Fantasy Hallowed Voyage

[Brendanfp]

I stared at Fae for a second or two before I got up and swiftly made my way out the door to confront the king. I left immediately after Thorin and soon caught up to him.


"When do we leave", I mocked Thorin. "Why do you assume, that Fae and I will just drop everything and become your boat buddies? I assure you that I have better things to do with my time, Fae has her own responsibilities I'm sure, and you... you just became the King of Akron. I mean really damn the gods, you should be thinking about your people instead of seeking adventure."

 

[Purize]

I suddenly was left alone with the Oracle in front of that glowing fireplace. She cast her crystal eyes to me and I held her gaze, mesmerized and confused. "Milady... I can't help but think you have me confused for someone else." I heard myself say, my voice barely above a whisper. The Oracle leaned forward, her expression not wavering in the slightest. She was sure and confident and cool. I couldn't help but envy her composure.


"Fae," She said, her voice almost soothing, reassuring, "I know you've struggled since you were a child. It is said that one's hardships are also their strengths. You may not know it or feel it, but you are very powerful. Powerful enough to call Tempus's attention and to join The Circle. You crave adventure, and adventure is indeed your destiny, but you have greater things in your path for this life." The Oracle kept a steady gaze upon me. I chewed on the inside of my cheek nervously, mulling over her words in my head. I tried to make sense of everything.


"You want us to help in the war... do you really think we can make a difference?" I asked finally. The Oracle nodded, her face turning grim. "Yes... The three of you will be difference between the survival or defeat of Nymserine. It is a heavy burden to lay upon your shoulder, and not one to take lightly... but you have the confidence of the gods." Then, much to my own shock, she bowed her head to me. "As well as my own confidence. You, the heroes of Nymserine will be legends for the years to come."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~​

I closed the door to Thorin's chambers and leaned against it, letting my head rest against the wood as I stared up at the high marble ceiling. After my conversation with the Oracle I decided to go back to the room and get whatever remaining shut-eye I could... if I could even manage to sleep after that.


Still, I pushed myself off of the door and padded my way over to the grand bed, the elegant centerpiece of the room. I hovered at its side a moment before slowly tipping and plopping down on it diagonally, stomach first. I laid there for a moment, sighing into the silk sheets, feeling the fabric underneath my cheeks and the tips of my fingers. What a day, I thought.

 

[BugDozer73]

I stopped at the noise of Ali, turning with anger. I felt a heat develop in the pit of my core. My hands clenched tightly into fists.


"My people?" I spat through gritted teeth.


"My PEOPLE?! They were THRUST upon me BY the gods. I have a responsibility to EVERY person in Nymserine, not just those fastened unfairly to me by the mother who denied my existence." My pitch grew steadily louder as my anger rose, and I began striding forth to Ali, until I was right in his face, poking him squarely in the chest with each syllable of my rage.


"Don't speak to ME of responsibility, boy. I know who you are: What have you had to be responsible for your last 200 years? In fact, the only thing I recall you being responsible for was the death of your OWN people, so DON'T lecture me how to deal with my own." I faltered slightly at the severity of the words given to me by Gideon, but my anger still was fire burning. I could fell my own eyes were practicaly alight. I let my hand fall from his chest and I turned, speaking bluntly over my shoulder. "You and Fae may do as you like, I don't care. The oracle has asked for my assistance in combating a danger to all of Nymserine, and I will answer that call. Your welcome here has officially worn out. Either come with us or leave by the morning." I continued making my way down the hall, trying to douse my rage that had silenced even Adamine.

 

[Brendanfp]

I clenched my fist and gritted my teeth as a deep anger swelled up inside of me and this time it wasn't the emotions of Levia surging through me. I opened my mouth but, almost immediately closed it. I opened my clenched, and exhaled. I wouldn't lose myself in anger like the so called King. In my centuries of life I had experience many personal attacks both physical and verbal, and Thorin was just another one of the voices in the background. I raised my hand to wipe away a string of the King's royal spit from my cheek.


"Children will always need their games to keep them occupied, however I had more important matter to attend to."


I turned around and made my way back to the Oracle. A faint red glow radiated from the room, beckoning me inside. I walked into the room and turned to the Oracle.


"I'm sorry Oracle but I can't be one of your chosen ones. I will gather my things in the morning, and set off to search for a map to the island of Tu'ru. Please forgive me."

 

[Purize]

The Oracle looked at Ali with a level gaze, no portrayal of emotion crossing over her face. "Ali Zahra. I hope you understand that this isn't a choice. Prophecies are visions of people's destinies. This is your destiny, not only Fae's and Thorin's." She gave him a long hard look for a moment before continuing. "Of course, you do have your own free will, Ali. Not even the gods can take that away from us. You can choose to leave tomorrow if you wish, you can leave this city behind but I promise you this: You cannot run from your destiny. It will come to you naturally no matter what path you take." She gave him a sympathetic smile and her eyes dropped to the floor.


In a barely audible whisper, one her guards wouldn't hear, she said, "Believe me... I would know."

 

[BugDozer73]

I made my way through the dark corridors of the palace for possibly the last time, slightly sad at the idea of leaving. Despite the lack of free will, I somewhat enjoyed the simplicity of the royal life.


I turned into his bed chambers and had my thoughts cut short by the sleeping figure of the man I knew as Gideon. I strode to his bed side and gently shook him awake, calming him as his worry grew the more aware of the situation he became.


"Thorin, its the middle of the night! Whats going on?"


"Don't worry, everything is fine. I need to tell you something."


I told Gideon the entirety of the situation with Fae, Ali, and The Oracle. He sat there listening, his face darkening with the news.


"I see... You will have to answer this call, that is for certain. Gather your things and prepare to leave by morning. Ill take care of matters here in your absence." I nodded


I left and found my way back to my own chambers, completely lost in thought of what was to come in the pending adventures. I stepped quickly into the dark room, not noticing the lump in my bed as I blindly moved around the room gathering my things.


I thought of being on the sea again, and visiting my old master on Tu'ru from my childhood. In my consuming thoughts, I dropped a small dagger onto the floor, which clattered loudly. I reached down to retrieve it, stuffing it with my other belongings in my new duffle bag.

 

[Purize]

There were sounds of shuffling, things being moved and footsteps crisscrossing around the room. At first, I paid no head to it, the sounds blended into my dreams like noises of ambiance. When something metallic and heavy clattered against the floor, though, I bolted straight up in the bed and whipped my head in alarm towards the source of the commotion. My sword was drawn and gripped in my hand in an instant, my other palm aglow with faint wispy-blue light. "Who's there!?"

 

[BugDozer73]

I turned around, whipping my sword from its sheathe, which echoed through the room like wailing angels, and held it ready as I whipped around to meet the shrill sound. I took in the sound of the voice and felt some sort of recollection straining against the clouds of shock. I slipped my hand into my satchel and removed my orb, holding it up and channeling some magic. The orb opened up my soul to the reception of the red mana, allowing the spell to kindle and take form. The Orb began to glow brightly, casting long illuminating beams of light across the chamber, revealing Faes form.


I had let her spend the night here: How could I have forgotten.


I sheathed my sword, and let out a quick breath of air. "Fae, Im sorry. I forgot you were in here. I was just gathering my things for the trip today."

 

[Purize]

As a crimson light washed over the room revealing Thorin's form I felt my rigid form relax a titch. I lowered my sword. "Oh, Thorin. You scared me..." The wisp doused itself in my hand, disappearing from sight and I sheathed my sword once more, watching when Thorin did the same. My ears were still ringing with the resounding sound of his sword when it was drawn. I looked down at the duffel bag and blinked. "For the trip... This whole thing still seems so surreal to me." I frowned.

 

[Brendanfp]

"Thank you, but I am the master of my own destiny", my voice wavered as I bowed to the Oracle.


I turned around and made my way out the door navigating through the maze of empty corridors to the room I had awoken in. I reached for my finger and pulled off the demonic ring causing the shadowy cloak to recede back within the ring. As I entered my room closing it behind, I couldn't help but exhale. The day had taken its toll on me, and I was ready to turn in. I took a step further into the dark room and immediately realized I wasn't alone. Sitting there on the bed was a shadowy figure cloaked in the same darkness as me. The figure didn't react to me enter the room, nor did it even acknowledge my presence.


"I swear I have had enough of this city for one day", I whispered to myself as I reached for the hilt of my sword.


The figure remained motionless as I began to draw the curved blade from its sheath. The dim light of the blade began to slowly illuminate the room, as faint chuckle echoed off the walls.


"A demon wielding a blade of the angels, now I seen it all."


The voice was deep but calm and composed. It almost sounded mundane, but my sense told me different. The smell of sulfur was heavy in the air, and there was no magic concealing it. This told me that who ever this figure was didn't care if I knew he was a demon.


"The only demon here is you", I shot back at him as a clutched my blade tighter.


There was something else about the figure that made me uneasy. This demon who ever it was had enter the palace undetected despite the powerful pulses of demonic energy I felt coming from him. I watched as the shadowy figure got up off the bed. He was tall, much taller than me, but that was all I could gather about him.


"What do you plan to do with that blade boy ?"


I gritted my teeth at the demons remark. He was the third person today to refer to me as boy and I had had my limit. The demon was close enough for me to take one stride and cut him down. I leveled my blade with what I could only assume was his neck, and whispered a spell of strength. I took a deep breath in and relaxed my muscles. The demon only stood there facing me. In one stride I dashed at the demon covered in shadows and with fluid movement I brought the blade above my head before quickly slashing down at the demon's neck.


"You really are as weak as the King said you were. He was right to send me here." I looked up in horror to see my sacred blade had been caught. From the cloud of the dark cloak a single gray hand, armed with black claws, extended out and held my blade. The demon had caught my blade, but something like this should have been impossible since my blade was crafted for the purpose of killing demons. The demon before me broke into a sinister fit of laughter.


"Why are you so, damn surprised boy? Since Levia has thought you nothing of use in the last couple hundred year, I have been bestowed with the honor. Consider this your first lesson boy."


Levia, King, Lessons, what was this lunatic going on about ? I need to get out of here and alert the guards that...my train of thought was interrupted by an acute pain in my gut. I felt all the air leave my lungs as the demon's unoccupied hand slammed into my stomach. I felt my consciousness waver, and I let go of my blade. The demon still cloaked in shadows level his head with my ear.


"Your first mistake is using this accursed weapon. Did you really think such a puny amount of angel mAna could hurt me", he whispered in my ear.


With the blade still in hand the demon clenched his fist hard and in an instance the blade shattered sending the shards in every direction. I couldn't even process the event enfolding before me.


"Also you need to stop relying of demonic enchaments. I've been watching you turn your magic on and off all day. That kind of demon magic is reserved for the low class demons who cant constantly expend their mana. For the real demons we are constantly regulating demonic mana through out our entire body. Here ill give you an example." The demon pulled his fist away from my body and pulled back one of his legs. I put both my arms up just in time to block the powerful kick, but it was not enough as I was hurled back into the wall behind me. My entire body cried out in pain. I looked down to the lamp which still hung at my side, but as much as I wanted to I couldn't put Ifrit in harms way while she was still resting. I looked back up at the demon who was slowly crossing the room. Soon the demon stood before me, and I couldn't help feeling helpless.


"You rest now, I gotta return to the King, but the next time I visit you had better have taken my advice, or I will have to do more than just beat the shit out of you." I slumped as another fit of laughter filled the room. My eye lids began to feel heavy as the fatigue took hold of me, and as I slipped into unconsciousness I could make out the demon making his way to window. I blinked slowly and the demon who had both assaulted and advised me was gone. I could no longer hold on to my consciousness as I began to slowly trickle away.

 

[BugDozer73]

"I guess... Im more used to never staying in one place, but I know what you mean."


I thought back to when I had gotten my first decree from a god, and found myself as king, and all the emotions it brought. Now she was even more like me than ever. In a way we shared a bond. "Im sorry for intruding on you, but I suppose this is good. The sun will be rising soon... want some help packing?"

 

[Purize]

I groaned and slumped forward a bit. "It's almost morning!? Ugh... I barely got any sleep!" I shook my head. I hated it when I didn't get enough sleep... and after yesterday, I knew could really use some shut-eye. Nevertheless, I sighed and straightened up again. "I pretty much have all my things together." I gestured to my travel bag and sword leaning against the side of the bed.

 

[BugDozer73]

I looked past her, out of the balcony through flowing opec silk drapes to the skyline, whose edges were beginning to melt into a soft shade of orange. "Its still early: you can sleep some more if you want." Noticed her things packed nicely into her bag, just like mine: A mark of an adventurer. Pack light and what was necessary. She was obviously experienced with the adventurer life. I turned back to my things and finished packing- my vials of different extracts, my dagger, several sets of clothing, (I currently had no armor) some food, The Orb, and the journal. It was more than I was used to, and I tried lifting it, noticing its usually more than light weight: It still was no more than 30 lbs, but I would be carrying it for a while. I looked at the journal, with all its pages of fruitful knowledge that were completely locked away from my reach, and scowled at my own inability to read. In a quiet anger I took it out and threw it behind me, somewhere in the direction of the bathroom, where I heard it hit the floor and slide another few inches before coming to a stop.


I sighed and strapped the bag shut, and shouldered it. The day ahead would be a long one, and one without the fueling sleep I craved, But we had to leave now, which meant we needed a crew, and a ship. I felt a pang of longing for my old crew, but by now they would have left with Nylea, helping her complete her training. I looked back at the girl wrapped up in my sheets.


I imagined myself as her lover, shouldering his gear before leaving for a long journey at sea, to which she watch sorrowfully at the departure of her soulmate. I shook off the silly thought and scratched the back of my neck. "Im going to head down to the docks while its darker so I don't attract too much attention-" I dropped my bag and grabbed a cloak off the wall in an after thought, swinging over me and drawing the hood up to my face for less visual contact with the outside world. Good thinking. "- you can come along if you like, or sleep a little longer. And I'm sorry you had to get caught up in this. I don't know what you do with your life, but I'm sure it wasnt waiting to be commanded by an invisible higher power." I gave her a half smile to try and show her some sort of compassion.

 

[Brendanfp]

The agonizing pain was gone, and it became apparent instantly why that was. I looked to the left and then to the right, but it was useless. In every direction was only the endless stretch of the void. I was dreaming again. Even in the recesses of my own mind I was not left to rest. In one day I had met an arrogant king, a strange Elf who gave off angelic mana, an old friend from my past, the Oracle who I had been searching for, and a demon who decided he would mentor me but not before he beat the shit out of me. I had even learned of the existent of some sort of demonic king. It was a too much to for one day, and with my current injuries it might be my last day.


"You will survive", said the voice that haunted my mind.


"Did you know he would come for me ?"


"Yes", relied the demon slyly. "I warned you that the King would send you a present...perhaps you misunderstood my meaning", he said with a chuckle.


"Fuck you", I spat at the voice that echoed through the void


"You think you gotta it bad? I got to deal with commanding the entire Horde Army, and on top of that I have to deal with the King constantly wondering if you are ready."


"Ready for what ?"


"You will learn everything in due time, however if I were you I would take the advice of Vice Captain Azil"


"Vice Captain", I shouted as loud as one could shout without any real body. "You mean he's not even an Archdemon ?"


The demon broke into a roar of laughter, "Oh, no Azil is only in charge of training new Horde recruits, however as the King sees me unfit to mold you, he enlisted Azil to carry out the job."


As I felt as I had collected enough information on today events, I relaxed my consciousness. "What now?"


"Just rest yourself, I must go crush more of the Circle's noble soldiers", he said with a hint of glee.


I felt the presence of Levia leave the void and I was alone again. Levia had advised that I take Azil's advice, but how could I take advice from the demon scum. I decided to worry about it when I was consciousness, for now I would just rest for what ever tomorrow had in store for me. At least I wouldn't have to spend any more time with that pest of a king.

 

[Purize]

I smoothed my fingers over the silk material that made up the bedsheets, loving the feeling of the texture beneath my skin. "You have nothing to apologize for," I responded to Thorin. "My life is dedicated to adventure, and this seems like a prime opportunity for it." I smiled faintly. "Besides, this isn't really a choice. We are all in this together so we might as well have fun with it." I chuckled and stretched in the bed. "As for sleep, I could really use some shut eye, but there's no point in going back to bed now." I swung my feet over the edge of the bed and shivered as my bare toes touched the cool marble.

 

[BugDozer73]

I let a small smile fall onto my face. "Fun?"


why not? I shrugged. "OK, I'm down. Meet me outside the front gate. Don't take to long, princess~"


I turned and made my way out of the room with my bag, until I was standing in the early morning rays of the dimly rising sun.`

 

[Purize]

My cheeks flushed at his 'Princess' comment and I sat there for a few moments, flustered, after he closed the door. Eventually I shook it off and stood up. I hauled my boots onto my feet and slung the straps to my bag and sheath over my shoulder. I looked around the room for one last time and then crossed into the bathroom. On the floor a few tiles away was the journal Thorin had tossed aside. I frowned at it and bent to pick it up and set it on the coral counter. I didn't know what Thorin had against the journal but I wish he hadn't abused it. In my world, knowledge was precious and books were like home. I wondered why he intended on leaving it behind.


I turned to the mirror that hung over the counter. My reflection peered back at me, my long elf ears protruding from my sleek silver hair like branches. I always thought they looked ridiculous and were too long, but I had always loved the ears of other elves. They seemed daintier and more regal somehow. I swear I think the strangest things. My reflection scowled at me, so I left the bathroom. The journal subtly lodged into my travel back as I walked out of Thorin's bedroom.

 

[BugDozer73]

I called over one of the guards who had been patrolling the front grounds of the palace, who came over in a quick strut.


"Go down to the docks and acquire a vessel with a crew to give me passage to Tu'ru"


He looked slightly confused, but none-the-less bowed, and rushed off in the direction of the docks.


I stood around patiently for the elf to follow, enjoying the sight of the rising sun, and remembered a not to pleasant desert wanderer somewhere in my kingdom. I called over one more guard and left him with orders to make certain the Ali was vacant by the end of sunrise. He nodded and headed off into the palace to check his room.

 

[Brendanfp]

I awoke to a familiar voice. I opened my eyes as a strong sensation of pain shot through my body. I moaned at the dull pain that radiated from head to toe. Glancing upward spotting a guard standing above me. He was prodding various parts of my body with the butt end of his spear, however upon further inspection of the guard, I realized that he was the very same guard who I had confronted me at the palace gates. His face was twisted as he tried to hide his wicked smile.


"Get lost kid, the King wants you out of the palace." The guard continued his poking as he nagged me further,"get up, hurry and get up." I didn't even have the energy to be upset with the guard, but I need to stop the incessant prodding. Quickly I manifest some demonic strength in one arm for a second, and grabbed at the spear pulling it out of the guard's grip.


"Hey", he protested as I chucked the spear out my room window, which caused even more pain to surge through my body. The guard threw both arms up in surrender, "look i'm just doing the will of my king."


"I was just leaving", I spat as I struggled to get up out of the Ali sized hole in the wall. I braced myself up the wall with one arm as my other cradled my aching stomach. Small pebbles crushed cobblestone trickled down the wall, and off my white linen clothing. There was a ping of metal against stone. I looked down to the small engraved band of silver which had fallen from my lap. I reached down and plucked the silver ring imbued with demonic power, and placed the band on my slender finger. I waited for a second, but nothing happened.


Well, great I broke it.


The unarmed coward of a guard had managed to slowly shuffle his way out the room. Even in the state I was in now, I knew what I need to to do. First thing was locating someone who knew how to get to the fabled island of Tu'ru, after that I would need to find an general temple. I shook my head in guilt as it had been three days since I had made an offering to Magnus the god of my people. I straighten my back and began to walk through the corridors, and eventually found myself at the front gate.

 

[Purize]

I made my way out of the castle and eventually joined Thorin in front of the palace. I gave him a small half smile as I approached, my travelbag and sword slung over one shoulder.


"Alright " I said as I stopped in front of him, "Where to now, Captain?" I grinned at him with white teeth.

 

[BugDozer73]

I grinned at her. "To the docks, you scaly wag, and be quick about it." I chuckled at the silly pirate voice I used, and led Fae and myself down to the docks, where the solider was finishing up a conversation with a scurvy looking sailor. He noticed me and fae and crossed the bustling crowds until we were at face. "Ive secured you passage to Tu'ru. The trip will take you 3 days by ship. The Captain says he will need some extra crew members if you wouldn't mind waiting so he could procure some." I thanked the guard and sent him home, which he did reluctantly, hesitating to leave me alone on the docks with the sailors. I knew my ways around these people.


I looked over at the ship and saw a smaller vessel, with two masts and a crew of at least 8 men. It wasnt a merchant ship, but it wasnt a schooner either. I knew a pirate ship when I saw one. Not that it mattered. I made my way over to the captain, introducing myself and subtly revealing a small tattoo of a compass over a banner on the inside of my left wrist, to which he nodded and smiled, shaking my hand before Directing us on board the ship.


"Make yourselves at home. We will be casting off shortly, as soon as I higher some more help."


I nodded and watched the captain stride away, leaving us alone with the crew, who didn't seem to particularly interested in what we were doing. "Have you ever sailed on a ship before?" I asked Fae.

 

[Brendanfp]

As I steeped past the golden gates of the palace I noticed two figures , who turned my stomach over. I stared in horror as I spotted Thorin and Fae walking few meters in front of me. They didn't seem to notice me , and slowly began to turn left towards the docks while they talked back and forth. I exhaled and relaxed at the sight of them leaving. I turned right towards the inner city. The walk was slow and painful. Each step I took felt like burning venom shooting up my leg, and the heat of the rising sun beat down more intensely with each passing hour. My only saving grace for me was the cool salty winds which blew from the oceans. I continued down the path a cobble stone path which lead straight to the heart of the city.


Soon, I had made it to the inner city of Akron, and I met with the sound of busy city life. The stone streets were full of fast moving cheerful people who buzzed up and down the city. There were market men and vendors who sat on the sides of the streets lulling in passing travelers to busy their goods, as well as busy fisher men who ran from the docks carrying barrels of unique looking fish. I couldn't help but marvel at the architecture of the city. There were myriads upon myriads of white washed buildings with vibrant red brick roof tops, and golden phoenixes were a common motif throughout the entire town. In between the building were alleyways and each contained its own surprises, whether it be cultural group dances or groups of families cooking over an open fire. Even thought I wasn't big on the city life, I couldn't help but admire the happy festive city culture.


Soon I spotted a sign which read "Linda's General Temple." I grinned as I walked over to the small rounded oak door just below the sign. I reached for the knob and walked into the small place of worship. The sound of a bell went off, and I heard the shrill voice of a women shout, "Welcome In !"

 

[Purize]

I grinned at his pirate voice. Something about the sound of it sounded like pure adventure. It was almost exciting.


"No... I've never sailed but I've always wanted to. I've read about the sea in books..." as I say this, my eyes shift to gaze out at the sea that seemed to sparkle in the sunlight and stretched on forever. At the sight of its beauty, it's magnificence, I sighed. "No book does it justice."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~​

A shape shifted in the shadows cast by one of the buildings next to the docks. The movement was so subtle, so masterfully stealthy that it would always go undetected... and he knew that. With years of skill, years of watching, he knew his craft well. There was nothing he was better suited for. He was like a phantom.


Now, he kept his focus trained on her. Her hair was a long flowing river of silver, her skin fair and perfect. She wore the clothes of an adventurer, attire he knew she wasn't born into. He knew everything about her; who she was, what she was, where she grew up and the problems she faced. He would forever be her silent sentinel. Her guardian. That was the final wish of her mother...


His form shimmered and shifted and the vaporized, becoming a dark smoke that rose into the air and then sank down low, the smoke rolled over the water like early morning fog and seeped through the wood of the ship he knew she'd be boarding.

 

[BugDozer73]

"Books are cool" I lied "But your right, nothing compares to the truth behind the words. Come on, we can stow our gear below deck before we cast off." I strode over to the center of the boat, where the deck grate divider hung open, with a ladder leading below deck. I tossed my bag below and ignored the ladder, twisting in mid air after stepping forward, catching the railing and swinging beneath the floorboards. I smiled at the familiar feeling of home.

 

[Purize]

I watched as Thorin made his way nimbly through the ship. He was in his own territory now, but to me it was foreign and magical. The floor bobbed and swayed gently beneath my feet in rhythm with the tide; a rhythm I'd never know before. The air smelled of fresh sea salt mingling with early morning dewy air. I could hear the tide rolling and pressing in uniform around the boat and the docks. It was amazing...


I adjusted my travelbag strap on my shoulder and descended the ladder after him, not risking to jump as easily as Thorin had. I dropped down from the last rung on the ladder and turned to view the place. Below deck were canons and the living quarters and crates of various things. On the far wall, next to a small and round port window, stood a familiar pale figure with short white hair and blue markings on her face. However, she now wore a long silky cloak that hid the rest of her small body. She looked at us expectantly while I stood there shocked.