Lolendalia

She had been offered a spare room at one of the out-er city homes, as someone had soon wandered by in her despare, showing her the way to build a cot and use it to transport her dear friend from that aweful castle. The inhabitants of the little cottage had seen her state of shabby clothing and her frazzled and sensitive little thoughts... They had seen her while she managed to tug and hall the Elf to their door. At first they had been hesitant as to let her in, being a stranger in this sort of place was unusual.. And mostly unheard of. But soon after, they allowed entrance, unlocking their hearts for the little girl who tried to hard. ** Geelef lay in bed, still unconcious.. Though he seemed to sleep without pain for now.. The covers tucked tightly beneath him, a pan of hot coals at the foot of his bed to keep him warm. He had begun to shiver and shake in his place violently as the sun had dissappeared behind her canvas of colors. The stars had begun to swirl, blinking, twinkling incandescently at the little cottage through the window, the merlot drapes pulled neatly to the sides. Lolen dipped the lambskin cloth into the dish of warm water beside the bed, patting the Elf's head lovingly, making sure that he remained warm. She would not eat, she would not drink, she would not move from her spot on the side of the bed until she was absolutely sure that her friend would wake from his rest. She curled slowly, tugging her knees closer to her chest, the silver white silk floating about her ankles as she did so. So many bad things had happened already, in such a short time. Yet some things remained to be as good as she had hoped they would be.. She had managed to find friends on a trip such as hers, and to escape unscathed for the most part... And so she sat, and pondered, shifted, and pondered more.. Thought, and fussed, cried and lovingly took care of Geelef.. ** It was about three suns and three moons later that he woke.. His head wrapped in a bandage from where he hit the wall, his body feeling weak and frail, and warm... He looked about the room slowly, his head hurting emensely.. Where was Lolen? He shifted his attention across the room as slowly as he could, so that the ripping pain would not make him shout out. There lay Lolen in a small chair, curled to the smallest ball that he had ever seen a person be able to do, covered by a quilt. She looked like crap.. As though she hadn't rested in weeks, her hair not shimmering like it should, her skin not glowing with youthful lighting, but looked rather ghaunt. Had she been eating? Did she sleep? Was she -alive!?- What had happened? Where were they? What was he doing in a bed?.. So many things to do.. So little time to do it..Who was that man? Where did he come from? What did he mean by the things he said? Yet he remained where he was, sleep soon overtaking him as though he had never woke.. The night seeming to fold on them, to envelope them in her warmth and comfort. And they slept on.. ** The morning sun had begun to pour in from the windows, pooling at the sill and spilling over onto the floor, small spots of light dancing on her cheeks. She wiggled her nose slowly, bringing her hand to her face to block out the light.. Before opening her eyes and letting her gaze immediatly snap to where the Elf had lay sleeping. Yet he was gone... When did he get up and leave? She wondered. She stood slowly, meandering over to the mirror on the wall, shrinking back at her own appearance. I could be one of the living dead in this condition... she joked thoughtfully before tugging on her overcoat and boots and leaving the room. "Good morning Lady Lolen." the woman, who had called herself Malra said in greeting. "Yes, Good morning Lolen." her husband, Zak, greeted her as well. "Yes, it is a good morning Sir and Madame." she prompted quickly, smiling broadly the best that she could. "You should take a bath, Lolen.. You look as though you could use one. The hot springs are not too far from here.. You can go there if you please, I think you would quite enjoy it.." And so she wen't.. On her way.. And perhaps she would meet up with the Elf.. He couldn't be too far.. Surely he wouldn't leave her.

Geelef ran directly around one of the corners, having defeated all that lay in his path. Torquin was in sight, and so was the view of Lolen, who, by the looks of it, had began to suffer consequences from shouting out. A needle planted in her shoulder, another two in her calves, her hands stained in blood that had begun to crust over the cuticles of her once clean nails. Her head remained in the bag, though by the sight of blood, Geelef guessed that she had been hit by a blunt object. Torquin had seen Geelef, after puncturing his last needle into Lolen's thigh.. The amount of blood dripping from the wound satisfying him a bit. He grinned maliciously, raising his cane at Geelef, waving it around madly... The battle would begin... ** Lolen bit her lip to control her cries, to stop them all together. The sharp and cold entry of needle after needle in her flesh having been bad enough, then the feeling of something slamming into her head, making her dizzy, then the feeling of warm blood trickling down her cheek and over her eyebrow, making her close her eyes as it dribbled onto the lids, then had begun to crust over her lashes, her eye sealing shut. She trembled in her spot, remaining upright somehow. The sounds of shouting and screaming, then laughing and a horendous screetch meeting her ears as though someone battled. She knew who it was.. It was Geelef and that aweful man... She prayed to all that she could think of that Geelef would remain alive and that the nasty old man, the greedy scoundrel would be murdered. ** Geelef felt as though he was dancing the dance of death, his shoes scuffing and scraping along the floor as he twirled from side to side, initializing in combat with the old one. "Ye'll never win 'er back ye' mighty brute!" Torquin shouted, his withering voice echoing in the halls. "Oh yes I will!" Geelef retorted sternly, his staff smacking into Torquins cane, the pressure bending the old man back onto his knees, forcing him down towards the ground. Torquin held on, using as much strength as he could to hold upright.. Pushing Geelef into a wall.. ** Lolen was shoved backward by a violent blow to the chest, knocking her into a wall. Her head wavered dangerously, yet she held her own. Muffled voices met her ears, and somehow her hands had come undone of their ropes.. She lifted her hands to her head, to move the cloth. The knot in the back gave her trouble, and she broke one of her nails back so that it began bleeding. It panged and twanged at her while she worked on the knot, finally freeing it.. Removing the cloth, Lolen stared aghast at what was happening in her wake.. Geelef against the wall, Torquin seeming to press the end of his cane into the Elf's neck.. And Lolen was unable to help.. Only to watch and to wonder.. Would this be the end of her dear friend?? (( Sorry it took so long.. I've been busy... ))

Lolen had refused to speak, and by doing so she angered the old man further. He jabbed at her cruely with his cane, bruising her side and leaving a line across the backs of her calves. "Tell me!" He shouted, his voice cracking from age... But before Lolen managed to open her mouth even a little, the door opened behind her.. And she could not turn her head to look, as though she was froze into place.. an invisible grasp holding her still. "Isss thisss what I asssked for, Torquin?" His voice like those of the creatures he commanded, though had a semi lulling quality to it.. breaking from invisible lips.. The old man nodded, grinning, his disgusting teeth showing once more, Lolen herself wishing as though she could wretch on him. "That isss good..." The voice said once more.. making Lolen ever so much more uncomfortable where she stood... And within seconds.. the sight of a black cloth bieng tied around her head, to her neck, and then back behind to prevent her from seeing anything. She kicked out and screamed, though the sound seemed to muffle in the cloth.. obviously magic woven... Her hands and feet bound once more, though this time in magic bound chains to prevent her from freeing herself, Lolen was taken away... The soft slithering and hissing of the man bieng the only sounds.. ** Talking had met Geelef's ears, making them ring and perk at every small and single movement anywhere nearby.. Up the tunnel and hall from where he stood, there were obvious guards and other nasties to protect something.. something that was valuable perhaps? He urged his already tiring legs forward.. revenge in mind, and heart.. His friends lives at steak.. And his own. His sword pressing warmth into his hand, the light dimming as he came near to the beasts, pressing himself against one of the cold, damp, dingey walls of the hall. He could hear their grunting voices and disgusting speech from where he stood.. Preparing to attack. (( Sorry for not posting for a little while.. Thing's have been hectic around the house. -Mina))

(( heh!)) Geelef's strodes slowled greatly, as the hilly scene had become more porous and dangerously shallow ledged... He sidestepped a ghastly looking pit of lava, watching it for a moment, the liquid bubbling from the inside of the crater. He knew what he would chance by stepping over it an it worried him to a degree. Without looking back, he tugged eerily at his clothes before he actually stepped, more the less leaped over it to the other side where it was somewhat safer... where the land would not pour and crush into the burning liquid beneath the apparently solid ground. And he continued on.. whispering voices of nonapparent people swirling about him as he did so.. The castle coming into view before him as he continued.. The crumbling bridge, over the lava pit, the steaming, hissing liquid splattering and spitting at the sides.. A dangerous thing this.. But the towers of the castle itself were riveting, her dark glooming gray stones advancing far into the air, scraping the night sky- which lay black, swirling with seeming blood in steam like presence..- telling all to beware of what she had seen in her many, many centuries of abuse and neglect... And here Geelef needed to make his choice.. Would he continue on to save his friend's life.. who was in great need of assistance.. Or would he perish in his attempts? It was, after all... His decision. ** Lolen swallowed thickly, as the man entered the room, hobbling on his cane, letting the teeth tap the dirty stone beneath it. The hound at his side growling viciously, baring yellow, slobbered teeth. It snapped at Lolens heels once she was freed, her hands placed behind her back as ordered. She would remain silent.. though whimpered every so often.. afraid of what would become of her.. As they traveled the crooked, winding tower stairs.. Through dungeons of longing usage.. Cobwebs entangling themselves at her ankles and her shoulders, musing her hair indignantly... Yet she continued to walk.. praying that nothing would harm her.. or her friends.. And if it came down to it, she decided.. She would die before allowing any more harm to anyone... ((*Grin*))

The night crept on, the still sounds broke by the crackling of a faint noise, though close by. Geelef's ears had been strewn on that noise since it had begun.. And suddenly, the scene before him shattered like glass, falling in shards on the ground, the serene darkness turned to all but a gaping hole in the forest, a black mass that dangerously invited those brave enough to enter... And Geelef thought for a moment, his bravery shrinking in his stomach though two thoughts ran through his head... One of Cath.. and one of Lolen. And so he went.. the first step trudgingly deathlike- as though he took a funeral march, a dead man.. people would later say... of course, that was only if he didn't make it through.. It felt like ice shattering and bleeding in his throat, his head piercing with a high pitched noice and then numbing sensations he could not explain.. but this was only until he managed to gain feeling of the burning.. the whipping and burning that the air did to him, though still.. it felt as though invisible forces *which there probably were* were trying to prevent him from continuing.. But the Elf kept his head held high and his bravery in place.. his mind concentrating on not the pain, but to make it through to his friends... for them, and only them. .. And so.. he continued to walk... ** "What master? What have I done to be locked in a chamber like some common criminal!?" Lolens pure little voice rang out in the cell, a few of the rocks from the walls scuttering onto the ground. Anger building like a blinding, white fire branding through her. "He-he-he.. Aye, ye' are a wee li'il beastie, aren't ye'! He told me ye' would be." the old man cackled a horendous cackle, ending in sputtering coughs. "You deserve your wracking coughs! You deserve to die! You are a terrible man! Have you no pride!? Have you no family!? No friends!? No one to care about you!?" She shrieked, becoming suddenly overcome with anger and greif.. I hate this place... I want to leave.. and I want my friends.. I want them to be safe.. What if he has died!? What of that wonderful tiger?? What will happen to me!? - these thoughts rang in her head as clear as a bell on a Sunday morning mass... The old man had been speaking the hole time, tossing little pebbles at Lolen from behind the bars, grinning, with his rotted teeth black at the nerve.. Glearing at her from behind the cold steel cage... Lolen of course, could not move but a two feet in either direction.. and ended up bieng jabbed and caught by pebbles, and with the mans cane... she did not listen to him, she hated him.. And to Lolen, hate was something that was a terrible, terrible thing to do. So the Guard had found her.. Tracked her, he said. And now He wanted to see her.. He who she had been "Born to serve." He who she, Lolen absolutely knew, hated. (( Hehe.. There you go. I'm done with my post for now. Sorry that second half took so long to get. ))

Geelef found himself wandering, from his path. It had been days that he worried for Cath, and for Lolen. It had been a day since his last meal, and he had been tracking since that night. No footprints, no broken twigs.. Nothing.. nothing in the ominous dark of continuous searching.. Nothing at all. ** He soon found himself stopped, as though there were a barriers infront of him that he could not see. He held up his hands, a blinding pain finding its way through the tips of his fingers, sparking and grinding at the barrier, though it held for a while. His energy nearly gone, his mind sore with pain, the Elf thought that it was best to stop for the night, and continue his practice when he gained the strength. But.. There lay a tiny scraping sound, as though of glass against glass or wood against stone. (( I'll add onto this post.. ASAP!! Don't post yet!!!!))

Oh... My head... she thought, rubbing the back of her head and neck slowly, something sticky reaching her fingers and it was warm. She pulled her fingers through her hair slowly, the red mass tangled and mused together. Her already large blue eyes widened to the size of saucers... Blood... It was blood in her hair! A gash had been made at the back of her head after the winged beasts had thrown her in captivity.. That had been two days ago.. She had reamined unconcious for 48 hours... 48 hours of unrecognizable confusion. What had happened to her? She went to move from the floor, the dust and dirt cluttered about her, a pile of hay that spared for bedding in the corner. As she meant to pick herself from the ground, her head swirling madly and throbbing as though she had been rammed over by a thousand horses in rampage, the chains which bound her hands clinked and tinckled and clattered, clanging against one another, preventing her from moving further than exactly two steps in each direction. She heaved a soft, pained sigh for a moment, her soft lips quivering in slight fear, though she was determined to remain forever brave against all odds that might be determined just as much as she to withstand her. Her appearance had deffinitely changed as she had foiled her best outfit days ago with the blood that obviously cluttered her hair now, teh red shimmering against the pale silver and white colour. She now wore a dress like that which she had quite some time ago, the simple cotton skirt and shift, the simple peasant top and the corset about her waste, the leather sandals having been removed, her bare feet cold against the floor. A gutteral growl and snort met her ears, fear flickering in her eyes before she pushed it from visibility, rather forcefully. A man.. an ugly ugly ugly man came to the bars, ratting a cane at her that seemed to be made of human calf bone, carved over in exquisite design. Around the bottom, where one might tap the cane along the ground, their were human teeth to adorn and give it height. This was disgusting to Lolen.. but the man was so much worse.. Scars crossed his face in every which way, giving him one ugly mug, twisted and snarled together like a very old, very wrongly planted tree.. or possibly a potters mistake of clay.. His skin seemed like the beasts, like parched and dry leather.. But his eyes seemed to catch her most, like raven's feathers they were.. shining, black.. hid behind half closed, half burned eyebrows and eyelids, his hair ashy and gray.. like the ash of the fireplaces of Andorel's inhabitants, his composure like that of a wilting flower... whose stem lay nearly broken. He snarled once more at her, frightening her backwards, though the chains prevented her from moving. He seemed to glare at her through the bars of her cage, into the damp and darkened cube. She shifted a little, staring directly into the mans raven eyes.. jet black they seemed, moisted over.. filled with age... "He-he-he... So.. You be the one the master wants eh? I see not why. Your scrawny little bonnie lass, arent ye?" "What do you know of me.. And who are you? Where am I? What do you want?" These questions split from her lips as quickly as ligtening could... And he replied.. In his raspy, husky, low and old voice....

She stared at the beast, it's claws covered in blood. The tiger lay on the ground, her sides bloody. The beast had grabbed her arm once more, the sword having strayed from her hand as she had swung, causing it to fly forth and embed itself in a tree. She looked to Cath, tears flooding her eyes, her cries ringing through the air as she swiped her small hands towards the beast. Where was Geelef? He was out of her site.. The beast had lifted its great wings and begun to drag her into the sky, Lolen fighting the best she could manage all along, though she was weakening greatly. The creature seemed to suck the energy from the air, through the large gaping holes that were it's mouth. "Let me go!!!" She shouted down, in hopes that the Elf would hear her meandering cries.. Yet the beast did not, it held firm.. It's crisp grasp making her skin prickle at every breath it placed against her neck. The hair standing on end at the line. The night had covered over in smoke, from the burning forest... The sky bieng licked with mighty flames reaching like burning corpse' hands from a grave. The creature had dipped many a time too close to the flames, letting them lick the backs of Lolen's legs, just enough to sear her. Her cries seemed to make no difference to the beast of burden. What have I done!??? She asked herself, fear roaming through each of her veins. Oh please let them be alright! I cannot bear any more pain! She closed her eyes, though continued to fight until she could fight no longer, and remained limp in the things arms, praying the best with all her heart for her friend's lives... And for her own. (( Ehh!??? Not as good as I wanted.. but alrighty. ))

After the dinner of rather nicely done boar, Lolen wiped her tiny, china doll mouth with a piece of cloth from her bag. She looked slowly to Geelef, smiling broadly, her pearly teeth straight. Her bright blue eyes traveled slowly to the sinking sun on the horizon, watching the colors fade into deep purples, violets, velvety blacks, and midnight blues. The stars had begun their vast, kaleidoscopic swirling across the sky, the galaxies so many miles away shining brightly. Planets, most of them. A milky streak spread vast across the sky, twinkling and shining incandescently. She leaned back on a log, the animals having reverberated into the woods near by... The field clear, the soft breeze fluttering the grassy mass. Some of the grass remaining a parched and twig-like brown in tufts, though most of it lush and green after the rain the day that passed. She yawned slowly, smiling once more, many many thoughts scattered behind her mask of happiness. Who are they? What are they really searching for? Who is this man who claims to be my friend.. He is rather cute.. Cut that out! Do not think of him in such a way, you are much too young I believe.. And men will get you in trouble. Like your mother. She turned her head a bit to the side, to examine a broad boughed tree, her limbs extending over a pond, whose weeds and vines surrounded the shore line, the dirt a perfect bark brown, scattered in footprints. The wind moving through the reeds making a soft and lulling whispering melody. She was begining to become tired, and apparently, so was her new friend. She wanted to make him happy, and she did not know how, which bothered her greatly. He had done so much for her already.. Though watching him hunt.. Make her stomach tie in knots all over. She could feel the animals pain as the weapon of choice sliced through its skin, her skin feeling as though it was bieng torn in peaces, the weapon piercing the animals lungs, as it gasped and cried out in pain. She too, had felt it, and had nearly collapsed from the feeling, like someone had torn her heart in pieces, punctured her lungs, gasping for air she had been. Then.. all went still, and the animal had closed its eyes, the shiney, large eyes of the boar. Lolen felt the cold, the stillness, in her very bones. It hurt.. and it scared her. But now, the animal was in a better place, or so she hoped, away from Them.. Further than she would ever get, she thought. "Lolen, is something the matter?" Geeleft asked, startling the girl from her thoughts, making her shift uncomfortably for a moment. "No. Not at all." She lied with a matter of ease, though deep down she felt the flutter of tiny wings and pain in her stomach. Lies.. Lies lies lies... Was that all she could do? This seemed to please the Elf.. And he nodded, returning to his gaze at the sky. So he was interested in the stars as well? This was interesting to Lolen.. A few hours later, the fire continued to burn, held by a magic to let it burn until put out purposefully. Lolen lay bundled down like a bird in a nest, under a mass of vines she had intentionally netted tightly together to use as blankets after the days drying over a branch of a tree nearby. She had gathered a mass of shiney, ripe apples.. their coats a red red. She turned her head a bit, entangling one of her small hands in her hair slowly, the silky mass falling and floating between her fingers. What was she to do? Was it safe to sleep here, beneath the thick and hardy boughs of a tree? What would the night bring?? She thought this carefully, her eyes remaining closed, the long thick lashes pressed to her upper cheeks. She could have made the very image of an angel, if she knew that she was not hiding secrets... Though Geelef had probably noticed this.. She did not need to alarm herself with guilt as much as she did. And the night continued on... On until what the child had dread most, happened..... (( *Grin* I have a second half of this post.. But I don't know if I have time to scrape the surface of my mind for it now.. But let's try it. )) The sound of scraping and screams, the smell of smokey wafts spreading through the forest awoke her. The animals.. what was happening?? She crawled immediatly from her bundle, standing and dusting off her night shift, tugging at the thin cloth slowly. She might as well as not have worn anything, her shift bieng so thin that she was nearly visible through the material. A dagger pressed tightly between her breasts, she reached for it, turning to the side. A terrible shriek filled the air, like the gasping and screaming of a banchee in the night. Flames licked the trees about them, as the shriek rang out once more, closer now. Geelef seemed to be asleep, though Lolen doubted that anyone could sleep through such a racket. She turned her body more to the side, towards where most of the animals had begun to scatter through the trees, running as though they were afraid, obvious fear visible in their eyes like they were glass and mirrors. Then she saw them.. All of them.. And what she counted frightened her so much that she stumbled backward. She counted the best she could keep up, twenty two of them... Twenty two ghastly winged creatured.. Their leathery bodies twisted and gruesome. Her mouth widened as her hand went to reach for her dagger, which had flew from her as she had toppled backward, her hair covering all that was necessary, shimmering against her skin. She stood out like a black rabbit in the snow... A scream made it's way past her lips, bursting forth with such violence that her throat and lungs began to throb. One creature, with obviously nothing to hunt, looked directly at her, his creepy eyes showing interest. It came towards her, and she backed up, throwing her only weapon at him. It hit, though not where she wanted... her aim obviously lost.. The creature stopped, and snarled at her, muttering some odd language in her direction. "Sir!! Sir please wake!" She shouted, but it was a little too late, the creature had gained hold of her arm, pulling her, sliding her through the air like a ragdoll in a childs arms. It had her, this gruesome thing.. It's gnarled and leathery hands grasping her tightly, though she kicked and screamed and fought.... To no avail... (( *wipes her brow* Whew! What a post! Lol.))

The forest buzzed with thousands of different sounds. The sounds of wild animals chittering and chattering as the sun poured through the canopy of trees like liquid spotting the ground. Lolen looked slowly to Geelef, smiling broadly though the springing day seemed to peak through the remnants of a winters chill, brightening her large blue eyes and her hair seeming to shimmer moreso than it ever did. "I.. Sir.." she sputtered, trying to regain some semblance of mind to tell him her thoughts that had recently began to flutter into her mind, and down into her stomach to settle in a pit. Geelef looked at Lolen, one of his brows raised... She tangled one of her small hands in her hair, tilting her head to the side. "I lied.. To you, sir." she murmered, her lips pressed tightly together, as though she were about to cry. The Elf raised his brows once more, as Lolen curled her fingers behind her back, standing rather too straight, her clothing stained from the recent rain that had left her mark on the leather tunics and clothing. "Sir, I do know some small amount of magic, a wee bit of protection magic and mostly household work magic.. To... To mend broken dishes, and the such.." The Elf remained silent, watching the girl with some mild humour, though also mild dissappointment in her manners. And at this, Lolen felt as though her world had begun to tremble violently, as though an earthquake had rumbled through her. Guilt had flooded her since the day she told that she could do no magic, though this was what she had been told to say. Otherwise, -they- might find her.. And what would happen then!? Her attention flickered back to Geelef, her innocent eyes resting on him, waiting for him to chaste her for her lies.. ((Post again soon.. In school now. Posting when I have time! -Mina))

The massive creature bent at its waste, Geelefs sword through the skin, through bone and all matter. A sickening crack fought its way to her ears, her mouth remaining open and her eyes wide. The creature brought its razored claws down upon her newfound friend... And with a sickening pop and squilshing noise, the beast fell in two, the head lolling yet away from the body and the torso of the bieng tumbling to the forest ground. Not a sound made in the forest, her ears picking up the heavy ladden silence. "Sir...? Sir.. Are you alright?" she whispered into the silent, as though she were ashamed. Geelef turned to look at her a little, his skin paling greatly... "Yes.. I'm fine.. I only got a little scratch." He pointed quickly to a deep looking gash in his shoulder, which the blood boiled and seered from the stream. It trickled down his clothing- making Lolen rather uncomfortable. "Sir, you are injured.. Please? Let me..." She removed a small pouch from her waste, a herb that was said to mend any wound or heal any illness. She wandered close to Geelef, gracious that the tiger had awaken the Elf, but ungrateful that the man had become hurt all because of her own carelessness. She should have known better then to allow rest in the Forest of Dreams... It just was not done.. Not at all.

When night fell in her pretty little nest, Lolen looked up to stare at the sky. Magic? Magic would be involved? No one had ever mentioned this, though she should have automatically have known. It should have been apparent. She turned a bit to the side, to look at the man... He seemed still, so strange to her. Did he sleep? Was he aware that she indeed did know some small amount of household magic? Though it would not be enough to spare her from anything. She leaned her head back a bit in her little bundle of branches and leaves, to stare at the Lady Moon ahead, in her waning state. The double moon, in her waxing state, streaking white smoke across the blackened sky and the diamonds that glittered hidden. She blinked slowly, hearing a softened rustle not far from where he sat seemingly asleep. Her ears perked quickly, the silver rings along her left ear jingling faintly in the dead silence. She moved from the nest of rather comfortable down... To move closer to the man.. Her eyes widened like large saucers of blue china. "Sir! Sir, please wake up.... There is something near..." She murmered as she touched him slowly, fearing that the Black Guard had found them even here... Even in the shadows of the forest.... Like they had done to the old woman. Geelef remained alseep, drooling slightly from the side of his mouth, a thin line of silver drool escaping his sleeping form. Soft snorts from apparent dreams bieng the only sound aside from his breathing of his dreams. Lolen looked once more to the shadows.. Her skin prickling and creeping moreso then it had in quite some time.. Not since.. Well..Not since the dreams..

Wake up! Someone shouted in her head, making her turn a bit to the side, pressing the soft fleshy palm of her hand to her cheek. Strands of hair stuck to the ivory skin. She fluttered her blue eyes open slowly, her head pounding and her heart thumping madly in her chest. The old woman.. Where was she? She had not rambled or slapped that damned cane in quite some time... Slowly.. She sat up. The fire had gone out into a whisp of gray smoke in the grate, it was time to move.... Something was in the house.. With them. She moved quietly from the chair, her bare feet pressing on the cool, scuffed floor of vines and thatches twined together, her hands pressed closely to her body. The flutter of great wings reached her ears, making her skin crawl uncomfortably, and the pit of her stomach twinge and twang... Something is in there.. With the old woman!! She thought hurridly and peaked into the doorway... The old woman came into view first, her corpse sprawled spread-eagle, her limbs apparently bent at odd angles of unnaturality.. Blood poured from a gash, or more like a chunk of the woman's old neck gone, her head tilted back and her upper half and lower chin covered in blood. The beasts black eyes swiveled in their sockets, nasty, cold, stone coloured. It flicked a slimey black tongue across it's parched and burnt lips at it turned to look at her, yet somehow Lolen had ducked to remain hidden... This thing.. Her dreams... I have got to get out of here! Before it finds me too!! She crawled slowly towards the door, the creature having gone back to feed on what remained of the old woman, having wanted to eat more then blood and energy, it had taken a hold of the womans face, and Lolen did not want to watch any longer. The door creaked open, and she crawled out, curling into a ball, her hands entwined in the silky strands of hair. Her tiny lips pout at she curled into the smallest nich she could fit, noticing a rather nice looking elf on the firewood blocks... Did he know what was in the house? Was this who she heard on the stair? He must wake up soon! He had too! One of the most gruesome of beasts was in the house, and there was no longer protection... Lolen knew where to go... But for now, the sight of the beast had caused venom to boil in her mind... So she curled tighter, and burried her head into her knees, her small toes wiggling out of impatience, though bare, ready to go... When she would allow it...

The sun had begun to peek over the linen curtains of the old womans window. The sun slotched over the floor, showing stains of water and weather worn torment. Scuffle marks and skids across the floor as well. Lolen's ears pricked slightly at the sound of someone's footsteps outside.. On the stairs. A china cup pressed softly to her lips, the tea steaming and fogging in her face, swirling before her eyes, making her drowsy in a dream filled haze of spices. She drowzed now, leaning in the wicker chair and padded aligning.. The old woman had said so many things.. So many things that she, of course, could not understand... .. And the sun will sink when true love falls, when tears of crystal blacken and the waves of the tide will crash and crumble.. yes, yes, dearie, crash and crumble.. My.. Yes... And what will he think then? He Who Resides In Shadows.. My .. what would he think then? Naturally, Lolen thought the old lady was off her rocker.. She did often ramble.. On and on she'd go.. And at night she would slap her cane and stick against the bedposts, calling something terrible into the night, like a rather mused cat... Before ringing her bell and calling to Lolen from the living room. And naturally, she would answer. (( I'll post again... Soon. ))

(( Heh! Wow.. We are on two pages now... Woohoo!)) The old woman released her rather firm grip on Lolen's arm after bolting the door shut. She leaned too close to Lolen for comfort, making her shift in the chair she had tumbled into. The yellowing whites of her eyes were seen, at such an uncomfortable distance. The once bright green pupils had faded to a dark green, set against mildly wrinkled mocha skin. This was unnoticed by Lolen at first, but soon became evident after better lighting. The oven buzzed noisily from a corner- it seemed to consist of not electrics but mostly heated coals over wire framing, in a copper or iron box, with a lid. Lolen tilted her head a little further from the woman, as she spoke.. Her discolored teeth showing between cracked lips. "You seek those who are not allowed within the world... But are." The woman said... in her weak and wafty voice. "I do not understand, mistress.." It was true, she was confused... Her Host had told her to look for specific people in specific places and here.. this woman spoke in seemingly riddles to her..... "I mean, child, that you seek those in the hidden world, the ancient ones.. Such as Mirandella or Espinocia.. Even quite possibly, Cara.." "But, mistresss, you are making no sense.. Who are you? And what do you know of who I seek.. It is true, I have been sent to seek for hidden ones in a world long since gone, and to seek those who live in the new era.. Like I do." "Yes, child.. I did not say who I was...For the fact that you have no need to know my name. Just that you sought to find, and indeed did that, the person whom you were told to seek." This of course confused Lolen... ((Grr.. Short post.. Sorry.. Something came up. I'll continue when I can. ))

((Hehehe... Can't wait .. Can't wait!)) The cobbles beneath her feet clicked idely at her heels, the pendant tucked well beneath her cloak and collar. The city ahead was beautiful as it could be, against the black velvet of the sky; her stars swirling in kaleidoscopic manner against the vast black depth of night, shimmering like a thousand diamonds scattered by a giant broom, or punched through with holes. The city.. Her lights aglow between bough by bough of thickly leaved branches, twining about the buildings like hands to hold them. Their glass filled windows sparkled at her, shimmering, winking in welcoming. Though it was night, the townsfolk about her seemed to swarm like ants into the market, the streets, the town square. Against the tree's in their pretty stairwells of vast and natural accent. Gaunt figures, they may be.. Dressed in mainly peasant clothing- the shifts against simple cloth material... Or some who seemed to be of wealth dressed in fine cloth, like water, flowing across their rather tall and lanky bodies. She stared in fascination, though had been warned of this city.. Of the things that could happen. Thoughts rushed through her mind, some she had no notion of whence they came or where they came from. She needed to find a local pub, and inn perhaps, at least somewhere to stay... And one of those quaint little tree top cottages seemed to be a particularly good place. The stairs creaked faintly beneath her feet; a woman outside the house seemed to stare at her strangely, as though she was a ghost invading her space.. Maybe this wouldn't be such a good place.. The woman stopped sweeping the stoop, and wandered towards her cautiously- her eyes seemed crossed and rather dark in the lighting, and the woman could easily have fit mid age... or older.. She needed good rest.. "Excuse me, Mistress.. I am Lolendalia of Verigreen; a seeker of those who walk in the light unseen..." She hoped that the woman understood her meaning, as she had been told to look for such a place; such a woman; and for such a person who knew the message. "Oh.. No dearie..Not here." The woman's voice cracked uneasily... Almost as though she was paranoid.. And with a flick of what seemed her feeble wrist, she yanked Lolen inside...

Wooo! I like it! Lol.. You posted while I was typing my own post. Same idea! Yay! Keep going.. We could end up meeting this way.. Lol. -Mina!!!!! :lol:

~*~*~*~*~*~*~* A Week Or So Later- Spring ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Her feet, now swathed in light leather boots, made soft crunching sounds as the twigs amongst the forest ground crackled beneath her feet. She entwined one leather gloved hand in her hair, the cream color of the leather contradicting the ivory of her skin and hair. The morning shower had cascaded upon the land, rolling in through thick and heavy clouds, the bank of the river having misted over in steam and hissing loudly, crackling and spitting in her ears as she crossed. She made a motion with her hand, a flick of her wrist.. And with that, she extended her hand, palm up. The pendant lay warm against the glove. So.. Her journey had begun, and she had not even realized it until she set foot into Andorel.. And here she stood now, a year older.. Her birthday having passed a fortnight ago. It had not seemed that it had been that long that she had remained in polite hospitality of her Host... who had somehow seemed familiar to her in his own way.. Like she had seen him once, somewhere.. Somewhere in her mind she could not reach. Misted and fogged over, as the rain had been. The forest now sparkled with droplets of water on each bough, and each twig, leaf, and each blade of green green grass. The smell wafted about her as she walked. Little chitters and chirps made their way past her as she continued on, wearing a trail beyond the trails made by travelors. Map pressed to her face, the linen still dry from the oil that had been soaked into it. Her Host had been kind to buy her time, to comfort her in her times of despare and great need, and to tell her of some of the things he knew. But somehow, she did not feel what was good about him.. It was something that perhaps some would call instinct, though it seemed more of a gutteral feeling- a pain in her side- a cramp, even, to her; that something was not right. The forest opened her fully boughed arms to her, even as the day unfolded and the wind billowed happily through the trees, playing in her branches and knocking fresh apples from her limbs, to tumble on the ground. The cold and frost long since gone, the remains of the winter still beneath the earth in her shell of permafrost.. The sun dappled along the ground between the bunches of well endowed trees. Red and green shimmers caught her attention at tarry every turn.. The shining coats of the apples shimmering incandescently in the sun. It seemed enchanting- and how out of place she must look.. To be wandering in an elven hunter's clothes.. The rather tight tunic of forest green showing her matured upper to an advantage, wrapping into a low cut V in the front, for her own comfort. The pendant replaced in the pocket of the tight fox brown leggings, tieing just below her knees, and the soft leather boots of bark brown color fit nicely to her small feet. Her hair had been combed and pulled into two braids, then wrapped about her head in a style of a wreath, set still with tiny blossoms and petals of flowers she herself had placed against the strands of silky shimmer. The storm had left even an imprint on her mind, the rolling of the clouds against the silver lining and the sharp and constructive sound of the lightening as it bounced from cliff to cliff, ringing, echoing.. Crack! Then rolling away as it had come, the midnight blue clouds with the silver and gray adornments wavering, faulting, then fading out of sight. Her first stop.. On her quest to find whatever it was she looked for, to escape that which she deemed worthy to escape... To free herself from whatever it might be that wished harm upon her, or for her own purposes.. Would be the city that inhabitants and surroundings called Cassa. She had heard the history of this rather large city.. It was said to be built of all forest, in the tree's branches.. Like a floating citadel. Fairies and the like were said to live here.. To prance and mingle with the utmost of creatures, elves included, naturally. Cassa had once been the Empress of this city, a beauty they said.. With hair as black as coal, and eyes that shimmered the cleareast of blues and the brightest of greens against her cream skin. They said, the people of the city of long ago, that Empress Cassa had been deemed a witch, working with the White Guard, by her own husband. Though he was ill, bieng a witch was not something that would be thought of as bad- or had not been. Cassa had kept the Guard away throughout her reign, though when her husband- Tiraen- became ill, he and his son both sought to destroy Cassa. The illness Cassa could not heal, though try and try as she might. The people began to believe that Cassa had been spying for the Guard throughout her reign, Tiraen and his son Gildor poisoning their minds... Convincing them that their Empress was nothing but a spy. And so, they swathed in magic and invaded the royal home.. At night, as was the latest time, and the dark was relevant for such a thing. Through the halls they wandered, killing unmercifully the people who resided. The Empress Cassa, her husband Tiraen, and their son Gildor.. The end. And here she was on her way to visit this city.. To experience it for herself. But what was she looking for? (( Keep checking.. I'm not too sure what I was doing with this post.. Not as much as I wanted to do.. But I kind of had to go. I'll post again.. Once again, JOIN IF YOU WANT TOO! - Mina))

^.^ No, no no! Don't worry about ruining it! It's for everyone! Just give as much detail as you can until your head hurts! That's all I'm asking. Lol. Umm.. The quest! Yes!! The quest will be a long, tragic, drama filled adventure built only for those who might endure it... *Grin* Yea... I think. I'm just kind of playing with this.. for now. To see how it turns out. 'Course you can join!! I WANT people to join!! That's my goal.. Doesn't seem to be working though, does it? 0.o Ah well.. To continue on.. The magicians/ warlocks/ main magick users.. AKA The White Guard and the Black Guard use magick to discipline the citizens of this part of the world. *Cough slightly* But magick is allowed, and is used... Though secretly, for fear of bieng caught by them.. And killed. Very strict, eh? Yea..Um... They are all-powerful.. Like the law.. Like.. God to these people. Your character would be a great person for Lolen to meet! Just... Kind of... Slip in any way you'd like to... Start off by saying what your character's doing .. like.. walking down a trail or something. Tell about the history if you like. Go as far out on this as you possibly can! Like I said! I'm open!! ^.^ Use your imagination and get creative! The rocks can eat people and the dirt can swallow biengs whole for all I could care! It's meant to be fun! So have fun writing it! ^.~ -Miyuki Killer Bunny AKA Mina =^;;^=

They had been in the room for a number of hours, it seemed to her to last forever. He had remained silent as she told him about the dream, of the aweful things that had been in it. When it had come to end, her speaking, he seemed quite worried. The oil lamps on the walls shining their multitude of colors.. royal blues, scarlett reds, forest greens, in their glass holders, their glass surfacing shining and swirling with colors. She sat silently, rather properly in her chair, the low lighting casting spooky shadows along her features. Her hair cascading over her shoulders, her large blue eyes showing weariness and fatigue. Finally, he spoke, "Lolen what you have told to me is quite disturbing.." he sounded so tired.. like he had grown over the years while in the room. "Yes, sir, I know.." "Then you understand that this is no longer a safe haven for you?" He sounded as though this strained him to say it.. "Yes, sir, I realized this.." "Then you know that it is time for you to do what you were meant to do?" "But, sir!" "Lolendalia of Verigreen... I have to tell you something that I have seen, even before your arrival." She stared at him out of fright, her hands twisted together in her lap, between her legs, "Yes, sir.." She answered meakly. He stood then, his robes swirling at the tiled floor. The window had been cracked by himself, as he looked out into the velvet clad night, her stars scattered and bright, as though a broom ran across the mass of black, scattering diamond chips thorought punched holes. He kept his back to her, motioning for her to stand beside him, to prop herself up on the sill, on the silk and satin pillow there. She did so, looking to him worridly, as he began speaking, the house seemed to become morbidly quiet. "Lolendalia.. I knew about you when you first came to be, when your father threatened you and your mother, when everthing started to become worse and worse for you. I knew when you were alone, and when you were happy, frightened, sad, angry, I knew about everything you ever did... And yet I did not realize one thing. I did not know that you contained Innate Magic, nor that you were an Empath. I did not realize this until it became known to the Black Guard and to He Who Resides In Shadows. But then, it was too late to gaurd you from the things which he would do. He will hunt you, Lolendalia... For his own. He has had his coal eyes on you since the day you came into existence. Do you understand why, now, that I ask that you must tell me things that you find irrelevant to tell others?" She shook her head slowly, confusion presiding and laying at bay within her. "Then now it is time for me to intrust you with this.." He reached into his robes, extending one of his long, pale fingered hands, in the palm lay a stone of pure white, swirling with many a color, like a misted liquid cloud. He placed it about her neck, leaving his hand on her shoulder, the warmth emanating from him. "This was the first Druid's, Blake Aphongryphon's, pendant.. The Renegade Heart." He paused momentarily, to let it sink into her brain, "The Renegade Heart belonged to him as he battled, he acquired this from a Noble he chanced to save. The Noble then placed this pendant in a steel chest, infused with many a protection and curse to those who knew it existed and wanted it for themselves. He then gave the box to Blake, who fled the city.. As the city in itself was a rotting house of charnal.. A tomb, if you will." He paused, for what seemed perhaps an eternity, thoughts apparently running through his head, and with them, images. She nodded slowly once more, stray strands falling into her face. "I will continue.." He sighed softly, "I do not know what became of Blake, though I do know that he resides still, in an eternal rest.... One that strips the soul to a bare nothing, though prolongues the life. The pendant was found by his sister's cousin, Ellowyn... Who then gave it to Blake's one heir to his property, Cane. Cane was entrusted with it, and wore it about his neck, controling his unknown abilities. The pendant holds great power, Lolendalia..." He paused once more, "And now it belongs to you.. As you are a direct descendant of Blake's family. Keep it safe, and it will do you well.. It will be your friend and your protection, your safety, your haven.. When in need. Do you understand?" She blinked to him slowly, smiling faintly all the while. She had no idea who these people were, and how he came to have it.. She had no idea of what he meant that it would be so many things to her.... And it all seemed too confusing to question.. Lest she get another strange answer, so.. She nodded, and spoke quietly, the air having gone excedingly still... As though death lingered, and all the magic in the world collected here. "Yes, sir, I do understand.. And I understand what I must do.." He then handed her a map, stretching the linen across the pillow to better see each of the markings and details.. And then, he began to explain to her.. The begining of her quest, the begining of her training to come.. The begining of her own search for life... ((Stick around! I'm going to post again.. I don't know when.. But I will. Was kind of out of idea's at first type on this post.. But I think it reads alright. Hope everyone had a Happy Christmas and your Holiday's went well. - Mina))

With the flash of rosey cheeks and soft lips set in a pout, the crinkle and swirl of the black cloak, and the stirring of dust as she ran from behind the fence, her heels clicking against the stone of the street, scratching and scuffing the bottoms of her shoes, before she ran into someone accidentally. She stumbled forward, thrusting her hands before her as she went to catch herself, falling face forward, her hands sliding from beneath her. The swirl of bright colored cloth and a flash of frightened expression, her left cheek hit the stone, stinging badly as it scraped through the soft cherried flesh. Her hood remained low on her head, hiding most of her face. She had snagged the cloak and hood on her way out, and in a hurry such as she had been, she had not bothered to look where she went. She stood slowly, brushing her small hands over the rough cloth of the cloak, removing dirt and small pebbles that clung absently to the cloth, her nails catching on the cloth and glinting and glimmmering like glass in the light. Her voice sounding a definite soprano, and filled with a womans charm and grace, though she was a small and miserable looking presence, she tilted her head as far back as she could to look over the low hem of the hood, to better see whom she had run into in her misjudging and careless clumsiness. "I am terribly sorry!", she managed to gasp, upon seeing the Elf before her, startling her, as she clasped her hands beneath the pleats of the cloak, letting it fold on the soft flesh as she did so. She hoped that he would understand her hurry, and would not punish her for her clumsy composition.. She was not normally so clumsy, it was unintentional.

Oh. Well I find that a gargantuan vocabulary, such as ours, tends to be tedius when used frequently. Dissmissing vocabulary, momentarily, if you don't mind.. As I have just passed through a stage of the flu, my head is still slightly cleared and I seem to have a necessity to stop and rethink what I do. Proper english never was one that many come by, as should be a requirement. -Mina

A plathera of words from a Thesaurus would do one no good when most words contradict, and diffuse one another despite the positive or negative meaning. I would dissagree with behoove, however, as only intent on massive words and platheras would be a reason to behoove a person. -Mina

Ooo.. Can't you use massive words like me? No..? Poor idiots.... -Mina

She flew down the halls, her footfalls echoing in the corridors of polished cream and midnight edged tile. Door after door she opened curiously, the massive stone of the stoors scraping the ground with grinding sounds, though they never seemed to scratch. It must be a form of magic! It had to be.. She had almost run out of doors, most of the day having long since gone. She counted at least six parlors, seven bathrooms, at least fifteen guest rooms, each with their own bathrooms, two massive kitchens, four private dining rooms, one large dining room, three art rooms, a theatric hall, other various entertainment rooms, gardens, and plenty more. A sound behind her made her spin on her heels as she reached for the handle of one of the most decorated stone doors, her finger sparking before she touched it. With that spark, her bangs fluffed annoyingly, the sparks zig-zagging to the ends of each strand, standing straight up. The rest of her hair tried to follow, though it seemed light, it was much too heavy for it to lift, all but the ends. How interesting she must look. Someone had coughed behind her, and she had spun so quickly to see whom it was who had interupted her escapade, that she toppled backwards. Standing before her, a rather tall man, whose ears resembled those of an Elf, though curved like hers at the top. He too wore at least a dozen rings along his left ear. It must be a common thing, though his rings were the purest shade of gold she had ever seen. Pale skin, poudered obviously, he wore a rather intricately hemmed white robe. Dark green eyes peered at her from beneath the pale brows of the man. His hands folded before him, beneath his robe none the less, seemed long in the finger length and thin. Very unlike anyone she had seen. His voice rumbled from his throat, echoing in the corridor, low and smooth as he inquired what she was doing. She blinked her large blue eyes at him, fidgeting with her dress as she stood to greet him before introducing herself, "I am called Lo-" He cut her off with a quickly flashed finger before speaking. "I know very well who you are, Lolendalia of Verigreen." The way he spoke it, it sounded regal and as though he let it slide from his tongue with no difficulty at all, "My wish was not to know your name, Lady, but to know what you are doing in your curiousity." She knew not what to say in return, and instead she spoke truthfully to him, feeling that he was not one to tell tales too. "My Lord, I was searching for the Host of the house, and perhaps those who resided-" One more he cut her off with a flash of his long, thin finger. "There are no others who reside her, Lady. Not unless you would consider Aryola and the other's residents." He spoke so softly, that it chilled her as she meant to speak, it came out rather roughly, breaking, "Are.. Are," she cleared her throat, "the Host of the house, my Lord?" "I am. Why do you ask?" "I do not mean to question your position, sir.." "I do not mind.. Lady Lolen." He seemed sincere.. Though she could not be sure. "Sir.. Your house is both beautiful and grand, and your servants good... But I do not find safety here.." She hoped it did not sound rude, and that he would not chaste her for her meaning. "I see.. And why do you say such things?" Indeed, he did not chaste, but questioned her in return. "You see, sir, I had a terrible.. Terrible dream in the passed night.." "Oh..?" he simply asked, this word taking beautiful shape of his full lips, like that of a chorus singer, filled with understanding and question. She could only nod a response, as she meant to tell him, he took her hand, the sparks and it's effect disappearing instantly. He walked with her.. Where were they going..? What were they going to talk about? Was this truly the Host of the house? The Lord? She did not think that a Host would speak to such a lower bieng such as her.. But he seemed not to mind, let alone to touch her. Nor did he seem worried about what she had dreamt, nor of the actions she took about his house. Was this reality..? Or was she still stuck in the provinces of a dream world, one that she could not wake from.. One that would consume her concience... She could only follow, and wonder, and remain watchful for whatever may come... (( Does anyone have any ideas..? I could use some right about now. If you do, just PM me with them. Thanks! -Mina))