The Rod of Lordly Might

[Alexia]

Alexia sneezed all throughout the night. Her head felt like someone pounding on her skull. Her eyes watered after each sneeze. She woke up feeling stuffy and irritable so she reached for a pack of water, drinking it down quickly. She looked around for anything she could be allergic to but found nothing as her sneezes prevented her from seeing clearly.

Pulling off her cape and letting the wind cool her off as she looked over to see Thethon asleep. “I hope I don’t wake him up.� Alexia thought. Her white hair was pulled back in a leather thong as her neck cooled down. Her forehead was warmer than usual as beads of sweat rolled down them.

Standing up and walking to Recko, she pulled out small candies and warmed them up into a liquid. It was a thick green liquid that bubbled, but it made her sneezing go away. She inhaled the night still feeling light headed. Sitting back down at her camp she noticed something of hers was gone. She felt around to see if anything was truly missing- something was. She didn’t know what it was right this second but the thief probably had it. Lying back down, she tried to sleep but instead closed her eyes and found an inner calmness. Relaxed, she finally slept- waiting for the sun.

[Nobody]

The sun slowly rose, sending beams of light gliding over the horizon. As it did, Tethon was sitting up. having seemingly survived his restless night. He was simply sitting there moving a coin along his fingers and staring into the woods with an intense gaze. If anybody followed his line of sight, they would see that his intense agze was being returned by an anonomous pair of eyes in the woods. What they belonged to, no-one could say, except for Tethon perhaps. Even that was uncertain.

Tethon seemed rather calm, as he sat there by the ashes of the fire, looking at something, as that something looked at him...

[Alexia]

Alexia’s ice blue eyes shot open; blinking rapidly. Her white hair shook as she stretched lazily. “Morning!� She exclaimed cheerfully. Standing up, she took some of her clean clothes; proving herself not a true Woods Elf, and listening for a waterfall near by. Frowning, she looked over at Tethon who seemed spacious.

[Nobody]

OOC:Araith, Since you have not posted for a while, I am going to make an inconsequential action for you which will allow you to come back in later if you so desire.

IC: Omaru was not at the campsite. He had seemingly left early in the morning before the others woke up. Tethon still sat watching the woods with a blank stare.

The leaves in the bushes rustled where Tethon was watching. A Giant snake came gliding out of the bushes at a slow pace. It almost seemed as if it was trying to be cautious.

The other gaurd jumped to his feet, weapon drawn, and was about to charge the snake when Tethon shouted "Stop! It means no harm. I can understand it...it...its thoughts." The other gaurd seemed hesitant.

The Giant snake, almost as wide around as Tethons shoulders, slowly moved its way up to tethon in its "S" like pattern. The snake got only inches from Tethon and then raised its head to eye level with the cross-legged man. The two stared at eachother for several seconds and then the Giant snake put its head down in what seemed like a lazy relaxation, if a snake could make such a gesture.

The other gaurd was taken speechless, and Tethon broke the silence by standing quickly. "Where should we go my Lady. The morning is fresh and ready to be explored." He said as he looked at Alexia. The Giant Snake lifted its head and also looked at Alexia, the eyes somewhat disturbing in the morning light.

[Alexia]

Alexia froze and continued to gather some accessories in small black bottles. Each smelt a different herb. Smelling each one, she finally picked two bottles with orange corks on them. She eyed the snake up and down, “I’ll have you know, that thing will not follow us everywhere.� Her brow wrinkled. “I’m off to take a bath.� The last thing she eyed was that large snake.

A nearby river was herd. Following her ears and not her eyes so much, Alexia was able to make it back. The river was ten times the length she was as her eyes widened. On the other side she could hear a small village but decided not to pay any attention. Following down the south of the river it ended with a large waterfall about twenty times the rivers size. She didn’t want to even know the depth, and started to moved down some large boulders.

Noting a large rock on the outside of the waterfall, she moved on a couple of boulders down to reach it. Undressing herself she sat down and began to wash, smelling the herbs being placed in her hair.

[Nobody]

Tethon tried to argue, but Alexia was off before he couild even say anything. He frowned. There really wasn't much that he could do about it. If she set her mind to an idea, then there was very little that anybody could do to change her mind. She was, after all, Royalty.

Tremors in the ground tipped him off that there was a lot of movement nearby. A Lot of movement. Probably as many as a hundred men marched nearby. With a sigh of releif, he realized that the movement was not coming towards them. Then with a start, he realized that they were going straight towards the river. The main force was not leading towards Alexia, but the fringes might spot her.

It was probably not an assasination attempt on Alexia, or they would have been spread out to find her location, But he hoped that it was just a royal escort, or maybe a returning army, instead of an attacking one or a raiding party heading for some city or village.

With that, he ran to follow her path, motioning for the other gaurd to follow, along with another motion for strict silence. He hoped that he would be in time. If she died...

------------------------------------------------------------

Out of the corner of Alexia's eyes came a sparkle of light, arching through the air towards Alexia. An explosion of glass and fire erupted over the surface of the water as the molotov coctail detonated on the rock containing her clothes and other things. If it had not been for the loud waterfall and the rocks which served only to trap sound in, and block sound out, Alexia might have heard some clue as the the approaching attack. Only fast reactions meant that she was under the water before the bomb went off. Bottles broke as they were propelled against rock by the explosion. Only the stronger items bounced off of the rock. Her butterfly sword, being one of them, spun through the air before it plunged into the waters, coins of copper, silver, and gold falling around it into the water.

If it had not been for the circumstances which had caused the effect, the scene from underwater would have been quite beautiful, as the sword plummeted downwards in a trail of bubbles with a rain of coins and freshly fired arrows, all sparkling in the shimmering gold light that came from two more successive explosions above the water.

Above the water, the rock containing Alexia's clothes and equiptment was still on fire. What little did survive the explosion, probably would not sirvive the fire.

OOC: I hope you don't mind me having you dive into the water. It was the only logical and possible action for you to take unless you carry some special ability that I am unaware of. If you do, just say so, and post as if I had said nothing after the dashed line. I will edit that part out, and that way we can continue on without any problems.

[Alexia]

OOC: At least you tell me before you do it next time. It’s all good this time around. Logically speaking- role play it.

IC:
The water seemed cold on her naked body. At least the waterfall itself was warmer than the murky water. Reaching for her sword an arrow zipped past and caught the side of her left arm. In an attempt to scream bubbles of air escaped from her mouth. She was running out of time as she swam faster towards her swords. The water’s depth seemed to be deeper than she thought.

Picking up her sword she tried to swim to the top of the water to find an arrow lodged into her left shoulder. The last few bubbles she could see were floating towards the top as she plummeted to the bottom landing on the rock.

[Nobody]

Tethon and the other body gaurd moved swiftly and silently, but keeping from being seen was slowing them down a great deal. If he killed anybody or if he was seen, it would surely be reported to the bulk of the army, and they might never make it to Alexia. If they tried a diversion, the scouts might spread out in that direction to find any others, and again, all might be lost.

The snake however had no such restrictions as it moved swiftly and silently through the deep brush with its brown and green color acting as a perfect camoflage sliding along without sound. It moved over twice the speed of the two gaurds and had lond since sped ahead of them.

As the snake approached the waterfall, licking the air for the scent of the female, it became obvious that the girl had already been found. It apprached the waterfall, chacking over the rocks to gauge the rocks and the water.

The snake soon turned and sped along down-river, and then with a sharp turn, arched through the air, diving into the water below.

The water was not deep where the snake dove, but instead of hitting the bottom, it steered deftly parralel to the ground, swimming upriver towards the smell of Alexia. The snake moved almost as quickly through the water as it did on land. Alexia struggled on the water floor as the snake approached. It opened its mouth as it sped towards her, and as it reached the girl, bit down on her fore-arm gripping the sword, better that she not be able to kill him whith the sword. The snake had no teeth, so no extra blood was drawn, but the snake yanked her arm harshly in the direction of its coming, still moving upriver.

The girl created quite a drag in the swiftly moving water but there was nothing that could be done to fix the problem. It now moved much slower upstream, but was close enough to the water-fall that it might not make much difference.

The pound of water on water made navigating hard under the waterfall, espescially with the girl, and the snake had almost lost itself several times, but soon it had passed the great crush and came up in the thin space between the waterfall and the rock in front of it.

There were only four feet of space between the fallin water and the rocks, but it would be enough to cathc a breath before heading back downstream, and they would be invisible to those above, and invulnerable to projectiles...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile, Tethon and the other gaurd were finally nearing the river. Instead of continuing out of the woods towards the water, Tethon stopped the other gaurd from continuing and motioned for them to go down river. The other gaurd did not seemed willing to change course.

Many moments and harsh whispers later, they moved downriver, the other gaurd still unconvinced...

[Alexia]

Gasping for what air she could have, she finally made herself calm as her eyes started searching for anybody. The arrow lodged in her shoulder starting giving off pain, but she ignored it. “It’s not affecting my ability to run.� Holding onto a rock with her useful arm, she threw her sword (with her bad arm), as it made a small clinking sound. She reached swiftly for her clothes and began dressing; it made no difference in her running ability. In a moment she looked down to see a snake. Her eyes widened as she wanted to scream but didn’t.

“Thank.� She managed to say to the snake that seemed a little too calm for the situation. “Find Tethon, and give him this.� She ripped a piece of her red cloth and handed to the snake who willingly took it. She knew being an elf, red meant she was safe and alive. With the water pounding, she got out of the water and sat on the rock as the water started rushing down the arrows tip.

It felt like thousands of needles pricking her wound while tons of water rushed down every second on the arrow tip. She moved as far back as possible until falling in a small cave. People had been here before, thousands of years ago. She reached out for what looked like a bow and arrows and started shooting them off. It was hard to aim at first but quickly she grabbed a round circle of steel and used it as a shield.

[Nobody]

The snake let the piece of cloth fall into the water as it continued to lookat the girl. It's gaze seemed eerie, evoking a feeling that one could not quite put a finger on. The cloth floated into the waterfall and was immediately lost. The snake continued to look at Alexia, unconcerned about those above who could have done no harm to any inside the shield that the waterfall offered.

Alexia got the feeling that if she tried to leave, that the snake would again force her path, this time going downriver instead of up. It seemed that Tethon may still yet be acting as her gaurd...

[Alexia]

“Okay snake, you are freaking me out!� She whispered harshly almost like a hiss. Her ice blue eyes tried to concentrate on any incoming arrows, unfortunately they all seized as she looked down at the snake. Her shoulder had already throbbed but it was becoming to the point of numbness. She smiled, “I’m alright, go!� She tried egging the snake on until she finally gave up and put the stoned weapons down. As it came stone on stone a loud clank hit the stone fall as it carried out into open. Her jaw dropped at the noise as she could hear men or beasts jumping into the water. She was going to be found very soon, it was only a matter of minutes.

[Nobody]

As the splashes were heard on the other side of the waterfall, the snake's head jerked, wheeling around in the direction of the noise, however, other than that it made almost no movement at all besides a little shifting of body weight. If Alexia had been able to see it, she would have seen the snake wedge itself in between the space of two boulders acting to stabilize itself there.

The first person approached the waterfall, but did not even reach the other side before they were pulled down by the snakes tail. The same fate came to another two men as they came through the waterfall, the second of the two almost breaching the water before he went underneath the cold current, struggling and gasping for air.

Another man did breach the waterfall, despite a lack of others at that moment. It was Tethon...

[Alexia]

Alexia blinked. “You scared me half to death!� Her heart was pounding in her mind. She sat down, “What’s the story?� Taking the time to dry her hair thoroughly she sat Indian style before she sneezed from the dust from the shields.

[Nobody]

"What are you sitting down for? Do you think that we are out of the fire just because I am here. I mean, Holy Day, the entire army could come down on us any second, and you are just sitting there. Boroth (the other gaurd) was already taken by a knife wound to the ribs and here like you are like you were back at home in front of a fire. Now lets move!"

The snake came into the cave a little ways, keeping its head up as more splashes could be heard elsewhere. Tethon pulled a long piece of cloth out of his things and put the middle of it in the snake's mouth. This was no time for arguing with her and Tethon Literally picked Alexia up and put her on the snake, she was heavier than her waist size had betrayed. Still, there she was on the snake, with him now sitting in front of her holding the ends of the cloth like reigns on a horse.

"Grab my waist and hold on very tightly. We will be getting a little wet."

A little wet was not the correct term. Very wet was. Not waiting for Alexia to solidify her grip, the snake moved forewards and plumeted underneath the water, beneath the feet of those who were clumsily thrashing the water making their way towards the waterfall.

The snake took some time before it had fully reached the other side of those men, mostly due to the other riders, but soon enough it emerged from under the water, heading downstream and leaving the waterfall behind. With them out of the water, they picked up speed greatly, and it was not long before they were on land again, soaked to the bone with puddles around their feet.

Tethon refrained from shiverring from the cold that now seeped into himself from the cold water, and the strong winds. He wanted to dry his clothes, but he wanted also to make some ground away from the army in case the commander decided that they were worth sending riders after. He even said as much.

"OK, what would the lady like us to do?"

[Alexia]

In a spiteful mood at her guard she just glared as her ice blues started to change to a dark purple. In a huff she stormed off, “I’ll be doing some…female matters.� She glared at the snake, “And that thing had better not follow me!� Grabbing her damp cape, she walked off into the dark forest avoiding anything mucky and wet. Water was not on her side.

The forest seemed to be the only pleasant thing as she sat down and attempted to pull the arrow out of her shoulder. She could already see where her body was trying to heal as Alexia gripped the black feathers and pulled. Feeling the back of the arrow head, she clenched her teeth, falling back on a tree. Fresh blood trickled down her back shoulder, yelping as it caught bone.

Taking in deep breaths, she ignored the rest of sharp pains and pulled the rest out. She took the time to look at the arrow tip; green. “Poison?� She raised her brow in surprise. “So they must be from the High Mount…� Something in the air thickened as her breathing shallowed. Her eye lids began to close as she saw a large figure with a dark cloak.

_________________

Ajax looked at the young Elf with strange features. Scratching his black stubble on his chin, his tied back black hair flowed with the wind. He wore a black short cape with black leather pants. A white collard shirt with a long thin sword on his left side swung freely. His black boots were covered with brown mud as he was claimed to be a gentleman but really was a rogue.

Walking over lightly he picked up the light elf and carried her off, realizing she was wet and bleeding.

[Nobody]

She certainly was a fiesty one Kivval thought as the girl left. That must have had something to do with whatever protected her, but what? It certainly wasn't all of it, and something was indeed protecting her from Kivval. There had to be something more. Only time might tell, and maybe in the course of what this girl thought an adventure, her secret would be revealed. Maybe...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile, Tethon did not follow her. Girl stuff huh? He did not want to know. He knew something about girls of age becoming sick every month or so. Maybe that was what she was tallking about. He could certainly understand if that was it. The daughter to the throne would certainly never want to be seen with a sickness if it could be avoided.

Ten minutes passed, until it was finally decided that they dawdled for too long. What would keep her for ten minutes like this? Espescially when haste was needed. Tethon had already been down to his skivvies drying his clothes, and three minutes ago they had finally dried. He hesitantly followed her trail, but when a poisoned arrow came in sight, hesitation was no longer an issue.

Tethon had decent enough skills as a tracker, but as as gaurd, they were rarely in practice, however the snake could pick up smells with its forked tounge that had long since passed. Tethon ran to keep up, a poison arrow now in his bag of things and the scent of whoever he would have to kill if things were serious.

[Alexia]

Ajax neared a brook and set the young elf down, propped up a willow tree. He had his horse run around the trees, re-directing his footprints. Covering up his scent was easy enough as he spread an herbal scented cream on his body. He didn’t know what the elf was doing out nor did he want her to die. Taking a cheesecloth from his bag, after his horse got back, he walked over to the brook and soaked it in fresh water. Once the cheesecloth couldn’t hold any more water, Ajax cleaned the wound and held the damaged arm out. “Pretty.� He thought, gazing somewhat to the girl. After tying the wound up, he realized if any animals were out there they could scenes the girl’s blood. It would be a matter of moments before the water would soak in, she would be conscious, and the blood would leak.

Hearing rustling noises from afar, he scanned what he could and found himself being followed. Combing his hand through his head he sighed, “Someone’s looking for you.� He looked over at the girl who frowned from being uncomfortable. It was unusual how she could have white hair and a symmetrical face. He blinked before realizing the girl was going to be an issue. Jumping on his horse, he clicked his tongue and sped off, leaving the girl. “I’ll be watching you from afar.� He thought, looking for a hideaway. Like many times he jumped a taller tree, letting his horse run around to cover their tracts. For now, he sat ten thousand feet in a canopy, still watching the unconscious girl. He made sure he could not be seen nor his horses make a noise, but his eyes were still drawn to the hauntingly beautiful maiden.

[Nobody]

Tethon appeared on the scene soon enough. There was the girl, wound cleaned and dressed. The snake was not with him. It was tracking the kidnapper. It moved silently, letting the smell of a horse, and something not quite right to help. The snake also had a sort of heat sense, but it was used more for sensing a mouse burrowed in a hole. Something still present, not so good for tracking. Usually the heat faded to fast to track, but in hot pursuit, the snake could use body heat to find its prey. There was the man. Watching them. Not an assasin, because he would have killed her by now. Maybe just a normal guy caught at the right place at the wrong time. But then why did he watch. The snake was well camoflaged, and almost impossible to spot. It made not actions. It went around again, back to the camp, but this time remaining out of sight. It would not be associated with the camp. If this man was hostile, every advantage would prove useful, but for now, a needless conflict could be avoided.

Tethon started a fire now. He used clean dry wood to eliminate smoke, and set some rabbit traps in the woods, never fully leaving Alexia out of his site. Fool girl. He would make sure that she never did any female matters again. This incedent was not to be repeated.

He waited for her to wake...

[Alexia]

The running water seemed soothing enough as the smell of a fire to her side gave her a heating vibration. She inhaled, not feeling the sharp pains on her side. She opened her eyes to see Tethon standing there, arms crossed and a face of anger. She bit her lip and turned her head back to the brook. “It was nicer to see you back at camp, but I guess camp struck here.� She mumbled low enough he could hear. She knew she was in for it and in a lot more trouble than usual.

Ajax looked carefully, not missing a chance at anything. He could see the girl talking to the man but didn’t quite catch the end of it. He waited patiently for a few more minutes. If it checked out where she was alright, he would leave; if not, he would find some way to reach her in time.

[Nobody]

Tethons tone was calm and blazingly quiet when he spoke  "I must say that I do partly blame myself for not seeing the arrow sticking from your shoulder, but you needed to say something as well. We may be worse off I think. The army is gone, but you are poisoned now, we are farther from help, and there is a man watching us somewhere around here."

 He left out where, lest that man see the Alexia looking at him. The man would expect Alexia to be looking around randomly for an individual, but if he knew that he had been found, who knew his response.

His voice was even quieter and lower in tone now
"This could have been avoided if you had simply spoken up. Pulling an arrow from your shoulder is not Lady stuff, and if you refuse to act responsibly with your privalages as a lady, then I will take them away. From now on you will go nowhere without somebody to accompany you. Not so much as to the bathroom. and if you refuse, at any time refuse, you will be dragged back to your father, who would be more than worried about you after a gaurd has been killed, and you shot and poisoned.

His tone raised itself a bit. "Now I have an antidote here for this type of poison as it was not entirely unexpected trouble, andwe have to do something about that wound unless it has already healed" He left out the pain of cauterization. "But you will respect everything that I have said, do I make myself clear?"

[Alexia]

She folded her arms feeling a slight sting; the sting she was waiting to feel. “I’m not a child anymore. I’m 117 years of age!� Her forehead wrinkled in disgust. She hated how ‘daddy,’ was too cautious. “If I want to do what I please, than I will and there is nothing you can do from your orders!� Correction, it was her father who ordered the babysitters. She could feel drops of sweat fall down her cheek as the poison was soaking in. She grunted slightly and looked around for any ‘spies.’

Minutes had passed by when he realized the girl was okay. It would be a waist of his time to worry about someone who is taken care of. Jumping quietly down the trees, he landed perfectly on his horse, slightly uncomfortable and walked away, watching for the moving army. Kicking his horse, he knew it would be hours before he finally reached the next town but his mind wondered about the elf.

[Nobody]

Tethon seemed to react oddly to what Alexia had said, having to take a moment to process the words, understand them. It was only the blink of an eyelash, but that blink was there. It stood as some marker of what change was taking Tethon. Although his change was subtle, it remained. Ever since that coin. Ever since that snake. Something about the way he moved betrayed it. Nothing exact, perhaps nothing at alll, but something different.

Even now was a stark reminder. No gaurd of Alexia had ever spoken so bluntly and defiantly to Alexia. It was unheard of, and yet Tethon seemed to not know the arrogance that he presumed. As if Alexia were anybody he had been sent to gaurd. Something was different though.

Despite the delay of an eyeblink, the gaurd's retort came just as fiercly as before. "Nothing I can do is there?" the response sounded. "Do you not think that I will take you back? I will return you to your father this very instant, with true tales of serious danger to you. You will never leave the palace till you have grey hairs on your head like a human! Do remember that my orders were not only to gaurd you in the face of danger, but to return you unharmed, against your will if need be."

There it was. The open challenge. Returning prematurely would mean trouble for both. It may not have been a bluff, but it was a last resort. She would surely be as confined as he said, but she would no doubt use all of her influence to make sure that Tethon never saw anything but the slop on the underside of a hog.

She knew it too, but how serious did she believe he was in protecting her. Any gaurd could go from merely loyal to fanatical in serving their duty, and Alexia did not know what side of this line Tethon was on. If there were some kind of compromise they could come to though. Surely she seemed to get herself in more trouble that a sheep in a wolf-camp when she left to do something private. The last time she caused her trouble on purpose.

It was a balance. on one side was the cliff's edge, threatening a fall that could not be recovered, and on the other side, well, best not to mentoin the other side.....

[Alexia]

She didn’t dare say a word; she knew better. She didn’t like the thought of being ‘broken-in.’ Finding a couple smooth stones around the base of her tree, she sat upright and slightly tossed in the stones; occasionally hearing a ‘Cluh-thunk.’ She didn’t care for the poison nor the arrow. She only cared for what freedom she could redeem. She crossed her leg and bounced it slightly with irritation.

[Nobody]

He was glad for the agreement. To say the truth, he was somewhat surprised that she had not put up more of a fuss, even with his open threat. But this was for the best anyway. She needed to be alive and if harsh words were needed to make it so, than so be it.

He was already heating up the rod that would be used to cauterize the wound. There was some sympathy in his eyes now. He knew how much this would hurt.

"Hold still my Lady, you might want to bite down on something. Many say that it helps" He said as he pushed the red hot rod into the wound...

[Alexia]

It took only a moment before she realized how much it burned. Screaming was her first instinct as it carried away through the forest floor. Birds of all colors and sized flew away from the pitch she gave. She wiggled her shoulder trying to get the rod out but found it not helpful. Large drops of tears fell from her face.