Hunting the Gurtha Maten --The Hunt--

The smell of food started to stir Vele from her deep tireless recovery slumber, one of the few things that could wake her up. Food…it was meat of some sort, she wasn’t sure what and she realized after a minute she didn’t care. It was overshadowing another smell in the room, a scent that had managed to come through the cooking of the meat. ‘Blood…’ Licking her lips, she bolted up from sleep instantly, her eyes wide open in earnest. They held the same golden glow, outlined in a trace of black, leaving a cutthroat tiger like expression in her eyes.

Biting the tip of her tongue lightly, she closed her eyes, breathing deeply to calm down the sudden bloodlust. Every so often she woke up that way, her mouth watering for the warm liquid, her surroundings completely fuzzy in her wanting. Sighing, she opened up her eyes, noting the giant, Njord, cooking what seemed to be deer, a look of curiosity at her sudden wake. By his side, a deep cup of blood stood and in the far end of the room slept Istalindir, a restless expression across his face.

Though she had always been bold, she found she was a bit apprehensive. Forcing away her reluctance, she motioned towards the blood, wondering if it was up for grabs. Njord picked up the cup, handing it to her gently. She quickly took it away, taking a deep thirsty gulp, sating her hunger temporarily. It was definitely animal blood, it didn’t hold the potency of any other living being within the vicinity. It was disappointing, but it would have to do. Stopping halfway, fangs dangling into the cup, she looked up from her meal to see Njord watching her.

Blushing, she spoke into the cup, staring to him intently. “Gentleman, you’ll have to excuse if I do not use giant anymore, it just seems too general,” She placed the cup aside, wiping away any blood that might still be on her lips before continuing. “I do not wish to bother with titles, so for now, I will get to the point. My name is Veleanith, you can call me Vele, but never Velean,” Memories of her past made her eyes flicker in a brief angry hue. It faded quickly, Vele placing a strand of hair behind her ear. She folded her knees up to her chest, relaxing her cheek onto her knees as she did so. Her eyes held a childish innocence, a strong curiosity. “I appreciate your kindness…the fact that you went through all the trouble of sparing me a fight the other day, the fact that you even managed to save my life. But why would you do such a thing?”

Njord laughed when he called her "Gentleman", but bid her to continue. He looked off into the fire, as she finished he question, and picked up the last peice of deer off the fire, and looked at Vele to answer.

"I am Njord of the Celtica, and I am no gentleman. A hunter, a soldier, a mercenary, a thief, and a barbarian maybe, but never a gentleman."

He took a bite of the leg and chewed deeply before swallowing, enjoying every morsel. He took another bite then set the food down, and replied to her question.

"I made a blood pact with the Drow, and though the pact does not include protecting his....friends, I intend to keep my honor. To us Celtica, an oath is more than a bond, it is a partnership, a brotherhood..."

He looked at the scar on his hand, from the Drow's blade. He looked at his other arm, where, on the bicep, there was another scar. From many years ago, but still spottable with ease. Njord knew that scar wouldnt leave until...A tear came to his eye. He wiped it away quickly, not wanting to show weakness. He grabbed the venison and opened the door, saying the password, and walking out to the brook. He slowly cate his meal there, and grinded up half the bone, rubbing it on his scar, and dropping the rest onto the ground, muttering to himself.

"Respect to the dead...Respect to the Gods."

He got another peaice of meat from the house and threw that into the fire as more libations for the gods, then poured out a little of his remaining rum.

"To the never dying Gods, who brought us to this earth and remove us in orderly fashion. To the dead, may they never be forgotten."

He drank his remaining rum, and scratched his head, wiping away another small tear.

"Well Ax I suggest you start talking of this vampire you seek, if he or she threatens this land then it is within my duty to stop him, no one is to make an innocent suffer while an elven huntress roams the lands."

Ax nodded as he looked around "The one they call Istlinder? Where is he?" asked Ax remembering his talk with the Cort of Ice and Stone.

OOC: Hmm...Istalindir is an elf. Yeah, and Njord's a giant. Vistalzidar = Drow, Melcanin = Elven Huntress, sorta like an Amazon, Lanilor = Vampire, and lastly, my character, Veleanith = Vampire. You probably already knew of most of the other one's but I'm just figuring I could clarify a bit for you not unless you were just looking for Istalindir other than hunting/killing reasons 😊

OOC: Yeah, plz explain

OOC: Yeah, I know the races... So much Vampires... Thats why I switched my CHar from half elf half Vampire to Lycan! Lycans are cool! Their invincible unless you shoot them with a golden bullet... And they become all strongh at night... Thought they have problems with the Vampires...

OOC: Yesh, vampires versus lycans, that much is true. Thought it was silver that poisoned/killed them...but no, here's my thing. Eirhala asked you what vampire you were seeking...and then you ask for Istalindir...who's an elf. So it's either Ax bypassed the question and changed the subject or it seems you think Istalindir is a vamp. So I was and am still wondering...what exactly did you mean?

OOC: No, I didnt mean Istilinder is a Vampire, I just asked her if she knows where he is.

OOC: First and most of all, No one and nothing is invincible, if a werewolf gets its arm cut off then it's armless for the remainder of its life unless by some form of magic or another it it reattached, if it gets a fatal blow (it's head cut off for example), then it's dead. Second, it's a silver bullet, not a gold one and silver in general, I see it more as a weakness than anything els because he can be killed and is allergic to silver.
Red X, I've heard that you tend to "God Mode" and rush things in RPG's you participate in. I ask that you change your ways, at least for this particular RPG. There is no competition going on here, it does not make you better if you have and invincible character who can kill thousands of people with his bear hands easily. We're trying to work together and enjoy our progress, I ask that you don't try to rush things and work more on how you progress through your journey.
You also most likely have noticed that the greater part of our posts are long, that does not mean that you have to write long posts so long you do not wish to but I also ask that you try to at least write more than one sentence, maybe even a full paragraph, it helps us understand you when you express yourself properly. Also remember to follow the rules!

Sorry for the lecture but I just wanted to make sure things flow smoothly.

OOC: I have to apologise to you guys for referring the to the Court of Ice and Stone as the Court of Sand and Stone. It won't happen again. Secondly, I have to be the big bad wolf and warn Red X that I'll come down on him if he tries to rush this thing like I have seen him do in other posts. There is no need to go at this thing like a bull at a gate buddy...adventures aren't completed overnight and this is no exception. Thridly, as the others have stated, Lycan's are weak against silver, not gold, so perhaps you could get that straight, eh?...Anywho, enough bitching...on with the show...

Vistalzidar nocked one of his Silver Oak arrows and Aelizor followed suit.
"Why are you searching for Istalindir, beast? Speak your business quickly and wisely, for we shall show you no quarter if we don't like your reply."
Together, Vistalzidar and his nephew carefully controlled the shadows of nearby trees to block off any escape routes as they stared down the shafts of their arrows at the Lycan.
"We have business to care to ourselves...it would be unwise to delay us longer than is neccessary."

Watching him eat as he spoke, Vele felt her nose scrunch up about his gentleman comment. She decided to wait until he was finished explaining why it was starting to become common for him to save her ass on a daily basis before saying anything. Her thoughts soon drifted away at noticing what looked to be a tear start to come from his eye. He tried to hide it, but wasn’t quick enough. Grabbing the meal, he quickly made his way out of the cabin.

“That wasn’t expected,” Putting on her cloak, she found she was bemused and in wonder as to what could’ve gotten him that way. “Brotherhood…perhaps he lost his comrades during a battle…? Possibly…we all seem to have lost something…the elf has not mentioned it but the way he sleeps says it all,” Vele crawled over to him with narrowed eyes, noticing a troubled look on his face. “Like every nights rest is a constant nightmare, not a moment of peace in his dreams.” She tapped his forehead lightly, muttering quietly. Sighing, she lifted herself from the ground, draping her hair behind her back and heading to the door.

Shouting flute quickly, she stopped a branch mid whip from hurting her. “You are a strange one, aren’t you?” Smiling to the willow, she started to walk into the forest, wondering what she should do next. She thought about leaving the two men to themselves, disbanding from them as soon as she fully recovered. “But I could do with their company, seems to be more to everyone than meets the eye nowadays.”

Now up to Midi, she stroked her neck affectionately, glad she had found her horse. “What do you think we should do? Should we leave them while there is still light?” To her surprise, Midi shook her head, snorting slightly. Veleanith blinked, then gave a weak smile. “Are you the same horse that has been riding with me from town to town? From hit to hit?” She laughed, petting her neck softly before talking softly. “I shall find you a treat once we reach the next town. Do not fret too much.” Cleaning up Midi’s mane, she found herself starting to hum to herself, a mysterious little tune, though, where she had gotten it from she wasn’t sure.

Eventually finishing up, Vele walked from her horse and back to the cabin, not too sure what she should do. Midi was comfortable with their current surroundings as was Vele. It was why she wanted to go, a fear of getting too comfortable then losing it all in one fell swoop.

“That is not the way brother would have wanted me to live life. Be optimistic about your surroundings, enjoy life for as long as possible, you’ll never be certain when you will go,” She pounded a fist into a palm, a smile on her face, her eyes golden in her happiness, at the same time, tears streaming down her cheeks. “That’s the spirit! I’ll carry on for him with all the bravado I can manage, I have to.” Smiling, Veleanith sniffled, quickly wiping away the tears from her eyes. Back to the willow, she shouted flute and silently made her way back into the cabin, coming in just before Njord started to drink.

“To the never dying Gods, who brought us to this earth and remove us in orderly fashion. To the dead, may they never be forgotten.” Raising his rum, he took a deep meaningful gulp, almost absentmindedly scratching his head.

“Aye,” said Vele in agreement. Not having anything to drink, she sat down by the fire, keeping a steady gaze into the flames, the crackles and snaps of the logs burning the only noise in the room. Moving her knees to her chest, she spoke quietly into towards the fire. “I almost forgot something. While I do not mean to offend and I apologize if I do, I still think of you as a gentleman. You managed to save my life and during my brief moment of weakness, you and your comrade didn’t try anything foolhardy. I call it as I see it, gentlemanly, but considering that is such a long title, I think I would prefer your name much better, Njord. Short and to the point.”

Veleanith looked over to him, giving a small smile. She then crawled over to the sleeping Istalindir, peering down into his face with a childlike innocence. It soon turned into one of someone scheming as she revealed her fangs. Looking up to Njord, she put a finger to her lips before turning back down to Istalindir. She knew she was being childish, possibly even a bit foolish, but in her boredom and her need for some manner of amusement, she smiled deviously as she spoke into his face in a sly whisper. “Breakfast…”

Istalindir opened up an eye, looking to her grumpily. At seeing her leaning over him, fangs bared, it instantly changed as he revealed a dagger hidden within his shirt. Vele managed to jump back just barely from a swipe as he jumped into a sitting position, weapon out to her.

Letting out a chuckle, Veleanith started to shake her head. “Wasn’t expecting the blade, nearly scared me with that. I apologize but I could not help it,” Laughing, she fell onto her back, shoulders shaking. “If only you could have seen your face at the moment, it was truly priceless.”

“I’m so sure…” muttered Istalindir sarcastically. He placed his dagger away giving a look as if wondering why she had woken him...or was still with them for that matter.

Forcing herself to gain a semi-serious attitude, she sat up, crossing her legs Indian style. She looked down into her hands, her raven hair helplessly falling into her face veiling her eyes. “But I digress…” She sighed. “I am heading southern from this cabin. If you all are headed in the same direction as well, perhaps we could travel together,” Vele looked up, forcing her hair into the back of her cloak. Looking between Njord and Istalindir, she raised an eyebrow. “Though if you are not, I shall make my leave now and let you two be.”

Ax immideatly took out his sword the same time when he heard the sound of silver. Ax turned around and pointed the sword at the drow. Ax looked at the exits, his eyes rolled up and turned from red to dark black. The shadows immidiatly obeyed Ax's commands and moved away from the exits. For he mastered the power of shadows well... He was a full born werewolve, the creature of darkness... The man of the same race which is fighting the Vampires to take place as the Champions of The Night. Ax was happy to see it was dawn, and night will be coming... The time of the day his real powers would be seen. "Firstly, Do not call me beast, you yourself is a Drow... " said Ax with a cold voice, the "You dont wanna mess with me" kinda voice. "Secondly, I need Istlinder because I have been to the Court of Ice and Stone, and I wish to join the hunt for the Gurtha Maten" Continued Ax "Now put that silver down before I get rough" added Ax. Comeone! The moon... The moon... Come out for me... For once at the right time thought Ax desperatly as he quickly looked up into the sky, and then glues his eyes back at Vistalidzar(SP? Hard to spell..)

Vistalzidar's brows scrunched as he concentrated hard, forcing the shadows back to where they were previously and letting the drift upwards, ready to block that which the lycan was looking for...the moon.
"You are more beast than I will ever be, Lycan. One who feeds on the flesh of others is beast in my mind."
He dismounted Ne'kalsa and strode purposefully over to the Lycan. Looking deep into its eyes Vistalzidar continued purposefully. "We too, are on the hunt for the Gurtha Maten, to bring about the just vengence we all crave to let our slain people rest in peace. But first, we have business to attend to that is almost as important as the Gurtha Maten. Join us or not, that is your choice. But if you wish to find Istalindir, then you had best head south now, before I change my mind and kill you where you stand."
Vistalzidar turned his back on the Lycan, purposefully ignoring him as he addressed his men and the huntress' people. "Our numbers are now sufficient to march against Talloth, but do not get it into your minds that this will be easy. Do not forget that we march against an entire sect of Shadow wielding Drow."
He reached out with his mind and send a touch of the trees shadow into the minds of all the huntress' kind. Instantly, a ripple of murmurs spread through the women as they became disorientated for a few seconds, then their weapons raised as their minds cleared at they realised what had happened.
"Peace!" Shouted Vistalzidar, raising his hand. "What I have done is beneficial to you, not harmful. You will now be able to sense when Shadow is being commanded near you, whether it is being manipulated around you or used directly on you to cloud your mind."
He raised his index finger. "But be warned, you must use some of your concentration on sensing such activities. Should that concentration slip for even a second, I cannot guarentee you'll walk out of this battle alilve."
Vistalzidar turned back to the Lycan, who still stood there, looking slightly annoyed at Vistalzidar ignoring him. "Well?" Vistalzidar prompted. "Speak your mind or begone."
Aelizor pulled back on his bow string, ready to let fly at the slightest sign of trouble from the Lycan as the creature pondered its answer.

"Ill join you. For I shall help you the best I can, I had fought many wars, thought came back with wounds, I am still standing here..." answered Ax putting his sword back into his shead. "I have learned to keep my Werewolf form in control, so in the moon in battle, do not worry" added Ax. "So, exactly how much soldiers do you have, and how much does your opponent have?" asked Ax curiously.

"We have enough to make a worthy fight." Came a gruff reply, it was Kortana, a woman not of the elven kind but who rode with the huntress and her kin, surprisingly her skin was paler and her eyes sharper, she looked of the Lycan kind but bore a silvered ring, showing the power of her kind, she looked down at the Lycan from her steed, swiftly dismounting, "You have been disloyal to your kind for far too long Lycan, the fact that you wish to join us makes me curious."

Njord chuckled as the elf started and swung. He looked away into the fire, only half-listening to Veleanith. When he heard that she was heading south like them, he turned back to her, sharp and aware. He smiled, happy to find another companion.

"Indeed, we head south, to the Land of the Dead, to find and kill one of the cursed creatures that are called the "Gurtha Maten". I am not sure of the elves grudge with them, but my companions were slaughter and eaten before my very eyes, and I am no one to forget a pact. I seek vengeance upon the cursed creatures..."

He sighed, and calmed his rage that boiled up inside him, knowing that if it was released...Well, it wouldn't be the best of situations.

"But yes, you may travel with us, or would we be travelling with you?"

He smiled and snorted. Njord again looked into the fire and yawned. He was getting tired. He decided that he would take a nap down the brook. After telling the others, he picked up his spear and packed his things from the table.

"Come down when your ready and wake me, so that we can set out."

He walked out, shouting the password, untied his horse, and mounted him. He urged Tyr forward, riding down and around the bend, and then dismounted, tying Tyr to a tree again and then leaning against another, closing his eyes. He was asleep immeadiatly.

Njord walked through the forest, his axe, in battle form, in his hands. The sun descended under the horizon, and the moon came out. Njord ran, knowing that it wasnt safe to be out at night in the forests, he broke out of the tree line, and looked down, horrified. It was a village, burning. He looked around, recognizing the place as his homeland of the north. He ran down to the village, and looked through the ruins, seeing people he knew, that he loved, dead, slashed across the face and belly. Then he came to his own house, and roared in agony. He ran forward, cradling his dead little brother in his arms. His eyes welled up, and tear burst forth from them, and he rocked beack and forth, weeping over the loss of his brother.

His village, the bvodies, everything dissapeared. Njord was in the desert, on his knees. He grabbed up his axe, and looked around, it was night. Then he looked to the north. And saw a starnge bunch, a drow, two elves, a vampire, and a lycan, coming towards him, running. He looked to the south, and saw, to his horror, thousands of the foul creatures that had killed his companions. He jumped up, ready for batle.

A bright flash of light. He saw his companions again, all that had been killed by the Gurtha Maten. He cried for joy, embracing them each. They smiled too, and motioned behind them. He saw the same people as before, the vampire, lycan, two elves and a drow. Njord was puzzled. One of his companions opened his mouth to say something, and Njord made out the Celtica words, "Kilok son, i bourt cov rag-nar", and Njord nodded, understanding.

Another bright light, and Njord was back in the desert, he looked around and made ready for battle again. He was surrounded by the Gurtha Maten. He heard a great laugh, and looked up on a cliff, to see who else, but the young drow boy up there. The drow said something, and the Gurtha Maten launched themselves upon Njord...

Njord's eyes snapped open, and he grabbed his spear, spinning around, looking for non-existant foes. He breathed deep, slowing his heart beat, and noticed the sweat on his forehead. he wipped it off, and went to the brook, dipping his head in.

"You miss understand the Lycans..." answered Ax smirking. " We fight only for our survival, the Vampires have been threatening us, our territory, everything we have... Our Kinds business is only with the Vampires." explained Ax. "All the story's about Werewolves killing innocent children, or maybe even eating humans alive is nothing but a lie, us Lycans help anyone we can except Vampires" Ax looked up into the sky, and howled out into the night. Suddenly, after his howl, came many more, as thought they were responding. "Our Kind helps each other in any way possible." added Ax. He knew most people thought of Lycans as ruthless creatures who kill anything they find, and that they are evil. But Ax knew, that they were not, For they could control themselves even at their Werewolf form, and have been fighting off the Vampires from the humans for a long time now.

(Lol, now I feel like a bad guy of some sort with my vampire character. Uhh, but anyways, all Humans are extinct in this new world if I understand correctly...)

(Yes, so he'd be protecting those of the region.)

Kortana looked around and sneered a little, "So it was one of your trusted bretherin that killed my younger sibling? I find that hard to believe that a Lycan of such trust would do so...tell me Lycan, are there those of your kind which are seen as outcasts?"