Caer nodded knowingly, she greatly admired owls, wise creatures of the night. Blodeuwedd however... She raised her skirt and skipped through the trees, away from Gwydion. There was a distinct feeling that she had stolen something- no, ensnared it. It was a mortal's mind, she was sure of it. Still she smiled, knowing it was a human's curse to be pulled about by gods. There in the woodland Blodeuwedd stood, cast in darkness. She tip-toed towards him, her snake whispering in her ear.
Ben watched from the edge of the cliff as Caer moved about in broad daylight, her shape as real as the ground beneath his feet. How often had he begged shadows of the deity to give him peace in the night, only to gaze upon her, obvious and brash as she moved and conversed with the other gods. It was hard to remember he was not dreaming. The corpse, of all things, served as a reminder that the world was still real around him. The poor girl's message spoke of terrible signs, gods and shadows ripping into each other like fingers of lighting in a cloudy night. Ben shuffled his hands across the pommel of his plain, mortal blade, his cloak wrapped around his arms barely protecting him against the wind. What could he hope to do against such powers?
Blodeuwedd was still searching through the trees for clues when he heard Gwydion call for all of them to return to her. He rolled his eyes. "Can she please make up her mind?" he grumbled to himself. Blodeuwedd turned and was about to use his faster-than-the-wind speed, when he saw Caer trying to sneak up on him. "You're here, too?" Blodeuwedd asked dryly. "I thought you would be too busy dancing through flower fields or getting people married or something." He was about to make a snappy remark about how Caer should just leave, because he couldn't see how she could possibly be useful in this situation, but his owl pecked him on the ear and he held his tongue. Oldowan was always telling Blodeuwedd to be nicer. "Gwydion is calling us, we should get back to her," Blodeuwedd said instead. "When did Gwydion get so bossy?" he added in a gossipy tone.
"I hate flowers, and though I did once pretend to be, I am not the goddess of which you think. Her powers are pale in a situation such as this," Caer drove in as she removed the snake from around her neck and gave Blodeuwedd a small glare, missable in the gloom of the wood. She stroked the snake and carried on through the woods, "She became bossy to hide her shame at something," Caer said seriously, but then smiled "It is only a bit of a letter that a wise follower of yours shall read. Nothing important."
Faer nodded, handing over the parchment to Corrin. Looking back to Gwyndion, he asked, "is there anything more that I may be of service qith, my goddess?"
Corrin read the note aloud, ensuring that every word was audible, despite his weak voice. "So, Ransfort, Crogah Patrick and a Church in Ireland. Seems like we'll need a boat, though I would like to find this rock first. See where the battle happened to see if we can work anything out."
Aidan gave the impression of listening intently lest he offend the goddess Gwydion, but inside his soul roiled with conflict, on the one hand this had the makings of a folktale that the bards would sing for years, offering validation of his often meaningless existence, but on the other it was clear that no one was getting paid for this quest, and the hard facts were that as a sell sword he did actually have to sell his sword , or more accurately his skill with it in order to put meat and ale in his guts. That thought reminded him that he hadnt eaten this day or the last , and his stomach growled and swirled as though he'd swallowed a rabid otter cub - he had a few coins left in his pouch , so maybe that hunter would share some boar meat for a price. "what the hell" he thought "theres bound to be plunder along the way" His head jerked up as he heard corrin give their next destination " a boat" he said "that shouldn't be too hard" summoning fiacre he silently instructed her to search along the coast and report back, hearing her confirmation ripple through his mind ::Boat for all, find:: But as he looked up he saw caer approaching and his heart sank into black despair once more "another damn goddess, just what we need most" he thought bitterly...
Blodeuwedd raised an eyebrow at Caer. "Oh...my bad, I mistook you for the flowery love goddess," he said. "You must be the Goddess of Sleep and Dreams. I don't know what a snake has to do with sleep, but I hope for your sake that we don't go anywhere cold, or that thing is going to die." Oldowan bit Blodeuwedd's ear and twisted it. "Ouchies!" he screeched. He pushed the owl away and it flew up into the trees and landed on a branch. "I'm sorry, I haven't been around people for almost fifty years," Blodeuwedd grumbled, rubbing his ear. "I forget my manners. Let's get back to Gwydion, shall we?" He took one step and disappeared, a cool wind blowing by Caer's face. He reappeared at the cliff in time to hear Corrin read the note out loud. "I hate boats," he grumbled to himself. "And the sea."
"Fifty years..." Caer mused. She wasn't sure she couldn't spend that long away from humans, they were her favourite play thing. The cool wind that Blodeuwedd left in his wake was revitalising; Caer was thankful for it. To her disappointment, Corrin had finished reading the letter when she joined everyone again. He looked like a man who would have very interesting dreams and the snake seemed to like his scent. Running her fingers through her cropped hair, she grinned at Corrin. He, or that snatched mind of the other man would be her prey on this hunt. Caer edged her way around the back of Corrin to read the note, the woman had a good hand, she thought. "Yes, a boat would be the most sensible idea," she whispered to him.
"Ouchies?" Gwydion said, with a sly smile at Blodeuwedd. And with a laugh, she faced the others. "So, as we have all heard the note," At this she gave a nod to Corrin. "We all know what has happened. And a boat should be in order. I believe the closest stone is at The Church of Ireland. We should head there first." Moving like rippling silk, she started towards the rickity staircase that lead down to the small beach beneath the Cliffs. A boat should be down there, but maybe- Her thoughts were cut off as a black shadow ball slammed into her, blasting her backwards into Aidan. Looking up, she saw 7 shadowy figures descending, they were like a black purple hurricane of shadow with a silver crescent on their foreheads. One for each of us! She thought panickly as the figures started towards them.
The church of Ireland, Faer thought. That could not be good. To the Celts he was an outsider, an evil fairy both reviled but also respected. He didn't like it but he could live with that. People of the church, however, saw him as a spawn of Satan. He shuddered. Then the shadowy figures came. Faer watched with fear as Gwydion was thrown back. If these things could face a god... He turned into a wolf and pounced at the nearest figure, clawing and raking at it, ready to become a horse of things became rough.
Knocked from his feet by the impact of Gwydion's body, Aidan hit the ground hard but instantly rolled and came back to his feet in one fast move " I just knew you'd throw yourself at me" he said to Gwydion with a smile as he extended a hand to pull her back to her feet "you goddesses just can't help yourselves". Glancing at the descending figures Aidan ripped his sword from its sheaf and dropped into a warriors crouch , clearly powerful dark magic was at work here, but no matter what form of necromancy was upon them , Aidan resolved to paint the ground around him black with blood, whether of foemen or his own, before he allowed them to harm Gwydion or his other.....comrades the thought hit him like a bolt of lightning so strange and unexpected after years of thinking only of himself. Aidan started to spring at the nearest figure , then checked himself as a wolf shot past him dragging it to the floor, damn but Faer was fast, he swivelled his hips and leapt instead at the second figure to touch ground, slamming his armoured shoulder into it like a hammer , and sweeping his sword in a vicious back cut towards its neck
His desire to simply follow his companions, trying to stay out of their way and learn, now stood in the way of Ben's chance at redemption. The demons fell from the void, clawing at the gods. Ben snatched his sword free, dropping his unstrung bow on the sand. Aidan was already in their midst! Ben knew nothing of these strangers, and now they were threatened by nightmares. "Nightmare." Ben repeated the word, closing his eyes as he jogged to pray. Then he laughed. "Caer!" He called to the god that had so often eluded his calls for help. "Watch me fight them myself!" Ben would prove his worth now. Charging the nearest being, he swung his cloak around and downward onto the black mass. He clenched his sword and followed the furs, seeking to achieve a quick victory against his foe. The mass of inklike smoke split around the blade as it slashed. He tightened his body and stopped his blade from slashing the cloak, glaring up at the evil face than now floated formed above his body. A neck shot from the body of evil, a wicked mouth opened into a black pit beneath that silver shining crescent. Ben jerked the sword back up into the mass, arching the blade with all his strength into the black body. He felt the blade's edge connect, or was it his imagination? He watched the creature as is grandfather's sword reamed the foe from beneath, eager to see what effect the weapon's of men had on this shadow creature.
Corrin dropped the sack of meat, giving a slight whistle that caused Griff to stand to attention as well. The dogs tail went perpendicular to its body, and its muscles in its legs began to tense. The man drew his bow and notched an arrow, noting the one heading in his direction and mentally marking what would be its underbelly if it was a man. An arrow to the guts normally led to a prolonged death. Not the favoured method of the hunter, but suitable if you needed information, or where uncertain of a foes capabilities. His first arrow hit its mark, while the second was aimed slightly higher, though this time it hit the shadow in the shoulder. A little off, though still useful. After that he tossed down his bow, drawing his spear and shield and bracing himself for the charge, giving another whistle which Griff seemed to be excited by. The dog knew the signal well. Whatever charged his master from now on, he would go for its legs, lunging for the hamstring with discipline and hopes of a treat. The wolfhound was well trained. Corrin cared little for magic, black or not. He'd never been able to use it, nor had it had any effect on his life till this moment. He'd heard tales of course, of the aes sidhe, though he doubted that these were such creatures. It mattered not to him. He was going to live.
Aidan cursed as his sword swept straight through where the neck of the creature should have been without meeting any resistance at all, at the same time absorbing a blow of shocking power on his chest armour , he stepped back and then whipped his sword down vertically through the shadow smoke this time meeting resistance at its core before the shadow figure pitched back and unmade itself from the mortal plane. Looking around desperately around Aidan could see Ben slicing into another shadow figure while Corin shot arrows into a third , it looked as though they could take care of themselves he thought. Seeing another figure rushing at Gwydion, Aidan sprang forward screaming " if you want her, you come through me, you bastard wraith"
Caer slid the snake down between her breasts and summoned her spear. The serpent clung to the heat of her chest, while its cool scales soothed her. Off to her side she heard the cry from the man named Ben, the lost mind. He cannot forget the promise of my power, she thought gladly. Caer charged at the black shadows, feeling the lost dreams as she tore through one, only for it to reform. She knew that these were most likely spirits awoken from the long sleep, or perhaps one that is unable to reach it. Which ever way it's dreams would never be realised.
Gwydion nodded a quick thanks to Aidan before getting to her feet. These creatures were obviously full of dark magic. But the hero's were fareing well! Faers Shadow was being torn to shreads, a purplish shadow escaping the body like blood. It was stumbling around and trying to grab him, but in his wolf form, he could he easily dodge the grasp. The Shadow that Aidan was battling had its head chopped off, and it blundered around before falling off the cliff to a certiant smoky death. When Ben attacked the shadow, every hit he made connected or almost connected. The Shadow jolted once before exploding into a cloud of black mist, obviously defeated. Corrins Shadow stood not a chance against him and Griff, all of Corrins arrows flew true and every time Griff reared back his head, his teeth found a mark when he sank back in. Like Bens Shadow had done, the Shadow exploded into a powdery mist, which drifted away on the lazy breeze. When Caer attacked the Shadow, it had the sense to reform before every strike, but it was losing power. Eventually, Caer would over power it. Gwydion turned to face her shadow, only to see Aidan step forth and challenge him. It blasted a shadow bolt into his chest, and Gwydions smile faded as it flew closer to his chest. Turning, not wanting to see if he would deflect it, Gwydion called for Blodeuwedd. "Get the others to the boat! Its down their!" She screamed, pointing to the edge of the cliff. Hopefully, he would be able to.
Ben scrambled and stumbled away from his shadow as it burst. Sweeping with the flat of his blade, he was certain of a curse or some foul magic now coursing through his blood or soul. His heart froze, stomach turning. He saw Aidan get hit, heard the command of Gwydion. He disobeyed her order. Digging his feet in, sand flying behind, he sprinted at the shadow. Traces of black peeled off of his sword as he swung it down at the misshapen back of the demon. He screamed at the dark herald as it accosted his new family. In his mind, he saw blood spurt and spill from wounds, savoring phantom screams of pain from his foe.
Faer delighted when the shadow was injured due to his attacks. The taste of blood, or whatever that substance was, filled him with joy. Blood rushed through his body. He grabbed the shadow where its neck should be, and gave it a savage shake with his jaws. Dropping it, he took a moment to survey the situation. Four shadows were down, a fifth was battling the goddess Caer, who appeared to be faring well. A sixth shadow was taking on Aidan and Gwydion. The goddess shouted something, about getting to the boat. Faer meant to oblige, when he saw the seventh shadow, with nobody attacking it. He quickly changed to human form, and flung his spear at it, hoping that it will connect.
The shadow seemed to diminish with each charge, the spear tip reminding it of dreams long lost. She whipped back around and dragged the spear from its head to its feet, making it fade into the air. This shadow had joined the long sleep. The puca threw his spear at the seventh shadow, the sixth being taken down by two already. Caer gathered her skirt and ran down the cliff towards the boat that Gwydion had called out about. The sharp rocks cut deep into her feet but she was glad for the pain, it would stop her from sleeping.
Aidan twisted violently to the right feeling the shadow bolt sear accross his armour missing him by fragments of an inch, at the same time he struck at the shadow warrior's face with his left elbow , and completed his spin, his right hand bringing the sword scything round through the shadows body. As the shadow warrior staggered away screaming in a language he couldnt comprehend, Aidan took several steps back to stand with Gwydion. " do you want to finish this one , my Goddess" he asked, panting from his exertions and wiping away the battle sweat from his brow " or should I send it to the otherworld for you, or would you prefer it to live to warn its foul clan what becomes of those that stand against us ? "
Blodeuwedd became a blur and sliced the shadow attacking Ben with both of his curved knives. "Everyone to the boat!" he yelled. "Now!" At the same time, a loud screech filled the air. His owl came streaking out of the sky, heading straight for the shadow that Aidan had crippled. Oldowan extended his talons and raked them across the face of the evil wraith before quickly rising back into the sky, flapping his powerful wings. While he waited for everyone to keep moving, Blodeuwedd turned to the shadow attacking Caer and threw one of his knives at it. The blade spun through the air, as quick as an arrow, heading straight for the shadows heart. "Die!" Blodeuwedd hissed between his teeth. His eyes had darkened to black orbs rimmed in fiery crimson and black-brown feathers were sticking out of his face, his neck, and his toned arms.
Gwydion opened her mouth to reply, ready to leap forth and attack the demon, but before she had her chance Oldowan swooped down, and deftly defeated the Shadow in his swift swipe. The spear Faer had thrown, struck the Shadow and it exploded, like the rest of the shadows. And when Blodeuwedds knife hit the last shadow, it promptly died. With all the Shadows defeated, Gwydion knew they had to get to the boat. Before many upon thousands of Shadows bore down upon them. "I hope you all feasted before we got here, as our provisions will be low for quite a bit" Gwydion said as she started once more towards the stairs down the cliff. After a while of creaking and groaning stairs, she made it down to the sandy beach, in which she lead the others towards the boat. It was a small thing, wooden, two masts, a couple of portholes and three or four cannons mounted. One the side of the boat was painted one word: Mirage. "The Mirage was built for me by many of my followers, it contains a small port lounge, a dining table, some barrels of rum and ale and of course, sleep rooms." She explained waving an airy hand at the boat. "We must hasten with this quest, so let's board quickly. The Church is about a days sail and a couple of miles walk away. I hope you all are ready." And with a smile, Gwydion stepped towards the boat, all eyes oblivious to the god watching from above, on top of the cliff.
feasted ? Aidan thought " a chance would be a fine thing" , he hadn't eaten for two days, and now it looked like he'd be fasting further. Still his guts turned at how close he'd come to death among the Shadow warriors , and how stupid he'd been to think he had to protect Gwydion 'she's not a damsel in distress, you fool' he chastised himself ' despite her looks , she's a damn goddess and more than able to take care of herself' Still despite everything the fight had felt good and he'd acquitted himself bravely and with honour if a little recklessly More importantly it had brought them together as a band, and he looked at Ben , Corrin, Faer , Caer and the owl god with the unpronounceable name with new respect , and hoped they viewed him the same, Sword brothers , at last he thought, it had been so long Unanounced Fiacre dropped out of the sky and thudded on to the deck next to Aidan and a thought rippled through his brain ::food, fish:: and Aidan looked down to see a huge salmon pinned to the deck by one foot of golden talons, oh great. raw fish my favorite thing he thought...
Faer looked satisfied as his spear found its mark. He went over, picked his spear, when he realized that all the others were already moving towards the ship. He cjanged into a goat and scaled down the cliffs, using that shortcut to rech the boat on time.
