Aeverlest: Legend of the Crystal Flames

"What is going on here! What did you do!"

Neil leaped back and threw his hands in the air. "I didn't do anything! I found her unconscious and this draining force thing knocked me out and she woke me up by pulling on my broken arm and I yelled at her without thinking and she broke down like this! Well, I guess I did do it then, but not on purpose!"

 

"...Well, I guess I did do it then, but not on purpose!"

Rainin covered his face with his hand and gave a brief sigh. The fatigue and incessant sobbing made every thought laborious.

"Hey, ah.. girl...Can you help Scarlet? " He gestured at Lynn before turning to Neil," Quit your blabbering Nate and lets get going."

Rainin motioned with his staff for Neil to take the lead and let Lynn and the distressed mage follow at their own pace. Now all that was left to deal with was Trucido.

 

Wahhh!!!

A cry echoed through the forest. A sobbing, lamenting cry. The cry of a damsel in distress. The cry of easy prey. Turning his massive blood soaked head towards the source of the sound, Trucido slowly began to recognize the sound. It was familiar. Not the actual sound, but the source of it. The voice of the one crying. But who? Trucido's mind was to clouded with blood lust and frenzy to identify it. For a moment, Trucido's self tried to regain control of his body, to identify the familiar sound, but he was quickly pushed back by his own animalistic instinct.

With yet another of his now well known roars, Trucido lept high into the air towards the source of the sound. Meanwhile, the newcomer to the group, the same mage who Trucido had tried to devour earlier, was trying to calm Scarlet down. It helped a little, Scarlet wasn't sobbing anymore, but tears still flowed down her cheeks and she still gave a few small sobs. It was while the newcomer was helping Scarlet to her feet that Trucido crashed down upon the group.

The impact of Trucido's landing knocked down the entire group, scattering them and their weapons. Before anyone had a chance to regain their composure and attack, Trucido reared back his massive head to strike. Just before Trucido unleashed his fury upon the group though, Scarlet screamed. Surprisingly, Trucido stopped.

At the sound of Scarlet's scream, a torrent of realization rushed through Trucido's frenzied mind. Scene after scene, memory after memory, rushed through Trucido's head, reminding him who this poor creature before him was.

He couldn't believe himself. What was he about to do to Scarlet?! What was his intention?

The dragon thrashed it's head side to side in disgust of itself before letting out a cry that was as human as it was dragon before taking flight from the scene. At this Scarlet stopped screaming, and fainted from the shock. Just before she lost consciousness, she had the thought that the dragon's last cry was oddly familiar...

After it's last attack, the dragon disappeared from the camp. After making sure that the area was safe, that the dragon wasn't still around and that there weren't bandits still running around, the group made a sort of make ship camp and slept what little remained of the night. Even though they had someone on lookout all night long, no one noticed a human Trucido slip into camp as soon as the moon vanished and lay a small note by Scarlet as well as her normal clothes.

Scarlet happened to be one of the first to wake up, and immediately noticed the note laying by her.

Dear Scarlet:

I'm sorry that I can't be here right now. I have very important business to attend to. There's a small pack of dragon's near by and I need to clear the path for you and the rest of the group. I'll be back as soon as I can. Take care of the group, I'm counting on you.

Trucido

Scarlet read the note in silence, contemplating where Trucido had been earlier and if he was okay now. I'm sure he's fine, she thought to herself. Yeah, he's handled worse before. The note and the fact that he was counting on her radically improved Scarlet's mood. That and the fact that she didn't seem to be able to remember much of anything from last night. There had been some kind of battle, and she hadn't been able to find Trucido, and something was big and roared a lot, but that was all she could remember.

"Umm... Could anyone help me out of this thing?"

 

Mathias silently watched the camp, as night descended, vengefully pondering how he would butcher his foes.

'Now the tall dark haired one, he would shove his own sword so far up his arse, it would poke through his mouth,' Mathias thought evilly.

The sentries changed, as did Mathias train of thought.

'The girl with striking red hair, he would ravage her, the he would cut her pretty hair, and feed it to her,' Mathias hesitated, 'No, he would ravage her, cut her hair, dip it in ****, then feed it to her, and probably kill her to, if only for consistency.'

Mathias nodded satisfied, and waited for dawn.

 

Morius awoke shortly after Scarlet. He was feeling much better after a night's rest, no matter how grim it was. He made his way over to their pile of inventory, retrieved by Rainin, and started picking out his accessories and cloak.

Once completely armored with his amulets and rings, Morius felt almost entirely rejuvenated. He looked over to where Lynne was sleeping, expressing his silent gratitude. If it hadn't been for her, he probably would've died from internal bleeding. It was nice to be reunited with the girl, and he could now say that having left her when she was younger at that monastery was a mistake.

Morius' eyes next darted to Scarlet, who sat reading what appeared to be a letter. Ah, but where was Trucido? Lynne had described what happened upon finding Scarlet last night, and how she had no clue the dragon was Trucido. Morius thought it best to maybe keep this a secret for now, and let Trucido tell her himself. Also, not many believed him last night when he'd told them the truth, so he wouldn't bother doing so again - it was between the members of the party who had seen the actual transformation.

"Umm... Could anyone help me out of this thing?"

Morius walked over and knelt beside Scarlet, inspecting the shackles around her wrists. He placed a hand upon them, which quickly sparked into black flame. But, it had no effect on the cuffs.

"Hmm, It appears that as well as restricting magic, magic cannot be used to break them," Morius said, pushing his now long, groggy, sweat-dried hair behind his ears.

 

Juniper lingered in the camp an hour or so for politeness sake, but the antsy nature of her actions made her true nature plain. She had stated her intentions to leave on the previous night once the dragon had finally left, and now she clearly wanted to put as much distance between herself and the bandit camp as possible. "It's not that I don't like you people, or think I'm better than you or anything," she had explained. "Quite the contrary, I have quite enjoyed spending time with all of you. It's simply that this is far too much...excitement for me. Searching for a lost fire is a grand adventure to be sure; but being captured by bandits with nothing better to hope for than the shame of ransom or a live of servitude is simply something I was not prepared for, not to mention the dragon." Her plan, she went on to say, was to follow their route back to the Edu River and barter a passage from there back to Chateau Travaren. Any who wished were welcome to accompany her -- an offer which Zeb accepted after a great deal of consideration, stating that traveling in a group was a far more restrictive lifestyle than he preferred. He would accompany Juniper to Riverport, then continue on his own way. And so it was with determined strides that the two left the camp eastward in the morning light, for none of the horses had survived the night's events.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Tgiwiliw!"

Thydore bounded from the trees and landed upon Rainin, appearing for the first time since he had fled the initial brigand attack the day before. "You is safe!" he cheered. "Yes! You is safe! I am glad! I am glad! Tgiwiliw!"

"Umm... Could anyone help me out of this thing?"

Thydore lept off Rainin and scurried over to Scarlet, running with his overly lanky arms more than with his feet, pulling a lock-pick from his tattered jacket. "I am help! Thydore am help!"

 

"Tgiwiliw! Yes! You is safe! I am glad! I am glad! Tgiwiliw!"

"OOPH!" Rainin woke from his slumber to the weight of Thydore's punce. "Get off you little masked Devil!"

"I am help! Thydore am help!"

Rainin watched as the odd little creature scrambled toward Scarlet. He stood and moved beside them as Thydore worked feverishly at her shackles.

"I can't say I'm not glad to see you, but what are you doing here Thydore and where is your madman of a master?"

 

"Oh thank you, weird monkey thing!" Scarlet said as soon as Thydore managed to pick the locks on her shackles. She still hadn't learned the strange creatures name yet. Probably due to it disappearing all the time.

After petting Thydore on the head a little, Scarlet picked up her normal clothes and made her way over to the tree line so she could have some privacy while changing.

"Now no peaking you guys!"

 

"Now no peaking you guys!"

While Scarlet sought her space to change, Rainin took the oppurtunity to speak to Morious.

"What about this Trucido-dragon business. Aali says that its true. But how can that be, what could to that to a man? Either way, it doesn't appear that Scarlet knows anything..." Rainin spoke in low tones as he rumaged through his pockets in search of the map that would give them direction to continue their quest.

 

"What about this Trucido-dragon business. Aali says that its true. But how can that be, what could to that to a man? Either way, it doesn't appear that Scarlet knows anything..." Rainin spoke in low tones as he rumaged through his pockets in search of the map that would give them direction to continue their quest.

Morius leaned closer to Rainin and lowered his voice. "First of all, you have to remember Trucido isn't a man - he's an Alfar. And just like you humans, we have our birth defects. The Wydrakkus mutation is one of them. A small number of elves have it, and when they are hit with the light of the first moon, they transform into dragons."

Morius kept a close eye on the tree Scarlet went to change behind, in case she emerged any second. "You're right, Scarlet has no idea that Trucido is what he is, and we should keep it that way - it's better for him to tell her. The one thing I know however, is that he would never hurt her, not even in that vicious dragon form." Morius stopped speaking for a moment, and looked lost in a distant memory, "The dragon can always recognise its one true love. I believe that's why Trucido fled last night after confronting you guys and Scarlet."

 

"The dragon can always recognise its one true love. I believe that's why Trucido fled last night after confronting you guys and Scarlet."

"Fine then," Rainin didn't like secrets, but dragons and lover's quarrels were way beyond what he wanted to deal with. Finally locating the map within his pocket, Rainin handed it to Morious.

"I found this on a bug last night, but I can't make heads or tails of it. I'll get the rest of the group up and ready if you figure out what direction to head."

Turning to the rest of the camp Rainin shouted.

"Come on people, lets break camp! We've got to put some distance between us and the Bandits hideout," approaching Antice he added, "Name's Rainin, are you coming with us kid? We could probably use your skills."

 

Aali woke up to almost everyone awake. Thydore had returned and was helping Scarlet out of her shackles; after she was released she went off to go put on her clothes. Aalie stood up and stretched, noticing that the ache in her side was almost completely gone now. She shot a smile at Antice.

"Thanks again."

The dizziness had gone too. Reaching down, aali pciked up the sword Rainin had salvaged for her; it felt wonderful in her hand again.

"Come on people, lets break camp! We've got to put some distance between us and the Bandits hideout." Approaching Antice he added, "Name's Rainin, are you coming with us kid?"

Aali walked over to Rainin.

"Should we try and find the horses first?"

 

"Should we try and find the horses first?"

Rainin thought for a moment, he was again glad to have Aali, a proven warrior, on his side.

"I'm not sure it'll be worth it at this point, I fear that any the dragon didn't devour are long gone by now." Rainin sighed and thought for a moment more. An orange light was shining around the camp as the sun began to rise higher. Sunrises always made him feel inspired.

"Lynn, do you know where the nearest town is that might be able to shelter us and provide fresh horses?"

 

"I found this on a bug last night, but I can't make heads or tails of it. I'll get the rest of the group up and ready if you figure out what direction to head."

Morius took the map out of Rainin's hands, and inspected it carefully. He knew where they were when they'd been abducted, and judging from the time it took to bring them here, Morius estimated they weren't far off. Now, all he had to do was figure out which way was North.

Morius closed his eyes, and threw his arms out to their full length. He could feel the wind envelop itself through his cloak, and breathed in the fresh morning air. He then lent his senses to the shadows, and began to feel their movement, and alignment to the sun. By doing this, he would figure out direction. But wait, what was this? Morius suddenly turned his head to the trees behind them. Someone was there, and was watching them, he could feel it. The shadows never lied.

"Who's there?" Morius' voice echoed through the encampment.

 

EDIT: ***** DOUBLE POST ***** :S


"I found this on a bug last night, but I can't make heads or tails of it. I'll get the rest of the group up and ready if you figure out what direction to head."

Morius took the map out of Rainin's hands, and inspected it carefully. He knew where they were when they'd been abducted, and judging from the time it took to bring them here, he estimated they weren't far off. Now, all he had to do was figure out which way was North.

Morius closed his eyes, and threw his arms out to their full length. He could feel the wind envelop itself through his cloak, and breathed in the fresh morning air. He then lent his senses to the shadows, and began to feel their movement, and alignment to the sun. But what was this? Morius suddenly turned his head to the trees behind them. Someone was there, and was watching them, he could feel it. The shadows never lied.

"Who's there?" Morius' voice echoed through the encampment.

 

Who's there?"

Mathias froze, his heart followed suit.

Unable to think of a curse to adequately describe how royally screwed he now found himself, he settled for "Buggernuts" before concealing his weapons under his newly aquired coat.

He then slowly stepped out of the light with his hands raised, revealing himself to the group.

"I mean you no harm! I am but a poor farmer!" He pleaded falsely.

He then breathlessly waited for a response.

 

Those giant eyes.

Those massive fangs.

Those uncountable legs.

Scarlet had just finished getting dressed when it appeared. And it was terrifying.

It was a spider. Of course, to Scarlet, it might as well have been a dragon. Scarlet was an arachnophobiac.

"Ahhh!" Scarlet screamed as she ran out of the forest, only to run right into the newcomer, knocking both of them to the ground.

"Kill it! Kill it! Kill it!"

 

Before anyone could respond, a rather attractive girl with striking red hair, pelted screaming out of the forest, looking the other way.

Due to her mindless terror, she collided with him, sending them both sprawling in the dirt. Normally a pretty girl lying on top of Mathias would provoke lust, but his hatred still burned brightly so he rolled over, and got up.

"Kill it! Kill it!" The girl squealed frantically.

Mathias glanced to where she was pointing, and saw a very confused looking spider. Mathias casually walked over, and was poised to crush it, when it very politely said, "I apologise for startling that charming woman, but i would prefer it if you did not kill me."

Mathias cocked an eyebrow, "How odd," he thought.

He let the spider crawl up his arm, and nestle on his shoulder. It whispered thanks into his ear. Mathias then turned to the rest of the group, as someone spoke.

 

Aali stood for a mometn letting the other's conversation wash over her. Poor Jensen, she had always loved that horse, she just hoped Trucido hadn't killed her last night. her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of someone falling and a frantic scream.

"Kill it! Kill it! Kill it!"

Her head shot up and she saw the commotion was Scarlet...and it looked like she was scared of a spider. Next to her stood a strange new man who she appeared to have knocked over in her haste to get away from the spider. Aali's hand tightened around her sword and she shifted her weight ever so slightly, so as too be in a better fighting stance should this man mean them harm. He looked as if he could be anything from a bandit to a poor farmer.

"Who are you? What is your bussiness here?"

 

Mathias found himself being addressed by a shorter woman, clutching the hilt of her sword. She was also rather pretty.

"Who are you? What is your bussiness here?" She demanded.

Mathias cringed slightly, and found his nerves fraying, then scalded himself for his hesitation. However he had not allowed enough time to think.

"I like potatoes!" Mathais replied.

"Bugger," he thought.

Before the woman could elicit a response however, he heard a small voice at the back of his head.

"I know what you want, I know how you feel, I am Chatulio. Now tell this delightful young woman that your farm has been annually ransacked by the bandits for food, and you wish to thank the group for defeating the gang by leading them out of the forest," a disembodied voice that sounded like the talking spider.

He had heard of animals that could talk, but never animals that could invade someones inner most thoughts, he pushed this aside for the moment, the spider made valid points.

"I have been hassalled by the bandits for many a moon. They come and take my food, and beat me just to put me in my place. I heard last nights commotion, and came to investigate. You do not know how thankful i am for you putting an end to their evil. I would be humbled if you allowed me to guide you to your next destination," Mathias said pausing for breath.

He thought it was quite convincing, but would the group believe it?

 

"I have been hassalled by the bandits for many a moon. They come and take my food, and beat me just to put me in my place. I heard last nights commotion, and came to investigate. You do not know how thankful i am for you putting an end to their evil. I would be humbled if you allowed me to guide you to your next destination,"

Morius folded his arms over his chest, and now stood facing the farmer. There wasn't something right about him - his features were dark, sharp, and sly, and he was wearing an awful lot of clothes... a disguise perhaps? Although, Morius couldn't quite be the judge of this, he didn't look very good-natured either - he silently grinned to himelf. He then looked back at the map Rainin had handed him, and realised there was no way he was going to figure this out. Alright, if this poor farmer wanted to help them out of here, they would have to let him. It was perfect.

Meanwhile, Morius would keep his suspicions to himself, until Trucido rejoined the party at some point, which Morius knew he would. Then, he would ask the other Alfar his opinion - wait a minute, why was he thinking of consulting Trucido?

Whatever happened to being independent? he thought.

He then looked over at Lynne, who was rousing from her sleep. She yawned and noticed the newcomer, who everyone's attention seemed to be drawn to. He was somehow familiar, but she couldn't quite place him. She had heard his story to the group whilst bordering on a state of sleep and wakefulness and figured she'd probably seen him be pillaged and beaten during one of the Bandits' raids. It was a perfectly plausible explanation.

"Alright," Morius said, rolling up their map, "You may lead us out of here."

 

"Hold on" Scarlet spoke up. Since Trucido was here at the moment, Scarlet felt like she needed to take over his jobs. Making sure that new comers were safe was one of them.

"We have to make sure we can trust him. He could be a bandit or something. Or a demon unicorn with a fish tail. We have to..." Scarlet scrunched up her face in thought. What would Trucido do? Scarlet thought to herself. Probably just put a dagger to his throat and question him.

"Quiz him! First question! Why are bandits bad people!"

 

Rainin watched the chirade and rolled his eyes. The new comer was a little odd, but no more so than the rest of his traveling companions. He was looking forward to talking with a fellow farmer for once.

But in the meantime, Scarlets little game was amusing. Rainin still didn't understand how she could be such a powerful magician....

He crossed his arms and continued watching with a smirk.

 

Mathias cocked his eyebrow, 'Was this girl for real?'

Upon closer inspection he realised she was barely an adult, naive and innocent. And perhaps a tad daft.

He thought of an answer that would appeal to her.

"Erm, bandits are... well their bad because they... they smell bad! Yes very bad! And they take my food without asking! No they are not very nice at all!" Mathias chuckled, getting caught up in the hilarity of his charade.

"This is quite amusing, please continue," Chatulio whispered politely to Mathias.

 

"Erm, bandits are... well their bad because they... they smell bad! Yes very bad! And they take my food without asking! No they are not very nice at all!" Mathias chuckled, getting caught up in the hilarity of his charade.

"This isn't funny!" Scarlet said as she walked up to the new comer.

"Bandits are bad for that, but they also rape, pillage, plunder, murder, kill, and slaughter. They tear up families and kill the innocent. They ruin lives.

"So half off! Next question, if you're sword fighting with someone dangerous, do you slice the throat open or attack their arms and shoulder?"

Scarlet knew this one would be a decider. Why? Because it was a trick question. No one can get it right. In fact, it was a lesson that Trucido had taught her. The newcomers answer would be intriguing.

Hey, Scarlet isn't just a silly little girl. She's pretty smart.