[Terenis] Foreboding Forest

#121

Hashang, though not a terribly capable forester, felt confident enough that he pressed ahead. If Northerners were to be made to do anything, they had to be led like dogs, he reflected.

The trees were gnarled, with thick, ridged bark, ancient trees, as if they had grown for a thousand years. The grass was thick and waving, golden, and blossoms crept up the stones and trunks on thin green vines.
A road of heavy stone pavers had been thrown in disarray, split apart by great roots and studded with thick crops of wild wheat.

He came upon a hollow, like a ditch or dip in the land, filled with flowers and grass. But as he looked closer, he could see- sharp spines and thorns, concealed almost carefully through the foliage. He looked to the side- on a tree was carved a curious sigil, and a length of thorny creeper was tacked to the trunk.

[Terenis] Foreboding Forest

#122

"We should press on. Aurahk is a skilled ranger, and he is being a picket for us. We are making enough noise to let anyone within half a league hear us. If they had sharp ears they might be able to make out our numbers." He lead Amie on, pausing at the sigil carved in the bark of the tree. "Looks like our first sign."

The mercenary examined the small vine tacked to the trunk of the tree. The sigil was quite simple, a warning. The vine was dangerous in some fashion. He had experiences with a fuzzy plant that raised welts on the flesh with the brush of its leaves, so he was mildly cautious. The thorns seemed to be a good bet, poisonous was his guess. He passed the cutting to Itascia.

"You seem to be quite knowledgeable of such things. What do you know about this?"

[Terenis] Foreboding Forest

#123

Itascia slipped on her gloves quickly, then took the cutting. Examining it. Being careful of the thorns. She nodded her head. "It's Mossowen. Fall into a bush of this and it is more than just unpleasant." Still examining it, letting it jog her memories.

"Large exposure leads to bloating of the abdomen. Symptoms including fever and cramps, then eventual painful death." She sighed. Looking around. "Everyone needs to be careful. Including the horses."

She walked over to show the plant to Klanu and Coram. "Watch for this. It seems to be plentiful around here. It can kill you." She wasnt sure if they knew about it before, but they did now.

[Terenis] Foreboding Forest

#124

Klanu gave a mirthless little smile. ''Funny that the first deadly thing we come across in this forest,happens to be an innocous looking vine and not an enraged woodland spirit or demon.'' Then his face took on a thoughtful look. ''Unless of course,the dangers here are all subtle,unseen and unheard,but all the more deadly for that.''

[Terenis] Foreboding Forest

#125

By the forest spirits, what is this?

Aurakh crouched as he was studying the exotic fern in front of him. He had never seen its like, ever, and he had been a forester all of his life. He knew well to be careful around such things, especially in a place like this. Shrugging he rose and carved a sign into the bark of a tree. A road marker, that was all, letting the party know which route he was taking.

He had walked no longer than 500 meters, when he suddenly was faced with yet another weird plant. It was a strange shaped fruit-bearing tree, its branches bent with the weight of the clustered fruit. How strange it was, the leaves were jagged and the fruit itself was round. The surface was white with a glazed shine, it had a dark crimson tinge to it. A sweet smell emanated from the fruit, tempting him to taste it.

Reminds me of something. Something my Shaman used to tell me about. Oh no... Not that.

Aurakh hastily stepped back and studied the tree. It was different, yet similar. Not similar enough though. Relaxing he let his shoulders down and began travelling, once again leaving a sign for the party. His left hand held the bow clenched tightly as he continued further into the idyllic forest.

The woman can take care of this. I am at a loss. This is something I have never seen. All my years in the forest are starting to look more and more worthless.

[Terenis] Foreboding Forest

#126

Itascia was really starting to not like this place. Seeing too many strange an unfamiliar plants. Keeping careful not to brush into any of these strange plants. Soon come across the very tree that Aurakh encountered. The fruit it bore smelled inticing. But that was somethine eerie about it.

Itascia turned and looked to the others she traveled with. "I know not this plant. So many of them are not ones I know." Sounding a bit worried. "Dont eat anything from these plants. They are most likely..unsafe." A rule she had learned long ago...if you cant identify it...dont eat it or touch it.

Pausing she pulled a long sleeved tunic out of her pack and slipped it on, then pulled her pack back on. Now the only exposed skin was her face and part of her neck. better to be safe than sorry. She took a sip of water. Studying the tree alittle more closely. Noting the red tinge of the fruit. Something was definately eerie about the plant. It smelled so tempting.

Itascia moved away from the tree. It was good to see that Aurakh was leaving them signs. Hopefully the trip would remain a somewhat peaceful walk through the woods.

[Terenis] Foreboding Forest

#127

Aurakh had ran silently for half a day. The others weren't far behind, perhaps 15 minutes at the most; Aurakh had scouted the entire area in front of and at the flanks of the party. He was breathing fast, not making noise, but using controlled breathing techniques as his father had taught him.

There it is again

Aurakh paused to study the strange grass that had begun to replace the ordinary grass on the forest floor. It was curious; still green, but with a tinge of faint amber or crimson along the edges.

No. Not grass. It is a creeper-like plant which covers the ground. Oh, forest spirits, how the Shaman would have loved to see this.

The canopy had started to thicken slightly, causing it to darken a bit. Still, it was cheerful enough. Aurakh wiped his brow and sat down on another milestone marker.

Time to make counsel with my fellow travellers. I should ask that small woman abou...

Suddenly Aurakh sprang into a crouch. "Spirits!" he cursed under his breath. As he crouched down, he notched an arrow, aiming at the movement he had noticed in a corner of his left eye.

There. Behind the bushes. Fur... Light grey fur. It is gone. Wolf? Worg? Could be anything within this forest. I'd better stay alert

Aurakh quietly circled around the bushes, tried to get a better line of sight. But the creature was gone or at least it had disappeared from sight.

---------

When the party caught up with Aurakh, he was crouching in front of some bushes. He was swearing softly in a language unknown to them, but the tone of his voice was clear enough. His hands delicately parted every small branch of the bush, searching for something. He was frustrated. Very frustrated. As they closed in on him he turned around. Droplets of sweat clinged to his beard and hair, together with small sticks and leaves. In a calm, but slightly upset, voice he explains to the party what he has seen.

"...but I don't know what it was. There was a patch of fur, half or two thirds man height, and that was all. Could have been a wolf, but there are no tracks. None whatsoever." Aurakh sighed with frustration.

Aurakh looked up at the forest canopy. Wiping the sweat of his forehead he said "Dusk is approaching. We had better find a campsite soon."

[Terenis] Foreboding Forest

#128

Klanu felt every pore of his body break out into a cold sweat. ''Gods help us,they know we are here'',he croaked in a voice that had gone thin with barely repressed terror. Before he knew it, his hand begun to tremble so violently that he was forced to drop the reins of his horse.

Hysteria was on the verge of consuming him,a cool little voice in his head seemed to be warning. But he was beyond caring. ''Oh,father of the gods,how can we fight against these fell things that leave no tracks?!''

[Terenis] Foreboding Forest

#129

"They ... hate the work of man, Klanu. They cannot comprehend it,and it is foreign to them. Thus, it is what scares and maims them most." I looked at Klanu's elaborate tattoos. "You could actually smash them with your face, and let me tell you, they might be scared of you as well."

"So,if we make camp, a circle of warding reinforced with several items of civilization... jewelry and the like, metal, nothing natural like leather, could keep us safe, or at least give us a warning if they dare to enter, as they hiss in disgust..."

"And fire..." it seemed as if little sparks had flared up in my eyes.. "Nothing impure can withstand a purifying blaze..."

[Terenis] Foreboding Forest

#130

"Now, I have to say that I have had some experience with this sort of thing." Greyson said. "We were stalking a band of orcs along the Deepening Coomb, the old forest on the border of Buckland. Some of the men went weird, raving about seeing things in the trees. Our guide, a local sentinel had us make a ring of steel to ward away the monsters of the forest." Greyson said as he took his bow from Amie's saddle. It was an unimpressive, but servicable hickory bow.

"We took our short swords and long knives and made a circle around the campfire. Damned longest night of my life. All sorts of things hissed around the edge of the light, making noises in the brush, but nothing came close. We fired arrows when they sounded close, but we never found any track, or any blood behind." I've got some knives we can use, after we shoot and dress out something to cook over the fire. Plus, I picked up some salt and some local spices before we left. A good soldier knows he marches on his feet."

He spoke in a calm, confident voice. It might calm some of the less experienced adventurers to see someone not rattled by the prospect of an unseen foe who left no tracks. He resolved not to tell them that the secend band of soldiers were attacked and there were no survivors out of a troop of twenty some odd militiamen. They didnt have a ring of steel, and their fire had been out for some time by morning.

He took a bag, folded military style from one of the saddle packs and gathered several of the odd fruit. When some of the others gave him looks, he smiled.

"Who knows, maybe when we find out what they are, they might be really good to eat. We would be kicking ourselves then, wouldnt we?"

[Terenis] Foreboding Forest

#131

Hashang looked sharply at the mercenary.
"We cannot know what will and will not... ajh, tiush eshkalu... Ah, repel is your word, repel the creature which our friend, Aurakh," the word "friend" seemed tinged with suspicion, "claims he has seen. And in this case, have others of our company glimpsed this thing? I believe what I see with my eyes."
He paused for a moment, looking slowly around at the expressions of the group members in his peculiar manner.
"I do not say that Aurakh is not one to trust, nor that he is a liar. I merely state that I cannot trust the judgement or the sight of a man I have known one day and the noon of the second." The Southerner raised his hands and spread his fingers, a gesture of reconciliation and peace.

[Terenis] Foreboding Forest

#132

"True, we cannot know... but those who came before us, and survived, those can. My teachers would not speak falsehood to send me to die, would they?"

Even as I was speaking, I saw them... specks of light, amongst the strange vegetation, little furnaces burning with malice. As if nothing was going on, I turned my back to them, as if wandering lost in thought. Under my coat, I cocked the crossbow, muttering: "A special treat for you..."

I burned with the desire to stand face to face with the skulkers, yet if it was denied me... I would not play their game.

Feigning tripping on a stone, I fell to the ground, turning around and firing. The moment the bolt hissed through the air, the flames blinked and scuttled off to all sides.

"Not so easy with me, devils..." I closed my eyes, yet felt the bolt, for it was familiar. I had slept with it and several others close to my skin, and knew it, felt it - the air flying by, a myriad of small touches, the heat building up within it, the flutter of its feathers. I became it, and streaked towards the little islands of heat and malevolence ... and let go, just as I felt their presence so close.

An unearthly shriek echoed through the forest.

[Terenis] Foreboding Forest

#133

Klanu jumped off his horse instantly with a heavy thud,the haft of his massive battle axe clenched in a vice-like,white-knuckled grip. His eyes were shadowed with dread as they rolled frantically in their sockets,searching the brush for the hidden presence that had spooked Corram into firing a bolt at it.

''By the gods,what did you see Corram? Tell us what it was!''

[Terenis] Foreboding Forest

#134

After the adrenaline of Corams attack, silence reigned for several long moments. Finally, Aurakh moved, pacing warily into the brush which Coram had seen movement. The tracker disappeared from view for several seconds before returning with arrow in hand. "A great shot: You skewered the foul beast straight through the neck!" Pierced upon the end of that crossbow bolt was a fair-sized, nut-brown hare. "At least we have food for the night."

Dusk dimmed slowly into night - the encounter with the rabbit had long been exhausted of all jokings, insults and retorts and that same rabbit was now nothing but bones, and warmth in bellies. A small campfire burning in the midst of their make-shift camp attracted many kinds of insects - most if which were known, some which were not. The insects were bearable, however, and preferrable to the knowledge that some unknown beast may be staring at them from the dark. After some time of talking between themselves, Greyson stood from his position at the camp and glanced around the border of their fire-light. "There will be another long day ahead of us tomorrow, and I suggest we all get some sleep. I, for one, do not wish to leave my fate in the hands of a circle of metal, however, so I suggest a one man watch. In which order did you all like to take watch?"

[Terenis] Foreboding Forest

#135

''I will '',Klanu answered quickly. ''I doubt I will have a restful sleep tonight,Greyson. This forest has unnerved me too much for that. The next occasion Corram fires an arrow at something,it might well be more than a cute little bunny.''

With those tense words,he walked to the edge of the camp and assumed a watchful stance,his eyes fixed with nervous concentration on the brush surounding their little encampment. It was visible to the others gathered around the fire,that Klanu was afraid,though battling hard to keep a lid on his apprehension. The frequency with which his hands kept straying to the haft of the axe that hung at his belt,told them everything.

Klanu squeezed the amulet that was draped around his chest on a long leather cord. It was a crudely carved seal bone affair,a little idol of the Mother Godess. Heedless of the watchful eyes of the others,he squeezed it and begun to make a feverant,heartfelt plea to the the one that his little amulet represented. ''Please,Mother of the Gods,see to it that that no harm befalls us this night as I keep watch,I beg of you....''

[Terenis] Foreboding Forest

#136

"My eyesight is good, regardless of what the painted southerner might make you believe, so I volunteer for the dog watch." Aurakh spat in front of Hashang's feet; a Yarang sign of sincerity and honesty.

He lay down at the base of a tree, yawning and pulling the woolen blanket over himself. "Wake me up at the zenith of night", Aurakh looked at Klanu and closed his eyes.

Drawing his knife, he clutched it in his hand. He had been in trouble before and had no doubt that they were in hostile territory.

Soon Aurakh fell asleep, his body too exhausted to let the mind ponder the possibilities. And thus he lay and as always, he dreamt about a raven black haired young woman, her clothes drenched in sweat, her mouth open in a silent scream. A scream of sheer terror and, for her, Aurakh was the monster.

No! Tanora! Tanora, do not scream my love...

[Terenis] Foreboding Forest

#137

Sleep came easily over our band, yet it seemed to avoid me. I knew, I knew that hare was more than a bit of venison. Timber refused to eat it, and that was more proof than I needed.

I sat by a rock, letting its cold hardness calm me, and rose then. Strolling around the camp, I watched the shadows, and they seemed to mock me, to hunger and just savour the treat.

A smirk on my lips, I reached into my pouch and produced a few coins. Here and there, I strew them, twenty coppers and one silver Keyre, in the northernmost part of the camp. Shortsword in hand, I stepped up to a tree on the camp's boundaries,and studied its bark, so wrinkled. "You will do..."

I slashed the Cor rune into the tough wood, symbolizing man's courage to face the darkness... and on I went. The next one bore the Shael mark, sign of the sun reborn. Rhun for stregth, and Arod for friendship, and Kir for hope adorned other trees. The circle was complete.

Sipping my evening medicine, I leaned against Rowan, and stared off into the night.

Dreams...?

#138

The night travelled on and people dropped to sleep. The long walk of the day caught up with them. Even Coram, alert and staring into the darkness, managed to slip in and out of it.
Even as nervous as Klanu was, he proved a faithful watch - not that there was much to see.
...

Silence reigned, and Hashang dreamed. Blue skies glided gently above. The feel of wind blowing alongside dry dirt and the beating of the sun. A wagons wheel slowly turning, then the stench of civilisation. A man with a proposition and vast trees standing tall *Who*...
Hashangs eyes shot open in reflex. That final word felt real. Its echo ringed within the tattooed mans ears. That voice felt more like a whisper from a snake than a comment from a human. *Are you...?*

Hashang, now fully awake and convinced that the voice was not spawned of a dream, rose to a seated position and stared ahead - down the path they had yet to travel. Eyes stared back at him. Just inside the ring of light cast by the fire was an animal with light grey fur. Standing at three feet tall, the canine was poised, completely still and staring directly at Hashang. Its pose suggested it was walking across the path, and had stopped and moved its head to study the tattooed man.
The animal appeared to be a domesticated dog, rather than a wolf or coyote, and yet something appeared... wrong, about it.
Those eyes. A soulless, white stare - pupilless and colourless.
Hashang scrambled up to his feet and stumbled back a pace. The creature stared for several seconds longer, before appearing to take dis-interest and continue walking across the path to enter the foilage on the other side, disappearing.

Finally, Hashang took a glance around the camp. It appeared all were sleeping - but there: In the darkness stood Aurakh - The fact that he was the one on watch gave Hashang a general idea of the timing. But still, something appeared wrong to him. Everything was too still and quiet. Surely Aurakh would have heard his stumbling!
Hashangs gaze fell on the fire momentarily, and held that gaze for a long time. The still fire gave off a radiant glow, but that fire WAS still. Suspended in motion, the fire was soundless and not flickering. Hashang blinked in confusion, before checking each of his comrades - each were completely still. Not so much as chests moving for air.
Looking closer at his surroundings, now, Hashang saw that even the insects drawn by the fire were suspended in their places. It were as though all time had stopped - and yet, that dog had moved...

*Who are you...?* The drawn out words repeated themselves, echoing both within the mans mind, and also localised to his left. Hashang's gaze darted over to where Aurakhs form was hidden in the shadows. This time, however, he saw another form standing in front of the tracker. Standing a good foot taller than the already tall Aurakh was another shadowed figure. Lean and strangely tall for a human, it appeared this new arrival was holding both hands against the trackers still face, peering in his eyes as though attempting to read behind that vacant stare to learn everything about him. In the darkness behind the tree, no discernable features were able to be seen, but the figure moved. It lowered its hand and shifted its gaze towards Hashang. *Who are you...* A hand reached out towards the tattooed man, entering the fires light. Unimaginable pain coursed through Hashangs mind as he felt his mind and soul bieng torn asunder, obliterated from existence.

The turn of the wheel of a wagon. Crunch of dirt beneath heavy boots... "Hashang... Hashang! It is time for your watch."
Hashang awoke slowly, his face pale and sweating. His eyes fell into focus to see Aurakh shaking him gently on the shoulder. "Time for your watch, Hashang."
The man finally awoke fully and glanced fearfully towards the tree which that figure and Aurakh had been beneath. Nothing was there...

[Terenis] Foreboding Forest

#139

"Hashang! It is I Aurakh. We are in the forest, remember?" Aurakh studied the bronze hued southerner. He looked completely bewildered. "Here take a sip of water" Aurakh loosened the round pewter flask from his belt and handed it to the exotic looking man.

"The dog watch was uneventful. Whatever was here is long gone" Aurakh smiled, reclaimed his flask, and headed for his sleeping spot. In the firelight he could see Coram's warding circle.

Doesn't protect me from dreams about Tanora, does it?

"Have a nice watch Hashang" Aurakh whispered loud before he laid down on the ground. The night breeze was blowing gently through the forest, rustling the leaves in the canopy. It was so peaceful here, it reminded him of the last night before the Arekterre ambush 15 years ago. Sighing, Aurak looked at the fire, which cast dramatic, dancing shadows against the trunks and foliage of the forest.

[Terenis] Foreboding Forest

#140

"Dog watch...," Hashang muttered dazedly.

The dog.
The hand.

Hashang's tongue was dry and seemed swollen. His throat burned, and his forehead felt scarred and pitted, though the searching of his fingers found it smooth but for lines empressed by deep thought.
He rose, jaw set rigidly, as if in denial of the possibility of his vision.
The image of the tall being which had gripped Aurakh seemed already to be hazy and somewhat forgotten in his mind, though he sought to recall...

The hand.

He could recall only the being's hands, cradling the ranger's face almost gently. The long, slender fingers, delicate, almost spidery; the knuckles had barely been visible- the flesh was unseamed and smooth, with little, pearly nails.
But that flesh, that flesh, had been a delicate shade of amethyst purple.

And then, the eyes, those burning eyes of yellow, hostile yellow, like a raging flame, like a threatening lightning.

"It could not be," Hashang said, but his voice was not as firm as it might have been.

He stood watching until day, and never blinked.

[Terenis] Foreboding Forest

#141

The world was blurry, and from the distance, I heard voices... from the past, they seemed to call to me, the villagers from back home, the villagers from later on, when I had travelled by Jared's side. Some of them thankful, some cursing, others pleading for help. In the background, I heard the moaning, hissing, and mumbling of the fiends.

Trying to stay awake, I stood up, staring in Hashang's direction... at first, he walked hence and forth, then he seemed to skip from place to place, blinking...

I fell asleep on the hilt of my sword, thinking how my father could have been.
Why has Jared spoken of him when he thought I could not hear?

[Terenis] Foreboding Forest

#142

Itascia slept through most of the night. Even on the hard ground, the pack being used as a pillow. No blanket though, she was warm enough in her jacket. She had chosen to sleep near a tree but away from any bushes or dense foliage. The only sound she made was her soft breathing.

Blissfully unaware of what the others were seeing, wether in the waking life or in the canvas of their dreams. She had not dreamed in a very long time. And if she did, well there was no memory of it. It had been so long since she had remembered anything from her dreams.

But on this night she did dream. Faces in the dark. The pull of the noose. The pleased look on those shadowy faces. It was not a pleasant thing to remember. Ever so often she would twitch just alittle. And then it passed. Back into the blackened void of sleep that she knew.

[Terenis] Foreboding Forest

#143

...Eliza...

Six years, and the flowers still bloom on your grave. Will they bloom so on mine, or will I not have a grave.

Greyson stood next to the cairn of stones, the grey rock half vanished beneath the trailing strands of green leaf and solf purple blossoms.

Where will my cairn be? He wondered. Will I have one, next to you my love?

The grizzled mercenary awoke momentarily at the changing of the watch, but returned quietly to his slumber...

[Terenis] Foreboding Forest

#144

Klanu had been right. There were no sweet dreams for him tonight. His tortured slumber was haunted by faces from a blood soaked battlefield he left behind seven years ago,with Bryce.

They crowded around him,moaning and wailing in agony,as the life blood spurted from their ravaged bodies,reaching out to him with hands that had had their fingers and thumbs hacked off. Gods,it was happening all over again. That doomed raid on Bryce's city state that had gone wrong,so dreadfully wrong. There he stood again,watching helplessly as the brave but foolish warriors of the Karna were slowly dismembered by the superior steel and might of the foes they had made the terrible mistake of understimating.

And there was Bryce again,rushing towards him with his blade,steel glinting in hs eyes. Klanu found himself unleashing a powerful hacking blow with his axe at his friend. But just like the first time,the rash swordsman evaded all his blows...

Klanu felt the fine ege of the sword bite deep into his throat,inflicting a mortal wound. No,this wasn't how it was supposed to play out!

He started screaming.

[Terenis] Foreboding Forest

#145

Itascia jerked awake at the sudden sound. In a quick fluid motion she had bolted upright from her sleeping on the pack to a crouched down defensive position. Her hands held ready, a curved blade in each. Having been startled awake, her heart thudded loudly in her ribcage. She could hear the heavy drumming in her ears.

The haze of sleep fading quickly, she soon realized that it was Klanu making that sound. Itascia's attention shifted around at the woods, just encase something waited there. One blade returned to it's hiding place as she moved quickly to where Klanu was. Itascia knelt down beside him.

The second knife was sheathed, Knowing that waking him might be dangerous at this moment, but they had to stop the screaming. One hand lightly over his mouth the muffle the sound a bit while the other was placed upon his shoulder, giving him a very light shake. "Klanu, wake up."

Silently she hoped that he would not wake violently. But she was just about prepared for anything to happen in this place. But whatever nightmare he was having...he needed to wake up from it. "Klanu." She spoke calmly. There was no reason to panic.

[Terenis] Foreboding Forest

#146

I awoke at the screaming, still half dreaming... the tendrils of mist around me were like cut from the darkest dreaming, the hiss of the wind through the leaves seemed to sing dirges, and the pale light was like the spilled blood of dead hopes.

Instinctively, I drew my sword and slashed where I deemed the foe to be... only to hit a tree.

"How fitting." I thought, and turned around.

Rushing to the centre of the camp, I saw Itascia with a worried expression on her face kneeling over Klanu. Kneeling beside them, I laid a hand on his brow. "He's burning..."

Little did I notice the slash I inflicted upon the tree behind me, marring the Cor rune,changing its meaning to that of Yebel, which stood for..

Madness.

[Terenis] Foreboding Forest

#147

Aurakh woke up his dagger out and ready. He quickly discovered the source of the screaming and the two bystanders attending him. "Bad dreams..." he muttered before he sat upright, resting against the trunk of the tree.

[Terenis] Foreboding Forest

#148

"And this is the forest's first line of defence. Mind games, trickery and magic." Greyson said, kicking over the coals of last nights fire. The embers flickered crimson and amber. Adding some fresh wood brought the fire back to life, popping and hissing with the fresh fuel. He removed an iron pot from his saddle pack, well used and as battered as his shield.

"Some breakfast would do us some good now." he said as he sliced several pieces of salted pork from a larger piece, dropping each into the pot. "Then we could figure out what to do about the dreams. I didnt sleep worth a damn, and can feel it too. Waking up screaming every morning is also a negative."

He placed the pot into the fire where the salted pork began to pop and sizzle along with the wood.

[Terenis] Foreboding Forest

#149

As Ithascia's little hand clamped down swiftly on his mouth,Klanu jerked awake with a swift spasm,his eyes rolling wildly like that of a horse driven mad by sheer terror and dread. Scarcely aware of the hand that Coram rested on his forehead,he begun to jabber incoherantly.

''Oh,Mother of the Gods,why Bryce? Why does fate dictate..... Why must be the man I call friend be the one to kill...''

[Terenis] Foreboding Forest

#150

"Klanu" Of course her hand was no longer over his mouth, he had jerked away. At least he wasnt screaming anymore. Seeing the look in his eyes. Itascia placed her hands on his face, turning him to look at her. "Shhh. It's alright Klanu. It was just a dream. It's alright. Bryce isnt here. Remember." Trying to calm him.

~Please let him be calmed soon.~ Almost a silent prayer. "Klanu, your in the forest. You were sleeping. You started screaming." Sounding a bit apologetic. She had not meant to startle him thus, but he had been screaming. And such a sound could draw any unseen enemies to them.

She removing one hand from his face, reaching into her pocket she removed a bit of cloth. Touching it to his forehead lightly. Dabbing away the sweat. "Klanu, look at me. It's Itascia and Coram. Please, you have to calm down. Please."

[Terenis] Foreboding Forest

#151

Time and the human touch of his comrades caused the calm to eventually set in to Klanu, and as the smell of the salted pork filled the air, all forgot their dreams in time. Barring Hashang. The darkness of the pre-dawn gave way to the faint light of the early morning sun, and the supplies were packed, ready for another day of travelling. If all goes as planned, the town of Falamir should be within their sights by dusk.

The songbirds were chirping and the forest noises were as usual today, and yet this time the forest appeared to be less... friendly. Though it could not be explained, it felt as though they were now in uninvited territory. There were signs of usual forest activity throughout the night. A couple small footprints of nocturnal creatures. A broken twig, here and there. One thing which would stand out to Hashang, however, is a single, clearly defined pawprint marked in the direct middle of the road ahead of them of a canine.

-- Meanwhile --

Leyri awoke with a start, blinking several times and glancing around. As usual, he was at the border of the forest, staring in, and he must have fallen asleep. It was still dark in Cuedrim - the sun had not yet arisen over the trees. To his left, the man saw three dark figures moving swiftly into the forest.
Standing quickly, the Mayor of Cuedrim looked around to see another figure running toward him: a local guard.
"Sir! We have a problem! The trio you had arrested for attempting to hang foreigners? They've escaped..."
Leyri's eyes widened at this information, and he glanced towards the place where he saw three figures running into the forest, before moving swiftly towards the holding cells, "How did this happen?!"
"We don't know, sir. It was odd... Myself and another were guarding the entrance to the cells. A stray dog walked in and we shooed it out, but when we turned back, the prisoners were GONE! The cell was still locked. They were there one second and gone the next!"
The pair turned into the quiet street which harbored the holding cells. In the middle of the otherwise dark and empty street, a grey canine walked slowly across. "There! That's the dog!"
At the sound of the guards voice, the animal paused in its tracks and glanced up to the two, staring at them for a long while, causing Leyri and the guard to stop dead in their tracks. The dog moved once again, walking off the other side of the street and disappearing casually down an alleyway.
The dogs eyes were pupil-less, and a soulless white.
--

[Terenis] Foreboding Forest

#152

Itascia sat in silence, nibbling on a bit of dried fruit, patiently waiting on the salted pork to be ready. Every so often she would stir the small pot of grains she had started. Some water and just a touch of salt to soften the grains a bit more. They would be ready soon. It would be like oatmeal.

Stirring it a bit more she cut up some dried fruit into it. Hopefully the others had brought something to eat off of. If not, she had a bowl and a cup. But most travelers were wise enough to have at least a bowl on them. Some salted pork and some 'oatmeal' were a good way to start the morning. It was just enough for them all to have a portion, but not to be overly full.

Carefully she moved it from the fire. Stirring it more. Letting it thicken and cool a bit. "Everyone is welcomed to have some. I made enough for all of us." Any left over, she could add alittle flour to and reheat, it would cook into a cake like consistency.

She went to say something but stopped as an eerie feeling passed over her. What many referred to as the feel of someone walking over your grave. She shivered briefly then rubbed her arms. Trying to get the goosebumps to fade. What did it mean? She did not and could not know. At least not yet.

Three of the ones who had tried to kill her earlier where now free and in the woods. Would they be hunting Itascia and those she traveled with? Or were they merely fleeing from the law? It was best if she didnt know about that now. None in their group knew. After breakfast they would most likely continue on their way.

Itascia then turned her attention to Coram and Klanu. "How are you doing Klanu?"

[Terenis] Foreboding Forest

#153

Aurakh ate his morning meal in silence. There was not much to be said, everyone had slept poorly, and was probably tired. If this continued they would become exhausted before long.

Perhaps the young demon hunter has some charms and wards against troubled sleep. I wouldn't mind dreaming about something else for a while. I am tired of being haunted by the sins of the past, or maybe it is as the Shaman said... Tanora won't let me rest until I have paid for what I did, to her, and to the others... What I did...

Shaking his head and wiping the moisture from his eyes, Aurakh stopped daydreaming before the unpleasant memories got too strong. Sighing, he finished his food and arose. "I will scout ahead. We should reach the first town by nightfall. I won't enter that town but will head back to you to report what I can spy within it's streets... I half expect something horrible, for this forest is not what it seems... Or maybe it is my imagination" Aurakh shrugged and looked at Greyson, "If there is anything you want me to look out for, let me know. I will scout at the sides and in front of you. If anything comes from behind, I won't be able to warn you. And... If you hear a hunting horn being blown three times I need immediate aid". Aurakh crouched down and began packing his equipment.

And if you don't hear more than one or two blasts, I will probably be dead already.

[Terenis] Foreboding Forest

#154

"I think you can continue scouting as you have been. I dont want to tell you to look out for something and face the chance that you miss a real threat because it isnt something I mentioned." Greyson said, chewing on a piece of the salt pork before helping himself to some of Itascia's porridge.

"We are all tired, and strung out from our piss-poor sleep. I would suggest that we do something to alleviate our frustration. If I was still in the King's army, I would order an hour of weapon's practice to loosen everyone up. This isnt the army, and I dont give orders. I just make very good suggestions." he said with a half-hearted smile.

[Terenis] Foreboding Forest

#155

''That would be welcome''' Klanu answered quietly,breaking the unnerving silence he had been mantaining since his tortured sleep of last night. It had been as if a smothering trance of some kind had been put on him by an omnipotent,maloveant power,stifling all his attempts to free himself from the dark mood it had plunged him into. But now, just when his companions had probably begun to despair of him ever recovering from his dream ordeal,he had snapped out of it.

''Yes,weapons practice would be sweet indeed.'' This time there was a definate edge of menace in his voice. ''I want to be so quick to draw my axe,that when the foul things hiding in this accursed forest in this forest finally decide to show their ugly heads,I can send them to hell where they belong. That will teach them not to mess with my head again.''

[Terenis] Foreboding Forest

#156

"That's the spirit," Greyson said, finishing off his bowl of porridge. "We wont use real weapons, that way no one gets hurt and when the real deal hits, our weapons will still be sharp and ready. One of the most versatile and overlooked weapons is the staff, and it is a good one to train with. A few shafts of wood a pace or two long..." Greyson said.

"Of course, I would let everyone finish eating their breakfasts, and then perhaps we can pair off, with someone moderating. We dont want any lost tempers to result in blood." Greyson said. "But, until the others are ready, Klanu, the two of us, and maybe Aurak can see about finding some suitable staves."

[Terenis] Foreboding Forest

#157

Aurakh stared at the grizzled mercenary and then his eyes drifted to the huge barbarian, Klanu. Shaking his head in disbelief he shrugged. "I am an archer and a scout, no soldier, and I suspect I will be thoroughly beaten. But by the spirits, this sounds like a good distraction" Aurakh said. Having finally packed his slingbag, he put it against the trunk of the tree and walked into the bushes with his knife drawn.

A minute later he came out of the forest, carrying two solid staffs made of the reddish brown tree known as Redshade. Smiling he approached Klanu and Greyson, handing them each their staff. "You two begin, I can fight the winner" he said smiling.

Perhaps when Klanu is tired, I can run around him and exhaust him. Perhaps when his swings are weaker I stand a chance. I wouldn't last two seconds against him now.

Smiling Aurakh sat down outside the warding circle. "You fight within the circle, okay?" he said. Already the dreams were forgotten and the mysteriously disappearing wolf of yesterday was but a faint memory.

[Terenis] Foreboding Forest

#158

''Certainly. We wouldn't be foolish enough to stray out of its protective embrace.''

With these words,Klanu adopted a fighting stance and begun to twirl the staff in his big hands with an easy grace. From the way he handled it,one couldn't be blamed for thinking that the staff was an incredibilly light weapon for its size.

''Ready to face me,Greyson?''

[Terenis] Foreboding Forest

#159

Itascia sat eatting a bit of the porridge she had made. Chewing on some softened dried fruit. Finishing the bite she had. "You will have to forgive me if I decline to participate. It would be unfair to squash me like a bug." She knew that she didnt really stand a chance against any of them here. And she wasnt going to fool herself into thinking otherwise.

Making no mentions of how she had slept. Of all of them, she was the only one who seemed to have gotten any rest. No strange visions or haunting images. Just a few brief memories and then nothing. Most likely she was the lucky one. Despite being rested she had no intentions of squaring off against one of them. Not even Coram.

[Terenis] Foreboding Forest

#160

Nights usually make me hungry... a lot. But this one has been far worse - I gobbled up my breakfast right from the saddlebags.
Taking my medicines, I watched as Klanu and Greyson were preparing for their sparing - very curiously. Even when it was not my time to train, I had watched Jared do his exercise... hoping that one day I'd approach his skill.

I sat down next to Itascia, wolfing down my second helping, and tried to speakthrough the last bite: "Count me in!"

I wondered whether they understood, so I waved my hand, and made a few punching motions, then pointing at myself, all while trying to swallow.

If no foe killed me, my eating habits surely would.