Worlde Arcane: <font color="9933cc">Orodor (Mountainlands)</font>

Wednesday, March 31, 2004 - 12:44 am GMT | Edit | Link |

A light came into her eyes as she realized that she would now have an excuse to leave the forest for at least a little bit. she hid her excitement quite well except for her eyes and she answered responded to his words. "Maybe what you are meant to gaurd is yet to be seen, I mean I seriously doubt you have done all there is to do seen all there is to see. The stars tell many stories of what may be and what will be but the way to get there is never for certain."

She returned the grin just as crooked. "I see, and does this mean that I will wait for you or what? I doubt either of us, or at least myself, came with things that will be needed."

Thursday, April 1, 2004 - 12:57 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

"Hmm good question. I guess I can take you along into the city. But we need you some cleaner clothes. The two of us would catch alot of stares and thats not good." He left unsaid that if people watched them enter then he was bound to be caught.

"And your gonna need a horse. I will take care of that though. You be sure to get our provisions while I am working on getting us a good deal for the horses." He looked to her out the corner of his eye. He wondered if she liked the idea of him taking her along for a small venture. It was a strange place. And this venture could very much cost both of them their lives, but hey what does he have to lose.

His smile widened as he thought more about this venture.

Monday, April 5, 2004 - 9:33 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

She nodded and then thought. "Do either of us have money to get provisions and the like? Or are you going to steal most of it?" She said it with indifference, what he did was his buisiness and didn't matter in the least to her.

Tuesday, April 6, 2004 - 12:57 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

He tossed her a small sack with a few gold and silver coins. "Thats all I can spare. Hopefully that should cover everything you need to pick up. And if need my 'talents' will come in handy."

Getting 2 horses is gonna be hard, he thought to himself. But I'll pull it off.

Tuesday, April 6, 2004 - 10:05 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

She caught the bag and tucked it into her tunic. "Alright then. So tell me more about yourself then?" She wasn't to thrilled about entering this particular city so she tried to talk and keep her mind on and about other things.

Thursday, April 8, 2004 - 1:11 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

"Well what more can I tell you?" He gave it some thought before continuing. "Well lets see. Hmph. I dunno. My life isn't very interesting." That was a lie and he knew she probably would know it too. Thieve led very interesting lives. Always on the run. It filled one with a rush matched only by the heat of battle.

He decided it would just be easier to ask her questions about herself. "So what ultimately lead you to head for the woods? I mean you said you never before liked being in cities and such, but what was the final straw in making your decision? And you said that you have learned most everything through experiance. At one point did you have a profession? Or a Passion? Or even a love interest?" He paused a moment, then thought that those would be enouogh for now.

"I had a love interest once. But that is a story for another time." He finished with that and waited for here to answer.

Thursday, April 8, 2004 - 10:16 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

She laughed softly. "I think you underestimate you own life and self if you believe it to be uninteresting...."

She thought before answering his question. "I went to the woods because it was something new for me, city life had gotten old and my parents were obviously frustrated that I hadn't moved off to be married to some one like my siblings had, so I simply left. My profession you could say was house keeping with my mother, I did sew and sell clothing for a while as well but now you could say I am a herbologist and a biologist as well since I live in the forest and know so much of what goes on there. My passion was and still is music and dancing, and there had been crushes but I could find no man or woman who could satisfy me or keep up with me." She smirked as she waited for his expression of hearing of the interest for men and or women from her.

"So tell me of this story of your love interest if you don't mind." She just wanted a summary and didn't really care too much for the details.

Thursday, April 15, 2004 - 1:20 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

((sorry for the delay. I have been having a bad week))

He raised and eyebrow at he mention of looking for me and women. He found that interesting he wanted to venture more into it but that would be rude he thought so he let it drop.

"Well what can I say. She was a pretty one she was. Long brown hair about a head shorter then I am. I first met her when I began my current profession." A smile touched his lips as he looks to her. "She was the reason I got up every morning. She became my sole interest. But she had no intrest in me. I guess you can say it was the oldest story in the book. Guy wants what guy can't have," he shrugged. "Well anyway I actually started winning her over. I think it was the fact that I seem clueless all the time that she thought was 'cute' as she put it. To sum it all up she was sent away by her family for showing the faintest of intrest in a thief, so as not to ruin the family name."

His smile died and he continued on in silence for a time. He was overcome by curiousity shortly after. "What is it like being with one of the smae gender? Is it the same? I don't think I could do that. But then again I guess its not for everyone. Did the people look at you differently cause of it? You don't see many people together of the same gender." He slowed for a moment but then continued "What did your family say? Did they even know? How did you find out you liked other women...." He stopped himself from bombarding her with any more question. It wasn't polite to do as he has done a few times already. And he was afraid of offending her.

Thursday, April 15, 2004 - 10:48 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

((I'm sorry, I can relate though, hope things get better.))

She watched his facial expressions as he talked about the woman and nodded understandingly when he was finished. When he finally went into his questions she couldn't help but laugh sweetly and softly.

"Well it is just like being with a male, the only difference is the genitals and there are hands to compensate for that in ones own way if one has imagination and isn't prude. I mean the way I see it is that it shouldn't matter whether a person is a man or woman or even born with both of the genitalia, love and attraction is what it is and it shouldn't matter who or what a person is, ya know?....There is a lot of prosectution for same gender relationships that's why you don't see it that much. My family knows, or my parents do."

She looked down sadly and snorted in disgust. "My father almost disowned me and my mother wouldn't touch me. They have gotten over it now and accepted everything, but that's because they want to die with the feeling that everything is as it should be. Meaning they say they accept it but they really mean they don't acknowledge it...." A single tear slid down her smooth cheek only to land in the soft dirt of the Earth as she thought about that hard time.

She looked back and into his face. "I found out when I met a foreign woman who dwelled into the depths of magic. She helped me with herb lore and medicinal things and one day it just happened I guess...It's really hard to explain since it's always been there but I only acknowledged my own true self when I met her for some reason..."

Tuesday, April 20, 2004 - 1:02 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

"Oh I see." he said quietly as he lowered his head. "I'm sorry." He clearly hit a soft spot. Never this entire time they traveled together has he seen her show any emotion but a laugh here and there but now....

There was a long silence as they walked along. Surely she would want to be left alone with her thoughts. After a time he looked up and noticed the darkness has creeping into the sky.

"Well Mistress Daleani, we should set up camp. But its all out in the open." He hated making camp in the open. A theives favorite prey was travelers making camp in the open. With a soft huff he looked around as he walked. "We could continue on until we find a better spot. I haven't a care."

Valnare spun around and then continues to walk beside her. He liked his urge to do random things, mostly because it made him feel like a little elf again. From time to time he would mumble something to himself that brought a smile to his face as he waited her decision.

Tuesday, April 20, 2004 - 8:40 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

She shook her head. "It is nothing to be sorry about. It is in the past and I am over it.

She shrugged. "We can keep going I don't mind. And please, just call me Daleani, or Aria, either my first or last name I don't mind just don't add a title to it, I do not need one." She didn't really have much esle to say. "Tell me more about yourself." There seemed to be a strange luminescence to her eyes now as dark came, mostly because she was slightly disheartened about talking about a sensitive part of her past.

Thursday, April 22, 2004 - 1:18 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

"Yes, yes, no title. I forgot." He waved his hand to dismiss the subject. It wasn't anything really. More of him being polite.

Valnare understood why she would want to continue on all night. If he was in her position he wouldn't want to sleep either. "Well let's see shall we. What more is there to say." He bit his bottom lip in thought. "Umm I am prone to accidents and trouble. Mostly when I go away from the kingdom. People like to pick fights with me. Maybe cause I act real timid like but," he shrugged, "they learn quick thats not the case." They walked on in silence for a moment more.

"I never really troubled myself with makin friends. Although I am told they can be a invaluable resource, I feel friends to be more trouble then its worth. But having people owe me a favor is well worth it. Alot of people owe me favors. A few in high standings owe me favors too."

He gave one last shrug before hushing himself. He stayed quiet and left her alone with her thoughts as they walked along.

Friday, April 23, 2004 - 3:36 am GMT | Edit | Link |

She nodded listening and then thought a moment. "So then is the only reason you are keeping me along is not for companionship but for a chance for me to owe you a favor? I mean correct me if I'm wrong but that is what it sounds like...How can you feel friends to be more trouble then they aer worth? People as companions are people you should be able to count on when you need them and people you can tell anything..."

She shrugged and lft him to think about that as they walked. she looked up at the sky recognizing familiar constalations and the moon.

Tuesday, April 27, 2004 - 12:17 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

He thought about it for a minute then a small grin spread his lips. He hadn't thought of it that way.

"Well thats not exactly how it is. You see, its more like the other way around. I owe you. Remember the thieves." He stopped a moment and let what he said sink in. "And then I grew fond of you." he left unsaid that it was odd for him to like having someone along for this long. But it happened. "So this debt became a companionship. Thus putting this debt I owe you off for a time. But I am good for it, you can trust me." He said that with an evil glint in his eye. It wasn't that he was being devious but thats just how he was.

Valnare turned and looked at her then up at the sky. "What you looking at?" It just wouldn't be him if he didn't as atleast one question.

Tuesday, April 27, 2004 - 8:03 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

She smiled as she listened to him trying to read between the words to see if he was either playing or leaving something off, probably the latter she thought. she grinned. "Ah I see. I'm looking at the stars and the moon. From different places on the world you can see different stars at different times, I'm just looking for the ones I know, mostly my birth star. It's one of the few stars that on this side of the world never leaves the night sky."

She looked to him in the eye and searched his face. "Why do you ask?"

Thursday, April 29, 2004 - 12:14 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

"Just curious I guess. You seem content when you look up into the sky. I guess was wondering what puts you at ease." He gave a little shrug as he looked down at the ground. He searched around in his mind for something to ask, he hated the silence when he had someone to talk to. It felt like a waste of time.

In the distance the faint sound of a lonely wolf howling could be heard. "The cry of the wild always nice to hear. So tell me more about you. It seems like I am telling all. So I guess its your turn to tell about you for a while."

Thursday, April 29, 2004 - 8:19 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

She smiled and nodded as she too heard the wolf cry. "I guess the stars, moon sun, and more or less anything having to do with nature put me at ease for they are the only constants. Humans, elves, orcs, goblins, everything will one day be gone and what is left will be what always has been: the five elements being ether of stars, water, earth, fire, and air. They make up everything and will always be there, even when all else is gone. So they give me comfort, I know I can count on them to be there for me. I mean they don't tell what they've been told, they provide all that we use, although they change they are still there, and they don't desert you unlike any mortal does. I mean is it strange that I find comfort in something other then my own people and what I was taught?"

She looked up at him quizically as she asked him to see what he thought of that. Besides her beliefs and opinions, there wasn't much more to talk about when it came to herself.

Tuesday, May 4, 2004 - 1:01 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

There was a slight shrug of his shoulders from him as he looked up at the stars. Who was he to determin what was strange and what was not. He certainly couldn't question her finding comfort in other things then people.

"You have a right to your opinion. No one should tell you otherwise. It one of the things that makes you who you are." His eyes came down from the sky settling on the ground before him. He certain didn't find much comfort in many people. It was understandable, with his profession and his growing distain for people it made it hard to be at ease around them.

He looked over to her hoping he answered her question and gave her a little smile. It was time to change the tone to a more buisness like one.

"When we reach GreyHaven you will need to be accustom to being called Mistress. We gotta look like we belong or...." He left unsaid that or it would draw attention to him and he would have to a hard time getting the horses. He might even be pursued.

"I will be your escort and you my Mistress in the absence of my Master your husband to be. I dunno if you would mind be we will need to spend a day or two in Greyhaven so as to not to cause some raised eyebrows." He paused letting what he was saying sink in before he continued. "I will get some ladies to go to the market with you. So it would look more politically correct." He had trouble with the word politically, probably due to fatigue.

Valnare gave more thought to the situation on hand. "Your clothes." he said hesitantly. "Not that there is anything wrong with them, you look fine, but a little out of place. Forest clothes don't look too important. I will get you something a little more suitable. You can change back when we are done. My clothes are fine of course. For my role anyway." He also had another motive for telling her she needed to change. Since day one he wondered what she would look like in more noble clothes. Valnare shrugged never hurt to have a double motive. He thought for a moment on anything he missed.

"Names. We need names. What do you think?" He left it to her for the names cause he did pretty much dictate to her how she was gonna live her life for the next few days. He also had to get her more money so she could play the role better. But that was the easy part.

Tuesday, May 4, 2004 - 8:23 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

She smiled her appreciation to him and then laughed after he was done talking. "I know, oh and you forget if I am to be asked who my husband-to-be is who will I say? What else does being called 'mistress' have? and What/where and what type of land we come from? I have played this role before, it should be easy..."

she studied him carefully and then stopped abruptly. "We're going to stop here, Valnare, your tired and it shows, besides we'll be at GreyHaven by about mid afternoon tomorrow anyways, and I doubt you have enough money to buy everything that you need so my guess is things are easier at dark. SO we should gtet some sleep, there are no trodden places made in this area so we should be safe."

She made it seem as if there was no arguing with her. "I'll think up a name or two before we get there."

Thursday, May 6, 2004 - 1:17 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

He turned around and gave her a puzzled look. Did it really show that he was getting tired. It didn't matter. But she did make a good point, he did forget some important things. Her husband to be..hmm. He took out some of the berries she gave him from before and ate a few as he thought.

"Well day or night doesn't matter to me. Its more fun during the day though. I get to meet a bunch of interesting people." He gave a little smile. After placing some berries in her hand he went and leaned over on a tree. "Well I guess you can make up a name for your betroth. A name you fancy would be best. You can also tell the your an important officals from Eldarwood, so no need for land and such. As far as being called mistress, there isn't muc....." his words trailed as he fell asleep against the tree.

Thursday, May 6, 2004 - 8:33 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

She smiled to herself as she ate the berries then watched him sleep. She herslef went into a deep meditition as she sat down and crossed her slim legs, it would accomplish the same as sleep but she would be alert if anything came their way. She hoped everything would go as he planned and she hoped she wouldn't screw anything up.

By Anonymous

Friday, May 7, 2004 - 8:59 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

The winged creature flew just above the treetops as it made its way from Rondor and back to the mountainland of its home. Silently and swiftly the golden-eyed hobgobble glided toward its destination of Mount Eross to deliver the rolled parchment for which his mistress awaited.

Tuesday, May 11, 2004 - 2:18 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

He woke up and saw her sitting there. It had only been a few hours and he felt fully refreshed. He got the suddend urge to topple her. A sly grin came to his face as he silently made his way over to her. It was like being a young elf again. mischief was fun. He glided over to her side and watched for a moment contemplating his action. It would be funny to see her wake with a fright. Valnare could barely contain his excitment. He thought about how he would be as giddy as a young child. She must be asleep. He stood there thinking it over for a moment. She might get mad, but he was willing to risk it. A little childish fun never hurt anyone. It might cause them to lose sleep but it would be funny. Besides at daybreak it would be all buisness. He stood there watching for a moment wondering if he could get away before she could retaliate.

Tuesday, May 11, 2004 - 8:30 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

She felt someone beside her and fought the urge to open her eyes. Unsure of whether or not is was Valnare, but she assumed it was cause it smelled like him. She remained still waiting to see what happened.

Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 1:06 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

For a moment he feels kinda bad. But he quicl;y gets over it and pushed her over. Ahh its good to cause trouble. Valnare watch for a moment, a little grin on his face, but in his head he is laughing hysterically. He just couldn't resist and what better way to wake her then to topple her.

"Come we travel now. I know its a few hours before dawn but I am hoping to make it there before mid day. Will we make it before mid day?" He realized how much he missed causing trouble. It was settled then, when he went into the city to get her clothes and money he would stir up a bit of mayham.

Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 8:11 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

She felt herself going to the ground and opened her eyes with little shock, she grinned and then pushed her weight up to make him the one on the bottom, she would be siting on his lower upper waist if she caught him off gaurd and succeeded. she laughed softly her aggreement.

Saturday, May 15, 2004 - 4:06 am GMT | Edit | Link |

He was stunned to find himself in his new position. This wasn't what he had expected. Looking up at her he mumbled something under his breath before scolding himself for being caught off his gaurd.

"You win." said looking away from her. This defeat would not go unavenged. Valnare would win one yet. After pushing he off him, he dusted himself off. She wasn't defenceless atleast, that would be good for the story.

"Come let us be off. You think of the name for your betroth? And what about the idea that your an powerful person from Eldarwood? You like that or no?" He could always make stuff up as they went along and filled her in as needed but he wanted her insight so as to make it more of a partnership instead of a dictatorship.

Saturday, May 15, 2004 - 5:46 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

She grinned as she got off him and sat up. "The betrothed's name can be Lelldorin, powerful or not it doesn't matter to me, but being to powerful would cause attention, probably some that is not needed. But then again if you don't claim there is not enough power you will be sought after by those who want easy money, you be the judge, it matters not to me. I can take care of myself either way."

She thought curiously, this would be the first time she had been in a city other then the kingdom in many many years, what it would be like especially if she was to act as some sort of noble.

Sunday, May 16, 2004 - 1:02 am GMT | Edit | Link |

He dusted himself off and looked to her. "Well I fear that I am gonna have a hard time saying that name so I shall just stick to calling him my Master and you Mistress. Don't forget, when we get to the city you hide somewhere outside. Be sure not to be seen while I go in." He could barely control his excitement. Normally Valnare wasn't outwardly emotional but this was more then he could handle. It wasn't so much pulling it off as it was the thought of being caught. And it had a little to do with working with someone to pull this off. "I will return to where it is that we had parted at nightfall with all of your stuff. Your dresses, money and other things I think are pretty. I will also change my cloak, just in cause I run into some trouble."

He thought for a moment trying to make sure there was nothing he forgot. "Is there anything you can think of that I missed? If not then let us be on our way. Don't forget we gotta spend a day or two at the city. So it looks like M'Lady, thats you, is resting while we restock. Oh yes as far as your maids, I might need to get them from the cat house. That is, unless we run into some on our way. Pray to the Gods or stars, which ever you prefer, that we find some traveling woman. The ladies from the cat house will get us caught."

Sunday, May 16, 2004 - 7:28 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

She shrugged and thought for a moment. "Wouldn't it just be easier to be a pair of beggars and steal a horse and pit-pocket some money and be off alot faster? Somethign tells me we won't find a woman as we travel at all who is willing to help."

She shrugged, it was up to him of course. She didn't look to pleased at having to use women from a cat house, they would do anything for money no doubt, it all depended on who paid more so it was little to no trusting them. Thats the way she saw it anyway.

Tuesday, May 18, 2004 - 1:11 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

He too had his doubts about getting strange women for a job, but he was willing to risk it. She was not and that was clear in her expression.

"Or we could go as a wealthy couple, that decided to sneak away for awhile. Many would know the truth of what we speak and wouldn't challenge it. They want to get away for awhile themselves. Beggars tend to draw the attention of the gaurds. Alot of first time theives go around as beggars." He thought for a moment. "But that doesn't mean that we can't still pick some pockets in passing."

He shrugged, "Your call. What you wanna do?"

Tuesday, May 18, 2004 - 8:08 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

She thought for onlt a few moments then smiled. "It would be easier to pass off as a couple, rich or not you decide, trying to get away from everything. People certainly can at least identify it and won't ask many questions. If they do well we can wing it."

She looked around curiously thinking if it was even worth it to leave everything. then decided it was defninitly something new to do.

Thursday, May 20, 2004 - 1:35 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

"Then its decided then. As we wander through the city we will take a few a few people for what little they have. It shouldn't be hard. And I will work on the horse thing at night fall. So M'lady shall we be off?"

Thursday, May 20, 2004 - 8:19 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

She nodded and smiled. "Of course M'lord." She then started walking in the direction of the cityjudging they would be there by mid afternoon/evening time.

Friday, May 21, 2004 - 4:46 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

He followed close behind her left shoulder, wondering how what he was gonna do if they got there at night. Not many people would be out and the ones that would be around wouldn't be worth the time and hassle. After checking to make sure his sword was clear of its scabard, Valnare glanced around. As long as he could get some money so she could have a room for the night. The stables wasn't always a good place to rest. Many times he has woke at the point of a sword. Lets see, he gave her enough money to get the provisions they need. If he needed to he could scam some gaurds. A smile crept onto his face as he thought about how much fun it was to cam gaurds. He missed that.

Valnare pulled himself out of his memories and back to the task on hand. "So will you be getting your hads dirty?" He would rather she didn't but it wasn't up to him. Although scaming gaurds with a female would make things all the more interesting. "I mean, it doesn't matter to me, totally up to you."

Monday, May 24, 2004 - 1:36 am GMT | Edit | Link |

She glanced up at him a moment, thinking and then spoke carefully for some reason not even she was sure off. "I have no problem getting my hands dirty, though it will be easier for either of us to get caught if I did to much of that considering I can't even pick a pocket, though I can bargain. But I just prefer get a room or stable somewhere for the night, get two horses and some small amount of food and leave. Food is easy enough to come by anywhere if you know where to look."

She she shrugged slightly not really knowing what he wanted her to do, and much prefering to keep the story up then handle in any businiess considernig she had never done anything this intricate before and could easily mess up. "You're use to this so I will trustn you to make the best desition."

Tuesday, May 25, 2004 - 1:24 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

He gave a single nod. "OK then I will handle all the hands on work." He walks along in silence again for a time. Every now and then he adjusted his weapons at he carried and figures it was time he got ridof some. As he thought about it, he realized he was just a walking armoury. But he loved his bow and sword. The sword was given to him by a respected military officer back when he was..."good" so to speak. The bow was hand made by his father. He had a thing for making stuff out of wood which he passed on to Valnares mother. Most of his arrows she made. A bow from his father and arrows from his mothers, he could leave them behinds. Then he had his daggers hidden on him. The idea of selling some weapons to make a lighter load was quickly tossed out. Oh well he could take it anyway. Valnare pushed all thoughts out of his mind and just continued to walk on.

Tuesday, May 25, 2004 - 8:09 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

She thought about things, would she be able to bring her bow and arows that she had always had since she could remember and what not. She guessed she could stash them in a bush if she had to. She watchedher surroundings so that if she ever needed to find her way back she could.

Tuesday, June 1, 2004 - 1:18 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

"Come, I think we should head out of the forest and onto the roads now. It is near midday." Valnare adjusted his sword at his hip and headed off toward the distant road.

((Grayhaven road))

Tuesday, June 1, 2004 - 1:37 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

((Strike that Go to Truffle Road))

By Prince Arieo, Last Fruit of Nuldurith (Arieo)

Sunday, June 6, 2004 - 12:35 am GMT | Edit | Link |

She looked and nodded and followed his lead towards the road. Her shoulders slightly tensing has they headed that way, she much preffered the cover of trees and bushes rather then openess of roads.

((To Truffle Road))

By Dhaun the Unseen (Dhaun)

Monday, June 19, 2006 - 2:11 am GMT | Edit | Link |

((From Hidden Valley))

Dhaun proceeded in to the mountainlands, the cover of darkness hiding his slim but limber body. He glided over rocks and hurdled over large stones, making haste through the mountain base. Silent footsteps led him up the slopes, his nose now leading him instead of the moon.

He smelled the damp air to the Northwest, his concealed eyes picking out the things to let his swift feet avoid. In the middle of night, he made his way to the entrance of the Mogan Mines, taking pause. He looked out over the mountainlands, seeing the torches turning back in to the Southeast. Even if he were a wretched vampire, it wasn�t as if he had hurt anyone. No bother, he thought to himself. He made his way towards the depths of the Underneath.

((To Mogan Mines))

Wednesday, September 27, 2006 - 2:36 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

(FROM:

The Lesser Falcon.)

The journey through Orodor was long and difficult, as Arieo has predicted. The winds were harsh and made flying unpleasant - and sometimes even impossible. Twice were they attacked by Goblins, and once by an extremely vicious Gargoyle. It took the prince and his steed three days of healing before they could continue - three days through which they had to hide in a small cavern, in fear that the regenerated creature will return to kill them once and for all. It didn't.

After eight days in Orodor, Prince Arieo was grateful to Lothia when he could observe the fringes of the Greater Falcon from his high viewpoint.

(TO:	Greater Falcon.)

By Thevelal Truesight, Pax Spiritus Lifebringer (Theve)

Monday, September 3, 2007 - 2:33 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

(FROM:

Highland Hills)

The morning sun was deceiving, Thanin knew, for in this part of the Orodors, early afternoon storms were common, and could erupt with little warning. The dwarf set a careful pace, keeping his eyes open for mountain lions or other creatures that could be found in this region. He was also wary of what could be camaflouged by the brown clumps of sword grass and other vegetation that determinedly clung to the rocky mountain slopes.

Despite his concerns, Thanin made excellent progress until the sun was high overhead, and a thin layer of gray cloud filled the sky. The dwarf chewed his lip, contemplating whether to continue upward or look for shelter. Reason won out this time - Thanin could be impetuous, but he was not suicidal. Within the hour, the dwarf was hunkered down in a narrow overhang, while outside lightning and sheets of rain crashed against the mountainside.

An hour later, Thanin was travelling up a narrow and barely used stone path that wound around the circumference of one of the smaller peaks in the northern reaches of Orodor. The barrel-chested dwarf felt his large lungs stretching to compensate for the thinness of the air as he ascended the mountain. Ignoring the deep precipice only feet away from him, the dwarf made his way slowly and deliberately over lichen-covered stones, closer to his final destination - the Greater Falcon.

Monday, September 3, 2007 - 6:09 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

ooc:GO THANIN GO!! yew can make it!!! Don't fall. :-)

Wednesday, September 5, 2007 - 2:45 am GMT | Edit | Link |

For the next couple of days, Thanin made slow but steady progress as he skirted the eastern face of Mount Morko. The terrain was uneven and the early afternoon rains left the ground slick. For a short time, Thanin found himself descending into a wooded range of low, rounded mountains. Ancient peaks that once had stood as tall as their neighbours, but eons of wind and rain had eroded the softer rock above the hard granite beneath.

The Dwarf remained vigilant, for these lands were full of small caves that bears and other animals often used for dens. He spent a portion of one afternoon circling around a mother bear and her cubs, before finally returning to his intended path.

By the end of the second day, Thanin wound his way westward, angling away from the Mount Eross toward a second pass - a narrow, rock-strewn path where the land rose sharply on either side to a pair of broad-shouldered ridges. The Dwarf made camp in a small fissure of rock, ate a cold meal and went to sleep without a fire.

Ahead of him, the lands were home to goblins, and he could not afford to alert them to his presence. Well, not at night at least, he thought with a grin as sleep came over him.

Friday, September 7, 2007 - 12:14 am GMT | Edit | Link |

Thanin woke early the following morning - a light mist clung to the ground, and the air was still and damp. After a quick breakfast, the Dwarf gathered together his belongings and set out, heading south along a rocky channel through a tall, narrow pass that ran parallel to a snow-fed stream. The ground here was littered with vegetation, and Thanin even saw a few small animals - rabbits and squirrels mostly - skitishly avoid him as he travelled.

As the sun reached its zenith in the sky, Thanin was alerted to the presence of something...sentient...by the smell of smoke on the far side of a thin, sharp ridge of rock. Had his hearing been better, he might also have heard the snarling of a pair of goblins bickering over something.

Thanin approached the arete, he wrung the haft of his warhammer in his stubby hands and grinned. The Dwarf clambered up the ridge of rock and looked down into a small gulley. A pair of goblins were howling at one another, both pulling on something that from this distance could have been a rabbit, but Thanin couldn't tell.

Not that he cared.

"Goblins!" he yelled, and charged down at the pair of them, his warhammer already in midswing as he reached the first of the pair.

Unfortunately, Thanin did not notice the other goblin standing some distance off to his left, away from the other two the Dwarf was currently attacking.

Saturday, September 8, 2007 - 2:33 am GMT | Edit | Link |

The Dwarf's warhammer struck the goblin's chest with a sickening thump that sent the creature through the air to lie sprawled on the ground.

The second goblin's eyes widened as the Dwarf advanced, and started scrambling away. It looked at the dead rabbit it had been fighting over with the other goblin, and threw the rabbit at Thanin. The goblin then got up the nerve to start screaming for help, which is what it got.

Thwuck! Thanin felt something strike the shield that he kept over his back, and swung around to see the goblin loading a second arrow. The Dwarf charged forward at the archer and shouted at it. Though the creature was able to release a second missle, Thanin's roar had unnerved it, and this shot went a little wide of its target.

The Dwarf closed the distance with the archer and swung his warhammer in a wide arc, connecting with the side of the goblin's head. He turned again, looking for the other goblin, but it was gone. He muttered under his breath - the next few days were going to be busy, and he would have to keep his wits about him.

"Stinkin' goblins," he cursed as he kicked at dead creature.

Thanin moved more carefully for the remainder of the day, and continuously probed the mountainous terrain for signs of the goblins, but could not find them. By the end of the day, Thanin was embittered by the fruitlessness of his search.

The Dwarf set up camps in the shelter of a rocky overhang. After a short meal, he lit a fire and laid out his bedroll. Before settling in for the night, however, Thanin left four loose piles of stone along the perimeter of his temporary shelter. The Dwarf stoked the flames of his fire and added an armful of dry wood, enough fuel to keep it burning into the night. He then set his shield and mace out on the ground beside him, closest to the rock wall, and then laid down pretending to sleep.