3. The Journey into the Desert

The Journey into the Desert


  • :: I watched over the other two humans as they slept, letting them sleep and knowing that they would need the rest for the long journey to come. I was nervous though, and my mind took to wandering. I had scoured through my spellbook, reading the entire thing twice over, searching for some hidden secret that would allow me to overtake those mistresses in the tower. What was I thinking, this mission seemed utter suicide, and yet I was letting Shirra and Dael'ric come with me. ::

    :: I stood, moving lightly over the carpets and piled pillows of the camp, trying to think of some way I would be able to succeed in freeing all of the slaves. But that great tower, it seemed as if the gods themselves had built it, and it seemed impossible to penetrate, especially for a paladin, a servant of a goddess, and an ex-slave. I shook my head in despair, sighing, but knowing that I had to go, that I had to find some way to free them. ::

    :: I looked back to Shirra and Dael'ric, smiling that these two had the courage and friendship to come with me. Shirra and her seeming wonderful faith and unwaivering friendship, I knew she would be there no matter what I needed. And Dael'ric, I smiled down upon him, well he is amazing and knows exactly what to say and how to say it. He does not fight and attempt to show off for my affection and attention like other woolheads, he just is. He is there by my side, silent and listening when needed, and soft and consouling when required. He barely ever speaks out when there are many people around, and his level of romantic dreaminess just seems too perfect to be true. ::

    :: I glided across the floor, my elven heritage allowing me to move silently without as much as a ruffle, though I must have stepped too close to Shirra or the woman has better senses than I once thought, for she stirred, looking up to me with a smile. The poor girl, she has no idea what is ahead, I only hope I can keep them both alive. I smiled back, though my smile wavered and the woman had the uncanny sense to be able to tell when something is not right. She raised her brow wondering, so I put my finger to my lips so she would not rouse Dael'ric for he needed his rest. There was such a long journey ahead of us, what would wait at the end even I was not totally certain. I motioned my hand for her to follow me outside so we could speak ::


  • :: The grasses had grown taller than a man, and we came to a small circular clearing with a small spring in the middle of it. I glanced around, smiled at the water in the days heat, and moved forward to splash my face to try to cool myself for a moment. We had walked a long way, and still had a long way to go, I only hoped that the humans could keep up with my pace and not become too wary for our end battle. I looked back seeing Dael'ric leaning on a long staff he had found in the woods along the way and used more as a hiking staff than anything, and Shirra standing next to him batting her eyelashes and giggling as she whispered something in his ear that he smiled at. ::

    :: My ears perked up as I heard a light rustle from the grass, I let the water fall out of my hands back into the spring, and searched the grass with my eyes, backing up to Dael'ric for I knew he would keep me safe. Then I saw it, the black shape moving through the grasses, some large animal, no wait there were three of them, all circling the clearing, my eyes went wide as I turned and ran the rest of the way back to Dael ::

    What was that? Did you see that rustle in the grass?

    Where? :: Shirra scaned the grass for trouble, pulling out her club from her pack and slipping her sheild onto her arm ::

    Right there :: I pointed :: it's coming this way… Oh no, I think there are three of them :: I turned looking behind us :: and they are circling us...

    :: Dael'ric tightened his grip on his sword and scanned the area as he stood between both me and Shirra :: Run, strait ahead, just stay behind me.

    :: Shirra catches sight of one and follows it's movement :: Pick one and keep following it's movement.

    :: Dael moves his shield up so he can just see over it :: Ready?

    Shirra: Ahh... I'm not a ranger by any means... but lions rarely hunt humans...

    Yes... but these ones, if they are lions... seem to be, Dael they're too fast :: I strung my bow, nocking an arrow, and knelt down readying myself for them to come out of the grass ::

    :: Shirra goes into a short soft prayer and a faint blue aura shimmers around her form :: Alright... let the buggers come and dance :: Shirra said grinning as if it were all still a game ::

    :: Dael'ric knelt saying a short prayer to Kelevmor, just as one of the black 'demon' lions jumped out of the grass with it's beeting red eyes and claws at Dael. He threw up his shield in time to block one of the lions claws witch in turn batted Dael's sheild arm away and it's other paw found flesh biting through Dael's breastplate. ::

    :: Dael'ric fell back a step, leaning on his shield and staring down the lion, he grunted from the impact of the claw wound and lifted his sword swinging and catching one of the lions paws leaving a deep gash. The lions eyes flared for a moment but it backed off a couple steps matching Dael stare for stare. The other two lions if they were all the same, seemed to be still circling thinking the one was more than enough to overpower us, I cringed as Dael was hit. ::

    Shirra: Dael, you doing ok there?

    :: Dael'ric nods slightly still staring at the lion ::

    :: Shirra's eyes still follow the one that she had spotted earlier as she turns slightly in a circle to watch it :: Good... I will try and keep an eye on this one.

    :: Gathering myself from my earlier gasp, I noticed I had dropped my nocked arrow in the shock and fear, I gritted my teeth muttering some words and let the small missiles of magic fly from my fingers to protect Dael'ric. The creature yelped, and slinked back into the grass as the other two meet in their circle jumping in to take the ones place and hanging their jaws open as if hungry. They divide, moving swiftly, one jumping up at Dael as he barely gets his shield back in place to push the lion aside as it tried to pounce on top of him, the second lion Shirra had her gaze fixed on as it rushed toward her and she lifted her leg in time for the lions claws to snap shut on only air. ::

    :: Dael'ric looks down to his new foe, stabbing in a downward slash and catching the beast across the back, as it ducked and shaked it's mein rearing up and slashing at Dael. Dael evaded the first claw rolling on the ground as the second claw reaped across his back, he gritted his teeth in pain, now bleeding from his chest and back. ::

    :: I glanced over to Shirra, afraid for her, and saw her grinning and bopping the lion over the head with her club, I moved up behind her and collected myself. I smiled to Shirra, and stayed behind the two as I prepared my spell :: Protection, here my call, lady Shirra needs not fall. :: I muttered words of protection to put an invisible set of armor between her and the lion ::

    :: I gasped as my spell was not quick enough, and the lion in front of Shirra reared up and Shirra got bowled over, pinned under the weight of the lion, she grinned still though shouting at the lion :: Come get some lion-demon-thingy!

    :: My eyes moved back to the grass remembering there was still a thrid one out there, though it seemed to do nothing yet but growl and make the frenzy seem a mess as it smelled blood and I was the only one left standing. ::

    :: Dael'ric screamed in pain, rolling from the ground with his momentum and swings his sword wildly with a look of bewilderment as he swings over the lions head in a high arc. I looked back to Shirra as she yellped with the lion still on top of her. I gritted my teeth, I had to help my friends, we weren't even at the tower yet, these were just lions, just lions. ::

    :: I backed up shooting out another spell from my palm. The deep blue ray of cold frost shot through the air as I tried to get the lion off of Shirra. I gasped and screamed as it actually worked and the lions gaze turned to me, I turned to try to run, but it was too late, the lion bounded over and pounced on top of me pinning me to the ground, I clawed at the ground trying to get out from under it to no avail. I could no longer see the others, but I heard the rustling of battle and the sound of what I could only guess was teeth against metal and another grunt from Dael'ric. ::

    :: Dael'ric grunted as the lion found his armor plate hard to get past, though somehow one tooth still got through and the lion had a grip on his shield arm. He flipped his sword skillfully in his hand, stabing down at the lion again in a jab, burrying and yanking his sword back out from deep in the lions shoulder. The lion growls as it lets go of Dael's sheild arm, backing up and licking it's wound. ::

    :: Shirra, jumps off the ground back to her feet, running towards the lion that laid itself atop of me ::

    :: I struggled, and managed to roll onto my back, having some of my cloak hem cut in the process, I gasped, taking a deep breath of the warm air and the stentch of lion breath filled my orfices, I closed my eyes focusing and then opening them quickly shooting another blue ray, freezing some of the lions underbelly, though the lion only opened it's mouth and tilted it's head as if to smile at me opening it's mouth and biting deep into my left shoulder, shaking its head and ripping my shoulder apart. The pain shot through my body as my eyes rolled to the back of my head, I let my bow fall to the ground as I could no longer feel my left arm, if it was even still attached at all. ::

    :: Dael'ric was dealing with his own lion, focused on the battle at hand, he heard the women's screams and cringed at the thought that he could do nothing right now to help until he dealt with the one lion in front of him. He gazed determined to the lion, as it launched back to try to bite his arm again, he backed up and smashed it's face with his sheild, batting the lion away again. Dael sighs, but knows he has pledged to protect Amy, he tears his gaze from the lion in front of him and gasps at the carniage that he sees behind him, running forward in a fit of rage and spears the lion on top of Amy in the rear, pulling his sword free, hearing the snapping of jaws behind him as the lion he was facing must have tried to bite his heals as he turned from it. ::


  • :: the morning sun rose higher still as I moved from that great oak and we began to set out on a journey, one I knew would in the end take far more strength than I thought we had, but the chance had to be taken. ::

    Shirra: Well, I can't think of anything else we need. Alright… lets leave before the sung gets low and all the roast is gone off the fires :: she giggles happily as if they were setting out on some game that her god would protect her on ::

    Dael'ric: :: nods, walking closely beside Amy with a determined look on his face, I looked up to him and smiled as I knew he meant to let nothing happen to me and it was a kind comfort ::

    :: Shirra walked with her usual swaying hips, seeming to glide over the ground towards the camps fires ::

    No... Shirra not that way... we go out the back over the fence, south a bit then west I think...

    :: Dael'ric turns to follow Amy staying at her side ::

    Shirra: I am going to grab a bit off the spits and catch up with you two if you don't wait. :: smiles impishly ::

    And yes, now that you mention it, I believe the place we are going to I heard others mention as being Thay.

    :: Dael'ric growls and mutters under his breath ::

    :: Shirra grins at the comment :: So which mage lord are we taking down on this trip?

    Dael'ric: All of them if we can :: his eyes narrow a bit as if looking off to the distance ::

    :: I hiked my skirts up, not really thinking anything of it as I got prickled walking through thorns to climb up and over the fence ::

    Shirra: Sounds good to me... but we really should pick one to start :: giggles ::

    :: Dael'ric helped me over the fence the best he could from behind me, though he seemed a bit hesitant about touching my bare legs and followed close behind jumping the fence as the thorns did not touch him through his armor, he turned and offered Shirra a hand over ::

    :: Shirra vaulted the fence, running up and giggling, clearing it with one hand on the rim of the fence and falling lightly on her feet on the other side :: Want me to carry you through the bushes Amy? Can't see scratching those pretty legs too much.

    :: Dael'ric takes a chance and picked me up walking through the bushes and then putting me down lightly when we reached the grassy forest. I did not resist him and smiled up into his eyes, though I do not think he noticed as he seemed intent on where we were going and what lay in the forest about us. ::

    Hey :: Shirra giggled laughing between her breath :: I offered first!

    Dael'ric: She is my responsibility :: he says seriously::

    Oh come on now... so we need the mirror for the Wyverns... are you going to fill Dael in on what awaits us?

    :: I looked to Shirra, smiling to Dael'ric and stepped up on my tiptoes to whisper to him :: thanks

    :: Shirra still smiling broadly :: you are taking this all too seariously Dael...

    Dael'ric: it is searious, we walk into a land of necromancers and I intend to see you both safe.

    Shirra: well, we are going to try to get a mirror... if we can't get the surface of Dael's shield shiny enough...

    :: I walked along as myself and Shirra took turns filling Dael in on the things that awaited us, the Wyverns, the dogs, and then the guards and mistresses. We told him what we had come up with for a plan and he simply nodded and listened gazing out to the forest intent on protecting both of us from whatever awaited us ::

    Shirra: next we need something to carry the statuets back to wherever... :: giggles playfully ::

    :: Dael'ric walks along in silence listenign to the information passed to him ::

    Oh... I thought we agreed we would sell them where they are... and then charge extra for the shipment... :: I smiled ::

    Shirra: Actually we could probably find all of the supplies in where we are going... it is Thay after all.

    :: We walked on through the forest, as it opened up into the rolling plains the sun stood high in the air and with all the talk time seemed to fly by. I smiled thinking to myself and for a moment taking in my surroundings of the simple grass the sparse trees, and the dense forest just over my shoulder. Everything seemed quite pleasant, and I meant to enjoy myself before we reached our destination, for then I knew that there would surely be some deaths, though I could only hope all three of us would make it out alive. ::

    :: Shirra grinned :: ooo... even better if we can rob them from another mage-lord and convieniently drop them in our escape.


  • :: I watched as the other two finally came out of the tent and Dael'ric started going through his things to make a tally of what we had for rations, water and other such things before we headed off. ::

    Dael'ric: I have aquired several days of food, water and arrows, enough to last till the next town. I also have limited healing.

    Shirra: So do I, but if we can save spells for… well for something else... it would be safer you know.

    :: Shirra stopped trailing off her words as if she were going to say more and suddenly shook her head and giggled slightly. I do think the idea of such a grand adventure as she saw it was something that excited her, after her god bringing her back, perhaps she thought this is her purpose and reason for being brought back. I turned my attention back to Dael as he replied to Shirra ::

    Dael'ric: It should be enough until we reach the next town, but if you require potions, I shall get some.

    No... just wait a minute now... let me see... I have eight days rations.

    Shirra: At least some healing herbs... hate to run on thin supplies if we don't have to.

    I have my songs that can heal a man's soul, and my spells and spell book.

    Dael'ric: I have herbs. Four applications of them.

    Then I got this alchemist fire, ring of whatever Penny had said, something about turning your skin to bark or something, a mirror, skinning knife and medicine bag, and oh... I almost forgot a healing kit.

    :: Dael'ric finally sheathed his sword, leaning on his shield under the oak tree and grabbed his pack to look through it ::

    I only have about a hundred arrows though... and one bottle of orc gook that will heal but tastes awful

    :: Shirra giggles :: Sounds like all we need then is a cage for Dael to sleep in at night to keep us safe and we are set... :: she smiles to Dael and giggles playfully again, at which I just continued to look through my pack, trying to ignor. Whatever they wanted to do was their business, they were my friends, and if they wanted to have a bit of fun on the way than so be it ::

    :: Dael'ric ruffled through his pack for a moment and looked up to us :: I have four bottles of that goblin grog, about seven hundred arrows, and nine days rations. :: he slips his pack on and picks up his shield, standing again right in that sunlight, oh he looked so handsome standing there under that strong oak tree with the light filling through the branches in it's purples, reds and oranges, making him seem to glow in the morning light. I blushed a deep crimson not sure if he had noticed me looking, and turned my head back to my own pack, as I closed it up and slung it over my shoulder with my spear on my back, and my bow and quiver next to it. ::

    :: Shirra set her pack down and rumaged through it much the same as Dael'ric and myself had already done :: Let's see here... bow and about one hundred arrows, sling and about the same in bullets, club, shield, case of wine, three days of rations, waterskin and no coin.

    I have plenty of coin :: Dael'ric states as he pats a full purse of gold at his belt ::

    :: Shirra eyes the pouch :: hmm... looks a little thin... :: she giggles playfully again ::

    :: Dael'ric returns a grin to her, looking up to the sky :: We have enough supplies we should leave before the day is gone.


  • :: Dael'ric jumped up looking around and drawing his sword, as if ready to strike at anything that could pose a possible threat. I smiled and giggled watching as the water dripped from his hair, and he stood there so tense that he seemed almost the exact opposite of Shirra. ::

    Shirra: Wake Up! It's time to go.

    :: The fun and loving Shirra giggled and smiled looking Dael'ric up and down, perhaps for her own purposes but it did not bother me because I knew that it seemed like I had a hundred suitors and I was happy to be released of fool men for a while. Dael'ric always did try to protect me, as if a woman could not do something on her own, but at least he didn't babble obsessively like some of the others. I joined Shirra in her giggle, more at my own thoughts as I stared dreamily past Dael. ::

    Dael'ric: What are you doing, waking me up like that?

    :: Dael said still looking half asleep as he shook his head, water spraying like a wet dog. I wiped the water that splattered across my face off, but Shirra stood there smiling and inspecting Dael, not bothered by the water and matching him comment for comment. ::

    Shirra: Shouldn't sleep so late… road is a dangerous place.

    :: Shirra noted with a wry grin as Dael'ric continued to shake his head, this time purposefully aiming to splash water at Shirra::

    Shirra: Actually Amy was the one who decided the hard way :: she grinned :: I just beat her to the punch :: she giggled, finally wiping a bit of the water from her own face ::

    Dael'ric: :: he chuckled as if finally relaxing a bit :: Don't do it again I might end up stabbing you next time...

    Shirra: Can't promis... :: Shirra winked to Dael ::

    Dael'ric: :: changing the topic :: Well lets go, we have work to do.

    Shirra: That we do :: Shirra stated as she picked out her chain shirt and slipped it on over her head. The thing did look quite rough though, I'm not sure exactly how they wear all that chain. I shrugged, knowing that it was protection but it must itch or something. ::

    Dael'ric: Lead the way

    :: Dael'ric motioned with his sword and smacked Shirra gently on the leg with the flat end. Shirra turned back to him giggling, and at that I had to raise a brow and shook my head. ::

    Shirra: No time for that now Dael. :: And Dael'ric smiled to Shirra :: Ok... Who's leading?

    :: I giggled, still watching from the tent flap, as they stomped over the scattered ornate pillows and rugs that lined the floor. I ruffled a brow again now that they were both looking at me, showing my confusion at their behavior, but now was not the time for such things... I opend my mouth to speak but Dael jumped in still in his conversation with Shirra ::

    Dael'ric: I simply follow and lend my sword.

    Of course Dael... :: I tilted my head smiling, trying to weigh things over, my face felt a bit warm and I knew it was probably red, but I was glad that Dael'ric was coming with us ::

    Shirra: Well... I suppose that leaves Amy and I. Unfortunately I am a bit away from home.

    A bit away from home? :: I said confused :: I thought this was your new home?

    :: Dael'ric turned his attention to me, looking me over as my face went a bit redder and smiled a gentle and harmless smile. ::

    Shirra: :: she grinned though I don't know if it was at my remark, the color of my face, or if she had noticed Dael'ric's smile... oh.. so many things to think of, why where things always so complicated? :: My old home... I think... If we get near Thay or Mulhorand... I know the way from there.

    Don't worry, I know where we are going... I did come from there... Will you just fill Dael in on the things we need to get on the way?

    :: Shirra and Dael, stood as if waiting for something, perhaps both off in their own thoughts or perhaps Dael was just not awake yet. ::

    Well you two going to stand in that tent all day or are you coming out?

    :: I held the tent flap open as I looked over my shoulder through the branches of that strong oak seeing the Dawn light peak over the far hilltops ::

    Shirra: Well... lets start with the basics... food, water, weapons... healing potions and salves would be useful...

    :: Dael'ric slowly walked by Shirra out into the morning sunrise, looking the heroic man, as the sun seemed to make a perfect ring about his head, illuminating him as he walked by. Perhaps it was a sign that he would do something great, or perhaps it was just cowincidence, either way he was out of the tent now. ::

    Shirra: Oh... alright.

    :: Shirra gave in a bit of mock indignation and giggled, stepping out of the tent with her usual sway of her hips, more likely to turn a mans eye than to be a simple way of walking. ::


  • :: I looked her over, and replied :: Well after that there are only the guards.

    Shirra: :: giggles :: Don't supose they would be interested in a bit of… er... fun?

    No, no we should be able to walk out of the front gate of the palace tower stating we are going to our tents for the eve.

    Shirra: er... sure take all the fun out of it... :: she giggles after a slight pause and smiles, showing no shame in any of her thoughts ::

    :: Shirra's head rolls over to rest on my shoulder, her eyes staring out into the night. I smiled looking down to her as she has a seemingly peaceful soul. ::

    These guards are not ones you would want to have... umm... 'fun' with either. They have black eyes, seem to move like the wind and if killed they turn into dust. :: I blushed mentioning the 'fun' as I believe myself to still be a bit more innocent than most, even after my experience with Mirk. Oh... Mirk, but he is taken, for shame. I shook my head coming back to the world of reality ::

    Shirra: Oh... :: she giggles again :: like I said, take all the fun out of it... but... your way should work, go on.

    Then we have to get the keys, and shuffle our feet and hold our hands close together to appear shackled, that is going to be a trick, that clink clink noise is hard to fake.

    Shirra: Not if you have a length of chain wrapped around your wrists. Also works as a good imprompt brass knuckles if need be.

    :: I raised a brow at that, not thinking Shirra one to think so easily of death or the roughness of brass nuckles, but then again perhaps she likes her 'fun' a bit rougher than most. Yes, that may explain it, I nodded in satisfaction with my own thoughts more than in agreeance with Shirra ::

    yes, that would work.

    :: I looked up to the horizon seeing the sun beginning to peak over the edge, the beautiful reds, oranges, pinks, purples and blues highlighting the few high clouds and pouring through the green foilage of the forest, the tall oak still standing there proud and sturdy ::

    We should wake Dael'ric, we need to start moving.

    Shirra: :: she stared off in the distance, seeming oblivious to her surroundings ::

    Are you rested enough? I am sorry to have kept you awake most of the evening.

    Shirra: :: she nods and smiles to me :: Yes, we can't let him rest all day... :: she trails off into a giggle :: Oh... and hun I am sharessian... I am more than used to being awake half the night :: she nudged my side and smiled up playfully ::

    :: I pushed my hands off the sodden grass, standing and gazing back to the sunrise, sighing at it's beauty, as I knew my cheaks were the same color as the deepest reds of the rising sun ::

    :: Shirra looked up to me, still sitting and smiling up impishly ::

    Yes, that is something else I wish to talk to you about, but another eve when Dael'ric sleeps... alright Shirra?

    Shirra: oh, sure... hun :: she giggles :: lets get the sleepy one up... :: she stands to her feet smiling and gazing for a second at the sunrise, though she did not seem to take it's details in as I did, she seemed somewhere else :: Ok should we do it the easy way or the hard way? :: she giggles again playfully looking over to me ::

    I think we may need a bucket of water :: I giggled back playfully, though did not expect her to actually do it ::

    :: Shirra continued giggling :: The hard way it is.
    :: she grabbed a bucket and ran off to the nearby stream. I sighed happily, enjoying the beginning of what I knew would still be a long trip ahead. I looked over to where Shirra had disappeared and she came lumbering back a few moments after she had left with a full bucket of water and ducked inside the tent proceeding to pour it over Dael'ric's head, giggling playfully the whole while. ::

    Shirra: Wake up Dael.

    :: I stood there my toes squishing in the ground from the water Shirra had sloshed out of the bucket on her rush into the tent. I held the tent flap open, watching from a distance and sighed happily, looking to two people who had abandoned their lives here for me. Who had abandoned everything to come and take on a quest that I alone should be held responsible for. The feeling and respect for both of them that I had was undescribable ::


  • :: I sighed again, though this time with relief, and it showed on my face as I quirked a small smile n the corner of my mouth as I gazed into the other womans eyes as if she were a long time friend :: Shirra… where to start? :: I thought, and pondered thinking back over my days as a slave, I flinched remembering the touch of the bull-whip on my back, and opened my mouth to say something but then stopped as Shirra beat me to the punch ::

    Shirra: :: she smiles wider seeing my seeming grasp of hope :: That's better hun... hate to have you too wound up. And oh... where to start? From the beginning would be good to start. :: the woman giggled, as she seemed to be but a little bundle of joy ::

    Alright... :: I took a deep breath, looking to the ground and fidgeting, trying to figure out where the 'beginning was for myself :: The first things we are likely to encounter are the Wyverns... nasty things... :: I paused looking to Shirra to see her reaction, though I could not really tell what she was thinking as she smiled and listened ::

    Shirra: Some sort of anti-venom would be handy then... or a skilled priest.

    :: I shook my head no :: Oh no, they do not have venom, they are a cross breed of some sort I believe.

    Shirra: Oh... :: she said in seeming shock, but a pleasant shock :: well see.... not so bad after all.

    No, not bad... worse than bad. I think the witches or mistresses of that foul tower cross breeded them with medusas or something for their gaze can turn a man to stone.

    Shirra: Ok... so we need something against. :: she paused looking up through the branches of the oak tree to the sky :: oh... I know... a mirror would work... or perhaps a polished shield...

    Yes, perhaps... if we have a way to see them and make them gaze into their own eyes, but that is only the beginning...

    Shirra: :: she giggles and squirms with excitement :: Sell the statues after the trip... get rich off the sales :: she smiles dreamily and giggles again from something she must have seen on my face ::

    :: I shook my head at the silliness of it all and giggled along with her as she seemingly could make a grand adventure seem nothing but a game of stones. I looked back up to Shirra and my giggles renewed as it seemed everytime we would look each other in the eyes we would giggle, silly girl stuff. I turned with my back to her, leaning against her so her arm could remain around me for comfort, and took a deep breath as the silliness needed to come to an end :: I think they are a bit big to carry back

    Shirra : :: renewed the giggling at the comment and then smiled as I looked over my shoulder :: Well, then we can make some more coin if they want us to transport them.

    :: I just shook my head at that, rolling my eyes in a sigh that she would continue the joke, how could she not see the parimont of how important this quest is. It could mean our life or death. :: Right... Anyway... the next thing we would encounter is the dogs.

    Shirra: :: she can't seem to stop giggling, I don't know about this girl, perhaps she is a bit too silly for me :: Easy... just have some cats handy for them to chase, but something tells me it won't be that easy.

    Well there you are correct.

    Shirra: :: guess what? she giggles again, seems this girl can make light of anything, though I supose that may not be so bad ::

    For you see, the dogs at first you may not even be able to see them. I think they phase in and out. And secondly if they bite you, you will die. :: I became very solomn and tried to get Shirra to understand the seariousness of what I was talking about, not that I didn't think she understood, just that sometimes it's hard to tell :: I saw it once, when one of the slaves tried to run. The dog bit her once on the thigh and her muscles all tensed up and her skin turned black in seconds. I think she suffocated from how she was grasping at her throat as she fell to the ground.

    Shirra: Well that could be rather unpleasant...

    Here... I suggest we just try to bypass the dogs somehow and get directly into the tower... if we take out the mistressess and set some of the slaves free to start a revolt we might just stand a chance.

    Shirra: Sounds like we need a mage... teleport us in and start with the freeing.

    I am nto that powerful yet, though we may be able to get by the same way I had gotten out.

    Shirra: Well is there anything near the slaves that would work for weapons?
    Shirra: I guess that depends on how you gout out I supose.

    Well, you see... there is a tunnel, sewage mostly that runs under the camp into the lower levels of the tower.

    Shirra: Sounds good so far... need a bath after that, but there are other more pressing matters at that time :: she giggles at her own wit ::

    Yes, in the lower levels of the tower there is a lot of laundry. We could take some clothes and disguise ourselves as servants of the tower though we would need some perfume to keep off the stench of the sewers and from being found out.

    Shirra: Er... nice for you, but I kind of stand out in even the biggest crowd. :: I looked Shirra over, noting her very pale skin, almost looking as if she were frostbiten, but then dismised her worry ::

    No you wouldn't.

    Shirra: hmm? :: she looked to me curiously ::

    They wear shalls around their faces and the outfit is all white, you would fit in as a servant.

    Shirra: :: she holds up her free arm, her other still wrapped around my shoulder :: Will the tatoos show through the fabric? Or will that even matter?

    Shouldn't matter, in the shadows they will look like the scars of every servant.

    Shirra: :: smiles wearily, this being the first time I had ever seen Shirra uncomfortable even with such a thought I raised a brow, but shrugged it off as nothing. She was still smiling and still the same Shirra. :: how nice... gues we took care of that... alright so we get dressed up and sneak into the place, now what?


  • :: She stood to follow, tilting her head at me and giving me a reasuring smile as she seemed to have an innate ability to tell when something was wrong. Here I am thinking of this girl, Shirra, as a close friend and we have but just met. Though truly only a close friend would even consider coming on this trip with me if they knew what lay ahead, and here she is with no fear, and only mirth. We walked out under the tent flap, out to the cool evening breeze, I shivered and looked to the sky, standing with my back to the woman. ::

    :: I looked over my shoulder and forced a smile for her, which she returned a genuine smile to as she sat off to the side of me on the moist grass by the waving branches of the oak tree. ::

    Shirra: You ok Amy? You seemed like you had something to say…

    I'm worried Shirra.

    Shirra: Worried about what hun? :: she pauses taking in a breath and keeping her wonderful smile on her face, she seemed to have no worries at all :: Come, sit... Relax... This isn't so bad.

    I am worried that we may not make it back. It is such a large camp, and if you only knew the terrors that await us. :: I replied very solomnly, thinking to myself that the chances of survival seem so slim. Why did I ever let these two come with me to imminent death? ::

    Shirra: :: she giggled at my comment to which I raised a brow and looked at her oddly :: If I knew what really awaited us, well my answer would still be the same. We need to do this, we won't live forever anyway you know. And we be doing a bit of good too.

    :: I let out a hanging sigh and sat down next to Shirra on the dew wet grass, the smell of rain hanging in the air, and the wind blowing lightly, I looked up to the oak tree a moment. It and all it symbolized, it's power, unswaying stance and steady pillar, if I could only be the oak tree. ::
    Shirra, I don't want to die. :: I wispered to her in a soft tone, fidgeting with my fingers as the statement was very searious and nerve racking for me. I turned my head looking to the woman ::

    Shirra : Nor would I want to die. I know, I already did, but if this is what I was brought back for... I am not about to worry about the end. Just make the best of what time I have left.

    :: a slight smile cracked on my face at that and I nodded in agreement :: Do you want to know? Maybe you can help me plan... :: My eyes searched hers pleading, hoping for some grasp of hope in what seemed like a far from sane quest ::

    Shirra: Well, I'm not much for big plans, but shoot away. Maybe we can have a chance then. :: she smiles reasuringly again putting her arm around my shoulder and starts smoothing out the tension she can feel ::