Welcome to Gaia! ::

Grom ran with the winds of fate along the plains in the Ulaith Lands, his Ulaith shaking slightly against his belt. He ran silently and swiftly.
Thoughts of Jihi ran through his mind as he ran. Not only did she exhibit fear of him, she did not run as he had expected...he came to respect that.
The impotent human with the greatsword, however, made him hunger for blood...such insolence for no reason only angered him greatly.

jace sat in the branches of a tree with bane "what could grom want with jihi?" were his intentions good bad or just for himself? jace could feel the wind change around him. jace new beings could influence the winds subconciously and began to look around.

Grom's senses tingled with bloodlust as he felt the winds carrying breezes of distrust, and he knew quickly that it had to be the Impotent one.
He dashed into a copse of treese and bushes, his natural green skin and bark brown pants making him fit into the surroundings, as if he were a part of the forest itself.
He stood, and waited. Waited patiently for the Impotent one to reveal himself.

jace could feel groms will for himself to be revealed such was groms anger at him but then he thought of bane "if he wants to meet so bad i say we see him" jace scooped up bane and fell to the forest floor releasing bane "i have come grom to answer any questions... or challenges if that be your wish"

Grom only looked at the Impotent one with angry eyes. Was he mocking him? He only hoped so. "you answer my questions...willingly? Despite your fits of insolence only days before?"
"You seek redemption...fine. Answer me this then. Why, little human, did you threaten me days ago? I did nothing to slight you or anyone you know."
He merely waited now, not revealing himself. He had no reason to - it seemed to him that his presence was already acknowledged.

"redemption? no. answers? yes. but i have learned that first your questions must be answered"jace thought and knew this may anger grom but it was the truth and should be said wether or not he wanted to hear it. "they were not threats they were warnings... mostly, and atempts to let you know i was not intimidated" jace thought for a moment and added "i beleive we are both guilty of this"

Grom scoffed. It sounded like the human was mocking him. "Warning, to one with peaceful intentions? It seems to me, human, that you based your judgement on my dimeanor. I knew you were not intimidated. I did not try."
"I am guilty of nothing, except for having the curse of being the lone survivor of my clan. Nothing more."

"one cannot know anothers intentions grom" jace looked around for no apparent reason "itsa lonely isnt it?" jace thought back to the time before he found bane how lonely it was... jace grabbed his head banishing his memories

Grom scoffed once more, crossing his arms. "Of course they are...you must merely know how to interpret them. Even you can learn..." he said.
Grom looked at the Impotent one inquisitively. "Not for one such as me...the winds are my only solace."

jace frowned a bit realizing grom thought in no way as jace himself did"now i have my own questions. are you willing to answer?" jace still could not locate grom

Grom turned his head away, his dark red eyes closed. "That depends on the questions and you. Ask them, and I might consider answering them."

"what is your interest in jihi? and why do you travel alone" jace knew he was asking a very personal question and didnt expect it to be answered but he had to ask

Grom grinned widely, showing off his jagged white teeth. "Jihi exhibits kindness and obvious intelligence. That's all. And I travel alone, because I am alone." he said, with finality in his tone.

Sitting upon a mossy boulder, Moto quietly stared into the pages of a small black leather-bound book. The enticing story of the distressed protagonist kept Moto on the edge of her rocky seat causing her Ulaith to keep a close watch upon her. Meztli whined attempting to nudge his Chosen up back closer to her seat. Moto stayed stagnant however, much to Meztli's dismay. He turned to look at his companion, Ilmari for help.
Ilmari looked up and shook her furry head.
Moto, please move closer towards the center. You're going to fall over.
Moto looked up from her book to her side and saw Meztli looking a bit disgruntled. "Hehe, sorry Meztli." She patted his snout and scooted over on the rock, but as she did she heard a feisty arguement insuing someways off.

"that she does. and you choose to be alone... no you dont not anymore... thats your interest in jihi isnt it?" jace then realized grom wanted a travel companion " you want her to be your freind?"

Grom opened his eyes, his usually dim dark red eyes now glowed with red energies. "I choose what I do because of options - I have none."
"I had a brother whom I used to travel with, but the raids against us got him...I seek no allies, and I need none. Not right now." he said, growing increasingly angry. The human was too prying.

"you lie grom, if you needed no one you would have ended me" jace had no idea if he was right but he had to leave now and so ran (i gtg)

Moto, should we leave? Ilmari sounded alarmed as she shot a glance towards the undergrowth behind them.
Moto held a finger to her lips, shaking her head no and motioned for everyone to lay low. She meticulously made her way from her stoney perch beside Ilmari who soon cradled Meztli inbetween her forelegs. The small Ulaith shivered in fear as the two clashing voices cresended higher.
((Bah.))
Grom growled deeply. "You question my honor? The Hellscream do not lie, human. You are far below me now. You aren't even worth killing now!" he roared as the impotent one ran.
"Run, coward, never show your face to me again - lest it be your life!" he roared once more. His dark red eyes glowed red still, in anger.

jace had been walking through the forest when he came up on jihi talking to a stranger and quickly hid last he saw of her she was very angry with him and jace wasnt about to reveal himself unless he knew she would not be angry with him
"wheres bane?" jace quickly looked around and saw bane running towards raeli and had the chance to think s**t! just before bane chirped loudly

Omrin let out a defensive growl as he tackled Bane to the ground, standing over him with his fangs gleaming in his mouth. Clearly, he wasn't happy to see the small dark red Ulaith at all. It meant that his Chosen had to be around somewhere, and Omrin wasn't fond of him.

"Bane, what are you doing here?" Jihi called out, her head tilting to the side in curiousity.

Niluu, at the sight of Bane, blinked quizzically before getting in front of Raeli in order to protect her just in case.

"Jace is here, isn't he?"

"guilty" jace yelled "omrin get off bane your anger is towards me direct it accordingly" jace looked what apolegetically at jihi " im somewhat like a bad penny i suppose"
bane looked up at omrin half playful and half scared

Neirin had found Ilmari nestled in a small patch of bushes some ways off.

"Where were you Ilmari?" questioned the boy worriedly.

"I was taking a nap Neirin, pardon me" said the Ta'ael somewhat discordantly. She didn't enjoy being awakened from her nap, especially since it was one of the few times she could get and rest from her boisterous little friends.

"Will you please accompany me back to the lake, Ilmari? There's a girl there with someone of your kind. I think you'd enjoy speaking with them."

Ilmari's ears perked up and she quickly stood to her feet walking ahead of Neirin. Neirin chuckled and followed along.

"You're lucky I'm a nice person," Jihi muttered, her eyes narrowing, "otherwise I'd have Omrin rip you to shreds." The eyes of Raeli's companion widened at the thought Jihi had suggested. It wouldn't be a pretty sight; it wouldn't be a pretty sight at all.

"The elder Ulaith says to watch your back," the Ta'ael translated, "he also says that he wants you to stay away from his Chosen again"

Jihi frowned, turning to Omrin. "I know you mean well, Omrin, but don't be so wreckless. He is right, though, I would like my space."

Neirin walked into what could be called a...tumultous predicament? He saw Jihi looking quite flustered and some new character who was apperantly the center of her and her Ulaith's anger. He walked to her side casually putting an arm about her shoulder.

"What's going on love? Is someone bothering you?" Neirin directed his cornflower blue eyes at the other male.

"Who are you and why are you bothering her?"


"beleive me i did not come with the intent of finding you" jace looked towards omrin "and hello to you sunshine" jace was so nervous around here he could hardly breathe why was it so easy confronting grom but so hard to talk to jihi? "i doubt either of us care to be near each other right now but we should do something about it we end up at the same places for some odd reason"

looking at the stranger he said "my name is jace and i promise you i dont want to be here"


"With those words said my friend, why don't you leave then?" Neirin said realeasing Jihi and striding over to the young man.

He paused just before he was directly facing the one called "Jace". His eyes narrowed, looking nothing but angered.

"I don't think she wants you here, so maybe it would do you well to go."

Jihi nodded weakly, her eyes welling up with tears as if they were about to burst. "He....he's...bothering me..." she managed to get out between sobs. Small droplets of water were now streaming from her eyes, her arms wrapping around Neirin protectively. "Make him go away."

Omrin's head turned at the sight of his crying Chosen, and he decided it would be better to be by her side than threatening Jace. Raeli, behind Niluu, chirped softly in an attempt to stop her tears. Niluu sighed, turning to Jace.

"Now look what you've done. You should be ashamed of yourself."

"I will" jace said firmly to the stranger

"bane, lets go. and niluu, im not i tried to leave but bane came and was greated by an attack omrin is the one who should be ashamed for attacking a baby when he just as easily could have found me! and next time he does it... lets just say hell be better off running face first into a wall" that being said jace picked up bane and started walking away

Kellen sat next to a pond with his feet dangling in the water, his bonded sat on each side of him. "This is the life."

Axel squealed in agreement.

Aviante nodded and said, "Kel!"

Neirin watched as the stranger left waiting before he was far enough that he could quit his little sharade (sp?) with Jihi.

"Hope he doesn't bother you again" he said plucking Jihi's arms off of him. He shook her hand and began to walk away.

"Oh!" he turned around slightly, "My name is Neirin."

Turning away again he returned to his Ulaiths and Ta'ael and sat back down under his tree.


The teenager blinked, her gaze moving from Omrin, to Raeli, to Niluu and then finally to Neirin. She smiled lightly and then shrugged, giving him a light wave.

"Nice to meet you," she called out, "I'm Jihi."

Kellen turned around and saw the two greeting each other, he waved, "Ello!'

Axel turned around and jumped when he saw the other Ulaith.

Aviante glanced back and grinned.

At the sound of Kellen, Jihi and her family all turned their heads and blinked at them for a moment. Omrin just stared silently while Raeli growled in response. Niluu kept quiet.

"Hello," Jihi said happily, her hand extending out to Kellen. "Nice to meet you."

---

[ OOC: Coming up with my tribe's info is a long process. -.-; ]

jace was smarter than the average bear so as soon as he dropped out of sight range he sat down and began to write a note

Dear jihi,

im no fool i know that the stranger was fakeing and i know your reading this and i meant what i said about omrin attacking bane but something i forgot to tell you... i fought the sairys side in the war but i refused to fight when i got bane i would fight the whole war by myself for him dont cross me by threatening him!

jace placed the note on a tree using one of his daggers and screamed as though he were being attacked and scaled a tree with bane


"That's nice" Neirin said distractedly as he fished out a book from his robes. He directed a small wave at the other who had called out to him and quickly returned his attention to the book.

His two Ulaiths scurried to his feet as they were chased by Ilmari.

"Come back here you two!" she cried attempting to pounce on their tails.

The two Ulaiths chirped with delight and wiggled their way out Ilmari's paws, running onto Neirin.

jace had heard groms last statement and was debating wether or not to reveal himself bane looked at jace happily and jace thought well kihi isnt there so... "yes, that can be very uncomfortable" jace said not bothering to reveal himself if grom wanted to see him he would search him out

"Beast master? Sounds violent" she said with a shudder. Moto whistled, calling out her Ulaiths who were hanging out somewhere in the area. They came out running followed by their other guardian, the Ta'ael, Ilmari, looking happy and a little pudgy.

"Did you guys get something to eat without me?" she whined, drooping her shoulders.

Ilmari and the Ulaiths shrugged, and looked at her wondering why she called them.

"Oh yes, we're taking a trip back home! And we're brining Mr. Grom with us!"

The Ulaiths crooned happily and Ilmari smiled. A trip back home sounded really nice.

Grom smiled and put his great axe on his back strap of his leather weapon bandolier, and then crossed his arms as he heard the impotent human's voice. "Perhaps if I use your corpse as a pillow it might be more comfortable..." he said with a growl. "We can depart now, Jihi, if you wish. I have all of my supplies."

"perhaps it would but youll never find out" jace couldnt help mesiing with grom but it was clear groms mind was made up about him so he figured he might as well

Ignoring Jace, Moto saluted Mr. Grom as a troop does to its general and took to goosestepping towards her home. The Ulaiths and Ta'ael followed behind their Bonded attempting to walk in a similar manner.

"Off we go towards home! Come on Mr. Grom!" she called waving a gloved hand over her head.

Grom saluted Moto in the same manner, only he did it from experience. he began to walk behind Moto with an energetic demeanor. He it had been some time since he had been near anyone other than those he met out in nature. He stopped for a moment and looked at the direction he heard Jace's voice. "All is forgiven, impotant one. Just don't push your luck next time." he said before continuing his stride with Moto.

"generous of you. and i wont push it if you dont" jace started walking back to the pond which had been so eventful

"Mr. Grom doesn't start anything, you're the one who provokes him." she mumbled as she continued walking. "Oh well, we won't see him back home! So it's not that bad of an outcome." The Ulaiths and Ta'ael nodded in agreement. They continued walking along, (Moto got tired of goosestepping) out to the village where the quirky messenger girl came from.

Grom merely grunted in approval to Jace and he continued to take his stride next to Moto, his arms crossed as he walked next to her. "So, tell me of your family...what are they all like? Do you have brothers and sisters? You know, the details."

"I'm alone Mr. Grom. My parents couldn't have children. They're old enough to be considered my grandparents" Moto said with a giggle. "Although, I do have several cousins in the village whom I consider siblings. There's also my best friend who said I was his wife since the day we became best friends. We were only children back then, but he's still is true to his word."

Grom put his head down, as if shameful to ask that question. "Forgive me. My parents were tortured to death by elves. But I won't go into detail. Let us just travel in peace then, until we arrive at our destination."

jace followed moto and grom not bothering to be qiuet grom wouldnt attack and nor would moto and he had nothing better to do so he followed

Grom looked behind him and raised his right hand. he made motions for Jace to come forward, so that he could speak to him as they travelled.
"Come closer, human. I wish to speak with you."


jace saw no reason to deny grom his request so he came closer to come up beside him looking forward so as not to trip "yes grom?"

Grom looked down at the little human and his eyes, which were glowing, dimmed to the dull dark red. "Tell me of yourself, human...so I can remove the basis for hating you as I did. I wish to start anew, instead of letting foolish pride take my senses."

"its a long story kinda like yours but not. when i was born my mother died and when i was 5 my father took his own life and ive been alone since and thats when i got bane i then became over protective which is why i was so... impotent as you put it."jace looked down "it may have made me stronger though" bane who was on jaces shoulder looked down to see what jace was looking at.

"and pside is not always foolish"

Grom looked down at his 'Bane' and smiled. Then he looked at Rashkae, who sat at his hip, and smiled more. "I can understand...My parents were tortured to death by elves when I was but a young orcling. I understand. What is your name, so that I may stop calling you Impotent?"


"oh yes" jace said smiling "i still havent been properly introduced"jace looked at groms rashkae happy bane would get to have a new freind "im jace"

Grom held his large, green hand out to Jace. "And you know me already." he said, grinning. His grin showed two rows of white, jagged teeth.

jace smiled a bit "you need to learn human customs right?" jace brought his hand back a bit "this is a high five" as jace said it he slapped groms hand "or something like that" jace smiled a bit more

Grom let Jace slap his hand, and he slapped Jace's hand back slowly..."Human ways are so...confusing." he commented, slightly confused about why humans would slap each others hands...


"we just have a flair for individuality unlike those of other races i suppose."jace laughed

Grom looked at Jace with a quizzical brow. "Us orcs have our ways as well, just like humans. In greeting we raise our arms and roar, in farewell we slap our friend's back. And so forth."

"hmm sometimes humans slap each others backs but its hard to explain kinda when were laughing i suppose" jace thought for a moment handing bane a bit of dried meat as hed been whining for food "how did you come to be here? in the forest i mean?"

Grom looked at the southern mountain ranges briefly, and then looked at Jace. "I simply ran...I knew the mountains would hide me after a time. But I became lost, and I ended up over here...I know not how to return. I don't wish to anyway. Far too many memories now long lost...forever in the winds."

"yes" jace said "perhaps their better lost and left alone. but we should plan a course of action i overheard that sairys is back"

Grom growled at the mention of Sairys. "That monster...the one who is starting the war I so look forward to?" he said, his eyes beginning to glow.

jace saw the signs and knew the demon and knew he had to warn grom "war is not something you should ever look forward to and bloodlust is a curse in all but protection"jace kept walking but turned his head to face forward

Grom felt his hands tighten into fists, the muscles on his arms and legs corded. "War is the only thing I have...the lust of battle, the thrill of survival." he said, his eyes shifting as if in anticipation. "You have no idea how wonderful it feels to slaughter hundreds of enemies and stand above their corpses in triumph."
He said this as if it were an addictive drug. "Once you taste this astounding victory, it is like an unquenchable thirst, an endless exhileration..it's enough to make you feel like a god. Perhaps one day, in battle, you and I can fight back to back...then you will know the exhileration I feel in battle."

"grom i know it already. and you do have something other than war"jace looked grom sqaurely in the eye "triumph is an excellent feeling but it should be controlled. i understand yours is a warlike race. but you are the last of your clan for your clan name to live so must you"

Grom huffed loudly for a moment or two as he tried to calm himself, and after a few more moments it worked. "So you know the taste of blood...and i have only lived as I do, and I have yet to die. I don't intend on dying any time soon, and I don't intend on dying on the battlefield. I will die as an old war general who only died of old age...that's how I intend to go."

"intentions can go wrong grom. i only meant to say that you shouldnt rush into a war unless you beleive in what your fighting for"jace turned his head back to facing forward and said "i know the taste of blood yes. and the smell and the sound of it being spilt. it tastes bitter to me smells foul and is a terrible sound." jace shivered "i also know the tasteof my own blood. and it is sweeter than that of others"

Grom nodded, agreeing with Jace. "Yes, intentions go wrong and usually will, but I know how to avoid my fate going wrong. I know how to do what I need to to live fully."
Grom poked Jace hard on the chest, where his heart would be. "Your blood is sweetest because you know you fight for right. Might for right, right?"

"er right!" jace poked groms forehead "but you have to avoid an unnesacary fight to avoid tasting bitter blood"

Grom poked Jace's arm where his biceps are. "What does not kill you only makes you stronger. I am strong, and you might be too. I know not what you have defeated, so I do not know your strength."

"yes this much is true but you never know whats going to kill you" jace said poking groms shoulder "and lets stop poking each other "

Grom chuckled deeply and let his right arm rest at his side. "Nothing is absolute in this day and age. Even things supposedly eminent..."

"yes not even triumph. anyways" jace said sitting down "this is going to be a war we have to fight grom so when do we move is the question" bane as soon as he was off jaces shoulders tried to catch bugs which were scattered all about the floor

Grom shook his head and continued to walk with Moto as Jace sat down. "Resting? You shouldn't be, it is still high noon." he said, waiting for him to catch up.
When he caught up.."I say we move when the shaman says so. Only on her word will I begin my personal offensive against these blasphemous humans who would defile a majestic creature's nature to their own will."

Azrael yawned as he awoke to the sounds of birds chattering and the bright light of the sun. Hearing faint voices off in the distance he got up, stretching. Arching his shoulders he lurched his spines forward, extending them all the way before relaxing and letting them rest at his side. "What a horrid day." He hissed.

((look who woke up ))

jace scaled a tree to catch up letting bane follow grom "you trust people quickly grom as one with your history its a bit unusual" he said as he walked from branch to branch "i beleive i may have seen this shaman from a distance but not up close"


"Wake up you retched fox." Azrael growls as he hits Crevan with one of his spines. "We don't have all day you know. Now get up."

Grumbling Crevan stood up, a little ways away from the demonic Ulaith. "Fine whatever Azrael. Just stop with the hitting." He his back softly. He worked out the stiffness in his shoulders he leaned against a tree. "So you've woken be up, what do you want?"

((of course she did))

((lolz at Damien. Go win your own demonic auction. Spent all the gold I had at the time on him. But I luff him to death))

Grom huffed as he walked down the road next to Moto, and crossed his arms. "I know Shamans. This one eminated power, and she was obviously one of vast knowledge, experience, and sage. She knows things, and I trust her knowledge alone. I do not know her at all."

"knowledge is often portrayed to fit the knowers intention... and it may NOT go astray" jace dropped down beside grom "shamans are usualy for truth though and i heard the conversation"

((oh bunny i been wondering how do you know when your ulaiths stats are at 95&#xor; higher?))

Grom sighed and nodded. "This is very true. The shamans of our clan were the best in the land. They were Far Seers, and none matched their power. They were so strong they had prophecy. but now they are gone...my brother one of them. Perhaps the Shaman knows of a way to bring back the souls of the dead, or knows someone who can." he said grimly.

"Well lets get moving." Azrael growled at the fox demon as he hit him in the back of the knees with a spine. "I am hungry, and chicks don't just come to me you know." He growled as he began to trudge on in search of chicks to eat.

Crevan jumped as he was hit, flapping his wings slightly. He could only move them enough to keep him a few feet above the ground. He flew slowly behind Azrael, avoiding the ulaiths spines.

"and perhaps she knows if they should be brought back"jace looked down "grom these people might should stay dead. no matter how we miss them" as jace spoke the wind surrounding the forrest changed massively indicating a massive presence other than that of the three travelers "grom somethings coming"


Azrael heard the voices getting louder as he went. "Oh great we are getting closer to the retched things." He grumbled as he stopped and pushed Crevan forward with his spines. "Go see what in love of Kizashi is making that noise." He sat down and lazily waited for Crevan's returned, or screams of terror and pain. Which ever came first. "Don't make me come and rescue you Chosen." He hissed after the fox.

Crevan flew on towards the voices of the other. "Great...stupid bonded has me doing his damned dirty worked." He muttered as me moved closer. Seeing vague figures he landed, trudging onwards on his two legs. "Might as well walk the rest of the way."

Grom growled at Jace, but he stopped himself short. "Thrall was not meant to die...he was too young to die the way he did. He was not even a full grown orc..." he said, his eyes glowing slightly.
Grom felt the presence, and the change in the winds, and he grabbed his axe, his body ready to move, his breathing hard, and growling very deeply. "The whelp...It must be him." he growled

"i did not mean he was meant to die" jace heard a twig snap and turned to face it "just that it might not be a good idea to bring him back" jace put his hand on the hilt of his greatsword "the whelp, as youve deamed him can be manipulated possibly. dont act too brash too fast."

"And what whelp do you speak of?" Crevan called out to the odd creature holding the axe and the human near him. "Oh the whelp that must be you." He scoffed at the creature, a grin curling his lips as he swooshed his tail behind him.

upon hearing crevans voice jace firmly said "and the fool, must be you" jace couldnt see the thing that mocked grom but jace already knew it was unwise

Grom chuckled grimly at Crevan's remark. "Oh, you must be the whelp's personal slave. How goes serving that which is less than you? All bad, I would hope." he said, mock heavy in his tone and demeanor.

Crevan laughed at the pesky human as he continued to move forward. Finally clearly seeing the other he stopped and stared at them. "A fool?" He laughed at the though. "The only fool here is you human!" He hissed as he turned towards the other thing. "And you...creature. It is not of my own free will do I follow the beast."

"that is what a slave is... whatever you are"jace looked towards the two "if not of your own free will then how?"

Grom laughed aloud, mocking Crevan. "You are no more than a petty slave to the whelp. You would die for him if he told you to die on the spot. You are so afraid of him you quiver at a single glare."

Crevan glared down at the human who was already pissing him off. "How else would it be if not my own free will. Force human, force. He bond me to him. Have you never seen a Kitsune before?" He asked the human as he shook his head. He stayed where he was, and kept distance between him and the two others. He hissed loudly as he turned to the thing. "Die for him. HA! I would not die for the beast. It can die for all I care."

"azrael even is not that strong you are afraid he will end you"jace looked at the enraged grom "grom calm down please. and azrael is powerful but not as wicked as he thinks only greedy and lustful" jace looked towards the both of them perhaps he should bring azrael to the spot.

jace leaped into the trees to monitor what else would happen jace would join grom soon after the confrontation jace trusted grom not to do anything drastic


Crevan rolled his eyes at the annoying little human. "What ever meat bag." He laughed as he turned to leave. "Well see just who you fear soon enough." With that he took off, flapping his chained wings and took off towards where he left Azrael.

((haha jace used the bad penny referance once.
a monthly collectible.))

"oh trust me kayeta, if we didnt care for you to hear us you wouldnt have. i used to make my living sneaking through dark alleys and sewers. and i passed of a bit to bane." jace saw demon getting out of the pond, and for lack of anything better to do jumped in creating quite a splash

bane stood there a few ideas flashing through his mind and you could almost see it in his eyes... if they werent red.

Ashe only laughed at that. "Let yourself believe what you will. I would have still have heard you," she answered quietly, filling up her canteen and taking a seat by Morpheus a few feet away and started drinking her water, pulling back the hood to help cool herself off faster.

"oh yes" jace said as he came back up shaking his head to clear his eyes "your part wolf correct?"


"You could say that. And if I didn't hear you, I certainly would have smelled you," she replied, drinking up the rest of her mouthful of water and put the rest of the canteen away. She looked over at him with milky eyes and then frowned softly.

"Forgive me if that offends you," she said after a moment's thought.

"no it doesnt surprisingly after how hot headed me and bane are"
bane looked towards ashe and then spoke to jace
ask her to teach us more stealth. stealth on a wolven level

ask her for yourself bane

you know i cant do that!

jace thought to himself sarcastically what can you do? "ashe me and bane would like a few lessons in stealth on a wolven level if youd put up with us.


Ashe blinked for a moment. "You're...asking me?" she asked curiously.


"well your the only, even if only remotely, wolven folk i know of so yes"

bane crossed over to ashe bowing with his wing in front of him as he had a habit of doing now

"im a decent fighter already but i could use just a bit more stealth in case i ever meet an enemy like you"


Ashe watched them for a few moments, taking in the request. She looked at both of them, watching them carefully. "I won't be easy on you. Are you sure you want this?" she asked for the last time.

jace looked down and came back up smiling"life hasnt been easy on us and neither will be this war if were dragged into it. i wont speak for bane but im in"

bane nodded a yes to ashe to show he was up for the ride when do i ever say no? he asked jace

Morpheus watched the three for a moment, tilting his head.
Demon lay down and gave a yawn, letting his body being bath by moonlight and his skin and hair dried by wind.

Ashe nodded to them. "We can start whenever you're ready I suppose," she said offhandly.

jace removed his coat and bane crossed over to him "ready."

Ashe laughed softly before getting back to her feet. "Just give me a few moments then. I just ran for a few hours already," she spoke with a grin. She took another drink from her canteen and set it back in its pants pocket.

"Morpheus...would you watch over my ulaith for me?" she asked quietly, already fishing out the small jar from its hiding place.

Morpheus put the dream catcher on his lap and took the jar in his hands. "Of course." He decide to watch what Ashe was going to teach this two, finding as amusing as Demon did, who was watching as well.

Ashe bowed her head in thanks and walked over to the other two. "Alright then. What do you want to learn first? What to expect you'll end up learning?" she questioned.

"silent movement for now. we expect no more than you can or are willing to teach. i expect well be quick learners as far as this go's" jace rocked on his feet with anticipation and anxiety.


"Well I can't teach you if you stand right nearby where I can obviously see you. Most of the time, the skill comes out of dire need. But to learn it and use it, you have to practice it of course. So...I have two plans for how we'll go about it. Either we'll do a chase around the woods or I'll just instruct you with how to walk, run, and whatever else that requires silence," she said formally, not quite sure how to go about teaching the duo.

"i think we should start with a chase hilight the problems and go from there" jace thought to bane as soon as im through saying this go keep where you can hear my thought and stay away from trees and if you must fly do so but stay within cover. go!

jace sprinted into the forest as soon as he got into the forest he started being careful stepping only only of soft soil green leaves or grasses and when nothing else was available jumping at trees to jump back off he was starting to get tired though.

bane simply flew alongside jace being careful to stifle the sound of his wingbeats and dodging branches.


Ashe only shrugged. "A chase it is," she said simply and gave them a few moments to get ahead. After that set amount of time, she bounded off after them silently, slipping into the darkness of the forest.

jace couldnt tell if ashe was coming and he was getting severly tired he climbed a tree and tried to catch his breath silently bane keep going and come back after a bit to pick me up

okay


There was a small flicker of movement far off but could have been almost anything, and the next moment it made the mind wonder if it had ever been there in the first place.


jace turned slowly in his tree making sure not to make a sound he hid his hands and what he could of his face without blinding himself hoping bane didnt come back too quickly.


There was a sudden blur of movement as Ashe passed by Bane and stopped up ahead, facing him with a little smile. "Found you," she said simply, head to the side.

bane looked shocked at first but then made what could pass as a smile but not jace.


"You can also tell your other friend that hiding the way he is, is useless if not just stupid. If you huddle like that against a tree, you stand out because trees because trees don't grow with huge lumps in their branches," she pointed out softly.

jace came up behind ashe and wispered "very observant, and at such high speed but did you hear me? and ill need to learn better hiding places" jace crossed over to bane and asked "weak points to be practiced?"


Ashe looked at the pair of them. "Both of you could use some endurance. You get too tired, too quickly. Bane could use some strength and control in those wings and maybe...just maybe he could fly both of you for a while. Another thing; never stop. You're opponent will know when you stop and that will give them a chance to ambush or surround you completely if with a group. So if you can't stop, you lose them. Stir up other things around you and stay in a general area of noise works as well. Complete silence...takes practice and knowing your footing. Understood?" she asked after rattling off a few of the major problems.

"okay" jace smiled releived a bit expecting harsher judgemnet "im decent at trap laying ill make some back at the pond for later use" jace spoke to bane good job but more practice

"a race to the pond then in silence for endurance and making diversion sounds?"


"This was just a practice run so I could see how you do. Next time, I won't be so easy. And there will always be an element of danger. Remember that," she spoke with warning in her voice, looking at each of them in turn.

"We'll work with how well you run in danger and panic. Hope you don't mind fangs because I have plenty of them, boys."


"erm..." jace pointed towards bane who grinned showd his chewed up hand and his sliced leg then put his glove back on "ill live. say when."


Ashe only shrugged. "Now is fine a time as any. Good luck," she replied, crossing her arms across her chest.

"Safe zone is the pond."

alright jace took off bane follow ing right behind as jace to him to branch off at least 20 yards as jace was looking around dodging anything that could crunch he saw a rock as he passed he grabbed it rubbing it across his arm to give it a scent
bane touch the ground very lightly in three... two... one a half second after one he threw the rock to the other side that bane was not on making sure it wouldnt roll he took a few more steps and stepped on a browning leaf and kept going silently


It took only a minute or two before Ashe had caught up to them in her wolf form, having changed halfway through the run. There was a growl and deep bark as she leaped at them, jaws open to reveal her long fangs. She made the jump, successfully landing on Bane's back, fangs pressed against the back of his neck in warning but not marking into him. There was a small growl coming from her chest as she stared up at him, her teeth still around his vulnerable neck.

bane almost panicked wondering what to do and barely regained his compsure jace get her off my back jace quickly drew his daggers using them to climb a tree and sheathed them running the branches and leapt towards bane slamming into ashe knocking her off bane are you alright?
yeah a little scratched by her fangs when you knocked her off though

ashe was fast he had to move jace began to sprint trying to think of a way to finally distract her


Ashe gained her footing once more and took chase after them again, quickly gaining as she moved silently after them, her paws placed on the soft grassy patches or at the roots of trees as she ran. Her dark coat blended in with the darkness easily and at moments all vision of her could be completely lost. Ashe slipped into one of the long stretches of darkness and it seemed like she had completely disappeared and wasn't even within a mile of them although senses and knowledge knew that wasn't possible.

jace looked about for anything to distract her when his nose started bleeding and it struck him he pick up some rock dropping blood on them and tossed them to either side in a pattern that would at least slow her down
jace i see the pond!

jace saw banes tail flashing and ran a bit faster chucking stones left and right with blood on them


There was a blur before Ashe had made it in front of them, blocking out the vision of the pond. She growled deeply, taking an attacking stance as she waited for them to come to her.


jace saw ashe in front of him and told bane to shoot high he could do this he ran still making sure to stay quiet within a foot he slid moving towards ashe sweeping his leg tripping her jace could feel nothing and wondered if he was bit he rolled into a handstand and push off landing on his feet running to and jumping in the pond with bane diving in behind him.

((it just occured to me jace might could use a weapon change but id better check if its okay with bunny first))

jace watched everyone at the arena one thing kept popping up in the winners weapon style but he couldnt figure it out

bane sensed his chosens puzzlement and provided the answer to the question nagging at his mind as well they all have quick weapons with a decent reach

jace touched his dagger reverently and added "yes my daggers are good for quick attacks but useless for defense, and its the opposit for my greatblade althought it could reave enemies in half"

the two then began brainstorming a new weapon then jace realized that theyd need the material to make it or the money to buy it so they simply resumed watching the matches
((edit: maybe jase and jace should be long lost twins or something?))

Zapdos strode confidently into the complex, glancing around at all of the other Ulaiths standing in groups. Which one would be the best to battle...? he thought to himself. I can't wait to get going! Moo glanced up at the great Ulaith, his spiky wings laced with small jumping tendrils of electricity. "Calm down, you." she muttered. His intense xcitement was quite overwhelming in her mind. She was starting to get jumpy as well.

bane looked towards a yellow ulaith that had small tendrils of electricity all about him bane himself could once do the same with darkness but it seemed forever lost he tapped jace with his tail blade

jace looked at the ulaith and simply murmered "interesting"

the duo walked up to them and jace crossed his arms with a smile "care to try your luck against us?"

((Note: Zapdos is with Robyn now. xD ))

Robyn could feel Zapdos' tension immediately release at the prospect of a challenge. He boldly looked over the dark red Ulaith and his Chosen, and snorted. "Since when did luck have to do with battle?" Robyn put her hand on Zapdos' back in a futile attempt to calm him. The electricity raced ever faster around Zapdos' feathers, but at least he was under control enough to not shock her.

Come on! Can't we please battle them!? Zapdos pleaded with Robyn. Alright, she conceded. I'm ready if you are.

Zapdos tossed his head, looked into the red Ulaith's eyes, and nodded. Robyn spoke for him, "Name when and where, then."

"right now" jace said
bane remembered zapdoses wings and said to where jace and zapdos could hear his thoughts in the sky

jace put his blunter on the edge of his greatsword and mounted bane "whenever your ready"

bane smirked in anticipation. finally he could battle one of his kind

Zapdos smiled as her relayed the thought down to Robyn. "Although it might not be wise to hold a fight on my terrain... I accept." He said. Robyn adjusted the bow on her back nervously. Just remember to be careful, Zapdos. Don't take everything for granted.

"Hold on- you need a saddle too, don't you?" Robyn said, pulling her saddle for Zapdos out of a large wooden box at the side of the room. She began strapping onto Zapdos, making sure all straps were tight.

jace saw robyns bow and smiled "an archer eh? ive not seen one of those yet."

bane simply looked at zapdos with a blank expression on his face attempting to figure out what hed do. hed probably use that lightning and her chosen that bow of course, long range but requires aim. if only he could control darkness as he once did he supposed now would be a good time to try jace had probably figured that out as well

Robyn gives a small smile back. "Well, we are always here, you know... There's always an Archer hiding in a tree somewhere."

Zapdos remained lost in thought while being saddled up. A greatsword... Pretty heavy... that can't be easy to wield in the air. he mused, gazing at the sky. Dark clouds were following the large white puffy ones already crossing the sun. Ahh... a storm... Zapdos smiled to himself again. Perfect.

Looking over to his Chosen, he said, "It will get very cold up there very soon. I'd put on some goggles or a scarf or something if I were you."

bane saw the aproaching storm it would work to both ulaiths advantage zapdos would have lightning and bane would have storm cover

jace brought out his greatsword letting it hang "well see you in the air" bane began to flap his wings and jace smiled this would make even more people know their name even if they lost jace also began going over the steps of control over his element, darkness.

no one had seen it except jihi and shed probably forgotten it he prefered cold steel and bone but sometimes it wont cut it as was the case now. although jace had no idea if bane could still

Zapdos smiled. Ready, Robyn? he thought. I was born ready.Robyn replied, adjusting her goggles and zipping up her thick leather jacket. Zapdos rolled his eyes at his Chosen's response, but leapt eagerly into the air once Robyn had the last strap on the rubber saddle buckled down.

Zapdos' heart soared as he traveled higher with every wing beat, rising up in a spiral. The town shrunk below as the air grew colder, but it had never bothered Zapdos. Slowly gaining altitude up to the red Ulaith's height, he basked in the tension in the air of the oncoming gale. This will be one to remember. He reflected, but Robyn was unsure whether he meant the fight, or the storm. Nocking her bow, Robyn tried to calm her nerves as the storm clouds swirled around the pair.

bane quiet wingbeats ill try to mask us jace tried desperately to shroud the two in darkness but failed forget it, attack

bane whelled arond went higher and dived bombed towards zapdos knowing hed be protected from the lightning jaces glove would do much more than look good in this fight

Zapdos clutched his wings to his side in an attempt to dodge the dive-bomb, but the attacker was going down too. In a tangle of claws, wings, limbs, and feathers, Robyn blindly shot out an arrow in an attempt to dislodge their attacker.

It's so dark! Robyn thought, panicking. They were losing altitude fast. Feeling his Chosen's panic, Zapdos let out a large electric surge, in an attempt to light things up around him and her.

((Jace, do you think you can be a little more specific? I'm sorry, but I can't quite understand what you or your Ulaith is doing.))

((okay))

jace and bane began to spiral downwards alongside zapdos bane had some scratches and jace had an arrow in his left shoulder.

jace saw the electric discharge and swung his greatblade channeling the electricity to his glove and stopped it. but his concentration was shot and it became brighter so we have control over the darkness but not much jace thought to himself

bane pulled out of the dive bomb raking his claws over zapdos getting a small shock for his trouble

Zapdos let out a mighty cawat the onset of Bane's attack. His side had 3 long marks aside it. In an act of sheer will, Zapdos pulled out of the dive, and spread his wings to soar over the treetops.

It had started to rain now, and the sky was almost completely covered. While flying low over the trees, Robyn peered over the edge of her saddle to administer a few bandages to stop the bleeding. They aren't too deep, you should be fine soon. she thought to Zapdos. But he didn't listen. Pure rage roiled inside him. The cheek! I'll soon repay him for that! Zapdos snapped back, furiously flapping his wings towards the biggest storm cloud. Robyn shrank back in the saddle, another arrow nocked in her half-frozen hands. Zapdos... are you sure this is safe?

bane followed zapdos right into the storm cloud as jace took a look at the arrow thankful it were not a blade or else hed be fryed

he left the arrow in lest he bleed to death be careful bane this is his turf

i always am

Zapdos relaxed slightly as he entered the heart of the storm. The sheets of rain and fierce wind flew in all directions, but none dared ruffle his feathers.

Beware the Thunder-Bird in his element.

Turning quickly to face the attacker, wounds forgotten, doubts forgotten, guilt forgotten, Robyn and Zapdos attacked as one. The arrow loosed was charged with lightning, and flew with speed towards Bane. A second after the arrow was loosed, Zapdos and his Chosen flew high, and mirrored the move that had caused their injury. Wings tight, claws extended, Zapdos began his fearsome dive.

bane dodged the arrow for the most part but it gave him a small nick causing his tail to flash wildly... just over jaces head.

if that happened again bane might knock him off bane move straight up with a level back side as bane did as he was told jace held his greatsword flatside up high enough to slow the attack and banes own momentum would add even more force.

bane only hoped jace was right

A fearsome sight, Zapdos charged forward to his target. No escape now.

But as Bane took a mighty leap upward, Zapdos found himself just under his target. Swinging his wings and tail wildly, he flipped over onto his back and with a mighty backflap, sent his talons on a skewed path towards Bane's belly.

Robyn held tight onto the harness, still dazzled by the bright shot of her arrow in the stormy darkness. Suddenly, she had no way to tell which was was the ground. If this is how I feel, think of how the enemy... Feeling Zapdos tense for a blow, she called out, Not a fatal blow, Zapdos! No one should have to die like this!

((BRB for about 30 mins. Gotta help paint the basement. @_@ ))

as bane saw the claws coming he dodged to the left but the claws raked his wings
bane and jace fell from the sky through the trees and lay unconcious beneath them. jace with an arrow in his shoulder and bane with a wing which had three long holes in them, althogh the electricity had thankfully closed the wounds.

As Zapdos felt the flesh tear through his talons, and felt his heart leap with joy. Victory! He triumphantly shrieked with the storm, and reluctantly wheeled down from the sky at Robyn's request. As soon as his paws touched the ground, the adrenaline left, and he began to feel lightheaded. Robyn scrambled to get unbuckled as Zapdos lay down suddenly, his recent cuts facing the sky. It's much deeper than I thought! Oh, Zapdos... Robyn thought, as she peeled away the bloody bandages. Zapdos pulled himself to his feet, clenching his jaw through the pain. Hold on, don't forget about our adversaries. He reminded her. Robyn scrambled to get the young man out from under the unconscious Ulaith, and Zapdos roughly pulled Bane under a nearby Maple tree.

Exhausted, Robyn set up camp on the other side of the maple tree. A small fire got going while Robyn replaced Zapdos' bandages, and tried to repair Bane's bandages. His wings are too complex. A bandage won't heal this... she thought. Satisfied with rubbing aloe sap on some of the burns, she curled up with Zapdos under the tree, while the storm howled on above them.

jace woke up quietly and attempted sitting up but something was wrong with him and he lay down looking at bane "im sorry this was my fault i told you to go up" he whispered

he pulled the arrow from his shoulder and noticed robyn and zapdos helping bane wondering what to do with his wings and whispered "he needs stitches"

he closed his eyes trying his best to move his leg felt broken if not near to it and his sholder wasnt responding he sighed and slumped again

Hearing the small instructions from Jace, Robyn reluctantly got up from Zapdos' warm embrace to look through her pack. Huge featherball is already asleep.

Grabbing a bandage, needle, thread, and poppy seeds, she walked over to the fallen Ulaith and his Chosen.

Feeding the seeds to both of them to deaden the pain, Robyn began her work. She carefully started to stitch up the worst of the rips in Bane's wings, and bandaged up the arrow wound in Jace's shoulder. Noticing his leg was bent at an odd angle, she moved it very carefully and strapped it to a few sturdy sticks nearby.

The storm's dying howls echoing through her head, she lay down next to Zapdos, satisfied that she had done all she could. But as exhausted as she was, she found that she couldn't fall asleep. So she contented herself with watching the swirling clouds toss their fury through the fores. What a storm!

bane then woke up and got a look at jace blowing a puff of air at his face
im not as good as i thought huh?

jace smiled "your better than you thought bane i made the wrong decisions at the wrong time"

bane looked at jaces leg what the hell happened?

jace laughed as he said "you landed on me fat a**!"

bane simply laughed along with him looking at his wing it should be alright in about two weeks

jace relayed the message to robyn and looked at the storm. the changing pressure was playing hell with his leg

Robyn smiled at the two joking friends. Glad to hear it she sent back. Walking over to Zapdos, she tended to his side scratches one last time. Congratulations, you did well. he thought. I didn't think you'd hold up in that storm.

Well, I didn't think we'd survive, either. was her response. holding his great feathery head, she curled up around him, grateful to be alive, yet triumphant.

((Yes! I pwned pg. 999!))

((oh noes i forgot to ask bunny about a weapon change))

jace attempted to pull out his greatsword to inspect it but his hand fell on thin air he also pawed for his daggers but those were gone as well
"looks like ill need a new weapon"

bane looked around or we could just find your old one

"yes but what are the chances?"

itd be kinda hard to miss jace

((I'm sketching our fearsome sky battle right now. >D ))

Well, at least you aren't hurt. Zapdos yawned. Thanks, buddy. Robyn replied, drifting off to sleep.

jace edged his painful way over to bane and fell asleep resting on his stomach and the two fell asleep

((thats awesome and this is definately getting logged))