Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)
<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Light =&gt; Light: Human Small Groups =&gt; Topic started by: Lucinda on 15-06-2010, 17:50:05</h2>
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				Title: <strong>Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lucinda</strong> on <strong>15-06-2010, 17:50:05</strong>
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				"You go too far Kayla Maelon Enduriel! Perilously close to insubordination to this council in fact. You have been heard, your testimony will be considered, you may now leave. Immediately."<br><br>The words were not not spoken loudly, but they rang in Kayla's ears like an echo to the distant thunder as she stalked out of the council building. Her delicate high cheekbones were reddened as if slapped, though the wound to her pride was worse than mere physical harm. The long legs of the willowy elf carried her quickly in a determined stride down the gentle hill, her feet picking their way down the green slope and onto the forest path back to Stormhome without her mind needing to engage in the trivial task. Her dark silver grey eyes flickered across the wide trail and into the shadows on either side without really seeing anything, her mind locked in a constant loop of the meeting. Questions, both her own, and those asked of her, flitted across her quick mind. Could she have said something different? Could she have bided her time, brought forth more evidence to persuade the old fools? Was it possible that she was even wrong about the whole thing? A leaden feeling in her gut and a heaviness around her heart told her differently. This would not be the first time the council had lead the Storm Tribe to war needlessly. But it was the first time that Kayla suspected they would lose.<br><br>For all her swift pace along the path she knew so well, her steps were silent and graceful. Stealthy enough to come upon several forest animals caught hunting or grazing where the trees were more sparse close to the trail. It took no more than a furious glance to send them scampering or flapping into the thick greenery just a few feet further in. She wasn't aware of it but her eyes had shifted to almost deep purple, as they often did when she was emotional, and especially when angry. The fury seemed to radiate off her very body, slim and creamy skinned and tattooed in one long curling purple design. Kayla couldn't honestly have said what had her quite so incensed. It wasn't until later that she realised it was a choice between anger and fear. And she had never been very good at expressing the latter. The elf began to twirl a finger through a stray lock of dark red hair which had come loose from the braided ponytail which hung down her back, a habit from her teen years when dealing with a particularly tricky puzzle. <br><br>Realising what she was doing, Kayla tucked it back behind her pointed ear with an irritated click of her tongue. She was being irrational, she realised that. There truly wasn't a great deal of evidence. So far the Peace Accords between the elven tribes were holding almost to the letter. Alright there had been rumbles of skirmishes between the Water and Earth tribes. And they had caught the Nature clan trying to sneak across their borders once again. But in general there was peace across the elven nation, something almost unheard of as long as Kayla could remember. All of the hard work which came to fruition three years ago had been worth it. It might be generations before elves of different Tribes unlearned their centuries long hatred of each other, and there would be strains and disputes probably always. But this was better than war wasn't it? So why did Kayla have a sinking sensation that they were all on the edge of a dark pit and being inched closer...? <br><br>She gnawed on her bottom lip as she strode from beneath the last of the covering branches and into the seeping evening. Across the plain she could see the city wall in the distance, the gentle columns of smoke rising from hundreds of hearths. It seemed peaceful as the first of the stars began to show themselves in the clear skies. But in her mind's eye Kayla could see the columns of smoke turn thick black, the walls and hearths all engulfed in flame. It was the scouts which worried her most. Her scouts. As commander of the reconnaissance forces for the whole Storm Tribe, it was her responsibility to keep an eye on the world around her. And the simple fact was that three entire Tribes appeared to have vanished and she had no clue what was going on. The Darks had been first, not appearing at the regular meetings, no representative at the guild negotiations, not even a response to bird messages. The Dark Tribe were often reclusive though, and moved frequently, keeping their home city secret. It was not so unusual that they were not in regular contact. And then the Air Tribe, and now the Light Tribe. Both effectively vanished. Or so she must assume, as her best scouts returned from their lands with no sign. Or did not return at all. And the rumours filtering though the taverns, rumours of unseen terrors, perhaps from the shadows, perhaps from the earth itself. But always insubstantial and usually deadly. Dark rumours in dark times were commonplace, but these were prosperous and hopeful times. And Kayla was convinced there was at least a grain of truth somewhere within. <br><br>She was cutting the distance to the main gates swiftly. Her sharp eyes could easily make out the figures on the walls and towers, just a few of the watchful guard grouped either side of the busy portal. Just a few... the echo in her mind.... Just a few... Just a few of her elite scouts for a Reconnaissance party into the heart of Light Territory. It would not take more than four or five weeks. They would be totally unseen and take no part in whatever was going on, but at least they would know what was going on. But she was trapped by her own work. Instrumental in her influence in having the Peace Accords signed by the elders of the Storm Tribe, they now chose to hide behind it whenever they saw fit. And of course it was extremely clear of the penalties of sending an armed force into another signing member's territory without a direct invitation. Did she want war? Of course not, and yet she was equally unwilling to simply sit on her hands and let it come to her unexpectedly. Kayla could see the sense in waiting until the next Grand council to bring up the matter to the entire Elven Nation. But something in her blood whispered that two moon cycles may be far too late to respond. But her hands seemed tied.<br><br>She was muttering to herself as she came to the gate, striding through when from the shadows stepped a guardsman with a stout pike. "Halt!" came the command. Kayla's eyes widened in surprise. It had been long since she had needed to prove her identity to the city guard. Her shock became annoyance which quickly boiled back to anger from the gentle simmer she had been holding on her journey. Her eyes locked on the new elf, who took a step back from that piercing gaze despite himself. "You would do well to fetch your commander my friend, and to stop pointing that pike at me like a fishing rod". The younger elf reddened slightly, eyes narrowing as he took a firmer grip of the long weapon. "I don't think so miss. I think you should register that weapon of yours.." He nodded to the hilt above her left shoulder, "..and perhaps a little of that armour too". His eyes wandered blatantly over the figure hugging leather plate covering her chest and stomach. Kayla honestly wasn't sure weather to be annoyed or flattered for a moment. It was not often that she was noticed for her figure, as slight as she was with her curves barely registering through the thick tightly bound padding. However she chose the former choice, and almost subconsciously her body began to drop into a battle stance. "I will tell you one more time boy, fetch your commander". The response was as predictable as it was unimaginative "Or what?" Came the sneer. <br><br>One moment Kayla was standing with arms at her sides at the end of a pike, the next there was a smell of burnt wood and the boy was holding a cleanly cut pole. Kayla was holding Maelstrom, her sword, which was now covered with ropes of blue-white lightning up and down it's length. And she was doing it with the point a fingertip from the unfortunate guard's throat. "Now Galen, I think you have frightened Scout Mistress Kayla quite enough. How about you call it a day and get to scrubbing the tower floors again." The gruff voice carried a tone of amusement, though Kayla didn't twitch her eyes away from her opponent for an instant. But then she didn't need to. "Is it me or are your recruits looking greener every day Joff?". A part rueful tone. "I work with what I am given Mistress. Much as you". She nodded slowly. The lightning licked one final spark at the raw throat of the new recruit, making him jump, before dying altogether as Kayla easily slid the sword back into it's sheath. Galen sagged visibly, a sheen of sweat across his pale face. He glanced at Joff, then back to Kayla before scurrying into the nearest tower. She relaxed her stance and nodded to the grizzled guard captain, who returned the nod with an amused grin. "Twitchy tonight Mistress". Kayla sighed she strolled on through the gate and into the city "You have no idea Joff...".<br><br>She wound her way through the streets, heading to her home near the centre of the settlement. Just as she was passing the last of the mostly wooden houses which ringed the more solid central buildings, she became aware of something buzzing just at the edges of her detection. It was so out of context she almost missed it. But it was unmistakable when she concentrated. The distinctive vibration of her tattoos in warning of foreign elven magic nearby! But that was impossible wasn't it? Adrenalin surged through her slender form, as she followed the buzzing throbbing of her heart tattoo down an alley, coming at last to an open area between buildings built back to back. There was a crowd in the shadows. An invading force? Maelstrom was in her hand in a whisper of thought, but even in that tiny space of time she knew the tattoos of her own Storm Clan on those she could see. Then what.....? She crept closer....
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				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>fantasylver</strong> on <strong>16-06-2010, 06:42:50</strong>
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				Sharp crystal blue green eyes look out to the scene before them; tears threatening to spill over from pain and anger. Lying on the ground at her feet is her little sister, Jasith, only twelve years old, not even considered an adolescent. A large gash is seen across her chest, showing viciously of how merciless the enemy is. Like a doll her small frail body looked like it was tossed haphazardly along the marble steps of the temple. Her clothes are shredded like ribbons, exposing the soft creamy flesh of her innocent body, stained with her blood and gore of her attacker. It was very clear what they had done to her before they destroyed her, defiling her innocence and purity. <br><br>Body shaking from shock and rage, Ayesha Eruanna Caladwen, the priestess of the Light clan, screams out her fury to the darkening skies.&nbsp; Everything around her is in chaos, muffling even her own cry of pain. Her once peaceful home lies in ruins before her, exposing the ugliness of death and suffering. The people of the light clan were warned of the threat of another war, from whispers, and from her, but they did not believe, could not believe that their lovely world could be crushed. Their ignorance cost the lives of innocents and nothing would be saved or returned to before. Everything that they cherished and loved is lost to all. <br>Gifted with visions and sight from the divine, Ayesha saw what may happen to her family and her tribe. The only people who listened to her were her family. Her father for being the High Priest understood the meaning of obtaining visions and their purpose. As for her siblings, they all were raised in the belief of the divinity, and grew to become servants and guardians of the temple. Ayesha was meant to be a guardian, until her older sister was unable to fulfill her duties and was positioned into learning the practices of a priestess. In the beginning she did not wish for such a position, but over time she grew to comprehended what it is meant to serve. <br><br>Despite her title as the priestess, Ayesha understood the means of war through battle and defense. If it came to the point of her need to fight, she will full heartedly do so. When her visions became more apparent of the doom her people were to face, the young Elven consoled to the high council to build up their ranks in the military to make preparations. Still with this they did not listen to her, making it seem she was still a novice of reading her visions. Agony came with the visions, despite them being incoherent in exposing the force that hunted for her people’s pain. It also was not only her people who would suffer, but all. One other obstacle that frustrated her was the fact that she did not know when, when this was all going to happen. <br><br>For the past few weeks, her family and she have been on guard, hoping for a sign to prepare themselves for battle and give warning to everyone. Nothing warned her or her family of this day, the day when everything fell to ruins. Caught within the temple, she saw the dark armored force take over the walls of the city. The creatures that swarmed over her people are very much like insects, yet similar to her kin, but not natural. Dark obsidian scales cover their forms, creating a biological armor that is difficult to pierce, and their skills in magic appeared to be far superior to the majority of the warriors in the city, clearly showing their skill in battle. Her city was falling, crumbling to the ground before her eyes, and she could not just sit there and pray for the gods to help, she had to do something.<br><br>Adorned in clothing fitted for battle along with her bow and blades, she joined the rest of her kin to defend and protect her people. It was believed that the women and children would be protected in the temple, but she was wrong. Many of her kin were destroyed before her very eyes, no slaughtered. Using the magic that she was gifted with by the gods, she formed shields about groups, sending families off to the hills with her protection. It is a gift that she gained as a priestess for protection, but she was growing weaker by the moment, deflecting strikes from her enemy. The rest of her siblings took quarters of the city and helped with their defenses. With her abilities, she could sense her family’s energy’s, but as soon as she felt two of them fade, she becomes overwhelmed with anxiety.<br><br>She does not give a second thought and rushes towards the center of the city, towards the temple. Worn out from the use of her life energy to protect as well as obtaining minor injuries, she feels sluggish in her haste. She was too late before she came upon her sister’s body on the steps of the temple, clearly dragged from its protection. The pain that Ayesha feels from the loss could not be explained, only through her cry of pain and rage. She could not leave her body their on the cold hard steps, she shrouds the small body with a piece of clean silk, sending off the spirit to peace. Numb in body and mind, Ayesha forgets herself and searches out for the last link of her family, her father. <br><br>&nbsp;“Father!” She calls out hoarsely through the empty halls. “Anyone in here??” she calls, feeling herself too drained to even search out for energy. She heads directly to the main hall of worship, only to be stalled by the sight before her. Bodies of children laid about the floor like discarded rags, used and abused. Unable to hold her stomach she loses all sense of control off to the side of the entry way. <em>How can anyone or anything do this to children?? How could they??</em> <br><br>A soft hoarse voice calls out to her, bringing her from her thoughts. There he is slumped up against the wall, arrows pinning him there. “ FATHER!” she cries out and skids beside him. Looking over his wounds she lets out a shuddering breath of hopelessness. The arrows are poisoned, not giving her enough time to heal him. “ I-I..forgive me father…I could not save them..could not save Jasith…”tears now run down her cheeks as she looks down to him, only silenced by a quivering hand to her cheek. “ Go…save the rest…everyone must leave this place..seek refuge in the hills….You must go and warn the others…get help…” he rasps to her breathlessly, having his hand slide down her cheek, staining it with his blood. <br><br>Eyes hardening from the need of restraint, she stands up and strengthens her will for her duty. Swiftly she heads to the altar,and grabs a quill and several strips of parchment.&nbsp; Jotting down notes of retreat, she quickly ties them off to arrows for sending. Sounds of the enemy&nbsp; coming to the temple once again reaches her ears; she hastily removes herself from the premises armed with more arrows than she would ever need. Running up the lean steps towards the tower, she keeps her step light and unnoticeable. Finally at the top she arms herself with her bow, and searches out for the main troops of soldiers. With much skill of the bow she aims and shoots, letting the arrows scream through the air and hit their targets, just near the heads of command. Making sure they receive the messages and start retreating she goes onto the next group. She could only do so much as she finishes off with her messages, and makes haste to seek help. <br><br>With her knowledge of the city, Ayesha is able to get out of its walls and into the woods unnoticed. Smoke from fires consuming the city surrounds her, giving her coverage. Knowing there is the chance of never seeing her family again she rushes through the woods, avoiding any contact with the enemy. Heart hammering, breath racing, she pushes herself more with need for help, not stopping for anything. She knows where to go; the Storm clan can help, and they are the ones who are known for their abilities of war and command. They will be able to help her reach the others and warn them of this unknown threat. <em>Let’s hope they will</em> is all she thought about as she runs towards the walls of the Storm clan settlement.<br><br>Energy depleted after three days of purely running and traveling through the wilderness, she finally came to the settlement of the Storm clan. Still adorned in her battle gear with weapons and war paint along her face, she forgets herself as she slides in behind their walls, avoiding the front gates. Her body still is stained by blood from the battle along her own wounds festering from not tending to them. From exhaustion, she only focuses on the need to seek the high council, and the need to avoid any real public display of the events, she had decided on sneaking in. <br>&nbsp;<br>She knows of the risks of coming into the Storm territory without announcing oneself, but she is prepared for the risk to do whatever is necessary. Stepping cautiously through the alley ways between the wooden buildings, she keeps silent and stealthy. Aware of the inhabitants just settled within their dwellings and walking the streets, she keeps close to the shadows, watching things closely as if expecting any sort of confrontation. Just as her thoughts came upon such a predicament, a young man came into her line of sight. Both of them alarmed, the only one to give a shout was the man. Eyes wide by the ferocity of his disposition towards her, she quickly backs down, showing out her hands for him to see. <br><br>“I am not here to harm!” she shouts out, only to have her voice interrupted by other shouts surrounding her. Looking around&nbsp; quickly, she realizes the majority of the men surrounding her are armed and eyeing her with threat.&nbsp; “ I need to get to the high council! Please! I do not plan on harming anyone…” she tries to explain only to be cut off.” Don’t even think you are going to be getting closer to the city…you snuck in here! You are merely trying to be clever and disarm us!” an older man shouts, holding up a bow. A lot of them agreed with him, seeing her now as an enemy. She&nbsp; could not blame them for&nbsp; suspecting her, she was armed to the hilt and covered in blood. “ please listen I-“ she is cut off with a grunt and hitch of breath as an arrow pierces through her shoulder. Landing on a knee, she bows her head down, grasping onto the arrow along her flesh. “ Get up you weakling…we know you are only hiding your true intent…tell us!” One other moves&nbsp; closer to her, holding his blade at her. Head still bowed she takes in a heavy breath to tug out the arrow. Wincing slightly she tosses it to the side.” You tell me…” she growls out in pain.<br><br>Before the man knew it, she was sliding up to do a round bout kick, knocking him off of his feet and back to the ground.” Well come on! If you want a fight I will give you one, but you will not delay me from getting to the council!” she shouts out, only having the men move in with enthusiasm, searching out blood. Not withdrawing her weapons, because she did not intend on harming them she goes into a fighting stance. Not wanting to use up the last of her energy on a shield, she takes any of the strikes they give her, receiving slashes along her skin as well as bruising, but it doesn’t stop or slow her down. Kicking and slashing out with deft punches, she lithely&nbsp; moves about the men, confusing them with her quick movements, but weak from her wounds, she draws onto her energy to give more power to her kicks and punches. “ Get away from me! I need to seek the high council!” she shouts out raucously, feeling herself become even more drained than before with the use of her energy for strength. As one of the men fumbles over from a low kick at the groin, she grabs onto his rod, using it as a sort of shield and weapon against the rest of them as they corner her.<br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lucinda</strong> on <strong>16-06-2010, 17:50:20</strong>
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				Kayla inched slowly forward, staying to the covering shadows in the area before the hard packed dirt of the alley opened up. This wasn't difficult in the deepening gloom as the whole area was simply a wash of shadows thrown by two torches high on the buildings either side. her eyes widened even as her heart sank as she glimpsed the target of this mob between thronging bodies. A foreign elf as her magic had warned, very definitely female, and very definitely throwing blows around an already maddened swarm. Kayla's mind swam a moment, wondering how in the Sightless One's name she had made her way all the way here?? She pondered what to do, no question that she should stop this, but how best to go about it? She started forward, tattoos tingling once more as some kind of defensive magic was worked before her. Water Clan then maybe? And then a shimmer of a shield throwing bodies away from the girl. And for the second time Kayla's jaw went slack. A Light Elf? Thought lost? Wasn't it just her luck that the piece of evidence she had been so desperate for was dropped into her lap, and it was about to be destroyed by her own people! Even without whatever information she may have, this would be a diplomatic nightmare. From the looks of the pretty face she was quite close to exhaustion... there... a flicker of the shield, obviously drawing away the last of the girl's strength. Well it was now or never then...<br><br>As the faint glow of the shield finally vanished and a triumphant howl emerged from the mob, Kayla strode into the dim circle of torchlight. She quickly fed power into Maelstrom, watching satisfied as the arms length of curved bluesteel suddenly developed menacing blue threads emanating from its single razor sharp edge. Several of the men turned toward her at the strange glow, and the attention of rest was soon grabbed as she sent a bolt into one of the torches in a shower of sparks, deepening the shadows. Of the dozen or so rough looking figures, three or four recognized her instantly and disappeared toward the exit at the far end of the alley. She sighed to herself inwardly. Only a third? She had hoped for at least half to melt away. At least their bowman had gone. Oh well... She spoke clearly, her words ringing into the still evening without needing to shout, "This is council business! This woman is under my protection as council adviser, you men would be well advised to leave now!". Grumbles from the crowd in front, and another handful leaving at the back with the rest looking doubtful. The biggest elf remaining strode forward, his face almost entirely purple with the slightly overenthusiastic application of war paint, or possibly some kind of excessive tattoo, it was difficult to tell in this light. The others clustered behind, watching the outcome. "We don't answer to you, council bitch" He spat "This Other is ours, to kill or take as we will. It is our right! She is in our territory, in our city, in our alley. This is our place!". Wouldn't Joff be interested to know that...? "You leave, or maybe we will share you too before sending you back to your council!". "It seems we have a dispute..." Kayla dropped into a crouch and moved forward to engage.<br><br>The male elf grinned, his eyes on her body briefly and then to her glowing sword. That's it big boy, watch the pretty lights... Closing almost within engaging range, Kayla closed her eyes. In that instant she allowed power to surge through her sword, the blue flaring to bright white she saw against the inside of her eyelids. She dropped the magical feed altogether and opened her eyes to find the men staggering and almost blind in the dimness which remained. Her first blow came around in a wide arc which the male elf barely managed to get his sword up to despite her deliberate slowness. With his weapon engaged high and her opponent still blinking blotches from his vision, it was almost too easy to spin inside his guard, her free hand whipping the curved dagger from her belt and whipping it across his body in a precise blur. He howled as the steel sliced cleanly through muscle and tendon inside his sword arm, sword clanging to dully to the dirt, and stumbled as his belt dropped around his ankles. Her last slice across his cheek poured blood, but it was more a blow to his pride than any danger to him. Kayla stepped back, watching him on the ground. "You are fortunate your ankles are tangled in your belt and not your guts. Now... leave". His pain narrowed eyes glanced at his sword, which she deliberately planted one foot on. One of his friends helped pick him up with muffled yelps and curses, and the sorry crowd made their way beyond what remained of the torchlight. <br><br>Kayla remained watchful until she heard them well away from her. Finally relaxing she turned to the girl she had saved. Now what have I gotten myself into here? She wondered. She picked up the unconscious form in her arms, swore and put her down. Relieved of several bundles of arrows, and the weightier of the weapons, the much lighter elf was again lifted and carried away into the darkness.<br><br>Two hours later found the two of them in a small room several streets away. It was the home of a friend of hers, a healer she had been to several times. She needed a place to clean up the stranger, and a place to think. Simeon's home/sickroom offered both. Kayla turned away from the moon now risen high above the rooftops, and back to her charge lying on a bench. Cleaned up the girl was even prettier than she had supposed in that first hurried assessment. Her stained and bloodied clothing was lying in a pile against the wall, along with her remaining weapons and her unopened pack. Her bare shoulder was bandaged and packed with a poultice of Simeon's own devising. The other wounds were mostly superficial once the blood and dirt were wiped away by the healer. At some point the unconscious state of the girl had turned simply to sleep, and though troubled, it was clear that this was the best remedy for the exhausted state she was in. Kayla used a damp strip of cloth to wipe away a last smudge of soot from the smooth flesh of her collarbone, wondering for the tenth time what story had brought her to her current circumstance. What would she reveal when she awoke?<br><br>Simeon entered, finding Kayla examining the naked upper body of the sleeping elf. "Really Kayla, could you not at least take the girl to your home before molesting her?" Despite herself she blushed even as she gave an irritated sigh. "Thankyou Simeon, I'll bear your advice in mind. Though we are not all base creatures like yourself. I was in fact searching for a heart rune. Some other tribes carry them as we do and it could be useful to know more about her". Kayla gently pulled the cover back across the breasts of the girl, feeling suddenly warm and a little confused regardless of her words. Simeon nodded with a raise of one eyebrow "Whatever you say, but I myself find it expedient simply to ask the patient..." He inclined his head toward the elf, and Kayla turned to find the eyes beginning to flicker awake...
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				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>fantasylver</strong> on <strong>16-06-2010, 23:34:19</strong>
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				<br><br>She believed that the end was near when the group surrounded her, and her energy finally depleted. The last thing that she remembered before passing out was the sound of a woman’s voice, one that held authority. She could only hope that she had found the help she needed before the darkness surrounded her, the lovely darkness that cocooned her now weak body. Only faint sensations reached her through the darkness, from having herself lifted and touched. The moments that she was completely surrounded in darkness felt welcoming, as if she truly was dead, and gone from this world, but what got her heart racing was her memories.<br><br>Bodies laid out about her, the bodies of the children used and covered in filth. Seed of men, gore and blood soiled their bodies. The only face that could see among them all was the face of a young elven girl, light blue green eyes laid open and dull, lack of life. Her own body felt soiled and defiled as she looked onto her sister, Jasith. Unable to keep her emotions under control, she cried till she felt sick, and took on the young girl within her arms. The body felt so light that it lacked any soul and life that it once had. The little girl within her arms was full of so much fire and life, she would challenge her father at times and tease everyone&nbsp; with her jokes and pranks. The young soul before her would sneak in to just be with her, when no one else was allowed to join her. The small hands that held her own, the hugs that were given, it was all gone now.<br><br>Pain other than the wounds she felt seep through her heart, causing it to throb in ache and loss. All of their souls spoke to her, screamed and pleaded for her to bring them home, bring them back to their lost loved ones. It all over took her mind as she slept and dreamt of them all, the war that stained her once innocent eyes. Despite the dream built upon memories and the spirits of the dead, everything felt real to her, causing her body to quiver in anger and feel their pain, the pain of the dead. It all felt very similar to a vision, that she kept herself within the confines of torment. She heard them all, their needs and wants.&nbsp; <br><br>One other voice that reached her through her dreams was her father, urging her to run and not turn back. The sight of his body along the wall drew her, but something else, a dark shadow looking over him, as if it fed off of his soul. She was frozen still in place as she looked upon the sight, now realizing that the creatures that came over her city are similar to Locust, devouring everything. “LEAVE US ALONE!!!” She screamed out to the shadow like creature, only having it surround her and everything about her. Unarmed within her dream, she runs, trying to fight off the shadows, only to find it overcome her senses and logic. It was becoming harder to breath as she felt the darkness surround her again, taking it as a sign that she was finally dying or being taken by this unknown phenomenon. Fighting it till the end, she soon found herself waking slowly. <br><br>Her breath came to her rasply as she feels her limbs now start to ache and throb from her wounds. Eyes slowly opening to the sound of voices about her, she looked up to see the ceiling of some unknown building. Caught completely off guard, she gasps and jerks up quickly, having her form stiffen from the rush of pain from her movements. Gasping out softly she winces and sways lightly from moving too quickly. She looked about the room quickly to realize she is not alone, a woman and a man watched her closely. “ Who..wha..where am I?” she asks hoarsely, only to roll her eyes back slightly to slump back to the plank, finding it hard to breath from shock as well as from the ache within her body. <br><br>She opened her eyes yet again, just resting there as she felt the sheet that covered her slide slightly about her chest. “ I-..I need to go to the council..”she groans softly to struggle and push herself back up. “ Don’t try to move…” the man beside her spoke gently, lightly pushing her back down. “ You are too weak to move and you do not want to aggravate your wounds even more…” The mans voice held firm and yet gentle as he nudges her back down again, trying to calm her. “ I..there is no more time left…” she whispers with a faint whimper, finding it hard to go by his instructions and hands, she clearly showed that she needed to get to the council, despite her wounds and weakness. “I have to go…” she pleads, pushing up only to be held down against her will.” Please calm down miss…” with his large hands gripping onto her wrists, he holds her there trying to&nbsp; keep her from hurting herself.”They are&nbsp; dying…I have to save them..” she gasps out with a cry to the sensation of her shoulder, feeling more of the pain that filled her limbs. “ Calm down! Or I will need to sedate you..” he warns only to have felt her limbs go limp, quivering a little now as she is held there. Now coming to his terms yet still fighting against him she then noticed the woman looking straight down to her.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lucinda</strong> on <strong>17-06-2010, 16:54:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kayla watched the struggles of the half conscious girl with some concern, and took in her words with a great deal more concern. The council? Why were the Light elves sending a representative to the council without announcement or warning? Either this was a story cooked up to try and gain safe passage in the event of discovery, or there was an urgency at work here which forbade formality. Moving closer, Kayla rested a hand on the forehead of the troubled elf. The skin was soft and very warm, though not feverish. She stroked gently over her forehead and cheeks as she spoke in a calming voice. "Listen to me. Your journey has been successful. You have been badly wounded, but I am a representative of the council. I can present whatever message it is you are trying to deliver". She met the girl's questioning gaze easily, showing her confidence and hoping to gain trust as the struggles calmed and Simeon was able to let go. "That's it, take it slowly. You will be heard, you need not injure yourself..". <br><br>Kayla looked over at the healer, her fingers still stroking delicately over the girl's face. "Nice job my friend, would you have her tied up for her own good if I weren't here? Our Light Tribe friend has probably forgotten more about healing than you will ever know!" She softened the barbs with a grin before looking back down at their patient. "Now then... I am Kayla, adviser to the Storm Council. And our somewhat rough friend here is Simeon. He claims to be a great Healer, but frankly... he loses more than he saves..." She glanced back up, tossing Simeon a wink. The other elf scowled and straightened with a snort of derision. They both knew that his fine skill as a field medic had saved Kayla's life on several occasions. "Well it seems you have things well in hand here.." He glanced down significantly at the fingers stroking across the elf girl's skin. "I'll leave you to it. Maybe get some sleep myself. And I'm a very heavy sleeper... just so you know..." He ducked as he left to avoid a shoe hurled across the room.<br><br>Kayla turned back to the other elf with a sigh and a roll of her eyes. She noted the wider eyes of the girl and was quick to put her mind at ease with a smile. "We tease each other. But we are old friends. Please do not take anything we say to each other seriously." Her small smile faded slowly, having succeeded at calming the Light elf and reducing the tension on her waking. She gazed into the unblinking eyes looking back up at her. "Please... will you tell me who you are? Why you are here? We cleaned a lot of wounds, and I don't think all of them were inflicted by that mob I found you with. Your body isn't underfed or generally mistreated, you are someone of importance. What message do you carry to my people? What is so important you risked your life to be here?".
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>fantasylver</strong> on <strong>17-06-2010, 20:37:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ayesha’s body shook from the shock of her wounds, which gave her a look of desperation. Her mind tried to understand his meaning of calm, but still her body revolted to stay still and move towards her destination. Firm yet gentle hands held her down as she moved through her emotional and physiological battle with herself. Along with her physical resistance, Ayesha’s breathing was set in a quick pace, almost on the verge of hyperventilation, until the woman came over to rest her palm along her brow. Ayesha’s body stiffened, as if expecting anything harsh for her actions, but the woman’s words and the strokes of her fingers began to sooth her. Her breath left her with shuddering breaths as she began to relax more, and rest back to the makeshift bed.&nbsp; Eyes closed for a moment to regain some sense, she felt the man let go of her and usher her down, even covered her form again with the sheet.<br><br>She opened her eyes once again, showing now the exhaustion and pain in them from moments before. The little tease in Kayla’s voice brought a faint smile to her lips before relaxing, only to notice the healer moving out of the room. The actions between the pair astonished her, and believed that&nbsp; they may be relatives, but of course not. Reassured of that idea, she began to relax more.Just as she watched the pain interact with eachother reminded her of her siblings, of Jasith. Heart clenching, she gave a pained look just before she was questioned. Biting onto her lower&nbsp; lip she then met Kayla’s eyes, surprisingly taken in by the silver they portrayed. <br><br><em>She did not bring herself here to be enthralled by some woman she did not know, she had to help her people and save more lives.</em> She mentally reprimanded herself&nbsp; before&nbsp; meeting her eyes up to the woman once again. “ My name is Ayesha Eruanna Caladwen, priestess and daughter of Claentor Euric Caladwen, the High Priest of the Light Clan…” As she mentioned her father’s name, tears almost threatened to flood over, but she held firm and continues with her report.” My clan has been…destroyed; the people who are left are hiding in the foothills and are seeking shelter where ever they can. This all occurred in a matter of one day. I had foresaw these events occurring but no one listened or understood their meaning…and it isn’t just my people that I saw waiting for this doom…” her gazed sharpened onto Kayla’s showing the pain within them as well as the warning.” The force that took over my clan is not from this realm, or has yet not be seen…They are very similar to us..but are not. They use magic but have harnessed a biological armory…very much like insects. I don’t know who they are nor where they come from…but I do know that they destroyed the Dark clan, because they carried their weapons….My people are dying…and this took a matter of one day…just one day. My whole city has been turned to ashes…” With the last portion about her people, Ayesha could not help but allow her tears stain down her cheeks.<br><br>Her breathing came in and out shallow as she fought off the emotional scars of her loss. Ayesha broke her gaze from Kayla’s resting her head to the side as she fought the aching throb within her chest. She felt their pain the agony of the dead and also those who were still suffering. It was not just the emotional ache within her body but also from her wounds still. For a quick moment, she felt the want and need for peace as if she had wanted to join them. Ayesha closed her eyes as she tries to recollect herself, only finding it more difficult to open them yet again.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lucinda</strong> on <strong>18-06-2010, 17:09:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kayla's hands froze in their movements as Ayesha began to speak. Gradually her eyes opened wider and her jaw became slack. By the end of the tale her knees were wobbling and she weakly dragged a stool over to sink down onto. This... this was beyond her fears... close to unbelievable in fact. And yet looking into the girl's eyes she could see genuine pain and loss, in fact near madness from grief. Either the girl was by far the best liar she had ever seen, or she believed what she was saying. And it fit with the evidence to date so far, or lack of it. Cautioning herself not to jump to too many conclusions, Kayla took the Light elf's hand in her own. "I should probably tell you that we have heard nothing from the Dark tribe or the Air tribe, as well as yourselves in weeks. This unknown force of yours could be spread across half of the Green Isles by now. And to my knowledge, no one has heard a thing." That was true, but was it possible the council had heard something and not informed her? Surely not. This threatened the whole of the elven nation!<br><br>Her mind whirled, trying to think things through as she absently brushed the tear from the girl's cheek. Girl...? High Priest's daughter! That little fact trickled into her brain. The Storm and Light Tribes had never directly clashed in recent memory, but they had each been allied with foes in the past. It didn't seem possible that something on this sort of scale could be a grand conspiracy, but how would the council see that? There was no direct proof, just this one witness. Where are the refugees? Where are the tales of distruction? Kayla could almost hear the questions from the old men in dark halls. And the answer? Could this terrible unknown force have destroyed all those people right down to an individual? How was that possible? And if they were so lethal, how had the Light tribe scattered as Ayesha claimed? Too many questions and possibilities. She needed evidence, something more than this one girl. And she needed the girl to help her.<br><br>She focused on Ayesha, sensing her pain and mental anguish. It seemed like shock and trauma. But it did bring to mind the psychic wounds inflicted during the Storm clan's skirmish with the Air tribe. She shivered at the memory of the vicious Mind Warriors appearing from the mist. If the Dark tribe's weapons had been taken and used, was it possible the Air's magic had been appropriated too? Kayla shook her head, banishing the memories. Bad enough dealing with things as they are without dragging in the ghosts of the past. "Look Ayesha, I will make sure the council gets your tale. But if you appear before them then they will not let you leave until your story is confirmed or disproved." She held up her hands to forestall any protests. "I'm not saying I don't believe you. But the fact is that this is a lot to swallow for the council members set in their ways. The only way we can persuade them otherwise is to provide proof. Or at least a second and perhaps more trusted set of eyes." She could easily imagine Ayesha not seeing the light of day again until the first of the Light refugees arrived. And by then it could be too late. "I think this falls to me. To us... if you heal quickly, and if you will go with me. We must warn the other Tribes and we must collect evidence, find out what we can about these devils. One thing I don't understand... What brought you to the Storm Tribe? What did you think to gain by coming here? Surely the Nature clan would have been closer, even the Earth clan if you had but crossed the mountain passes. Why us?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>fantasylver</strong> on <strong>21-06-2010, 10:23:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<br>The words that reached her ears were ones she did not wish for. Ayesha’s heart wrenched to the thought of her people suffering even more. She gave Kayla a piercing stare, eyes clear and not disrupted by her emotions, only determination was seen. “Do you think that the Light tribe did not notice when you would send in scouts to supervise us? Your clan is known for keeping everything under control, knowing of the where abouts of the different clans. You are also known for your skills in war…. Also…it is too late to warn the Nature and Earth Clan…like locust, this enemy is swarming through neighboring tribes.I had to move beyond them to seek help, and warn the rest that can be saved…My people are dying, but they are not the only ones I worry about…they are my prior objective but I am also here to help the others… I know that I do not appear strong, but I will leave if I am not able to obtain help here. I will fight to the death if that is the case…and do not question the pain that is in my heart from what I have seen.” She sounded more mature now than before, more resolved in her words and actions.<br><br>Ayesha could sense that Kayla was unsure with the situation, as if truly this can be some hoax. She did not have time for more questions of what she has felt and seen, she would have to show her somehow, so she could have another pair of eyes to see what she has seen. Ayesha could not afford any second thoughts on the matter, especially if this woman was indeed going to help her. “ I don’t need time to heal to move out and to warn the others, it would even be wise to go as soon as possible…because they will soon be coming to your gates and walls to burn them down…” she stated firmly. Honestly, Ayesha did not enjoy this manner of conduct, being straightforward to the point that it sounded somewhat condescending, but the truth be told is that, she was afraid of what could happen to others, and if it meant to be a bitch, she will be.<br><br>She had been looking straight forward as she thought over her options before darting her eyes back up to the woman. Sitting up with a wince, she gives Kayla a hard look.” More trusted eyes? If that would be the case….” She did not ask for permission or gave warning. She wanted to also scare the woman, and show her what she had to deal with, yet also prevent her for even considering her other options. Ayesha quickly grabbed Kayla’s wrist, causing a shock of some sort to scream up her arm. This would be her second time sending out her visions and memories to another person, creating great risk to herself. Eyes locked onto Kayla’s, they seemed to somewhat glow and project images of her chaotic memory. From not having enough experience in transferred memories, some scenes scattered and became out of order.<br><br>Now instead of just herself, both Ayesha and Kayla stood in the middle of the chaos. Children lying down at their feet, staring out with unseen eyes, and soiled with gore along with their bodies shredded and violated. Screams surrounded them of the children, as well as her own, from the moment she found her sister’s body on the cold steps. Her sister’s eyes flashed by before catching glimpses of the shadowy figures, covered with their scaly armor. Their figures fluttered through the memories, like they were transparent figures amidst the chaotic collection of scenes. Sounds of war continued to surround them both, clashing of metal as well as the cries of the people, dying and being destroyed. Very much like flying their forms had dissipated back to where Ayesha was standing, but on top of the temple overlooking the entire city in ruins, fire burning down ancient stone buildings, which caused and ashened look cover the landscape surrounding the once beautiful grounds. As the memory began to fade, Kayla would feel a twinge of pain move through her chest, representing, what Ayesha was experiencing at the moment.<br><br>Ayesha’s hand began to go lax on Kayla’s wrist, and showed the paleness of her complexion.&nbsp; Her body shook and throbbed, making her wheeze and hunch over, grasping onto her chest as it pained her to breathe heavily. Still concealed by the sheet, she tucked her legs up to her chest, feeling the pain overcome her senses. For some reason it felt like her insides were twisting and knotting into convulsions of pain. “ g-go..tell them now…” she groans out, as her head rested now upon her knees.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lucinda</strong> on <strong>25-06-2010, 15:18:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kayla's eyes narrowed as she listened to angry words. Of course her tribe kept tabs on what was going on in the land, just all the other tribes seemed to do likewise. And they were perhaps more successful than most under her supervision. But keeping everything under control? That sounded like the carefully spread propaganda of the council members. Misled or not, this girl would learn to be careful to be whom she chose to give the rough edge of her tongue! And yet the latter part of her speech moved Kayla. She felt genuine empathy from Ayesha and it was hard to fault her motivation in trying to warn the tribes. In this light she bit back harsh words which would otherwise have followed, her eyes remaining hard as she listened. It was not until the hand touched her wrist and the eyes eyes locked onto hers, and a flood of horrific images crossed her brain that she realised how torn up this girl was inside. She felt a connection to her soul, and suddenly her eyes were filled with tears as the flood of emotion dammed inside Ayesha spilled out over this link. Even as her elven soul grieved she felt the cold calculating part of her brain analysing tactics and numbers and coming back to her with equally terrifying reports. The situation may have been worse than she even suspected. And if Nature and Earth were truly gone, or at least under siege, then hope was slender indeed.<br><br>She sagged as the connection ended, only it didn't entirely seem to die. There felt like a link between the two which did not fade. She had seen inside the others heart and that experience would stay with Kayla always. She cradled the girl as she began to cough, easing her back down onto the bench, catching the sheet as it fell and pulling it back into place across the others naked body. "Steady, steady" Her hands stroked her body, feeling the convulsions running through the fragile form. "Easy, rest now. I will do as you ask. I'll see the council, don't worry. I'll convince them. Your people will be avenged." And hopefully ours saved, she added mentally. <br><br>Three hours later Kayla was being escorted down a corridor beneath the Council Chambers. Her mind was numb, unable to understand how the words she had spoken had failed to make any impact. And now she was being escorted to the Council's own secure chambers. Which was a fancy term for a cell, even if it were dressed up in more civilised clothes. "For her own protection and for a more thorough debriefing until confirmation was found" was what she was told. Which meant to stop her leaving the city until her source had been taken. She cursed herself, knowing that she should have left immediately. She wondered how long the Seekers would take to discover her charge.<br><br>Not very long as it turned out. In fact the room she was shown into contained Ayesha already on a padded seat when the door slammed shut behind her. The room was plain but comfortable, and extremely secure. Runes scribed into the walls, floor and ceiling nullified all magic, defeating any attempt to spy, and also any attempt to escape as it happened. Kayla sighed, moving over to check on her companion, making sure she was comfortable. At least that was one good thing, the best healers that council could summon had been at work and the girl slept easily, dressed in loose silk undergarments. She looked improved enough that Kayla knew the healers had been working for some time. She had been taken right after Kayla left for sure. Coincidence? Possible. Anyone with the right magic could detect the foreign elf. Likely? Not very. Much more likely someone had informed. Simeon's face jumped to mind for a moment. But she would not believe that of him without overwhelming evidence. A neighbour perhaps. In any case it made much more sense that the council did not pay so much attention to the story. They could afford to hold them and investigate and put off doing anything at all, which tended to be their favourite activity.<br><br>Moving over to the door, Kayla glanced out through the mesh placed at eye height for a handspan across the door. It was an empty gesture, just for the sake of it. But she was startled to see a pair of intense eyes burning back at her from the door directly opposite. they weren't precisely friendly, but... who knew in this day and age. Her own people were keeping her here after all. The need to escape and to warn the world of the impending disaster burned within her. Her need to be free was also great, she didn't deal well with imprisonment. She could see very little of the stranger's face, but he was male and of a different tribe if she was not mistaken. A refugee? Could it be? Was the council concealing something else? A shiver went through her. What else didn't she know?? "Greetings Stranger! Who are you?" She tried.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shade</strong> on <strong>26-06-2010, 03:33:31</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He wasn’t sure how long he had been stuck in this cell, but he was starting to grow tired of it. Zaer Kurn was many things, but patient was not one of them. There was little for him to do in this cell. The elf mostly just laid around, looking over the room for any possible weaknesses that would allow him to escape. The only time’s he really got up were to eat the disgusting prison meals that he was served, and glance out of the small mesh window, which he had to duck down a bit in order to look out of. <br><br>He stirred as he heard the footsteps of the guards. He moved towards the cell door and glanced out into the hall, and saw the cell across from him being opened by the guards. About time he got a neighbor. After a few minutes of complete silence though, he frowned. Normally, prisoners made a fuss. They would bang on their cell doors, demanding to be released, that it was some sort of mix-up or mistake. Either that or they cried in their cells, wailing like newborn children. <br><br>With a shrug, he was about to head back to his cot and stare at the ceiling some more, when he heard the guards moving in again. Peering out, he saw that this was a female elf. And she was a member of the Storm tribe. He raised an eyebrow at this. It was quite unusual for the Storm tribe to arrest one of their own. What surprised him even more was when she called out to him from her cell. He returned her gaze with his own, amber colored eyes. Not much else was visible through the small mesh panel that they could see through.<br><br>With a light chuckle, he replied, “It’s normally polite to give your own name before asking someone else’s. I’ll let it slide though. My name is Zaer.” Leaning against the door, he continued, “So… what are you in for? It’s not often for the Storm to arrest their own. You must’ve really pissed them off.”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lucinda</strong> on <strong>26-06-2010, 15:46:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kayla's eyebrows quirked upwards. Not one of the Earth or Nature factions then. Their manners tended to be as wild as their Tribes. In any case she was familiar with the vibrations their innate magic. The vague unfamilar buzz she sensed from this stranger was from further afield. "In for? I think perhaps you mistake your surroundings friend. In case you haven't noticed you are not in some common jail or stockade. These are council quarters, and you are in deeper dung than you thought". She sniffed,&nbsp; trying to catch his scent. Something about his speech patterns was familiar... A glimpse of his muscled shoulder through the grate and it fell into place with a sigh. Fire Tribe. Great.. Totally unpredictable and very dangerous to know. She had scars to prove it. Her teeth ground.<br>&nbsp;<br>"As to my name, I am Kayla of the Storm Tribe. Perhaps known to you as Kayla Stormcloud of Tormin's Field. If the history of your Tribe is known to you I mean." Her anger was smouldering now, and she realised she had better concentrate on getting herself and Ayesha out of here instead of raking up the past. <br>&nbsp;<br>As if summoned by her name, Kayla suddenly became aware of the presence of the other girl at her side. She blinked in surprise at not even noting her movement, but soon managed a smile for her. She seemed much improved. "I guess my warning was not well received" She managed almost apologetically. The girl turned to peer through the grate alongside Kayla, and she was suddenly aware of the heat from the body pressing against her hip. She shifted to the side a little to give her more room as they turned to examine their neighbour. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>fantasylver</strong> on <strong>27-06-2010, 21:41:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				With the strength from Kayla’s arms, Ayesha felt sure of herself that the council will hear her tale. She placed her trust into Kayla as she fell into her rejuvenating slumber only until to be awaken by gentle hands lifting and carrying her to some unknown destination. There were faint sounds in the distance as she moved in and out of the darkness, sounds of yelling and warning; but from whom? Ayesha didn’t know at the time as she rested and took on the care from the healers, that Simeon was the one who was trying to keep her in his care. <br><br>It was an odd thing no doubt to be taken cared for instead of the other way around. For being a priestess and guardian of the temple of the Light Clan, it was expected above else to take care of others instead of oneself. Despite her own inner turmoil of being looked after, she welcomed the peace that the healers brought her, a peace that soon would be disrupted of course.<br><br>Laying there on the padded cot, she felt another presence enter the room, a familiar one at that. Kayla. Why would she back here so soon? Her mind questioned, only to finally hear the faint click of a lock and hum of magic. Ayesha’s eyes opened as she heard Kayla speak out to a stranger, and press her form up against a door. As she lays there on the makeshift bed, she saw on the walls and ceilings of the room covered in runes. They were in a cell. Heart sinking she fought off the need to fight back against this violation, only to then quietly push herself up, looking about the room for weaknesses. <br><br>Grateful for the healers help, she did not feel as weak as before, and much more agile in comparison to her clumsy self back at Simeon’s and the Alley way. With the voice speaking out to them through the door, she quietly walks over, not giving much sound as she presses up against the door to peek outside of the mesh screen. Now as she stood the fine silks shifted and fluttered about her curved petite form, giving hints of her nipples and plushness that lay beneath. Her skin held traces of being battered before as well as the paleness of her complexion, but her eyes held more liveliness to them than before, showing what the young elf looked like when on more alert.<br><br>Sighing deeply as she heard Kayla speak about the council, Ayesha couldn’t help but frown.” Well…I should not be surprised…but to have me held captive here…that is surely an insult..” she narrows her eyes, showing the fire within them from her inner anger. As Kayla moved over, Ayesha looked through the mesh to see the man. Very much like Kayla, at the moment she could sense him and see his eyes, she knew he was of the Fire Clan, very tricky fighters and companions.<br><br>“ Hello…I’m Ayesha Eruanna Caladwen of the Light Tribe, so it seems we are in a bit of a predicament here…and I’m surprised you haven’t lost your temper and broke out of here sooner…”she smiles teasingly, not trying mean any insult, but acknowledging his strength. Bending her knees slightly from going onto her tippy toes she shifts up again, bracing her hands along the door. Looking up and down the hallway, she did not notice any guard. This meant they either just left to switch rounds or felt sure that no one could break out. Thinking about her options, she quickly relaxes and turns to Kayla, whispering quickly.” You are a commander here…do you know of any weaknesses of this fort? If you do not wish to escape with me, then just stay or leave it be, but with or without you, I need to go.” She states firmly, allowing Kayla to see the determination burning in her eyes, more focused determination that also shown the strength she did not have before. She was not frantic now in comparison to before, but felt the need to double her efforts to seek help and warn the others, even if they do not want to listen.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shade</strong> on <strong>28-06-2010, 11:17:24</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Zaer shrugged. "You can call it whatever you like, Kayla. I recognize a prison cell when I'm in one." He frowned for a moment. "Tormin's field... yeah, that's something that everyone is familiar with. Although, there's no need to get so angry." He then mutters. "And they say my people are hot headed..." This girl certainly lived up to her reputation. At least, her attitude did. He'd have to see her skills in a fight to know for certain what had earned her such fame and renown. "You're ignoring my question though. They don't throw people in here without a reason. And you're not one as I can see betraying her people, so I know that isn't it."<br><br>His attention shifted as a second figure appeared in the small window. He could make out her features, and identified her as a Light Tribe member. He gave a small smirk to her. "If you missed the initial introductions, I'm Zaer Kurn of the Fire Tribe." He tossed his head back, indicating the walls of his cell. "Trust me, were it not for the runes, I'd have busted out of here on day one." He'd been trying to find a weakness in the cells for sometime, but there was nothing that his eye could see to be of any use to him in escaping from this place.<br><br>He frowns as he hears the Light Tribe girl whispering to Kayla of the Storm Tribe. He turned his head a bit, trying to hear a bit better. He managed to catch the last of it, and shook his head. So she wanted a way out. So did anyone else who had ever set foot in a prison cell. His eyes moved back and forth, curious about this pair of elves. It seemed quite unusual for more than one person to be put in these rooms. They must've been involved in something together. But what would bring a Storm elf and a Light elf together?
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lucinda</strong> on <strong>01-07-2010, 14:40:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kayla dismissed Zaer with an exquisitely arched eyebrow. If the fire elf truly didn't understand her attitude towards his people, then if probably wasn't much use to her in the planning department. As for sharing their reasons for being there, she would not have shared that with any fellow prisoner let alone her old enemy.<br>&nbsp;<br>She turned to Ayesha, her voice staying low enough to be no more than a mumble to their unwelcome company. "I know some tricks, some little known things about the construction of this place. I may be able to get us out of the building but first we'll have to get out of this room. That isn't going to be easy." She reached over to run her hand up the panelled wall, fingers tracing the lines of runes raised up from the surface of smoothly grained wood. "These rune chains cover every surface of the room. They make it much more able to withstand physical punishment, and they effectively neutralize magical energy. Look, even this grill..." She indicated the thickly woven metal alloy which interlaced tightly to cover the gap in the door. The surface facing them still showed traces of the runes painstakingly crafted onto every strand. "One of that idiot's fireballs wouldn't pass through it. Might even bounce back and roast him. If we were lucky. But more likely just earthed by the chains." Kayla leant against the door frame, out of view of the fire elf. Her slender body sagged against it a moment, physical strength waning after a long day and a broken night. "There might be a way. But we'll need help... Do you think we can trust him? At least far enough to get us all out of here? And can you get him to talk? I'm not releasing him without knowing more about why he is here!" 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>fantasylver</strong> on <strong>03-07-2010, 01:18:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ayesha listened intently as she took in everything that Kayla said about the room, with the runes. She looked up to the intricate detail of the lines and symbols interlacing with each other. The work was beautiful but a nuisance.&nbsp; Looking about the room more, she realized there was a pattern to it all.” What would you say to try to breaking the pattern? Or does it matter if one portion of it is ruined, and it still continues the barriers? We also can work with something along the lines to draw attention. If&nbsp; I go with acting as if something is wrong…the council will never allow a foreign elf priestess to die…so they would send in guards to collect me…though as for the fire elf…”she glanced back over to the other across the way.<br><br>Just from Kayla’s words she felt the exhaustion come from the poor woman. Eyes peering through the mesh, she leaned up against the door.” Lord Zaer…why is it you are here exactly? You tried to break through the Storm clans Defenses for a little fun…or actually done something real stupid to wind up here…” she glanced up and down the hall and back to him. Her blue green eyes slightly glinted with amusement by the idea of a fire tribe member breaking through the barriers to perform an attack.” How long have you been here actually? That would be the one question I should be asking. If you have been in here long enough I would assume you would have been testing out different ways of getting out.”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shade</strong> on <strong>03-07-2010, 05:13:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Zaer frowned as the Storm tribe elf decided to completely ignore him. He couldn't hear any of her whispers, so he just turned and leaned his back against the door. The two of them were still standing by the door, so he wasn't sure they were done talking to him yet. He knew that the Fire and Storm tribes had a history with each other, but he had never had any part in it personally. Old habits died hard.<br><br>As he heard the Light elf speak to him to get his attention, he turned his head, looking at the girl curiously. Lord Zaer... it sounded strange to hear that being spoken aloud, after so long. He quickly pushed those thoughts aside. There were more important things at the moment that required his attention. He shook his head a bit. "So I'm expected to answer your questions when you will not answer mine? That's a bit unfair, don't you think? Besides, now's not the time. The guards will be returning soon. I will tell you this though. I've been her long enough to try every method I could possibly think of to get out of this place. And now, I've reached the conclusion that it's impossible to break out of here alone. So if either of you do have any sort of idea, I suggest you try it fairly quick, before the guards return. We do have some time though. They're so confident in the security of this place that the guards seem to slack off a bit." A frown crossed his face. "Now that I think about it, I've never known any cell to hold more then one person at a time. Who knows? Maybe there's something that can be done by two that can't be done by one..." He shrugged. "Or not. You'll just have to try and see."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lucinda</strong> on <strong>03-07-2010, 10:13:24</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kayla stormed up to the grill. "Let me put it this way fire elf, I think I know a way out of this place for all three of us. But I will not release a prisoner I know nothing about. For all I know you are an assassin or a rapist or a spy with the secrets of my people. Unless you share the reasons for you being here.... and convince us both of the truth of them, we'll all rot down here until the council deems it fit for us to emerge. Or until doom comes to us all. The guard patrols are extemely leisurely exactly because they know how impossible it is to break free, but they will return and our time is short. So get talking!". She finished ominously, her words of doom seeming to echo unnaturally about the corridor. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>fantasylver</strong> on <strong>03-07-2010, 20:20:03</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ayesha could not help but wince at the shout from Kayla, such fierceness in her words only chilled her down to the bone. She knew that they both understood of the&nbsp; consequences of being held in this gilded cage, but sill they needed to know what this other really did in order to get in a place such as this. Ayesha placed a calmed hand along Kayla's shoulder and looks over to Zaer." We are in here because of me...I'm the priestess of the Light clan..and I had come from a place of disaster. I came to the Storm clan to warn them, but only one took my message...Kayla and I only know what is coming to this place...and if we don't escape soon, we all will rot here. The council doesn't understand the truth in what I had experienced and believe that all is well, and everything that I experienced is a minor crisis....so if you don't want to tell us what you did, then don't, but don't expect me to give you a helping hand to get out of this hell hole..." her eyes narrow slightly darkening to the prospect. <br><br>Frustrated as well, Ayesha slams palm into the door, giving a loud echo.&nbsp; Cursing in ancient tongue she walked about the room, glancing about the walls and ceiling, hoping to see anything of use. One thing that drew her attention was a torch above them, held high with an iron rod. Thinking over the ideas of what they can use it for, she quickly ran up the wall and used a little ledge of the stone to push up to the tall torch. The only indication of her doing something behind Kayla was the faint grunt she gave as she lunged herself up to the iron bar, and pulled herself up onto it. Now settled along the slightly unsteady&nbsp; bar, she was about ten feet above the ground. Looking down to Kayla, she goes over the ideas. " Kayla" she whispers somewhat to her from her post." Hand me a pad or blanket so I can snuff out the flame...I can remove this bar and maybe we can use it as a weapon in case needed or a way to get out..." she shifts into a somewhat crouched position looking down to her.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shade</strong> on <strong>04-07-2010, 07:38:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Zaer scowled as Kayla shouted at him. Who the hell did she think she was? Were it not for the fact that they were locked in their cells, he would put her in her place. Only the runes on the walls, floor and ceiling kept the room and door from smoldering into ash. "And what good would telling you that do? You have no way of confirming my words. They could easily be a lie, or you might doubt the truth, even if I spoke it to you. So why don't you quit wasting time and tell me your idea!"<br><br>His attention turned to the Light elf. At least she seemed able to keep a level head in this situation. He looked surprised when she mentioned that she was a priestess. While her words didn't tell him much of what had actually happened to her, it seemed that these two were working to avoid some sort of great calamity. While he heard the light elf working on something in her cell and moving around out of sight, he took the time to weigh his options. He could remain silent, and just wait until they were desperate enough to share their plan. But that would probably take too long. Finally, he let out a slow sigh.<br><br>"You want to know the reason behind my arrest? Well, I can't tell you what it is, because there is no good reason. I'm in here simply because of my heritage. About six months ago, I was passing through the area nearby, when I met up with a large group of Storm elves out training. They caught sight of me, and attacked for no reason. I simply defended myself, and they eventually overwhelmed me since I wasn't trying to kill them. Just because I'm from the tribe of fire doesn't mean I kill without good reason. Then they threw me in here without the decency of even having any sort of trial." He glared at the Storm elf. "So whether you choose to believe me or not, that's why I'm in here. I'm no rapist spy, or assassin. I'm simply a wandering mercenary who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lucinda</strong> on <strong>04-07-2010, 09:02:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kayla considered this story as she went over to the couch and ripped away one of the cushion covers. Moving back to the door area she flung it up to her companion, before peering through the grill once more. "Very well ashen one. Your story has a ring of truth. It's not the whole truth mind, but i believe the story you have told is what happened. Minus a detail or too i'm sure you won't mind furnishing later" She glanced up at the light elf and got a confirming nod. "Very well, against my better judgment i propose we work together temporarily to escape this place. I need to know something first. Are you a forgemaster? Can you heat metals without simply having to blast fire at them?" 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shade</strong> on <strong>04-07-2010, 09:18:45</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The Fire elf frowned. The Storm elf had believed him for the most part, but still thought he was hiding something. He was, of course, but it still made him uneasy that she could tell so easily that he hadn't told her everything. But at least they could work on getting out of here now. When she asked her question, he blinked for a moment. Such a skill was very common amongst his people, and he had used it often to forge and repair his weapons. "Yes, I can do that. What is it that you have in mind, exactly?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>fantasylver</strong> on <strong>04-07-2010, 09:24:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ayesha caught the cushion in mid air, keeping her balance on the somewhat wobbily hot iron rod. She overheard what the Fire Elf had to say and went with agreement with Kayla." I feel he is telling the truth...but if anything does happen, we know we can stand up against him in the least..."she spoke to Kayla alone, not speaking loud enough for Zaer to hear her." We all will get out of here, one way or the other..." she adds on to look at the door and then moved into action with her own plans. <br><br>Snuffing out the flames with the large thick cusion, a waft of smoke filled the small room. Ayesha coughed slightly due to inhaling too much too quickly, but soon silences herself. Not waiting much longer, she pressed her lean petite body against the wall before unhooking the latch that held the torch in place. With the loosening motion, she reacted quickly and grabbed the touch to pull from it's holder and drop down to the floor of the cellar in a low crouch. No sound came from her as she&nbsp; landed, only a faint thud from landing from a high place. Ayesha stood with not much hint of discomfort from the landing and looked to Kayla with any instructions." So with his help, should I hold off my plan with breaking through the mesh with this?" she asked as she holds up the rod that clearly was half the size of her body.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lucinda</strong> on <strong>04-07-2010, 09:48:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kayla shook her head at Ayesha. "That may come in handy later, but that mesh is built to withstand blows from a earth tribe warhammer. It looks flimsy but the runes disperse the physical energy. However... let me try this..." She motioned both elves away from their respective grills, and took up position a few feet away from the door. She stretched out a palm, third finger bent down, and summoned her will. With it surged her magic, and with a yell and a hiss of released energy a blue-white arc of lightning about the width of her wrist streaked to the grill. Kayla gritted her teeth, and the surge grew brighter, almost painful to look at. She held it for less than ten seconds and then it vanished, black afterimages streaking everyone's vision. <br><br>Kayla drew a few shaky breaths. This was more power than she had expended in some time and it left her physically weaker like all magic. She went to the door and placed her hand on the grill. "It's barely warmed. Did you see how the runes earthed the energy before it touched the metal? Alright, that's about what I thought. Let's try this now". She stepped closer and pressed her fingertips of her left hand to the mesh, the tips of each just about poking between the spaced metal. Waiting for the fire elf to clear once more, she released her magic. This time the stream was smaller, crackling from her fingertips to meet just ahead of them and string into a narrow rope which arced across the distance between the cells and into the grill on the other side. Once again Kayla concentrated, the energy increasing until the grill was obscured by a blue white glow, her face twisting in concentration and a twinge of pain. When she gasped and let the magic die away finally, the grill was warped away from the frame.<br><br>"As I had suspected. The runes only cover the inside of the grills. They relied on no one realising or not being able to focus the magic through such small apertures". She held up her burned left hand, fingertips blackened. "They were almost right! Now Lord Ash... perhaps you can heat the lock on this side, if you give that grill a helping hand you should be able to punch it free now the chains of runelines are broken. The outside lock, which is visible to you on our door, should be vulnerable to your extreme heating" She leant against the doorframe for support, almost sagging, leaning a grateful arm on her young friend as exhaustion swept through her. Kayla's spare frame trembled against the others slender figure.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shade</strong> on <strong>06-07-2010, 04:04:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Zaer frowned, and moved away from the grill of his door, wondering what she was trying. Soon after, he threw his arm up, his forearm shielding his eyes from the bright flashes coming from their cell. After they flashes died down, he peered back over to see that her magic hadn't had any effect. "If you were just wanting to test the grills, I could've told you that this wouldn't work." Still, he stepped aside again. When he heard her spell hit his own grill, he began to grin. "Now we're talking!" After she finished, he looked at the smoking remains of the mesh. It would be weakened considerably now. Giving the woman a slight nod, he cracked his knuckles, pulled a fist back, and slammed it into the mesh. It fell off and hit the floor with a loud clang. His hand was cut up a bit, but otherwise undamaged.<br><br>When he heard her plan though, he frowned. "Sorry... but I can only heat the metals through direct contact with them. I'm going to have to undo my own lock first."<br><br>&nbsp;Reaching through the space, he felt around for a bit, until he felt the cold metal of the outer handle. Grinning, he took a deep breath, and let the heat flow through his system. As he breathed out, steam exhaled from his nostrils, and he could feel the metal heating underneath his touch, turning red. "C'mon, c'mon..." He squeezed his hand, causing the handle to dig into his palm. Slowly but surely, he could feel the metal melting. Finally, looked down and saw his fingers sticking through the lock, sticking through to his side of the door. Pulling his arm back through, he slammed his hand against the lock, and the door opened. <br><br>Taking a step out, he looked around. Still no sign of the guards. After stepping out of his room, he looked at the two elves in the cell across from him. Now that he was out, he didn't really need them, he supposed. Zaer could just run right now. But if it weren't for them, he wouldn't have been able to open his own cell. He owed them that much, at least. "Back up a bit." After they moved from the door, he put both hands on their lock. Since he was using both, it went much quicker, and was able to break the weakened lock easily, before swinging the door open for them.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>fantasylver</strong> on <strong>08-07-2010, 22:28:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ayesha winced to the bright light that surrounded her, having her turn her head away and close her eyes. Keeping a hold onto the metal pole she turns and realized Kaylas weakened state. She dropped the bar and turned to support her companion as the fire elf took his time in releasing them. Watching him closing behind the mesh, she even felt the indication of his thoughts, but he proved her wrong by releasing them as well." hmm I was hoping you were not going to run away dear Lord Zaer..." Ayesha narrowed her eyes as she lead Kayla out into the hall, where the barriers did not take over her.<br><br>A sigh of relief escaped her as she sets Kayla down to the floor, watching out for the guards." I'm not going to be doing anything rash, but you are very weak...and hurt so I am just helping..." she whispered quickly to Kayla as she took hold of her hands within her own. A soft golden hued light illuminates from her hands, and passed on the light to Kayla's own hands. A soft cooling sensation followed by a warmth would move through Kayla's form, revitalizing her senses and energy. As soon as Ayesha moved her hands away from Kayla's the light would fade slowly, showing the clean fresh and non-burned skin. " This is only somewhat of a payback for what you have done for me..."Ayesha lets out a slow deep breath before she stood and took Kayla's hand within hers." come now, we must leave before the guards come.." she looked up to Zaer with her slightly faint eyes from before but still held an edge to them.<br><br>Glancing back to Kayla, she asked in a quick manner." where would they hold our weapons? I also need my uniform back. Despite the wear it has, it is rather valuable to me..." she then looked back to Zaer."Also...from being of the fire nation...would you be able to meld this into your liking? Maybe a weapon?" she holds of the large torch&nbsp; to him, showing the vast size in comparison to her small petite curved form." I would even think it can be useful if not mended either.." she thoughts out loud but then stops, to hear faint noises at the end of the hall." Seems we had awaken the guards..." she moved into a defensive position, showing faint light waves come from her hands as if she was prepared to block any distant attacks with her shields. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lucinda</strong> on <strong>09-07-2010, 14:00:45</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leaning heavily on the girl as she hobbled out the door, Kayla wondered if she had done too much. But what other choice had their been? They could not languish in these cells while the world burned. It was something of a shock when Ayesha moved from her side and turned to face her, slipping her hands into her own and gazing into her eyes. Once again there was that feeling of intense closeness, as if their souls were touching. Kayla could feel the warm tingling rush sliding through her body, and the tingle-itch of her tattoos told her of the magic being employed, but she was lost in the eyes upturned to hers, feeling as if she was spinning into the dark pupil at the centre, feeling her heart beat faster. And then suddenly the sensation faded. She blinked and the girl was turning away, talking to Zaer. Kayla worked hard to regain her senses, flexing her healed hand and trying to control her racing heart. The after effects of the magic she supposed, thrusting the feeling of intimacy to the back of her mind. There was too much to deal with right here and now.<br><br>She finally came to at the mention of guards and regaining possessions, smiling a thankyou at Ayesha with renewed energy, and then began to nod "Indeed, I need my sword back also. Maelstrom is as much a part of me as my arm. I will say this though, and especially to you Lord Ash." She studied the muscled warrior for the first time, taking in his physical stature as she was aware of him looking her over. She was suddenly aware of her lack of armour, and the thin coverings she had on beneath. She concentrated on staying focused. "The guards here are my people, some of them have been under my command. I will not tolerate wholesale slaughter in one of your berserk rages. I want them unconscious, disabled, dead only in dire need for self defense. I will not allow this to become some kind of revenge for our imprisonment! Besides we have neither the time nor forces, nor the luxury of alerting further numbers." She tilted her head towards where the noises were coming from "That was lies the guard chamber. Our things will be there. But then we need to come back this way.." She pointed toward a seeming dead end ".. where there is a passage we should be able to escape through. It will bring us out away from the main entrance if it is not sealed before we get there." She sighed and took a deep breath, a last warning look at the other two, noticeably unable to hold Ayesha'a eyes for long. "there shouldn't be more than two or three of them right now. Let's do it! Quick and quiet" She padded up the hallway, a picture of lithe graceful stealth, barely a whisper following her passage. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shade</strong> on <strong>11-07-2010, 06:45:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Zaer stood back a bit away from the pair of elven females as the light elf helped the storm elf sit up agains the wall. Apparently using her magic to help escape had taken a greater toll on him than he had thought. It really showed how weak the members of the other tribes could be. He leaned against the opposite wall, folding his arms across his broad chest as he waited for them to get ready to move. "Hurry up, would you? The guards here are lax, but not that lax..." <br><br>Once the healing was finally down and they started mentioning weapons, a smirk appeared on the fire elf's face. He was afraid for a moment that he would have to search for the place to retrieve his weapons on his own. When the light elf holds the torch up to him, asking if he could make a weapon, he shook his head. "I'm no miracle worker. It would take time to make that into a real weapon. We'll just have to make do with it as it is now. And you had better hold on to it." She would likely need something once the guards came. Speaking of which, he turned his head at the sound of footsteps, and grinned. It fell though, when the storm elf spoke directly to him, telling him to go easy on them. His lips curled into a scowl. "I don't recall ever agreeing to take orders from you." he growled out, staring at her only long enough to let his eye sweep up and down her form. She was a beauty, no doubt about it. Too bad she had such an attitude problem, he thought.<br><br>He moved behind her, being quiet as well. It wasn't that he was following her orders, but she did have a good point. They wouldn't have a chance if the guards raised the alarm. Once they reached the door to the guard chamber, he cracked his knuckles, the grin on his face returning. Even if he did not kill the guards, it would be nice to get some payback.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>fantasylver</strong> on <strong>12-07-2010, 11:21:07</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Tension and tempers grew through the small group, and it all began to thicken the air threateningly. Ayesha did not have any patience for the gibberish coming from their lips about taking orders and hurting or not hurting the guard.Still tired by the situation, Ayesha snapped." You two better cool it before I just ditch you both..." she whispered to them both, only then to realize the silent agreement between them both. Everything will go smoothly if they all work together. <br><br>As they all moved through the halls, her hands pulsed with the faint indication of her shields. Like what Kayla had said before, these people were of her own, and they do not deserve any means of death, so she only hoped to push them away when they needed to. Faint echoing's of footsteps filled the hall as the small trio moved about the shadows, and as they drew closer to the guard chamber Ayeshas own heart began to race. Her main objective was to obtain her weapons and armor and just get out of this territory before it was too late. Moving ahead of them slightly, she moves about the shadows with ease finding that non of the guards had suspected of them escaping.Ayesha's eyes gave a faint glow as well as her hands, but small pulsing waves can be seen coming from her fingertips. With the light, came with the alarm. One guard closest to the door charged out towards her as to detain her, but clearly have not seen the other two at the other side.<br><br>Using her power she pushed him aside with a wave of energy, making an entry into the guards quarters.One of the men near a corner turned as to ring a bell of alarm, but with quick reactions, Ayesha surrounded the bell with shield, muting the ring. With no other warning, Ayesha moved towards the man and disarmed him by knocking him out with a round bout kick. She kept her word as in not truely harming Kayla's men, but she did not hold anything back when they threatened her life. There were many guards stationed in this one room, giving enough for the other two to handle.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lucinda</strong> on <strong>12-07-2010, 17:52:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kayla watched somewhat open mouthed as the girl charged in, taking the guards by surprise. "And i was worried about the fire elf being impetuous! " She muttered. Still she could not help but admire Ayesha's composure as she battered one guard with her shield and collapsed another with a spin kick. Muting the bell was also a good move as Kayla knew that one tap would have it ringing for hours. Unfortunately she also knew that it was magically twinned with an exact copy in the barracks upstairs, and that one would be ringing loudly enough for both up there. The shield had bought them minutes at most.&nbsp; <br>Thankfully the guards had been picked for their martial prowess rather than their magical ability. That was one less thing to worry about. Leaving the right entrance for Zaer to deal with, Kayla followed Ayesha into the wide room and shifted towards a pair of guards by the left arch. She came upon them just as they recovered from the surprise attack and began to intercept the Light Elf. Sending her magic coursing through her enhancement tattoos, she felt a subtle surge of strength and a lightness of limb which let her almost fly through the air. Her open palm blow took the closest of the pair just above where his breastplate stopped. If she had been a little higher she would have crushed his throat. As it was the blow hit him like an iron bar, driving him back against the wall where he collapsed limp. Kayla quickly leapt back to avoid a slash from a halberd which may well have severed her arm. Whatever she had asked of her fellow escapees, the guards certainly weren't going easy in the least! With a hiss Kayla circled away from a vicious thrust toward her head, and continued the movement to spin inside the guard of the long handled weapon. Short swift blows from her elbows and knees disarmed the other storm elf and left him clutching himself in a world of private pain. A final chop to the temple left him prostrate and out of action. <br>&nbsp;<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lucinda</strong> on <strong>12-07-2010, 17:56:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				An unwise yell of challenge warned her of another attack, which she ducked easily. She scooped the halberd from the floor and caught another thrust on the haft. Stepping in a headbutt brought a satisfying crunch of a broken nose.&nbsp; <br>&nbsp;<br>Finally she broke the shaft over the head of a guard trying to get behind Ayesha. With a bloodlust filled grin she gazed around to see how everyone else was doing...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shade</strong> on <strong>14-07-2010, 07:05:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Zaer had to admit, the light elf girl was full of surprises. Maybe he had jumped to conclusions when he had first spoken to her through the cell doors. Not only had she basically told him and the storm girl to shut their pie holes, but she also had charged in head first into the guards room. In fact, he was too stunned to realize that Kayla charged in as well. "Hey, leave some for me!" Fortunately, the two girls had left the whole right side for him to deal with.<br><br>Since they were focusing on Ayesha and Kayla, the guards did not see him coming. The first one didn't even have time to turn around. Charging forward like a raging bull, his fists burst into flame, and it collided with the side of the first guard's skull. The metal helmet barely protected him at all. <em>Clang!</em> The guard was knocked several feet back, his helmet dented and charred. As another guard turned, he got a knee to the gut, the force of the blow raising him off the ground. The third one had time to try and retaliate with his sword, slashing horizontally at Zaer. The fire elf ducked low, the blade grazing over his head. Before the guard could swing again, Zaer grabbed the guard's wrist, burning the man with his touch. Crying out from the pain, the guard dropped his weapon, and was silenced a second later as Zaer's forehead crashed against his face, knocking him back to the floor unconscious.<br><br>There was one more guard, his mouth gaping in horror as he saw his comrades falling like leaves to these three escaped prisoners. As he turned to run upstairs, Zaer brought his hands together and pushed them forward. A roaring fireball was launched across the room. When it hit the guard's back, the force of the impact caused him to slam into the wall next to the door, where he slid down unconscious. <br><br>Turning, he saw that the other two girls had done their fair share. "Well, that was fun. Where are the weapons kept?" He was eager to get his swords back.<br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>fantasylver</strong> on <strong>14-07-2010, 22:12:45</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ayesha focused on the task at hand and fought off the guards and controlled the sound from the room. As soon as the fire elf entered, she blocks the door with a shield, confining the noise to the room alone to block off any other indication to the other guards. Eyes glowing slightly from the power build up within her, she continues to block off any of the other guards, moving to grab one of their lances and disarm them. Swiping at one of the men away, she knocked them out with a hard whack to his head. Fumbling down to the ground, she watched the man land down on the ground. <br><br>Eyes still faintly glowing from using her gifts she looked about the room, catching sight of a cabinet holding their weapons. " there they are...I need my armor too..."she looked&nbsp; about the room, now noticing it tossled to the side." I need to change...I will be right back..."she&nbsp; moved quickly to the side to change into her still bloodied uniform. Keeping an eye on everyone she slipped on her slacks and boots, then with her back turned to everyone, she changed into her tunic. Even as she kept moving to get things in order, she turned her senses to the shield she had to the door. She felt something coming but she could not tell what it was.<br><br>As she stood there, waiting for what was coming, she looked about the room, as if she saw everything but nothing." something is coming...." she murmurs quietly, feeling a power of some sort come to her. With her heightened senses with her gifts, she&nbsp; closed her eyes, searching out for what she felt. As soon as she closed her eyes she knew what this feeling was, it was another vision of some sort, but everything felt different than her previous visions. Standing there, Ayesha felt another sensation come to her. Without much warning, there was pain, a blinding pain that caused her to land on her knees. Gripping onto her head she cringes her face into an inaudible scream. A faint wail of some sort escapes her as she felt thousands of needles&nbsp; pierce her skull and body.Body curled up she tenses as the images flood her mind, like a blinding storm, disabling her. A faint aura surrounded her writhing from, a dark aura. Shouting out in her ancient tongue, tears begin to flood down her cheeks, showing blood. Just as fast it came, it ended, leaving her body lifeless on the ground now. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lucinda</strong> on <strong>17-07-2010, 12:38:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kayla saw that the other guards had been dealt with and nodded at the sight of the faint wards glimmering in the doorways, making her tattoos itch. She glimpsed the other elf girl beginning to change, and for some reason her cheeks began to flush. She shook herself mentally with a frown. Hadn't she been examining the girl's naked form just hours earlier? It hadn't been a big deal then, so what was the problem? She wondered once more what that touch of souls had done to her. <br><br>Clearing her mind, and reminding herself that they were a long way from out of danger, Kayla moved across to the cabinet. It was a secure storage, but nowhere near the level of security of the cells. Steeling herself, she pulsed strands of lightning through the flimsy lock until it simply warped and dropped from place when she kicked at the door. In no time Maelstrom was once again strapped across her back, and seemingly hungry for sport. She gathered Ayesha's possessions, and moved to once side to allow Zaer to gather whatever was his.<br><br>Suddenly came a shriek from the other side of the room. Spinning, Kayla saw Ayesha collapse to the floor in agony. The storm elf felt a stab of panic in her heart, sprinting over with her eyes wandering the room for an unnoticed foe. Just as she reached the girl, the wards guarding the doors flickered and went out, letting in sounds of movement and reinforcement. She realised they were almost out of time. Checking to make sure that there was a (weak) pulse still in the girl's neck, she scooped her up. Kayla's eyes opened wide as she realised Ayesha was literally light as a feather. Almost stumbling at the unexpected lightness, she swept up their possessions and headed for the corridor. "Zaer, we have to get out of here! Might be best to block the doors if we can! We aren't coming back this way. Just don't drop the ceiling on us all!" Not waiting to see if he complied she dashed towards the cells, heart and feet pounding.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shade</strong> on <strong>19-07-2010, 10:34:13</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Zaer waited patiently until the women had gotten their things from the weapon locker. He had waited months to hold his blades again, he could wait a few more minutes. When Kayla moved aside, he immediately started sifting through the contents, until a vicious grin spread across his lips. "There you are..." He pulled out a pair of twin short swords, and strapped them to his back in an 'X'. He wasn't done yet though. Reaching further in, he pulled out a claymore. Chuckling softly to himself, he strapped it to his back straight up, so from his back it appeared he had a large, six-pointed star on him.<br><br>A few times, his eyes had flickered to the light elf girl as she was changing. He was a male, it was only natural for him to want a look at such a beautiful woman. The fire elf also got a good look at the weapon the storm elf had. It looked like an impressive weapon, from what he could tell. Only a real battle would let him know for sure though.<br><br>When Ayesha started screaming and then passed out, he just stared down at her, wondering what that was all about. He didn't want to have to carry her out, but it looked like he wouldn't even have to, as Kayla immediately picked the girl up. When she told him not to bring the ceiling down on them, his grin returned full force. "I'll do my best..." He ran after her for a bit, before turning when he was outside the doorway to the guard quarters. He could hear the voices and footsteps. Looked like the secret was out. <br><br>As much as he would have loved to use his swords on these guys and cut them to pieces, he didn't have the time if he was going to follow Kayla to the escape route. Instead, he settled for having his palms burst into flame. Clapping his hands together once, the fire shot out and spread throughout the room he had just left. The guards wouldn't be crossing that room anytime soon. <br><br>Turning on his heels, he dashed after Kayla, following her back to the cell area. "So, where will this escape tunnel take us, exactly? Will we have to fight to get out of the city?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lucinda</strong> on <strong>20-07-2010, 17:06:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kayla glances at Zaer with an expression, half of disgust. Didn't he care that Ayesha was in a death state in her arms? She clutched the girl awkwardly, barely feeling the weight, but oh so aware of the curves in her arms where she touched bare flesh. And even more aware that the flesh was chilled to the touch. The Storm elf wasn't sure what was going on, but she would bet it was connected to the visions the Light elf had been receiving. <br><br>She sighed, still stumbling down the corridor, careful not to scrape Ayesha against any of the walls or door frames. She glanced over her shoulder, first to check the flames were preventing pursuit, and second to make sure the fire elf wasn't too far behind. "If we can get through the shadow tunnels and out, then no we will come out through the hills beyond the council chamber. We won't need to enter the city. The tunnels were constructed with that in mind. But we'll have to hope they haven't realised where we are going and set the protective wards. Or released the tunnel guardian. That could get interesting" But her voice carried little interest, in fact her attention was focused on her elven cargo once more, the delicate pale features of the girl in her arms. <br><br>With a sigh she set her feet and her will, speeding up as they passed their original cells. They strode swiftly down the dim tunnel, the formal decor doing little to disguise the cells within. Finally they came to the blank wall at the end of the corridor. Kayla barely hesitated, turning right into the cell with the open door. It was always open, though the cells at the end were never occupied. Placing Ayesha gently on the bench within, she turned to the wall adjoining the entryway. Reaching up above the wall bracket containing the lit lantern, she felt for the notch of stone she knew would be concealed there. With a satisfied noise she found it and twisted sharply to produce a click. She then grasped the iron lantern and turned it until it was a quarter off upright. With a surprisingly smooth action and a soft grinding noise the whole section of wall swung away inwards. The opening was gloomy beyond but smelled strongly of the earth and stone which the council chamber was built into. The rent in the wall was barely large enough for one to scrape through, lithe as she was. Kayla darted through onto the hard packed dirt of the tunnel and had Zaer pass the girl through to her, laying her on the floor beyond .<br><br>Holding the curved arc of Maelstrom aloft she spoke a single command, and the sword took on a soft blue glow. She motioned the Fire elf through with an annoyed tilt of her head, letting him scrape into the narrow passage before taking hold of the wall section and pushing it back into place. "I hope you can manage a little light yourself Lord Ash. This could be a dark journey." The wall closed with a loud click, and velvet gloom pressed in all around.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shade</strong> on <strong>21-07-2010, 08:00:34</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The man frowned as he noticed Kayla's expression when she looked back at him. Could he never catch a break, and run into someone who liked him for once? Oh well, at least he'd be getting out of this place. Unlike Kayla, Zaer didn't bother to look back. He knew that the flames would continue burning for a good while yet, so the guards had almost no chance of reaching them that way. When he heard the Storm elf mention the tunnel guardian, a crazed smirk covered his face. "Interesting indeed..." he murmured. The fire elf couldn't help himself. The thrill of battle, the challenge of a strong opponent, the need for these things ran through his blood since birth.<br><br>When they reached the end of the hall, he stopped, expecting the girl to press a hidden switch or something, and an opening to appear in the wall. He was mildly surprised when she entered one of the vacant cells. He grinned though as he saw her working the hidden mechanisms that would lead them to freedom. When Kayla slipped though the opening, he was about to move through when she told him to get the light elf girl and put her through. Rolling his eyes, he hoisted the girl up and eased her through. Why they had to keep her around, he didn't know. It had better be well worth it, if she was going to continue being dead weight like this.<br><br>After barely managing to squeeze through himself, he straightened himself up and brushed the dirt from his clothes. When she asked him about light, he gave a snort. "Please, who do you think you're talking to, Sparky?" He had decided to call her that as long as she insisted on calling him Lord Ash. Raising one hand in front of himself, palm up, a ball of flame formed in the center of his hand. The Reddish-orange glow it gave clashed with the blue glow of the girl's weapon. Lowering his gaze, he sees Ayesha laying on the ground. "So... are you going to keep carrying her, or are you going to try and make me do it?" If they ran into trouble on the way out, he didn't want to have to waste time putting the girl down before he could fight effectively. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lucinda</strong> on <strong>21-07-2010, 10:10:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kalya caught the smirk on the other elf's face with something of a sinking heart. Though not even fully mature by elven standards, the Storm elf had seen more combat than most, and had suffered the loss of many friends. War and combat was something that she accepted as part of her life and her duty but never something to be relished. Not any more. She had seen too many new recruits with grins exactly like the one briefly worn by Zaer, desperate to prove themselves, certain they were invincible, only to have that smile extended fatally by a sword blade. Or perhaps even removed entirely... Kayla brought herself back to the present with a shudder, feeling much older than her years all of a sudden. But she needed to focus on the now if she were to get them out of this. It said something of her character that she never really considered the idea that the situation may be entirely hopeless, rather than simply torturously difficult. <br><br>She glanced from the ball of glowing flame up to Zaer's face. In the rush of escape and combat she hadn't really had a chance to study each other properly. Was it a handsome face? Not precisely, but something in it was attractive beyond the arrogance and bloodlust. Trustworthy? That remained to be seen. "I hope that light will stick somewhere other than your hand. I don't want to plunge into darkness every time you grab the swords you are no doubt aching to hold every time you see a shadow". She knew her words were harsh with a practical stranger, but she couldn't help it. There were huge stakes in play which this reckless fool knew nothing of, and the strain was beginning to take its toll on her. She bit her tongue and tried to remember the fire elf was simply obeying his nature. Instead she looked down at the inert Light elf, her features softening as she studied the helpless girl. "Did you feel the weight of her? Or lack of it? Something has half taken her into the spirit world. This shell is just a shadow of her, a marker for her physical presence if you will. She may be able to find her own way back... or I may have to get her to a Shaman. In any case she will not be much of a burden, but carrying her will take two hands which means no weapons should we be taken by surprise" Kayla sighed, swallowing her pride and forcing herself to show some confidence in the fire elf. "I will take her, if you can be our swordarm for the time being? It should be my responsibility. She came to me after all." She looked back up at Zaer, just for a second her defenses down and her deep silvery grey eyes naked. Worry and affection and weariness showed there. And then the veneer of confidence and ability snapped back into place. She hefted the Light elf carefully in her arms, her toned legs shaking slightly despite the lightness of the form she supported. There was time to rest later.<br><br>The sword on her back glowed twice as brightly as Kayla studied the passageway they were in. The huge black bricks of the wall they had come from seemed very out of place with the rough grey rock walls which formed the rest of the tunnel. Patches of moss appeared here and there and there was a certain dampness to the air. The tunnel stretched off in both directions with no markers or footprints of any sort sort to follow. Kayla frowned, not completely sure of the directions. She sniffed the air cautiously, summoning her own internal sense of direction. The fresher air was to the north, which seemed to agree roughly with her memory of where the exit was. She just hoped they would find it open and unguarded. And her luck hadn't been good so far. With a sigh she signalled Zaer and nodded ahead. "After you Lord Ash, lets get this done".
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shade</strong> on <strong>23-07-2010, 09:32:28</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He scowled at the storm elf again. "You just love to rain on a person's parade, don't you?" She seemed so uptight, he wondered if a lump of coal stuck up her ass would become diamond. That train of thought got him wondering about her ass, and how it looked. He hadn't taken the time to really get a good look at her backside, and he probably wouldn't for awhile. At least he could see her face though. Studying her features, she was pretty, but looked like she was trying to bear the weight of the world on her tiny shoulders. <br><br>His attention was drawn to the light elf as Kayla spoke about her. He knelt down, holding the flames so he could get a better look at the girl's face. He didn't know much about visions or the spirit world, but it sounded like she would be alright. That was something, at least. He would've preferred to have her walking though. "Alright, you carry her then. I'll take care of anyone or anything that tries to get in our way." If he was going to do that, he might as well pull his weapons out. The flame in his hand vanished as he reached back, only for the fiery orange glow to return several times brighter as he held his twin blades in his hand, each acting like a torch.&nbsp; He looked to the storm girl to know the way out, and went in the direction she had indicated. "Whatever you say, Sparky." He held the twin short swords in front of him, illuminating their path.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lucinda</strong> on <strong>23-07-2010, 18:26:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				They headed off down the tunnel together, with Kayla just behind, shedding her blue glow as his orange pierced the darkness ahead. The tunnel became rougher as they moved away from the dungeon entryway and into the natural cave system that honeycombed the hills. The actual passage was wide enough that the three of them could have walked abreast in most places, were Ayesha not being carried. The walls much more craggy and uneven here, not the textured hewn stone of earlier, but cracks in the living rock itself. It often seemed clawed from the solid stone, strangely gouged stone on either side, or shelves of rock projecting outward. In places the roof soared away much higher than their light could pierced. Sometimes droplets of water sprinkled down from above, and Kayla wondered if such places may actually open to the skies somewhere far above, or if perhaps an underground stream found its way out into the open space. She eyed the strangely shaped rock, and other marks on the floor, with some concern.<br><br>She spoke quietly, though clearly enough to the elf but a few paces ahead "I should say a few words about this guardian. We may not have to contend with it, but there is a good chance we may. It can't be less than a couple of hours to the exit of this place, and surely it will be much less time than that for them to work out where we have gone. If that happens they will no doubt release the magic holding the guardian in place. What we will face is a Durfle Beast. That is a local name, in fact it should be <em>The</em> Durfle Beast, as we have never encountered another. It sounds comical but it is fearsome. The creature is actually a type of stone elemental and it has dwelt in these caverns much longer than we have. It resembles an Armoured Dillo.. such as you may have heard of on the hot plains of the south. Except that it is huge and it's hide is of rock. It will coil itself and roll through these tunnels faster than a galloping horse, see those marks? Those caught unawares will be crushed. Nothing I know of, not weapon nor magic will penetrate that hide. And those it misses or wounds are mopped up by the scavengers that follow it. Half lizard men.. again tainted by rock, though not so invulnerable as their master. Those, your blades may be of hope with. For the other? If we hear it's approach we had better run and hide, for that is the only way to avoid grim death down here. "<br><br>Kayla paused, coughing in the chill air, the smell of damp seeping into her lungs. She shifted the weight of Ayesha in her arms. Was it her imagination or was the girl becoming a little heavier? It could be tiredness of course... but... yes she certainly seemed less pale than she had been, even in the dim light. The storm elf smiled. This must be a good sign. Somewhat cheered she strode on, directing Zaer at a fork toward a tunnel sloping very slightly upward. Perhaps they would make it out of this warren unharmed after all. How wrong she was....
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shade</strong> on <strong>24-07-2010, 23:59:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Zaer led the way down the tunnel, following directions from Kayla. He kept his eyes moving, looking for any signs of movement that would betray the presence of an enemy. He was listening to the storm elf's words though. Any information about the types of enemies he might have to fight would prove useful. A scowl pulled at his features when he heard about the Durfie Beast. "I don't like running from a fight... It has to have some sort of weakness. Everything does." While most probably thought of the Fire Elves as mad berserkers, there was much more to them. They were all taught to observe their opponents and surroundings carefully, and use anything they could to their advantage. <br><br>"Well, if this thing is as big as you say, then we should be able to hear it coming from a ways off." Glancing back, he noticed that she seemed to be struggling with Ayesha. Stopping and turning around, he lowered his weapons a bit. "If you want to, we could trade places. You know the way out of here, so it would make more sense for you to lead the way, and we could move faster if I carried her." He wasn't expecting her to really take him up on the offer though, but it was on the table if she wanted to take him up on it.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lucinda</strong> on <strong>26-07-2010, 16:17:47</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kayla allowed her steps to take her closer to the fire elf. A small smile showed on her face, the first in an awful long time, and probably the first he had seen on her. It lit her silver eyes and delicate features with a warm glow for a long flickering moment, and then faded. The Storm elf was touched that Zaer was willing to give up his position as protector simply because she looked tired. She bit back a stinging comment on the honour of the warrior being protected by a small Storm Elf girl, it was unnecessary, reflexive, and she didn't really mean it anyway. She simply shook her head "Thankyou, but she isn't so heavy just yet. But maybe in a little while you could share the burden. It makes sense to have you up front just now, just in case we have unexpected company".<br><br>She smiled once more, as if she had remembered how, and they continued on into the winding tunnels beneath the hills. At one point the tunnel narrowed as they strode through it. The natural narrowing of the cave structure brought the ceiling way down, almost low enough that the taller elf could have jumped and touched it with fingertips. Kayla pointed up at strange scrape marks across the rough rock, giving Zaer a meaningful glance. "Durfle Beast" she said simply. She was glad when the roof expanded once more, though it never quite disappeared again. She felt a little less claustrophobic. A little less like a tiny work inching through a vast rocky apple.<br><br>She shrugged off the feeling and they moved on, noting a line of runes across the floor of the tunnel. Kayla explained as they walked that they would find these all through the tunnels. They could be lit for guidance or extra light as required, but their main purpose was to trap the unwary in place. When the alert was sounded they would cause a shield across the tunnel and prevent unwanted guests moving between sections. The Durfle Beast rolled through them like they weren't there of course so those trapped were usually swiftly destroyed. They continued even more swiftly now, Kayla feeling time pressing almost like a physical force rushing her along. How long before the search of the dungeons showed no sign of them? How long before someone woke old Harman who controlled the guardian magic in the tunnels? She could almost picture the white haired elf shuffling about in his slippers. She liked him well enough, but tonight she hoped he might sleep a little longer than usual. She distraced herself by peeking at Ayesha from time to time. The signs were good. The pallid elf was showing more colour, and her heartbeat felt stronger. Her weight was what seemed to Kayla as back to normal, though the girl was still hardly a great burden. And best of all the sleeping face was no longer strained and horrified. She appeared relaxed, almost peaceful once more. Panting along, Kayla envied the Light elf!<br><br>It happened without warning shortly after. They had just passed a line of runes when their shadow on the wall flickered. Eyes widening, Kayla stopped and looked back. There was no mistaking the line of blue fire which winked into being at one end, quickly racing along the linked symbols of the runeline. She muttered an elven curse, gently laying Ayesha down on the ground a moment. Stepping closer she gingerly pressed her fingers across the gap, meeting gentle resistance, then having her fingers stopped and finally a growing electrical buzz which made her pull back, shaking her fingers. She called back to Zaer where he was continuing unaware. "I think we may have a problem here!". Even as she said it there was a distant rumble, a steady vibration through the solid rock. <br><br>Her eyes met the Fire elf's widening in alarm. She looked at the prone Light Elf, and bit her lip, mind racing. No going back, and they wouldn't get much further forward without racing into another barrier. Besides, they had no way of knowing which direction danger lay in. The vibrations through her calfskin boots increased a little, not much, but enough to worry. Was that a distant shriek of inhuman glee? Her fear of being trapped underground was surging back, the thought of being crushed by this monstrous beast more than she could stand. Taking a deep breath, Kayla squashed her panic down and tried to think quickly, only shaking hands betraying the cold terror balling in her stomach. Her eyes traced the uneven rock floor and walls. "Quickly, this way!" She gasped, hefting Ayesha over her shoulder and heading away from the barrier, scanning the lower walls as she went. <br><br>A few yards further ahead she found a spot which looked promising. She lowered the Light Elf and scrabbled at the loose shale surface of the tunnel floor right next to an outcropping shelf of rock. Scooping the gravel and rubble from beneath it she could just make a out a gap below, almost level with the floor where the shelf pulled back. "Quickly, help me please! There is enough room to get under it if we both work at it!". With strength born of panic she bloodied her fingers scraping away the chips, shards and crumbs of stone, coughing away dust heedlessly. The vibrations were much stronger now, increasing all the time as something wicked hurtled through the rocky passageways, inhuman cries of freedom and bloodlust echoing ahead. Kayla gave a grim smile when she saw they had cleared a gap and that there was a narrow alcove just beyond. Desperately she grabbed Ayesha, knowing time was short. She saw with some surprise that the elf girl's eyes were flickering, life and consciousness returning to the girl. She rejoiced even as she inwardly groaned at the timing. Well nothing for it now. She laid the girl down and half rolled her, half shoved her into the back of the shallow nook. Panting she worked the Light Elf as far back as she could, and then turned to Zaer. The rumbling grinding noises were much more distinct, coming from ahead by the sounds. This was going to be very tight. She nodded at the gap "I think it's the only way! Follow us in!". Not stopping to see what the Fire Elf did, Kayla dove to the ground and shuffled her way inside. <br><br>It was a tight squeeze between stony floor and the rocky shelf, and Kayla almost began to panic once more. Instead she forced herself to breathe and reached for the girl she knew was already there. Managing to turn on her side, she looked back and saw there was hardly any room at all. With a curse, she pressed further in, her slender body pressing tightly up against Ayesha's curves, face buried in the hollow of the girl's neck where she spoke soft, comforting words to the waking elf. The world was fast becoming full of noise and a vibration which made her insides wobble. She pressed her eyes tightly closed and desperately tried not to think what would happen if the shelf gave way above them, feeling Zaer press in behind her...<br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>fantasylver</strong> on <strong>28-07-2010, 09:16:10</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The moment that the pain overcame her in the guard room, Ayesha was succumbed into darkness.&nbsp; She still was not able to escape the pain the images gave her, horrific sights that will haunt her dreams till the end of her days. Through the connection she had of the enemy as well as through her companions, her thoughts and visions changed and flickered like a flame caught by the wind. Sounds of her surroundings would peek into her dreams of pain, voices of the ones who were taking care of her. She felt hands along her body, and the sensation of being carried shifted through the other things she felt from her living hell. The voice of Kayla grew more real as she felt herself turn back to her body, allowing her to feel the weight of her limbs and now heavy heart beat.<br><br>The last thing she remembered before she began to awake was the sight of a strange rock like beast on the hunt through dark narrow tunnels of some sort. Wakened more now by the sounds of growls and shouts, Ayesha, opens her eyes, squinting slightly; to only be shoved into a dark confined space. A groan escaped her from the ache of her body and head, only now alerting the others. Instead of being comforted by her companions, she felt a lithe female body presses up against her own as well her hot breath along her neck. A deep blush escapes her from the sensation, but then she felt the urgency from Kayla. Ayesha’s heart began to race in terror now as she realized that the last part she dreamt of was really occurring right now.<br><br>The loud rumbles and vibrations outside of the tight crevice they all rested within filled her with horror. The tightness of her surroundings as well as the darkness filled her with immense anxiety and panic. The small elf began to breathe short and rough as she worked on calming herself. She could not afford to panic in such a situation. With her body rolled to be facing the entrance, she could see the walls of the other side rumble and flake off dust from what was approaching. Eyes wide, Ayesha doesn’t take a second thought and creates a shield about the entrance as if to protect them all from whatever thing may be coming for them.&nbsp; Hands and eyes faintly glowing from the use of her power, she shudders as her surroundings even began to quake about them. Now as the creature began to come closer to where&nbsp; they are, she feels everything began to rumble along with a loud screeching sound from the creature as well as the grind of rock against rock. <br><br>Very much like a child she cowards and clings onto Kayla, burrowing her face into the elves shoulder as if to take cover under the invasion of a creature or beast. With the rumble of the rock, she pushes out another shield about them, as to protect them all from falling debris. Shaking as the creature of some sort rolls on by with it's monstrosity, she lets out a shaking breath, still clinging onto Kayla in the faint dark. Now realizing that her body pressed against the other woman's intimately, Ayesha quickly jerks back, wincing as she hits her head along the rough ceiling. Blushing from embarrassment, she quickly averted her eyes from her to look back out of the crevice, still in shock.<br><br>Despite being raised in a rather religious family she could not help herself.” What the fuck was that and where the Hell are we?!” she shouts breaking the deafening silence that followed after the grinding of the creature. With the glow of her hands from adhering the shield about the three of them, light is emitted so they all can see each other. Everyone looked like shit by being covered by dirt, but the worst one out of the entourage must be herself.&nbsp; Eyes pale from the pain she underwent through her visions and&nbsp; also faint dark smudges can be seen tinting beneath her eyes." Is it going to come back?? What do we have to do to get out of this hell hole??" she gasps out now feeling overwhelmed by not knowing what was going on.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shade</strong> on <strong>30-07-2010, 09:40:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Zaer was surprised to see the smile on the storm girl's face. He thought that she was attractive before but that smile of hers suddenly made his heart begin to pound. After he brought his pulse back under control, he shrugged. "Alright, suit yourself Sparky." He took the lead again, his twin blades acting as torches. as Kayla gave her warnings about the Durfie Beast, and pointed out the ruins that would act as barriers to them while allowing this horrible creature to pass through unharmed, the more anxious he was starting to get. He was getting tired of this cave and wanted to see the sun again, and smell fresh air. <br><br>Unfortunately, it wouldn't be happening as soon as he would like. He saw the flash of the line of runes activating as they passed through it, and he paused while Kayla checked out the trap. They couldn't go back, but that wasn't his main concern. It was the distant rumbling that he began to hear, and then feel as it caused the cavern to shake all around them. Small chunks of rock began to break off from the ceiling. He noted the sheer panic on Kayla's face. If they didn't do something soon, then they would be squished flat. He looked around, trying to find a place to hide or run. She beat him to it though, so he followed after her. <br><br>It wasn't exactly a ready hiding spot, but it was better than waiting to be crushed. Kneeling down, he put one of his short blades away and started to dig and claw out the bits of stone that could be removed. As the vibrations began to shake his body, he put his other sword away, plunging them into temporary darkness as they continued to frantically dig. Light wouldn't do them any good if they couldn't get under there. Finally, it was clear enough for the three of them. He helped shove Ayesha in, taking note that she was starting to become conscious. They could celebrate that later though. He followed after Kayla, barely squeezing his muscular frame into the narrow gap. The fire elf pressed against the two of them as much as he could, not wanting to have any part of him turned into mush.<br><br>He was a bit surprised when he saw the familiar shield from the Light Elf thrown up to cover his back at the entrance. "Nice of you to join us, Princess." He grunted out. He snaked an arm around the girls, holding the three of them closer as he heard the beast roll through. The vibration caused his teeth to shake inside his head. And like that, it was passed.<br><br>He let out a laugh at Ayesha's question. He hadn't expected to hear that sort of language from a priestess. It may not be an appropriate time to laugh, but it did ease his tension a bit. "We're in some escape tunnel that Sparky here guided us to after you fell unconscious back in the guard room. What just passed by was the welcoming committee." He glanced over his shoulder, looking through the shield back into the stone passage. "So how long will it take for our oversized friend to swing back for a second pass, and how long until the stragglers start to show up?" If he couldn't kill the big one, he was at least going to let out his frustrations on the small fries.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lucinda</strong> on <strong>30-07-2010, 17:32:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kayla had been ready to soothe and comfort Ayesha coming back to consciousness in a somewhat stressful situation, she had been prepared for terror and tears, but not the curses which caused her mouth to drop open! She was grateful for the shields the girl had brought into place with incredible quick thinking. She was all too aware of the ping and cracks of several sharp chips of rock which could easily have ripped into them as the behemoth of the Durfle Beast wheeled past. The vibrations feeling like they were about to turn her brain to mush to leak out of her half deafened ears! Of the beast itself she saw nothing, wedged facing away as she was in the narrow crevice, and sandwiched between the other two. Zaer's explanation came more quickly than hers, and it was all she could do to nod in agreement against the Light elf. She tried to give a comforting squeeze but found herself too tightly packed already to make that work, so she settled for a gentle nuzzle against the girl's neck. <br><br>In answer to Zaer's question she half twisted her head toward him, though his breath was at the back of her head in any case. "Company will be on us very quickly, expecting to finish off whatever is left. I guess we better get out of here as soon as we can. Lets get that shield down!". This was all true, but a further reason for escaping confinement was her growing terror of the enclosed space, which was returning with a vengeance now the initial outside peril had passed. It was also extremely clear to her how tight the three were together. She could clearly feel her breasts pressing against Ayesha, along with a generous helping of tummy and thigh. Whilst from behind she could feel Zaer's powerful chest against her back, and the way her behind was pressed against his thighs. His arm was across them both, and she wasn't sure if this was in protection, or instinctive, or something else. But their close proximity was suddenly an issue, and one which raised an odd feeling in the pit of her stomach. She shook her head, telling herself not to be so silly, and yet holding herself very still, so as not to brush against either elf more than required as a steady blush rose in her cheeks. <br><br>Kayla nodded at Ayesha and the shield winked out, allowing them to extract themselves from the nook. She drew a deep breath as she stumbled into the now spacious seeming tunnel, brushing dust out of her face and drawing Maelstrom. She glanced back down the tunnel, hearing the rumble fade away and hoping not to hear it again any time soon. They were near enough to the exit that they should make it without a second encounter as the monster completed it's deadly circuit. Turning back, she edged into the gloom, waiting for the lizardman attackers that she knew would be fast approaching. "Remember, magic won't have a lot of effect, so stick to your weapons and make sure they don't outflanks us" She finished just as the darkness began to glitter ahead, with at least a dozen sets of gleaming yellow eyes....
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>fantasylver</strong> on <strong>03-08-2010, 07:06:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She was not expecting herself to react in such a crude manner but she could not help herself. Ayesha knew that she had moved from destination to another, simply from the sensations of Kayla carrying her and the sound of their voices, but she did not have a clue about winding up in a place such as this. <em>Where are they? What has happened exactly?</em><br><br>Glancing about the dark confines of their little hideaway from the unknown creature, she felt them both make their exit out into another dark tunnel but much larger than the space they were crammed into before. Faint light lined the walls and at the end of the hall was a large spectrum of glittering yellow eyes staring at them. Ayesha was astonished by how many were there staring at them through the darkness. She could not tell what exactly they were, only that they were very similar to being man…and lizard. Eyes widening, she quickly grabs onto her twin curved blades from her sides. If magic can’t do anything to them, her blades will run true and give these creatures an end.<br><br>Despite the headache she suffers, Ayesha stood her ground as she began to create a shield about them, allowing hers and her companions blows to puncture through instead of their enemies.” I can hold this as we move through them…it may give us more chances of keeping them back and away.” She murmurs to her companions quickly, as she uses her spells, causing faint indications of runes of her family line tint the shields. With the light of the shields, the lizard like men become more apparent in the darkness. It would appear as if their scaling skin was formed out of stone, but she would find out once they arrived.<br><br>With the indication of the shimmering glow of the shields about the three, the creatures&nbsp; blitzed towards them with slithering like motions, giving an eeriness of their movements. Holding her ground, Ayesha grasps tightly onto her blades, awaiting for them to arrive. As soon as the first one came to her shields, and have it break through, she gasps in shock but breaks them down to lash out at one the cretins. “ damn it…”she growls out to side swipe one of the little demons, finding it difficult to break through their hide, but manages to ram her blade up along one the scales to meet soft flesh resting beneath. A loud shriek&nbsp; filled the air as the first falls down to the stone ground. Dark blood stains her hands as she retrieves her blade and moves to block a hefty blow meant to slash at her uncovered back.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shade</strong> on <strong>05-08-2010, 02:06:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Zaer grinned like a maniac. "Good. I hate long waits." Once the shield dropped, he quickly rolled back out into the main tunnel so the others could get out. He pulled out his twin blades, and reignited the flames, so fiery orange glow would join the golden light of Ayesha's shield. "Ugly bastards, aren't they?" The grin didn't vanish from his face, and his grip tightened on the hilts of his swords. <br><br>When they started to break through the light elf's shield, he didn't hesitate, and immediately rushed forward. His red hot blade immediately ran through one of the creatures, causing it to scream in agony. Still holding his left blade through it's chest, he swung his right blade horizontally, cutting deeply into it's neck, causing it's shriek of agony to be silenced. <br><br>Another of the creatures lunged to attack him, and he blocked it's assault by maneuvering the dead creature that was still locked in his blades between himself and the second monster. Raising his foot, he kicked the body away, freeing his blades once more. The wounds in the enemy glowed like the embers of a fire. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lucinda</strong> on <strong>07-08-2010, 17:18:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kayla felt her blood racing in her veins as she followed the others out. It was some time since her body had felt so alive, and the prospect of a battle where she did not need to hold back aroused her even further. The aftermath of battle always dimmed the memory of the euphoric rush at the outset, but it all came back to her at once as Maelstrom seemed to leap into her hands of it's own accord. Her magic leapt into the blade with almost sexual energy, the runes blazing along its length and matching those shining across her own dust streaked skin. She skipped out the flank as the other elves surged into the horde confronting them, causing chaos in the centre. The Storm elf slipped swiftly around the right side, along the tunnel wall where it widened, keeping clear of the weapons of the others. <br><br>Several hissing warriors turned to meet her, their sharp teeth and gleaming eyes highlighted in the dim light. The creatures reminded her of the swamps of the southlands, Kayla's skin crawling a little as the memory of her scout party being ambushed by lizardmen resurfaced. She shook herself mentally and took a firmer grip on the hilt of the curve of steel held before her. These creatures were different, larger and less fluid, their scales appearing stone-like and barely gleaming. Despite their eagerness to join battle, Kayla sensed some hesitancy in the group. They were used to dealing with single escapees, or mostly shattered foes, not fully armed warriors. And yet their bloodlust drove them onward, and four of the creatures boiled toward her.<br><br>Kayla let loose a sharp cry of aggression, her body and sword seeming to weigh less than a feather as her magic pounded within her. She whipped out her long knife, a second curve of razor sharp steel. The elf spun into the group, ducking low beneath the first swipe of a sword and twirling, blades both biting and barely slowing as the carved shallow slices into the ropey muscle of the creature's thighs. It was not a killing wound but it didn't need to be as the lizard went down with an inhuman shriek and it's fellows trampled it as they clawed for her. Kayla's spin continued and she rose up, slicing upward across the body of the next scaled shape to reach her. It went down without a sound as the smaller blade spilled it's intestines out in a bloody knot, the eager sword completing the job as it's chest, throat and maw became a bloody mess. <br><br>She felt a spray of green blood touch her cheek, stinging slightly as her coated weapons glowed with the strange fluid. She spent know time worrying about it though, her movements continuous, like a flowing dance. She did not linger, simply allowing the creatures to surge as she spun around and between them, never appearing where they expected, and never staying long enough to be engaged. Her outright kills were few and far between, but she inflicted horrible damage. A clawed hand twitching on the floor, severed hamstrings, slashes and gashes spilling blood all across the rocky floor. By the time the creatures pulled back from the deadly whirling elf, they were being slaughtered by the elves at the front as well as the Storm elf moving amongst them. <br><br>Panting and spattered with green, Kayla melted away to reappear behind the others. She was nursing a small slash near one shoulder where she had been caught, and a shallow gash above her eye. She eyed the opposition as she bound a silk cloth about her brow to stop blood running into her eye. There were more bodies out there but beginning to fall back, dismayed at the aggression and skill being thrown against them. She knew they would follow their larger master where they were able, but pressed hard enough they would find other ways through the caverns. "Ayesha! Can we drive them back with your shields? I think we may be able to push through now!"<br><br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>fantasylver</strong> on <strong>11-08-2010, 05:20:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				With the first strike she made, Ayesha’s senses moved into overdrive. She was warned of such effects of being caught in battle but never had she thought that it would be this severe. Before she had changed her path to being a priestess, she was foretold of the consequences of ever being caught in blood lust. There was the result of being lost to the enhancement of one’s senses and also simply being lost to the red fiery haze of battle. The main reason behind the warnings she was told was all for the reason why a priestess was never allowed in battle. As a priestess, one is attached to the spirits of the world, and the spirits often brought the senses to another level when they were enhanced. Now for drawing blood, Ayesha’s sense of smell increased her sensitivity to everything else, which brought on a rush through her system. She was not in relations to being a berserker, but if she did not control herself, she very much could have been.<br><br>Her eyes glowed more drastically than before, and her features shown a new side to her quiet nature. With the grace of a well trained warrior she glided between and through the enemy. As if her blades were other limbs that her body contained, she moved with finesse and guided them into the uncovered soft flesh of the reptilian men. It would be morbid to believe that the screams and hisses of the reptilian men played out like music to her ears. In a way to make things easier for her to adapt to her heightened senses, she made out the reptilian men like the ones who had killed her sister. It was much easier to kill in this mindset. Eyes darkening now from the faint glow, she felt a low feral growl escape her. The smell of their blood, the sweat from their fears, it all enticed her. She started to hunger for more of their pain, like how they were hungering for their own. She even felt some of their need to kill and hurt, feeding her more of need. <br><br>Deep breathes escaped her as she moved through the crowd. Caught in the center of one particular haughty crowd of warriors, Ayesha found them thrusting out spears and swords to disarm and harm her. With her finely tuned senses she slid out of the way of most of the weapons, only to obtain a few slashes along her arms and sides. A hiss of discomfort escaped her as she leapt onto one of the men’s spears and surged forward to cross her blades and decapitate him. A sickening thud reached her ears as soon as she turned and leapt to block another’s thrust, deflecting with a clang of metal and then a muffled wet sound from her blade sinking into flesh.&nbsp; With each soldier she brought down, another would take its place, allowing the tunnel to be filled continuously with the screams of the fallen. <br><br>The chorus of screams and hisses filled the dimly lit halls, allowing her ears to be deafened to her companions. Ayesha was too engorged in the fighting that she was not even aware of Kayla moving in and out of the crowed with as much agility as a dancer. The one factor that brought her back into the real world was Kayla’s voice calling out to her. Ayesha gasped out as her eyes returned back to normal along with her breath coming out in heavy pants. Unable to lose her control on the situation, Ayesha moved back near the rest of her companions. “Yes!” she shouted above the roar of the crowd.<br><br>In order to obtain a strong enough shield to push their enemies back, Ayesha moved her form in a manner like a dance. A faint murmuring sound escaped her lips as she chanted, bringing the light glow to her hands and eyes. She did not take much time in performing the incantation and shield, Ayesha moved with precision and drove out her hands in front of her and casted out a wave of power, very much like a thick wall of glass. A low grunt came from her as she moved and shoved at the wall, thrusting its shields all about them like an expanding orb. She had to focus on the perimeter she set about the three of them, using her core muscles to uphold the glimmering walls of light. Muscles tensed and form rigid she hoarsely whispers out.” Lead the way…I will keep them up for as long as we need them…”she shuddered as her hands moved forward to drive the enemy back with violent energy.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shade</strong> on <strong>17-08-2010, 09:41:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ayesha wasn’t the only fighter who was getting lost in a haze of bloodlust. But, unlike the light elf, Zaer knew exactly what was going on, and embraced the familiar desire to kill and destroy his enemies as it coursed through his veins. This was the way that fire elves were taught to fight. It was the way of his people, and it was what made the fire tribe so feared and hated among the other elf tribes. <br><br>Since he had charged head long into the crowd of lizard men, and he was the largest and loudest of their small group, he drew quite a bit of attention. No fewer than six lizardmen tried to attack him at once. He didn’t move with the grace and agility that Kayla or Ayesha did. All of his movements were powerful, direct, and precise, and almost always deadly for whatever unfortunate victim met his blade. <br><br>As two of the closest creatures lunged to meet Zaer head on, he stabbed both of them simultaneously, hitting them below jaw. His short blades pierced through the skin stretched under their jaws, through the roofs of their mouths, and into their skulls. Pulling his weapons out of them, the gruesome pair slowly fell to the floor, dead before they hit the stone floor. <br><br>The others tried to take advantage of the distraction caused by their fallen comrades, but all they managed were a few cuts along Zaer’s left shoulder and right forearm. The pain from the wounds didn’t even register in the fire elf’s mind. He was like a berserker, and the blood that flowed from the cuts served only to fuel his urge to run each and every one of these creatures through with his burning blades. Ducking under one particularly vicious swing, he crossed his swords and slashed them both through the outstretched arm. As the creature clutched the now bloody stump, roaring in pain, Zaer took care of two more of them, stabbing one through the eye, the other through the chest. He then returned his attention to the one armed lizardman, and put it out of it’s misery by cutting across it’s throat.<br><br>Before he could get to the sixth, however, it was flung back as the light elf put up her force field for the group. “Ah, and it was just starting to get fun…” He kept his blades up though, remembering how easily that the shield had been broken through last time. “Come on, if we’re getting out, we should get moving now.”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lucinda</strong> on <strong>17-08-2010, 18:10:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kayla nodded at Zaer's words, and leapt forward to follow the moving shield wall into what was left of the horde. Even as she did her eyes widened in horror, as through the rock floor she detected the faintest of rumbling vibrations. She glanced back at her companions in shock, wondering if she was imagining it, and yet it was confirmed in moments by the lizard men themselves. They began to screech and panic, some fleeing in search of escaping tunnels, some searching frantically for crevices in which to hide themselves as the elves had, and some simply flinging themselves at the shield in desperation. The tunnel became a cauldron of noise and moving shadows as bodies scattered in every direction.<br><br>The storm elf signalled her companions, leaning her head in toward the other two. "Stay together! Don't get separated whatever you do, or there is no telling if you'll be able to escape. The exit isn't far, we'll just have to hope we can reach it before The Durfle gets back to us. I have no idea how it got turned around so quickly!". Even in the strange mix of colours from the light sources it was clear how pale the slender elf was, and worry clouded her clear features. Spinning back to the shield she managed to intercept a clawed arm which was close to breaking through, and severed it without thought. As it fell there was another quiver and an all too familiar rumble began to echo at the very edges of hearing. "Now! Run!" She cried.<br><br>The group fled then, using the shield as a battering ram to push aside tangled hissing bodies, while stabbing their weapons at anything that moved in the shadowy darkness about them. The tunnel widened and smoothed a little, which simply increased the inky blackness around them and reduced potential shelter. Kayla squinted at the numbers of lizardmen still moving in all directions around them. She was certain that there were never normally this many down here! Even given the small team's fighting prowess, she could never have imagined getting through to the exit tunnel if they had to fight through this. Someone wanted them stopped permanently! Luckily someone had outsmarted themselves be setting the Durfle on them a second time and turning an army into a terrified mob. She ducked a vicious swipe from an axe which swept through the shield as if it wasn't there, sending a reflexive burst of magic into the vague shape holding it. There was no crackle and scorch as would have been usual, the magic dissipated by the creature's stony hide, but the sheer force of the blast threw it back through the shield, and then they were past. <br><br>Kayla shot a glance back at Ayesha, wondering how she was holding up under the strain of keeping the shield going along with the physical exertion of running. She noticed the screen was faltering in places, but the front which was doing most of the work was all but fully intact. The girl herself looked a tired, and Kayla reminded herself that she had only just recovered from nasty physical and magical attacks. But Ayesha was still keeping up and they had no choice but to press on. She glanced ahead, squinted in the dim light, and then shouted in triumph "There!" Her hand pointed at an arch ahead. The only way they could see it was because the darkness was less black than it had been, faint shimmers of blue tinged daylight showing vaguely through the carved arch. "Through there and its a short run to the egress doors.." She trailed off as distant sounds met her ears. Shrieks of panic and pain as lizardmen were crushed by the behemoth of the Durfle beast. And it was getting closer....<br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>fantasylver</strong> on <strong>18-08-2010, 02:58:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				With each pulse of her shields, Ayesha’s body ached more, forcing her to feel her muscles contract and twist threateningly as if they were going to cramp up on her. The last time she underwent this much strain was when she was fighting her brother for the title of high guard. She was only twelve at the time and he at a more mature age of sixteen. He was much stronger, but her stubbornness won over her. Ayesha could not lose against him, and fought till the end when she broke through his shields. She was the only one who was able to find a way to break through, and still no one had found out how. Now as she thrust out her shields to protect them all, Ayesha held onto that memory to keep moving forward through the swarming crowd. <br><br>The screeches of the reptilian men hurt her ears, but not as much as the grinding of rock against rock as the Durfle beast rolled in their direction. Panic and haste surged through her weary limbs, pushing her more towards the exit. When the three of them entered the small archway, another shield rebounded against her own, creating a surge of sparks come between them.&nbsp; “They had put up other shields to prevent anyone to escape!” she shouted above the deafening sound within the tunnels. “Cover my back as I work this out…”she breaks the spell of the shields about them as she moved close to the foreign shield, blocking their way. As soon as she moved closer to the invisible shield, her body was being pushed back in resistance. The thing about shields was that, there were so many different variations of them that no one knew exactly how they all worked. Magic could be used to overcome the spell that was casted, or physical force. <br><br>Ayesha glanced back at the other two as they fought off the lizardmen in the tunnel. From what it would seem, their enemy too wanted to use the same exit as themselves. Turning around to have her focus upon the situation at hand, she uses her weight against the force field to get close enough to feel the sparks of the magic whip out to her skin.&nbsp; Hands shaking from the push of her endurance, she pushed them upward to press her fingertips together and press them against the shield before her. Small bolts shot up along her arm as to push her back from the shields but she pressed her fingers closed against the invisible wall allowing a flash of light succumb her. Chanting beneath her breath, Ayesha uses a surge of her own shields to rip open a hole about her fingertips. Forced open the shield vibrates more about her fingers as she stood there, pulling it apart with all of her might, feeling the electricity burn her hands slightly.<br><br>Body shaking, and coiling from tension, she used her foot to rip&nbsp; the shield for a larger opening for the rest of her companions.” GO GO GO!!! I CAN’T HOLD IT MUCH LONGER!” She shouted out hoarsely as she&nbsp; struggled to keep the tear open. The rest of them didn’t stall much as they jumped through the opening, and as&nbsp; for herself, she dived through before the tear crashed closed with a flash, blinding the lizard men as the Durfle beast ram through the tunnel they were in. Laying on her back, Ayesha glanced back at the once screaming tunnel filled with the lizard men, but now a place of death. Screams and bone shattering sounds reached her ears, only to have brought on the memories of her homeland. Without much of her knowing, she was breathing in heavy pants, and her form shook from the rush of adrenaline she had underwent those few moments ago.Unable to look back to the gore of the dead, she looked up to her companions, who like herself were taken aback from getting out of the tunnel in time. Her hands shook uncontrollably as she grasped onto the walls, and pushed herself up to her feet.<br><br>Still weak from using the majority of her energy, her knees gave out beneath her, but before meeting the ground, she grabbed hold of a ledge along the wall. Breathing heavily, she paled slightly but held firm. “ W-we need to keep moving, because that shield could have alerted more to come after us…”she mentions breathlessly as she braced herself against the wall, moving to start walking up through the tunnel towards the exit. Her limbs felt heavy and feeble from over using them, but the only thing that kept her from giving up was the thought of finding their freedom and earning a well nights rest.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shade</strong> on <strong>22-08-2010, 08:32:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Zaer kept a close eye on the shields as they walked, but Ayesha seemed to be able to keep them up well enough to keep them strong. Looking at her though, it seemed to be taking quite a toll on the light elf. Still, she seemed to be holding, at least for now. When he felt the vibrations through the stone floor and heard the lizardmen start to panic, his eyes widened and he looked back the way they had came. "Oh... shit..." He didn't need Kayla to tell him to get moving. Running at a dead sprint, he never even took the time to slow down to properly make sure the few lizardmen who tried to attack them from the sides were dead, just a quick slash and he took off running again.<br><br>He skidded to a halt, almost running into Ayesha as she was forced to stop because of the shield trying to keep them from escaping. "You've gotta be kidding me!" He slid his dual blades back into their sheaths, extinguishing the orange glow. "Blaze, Inferno..." As he whispered these words, the burning orange glow returned brighter than before. In the fire elf's hands was his broadsword. The blade was entirely black, except for the red lines running along the length of the blade, almost appearing like runes. With a roar, he swung&nbsp; the mighty weapon, cutting clean through one of the lizardmen as it attempted to rush by him and get to Ayesha. While he wasn't unhappy about a fight, he didn't want to get crushed by the Durfie beast. <br><br>When the tear opened, he began to back away towards it slowly. "Get moving. I'll cover for you while you go through!" he shouted at Kayla. Two lizardmen leapt at them, and Zaer moved to intercept them. He blocked them from advancing with Inferno, before forcing them back with an explosive blast of flame from his blade. Turning and running back quickly, he slipped through the tear, and looked back at the shield as it closed behind them. Even though he was used to carnage and bloodshed, he still cringed at the sounds of the lizardmen being crushed. Their shrieks echoed through the caverns, sounding like a chorus of pain and death.<br><br>His attention turned to Ayesha as he heard try to make her way further down the tunnel. It was obvious to anyone that she was weak and would likely collapse soon. Walking over, he scooped her up and tossed her over his shoulder like a sack of grain, ignoring any protests that she might be making. "We can't have you slowing us down. We'll go faster this way." he said gruffly. Looking over his shoulder, he looked back at Kayla. "We're almost there, right?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lucinda</strong> on <strong>31-08-2010, 17:45:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kayla pounded up the tunnels toward freedom and the open air, her claustrophobia swelling within her along with her desire to escape the hot dusty chaos of being underground. The nightmare sounds of panicked Lizardmen, along with the bone crushing rumble and distant gleeful cackle of the Durfle beast seemed to follow her up the rocky passageways. For some reason she was limping, her left leg having trouble bending and taking her weight, a strange tingle or burning high at the back of her thigh. She ignored it as she ignored the dust clogging her lungs, ignored the screams of the injured in the distance, ignored her companions somewhere behind her. All that mattered was the faintest shaft of diffuse light and the tiniest trickle of fresh air calling her onward like a promise. The very weight of the vast hills above her seemed to be concentrating and bearing down on the storm elf as she struggled to keep up her pace, panting and coughing her way onward. Was it her own imagination or an outside force determined not to let them escape? No, she must be free of this place finally!<br><br>And so, crushing down her emotions and increasingly random thoughts, Kayla rounded a bend and stumbled out into the dawn sunshine. The elf girl sank to her knees as she crept out onto the grass just beyond the ragged tunnel entrance. Tears carved tracks in the dust across her cheeks as she gazed up into the sky, full of blues and purples as the last of the stars were fleeing the rising sun. She realised that she had no idea of what time it was, barely an idea about the day after the blur of the chase since she met Ayesha. Breathing deeply of the cool clear air, she felt like a parched man drinking his fill from a ewer. The panic she had felt slowly began to ebb as her head stopped spinning, and she looked around to see her companions emerge from the depths of the tunnels along with a puff of dust. She gave them a wordless grim smile and staggered to her feet. She noticed blood on the ground where she had been kneeling but she took no notice for now. Instead Kayla stumbled back beneath the brow of rock, moving a few feet within the shadows. Squinting down the tunnel, the elf sighted on the beams supporting the walls and stretched out her hands. Gathering her energy she sent blast after blast of lightning down the tunnels, tearing chunks from the stout props one after another. She worked her way closer until at least twenty feet of rock was littered with broken debris and splinters. Gathering herself one last time, Kayla poured her energy into the roof, backing away towards the opening and finally throwing herself clear as the rumble started. <br><br>Rolling with a gasp of pain, she came to her knees not far from where the others crouched, and turned in time to see a good section of the rocky hill above collapse in on itself with a roar and a great cloud of rock dust. Kayla struggled to her feet, weaving a little as she made her way to the others. "Well I don't think we have to worry about being followed for a while. Between the confusion deeper inside and having to move a few hundred tons of rock, I think we should be able to get clear." Her leg almost gave way on her and she reached back to put her hand across the wound. She was shocked at how much blood there was as the fingers came away and her grey eyes widened a little. She glanced at the others, not sure if they had noticed or not. But in any case they needed to place to recuperate and hide for a while. She nodded in the direction of the wood a little way down the valley. "I think there is a stream down there, lets get into those trees before the sun gets any higher. Maybe we can lick our wounds for a while." So saying, she began to hobble down the slope, drawing on her magic and sending it through her tattooed skin to keep herself on her feet, aiming for the treeline and heading into the light morning mist.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>fantasylver</strong> on <strong>05-09-2010, 08:49:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				A mixture of emotions moved through her, like a wave swiping her to the side with its ferocity. Despite the pain within her limbs, she felt relief over came her as well as the sense of being alive.&nbsp; She fought tooth and nail to get out of that tunnel and reach her freedom; she only hoped that her efforts would award her. Body weak and feebly hanging onto the last of her energy to move on, she grasps and braces against the walls of the dark narrow tunnel. The light tinting the end of the tunnel urged her forward but hurt her eyes to the point that it made them tear up.&nbsp; Before she knew it, the grasp of the fire wielder took over her to be swung over his shoulder.<br><br>A sharp gasp escaped her as she braced her form against his broad shoulder. “Wh-what are you doing??” she gasps out hoarsely to only curse silently by his stubbornness. Simply from the position she was being carried, her senses began to fog up from lack of oxygen and the angle of her form. Small hands gripping onto his gear she propped herself up slightly as to resist his “man handling” of her, but weakly settles to rest there. “ugh…men..”she grumbles quietly as she rests there, feeling the throb of her limbs began as she was not moving. Even as she rested onto his shoulder, she began to grow sleepy, tempted to simply go to sleep and forget everything like a bad dream. Ayesha as she settles there fought off the temptation of rest and squirms slightly.<br><br>With each movement of her light petite form, her perky soft breasts brushed and grounded down along Zaer’s muscular shoulder, which emphasized the contrast of their forms. With his arm wrapped about her upper thighs to cup about her curved romp, she felt more conscious of her form as well as his. Despite being a well trained warrior, Ayesha felt feeble against his muscular lithe form. If he wanted to do anything to her, he could easily do so at this moment. It terrified her yet also brought out her curious side. “ If you keep this up with man handling women, it will only ruin your reputation as an honorable man…”she grumbles faint heartedly as if to somewhat tease him, but&nbsp; with exhaustion over taking her it could have sounded&nbsp; more along the edge of her picking on him.<br><br>Facing backwards as the tunnel gives way to the open, Ayesha rested there watching the darkness fade away and soon crumble with the crack of blasts of lightening. With that her quiet stupor was jerked to being more aware. With a glance back towards Kayla, Ayesha groans faintly to see the blood run down along her upper thigh. “She needs to have that taken care of..”she murmurs to then shift a little bit more along his shoulder as if to resist more and help but felt the grip of his arm tighten about her form even more than before to keep her still.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shade</strong> on <strong>10-09-2010, 08:31:45</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				When he saw daylight, Zaer's pace increased to a jog, causing Ayesha to bounce against him slightly. Her breasts brushing against his shoulder, but he was more focused on the fact that he would be seeing the sun for the first time in a great while. In the ancient texts, it was said that the Elves of the Fire Tribe drew their power from the sun. He wasn't sure if he believed that or not, but the warmth of the sun's rays on his skin had never felt so good before. <br><br>The light elf's words brought him back to reality though, and he looked over his shoulder at her. Honorable... that word had meant something to him once. Hearing it thrown out so casually caused his shoulders to stiffen beneath her. Honor was the reason he was in this mess in the first place. "...I don't remember ever claiming to be an honorable man." He muttered. Still, he the fire elf had no intention of taking advantage of the situation. Even if he had wanted to, he was too exhausted. <br><br>Hearing the blasts of lighting, Zaer looked back at Kayla as she sealed the passage behind them by caving in the roof. "Good thinking. They're gonna have a hell of a time getting through that mess." <br><br>His eyes followed the storm girl's hands as she clutched her wounded leg, and he frowned as he fingers became coated in blood. "You're right. But we should get further away before we deal with our wounds." he said to Ayesha. A wound like that would need to be taken care of quickly. <br><br>Staying a few steps behind Kayla, he followed her to the line of trees, hoping there was a stream nearby. Once they were inside the forest, Zaer would occasionally lean against the trunk of a tree to catch his breath for a few seconds before continuing on. Finally, he could hear the sound of running water, and a smile tugged at his lips. <br><br>Upon reaching the edge of the stream, kneeling down, he gently set Ayesha down on the ground. Once she had been set down, Zaer remained on his hands and knees, panting heavily. The escape had taken a lot out of him, and he felt as though he would collapse at any moment. Looking down at the water, he saw that it was clear, so it seemed to be safe to drink. With shaking hands, he cupped them together, holding a small amount of the cool liquid in his hands before bringing it to his lips. As the last of it trickled down his throat, Zaer let out a content sigh. The water he had been provided with while he had been held captive hadn't been nearly this refreshing. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lucinda</strong> on <strong>16-09-2010, 10:45:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kayla staggered deeper into the forest, roughly alongside the other pair. It was all she could do to keep one foot in front of the other. She was drained within and battered without, the constant pull on her magics, combined with the bolts with which she had brought down the mine had taken her to the last reserves of her inner strength. She couldn't remember the last time she had slept, only vaguely aware that her body clock seemed to be entirely out of time with the rhythm world as the early morning mists were lit by the freshly risen sun. The storm elf checked her leg again through the slash of her leggings. A small trickle of blood still oozed down the back of her thigh, though the makeshift bandage torn from her sleeve seemed to have staunched the worst of it. She glances around at the others in her party, noting that Ayesha was still needing to be carried and that Zaer himself was resting from time to time. <br><br>She pondered the pair a moment, a tired mind not really up to the task of incite. All the same she wondered about the fire elf. He had certainly been useful in the tunnels. She doubted that the pair of women could have escaped without him, even if they had found a way through the cell doors. But could he be trusted? What were his own motivations? And why had he been a political prisoner in the first place? Kayla didn't know, but she was certain that she hadn't heard the truth yet. She eyed the way the Light elf was nestled in his arms with a tremble of what must be worry inside. The two appeared to be becoming closer at least. This seemed to bother her in a fuzzy way she could not define. She supposed it was a guarded response to becoming so close with strangers in the heat of battle. She did feel a link with this pair of fellow misfits. It was something she had experienced with comrades-in-arms on the battlefield many times before, a kind of kinship with those who have shed blood and triumphed with you. After placing their lives in the care of strangers, many of her troops had no qualms about placing their bodies into their arms later, with mixed results. Mentally shrugging in a way which her body was too tired to do as she staggered on, Kayla let her thoughts drift without really wanting to follow any particular lines or reason, simply following the distant sound of a stream.<br><br>She gave the first real smile she had managed since the before entering the escape tunnels as they came to the bottom of a slope and stepped from the trees. Where they stood was a narrow stream of what looked like clean water, fed from a deeper pool a stone's throw upstream. She breathed the clean air deeply, savouring the peace of the glade. The whole area was hidden in a wrinkle of land which made it difficult to detect from any distance, unless you happened to be close enough or sensitive enough to catch the sound of the water. Of course the trackers from Stormhome would have no trouble following their progress eventually, but Kayla expected the confusion in the tunnels and her demolition of the exit to give them at least a day's head start, more than enough time to reach the nearest border or at least to lose themselves. <br><br>The storm elf dropped her small pack by the stream, carefully laying Maelstrom down beside it, and began to follow the stream up to the pool. She limped her way past a combination of fallen bank and an animal dam of some sort which appeared to have allowed the pool to form. She glanced into the crystal depths, seeing a smooth, if stony bottom, but no predators of any kind. Suddenly she was aware of the grime which coated her. Her own blood and that of her enemies was crusted in places to her skin, along with dirt and dust from the tunnels. She must look quite the sight she supposed. By no means fussy about her appearance, Kayla did pride herself on at least being neat and clean even on the road, and this state of grime was more than she could bare. She undressed where she stood, stripping off armour, clothing and modest silk undergarments and leaving them in a pile as they fell. She paused but a moment to peel off the bandage with a wince. The wound was ragged as best she could see as she twisted, and still spattered with green lizardman blood. Suppressing a shiver, the nude elf untied her hair and dove into the pool with barely a splash as her lithe form sliced into the cold, still water with an inward sigh of relief.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>fantasylver</strong> on <strong>27-09-2010, 23:28:31</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ayesha was not used to being looked after nor the fact of being carried. Throughout the time they traveled through the woods, she had wanted to be placed back onto her feet once again. The only thing that had kept her back from doing such a thing was her own dissipated energy. Her mind wandered through the past events like a puzzle they were. As they continued through the heavy foliage, she came to a conclusion that there was more at work behind the council’s decision of not believing her. If she remembered correctly, there was something different about the elves that spoke to her. <br><br>The men and women of the council had eyes filled with a different light than normal. This new enemy of theirs was in fact stronger than them all, and could creep into their minds. She herself could vouch for that. When they were gathering their armor in the guard room, she felt the sensation of becoming possessed. If she had not blocked her mind of its power she would have had been lost, taken into the depths of darkness. This was not entirely all what happened she recalled, it too was a combination of a vision and a battle. Spiritually she fought back the black void of pain but she herself was consumed by the images of what may come. <br><br>The Storm clan will soon become a pawn in this twisted game. Like herself she had gone to this clan because she knew of their strength of command, which appeared that their foe also discovered. She was the reason why they were in danger, and it made her sick beyond belief. She was the catalyst towards the end of the world. Within her heart she knew that she had to try and help the others and find a way to destroy this enemy. She must avoid any more deaths; especially the children that will help bring back life into this world. Still with the thought of children suffering such a war brought images of her dead younger sister. She will not allow any more to die, if she could help it.<br>&nbsp;<br>Throughout their journey she had kept eerily quiet, only engulfed with her thoughts and inner torment. As soon as she was set to the side, she rested down onto a nearby bolder. Still weak and feeble like a newborn babe, she sat their quietly, gaining enough strength to move. Her blue green eyes scanned the serene glade, taking in the beauty as if she would not see such a place again. The sound of the water gliding down through the stream and over rocks soothed and tormented her. Still guilt moved through her like a worm through an apple, defiling her sense of good. Her eyes held a cloudy and unfocused look to them as she stared out towards the clear pristine water. If only she could be as clean as the water, she thought, feeling dirty with her pain and disturbing thoughts. <br><br>Zaer seemed to enjoy the bounty of the fresh water like there was nothing like that, she too wanted to feel free enough to take in something as clean as the spring water but she did not feel worthy enough. Looking away from the back of his figure she glances at the dirt before her. She wasn’t even worth more than the dirt at her feet. She wasn’t sure if she was simply tired or overwhelmed but she could not help herself much more. Tears began to streak down her cheeks, creating clear etchings along the dust that coated her skin. She could not hold it back anymore, the pain the guilt of everything. Her lower lip trembled as she looked off to the side, down to the dirt which was no better than. Hands clenching into shaking fists she struggled to keep from being noticed. It all hurt within her, very much like her heart was shattering. As childish as it seemed, she just wished that everything that they been through was all but a dream, and it all will go away. She felt so much like a child now, unable to adapt to the change that was happening so quickly about her. <br><br>She kept quiet for as long as she could as she wept silently and viciously. Ayesha watched Kayla walk away more up the stream, limping as her would festered. In Ayesha’s mind she knew she must tend to it as soon as possible, but she could not gather the energy to even move. She was worthless and for some reason she could not get it out of her mind that she was any better. The words and pain within her chest, kept eating her away as she sat there, its seed of pain planting within her mind. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shade</strong> on <strong>03-10-2010, 23:48:00</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				After several more greedy gulps of the fresh spring water, Zaer's thirst was finally quenched. Now that he wasn't going to drink anymore, he just sat at the edge of the river, staring at the surface of the water. He was out... so now what? Before the arrest, he had just been wandering wherever he felt like. Going back to that had been his original intention, but things had become much more complicated within the last several hours. He hadn't expected to escape with anyone else. Especially not with such a lovely pair of ladies.<br><br>Speaking of which, the fire elf turned his attention to the two of them for the first time since they got to the river, turned to Kayla first, just in time to see the nude Storm elf dive into the pool. He frowned a bit, trying to figure out what to make of her. They had stuck together during their escape out of necessity. It had been clear from the beginning that she didn't really trust Zaer. And why, because he was Fire Tribe? The Fire elf, while feeling no shame in his heritage, often became frustrated when it kept things from going smoothly for him. Some would immediately assume him hostile and cower in fear. Others would attack him on sight. He would just have to wait and see how Kayla would treat him now that they weren't in immediate danger. <br><br>A few seconds after Kayla disappeared beneath the surface, he looked over his shoulder back at the other female of the group. She hadn't moved from the spot he had set her, not even to try and get some water. And of all things she was crying! Zaer wasn't very good at emotions, or dealing with other people, so he had no idea what to do now. He supposed the best thing to do would be to comfort her and make her stop. Just because they were safe for the moment didn't mean that couldn't change in an instant. If they were attacked while Kayla was distracted by her tears, then they'd be in real trouble. But what the hell was he supposed to say to her? <br><br>Letting out a small sigh, he stood up from the river and made his way over to the Light elf. He wasn't quite sure what was making him do this. Maybe it was because hadn't seen the mistrust in her eyes when she looked at him. Sitting on the ground across from her, Zaer tried to think of how to say this without upsetting the girl more. Then again, he wasn't good with these sorts of situations. "What're you crying for? We all made it out, didn't we?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>fantasylver</strong> on <strong>15-11-2010, 20:58:24</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She did not expect the fire elf to turn to her, especially now when she was at her weakest state. Eyes slightly wide, she casts them to the side, trying to regain what pride she had left. Now she failed miserably catching the gaze from Kayla off to the far pool. Eyes filled with pity pierced through her, causing her to grip her chest as her heart ached. “I’m the reason why we are all here…for everything…and then we are all going to die no matter what we do…The world as we know will end because of me…I’m the catalyst, the light that these demons follow…” she sobs out hoarsely to curl up slightly and cradle her head. Knees tucked into her chest, she grips onto her hair, loosening the strands more than they were before. <br><br>“They look through these eyes, my own eyes to see where we go, and follow to destroy…I’m the only one left to be connected to the spiritual world…and they are using me…The Storm clan is next, they are going to be used as pawns to spread out the evil and kill and kill as many as they want…No one will be able to stand a chance…All the nations, even the human ones will be taken over…who knows everything could be defiled by now…”yet again the seeless piercing eyes of the dead children reached her mind, making her wince and give a low groan of pain and loss.” All because of me…all because of me…” she whimpers and buries her face into her palms. <br><br>The only indication of Kayla even listening at this point was the rustle of leaves underfoot and the sound of fabric moving in the wind. Looking up from her palms, Ayesha now noticed Kayla grabbing what was left of her things and darting back towards the Storm Clan.” Kayla no!!” Ayesha pushes herself up, using whatever amount of energy she had to move. Running after her, Ayesha shouts out into the wood.” Don’t! You can’t save them! Kayla!!” she shouts, only to have the faint echo of her voice resound and nothing else. There was no sound of footsteps ahead of her, and that drawn great concern. Breathing heavily in panic as well as from exhaustion, Ayesha pushes forward, darting through the wood, using the trees as braces for her slightly wobbly stance.&nbsp; The weight of her weapons began to hinder her back more. <br><br>On the verge of panic on with looking for Kayla she drops everything and moves out more into the wood, finding it alarming that everything began to darken. It was still early day but it was becoming dark like the night, blinding her in the darkness of the wood. Breathing heavily, she leans in against a tree, feeling lightheaded. She didn’t know what to do, Kayla was gone, and she herself was lost in the darkness. Sliding down to sit down against the tree, she shudders, feeling at a lost to what she should really do. Everything simply felt hopeless to her now.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shade</strong> on <strong>27-11-2010, 07:57:52</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Zaer just sat across from the light elf, unsure of what to say next. But he didn't think this was the fault of any one person, and certainly not Ayesha's. She was just one of those people who liked to blame themselves for everything that went bad or wrong around them. But, the way she spoke, about being connected to the spirit world... what did that have to do with these dark creatures she spoke of? <br><br>The male had been about to open his mouth when he turned his head sharply at the sounds of Kayla taking off at a run, back from the way they had come. It was only a natural reaction, to want to go and help her people, after all. But how had they been followed so quickly? They hadn't been in their cells for very long before they had broken out. Perhaps there was some truth to what the light elf had said....<br><br>When Ayesha took off after the other woman, Zaer didn't move right away. He didn't see why he should chase after them. This wasn't his problem. But a small voice inside was persistent. <em>Follow them... follow her...</em> With a sigh, the swordsman got up and tore off after Ayesha. <br><br>He almost tripped on the bag that Ayesha had dropped. Swearing to himself he hoisted it over his shoulder and took off running again. That's when he noticed the darkness that was beginning to spread. It didn't feel right. This was not a natural occurrence. It felt wrong. And cold, like he had been plunged into an icy lake. <br><br>Taking a deep breath to steel himself, he drew his broadsword from his back. "Blaze, Inferno...." At these words, flames covered and danced across the dark blade. Even thought the flames did provide some light, the darkness seemed to swallow the light much to quickly, only allowing him to see a few feet in any direction. He'd have trouble finding the light elf if she wasn't trying to find him as well.<br><br>"Ayesha!" He shouted out, hoping his voice could penetrate this darkness. "If you can hear me, then listen well! You cannot blame yourself for all of this!" He wasn't sure why, but he thought that some encouraging words may help. Darkness was often associated with fear, and despair. "Did you call these creatures to attack innocent people? I don't think so. Something else is going on here. And if you just roll over and give up now, then all is lost! If you think that this darkness is using you as it's eyes, then find a way to fight back!" If the darkness needed her to find it's targets, then maybe she was also the key to putting an end to it.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>fantasylver</strong> on <strong>03-12-2010, 02:29:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The darkness began to seep deep into her form, tightening and constricting to the point that she was suffocating. She now was too weak to resist the negativity of her own soul and the blankness that surrounded her. Already Ayesha felt the desperation of relief of the blinding abyss that surrounded her. Everything that she felt now reflected off of her past horrific memories, but ten times worst than they really were. Her mind throbbed; her body ached as it hungered for light, for air, for life. <br><br>Curled up against the roots of a neighboring tree, she anchored herself in the real world as her heart and spirit struggled against the onslaught of her senses. In her mind faint malicious whispers crept about the confines of her thoughts, imprinting self destructing images that threatened her already feeble mind. Plummeting deeper into the dark abyss of the twisted demented minds of her enemies, she cried out into the darkness, a voiceless scream that no one could hear through the thick canvas of obscurity. Even Zaer nor anyone of the waking world would hear her, only the withering spirits that surrounded her and feasted on her woes and pains.<br><br>Ayesha began to feel herself losing to the shadows of the spirit realm the one’s that were seeking the light in this world. There was no light about her now, and all hope dwindled down to a fine thread, very much what the fates used to cut for death and strung out for life. Struggling to fight against the darkness, a faint voice reached her ears, a man’s voice. As if waking up from a feverish dream, she opens her eyes to the darkness, blinded and unseeing. The voice began to become clearer, seeking out her heart and mind in the shadows. The voice belonged to Zaer, a stranger yet someone she could call friend. His words did not mean anything to her but the truth he put behind them struck deep into her heart, bringing her conscious mind back to this plane. <br><br>It’s not her fault that these demons are here, it is not her fault that her sister is dead, and it is not her fault that nations have fallen…She can fight and find a way to be rid of these demons in her heart and also of this world. Her eyes opened sharply to be welcomed by shadowy figures surrounding her with blood gleaming eyes. She was not close to Zaer, and she knew that as soon as she opened her senses about her, infact he was going the wrong direction which oddly enough relieved her. <br><br>The whispers of the shadows grew heavier about her, working to impose themselves onto her mind and heart, pushing her boundaries once again. Eyes beginning to glow from anger and hate, Ayesha pushes herself up against the weight of the darkness.”I am Ayesha Eruanna Caladwen,&nbsp; high priestess of the Light Tribe, daughter of the once high priest Claentor Euric Caladwen, and you will not rule over me!” she shouts out, forming large orbs of power within her fists before she expanded out the power like a whip that crackled and snapped like lightening but the substances clang onto anything that it touched. Eyes glowing a whitish gold, she spreads out the whips to form a sort of web, pulling and constraining the dark spirits within its tacky threads. As soon as she grasped onto the main hosts of the darkness, she shouts out a chant, more like curse before a surge of light flashes through the air, incinerating the darkness about them.<br><br>Soon enough the darkness that once surrounded them diminished, only to be contained by the web she created between the borders of the Storm Clan and this woods. Only she would be able to see the webs she created, using the hosts as masts to hold it steady. Only she and others with the gifts of their clans would feel the sensation of the barrier, but only she would see it. Hands giving off faint pulses of light began to shake and quiver from exhaustion.&nbsp; The power that she once held dissipated from her as she soon felt herself become heavy once again. Looking about the wood, and from a few yards away she caught the eyes of the Fire Lord. <br><br>It was her mistake to use her gifts while not being rejuvenated enough from before, but she knew that she had to do something to save herself as well as others. A faint smile touched her lips as she looked at him, and she mouthed a few words of thanks before she collapsed down to the rough earth beneath her. Still conscious, she wheezes faintly for breath as she lays there, smelling the faint sweet grass near her head as well as feeling the pain within her limbs. A bitter sweet moment to be precise but she was still alive, she thanked the gods that she was still there, despite the agony she now suffered. <br><br>Body trembling from shock and exhaustion she whimpers and clenches onto the grass beside her as she curled up within herself. She wanted to let go and welcome the darkness of unconsciousness but feared it most, for it reminded her of what happened moments ago. When will this all end, she wondered as she fought for breath and the will to stay awake. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shade</strong> on <strong>16-12-2010, 13:54:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As the darkness continued to encroach on him, Zaer began to doubt himself and wonder if his shouting was doing any good. The light of his flames was slowly being swallowed into the black haze that surrounded him. He felt like he was about to suffocate, unable to fight against the crushing blackness. "Ayesha...! Don't give up yet..." Falling to his knees, he plunged Inferno into the ground to try to stay upright. <br><br>That's when he heard a voice. It was muffled slightly, and he couldn't make out the exact words, but the voice was comforting to him in a way. And the darkness began to retreat. Shielding his eyes from the sudden burst of light, he could see that the Light Elf was doing something, though he couldn't tell exactly what. It was working though, and that's what mattered. <br><br>His eyes locked with hers briefly, and he saw her mouth thanks before her eyes closed and her body hit the ground. Pulling his sword out from the ground and strapping it back on his back, he knelt down beside Ayesha and gently turned the girl's body over to see if she was alright. The Fire Elf was relieved that she had just lost consciousness. Scooping her up in his arms, a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "You really need to stop collapsing on me. I can't always carry you" he muttered. <br><br>As he stood back up, he looked in the direction of where Kayla had run off to, back towards the Storm Clan. Sighing, he turned and began to walk in the opposite direction. If those dark creatures had already started attacking the Storm Clan, then he needed to get away from their and find somewhere safe for Ayesha to recover. He knew one place he could go, he was sure that they would not have fallen yet, but he really had hoped to never return to that place. Given the circumstances though, he knew he had no choice.<br><br>He was going home.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>fantasylver</strong> on <strong>27-12-2010, 23:19:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Darkness surrounded her in a cocoon that provided warmth and comfort from her tormenting nightmares and memories. There was no sense of time and space as she laid at rest within the abyss of her mind. Even with some jerkiness of movements of her sore form, she did not feel anything that could bring pain to her senses. The only sensation that she noticed was a rocking motion of her form, and the sense of something or someone carrying her. The breeze and scents of the pine and of the wild sweet grasses swam over her like gentle waves washing up along the sandy shores of her homeland. Serenity held her within its grace as she grew stronger within the arms of her caretaker. <br><br>Day’s had passed by unnoticed to her unconscious mind and finally something began to stir within her, a new surrounding that began to awaken her. Rock lay beneath her, cold and hard against her soft curved form. Also there was darkness that surrounded her, a new kind of cool blue darkness that read unfamiliar. Ayesha opened her eyes to see through the branches overhead to the night sky. Small darts of bright lights scattered across the darkening sky, beseeching like small jewels on a canvas of velvet. Ayesha wanted to reach out and take a handful of the jewels up in the sky, for there were so many that it felt like ages since she had seen the night sky and its thousands of scattered lights.&nbsp; Tears began to threaten to spill over her cheeks, from the sheer gratitude of the lights, because she felt like she was dead and at peace for so long from the dreamless time she spent in the comforting darkness. <br><br>The sound of breathing is what had stopped her from weeping openly out to the night, as well as the faint glow of the fire beside her. With a turn of her head, she caught a glance at the hulky figure sitting beside the fire, and immediately remembered of Zaer. He looked worn out from travel, and slept peacefully near the fire. It seemed that nothing appeared wrong and that he purely was in comfortable surroundings to easily take sleep. The stubble along his chin gave Ayesha a questionable thought. How long had it been since the time in the woods outside of Storm Clan? <br><br>Fighting back a groan of ache, Ayesha pushed herself up into a sitting position, only to then feel the soft grasses beneath her as well as a cloak thrown over her for warmth. The air gave off a faint bite of chill, but it felt welcomed sense it was late spring, and already the nights began to be warm. Glancing about the darkness of the wood, she noticed the mountain range surrounding them as well as the steepness of the pass they came up through. Where are they heading? With the turn of her head, she noticed something else. Her hair was now much longer than it was before, now down to her shoulders, and slightly to the tops of her breasts. It really must have been some time, or something happened to her physically to have things changed so much.<br><br>Unable to fight off her curiosity much longer, Ayesha stood as quietly as possible within the tall grass, only to feel somewhat weak from lack of movement but healed to an extent. If her wounds aren’t all fully healed it must have been a week since the woods and the unbearable darkness.&nbsp; Skilled with agility, she moved out of the campsite without noise, wandering to find a clue of where she was. An opening within the trees with light filtering through its branches welcomed and drew her forward. Holding onto the base of the trees, she walked&nbsp; out into an opening that was on a ledge of a cliff face. Out before her was a large valley full of a faint glow of fire light, and majority of it surfaced in stone and buildings made of stone. <br><br>The grand city rested about a day’s walk away, but its granger overwhelmed her. Where was she, was this the Earth Clan? No, this place is somewhere different…the Fire nation? Ayesha felt weakened from standing so long so she settled down on top of the dark colored stone beneath her, bathing herself in the moonlight that accented the blond within her hair as well as the red from the glow of the city. She could not help but feel perplexed as in where they were and why. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shade</strong> on <strong>29-12-2010, 22:41:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The trip was long and hard. He had to be stealthy, and carry an unconscious woman for the majority of the trip. Still, he managed to make it without being detected. Not only was he trying to avoid any Storm clan that may be following them, but any one else, including his fellow Fire clansmen. He wanted to hold off revealing his surprise homecoming for as long as possible. Hopefully they wouldn't know before he set foot in the main village.<br><br>At first, he resented having to carry the light elf on his back, hoping she would wake up so she could start pulling her own weight. But as more time passed, he grew much more accustomed to feeling her warm wights as he carried her on his back. Her warm breath that would tickle his neck, at first a minor annoyance, was now something that he had grown accustomed to, even looked forward to it every time that he hoisted her up to carry her.<br><br>Finally, they were resting very close outside of main city of the Fire clan. He was planning reaching it sometime tomorrow. He had been sleeping, but stirred and looked up to find that Ayesha was gone. Panic seized him and he sprang to his feet. Where was she? Grabbing his blades he began to search, but fortunately didn't have far to go. He walked up behind her. "Nice to see you're awake."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>fantasylver</strong> on <strong>31-12-2010, 04:28:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The sound of his footsteps broke her internal silence as Ayesha gazed out to the valley. The sound of his voice soothed her deeply, more in a way that surprised her. Looking up from over her shoulder, she gives a faint smile, showing how much more vivid her blue green eyes were, now that she had acquired rest."I- uh..um...thank you..." she quickly turns to face the valley."I am grateful that you watched over me, and I'm sorry that I created such trouble to you. You know you could have just left me there and escaped when you could..."she murmurs softly, looking down off to the side, causing her hair to lightly feather out behind her and about her shoulders.<br><br>She was still very much troubled by everything that happened before in the woods and in the Storm nation's prison. Form slightly slouched forward, she pushed herself up to stand, exposing her more leaner form from before." Is this your city that we have come to? Why are we here?" she asked quietly, honestly puzzled by the fact of being in this place.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shade</strong> on <strong>01-01-2011, 05:56:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Zaer returned the smile, feeling a strange warmth in his gut at the sight of her smiling face. "Oh, it wasn't that much trouble. And there's no way I could've left you to die back there." The thought hadn't crossed his mind to abandon her. Not since it first had when he had met her and Kayla in the holding cells. <br><br>"Yes, yes it is." He moved beside her and looked down at it. "Home sweet home." He looked over at her. "I figured it would be the safest place for us to go. And believe it or not, my people aren't as savage as most of the rumors would leave you to believe. Although, you should stick close to me while we go down there." Just because the rumors were exaggerated didn't mean they were entirely false either.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>fantasylver</strong> on <strong>04-01-2011, 06:48:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She looked at him strangely as he gave her a smile. Wasn't he the more gruffy sort of man that doesn't even smile in reply? A little confused, she quickly glances off to the side, back towards the valley as if she was in thought. She only hoped that the time that she was unconscious, that nothing really happened between them two. "Uh..um..did anything happen while I was unconscious?" she asks quietly looking out to the faintly glowing valley before them.<br><br>Recovering from the question, she quickly brings up another one." Do you think that they would be suspicious of me? A light clan member? The last time I entered in a foreign nation, I was attacked and almost killed.I don't think they would be stupid enough to believe that I am part of the fire clan...I don't even have the right features of this part of the world either..."she frowns slightly and let out a deep sigh of thought.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shade</strong> on <strong>29-01-2011, 03:46:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The fire elf gave a slight sigh. "I'm afraid that a lot has happened. None of it good." He turned and looked at her fully. "Storm fell quickly. Faster than I had expected. I'd estimate less than a day after we escaped. And those... things... are spreading faster than ever. And now there's rumors about Storm attacking the Earth clan as we speak. But we know better. It's those dark... things. Whatever the hell they are. It's like the Storm clan became infected or something..." <br><br>"Now, as for you going down to the village" he nodded his head towards the glowing city. "it'll be unusual, and you'll draw some stares, certainly. But they'll understand once I explain things to the chief. The Fire clan likes to keep to itself, but we're not ignorant of the outside world. I'm sure they know something is happening, but they don't have all the details. No one does. But I think you and I have a clearer picture than most."<br><br>Zaer stood back up. "Come on. Let's head back to the camp. I'm pretty sure you're going to need something to eat after having been out for so long. Then we'll head to the village once the sun comes up."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>fantasylver</strong> on <strong>02-04-2011, 09:16:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				A little unexpected to hear that the storm clans demise, Ayesha could not help but give a faint shudder to the mere idea of how things have came to pass. The storm clan was known to be the strongest for when it came to forms of war and battle, so it was surprising that they had fallen so easily. This newfound enemy that they are now facing was something to not to be reckoned with that was for certain. From what she heard from his words, that things have became far worst than before. Very much like her visions, the darkness of death has come to many of the lands. <br><br>Hair blowing within the cool gentle breeze, she was succumbed to deep thought until he drew her attention once again to the matter at hand. Sitting still at her seat along the edge of the cliff face, she looks up to him, looking younger than her years for some reason. " Should I disguise myself as to not draw on much attention? I don't think it would be even wise to enter the city so bluntly on my part. If what you say is true, that people may know what is happening, they may even think I can be one of those demons coming to ruin your homeland. Everyone will be under suspicion if they are foreign to the area and especially if they are not even part of the same tribe. Remember also...not too many years ago, our tribes were at war with each other..."Ayesha spoke dispassionately, looking back to even how she was treated when she first arrived in the great city of the storm tribe. <br><br>Despite her thoughts for the moment, she stands up to join him.A heavy sigh escapes her&nbsp; as she looks back over her shoulder to the faint glow of the city within the valley." I'm sorry that I am so negative Lord Zaer, I-I just am worried that is all...and I haven't been the most supportive companion through this journey either...for what I know, I haven't even done anything useful for any of us...I'm sorry, but once we receive an audience with your chief, I believe that it would be best if we went our separate ways. I haven't done much for you and I would think you would want to be free of me as well...I just have been such a burden.."she frowns and walks out in front of him heading towards camp, deep within her thoughts.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shade</strong> on <strong>03-04-2011, 07:54:52</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Zaer thought about disguising her for a moment, and then shook his head. "If we tried anything to disguise you, even if you looked like you were born in the place, you'd still stick out like a sore thumb. You just don't have the same..." he tried to think of the right word to describe it. "... air about you. Trying to disguise you would make it worse, like you're trying to infiltrate. And trust me, if they see you're with me, they'll let us through." He didn't tell her why, he knew that would come to light once they went down.<br><br>After walking back to the camp, opened up one of the packs and took out a little bread, a piece of fruit, and a water skin. "Here. Like I said, you've been out for awhile, and the best I've been able to do is coax some water down your throat, and not much at that. You're going to need your strength." Even asleep, her body would have had to rely on her stored up fat (not that she had much to begin with) in order to sustain itself. <br><br>He sat down and leaned against a rock, studying her. "So, while you were out cold... were you having any dreams or anything?" He wondered if she had seen anything about the coming darkness, something that might give him a useful piece of information. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>fantasylver</strong> on <strong>03-04-2011, 09:41:00</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He seemed to ignore the fact that she stated about them parting their ways, so she kept it at that, and not bringing it up again. Casting her eyes off to the side, catching sight of a small closed flower near her feet and the fire. With just a faint gust of wind, the flower fluttered towards the flames where it curled and caught a lit. Ayesha's eyes faintly glowed to the small spectacle and the light diminished just as quickly as it happened. The flower itself reflected off of how she felt at this moment. She was even so distracted to not catch most of what he said about her not disguising&nbsp; herself. " oh..uh..hmm..I guess that would be something...hmm..we are pretty different." she smiled faintly but then looked up to what he offered to her.<br><br>She was deeply touched that he even cared to take her along, he could have left her to die back in the woods where she had collapsed. Looking up to him, she smiled faintly to take a hold of some bread and fruit." thank you..." she did appear much more thinner than before, most likely from using what was left within her body to support her. Slowly eating some dried fruit, she began to feel the pain of hunger come to her. Wincing faintly she slowly ate, not wishing to feel sick from the lack of nutrition her body undergone. Even with that, her stomach had shrunken an incredible amount and even with only a handful of food had filled her. Also with that, her clothes hanged more loosely about her form.She looked entirely different than from before all of this happened.<br><br>Keeping her gaze onto the burning embers before her, she sighed deeply to his question. It somewhat pained her to even think back to those dreams she had, or whatever they were. She wanted to just hole up and be leave her dreams behind but knew that wasn't possible. "yes I had dreams...though I wish I didn't." she sighs deeply and keeps her eyes centered on the flames, going back to the horrors of her dreams." When I first blacked out, I thought I was dead...all there was, was darkness and pain...I felt pain in my chest the most, as if it was being clenched within someones fist. I did't know what exactly was doing that to me, but then I heard someone, or something whisper to me. They were trying to take over my mind but I kept fighting them, whoever they were. I remembered seeing soulless eyes look at me, bearing down within my mind. I saw things that only brought more pain than before...I saw my village overcome by these things, and just a swarm of them moving through the mountains like locust. The Earth tribe has been overcome and with that the enemy has the power to use the stone as a weapon, the Earth clans most valuable weapon...they are spreading...and there is so much death....death...and pain...so-so much pain..."she cringes up her shoulders and covers her eyes with her hands.<br><br>What she was referring to with the stone as a weapon from the Earth clan was the power to take out the past of the stones, which meant being able to see who and what has been around the stone.&nbsp; She recalled how useful it was to use the earth to track down enemies when there was war or even when they were hunting down thieves.&nbsp; "T-that is all I can remember and then I woke up as if nothing even has happened...despite me remembering everything..."she sighs heavily and soon enough rests her chin along the tops of her forearms that rested on her knees.She looked lost and yet also numbed to it all.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shade</strong> on <strong>14-04-2011, 06:18:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Zaer looked at her closely, and he could see the emotions flickering across her face. He hated to make her remember and live through them again, but there wasn't any choice. Their enemy was spreading like wildfire, and they needed any sort of information they could get. When he heard that the Earth tribe had fallen, he just gritted his teeth. "Them too?!" He knew things were bad, but this was just ridiculous. It was like there was no defense against them. <br><br>When she finished telling him what she had seen, he could see how painful it was for her to tell him what she had seen. He moved next to her and wrapped his arms around her. He wasn't sure what made him do it, but he felt like he needed to comfort her. "Thank you. I know recounting all of that couldn't have been easy for you." 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>fantasylver</strong> on <strong>16-04-2011, 02:30:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Just as surprised as he was about his actions, Ayesha simply sits there, feeling his large strong arms encompass her. All of this reminded her of how it felt to be in his arms while she was unconscious as strange as that seemed. Despite being unconscious through their journey, she did have a sense of what he had done for her, he kept her warm, fed her to the best of his abilities and even slightly kept her clean. Which in a strange sense reminded her of her persona. Still clothed within her warn out bloody garments still, she felt slightly dirty and a tad bit uncomfortable. Just as fast as the hurtful and clouded emotions came, they dissipated to her present predicament. " I-I'm alright honestly, but um..do you mind if I wash up a bit before we head down to town?I know that I am foreign and I haven't even really done much to make myself presentable before, but I do wish to look nice and feel somewhat clean in the least..."she mumbles and bashfully pushes away from him.<br><br>In all honesty, having close proximity with a man still erred her and made her feel conscious of her physical being. Before she became a priestess, she flirted and socialized with many men, but as soon as she became a priestess, she was told of the effects of being too close to a man, which she now took in high account. Standing up and away from him, she darts her eyes away from his quickly."I wont be long and we should go then, I believe it would be best to get the motions of war going. You're people are lucky that they are surrounded by these mountains, hidden within the misty valley, but the enemy will find ways inside to break your defenses." she sighs softly and then turns, heading deeper into the woods where she had heard a faint stream. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shade</strong> on <strong>24-04-2011, 09:25:45</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Zaer finally had the sense to loosen his grip on her. He missed the feeling of her in his arms as soon as she left. "Oh, yeah, sure. Go ahead." Hopefully a cleaner appearance would help her make a better impression on his people. Maybe. It couldn't hurt at least. "But don't wander off too far, okay?" When she left, he began to plan out in his head what he would say to the chief. It would be a big enough surprise that he would be returning home. He would have a lot of explaining to do, but it couldn't help. If there was any chance of anyone surviving this war, they'd have to listen to him and Ayesha. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>fantasylver</strong> on <strong>12-05-2011, 06:36:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				To be honest it felt somewhat strange to be so close to a man. The only men that she ever shared close proximity was with her own brothers, which in all fairness did not count for much. In the beginning, Zaer was not as close to her or even Kayla for the matter when they first met. Everything was in chaos at the time when they all were in need of each other, so there was not much options as in to what to do. Even before she was more focused on the matter of getting help for her people as well as living. Still she was always in constant thought of such things.<br><br>The cool of the evening surrounded her as she stepped through the woods, it brought her senses on high alert but also it calmed her. There also was no sound from any of the animals which somewhat surprised her, but for it being so late at night she believed they were all nesting. Soon enough the gentle sound of a river welcomed her up ahead, drawing her attention to her own person. She must have not fully bathed for some time, and she truly needed to feel fresher. Without much of a second thought she began to strip herself of her garments. Letting them fall to the ground at her feet, she&nbsp; walks into the chilled waters until she was submerged into the springs depths. The water chilled yet refreshed her, refreshed her senses and spirit. <br><br>Within the depths of the darkened waters, her hair swirled and fluttered about her nude form, giving off an eerie celestial look to her appearance. Thrusting herself out of the water, she gasps for breath and opened her eyes to the star lit sky above her. Letting out a sigh of relaxation, she stands there, waist deep within the water, breasts covered by her now long hair that rests about mid of her back.Just standing there for a moment, she sighs and turned to grab a vial of cleanser, only to stop halfway, still deep in the water to a sharp faint sound as if someone was walking through the underbrush. Looking over her shoulder slowly, eyes becoming cold and calculating of a warrior, she catches sight of three men coming out of the woods to the shore of the river. They all looked like warriors, none too happy about being up so late so it would seem, but soldiers none-the-less. <br><br>The one in the center of the trio speaks." We are the sentinels of the fire clan, who are you and why are you here?" he glares, eyes glowing faintly in gold as if he was preparing himself for a fight of some kind. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shade</strong> on <strong>14-05-2011, 01:08:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Though he had intended to work out how to address the chief, Zaer couldn't help but think about the light elf bathing. Rivulets of water running down her skin, between her breasts... he'd held off temptation while she had been unconscious, but now that she was awake and bathing, the fire elf couldn't help himself. <br><br>He began to quietly move towards where the stream was. In his mind, he told himself that he was just going to be close by to protect her. That he wasn't going to peep. Yeah, right. He didn't even believe himself. <br><br>When he reached a clump of bushes near the river, he peered out to see if he could spot her. He did, and he couldn't help but gasp at her beauty. He couldn't see her features very well,It was a&nbsp; but the silhouette of her form, backdropped by the moonlit water, was a breathtaking sight.<br><br>It was soon spoiled by the three figures that approached her. It was some fire clan soldiers out on patrol. It was a good thing he had decided to come spy on Ayesha after all. When the soldiers demanded to know who Ayesha was, Zaer stepped out of his own hiding place, and approached them. "She is a priestess of the Light clan, and possibly their only survivor." He spoke with authority. "And she is my guest here." <br><br>The three soldiers immediately jumped at the sound of his voice and turned, looking as though they had seen a ghost. "Z-Z-Zaer? You've returned?!"<br>Zaer nodded. "I have. And I have urgent need to speak with the chief. Immediately." <br><br>"Y-yes of course, Zaer. We'll inform the chief at once of your safe return, and of your guest." The middle one turned to the soldier on his left and gave a curt nod. The soldier ran off to carry the message. "The chief will wonder about the girl though, Zaer..."<br><br>"I'm aware of this. I'll explain once I meet with him." He turned his head slightly until Ayesha was in the corner of his eye. "It looks like we'll be heading down sooner than I thought. Finish up, will you?" 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>fantasylver</strong> on <strong>15-05-2011, 07:05:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Standing waist deep in the depths of the river,Ayesha's hair clings onto her damp glistening skin. The air cooled considerably about her as she stood there, taking in everything that there is to be seen of the men. They all looked honest in her opinion but she had dealt a situation similar to this one, back within the Storm clans own walls as she was seeking help. They didn't take kindly to strangers, and all she could think of is that it can turn&nbsp; out like this as well with these men.Glowing at her fingertips, her energy surges slightly, preparing for a fight. Even along with that too, her eyes&nbsp; gave&nbsp; off a faint glow, but the eerie look could be blamed on the moonlight bouncing up to her face from the rippling water.<br><br>About to give an answer to who she is, the sound&nbsp; of Zaer's voice startled her slightly. She was&nbsp; too focused on the men before her to have&nbsp; forgottan about Zaer. Jerking ever so slightly she wraps her arms about he r chest to conceal herself somewhat. Listening to them all inquisitively, she began to wonder about who Zaer really is. To be recognized right off the bat was something but to be spoked up to with authority, well that is something&nbsp; different entirely. Even as they began to speak about her, Ayesha darts her eyes off to the side, catching to look of one of the men, who quickly turned away from her. Men, she thought sourly,before even with&nbsp; Zaer's own demanding tone. <br><br>Eyes narrowing slightly to the change of his demeanor, Ayesha tightens her arms about herself slightly."Well I would if only you men leave me be. Give me some dignity at least to have some privacy..."she darts her eyes back to the two remaining solders, having her eyes glow warningly as well as give off the air of her agitation.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shade</strong> on <strong>19-05-2011, 06:49:34</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Zaer began to blush. "Right, sorry about that." His tone had returned to normal when addressing Ayesha. He jerked his head, and the two remaining soldiers went with him further away so that she could finish her bath in relative peace. He could tell that the soldiers with him wanted to ask questions, but they held their tongues. He'd wait until he met with the chief to begin the explanations. <br><br>While they had been waiting, the third soldier came back. "Lord Zaer, I informed the chief of your arrival, and that you're not alone. I'm to bring you and the girl to him immediately." Zaer nodded. "Alright. We're just waiting for her to finish her bath." 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>fantasylver</strong> on <strong>27-05-2011, 22:46:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Just as soon as the men left her in peace, she quickly rinses off and steps out from the waters. Ringing out her hair she quickly braids it to keep it away from her face. Genuinely pissed off about the situation she cleans her armor quickly with the use of magic, having it look brand new. Also doning herself with her tribal designs along her cheeks, she is prepared, looking as if she just came from the battle front as a soldier and not as the priestess. Just looking at herself, she realizes this is how she should have looked when she came to the storm clan, instead of soiled with blood and grime from her journey.The storm clan would have listened to her then if she was at least believable.<br><br>Frowning to her own discontent, s he then&nbsp; adorns her middle finger with the ring of sight she was appointed for being a priestess, showing of her status. Even with that too she pulls up the braid to be in a bun and away from the back of her neck to also show the emblem tattoo of her family crest. Thinking of all of the formalities of visiting a foreign clan, she gives herself a stoic impression which help retain her own. She looked exotic with how her uniform conformed her figure, with it's languid designs that represented light. Also she looked well equipped for battle where she had a bushel of arrows along her back and her bow, as well as the pair of curved swords along her side and the long dagger along her thigh. Now she looked different in comparison to her meek form moments before. Now she is ready for anything, leaving behind the carefree feel she had before, and returning back to the battle front. <br><br>Walking away from the cool stream, she heads in their direction, looking somewhat deathly as she gives them all a hard look that causes her eyes to glint cooly with the dim light." let's go, don't want to keep the chief waiting."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shade</strong> on <strong>15-06-2011, 09:21:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Zaer sat with his legs crossed, waiting patiently for Ayesha to finish her bath. The other soldiers spread out a bit to keep watch. It wouldn't be long, but with things as they were, they had to be careful. Once the girl came back, they'd head on down. Zaer turned when he heard the sound of footsteps. As Ayesha came into view, he couldn't help but be impressed by what he saw. She was carrying herself differently, seeming much stronger and more confident than before. He wasn't sure he liked the change, but it didn't matter now.<br><br>Getting to his feet, Zaer began to walk towards where the entrance to the village would be found. "No, we certainly don't want to keep him waiting..." Zaer led the way, with the three guards walking around him and Ayesha. They didn't quite trust the outsider yet, but knew that Zaer must have a good reason for bringing her. As the group approached the gates of the city, the large wooden doors swung open to meet them. <br><br>As they walked through the village streets, people began to gather, whispering to one another. They were wondering why Zaer had returned, and why he had brought a foreigner with him. Zaer didn't bother acknowledging them though. They weren't important now. He kept his eyes focused solely on the palace near the center of the city. It was easily the largest building there. The guards stationed there bowed respectfully to him and allowed him to enter the large structure with Ayesha in tow. <br><br>After more walking, they entered a large room, and the doors were closed behind them. The only person in the room aside from the two of them was the chief. He was sitting in a large chair, his eyes flickering between Zaer and the Light elf. Smiling, he rose to his feet and walked towards the pair. HIs skin was tanned, and his hair dark, like most members of the Fire tribe. When he reached Zaer, he laughed and embraced him. Zaer returned the gesture, also smiling.<br><br>"Zaer! I was beginning to think you wouldn't ever be coming back!" <br><br>"I got a little sidetracked, I must admit. I hope you will forgive me for being away from home so long, brother." Zaer's face grew solemn as they parted. "But I'm afraid we will have to catch up another time. We have something important to discuss."<br><br>The chief, Zaer's brother, nodded, his own smile fading. "Yes, I suppose you are right." He turned his gaze to Ayesha. "A survivor from the Light clan... I had heard that they had been wiped out. It's good to see that they haven't been extinguished. But what's the real reason you brought her here, brother?"<br><br>Zaer sighed. "I think it might be best if she were to explain that herself. Ayesha, this is Chief Nezca, my older brother. Brother, this is Ayesha, priestess of the Light clan." 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>fantasylver</strong> on <strong>17-06-2011, 04:02:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Joining the rest of the men now, she felt the air shift between her and Zaer. There will be no more kind gestures to one another after the meeting with the chief. Ayesha knew that she could not ignore her duties any longer and she is obligated to help her people at any cost even if it meant to be isolated from everyone she has come into contact with.<br><br>Even now as she walked with the men, she began to prepare herself for that isolation. She felt very much alone now as she walked through the gates that were not of her own. Even simply the eyes of the the clan fell heavy onto her, a complete stranger who may even be of threat to them all. Ayesha could not do but keep her head up high as she walked through the streets, avoiding the eyes that seared through her. She could somewhat hear their thoughts.Stranger. <br>It all seemed different from her dreams, but she knew what must be done. She even recalled entering the&nbsp; grand hall but that was it. She remembered the pain of accusation and the gore of blood. The memories of this place is still a blur to her, and that was why she didn’t even mention this to Zaer. She can also hold some secrets so it seemed.<br><br>So Zaer is the brother of the high chief of this clan, how surprising. Not. Her Eyes harden slightly as she stood there, keeping to her position. Why didn’t he even mention anything about being a lord, and it seemed that she did have some inkling that he simply wasn’t just a fighter. From the time before she now grew more annoyed with him, and not his brother. Nezca actually seemed like a pretty nice man, and very welcoming with his brother, but with him glancing at her again, she knew that he has known of her, especially the fact that Zaer was right, she may in fact be the lone survivor of the Light Tribe.<br>Coming before the chief, she does the customary bow of respect. Sliding out a leg as to do a low crouch with her hands clasped out in front of her, she bows her head. “Yes, I am the priestess of the Light Clan. My name is Ayesha Caledwren, youngest daughter of the high Priest Claentor Caledwren.” She nods and then stands up once again.<br><br>Meeting his eyes she goes on with her report. “Two weeks ago the Light Tribe was under siege by an unknown enemy, and as my duty to protect my people I had sent them into hiding and went to seek help. I could have turned to the Earth Tribe, but I knew then that it was useless to go to them, since I have foresaw their doom just days after my own tribe’s destruction. I had gone to the Storm clan for help, but they didn’t listen, believing that I was tricking them into an unknown dispute that can jeopardize their own tribe. That is where I have met Zaer…. I told him and one other of my visions. As a priestess of the Light Tribe, I have the gift to have visions of the future through my dreams. I had once been possessed by these unknown creatures and was rendered unconscious for a week, which Lord Zaer has brought me here. The visions that I acquire are all about the battles that the tribes have encountered…Every time when a tribe is overcome, their gifts are taken by this unknown enemy. They are strong, and are also able to move through the spiritual realm, and that means they can over take people’s minds…which happened at the Storm clan.&nbsp; I don’t know who or what these things are, but they are moving through the known world, they are also trying to fight the human clans as well, despite their technological advancement. They will not stop until everything has been taken over..” <br><br>Ayesha finishes with a long breath, not even realizing that she was so tense, even clenching her hands into tight fists as she gave her report to him. Even not knowing she had dug her nails into her palms, causing them to seep of blood along creases of her fist.”I would suggest to start making preparations for the war that will soon be at your door step…and do not underestimate these things, they will find a way to break through your boundaries. Even though you are in a valley surrounded by&nbsp; cliffs, it doesn’t mean that they will breach through to your minds or simply by the sky’s.” she warns him and sighs, saying what she had needed to say.<br><br>Just moments after she had finished her verse of what she has seen, the doors of the great hall open. Not having much time to react, a young woman runs pass her to fling herself onto Zaer. Just standing their in shock, Ayesha watches the scene in bewilderment. “ ZAER! Where have you been???” The young woman&nbsp; grasps tightly onto him to kiss along his cheeks and then finally onto his lips, giving&nbsp; him a deep kiss. Eyes widening, Ayesha jerks to what this woman does as well as what she is also wearing. One would be polite and say that she was simply wearing very fitted..and loose clothing for work…but it all looked to her as if the woman herself was a bit too comfortable with her body. <br><br>Her hips are covered by a short skirt of some sort, along with her wearing a pair of long stockings that went up to her thighs, as well as wearing a fitted blouse that concealed nothing to the imagination. She is a beautiful woman…very voluptuous and fit with her smooth tan skin and long dark ringlets, the woman was much to be tempted for, especially by men. Leaning up against him, she presses herself against his form.<br>Unable to conceal her embarrassment, Ayesha turns to the chief. “ That is all I have to say, so if you will excuse me, I hope to enjoy your city for a moment on my own.” She bows her head and turns to walk out of the grand hall to leave them be.<br><br>Breaking from the kiss, Lin looks up to him, only to then turn as the doors closed. “oh..did I offend her?” she looks over to Nezca who only gave a sigh and settles down into his seat.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tribal Designs (Lucinda, Fantasylvr, Shade)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Shade</strong> on <strong>12-07-2011, 11:09:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				When Zaer looked back at Ayesha, he noticed her glaring at him slightly. It wasn't in surprise, more accusatory. Like she didn't like that he had kept that fact hidden from her. There was a reason that he did, but that would be something to explain another time. After the young woman bowed and introduced herself, Nezca smiled. "It is an honor to meet you. Now, what can you tell me of this enemy that everyone seems so powerless to fight against?"<br><br>As the light priestess began her report, including a few details that Zaer was not aware of, the two brothers' frowns deepened. "I knew that the situation was dire..." said Nezca with a heavy sigh. "But this is worse than anything I had considered... Light, Earth and Storm already fallen..." The chief began to pace slightly, his brow crinkled in thought. "And able to bypass any physical defense by attacking the minds and souls of their targets... how are we to fight against that?" <br><br>"We'll have to alert the people. Tell them to keep an eye out for anyone acting strange or unusual. Their takeover of a person's mind can't be completely seamless... can it?" Zaer turned his head back to the light elf, seeking confirmation or rejection of his idea and assumption. <br><br>Before she is able to give a response, the doors of the chamber are flung open. Zaer whips around, hands on his blades to draw them if necessary. Instead, his eyes go wide. "Lin...?" he mutters, before he finds himself in a warm, familiar embrace. Nezca's smile returns, and he chuckles at the sight of his brother flustered by the display of affection by the beautiful young lady. Zaer gives his brother a glare before looking down to meet the woman's gaze. "Wow... it's...uh... good to see you again..." he mumbles, as he feels her lips on his cheek. He let's out a surprised grunt when she suddenly kisses him full on the lips. <br><br>By the time the kiss was over, Ayesha was already gone. The fire elf's cheeks flushed red from embarrassment, knowing that Ayesha had had to watch all of that. While this had all been going on, the chief's gaze flickered from the retreating light elf to his dear brother. Sure, the scene had become quite awkward, but enough to warrant leaving? Perhaps there was more going on between those two than he had first thought...<br><br>"Well," Nezca said, catching Zaer's attention. "I imagine that you're quite tired from your journey. Your room has been kept prepared in case you did eventually turn up one day, so you can go ahead and rest there. I'll call the council together, and tomorrow we'll begin to plan for what lies ahead. And don't worry about Ayesha, the guards will keep an eye on her and keep her from getting into any trouble." <br><br>"Thank you, brother." Zaer wasn't keen on the idea of her wandering through the city alone. But he hoped that since she had arrived with him that the fire clan members wouldn't bother her. Letting out a slight yawn, he began to turn to head out to his room, when he was reminded of Lin being wrapped around him, as though afraid he was going to disappear if she should let go. "Uh, Lin... are going to at least allow me to walk, or are you going to make me pick you up and carry you?" he asked in a joking manner. 
			</dd>
		</dl>
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