Chapter 3 - The Long Run

[Vardaen]

OOC

It started off kinda scary there with that first one, wasn't sure you were going to even have a chance at it, but I guess Kylorin was watching out for you.

The guard looks down on Lehros, "You are the one that took the Dragon's Tooth with Shaman Amundi aren't you?" He gets a confirming nod from Lehros as he tries to keep his breath. The guard puts his yak horn horn up to his lips and blows three sharp blasts. Three other watch towers around the town pick up the call and blow echoing blasts. "Your warning is sent, the warriors will rally. I hope Bowenwar and my trust in your is founded. Come." He then speaks silently to the other guard in the tower and then climbs down the ladder to the ground. He motions for Lehros to follow him, "The King is in his great hall, follow me." The Elk Warrior races off into the town leading the way.

[paradoxa]

Lehros pushes himself onward once more and follow the Elk warrior into the town and to the King's hall. He moves like in a haze, glad that the warning is heeded.
Once there, he loosens the bindings for his ski with clumsy fingers, and steps out of them, so he can enter the building and bring the message to King Bowenwar himself.

[Vardaen]

OOC

Sorry for the dealy! I'm back now.

Lehros follows the guard to the great hall and once where the Half Anhel pops out of his skis and places them against the side of the building with one pole, the Rod remains in his hand as he heads inside the building.

The first thing Lehros notices about the great hall is the massive bon fire in the center of it, and the warmth washes over him oh so pleasingly. The scout didn't realize just how cold he really was until the fire warms him. The hall is basically one large open wooden chamber. Heavy pillars, carved with animal and monster faces support the angled roof high above. The room has many benches and tables set around the outer side of it near to the door much like a mead hall or tavern. At the far end of the chamber is a large wooden throne on which sits Bowenwar the new King of the Elk Tribe. Warriors mill about talking and drinking, other men and woman linger near their kin talking about the issues of the day. The huge fire in the middle of the room warms the building and the smoke escapes out of a hole in the middle of the roof. There are two wings to the building, sealed away behind closed doors. Weapons and shields hang on the wall and the windows remain shuttered against the cold.

The guard stomps forward, "My King." He bows to the man on the throne, "The Anhel who left with Shaman Amundi has returned, he speaks of ill tidings, and needs to speak to you."

Bowenwar straightens up on the thone, and waves away the hanger ons, "Lehros Frost-moon, you return! Come forward, let us speak at once, what news of Oroshar's Tooth and the Dragon's Spirit?" The man seems unchanged since last you saw him, youthful, vibrant, and friendly.

Images

The town looks kinda like this



The hall looks like this on the inside, but add a big bon fire in the middle of the room. And remove the Hobbit's and Gandalf

[paradoxa]

Lehros walks up to King Bowenwar, not even noticing all the other people, but focused on his goal.
The heat is pleasant and is bringing some color to his cheeks, but also making him feel dizzy.
He stops, a few steps away from the king's seat, and manages a very clumsy bow, leaning on the Rod for support.

"The Tooth is no more... ", the young scout declares with a hoarse voice.
"But the Doviello are marching against your people. They will be here any time... Vallenhost, the Doviello at the funeral... he followed us and.. and.. boasted with the surprise attack. " The long speech - at least for Lehros' means - leaves him strained to catch his breath. There's black spots starting to dance in front of his eyes and he's not sure how much longer he can trust his legs.

OOC

Will probably just collapse after delivering the message for added effect.

[Vardaen]

Lehros collapses as his eyes roll into the back of his head. King Bowenwar's smile turns to a scowl. As the Half Anhel begins to drift into unconsciousness he can hear the king shouting, "Marshal the troup! The Doveillo come for us, they will not take us by surprise! Sound the alarms!" The king hurries to Lehros' side and looks into your eyes, "Do not worry friend, your warning will not go unheeded."

Lehros then blacks out.


*** An unknown amount of time later ***

Lehros opens his eyes, the smell of flowers and pine on the air, the rustle of wind in the leaves around him. Warmth, true warmth covers him as a blanket. Blinking himself away Lehros finds himself alone, in a beautiful primeval forest glade, the babbling of a brook nearby.

[paradoxa]

Lehros just remains where he is for the moment, enjoying the beauty and the warmth of this strange place. He lets his gaze wander over the trees, admiring their lush green leafs, and breathing the scent of flowers.

Maybe this is what it's like to be dead...

[Vardaen]

There are birds in the tree and a red fox near its base just sitting there regarding you. A warm wind blows through the leaves and passes by bringing with it the sent of flowers and pine.

"You are not dead my son, do not worry." A tall handsome man walks into view from among the trees. Like in any dream you can't really make our his features, but you know instantly that he is Kylorin the ArchMage, your father. His silken robes swish as he walks to stand a few paces away. "Beautiful isn't it all?" He holds his hand out to motion at the trees and animals.

[paradoxa]

Lehros slowly sits up.
He is not surprised that the man has answered a question from his thoughts. Maybe he even spoke it out loud. It does not matter.

This is his father.

When he was a child, he spent long hours wondering what his father would be like. His mother never wanted to talk about that topic. And even years in exile later, after Saeldur had told him that the Archmage was his father, and they met his half-brothers and -sister, Lehros found himself checking their faces for similarities, trying to assemble a picture of Kylorin in his mind. And even envying those who had a chance to see Kylorin.

And now here he is.

The young boy's heart feels light with strange joy. He looks up to his father and smiles, making the black mark on his left cheek seem like its twisting slightly. All the questions he had and things he was so eager to learn about Kylorin now seem so very irrelevant. It's enough that he's here.

"It is beautiful..."

[Vardaen]

"It will never come to pass if you do not complete the task set before you. Once this thrived all over Erebus, now only in the tiny havens of the Anhel and Elohim across the sea. You have tarried long enough." The man's face remains blurry, out of focus like ever in a dream. He is handsom however, that much you simply know.

"There is one more, your sister to replace your fallen sister. Find her among the chaos that is to come. You will know her for she bares a special amulet with her. The other half of your brother Egbert's, you however Lehros of the Frost-Moon hold the key that will bind the two together." He looks down at Lehros' pocket, and that piece of silk that is tucked away inside.

[paradoxa]

Lehros jumps to his feet as he's hurried on, but he is not sure how he even got here, so how should he go on?

A streak of sadness crosses his face as Kylorin talks about his fallen half-sister. Sadness... and anger.
"You can't replace Vibrika like some broken arrow. ", he blurts out, then quickly looks down. Scared by his own outburst, his shyness is taking over again.

... Lehros, you fool!
His hand darts into the pocket with the shred of silk, letting the soft fabric run through his fingers.