Adriana, suddenly self concious that she was alone, sharply turned back towards the others. The human was stopping to rest while the others were, well, still lingering behind. The silver haired lady groaned inwardly, cursing these people for being slow. Don't they realize that the longer they stayed around, the harder it would be to proceed with the quest? She admitted that she haven't explained the reason to hurry, but she did tell them about the stolen Mystic rose- well, sort of anyway...

So, should she venture off by herself, or go back and wait for the others? She wondered. Of course, being an individualist, Adriana would have liked the former; but, she remind herself that she doesn't know what she is facing yet, and it would be unwise to go alone.

Grudgingly, she instructed Tiamat to turn back- much to the undead dragon's displeasure. The two landed quite a distance from the human and his dragon, and Adriana slid off her mount.

Her eyes were like icicles as she watched the human, for the first time noting his physical appearance- observing his silver hair and golden eyes which reminded her very much of someone she once knew.

But instead of feeling nostalgic as one in her position would, Adriana felt anger as those memories flooded her mind. No- a pitiful human do not deserve to be compared to a dark elf.

Nova looked at the Baldur. Cian was hungry? Was that supposed to be some kind of special occasion? She growled, waving her tail back and forth angrily. Suddenly, she heard crashing behind her, and jumped, landing on Animus' back with her sword drawn. The castle was crashing in behind them. She coughed as the dust flooded the air. Animus also looked back with alarm. He took a deep breath, and breathed fire into the air, disintegrating some of the dust.

Nova coughed again and said, "We should rest outside of this area! We'll be dead by morning if we stay here." Animus nodded his head, and they walked away. Nova sat down and the two ran out of the city.

Baldur noticed the undead dragon and the dark elf and let go of a snarl. Wicked little annoying witch! At least she had a brain and decided to turn back and wait for the others instead of practically throwing herself into danger! He was not worried about her, she was just needed… to… help accomplish the fight, nothing more. He heard his master chuckle and looked down.

Cian smiled. He heard Nova cough and say: "We should rest outside of this area! We'll be dead by morning if we stay here."

Well, they were right. They had just destroyed the town palace, and those women did murder some people on the town. Besides, Cian needed somewhere with water, where he could get cleaned and change his bandages properly.

“Well, then we should camp for the night somewhere.” Baldur stated. “La…” He stopped himself and went silent, he wanted to ask Adriana if in her way back she had noticed any lakes, streams or rivers,but his master had phorbid him to speak with her. “Do any of you know where there is clean water? Somewhere we can camp that has clean water near?” He asked instead allowing him master to climb on to his back.

((I AM BAAACCCKKK. Friday's when I'll be completely free, but the last are a cinch. I'll be able to join, but can someone tell me what's going on? I'm too tired to read through it all.))

((Pretty much they went to this town looking for a seal, then realized that it was gone and it was a trap so they fled the palace where the seal was supposed to be and now they're right outside the palace trying to figure out what to do and where to camp. And stuff. Welcome back! =D


Yes. I realize that was an awful run-on sentence. And, right now, I do not care.))

((anyone still around?))

((Yes, but I was waiting for someone else to post. We were the last ones. Maybe iPink or diamondmist could post?))

((I've been waiting for diamondmist to post. XD))

((Ah! Sorry, I had been to a cousin's house for a while - I can't guarantee something much, since Vena isn't involved in anything much. I'll settle for...her just speaking to someone. Manly, Avendai. Vena is suspicious. XD ))

~~~~~~~~~~~

Vena ha her hand on Tsumetai's muzzle. She had rushed out the fastest, probably, because she was so close to the doorway of the castle - the massacre inside was huge, and she preferred to sit back and enjoy the show.

But despite her indifferent grin, she could still feel a nagging uncertainty because of that High Elf. Avendai. Though of the same race, Vena didn't feel a connection between them both like she would with another of her own level - which led her to believe that Avendai let on much less tat what was her real power. That, and her huge aura pressure was a thousand's worth of a clue.

The best option, now, would be to talk to her. Build up friendship and get a bit of info. All friendship would hve to be faked, of course...

An she strode over gently to Avendai. "Hello," she offered timidly (ha), "I'm Vena. You're Avendai, right?"

“Do any of you know where there is clean water? Somewhere we can camp that has clean water near?”

Adriana glanced upwards as she heard the human's dragon speak and saw the two about to head somewhere else- presumably to another campsite.

"Might the Siso Lake do?" A offered tonelessly, though she hoped that both the human and phoenix dragon would just go there and get out of her sight altogether.

Without waiting for an answer, she turned away from the human, and for the first time noticed that the other high elf- the non-ancient, standing nearby.

The ancient dark elf warily scanned the group, and noted that, now, only Sadako was missing. It was a pity, really, as that young dark elf was the only "Chosen One" Adriana had considered quite decent.

But then again, she mused silently, if this Sadako's tardiness is due to her own weakness or stupidity, then the rest would be better off without her.

She would no longer associate with the weak... no matter they are. who She'd only regret it.

“Might the Siso lake do?” Adriana asked and Cian looked at her.

Yes Siso Lake was the closest place but it would be a bit of backtracking, but it didn’t seem like there was any other way to go. They couldn’t exactly stay on Nerati resting, they weren’t subtle on their actions and now the people would probably be looking for blood retribution, and if that happens, those women would slaughter the entire town.

Cian nodded at Adriana thanking and tapped Baldur's neck for them to set off. Baldur nodded and looked at the others.

“Well guys, I think we should camp near Siso lake. It has water and I really doubt anyone is around there so it would be good, right?” Baldur asked. “Anyway, we’re heading there.”

That said the dragon lifted flight and left. It only took them a few minutes to arrive at the shore of Siso lake that was closest to Nerati. Cian eyed what seemed to be a city nearby but ignored it. It was far enogh for him to not be bothered by it nor bother anyone. Besides, a few trees and dunes hid him. They would camp there regardless, really doubted anyone would mind.

“Master, will you be alright alone?” Baldur asked. Cian eyed the dragon, every time the dragon would ask that. He made it out alone long before the dragon appeared so he nodded. “Okay, I’m going to seek for food. Here, your things.” He handed Cian a backpack and took the things out, bandages, clean clothes and a few vials. That done the dragon flied away.

Alone, Cian started undressing. He eyed his shirt, filled with gaps from he dark elf's attack and sighed. He took off the bandages that were wrapped around his chest, revealing a large wound down his chest. Once cleaned it would stop aching, he just hoped nothing would smell the scent of blood. He finally threw himself to the water to get cleaned with nothing but underwear on.

Avendai glanced up irritably as the other high elf approached. She was young and annoying looking, and Avendai was sure she was far less timid than she pretended. "You're Avendai, right?"

Avendai looked at the younger elf for a moment, calculating. "Obviously. I can't pretend I know who you are, unfortunately." Avendai sniffed and looked away. She would not underestimate Vena, but she did not see that she would be a threat. It was that dark elf that was trouble....If only she could simply remove her...

"Vena," she supplied, following Avendai's gaze to the woman - the dark elf. Arina? Rhianna?

Adriana.

"Thinking about the -" she used a very bad curse word, "She's quite the proud one, isn't she." It wasn't a question. "She irks me. She thinks she's the only one the matters. I just wish I could kill her and be done with it. Maybe torture her."

Vena sighed. "Lord knows how restless Tai is. He wants to eat her, no question...Am I being too annoying? Blunt answer works."

Vena shrugged. It was true. Blunt and to-the-point, she loved people with her quickness.

Adriana's sharp ears pricked as she heard what the young high elf said to the ancient one. Her steel-gray eyes glinted dangerously. But as quickly as it had come, that spark of emotion reflected in her eyes faded.

An inexperienced young brat, and a dragon not even half her age and whose pitiful size could not even be compared to Tiamat's, dared to they could do her much harm?

What a joke.

Instead, the dark elf dashed soundlessly, and was suddenly standing right behind the young high elf. "Obviously, I can say the same about you, little brat" she hissed coldly, "Shall we see then, if those big words of yours hold any truth in them?"

Nova watched as Cian and Baldur flew away. They were going to the Siso Lake, from what she could tell about the direction that they were flying in. "Let's go, Animus!" she said, hopping onto his back. She didn't like the idea of letting anyone go off on their own. The chosen ones would kill each other in a heartbeat if they saw the oppurtunity to kill. She wanted to kill, too. Nova sighed, but it turned into a growl.
Animus looked up at her, and took off.
"It's okay, Nova, we can do this. I hope sincerely that they won't be dead when we arrive.
---
When they arrived at the Siso lake a few minutes later, they couldn't see Cian or Baldur. There were a few provisions lying on the ground at the water's edge. Dragon tracks lead away from the area. This probably meant that Baldur had left for something.

Nova hopped off of Animus and said, "Would you go find Baldur?" Animus nodded and replied, "Just don't try to kill Cian when you find him, okay?" Nova nodded, walked towards the water.

When she got closer, she could see that there were clothes on the sand! There was a bloody bandage, too. Great, she thought sarcastically. Cian was around here, and he was bathing. Nova turned around, and waited for Animus to come back.

Animus followed Baldurs foot prints, and easily located the dragon. "Hello." Animus said pleasantly.

“Hello.” Someone said behind Baldur.

Baldur who had been gathering food turned around, had his master come for him?

“Praise me master for I have found… oh you’re not my master!” He realized when he saw Animus and smiled. “I knew it was too good, Master coming after me. Anyway, hi Animus. How are you? Where’s your rider? Did you leave her alone with my master? She’s not going to try to kill him is she?”

Baldur said quickly and nervously. He didn’t felt comfortable leaving his master alone for so long, he didn’t wanted to fail protecting him from harm because he was away. He smiled at Animus and asked him to follow.

“You want to dine with us? I warn you, I am a chef extraordinaire!” He said, cheerfully waving his tail.

Cian swam towards the surface. He had been swimming near the cities. He was now returning back to shore for his body felt exhausted. No wonder there, he hadn’t slept or ate anything decent in weeks. He got up on the wate, it was already and saw one of the girls in the shore, it looked like the cat girl. He walked forth to the shore and stopped a few inches away from her. He needed his clothes and he was sure she had already heard him. Regardless, he walked forth and passed by her taking back his clothes. He dried himself with his other shirt and placed clean underpants and pants on. He didn’t put his shirt on, he needed first to treat his chest wound.

You shouldn’t be alone here. He said mentally to her. He grabbed one of the vials and pured the liquid over his wound, it made an almost resin like cover over it. He grabbed the clean bandages. He would have to wait for Baldur for that one. Care to help me? He showed her the bandages.

Nova pricked her ears up as she heard Cian coming towards the shore. She heard him coming, and closed her eyes. She could hear him getting closer, and closer, and he passed her. She smacked her forehead. His clothes were over there. She turned away. Listening for when he was finished putting on his clothes, she heard something else that was in her head.

You shouldn’t be alone here. Nova growled and said, "I thought that bumbling dragon of yours would get himself killed. Animus is with him. And I can take care of myself- I stayed in the Tiaktal Swamps for a year." She then heard, Care to help me? Turning around, she opened her eyes and saw that he needed help with his bandages.

Sighing, she stood up, and took the bandages from him. She unrolled the bandages, wrapping them around his chest. Her finger nails cut through parts of the bandages. Nova growled and wondered where Animus was.
-----
Animus was happy to see that the dragon was okay. He said, "Yes, she's alone with him. She asked me to make sure that you were okay. And don't worry- I made her promise that she wouldn't kill him. She doesn't lie to me."

Walking after the dragon, he looked at the beautiful plant life that decorated the lake. He had come to the Siso Lake once, when he was young. He looked up at Baldur.

“You want to dine with us? I warn you, I am a chef extraordinaire!” He said, cheerfully waving his tail.

Animus chuckled. "Of course we'll eat with you!"

Without waiting for an answer, Adriana raised an arm and slammed her fist towards Vena's stomach- deciding that blades or magic would be a waste to use on someone she could not kill.

She stared at the young high elf coldly. "So you want to kill me, brat? Then come. Let's see you try. Or are you just a big mouth after all?"

But not giving enough time for her opponent to retaliate, the ancient dark elf swung her legs and gave a kick at Vena's hips, and another at her neck.

Not wanting to waste any more valuable time to deal with some insolent brat, Adriana then turned and walked away from the high elves. She then mounted Tiamat and went to Lartin instead.

((Did I spell the name of the place correctly? Sorry, but I can't really make out the handwriting.
Oh, and Adriana is not a hand-to-hand fighter or anything. But in Lineage 2 (which I'm using as the basis of Adriana's Character Design), dark elves are very strong physically, so I assume that they have some sort of super human strength or something and can hurt with bare hands))

((@Adept: I guess you can make Adrianna like that. It depends on your base of an elf. I have seen a lot of different elves, strong ones, weak ones.))

Cian bowed in thanks to her. She had ripped a bit the bandages but they would hold. Some of his bandages were getting old already, he had been using them way too long. He grabbed his shirt and putted it on. What were you doing in Tiaktal swamps for a year? He asked out of pure curiosity. He grabbed his vest and putted it on, then grabbed his white jacket, ruined by that dark elf, with a sigh he threw it to his clothes, Baldur could fix it later, what wouldn’t be the first time.

He heard rustling and saw Baldur walking over with Animus.

“Praise me Master for I have found food!” Baldur said proud of himself, yet his master didn’t praise him, just nodded in approval. Baldur said to himself that maybe the silent nod was his way of praising… maybe. “Hi Lady Nova. Want to dine with us? I got fish, meat, rabbits, and two warthogs. I just hope it’s enough. Either way, doesn’t matter, you shall all experience the fine cooking of chef Baldur!”

That said the phoenix dragon didn’t wait any answer. He quickly made fire and preceded to preparing the food, using all sorts of vials with colorfull powders inside and herbs as he skinned, cut, tempered and prepared the food until it was inside improvised pans made by his scales on the fire. As the dragon cooked he just kept on talking and talking.

“I love to cook. When I was a kid I would sneak to the kitchen and cook…” He continued saying. Cian sat down, he already knew that story so well he could tell how many commas appeared on it. “Actually the first time I heard Master speak was to praise my cooking. I was just a kid back then and we all thought Master was mute, then I brought him my food and he just stared at me and said: Your food is great… and then returned to eating it again. Everyone just stared at him in silence if saying OMG he can speak. It was so funny, I also used to cook for my parent's riders and...” And he kept going.

Cian shook his head, then the magnificent scent of Baldur’s food entered his nostrils and he smiled, someone could smell it 10 miles away. It was done. Baldur pointed at the food, it all looked and smelled delicious. “Done. I have fish, rabbit meat and warthog. I apologize already if you happen to find a feather on your food, accidents happen, but they are clean and they do not interfere with the taste of the food. So eat up!”

((Yes, Baldur is a blabber mouth XD))

Nova looked up at Cian, who was now putting on his shirt. Nova looked straight into Cian's eyes, and said with a scary edge in her voice, "Would you believe me if I said that I was training to learn how to kill people with a simple touch? Tiaktal is arguably the most dangerous place in Confundo." She dropped the rest of the bandages, and walked to Animus who was now coming back with Baldur.

Baldur was droning on, and on about food, and cooking, and speech, and life stories. Nova was bored. She picked up a snail that was somehow making its way towards the water. It was green and had purple spots. The little snail's eyes were bugged out, like it had just seen an alien.

"Rabbit," she heard Baldur say. Nova's ears pricked up right away, and she ran over to the dragon. It appeared that the food was finished. She took the rabbit, and started to devour it. Animus looked at her, and sighed. This was not a pretty sight. The Matran had always liked rabbit, her being part cat and all.

Animus listened to the story, and he replied, "That's very interesting. It seems as though you might want to be a chef once this whole thing is over!"