Classic-Castle Roleplay: February 2005

[Lord_Of_The_LEGO]

Suddenly Katherine tensed.

"Someone approaches."

"Who?" hissed Willem, fumbling for his stolen weapon.

"You needn't draw blade, Blackcloak, it's your compatriot, Graygon."

Q-8

"Where?" Willem snapped.

"To the north."

Without further ado, Willem turned and rushed off. Katherine followed slowly, her strides long and even. When she reached the two friends she clucked her tongue.

"You're hurt." she said, indicating a flowing wound gashing deep into Graygon's arm.

"Lucky shot..." muttering Graygon, "Who are you?"

"A friend." Willem rushed, "Graygon, are you being followed?"

"Yes!" Graygon nodded angrily, "I tried to loose them over the Daggerfalls, but their bloodwolves are too keen. I reckon we have five minutes before all megabloks breaks loose..."

"How'd you find me?" asked Willem.

"I followed you trail in the snow...unfortunately a blind Crusader could have followed it as well..."

Willem swore, "I was delirious for a while...didn't know where I was going..."

"If you plan on avoiding Ciroal's henchmen, I suggest you leave now." commented Katherine dryly.

As she spoke two dozen black arrows tore through the sky. Willem and Graygon cried out in alarm and threw themselves to the slushy ground, but the Katherine simply flicked the projectiles away with a wave of her hand.

Graygon looked up in amazement. "You're a druid!"

"Obviously. Do you plan on fleeing or not?"

Graygon turned to Willem.

"I go where you go, milord." he acknowledged.

"Then we'll head south, deeping into Dark Forest..." replied Willem, begining to sprint through the snow.

"What's south?"

"Some allies, I hope."

[Sir Drake]

Grid: N-6
Location: Citadel Of the Fallen Three-Hundred

When they arrived at the Citadel, it was like an ant-nest, soldiers were running around, others were making wooden reinforcements to the wall, everybody was working or training.

"Well, many hope of a Wolf Pack Faction without Grimtongue lies here on the back of our soldiers, will you be willing to fight on our side once more, Lord Archidamus(this was Swift's name under the people of The Order, it means "Great Leader" in the ancient Wolf Pack language)?
"Of course, this will be a war I wouldn't want to miss, we gain many glory and fame trough this" Swift said.
"But trough the blood of others" Aaylah mentioned.
"That is something we have to take with it" Swift answered.
"So, tell me something about your companions, Archidamus"
"Well, this is Aaylah, the most beautyfull woman on earth, this is Fraun, her brother, and this is Radjar Kath, I think you allready heard about him?"
"You are Radjar Kath, the warrior who has beaten Defoe, you are leader of the Dark Foresters?"
"Yes, I am all of that" Radjar said proud.
"You are a great warrior, we have many respect for people like you" Leonidas said while bowing for Radjar.
"Chares" he said. A man came to Leonidas when he heard his name, he looked like a man from the mid-fifties, a farmer, probably out of the conquered tribes, The Order uses them as "workers".
"Y-Yes, mylord" Chares stamered.
"Bring these men and woman to the finest rooms we have, but not mine" Leonidas ordered with a smile on his face.

"Here are your rooms, sorry but we only have two more left otherwise you have to sleep in the barracks"
"No, it's fine" Strider said "you may leave"
"Thank you, sir"
"So, what will we do, we only have two chambers" Fraun said.
"Let's let our lovers in one room, then we can go in the other room" Radjar said.
"Fine with me" Aaylah said.

They all went into their rooms and rested a bit, at least Radjar, Fraun and Strider did, Aaylah and Swift talked some more.

"Why do Leonidas called you Archidamus, and why did he ask you if you would fight on their side again?"
"Well, that's a long story, but we have time"
Aaylah layed her against Swift.
"Tell me, I always liked stories"

"Well, we believe that before the Legolanders came to colonize this land, people allready lived here and that a great battle was fought here, the ones who fought here were our ancestors, ancestors of me, but not of you, ancestors of the Order. There were thousand- three-hundred soldiers here ready to battle, raised by our principes, their enemy was Conan Grimtongue and his rebel force, but he was beaten even had more soldiers then The First Order, he fled to the Fell Isle"

"That was the first part of the story" Swift said.

"The leader of The First Order was Archidamus, that's why he asked if I would fight with him again, I am considered as Archidamus The Great his reincarnation. So when Conan was on Fell Isle with his order the Red Flames, the Legolanders came and colonized Dametreos, the Wolf Pack as we know it had settled here and they defeated Conan and the Red Flames, The First Order wasn't beaten, but shrinked in power and soon they only consisted out of tribes, we still live like The First Order, born to fight, not knowing pain. We teamed up with The King of the Three Daggers and formed the now know Wolf Pack

History is repeating, Aaylah, we are going to fight the same battle again, The Order against Grimtongue"
Aaylah became silent of his story.
"This will become a bloody war, isn't it?" she started to whep "I don't want to lose you"
"You ain't going to lose me, I'll promise you that on the sole of my father, you will not lose me"

They hugged and kissed again, this was their first tender moment since Fell Forest.
"It's, Ok" Swift said, kissing her on her lips, he took her hands in his.
"Let's go to sleep now"
They got in their bed, this was the first time Aaylah saw Swift chest without the chainmail and leather body over it. It was full of scars he got from his adventures and battles and probably there were some from his hard childhood to. But their was something special, something that you could see immediatly, he had two claws tatooed on his chest.
"What are these?"
"These are the sign of our tribe, Strider has them to"

They laid close to eachother and fell asleep.

[Lord_Of_The_LEGO]

Suddenly, Jackal began to snarl, his hackles raised. Gib, who had been striding in the front holding a lantern, held up his hand and halted the group. There was silence before a long, wailing howl was heard in the distance.

Grid: I-10
Location: Somewhere in the Neverwood

"Timberwolves!" cried Shainya.

Gib was up on his feet, his dark eye piercing the darker woods.

"That's no timberwolf." stated Gib, "In fact...I don't think that's a wolf at all...but..."

A look of pain and fear crossed Gib's face, and he sank back down. Jackel retreated to his friend and began licking the old man's face just as Bjarn and Anardan rushed back to camp.

"Did you hear that?" gasped Bjarn, his face pale.

Voolmark nodded, his staff raised protectively. "We heard...but Gib says..."

The howl sliced through the air, then there was another.

"Oh tyco..."

Reno, Aros, Sir Dractor and Anardan raised their various swords and surrounded Shainya, Luxus and Gib. Bjarn notched an arrow, and he and Voolmark stood back to back, the only ones able to attack with range. They waited silently for minutes, the flames of the fire casting a weird glow onto the swaying trees and trampled snow.

Nothing happened. Muscled began to ache, backs stiffen. Bjarn's bow loosened and swords wavered. At last Gib said from within the circle, "Normal wolves would have attacked by now, but normal wolves do not populate the Neverwood."

"Then what are they?" snapped Sir Dractor.

Gib shuddered, drawing his tattered cloak further about him.

"Even I have not explored all of the Neverwood. This forest has secrets it does not give up easily."

"But what lives here?" Sir Dractor continued nervously, "Come on man, you've lived here most your life!"

"There are the normal beasts and birds. Sparrowhawks, grizzlies. Badgers and ferrets. Woodmice, robins and more." Gib whispered, "but there are also unnatural beings. Iondels. Spiderlings. And others..."

A twig snapped. Everyone froze. Nothing else happened. Muscles grew tired, eyes drooped. Then another sound. Creak, snuffle. Tense, tire, tense. All threw the night and 'til dawn, noises in the Neverwood robbed the sleep from the nine companions.

[The Green Knight]

A twig snapped. Everyone froze. Nothing else happened. Muscles grew tired, eyes drooped. Then another sound. Creak, snuffle. Tense, tire, tense. All threw the night and 'til dawn, noises in the Neverwood robbed the sleep from the nine companions.

“They’re weakening us, aren’t they Gib?” Reno was sitting behind Gib, back to back.

“I think so, Gib responded. “We aren’t getting anywhere by sitting here, either.”

“Yeah, but where are we trying to get to? Do you know where the temple is?”

“No, I must say that in all my years in this wood I’ve never seen any temple.”

“But you said that there are places even you haven’t explored. It could be in one of those, couldn’t it?”

“Not likely, Reno. The only places I haven’t been are the dark swamps where the spiderlings live. Ugh, the spiderlings. At least we won’t have to worry about them, now. They’ll be hibernating in this weather. But anyway, I don’t think the temple would be able to stand in the swamps.”

“So we don’t know where we’re going or how to get there?”

“Well, if we knew where we were going I think I could get us there. That is… if we could get out of this scrape. Hand me that map again.”

Reno passed the map to Gib, who promptly unfolded it and began to scan the paper by the dawn’s early light.

“Well the roads are all in the right places. So are the bogs, though I can see that they’ve grown since this map was made. You know I had heard before, that there once was a city in this wood, but I never heard anything about a temple.”

“Hey guys.” Said a disheveled looking Aros as he crawled over.

“How are you holding up.” Reno asked.

“I can barely hold my eyes open, how about you?”

“We’re okay I guess”

“You know it’s funny you mentioned Iondels before. I’ve had experiences with those animals myself. My farm was destroyed by a group of them, long ago. Why, that’s what started me on my adventures. I remember the were small, apelike creatures.”

“Humph!” said Gib. “Small, yes. But last time we met, they had a big one with them. Say, that gives me an idea. We’re about in the middle of the Neverwood now. My castle isn’t too far from here. It’s only a ruin, but it’s more defensible then our current position. If you two spread the word, maybe we can make a break for it.”

[Commander Redbeard]

Location: Depths of the Neverwood

Anardan had been quietly listening to the conversation, then finially he spoke.

"The Iondels and whatever foul things lurk in this forest will still be here until the very oceans of Dametros freeze over. We cannot retreat. We have come through many dangers to make it this far, and there is no way that we can fall back now."

"But we cannot survive the Iondels if they attack in force!" said Gib.

"But sooner or later, we must. The Temple of Lost Stars is in this forest, and so are they."

Bjarn spoke up, his bow lying on his lap.

"We must get some sleep before we make any move on the morning. That is what they mean to do, keep us awake and running all night so that they can slaughter us in the morning. They are cowardly things, Iondels, unless they are in great force and their enemy outnumbered. But they are cruel to the core, they take no prisoners."

Anardan, Dractor, Voolmark, and Gib stayed awake for the next two hours while the other five slept, the howls and low growling of many evil creatures coming from all about them. But not a a tail nor a whisker showed in the camp until morning.

Then all megablocks broke loose.

[Lord_Of_The_LEGO]

I-10
In the Neverwood

In the morning after a decent sleep, the nine members of the Fellowship Of The Pendants packed up and began to travel deeper into the Neverwood, searching for the ruins Gib had mentioned. Gib lead the way into the surrounding trees, picking his was carefully and slowly. Aros followed, then Reno, Luxus, Shainya, Voolmark, Sir Dractor, Bjarn and Anardan.

The going was slow. Jackal was ahead of Gib, scouting the way, sniffing for tree-traps and pike pits. Then suddenly all megabloks broke loose. Aros stumbled and stepped off the path to regain his balance. Gib and Jackal had checked for traps directly ahead, but not to either side. As such, a noose promptly snagged Aros' ankle and dragged him off his feet and upside down into the air.

At the same moment the heavy sled that was being dragged by Sir Dractor and Bjarn suddenly broke through the top cover of a pit, pulling the two men into the pit with it. Luckily for both of them the sled smashed through the rotten and rusted spears at the bottom, leaving a clear space for Bjarn and Dractor to fall upon.

At that moment the mysterious beast from hidden in the trees decided to attack. They were not Iondels. They were three giant, drooling wolves with red eyes and long snouts. Snarling hideously, they charged out of the wilderness and fell upon Reno. Jackal immediately jumped into the fray, and Anardan -- with a magnificent leap -- managed to fly over the pitfall and charge the wolves with his sword drawn.

Gib fell over backwards and damaged his leg further. Griffon flew from the hermit's shoulder and attacked the noose that was clamped around Aros's leg.

Anardan and Jackal had taken on a wolf each, but that left the remaining -- and biggest one -- to rake the motionless Reno with it's razor-sharp claws and teeth. Crimson blood soaked into the snow as Reno's throat was ripped open...

Shainya screamed. Not a scream full of fear, but full of rage, and love, a scream for her Reno. Mindlessly, she charged, her small broadsword gripped firmly in hand. Snow flew out from behind her feet and the blade sunk deep within the foul beast as her weight and momentum brought her into and over the wolf. With a bone-breaking crunch she landed, the beast twisted on top of her, it's black blood and coarse hair stifling her.

Voolmark appeared and collapsed down to the dead-still form of Reno with a cry. The old wizard shoved his staff near to the scarred flesh and shouted a spell, desperately attempting to seal the skin. With a blinding flash Reno's throat heeled, but blood pumped from every inch of exposed skin. And that skin was beginning to whiten with the cold.

Suddenly, Griffin's efforts paid off, and Aros fell back to earth, where he was promptly knocked out. Bjarn catapulted out of the hole, using the shattered sled as a ladder, and was closely followed by Sir Dractor. The knight rushed to the aid of Anardan, who was badly wounded but still hacking away at the bloodied wolf. Bjarn skidded to a halt and fired off a shot at the wolf dueling with Jackal before dashing to Shainya.

All of this was observed by Luxus, who had hidden himself in a corner, frightened and whimpering. He shifted uncomfortably. If felt as if something was on fire within his pocket. He shoved his fingers in and withdrew the amulet he had gotten from Swift. It was glowing red, it burnt Luxus' fingers badly, but for some reason he could not let go. The amulet stayed affixed to his palm, searing the fleshed as if he was being braded like cattle. Then suddenly word leapt unbidden to the young lad's mouth.

"AZ GOTH, VASDKERAI T'DAC!"

A black mass exploded from the amulet -- or what it Luxus' hand? -- and amassed upon the three black monster wolves. The clouds settled upon the beasts, and all three fell shrieking and howling, as if they were being devoured. In fact, they were. The black massed skittered over the three bodies and tore them to shreds like black maggots. One moment the beasts were there...and the next they were not.

When the wolves were gone, the cloud sucked itself back to the amulet. And then Luxus fainted.

Bjarn stood...panting, shocked and stunned. Word could not come. Gib was the first to break the silence. His voice was shaky.

"Those....things...have never been here before..."

There was a whimper and Jackal limped back to the hermit. The wolf's hide was ragged and raw, blood dripped from a dozen wounds.

Voolmark was still working feverously over Reno's body, closing wounds with both magic, balm, and wraps.

Sir Dractor moved of to Bjarn and shook him slightly.

"Bjarn -- c'mon, other's need you help."

Bjarn blinked, then looked around. It was hard to decide where to start. Three were unconscious; Shainya, Aros and Luxus, and three were wounded, one seriously; Gib, Anardan and Reno.

Bjarn rushed to Luxus while Sir Dractor began wrapping Anardan's wounds. As Bjarn bent down to pick up Luxus, the lad came awake with a jerk.

"Bjarn!" he cried, "It's Shainya ok? What about Reno, Aros?"

"They're fine, Luxus..." murmured Bjarn, trying to shield him.

[Formendacil]

Grid: H-21
Location: Anka Dolour

It was early in the morning. The slaves were being moved off the ship to the marketplace. Jayko was half-carrying Elwen, who had no strength to stand alone, and no will to try.

Chained together, under the watchful eyes of their guards, they made their way through the fog, and the winding streets of Anka Dolour to the great square and slave auction beneath Dolour Castle.

The guards laughed harshly at Jayko's assistance of Elwen.

"Stupid," they said. "Whatever she may mean to you, you'll never see her again after this morning. And in her condition she won't last long under what they'll do to her." The guards leered at Elwen with looks of lust and menace. Jayko ignored them, and pushed her along. Everything they said was true, but he would do everything in his power to help her until then. After that, he had no idea...

[Lord_Of_The_LEGO]

Bjarn rushed to Luxus while Sir Dractor began wrapping Anardan's wounds. As Bjarn bent down to pick up Luxus, the lad came awake with a jerk.

"Bjarn!" he cried, "It's Shainya ok? What about Reno, Aros?"

"They're fine, Luxus..." murmured Bjarn, trying to shield him.

I-10
In the Neverwood

But it was no use. Luxus caught sight of Reno's mangled body and leapt forward with a cry. His shout rose Shainya, and she stirred. The giant wolf had disappeared, but it's stench and blood still enveloped Shainya. Slowing her mind cleared, and the first thing she saw was her short sword, sticky with black blood. The next she saw was Reno.

"Reno, no--!"

She lunged forward but Bjarn grabbed her.

"No, don't bother Voolmark. He's Reno's only hope..."

Shainya dropped to the ground, her legs shaking. She then began to cry uncontrollably, learning on Bjarn, tears streaking down her face, soaking into Bjarn's tunic, and then freezing. Bjarn held her tightly, grimly, grieving and praying along with her.

"Dractor!" Gib snapped, still on the ground and clutching his beaten-up leg painfully, "We won't be going anywhere for a while yet, better make a fire before we all freeze to death!"

"I'll be fine," nodded Anardan bravely, "Gib's right...we need warmth right now, more than anything else..."

Sir Dractor nodded and left the Forestmen captain to hack down some wood with his greatsword.

"Don't go to far!" warned Anardan.

"Oh, I don't think any thing will come here now..." murmured Gib, "Those things were evil, and no normal beast will come near such evil...and with the Spiderlings hibernating and the Iondels further south, there's not much else to worry about..."

Unless there are more of those giant wolves... he added silently.

[Sir Drake]

Grid: N-6
Location: Citadel of The Fallen Three-Hundred

Most fo the group got up early, Swift was even the first one 'cause he was awoken by Leonidas.

"If our great leader wants to lead us to battle again, he has to have a good battle armor, doesn't he?"

They went to the armory of the Citadel of The Fallen Three-Hundred, it was in the lowest and darkest parts of the Citadel, it was very hot there because of the fires they used to melt iron and the torches they used to lit the place.

"Give me one of your finest harnasses, Sciron" Leonidas ordered.
"Sure, come take a look at these plates, what ya think o that?"
"They're fine, but I don't need a harnas, just give a studded leather body, some pauldrons and that will be it"
"Arghh, sure" Sciron said, he was somewhat disappointed that he would only sell leather.

Back at his room Swift quikly got on his new armor, it was much heavier then his previous leatherbody and the Wolf Pack sign was painted in black. Underneath his armor he still wore his chainmail he received from Gilmund, that provided extra armor. He took his black cloak, cloaked himself, sheated his swords , readied his bow and left to the others in the Great Hall.

The others were there allready, packed and armed allready.
"What kept ya?" Strider asked.
"Yeah, were allready set to go" Radjar added.

Today the group was going on a mission. They had to raid a caravan of troups and food that was taking the General Highway to Cape Fang. Swift would lead a force of hundred well-trained men together with his friends. It was still dark when they left so it was afternoon when they reached the route where the enemy would travel on.

"Set up an ambush here" Swift ordered.
"Sure, sir Archidamus" Leonidas answered.

[Formendacil]

Grid: H-21
Location: Anka Dolour

Quorandis and Elbadar had spent the night in an alley deep in the city, taking turns keeping watch. Unfortunately, on Quorandis' fourth watch, the last one before morning, he had fallen asleep, and when he awoke, it was nearly mid-morning, and the city was alive.

Quorandis quickly felt around for his money. It was still there! What a mercy. In this city, it was more than that, it was a miracle!

He shook Elbadar awake.

"Come on," he said, "I think the market has started."

"Thanks for the extra sleep," said Elbadar, "but what did you think you were doing? We'll be later than you wanted."

"We'll be all right," said Quorandis, hoping against hope that he was right. "And what's over now can't be helped. Let's get going."

The sun was only starting to burn away the mist as they slipped into the streets and joined the crowds.

[Commander Redbeard]

Location: Depths of the Neverwood

The party was still in shock. Reno lay, Voolmark and Shainya kneeling by him, while Aros and Luxus huddled together nearby. Luxus was shaking, the Amulet still clutched in his hand.

Anardan limped into camp, Bjarn behind him, both men carrying armfuls of wood. The Forestman captain's left leg was wrapped in a blood-soaked bandage, leaving red tinted footprints every other step. The two men dropped their loads, Anardan wincing as his leg throbbed horribly.

"Let me help you with that;" Bjarn offered, taking a step towards Anardan. Suddenly, a rope noose yanked taut on the ground, Bjarn's leg caught in it. The old Forestman pulled out his dagger and hewed at the rope, the cords finially bursting apart. There was a crash as somewhere in the woods nearby a counterweight crashed into the snow, freed from it's rope by Bjarn's keen knife.

"That was a close one, mate. Best we stay nearby;" said Anardan.

"I only hope Dractor and Gib are alright." replied Bjarn.

[Lord_Of_The_LEGO]

Suddenly, a rope noose yanked taut on the ground, Bjarn's leg caught in it. The old Forestman pulled out his dagger and hewed at the rope, the cords finally bursting apart. There was a crash as somewhere in the woods nearby a counterweight crashed into the snow, freed from it's rope by Bjarn's keen knife.

"That was a close one, mate. Best we stay nearby;" said Anardan.

"I only hope Dractor and Gib are alright." replied Bjarn.

I-10
The Neverwood

"Aye." replied Anardan.

Dractor was now on the incapacitated list beside Reno and Gib, for while gathering wood he had inadvertently triggered another pitfall. Luckily his battered but strong armor had deflected most of the pikes at the bottom of the shaft, but one had entered his armpit where the maille was thin and his left leg had twisted horribly when he had landed at an awkward angle. After ten minutes of shouting, Bjarn had at last stumbled upon Sir Dractor and had managed to get him out with Aros' help.

Now Bjarn and Anardan were returning from gathering wood while the wizard-turned-medic Voolmark worked frantically on Reno. Gib and Sir Dractor wounds' were no where near as life-threatening as Reno's. Though Shainya was probably a better healer than Voolmark, she was too emotionally strained to help.

"I am convinced the fates are against us..." sighed Bjarn.

"I don't believe in fate..." muttered Anardan, gritting his teeth at he pain that lanced up his leg, "But I do believe in luck, and we certainly have had a nasty streak of late..."

They reentered the camp and Aros greeted them with a tart nod. Besides a pounding headache, he, Bjarn and Voolmark were the only ones not hurt in some way, and he had taken up the duty of guarding against anything that dared approach the camp.

Bjarn and Anardan dumped the wood on the snow, and then Bjarn sank to his knees the build a fire. First he laid several medium branches on the ground to serve as a platform to cover the snow, then he carefully laid more branches and sticks in a rough tent pattern. Lighting the pile was the hardest part. There was very little dry and papery bits that could be used as starting, and Bjarn's flint seemed loath to spit out a spark.

Gib tossed Bjarn a small pouch that had been tied around his waist and said, "Try this. I always keep some handy."

Bjarn opened the pouch to find a single coal smoldering away in a nest of damp straw. He tipped the coal into the mass of sticks and soon a fire was crackling warmly.

Bjarn tossed the pouch back and smiled at the old hermit.

"Thanks, I'll have to remember that trick."

"Just don't forget to get a new coal from this fire before it dies." reminded Gib.

Everyone either moved or was dragged closer to the fire and stayed around it for warmth, only leaving to get more fuel.

At last Voolmark sat back with a sigh and wiped his forehead.

"Reno'll live..." he groan, "I've done all I can do..."

Drained from performing so much magic, Voolmark promptly fell asleep. Shainya, her face white for sorrow and chilled, shifted over to Reno's still body and hugged him tight.

Bjarn studied a wicked claw that Voolmark had withdraw from Reno's flesh.

"Curse those beasts, what ever they are!" he swore, and threw the claw into the trees.

"They were bloodwolves."

It had been Luxus who had spoke. Everyone who was conscious stared.

"How'd you know that?" demanded Sir Dractor.

Luxus shrugged and pressed up against Aros.

"I dunno, I dunno at all. I think this thing told me!"

Luxus drew out the amulet. It had at last stopped glowing and had unstuck from the boy's hand, but his palm would forever bare the mark of the wolf like a crude tattoo.

"Why, why did that Swift give this to you?" snapped Aros, "This is his fault!"

Bjarn shrugged. "We can't know that for sure...I somehow had the feeling Swift didn't know why he himself was doing it..."

There was silence for a long time, then Anardan said, "Gib, how far away are we from those ruins?"

Gib glanced about, then muttered something to his bird, Griffin. It took off, and disappeared into the trees. After three minutes, it was back. It landed on Gib's shoulder and screeched and cocked it's head.

"Less than a mile, walking." informed Gib.

"We should get there as soon as possible." said Bjarn.

"But how?" countered Sir Dractor, "nearly all of us are unfit for walking. The sled's been destroyed, and even if it hadn't, it couldn't have gotten much further in this thick forest!"

[the_great_one]

I-10
NeverWood

Renos body was surging with hot pain. His eyes opened slightly, and he saw shainyas face, he then smiled softly, and his eyes closed with sleep.

Aros and Bjarn were talkin quietly around the campfire

"None of us can walk, bjarn. We are looking for something, yet we dont even know where it is..
There isnt much hope." Aros said, glaring into the fire
"There never has been much hope, Aros." Bjarn stated

There was a flash in the sky, within the woods.

[Commander Redbeard]

Location: Depths of the Neverwood

The company was in despair. Three of them were seriously wounded and unable to walk, so the companions did not know what to do. Anardan fashioned a set of crutches for himself out of one of the sled's boards, smiling grimly to himself.

"These may be sturdy, but I don't fancy challenging BloodVaine on them, spirit or not."

Dractor had let Voolmark mend his arm the best he could, and Anardan had retrieved a piece of cloth from the wreck of the sled to make a sling. The knight sat near the fire conversing with Gib, both of them looking extremely worried.

Shainya was still in shock. She sat, cradling Reno's head in her lap, listning anxiously to his shallow breathing. Aros and Luxos sat together, watching her. Anardan stumped around the camp trying out his makeshift crutches, while Bjarn sat, lost in thought, apart from the rest.

They were so close, yet so far.

[The Green Knight]

"We should get there as soon as possible." said Bjarn.

"But how?" countered Sir Dractor, "nearly all of us are unfit for walking. The sled's been destroyed, and even if it hadn't, it couldn't have gotten much further in this thick forest!"

“Curses!”
“Curses! Curses! Curses!”

Gib wasn’t cursing out loud but inwardly he was spewing venom.

How had this happened? He was supposed to be the expert here. He was supposed to make sure no one got hurt.

Bloodwolves, huh? So they were the creatures behind the howling he heard the last time he left the Neverwood. Elbadar had told him they werewolves.

What was that the Dragon Master had said? “A pack must have come up from the Fright Knight territories, during the war, or else during the freakish southern blizzard. They have long since been eradicated everywhere else."

A pack? Three is hardly a pack. Gib could only hope that there weren’t more of the creatures running wild in his wood.

Looking around, Gib surveyed the damage. There were few who weren’t battered, bruised or bandaged. The sled had been smashed too. Who knew how much of their provisions were gone.

“If we could just get to the castle,” Gib thought. “We could restock there.”

Jackal came limping up to Gib. “Good work Jackal. Grizzle would be proud of you. Here, let me take a look at those wounds.”

The wolf lay down beside Gib as the hermit brought out his little pouch of ointments and oils. “No magic suave for you Jackal. You’re only an animal after all and Reno might need more yet. I think this will do, though. A few bandages here and you’ll be right as rain.”

There was a flash in the sky, within the woods.

Lightning. A fleck of wet sleet hit Gib on the nose. “Speak of the devil. Looks like storm’s brew’n up there.”

Gib had just finished with Jackal when sir Dractor came walking over.

“How’s the leg?” he asked.

“It could be worse.” Gib responded. “But I’m afraid that we’ll have take the splint off and reset the bone.”

Dractor had let Voolmark mend his arm the best he could, and Anardan had retrieved a piece of cloth from the wreck of the sled to make a sling. The knight sat near the fire conversing with Gib, both of them looking extremely worried.

Shainya was still in shock. She sat, cradling Reno's head in her lap, listning anxiously to his shallow breathing. Aros and Luxos sat together, watching her. Anardan stumped around the camp trying out his makeshift crutches, while Bjarn sat, lost in thought, apart from the rest.

They were so close, yet so far.

Suddenly there was a noise from the trees behind the fellowship. They all turned to look. “More wolves?” Gib wondered. But it wasn’t wolves. Stumbling out of trees came what looked to be a Classic legoland knight. It was Malder Peregal.

“Peregal?” said Gib, surprised.

“Some friend of yours?” Anardan said turning to Gib.

“Not really.” said Gib. “What are you doing here, Peregal?”

“I was… I got lost.” He replied lamely. “And then I heard your cries in the distance.”

“What? You came in here alone?”

“Not alone,” said the knight in an indignant tone. “I had my horse, Phirian, with me. But the blasted creature ran off in the night and I got stuck in one of those traps.”

“What on earth were you doing in the Neverwood to begin with?”

“Well,” said Malder, looking sheepishly at the snow. “I was following you of course. To make certain you didn’t return. And as for the rest of you characters…” Malder said addressing the whole of the fellowship. “I don’t know what your ties to this man, to this Gib are, but be warned. He is a treacherous man and I will have no part in your doings if you have joined with him.”

The company was silent. Dumb from shock at the man’s apparent arrogance.

“You really have no idea what we’re doing here do you?” Shainya practically spit the words out. “We’re trying to save Dametreos!”

“Oh yes,” said Malder with disdain. “I know all about that. I overheard your conversation that first night before I got lost. Sounds like a great hoax if you ask me! I don’t believe a word of it!”

“Now see here!” said sir Dactor, gripping his sword. Bjarn sighed, wearily. His fellowship didn’t need this. Not now.

“Now calm down everyone. We need to get to some real shelter quickly. I don’t want to be under these trees if that lightning strikes down. I need all able hands to help make a sling for Reno and another for Gib. Anardan already has some materials. Collect what else you need, but don’t leave the path. You!” Bjarn said, turning to Malder. “You can help. We’ll talk later.”

Bjarn turned to Gib. “I get the feeling you have some previous experience with our new arrival.”

“You don’t want to know.” said Gib. “I’m sorry about this Bjarn. I never thought the Neverwood could be this destructive. Anyway, I’ve sent Griffin to see if he can’t find the horse. It may be of some service.”

And the fellowship began to get busy.