PBEM Orlantia

The Story So Far
Chapter 011

PBEM Orlantia: Searching In The Snow

The party slowly gathered at the top of the hill and stood around the bare earth. No one wanted to stand on the area melted by the heat, as if it could somehow harm them. While the others pondered the scene in front of them and quietly discussed what could possibly have caused the devastation they had witnessed, Sefarlain, Brambles, and Bebe moved a little further away from the group to examine the area for more tracks.

While they searched, they talked intermittently. Sefarlain was curious about this young gnome since he had rarely come into contact with her kind before. He was particularly surprised - and delighted - at her fluency in Alderian.

<Alderian>"I am intrigued by your wolf-companion," he began. "Has she been accompanying you for long?"</Alderian>

Bebe smiled to herself. *At least SOMEONE knows a bit about wolves!* she thought.

They chatted for a short while about Brambles and the various merits of wolves as companions. The ranger found himself talking enthusiastically about the Highlands around Peric and the woodland wolves he tracked as a child - before realizing he was getting carried away.

<Alderian>"You must forgive me, Bebe. I am too willing to talk about the beauty of Nature. You may find yourself talked into the ground! I guess we have more pressing matters to look to. Although I must admit, I have never seen anything that has caused this sort of damage. Do you think this has been done by men? Or by some sort of creature?" </Alderian>

They both looked unsure, and then quickly busied themselves in the examination of the tracks to take their minds off such uncomfortable thoughts.

Their search was quickly over. Apart from the tracks of the girl and cat, the area was clear of any significant markings. They returned to the group and informed them of their findings. The only way forward seemed to lie in the direction of the double set of footprints.

- Justin (Sefarlain)

PBEM Orlantia: On the trail

Bebe was kind of disappointed about not finding a small animal to talk to. Sometime animals can surprise you with what they know. There was nothing in the chicken coop or in the surrounding shrubbery. Nothing killed the chickens, so, at least to Bebe, it proved the crime was not from something looking for food. The whole situation seemed vile and sinister. In other words, this was the most excitement she had since leaving Ariel Isle.

To think, she joined a posse. What would they say back in West Berry?

The people around her seemed to know each other, but not well enough to be really comfortable or trusting around one another, unlike her and Jahar. *I wonder what brought this motley crew together . . . and to Fecklar,* Bebe wondered.

The one that introduced himself as Valin seemed overly worried about Brambles' reaction to him. He obviously was from the city and not used to the ways of wolves.

"Don't worry about her," Bebe said. "She is not used to being around humans, except for a few sailors." He looked a little better after that, but there seemed to be something else bothering him.

*Oh well, grandmother always told me that curiosity killed the cat, and I'm overly curious,* she thought. Sooner or later she would ask him what the problem was, but right now other, more interesting things were distracting her attention.

After she finally gave up in disgust about finding no clues, she called, "Fetch the gear, Brambles". Brambles came trotting over with Bebe's pack and demanded to get her ears scratched for the chore, which Bebe did automatically.

*I wonder who has trained who?* thought Bebe.

Bebe took Brambles over to look at the tracks around the perimeter of the site, but especially the two leading to the south.

Suddenly Brambles stood up with a low growl of warning moments before Bebe herself heard the sounds of a spell being cast. Bebe instinctively gripped Mick, put a steadying hand on Brambles, and looked towards the cabin. Everyone was tense as they began to prepare for the unexpected. Slowly, one by one they relaxed as they realized Tyrulf was uttering a harmless spell. As they relaxed, Brambles ceased to be interested and began to sniff around again.

*Just as I suspected,* Bebe thought, *they really don't trust each other very much. I wonder what the real deal is between them?*

Sefarlain approached Bebe and started to discuss wolves - one of Bebe's favorite topics. It was also good to be able to talk to someone in her second language, Alderian. Soon they began to talk about the Isles and the natural beauty they contained. They finally realized they were getting a little carried away in the discussion when others began to move towards them and the tracks leading south.

Then the ranger asked her if she thought man or beast committed the murders.

The question took her back a step. Bebe wasn't really thinking about it. At first she thought it was probably some sort of man or manlike creature, but now she was uncertain. The tracks leading to the south were most likely from the girl and maybe a pet cat.

"I don't know. I just don't know now. You are a ranger and look well traveled. What do you think?" Bebe asked. The look in his eyes summed up what both thought, but neither wanted to voice.

They joined the rest of the party, who where standing around the only other significant find, a bare spot in the snow next to the tracks.

Bebe squatted down to examine the area a little closer. She finally broke everyone's silence by saying, "I don't know what creature, man or beast, caused such mayhem, but I do believe there is a girl out there that will probably need our help to subdue it." Bebe stood up, turned, and with a wiry grin said, "What do you say, Jahar? Ready for a fray?"

- Shelly (Bebe)

PBEM Orlantia: On the Trail

*I guess we're all a little on edge at the moment,* thought Afyanna, slipping her sword back into its scabbard.

"Hehe, Tyrulf. You gave me quite a start there!" the young halfelf chuckled, more to relieve the pressure than anything. "Maybe we ought to let each other know if we cast anything - when we can of course." Afyanna smiled to the young cleric. Tyrulf gave her a more sheepish one in return.

After Mystir did a more thorough inspection of the cabin interior, or what was left of it, Afyanna went over to the storage shed. It looked as though an area on the floor had been cleared away. There were tracks leading to and from the shed, but Afyanna could not tell much more. She looked around the storage building, looking for any other tracks, or places where something seemed out of place.

The holy warrior then went over to the chicken coop and looked over that area as well. At first glance, the only thing that seemed out of the ordinary was the absence of animals. It was clear that animals had been there very recently. But Afyanna knew that the mysterious girl had taken them to Mr. Davies in town.

After another look around the only remaining building, the outhouse, she then joined Sefarlain, Mystir, and Bebe on a small hill near the cabin. They were looking at an area on the ground where something unusual had occurred. Not only that, but the tracks of the girl and of a cat apparently all crossed.

"Whatever caused this, it was before the girl left," Afyanna said, voicing her thoughts. "It must be connected some way, since even she stopped to investigate."

Afyanna looked to the others. Most had either joined them on the small hill, or seemed to be making their way in this direction.

"If we are done here, I think it's clear to all of us that we should follow these tracks."

- Rick (Afyanna)

PBEM Orlantia: I think I'll skip lunch, thanks!

Cosher felt considerably uneasy when he rejoined the others on the hill. Personally finding the remains of the male victim had shook him up a bit - it wasn't every day one came upon this sort of thing, but this man, well, he had literally ended up in bits! The young sea dwarf shuddered at the thought of it, and he knew that it would be a memory that wouldn't go away for some time.

Suppressing another shudder, Cosher shook his head, as if to banish all images of what he had just seen from his thoughts for good. Having already relayed to the others what he had discovered whilst still at the site, he concluded there would be no further gain from dragging his description out any longer, now that they had left the scene of the incident behind. Besides, their course of action was quite plain.

At that point, when the group all gathered upon the hill, Afyanna spoke up, displaying her natural sense of leadership. Her words about the girl once again chilled Cosher to the bone. That a single female was out there alone and hunting for the cause of this crime was more than a worry to him - the longer she remained by herself, the more chance that hers would be the next body they would stumble upon.

A brief glance at the group confirmed that he was not the only one considering this future. More than one looked a little uneasy. In fact, Tyrulf seemed downright despondent - Cosher put this down to the reaction of the others to Tyrulf's surprise spell casting. Personally, Cosher had been a bit out of the way when this had happened and had not been so bothered, but this didn't seem to be the unanimous feeling throughout the group.

As a gesture of support, Cosher approached his fellow dwarf and slung his arm around Tyrulf's shoulder.

"Hey," he began, "think nothing of it, the spell-casting Ah mean! Ye should try weaving a spell with nothing but a rousing song - that's definitely something ye cannot hide in the general hum o' a crowded tavern! In fact, a whole army would know if Cosher was a coming in tae a scrap, once Ah get me war chants going. Besides yer spell working perfectly, that's all ye should be worried aboot."

Cosher grinned at Tyrulf and winked in a friendly conspiratorial manner.

As the group prepared to set off after the trail of the girl and her cat, the mood was no closer to lifting - Cosher reckoned they were all a little shaken up by what they had discovered. By no means were they hardened adventurers yet, and this sort of thing was still new to a lot of them. There was only one thing for it - a travel song to lift the spirits.

As he tightened the straps of his pack and straightened Sliobhann across his back, the sea dwarf cleared his throat and began to hum in a soft baritone. Barely waiting for the others to follow, he put his head down, hooked his thumbs under the straps of his pack and tramped off down the hill. As he went, the melodious strains of 'The Final Voyage of Finn MacCuillaog' drifted back up to where the others stood, at a volume just loud enough to inspire confidence in the bard's companions, but not quite loud enough to signal the presence of the group to unfriendly ears!

- Johnny (Cosher)

PBEM Orlantia: The parting.

The party looked at one another, waiting for anyone to say something, but it had all been said. The path ahead was clear, and they had all come to trek along on its journey. So without further comment, the eight of them - ten if you counted Brambles and the mule - eleven if you counted Finn MacCuillaog - began walking southwest, following the trail of the girl and the cat.

The day was warm and sunny, and the blinding glare off the virgin snow was beginning to lose its ferocity since more and more patches of dirt or grass had broken its surface. The cold had not only lost its bite, but it was quite warm out - perhaps in the high forties or low fifties.

Now the girl, Sefarlain estimated, couldn't be too far ahead of them. But to catch her, they would have to leg it at double the normal pace. By the looks of her tracks, she was making normal single time, slow and steady and apparently not in a hurry. Double time would catch her by noon - they hoped.

With them all making double time, the sweat they worked up, combined with the warmer yet still cool outside temperatures, mixed well to keep them all relatively comfortable. Had they tried that pace in the summer, they would be tired and suffering right now, but the inner warmth of exercise combined with cool outer temperatures felt just right. Despite the snow, this degree of warmth was ideal for hard labor, as long as one didn't breathe in cold air too rapidly to chill their lungs. Scarves and handkerchief covering their mouths and noses prevented that from happening.

Nearing noon, Sefarlain stopped short when the girl's tracks ventured off the path and headed into the woods. Oddly enough, the cat's went in the opposite direction, also off the trail to the southwest, and also into the woods, but to the other side. Why they had parted company, they couldn't say.

Examining the tracks, Sef guessed they were less than an hour old - perhaps minutes. Could she have seen them coming? Might she lay in ambush for them? What exactly was going on there?

- JimGM.

PBEM Orlantia: Funny Business Going On

"I think we might be making an error, here," Jahar stopped where the pair of tracks split. He looked to Bebe, and then to Cosher.

"We've all just assumed that this here kitty belongs to the girl we are following. What if whomever killed the Lovejoys sent a critter back to spy on things," Jahar looked towards Bebe and Brambles.

It didn't seem too far-fetched in his mind. If someone could torch a cabin, kill two people, and leave no tracks, that was not to say that they couldn't have an animal companion.

*Or one of those wizardry familiar things,* Jahar suddenly thought to himself. He suddenly felt rather vulnerable despite the number of blades he carried, or the fine courage that came out of Cosher's flask.

- Jared (Jahar)

PBEM Orlantia: A Question of Tactics

Valin listened to Jahar's theory, but couldn't believe that an animal could make such a mistake when following someone. He believed that this must, in fact, be some form of animal companion, like Bebe's wolf.

"I don't really think so, Jahar. Not to say that I mistrust your instincts, because you seem to be very good at tracking, but I don't think an animal would veer from its prey so easily."

He paused a moment in thought and continued. "I also don't think it's an ambush, because if it were it would be a fairly sloppy one. Consider that we outnumber the two of them by a great deal. We could simply break our group in half and follow both sets of tracks, and still outnumber either of them. I think it's more likely that she simply split from her companion. Perhaps she sent it after something else or even split from it to allow it to hunt while she continued on after whatever she sought. I'm not entirely sure, though. I don't completely understand these animal companion relationships."

Speaking so plainly after such a long time of keeping silent felt good, and Valin decided to make a suggestion of his own.

"I think we should continue to follow the girl and keep a sharp eye out behind us for the cat, unless I'm mistaken in my assumption."

- Frank (Valin)

PBEM Orlantia: Valin's Suggestion

Afyanna stopped next to Sefarlain who was studying the tracks of the girl and cat. She kept a close lookout while he poked and prodded and did whatever it was that rangers did that made them better at tracking than most.

The halfelf scanned in all directions, first using her natural inclination to look for the girl, the cat, or anything else of note. Afterwards, she repeated her scan only this time using her peripheral vision more than line of sight. Whereas animals are far better at picking out a target from long distances than people are, Afyanna knew that humans and the like are better at detecting movement rather than targets. She looked all around for the few minutes it took for Sefarlain to adequately study the tracks.

Afyanna listened to Jahar and Valin discussing their possibilities. At Valin's suggestion, Afyanna found herself nodding slightly. *That seems sound,* she thought.

"I tend to agree with Valin," she offered.

*But Jahar does have a point,* she mused to herself.

"I must say though that I find it odd that this girl would be tracking something along with an animal, only to have the animal decide to wander off." She looked to the gnome and added, "Though I suspect Bebe has a better insight than I do."

Afyanna paused a moment and looked around again. *Are we being watched by her or this animal . . . or something else?*

"Whatever the case, Sefarlain thinks we are nearing her now. I suggest we tread carefully."

The holy warrior furrowed her brows as the idea coalesced in her mind.

"I still think that it is unlikely that she killed those two people back at the cabin, but instead knows something about who did. Perhaps that is who she has been tracking, while we have been tracking her." Afyanna looked over her shoulder towards the direction the girl's tracks lead and continued speaking. "If she has found them, and we go charging in after her, we may scare off whoever she has been tracking so far. Unless I am mistaken, she is the key to finding this person . . . or thing."

- Rick (Afyanna)

PBEM Orlantia: A Good Point

Tyrulf traveled along thinking about his spell casting. Melakra had not really told him of such things. While at BlithenOre he cast only clerical spells, to which no one really paid attention. Casting the spells with his gift, he left the practicing while no one from town was around. Other than his regular practicing every morning, he really hadn't cast many spells until that moment

*It makes sense to warn people. I should have thought of that myself,* Tyrulf berated himself while he was walking. Cosher's comforting words helped some, but most of the others in the group seemed to give Tyrulf a strange look as if he might cast a spell any time now without warning. The day passed and Tyrulf resolved to remember to give fair warning before casting.

The group stopped where the tracks had changed and Jahar expressed his concerns. Tyrulf listened to Valin and Afyanna's reply and nodded to himself.

"I think that Valin is right. I believe that anyone in our group would have difficulty keeping up with such a cat while it is hunting. It seems strange that this woman would have something to do with the murders. To take such care in burying these people and practically giving their animals away would not be characteristic of one capable of such a vile deed. Also, Brambles would more than likely notice if the cat were to follow us."

Tyrulf looked up at the assembled group. *At least I hope that she would. I wonder how a cat and wolf would fair against each other.*

"I will keep to traveling at the back of the party so the mule will not be spooked by the cat if we do run into it."

- MJA (Tyrulf)

PBEM Orlantia: Short legs

Bebe was pretty winded. The pace they set was rather fast for a gnome and her pack felt like a lead weight. She took a couple of deep breaths and thanked Ehlonna that she was in pretty good shape after the last two years on the road.

Bebe turned to Valin and said, "Well, most pets stay fairly close to their owner, but cats are a finicky lot. They are an independent lot, so you never know what they are thinking. Some say that they have a sixth sense that warns them of danger. But, maybe this girl has realized that she is being followed and sent her familiar about to see who it is."

Bebe thought a moment more before continuing. "If I where to bet, I would say it is a cat being a cat. Maybe it smelled a mouse or something and wondered off. I think we should stick with the quarry at hand, but since we are getting close, I think I will get my friend Mick ready. Mind if I throw this pack on your mule, Tyrulf?"

She walked over and Tyrulf helped her hook it to the mule. Afterwards, she squeezed the grip of her shillelagh, Mick, with both hands and said, "Come on, times a wasting. I didn't run all this way just to lose the distance we already closed. If Sef has any inclination that this girl is aware of us, then let's be wary for an ambush. She might be distraught enough to try it."

She thought a moment more and added, "I sure would hate to accidentally kill her. As for the cat, I will stay in the back with Tyrulf and Brambles. Brambles could take any malicious feline before it batted an eyelash."

Bebe reached over and rubbed Bramble's ears. "Couldn't you now, my friend."

- Shelly (Bebe)

PBEM Orlantia: Now or Never

*She has the right of it,* Afy thought to herself.

"You're absolutely right, Bebe, time's a wasting. No telling how far ahead that girl is getting from us while we wait."

Afyanna took stock of the situation and made it plain. "Ok, let's get moving. As long as the tracks remain visible, I'll go first."

She glanced over to the ranger, "Sef, keep a close eye out in case the tracks are there to fool us." Then to the gnome, "Good call on you and Brambles taking up the rear. Between the two of you I doubt anything can come up behind us."

The holy warrior stood a moment, eyeing each of them for anything they might have to add. *And for anything I've overlooked,* she thought.

When nothing was forthcoming, she drew her sword and set out along the trail with the others close in tow.

- Rick (Afyanna)

PBEM Orlantia: A New Face.

Afyanna worried about her commanding authority, taking the position of leadership without actually first discussing it. It would have perhaps been better had they talked about it long before then. They had had plenty of time, after all. Now it was too late for the nonce.

The holy warrior shook the thoughts from her mind, dismissing them completely for the moment when she recalled WHO had sent them there.

*If not me, who better to lead in HIS name?* she figured. *At least for this quest,* she added.

Doubtless the holy warrior would have been surprised to learn most foundling groups fell into this 'trap' of making no prior agreements beforehand, and nearly all of them inevitably had to wrestle with questions of leadership and the division of work, responsibility, or even the spoils of their quests, after it was too late.

In fact, many foundling groups of inexperienced adventurers broke up over such matters - particularly when something valuable came their way, and with no prior agreements as to how to split it up, heated arguments often ensued which sowed the seeds of their disharmony and eventual falling out later down the road. Such was inevitable when they held wildly different ideas or expectations - realistic or not - and sadly, most such problems could have been avoided had they discussed it before it became important. But they were inexperienced, and it showed.

But such matters were, at best, errant thoughts on the wind in light of fresh tracks and an imminent encounter.

Afyanna left the southwest trail and followed the girl who had headed into the woods to the left in a southeasterly direction. The cat's tracks, which headed in the opposite direction into the woods to the right were northwesterly, but would be ignored for the moment. They were after the girl, not her cat. She held the promise of knowledge, and they wanted it from her.

Sefarlain followed behind the holy warrior at first, but soon decided he had to keep abreast of her, lest she spoil the tracks they followed and ruin any hope of his discerning something most would find overly subtle. Alas, the tracks appeared quite normal. They moved left and right, back, forward again, as if she was looking around for something. They came across a bare patch of ground where the girl had apparently stopped to dig something up. Whatever it was, it was gone, but her tracks continued on after that.

The others trailed after the pair, checking their weapons and equipment, components and gear, rations and water, trying to make it behave in silent fashion as they followed the leader. The mule was the hardest to keep quiet. Maybe dragging it along through the woods when they were so close was a bad idea. Bebe was wondering if she should wait with the mule while the others went ahead, but she didn't want to miss anything. Like Brambles, she was excited, only the she-wolf showed her enthusiasm by running back and fourth in the woods behind the party, checking this or that, concerned with things that wolves were concerned about.

While following the girl's tracks, an idea was forming in Sef's mind as he examined the prints. They did not encounter large brambles or brush, or hit unexpected roadblocks where she had to trail back. They followed the land naturally, either like someone already well acquainted with the terrain, or - in ranger fashion, exploiting the lore of the wilderness beyond what most mortals would normally deem possible. Well, in the fashion of one skilled in woodsmen ship, hunting, and . . . foraging! Yes, she was foraging, searching for food, digging it up, stripping bark and cones and pine nuts here and there, gathering the meager offerings of a snow blanketed land. Whoever she was, she was good - maybe even better than he was. The thought did not exactly comfort him.

Sefarlain was toying with the idea of telling the others exactly what he suspected, but just then, before he could take another step, he spied a clearing up ahead. In an outcropping of rocks - left strewn upon the lands by the gods or nature long ago, where trees would not grow so could only surround the stony circle - sat a woman. She looked at them with a commanding air of power and authority, like she could swat them should they but misbehave.

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Alana hunted and pecked at the land, foraging enough food to supplement her provisions. She could, in fact, live off the bare offerings even there, in a land already stripped by the starving animals the winter had forced into such hunger. She was better than they were - more skilled, not more deserving. But she preferred not to eat solely from the land's offerings, instead merely supplementing her better food to extend its reach. She did not know when she might buy better fare, so thought it best to ration what she had and eat the roots and nuts and even bark and sorrel and other natural, wild foods to compliment her provisions. Besides, though she could live on just the wild banquet, she never cared too much for the taste of most things that could sustain her. There was food, and then there was 'food.'

She placed the sorrel in her pack, planning on making a soup with it later that evening when she would make a fire. For now, she would not dally with a fire. She was after that . . . that thing! She had no intention of waiting around longer than required to eat something substantial.

Alana looked down at the five-pound bundle of sugar she had set down on the rocks, wondering if she shouldn't discard it now. It was heavy. True, it contained a lot of energy, and she only kept it mostly since it reminded her why she was alive, or why the Lovejoys had died - she wasn't sure which, facing such an unknown. But if she had been there with them, they either would have all died, or maybe she could have killed that thing then and there. She didn't know. But she planned on knowing.

Pondering the bundle of sugar, deciding its fate, Alana heard something and looked up. It was probably Lucian so she wasn't overly concerned, but then recalled, Lucian didn't make such noise.

That cat, well, still a kitten, being less than year old, was simply weird - for a cat. But he was silent as death, she knew, and now the druid frantically scanned the woods for what had made the noise.

Sneaking out from the rocks, she soon spied a column of people leading a mule - a noisy mule - through the woods. The pair in the lead seemed to be following something. Of course, her trail. They were following her. Why?

*Too many to fight,* she knew. *Too late to run. Better play it cool,* she decided.

Returning to the rocks and contemplating her spells, she waited for them. It was not long before a woman and a man - a halfelf and elf, by the looks of them - came close enough such that they could see each other.

Alana made it clear she could see them by looking right at them, then further made it clear she did not care, nor have anything to fear from them. Such a stance of nonchalance seemed her best bet. Who else would dare to sit idly by without concern except those powerful enough they didn't need to care?

Alana waited in silence, but ready to react. It was their move, however.

- JimGM.

PBEM Orlantia: On the Trail

The trail had proved to be fairly non-taxing for Sefarlain to follow - the woman they were following was not making any attempt to hide her tracks and the terrain was a familiar one for the elf. In fact, they were making good progress as the trail wound back and forth.

Sefarlain paused briefly to examine some torn roots and a patch of disturbed earth. It didn't look like she had buried anything. He puzzled over this for a short time.

*Food! Of course! She's feeding herself!*

The ranger looked around and peered intently into the nearby woodland. Perhaps they had all underrated this person. This was no ordinary young girl. She clearly knew how to survive off the land. Sefarlain unconsciously loosened his belt and checked Alonwë. Her presence reassured him, and he set off again, perhaps with a little more concentration than before.

The thought of the foraging he had seen set the elf's mind to work. Was he fully prepared for what lay ahead? As they walked, he rechecked his equipment once again. The swords moved easily and silently from their scabbards. His pack was tidily folded around his shoulders and kept clear of the undergrowth. He checked his bow on his shoulder and frowned.

*Well, if that's all you can afford, it will have to do. Serves you right for leaving Tugath with a head full of ideas rather than a pocket full of gold,* he chided himself.

He felt the quiver behind his pack - at least that was better quality. But a quick peek at his stock of woodland arrows made him frown much harder than the small bow on his back ever would. A couple of the barb lashings were beginning to fray! Good job his Valantaúr captain wasn't there - that was enough to have you on night patrol for a week out in the Highlands!

*Easily remedied though,* he reminded himself.

It did not take Sefarlain long to find what he was searching for. A young luthaniel sapling - it could only be ten years old - grew tall and proud a short distance from the tracks. A common tree, perhaps - not very remarkable. If you burnt it, you would get a reasonable spitting fire. But for what the ranger needed, it was perfect.

He got to work quickly. Taking his dagger, he took narrow inch strips from several of the taller branches, leaving most of the bark in place. In this way, he knew the tree would heal quickly and live to provide for the forest for many years. The strips gathered, he returned to the trail and took his place again. As he walked, he began to prepare each strip. He pared the older bark from the strips leaving only the green wood and fibers. He chewed this for some time to soften the strips as he gathered the quiver from his pack.

"Y'ell nae find that t'me liking!" exclaimed Cosher, who looked aghast at the sight of the elf with a mouthful of wood. "Ah'll stick with the hard tack an' me stout, thank yae."

Sefarlain nodded - it was difficult to reply with the strips of bark in his mouth - and drew several of his arrows from the quiver. Sefarlain set to work rapidly on the damaged heads. His movements were deft and precise as he secured the arrows, and after a few minutes, the repairs were almost complete. The ranger held each arrow up to check its alignment and, duly satisfied, returned them to his quiver. He spat the remaining pith to the ground and then came to an abrupt halt. A clearing lay ahead, and their quarry was clearly visible sitting on an outcrop. She did not look like she was particularly bothered by their appearance from the woods.

The party emerged slowly and approached the figure. Each eyed each other with a strange mixture of interest and trepidation, waiting for the other to speak.

- Justin (Sefarlain)

PBEM Orlantia: Woodland Rendezvous

Sefarlain's hand shot out to silently warn her of something he had seen, but it was too late. As Afyanna halted below the top of a low rise in the woods, she too could see the girl sitting on the stony outcropping below. And the girl was looking directly at her.

*Well, that was good,* thought the holy warrior. *Deit'la would not be pleased.* The cavalry lieutenant had been a stickler for details, and whereas the mule had been virtually unnoticeable amongst their own noise during their travels, he was practically a festive bard troupe when they were trying to be quiet.

Afyanna looked left and right, determined at least not to be lured into focusing on the girl and ignoring anything coming from the sides. Bebe and Brambles could handle their rear.

Seeing nothing, and noting the smirk playing across the girl's face as she noticed the party's discomfort at being 'expected' when they were the pursuers, Afyanna straightened herself up, put on her best 'commanding face' - something else Lt. Deit'la was good at - and turned to the others, pointedly ignoring the girl for a moment.

In low tones, she spoke to the party. Each was surveying the situation in their own way, and Afyanna knew their insight could be crucial - especially in light of how she had already flubbed sneaking up on their prey. Even Brambles' normal panting seemed more of a laugh.

"I'm going to go down and talk to her. Sef, I'd like for you at least to join me too. You'll no doubt see things I miss."

Afyanna pondered the rest of the party - Valin, Mystir, Cosher, and the others. What did she know about them? What were their abilities? Where would they best be suited? Close? Far? Alas, she once again had failed to think ahead and to find out what each of them brought to the party. Instead she had single-mindedly focused on reaching Wrath, without regard to those around her. She was going to have to start paying more attention. It was no longer her own life she carried, but each of them carried each of their lives in their hands.

But in this instance, the time was upon them - discussion and planning would have to wait. She was going to have to trust in them to make their own decisions. *They will know where best to go.*

She then eyed the mule, which had forced her into this position. *Well, the mule didn't, I did,* she lamented.

"Someone should stay with the mule here on the rise. We don't need him masking anyone's approach while we chat," she said inclining her head to the girl below.

"I suggest," she began, once again turning to the rocky area below, "that we at least spread out a little. Anyone who remains up here should put at least a little distance between each other, and anyone else going down there should do the same."

*Don't need to make us an easy target,* she thought.

With a last glance to each of them, offering the chance to add anything that she should be considering, the holy warrior set off down the hill.

Afyanna didn't bother looking behind her to see who else was coming down the hill. *I want her to think I already know.* She could hear more than one set of footfalls, so there was more than Sefarlain with her.

At about eight feet before the girl, Afyanna stopped to address her. With her sword held out to her right side pointing downward, she motioned with her left hand.

"My name is Afyanna d'Enthril," she began forcefully, indicating herself. "Who are you, and what do you know of the destroyed cabin that you were at earlier?"

Seeing the girl wince at the mention of the cabin, Afyanna pressed, trying to keep the girl off-balance and regain the advantage. "Did you have anything to do with it, or the killing of the two innocents who lived there?"

- Rick (Afyanna)

PBEM Orlantia: A Sudden Stop

Bebe was trotting along a short distance behind Tyrulf and the mule. She was trying to keep one eye on the trail they were leaving behind them and the other on Brambles.

Brambles' senses were much sharper than Bebe's own, and the wolf was usually aware of danger long before Bebe was. The she-wolf seemed unconcerned with current events, however, and was enjoying the wild romp through the woods.

Bebe glanced back at the trail they were leaving behind them. *Boy, would Quaramil ever tan my hide with a wet willow switch if he saw that,* Bebe thought. *The trail looks as if a rampaging herd of rabid water buffaloes had run amok.*

*And the noise,* she chastised herself. *I doubt we could sneak up on a blind, deaf, and dumb stick. If we are to live long and fruitful lives, we better batten down the hatches a little better.*

The forced march left her sinewy muscles warm and her brow wet with perspiration, and as the day unfolded she felt the exhilaration of life return to her as the poison of the cities she recently frequented drained from her pores. She began to sense the power of the earth around her. It seemed after all those months away from the forest, away from the land, away from Ehlonna, that she now was back home - not the place she was born and raised, but a place deep inside herself - a place where the nature she loved and vowed to protect thrived.

*Oh how I despise the filth of the cities,* she thought. *If only everyone could live as one with the land like the elves from Ariel live, the world could be a better place.*

She began to sense . . . she began to sense . . . she began to sense the backside of the mule that had stopped in front of her.

Bebe slid to a stop right before colliding with the mule. It seemed that Afy and Sef had found the quarry they were following and were a bit surprised. At her angle of sight, Bebe couldn't actually see anything, but in the end, what was in front of them was not her responsibility - she was supposed to be watching their backs.

Bebe wheeled about and took a few paces back down the trail they had made.

*Bebe, you're going to get everyone killed with your daydreaming,* she chided herself.

She leaned on her club and watched attentively back the way they came. She only glanced back once when Afy told them to spread out and a small group started out into the clearing. Her sense of curiosity was only overwhelmed by her sense of duty. She silently searched the surrounding area, ready for whatever might come.

-Shelly (Bebe)

PBEM Orlantia: Woodland Rendezvous

For a moment Alana's temper bristled at being asked if she had anything to do with the violent death of the Lovejoy's. The horrible scene she had witnessed on her return to the cabin came back to her in all its gruesome details, and it made her wince.

How dare someone even suggest she was responsible for such a thing? But Elfrid, her tutor, could be proud. Instead of blurting out the first sharp retort that came to her mind, Alana used a little trick Elfrid had taught her, and calmly counted to ten. That gave a calmer, more rational part of herself time to take over, and once it did, Alana had to admit Afyanna had a valid question - one she, herself, would probably have asked was the situation reversed - though it still stung being questioned like that.

Besides, despite her apparent nonchalance, Alana could not help but notice that the group of people facing her was more than generously equipped with weapons. And the person who introduced herself as 'Afyanna' looked awfully capable with the sword she was holding. So it probably would not be a good idea to immediately start off on the wrong foot with them, anyway.

Keeping all that firmly in mind, Alana managed to appear calm, almost serene, at least outwardly. And she didn't even crack when the halfelven woman pressed on, though it took quite some effort.

"Very pleased to meet you, mistress Afyanna," she politely responded to the other's introduction. "My name is Alana Sylvester. The Lovejoys, Ben and Harriet, were kind enough to let me stay with them for a while."

The thought of the kindly old couple made Alana's voice sound a bit hoarse at this point.

"I did not destroy their cabin nor . . ." and here, to her annoyance, she had to swallow a lump in her throat. ". . . nor did I cause them any harm." She continued more forcefully. "I do, however, plan on bringing to justice who or whatever did. May I inquire what your relation is to the Lovejoys?"

"If you were planning on visiting Harriet on her birthday, you are too late in more than one respect." Alana couldn't stop herself from adding a bit pointedly.

She wondered if any of these were relatives of the Lovejoys, and if so, if they would have any objections to the way she had handled things. They had better not. Alana strongly felt that they had lost that right by not being there when it mattered.

- Wilma (Alana)

PBEM Orlantia: Questions Answered

"We do - did - not know the Lovejoys of whom you speak."

Sefarlain corrected himself quickly as he replied to the seated figure. His retort sounded sharper than he meant, but he did not feel her accusations could go unanswered, despite a sharp glance from Afyanna.

Slightly more softly, he continued. "But our quest for justice for the murders is a common one."

The ranger stepped back from the rock. This was not his quest, although if Corellon had a need for his abilities, who was he to object? But he had not been chosen, and it was Afyanna to whom he deferred as he moved away.

- Justin (Sefarlain)

PBEM Orlantia: A brief introduction

Cosher caught the last of the stranger's words as he approached the point where Afyanna and Sef were standing. He heard her explain - with some difficulty, he noted - how she had nothing to do with the destruction at the cabin, and how she was planning to avenge the murders.

She visibly paled as she spoke, clearly shaken by what she had earlier experienced. Cosher sympathized - the scene back at the cabin still haunted his recent thoughts.

The sea dwarf then stepped forward between the halfelf and the elf, just as Sef uttered a few words. Immediately Cosher got the feeling the ranger had been a little too sharp with the stranger.

*The blasted elf's been in the woods too long,* he frowned. *Seems he's lacking a wee bit in his social skills - can't he tell the wee lassie is as shaken up by the whole 'cabin' thing as we were? Not tae worry, he didnae mean nae harm. An' besides, the situation's by no means ruined.*

The initial impression the dwarf had gotten from the girl as he approached was one of tiredness and sorrow, and she was having difficulty talking about what she had experienced.

As a bard, many of Cosher's talents lay in his use of speech and sound, and similarly in the analysis of other's use of speech. He could detect even slight inflections in a voice, a change of pitch, a stutter or hesitation. In his past, more formative years as a sailor, Cosher had perfected this skill, using it many times to 'negotiate' the safe passage of himself and his shipmates from one brawl or another. When numbers were against you, and your cosh will no longer suffice - well then, the ability to judge what should be said when, that was invaluable.

Right now, although he was pleased with how Afyanna seemed to be naturally taking the lead of the group - and coping admirably - Cosher thought it time to flex some of his diplomatic skills. Taking a small step forward, he put his foot up upon a small rock, and leaned forward on his knee.

"Miss, me friends here meant no harm," he began, glancing affectionately at Afyanna and Sefarlain - he wanted them to know that he was in no way reprimanding them. "The fact is we're just a little spooked by what we came upon back there. Truth be known, we found yer tracks, an' weren't sure what tae expect - ye could have been the murderer for all we knew. Now, it seems perfectly clear that you are no responsible for what happened back there, and that yerself, like us, are actually on the hunt of what did this."

Cosher straightened and gestured around the group, spread out as it was behind him. "As ye can see, we're something o' a ragtag outfit, all thrown taegether by fate and circumstance. Ye've already met Afyanna here, and this one's Sefarlain. Meself, Ah'm Willie-John McLean, although ye'll find these lot call me Cosher. Ah'll no o'erwhelm ye with everyone's names right now, but there's plenty o' time fer that presently. Fer now, let's all settle down, take a load off o' our feet, an' make proper introductions."

Turning first to Sef and then to Afyanna, he smiled saying, "Don't ye think if we heard what this wee lass has tae tell us aboot the cabin back there, we might get tae the bottom o' this whole thing a whole lot quicker?"

He then turned to the girl, reaching out his hand. "Pleased tae meet ye lass!"

- Johnny (Cosher)

PBEM Orlantia: Hesitations

Afyanna listened to Cosher while he tried to bridge the gap between them and the girl, Alana, although her eyes never left the stranger before them. With Alana focusing on Cosher while he spoke, the holy warrior watched her to see if things jibed.

*True, I don't think you did this thing,* Afy thought to herself, *but I'm not about to accept it out of hand.*

When Cosher told the girl how it was perfectly clear she had nothing to do with the murders, Afyanna visibly stiffened.

*Perhaps to you.*

The halfelf pondered Cosher's words carefully. It was true that in only the short time she knew him, he had talked his way out of - and in to - many situations. Afy had seen him pick apart people's conversations and then relate to the rest of them what 'they were really saying.' It was a most impressive talent this sea dwarf had - but not one she was willing to accept at face value when the stakes were so high. Not at least without much more exposure to his skill.

However, if the situation was as she, Cosher, and most, if not all the rest of the party suspected, then the true culprit of the horrendous crime was making its escape while they stood there chatting.

*But I have to be certain.*

"If what you say is true," Afyanna said, startling Alana with her sudden leap back into the conversation, "then tell us please what it is that has lead you out here into the woods. The only tracks we have seen have been yours."

- Rick (Afyanna)

PBEM Orlantia: Some Answers

Alana carefully processed the information she had received so far. They didn't know Ben and Harriet, but they were tracking the same menace she was. Perhaps they had lost loved ones to it. She would ask them later.

For now, the kind words the dwarf spoke softened the bruises to her ego that her first blunt encounter with these strangers had left.

"Very pleased to meet you, Willie-John McLean," Alana said, and smiled her first genuine smile during the encounter.

*This dwarf appears to have enough charm to suffice for the others as well,* she thought, but she was sure they all had other good qualities.

"Pleased to meet you all," Alana told them. This time it felt more sincere when she spoke the words, and not just like another platitude one was supposed to offer when being introduced to someone else.

Afyanna's question about tracks had Alana startled for a moment. *She has a sharp mind, that's for sure,* Alana mused.

"Lucian told me," she answered. "When I returned to the cabin, I think I saw it - the thing that killed them - just a glimpse. There was a bright light and a strange sound. But it moved impossibly fast, like nothing I had ever seen before - nothing I can put a name to - just some kind of light. And it had left no tracks. But Lucian seemed to know something. So I went where he said to go."

"Lucian is a cat," Alana elaborated, answering the question before it could be asked. "He sometimes just seems to know things. And he has been right too often for me to start questioning him now. Besides, it was the only lead I had."

"Are you . . . ? Did you lose someone to it? I mean has it killed again?" she hesitantly asked. The answer suddenly seemed very important. The thing she was following was an abomination. Alana felt it in every fiber of her being. And she would welcome anyone who would help her to track it down.

"It felt like it wasn't finished yet with its horrible handiwork. That was one of the reasons I went after it. It has to be stopped," she finished passionately.

- Wilma (Alana)

PBEM Orlantia: And Your Cat?

"I do not know if it is what we truly seek," Afyanna said to Alana, "though other victims have been found killed in the same manner, but many miles from here."

*Though it would prove to be an interesting coincidence if they were not related in some way to the matters at Wrath.*

"We should continue the hunt for this thing, but I am curious - have you now picked up its trail?" Afyanna asked the girl. "We noticed that you and your cat split up on the main path."

- Rick (Afyanna)

PBEM Orlantia: A Reply.

"So it did make more victims," Alana said. "I was afraid for that. I cannot imagine two such evils on the loose in the world, so I assume it is the same thing. If you are seeking it too, perhaps we can seek together. Unfortunately, I haven't picked up its trail so I have no other direction to offer besides the one Lucian offered me," Alana told them.

Pausing for a moment, she then told of her cat. "As for Lucian, he found other tracks that interested him. He never quite understood why I prefer berries and nuts to a juicy mouse. He'll turn up again when it suits him."

- Wilma (Alana)

PBEM Orlantia: The Trail Continues.

The others listened to Alana as she explained the lack of tracks and how Lucien had led her to the area in which they now stood. It became obvious that following this light would be much more difficult than they had expected. How do you track something that leaves no trail and moves at an impossible speed?

"Do you think you can follow this trail any further, Sefarlain?" asked Afyanna.

"From what Alana has said, I don't think so," he replied. "There may be no further trail that I can follow. Perhaps the best direction may be to continue to Wrath, if that is the way we are heading, but that is not for me to decide. If this thing is moving at such a speed, the longer we delay, the further it will travel, although I cannot see how we can catch it easily. But if we don't try, we'll never get another chance."

A few nodded within the small circle of bodies that had collected around the rocks. Others looked less certain. The elf paused for a second.

"There are a few other things we should discuss if we are to continue to try and confront whatever is murdering these people, though. I think some of us have shared similar thoughts."

Sefarlain exchanged a knowing look with Afyanna. He smiled slightly, and then looked more serious as he addressed the group.

"We know so little about what has happened. Whatever killed the Lovejoys almost certainly did the same to the man on the ridge."

Bebe visibly winced, while Alana leaned closer. Sefarlain had not talked to them about his previous encounter with the entity and they seemed disturbed by the fact that it had struck before, but at the same time eager to find out more about their enemy. He explained briefly about what he had seen on the ridge and then returned to the present.

"There may have been more attacks - all without any motive as far as we can tell. The only knowledge we have is what Afyanna has been blessed with - that whatever we are dealing with is evil, and attacks for hate alone. It is Corellon's will that I follow Afyanna's lead to fight this evil, but he sent me here for more than companionship. Both Afyanna and I have been trained to fight with our hands. I know Cosher wields a fine blade. And voice! As for the rest of us - I know little. But one thing is sure - if we come across what attacked the Lovejoys, we stand little chance unless we are prepared. It has attacked with great force, quickly and without feeling or mercy. I do not know what power lies within this group, but if Corellon's will brought us here, it will be enough to succeed. But only if we trust in one another."

This was the most anyone here had heard the elf say. He did not seem one to speak needlessly as if he enjoyed the sound of his own voice, but these things had been weighing on his mind for some time.

The ranger had not spoken to anyone at depth about their past, or how they could deal with this light they were chasing. Perhaps it was time that was rectified. Why else would Corellon have need of his skills, if not to try and use his training to help fight this evil? And that meant finding out a little about what lay within this strange group of people. How else could they plan an attack? Sefarlain decided to go first - if he was asking everyone to be honest with one another, it was only fair he should be prepared to break the ice. He just hoped Afyanna didn't think he was getting carried away.

"I, for one, am a Ranger of The Valantaúr of The Marching Alderami. I can track, hunt, and hide from anything through the woods of my home. I can survive from the bounty that the forest supplies, and I'm a skilled scout. I favor the bow, but will fight hand-to-hand freely if I have need. As far as magic; I have only a few minor tricks from my family for arcane knowledge, but hope to learn more. I have traveled with Cosher and Afyanna this far and have pledged my sword to them and this cause."

"As for how we deal with this evil - perhaps that is best left to Afyanna and until we know a bit more about each other."

At this he stepped back, looking somewhat relieved that his speech was over!

- Justin (Sefarlain)

PBEM Orlantia: Circles.

The ranger had indeed said more, both in length and eloquence, than he had previously demonstrated to any there. Eyes fell upon him with new sight, perhaps wonderment, pondering if this quiet elf was deeper and far more complex than any had previously guessed.

For Alana, however - since she did not know Sefarlain from before - she accepted it as 'normal,' without question. The ranger was obviously a man of thoughtful action and deep conviction. But then, she knew, true rangers were often like that. She had never met an exception.

Alana tucked the information away, knowing she could rely on Sef and maybe even command him through the allegiance rangers held for the druidical circles. Well, maybe not her, since she was still the most junior of members, but those more senior than she certainly could call upon the rangers to aid them. Alana, if she wanted him to do anything, would still have to rely on her charm yet.

Alana's own circle of druids was one of twelve on Orlantia, and one of two that shared the Imperial Continent - the planet's current seat of power. It had not always been so, she had been told, but tales of Tor from long ago wouldn't help her now.

She had little doubt Sef, if he came from the Alderami, was within the influence of her own druidical circle. They shared a - what? - common faith? Yes, and a reverence for the land, its flora and fauna, and the desire all sentient beings live in harmony with it. The very fact Sef was there at all and after that . . . that thing . . . assured her should could trust him - and by extension, trust them all - as much as he trusted them, at any rate. She breathed a sigh of relief and lowered her mental guard a bit.

"I had stopped to eat, but I'm done now. Since you appear to have trail rations, may I suggest we talk while we proceed forward? You can eat along the way. You sound like you have a better understanding of where to look for this abomination than I have. I had planned to continue southwest, or until Lucian might indicate otherwise. I'm sorry, but it isn't much to go on, I know, but it was all I had."

Alana looked them all over, up and down and sideways, but no one objected to her plan. Each, in fact, seemed willing to talk as they walked, and Alana led them out of the rocky clearing and back onto the trail.

"This is a five pound bundle of sugar. Don't ask. I was going to abandon it, but since you have a mule not heavily laden as of yet, may I store it amongst your own stores?"

Tyrulf and Bebe looked at each other. Bebe was in charge of the mule just then, but Tyrulf owned it. "Feel free," he told her, and so she found a place for it. After securing the bundle, she looked to the ground and sought Lucian's trail.

Lucian, it seemed, was nowhere to be found, but that did not concern her. He would catch up with her later - he always did - and finding him now would only risk alienating him for a time. He hated having his hunt interrupted and would avoid her lap for days if she intruded. Cats were normally quite independent that way, but that cat was, was . . . even more so.

"I think we can make another dozen miles before nightfall," she told them. "So, who exactly are all you people? And what are you good at?" she asked them, reintroducing Sef's chain of thought. She'd hear their tales first before she elaborated on her own. Despite Sef's presence, she was not completely at ease yet.

- JimGM