As the odd pair made their way up the hill the figures grouped there began to take on better form and detail was able to be seen.
They were tall and thin, wrapped in old robes that were so faded as to be unable to tell what color they had begun life as. The figures stood stooped over, their weight being supported by tall staves of simple wood. As the two got closer they could see that beneath the hoods, the figures faces were wrapped in cloth so that only a single eye shown out in a brilliant blue color. The tiny bit of flesh seen around the edges was grey and wrinkled with age.
There were about 15 of them by the time they reached the top of the hill. They were not gather in any particular formation other than to say that all of them faced the town. They made no move or sound to acknowledge the presence of Aegil and Tauer as they arrived.
Silent as a shadow on padded feet...
Tauer [M:150:160:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=540&page=1#18960][b]While the Light's away, the Shadows will play.[/b]
The demon introduced himself by first name only. There was no need to give last names and titles to someone who was evidently resistant and distrusting.
Upon ascending the hill Tauer found what he saw both eerie and disturbing. What were these thing with cloth-covered faces? Who or whatever they were, he knew that they clearly shared the same lack of personal hygiene and clean clothing as Aegil. But he wouldn't say that out loud.
Then Tauer got the unsettling feeling as if he had just walked into a trap. Could this group and Aegil be connected? If so, he could hardly back out now. He'd have to play along.
"Why are they just standing there? I think we should ask them."
Aegil [M:53:440:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?board=cs&action=display&thread=853]Everything Casts A Shadow...[0:In a rare occurance I am unavailable][1:As usual I am available]
The corner of Aegils lip twisted up in amusement. Cowerd, chuckled the shadow and for once she didnt chide it on its lack of manners. None the less with hesitance she began to climb the hill, ignoring the foreboding sensation that crawled through her skin as she limped along. Her eyes studied the figures, wondering why they bore such an unsettling resemblance to herself.
Revenge is a knife you point to your own heart It's a poisoned dish you wind up eating yourself...
The figures still did nothing to acknowledge the presence of Tauer and Aegil. And had they counted wrong before? Because it seemed as though the number had grown once more right before their eyes. No movement had been seen, no flash of light or other impression of magic. The additional hooded figures were simply there, when they had not been moments before...
Silent as a shadow on padded feet...
Aegil [M:53:440:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?board=cs&action=display&thread=853]Everything Casts A Shadow...[0:In a rare occurance I am unavailable][1:As usual I am available]
Aegil hesitated briefly. More of them? She was certain she had counted less before.. "Great..." she muttered. My eyes are playing tricks on me. She glanced sidelong at Tauer to see if he had noticed the number increase as the drew closer to the figures.
Revenge is a knife you point to your own heart It's a poisoned dish you wind up eating yourself...
Tauer [M:150:160:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=540&page=1#18960][b]While the Light's away, the Shadows will play.[/b]
With barely a glance to the side to acknowledge Tauer's presence, the figure he approached answers in a rough, gravely voice clearly unused to speaking...
"We have come to watch, and bear witness..."
Silent as a shadow on padded feet...
Tauer [M:150:160:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=540&page=1#18960][b]While the Light's away, the Shadows will play.[/b]
Tauer was half expecting continued silence so the response came as quite a surprise. It didn't help that the words were ominously spoken.
"Witness what, exactly?"
Aegil [M:53:440:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?board=cs&action=display&thread=853]Everything Casts A Shadow...[0:In a rare occurance I am unavailable][1:As usual I am available]
Aegil stayed back a few steps, untrusting of the strange situation. 'Spectre,' she silently addressed the creature that lived in her shadow. 'Do you know anything of these... men?' she used the term loosely. Generally the spectre offered her little assistance, but in rare good moods if he knew he shared. She only hoped he was in one of those rare moods right now. Perhapes if she had a piece of smoked bass... the spectre had shown a strange addiction to the fish prepared this way, and she sometimes offered it as a treat in exchange for special deeds. Unfortunantly she had none on her today so she could only hope for the best.
Revenge is a knife you point to your own heart It's a poisoned dish you wind up eating yourself...
"To witness Her coming... Daughter of Life. Daughter of Death. Bringer of Change."
::Aegil's shadow stirred and whispered two simple words in her head with more than a bit of distaste.
Astronoth's Keepers...
It did not seem to like these things, whatever they were...::
Silent as a shadow on padded feet...
Aegil [M:53:440:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?board=cs&action=display&thread=853]Everything Casts A Shadow...[0:In a rare occurance I am unavailable][1:As usual I am available]
The name meant little to her, but the restlessness she felt of the spectre and its distaste was enough to further her unease. With a thin expression she pulled on Tauers sleeve and stepped back to whisper in his ear as soft as possible. "does the name Astronoth mean anything to you?" She figured she might as well utalize her companion.
Revenge is a knife you point to your own heart It's a poisoned dish you wind up eating yourself...
Tauer [M:150:160:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=540&page=1#18960][b]While the Light's away, the Shadows will play.[/b]
Daughter of Life and Death? Bringer of Change? Sounded epic...and rather menacing.
The tugging on his sleeve came as yet another surprise. He shook his head in response to Aegil's question. Astronoth was not a name Tauer had heard before, but it sounded rather grand. A name fit for the Bringer of Change.
"Why is She coming here? What change is She bringing?"
"This is but a stop on the path she must follow. A Waystation. But it is pivitol to the outcome, for those that follow may affect the choices she makes. For she will change the world."
Silent as a shadow on padded feet...
Aegil [M:53:440:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?board=cs&action=display&thread=853]Everything Casts A Shadow...[0:In a rare occurance I am unavailable][1:As usual I am available]
Aegil scratched her head. Now this was becomming ridiculous. Obviously these men were on their way to the nearest crazy convention. Shaking her head she muttered something and turned her gaze to try and figure out what precisly they were staring at.
Revenge is a knife you point to your own heart It's a poisoned dish you wind up eating yourself...
Tauer [M:150:160:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=540&page=1#18960][b]While the Light's away, the Shadows will play.[/b]
Change the world? Was She some kind of god? It was hard to think of a being so powerful. Tauer had never heard of any single entity possessing such sway over the world. The whole notion of a world-changer left the prince bewildered.
What was he meant to do? What COULD he do? Against such superior might he wouldn't stand a chance in a combat situation - not that Tauer would even let things get that far. Retreating was always the smart option. The demon suddenly felt out of his depth.