Ellis

Ellis gave a little chuckle at Hugh saying he can go join Das and compare sizes with him. "Good one,..." He replied. It seemed just for now, that the Ellis from the tavern had returned. His own little happy self. Perhaps it was the wine doing its job. Sadly it only looked like it was. Ellis drank enough alcohol in his day that it would take something much stronger to change his demeanor. He sighed and turned to see that Sana had changed into a odd looking outfit. Artos had woken up and went for a quick bath in the water falls and he was beginning to think he might as well. He looked to his flask and finished his jerky off. While he chewed he closed the flask rather tightly. He went and grabbed his sack that held spare cloths among other things. He made his way down the stairs until he reached the pools. It was weird, despite the poisons from the hezrou which where strong enough vapors to kill a whole city, the water was still pure. Drizzak was smart to make his home here. It was perfect, and out of the way. Abandoned and likely had enough stories on it that no one would come here.

He began to undress and once he was fully in the nude, he scratched his chest and then jumped in. The cold water was so refreshing and as he floated to the surface of the pool he laid himself out. Taking in the cold water. He needed this, this felt good more then anything. He then rose up and began to wash the dirt, grime, and sweat from his body until his skin was nice and clean. He then climbed out and replaced the clean cloths in his sack with the dirty ones. It was of the same design and theme as his last. Nothing special, not like Sana's. Once he was dressed and everything was perfect it he proceeded up the stairs once more. He heard the two, Ellyn and Sana talking about doing something. He didn't quite understand because they talked quietly and he just shrugged and moved to his spot and sat down. Once more using the wall to brace his back against. He closed his eyes and waited. Waited for the moment he would make his move.

Vivian.

Vivian laughed at Sana telling her not to encourage the man. The man almost resembled a drow elf like herself, but he was different and was no son of Lolth. He was a different species. One she never seen before. His eyes were something else though. Rather unique, they were. She felt as if they pulled her in as she stared. She then realized what she was doing and looked away. She decided to find herself a spot and sat down. She watched the two other girls Sana, and Ellyn talk and then looked back to Das. "My name is Vivian by the way. Good to meet you." She said.

Garekk

Garekk stretched and after the talk of eating Das, he was getting rather hungry. Not for elf flesh of course ,but for something else. He sighed and moved to sit some where. "If only there were some wild pigs somewhere... " He said. He wasn't going to ask if he could dig into the groups food supply. They had just meet him. Yes this group was friendly, but it was rude to just take. He hasn't really done anything of importance to earn himself a spot in the party anyways. He sighed and figured once he took them to his make shift home. He would make up for that and craft a few things once he melted down the weapons he found.

Zaphere

The Succubus returned to Eliphas and the others and smiled. "It is done milord, the inquisitor has a direction now to investigate. Now to see what it sparks. "She spoke. Eliphas broke into Malicious Laughter. Everything was working just as he planned. He then looked to Samuel.
"Now you said something about a drow elf and a team who was sent on that mission correct?... I take it they have not returned yet?" He asked.
"No rumors from the grapevine sorry, perhaps they failed to get the phylactery or they destroyed it after learning the secret some how and have not returned yet?" He suggested.
"It's been three days sense they were sent on that quest... give it a little longer. Doubt they destroyed it." Eliphas clarified.
"How do you know for sure?" Samuel asked a brow raised.
"Let's just say me and the Lich have some history and I left a piece of my self with her. I know she is still alive for I sense her...." He leaned back into his throne and stroked his chin. He then looked to the Succubus. "New mission for you Hikari.... change your shape into a adventurer. I don't care what. Go and find this group and spy on them for me." He tossed her a magical mirror. "Report to me of what you see when you can." He ordered.
He then looked to Samuel. "You,... I want you to go find a perch where you can view the guild." He tossed him a mirror as well and a seeing stone. The stone would act as a binoculars. "Every few minutes report to me what you find. I don't expect the inquisitor to act so soon. Perhaps he might call for more inquisitors to come and aid him... well he wont do that until he finds the solid evidence that the guild does do demonic summons. He will leave with his evidence and then likely get back up. He will know that there are too many mages for him to fight alone... might even have the guards involved.... if not. We could get them involved too. This city will be drenched in their blood one way or another. This city will become another black stain on the globe."
"I rather like the city milord... you have never really claimed a fortress yet. Perhaps Zaphere can be the host of your dark castle." Danika spoke. Eliphas perked a brow and looked to her. "And of course a dark lord needs slaves... the fearful people after the destruction of both the guild and the church here. They would easily follow your every demand." She added.
Eliphas smiled his sharp pointy teeth pointing out. "I like how you think, maybe thats why I chose you to be my advisor for this war... so be it. We will turn this hell hole into the first city of The Devour."

Sana couldn’t help but chuckle as she watched Ellyn dash off to grab her harp. The woman was the oddest she had probably ever run across. Flinging herself on perfect strangers to save their lives, have seemingly no issues with the Lich but she sees a naked man and spins around to go the other direction. Her innocence made her quiet the character and even though Sana found her a tad naïve at times she had grown quickly to enjoy Ellyn being around. Ellyn was probably the purest of heart among them, something the group could use about now.

Waiting for Ellyn to return she glanced over at Hugh and sighed wistfully as she found him sitting there puffing away on his pipe. Things had been rough for the last couple of days and she knew they were only going to get worse. What they had been through already was in her mind, nothing but a taste of the horror that awaited them in the future. If it had just been her, if things hadn’t progressed the way they had with Hugh, she wouldn’t give it a second thought. She never wanted to give up this life. She always planned to die on one of her adventures. Death would be a grand adventure. Things were different now though. It wasn’t just herself she had to consider, it was Hugh as well. He had already lost his order, what else had he lost that he hadn’t told her about.

Taking a deep breath she pushed the thought out of her mind and smiled at Ellyn as she returned. “Okay, you..” she started before perking a brow as Artos made his way over to them. Sana couldn’t help but grin and reply to his question of asking what they were up to with a “nothing.” Sounding a bit more chipper and Ellyn like than she had meant to. Looking back over towards Ellyn she winked and then bowed slightly and gestured with her hand for Ellyn to begin. Sanas part in it would come shortly after Ellyn began so she awaited the songstress to start. It seemed fitting, Ellyn was the first one in the group to get everyone to shut up, perhaps she could get the group to cheer up.

Bjoric grumbled under his breath with every step, he was exhausted from the lack of sleep and exertion. His face hurt where Ellyn had smashed her harp into it and he was dripping wet from having to walk through a waterfall with his armor in order to get outside. He dropped his armor with a loud clang next to the cart, he pulled his pack open and grabbed an oil cloth. Sitting against the cart wheel with a sigh of relief he began rubbing down the steel with the cloth, not wanting to risk rust.

Looking up from his work he saw the other were still quite active which irked Bjoric. "How the hell are ye all still up? It's taking every bit o' will I got not to just fall asleep on me armor." Once he saw Ellyn return with that damned harp he groaned. "Oh you've got to be joking."

Once he finished oiling the armor he circled around behind the cart for a little privacy as he changed into dry clothes for sleeping. Laying on his bedroll he hoped he could sleep through whatever the elf had planned.

Ellyn blushed instantly upon seeing Artos, but giggled with Sana anyway. She begun to understand Sana and Artos a little bit more and about other people's mindsets, she wanted to know how everyone else was though with their thoughts about her. Upon hearing what Sana said she decided to get a move-on and started to play with her harp what was written on the scroll in a very excited manner, looking to Sana for her encouragement incase she got some of the notes wrong or missed some completely.

As she kept playing she had a flashback off all her memories emerge in her head, from the start of her life, to the elven bullies and even the girl giving her the harp. Eventually progressing onto now… Her quest, how she got onto it even though everyone deemed her useless at the start, to making everyone sleep with her sleep song, even the little cheeky kiss she gave to Artos. As all these flashbacks started she kept playing as she began to sing her bits and enjoy what was going on…smiling at Artos and Sana, appearing to have lots of fun while at it.

Sana nodded towards Ellyn as she began to play, stepping up next to her slowly she found her eyes drifting shut as they always had in the past when she would get lost in the rhythm of the music; hips began to sway as each note was plucked on the harp. Sana feeling the music building, the hoops and coins on her clothing starting to play a percussion back ground to Ellyns cords as her body began to move more. Hips rolling slowly at first, then faster as her arms and chest began to twist in tandem with her hips.

Her head lowering slightly as her eyes opened, looking towards the ground as it was her time to join into the song itself. Her body still moving as lips parted and song followed. Sanas voice was nothing like Ellyns, it was not pure as crystal or light and airy. It was richer, deeper, certain words rolling over her tongue with a rough finish; sultry.



The music continued, it was joy and desire as Sana and Ellyn wove such drastically different voices and ways together to create an art form. Sana would smile over at her partner in song from time to time, giving her a reassuring wink. She was performing beautifully, truly a bard in every sense of the word.

Sana continued her dance, spinning as her feet glided over the cool sand of the desert night; her body moving like the snake band that hugged her arm. At certain point her eyes locking with Hughs, a look of passion crossing her features, then it was gone as she would look away from him. Reserving that for him alone.

She had fought what she was, being what she was for so long. Now she was beginning to understand that she could still honor where she came from without fear. Embracing it as she danced and sung along side Ellyn. As the song came to an end Sana had made her way over to Hugh, and while she had sung and danced for the entire group, the last line was reserved for Hugh alone.

Das’ bestial eyes seemed fixed for a moment on the soft glow of Hugh’s pipe and he swore he felt the whispers of a miniature fire bedded in the sticky brown leaves of tobacco. He stood entranced for a moment before cocking brow and his smile widened as he turned to Vivian the drow. He was familiar with the type, white hair and smokey skin, although he would argue that Vivian had a certain attractiveness about her that had not fallen unnoticed on the fox. Sana always kept pretty company, Das reasoned in his mind without much actual evidence of memories to back the statement up.

With long casual strides Das entered the more intimate area of the campsite, feeling himself welcomed to do so. He had woken up to continue his journey, or start it, depending on how he looked at it. Although this wasn’t his idea of a journey, he decided that a gentle conversation with attractive passersby wasn’t something he was about to argue against, especially considering how alone parts of his grand adventure tend to get.

With a thud and small poof of sand, Das plopped down next to Vivian, figuring his conversation with Sana as good as over as she started to sing and dance rather than reply to him properly. He shot out a hand and flashed his vulpine smile as he introduced himself, “and I am Das. So do you all vacation in the middle of hell often?”

ALATOR

---

The trek to the middle of nowhere was, to be honest, rather dull. Nothing but the landscape and the ramblings of a half-mad warlock to occupy her attentions. Alator's tongue flickered at the air, coming back to clean her lip of a small dashing of kicked up sand. She blinked twice, once with her eyelids and again with her nictating membrane, as she looked on at the man leading her on this fool's journey. Were it not for the promise of knowledge supposedly forbidden and lost to the unknown, she would have snubbed the fool as soon as he had brushed her arm, but the lure of the unknown was too great. Too much for her not to investigate. Something was definitely amiss, however. It irked her, in the way that he looked back at her as he babbled under his breath. Crazed eyes like that of a frightened animal. She would have her information, or she would leave. She planted her staff on the ground with a loud thump, and spoke in a flat tone.

"We're far from the inquisitive ears of the public. If you've truly something for me to know, tell me now."

She garnered no reply, the man simply stopped in his tracks and gibbered to himself. Like a hyena in the heat. His pacing back and forth through the sand was beginning to eat at her patience. Some warlock he was, a name that held power in the occult circles, held by a man that barely qualified as upright and walking. He laughed to himself, drawing her ire slightly. Was he mocking her? She could feel her frill beginning to rise beneath her hood, moonlight shining off her slick skin. The man wheeled around and spoke, frantically and aggressively.

"I've no knowledge for you, and for that, I apologise... heheheha!"

Alator huffed for a moment, her time had been wasted once more. She would have been mad, had the warlock not turned so suddenly.

"But what I do have... is a KNIFE!"

The silver of the blade shone in the moonlight as he charged with it. The gall. The sheer audacity. It brought her blood to a boil. Her tail twitched slightly as she brought her other hand up to her quarterstaff and in a swift motion, brought it across his face. Where Alator was not strong, her staff was, and when it hit, it hit hard. He tumbled and scrambled, dropping his dagger to leap at her. The conflict stopped in an instant as she pushed her staff into the man's stomach. Hold Person. Efficient. Simple. As the man stood still, like a living statue, Alator waltzed over to him and sighed.

"Why must you common brigands lie and deceive those that are clearly above you on the chain of power?"

Her tail was tracing shapes in the sand, as she deliberated on just what to do with him. An idea struck her, but her face showed nothing but cold bemusement. She took the tome at her waist, undoing the leather strap that secured it to her belt, and flipped through its pages for a moment. A silent moment under the light of the moon, between the lizard and the living statue. Their shadows were dark on the dunes as she looked back up, clapping her book shut.

"Now. I'm not going to harm you, even though your trickery has angered me. But what I will do, is give you a gift. The greatest gift. The gift of a lesson. Of knowledge. And experience."

With a prod of her finger on his forehead, the spell set to work on his body. He shrunk, with a series of sickening cracks and snaps as his bones magically reshaped. Baleful Polymorph. A spell with a wide range of uses. For now, she was content with using it as a teaching implement. As the transformation ceased, the discarded robes of the man who assaulted her shifted to reveal a small bluebird. A pretty thing that she spoke to in a coo as it alighted upon her finger with an angry tweet.

She laughed softly. "Now, you will learn. You will learn not to cross me again, and you will learn the extent of your willpower. Wonderful, is it not?" She said, laughing once more. "Take flight and head," She pointed out toward the horizon with her staff, "That way. Seek out one near as gifted as I, as you can. I am sure they will be able to turn you back. If not, then I will do it myself. The only problem is..." The yawning void of the land stretched out before them, and she smiled her fanged grin. "I will be following. And if you fall, or if you falter?"

She leaned in, giggling as she spoke candidly to the small bluebird.

"I will vaporise you. Now fly, and get used to those wings quickly now~."

She allowed herself another sensible chuckle as the bird took wing clumsily, rolling and tumbling in the breeze before straightening out. It flew shakily, but it flew in the direction she pointed, as she followed along on foot. Straight toward a certain group of mismatched adventurers, having just been left by a most peculiar Goblin.

Fleeting memories of times long gone by danced through Hugh's thoughts. Some bad and some good, all reflecting on a moment similar to this, with much different character. He focused on Sana as she sang and danced her colorful act out. The spark in her eyes excited him. His mind kept wandering with thoughts of her as he seemed to keep falling in love over and over again.

The allure of her beauty could only be dampened as his thoughts suddenly flooded him with memories of his family. He hadn't felt this for awhile, and his face faded to look a slight bit distressed for the moment. His eyes showed a sudden look of worry as the images of horror came back for an instant. A flash of fires, screaming, and terror distressed his peaceful demeanor. He winced as the flash of the blood spilled all over the ground came back. He remembered how it seemed like so much blood.

He remembered having it all over his hands and clothes, unable to wash it out. How he had just stripped down to his undergarments and threw his bloody clothes on the fires, leaving his family to be made into ashes. His expression finally came back as he realized the present. He felt healing again, remembering all the good he had there with him. He felt his mood begin to heal again, as his thoughts suddenly redirected to the mesmerizing image of Sana dancing and singing in front of him.

Her eyes recaptured his attention as the hurt quickly faded away. He felt heightened arousal as she danced in front of him. He breathed in a deep breath, exhaling slowly as he took the sight in. He felt his mind begin to heal again. It was such a process, as the hurt would come and require healing again, but it would always heal again. This time it was feeling more permanent.

When the song finally finished and Sana took her leave from her partner, the last words of the song seemed to etch themselves into Hugh's mind. They would leave a permanent memory, that would bring him back to that eternally happy moment of healing. As Sana came over to Hugh, he set himself down on the edge of the wagon, making room for her. He sat very widely, with his legs far apart. He still managed to leave a good area for Sana to be beside him. He looked into her eyes, his own filled with happiness and satisfaction. He felt the desire to be with her, to feel her, taking over his mind.

Thoughts of intimacy played through his mind. His heart beat quicker with excitement at her appearance. Finally, he reached out a hand towards her, to receive her, with his arm outstretched for her to welcome herself into his embrace.

Sana smiled gently towards Hugh as she stepped closer to him, watching him closely as he extended his hand to her, resting her own gently in his as she stepped to the side of him. She had watched his reactions during the song and they seemed to vary greatly throughout the entire thing and it had her slightly concerned. Brushing the thought from her mind she figured if he wanted to discuss it with her he would. She doubted he would hide anything, at least she hoped he wouldn't.

Stepping up onto the wagon she began to rummage through the supplies and gathered a few things. Coming up behind Hugh, she draped her arms around him and handed him some dried meats and a water skin. "Eat," she whispered against his ear, her lips lightly brushing against his skin. "You'll need your strength." Pulling away she went back into the wagon, coming out and stepping down with an arm full of various meats, vegetables, fruits and water skins.

Making her way around the group she made sure to drop some off for each person whether they had eaten or not. Coming up to Das and Vivian she smirked slightly. "I remember something about the use of a darkness spell," she said towards Vivian before laughing and darting off towards Garrek. "Thanks for having Hughs back in the fight," she said as she handed him some food. Walking over to Bjoric she wasn't sure if he was asleep or not, so she left the food and water skin next to him before quietly walking away. As she reached Ellyn, she gave her enough for both her and Atros. "Go offer him some food," she said with a wink before walking over to Ellis. "You've got a lot going on, make sure you get enough," she said as she handed him some before finishing her self appointed round.

She only had a little left when she was finished before heading over to Hughs steed Rodger. Feeding him some vegetables and a couple of apples while she ran her free hand through his mane. "Come on boy, eat up, gonna be a long day tomorrow," she said before she smiled over at Hugh. She wanted time with him but time wasn't something they had a lot of right then. The hour was late, the days had been long, they needed rest.

Walking over to the bedrolls she blushed slightly at remembering certain comments about her and Hugh sharing one. Taking a deep breath she tossed down the one she had picked up and muttered "fuck it," under her breath before sauntering over to where Hugh had dropped his fur and picked it up. Shaking it out quickly before she spread it out on the sand. Turning she looked over go Hugh and gave him a sultry smile before kneeling down and laying out on his fur; giving it a slight pat of her hand before gesturing for him to join her.

Ellis

Ellis watched as the song and dance erupted from Ellyn and Sana. Look at how beautiful they look and happy. They did not need to face the horrors that likely awaited them in Zaphere. He looked through his pack and found some paper and a pen. He began to write as the song played through. This would be a perfect moment to leave. However, the song and dance stopped and he looked up to observe. He saw Sana handing out food and water to everyone and he quickly hid the paper before she could reach him. He accepted the offering. "Thank you, I can use some water to help me sober up." He said as she left him. He smiled as he saw what happened next. Taking up my advice after all Sana? He then looked to the others. Everyone was off in their own little world. Discussing, eating, or sleeping. Each person had a partner to share in the moment. Everyone but him. He returned to the paper and finished what he wrote and placed it on his sack. He stuck it there with a needle. He then removed from his sack a pouch which he put the dried meat in and then took up the water skin. Not everyone was asleep. He would need more help then this to get away from them. ' I am ready, but not everyone is asleep. Perhaps you can help me?' He said into his mind.

Ceris responded with a spell. A green veil seemed to pour down and around Ellis as a spell of invisibility took its form making him invisible. He did not wait at all for this window would not last long. He began to move away, walking as much as he could as to not divert eyes. [color=white][i]'Thank you'[/color] He added. Thanking Ceris for her help. He knew she was exhausted and yet she still managed to give him a hand.

'Anything for you my little friend' She responded.

Once they were far enough from the group and the dust kicked up. He could see something moving towards him. It was white and rather large. Then again most things looked large to him. It started to look like a horse and as he got closer he saw wings and a horn. A horned Pegasus? He thought and as he got closer he heard its voice.

"Finally we meet little one, I can not show you my true form but this will have to suffice. I am Corellan Lorethian." The Pegasus spoke. The great symbol of the god of the elves. Corellan Lorethian. He was strikingly pleasant to the eyes with his white body and wings and strikingly blue eyes. Corellan lowered his body to the ground and with a gesture of his head offered the halfling a ride. A offer that has not been given often to anyone in the mortal realm. Ellis looked behind him to make sure no one had followed. He then ran up and climbed quickly up the stead's back and it rose up. "Hang on my friend, wouldn't want you to drop. Your friends would never forgive me. " Ellis held on to his mane and nodded. "I am ready" He replied and then the wings unfolded spreading out and then the Pegasus galloped and flapped the sound of the noise as unavoidably noticeable. If anyone looked in the direction they may even spot the halfling on the back of a winged horse.

On his pack was the note and it read as followed.

"Don't follow, in three days, meet me at the Oasis. I will be waiting. I have things I need to do before I get to Zaphere. Don't worry about me Sana, Ellyn. I am in the warm hands of Corellan Lorethian as you no likely would have seen. He offered to help me and Ceris and I took up his offer. Again do not follow me, three days we will meet again. At the place where our friendship started."
Your friend
Ellis

Vivian
Vivian had to smile at the question popped into her head courteously of Das. She looked to him. " If only you knew what we had just went through, we could use all the vacation we need even if it is at hell's doorstep" If she only knew how true her words were. It was here that the Devour started his take over long ago. She looked to him and then back to Sana. "So you two were never a... 'thing'?" She asked him rather quizically. She had no right to ask such a personal question ,but she felt she wanted to. She kept looking to the two Ellyn and Sana as they danced rather rythmatic and then when it ended Sana had brought them food. She took a swig of the water and looked to Das. "To new friendships" she said. Raising the water skin in the air before she took another drink. It was tempting to use her darkness spell right now..... but she would save it for a worthy moment. She would not force herself onto Das. Not now, not at this moment when they just meet. Love did not work the same way with her as it did with Sana and Hugh. Then the sound of a horse and wings broke her attention and she looked. She could see a small figure on its back and she looked to the sack and then let her back hit the wall and looked to the stars. What are you doing you idiot....

Garekk
Garekk nodded accepting the gift Sana gave to him. As long as they offered it he would accept it. He took the dried meat and instantly stuffed it in his mouth and began chewing with his mouth opened. Words spurting out. "Thanks" was all he gave. He then took a drink of the water skin to help wash some of it down. He was a orc so table manners where kinda absent in his approach to eating. He only stopped to look to the odd sound of large wings flapping and sound of a horse. He looked to see it... a Pegasus with a halfling on its back... how nice. Wait halfling?... He looked to where Ellis was and he was gone with a note on the sack as well. He sighed. He sure likes getting into trouble don't he.

As she finished she smiled at Artos and hugged him slightly and smiled, she didn't know why she was hugging him but she just enjoyed the little embrace she gave him. In the meantime she saw Sana go off with Hugh and smiled softly. Now that the little performance of theirs is done she decided to finally relax and sat at her own little spot, but before that she was confronted by Sana once more. Giving her some provisions and Artos’s provisions, confused as to why she winked and walked off in the way she did.

She walked over to Artos and lent him his half of the provisions and smiled softly, walking away from him and went back to her own little spot to eat hers. She didn't need to sit near anyone to eat since everyone else seemed to be busy doing their own little thing, but she knew that soon everyone will fall asleep and she will be able to finally relax and immerse herself in the pool, being the type of girl that wanted to have a little bath and wash her dress in privacy.

Finally, with her thirst quenched she finally saw the scene, a graceful horse carrying a halfling and she instantly knew who it was. She got scared slightly ‘Ellis… please come back soon...’ She looked down and instantly feared for his life.

She couldn’t take it anymore. She got up and walked over to the pool in a graceful-like manner, finally taking off all her clothes and immersed herself in the water. It was great and so relaxing ‘Hopefully nobody is watching’ She said quietly to herself as she dipped her head into the water, rubbing her hair and getting back up ‘aaahhh!’

Rubbing her face she got out the pool and got on her under dress and grabbed her shorts and dipped them into the pool. Washing that first before laying it on a nearby rock to dry, she then dipped her dress in, washing it as much as possible… which was a very difficult task due to the dress’ actual design and the long sleeves didn’t help whatsoever, however she managed to dry it and layed it on another nearby rock, she then facepalmed herself;

‘oh god I am so stupid... how am I going to get back in my under dress! everyone will see me and I will feel SO embarrassed...’ she sighed to herself as she noticed her own mistake and just sat down, hoping nobody will notice her anyway.

Das almost laughed at the question. However, as it sank in he wondered, did he? He couldn’t rightfully remember if he were to be honest. His eyes turned focused rather than gleeful as he pondered for a moment. He shook his head and with a wide smile he answered, “If her and I were a thing, she should be ashamed of herself, because I never knew.”

With a vigorous and borderline gluttonous bite he ripped his teeth into the thick dried meat, doing his best to hide his rather casual eating habits from his company. He turned to face away, not out of any form of shame or embarrassment, but rather a sensual prick of compassion. With a gulp of the dry meats he watched a small figure fly away on a horse. He nodded in approval as he turned back to Vivian, “you don’t normally see such displays outside of Arnessia.”

His amber eyes flickered over Vivian for a moment and he narrowed his eyes in teasing suspicion, “you also don’t normally see pretty girls running through the desert. What’s the catch, the big deal, the golden apple, and more importantly, what am I missing out on?”

Tagged; Ellyn, Sana

Before the performance, Artos had managed to wash his cloak and he placed it on a rock to dry.
The performance itself was rather pleasant, it brought back more warm memories of Artos' youth. His face showing an ever rare, and legitimate smile as the music played. The whole performance was good, well done actually. Looking around, most of the people also have an unconscious smile decorating their face. Even Artos himself didn't know he had a smile strewn across his face, it was a surprise. The fatigue was also lifting, maybe due to the song, or due to rest, either-way, Artos was glad that the fatigue was washing away.

After the performance was over with, Ellyn came up to him with a soft smile and gave him a hug, for some unbeknownst reason he just stood there again in awe and wonder. Propping himself down behind a wall, Ellyn came again and handed him a portion of a meal that Sana was handing out, he accepted with a "Thanks." before eating slowly and minding his manners, mouth closed while chewing and the like. Taking a small bite of his meal, and then gulping it down with water from the waterskin, he looked up to reminisce about how his life was after his parents death, how is Uncle was caring to the fault. He was melancholicly thinking about such things until he felt Magic being weaved somewhere close, and before he knew it, a Pegasus flew by, wings flapping against the serene and silent night. There was a small figure bestrode on it's back, Artos narrowed his eyes but thought that Ellis might have had his reasons for it.

He soon finished his meal and a short prayer offered he glanced at his necklace, it shone red under the dim light of the night. I feel Magic protruding off this, worth a try he thought, the red necklace in his hand. "Identify." he chanted, his eyes glowing a slightly darker hue of red. The necklace apparently contained 'Mage Armour', and his eyebrow raising in curiousity, "Interesting, I have read of Mage Armour before." he said to himself. Releasing his grip from the necklace, he got his enchanting tome out, glancing at the new 'book' he attained that he would most likely read later on. He began reading, and before he knew it, it was lights out for most people. Artos decided that he should stretch his legs, walking by the pool he was still reading while walking, noticing a dejected Ellyn, he promptly walked by and placed his cloak on her before turning around and walking away, looking back once and nodding his head before turning back, his armor clinking against the floor.

Vivian

Vivian tilted her head and smiled. So, Sana's friend wanted to join them. It would be best to let him know what he was getting himself into. She did appreciate his compliment. She did start it though with her comment earlier. "Well we came here under a mission from a mage to get a Lich's phylactery. To which we were not told at the time was told it was a chalice. We came here fought a group of gnolls on the way, and inside we were greeted by the lich and her undead minions. The little guy that you just saw take off on the flying horse. He was possessed by the lich's spirit. We have cone to the conclusion we were likely not going to get payed either." She explained. Now if he wanted to know more about that would have to wait.... Or not if he asked her nicely. "There is our story..."

Garrek

It did not take long before Garekk was passed out from the eating and water. No bed roll, no blanket just flat out asleep in the sand.

Ellis

Ellis was beginning to wonder if this was a bad idea. Corellan wasn't slowing down and he feared he would fall. Then he felt the fast decent of the pegasus until its hooves touched the ground. What he saw, after his vision returned to normal He was not used to those speeds, was a paradise valley. He saw green grass, trees with fruit, water with fish. Beside one such pool of water though, was a body. As he stepped closer he saw it was Ceris's body. Her original body. He looked to Corellan and rose a brow. "Why are you helping us?... You know she is a lich right?" He asked him.
"Not by choice,... Ceris was to be a priestess of mine. The future she could have had would have been beautiful. Eliphas destroyed that future and ripped it from her." Corellian responded. "I dont take such actions lightly, i have been planning on repaying him for such insolence. Then you came along and helped her. Decided now would be better then never." He then gestured to the body. "Lay down beside it... I will perform a ritual that will return her soul to it from your body and seal it in place." The elf god explained. Ellis gulped and walked closer to it. He kept moving until he was beside it. Then laid down. He closed his eyes and let himself drift into a sleep.
Corellan left the form of the pegasus and into that of a very tall elf. The elf was dressed in white garments trimmed in gold. He moved to them and with a flick of his wrist he created a pitcher and placed it in the pool and then raised it. He then blessed the water with his holy light. Then proceeded to pour it over their bodies. The water made a yellow light shine of off them as they glowed.

Zaphere

Samuel sat on the roof top wondering when the damned Inquisitor would get to the guild. Was he already bringing a force with him to crush the guild?... That would be rather exciting.

Hikari the succubi travelled through the sands on her wings. With the cover of night. She felt it was okay. Then she saw it. A winged horse take flight. She decided to dismiss joining the party and follow it. It was fast though. Real fast. She would have lost them completely if not for seeing the oasis in the distance. She flew to it and what she saw was a grand ritual take place.

Spending the majority of the morning hours studying though seemingly endless amounts of text, Sergei own drive towards his goal has pushed him through his body's draining limitations. He was dreadfully tired as his eyes burned in feeble attempts remain open and focused and his mind drifted in and out, conflicted with mixed desires. The Monastery archive attendants had supplied him with sting caffeine induced tea on his orders so he would actively override the temptations of rest, despite their caring protests given a man of his age. Then again it was hard enough talking down a determined Inquisitor due to their zealous-lie devotion and duty.

The Zaphere monastery library was not overly impressive unlike other monasteries located in much massive and wealthier cities, it did provide enough information for Sergei to utilize. However each book and tome had often referred to another volume of the series that contained further information just before labeling another reference. An annoying procedure by far but Sergei had to push through the literature nonsense as he tip of his investigation was drawing near. The evidence pertaining to the lich's phylactery and the paralleling facts needed to connect, at lest just enough so he would have the means of officially questioning the Mage's Guild.

Awhile longer after studying enough text, Sergei was soon lead into what he was looking for. The next volume itself was a detailed record of cursed items and the accounts of their practical uses in the art of magic, regardless of the purpose whether it be for common good or the selfish evil. The Inquisitor's frown curved, feeling somewhat naive that his objective was this very volume all a long. But the previous source material tied in with the contents that backed up the origins of such relics and the beings that maintained them, even born from them. Sergei gave the volume the benefit of the doubt and allowed it to humor him.

One chapter was exclusively dedicated to the lich's phylactery, detailing its purposes and uses. As the book described and cross referencing it with Sergei's own knowledge, a lich's phylactery is created usually with the sole purpose of guaranteeing a lich's existence, even when slain. The lich's phylactery itself stores the fiend's soul, creating a return point to where the physical body of the lich is reformed, utilizing almost any nearby organic resource if claimable through the reconstruction process. A list of text confirmed though rather thorough report on verified lich resurrections, some awfully gruesome in their descriptions.

Eventually the chapter covered what he was looking for with the section illustrating the phylactery as more of a feasible power source. Given a lich's rather massive well of magical power, it was theorized and apparently confirmed that its use to fueling an array of powerful spells, incantations, and even summoning rituals. The wretch's soul would literally become the battery of a near limitless dark potential, utilizing the negative energy and aura of the lich to influence the intensity of spell casting to a high degree, giving rise to a much more formidable variation of the spell. The early observation of it initial use had detailed an attempted demon summoning ritual using a captures lich's phylactery to magnified negative harmonics of the ritual, leading into the summoning of a Greater Balor that soon killed the cultists too foolish to contain its power. A detachment of Paladins and Clerics dealt with the demon only after losing three quarters of their original man power.

Sergei was taken back, astonished and horrified of such heinous applications; and the Mages Guild wanted this thing? For what unholy purpose? He then remembered the poor guard's dying voice, mentioning a Hellhound as his attacker, a monster of notable power and ferocity as well that was no simple task for a minor experienced summoner. The dots then began to connect with this new piece of information now present and made aware to him. The Mages Guild in Zaphere has had troublesome knowledge and experiences with the dark artes in the past that the Order on numerous occasions demanded the guild to cease all activities pertaining to the heretical field to the boiling point where the Order would no longer suffer further mishaps anymore from the guild.

Now that the Mages Guild was planning something with a lich's phylactery that likely involved demon summoning and demonic possessions, it was clear that the Guild had drawn the final straw that made up the Order's now depleted tolerance. With the accounts of heretical activities and the murder of town guardsman currently weighing heavily against the Guild, it was now time to expel such foul corruption from this city before it spreads and harms the local populace. A purge was now in order, and the Inquisitor was going see it through, ignited by his hands and the righteous follows of the Order at his beaconed call.

==========

Convincing the Bishop about the coming interrogation raid was simple enough; most of the Order personnel were understandably shocked about the evidence Sergei had laid on the table before them. With recent events and the Guild's intentions ever present, action had to be taken and the Inquisitor received the full support he required. With the local guardsman still affected by the loss of their own, a large squad had joined in on orders from the city officials once the reports of the slayings reached them; they had their personal reason now to get involved.

Exiting the monastery's main gates came the Inquisitor with a small legion of holy warriors, devoted to fighting and exterminating evil coming up on the rear. Surrounding the holy force was a boxed formation of Paladins, their shields facing the outside of the formation to dissuade others from getting close and their swords drawn to punish those who get the picture. Within the armored wall was a collection of Clerics and Witch Hunters whose specialties where to the support of their brethren and the cleaving of anyone foolish enough to face them. The sudden show of force gave surprise to the populace as they hurried themselves out of the way as the Inquisitor pushed through, leading his assembled force toward their goal.

The city streets near the Mages Guild had since been cleared out by the Zaphere guardsman, leaving some civilians and even few magicians outside of the confused and worried, even for the mages that were barricade didn't know what to make of the of the town soldiers surrounding them. Some took to cautious arms, observing and ready to defend if necessary. That was before Sergei stepped into the scene with Paladins and few Witch Hunters moving in past him, enforcing the perimeter and containing the mages outside. Some that struggled against them were quickly subdued, raising further concern to the observing crowd. A number of the Order Clerics positioned themselves near their allies, readying to provide magic based support should any of the outside mages got out of hand.

So far the mages have been caught completely by surprise by the unison of the town guard and the Order working against them. Sergei could see some of the mages and staff inside looking out the through the guild's windows and portholes, faces of distress and anger being the more common to peer out at him. Intuition spoke to the Inquisitor that some of the mages may not part of or even aware with the guild's hierarchy and briefly pitied them for being involved with something that may turn violent. While his gaze was set on the guild's mansion-sized structure, something possibly caught the corner of his eye, causing him to naturally tilt his head to investigate. The Inquisitor found himself staring at the rooftop of a nearby tower over looking scene. Nothing about it seemed odd or suspicious; he though he saw someone up staring at him but then again, some of the other building contained residences eyeing over the developing situation. Sergei gave it little thought and approached the guild's entrance.

"Its locked on the inside." said a female Witch Hunter who had been investigating the doors with a team of large shielded Clerics beside her and a compliment of Paladins and official guardsman on either side as a breach force.

"Open it." the Inquisitor simply ordered.

So much for the easy way...

Upon his command, the two Clerics began to cast their spells, channeling the magical energies through to the base of their shields, the build-up of power expanded and blew down the doors, scattering dust inwards. The Paladins quickly rushed in and restrained the mages whom were nearly knocked out or dazed. It was then someone in the room casted a cold-based spell, frosting over the wooden floor in a thick layer of ice before mutating, shooting sharp stalagmites of frozen water particles into the air. The two Clerics from before intervened with their own fire magic.

A battle had erupted inside the guild between the Order and the mages, causing the outside guards to scatter the civilian populace now that things had heated up. Sergei on the other hand pushed through the exploding havoc by himself, neutralizing any magic user that got in his way with relative ease. He had a mandate to follow through with; having a little chit-chat with whoever organised the quest for a lich's phylactery. If that meant burning half the Guild down, so be it.

Ellyn felt the cloak placed on her back and cuddled into it softly, before standing up in a quick manner and ran to him… Finally hugging him from behind, her blush was present once again and she didn’t want to let him go, in fact she wanted to stay with him wherever he went because she actually felt the need to… she felt the warmth increasingly building and decided to ask him finally.

‘Artos...’ Ellyn whispered softly to him ‘Why do I feel like I want to stay with you…? why do I feel warm inside just talking to you…?’ as Ellyn was asking all these questions she finally felt excitement burst out inside her and finally reached his hands to hold them with hers ‘I don’t understand any of this Artos… why do I keep thinking about you?’

Why she asked this, she didn't know… She just thought it was the right time to ask since everyone was going to sleep and knew nobody would be disturbing them, she also knew that this was one of the times where Artos is alone… Not being pestered by the others, he was just relaxing and knew she wouldn't disturb him that much.

Tagged; Ellyn

Walking away he felt something hug him from behind, Ellyn clutched him fom behind, face as red as his necklace and redder than his crimson eyes. With a confused chuckle, he looked at her with an addled face, Artos himself didn't know why he felt this way, all he knew was that he somehow felt connected to her and wanted to keep her safe. Perhaps it was because she resembled a childhood friend or something else, he didn't know.

"I myself, do not know." he slowly replied, feeling his hands, his fingers becoming intertwined with hers, a light blush appearing on his face. The night being silent and serene, the water even being silent, Artos sucked up his fear and pressed his lips against hers. Her soft lips was bewitching, he placed his fingers beneath her chin and released his lips, panting slightly "S-Sorry about that, I don't know what came over me." he stuttered, walking away, hiding his face between his gauntlets.

Ellyn closed her eyes the moment he kissed her softly, even though she was taken by surprise, but now she understood why. She understood what these feelings were… She was in love… She was in love with him, that will also be the reason why she wants to be with him all the time...

Her blush showing more when she felt his fingers go underneath her delicate chin; he pulled back from the kiss, noticing he felt bad for what he done she wanted to comfort him, but before she was able to he apologised and walked off. But of course Ellyn thought she did something wrong so she sighed and followed him up, finally holding onto his arm… She didn’t want to stop spending time with him, in hopes she wasn’t bothering him she cuddled into his arm and simply said; ‘n-no… I should be the one that is sorry, I shouldn’t have fallen in love with you...I think that is what it is called anyway...’

She gulped slightly, not knowing what he would say next, or what he would do… All these questions of concern simply started to attack her brain; what if he wanted her to get lost?? what if he wanted some alone time to think things over?? what if he wasn’t meant to do that and was just lost in the moment?? in the end she felt like she was only going to get rejected and so waited to hear them dreadful words from his mouth.

Hugh squeezed affectionately at Sana's hand as she placed it in his. He received her sitting next to him, giving off a happy smile to her. He enjoyed the warm touch of her hand in his, even feeling a bit of warmth in the pit of his stomach. He was perplexed when she got up and left his side, the sound of rustling and moving of items coming from behind his view. She returned, draping her arms around him, and handing him some dried goods for consumption. He gladly partook, savoring the feeling of her whisper in his ear.

He felt a little boyish neediness come over him as she left him, going from person to person of their party and handing off consumables. His eyes followed her, the expression on his face rather pleasant and content. He seemed tired and ready to rest. He was certain he would be feeling very sore in the morning from the destruction. He began to nibble at the food his was given, finishing bits and pieces at a time. Before he finished he saw Sana, again, as she nabbed his bear fur.

He was slightly confused at first, wondering what use she had with it, but that confusion faded rather quickly. His face turned rather contented as he stood up, following Sana's beckoning. He felt some excitement, as his heart beat a little faster. His head seemed to dance with fantasies all revolving around this one woman.

He came up to her, sitting himself down and bringing her into his embrace, nuzzling his forehead against hers. He breathed in, as if to fully take her presence in to keep this moment in his memory forever. He brought her close to him, and held her tightly, not about to let go for anything. He looked her in the eyes and said "Mine" as if to hear the sound of it once again.

Sana smiled as she watched Hugh approach her from his place on the wagon, sitting up as he came near and pulling her knees to her chest, arms wrapping around them. Gazing up at him she couldn’t but be impressed by him. When they had met she had thought him an imposing figure but he had shown many times that he was pretty much just a kind heart, a big teddy bear. That was until he was crossed and then all that faded away and showed how deadly he could truly be. The wrath he could unleash never seemed to last long, always slipping back into that softness that was hidden under the surface. All of that combined with the horrors he had told her he had faced and what she had picked up from various conversations she had overheard between him and others just added to the respect that she had formed for him. That he could endure so much and still be kind beneath it all. She doubted he would ever do anything to hurt her or hide anything from her.

Coming over to her and sitting down she perked a brow and then smirked as he pulled her from her spot and into his embrace. He seemed to move her effortlessly. Her arms draping over his shoulders as he did and sighing slightly as he pressed his forehead to hers; biting her bottom lip slightly as he held her tight and quivering lightly as she heard him say mine. Letting her fingers dance over the back of his neck lightly she simply nodded and returned the sentiment. “Mine,” she whispered before letting her lips brush against his with a feathers touch. The urge to deepen the kiss was broken as she heard the sound of wing beats in the distance and she pulled back, turning her head in the direction of the sound.

Rising from her place in Hughs lap her eyes widened slightly to what she was seeing. “Ellis?” she muttered before looking around and taking note that the little one was gone. Groaning inwardly she walked over and read the note that he had left behind grimaced some. She hoped he was doing the right thing but she still had doubts. She did not know the Gods, she hadn’t trusted the Lich. Something pulled at her in the pit of her stomach that something wasn’t right. Was it Ellis or something more? She guessed she would just have to wait and see. Placing the note back down she hoped at least some of her concerns would be answered at the Oasis in three days. One thing in the note stood out to her. He had mentioned Ellyn and herself in the note individually but no one else was singled out. Was there meaning behind that?

Shaking the thought out of her head she walked back over to Hugh and curled up in his lap, letting her legs drape over one of his thighs as she leaned against him; her head tucked under his chin as she began to explain what was in the letter. Her hand rested on his chest as she spoke, fingers finding their way under the collar of his top and brushing his skin. “I guess we move out in the morning and head back to the Oasis,” she said before tilting her head back and looking up to him. “But that’s tomorrow, tonight we rest,” she said; her arm slinking up around his shoulder and pulling herself closer to him, kissing him softly as she let out a content sigh.

Leaning back she slipped from his lap, lying back down on the fur and running her fingers over his knee; small circles tracing it slowly as her free hand rested over her midsection. As much as she wanted a more intimate moment with him, they were still in the presence of others and they had not had a good rest in far too many days. She was not disappointed though, at least this evening she wouldn’t sleep sitting up in a wagon or alone on a bedroll, but next to him, in his arms she hoped; curled up against him.