Rashemen - Book 3

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Nakia pulled out some bread, cheese and dried fruit along with a bottle of mead. She checked the bag, "Need more food, mead. Go back to town. Find Maron and Ciana first. Find best way home." She too was tired and she worried about Sepp.

"Sepp, we must get home. I have dreams and you are in them. Ciana and I found a scroll. It is ancient and tells of secret halfling things. I will show you later. Now we go." She finished packing her things called to the Paladin, "Let's get back to your temple."

Posting as the Tree

Sensing the desire of the dark person to communicate the Tree reached further into his mind.

Yes, I can sense all that is around me. I have the ancient knowledge but this is a new world and I must learn.

There was a feeling of a gentle breeze around the Tree and the soft sound of leaves moving far above.

There is so much there, so much beauty. Kelvados you call yourself. Kelvados, you have much darkness and death within you yet you have great love for the things of nature. Strange, yet it is death that feeds me. All things have their place and their cycle. I have this for you. Take it and keep it next your heart. It will help you to know the path to follow.

A small but vibrant blossom falls at Kelvados' feet. It has all the colors of the rainbow but finally settles into a dusky rose.

The Tree sends its' thoughts to everyone. I need must build protection and you can help yet a little while. Especially the ones called Atten and Sepp.

Sepp, who is part of me, you have the gift of earth. When all have left here seal any entrances and raise stone so that none may enter.

You, Atten, have the gift of living things help me grow a living barrier around this place and in return is there ought I can give you?

 

Kelvados picked up the rose, he gently placed the flower in a pouch next to his skin. He slowly stumbled away, the power that flowed through him, left as soon as he broke contact, his energy felt low and spent. He flopped down on a boulder, and loosened some of the sword straps, he gave him something to do by checking them all, he was missing some knives, and the katanas were looking worn, his great sword could use some sharpening, and all could use a polishing. Unfortuantely, he couldn't find his polish. But it didn't matter, he didn't feel like he had the energy to do it anyways.

 

Delinos observed the tired group with a guarded eye. He was not sure of this tree. He did not dislike it, and yet, he did not like it. He was unsure why. And by the way it affected his brother, he was scared. Kelvados had always been hardened, even as the brothers grew closer to the halflings and their group. The way that it softened Kelvados frightened him. And at the same time, made him happy. He was unsure about his feelings, and decided to blame it on the battle prior; he was indeed exhausted. He slumped down against the cavern wall, crunching frail bones beneath him.

 

"I say we all get some rest, it was a trying day to say the least." Jex spoke breaking away from the trance Del had thrown over him. "We have tired bodies, tired minds and we need to get organized. Nakia wants to go to her homeland, and I agree. We need to plan this out though and none of us are really in shape to do that at the moment. So lets collect ourselves, catch our breath and get ready."

Sitting down, Jex grabbed some of the bread and cheese forcing himself to eat he quietly offered bread to Del and motioned for her to sit with him.

 

Despite the urgency she felt Nakia knew Jex was right they were too tired to do anything. She settled herself down near Sepp and was soon asleep.

A beautiful Hin woman appeared to her. She smiled gently and held out her arms. Nakia threw herself into her arms feeling comfort and strength flow from the woman. "Great Mother, what desires thee?" The woman pointed to Sepp sleeping nearby. "Watch over him and lead him safely home. These are troubled times and danger stalks him."

The vision blurred and Nakia tossed restlessly in her sleep crying out.

 

Kelvados couldn't sleep, he took the first watch. It was habit, he took first watch and Delinos the second. He sat and found a strip of clothing, and figured he'd do some polishing to take his mind away from sleep. The grease made his hand slide on the iron, a hyponatizing movement for an unwary mind. His stone was lost, he found a decent sized one and soaked it with water from his canteen. He sharpened the edges of his weapons, they needed to be sharp, it could mean life or death.

A cry from the cavern alerted him, but it was merely a shifting heap yelling in their sleep. The sun had fully risen now, and Kelvados pulled up his cowl, to protect his eyes and skin, and also not to frighten some mindless oaf into attacking a Drow. He saw a movement in the bushes, rabbits, he was hungry. He didn't have a bow, but his knives were just as good. He got two, he made a small fire, too small to make a signal of smoke but it gave enough heat to cook a nicely crisped rabbit, with baby onions and heartroot, he ate half and left some for his brother.

With nothing to do, he started to remember his past, his family, the matron, Menzoboranzan. He never liked the place, a male isn't a very useful being, he did gain some respect being the top of his fighting class, he fought with older men, but didn't get to finish his training, his house was destroyed and his family was killed. Viconia was one of his sisters, but his only whole sister, she was a female, and a priest. But amazingly she was kind to her brother, never infront of the Matron, but she never whipped him, never punished him, and would come to watch him in his important spars. She was the one who blasted the beam that was crushing him, she killed the men who were watching. She also found Delinos, we fled but she vanished, she was gone and the borthers were left to their own devices, and they haven't done that badly. Kelvados guessed that it was time and went in to wake his brother, it's not like he didn't trust the others, but he'd sleep more comfortably with his brother guarding him.

 

Sepp ate some more food, then slept for a couple of hours. If he had any dreams, he did not remember them. Delinos was standing guard, and most of the others were resting or quietly going over their gear.

"Well, let's see about closing this place off like the Tree wants." He walked about the cavern, then up into the ground floor rooms and tower base.

"Hmmn, it'd take awhile to do it up right. Maybe I can get some help." He made his way down to the cavern again and layed down with his ear to the stone. "I'll be back in a little bit," he said to who ever was awake to hear. Then he shifted to earth elemental form and sank into the stone.

About twenty minutes later the cavern floor rumbled, and Sepp came up out of it, followed by two earth elementals as tall as tall men, and one twice that size.

Sepp grumbled at them, pointing to the well, the base of the tree, and the foundations of the structure above. The largest elemental grumbled back, pointing around the cavern, at the other two elementals, and Sepp.

"Okay everyone, you'd all best get clear of here now!" he yelled in a gravely voice.

When everyone was safely outside, Sepp and the elementals went to work. Knocking down walls, laying gravel and substrate, and building a protective mound of stone and dirt about twenty feet high around the tree.

An hour or so later it was finished. The two man sized elementals ran at each other, jumping into the air and belly butting eachother with a loud crash. The huge one beckonned to Sepp with a hand, and Sepp tried to run away, but it was too fast for him, picking him up and throwing him maybe forty feet in the air. He came down with a kerplop and a splash of swamp water. He came out of the water shaking his arms at the elementals, who were all laughing at him. Then they turned and walked into the stone wall.

Sepp shook himself off, and back into flesh and bone, then admired their work. It was nice. It didn't resemble a manor and tower anymore, it was like a natural hill in the middle of the swamp. He walked over to Atten.

"Okay, we've got pretty good rain collection and drainage worked into the walls, and dredged up a lot of really good hummus from the bottom of the swamp, so whatever you decide to plant there should grow very well. We didn't leave any doors in the walls, because eventually the tree will grow up out of the enclosure, and if it wants people to visit it, I'm sure it can push a passage through the stone and dirt with a root."

Already, a few thin branches and leaves could be seen over the top of the ring shaped hill.

 

Nakia admired the stonework then began looking around hoping to see Ciana, Maron and Elendia. She was torn between looking for them and keeping an eye on Sepp.

Going over to Delinos she asked if he had seen any sign of them. When he gave a negative sign she went to Sepp.

"Sepp, can you sense people through your earth connection? I'm worried about our missing friends."

 

With a groan Ciana opened her eyes, her vision swam for a few moments then settled down. her head thumped and putting her hand to her temple she felt the lump causing it, as her brain slowly got round the pain she gasped and sat up straight. That was a mistake she found as she bent over again to be sick. The resounding thought in her head, where were the others?

 

"I'll give it a try." Sepp laid face down on the ground, arms and legs spread wide. Feeling into the dirt and stone, he searched for sensations and movement. The water of the swamp clouded his senses a little. After a few minutes he got up again.

"Besides from those of us right around here, there seem to be a few people towards the edge of the swamp, where the land is firmer and there is less water. I bet we'll run into them if we head that way."

 

Nakia gathered up her things, called to the others and started off in the direction Sepp pointed. At least they were moving.

Shortly, they ran across Ciana sitting on the ground. Nakia ran over to her and started dabbing at the bump, cleaning and putting salve on it.

"Ciana, how bad you hurt? Anywhere else? Here's water, rinse out your mouth. Don't have anything else. Where's Maron, Elendia?"

 

Kongol kept mostly to himself while the others dealt with the tree, resting and looking for Ciana and the others. He just observed intrigued by how diverse this group was.

He mostly though about Nakia. He wondered how such a delicate and small creature could have a big spirit and more importantly a huge heart, she acted as a mother would, protective and caring of others. Either by the affection to Sepp or the concern over the Drow brothers, in fact everyone in the group had being protected or cared at some point by her.

He pondered for a long time about it, thinking about her and while she had so much love, there was really none looking after her. Kongol saw in her great talent, but some much care and looking for others would make her vulnerable.

A decision had being made. He would be her shield. If she cared and protected others, he, in hand, would protect her.

“Nakia, I want you to know that I will be there to protect you at all times” Kongol did not elaborate on his comment. He did not want to worry her with a long talk, just something small and to the point.

 

Kelvados, scanned the horizon. While the othes tended to Ciana, he'd make sure they weren't ambushed. He got Delinos' attention with a low whistle. His hands did the talking.

I smell something, it isn't bad, but it is strange. Keep a look out, don't disturb the others, it may be nothing, but one can never be to cautious.

Kelvados scanned all around him without turnig his head. A Drow proverb that was drilled into his brain, "those who constantly watch their back, meet death from the front." His hands flashed out again.

Did you like the rabbit? I found a new spice that gives it quite a bite, I think I am beginning to be a good cook. If I do say so myself... he paused suddenly sensing another presence, near but not in this world. A being of another plane is observing us, it can't be good.

He shifted his feet, getting ready to pounce, he knew it was highly improbable that something would appear, but he's been always the cautious one.

 

Delinos smirked as a laugh wormed its way out of his mouth. The large man named Kongol intrigued him, and amused him. Delinos did not understand where the man was coming from, nor did he care. The man had some false sense of honor and dignity, something that, as a Drow, he would never quite comprehend.

"Heh, what's that? Some act of honor? An act of dignity, or something else ridiculous?" Delinos spat, "You think you have a need to protect her, when she has every power to protect herself?! Foolish half breed." The Drow smirked and awaited the man's response.

[ January 13, 2007, 05:04: Message edited by: Elwithral Irenicus ]

 

Kelvados, sighed, Delinos always picked the wrong people to piss off, even if the were surface dwellers, he heard giants are immune to magic. Kelvados loosened his swords on his arms. He wasn't realishing in fighting the giant, he could beat him yes. But would the others be happy, he was growing wary among this bunch.

He signalled to his pompous brother. I believe we've over stayed our welcome in this group, I think the thing from the other plane was trying to contact me, I could be Viconia! We could see our sister again, and travel with Drow once more. Come brother let's leave these fools, before you intice them to try to hurt us. I am not one to back down from a fight, but many want to portect nature, and I would fell awful for killing them.

 

Delinos angrily stared at Kelvados, and signalled violently, Are you mad? Has that tree rattled your brain? I used to take, what the humans call, pride in my brother. He was hardened, strong. Now you're weak, and soft. I don't know you anymore.

Delinos, not waiting for a reply, drew his swords, and stared angrily at his brother. I'm not a fool, I know magic doesn't affect giants as well as other humanoids. "Well then, beast, what say you to that? Or is your brain too infantile to comprehend what I'm saying, kivvil srow."

 

Kelvados sighed, he drew his swords, vowing this is the last time he got his brother out of trouble. Kelvados was beginning to tire of fighting, and liked something very un-Drow, he was starting to enjoy peace, and beauty. He wouldn't mind sitting back and portecting a woods. But his brother was more important, and he could start to enjoy blood lust once more. He fell in step behind Delinos, he'd let him attack the giant, but he'd prtect him from being jumped from behind.

 

"No, Kelvados, back off. I don't need you. No, I don't know you." He pushed Kelvados backwards, and stared, unblinkingly at his now softened, pretentious brother. "Who are you?"

 

"I am the brother who is sick of his whinning younger brother." He glared back. "Your mind is set on rage, you are a surface dweller now, whether you like it or not. With my Ranger training I've discovered peace, and the things around us. Open your eyes little brother, look elsewhere then under your nose." He yelled at his wide eyed sibling. "I will no longer partake in your idiotic plans and your countless needs for battle. You are no blood of mine." Kelvados dropped the two swords at the feet of the man facing him. He turned sharply on his heel and stalked off into the marsh. He turned around one last time.

"I search for Viconia, and tell her she should have left you in the ruins." He spat, and then disappeared into the fog.

 

"You fool! I was right, you have no respect for our heritage, our outlook, our way of life! You say I am no blood of yours, because I am not kin to any kivvil srow! You are idiotic and blind, just as the others of your kin are!" He yelled as Kelvados disappeared, "Viconia will of course accept you, she has no doubt gone the way of Drizzt, that srow. He is an abomination!"

Delinos sent a blast of magic towards the area where Kelvados had previously disappeared, clearing the mist. He ran through the marsh, full speed, and grabbed Kelvados' shoulder and spun him about. "Fool, what has happened to you?! The kivvil have poisoned your mind! I too, have changed since we left the Har'oloth, but not like this. You, so easily, abandon me, and our blood?!

You call out my need for battle, while you are the one who travels with a whole arsenal of blades and knives?! Do those apply to your claim of Nature loving shu! To kill, maim, destroy?! This act of all knowing balance and preserving ancient powers grows old, brother."