Chapter 3 - Hollow Victory

[LonePaladin]

Before anyone can take more than two steps, their concentration is suddenly broken by the skrit of a weapon being drawn nearby, and the twang of a bow being fired. An arrow slices its way through the foliage, driving itself deep into a nearby tree -- well above the heads of the travelers.

This is immediately followed by the unmistakeable sounds of melee: a harsh cry of rage, the clanging of weapon on steel, and the crash of bodies slamming against each other. The tumult only lasts a moment, then stops abruptly.

During the silence, the question springs to mind: what the hell just happened? The silence hangs heavy in the air, refusing to provide an answer.

The silence is shortly broken again by the sound of something moving through the underbrush. Everyone tenses, anticipating a new threat. Hands move closer to weapons, and all eyes are focused in the direction of the breaking twigs and rustling leaves.

After a few seconds, a human steps into the path. His armor, composed of interlocking chevrons of steel, catches the light that passes through the trees unfiltered. The visor of his helmet is down, preventing anyone from seeing his face. A heavy war-mallet hangs from his belt, and an arbalest* hangs from a heavy leather strap on his back. A razor-sharp claymore is clutched in one hand, held in place with chains across his gauntleted fist; his other hand is bereft of weapon or shield, but is still occupied -- holding the corpse of one of the canine beasts over his shoulder.

The man stops, hefting the body with his free arm, and tosses it onto the path. The body is missing one arm and shoulder, but the remaining arm still clutches the shattered longbow that presumably fired the arrow.

The armored figure looks at the group, waiting for a response.

An arbalest is a heavy crossbow.

[Gralhruk]

Shade remains crouched near two dead gnolls, a short distance away from the others, swords sheathed. She appraises the newcomer cooly wondering what his purpose might be. Judging from the armor and weapons he was more likely a mercenary than a brigand; the corpse slung over his shoulder indicated that he wasn't a novice at swinging that sword of his.

The dead gnoll crashes to the ground sending up another cloud of dust and reminding her eerily of Itches recent collapse. There is something vaguely menacing in that faceless, armored figure who silently brandishes both death and it's instrument. The implied threat brings old habits to the surface. She stands slowly, her body relaxed, hands within easy reach of her swords; she looks both cocky and insolent, though she keeps her voice neutral.

"Just what we need, another dead body."

[itches]

Itches lies on the ground, almost in a pool of the blood left by the nearby Corpse, still out cold. Suddenly into the darkness Drifts a figure, one dimply remember by the mind of Itches. The image of his Beloved Lily.

"Itches my love," she speaks to him in a far away sounding voice. " You need to wake up now"

"But I don’t want to, it’s so nice here."

"Wake up Itches"

"Just another five minutes"

"By the gods, some times I don’t why I put up with you." With that the spectre of Lily reaches out a pale hand and touches the half-elf on the head, then with a slam, he is awake.

"Lily?" the slightly stunned and more then a little confused Nobel mutters as he first regains consciousness. Quickly shaking the haze that lingers over his mind, the Aristocrat, looks around him, and notices something amiss.

"Hey, you weren’t here before when I.. Fell asleep. How did you get here? You have to be careful around here, there are many of these dog creatures hanging about, and they just attacked us. Still you look big enough to take care of yourself. You know you look a lot like someone I know. Who? Oh I know you remind me of Cadirus," Itches babbles, gesturing towards Cadirus. Calmly putting his dagger back in his boot sheath, Itches gets up and walks up to the paladin, a look of pure innocent curiosity on his face. He oonly get part of the way however before the former Palidin blocks his path. Not detered in the least, he proceeds to call out to the man. "Gee that is a big crossbow, I remember seeing some like that back at my fathers castl - I mean back home"

[Cadrius]

As the sounds of combat ensue Cadrius spins around in the direction of the noise. There is a slight ringing as he draws his sword free of its sheath yet again. Holding his shield protectively in front of him the man positions himself between the fight and the others. The last thing they needed was to slay a bunch of beasts only to run into a group of rivals fighting over the territory.

At last a figure emerges from the nearby shrubs and bushes. An armored man with another dead beast slung over his shoulder. But what was he? A threat? Possibly. Cadrius didn't like the way he stood with his weapons or the way he had tossed the body to the ground.

So as Itches attempts to walk up to the newcomer Cadrius extends his sword arm and bars the young aristocrat's passage. Yet he keeps his eyes on the man the entire time. His cold blue eyes are scrutinizing the armored figure, attempting to analyze his intent.

Cadrius paints a grim portrait himself: tall and muscular but battered and bloody from the last two battles. Fresh blood still coats some of his armor and his shield is dented and scratched in places. Even the symbol of a fist clenching a lightningbolt on the pommel of his sword seems worn.

"Identify yourself and your purpose," he says at last to the stranger in a cool voice.

[Maeko]

Maeko was washing and tending her own wound when sounds of combat were heard; stoppering her water gourd she puts it down and positions herself near Cadrius.

Stubborn he may be, but I won't leave him without help, in his condition

Other crashing sounds reveal someone approaching.

He moves with a yak's grace, unless he WANTS us to hear him.

Soon her hunch that the new arrival is male is confirmed, he throws down a dead gnoll like it was a sack of rice; this does nothing to tranquillize Maeko, the small woman flexes her knees slightly, ready to explode in motion.

Trying to intimidate us? Or to demonstrate he is no foe?

She remains silent, waiting for the stranger to answer Cadrius.

[LonePaladin]

The armored figure slowly removes the chains strapped across the hilt of his claymore, freeing it from his grasp. With the visor of his helm down, it's difficult to tell whether his concentration is on the chains, or watching the others.

He remains silent, which does nothing to help the tension.

Having freed his hand, he reverses his grip on the sword, so that it is no longer held in a menacing manner. With his free hand, he raises the visor, revealing piercing blue eyes and a tanned, oft-shaven face; his jawline, while strong, is marred somewhat by a wicked scar that runs from his chin to his right ear.

He slowly walks closer to Cadrius, holding the greatsword in a casual manner, with his free hand palm-outward. Cadrius sees no signs of traveling gear -- no pack, no waterskin; his only other possession is a medallion hanging on his belt.

A fist, clutching a bolt of lightning.

The stranger comes within a few feet of Cadrius, and holds the massive sword out to him. Not quite sure what to make of it, Cadrius takes the offered sword by the handle.

The warrior then turns around, leaving his back to Cadrius -- and, with one hand, indicates a series of metal-and-leather loops attached to a broad leather strap at his back. He finally speaks, in a resonant voice with a harsh touch -- as if speaking is an effort. "I'd like help stowing that, please."

[Gralhruk]

Ignoring the questions directed at him, the newcomer strides purposely up to Cadrius and Shade is forced to note the similarities between them. This reinforces the unease she felt when the stranger first appeared. She is stung by his request; Cadrius is obviously a man of some station and wounded besides. Her thoughts burn with the flame of anger.

Who are you to treat him thus? He is no squire.

Whatever her companion might think of himself, whatever burden he bore, he was worth more than that. She takes a few steps forward and meets the man's gaze, her eyes steely. She notes Maeko subtly shift her balance and, confident that she has at least one ally, allows her voice to take on a sharper edge.

"He asked you a question."

[LonePaladin]

The warrior shrugs, then takes the sword back. He plants it, by the tip of the blade, into the dirt, then shrugs off the leather harness. One loop at a time, he begins reattaching the harness to the sword.

"My apologies if I do not reveal my name. I've been given far too many epithets to claim one of the lot. If you must call me something, 'paladin' will do.

"That beast had the unmoving fellow in his sights. I felt the need to... interfere with his aim."

He then takes the harness, with the sword firmly attached, and straps it back over his shoulder. This places the sword at an angle across his back, keeping it out of the way yet still within reach. He rests his elbow across the hilt.

"I'd been following them since this morning; why did they go so far out of their way to attack you?"

[itches]

Oblivious to the Tension around him Itches keeps on talking to the man.

"Oh, that is a really big sword. You like big weapons don’t you. You know I have only ever seen one other person use a sword like that. He was an outlaw, and an enemy of my Father. He tried attacking out Keep once, but my father fought him off. That was back when I was just a babe. It was many years latter that I actual saw him. My father and I were out hunting, and a man came out that was wearing armour that looked much like yours. He was a really good fighter, and none of out guards could stop him. It was only by working together could mu Father and Master Samuel stop him. They were getting the better of the outlaw, when he turned and fled. He got away, because they had to stay behind to look after the wounded. He never was caught again.

Oh and I think I know why they might of attacked us. Revenge. Some of their kind attacked us last night, and we," Turning Pale slightly Itches gulps. "Well they were fought off. Say did you say you had been following them all morning? Are you sure? They most certainly knew about that trap that, umm, was there. If you’re telling the truth, then they must have had this trap here for a while. I wonder why they would have a trap. Ah well I guess we will never know now, that they are dead."

Pausing to take a breath in what seems like hours, Itches pauses his prattle.

"Oh did I say that I had seen that type of sword before?"

[Cadrius]

Cadrius grits his teeth and through sheer force of will he manages to keep his feet as the world seems to drop out from under him. Another paladin. No, a paladin. He had no right to refer to himself and the Order in the same sentence. But what was this man doing here? And why? He had no apparent survival gear apart from his weapons.

The medallion hanging around the man's neck seems to shine especially brightly from the sunlight filtering through the dense canopy above. He squints and sheaths his sword as the paladin's greatsword is offered to him. Hesitant, he takes the sword with one hand and keeps it pointed toward the ground.

He does not look the man in the eyes as he speaks, but keeps his gaze somewhere off to the left at about knee-level. Despair dances slowly through his eyes and his shoulders seem to slump. He must have been sent by the Order. Being expelled from Heironeous' service had apparently not been enough. More punishment would follow, but what would it be? A trial? An execution? It seemed to matter little, Cadrius has been searching for a way to atone for his crimes, one way was just as good as another.

He murmers in a docile voice, a tone that none of the others have ever heard from him before, "Yes sir, I am certain we can find a place for it."

There is a flash of his old rage as the thinks, Your chest would make the perfect sheath, but he shakes his head and falls back into his melancholic lethargy. Killing this one wouldn't do any good, they would only send more and the others would be held responsible for consorting with a criminal and fiend like Cadrius. It would be best to go along with whatever this paladin has in mind.

Yet the man removes the sword from Cadrius grip and begins binding it himself. Odd. What was more disturbing was that he had not announced his intention to either execute or bring Cadrius before the Tribunal for justice. Could he not know Cadrius for who he is? Yet he spoke in a harsh tone earlier. What was his game? Cadrius sighs, he will have to wait for the newcomer to reveal his hand.

[LonePaladin]

The paladin looks at Itches with a smile that is almost -- but not quite -- patronizing. "Yes, I've been following the brutes since earlier this morning, when they broke into my campsite and stole my goods. Been chasing them since." He doesn't seem to have noticed Cadrius's statement, nor the looks that crossed his face. Then again, it's entirely possible that he did notice, but isn't showing it.

He takes a look at the bodies lying around, scanning each in turn. A scowl of disappointment crosses his face as he looks at the last one. "By Vecna's eyepatch, the beasts went and lost my supplies. Probably dropped it in the stream."

With a heavy sigh, and a glance skyward, he spreads his hands. He addresses the group. "I am not inclined to make myself indebted to others, but it appears that I may have to, for the short term at least. All I have to offer is my sword-arm, and my faith, but -- if you'd share your own supplies a bit further -- I will see that each of you makes it to your destination safely."

Smirking, he adds, "Of course, accepting would obligate you to reveal your destination."

[itches]

Scratching his chin, where the faintest signs of stubble can be seen, Itches looks thoughtful for a moment. Then Glances up at the Subdued Cadirus, with his head slumped.

"Well I am more then willing to let you join, but that really would depend on the others here. No offence intended, but I have had some unpleasant experiences with people who just burst out of nowhere. I think this is something we need to discuss on out own."

Grabbing the fallen paladin with on his upper arm, Itches firmly directs him to walk away towards the others. Motioning Shade to come over with his eyes, The Half-elf's face serious for once. As soon as Himself and the Tall Human are out of ear short of "Paladin" Itches speaks in a low voice.

" I may be a fool a lot of the time Cadirus, but even I noticed you tensing up when you saw him. Do you know him? What’s happening? Should we prepare for a fight?"

[Maeko]

Maeko wonders at the new-comer, she realizes how his self- assurance, bordering of arrogance, rubs her companions the wrong way, in fact, since he appeared, she keeps reminding herself that this is a different land, with different habits.

What the nun really was not expecting is Cadrius's reaction, yet, his attitude reminds her of something she cannot quite put her finger on; it is almost as if he knew the 'Paladin'.
Is it a name, a title, or what? He behaves like a samurai of a great house. But, from the stranger's reaction, they have never met before.

It is like he knows WHAT the stranger is, and he is expecting the worst...
Are there ronins in this land?

Itches speaks his mind in a very firm way, if the situation was not so serious it would have been funny to see him almost protective of Cadrius.
When he signals to Shade, Maeko too moves to follow.

[Cadrius]

Cadrius wrenches his eyes away from the ground and allows himself to be guided away by Itches. As the other two draw closer he maintains a bowed head, unwilling to meet the gaze of any of the others. He takes a steadying breath before addressing the others in a defeated, bitter tone.

"As he has not given his name or rank I do not know him personally, but I recognize the medallion he wears," he says carefully covering the pommel of his sword with his hand, "you can trust him. Indeed, you likely have more to fear of me than him. He is a paladin and they are almost always...trustworthy," as he says the last

His eyes remain wretched and his face morose as he gazes down toward the ground with his shoulders remaining slumped. Cadrius awaits a response.

[itches]

Itches looks at Cadirus as he speaks all of this. Not saying anything after the former Paladin finishes speaking, He looks up at Shade, seeking leadership in the matter.

((dont know why i wanted to post this, it is rather pointless, and a hell of a lot shorter then most of the posts, but eh. It felt like the thing to do))

[Maeko]

" Cadrius", says Maeko, softly.

When he looks at her, with the face of a man waiting to hear his doom, she goes on:"I am not sure that is measure to judge on, I am foreigner here, I do not know who these 'paladins' are that you speak of.
I know, though, that many 'trusthworthy' men, in perfectly good faith, have done terrible things 'for the greater good'.

I do not know who you are, and why you look like man staring at his death, right now" She ignores Cadrius' flinching.
"What I know of you is that, without you, we would not have arrived this far, and that I would be proud to call you 'friend'."

How came I ever thought I was detached already from this world of illusion? It will take many lives, yet.

She does not give the others time to speak.

" That said, I would not leave a man here, on his own, without supplies. I say: let him join us, but be careful".

[Gralhruk]

Shade listens with a half-sneer to the man's half-answers and his tale of being robbed by the now dead gnolls. His demeanor does indeed rub her the wrong way, and the marked change in Cadrius further darkens her mood. As usual, Itches doesn't help her rapidly waning patience with his incessant chatter. She scowls faintly at Itches as his eyes roll in an exaggerated fashion, asking her to join them.

Very subtly done.

Never taking her eyes off the newcomer, she walks slowly over to her companions and listens. This time it is the voice of Cadrius that goads her: that tone ill-suited the warrior and it burned her that this stranger could so damage him. Her jaw muscles bulge as she fights to keep her mouth shut. Maeko speaks calmly, reasonably even, and in her heart Shade wants to echo her words. Afraid of what she might say if she starts spouting our her feelings she focuses on the stranger.

"Trustworthy? How do we know he is who you think he is? The man hasn't answered a single question, hasn't even given his name. Let me ask: what was he doing out here in the first place? Where did he come from and where was he going? I don't believe Gnolls came and stole his supplies. They would have attacked him, he's just one person; we've been attacked twice and there are four of us."

She waits briefly for a response and is further infuriated by the relaxed manner of the stranger, standing a short distance off seemingly unperturbed by the whispered discussion. Her eyes drift to Cadrius and she is pained by his dejected posture. He won't even look at them. She crosses her arms and bites her tongue.

What is going on here?

[itches]

Nodding to Shade Itches speaks again.

"Shade is right, he has not given any information about himself, yet Cadirus here recognises him from madalion he wears. The question I ask you, is it his actually his Medallion. Could not have he taken it from his original owner?"

Tuning to face shade, Itches speaks in a slightly firmer voice, if not any louder. And Maeko is correct my friend you have saved my life. That I owe you, " Itches continues with a grin, striking that large man on the shoulder, unfortunately, hitting armour at the same time."

[Cadrius]

Cadrius winces as Itches claps him on his shoulder, but he manages to keep from crying out. Apparently the nobleman had forgotten that he had sustained a serious wound to each shoulder within the past day. He takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly, forcing the fiery pain to slowly ebb.

They are trying to cheer me up. I do not deserve this. He can protect them, he is likely better suited to it and is more deserving of such a task.

Cadrius knows he is right. He simply is not deserving of this sort of trust and comraderie. He had protected them, yes, but this one could save them if the situation arose. It would be best to let this paladin join them and at the first convenient spot Cadrius would slip away. Providing the paladin didn't kill him first.

His gaze still remains fixed on the ground but he clears his throat and speaks again, "No, it is not likely that he is an imposter. His speech, his posture, his manner, his equipment. He is a paladin. I recognize," he swallows a lump in his throat before saying, "his kind. My father was one," his voice falters a bit and he draws in a breath as if to continue, but he shakes his head and remains gazing at the ground dejectedly.

[Gralhruk]

Her eyes narrow to slits as she regards Cadrius, remembering a moonlit night and torchlight on his chain. She is struck then by her earlier observation about his past and his current demeanor. His behavior now was an unnecessary confirmation of his former life.

So, that's how it is.

Unwilling to give up the battle so easily, she continues in her usual fashion. She wouldn't push Cadrius any further about his value than the others already had but she could take a different tack.

"Know his kind? I'll tell you what I see: an arrogant fool who's more like to take a swing at me than my enemies. And stupid enough to have his supplies stolen by a bunch of idiot beasts. I don't think that's the kind of protection I need."

[Cadrius]

Still refusing to look up the former paladin scuffs his foot in the dirt. She did have a point, and he didn't like how he had his gear stolen by the beasts. That didn't seem their style. They were much more likely to have attacked him in the night rather than simply steal. They seemed all too happy to attack when their numbers were equal, why not attack if they outnumbered him four to one or more?

At last he glances up, his head still bowed his eyes meeting Shade's irritated glare. He quickly looks away, unable to withstand the intensity.

"You might be right," he says with a bit of difficulty, "but he is alone and without supplies. We should at least let him accompany us to town. I could use the rest and," he raises an eyebrow showing a bit of his odd humor, "with any luck he will take his fair share of abuse from these monsters."

He smiles wearily, "I could use the rest."

[itches]

"Then are we all agreed? he will tavel with us untill we reach the town. We could use the extra sword - and that is a big sword, did I tell you i have seen one like it before. But we keep an eye on him, trusting him no more then we have to."

Looking around at the others to gage their reactions a wide seemingly mindless grin splits his face, which the somber tone of his voice denies.

"This is something we all need to agree on. One out, all out. Are we agreed that he will come with us?"

[Gralhruk]

Shade relaxes a bit as Cadrius resumes a more normal posture, her scowl turning thoughtful. It seemed she was outnumbered, and truly the newcomer had displayed no ill-intent. Still he was too sure of himself by a half and, as far as she was concerned, not entirely truthful. Of course, the same could be said for her . . .

"Very well. You all seem to agree that he should travel with us; I will accept this judgement. If nothing else, it will be easier to keep an eye on him. But I say this as well: he told us very little of himself and his purpose, and of that even less is plausible."

She scans each of their faces, confident that Maeko and Cadrius will behave accordingly. Her stern gaze lingers a bit longer on Itches; the noble finally shifts uncomfortably under her scrutiny and she is grateful that he knows little about her or Cadrius. He was bound to spill any information he might have, no matter how hard he tried to keep silent. She turns and, giving a final glance at 'Paladin', returns to her search of the dead gnolls.

[Maeko]

Maeko nods at Cadrius'answer.

It is the reasonable thing to do. there is much that had not been said

When Shade leaves, she follows, not saying anything to the waiting man, let it be clear from the start who the leaders are

The nun assist Shade in searching the bodies of the fallen gnolls, composing them the best she can when they are done and chanting softly a repeated phrase in a language unknown to Shade.

Pausing a moment she murmurs to the other woman :
" Shade, if I may, what is a Paladin?'

[Gralhruk]

Shade looks up as Maeko approaches but returns to her work as the nun aids in searching the fallen. This time their search yields up a bag of coin. Pulling the drawstrings, Shade glimpses gold amonst the silver and copper within before thonging it shut and dropping it nearby.

She doesn't answer Maeko's question right away, thinking to herself how best to explain it. She squats on her haunches, curiously observing the monk as she carefully arranges the bodies of the dead.

"A paladin is . . . a warrior, but more than that. They claim to be the chosen of their god, and only the truest of heart are ever raised to that status. They live to combat evil and ensure that the laws of their god are upheld. In return, or perhaps because of their true faith, they have special power against evil things."

She can see the unspoken question flash across her friend's face: if they are so good and true, what have we to fear? She chews her lip, asking herself that same question. Having no idea what the monk might know or guess about Cadrius, she is reluctant to share her own fear.

"Those that follow the righteous path can be judgemental and arrogant. They might take offense to things that are none of their business, or choose justice over mercy. It is hard to be forgiving when you believe yourself to be flawless."

[Maeko]

Maeko nods, thoughtful.
" It is the same in monastery, sometimes." she struggles with the language for a moment, she wants to make her meaning clear.

" At times one can grow to 'love' rules too much, to think that THAT is all wich is needed, forgetting the most important things, forgetting that everybody, no matter how low, has the seed of an Enlightened One in him or her, and that sometimes doing... making mistakes, it is the only way to grow.

We have a saying: 'Before Enlightement cut wood and carry water, after Enlightement cut wood and carry water'.

...But not everybody remembers it".

[Cadrius]

Cadrius nods and clenches his jaw, feeling the anger surge back into his soul. This paladin had caught him off-guard, but no longer. Cadrius was guilty of many things, but he would atone for them in his own way and in his own time. His gaze, once again fierce and proud, shifts over his three companions. If this paladin would seek to take Cadrius, he might be surprised at the resistance.

Yet if he did seek to bring him before the council, could he really decline? Could he fight and kill this one only to have more sent out not only looking for him but his friends as well? No, he couldn't. If this one chose to bring him in, Cadrius would have no choice if for no reason than to protect the others.

He straightens his posture and removes his hand from the hilt of his sword. Things might change once they reached town, but for now Cadrius is still in control. Striding over to the figure he stands before him and meets his gaze. The blood has stopped seeping from between the metal plates of his armor, but he still looks very much the grizzled warrior. As he speaks, strength fills his voice and he meets the newcomer not as something inferior, but as an equal.

"Very well, you may travel with us. We do not have much in the way of supplies so our meals may be light over the next day. However, neither I nor my companions will sleep soundly until you tell us your name and more of your purpose. An explanation as to why you were out in these woods alone would be a good place to start."

[itches]

((After the Edit))

Smiling as the others move off, Itches gives Cadirus another pat on the shoulder, once again missing his wince of pain. Watching As Maeko and Shade work with the bodies, Itches carefully works his way around them until he is next to Paladin and Cadirus, avoiding the bodies every step of the way.

. Opening his mouth to speak Cadirus beats him to it. Listening to what Cadirus has to say, Itches interjects at the end of it.

"That not exactly fair. I mean I haven’t told everyone here my name. Still perhaps if one of us breaks the ice we might get somewhere quicker. Turning to Paladin, Itches extends his hand "Greetings, I am Called Itches, it's not my real name, just the name that I am using out here. You see I’m travailing in secret, and out seeking adventure, so that I will gain enough glory to go home and ask for my Beloved Lily's hand in marriage."

Itches finishes speaking and looks at Paladin, and you are?

[Gralhruk]

Her dark eyes smile at Maeko's story. Shade herself was in no danger of following the rules too strictly, and gods knew she'd made plenty of her own mistakes. Of course, chopping wood and carrying water didn't sound like much fun either, but maybe she'd get into less trouble with those pastimes.

Her spirits rise as she hears Cadrius' voice crack like a whip, requesting more information from the mysterious Paladin. If he had seemed more alive this morning leading the group, he seemed positively charged at the moment. She glances up and behind the veil she smiles more warmly at his bearing and stance; this was the man she knew was hiding beneath his past.

She looks back to the dead and her eyes cloud over. Should this Paladin uncover her own past she could be in for trouble. It seemed unlikely that even Maeko would understand her actions; Itches would certainly be appauled. She wondered how Cadrius' new attitude would effect his opinion of her; after all, he was well aware of at least one of her crimes. It might be best if he didn't associate with the likes of her. Staring mechanically at the reposing corpses she speaks without thinking.

"Why do you bother? With the dead, that is. They would doubtless have desecrated our bodies if things had gone the other way, and as it is others will doubtless disturb these."

[Maeko]

It is Maeko's turn to stop and gather her thoughts:Why indeed? Nobody will gather their bones when the animals have purified them...

Then she speaks, finding her thoughts clearer as she goes on:

" I contributed to cut short their lives, they had no chance to repent. Did they have choices till now? Could they have become something better, even great if they had time?

I do not know, but now they will have to go through another life with the burden of having died trying to commit evil, and I will carry the burden of having contributed to their deaths.

At least I will help them by reciting the Mantras for their souls, and show them the respect due, in death if not in life.

It may shock you, but this is how we treat our dead too: they are exposed, to give back what they have taken in life; then their bones are gathered and entombed".

Maeko stops, she had said much, but her feeling is that it was either too much or too little, even though she wishes deeply that Shade could understand

[Gralhruk]

Did anything shock her anymore? It didn't seem like it. Her mind wrestles with that explanation. Praying for the dead still seemed a waste of time but she wondered if it eased the burden of having killed them.

And how great my own burden, with the deaths that lie on my hands; creatures evil and otherwise?

She looked into Maeko's eyes and saw the almost pleading look there, begging her to understand. Did the monk forgive the creatures, is that what this was about? Shade had never been the most responsible of people, but she wouldn't trade her guilt that way. She had killed; she would live it and she wouldn't let somebody tell her it was alright.

Some of us are entombed even in life.

She looks down and when she looks back there is a profound sadness in her eyes. It is more and more clear that she does not belong with these people. Her debt was great, and she had little enough to give back.

"Will your mantras cleanse their souls of the evil they have done?"

[Maeko]

" I hope they will help them somehow, even though are our choices who decide our fate, and each as to live with theirs".


Will she understand? Or will she mistake it for an easy way out? Will she comprehend that, when I pray for them I fight my instincts who scream they deserved death for what they where, even though they didn't ask to be born that way? That I will live again their deaths every day?

[LonePaladin]

Originally posted by Cadrius
Striding over to the figure he stands before him and meets his gaze. The blood has stopped seeping from between the metal plates of his armor, but he still looks very much the grizzled warrior. As he speaks, strength fills his voice and he meets the newcomer not as something inferior, but as an equal.

"Very well, you may travel with us. We do not have much in the way of supplies so our meals may be light over the next day. However, neither I nor my companions will sleep soundly until you tell us your name and more of your purpose. An explanation as to why you were out in these woods alone would be a good place to start."

The paladin nods. "Fair enough. I'd spent most of my years at the church in Enstad, focusing on my lessons. The usual: swordplay, tactics, riding, and all the teachings of the Battlemaster. Yes, it sounds dry and boring; it was. I started to have my own doubts, but they weren't strong enough to trouble me.

"That's when Hell broke loose." The emphasis on Hell is unmistakable.

"It turned out that one of the senior priests wasn't true to his faith. He certainly seemed valiant enough, so it wasn't noticed until too late. By the time it was discovered that he had turned his faith to Erythnul, he'd managed to convert several others, and was likely to turn the others -- or drive them away.

"I was the one who discovered his secret, without meaning to. I'd caught him performing his devotions in his room. When I confronted him, he threatened to turn me in as a faithless heretic -- and with the power he possessed among the clergy, he was fully capable of doing so.

"I left the church that evening. Heironeous has turned his back on the remaining faithful there, but I believe that he will help me return the church to its rightful patron. Courage and skill-at-arms notwithstanding, it's a task that I cannot perform alone. So I left to seek help.

"That was nine days ago, and the priest had been sending people after me until I fled into the forest. As if that weren't bad enough, I found a pair of gnolls rooting through my supplies this morning. The only reason I didn't catch both of them was because I was... occupied at the time."

He looks everyone else in the group, pointedly making eye-contact. "Thanks to those beasts, all I have left is my blade and my faith, and a mission that may kill me. If you'll trust me no further than you would a common mercenary, so be it. If you would rather I go on my way after all, then I will."

He pauses for a beat. "And, until the church is restored to its proper state of worship, I have no name."

[Cadrius]

Cadrius strokes his chin as the paladin speaks and ignores the rough stubble with might have otherwise irritated him. All in all he was a wretched sight with the blood splattered across his skin and armor. Still, the tale given to him keeps him enthralled.

So He turned his back on yet more people, what a surprise. And by the sound of it, they hadn't even done anything deserving of such desertion. But why? Why was this paladin among them now? Did Heironeous have some sort of sick sense of humor. Does he enjoy torturing Cadrius, forcing him to do good deeds and meet righteous followers? The man thinks it is entirely possible.

"You have no food, or equipment fit for survival, to let you go on your way would be inexcusable. Our offer still stands. You may accompany us to town," he says speaking crisply. Perhaps this one did not know of Cadrius or his crimes. It mattered little, he would take some of the strain off the former paladin should more battle ensue.

But what did he mean when he said he was 'occupied?'

He gives the man another appraising look before at last extending his hand. He might not like who the paladin followed or how he acted, but if they were to travel together there had to at least be courtesy.

Glancing over at Shade and Maeko he attempts to puzzle out their conversation. The bald woman was arranging the dead in their neat positions again. Odd. He smiles grimly, had the gnolls won this one Cadrius doubts they would have granted the same favor.

[LonePaladin]

Cadrius strokes his chin as the paladin speaks and ignores the rough stubble with might have otherwise irritated him. All in all he was a wretched sight with the blood splattered across his skin and armor. Still, the tale given to him keeps him enthralled.

As the paladin relates his tale, his eyes scan the others. He notices the rapt fascination of the nobleman -- apparently, anything that doesn't pertain to court functions, bureaucracy, and rumor fascinate him. The woman called Shade watches him with attentive detachment; it seems that she takes things as she sees them, rather than as they're presented. Fair enough. The others completely ignore him, except for one -- the warrior who called himself Cadrius.

Despite himself, the paladin notices a certain bearing to Cadrius's demand, the way he stands with his hand near his blade, and the subconscious nods and raised eyebrow at certain points of the story.

He once followed the ways of the Valorous, he realizes. But the way he carries himself, and the way he's presenting himself to me, that's changed; somehow, somewhere, his courage broke. What happened? And does he blame me, even if only by proxy?

When he finished his tale, no one seemed taken aback, or offended, or otherwise adverse to his presence. Of course, he may just simply be completely misreading everyone -- the Battlemaster knows, he's never been the best at figuring people out.

"You have no food, or equipment fit for survival, to let you go on your way would be inexcusable. Our offer still stands. You may accompany us to town," he says speaking crisply. He gives the man another appraising look before at last extending his hand.

The paladin steps forward, clasping Cadrius's hand in a warrior's grip, just past the wrist. "Thank you. I do not anticipate more danger on the road ahead, but I swear to remain vigilant. Before we go, I would like a moment, to ask that Heironeous grant us the courage to face whatever awaits us on our journey."

And now, the test. "Will you join me, please? Your presence would honor me, and grant strength to my prayer."

[Gralhruk]

She nods slowly to Maeko, as if she expected no other answer. Still there is confusion in her eyes before she presses them tightly shut, dropping her head. One hand rests lightly on the blood spattered arm of the fallen gnoll.

We must live with the choices we make. What of the choices that are made for us?

It didn't matter. Things were far past any difference a few prayers would make. When her eyes open they are once again the hard, stony things that Maeko is used to seeing.

They waver once, when Paladin asks Cadrius to join him in prayer, but quickly steady and turn flinty. Without looking, her hand reaches back to pluck up the bag of coin as she rises with her customary grace. Without looking at anyone she heads for the woods. Her voice drifts back as the forest swallows her up.

"I'll catch up with you further down the trail; maybe I can determine if this was all of them."

[Maeko]

The nun stands, fighting a sense of inadequacy; face it, Maeko, you have never been good with words.

She turns towards the paladin and Cadrius, just in time to hear the end of their conversation, she vaguely recognize 'Heironeus' as the name of a god of this land.

On hearing the paladin's request Shade falters slightly, then she is quickly off, saying something about rejoining the group later.

Kannon's grace! What is happening here? She might need time alone or might in fact go scouting, but it was almost like she did not want to be here, now; did not want to witness... what?

Her gaze returns to the other three: Itches is following the conversation, entranched, and, for once, silent; the paladin is calmly waiting for an answer, and Cadrius...

[Cadrius]

Cadrius nods as the warrior clasps his wrist and he begins to turn away just as he makes his offer. He blinks in surprise, his mind going into total shock. Was this some sort of joke? A cruel kick from the righteous? Or did he fancy himself one who could convert one of the fallen?

The former paladin's memories turn to a happier time, when he was in love with Kalia and a fledgling member of the Order. He was surrounded by love, both mortal and divine. Goosebumps dance across the flesh of his arms as he remembers what it was like to know that he was right, to know that he was a defender of goodness. Knowing that he was bolstered by two things greater than himself, one a god, the other an ideal. It was a powerful combination and it had left him feeling intoxicated. His eyes remain unfocused as he remains within his reverie. He sighs slightly as a man is often wont to do while reliving a fond memory.

No. He shakes his head and comes back to the present, Cadrius would not be praying to that one any time soon. He had turned his back on Cadrius and Cadrius had no choice but to turn his back on him. He had lost both loves and he would never regain them. The path he treads lead down into darkness, not back into the light.

He speaks softly, almost as if to himself while his eyes glaze over again, "No...no I do not believe I shall be joining you. Your god and I...do not agree," coming back to the world again he says more firmly, "I shall be waiting further along the path when you are ready."

Moving up the path slowly, and lost in thought, the former holy warrior walks in the present while his mind treads in the past.

[Maeko]

Maeko hears bitterness in Cadrius' tone, bitterness and resignation.
Almost like a betrayed lover, she thinks,and his going...is so great a grudge he bears to this god?

She almost moves to follow, but something tells her he would not welcome her presence. She goes back to her gear, instead, putting away the few things she had taken out to tend her wound, experimentally she moves her shoulder good, it is not going rigid, then, water gourd in hand, she approaches the paladin.

"You are welcome to drink, if you are thirsty.
I am called Maeko"

[Gralhruk]

Once she sinks into the dense greenery surrounding the trail, Shade pauses a moment, her eyes automatically scanning the ground. She can still hear the murmur of voices from the group and she picks out Cadrius among them, though she is already too far away to hear his response. Not wanting to dwell on what might be happening there, she concentrates on putting all thought out of her head. Staring at the ground, she becomes aware of a large number of ants scrambling amongst the brush. Most are of a large, red-brown variety but one is smaller and glossy black. The reddish ones seem to be hunting it and, being larger and faster, soon have it surrounded though they are still far enough away that they can't possibly see it.

Fascinated, she watches as they close in, pausing frequently as though scenting their quarry. The small black one seems inevitably doomed as it climbs a small stem. The reddish ones march in and gather together, heading for the hiding place of the small one. The black ant simply shifts slightly, putting the wide leaf between it and the others. They march by, pausing at the base of the stem but unable to see their quarry. As they continue past, the black ant actually bends the stem around, keeping the leafy barrier between it and the others. Once they are gone, the small ant scurries down to the ground and heads off away from the others.

Shaking her head, she smiles to herself. Sometimes it wasn't so bad being unnoticed. Her face grows serious once more as she studies the tracks - both gnoll and human. Ignoring the gnolls for the moment, she starts tracing the route this Paladin must have taken to get to their camp, her face grim.

[LonePaladin]

Water gourd in hand, she approaches the paladin. "You are welcome to drink, if you are thirsty. I am called Maeko."

"Thank you, Maeko. I am--" he begins, abrubtly catching himself. "I am rather thirsty." He takes the proffered bottle and takes a drink from it, careful to avoid drinking more than is polite. Recorking the gourd, he hands it back to her.

"I wanted to say a prayer before we go. I asked the warrior if he would attend me, but he refused." He shakes his head in disappointment. "Would you join me? You don't have to participate -- your presence alone would grant me strength."

He waits only a moment for an answer, then moves to the side of the trail. Dropping to one knee, he bows his head in supplication. "Heironeous, Battlemaster, Lord of Valor, Keeper of the Sacred Blade, your courage is everlasting. We undertake a journey which has already proven dangerous, but you have lent your hand, and we have emerged victorious. But our travels have not yet come to an end, and we may face more trials along the way; watch over us, so that we may arrive safely and continue to face adversity. Bolster the hearts of those who might falter, so that they may witness the fruits of their labors. Clear the way for those who fall back, that they might find the courage to face what troubles them. My life, my honor, my heart, is yours."

With that, he rises and hurries to rejoin the travelers. And, he prays silently, watch over the one whose courage has failed him.

[Maeko]

She bows : " I am honoured, I will gladly assist, even though I do not share your faith".

She stays behind him and slightly to one side as he prays to his god, giving silent praise to Botahara and all the Arahts for their protection.

Their devotions ended, she follows the paladin down the path Cadrius had taken.

[Maeko]

While they walk, Maeko speaks out:" May I ask you a question?".

At the paladin's nod she goes on : "Please, forgive me if it is a stupid one, but I am trying to understand...

I have been told that paladins are god-chosen warriors, " she stops, thinking how to best phrase the question as he nods agreement again.

" Then, when the gods of these lands have a disagreement, what happens? Do their champions battle in a ritual duel, like the Northern tribes? Do their churches fight each other? Or do they go to court?"

" To court?" His surprised tone is not lost on Maeko.

" In my country, when our gods have a quarrel they file a complaint to the Ministry of Celestial Affairs. The case is assigned to a magistrate who investigates the matter, then a court session is held and the Judge decides. Of course," she comments" if one of the involved gods is unhappy with the verdict, he can always appeal to the Jade Emperor, but it is not very common."

[itches]

Listening intently as the to large humans speak, Itches it fascinated by their conversation. However as the talk turns to pray, Itches attention starts to wander. Meandering his was over to the trap that caught him, still staying well away from the corpses. Looking carefully at the trap made of rope; the half-elf draw his dagger and attack it with Gusto. A short time later he stands triumphant over the remains of the trap, with 4 short lengths of Rope. Stowing them in his pack, Itches looks up in time to see the others start to make their way down the trail. Putting his dagger back in his boot, the noble swiftly catches up the pair and walks slightly behind them, head down observing the road before his feet.

((Ah such a large post by Itches. I blame you <Points Out Of Monitor>))

[Gralhruk]

Shade moves along, silent as a mouse, and eventually finds the discarded campsite of Paladin. She observes from a hidden vantage for a short while, listening to the forest around her. All seems normal, and she notes the human's tracks as well as the larger gnoll prints. Her brow furrows as she considers her reasons for trekking all this way; later on, she'd need to hurry to catch up to the others.

Deep down, she didn't really doubt that the stranger had been telling the truth. A quick poke around the remains in the clearing reveal little more than the man had told them. Idly, she retraces her route; for the moment grateful to be far from the others. She finds herself thinking of Maeko and the monk's ritual with the dead. Our own choices decide our fate, the little woman had said.

What choices did I make to find the path that I am now on?

Her decision to seek vengeance on the dwarf was certainly the most recent pivotal event in her life. She had gone back to Driftport, nearly two years after she had fled from the 'justice' at the guild. She had, of course, gone to seek out Ricard. She had vague ideas that ranged from stalking to torture; as weeks passed without spotting him these thoughts turned to hopes of merely locating him.

That was when she'd found Lorrus and he'd whisked her off to a small hole-in-the-wall tavern deep in the thieve's quarter. He'd risen some in the guild, although he remained partially retired these days. He had been both friend and mentor, and after meeting Ricard she hadn't seen much of him. Too busy for him, really, and Ricard was willing to let her push her limits; Lorrus had been a strict taskmaster. Still, he'd been there when the guild wanted her executed and it had been his word that had allowed her exile instead.

He had looked happy then, as they'd joked of old times. Eventually, she brought up the reason for her return and he'd only shrugged. Ricard had been gone for months now, with no word to any. That sounded like him, of course, always out to make his own name.

And then later, drunk and showing off, Lorrus had stumbled into that damned dwarf and botched a pick. He got his death for that, with her only a few blocks away. She got there in time for him to die in her arms and he'd said a few words. She barely heard him through the shock and rather than spill tears she vowed she'd spill blood instead. He hadn't been easy to find but she didn't give up easily, and rivers of it had flowed when she finally caught up with him. It didn't bring Lorrus back, though, and it hadn't filled the void that lived inside her all of the time now. His rotting body lay unburied, with no prayers to follow his soul to the afterlife. She squeezes her eyes shut and shakes her head.

Was it wrong?

[Cadrius]

Cadrius continues to move in a dream-like state. His body moves along the path, his strides lengthening until he is striding up the game trail. Were he less preoccupied he might have noticed that the trail was becoming wider as they drew closer to civilization, or at least more civilization than the forest that presently surrounded them.

His mind however contiunes to dredge up memories of the past. Life as a squire: rising early each morning to bathe and pray to Heironeous for guidence and courage. Learning the basics of combat using wooden swords and shields. The fieldmaster teaching them tactics while commanding troops. Sitting at fake dinner tables practicing proper etiquette when around nobility and other knights.

No memory lasts for more than a few moments as his mind dances along the road of the past. Some are joyous, some are tragic, but all are long gone to the former paladin. They are all from a life he left. Had he a choice? No, not really. He had let his rage take control, and it became his master for a time. He could not have stood before the Order and be stripped of everything. So he chose to flee instead, he had already lost everything that was dearest to him. What was a home anyway? Just a place to rest while you weren't in armor and fighting.

Yet there is a part of him that cries out in frustration at his fall. It was the part that still made demands upon his conscience, the part that still showed compassion for others. He fears that while his god might have turned his back on Cadrius, Cadrius would always retain a bit of him. The thought fills him with both disgust and a more unfamiliar feeling: hope.

He comes to a stop suddenly and looks around. Judging by the heaviness of his breath and the slight burn of the muscles in his legs he had been walking quite quickly and for quite some time. Turning to look down the path he does not see or hear the others.

Perhaps this was his opportunity. They had a more fitting protector now, one who would not, could not, turn on them. One who was still pure. He could simply keep walking and never look back. If he was far enough ahead he could resupply in town and be gone again before they arrived there. He might not have such an opportunity for a long time. They would be safer without him anyway, he didn't want to have to fear that the Order's members would kill or inprison them for merely associating with a criminal like Cadrius.

He glances once more down the path before whispering, "I am sorry, for everything."

The fallen paladin then turns and begins jogging up the path. The only sound that can be heard is his ragged breath and the clank of his armor as the disappears further up the trail and away from his companions.

[LonePaladin]

The paladin shakes his head at Maeko's decriptions. "None of the gods have the patience for such workings, nor would they ever be able to agree on a neutral arbiter. As far as I'm able to tell, they disagree far too often -- if they had to go through all that effort to settle a dispute, the system would break down anyway.

"They tend to avoid battling each other, to my knowledge. Instead, they settle -- or cause, depending on who you favor -- their differences through their followers and faithful. Through divinations, responses to prayer, and omens, they guide the faithful toward acts that please them; sometimes, said actions end up displeasing another, or bringing an opponent down a notch in their pecking order. My guess is that they have a lot of rules for it -- something like a sporting event -- while leaving a lot of leeway for interpretation or new, temporary rules. It would be like watching a bar brawl where no one's allowed to swing anything with less than both hands. Orderly in one respect, chaotic in another."

As he finishes his discussion, he and Maeko catch up with the others. "Where is everyone? It seems that two of your number are missing."

[LonePaladin]

The paladin looks over the others, expecting a response. Maeko, obviously, won't have much input, unless it's a statement about the others' silence. Itches scrapes one toe in circles in the dirt, his expression saying I don't know as clearly as a spoken word. The others are just as mute.

Finally giving up, the paladin sighs. "All right. If they were attending to tasks that required privacy, one of you would've spoken up. One has to assume that they've wandered off, without giving a clue as to their purpose. Since I promised to attend to everyone's safety, I cannot exclude any of you."

He looks around, trying to find signs of the warrior or the tracker. "For now, I'll have to assume that the woman knows what she's doing -- that, and I have no idea where she went. Rather than risk getting lost, I'll try the simple route first. I would appreciate help in the search, but if you wish to decline, please keep yourselves easy to find."

With that, he stalks down the path, watching for signs of either person's passage.

[Cadrius]

Cadrius continues jogging down the path, his breath coming harder and harder. He was in no shape for running but through sheer force of will he pushes himself on. He is determined not to have the others find him for it would be difficult to explain his actions. They wouldn't understand. They'd think he ran away for himself, when he did it to save them, or at least that's what he told himself.

He continues his jog, making steady ground toward what he hopes to be civilization. He slows to a walk occasionally to catch his breath, but it isn't long before he forces his legs to start running again.

Time passes, the sun begins to wane and it is at this time that Cadrius comes skidding to a halt. There is a noise, it sounds like a woman's scream echoing from the woods to his left. He peers at the underbrush, his hand on his sword, and sees what appears to be a faint trail covered by the branches of nearby trees.

He pauses a moment, his heart beating at a frantic pace. He hears it again and he is off, barreling his way through the faint path his sword ringing as it is pulled free from its sheath. The branches clutch and cling to his face as he runs down the narrow path.

Coming around a corner he skids to a stop. There is a narrow clearing, and in it are two gnolls standing with weapons ready. A trap. Cadrius glances over his shoulder as he sees two more move in from the bushes behind him. It wasn't even particularly clever but he had fallen for it like the fool that he was.

Scowling as his hand tightens on the hilt of his large sword Cadrius assesses his situation. Four of them, and he was wounded and tired. It wouldn't be easy, but then again, was anything?

He spins about and swings the bastard sword in a viscous arc leaving one of the gnolls behind him missing the lower half of an arm. The beast howls in pain and drops to the ground as the other three close in on him.

It is then that he notices their weapons. Clubs. He had yet to see any of their kind use a blunt weapon. Odd. Had he more time to ponder it he might have also considered why it was they always traveled in fours. Yet he does not have the luxury and the three launch into their own attacks.

He violently deflects one club with his shield, and parries another with his sword, but the third catches him in the ribs underneath his sword arm. Cadrius grunts in pain as he feels one of the ribs crack underneath the force of the blow.

He screams in defiance, he would not die, not like this. Spinning again he thrusts the end of the blade into the stomach of the gnoll that had struck him. It stares down at the gaping wound and Cadrius gives it a twist with a grim sense of satisfaction. Two more blows come from the remaining gnolls and again Cadrius deflects one with his battered shield. The other, however, strikes him on the side of the face. His head snaps to the side with the force of the blow and a small amount of blood flies from his lips.

He shakes his head, attempting to keep his vision from swimming. He squeezes his eyes shut and opens them again as he makes his attack, yet he is slowing now. The gnolls are tiring him out. Still he finds enough strength to create a brutal cut along one gnoll's throat and ending in its shoulder. The beast sinks into the dirt, its lifesblood seeping out its neck and down its chest.

Once more he is able to deflect the ensuing blow with his shield and once more he is able to land one of his own. Coming in low Cadrius uses the momentum and weight of the blade to lop off the gnoll's leg at the knee. It falls to the ground, writhing in pain and clutching at the bloody stump that was once its leg.

Cadrius can do nothing but stand, his posture slumped, his hand still clutching his sword. His breath comes raggedly, and there is a liquid sound to it. Perhaps one of his lungs has been punctured by a shattered rib. Blood trickles slowly from his mouth and from the wounds he had sustained earlier that had been reopened with the fighting.

There is a snap of a twig and he turns around as quickly as his tired body will allow. There is another quad of gnolls standing before him. However this one seems to be different. There is one in the middle who is much larger, and much more well-armored.

It strides forward and raises its fist all the while it's lip is curled in what might be a sneer or possibly disgust. Cadrius makes a feeble attempt at harming the large gnoll but it bats the blade aside easily with a mailed hand.

Cadrius' head rocks backward as the gnoll delivers a solid punch. The fallen paladin collapses to the dirt and sinks downward into darkness, again. He doesn't even have the pleasure of a last thought before he falls unconscious.

Hours later just before the others are about to make camp for the night, Shade and Maeko simultaneously spot something shining and hanging on the branch of a nearby tree. Upon closer inspection it is a silver necklace with a locket affixed to it. As they ponder where it came from Shade notices that there appears to be a small trail hidden behind the branches.

[itches]

Following along behind Paladin, Itches at last speaks up

" I thought I heard Shade say that she was going to join us further down the track, I don’t know where Cadirus is, he might be scouting the trail."

Falling silent again, Itches continues to walk along, not paying any attention to the area around him.

[Gralhruk]

It is well past midday when she returns to the trail where the dead gnolls keep silent sentry. The others have left and she looks bitterly on the bodies of the fallen, wishing she shared Maeko's peace with these four.

Four.

It had been four the first night they'd been attacked, and four more now. What did it mean? She hadn't lied when she'd told Cadrius they often went in search of slaves but it seemed unusual for them to be attacked a second time when they had proven a difficult catch. She eyed their shields and the barbaric devices there, etched or painted as the case might be. She couldn't read their tongue but the devices looked the same as the former quartet.

The same tribe, then.

It was very curious, but she couldn't decipher the riddle. Shaking her head slowly she puts a little stretch into her stride as she follows her companions up the track. The air is cool and crisp, though not near as cold as it was this morning, but after a short while her rapid pace has her sweating freely. Her brows are furrowed as she read the prints along the trail; she can see all four of her former companions, their passage written for any with the skill to see it.

One set disturbs her, though. She is almost sure it is Cadrius, and from the length of the stride and depth of the impressions he looked to be moving quickly. And ahead of the others. The skin on the back of her neck prickles as thoughts fly crazily through her head like a dark flock of bats. Worried, her stride quickens and soon she is jogging along, a fleet shadow among the green.

[itches]

Looking up from the silence the trio traveled in, Itches spoke "Why are we so solemn? I know what we need a traveling song"

With that Itches began to hum a tune that matched their footsteps, and before long he began to sing in a surprisingly good voice.


Chorus
The road beneath out feet
Travels on and on
Through street after street
We dance anon

Verse 1
I once had a love
Who lived across the way
We blew kisses when we met
Almost every single day

One day I went to her house
Roses in my hand
Knocking on her door
I almost broke and ran

Chorus
The road beneath out feet
Travels on and on
Through street after street
We dance anon

Verse 2
My knees knocked together
As I stood rooted there
Their door began to open
And I set a stare

Flowers forward
My eyes were fixed
“I love you!!”
“With your legs like sticks”

Chorus
The road beneath out feet
Travels on and on
Through street after street
We dance anon

Verse 3
I looked around
She had run
I dropped the flowers
Where it begun

Turning around
As I reached home
I saw a kiss
That had been blown

Chorus
The road beneath out feet
Travels on and on
Through street after street
We dance anon

Tag
I once had a love
Who lived across the way
We blew kisses when we met
Almost every single day

[Maeko]

Maeko approaches Itches speacking in a low voice:

" Meaning no disrespect to your singing talent, do you think it is wise? Other wolf-men could be around".

As Itches open his mouth to reply the two see Shade catching up quickly, the woman's grim espression gives them pause.

It is as if she had seen a kappa hatch from a dragon's egg

With an apologetic glance at Itches, Maeko follows the blue-clad woman deeper into the woods.

[itches]

As the Song Progresses, Itches' voice raises in volume until the song ends in a grand crescendo. ((I think that’s the correct term)) His feeling of pride is short lived as Maeko points out the possibility of other Gnolls about. Turning pale Itches starts to stammer an apology, but is cut of my Shade's sudden appearance.

Giving a small shake of his head Itches speaks to himself softly. "Itches, old chap, when will you learn to keep your mouth shut?" Following along behind the others again, this time Itches remains silent.

[Gralhruk]

The sun is closing in on the horizon when she hears a high voice drifting back from further up the trail. She knows that voice, having heard it scream more than once and prattle incessantly since the moment they'd met. Itches. And now the fool was actually singing as if this was some sort of summer game in his father's wood. As if they hadn't been twice attacked and the young man nearly killed or captured.

Her patience has been short since she made it back to the trail, the dead gnolls having destroyed any calm from her trek through the forest. Two hours of worry over Cadrius hadn't improved her mood; neither had the run she'd needed to catch up with them. She could see them now up the trail, apparently examining something off to the side. She didn't bother hiding her approach and it didn't take them long to spot her.

The aristocrat's voice dies in his throat as he catches the look in her eyes. Without a word she looks at the object of their attention: a bright chain, an amulet suspended from it. Her mind snaps back to the previous evening, Cadrius holding up his torch by the rivers edge, light glinting off of that same chain. She would have known it, even if his tracks hadn't veered off that way.

"He was deeply wounded in the previous battles and I fear that there may be more gnolls close by. Why have you let him scout off on his own?"

She spits this last out as she snatches the amulet from the branch and turns to follow his trail. When she hears the sounds of the others behind her she turns abruptly. Fixing an accusing eye on Itches, she holds up a hand.

"Let us follow quickly but as quietly as our speed allows. That means no singing!"

[LonePaladin]

The quartet moves quickly down the side-trail, not quite breaking into a run. The only sound is the slight rattling of the paladin's armor, and everyone's labored breathing; even Itches is struck silent by the revelation.

Several paces into the woods, the groups skids to a halt; something is blocking the path ahead. Something humanoid -- but in the darkening gloom, it is difficult to make out any detail without getting closer.

Already having seen evidence of one trap by the dog-men, the paladin's suspicions rise to the fore. Holding up a hand, he whispers, "Hold for a moment. Let me See." Somehow, the emphasis on the last word implies a form of vision that is not mundane.

Stepping ahead of the group slightly, he focuses his concentration on his inner senses, his spirituality, his courage. Reaching the core of his being, he brings it to the fore, letting it show him things he could not otherwise see. As it rises, his vision is clouded by a black and red haze, obscuring nearly everything while still letting him see.

Evil, he thinks. Something is ahead, but where is it? He focuses his attention more, watching as the haze begins to coalesce. After a moment, the red haze resolves itself in five areas -- one on the path, and two to either side. One to the left is stronger than the others; so strong that it nearly obscures the others.

Blinking to return his vision to normal, he slowly steps back to the others. "There's one being in the path -- alive, but weak. There are two others on either side, and I think they're planning an ambush. The one in the path may be bait for a trap. Watch yourselves." At the others' nod, he begins making his way forward, keeping one hand on the hilt of his claymore.

Finally, the group gets close enough to the central figure to make it out in the dying sunlight. A human, dark-haired and battered to unconsciousness, tied to a tree with his arms above his head. Despite the bruises and misaligned jaw, there's no mistaking the face: Cadrius.

No more time is granted to dwell on this, however, as four more beast-men break out of the trees, howling war-cries. One of them is significantly larger than the others, wearing heavy armor and wielding a double-headed flail. The others are much like the ones they fought earlier, except that they are wielding clubs fashioned from tree-branches or fallen timber.

With a fierce battle-cry, the paladin gives his two-handed sword a twist. The rings and loops holding it to his back drop free of the blade, and he has it at the ready just as the gnoll's flail comes whistling at his head. He just manages to bring the sword up to block the spiked ball, but cannot swing the weapon around fast enough to prevent the other end from catching him across the shin. The ball clangs against the metal greave, but the weapon doesn't immediately come loose; as the gnoll wrenches the flail around, blood is seen on the spikes of one end.

The paladin quickly backpedals, taking a ferocious swipe at the gnoll's legs as he yells, "One of you -- get the warrior loose, and give him a weapon! I need a moment to help him, or we'll surely perish!"

[itches]

Itches looks up in puzzlement as Paladin speaks of "seeing". About to ask question he catches a look from shade and Quickly shuts his mouth again.

Then without warning everything happens at once. More of the dogmen jump out of the bushes and attack, Paladin charges forward into battle. Caught in Panic Itches freezes on the stop, unsure what to do in the sudden battle

"One of you -- get the warrior loose, and give him a weapon! I need a moment to help him, or we'll surely perish!"

Hearing the command, the half-elf find he can move again. Relived to be of some help, without having to fight he makes his way darting across the battlefield to where Cadirus is tied up.

Those weapons, they want to capture us, not kill. Why?

Reaching where the man is tied up, the Aristocrat reaches out to shake the former paladin awake. As his hands touch where Cadirus was, before his very eyes the image wavers and turns to mist.

What the??!!

Turing around to see his companions in battle, Itches almost screams at them "It Inst Him!! It was An Illusion"

[Maeko]

As she is moving towards the big gnoll, Maeko hears Itches' warning.

Trap! And they want prisoners... it could work to our advantage.

As soon as she is in range, Maeko leaps and kicks the big one, catching him on the side of the head; the man-wolf roars and swings his weapon, trying to crush this nuisance.

Maeko feels the impact He must have brocken bone, she tries to roll with the blow and barely succeeds, landing on her feet on the same side she arrived; her right arm dangles, uselees from her shoulder.

OOC 6 hp to the gnoll, but Maeko got 10 (and now is down to 17).

[Cadrius]

One of the other gnolls bursts from its hiding spot in the bushes and joins the fray. Swinging a rather unpleasant looking club it runs up behind the wounded monk swinging. Maeko senses the blow just before it happens and manages to roll slightly with the attack.

((OOC: G1 moves and attacks, Maeko takes 6 subdual damage))

[Gralhruk]

She eyes the paladin's back as he concentrates on the trail ahead, feeling uncomfortable in his presence. Unconsciously she wonders if he feels the same way. She knew that one of his stature could feel evil the same way she could feel the heat of the sun, and briefly her mind goes back to the dark forest where she began this trek. Would such a place blind him?

What is it that he sees?

Her heart drops as she sees Cadrius; he looks like death itself and for a moment her strength flees her as she fears the worst. The words of Paladin come back to her -alive but weak- and her hopes rise once again. Itches has already foolishly charged forward, despite the possibility of a trap. Paladin is moving forward as well when the trap is sprung.

As if it could be anything but, and yet the men charge blindly forward. Some things never do change.

Maeko leaps past her to aid Paladin just as Itches touches Cadrius and he abruptly disappears. Her mind screams as his image fades; was he still alive somewhere? She needed to know. Rushing forward in Maeko's wake, she can almost feel the shock of the blow as the club slams into her friend. Angling to flank the beast, her twin swords flash as they spring silently out from her sheathes. She aims a savage cut at the club wielder and is rewarded with the feel of her steel biting into flesh and bone.

<OOC: 10 damage to G1.>

[Cadrius]

Two more gnolls burst from their hiding places each one moving off to acquire a new target: one to Shade, one to Itches. They snarl and snap at their opponents as a bits of froth and spittle fly from their lips.

The one facing Shade displays a rather remarkable amount of skill wielding its club as it catches her in the side, knocking the wind from her.

Itches fares little better as he is struck in the forearm by the club.

((OOC: 5 subdual to Shade, 4 to Itches))

[Cadrius]

Unaware of the battle raging in the woods Cadrius slowly opens his eyes and is greeted by the same darkness that he had sunk into previously. What time was it? Where was he? He can't answer these questions. What had happened to him? It felt like he had been knocked into next week.

He tries to prop himself up but quickly finds his arms and legs bound. The knots in the rope dig cruelly into his flesh as he attempts to struggle into an upright position. A rock wall. He feels the stone behind him. Was he in a cave? A dungeon?

Reaching up to touch his jaw he winces and cries out. Pain shoots through him and tears roll down his cheeks. It was broken or badly dislocated. A memory flashes, a giant gnoll smashing its mailed fist into his face. The rest comes back together in a rush. He had come barreling down the path like the idiot that he was and he had been ambushed.

But why wasn't he dead? Or was he? No, he didn't think so. Death wasn't supposed to be like this.

It is then that Cadrius realizes he isn't alone. He hears some similar ragged breathing somewhere in the darkness nearby. Was it another gnoll to finish the job? A monster? Another captive?

"Who's there," he manages to ask, the words barely being able to be formed around his wounded jaw.

[LonePaladin]

"It isn't him! It was an illusion!"

"Damn it!" the paladin growls as he brings his sword up over his head, intent on the armor-clad gnoll before him. As he brings his sword down, his foe begins twirling one end of the double-headed flail to intercept it, and the other gnoll sees his opening. Crouching low, it pulls its arm back to strike at the paladin's wounded knee.

It sees the massive blade swinging for its face a moment too late.

Ignoring the cry of pain and the splashing of blood and tissue from the lesser gnoll, the paladin brings the claymore up from the gnoll's head, driving it into the warrior's belly. The blade cuts deep, leaving a mortal wound and catching in the beast's ribcage.

As he strains to pull the sword free, the paladin yells, "Be careful over there! Whatever placed that illusion may still be nearby!" His temporary lapse in attention is rewarded by another strike to his already wounded leg -- this time, the spiked ball pulls the armored plate clean off his leg, taking a swath of hide with it.

[[OOC: First roll is 18+6=24, doing 15 damage to G1, after modifying by +/-2 for Power Attack; second roll is 16+6=22, doing 17 damage to WG -- Cleave follow-up. Don't have enemy numbers available, but I figure that the first dies, the second's badly hurt. Its counterattack, after Maeko acts, hits with a base roll of 15 (I assume its attack bonus is at least +2), for 10 points of damage -- ouch!]]

[Cadogan Trahem]

"You're voice sounds familiar.." Comes the reply to Cadrius' question. "It's been so long since I heard it.. a pitty I cant see who you are." Cadogan says out of the darkness. "'Tis a pitty I didn't study the arts further, I could have had us out by now had they not bound my hands. You do know that the elves have many means of casting magicks? Extraordinary!" The typical Cadogan way he sounds full of joy despite the situation.

"Oh. Sorry, I seem to be forgetful of where we are. Its a cave, my ears tell me this much. Can you see?" The Mage asks the fellow captive across from him.

[Cadrius]

Cadrius strains his eyes in the total darkness of the cave. So it was a fellow captive, and his voice did sound familiar, but from where? It is too dark to see though. Phantasmal shadows dance across his vision, but he thinks he can see a similarly slumped form several feet away.

"No," he chokes out, his jaw sending jolting pain through him, "I cannot."

Yet who was this person with him? He seemed familiar certainly. Could it have been one of those from that border town? Back before this journey started, when Cadrius thought he might find a quiet death as a guard, he could have met this one there. He had certainly met quite a few odd characters in that town during his short stay.

It wasn't Whonan, and it didn't sound like the man who wore purple pants. Who could it be? Certainly not the halfling, and the dwarf was dead. Could it be the blind one? He hadn't spoken much to him, but indeed it could. It might explain why he asked if Cadrius could see.

He feels the blood drying on his face and his vision swims again. Gods, he had taken a beating in the past day. What time was it, anyway?

"Can you," he pauses, the pain making speaking a monumental undertaking, "get free?"

[Cadogan Trahem]

"I could try something." Comes the reply, "I dared not try it before for fear of being found trying to escape - and consequently ending my little adventure." He explains. There is a long pause and Cadrius thinks the person working his bindings or some other devious trick.

"It might be dangerious, I'm unarmed, but my arts could compensate... somewhat. If you wish I will attempt to escape, but be ready." There is more silence as Cadogan finishes whispering across the room. Cadrius thinks the words that follow are strained or in pain, they seem inhuman, could it be his mind?

Suddenly the cave lights up for a split second, as the a thin sheet of flame shoots from bound hands against a stone wall and back against the instigator of the spell.

Cadogan Squirms in pain as his own magical flames burn his hands - but hopefully it would be be burning his binds as well and the price was worth it. Quickly the light disappears, and Cadogan lets out a yelp of pain from the burns. However the burning embers of badly scortched rope still shine through the room.

And Cadogan uses all his might to break the rope, the mage finding it painful as his new burns rub against the binding slowly cracking it untill finally his hands are free.

"Never ask me to do that again!" Cadogan whispers across the room, "It's done. Hold on!"

Cadogan crawls across the floor in haste, his legs still bound. He feels around in the soil, finding Cadrius' leg and working his way up to the shoulders, then down to the elbows and finally to his bound hands.

"This might be tricky..." Cadogan explains as he feels the hemp rope and begins to try to work it loose.

(Cadogan takes 6 damage)

[Cadrius]

Cadrius winces as there is a sudden burst of flame. Shutting his eyes to the blinding light, he listens carefully as the man yelps in pain and then slowly works his way out of his bonds. No matter who it is, he's resourceful. As he opens his eyes again he can see the faintly glowing cinders on the floor of the cave. After the immersion in darkness they seem as bright as a campfire.

"Right," he says in response to never asking the man to burn himself again. Cadrius flexes and relaxes his arms and wrists, attempting to aid in the loosening process.

But where were they? Would it matter if they were freed only to find themselves lost in some underground complex? And if they were to find their way out, wouldn't there be more than just a few gnolls to stand in their way? He sighs, it mattered little now. He could not let the man go ahead on his own. Especially after burning himself so.

He waits patiently as the man attempts to further undo the knots.

[itches]

Turing away from the mist that once was Cadirus, Itches screams a warning to the others. Then a shadow falls across him. Turning slowly he looks up to see one of the Dogman standing over him, its yellow eyes wide. His mind flashing back towards the night he first faced them, Itches once again freezes in terror.

Seeing an easy target before him, the Gnoll gives an evil leer and swipes. Surprising even himself, Itches ducks, and raises his arms above his head. Feeling the blow bounce of it, and his arm going numb, the Half-Elf gives a terror filled scream, and bolts - directly into the still leering Gnoll. Un-expecting the sudden charge, the Gnoll stumbles backwards, and losses his footing. By pure chance the dog-like-creature falls towards the tree, where the image of Cadirus had been placed. Its head bouncing off it, it lands in an unconscious state on the floor.

All of which Itches never views, having been render out-cold after slamming head first into the creatures armour, and now lay barely 5ft away from his opponent.

((Don’t even try working out the rolls for this one, it was pure story telling. And Itches has not once soiled himself. . . well okay maybe that one time, but you should of seen the size of that goblin))

[Maeko]

Maeko tucks her useless right arm into her sash, the gnoll smirks, smelling the kill, while the monk, instead of running, executes an 'iron fan ' attack with her left hand, tacking the beast at the throath.

The gnoll moves forward one step, then his knees bend and he collapses, dead.

9 hp to the gnoll :)

[Gralhruk]

A vicious swipe from Paladin drops Shade's foe in a spray of blood, while the armored fighter uses this momentum to launch a devastating strike on what can only be the leader of this small group. He scores a telling blow although his enemy manages a strike of his own in return. Unfortunately, the thing makes the mistake of overlooking Maeko as a possible threat. She disabuses him of this notion with a wicked strike to the throat; it's eyes bulge as it sinks to the ground, dead.

From the corner of her eye she spots Itches' blurred form as he charges into a gnoll; the ground vibrates slightly as the two crash into a tree and both fall senseless. Focused on the lone remaining enemy, she ducks and weaves looking for an opening, although in a one on one fight the beast manages to keep a tight guard.

She dives and tumbles to put the beast between her and her companions, although they are still far enough away that the gnoll keeps his attention soley on her. As she springs up from her crouch, she drops the point of her left sword as though off balance and is rewarded when the gnoll rushes into the opening. She spins, gracefully avoiding the blow and lands a solid blow on it's extended arm, only partially blocked by the thing's armor.

<OOC: 7 damge to remaining gnoll.>

[LonePaladin]

The paladin turns toward Maeko, letting one hand loose from his sword. "Nice kick." Just as he's about to say more, the sound of Itches screaming in terror reaches his ears. He whirls around, facing the source of the sound. "Help Shade and finish that one. I'll be busy over there."

He rushes to the post, only to see the two combatants lying on the ground, motionless. He quickly checks the minstrel for signs of life; his arm is bleeding badly, but otherwise he seems all right. The paladin drops to a crouch next to Itches, placing his free hand on the injury. For a moment, everything around them seems to be completely still -- and, when the paladin removes his hand, the bleeding has stopped, though the wound is far from healed.

"Right," he says, looking at the unconscious gnoll. "Time for some answers."

[[Laying on hands: 1 point of healing for Itches, enough to stabilize him just in case.]]

[Cadrius]

Realizing that its odds were rapidly becoming stacked in its favor the remaining gnoll forgoes all defense and bolts for the bushes. Shade lashes out with her short sword, but only succeeds in slicing the air where the gnoll's neck had been a second earlier.

It bolts into the bushes sprinting as fast as it can.

[Gralhruk]

Her heart pounding with anger and fear, Shade swings wildly as the gnoll rushes off. Her hands clench momentarily on her blades and she takes a few strides after it before stopping. A fraction of a second later she turns her head and spits into the ground.

Let it go. There are more important things to tend to.

Her eyes burning, she can see Paladin hunched over Itches and the unconscious gnoll. She grinds her teeth at the clear trail beyond them: it was obvious that something had been dragged from this spot. Without a glance at Maeko behind her she starts jogging toward the others. Paladin looks up at her but she continues on by without stopping, eyes fixed on the trail in front of her.

Enemies of mine: beware.

[LonePaladin]

The paladin looks up as Shade rushes past, keeping her eyes on the ground but still alert to her surroundings. "Don't go too far," he calls out. "There may be more waiting, and we don't need another ambush right now."

He looks over the unconscious gnoll. Somehow, the minstrel managed to drive the beast into the pole, knocking it out cold. He casts around the area, hoping one of them had some manacles, or some rope. Finding none, he thinks back to his ransacked campsite. I HAD some rope there, he thinks ruefully, but those cowards had to tear it up, didn't they?

Finally giving up in his search, he decides to wait for the thing to wake up on its own. He's not sure if Itches should be moved, and he'll be damned if he'll risk the beast waking up first.

[Cadogan Trahem]

Back in the darkness, Cadogan works the bindings which hold Cadrius in place. The man lays prone and helps as best he can. The mage stops and Cadrius feels uneasy finally he continues to work the bindings finally freeing Cadrius from the restrictions of hemp rope around his wrists.

Cadogan immediately helps the man sit up.

"I guess you can do the rest yourself?" Cadogan asks the rhetoric question throught the darkness at a whisper. He himself is already working the bindings on his own legs.

"We mustn't leave right away, I need to find my equipment. Its very important that I do." He whispers to Cadrius as he grunts, the hemp rope rubbing hard against his exposed shins.

[Maeko]

Maeko holds back a grimace, rummaging left-handed through her pack until she finds the healing potion.

She unstoppers it with her teeth and drinks, steeling herself for the unsettling sensation of bone knitting together and tendons rejoining. (heal 9hp).

Then she approaches Itches and, not trusting to shake him, calls him softly.

[itches]

Once again Itches finds himself in the blackness.

Idle thoughts cross his mind

Where is this?

who am I?

I? I Am!

If I am, What is not?

His Musings are interrupted as a white figure drifts into his view.

I Know you

The figure replies.

Yes my Love, as I know you.

Your Lily

Yes I am, but we must speak, as I cannot tarry here for long.

Here we have all the time in the world

No we don’t. Here you will die if you continue to return. If you continue to attempting to escape here.

I want to be here your here

I know my love, but there is need for you elsewhere.

I don’t want to go

The Spectre smiles.

Yet you must. It is time for you to wake up.

Reaching out she touches his face with one pale hand and speaks his name.

Itches

The sound of her speaking his name echoes and fades into another voice. Opening his eyes, Itches looks up to see Maeko standing above him. Groaning as he stands up he looks around him.

"What happened? Last thing I remember, Cadirus was tied up by the tree."

[Gralhruk]

"Don't go too far," paladin calls after her, "There may be more waiting, and we don't need another ambush right now."

She doesn't bother replying, saving her breath for what is to come. Her mouth twists bitterly, wondering how much time she has; certainly none to waste. How far would she go?

As far as I need to.

Shade follows the clear trail swiftly, the heat of her rage pushing her tired body on. She loses track of time but gradually the way inclines and the terrain becomes rockier but the signs burn bright as a smith's forge; her quarry was getting closer. She slows her pace, then, and slides warily from shadow to shadow, her cooling anger now hardening to icy resolve. It would serve no purpose to be killed or captured before she found him.

And then it is there, where the trail bends by a large rock outcrop, a dark mouth yawning wide. She freezes and resists the urge to rush forward. If this was the place she was looking for, there were bound to be guards. She waits, motionless, for what seems like an eternity. Just as she is about to creep forward, she spies a movement off the the left of the entrance. A single gnoll loiters in the shadows. She waits a while longer but no other presence is revealed to her.

The rage comes flooding back as this tangible target presents itself and she slides throught the shadows like a black wind; circling away from the beast, behind the outcrop, and then she is behind it, eyes boring into it's muscled back. Time slows as she moves forward, dreamlike, and her world shrinks to a narrow strip of flesh between helmet and backplate.

Left. Her fingers twine around the hilts of her twin swords. Right. Muscles tense and a sliver of steel appears between hilt and sheath. Left. The blades emerge like a deadly pair of razor sharp wings. Right. Her arms twine sinuosly as the blades move into line. Left. The beasts ear twitches and it's head begins to turn. Right. A glittering arc of steel whips down and whispers Death as it slices through muscle and bone.

Time resumes its normal flow as blood gouts in the wake of her blade. The gnoll, already turning, continues it's spin even in death. Her trailing blade rings loudly off the edge of it's metallic shield as it crashes into the ground, both noises obscenely loud in the sudden silence.

[Maeko]

" You.." Maeko smiles at her friend's face, from his expression Itches is expecting to hear of another disaster, "...succeded in capturing Gnoll" she nods towards the still crumpled form.

" Although Shade went on her own, following some trail" she adds, serious, " I will follow her, I am afraid she will need help".

[itches]

"I what?" Itches asks looking quizzically at Maeko. With a small smile the Nun nods behind him. Twisting around, he discovered, to his no small horror, that he is sitting directly next to body of one of the Dog-men. Giving a small squeak, the half-elf, jumps to his feet and scrambles to put some distance between him and the Gnoll.

Eyeing to still breathing creature wearily, The Nobel nods as Maeko comments on her plan to follow after Shade. Without taking his eyes of the beast, he says.

"Yeah we should go check that out, do you mind if I come along?"

[LonePaladin]

"You.. succeeded in capturing Gnoll."

"I what?"

"Although Shade went on her own, following some trail, I will follow her, I am afraid she will need help."

"Yeah we should go check that out, do you mind if I come along?"

At that, the paladin stands. "Look, we're all going. We've already left her alone too long, and she's likely to have been caught in--"

A ringing sound, of steel on steel, halts his words. With a snarl of frustration and a muttered curse, the paladin brings the blade of his sword down upon the unconscious gnoll's neck. Its head, now forcibly separated from its neck, rolls down the path several feet.

Ignoring the gout of blood, and Itches' rapidly paling face, he grabs the nobleman by the arm, careful to avoid the wound he so recently mended. "Come on, both of you!" He takes off in the direction Shade went, at a fast walk.

[Gralhruk]

She drops down and ducks behind a low bush, her heart pounding. Even as the echoes fade away her ears are straining to hear any sounds of pursuit, wondering if there were others close enough to hear, smart enough to realize what happened. Fear grips her as she stares at the dark hole in the ground and she squeezes her eyes shut.

What if there are more down there? You are no match for a few of them; they'll kill you for sure.

Her heart slams into her sternum, her breathing is so loud in her own ears that it drowns out all else. The stench of the mutilated gnoll beside her is enough to make her gag, and when she finally opens her eyes she is starting right into it's dead yellow orbs. Her mind drifts to Maeko, who would doubtless be arranging the corpse even now were she here. Somehow she doesn't think the little monk would let fear stop her. Hardening her resolve, she slips from the brush and into the dark tunnel.

Please be here, please be alive.

[Cadrius]

Equipment? Cadrius just wants to get the hell out of the cave, the sooner, the better. Yet the man might have a point. There would be more gnolls between them and the exit, there is no doubt about that and if they wanted to get out alive they would need some protection. Besides, Cadrius wasn't leaving without his sword.

His hand flies up to his neck, checking for the silver necklace that he knows should be there. Nothing. His heart sinks and he closes his eyes for a moment. They had taken it, did that surprise him? It shouldn't. He was lucky to be alive, but why? Why was he a prisoner here? Those were questions he needs answers to.

"Fine," he says through clenched teeth, "let us go."

[Maeko]

The trio goes on at a fast walk, Maeko was expecting the Paladin to slow down after a while but he goes on relentlessy.

Must have trained long and hard to be able to keep this pace with all the metal he is carring.
...strange how people in these lands behave like turtles do, trusting hard shell to protect them from enemies. Tuned over turtle is defenceless, cunning enemy can use heavy armor to his advantage.

She has abandoned every pretence of 'rice-paper walking' it felt silly to try to be silent while Lone Paladin went crashing through the bushes chocking the trail.

And if enemies are fighting Shade, the sound of people coming may distract them

or give them time to prepare...

[itches]

Itches Follows along behind Paladin and Maeko.


<Insert Non-Descript Post Here>

[LonePaladin]

The trio crashes through the branches and underbrush, no longer concerned about the noise they might make; if there were an ambush, it would have been triggered by the attack. The paladin, slowed slightly by his armor, sets the pace; Maeko has no trouble keeping up, but Itches -- unused to running for very long -- labors slightly to keep with the group.

Some protector I turned out to be, the paladin thinks as they race over a brook, the moment I vow to protect them, one runs off on his own, and another gets into trouble trying to find him. We have to find the warrior, no matter what; something tells me he needs my help in more than just this attack.

After several minutes, the group skids to a halt. A clearing at the base of a hill is punctuated by a rough-hewn tunnel, leading underground. The body of a gnoll, neck slashed open, still leaks blood into the grass nearby.

"Shade must have come this way. Be on your guard when we go in. There's no telling what sort of trouble she's in right now. Let's just hope that she's on the trail that leads to the warrior... and that she's left some signs that we can read along the way."

Wishing he had a torch or a lantern, he leads the descent into darkness.

[Cadogan Trahem]

Cadogan unties his feet and hears as figure near him does so also. He stands and feels around finding the wall rather easily. Obviously a master of darkness he waits and listens, hearing nothing he turns to Cadrius.

"Ok, lets move." He grasps Cadrius by the upper arm and half leads half drags the stumbling man behind him down the tunnel at a half trot. Soon he stops and remains silent.

[itches]

Looking at the Gnolls throught, slashed wide open, Itches gives a shudder.

"Yep that looks like shades work."

Giving another small shudder he moves to the opening of the cave. Peering into the gloom, he turns back to the others as Paladin moves in.

"I dont supose any of you happens to have a torch on you?"

[Cadrius]

Darkness and pain envelop Cadrius, and it seemed that more and more his life was made up of those two things. However the grasp upon his upper arm keeps him from sinking down into the depths of both and he struggles on. Each step sends a jolt of pain through his battered body.

He comes to a stop suddenly. Cadrius waits a moment for an explanation before whispering, "What is it?"

Cadrius shrugs and waits a moment, the darkness forming illusionary monsters and forms before fading away into nothing again. Yet he tilts his head to the side, was that a faint bit of light coming from the floor? Reaching out his trembling hand makes contact with something wooden. Guiding his hand around he finds a knob. Is this what it's like to be blind? Cadrius would rather not know.

"It is a door," he says in the same hushed tone, partially for stealth, partially to spare his injured jaw.

[Cadogan Trahem]

Cadogan stands still and he hears Cadrius touching the wood and knob of the door.

"A Door? In a Cave?" He mutters into the air. Thoughts race through his mind, you don't find doors inside caves. The Mines! He was still inside the blasted Mines! He verbally growls.

"I'm still in the blasted mines!" He whispers harshly. "Captured! Contained! All within the damned mines!" He reaches out along Cadrius arm as a guide, towards the cold brass knob.

"Only one way out." He whispers and turns the knob, click. The Door was locked, or jammed. He knew the man next to him knew also.

"Maybe we can find something to pry it open with?" he questions, more to himself then to Cadrius and he moves around the rest of the room, leaving Cadrius near the door.

[Gralhruk]

Shade sticks to the shadows, her senses sharpened to hair trigger alerness. She can still see, although barely, due to the light from the mouth of the tunnel. The air in the tunnel is thick and full of dust and the cloying odor of decay, even more chill than the sharp air outside. She clenches her teeth against an urge to shiver and slides forward one step at a time, concentrating on keeping her movements silent and fluid.

Up ahead, the passage ends and her hands tell her it is a jumbled wall of tumbled stone. From the spiderwebs she determines that this collapse must have occurred some time ago. Her searching hands feel out newer stonework, in sharp contrast to the rough walls of the earlier tunnel. She feels her way along damp stone until her fingers touch heavy wood. Those searching fingers slide down and over until they contact a heavy bar. Wrapping her fingers carefully around it, she puts a little upward pressure on the heavy timber. It doesn't budge and she shifts her feet, flexes her knees, and gradually stands until her legs encounter the weight of the bar. It sticks and she strains silently until it pops free with a small crack that sounds loud as an avalanche in her ears.

Struggling with the unwieldy length of timber she sets one end down with a muffled thud and carefully lowers it to the ground. She presses an ear against rough wood and listens carefully before trying the handle. Locked. One hand carefully eases two small metal rods from one of her bracers. In the darkness, she carefully feels for the keyhole and gently inserts her picks. Thirty seconds later the lock gives a sharp click as it gives way before her skill. Her hands are shaking when she returns the picks to their customary place; if there was anything on the other side of this door it had to know she was here.

[Maeko]

Maeko surveys the surroundings with no evident emotion, she is very still, appearing almost lost in thought.

On hearing Itches' question she cocks her head slightly sideways, looking a bit like a curious owl.

" Torch? I have lantern, and oil".

In a few moment she produces a bull's eye lantern and an ampoule and proceeds to deftly lighting it.

[Cadrius]

As the man goes on about still being trapped in the mines Cadrius keeps his hand on the knob. Jammed? That couldn't be right, could it? How could it be jammed if they had found their way in here? He tests the knob and finds that it does not give whatsoever.

"Are you certain? It feels more like it is locked."

Stumbling around the cave Cadrius uses his hands and feet as his sensory guides. There seemed to be little of interest. The walls were roughly hewn from the stone. It had been a mine, but he wonders how often the gnolls use it as such.

He bites his lip as he stumbles over something. Reaching down he finds it was a fist-shaped rock. It wasn't subtle and it certainly wasn't efficient but it might do the trick. Either way they weren't going to get by the door without making a racket and he'd prefer using a rock over his shoulder.

"Find anything?"

[itches]

AS Maeko lights the lantern, Itches glances back and forth between the dead Gnoll and the Cave opening. As soon as it is lighted, he steps forward and takes it from her.

"I think maybe I should take this. I ... I know I’m not as good a fighter you ... most time I’m just in the way. At least if I’m helping lighting the way, I’m helping and you can still fight.

Taking a deep breath, and turning abruptly, Itches sets his eyes on the cave opening and marches in.

[Maeko]

" I am grateful for the enlightenment you bring, my brother".

Maeko bows to Itches' back, and although she seems to refer just to the lamp, all of a sudden you all cannot shake the sensation that something deeper was implied.

If only my karma allowed me to be a light-bearer, and not a fighter....
And what if this one's karma is just that? Illuminate the Way, so that others would not stumble...

Shaking herself from her thoughts, Maeko follows the young noble into the cave.

[LonePaladin]

[[OOC: NPC'ing for Shade for a moment, to keep her ahead of the others]]

Shade feels her way down the tunnel, relying on other senses than sight to guide her: the feel of rock shifting under her boots; the rough-hewn wall at her left, using her hand to keep place; the sound of dripping water, somewhere ahead; the smell of cut rock, slightly tinged with copper, and a faint hint of stagnant water, somewhere ahead. One other scent reaches her awareness; it is faint, but unmistakable to her: the smell of habitation.

More gnolls, she thinks. Let them come, and see what awaits them in the dark.

After a few minutes of this -- unsure of how far she has traveled -- her boot splashes into the water she smelled. She freezes, letting the water settle again and waiting for signs that something heard. She waits twenty, forty, sixty heartbeats, but nothing happens in response. Moving very carefully, she follows the tunnel through the water, wincing as it rises up to her waist. Finally the tunnel levels out again on dry rock.

Just as she makes her way around another corner, a sound rings through the passage, freezing her in her tracks. A sharp bang of something being struck -- it's difficult to tell, but it sounds like something made of wood. Letting her fury rise to the fore, she waits for another sound, or a tell-tale scent.

[Cadogan Trahem]

Cadogan feels around the cave finding nothing but rocks also. Then he finds a stick, no not a stick, more like a club. A Heavy club! He lifts it off the ground and it makes a clanging sound.

"I think I have a spade..." He whispers to Cadrius. His suspicions are confirmed when he reaches down the pool and finds a flat, cold steel blade.

"Maybe we can pry the door with it? Like a crow bar." He comments, making his way back towards the door and nearly running into Cadrius along the way.

[Cadrius]

Cadrius nods wearily in the almost total darkness. A rock and a spade, not the best tools for escape, but it could be worse, a lot worse. He lends his strength to the other man as they wedge the spade inbetween the door and the wall, attempting to pry the lock loose. Cadrius pounds on the end of the spade with the rock a couple of times in order to drive it deeper but they cannot make much headway.

"Again," he murmers as they both heave their weight and strength to the task. Tendons stand out along Cadrius's battered arms and neck. There is a slight squeak and then a sudden and sharp crack of wood.

Unfortunately it is not the door that breaks. The haft of the spade snaps in half sending the two men stumbling forward and leaving the spade quivering in the doorway making a slight metallic hum.

Cadrius screams inarticulately not caring about the waves of rippling pain tearing through him as he uses his jaw. They were granted the meagerest tools to escape but to have them taken away again was the final straw.

Whirling on the door he grabs the rock with both hands and begins to pummel the door, lock, and spade. Ignoring the bruised knuckles and small cuts he was receiving he gives into his fury.

However his rage is only able to last for a short time before it rescinds its control to fatigue. Slumping against the sturdy door Cadrius pants with exhaustion. Looking down he notices that he's damaged the lock a fair amount. Perhaps it would break this time.

Looking back up at his fellow prisoner he shrugs helplessly and says, "Care to try again?"

[Cadogan Trahem]

"I have an Idea." Cadogan speaks out of the darkness, standing he walks towards the door and feels for the Handle. Cadrius watches vigil in wonder - then there is a blue spark, and a chill rushes through the room. Cadrius can see clearly the door's handle and lock faintly outlined in a blue glow - it looks frozen.

Suddenly flames erupt from Cadogans hands, and engulf the lock. The sudden changes in temperature cause the metal to buckle and shatter. When the room goes back to darkness there is a definate clank sound as the lock falls flat to the ground.

"There!" says Cadogan as he reaches out and pushes the door.. finding it unable to move..

"Arg! It must be barred from the other side!" The mage complains hesterically.

[Cadrius]

Cadrius sighs and shakes his head. Clenching his fists in frustration he turns his back on the door and mulls over his current situation. Trapped in some sort of cave, possibly a mine, captured by gnolls, stuck with some sort of hedge wizard, unarmed, unarmored, and wounded. Not good.

He glances back at the man. If they could open the door wide enough perhaps he could pull that frost trick again, but instead of hitting the lock he could hit the bar. Possibly, possibly.

Handing the man the spade, still unaware that he is blind, Cadrius says, "Here, help me make a hole."

[Gralhruk]

When those sounds finally come she grips her swords reflexively: a pounding, hammering sound accompanied by a bellow loud enough that the hair on the back of her neck stands up. Cadrius?. She doesn't allow herself to savor the hope that wells up from her gut, mercilessly squashing the feeling down.

Maybe it's him, maybe not. Either way, it doesn't sound good.

Still, the first door she'd passed through had been barred. It was doubtful that any of the jailers would be locked in here with the prisoners. She chews her lip before abandoning stealth and moving forward as quickly as the darkness will allow. The water recedes and she is grateful as the slime falls away. Further down she can feel another pile of rubble. She can hear faint sounds coming from up ahead in the darkness and her thoughts spin wildly as they try to puzzle out what might be happening.

Shaking her head, she continues on wondering if there is some foul beast trapped in here as well. It is difficult maneuvering in the pitch dark and, although she is used to working without light, she wonders briefly about her rash decision to attempt this on her own. Whatever might be in here, it was unlikely they'd make it back out without a fight. She could end up trapped here as well, and she struggles briefly with her reasons before closing the door on that avenue as well.

Focus on the task at hand, there is no turning back now.

In the dark she almost misses the small side passage that contains the door to the cell, but the hushed sound of human voices alerts her. Her fingers run over rough wood and she feels another heavy bar in place. Banging lightly on the door she calls out softly, hoping for a reply.

"Who is in there?"

[Cadogan Trahem]

Cadogan listens to Cadrius' plan, but sees the flaw, he cant exactly see where the hole will go.

"But I can't..." He begins and then a tapping, followed by a hushed voice.

"Who is in there?"

It sounds human, but Cadogan doesn't know the voice. It is atleast human, maybe this mysterious man next to him knew who it was.

"Friend of yours?" Cadogan whispers to Cadrius, not quite sure what to expect.

[Cadrius]

Cadrius nods wearily, it would be difficult at best to make a hole in the somewhat sturdy door and it would be even harder to direct the shot. Besides, if it was barred the iron might not shatter easily, no matter how many times it was subjected to the chilling cold.

"Who is in there?"

His heart skips a beat at the voice. Shade. For a moment, a brief moment, he swells with joy, but it does not last long. She shouldn't have come here, and if she is alone she's an even greater fool than him. He looks over at his fellow prisoner and nods once, she is a friend, a damn stupid one for following him, but a friend nonetheless. He approaches the now battered door and leans against it. He suddenly felt exhausted, the day's events finally catching up with him.

"There is nobody in here but us rats and gnolls," he whispers, his feeble attempt at humor carrying through the door.

He closes his eyes for a moment and then snaps them back open. No time to rest now, even if Shade lets them out, they still have to make their way back to safety. Which might turn out to be far easier said than done.

[Gralhruk]

Her voice stops and she waits for some response. The moment seems like an eternity and then she hears a faint reply. Her heart leaps in her chest and she leans against the door. She can't keep the smile out of her voice as she answers.

"You sound like hell."

She heaves on the bar unceromoniously and it pulls free, slipping from her grasp in her haste. It thuds to the ground with the muffled noise of timber on stone and her senses sharpen instantly. They weren't out of this yet; she couldn't afford to be careless. Her hands slide her picks free and she gropes for the lock in the darkness.

[Cadogan Trahem]

Cadogan hears the beam fall loosely to the floor and almost giggles with glee as he practically barges the door open... right into Shades head as she is kneeling looking for the lock.

"Uh... Sorry..." Cadogan says to the quiet curses from the darkness. He immediately turns to Cadrius.

"My Equipment? I mean -Our- Equipment!" Cadogan catches and corrects himself. "We Must find it!" he whispers towards his fellow escapee.

[Cadrius]

Cadrius winces and supresses a chuckle as the other man practically bowls Shade over. Gods, the man acted as if he was totally blind. He shakes his head and replies, "If you think I sound bad, wait until you see me."

Emerging into the faint torch light is a character that looks only vaguely like Cadrius. The size is right, but he is covered with encrusted blood. The wounds received from the first two skirmishes with the gnolls stand out on his shoulders. His jaw is slanted to the right as if it had been forcibly placed there. One eye is swelled shut, and two large bruises can be seen on his side through a ragged hole in his shirt. His breath is raspy.

Blood, he thinks, there is blood in my lung.

"The goddess of beauty would love me right about now," he says, another weak attempt at humor. He slumps against the frame of the now open door and attempts to gather his strength.

"He is right," he says nodding toward the man, "we do need our things. They cannot be far from here, unless this place is far bigger than I thought it to be. How long did it take you to get here from the entrance?"

He looks down for a moment, inspecting his feet before looking back up and saying, "It was foolish to follow me," but his eyes are shining when he says, "but thank you."

[Gralhruk]

She leans forward, hands groping in the darkness, and finally comes upon the doorknob. Her reaching fingers touch the sharp edges of jagged metal that was once the lock and she is momentarily confused. At that exact moment, the door opens and cracks her right in the forehead.

Of all the . . . !

A long stream of forcefully whispered curses trail through the dark. One hand reaches for her forehead as she hears an odd voice apologize. It appeared Cadrius was not alone in there. Weighing the benefit of a light against the danger of being spotted, her curiousity beats her instintive caution in the mental footrace. Pulling a torch and her flint from her pack she quickly strikes a spark; the shadows retreat as the light advances.

For a moment, she thinks that the stranger emerging from the cell must be the one that apologized. Then she catches the look in his open blue eye and she realizes her error. It is Cadrius, and he looked even worse than he sounded. Stubborn as ever, he makes light of his condition and even has the gall to suggest they go tramping about looking for equipment. She catches the look in his good eye and her heart swells with pride. Her eyes glow triumphantly in return, softening her words.

"You'll thank me well enough by staying alive for a bit."

She pulls out a small vial, the same one he had turned down earlier that day, and holds it out. She gives him a look that indicates she won't take no for an answer.

"We're not going anywhere until you drink this."

[Cadogan Trahem]

Cadogan stands vigil as the torch is lit and the darkness is removed, he doesn't seem to notice. Cadrius instantly recognises the mage, although he does look a little worse for ware. He has changed his clothing however, traded in his "royal blue" (Pink) shirt for a more plain brown one.

His pants have changed too. No longer frilly and long, he has tied them back with cotten straps, binding them to his legs. Probably so they wouldn't get caught on anything, the mage is unshaven and bruised across the face. The man is also missing his seeing stick, and begins to groap around in the air nearly swatting Shade twice.

"Umm.. I need a stick, or a guide. Probably both..."

[Cadrius]

Cadrius looks down, or rather squints down at the offered vial. He glances up again, hoping to find a way to avoid using the liquid. Unfortunately the look in Shade's eyes suggest that the sun would crash into the earth before he could avoid drinking the potion.

Sighing he carefully removes the stopper and drinks the bitter amber liquid. It burns and once again he is reminded of whisky as the warmth seeps through him. He feels better, but he's still put off by the effects of the unnatural healing. The sensation of his wounds closing and his rib knitting itself back together are odd to say the least.

Looking over he finally recognizes Cadogan and Cadrius suddenly understands the cause of the man's fumbling. He was blind. He thinks back to the memory of the battle with the wyvern and the fire afterward. This man had been there, leaning upon his cane, dressed differently perhaps but he was there nonetheless.

"I never would have guessed," he says quietly, his jaw fast on the mend, but he does not finish his thought.

"Where are my manners? Cadogan, the woman you knocked down is Shade, Shade this is Cadogan."

Satisfied that etiquette had been taken care of Cadrius takes the blind man's hand and places it on his upper arm. He would at least try to be a guide.

"Now," he asks, "which way to our things?"

[Gralhruk]

"This seems to be a prison area; I haven't found any trace of gnolls down here. I'd guess when we find the rest of them we'll find your equipment. There might be a village somewhere nearby or another underground complex but I don't think they are in this one."

She nods to Cadogan and then realizes her error. She thrusts her torch into the cell, looking for any other captives before turning back to the others.

"Greetings Cadogan. What is so important that we must risk retrieving?"

It is clear that she is addressing both of them. As she talks she hands one of her swords over to Cadrius, then presses a dagger into Cadogan's hand. It would be best if they all went armed.

"Let's get out of here quickly. Speed is more important than silence; let's hope we don't find the exit held against us."

[Cadrius]

Cadrius raises one blood encrusted eyebrow as Shade gives the blind man a dagger. He could do a lot more harm than good with a blade in his hands, but it might be best if he was at least somewhat armed. Still, Cadrius is afraid that Cadogan will likely end up stabbing himself before he wounds a gnoll.

"Right," he says, "then let us depart as swiftly as possible."

Keeping the short sword in front of him and Cadogan's hand on his arm Cadrius begins making his way down the winding passage. He grimaces as they come to the rather cold and unpleasant water, but with any luck some of the blood and grime will wash off of him.

He slows to a stop, holding up a hand for Shade and nudging Cadogan lightly with his elbow.

"Do you hear that?"

The sound of footsteps rebounding and echoing softly amidst the cave. Plus the scrape of an armored boot as it treads upon the stone.

[itches]

Leading Maeko and Paladin along, holding the lantern high. Through some water and past an open door they travel with out incident. Then up ahead they see a light from a round a bend in the corridor.

Excitedly Itches calls out " Hello the light!!" Rushing ahead he round the bend and shines the bulls-eye-lantern in their eyes.
"Hello all of you, gee Cadirus you don’t look -"


((i'm assuming someone is going to shut ITches up right about now))

[LonePaladin]

"Hssssst! Keep it down, Minstrel -- we don't know what else is in here," the paladin hisses. He makes his way to the corner, ignoring the water rushing into gaps in his armor.

To Cadrius, he says, "Thank the Battlemaster you're alive. Promise us you will not do that again; there is a fine line between valor and stupidity, which none of us should deign to cross.

"I say we get out of here, tend our wounds, and count our losses. Surely there can't be anything to gain by staying here, where we can get trapped."

[Cadogan Trahem]

Cadogan nods towards the 'Shade' character infront of him. This person of who's voice he recognises, recognises Cadogan but Cadogan does not have a name which comes to mind.

"Whats your name?" He asks Cadrius.

Shade thrusts the dagger into his hand and Cadogan feels it for a while, and frowns, choosing to store it in his boot.

"My Magic is far more potent." He explains, no doubt to the stares he recieves. They move on and Cadogan hears the water, hoping personally that they will not be going through any his hopes dimish as he hears Cadrius begin to slosh through the water.

"Do you hear that?" Whispers Cadrius. Before Cadogan can answer a loud reply echos down the cave.

"Hello the Light!!" A few seconds go by before Cadogan senses there is a forth person.

"Hello all of you, gee Cadirus you don’t look -"

[Gralhruk]

What was I thinking giving my dagger to a blind man?

Shade shakes her head as Cadogan stowes her dagger in a boot but before she can comment she hears the unmistakable voice of Itches. Sure enough, the trio appears shortly. She eyes Paladin critically for a moment after he speaks, unable to fault his ideas or his actions. His more orderly entrance highlighted the foolishness of her own, albeit successful, rescue attempt.

"Agreed. All they need do is bar the main door and we're trapped."

She stands her ground, next to Cadrius and waits to see who will take the lead. If she were to step up perhaps it would avoid a power struggle between him and Paladin. She is reluctant to leave his side, though, and leading others has never been her favorite thing to do. She speaks to Cadogan as she tosses her torch into the water, dousing it.

"Can I hang onto that dagger if you aren't going to use it? I'll feel better with steel in both hands."

[Cadrius]

Cadrius turns to Cadogan and asks, "I thought you were there, after the battle, when I introduced myself," realizing that perhaps not everyone would have payed attention to a simple sell-sword like Cadrius he says simply, "I am Cadrius."

He turns to face Paladin, Maeko, and Itches. He never actually thought he'd find himself happy to see the lovestruck noble, and he wasn't exactly happy but for once he didn't mind the man's presence.

Cadrius is quiet for a time, merely staring at the paladin. He blinks once and then quietly says, "I would hesitate to call something foolish before you fully understand it."

He places Cadogan's hand back on his arm and begins moving forward again, his strides are no longer as long, and he limps slightly with one leg, but he maintains his balance. He wills himself to stay on his feet, if for no reason other than pride. It wouldn't do to fall now.

"Besides, we have to retrieve both my and our new companion's posessions."

[LonePaladin]

Despite apparent expectations, the paladin does not rise to Cadrius's taunt. I understand, all right. You're afraid, and taking unnecessary risks; it's either an attempt to prove your own fears wrong, or you're trying to put them to a more permanent end.

"We'll take the chance that the gnolls realize we're here, and try to trap us. We'll find your gear. All of us. Together."

[Cadogan Trahem]

Cadogan reaches down and draws the dagger holding it for Shade to take.

"I didn't catch your name either, Miss?" He ask Shade at a whisper.

Cadrius leads Cadogan off on a quest for his equipment.

Excellent, straight to my equipment, and the cube! Lets just hope that Shrivel has lasted long enough not to become Gnoll food, that foolish bird.

"Ah!" Cadogan remembers his little friend. "We'd best hurry. A little friend of mine might become Gnoll food if we don't."

[Gralhruk]

She listens to the verbal fencing between Paladin and Cadrius as she accepts her dagger from Cadogan. She flips it neatly, catching it lightly by the blade, before spinning it point first on her palm. The dim light flashes off steel as she adroitly turns her hand to snatch it by the hilt. Her muscles had not forgotten the feel of the weapon and that was good.

"You can call me Shade. 'Miss' is for ladies at court, and nobody has ever mistaken me for that. As for finding your stuff, I think we'll find it when we find where these gnolls have laired."

She gestures at their surroundings with the point of her dagger, indicating the dust and disrepair. She is still hooded, although her veil is down, and in the uncertain light the shadows seem to press in on her slim form.

"This place looks largely uninhabited; they probably just use it to hold prisoners. Maybe we missed the entrance to their den on the way in, I know I couldn't see anything, or maybe their camp is above ground. Either way, I'll feel better with that door behind us."

[itches]

Looking on silently, as the others quietly talk on, Itches glances around the cavarn they are in. As the talk moves on to the regaining of their equipment, Itches tentivly speaks up.

"Um... do you have any idea where your stuff is? I mean if not we might be wondering around forever."

[Gralhruk]

"I have no intention of wandering around down here at all."

Her acid tone bites into the nobleman; the stress of the chase and rescue coupled with the internal tension within the group have left her on edge. In addition, their strength was somewhat reduced; Itches and the blind man Cadogan were not the best fighters. Cadrius was wounded, unarmored, and wielding a poor substitute for his lost bastard sword. That left Maeko and Paladin, who were both as battered as Shade from the fighting earlier that day.

Storming an encampment of gnolls was not her idea of the path to a long and healthy life. She'd fight that battle when they'd had a look at the odds, though. Cadrius didn't look like he was going to be swayed by her arguments unless she had some proof. Besides, maybe she could steal what they wanted and avoid a fight altogether. She fixes Itches with a look sharp enough to cut glass.

"Have you listened to nothing I have said? Look around: this is a prison. Gnolls might be stupid but they aren't stupid enough to leave a prisoner's armor and weapons in his cell with him. Doubtless anything of value will be found with those who were strong enough to take it from the others. If we want to retrieve it we must find their stronghold."

[LonePaladin]

"Well spoken. I've seen it before, but I don't think these beasts lack that much foresight. We seek their lair, then.

"But not in the shape we're in, now. I think we should find a secure place to rest and tend our wounds. We'll have a better chance of finding the place during the day, anyway."

[Maeko]

Maeko nods agreement at the Paladin's proposal, she feels rather weak just now.

The latest fight had left her seriously wounded, and magical healing has taken his toll, right now she is able to stand more due to force of will than to strenght.

sometimes drawing legs to the snake is risky, not only silly...right now a novice could best me

But...praised be all the gods and Bodhisattvas, Cadrius is alive! and the old one unharmed...

[Cadogan Trahem]

Cadogan pipes up;

"If our equipment was here, Shrival would have called to me - unless he has already met a ill end..." Cadogan verbal gulps.

[Gralhruk]

They swiftly exit the complex, pausing only for a quick search of the gnoll Shade had killed on the way in. She spots a well-used track that probably leads to the gnoll encampment and points it out to the others. A small argument breaks out while they attempt to decide their course.

Paladin's suggestion makes sense, but finding a suitable resting place is going to take some time. Also, the gnolls might well be able to track them where ever they went. Perhaps surprise was their best ally.

I am sure that Cadrius and the blind one will wish to rush forward to claim their belongings.

"We do not know how many they might be. I ask again: what is so important that we must take this risk?"

[Cadrius]

"I am far from useless, but if the gnolls track us, if they seek revenge for how many we have slain then I will be hard pressed to make a difference unarmored and largely unarmed."

Cadrius shrugs, it was true. Shade's short sword was a nice one, but there is only so much he can do without more metal to protect him. He certainly is not the most nimble man known, not by a longshot.

"There is also something to be said for the element of surprise as I am sure you are all aware. Do they know Cadogan and I have been freed? Did you meet any resistance on the way here?"

[itches]

Standing under Shades, blistering verbal attack, Itches at first try’s to counter, but soon gives up and just drops his head in shame.

"Butt ... I ...butt"

That’s it Itches, keep on making a fool of yourself, you’ll never amount to anything more then what they see you as. I don’t know why Lily puts up with you

Coming out of his self-abashment, the half-elf hears a question about resistance on the way in. Still he says nothing, more determined then ever to not make a fool of himself.

If I make a fool of myself every time I open my mouth, then I wont open my mouth again

[Cadogan Trahem]

Cadogan speaks up.

"I cant hear anything beyond this group, I have reason to believe that we're either alone in here or the gnolls which face us are masters of stealth. It seems the former is more likely - atleast it would seem."

He explains over Itches 'butts'

Cadogan then strides forward half a step giving Cadrius a little nudge to urge him forward the Warrior resists the blind mans urges at first, but looks at the group around him. With little else to do he speaks.

"I think we should atleast move out of this place, then we can fight on equal grounds." He looks around the group for any complaints, finally stopping at Cadogan who looks confused. "For those of us who can see." He adds.

[itches]

Maeko looks around at the group, and looks to the way out.

"Then we are agreed, let us leave this place."

Motioning Itches to follow close behind her, as he bears the light she stalkes down the passageay, followed closely by the now silent half-elf.

[Gralhruk]

They stand outside near the dead gnoll guard debating their next course of action. Shade listens to Cadrius complain about being unarmed as her eyes linger on the dead gnoll. Scavenger that she is, she can't help but notice that the beast is only slightly larger than her human companion.

Would he?

She shifts her eyes to Cadrius and crosses her arms, sword and dagger still in her fists. For once, Itches is silent though she doesn't take the time to ask herself why. She nudges the corpse with the toe of her boot.

"That looks to be scale armor, and in decent shape. With an axe and shield as well, which might better suit your combat style."

[LonePaladin]

"I have a better idea, though this will take a few minutes. Go ahead and strip that beast of its armor. I am in better shape than Cadrius; a small sacrifice in my defenses will do less harm if it protects him more."

He quickly undoes the harness holding his claymore to his back, then hands it to the warrior. "Here. I gather this is more your style than an axe. I still have a weapon."

Having done that, he begins undoing the buckles and catches on his armor. To Itches, he asks, "Mind helping me with this? We need to get this on Cadrius quickly, and it's easier with another pair of hands. I'll take the gnoll's armor; we'll be stronger overall by giving Cadrius the better protection."

He begins removing his plate armor as quickly as possible, tossing the pieces on the ground in front of Cadrius.

[Gralhruk]

Shade raises an eyebrow as the Lone Paladin makes his suggestion and begins the laborous process of removing his armor. It is a selfless gesture and she is surprised that one of his calling would stoop so low as to wear armor stripped from a dead gnoll. She didn't look at Cadrius, hoping that if she just went along that he'd agree as well. Gods knew he could use any protection he could get, since he was far too stubborn to hang back in a fight; in any event, they'd need the beast's armor. Sheathing her weapons, she kneels by her kill, her cloak a deep blue puddle around her.

The thing stank already and she had a chance to view her handiwork up close. It was a clean cut, thanks to careful placement and a sharp blade, but there was blood everywhere and she could see the severed muscle, bone, and nerve within the gaping wound. Pushing away thoughts of the others she had killed so recently, her hands find the necessary buckles as if they have a mind of their own.

Removing it's weapons belt, she strains to pull the heavy scale tunic up above it's waist. That completed, she levers the beast into a sitting position, pulling it's arms forward until it looks like it is bowing down, arms outstretched. It's head flops forward at a sickening angle, the fatal wound she had made yawning wide. Long ago she had made a meager living selling the remnants she'd picked from battlefields and she is vaguely disgusted by the fact that her body remembers how to do this. She rips a long strip of fabric off the dead thing's clothes and stuffs it into the wound, to better keep the blood off the armor, and then sets about tugging it off an inch at a time.

It is a difficult process but she continues at it doggedly; the armor isn't terribly flexible and the gnoll was already starting to stiffen. She is sweating in the chill air by the time it is done, despite the relative efficiency of her action. A few rays of sunlight still pierce the canopy, low and from the west, and fall on the now half-stripped body of the prostrated beast. The image disturbs her, as if the beast was praying to the setting sun, and she places one foot on it's shoulder and pushes the thing onto it's back once more.

[Cadogan Trahem]

Cadogan stands there quietly thinking....

Tick... Tock... Tick... Tock... Tick-Tock-Tick-Tock-Tick!-Tock!-Tick!-Tock!

Oh C'mon people! I can't wait all day! If those blasted Gnolls do something to that Cube its worthless! And.... Uh... Shrival probably needs help - that blasted bird.

Cadogan begins tapping his foot slowly at first, and then faster and faster. He begins to look really agitated and anxious.

[itches]

Nodding silently @ the request for aid, Itches Hands the lantern back to Maeko and with clumsy inept hands aids paladin out of his armour. Once this is accomplished the aristocrat notices how near he is standing to the dead Gnoll. Taking a large step away from it, the half-elf turns noticeable Green.

[Gralhruk]

Shade's grey eyes narrow as Itches dances away from the corpse, suddenly looking quite ill. She had been harsh with him of late, forgetting how difficult this sort of thing must be for the sheltered noble and concerned with her own problems. Guilt washes over her for she knew how hard it was to accept the realities of the world.

He must learn, though, or he will not survive.

Or would he? Perhaps he might find a better solution than she had, so wrapped in her cynicism and bitterness. Unease worms through her and she is distracted by the tapping of Cadogan's foot. Turning her gaze to the blind man, she can't help but wonder what it is he is looking for. She's already asked twice to no avail; she will not ask again. She puts a hand lightly on his arm and addresses him, but not unkindly.

"We'll get nothing but dead if we are not careful. We are already at a disadvantage, wounded as we are and unaware of the strength of our enemy."

[Cadogan Trahem]

Cadogan listens carefully and nods.

"Yes I understand, but the longer we wait the more prepared they could be. Speed and Suprise are just as important as Proper Preperation. As a Famous sage and Infamous Warlord once said;

'suprise doubles your strength, but only if you use it with haste.'

Im all for caution and preperation but can't we make it any faster?" Cadogan pauses realising he just sounded like a real pushy fellow.

"Err...Uhh... Pardon me my dear - Something very important is just itching at my brain."

[LonePaladin]

"Sorry, old man," the paladin explains, "but taking this stuff off is not a fast process by any means." He finally removes the last plate, tossing it in front of Cadrius.

Taking the scale tunic from Shade, he begins to struggle into it. "It'll take even -- oof! -- longer for the warrior to don -- ack! -- my armor without help. The sooner I can --ugh!-- help him, the faster he'll be ready." He wrestles with the armored vest a moment longer, finally getting it in place. Checking a couple straps, he gets it to fit as well as possible, considering it was made for someone with a vastly different build -- though close to the same size, some parts are simply not made for someone of his frame without a lot of adjusting.

Finally, he finishes adjusting the armor, then grabs his padded overcoat from the ground. Shaking off the leaves and dirt, he holds it out to Cadrius. "You'll want to put this on first, or the plates will rub you raw within half a candlemark."

[Cadrius]

Cadrius stands silent for a moment as he merely stares at the offering of armor. Was it demeaning? Perhaps a bit, but Cadrius is in no position to argue. If they were to retrieve his and Cadogan's belongings he would need all the armor he could get. Fine, if he had no choice then he had no choice.

Reaching forward he gives Paladin a short but appreciative nod before he begins the process of working himself into the armor. It had been a long time since he had worn anything like the mail offered to him. As a result he fumbles at first with a few of the straps before his hands remember the way.

As he tightens the straps of the final piece of armor he looks up again. He is tired, battered, and bleeding but he is also ready to fight.

"Let us go."

[LonePaladin]

Having struggled into the gnoll's armor, the paladin crouches to pick up his warhammer and crossbow. Slinging the crossbow over his back, he replaces his bandolier across his body, making sure his claymore is positioned properly.

He then addresses Cadrius, though he looks at the others as well. "A few more things before we go. I have something else to grant, should we meet trouble along the way. I would prefer to save it for something tougher than the gnolls -- their leader, for instance. Come to me if we meet something like that, but don't endanger yourself; if you can't get to me, I'll find a good use for it."

He takes Cadrius's hand, giving it a firm shake. "Your courage is commendable. Few would have the resolve to go into the dragon's lair to pick up what was lost. Heironeous favors you, this night." Before he releases Cadrius's hand, a faint glow encompasses it, where they meet.

[[OOC: Laying on hands; healing 3 points of damage. All the help I can provide.]]

"We are NOT going on this trek for revenge; not yet, at least. Let's keep that in mind. If we lose focus, we may lose our lives here."

[Gralhruk]

She watches silently as Paladin finishes arming himself and Cadrius struggles into the heavy plate. Despite the uneasy look on his face, Cadrius looked quite at home in the knight's gleaming armor. Though his face betrays other emotion, his body stands a bit taller, with something not far from pride.

Not for revenge, not for plunder either. I wouldn't be doing this at all if Cadrius wasn't so dead set on it.

She fancies she sees Paladin's hand glow when he shakes Cadrius' hand, but she dismisses it. Whatever it was, she didn't need to know and she didn't care. The two were similar enough to be brothers, or at least cousins, and she didn't need a sign to tell her she didn't belong in that family. Rolling her shoulders to loosen them, she tightens her belt and adjusts her cloak.

As ready as I'm going to be.

[Maeko]

Maeko hangs back, looking at the scene without commenting; then she squares her shouders and centers herself, ready to go.

[Cadrius]

Cadrius almost visibly flinches as he feels the divine energy spreading from the Paladin's hand and into his body. He feels dirty and the thought of Heironeous favoring him almost makes the fallen paladin laugh outloud. But that would be unseemly and inappropriate at the time. Cadrius merely nods and tries to forget that he had just been healed by the god who had turned his back on him.

He glances at each of his other companions. They had come after him even when he had run away. Itches the young fool had come along and could have been killed. Maeko the bald and enigmatic woman. Paladin, who he could have been had he walked a different path. Shade, someone who seemed to have tread the same trail as he.

Perhaps it was time to let these people travel with him. Clearly running away wouldn't do him any good. In the end they'd just end up chasing him. He readjusts a strap on the armor before striding away from the cave and down the trail toward the village gesturing for Shade to walk by his side so she can show them the way.

[Cadogan Trahem]

"Hey Hey Hey! Dont forget me!" Cadogan calls as he heards Cadrius stride away now in heavy armour. He stumbles forward but only succeeds in kneecapping himself on a fallen tree and stump.

"Ow-Ow-Ow-Ow-Ow!" Cadogan jumps around in a comical manner on one leg.

[Maeko]

Maeko runs back towards the blind man.

"Forgive me, older brother" she says checking his knee for wounds, luckily, although painful, it's just a bruise.

" This stupid person did not think you might need help..." she bows, although he can't see her, truly ashamed that he's been hurt by omission.

[LonePaladin]

The paladin glances back at the group as they make their way through the gathering gloom. Maeko makes every effort to help the old man avoid tripping or running into anything; Shade marches determinitely forward, her eyes scanning everything around them; Itches lags at the back, also scanning the surroundings, but more with an air of fascination than wariness.

He hastens forward, catching up with Cadrius.

"Listen," he says, "it's time we clear the air. I don't know why you went off on your own, but it's not important now. It's obvious that you don't trust me, though your reasons defy me. If we're going to be walking into danger deliberately, it would be helpful if we could figure out what's bothering you; I don't want either of us to be relying on each other with that wall between us.

"So let's have it out -- no more dodging the issue. What have I done?"

[Cadogan Trahem]

"Grand Father!?" Cadogan exclaims towards the voice. "Im 27 years old!!" Cadogan does not however refuse the help of Maeko.

[Gralhruk]

Her eyes do not stray from the trail ahead of her but she doesn't need them to mark the passage of the group behind her. A loud bang followed by cursing as Cadogan bumps into something along with the various creaks and clanks from the two warriors told her all she needed to know.

"I should scout the trail ahead. There are bound to be sentries and we need every advantage we can get."

[LonePaladin]

At Shade's request, the paladin waves one arm outward, a gesture obviously meant to convey "go ahead". He keeps pace with Cadrius, waiting for the warrior's reply.

[Cadrius]

Cadrius' jaw clenches, causing the muscles within to ripple slightly as he is accosted by Paladin. He knew this would come eventually, and to be honest he rather prefers Paladin to do the interrogating. Hell, he would prefer a demon to give him the third degree, anyone but Shade.

He keeps his cobalt blue eyes facing ahead down the trail, watching Shade begin to scout ahead, and he listens to the exclamations of Cadogan as he crashed into a tree. Life as a blind man must be tough.

"You?" he speaks at last, "you have done nothing. I heard a disturbance, I chose to investigate. I heard a woman's scream, I waded in. I did not think there was time to come back and retrieve the rest of you. As you may have guessed it was a trap. I fought my best but there were far too many of them."

Cadrius glances over at Paladin at last before saying, "And do not use that healing upon me again without my permission."

He falls silent again listening to the crunch of leaves beneath his boots and content to breath in the crisp fall air.

[itches]

Standing back Itches watches the larger humans struggle into their armour. Looking down @ his tunic, the young Nobel feels slightly vulnerable for the first time. The sensation is fleeting as when Itches looks up he notices a slight glow surrounding the hands of Paladin and Cadirus.
Opening his mouth to comment on it, he catches himself before the words can leave his mouth. Mentally kicking himself the Half-elf trails along behind the rest of the party.

Oh well done you fool. Some Vow of silence this has turned out to be, less then an hour and I’ve already almost broken it. What would Lily think of you if she saw you now?

Dawdling behind the others, Itches is lost in bittersweet memories of his love

[LonePaladin]

Cadrius glances over at Paladin at last before saying, "And do not use that healing upon me again without my permission."

"Fine," the paladin replies. "In the future, I will seek your permission before tending to your injuries."

A few steps later, he adds, "If you are in such a condition as to be able to grant such. I will not let your obstinance and hard-headedness kill you, if it is within my ability to prevent it. I made a vow, before you left, to protect all of you as long as we are on the same path. If that means doing something one of you objects to in order to ensure you reach your destination, so be it."

He keeps pace with the warrior, trying not to make too much noise from stepping on leaves. Not that it really matters, the way some of the others disturb the brush, but he'd already spent too much time trying to avoid pursuers to drop the habit now. Naturally, he thinks, there are things he's not telling me. But don't we all have our secrets? If he has any plans on telling someone -- or doing something about them -- he'll reveal them when he's ready.

After several minutes, he looks at Cadrius again. "At least grant me one request, without reservation. Kindly stop flinching every time I mention Heironeous. Despite what you may feel, I have reason to believe that he does not hate you, and that you haven't walked so far from his path as to be unredeemable -- or, at least, not something for him to despise.

"I've only met you this evening, but you've already shown more courage than many I've known; your willingness to help someone in need, even at cost to yourself, takes a strength of character that most others lack. The fact that you're willing to go this far to regain what has been lost to you takes more than just a taste for justice, or attachment to something."

At Cadrius's sharp look and raised eyebrow, the paladin holds up one hand. "Hear me out. You've lost more than just your weapon and armor; I can't tell what, but your reaction told me enough. You may not think that you even want back what was lost to you, but some part of you does -- even if only to give it a proper farewell. I cannot make any promises, but I am willing to set my own agenda aside to help you, if you wish.

"Don't answer yet. Let's get your things back first. Regaining your possessions might make you more inclined to regaining more."

With that, the paladin falls back a bit, letting the others pass him. Finally, he pulls even with the minstrel, Itches. As he resumes walking, letting the noble set the pace, he unslings his crossbow, offering it.

"It would make more sense for you to use this than I, should we meet more danger. Do you know how to fire one, and reload it quickly?"

[Cadrius]

Cadrius bites his lip and refrains from responding to the deluge of opinions from the Paladin. Leave it to the man to try and reconvert Cadrius. And why not? What would make a better target for one of the faithful than a fallen member? He shakes his head partially in sadness and partially in disgust. Heironeous valued wisdom and clear thinking as well as chivalry and honor. This man did not posess those. He is so wrapped up in his faith that he cannot recognize a lost cause when he sees it. Cadrius is definitely that.

However he does need the man, even if only for another strong arm in battle. Still, the man was a protector, much like Cadrius, and perhaps there is some common ground they could attain. It might not be on a theological level but if they are to travel together they will need to learn to trust each other.

Pondering these thoughts Cadrius makes his way down the path in silence.

[itches]

Walking along Itches is drawn out of the past by a presence walking beside him. Looking up at Paladin, Itches raises an eyebrow, silently inquiring.

The half-elf, stops for a moment and hefts the large crossbow. Once again drawn into the past and what Master Samuel taught him.

The Cross bow has the advantage over the bow in 2 areas. One it is easier to use, and two. People who are not as strong and use it to full advantage, as opposed to bows. Its Major disadvantage is that it takes longer to reload, time in which you could attack again with a bow, and in turn could be attacked.

Holding the weapon in sure hands, he considers the Humans question.

I remember being taught how to use one of these, and it should only take me a few seconds to re-load it. Still perhaps I should try some targeting later tonight.

Turning back to Paladin, Itches gives a silent nod and resumes his walk.

[Gralhruk]

As Shade slides away into the forest she pulls her veil up to hide her face. Light was fading fast but she felt better with it up for some reason. The trail was well worn from travel back and forth to the prison cave and briefly she wonders when the dead guard was scheduled to be relieved.

Not that it matters to him.

The thought passes through her mind and she glances quickly at the blood on her hands. This was foolish; what Cadrius might have lost that was worth this risk she couldn't guess. She is tempted to return and tell the others that there is nothing here, but they wouldn't believe her.

Her sharp ears pick up harsh voices and the clang of metal along with the crackle of fire. Up ahead, she can see it flickering through the trees. There are two sentries, one on either side of the trail, perched in tree stands. Her breath catches as one looks in her direction but his eyes pass over her and she inches her way closer. The forest thins and then there is a clearing, a few crude timber structures huddled around a massive fire. Further back, she glimpses a few massive stony outcroppings that shelter the small village. A few gnolls move about, mostly young, and she can see some activity near the steep rise of stone. A gnoll emerges from a narrow fissure, a warrior from his dress, and strides purposely towards one of the huts. She shrinks down and begins backing away slowly before turning in the direction of the others.

Halfway back to the trail, she hears a crashing through the brush and two gnoll whelps come charging almost directly into her. One was chasing the other, whether in agression or some game she has no idea. For a second, all three stand stock still and then the two are screaming something in that harsh tongue of theirs. Abandoning stealth, Shade charges off toward the trail. She hears a shout from the sentries and a general explosion of activity behind her. An arrow whickers through the brush off to her right. Not looking back, she puts all her effort into putting as much distance as possible between her and the camp.

Just as she thinks she might be out of danger, she hears the hiss of a shaft an instant before she feels a blow to her back. The arrow slams into her with enough force to knock her down but she rolls with the force and is upright almost instantly. Reaching back, a cry escapes her lips as she tears the shaft out and resumes her headlong rush down the trail. She stumbles back to the others, a dark wet stain running down the back of her fine blue silk cloak, her face drawn. She doesn't bother explaining what happened but simply pulls her blades.

"They'll be on us in a minute."

<OOC: 7 damage from the arrow.>

[LonePaladin]

The paladin advances to the front of the group, drawing his claymore. "Shade, lead Cadrius and the sightless one around. Try and get into the camp and get their gear. Maeko, the noble and I will keep them... occupied until you rejoin us." Before he can elaborate further, the sound of creatures crashing through the trees ahead reaches the group.

The paladin holds his sword in both hands, raising it toward the sky. "Heironeous, Battlemaster, guide my blade as we face our enemies in combat." As he speaks, his sword begins to glow with an unearthly, gold-white aura. The glow fades to a nimbus of light, tracing the notched blade from the hilt to the tip.

"Get ready."

[[OOC: Bless weapon on my sword; any attacks that threaten a critical hit automatically succeed.]]

[Maeko]

Blood and violence again...will it never end?

Maeko trusts the blind man to Shade, looking the other woman in the eyes, very serius, she says " Keep him safe", a shadow appears in the rogue's eyes, she moves as to speak then nods and guides Cadogan away

At her nod Maeko moves to stand at Paladin's left, a couple of paces behind him, ready.

Noticing Itches' white-knuckled grip on the crossbow, the small monk smiles to the Nobleman, he breathes deeply, smiling back, and seem to relax a bit.

[Cadrius]

Cadrius hears the gnoll camp errupt in clamor as Shade reemerges, running down the trail. She turns slightly to face the group and he notices the blood seeping from her back, creating a dark stain upon her cloak. His face undergoes a range of emotions, first surprise, then concern, and finally anger. So when Paladin delivers the orders to sneak into the camp Cadrius almost whirls and bites the man's head off. He wants to stay and fight, to inflict as much pain as he can upon these gnolls for what they have done.

Instead he shakes his head and says, "I do not think leading Cadogan into their camp is a good idea. He will be of better use with you three, besides Shade and I can move in, retreive our things and then move back around to potentially flank our enemies if necessary."

Cadrius looks to Shade for her approval of the plan and to make certain that the wound is not too deep.

He turns to the blind man and places a mailed hand upon his forearm, "What did you lose? I will see that it is returned."

[itches]

Holding tight to the large crossbow that Paladin lent him, Itches feels a quiver run up his back. Noticing, Maeko, the strange woman smiling at him, the half elf forces himself to relax. Always before the battle had been upon them before there was time to think, this time he had time to feel the tension.

As Cadirus asks the blind man, what it is he lost, Itches glances at the noise that is growing ever nearer.

Hurry up; we don’t have a lot of time before they will be here

While watching the others discuss their plans, Itches makes his way over to where Maeko stands. Starting to speak, his voice cracks. Swallowing he gives it another go.

"Where not just going to stand here and wait for them right?" He asks. "I mean we're going to, like hide and surprise attack them, like they have been doing to us?"

[Gralhruk]

Shade nods as Cadrius speaks, agreeing with his plan. Cadogan would slow them down and they're best bet was to move quickly. She wondered if he would finally reveal what he was looking to retrieve. The enigmatic woman turns to face the blind man, wincing slightly as she stretches her wound, and speaks from behind her veil.

"He's right. No offense to you, but I think you would be of more use here."

Her head swivels and her eyes lock on the nobleman as Itches speaks. It dawns on her that he's been awfully quiet of late, although that wasn't necessarily a bad thing. She bites back her automatic sarcasm when his voice cracks and she sees the look on his face. This wasn't easy for him and he was doing his best despite his fear.

"That crossbow has a good range; if I were using it I'd take that high ground over there, lay myself down, and pick them off as they come down the trail. It will make it hard for them to concentrate on the battle with the threat of a bolt in the back."

[Cadogan Trahem]

Cadrius places his hand on Cadogan.

"What did you lose? I will see that it is returned." Cadogan rocks backwards for a second.

"Oh well.. there is my backpack of things, brown, made out of heavy linen about this big..." He pauses realising there isn't time to describe the back pack. "There is my seeing stick, its oak, long with a metal cap on one end and cloth wrappings on the other. My buckler, you've seen that I believe. There is my familiar Shirvel a particularly nasty Raven with a bit of a tongue on him - lets hope he's still alive." Cadogan speaks sarcastically, although deep down he enjoys Shirvel's playful nature the bird had given him a head ache more then once. "Shirvel can speak for himself, there is also my morning star, my dagger, my crossbow and quiver, my components pouch, and the key to..." Cadogan pauses abruptly.

"A Stone Cube, about this big, has Runes all over it. Its a... uh.. Toy.. yes a childs toy." There is an uneasy rattling in Cadogans voice.

[Cadrius]

Cadrius nods but puzzlement flashes in his eyes. A raven? A child's toy? He knew the man could work magic, but he had no idea he posessed a familiar. It seems to make a certain amount of sense though as a blind man could use a trusted companion.

"Very well. We will be back shortly," he says and turns to Shade gesturing that she should lead the way. He nods approvingly as she gives Itches a bit of tactical advice for the ensuing combat and he feels a slight pang of guilt as he realizes he will not be present to defend the others. He casts a glance at Paladin and Maeko, they would likely do more than a sufficient job of keeping Cadogan and Itches from harm, he hopes anyway.

"Shall we?"

[Gralhruk]

Her eyes narrow as the blind man stumbles over his last few words. She wonders what it can be that he wants so badly. Clearly not a child's toy; he seemed even more preoccupied with this cube than his familiar and that alone told her all she needed to know about it's value. Stories of wizard's and the unique bond they shared with a familiar were well known to all.

Key to what?

Shaking her head, she lets the matter drop although she is inwardly pleased that she'll have a chance to inspect it before they hand it over to him.

Assuming we make it back.

Of course, the others might well have a worse time of it. Paladin was a good warrior, and Maeko had proven herself time and again but it would be a fierce battle. She shares a look with the bald monk, wishing that she could stay; or better yet, that they could all simply run.

As Cadrius indicates that they should leave, she nods and ducks into the forest, the sound of the gnolls coming louder now. She moves quickly, hoping they can be gone before the attackers detect them. After a few hundred yards she stops and turns to him, clanking in his borrowed armor.

"It's a small camp, most of the remaining warriors will have gone to fight the others, but there may be a few left. Still, we are probably best off to simply abandon stealth and find what we are looking for as quickly as we can."

[Cadrius]

Cadrius nods and hefts the greatsword given to him by Paladin. Truth be told he is grateful for Shade's suggestion to abandon stealth. Thus far he had been trying his hardest to be quiet and only succeeding in creating a deafening cacaphony of metal striking metal.

Yet as they move through the woods his eyes return time and again to the small blood stain on her cloak. She had been hit while scouting for them. And what for? To get his material things back? To find Cadogan's pet and toy? Was this even worth it? Why did he even want to go back? His armor is nothing special, nor is the rest of his gear. Is it his sword he wanted? The fallen paladin banishes the thought from his mind, he would not allow Paladin's devout optimism to affect him.

As they reach the edge of the woods before the gnoll encampment he takes Shade by the upper part of her arm and whispers, "If you would prefer I could go in alone and retrieve what I can. You have been wounded and could cover me with any archery that you may posess."

He readjusts his grip on the greatsword lent to him. It is surprisingly similar to his own bastard sword, only too heavy to consider wielding with one hand. Fair enough, he didn't have a shield to put in the other hand anyway.

[Gralhruk]

She regards Cadrius closely for a moment, knowing that he was wrestling with much since the arrival of Paladin. His bright blue eyes still held shadows of those doubts. Despite that, he looked very much the knight in shining armor in his borrowed finery. She smiles at his suggestion, shaking her head slowly.

"You think to leave me behind again? Not yet, you won't. I'm not a bad archer but I'll be more use if we stick together. Besides, we'll need to watch each other's back in there and it would be hard to do from a distance."

The terrain within the camp would doubtless put him out of her sight as soon as he started moving around the buildings. Doubtless he'd need to enter them to do any searching and she'd be useless here in the woods. No, she wasn't going to stand by while he went and got himself killed.

[Cadogan Trahem]

Cadogan reaches into his pocket and retrieves a small peice of cured leather, one of the only foci he had left.

"I guess I better prepare what I can.." He mumbles to no one in particular before goes into the art of casting an ancient high elven spell, For a split second a blue shimery suit of mail armour appears around Cadogan before fading from sight.

"I still have a few tricks up my sleaves, I just need... how do you say this. I need someone to be my eyes.." Cadogan speaks to anyone willing to listen.

<Cast Extended Mage Armour>

[Cadrius]

Cadrius pauses a moment and studies the woman before him. She seems to be bound and determined to follow him into whatever trouble he might find. He doesn't like the idea of others suffering for him, but he is glad to have her by his side. Perhaps if they are lucky the items will be easily found while the other four distract the gnolls.

"Then let us finish this in a hurry, I do not like leaving the others to fend for themselves," he says and then spins on his heel, heading into the village.

The fallen paladin moves forward at as rapid a pace is allowable in his armor. The metal creaks slightly as he moves between two small huts. Where would they keep their posessions? All sorts of questions spring into Cadrius' mind. What kind of community is this? Would they keep in under guard somewhere? Would it be given to the leader? Or would it be divided communally to whomever needed it the most? The man mentally kicks himself for not paying closer attention as a squire when attending his lessons.

He doesn't see any gnolls as he makes his way past the first hut. Good. Perhaps most of them were out hunting or whatever it is that they do.

He cranes his head to see Shade and whispers, "Any ideas? I do not know where to begin."

[Gralhruk]

She looked around at the deserted camp. Odd that nobody was here, but maybe the young ones she saw earlier were hiding in the huts. How to proceed? In her mind, she remembers the large gnoll striding out of the dark fissure in the rocky slope at the back of the camp.

"Back there - you see that niche in the rocks? It's a cave mouth and I saw a big gnoll come out of there earlier. It might be what we are looking for."

[itches]

Gripping his loaned cross bow tight, Itches starts walking towards the to spot indicated by Shade, giving her a somewhat shaky smile in thanks for her advice.

As itches make his way up a somewhat unsteady slope to a patch of semi-long grass at the top. Settling himself down in it, in an attempt to hide, the half elf looks down and sees a party of 5 Dogmen making their way to Paladin, Maeko, and the Strange-Blind-Man. Waving at them in an attempt to warn them that the Gnolls will be upon them at any moment, Itches then turns his mind to the task of loading his weapon

((Lets get this party started))

[Maeko]

Maeko is about to answer Cadogan when a movement catches her eye, it is Itches, waving to them from a slope with a slightly worried frown on his face.

" They are coming, I think, older brother" she warns the blind man, centering herself.

" I shall gladly be your eyes".

And may Lord Botahara protect us, and forgive us what we are about to do.

[LonePaladin]

"They are coming, I think, older brother," she warns the blind man, centering herself. "I shall gladly be your eyes."

The paladin responds in kind. "And I shall be your shield."

He faces back down the path just in time to see about half a dozen beast-men charging their way, wicked axes in hand and murder in their eyes. He doesn't even bother invoking the Sight; there is no doubt as to their intentions. He braces himself for the charge, whispering, "Heironeous, be my strength."

Within seconds, the gnolls are upon them.

The fastest of the group, a tall sleek-muscled creature with mottled fur, rushes to close the distance, bringing its axe around from behind. Its speed and momentum bring the axe to within striking range in seconds. Before it can complete the charge, however, the paladin suddenly yells, "Have at thee!" and steps into the swing, leading with the glowing hammer. He strikes the beast square in the chest, caving in its breastplate and cracking bone.

[[OOC: Ready an attack for the charge; step in and hit with a 16+7=23; 6+4=10 damage. Gnoll missed with a 2+2+3=7.]]

The gnoll staggers back, stunned from the blow. Before the paladin can bring his weapon back, another beast-man steps in front of its wounded ally, bringing its axe in from overhead. There is a sickening crunch as the axe drives into the paladin's shoulder.

[[OOC: Gnoll #2 hits with a 16+3+2=21; 6+2=8 damage.]]

Yet a third gnoll, probably deciding that these two can handle the warrior, charges toward Maeko and Cadogan.

[Cadogan Trahem]

The Gnoll charges straight for Cadogan and attacks the blind man with his axes swinging in with brute force, Maeko is about to scream a warning to the mage but too late! The Axe flies right towards Cadogan's side however there is a thunderious crash as air is displaced - the Gnolls axe suspends mer inches from Cadogan's unarmoured side stopped with the aid of a spell.

[Gnoll missed with a Roll of 9 + 3 = 12 vs. 14]

Cadogan smiles and places his hands together he begins to utter the words of an ancient high elven spell. A gust of wind blows back Cadogans cape away from his hands and a small orange glowing spark appears. The Gnoll tries to heave his Axe yet again but the spark ignites showering at first a 10ft area infront of Cadogan with fiery sparks, it isn't long however before there is a second explosion of fire and the Area doubles in size, engulfing the Gnoll, the Paladin, Maeko and a second Gnoll.

[Cast Enlarged Burning Hands on the Defensive Roll of 9 + 8 = 17 vs. DC 16]

Maeko manages to duck and weave her fiery sparks that come her way, the Gnolls directly infront of Cadogan is engulfed fully, while the second Gnoll and the Paladin at the edge of the spells effect are only showered with near extinguished sparks.

[Maeko saved for Half with a Roll of 20 + 6 = 26 vs. DC 14 Evasion reduced to None]
[Paladin saved for Half with a Roll of 13 +3 = 16 vs. DC 14]
[Gnoll 3 failed with a Roll of 3 + 0 = 3 vs. DC 14]
[Gnoll 1 saved for Half with a Roll of 15 + 0 = 15 vs. DC 14]

The Gnoll before Cadogan erupts in flames and the creature howls in pain before dropping to one knee on the ground as its smoldering body pains the creature - it holds onto life but barely. Meanwhile the Paladin grit his teeth as himself and the Gnoll he just attacked are showered with a rain of painful sparks of fire. The gnoll yelps from the pain, its chest already badly damage, the licking flames of Cadogan finish its will to live. Several trees around the area catch on fire and begin to burn, some patches of grass likewise begin to burn.

[Damage: Maeko; 0, Gnoll 3; 11 (4+4+1+2) {total of 11 damage taken, 0 HP}, Paladin; 6 (4+2), Gnoll 1; 5 (3+2) {total of 15 damage taken, -4 HP}]

[Cadrius]

Cadrius nods, his light blue eyes flicking about the camp, he does see it. There is an opening where one could enter the cave. Is it the right place? It doesn't matter as Shade's guess is far more educated than his. He looks at her admiringly for a moment and nods before making his way toward the niche.

The tall man remains as low as he can get and sticks to the sides of huts. He is far from noiseless but for once he manages to keep from sounding like a badly out of tune marching band as he stalks toward the cave.

His eyes still search about the camp, looking for potential enemies yet finding none. Where were they? He and his friends had killed quite a few of them but it had they really decimated a village? It couldn't be possible, could it? Cadrius feels a slight pang of guilt, were there the old and infirm here? The young and innocent? Could one of these beasts truly be that? Innocent? He shakes off his doubts, they would serve no purpose now.

They come to the opening Shade had indicated and he peers inside for a moment. There is a slightly rank odor that reminds him of the hunting dogs kept by his father. He shakes his head again this time trying to ward off the memories of his past. He will need to keep focused for everything to go smoothly.

He again looks at Shade seeking confirmation before moving into the cave, the greatsword held in front of him.

[Maeko]

Maeko ducks just in time to avoid a shower of sparks from Cadogan's spell, the Paladin is not that lucky, a few sparks singe him.

The gnolls, though, are wholly engulfed, a cloying stench of burnin fur and flesh envelops the group, while one of the attackers crumples to the ground, moaning softly.

Like an injured pup...Ahrats! What have we done?

A second one, its chest a ruin, drops dead, while trees and dry grass start to smolder.

Another gnoll seems to materialize from the smoke right in front of Maeko, his eyes are dazed and he is howling, an eerie, keening sound.

He laments dead ones realizes the nun in a flash,Who is he? Son, friend?

The gnoll almost surpasses her, seems not to see the diminutive human, eyes staring at the blind sorcerer, his stupor giving way to fury.

Maeko reacts without thinking, her right hand shots out, its hardened side aiming at the beast's neck; out of the corner of his eye, though, the gnoll had seen her and moves to one side just in time, Maek strikes only air.

(OOC 15, miss gnoll4)

[Gralhruk]

She is suddenly gripped by some odd emotion as she eyes the mouth of the cavern. Her old life had been stealing in silently and gracefully, taking what she came for, and sneaking out just as quietly. This was something entirely different and the specifics of it didn't really matter. She waits for the moment to pass and hardens her will once more. Like she did with so many other things, she dropped her feelings by the side of the road and left them there. For what they'd done here, and gods knew what else, they had it coming.

So do you.

The thought whispers uneasily through her mind and she reaches one slim hand over her head and pulls out a torch, pausing briefly to get it blazing. That done, she switches it to her right hand and pulls one of her swords with her left. These things could see in the dark and they could not.

"Let's get this over with."

[itches]

From His elevated position, Itches can see the fight clearly over the low laying smoke. Seeing two of the foes, down in the opening seconds of the fight, he feels a surge of victory in his chest. Taking careful Aim at one of the Dog-men. As the shaft he fires flies true towards one of the creatures, it unwittingly jerks its head out of the way, leaving the bolt to move unhindered at Maeko. Seeing the arrow at the last moment, the bald woman's reflexes prove true, and she knocks the projectile aside with a blurring motion of her hand.

(( I rolled no dice, nor will I))

[LonePaladin]

As the crossbow bolt thunks into the ground next to the paladin, he is trading parries with the gnoll that first struck him. Seemingly unconcerned about the actual outcome of the battle -- almost as if it was a foregone conclusion -- he begins to speak, though it is not apparent who he is addressing.

"Heironeous is my armor. His will protects me from harm."

The last gnoll rushes across the clearing, vaulting over the burning husk left by the blind man's spell, and driving its axe into the paladin's side. The force of the swing, backed by the gnoll's momentum, forces the paladin back several steps.

[[OOC: Hits with a 15+2+3=20; 6+2=8 damage.]]

As the paladin falls to one knee by the blow, he uses the downward momentum to roll forward, coming up with an underhanded swing that catches the beast right in the crotch. With a cry of fury, the paladin lifts the gnoll off the ground and flings it over his his head.

"Heironeous is my strength. His fury smites my enemies!"

It crashes into a tree, where it catches on a thick branch that was sticking in that direction. Most of the branch splinters off in a shower of wood, but a significant portion was sturdy enough to impale the creature, the force of the impact driving it all the way to the trunk.

[[OOC: My attack hits with a 20+7=27; critical damage (automatic success with bless weapon): 3+4, 1+4, 7+4=28.]]

The paladin spins around to face his third assailant, the one that chopped into his shoulder. It brings its axe in close, attempting to catch his warhammer. For a moment, the two weapons lock, and the gnoll lets loose a howl of triumph.

Triumph turns to fear when the weapon that goes sailing into the trees is the gnoll's axe.

"Heironeous is my shield. His courage is before me, turning doubt aside."

[[OOC: Gnoll's disarm attempt: Roll 2+3=5; my reversal attempt: 14+7=21. His STR check: 3+2=5; mine: 15+3=18.]]

[Cadrius]

Cadrius nods in acknowledgement of Shade's silent gesture. The torch would be vital in the cave and with the sword on loan from Paladin there is no way he could also carry the torch. He takes a steadying breath before setting foot within the dark cave. He had faced worse things before, so why is he so nervous now? The fallen paladin is unable to put his finger on it but he definitely has a bad feeling about this cave.

The flames of the torch flicker and dance, causing shadows within the cave to pick up an identical rhythm. The stench is stronger in here, as if a pack of wild dogs had decided to mark each and every inch as their territory. Cadrius' lip curls slightly in disgust as he inhales the foul odor.

There are a few furnishings in the opening. A bear skin rug stretches across the floor, its mouth yawning terrifyingly wide as the torch and shadows play across it. The man looks down once and places his mailed boot firmly upon the rug's backside before moving on and through the hide curtain separating them from the next room.

Some crude furniture is strewn about the room. The walls also have a fair amount of color to them. Cadrius takes a step closer and examines them only to find that they are paintings of some sort. There are dark figures that can only be gnolls locked in combat with some much larger creature. It seems to be humanoid. Shaking his head Cadrius looks around again. Two exits, one to the left and one to the right.

He shrugs and moves through the opening on the left. As soon as he does he moves immediately to the right, allowing Shade's torch to fully illuminate the room and allowing her to enter as well.

Suddenly there is a sharp cry emanating from directly behind Cadrius. He whirls around, the great sword already raised, only to find a dark bird in a cage staring at him contemplatively. This must be Shirvel, Cadogan's pet. Cadrius grumbles quietly to himself, he wishes it had found a better way of alerting them to its presence.

Shade moves further into the room and sees a variety of objects strewn about in piles. Armor, weapons, a few nondiscript leather bags, and a partly rotting wooden chest. As she moves further into the room there is a quiet, but very deep growl.

Both Cadrius and Shade whip around to see a pair of red eyes glowing in the darkness outside the door. Then it emerges with a howl, the biggest gnoll Cadrius has yet to see. Muscles bulge as it swings a rather large sword in an overhand chop at the woman.

"Shade!" Cadrius screams as he throws himself between the her and the gnoll as he brings up the greatsword with all his strength.

Steel meets steel and there is a flash of sparks as the two blades collide. Both combatants have both hands upon the hilts of their respective blades and their forarms are almost touching as they fight for dominance. They are close enough for Cadrius to smell the foul breath of the gnoll, to feel the spittle hit him in the face.

He then notices something that sends a fresh wave of anger through him. The hilt of the gnoll's sword, it has a symbol, specifically a symbol of a fist grasping a lightning bolt. The gnoll is using his sword. Suddenly nothing else seems to matter, his wounds, his situation, nothing. Only that the gnoll has dared to wield his sword as its own.

Cadrius screams, a mixture of fury and defiance and he shoves the large gnoll backward a pace and bringing his sword to bear.

And that is when he hears it. Chanting. It isn't coming from Shade either. Suddenly he has the feeling that things are about to get a whole lot worse. But he has little time to think as the gnoll closes again and the two blades meet once more ringing and singing their deadly songs.

[Gralhruk]

Shade follows Cadrius through the stench of the cave, a growing sense of unease upon her. The thick air is made even thicker by the smoke from the torch and she scans every flickering shadow as they move. Nothing.

Hiding or gone; but which?

The scream of the great, caged bird has her heart in her throat. The sound brings her once more to the haunted forest and a darker bird with wings of nightmare. It had been the two of them there, as well, and she wondered again what they had seen and why. Shaking her head, she renews her vigilance; this was not the time for idle thought.

Just when she is beginnin to relax, she heas the growl behind her and before she can react Cadrius is there; his borrowed sword clashes fearfully loud against the dog-man's bright blade. She drops the torch to the ground, where it continues to burn though the shadows bounce crazily, and is pulling her other sword when she hears the rythmic chanting that speaks one word to her: wizard.

She swings her head and spots the other - he must have been hidden behind a heavy wall drapery - and launches herself in his direction. Just before she is in range a jet of flame shoots from his outspread fingertips. Almost without slowing she drops her shoulder and hits the ground, feeling the heat as she rolls beneath it. Her dive carries her across the narrow chamber and she comes up swinging at her sorcerous foe.

Let's see how well you think with a foot of steel in you.

Surprisingly quick for it's size, the beast ducks and twists wildly. Her first swing misses but the second slices deep into it's thigh. The thing's high pitched howl echoes throughout the chamber.

<OOC: 6 damage to the gnoll, 1 damage to Shade (burning hands, saved)>

[Cadogan Trahem]

Cadogan steps backwards hearing Maeko in a struggle with a creature. He concentrates his arcane energies at the end of his fingertips. Another spark of fire, however it does not release. Cadogan concentrates all his senses of hearing and smell on his surrounding area.

He could tell the Gnolls from the others, atleast he thought so. The Gnolls smelled aweful, and where heavy breathers not to mention very loud. While the remainer of the people around him where not so smelly although they could use a bath much like himself.

Cadogan waits for a Gnoll to wrongfully attempt to attack the Mage...

<Prepare Action: Cast a Burning Hands on the defensive as soon as a Gnoll (to the best of Cadogan's recognition) approches within 5ft>

[Cadrius]

The gnoll rushes Cadrius again, this time bringing the man's sword in low rather than high. This move almost catches him off-guard as he scrambles to bring the greatsword down in time to parry. The blades clash once more as they meet but this time the gnoll is not so easily stopped. With one hand he grabs the front of Cadrius' armor, jerking him forward while he slams his large forehead into the bridge of Cadrius' nose.

With a cry of pain the fallen paladin stumbles backward several steps. He shakes his head to clear his vision of the sudden tears present. Cadrius cries again but this time it is a yell of rage rather than pain. Hefting the greatsword he brings it up over his shoulder in a viscious overhand chop. However the gnoll is there to parry it, using brute force rather than finesse to avoid the blow.

Cadrius spits once, an act of defiance in the face of a stronger foe, and readies himself for the next exchange.

[Maeko]

The gnoll turns and swings towards Maeko's legs, she jumps, narrowly missing his weapon.

Out of the corner of her eye she notices Cadogan, the sorcerer seems ready to unleash another spell.

" Hold, older brother" she yells.

The gnoll turns, and Maeko jumps again, kicking him hard in the side.

(gnoll4 takes 8 damage)

[itches]

Cringing as his shot almost hits his companions, Itches starts to wind the bow-sting back in order to lead it for his next shot. As he moves, the half-elf notices movement behind the combatants. Two more of the Dog-men were creeping up on them, trying to attack them un-awears. Desperately trying to think of a way to warn his friends below of the threat the noble reluctantly concludes that there is little he can do

I am too far away for them to hear my voice, and I don’t think they will notice me in the middle of a fight. There is only one chance. If I fire on the approaching Gnolls, maybe, just maybe one of them will see where I fire, and then foil the surprise attack

Returning to loading the weapon, the half-elf receives the second shock in the last few minutes, as a shadow falls over him. Twisting around, he is frozen in horror. Over him stands a creature of nightmares. Yellow eyes, and a snout drawn back in a snarl extruding foul smelling breath, and a short bladed weapon with a wicked serrated edge.

Holding the weapon high over the frozen half-man, the creature pauses, and its eyes narrow. Perhaps its hand is stayed by some sympathy for the creature below it, or maybe it is just looking for a good place to bring its weapon home. Either way as the blade hesitates and Itches’ mind races with images of Lilly, his comrades and yellow eyes

An endless stream of unmoving images flow past Itches’ inner eye, one of them turns, reaches out and touches him. In his mind the voice of his beloved whispers I release you from your fear. As his vision clear, to see the Gnoll hesitating over him, the young Nobel reacts in a way that would of made his arms tutors back home proud. Letting out a – somewhat wobbly – war cry, he smashes at his foe, with the only weapon he has at hand. The crossbow. Whether released from its hesitation by the cry, or by some wicked twist of fate, coming to its decision at the same moment as the half-elf defeats his fear, its evil-looking blade descends as the crossbow rises. Slicing into Itches’ neck, cutting deep, releasing untold amounts of blood, the battle cry turns into a terror and pain filled scream, the crossbow meats home, smashing into hundreds of pieces against the side of the foul dog-like creature’s head.

Teetering, from the unexpected, yet vicious blow, the Gnoll falls upon the already weakening Itches, and knocks the two of them down the unstable slope. As they slide down it, gaining momentum and derbies until they are a part of a minor landslide, a cloud of dust arises and obscures them from the view of the rest of the combatants. As they all (with the exception to the Blind-sage) turn to apprehend the loud, if distant noise, a growl is heard behind them, as 3 more of the Dog creatures, leap into the battle.

[Gralhruk]

Obviously deciding that it needed to deal with it's attacker quickly, the adept forgets about practicing it's sorcery and decides to solve the matter with brute force. Drawing a dagger, it uses it's size to push it's smaller attacker back a step and then slash wildly at her eyes. Off balance from the thing's rush, Shade manages to step in close enough to avoid losing her sight but the beast turns it's wrist, striking her square in the nose with the metal pommel. She hears a muffled crunch and her eyes water from the shock and pain, making it difficult to see her attacker.

She spins to the side to buy herself a momentary recovery before launching an aggressive, double-bladed attack of her own. Her anger drowns out the pain and washes over the beast's defenses. It has a moment to ponder the identity of this fire eyed demon in front of it, and then her blades cross over it's throat. The world greys as it crashes to the floor.

<OOC: 5 damage to Shade, 15 to the now dead gnoll>

[Cadogan Trahem]

The Three Gnolls charge in from behind, seeing Cadogan facing away as an easy target. The rush towards the man content with laying waste to the apparent hesitant fighter. Cadogan listens to the fray around him. A Large noise of to his left, fighting infront, fighting to his right. There is a swooshing sound of grass and grunts from behind. Cadogan spins on the spot, if he had eyes he would have seen three Gnolls deadly axes raised to strike him down.

All he knew however was that there where more then one, they weren't with his party, and they weren't Lady Shade and Mr. Cadrius.

Cadogan's out skretched hands ignite and sparks of flame begin to pour forth The middle Gnoll and the Gnoll on the left take the full grunt of the flame while the Gnoll on Cadogan's right manages to cower behind one of his comrades at the last moment and only gets partially hit.

(middle Gnoll failed at 7+0 = 7 vs. DC 14)
(left Gnoll failed at 10+0 = 10 vs DC 14)
(right Gnoll succeeded at 16+0 = 16 vs DC 14)

The Gnoll infront of Cadogan twitches as the flames burn deep, at the end of Cadogan's spell it falls first, its burns server enough to overwhelm the creature instantly. The Gnoll to Cadogan's left falls to one knee before slowly slumping forward and letting death overcome it. The Gnoll who managed to dodge Cadogan's flame remains standing although badly wounded.

(middle Gnoll took 4,3,4,2 or 13 damage)
(left Gnoll took 3,3,2,4 or 12 damage)
(right Gnoll took 2,3,4,2 or 12 damage Ref for Half = 6 Taken)

The Remaining Gnoll finishes his war charge and slices his Battle Axe into Cadogan's side, Cadogan's magical armour helps to dampen the effect but the wound is grevious.

(Gnoll hit with 14+3+2 {charge} = 19 vs AC 15)
(Cadogan took 5+2 = 7 Damage)

[LonePaladin]

The paladin takes a quick glance around, taking stock of the situation.

Maeko and Cadogan are facing two badly-wounded gnolls. With the flash-fire created by the blind man, their odds are significantly better; they'd probably be able to take their foes down shortly.

The nobleman has fallen down the cliffside, with a gnoll tangled in the midst of a pile of rock, dirt, and debris. There is a lot of blood, and it's obvious that both combatants are badly wounded.

And the paladin's only foe no longer has a weapon.

He reaches his free hand out, grabbing the beast by the collar of its scale tunic, and drags it along, making his way to the fallen minstrel. As he does, he growls, "Keep to yourself, and you may live to speak of this day. Act falsely, and you will regret it." He does not know their language, and cannot tell if it understands him, but figures his tone alone will convey enough.

[Cadrius]

The attack comes once more and this time Cadrius is ready for it. Rather than meeting the blade head on with his, the fallen paladin takes an extra step backward. The gnoll expects another strong parry and is thus surprised by the sudden lack of resistance. It stumbles forward its momentum carrying it an extra step or two as the bastard sword strikes the floor of the cave.

Seeing his chance Cadrius seizes it. He quickly plants one mailed boot upon the flat side of the gnoll's blade and traps it between his heel and the ground. Again he hefts the greatsword over his shoulder and brings it violently down in a diagonal arc. The gnoll thinks the swing is designed for its neck and ducks while dodging back half a step. Unfortunately that's not Cadrius' target, not at all.

Cadrius yells again, not in pain, not in fury, not even in defiance, he merely yells, unable to form a coherent word as he brings the sword down with all his might. The blade of the greatsword crashes into the blade of the bastard sword and there is an thunderous clash of steel against steel. In the blink of an eye each blade quivers and then shatters under the force of the blow. Cadrius' hands numb from the impact, drop the hilt of the now-broken greatsword. The gnoll likewise drops the bastard sword.

The two face each other, a mere three paces apart. Cadrius bleeding from the nose and gasping for breath, the gnoll panting heavily and shaking its hand-like paws in an attempt to regain feeling in them.

There is a sound, one that Cadrius knows without needing to turn around. The sound of a blade being drawn through flesh. There's a very faint whimper and then a dull thud as the body hits the ground. Clearly Shade had won and she had turned the tide here. Would this gnoll continue to fight?

The large dogman stands for a moment and for the first time Cadrius sees another human emotion flicker across its face. Before he had only seen rage and pain but what did he see in its red eyes now? Sadness. Did this gnoll know what Cadrius and his friends had done to the village? To the pack? Chances are, it did. Had the one just slain by Shade been a friend? A brother? A mate? Perhaps.

Very, very slowly the gnoll reaches behind its shoulder and draws forth the massive club strapped to his back. Cadrius suddenly feels the presence of Shade by his side, both of her swords still drawn and dripping with blood. But the gnoll merely holds the weapon out, point down, and lowers it to the floor. The fallen paladin nods slowly, he knew a surrender when he saw one.

He waves his hand once, part-acknowledgement and part-salute.

The gnoll hesitantly takes one step backward, and then another, before turning and fleeing toward the mouth of the cave.

Cadrius stands for a moment, watching the gnoll flee before kneeling and picking up the hilts of the broken blades. He looks up at Shade for a moment, the dim torchlight making the blood running down his face take a black hue before saying, "I doubt Paladin will be amused by this," as he gestures to the broken greatsword.

[Gralhruk]

She barely hears him as she stares at the spot where his enemy so recently stood. He'd let the creature go, while the other lay dead behind her. Was she blind, that she could never find a way around the killing?

"We're not here to make him happy."

You can't see her face behind the veil but the bruises already forming beneath her eyes hint at a broken nose. She moves almost gingerly, her body a network of aches, as she turns to wipe her blades on the cloak of her enemy, hesitating a moment before she does so. Maeko would send it to the afterlife gracefully; all she could think about was keeping her swords in good enough shape to kill again.

Dead. It's dead. What difference does it make if I piss on it or bury it?

Her face contorts in rage as she slams her blades back into the scabbards and stands, kicking the dead thing once in the side as she spits on it's corpse. It stares mutely up at her, somehow wiser in death than it ever was in life. The snarl frozen onto it's face might be a grin; she may have killed it but somehow it was still fighting her and this time her swords were useless.

I am neither of you; I have no mercy, no respect. Can't you see what I already know? I am not worthy of your friendship.

Like a common bandit she starts methodically searching the room for anything valuable, angrily discarding anything without worth. She can feel Cadrius staring at her but she doesn't have the strength to look at him.

[Cadrius]

"No, I do not suppose we are," Cadrius says, his voice soft while he watches Shade kick and then spit the corpse of her foe. Clearly she's angry, but why? What could possibly be bothering her? Cadrius didn't know, and he likely wouldn't figure it out on his own, but now was not the time for such things.

So he joins Shade in their search of the cave. He has little fear for the safety of the others, judging by the vacant village there wasn't much left of this tribe anymore. A twinge of sadness nags at the fallen paladin's conscience. He is largely responsible for that, but he hadn't any other choice, right? He's no longer so certain that he didn't have another option.

He begins to rustle through the various chests, boxes, and miscellaneous piles of things scattered about the room. Clearly the one in charge hadn't been concerned with keeping things organized. However over the next five minutes both he and Shade begin to create a sizable pile of goods in the middle of the room.

During her search the woman finds several gems wrapped in a rather grubby piece of hide. They sparkle faintly in the torchlight. Cadrius tosses down a chest which he had used to collect the various pieces of hard currency scattered about the cave.

"That seems to be it," he says quietly, "a large sum of money, some tonics, and a few pieces of parchment that I am unable to read. Plus his club."

Cadrius places the small glass bottles, the parchment, and the broken blades into the chest before hefting it up in the air and placing it on his shoulder. He keeps one arm wrapped around it to steady it as he slings the extremely large club over the other shoulder and begins making his way out of the cave.

"Anything else? Or shall we check on the others," he says as he turns back to look at Shade, the light from the torch reflecting in his eyes like two tiny mirrors.

[Gralhruk]

Her anger only intensifies when Cadrius says nothing. Discarded items break or bounce off walls and floor as a pile of treasure grows in the center of the room. Despite her state of mind she moves quickly and surely, making Cadrius realize that there is some skill involved in looting a room. She goes at it with a vengeance, somehow managing to find a large percentage of the valuable items. By the time they have finished she is in a state of carefully controlled fury, tempered only by her pain.

She looks up as he speaks, her fingers running over the finely crafted scabbard of a beautiful short sword. Where these beasts had come across such a weapon she had no idea and the irony that it should fall into her hands is not lost on her. Rewarded for her killing. Her eyes plead with his for a moment, wishing he would say something, anything. Her hand clenches on the scabbard, tempted to pelt him in the head for being so thick. Was that a flicker in his eyes? No, it was only a reflection of the torchlight.

Enough.

She shakes her head once and thrusts the blade through her belt. It dawns on her that they hadn't found his armor yet, and she wonders if he is already so comfortable in Paladin's armor that he has forgotten. That darkens her mood a bit more and she shoves that whole line of thought away from her.

"Let's go."

[Cadrius]

The bird! Cadrius momentarily forgot the blind man's pet during their search. Oddly enough the raven had not made a single sound while they looted the gnoll cave. He stops in his tracks at the mouth the cave and sets the chest and club down at his feet. How could he have forgotten the bird and the child's toy that Cadogan had been so keen on regaining? He silently curses himself for a fool.

"We," he pauses and amends his statment, "I forgot Cadogan's bird as well as that object of his. I will go back and retrieve them, feel free to go and see to the others. It should not take too long," he says as he looks down at his feet for a moment before looking back up, "sorry."

Taking the torch he turns and re-enters the cave. Yes he is going in for both the bird and the toy but there's another reason behind his actions. He's searching for something he lost in the woods before he had been made a prisoner. His armor he could live without, chances are it was being worn piecemeal by a gnoll, but the locket? No, he must find it. It and the sword are the last remnants of before, of his past. Now the sword is broken, shattered while being wielded by the gnoll. All that remains is the locket.

Holding the torch aloft Cadrius moves back to the room where their fight had taken place. The gnoll still laying sprawled across the floor with Shade's spittle rapidly drying upon its face. As if on cue the raven lets out a squak as soon as the man enters the room. The bird seeming pleased with itself immediately begins to murmer quietly to itself in a language only a bird could understand.

He grasps the top of the brass cage by its handle and lifts it, and Shirvel, aloft. Underneath are two backpacks, presumably his and Cadogan's. A cursory inspection proves this to be true. Cadrius kneels and begins to search through his bag, looking for it. Nothing. If the locket is still around, it definitely isn't here.

"Damn you," he whispers. The target of his curse is left unsaid and the only response he gets is a quiet murmer from Shirvel as the raven tilts its head to the side and stares at Cadrius.

The fallen paladin sighs and stands. Shouldering both backpacks he picks up Shirvel and makes his way back out of the cave. Perhaps it is for the best that he has lost every material piece to his past. All it ever did was serve to remind him of what he did and what he had lost. No sense in reliving it every day, he already did that at night, in his dreams. At least his days could now be plague-free.

He comes out of the cave again and looks up at the sky. No clouds, it will be cold tonight.

[Cadogan Trahem]

"Squark! Human! Squark! Save Shrivel! Squark! Friend! Friend!" Shirvel gestures at Cadrius as they leave the cave and somehow Cadrius feels a connection.

Back at the woods, Cadogan is a little worse for wear. Bleeding badly, burned from his own spell prior to their rescue. Cadogan stumbles backwards the badly wounded Gnoll roars at the man.

Cadogan roars back but through the hatefilled cries of men the strange chanting of mystical magics can be heard.

"Go Away!!" Cadogan yells as his hands Errupt once more with a huge spout of flames the Gnoll tries to step aside of the shower of flaming sparks but grossly underestimates the size of the blind mages ehanced spell as once more the spell covers a 20ft semicircular area infront of himself. The Gnoll roars in pain and falls limply forward, its Axe once raised falls to the ground. Cadogan hears the creature drop and himself falls to one knee as he concentrates hard not to fall asleep.

(Enlarged Burning Hands)
(Ref for Half Gnoll failed with 8+0 = 8 vs DC 14)
(Damage 4d4 or 2,2,3,1 = 8)
(Gnoll Deing at -3 HP)

[Gralhruk]

Shade doesn't turn as Cadrius retreats back into the cavern, intent on collecting what they had come for. Her anger still runs high and thoughts of the raven bring on thoughts of it's blind owner. The others might need her help and so she heads for the woods in the gathering darkness.

Halfway there she pauses, hearing the gutteral sounds that she has come to recognize as the gnoll tongue. She eases into the shadow, confident in the darkness, and moves forward. Up ahead, she sees the champion that Cadrius had spared, crouched down.

What is it doing?

She watches, wondering if she should step forward and end the thing's miserable life right there. Something in the tone of it's voice stays her hand though. Somehow she got the feeling it was mourning and it was almost pitiful. She sees it's head turn suddenly, nostrils flaring, and it looks towards her though it doesn't seem to spot her. Snatching something off the ground, it bounds off into the woods. Moving forward, she can see an old stump where the beast had been. Some huge old tree, doubtless sawn for lumber in the village. Something was carved on it's flat surface, the letters unfamiliar to her and crudely made, but old.

She is confused and wonders at the beast's behavior, wonders if this means what she suspects. She sits on the stump, and lays her head in her hands suddenly unsure who was more of a monster. Her new blade presses into her ribs and she pulls it out. Her eyes are wells of pain and darkness as she studies her ill-gotten prize. Laying it in her lap, she slowly unwinds the leather wrap from her forearm staring at it as though she had never seen it before.

Is this what death looks like?

She draws the new blade, her features a dark shadow in it's gleaming length and puts the point on her exposed flesh. It stings as it bites her; a single tear rolls from her eye as she draws the edge in a spiral around her arm. Blood wells and flows down her arm, over her hand, black in the darkness. She hurls the blade into the ground where it sticks, point first, quivering and her head drops into her hands once again, the blood smearing her face. Her shoulders tense and she feels the pressure build in her chest, her neck; it intensifies and then, before it can release her body reflexively swallows it back down. She does not move for a long time and all the while the darkness thickens around her.

[Maeko]

Maeko stares at the wounded gnoll facing her, ready to avoid a blow.

The Gnoll's eyes are blank now, totally devoid of expression, then he sighs...and drops his weapon and shield, fully open to attack, his expression clearly saying : " I don't care".

Maeko moves back a step, shocked. Very slowly, as if in a dream, the gnoll turns and disappears among the trees, moving stiffly.

[Cadrius]

Cadrius gives a start as the raven begins to speak words that the fallen paladin is capable of understanding. However after the day's events he finds he has neither the energy nor the will to ponder how strange it is for the bird to be speaking. Cadogan was a sorcerer of some sort and everyone knew they involved themselves in strange affairs. Talking birds was likely one of them.

He spies the form of Shade sitting outside the mouth of the cave. It's dark, had he really been in there so long? It had felt like but a few minutes. For once Cadrius is able to remain quiet while in armor and he stands for a time, the torch temporarily discarded, and watches her as she buries her head in her hands. What is it that torments her?

What is it that torments you?

In that moment Cadrius ceases to pity his morose companion. Does it matter what it is that troubles her? No, not really. In the grand scheme of things what they did or have done matters little except to them. All that really matters is that she suffers, much like he does. He smiles mirthlessly, they were all at once the opposite and same side of a coin. How odd than an assassin and a fallen paladin would compliment the other so well. Keeping his smile Cadrius sighs, why wouldn't an assassin and a fallen paladin work so well together? They were everything the good and noble people stood against. They were outcasts.

He ducks back around the corner and leans against the wall for a moment. The torch flickering softly causing the shadows around him to continue their random and perpetual dance. They also seem to loom up and surround him. They tower about in their never-ceasing movement.

Cadrius suddenly feels alone and very small, an insignificant speck in the world. He closes his eyes as despair of the knowledge that he really does not matter washes over him. And for the first time in a long time Cadrius feels afraid.

It is sometime longer before he reemerges from the cave with the remaining equipment in tow. Shirvel squaks occasionally but seems content to sit and preen as the fallen paladin escorts it back to its master.

[itches]

Walking towards where he had last seen Itches land, Paladin drags the Gnoll in one hand, its tail well between its legs. As he steps over a bump, The dog-creature, twists, and its scale tunic rips, dropping it to the ground, leaving the human with a handful of leather and metal. Looking up at its former capturer, it gives a yelp, and runs as far and fast as it can away from the towering warrior. Shaking his head at the fleeing form, Paladin continues on towards Itches.

After a quick search of the debris laying everywhere from the rockslide, he quickly finds two forms.
One: A Gnoll, lying with its head twisted around at an unnatural angle, its lifeless eyes staring blankly.
Two: The half-elf Itches, covered by a large pile of rocks up to his waist, and the rest of him lying in an ever-increasing pool of blood.

As his already unseeing eyes staring blankly forward, and he tries vainly to fill his half crushed lungs with air, Paladin manages to make out a few words.

"Lily ... Sorry ... Forgive.... Me"

His head twists suddenly so that he happens to be staring blankly @ the Paladin, and one last word comes out half croaked, half gargled as he drowns on his own blood.

"Sorr..."

Then Struggling for a breath that will never come, the last bit of life, fades from the Aristocrats body.

In the blackness in which he floats, a white figure draws near to him. Opening its arms and drawing the Former living man into its arms, Itches looks up into its face and stammers.

" I.. I k-Know you"

A Peaceful smile forms on her face as he speaks.

"Y-you is L-Lily. I L-love you"

Kissing his forehead she at least speaks.

"And I You, my Beloved. And I you."

Holding his loved one close he shivers.

"I-I'm S-Soo cold"

Stroking his hair, she whispers in his ear

"Yes, death always is cold at first. But soon you will find yourself used to it, and I will show you to wonders of this realm. I have waited for you to join me for a long time, but first you needed to live. And at last you have, At last your time came. Now we shall be together forever. Nothing shall separate us now."

[LonePaladin]

"Lily ... Sorry ... Forgive.... Me"

His head twists suddenly so that he happens to be staring blankly at the paladin, and one last word comes out half croaked, half gargled as he drowns on his own blood.

"Sorr..."

Then, struggling for a breath that will never come, the last bit of life fades from the aristocrat's body.

For a moment, the paladin simply crouches in front of the nobleman, looking at his ruined form. He then reaches down and closes the man's eyes. "With valor, one finds purpose in life. With a purpose in life, its passing takes on meaning.

"Heironeous, watch over this brave soul on his journey, so that he may find his way."

Finally, he stands. The defeated gnoll is forgotten. There is no point in pursuing those who fled; their threat is ended, and the paladin sees no point in turning massacre into genocide.

Slowly, and with a now-apparent limp, he walks to where Maeko and the blind sorcerer stand, catching their breaths. "Let's go find Shade and Cadrius, and see if we can find some shovels along the way. We must give our companion a proper resting place."

[Gralhruk]

Guarded grey eyes watch as the fallen paladin emerges from the cave and starts down the path toward the prison. The dark bird he carries squawks and lurches, and once looks her way giving her an uncomfortable sense of another dark bird from not so long ago. She watches his back as he fades into the gloom, the sounds of his passage falling further away and for a moment the world is silent. Her face is an inscrutable mask as she winds the leather wrap back over her bloody forearm. Silence and shadow, that was her world now.

Her deft fingers unhook the scabbard from her right side and she places it almost reverantly on the old stump. Without a sound she slides the stolen blade at her feet from it's earthen sheath. With the edge of her cloak she wipes it until the blade is once more a dark mirror. It disappears into it's wood and horn sheath and is quickly secured to her belt. It's weight is reassuring and a mirthless smile flashes across her lips. It was hers now.

With never a sound or a look back, she steps from the wood and follows the same track as Cadrius. Moving more swiftly than he, she catches up to him easily but she hangs back enough so that he doesn't notice her. She can see him stop up ahead, conversing with what can only be Paladin, Cadogan and Maeko, and she moves forward to join them. Of Itches there is no sign.

[Maeko]

Maeko, after watching the retreating gnoll's back disappear among the trees went back to check on Cadogan.

" Are you well, older brother?"

How ironic that the one we thought was most needing help is the one who killed the most adversaries... thinks the nun.


And how come that we all looked at them and only saw 'enemies'? What do we know of their aims, hopes, fears? What do they think of these strange, hairless ones who speak gibberish, enter their territory and leave it in ruin?.

She is so engrossed in thought that she almost starts at Lone Paladin's approach.

At his words she stares at him, and immediately realizes whom he is referring to.

" May he find enlightenment in his next life..." She cannot help but sigh at the thought of the young nobleman demise, improper as it may be to lament somebody's departure from the World of Illusion.

" Do you know wich gods were his?".

[Cadogan Trahem]

Cadogan strains to stand.

"I am hurt, but well enough to move." Cadogan answers the women. As he straightens up grasping at his side where a Gnollish battle axe dug deep.

[Cadrius]

"What?" Cadrius asks in a low, serious voice. His light blue eyes search each of their faces, demanding that one of them tell him that it was false, that itches wasn't dead. Nothing. Each face told him the same thing, their foolish nobleman had fallen. Oh they display different emotions: the paladin is stern and full of purpose, Maeko seems stoic with a twinge of sadness, and Cadogan merely looks weary. Yet their eyes speak louder than any action or word ever could. Itches was dead.

And for what? So he could reclaim his possessions? For the stupid sword which now lays broken in the chest?

Suddenly sick at the sight of their newly found treasure Cadrius roughly shoves it into the paladin's arms and stalks off in the direction of the corpse.

It does not take him long to find it. The rockslide is readily apparent and itches body lies pinned beneath it. The fallen paladin slows to a halt as he makes out the form of the body in the near-twilight. There is blood, a lot of blood, now drying to his clothes and his body.

Cadrius falls to one knee and removes his gauntlets as he stares at itches' visage. He failed, he failed to protect the fool and now this has happened. With a trembling hand he reaches out and brushes away some dirt and debris from the nobleman's face and neck. It shouldn't have happened like this, not at all. If anyone had died today it should have been Cadrius, not itches. He was, he still is, innocent. He didn't deserve such an ignoble death.

He bows his head and leaves one hand on itches' chest. Twin tears emerge, one from each of his eyes and he whispers quietly, "I'm sorry. I could not protect you."

The corpse suddenly reminds him of two similar bodies he had seen once. Each had a wide pool of blood about them. They too had been his fault. He seems bound to repeat his past.

No. Never again. My greed, my emotions, they will not cause another person's death. Never again.

With a clenched jaw the suddenly stands and begins hauling rocks off of the nobleman's body. He hurls them as far as his arms are able to, hoping that the physical exertion will relieve him of some of his pain. So he does not care when his hands are cut and begin to bleed, this pain is more easily defined and can be dealt with.

As the others approach the clattering sound of rocks he pants and says, "Gather some wood. He deserves a pyre," before tossing another large stone into an ever-increasing pile.

[Cadogan Trahem]

Shrivel squarks loudly at the sight of Cadogan.

"Cadogan! Cadogan!" It gives Cadrius an effectional peck before taking to the air off the fallen Paladins shoulders and landing on Cadogan's head.

Cadogan smiles lightly and reaches up to give his bird companion a little scratch on the neck.

"Thank you, Cadrius." Cadogan words towards where he envisions Cadrius, unfortunately Cadrius has already moved to Itches body.

"Cadogan!" Shirvel squaks before pecking Cadogan on the head repeatably untill Cadogan nearly swipes the bird off in his frenzied defense against the birds persisting pecking.

"Quiet bird! Before I weave a spell to seal your trap for a day - no two!" Cadogan empty thread is enough to make the bird quietly retreat to Cadogan's shoulder where it sits quietly rubbing itself against Cadogan's cheek.

"Pyre?" Cadogan repeats after Cadrius. "What? Who? Cadrius Who?" Cadogan persists in questioning the darkness around him trying to locate the Fallen Paladin by shifting his head left and right and listening. Unaware yet that one of their number had fallen, albeit a stranger to Cadogan.

[Gralhruk]

Twisting red flame reflects in cold grey eyes, as if she were burning on the inside; her face hidden behind the armor of her veil. Those eyes stare at the pyre, unblinking, with the acrid aroma of burning flesh in her throat, almost thankful for her broken nose and her diminished sense of smell. It throbbed with her pulse, as did the hidden slash beneath her bracer and the hundred other aches and pains of this days slaughter yet the deepest wounds were those to her spirit.

***

A twinge of unease spasms through her stomach as she approaches the others; Itches is not with them. Indeed, she cannot hear his voice, that constant source of annoyance is gone. She hears the strain as Cadrius speaks, unable to make out the words but painfully aware of the emotion. He hurries off and she can see the hollow expressions on the faces that suddenly turn toward her.

She holds Maeko's gaze while her feet continue to move forward. The monk meets her stare, does not blink, does not look away and she knows that Itches is dead. Shade is the one that drops her eyes, not willing to examine the source of the emotions churning in her gut and her mind. She moves up beside Cadrius as he leans over the crushed body of the lovestruck aristocrat.

Nobody can protect anybody in this world.

It was the brutal truth, and the one that she was beginning to recognize. Itches had been simply been young, optimistic, and in love and he had died for it. Not just for it, but because of it. Another wall went up around her heart; it was cold, maybe, and lonely that way but safer than the alternative. She shed no tear, could barely associate this shattered husk with the young man and his carefree attitude. When Cadrius calls for wood, she moves off soundlessly to oblige.


***

As she watches the flames consume his body, sees the smoke waft away with all that is left of him, she can't help but wonder when it will be her turn. Somewhere, deep down, she had hoped that he would prosper, that he might get to live the life she had once dreamed about. She'd hoped she was wrong about the world. Those hopes were drifting away with the black cloud of his funeral. When they were gone she walked the lonely fortress of her soul, staring but not seeing, until his ashes were as cold as the stony places in her heart.

[Maeko]

Maeko stands near the pyre. Shade has come too, dark emotions churning deep,under her eyes; disbelief, sadness...guilt?

This world is illusion, thinks the nun,Why should we feel sadness if one of our number now experiences the truth?
And yet, here it is: the longing, the guilt because the innocent among us is no more. May he be reborn higher on the Wheel!

She stands there, murmuring the Sutra of the Western Paradise for the young noble’s repose. Fingers counting verses on her prayer beads,body still like a statue in the occasional waft from the pyre, until even she can believe that the tears in her eyes come from the smoke.

[Cadrius]

Cadrius watches the tendrils of smoke spiral upward into the air as the pyre blazes. It drives back the cold and the man's skin is warmed and is given the only comfort he could receive from the death of the nobleman. A gift? Perhaps. Another twinge of grief strikes the fallen paladin as he remembers how he had made a silent vow to protect itches despite the fact he was an incredible fool.

What had happened? He was half-buried under the rubble with a dead gnoll nearby. It was a small way from the battle sight. He remembers finding a few pieces of the crossbow and fractured side of the gnoll's head. A grim smile comes to his lips, perhaps itches wasn't as useless as he made others believe.

"A romantic deserves a funeral among the stars," he says to no one in particular but wanting to voice his reason for choosing a pyre.

One lonely tear creeps from the corner of one eye and slowly moves down his cheek rapidly picking up momentum as it hurdles to his jaw and drops to the earth below.

Why him and not me?

He looks up to the night sky and sees the stars shining unmoved by one more lover delivered into their embrace. He closes his eyes again and feels the heat of the pyre washing over him. Opening his mouth he begins to sing, a low bass voice echoing around the woods amidst the crackle of the fire.

"I swear the happiest day of my life,
You know the happiest day of my life,
was the day the I died.
Can you feel the cold tonight?
It sets in but it's all right.
Darkness falls, I'm letting go.
All alone but I feel just fine.
You know the happiest day of my life,
I know the happiest day of my life,
I swear the happiest day of my life,
was the day that I died.
Can you feel the cold tonight?
It sets in but it's all right.
Darkness falls, I'm letting go.
All alone but I feel just fine.
Did I live it right?
I hope I lived it right,
I know I lived it right."

As the song concludes he closes his eyes and bows his head, an action all too familiar to him. He clenches his right fist and presses it against his chest, over his heart, and whispers, "If Lily new what you have done, she would be proud. Go with the Light, lad."

I only hope you are in a better place now.

He turns his head to the side, his eyes shining from both the tears in them and the light from the fire, and says, "Let us go, the town cannot be far."

He lights a large stick from the pyre and gathers up as much of their gear that he can carry before setting off down the path and into the darkness once more.

[Gralhruk]

As she listens to the lamentation of Cadrius, looks into the ragged emotion displayed in his eyes, Shade wonders why she doesn't mourn for Itches the way he does. Even Maeko's eyes, normally so controlled, reflect something akin to sadness.

She knows the truth: emotion is what got Itches killed in the first place. Better to let it go than to let it destroy you. In a way, his death made her stronger; it reinforced her perception that she'd made the right choices, made her feel better about her own emptiness. It needed to be that way since the alternative was death.

Lily will not be proud. Lily will be sad, and then Lily will be dead too.

Truth, that was all. She was willing to tell herself the truth, even if the others didn't see it. She can feel the chill shadows pressing up behind her, stark contrast to the heat of the pyre and she found the cold more comforting than the warmth.

Cadrius picks up as much gear as he can carry before walking off; she selects as much as she can without slowing herself down and starts off after him. The further she gets from the fire the better she feels about herself. Soon she has passed the others, scouting the trail just ahead of the torchlight.

[Cadogan Trahem]

Cadogan stands idle, he can hear the burning embers but not see them. He barely knew the now dead half-elf but life is a challenge for those who seek it. Cadogan collects his equipment and afixes his Component pouch to his belt, tucking his well worn morning star into his belt he jerks and then decides not to put sharp spikes so close to his body again.

Finally picking up a Seeing stick, he hears Maeko in the distance.

"Miss, please. I would like to make use of myself. Select something for me to carry and I will." He asks her quietly.

[Maeko]

" Of course, oder brother" come in answer Maeko's quiet voice.

Cadogan hears rummaging, then her slightly hesitating accent again, while she guides his arms through a backpack's straps, careful not to touch his bare skin.

" Here, How are your wounds, brother? If you need some healing, I ave a spare potion".

[Cadogan Trahem]

Cadogan pushes the potion back into Maeko's hands and reaches into his backpack, after a few moments he withdraws two potions and drinks them down.

"Lucky they where still there, perhaps they didn't get time to empty my bag." Cadogan thinks outloud and Shrival responders. "Lucky!"

His wounds heal over but not fully leaving some scar tissue and brusing here and there. But Cadogan is thankful, he remembers when last he was injured so badly. It was a Wyvern outside of a city very early in his adventuring life.

As they travel Cadogan continues to fidget with the strange cube which was retrieved but gives up after a few hours of trying to do something only to be at it again later.

On their arrival in the town Cadogan asks Maeko to help him find a quiet place to sit.

[Gralhruk]

The weary band presses on as long as their aching bodies will respond before settling down for the evening. They tend to their wounds as best they can and set about the business of dinner, chewing more out of habit than any enjoyment of the tough journey bread and salted meat in their packs. There is little talk around the campfire that night; perhaps the flames remind them too much of the passing of one of their own, perhaps they are filled with thoughts of their own mortality.

Thankfully, the night is uneventful and they rise somewhat refreshed though some pains will take longer to fade than others. It is hard to say what thoughts run through each mind; the shining righteousness of evil vanquished, the dark caverns of self-loathing, the still waters of inner harmony, the bloody light of a new dawn, or the warm wind of change. Whatever they might be, they remain uniquely individual. Though fate has pushed them together they have not yet learned to lean on one another. In a way, their trust is as fragile as the light frost that covers the ground in the pre-dawn gloom.

The day passes with only a brief rest and a meager meal before they press on, anxious now to reach their destination. Their exertions are rewarded as the sun begins to sink in the west. From the heights they can see the frontier town beneath them; sizable but rustic. It is ringed with a palisade and a few watchtowers, with gates on each of it's four sides.

Declaring themselves at the gate, they are allowed passage into the town with little more than a gate tax and a few words of caution. The dusty street is relatively empty and lights shine from within several buildings. There is a large, inviting inn just down the street.