Night Games

1. Night Games

   #41

   kelly fumbled with her hair once again smiling, she hesitated for a moment but then snatched at the locket tieing it round her neck, "if it will save the others then....." her voice trailled off, "i would sacrifice my own life to help them" she looked to the sky then looked back at the woman which she now knew for sure that it was, "what must i do now?" she asked staring into the face of the stranger, but still not able to see her features.

2. Night Games

   #42

   Kelly snatched the locket and tied it about her neck and the orb grew warm as it rested against her. Slowly the warmth grew in intensity and the stone began to get hot, almost painful, just for a fleeting instant, then it cooled down. Observing it Kelly could see that it was noticeably different. Where before the orb was black it now had taken on the color of dark blood. Somewhere in the back of her mind Kelly knew instinctively that it was her blood. And in the pit of her stomach it was if she had given away a bit of her soul in exchange for the talisman. But…could it have been any other way?
   
   “Kelly?� It was Zeb at the mouth of the alley, a look of genuine concern on his face. There was a whisper, like a breeze caressing her face and the figure she had been talking to her was gone.
   
   “Kelly� Zeb called again as he looked at Kelly standing alone in the alley, “What are you doing?�…

3. Night Games

   #43

   Kelly looked at the now empty space, she heard Zeb call her name and she hurriedly shoved the locket into her top so as not too be seen, "nothing, nothing" she called out, "i thought i saw something shiny in the alley way but it was nothing, nothing at all" she looked back for an instance at the place where she had just been standing then walked over to Zeb she looked into his eye's and said "right are we staying in this inn here tonight or what?" she didn't know why she didn't want Zeb or Xander to know about the locket but she didn't, so she kept it to herself, stroking where the orb was now and then, but making sure that she wasn't doing it to obviously, so that she didn't rouse suspicion.

4. Night Games

   #44

   Zeb glanced quizzically at Kelly’s long hair but didn’t speak about it. “You OK?� She nodded. He took her hand and led her up the stairs to the front door of the tavern and pushed thru the front door with her in tow.
   
   The two were immediately assaulted by the fragrant smells of succulent food and sounds of boisterous revelry. There were many people at the Prancing Stag that night and the party was going in full swing. There was standing room only. Fortunately, Xander possessed a silver tongue and had already procured a spot for them at a corner table. Unfortunately, the silver tongue cut both ways.
   
   The man Xander was speaking to was tall and powerfully built. Bald, with a moustache and beard the color of fire. The topic of their conversation sat on Xander’s lap; a scantily clad lass armed with long silken hair, pouty kissable lips, and enough curves to start a small war.
   
   “That’s a bit ‘o nonesuch, wot? How’s I supposed to know that Myrna here’s your wife? Lemme buy you a drink. No hard feelings, eh?� The fact that Myrna maintained her comfortable perch on Xander’s lap did little to improve his situation. In fact she looked as if she was snuggling closer.
   
   “Go away Jarl!� She implored, voice laced with venom. “I told you I don’t want you anymore. Why don’t you go back to that cow you were with last night!�
   
   Xander’s eyes widened “Wot?� Just then Jarl yanked Myrna off his lap and hurled her roughly to the ground. She hit the wooden floor so hard she bounced. Xander’s first punch hit Jarl in the jaw and the second landed flush on his nose with the crack of broken cartilage. Jarl fell in slow motion like a felled tree, unconscious before he hit the ground. The scrape of wooden chair legs across the floor was harsh as six of his friends, sitting at an adjacent table, pushed back their chairs and came at Xander with a wave of flying fists.
   
   Zeb took five running strides then leapt into the fray...

5. Night Games

   #45

   Kelly stood for a moment watching the fight "for goodness sake we can't sit down in peace can we!" he walked forward and leaped onto on off the big men's backs holding on tightly round his neck cutting of his airways, he staggered to the side, kelly pushed her fist into the side of his face and he fell sidewards, falling with a huge crash before he hit the floor kelly had already jumped off of his back, a man grabbed her from the back and held her in a tight rib breaking hold, pushing firmly onto her stomach.

6. Night Games

   #46

   Zeb swung his fist in a wide arc that connected with the jaw of one of the group heading towards Xander. The man staggered but didn’t fall. He swung back but Zeb ducked then swung upward with an uppercut that send two of the man’s teeth flying. He flew five feet then landed on another table scattering food. The two patrons, burly farm boys from Lenix set upon him with club like fists. Another of Jarl’s friends lunged at Zeb in a low tackle and the two of them flew to the ground, cutting the legs out from under the man who was trying to crush the life out of Kelly. All of them fell and fell apart in a tangle rolling under a table, while Xander traded blows with two men at the same time. He was doing well until Myrna hit him on the back of the head with a barstool that shattered under the impact. “Wench! You’ve changed sides, wot!� left Xander’s mouth before he went down.
   
   The fight was in full swing now with half the occupants joining in now over slights real or imagined. The common room was a sea of swinging arms and legs and surging bodies. Zeb rolled out from under the table and looked for Kelly, who had gotten lost in the swarm of bodies, “Kelly! Where are you?� A heavily scarred fist crashed into his chin knocking him backwards. He landed on his rear hard…

7. Night Games

   #47

   Kelly let a muffled scream out as a large man fell onto her stomach she kicked out and booted him in the head he fell sidewards and plunged into the crowd, "Zeb? Zeb where are you?" she called "Xander?" she was pulled up and slapped round the face, kelly opened her eye's and stared at the young woman who had been sat on Xanders knee, "you little ...." kelly screamed as she lunged for her, the girl had caught hold of Kellys hair and was yanking it, kelly swung her fist up and clouted the girl in the side of the face and she fell to the floor, a man stood on her hand so kelly wrenched her up and moved to her to a side out of the way "just because the men can't hit you, doesn't mean i can't" she said to the girl as she lulled to the side, kelly turned round to face the crowd, suddenly someone grabbed her from the back, put a knife up to her throat and shouted over the crowd "stop all this or i will kill her!" Kelly gulped the knife was pressing into her throat and blood trickled where the blade dug into her.

8. Night Games

   #48

   The fracas skidded to a halt as a hush fell over the room. Punches stopped in mid swing and kicks stopped shy of hitting the mark. The silence was deafening. Xander rose slowly from the floor, holding his hands up placatingly. Zeb got up as well, looking at the line of blood trickle down Kelly’s neck. His eyes narrowed dangerously. “What do you want?� it came out as a growl. The crowd, as one, turned to Kelly’s captor, holding a collective breath in anticipation of his response…

9. Night Games

   #49

   "what do i want" he said evilly, looking at the two Xander and Zeb, he looked around the room clearly looking to see if anyone was to save this young lady, "well what i want is...." he thought for a moment and then chuckled madly "what i want is for you three to die, but not here" the man was tall and very strong looking, his biceps pulsed as he pushed harder on the blade at kelly's throat, kelly didn't dare move just in case, the blade was to slip, "my master has sent me here to warn you, that if you try ro stop him, or destroy him he will punish you all and the rest of the world", kelly suddenly looked suprsied, the blade dug deeper as she tried to swallow, he stood straight and the blade slipped a bit making kelly's neck bleed a bit more than it already was, "i need your word boy's" he said nastily looking at Zeb and Xander eyeing them up to see if one was too attack, "i need your word that you forget this quest your on, wether the quest is too with my master or not, but you are too forget it!" Kelly suddenly plucked up the courage to speak, "and what if we don't" she chocked out, her voice raspy "you my DEAR are not in the right position to talk back" he dug the tip of the blade into the middle of her neck "i warn you one more word and i will cut you, from side to side," kelly suddenly felt weak and she looked at Zeb and Xander and watched as they debated on what to do, in there minds.

10. Night Games

    #50

    “Before I kill you,� Zeb said casting his eyes downward, “I will give you a chance to tell me who your master is.� He held up a finger. “One chance, other wise I will kill you slowly.� It was as if a change had come over him. Kelly nor Xander had ever heard him speak this coldly or confidently before. It appeared he was either taller than he had been a few minutes ago, or was standing straighter. “I’ll give you till the count of three….�

11. Night Games

    #51

    "you wish me to tell you who my master is" he laughed evily "he is the great mage Tallken, you will all bow to him before the month is done, you can kill me, but i wonder wether, it would be worth the effort for what he will do to you, and all of your friends, including you little girlfriend here," he bent his head down towards kelly's, and licked along her cheek, kelly flinched as his breath blew into her face, the smell of rotten eggs came to her nose and she gagged, he spun kelly around and grabbed her upper arms, lifted her off the floor and threw her across the inn, Kelly bumped into every table in her way and hit the wall sliding down, she landed at the bottom in a crumpled heap, the man pulled out his sword and called out through his laughter, "come then and kill me!"

12. Night Games

    #52

    Zeb launched himself thru the air with a guttural growl. Tallken’s minion swung his sword in a wide arc catching Zeb, in the shoulder at the apex of his leap. The force of the blow dropped Zeb to the ground. Three daggers flipped end over end towards the man as he leaned forward. One sliced his face open, the second buried itself to the hilt under his right collarbone and the third skipped off a rib and spun into the wood of the bar behind him. Xander rushed in behind the daggers he had hurled swinging savagely with his cleaver. The minion raised a booted foot and kicked Xander in the chest hard enough to fell a small tree. He then yanked the dagger from under his collarbone. Blood fountained upward to paint the ceiling. Xander dropped like a stone and Zeb pulled the dagger out of the bar and stabbed the minion in the torso five times before the minion backhanded him into a wall with tooth chattering impact.
    
    Shrieking like a damned soul the minion hurled himself toward the far wall of the tavern with supernatural speed, hitting it about five feet above the ground and crashing thru with the crash of broken timbers and swirl of wood dust.
    
    The vibration shook the entire tavern. Patrons, who had been previously intent on visiting mayhem on one another only moments before, fled the tavern in frenzied panic. Zeb rose from the ground and ran to the opening made by Tallken’s minion, leaping thru into the cold night air. He pounded down the shadowy street following the trail of blood and the minions gibbering laughter. The two of them disappeared into the night.
    
    Inside the tavern Xander slowly pulled himself to his feet, nursing his two broken ribs, “Gates! That smarts! Kelly?� He half walked half crawled over to where Kelly had fallen to see how badly she was hurt…

13. Night Games

    #53

    Kelly moaned and opened her eye's, blood now covered the back of her head and there were various cut's and bruises on her face, her neck hurt as the dagger had dug quite deep, but not deep enough to kill or fatally injure, she pulled herself up and held her arm as two bones stuck out off her elbow, with a painful flick of her arm the bones had disappeared, "man, that hurts" she looked at Xander "are you alright? wheres Zeb?" she looked about the now abandoned Inn, the damage was quite severe, tables had been tipped up and thrown about chairs had been broken along with glasses, there was quite a bit of blood on the floor, and now there was a gaping hole in the wall, Kelly heaved herself onto her feet staggered a bit but then straightened up and held herself steady, she took a step forward but her knees gave way and she fell to the floor with a heavy thump next to Xander "maybe i'll have a bit of a rest up first!"

14. Night Games

    #54

    Weary and bloody, Kelly wanted to do nothing else but sleep. Xander, nursing his broken ribs and bruised skull, curled up next to her, half awake. They must have fallen asleep.
    
    Kelly felt like something was moving inside her, a strange movement within her arms and legs. It was warm and soothing and with a start she realized that it originated from the amulet she wore concealed beneath her shirt. The warmth spread to her torso and was quite pleasant. The warm feeling moved faster now, moving up to her neck and her head. The warmth moved down her back and to her legs. It felt wonderful, pleasurable…and then. It ended as suddenly as it had started. Kelly came back to her senses, looking down at her arm, which was healed. The other injuries she had received were healed as well. Xander was asleep with his head on her shoulder.
    
    The amulet flared, its heat nearly burning her. ZEB was in danger! She had to find him! The amulet tugged at her leading her outside. Would she follow it urgings?

15. Night Games

    #55

    Kelly stood slowly resting Xanders head on the wall so as not to wake him, she followed the amulet as it lead her outside, it was quite chilly outside and she wrapped herself up closer to her cloak, she had to find Zeb but where had he gone, she looked in each direction before looking down at the amulet, it pulled her slightly left so she followed the way it pulled wanting to know what was wrong she began to speed up, starting to run her heart pounding against her rib cage, she needed to find Zeb and she needed to find him now.

16. Night Games

    #56

    Kelly felt the amulet lead her down the main road of the town, to the north; the magik of the amulet leading but also imparting a sense of urgency, a visceral feeling of dread. Dread of not arriving in time to aid Zeb, dread of getting there soon enough and not being able to help. How much was induced by the amulet and how much of the mounting anxiety was actually the way Kelly felt? The streets held no answer. Shadows blanketed the deserted streets as the crescent moon played hide and seek amid a bank of constantly moving clouds The urgings spurred her onward in a straight line towards the edge of the town. As Kelly came to the edge of town, the number of structures dwindled while a mist slowly rose from the ground.
    
    The trail took Kelly straight out of town of Safeholt toward the wild wastes of GreyMoor. The buildings were left behind as Kelly entered a seemingly spectral landscape where errie twisted trees loomed out of the darkness like stark gaunt sentinels. The mist was thicker here and swirled about Kelly’s knees as she strode into the darkness. She quickly lost her bearings and without the amulet to guide her she would have not known where to go.
    
    She sensed Zeb before she saw him; standing in the mists ahead in a grove of twisted, stunted trees. The gnarled branches grabbed and snatched at her as she drew closer to him. He had something in his left hand. Fresh blood dripped from the grisly trophy. In his other hand he held his long knife dripping with gore. The clouds shifted and the mists parted slightly. The body of Tallken’s minion lay at Zeb’s feet minus its head.
    
    Beyond Zeb, when the mist parted, Kelly saw three figures, about twice the size of normal men. One bore Scimitar etched with Magikal runes, another carried two wicked hooks, the third swung a large chain thru the mist; THE SEEKERS HAD RETURNED!
    
    The one with the Scimitar was speaking, his voice a baritone rumble meshed with the cacophony of clanging bells. “Your highness, you know we never have meant you any harm. We merely seek to protect you from those that would use you for their own ends. You will be safe at home.�
    
    “You’ll not have me, alive or dead.� Zeb spat, anger contorting his features. “And tell my father I’m coming back to take his head!� The seekers were silent at Zeb’s fury, as if expecting the heavens to part and lightning to strike. Zeb stared at them defiantly. The attack came without warning. Chain links as big around as a man’s leg whistled through the air toward Zeb. Catlike, he hurled himself backward. Too slow. The chain caught him in the leg and knocked him end over end. He landed hard about thirty feet away. The Seeker with the hooks leapt skyward. Zeb’s eyes bulged in alarm and he rolled sideways as fast as he could. Hooks landed hard where Zeb had just been. Zeb scrambled to his feet and lunged off balance, scampering behind a tree. Hooks swung hard, hitting the tree. Chain followed up lashing out with a mighty swing. The tree snapped in half with an angry splintering rending that echoed thru the mist. Zeb ran away from the clearing, with the Seekers on his heels…

17. Night Games

    #57

    Kelly gasped and ran after them, what she was going to do she didn't know but she couldn't let Zeb die, she ran as fast as she could trying to catch up with the seekers, as she ran she bent low and retrieved a stone, she saw one at last a seeker, she pulled back her arm and let the stone fly out of her hand, it flew through the air with a whistle and thumped one of the seekers hard on the back of the head "hey you, ugly over here" she stood there watching as the seeker stopped and turned back to look at her, Kelly began to jump up and down waving her hands over her head "come on come on follow me follow me" she thought to herself as the seeker turned right round so that his whole body faced her.

18. Night Games

    #58

    Two of the seekers turned towards Kelly jumping at her with speed that belied their bulk. She didn’t see the chain whipping in serpentine fashion thru the trees until a link glowing green with eldritch energy hit her in the chest. A flash filled her vision as she was flung backward there was an explosion as five of the think links, each as thick as a man’s leg burst asunder. The shock traveled back along the length of the chain and up the Seeker’s arm blasting into his chest and bursting it’s vile heart. Black ichor spewed forth from its mouth as it was flung backwards through the trees; it’s dying scream a knell of death that could be heard for miles. Kelly was flung backwards passing four trees in a series of near misses that would have slain her had she hit tree instead of snow.
    
    Her world went black.
    
    She didn’t know how long she slept. She woke to see Xander’s concerned face looming over her. The wan light of the sun was attempting to pierce the midmorning mist.
    
    “Hey missy, thought you were done for, wot? Sent a chill to me bones. Thought you were mashed up rightly. What happened?�…

19. Night Games

    #59

    Kelly looked startled, "i.i.i don't know" she stammered looking around, "wheres Zeb?" she retorted to his question with a mad look in her eye's, "Xander where is Zeb?" she stood up, almost to fast and tittered for a bit before leaning against the tree, "are you alright?" she asked balancing herself, "all i know is that something happened something killed or blew away one of them seeker thing's" she cried out so suddenly she suprised herself, she shook her head, not knowing what to think what to say anymore and then it came to her "We have to find Zeb i think those seekers are still after him" she took a few steps forward and fell.

20. Night Games

    #60

    Kelly was moving when she woke up. “Wake up Missy.� Xander looked down concern written on his face. They were on a simple wagon bouncing along a frozen rutted trail deep within GreyMoor. The wagon rumbled to a halt as she regained consciousness. “Our ride ends here. You slept long enough.� The wagon driver was a small man bundled in thick furs. His face looked kindly at Kelly barely perceivable in the day’s fading light. The wagon had stopped at the head of a narrow path choked with weeds that struggled to poke their heads above the surface of the snow. The woods about this area had a sinister cast to them and as the path ran away from the main trail it grew darker and the evil about the place became nearly tangible.
    
    Xander and Holly watched as the wagon rumbled off into the fog. Their breath sparkled frostily as the sun set. “Well lass,� Xander said, “This trail leads to your Uncle’s valley.� He looked warily and the tangled vegetation bordering the path. “I think you should lead the way.�…

21. Night Games

    #61

    Kelly smiled lightly still a bit dizzy from the fall, she began to walk along the path, stumbling a bit over an overgrown weed, but righting herself instantly, she blinked and said lightly into the cold "we have only a days walk to go, it's not far until we get to the cave that we need to walk through" she looked behind her and smiled at Xander, but in her mind she wondered where was Zeb.

22. Re: Night Games

    #62

    A day went past slowly nothing happened not really. no one really spoke. they were both to bruised and battered from the events which happened earily that week. Kelly suddenly stopped and looked around the clearing, "were close" she said quietly walking forward again. they arrived in a small clearing but apart from the way they came in there was no where else to go. Kelly looked around the clearing and then walked to one side of the entrance. she pulled out one of her small daggers and began to hack at the weeds now growing on the wall behind. Each time she struck the wall a nasty screeching noise filled the clearing making Kelly's spine tingle. gradually the vines and weeds began to dissapper and gradually a large cave entrance appered. Kelly smiled slightly. now was the time to ask Xander a few things "Xander i want you to answer me do you know where Zeb is?" she looked at him sternly and waited for his answer.

23. Re: Night Games

    #63

    "Missy,"  Xander began with a grin, "Wot's with the stern looks?"  He lit a torch.  "There's more than meets the eye wit'  Zeb an' am sure you know by now there's more than meets the eye with me."  He stepped towards the darkness, nose wrinkling at the charnel house reek that came from within.  "We've a reckoning to meet."  He looked resigned, "We've been a good team so far but the time will come when we have to part ways.  'Tis my hope that, when that time comes, you'll come with me."  He motioned towards the cave's dark maw with the pitch covered torch.  "This is your Uncle's place, ladies first."...

24. Re: Night Games

    #64

    Kelly looked into the tunnel and walked forward. "It's a three hour walk from here and it might be dangerous so if i was you i would keep your weapon close by." she drew her own sword and held it at her side in a tight grip. Kelly lifted her hand up into the air and a small ball of light appeared just above her palm. she smiled lightly and dropped her hand by her side she walked forward and the ball of light followed by her side. "And if you havent noticed there's more than meets the eye to me as well. She moved her hair out of her face and her red eye flashed violently.

25. Re: Night Games

    #65

    The tunnel twisted onward into the darkness like a living thing.  Xander's flickering torch threw capering shadows on the roughly hewn walls.  The floor however was worn smooth by the passing of many feet.  The air was heavy as they descended into the gloom.  They came to a reflecting pool.  The torch Xander held aloft was reflected in it and the pool began to glow.  There were two doors to either side of the pool.  The portals were twice the height of a man and constructed of stout, dark wood. 
    
    Xander and Kelly stopped at the pool's edge.  A voice emanated from the pool.  "In order to pass you must pay tribute or answer the riddle.  Choose one."...

26. Re: Night Games

    #66

    kelly looked into the pool and said loudly "we choose the riddle" she looked at Xander and smiled lightly. she pushed her hair out of her face and looked deeply into the pool. it shimered brightly even though there wasn't much light in there. The pool filled Kelly's heart with a warm thought. she awaited the riddle. She kneeled down by the pool and touched the water. The water instantly turned blood red and flew into the air. there stood a tall water woman, she was dressed in only two shells to cover her breasts and another to cover her lower part. Her long flowing hair was aqua blue but her skin was a dark red. The red water covered her feet in a high wave. Kelly went down on one knee and pulled Xander down with her "your higness" Kelly said proudly "we come to pass to go to my uncles" the lady looked at Kelly and nodded "then you must answer the riddle" came her soft bubbly voice, "and only if you answer it right will you get through if you answer wrongly then you shall stay here with me forever. i wish to ask the riddle to the boy" kelly looked surprised and looked quickly at Xander nodding her head "here is your riddle think long and hard before answering
    'All about, but cannot be seen,
    Can be captured, cannot be held,
    No throat, but can be heard.
    what am i?'
    answer well young one or stay here all eternity" Holly looked sharply at Xander and waited for him to answer.
    

27. Re: Night Games

    #67

    Xander looked at the water woman with a lecherous eye.  "Missy, I've never done it with a Red girl before.  I bet you'd get my blood boiling, wot?  I'd take you to my place on the mountain and we could do lotsa things.  Mind ya it's a bit windy and you'd have to wear more'n those shells.  We would'na want the WIND to be blowin' them off eh?"...

28. Re: Night Games

    #68

    "is that your answer" called the water maidan "is your answer wind?" she cocked her head to the side and moved a hand in front of her face "you have answered correctly. Now pass through the left of the portal's it will take you on to the tunnel you need but be careful there are more than riddles in the darkness of the world" as she said this the water became blue and she sank into the depths like a godess sinking in sinking sand. The water splashed against the wall of the pool and then calmed down again. Kelly turned to Xander and smiled "your smarter than i thought" she said flicking her hair out of her eye's and turning and taking the left portal. A sharp pull on her arm and she was through standing in a dark tunnel. A strong gust of wind came from one end of the tunnel and Kelly shivered and waited for Xander to come through as well.

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