Blessed and Divine [TheGlyphstone & Wistful Dream]
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		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Human Solos =&gt; Topic started by: Wistful Dream on 11-01-2010, 03:47:57</h2>
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				Title: <strong>Blessed and Divine [TheGlyphstone &amp; Wistful Dream]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Wistful Dream</strong> on <strong>11-01-2010, 03:47:57</strong>
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				The wind was blowing through the trees around the mountain citadel, they moved like the waves of the ocean did almost, fans of green, light and dark both, to bow and flowing in the wind. Eyes of a steady, unblinking emerald watched, looking out over the forested beauty of the kingdom. Fereshard was beautiful, wild, untamed. The people here lived with the spirits of the earth, with the earth itself. It was a paradise, with large, sprawling forests, clear bright lakes, the ocean and its cliffs back the west side of the country, while the Kingdom of Dalais was to their east and north. The wild beauty of the small kingdom, only eight days to travel the breath of it, showed in her Champion, the King’s Champion. Short cropped red hair, with brighter threads of cooper through it, ruffled in the wind. It came no further then her shoulders at most, and that only a few strands; and the color of her coppery skin showed the amount of time she spent out in the sun, making her a meld of golden and flame hues. The fire girl. But not in the ways most would suspected. <br><br>She was lounging against the rail of the balcony at the highest point of the castle, looking out over all that could be lost. Would be lost unless she was able to wrest freedom from the greedy hands of the Lerin Empire. And she would. There was no alternative, no good reason to not, even if her life was given in it. Khalida le'Tuer felt the weight of the hopes of her country upon her shoulders, the King, Tyrol was a good man but he was in his third score of years, and it would be best if he did not fight. They could not risk it, not with his young wife newly pregnant. If the babe did not carry to term all could be lost with the death of Tyrol. It sat uneasily upon him, and Kal had just left a most unpleasant session with him. Ty would never easily sit at the sidelines while his beloved country was threatened. But he trusted her to handle things, they all did. <br><br>Her hands shifted, clenching in their thin leather gloves as she flexed her fingers before her right hand went to touch the hilt of her sword. It hung heavy around her belt, ready for her should she need to draw it. Thankfully she should not upon castle grounds, at least not yet. Her vivid green eyes moved across the walls surrounding the castle, and then down to the training yards. Men and women trained down there now, hard and swift, all who were born to Fereshard had the strength of warriors within them, and all of them, old and young would fight proudly for their country. At least, she thought to herself, Dalais would side with them even if other countries upon the continent of Gith did not. And Solane did have to cross the treacherous waters of the Mey Sea. There was reason to hope. <br><br>A voice cleared behind her and she tilted her head back over her shoulder to look. It was Samuel, her second in many ways and the first of her High Guard, the fourteen warriors who answered directly to her and lead the troops. Rather like a general she supposed, in large countries. Samuel was tall, though Kal was not short by any means, reaching five eight herself, he was well over six feet, a giant among men and as deadly as his Captain. However he had a tender gentleness about him with children, and his singing could bring tears to the most cynical of men. Would he loose reasons to sing in this war? Hope was such a fickle, teasing thing.<br><br>His dark brown eyes showed compassion, surely knowing many of her thoughts, after all he was one of her best friends, though that was thanks to her first true friend who happened to be his wife, Layla. “We are ready to ride to the oracle.” <br><br>Khalida gave a nod and moved away from the balcony, her leather and linen clad body moving with all the suppleness of a hunting cat. There was no mistaking her for anything other then what she was, with the gait of deadly grace, the short cut of her hair and the wild fierceness of her eyes. Warrior. There had never truly been a time for her to be a woman. Together the Champion and her second descended the stairs inside the castle, making their way down and through it, nodding greetings to those who waved or called to them, but they never stopped moving. It was only a matter of a passage of minutes before they came out into the courtyard, the rest of the Guard, thirteen men and women, waiting and ready. Slim, slight and dark haired Qadira brought her roan stallion and with a touch to the other woman’s arm Kal swung herself up into the saddle. “Mount!” cried the deep bass of Samuel’s voice.<br><br>As one the others mounted, long bows and quivers on no few backs and hands, swords all belted to their sides and leather armor present. They would not wear full plate armor unless it came to a pitched battle, and leather was good enough to keep arrows from meeting their target if bandits should attempt to attack. But all in Fereshard were too caught up in the war that was coming to steal from one another. After all, criminal and innocent alike stood to loose everything to the onslaught, and no one but an assassin would try to kill one of the Guard now. Safety but at what a price.<br><br>Through the courtyard, the baily and then out of the walls and across the countryside, in a hard diamond point, with her at the center, they road, not walking the horses, but not galloping either. The oracle was a good half an hour away, and they would speak to him and hopefully gather some warning of the storm of violence that was about to descend. The sunlight could not warm her, not even riding out on Soliel would sooth down the concerns that plagued her now. Her people were strong and wild, they road their horses as friends rather then beasts, without reins, guiding with their knees; and their fight was one that their ancestors had faced as well when they founded the kingdom. Khalida just hoped that she was up to what the price would be for freedom. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: Blessed and Divine [TheGlyphstone &amp; Wistful Dream]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TheGlyphstone</strong> on <strong>11-01-2010, 05:55:03</strong>
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				No assassins in pursuit, but neither were they alone. As the party headed out to the oracle's grove, they numbered sixteen, not fifteen. A dozen and two on horse, and one above. Shrouded in a powerful working of light and shadow, an invisible figure kept pace with the group - specifically, with the fiery Champion at their head.<br><br>Even a master mage would have struggled to detect anything more than the barest shimmer of bent sunlight, but had one been present and lucky enough to pierce the warding, they would have seen him. He was tall, even more so that the towering Samuel, seemingly hand-carved with loving care out of solid muscle on a wide, broad frame. His hands were empty for the moment, crossed over his chest as he flew on great wings of white and grey, spreading from his back and beating slow and steady, easily matching the movement of the horseriders below. Sapphire-blue eyes ringed in white kept watch over the group and what lay ahead, scanning for anything dangerous ahead. His name was Tyrathyndalon, Gatekeeper's Guardian in sacred service and trust to the Goddess Deril, bound to the duty of sentinel over the spirited Khalida since the day she was born. She knew not even of his existence, let alone the many times he had subtly and not-so-subtly prodded fate to save her from grievous or crippling injuries in her lifetime, but it was his mission, and he did so without regret.<br><br>They rode, and he flew, always following.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Blessed and Divine [TheGlyphstone &amp; Wistful Dream]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Wistful Dream</strong> on <strong>11-01-2010, 06:27:38</strong>
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				It was a long ride for an hour, for the oracles that were tied to Neraos never liked to settle too close to any other people, hermits the lot of them and for good reason; after all they were linked to the Goddess of Divination. That would mean, from what she knew talking to Derin, the oracle they were seeking out, that he would too often See things he had no wish to, things he could do nothing to alter but would overload him with every breath he took. Kal kept her eyes sharp for any danger as did those around her, thankfully they made it to the foot of cliff edge that Derin had chosen to make the path to his home without any issues. The Champion swung down from her stallion, soothing him with caresses and murmurs, by tradition now she and three others would go forward on foot until they reached the wood path that would lead to the sacred grove and the man she sought.<br><br>When they reached the wooded path she would go on by herself, alone as was only proper. Because it was she who held the question and had the right to ask it by the very position she held. <br><br>Was there any hope?<br><br>She sighed to herself as she walked with Samuel, Qadira and Mical toward the treeshroud game trail, her thoughts circling around and around themselves as she fought not to feel fear. She had done so much, even besting a dark path dragon who was a bit of a mage when the creature had tried to settle in the north west of the country; and yet it was not enough. A single dragon she could slay, she had, a Empire with vast resources and a will to dominate the world, well that was not something she could take on single handed or even with the help of her Chosen. <em>Please, Meria, Gatekeeper, whoever is listening, protect us, somehow, whatever the price.</em> She who did not prey often offered that up even as she left behind her warriors to tred the path to the grove alone. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: Blessed and Divine [TheGlyphstone &amp; Wistful Dream]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TheGlyphstone</strong> on <strong>11-01-2010, 06:37:36</strong>
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				Tyrathyndalon felt the silent prayer drift past him as he slowly followed, dropping down in height to glide just behind the group. He could not read it, as it was not directed to him, but knew its sentiment all the same. She had spoken her wishes, her hopes and fears, out loud in his unseen presence often, and it was not hard for him to guess the subject.<br><br>He followed closer now as she abandoned the other three, just a few inches off the ground. His wings beat furiously like those of a hummingbird, though with far less air displacement that a bird of that size would have created. Coincidentally, his mind drifted back along the same lines that Kel's memories followed, a time she had walked alone down a trail much like this to face one of the dreaded wyrm wizards in single combat. He had been watching, an ethereal net ready to drop over the dragon and cut it off from its magic if it got the upper hand, but she had held her own against all odds and slain the beast with only a handful of scratches. The looming war was no dragon though, but a Juggernaut, immense and ponderous and without pity or remorse. He knew the question she had come to ask the Oracle, and wished that he knew the answer.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Blessed and Divine [TheGlyphstone &amp; Wistful Dream]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Wistful Dream</strong> on <strong>11-01-2010, 06:52:58</strong>
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				The trees, so dense and thickly layered along the path, slowly thinned out as she drew near the grove. It was nice, under them protected from the rays of the sun by the green canopy above her and she could smell the rich loam of the earth, the scents of water, earth and growing things. She loved her homeland with all that lay within her soul, just as her father had before. As she broke out of the pathway and into the grove she felt a pang in her heart, at the thought of her father who had passed on when she was merely thirteen year old, just over ten years ago. Once asking the oracle had been his duty, not hers and she would have gladly surrendered it to have him back and alive to guide her in the up coming war. Her emerald eyes picked out the navy robed figure of Derin then, with a sigh the warrior pushed away thoughts of longing and focused only on what she had come here to ask. <br><br>Khalida dropped down to one knee, inclining her head in respect. "Son of Neraos, I come to use my right of a question once within the moon's cycle, will you hear it?"<br><br>"Not until the moon has risen in the sky and grants me the tie to both the Goddess you name me son of and to the God who governs the Heavens. It is not in my power to give you an answer whilst the sun shines in the sky above, for trust me Kali, it has been on my mind as well."<br><br>She glanced up then her green eyes stricken at the thought that even Derin had nothing to offer, that even he would be worried about the outcome of the rising war. Surrender or die, that was the Lerin Empire's message. Yet the man, his hair white with age and eyes a pale violet that marked him as other, touched her shoulder and urged her to her feet. He was old now, in his seventies at least, and yet he still had such power in his hands and eyes. He soothed her with the touch on her arms and leaned in to kiss her left cheek. "Go back to your people, make camp and come to me when the moon is at its height, we will both find our answers then."<br><br>Numbly she nodded and turned to stumble back the way she had come. "Hope is not yet dead Kali, for if I do not know the answer that means Fate is not yet decided what is to happen. Pray little flower, pray and I shall as well." His wise voice filled her ears as she walked and soothed the numb shock of fear from her heart. Pray, well she would, and so would the others. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: Blessed and Divine [TheGlyphstone &amp; Wistful Dream]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TheGlyphstone</strong> on <strong>11-01-2010, 07:06:01</strong>
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				Folding his spread wings against his back, Tyrathyndalon touched down and walked invisibly at her side, giving what little silent comfort he could by his presence. If he wanted to, he could have worked his magic directly on her mind, draining away the worry and the fear that shook her steps now - but that would be unthinkable by any angel, Guardian or otherwise. To manipulate the thoughts and emotions of another sentient being without their knowledge and consent was a perversion of power, a twisted imitation of Water's ability to heal and Air's power over the senses. Even done with the most benevolent of motives, it was still black magic, an indelible stain on the soul tempting its user towards greater and more selfish acts, luring them into the damnation of the blood pact warlocks. For if one could effortlessly suck out fear and worry, why stop there? Why not suck out sadness, and depression, and then excitement and joy, until there was nothing left but an emotionless hollow shell, different only from the foul zombies of necromancy in that the spirit had never left its home instead of being forcibly replaced inside it.<br><br>No angel aware of those pitfalls could willingly go down such a path, and it was indescribably rare when one accidentally trod it too far for redemption and 'fell', but it had happened before, and could happen again - to someone else. Tyrathyndalon felt Kal's pain, and suffered along with her, but he could not intervene in that way. He could only stay by her side, his bare feet making no marks in the dirt, and watch over her as they both waited for nightfall.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Blessed and Divine [TheGlyphstone &amp; Wistful Dream]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Wistful Dream</strong> on <strong>11-01-2010, 07:20:08</strong>
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				The other's hadn't been discouraged, at least not once she relayed the full of the encounter. When she had first reappeared with a closed expression and no words of divine prophecy there had been some panic. Yet once she told them that Derin would call her at midnight and divine the heavens for an answer they took it as only right and proper, after all this question was of a rather large importance and all the measures to get a good reading should be taken. Khalida allowed Samuel to rally the others to set up camp, something they had prepared for as always, though had not truly thought would happen. Mical was sent back, for he had the swiftest horse, to the cliff side citadel that was the capital as the rest started setting up tents and Qudira along with two others slipped off to hunt in the wild woods. Kal watched as her closest friends and strongest warriors worked, each of them having something that shone in them like a gem and feeling her heart ache.<br><br>How many would die for freedom? <em>If there is to be one, let it be me, let me die for them, please.</em><br><br>Once the sun started to set she felt restless and paced away from the others, up the cliff's edge instead of deep into the woods, walking to where the land ended and the sea began. Out west, to the dying sun and the yet unseen foes of the Empire. The girl lifted a hand and ran it through her thick hair, heaving a heavy sigh even as she collapsed down to the earth to sit with her legs folded inward and sink into a trance, praying, just as Derin had told her to. Midnight could not come soon enough. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: Blessed and Divine [TheGlyphstone &amp; Wistful Dream]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TheGlyphstone</strong> on <strong>12-01-2010, 07:57:50</strong>
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				With nothing he could do to soothe her, via magic or otherwise, Tyrathyndalon decided to pass the time until midnight in one of the few ways he could truly enjoy himself. He flew out over the ocean, climbing high on the last of the updrafts before the waters grew cold, to a point where even his greatly enhanced vision could make out the meditating Kal only as a small figure perched on the top of the cliff. <br><br>Even if she had been watching, at that distance he would be only a vaguely bird-like speck, and so he dropped his invisibility ward even as his wings folded and he plunged into a dive. With a whoop, he plummeted downward like a humanoid missile, waiting until the very last moment to snap his wings open and arrest the fall into a glide over the surface of the water. Somewhere out there, far beyond even what he could see, the menace of the Empire waited, but for now he could fly free. A series of powerful beats took him up again, to the great heights where air began to grow thin, and he dove once more, this time releasing his wings just enough in sequence to do vertical loops in the air off the sudden stalls, managing three before the water grew too close. Cackling with cheer, the worries that he could do nothing about temporarily set aside, he winged upward once more to do it all again, keeping an eye on the fading sun and the rising moon to tell him when he should resume his unseen vigil, always keeping one farsighted eye on the woman at the clifftop.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Blessed and Divine [TheGlyphstone &amp; Wistful Dream]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Wistful Dream</strong> on <strong>12-01-2010, 23:56:51</strong>
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				A hand descended onto her shoulder, shaking gently. Yet that didn't matter, the response was instant, she stiffened and withdrew a dagger flipping it in her hand to hold it against the groin of the person who had touched her. Mical managed a dry laugh, his voice holding on a touch of fear as the sound filled the chill night air around them. "Commander, its nearing midnight, Samuel sent me to tell you and insist you eat." <br><br>Khalida tilted her head back to look up at the youngest of her Chosen, green eyes taking in the details of the warrior in the blue white night, details that were robbed of the color they would have in the sun. He had rich wheat gold hair turned to a greyish tone in the night, with skin bronzed from a life spent outside, first hunting and then fighting. That was right, the huntsman, he had been merely another young man with a promising skill at archery and staff work, rather too good for his small village until one of the Lerin's ships had landed and sacked his home, killing everyone. The only reason he had been spared five years ago was because he had been out hunting. He had been the one to carry the tale to the capital and she had seen the promise in him, offering him a place among her Chosen warriors and he had accepted with vengeance in his mind. Now he had learned to laugh again, and played the flute sometimes at night in their quarters. All this flashed through her mind in a blink of an eye and she nodded as she unfolded her legs, shaking off the trance she had slipped into. <br><br>Her rich red hair was darker by night, and the gold of her skin dimmed to a ivory color thanks to the moonlight, yet her gamine grin was the same as always as she clasped Mical on the shoulder and resheathed her dagger. "My thanks Mic, sorry about the dagger."<br><br>He shrugged, the pale blue of his eyes still bright in the moonlight. "Ack, well I'm lucky you didn't gut me, now I know why Samuel always says to speak first, then touch you." At that Kal laughed too a surprisingly light and sweet sound. "Samuel learned the hard way if you want to know, Layla had to teach him how to 'handle' me properly, granted that was back when I was thirteen, when we first met and I only flipped him onto his back. Nothing more then a sore arse for him."<br><br>Together the woman and her warrior started walking down the cliff toward the campfires of their group. "Figures, lucky bastard." Mical quipped summoning another laugh from the Champion. It really had been too long since she laughed, since she camped out with her Chosen, now most of her days were spent in the war chamber in the citadel, constantly trying to think of a way to avert disaster, feeling hopeless and doomed. <em>I do not do well within stone walls...better at action..</em> She pushed away her thoughts as they entered the camp and she accepted the bowl shoved into her hands by Samuel without protest. <br><br>"You are nearly as much a mother hen as Layla Sam..." she teased, eating quickly with her eyes darting to the path she would walk, the same path she had taken earlier yet with the moon in the sky and light limited it seemed darker, more dangerous. It was nearly time to go. Samuel didn't say anything, just shook his head and took the bowl from her once she finished, letting her leave in silence. As she strode away from the others she heard the sounds of dicing and laughter, of a sweet flute and the chime of Qudira's voice. There were good things, things she fought to keep to protect. That in mind she walked the path back to the sacred grove praying with every step.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Blessed and Divine [TheGlyphstone &amp; Wistful Dream]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TheGlyphstone</strong> on <strong>13-01-2010, 00:36:18</strong>
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				No meditation cut off his sense of time, only the unbridled joy of flight unrestrained, and so Tyrathyndalon was already well aware of the approaching deadline. When she came to stand at the beginning of the forested path, he was already waiting, once more shrouded in illusion. The surrounding darkness made Shadow trivally easy to draw upon, and so his spell had ended up including more Light than he normally used to compensate. This version of the invisibility charm would have been risky in open daylight, bringing with it a faint rippling distortion around his outline, but the moon and stars would not be enough to reveal him.<br><br>His fun over and his happy mood gone, he trod silently behind her as she walked. No prayers from him, not from one of a race on frequent personal speaking terms with the Gatekeeper and the Great Mother. He could only wait, knowing nothing of what would come aside that the woman he guarded would matter greatly in its outcome, as much from his observations of her spirit as his own divine charge.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Blessed and Divine [TheGlyphstone &amp; Wistful Dream]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Wistful Dream</strong> on <strong>13-01-2010, 05:31:59</strong>
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				Her footsteps carried her back to the grove with her heart heavy within her breast as the trees fell away to reveal the perfect circle of the trees and the man glad in the dark robe. A crystal glimmer in his hand, or perhaps it was a diamond though those were sacred to the Gatekeeper more then Neraos. Khalida's throat worked with her nerves as she walked on wooden legs to collapse down to one knee once more before Derin, head bowed as she felt hope and fear war inside her heart and rise within her. "Oracle."<br><br>"Champion, Daughter of the Divine, you come to me seeking answers for your country, you come pure of heart and in purpose, for this I shall answer your question with the words the Heavens reveal." <br><br>She couldn't find words to speak but for now there was no need to speak, not truly, his voice filled her ears in&nbsp; a soft chant, speaking words older then time and lost to nearly all but the servants of the gods. It shivered over her and touched something deep within her soul, something primal that was both aching and defiant. She trembled where she knelt but did not lift her head, it was not for her to observe a mystic at work. The chant grew in intensity until it felt nearly solid, a physical thing around her; silence fell, stark and empty and sudden and she closed her eyes and willed herself not to fear, an open, trusting, brave heart, that was what she had to be. His hand rested on her head then, against the silk of the red strands and she felt the weight of his powers and age bore into her.<br><br>"Fate is still undecided, though the Lerin are great in number and greedy you may yet tip the scales. Trust the gifts of the gods and the voices of the servants, let them be your guide Khalida." His voice tapered off, suddenly sounding weary and she tilted her head back finally to look up at him. Derin looked old and worn, yet he flashed her a weary smile. "War is for the young child, and I have become too aware of my own mortality with this...no answers can be given because there are too many strands to read, not even Neraos can guide you now, nor I, nor Fereshard. Trust the gods, and your own sword arm and quick mind...I am sorry I can not offer more."
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				Title: <strong>Re: Blessed and Divine [TheGlyphstone &amp; Wistful Dream]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TheGlyphstone</strong> on <strong>13-01-2010, 05:52:40</strong>
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				For just the briefest of moments, Tyrathyndalon felt the presence of the Gatekeeper himself in the grove, contained inside the body of the oracle as the god imparted the knowledge sought. Aside from the man's violet eyes emitting a radiant glow, there was no physical signs of the possession. It was why oracles grew old before their time - even chosen and prepared for the duty, a human could not channel even a small aspect of a true god without side effects. As it faded and Derin imparted what little guidance he had been given, the angel pondered the words and wondered what the Gatekeeper had in mind for Khalida - he was to do his duty, not question it, but still he wondered exactly how she would be so pivotal in Fate's twisted strands.<br><br>As he watched on the edge of the clearing, the oracle happened to glance up past her, his eyes settling on the invisible Tyrathyndalon and widening slightly in surprise. Despite having just been told that Khalida was a potential deciding factor in the fight against Lerin, seeing an actual guardian angel watching over her was a shock all of its own. He almost spoke, but changed his mind. For his part, the angel was momentarily startled to have the old man's gaze center on him instead of drifting past unconsciously, but recovered quickly - an oracle's power of sight extended into the present as well as the future, they could not be fooled by any illusion or disguise short of the gods themselves. Instead, the two of them traded a small nod of acknowledgement and thanks as Khalida turned away - the angel to the oracle for giving the words of reassurance that he himself could not speak aloud, vice versa for being the physical presence that the man was too old to provide.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Blessed and Divine [TheGlyphstone &amp; Wistful Dream]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Wistful Dream</strong> on <strong>13-01-2010, 06:13:00</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				It all lay upon her shoulders. <br><br>No words of comfort, well, they were, that they were not doomed to die, her warriors and her, and their country to be enslaved to the Empire's might. But that did not make the impact of being told that she was the pivot point upon which the fate of her homeland would be saved or destroyed. The redhead got to her feet, nodding numbly as she left the oracle, grateful that Derin knew her well enough not to take offense from her lack of words or response. Part of her wanted to weep, wanted to rail a the heavens, hadn't they had enough of her yet? Why must she endlessly prove her valor and honor, rescue her country over and over. <br><br>Because there was no one else. <br><br>Samuel, the other fourteen, they were all strong men and women, brave warriors but they didn't have the half royal blood that ran through her veins, they didn't have the training from birth to be a warlord (or lady in her case), they didn't have...didn't have...so many things. And so there was only Khalida. She stopped, halfway down the path back to camp and sank down to sit hunched up, her knees drawn into her chest as she buried her face in her hands and gave into a moment of sorrow and longing as hot angry tears burned from her eyes. Light and Lady she did not want to do this, she wanted to be able to relax, to live, to laugh. Mical had made her laugh, would she lead him to his death? And Samuel? Would her friend die and her best friend grieve, a widow with a fatherless child? How many would have to die to tip the scales in the favor of freedom? Would it be better to simply tell Tlyor to surrender and accept being a colony to an all powerful empire?<br><br>No, no the very thought of it made her blood boil, for that would be a different sort of a death. The tears she had hardly let escape, the aching need for being more then a warrior were shoved way ruthless to be forgotten as she steeled her back bone and let the fire of her rage and surety that her land should never bow before the Lerin flood her. Easier to be angry, easier to hate then to taste the ashes of sorrow and broken hopes; Kal stumbled to her feet and scrubbed her hands against her own cheeks to rid all traces of her momentary weakness. She could go back to camp, crawl into the tent the others had set up for her and in the morning they would ride back to the citadel and enter the war room with the King, there would be an answer, surely they could pull magic on their side if nothing else. And she could go and talk to the shifters, there had always been a decent size population of the other race within Fereshard but as Lerin chased out all non humans it had grown, and the shifters would surely battle as well. Perhaps the animal spirits would too, there were many old magics walking the land, she could plead with all of them and send to Dalias to the east. <br><br>There had to be way. <br><br>She put a bounce in her step, for there was no portent of destruction and ruin, yet. She could keep her people's spirits high, for they in turn would be what would keep her sane in the coming days. "Meria have mercy on us all..." 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blessed and Divine [TheGlyphstone &amp; Wistful Dream]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TheGlyphstone</strong> on <strong>13-01-2010, 06:30:44</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				If only she could. The Great Mother cared deeply for her creations and her children, both those of blood and those more metaphorical, but she always deferred to her husband in matters of fate and destiny, and the Gatekeeper had already made his feelings clear on the matter. A destiny lay ahead, and he would not intervene against it and defy his own nature.<br><br>Taking to the air to glide above Khalida as she walked back to camp more cheerfully, Tyrathyndalon stopped in midair to hover, focusing his sight on something in the distance, on the beach not far from where the Company had chosen to make their camp. The flicker of hooded lanterns was visible, matching the oh-so-quiet noises of wrapped oars dipping into the water. A quick whispered charm to banish Shadow from his sight, and what he suspected was laid bare before him. Three boats, half a dozen Imperial scout troops in each, glided slowly in from the massive bulk of a Lerin dreadnought anchored offshore. A raiding party, no doubt, probably one of many being deposited under cover of darkness to begin a terror campaign against Fereshard - the Empire moved fast after its demands of surrender were rejected. Unfortunately, this particular band had chosen a...poor location to make their infiltration, and if he did this properly, Tyrathyndalon could turn the situation to his advantage. Altering his course, he began to wing in the direction of where the boats would be landing.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blessed and Divine [TheGlyphstone &amp; Wistful Dream]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Wistful Dream</strong> on <strong>13-01-2010, 07:37:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Khalida inhaled deeply drawing in the scents of the loam of the forest and the waters of the sea so close, feeling the strength of her resolve fill her even as she left the pathway for the open air of the cliffs and the welcome campfire of the Chosen's camp. She found speed to put into her legs, summoned a smile to her lips, after all she did feel better for having seen them, no longer apt to cry like a babe and her people needed to see their commander smile and take heart. Samuel spied her first, as was so common and he stood, the bear of a man with questions in his eyes.<br><br>She didn't speak though, not to call out, instead she made her way to the large fire pit, hands going to rest on her hips akimbo as she eyed the fifteen people that followed her out of love, hope and loyalty. They all went silent, dice laying forgotten, songs trailed off as they focused on her and Kal found herself tempted to pray that she was not about to give them hope only to die. "Well the news isn't dire, nor wonderful."<br><br>Those words fell into the silence and a few shifted, eyebrows frowning but no one spoke, not yet. "The oracle said that the fate has yet to be decided, that we may well tip it in our favor, the Empire is a mighty foe but not unbeatable. Just like the dragon I slew." Laughs, snorts and murmured witty comments sounded at that and did put a real smile on her lips, rueful and laced with sardonic mirth. How she loved her warriors. Samuel crossed his arms, giving her a look. <br><br>"Ack, lass why did you have to go and kill the beast now? Could have kept it and maddened it then released it upon the Imperials." His words were clearly in a jest and Khalida just rolled her eyes at them. <br><br>"Yes, why didn't I kill the big bad fire bleching beast that was going to decimate our forests, dear me I just have no idea....." That triggered a few more sniggers and Vael, born to sailors but who had come to the capital as part of a audience party and elected to stay and become a solider, a warrior to make certain the elite knew how to work with the waves, tossed an apple at Kal's Second's head, Sam of course caught it and took a deep bite from the fruit. <br><br>"Old man, listen to the pretty Champion when she speaks, she knows what she's doing." The man still rolled his 'r's a touch funny but outside of that slight thing one wouldn't have been able to tell that Vael wasn't manor born and bred. Her people tended to asslimate well and fast. She tossed him a saucy smile before glancing back at her Second. <br><br>"I ceed, I ceed, now lassie tell us what else your keen little mind worked up, I see the devilish glint in your eye." The young woman shrugged her shoulders casually as if for all the world it was nothing. But then that was a point of pride for her, along with her strength with her sword and agility, her clever mind and ability to see her way out of any mess made her feel more confident as a person and as a leader. <br><br>"Well I figure we send off a fast rider to the east, toward Dalias and beg aid, as well as to the Republic of Lin to the north, Lin hasn't taken a stance on the conflict as yet, but Dalias sure as hell won't bend knee to Lerin, we have an ally there." Murmurs of agreement and nods came at that and her people relaxed, comfortable as they settled in to plot and scheme. "I also though of approaching the shifter clans here, its all Humari tribe and they aren't as touchy as the Nodi on Mina thankfully, and with them the animal spirits and any free holding mages we can find....." <br><br>She trailed off, about to suggest finding a good merc company when Merith came dashing up in the darkness outside the light of the fire within the camp, panting heavily and gesturing nearly violently as she gasped out words. "Imperials.... to the west.....not far....full long boats.... night raid....!" For a moment all of them sat stunned and then there was the all too familiar sounds of weapons being grabbed and loaded, horses being saddled and mounted in a hurry. Khalida all but flew to her own stallion's side and quickly got him ready and herself up into the saddle itself. Light and Lady, a long night in truth. Grimly she gave the signal to ride out and like avenging spirits they did, galloping into the night. They knew this land and they would protect it, the Imperial's, at least these cocky ones, would die. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blessed and Divine [TheGlyphstone &amp; Wistful Dream]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TheGlyphstone</strong> on <strong>13-01-2010, 18:05:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Crouching in the shadows of the trees on the edge of the beach a handful of paces from the boats, Tyrathyndalon heard the alarms of the camp before the landing Imperial troops did. This saved him the trouble of 'accidentally' alerting them himself, but it did put a bit of a time constraint on his plans. Still shrouded in the natural darkness, he shed his invisibility spell and quickly twisted together a double handful of light and shadow, spinning it like cloth into...well...cloth. It took on the appearance of rough, well-worn homespun clothing, matching itself to his otherwise nude body as would be appropriate for a local. Next came his weapon, another few seconds of work after which he eyed it critically. Something bugged him about the finished product, though he wasn't quite sure what. Maybe the glittering runes along the stainless steel blade, or the gold traceries, or maybe the rubies and diamonds studded in the hilt? It just seemed - inappropriate - for his current guise, so he dissolved it back into magic and tried again, this time producing a simple and battered-looking sword with an ordinary wooden handle.<br><br>On the beach, the scouts had mostly disembarked when one of them caught the sound of approaching horses and gave his own shouted alarm. This would not do at all, the angel thought as he watched. Scouts rarely carried more than pistol-grade sidearms, not the cavalry massacre that a proper defensive gunline of infantry would be, but they could still cause problems for Khalida's small band if allowed to deploy unhindered. More importantly, they could not be allowed to signal the dreadnought still waiting offshore - the Company could handle eighteen lightly armed and armored scouts, but a dreadnought's massive firepower could blot them out of existence with a few volleys, even before it deployed its boarding marines against them. No - the dreadnought would need to remain out of the fight, but he could manage that easily enough. Focusing on the prominently displayed signal lanterns, he gestured and flung a tangled blot of magic in their direction, persuading the Light they gave out to angle in the directions he chose, while the nearby Shadow swept in to replace it. There would be no light shining beyond the edge of the water, though the scouts would see their own signals perfectly.<br><br>The problem of reinforcements resolved, he could hear the approaching cavalry about to come into view, as could the enemies in front of him. They were already setting themselves up into a ragged defensive block, pistols poking between what looked like halberds. A vicious combination against mounted troops, but they had left their flank unguarded, and he sprung without warning. Shouting various oaths of doom and destruction in Fereshardan, he plunged the entire formation into chaos, fighting with sword and fists in the midst of the confused scouts with their entirely inappropriate weapon mix.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blessed and Divine [TheGlyphstone &amp; Wistful Dream]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Wistful Dream</strong> on <strong>13-01-2010, 19:19:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The sounds of fighting reached her ears and she frowned, still leading the charge of their horses down the cliffs incline to the bay at the base with the moonlight pouring over them, the full moon heavy in the ebon of the night sky. When they rounded around the curve of the cliffs down to the shoreline she saw someone already fighting with the Imperials. What in the world was going on? Who else could be out here? Derin's grove was in land that was purposefully empty of others. Who ever it was was one man against eighteen, not good numbers, and his voice though unfamiliar was issuing oaths and war cries in their tongue. The others drew up short, pacing nervously before she lifted her hand again, giving the signal for engagement, to be careful of the civilian fighter. <br><br>Her warriors nodded and Qudira and Vael, both the best shots with their bows even in the dead of night and knocked their arrows from the saddle quivers, pulling tight and releasing high into the sky, raining them down with deadly accuracy upon the invaders. Four went down within minutes, both the archers would stay back and keep an eye on the conflict, ready with an arrow if one was needed. Khalida kneed her stallion and Soliel sprung foreward, her hands drawing two of her throwing daggers first and flinging them from her, one went straight into the heart of one man, the other into a shoulder. The warrior with her dagger sticking out of his shoulder blade all but roared and she drew her sword with a grim smile, sticking men with daggers first always enraged them, interesting that. Her wrists flexed as they whirled her saddle sword, a light one meant for horse back riding and she guided Soliel with her knees closer and closer until the man's blade clashed with hers and she managed to wrench her dagger from his flesh. <br><br>He parried her sword again but her dagger in her other hand, her body turned in the saddle trusting her horse to keep her steady and move wit her, slashed across his throat, his blood spraying out onto her hands. But there was no time, even as his body crumpled there was other work to do. And her ears picked up the sound of a gunshot followed by Mical's voice etched in a cry of pain, she went after his attacker, noticing that her warrior had a wound to his thigh now, lower, which was good, higher and it might have pierced an arty and been impossible to heal. Heal, they should have a healer with them, she would have to remember that when they got back. She swung down from her saddle, saddle sword in one hand and dagger in the other as she approached the man who had injured Mical from behind and gutted him mercilessly, there was no time for thought or regret when fighting, later she would stare at her blood stained hands and wish she didn't have to kill, but now, for now it she simply had to protect and fight.<br><br>Kal's eyes flickered to the stranger even as the Imperial before her buckled to the ground and Mical flashed her a grateful smile, letting his prancing mare take him out of the midst of the fight and back to where the archers were. The man fought decently well and thankfully the Imperials were forced to rely on their own swords and daggers, unuse to them but unable to trust guns for the most part without a clear target. Perhaps night time engagements would be on their side then, and maybe there would be a way to ruin the guns before they went off, perhaps with the powder? The last Imperial was the one currently engaged with the stranger and Samuel came up to her, watching as well even as she decided to gather the arms the raiders had had to study them.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blessed and Divine [TheGlyphstone &amp; Wistful Dream]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TheGlyphstone</strong> on <strong>13-01-2010, 20:50:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Being literally inhumanly skilled, strong, and fast was less of an advantage that it would seem when one was trying to appear to be human. Tyrathyndalon could have taken on twice this number without any risk of serious injury, but that sort of prowess would instantly give away his supernatural talents, and so he settled for ducking, weaving, and parrying the occasional attack coming his way, dispatching three different scouts drawing beads on the horsemen and women surging into them while keeping up the appearance of barely being able to defend himself. From eighteen there were fourteen, then twelve, then ten, then five, then finally one, who he dispatched with a slash as the man turned to run for the boats.<br><br>Remembering to breathe heavily as if exhausted, and rubbing at the handful of minor wounds he had let past his guard for realism's sake, he turned back to look at the new arrivals, starting guarded but quickly lowering his weapon and grinning. "I dunno who you folks are, but it's a good thing you happened to show up - my countin' skills aren't as good as I thought they were, what with that one boat of sea-raiders turning into three."<br><br>To all appearances, he looked like a tall, extremely bulky local of the area, with a mane of dark russet hair and the piercing blue eyes he could not disguise. He was dressed in a shirt and pants of the rough, homespun fabric favored by woodsmen, sporting his battered sword and a couple of knives on his belt - the very image of a trapper or hunter, if one possibly engaged in a disreputable variant of said activities...but poaching wasn't high on the list of punishable crimes in the face of an invasion, which Tyrathyndalon was counting on to explain his presence in the area.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blessed and Divine [TheGlyphstone &amp; Wistful Dream]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Wistful Dream</strong> on <strong>14-01-2010, 01:41:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Khalida found herself quirking an eyebrow at the stranger, rather nonplussed by his grin, most people didn't grin after fighting and killing men, or rather not most common folk, though the peasant stock this close to the sea with the threat of raiders well could prove to be. Her lips twitched in a smile even as her eyes took in the details of him automatically, she tried to place him but couldn't. His build was like one of a blacksmith, muscled and yet useful with all that hidden power of a near mountain when roused and the blue of his eyes seemed to catch and gleam in the night. <br><br>"Merith, light please." The woman stepped forward and quickly wove the magic that was part of her soul into being, creating a mage light to hover over them and illuminate the area for about a ten foot span. Kal had half not believed the woman would fight right in her company when Merith had approached her but the girl was good with a dagger and her short sword, though the main perk of having her in the group was her magic, something none of the others in the company had to any great extent nor trained. The Champion turned her attention back to the man then, her own features striking in the mage light, the high cheekbones, clear skin and large eyes; she could have been a court beauty, but with her short cut hair and leather armor over her simple clothing she was clearly anything but. <br><br>Her head tilted, green eyes flashing in the night as she considered him. "You show an awful lot of promise for a trapper sir, perhaps you would care to join our camp for the night? No telling what other sort of beasts might be roaming or what might come to feet of this vermin." she nudged a fallen body with one foot, offering an invitation though not an over eager or welcoming one. "You did well with such a sword...." then she did flash a smile, saucy and taunting "Perhaps we shall have to see how you do with a better one..."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blessed and Divine [TheGlyphstone &amp; Wistful Dream]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TheGlyphstone</strong> on <strong>17-01-2010, 21:55:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The man looked back at her, fighting to keep his expression suitable for someone impressed by a stranger, and not someone who had known that person since they were a small child. He did belatedly remember that the average peasant would not feel the same sort of invigoration that he did from engaging in battle, but left the smile he had adopted in place as he returned his sword to its belt sheath.<br><br>"Well, you look like trustworthy folk, much as I can tell - you're certainly not raiders, what with havin' a mage and all in your bunch. Your offer to join camp for the night's one I'll take happily, since my other option would be a long hike in the dark back t' where I'd laid out my own camp. You're right about one thing though - vermin come to feed off vermin, and there might be more where this bunch came from. I'd leave 'em for the beasts myself, but if they've got friends nearby, one of them big hulkin' war-boats or something, that might mean more critters to stamp out tonight and less beauty sleep."<br><br>He didn't give a name, or explain why he was in the area, but if the visible hints were accurate, both were easily understandable.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blessed and Divine [TheGlyphstone &amp; Wistful Dream]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Wistful Dream</strong> on <strong>17-01-2010, 22:40:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Khalida blinked in surprise at him, after all she had thought most of Fereshard would know enough to recognize the Champion and her Chosen Company by sight, but perhaps that was expecting a bit much. The others moved among the fallen invaders, plucking up anything that could be of use with Merith focused on providing light for them to see. The stranger brought up a good point though and so she turned her attention to Samuel and Adair, the two strongest men of the Company. "Samuel, Adair, please dump the bodies into the sea load down with some stones, that should hide the scent and the bodies, the rocks will break them up quickly enough and if they are found perhaps they'll think their men were just cursed with badluck and toppled the longboat."<br><br>Both nodded and moved to obey while she gestured for the others to saddle up again, swinging up into her own stallion she let the beast prance near the stranger and offered him her hand to let him ride with her. "You make sound sense, and no need to worry, we are the Chosen Company, the King's private force, and I am his Champion, as lovely a position as that is. You are as safe as Meria's grace makes us all."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blessed and Divine [TheGlyphstone &amp; Wistful Dream]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TheGlyphstone</strong> on <strong>17-01-2010, 23:05:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He picked up on her reaction from body language, and mentally smacked himself. Of course 'he' would have recognized her, what with that annoying predilection for going out and throwing herself in front of horribly dangerous and deadly enemies that had given him so much frustration, saving peasants and townsfolk left and right without any regard for safety. Might as well make the best of the situation though.<br><br>"Y'know, I thought you looked familiar - heard lots of stories about you people, an' especially you, Lady. Cleaned out a nest of spiderspawn up near Haddingham, and fought a dozen dragon sorcerers alone, and aim t' sink the entire raider fleet with naught but your teeth and a good corkscrew, if th' tales are right. Can't imagine I'd be safer anywhere else, truth told."<br><br>He took her hand, swinging himself up onto the back of the horse with a strength even greater than his broad, muscular frame belied. "Call me Dylan if y' like."<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blessed and Divine [TheGlyphstone &amp; Wistful Dream]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Wistful Dream</strong> on <strong>17-01-2010, 23:58:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				When he spoke again she did laugh, a free chuckling husky sound at the response to her assertions that he would be safe with them. "The spiderspawn is true enough, as for the dragon, that was one, not a dozen." She rolled her eyes at the very thought, she had been very very lucky to come out of the bout with the dark path dragon in as good as shape as she had, but she had been exhausted for days afterward. Using magic cost a lot of energy, at least for someone who wasn't a mage, and yet she knew how to force though and channel the elements as well as she could, adding water to her clothing to avoid burning and air as shields around her, things the dragon would not had expected. She had been lucky, very very lucky.<br><br>"As for the fleet....You think a corkscrew would work?" Kal asked that honestly curious even as the man mounted behind her, surprised at the strength she felt in him. Was he of Shifter blood perhaps? "Dylan it is then, I'm Khalida, no lady if I can help it, there's no place for a lady in these days."<br><br>The last was bittersweet, but she didn't give either of them pause to contemplate that, rather urged Soliel into a canter again with the rest of the group, leaving behind Merith who was lighting the area for Samuel and Adair as they tended to the dead bodies. The camp wasn't more then a five minute ride and she rolled her shoulders,&nbsp; a sigh of relief as they entered it, feeling somewhat safer just for the tents and fire going in the pit. "Welcome to our humble home for the night..." she quipped, waiting for him to get down before she herself dismounted. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blessed and Divine [TheGlyphstone &amp; Wistful Dream]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TheGlyphstone</strong> on <strong>21-01-2010, 02:02:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"That's the question I should be asking you, Khalida - it's not me that'd be doing the corkscrewing, after all."<br><br>It was somewhat entertaining talking directly to her, even under a false guise, and 'Dylan' had to mentally scold himself for getting distracted, instead surveying the men and women surrounding his charge, as he had countless times before.<br><br>At the camp, he dismounted swiftly and efficiently, the same way he had mounted, looking around with a cheerful smile. "Looks right homey, it does - perfect sort of place to rest up in between vermin-hunting expeditions. M'afraid I've left my supplies up with the rest of my gear though, might someone amongst your merry band have a spare kit I could beg for the night?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blessed and Divine [TheGlyphstone &amp; Wistful Dream]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Wistful Dream</strong> on <strong>21-01-2010, 08:23:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The redhead laughed then, shaking her head at the stranger. "It was your idea, so therefore I should ask you." She watched, curious as the man swung himself down from her saddle. He was efficient in his movements, controlled and aware of his body mass, which was more then most his size were, especially the more untrained of them. <br><br>Kal placed her own hands on her saddle and vaulted out of it easily, smiling and petting Soliel's nose affectionately before looking to Mical who was hovering close by. "I believe we brought our normal three spare kits didn't we?" The dark haired warrior shook his head at first but broke it with a roguish smile. "Nay, but when I rode back with the news of the wait I brought them."<br><br>"Thoughtful as always, mayhap I should replaced Samuel with you." the Captain made the words a teasing joke that made the man shuffle and snort. <br><br>"I'd thank ye very much not to, I like being just one of the crew, sides it'd make the old man cranky..." Khalida laughed herself then and nodded her man off to fetch the kit. She surrendered her stallion to Jerian, a young woman, a slip of a thing, more like a slip of air then a person at times but who had a deft skill with horses and beasts of all sorts. Jerian cooed sweetly at the spirited stallion as she lead him off, caressing him and left the Champion with Dylan. <br><br>"Now just how was it you saw these men in the dark?" she asked, honestly curious as she walked toward the fire, expecting him to follow, the scents of strong tea and bread drawing her forward. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blessed and Divine [TheGlyphstone &amp; Wistful Dream]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TheGlyphstone</strong> on <strong>22-01-2010, 07:09:52</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Truly, A day ago I'd have laughed at the idea. Now that I've met you though, I'd have to say using the corkscrew wouldn't really be fair. Even vermin deserve a chance to run for their holes before you send 'em all screaming to the clutches of whatever foul god they worship over there."<br><br>He was lucky that she was walking away from him as she asked the question about seeing the raiders, because the <em>'oh crap</em>' expression that flickered over his face at the words would have instantly given away that there was far more to him than was apparent. His ability to think on the fly was rapidly improving through simple practice, though, and he spun together an answer as smoothly as he had spun his sword, catching up to her after only a moment's hesitation.<br>'I was lucky, really. Didn't see them at first so much as hear them. Think one almost fell overboard or something, 'cause I heard a curse in raider-tongue as I was skirting the beach, and got a glimpse of their lanterns when I looked that way. Only saw the one lantern, though, so I thought it'd only be that one boat."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blessed and Divine [TheGlyphstone &amp; Wistful Dream]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Wistful Dream</strong> on <strong>26-01-2010, 21:23:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Khalida smiled and accepted a cup of their strong tea from Qadira before sinking down to sit in the dirt itself, Champion or Captain, either or she wasn't above sitting on the ground and enjoying tea and flat bread with her people. Besides it would provide a more relaxed environment to question Dylan and allow her warriors to overhear their conversations. The woman brought the cup up to her lips and sipped, sighing in delight as the hot liquid poured into her throat and spread through her body, along with a lovely warmth. It certainly woke one up and yet also soothed, something the healers had made. <br><br>"Not sure I agree, if I gave them time to run then that's time for them to kill...I'd rather they die then us."<br><br>The words were softly spoken but with a steel to them, for the redhead had had to accept such ideas a long time ago. She would always be a killer because it was in her blood, it was what she had to do to protect those she loved, the land she loved. "Sounds like a lot of luck Dylan, luck that we all here will need in the days to come, would you agree to training to join us?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blessed and Divine [TheGlyphstone &amp; Wistful Dream]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TheGlyphstone</strong> on <strong>27-01-2010, 23:42:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				It'd certainly be a challenge, restraining his abilities down to normal human levels, or something close. He'd have to arrange not to ever suffer a serious injury though, since his rapid healing would be impossible to explain away - particularly if it were to a normally crippling or fatal wound. And it'd provide a way to keep an eye on her from an entirely different viewpoint, one that didn't rely on a constant magical expenditure to maintain his secrecy. Instead, he'd have to maintain his disguise, at least to the point of ensuring that his sword didn't evaporate into thin air when anyone was watching.<br><br>"If you'll take me, I'll happily come along. Game's getting thin around these parts anyways, with vermin scurrying in off the coast at every opportunity. Always better to hunt rats in packs anyways, they can get vicious when cornered."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blessed and Divine [TheGlyphstone &amp; Wistful Dream]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Wistful Dream</strong> on <strong>08-02-2010, 00:53:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Her lips sipped at the strong brew of the tea as her eyes drank in the stars that sprawled out across the night sky in all its grandeur. It made her wonder if the Priests of the Gatekeeper could offer any more answers then Neraos' oracle, but likely not. No, this was something that fell to mortal shoulders to bare, to deal with. The Gods could only watch and offer what help they could, for they had agreed long ago not to interfere too heavily with mortal affairs. The fire crackled before her, hot and wicked as the flames leapt into the air, tended by one of the warriors. <br><br>Kal's ears picked up the footsteps of Mical, able to tell each one of her band from the others and she glanced into the darkness toward the east, knowing he was coming in that direction before turning her attention back to the stranger that had found his way into their midst and likely saved all their lives with his actions. <br><br>"We'll take you, and your luck as well Dylan. Mical..." the man appeared just then, seeming from nowhere with a grin on his face that his commander knew he was there even as he dropped a bedroll, thin canvas tent kit, and blanket all next to the taller man. "will help you put up the tent and in the morning we'll break camp and make for the citadel. Sleep well and my thanks for your aid tonight."<br><br>The Champion got to her feet then and offered a wan smile with a salute of her tea mug before her swaying steps carried her to her own tent and she closed herself in for the night to her own thoughts.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blessed and Divine [TheGlyphstone &amp; Wistful Dream]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TheGlyphstone</strong> on <strong>13-02-2010, 03:07:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				'Dylan' let Mical help him set up the tent, then climbed inside with his bedroll and blanket, folding the thin door behind him and lying down. With no need to sleep, he lay there on his back thinking about his situation. She was every bit as engaging and determined when speaking face-to-face as he had imagined and seen with other people. More importantly, neither she nor anyone else had given a sign that they noticed him to be anything but a common trapper or huntsman.<br><br>&nbsp;That was good, because what he was doing now was teetering on the edge of what could be permitted. Guardians were supposed to be invisible, silent protectors of their charges. They were permitted to adopt visible human disguises when it was necessary to fulfill their duties, but not on a whim, and it was very close to a transgression to directly interact with the mortal they were ostensibly guarding. For now, he was technically safe, but it was still possible that he might get called back temporarily to account for his actions to the Elders...or if it was deemed serious enough, recieve a talking-to from the Gatekeeper Himself. That, naturally, was something he wanted to avoid at all costs.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blessed and Divine [TheGlyphstone &amp; Wistful Dream]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Wistful Dream</strong> on <strong>19-02-2010, 09:29:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She forced herself to rise when she felt the sun crest over the land, feeling it far before most would even see it. After all they were on the far west end of the Gith continent and the far north west of Fereshard herself. Yet still, unexplained she felt it call to her and rolled out of her cot and bedroll, rubbing the sleep from her eyes even as her fingers worked through the wavy mess of her riotous red hair, combing it into some semblance of order. A yawn parted her lips and she shook her head to clear it before tugging on her boots and lacing them up and slipping out of her tent. <br><br>Khalida made straight for the embers of the camp fire, Qadira tending to it as the last person on guard and she offered her commander a cup of strong tea which the redhead drained happily before climbing her way back up the cliff to stretch her legs and wake herself up further. It was time for morning exercises before they headed back to the capital.&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blessed and Divine [TheGlyphstone &amp; Wistful Dream]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TheGlyphstone</strong> on <strong>01-03-2010, 06:38:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Why angels had perfect internal clocks Tyrathyndalon had never been quite certain, but it was a convenient gift at times, and he knew the sun was coming up even before the first rays fell on his tent. Having spent all night thinking, he had decided that he'd accompany Khalida in this guise for at least a week or two before finding some excuse to wander off 'home'. That should be long enough to satisfy his curiosity for this manner of guardianship without pushing the boundaries of proper actions too far.<br><br>Waiting until he heard noises outside, he went through the motions of waking up, then climbed out of the borrowed tent to bask in the morning air after making sure his clothing and accessories were still intact and servicable. His sharpened vision spotted Khalida up near the top of the cliff - normally, he would fly up to wait nearby till she finished exercising, but that wouldn't be practical now. Instead, he settled for bouncing his sight off the bottom of a fluffy cloud directly overhead, getting a brief birds-eye view of the area and confirming that there was nothing capable of threatening her. The dreadnaught was nowhere to be seen, and the empty longboats had long since smashed to pieces on the rocks. Instead, he gave a cheerful nod to Qadira, taking a cup of tea if one was offered, and waiting as the camp assembled.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blessed and Divine [TheGlyphstone &amp; Wistful Dream]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Wistful Dream</strong> on <strong>31-03-2010, 18:56:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The redhead shook out her hair, ruefully looking at it as it coasted over her shoulders. She cut it nearly every month and yet it still grew quick and long; annoying and too feminine for her and now the red locks were matted to her head thanks to her exercises, yet her body felt nice and loose, limber. The girl inhaled deeply, clearing her mind and then released it, finding her center within herself as she brought her hands together and bowed to the rising sun, to Solious. <em>Oh Divine Judge, God of the Flames and Guardian of the Victorious War...watch over my people.</em> She would pray to every god there was for aid, from Solious to Deril, to the Gatekeeper, Meria was not the only divine being in the world and she had to keep hope alive someone. Khalida turned from the cliff edge then, belting her sword around her slender waist and striding down toward the camp, smiling to Jerian as she passed the woman handling the horses, feeding them and making them ready. <br><br>Samuel and Adair both lounged around the firepits, Mical and Vael were off hunting for game, after all this far from cities it was likely to be good and Vael bothered Mical to teach him about woodcraft unendingly. It was amusing to say the least. Her green eyes focused on the stranger, Dylan and stopped next to him, hands on her hips. "So laddie, can you ride?" <br><br>Samuel laughed then, of course, the bear of the man amused. "Ye calling him laddie? Ack, Kal he's a good foot taller then you if not more and he's the laddie?" <br><br>The Champion turned, glaring at her Second with a flare to her eyes, but she was laughing as well, this game that they played together to keep concerns at bay. "Yes, I do, you are a laddie too, you have a prick no? Now shush, I want the answer to my question."<br><br>Samuel nearly choaked on the tea he had been drinking when she said the word prick and she had to hold in her own laugh at the shocked expression before hearing her Second roar with laughter. "She said prick...." Adair just shook his head and Qadira ducked her head to hide her own laughter. She loved her people. Her green eyes found the stranger again and she tilted her head, waiting for her answer still. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Blessed and Divine [TheGlyphstone &amp; Wistful Dream]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TheGlyphstone</strong> on <strong>19-04-2010, 18:52:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Could he ride? Well, at least this would be another way to convince them of his bona fides, because "Dylan" didn't have the faintest clue how to properly ride a horse. He had never needed one, being able to fly, or even run, faster than the swiftest stallion could gallop. Naturally, he had watched Khalida do so countless times, but never from the perspective of trying to mimic her.<br><br>Carefully neutral, he looked back at her with a slightly regretful expression on his face. "I'm sure I could figure out how to get on a horse, and maybe hold on tight enough so as to not fall off, but I've never learned to ride myself. No need to, really - you can hunt most beasts quieter on foot, and the creatures you'd need a steed to take on aren't anything I want to be caught hunting anyways.<br><br>"Perhaps one of you might be willing to give me a few pointers, and maybe a spare horse to practice them on? I wouldn't want to get left behind, after all."<br><br>At Kal's offhand comment to Samuel, he couldn't help but crack a smile of his own - it was exactly the sort of acerbic wit that he expected from her. and had heard far too many times in the past directed against other unfortunates. As soon as Kal had turned away for one reason or another, he glanced to Samuel offhandedly. "If that's the qualifier to be a 'laddie', then I'll be mighty surprised if I'm anything else, and hoping I'll be a laddie for quite some time to come...", earning another rumbling chuckle from the Second, along with anyone else in earshot.
			</dd>
		</dl>
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