Where has she gone off to now?

[Darrla Blackmoon]

Darrla had left the Caw what had seemed like hours ago. It was a bit longer than that. Arriving on her trusty Lossoth steed. She took him into Trestle and looked at Hal handing him a small bag of silver. "Take good care of him." She said in a whisper and nodded to one of the lowley horses that looked like it was on its last leg. "How far can that one take me?" She asked the stable-
Darrla -master. He eyed Darrla up and down. "It looks like you seen a ghost! That one there, he won't get ya too far. Whatcha needing him for anyways? You just brought a good one in." Darrla starred sternly at the stable-master and shook her head. "He cannot go where I am going." Hal frowned and gave a nod. "Alright then, take it, won't even charge you more than what you gave. A few miles is all he's good for anyways." Darrla nodded and moved around back and changed her clothing so that she would not be seen leaving in the same outfit she had entered in. And on an entirely different horse. Her clothes were stuffed under some hay and she moved onto the thinner and much smaller mount.

Darrla mounted the horse and headed off looking over her shoulder for a moment. "You didn't have to come with me......I know where I am going." She said with a huff.

Into the darkness she road, and would continue to ride. The new mount could hold up for only so long, and after a few hours ride it was getting breathy. Darrla paused the mount at a river and began pacing. "Stop....I cannot just keep riding. The horse will die before I even get there. Then what? What would I do then?" She growled. "I am helping my family!" She yelled. "I'm going as fast as I can." She plucked up the bottle of whiskey and drank more. "Now leave me, all you are doing is pestering me. I told you I would go, and I'm gong...."

[Darrla Blackmoon]

Zhevruil totally doesn't question a growling Southerner about a woman named Susan loudly enough that anyone named Nicolletta can hear.

Nicolletta spun on her heel. Because she did hear it. And she went to go traverse through the way to find the voice.

Nicolletta looked to Zhev. "What do you know about Susan?" She looked to the Southerner and grinned. "Good to see you again. I see your nose still hasn't fixed itself." She winked.

Zhevruil continues speaking to the Southerner, "Look, it's important that I--." He looks over at the newcomer. "Whadya want. I'm busy, and this guy knows what I'm looking for..." He glares at the ugly growler.

Nicolletta grinned. "That male couldn't see the broad side of Susan's breasts if he squinted." She moved her attention to Zhev. "Don't you think it would be smart to ask Lizbeth where Susan might be? Seeing on how she practically lives at the Caw?"

Zhevruil is about to retort, but stops himself as he realizes, "Oh....hmph....well..." He looks back at the Southerner and says, "I'm watching you." He turns to Letta and says, "How do you know Su, eh? Met her before?"

Nicolletta nodded. "Aye, I know her. Knew her when she first came to Breeland." She crossed her arm and eyed Zhev. "What do you want with her?"

Zhevruil backs up a little. "I haven't seen her in some time...I've been doing some work outside of town...gathering assets."

Nicolletta snorted a bit. "Well, perhaps you should ask Liz then? She said she saw Susan bustle out of the Caw with a quickness, pale in face, and a pack on her back." She frowned. "Even the beast she is mated to allowed her passage with no questions. Or so I heard."

Zhevruil frowns. "Mated to...? Er...huh?"

Nicolletta shrugged. "Some male she met in Forochel, brought him back with her." She narrowed her eyes. "You sure we are talking about the same Susan?"

Zhevruil nods. "Yeah, I think so, though I'd forgotten the relation between her and...thanks for the tip. I'll, er, be out of your way."

Nicolletta nodded and smiled towards the Southerner. "I'll be seeing you around handsome." She said with a wink and then looked at Zhev. "And you too." She winked.

[Barathius]

Barathius dug his heels quickly into the flanks of his already gallopin horse... The Bree-Fields flashed by on either side of the road as his massive bloodbay continued to move at a breakneck pace down the North Road in the direction of Trestlebridge... Despite the steadily increasing pain in his skull, Barathius' thoughts were in one place and one only... Susan was alone in Trestlebridge...

[Darrla Blackmoon]

Darrla has slept there near the pond. The horse taking advantage of the rest and drinking up as much water as he could though he nor Darrla would sleep much that night. Her brain wracked with wicked nightmares of /them/. They were coming for her family this time, to get to her. She would toss and turn and after about a two hour sleep, she would awaken. Sweat pouring down the back of her neck as she would finish off whatever was left of that whiskey bottle. She stood on shaky legs and moved into the river bathing off the sweat. When she was finished, she was sure to cover the mud tracks so that nobody, not even those who may be after her, would know where she had went or if she had been here.

She walked the steed for as long as she could up the high hills and back down the low valleys. Sticking mostly to the worn roads in the areas so that she would not be making any new tracks. She was good at covering somethings up. But there was one thing she might have left- the empty whiskey bottle. Somewhere along the path.

She paused, uncertain if she had forgotten something. It was indeed the whiskey bottle that was causing her discomfort. She turned around to look along the path and shook her head. She continued on her way, drinking as she walked the steed along side of her. When the road began to split, she went atop her mount and rode him for as long as he would take her.

She was still not yet to her destination, but soon, she would be. If the steed would hold out- she would be there by nightfall. If not, she would be there by the morning. She only hoped that it was nightfall, she'd much rather have the cover of shadows than sneeking around during the day. That could be very dangerous.

[Darrla Blackmoon]

(Post given by Malfrith.)

Arevea manipulates the bag on one hand so he could count them. "That type of work I see... and you work for the Lady of Combe?"

Nicolletta chuckled a bit and held her hand out to catch the bag if/when he tossed it. "The Lady of Combe? You mean Susan?" She shook her head. "I don't work for anyone but myself, but she gives me money, and some jobs that she knows I enjoy."

Arevea says, 'So you're a hound without a leash or collar. You follow by the scent of a fleshy bone?'

Nicolletta grinned. "You could say that." She said as her hand was still outwards in hopes to collect her trophies.

Malfrith walks quietly into the Caw, pipe hanging from his lips as he walks slowly to the bar. He scoots a seat back with the tip of his foot, and he plops down into it, arms going to rest on the counter as he leaned forward.
You sit.

Arevea tosses the pouch to her. "A fine collection you have. How is it that you go about taking them? You seem to enjoy the thrill of the hunt, but I don't imagine you taking on a fully armored foe in that garb."

Nicolletta chuckled as she fashioned the satchel back on her belt. "Like I said, they never saw it coming. It is all about underestimating your foe." She moved her eyes quickly to the counter and back to Areva. "That thank you will have to wait." She said as she took a few steps back and pivoted, making her way to the bar.

Dulcinaea looks at Liz and then Nicolletta she frowns and leans on the bar

Nicolletta moved behind the bar and filled a mug with ale taking a slow sip. She tilted her head to Malf. "Well look at you. If it isn't Mister Larkins, the handsome." She chuckled. "Last time I saw you, you were running with a very threatening crowd......"

Malfrith eyes glance up at the people surronding him, mumbling something quietly to himself. Pipe still hanging from his lips as the smoke rose up.

Dulcinaea leans toward Liz and whispers " Vhy ees she being behind bar...eesnt that beaing Susans spot?"

Nicolletta narrowed her eyes towards Dulci. "Susan is not a server, and neither am I. Though I am part of the family." She said with a grin as she took another long sip of her mug moving her eyes to Malf.

Malfrith perked a brow, looking up at the woman behind the bar. Removing his pipe for a moment, "The handsome? You must be thinking of my brother." He grined, following a quiet chuckle. Placing the pipe back in his mouth he pulled a few coins out and slid them on the bar, "Ale, please." He mumbled past his pipe.

Dulcinaea says, 'Vell I am not knowing you....I am being Sister of Susan and she ees never telling me of sour one....'

Nicolletta chuckled at Malfrith. "Didn't you hear? I'm not the server." She looked to Liz who glared at Nic and gave Malf an ale, taking up his coin. She then looked to Dulci. "Ah...Dulcinaea is it? I've heard a bit about you." She grinned and looked to Malf. "If you are looking for your "Susan" she is gone." She stated flatly before drinking more as if she could care less.

Dulcinaea leans her head to the side and puffs out her chest a little before pushing off the bar and speaking softly " Ees still not answered question....vhere ees my sister being and vhy are you being een her place?"

Malfrith eyes looked over to Dulci, "Susan's sister?' She never mentioned one." He grumbled like an old man would. His eyes returned too the woman behind the counter, "I was not-- But, for the sake of seeming caring, where has she gone?" He asked with big puppy dog eyes. After a few moments he would break into a quiet chuckle, seeming endless and for no reason. Struggling to put his +
Malfrith l pipe in its rightful spot.

Nicolletta shrugged a bit and jutted her thumb towards Liz. "Don't know. Liz said she was in the backroom talking to herself and drinking a lot....next thing she knew, Susan had changed and had a sack on her back." She paused to take a good long sip of her drink. "The new one....the Beast, tried to stop her, but she seemed adamant about going. Pale in the face like she had seen a ghost."

Dulcinaea says, 'I vant...my sister!'
Dulcinaea pulls a dagger from her pack adn stabs it hard into the bar she glares and then tugs it loose and storms toward the door

Malfrith eyes look at the dagger and he goes to snag it, "Very nice. This will go for a few coppers."
You say, 'No idea where she went, eh?''

Dulcinaea taps Malfrith lightly on the shoulder and smiles sweetly " I am needing that....I...vas a little excited and...I...."

Nicolletta looked to Malfrith and then to Dulci. "Like I said, don't know. Don't care." She shrugged and finished off her ale starring at Malf. "I wouldn't let the girl go at it alone, wherever she may be....."

Malfrith hands the woman the dagger, "Ah, ok. I was just going to uh--- keep it warm for you."

Nicolletta (The girl meaning Dulci)

Dulcinaea hangs her head and takes the dagger shiething it away once more she sighs heavily feeling hopeless
Dulcinaea says, 'Thank you much....'

Nicolletta shrugs. "Well, that's all I know."

Malfrith noded, "Anytime!" He looks at Nicolletta, "Ah good to hear, you talk too much!" He ploped his pipe into his mouth and stood, looking at the red head with a grin, "Maybe she's dead, eh?"

Nicolletta left the two alone and refilled her mug taking it back to the male by the fire.

Dulcinaea looks up at Malfrith and she narrows her eyes stomping one foot she huffs " She ees not being dead!"

Nicolletta says, '"So, I'll take that thank you now." She said as she drank heavily from her mug looking at him over the rim of it.'

You say, 'Your right. *He smiled brightly and went to poke her in the nose* But to get her, you'll need an army!'

Dulcinaea says, 'V---vaht?! I am needing army? Vhy? Are you being knowing vhere she ees being?'

You say, 'I got a hunch.'

Dulcinaea says, 'How are you being knowing!?'
Dulcinaea says, 'How did you be meeting my sister....'

Malfrith pops his pipe into his mouth with a shrug, "I almost married her!" He said with a loud, merry laugh!

Dulcinaea says, 'Oh....I am being much sorry.....she vould have been killing you to be sure....'

Arevea takes the drink with a smile of thanks. "I hope that pouch of coins will last me enough for another night of drinking." He takes a sip. "That 'thank you'? I'm afraid my curiousity has been sated."

Dulcinaea says, 'Vhat ees hunch? Vhere are you being thinking she ees?!'

Malfrith pulls his pipe free from his mouth, "We met in the pony, alongside her brother--- Malrex. I offered them food and shelter. That is how we met, if I recall properly." He said with a smile, "But fine, your right. I should be dead." He winked, "I guess all hope is lost!"

You say, 'I can't tell!'

Dulcinaea says, 'Vhy!'

Dulcinaea stomps her foot and glares at Malfrith

You say, 'She promised me not to tell!'

Dulcinaea says, 'Vell then you not tell me and I vill gather army and you vill show vay...eef ees showing ees not telling'

Nicolletta snorted a bit at Arevea. "Ah. So I'm out some more fun." She faked a pout. "So what exactly did she steal from this friend of yours?"

Malfrith gasps, covering his mouth in shock, "You want me too---- BETRAY--- Susans trust?!"

Arevea takes a swig. "A simple trinket."

Dulcinaea says, 'No...I vant you to be Showing me....ees not telling me....ees diffrence...besides eef you can be helping I vill get my sisters Much big volf man mate to be helping me'

Nicolletta nodded. "Is it worth much? If so...you could probablly buy it back at our auction." She smiled wider. "Susan had a great many trinkets she was hoping to auction off soon."

You say, 'What?' Wolf-man, mate?''

You say, 'Woo, I knew Susan was an odd one...'

You say, 'But animals now?''

Nicolletta (BAHAHAHAHA)

Arevea says, 'Not much. It was a piece of copper. Where does this auction take place?''

Dulcinaea says, 'Ees Guaradan and I am agreeing..I am not much liking him...but he ees been helping much een past...for being enemy...He has much grown on me...She met him een Home land of Forochel and vhen he vas brought back he much hated me....'

You say, 'Sounds romantic.'

You say, 'How do they go about mating?' Does she rub the blood of a creature on herself, and hope that the beast gets excited?'

Nicolletta grinned. "The auction will be held at a warehouse. Location to be divulged when the time comes. Why? You want to buy it? Or do you have some things you would like to auction off?"

Dulcinaea says, 'Eet must have been....ees forochel! there ees being such pretty lights there een sky!I...erm...vell...I am not knowing.....I have never gotten to be being there vhen that happened'

Arevea says, 'I'm somewhat intruiged. I'd like to know what other things your folk have stolen or killed for.'

You say, 'Ah that is too bad.'

You say, 'That would be most intresting to know!'

You say, 'Anyways, if ya want to know where your sister is. It'll cost ya.'

Nicolletta chuckled. "Not all of the items have been stollen you know....we aren't a bunch of thieves." She rolled her eyes. "We have a great many connections."

Dulcinaea says, 'Cost me? Vould eet help eef I tell you volf man vas een thorn long times ago?'

Arevea says, 'I know you're more than simple thieves. But those items get aquired somehow.'

You say, 'No, probably not. Oh wait, big guy? Really fat, and stupid looking?''

Dulcinaea says, 'Yehs! ees him!'

You say, 'Ah, Ridde.'

You say, 'Still gonna cost ya.'

You say, 'See, a couple weeks back.'

Dulcinaea says, 'Yehs yehs ees him!!!! I...but...vhat...erm...vhat vill eet cost....'

You say, 'Some -whore- came and stole my cane, tossing it right in the fire!'

You say, 'I need a new cane...'

Nicolletta shrugged a bit. "Trading...buying....blackmailing...." Shrugs. "Not sure if you are friend or foe, so I'll leave you with that bit of info."

Dulcinaea says, 'A new cane? All you are vanting ees new valking stick?'

Arevea says, 'If you're unsure, then treat me as a foe.'
You say, 'Yes, preferably oak, I perfer smooth textures as I don't like hurting hands in the evening.'

Dulcinaea says, 'Done...eef you are being helping I vill get you valking stick of oak tree'

Nicolletta chuckled and moved her chin down to her chest to give him a very feral look. "I treat all as my foe." She kept her eyes upon him. "So tell me about yourself..."

You say, 'Deal... Lemme know when you got your, 'army'... Or perhaps someone who is talented at being quiet?''

Dulcinaea says, 'How can I be finding you again?'

Arevea says, 'I get hurt often.'

You say, 'Ridde will know.'

Dulcinaea says, 'Ees having name?'

Dulcinaea says, 'Or should I be telling him I am seeing stinky man vith pipe een mouth missing valkng stick'

You say, 'The giant? I called him Ridde, not sure what he goes by now? Fatty, maybe.'

Dulcinaea says, 'No no you!'

You say, 'Mister Larkins, or that description will do fine.'

You say, 'Also, a new hat, I could use a new hat.'

Dulcinaea says, 'Larkins.....larkins...I vill remember'

You say, 'That made it in the fire too...'

Nicolletta nodded slowly. "Well my dear, we all do. Whether it is emotional or physical." She snorted and absentmindedly stroked the long scar along the side of her face. "I go for the latter...it is hard to hurt emotions when you have none that can be used against you."

Dulcinaea says, 'H--hat'

You say, 'Yes, with a fluffy feather ontop. I love those!'

Dulcinaea says, 'Hat...valking tree....Larkins...hat...valking tree Larkins...'

You say, 'Very good!'

You say, 'Don't forget the feather.'

Arevea says, 'Oh? I think I have to disagree with you.'

Dulcinaea says, 'I vill remember....Fluffy feather tree...valking hat...larkin

[Barathius]

Barathius' feet slammed on the ground as he continued his loping gait. He had passed across the fields North of Bree with near inhuman speed, and had then passed through the town known as Trestlebridge, it was there that he had left his tired horse... Having found no sign of Susan... He had continued to the North on foot, his log legs carrying him swiftly in the way of his people... The hillmen... All the while, his thoughts stayed focused on Susan being alone in the North, his uncertainty of her safety urging him on into a third night of travel.

More than an hour later... Well after midnight Barathius found himself unable to continue his pursuit, slowly sinking to the ground just within sight of a small pond. Slowly slamming his back against a tree, Barathius sank to the ground, his weary eyes closing slowly...

Barathius' dreams consisted of whirling clouds of darkness, the twisted face of orcs appearing momentarily in the mist, only to shift out of form... To be replaced by deep splatters of crimson and black... Even through this Barathius slept soundly... Until one final image broke forth from the dark whirling turmoil of his mind... A dark red shield emblazoned with a black circlr bisected by a deep green spear... The shield was defaced however, by a white handprint, obscuring the heraldry of the spear from view...

Barathius jerked into consciousness, his eyes flickering around warily. Slowly he breathed a heavy sigh and shakes his head, wondering why he had dreamt of such things... He slowly rose to his feet, the sore muscles of his legs sending sharp lances up pain jolting up his spine as he slowly began to move... Suddenly, his eyes caught a slight glimmer of light to his left, just at the edge of his peripheral vision... Drawn towards the glimmer, despitethe urgency of his travel, he turned slowly, striding towards the light's source... As he drew nearer the light grew slightly less bright, the reflection of sunlight off of the whiskey bottle... For that was the source of the light, was no longer casting the gleam at Barathius' face, instead, the light was now casting a lightly glowing circle of reflected light upon his chest. Barathius extended a hand, slowly raising the bottle to stare at it for a moment, before raising it to his face and sniffing the bottle's lip slowly... He broke into a slight grin, noting the powerful scent of alcohol wafting from the bottle... Breaking into a determined grin, he turned, dropped the bottle to the ground with a slight thunk, and broke off at a dogged jog once again, hurtling down the road with renewed energy... He had found Susan's trail... He wasn't far behind now... His boots pounding in the hard packed ground once more, Barathius hurtled away towards the North... Drawing closer to Susan by the moment, as the fading mid-day sun glared down from above...

[Darrla Blackmoon]

Darrla went for as far as her worn out steed could carry her. It finally gave way about a mile from a tall tower. The steed had buckled under her weight and finally fell. She rolled off the horse before it fell atop of her and dislodged her pack from the satchel ties. She gave the beast a few minutes of her praise, a slow pet here and there and a comfort cooing sound. When she was finished, she took her dagger and slit its throat. She didn't want him to feel the pain of the wargs about this area tearing into its flesh. She granted the beast a swift death and when his heart had stopped, she left him there swiftly with her belongings. It was nightfall, and she could already hear the calling of the wargs off in the distance, smelling that coppery scent of blood upon the wind.

She knew where she was, and she moved as quick as she could, drinking whiskey instead of water. Making her way to the high tower. When she was there, the ranger looked upon her wild eyed. "Haven't seen you in some time Darrla. You come to meet your death this night?" Darrla frowned, it was hard to forget a woman who had traveled so many times into this area claiming to 'meet her death'. "I suppose I am a hard woman to forget. Though this time, they have him." She wouldn't say who 'him' was, or who they were. The ranger knew who they were and nodded slowly. "If I didn't know you better I would warn you against them. Say you needed an army to get whomever it is they have. But I know your stubbornness, and they won't allow any to pass if they can help it."

Darrla looked around the small camp. "It will be daybreak in a few hours. Do you mind if I stay here for the rest of the night hours?" The ranger shook his head. "Don't mind at all, our provisions are low-" Darrla cut him off. "I only need to rest, I'll be gone as soon as the light hours hit the hill." She looked off the sparse area below, looking at the dead trees from where she was. The wargs were coming in, surrounding almost- but they knew better than to come up the tower. "Just, don't tell anyone I was here." She asked before moving against one of the pillars and shutting her eyes. The whiskey bottle- the second one- was still in her hands even as she slept. A few more hours of sleep was all that she was granted.

Two hours before daybreak hit, her dreams overtook her again. So vivid were these dreams, that she knew- she knew- they had to be real.

~Tears strewn along Darrla's face as she saw him in the cage. "Why did you come? I told you I would come after you. That I would come and get you when it was safe." The tears would not stop as she looked about him. "I was going to come back to Forochel for you, I promised." A low voice, a whisper was heard in Darrla's dreams. "I was worried, and I had to come and find you. I love you. I didn't know what had happened, if you were alive or dead. It's just been so long." Darrla cried out once more in her sleep, aloud this time as he was tortured, and she was forced to watch.~

"NO!" Darrla shouted in her sleep and she finally came to. It stirred the others that were upon the tower and she scowled at herself. She stood up, shaking the dream from her head and whiping the tears that had fallen. She picked up her pack and her whiskey bottle and kept on going. It was early, they would all be asleep. At least those were her thoughts. She looked over her shoulder.

"Are you coming?" She asked the male who had been following her. He nodded and walked beside her. "Another bad dream?" He asked and she frowned. "I guess you were right, they do have him. I should have listened to you. I thought, I thought this was all a ploy. But now I know for sure."

She looked down the tower and saw the stable master. She sighed and shook her head as she trudged forward. "I'll be needing another horse." She said without her accent, hiding her face well. Her outfit had been different than the one she had worn in Trestle, so anyone following her would find it quite difficult. The stable master smiled wide when Darrla presented him with the last bit of coin she had. "I'll be keeping him, if he's a good one." Though she didn't plan on taking the horse deep into the areas where she had to go. "And don't tell anyone I was here." She said, the stable master shrugged, just happy with the amount of money she had paid him. Darrla mounted the horse and rode hard to the west. It would be a long time before she would go where she needed to be.

She had thought it only a few days, but her dream told her it would be a few more days than she thought. She only hoped her provisions would last.

[Barathius]

Barathius was moving fast... Faster than most men could even believe. Even after having left his weary horse in Trestlebridge, he had continued on foot, covering more ground in a single day then most men on horseback could cover in five... After what seemed like days, the sun began to set over the Western horizon, signaling an end to Barathius' fourth day of travel... Even as the deep orange light of the fading sun threw Barathius' already considerable shadow in a long line across the ground, Barathius burst from the tree-line.

The road forked ahead, the fork to the right, into the East, led into dense hills and sparse woodlands... The path leading North on the other hand... The path leading North led down a low slope into a massive valley... The valley was a land of utter desolation, the total absence of life... The trees and grass appeared dead, the air otself blowing from these lands felt stale and dead... But worst of all, was the mist. Long tendrils of a deep grey fog were floating across the lowlands to the North, obscuring much of the terrible land from view...

Barathius paused, his eyes flickering around for a moment before he finally grunted, coming to the conclusion that Susan would indeed be heading North... Likely into the dark lands before him... Pausing for only the slightest moment, Barathius shuddered... The only sign of hesitation he would display... Then his boots slammed down upon the ground once more and he continued North, oblivious to the emptiness in his stomach, the dry scratch of his throat, or the dark rings around his eyes... His only thoughts, were of Susan... And of her safety...

[Darrla Blackmoon]

Nicolletta let out a groan and moved towards Liz as she jotted a note down. "Lizbeth, if any of the 'family' or Larkins asks- tell them we left for Trestle without them." She grinned and looked to Dulci. "Are you ready for this?"

Dulcinaea says, 'Let me be getting my gear'

Nicolletta nodded and looked to the door. "I'll meet you back here as I get some provisions. Meet me here within an hour."

Dulcinaea says, 'Yehs...umm...vhat ever you are being saying ees same to you!'

Zaloros walks to his usual spot and sits.

Zaloros sits down.

Dulcinaea says, 'I am being ready much'

Nicolletta looked to Dulci and didn't recognize her, but she surely recognized the voice. She chuckled a bit and shook her head. "Well, it looks like you are quite ready." She grinned.

Dulcinaea says, 'Vell...I am being ready for anything'

Gaagii stands quickly regonizing the voice as he makes his way to the door hopefully as he mumering curses as he thinks to himself,"The Rumors are true" as he makes his way out

Malfrith walks into the pony without making a sound, in exception to the loud squeak coming from his rear, sending his cloak back an inch or two.

Nicolletta looked over to Malfrith and cursed. "And there's the man of the hour....." She chuckled. "I have no idea what Susan saw in you." Though, Nicci didn't know the real Malfrith- that was a whole different story.

Malfrith cracked his knuckles, and looked dramatically around the room. Before sending another quiet squeak behind him.

Malfrith says, 'This place is awfully full of some sort of wretched scent.'

Dulcinaea furrows her brow and scruntches her nose up

Zaloros sits down.

Nicolletta rolled her eyes. "Larkins. We were just headed to Trestle, won't you bless us with your company?" She asked looking over to
Dulci and then to Zalo.

Malfrith says, 'Most certainly.'

Malfrith says, 'Not.'

Malfrith says, 'That sounds exhausting.'

Dulcinaea says, 'But...but!'

Malfrith perked a brow, "This is no time to discuss butt's, you should be saving your Susan!"

Dulcinaea growls and storms over to Malfrith

Dulcinaea says, 'Vhere am I to be looking!'

Malfrith says, 'Oh that's right-- I never told you!'

Dulcinaea says, 'You promiced! Vhere am I going!'

Nicolletta snorted a bit. "She's not my Susan. I could care less. I'm only going because this town is borning."

Malfrith says, 'Oh, alas! If only I had a walking stick, and a fluffy feathered hat, perhaps then my old mind would find it much easier to remember!'

Dulcinaea says, 'I am having valking stick...you vill have hat vhen I have my susan'

Malfrith says, 'Hmm...'

Nicolletta let out a sharp growl and pushed Dulci out of the way attempting to grip Malf by his collar. "Look here Larkins." Her eyes staring deeply into his. "If you want Susan dead, just as much as I do, then walk away."

Malfrith says, 'You drive a hard bargin.'

Malfrith says, 'I just want the hat.'

Dulcinaea says, 'Then be telling me vhere to look and I vill give you hat eef I am finding her'

Malfrith says, 'Why, I'll take you there! I won't help, but I'll take you there!'

Malfrith belches loudly.

Nicolletta loosens his collar from her grasp. Obviously Malf didn't care for Susan as much as she had thought. "You aren't the man that 'Susan' claimed you were." she said as she walked past him, brushing hard against his side.

Dulcinaea says, 'Vell then be taking us there!'

Malfrith announced back to Nicolletta, "Good riddens to him too!" He said with a merry laugh. He turned back to Dulci, "Ok, but I'll need to ride one of your horse's..." He coughed quietly, "Mine--- Well, it dosn't listen well..."

Dulcinaea says, 'Done...lets be going'

Malfrith says, 'Ladies second.'

Nicolletta glared at Malf. "I don't like you." She stated. "Nor do I trust you."

Malfrith says, 'Good.'

Malfrith says, 'Your a woman, your opinions are less than my concern.'

Nicolletta leaned in and whispered. "I know what you did to Darrla."

Malfrith says, 'Don't care.'

Nicolletta walked past him and called for her horse. "You are lucky I don't kill you now for giving her those scars."

Malfrith shrugs, "I gave her some, she gave me some. Twas a fair trade. Since you want to kill me, I'll ride the other ladies horse."

Dulcinaea says, 'Ve be off! Vitch vay?'

Malfrith goes to climb the other ladies horse, if she'd let him. "Not too fast. I'm fragile like a beautiful butterfly." He said with a merry laugh, pointing in the direction they should go.

~They arrive at an Orc camp just outside of Northern Bree~

Nicolletta paused her horse as Malf did and frowned. "Here?" she asked as she saw the tell tale signs of an orc camp. "What the hell would she be doing here?"

Dulcinaea says, 'Vhat ees she being doing here...ees this trap!?'

Malfrith says, 'Yes, I actually am an orc.'

Dulcinaea says, 'Vell then I guess this purple hat I am having making ees just going to vaste'

Malfrith says, 'It's kinda a hobby of heres.'

Malfrith says, 'Purple, eh?''

Nicolletta huffed and looked around the area. "Does she have dealings with the orcs?"

Malfrith says, 'She's here, I'm tellin ya.'

Malfrith says, 'Nope.'

Malfrith says, 'Kinda like kin.'

Dulcinaea says, 'Vhere ees she'

Nicolletta sighed. "Well then...let us find her."

Malfrith says, 'Really aggresive, ugly, kin.'

Malfrith says, 'Ladies first. I insist.'

Malfrith says, 'I don't scrap, with such foul creatures.'

Nicolletta shook her head. "She's not here..."

Malfrith walks towards the fire, and pulls out his pipe humming quietly as he did. Taking a moment to start the pipe, until smoke rose from it. Following quietly behind the group.

Malfrith snaps his fingers, "Keep moving forward lassies!"

Dulcinaea glares at Malfrith

You say, '"This is useless....she's not here....and all we're doing is leaving a body of orc cropses behind us..."'

Malfrith quickly turns about and makes way towards their horses.

You say, 'Wait...where did Malfrith go?'

Dulcinaea says, 'That coward!'

Nicolletta ran after him in that direction.

Nicolletta glared at Malfrith. "Just what do you think you are doing?"

Malfrith quickly mounts one of the steeds, with a quiet chuckle, giving the ladies a two fingered salute. "You ladies go home now, this far beyond you, I insist."

Dulcinaea pulls her polearm up and takes aim for Malfrith

Nicolletta narrowed her eyes. "Not with her horse you aren't. Get down now before I kill the horse just to get to you...."

Malfrith points to Dulci, "She can come." he looks back at Nicolleta, "But you will not. I perfer living."

Malfrith says, 'On a note...'

Nicolletta smiled ever so sweetly. "Fine, I won't kill you until after we have Susan." She smiled sweetly. "Better?"

Dulcinaea lowers her polearma dn snarls

Malfrith says, 'It is not a secret thing, that I've went to the Caw, to speak with you people's... if I die, you'll have armies after you. *He grinned*'

Nicolletta shrugged. "Armies? Which armies do you speak of?"

Malfrith spurs the horse onward, "See, that tends to ruin arrangments, threats of death!" He announced back at the girls. "Very rude, I do say so myself!"

Dulcinaea says, 'Vell then you are better be not dieing....I vant my sister!'

Dulcinaea says, 'I vill be killing him!'

Nicolletta looked to Dulci. "Fine, you go. I don't care to be here anyways. Go with him and get your sister."

Malfrith points at Dulci, "She gets the other horse!"

Dulcinaea looks at Nicolletta

Dulcinaea says, 'I am sorry...I vill be coming back vith her.....'

Nicolletta shook her head. "But she doesn't get my horse..." She mounted her horse and tossed a black dagger at Dulci's foot. "Take the dagger, that is all you get from me."

Dulcinaea says, 'Then you can be killing him'

Nicolletta grinned. "If Susan is dead, maybe I'll be in charge." She chuckled.

Dulcinaea takes up the dagger and narrows her eyes at Nicolletta

Malfrith spurs forward to pick up Dulci, "Oh shut up, you still talk too much."

Malfrith offers a hand to the girl.

Nicolletta waved a hand to Malfrith. Take your time in finding her!" She jut her heels into the horse and went off.

Dulcinaea takes his hand and climbs up into the saddle

Malfrith gives a quick kick to the horse, sending them down the road at a nice trot, "That went well, I'd say."

Dulcinaea says, 'You stole my horse and are being keednapping me...I am saying ees fine!'

Dulcinaea rolls her eyes and holds tight to Malfrith as they ride

Malfrith gasps, "I did nothing of the sort! It's called self-preservation, my dear. You'll learn to use it, or--not."

Dulcinaea says, 'I am not liking you...eef ve are not being finding Sister I vill be much hurting you'

Malfrith eyes glance down at the guards breifly as they trot into town. He let out a quiet chuckle, "And my friends will put you on a pike. Not quickly, they'll shove it in your anus and make you slide down it for hours on end until life is finnaly void of you."

Dulcinaea says, 'I am not careing...they vill have tobe finding me first Larkins....but first...they vill have to be finding you'

You say, 'See, it's the lack of my presence that will be the warning to them.'

You say, 'See, in all my witful glory, informed them, that I was going to the Caw.'

You say, 'That means--'

You say, 'They'd be on the trail.'

Malfrith stops the horse at the end of the bridge, and points at the fortress ontop of the hill, "She's there."

Dulcinaea says, 'Ees that being so....'

Dulcinaea says, 'Get off...my horse'

Malfrith laughs, as he quickly gets off the horse, "I would not attempt it yourself, I said you would need an army, I was not lying. If you want a proper plan, and not to die, come find me." He said slowly walking down the bridge.

Dulcinaea rides up to block Malfrith's path

You say, 'Hmm, the camp is the other way. Remember?'

Dulcinaea says, 'Vhat ees plan...then I vill get volf man to help me'

You say, 'Oh, it's a suprise! But it'll work!'

You say, 'Hopefully.'

You say, 'But you need the giant first, he'll trust me more.'

You say, 'Knows how to take orders.'

Dulcinaea says, 'I am much not liking you little man...I vill get him...'

You say, 'Shoo then.'

Dulcinaea mutters " Hopefuly he vill be killing you for me"

Malfrith farts.

Write a reply...

[Darrla Blackmoon]

Darrla had finally arrived in the town full of rangers. In a way, she fit right in. With her gray hood covering her face, and her pants and shirt. She left the horse there at the stables as she continued on through the small town. Looking around at the various ruins surrounding her. Near the end of the town there was a crafting area. She knew for sure that they would give her some more rations and money for the diamond. She swallowed hard and moved to the jeweler holding her hand out towards him and removing the cloth that covered it. The cloth was tattered like it had been wrapped around the diamond for ages. "How- How much can I get for this?" Darrla asked in a voice that was smaller than she had meant it to be.

The jeweler looked over at her and frowned. "You must need that money bad to be selling something like that!" He looked over the large diamond, took it out of Dar's hand and inspected it. "You can get quite a bit of money for this thing. Unfortunately, we don't have much money in this town. I can give you two hundred silver for it and some rations...." He said the rations part only because Dar was looking pretty sickly about now. Having gone a few days on the fumes of whiskey and a few rations here and there.

Darrla looked down and teared up. "I'll take it....." She closed her eyes and looked away. The diamond, it had been so important to her, but this was so much more important. She took the two hundred silver and the rations and made her way out the door without a second glance. Knots tied in her stomach and she felt like throwing up.

But what she was after was so much more important. Or at least she thought he was there....with 'them'. She had what she needed for the next few days of survival. She moved back to the stable and took a horse. Handing the man the two hundred silver she had gotten. "I'll be taking this horse off route." The stable master didn't question her much since he had more than he usually got. So he handed her the horse without question.

She mounted the horse and out of the town. Through the mountainous terrain to the west, and then south.

"I can't believe you sold that diamond. I didn't think you would ever get rid of that thing. You've kept it with you for years. Even after you left Malfrith." The whisper from behind her said.

Darrla growled out. "I had to. I ran out of money, didn't think I would be coming this far....but now..." She shook her head. "I did what I had to do. I will never see that diamond again, but it is worth it if I get to see 'him' again, and help him....save him...." She rode harder still, pushing the steed to his limits as she did.