Departed Dead[Sam 22, MT, Event]

[Yin Lorin]

OOC- All should pick up on this thread, if you want to add a bit of what you will have done over the jumped time, please do.

The morning was bringing the funeral of all those who had passed in the fire and the Night of Chaos. The bodies are laid on piles of earth and some set on funeral pyres, all according to the god or gods they worshipped. There were more dead there then living. One mourner four every four bodies, children standing and looking at the graves of their parents, and parents standing over small wrapped bodies who were cheated of a long life.

Prayers were said, and they prepared to have a mass service and memorial for those who died. At the end of the field of dead there was a place made for gathering, to give small speeches, and to be with one another. A small platform was shaped for those where were to give the dedication to stand and speak.

Men and women of all ages asking to join the guard, retired guards wanting to come back to help, and youth who were just leaving their small pants. Lopus has been for letting them in, giving them something to do, like cleaning up around the city, or watching the gates and taking names of those who entered. Pemy has been hard against it, primarily since most of them were not even full blood adhiel.

Come to mention it, not many full blood adhiel walk the streets. There is a great deal of half adhiel, humans and others, but the full blooded adhiel seem fewer in number. Whispers say that they fear being gone in a matter of generations.

The Thorns had fallen back into the woods, not having made an appearance at all in the city, letting the shapers start to rebuild what had been destroyed. The city was slow in growing though, the leaves and the branches of trees would wither from time to time even after they were shaped.

For now though, many cried, and the sun had not yet risen, as the people were called to hear the words the Avatar had to give. This was her first public address since the night.

[Scheherazade]

The early pre-dawn was silent except for the rustles of the leaves. The breeze sighed, gently swaying the grasses that witness the sorrowful event that was about to be done in respect for the departed.

From the Schoo, the Shapers came, they moved with silent reverie, their faces cowled and hidden under the shadows of their deep cowls, berieving for the dead, their clothes, rustling with the gentle breeze of the early morning dawn.

The small, dwindling Shapers were led by the three governors of the School of Shaping, their elegant robes gleaming under the early dawn and behind them were the green robes of the master Shapers, moving silently, their heads bowed and the brown robes apprentices, following the footsteps of their masters and mentors.

They moved silently towards the funeral pyres, each carrying a white lily to pay respect for the heroes and citizens of the realm. And then, as a group, they stopped and with rustling sound of their robes, they turned and gazed into the eastern horizon, their hands lifting before them as they started to hum.

There were no words, for this rite was too sacred for words. Their song began with a single deep rumbling of male voices, swelling and rising as other voices of the shapers --apprentice and masters alike-- joined in soaring and complex harmonies, waiting for the the dawn that will bring a new day for Tel Aranae Quessir, a dawn for the quick and the dead.

After a few flickers of the soaring hymn, they scattered around the crowd, gicing their lilies to whomsoever needed it and waited for the Holy Avatar to do her speech.

ooc: Shapers, (L'es & Aesh) You can both join the Shaper group but feel free to scatter around. For Nyae'rinthas, it's up to you if you want to attend this, but bear in mind that you are still being hunted. Goldentree, um, let's finish your current thread first and the we'll link you here. You'll be carrying two very important things to this thread.

[Galliban Tyren]

Galliban awoke rather early that morning, well before sunrise. She had retired early the previous night as she had been determined not to miss the mass funeral, even though her motivations for going were a mystery even to her. She had no obligation to go. She wasn't even a citizen of Taquar, yet Galliban somehow felt compelled to pay her respects. She dressed quickly in the dark, or at least as quickly as was possible in the dark. Her clothing was easy enough, it was her armor that proved more difficult. Though it was a bit odd to wear armor to a funeral, it was a matter of caution for Galliban. A mass funeral in which most denizens of the city were in attendance seemed to her an almost perfect time to strike for Taquar's enemies, and Taquar was lately in no short supply of those. It was for the same reason that she strapped on one pair of swords. If anything happened, she wanted to b good and ready for it.

After finishing her preparations, Galliban proceeded to the funeral site. Her manner was solemn, even more so than usual, as she walked through the graves and pyres. She observed the mourners, young and old alike, as they grieved beside their dead. Paladins were supposed to maintain emotional distance and keep the big picture in mind, but Galliban could not help but pity those who had lost friends and loved ones. She knew from personal experience how it felt to lose someone close, which made it even worse for her. Perhaps it would have been easier if she had been unable to comprehend what they were feeling, but Galliban had no such luck. She knew that she could not understand how it felt to lose a child and her pity was greatest for those who had. She could only imagine their grief, and it was something that she did not wish to imagine. She mourned silently for every victim, though she had not known any of them.

Galliban reached the crowded gathering area just as she spotted the Shaper procession moved through the dead. She turned and watched them as they approached. She was fascinated by the rite they performed. The hymn was haunting and beautiful. For a few moments, Galliban lost herself in it, no longer being conscious of where she was. She was quickly brought back down to earth when the hymn ended and watched silently as the Shapers scattered throughout the crowd.

[Guest]

In early morning tide, far before daybreak, Aeshinera attended to her diary. She told her diary with written letters about the past days. It was one of the few times she had actually time to practice her calligraphy. She did her best on every letter being placed in the book, a book that contains her life story from the day starting at the school of shaping. After the little beginners art in her diary she made herself ready to go out for the event.

Together with many other shapers she walked past the ruined sites of Taloh. Even though three days have passed since the dreadful event took place, the sorrow seemed to have risen again. She participated in a solemn parade holding a white lily just like all the others. Step by step as she got closer to the funeral pyres she felt the pressure of sorrow engulfing towards her. Slowly her eyes started to wet because of the sadness in the surroundings.

Close to the pyres the march came to a halt. A shared hymn towards the eastern horizon began, which started from the lowest octave. No words were said; just emotions were presented in the form of sound. For the first time Aeshinera felt such a bonding sorrow, one that whished all for a better day for all. One thing would be for sure; the events will be burned into the memories of all attending and present. As the hymn silenced by the break of day she looked over the mass.

Simultaneous with the other shapers she left the group and went into the mass to give the white lily to one in need. There were plenty of people that could use hope and guidance to the future. People have lost children, parents, friends, family and others they care for. Aeshinera looked for the ones that she felt was in need for a lily. She looked for either a child or a parent that has lost all of their family.

[Draydis Quinn D`Anorre]

Dray woke early in the morning. It had been a tense few days with the arrival of the airship, the further conflict with the Thorns, and the continued rememberance of the recent destruction of the city. The days had also brought the commander's notice of the influx of willing volunteers for the guard. He had talked at length with Pemy and Lopus regarding the admission of those who were not full blood adhiel. During the course of the talks, Dray listened carefully to the rationale given by each of the captains and agreed with both of them at least in part. A decision had yet to be made for the long term, but for temporary measures, basic gate and city watch duties were allowed to volunteers. All combat functions and protection of the royal family remained the duty of the regular Emerald Guard. The decision was one to be made by the Queen and those of the royal family, and Draydis had yet to be able to speak to them.

The days were not full of talks though. Many hours of training was conducted by Draydis and the captains. The battle at the Madagral proved that far too many guardsmen were green, and a stout defense would not be possible with unskilled warriors. While many spent time with bows, swords, and bladed staves, many others worked with Draydis learning his ideas for new battle tactics. The style of fighting for the guard would no longer be direct frontal attacks. They would now utilize multiple units attacking a point from different directions at different times, with the intention of creating chaos, fear, and making the enemy think the attacking force was much larger than it actually would be. The adhiel had not enough numbers to fight as they once did...they would now have to use stealth, speed, and even a certain amount of trickery and deception.

Draydis also took a personal interest in teaching the guard proper technique with the sword and bow as he had time. He remembered the day he joined, and how little he knew about battle. A blade and bow was now quite deadly in his hands, and his goal was to make all the others just as lethal. Unfortunately, many more battles were in store for the Guard in the days to come.

His nights were occupied with time dedicated to the Mother. Draydis spent each night in silent prayer at the Mother's temple, praying for guidance. His goal was to become stronger in his faith, and to become a warrior for the Mother. She had blessed him several times in battle, which had encouraged him to become stronger in his faith...

Prior to the services beginning, the commander called for his captains. Though it was a day of mourning, the risk of another attack while all the citizens were in one place was great...and there were far too many corpses in the city already. There would be no more citizens die under the watch of the Guard...

[Guest]

The rites and prayers were misspent on the young Achadhiel, as his mind was preoccupied with thoughts of stopping a greater evil, instead of mourning over crimes by a previous one. Truly he could not do anything, as he was a wanted man forced this way by a fiend without a face. Solemn ideas came through as he contemplated what would come next and what happened the day before and the time after he met the renegade necromancer.

Mauling, Tedious slavery and callous forming was what the trainings were all about. Battered he felt when he filled the days with all that the dark wizard thought him to do. He had to life, act and speak like those who followed the path of thorns. Sleep was something that had to be avoided as he pushed himself to the limits of exhaustion and the short slumber he enjoyed before waking here was all he had been able to use since that mysterious cocktail that he dared to zip and fill himself with. Sweating through his skin and worked to the bone for almost two entire days, it was as if he was back with some eager drill sergeant from his ‘old’ days in the forces.

He gazed quiet and solemnly towards the sky, as he was away from prying eyes and curious attention that may alarm his presence. He felt a fire rage through him as this few days had changed him, as he freely accepted the blood of a thorn, even be it a renegade. Lines of black and white faded to grey as someone evil could be good indeed and that in a way made him more flexible and capable of understanding truths about people and they way they behave. True he could accept this darkness and see that one could not life without facing it. Two sides to a coin that was what all were and once people would accept this they know that the positive in times needs aid of the negative to survive. So long his goodness stayed the upper hand he would be in clear, else he would have to discipline his own then wretched soul.

Somehow the young healer felt the necromancer’s fondness of him, although he was harsh and abrupt in speech. He had found it rather easy to get his aid, perhaps cause the dark wizard enjoyed his honesty and lack of fear in his eyes or maybe it was his easygoing nature… Then again the dark one had worked him to the bone over and over again. He contemplated of the grave things he had to learn, some dark and grim others odd and straining. The wannabe be Thorn infiltrator rubbed his sore muscles motivating them to become subtler. The teachings of his uncle combined with the massaging techniques made him aware of how to deal with these. He was going to take it easy for a short while, making sure that his might was without flaw. He could not have getting an injury and he did his usual yoga exercises, in combination a good massage of his sore areas, especially his shoulder, neck and limbs. He had a strong back a trade from his father, who was a proud and strong soldier of dominicus…

His father it made him think…The Ninadhiel forces could likely be heading towards Ta’loh itself, something he knew was logical as it was a great chance for invasion, taking land and wealth. It was strange that they did not do this before and he had found it odd in his youth that there were various interpretations of the same religious texts and codes of Dominicus. If these armies would come then perhaps the Adhiel were destined to become extinct if they did not reclaim their elder ways of thinking and acting…

His mind drifted as he was clueless of what was next to come, perhaps Borne would show up from whatever he now did and come with the next tasks and trainings at hand… Yep, it was like being back in the military, a cheap half-breed grunt that got worked extra hard as in an attempt to break him and show human superiority. Something they failed in and never ever would succeed in either. He was more of a man then any of the wretched soldiers of dominicus and one day he would come by in full metal glory and show strength, wisdom and cunning wrapped all in a blanket of cultures…

OOC: Perhaps a bit long but once I got going, I am hard to stop. I was uncertain about what happened and hope this is neutral as possible. I assumed that the human armies were something that can’t go unnoticed, medieval armies were usually not stealthy and made a mess as they ‘lived’ (looted) of the land.

[Guest]

The day was still forming, a white mist settled across the ground, moving around the feet of the people gathered. The Avatar moved to the raised stand to speak, her normal white clothing was changed to an ash grey gown that moved in the wind as if it were made of ash itself, and it could have been.

She looked down at the people gathered as the shaper’s song came to a close. Her hair was let down, flowing in the wind. Her face though held hope as her eyes met with each person it seemed.

The mist filtered and flowed like a ghosts about the ankles of the audience.

“People of Taquer, we come here to remember the loved ones we have seen pass this existence and onto the next. We have come here to send their bodies to the Mother, and their souls to the next realm.”

“We should not think on how their bodies died, because all who are born will die, but think on how they lived. We are only given a measure of time with this clay our Mothers give us when we are brought into this life. We are given a shell, a casing for the true essence of who we are. This essence has not perished, and these corpses we lay to rest are only the coverings of much more lovely creations. We are going to wish there souls a safe travel until we go to meet them.” She spoke boldly, her voice cutting through the feeling of doom that lingered over the crowd.

The mist started to move and pool at the base of the dais. “It is now our time to live, and to live in the memory of those who have died. Live for what they felt, and what they wished. We need to remember they wished to see us happy, that they wanted us to be well, and healthy. They would want us to carry on, and defend our heritage, and our faith. To keep our people free of fear and hate, and to protect all those things that keep us enlightened and open to the forces of nature and the true Gods.”

She looked at the shapers and healers. “If you could, would you send our dearly departed on to their homes.” Lord Un’qyn was present, standing with aid from Mona. He stepped to the dais from the back of the crowd, starting the soft hum, his staff glowing as he did. The healers started a chant that mixed with the low rumbling. Music and will moved over the land, preparing to send the souls of those dead to the next life.

Small balls of light lifted from the chests of the bodies, a gasp moved through the crowd at this. The small lights hovering over the bodies as the song began. Those with magic could feel the power of these combined forced, shapers and healers in all totaled less then 100, but the power was ten fold for each one involved.

[Draydis Quinn D`Anorre]

OOC: I wanted to post something about the Guard doing a 21 arrow salute, but as an adhiel, Draydis would feel horrible if suddenly an entire herd of deer were to be slain by a random bunch of arrows...

IC:

Draydis watched the ceremony from atop a building. He was far enough from the crowd that he could easily watch the area for signs of danger, but close enough that the ceremony could be observed.

The commander knew that a strong military presence would either bring comfort or chaos to the event, so in light of the recent increase of training, Dray had instructed the available soldiers to remain in hiding unless something happened which would need their combat skills. It was his hope that a day of mourning would be allowed by their enemy. Should an attack occur, the order was to attack from hiding, and then move to another position before attacking again. Missile weapons were to be used until they were either no longer effective or the enemy had withdrawn from range. The new soldiers had only had one day of training, so hopefully a fight would not be necessary...

Prior to the ceremony, members of the Guard were instructed to take similar positions. Knowing that he had tended to fight on his own in the past, and after trying to encourage the Guard members to learn small unit tactics, Draydis had asked a few of the soldiers to stand at his position with him. It was a big step for the adhiel to ask for others to fight by his side. Memories from the slaughter of his family at the hands of the orcs had encouraged him to always fight alone...it was the thought that if he fought alone, only himself would be in danger. As commander, Dray knew that he would actually have to lead the soldiers, and that required him to truly become a leader. So he stood vigilant with a handfull of volunteers who had offered to join him at his position.

His eyes were kept sharp at the area around the crowd, but also scanned the crowd for anybody that looked out of place. An arrow was at the ready, and the commander made sure those in his unit were ready for anything.

As the Avatar began the ritual, Draydis knew the time for an attack would be now if it were to come. "Be sharp. A strike from an enemy now would destroy our people."

The magic was amazing, yet the strong sense of duty kept the adhiel vigilant. A silent prayer was offered on behalf of the fallen. ~Mother please forgive me for turning my thoughts and actions to my duties as a soldier instead of participating fully in this ritual. May you bless the souls coming home to you, and keep them eternally safe. Thank you for our continued existence and for granting me the ability to help with the protection of our people. With your loving, watchful eyes upon our kind, I have faith that our futures shall be bright.~

[Galliban Tyren]

As the healers and Shapers began their working, Galliban gave a brief and silent prayer.

May the Divine see that each of these souls find their place in the next life.

Knowing as she did that there was indeed a next life for these slain people eased the grief she felt. Each innocent soul would enter the Mother's embrace, or the realm of whatever divinity they worshipped, and would longer feel fear or pain.

Galliban could feel the power that had been generated during the ritual and marveled at how such power could be generated by such a small number of people. The effect of the small lights above the bodies of the dead was awe-inspiring. The rite must have indeed been a sacred one. Though the occasion was an unfortunate one, Galliban was partly glad to be present. She had an inquisitive mind and naturally sought knowledge. The ritual being performed was not something that could be truly understood from reading about it in a book. However somber the occasion was, it was nonetheless a learning experience.

[Yin Lorin]

The mist that was moving at the feet of the crowd slowly lifted and formed. A ghostly image of Blayyanna formed at the base of the raised dais. Her normally black eyes were white, the mist swirling and twisting, as if it would fade at any moment. On her head was a crown of leaves, Behind her, the mist waved out to appear like wings. She spoke and it was in a very thick adhiel accent, “People of the Ancient Wood, you mourn the souls who died fighting me, but I come to offer you peace, and salvation. Your Queen is gone, passed into the other realm at my hand. The woods no longer protect those who do not serve me, and to the south will come the army of a false god. The One will show no mercy to you.”

The small candle flickers lifted from the bodies, as if caught in a wind. The chanting of the shapers and clerics slowed, the younger members looking shocked at the apparition before them. The lights lifted, spinning around as if caught in a twister, going to the Tree of the Mother.

She raised her head as if she was the Queen already. “Kneel before me, and serve me, and I shall keep the One from coming here. I will grant you power to fight your enemies, and we will return to them the pain they visit on you. Bring me the body of this false Avatar.” She pointed to Laleil, a long pointed finger, almost looking like a dagger as the mist trailed off it. “Serve me, and I shall kill your enemies. If not, you will see the end of the adhiel blood.”

The lights started to pour into the great tree that made the city of Taloh what it was. It was grown from the first seed the Mother planted, so it is said. As the lights flowed into the tree, there started to appear black vines growing on the tree. They were growing more with each light that flew into the tree. “My Student Rhimmuld left a gift for this city. The souls who died here will never leave here. You may see them as often as you wish. What will it be, people of Taloh?”

[Draydis Quinn D`Anorre]

Draydis was not surprised when the demon showed her face. He however did not expect her to attempt to turn the crowd upon the Avatar. He looked to the guardsmen that were present with him. "We must protect the Avatar. I need you all to pray to the Mother for her to be present now."

A single arrow was drawn from his quiver. "Mother, bless this arrow so I may dispatch the vision of this demon from our ceremony. Aid us in vanquishing the evil that has permeated our realm. I pray for your continued guidance in this dark time, as I know you will guide us to victory."

Draydis knew that firing into a crowd like this was dangerous. He moved into a position such that the flight of the arrow would not hit any people either during its flight or if it were to pass through the vision of the demon without stopping. The arrow was then loaded into his bow, and he took aim at the demon. "LEAVE OUR KINGDOM...WE SERVE ONLY THE MOTHER!" As the guardsman released the arrow, Draydis focused his thoughts into an image of the arrow imbedding in the demon, causing her to dissipate. As he released the arrow, he exhaled sharply, hoping that some energy from his own body would go with the arrow to gain the desired effect. He had remembered how a few nights prior, he was able to lend his energy to help defeat the demon and her fires...he hoped to do it again...

He then stepped forward from his place of hiding atop a building. With a voice loud enough to carry to all present, Draydis spoke. "Why should we follow one that has caused so much pain and destruction? Why should we bow down to one that would so happily command our demise? The Thorns have threatened our people, they have murdered our families, they have burnt our city, and now they have the nerve to attempt to force us into submission? Now is the time to show the world what it means to be an adhiel. Now is the time to take back the peace and prosperity that was once ours. Now is the time to gather the faith we have in our Mother, and destroy those that threaten the continuation of our people. NOW IS THE TIME TO FIGHT!!!" His words were full of compassion and certainty. Draydis knew the people could defeat this enemy, and he knew that as a united force they would be successful. If it took him every waking moment of the day, he would personally train any that would take up arms to battle this horrific enemy, and he would even see the fight go all the way to Dominicus himself.

"The Thorns promises are empty." He pointed to the great tree with his bow. "Even now when we are told we can be saved, continued poisoning of our city and the souls of our families is present. The ceremony to honor our dead has been desecrated by this demon. It is time for this to end, and it is time for us to all take a stand. I know we have recently been beaten, but WE ARE FAR FROM BEING DEFEATED! Fight not for me. Fight for our way of life. Fight for your family. Fight for the Mother!"

OOC: "Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell No! And it's not over now! Who's with me???" Sorry...I just had to throw that one in...

IC:

His eyes scanned the crowd, hoping that they would rally to his call for arms. If ever was the time to fight, it was now. The Thorns clearly demonstrated their desire to slaughter the adhiel. Draydis would not stand idly by and allow this to happen. Not on his watch...

[Galliban Tyren]

Galliban's eyes widened and she gasped sharply. It had been her fear that this or something like it would happen. It had greatly disturbed her when she had listened to Aeshinera describe her dream, and the suspicion that the dream was prophetic in nature had never left her mind. It was unfortunate that her correctness had no advantages.

"You!" the young paladin shouted, her voice laden with such fury that it might have seemed that fire could have poured out of her mouth like some great dragon. In an instant, Galliban drew her swords, though it was more a result of instinct than anything else. "I will not allow Taquar to succumb to vile demons or to the forces of the false god Dominicus!" she shouted before rushing toward the dais to protect the Avatar.

Just then, Galliban heard the shout of Draydis. She looked up in time to see his arrow cutting through the air. She then turned to see him atop a building. When he spoke, she could not believe her ears.

That fool, what does he think he is doing?! Does he believe that a single arrow has any chance against this demoness? Why does he stand there making a speech when he should be ordering his men to protect the Avatar?!

Galliban could only hope that Draydis's grandiosity and arrogance would not cost the Avatar her life.

[Guest]

Focused with full attention, Aeshinera watched and listened to the avatar of Laleil Saliu. Her words show the harsh reality we live in. We should always remember those that were once. If we would not why would others remember yourself. I feel like she talks to the heart rather than the mind. I still have had no word of my parents. Could they have fled the city? Could they have fallen by the enemy? I wish there was someone who could get this knot out of my heart. What about Niniel and La'Laine were did they go? Her thoughts were cancelled by the sending event. Something she hoped never to have experience again.

The sudden interruption in the sending event shocked her. It was that dream, yet different, it was the demoness that spoke of her offer to help the adhiel race survive in return for her servitude. It was not meant for her personally it was a calling out to each individual. There was no means of sacrifice of one for many it was just a conversion of everyone. Why does she want the Adhiel to be hers? Why does she want our trust after she raided us? There must be something in our culture or our being that she wants? What is it that other races and species do not have and we do? Could it be she wants all the shapers? So she could have more people like Rhimmuld? If the power is like people as Rhimmuld than you need to be deformed to accept it. Who would do it? Who would let their own body thinkered with by dark rituals? Perhaps I should just step forward and ask her what she wants of us. Yet if she wants our trust, how could she ask for the murder of the avatar? It makes no sense at all. Laleil Saliu needs protection from any person who falls for the mind poisoning of this demoness.

As Draydis started his words towards the demoness. Aeshinera ran towards the Laleil Saliu. As thought by lord Un'Qyn she had set up a shield to protect the avatar from any harm that might come directly or indirectly. While there she listened to the speech of Draydis. It is true, she interrupted a divine ritual. Desecration of divine actions does not lead to cooperation but to hate. But demons feed on hate. Would she be trying this to gain energy out of us?

[Guest]

The thought of attending such a sacred ritual made him somewhat uneasy; still he kept his mind empty as possible to not attract unwanted inquirers. He looked from afar the rituals and praises made by the avatar and felt out of place somehow. The initial idea was that he followed a masculine form of religion and that the actions made here felt misspend, as it would’ve been better to set up defences for the upcoming army of the one. The whole matter impressed him only in a minor sense as he was more a rational individual and this was the perfect moment for the demoness to cause havoc and it was bound that the over predictable Blah-blah-blah-ha would show up and she indeed did.

The wench of hell was behaving in a way as she felt suddenly divine, a masquerade to fool the gullible and ignorant. The thorns doubler emptied his mind as he observed the demoness and made a strong picture in his thoughts of her being. He knew demons were vain and if he was to fool the Thorns he had be able to do as he was one of them even in the face of their leader, miss chatterer de luxe.

An ultimatum it was almost as folly as the whole scene she staged here. He gazed along the people from his place afar and knew that anyone was far too distracted to notice him. He looked along the edges to see if the thorns were ready to march, as he thought they might do. He could ruin their ambush if they had planned it and slowly escape in the mists. He looked at a big rock, which lay along the floor of where he stood. Throwing this towards any captain or leader of importance, even if it missed would jump their guard and would ruin any possible of an ensnarement attempt. He picked of the rock, which filled his hand and waited along the edges, just for an event to arise. Waiting and watching, ready to cause an incident and then make high tails out of there before being detected.

[Yin Lorin]

There was shock from the crowd, no one moved as the arrow sung through the air. The misty form of the demoness ignored the arrow flying to her, until it hit and stuck. The arrow went through her, entering just under her collarbone and exiting from the middle of her back. A look of sheer pain went over her face as she looked down at the black goop starting to issue from the area where the arrow pierced the ethereal body.

“How could this…” She looked up, and the pale misty eyes looked at Draydis. “Your City is damned.” She shrieked.

Aeshinera raised the shield around the Avatar, the soft green light of the shield surrounded the one who spoke for the Mother. She could feel the power move through her, and felt the drain as she channeled the power, she could keep it up a good amount of time, Aeshinera felt. She saw the eyes of Lord Un’Qyn on her, and for a moment there was a view of pride.

The black ivy crawling around the Mother’s tree surged and grew, and for the first time, some of the leaves on the tree wilted. Blayyanna pulled the arrow from her body. “We will march on the city at dawn tomorrow, any who are still here and not kneeling when I enter it, will be sent to join the others, their souls trapped in the ivy that will kill your tree, and your Avatar.”

Nyaerinthas saw no figures approaching the people gathered. An attack would be opportune, but then, it was rumored the Thorns recently lost their general Kormus, he was being held in the city. It would not be unthinkable to Nyaerinthas, or Galliban, that this would be a welcome distraction to recover a General.

[Guest]

There were various rumours floating throughout town and most were rather gloomy. Since this place was not being used as an attack on the avatar directly it could only mean the demon tried to stall and her scrubby group of thorns were making ruckus elsewhere. He decided to leave the scene and catch up with Borne again as he needed his aid in a few things. The young soldier wanted to defeat the chameleon but the stakes seemed higher and perhaps personal vengeance had to move aside for doing something better, as in relinquishing this band of thorns.

Silently he moved through the forest growth using his skill to walk unnoticed. He did this more calm making sure no one would either follow or detect him as he made his way to where Borne was. In his mind all he could muster was the thought of the past few days, which had been more eventful then his entire life. True it may be, the young lad was bound to experience more dreaded events as he had to infiltrate the Thorns and put a hold to their plans.

Ooc: I do not know where Borne is at the moment, well I do know but since time shortage, my other thread probably been skipped quickly ahead to the 22nd. So I just assume Borne be either at his ‘place’ or the underroom, I doubt he left and said nothing to his latest pupil. I do not know what been learned in the last 48 hours (maybe a quick marine course :p). I just assume that this last sleep was the first since my older thread and I was awake training and learning until the night before the 22nd.

[Draydis Quinn D`Anorre]

Dray thought for a brief moment as he watched the black life seep out of the ghostly presence of the demoness. It reminded him of Raevyn and wondered if it smelled like her as well...

He then looked out among the crowd and those gathered around the Avatar to gauge their reaction to the events which had unfolded so far. For just a flicker, Draydis observed...

[Guest]

Aeshinera returned a smile to Lord Un'Qyn. She kept up her guard while she looked at the demoness that displayed a strange liquid that came from the wound. Could this be demon blood?

Her focus left the demoness. She took a quick view of the surrounding to see if there was a possible danger. If the avatar would move she would move as well to keep up the shield around them.

The novice priestess thinks back to the words Blayvanna had said. There will be another siege on Taloh, this time we are warned thus we could prepare for it. Demons do often lie, however it is unwise to ignore such a threat. What we need is to find a way to win the battle against Blayvanna in such a way that we are still strong enough to handle the army of Dominicus. Perhaps there is a way to win time and thus a possibility for recovery after a battle. Besides, when Blayvanna attacks she will most likely take demonic summonings with her again. We should be prepared for the worst. I do not wish to see a repeat of two days ago. Gracious Mother of Flora, what can we do to protect thy creations from suffering and murder?

[Draydis Quinn D`Anorre]

~Thank you Mother for giving us hope. I had faith that you would be present with us today. As always, I shall continue as your faithful servant. Please continue to guide me in my actions so I can spread the glory of your name.~

It suddenly hit the Guardsman...take the fight to the Thorns. The demoness would not expect the dramatically weakened force of adhiel to mount an offensive against their camp. They could arrange for Kormus to accidentally escape, and follow him back to their exact location.

The strike would not be at their camp, but would be at an ambush point just outside of their area. It would take more than just the Guard forces though, as their numbers were extremely low. Any adhiel that could string a bow would need to assist. It was risky, but it just might be their only chance.

After seeing that the Avatar was safe behind a green glow, Draydis figured that she was safe. He made no motions for the guardsmen in hiding to make an appearance as of yet. Dray turned briefly to those standing on the roof with him. "I need you to find Leandral and have her unit scout the woods. We must determine how much time we have to prepare for the impending attack. Tell her to not engage the enemy. Right now, we need to know what we are facing, and also what terrain separates us and the enemy. I have a plan, and it is going to require us to use every single feature of the landscape that the Mother has placed around our city. The adhiel come from nature, so it is that ally that we will use to our advantage. Once they have this information, the must return here with as much haste as possible. Understood?" Once they acknowledged their understanding, the commander turned back to the crowd.

The Mother had given him the power to make a statement with his arrow. It was now that the people would have to be united against this horrific enemy. Being a leader was not something that came naturally to the once simple adhiel, but having had the power of the Mother touch his abilities several times in the past few days had given him solid faith and an unshakable inspiration. His words echoed with confidence, and he spoke as if the united adhiel people could move mountains if they so desired.

Draydis once again shouted over the crowd to the now bleeding demon, "How could this be, you ask? How can an ordinary adhiel fire an ordinary arrow at you, causing you pain? Easy! THE MOTHER! You are the only thing here that is damned! You can bleed, even in this form...that means you can die! When you bring the fight to our city, look for me! I will deliver you and your black corpse to our Mother for final judgment!"

He looked about at the people gathered for the funeral. "People of Taquar, our Mother has shown us today that she has not forsaken our people. The Mother will not abandon those that remain faithful! Our city is broken but we are not yet defeated. Who will stand against this enemy with our Mother?"

With a final glance to the demoness, Draydis fired another arrow into her form. "On behalf of our people and the Mother...BEGONE!"

[Yin Lorin]

As the second shaft left the bow the mist dissipated, the demoness vanished. The arrow fell to the dirt, the black ooze still there.

The cheer that came from the crowd started small, then built like a wave. The Avatar looked at Aeshinera and smiled, Lord Un’Qyn beamed with pride, leaning over to Mona and spoke. She had appeared at his side when the trouble started. “That is my student.” Un’Qyn told the Avatar, with a little pride.

People looked at Draydis and clapped. The hundreds who had gathered had seen the first sign of hope right before their eyes, and their approval was noted. Draydis could feel the power of the Mother in him, his fingers and skin tingled with the raw energy of life. His mouth was dry but his eyes were keen and sharp.

Nyaerinthas slipped out of the city and into the woods, his mind intent on finding these thorns. Searching for his newest teacher, Borne. Not far from the city he was sitting and watching. “That is a bad thing in that city.” He said staring at the black ivy that now covered the trunk of the Mother’s tree. “All those souls are trapped in that plant, the city is cursed.” He looked at his student. “Those people did not pass from this realm, and all those who die in that city will never pass but remain there, trapped. Do you understand?”

[Galliban Tyren]

When Galliban saw the shield form around the Avatar, she stopped in her place. She knew that the Avatar was safe for the time being and that Blayvanna had appeared not to attack, but to threaten and demoralize. It was a good tactic, the young paladin thought to herself. It seemed, however, that Draydis was spoiling everything for the demoness. Even so, Galliban could not help but regard Draydis with a measure of disgust. The people of Taquar needed to be rallied, but it seemed to Galliban that he was going about it in the wrong manner.

Galliban retreated back into the crowd as soon as Blayvanna disappeared. There was no need to hang around the area, nor did Galliban wish to do so. After what had happened she needed some time to herself to think and reflect, as well as to meditate on the situation and pray for guidance. As discreetly as she could, Galliban made her way through the crowd and back to the Temple, only looking back once to glance at the Mother's tree.

OOC: If it is alright with you, Yin, I can go ahead and start a new thread for my character in the Temple.

[Guest]

She smiled back to the avatar. I am glad that nobody engaged in direct hostilities to the avatar. I am glad that nobody got hurt during the demoness appearance.

Aeshinera blushed of the words from her teacher. Even though her skin complexion did not show much proof of the reddening. A bit overwhelmed by the pride of her teacher she said. "I do whatever I can to help."

Her eyes picked the view of the black ooze. A demon leaving something of them behind is never without reason. Could it be that this goo would be used for some dark rituals after we feel safe? If someone would walk into it or someone would consume it, either sentient or non sentient, we could have a problem. She looked her teacher and spoke up her mind with a concerned undertone. "My Lord, I am worried about the substance that is left behind on the spot the demoness was before. I do not feel it is safe to let it be there. It might poison other things in Taloh, like what happened to the Mother's tree. Is there something that we can do about it? I feel if someone would get in contact with it, things might go bad."

Another thing went through the thoughts of the novice priestess. The attack of the Thorns might be soon, they would most likely get demonic beasts as allies again. Since we know that they will attack us in advance this time. We could make preparations. Those doglike beasts were weak for fire and rain. It could be that it was the divine element in the rain that made it so. In case of the divine rain it would mean any water blessed with divinity would banish demon's creations. Thus what we need is holy water. Blessed with enough divinity to banish those monsters. Without those monsters we would have a quite better chance of surviving the Thorns attack. Once again she directed her words to the teacher. "My Lord, would it be a good idea, to produce liquids of divinity as a preparation for another demonic beast raid? Those monsters disappeared when the rain had started. Yet, I do not think it was just water, since there was a tri-union of divinity strengthening the spell. By that it would be natural to think that the rain was enchanted with an element of divinity to some degree. Therefore I would feel it would be useful to give out water of divinity to banish those invading demonic beasts." She awaited with eager on the thoughts of her teacher concerning her little philosophy.

[Guest]

It became pretty clear to the young healer that those who had died were stranded without much hope of relieve. He had heard tales of this of ghost, spirits roaming aimlessly, some even bound to a certain place being it a house, garden or even church. He could not help to think of ones called the grand ladies, which were Fay spirits trapped around for some unfulfilled thing in their lives. He felt the last was not in question here as those tended to develop by the spirits own choice.

He gazed upon the necromancer pondering on the thoughts he had and the road he was taking. The thought of the demonic wench not coming for him to slay him, as he openly rivalled her made him think. How couldn’t technically still have contact with the other thorns as he openly renounced her, this was bound to be settling. He knew that if the time came that Borne was a traitor, he would have to deal with himself and his teachings were only beneficial for the time being, even if Borne was to lay his life down in the end.

He pulled himself together and gave a faint smile to the dark caster as he started speaking, with emulated form of lesser brightness.

“Troublesome indeed, still I was wondering something that perhaps makes much sense. The demon knows you oppose her, why are the thorns not fighting you and even letting you life in their midst? There is something you did not tell me about this, did you?”

Quizzically he gazed upon the dark wizard and looked at him with a cold rational glance. He had learned early to detach himself from feeling when necessary and his eyes were now dead cold and unemotional. He knew it was in best interest to be unemotional in dealing with the whole situation; it was the best way to see the truth in the wizard’s eyes.

[Draydis Quinn D`Anorre]

Draydis did not acknowledge the cheers directed at him. He instead turned his thoughts to the one that deserved the credit. ~Thank you Mother. The people rejoice for your blessings.~

The power within him was strong. The guardsman did not know the extent of what he could do, but felt as if the Mother had given him energy to wield for the benefit of the adhiel people. Draydis remembered that the Avatar had once heard his thoughts in King's Court, so while looking directly at her, he simply thought once again, ~M'lady, I feel the power of the Mother strong within me at the moment. Do you know if it would be possible for me to release all of it into the Mother's Tree so that those trapped souls could join with the Mother and be free once again?~

He knew that the crowd should be addressed, but Draydis also knew that he did not want to drive the crowd into a frenzy and have them act without reason. "Do not cheer for me, as I am but an ordinary adhiel. Without the blessings of the Mother, I would have remained powerless. Our thanks should be turned to the Mother."

A thought then hit Draydis, he had asked the soldiers with him to pray to the Mother for her to help them, and she did with more power than he'd ever seen. "I need everybody to join hands so we can all stand as one." Dray waited until it seemed that most everybody did as he asked. "Please close your eyes and let me lead you in a prayer of thanks to our Mother."

Draydis extended his arms upward and closed his eyes...every effort was made for him to clear his mind of all thoughts other than the prayer...

"Mother, thank you for your gift to us today. In the times of dark, you remain a bright guiding light. In times of pain, you soothe our wounds. In times tradegy, you bring us hope. Now we ask, in this time of war, you bring us salvation. Tomorrow, we will confront those who have been corrupted by the strongest of evil. As we witnessed today, their presence is powerless against you. Mother, we simply ask for your guidance, your protection, and your aid in helping us to protect our city, our people, and our way of life. As your servants, we remain...faithfully yours."

The guard commander then lowered his arms and opened his eyes.

[Yin Lorin]

Lord Un’Qyn nodded to Aeshinaera. “Yes, some sort of weapon we could use against her beasts would be good. Something we could put on blade and arrow.” He nodded, and reached up pulling at his left eyebrow as he did when thinking, a little quirk she had started to notice. “Though I do not think she has had time to open a portal to a realm that would allow her to bring more of them into this place.”

Mona nodded to Aeshinera. “Dear, I have heard about your concern for your parents. Perhaps you could speak with Draydis to send someone to your family’s estate and look around?”

Then Draydis asked for the prayer. The Avatar looked a little surprised at his actions, but smiled and let him lead on. The prayer was short, and the crowd was calmed a little by it, but the energy in the air could still be felt.

Laliel Saliu stepped to the stand to speak. “Commander, I thank you for such a moving speech and prayer, and for your arrow that was so true to it’s mark. You are blessed by the Mother.” She looked at the tree that was slowly being strangled by the ivy. “We will undo this curse, once this demon is banished, not before. So we must rally together, and offer more then just our prayer, but our support to fight a great evil.” She looked at Draydis, her gaze was neither pride nor disappointment, a strange mix of the two. The best way to describe it may be of a Mother about to send a child off on their own.

In the distance a necromancer and Nyaerinthas walked and talked. Bourn shook his head. “If she can get them, then what am I? A fly, a small bother.” He looked at the city. “She is trying to take the higher ground, center her power, and then come at me. Once she is strong enough and can manipulate more innocent people.” He looked to the woods. “We need to find the one who cast that spell. Then we can plan to reverse it.” His gaze did not shift, but his tone did. “Unless you have other objectives?”