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Illian The Silent
(Meilandru)
7/14/2009 9:27:46 AM
PostID: 295847
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Illian is instantly both excited and frightened to be so close to home, to people, to a cure. She breathes the scent of the flowers in deeply, then is startled by Etienne's approach.
She turns to face him, and his words, and is swiftly grounded back to the reality where her heart hurt. She takes a few stems of the Lissuin, hands them to Etienne and points to Edward, then turns back to the flowers.
To the trees, she asks if they can whisper her name and her need on their limbs, to help whoever she seeks find her, that in this time her need is dire, and that she carries the flower with her to alert them to her presence.
She also sends her own prayer, muttered in broken Elvish, to be found... Then she glances around for any clues that might lead her where she is looking.
She looks back to Edward, and decides that in this late light, right now would be a good time to stop. She moves back to him. Let's stop here. I might have sent a message, and if it was successful, we should stay near the flowers, as a beacon. The trees say we are close, I think this would be a good place to stay.
Secure Rolls:
Search 1d20(12)+8 = 20
Survival 1d20(17)+6 = 23
Listen 1d20(17)+6 = 23
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Game Master
(Gibbon)
7/14/2009 11:42:00 AM
PostID: 295870
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"I am fine" says Edward, but behind him Wulfhere catches Illian's eye and shakes his head. Then Edward descends into a coughing fit, a nasty hacking sound that gives the lie to his words.
They set camp, and wait. The sun sets and darkness engulfs the forest, at least for the humans. To Illian the greens and browns are replaced with darker hues of the same colours, and the forest is just as beautiful to her at night as it is during the day. But the humans cannot see in the dark, and both Etienne and the Anglian guards are soon on edge, glancing around at every sound. Wulfhere too appears more alert, but he shows no sign of agitation.
Edward speaks to Illian. He sounds tired, and he looks sick. But when he smiles at her the fire is still in his eyes. Illian can see that he is not going to go under without a fight.
"Illian, I meant to tell you, but it...slipped my mind, in the subsequent revelations. The Baron made that prisoner talk, the wizard who you caught ransacking my room. A couple of hours with his men in the dungeon and he was only too happy to assist the good Baron in his investigation."
He pauses to take a long drink from his wineskin, coughs again, and continues.
"It turns out that he was sent up from Essex, the Saxon kingdom on Anglia's southern border. When he found out that we had arrived he sent a message back to Essex and then decided to spy on us, starting by taking the opportunity to search our rooms. He had the documents we found on him, but he didn't manage to send any messages about our quest before you caught him."
"So, Saxon Essex knows we are here - that I am here, but not why, at least, not about our quest. But they will no doubt conclude that I am here to claim the throne of Albion."
He shrugs, then gives a small grin.
"Perhaps they will send assassins after us, hey?"
This post last edited on 7/14/2009 11:42:59 AM
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Illian The Silent
(Meilandru)
7/14/2009 2:15:06 PM
PostID: 295904
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Illian sighs, then turns away. More and more things I have to worry about. She goes around setting Alarms around the camp, audible so that everyone can hear then when they go off, then returns to the spot with the flowers.
She stands before them, holding back her tears. She is resolving not to cry anymore about this. It only hurts Edward, she thinks, to watch her already mourning, to be reminded of his illness. She is trying so hard not to show it to him, to stay strong, but she just can't face him. She draws strength from the flowers, and gazes on further into the trees, praying for some kind of guidance. She's lately been so self-sufficient, so reliable, that it is only in her love for a dying man that has rendered her vulnerable, in a sense.
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Game Master
(Gibbon)
7/19/2009 11:53:49 AM
PostID: 296638
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The evening and night pass uneventfully. But when dawn arrives the next day, Edward can barely walk. He forces down some water, but retches when he tries to eat, and can barely speak. Etienne is distraught, and even the normally stoic Wulfhere has a look of desolation on his face. Their lord prince will die - today or tomorrow, perhaps the day after, but soon. Edward's lifespan is now measured in hours.
As Illian watches him crumble before her eyes, the murmuring of the trees in her ears suddenly rises, as if in excitement. It was the same feeling she experienced when she first entered the forest, and it can only mean one thing. The Eledhrim are here...
[ooc: Spot or Listen roll...]
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Illian The Silent
(Meilandru)
7/19/2009 12:52:44 PM
PostID: 296643
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Illian feels and hears the trees murmuring around her, then turns to Edward. They are here. She finds the flowers she had given him and place them in his hands, then takes a moment to run her fingers through his hair before turning to Etienne and Wulfhere.
She points to her eyes, then around to the trees. Then, picking up her staff, she does the same. Her eyes are lit up where the others only perceive darkness in the events that have overwhelmed them, but she knows, now, this is what she has been waiting for.
[Senses Aura Active, everyone in 30' radius receives a +1 to listen, spot, and initiative. Not included in roll.]
Secure Rolls:
Listen 1d20(2)+6 = 8
Spot 1d20(10)+6 = 16
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Game Master
(Gibbon)
7/19/2009 2:35:43 PM
PostID: 296650
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Edward is lying on his bedroll still. He just nods and smiles, weakly, and Illian cannot be sure he even understood her signing. The others are on their feet, weapons hastily pulled from scabbards, looking around.
They search and listen, but there is nothing. The sounds of the forest are as normal - the rustling of the wind in the trees, the call of the birds.
For a few seconds Illian feels the faintest of touches on her head, as if someone was blowing very gently on her hair. Then it is gone.
The silence is broken by a hissing sound, and then another. There is a loud crack, and suddenly there is an arrow quivering in Etienne's shield, that is lying propped against one of the trees. Another is embeddded in the ground, a mere few inches from Edward's head. He does not seem to notice it.
A soft voice issues from the trees, and for the second time in a few days, Illian hears the language of her people spoken as it should be - flowing and musical, without the gutteral inflections that humans bring to it. But this time the beautiful sound of the elvish language is at odds with the words spoken.
"Have the filthy humans put down their weapons, or swift death will come to all of you."
This post last edited on 7/19/2009 3:02:11 PM
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Illian The Silent
(Meilandru)
7/19/2009 9:11:43 PM
PostID: 296693
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Illian quickly turns to make sure Edward is unharmed, then beckons the others to put down their weapons. If they refuse, she points to Edward and an angry look spreads across her face.
When they do, she turns back to face the trees. She speaks, less clearly than any human attempting the language. "Help. Hurt. Need you."
She walks over to her backpack, makes clear motions to pull out her notebook and ink and pen, then set them on the ground, pointing at it, then the trees.
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Game Master
(Gibbon)
7/20/2009 2:47:37 PM
PostID: 296785
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For a few seconds nobody moves, as Wulfhere fixes Illian with a long, calulating stare. Finally he drops his sword and barks orders at the Anglians. They grudgingly lay down their weapons, as does Etienne.
Out of the forest steps an elf, a longbow in his hands. The bowstring is drawn taut, an arrow levelled directly at Illian. The first thing that strikes her is how young he looks. She guesses that he is not even a century old. His face is pale, as Illian's, and even his eyes are the same hue of violet as hers. He is wearing a green tunic and trews that blend in with the forest, and behind him she can make out at least four other elves, barely visible in the trees, but all with bows trained on her and her human companions. Briefly it occurs to Illian that her Alarm spell was not tripped as the Eledhrim approached.
The elf nods in the direction of her notebook, lying on the floor.
"Make no false moves" he warns her.
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Illian The Silent
(Meilandru)
7/20/2009 4:14:40 PM
PostID: 296799
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She nods, then moves to the notebook. She writes, then cautiously walks to him to show him her notes.
I am Illian, and I bring these humans here because the one is sick and needs your help to find a cure. He has been afflicted beyond our means to aid him, cursed by Morgaine's Mantle. I have been seeking you for this reason. The trees told me you were near, so we waited. This need is great, and I ask it.
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Game Master
(Gibbon)
7/21/2009 5:15:23 AM
PostID: 296866
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The elf glances at Illian's note [ooc: written in Elvish, I'm assuming]. His posture does not change, his bow still levelled at Illian.
"Why should we provide assistance to a filthy human? Why do you care, and why do you travel with them? How can you stand the smell?"
In truth, it has been a long time since Illian has noticed the scent of humans. She remembers that back in York, the prisoners she came across there smelled pretty unpleasant. But either she has become used to it, or else not all humans give off a noticeable scent.
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Illian The Silent
(Meilandru)
7/21/2009 10:03:06 AM
PostID: 296897
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The human wishes reunification between humans and elves, like Arthur. He chases that legend, it is in his blood. With this voyage, he has brought me home.
You may be too young to know, but I was outcast from you into their world, and I was forced to learn to care. Perhaps you've learned to smell me the way you smell them.
If I am still not one of you, if I am still just one of them, then I expect you not to care. But I hope that somewhere, someone will remember that I belong here, and grant me what I ask.
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Game Master
(Gibbon)
7/21/2009 1:24:40 PM
PostID: 296918
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The elf does not move.
"I do not know you. And who is this human who you claim wishes to see the ancient alliance reforged?"
Another of the Eledhrim steps out of the forest, near to Illian. He is no older than the first - perhaps a century, but no more. He carries a longbow also, but no arrow is nocked. He glances down at what is written in Illian's notebook, and gives her a measured look. He says nothing, however.
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Illian The Silent
(Meilandru)
7/21/2009 4:36:51 PM
PostID: 296951
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His name is Edward Plantegenet, and he claims decendancy. He still would have come to meet you here, to discuss such things. It is his illness that has prompted us to come early.
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Game Master
(Gibbon)
7/22/2009 6:35:21 AM
PostID: 297048
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The second elf reads Illian's words, then heads back into the forest. She can hear murmuring.
Eventually another of the Eledhrim appears. He is older, several centuries so. He carries no bow, but a longsword with a delicately crafted hilt is scabbarded at his waist. In his left hand is a slender wand.
Again Illian feels the delicate sensation of something blowing very gently on her head, then it is gone. The older elf examines her for some minutes, before speaking.
"You will come with us."
He points at Edward.
"He will come with us. The rest of the humans will not. If they leave now, they will not be harmed. If they try to follow, they will be killed. There will be no negotiation in this matter."
From behind Illian, Wulfhere demands,
"What are they saying?"
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Illian The Silent
(Meilandru)
7/22/2009 11:29:42 AM
PostID: 297080
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Illian thinks on this for a moment, then nods. She turns back to Wulfhere with her notebook in hand.
They will accept Edward and I to go further, but us only. You and Etienne and the guards have to go back. You cannot follow us where we are going, they will kill you. Please.
Go back to the road, to the inn we stayed at the other night, and wait there. We will know to find you there when this is done.
She shows it to Wulfhere, fighting back tears, then goes about packing up camp for herself and Edward. When Wulfhere finishes reading, she puts the notebook away in a pocket, then points to Edward, hoping Wulfhere and Etienne will help her get him back in his saddle so she can lead him.
Just before they leave the camp, she points Wulfhere and Etienne the way out, and stands there watching them leave, making sure they leave, before turning back to her people with the two horse's reins in hand to follow them.
If Wulfhere fights the decision...
His life depends on these people, and you swore your life to protect him. Therefore, you must protect your own life and do what I ask so that I can protect him and get him to someone who can cure him. No one else can. I cannot, you cannot. So do this. We will find you.
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Game Master
(Gibbon)
7/23/2009 9:38:22 AM
PostID: 297229
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At first, Wulfhere refuses, as does Etienne. But when Illian shows him her second hastily scribbled note, he closes his eyes in defeat. The veteran warrior knows that the Eledhrim are Edward's only hope, however much he dislikes the fact. Finally, he gives a curt nod.
Etienne holds the last of Custennin's potion to Edward's lips, and he drinks it down. The squire murmurs something that Illian does not catch, and Edward grips his arm. Etienne stands up and turns away.
"Be well, Illian" he says to her, tears running down his face. "We will see you soon."
Wulfhere says nothing, but glares at the elves as he picks up his sword and slams it back in its scabbard. He leaves the camp without so much as a look backward. The Anglians follow, and finally Etienne leaves too, albeit reluctantly. He glances back once at Edward and Illian, then follows the rest of his companions.
Custennin's potion seems to have improved Edward's condition, at least temporarily. He rises unsteadily. He is swaying on his feet, but remains standing.
"My name is...Edward Plantagenet" he says slowly, in Elvish. "I am heir...to the throne of Man...in Albion. I have come...to you...in peace...and friendship. To make a start on....healing the rifts between our peoples."
Edward's Sylvan has improved, Illian notes, although his accent is as bad as it ever was.
The older elf, who seems to be in charge, watches him..
"We will speak of these matters, later - perhaps. For now, you will come with us."
Other elves silently materialise out of the forest. Illian counts at least ten, including the ones she has already seen. Two of them unroll a stretcher, made entirely of twine. They indicate that Edward should lie on it, and when he does two of them pick it up and start carrying him into the forest, in the opposite direction to that which Wulfhere, Etienne and the Anglians took. The leader indicates that Illian should follow, while the other elves go on ahead, or disappear back into the foliage around her. Save for the exchange with Edward, all is done in complete silence.
Soon the procession is making its way west, deep into the Forest of Albion.
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Illian The Silent
(Meilandru)
7/23/2009 11:49:27 AM
PostID: 297236
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Illian stands near Edward to support him physically as he stands and speaks, then helps him settle into the stretcher. She squeezes his hand before they start walking, then goes back for the reins for the two horses, leading them along behind the leader.
Was I expecting more? A warm welcome? Not likely. I may not have known what I was getting into, but I am here. At least they are taking him, to find a way to heal him, and if they make me promise never to return here in exchange for his, I will. Maybe I have lived too long among the humans. Maybe I smell like them now...I don't know. I don't think I smell any different, but I certainly have changed since I left the forest, so long ago.
Now that she was with the other Eledhrim, it felt like the trees were crowding in around her thoughts, a relief spreading through them but only more growing worry and concern building in her.
[Senses Aura still active, +1 to listen and spot not included in roll.]
Secure Rolls:
Listen 1d20(16)+6 = 22
Spot 1d20(16)+6 = 22
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Game Master
(Gibbon)
7/24/2009 3:56:42 AM
PostID: 297358
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The Eledhrim take Illian and Edward in a south-westerly direction. Through the trees Illian frequently catches glimpses of their escort, silently gliding through the trees, their bows ready to unleash death on any who dare trespass in their forest. Humans would never see them, and even Illian frequently fails to notice them. Perhaps she has indeed been away too long.
They travel for an hour, perhaps two, before the leader calls a halt. Again, there is no verbal communication, but the elves carrying Edward suddenly stop, and other of the Eledhrim drift in from the trees. One of them offers Illian a small parcel - lembas, wrapped in leaves. Illian has not tasted the elven waybread for years.
The elf who gave her the lembas tells her quietly that the waybread waybread is for both her and Edward. He says that they will rest here for a few minutes, to eat, then they will move on.
Looking ahead as she unwraps the bread, Illian can see that the trees thin out into a sizeable glade ahead. Large stones dot the area, and in the middle of the glade is a stone structure - a ruined building. The columns and arches indicate that perhaps this was once a temple, but it has long since been abandoned. It looks of Aquitanian construction to Illian. The ruin is large enough that there must once have been a paved road through here, but there is no sign of it now.
Edward, still lying on the stretcher of vines, gives her a small smile. He looks slightly better than earlier.
"Not quite...how I intended...our first meeting to go" he murmurs. "Still, at least they...didn't shoot us..."
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Game Master
(Gibbon)
7/24/2009 3:57:06 AM
PostID: 297359
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Illian The Silent
(Meilandru)
7/24/2009 10:18:53 AM
PostID: 297372
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[OOC: Stealing screenshots from Oblivion again? :)]
Illian gladly accepts the lembas, taking small chunks and feeding them to Edward first before taking any for herself. She sits by where they set him, looking down at him with her staff at her side.
For a moment, she sets the lembas down on his chest. You weren't coherent at first, they did shoot at you. They intentionally missed your head by mere inches. You also probably didn't see how angry Wulfhere was that he had to leave, or watch Etienne crying as they left. But I know where to find them when time comes to do so. She picks up the lembas and continues to feed it to him, not so much for herself until he has had his fill, and only occasionally glancing at the stone ruins. Her attention is on Edward.
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