((OOC: And boom.......a four page post in Word....these things take awhile, especially for slackers like me.
))
Tala and Mingan both retake their seated positions on either side of the entrance, though their heads still remain turned towards the party.
And why do you think this
beast will not overtake you again, vampire? Mingan rumbles, his growling less threatening after Feis explanation. If the culprit lies within you or even outside of you in Eire
could it not take over your vessel again?
It will not, Tamrissa announces loudly, her hand over the amulet. He is very careful and, even in the unlikely chance it should take over him, I have power over it.
She casts a glare at the shadowy cat and then looks determinedly back up at the two stone wolves.
What power, half-sidhe? the shewolf, Tala, narrows her carved eyes.
A bond that can only be broken with death.
Tamrissa, Willem cautions, beginning to see that she might be costing herself much by telling the wolves such things.
She merely continues, unaffected by Willems concern, I offer you that as the only token of truce we can give. Barely a riddle, I am sure it can be solved if need be.
Both wolves breath in sharply, taking in the scent of truth and of fairness coming from her. With that they raise their heads in the beginnings of a howl, cut off by their return to stillness.
Willem frowns from behind her, then glances down at the cat.
Who
Ignore it, Willem. Hes a bothersome wretch, Tamrissa cuts him off and sighs, eyes returning to Fei.
Ah, the sidhe speaks in confusion.
Elise PineHaven steps past them, glancing awkwardly at the cat and then looking up at the howling figures of her villages gate guardians, I-I suppose we can go in now.
The elf looks over her shoulder and then proceeds towards the great stair.
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It had been every elf for himself or herself when the Morchiant released from the shadows. Quiet darknesses, they followed calmly after their prey.
Narion saw the retreating back of one of the bounty hunters ahead while he ran. He motioned to Galildor running parallel from him across the way, letting him know that their original goal was still in their possession.
A scream echoed behind them, cutting the night before the voice itself was banished to a ragged, muffled cry and then silenced. One of his brethren was gone. He couldnt bring himself to look at his brother again, knowing he would take responsibility for the death.
Into the swamps! The cave is overtaken with them! an elvish voice rang from the direction they sprinted towards.
Follow the path, hunters! Narion called in a breathlessly hoarse voice to the two ahead of him. Stay within the glow and do not stop!
He risked a glance at Galildor and found him missing. His fingers clenched around his bow while an ice cold fear drove through his heart, yet he kept pressing on
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The stair ascending so steeply that Tamrissa finds herself pausing at times to focus on not looking down. However, the elven woman ahead of her seems not to have any trouble with the height or lack of handrail, an envious adaptation. Around the elfs bare feet, serpentine lines of light drift across the fraying bark of the grape vine. It is difficult to have perception of the dimensions of the steps without those lights, so it is necessary to keep up with the controller of them.
Above the haze is beginning to fade as they move onward and upward. Finally the shapes of buildings and bridges come into view, the trumpet flowers twining beautifully with the bent and molded branches that deign themselves houses. It is a village, a city, no doubt, but one that has decided its form rather than made to conform.
Up here, the green leaves spring carelessly from any and all branches, even the staircase stretching a few of its broad leaves out to either side. A small breeze flutters them and a hardier one sets their branch and tree bases to swaying.
Oh, Tamrissa remarks unenthusiastically, her fingers splayed as she balances herself with arms out.
Youll get used to it. No more than the rock of a wave most of the time, even during a storm, the elf woman smiles and speaks politely; though there is a cruel amusement to the edge of her mouth as she watches Tam waver.
Not much farther. There is the First House, right at the center, Willem encourages as he points to the largest building straight up from them. If I am correct, we shall be going there first.
The elf, Elise, nods, Yes. The Eldest Mother will wish to greet you before you are dismissed to rest.
As they near the cool glow coming from within the giant tree house, the slithering lights around their feet dash forward to enter the openly welcoming doorway
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Inside the First House, the cool green glow of the light stones lit the room from their carved sconces on the branch-woven walls. A crowd of spectators had come to watch and guard their leader, dressed in their forest armor and unthreatenly armed to the teeth with sword and bow. They remained silent and still while the evidence of their guests' arrival came wriggling in across the floor towards the Eldest Mother...
Marlwas face took on its public aloofness as the green-white snakes of light leapt onto the dais she stood on and flung themselves over her, spinning in blurred circles around her arms and thin body, stirring her clothing with a light breeze. The peacock plumes of her headdress shimmered with the light thrown off of the dizzying lights and the silver-green of her eyes became almost transparent with their brightness.
A daughter of Clan PineHaven delivered her well-awaited guests. The young elf curled her hand to her forehead in a brief gesture of fealty and then stepped aside to stand with her great-uncle, the patriarch of her clan. A representative of each approving clan was present tonight, while the un-approving remained locked away in their huts to await the dawn when the foreboding visitors would be spirited away. Marlwa was at least pleased with that decision. No need to have the place in chaos.
Taren Wllem Ailoki, Heru Varar, she found the golden face of the sidhe lord immediately. Vedui. Mae govannen.
Greetings, Atara of the Agarwaen Clans. Your assistance is greatly appreciated and your hospitality as well, the sidhe kneeled, face lifted but torso bent over his raised knee. Please do not be offended by my choice of words, Atara, my charges are unfamiliar with our common language.
All is well, my lord sidhe, and understood, her eyes slipped over the other two standing before her. They are very special cases. Yes?
She fought the urge to bring a hand to the old scar at her neck, instead bringing her hands together to clasp in front of her as she looked the two over.
So this is he who we fear so greatly and the young woman we would consider a threat? she took a breath and extended her hands in front of her, now speaking to the entirityof those gathered. You see, my kin, what you fear is before you and yet you do not run. Nor do they spill your blood as the prophecy speaks of.
Her eye crinkled with a small smile.
As Tala and Mingan have allowed them to pass and so shall we. Find them suitable rooms and make them comfortable. This Gathering is dismissed.
And with that, she watched them all begin to move towards the doorway. Only Elise and a few of the other more curious and young stayed behind to linger around the vampire they had heard so much of. The rest hurried away from him as quickly as they could without being rude.
Atara, may I adjourn with you to a more private setting? the sidhe asked carefully and quietly, rising from his knee. While this business is finished, there are other matters I would seek your council on.
Granted, my lord, she nodded, a hidden relief at the excuse to leave the room, but her eyes caught the golden-haired womans olive gaze. I would be honored if you would include your young guest in this meeting.
The sidhe looked slightly surprised at that, as did the half-sidhe, but they both stepped forward to await her. Marlwa gave a sideways glance to Elise and then one to Fei Serumen. It took no more than that for the PineHaven girl to realize her task. The Eldest Mother smiled an expression of assurance at the vampire and then turned her head to the sidhes offered hand. She allowed him to help her down from the dais, the smooth purple stones, hanging as gaudy fringe from her silken shawl, clacking lightly together. His hand was warm against the coldness that had crept into her flesh. She was grateful then that he again offered up his arm to escort her. Over her shoulder, she could still feel the presence of the one she had to feign trust towards
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The one they call Atara, Eldest Mother, waits for them upon a dais inside the First House, looking like nothing Tamrissa had suspected. This elf looked like a grandmother, despite her rich clothing. Her skin is tanned and lined with age, mostly the lines of a good-natured spirit. Crows feet at her eyes, laugh lines at her lips.
Her clothing is not overly extravagant, but it is elegantly savage all the same. Peacock feathers spring from her forehead where a headdress rests, the rest of the piece displaying feathery down matching the color of the bluish whorl at the center of each feather. Her earthy brown hair is coifed by a veil of shimmery white silk, much like the material of her shawl. At her neck, a few of the less grand peacock feathers cover her lined throat. Purple button-shaped stones, like those dangling from her shawl, hold the feather to a starched dark sapphire material which clings becomingly to her form from neck to just beneath her breast. Her arms are hidden down to a V where a small patch of material covers the back of her hands to her center knuckle.
The rest of her costume has sheer green looking skirts that flounce to the floor with a sheen that catches the light, but its revealing nature is covered by hundreds of the same overlapping feathers that sit at her brow. Her importance is obvious with the amount of time it must have taken to create such a garment. And the magic of the green-white serpentine lights blurring dizzily around her only increases her splendor. It is hard to concentrate on anything but the elven woman standing in front of them, so it is good that she is the one they came to concentrate on. Yet, something seems a tad amiss with her, despite all her confidence and apartness. Tam listens and watches without expression, trying subtley to pick up on what is the matter with her. There is very little time however
After her short speech, she gives them leave to rest for the night
.or what is left of the night. And a brief beginning of tiredness brought on by the promise of a warm bed is ended abruptly.
I would be honored if you would include your young guest in this meeting.
Tamrissas heart sinks a bit, her heart set on a few hours of sleep. Yet, she steps forward
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Elise was already planning to speak with the vampire before Marlwa had given her signal to. She was unafraid and willing to keep him company. It was not often a vampire was allowed access to enter Lond, especially one with such a reputation. It might be interesting to know his feelings on the matter.
My lord Serumen, would you care to see the rest of the village? I am more than willing to show you around, she dared to reach out and touch his arm. Or do you wish me to take you to the room that has been prepared for you?
She swung out a hand slowly to motion to the doorway and waited for his decision
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Fei.
Tamrissa stops and turns slightly to look back at him. The auburn-haired elven woman has already begun to approach him, but she calls to him when it seems the girl is finished.
Fei, will you be all right?
Marlwa and Willem stop to look back her, the old elfs arm coming away from the sidhes as they both glance over their shoulders. The Atara begins to say something and Willem gives her a small shake of his head. Whether to quiet her invitation to the vampire or to stop her from interrupting the bond between Fei and Tam, it is uncertain...