The journey of a lifetime part 2 (AW - Viridian Forest, north western part)

[Nicolai]

It's been about a day and a half into their travel in a north eastern direction. Most of the land has been exactly what you would expect in the Viridian Forest, green trees all around, random forest wildlife, some bugs, birds singing happily above, and some foliage and weeds to rustle through as they walked. But there came a change, firstly in the air. The sounds of a forest began to melt away. Sounds of bustling and voices soon overpowered most of the forest noises. The smell changed from that bold and pungent smell of a forest to the stink of a city. Burning wood, sweat, forge smoke and many other smells began to invade the nostrils of approaching travelers.

Nicolai himself was quit use to this smell, and it reminded him more of home than anything. His expression for most of their journey has been happy. He was enjoying the travels and experience. He enjoyed the company of his new friend. It was a new experience for him, to be a traveler and to enjoy the companionship of other 'types' of people, cause not only was she partly of a different race and culture, but she was a magic user.

But with the reminder of home, he became solemn and quiet. He began to feel a little homesick. He wasn't regretful of anything, but thought it would be nice to be home again.

The forest gave way to a large clearing eventually, showing them this medium sized town. No protective walls were built on this town, but it was obvious it wasn't just some village. There was structure here, roadways, traders, markets, and much more. Nicolai looked for a sign or welcome board to find the name of the town, and saw nothing.

"Wonder what town this is?" He mentioned, thinking aloud and looking around.

[Amaya]

Amaya was tired and she longed for a soft bed to lay in, if just for a night. It would be wonderful to be rid of their extra 'companion' and also be rid of the burden of keeping him asleep. He was strong and he was fighting it, but she kept at it. However, even in her exhaustion, she didn't fail to keep watch in the forest. It was beautiful, even this far from her homeland, however she noticed the further they traveled the less healthy it seemed. Was it just the way things were, or was there something causing it? She conversed with Enkeli silently, but he didn't have much else to offer except that the weaker things are, the quicker they died. The natural order of things.

She had conversed with Nicolai a bit, but he seemed reluctant to talk of things about his past, much like she was. They were both shrouded in mystery and she hoped to unravel a bit of his in time. That was, if he would travel with her long enough. She still had no idea how long the journey would since she had not opened the book since Meadal arrived.

The sounds and smells of civilization...or at least a human one, was nearby. She glanced to Nicolai and gave a light shrug.
"I'm sure you have traveled, or studied more of the land than I have. If you do not know, then I definitely do not." She smiled then pushed forward. "However, the sooner we can find some sort of a judicial figure, the sooner we can rid ourselves of him and be on our way."

ooc: Sorry it took so long!

[Nicolai]

He nodded in agreement and followed her into town. He was wary and tired of constantly pulling weight behind him. Feeling somewhat like an oxen or plow horse.

It was obvious the center of the town was where they needed to go. A large church like building, with other neighboring medium sized buildings. Each having their own little generic sign stating what they are. The one that caught his attention right off the bat was just a wooden plank nailed into the wall above the door, which read Jail.

"Let's drop him off there" He nods towards the building with the jail sign just down the road from them.

"I'm ready to rid myself of this old wretch!"

ooc: no problem

[Moerpol]

As the half-elf and human knight make their way through town, they approach a man. Wether they notice him physically or not, they probably felt him. The half-elf, being a magic user and a magical being, should feel his presence. Where as the human knight may be able to shrug it off. The feeling wasn't evil or good, but dark, cold and secluded. A shrouded man in a green robe stood, leaning on his staff. A member of the Archanian conclave, wearing a robe that gave off this 'feeling' - an enchantment to better enhance their arachnid style magics.

His face was veiled behind the robe, no trace of light seemed to be able to penetrate the darkness of the hood. His gaze strictly followed the half-elf as they approached.

He knew what she carried, and could guess where he journey was going to lead her. His goal was to join them, and he would make it seem he was going to be helpful to their cause. But his reasons were purely selfish. He would use them. Their location and journey was dangerous - even for him. He grinned under his hood.

He took note of the man the knight drug behind him. An obstacle....an easy one to take care of. He knew exactly what he was going to do. He stepped closer to them as they approached.

"Hail travelers. I am Moerpol. I beg your pardon for interrupting you, but that man..."

His voice was raspy, and cold sounding. He points towards the man they have put to sleep, the flesh on his hand was thin. His hand had the look of a old sick man, but was colored a purple tinge with long thick black fingernails.

"That man attacked me a couple of days ago! And it looks as if you are turning him into the local authorities...may I assist and give my story as well?"

[Nicolai]

Thankful that he was about to drop this load off, and continue on the journey with a lessened burden, he sighed as this ...wizard...stepped out in front and talked to them. He was very skeptical at first. This was no wizard he has seen before, but he was also aware he was pretty inexperienced in such things. But Green robes trimmed in brown? And the hands...maybe alchemy gone wrong?

He was about to reply, but when Moerpol pointed to the man and exclaimed he was attacked as well, Nicolai stubbornly set his wariness and skepticism aside. He believed Moerpol, and also thought this was good. For another man, and a separate party at that, would definitely sentence this old man jail, at least long enough of them to be a good distance away.

"I am Nicolai, Knight of the Red Talon. This man attacked us as well. Please do join us, the more evidence, the better the case. And if this man is attacking multiple persons, then he needs to be tried."

Quick to answer, quick to rid himself of this burden, his cheeks went red with embarrassment. He didn't introduce Amayah, he didn't ask her thoughts, he didn't check with her. He suddenly felt very selfish, he was tired of dragging this man along.

"If that is copacetic with Amayah, my traveling companion."

He made a small motion to her, and also shot her a look, his eyes almost pleading for forgiveness. He felt bad for not checking with her first. There could be plenty of reasons why she would prefer not.

[Amaya]

"I still need to thank you again, I could never have gotten him here alone..."

As Amaya neared the Jail she let her voice trail when Moerpol neared. She could feel his magic and although she didn't feel that he was evil, she got an odd feeling from him. Perhaps a different type of magic user? She was wary though, the last human magic user she had met had attacked them. But this one, while mysterious, didn't seem to want trouble. However, she held her bag tightly and gripped her staff as Enkeli growled.

She didn't interrupt Nicolai as she was too busy trying to study the hooded figure. His hand gave her the creeps. Was he human or some other creature she had yet to meet with magic abilities? When Nicolai mentioned her name she glanced to him then back to Moeperpol.

"I do not see what it would hurt to have more evidence against him. Do you know why he attacked you?"

Again she was looking to Moerpol. They knew what Meadal wanted from them; the book. What did this man have that he wanted? Or were they old adversaries from some Magic Guild? The more they knew the better.

[Moerpol]

He made a slight nod in politeness to Nicolai as he introduced himself. He had an unseen smile, due to his hood. This was easier than he thought, the knight didn't seem uptight and stuck up like most knights were. Especially young ones who think they know everything and following their codes exactly.

His head turns toward Amaya as Nicolai speaks of her. His gaze, though hidden, could probably be felt. He was giving her the up and down type of gaze at first. Examining the fellow magic user. But she also carried a valuable item. As he got ready to speak, he tried his best to sound friendly and well-mannered again. Something he was surprisingly good at, given how he looks.

"I'm not entirely sure. I believe he was after my staff." He made a motion towards it.

"It's magical you see. The Staff of Archana." He turned his head admiringly to it, then shifted his gaze back to the group.

"He wasn't successful, but he did escape my grasp!"

He made sure not to ask them about why Meadal attacked them, the less talk about the lie, an easier it is to get away with it. Plus he already knew, as his gaze shifted back to Amaya. The book...

[Nicolai]

Nodding during Amaya's question to Moerpol...he thought that was a good and fair question. Glancing at the staff, it didn't look like much to Nicolai, other than a fancy walking stick. Shrugging it off, knowing magic wasn't his thing, wizardry and sorcery were weird things. They do play with bat dung and such, after all.

He proudly smiled. He felt strong, good. This seemingly decent wizard in front of them couldn't stop Meadal, but Amaya and him did. He was adventuring! he was doing what he set out to do. This also made Nicolai lower some intellectual defenses. He had a high from seemingly successful and triumphant events.

"Sounds good, lets turn this guy in!"

He looked towards Amaya again, to see how she took Moerpol's answer.

[Blazey]

((Amaya))

The staff was magical, that she could feel. It was much like her staff, though she suspected his was much more powerful. It, along with Moerpol, were strong. She was reluctant to trust this newcomer. Perhaps it was his looks or the fact that so far, she wasn't having much luck with other magic users.
Enkeli, what do you think? I am I just being paranoid?

The black feline looked up at her with intelligent eyes. Better paranoid than dead. However he doesn't seem to pose a threat...at the moment.

She nodded as his voice infiltrated her mind, welcoming the presence and his thoughts. They had been together for a long time and she trusted him with her life. If this person turned out to be a threat, she had confidence that her, Enkeli and Nicolai could hold him off.

"Yes, let us rid ourselves of this burden, I could use the break!"

She opened the door and entered, hoping there was enough room for them all to fit inside. There was a young man, probably in his early twenties, sitting behind the desk. His feet were propped up as he was reading a paper.

"Excuse me sir?" He sit up quickly, almost falling out of his chair in the process, and masked his expression with a smile.
"Yes ma'am, what can I do for you?"
"Well, we ran across this man," She indicated to Meadal, "who attacked us. This man here also claims to have been attacked by him. We would like to turn him in.

[Nicolai]

Follows in behind Amaya. As she talked to the man behind the desk he knelt down and began to untie select pieces of the rope. He wanted to keep Meadal bound but wanted to retrieve his shield as well.

Speaking before Moerpol could get his chance, he wants to state who he is to the man. He thought this would provide some integrity to the story and reputation for who these people are.

"Excuse me sir, but I am Nicolai, Knight of the Red Talon. I was among those who were attacked and will vouche for both of these people and their stories."

He bows, excusing himself from anymore talk unless called upon.

[Moerpol]

Comes in last through the door. He quietly and quickly moves to a corner of the room to stand. He leans upon his staff pretty heavily, but without being able to see his face you could only assume why he did so. After Amaya and Nicolai have their words in, he rustles a bit to speak, but stays in his corner.

"Moerpol of the Archanian Conclave. This man attacked me, seperate from these two. I believe he was after magical artifacts, such as my staff. He was unsuccessful in taking from me, but managed to avoid my grasp as well."

He then motions to Amaya and Nicolai.

"These two surely showed some great skill to be able to capture and haul this man here. Do not let this mans seemingly old age affect your judgement. He wieleded powerful magics as well. Needing no components nor artifacts to cast his spells. Truly a rare and pwoerful magic only few possess."

[Amaya]

The man stared at them all in turn until his eyes fell on Meadal. He looked like any other older man, but he had learned that looks could be deceiving.

"Well we really don't have the means to hold him here. As you you can very well see we've only got five cells, and none the better for security than normal locks." He scratched his chin in thought before continuing. "I suppose we could keep him here for a few days. I'll send a letter off to the Magical Council in Vinia. They'd be better suited for holding him."

The man walked down the hall to an empty cell and held the door open. "Might as well put him in here for now. Stick around, when he wakes I want to hear his side of the story as well."

Amaya smiled politely and nodded. "Of course. We completely understand." While she didn't like it, she didn't figure getting rid of him would be quite that easy. Of course, arguing wouldn't do much good, as far as she could see. Right now, she wanted a nice hot meal and bed in whatever inn they would find. She could release her magic on him, and thus put her energy into reading the book.

[Nicolai]

Due to his limited knowledge on magic and not much experience with wizardry, he saw no problem in just locking the man up in a cell. As far as Nicolai was concerned, their work here was done until they were summoned back upon Meadal's side of the story.

"Well, let us go find an inn and get some food and drink!" Most of his statement was directed to Amaya, forgetting about Moerpol.

He glances at Moerpol, "Care to join us for a meal?"

Nicolai seemed friendly and genuine, but he could honestly care less. He was just glad to be done with hauling Meadal around. He wasn't too bitter about it, just tired of hauling such a load. He was actually really happy and in high spirits. He was still in an excitement type of phase from being out and doing rather than studying from a book and practicing with wooden swords.

[Moerpol]

He was silent for most of this. Looked as if he was thinking, concentrating on something. He turned to Nicolai when he spoke to him. He was unsure about leaving Meadal in a simple prison, but was not scared of the man either. Moerpol was quite sure of his own skills and powers and was not easily scared of a human magic user.

He then looked at Amaya...she did have the book that would lead him to his goal as well. He didn't need these two, but it would make it simplier on him. Plus they were both young, energetic and inexperienced. This could prove to be an advantage for him.

He nods, "I would like that very much. I've had little rest or food since i arrived here. There is an inn down the road and to the left. Not the best of places, but requires little coin."

He motioned for the door, offering to let them go first. Displaying best manners possible.

[Amaya]

Amaya nods to Nicolai then to Moerpol as he tells them of the inn. Was he around these parts? If so, perhaps he could help lead them in the right direction. Of course, as a strong magic user, he could be up to something. Why must the world be so complicated? If he could help them, it would be a plus. If he was after something...so many ifs. She sighed but put on a smile and practically skipped from the small jail, Enkeli joining her side when she stepped out the door.

The world is always complicated. Best be wary of everything until proven otherwise. The large feline glanced back toward Moerpol and Nicolai before turning his attention to their destination.

Amaya stopped at the inn, or what she presumed was the inn that Moerpol offered and looked up at the swaying wooden sign. It held a shield and a spear with 'Knights Inn' written in dull lettering. She turned to Moerpol her eyebrow raised.
"Is the food at least decent? If I'm to spend money, I at least want some good food.."
She let her voice trail as she walked in anyway. The town was small and she doubted there would be much better nearby.

She walked quickly to a small table in a corner, and took the seat facing the door. A couple pairs of eyes in the common room turned their attention on her, as she took her seat. A young woman was sitting on a small stage playing a harp quietly.

ooc: sorry took so long. I hope to reply in a much more timely manner next time!