2: ACROSS THE PLAINS OF AZANULBIZAR

Lac smiled and said so Brinna could hear: "Yes, we are being watched, to insure we pass safely into the meadows." When Brianna looked over her shoulder she could see a coningent of Elven warriors spread out across the face of the forest with Haldir in the center a few feet in front with his hand raised Soon his voice could be heard as the contingent of soilders harsed thier lances in th the air. "Go in peace Lac'Nala and may the gods smile upon you and your companions." Then they seemed to melt into the forest and a lone wolf trotted out from trees, stopped and raised his nose to the star filled sky. He let out with a long and mournfull howl, then followed behind Brianna.

Seeing the elven escort, Brianna breathed a sigh of relief, glad that it was only them. Seeing the wolf trot up behind her then raise his head to sing his mournful song, she smiled, loving the sound glad that the wolf had rejoined them.

As they rode along, Brianna took in the scenery, wondering how far they were from her village of the Rhiorrhim. It would be a bittersweet homecoming with her adopted parents gone, but she would also be glad to be home. Even for a short while before heading out with the group again. The elven queen had told her that this was a part of her destiny, being with them, and she was beginning to believe her, although, she was still very confused over the two men she'd seen in the pool of water. She still didn't know what that meant and wished she could figure out.

Patting Sage's neck, she relished the feel of a horse beneath her once again. Even though she wasn't a true Rhiorrhim, she had been raised by them and loved the horses. She knew she would never have the connection her adopted people had with the beasts, but she still enjoyed riding and held a soft spot in her heart for the large animals.

Sorrelwind leapt lightly onto his mount aside the Dwarf who by contrast clumsily climbed onto his great black ram. They brought up the rear, in their tight formation lead by the ranger.

Neither the Phaerie or the Dwarf had ever traveled through the gap of Rohan. Othargren had traveled west by way of the Misty Mountains to visit his people in Dunland instinctively avoiding the vast, wide open plains. There were few other mounts aside from the Wolves of Eisengard who could match the dexterity of his coal coloured ram on uneven ground but open ground was another a matter. Just as his own kind were at a disadvantage in the open so was his mount and the Dwarf was apprehensive of the current route, although none save the sensitive Phaerie could possibly suspect what lied beneath his gruff exterior.

"Tell me lass'." Orthargen shouted to Brianna. "Have ye people a penchant for their meat and drink?" He then gestured to Sorrelwind, "As generous as his cousins were with their din, they've not a bloody clue how to make a good beer."

Sorrelwind smiled at the Dwarfs accusatory tone and shook his head. Looking far to the rolling hills before them, he scanned the eastern horizon for signs of movement.

Brianna smiled at Orthargen when he asked his question, the frowned upon his next comment, not quite knowing what he'd meant by it.

"Yes, my people enjoy their meats and drink. There will plenty to eat and drink once we reach my village."

Just speaking about her village caused a sense of sadness to wash over her again as she thought about her adopted parents not being there to welcome her home. She would visit their graves and pay her respects once there, find someone to take over the blacksmithy and hopefully, have a little time to mourn for them.

Jin, with Lac’s help, easily climbed onto Lightning’s back making sure she left plenty of room for Lac. As she felt the Ranger climb behind her and settle his arms about her waist a small smile eased over her features. She had to admit, even if to herself, it felt good to be in his embrace, even if it was on the back of a horse. Giving Augustine a smile as she looked over her shoulder at the Druid, she nodded to him.

"Walnut is rather sure footed and a very even tempered animal that will suit you well, my friend.”

Alrick had called the horse Wally but Jin couldn’t bring herself to call the horse by the nickname the young wizards apprentice had given him. She somehow felt as though she would admit Alrick was indeed gone if she did.

When Brianna rode up beside them to inform them they were being watched, Jin snorted softly. There was a tart response on her tongue but she dared not say it. Of course in Jin’s thinking Brianna should have known who was watching them. After all, they had just emerged from the protective world that was theirs unscathed. Not many travelers could say that. And while the Dark Lord had eyes all over the place, there were some places he was forbidden entrance and this was one of them. One of the last few, to be exact.

As they rode across the plain, Jin narrowed her gaze to keep a sharp look out all around them as much as she could see. Knowing Tiphereth was doing the same behind them, she knew between the keen senses that now traveled in the group it would be difficult for them to be taken by surprise.

Once they fell into a comfortable gate, Jin spoke softly to Lac reverting to her native language knowing he would do the same.

” Vel'drav udos ul'plyr l'sreen'aur d'l'woods Usstan zhal h'uena mzild depart tar'annen ulu zahanzon ahead d'udossa. Rena Usstan dislike leaving dosst tar'annen Usstan zhaun ol zhah vel'bol z'klaen tlu xunor. Fridj iglata uns'aa dos orn tlu sreen'aur. Lu'naut ori'gato nindel rivvil j'nesst sune dosst orlingg rena Usstan tlun alus. Ol orn'la naut tlu sokoya vel'drav Usstan muth doeb. (When we reach the safety of the woods I shall once more depart company to scout ahead of us. While I dislike leaving your company I know it is what must be done. Just promise me you will be safe. And not let that human woman warm your bed while I am gone. It would not be pretty when I found out.)

Lac whispered in Ssinjin's ear "Isti wenisalorlor maeisastarsay yorothuthuray calothmorperarthanelya artanardil torhamev jarlothyor olfae evmorbearrenartcuraeithnorgul yirorune. Bearuthaytir Im norolwis tynhirartil yirothuthayrin sayciruossauthutaeistnargal wisisalinlin arthaimdaeeld ossauthurae jarlothuthayrelnayethya. Dayossa naeothtyn curuornelcurestarennae yaossauthaerenstarestalayfor winisttorhal torhiletha Runonhinisaraeistiannel winormireldnar. Ith hironlirday naeol daeethasayisarenestasat falorrel hureldril, astrinayda Isa sorethnirsayest haletharay hinevaastraruntar layonnaygolsil falonrin arthanoroltaehurethrin. Osneleth tinhilastratil wynest hirarthveneva nayortil mayestatay yorevtor." (TRANSLATION: I will miss your company and the joy of embracing you. But I now tha your scouting will aide our journey. Do not concern yourself with the Rohirian women. I hold no desires for her, and I sense her heart longs for another. One that we have not met yet.) Tightening his embrace slightly Lac lead the party on across the plain. A series of shooting stars streaked across the night sky.

Jin felt the warmth of Lac’s whispered words ease over the sensitive point of her ears and couldn’t suppress the shiver that slid down her spine. The Ranger knew how to cause every nerve ending in her body to dance with unspoken pleasure and in turn it caused the Drowess’ heart beat to quicken. If her cheeks could color, they certainly were now. Feeling the heated flush course through her entire body caused a soft groan to escape her lips. One that Lac alone could hear.

As she felt his arms tighten around her, Jin covered his forearm with her own and leaned her head back against his shoulder as she looked skyward and saw he shooting stars streak across the night sky.

” Uss tangi, Elg'hasek, dos orn erl'elee uns'aa saph natha mrannd'ssinss zhal'la. Usstan lor fau'lad ulu nindel tangi whol Ciiholtryui zhaun Usstan tlun xsa au vigh xuil frnskii ulu satiir ol ditronw nin.” (One day, Ranger, you will embrace me like a lover should. I look forward to that day for Godess knows I am damn near mad with wanting to feel it right now.)

Tilting her head back a little more so she could see Lac’s face, Jin’s voice was a husky whisper as she spoke again.

” Draevalen saph nindol Usstan daewl dos zhahen mzild d'natha Ilythiiri shar. L'kyorl orn tlu al ssran ol, d'nindel Usstan tlun khruste.” (Times like this I wish you were more of a Drow mind. The wait will be well worth it, of that I am certain.)

Righting herself once more in front of him, Jin once more let her keen darksight search far and wide for anything unusual.

” Nindol vreza d'patience zhah naut uss Usstan particularly kyon whol. Kampi'un ol, siyo. Kyon whol ol, nau.” (This lesson of patience is not one I particularly care for. Understand it, yes. Care for it, no.)

Augustine took Walnut's reins, and climbed onto the beefy horse. His watched the rest get onto their perspective mounts, it felt good to be in such a large group, very safe. Augustine watched in great interest as Lac and Ssinjin whispered to each other, there was a tenderness there that did not go unnoticed by the druid.

I wish you much luck ranger, you'll will no doubt need it. The druid thought to himself as he watched the couple speaking softly.

The druid shook Walnut's reins and the horse moved forward, Augustine steered him near Brianna.

We got to your homeland I understand, what kind of home is it?...I must admit I am not well traveled and have never visited your lands.

(Place: Somewhere in the endless passages of Underdark, Time: The Present)

I will go with you this time, it seems if I do not you will likely fail again and again as you have done all these weeks. Of course I have duties and tasks that need my time and energy here in our world but lets' forget this fact for now. Let me put all that aside and go with you and make sure that you finally KILL THE DRUID, A MAN WHO IS NEVER ARMED AND TRAVELS ALONE.

Verin was seething as he spoke theses words, he paced the gloomy chamber, his Drow soldiers could only look at one another and the floor as their master spoke. Verin's fingers danced over his belt of daggers as he continued.

It vexes me greatly that you were unwilling to end this for me, how hard is it to kill a feeble human?...I understand that the druid has some talent, I have seen this myself. There are no excuses for your failure, we Drow are superior in every way, we take what we want and we kill whomever we please. There are 12 of you here today, 6 and 6 as is our custom, is this enough I ask? Based on your recent failures I am forced to rethink our approach.

Verin twisted a small Onyx ring on his right pinkie finger and directly to his right and left smoke was rising from the ground. Two massive Driders materialized from the smoke. The creatures were the largest the Drow had ever seen, their large jet black spider bodies were ten feet around, atop the arachnid bodies were the upper torsos of wiry, Drow men. Each Drider carried a long barbed spear and a sword with a poison blade. Their white hair was pulled back and tied into braids, their black skin was ritually scarred which is the custom when Drow men undergo the secret, rare and dark transformation from 2 legs to 8 legs, a privilege to the Drow.

The 12 dark elves bowed to the Driders as they appeared in the chamber out of deep respect, for it was only those who their Goddess favored the most that were allowed to become Driders.

We will kill the human and anyone, or anything that gets between us and our prey. The creatures croaked in unison their voices echoing around the smoky, dark chamber.

Could not have said it better myself... Verin grinned Time to get moving.

Verin, his 12 minions and the 2 creatures walked silent as ghosts to a nearby passage and quickly blended into the gloom.

Brianna smiled at Augustine, thinking of of Rohan and her village.

"It is a beautiful land. Rolling plains with mountains for a backdrop. Tall, sturdy trees pepper the land, while the plains are covered with swaying green and brown grasses. My village is normal in size with guards and warriors."

Her face turned melancholy as she thought about the warrior she'd seen in the pool during her stay at the elven village. She wondered if he would notice her this time, then gave herself a mental shake. He was probably married by now to a beautiful, blond Rhorrihim woman with children. Catching herself, she smiled once again at Augustine.

"My homecoming will be bittersweet for my adopted parents were slain just days ago."

She graciously accepted his condolences, then saw his confusion at her mentioning her 'adopted' parents.

"I am Dunedan, Augustine, not Rhorrihim. The Rhtorrihim are light haired and eyed while I am dark haired with dark green eyes. I also am not as tall as they tend to be nor do I have the connection that they all have with the horses. I was found when I was 3 years old by a hunting party when I and my parents had been attacked, my mother and father having been slain. The hunting party took me back to the village where the blacksmith and his wife adopted me and raised me as their own."

Brianna smiled warmly thinking about how she grew up, her adopted father a huge bear of a man, but with the softest heart and eyes. Her mother was soft spoken and beautiful. They had loved her regardless of how she was different from all of them.

"So, you see, my homecoming is bittersweet, but I am excited to see home regardless."

Jin picked up the comfortable gate of Lightning and enjoyed the closeness she felt with Lac. It wasn’t often she was allotted time with the Ranger and she would gladly steal any chance she could get with him, even if it meant sitting before him on the back of the mighty steed they now traveled on. The feel of Lac’s arms as they loosely handled the reins and gently held her around the waist caused the Drowess a moment of reprieve from the reality of the world they traveled in and why.

But her reprieve was short lived. Jin couldn’t put her finger on it but she got an uneasy feeling. Sitting up a little straighter she looked around with her dark sight once more to see if there was something out there she could see that would explain this feeling. Her search coming up empty, she settled back down against Lac and tried to push what ever the feeling was to the back of her mind.

Of course that was impossible. It seemed the more Jin tried to ignore it, the more persistent it became. Finally she sat up straighter and looked all around once more. Lac knew something was bothering her but he dared not ask. Not yet. Like Jin he was enjoying the close moments he had with her. But when the Drowess sat up and looked around again, the Ranger couldn’t ignore it any more.

“You feel it, too.”

It was more of a statement than a question and Jin merely nodded her head slightly.

”Yes….and I care not for it.”

Slowly turning so she could see his face, Jin didn’t like the worry she saw etched on his handsome features. Furrowing her brows, she turned around to try and settle once more.

”I do not wish to leave you this soon, Ranger. I just got comfortable and I do not want to leave this comfort. But I cannot shake this….restlessness….perhaps it is because we are no longer in the protective grasp of the Golden Woods and I am being overly cautious. I will wait it out to see if it gets any better.”

Sorrelwind raised his face to the moon, his pale porcelain skin gleaming in the pale light as he gently held onto the reigns of his mount. He enjoyed the luxury of traveling by horseback, and kept himself light so as not to be a burden on the animal. He, however, found that some weight was warranted at times if only to remind the horse that he carried a passenger.

Looking back to Lothlorien, the Phaerie would miss the company of Nevtherra. Meeting someone of his own world had been a pleasant diversion but despite the encounter, Sorrelwind would not have seen the point of staying another day and was happy to be carrying on with their journey. He wondered what new challenges and adventures laid before them and what dangers followed. Now that they had left the protection of the Golden Wood they were once more vulnerable to the will of the Dark Lord, and the malicious intents of Jin's brother.

Verin and his group had been traveling many hours in the passages of Underdark, the speed at which Drow can travel can not truly be appreciated by non Drow. The dark elves moved swiftly and silently in their familiar tunnels and caverns after some time Verin brought the large group to a stop.

Now we leave our home and go 'above', my instructions are simple, my expectations high. We will kill the druid, his half elf friend and anyone else who has the misfortune of traveling with them. Slay them all, spare none.

Verin looked over his head to the rocky roof of the cave, the tiniest bit of moonlight could be seen at the cave's ceiling. Verin whispered some words in his Drow language and the cave ceiling fell away revealing a stone outcropping that could be climbed like stairs to the world above.

Verin took a step up onto the rocky stairs and turned around again to face his underlings.

On the matter of my traitorous sister, you leave her to me, anyone that harms her before I am allowed to do so will suffer all of my anger.

With that the dark elf walked the rest of the way up the stones to the world above, the world of men, elves and moonlight.

Lac lead the group of unlikely companions out across the pain as the starry night deepend. Off on the horizon lightning flashed and illuminated the shadowy outline of the mountain peaks shouded in gathering clouds, in the distance. A soft breeze began to build and sweep across the prarrie grass, causing it to ripple like waves upon a sea of gold.

Sorrelwind's mount moved tentatively across the plains, wary of the foot falls that may lurk beneath the silvery grasses, moving like water in the pale light of the moon. The beast could not see the world as he could but he remedied this with an old talent of his kind, a spell that allowed the illumination granted to him to pass to the animal so long as they remained in contact. The moon then became as the sun shining through smoke and the world all around became bathed amber light. The horse then confidently navigated through the plains and the Phaerie broke away from the group, riding to the top of a low hill allowing him to see the vast expanse before them, but the many dales and occasional deposits of massive boulders afforded an enemy many opportunities to hide.

Continuing southward around the dark border of Fangorn Forest, Sorrelwind pondered what dangers, if any, awaited them and arrived at few conclusions. As far as he knew their travels through the Gap of Rohan would be without encounter, but he was unaware of the evil Verin and his band of Dark Elves that crossed into the moonlit world. As they grew ever closer to the distant mountains, they drew nearer to the Drow war party bent on their destruction. Only the fast approaching storm might force them to make camp, but the ranger seemed to be pressing on toward it. Either way it meant little difference to the Phaerie, but as the distance closed between the and the dark clouds, the muffled sound of thunder rippled across the land and masked the sound of anything else in the area.

The time had come. While it was the last thing Jin wanted, she knew this is whay had to be done. As she saw the mountains growing larger ahead of them, she knew she would have to depart company and scout out ahead of them, clearing a path for the travelers to follow. As the lightning streaked through the sky and illuminated the golden waves of the plains before her, she nimbly tuned so that she was sitting side ways of the horse.

Pushing her hood off her head, she felt the growing wind ease over her white head. Looking up at Lac’Nala from where she sat before him, she reached her gloved hand up to caress his cheek. With a silent message passed between them, she reached up, placed her lips to his then pulled away.

Pulling the hood of her cloak up over her head, she looked over at Tiphereth, her eyes glowing a soft red color beneath the hood.

”Beware, friend. I sense that all is not as peaceful and serene as it appears to be ahead. Use your senses, all of them. Be on guard for anything. Complacency is sure death.”

Before Tiphereth or Lac could say anything to her, Jin jumped off Lightning’s back and quickly disappeared in the rolling, golden waves. As she moved through the thick vegetation, Jin would stop from time to time to allow her own senses to adjust to her surroundings.

The approaching storm was growing wilder by the moment and she couldn’t help but wonder if it was an omen for things to come. In a short time she had left the group behind and was growing ever closer to the mountains she had seen earlier. They looked much bigger now than they had before. As the golden waves of grass began to thin out giving her little to no cover at all, Jin tried to keep to the shadows as much as she could. Of course it wasn’t easy to do with bright streaks of light illuminating the area.

Not knowing her murderous brother and his band of Drow had surfaced, Jin didn’t know she was in grave danger. Of course no one expects to come face to face with a cowardice brother who lets others do his dirty work for them. Nor do they expect to come face to face with Dryder’s either.

Not realizing she was walking into a spiders web, almost quite literally, Jin moved to the base of the mountains and started taking a zig-zag path up the slope. Using what natural concealment she could find, the going was slow to begin with but as the trees began to grow thicker Jin began to make good time, pausing only long enough to leave clues for the others to follow. A noise made her stop quickly and listen. Her ears strained to hear what it was she heard as her hand reached for one of her many daggers she wore X’d across her torso in the leather straps she carried them on. When she saw a large doe followed by several others and the buck bringing up the rear, she let out a sigh of relief.

”Best take your harem elsewhere before they wind up dinner.”

As the small deer heard finally moved on, Jin began her ascent up the mountain side. Finally reaching a point where she knew she would be able to see the others, she stopped to look out over the plains. Her eyes picked up on the heat signatures of the others and the mounts they rode as they too approached the mountain. A small smile eased over her features as she saw the way Lac’s eyes seemed to look right at her.

”Soon, Ranger….soon.”

Verin and his group had stopped to take rest in the craggy maze of deep canyons and fields of boulders at the base of the mountains. They had traveled for the remainder of the first night and had sought the shelter of the ancient rocks when the next morning brought it's harsh and painful sunlight. The 13 Drow and the massive Dryders had slept part of the day in the protective shadows of the great stones piled at the foot of these Elvish mountains.

Verin had not slept much at all, truth be told the Drow require very little rest, they tend to take powerful cat naps, only resting for a few short hours at a stretch. It was of a greater importance for Verin and his ilk to get out of the sunlight then to have a comfortable place to rest. Besides these black elves are never so comfortable above ground that they would take an extended period to rest and let down their guard.

The sun had set and the night had come, a storm was gathering near the mountains, lightning flashed all around. Verin had sensed this weather before it had come, he sensed another arrival too.

Ssinjin was very near, Verin could almost see her in his mind. The Black elf stood up straight, he drew a shape, a Drow rune in the air. The rune took form, it hung in the air before the powerful Drow it appeared like a black eye ringed in smoke, about the size of a dinner plate. Verin spoke in his Drow language, when he was done he waved the eye away.

The eye faded and became invisible as it traveled away from the Drow. The eye traveled at incredible speeds it crossed the canyons and fields of boulders, it moved toward the base of the mountains on the side that opened out onto many golden fields. The invisible eye was seeking the magic signature that all Drow have and it sought it's prey like a bloodhound. The eye was onto something, someone or something from the world of the Drow was alone in the foothills of the great mountains.

The storm was building as the eye stalked it's quarry, it zig zagged through the lightning and wind until it was close enough to reveal the singular crouched Drow figure on top of the hills. Of course Verin could see everything the eye could.

Is that you my sister, are you alone? Have your humans and half breeds abandoned you at last?
Verin smiled as the eye moved in closer to the well hidden figure. Verin knew very well that his magic would most likely be discovered by Ssinjin, in fact he was almost counting on it. The black elf stood straight with his dark eyes fixed as the eye drew ever closer to the mysterious figure.

Brianna rode along with the others, keeping an eye open. She saw Jinn take off and thought that she was probably scouting ahead. She prayed to her Goddess to keep her safe.

She knew they were getting closer to her village and even though she was happy to return to the only home she'd ever known, she was also dreading it as her adopted parents would not be there to welcome her home. She nudged her mount so that after a few seconds she was riding up along side Lac.

"I am sure the people of my village will welcome you and make all of you comfortable. Do you know how long we will be staying? I only ask because it will not bother me much if we do not stay long."

Augustine rode slowly on his horse, the druid was not one for rushing and hurrying. He lagged a bit behind the rest of the group, at least the ones who had not already set out ahead of the group. Ssinjin and Tiphereth had gone onto the foothills first, it made good sense with their unique powers of observation.

The wind was whipping through the golden fields, Augustine climbed down from his saddle and walked a while through the tall wheat. The druid spread his arms out and ran his hands over the tips of the wheat stalks. As the storm winds lapped at the tall grass the fields began to whisper to the druid.

Now Augustine had a talent to be able to communicate in a way with green growing things but it was not an exact science. The druid was very capable of speaking with all plants, they could easily interpret his primitive language. However, growing things, plants and trees communicate in a subtle and quiet way and men and elves and such must train in order to understand them. Augustine closed his eyes and strained to hear the message over the wind, rain and thunder.

After a few minutes Augustine could sense the plants and what they wished to tell.
Danger ahead...
These were the words that formed in the druid's mind, they sounded a few times and faded away. Augustine moved back to his mount and rode up close to the others. He shared with them what he had sensed, that their journey to these welcoming mountains may not be the grand homecoming that they thought.

Lac'Nala, there is danger very near, of what kind I do not know but I sense it is very close. I imagine you sense it as well but I did not want to leave it to surprise my friend.

The druid smiled at the half-Elf and climbed off his horse again.
I do not think that our four legged friends wish to travel in this storm any longer, I will leave this fine animal here in these fields and walk from here.

Augustine walked towards the foothills, his arms folded in his robes and his head down. Anyone watching him would think him very brave, and there was an element of bravery but more than that the druid was listening for any more warnings from the growing things of the mountains. The druid walked into the wind, focused and not without fear.

Sorrelwind listened to the tales that the wind whispered to him. The elements spoke of the mountains before and those to west, but it was time that they drove eastward into the rolling plains of Rohan, where the pale haired riders dwelled. Would they look kindly upon their trespasses and would they be so fortunate as to come across those who would recognize the 'Rider-woman' as kin? The Phaerie had his doubts, but perhaps by her guide they would find their path a peaceful one.

To the south, lightning raged across the great mountain range that walled the gap and over head. The Phaerie learned them to be the White Mountains and beyond them the kingdom of Gondor but they would not cross into those lands, their destination was to the east. Many of the Rohirrim settlements were nestled along and within the foot hills, among them Brianna's folk, but Sorrelwind alone knew not the way.

The west wind was increasing. The occasional gusts were becoming more frequent, tossing the Phaerie's long flowing locks to the side like a tattered flag. Even by the light of the moon his fiery gold hair shimmered with warmth contrasted by the cool white tresses, drifting out from beneath the approaching Drowess' dark cowl. The Elfling gazed upon her with eyes as black as pitch; black lifeless pits set in a pale masque void of emotion, nearly a reverse of her own. He remained silent and she warned him to be on his guard, then she continued on into the foothills to the south. She quickly vanished behind a rolling hill and she was gone, then he turned back checking the progress of the rest of the party and spied the dismounted druid listening and looking beyond. A slight smile, formed on the Phaerie's masque and then rain began to fall, the drops, tracing their silver trails across his flawless white skin as he intently watched the oak-man and knew that his mind flowed freer and faster across the distance. By his haste in reaching Lac'Nala, the Elfling suspected bad news. He himself had no sense of it, but then there were many creatures of questionable origins to which his own essence was kin and so they went unnoticed like an all too familiar fragrance.

As the strength of the storm began to increase and rain started to descend in sheets, lightning illuminated the hill upon which the Phaeire had paused but he was no longer there. He navigated his night-seeing mount, through the foothills and into the shadowy crags of the mountains. Fearing the others may be impeded by the storm and darkness, Sorrelwind made his way toward the Drowess, relying on sight, smell and ear more so than his other senses as he knew that her kind in particular eluded him. Why this was he could not be sure. Perhaps, he considered, it was because the Drow were not so different from the way his own kind once was, but unlike their species, his own never embraced the darkness as home and ever strived to find the light.

Thunder boomed and echoed through the foot hills. Sorrelwind's mount shivered and as the druid had already done, he too relinquished the beast and after gathering his satchel let him seek shelter away from the storm. On the foot then, the Phaerie was far more confident as his light steps hardly made an audible sound. He kept his spear at ready, but did not yet transform long metal blade from wood to metal as was his custom. The Phaerie did not call upon the change unless it was necessary to draw blood and only then did he release the razor sharp edges of his sword-spear.

Sorrelwind crept through a narrow pass, a chasm that split a tall hill apart. The sound of water flowing down its sides resonated through the corridor and far off in the distance he could hear the whinny of his horse as it sped back to the steppes. As accustomed as his eyes were to the dark, the shadows yet remained and so he cautiously made his way. Realistically, he expected to find nothing, chalking up what he felt to paranoia stirred up by Ssinjin's dramatic, "Beware!", but better to err upon the side of caution, nonetheless. As he made his way along the small chasm, he paused, then feeling compressed in the tight space sprang into the air. Pushing himself off of the rocks, he floated upward in a series of leaps and bounds until he stood at the top of the gorge, surveying his surroundings from an elevated position. Lightning flashed and the presence of black shape to his left alarmed him, but it was only the silhouette of a dead tree outlined by the bright glow.

It was like feeling something crawl under your skin that you’ve felt before. Not exactly a wanted feeling yet all too familiar at the same time. As Jin stood watching the others move along, she felt this sort of sensation and knew just what it was. Verin. Or at least his magic. As she saw Tiphereth and Augustine leave their mounts, Jin whirled around as the sensation grew even stronger.

Red eyes glowed angrily from beneath the dark cowl she wore over her head as she saw the signature of Verin’s magic quickly approaching. An all seeing, all knowing eye come racing towards her. So….he was close enough to dispatch such a thing. Her hands lovingly caressed the hilt of daggers beneath her cloak as she stood up straight and stared back at the eye,m knowing Verin was doing the same.

Reaching up and slowly pushing the hood from her head, she welcomed the rain as it began to fall from the sky. Knowing how much Verin and his misguided followers hated such a thing, she took comfort in knowing it would make them miserable.

The hatred she felt for Verin was clearly displayed in her glowing eyes and soon after, in her words, knowing her disowned brother could hear her just fine. Using the clipped words in their native language, Jin let her words drip with venom as she spoke to Verin.

”Show yourself to me, coward. I look forward to killing you. And unlike you, I will not wait until you slip into reverie. I will make sure you are fully awake and can feel every last moment of pain I will bring upon your worthless hide as I skin you alive.”

At least now she could keep Verin occupied with her and allow the others the chance to move on without fear of being attacked by the insane Drow. All she had to do was keep Verin well occupied while trying to avert the attention of how ever many minions he brought with him. While she still didn’t know about the Dryders, she knew he would never come to the surface world without some of his followers with him to protect him.

At the moment that Ssinjin detected her brother's spell the eye became visible again. The eye was a shiny black and had a white snake eye pupil, black fingers of smoke radiated from all around the eye making appear like a small black sun, or a single eyed spider. The eye zoomed silently very near Ssinjin's face, it blinked and then it spoke.

Your words sister, they sting me deeply, have you nothing kind to say to me? I have come on a mission of mercy, I came to save you. Alone, above ground and soaked with rain, I do so hate to see you this way my sister. What has become of your fellow travelers? Where is your half breed companion? Did the druid also abandon you in this wild place? Where will you go now? No one will accept you in their world and you will never be welcomed back home, you should leave this world with honor and dignity- allow me to end your miserable shameful life. Surrender your daggers and I will make it quick and painless. I would do this for you sister.

The eye bobbed and floated silently near Ssinjin's face, it blinked a few times after Verin had finished, it seemed to be waiting for an answer.

The rain was falling steady now, it passed through the floating eye as if it was not there.

Sorrelwind traveled further in the mountains. Instinct told him to stay to high ground and so he deftly skipped across the rocks as sure footed as mountain goat. The rain continued to pelt his face and he became ever more aware of the damp and cold that sunk into his bones. He shivered. Rubbing his arms with dismay he was pleased to suffer those sensations that physical creatures took for granted, so long had he been numb to them.

Moving along the base of the mountain, Tiphereth's eyes searched the landscape. His vision breeching the distance as if he were rushing across the fields of wild wheat, spied the Druid and then Lac. Looking below him then, his blackened eyes could still not locate the Drowess, but he could feel a sickly feeling in the pit of his stomach. There was a presence. One that chilled him more than the damp, hidden within the mountain but he had no sense of its origin, nor what or who may be. He knew only to be on guard.

Now fearing that Ssinjin may truly be in danger, Sorrelwind moved with haste. Not being able to know which way to go, he took a chance on following a narrow path that lead further to the east, toward the direction of the Rohirrim settlements.

Tiphereth crouched on some rock tops, he could not yet locate Ssinjin, he could see the half elf prince and the druid, just behind them in the rain and fog were the Lady of Rohan and the dwarf.

As the Phariekin paused the ground beneath him rumbled and pushed up at his feet. Large chunks of earth and stone erupted all around him as if they were being spat out by the mountain. A gigantic ancient toad many times the size of any man pushed it's way from inside the moving earth and climbed out into the rain. It's large greasy eyes watched Tiphereth as it flopped from it's great hole and with a thudding 'hop' it was now free of the stones and soil.

It moved to face the Phariekin, a foul steam was visible drifting from it's mouth as it eyed the stranger. Tiphereth could smell the sharp stink of the creature's poisonous breath, it had not yet showed aggression, it merely watched the Phariekin.

The huge toad turned it's face to the rain, it seemed to be aching for the moisture. It opened it's mouth, letting some of the storm water dribble inside. It's mouth soon snapped shut, it turned again to Tiphereth and let out a low hiss.

Jin felt her hatred for her brother boil in the blood of her veins. He dared talk to her as though he were her savior? Oh if she could only get her hands around his throat right now! She would gladly cut out his tongue to prevent him from saying another word. Taking a threatening step closer to the hovering eye, Jin spoke between gritted teeth,

”I would rather be alone in the pouring rain than return to the home I can no longer call mine, thanks to your treacherous actions. And do not call me your sister. I no longer have any siblings, especially a murderous, blasphemous brother who turned on his Mother as though she were a common enemy. There is more pride in living this solitary life than any life I could have hoped for beneath the earth.”

Again Jin stepped closer to the eye and this time, she smiled but the smile was not one you would wish to see from her. Her voice was soft, almost seductive as she taunted the male Drow on the other end of the eyes origin.

”You want my daggers, Verin? Then come pry them from my cold, dead hands. If you think you can get close enough to do such a thing. Remember, counting victories before they happen is bad luck. Even for someone as dishonorable as you.”

Pulling the hood of her cloak up over her head in one swift, sudden move, Verin heard her whisper words into the rain and she disappeared form sight. Where exactly she had gone he wouldn’t know right away, but it wouldn’t be difficult for him to find her when she became material once more.