um, yeah,whatever, lets go.* takes off and starts flying circles around silveera* i forgot to mention, while one of the smallest birds of prey, i am one of the fastest* divebombs a rabbit at 100 mph(not kidding they can go that fast)

That may be, but they can still be taken down with magic *continues to fly, searching the ground around the river for any sign of movement.* (i can 'zoom' my vission in and out, giving me better sight)

yo you two lover birds, stop bickering! were all in this together ya know, and this isnt any different! you better be ready to fight if we have to!

I doubt we have to fight I don't sense anything dangerous just remember to not be impulsive and to observe before you leap and throw flames

@ silveera: i can be taken down with magic, but only if they can see me. * i hate flying however as it is tiring, so i dive to about 20 feet and then i turn into my human form, then i do a flip and land perfectly and continue on* i think im going to scout ahead* draws arwen and then turns into a shadow and then i'm, gone from all sight. shadow traveling, is only done when your in shadow form. it takes practice though. a few run ins with a brick wall and a few trips to china. all beings in shadow form can do this*

dont act all cocky you hear!?

*sighs* We should be taking it steady and slower in case we miss something of importance *cuts over closer to the river and picks up a rock that looks like tthe ones from the basket* Like this *holds it up to look at it*

that does look identical, *notices another lump floating down the river* hey whats that?

*hovers over the lump keeper noticed in the river. Stoopes sudenly, leveling out above the limp body of a man in torn robes* I think you just spotted our mage Klepter *I gently pluck the man from the water, swooping to the side of the river and placing him down gently and landing a few metres away, but staying in dragon form*

*grasps the rock and hurries over to the man and peer curiously at him and his torn robes.* It appears that he is has cuts and holes all through him. What could have done this. Is he still breathing Silveera??

Qwiss...*stairs off up the river* oh-no i hate Qwiss.

*i reappear* nothings out there, whoah, you found him. Sitka! * my companion appears amd begins to heal him. i recognise the guy.* guys his name is peter shonkar. He is (or perhaps now was) second-in-command of the rangers of Malkari, which is sort of like a international police task force. i am currently the commander of his squad, but i havent seen him in years.

its too late Shadow, Qwiss suck the blood out of its victims then leaves just the bones and skin, they live in salt water, but i've never seen one this far up stream in fresh water.

damn he was a good man* kneels and puts my hand over his forehead and says a few words of blessing. when i take my hand away, his body dissolves and when i look up at the stars ( i'm saying its night) and some stars brighten, forming the shape of a man holding a sword* live in the skys forever my lieutenant

OK...lets get away from the river and travel father up stream. is there a town or city near by?

dunno. im usually somewhere else. i dont spend much time here at dragnix. *turns to dragon form and then surveys the area.* there's a town 5 miles west of here

ok, then check it out. lets break camp in the trees so if its still around we wont end up like peter.

ill scout* i'm pretty ticked off that one of my friends is dead so i really want to be alone right now* shadow travels and is lost from sight

fine. *pulls out a sorta tent like object and trowes it up into a tree* im ready.

*reappears* bad news. pit scorpions are coming ( they are about 6 inches long and can jump 15 ft. their stingers can pierce armor) btw: i think this quiss attack is sort of like the shark attack of 1916. * i draw arwen* let the quiss or pit scorpions try something.* i see holes filled with fire starting to burn in the ground* they are here

*laying up in the in the tree at a safe distance away from the ground* can i sit this one out, im a little spent from walking all day in the blazing sun? i'll make it up to you all.

oh thnx, a REAL friend would help us get rid of these monsters

fine, but i dont want you going and getting your self hurt then. *leaps down to help out the team*

all right, alright ill stick with the group.*attacks yelling at the monsters* thats one for Will, thats one for Horace, and thats one for Clarisse. Go back to what hole you came from.

wow wait, what were the names for, and who were they? *jumps behind one and slices off its tail and stinger with a double handed "c" slice*

the other members of the rangers of malkari. they were killed by pit scorpions about a year ago. these pit scorpions.* points to a scar on the back of a pit scorpion that i just killed* that scar was made when i attacked them until i was wounded.*continues attackig

do you really think this is the time to bring up your past? *leaps over the last scopion, cuts off its stinger, and stabs my blade through its head.* that should finnish it, i hope.*wipes my blade im the grass, sheathes it, and jumps in the tree again.*

perhaps not but its a good time for revenge...Klepter, dont move.* whips out throwing knife and throws it, cutting in half the scorpion on klepter neck then retrieves knife*

whoo thats too close for comfort. why didnt you warn me?

um i did, and either way i never miss.* mutters something about how great it was that my friends trust me. straightens up from picking up the knife.* come on, we have to get out of here before the Neverweres get here. (neverweres, a creature of darkness are a dog-like animal that has black fur, red eyes, and has magical powers that if it bites you, or scratches you with its claws, you will literally have never existed. no one will remember you. they generally follow pit scorpions

CAN YOU STOP JINKSING US! Stop talking about stuff you've encountered, because it always seems to find it's way to us. *walks to the river and kicks a small pebble in* how about we just protect ourselves with magic and camp for tonight? How does that sound? *walks back to the tree and jumps up* and I didn't say any thing about not trusting you, I just didn't like the scorpion on my shoulder, I already have nezerr there.

*reappears from behind a giant tree root, some pit scorpion blood on my fur and paws* Perhaps moving from this general area would be best perhaps walking and or flying over water and through it to mask the scent. I don;t like the feel of this area. Something must be here that is drawing the beasts to this area.

OOC: its Jinx, not jinks. *i like catc's idea. or maybe i should just go. trouble follows me like a faithful dog. plus it would be easier to get back to the Shady Tree than make camp and expend energy on magic (which i hate). lets get out of here.* watches as Sitka flies onto my shoulder, then creates a rip in the space and time continuum says see ya in a minute and walks into the portal.

*watches silently as this rolls out* that's not what I mean *jumps down, walks to the rivers edge and looks up and down the river. After a moment of silent starring I turn around to face catc* I'm not liking this mood. *falls back into the river and floats down stream, with an arrow in my back, sticking out my chest. I slowly black out*

appears in front of the shady tree and begins to scout around, just in case anyone is around. flips up cowl of my cloak.* well sitka, its just you and me. just like old times eh?* finds deer tracks and follows them to find a beautiful silver deer with gilded golden horns. i think to myself i wish the other guys could see this

*appears next to shadow in phantom form* quick, shadow, get my body out of the river before i drown to death!! *looks over at the deer* where did that come from?

startled by klepters sudden appearance, i quickley draw my blade. i put it back then tie the deer to a stake. i whisper to it and say ill be back then i jump into a shadow and i immediatly land next to the river bank. jumps into the river and drags klepter out. i get out my first aide kit while Sitka go to find some herbs* oh boy. this sort of wound is hard to heal. if i were to break of the broadhead and pull the arrow, he would bleed to death.* looks over at catc* i can slow the bleeding but we need profesional help, not just a teenage dragons field kit.

Oh great, just great, I'm going to die by some unknown assassin that has a good shot, well I'll not so much a die but just reincarnate my self, while in phantom form.,

*I launch myself to the top of a tree, then into the air. Pit scorpion blood coats my tail spikes and claws. As the arrow lances through Keeper, I see movement in the bushes on the other bank of the river. I dive at the bushes, roaring in anger. The assassin looses an arrow at me, but i catch it in mid air, snapping it with my jaws* *I crash into the bushes, hearing a horse whinney in fright followed by the sound of racing hooves. I screach in rage, breathing a jet of fire after the fleeing horseman, not being able to pursue because of the close growing trees. I snarl as I pull my self from the bushes and glide to where Shadow has pulled Keeper from the river*

*notices silveera scrambling from the bushes* did you get him? He might of been helpful for this wound.

*sees the man and horse running and I take off after him ignoring the slight pain in my paw from a cut. The fur changes to a dark black and I blend with the shadows of the trees. I gain some distance towards the horseman and am now quite a distance from the others*

don't kill him, I need him alive!

i could get him. shadow traveling is pretty easy and i could just land on him. however, its extremely tiring.*looks at the arrow and under close inspection i see an odd green tint* great. great great great great great . the arrow was poisoned. and the poison is magic-tainted.

Crap!!! why does it have to be poisoned?! And poisoned with magic no-less.....wait I have a remedy for magic poison.

*catches up to the horseman and tackles him and I dig my claws into his shoulders as he lands off his horse with suprise etched on his face. I get my face so close the whiskers brush on each side of their face* Ye shall come back with me or ye will die where you lie

*sigh with relief at catc jumping on the horse man and him falling to the ground* can you knock the horse out while your at it? I'm going to need some protien once you get me cleaned up

hey, the horse had no part in the guys evil. wait. remember that deer that i found? the silver one with golden horns? it may have healing abilities. ill go get it *disappears to go get the deer

No, I want some horse meat. I think it's really fatty and delicious.

has found the deer and i begin to make my way to the clearing the deer lets me ride it and i am there in a few seconds*

*watches with interest as Catc hauls the assassin/horseman to the edge of the river* *snorts dissaprovingly at Keeper* Unharness the horse and let it go, there is a wild herd over in the next vale. She can go live free with her brethren. *the horse, having been startled by catc, had bolted, and got it's riegns caught in a bush*

i dont like it. usually assassins go in teams or pairs. the fact that there is only one man may not be a good sign. * as soon as the words i was speaking have left my lips, i feel the cool steel of a dagger against my throat and here a voice behind me that tells me to tell my friends to drop their weapons or he'll slit my throat. * guys do what the man says.

*hisses at the intruder and slips unnoticed into the shadows and leaves the man unconcious in a nearby tree top. afterwards i step out my hackles rose* who are you to intrude on us?

What can he do to a group of four, when he is only one man? *doesn't have a weapon so does not heed what he says* what can he do to a phantom? *disappears fully*

OOC: wait how can you take an arrow out if you are held captive by the intruder .> IC: *steps closer to the intruder* Ye didn't answer stranger! I'd advise ye drop your weapon. You're surrounded ye fool. play along he may not know we are all of this group, it may work There are many others coming behind us we merely went ahead to scout the trail, if you're smart you yourself will drop your weapon.

OOC: sorry, i thought you meant when you said that you left the man unconcious you were talking abut my captor. i'll pull the comment. *the man says that he and his companion have been watching us since we were at the shady tree and that Catc is bluffing. after that he puts more pressure on the blade causing rivlets of blood to roll down my neck.*seeing how this guy has things more to his advantage id say we just cooperate with this guy.. * my hands are still free to do what i want with them and i quietly draw my hunting knife* hey guys, i might be able to knife him. get ready to fight

OOC: oh lol sorry IC: *sees a slight glint of shadow's knife and I pause glaring at the intruder* I'll distract him Do you have a name stranger perhaps we should become better aquainted *my tail swishes to and fro the balde glinting in the late afternoon sun*

as my captor is distracted by catc, i flick the blade back, catching the guy in the gut. then i pull the blade and knock him in the head with the brass pommel. * ok, sow we can heal his wound and then get info from him when he wakes up

best to tie him up in case he does something or tries something.... *dissapears and reappears sometime later dragging the horseman and lean them against a tree. I dissapear again into the brush and forest. When I come back now that imminent battle is over for the time being, in my anthro dragoncat form and some dark tan capris and a black t-shirt the red visable on my neck. In my hands I have some thick vines with little thorns on them* these should hold them well

ah, my throat hurts *well it could be worse, i mean he could have killed me. takes dagger from the man and switches to dragon form long enough to melt the blade. then i'm back to human/ elf form,. i reach into my pack and get a new shirt as my old one is ripped and bloody. my mithiril chain shirt glints in the sun.* ah better. ok now we need to figure out a way to heal klepter. the deer might be able to do it but wed have to get klepters permission because if we take out the arrow and the deer cant help klepters dead

*appears behind shadow* now that wouldn't be to good now would it? *looks at the captives* now we need information from them?

aye as soon as they wake up.we need to know who they work for, and why they came to murder us

*I lay down a few feet from the assassins* How fast do you think they'll talk if they wake up to a suposedly hungry dragon lying in front of them?? (OOC: FYI, my personality changes slightly when I'm in dragon form. I become a little bit savage)

that would probably do it XD

Just don't eat them, since you didn't save me the horse. *sullenly looks at my immobile-body* catc, what if they didn't have to kill all of us, just me, and he didn't do that good of a job, considering that I'm still here?

what would make you more of a target than any of us? i got my throat slit cause that guy tried to use me as a bargaining chip. wait weve lost the reason were here. we came here to find the owner of the casting stone and found peter. maybe.. * i walk over to peter and find a journal in one of his pockets. i skim through it until the last entry which i read aloud January 6, 2011 ; I 'm onto something big and the whole of dragnix is at stake because of my ignorance. A large spike of Chaos has been placed on top of glass mountain. it attracts monsters like moths to a light. and when the monsters get there, they form ranks. the end may be near. thats why the monsters are drawn near. were under the shadow of Glass Mountain. and when peter was trying to cross the river, a quiss trying to get to the spike attacked.

Wow, are you for real? Give me that I want to see that for my self. *takes the book from shadow and rereads what shadow just said* dang I didn't want that to be true

ok because ursa major (big dipper) is there *points due west at the constellation.* then ursa minor (little dipper) must be there. *points at the northern constellation* so that must be Glass Mountain so thats where we need to go. if you dont mind, ill scout ahead in horse form. as silveeraa said, theres a herd of wild horses around so no one will notice. *changes to my black horse form, then gallops towards glass mountain

perhaps we should wait until the unconsious people wake and they can tell us what is going on. *lazily leans on a tree trunk and slides down to sit*

*changes to human form* uh ok. * decides i dont want people asking question about the cut on my throat (its not easy to get) so i get a black bandanna and tie it around my neck.* so we wait here? great just what a guy with ADHD needs. to sit patiently

*picks up a stick and tosses it to shadow and picks one up of my own and begins to draw in the dirt* I find sketching helps pass the time They are about to wake soon I can sense it

hmm. drawing is okay. * catches stick. and begins to draw in the dirt. is sort of distracted and i find myself looking at the stream while absent mindedly doodleing. looks down at the drawing to find a perfect likeness of an eagle clutching a dagger, then watches one of the men stirring and i completely erase the drawing hoping that they dont see it

*has sketched a chicken :p * *stands after putting the stick aside and watch the man carefully and the other cloaked figure as well* OOC: lol the look on their faces after seeing silveera will make em talk and be funny to see

*Walks back into the now darker woods at waits for the men to wake up* I don't think they'll like to see a ghost right when they wake up.

especially the ghost of the guy they tried to kill. hmm. *tosses the stick that i was drawing with into a stream and watches with horror as a dozen odd fish shaped animals attack it.*

*A low rumble starts in my chest as the assassins eyes flicker open, I adopt a 'starving wolf' expression and arch my neck as though ready to lunge at the helpless men at any second*

*supresses a giggle XDD and then puts on a serious you're gonna die face*

well, if you guys are going to interrogate those guys i think im going to catch up on my rest.* lays down, wraps myself in my cloak and is asleep almost immediatly

let me take point, if you don't mind *walks/floats up behind the first assassin and coughs, clearly surprising him.* shall we begin?

*multiple hours later, i wakes up* what i really want right now is a cup of hot coffee. find anything about those two? * points at the would-be assassins, who are bound and gagged

well i dont know about any of this but they arnt talking, no matter how hard i try. how about someone else try.

ok but while catc and silveera try to get some info out of them we should try to get that arrow out of your chest

*As catc and I attempt to interogate the assassins, the cower and whimper every time I move* ^^' I think I may have scared them illiterate *I push my self onto all fours, causing the assassins to scream in terror thinking that I'm going to eat them. I roll my eyes, and with a burst of red-black light, I revert to my human form causing the assassins to stare wide eyed. Walking over to them I crouch down, placing my belt knife to the throat of the one who'd attempted to escape on the horse* Tell me who sent you and I won't make the remaining minutes of your life absolute agony *The man's eyes harden and he spits at my feet* I will tell you nothing Elf-Witch! *I grind my teeth* (telepathicly)I'm going to have to resort to some-what drastic measures here guys (out loud)Wrong answer... *I press to flat of my knife to his throat, and heat it with my fire magic till it turns cherry red. The man screams in agony, and there is the sharp sent of burning flesh*

turns my head over to see what silveera was doing and immediatly i run over, taking the knife and throwing in deep into the woods.* you idiot! do you want to kill him or destroy any way he has to speak? It doesnt matter what he calls us, because its our job to make sure that we control our temper so we can end a war before it begins

*I frown at Shadow as my knife disappears into the forest* If you look at his neck Shadow, you'll find no burn. *I hold out my hand, where there is a rapidly healing burn mark* It was a trick of glamour, all I needed was the smell of burning flesh, and his imagination came up with the pain

How about I delve in to their minds as you interrogate them and I can pick up bits and pieces of what they don't want us to know, sound like a plan?

*I dissapear into the forest to look for my knife* Shadow broke my glamour, I won't be able to use it on them again

looks over at klepter* enjoy yourself*

*has walked up to the second assassin the one that appeared later and stands on his knee retracting my claws* *snickering he looks me up and down* What are you gonna do cat? purr and fluff me to death? *hissing I jump behind them and crouch onto their shoulders silently changing to the full dragoncat form and sink my now long claws into their shoulder blades* it would be wise assassin to say where you are from and who sent you. I care not for your life the posible family you have at home.. Nothing! *i whisper this in a slightly loud whisper in their ear ending with a hissing spurt of the word Nothing*

*with a full, creepy and toothy grin, i dive in to the assassin that catc is now sitting upon* *in a ghoulish voice* be prepared for unbelievable pain!

mutters a few words of dark magic and a black circle of fire surrounds the assassins

i thought you dont like magic.*still in side the assassins*

*I walk silent as a wraith through the forest, my knife having gone quite a way into its depths. As I consentrate on finding the blade, I fail to hear the sound of approaching foot steps. I notice too late, and as I turn towards the noise the world goes black as I'm knocked unconscious*

decides that maybe i should apoligize for throwing silveeras knife into the woods and goes to find her. finds a spot where there appears to be a struggle and try to contact silveera. no luck

*as one of the assassins screams out in pain, shadow walks away into the woods as if nothing is pleasing him.* yo shadow where you going?

out to find silveera.shes dissapeared

Hmmm, you didn't throw the knife that far, where did she go?

is still at the site of the scuffle* hmm. well ger tracks end here, which is where a new set of tracks begins which end at ... hoof prints, heading west. the fact that the tracks are deep singnals that the horse was moving fast

So what your saying is that it was a snatch and grab at like 30 m/h? Is that what I'm hearing?

bingo. but the horse & rider cant be far away, if this happened about 5 miutes ago. what say i fly up and look for them, then let you know where they are

Or you can use this, *holds out a ball and chain attached to a very ornamented knife.*this should help. Rube it through the dirt where the horse tracks were and then throw the balk and chain in the direction of the kidnapping. If you want the culprit dead let go of the knife. the ball should levitate in the direction that the culprit went