Long, long time [Open]

[Destiny]

Drea felt herself relax slightly as the man apologized, but there was still her innate paranoia that was lurking just below the surface, and she continued to watch him intently. "You are a dangerous man," she observed, "To come at dangerous times to speak of dangerous tidings. Unfortunately you may even be right, which is what troubles me so much about this whole thing," she said after Guldan had spoken a little bit. She had heard rumours of the rise of Mortia as well, strange rumours from many varied sources, some of which she was almost ready to trust.

She stared incredulously at Guldan as he began the next part of his speech however - a group of assassins who stopped wars? Should she ask their help in her other mission, the mission to get rid of the invaders? "You know, Guldan, if we all survive all this and we meet again, I would like to help with killing the invaders. There are forces gathering near the south where the Prince is, and I'm going to join it. I'm sure you would be invaluable to them as well." She paused. This was a serious secret that few should know but she trusted Roy and Robin. And Guldan already meant to kill the invaders.

"Have you heard of one of her minions? Some bat-like creature, inhuman and powerful? He is one of the most notorious of her minions, and he's been quite active in these parts, from what I've heard." She looked at Joerm, who was now behind Guldan, and nodded, indicating that he was to stay there. She may have started talking to Guldan but it was sure as hell that she did not trust him.

[_~DarkBahamutNeo~_]

Thinking his next answer very carefuly, Guldan didn't want no suddenly angry dragon behind him. He thought of all the possiblilities of joining the prince after dealing with Mortia, he did like the idea, it would help him establish a new society, but so did joining the invaders. Enjoying his moment of silence as everyone waited for his answer, he decided on his answer.

"I will indeed join you in discovering the prince's location in the south, and will help exterminate thease invaders who have caused so much chaos in our lands. Right after we deal with Mortai I will go with you as you go south to the prince. I may not present myself at first, for although we of the society are used by nobles, they are deathly afraid that they are the next target, so I would greatly be in your dept if you explain my being when we get to him, that way he won't freak and have me shot, stabed, and killed on the spot. To answer your question on this minion, I have not head of him, although he may be nearby, so I advise greatly on a gaurd system and wards to see if he will ever be near us again." Guldan felt that there was no way this answer will invoke any anger, but one was never sure.

[Roy Foxheart]

Roy sat and thought of the words that Guldan had said. Morita may not be allowed to resurface as a power in the world. But this will hold me back from my goal of... well, maybe this will be of use after all. If I travel with them then I may come across some one with the knowledge I seek... I shall have to see how things play out from here. Roy stood from his spot and walked a few steps back from the fire, his hand on his chin as he thought of the situation.

"You know, Guldan, if we all survive all this and we meet again, I would like to help with killing the invaders. There are forces gathering near the south where the Prince is, and I'm going to join it. I'm sure you would be invaluable to them as well."

Roy looked over to Drea, trying to read where her thought path was going, She is focused on the Prince, and joining up with him. The prince would have many forces still aligned with him, that is evident from the towns I've been to since the beginning of the first war, but with this so-called rise of Mortia... will that change? I hope not. Roy walked around for a few more moments scratching his chin in thought and making quick eye movements to those who he was in company with. He turned to Robin “I don't want to believe that what Guldan said was true, but he has given us no reason so far to distrust him. I don't know if it was really Mortia or the work of another powerful mage who attacked his clan, but..” Roy walked over to his equipment that still lay on the ground and pulled out a map of Arysia. He moved over to the fire and placed his hand on the ground. “Terra Imperium” The ground around the fire rose and converged above the fire, making a table which he laid the map atop.

“still, we should formulate a plan. I think we need to find out more facts of the matter and come to a better conclusion before we declare it absolute truth. I've already been traveling north, so I shall continue that way and search for signs of Mortia. Drea, you could head south since that is where the Prince is rumored to reside at the time. Robin, if you liked you could head west or east and check up on what was happening, or continue on with Drea or myself. Guldan, you need to find more recruits for your Resistance, so traveling south I think would best for your case. What are your opinions?”

[Fay]

Robin listened in their discussion and apparent knowledge and belief at Mortia's rise. He was very interested a bit afraid that a powerful sorcerer was back with perhaps thousands of powerful and mindlessly obedient minions. He felt the same when it was confirmed that a coup de tat had been taking place, where invaders tried to take control of the North by exiling the Prince. He also discovered part of Guldan's history as a hired kiler. It seemed that they were a group, and only accepted targets if it helped them in 'keeping the peace', whatever that meant.

Then, Roy was able to conjure a map of Arysia from his belongings and used the fire to make a desk where the map could be set. The map, Robin guessed, was quite valuable, as a complete map of Arysia was perhaps unheard of; the vastness of the continent and the dangers of whole continents prevented accurate exploration of the whole land. It seemed that somebody had been able to brave the dangers and make the map and it was in the hands of Roy now.

Roy explained a certain plan of action, where they would split up and accomplish an objective each. Robin had the priviledge to pick a plan for himself, but he was uncertain on which to choose. He had three options. Go with Roy, who would go north to find out about the invaders, or go with Drea, who would go south in hopes of finding the exiled Prince, or try to find out what was happening in the Centre of Arysia by himself. He ruled out trying to snoop around alone as he had no knowledge of the lands around him and that speaking to certain men and women probably would be too hard for him to accomplish. He was also from the North, but he was running away from what had happened there and the thought of returning so soon to his home didn't appeal to him at all.

"I think that I can't exactly roam around by myself...", he said, looking around at the somber facing discussing their plan. "And I don't exactly want to go to the North, where I'm from as..." he paused, trying to find the correct words to explain his reluctance. "The skeletons in my cabinet prevent me from going back to my home," he said simply, leaving himself with one choice. "So I think I should go with Drea and Joerm to the south, since I think that a magician would be useful in the arrid deserts, and I could perhaps continue teaching the sorcerers' ways to Drea."

[Destiny]

"I am not exactly friends with the prince," she told Guldan with a dry laugh. "Though without doubt someone as infamous as you should be allowed to visit him, and if you'll take me with you I'll be more than happy to plead your case," she said. It was one of her dreams to be recognized by the prince, and it was perhaps more likely if she won some battles for him first. A thread of ambition grew up in her, making her go off into a dream world where she killed the King of the Invaders and Mortia.

It was Roy whose voice brought her back from the frivolous daydream. She cursed herself for having let herself dream it in the first place. She tried to bring herself back in the conversation. "Guldan, could there be a particular reason why Mortia would attack your clan? It must have many enemies, being what you say it is, and thus it is just as possible that a rich noble or one of the invaders royal family could have commissioned a particularly powerful mage so that they would exterminate you."

She stared in wonder at the map of Arysia. She had never seen anything of it's like. It was not an easy task to map a continent as varied and dangerous and everchanging as Arysia, and as such maps were not something she relied on overmuch, though she did use it as a tool to gain her general whereabouts. Curious, she asked Roy, "Where did you avail yourself of this map? Are you sure of it's accuracy?" Such small things could make a huge difference in a crucial time, so it was well to make sure of the origin and the correctness of the proffered map, from whence they planned to make their plans.

"To go south," she started, "Will mean crossing the Khun Mountains. It could be weeks, even months, before we made it back, especially since the first winds of winter are already blowing. Granted, people need to go south, but it's not for finding out about Mortia. To find out about Mortia, we must search further at the place of her origin - in the center of arysia. At least one of us must stay here. Now, if Robin wants to come south with me and Joerm...I don't know, Guldan, could you stay here and come join the resistance later?"

[_~DarkBahamutNeo~_]

Guldan thought over the possibilities, someone defently needed to be here in the center of Arysia, all in order to find someone who would or know more about Mortai, which they had no clue about but the general knowledge everyone knew. Guldan already knew what his choice was going to be, but it appeared one part of the plan was left out. After I have this knowledge, I will wake in the mourning and head out, in what ever direction you may provide, if none, then I shall head for a major city that is nearby. Now to a very important part of our plan, after gaining the knowledge, or completing the task given to us, where shall we meet? I don't mind the location, even an inn would be able to be used."

"I will gladly stay here in the center of Arysia and look for information on Mortai, her origins, death, power, the works. What I want to know is any of you know of a good start on where I can find a scholor, or archaeologist? Any one will do, sence we may need to learn of any item or remains that so mentions Mortai.

[Roy Foxheart]

Roy listened o their points and took them all into account as he looked across the map. His finger traced a path through the mountains into the west, to the city of Rafflen. “Guldan then shall travel through the east, I shall head north and Robin and Drea shall head south. Then we will double back and meet here Rafflen, where Raffelia was born back at the first uprise of Mortia. Any objections?”

Roy turned from his map and looked at Drea giving her a polite nod and smile. “I'm sure of this maps accuracy. I was there while it was being made by my master. I would put my life on the accuracy of this map.” Roy stood straight up and took a few steps back form the map, “Great Idea by the way Robin, that would be great if you could teach Drea magic on your journeys , your method of spell casting may be more useful to a warrior then mine.” Roy looks around at the company and a smile.. no a smirk crosses his face. “If Mortia has returned, she is going to have a force to be reckoned with against her.” Crouching down he began to give Cyrus a back scratch.

Cyrus then looked over to Joerm and put his head up, sort like saying 'ha, Drea doesn't scratch your back' he began to wag his tail in enjoyment as Roy quickened the scratching, and as he slowed and patted Cyrus on the back he gave Roy a super hyper dog lick attack. “Cyrus, you'd think we'd been companions for life, not just met hours ago.”

Roy stood as Cyrus barked in agreement and he turned back to his company. “So, wha else should we inculde in our plans?”
Roy listened o their points and took them all into account as he looked across the map. His finger traced a path through the mountains into the west, to the city of Rafflen. “Guldan then shall travel through the east, I shall head north and Robin and Drea shall head south. Then we will double back and meet here Rafflen, where Raffelia was born back at the first uprise of Mortia. Any objections?”

Roy turned from his map and looked at Drea giving her a polite nod and smile. “I'm sure of this maps accuracy. I was there while it was being made by my master. I would put my life on the accuracy of this map.” Roy stood straight up and took a few steps back form the map, “Great Idea by the way Robin, that would be great if you could teach Drea magic on your journeys , your method of spell casting may be more useful to a warrior then mine.” Roy looks around at the company and a smile.. no a smirk crosses his face. “If Mortia has returned, she is going to have a force to be reckoned with against her.” Crouching down he began to give Cyrus a back scratch.

Cyrus then looked over to Joerm and put his head up, sort like saying 'ha, Drea doesn't scratch your back' he began to wag his tail in enjoyment as Roy quickened the scratching, and as he slowed and patted Cyrus on the back he gave Roy a super hyper dog lick attack. “Cyrus, you'd think we'd been companions for life, not just met hours ago.”

Roy stood as Cyrus barked in agreement and he turned back to his company. “So, wha else should we inculde in our plans?”

[Fay]

(Double post, lol!)

'Is this really happening?'

Robin's excitement and apprehension grew as Roy smoothed out their plan to thwart the invaders and Mortia. He felt electricity running in his veins due to the excitement that he was feeling. He almost chuckled when he remembered that the calm which they felt less than an hour ago had turned into a tension because of their discussion of what to do, but he didn't feel bad that they were potentially risking their lives on something so big that would affect the world. Visions of victory and glory clashed with the nightmares of death in Robin's imagination...

'I mean really? Us, against an evil sorcerer and a foreign army?'

'I hope we'll have a chance...'

He just nodded when Roy made the few final statements. They would meet at Rafflen when, if?, they finished their tasks. He stood up, leaning on his rowan staff, staring at each and every one of his comrades, and probably, friends. He felt something else in his heart, courage, the courage to fight and perhaps die in their cause, and this overpowered every other emotion, including the fear and pride that he felt just seconds before.

"So," he began, a hint of a grin forming in his face. "What are we waiting for? Everything's been decided and all that's left is for us to part..."

[Destiny]

"None," she said in reply to Roy asking if there were any objections. "But we must set a reasonable date for the meeting that is to come. I think two or three weeks should be reasonable, since crossing the mountains will be hard, even if we take a bypass through one of the passes and go straight to the south." This was her area of expertise, she had studied it extensively and knew what to expect. "In fact, make that three. By the time we return it will be the dead of winter and we're like to get into a whole load of trouble."

"I'm glad for that," she said, when Roy talked about the accuracy. She smiled. "It's a precious thing, such a map. It might come in handy, take care of it." She grinned again when he mentioned the continuing the magic lessons. "You'll see, by the time I'll be back I'll be a master sorcerer...or..umm..sorceress." She laughed. It was not likely at all, but whole lives hinged on hope and at this juncture they would need hope more than anything else.

She stopped, suddenly remembering something. "Guldan, if you're searching, look for a sorcerer named Nathaniel. They say he is a great person to ask about Mortia. Or so I heard many years ago, when this did not truly matter to me. I don't know much about him, and not even if he's alive, but he lives somewhere near the tomb of Mortia. Go carefully to such an evil place, but if you find him I don't doubt he can help."

She smiled as Cyrus and Roy played together once more. Suddenly she was struck by the revelation that she was going to miss the scruffy mutt and the strange wanderer who had suddenly crossed her path and were likely going to change her life. The friends she had made that life were going to be her companions on her ultimate goal - to defeat Mortia and the invaders. And yet she was struck by a strange trepidation - were those truly the goals she would live and die for?

"If Mortia could be resurrected, maybe Raffelia could too. We should look into that once we come back," she told them. "Well, farewell friends. We shall meet again soon. Hopefully, we will then have the tools and knowledge neccessary to meet our adversary and defeat her." She looked at Robin. "Are you ready to leave right now or shall we leave after daybreak?" She felt fresh but he might well be tired, she had napped in the day, something which she doubted any of the others had got an opportunity to do, not even Joerm, who had been hunting.


((So, shall we now make seperate threads? Or skip the three weeks and go on straight to the next meeting with our newly found info???))

[_~DarkBahamutNeo~_]

Guldan was ready to part here and now, but he needed a night's rest, trailing Drea and making sure the dragon couldn't smell him had taken much out of him, he had been doing it for almost the whole day. Nathaniel, he sounds like a good start, but where exactly is this tomb of Mortia? Well for better or worse I'll have to ask them, but mabie Roy's map has the location... Guldan thought to himself.

"Thankyou Drea for the information about Nathaniel," Guldan said with a bow as he stood up and walked over to Roy and his map, "Roy do you happen to have the location to the Tomb of Mortia? Perhaps this map can help, if you would let me, if the location is there, shall i make a copy of the location around the tomb? This way I can find it and be ready when our three weeks are up, this way I may have a little time to read on the subject, if I can find Nathaniel."

(OOC: Ok so i guess i can continue on this thread for Nathaniel and i think at least a few posts should be made to have information, this way when we get to the next meeting, for i really don't know much about Mortia....unless there is a post that i can be linked to about here?)

[Roy Foxheart]

Roy scanned over his map and looked for the position that Guldan had asked him for. “Let me see, the tomb of Mortia... I think it's...” Roy followed the trails of the eastern region and the ones he had followed when the map was made. “Here! In that small little area lies her tomb. It isn't down to a tee, but in that general area. We didn't actually visit the tomb, but master said it was right over the hills.” With a smile Roy patted Guldan on the back. “Have fun fighting the minions that are likely to be crawling around the area!”

Roy left his map of the table he had made and walked over to his equipment and started looking for something. “Oh, I knew I put it here somewhere... Ahh!”he pulled out a small little mechanism that had an arrow in the center on a small column so it could rotate. “My campus... or for better words the campus I took from my master's things when I left to see the world!” He walked back over to the table and held the campus out. Watching its arrow spin and settle in the direction that was north. “That was is north, so I shall head that way come day break! Guldan, you shall go that way” pointing east “and Robin, Joerm, and Drea will go that way. “ He closed the campus and once Guldan was finished with it, rolled the map back up. “I think A good sleep will do me good for traveling so I shall rest now. If I'm needed simply wake me.”

Roy walked back over to his gear and laid his head down on the tasset. “Cyrus, here boy.” Cyrus hopped over and laid his head down on Roy's chest. “Good night company”

((I think we should do separate threads for a little, but when some one wants, just make the thread of the remeeting and pm every one.))

[Fay]

((OOC: Sorry, no actual post to add, but I think that the thread is over now...))

[Destiny]

((Guldan: Info on Mortia and Raffelia and if you want we can create a new thread with me as Nathaniel somewhere around here. Will you create it, or shall I?))