Hello,
The list engine is being weird - as usual. I am not getting posts from the list. So i am commenting on LW's story part! Chris *************** Balrogtook the last watch, and he roused the others just as the morning sun appearedover the eastern horizon. It seemed thatNathan had not slept at all, as he waved the stocky man towards the youngestmember of their party before Balrog ever got close enough to shake him. Victor took a solid shake of the shoulderbefore he moved, but his discipline quickly showed through as he nodded toBalrog, groaning quietly as he drew himself to his feet. He ran his fingers through his thick brownhair once, and somehow every strand fell in place exactly as it alwaysdid. The young man claimed to knownothing of magic, but Balrog somehow wondered how he could so easily controlhis mop of hair without some supernatural aid. >>>>> Ok. That is a great line. Thethree of them were quickly prepared to move, and they were soon well on theirway, Nathan once more setting a healthy pace while his companions kept up. With several hours still to go beforereaching Outpost, however, the black wolf at their fore made certain that theyall stayed together. His companions werethankfully up to the task of keeping his pace now that they were rested, andthey made good time as they made for the haven of Outpost and whatever summonshad called Nathan’s attention. Thejourney passed in silence as such patrols were often wont to do, and barely aword passed from one of them to another before the stark stone walls of theirdestination rose into their view. Noneof them questioned it when their leader accelerated his pace. He clearly had not been able to determineanything further from his vision of the previous evening, and he wished to knowwhat its intention might have been as soon as possible. Theirreception at the walls was a little more complicated than usual, and it tooklittle time for them to discover why. Vic looked as though he had been shot through by a crossbow when heheard the word plague uttered from atop the walls, and Balrog had to clap ahand on his shoulder to steady him. Afew brief words sufficed to clarify that the patrol had left the Keep severaldays prior to the quarantine, and their entrance was permitted to allow them torest from their work. >>>>Few things scare people like plague! Ofcourse, rest would have to wait for a more opportune moment. Theblack wolf who headed the patrol wasted no time in making his way to the keepto seek out information about what might have caused the strange premonitionthat had struck him outside of Metamor. Itcomforted him somehow when he realized that, had he not redirected his teamonly an hour from the walls, the plague would have kept them out all thesame. While he had confidence in thediscipline of Balrog, the youngest member of the squad concerned him. Faced with the idea of being trapped awayfrom his family while still so close to them, the wolf wondered if Victor wouldnot have rushed the gates had they gone to Metamor as planned. All things told, it was for the best thatthey had turned back sooner rather than later. Thelupine scout was unsurprised when he was informed that speaking with Hareford’scommander would require more than tales of some vague premonition. Nathan sighed, but he was unable to think ofany reason that would seem more important enough for the guards to grant himentrance. He thanked them for theirwork, and stepped aside with a shake of his head. >>>>>Nestorius is a mage - hes used to the weird and unusual. Fewpeople ever respected the claims he made regarding his abilities, and he couldhardly blame them. All he could everclaim were vague emotions and impressions, while others who claimed some formof prescience could at least present some idea of particular events theyforesaw. As much as he wished to do sohimself, he could not clarify much when he understood very little himself. Ashe mused over his thoughts, however, he heard another man speaking with theguards who oversaw the security of Hareford’s keep. It seemed to be an innocuous conversation atfirst, as the man inquired as to potential patrol responsibilities in the nearfuture, revealing him as another Metamor patrol commander who had been trappedwithout the walls by the onset of the plague. The guards told him that all commanders were to remain available in caseof their services being required, and there is where the current of theconversation caught Nathan’s attention. “Iam willing to be sent on patrol, of course, but my patrol has been handicappedby the loss of one of our members. Hismind has been overthrown by the Curse and some unknown working of our enemies. We are doing all we can to break whatever itis that holds him in that state, but until we succeed it will be difficult forus to operate at our fullest capacity.” Thewolf turned to see who was speaking. Thelynx who stood at the door was perhaps half a head shorter than he was himself,but his bearing suggested that he had quite a significant degree of experienceas a military commander. The topic ofthe man who had been somehow affected by the Curse’s magic was what trulyinterested the wolf however, and he approached with hardly another thought. “Iunderstand, but Sir Dupré is thoroughly occupied with the details of the Keeps’defense over the course of the quarantine,” the guard was responding. “Barring extraordinary necessity, I cannotdefy my orders and allow you to see him while he is occupied by such vitalaffairs.” Thelynx clearly felt similarly regarding the guardsmen’s orders as Nathan did, ashe expressed his understanding with resigned understanding. He nodded to the guards and turned to walkaway, only to come face to face with the approaching wolf. “Excuseme,” the wolf said by way of introduction. “I overheard what you said. Youhave a friend that needs magical assistance?” Theother Keeper eyed him warily at the question, either because of the clearimplication of eavesdropping or because of his unexpected appearance. Whichever of the two it was, the reaction wasthankfully brief. “Thatis correct,” he confirmed with a short nod. “Why does it interest you?” Theblack wolf hesitated. He consideredtelling the man about the truth of what had brought them to Hareford, but heworried at what the reaction might possibly be. Even Balrog was uncomfortable with the idea of such a power, and Nathanknew and trusted him. A stranger couldnot be trusted with such information. “Wereceived a request for aid while we were on patrol in the area,” heresponded. He actually felt quite proudat the amount of confidence he managed to put into the words. “Our party’s mage has studied the workings ofthe Curse for some time, and I believe that he would be able to help remove anymagic that might be working to reinforce it.” Thelynx evaluated him silently for a few moments before finally nodding. “Very good. My party is attempting to find a remedy in the barracks. You should be able to locate them with verylittle difficulty; we have not made our presence secret at all, so you shouldbe able to ask almost anyone about where we are.” “Allright, then. Who should I ask for when Iarrive?” “Myname is Alex,” his counterpart replied. Thewolf nodded with a broad smile. “Wellmet. My name is Nathan. I will go to seek out my company’s mage andmeet you and your party within the barracks.” Withoutfurther farewell, Nathan left to find Balrog, leaving Alex to observe thewolf’s retreat with uncertainty. As muchas he felt relieved by the help that had been offered, its unexpected arrivalleft him feeling suspicious. After amoment’s hesitation, he set a brisk pace towards the barracks as well. Lucy and Julian would no doubt expect warningbefore a stranger came knocking, and Alex also hoped speak with them privatelybefore the wolf arrived. They could notrisk letting their guard down just yet. >>>Good looking part! The drama continues Chris The Lurking Fox
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