The Emerald Inn: Part 4

[Enigma]

Anariel rides back to the Emerald Inn. Within a few leagues she stops and gets off her horse, sensing that something wrong has occured. She grabs her staff and looks around for the source of the evil, unsure if it lurks in the shadows of the forest.

Suddenly she hears someone coming up from behind her. When she turns around she sees a figure, her eyes fail to register. "Who are you?" She asks bluntly. "Stop lurking in the shadows of my doubt and show yourself!!"

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When Anariel fails to receive a response, she takes out her staff, threatening to use it if the figure does not answer. This proves to be useless, as the figure instantly strikes her down and her eyes suddenly become blurred. She can still see, but not very well.

After a few moments she comes back to her senses and sees who the mysterious person is. "Danailla...why?" She asks in a weak voice.

"Because you ran away from Scotland and took all of our family's honour with you!"

Anariel shakes her head in disbelief. "I cannot believe this," She says coldly to her sister. "You were the one to tell me to run...because I never wanted to marry Indris after hearing how cowardly he was! Dear Mother and Father asked far too much of me...so what else could I have done?"

"You could have done nothing!" replies Danailla. "You did not have to listen to me! It is now my responsibility to return you back to your future husband!" She quickly grabs Anariel and ties her up. After this, she puts her younger sister on a horse and takes her away from the inn. She is heading back for Scotland, in pride of finding Anariel at the right moment.

Anariel uses whatever strength she has left to send a message to Strombad, since she knows that he knows magic. Lord Strombad...I am under captive, being forced to journey back to my homeland! Tell the others that I never intended to.. Her strength finally runs out and she becomes unconscious.

[beeurd]

Neirin pushed on through the woods, it had been about 10 miles since those bandits had attacked and scared away his horse. At least they had stopped following.

What's that light up ahead? An inn or something, I hope...

Bran flew in circles over Neirin's head, as if excited about what was up ahead...

[Staranos]

Interestingly enough, whether or not the Wizard recieves the message, Bithan does. Possibly because of the mental link they shared earlier. What? Anariel, I know you can't hear me, but I won't let that happen. "I have to go...Anariel needs assistance. I pray thou findest a cure for our friend while I am away. Fare thee well my friends." With that Bithan runs off, some latent sense propelling him in the right direction. I'll not let thee be married against thy will my friend. I swear it.

[Mara]

Jade nods to Bithan and continues on down the path towards the inn with Ronknor.

[Staranos]

Lord, lend me strength. Give me swiftness to catch up to her and her captor... Beneath his shirt his wound begins to bleed slightly from the strain.

[Mara]

They reenter the inn and Sulah decides to clean up a bit and take her mind off of Kie and his unfortunate state.

[Staranos]

A figure drops down ahead of the running prince.

"It is time for you to die, your highness!"

"... I don't have time for this. Get out of my way!" Bithan charges forward, bashing aside his would-be assailant with his shield. He grunts as something hits his shoulder, but keeps going. Behind him, the man pushes himself back up.

"You havn't seen the last of me, Crown Prince! The line of Narbithan will end!"

Fine, but not until I've helped Anariel. Once she is safe, then shall I argue that the blood of the Founder is still strong enough against the likes of thee. But Anariel comes first... An idea strikes him. "I know not if there are Dryads in these woods, but if there are I beg thy aid. We are kin, you and I, though distant, and so I ask a favor of thee. One I care for is being brought back to her country to marry against her will. I seek to stop this. She and her captor are in these woods. Canst slow them somehow, that I may catch up to them quicker?"

"There are indeed Dryads here young Prince."

"We know of your family and recognize the crest on the shield you bear. The Cup and Crown is a respected symbol among us."

"Your family respects all beings, and so we respect you in return. We will help you young kinsman."

"Indeed, and in a better way than you have asked for. Come with us little brother."

Moments later there is no sign of Bithan. The forest is empty.

[beeurd]

As he got closer, he saw that it was indeed an inn.

"Come, Bren..."

The raven flew down and purshed on his shoulder, as he pushshed open the door of the inn and stepped inside. Once inside, he pulled the hood of his cloak down.

[Mara]

Jade turned quickly at the sound of the door opening hoping it was Kie, but it wasn't.

"Oh ... hello there." She nodded to the bar. "Care for a drink?"

[SWFDM the bored]

Stromabad walked in and slapped ROnknor on the back.
"Wake up boy! We have to figure out what to do about our young king and the dragon."

Ronknor jumped startled.
"But Uncle, you just told me to put this protection spell on the Inn. YOu;ve ruined it now.
"Rihgt indeed my boy" Stromabd said chuckling. "What to do now...."

[Enigma]

Anariel stirs, feeling her unconscious state wearing off. She looks around to see if her sister is anywhere nearby. Her hopes are lost when she sees Danailla in the distance, sitting by a fire and talking with someone.

Perhaps, I may be able to escape if I muster some strength...and use my magic.

She feels her hands behind her back tied up with a rope. There are quite a few knots securing the maidens fingers, ensuring that she will not escape. I need to find a way out of here...

Anariel tried as hard as she could to untie the knots, but did not succeed. I need to use magic to free myself...but how can I when I have no strength left inside me? She noticed her sister getting up and coming over to her side. She wanted to pretend that she was still in a coma or unconscious, but was not quick enough.

"So the wrench has awoken?" Danailla asked, in a voice that sounded only like that of a witch.

Anariel came to a realization. Her sister would never betray her or do such a thing to her, especially upon helping in her escape. "Who are you and what have you done with my sister?" She asked, spitting at the ground in disgust.

"You are too clever are you not?" Danailla replies, in a lower voice. She then begins to transform into someone else and then takes the shape of a man.

Anariel grimaces, remembering painful memories. She returns back to Scotland in a time when she was no younger than 5 years old, sitting in the dining hall and listening to a discussion. Suddenly the memory faded away and the man whom she now recognized took it over. She knows that it is Indris who has come for her, looking more evil now then ever. "What do you want from me? Can't you accept the fact that I will never join you in marriage and any sort of bond!" the maiden retorts.

"In time...you shall learn to love me, whether you want to or not."

[Staranos]

There is a rustling of branches and leaves, sounding as if the trees are holding a whispered conversation among themselves. An observant person would note that there is no wind however. As the rustling comes to an end Bithan steps into the clearing. Faint red stains seem to be spreading on his shirt at his side and shoulder. He appears unaware of this. "I think not sir. My friend is coming back with me."


(And I gotta go to study hall...)

[Enigma]

Indris hears someone speaking and then turns towards the speaker in one motion. A man is standing before him, with many wounds and blood all over his shirt. "FOOLl!" He bellows. "You should know better than to trifle in matters that do not concern YOU! Leave now at once, or I shall be forced to hurt you severely." He unsheathes his sword and advances towards the stranger, threatening to kill him.

Anariel sees Bithan in the distance and notices that he is losing a lot of blood from a terrible wound. "HALT!" She exclaims, at the top of her lungs to try and stall Indris. She whispers a few magic words and breaks free of her wounds at last. After this, she runs towards her friend and stands in front of him.

"You are now in my LINE OF FIRE," Indris warns in a dark voice. "Get out of the way and let me finish this...or you shall suffer for your defiance." He moves to strike her.

Anariel easily dodges his attack and then shakes her head. "Only one of little intelligence, knows not what the double edged sword contains." She retorts, removing her cloak, so that he can see that she is wearing sapphire coloured armor. The maiden is covered all over in thick padding, protected from magical and physical threats. She is also wearing a jewel around her neck representing that she has attained a high level of magic and combat training.

Indris does not look impressed or surprised at all from the action. "Where there is strength...there is weakness," He snarled, eyes glowing red and looking evil.

Anariel removes the headpiece that is keeping her hair in place and throws it to Bithan. It expands into a long sword and then shines a green colour in the darkness of the forest. "Barduk!"

[beeurd]

"Hello," Neirin says to the strange at the bar, who seems to be staff of this place, "I would love a drink, thanks. And are there any room availbale for the night?"

[Mara]

Smiles, "Quite a few actually. I'll get you a key a bit later.

What kind of drink would you like? I have just about anything..." she turned to face the various bottles on the wall behind her.