A greeting most foul // Castox and Anck

[Kayla]

Kayla was not in full battle armor, far from it, she was trying to pass as inconspicuous right now, she had cast a spell back in surda that would change her appearance to look more human, the draw on her strength was minimal, as Elves sung to trees to change them, changing how she appeared was not too difficult. Her ears were now rounded, and easily hidden behind her hair, which still flowed down past her shoulders. Her features were diminished to what would seem beautiful to humans, but not overly so, nothing too exotic to them as an elf would seem. She was certain that she would not be recognized, the only thing she did not seem to be able to change were her movements. They themselves had her carried as smooth as a gazelle, but most humans would not be looking at her movements, especially not the males, some of whom, had tried to woo her, all of whom she had politely said no, and left to their travels. As for her garbs, she wore a dress that reached knee level, but covered the straps on both of her legs that had two elf-made daggers, along with smaller knifes that could be surgically thrown. Across her chest she wore a simple top, seemingly woven by human hands, while it was actually her own, but it sufficed. Across her back, she had not an elven bow, but a human made one, which she has practiced with, and she can shoot it a considerable length without breaking it under force, in addition she had a quiver with 20 arrows, feathered and smooth. But, this weapon, because it is a long range weapon, in the hands of a human woman, would usually mean not much of a threat, and so she could protect herself, along with keeping the air of being weak.

The sun was directly overhead currently, noon by her judgment, and the air was fine, clean, and there seemed to be not a cloud in the sky. To the normal man or woman, the heat was tolerable, and called for less thick clothes, it was a precursor to summer, but yet it was still spring. She smiled at the sight, she could feel everything around her in bloom, it was felt good, it felt right. Unlike what she felt when she was at the infected area of Du Weldenvarden, that seemed like everything turned on each other, it was void of the original life she felt in her forest home. It was utterly depressing and when she thought of it further it only brought anger to her emotions and to her mind. It seemed unstoppable, and that all of the forest might be consumed by it, right now it was somewhat slowed, for now, she could only hope that whatever it was, it did not change and adapt so that it might get past their defenses and into the rest of the forest.

She right now walked a well worn path, as many feet have walked it, her direction was in the direction of Gil'ead, as she was sent to investigate the infection on the empire's side. She expected it to be less contained then that on the side of the elves, being as the majority of it was on the Empire's lands. She hoped it was not so, as though she hated the Empire, this would hurt innocent people that should not have to deal with more pain and sorrow then the Empire already spreads to all ends of it's borders, headed by the most powerful mad-man of the age, Galbatorix. She did not understand what pleasure he got from destroying the riders, when he lost his dragon, it was by the Urgal's hands, not all the rider's. But, looking at his past, it may be due to the fact the council denied him the chance to try and receive another dragon. Yet, it did not condone any of his actions, and she wanted to make sure that he payed for his crimes. But, as it would seem, she would not be reaching Gil'ead right now, as fate, seems to have drawn her to another, she saw two figures coming toward her, from her distance she did not know their genders, only that they were coming closer by the moment. She drew a mask of impassiveness and a mask of slight fatigue that might be what a traveler had, on her face. She doubted that the figures would recognize her for what she was, but she wished that they would not, else she might have to head back to Surda at her full velocity she could produce with her legs. Right now she walked at an even human pace without stopping, she waited for the figures to come into full view.

[Ze Flying Wraithetti Monstress]

“Huh. He could really move for a fat guy.”
“Then why are you slowing down?”
“What? You’re overreacting a little, Anckle Shmanckle. It’s been like, eight hundred yards, he should have keeled over like a dying horse from a heart attack by-”

A flash of flame directly over our heads told Tox otherwise, apparently, because he roughly grabbed my arm and pulled me even deeper into the foliage. We were on the outskirts of the Grassy Plains, so the trees grew fewer, and so did our hiding spots. Really, if Tox hadn’t been so adamant on seeing Du Weldenvarden of all places, we wouldn’t have a mental Imperial sorcerer on our tails at this very moment. Granted, Tox had used to be an elf, and despite his pride over whatever he was now, I knew something inside him had to miss it. That was probably why I’d let him drag me over here in the first place, but now I was cursing my momentary softness. The trip back across the Plains had been hell, especially considering summer was nearing, and I’d gotten used to the generic cold of the Saxon Empire and this Empire. Then there had been the hiding from all the elves, and, finally, our latest and most painful encounter with the Imperials.

After all the tree-hugging Fair Folk we’d managed to successfully avoid, both Tox and I had probably got it into our heads that a squad of humans was going to be easy pickings. But then, we hadn’t known until it was far too late that these were Imperial magicians, which had led to our current situation of running for our lives. And Tox was very hungry- we hadn’t been to a human city in days, and he never dared take on a healthy elf. I was in no danger. Tox couldn’t eat me when he already possessed my soul. But the spirits inside him were getting testy, and though he was trying to keep his cool, I knew he was going to blow up sooner or later. I could feel it in the nervous twitching of his shoulders, the constant dilation of his slitted pupils, and the general edge about him. I tried to look at him as he raced through the gradually thinning trees, seeing the perpetual growl on his face as he glared around. I almost pitied him and his hunger. Hopefully, those mercenaries we were supposed to meet would cheer him up. Or at least, be of use as his lunch.

A certain tome had been discovered in Du Weldenvarden some time ago, one that contained black spells and potions that a Shade known as Ereshkigal, mate of the Imperial Shade Pele Lahela Serowë, had possessed. After Ereshkigal had disappeared years ago, most of her possessions had either been destroyed or taken by Serowë, which was why this little grimoire was so intriguing. Naturally, beings as pure as the elves wanted nothing to do with it, so they’d cast it out. After that, it had been found by some bandits who weren’t smart enough to use the tome, but were smart enough to know its worth. Tox was hell bent on getting his hands on that book, and had sent two little contracted mercenaries of ours, Moirrey and Sivan, to obtain it. After buying a manor near Dras-Leona and securing ourselves some leverage in this foreign land, they’d suddenly sent us a message begging Tox to come meet them. And so, here we were.

And, barring the heat and the lack of civilized territory, it hadn’t been too grievous, considering I was strolling around with a possibly bipolar Shade. That was until we’d run into the magicians, particularly the obese one who was still hot on our trail, causing us to disappear into the foliage bordering Du Weldenvarden. However, Tox suddenly changed direction, running eastwards, while I pounded my feet in an effort to keep up. The trees suddenly thickened again, and I held my hand up in front of my face to avoid being whipped by the overhanging branches as Tox ran for cover. However, mere moments later, we suddenly emerged onto an empty path. It was anything but a road, but from how deep and grooved it was, it was clearly well-trodden. Tox finally slowed down, allowing me to catch my breath, and started striding along proudly as if we were in some palace.

“’Tox. No one’s gonna fall for it.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m dressed like an assassin and you… well, whatever you are.”
“Anck, Anck, Anck, my poor, sweet, deluded little minion.” I kept my mouth in a firm pout as he patted my head. “This is just a shortcut to, eh, what’s-their-faces… oy. Anyway, no one’s gonna see us. This place is completely empty.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
“Then what about that?”

He glanced in the direction I was pointing. Further down the path, a figure was moving towards us. At first I worried that it was the magician, but it didn’t appear to be running, and was much thinner. There was also a certain catlike grace it walked with, but it was too far away to really tell. Tox, however, slowed down, inhaling deeply, his eyes flickering back and forth from the figure to the forest. My heart sank. If he was being this cautious, he could probably sense some notably powerful magic. He took my arm again, walking slowly to the side of the path until we disappeared into the trees again. The figure hadn’t changed speed, so it probably hadn’t noticed us. I relaxed a little. So, all wasn’t lost. The magician appeared to have lost us, and now all we had to do was-

“MOIRREY!” Tox suddenly raged. The trees crackled and shuddered, followed by grunts of effort, and a well-built dwarf came skittering towards us.
“Coming, your most lugubriousness…” he tripped and fell over.
“SIVAN!” the Shade screeched.
“Don’t worry, Moirrey, I’ll handle everything…” a tiny, skinny little elf came rushing over, but he too tripped, falling onto Moirrey and somehow ramming his spiked armour into his fellow hired thug. Moirrey howled with pain. Tox did a facepalm.
“Moirrey…” the dwarf whimpered.
“And Sivan!” cried the elf.
“REPORTING FOR DUTY!” they both bellowed.
“Fine, fine, fine,” Tox sighed. “Just hand over the book.”
“Oh… um…” Sivan twiddled his thumbs. “We kinda lost it.”
I ducked.
“WHAT?! YOU LOST THE BOOK FIVE MINUTES AFTER STEALING IT?!”
“We are worms!” squealed Sivan.
“Worthless worms!” Impressively, Moirrey burst into tears.

I stood up straight again, glancing around. Tox’s initial burst of rage had decimated all of the nearby trees, leaving only smouldering ruins and charred plants. My boots crunched the baked leaves beneath me, and I pulled my mottled brown cloak tighter around myself despite the increased heat. Tox was panting harshly, the remaining flames flickering off his scaly black robes. I watched a variety of forms of rage flicker across his face as he struggled to control his temper, trembling violently. Since it would probably be a while until he calmed himself down, I sat down on a charred tree stump and crossed my legs.

“Hello?” a voice made all four of us jump. It was female, with some hint of a refined accent, and came from the direction of the road. “Who’s there?”
“Agh! Go! Go hide!” Tox hissed at Moirrey and Sivan.
“But…”
“Now! And if you run off…” Tox waggled his feeding hand threateningly. The two dove into the undergrowth. Then he turned to me. “Anck, stay where you are.”
“Tox, you shouldn’t climb that tree… it’s half-burned,” whispered Sivan.
“Psh. I’ll just use have to my natural climbing agility to hold on.”

I watched with a forlorn sigh as he leapt with catlike grace into one tree that had managed to stay standing, disappearing into the branches that had gone untouched by his flames. It creaked alarmingly, but he unfortunately didn’t appear to be in any danger. I drew my cloak around me again, and waited for the mystery woman to show herself.

Words;; 1343
Muse;; REALLY BAD.
Thoughts;; Gah! I'm so sorry it took so long and that the finished product is... less than impressive. XP