Hunted Down (Reign and Fragile Dreams)
<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Human Solos =&gt; Topic started by: Fragile Dreams on 07-03-2009, 19:04:16</h2>
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				Title: <strong>Hunted Down (Reign and Fragile Dreams)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Fragile Dreams</strong> on <strong>07-03-2009, 19:04:16</strong>
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				Pain... Headache... Suffer... Agony... "Wh-where am i?" Cold... Moist... Silence... And the sound of a cool breeze touching the grass. "Aaaarrghhhh, my head....hurts." Umbra woke up but his eyes were not open. He tried to open them but the pain didn't let him. His lips were wet, with a thick, salty fluid, tasting like iron. "What is going on? What is happening to me?" asked himself as he tried to move his legs but something was pressing on them.<br><br>Suddenly a flashback memory blinded his mind, a memory of a hooded man attacking, the only thing he got to see was a swing of a sword and blood scattered. "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa nooooooooooo!!!!" he screamed as the headache was much similar as a hammer pounding on an acron. But at least he could open his eyes now, still unable to see with his special sight. First thing he did was touch his lips, to see what was he tasting all this time. "Blood?" whispered, "My blood?". The answer came quickly to him as he senced his legs and realised two bodies covering them. With a small effort but surprised by his own strength, he pushed them off and stood up, his blindsight fully functional now as he was looking at his hands. "WoW. Did i do that?"<br><br>Then he looked around, where he was standing, his surroundings. And for sure, he didn't like what he saw. He was stanging among dead bodies, all male, about 20 of them,swimming in their own blood and he didn't have not a single scratch. The bodies where sliced, some without arms, some without legs but all of them without...head. Propably by the two swords he found laying next to him. Did he do that? Did he killed all those men? Why? But the question, that made his head really hurt was one..."Who am i?"
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				Title: <strong>Re: Hunted Down (Reign and Fragile Dreams)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Skye</strong> on <strong>07-03-2009, 20:56:33</strong>
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				Acacia and Elden grew up in the houses right next to each other. Childhood friends turned into a tracking partners. Later, when they were of age, it would be bounty hunters. The two were insuperable. They spent days on end away from home, taking jobs for the Grand Marshall. It was a dirty job, but they were good at what they did.<br><br>The sun was still high when Acacia arrived at the pub to meet Elden, her newly betrothed. He had sent word about a new bounty assignment only a week ago. It took a while to get away from her brooding mother. But she had arrived, and that was what mattered. She heard the rumor of the dark elf turned traitor. The story was growing more elaborate. Sounding like a ridiculous fable with the way the villagers made up stories about sightings. It was shameful on their part to spread more worry. The "hit's" name was already widely known. It brought about a silent disturbance. Everyone shut themselves into their houses and peered out their windows. Strangers were seldom welcomed anymore. Umbra was the cause of it all. Acacia had heard the stories regarding the fatality. She usually kept a relatively neutral stance. That was, until a few hours ago.<br><br>Her fiance was not in the pub, where he promised to be. But left to venture to a battlefield only miles away. According to the Marshall, Elden interceded in some ambush. Was he still alive? Did he find Umbra? Elden had never gone on a hunt alone, without her. Suddenly the world began to swirl around Acacia. Sounds and movements began heighten. Her senses going into hunting mode, in the wrong place. With a shaky hand, she grabbed the money from the Marshall. Promising she would come back with both men. One of them dead, hopefully not the one she loved.<br><br>Now, it turned into a vendetta. She vowed to be thee one to get Umbra's head on his family's mantle. Even if she had to die trying. She already prepared herself for the worst. Thinking that there was nothing to live for now. She concluded Elden's fate without truly knowing. She left the pub with shaky hands. Her weapons mounted close to her body. Riding out with the dark night at her back. The wind recklessly whipping her hair against her. Still, she unremittingly rode on.<br><br>The field that the Marshall spoke of, Acacia knew well. It was a fine place for a battle. She thought it would be a shame if Umbra were already dead at someone else's hand. Yet how good it would be to see the face of her beloved's killer, if indeed he had killed Elden. What hand would fate deal her? <br><br><div align="center">(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k319/pineapplegirl81/dark_elf.png)</div>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Hunted Down (Reign and Fragile Dreams)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Fragile Dreams</strong> on <strong>07-03-2009, 21:47:49</strong>
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				Umbra picked up the swords that looked familiar in his hands, almost like extensions of his arms. He didn't know what happen in that field and surely he wasn't curious to know. His head was still aching and his memories were short, only when he grasped the first sword a memory of a female dark elf, engulfed in flames burnt his mind. He sheathed the swords on his belt and looked around, the stench of death was filling his nostrills. "Who are these people, why are they dead and not me?" he thought to himself.<br><br>Walking around the field he tried to gather as much information as he could from the corpses, "Sallan Stermlight, commander of the first regiment, DC. Kromel Stoutshield, sergeant of the royal kingdom. Elden Shadowblade, royal bounty hunter." Umbra was thinking of their names, as he picked up his parchments and clothes. Gathering their bodies in a pile before digging holes on the grounds for them.<br><br>He didn't know if he slaughtered them or not, but he ought to give them a proper bural, if not for them but for the stench before decay spread around. His pure white eyes have completely adjusted with the surrounding and his special vision was back to the blind Dark Elf. Using a large stone he digged 20 holes, man sized and placed the bodies in each of them, picking any cut parts figuring what goes where and to who. When he was done, he got up and dusted himself off, not quite sure where to head but it wasn't good to stay there.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Hunted Down (Reign and Fragile Dreams)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Skye</strong> on <strong>08-03-2009, 00:04:46</strong>
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				She was pushing her horse, Ilrune to his limit. The creature's breathing becoming erratic as she spurred him onward. But she wouldn't stop, not even if a storm were coming her way. The speed and the cold air burned her nostrils. She encountered so many different scents as she flew through the land. <br><br>Burning wood turned into a rich stew. Wet grass turned into a stench that Acacia was all too familiar. She yanked the reins of her horse. "We're going the wrong way." She steered Ilrune into a sharp left. Forcing him to gallop twice as fast, as Acacia dug every limb of hers into the beasts body. <br><br>As soon as she shot out of the clearing and into the field the horse lifted his upper half. Nearly tossing Acacia off his back. Her grip on the reins tightened until the horse was done trying to buck her. She jumped off as soon as a chance presented itself. Patting his side firmly. Trying to calm him. She undid one of the saddlebags. Showering his horse feed over a healthy patch of grass. She whispered in his perched ears, "You did good Ilrune. Very good." Caressing his fur one last time before heading closer on foot. <br><br>She crouched low, behind some of the brush. Unsheathing an eight inch blade from her leg holster. From where she stood, Acacia could barely see anything. No movement upon the field was a bad sign. <em>'Find Elden...then Umbra.'</em> She closed her eyes to let her senses get used to these unpredictable surroundings around her. The quietness of the area made her stomach do turns. The deep inhales were cut off by the smell of coagulated blood. If she were a weaker vessel, she would have let dinner spew out on the grass beneath her. She chocked down the couching sensations that now burned her throat. <br><br><em>'One...two...tree.'</em> In one swift move she stood from her crouch. Her left hand pulling out her sword, <em>Selakiir</em>. The heavy weapon glinted off anything giving off light as she ran toward the 'said' battlefield. A wave of defeat plagued her at the sight of it. She lost her breath. Her head shaking in semi panic. <em>"God no."</em> How would she find Elden? How could she be sure he was among the scattered mounds of dirt? "NO!" She didn't come all that way to be left in the dark. Answers, that's what she wanted. <br><br>Now raving, Acacia paced back and forth stopping in the middle and digging up the grave nearest her. Her cheeks wet with tears, the rest of her slowly being covered my the soft dirt. It wasn't him. <em>'There are so many.'</em> She slumped to the next grave. Forcing the dirt off the next mound. She shook her head. Assuring herself that she was lucky. Two out of twenty. Maybe he wasn't here at all. <em>Maybe...</em><br><br>Out of the side of her eye, far off on the other end of the field, something sparkled. As if it were calling her over. She warily dredged through the wreckage. Her footsteps were hesitant, until she let herself accept what it was she was looking at. <em>Seladiir</em>, the matching sword to her <em>Selakiir</em>. Acacia sheathed her sword back into it's holster (between her shoulder blades) and sprinted six more feet. Digging with everything she had in her. Until she found her Elden. "What!?" When her hands reached the body, it was no one she recognized. It made her angrier, for making her worry. Her dirty forearms swept the tears off her cheeks. "Where are you?" She got up and circled the area. Picking up her dagger in her right hand. Wielding her sword in the left hand. <br><br>She didn't know what happened to Elden, but he was not in the grave marked for him. Someone was playing a sick joke. For a moment, Acacia pondered digging up a few more graves. But she was wasting precious time now. Who knew how far Umbra had gotten. She shook off the crazed emotions that had enthralled her, just to track. Her crouch was scrutinizing. Where the dirt was not turned over, she made out blood spatter. She saw shoe prints. They were leading away from the scene! <br><br>Looking back, Acacia thought to call her horse over. But she had already spent his energy to it's limit. It was unfair of her to ask him to keep going, for a cause he didn't understand. By the evidence before her, she estimated that going on foot would be the for the best. Cautiously following the footprints of the assailant. But something tugged at her again. Intuition that she needed compensation for. "One more." It was hard to swallow. But she had to do it. It was the grave next to Elden's sword that she eyed measurably.&nbsp; &nbsp;<br><br>Her lips quivered as she dug slower this time. In the grave that was the next closest to Seladiir. Her knuckles were raw by now. Her fingers getting numb. A she huffed out the last of of energy, she talked to the grave. "It's you...isn't it?" She nodded, speaking to the dirt mound once again. "Every time we did a job, and I second guess our steps...we found the answer. So..." She kept digging. Being careful not to look at the face, until she had dug the torso free as well. Tears rolling furiously down her face now. <br><br><em>His</em> armor. <em>His</em> regiment patches. Recognizing <em>his</em> hands, Acacia broke down in loud sobs. Finally looking at the lifeless face of her friend and beloved. "I'm so <strong>angry</strong> at you! You were supposed to <em>wait</em> for me." She beat his chest once with her fist. "Why didn't you <em>just</em> wait for me?" She lifted Elden's from the shallow grave. To rest on her knees. Her shouting turning into defeated whispers. You're so stubborn."Her thumb roving over his cold lips. "You <em>promised</em>." Her forehead rested on his. When he did not reciprocate her touch, Acacia let out an agonizing cry to the heaven. To fall over her beloved's body. Unsure if she could ever leave his side. <br><br><br><div align="center">(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k319/pineapplegirl81/dark_elf.png)</div>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Hunted Down (Reign and Fragile Dreams)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Fragile Dreams</strong> on <strong>08-03-2009, 16:58:45</strong>
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				Umbra's legs felt heavy, tired even when he was passed out for how long he didn't know how much. His mouth was dry, still having the taste of the blood of others, making thow up every second that passed. He knew that if they found the bodies they would look for them but his mind was too confused even to remember what really happen back then. Not that it would matter in any case, but at least he would have something claim his innosence of guilt. If it was in his hand he would turn the time back and witness the scene if not preventing the deaths of all those people.<br><br>He wasn't sure how long he was walking but the sun was almost ready to set, his white eyes were adjusting to the upcoming darkness much quicker than anyother, after all he was blind and with his special aura vision he could "see" like a normal person. The cold of the night would reached into his bones, so he should find a place to spend the night. His leather armor was dirty and ripped, sticking on his body as a second skin, but it was the only thing that gave him some warmth.<br><br><br>What he could remember was the days back in his homeland, the days at the warrior school where he was the best swordsman of his race, unmatched in two weapon fighting. His fellow students looked up to him with awe and admiration. It didn't take much to become the first of all, even from his teachers and get in the Dark Elf army. So far, those were his only memories, the only things he could remember after that tragic evening that couldn't set his mind at.<br><br>Finally he found a small cave, similar to the one he found when he first stepped on the surface world and made it a temporary home. He crawled himself inside the hole and passed his cape around him to warm himself up. As the night was passing, the cold made him panting, shaking and his teeth startlled, unable to sleep from the pain on his skeleton. With minutes that seemed like hours and hours that seemed like days, he prayed to any god that listen for that to end fast, either to die or to survive.<br><br>When the morning came, he quickly dragged himself out and looked around to see the sun coming up from the east.He dusted off himself and kept moving towards nowhere...
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				Title: <strong>Re: Hunted Down (Reign and Fragile Dreams)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Skye</strong> on <strong>09-03-2009, 04:06:11</strong>
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				It was Ilrune's constant whinnying that brought Acacia's head upright. He trotted around near her. Tossing his head. As if to tell her to hurry. He had broken the daze she had been stuck in. Known not that the sun had brought <em>her</em> another day. She didn't care. Her knees ached from the Earth under her. Elden's dead weight was crushing her. She had spent the night like a statue. Holding her fiance's head in her lap. Her swollen eyes still in disbelief at the harsh reality of what lay before her. <br><br>She sat still. Brushing her finger's through her beloved's long dark hair. Now filthy with dirt. As she shifted her weight and move to her sit bones, his lids fell open. His rich brown eyes no longer sparkled. It was hard to look at. But she made no attempts to close them just yet. Her lips pursed together. Trying to fight the quivering. A layer of water blurring her vision. She cupped his chin. Speaking softly, as if to a child. "I have to go now." He said nothing back. Her sobs made her wretch over once again. "I love you. I'll <em>always</em> love you." She gave him one last kiss. Getting choked up at how cold to the touch he was. <br><br>Then with great effort, Acacia stood and dragged the corpse back into the shallow grave. Settling it down as gingerly as possible. Closing his eyes. She had to yank her hands from under his body. The dirt and gravel all settling into her raw wounds. Burying him wasn't as hard as she thought it would be. It was the <em>knowing</em> that gave her some closure. When she had patted the soil down, flatter than the others, she unearth Seladiir. Placing it at the <em>correct</em> grave. She used her own sword like a hammer. Forging the sword deep into the ground, so that she could find his again. And that no other would be able to use Seladiir. <br><br>Her head rotated, to view the surroundings. Behind her, there were <em>those</em> footprints. The ones she found from the previous night. The only joy daylight brought her now was the clear path that would lead her to her beloved's killer. <br>The anger still hadn't taken her over. She was too numb inside. Empty. <br><br>Ilrune snorted through his nose to get Acacia's attention. He was probably far too tired to be ridden, still. "I know." She pet his snout. "You must be thirsty." She let out a heavy exhale. Refusing to look back. With daylight on their side, she would be able to find Umbra. She grabbed Ilrune's reins. Pushing forward, in the direction of the footprints. Hoping to find a stream or brook along the way.<br><br><br><div align="center">(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k319/pineapplegirl81/dark_elf.png)</div>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Hunted Down (Reign and Fragile Dreams)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Fragile Dreams</strong> on <strong>09-03-2009, 14:57:49</strong>
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				The chill breeze of the morning was making his silver hair wave slight back as he walked like a lifeless zombie, mindless towards nowhere. The sun wasn't bothering much, but he managed to cover his head with the hood of his cloak, mostly not to scare any travelers. More memories of his life brought back in his mind, as he hand plenty of time to work his mind on his life.<br><br>He remembered himself leading the scout team of his homeland, searching at the caves around the city for potential threats and slaves. He remembered his mother, Matron Cera, how much he loved her, even when she treated him badly, but he knew she did it because that was the way of the Dark Elf community.<br><br>His mind was set on a dark chamber, tall and wide with a big throne in the middle. His mother was sitting on that throne, strong and powerfull, seducing and enchanting. Around her his seven sisters, chanting a tune in a single voice, moving their hands forming runes on the air. Behind them his 6 brothers, standing at the spaces the females left but three steps behind, holding their swords unseathed. He was the seventh son but first guardian of Matron Cera, standing accross her throne, behind his sisters.<br><br>The chanting became louder, the females almost yelling the spells, when a bright light covered Cera, but not a light that could make them blind, but a pure light surprisingly fitting into their eyes. He remembered the door breaking open, huge elementals bursting in and going straight to his brothers and sisters. Slaughter, massacre, no spell could do anything towards those elementals and the one who could banish them back in theyr plane, Cera was in Exstacy from the spell.<br><br>Then he saw his face, the traitor, his own father, grand-master of the Sorcery school, adept in summoning magic. Now taking his revenge for all those years of slavery in that matriarchic community. He despised his father most of all, hating him for all that corrupted magic he was doing and he wouldn't have any problem to pierce him with his swords. Now was the time for Shaggrath, that was his name back then, to protect his mother<br><br>He ran towards him with swords&nbsp; out and ready to kill, when he saw the traitor casting a spell to attack the ecstatic mother. He yelled at him to break his consentration but effortless, the spell was almost about ready. White flames&nbsp; came out of the mage's hands, forming a white fireball in front of him just when Shaggrath was about to leap towards him. At the time he released the fireball, it passed right in front of Shaggrath's eyes, burning them and scoarching them but at least he managed to thrusts his swords in the traitor's neck, all the way to the grip. Too late though, the fireball burst on Cera's body, engulfing in white flames, burning the living out of her.<br><br>The smell of her burning body was still fresh in his nose, the reason he was exiled from his homeland. No one believed him and he sweared revenged to his own family for hunting him, thinking that he was to blame for the Matron's death. One day, he would slay them all.<br><br>The urge of his memories was suddenly stopped by a screetch that came from a hawk that flew above him. He saw that hawk several times as he walked but he didn't gave much attention, but the persistance of the aviator to follow him, made him wondering. The course of the hawk was kinda like it was leading him somewhere, or it was just his imagination. Umbra desided to follow the hawk, after all he didn't know where else to go.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Hunted Down (Reign and Fragile Dreams)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Skye</strong> on <strong>10-03-2009, 09:20:27</strong>
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				The Mithral elf was far from Sildëyuir, but not unfamiliar to her surroundings. The forest was like many she had ventured before. Animals scuttled through the brush. Crunching the dry leaves and twigs on the floor. Every shrub that the wind blew and every movement thereafter, Acacia noticed. Aside from the pungent odor of her horse and the new scent she donned of sweat and dirt, the fragrance of mulch and herbs filled the space around them. Leaving little or no smells of any intelligent beings present, as of yet. Being a ranger, Acacia took everything in with a grain of salt. The mind could play tricks on one traveling alone. All that she heard, saw and inhaled she deciphered separately. For if one sense failed the ranger, it could lead the other senses into peril. <br><br>If one knew where to look, there were only few places a fugitive could hide. Just for today, Acacia was going to avoid such places. Her agenda at present was to get her horse water, herself food, and find a place to rest. Her head tenaciously pounded as they walked along. She felt like one of the undead, traveling rashly towards an unreachable goal. Perhaps tomorrow would be more promising. <br><br>As she walked her horse down the way, Acacia tried her hardest not to think about the fact that if she made it through all of this, alive, she would still feel dead inside. What was there to live for now? Her thoughts were dismal, and quickly sucking the energy from her. Her hunger pangs took a back seat to her sleep deprivation. Not hard to find with it's abundance were thickets of a bushes and trees in canopy formations. Acacia lead them off the road. Deeper into the forest. She found a copse that looked as inviting as any bed at that moment. Securing Ilrune to a tree close by. It was luckily near a water puddle. If all was well, the creature would be able to gain at least some sustenance from it. For herself, Acacia fashioned a bed of ferns and bushes under a stout bush. Where she blacked out instantaneously. Hoping her worries would not follow her into dreams. <br><br><div align="center">(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k319/pineapplegirl81/dark_elf.png)</div>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Hunted Down (Reign and Fragile Dreams)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Fragile Dreams</strong> on <strong>11-03-2009, 01:00:56</strong>
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				The hawk kept flying above Umbra, like it was leading him somewhere, for the last hour. There were times he wished he was like that hawk, free and able to fly, it would solve a lot of his problems, especialy the one called amnesia, temporarily unable to remember why he woke up among dead men. As much as he banged his head to remember, nothing could make clear about what happen.<br><br>Passing a narrow passage between two mountains the hawk stop flying over the top of the passage. Curious of the behaviour, Umbra followed and stopped beneath it, looking over the valley to witness something he would never believe he would see in his life. An Orc camp, settled on the foothills, smoke raising from the bonfires, hundreds of them moving around the settlement. Umbra recognised them since they had Orc slaves in his homeland.<br><br>He hated Orcs, filthy and brutal, not even fit to walk under the sun. His hands instantly moved on his swords as his teeth grind on eachother. He released a growl but when he calculated his position and how outnumbered he was, he stepped back. After all he had bigger problems to think about, like where to go.<br><br>He turned his back at the camp and moved at that narrow passage again,&nbsp; looking up to find the hawk. But nowhere could be found, he had to figure out his route but as the day seemed to end he thought it would be better if he camp somewhere. The answer came from a larger cave from the one he slept the night before, appeared not too far from him.<br><br>As he entered the cave the cold was not like the other night, the cave was warmer and seemed that someone was there before him, judging from the burnt wood on the center. Looking around he was lucky to find some dry wood, like they were waiting for him. Quickly he set up a fire and took of his cloak, waiting the night pass, trying to remember as much as possible about his life untill he woke up on that field of death.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Hunted Down (Reign and Fragile Dreams)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Skye</strong> on <strong>14-03-2009, 14:37:33</strong>
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				It had been ages since Acacia withdrew from wearing the light upon her crown. A bearing of the Star elves that they'd never go without. She and her Ar'Tel'Quessir remained evenhanded towards each others' backgrounds. There were no need for such brands. So long as they had each other. Even now with his death, Acacia would still rather uphold their pact than go back to wearing an insignia of her people. <br><br>Still, there were somethings she could <em>never</em> relinquish so easily. Not a soul outside of her family knew of it. But it was there, dormant and untamed. Magic&nbsp; that scored obscurely through her veins. It was every Rayneblade's birth right. But Acacia refused the schooling for the onerous bestowal. Fearing she would go sour like her great grandfather, who was an Archmage with an insatiable thirst for power. <br><br>In her resignation of power, Acacia was sent away. If she would not become a mage, she would serve the family in other forms. They concluded that she be a ranger. Killing two birds with one stone. On the one hand they would never have to see her too often. A memory of the greatness that could have been. On the other hand, having the victories of the hunt for the Rayneblade name was an unsound blessing. All of these memories swirled in Acacia's mind as she lay with her eyes shut.<br><br>She was not actually asleep, by human standards. Through her reverie, Acacia gained the sustenance to go onward. By the time she was revitalized, it was nightfall of the next day. How she loved the twilight. The blanket of darkness held a stillness that she needed right now. It gave her a tranquility that the day could not. She loved how the stars radiated in their brilliant way. The very moonlight gave off it's gentle light for her. Being a guide to her extant quest. <br><br>As she and Ilrune made their way out of the brush, Acacia felt wary about taking him along for the journey. What she was pursuing could very well be the last quest of her life. It wouldn't have been fair to leave the creature alone in some strange place. She cared for him far too much to allow such a thing. She lead them back into the brush. The horse complained with huffs. "We can't walk around in the night effortlessly. Can we?" <br>She clicked her tongue at the horse, before settling on a soft patch of grass.<br><br>The horse whinnied as he saw Acacia pulling a glass bottle out of her garment pouch. "Quiet you. Or you'll scare her." She uncorked the bottle. A plum of smoke arose from the vessel in a eerie violet hue. It fluidly shaped itself into a female form no bigger than Acacia's palm. <br>"Acacia, daughter of Amandil of Sildëyuir. Why have you summoned me?" The voice was haunting as the wisp spoke. It was a thousand voices in chorus, emulating from a tiny spirit. <br><br>"I seek a village, one not far from here. It-" "You know very well that I cannot aide you. Such a request could change the course of fate." Acacia shook her head. "It isn't what you think." She gazed at Ilrune for a second. Heavyhearted that it had to come to this. "I only want to save him from abandonment, Neril. If I can find a village, and a person that will care for him as I have-" "Always so swift to draw up your demise." The wisp now shook <em>her</em> head. Her face saddened. It did not move Acacia to change her mind. Instead, she sat quietly, waiting for the wisp to acknowledge her tiny request. "As long as it is of no benefit to direct you in a siege...then yes. I will help you find sanctuary for the animal." "Thank you Neril. That's all I ask." <br><br>"Away with you then." The wisp's playful side came out unexpectedly. Acacia watched as the wisp sprinted through the air, shooting out of the brush. "Thanks for the warning!" She grinned. Jumping on Ilrune's back and galloping to catch up with the spirit. Not knowing what place she would lead them to.<br><br><div align="center">(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k319/pineapplegirl81/dark_elf.png)</div>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Hunted Down (Reign and Fragile Dreams)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Fragile Dreams</strong> on <strong>14-03-2009, 16:34:16</strong>
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				<em>"Again!"</em><br>The teachers voice echoed in the large round room, which was made for duels and training. Weapon racks at the sides, against the wall, trophies and armors, hanging from the stands, giving a spectacular picture. In the center of the room, Zeittgeist Grende, famous master of weapons between dark elves, teacher of warriors and rogues inside the community. His legend was surpassed only by the splendid technique on weapons. In front of Zeittgeist, Shaggrath kneeling on the floor and his blades, two common short swords then, laying on the marbled floor in front of him.<br><br>Shaggrath growled and sighed in disappointment for himself, <em>"I'm as fast as you, why i can't cut through your defences."</em> the student asked, picking the swords as he was standing back up. His younger face was not so grim back then, his white hair was shorter, shoulder lengthed, his iris pitch black, looking towards the teacher. <em>"You may be as fast as i am, Shaggrath. But as long as you don't use your mind in synchronisation with your attacks, you will never break my defences. Remember, i am one step ahead of you, i know what you are going to do, before you even think about it."</em><br><br><em>Attack me!</em><br><br>With the command of his teacher, Shaggrath gribbed his swords tighter, lowering his body in battle stance, bringing his left hand forward as he held his right up at the height of his face. Grinding his teeth, he swang his right sword towards his enemy, only to cut through thin air, as his other hand thrusted the other sword to Zeittgeist. The attacked was parried easily, with a small step back from the teacher as he clanged the incoming blade away from him. Shaggrath didn't stop attacking his teacher, everytime with harder attacks but his swords were stopped by the blades of the master of swords.<br><br>A whole hour passed and Shaggrath was attacking Zeittgeist without showing any sign of exhaustion, but Zeittgeist didn't seem tired at all, defending the hard attacks of his best student. It was the time, when Shaggrath thursted his left sword but before Zeittgeist stop it with his blade, he withdrew it, making a pirouette around himself, almost like dancing, to bring his both blades to the neck of his master, only a twitch of his finger could slice that thin throat. Shaggrath was breathing fast and heavily, staring into his teacher's eyes furiously but with satisfaction as well. His only reward, was only a grin from his master, <em>"It took you an hour to understand what i mean but i hope you understand now."</em><br><br>Shaggrath nodded, pulling his swords and placing them back their holdsters. <em>"I understand master, next time our lesson will be different."</em> Bowing deeply to show the proper respect, he moved a step back and then he reached out his hand in a friendly handshake. Gladly Zeittgeist accepted his hand and shaked it, with wide smile in his face, <em>"You are not like other Dark Elves Shaggrath. You are not cruel or cold-hearted and for this you might get in trouble."</em> both of them headed towards the exit, in pleasant mood, <em>"It haven't got you in trouble so far, master."</em> the student said, joking to his famour teacher.<br><br>The smell of the burning wood, woke Umbra from his sleep, his pure white eyes still heavy from the sleep he haven't taste after two nights. The dream he just had was still clear in his mind, he remembered Zeittgeist, his master. The times he spent with him, learning how to fight, but their conversations about the society of the Dark Elves and the surface people. Zeittgeist was a key element in Umbra's life, although his end was still cutting his heart, with sorrow and pain.<br><br>Standing up, he looked around if he forgot something, before heading out of the cave. The weather was getting colder, dark clouds were coming to cover the blue sky and wind was blowing rather hard in the narrow passage he was resting. Propably a storm will break out soon. At his right, above the mountain tops, he could see smoke, just from the opposite side where the orc camp was. With a look up in the sky to see if the hawk was still flying above him, he desided to head towards the smoke, hoping he could find something to eat and rest in a warm room.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Hunted Down (Reign and Fragile Dreams)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Skye</strong> on <strong>14-03-2009, 18:18:43</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				The wisp was lissome, but going far too quick for them to catch up. The spirit had her moments of kindness. Where she'd slow down to yawn, or fly back just to taunt them. The ride itself was a pure adrenaline rush. Yet, Ilrune's gallops were melodic to Acacia. It told her 'We're going fast, and I'm still alive.' That was a marvelous feeling. Hand in hand they were both a release of all of Acacia's worries. A pass time she would extremely miss. Just when her thoughts regressed, to dwell on all that she would lose in this quest, something crucial stopped her in her tracks. Her stomach rumbling. <br><br>"Neril!" Acacia shouted out, knowing not if the wisp would care to gander. "I hope you're leading us to a place where food isn't scarce. Ilrune can eat a whole day's feed if you let him." Her hair whipped against her back as she continued in pursuit of her wisp. The earth flying everywhere at the beating of Ilrune's hooves. Acacia blocked everything out of her mind to listen for something. It never came. "Did she leave us?" Acacia absurdly asked her horse. <br><br>They weaved and swerved in and out of trees. The horse and the rider complimenting one an others movements. It was a unparalleled bond with a nonhuman creature that Acacia had with her horse. Nothing evil came out of the relationship. They both gave back to the other, when they could. Acacia would joke that if Ilrune were a humanoid creature, he would have won her away from Elden. The memory brought a smile back to Acacia's face. <br><br>A fleeting emotion, she found, that happiness was. For Neril's flight slowed. Then when she neared, the wisp made a 'hushing' noise. Holding her smoky violet, finger up to her nonexistent lips. Acacia pulled the reins and Ilrune slowed their gallop to a canter. They had reached the village faster than Acacia would have liked. She tried to hide her discomfort. After all, it was the wisp doing <em>her</em> a favor. "There. I've done as you asked. Now my payment. It's but a small price." The holes Neril had in substitution for eyes made Acacia wince. Even though she was looking into a void, the mischievous wiles came out loud and clear. <br><br>"Remember our contract, Neril. Nothing in the way of harm and/<em>or</em> foul." "I have shed those ways...for now. I only ask that you let me play tonight. And on my life, I will return to you before dusk." "Before dusk of the next day-you mean?" Acacia wagged a finger at the sneaky wisp. She grinned wildly at Acacia.<br>"You're getting clever, girl. Very, very clever." Neril bowed as low as a floating spirit could, without tumbling. "I shall be back before sunset tomorrow then." <br><br>"Be good!" Acacia waved the wisp off. Shaking her head. She dismounted from Ilrune. Tending to him casually. Acacia was good at sensing approaches behind and around her. From seeing the town lit and no one walking the street, she thought she had nothing to worry about "Before I forget..." Acacia's spine went rigid, and she inhaled a gasp of air. Not expecting the playful spirit to do that. The wisp laughed heartily. Pointing and hooting. Acacia puffed a deep breath at the wisp, sending her tumbling a few paces. "You're no fun." I'm not here to have fun." Acacia barked shortly. <br><br>"Well, I was going to share a helpful hint with you, but now I feel disinclined." The wisps eyes went wicked. Acacia was however, unwavering in her seriousness. "Don't let my disinterest stop you. <em>Really.</em>" She narrowed her eyes at the mischievous wisp. Causing a little static electricity in the air. "I was going to tell you which house Ilrune's new owner would be in. But-oh well." Neril waved her hand, as if throwing something away. "That is a direct violation of the wisp code. And <em>I</em> can revoke your payment." The wisp gasped in fury. Acacia smiled widely at the spirit. "<em>But,</em> I'm not as cruel as some." Neril exhibited a gesture of gratitude. Grabbing Acacia's pinky finger, and kissing it in obeisance. <br><br>Acacia rolled her eyes and shooed the wisp away. "I know I'll regret this later." Although she joked, it was true. Wisps were a nefarious and capricious bunch. So unpredictable that they were banned in some lands. Yet, with those words of approval, Neril was zooming back into the forest before Acacia could change her mind. <br><br>There was a pub in eye shot. To Acacia's delight, it was equip with a post for Ilrune. They took long strides to get there. From outside Acacia could hear merriment. Chattering and laughing, the things normal folks did. She hoped that someone in there was fit for Ilrune. And that their kind voices reflected their true metal. Heaven forbid she find a tyrant master for her cherished horse. <br><br>She knew she would never entered unnoticed. It was a human town, she would expect nothing less. So long as they kept their place. It took three steps in until the place went quiet. She reckoned that it was mostly due to her rank smell, and her dirt covered skin. So, she made light of it. "So I like to play in mud." She shrugged and smiled. Almost everyone went on with what they were doing previously. <br><br>"My dear girl! Look at you." An older woman behind the counter cooed. "We have rooms upstairs...let me show you to one. Tsk tsk tsk." The surprise on Acacia's face was obvious. So much so that the man behind the counter shot back, "She mother's everybody. You'll be no exception." His words were a little muffle due to the pipe in his mouth. But Acacia deciphered it fine. She could only nod, as she was being shoved up the stairs against her will, by the woman. "But my horse is outsi-" "Don't worry dear...we'll get someone to tend to him too." The old woman motioned for her husband to get to the horse tending. He sent their son instead.<br><br>"I'll draw a bath for you darling. You'll feel better in no time." The truth was, Acacia was planning on bathing in the nearest pond or waterfall she could find. But an actual bath would do. She followed the woman into a quaint room, on the third floor. Shadows danced against the walls from the flicker of candlelight. The bed looked warm and inviting in it's cozy corner. It even had a window, not far from the bed, so she could see Ilrune. "This is better than what I expected. Maybe even too much."<br><br>"Oh nonsense. We take care of our own in these parts." At that comment, Acacia went yellow. A few young girls came in with large pitchers of water. They and the old woman filled a large basin up with the boiling water. "I appreciate your kindness." She said to them hesitantly. Wondering how they would react after the mud was off. Seeing that she was clearing not human. Would they have been so kind? She tried not dwelling on that, among other things tonight. One more day, and she would be fully equip for the hunt. <br><br>Acacia staged a dramatic yawn. "Oh, you poor dear. I'll have one of the girls bring up dinner. You're not fit to be bombarded by those hooligans downstairs. At least not in <em>this</em> state." Acacia smile graciously. Nodding with an innocence she truly did not <em>fully</em> possess. "That would be wonderful. I couldn't tell you how embarrassing my table manners have diluted since being on the road." Small talk, sweetness, she didn't like doing it. But she had to. <br><br>After a few more doting remarks the woman was finally gone. In the middle of undressing, Acacia paused. Hurrying to the door, she used every lock the door offered. Thinking twice about the woman's unearthly kindness. "She probably has a ton of sons." Acacia peeled off the last bit of clothing. Submerging herself in the scorching hot water. She dipped her whole self under for as long as she could hold her breath. Letting out a muffled scream under water. When she came up, Acacia felt a little better. She rested the back of her neck against the basins edge. Closing her eyes, and just letting the heat relax her muscles. She was going to be there for a while.<br><br><br><div align="center">(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k319/pineapplegirl81/dark_elf.png)</div><br>&nbsp;<br><br><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Hunted Down (Reign and Fragile Dreams)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Fragile Dreams</strong> on <strong>14-03-2009, 23:22:43</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				The mountain passage was narrow, cold and very high above the ground. From the very start of that passage, the snow made it slippery and very hard do cross but it was Umbra's only hope to go somewhere with a bit more cilivisation. The hawk reappeared a while late, above him, although it was pointing to another direction. Refusing this time to follow his fellow traveler, Umbra desided to climb up that passage. As he was getting higher and higher, the snowfall became wilder, harsh like it was piercing through his pitch black skin. Hugging again his own self, wrapping himself with his cloak, he bowed his head and continued through the mountains.<br><br>Like minutes that felt like hours, like hours that felt like days, he kept walking,determined untill he reach the peak of the mountain passage, hoping that descending from the other side, would be much easier. It was not far from the top&nbsp; where the passage became almost vertical, cutting the way for the Dark Elf, who felt his hopes giving up on him. Reaching his left hand up on the rocky surface, he didn't feel anything but snow, falling from his touch down on his face. Giving another try, leaping towards the ledge, he grabbed the edge, although slipping his feet from the ground. With flexes and agility, he managed to grab with the other hand from the top and climp on that narrow part.<br><br>Reaching finaly to the highest position of the mountain, his hopes returned, when he saw that the other side was like it never seen a snow before, like the spring has just started. Releasing a sigh of satisfaction, he started descending, noticing the nearby town who was not too far from the foothills. He was having some back thoughts in his mind, about how people would respond to him, if they saw his face. Yet he hoped they didn't know about villains and criminals.<br><br>As he entered the town the first thing he saw was the inn, a perfect place for him to rest and take a bath. Walking closer, he noticed a beautifull horse, standing on the posts waiting for it's master. Umbra loved horses, unlike any other dark elf and all the horses were like they were sharing this empathy. Covering his face with the hood of his cloak, he got near the horse and patted his side, sliding his fingers through the hair of the beautifull white animal.<br><br>With a light smile on his face, he enter the tavern, feeling everybodies eyes on him. The silence and the staring looks gave up that he was a total stranger, although the fear of that silence could come from a post they saw about him, still lingered inside. Untill a woman approached the Dark Elf.<br><br>"Oh poor boy, come 'ere you. You must be freezing to death." And it was the truth, judging by the snow on his shoulders and the ice that hanged from his long white hair, he was really cold. "Come, come... we'll get you in a room right away. I wonder why all people start traveling this way with such cold." She said as she took the dark elf from the hand and lead it towards the stairs. Surprised, Umbra looked around through his hood, everybody were ready to grab their swords and attack him, but they didn't seem to know anything about his past. "Seems that the roads are busy around here," A man said, returning to his drinks and his mates.<br><br>"I don't know why you are wearing that hood in front of yer pretty face, maybe to hide from the pretty girls, aren't ya?" she stated and smiled pretty loudly as the climbed up the stairs, then she started whispering, "We had another visitor half an hour ago, a pretty girl. We better not wake her, she looked tired." she paused for a while, as she reached the door of his temporary room, "You'll sleep next to her room, so you both get some quiet and ease to sleep." she whispered again, when she opened the door to the room, leading him and the girls that just came, bringing towels and sheets for the bath and bed. "I can't thank you enough my dear lady. It is the first time a woman was so kind to me." Umbra replied, making a deep bow in appreciation towards the old woman and the girls, who thanked them seperately.<br><br>"If you need something to eat, you can come downstairs and i'll cook something warm and delisious for you. Or you can call one of the girls and bring you some up&nbsp; here." The woman said, as she was about to leave, holding the door and checking if anything else was needed. With another bow, Umbra made clear that he was thankful and that if he needed something else, he would call. After the door was closed, the first thing he did, was to remove his clothes, staying completely naked, away from that armor, that even the light composition, wearing it all those days and under those circumstances, he wanted to get out from that second skin. The hot water was the best solution to relax his tightened black skin, as he leaned backwards, closing his eyes in relaxation after those hard two days. Unaware, about the girl in the next room.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Hunted Down (Reign and Fragile Dreams)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Skye</strong> on <strong>15-03-2009, 00:38:07</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Acacia's eyes flew open when she heard footsteps approaching. Exactly two. One belonging to the old lady, the other unknown.&nbsp; At first she thought it was the wench, with her dinner. But the door handle to her room did not jiggle. Perhaps a son of hers then. Irregardless, she didn't want the old woman to worry, or think Acacia strange for dead bolting her door. Trust was something the human's needed, to feel comfortable about themselves. Never in a million years did she want to bring discomfort to such a selfless bunch of people. So Acacia tiptoed gingerly, out of the tub. Sprinkling the floor with a trail of bathwater. The outsiders wouldn't hear the soft clicking of locks. Acacia unlocked all but the Innkeeper's door knob lock. She held her ear to the door, listening to the context of the conversation. <br><br>"I don't know why you are wearing that hood in front of yer pretty face, maybe to hide from the pretty girls, aren't ya?"... For some reason, the comment made Acacia smirk. Eladrin men were known to be quite beautiful. Perhaps it was another bounty hunter, come to help in Elden's stead. That made her smile drop. When she heard the woman's voice quieting, her guard went up. Her nostrils flared as she was put out there by a complete stranger. Sharing was not something she did. <em>"We had another visitor half an hour ago, a pretty girl. We better not wake her, she looked tired."</em><br><br><em>"You'll sleep next to her room, so you both get some quiet and ease to sleep."</em> Her temper calmed a little at hearing the nonverbal suggestions to leave 'the girl' alone. She was tired, and she did want to rest. She kept her ear pressed up to the door. "I can't thank you enough my dear lady. It is the first time a woman was so kind to me." The man's remark peaked her curiosity. <em>A pretty face that women were indifferent to?</em> Strange indeed. She mused using the wenches to spy on the stranger while she kept her solitude in tact. 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Hunted Down (Reign and Fragile Dreams)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Fragile Dreams</strong> on <strong>15-03-2009, 03:16:07</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Umbra could stay in that tub for hours, relaxing and reliefing after that terrible journey. He was glad that he removed that armor, it must saved him a lot of times but wearing it under such hard moments, the armor seemed more like a wrap of thorns. Having his eyes closed didn't bother him much, after all he was blind. Although his other five senses in a perfect harmony each other, gave him a six sense, higher than the others that worked as his vision.<br><br>Standing up from the hot tub, he walked in front of the mirror, that showed his tall, athletic, carved body and she looked for any wounds or scars, the only ones he could find were on his back, thick lines, like whips, hundreds of them.&nbsp; He remembered those, he remembered the whip of his mother and sisters cracking and hitting him hard. The pain from these memories still hurt.<br><br>He turned his face away from the mirror and layed on the bed, the soft matress, the warmth of the room, the feeling of knowing that he is surrounded by walls and not stones, made him feel safe. Enjoying the soft bed on his naked body, he let him self close his eyes and been carried away to a nap, untill the door knocked, a female voice said whispering that it was one of the girls bringing food.<br><br>Umbra quickly got up and ran in the bathroom, after unlocking the door, "I'm naked sorry for not greeting you personaly but you understand." The girl blushed and smiled, as she leaved the plates next to his bed. When Umbra heard the door closing again, he locked behind, before examining the food. In other cases he would check for poisons and&nbsp; spells but he was so hungry and felt that he could trust the old woman that he didn't give much thoughts, he grabbed the bread and begun eating like the starving man he was.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Hunted Down (Reign and Fragile Dreams)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Skye</strong> on <strong>15-03-2009, 04:30:51</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				After hours of debate, Acacia finally resolved that it was time to get out of the bath. The water <em>was</em> getting tepid, and her fingers and toes were wrinkling. She stood, wringing her long crimson tresses free of the water that weighed it down. Being cleaned of the dirt and stench felt heavenly. The woman had given her oils and herbs to soak in her bath. It made her smell of a lush garden in spring. It was odd, considering her job description, but nice. Before coming out of the basin fully, Acacia did a few stretches that crackled her joints back in place. "Mmm." She emitted out loud in a glad tone. <br><br>Done with the relaxation, she dried off. Wrapping herself in a small towel like fabric, while her clothes were tended to. She secured the cloth to hide the bare minimum. She had a small frame, but long limbs, and the fabric wasn't doing <em>much</em> in the conservative area. <br><br>In the process of coiling her hair up in a twist, a knock rang out against the hollow wood of the door. "Yes?" She hesitantly engaged "The mistress sent me to bring your supper Miss." Acacia unlocked the door. Whipping her head around the door to get a good look, before deciding anything. Down both sides of the hall her gaze stretched. When she reckoned it was clear, Acacia yanked the girl into her room. Shutting the door behind her. <br><br>"Thank you. I'm ever grateful." Even Acacia's dull tones rang out like honeysuckle. Though it was not her intention. The girl looked nervous as she paced. Acacia recognized the expression. "Yes...I'm an Eladrin. I thought my ears gave it away last night." The girl stuttered in her speech, before finally getting her words in order. "Pardon me Miss. We just don't get your kind 'round these parts too often. If we stare, it's because you people...re-remind us of angels." Acacia's brows furrowed. Her lips curled in an amused grin. <br><br>"I do things for the greater good. Perhaps that counts as angelic. Take it as you like." Acacia picked up a grape and eat. As the girl was about to leave, Acacia gripped her forearm swiftly. Making the young girl gasp. "I need to ask a favor from you...what's your name?"<br>"Be-be-Bellina." She let go of Bellina's arm, smiling sweetly at her. "Tell me Bellina...such a pretty name...have you by chance given the guest next door <em>his</em> supper already?" Bellina nodded convulsively. "And did he tell you his name Bellina?" The girl held her hands out, as if she Acacia were going to strike her down. "Oh <em>no</em> Miss. My arrival chased him right back into the bathroom. Still naked, he was. Told me so himself."<br><br>Acacia's body stayed engaged towards the girl. But her eyes roved about the room. "If you'd like, I could find out for you. I don't mind-"<br>"Nooo...no. It's quite alright Bellina. Thank you. In fact..." Acacia walked to her leather pouch and pulled out a handful of gold coins. "It's best that we forget this whole conversation." Bellina's wide eyes beamed. "Will you be my eyes and ears until I leave here?" Acacia gave her an even more enchanting smile. One that no one could say 'No' to. Bellina nodded, exuding a giggle at the secrecy and new found fortune. <br><br>When Bellina exited, Acacia took her platter to the wall nearest the mystery guest. Sitting on the floor cross legged, she pondered. <em>Who are you? Why are you here?</em> If only she were an empath like her brother. Things would have been clear from the beginning. For now, she had to guess. She couldn't afford mistakes at the moment. <br><br><br><div align="center">(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k319/pineapplegirl81/dark_elf.png)</div>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Hunted Down (Reign and Fragile Dreams)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Fragile Dreams</strong> on <strong>15-03-2009, 16:52:06</strong>
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				The meal was delisious, smoothing as it went down his throat and his stomach. So warm and satisfying, Umbra felt like he never eaten before in his life. Still licking his lips he gathered the plates and forks, placing them to the furniture next to the door for the girl to pick them up when she would return. With his stomach full and his body cleaned, nothing left for him but sleep and set foot again next day. He didn't care where he would go from there but as long he was rested and fed, he would walk for days.<br><br>Umbra walked to the bed but didn't lay on it. He took the pillows and put them under the blankets, forming a fake body under the coverings. Not knowing why he was doing that, as if his body was doing something out of habit, rather from logic. Taking another blanket from the closet, he set it down under the bed, taking his swords together to have them beside him. A concern in his mind was leading his movements, even before sleeping, thinking that someone might want to hurt him, but for what reason? Who was he and someone would want to kill him during sleep.<br><br>The bed was quite tall, fit him under the wood as if was meant for people to sleep under it and his black skin covered him perfectly in the shadows. Placing each sword at the sides of his thighs, Umbra closed his eyes and enjoyed the piece, although every tiny noise in the building, even the chewing on the meal from the guest next door, who seemed to enjoy her meal next to the wall, would tease his extraordinary hearing.<br><br>He thought to 'spy' on the guest by listening to her moves, in order to fall asleep by listening to her, although she didn't do anything by eat and moving her crossed leg over and over, making whooping sounds on the air. That made him curious to know what she looked like, if she was pretty. He couldn't remember when was the last time he saw a beautiful woman or when he felt a touch from such a woman.<br><br>Slowly the sleep was starting to embrace him and as long as he wanted to sleep, he tried to remain awaken to keep 'spying' at the girl next door.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Hunted Down (Reign and Fragile Dreams)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Skye</strong> on <strong>17-03-2009, 10:46:48</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Starring at the wall was pointless. It only made the reminder of mortality agitate Acacia into a frenzy. Deepening the dangerous curiosity. Having daydreamed through her dinner, Acacia now&nbsp; walked to her bed. She sat with her legs folded like a pretzel. The back of her palms resting on her knees, hands facing the ceiling. She began meditating to clear her mind <em>again</em>. Praying to her deity, the Goddess Midnight, for guidance on her many concerns. As she did so, the marks of her Goddess tattooed on both inner palms glowed a brilliant blue. Like the lucent celestial bodies in the night's sky. <br><br>In her mind's eye, she was transported. It was dark, save for the illuminated web blanketing over the floor she sat on. There, sitting not two feet from her was a woman. She knew her from statues and paintings. It was the embodiment of Midnight. Being in the presence of her Goddess made Acacia fervently clutch her heart. She got out of her crossed legged position and bowed to Midnight. Hands out in front of her, face near the floor. It wasn't until the woman's sagely voice rang out, that Acacia looked up. "Arise, <em>daughter</em>." When Acacia lifted herself, still in a kneeling posture, the Goddess spoke once more. She was closer in distance now. The look of concern was noticeable, even as she smiled. "Part of no Order of mine, yet even more faithful than a number of my clergy. Your devotion has given me great joy, Acacia." The Mithral found it hard to breath. She couldn't speak, still in shock of the vision. She watched as Midnight's brow contorted. "But your <em>fading</em> light is cause for <strong>great</strong> concern." The Goddess' face filled with a mingling of hurt and agitation. <br><br>Acacia dropped her gaze. Appearing like a child to a disappointed parent. She felt the air around her ruffle as the Goddess caressed her mortal silhouette. "You have not spoken of it...that I have come to you in many visions, up until now. I wonder..." Acacia looked up to see Midnight's head tilt in a thoughtful way. "Why have you rejected the affinities I've bestowed upon you?" Acacia's eyes roved over her Goddess'. She felt the serenity in the deity's gaze. Still, she refused to believe her magic was a gift conjured up by Midnight. "No...I-there was only negative energy. The powers I displayed were no better than my great grandfather's. He turned into a corrupted dracolich because of it. The <em>same</em> powers that are in me. They represent deceit...and death. Forgive me Goddess, but I would never associate <em>those</em> things as gifts from you."<br><br>"There is a purpose for everything. Something you’ll soon learn. It is not the magic itself that corrupts the soul. It <em>is</em> however, the lust for it’s power that can take you under. No one can tell the outcome of their children until they have grown. Your great grandfather was a good man who let men sway him. He was not always Raghnal. When his soul was pure, he was Kyros, Leader of the mage academy. “ Midnight paused to see if her follower could grasp what she was getting at. It was clear that you girl needed more clarity. “Acacia...did you know that the tree you are named after holds great importance to the weave? It represents purity and endurance of the soul. Even in death it's symbolism signifies resurrection and immortality." Acacia knew her Goddess could sense the doubt in her words. "Since you were a very small child, I have watched over you. Knowing someday that you would be one of the few I bestowed Silver Flame upon."&nbsp; <br><br>”It could not be. I am not deserving of it Goddess. I could fail you.” Midnight slowly shook her head. ”You have showed enormous self control, where your powers are concerned. But your self doubt will lead to your demise if you are not careful, child.” ”Forgive me. I did not mean to seem ungrateful. It is an honor to receive even this visit Goddess. Thank you.” <br>"Your mind is clouded with many things, Acacia. Just know this…I am never far from my servants.&nbsp; Now that the truth is revealed, I can always be summoned to you, this way. You have been blessed. Please do not take my gifts for granted this time.“ Midnight touched Acacia’s forehead. It was the same symbol tattooed on her palms. Also glowing, only to disappear in a blink of an eye. <br><br>“Remember this, things are not always what they seem. Or as hard as mortals seem to make them. Question <em>everything</em>, and know that the answers will come in their due time.” ”Thank you Goddess. Acacia bowed once more, feeling a tiny weight lifted from her shoulders. When she lifted her head, she was back in the Inn. A noise stirred outside, causing Acacia to jump off the bed. Looking out the window, she saw&nbsp; Ilrune. The untrusting horse was letting someone groom him, without kicking or complaining. An answer already coming to her. ”You work fast.” Acacia spoke to the air, knowing her Goddess could hear. Yet, she couldn’t very well go downstairs to greet her horses new owner, in just a towel. <br><br>She hurried to the closet. To her surprise, finding a few fabrics of soft flowing materials. For an Inn of humans, it was unorthodox to find such fabrics. She wrapped and draped it to look like a toga. Securing a few areas with her arm clasps. She yanked her knee high boots on and made for the door. Flying down the staircase, she met the animal lover with a breathless wave. He was an older man. Acacia noticed the older people quicker. They seemed more inclined to be accepting of the nonhuman factor about her.<br>”Is’s your stallion? He is a beauty.” The man’s voice sounded rough,&nbsp; but his eyes were kind. He pet Ilrune‘s side one more time before backing away. ”His name is Ilrune. He’s an exquisite creature. I think…the best horse that ever lived.” The man pet the horse once again. ”I’ll have to take your word for it.” <br><br>”He’s yours if you‘d like him.” The words just flew out. ”Nothing in this world is free. What’s the catch?” The man weighed skeptically. ”No catch. I just need to find him a good home. One that won‘t lead him into…he just needs a safer place to be. Where I‘m going, I couldn‘t expect him to survive. So…I would be indebted to you.” As she spoke, Acacia walked over to Ilrune’s face. Patting the top of his snout. “Name your price then.“<br>”Oh, I could never accept money for him. Just promise that you‘ll pamper him everyday, like you have been just now. That‘s all.” “Well then, you‘ll come to visit him wherever you pass by this way again?“ His voice was insistent. These people were so welcoming, that it was surreal. Of course, Acacia nodded to the invitation, but knew she would never be returning. ”You can pick up his things with the Innkeeper. He likes vegetables, but hates carrots. And sometimes when he‘s fussy, all he wants is a space to run around. Just for a few hours. He‘s a hyper one.” <br><br>After numerous thanks, Acacia said her goodbyes to the horse she had grown up with, and headed back up to her room. Before she hit the second flight of stairs the wench from before nearly plummeted into Acacia. "Oh! Hullo Miss. I have your garments laid out for you. Just like new." Acacia quirked her brow. "Are you alright? You seem a little...excited." Bellina bit her fingernails. "Please stop that." <br>Bad habits bothered her tremendously. She was becoming irritated. "I might have tried swinging your sword. O-only because I have never seen one before. And well-I dropped it on the floor. It was far too heavy for me to lift again. So I just left it there. I'm so sorry. Please don't tell the master...I'll be out of a job. And I fear I may have woken the guest in the room next to you, and I would just hate it if he were upset with me."<br>"It's fine. Just calm yourself...and breath. I will check on the man next door...and just tell him it was my clumsiness that made the loud noises." Acacia put a hand up for Bellina to stop talking. She got to her room and changed. Picking her sword up from the floor with ease. <br><br>She crept in a nonchalant pace to the other room. She drummed her fingers on the door. Instead of hollering, she cracked the door opened. A frumpy form was burrowed under the covers. <em>'I've never seen an elf so fluffy.'</em> She thought to herself. Her footsteps quietly made their way to the window. She peered out of it, before shutting it half way. Along with the drapes, which she closed fully. In all her nimbleness, Acacia propped herself up on the remaining opening of the window's frame. Lifting her feet in a cross legged fashion. Her sword resting on her lap. Her plan? To wait for the person, or thing to wake. She had time.<br><br><div align="center">(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k319/pineapplegirl81/dark_elf.png)</div>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Hunted Down (Reign and Fragile Dreams)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Fragile Dreams</strong> on <strong>17-03-2009, 16:46:31</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<em>"Hide in positions, don't get near the protection barrier, work quick men and we will be home soon for dinner."</em><br><br>The officer were giving orders to his men, a couple of dozen Dark Elf soldiers. They were hidding in a field of gigantic mushrooms, in front a dark tower of great magic, the House of Ginrae. This wasn't the only force they had, sorcerers, priests would about to put their effort to the conflict that was about to burst. The officer kept giving orders to his men, positioning them to places outside the protecting barrier that the enemies had stood in a wide range around the citadel.<br><br>Matron Cera was sitting at her throne, behind her and to her right, was her husband and Shaggrath's father, Constein, before he betrayed his own family. Around them were their children as well some of the other husbands of Cera. Every matron could have as many lovers she wished, although only one could be her husband. Rumours though said that she grew tired of Constein and she was planning to replace him. Being the husband of a matron meaned a great honor, but to the one who was being replaced, a new husband meant one thing, death.<br><br>Young Shaggrath, just graduated from the warrior school, was about to prove his worth into the battlefield as well, next to him his mentor, Zeittgeist the master of weapons. As a member of the House Vyronren Zeittgeist would be the elite force all by himself, but that time was different. He would enter the House Ginrae with the company of Shaggrath, the two of them would reach and kill Matron Shal, the head of House Ginrae. Both of the felt really uncomfortable for that, not because they would fight side by side, but for different reason seperately. First, Zeittgeist at the peak of his career, wanted to put all behind him and retire peacefully, leaving the place to Shaggrath. Secondly, Shaggrath felt bad about killing Dark Elves in the name of power, but he couldn't do otherwise.<br><br>Matron Cera was the high-priestess of the Spider Queen, the goddess of Dark Elves, vicious and cruel even to her own people. He could give as fast as she could take away, even from Matrons. Cera was holding her staff high, praising the goddess, asking for her blessing for the fight and she was sure she would be granted that blessing. House Ginrae fell from the eyes of the goddess while House Vyronren was rising in dramatic success, the goddess would be pleased with the defeat of the Ginrae. The ritual was about to hit directly to the enemy House and Spider Queen would crush them underneath her might grasp, while at the same time the daughters of Cera would teleport Shaggrath and Zeittgeist behind the enemy lines.<br><br>The spell was success, the enemy protective magic was broken and the army came out from the mushrooms and attacked, but the Ginrae didn't give up the fight from the starts, the mushroom came alive, forming hands and legs, fiery eyes as they attacked the soldiers of Vyronren, tossing them away, lifting them high and using them as clubs against the Dark Elves, 10 gigantic mushrooms were spreading the terror among the soldiers. But the most of the army got inside the gates. It was the time when Shaggrath and Zeittgeist appeared at the higher balcony of the citadel, from the teleportation spell. They didn't have much time untill the Spider Queen would crush that place to the very foundations.<br><br>They stormed inside, luckily the guards when downstairs to defend against the attackers, but not all. Four large spiders came down crawling on the walls, jumping towards the two infiltrators. Both of them leaped backwards at the same time, avoiding themselves being crushed under the bodies of the large insects. Drawing their swords, it was enough for the two first spiders to fall on the ground dead, bleeding rivers of poisonous liquid between their eyes, at the same time when both of them leaped on the air, making a curl twist over the next spiders to cut the heads of the magical guardians.<br><br>The coast was clear for them, only the main chamber's door stood in front of them and they knew that behind those gates, Matron Shal and her company would wait for them with surprises. Zeittgeist nodded to Shaggrath, who opened the door slightly, allowing Zeittgeist to throw a magical sphere of light inside, soon screamings and curses heard from inside, making them sure they could enter as long they had their eyes closed, since the light was covering the chambers. The two, tied their eyes and entered, using their ability to fight with their eyes closed and using their other senses to their aid. In a matter of minutes, everybody except Matron Shal were dead and the light was replaced by the darkness once again. Shaggrath approached Shal with Zeittgeist next to him, <em>"Kill her and let's get out of here, i'm sick of this bloodshed."</em> he said as Shaggrath raised his sword.<br><br>*GLANG*<br><br>A falling sword woke up Umbra from his sleep. Instantly his hands grabbed his swords and examined around with his hearing. Nobody was in his room but in the next room, a girl was picking up a sword from the floor. Quickly he got up from under the bed and put on his armor, his cloak and his boots, he didn't sheathed his swords but he stood behind the door, listening outside for what was happening. Someone was approaching, propably to his room, either was the maid to bring the breakfast or to wake him up. He rushed to the window and opened it,&nbsp; &nbsp; leaving the feeling that he got up earlier, when he heard a gentle knock on the door, with his extraordinary speed he rushed in the bathroom, waiting for her to leave. <em>"Strange, her walk is not like the other girls that work in this inn, this one has steady walk, light like elven."</em> He thought, His hearing was working in maximum tense, listening to her every movement, <em>"What does she want? Why isn't she leaving?"</em>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Hunted Down (Reign and Fragile Dreams)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Skye</strong> on <strong>18-03-2009, 03:27:24</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				There was a tiny group of humans parading outside. Noisy and drunk off their arses. They interrupted the purpose of Acacia's quiet visit. Yet she couldn't help but notice that the creature in the bed did not stir. Even an elf deep in meditation would have twitched some. Wouldn't they? With a suspicious expression, Acacia eased off the window sill. Her feet landing like feathers to the ground. Without turning her back to the room, she closed the window fully. Glancing warily around the room. <br><br>Using the tip of her sword, she tore the covers away. <em>'A decoy!'</em> In a defensive crouch, she went low to the floor. Peering under the bed. No one there either. <em>'Could he have gone out the window before I arrived?'</em> With her hand griping the hilt of Selakiir, she whipped the sword into a aggressive slant. Deciding whether the mystery guest was in the closet or the bathroom. It was difficult to be sure. "I know you're here. Show yourself!"<br><br><div align="center">(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k319/pineapplegirl81/dark_elf.png)</div>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Hunted Down (Reign and Fragile Dreams)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Fragile Dreams</strong> on <strong>09-04-2009, 15:14:09</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Umbra's hands moved on his swords, the woman's voice sounded clear and intimidating, as he figured that she was an elf from her steps. Slowly, Umbra moved towards the door and hold the knob, like he was getting ready to open it before she does. Somehow, not quit rememberd how, the whole scene seemed familiar to him, like he was been in the same situation before. His other hand unclutched the sword from its sheath and pulled it out only an inch, waiting for the woman to act. Either way, he would keep defensive stance if she attacted, he didn't want to hurt anybody, at least someone he doesn't know.<br><br>Luckily the girl came at his room's door and knocked, giving him time to open the bathroom's window and climb on the roof, looking down to see that the town was not so different at daytime, from the nighttime, still quiet. He climbed down the roof and walked around the inn, entering from the front door, after covering his face and hair from the others. Leaving two gold pieces to the kind human lady, he waved and exit the door, just like he came in last night. Throwing a glance behind him at the window he came out, he turned and hide himself behind the buildings, heading to no where again.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Hunted Down (Reign and Fragile Dreams)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Skye</strong> on <strong>10-04-2009, 01:00:24</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				The plywood floor should have creaked when Acacia approached the linen closet. Her light pads backing up from an empty space. It was a bit dramatic, the way she tumble away, as she discovered the closet was empty. It was just her way of warming up before a prospective fight. As she did a stealthy, graceful aerial flip to get to the bathroom door faster, her hair swept over the floor. Taking a few seconds to land against her back once more. Her sword rang out as it was flipped through the air. <em>'Curses.'</em> She thought as one of her kicked made the bathroom door fly open. She rotated her sword once, to activate a spell to enhance her strategies. <br><br>The attempt went wasted on another empty room. Her eyes roved to the opened window. Acacia lowered her sword. As she flicked her wrist, the light dimmed from the weapon. She stood at the window sill, scanning the outside surrounding area. Looking for some trace of the one who fled. There we no footprints in the dirt, no scents for her to trace. As they all had been washed away. It angered her to think about. Had Shaggrath Vyronren been in this room? Was she only one room away the whole night? It brought out a fit of violence in Acacia. She kicked at the swinging bathroom door. Breaking the top corner of in chips. As she walked out of the room in a huff, Acacia found Bellina in the hallway. <br><br>"I'm afraid there has been damage to the door in the other room." She dangled a tiny purple pouch at Bellina. Acacia's hazel eyes scrutinized the adolescent as she took it ecstatically. "Are you positive you hadn't seen the guest who was in that room?" Bellina gasped and hurried through her words. "Oh nooo, Miss. I would never, never, <em>never</em> lie about something like that...n-not to a being like you." "Hmm. I guess I'll just have to take your word for it." Acacia strode pass the handmaid and strode downstairs. <br><br>With the mud and bloodied skin washed clean, the Innkeeper's wife greeted Acacia with an uncomfortably affectionate hug. "Thank the heavens, she's good as new." "Just about." Acacia idly spoke. Standing stiff in her boots until the woman was done. "The man in the next room...can you tell me what he looked like?""Well, when he arrived, he was trying to hide his face under his cloak. So his face was covered. But that didn't stop me from getting in a glance. He had the prettiest features I ever did see on a man. Snow white hair, and skin as dark as night. He was the most soft spoken-oh dear!"<br><br>Acacia hurtled up the stairs, to her room. Gathered her things as quick as she could. Taking nothing but what she came with, save one loyal horse. As she passed the front desk, she flung a money pouch at the Innkeeper. "Thank you for everything." She shouted on the way out. <br><br>She meant to say one last goodbye to Ilrune, but there was no time. With everything strapped securely onto her holsters, Acacia began tracking. Circling buildings, to find the signs most likely leading to Umbra. To think, he might have been in the next room and just slipped through the cracks. It made Acacia's heart pounded rapidly. Her throat became dry and her head began to hurt. Her hands balled into fists so tight, her nails punctured the skin of her palms. She let out low growls as she was unable to connect pieces of the puzzle as fast, now that she had no partner. Trekking on foot adding to her challenge. She would have to get used to stopping more frequently now. Thankfully, she had all the time in the world. She would go to the next town and forest dwelling. Sure that she would come face to face with her mortal enemy in due time. <br><br><br><div align="center">(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k319/pineapplegirl81/dark_elf.png)</div>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Hunted Down (Reign and Fragile Dreams)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Fragile Dreams</strong> on <strong>21-04-2009, 20:33:37</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Umbra left the village and followed the road from the north, holding his cape and his swords together he didn't know exactly what he was looking for but he didn't care either. All he wanted is know what happen the other day and who was that mysterious girl. An elf was surprisingly interested to him or better to the strange visitor of that inn. All the time in his mind was playing her footsteps and motions that he heard the other night before he fall asleep but nothing he could recon. <br><br>A familiar screech came to his sensitive dark elven ears. The hawk was above him again like a silent watcher, flying over him like he was guiding him. But the screech was not the only sound that Umbra heard, something else was nearby, inside the forest at his right. A *CLANG* was heard like a bell in his ears, a trap was his first thought, but he thought it better if he went to check.<br><br>Stepping into forest he heard some dogs, closing to him from the side, he didn't sense them or see them but their barking was loud enough for his ultra hearing. Quickly he pulled out his swords and turned towards the sound of the dogs. Propably a hunter to pick up his trapped victim but from the scene at the inn, Umbra become suspicious with everything.<br><br>"Fetch you lousy dogs, what am i feeding ya for?" A rough voice shouted. Umbra hide himself behind a tree, when the dogs approached really close to him. Luckily the wind was blowing at a positive for him direction so his scent could not be brought to the dog's noses. Turning his face Ymbra saw the victim, a little girl was trapped from her leg while the dogs were sniffing the area. Mistake or not Umbra felt the urge to help the girl from the hunter.<br><br>With a leap, Umbra got out from his hidding place and got right in front of the girl. Scared the girl at the view of the drow, which none had any good reputation, she screamed, making Umbra quickly lean and cover her mouth. Turning to look that the dogs that turned at them, he assured the girl that he was there to help. With a swing of his sword he broke the trap and hide the girl behind him when the dogs started barking in front of him, the hunter was about to come in matter of seconds.<br><br>"A drow!!" he shouted and quickly drew his large double axe from his back. "What are you doing here fiend? Leave the girl alone before i feed you to my dogs." The hunter said and got into offensive position. The hunter was tall, taller than any other human Umbra knew so far, or at least remembered. His beared face made Umbra remember the dwarves. The entire appearance of the hunter looked like dwarf despite the tall height.<br><br>"She was traped and i released her. Are those your traps?" Umbra said and motion his sword towards the broken trap. "Spare me the lies fella, you think i will fall for that? Now, hand over the girl and surrender. Jack Worgstride will be dinning with wealth tonight for bringing a drow to the authorities." If Jack knew who Umbra really was he either ran away scared or he would be even more eager to kill the drow, for the moment he stayed emptying supposing boasts for himself.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Hunted Down (Reign and Fragile Dreams)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Skye</strong> on <strong>28-04-2009, 05:25:23</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				The roof top of the Inn was situated so closely to the adjacent buildings, Acacia found it disheartening. As she circled the perimeter, she evaluated each possible road Umbra might have taken. There were so many different possibilities, it made her head spin. As she made her way around the back, she narrowed her eyes. The curtains of his bathroom window taunted her, as the wind blew them carelessly about. <br><br>'<em>Somewhere secluded...that's where I would hide, were I a drow on the run. Yet...if he knew I was at his heels, anticipating his every move, perhaps he would shift his choice in coarse...to throw me off.</em>' Acacia paced as her thoughts plagued her. Always tending to overindulge in psychoanalysis. She would have been grateful to the voice of reason Elden always offered. He was the tranquility to her chaos. Thinking upon such things only fueled her motives. A woman scorned, she let go of the bounty all together. Seeking him out with a personal vendetta was far more fatal, for him. His head on a stake, Acacia surmised, would be a fine gift for Elden's family to behold.<br><br>Finally through with her inner rambling at the moment, Acacia stopped a passerby. Saving herself some tracking time by asking, "Excuse me, Sir, can you tell me where the road leads out of town...this way?" She pointed in the opposite direction whence she came. "Aye, there are four destinations you will come across. My question to you is,<em>what do you seek to find</em>?" With a glance, Acacia let him know that his flirtation nature was unwelcome. She dryly stated, "A murderous fugitive. My mission is to find him, yank out all of his entrails, very slowly. And perhaps make him eat them." She stated it as if it were something of everyday conversation. <br><br>The human stiffened before her. His leering eyes now filled with regret, and watched her cautiously. Acacia did nothing to ease his worry, as she extracted an eight inch blade from her thigh holster. Twirling it about expertly. "The names of these <em>destinations</em>...and the relative life expectancy of each would be helpful." Without even a glance, Acacia could sense his movement to flee. She had him by the throat before he could even fully turn. With the knife to his Adam's apple, Acacia reemphasized, "Emplacements...residence...and length expectancies. Go!" She had to give it to this human, he spoke quick enough. "The next city is Xnaurl. There are mostly humans. But gnomes and dwarfs are known to dwell there. It is only a three days journey. Killian is another wayward town. Bigger...you're more likely to find other Elves and intermingling folk there."<br><br>These were nothing but a waste of time. Acacia pressed the knife deeper into his skin. With a yelp, the human took his que. "I-i-if I were looking for a criminal, Darcei. The dark forest would be the most likely place. Rangers keep our folk out of the boundaries. There are all kinds of savage creatures in the forest. If you survive...it's at least a two week trek. So I've been told." "And that was all I needed to know." Roughly setting him free, Acacia strode off. By his description, there were far too many leads. Forks in the road couldn't have been more of a nuisance, just now. Ultimately, she knew that Darcei would be her best bet. It sounded like Umbra all over. He <em>would</em> risk his life to create blocks for those who hunted him. What those were exactly, Acacia sought to find out, very soon. <br><br><br><br><div align="center">(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k319/pineapplegirl81/dark_elf.png)</div>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Hunted Down (Reign and Fragile Dreams)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Fragile Dreams</strong> on <strong>18-05-2009, 18:15:22</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				"Flee now that you have a chance my friend." Umbra said stood cold from the threats from Jack the hunter. His hands held his swords tight although no sign of shake was shown. "Bold words from someone who doesn't know me." Jack returned the comment and held his axe tighter, stepping forward while his dogs starts circling Umbra. The girl terrified ran and hide herself behind the tree and watched the entire scene. <br><br>Suddenly one of the dogs leaped and pounced towards Umbra and the second quickly followed but only to land their heads against each other because their target was vanished from there. The third dog stood next to Jack, since it was so fat that it couldn't even move. Jack's eyes opened wide, when he saw his dogs landing on the ground from the blow and turned around to look where the drow went. His keen senses quickly spot Umbra behind him and with a wide turn of his axe, he describe an arc towards his enemy. Umbra leaped backwards and avoided the blade just before it land on him.So far Umbra kept defensive stance towards Jack and his dogs, since he didn't want to harm him, didn't want to repeat the other days incident.<br><br>Jack raised his axe and attacked Umbra from above, but the drow was faster, placing his sword above his head and parried the attack, although the blow was so strong that kneeled the thin drow under the strength of the human. With a smirk, Jack raised his axe again with speed unlike with his figure and delivered another blow on Umbra, making him drop the sword from his hand. The sound from the dropping sword came to the drow's ears so he spotted easily, grabbing it fast and rolled to the side, avoiding another vertical attack from the huge axe of the hunter.<br><br>"What is it drow? You thought just because you're an elf you invulnerable as well?"Jack mocked Umbra when he saw the drow standing back on his feet, his hand clearly in hurt but nothing Umbra couldn't manage. "No, but i guess it's my turn now." Umbra said and jumped high, making a curl on the air and brought his head downwards, as he started spinning around himself, his blades swirling fast around him. Jack managed to bring his axe quickly in front of him, parrying every attack from Umbra, but stepping back from the storm of attacks.<br><br>Umbra stood again on his feet but didn't gave any second thought, as he thrusted his swords to the sides of Jack and pierced through his clothes, with a wicked grin, he pulled them back ripping off the clothe's side, assuring Jack that if Umbra wanted he would kill him instantly.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Hunted Down (Reign and Fragile Dreams)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Skye</strong> on <strong>19-05-2009, 00:35:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				With a new sense of vigor, Acacia padded swiftly on the dirt road. Heading to the fork that would lead her North to Darcei. Her heart pounded fiercely to the beat of her moving feet. She had nothing but a few rations of food, a few mystic necessities, and her arsenal of fighting gear. Her optimism was at a high. Thinking she wouldn't be too far behind Umbra's trail. He was a sneaky bastard. Attempting to give her the slip up so easily. Just knowing how close she was tore at her pride. It fueled her forward. While she ran, she planned out subtle snares in her head.<br><br>Suddenly, something steered her up the mountain trail instead. If she was going to be a shadow, following the wanted drow, she had to remain unseen, and inaccessible. She conceived a plan to watch from above before making any drastic moves. Assured that this course was wisest in her mental state. Vengeance would only give her fleeting sustenance. But watching him suffer for his sins, that would be sublime. She had attempted a similar military tactic on a rogue ranger. It seemed to have been the only possible way to catch another.&nbsp; &nbsp;<br><br><br><div align="center">(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k319/pineapplegirl81/dark_elf.png)</div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Hunted Down (Reign and Fragile Dreams)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Fragile Dreams</strong> on <strong>30-05-2009, 03:32:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Jack raised his axe and started swinging it around, slicing nothing but air on his try to harm Umbra, but the dark elf managed to avoid every attack easily, due to his agility. Always with a grin in his face, Umbra leaped behind Jack and knocked him on the head with the hilt. And another hit came on the fat waist of Jack, strong enough to make him bend sideways. Jack groaned loudly and quickly turned and punched Umbra on his face, sending him a couple of steps back.<br><br>The blow blurred Umbra's special vision and brought his blindness back to his eyes, but that was not something that concerned him. He was an expert swordsman in blind-fight and Jack was not the opponent that would worry Umbra. Quickly he grasped his swords harder and stopped the attack from Jack that was coming from above, crossing the blades to block the huge axe.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Hunted Down (Reign and Fragile Dreams)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Skye</strong> on <strong>03-06-2009, 03:15:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Acacia stopped in mid run. Crouching low as she heard the familiar refrain of steel colliding. Grunting came from below, traveling into her pointed ears. A sudden thrill surged through her core. Musing she had finally come into some luck, and found the wanted drow. Her frugal peerage of the road she had just threshed up seemed a bitter journey. By the time she spiraled back from whence she came, Umbra would have made it down an advanced distance. If it was in fact the drow in question, Acacia couldn't afford to spare any more time, losing his trail again.<br>&nbsp;<br>Conviction flashed across her face, as the Eladrin lifted from her crouch. Tumbling backward into the air. Her long crimson tresses trailing behind in a lithe of artistry. She propelled head first into the forest below. Selakiir singing as Acacia unsheathed the blade from her back holster. As she curled into a ball and somersaulted, to the Earth, her sword, that was held tightly to her side, flipping along side Acacia, cut at anything that threatened to be an obstacle to her landing. <br><br>The head rush came when she lost significant altitude. Yet, her reflexes never allowed for a faulty landing. As mingling colors of red and beige came crashing between the greenery, Acacia landed in a low side lunge. Her feet made little noise. Yet, <em>Selakiir</em> played it's haunting note as the weapon cut the air. The bladesinger's eyes marking the human and drow with a keen distrust.&nbsp; &nbsp; <br><br><br><div align="center">(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k319/pineapplegirl81/dark_elf.png)</div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Hunted Down (Reign and Fragile Dreams)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Fragile Dreams</strong> on <strong>22-08-2009, 22:41:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Then he felt it. Someone else was there, someone... familiar. Umbra sensed the footsteps of that running familiar, the weight, the essence, etherealness and all that was coming towards him and Jack. Quickly he pushed his swords up, unclinging himself from the clasping swords and with a tumble he leaped backwards, catching a long red flag-like motion behind Jack. Jack of course didn't realise anything yet, since all his focus was on Umbra, which in matter of seconds was trying to decide what to do, how to get disappeared from them.<br><br>With a quick swipe of his legs, he kicked Jack's ankles, making him kneel down, making a step for Umbra to climb on his huge body, first on the knee, then on the shoulder and last on the back, to jump as high ah he could, facing towards the figure that was coming with exceptional speed. That was the point, when Umbra decided he could rely on his racial abilities, the abilities that was given since birth and all drows used to have. Whispering a few words, he pointed towards the figure and a little bit in front of him, to create a huge globe of darkness, impenetrable darkness, that no light, natural or magical could break.<br><br>Not sure how would that help, he made a vertical swirl and landed on his feet elegandly and without turning around, he twisted the sword in his hand and hit Jack on the low of his back, making the large man fall on his hands and knees, after a breaking bone was heard. Umbra then stood up and looked around, seeing the girl was still behind the same tree he left her, he ran towards her and picked her up. He knew that any time now, that other person was about to come out from the darkness if it gone inside the globe and now, after helping that girl, Umbra had to use her for the other way around, the girl hard to help him escape from the two that was after him.<br><br>With the girl in his hands, hanging like a bag on one side, Umbra ran again towards Jack, that was about to stand up again, swearing and cursing the drow for being faster and more capable with the sword. While running Umbra fell down on the ground and let the girl in front of Jack that was standing already and was preparing a new attack towards the drow. Umbra slide towards him, raising leafs and dirt around him and at Jack, making him blind as he raised his huge axe. Another tackle, another hit on the knees and Jack was starting to lose his balance, making a move to lower his axe to cut whatever he had in front of him, did he know that instead of Umbra, he had the little girl in front of him and Umbra was already gone from the scene?
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Hunted Down (Reign and Fragile Dreams)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Skye</strong> on <strong>30-12-2009, 11:38:29</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center"><span style="font-family: georgia;" class="bbc_font"><span style="font-size: 12pt;" class="bbc_size">NEMESIS</span><br>(music to reawaken the Bladesinger muse...he comes&nbsp; ^-^)</span> (http://listen.grooveshark.com/#/song/Nemesis+No+Choir/23672992)</div><br><br>Time slowed as Acacia caught the gaze of the drow's cryptic eyes; devoid of irises, making him seem soulless. Like the scum she knew he was. Tension building in his dark form was visibly noted, as Acacia connected with the Earth. He could sense her. There was no more time to think! The bladesinger rose from her lunge. The left hand, wielding <em>Selakiir</em> lifted and crossed her body in a graceful movement. Yet, the concentration she had put forth pulled the magic in far too slow. In another effort, she changed courses. A different spell. <br><br>With three swift slashes of her mellifluous weapon, Acacia unlocked the trick clasps that held her swords in single form. Her wrists snapped forward as the dual blades separated, one in each vengeful hand. <br>Her next movements were the loveliest of bloodthirsty motions that ever existed. She advanced in what looked like a dancer’s pirouette. Her long mane following in step, creating a whirlwind of crimson that never touched her body. As she opened from her spin, she was met with a conjuring. The forming of darkness obscuring her view. <br><br>Her blessed blades, already ringing out in an angelic choir swept overhead. Penetrating the dark wall. The friction of magic colliding fought against one another. The blade singer channeled everything she had in her to give her blades the clarity of mind essence. She cared little if she was clanking swords with another-in this situation, she <em>was</em> fighting. Enhancing the power of her strike in damage with the summoned power. It tore at the otherwise impenetrable wall, scarcely; with each wretch the luminous weapons made the rift longer. The mingling of magic still at work against one another, building up a static of clashing power--like lightening that scorched the Eladrin’s skin. As Acacia bore down on the figurative keys to the locked door, she could see the drow in the distance. He was getting away! She was there and nearly had him, and he was going to evade her once again. <em>’Over my dead body.’</em> Her shoulder penetrated at the opening where her swords severed. With a forceful tumble through and a few more scorch marks, she was up on her feet. Past the drow’s hindrance.&nbsp; <br><br><div align="center">(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k319/pineapplegirl81/dark_elf.png)</div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Hunted Down (Reign and Fragile Dreams)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Fragile Dreams</strong> on <strong>20-11-2010, 14:58:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Umbra kept running, running fast and without knowing for how long he was getting away from that scene. If it wasn't for that crimson figure, he would stay and taught a lesson to this Jack, but something about that woman, something was warning him to flee. Every now and then he was jumping on trees and branches, leaping from one to another, so he won't leave any tracks that lead to him. But finaly his strength gave him away, when he tried the last leap his legs were so weak that he couldn't make it to the next tree, so he fell on the ground.<br><br>For a moment his blank gaze was staring up, catching images of birds and flies passing by, leafs that were flowing on the air, when suddenly... the hawk. Umbra then closed his eyes, giving in to his exhaustion, hoping that it won't be the last sleep in his life.<br><br>It felt warm, comfortable, and the smell of cooked food was piercing Umbra's nose. If finaly he was captured, his captors surely make him feel good. He sat up on the bed and felt the fur of a bear in his palm, being his covers, and the smell of leather and wood surrounding him, made sure he was in a cabin, a hunter's cabin maybe. Instantly he checked his wrists and neck to see if he was wearing any restraints, like a collar or cuffs, but there were none. Surprised, he stood up and walked around, the place was quiet, and that didn't help much with his hearing or his special vision.<br><br>"Ah you're awake, thank the spirits of the earth." A voice said when the door opened, Umbra quickly moved to grab his swords from his sides but they were missing, realizing that, Umbra sweared from inside and stepped backwards a little. "Don't worry friend, I'm not gonna harm you, besides my hands are loaded?" The drow slowly let his defensive stance but not completely, he didn't know where he was and what that man wanted, he stood by the wall, and saw the man placing more wood in the fire, murming something about the winter's cold and cursing the orcs to freeze to death.<br><br>"So, you must be the one my friend told me about, the one from below that roams the surface. It must not be easy for you up here." The man said as he stood back straigh, arching his back like old men do. Umbra nodded,&nbsp; not knowing if he should speak or not, something about that man made him feel shy and embarassed. "Excuse my manners, I am Solas, people call me the hermit because I leave alone in these woods, though I wouldn't say alone completely." At that time the hawk flew and sat on the window, waiting for Solas to let it in. "This is Arrow, one my trusted friends. She's the one that informed me for you and your little incident with Jack the hunter. You were lucky you get away, few escape his axe and dogs, but something tells me you are not one of those few, and certainly not like the other drow. Come, sit, you'll tell me everything over dinner, it's almost ready."<br><br>Umbra felt the man trustworthy, not sure why, but he did. Inside him there was a serenity, a quietness, non of his burdens pressured his heart while he was in that cabin. He nodded, accepting the invitation from Solas and sat next to him, eating and explaining his story from the moment he woke up in that field of dead bodies.
			</dd>
		</dl>
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