Fantasy ~ FableWood ~

[SilverFlight]

"Are you all right?" Ward asked Elena softly as he came upon her.


"We should be ready to leave soon. So I came to find you." He caught his sleeve on a branch and gingerly tried to untangle it without ripping the delicate cloth.


"Silly clothes..." he mumbled with an embarrassed smile.


Leia looked lost for a moment, "I don't know the first thing about choosing weapons. Er...I just took the bow last time because it looked cool..."


She stepped back, looking at Lexi's build.


"Something light for sure. Something you can move quickly...What about these?


Leia took a curved sword off the wall and held it out to Lexi. It was about the length of her arm, the blade curving elegantly.

Spoiler

She held it up in front of her. "Its a question mark...of doom!"

 

[zCrookedz]

Leo had never been a good dancer. The motions and being able to move with someone else attached to you always made him trip. But Banbas jubilation of dance movements was much easier to keep up with than a waltz. He followed her lead, if one could call it a lead and nearly swayed around as Banba jumped and danced around. The music had a nice rhythm to it and Leo was glad he was able to unwind like this. After several min the music waned into the next and Leo was finished. He bowed to his friend "You move as if the floor was hot coals, but with the grace of the flames that made them so my dear."


@Jecklyn

 

[chamomile]

Lexi was happy to relate to Leia as her conscience practically screamed at her her to say 'Me too!' but she ignored that little voice and allowed the girl to continue. Leia examined her and picked up a rather uncommon-looking sword. Lexi haven't seen anything like it and tried to not snicker at Leia's last remark, but instead gave a look of more insecurity but the feeling left as fast as it came when Lexi held the blade, taking it for Leia's hands, immediately noting that it was quite light.


"I'd say this would suitable fer me if I knew how ta use it. I don't want ta end up slicin' someone by accident" she explained with concern while dangerously juggling the weapon between her hands. "Well, I'll learn soon enough. Thanks er..." Lexi said, finally holding it still by her side, struggling to remember if she had heard this girl's name before.

 

[DawnAntalios]

As Nyr watched over the people celebrating she had an ominous, dark feeling. Something was not right... but not here. Something familiar was coming... something she knew a long time ago.


No, that can not be.


She stood up and hurried outside. As soon as she stepped out the castle she knew that she felt it correctly.


" A dark wind is blowing. " she muttered to herself " They are coming... " she said and hurried to the main square. She had to get in front of them before they could do anything.

 

[Bea Delaine]

Elena turned around with a small jump, getting up quickly at the sight of Wards entrance. She hoped she wasn't holding anyone up, so she dusted herself off and nodded, pocketing her book. He was still in his fancy clothes, and she in the dress though, so they might still need to get winter attire.


"Oh.. I'm fine. I just wanted to practice before we go. I've never been somewhere cold before so I don't know how my fighting will be affected." She answered honestly, slightly embarrassed. When Wards sleeve got caught on a branch of her creation, Elena made a silent oh with her lips and started untangling the sleeve for him.


"Don't tug.. There."


She looked up, suddenly in closer proximity, and became shyer.


"So.. Should be get ready?"

 

[SilverFlight]

Ward let Elena free him from the clutches of the bush and suddenly found himself staring into her eyes. He coughed. "Erm, yes. We should go find the others."


When they had made their way back to their friends the princess was walking through the ballroom doors, a very short figure at her side. The figure was cloaked and his face hidden under the wide brim of a long, pointed hat, the point of which flopped down behind his back. He held several small charms that looked to be vials of water on long leather strings.


"Grendwen." Ward said under his breath. The old wizard never usually left his tower. He must have had something very important to tell them if he was here.


The princess beckoned them to follow as she walked further into the gardens. She was wearing a special bracelet that looked all to familiar to Ward. The reindeer trotted after her enthusiastically.


"Oh no...not a portal pool..." He groaned.


"They teach you actually." She watched Lexi try out her new weapon. "The swords I mean. If you're holding one, you feel yourself want to move in a certain way, that's the magic that's on them. They teach you how to stand and strike and block. Its pretty cool. Oh, name's Leia by the way."


Suddenly she saw the others gathering through the window. The princess was there.


"We'd better go see what's up." She said and hurried out the door.

 

[Naeg1]

Noticing someone run to the town square seemed a bit odd, the party is inside, but why would she be there? Zelnite decided to follow her, "Who are 'they'? " He asked. Noticing her expression, this seemed to be serious.


@DawnAntalios

 

[Bea Delaine]

Elena followed in step, trying to recover from her embarrassment. When she saw the princess again, she was near a tiny man who looked as though someone took Merlin and compressed him into a travel sized old man. Though, she couldn't be impolite so she merely held her tongue and eyeballed the vials of water. She followed at the princesses beckened, dragging her thoughts away from the little man.


"Portal pool? What's that? Wait, are we leaving like this?" She asked with some concern. Why did Ward seem to be dreading this portal pool thing?

 

[DawnAntalios]

She took wing and flew high in the air as she looked in the distance. Surely enough she saw big menacing forms emerge from the darkness: giant birds, feathers as ebony black as hers, their eyes burning in red, everlasting blood lust.


Dread Ravens.


She frowned angrily as she flew to ' greet ' the nefarious beasts by herself.


" Oh look, the pathetic creature of flesh survived. " mocked the first one, their leader " You dare to show your face here, you wretch? "


" Welcome to you too... father. " hissed Nyr with fury. " What are YOU doing here? "


" I have come with a message to the princess. None of your business. "


She spread her arms.


" The princess is preoccupied right now. If you have a message then you have to tell me. "


The dark raven eyed her suspiciously then frowned.


" Fine then. Death approaches. "

 

[chamomile]

Lexi nodded, unable to introduce her own self, wondering if the girl even knew her name. In honesty, Lexi's dress was getting itchy in certain places where she couldn't tend to but she didn't have time to complain, following Leia with ease, imagining herself: a white-haired girl in a beautiful green dress, running around with a dangerous and peculiar curved sword. That'll definitely attract unwanted or wanted attention but Lexi was able to get away without anyone getting suspicious.


Finally arriving at the gathering, Lexi hid the sword behind her back to still look lady-like but she had pessimistic feeling about something. Shrugging it off, she waited for words of the discussion to be exchanged.

 

[zCrookedz]

Lea becomes to Banba as he saw the princess make her way towards the garden "I think its time we get to work." He waited for her to follow and then made his way towards the area that the rest were headed. As he got closer he ran into Ward and heard him mutter portal pool. Leo winced slightly at the name. Even though he was mighty guardian, he still did not care much for water or the sounds of a pool. Thoughts of coming out of the otherwise of the pool of water into the frozen icelands mad him think of becoming a giant Panthera popsicle.


@Jecklyn

 

[SilverFlight]

The pool lay still and sparkling in the fading light.


"The servants have prepared winter coats and boots. They are waiting for you in your rooms.


"Is the portal pool the only way?" Ward asked her hopefully. Ward had only traveled by this way once, and that was enough. The magic transportation left him feeling queasy, and there was also the fact that it required you to jump head first into a cold body of water. No matter if you wound up dry on the other side. It was still something that all ward's gryphon instincts screamed at him not to do.


"The only way." The princess confirmed and his heart sank. "We must hurry. I may be expecting, rather unpleasant company."


"What do you mean?"


"Trust me Ward, it is best if you get the humans through to the Winter Wilds as quickly as you can."


He nodded with a serious expression, turning to Elena.


"We should prepare and meet back here."


Ward returned soon after dressed in his normal attire, a thick bearskin cloak draped about his shoulders.


"I have a feeling being a gryphon would serve me better than putting on more than this. I am ready." He said.


Leia, who had been listening to this turned to go. "Right, I'd better go get my stuff."


It didn't take her long to locate her room, the outfit they had given here was made of thick wool dyed dark blue. She draped a grey fir cloak about her shoulders and put the mits in her pocket. The sword she fastened to her belt under the cloak but overtop of the wool tunic. She was sweating by the time she came back to the pool.

 

[Naeg1]

Returning to his room, Zelnite took his battle armor and sword and went to wherever the group gathered. "Zelnite here, at you service my lord" He says, giving a deep bow at the gryphon. "Like I said, I never set foot in that frozen land, so I do not know what to expect."

 

[Lioness075]

Despite being in her human form, Luness still had heightened sense and could hear a group of people moving through the gardens. Glancing behind herself, Luness noted that Leo was a part of the group and they looked as if they were heading out now. Putting her cigarette in her mouth for now, Luness put her knapsack back on and then stood up before strapping her guitar onto her back again. Turning towards the group, Luness puffed out some smoke from her cigarette and then mid-walk shifted back into her werecat form.


Continuing on her way to join the group, Luness decided that she'd be fine without any winter garments. After all, she intended to be in her werecat form the whole time she was with anyone she didn't know. Silently falling into step behind Leo, Luness puffed out some smoke again and then veered to the side to see what was going on. Hearing talk of a portal pool, Luness narrowed her eyes. One of those stupid pools had thrown Luness into the midst of all this chaos to begin with. She wasn't exactly looking forward to going through one again.


Hearing someone joining the group, Luness' ears flickered towards the noise. Hearing a familiar voice, Luness went rigid and glared at the human who had attempted a conversation with her earlier. Hearing talk of a gryphon though, distracted Luness from the human. Someone here was a gryphon? Sniffing the air, Luness did realize that there was the scent of gryphon present amongst the group, though Luness couldn't tell who exactly it was emanating from since so many people were gathered in one area.

 

[Flutterby]

Quincy perked up as the princess returned, followed by a tiny man. "I think we're supposed to be leaving." She said quickly to Alexander and with a glance at him, she followed the rest of the group. It was in that moment she decided to accompany them. If things got bad, if she went bad, she would turn over her bridle to Alexander and hope that it was enough. The murmuring of a portal pool reached her ears, and she wondered if it would be like swimming. She missed swimming dearly. Without a word, she went to her room and dressed in the warm clothes there. The maid was there, and helped her get into the thick clothes. All were a bright cream color, almost exactly the color of her horse coat. She didnt comment, sensing the urgency. The wool tunic and pants were a little heavy, but warm. With the addition of a hooded fur cloak and taller, sturdy lined boots, Quincy could tell where they were headed was likely to freeze anything exposed. As she was about to leave, the maid handed her thick mittens and wished her luck. "Thank you, my good lady." She responded, giving the young girl's hand a squeeze and smiling widely. She walked quickly back to the princess, feeling utterly ridiculous in her attire in the warm garden. Her intense gray eyes looked around for the dragon, wondering what his final decision would be.

 

[DawnAntalios]

" Death? What do you mean? " she asked back in disbelief. Her father's word troubled her to no end.


" The shadow is coming for you too, traitor. " her father laughed menacingly " Our lord promised us infinite power if we aid him. And that is exactly what we will do. "


Her eyes lit up as she enveloped the sky in dark clouds and made the wind blow harder and stronger.


" If you dare to lay finger anyone here, you will pay. I suggest you turn back. Now. "


Her father just laughed again and blast her with a ball of pure dark energy. She tried to repel it with the wind but it was too strong, it blasted her at her chest. She cried out in agony as the force of the blast caused her to plummet towards the ground.


She made a small crater underneath her as she fell before the gates of the castle. Her father roared in triumph.


" Pathetic worms of Branbern! " he announced " The darkness is coming for you soon. Let this be your first and final warning: if you do not join us the darkness will consume all of you! "


With that he and the ravens flew off to the distance to Nyr's dismay.

 

[Bea Delaine]

Elena felt her hopes rise with what the princess said. She nodded in agreement to Ward and ran to her designated room. Taking a pair of thick dull brown leather pants, a wool long sleeve in tan and a white grey fur coat with boots, she changed quickly, leaving the strap covered bag with her book. The hood with the fur was slipped over her head of brown hair. She ran out to meet Ward again so they might leave soon.


With a nervous voice she asked, "how cold will it be? Will we be wet when we leave?" She was not scared. She just distrusted water and didn't know much about really cool weather.

 

[chamomile]

Hearing that their outfits were waiting for them in their rooms, Lexi proceeded back to her room with her sword in hand, nearly getting lost and found Anne already holding the clothes in her arms. Lexi easily undresses, relieved that she was no longer going to the torture of itchiness and slipped on her new attire, finding it fitting for her. It includes a mauve coat, not very thick to not limit her movements when using her weapon. The coat also came with a hood that should supposably protect her head from freezing. They had big boots that were strangely light and easy to maneuver in.


Strapping her sword at her back with a leather strip, Lexi marched back to the party, finding herself sweating as the current weather was too warm for such clothing. She find most of the crew dresses except for one who seems to be in "battle armor" but she didn't mind.


"We jump in?" she asked unsurely, looking at the "pool" before her, feeling anxious for some reason. Suddenly, wind started blowing somewhere and Lexi instinctively looked at the sky where clouds are starting to gather. 'Someone better tell me what to do...'

 

[zCrookedz]

Leo heard Luness coming before the others. He could also smell her. Though he was not particularly fond of the smell of the tradition of burning tobacco and weeds, he had come to accept the tradition. He turned his golden mane in her direction when she arrived with the group nodding in acceptance of her presence. It seemed as if she was going to do the same as he was, let the natural fur coat they both wore be their only source of protection. Usually in his forest etire he would bare with the summers sweltering heats no problem, but the cold never bothered him. Though this would be an entirely new type of cold. If he decided it would need the extra warm, he could always use a spell his mentor taught him that would help

 

[SilverFlight]

Ward looked at Zelnite askance. "The furs in your room. Get them, you will need them. Armour will not do you any good if your skin freezes to it." Elena's voice diverted his attention.


"No need to worry. The furs you wear are also magically enhance. You should not be cold as long as you wear them. The portal leaves you dry, but I always get dizzy when traveling my magic.


The old wizard coughed and Ward looked down.


"The changelings in your party. They must wear these. It will slow their loss of control. Don't break the vials though, or the charm will escape."


Ward took the charms and nodded. "Thank you Grendwen." he said sincerely. The old wizard harumphed but nodded at him, bright eyes glinting from under the hat.


princess Briar waved her bracelet over the pool and stated; "The Winter Wilds!"


Immediately the pool began to swirl, glowing from deep within its center. Ward was already starting to feel a bit ill.


"Well I'm down for it." Leia said happily, glad they weren't flying this time.


The gates opened in fron of Nyr and the dog who had been on guard earlier that day rushed out.


"Forgive me my lady! But I couldn't allow the guards to fire with you up in the air. Are you hurt? Shall I send for a healer?"

 

[Jecklyn]

Banba followed Leo out of the ball, skipping. When they reached the group, she went straight to the portal pool, giggling as she knelt down and dipped fingers into its cold surface. She stood back up as the werecat approached and others left to go find warmer clothes, only to return, sweating in the garments much too heavy for the current weather.


"Rain shimshines on the glass pavement, and footprints make it dry, only to be gone a second later." She murmured as Ward spoke to a tiny man. The pool now whirled, seeming colder than ever. Upon seeing this, the shifter bounced around the group, feet kicking up dust.

 

[Lioness075]

Hearing the mention of protective charms, Luness stepped forward and eyed the being who had been handed them. Upon getting closer to him, Luness realized that he was the gryphon. Upon also hearing that the furs would magically keep everyone warm, Luness wondered why she hadn't received any, but left that be for now. Again, Luness figured that her natural fur coat would be more than sufficient enough. Looking at the gryphon now, Luness held out her hand while holding her cigarette in her other hand. Without speaking, Luness assumed that the gryphon would understand that she wanted one of the charms.


@SilverFlight

 

[Hel]

Anya had left to go change shortly after the princesses announcement. She was wary about this next journey, and wanted to make sure she had what she needed. When she got to the room, she pulled on her "jeans", which were much more like leggings and dark tank top. Over that she pulled on the fairly heavy dark blue dress and was immediatly thankful for the layer of clothes in between her skin and the scratchy wool.


As she pulled the leather mini-corset to fit her correctly, if not still a but loose, a servant knocked at the door. Anya answered, and thanked him, taking the dark snowboots from him, to her delight, there was also a heavy traveling cloak, she grinne as she pulled the dark brown, hooded clock over her, and thought of the movies she and her brother loved. "It's like I'm in a medieval movie," she mused to herself with a grin. The winter clothes made it quite warm in the castle, so Anya pulled the cloak back off her shoulders, and let it hang more like a cape. She made her way back towards the ballroom


Alexander followed Quicy towards the princess, he had smiled warmly at her response and was glad he could provide a little comfort. He wasn't sure why, but he was drawn to her. He figured it must be that they are both outsiders to human customs in Fablewood. Or maybe this was what having a friend is like. When she left to her room he stayed behind near the griffon.


"I, too am ready," he told ward. He had not changed for the ball, and didn't feel the need to change now, his internal flame kept him warm, and if he got too cold his scales were less sensitive to the wind than his frail human skin was.

 

[Bea Delaine]

Elena waited anxiously for the party to be ready. She smiled gratefully when Ward told her about the coats magic. She was not prepared for getting frozen to the bone. The vial of liquid he received was curious though. She supposed it was important for him to keep it on him at all times on the trip though. The princess activated the portal and Elena's fear.. Or not fear but aversion of water made her stomach jump, so without a word of warning she leapt in, before her fear could get the better of her. She clamped her eyes shut and held her breath, bracing herself.

 

[chamomile]

"Erm..." Lexi looked uneasy at the sight of the liquid-like swirling. Feeling ridiculous, she muttered a Scottish curse, which must've sound melodious to those who didn't know what she was trying to actually do. She looked back at her team for a sign of assurance that she could go ahead but none came so she took, in what she claimed to be, a leap of faith and jumped inside the swirling blue, eyes forcibly closed shut, not noticing that Elena had entered along with her.