War: In the Valley of Peace

The hailstorm ends just as suddenly as it had started.  Within moments the sky is clear and even the huge white icy stones on the ground have vanished completely, leaving behind a shocked and surprised group. 

They quickly recover and realizing that it was just an illusion they spring into action.

Sindel annoyed that the dome of light has blocked her direct path, charges around the dome of light hoping to help Gwydeon and stop that wizard before he can do any more damage.

Gwydeon, finding himself alone on the front line, plunges his swords into the ground before him. 

“Gotta go with the classics.” He lifts his arms until they are about chest level and brings them together in front of him with a mighty clash!

The two silver bracers on his arms come alive with all the colors of the rainbow!  His arms disappear in a growing aura of swirling colors and an instant later the multicolored aura explodes outward arcing into the sky above one of the charging creatures.

At the same moment the rainbow of light blasts outward, the creature launches itself into the sky with a massive leap.  It leaps up into and breaks though the rainbow, roaring in pain, even though there seem to be no physical injuries!  Nearly blind the creatures legs and wings flail wildly in the air as it reaches the peak of its jump about twenty feet above Gwydeon’s head!

Even though the rainbow did no apparent damage to the creature, it seems to be in trouble as it comes down heading straight for the dome of light still flailing wildly almost as if it couldn’t tell where the ground was!  Instead of landing gracefully or using its wings to carry it away, the creature smacks head first into the dome and bounces off the dome, where it lands on it’s back right behind Gwydeon!

Xedel makes plaintive noises at Tristan and Pheras, looking sadly at them.  It is obvious he wants to join the battle.  But as much as they also want to join the battle, they know that if they drop their guard for a moment Xedel will go in there and get himself killed and then Sindel will kill them.  They glance at Xedel then at each other.  No words need be said in this case, they turn away and watch the battle nervously.

The dwarven trio, Keegan, Bormann and Flint, charge the first flying creature that the Elk-like creature is also attacking in hopes of catching it off guard.

That same flying creature turns to the Elk creature and says in a loud clear and yet utterly confused tone, "WHO? No...  What are you?  And why are you attacking me?  I've done nothing to your kind!  Leave me be!"

Ignoring his plea, the Elk creature continues his charge.  It has speed on its side, but isn’t prepared for the pure agility that the flying monster possesses as it suddenly turns around as it whips its spiked ball tail around.  The ball of spikes hits the elk creature with a devastating crash, the spikes digging deep holes in him before the sheer force of the blow knocks him away.

The Elk creature flies through the air for several feet and lands heavily rolling once or twice before stopping.

Turning to hit the elk creature gives the flying monster a clear view of the dwarven trio attempting to close in on him. 

As Flint charges in for the attack, the creature rears up and comes back down with two legs and a head trying to squash the brave fighter.  But Flint, a veteran of way too many fights with creatures much larger than he, easily dodges the two legs and levels a punishing blow toward the descending head, “This will give you such a headache!”

The creatures headbutt attack is met by the dwarfs’ mighty weapon and smashes through it to contact the dwarf directly.  Everyone knows that the dwarfs’ legendary hard heads are impossible to dent.  That is everyone, expect for maybe these flying creatures, whose heads are that much harder.  Flint stumbles and falls back his skull completely caved in.

Wismerhil quickly draws his huge blade and smiles as he sees the second flying creature bounce off of the globe of light. He looks around back behind him at Voreas, lying on the floor, and then at the two archers nearby to see if there is anyone who is worthy enough to help him fight.  But before anyone will join him, his attention is drawn away by the sound of the elk creature landing nearby with a loud sickening thump.  He looks toward the two creatures and sees Flint challenge the flying creature and lose.

Wismerhil curses, "Shit again!"  Seeing his comrades’ fall, a fire ignites in his belly and it seems to spread throughout his entire being as his decision is made.  He calls out to those who he believes might be able to help him.  And as he speaks his voice booms forth rough and powerful. "Pheras, Sindel, Tristan and Xedel with me NOW!"

On those words he quickly rushes to the battlefield without looking back still shouting orders as if he were a general, "Aruna and Pol, keep shooting at the mage! Don't let him finish his incantations!!!" As he runs, he knows that the magus is likely to be the most dangerous of the trio so that is his target.

The white haired magus, however, seems to be having problems of his own as he suddenly makes a mad dash for the cover of the forest, but doesn't quite make it that far as he suddenly spins around and falls down.  Unfortunately he is too far away for anyone to tell exactly what happened.

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Gedai looks outside the dome of light and flinches as the creature slams into barrier and bounces off.

Crow and Stash look at Asura and Stash says, "Well?  What are you waiting for lets smash that thing!"

With a slight smile, Asura grips Mizar a little tighter.  She brings the sword around as if to sheathe it before lifting it quickly and thrusting it at the sky. The view outside the globe quickly changes and they are suddenly high up in the sky with only the clouds far below for ground.  Above them is the night sky with the stars shining brightly, in much greater number than any had seen before.

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The golden globe launches itself up off the ground and streaking upward and disappearing into the morning sky almost instantly.

Aruna charges forward from the back of the battlefield trying to get a better view.  Meanwhile Pol moves off to one side so he doesn't hit Sindel in the back when he starts shooting.

Gwydeon pulls his swords out of the ground and turns toward the stunned creature lying on it’s back looking up at the sky.  He attacks with both swords, one sword blow bounces off of the creatures head the other just scratches a few scales, but cuts a little deeper toward the end just before the creature wakes up and recovers.   With a roar the creature rolls over and a moment later the creature is upright and is facing the bold elf.

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Chapter 35: Invincible?

They marvel at the brilliant night sky and the strange new shapes that look like multi-colored clouds that appear in the distance that they’ve never seen before.  It seems like the same sky they’ve always seen only this time it’s different somehow, more colorful.

Asura changes the position of her sword and points it straight down.  She concentrates and the clouds part and the ground zooms upward toward them.  Crow smiles and he stands behind her as she starts to kneel.  Both her hands holding the hilt of her sword as if to force it down and make the sphere move faster.

Gedai and Stash stand to either side of her.  Stash looking impassive, and Gedai striking an impressive and menacing pose.

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Keegan and Bormann Grimm may have felt the loss of a fine fighting companion, but they don't waste a moment to mourn as they split up and try to flank the creature.

The creature notices their trick and levels its wings low sweeping the ground and hitting both dwarves.  But much to the surprise of the creature, the dwarves grab onto the wings and their isn't much the creature can do about it as the two flail at its wings trying to break bones.

Aruna moves forward taking aim at the flying creature that threatens Gwydeon. 

He shoots and his arrow streaks across the battlefield slamming into the creatures back.  On impact the arrow shatters against the creatures hard armor, but it looked like some sort of liquid splattered across the scale.  If it was the creatures’ blood it gives no indication as it completely ignores the arrow.

Pol Crane takes aim at the creature that has now has two dwarves on its wings.  He holds the arrow for much longer than it would seem needed to aim to hit a creature quite that large.

Sindel comes up behind the creature threatening Gwydeon and instead of attacking she leaps lightly up onto its outstretched tail and runs up onto its back. 

Sensing that something strange is happening, the creature turns away from Gwydeon to see what it going on and this gives the elf the opening he was looking for.  He turns and looks for the white haired wizard.  Spotting the man, who seems to be searching for something in the woods while trying to nurse a shoulder injured with an arrow in it, Gwydeon charges after him.

The wizard turns away from the forest and spots Gwydeon chasing him and runs quickly into the forest to the west of the path.

Sindel lifts her sword up over her head and leaps up off of the creatures back.  Her sword comes forward in an overhead swing that completely severs the creatures’ right wing from its body.

The creature looks at Sindel and then its severed wing in shock and says, "Fucking hell, not again!"

The creature turns to face Sindel completely.

Sindel holds her sword up confidently knowing that so far she is the only one who has even managed to do anything resembling damage to these creatures.  She mentally goes over what the creatures next attack might be, 'It has one wing left so it would be stupid to risk it.  That leaves a claw attack or a bite attack.  What a minute, does this thing have a breath attack?'

Her questions are silenced a moment later as the creature tries to headbutt her.  She thrusts her sword forward as she tries to leap back.  A very ungainly attack to be sure but it has its results as the tip of the sword actually penetrates the creatures’ scales and gets stuck.  As it completes its headbutt motion the sword is wrenched out of her hand and it hits the ground pushing it even further into its head.  The creature lifts his head up and stares at the sword poking out of its forehead.

Sindel, now weaponless, looks around for Gwydeon and spots the elf making a mad dash for the forest.  She decides that he has the right idea and bolts in the same direction.   As she nears the forest cover she spots the man/horse creature named Brisquen making its way down from the north galloping at full speed with a bow half cocked.  Not sure if he is friend or foe she decides to avoid him, 'Oh what a great day this is turning out to be!'

As Wismerhil charges in, he passes the corpse of Flint and stops.  Looking down sadly on the remains of his dwarven companion, he briefly mourns a great warrior. The moment passed he turns back to the winged creature.  But instead of continuing on to attack it while he is busy, he suddenly turns east and heads into the woods.

Pheras and Tristan are having such a hard time holding back Xedel, they don't notice Sindel's plight.  Xedel, however,does and when his sister vanishes behind the creatures bulk as it does its headbutt Xedel has had enough.  Xedel has seen what the headbutt attack did to Flint so he doesn’t need to use his imagination to get an idea of what happened to his little sister.  He suddenly stops struggling against the two men and pretending to be docile he begins to use some of those arts he's learned over the years and never told his companions.

Pheras and Tristan relax for a moment as Xedel stops struggling, but the two are wary because the man has a strange glint in his eye.  A moment later Pheras is on the ground, looking at the sky and Tristan never sees the strong right jab crash into his jaw. 

Xedel pulls the gag out of his mouth and says, "Surprise."  Light and swift as a gazelle he leaps past the two warriors splayed out on the ground and heads toward the creature.   So intent is he on revenge, he doesn't notice Sindel beating a retreat toward the woods.

A streak of light comes from out of the sky, some have seen it many times before and others have only seen it once, but only the creatures don't know what it means.  Or so everyone thinks.

The streak of light heads straight towards the creature with only one wing and when it is about six feet away the light vanishes completely and Gedai, Crow, Stash and Asura suddenly appear and fall on top of the creature.

Asura's eyes widen in surprise as she falls the last six feet and face plants along the creature backbone.  Crow, who was standing right behind her when the light vanished, lands straddling the creatures’ tail.  His eyes go wide for another reason altogether and he slowly leans over and rolls off to the right of the creatures tail and falls onto the ground.

Gedai and Stash who where standing to either side of Asura fall down on either side of the creature Gedai bouncing off of one wing before hitting the ground and Stash falling the full fourteen feet because there was no wing.  Stash looks up at the sky and says, "Ouch."

Wismerhil stops just outside of the edge of the woods and turns around to face the nearest creature.  He starts to speak a rune.

Aruna fires another arrow at the first creature only to have it batted away and a second arrow meets the same fate.  Aruna tries to move to a different position in hopes of finding a better location.

The one-winged creature looks all around.  It spots the two to either side of it; both down, but not out.  It turns quickly and Asura slides off of its back and it notices Crow curled up in a fetus position.

If the creature had eyelids it would probably blink them in stupefaction.  As it is the expressionless face takes it all in and says, "What the hell just happened here?  I just took out four people I didn't know were there.  Some bitch took off my wing, put her sword in my head and bolted and I got an itch on my back that I just can't scratch!  Would someone please just tell me what is going on here?"

It is then that he notices that Xedel is charging him at full speed.  The creature turns toward its companion the sword waggling comically in its forehead and says, "Hey look whose coming!  Let's take care of this quick and get out of here.  These guys are freaking me out!"  It is then that it notices the other creature has its own problems.

The first creature cries out in pain as brittle hollow bones begin to swap under the weight and constant attack by the two dwarves.  Finally it has had enough and rolls over.  Borman Grimm vanishes under the body of the creature.  Then it continues it’s roll and Keegan also vanishes beneath the creatures bulk.

When the creature rights itself Wismerhil has vanished from the field of battle and Keegan and Borman Grimm are crushed into the ground.

The first creature shakes itself and takes stock of its slightly damaged wings, but something makes it look around...

Pol Crane finally lets go of that arrow he's been holding for the longest time.  The arrow leaps out of the bow, shattering the sound barrier instantly and trailing thunder in its wake.  However it seems that the arrow itself cannot stand up to the power and speed given to it and it breaks apart a moment later shattering into tiny sparkles.

The tiny sparkles seem to spread out and grow.  Suddenly they congeal into something much more massive than the arrow they sprang from.  A creature appears amongst the remains of the sparkles still flying on the original arrows path.  The creature is huge and looks like a cross between a giant ox and a Tracara.  One of its distinguishing features is the not two, but three horns on its head.

The first flying creature looks in awe as the monster slams into it head first knocking it head over heels back several dozen yards.

The monster from the arrow snorts and charges the first flying creature as it struggles to get up.  

To on lookers there are only minor differences between the new monster and the two flying creatures.  The new monster has two big horns on either side of its head and a single slightly smaller horn on its nose, where as the flying creatures have a row of bony horns along the middle of their head.  Where the flying creatures have a tail ending in a spiked ball and wings, the new monster has neither spiked ball nor wings.  But the biggest difference between the two is that the new monster is larger than and bulkier than the flying creatures.  Where the flying creatures are lean and muscular the new monster seems to be just shear massive bulk.

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Chapter 36: Xedel vs. the Monster

Sindel, not pleased at all with the way things are turning out, follows Gwydeon into the woods.

Gwydeon looks around wondering where the white-haired magus has gotten off to.  He moves, as quietly as he can, but still he cannot locate his quarry.  He hears a sound coming up behind him and turns to spot a weapon-less Sindel pounding into the woods looking for safety.

There is a flash of light that streaks from the woods between them. The bolt of light streaks outward and slams into Sindel knocking her back a few steps.  The attack seemed to shock her more than do any real damage and she starts cursing.  Gwydeon quickly moves toward where he thinks the attack came from only to be attacked from the side by the mage.

The white haired mage charges and plows into Gwydeon sticking his dagger into the elves side, but it hits at an awkward angle and the dagger rips through his armor more than truly damaging him other than a light cut.  Gwydeon turns as they fall and the two tumble to the ground separately.  Gwydeon is the first one up.  And a dagger appears in his hand. The white haired mage gets up slowly favoring his shoulder, which seems to have a broken piece of arrow stuck in it and it is bleeding slightly

Sindel comes up behind him quickly, but he is ready and swiftly dodges her first attack.  Gwydeon tosses a dagger at the mage and it misses by a hair.  He turns to charge Gwydeon again, but doesn't get a step further as Sindels’ gauntleted hands come down on the back of his head.  The white haired mage crumbles to the ground unconscious.

Gwydeon leans over the man to check to him out and realizes that he is okay, just sleeping.

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Hiding under his cloak of invisibility, Wismerhil moves to slide his blade into the side of the flying creature, but is taken aback when the new monster collides with the flying creature sending it flying further away.  Wismerhil stands only a few feet away for the humongous creature, its strange scent washing over his nose as he cranes his neck up to get a look at the creature, which seems to ignore him.

He quickly steps back as the creature charges forward shaking the ground that he is on.  Wismerhil barely manages to remain standing as the creature charges past ignoring him.

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As lets the arrow fly, Pol Crane collapses from exhaustion, sweat running down his face. 

Pheras gets up and checks on Tristan, who is slowly rising and rubbing his jaw.  Pheras mutters, "Stupid bloody idiot!  We're just tried to keep him from getting killed!  Come on Tristan, looks like we are fighting anyway."

Pheras charges after the old man, as he takes in the scene, he frowns and wonders aloud, "Where is Sindel?"

Aruna decides to try a more offensive stance.  With a clear shot at the one-winged flying creature he shoots arrow after arrow at the creature.  Two get stuck in between scales, the rest bounce off.  The creature ignores them all; his attention is diverted elsewhere.

Ignoring the four people lying stunned at his feet, including Crow who seems to doing a good job of heaving up breakfast, the one-winged creature watches as Xedel charges him directly.

Xedel bears down on the monster he hides something in his hand.  "You will pay for messing with my family beast!"

The flying creature takes a deep breath and exhales.  A chilly wind with flecks of white comes from his mouth as the ground between them becomes covered with ice.

Xedel smiles and gestures forward a small flame streaks forward into the cold wind, where the two meet there is a massive explosion. 

Xedel winces as he charges through the wave of heat and over the shattered ice. 

The flying creature cries out at the bright explosion.  It quickly leaps back and that is probably the only thing that saved it from Xedels next attack as the ground explodes right where it stood, chunks of half-melted ice and dirt fly in all directions forcing it back even further and nearly taking it off of its feet.  Asura, Crow, Stash and Gedai are tossed to the four winds.  Stash is the first to get to his feet Asura slowly struggles to get up. Crow rolls over and heaves again, while Gedai who was almost up before lies still.

Aruna stops shooting since he can no longer get a clear shot from where he is.

Xedel tosses a ring of fire that hooks onto the flying creatures horns and stays there.  The flying creature shakes its head vigorously while backing up trying to get the annoying fire ring off.

Xedel almost laughs as he watches the creatures head waggle back and forth with both Sindel's sword sticking out of his head and the burning ring of flames dancing on his face.

Xedel quickly moves along side the creature and raises his staff.  He strikes the side of the creature with the butt of his staff, The staff seems to stick itself to the creature as Xedel uses it to lever himself upward onto its side.

Within moments he is astride the creatures back.  He plants the end of his staff into a convenient raw patch on the creatures' back and uses it to hold on as the creature howls in pain and tries to buck him off.

Tristan and Pheras catch up to the creature and stare in shock at the sight.

The first winged creature spots the monster charging him again and leaps up into sky his wings carrying him out of reach of the new monster which charges harmlessly below him.  He winces as he is forced to use his damaged wings realizing that they won’t carry him too high into the sky.

The first winged creature takes in a deep breath and opens his mouth.  There is a flash of jagged lighting which streaks from its mouth blasting the new monster.  As the crack of thunder rolls across the battlefield the new monster stumbles and Wismerhil appears a few dozen feet behind the creature he also stumbles and looks a little dazed. 

Wismerhil quickly recovers and realizes there is little he can do exposed like this and he quickly moves to the edge of the woods.

The man/centaur creature looks around and makes a charge for his downed companion in the battlefield.  The two seem to exchange some words.

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Chapter 37: Victory and Death by Lightning

Gwydeon stands up and both his and Sindels attention is drawn back to the battlefield where lightning begins to dance from the sky.

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Asura stumbles over to the still form of Gedai, she checks to see if he is still alive and finds him so, but only just.  Putting away her brilliant two-handed sword. She struggles with the limp body and moves quickly off into the woods, ignoring the odd sight of an old man trying to ride the flying creature.

Pheras and Tristan look on in amazement, not quite sure what to make of what is going on.  The creature whips around in a circle quickly and they try to dodge when the creatures' tail sweeps past, but Tristan is a little too slow and gets tripped up by it.  And he ends up a little too close to the creatures' feet.  He barely manages to scramble away before getting crushed beneath its huge paws.

Stash smiles and says, "Let's try something different."  He watches the flying creature closely then slowly begins to sink into the ground vanishing utterly.

Gwydeon and Sindel emerge from the woods carrying the body of the white-haired magus.

The second winged creature finally manages to remove the flaming ring from his face, but it still seems horribly burned.  He spots Pheras and Tristan in his blurry sights and sends a blast of cold air in Tristan's direction.  Tristan tries to get out of the way, but isn't fast enough as the young warrior is soon encased in an ice.  The creature then rolls over forcing Xedel to leap off of its back.  As it rights itself it has Xedel directly in its sights.  "All right old man let’s finish then so I can go home."

"Exactly my thought pal" Says a voice to the creatures' right. 

If the creatures’ features could move it would have registered shock and surprise as Stash quite literally pops up out of the ground right next to him and sends his sword straight into the creatures eye socket piercing the eye and going into the brain.  The creature shivers for a moment as if unable to accept what had just happened, then falls limp hitting the ground with a thunderous crash.

Brisquen, talks with the injured companion for several moments before rising.  His jaw set and his features grim he draws his giant bone bow and looks to the sky where the first creature snipes at the new monster with lighting bolts and watches as Aruna's arrows seem to bounce off with little effect.

He takes careful aim before letting his first arrow go.  It flies straight and true slamming into and through one of the joints in the right wing.  The effect is almost immediate as the flying creatures' flips over and comes down to earth with a ground shaking crash.

The resiliency of these creatures is amazing to behold, as it almost immediately rights itself and levels a devastating tail attack against the charging new monster.  The spiked tail slams into the creatures' head piercing and crushing it immediately.  The new creature stumbles and crashes as the flying monster turns and now faces Brisquen, Pol Crane and Aruna who seem to be the only ones left on the battlefield who are there to fight it.

What it doesn't see is Wismerhill emerge from the forest in its blind spot.  The brave warrior charges full tilt and sticks his sword in its side throwing his entire weight behind it.  The tough armor eventually gives way and the sword slips in between the creatures' ribs and into its soft innards. 

The timing couldn't have been better. The creature lifts its head in shock and bellows another lighting bolt in to the sky.

Aruna takes advantage of the golden opportunity he's been looking for this entire battle.  The moment the lightning stops he launches his arrow, "Taste my poison sting, foul creature!"  The arrow soars into the creatures' mouth slamming into back of the creatures' throat causing it to gag.

The arrow is blasted out a moment later by a second bolt of lightning that Brisquen cannot avoid.  He is knocked back a few steps by the force of the blast before his legs collapse from under him.  The lightning blast continues beyond him and catching Pol Crane as he tries to rise.  The elf is knocked back down again and begins twitching violently.

Aruna risks one more arrow which bounces off the creatures hide before running to the woods.

The first flying creature starts to charge after him but howls in pain as Wismerhil leans on the sword keeping it inside him.  After a moment, the creature stoically continues the charge dragging the young warrior who holds onto his sword for dear life painfully aware that should he let go while the creature is running he will be crushed beneath its massive legs.

Aruna looks back and his eyes open with fear as he realizes the creature is following him!  He begins running full tilt, but even so, he cannot outrun light as the creature lets loose another lighting that blasts through him and hits a tree in front of him.  The initial hit stunned the poor archer.  The impact from the tree knocked down by a second lighting blast did the rest as the archer disappears under the falling trunk.

Now that the creature has stopped, Wismerhil withdraws his sword and attacks again using the initial wound to cut deeply into the creatures' insides piercing many organs.  Wismerhil's hands tighten suddenly as a jolt of electricity shoots though his sword and into his body.

The flying creature screams in pain, finally realizing someone is still there.  It violently scrapes its side against a tree truck.  Wismerhil slams into the unforgiving wood with brutal force.  He slides down to the ground unconscious, pulling the sword with him.

With the irritant in his side gone, the flying creature moves out of the woods to see Brisquen nearby trying desperately to regain his feet.  Once Brisquen spots the creature he weakly tries to draw his bow but finds he cannot.  The attack has weakened him too much.  The flying creature dismisses him and looks across the battlefield, "Tellarus?  Wiz?  Where are you?" The voice comes out as horse whisper and the creature is forced to take another deep breath.  It looks around and can see neither of its companions at first.   After looking a second time it spots one.

Xedel, Pheras and Stash stand over the corpse of the first flying creature and look on in shock as the body of the creature shrinks and transforms itself into that of a normal human.  Stash shivers in fear and looks around quickly as he reaches over to turn the body over to see a young human male dressed in a black tunic with silver dragon design on it.  He also has a giant red gem on a chain around his neck.  "Where have I felt this feeling before?"  Stash wonders aloud.

Xedel, Pheras and Stash give each other a wide berth, as they look the body over.  Each casting nervous glances all around, not trusting the others and expecting one of the others to stab him in the back at any moment.

Pheras reaches down to touch the gem, before he does, Xedel stops him. Pheras jumps back as if burned and looks suspiciously at the old man, ‘I knew it!  The old man is trouble he wants the gem for himself and is planning on killing me to get it!’

"Don't touch it", Xedel explains, "If it is what I think it is.  We must destroy it for it brings only evil.  There should be a gold ring somewhere."

Stash and Pheras back up a few steps before suddenly looking at each other sheepishly.  Grimly Xedel uses his staff to open the hand of the man only to find exactly what he was looking for.

Their attention is suddenly diverted as the first flying creature comes charging across the battlefield.  It takes a deep breath and opens its mouth to exhale.

Suddenly there is an explosion from its side and a strange bluish white light travels all along its body.  After a few steps the creature stumbles and crashes headfirst into the ground where it slides to a stop.

They look on curiously as this creature also begins to shrink and change as its wings vanish back into the body and it transforms into the figure of a young man around 5-ft tall dressed in a gold and white outfit that almost looks like scale armor.  His long golden locks limply cover his buried face and his blue cape briefly swirls in the breeze one before falling to cover his body.

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Chapter 38: Sindel Vs. Xedel

Stash and Pheras stare at the bodies plainly shocked at what has happened.  Pheras recovers first and turns away to see the body of his companion Tristan encased in a block of ice, frozen solid while trying to avoid the creatures wrath.  "Xedel", he calls.

When he receives no answer he shouts again, "Xedel! Is there anything you can do about Tristan?"

Lost in his own guilt and mourning, without looking Xedel waves a hand dismissively, "Feh, why should I bother with that annoying stripling?"

Xedel jumps several feet when a familiar voice is heard behind him, "Because he's your friend and partner in this group!"

Xedel turns around in surprise to see his sister Sindel, whom he thought dead, standing only a foot or two away.  He quickly recovers his composure.

Sindel leans over to pull her sword out of the man's head and casually places the blade on her brother shoulder, "Of course he wouldn't be in that condition if you had done like I said and STAYED OUT OF THIS BATTLE!  Now he's frozen solid and you've got one foot in the grave.  Perhaps I should make it two feet, since you've done nothing but torment me since we've started adventuring!  I can't get any peace and quiet! And I'm always apologizing for your rude behavior..."  As she speaks Sindel is getting steadily angrier and angrier. 

Stash takes a step forward to try and calm them down, but as he does he suddenly gets a rather nervous and uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach.  The deadly look Sindel gives him doesn't help any..."Sindel, please this isn't the time or place for this."

Sindel retorts, "Fine!  There is an easy way to fix this."  She turns away as if to walk away then swiftly turns and swings her sword in an arc aimed at Xedel's head.  Stash moves to counter, but it is obvious he is not in position to stop the attack.

Xedel doesn't let his composure drop during the entire tirade, even with his sister's blade arcing for his neck his face doesn't change in the least.  As she turns around Xedel takes his staff and casually drives it straight down on the chest of the dead man shattering the red gem into several pieces.

Instantly Sindel lets her sword go, which arcs past Xedel's head missing completely.  Stash stumbles and nearly drops his sword and Xedel smiles sweetly, "Now what were you saying my dear?  Of course, I will do whatever it takes to try and free our beloved friend here, but I don't know if I can."

Sindel holds both of her hands to her head, "What kind of magic was that, you old fraud?"

Stash holds a hand to his head and sheathes his sword, "That was truly evil magic whatever it was.  I've never felt such fear in my life."

Xedel, still smiling says, "That was the power of those gems.  Perhaps if you're a good girl I'll tell you a story I got from a young man by the name of Albian.  We have a lot in common and he told me this story that happened to him just before we met."

Stash blurts out, "The Outsiders of Telor?  I remember that!"

Crow looks up sharply, "Oh no not those guys again!  Didn't we send them packing last time?"

Xedel frowns as if they spoiled his chance at telling a good story.

Asura takes a good look across the battlefield.  When she is sure there aren't going to be any more surprises, "Come on Gedai."  She half carries half-drags the unconscious Gedai back onto the battlefield, "By the Abyss!  Do you have to be so heavy?"

Crow sees her coming and goes to help out.  He lifts the young elf warrior up easily and carries him over to Stash.  "Looks like it's clean up time, let's see what we can find."  He has a strange twinkle in his eye. 

A similar one appears in Stash's eye, "Nothing in the rules about not having a little fun.  See who is alive and well you know the rest."

Crow looks around and notes that Asura has pretty much collapsed nearby, but seems okay.  After making sure that she isn't too badly hurt he jaunts off into the woods to the east to check on Wismerhil and Aruna.

Gwydeon brings over the unconscious form of the white haired mage.  He sets the man down and ties him up quickly before checking him out to see what kind of items he has on his person.

Pol Crane stares up at the sky for a long time before he realizes he has regained control over his body.  With herculean effort he lifts himself up into a sitting position. He slowly reaches over and grabs his bone bow, noting remarkably that the bowstring isn't damaged despite its rough treatment.  Using the bow as crutch he lifts himself up to a standing position and he begins walking toward the others. 

As he does he notices that the elk-creature is still alive despite the giant holes in his body and blood staining the grass.  He notices Brisquen trying to get up.  He can't help but wonder how such and ungainly mix of two creatures came about.  He takes a closer look at the armor. Similar to horse barding only this was made of bones of some large creature with the scaly skin holding some of it together. 

Brisquen looks woozy as he attempts to stand up and fails multiple times.  He turns back to look at the elk-creature still chewing grass.

Stash closes his eyes and mummers a prayer to Solutious. There is the sound like ale being poured into a tall glass and the heady scent of beer wafts through the clearing.

Gedai, now completely soaked, opens his eyes and licks his lips.  He tries to get up and stops as he puts his hand on his head to stop the world from spinning.

"Easy there pal." Stash warns him, "You'll be okay in a minute take it slow."

Gedai licks his lips again and says, "What happened?  Did I drink too much and pass out again?  Umm, this stuff tastes good.  Do we have anymore for later?"

Stash laughs and says, "You'll be fine.  I'd better check on Voreas.  He may have gotten worse since we've left him alone for so long."  With that he trots over to the still form of Voreas.

After a quick examination he pronounces the man still alive.  A quick prayer to Solutious removes him from any immediate danger of dying from neglect.

***************

Gwydeon searches the white-haired mage and finds an Extra fine Green Hunting cloak, Long Bow with a curious tree design carved into it, 20 flight arrows, an extra set of clothes, a blanket, a spell book, some ink and quill, a small shield and a dagger with a gold blade, silver hilt and the carving of an elvin tree and leaf on the pommel and a journal.

***************

Everything around is dark yet there is light from somewhere because he can see his arms and legs.

Wismerhil looks around puzzled until he hears a growl from behind him he turns and sees it a creature nearly thirty feet tall two large black eyes, teeth nearly as large as him and armored with spikes appearing everywhere.  It licks its lips as it starts toward him.  Wismerhil reaches for his sword and realizes he has no weapons.  He tries to speak but nothing comes out and so he turns to run but he doesn't get far as the creature bites at him and shakes him around roughly before swallowing him whole.  He screams as he feels the creatures’ juices begin to dissolve his being.
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Wismerhil wakes with a shout and sputters as ale goes down his open throat.  He turns and looks around to find Crow standing over him putting the top back on his wineskin. 

Crow smiles looking around, "Boy it takes a lot to wake you up.  You sure you’re alive?"

Wismerhil nods absently.  He seems to be in one piece though his entire left side and back feels almost crushed and the pain is dull and pulsating but livable.

Crow looks around for a moment before following the trail made by the flying creature.  He stops when the creatures tracks stop and start to turn back.  Crow moves a little further into the forest, his eye caught by a glint of light from a nearby felled tree.  The stump lies blasted and burnt.

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