New face

1. New face

   #41

   Callista let out a slight humorus laugh "yes, i was but for some reason i do not know why i did turn into what you would call a 'fish'" her smile stayed with her as she thought back to her mother and father, could her mother have been a mermaid was it possible? Callista didn't know her mother for she had died giving birth to her, Callista's smile faded as she thought of her last moments with her father before he sent her away, she again looked in the direction of the trees where the man still stood quite still, forming into the darkness of the forest "wood-kin! can you tell me who killed my father? do you know? if you do i beg of you to tell me"

2. New face

   #42

   Darn, thought Redwick. I really hoped there would be a city around here somewhere. I'm really thirsty!
   
   He looked at the lake again.
   
   "Uhm, does anyone know what that big tentacled thingy was?"

3. New face

   #43

   Callista also looked at the lake "i believe it was a Forgat, i believe, i do not know wether i have pronounced it right but i think it is" callista mumbled on "a water demon, which protects the lake, from trespasser's, these last few years it has become more dangerous and even maybe hostile to anyone in the lake, it has been killing at will, well it was anyway" went Callista, her eye's still transfixed on the spot where it still seemed a tiny bit red from the blood, Callista picked up her water bottle and took a huge gulp, she then offered it to Redwick, "you look thirsty" her eye's didn't move to look at him but stayed in the place where the water demon had vanished to the darkness of the bottom of the lake,

4. New face

   #44

   I am sorry...Hem...I do not know how...Haar...youre father perished...
   
   Watcher said. It was painful, but true. He took the young Callista into his temporary care and took her to the widow of the crift when it came to him that Kelsta was slain. The world of the quick was frenzied and often blinded by terrible emotion, certainly alien to the wood-kin who lived through the centuries as ageless as the elves who came after them.
   
   Kelsta had gone to a distant land to do battle with the demons and their puppets, well away from the boughs of the Deepening Gloom, and the croft widow who would eventually raise Callista as her own. Watcher remembered that before that long slumber he had called her Moonshade. Called her that for reasons that were lost with antiquity.
   
   The wood-kin live in the present, and have long memories, but they are often fractured, and muddled with time, and the inconstant attention of the truely immortal. A wood-kin could pause for a rest, and awaken to discover a decade had passed while they rested, others could lapse into the deep sleep for three, or four centuries, only to awaken as if nothing had happened.
   
   Moonshade I once called you...
   
   Watchers voice became steadily smoother as he reaccustomed himself to speaking in the human tongue.

5. New face

   #45

   Callista looked to the floor "moonshade" she repeated, the name rang in her head as if it had just come out of the air and rang a huge bell in Callista's head "moonshade" she said again, her voice soft, the wind ruffled through her hair, "i must find him" Callista looked up, her eye's gleaming with tears, one rolled down her cheek, and landed on her lips, making them glisten in the setting sun "i have to find him watcher, i have to ask him why he did it, was it an order, or maybe he just done it for fun" callista said almost to herself, no matter what he did it for she was going to make him pay for what he did to her, for what he did to her father, again a tear rolled down her cheek

6. New face

   #46

   Again Callista's gaze turned back to the tree's where the man was still standing "i asked your name man please give it to me!" she moved a step closer and looked into the man's eyes

7. New face

   #47

   The man in the shadows steps forward into the light. He bows to the girl.
   
   "My name is Alec. I'm actually looking for a few people to help me if they can."

8. New face

   #48

   Callista smiled "hello alec, what do you need help with" Callista asked, also doing a small bow, and once again looking up into alec's eyes "maybe i can assist you?"

9. New face

   #49

   Redwick took a gulp from the bottle.
   
   "Hum...what is this? It ain't ale´an' it ain't wine, so what is it?"

10. New face

    #50

    "it's an elven, liquire it will keep you from being thirsty for at least a couple of days" callista said without thinking, she didn't turn her head to look at him but said while her eyes where fixed on alec's,

11. New face

    #51

    "Elven, eh?"
    
    Redwick looked at the bottle suspiciously. He was half-dwarf after all...

12. New face

    #52

    "don't worry it isnt poison" Callista said turning to look at him from the corner of her eye, she again turned her head towards Alec

13. New face

    #53

    Redwick shrugged and went to sit down by a tree (one that wasn't talking).

14. New face

    #54

    Watcher sighed, a sound inperceptible to all with the exception of the elf. She might have caught the soft sound if she were listening for it, but not likely. The quick well fit their name, rushing about with such urgency, battered by emotions, and brought to a terrible halt by the doldrums that afflict the meat races.
    
    If felt good to move again, to see the golden disc of the sun with his own eyes rather than just feel it against his crown of leaves, warming his bark, his sap. It would be good just to let his roots sink back down into the earth, seeking out a new mooring, and slumber away for another century or two. It would be an easy thing to do.
    
    There was still the matter of Kelsta, and of Callista. He had lost a friend in darks woods, corrupted by darkness. He gave his branches a shake, perhaps the way a dog would shake off water from a river after emerging.
    
    Hroom, We should seek the - Hroom-Hall of Aelfwine, the elven-Haar - lord of the wood. He may - hroom - give council in such a matter.
    
    Watcher remembered Aelfwine, the olden lord of the distant wood as a friend of the wood-kin, and spoken well of by Kelsta. Only the distance involved kept him from taking the infant Callista to his court. She might not have survived the trek without the love and milk of a mother. She went to croft, and he gave not a second thought to the matter.

15. New face

    #55

    "If ya don't mind, I'll join ya. Would be interesting to see a real elven Lord, especially in these days. Just wonder what they'll think of a half-dwarf..."

16. New face

    #56

    Callista turned to watcher and sighed it seemed to her that Alec would probably not answer her, so she answered watcher instead "yes" she sighed "maybe you are right, we can seek guidance and ask if he knew anything of what happened" she turned to look at the demon, the halfling, the half-dwarf and Alec and said "you are all very welcome to join us, we will probably be traveling for quite a while and it may be dangerous, but we will get to discover new things and maybe train on the way, and we can also do what you all need to do as well instead of being spoilt and only doing what i need to do" Callista bowed slightly to them and all and turned to watcher "let me just get ready and then we may leave" she turned and began to pack her stuff up,

17. New face

    #57

    Redwick got up on his feet and lifted up his backpack on his shoulders.
    
    "Well, I'm not worried 'bout a little danger. Actually, I like it. Just hope that that elf Lord has got some ale or somethin'..."

18. New face

    #58

    Callista shook her head in an amused sort of way, she pulled on her long black traveling cloack and fitted her weapons on to her body in diffrent places, she had placed a dagger on her leg, her sword her bow and her tack of arrows on her back, she put some small vials in her pocket, and also put her flask back in her pocket after taking a sip of it, she turned and looked at the others "All the rest of you have got the choice follow if you will or countinue with what you were doing before we met, Redwick it is a pleasure to have you accompany us on our little quest i suppose i will have to call it, and i am sure that the elven lands will have a lot of diffrent things to entertain you" she turned smiling to her self, and moved to stand next to watcher

19. New face

    #59

    Redwick rolled his eyes.
    
    "I'll just be glad if they have few things to torture me with..."
    
    Then he went over to Watcher as well.

20. New face

    #60

    Hroom Aelfwin is one of the - Hem - last of the old elf-hem-lords. Many have gone on, or-hem-been slain. I believe-hem-that Aelfwine was wounded nearly-hem-to death during the-Hroom-time of Kelsta
    
    The wood-kin spoke, his voice a gentle thunder among the trees and vines. He moved with a strange grace, roots lifting the great bulk, and gliding forward as smoothly as a lady of the court. His branches swayed in an almost rhythmic motion as if moved to a music that only the trees were savvy to.
    
    Perhaps the band would notice the luxury of having shade on their entiure journey.
    
    The Hroom-hospitality of the -hem- elves is legendary. Fae wine and clear water, sweet-hem-incense, and songs of-hroom-old

21. New face

    #61

    "Their dislike for dwarves is equally legendary...But hearing songs of old is always nice. Let's get goin'!"
    
    The half-dwarf followed the walking tree.

22. New face

    #62

    Callista once again giggled and turned walking backwards "i don't hate you" she said with a soft gigling voice she turned back around and walked under the shade of the great branches of watcher, who was glidding along "you walk ever so gracefully, for a tree of old" said callista not meaning to sound rude, she played with the string of her bow as she walked, occasinally looking back to see if the others where following, but none seemed to be at the moment 'give them a little while' she thought to herself

23. New face

    #63

    Hamold stood behind for a small while whilst the group began walking away, then with a faint shrug, he scrambled after them, wordlessly leaping up against the treefolk and attempting to climb him. If he was going to go with them, he was getting a free ride. "So, how far away IS this place, anywho?"

24. New face

    #64

    "I hope it's not very far away, 'cause I'm gonna need some good ale soon..."

25. New face

    #65

    "i'm not quite sure, but we will stop for a rest on the way, if that is alright with you watcher?" Callista asked looking far, far up into the big amber eyes of the wood-kin, "anyway, welcome to the group hamold" she said a smile now dawning on her face "i hope you will enjoy our company as much as we will enjoy ours" with that said she turned to face the direction they were heading a big smile spread across her face as she countinued to walk.

26. New face

    #66

    You-Hem- are in good luck Master Dwarf
    
    Watcher said. His branches swaying in the pleasant breeze. They noticed the trees were thinning, and ground bcoming more level. The ground underfoot abruptly became great panels of smooth stone. laid end to end in a cunning pattern. The stones, each a pace across, was set at an angle to the next stone, giving the road a zig-zag appearance. Even more surprising was the color of the stones. Most were a dark rich ochre, a geologist or worker of stone would recognize it as red granite. Some of the stones, perhaps one in 20 was either brilliant white dolomite marble, or a rich green malachite.
    
    The Dwarf Road, crafted by the Dwarves generations ago, one stone at a time, each a block one pace, by one pace, by one pace. (20inx20inx20in) The road lead into the forest, and the the great Elfhame of Aelfwine of the Greenmantle.
    
    Behold, the Dwarf-Hroom Hroom, road. The Hall of-Hem-Aelfwine is a single days passage. This road is-Hem-safe.
    
    As they passed, a large oak with branches like towers rustled against the wind. The face in the bark was easily discerned with large lamplike green eyes. No words passed between the two wood-kin, but the oak subsided, and was silent again.
    
    My friend says-Hem-no one has passed this way in...Hroom, three turns of the seasons.

27. New face

    #67

    "Ah, it's always nice t'see some good 'ol dwarven workmanship. Now, if that old tome I read once is correct..."
    
    Redwick looked down, counted the stones and then went over and lifted one of them.
    
    "Just as I suspected..."
    
    He took out a dusty, dirty bottle.
    
    "One of the workers buried this bottle 'ere once."
    
    With some effort, the half-dwarf managed to pull out the cork and sniffed at the flask. Then he took a gulp from it.
    
    "Yup, it's good 'ol dwarven ale alright."
    
    Then he gently replaced the stone so that no indication of that it had ever been moved could be seen.
    
    "This should be enough for the rest 'o the jorney..."

28. New face

    #68

    Callista had unusal high feelings of happiness this day, she skiped ahead, of the group, and occasonally, turned playfully to tell them to "come on" at last, Callista fell back to the group, "that must years old" she said pointing at the bottle in the dwarves hand "can i try a bit?" she asked looking down at it with a thought of great intent,

29. New face

    #69

    Decidedly frightened by all those around she slowly backed away into the forest seeking refuge about a half a mile away under a branch keeping her well hidden. She had found that she still was not used to other creatures and their ways but perhaps she would be one of these days. She dug slightly a small hole to rest her body she was still week and knew not any language that they spoke. She still could not talk and seemed content to live on this way...

30. New face

    #70

    Redwick looked suspiciously at Callista.
    
    "Okay...but just a small sip."
    
    Then he reluctantly handed over the bottle.

31. The Elfhame of Aelfred Greenmantle

    #71

    The continued on a for a great distance, it's smooth stones made for easy travel, despite the age of the road. No weeds or grass sought to disrupt the stones, and no root of tree buckled the stone. Perhaps it was the skill of the dwarven engineers, or perhaps a construct of fae magic, either way the path was clear.
    
    It was nearly evening when the first sight of something other than tree or road came into sight. There was an arch over the road, two vertical stones, the tops rough hewn, but the lowest five to six feet were smoothed by the passage of many hands. Redwick would recognize the Dwarven Gate from tale alone, from a time when the elves and the dwarves had much commerce between them, and both grew rich from it.
    
    Hroom-Here is the Gate...
    
    Watcher said, stopping outside of the arch. His great size prevented him from passing through the gate himself. If he tried, he would crack and break many branches, and possibly damage the gate itself.
    
    Beyond the gate there was a raised hill with a ring of concentric stone monoliths, and more arches. The stones were deeply ingraved with glyphs and runes of the elves, tales and histories and other things that the elves sought to remember in their nigh immortal lives.
    
    It-Hroom-has been a pleasant journey. Our paths-Haar-branch here.
    
    Even as Watcher was speaking, the others were able to spy a trio of elves approaching, one wearing a long green cape and mantle. The elf had a handsome face, but bore a long scar from his right temple to the point of his chin, coming perilously close to his right eye. He wore his white hair in a flat braid down his back, and was adorned only with a small thin circlet of silver.
    
    "Well come, Watcher, it has been some time since you last stirred. I was not expecting you again for another century." The elven lord spoke. Watcher only nodded his great head.
    
    "I was told of your coming, the others become excited when one of the ancients stir, and brough me word as quickly as their limbs would bear them. They told me also of your companions. All of you are welcome in the Elfhame for as long as you care to stay." He said in traditional elven greeting

32. New face

    #72

    Callista had choked on the ale given to her "blurghhhh, thats horrible" she cried throwing the bottle back at the dwarve "how could you drink that?" Callista said laughing, she stopped laughing immediatly, when she saw watcher stop in front of the arch-way "wow" sighed Callista looking up to the top of the arch-way, she looked to the horizon and there a trio of elves was coming over the hill and closer, Callista went into a very low bow "lord Aelfwine" she said quietly and polietly, she did not come up from that bow intill the elf lord, finished talking, "are you not coming watcher?" she said looking up into the large amber eyes, she didnt wait for a reply "i will miss you" she said softly "if you don't come i will miss you dreadfully" Callista put a weak smile on, she turned to the elf lord "we are very gratefull for your accomidation" said callista polietly, she turned to the others "well its now or never" she sighed turned once more to watcher and hugged his trunk "thank you" she mouthed as she moved forewards, "may our paths lead together again" she called as she moved away "come on, you two" she called once again,

33. New face

    #73

    "Yeah, fare thee well, Mr. ent. Next time I run head-first into a tree, I'll remember ya."
    
    Redwick put back his bottle of ale in his backpack. Then he turned to the elves.
    
    "And 'ello to you, elves. Hope ya don't mind havin' a half-dwarf coming along..."

34. New face

    #74

    "Or a demon." Danu half smiled, "no matter how quiet she is."
    It was true, she had been quiet. She put it down to her being a listner. The more you listened to others, the more you learned, and the more dangerous you became. She's discovered that more times than she could count on her semi taloned fingeres. That's one of the reasons she'd worked with the pussycat angels. Information was always easy to come by when you were dealing with drunkards.

35. New face

    #75

    "Right. Or demons."

36. New face

    #76

    "you're half dwarf?" Danu asked coyly, gazing at the smaler man with her intense green eyes, and turning the corner of her mouth into a sly smile? "and here I was thinking you were all dwarf..."

37. New face

    #77

    Aelfwine's face was hard as the stone of the dwarf road as he looked at Danu. There was little to be read in those fair features, forever marred by the large scar that crinkled the skin near his eye.
    
    "You have come in good company master Dwarf," Aelfwine "And the dwarves have long been welcome here, as you can see from their handiwork." he said, his voice lightening away from a hard tone.
    
    "I see you have grown straight Callista." He said, "Your Mother and Father would be glad to see you in such good health."
    
    He took the name and a short introduction from each of the travelers except Danu. His face didnt return to its former stone shell, but neither did he look at her, speak to her, or even acknowledge her presence.
    
    "Come, there will be refreshments and fresh clothes made for your visit, there will be a small feast this evening, the Festival of Kindling draws near and I would invite you to attend it." He said.

38. New face

    #78

    Callista bowed once again and thanked the lord, she then turned to danu "don't worry about him, not all elf's are nice to every single race in this large world, but don't let it bother you yeah!" Callista moved forward "we would be delighted to attend the festival of kindling, right guys?" she turned looking desperatly into each of there eyes, she moved her head to the side to indicate to follow him, but Callista stopped for a minuite "im sorry to be rude my lord, but are you not going to say hello to my frined, Danu?" she stared into the elf lords eyes "well?"

39. New face

    #79

    Redwick was a bit worried about the demon as well. All demons he had met were big red fire-breathing monsters with horns and green shining eyes.
    
    "Hurm, I'd love to visit a li'll festival, as long as there's plenty to drink", the half-dwarf said.

40. New face

    #80

    Aelfwine gave Callista a look that would have frozen water, or cracked a stone with the intensity it carried. There was no pity, or remorse in the eyes, eyes that had seen companions of the centuries slain, and many allies and friends fallen and wept bitter tears for their loss.
    
    "Your friend will recieve food and lodging, which was extended to your entire party. If you wish to discuss this matter later, in private, we will. Otherwise, there are other things of greater import to discuss." he redirected the conversation away from Callista, ending any chance of a rebuttal or interjection.
    
    "Yes Master Dwarf, there will be many forms of refreshment, especially the ales and lagers that I would imagine yourself to be quite fond of. As a matter of fact, I have a casque of brown malt beer that you might be interested in. It would be a fitting reward for your deeds with the abomination in the water." He clapped the half-dwarf on the shoulder. Some people might have had a way of calling him a dwarf with a tone of derision, or a stab at his bastardized heritage, but from the elfen lord it seemed a great compliment.
    
    "As for the halfing, I have had some dealings with your kin, but it has been a number of years, decades actually. I have grown quite fond of the halfling leaf, and have managed to cultivate a patch of my own, Bartleby's Greenleaf if I remember correctly. Perhaps you would be good enough to sample my crop and appraise me of its value?"
    
    Behind the elf-lord, the lights were being lit in the elfhame itself, a towering three story building with a pitched roof, wide open porches, and generous windows and inviting doors. The light inside was not the flickering amber of torches but the softer glow of magical light, heatless and flameless. There was also the pleasant smell of food wafting on the breeze, several sorts of game fowl, as well as the undeniable scent of wild boar roasting.
    
    OOC: Aelfwines snubbing of Danu is for an IC reason, I hope I havent offended in this posting. This is nothing personal against Danu, or her player. Game on!

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