Fantasy ~ FableWood ~

[zCrookedz]

Leo watched as the family events u folded before them. He was saddned for Luness, a family relationship is not something anyone should loose. After a moment of silence Leos ears twitches in the direction of the hallway. He could hear the sound of the wolves growling outside as they tortured the wizard. Leo leaned in close to Banba and scooped her up again while glancing at each of the others, "Luness I am deeply sorry for your loss. But the pack is here for your father. It would be beat if we were not here when they arrived. We have the chalice, we should make out way back to the town." What luness planned on doing next he didn't know, but he knew it was time to leave.


@Lioness075 @Jecklyn

 

[SilverFlight]

Leia gave Elena a concerned look.


"That was a little cold..." But she didn't have time to worry about it as one of the wolves grabbed the wizard.


"Hey hey! Don't eat him!..You don't know where he's been!"


But the wolf was only after information.


"Upstairs!" the wizard screamed and in a flash the wolves leapt over him, darting past Leia and bounded upstairs, a mass of dark bodies with the echo of claws scrabbling on ice.


Leia watched them go, "Bigby?" She questioned the air. She was sure it would come up later. At any rate they did not seem interested in picking a fight, so Leia felt it wise not to start one.


The sky was clearing now, residual snow flakes trickling down from the dissipating storm. Leia turned to pick the wizard up by his collar and haul him back inside when a small dot in the sky made her frown. The dot grew bigger and bigger until Leia could hear the faint whisper of bells on the wind. The air spirit got rather excited, whirling around and kicking up the powdered snow.


She waited for it to get closer and not long after saw a team of white horses, galloping through the clouds. Behind them trailed a splendid sleigh of crystal and silver and in that sleigh, wrapped in furs and driving the steeds with an expert hand sat a woman...a woman wearing a crown.


With a thundering of hooves the sleigh came in for a landing. The horses tossed their heads, their harnesses clinking and their manes and white coats glittering with ice. Leia felt herself bow timidly as the Snow Queen stepped out before the castle and surveyed the damage.


Ward's eyes were still closed, though his expression held no pain. He continued to sleep, oblivious to the goings on around him.


((he's not gonna wake up until he's back at the healer's house. ))


 

Spoiler

 

[Bea Delaine]

Elena didnt listen to Leia. If she seemed cold, than she didnt want to be nice. She and the others spared his life, but she knew first hand death could be a positive alternative. Life itself was sacred. Not always the one with the life. Giving up on trying to awaken Ward. Instead she stayed seated beside the other. She was a bit embarrassed to have Leia see her angry.


Seated on the cold floor, she wrapped herself tighter in her thinner jacket and breathed into her hands to warm them. Horse hooves clapping frozen turf brought her attention back to the gate. A woman arrived who seemed to be clothed in ice itself. Elena rose her hands and pictured the ice as a moving object. The bars snaked down and lined the walls to allow the woman in, silently watching the other witha calm and passive expression.

 

[Hel]

Alexander, too, noticed the sounds downstairs and agreed with Leo's assessment. "The guardian is right, unless there is one who could restore the wolf it would probably be best if we move on. The pack will surely be able to smell us, anyway, and not be happy to find their leader deceased." He did not mean to be callous, but it seemed he couldn't help it. he turned to go help up Anya, who was staring at her daggers.


Anya had no energy left. What little she had recovered seemed to be taken right back away from her when she made her swords appear to her. She had no clue how that had happened, but slowly she was beginning to understand. She saw Alexander reaching to help her up, and accepted it, standing and sheathing her swords on each hip. She was uneasy on her feet, but she managed, for now anyway.

 

[SilverFlight]

((This will have to be my last post for tonight, but you can all go back to the town after this, the Snow Queen will arrange transport. :3 @Bea Delaine, would you like to play the queen for now?))


The Queen glanced at Leia, then Elena and finally her gaze fell upon the wizard. There was just a hint of displeasure that now appeared on her cold and graceful features.


"Restrain him," She ordered and instantly the snow about the wizard formed into two dumpy men who grabbed him and hauled him unceremoniously to his feet.


"I see princess Briar received my letter. I am in your debt, Leia, Elena." She stepped into the castle via the front gate, which Elena had unbarred for her. Upon seeing the injured Ward she drew closer, kneeling down so she could place a slender hand in his forehead.


"Wake, gryphon." Her voice seemed to echo as she cast the spell.


Ward's eyes fluttered and slowly they began to open. He winced as he tried to sit up, but finding he still had no strength he gave up shortly after.


"Elena?" He asked, looking around for her, when his eyes fell on the queen they widened a little.


"M-majesty! I-I aplologize, am completely out of countenance..."


She held up a hand and ward shut his mouth sheepishly. "You have done well by your race...and by Briar. You should be proud. ward glowed a bit at the compliment.


The Queen stood then and paused at the steps, waiting for the others to arrive downstairs. She would thank them in person before taking them back to SnowHaven.

 

[Bea Delaine]

(Sure! Ill do my best.)


Elena lowered her eyes when she queen looked to her. She stayed beside Ward, unsure of what this Ice Queen was going to do. When she woman approached them and thanked she and Leia, Elena could feel the heat flood her cheeks. Curiously and protectively, she watched the Queen awaken him.


"W...ward.. morning." She joked in a softer gentle voice. She brought her smile up to great the queen in appreciation for her deeds. The powerful woman made Elena envious. She felt for a moment that staying here, she could be like her one day. Strong, kind and graceful.

 

[Naeg1]

Small drops of tears rolled down Zelnites face as he watched the scene unfold. He knew how it felt to lose a family member, thinking about his past once again. The fire, the screams of the villagers, the smile on his mothers face as she sacrificed herself to save him. In the middle of his flashback, he heard a voice, it seemed to be a kind one, with a mixture of power. Quickly running down the stairs, he was shocked, she looked like a Queen. Walking towards the figure, he bowed deeply. "Your Majesty"

 

[DawnAntalios]

Nyr felt a powerful presence appearing and felt compelled to check out what it was. Still, before she decided to go she stepped beside the lifeless body of Bigby and knelt down before him.


" A brave soul. " she muttered as she placed her hands on his body " One who lived only for his family. "


She closed her eyes and whispered.


" Mother Moon. Guide this brave hero's soul to the afterlife. Let he roam free in the eternal plains of joy. "


A faint, white light with a gentle hum signaled that the blessed mother received her prayer and accepted it. Praying silently for a moment she looked at Luness with sad eyes.


" Your father always loved you from his heart. " she said, touching the fur of the werecat where her heart was. " Never forget that. "


With that she walked out of the castle to see what was happening. It was then when she met the Queen and she bowed before her.


" Your majesty, it is an honor. "

 

[Bea Delaine]

The Queen stood in wait for the arrival of the group. Because it was the location of the chalice, the main reason they were sent to this ice covered land. She looked to Zelnite, then Nyr as she approached. Nodding to them both, she spoke.


"Thank you Zelnite, Nyr, for your services. I see you have recieved my distress call from Princess Briar."


She paused, examining their facial expressions. The sadness was evident.


"Young ones, what is wrong?" She noticed the absence of a certain werewolf.


"Where is Bigby?" She asked calmly, almost anticipating their response.

 

[Flutterby]

Hearing the sound of sleigh bells, Quincy decended to see what was happening. Even though she didnt know her, the kelpie realized it must be the Snow Queen. She stepped forward, chalice in her hands. “Your Majesty." She greeted respectfully. “Bigby's body is upstairs. He just passed, the injuries he recieved while under the chalice were too grave." She said sadly, uncertainty of her place causing her to hesitate. “His daughter is saying her goodbyes." She added, staring at the ground.

 

[Hel]

Alexander and Anya both returned down the stairs, as well. Anya tried not to tumble down the stairs. When they reached the bottom, Anya paused and took it all in.


"Can... Can we go home now?" Anya asked, after Quincy was finished talking with the Queen. She didn't pay enough attention to realize who was there in front of her. She was hurt, tired, and sore, and didn't really care,


Alexander watched, and didn't say much of anything.

 

[Jecklyn]

Banba didn't resist when Leo picked her up again, leading the two downstairs. When she spotted the snow queen, however, she wormed out of his grasp, standing behind him, gripping the lion man's forearm ad partially hiding herself. She silently cursed herself, not wishing to be seen as weak in front of the others, let alone a person of royalty. A small smile crept to her lips as she was grateful that at least she was sane enough to properly act in front of the queen, her mind wandering to the mirrored forest where she had tackled the prince to the ground. Her smile was replaced by a cringe, remembering how hurt the prince already had been, and how her foolishness could have caused even more damage.

 

[Lioness075]

Luness silently waited until everyone had left her alone in the room. Shakily getting to her feet, standing like a human since her arm was too greatly injured to bear her own weight, Luness looked down at her father forlornly.


They'd never gotten to know one another and she'd spent her whole life seeing him only as a demon. She'd spent countless nights unable to sleep in fear of seeing him in her nightmares. Now they'd finally met only for her father to end up dying.


Turning around to join the rest of the group, Luness' good ear flickered forward at the sound of claws scraping against ice. Bigby's pack!


Eyes wide, Luness attempted to rush down the opposite staircase to join her friends, but she was too injured and ended up falling to her knees in the attempt. She'd already lost a good amount of blood and had a deep bite wound in one of her hindquarters on top of her ravaged arm.


Shifting herself around so she could at least face the pack, Luness bit down a whine just as the pack rushed into the room. The werewolves all skidded to a halt at the sight of Bigby's ravaged body.


The moment of silence quickly passed though, as the pack took notice of Luness' presence. Snarling, one of the pack members approached Luness and demanded, "What happened here!"


Instead of answering, Luness just shifted her gaze to meet the werewolf's and he instantly knew that Luness had killed Bigby.


Growling, the werewolf began to approach Luness, but she confidently, and a bit shakily, got back to her feet and then hissed at the approaching werewolf, stopping him in his tracks.


Standing proudly despite her numerous injuries and the blood staining her fur, Luness announced, "By pack laws, the one who kills the alpha, becomes the new alpha." Looking around for a moment, Luness knew she was right based off of the silence that met her.


Nodding at this, Luness continued, "That means I, Luness, daughter of Bigby, am this pack's new alpha. Does anyone disagree?"


The werewolves all gaped at the knowledge that the werecat before them was in fact Bigby's long-lost daughter. Not too long after this news set in though, the werewolf who had approached Luness at first, knelt down before her, which immediately signaled for the rest of the werewolves to follow suit.


Pleased that they were no longer a threat to her, Luness added, "While I am the standing alpha, I am busy in a quest to stop the growing darkness from ravaging our world." Looking at the werewolf before her, the one who had first approached her, Luness asked him, "What is your name, werewolf?"


The werewolf looked up at Luness and said, "I am Falarion, Alpha."


Nodding at this information, Luness said confidently, "Falarion is the alpha while I am away. You will follow him as you did when Bigby wasn't around."


The werewolves nodded in agreement with this, and Luness added, "I have to rejoin my group now, but I trust you will all be on standby if I am ever in need of your aid?" Again, the werewolves nodded in agreement.


Glancing over at Bigby's body, Luness said calmly, "Grieve if you must, and please, give him a proper burial. I must go though."


Without another word, Luness turned her back on her new pack and then began slowly making her way to the main area, inwardly cursing herself as she stumbled numerous times. Now that the adrenaline from the fight had worn off, her pain had returned tenfold.


Falarion soon approached Luness in silence, though she heard his approaching claws against the ice stairs. Pausing, Luness waited for him and was equally surprised when he wordlessly picked her up bridal style and then began carrying her to her group. Sensing Luness' confusion, Falarion plainly said, "You're out Alpha now. We look out for one another."


Smiling softly at this, Luness remained silent, though her smile quickly faded when they approached the group in the main room. Seeing some lady of ice with a crown, Luness assumed she was of royalty, except she had never dealt with royalty before so she had no idea how to handle the situation.


Falarion said nothing to anyone in the room and simply kneeled down before the ice queen before carefully laying Luness down. Shifting his gaze around the room, Falarion remained stoic, as he then stood up and turned away from the group, returning to the room where Bigby lay.

 

[SilverFlight]

"Elena.." Ward said as he saw her, a smile appearing on his tired face. "M-morning" He chuckled and then regretted it, clutching his side. He expected the pain to be far worse however and wondered if Nyr had a hand in its reduction.


Leia helped get ward into the back of the sleigh where he lay wrapped in furs until the others appeared.


More shapes appeared in the distance and Leia grinned as the reindeer appeared once more, tossing their antlers and kicking their heels with joy. The threat of the chalice was subdued and they couldn't have been happier.


The queen acknowledged Banba, Leo, Luness, Alexander and Qunicy and when she reached Anya she placed a hand on her shoulder.


"You have done well child. Cultivate your power, for I sense you will play a great role in events to come. As she let go she cast a small spell to heal and revive the young girl.


Once the gratitude was paid she returned to her sleigh.


"Let us go."

 

[zCrookedz]

Leo bowed to the queen as he and Banba made their way down to the rest of the party. When ban a hid behind his arm, Leo didn't know whether to laugh or pat her on the head. When Leo saw the reigndeer in the distance, he knew they were finally done and would get the rest and relaxation they had all deserved. Once the deer had arrived, he calmly placed Banba on the sleigh behind them and joined her on the seat. Once they were on their way, Leo turned to Banba "How are you feeling? With the challis I mean?"


@Jecklyn

 

[Jecklyn]

"Fine! I'm fine." Banba stated almost immediately after Leo asked, rubbing her face with her hands. "I starting to feel..." She paused then, wondering how to put it. It was like the last time she had lost her mind, only faster. She sighed, settling into the seat more.


"I'll be fine. Don't worry about me." She had to admit, she wasn't used to being so looked after. The kindness Leo showed her in general was unusual for her. She looked at her hands, fiddling with the tip of her tail as she tried to clear her mind, finding how full it was of thoughts uncomfortable.

 

[BloodThunder27]

After all that chaos ended, Ashley was glad that her Companions were okay, despite a few of them having injuries, but nonetheless grateful that they survived a rough fight. The terrain they had to deal with this time, was just too much. Hopefully in their next Adventure they'd be in a more reasonable place, but she sure did appreciate the challenge. Perhaps when they get back to Snow Haven, she can take a nap. Hopefully the Challis' effects would come to an end soon, because she worried for Banba and Nyr. Their Animalistic Frenzies scared her, but she is lucky to have not been attacked yet. Nonetheless she was still afraid. But how to get the Challis under control, she wondered. Wait, how come Banba and Nyr, possibly other Party Members, were affected, but Leo was not? Perhaps the Guardian was just very strong-willed.

 

[Lioness075]

As everyone settled into the sleigh to go back to Snow Haven, Luness struggled to her feet only to take one step and stumble to her knees. Her vision darkened for a moment and she gasped in pain. Letting out a small whine and folding her good ear against her head, Luness attempted to get up again, but felt overwhelmed by pain and dizzyness. Slumping to her side, it didn't take long for Luness to entirely pass out from her injuries.

 

[Hel]

Anya registered who she was speaking with as the woman healed her, and her eyes widened. "Thank you," she said, her voice still a little shaky. The woman made her feel like a child, in a way. A lot of what had happened made her feel like a child.


She moved to the climb into the sleigh once the queen had finished. Anya wondered about Ethan and the other girl who had been left behind. She felt much better after the snow queens healing, but her mind was still ready to go lay in a soft bed and not worry about wolves, Wizards and Magic.

 

[Naeg1]

Zelnite was about to take off until he noticed Luness faint. Quickly dashing towards her, he carried her then joined the others in the sleigh. "Ummm, guys we need to move faster" He says, with a worried voice.

 

[DawnAntalios]

Nyr heard the faint, weak whine as well and when she saw Zelnite running into the direction of the sound she turned back to see what has happened. She did not need to search for long for she found the exhausted, blacked out Luness soon enough just as he did. The mighty were cat now lay in the hands of the boy unconscious, her last drop of energy expended.


She took the limp body of the werecat from him. " Worry not. My wings are fast, I will take her to Snow Haven quickly. " she then turned to Luness and reached for the vial in her pockets. She poured some of its contents on her and smiled.


" This should ease your pain. " she whispered as she patted her head " Worry not, you are with me now. "


She grabbed the girl gently between her hands and started to flap with her wings.


" I am taking her back to Snow Haven safely. " she addressed the others as well then took off. She held Luness close to her so that she would not freeze in the biting wind they flew in. Her hands glowed faintly, borrowing power from her blessed mother to keep her safe and warm. She looked down on the sleeping feline and smiled warmly.


" You can not escape my loving embrace now, eh? " she chuckled silently, careful not to wake up her slumbering companion. As they flew she remembered her own lullaby Mother Moon used to sing to her when she was but a hatchling. With a melodic voice she started to sing the long remembered song of the moon.


" Hush now my child,


A sleep would be best,


For the Mother in the sky watches over your rest.


Let night be your blanket


And darkness your bed,


Moonlight be the pillow on which rests your tiny head.


Gone now is the fear,


Noe tears are to be shed,


On the softest pillow rests now your head.


Sweets are your dreams,


So sleep tight my child,


Mother Moon will be your guide tonight. "


Singing the song they flew faster and faster towards their destination. Nyr felt like a true, caring mother which filled her with joy. At least she could help someone she truly cared about.

 

[Bea Delaine]

Elena smiled brightly to see Ward awaken. Her concern was still evident, but it's better to have him aware. She heard it was time to go so she grabbed her book, storing it. She didn't want to remove her jacket from under his head or coat from over top of him. Instead, she offered her shoulder to hang onto and attempted help him up with less pain.


"Are you still hurting? Put as much weight as you need on me." Leia came to assist and they brought the injured man to the sleigh. She left her coat on him, along with more furs than before. As she watched the others exit, she regretted not helping. The group was battered and exhausted. She was fine for the most part. Guilt settled in and she rubbed her arms for distraction. Without her coat she somehow didn't feel as chilled though. Just emotionally drained and self disappointment.


"Let's get you all somewhere warm.." She mumbled to whomever was in the proximity.

 

[Flutterby]

Her piece said to the queen, Quincy moved back to stand next to Alexander, silently standing. With the chalice returned, there was no longer the sensation of her mind buzzed angrily. But she felt as if she had been sedated; the kelpie told herself it was fatigue from not sleeping and then running through the snow, but she knew it was probably her bound condition, the aching, restless sensation up and down her spine was all too familiar. Concern for the others in the party made her feel anxious, especially for Luness, who had done her a great service against Bigby. She chewed her lip silently, wishing they could be back in Snow Haven faster than reindeer would go.

 

[SilverFlight]

Leia Froze when Luness failed to return, she watched with fear as Zelnite came down the steps with the unconscious werecat in his arms.


She let out a sigh when she saw Luness was still breathing. Nyr offered to fly her to SnowHaven and that was good. She headed for one of the reindeer drawn sleighs, assuming that Elena would want to accompany the gryphon. Before she got in however she saw Anya and sent to see if the other girl was okay. "Hey, ride with me?" She asked, making her way to the sleigh.


Banba was there as well and she grinned at the shifter. "Hey! You made sense!..are you feeling okay really?" She followed up Leo's concern with her own.


@KattRai @Jecklyn


Ward blinked up at his dear friend and smiled. "I know that look." He said weakly. "You are putting yourself down again." Slowly he reached up and placed a hand on her cheek, giving her a wistful look. "If only you could see yourself as I do..."


He was surprised at himself for a moment. Perhaps the blood loss was making him a little less bashful. "Ah, forgive me." He took his hand away again. "At least do not forget that it was you who smashed the orb. We would not have won that battle without you." He drew the covers up to his chin, settling down more comfortably. Between Luness' powder, Nyr's blessing and the Snow Queen's magic he was beginning to feel a bit better.


"I'm not in much pain anymore."


@Bea Delaine


((I'm going to do a time jump is that's all right with everyone))


The caravan of heroes, headed by the queen arrived in SnowHaven not long after. Alta the healer came out immediately and began berating them in a motherly fashion for being so careless.


"Its a darn good thing Luness is unconscious." She barked, "'Cause I'm gonna give her such an earful when she wakes up!"


With a huff she told all who had been injured to make their way into the healing house and set to bustling about preparing charms, poultices and elixirs. @Lioness075 @DawnAntalios


Leia hung back as the Queen greeted the town chief.


"Um, No offense your majesty, but...you have these fantastic powers...why couldn't you have taken back the chalice yourself?"


The queen gave Leia an expressionless look and Leia cowered internally.


"If it was just this rogue I would not have hesitated, but there is a darker power involved here."


"The one who gave him more magic?"


The Snow Queen nodded, "An evil and ambitious sorceress whom very few in FableWood can stand against...She is ruthless beyond measure...and she is the one working most fervently to spread the ShadowWood over our land."


Leia did not like the sound of that.


"For some reason..." The queen continued. "Humans are some of the few who are most potent against her spells. You have defeated her more often than you know."


Leia thought back to the spiders the first night she had come here, and the giant...and the mirror forest.


"She goes by the name of Caraboss."


Leia rubbed her arms as a chill took her. Even the name held power it seemed.

 

[DawnAntalios]

Nyr trusted the healer to take a good care of Luness... but still she wanted to make sure of that.


" I wish to stay with her, esteemed healer. " she said " At least until she wakes up. That way I will be able to tell her should she missed something. "


With that she walked in the healers residence and took a seat. She looked at the werecat with a smile on her face as she patted her fur gently.