Merryn spotted a small Elven village, a few miles in. The others are tired we'll rest here. The town appeared empty.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANA72xkmxUOBU
She inspected each house, cottage, and shack as she passed it. A window on one was cracked, its glass half on the ground, covered in grime.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAQPL9w3tm5r
All around, cobwebs everywhere on the eves of the buildings, over the dry and cracking intricate scroll work.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAfLrBtrl5Ns
She stood on her tiptoes peering in one, a thick layer of dust was over the furniture.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAspDypOO8Rf
Plates, silverware as if a family was going to have dinner, the glasses aged with a film.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAtz8MWe34E9
Han sniffed. "It smells stale here. Even the air."
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAQavhsrvrLC
She turned, Hans fur stood on end, his whiskers quivered.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANA9V0BadkeZ8
"We'll rest for the night, then move on." Dead zone. Not even insects lurked under foot.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAmW6LvGPEYx
A horse stall ahead, its wooden frame grayed with age.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANASZ545vUXfT
"Here we go. Stay here, I'll be back out in a while."
1061Please respect copyright.PENANARri2J6HCFq
"All right," Parcival said.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAYOd1nvGJfw
A cold breeze pushed her hair into her face, and she brushed it back with a hand.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAdcHQPAxT7A
She took care of Angel, then closed the stall.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAcsv0CK9SKs
"Poor girl, you rest up."
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAXIpERH9TzC
Her muzzle soft and silky she stroked it, before going back. Wonder what happened to this town?
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAKOr0JnRA6n
She went over to Han.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAZbaQy182FA
"Let's get you out of this cold."
1061Please respect copyright.PENANA0g9Pk7JK63
She walked by Parcival.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAt9xUWP8Pm3
"I'll come get you in a bit." This had to be the worst place to stay the night. The Jade cat offered few options.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAkBeegerCGe
That should do. A cottage near was in the fair shape.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAUvaz4ZdnG5
Behind a skittering.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAisFAQTH8DR
Nothing behind them. Now what?
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAyCynHkVdmS
Must be over tired. Inside in a back room, she helped Han onto a bed, he sprawled on it finished. He cuddled the blanket, snoring.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAoA3AtG35G8
She headed back and brought Parcival in.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAxBrzD2SfwK
She peeked out a window, "What was that?"
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAk0Cbd8Hd51
"What was what?" Parcival said. He eased in a soft padded chair.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAyqnuCVRjVF
A movement outside? Hum, now everything was still.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAZ253gnd1rx
"I'm going to go scout around the town for a while for supplies, and such." Hope it's not that cat again.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAyXyEIKRLuY
Closing the door behind she walked around. She cast the Luminous spell, but it came faint and decayed fizzling out. Am still too tired. A warm, thick breeze carried the scent of old rot. Yuck.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANA4wpPvDzoEc
A small inn was to the right, its door hung on an upper hinge. It creaked as it moved from side to side.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAL14xXMDhYI
The spirit of Kage wouldn't answer. Need food and rest or soon be of no use to them. Fine, will just have to slip in without help.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANA3C572OvRu3
Inside most of the rough tables had fallen on their sides, one carved one was still upright. An old rusty sword stuck into it.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANA2EDfIB3qNF
Going over to it, she yanked it out of the table. A thin blade, with a mass of nicks and rust along its edge.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAKdHbW0Di3X
She put it back. A room to the left with a sign above the doorway: Kitchen.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANA2B4nlHPBPJ
The shelves were filthy with dust and cobwebs. A bag of rice on the shelf, she dusted and picked it up. The top ripped open. Gross Nug-worms spilled out of the bag! She tossed it away.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAwWL3r1OgcX
The worms wriggled and squirmed under the floor boards, disappearing out of sight.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAPFq7bp0weC
Hate, hate, hate, nug-worms! Further into the kitchen was a broken pantry. Only the top shelf was left on it a dust covered bag of jerky. This looks edible. She beat off the dust and took it.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAT9vu3EwryJ
Skitter.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAsnSPcYgfCt
Whipped around. Nothing.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAAx7qkZXwaY
Back outside, she checked from side to side. The rest of the houses were empty.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANA7eHHg6a3Yp
In the last house in the town paintings on the walls of portraits. One painting of a woman had vivid golden eyes.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAaMTo4EQUjq
The painting bulged and flopped. She jumped back.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAufqZvi9Tw7
With her dagger, she moved it. A handful of nug-worms fell out with a squishy thump. They vanished under the floor.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANA1v3XiFOgfF
Time to check on the others. Back inside the cottage Han and Parcival are asleep. She sat in a rickety chair by Parcival and crossed her arms behind her head drifting off.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAp2zH4NqgIF
Han patted her shoulder.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAm86bUH5qQp
"Wake up."
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAoaX9KIwtTn
"Morn'." She rubbed her eyes.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAvmSJDk6p3a
Parcival yawned.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANA7zKfAAXnov
She took out the jerky placing it on the table.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANA6PHKgpHpUr
"Thanks."
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAq2UgYN1tlk
"I'm going to go get Angel." She walked to the door.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAIIILhwvCFU
"Who? Oh, right, the horse."
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAn4JaAQl70z
Outside her ears twitched, a scraping?
1061Please respect copyright.PENANA16qoa17wCG
She turned around.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAvtU0qYCR2w
Nothing was there. This place ...
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAofuAsMO7kY
She walked over to the stall. Angel hadn't touched the straw or water. It was time to go staying here for one minute longer-
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAKpMXQyUzHO
Skitter. Again?
1061Please respect copyright.PENANA6rDxTQnyUJ
Shuffle.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANADNLQa1K9rI
Scrape.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAAWrVPN0YDY
The rain splattered on her cheek. She jumped a little, then walked faster to the stall.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAX6sgYNhZ1R
"Shop hiding, come out!"
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAMiSSJKO0Ym
Skitter.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANALU6L1JvYpV
pop. Pop. POP.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAZh0TZ2SnzN
Her skin crawled, nothing was behind.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAVkJm2AkhXP
"Come on already! Enough! Face me!"
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAHfAB5szow8
She pulled her daggers out holding one near her face and the other down low to deliver a one-two stab if needed.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAkdVAHHlj5l
Her heart thudded in her chest. Stay calm.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAzNHBBkQIc7
The birds hadn't chirped at all today. This place just felt wrong.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAVu0caTEsyz
She went back to the cottage.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAKmgKNosjLq
Parcival had his armor chest plate off. It was an odd piece, with bolts and hinges. Must be that new technology that the blacksmiths in the last city were going on about.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAqAIk0K83Dx
"It's useless now."
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAFaGRTTffqu
She closed the door and stood by him.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAKDAxu3G4oq
"Have you noticed anything strange about this town?"
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAn4szvB2bOW
He placed the armor chest piece on the table.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAU2GNcn7tmO
"No, it's been quiet.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAYmVcd8Ckw8
His eyebrows scrunched up.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANA0oIQl80z40
Why?"
1061Please respect copyright.PENANA9Ub7fgo7OA
She sat. "Hum, I've seen and heard some strange things. A few nug-worms are here."
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAcPqPy83RPu
"That's not much to worry about. We should get going.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANA21Ma98WB4u
He stood and went over to Han patting his back.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAvhkc0GrCxP
"Time to go."
1061Please respect copyright.PENANA9qNQxcmSEQ
A weakness punched through her body. The vines moved around in her and siphoned away more energy. They didn't take much, as there wasn't much to take. It hurt less this time. Need to eat soon. Stomach was hollow and it pinched. Could just eat the jerky.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAwgkwWq7NPx
"Let's leave now breakfast can wait, this place is just ... wrong." She rubbed an arm.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAED5bdbrpm9
Han rolled over stretching.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAiFyGmsmMuW
"Fine with me."
1061Please respect copyright.PENANANVRYyesWcz
Outside again at the stable, she brought out the horse, handing the reins to Han.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANA9oWKagsVjS
The clouds darkened above and burst open. Crappy rain came as a thick sheet flattering her hair to the sides of her face.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAhnRhwhkXEH
"There should be a pathway that leads to the entrance of the city of Galrta."
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAK4R2kn0Zru
The rain, rat-a-tat-tat on the rooftops, drowning out the horse's hoof clops and footfalls.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANA8m6g2qCxD0
Past the last house in town, an object flashed in the brown withered grass. Nudging it with a foot it flipped over. The rusted blade. A trap?
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAIarh5gFafe
"Get back!"
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAypfwSVnfOg
Merryn pulled Angel back away. What in blue blazes?
1061Please respect copyright.PENANARLjjrfix5n
Skitter.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANANRXIsbsGjz
"Can you hear that?"
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAuFnx2xA6B7
Parcival joined her. "No."
1061Please respect copyright.PENANANMbqr5k1FR
Skitter.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAmosV2Up9nz
Just what was happening?
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAmsN7pxgtfM
Not but ten feet into the forest the skittering grew louder.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANASygPhoF0Fm
Parcival came over and took her map out of her pack, "Where to next?" he held it up to her.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAvqBpGwNi8R
Calm stay calm. She took the map, studying its layout.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANALHVz82Xtoi
"If we go a bit northeast for a while we should be able to get back on the road to the city after a few days travel."
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAoVx7EgaSzH
She craned her neck, behind them the nug-worms, joined together into a large mass.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAjJfl2F4V5h
It jutted out at her. Before she could sidestep it the nug-worms swarmed over, leaving her head free. They devoured Angel's flesh in seconds, the bloody bones cluttered to the ground. A mass of the maggot like creatures covered Parcival and Han.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAb8pX9M6AGr
The jade green cat stepped out of the forest shadows, it cackled.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAvLRuDX3Jjv
The cat twisted, bending into odd angles that no animal in nature ever should reformed from the paws up. It's skeletal structure and fur transformed to a humanoid shape. Last it's paws they changed to feet where dark brown leather boots flowed over them.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAwKkSjccaAj
A creature no longer; A man stood in black pants, and a buttoned red vest decorated with gold etching. His hard handsome face framed by black ringlets were piercing eyes glowed behind. Both of his arms raised, he whispered an incantation.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANA5HeDt6NdLJ
She blinked, and the worms turned into a handful of Elven villagers, the pupils a pure black. They silently scooted over, picked her and the others up.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAkDDSceb5ud
"Let them go!"
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAdxwv0FFWS6
She turned her head towards a crackling sound and wished she hadn't. At first, it was a dot but grew larger, its edges crackled with energy like a mass of curving lighting. Maxwell stopped chanting and went through it.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAnQ8AiWWk2I
"Don't you ignore me!" she screamed.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANARDtwNGQHUO
"Why is every day filled with stuff like this?" Han shouted.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANADqDE2XbuKs
Han was pulled though first, he craned his head their eyes met that look went straight to her heart.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAmVr0ju0fVM
A sticking rush of pins and needles ran through her skin.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAPhYkrrz5pt
Time seemed to slow.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANANAhCrrkqWb
The villagers brought her over to the portal.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAi83tbutZ4Q
####
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAhdCXHfvuax
1061Please respect copyright.PENANATnsc5y4akS
1061Please respect copyright.PENANA5Fi8YMELbt
On the other side, a desolate land, void of vegetation except for ancient leafless trees. An angry sky sparked with lighting overhead that flashed lighting the darkness randomly.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANASjDUMdnf23
The villagers carried her what seemed to be Eastward. The others took Parcival and Han to the North-east. The men flopped over the shoulders of the villagers.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAal9fWMstSC
"Hey! Bring them back!"
1061Please respect copyright.PENANA2DsNUjNbXK
She fought and kicked at the ones holding her. The one on the right punched her stomach. The blow hurt and took her breath away, she slumped back. Have to help them.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANA3tiIIiWMpM
What a waste of space I am... how can I if I keep getting caught. She titled her head slightly. A large building off a head came to view. They have to put me down at some point.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANA1IOVNIIh4w
Not long later they brought her inside and carried her up several flights of stairs to a small room. It had a window, a boring table with flat benches, and small desk behind it. Nothing decorated the cold gray brick walls.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAkkcDIv4gMw
They set her down on a bench and walked out locking the door. Really? So no shackles or cell? Suspicious.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAlNXji7XLzH
When the past awakens to the future the planet cries in pain. He weakens us, rid us of him, Unnamed said.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAUTmZiURtZN
Huh? What are you babbling about?
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAoGJjPmKckP
Unnamed did not answer.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAyYl25hAr0N
Maxwell came and closed the door behind him with a loud click. He put two wine glasses down on the table, ran his hands over his hair, and turned around facing her.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAHVrnPbJqcH
Dang, it. No time to look around.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAC6ZhPs4eTH
"Such a sour look, it doesn't become you." An amused look crossed his face.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAirLJT7v3xS
She glared.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANApzdvwCazdT
"Now is that any way to act to the only one who can actually help you? Your idiot friends know nothing of what is going on. I mean, how smart can they be if they haven't even caught on to what you are?"
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAXdmaAyAqGY
"It's my onus, not theirs. Besides, it's forbidden you know that. You were there with Mother those years ago."
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAnFYt6XIx7p
She stood up watching him while she pulled off pieces of the vines.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANA5JDnPb7VkX
Maxwell nodded. "Yes. It was discussed at the treaty summit. I never imagined you'd fail so horribly." His face convoluted before smoothing back.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAxUTLmsbsxu
Wonder what he's up to? She sat down trying to control her inner panic.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANA2a9VScAuT3
"Drink it'll calm you old ally," said Maxwell. His voice buttery and far too calm. Like a man that had everything he wanted.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAcPrdGOJeqS
He held out a glass of wine. A bitter scent struck her. Poison?
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAp3BpubhooO
Just deal with Maxwell, take it one step at a time. She willed her hand to stop shaking and reached out for the glass trying not to drop it.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAplmOdQcXUp
She coughed a few times, as her throat felt thick and dry.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANASgpqT1EeSF
She wet her lips with it, pretending to swallow. If not poison, then a sleep tonic. The red wine showed no discoloration.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAeOIJAlRUoR
"It isn't you know. If I wanted to, you would've been dead an hour ago." He swirled the wine in the glass and looked to the side.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANA3qhdUlZb2X
Keep him talking. While his head turned she scanned around the room for any weapons or a way out. There has to be a way out of here.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANA0ZYQYOGPUI
"I doubt you of all people desire to help me."
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAm0r8zLJ3ek
He leaned forward, and she stopped searching. She almost fell back onto the floor from tilting her chair as he was only an inch away.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANASzk4SZcoTY
"True, by helping you I help myself. That thing must die."
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAgOZzGlVQjK
His eyes fill with rage, a darkness shadowed around his face. laying his hands on the arm of the chair, he gripped it until the wood cracked and splintered.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAlpeBPApSml
She cupped her neck with a hand and sat further back.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANA3IwedjAEmG
"Make no mistake, I still hate you. I will hate you until I turn to dust until this planet grows cold and desolate. I will hate you until all things end."
1061Please respect copyright.PENANALNOtWs5bue
He hung his head clenching his jaw. His hair covered his face with shadow. The brights of his eyes piercing through.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAHaS6n8HOBI
He grunted, stood up and pushed the chair back, it slid across the floor and thunked into the wall.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAtcOA624Ngb
"I have other matters to attend to, it is advised you stay in this room. I will punish any disobedience."
1061Please respect copyright.PENANApd80c3vMLD
His voice tightened and laced with unmistakable hate. Leaving, he closed and locked the door.
ns216.73.216.25da2