Broken

[wiana]

"You never know what to expect, do you?" Elianora said to herself, looking at the torn down hut in which she and her father had lived until ten years ago.

The hut was set on the slope of a mountain next to Farthen Dur, and used to have a tunnel leading through the earth to the volcanic dwarf capitol. Now the hut lay torn to shreds by the Shrrg -- or perhaps the Beors? -- that inhabited the mountains. Nothing remained of the quaint, eleven style, ground floor tree-home but stripped bark and a few pots.

Glancing around, Elianora found what she had come here for. Spying it, she walked to a large petrified tree and tapped its side. Still solid, unbroken. Good, she thought in relief. Without thinking, she wrapped her arms around it and sighed.

Inside the whitened bark was the corpse of her father, which she had sung into the tree after his murder. Ten days, it had taken her to complete that task. Then she used her magic and turned the tree to stone. Task complete, she had left the Beors, satisfied that her father would have a lasting resting place.

Now she was back, her quest made void by the strange death of her father's murderers. Roran Stronghammer, she thought bitterly, may have saved the Varden, but he destroyed my revenge.

She withdrew from the tree with a sigh and turned to leave, stopping dead as a strange scent met her delicate nose. She looked down and saw a strange print stamped into the damp ground. A boot print, by the looks of it. Who had come to see her ravaged home? Curiosity arouse, she followed the print west, toward Surda.

[godzillama]

Harbaum the werecat walked westward at a brisk pace. He dared not change into his feline form, fearing that he would be recognized as a werecat.

The elven home he had just past was in ruins and uninhabited, but Harbaum knew who had destroyed it. That person always made his crimes appear to be accidents, or caused by nature. Harbaum had to avoid this person at all costs.

His sharp ears caught the sound of foot steps behind him, and drew his curved sword. Even if it wasn't the person who had destroyed the house that was following him, Harbaum still would keep his sword drawn. He trusted no one, and would attack at the slightest provocation.

[wiana]

Elianora stopped and listened, using her magic to sense the essence of the person she followed. A sharp mind came into brief contact with her mind, only to be blocked by a strong barrier. "Who on earth?" she wondered.

She let the flow of magic continue until she could pinpoint his position. Then, with a few choice words in the Ancient Language, she teleported to a point just behind his. She peeked around the tree between them and froze. The person before was obviously not human; he looked rather like a werecat in human form.

With a disappointed sigh she slid from behind the tree. The werecat swung around, curved sword raised. Elianora held up both hands in a sign of peace.

"I will not hurt you unless you're the one I seek," she said in the Ancient Language. "Tell me, what were you doing near our home, werecat?"

[godzillama]

Harbaum lowered his sword, but did not sheath it. Even though what the elf said was in the ancient language, he still did not trust her.

Upon closer inspection, Harbaum found she was an elf-human. Strange, he thought, I wonder what she could be doing here.

"I was only wandering through the forest," He said, hiding the fact that he was trying to avoid a dangerous Empire assassin.

"But I want to know something as well. What are you doing, living in the Beors."

[wiana]

"Living," she replied curtly. "My past isn't something I go bandying about to just anyone. But why are wandering through the Beors? And why is your scent all over my house? And do you know how it was destroyed?"

[godzillama]

Harbaum could see this stranger was no fool. He decided to reveal why he had been at the house.

"I am being pursued by an Empire assassin. His crimes are usually meant to look like accidents. When I came across your home, I had to investigate it to see if him who had destroyed it. Indeed, the assassin had destroyed your house. Now I am heading towards Surda, in order to confuse the assassin. He knows I would never go to Surda, and I hope he will not follow me."

[wiana]

Elianora idly took her bow from the quiver slung across her back and strung it as she thought over the werecat's words. "An assassin?" she asked, cocking an arrow on the string. "When did he attack, and where is he going?"

[godzillama]

"I can tell you wish to fight the assassin, but do not underestimate him. If he finds you, he will kill you. You may attempt to fight him if you wish, for I care not for your life."

[wiana]

Elianora smiled as her optimistic mood came back to her. "Children. Most of the people in this world are children," she said grinning. "This assassin has much to own for if he's been killing people. And for wrecking my home." Her grin broadened.

'At least he didn't destroy the tree' she thought with relief.

[godzillama]

Harbaum nodded and began to walk away, but stopped.

He didn't know why, but he couldn't let the stranger fight the assassin alone. Never had Harbaum felt this way since he was part of the Varden.

Why am I worried about this person, He wondered.

"If you are going to fight the assassin, I will help you. I usually don't help others, but I will make an exception.

[wiana]

Elianora gave the werecat a wry smile now, raising her bow slightly. "You'll help me fight the one you fear?" she asked. "Well then, if we are to travel together, I must know your name. Mine is Elianora, or Eli or Nora, if you prefer."

OOC: isn't your character neutral?

[godzillama]

OOC: My character is nuetral, but he would be in the Varden if he trusted anyone.

"You may call me Harbaum. Now, if we are to find the assassin we need a plan. While we travel, I will be in my feline form, so anyone we meet will think I am a pet. I prefer that form anyway. Now we should find out where the assassin is."

With that, Harbaum sheathed his sword and turned into a cat.

[wiana]

OOC: okay, skipping ahead to night (it was midmorning before) because Eli thinks better then

Elianora muttered a few words and lit the fallen tree ablaze, telling it (the fire) to stay strictly away from other plants (ooc: that's a special ability of hers). She grinned at the cat beside her in an impudent manner. "Good find, this cave. Weird that the tree fell right outside of it." She brushed back a lock of long golden hair. "I'm still disappointed that it took all day to find it." But the day had not been spent in vain; the two had strategized and gotten to know each other better as they walked through the Beors.

OOC: Is that OK?

[taran]

Mar walked through the trees(?), silent as a ghost, leaving no trace. He was one with the shadows, a demon stalking mortals, though he often preyed upon the 'immortal.' He crossed kodachi behind his back clung tight to their sheaths, making no sound as he jumped from shadow to shadow.

[godzillama]

OOC: YAY!!! We have an assassin!!!

Harbaum tried to stay awake, but failed. He fell into slumber, and was lost in a dream.

"Harbaum," The human warrior said, "Don't you see? We are all going to die! We must join the Empire!" Harbaum continued to shake his head. "Why are you acting like this, friend? I thought you would destroy the Empire at all costs." "Me too, but now as death draws nearer, I am terrified. I must not die! I can't face it... Not now. I need to join the Empire!" "I won't let you do this!" The soldier started to leave, but Harbaum grabbed his arm. "Please, friend. Don't. Stay here, and face your fear of death. We all must find strength within us." To Harbaum's surprise, his trusted friend pulled out a dagger and pointed it at Harbaum. "Get your hands off of me!" At that moment, Harbaums mate, Fi'laud, walked into the room. The soldier grabbed her and held the dagger to her throat. "Let me leave or I'll kill her!" Harbaum could not let his mate die, but would not let his friend make the stupid mistake of joining the empire. For what felt like a life time, they stared at each other. "My friend, I know you. You wouldn't kill her. Let her go. You will gain nothing from killing her. Please, stay with the Varden. I will protect you. You know I would not let you die." Harbaum saw the longing to stay with the Varden in his friend's eyes, but also a great fear, one that the soldier couldn't ignore. Suddenly, the tall man slit Fi'laud's throat and ran off through the tunnles. Harbaum held Fi'laud in his arms, tears running down his cheeks.

Harbaum woke up, the hair on his back standing up, and his teeth barred. Why did I fall asleep? He thought. Every time he fell into slumber, he would re-live the night his mate died. The night he had left the Varden and lost his ability to trust, and swore to live in exile for the remainder of his days.