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Post by Shadows on Jun 14, 2010 12:30:24 GMT -5
-Quickly dispatching the proffered food, bowls were set aside. The funny thing about magic, thought Poignant, was that it had so many uses. Already the bowl had been cleaned and neatly packed away. A mug replacing, tipping forward to meet lips, the frothy liquid within eager to start a jolly chain reaction. Pausing, eyes narrowed, ears pricked on his tiny friend. They weren't eavesdropping. Something more insidious approached. Discarded cup, ale having been spilled in the process. Reaching for his axe, he barked orders. "Get the camp cleaned. We're moving. I'll get the children." And off the Dwarf stalked. More like a lumbering lumberjack, axe held by both hands across waist, the bladed edge bobbing up and down with each stop through the wooded area.
Poignant didn't call out, and the mage made no sound as wand was produced, pots and pans flying through the air, fire dying with a hiss and a sizzle. Completely confident in his friend's safety, as now the only two making noise where just up ahead. The hard breathing of the horse, the hoarse voices of the two he sought. Once upon them, there was that flicker of gold in each eyes, as though blessed by the light but still tainted by the very evil he sought to exterminate.
"Come along now. There is evil afoul and you're its prey." He said this matter-of-factly. As though he might of known the entire time. Making no comment on just what it was just chasing them, it could as well of been the boggeyman for all they knew. But just then, perhaps to set their minds at ease, a terrible crashing sound was heard. Branches and twigs were trampled under foot and clearly getting louder and louder with each passing second. While they might of been scared, the paladin turned his back to them, axe still resting within both hands at waist level. Soon two beefy oxen appeared roaring through the underbrush, snorting, as their wild master 'hawed' and danced from above. Stopping just in front of the axe-wielding Dwarf, he gave one last look at either of them. "Come now, lest you become someone else's dinner!" Hauling his weight onto the wagon, taking a seat beside his tiny friend, it was quite obvious there was more than enough room for the man. The woman was more than welcome to ride her house beside, but there was no question they had to stay with the wagon.-
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Post by Jones on Jun 14, 2010 21:11:50 GMT -5
Dem’s hissed words stopped him cold. All he could do was step out of the way and fall silent, let his hands fall, after having raised them in supplication. He simply stood there and watched her and the horse pass by, leaving him behind.
He had never witnessed her being this angry before. Not at him, in anycase. When he had chosen to leave the caravan to pursue the plans and the dreams that he had in separating himself from the Black family, he had thoroughly convinced himself he could tell no one of his schemes. He couldn’t allow his father, his mother, or any of the family lawyers and other lackeys under his father’s control know of what he had in mind to do. Any word of it would bring his father’s wrath and send everything into his ruins. Maxius’ paranoia had grown to such a point that… He had even decided to hide his intentions from his sister; the only person he had ever told everything to.
He didn’t realize what the feeling would be like, when that trust was severed, as it was just now. To see her reaction to not being told anything of his designs. He couldn’t imagine what she would have done had he told her.
Before Maxius could fully turn back and make his way to the paladin’s camp when Poignant himself was coming out of the woods, axe ready. Vufant came into view as well with his team of oxens and the wagon. Maxius didn’t hesitate taking Poignant’s recommendation to heart, and fueled by the sounds in the woods behind him, he hauled himself up into the passing wagon as well, the brown robes flourishing around him before settling tight around his figure again. He turned his head back towards the woods to see if he could catch a glimpse of whatever was about to give chase, before he whirled back in his sister’s direction.
“Move, Dem!”
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Post by Samaena on Jun 16, 2010 8:38:16 GMT -5
Leaning forward slightly to whisper to her horse, to ease him as she rode away from Max. She was only going at a very slow walk but the old boy seemed to be irritated and twitchy. She didn’t know why, unless Max had upset him. She wouldn’t have put it past him either. Simple fact was, as there were so many thoughts popping in and out of her head she didn’t really know what to say to Max, she had not seen him for a few weeks before now...and she wasn’t dead. She really could manage without him right? That wasn’t the point!
Her shire was increasingly twitchy, he had obviously picked up on something within the wood, something approaching but she was oblivious at that moment, turning and trying to ease the poor animal she caught sight of Poignant approaching, heading toward Max with his weapon in hand. Her heart leaped into her throat and for all she may have tried she could not call his name. Turning in circles, twisting her body so she may have been able to see what happened next, the words Poignant spoke were lost within the whimpers and squeals of the horse.
She did however, hear the crash, the snapping and crackling of twigs...too close for comfort. It even sent her shire wheeling, to the point of rearing with total panic. In fact she cried out and clung to the creature’s mane. Gripping his body with her knees. It was just as well she were an accomplished rider or she would have been thrown. It could have looked perhaps to any that hadn’t known that the gentle giant was dancing, but it was the approaching oxen and the cart that saved the day. The shire bolted for the safety of something familiar...the caravan, the safety of numbers.
“MAX!” she cried she hadn’t seen him jump onto the cart, she couldn’t see him and the panic rose further within her, which didn’t help the animal beneath her...but there would be no steering the shire away from the cart. His voice had drifted to her to move and the shire bucked a little and she found clumps of mane clutched tightly in her hands once again. She’d not be able to hold him much longer...”Help me!” she whimpered toward the cart...again hearing another thunderous crash behind them, much closer now.
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Post by Shadows on Jun 16, 2010 15:31:03 GMT -5
-Having already leapt onto the speeding wagon, Poignant discarded his weapon for the moment. Instead replacing it with the plated helm he had been wearing earlier. Unfortunately the wagon was anything but steady. "Can ya hold 'r anymore steady?!" he yelped in frustration. Beneath the woolen cap and bouncing dog ears, a tiny voice squeaked between 'hees', "Not like there is a road 'ere Poignant!" Still fumbling the Dwarf managed to look towards the two they had come to warn, Max it appeared had made it on. Though his sister was still on the horse she rode in on.
Having no time for heriocs, he discarded the helm with a grunt and a loud clang as it rumbled within the belly of the wagon. Wheels squealed in frustration as tiny rocks and pebbles were flung to the far reaches of the murky forest. Shadow consumed the glow of the wagon as it raced onwards. Launching himself over the top of the carriage, scrambling to the back where Max had latched on and was nearest the horse who was apparently a pack animal, he pulled himself taut. A calm seemed to radiant from him, even the faint hint of words being said in endless repitition. The horse knew it, could sense it as hand was outstretched before it.
Still this presented no less danger, as the ground was becoming more hostile. Trying to calm the horse would do no good as it was not properly fitted for such rough terrain. Expert rider of no, she was in imminent danger. Sighing as these calculations presented the inevitable end, he body sagged away from the wagon, bouncing with each bump in the narrowing path. Monstrous roars could be heard about the hard breathing of the horse, the clumping of its hooves. "All 'ight missy, 'ol Poignant's g'nna ge'cha!" Howling, a mad look to his eyes now, the Dwarf grabbed the woman in that foreign, muscular grapple only a Dwarf could muster. She was pulled clear from the shire and tossed over the carriage. Nearly loosing his grip in the process, he groaned. "G'damnit you mangy mutt, hold it steady!" -
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Post by Jones on Jun 17, 2010 11:30:57 GMT -5
Dem’s safety was first and foremost in his mind. Was the shire fast enough? Could she get into the wagon with them if it wasn’t? Maxius was barely on himself, having balanced himself on the end of the trailer, one foot braced against it while the other hovered over the ground, his hands gripping the sides of the wagon hard. He was about to haul himself all the way on when Poignant rumbled into view. Rather than getting into the dwarf’s way, he tried to keep himself steady.
He couldn’t hear much of what anybody might be saying with the way the wagon roared down the road. He couldn’t move much either, with being so focused on keeping himself on the damned thing. He couldn’t see the dwarf grabbing his sister and literally jerking her off her horse and pulling her into the wagon. He only became aware of it when he’d swung a little too far over into her way with the wagon turning, and as she came aboard, she’d clip him and send him reeling out wide the other way.
“Oof!” Maxius grunted, his arm hooked through one of the open side panels the only thing keeping him aboard. He swung about 180 degrees, his entire body leaving the trailer of the wagon to swing out over the open air to the side. The only thing that stopped him was the turning wagon wheel, which he bumped into roughly with his butt. The jolt sent him reeling back the way he’d come, ripping another grunt from him. This time, however, he decided to take advantage of the momentum. Once he was lined up, he pushed himself all the way into the wagon bed to land heavily on his front beside the dwarf and Dem.
One hell of a way to spend an evening.
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Post by Samaena on Jun 20, 2010 14:21:51 GMT -5
Always one for drama the queen herself was this time in real trouble, she couldn’t focus on anything other than herself and Titan (The Shire finally got a name). She thought she had been in some scrapes before but tis was surreal. The guy was leaning over the carriage and reaching for her, the horse, who the hell knew but she wasn’t totally witless. She had some idea of the guys strength as he grabbed her and she was not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, especially when a total stranger was trying to help her. Letting go of Titan’s mane, her fingers still wound with horse hair she did nothing more than squeal as she was lifted, bounced and swung onto the wagon.
Her landing was a rough one, bouncing across the boards, bouncing off boxes and supplies she could only cringe and wince and try to gather self and remain upright. Though what the hell Max was doing she couldn’t tell, too busy swinging about to see if she could see what the hell it was that was causing all the ruckus in their wake. It was big, it was loud and as Max swung back into the wagon she was ready for him. Both fists clench and her crimson lips pursed. Though her gaze once more found itself searching the darkness behind then for whatever it was that thought they would be its prey.
She'd be sure to thank Poignant later, once things were settled. For now it was more important to not create a fuss. Even though a random thought strayed to her Father and the rest of the 'family', it was after dark and they'd be sure to be wondering where she was, if not already looking. Daddy was a real worry wart, perhaps it were best he hadnt known the situation they were in right now. Best all round.
For now though, they just had to outrun this...thing.
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Post by Shadows on Jul 2, 2010 1:11:11 GMT -5
-Heaving across the wooden wagon top, creaking and groaning as it was jarred on the uneven path they cut across the dark wood, Poignant found his hold and had begun to strenuous journey back towards his floppy eared companion. The thing, if it could even be called that, lumbered behind them. Massive gorilla like arms bent trees as though they were twigs. Nothing seemed to impeded its advance.
With searching eyes giving away the grim result of their scouting he plumped back down into the rickety seat. Cheeks bulged for an instance on the dwarf then, eyes closing as though concentrating. A faint sheen of purest white blanketed him from head to two. Providing an aura of sorts that illuminated the dark bark of the passing trees. Suddenly the wagon gave a lurch. No the bogeyman as Poignant had affectionately named in his mind, had not caught up to them just yet. In fact, if their eyes peered behind the, they would see it slowly fading into the shadow from whence it came.
“We're moving faster!” Sounded off his obvious partner in crime. With a satisfied expression, the glow faded and Poignant looked at his friend. “Really?” With one crises averted, he turned in his seat, looking at the two scattered across the roof of the wagon. With a shake of his head, a great voice beckoned them. “What're you two doing there? Hurry up and get up here.” As though nothing had happened, he gave them a scolding look. Sure the enough the horses were moving faster. Seemingly their forced path through the rough forest no longer seemed to affect them. At a glance, they would see a shimmering bubble that cut out of the effects of the terrain.
Divine intervention from the great light in the sky. Sometimes Poignant bitterly remarked on that flaming circle of hell that circled overhead as nothing more but a cheap imitation meant to lure people away from the true source of his power. But being the Paladin he was, he couldn't exactly advertise his views on the world. The light wouldn't be so reckless to flash across the sky everyday. No the light was much more devious and cunning when it meant to show itself. Non-believers could hardly see its influence.
“Was damn bogeyman,” they could hear his deep voice bellow as if to answer a question that had yet to be ask. Some might consider him rude, perhaps even a little smelly, but none of it bothered the dwarf. Hadn't he just saved their lives anyway? The ax seemed to thrum in his hands, having been so near a true spawn of hell. With a quiet yawn he set it aside the assorted crates and other such lavish necessities he deemed he could not live without. Perhaps if they joined him as he had asked, they would see the inside of the wagon did not accurately reflect the small proportions of a normal wagon. Seemingly stretching for a good twenty feet in either direction, it had two straw packed beds and room for clothes to hang on. Even all their goods had been neatly packaged and label for easy discovery.
The mage did not call for a halt just yet, the oxen more than a match for this type of work. Could never work them too hard it seemed. Poignant was sure the mage was feeding them magical biscuits behind his back. Though he could never sure. Steering a new course towards the heart of the forest, away from the direction of the bogeyman. -
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Post by Jones on Jul 2, 2010 7:58:06 GMT -5
For a moment, before the wagon sped up, Maxius got a good look of the creature that had attempted to catch them. The thing was monstrous. And even if his eyes couldn’t pick out the detail because of how dark it was, and that it was night, he could feel the anger and murderous emotions that seethed from it. It almost robbed him of his faculties, so that as he leaned forward, threatening to fall off of the wagon, he caught himself. He continued to stare at the thing, thinking perhaps he was looking into its malevolent gaze… And then the wagon lurched forward. Maxius threw himself back onto the wagon to keep from falling. He composed himself enough to realize that they were moving faster, and the creature was getting left behind. Slowly, the lumbering creature was being left behind in the shadows of the night.
Maxius took a deep breath before sitting up, and glancing at Dem. He looked at her as if he was about to take this opportunity to try and defend and explain himself. His lips even parted to begin speaking…but then, he shut them again, a firm line forming. He gave another sigh, knowing that it wouldn’t do any good. Dem was her own person, in her own right. She didn’t take kindly to people that treated her distrustfully, and she hated them even more for over-apologizing. He’d already said what he could, back at the Paladin’s camp. She’d continue to hate him for good… Or forgive him in her own time. Whichever one.
He made his way past her to come up beside the Paladin and the mage. “A boogeyman?” He glanced at the dwarf quizzically before scoffing and shaking his head. “A bedtime story fright? You’ve got to be kidding me. Do you usually use your divine calling to fight monsters from under the bed?”
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