Toorc looked about the comfortable little room he was in. Outside he heard the jabbering of celtic voices and high pitched Lurikeens laughing away. He could not imagine why he wasn't dead already. He hadn't seen any of the party that rescued him for the last two days but a nice Celtic lass with spikey hair and facial tatooes had been brining him food, and had imparted a good few words to him and their meanings. It was implied that he was not to leave this room, and using magic here would be outright stupid, and more importantly, rude.

As he thought about it and enjoyed the feeling of a homely room again he felt he owed it to his hosts to be a proper and respectful guest. It was partly to this end he'd wanted to learn their language.


He was surprised when the door opened and an Elf walked in, but he was certain he knew this being from the rescue, and perhaps from elsewhere... he cleared his throat to greet the Elf, and being careful to imitate the inflections the girl had taught him as best he could, greeted the Elf in his language:

"I am a stinky old badger" he beamed, when he saw the Elf's face flicker a reaction, obviously he had greeted him correctly! he ventured to ask how he was, just to show he had grasped much already. "Is your mother a Troll or" he faulterd trying to recall the next bit "ooor.. or did magic make you like that?" he sat back pleased with his efforts. He was pretty sure it was exactly what the girl had told him.. mind you if the elf answered he'd have no idea what he said.

Hmm, well at least he was showing he was friendly. And the elf seemed to be grinning which was a good sign.. wasn't it?

The elf fought hard to stiffle a chuckle. "Katlynn!" he called out, much to the bewilderment of the poor theurgist. The young girl that had been seeing to him appeared in the doorway, managing to look contrite will still softly giggling. The two of them spoke for a bit, the elf clearly, if gently, chastising the girl. He grinned and ruffled her hair gently before she scampered away. Turning back to Toorc, he said, in clear, unaccented, Avalonian, "Welcome to Hibernia, Toorc." He grinned and leaned against the wall. "That was quite a bit of trouble you had gotten yourself into. Care to tell how you managed it?"

 

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"ou speak Avalonian!" Toorc exclaimed "Well this will simplify things a lot, but I do still want to contnue to learn your language.. please don't be angry with the girl for teaching me a little of it, I'm sure she didn't mean harm" he smiled hoping the lass wasn't in bother over it. Elves were known to skin people alive for seemingly trivial things, though this one appeared friendly.

"Ah it is quite a long tale, but to make it brief my studies showed me a power was rising in the Earth, one that was bent on great evil. I have fought many many evil beings in this world, and I sought to learn more of this new enemy. I'm sure many in hibernia are now aware of the threat too? Well indeed I discovered what was plauging the land with undead.. I had made ready an escape to Camelot when it emerged two men had not come out of the Hall of the Corrupt. You understand I could not leave them in that place. Alas it seemed the Grand Summoner was not unaware of our being there, and baited me back inside.. I was near death when you and your companions helped me excape.." he sat back, having blurted out much of his tale in a brief time "I still don't pretend to know why you'd rescue an Albion from those depths, or why I'm still alive, but it confirms what I hav heard.. you're not in league with this demon, and neither are Midgard." he relaxed, having been utterly open with this elf he felt he had little reason to fear him. In fact Crispian had once been helped by an elf himself.. could it be?

"Pray tell me good fellow, since my name is known to you already, what should I call you?"

"Kat? No," he chuckled merrily, "She's not in any trouble. She's a lively lass, with a quick wit, but I believe," his grin broadened, "that we shall find another tutor for you. As for what to call me. I have been called many things, both flattering and not. My name is Ayslyn Greenwillow." He scetched a quick bow. "ou are welcome to the common hall outside, and to any of the rooms that lead directly off it. I would, however suggest that you wander no further than that. While the Irregulars and myself are happy to be your hosts in our land, there are a few of my people that would take your being here the wrong way." Even while delivering this warning, his wry grin never faded.

 

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"well then" Toorc beamed "It is nice to meet you Sir greenwillow.. I have heard of you before now, but had no face to place you by. I am honoured and assure you, very glad to meet you. I'll follow your instructions for my own safety, I can imagine not all Hibernian's have your broad-mindedness to them. I am sure there is much, indeed a great deal, for us to discuss in the coming nights, for I have a good many questions and a good many tales you may wish to hear, save those on my realm's military defences, for you understand my gratitude cannot extend far enough to make me turn traitor." Ayslyn seemed to understand that well enough and happily accepted it. Toorc sensed his concerns didn't lie there, anymore than Toorc would have interrogated the Elf had the situation been reversed.

They sat down for a long talk of the matters of the realms, and neither noticed the night drawn on around them.


******************

Meanwhile upon the shores of the Bearded Lake...


((OOC thanks Cloak for jumping in on this, any other hibs have idea for the subplot of Toorc's going to Hibernia, PM me or jump in ))

/monday AM bumpage

 

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ooc


<waves to ayslyn>


Ok... cheap bump but who cares =)

((Bit more storyline while we wait for Basaia's post...))


Overseer Tepok danced around the high pile of Arcanium he had gathered. he'd hijacked prearranged merchants, raided crafters and tunneled for years to unearth this much of the precious metal. Now he was going to trade it all away.. for he is no fool that trades all he has, for that which he can never lose.

Tepok was already one of the most powerful Goblins alive.. when this deal went through he'd be one of the most powerful beings alive!

He danced around again as instructed and threw a handful of magical dust at the pile. He gibbered out the incantation he had learnt by heart, and moved to the next point in the circle.

"Ack harramabarr, hamous al-abib.. aluck thule, thule annamis, thule animae, thule semper arrawag!" his goblin voice growled the flowing words with a gutteral bent and he threw another handful at the pile of metal. Dancing widdershins to the next point he again chanted, but this time the effect was noticable. As he threw his dust on the pile it became as molten metal and slid like living silver over the surface of the pile.. the other handfuls of dust were likewise coiling and broiling across the surface of the pile.. the magic was working. He began his chant, over and over again, faster louder, entreating the Master to accept this gift, this metal he had offered up, more precious than platinum, for the sake of immortality!

The air writhed like a thing in pain, and all the goblins who had gathered to watch fled like the cowards they were. The torches in the room sputtered with silver streaks and cast an eerie glow. The pile seemed alive now, warping and twisting as Tepok's screeching voice became louder and faster.


With a tremendous rasping of tearing metal the pile folded in upon itself and the room glowed with a horrid pale light that burnt the eyes with it's unnatural beam. A screeching arose to match the howl of triumph from the goblin Overseer, and the pile of Arcanium vanished into the other realm.


A deathly silence filled the room, strangely empty in the absence of the monolithic pile. As the light from the torches again filled the room, a number of the bravest goblins returned, to see tepok upon his knees in the middle of the chamber. Cautiously one approached his master, and reached a hand out to check for a sign of life. Tepok howled as he jumped to his feet tearing the subordinates limb clean off and showering the floor with blood. His triumphant yell contrasted with the screams as other goblins danced up and down in ecstacy. The bargain was struck! The bargain was struck! Long live Overseer Tepok!


**************

Those at the entrance to the mine heard the carcophany, and decided this day would be better spent hunting evil elsewhere..

*************

Basaia welcomed the two to his small stone cottage, overlooking the Bearded Lake from a bluff. Its dilapidated shingles blew upward slightly as a nighttime wind passed over Barfog.


Inside was a small but cozy chamber. The smell of root tea wafted through the air lazily. A single wood-burning stove, blackened with grim and age lit the interior of the chamber. The old man gave a slight sigh as he hung his cloak over a wooden peg half-fashioned into the stone wall. He sat within an old rickety rocking chair, placed under a faded portrait of a young child. Basaia passed a long look at the painting, giving a deepened sigh as he pulled a quilted blanket over his shoulders and onto his lap. Reaching for a long-stemmed pipe, he packed a generous amount of Cotswoldian-produce ditchweed into the eye.


"Na', what kin I 'elp ye with, missy?"

Meanwhile....


Clang.. whoosh...


Azi steadied herself against the blows, planting her feet to balance the weight of her sheild. She was unaccustomed to fighting this way, and the smaller blade in her right hand seemed like a sliver compared to the thick archmace of her adversary. She raised up the cumbersome sheild to block a heavy swing as she peered out of the slit of her barrel helm at her squire.


Emlae fought furiously and well, and in her newly acquired plate, though dyed black, she looked stunning. Azi hadn't believed it at first when Tashtego told her how he'd found her, wallowing in sorrow and silence in the depths of Keltoi, just as Azi had been. He told her of thier meeting, and of how Emlae had ignored him, and being the sensitve one that Tash was, he was clearly hurt by her rejection.


So Azi had taken it upon herself to extend a challenge to Emlae, and sent her this note:


Squire to Lady Hammerfel,


Should you desire to redeem the soul of your lady knight, I challenge you. The Silver Knight awaits at the crossroads of Humberton. Meet at dawn to save your lady's memory.


She smiled to herself at her own cleverness. Emlae never would have listened if Azaeli had just showed up to speak with her. This had been wise of her, and a good way to test her squire's skill at that. Azi frowned. The duel had gotten close, but she was gaining ground. Emlae had called upon the wrong chant, choosing battle fury over healing. But she knew what must be done now.


Azaeli slowed her pace and stopped her chanting, allowing through attacks that she normally would have blocked easily. And when she could barely stand, she stepped away and saluted Emlae in surrender and bowed. Emlae bowed in turn and removed her helm, squinting out into the sun to get a better look at this Silver Knight.


"Who are you?" She asked slowly. With that, Azaeli pulled her helm free and shook out her golden hair. Emlae's face whitened, her eyes grew wide. "My lady..its a vision, a ghost! Azaeli smiled.


"No, Emlae, it is I, flesh and blood and very much alive." Azi held out her hand and Emlae touched it in stunned silence. "Come, we have much to discuss." After a relieved embrace, the two made thier way back to Camelot, and to the League hall.