As you look at the parchment only the corner is still visable, the rest drench in blood. It is a map, crude, but a map none the less. Marked on the map is a portion of Wistvale. Not far form Wistvale what seems to be a forest expanse a square with an exclamation point inside.
"What have you got there boys?"
Came a familiar, almost sing song voice as the female elf from before approached.
Alec [M:118:6:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=412&page=1#1242]"I see," said the blind man to the deaf lady.[0:Wandering the stacks.][1:Present and accounted for.]
Having leaned over Simeon to look at the scrap of parchment, Alec half turns, then straightens and looks at the elf woman. "Ah, miss....elf-lady.....I don't think I ever caught your name? I'm Alec. Anyway, it appears to be a map. Drenched in blood, and unreadable for the most part, but a map all the same."
Come in under the shadow of this red rock, and I will show you something different from either your shadow at morning, striding behind you, or your shadow at evening, rising to meet you. I shall show you fear in a handful of dust.
" You did not "catch" my name because I never gave it. I guess I will tell you since you humans are so into the importance of knowing one's name. I am Valithra Shadowsong, Arch Druid of the Shadow Talon Druids. My brother, who he stated his name, is the Commander of the Shadow Stalkers, an elite group of Rangers in our home. Let me see that."
She takes the map from Simeon, examining it. She traces her finger over the map a few times sizing things with her index and thumb.
" This mark here he placed is near the tomb, they knew what they were after, this was not some random excursion. This is bad news. If they knew what they were after, and knew the side effects of their meddling, then this incident was pre-meditated and a higher power is involved."
She gave Simeon the map back, and placed her fingers on her chin thinking.
Back by the woods, Rue took Grayell's hand and shook. He seemed kind enough, and (most of) her nervousess washed away. She smiled smugly at him and raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, don't you worry about me. I'm plenty capable with this bow. Besides, it's just some undead in the woods," she said with a grin.
After the elven woman walked away, she heard Grayell mutter some profanity at her under his breath.
"Do I sense a little distrust here? What reason have you not to believe her story?"
Simeon didn't trust this woman. Perhaps he still had lingering loyalties to the man whose life he tried to save. "Tell me, please Valithra, what item did these men steal from you? What is its significance?" He asked sincerely and politely.
A rustling came from the tree line next to Rue and Grayell. A moment later a rather dirty, and bloodied Worgen stomped through. Perched on his shoulder's was a decently sized buck gutted and nearly flayed. It was dreadfully apparent that even though in normal life setting for humans, the Worgen still fell back to his primal tribe routine. He walked by the two nodding his head.
" Greetings"
He said simply, still walking into town. He did not wait for a reply just kept strolling.
She eyed the monk carefully. She debated as to disclose the full story, suspicious if they may turn and use what had been unsealed to their advantage. She shook her head.
" I wish to tell you, but due to my lack of trust in you, which may also make me suspect to being suspicious, I can not reveal all the details. The undead this man spoke of is a by-product of what they un-sealed. If it is not taken care of in due time I fear for what may unfold."
She turned and headed out of the tavern, turning her head once again to relay a last message.
"As a final note about myself and my brother. My warning was genuine earlier of crossing him. Monk, I leave it to you to keep things peaceful if you make an enemy of my brother I pray for your lives when darkness reaches the forest, for the Night will be your most feared enemy."
With that she left the tavern in a sprint.
Alec [M:118:6:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=412&page=1#1242]"I see," said the blind man to the deaf lady.[0:Wandering the stacks.][1:Present and accounted for.]
Alec, watching Valithra leave rather intently, cocks his head at her last warning. "The night.....an enemy?" He looks at the monk and raises an eyebrow. "Have got the slightest what that might mean?"
Come in under the shadow of this red rock, and I will show you something different from either your shadow at morning, striding behind you, or your shadow at evening, rising to meet you. I shall show you fear in a handful of dust.
Simeon nodded a few times then spoke, "Yes. I have an idea. She said she was a chief druid and that her brother was a 'shadow stalker' and a ranger. From the sound of those titles I'd say they are both very dangerous and very skilled assassins. Chances are, they can conceal themselves in the shadows and attack unseen. These elves could be hiding anywhere. I'm sorry, all this time I never got your name." He reached out his hand and added, "My name is Simeon. As Valithra said, trust is an issue in this situation. I trust that your intents are pure."
Alec [M:118:6:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=412&page=1#1242]"I see," said the blind man to the deaf lady.[0:Wandering the stacks.][1:Present and accounted for.]
Alec stares at the monk for a moment, then shakes his head. "That is......just fantastic. I mean really. Ah, and I'm Alecsander. Alec to my friends." He looks to the door, then back at Simeon. "Shall we head back to....well, I don't know their names. But the others?"
Come in under the shadow of this red rock, and I will show you something different from either your shadow at morning, striding behind you, or your shadow at evening, rising to meet you. I shall show you fear in a handful of dust.
Simeon cleared his throat, "Yes. You're right. And well met. By the way, the other woman's name, I believe, is Roo. I hope I remember correctly. And the larger man who we followed over there--he told me his name..." Simeon paused to think a moment, "Grell. I believe that was it."
Then, as they walked out the tavern door, Simeon handed the map to Alec, "You never got a good look at the map. Here."
Was_Abi
Formerly Simeon, Makaio, Matta Swifoot V, Matthew
Alec [M:118:6:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=412&page=1#1242]"I see," said the blind man to the deaf lady.[0:Wandering the stacks.][1:Present and accounted for.]
Taking the map, Alec studies it walking quickly through Wistvale. "An exclamation point?" He sighs, and scrubs under his chin. "Cartographers these men were not. Otherwise....I'm not familiar enough with the town to tell, but is that part of it? And some woods..." He grumbles for a moment, turning the scrap of parchment in his hands. "It seems to be a regular piece of paper."
Come in under the shadow of this red rock, and I will show you something different from either your shadow at morning, striding behind you, or your shadow at evening, rising to meet you. I shall show you fear in a handful of dust.
Nothing more important was to be gleaned from the map, after all it was just a crudely drawn map with symbols representing trees, roads, streams, and a small portion of Wistvale.
"I'd assume that exclamation point would be the best place to start looking. Can you tell what direction that it from the city entrance?" By now, they were probably getting pretty close to "Grell," "Roo" and the others.
Grayell stretches again, standing about was tiresome and made him anxious. He studied Rue down and then up and nodded as though approving something unsaid.
Elves are generally agreeable enough on their own terms. I have spent many years on the land and whilst they claim it belongs to no one, they do a deft job of being territorial. That aside, if I couldn't get along with the most of them my life would prove much harder.
But an elf that storms into my new home town and decides to boss me about is an asshole. I don't care where they are from and how ooga booga scary they think they are, they can shove their riddles and arrogance.
Oh... and their threats. Yeah. Not worried.
Grayell winked with an earned self assurance. Fearing any man was a blight in battle. But with so many battles under his belt, Grayell was comfortable holding his own.