Fantasy ~ FableWood ~

[Hel]

Alexander nodded, in agreement, "Have you seen the others?" He asked, "They may have already left in search of her. If we are leaving we should warn them, we would not want to cause further worry." He assessed, but he also realized the immediate danger that existed for the two practically naked (compared to a dragon) humans.


Anya appeared near the front of the fortes where the challis was exhausted and injured, she had received several bites and injuries from a scrape with some kind of beasts, her cloak and dress were tattered and torn- and did much less against the cold then they had before. She wasn't sure how she had escaped, all she remembered was her mind filling with the image of herself where she felt she needed to be, so much so that it consumed her to the point of actually being able to see where she was going. To her amazement, when she opened her eyes she was there, just inside of the bulding. She gathered the strength to stand, and force the doors shut to keep the wind and wolves- should they have followed her) out. The doors were heavy, and took the last of her strength. With the second door still partially open, Anya slid down the wood. She fought to stay awake, fearing for her saftey, but she lost. Her conciousness faded and the blond girl was left leaning against the door on the ground, her injuries untreated and her clothes torn to shreds. The last thought that filled her mind was a question: Why did I do this?

 

[zCrookedz]

The winds whipped around Leo as the storm grew in size and ferosity in a matter of moments. It had been a few hours since Leo and Banba had found the trail leading out of town that they assumed was Anya's. Leo had told Bamba to head back to the castle and tell the others so they could pursue her together. Of course that was before the storm had washed the trail away. Now Leo wondered towards the source of this magic storm, his spirit Lilly guiding him. It was in the storm that he saw a dark shape through the winds, assuming the worst he growled and readied his ax, then with a burst of speed ran through the storm to take the shape by surprise. He immediately stopped when he realized it was the young Elena. "My lady, what are you doing out here!?" He had to tell over the howling winds.


@Bea Delaine @Jecklyn

 

[Jecklyn]

Banba searched the ground for any shape at all, occasionally dipping to check out an abnormality in the white landscape. When leo took off running towards an actual moving shape, she followed suit, skidding to a stop in the snow.


"No one should be alone out here!" She called over the wind as she looked around, trying to push the confusion and fear she felt away. She knew something was not right, and she was somehow changing. She was remembering things, too. Not that she didn't see the past before, but she never took notice of it, not realizing it was there. Shaking her head, Banba turned back to the two, clenching and unclenching her fists to keep them from freezing.


@zCrookedz @Bea Delaine

 

[Bea Delaine]

Elena focused the location of the growling to the thicker pines. She activated the ice control piece of her book and readied herself until she heard Leo shout to her. She turned her head to see the two figures. In that moment a couple dark creatures blurred by the snow Leapt from the brush.


Without turning around all the way, she lifted a hand and focused her energy as she did with the trees. Snow lifted and turned to ice, falling over and engulfing what looked like a giant white rabbit with horns. No doubt a were animal. The ice turned to snow and half covered the beast as more turned to a cage of sorts.


"H..hey! Leo! It's a bit dangerous out here.. I'm afraid for Anya! Don't discount me because I'm human, I need to help her too." She shouted over the winds and continued to shift the ice and snow around the animals to capture them and keep them contained without hurting them.


"We should find her!"

 

[DawnAntalios]

With Leo away to search the girls she knew what she had to do. Normally she would have asked the wind to aid her, to seek out the wayward humans, but now it was not an option. With the storm gathering above their heads even the wind was afraid - thus she had to act.


She spread her wings and addressed the others present.


" I will fly up in the eye of the storm. " she stated " I will help the wind with this evil storm one way or another. I may not be able to dissipate this unnatural foe but I may be able to slow it down so it wont cause any harm. "

 

[zCrookedz]

Leo watched Elena take care of the animals one by one. She was definitely not week and had the means to protect herself. He took his readied ax and began to help knock the creatures backwards with the blunt side of his ax. "Do not miss understand my concern for thinking you delicate. I am merely concerned with keeping our group well being. And I agree, we must find Anya." He continued to defend their position.

 

[Jecklyn]

Banba nodded in agreement, standing beside Elena, a grin spreading across her lips.


"What would the birdman say?" She giggled, turning to see Leo fight. Elena had caged most of them in ice, and with Leo's axe, the few others were injured or knocked out. There wasn't much she could do at that point in time, so she turned, dropping to all fours as a polar bear and walking in the direction Elena had been going, not looking back to see if the other two followed her.

 

[Bea Delaine]

Elena turned around to see him clearer. The ice and snow bent and shifted to compensate for every crack while they tried to escape. A smile spread across her lips and she started to walk away.


"I know, and I'm glad to have your assistance."


Turning to Banba, she couldn't help but chuckling, having a good guess that bird man was probably Ward.


"I'm sure bird mans displeased, but he doesn't have to worry if I have you two." She followed Banba the now polar bear and motioned for Leo to follow.

 

[zCrookedz]

Leo chuckled at the pair of them. "Indeed, I'm sure bird man is not happy about us leaving like this, but Anya's life may very well be in danger. We can't let anything happen to her." He put his ax back in its home and followed Elena's gesture to follow them.

 

[DawnAntalios]

Nyr mustered her courage as she ascended into the mystical storm. Closing her eyes she tried to locate the middle of the vortex and after few minutes of searching she did just that. After battling through the initial resistance of the clouds she entered the eye but to her surprise it was not calm: a dark, malevolent force commanded the storm to obey its commands.


Flying closer to the dark force she raised her hands as she called the pure wind to her side.


" What are you to corrupt the storm? " she demanded " I order you to cease your foolish machinations! "


The dark force did not pay attention to her until she commanded a lightning to strike it. It then shifted angrily, turning its attention to the raven. The battle of the storms were soon to begin.

 

[Flutterby]

Quincy nodded to Nyr before turning back to Alexander. “They're probably looking for her too. In this storm, can we afford to waste time looking for them?" Sge asked, grabbing her cloak from where she had left it. “We cant let two humans freeze to death out there for the sake of good communication, especially if the others are already searching." She said as she fastened it around her, pulling her hood up. Looking at him with no cloak caused her to frown. “I do wish you wouldve brought a cloak." She muttered as she beckoned, her hand already on the door.

 

[Hel]

Alexander sighed, he thought separating like this may do more harm than good, but she was right that it would be unwise to wait and have them freeze. "I could fly in this weather, but I doubt I would be able to really search with the storm. Don't worry about my warmth, I will be fine." He smiled reassuringly as he pulled the inner rung of his scarf tighter around his neck. The outer loop hung looser, over his shoulders to cover them. He followed her quickly.

 

[Jecklyn]

Banba treged on in her polar bear form, trying her best to sheild the human from the wind, as with both the cloak and her form's fur, she was the best off warmth wise. But the closer they got to their destination, the stranger her form felt. Banba looked up, seeing the outline of a castle, on only realised then they were walking on the frozen lake.


"I see it, up ahe-" she stopped mid-word as she took another step and dropped, starting to roll around the snow. Huffing noises escaped her nose as she rubbed first the cloak off, and then the fur of the bear, leaving the lizard girl rolling around the snow, moving so she was dragging her face and shoulder across the ground. She suddenly stopped, sitting upright. In one movement she had the cloak around her shoulders again and was clinging to Leo's back, pointing ahead.


"There. There it is." She called, sneezing.

 

[Flutterby]

As they stepped out, Quincy realized he was right about flying. There would be no way to see the humans with the storm, even if he could stay aloft. “We'll be too slow walking. Get on." She said, raising her voice over the sound of the wind. With a soft flash, muted by the blowing snow, the girl turned into a bright white horse. She couldn't decide if her coloring was good for their mission or not; it would hide them from anything hostile, but also from their friends. With a toss of her head, Quincy turned her back for Alexander to mount, already raising her nostrils to catch any scent she could. Hopefully, her instictive sense of storms would help them.

 

[zCrookedz]

Leo watched, surprised and horrified as he saw Banba's spasm. Not knowing what to do he waiting for his opportunity to help until she jumped out of the snow a clung to his back. He looked back at her and met her gaze. He new the closer they got, the harder it would be for her. But they had to keep going, it was to late to turn back long. He looked up to where she was pointing and made out the outline of the castle. Just as he was about to speak he heard a voice in his head. "Leo..." It was Lilly, "Leo, I can feel the spirits of the airs becoming restless. I believe the dread raven is close and will soon begin to try and remove the weathers threat. You need to get to the castle before they begin." Leo was already moving before she finished. He turned to Banba "Hold on very tightly." He began a short stride and used his massive arm to scoop up Elena. With his massive paws spread out with each stride, he began to rush across the snow with greater speed. The cold stung his eyes, and the snow began to build on his fur, but continued until they all reached the large front doors of the castle. Throwing his shoulder against the door, he pushes it open enough to squeeze everyone in. Painting, he set Elena down and dropped to his knees.


@Jecklyn


@Bea Delaine

 

[Hel]

Alexander hesitated only slightly, he remembered what she said about other Kelpies tricking humans into riding them, but he was a dragon, and if it came to that then he would transform. Kelpie teeth surely could not get through dragon scales even if she wanted to harm him. He nodded, and climbed on her back. He had never ridden horseback before, but he understood the gist from watching others, and listening to their explanations. "Right, lets go, then. Be careful. if we need to signal anyone, fire will make a clear flare, even in this storm. That will at least give them an idea of our location." He said


In front of the door, once opened, were a few tattered pieces of Anya's cloak. Pieces which had been torn nearly off in the fight and gave out when she moved to close the doors.

 

[SilverFlight]

((Birdman? Um, Anya was most likely captured by the sorcerer guarding the chalice, but its up to you. haven't forgotten about the healer Lion. Dun worry, writing a post now.))


 
The old she wolf appeared from behind a curtain, back in her human guise, the pipe illuminating her weathered features.


"My den nurse taught it to me, and I taught that lullaby to every single cub I raised in my pack." She offered without a prompt. The healer regarded Luness thoughtfully.


"You know it, don't you?"


@Shimakage Thunder


The sorcerer sat by the orb, running a bony hand over its surface.


"So there is someone challenging my storm is there? Let them try...meanwhile I've got a special treat for those that come to my gates."


He threw out his other hand and clenched it into a fist, raising it above his head. As he did this the ice and snow surrounding the throne began to shift and form. Two snow golems rose and stepped forward, their armour and weapons made of blue ice.


"Go! See to our guests."


((Woof, sorry for the wait, I was starving after archery practice and then I found a pizza in the freezer :3 ))

 

[Bea Delaine]

(Haha oh Banba was being cute, bird man )


Elena moved onward. When Ward arrived, she wasn't sure if she felt relief or embarrassment as it became evident he was worried. After he sheilded her, she realized how cold it became. The coat was working and her hands were still numb.


"I'm fine.. But Anya might not be.. Let's hurry."


She spoke in a normal tone overwhelmed by the roar of the storm as they kept moving.

 

[Lioness075]

Luness nodded slightly at the healer, "My...my mom sung it to me when I was younger. Before...she died."


Looking to the ground, Luness felt numb talking about this, but she felt like the healer may understand unlike the other beings and humans. Furrowing her brows, Luness looked up at the healer and asked her, "Did you know a werecat by the name of Larassa?" That was her mother's name and if anyone knew everyone in a pack, it'd be the healer.


After all, despite her assumptions that werewolves had done her in, Luness actually had no idea what had happened to her mother. All she had ever found was a dissipating trail of bloodied paw prints, which had disappeared in a snowstorm. She blamed her father, Bigby, or better yet known as the big bad wolf from Little Red Riding Hood. Yet, she had no idea if he had actually had anything to do with it, and as far as Luness was concerned, the lumberjack had killed her father. Not that he'd been around often anyways.

 

[SilverFlight]

((Have you been reading Fables? @Lioness075 ))


Ward opened his beak to say something about running off into death-inducing situations, but at the mention of Anya he shut it again.


"All right, we're nearly there. Stay behind me and you might not get blown over. All of a sudden the wind began to lessen slightly. Ward looked up to see the vast shadowy form of Nyr, battling the magical blizzard.


With one good shove Ward pushed the door open and poked his head inside.


"Its clear!" he remarked and allowed the others to go in first.


@Bea Delaine @zCrookedz @Jecklyn


The healer sat back in her chair, sifting through decades of memories. "Larassa...Now that you mention it...a long time ago there was a werecat with a name that sounded like that, passing through our territory. Looked a lot like you know that I recall her."


@Lioness075


((Dunno how much I should say about Luness' mother, anything you want to add?))

 

[BloodThunder27]

When Ashley was brought to the attention of the Reindeer, she was a little puzzled. After making sense of it, she got onto the Reindeer's back. It was a bit tough getting on, but she was able to do it. Well, this is something you don't do everyday; especially when you're pregnant. Oh well, more bragging rights! "Alright boy, let's go!" She smiled, ready for the Reindeer to take her to wherever its heart content may be.

 

[zCrookedz]

(( I don't mean to be 'that guy' but Jecklyn and my posts seem to have been completely ignored with you jumping into the middle of us still outside Silverflight. Its not a huge deal so ill just roll with it, just food for thought.))


Leo stayed close to Ward, making sure to keep an eye on Banba as he clunged to his back still. The winds wipped at them, but having Ward infront did seem to cut down the struggle. As they approached the large castle, Leo marveled at how large the frozen castle towered above them. Helping put some muscle behined the castle's giant doors, he helped Ward to open the door and filled in behined the rest of them. He took a quick look around and instantly his eyes where drawn to the scraps of of cloth on the ground. He rushed over and picking them up he tried to pick up any scent from them. They were Anya's "My lord, she's here somewhere." He looked around trying to see if he could pick up any left over trail.

 

[Lioness075]

Luness' eyes widened at this and she took a step towards the healer before saying, "You knew my mother?" Her eyes showed desperation, as she had hardly known her mother before she had been left on her own. What little memories she had left of her mother were distant and fuzzy to her.


@SilverFlight

 

[Bea Delaine]

Elena smiled inadvertently when her riskiness wasn't further brought up. She stayed close behind Ward and continued moving. Taking a moment to lick her lips thank seemed frozen solid, she spoke quietly.


"I counted on you coming to help us anyways. Didn't let me down."


After what felt like forever, they found their destination. Ward gave the all clear and Elena entered the new territory.


(Haha, I think I should have written no fear of death in the chars sheet. It just fit her)

 

[SilverFlight]

"I wouldn't say 'knew'." The healer put out her pipe and busied herself with selecting several herbs from a chest by one of the beds. "She passed by, stayed with our pack for a little while. She was with kit when she came to us. I remember that." The healer then turned to look at Luness. "I can only assume that little-ball-of-fluff-to-be was you."


She sprinkled the herbs into a mortar and began grinding them rhythmically.


"If you want to know about her, well. She was full of life, and light. She dreamed bigger, saw farther than any of us did. She was a kind soul too. Helped me with the kits. Natural mother that one..." The healer trailed off. "I'm sorry you never got to know your mother well." And the look on her face was evidence for that. The half-attention she usually showed for matters was gone, and in its place a genuine, attentive gaze fell on the werecat.


"I taught that lullaby to so many. How about I teach it to you."


((Sorry again bro, @zCrookedz, I hope I don't do that on a regular basis))


The gryphon looked at his talons bashfully when he heard Elena's praise for him.


When he Leo's gaze and saw the fragments of Anya's cloak he bit back a curse.


"She was here..." He kept his voice low. "Stay on your guard, and be ready for anything."


The interior was dim, lit only by the broken roof that had been capped over again by a thick layer of ice, the hall turned blue by its tint. Everywhere stone was encased in ice and in some places there was no stone at all, only a solid sheet of thick frozen water. If whoever had made that storm truly had power over the winter elements, he would have an advantage here...


A loud crack made Ward jump and his tail fluffed involuntarily like a startled cat.


The source of the noise was the doors on the far side of the room being rent asunder as two ice golems squeezed through the large archway.


They brandished huge clubs and started to run at them.


 

Spoiler