The Burning Sands

[ShatteredFaith]

ooc: i need...4 more people. Two of thoes spots are allready reserved, so...2 slots open to the public. Setting is about 7 weeks after the war of the lance. Also, please dont use 2 or 3 line character bios, id like thought put into characters...and there will only be 1 magic user in the party if someone wants to use magic, and youll be of middling power, i dont want lots of magic in this.

Name: Farren Maligos
Age: 42
Race: Half-Elf
Bio: Farren Maligos was born a mute, his mother, disgusted at her offspring, abandoned him at the age of 4 in the woods. Two days later he met a more open minded elf. He has stuck with her for his entire life, eventually understanding some elven and a bit of common, as well as swordsmanship.
Description: Farren is wearing light leather armor with a veil over his mouth and cloth above his forehead. He has a scimitar in his belt, which is tied into a sash. He has tanning skin and sandy brown hair that he lets hang for the fact that he doesnt care enough about it to cut it, it hangs to about his shoulders. His eyes are light blue and filled with intelligence that most of the time gets overlooked for the fact that he is a mute.


IC

The 4 wagon caravan rumbled through the plains of dust, scarved and veiled men guiding the train and riding along side it. The wagons were painted a sandyish color to better hide them from hostile eyes, the men and women guiding the caravan dressed in loose white clothes and masks that coverd all but their eyes, a feirce wind was whipping up the sand and two of the party had allready inhaled enough to suffocate before the drivers wised up. Alongside the caravan a loose group of 5 horseriders were conversing in the seemingly endless desert.

Farren was smiling slightly to himself, his mind elsewhere, as he listend to the soft words of his companions. He had suggested the job of caravan guards as an easy way to some silver, and so far it seemed he had been right.

[Crown-Keeper]

Name: Harken Sugruff
Race: Dwarf (has some human blood, but not much); Neidar with a trace of Deiwar
Age: Just over 102
Height: 4' 7
Weight: 214 lbs
Decription: Sugrufff has a long thin scar over one eye. The eye is not gone, but constantly glazed over slightly so it looks a bit white. His hair is dark auburn, and very thick. It is braided everywhere, especially at the beard, with small skull and helm iron loops. His eyes are deep deep blue, and his skin is slightly darker than normal for a dwarf but still light when compared with a normal human. He wears a suit of armor that is decorated with the symbol of a hammer and elaborate markings on the sleeves.
Bio: Sugruff was born and lived his childhood through disasters and wars. He finds it hard to care for anyone. because his father and sister were killed in a riot between mountain dwarves and hill dwarves and his mother disappeared soon after that. However, far from learning to hate the mountain dwarves, his underlying agenda is to make the mountain dwavres reopen Thorbardin and have the dwarven race become one people again- after he kills the mountain dwarves who killed his father.

IC: He never should have taken this job, Harken decided. He made a mental note to put dust on his list of things to avoid along with clerics, magic-users, and knights. And seedy bars. Only the best bars were good enough for the best drinker in all- the memories brought back the night... And Harken fell from the cheery mood he had been in, albeit the suffocation, and slipped into melancholy.

[Midnightstrider]

Name: Melara
Race: Elf
Age:97
Bio: Melara spent most of her live travelling, and in the travels, she learned many languages. When she met Ferren, she took him under her wing, and teaching him the language of their elven homeland and taking him with her on her travels.
Description: Melara has long blonde hair, kept up in a tight pony-tail and out of her face. She wears very little armor, and carres a long sowrd and a bow.

[KenderBryant]

OOC: I'll take the magic-user.
Name: Trindalthalas Althonos of House Mystic
Race: Silvanesti Elf with a bit of Qualinesti blood
Bio: Dalthas studied magic with his mother, a young Silvanesti known for her beauty. Unfortunately, her mother was named dark elf for fraternizing with a Qualinesti, since neither species never got along, so she too, was an outcast. Formerly of House Mystic, the Althonos line has abandoned Dalthas' family. He intends to go back to Silvanost and restore his family name for it was his grandmother's doing, not his or his mother's.
Description: Long blue-black hair worn in a braid, silver eyes. He wears the drab robes of an apprentice, one yet to take his Test. He bears a staff and carries his spellbooks in a backpack.

IC: "I don't like this, there is a sandstorm brewing. We're in trouble if we don't take shelter immediately. I will speak with the caravan master, forthwith." He rides off to talk with the caravan master.

[Archangel21]

OCC: Someone could have told me this had started :D He is one of the rare people who knew the gods were there before the WoTL :D

Name: Real name unknown goes by Jolin to honor the god who helped him in his time of need
Race: Elf
Class: Monk
Appearence: His brown hair is cut short and he wears a long red robe. He has a cloth tied around his head, covering his eyes, in the middle of the cloth is the picture of the Bison
Bio: When he was born he was blind, though his parents cared for him, few others did, one day his parents died defending his house from invaders, he was very young in elven standards by that time. After his parents died, the elves around his shunned him and, in an effort to keep peace, Jolin went into self banishment. After wandering around he heard a voice, when he reached it he felt a godly presence, it was Kiri-Jolith, and he helped the young elf train in the ways of justice, years later, when his training was done he returned to his home only to find the elves hadn't changed, they still shunned him. He left and swore never to return again.


IC: Jolin's head moved to look at his companions, "Ah a little sand and you wanna quit." He smiled underneith his veil. Unlike his other companions he was covered from head to toe, including his eyes, which were covered by his ever present bison headed band "Fine fine, lets see if we can stop" He said as he felt the sand start to whip around him, "Though I don't feel safe here," His head moved around, "I feel someone watching us," Though he figured his companions wouldn't believe him he knew better.

[ShatteredFaith]

ooc: were just a party of defective people arent we.

[Midnightstrider]

Listening to her companions words carefully, Melara shook her head. "Trindalthalas is right," she voiced her opinion, "We need to take shelter." She turned her head as the sand began to whip against her face as it was picked up by the ever increasing wind. "We can continue when the wind dies down."

[ShatteredFaith]

The mute manuverd his horse over to the elf, tugging on her sleeve and pointing to a rugged overhang of blasted rock on the side of the road, the only cover for miles around. He waved to the wagon master and shrugged, pointing again at the spot.

[Midnightstrider]

Melara nodded as her eyes followed Ferren's hand gestures. "Over there," she pointed to the overhang, "We will be protected from the sand there." She smilied at Farren. Somehow, he always managed to notice things that others missed.

[Da Chusher]

Name: Blume Morningdew
Race: Half-Elf
Sex: Female
Class: Druid/Rogue
Weapon: Daggers that are thrown by using the wind’s current and hit upon target
Distinguishing Features: Blume is around 5'2". She has dark brown hair with a sheen of golden-brown; aqua-green eyes; and freckles sprinkled across her face. She is always wearing a blackish-green cloak that covers her small form yet exposes her bare legs; within the cloak is held her numerous daggers lined up in a straight row. Her casual wear is of light green shorts that go down to her knees and have big pouches sewn onto them; a black shirt with no sleeves; black boots; and brown gloves. A peice of cloth covers the girl's left eye.

Bio: A young girl trained since she was a small child to deal in the acts of thievery. Since then she began to learn that she had an aptitude with communing better with animals than people making herself a druid. Her skills make it a lot more easier to slip away from the officials and guards. Blume is extremely shy and can get apprehensive quite quickly, seeing any potential danger upon herself as a good sign to get away. If cornered, the girl does have a tendency to ‘bite’ back. Unusually perky and impatient, this half-elf is always on her toes, ready for another day even though she's blind, the cause from a childhood disease she says. How she even gets around is her secret.
Blume accompanies herself with a badger companion, that guides her way out if there is no way of getting out.

IC:
"Baidge? Baidge?" a young girl with soft pointy ears groped within one of the wagons in search of her friend. A frisky squeak was heard alerting her of where it was. She turned around to the sound knowing for sure that it was her animal companion, she smiled. "There you are."

The badger skittered over to her from behind some boxes and let her feel his fur and ears. She didn't look at him but she did caress the creature's face. "There, there now. I'm fine. Just tell me where we are?" she asked, remembering the time she let the badger guide her towards anything that could be taken as loot.

Grabbing for his soft fur, the girl was able to see through sight of where they were at through the badger's eyes. Gigantic boxes of possessions and material surrounded them both, and she could see the movement of certain things as the caravan progressed down its destination. Slowly the link broke itself and left the girl in complete darkness. She sighed.

"I need bigger pouches for this."

[Petyr]

OOC: Well, Faith pmed me about this. Of course, there's already more than 4 other people, so if he doesn't want me to stay, he can always kick me in the arse like all those other times. :D You seem to all be half-elves or elves, so I'll keep it simple and make mine the same. :rolleyes:

Name: Kayan
Race: Half-elf
Age: 94
Gender: Male
Class: Dune Ranger/Former "Bane of the Ogres" (he went up into Blode and stalked ogres, killing them off)
Weapons: Scimitar (about 4 feet in length, including the near foot long handle. Handle tapered in blue leather, with a bronze pommel and crossguard. Blade is thin yet very strong, as is the hilt. Blade comes to a fine point), kama (like a sickle), numerous throwing knives, hunting bow with some very vicious arrows in a cotton quiver.

Description: Just over six feet tall, with lean, corded and extremely worked muscles. Kayan has deeply tanned skin, though not dark, with fluid blue eyes and a braided tail of dark brown hair. His face is rugged yet hin, but defined and molded with maturity, solid and stoic. He wears loose gray clothing designed for life under the blistering sun, with a gray veil. Each sleeve is fastened securely at the wrist, as is each pant leg at the ankle where they fasten overtop of loose cloth shoes with leather soles. He carries two small gourds of water at his waist, and his horse carries two larger ones, along with numerous other provisions and gear. Most would not call him handsome, but he is moderately attractive; however, he wears his veil mostly all the time, and he has numerous nicks and cuts, as well as two or three major scars, along his body.
Bio: It's a bit shady, but those who hire him are only told that he is a descendant of some mysterious bounty hunter who won a name for himself in Kern territory but died at the hands of Blode ogres, and his name, age, race, as well as that he's a phenomenally brilliant swordsman, a moderate archer, and very skilled with the lay of desert land. His greatest weakness is his lack of a physical shield; he relies on speed and dexterity.

IC:
"The sands shouldn't harm us very badly. If we cannot find shelter, blankets should be fine until it ends. It won't be a big storm, anyways," Kayan deduced. Life had scattered completely into holes and pockets in the ground in preparation for the storm, but the air did not feel as clogged and stiff as it would if it were a "sand monster" as the big storms were called.

Feet stepping surely along the sandy earth, Kayan looked around for possible places in which to take cover, and, perhaps, the 'something' that Jolin felt watching them...

[ShatteredFaith]

ooc: Its fine...but nomore people, and i never kick you in the arse Targone. I shoot you in it, it lasts longer.

[Crown-Keeper]

"It's gonna be a big storm. I suggest you all find somewhere where your spindly elven bodies won't be blown about in the wind." Becoming a bastion of strength, the plate mail of the dwarf combined with his girth ensured that he wouldn't blow away even in the strongest of winds.

[Da Chusher]

The badger perked up his nose and sniffed the air, twitching his small ears. He made some noises and squeaks, warning the girl of an upcoming danger. She grabbed hold of the items the badger had dropped into her pouches but soon halt all movement; she turned her head slightly with furrowed eyebrows.

"A storm? You sense a storm coming?"

He nodded out a squeak in reply, shuffling around the wagon they were in and digging at the floor impatiently. The girl snapped at him, "Stop it, Baidge. Settle down, my friend, it's just a storm. Nothing to worry about, we got through lots of storms," she smiled at him reassuringly.

However he let out another squeak this one saddened than excited. And that sound made her furrow her eyebrows in question once again. "Not like the others? What do you mean, Baidge? Are you saying that this one is different?"

Baidge answered her once more.

"Sand? Are we out in a desert? Baidge!" she got up on her feet, staggering a bit to the side. "You never told me we were out in the desert!" she whispered angrily through gritted teeth, although she had to admit it was blistering hot when she was traveling; she dranked up most of the water from her waterskin. Luckily they - mostly Baidge - found something that helped them from the heat.

"Hey! I think we stopped," she stated as the movement of the wagon ceased altogether making her lose balance.

[Petyr]

Kayan stared at the dwarf for only a moment and then simply decided that it would be a waste of breath and energy to attempt to argue the dwarf's point. Besides...the air was feeling a bit funny. He didn't understand how he'd not noticed it sooner. Maybe because he hadn't been looking for it...

Sniffing anxiously, Kayan turned and began to hurriedly scramble around, looking in every direction for a distant marking or hole. There had always been a place to hide when he didn't need one, but now, when he actually needed one...

"There!" he called out, pointing to a shady, circular area that stood out some hundred or so meters away. That was a long way for a caravan to go...

OOC: Oh, yes. And it hurts more too... :D

[ShatteredFaith]

THe mute glared at the elf who pointed out the hole, digging out a pebbel from a pouch and bouncing it off his nose. He pointed towards the rocks and cupped one of his hands, holding out a fist, he waved it around, trying to illustrait sand. Then he put the fist in his cupped hand, filled it up. He pointed to the rock and illustrated sand flowing around it with similar signals. And a glare for the elfs stupidity.

[KenderBryant]

Dalthas rides back to the others. "The caravan master agrees to stop for the moment until the storm passes. He's circling the wagons as we speak. Tether your mounts inside the circle and stay inside one of the wagons. Don't wander off." His familiar, a ferret named Snickers, wraps himself around the young mute half-elf, already attached to the young man. Dalthas has a lot of sympathy for the half-elf, as they're both outcasts, and has taken to tutoring him in history, geography, and religion.

[Petyr]

OOC: Oh my god!! :eek: I completely missed your post on the rocks Faith. lol. That really did not go well for Kayan then. I suppose I will try and gain back the respect.

IC:
Kayan turned slightly when the rock grazed his nose. Upon seeing the blasted rocks, he sighed and raised his head skyward. He was too young to be going blind already. Or perhaps it was the fact that he'd been forced to put up with the mute's dull movements throughout this trip and others. (Gotcha Faith :p ).

But it didn't really matter right then, and so Kayan made for the rocks in quick form, feet barely touching the shifting sands that rolled beneath him, nose constantly sniffing for the approach of the storm.

[Archangel21]

"Oh yeah, leave the blind elf here by himself, maybe one day he'll find you," Jolin yelled to them, but followed along after hearing them speak. "Well this seems like a nice place," He said once he was protected by the rocks, "but I still don't feel safe, perhaps tonight we should post double watch." His head turned to encompass the others.

[KenderBryant]

Casts a minor spell to ward the sand from his face so he can talk with eating grit. "Hopefully this won't last too long. I'm only along on this caravan because my teacher thought it would build character." Sits in a wagon looking grumpy.

[Da Chusher]

Baidge quickly scampered out of the wagon and onto the sand, he made tiny hops around so each foot wouldn't stand in the sand too long to get burned. He peered within the circle of wagons and the people taking small walks around. The badger scratched around the area and found a scorpion. Curiosity set in and the creature set forth into knowing what it was. Baidge let out a squeak as the scorpion stabbed its tail into his fur, and he quickly made haste with tail between legs.

"Baidge? Baidge, is that you? Where are you?"

The animal squeaked out an answer to the girl and she followed his voice, but instead she headed within the circle of wagons. The badger rushed at her pulling on her cloak, making her fall back on him. Baidge struggled from underneath her weight.

The girl reached around to touch fur and small ears. "Oh! I'm so sorry, Baidge!"

"Hey! Who's there?" shouted a voice.

"It's a girl... a theif," another stated when he saw the bag of fallen items next to the girl.

She squeaked herself getting up from ground and hearing the sounds of hurried footsteps. Reaching out to grab the fallen bag of loot into her hands, and Baidge picking up the fallen items into his mouth, the two head out into the desert. Baidge saw a shaded area up ahead, guiding his friend by brushing against her leg, and towards the rocks.

[KenderBryant]

Hears the commotion faintly, over the whipping desert winds. Steps out of the wagon and directly in the girl's path. "What's going on?"

[Da Chusher]

The girl not knowing that the figure was before her bumped into him in her full-run, she fell to the ground in the sand, her spoils falling out of her hold and onto the ground. Her badger-companion snarled at the man, teeth baring and so were his claws.

"Baidge!" she called him.

The badger scampered over to her, she quickly got up from the ground and on her feet. Standing cautious with hand in cloak. Her badger rubbed against her leg, and she faced the person.

[KenderBryant]

Snickers wrapped himself around his master's arm and chittered angrily at the badger. "Enough, Snickers! Does all this belong to you, young lady?" Indicates all the scattered items. "That's an awful lot to carry around, especially since there is a sandstorm coming. Sit with me in the wagon and we'll talk."

[Da Chusher]

Baidge gurbled not wanting to do anything with the mage. The girl nodded her head. "Thank you, that would be nice." She thought about the heat of the barren lands upon her skin and the lack of water in her waterskin.

The badger growled and made some more sounds towards her, but she reassured her friend that it was going to be alright. Grabbing out for the fallen items of the bag in her hand. But then again she had the people in the caravan to deal with and they would know that these items were not hers (they would remember that what she held in her bag was theirs).

"But no thank you! Come on, Baidge!" The girl hurried away cloak flapping in the growing winds that blew her and her badger-companion on their backs. All the loot fell to the ground once again. The winds blew sand in their face, itching and gritting.

"The storm? It's here already? Baidge!"

The badger could only squeak out an apology and scratch his head sheepishly.

[KenderBryant]

Curses. "Very foolish girl." Goes out and grabs her. "Have the badger follow us or not, but your priority right now should be getting out of the storm, not running from whomever the obviously stolen items belong to." His voice is stern with anger.

[Da Chusher]

The girl struggled to get out of his hold. "Let go! Let go!" she yelled at him, trying to pull away, but his hold was stronger than her small strength on getting free. Her next attempt was to call for her friend. The bagder was already on his feet, not minding the growin winds, he growled at the man, fur bristled and rushed at him to protect his friend.

[KenderBryant]

"I'm not trying to hurt her. The storm will do that if she doesn't find decent shelter and soon." He snarls at the badger. "If you really care for her, you'll let me help her."

[Da Chusher]

Baidge ceased his charging, confused on what to do - follow the orders of his friend or follow what the mage had said and let him help her out of the storm which was blowing worst than before. The badger whimpered and padded his feet into the hot sand and braced himself from the sandy winds. The badger went forth to nip on his friend's cloak and brush against her leg, calming her down with squeaks and gurbles.

The girl ceased her kicking and screaming, and sighed furious that the winds would go against her this way. "Fine... you're not going to give me in, will you?" she glared but not at him.

[KenderBryant]

"We'll see. First, and foremost. Let us get inside. I have a pot of tea heating up. Care for a cup?" Scoops up the frightened badger and guides the girl over to his resting spot.

[KenderBryant]

Inside the wagon is a teapot warming over a small, controlled fire. Nearby are cups, milk, sugar, and pastries. "Blueberry scone?"

[Archangel21]

Jolin had heard the whole thing, all of Blume's incidents. He smiled as he realized she was blind, it was blithering obvious, the way she tripped and he could tell her eyes was the badger, that was also obvious.

Jolin walked into the caravan wagon and sat beside Blume, "Well another blind one huh?" He said and smiled, "Don't be afriad, I'm blind also, but, unlike most others, I can see clearly." He shook his head, "My eyes are here," He pointed to his elven ears, "here," his nose, "And here," his head. "I can tell where your eyes are," He rubbed Baige on the head, "but during this trip, if you'd like, I can teach you to take your weakness and make it a strength." He shook his head, "Sorry if I seem a little forward, I'm not used to talking to other blind ones," He hoped his forwardness wouldn't scare her away.

[ShatteredFaith]

Farren rolled his eyes at the scene and tetherd hsi horse inside the wagon circle, against the rocks, and climbed into the wagon alongside them. He pulled the elf along with him, she mumbled something about not sitting with theives but he sat her down anyway, sitting alongside her and staring out as the sands whipped by, obscuring most of the visiblity, the shouts of the wagon crew being lost in the storm.

[Da Chusher]

Blume heard the blind elf speak and smiled, "You make it sound like its an easy thing to handle - and without an animal companion around you." She didn't sense any animals other than her badger and Snickers. "I follow wherever luck can guide me."

The badger came into the conversation by leaping on her lap. She laughed while petting the animal on the head. "Oh! And Baidge of course. He makes an excellent seeing-eye badger."

Her thoughts went back to the wagon and the people from earlier. "Where are you people heading by the way?"

[KenderBryant]

"Shall I make more tea? Try the scones, they're quite excellent." Dalthas casts a mage hand spell and the tray of desserts floats over to the others. "They're an old family recipe. Just the right amount of magic in the mix."

[Da Chusher]

The girl turned her attention towards Dalthas, Baidge bit the glove of her hand and guided her to the tray of sweets. She touched one with a finger and grabbed it in one swift motion, the pastry right in her mouth. She smiled and nodded her head, chewing on her fill. The badger looked at her and seeing that she liked it, the animal went to have a try; unlike his friend he politely nibbled on it out of curiosity then quickly put the sweet in his mouth whole.

[KenderBryant]

Dal laughs at the badger's antics. Snickers clambers up the thief's back, over her shoulder and swipes a scone from the tray, the chitters mockingly at the badger.

"Snickers. That's enough of that. Baige is a guest of ours and will be treated with respect, is that clear?" The ferret chitters his apology.

"Please, then, child. Tell us who you are, and how you came to be amongst this caravan." Dal pours her a cup of hot tarbean tea. "Milk? Sugar? Lemon?"

[Da Chusher]

Swalling the scone, she answered, "Milk, please." While she waited for tea, she tapped her fingers along her leg and tapped her foot on the ground. "I'm sorry if I'm a little 'twitchy', I'm just not use to this kind of treatment." Her sightless eyes stared upon the elf; Baidge went for another pastry.

The girl replied his latter question with a shrug of the shoulders, "I'm a druid. I commune with animals and... plants." She out of irony since as of yet she could not hear any plantation.

[KenderBryant]

Dalthas hands the girl her tea. "A druid, hmm? Fascinating. I haven't studied plants or animals, really, other than their uses for magic. You know, bat guano, or powdered rhubarb leaf. I must say, I would like to learn more, when I have the time. Right now, as it stands, I'm studying to take my Test."

[Da Chusher]

The girl caressed the head of Snickers. "The Test? Isn't that where the apprentices die for the magic?" Her voice held a confusion over the subject. She didn't have to sacrifice herself for her powers - although the thought of sacrificing never came to her thoughts.

She could hear the sounds of the winds from outside and the grinding sand beating against the walls. "Are you scared?"

[KenderBryant]

"Anyone who isn't scared is lying through their teeth, or very stupid, or just plain foolish. Of course I am afraid, but I won't let it control me. If I let that happen, I will fail my test. And, yes, failure usually means death. Alternatively, I could be left a gibbering loon, my mind shattered beyond repair by the magics I failed to wield properly."

[Da Chusher]

Baidge crunched on his scone and looked from one person to the next with curiosity. His big eyes looked back upon his friend who smiled unblinkingly at the elf. "You're right. People would be afraid if death was part of the 50/50 chance. What about that tea?" she changed the subject.

[KenderBryant]

Already handed her the cup. "As you can guess, I'm the spokeself for our little group. My name is Dalthas. The ferret is my familiar. He is called Snickers because a kender I knew said it sounded like he was snickering when he chattered, and the little guy liked the name so much, it just stuck. I tried to get him to change to at least an Elvish variation, but he was adamant. I've spoken too long and must moisten my throat. I'll let my companions speak for themselves."

[Archangel21]

Jolin had listened to their discussion quietly, he knew what it was like to be tested, his own life had been a test until Kiri-Jolith had come along, "Name's Jolin, just Jolin, no surname, and no past that I wish to talk about." He said quietly, his past was always a touchy subject with him. "I'm just here to make some money and for some reason the mercanary army I went to wouldn't let me in, something about me being disabled." He smiled, "So here I am," Jolin reached over and grabbed a pastry, he had realized where it was when Blume had grabbed one.

[Da Chusher]

The girl nodded her head towards Jolin's voice. "I'm Blume Morningdew. It's nice meeting you both." She turned her head slightly to the elven mage and the elven monk. Baidge leaped upon her shoulder with crumbs all over his mouth, knocking over Snickers in the action. She her the snickering chitters of the small animal and smiled, he really did sound like a little snicker.

"I'm so sorry for intruding, I'll make my leave now." She got up from her seat and called for Baidge who refused because he thought it wasn't the right time to leave just yet. The sandstorm was still brewing.

[Midnightstrider]

"I am Melara," the elf smilied and shook Blumes hand. "And this is Farren," she added, elbowing her friend, reminding him to be polite and shake the girls hand.

[ShatteredFaith]

Farren paused from his inspection of the girl and her badger to flick his friends ear, declining to shake the girls hand, he just nodded in her direction and stared out into the sandstorm.

[Da Chusher]

Blume ceased when she heard the voice and didn't move, her aqua-green eye staring at the young woman before her, not her face but her form. Slowly she reached out her hand as if groping for a wall before she finally felt the woman's hand and grabbed hold of it, shaking it. The girl smiled, "A pleasure to meeting you, Melara." She kept on staring but this time with a confusion on her face. "And... Farren?"

[KenderBryant]

Casts unseen servant to continue passing out sweetcakes while he prepares another pot of tea. Gestures to Melara as the servant passes by Farren with the scones.

[ShatteredFaith]

Farren shrugged, he knew the girl was blind, also knew there was noway to convey that he was mute unless someone told her. (ooc: really short posts....really really tired...

[Crown-Keeper]

"Ahh scones. Haven't had any of those in a while." The dwarf grabbed a fistful and began to chow down.

OOC: You guys post fast!!!! :eek:

[Da Chusher]

OOC: Sorry, CK:p !

There was more? Blume heard another voice this one a bit gruff and deep - a dwarf, probably? She smiled at all of them as she backed away towards the door, accidentally bumping into Farren who said nothing at all, she swiftly turned around to touch what was in front of her with a gulp, the only thing she felt was fabric. With her hands she guide herself around the figure, not knowing if it was a person or a coatrack.

Baidge went forth to grab her cloak. "Baidge, stop it! We must leave!" she whispered down to her companion.

[ShatteredFaith]

Farren reached foward and snatched her shirt, pulling her down infront of him and wrapping her arms in an X across her front, holding her pinned against him and shaking his head. The storm whipped up into an even bigger frenzy, the tearing of a tent fabric heard and the winney of terrified horses, luckily it wasnt the tent they were in. Farren looked at the dwarf pleadingly and jerked his head to the outside and back to the girl he was holding. He was afraid if he let her go she'd leap into the storm and die.

[Da Chusher]

At the first thought she screamed out. The coatrack was alive! This was the mage's wagon so things could have been enchanted by the magic. She struggled once more not use to being held back by things non-living. Baidge tried to calm her down knowing that the 'coatrack' was only trying to prevent her from going outside. What made her want to leave puzzled the badger, it must have been the thought of the stolen objects that made her act this way. She didn't want to lose anything that she stole fair-and-square.

[KenderBryant]

"BLUME!" thunders the mage, his voice ringing with power, then more calmly and quietly, "Going out there now will get the skin blasted completely off of your body. It will certainly prove fatal. Bide here awhile, and we'll sort everything out."

OOC: I know he's an apprentice, but ventriloquism can work wonders.

[Da Chusher]

Blume growled, her true nature revealing beneath the helpless, blind child. "I want to leave! Baidge! How dare you let them do this to me!" she struggled more from Farren's grasp. "When you know that you can control the earth, you are a messenger from Chislev! How else could we past through the desert so easily! You stop the sandstorms!"

Baidge tilted his head.

She knew that the badger was being stubborn. "Don't be a fool! You know that you can control it, so go out there and stop it!" she ordered.

The badger looked at the others with innocent eyes, trying to keep his gaze from his friend; he even went far as to twirling a paw to his head telling them with the motion that the girl was crazy.

Again she growled, "Baidge, you traitor! How dare you! Save me right now!"

Baidge went back into grabbing a scone from the invisible servant. Blume fell limp, giving up after she heard the badger gorge on scones.

[KenderBryant]

"Rest child. You're tired. You may sleep in here and no one will harm you. I shall stand guard." Ast tasarak simirulan krynawi. With those words, Dal tosses a handful of rose petals at the girl. "Fear not, it is merely a spell to help you sleep."

OOC: That's one of the few spells I know the words for, they're from Dragons of Autumn Twilight, when Raist casts the spell on their goblin persuers.

[Crown-Keeper]

The dwarf began to anger, and his rage was something people learned to fear. "Baidge, ye ate all the scones! Ahr... Oh well, I'll just get some more later..." With that the dwarf fell asleep.

[Da Chusher]

As the rose petals fell on her she closed her eyes and without much struggle, went into a deep sleep. Blume smelt them and wouldn't have guessed that Nature would turn upon her now.

[KenderBryant]

Dal smiles at the dwarf, knowing full well that there were more scones, if only he had asked. Gestures at Melara and Farren to join him further back and whispers to Jolin as well, leaving Snickers to watch the thief-druid.

[Petyr]

Faith your private message storage is full. ;)

[KenderBryant]

"What do you think we should do with her? She obviously stole those items, but I can't just toss her into the desert alone. She kind of reminds me of my little sister. And I am certainly not going to let her be hurt by those she stole from, not when it's possible to get her to return the items. I would appreciate your opinions."

[Archangel21]

"She stays," Jolin said quickly, "If we leave her here alone she will surely die, we will take her along, at least until we reach a town," That wasn't the only reason he wanted her along. It had be far too long since Jolin had meant another blind person and he wasn't going to let her leave so soon.

[KenderBryant]

"At the very least. What say you Farren and Melara?"

[ShatteredFaith]

Farren rolled his eyes and would have chuckled if he could What SAY you farren? he thought, with a mental laugh. He shrugged once he controlled himself and turned to his elf friend.

[KenderBryant]

"I know you can't speak, Farren, but with Melara's help, you can give "voice" to your opinion."

[Midnightstrider]

"I agree," Melara replied with a smile, "Atleast until we get to a town that will be safe for her." Turing to Farren, she laughed, knowing exactly what he had done without sound. "I do believe we are all in agrement," she told the others with a wink.

[KenderBryant]

"Thank you. It's decided, then. She stays. When this storm blows over, I will talk with those that she stole from, see if we can come to an agreement." Snickers scurries over and starts chattering in his "snickering" speech. Dal listens. "The storm is starting to break up. That is good news. Also, bad. They will come for her. I will protect her. There is more to her than at first appearance. I must confess, I am curious about her. And, yes, I know the old saying. Curiosity killed the kender. Let us pray to the gods that the same won't happen to us."

[Da Chusher]

Baidge could hear the sandstorm decling also and had just heard the mage speaking. He was all and glad that they had decided to get her to stay but there was only one person who was going to watch over her and that was her animal companion. The badger.

The creature growled and stood over his partner in thievery. Not trusting anyone get near her.

[Archangel21]

Jolin smiled as he heard the badger, "Shhh, little friend," He said calming to the animal as he neared it. When he finnaly felt he was close enough he knelt and started to pet the badger, "You're very smart arn't you, yes, and very loyal too," He smiled, "Well look," He reached behind his head and untied the white band, "I am also blind," He opened his eyes and leaned to where only the badger could see the eyes. "Yes, little friend I have been blind from birth." He said calmingly, "I know what it is like to go through the world in darkness, and I will let nothing harm your friend, you can trust me, I would not ever harm one like myself."

He stood and looked over at his companions. When he heard a sharp intake of breath he realized he had forgotten to put his band back around his head. He had shown them what he had always tried to hide. He had eyes, but they were pitch black, no pupil, no iris's, nothing, just blackness. Quickly Jolin tied the band around his head and said quietly to his companions, "She will sleep in my bed from here on out," He picked her up and moved her to his small sleeping area.

[Da Chusher]

Baidge tilted his head curiously at the sight. Not used to seeing others with eyes such as those. He watched the elf take his friend and decided to follow after him until the invisible messenger offered him scones. Baidge took one and stuff it in his mouth, then made a rush to go after Jolin, but then he looked back at the full serving plate of the pastry delight and decided that maybe after a couple of bites he would go and see.

[KenderBryant]

After the badger empties the tray of what's left of the scones, Dal dispels it. "I'm going to guard the entrance to this wagon. If anyone comes near, I'll have Snickers warn you. Get a little rest while we're here. We've still got a long way to go before we reach civilization."

OOC: For anyone who cares-here (http://www.sylnae.net/3eprofiler/view.php?id=9476) are Dal's stats.

[Crown-Keeper]

"Civilization... Ah, to have a nice warm bed again." The dwarf continued to mumble until he regained his regular stone-faced composure, having woken up several minutes before.

[KenderBryant]

Moves to the wagon entrance while Snickers moves to keep an eye on Blume and Baidge. The storm is lessening by the minute, though is still going quite strong to cause enough damage to the unprotected.

[KenderBryant]

Eventually the storm clears. When it finally ceases, night has fallen over the desert, bringing a chill to the air.

[Crown-Keeper]

"Do we have anything to keep us out of the cold?" The dwarf was totally serious, but to some who knew him cut a very comic figure.

[Da Chusher]

Baidge had stuffed himself full of scones and had slouched against a couch, he licked his paws belly sticking in the air, almost forgetting on where he should've been at the moment. The badger perked up when he noticed that the sandstorm had ceased its crying howl. The winds nothing but a whisper to the ear.

What made him stop from rushing over to wake up his rogue-companion was the sound of the night, the crickets were chirping their song.

[KenderBryant]

"The spell should wear off soon," says Dal. "Here come the other caravan members. They seek retribution."

OOC: Are there crickets in the desert?

[Da Chusher]

OOC: They're a rare species of cricket that can live out in the desert:p. Although I don't know if there are crickets out in the desert, I don't watch the discovery channel that much.:rolleyes:

IC:
Baidge twitched his nose at the sounds of footsteps in sand, and flicked his ears when there came the knock on the door, he got up on his feet startled. On the ready if it just happen so that Blume should be involved. The chattering going on outside made the badger growl and bristle his fur.

[KenderBryant]

Dalthas stepped outside of the wagon. "Leave us, now. For tonight, the girl has our protection. We will decide what to do on the morrow."

[KenderBryant]

Dal feels his spell wearing off as the other members of the caravan grumble and mutter amongst themselves. "Give us the girl elfie or we'll take you as a thief and accomplice," says one of the more learned caravanners. "I'm sorry, but I can't let you do that. I don't want to hurt any of you."

[KenderBryant]

One of the caravanners moves to strike at Dalthas with a sword. The mage dodges agilely and counters with a magic missile. The man howls in pain. "I said I didn't want to hurt you. Didn't say I wouldn't. Last warning. Leave." instructs the elf.

[KenderBryant]

The other guards swarm around Dal, effectively cutting off his escape route. Damn, that was my last spell. I'm no good at physical combat. I hope the others are paying attention and bail me out of this mess. he thinks to himself.

[Da Chusher]

OOC: Hey, I see you're alone, mind if I come along? :D

IC:
Blume awokened slightly, knowing that this darkness was not of sleep but was actually her conscious. She heard the mixture of fighting going on from outside. She got up into the darkness that was not of the night but was of her own. Feeling about herself she found to her touch soft sheets from beneath her, she groped about more and found herself to be in a bed. Getting up slowly, she made sure whether the bed was on the ground or was heightened off it.

In her mind she called forth for Baidge.

***

The badger raced outside into the the desert night and headbutted into one of the men before bouncing back on the ground, growling at the people around the area. They were after Blume, he knew this very well, the anger on their faces could very well be anger her from what she had done. Being loyal to his friend, he made sure that none would get to her.

Mutters and cursing could be heard from the men surrounding the mage but they were instantly put into a fury as bramble bushes uncovered themselves from the sand and began to entangle the men. Baidge crept away from the men and towards the lone figure standing near the wagon, her cloak billowing in the small winds. She bent down to stroke the badger and smiled. "Good job, Baidge."

Baidge gave a squeak of happiness and leaped into the air from satisfying his friend. The girl looked back upon the men before her with the help of her badger to show her the direction of where they stood. Her uncovered eye was dull from light, covered with an invisible film that veiled over her eyes, blinding her from sight. "I see that I am put to judgement, am I correct?"