The Game is Afoot

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January sat quietly on a fallen log while Der conversed with the alicorn. After the long morning the warm sun and the quiet forest had a lulling effect, Jewel was only startled into full awareness when the wind from the alicorn taking flight cooled her skin. Her head jerked up, eyes a bit wild as she nearly fell off her log perch, catching herself before the tumble was complete she flashed them both a sheepish grin.

“Sorry, I was day dreaming….Shall we then what ?”
 
While wolf and alicorn looked at each other, probably speaking in their minds, Jex sat down and leaned up against a fallen log. After a short while, he started to doze off. The dreams were different this time, however, as he did not dream of times passed, but now of what seemed to be things to come. He saw massive battles, thousands of troops marching with Der, Jewel and Jex, a tunnel leading under a castle, and a deep system of tunnels branching off of the main one. Soon, however, Jex was coming too, seeing that the alicorn had left, and saw Jewel stumble. The sun was out, so how long had he been asleep?
 
Der laughed at the sight of the others. "How sweet. Daydreaming about me, were you?"

He noticed a strange expression on the face of the elf, but decided to not pursue it. "We can leave now. Best to head back to Darkraven if we are to find out anything. After all, that is the only clue we have. The alicorn will guard the forest as necessary. He does not have the myst taint I do, but the curse is weak right now, and his powers can keep it from strengthening again for some amount of time."

Der could almost predict what January would be thinking. "If we are going to head to Angelsprite Valley, a disguise for me won't be necessary. The patrols nearest the border of the forest, and those deepest within the city will not bother to stop me, and being so recently after my last visit, it is unlikely the ones in between will take much concern over my return, either. But, we need to hurry. The curse will eventually overwhelm the alicorn's abilities. It may hold the magic of both the unicorn and pegasus who sired him, but neither side of its magic is at full strength."
 
A short distance from the party's camp, a stand of mature ash trees stood. The uppermost branches swayed gently in the mid-morning breeze seeming to dance with the music of the forest around them. But in this forest, the melody always seemed to be slightly out of tune to those who listened.
A pair of yellow eyes blinked slowly from a branch nestled near the heart of the stand. A small barn owl bent and twisted its head, as though trying to hear the thoughts passing between the mystic wolf and alicorn. A beam of sunlight pierced the branches striking one of the golden eyes. As it is difficult for owls to squint the bird blinked again and rustled its feathers in irritation. In a breath the branch was left bouncing, relieved of its weight A single raven feather gently floated to rest on the place the owl had once stood.
 
Jewel gave Der’s comment about daydreams a wiry grin then gathered her belongs back into her pack. She nodded in agreement with his plan and thoughts as she tossed the bag over her shoulder. For a moment she froze in place, her eyes searching as a chill passed over her flesh. Either she was still hyped up, jumpy or unseen eyes had just scanned over their small group. She did not reach for her charm; she would let feeling go for now, unless she felt it again. Putting on a cheer smile she turned to her companions and spoke part of a poem she remembered from long ago

“Time to go then…Miles, and miles to go before we rest”
 
Jex thought he felt eyes on his back, but brushed the idea away. Der had just said that the forest would be quiet, for now. He quickly shouldered his small pouch of belongings and got ready for the trail ahead. Hopefully the road ahead would be exciting, but he hoped not too exciting. He was trying to forget about his little daydream, but it would not leave his thoughts. He decided that perhaps later he would detail the dream to his newfound friends, and gather their thoughts on what it may mean.
 
Der had felt the presence of the owl following them throughout their little melee with the creatures spawned from the curse. Though he'd ignored the bird's presence at first, when he was stalking January, he thought it strange that the animal remained nearly the exact same distance away no matter where they traveled.

He was somewhat wary of the thing, since it had done nothing during the fight. However, when the air flickered ever-so slightly with a familiar twinge of power and the feather of the raven fell from the sky, he knew. He continued on in the direction they would be headed, as if he didn't know that their departure would spur the curious visitor into action.
 
The crow settled in another tree closer to the group, ruffling its glossy black feathers. It cocked its head to one side, watching the little group prepare to depart. I knew that alicorn would lead me somewhere interesting and to Fang's old friend no less. The raven thought, again it ruffled its feathers and picked at a few under an inky wing. Whatever is going on I will be glad to be rid of it. This imbalance in the energy makes me itch. Preoccupied with its preening, the raven nearly missed the group passing from the clearing. To Darkrvaven, huh? To see wizards, how fun. Better get a move on, though its not too far...as the crow flies. Stifling a gutteral laugh the raven took to wing, careful to stay out of site of the mystic wolf. She wanted to know the source of the imbalance but being dragged into some silly war was not her style. Humans and their hunger for power. When you live hundreds of years you tire easily of such games. When will they learn?
 
As they walked January kept glancing at Der from the corner of her eye. Something was amiss and the feeling of eyes on there group bothered her, maybe that was Der’s problem as well.

*Something’s up…I feel it… And you’re not your usual travel mode self…Pointing out weird land marks to pass the time or teasing me for being a slow poke…So let me in on it fuzzball*

She paused a moment to adjust her boots, shifted her pack and looked straight at Der before she resumed her set pace.
 
Jex felt very uneasy as they began their trek. His suspicions were confirmed later when Jewel began asking Der about it as well. Jex was raised by wood elves, however he was never able to truely communicate with the land as they had been able to do. He could, however, tell if something was out of place, and truely there was. He just couldn't single out what was not right. He could tell it was behind them, watching them, but either that something was blocking him, or he was losing grasp of that ability. He highly doubted that after 200 years, he would suddenly lose a power such as this, but stranger things had been happening lately.

"Der, something is following us, but I can't pick up on it. Have you any suggestions?"
 
Der stopped and sighed as he received a mental question from January at almost the exact same time as Jex's audible one. He shrugged his massive shoulders and turned around slowly, speaking to what would appear to be the wind, though the shapeshifter was anything but. "You stayed hidden for a rather impressive amount of time, Ash, but our movement has made my companions aware of your presence. You may as well come out."

His goal was to make the others understand that, yes, he knew who and what it was that was following them, but that they need not worry. Still, just to be on the safe side, he turned to Jex and spoke the words he'd said on several occasions. "I am the most threatening thing these woods have seen in centuries."
 
The crow hopped from branch to branch til it sat just above the group and cawed twice loudly. It beat its wings against its chest in irritation and peaked at the tree bark under its feet raining shavings on the group.
The air surrounding the crow then shimmered and seemed to breathe. It was as though the sun glinted on just that portion of the tree though the upper boughs blocked all light this close to the forest floor. As the blurry light vanished, so did the crow. In its place sat a small humanoid figure. She picked at her nails distractedly and the looked down and Der with a frown and raised eyebrow.
"Ah, fine," the elf sighed dramatically. "But I only meant to watch and see what sort of trouble you were getting yourself into this time Der."
Ash's lithe form rose and teetered on the thin branch before somersaulting gracefully and landing neatly on silent feet before the mystic wolf. Her silvery hair settled around an angular face seeming to brush away the irritation that had just been there, replacing it with a completely smooth mask.
"So, let's get straight to the point. How bad is it and what are you planning to do about it?" Standing before the mystic wolf, Ash looked even smaller than she was but with her head held high and arms crossed over her chest she somehow seemed an imposing figure nonetheless. She stood perfectly still and unblinking, waiting for the bad news she had felt creep and crawl across her skin. Something was out of place but just how far?
 
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Fairytales! That is the first thought that popped into her head when the small elf emerged from the tree and stood before Der. She was amazed and fascinated…but a little tinge of jealously sparked deep in her heart at the familiar way the elf spoke to Der. Her mind opened to Der, trying to keep her tone light…

*A friend? She is stunning*

She took a small step forward and tried her best smile out.

“When isn’t he in trouble? …’ello, I’m Jewel, this is Jex and you are?”

While she spoke her fingers moved to cover the amulet at her throat which had begun to faintly glow.
 
Another elf? Jex thought. The quest was only just beginning and it was already getting interesting. Jex sensed the familiarity between Der and the newcomer, and thought he saw a tinge of jealousy in Jewel's eyes. He could not be sure, and he definitely would not be pushing the subject. He may be new to this world, but he was not an utter fool.
Jex saw Jewel's had quickly grasp her amulet, and wondered what that was about, but there was no time for questions of that nature. "Yes, I am Jex," he said to the newfound elf. He waited for a response from either her or Der.
 
"It is not as bad as it could be, but your help would be appreciated." Der turned to his two other companions and decided it would be in everone's best interests if an introduction was made. "Jex, January, this is AshWing, a druid who has been of some assistance to the dragon I was once a part of. She has a sensitivity to imbalances in nature. She was nearby when Jex was brought here, and began watching us when the curse started acting up. While she is a far closer associate of Fang than myself, I trust her and value her input."

Der turned to the druid and spoke. "It has been many years, Aesuithiel. I will not try and waste your time. Doriaon brought Jex, the dark elf, here. Either Fang pulled him from another realm or Doriaon carried him across planar borders. Either way, he is not from Ayenee. I do not know how much you heard, but we are going to Darkraven to question some of the...darker...personalities as to the existence of a corrupt wizard lurking somewhere within the city walls."
 
Ash dropped her crossed arms and turned away from the group. "Inter-planer ...travel," she said slowly, clasping her delicate hands behind her back. With silent steps she paced to a pool of sun at the center of the clearing. Her silver hair caught tiny beams of light and reflected them in colors around her like a prism. For a moment she cocked her head to one side, staring upwards through the gap in the overhanging branches. Her large, golden, almond-shaped eyes narrowed at the passing clouds as though they might give up the answer to the matter at hand.
Her stillness was broken by a deep sigh as she turned back to address Der. "You know, it really is a shame you must leave your wood. No matter the darkness that hovers, still beauty and mystery do such a lovely dance here." The diminutive elf gazed into the forest depths, appearing to forget the group and problem at hand entirely, almost as if she were listening to distant voices.
Blinking slowly she addressed Der again. "Well, whatever may be the matter, it is disrupting the energy channels I would use to communicate long distances so I have not received or been able to send word to Fang. Though I have little love for the cities of man maybe these dark personalities of yours can shed some light on what is happening."
Her intense gaze softened and her eyes shifted from Der to January, a faint smile lit upon her lips and she said, "And dont worry Dear, birds of a feather and all that, but feathers mixing with fur never seems to end well."
"As is appears we will be walking to Darkraven, we had better move."
 
A slight blush rose to her checks at Ash’s words to her, but her heart did lighten a bit. She nodded and nearly mumbled her words.

Sorry…Welcome to our little group AshWing..

The amulet had grown warm in her palm as Ash spoke the word “Walking” and she wondered…Who better to ask then Der.

*First things first…Can she also hear me speak to you Der?*

Jewel wasn’t sure of a lot of the things the amulet could or couldn’t do, Der had helped her figure out some of its “Gifts” and sometimes the amulet gave off signs …Like it was doing now…Glowing and warm…When it seemed to sense it could do something to help. But speaking aloud her question would have made her feel foolish and perhaps look very naïve about her own talents.

*If the veil path could shorten our walk, could I drag others with me on its path?*
 
Jex listened to the smaller elf as she explained. Jex stared briefly at her, as she had silver hair, much like he was told his people did, but her complextion was not as dark as his. He pondered for a while, then noticed that Jewel was still holding her amulet. What strangeness his new companions had.
 
-My mental links are reasonably guarded against outsiders. If I were to allow her, yes, she could hear it, but unless Fang has instructed her in the ways of mental manipulation, unlikely considering she is a druid, then no, she cannot hear you.-

Der looked at Ash, then at Jewel, then to Jex. "I agree with Ash. Let us be moving."

As he began padding westward, Der answered Jewel mentally, again. -AshWing is a true neutral druid. While it may be possible that we could all travel via the veil path, it is also very likely that the energies she commands would somehow interfere with it. I dare not risk it. If something were to happen to you...- Der stopped his sentence there. He couldn't stand the thought of what those words had placed in his mind. So, he just walked, knowing the others would follow in kind.
 
Ash watched the small group departing. She would have loved nothing better than to be back in her wood among the gentle energies of life. Those energies had enveloped her in warmth and love for so many years but now they were wild and chaotic. When she touched them they whipped in a maelstrom of intensity and unease that seemed to crackle and spark at her outstretched mind. The worst part was the darkness. It seethed and crept into her each time she tried to bring any sense of order. It was like a heavy fog that chilled and numbed her senses until she must withdraw or be covered and lost forever.
She had to know what this was. But this small group against the evil she sensed, she feared it would not be enough.
 
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