...

[Kayliana]

...

Edited May 8, 2019 by Kayliana

[Grum]

*cracks eyeballs* Whoa, you really let yourself go...

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Grum felt the pain that this place was carrying. Sadness radiated from all sides towards him. With a violent roar, he sweeped away a giant boulder. He shouted to Kayliana.

 

"We shall hunt them down, every last one of them, and we shall make them suffer for eternity."

 

Kayliana slid back into her elven form, the one he was more familiar with. Even though she was a tall woman, she looked small and insignificant in the gigantic hall she was standing in.

 

"This is your human side talking, Grum. If one lesson is to be learned from seeing this place, it is that violence is not always the best solution."

 

"But surely we cannot sit here and do nothing. We must act."

 

With a slight frown, she replied.

 

"Impatient, humans are always so impatient. Well, that makes your race inventive too, maybe that's why the Brown has chosen you. But please, let the dragon that is you too do the thinking for a while. First we must teach you the dragon's way, or you will hurt yourself and others as you discover your powers. Many things need to be done, before we can act, and reclaim what is ours."

 

Also Grum took his human shape again. Amazingly, he knew how to do it without being told. He waved to the bloodtained ruins around him.

 

"Ours? What more could be taken than this?"

 

With a sigh Kayliana sat down.

 

"Remember that I told you that the ones who did this were jealous of our wisdom?"

 

He nodded.

 

"Their jealousy focused on the scrolls of the ancients, that date back so far that noone really knows how old they are. Some say that the oldest scrolls were written right after the world was created, by the gods themselves. They thought that just having these scrolls would be enough to obtain god-like power. These scrolls carry the entire history of our race, Grum, it is imperative that we retrieve them."

 

"Well, we'd better get started then."

 

She laughed with a tingling sound.

 

"Impatient as ever, my dear Grum. Yes, we will start your lessons. Follow me."

[Arafin]

Man I have been really busy lately, I will be posting tomorrow though . I would right now, but I got things to do. Hope to get back on track soon lol.

[Kayliana]

...

Edited May 8, 2019 by Kayliana

[Grum]

Hmmm...seems like Arafin missed a dead line

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They climbed a stairway that, as far as Grum could see, lead into one of the greater towers. As they walked he noticed that the steps were small enough for him to climb in his human form. When he made a remark about it to Kayliana, the elf smiled.

 

"If you were to climb these same stairs in your dragon form, you'd find that it would be equally easy to do. This palace is full of the magic of our elders, who wanted to facilitate communication between all races. Even the dwarves can move easily in this building."

 

Having said those words, she swayed open a set of huge doors. A huge room was behind it, full of wooden racks, some still standing, but most of them broken and thrown over.

 

"Welcome to the great library of Tiral, once the center of knowledge in the known world."

 

She led him to a set of racks in one of the corners.

 

As you see, not much is left, but not all was stolen. Whatever I could find I have stored in this corner. Every scroll here is organized and catalogued. We, or rather you, shall study these over the days to come."

 

Grum flinched.

 

"That sounds kind of boring, Kayliana. I'm a bit disappointed, I thought we were going to train combat, and things like that. Besides, I'm not very good at reading, Master Vestin was always pushing me to work harder in school."

 

"Patience, my dear Grum, patience is the only thing you lack, not reading skills. In fact you don't miss any skills at all, you're just not aware that you have them. That's why we must train, to awaken your skills, so that the Brown will return in his full power. Come over here, will you?"

 

He walked to the window where Kayliana was sitting, and looked through it. The view was breathtaking, he could see for miles, and he thought he could even see the coast. Kayliana nodded.

 

"The view is beautiful, isn't it."

 

"It is."

 

Still enjoying the panoramic overview over the woods, he suddenly realised that his legs were lifted, and felt himself starting to fall through the window. The last thing he saw before he fell into the deep was Kayliana, who with a wicked grin shouted after him.

 

"And so we start your training. Fly, dragon!"

[Kayliana]

...

Edited May 8, 2019 by Kayliana

[Grum]

Grum was lying on the ground, exhausted, and with every part of his body in pain. Somewhere a vague recollection of a training that had lasted for hours at an end rumbled around in his mind. He had gotten the feel of fire breathing pretty quickly. He smiled at the thought, that had been easy. But then Kayliana had decided that he also had to learn actual combat moves. And that was where the pain originated from.

 

She had invited him to attack her. That was where mistake number one came in: he had tried to do that. He remembered reaching the spot where Kayliana should have been, only to discover that she was now behind him, giving him a severe beating with her wings. Upon his protests, she had only laughed, and told him that it should be taken as a lesson. He still wasn't sure about what exactly the lesson should have been. Don't attack black dragons perhaps? He thought, nah, he knew for sure that he was stronger than she was. But he hadn't even been able to come near her.

 

He lifted his head.

 

"We're not going to do this every day, right?"

 

A soft laughter reached his ears.

 

"Why not? Just a few hours ago you seemed very eager to learn combat."

 

With a disappointed sigh he put down his head again. He was sure he would never be able to fly again, let alone fight Kayliana in the air tomorrow.

 

"Well, you sure have learned me a lesson. I'm not fit for combat, I'll never learn it."

 

She gave no answer. When he looked up, he saw that she was watching him with a thoughtful frown on her face. When she realized that he was looking at her, she replied.

 

"Do not worry, Grum. You may feel shaken and beat up, I remember my own first lessons. They were given to me by our old wing commander, Narlaegh. He has never forgiven himself that he was not in Tiral when the slaughtering of our kin took place. Of course that was precisely why Nirak chose that moment, he knew he wouldn't stand a chance with Narlaegh at my grandfather's side. The old dragon has grieved for the rest of his life, and the only thing that kept him going was his oath to our family."

 

She sank away in her thoughts again, and Grum dared not reply. After a couple of minutes she suddenly looked up.

 

"I apologize, Grum, I am not being fair to you. You are a fast learner, when I was as young as you are now, it took me days to accomplish what you did this afternoon. You will feel better in the morning, trust me."

[Kayliana]

...

Edited May 8, 2019 by Kayliana

[Arafin]

Ouch lol. Ok I am back. For future knowledge if I dont reply within 2 days either post for me or something because it means I am prolly busy. I wont mind however I end up lol. You cant always control life. Also if I am still behin let me know lol, I will speed up to about 2 posts each day. Either that or catch me up yourself lol. Either way I wont mind I prolly wont be busy for next week or so.

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Arafin awoke to see Melantha already up and about. "I hope you got a little sleep. We have a long day ahead of us and riding two on one horse even till thenext town could be tiresome." Arafin got up and stated strapping his armor on. "Be ready in the next few minutes we leave soon," Arafin waited for her to nid befor contiuning.

 

After they both gathered up there things and smothered the fire they climbed atop the horse, ladies first. ( :wink: ). They began on down the road. The two rode in silence most of the day with a few select words to eah other. When they arrived at a farm Arafin jumped off the dapling and walked to the man working in the fields. "Sir would you happen to have a horse for sale?" The man looked up and blinked, "Well I'll reckon I do. t be over yonder there," the man pointing to a run down old barn. It looked to have been burned many years ago and was falling apart. Arafin started walking towards the barn after the old man. "These horses here be top o'da'line grade A horses here." Arafin almost began laughing hysterically, but he caught himself before he burst.

 

Upon reaching the barn Arafin looked in to see but one horse. It was black and very tall. It looked to be some rich nobles war horse, "How much do you want for it?" Arafin turned to the man who seemed to be appraising how much he had, "How about 100 platinum. Theres incredibly resaonable for a horse like that." Arafin almost losing his temper at the farmer he reached into his purse at his belt and counted out 100 platinum. "It better be worth it you here me. If anything is unsatisfactory I will be back." Arafin knowing very well not even the best horse in the entire Eternal Lands wasnt worth even 50 platinum, but he knew Leantha was getting tired of riding on the same horse, as was he.

 

Arafin was happy to see it already had a saddle and reigns on the horse. He walked around and talked the farmer into selling some food, fresh water, and a wagon to load it on. "Alright my lady, lts be on our way." Melantha smiling took the lead. "That was probably a good idea Arafin. The amrtest one you have made yet," Arafin could not see her face but he did not have to to know she was grinning. Arafin laughing with her, tied the wagon to the black gelding and climb up to take the wagon chair. "Heyah!" Down the road th two went. At this rate thy ought to reach Kilaran Fields sooner then he had anticipated.

[Kayliana]

...

Edited May 8, 2019 by Kayliana

[Arafin]

Not knowing what to say to comfort her Arafin kept his mouth shut and rode in silence once again. Arafin wondered what she meant by war and flying monsters. He was now curious but did not wish to bother her.

 

Riding along down the road it began to rain. "Might want to bundle up a little better. I would hate for you to catch a cold." Arafin scanning the landscape felt as if he were ebing watched. He could now see Kilaran Fields in the distance.

 

Drinking some water form his canteen he started to shiver just the slightest. He would increase his pace if not for the puddles in the road. One wrong step could break his horses leg. Patiently traveling down the dirt road in the pouring rain 4 men soldiers jumped out of the pines from boths sides of the road, "You have trespassed in our territory. Any wrong moves and we will be forced to sustain you."

 

Arafin realizing they arrived in Kilaran Fields stood up to talk to the lead soldier, "Excuse me si.....," Arafin fell from the wagon to the ground and as knocked unconcious. Last thing he remembered was an intense pain in the side of his head.

[Kayliana]

...

Edited May 8, 2019 by Kayliana

[Arafin]

Arafin awoke in a heep of sweat and shadowed in darkness. He tried to move but found he was bound at his hands and feet. He struggled trying to get them off but to no avail. Rolling aroun he foud that he was in some sort fo rectangular box. It felt as if it could be stones but not exactly.

 

He kicked and yelled and rolled but all that happened was it seemed to grow hotter. Arafin decided to stop moving as he was becoming exhausted and the heat did not help any. LAying on his back he tried to be very still and quiet to see if he could hear anything. Pressing his ear to the almost too smooth stone he listened and heard nothing.

 

It seemed like hours later the box began to move and jump about. Arafin was not sure if the ground was shaking uncontrolably or if this box was mounted on the back of a moving wagon. Again the ground stopped and all was silenced once again.

 

Arafin felt and heard his stomache rumble. He noticed how incredibly hungry he was an wondered how long he had been locked in this box. Hoping to be freed soon or atleast fed he fell back asleep to pass the time.

[Kayliana]

...

Edited May 8, 2019 by Kayliana

[Arafin]

Arafin once again awoke in the contraption. He thought he felt the box move again, which would explain why he was now awake. The way the box felt and held silence, he guessed now that it was made of lead. He felt the box move again for a brief moment before it again thumped to the floor. Then he heard a noise...he braced himself feet crouched above him. The lid flung open an Arafin kicked his feet up knocking the man down. Trying to climb out of the box he was lifted and thrown down on the ground. Arafin looked about the room and seen Melantha and three unfamiliar men. The two could have been from the first encounter but without them removing their helmets he would not be able to tell.

 

The biggest of the men walked over to look Arafin in the eyes. "Well, well. So knight what brings you here, hmm?" Arafin not exactly sure how to answer remained silent. The big man kicked him in the ribs. "Take him away and have him scheduled to be hung tomorrow morning. See if you can get anything out of him in the meantime."

 

The two men walked out o the tent for a moment then returned with 4 other men who hefted Arafin up off the floor and blindfolded him. They dragged him to tent not far away, otr atleast it did not seem far away, and tied him to a chair. "We will be back for you later, try not to get tied up." The men laughing hysterically left after removing the blindfold.

 

Arafin searching the room for any way to escape and finding none. Oddly in all the time he had been moved, beat, and thrown he still wore his armor and sword. Arafin began working on loosening the ropes so maybe he could reach his sword. His being left handed only made matters worse. His sword was on the right side of his belt for easy reach across action when fighting. Only problem was that his left hand just might be able to reach the sword if he wore his sword on that side. Unfortunately he did not and so he continued to work on th ropes.

[Kayliana]

...

Edited May 8, 2019 by Kayliana

[Arafin]

All Arafin could hear were the noises of heavily armored men walking about the camp. He could not see anyone, but he did know that there seemed to be quite a few men. Wishing he could have seen as he was being brought to this empty tent, more for seeing the layout then wanting to know where he was.

 

Still working at loosening either hand he decided to try to get his legs out as well. Maybe if he got get legs loose he could use leverage to remove the rope from his hands. He worked his hands and feet hoping, when his left hand slid right out of the bind. "Hmm, that was simple enough." He did the same thing o his right hand. "The idiots can't tie things up very good."

 

Revmoving his sword from its case he cut the ropes binding his legs and stood up to peek out the tent. Men were stadning all over swinging aroud swords-it looked to be a large training exercise, either that orthey were preparing for war. He seen two men heading for the tent and he decided to stand to thesie of the entry flap.

 

AS the first man walked in he was looking at the second man, adn neitherseen him to the side. Arafin swung his blade using it as a club instead of a lethal weapon. Knocking the first man out he jumped back as the second man drew his sword, "They said to kill you in the moring but now iwll be a pleasure." The man charged, and Arafin noticed he was obviously inexperienced because he had no shield or armor. Arafin easily swiped the blade aside an again useing his sword as a club knocked the second man out as well.

 

"Lets hope that those were the interogators," Arafin stated to no one in particular. Looking back out the flap he planned on how to find Melatha and escape with both of their lives. Seeing a rock of to the east, he ran for it and rolled behind it. He slowly worked his way to the trees. Waiting for nightfall he sat down and began to develop his plan.

[Kayliana]

...

Edited May 8, 2019 by Kayliana

[ivanowitch]

WOW a good story I think I'll add another character to the gallery.

 

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Ivanowitch looked up. "Another damned goblin."

He was working on a load of gold bars in the gold mine, but he was as always distracted by one of the numerous goblins that lived in the caves. In these situations he really apriciated his combat training, because the goblins might be stupid, but they knew when they couldn't win a fight.

Noone really knows what goblins think, but maybe this particular goblin was wondering what this white haired elf did in a gold mine. Ivanowitch asked himself the same question now and then, but at least he knew why. 200 years ago, some female orcs had raided the Tirnwood Wale where the elfs lived, and had brougt him with them back. He was only a year old at that time, and when they reached the Valley Of The Dwarf, he had started to cry. This had made the orcs drop him on the ground, where he was found by a dwarven couple when they walked home from the gold mine. They had taken him in, and raised him as a dwarf.

So now, he was one of the best elven alcymists, but sometimes he got restless and wanted to try something new. He just hadn't found out what this new should be.

Anyway, his load of gold bars were finished, and he headed for the harbor. If he was lucky, he could get to Lakeside Village to sell his gold bars before nightfall. Then he would sleep at the inn and head home the next morning. One thing He knew he would never understand, was why no merchants came to the Valley to buy the gold bars, instead of making him travel all the way to Lakeside.

He was unlucky. As he sailed he saw the sunset, and at the time he reached Lakeside, it was dark night. This made him feel a little uncomfortable, because Gargoyles was rumored to roam these lands at nighttime. He didn't encounter any gargoyles, but surely there had been one, because there on the road was a corpse. Normally, Ivanowitch wouldn't loot corpses, but he had a strange feeling about this corpse, and before he knew of it, he had found a silver dragon statuette, and left one of his gold bars as payment for the dead. He reached the black smith where he sold the rest of his gold bars, and then he went to the Inn where he got the gold coins the blacksmith has paid him changed into platinum coins before he went to bed.

The next day he went home, and he had completly forgotten the dragon statuette...

 

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another elf to the collection

I'm not a member of the Dragon Council, i just wanted to participate in this great story

[Arafin]

Ivanowitch, I am not a member of the Dragon Council either lol.

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Arafin munching on a piece of bread caught a glimpse of a soldier from the corner of his eye, and quickly drew his sword. Crouching in a fighting stance behind the rock the soldier stopped short. As Arafin was about to engage himself rather then let the gaurd call attention, the soldier slightly lifted the helmet, and to his suprise it was Melantha, "How did you....," she cut him off with a silent hush. Nodding Arafin offered a peice of bread, she took it with a smile. "Thanks you. Now be quiet and follow me."

 

She ran to the forest with Arafin closely behind. She seemed to know where she was going despite the pitch blackness of the woods. Hoping they did not run into any bears, but at the same time hoping they did. Arafin was still a little hungry and a big bear might be just the thing. However, killing a innocent animal in front of a lady was not on the top of his list of things to do.

 

It was a good thing she did aquire some armor, one she might need it later, and two he would have lost her by now had she not. Arafin had ran into a few trees already, and also had to swaver around to find Melantha gain after losing her.

 

"We will sleep here for the night. Gather some water for tomorrow by that pond over there," Melantha set a pack of something on the gorund and then another. "There if food in that bag there if your hungry. Do not touch the other bag it has my things in it." Not knowing what she ment he grabbed the bag of food and alked over to the pond and sat down.

 

He filled his canteen and crouched down to sip from the water. Pulling out a few pieces of bread and some cheese from the bag he ate it willingly. When he returned to the camp he found Melantha fast asleep. He found a blanket not far from where she lay, and he unrolled it and covered hr up with it. Arafin felt too tired to even sleep and he wondered back over to the pond to lay down. Not too long after he fell into a deep sleep.

[Grum]

Phew, it's been too long since I posted, sorry for that. Expect an update in the (for me) morning.

 

And Ivanowitch, Cool! Good to have another player aboard.

[Grum]

The food was indeed delicious, with herbs and spices that brought up delicious flavours Grum had never tasted before. Once he started to eat, it was as if his body remembered that he hadn't had any food since early that morning. He sighed, and was nearly happy now. If only he could forget the things he had seen in this palace. And he missed his friends too, normally he would be sitting in the tavern now, having an ale with them. Anyway, he was still alive, and things had certainly gotten a lot more exciting.

 

He smiled to Kayliana.

 

"Where did you learn to cook like that? I am surprised one of royal blood would learn such a thing."

 

She laughed, again. Grum felt he had said another stupid thing, maybe it was time for him to shut up.

 

"Dragon Empress is not just a title that allows you to rule over all dragons. It comes with responsibilities too, we live to serve. That also means we get to learn every single household job there is. Besides that, we have been in exile for so long, and with so few dragons, that all of us had to do their share."

 

Grum nodded, as if he understood. Royalty was a new concept for him, one that he had only heard of in the stories. The only thing that came close to ruling Corren were the troops from Kilaran, and they could hardly be called nobles.

 

A sudden feeling in the back of his head made him look up. He felt more aware, as if his consciousness had just expanded. He saw Kayliana sitting opposite him, with a expression on her face that indicated both happyness and worry at the same time.

 

"Do you feel this too?"

 

She nodded.

 

"Yes Grum, I feel it too. One of our brethren has started to awaken. We must leave first thing in the morning, and find him."

[Kayliana]

...

Edited May 8, 2019 by Kayliana

[Kayliana]

...

Edited May 8, 2019 by Kayliana

[ivanowitch]

Ivanowitch went back to the work in the mines, but with a growing restlessnes inside him. He felt that is was time to leave the dwarven life of his, and try to find and develop his elven part. While he worked on his load of gold bars, he made his plan. When he had finished his load, he would pack his belongings and leave the Valley. He would travel to Lakeside first to sell his last load of metal bars, to buy some supplies, and then he would start his journey to Tirnwood Wale, the home of his parents.

 

His dwarven parents were of course wery saddened by those news, but as they told him, they had known that this day would come, and they fully understood that he wanted to live with the elves. He left of the same afternoon so that he could be in Lakeside at the morning and could walk while it was day. He sold his bars, bought some food, and left off.

 

While he walked, he wondered how his new life would be. Of course, he thought to himself, he would learn a lot more magic than the knew now. He was barely able to heal a wound, but had heard stories of elves who were able to move through the lands using magic. The possibility that the elves would not let him in also passed his mind, but he left it again, why should they not? After all, he was born in these woods.

He also started to notice much more of the nature than he had ever done before. It was as if his instincts was wakening from a long slumber, and he understood that the animals were there to greet him welcome.

 

It was not only the animals who greeted him welcome. When he entered the town of Tirnwood wale, he saw that the whole town was there to greet him as the lost brother he was. They had even readied a hut for him to live in. How they had known that he would come, he didn't know, but he apriciated it.

 

He soon found out that his parents had been killed under the orc raid, but since he couldn't remember how they were, it didn't really mean so much to him. Instead he used the first week to get to know the other elves in the town, and the elven way of living. Slowly he also started to learn how to use his magic abilities, something that an elf would normally know when he reached his fifteenth year. He found that it wasn't as hard as he thought it to be, and even his teacher was suprised by the speed he learned.

 

One evening while he sat and patched his pretty worn backpac, a dragon statuette suddenly fell out of it. At first, he couldn't remember how he had got it, but then he remembered it. He decided to show it to the elders,

but something inside told him to let the matter rest for a bit. It was not yet the time to uncover the mystery of the dragons...

 

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I'm wondering where Grum and Kayliana hide... is it somewhere in Forest of the Fall?

I'm also worried by the difference in our travel speeds, I think I travel too fast around.