Fantasy ~ FableWood ~

[SilverFlight]

Ward dreamed...


"Is this him?" A stern voice asked.


"This is the gryphon, I've taken to calling him Ward."


Ward felt hands lifting his beak, and eyes staring into his own. "His heart's quite damaged. Racked with guilt, to be expected I suppose."


"Can you repair it?"


"Of course I can! Who do you take me for? He'll have to stay here though."


"As an apprentice?"


"No, I'll send him to school. It has to be held on land this year anyway, we have another special student. The fish won't mind...he doesn't eat fish does he?"


Ward remembered looking up at the people speaking to him...the sun began to flash and the dream faded.


But the flashing remained. Ward opened his eyes slowly and blinked. It wasn't the sun at all, night still reigned over the sky. The light came from between his talons. The pendant was flashing. A solid light glowing brightly and then disappearing only to reappear again.


"The emergency signal." Ward's heart went cold. With one mighty leap he was on the ground and burst into the great hall.


"We have to go. Now!" His look of urgency was unmistakable. "There's trouble at Branbern!"

 

[wolfborn4]

Rose flinched to Ward's yelling. She jumped up and ran to him. Skidding to a halt she heard her necklace jingle to a stop. Her hair flew in from of her face and she pushed it back.

 

[Bea Delaine]

Elena was fast asleep when the noise started outside her window. Hearing it was Ward, yelling about trouble in Branbern, she leapt to her feet, fatigue forgotten in the rush. She grabbed her book and boots, taking off running to the great hall.


"What's the trouble?!" She asked, anxiously.

 

[Hel]

Alexander looked over to wards yells, and realized his conversation with quincy must draw to a close. "I can carry passengers back," he said. Setting the plate down and heading closer to ward, indicating he was ready to go.


Anya, too, got up to leave. "Right, let's go." she said with a nod.

 

[Lioness075]

Luness spent most of her night in the company of her pack. She had found them in a temporary encampment just outside of town. Since they hadn't been causing any trouble, nobody had bothered them or seen any reason for concern about them being around. When Luness first approached the pack, Falarion stepped out from beyond the guards on watch and had bowed before her before she had returned the notion out of respect. Grinning slightly at the returned notion, Falarion had led Luness through the camp and introduced her to a den mother and a few pups along with the various guards and warriors. The one thing that Luness had noticed to be missing was a healer, but she knew that she could always call on Alta, who was in town anyways.


After introductions were over, Luness pulled Falarion aside to ask him about the various warriors and their way of fighting. It soon became apparent that Bigby had left the pack in a bit of a disarray, since they hadn't the foggiest on how to properly fight as a pack. Luness wasn't the best at understanding this, but instructed Falarion to work with the warriors and to instill the notion of fighting as a unit instead of as lone wolves.


After this was settled, Luness decided to rest with her pack for the night, but was interrupted before her rest by one of the pups that had snuck off. Her little green eyes peered at Luness through some nearby vegetation, though Luness had smelled her approach a couple of minutes ago. Amused by the pup, Luness had continued to stare down at her lap, as if she was in her own little world. Soon enough, the pup slinked out of the vegetation to approach Luness and she had looked up sharply to see that the pup was now frozen in place, seemingly terrified that Luness had caught her. The pup then tucked her tail between her legs and said softly, "I-I'm sorry. I've just never seen a werecat before..."


Luness smirked at this and said, "Well, we do prefer our solitude. We don't wander around in packs like werewolves do." The pup was confused by this and sat down on her hind legs before asking Luness, "Then why are you with us?" Luness thought for a moment and then said, "Bigby was my father, so I'm the rightful heir to lead the pack." The pup blinked at this and then exclaimed, "But you're a cat, not a wolf!" Chuckling at this, Luness replied, "My mother was a werecat like me. I guess I got her genes as opposed to Bigby's."


With that, the pup merely nodded and then bounded off, disappearing back into the vegetation. Luness huffed at the exchange, but had been highly amused by it. Pups and kits were always so curious about everything in the world, but Luness couldn't help but feel warmed by their presence. Such innocence and curiosity amused Luness.


As annoying as all of the bandages were on Luness, and as badly as she wanted to just take it all off so she could get more comfortable, Luness left them on. Looking herself over, Luness hoped that she would be feeling better in the morning. She planned to go by Alta's place in the morning so she could ask her if she could get some of the wrappings removed. After all, she was practically covered from head to toe in bandages. Her ear and part of her head were still wrapped along with her chest, her arm, which was also in a makeshift sling, and her hindquarters. It was all very annoying, but Luness needed to be fully recovered as soon as possible, especially if another battle were to begin sometime soon.


Settling down for the night, Luness soon was asleep, but her sleep was wrought with nightmares of her father as usual. In one particular nightmare, Luness found herself with Nyr and Alta at either of her sides, but in a flash, both of them had disappeared and Luness was left to fight her father alone. Waking in a cold sweat, Luness saw that hardly an hour or two had passed since she'd first gone to sleep. Deciding that she wasn't going to get any sleep tonight, Luness got up and left her pack, knowing that Falarion could take care of them anyhow.


Upon reentering town, Luness heard a familiar voice shouting at the great hall. Walking over there, she soon saw Ward just outside of the great hall and decided to approach him.

 

[Flutterby]

Quincy listened intently while eating, and her response was on her lips when Ward burst in. She was right behind Alexander, waiting at the ready. “I wouldnt mind a lift." She said, directing it at Alexander. With so many flying creatures and so little time, she doubted her services as a mount would be called upon, nor would she be able to keep pace.

 

[SilverFlight]

((Its still night @Lioness075 ))


"I cannot say for sure." Ward answered Elena, looking at the glowing pendant. "But Princess Briar would only summon me if things were very dire. We must make it back to the portal pool as fast as we can."


He looked about at the members of his team.


"Most of us can fly, and between two dragons, Nyr and myself I am sure we can carry those who can't."


He made his way outside and found himself face to face with the village chief and Alta the healer.


"Where's Luness?" He asked her with a tilt of his feathered head.


"Gone." She said irritably. The old werewolf had taken a bag with her. "I'm coming as well."


"What?"


""I meant to come with you back to Branbern since you returned from the frozen castle, now that people here know I am what I am, I doubt they'll trust me anymore. Besides, you may need an extra healer by the sound of things."


"What if she needs you?"


"She doesn't. I couldn't follow her where she's gone, even if I wanted to."


The old healer would not argue any further, so Ward knelt to let her and one other person climb onto his back.


"The village cannot thank you enough for your services." The chief spoke to everyone, bowing his head to emphasize his gratitude.


"I will send my prayers to castle Branbern."


Suddenly Luness appeared.


"You're here!" Ward cried. "Castle Branbern is in danger, we must go back to help!"


Alta waved at her from the gryphon's back.


"Good of you to join us kit." She said with a grin.

 

[Hel]

"I should be able to carry Quincy and two others, potentially a fourth, if they don't mind being uncomfortable." Alexander said, heading outside of the hall and transforming again into a large, purpley blue dragob, the Colour of the gem for which he was named: Alexandrite. Anya joined quincy on Alexander's back, and looked around, wondering if Ethan would come with them this time.

 

[wolfborn4]

Rose followed silent and watched Alexander shift she frowned knowing she couldn't. She pushed her thoughts away and focused on getting to Branbern...but how

 

[Lioness075]

Luness perked her good ear towards Ward and wasn't entirely sure how to react upon hearing that Castle Branbern was in danger. She just wanted to protect her forests. Yet, she probably owed it to the group at this point to help them in the rest of their quest. After all, they hadn't left her after she was gravely injured.


Seeing Alta on Ward's back and hearing that she was called a kit, Luness huffed and muttered, "I'm not a kit." She then walked over to Ward's side and cocked her head at him before asking, "Have room for one more?"


With the new capabilities of an Alpha despite being a werecat, Luness had the ability to mentally communicate with Falarion, who was her second-in-command. Therefore, she mentally spoke to him now, saying, Falarion, I need you to go to Castle Branbern. It's under attack and we will need the pack's help in defending it.


Not a moment after she said this in her mind, Luness heard Falarion howling just outside of town, which was soon followed by several other howls, the signal that the pack was moving.

 

[Flutterby]

Quincy followed quickly and climbed aboard the beautifully colored dragon, cutting her admiration of his scales off almost as soon as it started. This was no time to behave like a lovestruck idiot, even though she was on her way to becoming one. A bolt of fear hit her, but not for the oncoming danger. “We have extra room." Quincy called to those still without a place, waving them up.

 

[DawnAntalios]

Nyr woke up in the middle of the night, hearing strange voices. She flew down to see what the commotion was about and found Ward down with the others. Upon seeing Luness there as well she made sure she gave her a good distance not to get in trouble.


" What is happening? " she asked then when it got explained to her she bowed her head in anger and shame. " Father... "

 

[zCrookedz]

Leo's time with Lilly came to an immediate hault once he's heard the slamming of doors and yelling. He briskly dawned his equipment and rushed out the door. He stopped only to scoop up Banba out of the door way. "Banba, wake up. Something is wrong." Once he had reached great hall he saw the party outside. He stopped outside with the rest of the party, "I heard the shouting, what's going on??" He saw Alexander shift and new it was time to leave. He would just have to get filled in on the way. "Got extra room for Banba and I? I'm sure she can shift to her smaller form and ride on me shoulder."


@KattRai

 

[Bea Delaine]

Elena watched the group gather and decided to go along with Quincy. She made sure she had everything needed and looked to the others for the same.


"Quincy, still have room for one more?" She asked quietly as to not intrude on the other. It was kind enough of them to help out those who don't fly or run on fours.

 

[wolfborn4]

Rose watched everyone load up onto their choice of ride and she blinked 'I guess I'm running' she thought to herself. Rose looked to Ward since he seemed to be leading the group to Branbern.

 

[Jecklyn]

Banba was drowsily looking about herself until they hit the cold air, and she curled up farther into Leo's cloak. Hearing they were leaving, she rolled out o the Lion's arms, leaving the furs behind and landing on four paws. She grew until she was identical to Ward's gryphon form, but with the eyes from her whited form. She looked about, making clicking noises with her new beak and dancing from foot to foot, the cold snow settling between her toes.


"The winds have set and the sun is blowing." She said, flapping her wings experimentally.

 

[SilverFlight]

Ward let Luness climb onto his shoulder as well. Getting ready to fly.


"Nyr, can you take two?"


Leia ran to the dread raven on Ward's direction. Leia also waved to Rose.


"Don't worry, we got you covered." She beamed. Then she gave the young dragon girl a hug. "I thought we'd lost you for good!" She had not forgotten how Rose had saved her from the army of giant spiders and was overjoyed to have her back.


Ward made sure no one was excluded before he crouched and launched himself into the air. The chill wind bit into skin and made the gryphon's eyes water but he flew ever faster, his heart racing. What was wrong? Was the princess all right? A thousand questions poured through his mind as he rose in the sky and soared as fast as his wings would allow.


"Hang on princess..."


The portal pool was soon in sight and he glanced back at his allies, nodding to them before banking sharply and curling his wings to plummet into a dive. The water rocketed toward them and the gryphon did not slow.


((@DawnAntalios , will you do the honours of describing our first view of the siege of Branbern?))

 

[Flutterby]

Quincy nodded and stretched a hand down to help Elena onto Alexander. They left almost immediately, speeding toward the portal, mostly in worried silence. Ward seemed distraught, but there was nothing they could do until they reached the castle. 'Better fly fast, or we'll lose Ward.' She thought to her friend below her, eyes already watering.

 

[wolfborn4]

Rose ran under them silently. Jumping over logs and dodging falling snow she was very cold and tired. She was also falling ng behind as the group flew ahead of her she kept going and tripped tumbling through the freezing snow she fell through the portal and landed with a thump " Owww "

 

[DawnAntalios]

Nyr transformed into her giant raven form so that the others could mount her. She knew not what to expect but she put away her sorrow to focus on the task ahead. She headed towards the portal, flying as fast as she could - and then suddenly the frozen wasteland was just but a memory in her mind as it faded away. They traveled very fast through the portal, hastened by the ill omens. She finally saw the end of the portal and they arrived back in Branbern.


Or at least what remained from it.


Her eyes filled with terror and surprise as she saw the burning red sky above, filled with ravens, dragons and other hellish creatures - and the swarming army of hundreds of demons below. She barely recovered enough from the shock to avoid a burning meteor heading towards them which then blasted into the barrier protecting the city... or at least into the remaining energy barrier which let the fragment of the stone through, demolishing a house.


The outskirts of the city was burning and was in flames, ruins everywhere - but the inner city seemed to be unscathed... yet.


" Goddess preserve us... " she whispered in horror as she saw the carnage.

 

[wolfborn4]

((I know I didn't really get to rp in Branbern but I seriously almost cried when I read that))

 

[Lioness075]

Luness used her good arm to hold onto Ward, as they flew to the portal and then burst through it. Her eyes soon were filled with surprise and horror at what she saw below them and around them. She felt a chill at her core at the very sight of all the carnage, wondering how in the world the group was going to protect the entire city and the population within.


Behind the group, the pack made its final preparations, with Falarion deciding to leave the den mother, pups, and two guards behind where they'd be safe for now.


Falarion then barked orders and the fighters rallied on him as they all sprinted on all fours to the portal, diving through it.


Luness heard distant barking and looked behind the group to see Falarion and the fighters following them. She let out a caterwaul to tell them to follow the flying group, but to also avoid any confrontations for now.

 

[wolfborn4]

Rose saw the whole life dgdom was burning she saw other dragons flying high in the air. She growled and followed Ward. Dodging demons and other dangerous beasts.

 

[Hel]

Alexander sped along, keeping PASE with the Griffon man, and doing through the portal with the others. When he straightened himself from the trip through the portal, his eyes widened. 'My kin are here, but why?' He wondered to himself. Dragons were solitary, they didn't have packs or flocks, so he wondered what had brought the others together, and why he himself hadn't been contacted at all. He wouldn't have taken part, naturally, but it was still a blow to his pride.


'We must help, I will go and try to deal with the dragons and other creatures from the air.' He thought so that the whole party could hear. Once those who were on his back and did not wish to stay with him dismounted, he took off, going to speak with- or fight- the other dragons.


Anya stared at the city in Aww. She climbed down from the dragons back and said. "I'm... Someone should get the children and others who can't fight to saftey, behind the castle walls, maybe. I'm going to go help them!" She told the others her plan, and paused only long enough to see if the others were coming with her.

 

[SilverFlight]

Ward leapt clear of the portal, ignoring the usual nausea that followed. He stood frozen in place, eyes wide in horror.


"Burning...my home is burning!"


The gardens they had arrived in were more or less intact as the barrier protected the castle. Ward could see through into the once-bright ballroom, it had been made into a make-shift shelter for the citizens now refugees in their own city.


Frantically he looked for the princess and found her locked in combat with a harpy. It had her by the hair and was trying to lift her, but the armous she wore weighed her down. With a yell she brought a sword up and slashed her hair. The harpy reeled and overbalanced, its guard dropping long enough for Briar to dispatch it.


"WARD!" she gasped and rushed to the group. She hugged the gryphon around his feathery neck. He had never seen her like this before. The once meek and loving demeanor had been replaced with a harsh and pained expression.


"They struck only a few hours ago. And look how much damage they've done!"


Ward did look. Everywhere he could see there was destruction or battle. "Who are they?"


"Dread ravens. I am going to have August lead the people out of the city. The caves under the castle will get them into the fairy Forest safely."


"They are attacking at night, because that is when they are most powerful, fortunately we have someone on our side who understands them well."


He looked to Nyr. Briar turned to her and took her hand gently.


"Please Nyr, you may be our only hope...how can we fight them?


"Right, all those who ain't fightin' get to the ballroom!" Trindle the dwarf bellowed to everyone in the general vicinity.


"All soldiers report to the armoury! Anythin' with more than one form...follow me."


The dwarf had been working on a special sort of armour, one that was magically enchanted to shift with its wearer.


Ward turned to the humans with them. "You should go to the ballroom." He said to Leia, Elena and Anya.


"Like heck!" Leia said. "We're not leaving you to fight alone! Besides, you need us." here she meant more specifically Elena and her powerful gift, but Leia was convinced that Tad could give their enemy a good thumping as well.


"We haven't the time to argue!" Briar said. "Ward, fetch armour from Trindle, and anyone else who will help us. I don't agree with risking your lives Leia, Anya, Elena, but I dare say there will be little we can do to stop you."


Briar looked at them all, a grateful expression on her face. "If we can hold them off until dawn we may yet gain the upper hand!"


Ward looked at them gravely and bounded off toward Trindle, Leia ran in hot pursuit.


 



((Princess Briar in armour))