The Pits

[Farleigh]

She shook her head, "I'm not really sure, but since this is a pit... There's got to be a way to climb out, right? It's just a theory though, I wouldn't count on it."

Raiden nodded. "But how would we get to the top?"

"Hey wait!" a hint of suspicion in Farleigh's voice. "How did it look like I knew a way out of here?"

Yes, that's great, thanks.

Azael

It was a short walk to the cavern that the First had made their home but by the end of it, Astoria was being carried by Tadgh and Azael had his knife drawn, one pair of thieves already warded off. But not killed. Never killed; where that could be helped. Smoke came into sight first and then a slim, hard faced sentry who stood before the narrow entrance of the cavern. His red hair was long, drawn back in a ponytail and he held a sword of steel.

"Identify yourselves," the sentry barked.

"Azael Kyrvoshki and... companions," Azael called back, approaching hastily. The name had instant affect. The sentry became both more alert and more suspicious. He was fairly new.

"Stop. Halt right there." The sword was raised.

"She needs water!" Tadgh exclaimed, stepping closer. Azael held his hand up without looking back.

"You could fight me or you could take us to Gerain. You know my name and he knows my face." The sentry hesitated and then nodded. With a whistle, he called another man to take his place.

The settlement could not be called a village though there were certainly enough people to make it such They sat or stood in groups but there were no shelters, no strict regime. The First guaranteed you companions and protection, usually food and water, but not much else.

(oops! I think we posted at the same time! I will fix mine!)

Astoria-

Astoria awoke on the ground. Tadhg was siting over her, and Azael was no where in sight.

"Are you alright?" Tadhg asked, "Do you need more water?"

He held up a bottle that contained a very small amount of water left. She shook her head.

"No, you take it." She tried to sit up, but she still felt a little numb.

"Where are we, anyway?"

"With a group called The First. Apparantly Azael is welcome here, but they were a bit wierd about giving you some water. Kept insisting you were dead!" Tadhg said, puting the cap on the bottle.

"Oh, well, I can't wait to meet them." Trying to sit up again.

Tadhg smiled and stood, offering her a hand. She took it and he pulled her up. People were gathered around them, glancing at them before whispering to their neighbor.

"Where is Azael?" She asked, avoiding looking at the crowd.

"Not sure-"

But just then Azael came through the group of people, with someone following close behind.

"It's Gerain, whoever that is," I whispered in Astoria's ear. "Apparently if we want anything, we should go though him."

"Do they have water?" she said, her voice sounding parched.

"I don't know. I guess so, how else could they survive?" I asked. "Just hold on."

Her breathing was shallow and her eyes unfocused. I hesitated, then put my hand into hers and squeezed in. "Just hold on," I repeated.

Azael

"I wont do it, Gerain. Not if you find a hundred volunteers." The older man smirked and shook his head.

"Stubborn as ever, Azael. I have a hundred volunteers and more already. How about a thousand, would that satisfy." Azael began to shake his head and then he caught the glimmer of mirth in his friend's eye.

"You already have a thousand don't you?" Azael asked in amazement.

"Near enough," Gerain replied. "Azael..."

"It can't be done," Azael said. "It can't be found." He led the way through the crowds of people to where they had left Tadgh and Astoria.

"How do you feel?" Azael asked. Astoria looked surprised. That was about as much emotion as she had seen from him.

"Better," she said.

*Sorry, but I've been gone from Net... what's happening? Lol, I hope I didn't get left in the dust somewhere by Raiden and Farleigh...*

Read the posts by kittykat and cat4prowl by now. That should give you an idea of where your character is.

You should try to read the others too but there are quite a lot so a basic summary is that Astoria, Tadgh and Azael have left Venom Lagoon and are now with 'The First' because Astoria drank some of the water from the lagoon's spring which made her ill but it was a small enough amount that it can be counter-ballanced by good water.

Read the posts by Maki-Chan and Loveablelittlesocks on page five.

**farleigh told korr that she couldnt decide who she loved more, him or Raiden. You're still back where she said that and Raiden followed Farleigh because he thought she knew a way out**
[Raiden]

"Uhh," Raiden stuttered, not really knowing the answer, "I don't know, intuition?"

**sorry its short, i couldnt think of anything**

*Lol, okay, whatever*

(Korr)

For a moment I was stunned... frozen... stuck.

They were gone.

I ran after them... hating this feeling of dependency. Why couldn't I live by myself?

I had no answer.

I kept running, searching. Finally I heard a sound. Talking. It was them.

I burst through the trees into a clearing, making sure to keep my breath under control.

"You can't lose me," I said, half-grinning.

They looked, and Farleigh smiled... well, maybe. I was still a good ways away from them, so I wasn't sure. Raiden remained expressionless. I walked over to them.

"So what's happening now?" I asked.

[Raiden]

"Trying to get out of this torture chamber," Raiden replied, looking around. He kept his tone light, not wanting to meet Korr's eyes after what had happened.

He looked over at Farleigh and then back to Korr, "Any ideas?"

Astoria-

Azael stood before her, looking a little annoyed as the man that had followed him introduced himself.

“I am Gerain. Welcome to the sanctuary of The First.” said the man. He was short, at least compared to Azael, and his black hair was combed back.

Tadhg lifted his hand for the man to shake, still holding her hand in his other.

“Tadhg, and this is Astoria.”

“Nice to meet you,” said Gerain, “You are all welcome to stay-”

“We’re not staying.” Azael interrupted.

Gerain turned to him, looking disgruntled.

“Why not?” asked Tadhg.

“Oh don’t listen to him, he’s just being stubborn.” Gerain said, turning back to them.

“I think you’ve confused being stubborn with being realistic.” Azael’s face was calm again, but his eyes were nearly burning into Gerain’s back.

“What’s there to be realistic about?” Astoria whispered to Tadhg.

“Well, I think that if we stay here, we won’t have as many chances to die. But apparently, Azael feels we run the risk either way.” He was smiling as he said it.

“Oh, yes, why didn’t I realize that?” She rolled her eyes, also smiling.

"So what are we going to do?" Astoria whispered to me.

"Wait, I guess. I don't really know. I mean, technically, I should be the one doing the talking-"

"Oh really?" she asked jokingly.

"Yes really, but I was going to say that since I don't know the situation-"

"Coward," she snorted.

I nudged her in the ribs. "Am not!"

"Ssh," she said. "It looks like they're coming to an agreement."

I dragged my eyes away from her face to look at the others.

[Farleigh]

"Um..." it was so awkward for her, she stared at the ground. "I thought we could climb out of here since it's a pit and all... Unless you two have any other ideas?" Farleigh dared to look up a bit.

There was Raiden, and there was Korr. Same as just a few minutes ago in the cave. Farleigh couldn't keep eye contact with the two at the same time, so she stared at her feet while she waited for their answers.

(Korr)

I laughed halfheartedly. I don't have any ideas... I'm not that good at doing that. I'm a warrior, not a planner. Your idea was better than any I can think of.

I guess I'm the only person here who isn't uncomfortable, I thought. Or was I?

Azael

Azael and Gerain watched each other, a silent battle of wills passing between them. Azael's eyes held a flinty determination while Gerain appeared to be eager and hopeful.

"You've changed," Gerain said, ignoring the low voices around them as more and more people gathered to catch a glimpse of the visitors. Few were admitted to the sanctuary of the The First without good reason and Azael's name was known well amongst them, if not his face.

"So you said the last time that we met," Azael replied with a slight smile. Gerain smiled back.

"Come with me?" Gerain asked. Azael hesitated and then nodded. Gerain began to lead the way to the far end of the cavern and Azael paused only to signal that Astoria and Tadgh should follow. They were taken through a narrow passageway and into a much smaller cavern that was surprisingly cool.

"How much do they know?" Gerain asked.

"No more than the others," Azael replied. Gerain nodded; it was as he had expected.

"I think we're close to finding it, Azael. We may not even need your help in that. We have two..." he hesitated.

"Sorcerers," Azael growled.

"They're on our side this time," Gerain insisted, "and if they can find the way out-"

"There's a way out?" Astoria cut in excitedly.

"It will only lead to more dead." This time Azael made no disguise of him emotions. His hands curled into fists and his whole body tensed, his eyes burning, his teeth clenched.

"Not if you lead us," Gerain objected. "You wouldn't let that happen."