Jacella - 12:49pm Oct 2, 1998 MST

Jacella's heart warms as she sees the look of deep sorrow lift from her liege's countenance. Time, the glorious fall weather, festivities, and loving companions are banishing the pain from Felena's soul. On the other hand, Silverelia is mournful. Her impossible dream is to be pure elf, and live among her mother's kind. The Elven Folk unconsciously hurt her feelings by their indifference, as to them she will always be a half-breed. Sil trails behind everyone, again and again looking back wistfully, as they leave the Elven Preserve.

The air is redolent with the smell of fresh pine needles. High aloft magnificent eagles soar and swoop down upon their prey. A lone wolf howls in triumph-her family will dine well this day. The horses clop along, single-file on the forest trail. As the travelers approach the forbidding mountain, a shiver of apprehension passes over the group. Following Sir Murtano's lead, everyone dismounts, and begins the arduous journey to the mountaintop. Jacella notices a bemused smile upon Felena's face, as she secrets something she finds. "A love token from someone, by the looks on Milady's face," Jacella muses happily.

The trail steepens as the party trudges upwards. The air chills, and the sky darkens forebodingly.  The anguished squeal of a small, dying animal makes the hair stand up on Jacella's neck. Suddenly, a great war whoop fills the air, as a large band of brigands springs out of ambush. Kierra and Jacella leap between their liege and the danger, so that Felena may cast defensive spells in safety. Jacella arms herself with a mighty broadsword, enchanted with fire, ice, and lightning. Into her mind comes an image of Sydney, dressed in a gown, and frowning unhappily. The next image Jacella catches is Sydney looking up at Giantkiller, posturing on the balcony.

Jacella, knowing of Sydney's battle prowess, wishes she were here to help out. The powerful wish is the deed-without meaning to, Jacella transports Sydney to the battlesite. Sydney, unarmed, looks about her in astonishment. The spatial transition causes her to be completely disoriented. There is no time for explanations, the danger is too pressing. "Here, use my sword. Help us, Sydney, we are under attack!" Jacella screams. She tosses the huge sword to Sydney, who deftly catches it in midair. Jacella swiftly arms herself with her boot daggers. The inventor Sardox holds a mysterious contraption in his hands, which he points at the evil-doers. Murtano and Warner stand in the forefront, ready to take the brunt of the attack.  In a split second, the outlaws are upon them, and the battle is joined.
 

Warner von Koen- 10:54pm Oct 2, 1998 MST

Warner swallowed hard as the brigands charged. It was not his first battle, although he had not experienced many before. It was, however, the first time that more than just his life was a stake. Every time before this it had been Tala and he against one or two foes, this time however, it was an entire band of brigands, and others were depending on him. So it was that Warner began to desperately try to recall all the things he had learned from the strange warrior who appeared in his dreams.

The first brigand who attacked him was a brutish thing. Large, ugly, and smelly were the three best adjectives Warner could think of to describe him. Fortunately, intelligence was not one of his positive traits, and Warner found his moves rather predictable. Even so, he was pushed to the limits just holding back the sheer force of the brigand. He was doing well, that is until his horse moved.

"No, no, stop!" Warner yelled at his steed, "Face the other way!" he cried in vain, not knowing what else to do with the animal.  The brigand saw Warner's predicament and used it to his advantage. With a fierce cry he brought his large sword down on Warner. It was only Warner's quick reactions that saved him from losing a leg. All the same, the cut was deep and ran from his knee to his ankle. With a cry of pain, Warner brought his long saber down upon the brigands head. The brutish warrior, his sword to heavy to lift in time to defend against the blow, fell to the ground, and his body began to cool before it got there.

The horse continued to move under Warner, and another brigand was coming towards him. Warner's mind, on the verge of panic, thought as quickly as it could, and came to only one conclusion; Warner spent his entire life on his own two feet, and that was how he should fight. Before the brigand came too close, Warner frantically cut away the bonds holding him in his saddle, and fell to the ground in a heap as the horse reared back.

Warner's world went black, and when it came back into focus a brigand was standing above him, with his axe coming down at Warner's head. With all of his might, Warner brought up his saber to deflect the killing blow. The brigand was unable to get through this defense, and brought his axe back up for another try. The attack, however, had been strong, and Warner watched with dismay as his sword fell from his numb hand.

"Nice try boy, you should've stayed behind yer mother's skirts." the brigand laughed as he brought the axe down. What happened next was a scene of confusion.

Warner said a silent prayer, and prepared for the end. The axe fell, and a wild howl pierced the air. A gray blur was all Warner saw, and the brigand was gone. Raising his head, he saw Tala standing over the inert form of the brigand, who's attempts to scream were in vain, for his throat was already in Tala's powerful maw. The wolf, fangs still dripping with his prey's vital fluids, took a defensive stance in front of Warner, hackles raised and growling menacingly, as his friend got back on his feet.

"Thank you old friend." Warner said, as he patted the wolfs neck. With his wounded leg, standing was painful, but Warner did so, and picking up his sword, prepared to help the others as best he could.
 

Sydney - 12:53am Oct 3, 1998 MST
Squire to Lady Valeana

As Sydney stood below the balcony trying her hardest not to laugh too hard at the new El Presidente, she listened to his rantings about liking her. 'his Enforcer?' she thought for a moment. El Enforcer, how funny and she burst into a fit of laughter. She spied the little dragon on his shoulder. She thought it looked familiar. Just as she was about to speak again, she felt a sudden desire to lose her entire dinner. 'Wait' she thought, 'this is not sickness, it couldn't be, I never get sick from tapping a keg'.
"whaaaaaaaaaa"..................

The next thing Sydney knew was she was standing amidst her family.......the part that had left on the journey to Tannisbury. She was disoriented when she heard Jacella scream at her. She caught the last part of Jacella's sentence, "we are under attack!!!!!" She looked up and saw a huge sword flying her direction, pommel towards her. Her mind raced as she pushed down the dizziness. She snatched the sword from the air and took a quick look around. What she saw was a band of brigands coming in hard on the group.

Sydney gathered her composure as best as she could just as the front line was severed. A brigand was heading right at her, axe in the air. She pulled her sword up just in time to meet the force of the ugly warrior behind the weapon. She pushed him back and lunged forward, piercing him in the midsection with her sword and watching him fall to the ground. She knelt down and grabbed his axe saying "thank you" to him. She then looked up into the eyes of another brigand standing quite tall above her. As her eyes met his, her reflexes went into action. She stood up fast, pulling the large axe straight up under the chin of the face she just saw. The brigand fell in a heap next to her feet. She looked around and saw that Warner was in trouble, but seeing Tala moving in for the kill, she moved in the opposite direction.
Sydney took a few steps and came upon two warriors bearing down on her. She threw the axe at one without thinking, stopping him dead in his tracks and sliced at the other with the sword as she came back up from the throw.  She missed, something she didn't do often. The brigand took a swing, she pulled back fast and he just barely missed her, ripping the side of her shirt with his axe. As his swing passed by her, she pulled the sword around again and caught him in the back. He fell to the ground hard with a thud. That gave Sydney a moment to breathe.

Her thoughts raced....'sheesh I need my armor' was the first to cross her mind. She was in no way prepared to do battle in her work clothes. She felt the effects of the wine disappearing quickly and was glad. Even though she could fight a battle with the breath of wine....she preferred not to. The next thought was 'how the heck did I get here?' She looked around a saw Jacella fighting off one of the warriors. She chuckled, "That's how, and I should let her fight her own battles for giving me those gowns." She stood for a moment. "Nay nay, I cannot do that, she makes good boots as well", Sydney said. "Obviously I was brought here to help, and that is what I intend to do. At least until I can get back to El Presidente, he needs to be overthrown or at least antagonized while the Lady Chancellor is away".....she laughed and quickly headed in Jacella's direction, to lend the magic boot creator a hand.

Felena MacRorie - 01:37am Oct 3, 1998 MST
Lady Scribe and Webmistress of KoRT, Knight of KoRT

The sudden war cry followed by the onslaught of brigands brought Felena's battle senses to the forefront. Her sword made a ringing sound as she pulled it from its scabbard, even as she began chanting defensive spells to protect the small group. Thankful for her quick thinking squires' actions to give her time for preparation, she could feel the protective auras settle upon them as she finished the last chant. Warhorse and warrior moved as one into the fray, steel upon steel as the brigand began to fall one by one.

She felt a strong surge of magic as her sword found its mark in the soft flesh of her opponent, followed by the appearance of a very startled Sydney. From the right side of the unsettled squire approached one of the outlaws, axe raised for the kill. Felena knew she would be unable to reach her in time, yet even as the thought entered her mind, Jacie threw Sydney a sword and the reflexes of her warrior skill took over. The enemy was stopped short by her sword, the axe falling from lifeless hands.

Secure in the knowledge that each was holding their own, Felena turned her attention back to the battle at hand. A jarring blow to her shield by a war axe nearly unseated her yet Silvermyst moved to counter her unbalance as she brought her sword around in an arc catching the brigand's weapon arm. An astonished cry and whoop of anger erupted from the man as he charged headlong at her nearly successful this time in knocking her from her horse. As she struggled to right herself, he brought the war axe up again, and she had a sinking feeling that the axe would swing true this time.

Time seemed to move in slow motion...as though the action of the deathblow were being etched in her mind. And as the axe started its downward arc, she braced herself for the impact that never came. Lifeless eyes stared at her as the brigand slumped to the ground. Mouth agape, she looked from the dead brigand to her left. There astride Legend, the afternoon sun shining off his armor sat a grinning Murt. She thanked him with a return smile and nod, then turned back toward the fray. Sounds of battle ceased shortly thereafter, as what was left of the attackers retreated into the surrounding woods.

Now that the danger had passed, the party regrouped and began to assess the damages. Felena jumped down from the saddle, retrieved her healer's bag and set to work.

Kierra - 06:54pm Oct 3, 1998 MST
KoRT Squire to Felena

Kierra felt so at ease upon leaving the elfin forest, she knew in her heart that this was indeed a good journey for her mentor. She could see the peace that came over Milady every time she looked at Milord Murtano. Indeed Kierra thought, those two would make a grand pairing one day.

She could hear a soft melody being hummed by Jacella, and looked to her sister smiling. Jacella, apparently unaware that she was humming out loud smiled in return. Kierra wondered if her sister could be thinking of Milady and Milord together as well.

Turning her head forward once more, Kierra's mind wandered back to the Keep and that of her husband. She missed him a great deal on these outings, although she knew that he held a very busy schedule, she wished just once for him to come along on these journeys. She let her mind wander over past reminisces of when she and Giantklr used to hunt together Suddenly a loud war cry ahead broke her out of her reverie. Reaching instinctively for her sword, she unsheathed it and let her horse to a stand of bushes. With Jacella at her left they took stance against the brigands who appeared to come from all directions surrounding the party. She knew that they must protect Milady while she prepared her magic, and she fought off two brigands who attacked from the right flank.

Bringing her sword over her head in an arc she managed to cut across the first brigands chest leaving a gaping hole and felling him. As the other moved in for the kill, she swiftly turned, swinging her sword back up in a precarious arc catching the brigand in the throat almost ripping his head from his body, which slumped in a heap at her feet. Smiling, she turned in time to see Milord Murtano deftly discharge one of the brigands who had managed to somehow sneak in to attack the lady. Smiling up at him as he discharged this thief, Kierra felt a small tug at her heart. She saw it there, in his eyes as he looked to the lady. Quickly putting it aside she turned just in time to see Sydney pop in seemingly out of mid-air. Sydney looked about confused. Jacella the quick-witted threw her sword to Sydney just as two brigands attacked her. Shaking off the confusion, Kierra quickly felled yet another brigand who was attempting to attack Warner from behind. Talia the wolf was busy taking another of the brigands down. Kierra helped Warner to his feet and noticed the jagged cut along his thigh, thinking fast she removed the scarf from her neck and tied off the wound. After assessing that Warner was safe, and that his wound was not serious enough to keep him off his feet, Kierra searched to secure their surroundings and assure all the brigands were taken care of. Once she had done that she set about gathering all the horses who were frightened and wandering. She settled them and then headed off to find Buford, who as it turned out was fast asleep in Jacella's pack. Ruffling his fur about him, she was happy to find everything in tact with minimal or no damage. She rifled through her pack until she found that which she was looking for, a spare set of leathers that would fit Sydney. Turning to Sydney, "Here Milady, these would suit you better for our trip and by the way, it's so nice of you to pop in like that!" Smiling brightly at Sydney and grinning at Jacella, she wandered back to the horses.

Jacella - 06:55pm Oct 3, 1998 MST

As the last brigand falls, Jacella staggers then collapses to the ground. She takes a deep, painful breath, and casts a small energy spell on herself. Then she forces herself to her feet, and rushes to Warner's side. Tala growls deep in his throat, and bares his teeth, preparing to defend Warner to the death. "Don't be an old silly, I am only trying to help," Jacella scolds the fierce wolf, as she pushes him aside. Astonished at her manner, Tala sets back on his haunches, his head tilted to one side. What kind of human is this, that has no fear of Tala's fearsome jaws?

Jacella removes Kierra's scarf, then lays her hands upon the horrific wound, and warns, "This is going to hurt you more than it hurts me, milord." She closes her eyes and concentrates, the smell of blood, sweat and fear distracting her. Little by little, the edges of the wound come together, until there is only a livid scar on Warner's leg. Jacella's forehead is beaded with sweat, her eyes misty with tears, and her hands are trembling. To aid in the healing process, she has drawn the pain from Warner's wound into her unscathed body. She looks up and spies Sydney, the valiant warrior maiden, panting in exhaustion from the battle.

"Sorry, Sydney, I didn't consciously mean to teleport you here. I would send you back, but your good swordarm is needed on our journey. I see from your thoughts that Giant is acting in a peculiar manner. And-Lady Kierra sorely misses him. Grimmy and Mel can mind the fort. We desperately need Giant here. With a negligent flick of her wrist, Jacella transports Giant to the side of his wife. Everyone looks in astonishment as Giant's amazing attire.

Giantklr - 08:12pm Oct 3, 1998 MST
Lord Consulate ~ Knights of the Round Table

"Viva El......." Stopping abruptly, and reaching for his head, Giant sees the swirling faces before slowly come into focus.... " What in the name of Tyr??  How did I get here?"  Listening to the days events he is pleased to see everyone is safe "Please forgive me, I must sit a moment, my stomach doesn't take to well to any sort of magic transportation."  Regaining his composure, Giant stands and notices everyone looking at him very oddly. Looking down at his attire a sly grin crosses his face....

"Ummm, I really wasn't expecting to do any traveling ya see, and I ummmmm, well I.......Murt, brother, would you perhaps have something more appropriate I could change into. And if it would not be to much trouble would one of those touched with the arcane arts, be so kind as to try and retrieve my sword Freedom from Camelot? I do feel so naked without it"

Noticing Sydney amongst the travelers, he gives her a sly wink, and whispers to her..  "Do not think that El Presidente has forgotten about you, for when we return home we have some unfinished business to attend to."

Turning to Kierra, he grabs her in a huge hug. " We have not seen enough of each other lately, if Fel has no need of you at the moment, I would love to hear of your travels...."