A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu & PearlRuby]
<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: Inkidu on 02-04-2009, 01:25:13</h2>
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				Title: <strong>A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>02-04-2009, 01:25:13</strong>
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				Ban-Ku crouched in the tall, dry grasses of the prairie. His short hunters bow had an arrow nocked and taut. His light, tanned gave him a natural camouflage. He was relatively bare-chested. A light gauzy robed under light leather hunter garb. The robe was off his right shoulder, to aid his aiming. The well defined runners muscles were all flexed. Holding his position. He wore a bracer on his naked arm. The leather he wore belonged to the animal his gray, raptor eyes were sighting. A straggler in a heard of prairie antelope. <br><br>When boiled and tanned it made a lightweight, hard leather good for hunting. His quiver was kept at the small of his back, holding the broad-tipped flat arrows. His short dusty-blond hair wafted ever so slightly in the warm breeze. Ban-Ku was, like any human, a serving member of the militia. However, rumors of the elven conflict placed it on the far side of the great jungle. So he was practicing his profession. <br><br>His leather belt held various tack items of his trade as well as two long metal daggers one painstakingly serrated and the other smooth. For filleting and breaking bones. Ban-Ku was lithe and fast, deceptively powerful. His face was angular with a short scar bisecting his right eyebrow, and a second his lip on the same side. <br><br>Holding his breath Ban-Ku prepared to let the loose the arrow, but the nearby jungle started shaking, at least one hundred yards in front of him. It startled his mark and he stood up in frustration relaxing. Birds flew out into the sky as the ground shook again, "Damn it's probably a jungle wyrm having a fit..." he muttered looking at the pyramids of the elves far off in the distance. Their square tops poking out from the green horizon. The young hunter turned to leave and find new prey.&nbsp; 
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				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>02-04-2009, 03:48:58</strong>
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				<strong>"You're the only one now. Our fate rests on your shoulders."</strong><br><br>The words spoken by the high order of the moon, entailed the incredible duty of their last Shamaness. A duty owed to both her tribe and the Alania-Kur people, which echoed through her entire being, as she sat in silent, meditative contemplation. Zyanya-Tlachinolli, the everlasting fire, was her name; fitting for one who had survived the wars that were tearing the land and tribes in two. While there were those whose allegiances deferred to the invading, steam-powered demons, she remained completely devoted to her tribe. As if they were her reason for existing; without them her life would become meaningless. Clad in nothing but her own skin for the purpose of the preparation ritual; the rays of the burning sun seemed to worship her enriched, chocolate and sepia tones, adding warmer hues that almost made her glow like some bronzed statue of a goddess. Yet various circular patterns of ochre and white, painted her arms, navel, and thighs in ancient symbols dedicated to the spirits. She sought the protection of the Keir-Gru forests; of the earth, sky and water. Without her affinity to the elements after all, she would be useless. Hence the roaring fire that spun the weavings of euphoric, scented smoked around her, paid tribute to her preferred element.<br>This would be the last time those large, almond shaped eyes of the deepest black, would see her home. Her abode settled up high in the trees decorated with rope bridges and hanging vines. The beautiful but dangerous expanse of forests would replace it, until she found the sacred holy grail buried deeply in the heart of Alania-Kur superstitions and myths. Lithely rising to bare feet, the ample woman extended her arm to her wyrm pet, delighting in how the smooth, shiny scales slid over her heated skin. The creature was quite translucent; a strong affinity with water, the scales were soft shades of blue. It snaked to face her in a wispy purr, spiky whiskers brushing against her full pout of burgundy in odd affection. The softest of kisses was planted against the creature's skull. She could not take her friend with her, and would miss it dearly.<br><br>Letting the feather-light, airborne pet drift to a nearby cushion, Zyanya stepped into what would be her tailored travelling robes. The gentle whispers of fine material, as it slid over the wide, womanly hips, and then the full curve of pert breasts, accompanied the crackling flames of her temperament. Spun from the silvers of wyrm silks and dyed in orange and reds, the material primarily used for robes was sewn in two parts; first to the treated leather waistband adorned with beads of white, red and gold, and secondly to the band of softer leather that bound her breasts more securely to her chest. She expected to be on the move quite a lot after all. Her legs and arms were entirely free to move, while her shapely buttocks, womanhood and breasts were both protected and covered by the fold of material. The bottom of the robe was long enough to pathetically catch on foliage though; just about reaching her mid-thigh. A halter-neck of beads matching those at her waist, draped from her neck down to her cleavage in a triangular fashion; against secured to the material. Nothing was designed to easily catch or prevent her from rapid movement, just as the attire was designed to allow her to camouflage with the forest. To the thong of leather tied to her thigh, she slid the simple survival dagger. Likewise, from leather sandals snaked the crossing ties up her calves, to below the knee. Hair dyed from its natural, dark roots to a defining white-blonde, was a mixture of long, thin locks, twists and tighter curls. Decorated with golden beads, and feathers of black, white and green, several strands hung down her bare back, while the majority was pinned high on her head. <br>All she needed, was to feel the thick wood of her staff, inscribed with various symbols, against her palms, and she was ready to depart.<br><br>However, it was not long after leaving the safety of the Alania-Kur settlements perhaps only a handful of days, that Zyanya found herself faced with the wrath of the golems. As a lone agent of the rivalling elves, she was the prime target for this patrolling militia. Following the outskirts of the forest, she’d caught sight of the inorganic metals of these creatures, and the chase had commenced marked by the flapping of birds leaving their high nests. She could not be caught, not so early in her quest! So with the needy pump of adrenaline, muscles forced themselves to propel her across the forest floor; jumping the thick roots of ancient trees and ducking under hanging vines. Until the border broke into the open prairie; the worst place to be. There was nowhere to hide out there, only open land stretching for acres of nothing. It were as though the machine forced her out of hiding; directing her to the place that would be her death. Staff clenched in one hand tightly, she pushed herself further, trying with all her strength to at least create a distance between her and this demon of nature, before stopping to turn and face it. To fight single handed against it, would be her only option now. She could not hope to run forever.
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				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>02-04-2009, 04:35:21</strong>
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				The golems the demon wizards invoked were cold metal centurion fulled by the unbridled hate of demons from some unknown forsaken land. They stood ten feet high with gauntlets and boots for hands. The land of the elves had never seen so much metal used in anything. The black and green flames spewed from it's open joints and eye sockets. They wore the hollow plates of foreign metal armor. The helmets formed a blade at the top while ever piece of armor contained a crude iron implement for stabbing or goring the unfortunate victim. They clanked and groaned with each all-too-fast movement. It's feet left small craters in the dirt bending the ancient roots underneath.<br><br>Luckily she was pursued by only one of these foreign monstrosities. It literally smashed through the underbrush; unyielding, never tiring. Hollow metal howls emanated from the hole that should have been it's mouth. His dark-skinned prey ran into the open. All too easy.<br><br>Ban-Ku had unstrung his bow and put it away on the leather strap that ran from his left shoulder to right hip. He heard a large crash and spun crouching low. It was strange for the the wyrms to come out of the jungle. They hated the strip of prairie around the jungle. It was stranger for him not to see it. He furrowed his brow, his eyebrows came closer together. Then he saw it... and her... <br><br>It would seem foolish to an outsider but most non-elves never saw elves. Sun above they never even ventured into the jungle because it was quite illegal. Ban-Ku had of course, he prided himself on being the best hunter, tracker, and guide in the world... despite his lack of world travel. He couldn't use magic, he couldn't live two-hundred years, but he'd be damned if any elf or wyrm ever caught him when he went into the dark trees.&nbsp; <br><br>He looked at the scene for about half a minute. His eyes observant and rarely missed a thing. He saw a woman, an elf woman. Ban-Ku himself was only eighteen years on this earth, but felt confident and accomplished. He stood and broke into a dash. He was a prairie runner. He could outstrip nearly anyone and run with some of the larger cats of the plains. He crossed the distance like a wind gust from a storm and pulled both his daggers from their place on the sides of his belts. <br><br>Ban-Ku saw the thing pull a huge, and strange sword, he attacked at the elf who wouldn't last very long without her trees. He reached the golem coming at the two from her left. He jumped hitting the monster in the chest with both of his powerful rabbit-like legs. The momentum of the impact drove the behemoth to the ground knocking the ethereal clasped helmet from his head. <br><br>The green and black flames died from the headpiece but the monster still staggered to his feet. Even with the young hunter on his chest. Jumping back Ban-Ku spun to the women. His far off observation had been correct. Blond hair, dark skin, womanly body... luckily he could blame flush on the exertion of the feat. Though now didn't seem the time to talk. "Come." he said curtly grabbing her hand, and beginning to pull her away. <br><br>There were some low-caves, over-glorified holes in the ground, made by giant spiders from the jungle that moved out. Ban-Ku could handle the spiders, not this thing. This thing didn't bleed.
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				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>02-04-2009, 14:52:39</strong>
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				The shamaness had skidded to a halt, a cloud of prairie sand and dirt swarming around her up to the knees. The dark abyss of her eyes glared down her goliath opponent, stance lowering into the crouched position of the able huntress. All beings had a weakness, even those that spat flames of green and coal. Her only fear was that it already knew how easily metal could make one bleed, whereas wood was no match for this hardened steel and iron plating. Answering the thunderous moans of the demon, was Zyanya's own powerful battle cry. She may not have time to call the tears of sky or sun to rain down on this beast, but she would be damned if she let it overpower her in brute strength alone. Eyes narrowed to the gleam of silver, signalled by her worshipped and adored sun in thankful warning to her. Under her breath, came the guttural growl, while her body remained poised and still. Only at the last possible moment, did she evade the swift attack. Timing was absolute. As the great sword swung down to her, she fluidly rolled, sideways across the prairie plains of her arena. Using shoulders and hands, the she-elf propelled herself to her feet once more. Powerful it might be, but she had the advantage of lighter weight over it's clumsy heaviness. While the clanking beast lifted the sword to try again, the tip of her pole like staff jutted against the headpiece.<br><br>Out of what seemed to be thin air, another being joined her battle. Clumsily, she half stumbled and half jumped backwards from the dangerous melee range, as the golem reared towards her in an attempt to impale its brave victim with the studded armours. The blur of this intruder however, stopped the demon from leering any closer, instead forcing it backwards. Zyanya clenched her staff more tightly, somewhat irritated by this intrusion. This was her fight after all, and personal in its’ own right too. As though by defeating this foreign demon, she contributed to the wars and avenged the lingering spirits of her fallen people. Staff outstretched firmly and horizontally straight in front of her, she readied herself to rejoin the fight at the right opportunity. Instead, once the beast fell backwards, her wide, alert eyes were distracted by this third being. A human; one of those who threatened her people. Instinctively she scowled, torn between these two enemies. In this confused stupor, she’d frozen, and only in this state could the man take advantage by grasping hold of her hand. There was no time to spit or rebuke against him though, as not only did youthful muscles pull against her own to run with him, but the clanking of metals resumed as the fireless golem slowly recovered.<br><br>He ran fast, like the cheetah or the frightened antelope. But he did not need to drag her behind him, as she fought hard to match his speed. No human would best her, even though her aching lungs protesting in sharp pains at her chest. The dusty webs of the spider‘s caves however, served as the safety net to slow them as they ducked under the lower cover which seemed to descend down into the earth. Her hand tearing away from his once the darkness engulfed the light from outside. Raising her staff as a cautious shield between their two bodies, eyes snapped briefly to the, at most, five foot opening ahead. Hardly large enough for the demon to pursue them any further. Those same alert eyes snapped back to observe her would-be saviour, though her mind spat at that very notion, while her body distanced herself further with a step backwards.<br><br>"<em>That</em> was not your fight, <em>westerner</em>." Came her snarling, almost ungrateful response, in the most common tongue shared by the lands. Of course, it had been her people who had set this language. As if she were eyeing her next opponent, he stance lowered slightly with the simple bend of her knees. "Who are you!" She demanded rather than questioned, aware that she was trapped with the only option to venture further into the caves that were dangerous in their own rights.
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				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>02-04-2009, 15:29:32</strong>
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				Ban-Ku slid down the web cover cute it was at a rather sharp angle. He felt the webs tangle in his hair as he rolled out onto the soft dark ground of the cave. Prairie spiders preferred the trap-door method to the wild hunting of their jungle brothers. He stood up and crouched his daggers in his hands. He slid the smooth one home in it's simple leather sheath. Standing up he slipped his arm back in the other sleeve of his robe. Fixing it.<br><br>The young hunter yanked the sticky webbing out of his hair and brushed himself off. The cavern was quite spacious with a moist mildewy smell. He yanked his small hunter's braid clean of webbing as well turning to face the elf. <br>The relationships between humans and elves are... varied. Some resented elven rules, some thought elves just didn't care, and one's like Ban-Ku hand never seen an elf before. His gray eyes took the vision of her in. He could see the markings of paint on her dark body. Her blond hair was still webbed up. <br><br>When she spoke he panicked, "Quit it." he hissed lowly, "Be quiet!" he looked around. The giant spiders were sensitive to vibrations and sound. "Later..." he said curtly walking over to her and picking a small normal-sized spider off the back of her shoulder. Just as long as nothing disturbed the caves then they would be fine. <br><br>The caves were a mistake however, Bank-Ku's fault in it's entirety. He didn't realize it took a lot more to dispatch a golem. It's huge steps shook dust from the ceiling. The hunter looked up in abject horror. The huge foot falls grew closer and Ban-Ku looked back at the hole they'd entered. It grew dark, like the times the sun shows black fire. Licks of green and midnight flame appeared at the hole and the golem's massive sword excavated more of the hole. <br><br>However, the screeches and hisses scared Ban-Ku more than the strange sword. "Run..." he said quietly heading for the largest artery in the cave. He had to find another way out. He was hoping that the golem would go away. He hoped that&nbsp; she was behind him but he didn't want to check he had to watch out for the dusty brown and white arachnids that could tear him apart. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>02-04-2009, 16:27:23</strong>
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				Had the situation been different, Zyanya would curse the man from the western shores for not only pressing more authority against her questioning, but also daring to touch her once again. The creeping little legs against her skin had gone unnoticed; when one spent so much time in the forests, bugs became second nature which were easy to ignore and live amongst. Yet her staring contest, black against grey, would not last long. Head tilting up on the moderate crate of her neck, she looked to the shaking vibrations of the roof; remnants of old webbing, dust and soil raining down bad omens upon them. Her stance lowered, back hitting the safety of the wall like an animal cornered. An ant trapped by the poking investigations of the hungry armadillo; it's sword breaking through to stab relentlessly at the air and webs between them.<br><br>The man did not need to tell her twice to run; the first time he spoke the word, the shamaness immediately snapped out of her weary, tactical state of thinking. Seems the boy was not done with his interfering ways. To venture towards the cause of arachnidan hisses was indeed foolish, but more fool the man who walked into immediate death. Having gathered her breathing into a more dignified pant of needy breaths, limbs forced themselves into propelling her ample body forwards once again, deeper into the lair of the eight-legged fiends. Yet webs grew thicker, marring her speed as feet seemed to stick against her wishes to the cave floor. Staff tore through the silver-white strands which blocked her way, while her body now steered completely clear of the walls and gaping hopes. All the better for poisoned stings to paralyse them unsuspectingly.<br><br>How long would the golem stalk them? The she-elf knew of beasts who would camp for hours just to taste their coy prey, but likewise, how long could they survive in these caves? Maybe the golem would draw the attention of the spiders, or maybe they weren’t so foolish as she hoped, to investigate the demon’s roar. Just as she stopped to determine which way to turn down these dingy, dark corridors, the arching of two bent legs covered in prickled hairs, lurched above her. A soldier drone to the matron widow, fulfilling it’s duty of securing food for the young. The louder hiss warned the shamaness early, her body spinning with her staff as an extension of her limbs, as the spider crept out from it’s hole in a darkened blur. Forced to draw first blood in her own defence, the polished wood pinned the drone in place against the curve of the wall, procuring a crunching sound as it pushed forwards to impale the midriff shell. In one swift retreat, the weapon withdrew from clawing legs, her own legs hopping back into the momentum of jogging. Likewise, Zyanya feared that the foolish human was leading her to nesting place of the Queen, rather than another way out.<br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>02-04-2009, 16:47:54</strong>
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				Ban-Ku felt the ground take a steady upward grave, as long as they stayed going up then they'd never meet the nastier spiders. Ba-Ku saw the brown nasty maw of a hungry worker. The slightly sallow drool hit the ground around the giant insect. Letting his weight drop below him he hit his back and slid across the web strewn ground plunging his dagger into the bug and slicing it deep and long. Putrid yellow ichor spilled out behind him. He saw the lady elf dispatch another to his hind right. <br><br>Behind Ban-Ku the golem roared incessantly. the sound of earth breaking and insect shrieks told the young hunter that the machination had upset the nest as well. Chancing a look behind him Ban-Ku saw the sparks flare as the behemoth worked his way down the tunnel they'd come through. Smashing spiders like their smaller counterparts. It's sword cleaving them in twain easily. The giant stomped the already fragile earth around them and the ground broke out of the chamber like crisp bread. Spiders and the behemoth disappeared into the darkness. Ban-Ku found himself without a place to stand soon after and he didn't see if the woman had as well. <br><br>He hit something wet. Water. He could tell. Looking around him he couldn't make out two shapes. One was the golem and the other was a gigantic spider. It was dark brown but it looked black. It's large brittle looking legs and swollen thorax pulsed with it's rapid pregnancies and births. It was screaming for its guards who swarmed the golem. Their poison and bites barely did a thing to the metal man. <br>Ban-Ku's vision swam. At least he was lucid. A fall like that would knock anyone out if they had just a shred of bad luck.<br><br>Standing up warily he took the opportunity to asses his situation while the spiders focused on the greater threat. His bow was broken. Half his quiver spilled out but he had both his knives, after picking the one he dropped up. He scanned the room for the elf, but her dark skin made her hard to spot, so he looked for her luminescent hair. Where was she?&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
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				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>02-04-2009, 17:45:03</strong>
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				Large cracks snaking venomously beneath Zyanya in the earth, quickly tore her feet off balance. She had been far focused on the escalating war between angered steel and bone ahead of her, rather than the tragedy below. It was only a matter of seconds before the weight of the thundering goliath overwhelmed the thinner layer of hollow ground completely. Swallowed whole by the new orifice of the caverns, gravity sucked with eager gluttony at her limbs, while arms flailed in an attempt to secure some form of leverage to cling to. Yet there was nothing; just the bitterly quick descent into an empty abyss amongst the roars of scratching metals and screeching organics. <br><br>The she-elf at first wasn’t sure what she collided with; but it was both moist and hard all at once. The skin of the water mostly broke her fall, like a harsh slap to her senses, followed by the rockier floor. The pool was not as deep as one might hope, but enough to lessen the damage of the fall. Yet it was the crack against the side of her head, that dazed her conscious entirely with the sharp pain that seared right through to her protective skull. In her momentarily slip from full consciousness, she inhaled water rather than air into her exasperated lungs. That was enough to shock her back into a semi-alert state, eyelids fluttering through the haze of murky tears. The water repelled her, forced her limp body back to the surface where she started to splutter in desperate coughs and gasps. Her vision blurred, body threatening to sink again, unless she found the strength to force her feet to stand. Arms splashing wildly in her stunned frame of mind, feet found the jagged, out of tune surface beneath her.<br><br>While one hand retrieved her floating staff, the other lifted to press against the numbed side of her head. The locks were slimy, hopefully more from water rather blood. Re-gaining her surroundings, the she-elf could only make out the blurred shapes of colliding creatures. Hisses leaping on dulled metals, hell bent on destroying everything in its path. Clumsily, she stumbled away from the mass of shapes, stumbling in water which seemed to try to drag her beneath it again. The buzzing of a single high pitch sound numbed her senses entirely, while she lethargically clambered to the shallow edges of water. Before she knew it, eyelids threatened to block out the happenings around her, while the pain of knees hitting the hard stone sent electric jolts through her nerves. A hand reached forwards to settle her balance before she completely toppled over, but the fragile line between the blanket of the pitch black cave and her own un-consciousness, began to stretch thinner.
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				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>02-04-2009, 18:17:06</strong>
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				Ban-Ku saw the shine of the she-elf's hair and he sprinted over to her tottering form as he managed to recover after tripping over a cast-aside corpse of one of the bugs. His eyes had quickly adjusted and he was rather whole with except for a scratch, gash or bruise. He managed to close his deceptively strong arms around her narrow waist and hold her up.<br><br>The chaos of the fight between the spider nest and the machination wore on large rocks began to dislodge and fall hitting the golem and bugs crushing their carapaces. The room was collapsing and there was no way out. Piking the poor she-elf up in his arms he looked around. Way out, way out his eyes screamed darting around. Then he remembered, the water. This was probably an underground river. Ban-Ku ran on down the tunnel making sure his feet were never dry. He ducked and dodged the falling earth as it smashed all around him.<br><br>The golem had left the queen dead when boulder hit her Abdomen crushing her to death. It turned it's attention to its original prey. It charged down the tunnel after them, smashing the rocks that hindered his chase. Ban-Ku could hear the otherworldly screech as he howled after them; it spurred him on faster. Turning a bend and taking a sharp hit to the shoulder from a falling, fist-sized rock he saw daylight. However, the golem was hellbent on denying him that stumbling the young hunter regained his footing barely before stumbling out the opening into a large lake. <br><br>Thankfully the very act of running after them had compromised the tunnel further and the passage collapsed on the golem. Stifling its horrible sounds forever, or at least Ban-Ku hoped. Dragging her to the bank he hefted his charge out and let her rest on the soft silt of the bank. She was soaking wet and he had to do something. <br><br>He pulled her wet clothes off, surprisingly they looked wearable just wet. Though he couldn't really tell he was unfamiliar with lady clothes. He stripped himself naked from the waist up. His leather had been waterproofed by oils and fats but his robe was not. Putting the things on a makeshift clothes pole from the narrow-canopied, skinny prairie trees. Using brush he started a small fire and checked her injuries now that she wouldn't freeze. Night was falling fast. He managed to kill two rabbits while looking around for something to uses as a blanket. All his things were in another tree back at the rim. <br><br>He cleaned and bandaged her wounds with herbs and grass wrappings. Her head was fine. No blood in the ears. He couldn't help but look at her body, blushing at his own lack of usual modesty. Her well-toned body, sable and dark. He gingerly wiped the paint from her body. It was the body of a woman, not some girl like he was used to seeing. Full hips, slender waist, long legged... Ban-Ku worked on cooking the rabbits and cleaning out their skins to make a small blanket, and to find more food. Rabbits were abundant. Hoping she wouldn't wake and wander off. The prairies were dangerous at night...
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>02-04-2009, 19:00:35</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Abstract sounds eased the Shamaness back into the aesthetic realm of the consciously living ones. The crackling of embers engulfed by the hungry tears of the sleeping sun, encouraged each eyelid to unveil her large, discerning eyes. For several bated breaths, she held her line of focus ahead of her; the warming flames that always calmed her equally fiery disposition. She had found herself back amongst the great Kingdom of sweeping vines and canopies, as though her journey had not even begun. Yet as she'd searched for the welcoming arms of her people, all she had found was the invasion of incompatible metals. It tore through the trees, a fiend of nature as opal and jade fires burned around her. These were not the tears of the worshipped sun; they were unholy, demonic and burnt her to the bone without any ecstasy. Then, just a strong arm had stolen her from the destruction. The face was not seen in her dream-like vision, but invading warmth seeped through her second skin of heavier robes; a burden in their own right.<br><br>Now, here she was, and as she slowly lifted herself on bent elbow, realisations of her predicament slowly begun to make sense. First, that heavy burden of what had become a translucent second skin, had been plucked away from her. Zyanya looked down to her bare form, aware of her nakedness and not exactly a stranger to her own body. The paints from her former ritual had since been washed away, leaving only the bruises from her little adventure, and the odd smear of dried mud. It was not this that bothered her however, rather it was the idea of other, enemy hands defiling her of her robes, that her filled her with a bitter taste on her tongue. Almost like bile rising in a swell of anger. Such was her quick and judgemental discrimination. With a heavy frown on the sweep of neatly tamed, curved and dark brows, her hand again lifted to the now treated wound at the side of her head. There was no stain of crimson on her fingers, as she examined the results; only tenderised skin from a harsh, protruding bump. Lifting her other arm, which she had grazed without realising from the scrapes of her previous descent, she sniffed at the bindings tied securely by strands of thick, strong grass. A healing salve, and well mixed, it seemed her rescuer was no stranger to survival in these wild lands.<br><br><em>Rescuer</em>. She scoffed at that. Would she have done the same for him? Perhaps, though it was easier for her to accept that in doing so, it would be <em>he</em> that owed <em>her</em>, rather than what was really the reverse. Neglecting to deal with that when the time came, the she-elf followed her nose and groans of her stomach, to the scents of fresh meat spewed over the fire. Gingerly, she moved a little closer to share the heat. The days may be hot, but the nights were often cold and without shelter or cover, she felt the chill piercing through to muscle and bone like thousands of sharp needles. The meager chunks of rabbit meat meanwhile, had been tortured enough by the flames, and were charring; abandoned there for too long. Poking at them with a sharp stick, she managed to skewer one meaty, well-cooked, portion and brought to closer so that she might blow against the steaming ration. The rustling in the bush alerted her attention before she could devour it however, while the shifting of light footsteps made her reach instinctively for the staff that usually slept alongside her. Only all her fingers clawed at, was the dirt below her.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>02-04-2009, 23:38:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ban-Ku had been successful in night fishing. It wasn't as hard as it sounds all the fish are lethargic and half-weary. He had filled a primitive spear with about a dozen coppery trout and catfish. Ban-Ku liked fish. The meat was always tender and soft to him. He smirked causing a grin to move over his face. He moved to the clearing he'd made&nbsp; near where they came out and where the river was shallow. Two water skins sloshed happily with river water. He made it back to the clearing and saw the she-elf sitting eating the rabbit he'd left. <br><br>She was still naked, he blushed to himself, it was dark anyway. He summoned his modesty and walked back focusing on the fire not the exotic, lavish creature behind it. Even in total nakedness she struck him as opulent. He sat down and passed her a water skin and put the fish down on the rock he was using as a makeshift griddle. "How are you?" he asked quietly but not inaudibly. He still didn't look at her naked form. "I hope you're not offended lady-elf." he said, raised on the prospect that his elven lords and ladies demanded respect. He was unaware of the usurping and the traitorous behavior of some of his people. <br><br>Ban-Ku was not like the elves. Where they as a people were prideful, and respected power, maintain face and respect with their people, and highly ritualized. Ban-Ku had no need for much of that and was often overly humble, being a hunter he knew how to avoid a fight. Something her people didn't appreciate, but not a bad quality. They would lable him as a coward more than likely.<br><br>Ban-Ku was unaware of all of this. He was a hunter for the local nomadic militia. He turned the fish over checking the underside. He could find food and cook it, but not at a high-caliber rate. Though he'd managed to fine grassland cherries. A tart little fruit that was tasty with rabbit or fish. He busied his hands and eyes by mashing it into a paste for their dinner. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>03-04-2009, 01:14:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				When she saw that it was the familiar face of the human who disturbed the surroundings, the she-elf mostly relaxed. Though eyes continue to stalk his every step, even as she plucked the rabbit meat from the skewer and chewed quite contentedly. Continuing to watch as he sat, hesitating, she slowly reached for the offering of water. Her throat was indeed coarse, and the slightest tilt of her head was the only thanks he would receive. Those dark pools continued to watch him, as she quenched her thirst plentifully. Offended? Eyes narrowed. Where to begin? She was silent while she contemplated how to deal with this man, who seemed happy enough with keeping his hands busy and eyes very much averted, much to her approval. It wasn't like she knew how the flames bathed her already exotic skin in shades of more passionate mahogany. Different, to the eyes of a man who had never seen her kind before. She mistook his modest and coy diversions as a sign of respect for her race more than anything else. Her own lack of clothing didn’t bother her. She was born this way after all, and besides that; she'd only recently just woken up. Still, she would need to keep warm, so in one fluidly movement, she rose to her feet.<br><br>"You saved my life," came her sudden words, as she crossed the fire in front of him. The accented voice was well balanced to a moderate pitch; neither high or low. Yet the tone was serious and lacked emotion, as if she were forced to speak these words whether she wanted to or not. Harsh eyes finally ceased their glares, as she stepped towards the robes that dried over the arms of the nearest tree. The shamaness spared him the details of how many times, exactly, he had been of use to her. "Though I did not ask of it," came her next retort. She oddly, refused to look at him now, as her fingers spread over her near dry robes. Good enough, she thought, as she plucked them from the branches. To her, all of these men from the western shores were all the same. Above all else, they did not belong anywhere near the territories of the Keir-Gru forests. Technically, he had been, and still was trespassing. She could hardly reprimand him though, when he had already done too much for her. <br><br>"The Alania-Kur do not ignore acts of bravery. An eye for an eye... A tooth for a tooth..." It seemed like the words almost pained her, nostrils flaring as she inhaled a deep sigh to settle her slightly off balance temperment. Finally, she turned to face him again, pressing her robes against her torso as if in comfort. Her face was circular, the chin rounded as was the jaw. The nose, probably her softest feature, seemed quite flat, only curving upwards very gently at the tip. Closing those almond eyes briefly, if it were even posible, her tone was far more serious, as she cut straight to what was bothering her the most.<br><br>"I do not think you realise, just how much in debt I am to you now."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>03-04-2009, 01:50:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ban-Ku listened to her but he had know idea what she was so upset. Yes he'd seen her naked but he was allowed to be hear, men were allowed to work the prairie. They sent their wheat into the jungle for the elves every harvest. He scaled the fish on the griddle it was easier for him he never bothered to to fillet like the women did. It was too much of a hassle and he was always in motion. He took his broken bow and pulled the catgut cord out of it. He could use it still. The wood went to the fire. <br><br>Maybe she was mad because he'd forgotten to introduce himself. He spent a lot of his time out in the wilderness so he never thought much about manners, "I am called Ban-Ku." he said modestly bowing his head. "I am a hunter of the prairie land." the young hunter never saw the ocean or a shoreline in his life. All short years of it. He didn't wonder if she was thinking he was someone else. He just put the cherry paste on the now skewered fish and gave it to quick flips to glaze. <br><br>Ban-Ku looked at his naked chest and blushed. It was generally accepted in most of the land that men should only bare their chests in love and war. The very shaman orders lived by a slightly different code. Being more intimate with nature. He quickly stood and grabbed his robe putting it on and leaving the lapels open. He offered her the cooked fish. His obvious ignoring over he talk of debts must upset the elf. He didn't know this however. <br><br>Ban-Ku was more interested getting back to his small stand where his spear, pack, and bedroll were. "I've..." he looked down hiding his grin, "Never seen an elf before..." he left off the they're more beautiful than he thought. He was trying to appear attractive to her. He was a young man, and she was a woman he was attracted too. Nature was trying to override his modest and reserved nature. He probably didn't realize elves like confident 'feather preening' but Ban-Ku was as ignorant about intimate relations as one could get. He shook his head lightly, too much thought.&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>03-04-2009, 02:47:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Of all the indecencies! What an ignorant, rude little...<br>Nyanya cursed in an ancient tongue, audibly enough for this, <em>boy</em> to hear. Though she doubted he would know the meaning of such a venomous word. There she was, swallowing her large lump of pride, and here he was, making it all the more harder for her. What more did he want from her? Maybe he had he done this to spite her, knowing that to save her life would incur equal if not more repayment. She could feel the swell of her temper, but did little to throw water over the roaring flames. Heat spread over her skin like the storm waiting to happen. The hunters of the prairie’s were little more than peasants in her eyes. Simple people who lacked the same types of culture and civilisation she was accustomed to. True, her people may be wild and tribal, but they were also a high society; fairly learned, devoted to the higher powers of the elements, and quite hedonistic. <br><br>Yet this, Ban-ku, was in her opinion either very stupid, or feigned this oblivious nature on purpose. She did not understand why he avoided her so, brows knotting as she saw the colour spread to his paler cheeks. At least in comparison to her, his tan skin was pale. As he offered her the fish he’d tended to so carefully, the she-elf felt somewhat grudgingly obliged to accept. So she took the skewer from him, her hand lightly brushing against his without the faintest notion on her part. She simply did not want to drop the well-prepared meat or burn her hands. Then he retreated again, cowardly avoiding her face as he spluttered words she normally wouldn’t care to hear from his kind. Yet as digits delicately picked at the fruit pasted fish, he made his small confession. Continuing to eye him up and down, the shamaness remained standing, trying to make sense out of why he’d felt the need to state his lower position to her. Of course, few had the honour of seeing her kind, and shamans in particular rarely left the comforts of their wilderness. <br><br>“Then your eyes must grow familiar to me.” Her words were unkind and matter-of-fact, and she resumed her chewing with continued stares. Only, with each large bite, she advanced towards him again, until her womanly form towered over his seated position. “Did you not understand what I said?” Knees bent until she was at equal level opposite him. Eyes forcing contact with his, as the arm that held her robes to her lifted to place a hand under his lowered chin, and lift. Swollen lips sucked at each finger that had held the satisfactory white meat, while she gave him permission to observe her more closely. Of course, she was once again no longer concealed by anything, but she was referring to the matter about her debt more than anything else.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>03-04-2009, 03:15:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ban-Ku dropped the bones of a fish on the ground as she swore in the strange language. Funny thing was he could pick out certain verbs but none of the nouns. What he didn't know was the more simplistic tribe, while able to speak common out of business and need for trade, still spoke a vernacular dialect of the elven language. It was esoteric and outdated one. They didn't even use it in magical rituals anymore it was so outdated in it's syntax. He went to reach for another fish but she was busy explaining something. <br><br>"More of you..." he whispered nervously where she couldn't hear. He knew she had a debt to him for some nature or another and her pride as an elf wouldn't let him null it then and there. He'd heard that much about them. She stood up and he saw her eyes. Why did she always seem irate with him he'd never done anything but be nice.<br><br>He blushed furiously when she grabbed his chin and her black, taut body was glowing wonderfully in the firelight. He gulped he managed to keep his eyes on her... gorgeous almond-shaped ones. He looked at the flame dance on her body and he knew her ample breasts hang low as she bent over ever so slightly. His breathing began to grow heavy. Apparently elven men never got nervous around the opposite sex. His eyes looked at her full dark lips. "I-I what..." he said his mind gone blank. Apparently she wasn't versed in age differences between species. <br><br>Then it hit him, false most likely but still, she wanted to mate with him! He blushed again, and pulled away but he couldn't resist looking back at the exotic woman. Like most of his people they had thick lashes that acted like glare reducers. It gave the men a usual dashing appearance and the women a coquettish one, but most people found it at least attractive. <br><br>He moved away nervously, "You can... repay your debt." he said quickly and scurried to the other side of the fire hoping she would not follow, and then again hoping she did. He had a rather large spot in his heart for this elf-woman and it wasn't because she was naked half the time. He picked up the freshly tanned rabbit hide but it only made a pillow. He walked back over and gave her the fur before going to back to his spot. His culture gave gifts not feats of strength, but every culture respected gifts to one degree or another. He hoped. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>03-04-2009, 04:17:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Yes?" Zyanya almost cooed, as the young, boyish man stammered over his wants. The she-elf tilted her head to the side, trying to understand his malapropos state of tied tongue. She heard his breathing at such a close proximity; saw the increased, more prominent rise and fall of his chest. Was that the swelling of his realisation? She hoped so. Or was it the swell of power, one he assumed he held over this indebted she-elf. The slightest of encouraging smiles spreading across her wide lips as his eyes drank her appearance. Hopefully, finally he was beginning to understand. She only presumed he was getting more accustomed to her appearance, since he would be forced to now be spending more time with her. At least, until she knew the debt was fulfilled. Then he could return to his own people, and she could focus on her more important pilgrimage.<br><br>It should've irritated her again that he retreated from her, but instead the man's words soothed her entirely. Finally, he agreed! The shamaness exhaled a long and loud sigh. That had been difficult, but she had prevailed it seemed. Now, she no longer needed to stalk him with her glare, as she relaxed on her knees. He was free to go where he pleased, so long as it was around the camp and not completely out of her view. In his brief absence, she retrieved her robes, and lifted her arms up above her head. The movement arched her back alluringly, amplifying the chords of her fleshy rear. Yet the mix of material and soft leather was smoothed over her head, to sprinkle past each inch of skin in gentle whispers. Tying the waistband loosely behind her, she removed the band that normally bound her breasts more tightly to her chest. It was uncomfortable to sleep when wound so tightly.<br><br>"You will join me tomorrow," she began to instruct while she changed, eyes lifting as he finally returned to her, with yet another offering. "...For me?" It was odd that continued to dote on her; the food was understandable, but not these soft furs? Her eyelids blinked, once, twice and then twice more, while she gaped at the gift with parted lips. "That is," she chose her word carefully, as she accepted the offering. "Kind." Honestly, aside from the silks of wyrms, she did adore soft furs also. It was honourable, in her eyes, to savour as much as a hunted animal as possible. After all, they were living creatures too, and therefore had many uses. "You must stop though. I owe you much already, and have little to give in return."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>03-04-2009, 04:40:28</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Oh it's nothing," he said with his usual modesty stirring the fire with a stick. Something struck him as strange, "Why would I follow you... if you took out the debt?" he asked simply. This was a curiosity nothing in any culture would dictate this to his admittedly limited knowledge of the world. So it was no stretch of the imagination that she would have some other motivation for coming out of the jungle. Though he chided himself for his lack of tact.<br><br>"Maybe you could just tell me how you ended up hear?" he implored eating a leftover cherry that he didn't mash. He would have normally spit the pit out as he ate it but he remembered his manners and removed the pit before eating it. Besides he couldn't go with her he had obligations plus he had to go get his things from his stand. He didn't bring them up at the moment lest he invoke her ire yet again. Though she was still pretty when she was mad.<br><br>She might have been trying to entice him with her movements, and he loved the way her bottom looked, but he thought she didn't particularly care whether he lived in the sun or the earth, just as long as she could meet her own obligations. He sat arm propped up on his knee looking at her. Contrary to his own thought he'd not moved that far about a few extra feet. Elves were apparently more promiscuous.<br><br>He couldn't help but imagine her naked body but luckily his blush was hidden by the flames. He was just a hunter, a few girls in the village liked him but he never really liked them. This... woman was probably years older than him and seductive in her very presence. "Umm, if we're going to be traveling... I would like to know your name?" his people didn't say need unless they meant it, because need implied that it had to be given, so they provided the option not to. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>03-04-2009, 05:14:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The young man bombarded her with questions that she wasn't entirely comfortable answering, and so Zyanya sighed heavily with the roll of her eyes. Since she had been forced to sleep, she was not particularly tired, but recovering from her abusive fall and the feeling of a satisfied stomach made her slightly lethargic at least. Of course, he was smart enough to know that it was she who should be bound to him, rather the other way around. It never hurt to try to assert authority, and it had worked so far, up to now. Of course, now he was growing more curious, and received ounces of confidence, possibly thanks to how she'd permitted his company. Now he felt she owed him explanations that weren't any of his business, so her shoulders naturally tensed while pointed, large ears flicked. Similar to those of the rabbits she'd formerly gnawed on. The shamaness started by answering the easiest of questions.<br><br>"Zyanya-Tlachinolli." While the first name could flow easily from any tongue, the second was more complex, forcing a click against the roof of the mouth into a softer edged finale. "You may call me Zyanya," she added, as if he were now highly privileged. She rested her hands on her knees, clasped together at the palms while the fingers remained straight against one another.<br><br>“I’m looking for,” she clearly struggled, for once, over the right choice of word. Not even she knew exactly what she was looking for; it was a myth shrouded in superstitious mystery after all. “<em>Something</em>. It is special and <em>very</em> important.” That should’ve sufficed, but words continued to form. “I don’t expect <em>you</em> to understand ... Only I have to keep looking. If I am to repay you, then it is <em>you</em> who must come with <em>me</em>.” She nodded as if confirming on his behalf, her body leaning forwards slightly, urging. “It is the only way.”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>03-04-2009, 05:30:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He looked of into the night always alert but he was listening. He liked the way her name sounded he could pronounce it just like any person of this world. He noticed some night birds in the inky sky. He supposed he couldn't go with her, he had to go on his pilgrimage. Now he would go into the jungle something that no one ever did, not even himself, he only traversed the edge of the canopy. Plus he couldn't imagine leaving her alone. Not now. He was genuinely stricken with her but he didn't know what do with this fixation. "Fine, I'll go with you if this is that important." he said with as much of a nonchalance as he could muster. <br><br>He lied himself down on a soft patch of dirt and put his back to the fire so he wouldn't be night blinded should he have to wake up in the night suddenly. "First we need to go back to my village it's not far from where I met you." he paused, "I have obligations..." that should have been enough for her to get the point. It might have sounded a little prideful that he was curt but he was tired and didn't want to talk anymore. He had to get his second bow, and his spear. The latter was especially important to him. It was part of his heritage. He quickly fell asleep all the spiders in this part of the prairie anymore and the fire would keep most predators away. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>03-04-2009, 14:38:34</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Obligations? Pah! What could be more important than her task?<br><br>"Very well," Zyanya resigned herself to submit in this case. If he was agreeing to her terms, then the least she could do was allow him this one, petty little desire. Watching him as he lay down, back turned to her, the she-elf remained kneeling over him for a moment. As if she were keeping guard, save for the fact that eventually, her eyelids fell, embellishing her solely to the void of her imagining. Breathing calmed, getting slower and slower until one could barely notice the shifting of her diaphragm. The slightest sound however, and she would be completely alert again.<br><br>The shamaness stayed in this meditative resting stage, channelling her auras with the nature that surrounded her, until the crackling of the fire no longer had wood to feed on. It slowly died, as the far greater fire in the sky, began to seep through the gaps of the eastern mountains. After a gentle nudge of rousing authority against the human’s shoulder, she fluidly rose up onto numbed, sleepy legs. Her blood flow soon resumed it's circulation to each limb equally. Standing, she was the vision of the huntress; keen and proud in her stance. First she found the discarded waterskin, quenching her morning thirst in rejuvenating gulps of the mild river water. Then, she re-fixed the various extra bindings around her; first at her chest, and then the securing of her stone dagger to her hip. Her spear tip staff she found resting by the tree, along with her sandals which soon occupied her feet once more, tied up her leg in a criss-crossed fashion. The grass bandage was removed from her arm, revealing the fresh skin as a result of naturally enhanced healing beneath.<br><br>Now, with shaman staff in hand, the she-elf waited for the human to gather himself. As one not so familiar with the prairie lands, she was also not too keen about the idea of him parading her through his village. Her mood therefore, was silently irate. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>03-04-2009, 19:33:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ban-Ku woke softly not feeling the nudge at all, his internal workings got him up around this time everyday. He rose and began to, or try to, ignore the elf as she wrapped her body in the gauzy feminine bindings. Women of his village did the same thing but he it was easier to ignore that. He kicked soil over the fire and picked up the water skin he'd used last night filling it in the stream by their camp and taking down the temporary drying pole. He was ready to go in ten minutes by her people's reckoning. By his own clock it was just prompt and fast. Night and day, dusk and dawn only mattered to him. He could tell she was mad at something, the young hunter had sneaked enough shy glances at her to pick that one out. It seemed to be her most used.<br><br>He picked up his meager things and started hiking back up over the hill. His daggers were made out of actual metal. A form of silver that was hard and light his people called it Giko-Koba, Prairie silver. It was moderately abundant but you had to go into a spider or giant badgers nest and neither was all too preferable. Ban-Ku was not used to talking a lot. As a hunter his caste in the village was naturally solitary. The sun would be just over the tops of the mountains when they arrived back where they'd been the other day. It was still a ways to his village but it was no farther from the Jungle than they were now. <br><br>All throughout the hike he observed animals she probably missed, prairie rabbits and the antelopes were overt enough but the Dust-Doves in the trees were hard to spot in the good days. They were not brightly colored but they were still pretty birds. Mongooses and a little thing called a Hahn, a tame little goat-like animal with short horns but a dense and muscular animal. Getting kicked by one hurt and broke bones.<br><br>Ban-Ku stopped and looked around for predators, sensing none he jumped up into a large, low-canopy tree and retrieved his small hunter's satchel. An antelope buckskin bag worn over one shoulder by a simple strap. It had a small bedroll attached to the side and it carried things like flints or herbs that he didn't wear in his belt pouches. It also had poisons for his arrowheads, and rope, a painstaking process on the prairie. Checking everything he grabbed his spear and climbed down.<br><br>At first glance his spear looked like the typical savage fair, but closer inspection revealed a polished handle with his own history etched on the shaft. Wrapped with spider silk. The tip was a four inch, prairie steal, flat blade that was narrow at the tip, forming a point. It was bound to the shaft by hammering it into the hard wood and then wrapping it with buckskin and spider silk. The head was also decorated with two large white feathers, obviously taken from one of the larger jungle wyrms. It was obvious that this was a warrior's spear. <br><br>"Do you want to rest?" he asked simply in apology for subjecting her to his lonesome nature.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>03-04-2009, 23:58:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The she-elf was glad the boy did not bother to indulge her with petty conversation as they travelled. She preferred the awkward silence, and certainly made no attempts to break it. Some say one should hold they tongues unless they have something important to say. In that case, she smirked to herself as she followed to lead of her shinning knight; he might as well savour the 'silence is golden' law. The boy stumbled enough over his dialogue as it were.<br><br>Instead, she enjoyed the warmth of the sun on her back, and the pleasant feeling of being on the move once more. Zyanya was usually quite indifferent, happy enough to remain in certain places for long periods of time. Yet the heavy burden she bore on her shoulders, made her a little fidgety and impatient. While her eyes would usually pay tribute to all the other beings of the earth, for now she disregarded most of them. All the while, her mind was preoccupied with growing irritations. How much farther did the young man intend to stray? Was she more foolish than she felt, to trust him like this? <br><br>When he finally stopped be a low canopy, the shamaness breathed a sigh of relief. She took that as the queue for her to rest, slouching against the bark of the tree with her back. Arms crossed against her chest, while her head tilted to watch, slightly fascinated, by the human’s diligence. She could hardly remain irate with him when she saw how he loaded himself with various weapons. That was indeed honourable, and he certainly gained more approving eyes, as he finally jumped down from the canopy. Her gaze softer beneath brows that, for once, were not tense. Infact, her entire body language remained relaxed.<br><br>“Not for long,” she simply answered him, as arms unwound themselves and she straightened her back to stand fully again. Stepping closer, attention honed in on his staff, far different to her plainer choice. Some shamans of the village liked to decorate theirs with bells or nut shells, whereas she preferred her staff to mimic pure, simplistic silence. Only for the purpose of rituals, was it ever decorated. “This is finely crafted,” came her more verbal approval, as she smoothed a hand over the indented, polished wood. “Made, by <em>you</em>?”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>04-04-2009, 00:30:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Grandsire" he said tersely, he didn't feel the need to elaborate on that point. "Father added the metal spearhead I added the feathers." he finished. She'd made it clear that she would always be irate with him maybe at the debt she owed maybe she always had a beetle in her pants and it made her sour. He smiled to himself and walked on toward the soft curl of smoke in the east. She probably missed it, nomads were well-known for the ability to make a fire as smokeless as possible.<br><br>She probably didn't care but he flipped the spear tip down as he walked an pointed to the black burned-in marks on the shaft. "My families history. The story extended from the head to about a third of the way down the shaft." he left it at that. She didn't seem to interested. "Watch your step." he said absentmindedly their was a gopher hole where her foot would go. He being intimately familiar with the non-magical workings of nature could spot them as a second sense, and the learning from many a twisted ankle.<br><br>The reached his village just before noon. There were twenty dome shaped yurts. Women in colorful, for their people, wraps and shawls cooked, fetched water and gossiped. The men patrolled or fixed things. Taught the younger children who were chasing prairie hens. The small temporary village blended with the grassland, it was neat and clean, not lavish but people took a small measure of pride in it. A more subtle version than the elves were used to seeing.<br><br>Ban-Ku was accosted quickly buy children but they came to see the dark-skinned blond-haired elf. The mothers quickly came and fetched the playful annoyances. Ban-Ku talked rapidly with a tall woman with graying black hair. She turned to Zyanya, "Lady elf would you care for a bath? Ban-Ku's preparations will take till the noonday sun." which was about an hour. <br><br>Ban-Ku left her to find his father. Elderl of the Hunters Ban-Dur. His society was divided into building, hunting, warfare, and wisdom. Each had his own Elder. They met in council on all things. Luckily Ban-Ku didn't need the whole council he only needed his father. <br><br>Ban-Ku lightly washed his feet and entered his home. His father was sitting with his mother at the low wooden table. His mother held a small baby girl in her arms bouncing her playfully on her lap.&nbsp; <em>"Father, I'm going to take my pilgrimage."</em><br>His father took a deep breath and nodded solemnly. The aging man looked most like Ban-Ku but the younger hunter had his mother's green eyes and the softer facial features.<br><br>Ban-Ku wondered if Zyanya even cared about what this meant... but she didn't have to...<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>04-04-2009, 01:52:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Zyanya's interest decayed a little as Ban-Ku explained how he had not crafted the spear solely himself. Though family heirlooms and ancient traditions had their own place in her heart, she believed sometimes it was wise to wield something made by one's own hands. It was personal then, and therefore contained a fragment of your own soul in the materials. So she'd removed her hand, as if scolded by something hot, and turned away in a silent gesture that asked him to move on. Eyes looked mostly to the sun, noting its position in the sky, as the young man lead her further to the east. Though she did pay attention to the pointed out details on his spear, it was clear that her clouded mind was elsewhere. The words did not settle with her, rather they drifted in one ear and out the other. It was really quite rude of her to act like this, but he <em>was</em> a meddling human after all. Had he been a fellow elf, perhaps she would've treated him with more respect.<br><br>When the village finally came into view, Zyanya's mood did not improve. The sun was almost at its' highest peak in the sky, meaning they had already wasted enough time travelling by foot. Now, seeing his rather minimal home up close like this, she swallowed the bitterness of rising envy. People who went about their daily lives without fear in their eyes; happy, smiling faces and giggling children who had not a care in the world. It was how she remembered her own home, before the invasion of the westerners had torn it asunder. Then, it was the icing on the cake, as the little ones curiously ran to see this strange, dark being from the forest, that Ban-Ku had brought with him almost like a prize or gift. Bright eyes, gazing in awe at her darker skin against blonde hair and strange clothing, caused the she-elf to immediately and completely freeze. Often, she cared for the children of her own village; showed them magic or taught them vital lessons. Yet the shamaness had none to call her own, despite being no stranger to the acts of procreation. Yet even these miniature <em>humans</em>, who briefly swarmed around both her and the more familiar Ban-Ku, raised her more brooding nature. To see how Ban-Ku reacted to the children, lifted the corners of her mouth. Seeing men displaying their fatherly ways was always an instant attraction. Harsh features washed away, as her own almond eyes widened to stare with equal fascination. It actually saddened her, as the mothers shooed their disruptive younglings away. Children should be allowed to question, since it bettered the mind and prepared them for the ways of the world.<br><br>The shamaness did not realise her travelling companion had left her at the mercy of the village women, until she had accepted the offer of a bath with a polite nod, resulting in her being swiftly ushered away into one of the huts. The interior was really just a single room, large enough to house several. It was a kitchen, a lounging and dining area, and even a bedroom, as various bunks were placed against the walls behind curtains of animal hides. The ceiling low, even for her height of five feet and six inches. To the side of the burning hearth, was the circular, wooden tub, no taller than her knees. Her own people sometimes bathed in such ways, so she wasted no time in stripping down to her skin. Apparently there was a river nearby, and as clothes were discarded, the woman took one pre-heated bucket of water from the fire, and added it to the bath. A second followed, the contents cold and fresh. While two of the woman walked the short journey to the river to refuel the buckets, Zyanya was left to soak in her own private and warm solitude. A bar of animal fats provided soap so that she could thoroughly cleanse the remnants of mud, sweat and paint, from her skin. The waters soothed her, and though occasionally, a village woman would return to add more water, the she-elf was left to lose track of time completely.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>04-04-2009, 02:26:25</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The human women took the she-elf's clothing and washed it outside. Mending the tiny little tears and things from her previous excursion. They chatted to themselves and another woman told them the village gossip and they became hush. <br><br>Ban-Ku knelt alone in his father's hut washing himself, when he was clean and dry he slipped on his formal wear. A buckskin pair of breeches. He tied each leg off with gauze in neat wrap. Like most people of this land he walked barefoot. He slipped on a cotton robed and neatly set one lapel over the other taking out a heavy wool belt he tied the robe off in a simple square knot. The robe was eggshell white and the belt was dark brown. The wrappings were all the same dusty brown. The robes sleeves were big but not encumbering. He wrapped his hands like a fighter would. He slipped the leather satchel over his shoulder and it rested at the small of his back and the top was at his mid back. <br><br>He grabbed his second and better bow. It matched the spear but this weapon was his own entirely. He slipped it over his other shoulder strung. Then he put his daggers in his belt. He grabbed the soft quiver of arrows he kept and put that over his back so the strap intersected the bag's. He finished by painting his face in harsh black angels starting at his eyes and trailing down like tears. <br><br>He walked out to the assembled council and they all looked at him. His pilgrimage would be a different one and he knew this. It was all her fault but he would never blame her. He didn't think he had it in him to do so. He wondered if she was watching this spectacle. It didn't matter the forty people in the village watched, children clung to their mother's skirt. The Elders turned their backs to him one at a time. Dressed as a warrior Ban-Ku turned and walked from his village all the people ignored him.<br><br>He waited on the outskirts of the village the sun high in the sky. He brandished his family's spear. He quickly wiped the paint from his face completely as he waited for the elf to show.&nbsp; &nbsp;
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>04-04-2009, 03:00:13</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				An hour passed quicker than she thought, as the skin of her toes and fingertips wrinkled to the overexposure of water. Completely unaware to the hustle outside, Zyanya had allowed herself the rare opportunity to doze off slightly. The village women didn’t have the heart to disturb the calmed, exotic elf, now that she was fully relaxed. Apparently, she was far more tired than she allowed her body to take credit for, and only now as she soaked in her own natural oils mixed with fresh water, did she feel the aching of limbs. Travel by foot really was taxing, not to mention her little unplanned adventure yesterday. She heaved a long, drawn out sigh, longing for the privileges of tamed wyrms to carry her weight instead. It was a lazy way of thinking, but her tribe prided themselves on the ability to harness the benefits of these wild and dangerous creatures.<br><br>When one of the women returned to her hut following the small leaving ceremony for Ban-Ku, she quietly gasped, briefly startled by the figure who still occupied her abode. The shamaness had almost been forgotten, but now the village woman quickly prepared a fur towel for the elf to dab herself dry.<br>“You go now,” the woman said quite abruptly. “Ban-Ku waits outside, you’ll see.” But the she-elf enjoyed her state of tranquillity, taking her time to re-adorn herself with cleaned and mended clothing. After all, he had not shown the grace to summon her himself. To be left with these strangers, despite how caring and kind they had been to her, left the she-elf a little vexed. Her thoughts had vaguely been occupied with the pondering of what he was up to so secretly.<br><br>Outside and briefly stunned by the daylight, since it was dark in the hut, Zyanya’s eyes adjusted to an odd feeling in the village. As if they were mourning someone quite beloved to them. Of course, she didn’t understand why, and wasn’t about to ask them either. Instead she briskly walked back to the village entrance, where she saw Ban-Ku in a vision of almost white, standing with his spear. Her own was clutched lazily in her grasp; her whole countenance was rather mellow infact.<br><br>“You’re done now?” The question was actually quite melancholy, but was quickly followed by a more pressing comment. “You made a change of cloth sound necessary. I hope that is not all you brought me here for.”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>04-04-2009, 03:26:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"No" he said simply. Picking up his spear. He was a little indignant at the way she appraised his people's rituals she would be offended more than likely if it was her ritual of praying to the sun. He didn't show it he was a little sad. He didn't expect her to ask what that was about. He'd completed the ceremony and wouldn't be coming back and it was her fault. <br><br>He waited for her to move, "Where are we going?" he hoped she'd been told at least where she was going. Though it seemed like the way to wherever it was, was hidden deep in the vast and nearly infinite jungle. There were ruins and smaller tribal fiefdoms around that had nothing to do with the war. Some did, in that jungle now lay anarchy. <br><br>Meanwhile one of Zyanya's own kind sat on the ornate carved stone throne at the top of the ziggurat. he stroked a big jungle cat that had large almost half inch thick whiskers it was black and gray in a random spot pattern. He was blacker than the she-elf he hunted hiis hair died blood red but not to the roots so the black shown through. He was narrower but still had broad shoulders and was quit hansom. His narrow face with a narrow nose, and burns covered half his face along with a herbal salve. A parting gift from Zyanya's order the elders summoned the sun against him but they couldn't stand against the new magics his human witch-men gave him. He wore lavish black wyrm-silk but he didn't wear much else Around him human and elven women sat naked chained to his chair... it was only a matter of time.<br><br>Ban-Ku waited for her to make up her mind, but he didn't want to talk to her. He looked away from her, he was slightly cross but she was probably more upset. She always was but never said anything just got madder and madder like a ferret with no way out. He slipped his spear up and pulled his bow by shrugging his shoulder. He turned and looked at her, raising an eyebrow to her.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>04-04-2009, 04:01:10</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Look there."<br><br>Zyanya stepped forwards, standing a little infront of Ban-Ku as she raised herself onto the slope of the mountain. A single finger pointed from her extended arm, showing him the direction of her final destination. An ancient pyramid, dedicated to no particular deity, concealed by the thick mass of jungle foliage. Only the flat, golden roof shimmered under the glorious sun. From the mountain, it looked closer than it really was, but the shamaness knew that to reach the stone steps was not only a matter of distance. The elders of a generation she had never met in all of her meagre, thirty years, had made sure that none should ever trespass on the sacred temple grounds. Various trials would no doubt await her before her eyes could behold the house of the most ancient magic.<br><br>“To cleanse the lands, that is where I must go.” Her eyes snaked back to the young man, observing him very carefully. He was acting strangely, at least more than usual. His aura felt negative, and this made her anxious. Had he changed his mind already? Ideally, she hoped that somehow, she could repay him before reaching the temple. It was not the place for humans, and even she feared the narrow steps that ascended to the great, golden heights. Myths told of the ground shaking, and rain pouring from thunderous skies, should the guardian of the Temple ever be disturbed.&nbsp; <br><br>“Come,” came the partial order, while she already started to navigate her way back down the mountain. "I do <em>not</em> wish to camp in prairie lands again. Be swift now." Her memory was decent, but if she could just get back to the edges of the jungle, then she would be able to regain her bearings again. Her only fear was that more of the mechanical golems stalked the perimeters. The wizards from the western shores were growing more bold in their placements. Yet now she had seen how his people lived, without the invasion of demonic metals and unholy magic. Her level of trust therefore broadened, <em>slightly</em>.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>04-04-2009, 04:20:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ban-Ku moved down the hill toward the jungle. That temple was a good half moth away without delay but he'd made his choice and he had to see to it. He was still quite perturbed that she never asked him what went on. He was already having second thought. The jungle was not very far but it was thick. They entered the transitional area between step and jungle. <br><br>Honestly if this was any other person from any other tribe, she would be sitting on her backside in the village acting as a slave. However, Ban-Ku's people were an old one, that went back to the start of the elven expansion they had many more obscure rituals in tie with the elves. One the obviously forgot in their arrogance. They crossed next to a family of sleeping Kragur. The large cat of the jungle with the large whiskers. They had an antelope carcass and ignored Ban-Ku and his charge. <br><br>Ban-Ku was overly tense. She'd upset him. He knew about elves but they had left the world's affairs for their jungles long ago and now that nature put her in the place to receive help and was to self-absorb or wound up to care. Long have the elves not practiced humility. Large snakes hung from the trees lazily listing in the warm breeze. Ban-Ku looked at a particularly large python and pulled a knife. Scrambling up the tree he quickly dispatched it by taking off the head. It easily weighed twenty five pounds and was over seven feet long. He sat and started a fire from brush. He skewered the snake and began to cook it. Daring to invoke her ire. What was the point he always did. He wanted her to complain. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>04-04-2009, 04:46:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Zyanya had expected the boy to question her, in his stuttering ways. Yet much to her confusion, he did not dare to ask what it was she had pointed towards, or why, in more detail, she had to go there. Though the she-elf knew little of human ways, it was not difficult to realise that this silence between them was different. She felt it, more than anything, a tension that tightened the air between them. Far more awkward than before, as if a storm was brewing as a cause of their conflicting auras. Of course, it was fine for her to be moody and temperamental, when she was mostly governed by fire. Yet when she felt others acting as she did, it did not always sit well with her. <br><br>At least in silence, they both moved quickly down the mountain path, to the borderlines of the Kingdom she adored enough to selflessly risk her life to protect. They would pass many creatures in the mercy of the jungle now, from the swatting flies that fed on the sweet blood of the Alania-Kur, to the proud cats, one of which they managed to fortunately sneak past. The shamaness did not enjoy taking the lives of earth's creatures, unless it were for a respectable reason. So it shocked her when Ban-Ku suddenly decided to pluck one of the pythons that lazilly twisted above them. It was her intention to calmly move past them, yet he took it upon himself to disturb one. Tensing as the large head fell to her feet, forked tongue hanging from the mouth as if it had been in half-hiss before it's demise. Her grip tightened on her staff.<br><br>"You are, not yourself." She finally spoke as if she'd known him for years, those dark orbs of her total concentration, scrutinising him completely while he started to make camp. Concerned more than irate, she swiftly dug her staff into the earth, letting it stand upright like a warning pole for any daring intruder. <br><br>"Look at me," she ordered, her tone a little more firm this time. One thing Zyanya did not appreciate, was dishonesty. Her people spoke their minds, never concealing anything from those they trusted, unless it was something that would cause more harm than it was truly worth. Even to those whom they didn't trust, there was a blunt understanding. Pausing, she pursed her lips together as she gathered her thoughts. He had not been the same since he had changed his clothing. <br><br>"I feel, you are...upset. Someone at your village did this?" On the contrary, she <em>had</em> inquired about his tasks there. Her way of asking had been reflected by her mood though, so it was not as straight forward as his simpler mind probably craved. If what he'd done had been important though, she expected him to just tell her.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>04-04-2009, 05:02:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He made a sound of indignation. Him. "Midday meal..." he muttered turning the snake over. Snake tasted all right. He couldn't tell her it was part of the ritual it required humility, even the smallest of slivers on both parts, his for accepting hers for asking. He was still willing to share his catch with her. Once he removed the nasty organs and the many bones of the long-bodied reptile there would be less meat. As a hunter little went to waste. Normally he would eat the liver, but snake liver was foul. <br><br>Yes he was being irate and grumpy and she had asked a question. He looked up and back down. He was actually upset enough not to be enamored by her womanly figure. "No, not my village... me..." he told her his common speak was perfect, he was just terse and clipped many of the words from many of his sentences. She couldn't even see his robes and things had a more ceremonial nature to them. He hated himself for being a foolish boy who fell for a lovely figure. So he busied himself roasting the snake. <br><br>His discontent with himself was evident in the furrowed brow and tense mannerisms. He was normally loose and fluid. A force of nature in and of himself but right now he was off kilter. He put an arm up on his knee. Chiding himself mentally again for his stupidity. "I can't go back..." he said finally. He was permitted to tell her that much. Maybe she'd understand being away from her own people. Pride was all well and good but Ban-Ku often noted it led to blind egotism... and making himself quite sore, and disagreeable. Even he had an ego and it got bruised occasionally. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>04-04-2009, 05:32:13</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				How did one who had been so brave, deflate to this weakness? Zyanya's confusion deepened with her more obvious expression. Why must he always be keeping his hands busy? Did he not ever relax, completely in mind, body and spirit? Perhaps, she thought, these were the ways of the Alania-Kur, not the humans. Perhaps this was why her kind had dominated the lands for decades before she was even born. Some of the greatest lessons were acquired through watching. In this case however, it was a little uncomfortable to stand idle and be slaved over, when she normally would look after herself. Stepping closer, the she-elf crouched down to bent knees, her own hands interfering with his culinary preparations. She started on the opposite end, the snake being so long that it was quicker if they both dissected it. It was a shame, she thought absent-mindedly , as she looked towards the excess skin. Normally she would use it for clothing rather than waste it like this. <br><br>When he moved to cook the very little meat, Zyanya remained crouched with her bloodied hands. If only the snake had attacked him, she might’ve saved him from the deadly bite, and he could be on his way back home again now. At least, that was what she thought, until what he next said completely caught her off guard.<br><br>"You do not make sense," and the shamaness was not afraid to admit it. What was he, but just a hunter. What obligations could he possibly have? Even she dreamt of returning home to her people, though the scales of fate were often quite foreboding on that subject. To say that he couldn‘t was so absolute, and this alarmed her. Even these Elves didn't have the answer to everything. “Tell me. <em>Why</em>.”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>04-04-2009, 05:46:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				And with one little act of modesty he could answer, he sighed and closed his eyes for a moment leaving the snake to cook. He brought his leg under and say cross-legged. "First understand I don't have all the answers." he began. "Our people take a pilgrimage that symbolizes our role as guardians." he said, "From what our old songs say our tribe used to guard your people, but over time it seems your people have forgotten." he said a little sadly. <br><br>"I can't go back because I'm bound to you, I feel compelled to protect you." he said looking away in simple youthful shyness. "I chose to be your guardian rather than stay with my own people." now that he said it it seemed horribly foolish, and now he was bound to her just as much as she was to him. It seems to have created quite a small paradox.<br><br>That was it, he couldn't tell her any more. It was all he knew. He fully prepared for her to laugh at his quixotic foolishness. There was no way she'd do anything else in his mind at the moment so he took his knife and cut the hot meat and placed it on tree leaves from the broad, green leaves of the jungle. Smother the fire, they wouldn't need it for midday. He couldn't tell her why he wanted to do it. The thought of her lying dead in the jungle with iron golems standing over her broken body caused him great grief. "I think you owe me a story." he said trying to deflect from his childish decision. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>04-04-2009, 06:19:31</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Preposterous. That was the first word that could describe how Zyanya felt. The human folk were weak; how could they ever guard the Alania-Kur? Yet then, as she considered his previous bravery, the she-elf bit her tongue and poured water over the threatening laughter. Instead, she silently glared, listening and trying to comprehend what he was telling her. Lies, it had to be. Some sort of childish dream he was hoping to live. A fascination of a world that he did not belong to. If ever his kind had acted as guardians to the elves, it would have been short lived, and too long ago for anyone to remember as a signifacant fragment of history. More of a myth or desirable legend, created by hearsay. So she disregarded it, resigning herself to reminding him why she had permitted him to travel with her. As far as needing a guardian, the shamaness lifted a stubborn chin. <br><br>"<em>You</em> will go home." Oddly, as she spoke, the shamaness reached forwards with her hand. With two fingertips, she drew a single, sharp line down the male's forehead, to the bridge of his nose. When the snake blood marked his skin, she did the same to her own so that they were completely identical, in a sense. "<em>I</em> will go home." Symbolically, it were as though she was saying if he did not go home, then neither would she. Then, she felt compelled to remind him of her own duty, and it seemed he wished her to already repay a small portion of the debt already. "Yes. It is <em>I</em> who owe <em>you</em>... A story it is then."<br><br>But first, she reached for one of the large leaves where the cooked meat was cooling, and handed it to him. Since she had seen how he liked to keep his hands busy, here was something for him. “My people,” she started, then shook her head to rephrase herself. They were not her people, she was a part of them as much as they were a part of her. “The Alania-Kur; we are not as we were. The ships from the west…they drive us back.” She wondered if he had any idea what had been occurring in the world outside the prairies. With the golem, had that been the first he had ever encountered? Her eyes grew curious as they softened. “We do not know these foul and ancient beings. You who saw one, and saved me. There are more. The elders tell of hope and prophecies, but the young grow foolish and blind. Our numbers are fewer, as we grow desperate. That is why I must go, to the temple. I am Zyanya, last shaman. This is my fate. <em>Alone</em>.”<br><br>She paused to close her eyes with a brief sigh, letting that last word sink in. “I was weak yesterday. It will not happen again.”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>04-04-2009, 06:38:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The snake blood on their forehead twisted then faded. There were powerful magics distorting it. Their freshly entwined fates were causing and obvious distortion in the natural energies around them. I don't want to go home, Ban-Ku thought in his own mind. It was true and he smiled eating his portion of the snake meat as he listened. There was more to that story but he got the gist of it. <br><br>He had to admire her bravery but she couldn't do it all alone. "We seem to be attached to one another." he remarked when he finished. He didn't want to inform her on her own jungle but he had traversed much of it's outer rim and could read its animals well. She seemed more interested in the magical and mystical he was interested in the physical and traceable. "You would have failed without me." he observed with youthful slyness and mischievousness grin. "Admit it." Just because he spent most of his time alone didn't mean he wasn't bland. His persona was really overt though she might kill him with the anger he could see forming in her face. <br><br>He stood up and headed off the jungle emboldened by his greater understanding of his single infatuation. His bow loose and ready in his hand. An arrow ready. That would stick in her side and she would probably know the truth behind it. <br><br>He turned back and grinned his sly grin. His eyes looked half closed because of his thick eyelashes. He swaggered off.&nbsp; &nbsp;
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>04-04-2009, 12:32:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The young man's surge of confidence caught Zyanya off-guard, rendering her silent as she struggled with how to react to such arrogance. Naturally, all she could do was glare with eyes littered with contemplation. The only anger that could be detected, was the agitated scowl. There was truth in the boys words after all. Even if she had somehow escaped death on the plains and made it to the spider caves, the odds had always been stacked against her. The more she thought about how the events had played out, the more she did not feel so comfortable about being thrown quite literally into the arms of this human. <em>'We seem to be attached to one another.'</em> The words replayed in her mind, and she swallowed stubbornly against the lump in her throat. Her eyes, fanned by dark, long lashes, dared to wreck havoc against his. Yet it was she who looked away first, refusing to accept the fact that he appeared more agreeable in his sly, grinning boldness. The male and females of her tribe rarely denied the acknowledgement of mutual, physical attractions. So for once, Zyanya found herself fighting against the swell of heat beneath her gut. This gleaming, positive aura, which shone like the rays of the burning midday sun, seemed to belong more to the men of her tribe, rather than this strutting human.<br><br>Meanwhile, at the very Temple the shamaness was destined to, two figures ascended the narrow steps to the ziggurat. The humid air reeked of euphoric corruption, beckoning them to their Lord with orders to fulfil. Both were deserters of the Alania-Kur tribe; one male, young and copper skinned, and one female, older and tinted by burnt umber hues. Both kneeled in unison to the black-hearted wielder of new, powerful magic. Even those who turned their back on the tribe, did not wander for long as nomads. The ideology of the family was strong in Elven culture, and so these two warriors had found their new leader. At the very bottom of the steps, two creatures tainted by the inorganic armours of foreign metals, waited for their masters to return to them. One ruled the skies in graceful expanse of silky, crimson scales and transparent wings. The other ruled the lands, circular and gifted with several large eyes, large feelers gave the creature a sixth sense in addition to the keen other five. As both scouts and warriors, the two deserters would be the eyes of their Lord, and find what he had hunted.<br><br>The unsettled balance of nature at the hands of these nefarious forces at work, seemed to add weight to the skies as clouds greyed in over-forecast rains. While human and she-elf ventured deeper over ancient tree roots and sweeping bushes, the jungle seemed to darken ominously. Zyanya shuddered to the cold chill she felt prickle down her back; though the weather was actually still very humid. In a sudden flash of light which illuminated the surroundings in streaks of white, the first raindrops fell as the skies moaned. Zyanya’s shoulders tensed, the monsoons were often unpredictable like this; the certain moisture always littered the air, but she had not sensed the coming of rain. Her concern grew as the skies seemed to open to the heavy downpour, throwing cold slabs of angry stones down onto the undeserving beings below.<br><br>“Up!” Came her order, as she stopped by the strong and able tree her eyes had searched for. It would keep them above the now dangerous ground level where water easily gathered, and shelter them from the abusive hail. Swinging her staff over her head to rest on one shoulder; the spare leather thongs she had tied around her arm had actually been a strap for this purpose alone, Zyanya climbed the slippery bark, gripping onto each point of leverage gratefully, until she hoisted herself to crouch in perfect balance, on the strongest branch.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>04-04-2009, 16:07:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ban-Ku looked at the large barrel like tree. It looked more like a group of roots twisted up into the sky the a tree but he knew the canopy was like a small house. Despite the storm the sun set fast in the jungle and he had a charge to look after. "I will be there soon." he said the water rolling off his carefully oiled clothes. He left to find food and things fort their night hold up in the tree. He stalked through the jungle and was quickly set upon by the sounds of a rainy jungle land. <br><br>The very bark moved around him. But he could detect the motion and found the patter. It was a large tree drake. A four-legged, creature that could change his color to match the bark around him. It was about five feet long and thirty pounds. Better eating than a snake but it took a long time to cook, perfect. Pulling back the arrow, the young hunter waited. The motion stopped and the beast leaped at Ban-Ku's head and he ducked. Many a hunter had been felled thinking you could shoot it in the gut as it leaped. It his the mud and slush, skidding. Ban-Ku hit it in the back of its neck with the arrow. He went ahead and wrapped it in leaves for cooking and slung it over his shoulder. On his way back the rain finally getting to him he stopped to pick fruits and nuts. <br><br>He could get dry wood for fire in the tree. He finally climbed up the tree like a nimble cat bringing Zyanya the meat. Hoping she started a fire it didn't matter, he had a big smile on his face and nonchalantly produced the meat for supper. "Tree drake." he said proudly. It wasn't the hardest prey in the jungle but it sure wasn't the easiest. Women liked it because if you used the skin, a considerable amount, it was said to change color with the wearers mood. A very rare gift that most jungle women appreciated next to wyrm silk.<br><br>Yes Ban-Ku was shamelessly trying to woo his charge. Backed by her silent need for him no mater how small, "Would you like me to make you an arm band?" he asked but it only had the bare politest hint of a question. He still wasn't arrogant enough to completely arrogant. He set up his bedroll close to the center and put the dry wood from his bag near a makeshift fire pit. Most people knew the advantage of these trees so finding one without a large basin in the middle with rocks was rare. He set his bow, spear, quiver, and knives by his bag and waited to see how she would react. Taking his robe off to dry, hanging it on a ingrowing branch. An obvious display of his body. He absentmindedly wondered if she'd ever paint her body again, he liked that.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>04-04-2009, 19:21:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Frowning optics stalked the human until he had disappeared amongst the misty haze of jungle flora. Beneath the great canopies, the warming embrace of the sun was scarce, leaving night to fall more quickly. Zyanya desperately searched above her in the inner canopy for the dry wood that would make a fire. Not only would it be the required source of heat and light, but also a welcoming beacon to Ban-Ku, while a warning to the jungle fauna. She gathered the various twigs and dry, waxy leaves into a pile in the perfect little nook within the thickest branch, which was more like a tree trunk of its own, winding through the others. The timber was set; now she needed flint, and more. The mysterious and superstitious shamaness felt the Gods high above were angered. As she slid down to the jungle floor, her hands tore away at the bark of one tree. It would make a fine mixing palate. Then she strayed in a circle around the base of the shelter, searching for the common flowering plant valued by her people for it's many uses. Depending on the flowering colours, the paste or oils could be used for hair dying or marking for body for rituals. They called it 'Gorintaaku,' and she sought those with white flowers purely for the thick, white sap.<br><br>Finally, after locating a growth of the white petals near the roots of a high, thin tree, the she-elf returned to her nesting place for the evening. After only three strikes of flint against timber, the stone sparked and fire was born. She always had been gifted for ability to call on the tears of the sun. Now she sat close to the flames, revelling in the comforting heat as it crackled against the downpour. Rain always did soothe her, since against water, fire was at its most vulnerable state. So she hummed lightly to herself while preparing her body paints, sitting with her legs crossed as she mixed the thick sap with watery mud on the bark palette with a stick. It was the best she could do in these conditions. Leaving the now beige compounds to set near the flames, the she-elf busied herself by attempting to dry her locks. From the Gorintaaku, she had placed the small white flowers behind her left ear. It was a shame to waste the prettiest part of the plant after all. She was still drying her hair when Ban-Ku stalked up the tree again, even with the heavy burden of their evening meal on his shoulder. Eyes shifted to him, and then to the catch as he announced it; surveying the scales in slight disbelief. She'd expected him to being something less, extravagant. Zyanya's heart sunk; she longed for her pretty robes again, of wyrm silks and furs and yes, even this drake skin. So as he offered to make her an armband, her eyes seemed to light up.<br><br>"I won't stop you, if you do." In words alone, the answer was flat, yet her tone was almost teasing. She secretly would've like that very much but also, she did not want to outright encourage him. Not when he seemed to think himself her guardian. Poor deluded boy. Attention switched back to her own task, until he re-gained it with the sounds of his shifting robes. Her expression calm to the point of placid, completely focused orbs seemed to sate themselves on his displayed body. Odd, when he had been so eager to cover himself previously. Unlike him, the she-elf allowed herself to stare at what she pleased, so her gaze lingered as she followed the changing lines and shapes of his torso. Not heavily muscular like some of the jungle men, who prided themselves on brute strength. Yet he was not scrawny either, and she knew that the muscles were hardened from years of manual labour. She had felt it even, in her drifting consciousness, when he had carried her to safety. What element was he governed by? The she-elf contemplated as she watched him. Water? Wood? Earth? Or was he like the changeable winds?
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>04-04-2009, 19:46:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The gods and the prairie folk never meet so the elements play less of an importance in the prairie-folks lives but they still respected it but not as in it's more abstract principles like the elves. They respected giant badgers as movers of earth, hawks and birds for storms, fish for water, and like all the sun for fire. That one never seemed to change from culture to culture in this world. A familiar and comforting constant. Ban-Ku looked at her, "My robe is wet." he said as if that's all it was, he noticed her mixing up paints. He decided to give her privacy if this was some ritual and&nbsp; so he took the catch to the other side of the tree and cleaned it. Not out of modesty or shyness so much as respect.<br><br>To keep the color changing effect of drake hide you had to cut the two layers of skin off without a lot of fat or muscle hanging on underneath. Cut to shallow you rupture the pigment and it bleeds out, to deep and when you go to cure it over a fire it cooks. Ban-Ku was confident however, and two hours later he had the meat cut up and prepared and the bracelets ready. One was for her right forearm snaking back to her elbow in a spiral, and the other was for her left leg to be worn on the shin and it likewise snaked up to the knee. He'd gotten enough off for two. Rolling it into shape he slid it on a stick binding it with wet grass and briefly interrupted her to shove it deep in the hot coals of the fire above the heating rocks. He also slid the skewered meat on the fire and threw the kill arrow in the fire after reclaiming the silver head. An act of asking for good fortune among his people. He left to go dispose of the carcass. Most of a drake was unusable sadly. It's bones were brittle for fetching and many of its organs putrid for it's known scavenging. <br><br>The rain was freezing but he had to dump the corpse far enough from their tree. He wasn't gone long. It shouldn't have been that cold this was not a common storm for the jungle. He lazily lounged on his bedroll, unfortunately it seemed to be the only one, and waited for her to finish. Respectfully giving her privacy.&nbsp; &nbsp;
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>04-04-2009, 20:35:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Checking the paste before it overheated and solidified, Zyanya stirred the mixture to find that it was ready. The Gorintaaku plant was really quite extraordinary, as despite the use of mud to thicken the paste, the plant extracts had reacted to heat, turning the mixture stark white. The silence was well appreciated, since the shamaness had to now concentrate on the fine arts of marking her body in respect to the deities. She had sat close to the fire for so long, that her clothes were near dry. Now the scents of cooking meat filled the space around her, causing her stomach muscles to tense in anticipation. She had not savoured drake meat in quite awhile. Using her index finger as her brush, the she-elf extended her arm in front of her, palm facing up so that she could follow the line of her main artery. The first mark was drawn, a solid white in clear contrast to her warm chocolate skin; starting at the wrist, it passed her inner elbow, tickling slightly over the sensitive erogenous zone, before passing up to her collar, and finally her neck. From the main line, forked other, diagonal strokes, equally spaced, with wide gaps between them. At the end of each stroke, was another, smaller space, and then a small but clearly visible dot. <br><br>By the time Ban-Ku returned from dumping the carcass, she had completed both arms. Now, with her pinkie fingertip, she started at her lower lip, marking small circles down the centre of her chin, her neck, and stopping at the tip of her collarbone. She was not sure if she was finished yet, but she felt the heat of eyes watching her. After a lengthy side glance of fixed eye contact on the lounging male, Zyanya plucked herself from her seated position, to rather primitively prowl over to his bedroll. Lounging in her side-ways sitting positions, she'd brought the paints with her, and for a moment, inspected her canvas.<br><br>"Ehecatl is angered," she explained, dipping her index finger in the paint again. Her other hand reached for his left arm, pulling to towards her to rest on her knee, palm upwards. "But he will not strike us, if our bodies are his temple." The great deity had many names, but some considered him the most important of all others. Mostly he was associated with the winds and thunderstorms, but even rain and fire seemed to bend to his command. The shamaness revered him the most, even though he was mostly worshipped and idolised by males. The marking begun as her own had, her breathing calm despite the rather sensual act of intimately acquainting herself with his skin. Yet eyes refused to meet his, as they focused so thoroughly on the work of art she was slowly creating. Each line precise, it had to be prefect and identical to her own.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>04-04-2009, 20:54:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ban-Ku let her mark him and when she finished the paint turned black again, but remained. It struck a parallel to her white paint and was again due to their intertwined, double-bound asouras. Though Ban-Ku had no way of knowing this and she probably wouldn't tell him if she wanted to. When he was sure she'd he went over and turned the meat pulling the bracelets out of the fire. He walked over to the rain and washed the ash and cooled them. He showed her the solid color they had turned dull brown but they would change with body heat. <br><br>Grabbing her arm he showed her how it was bendable but held it's shape so she could easily bend it on and off. He slipped her hand through the hole and bent the remainder around her fore arm in a big spiral. "The other one is for your leg." he said showing her the little dips in the loop for the top of her foot and ankle bones so it would rest comfortably. His hands slipped over her dark leg feeling the smoothness of her skin and tone of her calf as he wrapped it around as well. He leaned over her his muscles shined in the firelight from the small sheen of water on them. The crevices in his body were light or dark and gave him an interesting contrast as he unabashedly grew more familiar with her form. <br><br>He felt he'd come to know her more just by simply proclaiming himself as her guardian whether she admitted it or not. The rain still howled and wailed outside the canopy but inside they were dry and alone... with one mat. He looked into her eyes his face coming closer to her. Inspecting what she really felt in those dark pools his hand absentmindedly made its way to her toned, chocolate thigh just above the knee. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>04-04-2009, 21:35:10</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As the paint dried to a pitch black hue, those words again spoke in her mind. <em>'We seem to be attached to one another.'</em> Zyanya could've kept on marking his body; it was quite therapeutic and she enjoyed the creativity of the ritual. But she forced herself to stop, once the last dot was placed at his collarbone, eyes finally looking up to him with the slow nod of her head. A gesture to tell him she was finished. Always eager to busy himself, he'd tended to the meat and she'd sat in silence, looking out to the gaps in the canopy at the haze of heavy downpour outside. It clouded one's vision, but at least the jungle fauna would be hiding as they did, and not tempted therefore, to venture closer to the smell of cooked meat. Approving eyes then inspected the drake-skin bands he'd made for her, marvelling at how he'd made the skin bendable. The firm, serious line of her joint lips, curved upwards to a light but clearly grateful smile. Now she held the tiniest fragment of his soul, locked in the fine craftsmanship.<br><br>"Perfect," the shamaness barely breathed, almost purring the word. Eyes refused to leave his face even as she felt his hands glide across her leg, demonstrating how the band fitted. Marking herself always enamoured her, and there was absolutely nothing wrong in taking pleasure from teasing one's own body. At least, not by the standards of the hedonistic Alania-Kur culture. The humidity was more than just the jungle; it was her entire mood, balanced like an animal in heat. And as Ban-Ku's face drew closer, the lingering touch above her knee, she could almost feel his own breathing, hot and unashamed. The only way she could accept what she felt as a <em>wrong</em> attraction, was by continuing the ritual she had realised was actually, <em>not</em> finished. It had to be deepened, strengthened until she knew they were both satisfied. She was elf, he was human, their kind should not mix. But her curiousity thinned the line of the rule, tearing at the seams to add this exception.<br><br>Without sound, her hand slid across his that was rested on her thigh, her eyes holding his own with dilated pupils within the dark depths. Her other hand brought the bark of paste to her other knee, resting it there as she took his index finger. Dipping the tip in the paste, she then encouraged him to return to her thigh, pressing his digit in a single dot that could form whatever he desired. Her dictating touch left him to his own devices then, as she diligently fiddled with the ties behind her. Bound breasts were released from their confines with the gentle bounce, as the leather was stripped from her. Darkened buds swelled to press against the light fabric of her robes, as a result of the chill and her arousal. The waistband was next untied, until she was finally ready to lift the robe over her head in a whisper of freedom. He was robe-less, and now so was she, only as he already knew, she wore nothing else underneath that single garment.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>04-04-2009, 21:56:07</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He not only took the dab he took the whole of the bark palate and brushed her now naked body with the paint. Soft feminine swirls he formed at the space between her breasts as he stood beckoning her to do so as well. His canvas lay naked and he was as well for every intimate line he drew on her dark skin the masculine black mark appeared on his. Something told him these lines... would come off, but they seemed out of the way. He instinctively knew that the lines would complement anything else she painted herself with. <br><br>Soft, simple swirling patters brushed lightly under her breasts and sides of her thighs, angular, hard lines appeared on him. Down her sides of her leg and across her back, he was marked the counter part. The intimate ritual done he looked at her and himself. These were marks complementing every aspect of intimacy and bonding. The fires of passion, the seed of the earth, the waters of life, and the raw power of storms. He was naked and obviously aroused before her, new to these feelings he could tell she was more reserved and knowledgeable. <br><br>It was taboo for elves to love humans but neither seemed to care he kissed her. A simple thing her reached forward and put his lips on her full dark ones. His right hand taking her chin as he moved his lips over hers passionately his other lost in her blond hair. As he kissed her more and more the storm swelled, his hand found her body, every dark toned curve. He roamed it with his hands as they fell back to the mat it had room enough for both of them... especially for what Ban-Ku had in mind. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>04-04-2009, 23:04:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The human's enthusiasm with the paint thrilled the she-elf; her breathing seeming to imitate the sweeps of spiralling curls around her body, as hands explored each feminine curve. It had been her plan to share the paint, marking him as he marked her in a euphoric unison of touch. But the strange magics between them took the initiative first. As each straight, dark line appeared mystically on his fairer skin, she traced it with her fingertips, following the maze around the squareness of his chest, down to the protrusion of abs and pelvic bone. She found this the most intimate of rituals; to be burnt by a touch that lingered on the skin for seconds, minutes, sometimes days until washed away. A reminder of the shared act, and the memory itself could spawn equal, private pleasure.<br><br>Then, he'd leaned forwards, separating their bodies no more, with the simple unison of a tender kiss. He seemed timid, and she wondered if he purposely caressed her slowly. Or on the contrary, if he was explorative because he had never tried this before. It didn't matter to her either way, she would not stop this special, ceremonial act, now that it had begun again. Only as she savoured what seemed to be his musky, salty flavour, did her eyelids drop against the massaging of his hand in her hair. He didn't need to hold her head; she leaned towards him in a battle of control, as plump lips of dark cherry moved against him, challenging yet not swift. As swiftly as they had stood, she felt herself descending again, almost floating back until she felt the furs of his bedding. Beneath the pressing of the raw storm against the passionate fires of her heated skin, her body aligned itself so that curves fit against the slopes of his own form. Budded peaks of her breasts grazing across his chest, while his hardened arousal edged against her abdomen, causing ripples of anticipation to rock in gentle waves in the pit of her stomach. When it was so pleasurable to be simply held, skin to skin, she had to remind herself to be well paced. Neither were ready, so to race ahead would be a waste.<br><br>That did not stop Zyanya from adding tongue to the mix, more obviously tasting him with the sweeping flicks against his probing lips. The arch of her arm hooked beneath his armpit, sloping across ribs to the jagged edges of powerful, tenses shoulder blades. The other, more tentatively followed a journey south, past where their skin was happily joined by the coating of moderate sweat and natural oils. Legs opening to cradle a thigh between them, her touch found the peak of his arousal, and eyes opened to observe his reaction. The she-elf always enjoyed seeing how her lightest of touches could burn, as the graze of a single stroke rose to the thicker base of his shaft.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>04-04-2009, 23:35:10</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He held her in his passionate kiss until they hit the mat. It was fur around wool, and he had a blanket nearby but not on it.&nbsp; He loved the way her body fit against his he felt his member touch the lower part of her pelvis and he sighed or moaned he couldn't tell. He kissed her again his hands roaming over her dark body feeling the plump curve of her bottom he made a happy sound he could see her long pointed ears poking delicately and elegantly out of her blond hair; when she touched his member he pulled back teasingly. He could see her body below him all its womanly curves laid out before him. <br><br>He kissed the marks but the didn't smudge, again he doubted they would smudge if she stepped outside right now. He kissed her dark lips and then he nipped her pointed ears pushing his body against hers. Ban-Ku probably appeared inexperienced but he felt her heat and her flush. The passion seemed to be building and he let instinct take over. His hands spread her toned legs exposing her sex to him. His member rubbed the heated core over her before he pushed at the entrance. His mouth found her breasts as he pushed his member in. The muscles of his back, bottom, and legs contracting at the tightness.<br><br>He took a nipple in his mouth and sucked it loveing the way she smelled and tasted. He payed attention to her other dark orb kissing the heavy, ample flesh. He began to pump in and out of Zyanya. His first experience with a woman. Her tightness made him moan and groan lovingly and the storm seemed to rage on. Her legs were on either side of him as he continued to undulate into&nbsp; her.<br><br>He wasn't exactly rough but he was firm. His hands squeezed the soft flesh over her breasts and the other her backside. Her narrow waist felt wonderful against him and he wanted more feeling his first release building in his loins. He only cared about what she felt and what they felt together. The odds of a halfling being conceived were one hundred unions to one. This was one of those things that Ban-Ku didn't know and didn't care about. He simply returned to his motions and kissing her dark body.&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>05-04-2009, 00:15:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Pointed ears lightly flicked as Ban-Ku paid homage with a nip, the skin was sensitive there, not only to touch, but also to light and sound. Yet Zyanya felt the raw tension as he grew hasty over her, with the soundtrack of the torrential showers around them, raining havoc on the jungle flora. They were not negative sounds though; nature seemed to entice the shamaness, caressing the union with approving gestures. The drum of thunder rolled across the skies, as pure, natural instincts overtook sense and sensibilities. The wider parting of her thighs, opening herself to him, and then the probing of the smooth, bulbous tip. As if his body questioned her own with those sacramental, teasing rubs. Up and down against her slick folds, apparently she was easily aroused; her body well adverse to both swift and lengthy preparation.<br><br>"Yes," the she-elf hissed in a breathy whisper, verbally answering the physical question as he forced through the initial tension of her heated core. The sheer invasion of his rite to manhood elevating her with the arch of her accepting back. That alone pressed her ample bosom to his face, begging him to suck her. Taste her. Enjoy her. His guttural sounds, primitive and natural not forced, were joined just by her heavier breathing, slowly accompanied by remnants of her voice. Sighs and sharp breaths, as her pelvis lifted to wantonly accept the entirity of his thrusting shaft. The energy of their union licking against her abdomen in rising flames. Her whole body milked him, from the squeezing of her thighs against the sides of his own, to the way her palms and the pads of her fingertips, pawed against the tensed back. The way she pushed herself against him could have been enough force to topple the balance of a weaker adversary, as if even now as their bodies joined, the she-elf waged a battle against the human.<br><br>It was not often that Zyanya reached bliss through penetration alone. Though the feeling of completion was always enjoyable, this being no exception to that. Perhaps it was the additional factors of surroundings, or the feeling of doing something that was <em>so</em> wrong, but at the same time, <em>so</em> good. Satisfying beyond her comprehension. She stopped thinking entirely, loosing herself to the swirling tornado below her gut. <em>Just a little more</em>…hands gripped onto his flesh, trying to prolong his rhythmic motions, but her hips were greedy, forcing harder, acute firmness.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>05-04-2009, 00:37:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The spasms hit his loins and the first bouts of orgasm wracked his body but that wasn't the end of it could tell. He increased the ferocity of the rutting. He held her close to him biting her neck lightly moving up and down over her his manhood twitched with pleasure. He lowered his mouth to her's and he felt his tongue enter her mouth and wrestle with her. He loved the way her slightly sweaty body in the firelight. She was like obsidian a goddess on earth and he loved every moment. <br><br>He felt himself have his first orgasm. It was spiritual. His breath left him as his seed shot into her, filling her with his passion. He held her there absentmindedly enforcing his dominance Knowing neither of the should have.&nbsp; This union shouldn't have happened but the weather around them seemed to applaud with thunderous claps. He panted against her bosom resting almost sweetly in her older more experienced arms, sweat covered each as the last remnants of his need left him and he nipped tiredly at her dark flesh. Extricating himself from her he lay against her watching the fire dance across her.<br><br>Ban-Ku couldn't say a thing he just lie against her. Feeling her breasts push against him with her breathing. The leaves filled with the dinner he procured lay forgotten as he lazily pulled the blanket over them moving himself behind her feeling his crotch against the curve of her bottom and he smiled. Stroking and petting on her blond sweat-slicked hair. She seemed happy to him...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>05-04-2009, 13:29:24</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The heightened ferocity, the biting and the wrestling of invading tongue; all pushed Zyanya to the brink of soaring. Convulsions seared through her, clutching at each muscle as their heated dance tipped her over the edge. She had to tear her mouth away from his to react with a silent, prolonged moan. The she-elf's head tilted back, creating an arching exposure of her neck in addition to raised abdomen. Lips stuttered soundlessly. Eyes opened with a gaze tinted by the shroud of intense pleasure. The descent of the sexual peak was never welcome, so she held onto the satisfaction for as long as she could. Limbs tensed; her own sex pulsed against the friction of his gyrations. The shamaness felt the throbbing of Ban-Ku's full orgasm follow soon after, while still soaring from her own release. The seed of the earth and the waters of life dousing her flames, filling her with the contentment of the ritual's ultimate completion. <br><br>Zyanya wasn't concerned by his display of slight dominance over her afterwards; the playful nips and re-enforcement of contact. The battle had been fair and now, she bathed in the afterglow of needy pants and mutual perspiration which acted as the glue between their joined bodies. His weight over her was by no means an encumbrance, rather it added to her overall euphoria. It was pleasant to be oblivious to the metaphorical weight of duty on her shoulders, replaced by this totally organic, living and breathing force. This was how life should be; no concerns or worries, just the pure reaction of nature. Irrational but not forced. She sighed quietly, as her female space was no longer occupied by male completion. Exhausted, her arms flopped lazily above her head, writhing in both her natural aftermath of heated cells, and the glow of the fire. It was not often that she was satisfied to a state of lethargy. Not even the fragrance of drake meats could tempt her now.<br><br>Tomorrow, she could chide herself on the more rational explanations, only to put her cultured mind at rest. How they had shared something which was purely for the purpose of heightened worship through the temples of their bodies, dedicated to the vengeful deities. That was it, nothing more or less. For now though, the shamaness rolled onto her side so that the human could slide against her. No, mould was the right word, as she felt each and every part of him behind her. It was easy to let herself drift to the motions of his breathing. Nothing like how she had slept the previous night, Zyanya relaxed her mind, body and soul, to the point of almost being comatose.<br><br>The rains probably stopped sometime during the night, and as the sun rose again, it bathed each shimmering obstacle of the gaps in the canapies, in golden glows. Blessing, like some sort of baptism, the two that lay beneath the entwining trees.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>05-04-2009, 14:02:00</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ban-Ku hadn't wanted to fall into sleep he wanted to stay up forever, watching and touching her sweetly. However his exhaustion won out and his gray eyes fluttered shut over his dark lady. He rose with the sun sitting up, he left her to sleep and extricated himself from her and the blanket. He let her have it all greedily. He smiled before grabbing a few dew-covered leaves and wiped his body down. Unsurprised when the markings from last night didn't come off as he slipped his pants on. Re-wrapping the legs and his hands. He looked over at Zyanya and smiled, thinking fondly of the ritual.<br><br>He slipped the meant back over the coals to warm and they would have it for breakfast. He was certainly hungry. Standing up from a crouch he felt well-rested, and like a man. He didn't see anything taboo about it. She was the woman he'd exiled himself to protect, and in the end, go home or not, he would spend a large portion of his time with her in the future. Last night didn't help his infatuation with her either. He'd seen the softer side of the prideful, often-irate Zanyna. He grinned, the snappy biting expressions she used would now take on a whole new place in their relationship.<br><br>He slipped his robe on but didn't bind it quite yet deciding to look around the tree for anything suspicious. He saw smoke off in the distance. Not normal smoke black and green smoke like the monster's flame from two days ago. He didn't bother worrying his charge... lover? About it she would see soon enough. Let her hold onto the sweet dreams for a little while. A life without burden. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>05-04-2009, 15:23:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Zyanya slowly stirred while Ban-Ku fixed his robe in place, her half lidded eyes gradually adjusted to the light that seeped through the canopy, telling her she'd overslept. Punishing her body, she did not allow herself the indulgence of rousing gradually. Instead, knees drew up to her chest first, before rolling forwards suddenly, and lifting to a mostly knelt position with cat-like grace. Urged by the moist remnants of their canoodling that clung to her inner thighs, she stood against the rebellion of sleepy limbs, her back facing the human while eyes searched the umbrella above. Weeping leaves after the saturating rains, gave her the means to cleanse herself, as Ban-Ku had. The sap of the Gorintaaku plant often stained the skin for weeks afterwards, slowly fading from wash to wash. The white pigments remained clear and bright as ever, even as she scrubbed quite harshly against the swirls over her abdomen. Only time would tell if they faded, so for now she was quite indifferent to their presence.<br><br>Various smells represented this new day; the rich, lingering rains, cooking meat once again, and then her own scent, mixed with the invasion of musky masculinity. It clung to her, trapped beneath her robes as she decided he'd seen quite enough of her natural form. Despite her silent mood, the melancholy edged with the resurfacing of her usual temperament, the shamaness still wore the drake bands. The scales shone with the surfacing hues of pale red, and rusting orange. Somewhat adopting traits of Ban-Ku's constant occupation, the she-elf plucked the warmed meat from the campfire. With the breakfast laid on the large leaves acting as plates, she moved to stand by the human with one of the leaves in extended offering. Zyanya hadn't noticed the unnatural fires yet, but sure enough, as she followed Ban-Ku's eye line, she traced the invasion of onyx and grey asparagus, rising from the trees ahead. An ill-boding, she crouched down while her mind assessed the danger. The weight of her duty returned instantly.<br><br>"Eat fast," came the she-elf’s demand, lifting the morning meal with an undignified crescendo to the hungry mouth. Though they might be safe for now in this maze of wood and green, the wizard's magic had the uncanny skill of seeking out the unwilling flesh of the Alania-Kur.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>05-04-2009, 17:08:52</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He walked over to her and sat beside her kissing her shoulder lightly, "Good morning to you too." he said softly but with an intensity of passionate strength he reserved for her. It had not dissipated in the slightest for her despite getting what most men sought from women. He did his robes up before taking the meat and mixing it with slightly heated nuts and berries. "We will leave in due time..." he assured her. he could trek through the jungle better than most of the city-dwelling elves. He enjoyed the safety he stood only to make sure the fire was dying and to fetch his equipment. He still struck an imposing figure in his robe and gear holding his spear behind his shoulder in a very statuesque figure. <br><br>He waited for her to finish her needs, and left to relieve himself briefly. They stated walking through the thick tangle of vines and snakes. Exotic orchids and animals were all around them but it was about late morning when anything remarkable happened. The lack of wildlife alerted Ban-Ku and then the faint smell of death. He cut a beeline through the brush leaving Zyanya to follow. When he broke into a branch littered clearing he was dumbstruck. <br><br>Laying in front of them there was a great wyrm. He was impaled and lashed with various swords and spears. They were all made of the same strange black metal. The same strange make. Ban-Ku knelt in respect for the great creature. He didn't think they could be killed. Eventually he stood and saw the great beast laboring breathe it was still alive. It was tragically beautiful. It was obviously a storm wyrm it's dark blackish gray feathers were broken and bent. It's wings snapped and it's green and white body splashed with the red of its own blood. <br><br>Putting a hand on the dying creatures side he felt its unfathomable rage, but its intense sadness at dying. "He wants revenge..." he muttered to no one in particular. The thing wanted to live on and raze his killers with mighty thunder and lightning. Ban-Ku had a ritual he could use but it required the things immediate death. He could make armor out of it and the majority of its soul would be bound to the armor. Making him live on to find his justice, but it took days to complete. The beast nodded, thunderstorms in its eyes.<br><br>"Zyanya, I need three days..." he said softly. Three days to put the poor thing to rest and make hte armor. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>05-04-2009, 18:23:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Swinging her strapped spear over her shoulder with the sting of the human's kiss still tingling at her shoulder, Zyanya strode after him with exuberance in her steps. It was comforting to be on the move again; welcoming arms of the Keir-Gru jungle smoothing past her with the brush of waxy leaves at the shifting momentum of her legs. Her silence was the cause of a pre-occupied mind though. Had it been right for her to share the Alania-Kur ritual with this human? Eyes stared, fixated on Ban-Ku's back as he took point ahead. As such, even this ignorance to what surrounded her was disturbed by a familiar, distasteful scent. Zyanya's body reacted before her mind did, tensing to freeze as death surrounded them. A curse. Her skin prickled, rare and unwelcome fear edging it's way around her. The drake skins gradually begun to turn amber, matching the growth of her woeful auras. Before she could warn Ban-Ku, he was darting forward, compelling her to follow in his wake. She'd be damned if he now risked his own life, while she was not there to repay her debt to him. Appearing behind him at the mouth of the clearing, the sight of those putrid smells gave her even more cause for alarm.<br><br>"By the Gods," her voice barely sounded, breathing uneven from both the sprint, and now the mixture of anger and repulsion. A wyrm; a child of Ehecatl, torn from the proud skies by these blackened weapons of the western shores. How could anyone defile the very Gods! She knew the answer of course, as she trembled. There were those whose black hearts cared not for the great deities. Rather than revere them in worship, they challenged the very notions of their existence. No wonder the skies had been the canvas of Ehecatl's wrath. It was forbidden to forcefully take the lives of these magnificent creatures, just as the wyrm silks she wore, had been a gift rather than unceremoniously stolen.<br><br>The shamaness with her connection to nature, audibly winced at the sight of the dying storm wyrm, as if she felt a fraction of it's suffering. Her hand clutched at her stomach, normally where life was created and nurtured. This one was diminishing in slow spasms that tore through her, though it still clung to life despite the indescribable pains, just as she still wanted to cling to hope. While Ban-Ku had moved closer, the she-elf had hesitated. Her hands were not clean enough to touch this great beast, but above all else, she feared that her healing rites couldn't save it. Upset by the crescendo of all this information, feet ventured forwards, until she was ready to extend a soothing touch to the beast's side. Her eyes stung, and that was rare. Gradually, her body moulded against the wyrm tenderly, offering her own warmth and company to soothe its passing in both a worshipped mothering way. She did not care that it's cold blood would mark her.<br><br>Zyanya tensed at Ban-Ku's request. She had no idea what he would need three days for, but with her energy poured into the wyrm as a parting gift to ease the pain, she therefore did not have the will to deny him. Just like she did not have the power to speak, her silence ambiguous as she remained, cradling the large wyrm in her meagre embrace.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>05-04-2009, 18:58:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				For the time since he met her he told her the hardest words he'd had to yet, "You can be here but I can't see to you..." he said quietly solemn like a funeral. Which, in many ways is what this was. He spent the larger part of the remaining morning gathering wood making a pyre around the wyrm. He would send part of him back to the sun where life began. He carefully removed the black, metal objects from the wyrms corpse and tossed them from the clearing. He spent the rest of the day marking the poor creature for the task ahead. He had to partition the parts he would use. It wasn't much. Much of the creature was tainted by the darkness. He slept and drank water at the end of the first day.<br><br>On the second day he started cutting the wyrm up into leather pieces digging a small pool for water and making a fire to harden the armor. He formed the breastplate and the single shoulder piece. He fashioned it in the style of his people asymmetrically. He set it over the flame to work over and cut the bracers and the arm guard and the shin guards, as well as the singe thigh piece. using hot wood he fashioned the symbols of his people using heated wood and pressing it into the soft leather. While it all hardened he cut the fang from the great wyrms mouth. A six inch razor sharp blade. He affixed it to the end of his spear making a killing end-pieced. He also attached some of his feathers and burned the story of this into his spear. That night he burned the wyrms body.<br><br>In the morning of the third day he pulled the wyrm-skin armor from the fire and placed it in the pool it took on a dark brown color and swirled appearance; like a storm cloud. This was a thunder wyrm. He stitched the softer straps that didn't need boiling with dried tendons. By noon it was ready. He also replaced the catgut chord in his bow with wyrm intestine dried and cured. Finished he strapped the armor on. It was simple and effective. The shouder piece went on the left with the high point of the armor, then he put the thigh-piece on his left, then the shin guards. A bracer over his right arm and the arm guard over his left. He stood and was ready. Picking up his improved spear. <br><br>Ban-Ku didn't know it but the wyrms aura mingled with his. "We may go now, I'm sorry for the delay..." he said simply and earnestly. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>05-04-2009, 23:46:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				When Zyanya felt the last staggering breath of the wyrm, her first crystal tear fell. Some say the tears of the Alania-Kur had regenerative properties, others went as far to say the gift of life. If that were true, then the single spot of soil that caught the tear, would now be well fertilized to grow new life. Hopefully a proud and strong tree, that would reach the heavens like the wyrm once had. Her shoulders trembled, empty tears following. It was hard for a being governed by the fire element to shed water. Acknowledging Ban-Ku's words, she slowly moved away from the corpse. The fact that tending to the camp now rested with her, did discern her in the slightest. The she-elf was in no mood to inquire about the human's request, but instead silently helped him when she saw that he was building a pyre. When the sun started to descend, she left him to wrestle a snake for food. It had cornered a wounded psittacines; a large bird of the parrot family, but large enough to not be easily held captive in cages, like its' distant, smaller cousins. It stood at three feet, and the beak could give a harsh, potentially fatal nip, if angled in the correct vicinity. But its wings had formerly been injured by a jungle cat no doubt, so it struggled to escape the python that slowly advanced down the nesting place of a sturdy tree. The shamaness, too tired to hunt properly, stole the opportunity for a lazy kill from the snake. For all she cared, her need was greater. Returning successfully with the bird, she prepared it silently at the camp she'd made near the funeral pyre, and slept shortly after taking her fill.<br><br>The next day, Zyanya overslept, recovering from her loss of energy through guiding the wyrm peacefully to the afterlife. When she roused, Ban-Ku was busy fashioning the scales of the mighty storm beast into various curious shapes. She spent a lot of her time watching him, sometimes briefly disappearing to refill their water supply at the nearby river. From the wyrm's body, she plucked the silver feathers and fixed them both through the locks of her hair, and the end of her own staff. Then, she hunted early, finding fish in the river that cooked over the fire while she drew ancient symbols in a circle around the funeral pyre. The shamanes lost her appetite as she found herself completely involved in the funeral rite, leaving the fish solely for Ban-Ku to keep up his strength. As the pyre burned, she raised her arms to the heavens, humming the songs of passing in her cross-legged position. Gradually, the shamaness slipped into the deepest of trances; her body swaying to the swirling smokes around her. Not a thing could rouse her from the ethereal state, as she listening for the spirits of old and new, whispering with arms welcoming the wyrms transition. <br><br>The she-elf slept through until the sun was almost high in the sky on the third day. The great fire had died out, absorbed into the sun, as had the wyrm. As she turned to look for Ban-Ku though, concerned over his solstice, she did not recognise the man that should have stood in his place. Grabbing her spear, she crouched low to the stance of the nimble huntress, until the figure turned, and she saw the face of the human she knew. Zyanya almost dropped her spear, as Ban-Ku retrieved his own, improved version. Timidly, she crossed the space between them, until she was standing very close. Eyes examined his coat of arms, followed by the more intimate exploration of her fingertips across the wyrm scales. He was beautiful. A vision of a warrior, and one she was not ashamed to stand next to. What he had created out from the sacred wyrm, was a sight that filled her with the need to be closer to him. So she did. The shamaness moved closer, until she felt the full barricade of his body preventing her from going any further. Though one arm still hung at her side as her hand gripped her spear, the other dropped over his shoulder, winding it's way round to the back of his neck, until her wrist resting against his neck. The embrace was intimate, as she let her head drop to the crevice of his collar, breathing in his scent mixed with the warrior's spirit. It would be tempting of her to delay for a forth day, but she was not that selfish to give up their shared pilgrimage to please her own, carnal wants. So the simple, feather light kiss against his jaw, marked her retreat away from him. It was time to move again. Time to seek revenge, along the path to her ultimate destination.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>06-04-2009, 00:40:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Putting his spear over his back he scooped her legs up as she fell against him. He carried her as he walked out of the clearing in his new armor. Her bangle and anklet gave off a certain color but he didn't need that to read her emotions, "Night will be here soon enough..." he said sweetly in her ear his soft words making the hair around her ears dance lightly, "I owe it to you for three two nights anyway..." he noted, whether she realized it or not Ban-Ku saw himself as her lover as much as he did her guardian. He continued to walk lightly, stepping along the unbeaten paths in the jungle. She was light despite her body's intoxicating tone and muscles.<br><br>He put her down thirty minutes later as not to bruise her ego too much. Though he took her in. The way the sun shown on her hair and new feathers. The lines and shadows of her shapely legs the very pronounced swagger of her hips and bottom. He loved the way her dark skin felt, smooth. He loved her scent and he loved the idea that she wanted him again. His mind wasn't on the coming night it was on the plight of her people. "What is the matter with the elves..." he asked after a while of watching her walk. He knew this would make her sad but he had to know. <br><br>Nothing gave Ban-Ku happiness like seeing her smile to see her dark lips curl up in that cocky little grin, he loved to feel her but he had to keep his mind on threats and the animals nearby. He wondered what would happen when they finally reached the temple and whether or not what she was searching for, even though Zyanya didn't know it. He kept his bow ready and walked close to her. He had another question, "Is this evil affecting your magic?" he'd not seen her do many elven things. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>06-04-2009, 12:52:28</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The scales of the bangle and anklet that the she-elf wore, gave off the appropriate light flush of reddish-pinks. Being swept up into his arms and held against these new armours, sent the rebellious tingles of her ravaging emotions; fluttering butterfly wings caught in the cage of her abdomen. She shouldn't encourage him. It was wrong and it would be painful to insist that they part in the end. But Zyanya was caught in this intricate web, and the fact was, she didn't want to free herself. Mentally, she blamed her exhaustion. The burden of her people heavy enough without these extra layers.<br><br>"You owe me nothing," she breathed against his neck, her tone enforcing the strength of the words. It wasn't just because she owed him her life. The she-elf was used to surviving the wilds, and ontop of that, he had been the bread-winner for too long. It was her turn, and she accepted that. Clearing her throat as the human finally let her feet touch the earth again, she shamaness took the lead. Brushing the sweeping growths of vines aside, her full hips had a natural sway, which she played on as she felt his eyes on her behind. She was smirking outwardly; tempting males with teasing pruning was always enjoyable. At Ban-Ku’s question however, the colours slowly began to change with her sinking mood. Her pronounced sways ceased, but she continued to walk as she explained, letting words drift over her shoulder; eyes ahead of her.<br><br>"There are those traitors who desert their brethren," she started, slight venom in her tone. The deserters made her angry. "They fall to the blackened charms of the demons from the west. I cannot tell you how or why. I do not see the...appeal, as they do." More ruthlessly, she tore at the winding leaves blocking her path, whipping at them with her staff. "The black ones promise the teaching of their magic in return for the Alania-Kur kingdom. They want Keir-Gru as their own. But I see past it. I see their evil tearing the lands apart. Burning all that oppose."<br><br>She stopped there, verbally and physically. Eyes looked to the inquisitive human, but she was calm, for once. Even flames died down to a meagre flicker sometimes. "This..'magic,' it not as easy as it looks. The auras of the westerners grow heavier, yes. They are," she hesitated, as it pained her to admit it. "Stronger." A smile broke her serious expression though, as she steered the conversation to lighter realms. "Do not worry, you will see Alania-Kur miracles." The smile gradually grow more mischievous. "You are sure I did not already wind my magics around you?" Of course she hadn't, unless the rituals could be considered magic by human recognition. But the physical miracles took deeper, lengthy concentration.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>06-04-2009, 14:09:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I that was a magic of a very different sort..." he grinned in a wily way. He walked closer to her scanning around they were making all right time. The jungle was not easy to traverse. He liked being near her, he'd liked being near her. He was stoic about the whole thing but it was his job to protect her and her's to apparently fulfill her debt. "Zyanya, would it really be so bad if you never had the chance to repay your debt?" he said playfully. He knew what animals were around them and could even see a few lazy tree drakes up in the canopy. They were bored and sleepy and left well enough alone. <br><br>The jungle of her people was a really wild and beautiful place. Just like his lover. He looked over her and smiled. Ban-Ku continued to think fondly of their night together but the rustling of some nearby brush made him alert, but not so much that he stopped. Gradually slowing down he put a hand on the knife in his belt. Ban-Ku's senses were attuned on the rustling that seemed to follow them watching and then moving along. He motioned to her to keep walking and he worked his way into the brush, planning on snapping a circle on the creature following them.<br><br>It wasn't four minutes before Ban-Ku emerged from the thick with a small wyrm by the tale. It's little wings fluttering helplessly. By the color the hunter would have called it one of the sun's affinity. It had some kind of color around its neck. It was covered in muck and mud, and some superficial scratching and bruising. Like it lived in luxury most its life. "You wouldn't happen to know whose pet wyrm this is." he said bracing himself against the thrashing it made toward her, "It seems to recognize you.." he put his hand up against the flurry of movement. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>06-04-2009, 15:54:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				A subtle laugh crackled, more like the birth of a chuckle that quickly deformed into a pompous snicker instead. Zyanya still didn't know what to think of this human. The desire to feel his completion of her again was just her hedonistic lust, wasn't it? Though it was also a lust that should never have been sated. She had no response for his playful answer, other than her very brief chortle. The next playful question however, was one she had feared he might try to run past her. "<em>That</em>," she emphasised the word in particular. "Is <em>not</em> an option." But how many days had it been now? Four? Five? Yet still, he walked alongside her, and she could complain little about that. The human had his uses, after all.<br><br>Then there was the rustling of bushes. The shamanesses' spearhead pointed towards the source of the interruption, ready to strike down the foe with the swift jab. But her frown melted as Ban-Ku extracted the source of the ambush. "<em>Ayomide</em>?" Had it not been for the give-away collar around the wyrmling's neck, Zyanya might've been unsure if the pet was really her own. But orange, gold and red scales were abundant, and these were in very poor condition. Her disbelief apparent in her widened almonds as well as her tone. "It is... you silly thing! What are you doing? I told you to... You came all this way?" She spoke directly to her beloved little pet, holding her hand out so that Ban-Ku could drop the sun wyrm on her offered palm. Her anger more like the scolding mother, yet the wyrmling snaked around her wrist affectionately like an additional armband. She could hardly stay displeased for long, even as the feather light creature turned its' head to Ban-Ku with a subtle hiss. He didn't like to be dangled by the tail afterall.<br><br>"Stop that," she reprimanded with an amused smile. "He is safe." Then, as her smiling eyes lifted to the armoured human. "Ban-Ku, meet Ayomide. My...stubborn little friend." The wyrm was hesitant, after all it favoured the very missed skin of its' mistress. So instead, the neck craned towards this stranger, little transparent wings fluttering closer to inspect the greater aura of the storm spirit inhabiting his chest armours.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>06-04-2009, 19:14:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Well next time don't try and bite my fingers off..." he muttered. A wyrm was supposed to be handled like any animal, that is not by the tail, but it was more of an insult to wyrm kind than a poor way to handle them. He touched the little pet playfully on the snout. The poor thing looked like he'd been through hell, not that her owner and himself had not but they'd at least had a bath in between.<br><br>"We'll get you a hot bath when we stop." he told the little wyrm. Of course, a wyrm like him would have been running from something. Ban-Ku surmised the little sun wyrm was left and couldn't stand being away from Zyanya, but who could, he agreed silently with Ayomide. He didn't know what that meant in her tongue but in his it was close to Eyo-Ah-Meekay which meant little drop of sunshine. He smiled again.<br><br>What had it been running from? Ban-Ku wondered and where they far enough behind. As if to answer his question a large howl close to that of the machinations echoed and a large metal cat came breaking through the underbrush blocking their path. He was a sleek model. Like a large Cheetah. Inky black swirls for spots and green and black flame issuing from it's joints just like its humanoid brother. Ban-Ku brandished his spear leveling it. If it wanted to be a cheetah he would hunt it like one. <br><br>The young hunter noted where Zyanya was and prepared to be pounced on, he shifted his weight and met the things soulless green eyes.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>06-04-2009, 20:03:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				At the howling sound, two things happened. First, the little wyrm found it's favourite place nestled amongst the safety net of Zyanya's blonde locks, curls and twists. Secondly, the shamaness was poised in an instant to confront this mechanical interruption. Of course, Ban-Ku had the same idea, and both warriors seemed more to be faced off amongst themselves than the 'cheetah.' Zyanya was not so impressed as her human-assumed-guardian made sure it would be he that the aberration of nature pounced on, not her. Compared to the golem they had faced, this opponent seemed paler in comparison. Besides, she had the benefits of nature at her fingertips. Her left leg forward to balance her throw, the shamaness threw her spear just as the cheetah made it’s pounce. The spearhead seared through the air, more like a swift arrow. Of course, it would not pierce those strong metals, but the impact at least would throw the creature’s attack off balance to the benefits of Ban-Ku.<br><br>Weapon-less now, save for the stone dagger at her thigh, the she-elf saw fit to demonstrate her other talents. But she needed the human to buy her enough time. Feet spreading hip-width apart, she planted herself firmly against the earth. It would be her pedestal, and the true instrument of her powers. Lucky for her, these instruments were all around her, so it was only a matter of deciding which to play with. The strings of vines sung their aching melodies, as un-natural growth forced them, snaking towards the victim. This flora of the jungle was strong, enhanced by the temptations of the shamanesses' spiritual energies. She called to them, and the unsuspecting cheetah of metal would find those powerful limbs assaulted. Loops catching around its' joints like the hangman's noose, even if the organics were no match against metals, it still meant the demon would thrash against infections against the fires.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>06-04-2009, 20:20:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ban-Ku rushed it when it was retrained biting at the fines with its metal teeth. He hit it with his shoulder flipping it on its side he jammed the toothed end of his spear into its metal stomach. The rage and fury contained in the spear by the greater wyrm made it act like a lighting bolt. The tooth cut through the metal, Ban-Ku knew would never happen before. It smashed through the metal and green and black flame irrupted like a geyser. THe creature howled but the demonic power left it and it fell over motionless.<br><br>It would have been a ver simple victory if that had been the only one. Three more jumped out one at the shamaness. Ban-Ku jumped meeting the foe in midair he had the armor she didn't he rammed the shaft of the spear in the back of the mouth where teeth didn't grow. Luckily they kept the golems anatomically correct. Four more of the sword and spear wielding golems followed suit. Ban-Ku didn't see them he was sliding across the forest floor the beat golem trying to get past the spear and bite his throat out. Knowing if it used its claws he could lever it over and kill it. <br><br>The young hunter grunted with the strain of protecting his own life, knowing what would happen if he failed. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>06-04-2009, 21:39:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Zyanya should've known that the wizards would not send out just one, lone cheetah. Hearing the groans of more mechanical hinges, she turned as the next three leapt over the tangles of jungle bush. Her eyes widened as the open jaws of one aberration almost came face to face with her. But the only thing this demon would eat, was Ban-Ku's spearhead. The she-elf was forced to deal with the other two therefore. The sweeping of a liana vine forced solid wood against metal, catapulting her first opponent a fair distance into the bush. It slammed against an ancient tree. The other however, collided with the vulnerable and armourless shamaness, who barely had time to snag her dagger from the leather thongs around her thigh. Stone scratched against heated steels as she tumbled, wrestling with the cat-like demon as both tumbled in clawing attempts to pin the other. Likewise, metal claws pierced through her flesh; scratching relentlessly and digging fully against her sides. <br><br>Thankfully, Zyanya still had control over the green flora. She caught the beast's neck in a firm armlock, holding those snapping jaws a good distance from her face with all her physical strength. Meanwhile, her mental strength ordered the webbings of willing nature to secure itself around the beasts limbs, and ferociously pull. Like a stretching, torture device, the vines tightened, trying to retract back to their former positions. That tore the joints of the golem apart with screeching hisses. The shamaness rolled away from the escaping fires as they engulfed the tearing shell.<br><br>While the cheetah fell apart at the mutilating hands of mother earth, Zyanya swiftly recovered her discarded spear. Keen ears twitching to the rustling nearby that she knew was more than just the cheetah nature had previously been flicked aside. No, it was far worse. The arrival of golem soldiers, armoured from head to toe with the addition of swords or spears. Each standing at over six feet high; there was nothing behind their closed, cage-like helmets, save for the burning fires of demonic possession. Eyes honed in on their approaching silhouettes. She had be act fast. Nature was becoming less willing to help her, but at least of the golems tripped carelessly over the tripwire of rising tree roots. Even the bravest knew when it was time to flee. Her eyes sought Ban-Ku's, oblivious to her own weeping cuts and tender bruises. Her hand extended to him, a mimic of how they had first met, only this time the gesture was filled with trust.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>06-04-2009, 22:16:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ban-Ku only won because the demon became impatient and took a swipe. Taking advantage he levered it over an dispatched the same way he had the first. But the stinging tip of a spear brought him back from the kill. His calf bled. His armor was light and didn't protect his back as much as the front. His leg stung as he grabbed Zyanya's hand. The only reason he took the gash was because the thing tripped. Feeling the adrenaline enter his blood he ran with her in tow. Somehow her little wyrm friend was still attached to her head. <br><br>Running down the game trail they saw a thick bit of brush and Ban-Ku decided to go through it. Breaking through to the light on the other side there was a sheer drop to a lake with a waterfall at it's north face. It was like some foot left a giant basin in the earth. Ban-Ku didn't stop in time and flipped over the edge down into the water. The drop was long enough for him to form a poor dive he hit the warm water and popped his head above the foam. It was a deep enough basin that there were no sharp rocks. He waved his arms to her and telling her to jump; while diving back under to claim his spear. He'd lost a few arrows but most of the stayed in. He was sure someone with that much metal could swim.<br><br>He began swimming to the back of the waterfall. He hopped he didn't run into any of the flesh eating fish. They seemed to hang around still water so he headed for the churning waterfall plus most of them had a deep enough alcove in the back so they could stop for the night and tend to their wounds. His calf was cut deep enough to stop excessive walking. He waited for her.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>06-04-2009, 23:00:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Lashings of irritated flora whipped against the blur of Zyanya's legs as she ran with Ban-Ku. She heard the rushing of water before she saw it; felt the moistness of the air and the gushing of currents. There was no time to warn the human though, as she skidded to a halt but he hurtled forwards over the cliff-face, breaking their contact. The wyrmling whined in protest against the water, but both being of fire knew it was the only way, else be skewered by sword and spears. When the shamaness saw Ban-Ku's head resurface at the bottom of the long drop, she swung her spear over her shoulder and took one last glance behind her. Surely water would stop metal? Her dive was graceful, mimicking the curve of the dolphin as she descended with arms pointed above her head like fins. While the airborne blessed Ayomide swept away into the rising mists, refusing to get wet since he didn't need to, Zyanya meanwhile broke through the bubbling surface of the deep pool. Limbs battled against the sweeping of conflicting torrents, until her head broke the thinnest layer of skin, and she took a deep, much needed breath. Eyes looked up immediately to the cliff-face where the golems leered overhead. All is took was a single, demanding whistle, and the wyrmling found it’s place in her hair again. Diving under the surface again, the she-elf swam under the powerful waterfall, to the conclave on the other side. <br><br>Exhausted arms hoisted her body up to the mixture of stones and rich soil, rolling once her torso was lifted to drag her legs up also. For a moment, she simply lay on her back, breathing heavily with the panting rise and fall of her chest. She ached both physically and mentally, but adrenaline still pumped her blood in a feral nature. Likewise, her not so happy pet leapt from her wet hair, spluttering with a loss of colour in it’s normally vivid scales. That was not the bath is had hoped for, but at least the three of them were relatively safe. Finally, with the heave of a re-enforcing breath, Zyanya rose again, discarding the spear from her back as she crawled to a lazy sitting position. The elders had not lied when they said her burden would be heavy. Weary eyes looked to Ban-Ku, examining him from head to toe until she lingered on the gaping wound at his calf. That was not good.<br><br>“You’re hurt,” she stated the obvious, instantly moving towards him. How they were going to make a fire for the night here was replaced by this new concern. Unceremonious hands invaded his personal space, as she inspected the cut. The waters had cleaned it, yet the gash was deep enough to be a lingering problem. Unless she helped with her own divine interventions. “Focus on me,” came her command, as both hands gripped the calf Sometimes it hurt to be healed, and she was unsure how much pain he felt already. Better now than ever though, as the shamaness pressed the parted skin together. A searing heat seemed to emanate from her grip, as if she were burning the skin together again with a mending fire. Instead, the process of healing was far more natural. Cells accelerated, layers of tissue repairing so the bleeding would stop at least. She closed her eyes, brows flickering as she focused on the job. When she finally slid her hands away, the wound was still present, only in a semi-healed state of recovery. The rest was up to his own body to finish over time.<br><br>Having over-exerted herself by now, Zyanya left her eyes half-lidded as she wavered. “There,” she barely breathed, her head hanging low while her straight arms supported the weight of a curved back. “Magic.”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>06-04-2009, 23:22:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ban-Ku rested on the bank. The magic of getting healed was no worse then what he planned to do. He had planed to sew his own wound shut with tendon. It would break down and he wouldn't have to worry about removing the stitching. He exhaled a sheen of sweat hidden by his wet body. He groaned getting into a low crouch and going back all twenty feet to the round cave at the back. He dropped his gear nad removed the oilcloth from his bedroll. It was damp but still comfortable. Fire was a concern but it looked like this used to be a giant crocodile nest. <br><br>There was dry brush at the back, a lot of it. Along with egg shells. Crocs weren't in mating season so he used the wet kindling in his pack it was dryer than he would have thought, but still pretty wet. Piling all the old brush and twigs around it he struck up a small fire in the back of the cave. "We've got fire he said slipping out of his soaked clothing till he sat in nothing but his buckskin pants. They had a few hours before night and he wanted to rest.<br><br>He couldn't rest though so he got up and took his spear. He sat on the alcove spearing brightly colored fish. The basin had huge fish in it. He saw a few lurking at the bottom when he made his impromptu dive. He was bruised from it but he managed to come up with about seven fish when the sun was setting and he was too sore to continue. The fire was going in earnest now, having had time to catch.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>07-04-2009, 00:01:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Trust Ban-Ku to find work for his idle hands. The she-elf smiled as he created fire, and moved to dry off next to it. Unfortunately for the shamaness, her healing magics did not exactly work on herself. Sure, her body tended to naturally mend a little more rapidly than a humans, but these natural methods were her only choice. The sore wounds of torn flesh at her sides would have to gradually repair, and she winced as fingertips inspected the tears of her robe. The material that clung to her like a transparent layer of second skin, was still mostly intact though. She had never expected to venture into the jungle and out again without the degrading of her clothing. When it was dry should would attempt to repair it, but for now she struggle to peel the silky skin from her own, paying extra care as it lifted over her scratches. Damn the western magics. Zyanya cursed them under her breath. It they had been patrols, then the wizards were growing more desperate the influence the elves, or rather, force them to surrender. She did not like the taste of that idea.<br><br>While the human occupied himself with fishing, Zyanya sat on the oilcloth and ran her fingers through the tangled twists of her blonde hair. She may have lost the storm wyrm feather, but she did not want to lose her free curls to more dreadlocks. The markings on her skin were still visible, having only slightly faded over the last three days. Not even her own natural sweat or the submerging of water had smudged the intricate patterns. She was shivering though, trembles cascading down her body from the meagre fire. That would not do. Eyes glared with great need, her prayers reaching the sun God as her hands hovered over the weak flames. They seemed to catch the dry bush more greedily, arching up with gluttony towards her offering of flesh, forcing her to draw away quickly. There, that was better. Looking to the mouth of the cave, Zyanya watched as Ban-Ku returned with his catch. Her initial reaction was to help him gut the fish, but she remembered that her dagger had fallen from her grip, somewhere between the ambush, their fleeting sprint, and the descent over the waterfall. Resources were getting thinner and thinner, and that was starting to grate on the she-elf particularly.<br><br>"I feel...useless," she admitted solemnly, drawing her knees up to her chin as she leant forwards. "I'm no army! No match for the demons. You see now how the Alania-Kur are powerless. They send a single shaman, and for what?" Clearly she was agitated, causing this explosion of emotion as she ranted and spat about her inadequacy. "Empty promises."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>07-04-2009, 00:34:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ban-Ku threw the fish unceremoniously in the coals of the fire. He'd skin them later and they'd taste smokey and good. He went over to his injured lover and looked at her wounds. Pulling out his bandages out of their oilcloth wrappings. He used the wet oil cloth to clean her wounds and wrapped them in the spiderweb bandages. When she was all taken care of he held her close, "Let's get their before you think you're useless." he running a hand through her hair. Her little wyrm friend ran off to nap in the fire, not by it, in it. He jumped into the flames like a swan into water.<br><br>He held her rubbing her wet body with his drying one. "My people have a saying: There is no such thing as a useless, beautiful woman." he smiled his broad boyish smile and kissed her on the lips. "Rest, these thoughts aren't good ones." in truth the more golems they sent after them meant they were becoming scared. The fire burned bright as the little sun child curled up to rest and Ban-Ku found himself lying back on the mat next to her. Their blanket drying on near the fire.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>07-04-2009, 14:40:24</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The shamaness was quiet; her thoughts lingering on the possibilities of a detour she had previously ruled out. As she was though, Zyanya knew she was not up to the task of freeing her people. That would require additional, and equally more dangerous aid. If her bearings were correct, then they were close. Not to the Temple. Though the location she had conceived, may very well resemble a Temple, if only the nearby inhabitants were more, hospitable. The lands were cursed though, a thorn in the Keir-Gru forests, and an equal thorn in the side of the Alania-Kur. As the she-elf nestled herself against the comforts of Ban-Ku, she relayed her thoughts to him.<br><br>"Fifty years ago," she started, softly spoken as if telling a child a bedtime story. "Before I was born. One of Alania-Kur and Human blood, was brought to the Elders council. The tribe accepted the scarce aberration of nature, for the purpose of learning. But the boy grew vain and full of greed. He demanded that the elves worship him as a rare demi-God, who walked amongst man." Smooth pads of her fingertips lightly brushed the dark lines that spread across the taut expanse of square chest. "Banished and cursed, the monster was forced to find own way in Keir-Gru. A handful of devout followers shared his fate. It is said they made their own tribe. Dabula-Manzi. Dividers of water."<br><br>Zyanya froze to simply rest against Ban-Ku. The story was more of a myth, and one she had previously not believed in. No one seemed to know the name of the Halfling, and if they did, none ever spoke it. "They made their Temple at the thickest water vein, beneath the secrecy of falls, like this one. I fear...and hope, we are close."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>08-04-2009, 01:47:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Why are you telling me this?" he said softly holding her. That child had probably been spoiled beyond all belief and had a talent for magic. Well he was technically half-wyrm now so if he caused too much trouble Ban-Ku told himself he could put the brat in his place. Though by now he probably wasn't a brat anymore. He stroked her drying hair. "Not everyone would turn out like him." he told her simply. That's like saying people were born nasty which wasn't true. Not in his mind.<br><br>He looked at the setting sun through the waterfall it colored the water like bloody-read, flowing glass. The dull roar of the falls were a lullaby to him but he didn't want to sleep. "You worry too much..." he told her musing over her furrowed, worried brow. "That's supposed to lead to premature wrinkles you know. He was trying to cheer her up and he was probably failing miserably.<br><br>He looked over at the little wyrm playing around in the fire, happier than a bird in a tree. "We'll worry about it when it's time and not a moment before, alright?" he whispered holding her to warm her curvy body with his fresh bruises covered his backs but he didn't mind they would heal and they were the least of his worries. Ban-Ku kissed her shoulder lightly. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>08-04-2009, 02:17:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The shamaness rolled her eyes at Ban-Ku, while she lay over him in arms that seemed to keep her close. She didn't care for the Halfling at all, and for all she knew, it was just a myth. The result of bonding between human and elf was rarely discussed; a taboo and controversial subject. Likewise, Zyanya wasn’t about to explain that to her ‘guardian.’ No, her interests lay solely in the Temple, if that even existed. It wasn't like she'd ever gone looking before. The forests were exciting enough without chasing tales about brats and outcasts. She clearly tensed in his arms with a huff of agitated breath. Wrinkles? He would develop those long before she ever would, thought the she-elf with a mental snort.<br><br>"What if the myth, were true?" Zyanya rose up to face him, eye to eye, after he kissed her shoulder. Clearly her racing mind was keeping her from relaxing. "Imagine, for a second, as <em>ridiculous</em> as it sounds, that this...boy, <em>was</em> a demi-God. The Temple is worth a visit, right? I do not fear what has not been proven. Besides," her eyes wandered, bearing the signs of deep thought as her lips pursed together. “It might be best if we stuck to the river. See? It is the streams of fate…” If that wasn’t enough to convince him, the corners of her lips lifted into one of her rare smiles. It was warm and genuine, though her slightly narrowed eyes made it all the more devious.<br><br>“You’ve been so good…if not…meddling. How am I ever going to repay you?” Cooing the words, she seemed to enjoy toying with toying with the circular curve of his ear. It was so different to her own after all, curious infact.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>08-04-2009, 02:29:52</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The stream of life? He thought in his mind. There were at least four of the fictitious bodies of water and no one knew if it really even existed, he supposed it was worth a look it wasn't far off from their destination and they might learn something if they came across an old... what did they call them... story house? Eh it was a place elves kept scrolls useless in his culture. <br><br>"He smiled his boyish, quixotic smile the one only she ever saw. "Well we have all night, and it could get very cold in here, plus we're both hurting, a little... intimate comfort would do us well, I think." he said reaching up and kissing her long ear as she mused with his. It thrilled him to know she'd enjoyed coupling with him. He thought he would have made a right fool of himself their first night together, and he felt like he'd just squeaked by with a long kiss beforehand. She obviously knew of his ignorance in such matters apparently having experiences beyond those with him. <br><br>He leaned in and kissed her lips, "All night..." he whispered again, arms squeezing tighter, Ban-Ku was one who didn't worry much about the future. Certainly he prepared but he didn't waste time working one what couldn't be done or sensed. "Remind me to make you a sleeping mat..." he mused lustily to her, "Not that I don't mind sharing... but more room equals more fun, no?" he said before letting his hand slip blatantly to her taut stomach.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>08-04-2009, 03:14:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Pleased to see that her charms had won the male over, Zyanya quirked her brow as she looked down on this, slightly more confident boy. No, young man was more fitting now, for Ban-Ku had grown and...seemed to have certainly swelled with a particular ease of being honest around her. Of course, he was addicted now to this natural drug, after that one night which, she had mulled over in her mind over the past three days. Chastity wasn't a word the elves understood, and neither was prudence or moderation. To listen to him vocalise these instinctual desires was attractive to her therefore, and the pupils within her almost onyx eyes, dilated to the surge of her excitement.<br><br>"<em>All</em> night?" She repeated tentatively after his teasing kiss, her brows raising slightly as she looked to him in slight disbelief. Surely not...after all, he <em>was</em> human! She chuckled softly at her thoughts, stealing another kiss before she spoke again, and playfully nipping bluntly at his lower lip. "Are you <em>sure</em> you have the energy for that?" The she-elf more or less ignored his question about the sleeping mat. She would happily lie against the soil or stone as she often slept on the basics of mother earth's quilt. Right now, she was more interested in his stamina, and her own for that matter.<br><br>Laying over him have the she-elf a slight surge of corruptible power, even though he held onto her quite tightly. She had room to manoeuvre though, and that was exactly what she started to do. Planting a feather-light touch of her pout at the very tip of his chin, while her digits multi-tasked against the hemline of his lingering buckskin pants. “These will have to go,” the she-elf almost hissed disapprovingly, snapping the leathers like some kind of whip against his pelvic bone with the flick of her fingertip. Hands briefly snaked back up to his stomach and up further to the side, poking against his ribs with her palms. It gave her leverage to guide herself south, trailing her mouth as she descended until she was staring at the remaining barricade, and not at all pleased by it either. Aggressively, hands tugged them away, peeling the buckskin from him in vicious strokes. It was rather annoying, after all.<br><br>“You’ve not been touched before, have you?” Zyanya asked in a questioning but assuming tone, as fingertips finally splayed themselves over his thighs. Eyes slowly travelled up the length of his exposed body, until she held onto his eyes.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>08-04-2009, 03:32:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Doing her one in turn he undid the bindings on her bosom and let the orbs of dark flesh free. He let his tongue graze them lightly before he answered, "I think we've moved beyond mere touching." he said with a lusty grin. Plastered to his face. Ban-Ku was far to quixotic in nature to believe in just having sex without love. Growing up he wanted to be like all the old heroes in the stories brave and noble to a fault. Clever and smart. More worldly things rolled of his oblivious shield. He knew nature, and knew its cruelty so he was naive just romantic.<br><br>He let her spread his thighs. He would definitely make her a mat. Sleeping on the ground was fine, but if he had the choice he'd rather lug around the two pounds of fluff. He ran a hand through his brown hair and fixed her with his raptor eyes. He was sure he had stamina aplenty for her. "I seem to recall you sleeping soundly after our last joining?" he teased her. She'd slept well indeed.<br><br>He wanted her nearer to him but she was obviously bent on touching him as she put it. "Too bad I don't have you completely naked..." he whispered looking at her underpants, or whatever the elves called them. True to his nature the hunter from the prairie never doubted that she loved him in return, never thinking that she was merely looking for the pleasure of it. He wrote off her irritable and often sour nature as a cute little quirk.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>08-04-2009, 04:13:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Perhaps," the shamaness tilted her head to the side, arguing whether she should debate the benefits of different types of touch with him, or simply demonstrate so he could experience it for himself. The latter was far more appealing. As for his little jibe about her sleeping, Zyanya sat up to her knees between his thighs, and tilted her head to the side. "Water soothes me," it was a poor excuse and weakly spoken as a comeback retort, but the best she had right now. She'd planned on letting Ban-Ku see exactly what she was doing, but now, the devious elf had a far better idea. Punishment for his witty tongue.<br><br>"You don't need me naked," she said in a matter-of-fact tone as she re-positioned herself.&nbsp; It was the simple and swift reversal of the direction in which she faced, brushing her leg against him as she swung round 180 degrees. Her robes hardly left much to the imagination, the way the material was split above each thigh. Now, with her straddling on his stomach with her knees on either side, the globes of her spread rear were hardly concealed by the folds of light material. He should know by now, having seen her change enough times, that she wore nothing underneath, only her robes. It was still damp, clinging to her in places where her dark skin seemed to skin through. <br><br>"Not yet," as far as teasing went, she wasn't holding back. Much. "You don't need to see either," Zyanya instructed, as she shifted herself further up his torso leaving him only with the view of the shapely buttocks and curve of her arched over back. The weight of her hanging, ample breasts grazed against his abdomen with the hardened peaks. "Just relax," her hand found the slightly aroused shaft between his thighs, and lifted to feel the full weight in her palm, before taking a slightly more firm grip against the heatened skin. "And feel." Then her other hand swept under to the matching sacks, cupping one ever so gently in her warm palm. Sweeping her head low, her tongue slid from the parting of her pert lips, to snake her tongue around the hiding tip, as if beckoning as her hand rubbed to the base, and back again, in encouraging yet awfully slow motions. The she-elf made sure her saliva covered that favoured area, and then drew back only to blow with cooled breath against the unsuspecting skin.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>08-04-2009, 04:27:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Despite her comments he rebelliously pulled the robed down her back so it bunched over her rear and smiled with the small victory. If her arms hadn't been in the way he would have surely thrown it over in the pile with the rest of their clothes. He looked at her dark backside riding him and he found himself growing heated and aroused, his manhood swelling. She had a glib and mysterious nature but when she began to lick his sex he formulated his own revenge.<br><br>He let his hands slide up the parted mounds of smooth, dark, and perfect flesh. He could see the lips of her sex peaking out barely. Her bottom was taut and yielding to his fingers. "I thought there was a difference in tasting and touching?" he said in a heated, syrupy, and flippant voice. He loved it of course, but he was used to playing their games. <br><br>He let his hands slide down the toned curves of her thighs, "Oh look at you..." he said, "I see the way you flaunt your backside when you walk, and even now, I could be blind an not miss it." he jested affectionately, "But I'm not totally under your every whim to not enact revenge of my own." he finished grabbing her thighs and pulling her pelvis and rear up over his face like she was in the inverse. "See..." he said before licking her exposed sex. "Now do you want to finish taking your robe off so we can begin in earnest?" he toyed. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>08-04-2009, 15:10:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<em>Insolent man</em>. Zyanya grinned with the lightest of chuckles, as she took a brief pause from the phallic worship. He'd handled her firmly, the grip at her thighs as he forced her to slide north up his body, causing her stomach to fall flat over his chest. Thighs tucked as plush, velvet cushions at the crevice of his shoulders. While the more severe arch of her back in this prone, cobra position, caused only the slightly of discomforts down the strained spine. Flaunt her backside? Well, he had quite the view of it now, thought the she-elf with a smirk. <br><br>Rising up on her knees, so that she was more or less genuflected over his jaw, the she-elf gripped the ends of her tattered robe. Ribs pressed forwards with the crescent of her back through to the way her head tilted back on her neck. With arms lifted, the bunched material passed like a hoop over her idolising body, up to the very last point of fingertips. Zyanya let the discarded confinements fall over Ban-Ku’s face. Partially for his arrogance, but secondly to assert her scent over him.<br><br>"Perhaps you should put that flapping tongue of yours to....better use," came her sly and sharp retort, as Zyanya re-positioned herself again to mimic how she had lay over him, before kneeling. The crevice between her thighs moistened by her private, crude thoughts, but the stigma of her flower was still softly hidden between the folds of petals. Elves seemed to be fantastically hairless, save for their head of hair, brows, and in the case of this shamaness; the silken, compact triangle at the lowest point of her abdomen. As for her own tongue, she returned to concentrate on the apex to his thighs. Strolling the oxymoron of rough yet slick buds down the full length, the circular praising for the arrival of this deity continued at the crown. The grip of her hand pumping in its’ own, massaging devotion.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>08-04-2009, 18:21:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ban-Ku's order of warrior-hunters believed in almost excessive hygiene. That's why his hair was always short an in its braid, his chest was hairless carefully shaved down every morning and the patch at his sex was a neat triangle larger than her own but no less neater. He removed the rogue garment and tossed it over. This was a strange position but he enjoyed the view of some of his more favorite curves. Ban-Ku had no doubt if he, for whatever reason, didn't feel like lovemaking with Zyanya, she would ignore him anyways. He smiled at the thought.<br><br>He moved his hands up the sides of her black thighs up to her rump yet again, letting his hands squeeze the soft flesh, "Better use..." he said kissing her rump before licking her sex again. In a way he was glad they had the other mission to take care of because he would probably never let her leave this cove. It was wide enough to make a nice little hideaway. However, when morning came it would be all business as usual. <br><br>He kept his hand on her round bottom before taking his other hand and slipping two fingers into the moist slit of her flower. He worked them in and out. Experimenting, receiving feedback from her tremors and her twitches. The little breaths. She was experienced and hiding it well as far as he could tell. He moved in with his mouth and he wrapped his lips around the womanhood and let his tongue play over it before trying the fingers again. He waited to see her reactions.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>08-04-2009, 23:20:45</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The shamaness continued to counter Ban-Ku's more explorative tenacious touches, as if trying to get one better than him in a duelling match. As she breathed against the stiffened phallus as a result of his fingers parting her reluctant folds, Zyanya rolled her hips towards him. She certainly wasn't ready to accommodate anything else yet, and though she may by moist, it was nowhere close to what she desired. Like the roaring of the waterfall above and in front of the mouth cave, she wanted to gush with the rapid pulsing of liquidated energy, until her lungs pained from rapid breaths. It was a long way to go, but she was persistent and quite determined. Her garish thoughts were simply not enough to achieve her ideal state.<br><br>The aim of her little game though, was to see who distracted who the most from their own tasks. So, she mentally scolded herself for lingering too long, thanks to the hooks and nudges against her sex, and now the accompaniment of Ban-Ku's mouth. For one who usually demanded high standards, the she-elf was certainly oddly pleased by these playful experimentations. The slowness of fleeting moves switching to another focus, driving her to a strange, irritated anxiety. Time to take out her temper on him.<br><br>Showing him that she could play that game better, the she-elf’s lips shaped themselves around the contour of his manhood, forcing the vertical incision only halfway into the clutching warmth and sweetness of her mouth. A groan vibrated syllables across the salty flesh, while the pillow of her tongue swept across the profile, mapping out the mental description in her mind. She held the position, very gently squeezing the ball she held in her other palm. Breathing with ease through her nose, the occasion blunt grazing of her teeth juxtaposed the way the fingertips of her other hand smoothed through the short curls at his base. As she pulled away finally, she sucked ferociously until the sound of an airborne kiss marked his departure from her lips. Zyanya, still believing that the human would be quickly spent, tried her best to pace her touches. She didn’t want him to reach his bliss just yet, so though the following grip of her hand was tight as she repeated the teasing of her mouth and tongue, it was also slow.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>09-04-2009, 00:52:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ban-Ku smiled as she took him in her mouth and he was pleased at the feeling but if it's one thing hunters learn it's to hold onto your functions, to sit and bide your time as you wait. Still he wouldn't last forever and would soon move to his orgasm without wanting too. He ran both his hands up and down her thighs and across her bottom pleased at the small trickle of fluid on the inside of her thighs. It was still to light and that wouldn't do at all. She'd stepped up her assault in this engagement and he would do her one in turn.<br><br>Pushing down on her rump he brought his mouth fully against her sex holding the soft, velvety pedals his lips he looked at her pink insides spreading the lips with his fingers first before beginning to blatantly and unpolished. Wild unabated movements of his tongue and lips over her sex. Her juices dripping into his mouth. Ban-Ku worked to keep her down on him and stopping her from pulling up so she could conserve her energies. <br><br>He held her pelvis to him and inserted the whole length of hi tongue into her womanhood. He kept at this until her passion flowed a little freer but not too free. Before pulling out silently with a large smile on his face. "It seems we're at a stalemate..." he panted lightly he hadn't been breathing through his nose. It gave his motions a desperate wildness. He felt his arousal stronger than ever. Wondering if she was done touching and ready to couple again. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>09-04-2009, 03:47:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Evil human, holding her down like that when all Zyanya wanted was to ride the motions against his face. Her muffled moans against the flesh in her mouth, were more like protests at his refusal for her to enjoy his ministrations fully. He wouldn't be getting off lightly either, as she felt the fuller swelling in her mouth. When he announced the 'stalemate' between pants, the she-elf abruptly ceased her competitive worship, and struggled to sit up. Wanton aching for fulfilment mixed with the desire to face him. Nothing could compare to the explosion of energy mirrored in the eyes of the partner. Re-positioning herself once again with the simple swing of her leg and the turning of her body, she came to straddle his pelvis, sitting over him and looking down with lusty depths. Her tongue flicked to snake across her lower lip, while hands rested just beneath his chest.<br><br>"Not for long," the shamaness retorted, and as the smirk found its' place on her mouth, another pair of lips were teasing trailing a lengthy kiss down his manhood. She did not allow him the honour of entering her just yet, but instead teased with the slow rubbing momentum of her slick petals. Vaguely brushing against the parted globes of her rear before she made sure his length descended again to the barricades of her core. As if testing how long Ban-Ku could endure <em>almost</em> having what he wanted, Zyanya leaned forwards to place semi-victorious, arrogant little pecks across his jaw. Nipping the skin lightly as she descended down the thick neck, as if refusing him the pleasure of fully tasting either sets of lips.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>09-04-2009, 14:11:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He smirked at her rubbing. It was sweet and erotic. He simply loved it the way her bottom felt against him. Maybe he had called her bluff too soon. Still he wanted her again. The idea of being with her in passion once more was more appealing than what she was doing right now. "Oh, you think you're clever naughty elf." he said as he reached under and cupped her bottom in his hands and brought it against his rock-hard member pushing the lips further against the member pushing it against him but her against it. The little bud of her flower was also pushing against his hard manhood as he forced her to continue focusing on on containing himself.<br><br>"Your enemy could always use your strategy against you." he said sagely smiling roguishly lifting her up the length and letting her drop down, his sex became wet with her own juices. It seemed they were at another draw yet again, but he didn't say anything. He merely smiled and kissed her now that he had moved into his territory he pushed her up and found her large, vulnerable breasts open to his mouth again and he wasted no time sucking the soft, dark flesh. Licking her dark, hard peaks. Holding her so she could retreat yet again.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>09-04-2009, 15:30:24</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				By the glory of the fertility Goddess, Zyanya was sure that both she and Ban-Ku were pleasing Ciucoatl, as well as themselves. The human was a quick learner to adapt the dance of the hunt and battle to these other agendas. Similarities were like-wise, but the she-elf did not favour that bitter taste of conquest, unless it was respectfully won. Even in her very domineering position, the human managed to assert his moves over her, empowering her strategy to his advantage beneath her. The shamaness sucked a shaky breath, as his fingers splayed over her globes and forced her unceremoniously against him, soft against hard. Match point.<br><br>Zyanya felt the burning need, coupled with the imbuement of Ban-Ku’s mouth against the pinnacles of her bosom. An arm cradled his head to her. Stomach tensed and relaxed rhythmically against his own, with the deep and full breaths she inhaled and exhaled. Panting with want and need; the shifts against the previously neglected stigma at her core, reminding her of her own throbbing against emptiness.<br><br>“Now,” the she-elf barely whispered. Her attempts to impale herself home, denied by his firm grip. Zyanya never begged.. Hardly ever did she ask for something. But she also did not like to be offered something, only to have it taken away from her. The more aggressive rolls of her hips, dictated by his grasp, only nudged the bulbous, smooth crown against her heat. She couldn’t bare the teasing anymore, despite her instigating it. “Ban-Ku,” had she ever even called him by name before? “<em>Please</em>…”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>09-04-2009, 16:00:10</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ban-Ku gently sat up her legs splaying on either side of him, and he moved her up his shaft one last time before gently spearing her core with his sex. He did so without a second thought. He never knew love before but he thought he loved her. He held her close her breasts pressed against he hard muscles of his chest he sex impaled with his own and he began to thrust into her with his pelvis as they sat up on the mat. His mouth met Zyanya's and they kissed as he pulled out and pushed back into her.<br><br>He kissed her neck afterward, moving his hands down her dark, curved, exotic body. Nipping her long ears he panted for her like a wild beast. Sweat appearing on his back and on her dark body making her glow rich her view like an intoxicant. He loved the way her blond hair stuck to her scalp in the heat of their passion. He felt her core tighten around him and he moved his mouth to her breasts yet again. The first part of his orgasm splashed out between their joined thighs. She would know he was far from done however. <br><br>He panted in the firelight thrusting deeply into her...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>10-04-2009, 03:10:25</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The vocalisation of Zyanya's contentment was quick and higher-pitched than her normal voice, as Ban-Ku freed her from contained desire. The wonderful heat of his lightning spear, so perfectly positioned that she had to grip onto his shoulders as she let that first, pleasurable wave, tremble through her. Barely could she kiss him, such was the passion that lungs seemed harder to fill with precious, wasted air. Greedily, she took him all the way to the hilt, gasping as the crown almost abandoned her, only to adore her once again. A moment of brief weakness as she clung to Ban-Ku; one arm hugging tightly around his back while the other draped over his broader shoulder. Fingers snaked up the back of his neck, finding the nape of hair. She did not tug strongly, but her presence could definitely be felt with massaging pads through the short tendrils.<br><br>The shamaness seemed to draw from the energies of the fire, as her spirit mildly wilted. She would not be bested, and so as the attractively panting, beast of a human lowered his dedication from her swollen lips, the she-elf moved her hand down his spine, and circled round to where their hips were joined. For a moment, her touch lingered over his pelvis bones, before moving up to her own hip and then down past the sweeping of curls. Pad of her index finger found the moist bud above where they were most intimately joined, and the circling motions she placed there added the pulsating of inner muscles against his sex. A heartbeat, or a ticking clock, counting up to her climax. Zyanya felt the results of her core tightening around him, through the foreign splay of his most ultimate arousal. She pressed harder against her nub, encouraged by his firmed thrusts that told her he wasn't quite done. If she had the breath to spare, she might've teased him verbally. Yet all she could do was look to him with those dark, almond orbs, and very slowly smirk. He could read what he wanted from that, but she was certain that he knew the proper meaning.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>10-04-2009, 03:25:29</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He continued to let his lips move over her dark body, taking in her salty, sweet scent and taste. Her bright white markings glowed slightly as they made love, his black ones never smudging. Her bottom was over his hands and he clasped it as he thrust harder and harder, faster and faster. His spear impaling her in rapid motions. Her moans and song-like gasps made him hotter and harder.<br><br>The spirit of the wyrm seemed to join with him in the intimate process and it wasn't hard for him to match her but barely she was talented but she was more experienced. His fingers played over the bones in her spine like a zither with her muscles so tense he could make out the tiny projections. He longed to complete the coupling with her again. <br><br>In a wild flurry of passion that welled up in him at looking into her big dark eyes he felt himself release. His hot essence shot into her splashing back down over their coupled bodies. For the second time he spilled his seed into her womb. He held her close but threw his head back in pleasure releasing his pent in sigh, breathing came hard for him when lovemaking he was so focused on her he forgot easily enough. He fell back against the mat, spent and grinning like a boyish fool.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>10-04-2009, 04:00:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The sowing of Ban-Ku's seed seemed to propagate the she-elf's own release, as her entire being held onto him. Tremors flowed between the thighs that seemed to equally tighten around the human's sides. It was not just the physical ministrations that brought her to the state of harvested euphoria. As Zyanya met his eyes and saw the explosion of his own pleasure, she could hardly deny her own. Steadying herself against his heaving chest with hands that rested on his chest, the shamaness remained seated over him until she had completely ridden the wave of release. The results tickling down her thighs, joining with the sheen of perspiration that layered her body. It was impossible to tell which was her own and which was Ban-Ku's, but she didn't care. His scent was welcome over.<br><br>When he wilted against her dew-licked flower, she felt him absently slid away while she leaned forwards to feel his uneven breathing more closely. Placing the side of her face against his heart, the she-elf listened for the tribal beat, closing her eyes to try match the rhythm with her own pulse. Thighs aching with the numbness of being parted for so long, closed together at last with the final throbs of their coupling slowing as their heartbeats did. The proud shamaness would never admit it...couldn't, for the words were like poison. But she quite enjoyed his company, and the thought of her every repaying the debt saddened her. To feel obliged to release him from her quest, was like asking the impossible. Naturally, she struggled with her colliding thoughts. The she-elf tried to barricade herself from emotions as a way of distancing herself. Only then could she perform her position in the tribe to her highest standards. Now, this one human threatened to destroy everything she had worked hard to maintain. She should have been fuming, but...a part of her, a very strong part, was quite indifferent.<br><br>For a long while, Zyanya was silent. The stillness might’ve suggested sleep, for Ban-Ku could probably only see the top of her head. But finally, she spoke, quietly and refusing to look at him.&nbsp; “Ban-Ku,” she started, in the tone of the fire that had been quenched with water. “If I fail…if the Alania-Kur fail. Your people will…” she struggled to continue. It was cruel to tell him this, especially after their lovemaking. But she felt compelled to share everything with him, and this was a subject she had not considered before. Rather, she had shrugged it aside as an unnecessary, unimportant side-effect. It was also her way of telling him she needed him, more than she had ever thought was possible.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>10-04-2009, 13:55:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ban-Ku felt her heartbeat over his and ran his hands lovingly down her naked length. He loved the way her curves clung to him, a perfect fit. "Then we shall not fail." he said turning her lone task into theirs. He held her and rocked her gently in his arms till he fell asleep himself. He hoped he'd helped her sleep as well but the god of sleep wouldn't be denied. He dreamed of Zyanya. Living in a tree, having used wood to extend it into a house proper. Her stomach was swollen with child and she walked around the house with a soft genuine smile on her beautiful face...<br><br>Ba-Ku woke and Zyanya was where he left her. On top of him. The fire was low but her little wyrm clung to his fiery blanket. The sun came through the pane of water and illuminated the cave. His cuts and bruises ached dully but he found he didn't care that much. He stroked her silky blond hair and hummed a song of his people. The song of morning. Usually one lovers sang when no one is around and the prairie flowers are in bloom.<br><br>He slipped out from under her to reheat the remainder of the food. He'd actually managed to eat some before their coupling last night. He stood under the waterfall washing himself the water was surprisingly warm and must have heated up in the rising sun. He wondered what Zyanya was thinking now. She always seemed mad, never happy. He knew she had responsibility, a hefty one, but it seemed to suck any joy the elf ever had out of her. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>11-04-2009, 21:47:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Zyanya only stirred as she felt her mattress shifting from beneath her. At the threat of natural, organic warmth abandoning her, she clung to the fleeting presence that was Ban-Ku, murmuring as he slowly manoeuvred himself from underneath her. She had slept better than expected; twisting collisions of images exploding into a unison of fire and brimstone. The flames licked at her skin, giving her shape and form as she fed from the drifting breeze that became her devoted guardian. Air gives fire life, after all. But now, she could no longer hope to drift back to sleep again. Shortly after Ban-Ku had risen, she lay on the mat for a moment before erecting as the stoic shamaness once more. Moving to the waterfall in lithe, graceful steps, she found herself in the small pool of waist-high water next to Ban-Ku. Her softer, genuine smile, a glimpse of his vision of her from the land of dreams, as she playfully splashed tepid water, with the single flick of her wrist towards him. <br><br>Pointed ears flickered like a compass to sound, detecting the waves beyond the crashing of the waterfall. It seemed safe and still; nature still rousing to the awakening glory of the sun. Even from behind the liquid veil, the shamaness’ skin glowed in ethereal hues. As she cleansed her body, the she-elf’s gentility gradually melted to instead wear her more serious expression. Hands drifted carefully over the wounds at her side; the skin well on the mend, but still fairly tender to the touch. <br><br>“We’ll follow the river down-stream,” Zyanya instructed Ban-Ku, wading across to him to gently smooth a hand down his callous back. Circular, massaging motions, pulsated her warming, healing touch, straight through to the blood. Placing dew-touched lips over his shoulder blade, for once the shamaness exerted a cardinal temperance over herself. As tempting as it was to make up excuses for them to stay behind the waterfall, at least for another sunset; Zyanya had to enforce moderation and, above all else, <em>restraint</em>.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>11-04-2009, 22:18:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"It can wait a bit." he said in his regular voice. He slipped out, dried off and but his clothes on, but not his armor. "Let me see your wounds." he removed the cotton silk bandages and poured water in his water skin. He stoked it and let the water in the skin come to a boil. "I want to make sure we put clean bandages on them." he said in a caring tone. <br><br>"Wouldn't want you failing because your wounds became infected. Luckily the cotton-silk wraps cleaned up and were reusable. It was twelve minutes before the bandages were cleaned, dried and reusable. He re-wrapped her not really paying attention. He was thinking about where they were going. A forgotten temple did not appeal to him but it was her choice. <br><br>He slipped his light, leather armor on and picked up his weapons sheathing them. It was a little discerning to him that she never showed much affection in day. Only at night when they were together. He just assumed it was her being all-business and shrugged it off mentally. When this was all over he would find a way to be with her more than just at night.<br><br>"Ready to move, Zyanya?" he asked the ever-so seductively curved elf. He couldn't help but think of their times together and not just the one's at night. Any time when he was with her wasn't all bad. Even the one's when they were being chased by metal abominations. Ban-Ku seriously hoped they'd left. It had been a day they might very well have given up. "We still need to be careful..." he said absentmindedly, but loud enough for her to hear. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>12-04-2009, 00:02:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The shamaness watched the diligence of Ban-Ku in silence. Her occasional attention clung to his eyes, before sweeping once more to admire the caring attention he demonstrated over her wounds. She canted her head to one side. Why hadn't some pretty little human girl snatched him up? He was obviously of age and means, and though Zyanya knew little of human mating procedures, other than obviously the physical similarities; she did however conclude that humans settled down to start a family rather soon. Ban-Ku certainly didn’t come across as the undesired, especially on human terms and, more recently, on elf terms also. At least, as far as Zyanya was concerned. She supposed it was due to their shorter life spans and the overall cruelty of the world that forced them to such extreme lengths of commitment. Elves on the other hand, especially those like her, seemed to procrastinate at large. Some found their life mate, eventually. Others dwindled from one lover to the next, never giving time or space to lengthy engagements. It suddenly scared her, to realise she was considering such thoughts in relation to herself and the human.<br><br>"That's enough," she'd said, rather heatedly, once the last bandage was in place. As if shrouding her very thoughts, clothes were placed over her skin in quite a hurry, and she found the remnants of last night's fish as her meagre breakfast. Their lovemaking had been all the food she had needed, but now her stomach was empty and growling furiously at her for the neglectful treatment. "Yes, I'm ready," the she-elf answered just moments later. Her staff found the grip of her shaky hand, and she inhaled a deep breath to calm herself. The fire wyrmling found its’ place at her shoulder, the touch of his heated scales burnt to a slight degree, but to Zyanya it wasn’t unpleasant. The boiling matched her temperament perfectly.<br><br>It was silly to get dressed though, when they had to pass through the waterfall again. It was inevitable that they would get soaked though, so the shamaness embraced her fate swiftly. Jumping down to the calm pool, she quickly passed through the harsh veil to be momentarily blinded by the full scale of brighter sunlight of the other side. All was still, and the tip of her head up to the cliff face they had jumped from, confirmed that the golems had dispersed. Moving across to the grassy embankment trying to stay as dry as possible, Zyanya climbed up with her staff for leverage and support, until legs were no longer weighted by the encumbrance of raging currents against gravity. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>12-04-2009, 00:26:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ban-Ku looked at her jump in and smiled, she didn't like to observe all that much he surmised. The place was a basin. Sure it was in essence a big bowl and he would be taking the long way to the river. He sidled out onto the small bit of narrow rock. The cliff face was not sheer it was stepped with years of erosion even if it was just slightly. He edged his way around finding foot hold and hand holds. Using vines and roots, even the occasional hole a bird had made for its next. It took him a bit longer but he was dry.<br><br>He looked at her and smiled innocently. It was her own fault and she knew it, but her soggy appearance would match her grumpy disposition. He looked at the river fork off. The problem with jungle rivers were that they were not smooth there were many falls below this one. In fact with exception to the elven capital the rest of the jungle was one big dent in the earth. The capital was build into Mount Churtin'iza. The birthplace of the world, so it was told. <br><br>"Where to now?" he gracefully left off my soggy little orchid, but his smile said it all. A pure and innocent smile. He'd never cared for a woman like he did her and he couldn't tell why. In fact, he'd spent the last two years outside of his village so that no woman wold court him. He didn't care to get married. Not there was something wrong with his people's women. He just felt like he needed something more wild something like him. <br><br>He found her too, at least in his mind. He passed her the rabbit-fur towel he'd made the night they met so she wouldn't be so miserable.&nbsp; &nbsp;
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>12-04-2009, 01:30:00</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Waiting for Ban-Ku with an arm ready to help him up to the bank alongside her, was a wasted gesture it seemed.&nbsp; Zyanya searched the pool for the human’s submerged shadow, until finally he appeared, but not from where she expected him to. Indeed, she had leapt before she looked, and now she stood as the soaking moral of the story. Eyes narrowed to Ban-Ku’s more perceptive route, further scowling while he grinned. Maybe the she-elf would find the amusing side of this tale a little later, rather than glare with accusational eyes. It wasn’t his fault, and she knew it as well as he did.<br><br>“That way,” she answered, pointing with the tip of her staff as an extension of one hand to the snaking of the bending river. The other lightly snatched at the rabbit fur he held for her. She hadn’t remembered discarding it, and as she dabbed herself over, Zyanya felt a little rude for not taking better care of the first gift Ban-Ku had given her.<br><br>Resigning to a slight smile at last, the Shamaness tossed the damp fur back to the human, before turning to begin the short journey alongside the river’s edge. At least Ban-Ku would have nothing to complain about. She knew now from his words last night, that he liked to keep his eye on her rear as she walked. Well, now the soaked material clung to her motions, in whispers that said ‘you can look but don’t touch. Not yet.’ Not in the daytime… <br><br>The river grew aggressive, winding around large stones and bending with turbulent cascades. The ground was not flat either, rather it descended into steeper flows, until the she-elf found that they would have to somewhat climb down the would-be stairs. The roaring of the louder, wider, and longer waterfall up ahead, became more prevalent the further they were led by the river’s encouraging hand. At the very bottom of the descent, the river was parted in two halves by the presence of a single island. <br><br>“Dabula-Manzi,” was all the shamaness uttered, and barely heard above the raging of the misty falls. But where was the Temple? Beneath the falls? No, it couldn’t be. The force of the waterfall was too incredible, especially for a human’s bones to endure. Concerned eyes turned to Ban-Ku...Surely he would be crushed? Unless...<br><br>"We'll get closer. Perhaps there is a clearer path behind the fall?"<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>12-04-2009, 02:03:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ban-Ku looked down. Like with most falls it dropped off sharply. "I don't know about you, but I'm climbing." he said and took hold of a big root. Holding himself up with his arms he found the first hold. Then he slipped one hand down and grabbed hold and then grabbed a vine and rappelled down a ways. Then he grabbed hold again. He was truly more lemur than man. He was a wild man. Living in his natural habitat, nature. He was at home more so than any other of his race. There once was a time when humans and elves lived in the jungle together. However, certain social changes obviously pushed the rounded-ears out.<br><br>After forty or so minutes of climbing he found himself touching down on the slippery rock that ran around the edge of the cliff as it tapered off and became hills on either side. Sure you could walk around but that was about half a day through thick jungle. This was more direct and he could have dived in if he could clear the rocks but he thought not to chance it and stay dry at the same time. He looked around for Zyanya having lost sight of her.<br><br>He wondered what this side-trip was really about. It didn't seem to him to have any significance but he chastised himself. Hadn't he gotten upset that she didn't appreciate his peoples' rituals? He looked around but there was no sign of his dark little orchid. He blushed at his own internal pet name for her. Despite there two nights he still felt awkward around the concept of love. Though he did believe he loved her. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PearlRuby</strong> on <strong>17-04-2009, 17:37:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Zyanya stood for a moment of perplexed observation. Never did she think it would be so interesting to watch a mere human. But the flexing of sinew and muscle as he climbed caught her eye, until he disappeared out of her line of sight. Scoffing to herself, as if to erase thoughts of admiration, the she-elf followed in his wake. Obviously, she didn't seek the exact, same route down the rocky drop, that he had. With her staff slung securely over her back, bare feet kept her poised against the rocks with the addition of arm strength. She'd discarded her sandals a long time ago now. The shamaness was more like a spider, slowing and silently weaving her way down with vines as her webbing. There was never a clumsy slip; limbs were fluid and well orchestrated to find each leverage and rappel. Time was of no consequence, but the she-elf sunk down onto the slippery surface Ban-Ku stood on, just moments after he did. Seems she’d caught up well enough. <br><br>Stepping up behind him as he looked up, assumingly looking for her, the shamaness reached out to ruffle the back of his hair rather affectionately. She didn’t have a clue why; it was rather impulsive, and her rational brain seemed to be sleeping therefore. A smirk stubbornly positioned itself on her lips, remaining even as she stepped around the human. The ridge seemed to narrow up ahead as it passed behind the waterfall, so she carefully pressed her back against the cliff face wall, to edge across slowly. It was almost suffocating, as the rising, moist and humid mists engulfed her entirely. Zyanya hastened, until her blind hands found the knots of vines acting as a rope. They were twisted against their will to the wall it seemed, and therefore enabled her swiftly arch across the curvature of the wall to the dark hole beyond. Aside from the echoing gush of the waterfall, there was nothing but the dripping of various leaks in the cavern roofing. Puddles littered the dips in stone. Hardly a Temple at all.<br><br>But that was not all. Little animal bones littered the floor, mixed with dried foliage and straw-like, drained vines. Someone had lived here. Someone whose brittle bones, trapped within the hanging cage of wood and bent iron, now found the wandering hands of the unknowingly shamaness. Soundlessly gasping at the sight, she quickly stumbled backwards, colliding with <em>something</em>. Wide eyes could not comprehend this, therefore neither could she begin to vocalise her thoughts.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Tale of Heroes [Inkidu &amp; PearlRuby]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Inkidu</strong> on <strong>17-04-2009, 19:13:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ban-Ku followed his charge he was beginning to get out of his element this deep into the jungle where it took on a whole new visage. He'd traveled deep, he'd seen wyrms flying about their business. Hell he'd even seen a sleeping one shake feathers from it's wings and look at him and going back to sleep paying him no mind. It never ceased to hit him with a sense of awe at some of the more exotic animals in the deeper jungles. The Tygre-Cu as he called them as his people had no words were a large dog with a barking laugh like a demon but they cared for their pups like any other.<br><br>Putting his mind to the present he sidled around the edge flowing her into the cavern. He earnestly hoped she new where she was going. It was getting darker and he was finding it hard to see he thought about making a torch but she didn't slow down so he surmised she knew where she was going; or at least she could see. He pulled out his dagger and held it in his right hand in a reverse grip he could switch it to his left if he had to but he wanted to walk past her if their was trouble.<br><br>Their was a soft little crunch under the dried veins and debris it hardly made a sound but Ban-Ku though it was some kind of knuckle bone. The way it rolled under his foot before his weight did its work. When he heard Zyanya vocalize her surprise at running into something he instantly pulled her back and stepped forward he couldn't tell what it was and he made defensive swipes. "What?" he hissed thinking there was something out there.
			</dd>
		</dl>
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