Damsel in Distress

When it came to magic, there were three different kinds. There was alchemy, elemental, and pure magic. Each of them was different from the other. Take, for example Alchemy.

To become an alchemist, one had to go through intense training. They learned how to combine different materials together to produce a wide variety of effects and medicines. It was through alchemy that magical materials were created. It is the mind magic.

Elemental magic is different. Those that used it used the magical energy of nature to summon elements and interact with nature. It required some training with a master, but without the right blood, it would be impossible to learn. That is why it is called the blood magic.

The last type of magic, pure magic, was by far the most elusive. The only way to access this magic was to find it within your heart. There was no way it could be taught. Where the other two types of magic used energy and materials to work their magic, pure magic relied on neither. It was known as the heart magic and it was the most powerful of the three.

A master of magic would be able to weave their magic into objects or even people. The one that surrounded River was clumsily made; it was obvious to those with the sight. A master would be able to weave it tightly together; so that nothing could penetrate.

Yet the weave that surrounded Halieo was not either of these. It covered him completely, but that wasn't the interesting part. What was interesting is that there was no one could see that weave around him; even to those with the sight. It was the work of many years of weaving, a master work. It hid layer upon layer of protection. Such was the strength of pure magic done by a master.

Aryn Dawn

Aryn sat astride her newly procured horse, with River perched in front of her. Others of the group watched them, not as sly in their observations as they may have thought they were.

With the hood of her cloak pulled low over her face, she had expected to be watched. For her keen ability to not reveal her true appearance - or true gender for that matter - she was familiar with being watched. It didn't help to have a particularly snarky fox as a companion, either.

River tended to enjoy attracting attention in a way that Aryn would never hope to understand.

That Renn is a dragon, isn't he? Aryn's thoughts seethed as she projected them toward River.

"Yes," River said aloud, softly enough that it was obviously intended for Aryn, but not so softly that others surrounding them didn't hear it and direct more attention toward the pair.

Although she had only known one dragon - that goodfornothing Kilhein - but he had been so unpleasant that she had never wished to make the acquaintance of another. River dug the claws of his front paw into Aryn's leg, as if to remind her that they were doing this for the money, which was good, so she better shut herself up on the matter.

Nearby, one of the members of their party introduced themselves. Introduce me you lackluster magic trick she instructed him.

She could nearly feel his little foxy smirk.

He cleared his throat, and jumped up onto Aryn's shoulder. "May I, River the Fox, introduce Aryn Dawn. World renowned flower shop owner and self-proclaimed adventurer."

"Can she speak for herself?" Renn, the secret-dragon-man, asked, an eyebrow raised.

"I suppose, if Aryn were a she," River answered cheekily.

"So she is a he?" Cypher asked, joining the amusing and all-too-familiar conversation. Aryn smirked beneath her cloak. This game had always interested her. It, in truth, was quite obvious she was a female by her figure. Not many men who were widely respected assassins - though not many knew her as more than a flower shop owner - were so thin and, well, womanly.

However, the power of suggestion was a strong one and River was always quite entertained by messing with others' perceptions of her gender. Aryn didn't quite mind either; it was valuable to her to maintain her air of mystery. As soon as people started recognizing her face, her reputation was as good as over.

Larkinus Zephyrius

I looked around at the group with a smirk on my face, reclining comfortably on my flying carpet, it had surprisingly drawn little attention. "Well I guess I should introduce myself. Surprising you all haven't heard of me I am Larkinus Zephyrius, He Who Wears the Many Masks, and adventurer extraordinaire." I stood up on my carpet making a regal gesture.

I looked about at each of the members of the groups. The only one I recognized by face was Cypher I had met him on a few of my own adventures. "I'm surprised to see you Larkinus I thought you'd left the adventuring game became someone more of the corpse persuasion." Cypher laughed uproariously waiting for my half of our running gag.

I strolled over grabbing his wrist in a handshake and pulled him into an embrace. "Indeed I spent some time in the ground I heard your eulogy for me through the coffin though. Simply lovely, truly it was, oh wait I forgot you didn't make it." We both laughed loudly for the rest of the group to see and here.

I look about at my companions. A brawny, tough-looking human in his thirties, clutching a club in his fist. An elf… or was he? A half-elf with a hammer, a wood-elf girl, a human (gender unintelligible) and her/his fox. A shaggy-haired boy, strongly resembling a lion and a smirking, smoking half-night elf. A mixed lot, I thought, but all of them experienced and dangerous.
“I’m Merrielle First-Laurel,” I say, “The dreaded, notorious pirate.”
“What happened to your ship?” asks the smirking night-elf, Larkinus.
I glare at him, and decide not to answer. Addressing Ms. King, I say, “Can we set off? It will be dawn before long.” If I look towards the dock, I can see my brother’s ships getting nearer. It won’t be long before their upon the town… I draw in my breath sharply and a few of my companions look at me strangely. Despite myself, I am frightened without my ship and crew to protect me. Any dragons we face will be much less scary than my brother and his crew… “Please… Can we get going?”

Ms. King said nothing, but spurred her horse into a trot. The rest of the group matched speed and they were off. Even so, they were making a lot of noise.

"We're drawing far too much attention to ourselves. Halieo, take half of them and go through another gate. We'll meet in Huxton in an hour." Halieo nodded and several of the party followed him as he split off for the southern gate; while the rest went for the eastern gate of the city.

They drew some attention at the gate, but the guards curiosity was satisfied after they were paid a fee. Free of the city, the two groups converged on Huxton, a small town outside the Castle. The two groups rejoined there without incident and continued on; into the dark forest.

The forest track was well-used and the group made good time as they passed through. They kept a steady pace, making progress but not too fast to tire the horses. Bryan looked enviously at some of the elves or half-elves who rode bareback (he could never remember which they were). All he knew was that he wasn't used to riding for so long -- it was beginning to chafe.

They rode in silence, mostly. Occasionally one rider would say something to another but it was generally either self-assured advice or a witty put-down. Bryan wasn't used to mercenaries -- he didn't meet many in his usual line of work -- and their boisterous camaraderie was a lot to take in.

He hadn't even announced his name like the others had. Speaking to others had never been one of his specialities -- Bryan preferred to quietly get on with a task than talk about how little of it he'd completed -- and he could tell that the others were wary of his size and his silence.

Bryan was considering this as the front-runners slowed and the group ground to a halt. While the other mercenaries looked ahead, perhaps licking their lips in anticipation, Bryan deferred to Ms. King and Halieo. The riders whispered to each other.

"What is it?"

"Must be a trap."

"Shouldn't we help her?"

Bryan peered through the darkness. In the middle of the path stood a wide-eyed girl, no more than seven or eight years old. She wore ragged clothes and, when she opened her mouth, spoke in a shrill voice.

"Please help me," she said, quivering in the dark. "The bandits are coming!"

Basil- along the road

Basil had never been as impatient in her life. The introductions- or, more accurately, the bragging of whose adventures were better- seemed to take forever. Basil had thought Ms.King would never let them leave.

She had gotten over her intial shock that their interviewer would be coming with them- she hadn't expected that. Basil half wondered why, before reminding herself to stick to her own business.

During the introductions, she'd been one of two people who hadn't spoken a word. The other, a burly human man, didn't seem the type. Basil herself was on such an edge, being away from the forest, that she percieved her introduction would be something rocky and defined as weak. Among theses crazy people, who knew what could happen?

They were strange, the bunch. Even stranger, and perhaps sadder, was the fact that one of them could be an assasin, and Basil wouldn't even know! She'd never heard so many strange names in her life- much different of that of the forest folk. Basil wasn't sure of the impression they left on her. The elves didn't seem quiete like elves- the half-elf seemed so rash, so unlike what she knew. And what of the pirate? Basil thought it was foolish to reveal herself like that, as with the two that did before her. Secrets and skills were meant to be kept secret until needed.

Basil was so wrapped up in her own thoughts, that she only caught the last wisp of the conversation.

"The bandits are coming!"

Bandits. She heard someone say a crude comment. Ms. King was talking to what looked to be the young girl, as if she was making a decision. Basil's large elf ears picked up on the slightest noise, the sound of someone stepping on a twig.

"They're coming," she spoke up, her voice sounding weird to her own ears, "And by the sounds of it, soon."

"I've got this. Everyone stay back and protect Ms. King." Halieo advanced towards the little girl.

"What's your name, little one?" Halieo purred when he got close.

"Nancy."

"How old are you Nancy?" Halieo said, looking into her silver eyes.

"Nine," she said, her voice shaking.

"I'm pleased to meet you Nancy," Halieo said. He raised a paw to shake her hand. Nancy extended her hand to shake, but before she could do so, Halieo's talons shot forward and grabbed her by the neck. Her hand went to her side, but Halieo moved faster. His talons extended from his other paw, and sliced through her clothes. The knife sheath that was hidden beneath fell as the straps that held them were cut.

The forest seemed to come alive as bandits emerged from cover, but the scene was dominated by a loud voice.

"HOLD IT!" one of the bandits cried. The bandits listened. Swords were drawn, arrows remained aimed, but neither side moved.

"ALGERNON MIST, I HAVE YOUR SISTER. COME OUT AND GET HER." Halieo yelled.

A tall man with a mustache emerged from the woods, he was the bandit that had yelled for them to hold. He walked towards Halieo, armed with a Battleaxe. He was Algeron Mist.

"That's far enough," Halieo warned.

"Most people know me as the Baron of Bandits. Few strangers know my name, and even fewer know of my sister," Algernon growled.

"And even fewer know that you were in jail when she was born; or that, despite the aid of Karen the Midwife, your mother died in childbirth. Yet I know all these things because, nine years ago, your father begged me to bring Karen to your mother; which I did. Nine years ago I held your sister's life in my talons. And now I hold it again," Halieo said. Algernon's battle axe moved an inch from surprise, but he recovered himself quickly.

"So you are Halieo."

"I am."

"Do not forget Halieo, that while you hold the life of my sister, I hold the lives of you and your companions."

"Then we both have something the other needs. My companions and I need safe and speedy passage through the forest. We also need those that are following us to get lost or even robbed. When we have reached the other side in safety, I will release your sister. Her knife I will keep."

"There are many passages through the forest and many dangers," Algernon agreed.

"All the more reason to have a guide."

"One question: how were you able to recognize my sister after nine years?"

"She has her mother's eyes, a distinctive silver color."

"Ah," Algernon said. He turned to his men. "THESE TRAVELERS ARE FAMILY." The bandits smiled and sheathed their weapons and let out cheers.

Cypher

Oh good old Larkinus, i thought grinning. He never could stay dead. I knew it. I just knew it. That thought turned my smirk into a full blown smile.
Soon we were on our way. Farmers fields gave way to woods and as is inevitable in woods, i smelled trouble.
Sweat, beer, cheap cloth and cold steel. The smell of bandits.
Soon the caravan drew to a stop infront of a small girl.
Stopping, never a good idea in woods. I thought, my hand instinctively moving to the hilt of Fireborn, my elf crafted broadsword. Without thinking i had shifted slightly. My vision focused, my hearing sharpened, even my breathing gained a imposing overtone of a growl.
Then the gryphon stepped forward. After a brief conversation, he grabbed the child and a knife hit the floor. Instantly bandits emerged from the trees. Fireborn practically whistled from its sheath and i rose up in the stirrups ready to pounce, letting out a guttoral roar.
"Hold it!" Yelled one of the bandits and both sides paused, though neither side lowered their weapons.
"Algernon Mist, I have your sister" Yelled the gryphon.
After another conversation the bandit leader, clearly the Algernon character called out to his men.
"These travelers are family!" This was followed by cheers from the bandits and the sheathing of weapons. While i didn't understand their happiness i couldn't help being swept in their happiness. A bloodbath had been averted, and that could only be a good thing. I returned Fireborn to her sheathe, turned to Larkinus and broke into unroarious laughter.

Renn Ariyal:

"Bandits right out of the gate? This is going to be a long ride." Renn hated travelling with others. There was always the temptation to eat them if he got hungry enough. He couldn't help it, he was a growing dragon. Speaking of which, his stomach was growling. Renn reached into his saddle bags and pulled out a stick of dried meat to chew on.

When one of the bandits came too close to Renn his horse snorted and lifted a leg in warning. Personally, Renn thought Valiant was part mule the stallion was that ornery. The bandit edged cautiously back, out of reach of Valiant's hooves.

His gaze wandered over his companions. He found it mildly funny that one of them hid her gender. But Renn's enhanced senses told him the rider was a woman. He was pretty sure the werelion could tell as well, their sense of smell was if anything keener.

Renn shifted akwardly in the saddle. One of the others was staring at him, he could practically feel the intense gaze.

*That could be anyone willing to talk to him. Plus although Renn pretends to be an elf he's a terrible liar. Feel free to out him in a few posts.*

I stared at the 'elf'. He was chewing a lump of raw meat. I'd never seen an elf do that before...
My horse trotted up beside his. He noticed me, and stared back, defiantly. There was something strange about him...
"Who are you?" I asked, a little unnerved.
"Renn."
"Really... What are you?"
"I'm an elf..." he said. I could hear the tension in his voice.
"No you're not." I was sure now...
"Yes I am." he sounded a little angry.
"What are you really?"
He didn't reply. We travelled in silence for a few minutes. I could feel his anger. Not wanting to make enemies this early in the quest, I tried to change the subject.
"What did you do before you came on this quest?"
"I'm a treasure-hunter." he still sounded angry, but there was a touch of pride in his voice now. He was softening...
"Ah yes... you broke into the King's own treasure-chamber, didn't you?"
"Yes." he smiled at the memory.
It was my turn for pride, "I was a pirate, one of the most notorious pirates of all-"
"You said." he sounded amused.
Feeling a little hurt and huffy, I waited for him to continue the conversation.

*Is Renn 'up for love', or is he still interested in dragons in his elf form?*

*Yes he's up for love. It's been a while since Renn's been around other dragons, in fact the last time was as a small child. And Renn isn't eating raw meat it's dried meat. Meat that won't spoil on a long trip, trail food.*

Renn Ariyal:

"Most people would consider it a bad idea to admit to having a bounty on their heads. Why did you do it?" Renn drawled, pretending indifference. But he couldn't hide the real note of curiosity in his voice.

Merrielle faked offense. "Who said anything about being wanted?" Renn didn't even dignify that with a response. All the good pirates had bounties on their heads. He simply waited for how she'd explain his question. Oddly enough he found himself getting along with the Pirate, she was bold and proud... kind of like him.

*All I got, just woke up.*

Aryn Dawn

On her horse, Aryn was undesirably close to the dragon-in-disguise, Renn. He was chatting up the half-elf pirate girl; or, she was chatting him up. Aryn wondered if the girl knew Renn was a dragon, and what a dirty, useless sort they were.

Sensing Aryn's thoughts, River's ears twitched delightedly as he sat in front of her.

Out him and I swear he'll out me too, Aryn thought, scolding River's intentions. She knew he was eager to reveal the dragon-boy, as was she, but she knew a dragon's senses were no match for her - albeit poor - disguises.

"No one's going to recognize you, you dirty criminal," River muttered. He stood, balancing his front paws on the back of their horse's neck. "Let an old fox have some fun."

"You're not old," Aryn muttered, forcing her sweet-tone voice into something more gravely. She had always hated how her voice sounded. The boys would always compliment her on it when she was a child, calling it sweet and innocent and 'soft like chimes in a summer breeze'. "And you will certainly not be having any sort of fun."

Still, she could practically feel River rolling his eyes. "Girl," he called to the girl talking with Renn. She was, fortunately and unfortunately, the one thing between Aryn and the dragon scum. "Miss Pirate Girl," he called louder.

She turned back, an eyebrow raised. "Yes?"

"That man's no elf," he said, grinning a foxy grin. "He's a dragon."

It made sense... There was something not quite right about him. And then there was the treasure-hunting... I'd had an inkling that that might be it. A dragon. From the little I knew about dragons, I could tell he was certainly a great one. I was surprised that I didn't feel shocked, and that I didn't mind. I was just annoyed that our conversation had been interrupted. I wondered when I'd next get to speak to him...
I turned to the fox, "And I'm no Miss. I'm a widow."

Renn Ariyal:

Renn was surprised at the girls defence. However he couldn't stop himself from glaring at the fox in outrage. His blue eyes glowed in the darkness, the pupils narrowed to slits. Now that someone had actually blurted the truth out Renn felt no need to continue the charade and bared his fangs at the fox.

"The dragon that charmed you must have been really stupid, Fluffy." Renn grated.

River glared back at him. "He was stupid. But what makes you think that." The fox agreed with him.

Renn smirked now that the beast had taken the bait. "Because my mother taught me better than to play with my food." He retorted, enjoying the fox's dropped jaw before turning back to Merielle. "Now where were we?"