. We’re not getting rid of any luggage, we’re not going to pick up the pace.” Josk shifted slightly on Brixis, somewhat uncomfortable after the long ride. They hadn't really stopped moving since leaving Aroughs nearly a week ago. He'd brought several mares with him on this trip, as well as Desil, a new Drone in Malakian company. It had been an extremely successful trip. Fresh supplies for his poisons that he didn't dare grow in Ellesméra, a few items he needed for experimenting with new devices, and some personal acquisitions as well. Desil had been less than pleased at Josk's purchases. But since it was all on Malakian business - mostly - the poor boy couldn't really say much. And since Josk had seniority, well.

With a sigh, he looked towards the horizon - and saw something disturbingly familiar. “Go check on Sardre, she seems to be lagging a bit.” Desil opened his mouth to protest, but at a glare from Josk, simply did as he was told. When Desil was more or less out of ear shot, he murmured, “Show me what is at a distance.” With a soft whoosh, his vision zoomed in on the distant group of travelers - and he rather regretted looking. He instantly recognized Jeralt, standing back from the other circus members and looking half-starved. That wasn't very good for him. Definitely not good for Desil. Because Josk wouldn't hesitate to throw the newbie between himself and a famished Jeralt. He sighed again and turned his attention to the trio of people not far from the circus group. He didn't recognize any of them - and really, who wouldn’t recognize someone with ridiculous bat wings and a shock of white hair, or with gills in their necks - and wondered what on earth they were doing in an abandoned village outside of DuWeldenvarden. The two gilled ones were humanoid, but clearly not human, while the winged one was obviously an elf.

Releasing the magic, he turned his horse in their direction. Perhaps if he avoided Jeralt a little longer, the hunger would magically disappear. And if not, then maybe Jeralt would follow him and make a scene or something. Who knew? Either way, Josk was fairly certain he would let Jeralt have a nibble at Desil. The freak was much more entertaining when well-fed than hungry. “Let’s pick up the pace a bit, my dears,” he called back to Desil and the mares while nudging Brixis to move faster.

Soon, he was in the ruins of the once-proud Isenstar village and within hailing distance of the trio he'd spotted from afar. He didn’t feel any threat from them, so he pulled Brixis to a stop. Reaching out with his mind to halt the other mares as well, he climbed down from Brixis and stretched. After a moment, he straightened back up and called out to them. “Hello there. Mind if we rest here for a bit? It’s been a long and tiresome journey. You’re welcome to join us if you’d like.”

[dantieduurden]

(italics mean ancient language)

Darek was just a few feet from away from the lake he had just washed in when he heard a voice call out. "“Ahoy!" At first Darek saw no one at all. But then as if out of no where the person who had made the sound appeared. He appeared to be human...ish. Darek thought and as he studied the fair skinny creature it again spoke, "“Ahoy there, you’re an odd fellow!” Darek laughed at the fish like creatures comment before replying, " And you are one to judge, may I ask what I may call you, for I do not believe I have ever in all my years seen anything like you." Darek said but then was interrupted by another question, “Are you a fallen angel? What brings you here?”

At the first part Darek laughed, from his pure white hair, down to his toes, his body rumbled with laughter. " No I am no fallen angel, I am not even an angel, for they are much more wiser then I. Though I have meet one in my many travels. Kind soul he is, I still wounder why he was kicked out of...well wherever it is the angels reside." Darek said as the question put him deep into thought. " Though some people I have saved not long ago would call me...what was it...ah yes the follower of the son I believe." Darek sighed as he talked to the strange and unique creature sitting on a boulder now taller then he himself stood. " And as for my business here, I am on a spirit journey, hoping to find myself. But if I may ask, how long has this place been abandoned."

That's when Darek saw another one of the strange and unique creatures and said in his native tongue " I swear I mean you no harm and only wish for peace, and companionship." As Darek did this he held out his hand to the other creature in the stream.

While Darek waited, his wings fully exposed as he was bent over holding out his hands to what appeared to be the stream from afar, he heard the sounds of hooves. They were still a good distance away, but from the heavy foot falls, he could tell that they bore riders. Sure enough not five minutes later Darek heard another voice call out, this one was also male, but seemed to have an edge that was known for saying things and them being followed to the letter.

“Hello there. Mind if we rest here for a bit? It’s been a long and tiresome journey. You’re welcome to join us if you’d like.” Darek heard the newcomer say and replied back in kind " This is not my land and I have no own over what you do here. It seems that these are the rulers of this land." Darek inclined his head two the two sea creatures. " As for joining you, it would also be up to them, for they seeked me out and granted me an audience, and I can not leave them to great another unless they to come or they dismiss me." Darek smiled at the newcomers, being as friendly as he could, for he did hate violence when none was necessary, and saying this man was an elf he had just broken many of the rules that governed there kind by not greeting a fellow elf properly.

[ladymoth]

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Thertayn raised an eyebrow “rulers?” he looked to his left and started, Ehm had snuck out of the water again, covered in gold and silver jewelry and looking a lot like a ruler might. “Are you done in there?” Thertayn asked with a bemused expression on his face, Ehm nodded and started to take the jewelry off, handing it to Thertayn piece by piece. “We aren’t rulers, we’re as foreign to this stream as you, we heard tell that it had been deserted for some years and thought it might be a good place to exploit out natural gifts. Our search was not in vain” He added with a rakish grin.

“I am Thertayn and this is my brother Ehm, we’re fishermen and treasure hunters.” He slid off of the rock and next to his brother, who was scooping out handfuls of coins that he had been holding in his shirt, Thertayn’s pockets were starting to bulge. “Come on further up the road, you can come aboard our ship, A Modest Vessel” Thertayn offered bidding them to follow him down stream.

▲▼▲▼► Jeralt watched the party of elves stop behind a boulder, but now they were moving again, and were joined by three others he had not yet scene; those three were very odd characters indeed. Green hair? Purple Hair? Wings? Jeralt raised one eyebrow, and he thought his companions were a freak show.

[Elloria]

Josk's head twitched in annoyance as Desil poked at his mind. How can you not greet one of our own properly?!? It's so-

He jabbed at Desil's mind, causing the younger elf to let out a loud yelp of pain. Continue to be an officious ass and I will make you regret it. Now be still. Satisfied the fool had learned his place - for the moment - he turned his attention back to the trio before him. He looked them over again, wondering at their bizarre appearance. Gills, scales, and that crazy hair color. Well, he supposed elves were like that sometimes, too. He’s seen some pretty bizarre transformations amongst his people. He stretched out his mind and gently touched all three of theirs. He didn’t probe far, just enough to get a general sense of their dispositions. The elf’s mind was a bit odd - for an elf - and the gilled ones were also strange. But they didn’t seem particularly threatening. “Fishermen and treasure hunters, huh? You must lead quite an interesting life. But I can’t say I’m eager to set foot on a ship. Still, I can’t see the harm in going a little farther before stopping to eat.” He looked at Desil. Desil grunted in irritation, but nodded. Josk turned back to the fish-men and the winged elf. “Lead the way, then,” he said with a grin. "I'm Josk, by the way. And the young man behind me is Desil."

[dantieduurden]

Darek watched as the second man the one that had not spoke yelled in pain. Dareks normally friendly eyes turned on the one who was now probing his mind and instead of blocking the man out let him in and while he looked Darek plunged into his mind, " It is not wise to prob into others minds, defiantly strangers. Harm the one with you again and there will be trouble." Darek said letting his true form which was a cruel looking creature with leather like skin that was taunt against his body. All his muscles showing a new life, where his braid was was now a horn stood up as was so on the other side of the bald head. Sharp fangs emitted from the mouth and yellow eyes of a hunter shone.

He only let his true form be seen in the mans head so that the others did not fear him. The short midget with wings was not as weak as he appeared and he choose this appearance so that others would not judge him. Then withdrawing from the elf's mind Darek nodded to the two sea creatures on the side of him. " I would be honored to go upon your ship...but if I may ask, what may I call you?" Then he heard the first Thertayn say there names Darek smiled and replied "well met Thertayn and Ehm."

Darek then waited to see if the other two were as appalled as he was for the man, josk, behavior and rudeness. For he was hardly an elf, though he was in physical characteristics, he was not so in mind.

[ladymoth]

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Ehm and Thertayn seemed blissfully unaware their minds were being probed, Ehm did wince a little but didn’t seem to question what he assumed was a passing headache. “Don’t worry Josk, it’s a fine vessel, we spared no expense in buying it, we didn’t need too” Thertayn bragged as they walked. There was a small “irk” noise and then silence. Thertayn kept walking and talking about the boats origins but Ehm turned around to see what had caused the noise. He didn’t see anything, only that Desil seemed to have wandered off. Ehm shrugged and kept walking. According to Thertayn they had brought the ship in a village south of Daret and had been making their way down Alagaesia since. The ship had not been theirs and they had had no money for it but they took to earning the money by helping a group of humans escape an urgal camp via the river; which involved Ehm jumping on a Kull and stabbing it’s eye out at one point.

At length they came to a small boat tied to a willow tree where a smoldering log fire was roasting an array of fish and a pot of crawdads. The boat was painted yellow with green railing and white sails that were currently furled. The side of the boat read “A Modest Vessel”, Thertayn had been naming the thing, not describing it. One could have only assumed the ship’s fist owner was being ironic when he named it because the ship’s golden accents said otherwise. The boat had ample room for an entire family, when space wasn’t being taken up by piles of jewelry and fine pottery yet there was a cot on the deck and a lock on captain’s quarters. “Ehm prefers to sleep under the stars, don’t you Ehm?” Thertayn asked elbowing his brother in the side. Ehm sighed and looked down and away rubbing his ribs.

From behind the group Jeralt cleared his throat "Room for one more on board?" He asked standing with his toes against the gang plank, he was unable to take a step further without being invited. He was dressed in another one of those gaudy colored hoods and it was flecked with elven blood.

[Elloria]

Josk closed his eyes in anger, seeing the revolting true form of the elf before him. After a moment, the image and the elf’s presence faded from his mind. Waiting until the elf had finished, he thrust back at him, saying Do not threaten me, elf - if that's what you really are. If I truly wished to probe you, I would have done so. As for the one with me, I will punish him for his insubordination as I see fit whether you approve or no. And you may think me rude, but at least I have the decency to introduce myself, no? I may be rude, cruel even, but I know when and what lines to cross and when to keep to myself. I will act as I see fit and not as you demand me to. Remember that and cross me at your own risk, for I will defend myself with all my skill.

He quickly withdrew and set up an impenetrable barrier around his mind to prevent further intrusion. The grin slid easily back onto his face as he addressed Thertayn and Ehm. “Well, I can’t argue with that can I?” He followed behind the brothers, knowing the mares would follow him without nudging. He didn’t pay too much attention to what Thertayn was saying. Though the part about the Kull was rather impressive. These things were more powerful than they appeared, though based on their reaction to his probe they didn’t know much about magic.

Josk heard a small “irk!” from behind him and turned. Desil wasn’t there. He frowned. Desil was an irritation, but he wouldn’t wander off on his own. Josk knew that from his experiences in Aroughs. He let a small tendril of thought reach out for him, but found no trace of Desil’s life force nearby. He did, however, feel the familiar blood magic that kept Jeralt alive. He suppressed a shudder. He hadn’t actually wanted Desil to fall prey to the freak. Still, better him than Josk. He turned back and put a neutral expression on his face. He wouldn’t mention it at all. And if someone else brought it up, he might show some concern.

Soon, they reached the small boat Thertayn had been describing. It wasn’t a particularly modest vessel, though that was the name carved into the vessel’s side. The previous owner apparently had an ironic sense of humor. Josk turned to Brixis - who had walked beside him the entire way - and pulled a large pouch from her saddlebag. He was certain that the fish-men ate meat and probably had very little in the way of elf-friendly fare. Slinging it onto his shoulder, he said, “I can understand why Ehm might prefer sleeping under the stars. They’re quite beautiful, after all.”

He stepped onto the gangplank and started up. He’d just reached the deck when he heard a familiar voice behind him. "Room for one more on board?" He whipped around to see Jeralt standing at the edge of the gangplank. He was dressed as gaudily as ever, but Josk noticed flecks of blood on the normally pristine freak. Well, now there was absolutely no doubt Jeralt ate Desil. Ugh, why couldn’t he be a less messy eater? His eye twitched as he glared at the freak. Of all the times for Jeralt to show up, this was one time he actually didn’t want him here.

[dantieduurden]

Unlike the others who turned there head and saw nothing, Darek did see the shadow that made the sound. He also saw the young man that had accompanied Josk being whisked off into the woods. Darek followed after the scents disappearing from the sides of the people just as quickly as the shadow itself moved when it had stolen the young man.

The scene he saw when he found the man made him sick. The body was dissatched from the body and blood, well blood was everywhere. Darek slowly unsheathed his sword and followed the trail of blood until he came back to the boat, where there was a new comer. He could see the blood on the mans boots, and could smell death freshly upon him. " You, I know what you have done just moments ago." Darek said holding his blade towards the vampire. " Do you think it is ok to end someone's life to keep your own going? " Darek asked, though he was normally not violent, this lack of respect for life was sickening him beyond belief.

[ladymoth]

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Ehm rolled his eyes let out a frustrated puff of air that pushed his bangs up. Of course an elf would want to sleep under the stars, but he was cold. He wouldn’t say so though, not only could he not get the words out, but he would be embarrassing his brother. He might as well just sleep on deck and not bother anyone. Ehm sat down on the side of the ship with one of the skewered fish that had been roasting on the shore. He watched the two figures interact with some interest. He had no idea what was going on but he assumed that this new comer had killed Desil, and if that were true they’d best be pushing off. He tugged on Thertayn’s sleeve but Thertayn brushed him off and kept watching Darek and Jeralt as if he was at a play.


Oh great, another elf who wanted to put him down, these go so… annoying. “Look, can we not make a thing out of this, call it self-defense” Jeralt shrugged as he looked up at Darek “it was him or me, I mean come on” Jeralt scoffed with a theatrical shrug. His entire existence boiled down to that one fact and without knowing it Darek had struck a nerve that had become numb some fifty-eight years prior to today.

Jeralt remembered waking up seized with hunger and killing his creator without even thinking about it, that was instinctual, the next kill was far more difficult. If Jeralt hadn’t numbed himself to the act, tricked himself into liking it, he would have committed suicide a long time ago. Jeralt was nothing more than a scared kid, somewhere deep down in there. “Come on man, you’re an elf with a sword, don’t tell me you never killed anyone before. I mean look at you, you’re practically a demon!” Jeralt quipped trying to distract everyone

"Hey guy, if looks mattered I'd never have started talking to anyone on this boat" Thertayn interjected gesturing around the boat at the misfit cast... and Josk, who was pretty normal. "Everyone just take a step back and reassess this situation, I don't want a fight aboard my ship" Ehm slapped his face into his hands, his brother wasn't even listening to the conversation, or else he would have hightailed it away from the murderer with his toes against the gang plank.

[Elloria]

("Italics" = Ancient Language. "Bold" = emphasis, but still Ancient Language.)

Without thinking, Josk pulled the hood of his cloak up and walked back down the gangplank. He pushed Jeralt forward enough so he could step back to the earth. Once firmly on the ground, he side-stepped Jeralt and set down his pack. Then he unsheathed his sword with practiced ease and stepped in front of the freak. His freak. He didn't know where this protective possessiveness was coming from and he wasn't going to dwell on it. What he did know was that Jeralt was his to slap around and generally abuse as he wished. Theirs had been a very rough and carnal relationship thus far, but Josk was okay with that. It was nice to have someone he could rough up and have fun with and not feel judged for it. He'd be damned if he would let someone else ruin this lovely no-strings-attached relationship.

Josk settled into a battle-ready stance just in front of Jeralt, his sword pointed straight at the other elf's heart. “Who are you to judge? If your ‘true’ form is anything to go by, I’m sure you’ve killed your fair share as well.” Though his words were accusing and hostile, his tone was polite - pleasant even. It was almost as if he were just passing the time of day with an old friend. But the menace was there for others to read, if they listened closely enough. “When it’s a matter of survival, none may pass judgment for another’s actions. Even we live by that standard in DuWeldenvarden. And then there’s the Grand Game. You do know about the Grand Game, don’t you? Or perhaps you don’t. Either way, you should not be so quick to threaten another with death without bothering to ask the reasoning behind it.[/b][/i][/color]”

[dantieduurden]

(always speaking in the ancient lauange)

Darek smiled at the elf who was so foolish as to unsheathed his blade and run to the vampire's help. " You judge me on my deformity? Sure I have killed my fare share. Only after of course there was no other chance. Murders, rapist, you name it and I have killed it. But never have I killed unprovoked." Darek said as he took his other blade out. Now both hands held katana like blades that were almost as big as he, giving him an obvious reach advantage. Both blades had been made from star metal by the finest smith in Du WeldenVarden. Darek then continued in his native tongue. " And I do know what your ailment is, for I am not a demon, but have been cursed as you. But unlike you my body has suffered." Darek then let his body reveal it's true form.

All the skin on his body became a gray like leather that clung to his body, exposing his build all the more. Where once there was beautiful white hair, now was a bald head with two horns upon it. Dareks eyes remained the same animal like eyes of a panther, but his teeth and claws enlarged to dangerous sharpness. " I let those who give me life live, and thank them for the deed they do, for the sacrifice they make so that I myself may live. I know your ailment, and no matter how blood frenzied he is it can never be called self defense when you rip a mans head of and drain the body of blood." Darek still in his true form kept his katana's tightly gripped as he relaxed the rest of his muscles.There was no way out of a fight when someone who had done nothing wrong had been killed to sustain another.

That is when the Game's were brought up. " Them vile things show how weak and pathetic our race has grown. To think that we do as the humans and kill ourselves for entrainment, O I know about the games, as do the riders, and I can assure you that soon they shall come to an end. When everyone's eyes are opened to the evil that they are doing, the Queen herself may be dethroned." Darek said for he had very little love for his homeland and the eras of his peoples ways. " And with that Darek was done talking, he was ready to fight, his mind was blocked from all intrusions as he began reciting an old tale he had heard from a slave he had freed about the mother wolf, and the blessed son. Him being to them the blessed son, and he would live up to that name.

[ladymoth]

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Jeralt looked at Josk, who was literally the last person on the boat he expected to come to his rescue. He had no idea what Josk was saying but it sounded… kind. The other elf with the wings chatted back, Jeralt thought things were going well until the swords were drawn. “I don’t know what the hell you’re saying but you get over here and say it to my face, I dare you!” Jeralt barked stepping to the side and standing next to Josk so it did not seem as if Josk was defending him so much as coming to help him. “All I wanted was a friendly chat, it’s you who got the swords out! Come on you ugly baked pile of dog crap, I’ve taken on a rasac before you’re not going to be any tougher than that!"

Mean while on deck and equally in the dark about what had been said Ehm choose to get up and kick the gang plank away he grabbed the rope tying A Modest Vessel to the willow tree and began to saw at it with a knife from his belt. Thertayn on the other hand leapt to his feet at the exact second that his brother did but instead choose leap off the boat and stand next to Darek with his hands on his hips. “I shall have no one in league with evil on this ship, we shall stay and fight the bad out of you… Ehm stop that.” He added under his breath, as if Ehm were embarrassing him. “Ehm come here, stand there, Knife up.” Thertayn ordered Ehm who jumped into the water and dragged his feet over to where Darek was and stood next to him with his Knife ready to fight while Thertayn watched, ready to give comment on said fight. Ehm hated how his brother just assumed that Darek was a good guy because he looked like a demon. Thertayn was acting as if no one was ever the way they seemed but it was just as likely that Darek was just as murderous as the two men on the ground.

[Elloria]

Josk laughed. The thought of the Riders interfering with the Grand Game was just too ridiculous. Those fools might think they were all enlightened and holier than all the rest - but at their core, they were still elves. The Grand Game and elven society is what initially shaped them. It would take more than the Riders to stop the Grand Game. “The day the Riders stop the Grand Game will be the day elven society falls. For all their holier-than-thou-art ways, the Riders are still elves. It’s going to take a lot more than them to stop something that’s gone on in our culture for uncounted generations stretching back beyond the sea.”

Keeping his eyes on the elf across from him, he switched to Broddring common and addressed Jeralt. “Hold off Thertayn and Ehm - the fishmen - and keep them away from me while I handle the freakshow over there.” There was a distinct and strong tone of command in his voice, allowing for no argument on the matter. He wasn't entirely certain if Jeralt would listen to him and didn't particularly care. He felt in deep in his bones that magic would decide this battle - and he delighted in that fact. Magic he knew. Magic he was comfortable with. Magic he could dominate with. He did little else in his spare time.

With that in mind, he fully faced the elf once more and relaxed. His sword dipped from aiming at the other elf's heart to aiming at his stomach. Settled, Josk thought of Niko. His wild, crazy, infuriating, frustrating, passionate, loving little brother. His baby brother, who had ever been his defense and an unending well-spring of strength in childhood - and remained so to this day. With Niko’s face firmly fixed in his mind, Josk suddenly lashed out at the other elf's mental defenses, slamming into them with a force equivalent to a dragon ramming full speed at a stone rampart. He found that it was only a tale about some mother wolf and blessed son, whatever those were, playing in the strange elf’s mind. His brow furrowed with intense concentration as he began poking and prodding at it. He whispered of its lies and fallacies, pried at the inconsistencies, used its images - anything he could think of to tear down this defense to get at the mind beyond. And from there, have a little fun.

[dantieduurden]

Darek felt it the moment Josk stepped into his mind and was already prepared as the elf launched all his force behind one massive push. Not once did Darek detour from the truth of what he knew of the mother wolf and her blessed son. And with the son in mind and the story of how the son kept the balance Darek slowly pushed forward into Josk mind, looking at his wall and finding Niko's face plastered all over it. " So why do you keep this scholar so close to your heart there Josk? Is Niko someone you care about. Funny how he was only at my house a week ago and we got along so great." Darek said using Josk's defense against him, trying to turn his own mind against itself.

As the battle mentally was happening Darek let his body do his talking as he began his dance of death with his two katana like blades. In and out they swooped, dipping and diving. All the time waiting for an opening to form in the elf's defenses. Darek held nothing back as he stood a good five feet away from Josk, giving him plenty of room with his swords blades to divert any spells, and if they were to powerful to merely get out of there way. Darek had begun to see himself as the Blessed son after hearing the story and that only made him more determined to make sure the two others who had come into this fight to help him did not get harmed. And that is what made him laugh when Josk began throwing lies back at him. " Who lives in a world of lies? " Darek said as he let lose no force but memories of him Niko and Addi sharing tea together, of Nikos face, and how happy it was, and filled with joy when Darek had given to him, his collection of dragons. Darek did not fight with lies, no he fought with the truth.

[ladymoth]

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“Freak show is not the best descriptor to use to distinguish these guys” Jeralt reminded Josk as he put his fists up in front of his face. “But I’m assuming you mean the creepy identical twins.” Jeralt correctly assumed. He ran at Ehm without worrying about the knife in Ehm’s hand, which was so unexpected that he got a punch in before Ehm could react. Josk knew from experience that a punch from Jeralt felt like a cannon ball fired at short range, and now Ehm knew as well, he was on the ground struggling to remember what was going on, and it was only a few seconds into the fight.

[Elloria]

(Italics = thoughts in Ancient Language.)

Josk gritted his teeth as images of a happy Niko drifted across his closed lids. That was, perhaps, the worst thing this thing could use against him. Cold anger and solid conviction quickly replaced Niko's face, shattering the images the other elf sought to plague him with. Is he someone I care for? He is my brother, fool. You think you can gain Niko's happiness with useless trinkets? You think you know what will delight him, what will make him truly shine? You think you are close to him? You think you know my twin even half as well as I? You are wrong. What would you know of such a bond? What would you know of us?

He turned his attention back to the tale the elf kept repeating to himself. What was so important about it? Why had his enemy chosen this to protect himself? How was the elf connected to it? It puzzled Josk greatly. It was nothing he’d ever encountered before, but he had the feeling this wasn’t something the elf had encountered in Ilirea. No Ilirean, or its visitors, talked about such idiotic things. At least they hadn’t when Josk had been there. Granted, that had been well over a century ago but even so. And it didn’t sound like a possible dwarvish legend, though it could’ve been. That left humanity. So why would this elf give even the slightest damn about some human legend? He stopped prying at the elf’s mind to consider this. Perhaps he identified with some part of the legend? How preposterous. Elves were incredible beings, but as far from godhood as any human or dwarf or any other race. Well, maybe not the Urgals. But close.

Acting on a hunch, he poked gently at the elf’s mind. I live in a world of lies? I at least defend myself with something concrete - with my experiences and bond with my brother. You rely on unrealistic fantasies conjured up by some backwards human. Do you perhaps wish you were this Mother Wolf? Or the...Blessed Son, is it? Well, I suppose either is more lovable, or at least more tolerable, than you. Why else would you hide this form, if not because you fear the rejection and disgust that it will surely inspire in others? A grin spread across his lips as he opened his eyes and followed the path of the elf’s blades. If that inspired the reaction he expected it to, he would need to be especially watchful of the elf’s physical movements. He had no idea what that thing was capable of and didn’t particularly want to die finding out. But it would be worth it if the elf’s defenses slipped, even the slightest bit, even for less than a heartbeat. Because that would be enough.

[dantieduurden]

Darek laughed at the violence that came out of the man now. " Such violence from a family member of a scholar as great as Niko, I would expect much more from someone who's brother is one of thee best at what he dose in the land and may soon one day even become a rider." And with that Darek cut off all conversation in his mind, not needing to get into the mans mind anymore, for he was through talking. As he did this he took to the sky and sent his body so that the suns glare hid him from Josk's eyes that held no kindness unlike those of Niko his brother. But as he was in the air he heard the faint and last remarks of Josk making fun of the human religion, and he was fueled with a new power, one he had not felt in many years. " Brisingr!" Darek called out, and as he did, two beams of flame came from his blades,one directed at Josk, and the other at Jeralt. Then he dive boomed at Josk, following the ray of firery energy with to starmetal blades crafted by the finest elf craftsman on the continent.

[ladymoth]

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Jeralt yelped as the ball of fire hit his cloak, why did this keep happening to his cloaks? He had to stop hanging around with Josk. He leapt into the water to extinguish the flames but the damage was done and there was now a hole in his cloak which let the sun through and burnt his skin instantly. The sweet smell of burning flesh wafted in the air. Jeralt watched the second fire ball head toward Josk and reacted the only way he knew how, violently. Jeralt charged Darek at full force and sent both of them hurtling into the shade of the forest where Jeralt promptly set to work throwing Darek against a tree trunk.Meanwhile back on the shore of the river Ehm was climbing aboard the boat trying to cut through the rope as fast as he could. Thertayn was with him this time.