The Only Hope

[Xar'Zith]

It was with a heavy heart she had travelled, for she could not dare to hope lest her dreams be dashed away at a simple word.

But as she and Yolanir stood on the ridge that looked down over the small hamlet of Surefall Glade, she allowed herself a small spark of hope. She stopped there to give her husband a moment, and looked at him as she wondered what lay ahead. Stormfollower had insisted that she at least ask.

There she waited until they would be invited, for while she was a fairly frequent visitor, the man she had brought with her this time was dangerous.

[Jetamio]

((For those wondering, this is a continuation of a theme on the Arien de Kaane boards. It was easier to get Yolanir to register here, than for me to try get people to go read there as I need at least Stormfollower as well as myself for this one Yolanir does not know the alliance channel at this time.))

Radha had come for her early, clearly agitated about something though she refused to say anything more than the fact that Xarzith had requested her to meet at Surefall Glade. As a druid, she was able to bring herself there in moments, and had since spent most of the afternoon waiting patiently.

It was near dusk when Radha suddenly looked up at the ridge. Jetamio followed her gaze and saw the Assassin with Yolanir. The Druid frowned slightly, wondering why she had brought him here when he had already thrown away her Gift. He was not someone she was in a hurry to see anytime soon.

But they were here, and she could not be rude to Xarzith. She stood up and beckoned with her hand for them to come down. As they started down the path, Jetamio told her daughter to go wake her father, then turned her attention back to the approaching couple. She kept her eyes on Yolanir, studying him.

[Stormfollower]

Beneath the cover of an ancient tree Stormfollower had slept away much of the afternoon. He had insisted on running the whole distance to get to Surefall Glade as he wished more and more to rely on his own physical means rather than the spiritual ones he felt may be making him soft.

When Rhada woke him he smiled softly up at her and extended a hand so she might help him stand. She led him to where Jetamio waited and he smiled at her also.

[Yolanir]

Yol follows along after Xar'zith deep in thought. What is Jetamio gong to do to him, he hadn't thought what she would say or even that it was possible to be returned. And from what he felt back at the castle before he left, it seems that Cerissa was already a lost cause. Everything he had done had not changed anything but had brought hurt to those around him and himself. Maybe he did have a deathwish, that is the only reason he could have done it. He was being selfish and didn't know why. What is to become of me..... and he walked on, follow his wife to the intended place.

[Cerissa]

Tajer dealt with at the castle, the young girl in human form follows the group a good enough distance to remain undetected even though she was quite sure Tajer had followed. The shadows of demons surround her in invisible safety, their moans and hisses silenced by their Mistress’ command. Her smile, grim and dark, the blessings of Innoruuk and Cazic Thule sewn deep within this ones’ soul.

Her skeletal pet finds Rixcis and informs him of his Mistress’ whereabouts and desire. Rixcis shakes his head, then hisses a command to his fellow Mercenaries to follow one-quarter journey behind. Lizard-like humanoids nod, though one in particular of the group hisses out a comment that they should not wait so far. The challenge of authority is met with a warning growl from Rixcis and the lone rebuttal is quickly silenced.

The girl follows in silent steps, slipping a tear-shaped pendant from her neck for a brief moment. At her thought lightening cracks around her, surrounding her in an open mental portal. The temporary release of demons seek out her victim, traveling along the electric path provided. Hisses, moans and the soft echo of a giggling girl set their path directly towards Yolinir’s mind. “Why do you run away from what you are? Do you not cherish the power given you? Do you want the one who would appreciate this gift to think you deny your full potential? What would mere mortals know of your gift? How would they understand your power, your strength? They cannot, so they fear you. That is the true reason they wish you to return to the weakness and their confines of mortality.”

The thought sent to him causes her to stop for a moment to rest, she can only hope her message had reached him. She quickly slips the protective amulet back onto her neck, the protection retracts and absorbs the demons into it, it appears to melt against her skin, caressing her skin like a lovers touch as she feels the protection cover her mind once again. She would not be able to send her thoughts to him, but she would also be protected from those who try to enter her thoughts as well.

[Yolanir]

Yolanir stumbles upon the path and brings both hands to his head. That blathering child has something in her possesion that is letting her do this and I don't know what. He shakes his head and trods onwards, hoping that she will stay out of his head long enough for him to figure out what he is about and continues following the women that he is truly meant to be with, even thought she has never really trusted him with anything, and he is just now wondering why.

The closer he gets to the meeting area the more ill at ease he is starting to feel. Like something doesn't want him here and is pushing against him to stay away. But he trods on.

[Cerissa]

Cerissa calls upon the Gods of her creation, Innoruuk and Cazic Thule bless their child and restores her strength to her. She removes a small pair of boots from her pack, slowing only enough to put them on quickly. The energy of the boots fill her body and she feels a quickness surge through her. Her feet move quickly beneath her, lest the object of her torment get too far beyond reach.

A skeletal pet continues the path with the group of Iksar in tow, their hisses and growls matching the rythym of their steps as all in the group speed along in the journey. The young female smiles as she senses her skeletal pet near, he must have her allies with him.

She pauses a moment removing the pendant which reluctantly releases it's hold on her skin. Once again the lightening appears as she narrows her eyes in the direction of her victim, Yolinir. The hisses and moans of the demons who carry her voice appear strongly as the electric waves carry them painfully into his mind. Her voice echos with the evil of her creation, "Do not let them reverse you, Yolinir. You know you were meant for more than a mortal's insignificant life. Walk in the power of your gift, and do not let those weaker than you trick you into giving it up. Walk in pride with your power, the power they fear." Her voice continues in a trailing whisper, "Yolinir...." Closing her eyes she places the amulet back onto her neck, it aborbing a bit into her skin as she nearly collapses onto the ground. A tree dies as she leans against it absorbing it's life power to strengthen her own.

She raises her head looking in the direction of her victim and grins as she proceeds forward.

[Jetamio]

Jetamio started towards them, then stopped. She cocked her head slightly and drew a deep lungful of air and held it for a moment before exhaling. They had been followed, she was sure of it. And judging by Yolanir's expression he knew it too, while Xar'zith seemed oblivious to the fact. But Jetamio knew the assassin well enough to know that she could hide her expression well.

The scent of death lay in the air, the death of a tree irking the Druid. She continued towards them, stopping at a polite distance from the two. She nods a greeting to Xar'zith, then locks eyes on her Sanguine husband.

"Hello Yolanir."

[Yolanir]

"Greetings great one." he says with a distinct effort almost out of breath. " I think I bit off more than I can chew, and for that matter, someone wants something I have I think." then he falls to the ground holding his head and moans at the onslaught of her voice again.

I must hold on he thinks, just a while longer till I know Xar is safe. He looks up and catches Xar'ziths' eyes and tries to convey how much he is sorry for what must be coming, and he drops them to the ground again.

His blood is burning and boiling inside him, writhing to be free. If that child was at hand I'd slay her for starting this chain of events he thinks.... NO, that is not right, she is being true to herself, what am I being? A coward, running to others for help. I am confused. I am deeply confused, what have I done?

[Cerissa]

and stop looking her over curiously, “I’m not even going to ask.” he hisses out in disgust at her form.

She rolls her eyes shrugging then looks behind him, “Where are the others? You will need help.”

He flashes a toothy grin then states sarcastically, “Oh…. The walking dead? They are on their way.”

The dark grin of her creators curl her lips into a dark smile, “Perfect.” She turns facing towards the direction of her victim, having her strength replenished by the death of the tree she grins slipping the amulet from her neck as she begins her torment once again. The release of the demons sends them cackling through the air, electricity carries their likeness as they swirl in static motion. Painful entry into his mind their intention the slam into him at full force, “Yolinir…. Hear me…. Listen to the one who knows your worth. Yolinir, do not be overcome by the weakness of others. They fear your gift, your strength. They want you to remain weak. Use the strength of your gift.” She hisses softly, the hiss carried through the electrical current, “Embrace the pain, let it give you strength to resist them.” She reaches out a hand as if she could touch him, the shock sent through the air against his cheek. “Yolinir…. You can overcome their weaknesses. Stand in the power of your gift.”

She inhales deeply having sensed his torment and it feeds her well. She nearly stumbles in her euphoric state and Rixcis catches her before she can fall to the ground. The surprise of such fulfillment catches her off guard causing her to close her mind to him suddenly, the demons retracting from his mind with quickness, pulling at his very soul to follow them back to her. She quickly replaces the amulet around her neck and looks up at Rixcis with fulfilled eyes, her voice soft and gentle, “Let’s continue on.” As they begin walking five other Iksar appear and fall in line with the others.

They stop a safe distance, “The male is mine, all others have no meaning.” She looks up at Rixcis, “I’m sure you understand.” He nods silently and she removes a small piece of parchment from her pack and places it firmly in her hand. She whispers as she stands within eyesight of where the victim she preys upon entered, “Mine.”

[Yolanir]

Yolanir drops to the ground and yells out in pain, holding his hands to his head as he rolls into a ball gasping for breath as the swirling voices drift through his head and Cerissas voice drones in his ears. What is she doing trying to drive me mad?

he catches a quick breath and moans out. " They are coming, she has brought a band of mercs with her. She is mad I say MaD!" and he slumps to the ground into oblivion.

[Cerissa]

The group of Iksars form a protective circle around the young girl, their swords drawn and prepared to protect this high-paying female. Rixcis looks over at Cerissa and nods with a hiss which brings the evil grin of darkness to her face. He was near, she could sense it, she could feel his power and she wasn’t about to let him throw it away so easily.

Her human fingers pull the amulet from around her neck and she closes her eyes. The demons awake swirling around their Mistress, caressing and embracing the power of the darkness she holds. She extends her hands as she narrows her eyes in the direction of her victim, the demons quickly obeying their Mistress’ command. The ride the electric thoughts streaking fiercely through the sky with wails and screams of pleasurable pain.

Lightening strikes around him, piercing his mind with undeniable agony. Their Mistress’ voice enters his mind with increased pain, the giggles of the little girl lost within her words, “Do not give in Yolinir, embrace your power. They fear you, let them continue to do so. Do not deny who, and what, you are.” She inhales deeply feeling his torment, he feeds her the energy to continue on. “Stand strong Yolinir, do not fear them. Do not allow them to fear what you are. They stagnate your power, they control you, to make you who you are no longer. You know what you have become, embrace it and do not let them control your desires.”

Her breath quickens as the feeding from his torment places her in a euphoric state, his power seeping from his mind into hers. She draws on him, his darkness, his strength, the evil, she pulls it all to the surface commanding it’s use. “Use it, Yolinir. Demand justice for the shame they attempt to make you feel.” His power thrusts through her body as piece by piece is wrenched from him. “Now Yolinir! Now while your strength can support you!” she shouts, the sound of her voice cutting sharply into his thoughts. Nearly overwhelmed she ends the connection suddenly, the storm surrounding the passion of evil left deeply embedded into his consciousness.

Her trembling fingers replace the amulet upon her neck as one of the Iksar soldiers grabs her attempting to support her body. The Iksar’s mistake paid with his life as her body greedily feeds the beast within her and he crumble to the ground in a pile of dust. Panting she looks at Rixcis and hisses, “You obviously failed to mention the consequence of touching me.” He laughs and looks at his soldiers, “Anyone else?” and they laugh in return. Something she always admired about the Iksar, they were uncaring if the weak died. How familiar a belief that was.

She looks in Yolinir’s direction, “He will come.” she states softly.

[Jetamio]

Jetamio watched in silence as the female and her Iksar followers came within sight. She heard Yolanir moan a warning before he collapsed, but she did not need it. The strange female was unatural, every blade of grass screamed to the druid of the pain her presence inflicted on this place. Judging by the Assassin's expression, she had not invited these intruders.

Jetamio slowly knelt down to touch Yolanir and flinched as she felt what was left of his spirit being torn apart. She imparted some of her own strength to protect what remained, allowing no further entry into his mind. She motioned Xar'zith to stay with him as she stood back up and stood between them and the approaching party.

Jetamio did not recognise the young woman, though it was obvious she was the instigator. She highly doubted that any of them knew much about her, which of course could be used to her advantage. It was obvious that she was a druid though, a young looking Fier'Dal (Wood Elf) woman with long fiery red hair and liquid gold eyes that betrayed a hint of the feral spirit laying dormant. Her slender figure, though thickened around the waist with her now obvious pregnancy, was dressed in various leathers and buckskins dyed in a deep red. She carried a flaming staff, holding it with the easy grace of one comfortable with the weapon.

The druid raised one hand, palm facing them in a motion to stop. She said nothing, only a guarded smile gracing her beautiful face.

[Yolanir]

Upon Jetamio's touch he sighs in relief and slips into a healing trance, that of death it would seem.

[Xar'Zith]

She was worried about Yolanir but was too afraid to say anything that might set him off on another rampage. But when he collapsed, she was instantly at his side. At Jetamio's touch he instantly relaxed, so much so that she thought he was dead. She knew Jetamio's touch could be fatal to his kind, but when the Druid told her to stay with him, she looked back at him. He did not breathe, but something about his expression in sleep convinced her he was still there.

Holding her fallen husband in her arms, she watched the Druids next move...