Author: Shiloh Kyrie, Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2017 1:37 PM, Post Subject: The Lost Wife [P,R]

The excursion was over, and there was no point in hanging around. It had both been a failure and a success; one for Shiloh and one for the pair now reunited after who knows how long. As the other mercenaries parted ways, she did the same. Their arrangement was finished, and it was time to return home. For now, home was wherever she could move freely without second thoughts–and at the moment that was Adeluna City. It wasn't a long journey back, and soon she was working on creating an alternative for her previously failed venture. Asking around, she eventually got in touch with someone who was better-prepared and more experienced in traversing the underground depths and made a deal with them. She would pay them a sizable sum after they returned from delivering the message. An additional hundred crescents would be added for completing it within a day less than her allotted time frame.

Once the agreement and contracts were signed and sealed proper, she spent a few days waiting and recuperating. Halfway through the last day of the given time, the person she had handed the letter off to came back. Not wanting to look like an uptight miser, she paid him fifty crescents extra for his trouble. Her client's request had been handled, and she would only need to refund a small portion of her insurance fee now. But the most important thing was that the job was done. As long as customers were willing to return and continue giving her more business, then she was doing things right.

Most might consider Shiloh's insistence on this singular request stubborn and hard-headed, but there was a reason for it. She was close to finally having enough coin to buy herself a permanent residence–an airship, no less. With one of those she could travel wherever she needed to, accommodating her work and granting mobility. If things were becoming unsafe in one area, she could pick up her things and move elsewhere. 

Finally the day had come, and she found herself standing before a line of grand flying machines glistening in the morning sun. How many times had she stood in the same place, watching others bargaining and considering the prices? Today she wouldn't be here to gawk; this time she'd be leaving the docks with one of her own. Looking up at a vessel she had her eyes on for quite some time now, the salesman walked up to her with a smile on his face. She had stood afar and watched for so many months that he had grown to recognize her, and was eager to finally make a sale. And today, she wouldn't leave him disappointed.

"Oh, back again? I can tell you're the kind of person who knows what they want as soon as you see it! Are you interested in anything today, or just passing through?" A winning smile beneath his neatly-trimmed mustache flashed as brightly as the luster of the rim around his monocle. Taking a deep breath, Shiloh turned to him and said: "Show me what you have, and don't skimp out on any of the details. I'm not leaving until I bring one back with me today. And don't try to undersell or racket with the prices, you hear?" The man clapped his hands, and motioned for her to follow. "Splendid! Well then, come right this way Miss. Now let me tell you about the newest features in our line of airships…" 

Author: Larka, Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 11:16 AM, Post Subject: The Lost Wife [P,R]

Larka looked to Shiloh and found the potion she was asking for and rolled it as close as she could without breaking the glass. The rest of the group was picking itself up as well from the fighting, looked like they'd all be going home more or less in one piece and with a new person with them. Larka's mind was still reeling at the fact that she had found Celeste, by such an accident, it was hard for her to believe.

Shiloh offered to carry Celeste and Larka nodded in agreement as she took the offered pyrimid from Shiloh who explained how to make it work. ”Thank you.” Larka replied and focused on the surface, and the magical dealy did it's thing and created a path for them to follow back to the surface. She watched Shiloh pick up Celeste easily enough and Larka stayed close while they all followed the pyramid's path back to the surface.

It felt like hours but they could see the sunlight ahead and Larka lowered the pyramid for now, but then heard Celeste's hiss and turned to see what the matter was. Shiloh was pulling Celeste along, who covered her eyes as they made it to the entrance but the elf dug in and refused to move, Larka realized then the light but be hurting her eyes after so long in the dark. But now also Larka got a full look at Celeste and the state she was in; ratted clothing, filthy, matted hair that was also filthy, dried blood and infected cuts all over, and Larka could see bones under skin from almost starved for so long. It broke Larka's heart to see Celeste like this, but she would do everything she could to help Celeste in her recovery, and Larka wasn't fooling herself, it wouldn't be easy. But she loved Celeste and would be there for her for the whole time, no matter how long it took.

She watched Celeste as the elf walked to the tree, she waited allowing Celeste the time she needed. When Larka saw the smile on Celeste's lips tears formed anew in Larka's eyes as she handed the pyramid back to Shiloh with a nod of thanks not trusting her voice not to crack if she spoke. When Celeste lay on her belly Larka walked slowly over and sat down and laid on her back next to Celeste as she heard Celeste speak one word.

Larka carefully reached over to take Celeste's hand gently in her own. ”Ar lasa mala revas, ma vhenan.” Larka spoke softly with a smile. ”I have a place we can be safe and live together, Celeste, when you are ready we can make our way there.” Larka smiled. ”It's like Heaven for me, having you back again, my love.” She had tears in her eyes still.

Once Celeste was ready and they stood ready to go Larka to Shiloh and the rest who hadn't left yet. ”Thank you, all of you.” She said simply before the couple started to walk away back to where Larka knew was a safe place, and someone that could help them.

Author: CelesteJN, Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 3:35 PM, Post Subject: The Lost Wife [P,R]

Celeste made no struggle when she was lifted. Her demeanor oozed that of an exhausted, emotionally drained woman. There was no peep to come from her, no whisper as the group slowly made it out with Larka in the lead. 'No more boots. Drow gone. Boots silent. No more beatings. Wife take elf home. Where home?' A thousand, incomplete thoughts ran through her head, bouncing round and round. The elf had rested her head on Shiloh's shoulder, giving the woman complete control over herself.

It felt like hours they had walked, Celeste lost in her own mind. The journey back had proven uneventful. However, the closer they got to the entrance, Celeste noticed the brightening of the distant opening. She squinted her eyes until that was unhelpful. Hissing, the elf pulled back, trying to shy deeper back into the darkness, however Shiloh proved a bit more stronger than Celeste was in her current state. Practically dragged, the elf threw her arm over her eyes, to protect herself from the bright light.

At the entrance, Celeste dug her heels in, refusing to take another step. It didn't matter what Larka or anyone said. Despite the fact that she was in blinding pain, it was the scent that caught her off guard. After not bathing for two whole years, Celeste had long since grown accustomed to her own stench. They could clearly see how thick the dirt was crusted upon her skin, how pitiful her ragged clothing covered her. Hair was beyond merely matted, it was also quite filthy. Dried blood was everywhere from noticeably infected cuts across her arms and exposed abdomen, her bones painfully visible under her skin. But the scent of the fresh air was so sweet and warm.

The elf's reaction was that of a sober alcoholic smelling her favorite alcohol for the first time in ages. An expression of longing bliss was on her face, more peaceful than she had ever shown in the entire time she had been trapped. Pushing hands out of the way, Celeste walked to the nearest tree. Tentatively, she reached out for it, fingers gently feeling the rough bark. Gripping and pushing her hand against it, the elf smiled at the pain as her blood now rushed from the wound. She pressed her nose against the bark and inhaled deep, taking in the essence of the fresh crisp scent of pine.

Something tickled at the bottom of her feet. Wiggling her toes, she peered down and noticed the green offshots blanketing the ground in a thick layer of grass under the pine needles. She crouched, fingers splayed as she felt the grass, fell to her knees and proceeded to lay on her belly. With fists full of grass and dirt, Celeste was practically nuzzling the ground. ”Child in toy store, child in candy shop. Young joy pales to freedom.” Tears were spilling forth from her eyes, soaking her cheeks.

Closing her eyes, Celeste listened to the birds chirping overhead, signing to the sun, biding good night to the world. Insects hummed and buzzed, scurrying here and there. Somewhere, little creatures were running through underbrush. The wind whistled through the canopy overhead. So many sounds she had forgotten, so many scents and it all continued to exist while she was hidden away. Now she was back, and can enjoy all of the sensations of being alive. There was only one word for how this felt for her. She was asleep, dreaming, or had died and finally felt peace. ”Heaven…”

Author: Shiloh Kyrie, Posted: Sat Oct 14, 2017 10:49 PM, Post Subject: The Lost Wife [P,R]

Everything hurt, even parts of her body that she never knew could hurt. This was why she didn't like pushing herself more than necessary. But it was worth it, even if the payoff led to what felt like several tiny tears in her limb muscles. Lying on the cold, hard ground she was breathing with eyes wide open. Inhaling deeply, she tried to dull the pain by shutting off her senses. "It hurts…everything hurts. I hate it when I do that…ugh." Hearing that Larka and everyone else seemed to be fine, she turned her head to face the mercenary. "Sure, give me a minute. Can you roll that healing potion in my bag over? My body and mind are currently at an impasse." Even willpower wasn't getting her through that full-body wreck she put herself through. Once the potion was within sight, she would use a shaky display of telekinesis to move it close enough to her mouth to drink from it. Taking a deep breath, she gritted her teeth as her body's accelerated recovery took place. When it was over, she slowly got up onto her hands and knees, then stood.

"Alright, legs are functional. They seem to be responding to my will again, as usual." The dry comments from her was more of a wry attempt to marginalize the stress they had just gone through, but just added to the less than favorable impression she already had with the others. Looking at Larka, she asked. "I can carry her…if you want. It's too dark in here to tell which way leads out again, but I have something that'd act like a compass." She offered a small pyramid made of pink crystal to the one-armed woman. "Hold it and think of your point of destination, then follow the light. You'll see what I mean when you try it."

At this point Shiloh was already working through how to explain the delay in delivery to her client, and potential solutions in sending the message she had been given to its intended recipient. At best she'd have to call on one of her coworkers and hope they'd have better luck than she did. She had all the details, the dwarf settlement where the recipient was said to be living in, the recipient's name, and some general distinguishing features. If her client wasn't satisfied with her work, she'd give a full refund on the insurance payment with a bit of compensation, to ensure the deal wouldn't end with a bitter taste in their mouth. As much as a hassle the job was, she did appreciate their patronage.

Author: Larka, Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2017 11:13 AM, Post Subject: The Lost Wife [P,R]

Larka watched Celeste only as she started to come towards her, but then spell struck from Shiloh and even though Larka was already on the ground she groaned as the spell ran through her and her muscles became unmovable. Larka fought against the spell as well, but she had little in the way of magical defence, as she watched Celeste struggle as well, growing frustration painted on her face.

In time the affect wore off and before Larka could get herself moving Celest fell into her lap in a heap and tried and failed to push herself up. Larka reached out and put her arm around Celeste and pulled her up and close, her own muscles weakened and stiff, while Celeste spoke. ”Zhana can't help us from here.” Larka replied, she had once used fire to communicate with their friend Zhana who would come and help them in a time of need.

The Reaver placed her forehead to Celeste's again, trying to keep eye contact with the elf. ”I'm here, Celeste, this is real, I promise you. You asked me before why I came, I came because I love you and I never once stopped looking for you.” Larka spoke with more tears in her eyes. ”Come with me, we'll get you out of here and to a safe place, okay? I've made some friends in these lands who can help us, we can trust them.” Larka nodded, believing her own words and hoping Celeste did as well.

She got to feet carefully and tried to help Celeste as well if the elf allowed it, before she looked to the rest of the ground and Shiloh in particular. ”I believe our job is done here, the drow have been killed, and I need to get my wife somewhere safe so she can recover.” Larka spoke, keeping Celeste close if possible, not wanting to let go again. ”Is everyone fit to travel back to the surface?” Larka asked the group, though if she had to Larka would leave with Celeste on her own if she had to.

Once it seemed that everyone was in travelling condition again the group started to make their way back to the surface, following the paths they had taken to get down here. Larka stayed close to Celeste, dragging her if she had to, once in a while whispering to her to try and reassure the elf that this was all real, that Larka was real and she was really being rescued after all this time.

Author: CelesteJN, Posted: Thu Oct 5, 2017 7:24 PM, Post Subject: The Lost Wife [P,R]

Celeste watched Larka with wide eyes, taking in the way her wife fought. Where Celeste had lost her mind within her own delusions, Larka was fighting with such anger. Part of her reveled in the gore and chaos, the blood and the silence of their boots, somewhere within she was concerned. It was never a good sign to see this particular woman fight with bloodlust.

She listened to the man as he barely managed to get his answer out  to Larka who then completely beat him beyond a bloody pulp. The elf just stood there with eyes so big it was hard to gauge whether it was with wonder, shock, or something else entirely. Larka fell, and Celeste moved to step in her direction. Her wife may not be here in her mind, but that didn't mean she didn't care for the hallucination just the same.

A strange sensation overcame her, and she was unable to move a muscle. Celeste fought against it, growing frustrated and angry. To have her hallucinated wife right there and suddenly be so far because she could not even take a step was cruel punishment, worse than any beatings she ever had. This was a personal blow to her emotions, her psych. With all of her fighting against the paralysis, even her magic flailed against the blood of her puppet, trying to finish the swing he was in the middle of.

Finally the effect wore off, and Celeste stumbled. Her own momentum had her practically deposited in Larka's lap in a heap. She attempted to push herself up, only to find herself collapsing once more. There she lay, feeling quite heavy, everything foggy. The drow in her control faltered and fell, remaining still as her magic over him dissipated. "Light fire now? Zhana help?" While she didn't remember it, only knowing what she was told, it was how they escaped a similar situation. Her voice was so weak, distant to herself. This was all a dream, a blood-thirsty, delusional, hopeful dream.

Author: Shiloh Kyrie, Posted: Wed Oct 4, 2017 1:27 AM, Post Subject: The Lost Wife [P,R]

People were screaming, fighting was going on everywhere. The one-armed mercenary had brutalized and slammed a drow into the ground and the rest of the party was fighting back. When Larka had returned another woman came with her, haggard and worn. The prisoner, likely. But then the prisoner did something that chilled her blood. The elf woman impaled a drow's head with an ice spike and then when they perished, proceeded to manipulate the fresh corpse like a twisted marionette. Bad memories of things best left unsaid resurfaced, and she made a split second decision to lay low and stay out of that woman's field of vision.

Close your eyes. Calm down. Think slowly and carefully. What would be the best plan of action in this sort of situation? The best and optimal method would be to end the fighting as quickly as possible, with the least number of casualties. There are at least five drow on the field fighting. Two are dead, but the enemy has an advantage fighting on their own turf. A madwoman is currently on the loose, and her actions are unpredictable. Taking all of this into consideration: best possible course of action–a temporary arrest of all movement within the immediate area. 

This thought process occurred over the span of less than a second. Opening her eyes again, she took in a deep breath for what she was going to do. "They're really going to hate me for this…" With a clap of her hands, a pulse was emitted and everyone who was around her became inflicted with paralysis. The sounds of weapons and people clattering to the floor as their muscles stiffened and the effects took hold told her deployment was a success. Unfortunately everybody was affected–not just their enemies. Feeling the strain hit, she knew she had to work fast. She shouldn't be using two powerful abilities in such quick succession, but this was her chance. Inducing herself into a state of high tension, the shadows around them grasped at the incapacitated drow and began throwing them about the cavern like rag dolls. When they were completely out cold, she let go and fell to her hands and knees. What she just did would basically cut the duration of her paralysis move by a huge margin, which was why she had to make sure they were given a thorough beating. 

Soon the other mercenaries would begin to feel the grip of that oppressive numbness wane and disappear. Shiloh's body felt like bags of lead had been dumped onto her all at once. Nervously glancing over at where that mad elf was, she urged her body to recover faster. 

Author: Larka, Posted: Mon Oct 2, 2017 12:53 PM, Post Subject: The Lost Wife [P,R]

Larka smiled and nodded when Celeste gave the basic translation of what Larka had spoken in elven language to her. Larka had then kissed her wife deeply and felt Celeste stiffen under it, but Larka continued the kiss determined to prove that she wasn't an illusion. For a moment Larka thought she had broken through as Celeste fall into the kiss with her, but then the elf went stiff again and backed away. Larka frowned as Celeste stood and walked away turning her back to Larka, all this time Larka had no interest in what else was going on around them.

Celeste asked her a question, 'why are you here?', she asked. Larka went to answer but the sounds of the battle started to grow louder in her ears as Celeste seemed distracted by something. She watched the water flow around Celeste's arm and her eyes widened, so she still had her magic and they were keeping water from her this whole time!

Larka's mind finally came back into reality when Celeste went on the attack against the drow, Larke stood as well and slowly turned, her eyes full of sudden anger. If she had still had her old Berseker powers they would have been at full strength at the moment, as it was, Larka was working on pure adrenaline. She reached into her pocket and placed on her hand her knuckle duster and glared at drow attacking the group.

With a roar of anger Larka jumped in and started to pummel one of them she had surprised, striking his face until there was little left. She jumped off of him and ran into one with a sword. Larka didn't even acknowledge the blade as she attacked, catching him in the jaw while his sword gashed her side. Right away her eyes started to turn blood red and her muscles tightened somewhat with added strength. The Reaver went to the armoured man who had been at the front of their group, he was barely holding the two drow before him back.

Larka came at one and got her leg up in a bicycle kick to the side of his head that dropped him hard to the ground. Larka followed that up by stomping on his head a few times and that was enough of a distraction for the other drow to allow the armoured guy to run him through. Larka gave one last stomp with a yell as she looked around for another drow to kill, maybe.

Her eyes settled on one and she ran at him, he turned in time to see her coming and raised his blade, but Larka didn't stop. The blade went through her left shoulder and her fist collided with the drow's face sending him reeling back and away. Larka removed the blade from her shoulder and her eyes filled out totally going blood red as her powers kicked in hard from the new wound. Larka stepped over to the drow that she was focusing on a he was picking himself up and grabbed him by the throat and threw him against the wall. She pinned him against and one handed held him off of his feet against by his neck. ”Why!? Why did you kidnap my wife!?” Larka yelled at him, and when he didn't answer right away she slammed his head against the wall and asked again.

”Cousins wa, wanted to get back at forge woman for stealing from them, taking away forging metals from ground.” He explained.

Larka's eyes blazed. ”They took to get back at Zhana?! You tried to get back at a powerful woman like Zhana by taking MY wife!” Larka snapped and slammed his head into the wall until there was only mush left.

She dropped the corpse and turned to look at the others, fighting finished or not, Larka's powers drained from her. She gasped as she dropped to the ground, exhausted and covered in blood that was sizzling and popping on her skin as her body took in the life from it and her wounds started to heal.

Author: CelesteJN, Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2017 11:59 PM, Post Subject: The Lost Wife [P,R]

'It broke. Illusions haunt me, and it broke. How can boots fall silent?…' Celeste, while fighting the overwhelming emotions, was still dumbfounded with the current events. How could it be possible that this woman was actually Larka? She was certain this was just what she wanted, and her mind is playing tricks upon her. That must be the reason. When Larka's hand reached up, Celeste involuntarily jerked away with a gasp. That memorable voice drove daggers straight through her ears into her heart.

Still, Celeste watched the tossed dagger, pining for it. It was her only tool for revenge. Now it was gone. Even as Larka shifted underneath her, Celeste kept her eyes on that broken blade handle. The voice spoke again, this time using her own words she drove into that stubborn skull of Larka's. "I love you, my heart, for eternity." She whispered the translation, eyes ever so slowly moved to take in Larka's crying, smiling face. When Larka pulled her in close, kissing her, Celeste stiffened.

Body was real, the woman's smell filled her nose, the skin felt rough yet solid, lips… But it was an illusion? She cant be here! Celeste was crumbling into uncertainty and desire, falling into the kiss she had been hoping for when Larka finally came to rescue her. The elf stiffened again, pulling back from Larka with a frown. This was a test, had to be. Otherwise, would the drow be watching her so carefully? Slowly, she stood, turned her back on Larka and walked a few feet away from her. "Garas quenathra?"

Yet something was different. What was it that was on that one's hip? It talked to her, whispered her name. Cocking her head, Celeste pulled on it with her mind. Water came bursting from their water skin and wound itself around her arm. The fluid felt right to her, like a piece of her she had long since forgotten. The drow it had came from cursed. "She has her magic! You gave her the wrong water!" Holding her hand in front of her, Celeste admired the way the water flowed this way, and that, round her hand, down her arm and back to her palm, all at a push of her mind.

"Drow fear elf. Elf show them why, now." Her voice was dangerously low as she sounded like she was having fun. The water formed an shard of ice, long and sharp in her hand as Celeste charged forward. "Fen'Harel ma halam. Din'an!" Evading the blade in his hand, Celeste jammed the ice upward, into the drow's jaw, straight into his brain. As his body slumped to the ground, Celeste licked the blood off of the ice with a smile. With a flick of her hand, the dead drow jerked up into a standing position, then fluid as salmon in a river, turned to attack the others as she turned her back, walking toward Larka's group of mercenaries. She giggled maniacally. If the mercenaries that Larka had brought were afraid of Shiloh, they would be terrified of Celeste.

Author: Shiloh Kyrie, Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2017 1:11 AM, Post Subject: The Lost Wife [P,R]

She watched the one-armed mercenary head off towards the settlement, likely to reclaim any prisoners taken captive by the drow. Although she knew how wary the others were of her, she stayed back to keep watch. The woman would be fine, Shiloh told herself. Whoever Larka had found, she was undoubtedly happy to see them. Her ears were better than most, so even though she couldn't understand the words of that foreign tongue she could read the emotion and intent. Leaving them to their heartfelt reunion, she worked on focusing her senses to block out errant noise. It was her way of covering up her poor handling with situations of high emotion. A cover for her own insufficiency.

On the way here she didn't say much and no one said much to her, aside from Larka. Then again that woman didn't seem to fear anything.It was hard to explain why she acted the way she did, so over time it was more convenient to assume an aloof and distracted demeanor. In reality, being in densely populated areas would wreak havoc on her, as the information flooding in would be staggering. Therefore she wasn't fond of loud noises, public festivals, and large gatherings of people in general. Places isolated and silent were the easiest on her eyes and ears. That left her with a noticeable stiffness when it came to social interaction aside from highly structured events. This was demonstrated through her businesslike attitude in her jobs and meetings with clients. No need for guesswork on what emotion to put on, or to read the atmosphere. It was just as uncomfortable for her as it was for those on the receiving end.

The mercenaries began to chat amongst themselves while they waited, and Shiloh's mind began to wander. For some reason she still had that lingering feeling of unease, like an ache in the stomach that wouldn't go away. Her ears must be acting up too, as there was that annoying ringing sound…

Ringing…wait that couldn't be right. Why would she be hearing these things when there wasn't an echo? An obsidian dart whizzed by her, nearly clipping her ear. Dodging like a knee-jerk reaction, she caught everyone else's attention when she suddenly stood up. The group had gone quiet and were staring at her with those eyes.

"What's th'a matter? The dark givin' you the jitters?" A woman asked through her thick accent. Looking at then, Shiloh turned to point where the dart had landed. "Something just brushed by me, it landed over there."

"What're you talking about? There's nothing there." "What? Can't you see? It's right–" Throwing a glance she stared when the dart she had sensed was gone.

"Bet it's probably a moth or something. There's bats in here right?" "That's what I heard, they better not be the biting kind. Ugh…just thinking about it gives me the shivers." The woman grumbled, rubbing her shoulders as she gave a shudder. Shiloh stared in disbelief at the empty patch of ground. No. No no no! That couldn't be right–she saw it, she felt the change in the air currents. She even heard the clatter of the dart as it fell on the ground. How did they not hear it? 

The rising tension inside her was broken with the muffled cry of the armored man who had taken the vanguard earlier. Something had leaped from the shadows and was half-dragging him while putting the man in a stranglehold. Another ambush! As if playing out on her worst fears, the others were being attacked as well and they were in an even less defensible situation. Out in an open area was even more of a disadvantage than the narrow passages–there was more cover and space for their attackers to maneuver around them. 

This was it, this was the end. That was the primary thought running through her mind as she took out her sword and shield, entering into a defensive position. Activating all of her senses, her head started to hurt with a throbbing pain as some kind of outside force proved overpowering. Pulsating, radiating, not like the usual oppressive burden of information influx she was used to… Magic. 

Especially the powerful kind, and that was never a good thing down here. Sending something coming her way in the midst of a dizzying migraine, her shield blocked it in time and let out a near-blinding flash that would stagger anyone nearby and looking in her direction in the dark. A new battle was raging, this one more intense than the others before. The drow might have been biding their time while testing their defenses, and had finally decided to launch a full-scale assault.

Author: Larka, Posted: Thu Sep 28, 2017 1:58 PM, Post Subject: The Lost Wife [P,R]

Larka turned when the rest of the group caught up, she had heard the screams like the others and knew that Shiloh was the cause. While the other two who had saw her work were upset about, Larka was the oldest and had seen a lot in her time, tearing out what looked like someone's soul, or life force, wasn't on the top of her list. Though, that wasn't to say she saw it a lot. ”She's got a gash but I don't think it was poison tipped, since she's still awake, she's getting some healing potions into her now.” Larka explained as she thought for a moment. B]”Right, we'll check the last tunnel, you two stay here and keep an eye on that leg.” She instructed the two mercs she had come to help before as the rest of them and herself went down the last tunnel.

Lark had her rapier in her hand and was only a half step behind the leading merc from before when the battle cry, in very familiar words, was shouted and something came from the shadows at them. Larka step in front of him, but her eyes lay upon who was charging them the blade dropped from her hand as she reached out to grab the wrist of the hand that held the blade. The elf woman rammed into Larka but Larka took the brunt of it and stayed on her feet this time, while staring dumbfounded at the woman before her. ”Celeste?!” Larka spoke the name but the elf wasn't looking at her, only down and speaking.

Her words weren't right, choppy and broken basic words, speaking of Larka not being there and not coming for her. She must think that Larka was an illusion, it had been over two years, had she been in this place the whole time? Her hair was matted, even in the dim light Larka could see the bruises and unclean cuts and nicks on her visible skin, her clothing was in rags and filthy. Yet Larka made no mistake, this was Celeste, her missing wife!

Suddenly Celeste cried out again and yanked her hand free from Larka who was still standing there stunned. She darted away and the armoured merc behind Larka moved forward but Larka placed a hand on his chest to stop him making him grunt. “Who is she?” He asked.

Larka looked back to them, tears in her eyes and rolling down her cheeks. ”My missing wife.” She said simply and went to catch up to Celeste finding her crouched on the ground looking away. Larka placed a hand on Celeste's shoulder but he elf's reaction to the touch was instant and Larka just barely got out of the way of the blade before Celeste was knocking to the ground on her back.

The Reaver was stunned, looking up at her wife on top of her blades raised and the words spoken in the language that Celeste had taught Larka much of, made Larka's blood run cold. To come so far, to chance upon this meeting, only to have Celeste kill her in her delusional state. Larka's arm was pinned under her and she wasn't fast enough to get it free before the blade started to come down.

But it missed and shattered a few inches from her head and Larka breathed out slowly, as Celeste stayed there staring at the broken blade while staying on top of Larka. She could feel a few of Celeste's tears drip onto her own cheek and mix with her own tears as Larka wiggled enough to get her arm free. With it she reached up and gently placed a hand on Celeste's cheek. ”I'm real, my love, I never stopped looking for you.” Larka spoke softly as she carefully reached back and removed the broken blade from Celeste's hand and gave it a little toss away, just in case.

After that Larka, who was fully crying and breathing heavy at this point, gently pushed her way to a sitting position, keeping Celeste with her. ”Ar lath ma, vhenan, for bellanaris.” Larka spoke in Celeste's native language, words that she had taught Larka, who hadn't been the best student. Larka smiled wide, chin trembling as she cried in joy and pulled Celeste close to her and kissed her, deeply, and for the first time in over two years.

Larka's heart was thundering in her chest in excitement, she found her, after so long, she had found Celeste! The others in the group were forgotten for now, as Larka's full attention was on the elf woman she was holding so close to her now.

Author: CelesteJN, Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2017 10:55 AM, Post Subject: The Lost Wife [P,R]

As images played out in her mind, Celeste felt the warm, thick liquid of life essence splatter against her skin. It soaked her hair, dripped down into her eyes. She giggled maniaclly once more, her nails still tap dancing across the blade, the clicking quite soothing. Yet, somewhere in the distance, sharp screams answered back.

Was it time to play already, or did some drow perchance against some predator of the dark? Celeste stood and padded closer to her exit. The dark outline of her guard seemed poised, tense as he stared down the hall. "Ha!" she screamed as she jumped out at the guard. He turned in surprise to see her soaring toward him, a blood thirsty look on her face, crazed grin, and most importantly a knife poised to strike. When she collided into him, the knife came down into his neck, her lips pressed against his as she watched the pain and horror scream from his eyes.

Her knife was pulled out of his neck as she sat up upon his body as he tried in vain to keep the blood from escaping. "Din'an, din'an!" Celeste repeated the word every time she plunged the blade into his chest, coating herself droplets of blood each time she yanked it out. All the while she was smiling. 'They will pay, all will pay' It was exactly how she imagined it, just as warm and thick and wet. The only thing that distracted her from continuing the mutilation of a corpse was a dim glow down the way. It was in the opposite direction they usually come, yes? 'Matters not, blood will flow.'

Silently, she padded down the tunnel, slinking next to a wall. Every protruding stone or rock poked and skinned her bare feet, but Celeste didn't pay it any heed. Freedom was at hand, boots will be silent. As she neared the flickering light, the ferocity of it burning her eyes, Celeste could make out several people without the skin of the drow. They stood in her way of her revenge! "Din'an!!" came the battle cry as Celeste ran, blade high in the air glinting dangerously in the flames.

A sword '~Her~ rapier' was dropped, Celeste's wrist arrested, her body slamming into her victim. "Celeste?" The elf couldn't breathe, her heart jumped into her throat, and she refused to look up. Instead, she fixated on the armored breasts before her. "No… Wife not here, she forgot elf. Wife not coming." Her voice was soft, broken. Yet, this illusion reeked of Larka's scent. Had she always thought of her scent before? Larka's voice, her sight yes, but her scent?

"No!" Celeste yanked her wrist free, darted away, and squatted, fists rapping on her temples. She was mummbling to herself, words incoherent as she tried to forget about the illusions behind her. A hand touched her shoulder, and Celeste lashed out with the blade. Naturally it was evaded, but Celeste continued with her momentum. The illusion of Larka hadn't been expecting Celeste to jump from this position, falling flat on her back as Celeste now straddled her.

"You're not here! You're not wife!" Tears were running down Celeste's face as her knife was held in both hands high above her head. Taking a deep breath, and whispering "Din'an, ma vhenan," Celeste brought the knife down with such speed and strength, that when she hit the ground mere inches off to the side of Larka's head, it shattered. Yet she stayed there, gripping the hilt, staring at it in disbelief, tears rolling off her chin and dripping onto Larka.

Author: Shiloh Kyrie, Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2017 2:18 AM, Post Subject: The Lost Wife [P,R]

[OOC: Sounds good to me!]

Two down, more to go. When the one-armed woman said they should split up, she nodded in agreement. "Right, divide and conquer." Taking Tunnel B, she came upon the mercenaries and drow in a vicious stalemate. These two drow ambushers were different from the others, wielding magic in tune with their blades. Melding into the plentiful shadows present in the area, she emerged behind one and took a preemptive strike. Grabbing her by the back of her head, the drow writhed as Shiloh forcibly extracted all of the malicious intent from her body. Manifesting briefly as dark wisps, they were absorbed into her hand as she felt her strength renewed. She had also sapped a bit of the drow's energy and magic in the act, restoring any that she had just lost. The other drow turned to attack her seeing that she was the current greatest threat.

Retreating back into the shadows, the drow chased her while she tried to find an opportunity to reemerge. The other mercenaries went after the drow spellsword, giving enough of a distraction as they couldn't attack and defend from both sides. Leaving her cover of shadow, Shiloh stretched out her hand and tendrils of inky blackness ensnared the drow's arms and legs. Already they were working some kind of spell in retaliation, so she rushed forward and grabbed them by the head neutralizing them before they could complete their casting.

More bloodcurdling screams and shrill shrieking came from where she had went, only to be followed with silence. Not all of them were from the drow. Apparently her show of force had affected the morale of the other mercenaries who had witnessed her take down the drow spellswords. "That's the last of them for now. Are either of you injured–" The two mercenaries she assisted flinched as she took a step towards them. Maybe it was just her senses overreacting, but it was painfully clear they were terrified after seeing her help.

Not wanting to push them beyond their limits of comfort, she sighed before turning to leave. "Let's regroup back at the main area, the rest of us will be waiting there. We're close to the drow's settlement, and they have prisoners." She met Larka who likely just finished up cleaning out the rest of the drow that had attacked the other group. "No injuries here, has anyone been poisoned?" She slid her knapsack down on one strap, prepared to pull out her bottle of antivenom that she always had with her for emergencies. If everyone was alright, they would then move on towards Tunnel C to where they believed the drow had been encamped.

Author: Larka, Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2017 9:42 PM, Post Subject: The Lost Wife [P,R]

They traded blows on equal terms as far as speed went, their blades singing with each strike.  As they fought Larka managed a glance over at Shiloh for a moment to make sure she was doing alright, and, ya she was.  When the drow she was attacking started to scream his partner and Larka both stopped what they were doing to watch.  Larka's eyed widened through the dim light of the dropped torch, while she seemed to tear something out of his of his body leaving him on the ground, but he was breathing.

In that distraction Larka pressed forward first and managed to run her rapier through the drow's sword arm forcing a hiss of pain as he backed away.  But then Shiloh's spell slowed him further and Larka rushed in, slapping his blade aside and running her blade through his heart.  He groaned and swayed and Larka removed her blade and stepped back allowing him to fall.  "Well then.  Okay, let's split up, each take another tunnel and then see if we can find that prisoner.  Wasn't on our contract, but I don't want to leave anyone down here trapped, might get a bonus, who knows?"  Larka took off and headed for tunnel A after grabbing the torch as she went.

Larka headed down and she came upon to the fighting down that tunnel.  The two there had killed one of the drow, but the other one was backed into a corner and one of the mercs was wounded.  Larka stepped in and got the wounded one back and took her place, and between them Larka and the uninjured merc brought the last drow down.  "You two alright?"  Larka asked and checked on the wounded woman, it was a gash, but the other merc had some healing potions so she'd be fine once they were drank.  From there Larka left them and went to check on Shiloh to see how she was doing with the other two mercs.

[OOC:  So, I think catch up and then let Lirin post? :)]

Author: Shiloh Kyrie, Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2017 5:07 PM, Post Subject: The Lost Wife [P,R]

They both went to investigate Tunnel C, and she led the way. It was good to have somebody experienced, that meant less casualties all-around. Shiloh had been skeptical when she saw the woman only had one arm, but soon learned one arm was all she needed. The path widened the closer they came to the tunnel's end, but that was when they were ambushed. "I knew it…so you were waiting weren't you?" She muttered. "Too bad you've locked yourself in here with me…" A drow fighter charged at her aiming for her neck, but she had her sword ready to intercept. She was letting them get close for a reason, and as long their blades didn't cut her it would all be according to plan.

The drow fighting Larka was alarmed somehow and was trying to back off, but Shiloh wasn't going to let hers skulk away. Sapping the drow's strength then inflicting paralysis, she then grabbed the man's face with her left hand and he began screaming like a red-hot branding iron was being forced onto his flesh. While he was screaming in his native tongue, Shiloh pulled her hand back letting go–extracting something shadowy and ethereal from the drow before he collapsed onto the ground. He laid upon the gravel with his eyes open wide–staring into the distance with a glazed look in them. Still alive and breathing, but motionless like a vegetable.

"They're here for the prisoner!" A prisoner? So that meant they were close to a drow settlement? No wonder they were so aggressive. She went to see if Larka needed assistance, and started by inflicting paralysis on the other attacking drow. She wasn't one to steal another's fight, but they couldn't take any chances on getting nicked by a blade that might be laced with poison. "He's all yours now. Looks like today is not your lucky day." Shiloh said wryly, smirking at the soon-to-be dead drow ambusher.

Author: Larka, Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2017 2:00 PM, Post Subject: The Lost Wife [P,R]

Larka glanced back at the younger woman when she spoke and nodded.  "I could exactly see what I was stabbing, still, you're right.  I think we need to push hard and get to them before they can get fully organized, we may not have the element of surprise, but we can still rush."  Larka explained as they continued on forward until they came to the split in the tunnel.  Larka nodded when the scout agreed to have her watch her back as they moved forward.  Larka followed the younger woman, not really knowing how she was scouting so well, but assumed it was some kind of magic.

Thankfully nothing happened as they scouted, Shiloh explaining what she felt down each tunnel and what they could expect.  Larka thought it over after she was done, but the others were casting lots to figure out where they'd go.  Larka looked to Shiloh after the rest had made their choice.  "Guess that leaves us with tunnel C then, shall we?"  Larka commented and got her own torch unhooked from her side and got it lit by one of the others before they headed down the tunnel.  "I'll need you to lead, you seem to have ability to see in the dark, I can't.  I have your back, don't worry."'  Once things were settled they got underway, each team taking their own tunnel, but that left the roof tunnel unchecked, but there was nothing to be done about it, Larka didn't want anyone going in alone down a tunnel.

Shiloh had been correct the tunnel they went down did come out into a larger chamber, and there some tables and chairs set up, so, the drow were using as a common area.  Suddenly there was as shout echoing down the hall from one of the other tunnels, and a moment after all hell broke loose.  The other groups each were attacked by two drow from the shadows and before Shiloh and Larka appeared two more with blades drawn.  "Shit."  Larka hissed, forced to toss the torch a little in front of her and draw the rapier at her side, her normal blade wouldn't be good for a closed in area like this.

One of the drow went after Shiloh and the other went for Larka and the Reaver and drow's blades clashed.  When he was close to her noticed the missing arm that she had and his eyes widened in surprise a little.  He pushed back from Larka and called out.  "They're here for the prisoner!"  He yelled and attacked again with a cry.

Larka met the strike and pushed back this time, what prisoner?!  She'd have to figure that out later as the fight was on for their lives, everyone of the group had a drow to fight, and once one side started to lose numbers that could snowball very quickly Larka knew.  She hoped Shiloh would be alright, Larka was always somewhat protective of the younger mercs in her groups, as a veteran she always felt some need to show them the ropes and use her experience to further their own careers.  The Reaver wasn't the best with her rapier, it had been her first wife's blade, but she was good enough against the drow, hopefully.

[OOC:  Take things as far as you wish, no need to hold back from here on, the fight's on, have fun :D]

Author: Shiloh Kyrie, Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2017 10:55 PM, Post Subject: The Lost Wife [P,R]

Her whole body tense and adrenaline kicked in when they were suddenly attacked. Thankfully the one-armed mercenary got a good stab at whatever came out of the shadows, but it wasn't dead. They said it was a drow. That was no good. If it was just a creature it would just leave them alone for a while, but anything with higher levels of intelligence would be both cunning and cruel. They had to be to survive down here, and they were also naturally adapted to the terrain and darkness. Their group was sitting with a big disadvantage here. "…Too bad they didn't bite the dust." She grumbled. "If they're injured like that there's a chance they'll come back with a vengeance." The subtle sounds from the other mercenaries told her that they probably were thinking she was calling a jinx on them, but she was stating a fact. Sugarcoating poison didn't make it any less awful.

Speaking of poison, that was the other reason why she was so nervous when they mentioned the drow. Blood loss and non-fatal wounds were capable of recovery, but poison was nasty business. Either you had the cure ready or you were under a death sentence with the counter ticking. She hated situations where there were too many unknowns, uncontrolled variables. The one-armed woman said it was her turn to check and asked if she wanted her to watch her back while she did her scan. She gave a nod. "Yeah, I'd appreciate it. If you see the situation change, tell me to stop and I'll get my weapons out." Looking ahead she began preparing herself.

There were several tunnels this time. "Let's see what we have here…" Turning on her aura sight the information began flooding in. She could feel her temples pounding from the sheer volume, and an uncomfortable level of interference. Shiloh told herself to focus on the life signatures first, then reach out as far as she could. Moving her scan outward from their group, she detected the blood trail of the injured attacker which vanished at a dead end. Neither of the tunnels had traces of them, so it meant they either had something to cover their tracks or used teleportation. It had better be the former and not the latter.

"Three–no four tunnels ahead. Tunnel A opens higher up on the cavern wall, few large presences detected ahead. Motion is slow, possibly local fauna. Tunnel B is ahead, leftmost and close to ground level. No moving life signatures detected, though take caution against small creatures and potential plant life on the walls. Tunnel C is also forward ahead, right of Tunnel B. No life signatures present, while motion of air flow suggests it opens into a larger chamber. Tunnel D is located above on the cavern ceiling to the right of all prior tunnels. No detection of movement or life so far." With her general scan completed, she shut her senses off to let them re-calibrate.

The mercenaries were casting lots to see who would go where. The armored man and one of the mercenary women was planning to go into Tunnel B to see if the area was safe for setting up camp or connected to a different area. Two others chose to go in a pair to check Tunnel A, leaving Shiloh with Larka and whoever was left. She still felt wary of the tunnel on the ceiling. If she could she'd block it up to make herself feel better but they didn't have time to waste energy.

[OOC: That's fine! So far I don't see any problems.] 

Author: Larka, Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2017 10:10 PM, Post Subject: The Lost Wife [P,R]

When they started to descend Larka was happy with the work their young scout was doing.  She would creep ahead and check for anything that might be waiting for them and then they could move forward.  Larka looked to the big guy of their group who had decided that full plate armour was a good idea for a cave trip.  "You first, take point."

He glanced back to her.  "Why do I take point?"

Larka sighed.  "Cause you're dressed in the most armour and are the biggest one here.  That and if I lead I can't hold a torch and my sword at the same time.  Keep a torch in your hand and you shield, I'll attack from behind you while defend.  So, get moving."  Larka explained and then ordered and he stared up at her for  a moment before grunting and taking the lead with his sword ready.  Larka looked to their scout.  "Good job so far, stay behind me please, we'll get you too move up when we need."  Larka instructed, it looked like she was trying to be in charge here, well, she was the oldest of them by a few years and possibly the most experienced.

Once that was all settled they started further in, Larka keeping her sword out allowing the others to carrying the torches, but it was enough to allow her to see clearly in the cave tunnels.  Things were going fairly smoothly for a while, which was worrying, right up until there was sudden movement in the shadows ahead of them, a cry, the swish of a sword through the air and the clang of steel meeting steel as the shield took the blow.  Larka was right behind him and stabbed out from behind him with her blade, feeling resistance and a cry of pain.  Whatever it was hadn't expected the sword to come from such an angle and when Larka looked to her blade there was blood on it.  She stabbed out again as the big guy in front of her pushed forward but whatever it had been was gone, wounded though.

Things settled for a moment.  "I'm okay, it was a drow."

"Okay, so they know we're here now for sure.  Eyes up, let's keep going."  Larka spoke looking back at everyone behind her as they continued on, eventually coming to a wider opening with three tunnels leading from it.  Larka sighed, always one of these in a caves, why?!  The Reaver glanced back to their scout.  "You're up, want me to cover you back?"  Larka asked.  "Everyone else pick a tunnel while the others are checked and keep your ears open to."  Larka said and waited to see what they would do.

[OOC:  Sorry if I'm taking too many liberties, and it's kinda short :/  Also, feel free to make up and control the NPCs as well, they're just fodder :P]

Author: Shiloh Kyrie, Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2017 12:02 AM, Post Subject: The Lost Wife [P,R]

In these depths, darkness abounds. A place far from the reaches of light, a world hidden from seeing eyes. "…Back here again. This won't be easy now I'm on my own." The last time she had come down here it had been a fool's errand. She had met someone who had also gotten themselves trapped on accident, but somehow they had made it out again. If there was anything she learned from her first visit, it was that group cooperation was key to survival. Things would be different by herself. No one to watch your back, or to pull you over the edge. But she was better equipped this time, and she was entering intentionally.

With time, she had garnered renown among the regulars at the Winking Mermaid for being the most reliable errand-runner. Anything that others would find trivial, she could do to the letter. Of course each job paid less than a bounty, but with her reputation increasing with each task completed, she gained more business. Others claimed she was wasting her talents doing courier work. Her coin purse begged to differ. It was simple economics, as she had read from a book sold for less than a dozen crescents at a used junk sale.

Today's job bore a higher level of risk than the usual. A dwarf from Baltil wanted to contact one of his associates in the Umbral Depths, and seeing there wasn't any other way to send the message she volunteered. Before leaving, she had him sign an agreement which included an insurance payment of ten percent upfront, fees and compensation for potential work-related injuries, and a solemn oath that everything written here was signed with full understanding and consent. Following a signature and a thumbprint, the contract was set. If anyone had any complaints, she'd point out that they were paying for her success. Nobody would be willing to handle such a risky undertaking without a guarantee.

She wasn't the only one who was making a venture down into the deep dark below. A group of mercenaries, more or less headed in the same general direction. There was no map of the underground. Even the inhabitants had to rely on memory and landmarks. Armed and ready to go, they descended. The mercenary group would take the brunt of the fighting, while she offered to scout. She didn't explain how she did it, as it wasn't important. They'd ask her which places likely had creatures lying in wait or if the area had hidden dangers, and she'd check. Using her aura sight didn't hurt as much as it had before, but it still put a strain on her. Shiloh made sure to use it only in short intervals. The others took torches in one hand, but she didn't and kept both hands free. Dim light was the least of her worries.

"That stalactite would probably go straight through a warg if it fell from its current height." She said dryly. The other mercenaries didn't say anything, and some rolled their eyes. Sure, they were likely tired of it by now but she couldn't help but think of the ways how a single misstep could lead to a horrible untimely death. By the way, did she ever mention they were several meters underground? If it wasn't hostiles, acid pools, or poison gas, a single collapse would do them in. And they'd never get a proper burial.

Author: Larka, Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2017 7:58 PM, Post Subject: The Lost Wife [P,R]

She had got the job, to head into the Underdark and help carve a path to the dwarves for her employer who wanted to trade with them.  However, a group of drow had been causing problems along the main route that had been normally used for travel into the earth.  These drow didn't seem to be acting under any kind of orders and attacked at random it seemed, mostly taking supplies like food and fresh water and only killing if they felt like it or someone put up too much of a fight.  This was causing problems for Larka's current employer, and a number of his associates, so they had decided to hire out to a group of mercenaries to clear the path of these drow and make the path safe once more.

Larka had thankfully been hired, she needed the coin as always.  She was one of the tallest mercs who had been hired, all five of them, black hair to her shoulders, oddly grey eyes for a human who had sight.  She wore sturdy leather armour with two swords at her left hip so she could draw into her right hand, her only arm in fact, there was only a stump left of her left arm hidden under the sleeve of her shirt.  The Reaver had looked over the rest of the group she was going to be into the Underdark with, and only one really stood out to her, a female human, early twenties who seemed to know how to handle herself.  But while liked younger women now and then, this one was too young, Larka guessed she was just about twice the young woman's age, Larka was old enough to be her mother.  Still, if nothing else it gave her something to admire on the trip.

Their journey so far to the entrance had been uneventful, nothing had attacked them thus far, but things would be only get worse from here Larka expected.  Larka checked her endless bag at her side, it everything she could ever need and then some.  She had decided to leave her wolf puppy, Kyu, at her place at the Inn in Sularia she was using as a home.  She didn't want the little pup down here with other fighters, too unsafe for such a small animal.  Larka glanced back at the group.  "We ready to head deeper then?"  She asked as they started to get torches out and lit for the journey into the darkness that waited below.

[OOC:  Cymbel, feel free to advance things as far as you like when you make your replies :D]

Author: CelesteJN, Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2017 9:11 AM, Post Subject: The Lost Wife [P,R]

Celeste opened her eyes, though nothing changed much. The insides of her lids were only slightly darker than the earthen walls around her. Another short nap to pass the time come and gone, for time moves slow in the dark. Does morning or night bless the land above? Does it matter to her if they aren't coming? They forgot. She was abandoned, unloved and worthless. Her body ached while her nerves were on fire, throat dry… So thirsty.

Only the drow visits her, the only real thing in her never ending night. Little food or water ever comes from them, and even less light. Sound and pain from fists and boots pounding into a body was the only thing given in abudnance. Her only solace was the rough and uneven ground beneath her, always giving the support of Mother Earth. Celeste rolled over, huddling in a ball as she counted the seconds.

One one thousand, two one thousand, three one thousand.

Down the way, guard boots come marching, two by two for another peek at the pathetic land elf. "Look at her, so dirty and lost in the deep, dark caves." The guards mock and laugh as Celeste scrambled into a corner of her tiny hole in the ground, watching the mouse run. They reached for her, and she tried to push them off with a hiss. Laughing harder, one arrested her wrists, the other digs his claws just above her jaw, forcing a water-skin to her lips.

Half of the water spills from her mouth as it pours too fast. Its cold fingers seeped through her tattered shirt, attempting to snake its way to her heart. They shoved her back to the ground, leaving her coughing and sputtering before leaving without another word or action, their boisterous laugh following behind like puppy dogs. Celeste was alone again, but there were no beatings this time. She crawled back to her tattered blanket and pulled it over her shoulders.

Something clanked against the stone, a sharp metal ringing. The elf frowned, hands groped the ground, searching frantically. Her fingers found a rigid object, cold and hard. Celeste sat back up and examined the blade she had once stolen from one of the guards and had long since forgotten. Her hungry eyes settled on the entrance to her little hole as she settled against the back wall and pulled her knees up, counting the seconds once more. Gripping the blade, she rested her arms on her knees.

'Forget the elf. Lost to time, lost to dark is she. Make them pay, they will pay.' Her thoughts raced as her fingernails danced along the edge of the blade, she smiled with twisted glee. 'Blood soak the ground. No more stomping boots.'

Down the underground cavern hall, beyond the single guard and echoing slightly, a single crazed giggle bounced off the walls, fading into obscurity.