The Pinnacle

[Moongaze]

The events that led up to now did not make any sense. Having been up for a spot on the high council to replace a dying elder, but now I was taken off for no reason. The sudden exile of our previous high shaman stirred no upheaval. He was banished with curses and thunderous applause... Then the hastily death of his brother... Then in the blink of an eye that tyrannous dog is our new high shaman?

"Curse him" I muttered to myself.

I used to be one of the most respected members of the Shadowbind. NOW I am reduced to nothing more than an outcasr outcast. For what purpose?  

"Hadgar is hiding something from us..."   I muttered again. "If it's the last thing I do...  I will see to it he is no more.
Shuffling under the cover of nightfall, I slip away from the village. My objective becomes clearer as I move forward,

"I must find Torian Whisperwind..." I said, "But I can't go alone...  I must find someone who hasn't been corrupted by Duskbringer's foul magic!"

[Bronze]

I let out a loud curse to myself and my lonely shack in the forest grove as I cut my finger on an arrowhead I'd been sharpening on a Whetstone.  Too bad really, this was my last of a hundred arrows I'd just finished fletching.  I had been working on them for the last week, while in my solitude.  The small cut on the index finger of my right hand began to sting slightly as I cleaned it in a bucket of water I collected from the spring earlier that morning.

It made me remember how dangerous it was for me to live miles away from any form of intelligent life. I preferred to live alone though, silence was just something I couldn't live without.  From time to time, however, I would have to visit one of the villages to the north so I could collect simple supplies, like flour, or other things I couldn't make myself.  I would be going on such a venture tomorrow morning, I'd have to leave early if I wanted to get home before dark.  The forest could be a place of unparalleled danger after nightfall...

[Moongaze]

Upon my stumbling through the coldness of the forest, I found an ancient hollowed oak to stay the in for the night.  The shelter it offered from the brutal winds were well suited.  The sunrise had just barely broke the over growth of the forest.  A Pale mist had been strewn among the forest floor.  The small creatures scurried out of their dens to begin their daily rituals, carefully as to not attract the attention of predators.

Above, a lone hawk was circling.  It had spotted a mouse.  Within the blink of and eye the mouse was in the firm death grip of the hawks sharp talons.

"Unfortunate..."  I muttered.

As I gazed out into the bleak woods I contemplated where I should search next.

[Cyan]

I had walked onto a trap, that hurt badly. He had tried to hurt me, and ended up drowning in the air he breathed. Then why was I so ashamed? Just because Mum said not to do that with my power, perhaps. One second it was oxygen, the next it was hydrogen. "It with self defense!" I thought aloud quite loudly. I sighed, scraping an arrow on a rock and igniting it, staring at the flame and muttering. "What has Wraak done now?" I mimiced, cursing the name's translation.

[Bronze]

I awoke early the next morning, right as the sun rose into the dark sky.  I hoisted my pack onto my shoulders and made sure my bow and staff were secure, along with my quiver.  If I was lucky I could be back by tonight in time for me to cook a warm dinner with some nice soft fresh bread.  I stepped out my front door only to be greeted by the morning rays of sun.  My arrows rattled with every movement I made.  Looking through the forest canopy I could tell by the absence of clouds in the sky that it was going to be very hot today. 

I'd have to take it slow and make sure I don't over heat.  If I passed out on the plain, I'd never be seen alive again...  But I still had a while under the shady trees before I had to face the blistering sun.  With an emotionless face I started my long walk...

[Cyan]

I sat down with my back to the wall. I yawned tiredly, but shook myself back to alert. The fire had long gone out, and I had my bow drawn out, sharp oak arrow pointed and ready to be fired. The string hadn't been pulled yet, so I'd have at least a second to look before firing. My stomach growled in hunger; my throat dry and pettily begging for water. My slender figure was able to last a time without food and water, but not forever. My leg was bleeding upon its bandages from the last attack yet I sat still.

[Moongaze]

The sun broken through the leaves of the forest.  Walking at a steady pace I couldn't help but sense an unknown presence.  As I approached a large tree I stood underneath it, hand on the hilt of my longsword...  I stood ready to draw it at a moments notice.  The sword is like a second part of me...  An extension of my arm that is as natural as if I had been born with it attached...

In anticipation sweat began to break on my brow, still standing ready for everything.

[Bronze]

I hadn't been walking long when I spotted something out of place.  Straight in front of me stood a red fox peering around a large tree.  He was facing away from me and seemed to be very tense.  I could think of only two reasons why he would be in such a state:  Someone or something was after him... Or he was simply just lost.  Either way he looked to be a dangerous person so I removed my bladed staff from my pack and opened it. 

I approached him from behind, walking casually.  When I was a few paces a way I greeted him,

"Hello,"

[Moongaze]

Startled yet remaining collected (my father had taught me well in tight scenarios) I glanced at the figure that was foolish enough to approach an armed person on the defense...  I took my hand off my blade and forged a smile and lowered the hood of my cloak.  Turning my head slightly I see he is armed,

"It would be very wise to lower your weapons to the ground..."  I said.  "Before you can blink you'll be staring into the darkness lying on the ground saturated in your own blood.  I'm curious..." I said looking at the gleam of my blade,  "Tell me why you so foolishly chose to approach me.  Having said that, I will give you a moment of grace..."  

I looked up to the trees above and watched a few leaves spiral to the forest floor.  Now facing this armed foe I said,

"You have two choices: One, stand down and carry about your business and we'll both forget all about this encounter.  Two, stand your ground and leave me no choice but to strike you down where you stand...  The choice is yours.  You don't have long...  Choose quickly or I will.  *firmly grips my longsword again*

[Cyan]

I listened carefully as I heard the two bickering in the forest in front of me, just behind the bushes. I stood back up, lighting the arrow in a mere second as I walked into the forest and pointed it to the red fox, who looked to be offensive. "You forgot the third, forth, and fifth options; three, we can all put our weapons down and be civilized, four, one of you can kill me and this flame can set the whole forest ablaze with us all," I said calmly, my small figure weary. "Or I could drown you both."

[Ho'ne Diheart]

THADUMP Am I dead? THADUMP No, my heart is still beaten THADUMP What is going on, why am I in pain? Images of a dog attacking him Thats right, I was attacked by a dog. THADUMP THADUMP The thought of it made his heart race. I need to calm down and get up Rook slowly moving every part of his body making sure it is still intact. good I still have everything Rook slowly got up, each time he moved he would feel a sharp pain. After awhile Rook finally got up. He noticed a couple of things. His pain was no longer there, and his wounds from the dog seemed to be gone. Rook also noticed he isn't were he suppose to be Where am I? It doesn't matter where you are. You are serving me. Rook heard a voice behind him. It was Hadgar DuskbringeI serve no one Rook replied and walked away Mmm? Really? Just by raising his hand, Rook felt a something wrapped around his throat, slowly squeezing it. Gasping for air he manage to yelled out STOP!!! PLEASE STOP continued to gasp for air. Hadgar chuckled as he released the spell Rook was in. As Rook took air in Hadgar throw some weapons at his knees. You are now my dog and you shall do my bidding. I want you to find and kill Torian

[Bronze]

"I make a point to contact the first intelligent life I see in months.  I'm sorry if that doesn't go with your grain very well."  I heard the ruffling of a bushes leaves and before I could react, yet another fox stood there with a bow drawn and on the red fox.  After a short while he spoke.

"You forgot the third, forth, and fifth options; three, we can all put our weapons down and be civilized, four, one of you can kill me and this flame can set the whole forest ablaze with us all," I said calmly, my small figure weary. "Or I could drown you both."

"I mean no offence to either of you." Collapsing my staff again and putting it on my back, I became a neutral member of this conflict.  But should things go south, I've still got my fire.              "As for you," I pointed at the tan coloured intruder."Killing both of us will do you no good.  I've put my weapon away, you do the same or I'll change my mind about being civil."

[Moongaze]

"Very well.  It seems under the circumstances we have an accord..."  *releases the prepared grip on my sword*

"However, at this moment both of you have not the slightest idea how much peril you've put us in.  Conflict upon strangers who've merely stumbled upon my by chance is not my intent."

I looked about our surroundings, then looked back at the fox who had surprised me, "I'm going to explain something to you very carefully...  I do not have much time so listen closely!"

I glanced at the other sudden addition to this event, "Listen closely as well.  ...There is a pillor that I carry.  None of you can even begin to comprehend the rage that flows in my blood for what's happened...  I've taken it upon myself to put an end to all the treachery.  However, like I said...  This... quarrel of sorts put me behind and now my mission is in peril, as are both of you.  I have my reasons for being cautious.  Perhaps it's paranoia, but I cannot afford to let my guard down.  That's why I was so prepared to fight."

The wind blows calmly as leaves skitter about on the ground.

"I will offer you both an opportunity.  You can choose to go either way...  It is up to you.  I am on a suicide mission...  If I fail no one can stop the Shadowbind from blindly following a tyrannous dog who's following a dark path that will destroy possibly everyone and everything that calls this forest home.  You can join me and put an end to this...  Or you can walk away and we go our separate ways.  Take heed to this warning, I cannot guarantee your safety on your travels, nor can I guarantee my success should you part ways with me."

[Cyan]

I had disarrowed the bow, focusing on it for a moment as the flame when out and I looked to the fox. I fumbled with my leg's bandages and winced slightly. I listened to words and thought carefully. I don't even know him... But it'd be better than my lonesome... I thought. I looked to him again; looking away in thought, then back again, and looking away. After he finished, I spoke up with my natural, soft voice. "If I am in danger, I'd rather have a reason. I choose your suicide mission."

[Bronze]

"You're going to have to give me more reason than that Bucko.  Do you really expect me to believe what you say after a first encounter where you threaten me like a pup AND we came this close to killing each other?"  I pinched my thumb and index finger for emphasis.      "I love this forest as much as anyone.  It's my home.  But I'm not going to start fighting the Shadowbind without a better explanation." I saw a chipmunk out of the corner of my eye, sitting on a mossy log.  Digging into my pockets I found some small seeds, and tossed them to the little critter.  I didn't feel good about this... Not one little bit, and I had the sensation that I was about to embark on a suicide mission against my will.          "I'm sorry, but that is the way it is."