Zedd Witlock -- Not always what it seems<br/><br/>Gulp. "That. Is one. Big. Cat."<br/><br/>Zedd's eyes widened considerably as the great feline appeared at the edge of the clearing, seeming to materialize out of the fog. A rush of fear went through him and he tightened his grip on both the knife and the node. Zedd fully expected that within the next few minutes, he would be dead, and the cat would be enjoying itself a full meal. Schoolteacher on a bed of herbs and grass.<br/><br/>There was no time to draw his slingshot, little help as it might have provided against the beast; he would have to fight with nothing but his knife and whatever magic he could channel. He shut his eyes tight and steeled himself for what was sure to be a ferocious -- but short -- battle; if he was to be eaten, so be it, but he'd be damned if he'd die without a fight. When Zedd opened his eyes again, however, the tiger-creature was no longer alone. A tall, broad-shouldered figure stood beside it, casual and totally at ease. The creature's master? He must have been, if the way his hand rested between the beast's shoulders was any indication. Two on one, then...but neither man nor animal moved to attack. Perhaps bloodshed could be avoided yet?<br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=96676.msg4272604#msg4272604">Quote from: Elf on 17-02-2011, 21:53:22</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote"><br/>"Seiceron, must you always toy with strangers we meet?" Looking at the man on one knee holding a small blade he says, "I am Feldor. I apologize for Seiceron, but he is after all a cat and can be quite mischievous at times. Let me welcome you as a fellow traveler to this clearing. Please allow me to give you some friendly advice. First using such a small blade against someone like my furry friend is only likely to get you killed. Secondly I highly recommend that you release your hold on the node. Even for those of us trained to use them the sheer energy can be very dangerous. For the sake of safety why don't we join together and make camp at the edge rather than in the center of the clearing?"<br/><br/>Turning back to look at the tiger again he suggests, "During my meditation I sensed somebody using the oak corridors. I suspect that it is another coming here. Why don"t you go see if you can find him or her and see if you can guide this person safely back here." He points in the direction he had sensed the natural magics being used.<br/><br/>Nodding his head as if fully understanding the elf's words Seiceron stands and trots off into the forest the direction being indicated. <br/></blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/>The relief that washed over Zedd was practically tangible. His muscles began to relax, and with an amiable grin he sheathed his knife and released his grasp of the node. Or, that's what he tried to do, anyway. His energy had become so entangled with the power of the ley lines, it felt like the node now had a grip on him instead. He glanced over at the stranger and felt a bit sheepish, but tried to conceal his predicament as best he could while he attempted to pull himself free.<br/><br/>"Unh...what, this? Nah, it's -- urgh! -- It's not so bad. Nothing I...heurk!...can't...handle..." With a final effort the connection broke, and a last surge of power exploded into Zedd and knocked him backward onto the grass. Dazed, he sat up and shook his head and looked back at the stranger. "Of course, on the other hand, the edge does seem like quite a fine spot to make camp, if you don't mind my joining you," Zedd said, huff-puff. He watched a moment longer as the big cat turned and darted off at the man's words. Clearly no ordinary animal.<br/><br/>Zedd reached back and gathered his pack up, rose and approached the man who stood at the base of one of the giant redwoods. Marley's words again echoed in his mind. '"Ya gwan meet de firs' one soon, in de shadows of red giants."' As he walked nearer, Zedd's eyes traced up the tall trunk as far as he could before the canopy shuttered his view. 'I'd say I found him, old timer.'<br/><br/>Upon closer inspection Zedd realized his new acquaintance was not a man at all, but in fact an Elf. He didn't know much about Elves as a race, but he'd met a few here and there on his travels south. Good people, if a little formal and high-minded at times. Supposedly they had a greater affinity for magic than Humans did, but Zedd was never certain if that was a natural trait or just an advantage from living so damn long. Whatever the case, this fellow was clearly more in tune with the mystical energies that surrounded them than Zedd was; Zedd didn't even know what an oak corridor was, let alone that it was occupied. He just took the Elf's words to mean they would be expecting another guest soon. 'Well, the more, the merrier, I suppose. These must be some of the other gods' champions. Right again, old man. Best be polite.'<br/><br/>Zedd stretched out a hand in greeting and met the Elf's eyes with a friendly -- but guarded -- smile. "Pleasure to make your acquaintance, amigo. I'm Zedd. Zedd Witlock."