Kat
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Post by Kat on Feb 21, 2009 15:11:37 GMT -5
Linwe nodded. "I've not used it since the time I took too much," She said as she started outside. She turned back, sliding the back door shut again. She turned around, watching Eslakon put the bag she had given him onto one of Chara's spikes.
"That would be easier," She agreed as she walked over, sliding the back gently off of her shoulder and handing it to him so he could put it up. She was a few inches too short to reach the closest spike without stretching, which was hard with a bag as heavy as that.
"Which way are we headed?" Linwe asked, gazing around her. "I could probably find a path with the least amount of trees, to make it easier for Chara."
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Post by Eslakon on Feb 21, 2009 15:22:38 GMT -5
Eslakon grunted as he set the other pack on the opposite side of Chara’s neck to even out the weight, and then stepped back with a grin, sure that they wouldn’t fall off unless Chara really wanted them to. “There. That should work.”
Chara raised her head once the pack was draped over her neck. ”To Spirda, so we can visit Zidane.” She said, looking at the forest around her, trying to see if there was a large enough path. Though the way they had come was clear enough. The weight on her neck was nothing more than a minor tug on one of her neck spikes, even though she clearly knew it was there.
“Oh yeah, Zidane. Perhaps you can talk to him about the lore of potions. I’ve never seen him make one though, but I’m sure he knows something about it. What do you think?” Eslakon asked Linwe, only pausing to look through the woods behind him.
He didn’t see anything.
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Kat
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Posts: 43
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Post by Kat on Feb 21, 2009 15:26:45 GMT -5
"Alright," Linwe said, looking back towards the way they came into the clearing. "We could just head back the way we came then," She said. She glanced at Eslakon when he spoke, and when he finished her eyes light up.
"That would be wonderful!" She said, eyes bright with excitement and anticipation. She couldn't wait to hear more about the substances she makes when she finds the right herbs. "Oh, wait, just one moment!" She said as she slid back into her house.
A few moments later, she returned with another, smaller, bag on her back. "In case I see any herbs or something I need," She explained as she slid the door shut and started to walk towards the path Chara had made. "I don't think I need anything, but it's better to be prepared."
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Post by Eslakon on Feb 21, 2009 15:47:02 GMT -5
“Yeah, since Chara tore down half the forest to get here.” Eslakon joked, but paused when she growled softly and started to walk off towards the path she had made, leaving him behind for a moment.
He glanced to the left, and then ran to catch up with her. He stopped once again as Linwe returned to her house, and then came back out with a small pack in her hands. Chara had paused in confusion as well, looking back at him and then to the house.
“Oh,” Eslakon said after she explained why she had returned, and then nodded. “Yes, there are many things of use in these woods.” He followed her as she made her way to the rough path. “I’m sure he would like talking to someone who doesn’t fall asleep every now and then. He can talk dragons to sleep if he talks without sarcasm. Though many of his lessons are very informative and interesting, but its best to beware those boring subjects.”
”Yes,” Chara replied with a humorous tone, abandoning her once aggravated mood. ”He has even put me to sleep with a theory about grass.”
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Kat
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Post by Kat on Feb 21, 2009 15:53:35 GMT -5
Linwe jogged to catch up with Eslakon and Chara, smiling sheepishly at them as she shrugged the bag on. She fell into step beside Eslakon. "Yes, the plants in these woods are useful in more ways than most know," She said.
She smiled at Eslakon's comment about Zidane putting even dragons to sleep. "Well I have grown up listening to old elves tell stories and other things that put most everyone else to sleep. I enjoy listening to elders." She shrugged as she looked around, hoping she that she might spot feverfew. That was the only herb she could think of that she was running low on.
Linwe laughed. "Yes, I must admit a theory about grass would probably put me to sleep as well," She said. "I'll just try to keep him away from that topic then."
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Post by Eslakon on Feb 21, 2009 16:25:23 GMT -5
“Yeah, which is why I usually stay out of the woods, because I might accidentally step on something of importance.” He said with a sigh, he remember when he accidentally stepped on Wolf’s Bane, the only stop to becoming a werewolf, which is very rare and delicate. He frowned slightly at the memory.
“Yeah, I’ve rarely seen him with nothing to say, though. Though he is very old, he barely looks it, like every other elf.” The sudden realism that Linwe might be well over a hundred years than him came to mind, causing him to paused in mid-step. Though he wasn’t about to ask her how old she was. “Though despite his age, he commonly spars with other elves and me as well, is seems those are the most bloody battles of all. He prefers a blade over magic, which makes him different from other elves.” Eslakon explained, stepping over a root as they entered a forest.
Chara listened intently, though she knew the Zidane well enough. She remained silent as she weaved her way carefully through the forest, trying not to catch any branches that would either smash or remove the two packs on her neck.
“He is not near as old as Talish, one of the elders. Whom I have only heard stories of, but have never met.” Eslakon looked up at the tree’s canopy as he thought, but then looked down with a sigh when he couldn‘t recall any stories he had heard, and then waited for Linwe‘s response.
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Kat
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Post by Kat on Feb 21, 2009 16:36:39 GMT -5
Linwe smiled. "If you stay on a well used path, then you won't have to worry about stepping on anything and you can still walk through the forest," She said. "Although when I was younger, I jumped on some thyme, which was what my mother used to help me sleep at night." She smiled at the memory. "My mother was livid with anger, and I went without a good nights sleep for a month while the thyme grew back."
"Yeah, most elders don't know how to stop talking I think," Linwe said with a smile at Eslakon. She shrugged. "It's rare to see an elf that really looks old," She said. "I've seen several myself, only because my mother helped them with joint pains. She took me along so I could learn." She sighed, shaking her head and not noticing his faltering step. "I think I am one of the youngest elves, at least I am in my village."
"Talish?" Linwe said, frowning as she thought. "Odd... That name sounds familiar to me somehow, but I cannot recall how..." She bit her lip in thought, but nothing came to mind. "Hmm... I cannot remember..."
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Post by Eslakon on Feb 21, 2009 21:07:50 GMT -5
“Yeah, I often travel deep into the woods with Chara.” He snapped off a dead branch that might get in Chara’s way, and then dusted off his hands after he tossed it aside. “That’s terrible.” Eslakon said as she explained what her mother did when she was younger. “Was that the only thing that would help you sleep?” He asked a redundant question, even though he was sure that there was more thyme deeper in the forest, perhaps they couldn‘t travel that far.
”That’s the only thing they do not know.” Chara said, not looking back, for the potions might fall off. She chuckled when Linwe mentioned the elder’s aching joints, which sounded like a raspy cough. It seems even elves wear down as they grow older.
“Talish, well that’s what everyone calls him, its short for Talishar. Like the haunted woods, only he had the name first. It was actually he who founded the woods, but I don’t know why he named it after himself. Perhaps to ensure that his name carries down through the ages, or some other unknown reason. Only he knows.” Eslakon stared blankly into nothing at the thought of the elder, he knew not what the elf looked like.
“Zidane should know about him. I’m sure he has met him too, but I’m not sure. He never chose to talk about it.” Eslakon slowed his pace for a moment, and Chara nearly stepped into him, the clinking of vials filled the air, causing both of them to freeze in place until it stopped.
“Sorry.” Eslakon said, his shoulders raised.
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Kat
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Post by Kat on Feb 21, 2009 21:21:33 GMT -5
Linwe couldn't help but laugh at Eslakon's comment. "Well it was the only thyme we had," She said. "Unfortunately, we couldn't find any wild thyme, so we had to wait for it to grow back. By the time it did, I was able to sleep fine without it." She shrugged and gazed around.
Linwe stopped when she saw a small plant off the side of the path and smiled as she walked to it. "Catmint," She said happily. "It helps with fevers better than anything else." She dug it out of the ground and wiped the dirt off the bottom, being careful not to damage the plant as she stuck it in her bag and kept walking. She smiled and laughed at Chara's comment.
"Yes, I do agree with that Chara. Even though they are brilliant, they just do not know when to stop talking." She gazed around the forest, her left eye catching bits and pieces of movement but nothing more than that. When she was younger it used to upset her, but now she was so used to it she had forgotten what it was like to have two well seeing eyes.
"Ah, yes," Linwe said as the name finally registered. "I've never been there though I have wanted to visit. I've heard those woods are haunted. Is that true?"
She froze when she heard the bottles clinking and looked back hurriedly. She sighed with relief when she noticed none of them had broken. "It is ok," She said. "I don't think anything can harm Chara because of her scales, but if something does break we had better clean it off of her scales fast. I do not know what my potions and poisons can do to dragons."
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Post by Eslakon on Feb 22, 2009 0:50:32 GMT -5
“Ah, I see. At least you do not require it anymore.” He never needed anything to sleep, he tended to sleep in when he could, but ever since Chara got old enough to fly he rarely gets to sleep in now, though he rather enjoys her company. He wasn’t about to let a few hours of extra sleep keep him from that company either.
Eslakon stopped as Linwe wondered off to uproot what was apparently catmint, which is what she called it, and then carefully stick it in her small bag. Chara was getting to be rather impatient, but didn’t show her emotion for it could break several vials in the bag, and she didn’t want to see what it would do to her scales.
Chara suddenly disliked having the packs draped over her neck. If that did happen, she was going to fly to the nearest source of water and have Eslakon bathe her instantly, regardless his best pleas not to.
”They could have put you to sleep when you had trouble doing so.” Chara replied, but without much sarcasm. ”Though what is past is past, no reason to dwell upon it. That is what Zidane always says. There is much meaning and truth to that. For he has killed hundreds in his past, and commonly has nightmares about it.” She sighed slightly, her tone rather dull. She hoped Eslakon didn’t end up like that.
“Yes, I know. Tis a sad tale. His brother Lazerus was fell by his own hand, for he had converted to a Dark Elf.” Eslakon suddenly felt burdened with sadness. “That was the first time I’ve ever seen him cry, and now he cries commonly.” His head drooped as he wondered how the elf was ever in a cheerful mood.
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Kat
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Post by Kat on Feb 22, 2009 1:00:10 GMT -5
"Not anymore," Linwe said, nodding. "Although I do use it for others. I brew it into a tea, though it doesn't taste that good." She shrugged. "It helps young children and eldery elves sleep." She was looking around the forest again, although this time was just because she hadn't been this far away from her home. Not in a long time, anyway.
She could sense Chara's impatience, and decided that she would stop looking for herbs and just enjoy the sights. She was sure that Chara was already upset enough that she couldn't fly, so Linwe wouldn't stop to gather herbs like she normally would. Not unless the herb she found was rare.
"It is better not to dwell on the past," Linwe said. "But sometimes it is easier said than done. In moments of weakness your past horrors can sneak up on you when you would otherwise not think of them." She sighed and shook her head. "I have killed many myself," She admitted, almost sadly. "Those who have tried to harm me or my village, although the village does not accept me. They come to me for help, but they do not acknowledge me otherwise." It didn't bother her that the other elves didn't like her, although she had always wished one of them would be her friend regardless.
Her eyes turned sad at the thought of killing a family member. "I believe anyone would be hurt from something like that," She said. "Having to kill your sibling because they lost their moral value is heartbreaking, even if they are killing others." Although she wouldn't know, the thought saddened even her.
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Post by Eslakon on Feb 22, 2009 1:29:57 GMT -5
Eslakon leaned against a nearby tree until Linwe returned, he had been drawn deep into his thoughts, and didn’t really notice anything that went on around him. He couldn’t even fathom Zidane’s sorrow, and he was sure that even a hint of it would sent him groaning in depression.
Lazerus had been a wonderful warrior, who matched even Zidane, for they had been trained together. Yet it seemed that Zidane’s loyalties were opposite Lazerus, who followed Dregan and converted, unleashing his rage and malice upon the land. They hoped to form an army and take control over Drania, which is gathering even still.
“Yes, I’ve learned that from Zidane.” Eslakon replied, he wanted to change the subject, but somehow couldn’t. He had never experienced true sorrow, but thoughts of losing Chara could almost bring him to tears. He hoped he never did, for fear that his sorrow would have him take his own life.
Chara lowered her head at his sudden change in mood, for it had been she who started it. ”Yes, Lazerus slew many, which was why Zidane had to end it. He couldn’t keep his brother alive, despite his love for him, if he were going to attack the innocent.” Chara looked out through the trees, though her view was blocked by many high branches. ”We should go.” Chara said as she looked up through the tree’s canopy. Otherwise they might have been in the forest until dark.
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Kat
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Post by Kat on Feb 22, 2009 1:54:54 GMT -5
Linwe closed her eyes as she walked, taking care that she wouldn't fall. She thought in silence, opening her eyes only when she sensed something on the ground close by her feet. She sighed, lost deep in thought.
"Several have died by my mothers hand as well," She said quietly. "I believe she had been in the same situation as Zidane, only it was her father, not her brother." She shook her head. "I cannot remember the story well. I only remember that he had lost his mind and she had to kill him before he killed someone else."
Her eyes were unfocused as she thought. She wanted to change the subject, this one was upsetting her. "How far is it to Zidane's home?" She asked. She wasn't used to being upset for long, and she couldn't handle being upset. She turned to Eslakon then, wiping any expression from her face. A hint of pleading could be seen in her eyes though, pleading that they changed the subject before the weight of it pressed down on her. She knew what it was like to lose someone you loved dearly and talking about it was like reopening the wound and pouring salt on it.
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Post by Eslakon on Feb 22, 2009 13:24:23 GMT -5
Eslakon walked, staring at the ground, as small branches pressed against his chest and then snapped back into their original position. Though many snapped off as he merely walked through them, though he ducked under the limbs that would have hit him in the face. He did not linger on the subject, but merely let it pass.
”Its on the outskirts of Spirda, on the other side than which we are now. He lives in one of the Melar trees, so it isn’t extremely far.” Chara lowered her head to avoid a large branch, causing a few vials to clink, but not enough to break.
Light flickered over Eslakon’s face as they came close to the clearing that he and Linwe had sparred in, for the trees were beginning to thin. He looked up to see the tree that Chara had knocked over, glancing out over the branches that marred the once clear ground.
It looked like a natural occurrence, but there had been no strong winds and the tree had a deep root system. “It shouldn’t be far now, and soon we will be on the path to Spirda.” Eslakon said, breaking his previous mood. There was no reason to mope about on such a beautiful day, on something that has happened in the past.
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Kat
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Post by Kat on Feb 22, 2009 13:33:44 GMT -5
Linwe smiled with relief at the end of the topic and nodded. She turned back to watching the forest, listening to the sounds it made as they walked. She missed being out here so much, and she only got out anymore to train. It was wonderful to be out, and even more so that someone was actually with her. It only made her happier to know that someone was a dragonrider.
She looked at the fallen tree that had been knocked down by Chara and her eyes scanned over the clearing, looking for the blood they had spilled but knowing somewhere in the back of her mind she wouldn't find it. "I think every time I come here now, I will look for the blood," She told Eslakon as she looked at the tree that she hit while trying to dodge his sword. "I keep expecting to see it on my clothes or on the ground somewhere. It is odd that I do not, even though I know it was only magic."
She turned away from the tree and scanned the rest of the clearing as they walked through. She was glad it wasn't too far from Zidane's home, she didn't want to make Chara carry those bags any longer than she needed too. She wasn't very keen at finding out what her potions and poisons would do to the dragon's hard scales.
Her left eye caught movement off to her left and she turned, looking at the deer who stood frozen in terror at the sight of Chara. She whistled to it, and the deer broke from it's frozen state and ran as fast as it could, fleeing for it's life.
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