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“In the packs there should be some spare clothes,” I need you to rip some up into enough bandages to cover all of Kinareth’s burns – long wide, strips.”

Alexx nodded and walked over to the packs trying hard not to cringe when a pain shot through her body. Kneeling down next to the packs she pulled out her hunting knife and sat down dragging out the spare clothes. Holding her knife in her mouth she grabbed the first item of clothing before makeing finding the seams, taking her knife she made a nick in the seams before ripping the shirt to make it flat, using her knife to make another nick she proceded to create the first strip of bandage, repeating this until she had finished.

Walking back over to Laurel she kept the makeshift bandages close to her, they had all been wrapped tightly, "Is he going to be okay?" she asked handing over the bandages.

__________________

Aurasheild

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Blossom

The company of Traders stood on the ridge overlooking the city of Arin. They had ridden without stop for a day and night to reach this place after Berul and his charge had left their group, taking back roads to avoid detection by any of the Mages’ spies. It would be another two days before they reached Arin, distant at the end of the valley, but now at least their destination was in sight.

“We will rest here for the night.” Lamont’s cool, clear voice was little more than a whisper but still carried across with authority. Next to him, Vivian turned and signalled for the Traders to begin setting up camp.

“My Lord. Is it safe for you to rest?” She asked quietly. Though for the last day and night Lamont had retained control of Aia’s body, there had been instances when his hold had begun to falter and Vivian had seen Aia looking through her eyes, terrified. Vivian was concerned that if Lamont stopped to rest, Aia would be able to regain complete control.

“I will be fine.” Lamont did not turn to look her, but continued staring at the sunset.

Vivian opened her mouth to say more, then thought better of it. “Yes, my Lord.”

***

Laurel watched Kinarethsleeping by the firelight, even in dreams his expression haunted by pain. She had just finished changing his dressings and bandages, and though the burns looked a little better they were still oozing blood and pus, and covered most of his body.

It made moving difficult; there was little they could do to move Kinareth while he was unconscious without causing even more damage, and if they didn’t keep him unconscious he would be out of his mind with pain and unable to move.

The rest of the group was frustrated as well – they couldn’t make much headway with their quest, and now they knew both Aia and Skye, the real Skye, were being held captive by the Traders – and taken in two opposite directions. Vahn had already decided to follow Berul and Skye, but the rest of the group were torn between their duties.

At least Laurel had been able to contact Arin and inform about Aia’s apparent kidnap. Though that conversation had been disturbing; resting her forehead against her knees and sighing, Saehenine’s words flowed back into Laurel’s mind.

This is not unexpected, she had said. We had information last year that a faction of the Black Traders was performing strange rituals, and at the same time a young mage was reported missing.

What does this have to do with Aia? Laurel had asked irritably.

Think! Saehenine snapped in return, The missing mage was Aia. She does not appear to have gone with them of their own free will.

What do you think they did to her?

Think.

The Voice … you think they used her as a vessel? To summon a daemon lord?

I do, Saehenine was grim. But her spirit did not completely vacate her body, as was intended. I believe it drove her temporarily insane. Somehow she escaped the Traders though, with the daemon still inside her but dormant – she must then have woken it somehow, but accidentally.

When she drained herself of both magic and energy, Laurel realised, She lost the strength to suppress the daemon.

Awoken it would have gained in strength, feeding off her lifeforce and magic. She has been slowly losing to it, afraid to admit to its presence.

But .. why didn’t she remember?

Saehenine gave a dark laugh. You, a healer, ask me this? The human mind is an extraordinary thing. Aia was traumatised by her experience, so her mind suppressed those memories and invented news ones in their place to retain her sanity.

If you knew of this, why did you let her come on this mission? Laurel asked, angry now.

I wasn’t entirely sure. We only had reports and rumours, no facts. I sensed something within her at Serin, and hoped that by sending her with the heroes it would draw the Traders out.

So you used her.

Yes. Saehenine’s unashamed admission made Laurel burn with anger.

And now?

Now we find her.

How?

The talisman I gave her has a tracking charm weaved into it. I don’t doubt that the Mistress will find it, but not before we know where they are.

Laurel looked up at the fire, trying to suppress the fury building up just by remembering that conversation. This was why she hated the mages – they used people, no respect or care for their lives or protection unless they would benefit the Council.

And poor Aia … Laurel remembered being concerned for the girl, and hearing her talking to herself. Why had she not paid more attention? She must be frightened out of her wits – if that wretched daemon hadn’t wrested control from her.

With a sigh, Laurel looked around at the motley group of ‘heroes’ still sat round the fire – those that weren’t captured, or dead. What in the name of the gods were they going to do?

__________________
Knowledge is power. Power corrupts. Stay in school and learn to be evil.

Child of the Ver'ai - Prologue: Cyrin Dark Dreams - Excerpt
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Alexx looked into the fire, her mind just trying to slowly process the last couple of day's events. They had got so close to finding Skye and Aia, so close but didn't. Her other issue was Kinareths side in all this, she sympathised with the man and wished their was something anythign she could do to help him. Then there was the other issue, the burning pains shooting up through her body, caused by her scars. Wolf nipped her hand to drag her back into the current reality, brining her head up she looked over at Laurel.

Alexx had gained a deep respect for the girl over the past couple of days, she was doing her best to keep the group moral somewhat above nil. Forcing a smile over the pains she spoke, her voice quiet
"Laurel, How's our food situation going? If we need some Wolf and I can go and try to catch something eddible" Alexx cringed slightly as Wolf nudged her back, but cept her eye contact with Laurel.

__________________

Aurasheild

Vigil listened to the crunching under his feet as he made his trek through the overgrown forest, he felt too open at the shore. As he moved through he caught something following him, a large being, white but still concealed from his view completly in the forest. So far it hadn't moved any closer then a few metres and Vigil was hoping he could lose the forest before it changed its mind.

He sighed and placed his hands on his knees, he did not appear to be getting anywhere, the forest itself was too large to see through and it's trees had no low branches to climb. Out of the cornor of his eye, the white beast getting ever so closer, Vigil left his hand linger around the hilt of his sword. If the beast struck, at least he could defend quickly.

"Locked away, sealed from reality." A voice seemed to whisper through the forest. All of a sudden the beast began to snarl and bare it's teeth. It came into the small opening that Vigil was resting in, a pale creature, human like except much more demonic.

"Does she await you? Or what you have within your grasp."

Vigil watched as the beast charged forewards and broke away into the wind with the forest, leaving behind a large green. A small fairy fluttered effortlessly towards Vigil, within seconds he had his sword in front of him, his face stern.

"Dreams can be amazing things. They can give one the power to fly, or to be able to move things with their mind, or both." The fairy flew towards the sun. "Those within the dreamers dream are weak and mortal in this fairy tale world." She too then broke away with the smallest gust of wind.

He yawned and brought his hand to shield his eyes from the over head sun. He slowly scanned the area, he was begining to think he had fallen asleep, but something in this dream like world told him other wise.

A great beam of light spread through the plain like a great wave, closing his eyes for a second he reopened them to see her, standing a little away from him. Her black hair straight and resting beneath her shoulders. Her face unmarked by the recent events from the quest, her clothes a simple dress of changing colours.

Vigil grasped his sword tightly and moved foreward slightly. He waited for her to speak as he was unable to find words to speak.

Karin danced cheerfully foreward, Vigil noted that she had no weapons on her currently so he had one thing up on her.

"Relax." She spoke cheerfully. "I'm not going to fight you yet."

"Yet?" Vigil mimicked. "What do you mean?"

She stopped spinning and fell to the ground, resting on her knees she plucked a nearby flower and began to examine it.

"I want to know who you are first silly." She replied without looking in his direction.

"I'm vigil." He replied looking up at the sun. He was frustrated expecting her to attack at any moment.

Karin blinked as though he had told a lie. She half smiled and left the flower alone as she rose. He turned and faced her, his sword in front of him. Karin simply outstretched a hand and a gust of wind blew towards her.

"Make your move!" She mocked as Vigil shifted uneasily. He charged forewards, as he did he swung his sword which hit harshly off a small window in the air. Almost like a diamond shaped pane of glass hung from the sky.

"Karin. I'm sorry I had to take your body, but I had no other option." He pleaded as he broke through the glass.

A small wound opened up and Karin's palm as the glass faded away. She looked up, a smile remained on her face.

"My hands searched for you, I felt you on my finger tips. But yet you hid away."

She clenched her hand into a fist, and the grass beneath Vigil rapidly grew and wrapped around his feet. She swayed gently in the silence.

"Everylife, deserves a chance," She yawned. "But your nothing more then a figment of my imagination now."

He felt his heart stop, as the grass tightened. His weapon fading into the wind like the people before.

"What!" He roared towards her, still unable to move.

She threw up her hands and began to dance again.

"I could feel you all around me, everyday day since I was a child. For I created you."

Vigil stopped struggling, his gaze on the ground.

"That day, I was crying. I wandered down to those ruins. Those graves," She paused and moved closer to Vigil and placed a hand on his cheek and smiled. "Vigil, nothing more then a lost soul. I stole you and crafted you to look after me."

He face was more puzzled now, as he looked deeply into her eyes. "Over time, I forgot and grew up, overtime you hid those times away. Overtime you haunted me."

A tear rolled down her cheek.

"Can't you remember, what I do." She asked taking her hand away from his cheek. "Our secret place, we created this together when I was a little girl, when I left you must have wandered and simply got lost. But your home now."

Vigil smiled slightly as he began to remember vague images and moments.

"I have remembered, your promise. I believe you now. You won't leave me."

The vines slowly entangled more and more of his body with each word.

"Rest now." She winked. "Your job is done." Vigil smiled and closed his eyes and he faded away and began the grass, the air, the sun, the beauty in this world.

Karin fell to the ground and looked upwards into the sky.

She had forgotten about this land so long ago. She was no more then 4 when she had been charmed by that witch.

"Lost souls, forgotten ones too. Shall find peace within you." It had been so long ago that Karin had long forgotten those words. The witch had made her a last resort for souls lingering in this world. The witch had paved the wave, for Karin's entry into the order. The witch was the first to find peace within this world.

Their own little world, lending whatever power they had to a once weak little girl in return.

__________________
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Foxee

MANO AND VA POOR APPROACHED the fire and Mano dropped a string of fat freshly cleaned Dapple Point river fish, their mottled blue and brown scales catching the flickering light. Mano caught Alexx’s eye, having heard her comment about food. He couldn’t help but be amused by Wolf’s sudden razor-sharp interest in the catch.

“This is a start, anyway,” he said moving to Kinareth’s side to check the young man’s progress. “Has he improved at all?” Mano asked Laurel.

Va Poor squatted by the fire, his face impassive.

Rufus disappeared briefly into the brush, coming back with a large handful of long switches. He handed some to Va Poor and both of them set to work sharpening them to thread the fish onto.

“We can smoke some of these,” Rufus said, indicating the Dapple Points, “preserve them for traveling.”

Mano nodded. “Food is likely to be more scarce as we go. I was worried that the water life may have been polluted by the demon taint that has hurt the land but it doesn’t seem to be the case, at least,” he added, thinking of the rank black creek encountered in their travels, “not this stream.”


SKYE WAS THANKFUL FOR the warmth of the horse and even for the heat of the detestable Berul as they traveled. The snowfall had faded, returning briefly now and again over the last day and the blanket was awkward around her, letting in drafts. She kept it tucked as best she could with her bound hands.

They had stopped for only a few hours in the night. The demon had spoken impatiently to Berul who had sounded querulous. Skye, standing beside the horse, her wrists tied securely to the saddle, didn’t register what was said. She had been given nothing to eat but had at least been able to stretch and, within Berul’s sight, relieve herself.

The snow-heavy gray sky made sunrise a nonevent and the snow began to fall once more, the air thick with small flakes. The small group seemed cursed to wander alone in a deserted Islen.

Skye’s mind drifted over the next hours without conscious thought, her eyes on the curtain of snow ahead.

When a dark figure, cowled, seated horseback, appeared before them as though summoned by a simple magic Skye blinked, unsure at first if he was real.

Vahn! Skye’s back straightened as Berul’s arms tightened, stopping the horse. The demon stood still, too, wary, turning its head to each side, sniffing.

Skye saw the other dark shapes appear, ringing them. The heroes had survived! Her eyes flicked back to the cowled figure, anxious not to lose sight of Vahn for even a moment lest he disappear. Her heart pounded with exhilaration, she would soon be free of Berul, she would…

“You are far from home, travelers,” Skye’s heart froze at the voice that was not Vahn’s. Didn’t belong to any of the heros. It was a challenge.

Now she saw with disappointment the details that she had ignored, the rider was shorter than Vahn, thicker, his horse, likewise was powerful and rugged but several hands shorter than Bard and the two were a medly of browns rather than the Elf’s habitual black.

Still, hope had been awakened. Maybe these people would help her.

“We bring news from the North,” Berul answered the man smoothly.

There was a moment of silence, each side wary.

Skye drew in a breath to call out, ask the strangers for help, when she felt Berul’s lips at her ear and heard the words he whispered.

“I really wouldn’t…there are worse things out here than me…”


THE BEAST FOLLOWED THE SCENT OF MAN to where the two-legs had been by the stream for a long time. It snuffed the scent of fish entrails, recoiling, shaking its head. Nervous, it turned and drove the others back further into the brush.

__________________
If the staff were bent on policing your thoughts there would be nothing but a smoking hole where the debate forum used to be.

Blossom

Distracted as she was, it took Laurel a while to realise Alexx was addressing her. When she finally looked up Mano and Va Poor had already returned to the fireside with a string of gleaming silver fish to supplement there somewhat depleted food supplies.

“This is a start, anyway,” Mano was saying, setting the fish down and moving to Kinareth’s side. He looked down at the bandaged Nenarai, but seeing no obvious changes looked back up at Laurel. “Has he improved at all?”

“The swelling’s beginning to go down,” Laurel replied, getting to her feet, “But he’s lost a lot of blood, and the burns cover most of his body – with regular care and changing of his dressings, it will take weeks if not months to heal properly. And that’s with proper bed rest.”

She sighed. Moving him would likely damage the burns, and prolong his convalescence – so they couldn’t, in good conscience, bring him along. He would be a liability and a burden unless magic was employed to improve his condition. On the other hand, if they arranged for him to be taken back to Arin to heal, they would have lost one more blade.

Glancing away, she saw Rufus and Va Poor were sharpening sticks to thread the fish on to. Mano followed her gaze. “We can smoke some of these,” Rufus was saying, “preserve them for travelling.”

“Food is likely to be more scarce as we go. I was worried that the water life may have been polluted by the demon taint that has hurt the land but it doesn’t seem to be the case, at least,” Mano added “not this stream.”

“A lot of demons need water, just as humans do,” Laurel said, a secretive smile flitting across her lips, as though at some private joke. Then she was serious again. “But we could definitely gain from bulking up our supplies. There’s some salt in the packs that be used as a preservative too. Alexx,” she turned back to dark haired girl, “Hunting might be a good idea.”

__________________
Knowledge is power. Power corrupts. Stay in school and learn to be evil.

Child of the Ver'ai - Prologue: Cyrin Dark Dreams - Excerpt
RPG addict? Visit Chaos Sword

Aurasheild

Staring absently into a small fire, karin had cursed out had She had been thinking about what she had gone through, what she had faced. A peaceful sigh crept over her lips, as she noticed the movement was Laurel talking here and there. Shivering, Karin pulled her fur coat tighter around her. The amber clothing was effective in keeping her warm.

She coughed with a slight pain, her throat was still aching slightly, luckily she had managed to find a remedy in her bag for pain. Her mind still considering her near death experience. She was too uncaring, she acted before she thought and when she did think she didn't think it through.

She frowned, carelessly she drew her sword and studied it. The metal was stained with dried deamon blood. She thrust it foreward in the air as though there was something to stab. It didn't feel right, making the attack, she never flet right knowing how to use it, but she valued how safer it was to have those skills.

Putting her sword away, she gazed once more into the infernal blaze.

"What now?" She whispered, but it fell on deaf ears.

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“But we could definitely gain from bulking up our supplies. There’s some salt in the packs that be used as a preservative too. Alexx,” she turned back to dark haired girl, “Hunting might be a good idea.”

Alexx nodded in agreement standing up slowly she whistled for wolf who stood up at her side and started walking slowly towards the forest, however Alexx hung back, turning back to Laurel,
"How much do you think we'll need?" She asked grabbing her knife out and examining it's edge making sure it was sharp, before she turned her head slightly towards Karin,
"Karin, Do you want to come with?"

__________________

Aurasheild

Sighing Karin once again was thinking about home. She had totally forgot about everyone around her, so Alexx's question caught her off gaurd.

"Karin, Do you want to come with?"

"Huh?" Startled she looked over at Alexx, blushing slightly Karin nodded. "Sure," she smiled and stretched. "Anywhere you'd like to start?"

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Skye watched the brown man carefully as Celtis raked her with a look. Berul’s sibilant warning about worse things than him rang in her ears and she said nothing.

“Is this your wife? Girlfriend maybe? Southern Islen is nice this time of year,” Celtis’s voice was hard and ironic, “perfect for eloping lovebirds.”

He nodded infinitesimally to two of his men who nudged their horses into position at each of Berul’s elbows.

Skye wondered if Berul was sweating now in that fine cloak.

“My fiancée, as you say,” Berul lied with false heartiness, “and we’re expected-“

“And a most unlikely best man,” Celtis interrupted, referring to the demon that stood a small distance away with its arms folded, conveying noncombatant status, “though they are more usual in these parts than in the North.”

Celtis tightened his knees, moving the rugged mountain horse closer and held out one square brown hand, palm up. Skye could feel the ring of horsemen close in tighter around them.

“It is traditional to kiss the bride,” he said, looking into Skye’s eyes, “but I’ll miss the ceremony so may I kiss your hand?”

After some hesitation Skye lifted her bound hands. Celtis’s eyebrows rose and he turned the proferred hand over, raising his index finger slightly.

Berul gave a surprised grunt as he was lifted from the saddle behind her and deposited on the ground.


Half an hour later Berul had told Celtis everything he wanted to know. Even some things Celtis didn’t care about. Skye stood by watching the interrogation, clutching Berul’s cloak around herself, her hands free.

Berul’s eye was swollen and his face bloodied. He had tried showing Celtis he Trader mark on his arm and Celtis had responded with displaying a mark of his own that caused Berul’s eyes to widen.

Now two of Celtis’s men, standing on the backs of their horses easily as circus performers, completed the task of tying Berul to a sturdy tree limb that jutted out twelve feet from the ground. He was tied around the chest, waist, hips, and knees so that he stared straight down at the ground. He was only half-conscious, head hanging.

Berul looked like an incongruous ripe fruit on the barren tree.

“My lady,” Celtis purred and helped Skye onto Berul’s horse, “shall we go?”

Skye was shaken and unsure of herself but she tried not to show it.

“I wish to return to my friends.”

“I’m afraid that will not be possible,” Celtis’s voice was hard, “you will have to come with me.”

“Why? You’ve rescued me and you have my thanks. Why not take me back?”

“Southern Islen is a dangerous place,” Celtis said quite truthfully, avoiding the question, “There was a whole company of Black Traders back that direction. No, your best bet is to stay with me and I’ll help you to your destination.”

“My things…”

“We can supply you all you need.”

…


Berul’s branch bounced gently as the voices receded. He knew it would only be a matter of time before the caress of the cold air on his painful face became a deep bite. His ribs reported the ache of something broken. Skye was gone. The demon had followed the warband. Snow began to collect on Berul's back.

Robbed, beaten, freezing, and helpless, still Berul was entertained by one thought. Skye had no idea what she had just gotten into.

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"Anywhere you'd like to start?"

Alexx looked down at Wolf who seemed to grin, "Seek Wolf" WIth that wolf took off into the forest. Alexx turned her attention to Karin,
"Let's follow"

__________________

Blossom

Saehenine sat opposite Alecin in the library of the Mage Tower. She was leant forward in her chair, elbows resting on her knees and fingers steepled. Her eyes were closed in thought, her perfect stillness making her appear a marble statue. Alecin watched her with some discomfit, eventually looking away.

The library was one of the more lavish rooms in the Tower. The walls were papered in dark red velvet, and the carpet underfoot was soft and thick. Bookcases lined the room, broken up only by a large stone fireplace in the north wall, and large, cushy armchairs were set around a circular, mahogany table for the Council.

Alecin and Saehenine were sat in two of those chairs now; Alecin had given a full report of his conversation with the Fool, and the method he had been told for further contact. Saehenine had responded with a long silence, then had seemed to go into this trance she was in now.

Looking out of the window, he saw the sun was more than halfway down the horizon, the deep orange of its rays staining the underside of the clouds and painting the sky. Saehenine hadn’t moved for at least an hour.

“My apologies.”

Alecin jumped, and turned around. She hadn’t changed position, but Saehenine’s crystalline blue eyes were now open, watching him unblinkingly.

“Saehenine …”

“I was contacted by Laurel,” she explained. “It seems two of their number have been taken by Traders, and one burnt to a near-fatal degree.”

Alecin raised his eyebrows. “What are we to do?”

“We can trace Aia via the necklace I gave her. Skye, I’m afraid, will take a little longer, though it seems the elf, Vahn, is likely to go after her.”

“Aia? Isn’t she the one we thought was taken?”

“Yes. And it seems she’s been taken back.”

There was silence for a long while. The Alecin spoke quietly, “We can’t just sit and watch now. We have to get involved ourselves.”

“Yes. Bring the others here for a meeting of the Council.”

__________________
Knowledge is power. Power corrupts. Stay in school and learn to be evil.

Child of the Ver'ai - Prologue: Cyrin Dark Dreams - Excerpt
RPG addict? Visit Chaos Sword

Foxee

THE BEAST was always alert but she blew out a breath and sucked a larger one in through flared nostrils, stiffening with razor-sharp attention.

Dog-thing scent, big, teeth. Puzzlement entered the small brain...human scent, soothing? Unknown... The beast sidled nervously, driving the others a few steps away, ready for instant flight if need be.

__________________
If the staff were bent on policing your thoughts there would be nothing but a smoking hole where the debate forum used to be.

Aurasheild

Karin nodded with growing excitement. Watching wolf take off with such ease and yet so much power, she wondered how he and Alexx had ever teamed together. They made the perfect team and yet so different. Laurel and the four boys moved about the camp site getting this and that ready.

"Alexx, will we actually have to kill anything or just carry what wolf stumbles upon?" Sh joked.

__________________
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