Chapter I
The Scroll's Enigma
............................

The settling sun was a kind one for what had been a harmfully harsh winter, one of the worst Carlin had seen. The fishing was poor, the crops were worthless, and for anything positive that happened... pestilence soon followed. Sickly souls laid in the streets, some coughing up organs, others freezing to death. All that could be pillaged from raiders had been pillaged, or at least, that's what was thought.

Nearly a hundred miles west of Carlin was the forsaken Ghostlands, a place infested with ghastly creatures: Ghosts, Banshees, Skeletons, Ghouls and even Demons. A thick wall of dark fog always surrounded the area, to note the seperation of Carlin county and this ancient lair of lethality. Seer, a Druid born of Carlin, sits in the tomb of the Ossgarad, who was the only half Demon half Human ever known to man. Seer is a skinny old Druid, wicked with hate and resent, but he wasn't always like that...

Some thirty years ago, Seer was a humble Druid who's trade was to summon various creatures for the Carlinian armies to train with. He was like no Druid any had seen, even once the Queen herself sat he and and his family down to dine in the Great Carlin Hall...but the world was a finer place then. The city of Carlin was a prosperous place, world known for it's fierce army and famous corn crops. Sometime later, in Seer's mid thirties, a world conference was called and all the major leaders from the cities were summoned to discuss policy on the 'new world' they were trying to build. In the end, the Kingdom of Thais, was unanimously voted as the Capital of the world. Being the biggest Kingdom on the planet, they were to dictate and fund the various cities world wide, and having been a former rival of the Carlinians, Carlin was given the short straw by the King.
The food and military support was limited for Carlin, raiders began seizing the opportunity to pillage the city: burning buildings, killing men, raping women and stealing every they could. King Thaisanis payed little attention to the woes and cries from Carlin and wouldn't lift a finger to help. It seemed almost as if every time the City would recover from a raid, another would come.
It had been a few weeks now since the last raid and Seer was just sitting down to dine fish with his wife and daughter when suddenly the town attack bell began to ring. The heavy hoofs of the raiders horses could be heard from Seer's kitchen, he ordered his wife and daughter to stay inside while he ran out the front door. Two mounted raiders began rushing Seer with their swords drawn high, Seer's eyes rolled into the back of his head. He began chanting ancient sayings and slowly moving his hands together as a bright blue ball of energy conjured in-between his palms...
"Adori Vita Vis!"
Seer shouted, thrusting his arms forward as the energy ripped through the flesh of the raiders, killing them instantly,
Then a subtle screech was heard from inside his home, Seer quickly ran back inside to find a man standing over top of his dead wife and holding his daughter in the air by the neck. His daughter looked on helplessly at her father, and before Seer had time to react, the raiders blade plunged through the young girls stomach killing her instantly. Seer fell to his knees, shaking, while the raider illustrated a devious grin and slowly approached him. Tears of blood were streaming down Seers eyes without a single sob, just as the raider grabbed Seer's shoulder, the now enraged Druid jerked his head up at the raider, looking right through his soul. His eyes were white and his body was glowing with a blue substance of energy, the raider backed of as Seer jumped up and thrust his arms away from his body...
"UTAMO...VITA!!!!!"
Seer screamed while the ground began to shake, a blue force of energy rushed from his body right at the raider, destroying Seer's home and an entire city block,
When the dusk cleared, Seer was seen knelt down where his house once was, burying his wife and daughter in the rubble.
"Ahna and Rheldi...I swear, by the stars and the heavens I will destroy this hell hole, then I'll destroy Thais, then I'll destroy this world..."
A single tear dropped from Seer's eye has he stood up an began his slow westbound walk to the Ghostlands. For it would be there in the Ghostlands, that Seer would be able to learn the ancient dark arts of magic and gain the power he needed to fulfill is posthumous promise to his wife and daughter...

Chapter I-i
The Scroll's Enigma
...........................
Seer sat on his knees, a dark hood covering his face as he looked up at the golden statue of Ossgarad.

"Spirit of the Dark master, I give all to you...my everything is yours."
Seer chanted to the statue in the dimly lit tomb,

"And for what is your everything Druid?"
In Seer's mind he could hear the voice of Ossgarad speaking back to him,

"To finish what you were not able to finish Dark Lord, to destroy the entire world..."
Seer waited on a prolonged response from the half demon half human's spirit,

"Druid...you are but missing one piece to your puzzle of power, the piece that I missed aswell...In the gold-plated chest just above my burial spot shall you find a scroll. In this scroll shall you have the answer to the question of enhancing your Dark Magic, then and only then could you do what I couldn't"
The voice faded as Seer kissed the ground in front of the statue,

Seer stood and walked to the chest, he gazed in wonderment at the beautiful structure of it. Seer opened the chest as a fiery force flew from within it. With his skinny hands shaking, Seer grabbed the lone scroll that sat upon a mound of gold inside the chest, he slowly unraveled the paper and read it aloud...
Ye soon shall day come
Strength comes from Divine Blood
Buried deep within the eastern city's roots...
Floods will come and take
The world will be of quakes
One by one shall they knell down to your boots...
But find it must you do
Or it will be the death of you
And will darkness hide here once again...

Seer felt bounded to the floor as a gust of hot wind swept through the tomb...
"Carlin...Somewhere in Carlin is the key to the ultimate power, the one strong enough to destroy this wretched world."
Seer spoke to himself,

"Seer!"
Ossgarad's voice spoke again,

"Yes Dark Lord..."
Seer knelt,

"That scroll was written by the Demi-God of the fire world himself...take every word to heart, or fail shall you... just as I did."
Ossgarad spoke,

"Do you have anymore advice for me Dark Lord?"
Seer begged,

"You must use your great summoning skills, summon and train an army of Skeletons, one large enough to take down Carlin completely...then find the Divine Blood!"
Ossgarad asserted,

"As you command master..."

Seer stood and walked from the tomb and made his way from the underground cavern out onto the vast fields of the Ghostlands. Soon Seer was approached by a Skeleton who had every intention of killing him, but the old Druid was too quick and powerful and hastily blasted him with a great ball of energy, shattering the Skeletons frame. Seer stood overtop of the Skeleton and began to chant...
"Utamo fifta es reserecta!"
Seer shouted after rolling his eyes into the back of his head and waving his hands around the dead Skeleton,
Suddenly, a Skeleton hand came busting through the surface of the ground, then another and another, as a massive wave of Skeletons began rising up from the earth and stood awaiting Seer's command. A fortunate but sadistic grin came about Seer's face as he watched the Skeletons multiply right before his eyes...

"Soon...soon shall I have my revenge."
Seer softly spoke to himself just before breaking out into a terrifying laugh of sadistic sarcasm...

Chapter I-ii
The Scroll's Enigma
............................
Psalms awoke in her small Carlin hut, sweating profusely and gasping for air, so loud was her gasps that it awoke her little sister Lufea.

"Psalms...are you okay?"
Lufea inquired softly,

"It's quite alright Lufea, just another one of those dreams..."
Pslams assured her little sister who shared the bed with her,

"You know Grand Mother other said that what you see in your sleep are not just dreams, but they are happenings... that we all can see it, and that maybe one day I'll be able to aswell."
Psalms starred blankly at her sister for a moment, then a slight look of disdain came about her,

"Grand Mother also has said that pooches can't look up, and that the raids will one day stop... For Altimac's shakes Lufea, shes over a hundred years old, I believe she is starting to lose her mind..."
Lufea frowned at Psalms then spoke again,

"Well, will you tell me about your dream please...like a story, to get me back to sleep."
Lufea asked in a sweet voice,

"more like a nightmare"
Psalms thought,

"Okay kid, but then it's off to sleep..."
Lufea grinned and pulled the cover up to her eyes in anticipation for the story,

"There was a man named Seer, an old man, with a black robe, he stood in front of a statue of the evil statue of Ossgarad..."
Lufea cut her off,

"The Ossgarad who almost destroyed the world!?!"
Lufea lifted up,

"Yes, now be quiet so I can finish... Seer was talking to the spirit of Ossgarad, the spirit told him to have complete power he must read the scroll written by the Fire World Lord, and so he did. The scroll said;
Ye soon shall day come
Strength comes from Divine Blood
Buried deep within the eastern city's roots...
Floods will come and take
The world will be of quakes
One by one shall they knell down to your boots...
But find it must you do
Or it will be the death of you
And will darkness hide here once again...
Then! The Evil Ossgarad's spirit told Seer that he must train an army of Skeleton's to destroy Carlin so that he can find the Divine Blood and use it to help him destroy the world..."

"So did he train the Skeletons?"
Lufea said with a sound of fear in her voice,

"He started to, then... then... then I woke up."
A dazed look overcame Psalms' face,

"Well sis, wish you would have told me that was going to be a scary story! Then I wouldn't have listened!"
Lufea slams back down onto the bed and rolls facing away from Psalms who is still sitting upright, looking blankly at her sleeping Grandmother who is in the chair by the fire place,

Psalms brushed back her long dark hair and went to lay back down...

"They aren't dreams girl!"
The voice of her Grandmother startled her,

"Altimac Grandmother...you scared me, and yes they are just dreams."
Psalms said convincingly,

"You just want them to be, I was the same way when I started seeing... I didn't what the chaos the was corrupting my visions to be real... tell me Psalms, the Scroll, that Seer was reading from, it was in a golden chest was it?"
Psalms' jaw dropped for a moment, she composed herself,

"Well Grandmother good guess indeed...I guess you could tell me the spell that Seer cast as well huh? Knowing that every Druid would know such a summoning spell."
Grandmother smiled, still with her eyes closed,

"Just like me you are, much like your mother was aswell, so sprite and full of argument, maybe the courtroom would best fit you..."

"Tell me this Grandmother, what did Seer do after having spoken to Ossgarad and before having walked over to the chest?"
Grandmother chuckled a bit with a smile on her face,

"He kissed the ground dear..."
Psalms looked at Grandmother in disbelief, and started to lay back down,

"Oh and Psalms dear..."
She raised back up to listen to Grandmother,

"Yes?"
Grandmother opened her eyes, exposing her pale white eyeballs,

"Pooches can't look up..."
Psalms started to mutter to herself as she laid back down,

Grandmother started rocking in the chair, looking intently at the fireplace.

Chapter 1
The Weary Wanderers




Exile had been through a rough few weeks recently. Encountering Lady Dark in her temple of new beginnings and a bastard demi-god that sucked the energy out of the world around her, leaving it dull and lifeless. His body was tired and his legs were shaky, always walking everywhere he went as he had no steed or vehicle. Walking constantly in one direction would surely bring him to a coast one day, and after traveling east for nearly 600 miles, Exile at last reached Carlin. It was not at all Exile's style. He dressed in expensive blue and silver garments, with piercing and tattoo's that even nobility thought was a little over the top. The 7 foot gypsy was draped in a dark blue cloak, concealing his heavy armament of weapons hidden beneath.

The tides of power were shifting in the world of man, Exile understood this well. The destined warrior could feel that his war was brewing. The death and pain that gripped this land now was a sign of a great evil growing to the west. The likes of witch could already be felt in the hearts of men. Exile knew now where to look in this city though. It had been over a decade since he had been among civilization, his return would be shaky at best.

Chapter 1-i
The Weary Wanderers



Shoneah Jain woke in the morning. She got herself dressed and made her way out the door. Her papoose pouch was filled with items for her journey. She had no children yet, so this made a good traveling pack. Her grey eyes scanned the contents to make sure nothing was was forgotten before she strapped it to her back. She'd picked it up from outside, having packed the night before. She'd been planning this excursion for weeks, but she'd waited until late last night to pack. She knew what the Chief and her mother would say about her need for a spirit quest. They believed this was reserved for the men of the tribe. She didn't understand how she could make a good leader, if she did not experience and find out what that was. She considered her father a good leader, but still that didn't mean she couldn't improve things.

She brushed her satiny silver hair out of her face as she walked out the door and down a nearby path. She had only gone about five miles down the path when she made out a figure in the distance....

Chapter 1-ii
The Weary Wanderers



It did not take long in the city for Exile to remember what the "civilized" world ran on, gold. Years of ostracization had conditioned Exile to think differently, he no longer desired material wealth, seeing it more as a barrier between what he desired rather than the means. Exile's stomach was growling after miles of travel though and no amount of rationalizing was going to fill it up, so Exile fell back on a talent all gypsies had ingrained into their brains. The ability, to take other peoples money.

Not all gypsies were thieves, but all gypsies had some method of chiseling the wealth away from others. Exile was once a card shark, using gambling and slight of hand in order to guarantee that luck stay by his side, but this was no setting to open a gambling ring. Exile needed money now, and his other method was less moral, though more direct. Despite the man being 7 feet tall and with bright blond hair, he was extremely skilled in subversion and misdirection. With eyes rested squarely on him, Exile was still able to pick pocket any individual the came within arms reach and still remained unnoticed. Only someone with an extremely keen sense of these things would even notice Exile's skill. The huge man towered over every other human in the city, though nobody saw the gypsies nimble fingers sliding in and out of pockets, coming away with a small fortune of gold coins and jewelry.

The gypsy slowed his pace as he felt his pockets growing heavy. He did not take more than was necessary at the time, seeing no reason to stack wealth in a society so unaligned with his ideals. As he walked, he felt the gaze of a girl that stood out from the crowd, for the satiny silver hair of the girl did little to help her blend in. Her stare was so deliberate that he wondered if she had seen what he was doing, though her reaction shown nothing to convey this. Exile approached her, his deep eyes meeting hers only for a moment before they were averted back away. The 7 foot gypsy came relatively close to the girl, but before he said anything, he changed his path and turned to enter a small store for food. He perused the produce and meats, half deciding how to spend his money, half keeping an eye on the silver haired girl, curious of her position toward him.

Chapter 1-iii
The Weary Wanderers


Shoneah still had her pack on her back. She'd just woken up about a few hours before and made her way to the very same market where Exile was and had spotted her. She was still early in her Spirit quest. It was really more of just a quest to find herself and find adventure. Perhaps this would be the location to spurn this adventure, or perhaps it wouldn't. She only knew she needed a few more traveling clothes and other traveling supplies. She was setting about to obtain these things, when she noticed the stranger. She had tried to make him out, then she looked away when he began to get too close, hoping he hadn't seen her staring. Some thought staring to be quite rude, and she was a princess and could not afford to be accused of rudeness. Such behavior was unbecoming an Indian princess.

She watched as the rather large gentleman approached near to her and then suddenly turned aside into the store. She wondered what he meant by this action. Did she imagine it, or was he sending her some sort of message that he wanted her to follow him. She wasn't sure, but she did know that she had to be careful of people in this town, especially if they knew that she was an Indian princess. This very knowledge could potentially put her in danger. She knew this, yet she still felt strongly about her spirit quest. She considered carefully for a moment the potential consequences of her actions, before she resigned to slowly and cautiously following him. Perhaps in the cover of such a crowd, she'd be safe from harm. She came within about a large tiger's length from him in the store, before she came to a stop and pretended to browse some of the goods nearby. One of her gray eyes carefully watched him as she brushed that satiny silver hair behind her ear, so it wouldn't obstruct her view of the intriguing stranger.

Shoneah Jain (test)

Chapter 1-iv
Weary Wanderers



Ex moved with an unnatural grace that people his size seldom had. His broad shoulders took up so much space in the room, and yet, Exile did not seem to look uncomfortable or claustrophobic. He lured the gray haired maiden to follow him into the shop, feeling her eyes upon him with every step. The girl seemed uneasy in this huge man's presence, though she was not one to blend into the masses either. As Ex caught a moment in her gray eyes, he felt his pulse quicken. Was she really trying to follow him?

Exile inched closer to Shoneah, being less sly about his intentions now and making sure she took notice of him. He reached down in front of her and picked up a fresh apple.

"Hello. Something tells me that you aren't from around here either."

Exile said in jest. The two looked so different than the rest of the populace in Carlin, and now that they were together, they drew the attention of nearly every passer by. The poor city probably thought they were being visited by celebrities, the type of fame which Exile would try dearly to avoid.

After Exile had collected a sizable feast, he reached into his pocket and paid the patron of the store. All of the money was stolen, but that made no difference to the owner. He returned to Shonean after who seemed unsure of what to do next. Almost as if she was waiting for Ex to make his move.

"Would you know of any place that I can rest my legs and enjoy this meal? I have been traveling for some time now and can use a place to stay. Forgive my for not introducing myself, My name is Exile." The gypsy said, offering his hand and bowing his head slightly.

Chapter 1-v
The Weary Wanderers


Shoneah Ex from inside the store as he closed the gap between them. She didn't know how or why, but something drew her to him. Even before he uttered one word to her, she felt a strong connection to him. She was reaching for the same apple, but shyly withdrew her hand when she realized he was reaching for it. She nodded in response to his comment. "Yes...I am not from this city." She stated simply.

She was still guarded, even though this stranger intrigued her and provoked her interest. She waited for him to pay for his wares and completely forgetting to buy any of her own, she followed him and answered. "I am not intending to go back to my village anytime soon, so I am just making camp in those woods just outside the city before I move on." She took his hand and shook it gingerly. "I am Shoneah." She retrieved her hand and then, smiling softly she waited for his response. She thought about inviting him to join her, but she didn't want to seem to forward. Could an Indian princess be caught keeping company with a man that was not her husband. What would the tribe think? She didn't know, but her mind reeled and her heart pounded as she waited for him to answer. She then began scolding herself. 'What is wrong with you, Shoneah. Why is this man that you just met and don't know at all, affecting you so?'

Chapter 1-vi
The Weary Wanderers


Exile escorted Shoneah out of the store and back into the hustle and bustle of the city. The crowd seemed to have grown thicker since the two had entered and now moved with the chaos of a insect farm. Peasants ran through the streets carrying all types of goods for sale, money was changing hands though most of the few transactions that were happening were hidden from view. The city had been suffering for years now, the economy stagnant and barely capable of supporting the population. Exile stayed close to Shoneah as they walked together, the darkest sides of man always seem to surface when they faced financial hardship, this city was no different.

"You camp outside the city? Really?" Exile was surprised that the delicate looking girl had set up her home out in the wilderness. For years Exile had lived away from society for over a decade, but he had never come across a girl like her that would get her hands dirty. She looked like a princess, not like a camper. As Exile looked around the city more, he realized just how seedy it was. This place had grown into a ghetto, only the poor and the lowest of the low in society chose to stay in the city. The rest had either left, or been "removed" by the locals.

As the two continued to walk Exile saw no places where he could have bought a room or even a ledge to sit on. He was so tall and able to see over the entire crowd, though he still saw no inn or motel.

"I suppose there really isn't any place that you would want to call home within these walls either." Exile said.

After he finished speaking this, something occurred that might startle Shoneah. Without warning, as the two were walking through a densely packed crowd, Exile grabbed one of the men and tossed him into the air. It wasn't the strength of Exile that was so surprising, such a feat was expected from someone so large, it was the lack of warning that cause the rest of the people in the streets to gasp with surprise. Nobody dare walk up to Exile and ask him why he had done this, instead, everyone stood back silently, watching what would happen next as the man fell to the floor with a large thud.

Exile walked over to the man with anger in his eye, staring the poor fellow down who had fallen on the ground and now looked back up at a 7 foot tall barbarian. "You would steal from me?" Exile asked with an aggressive tone. The man on the floor seemed scared and panicked, quickly throwing a back of coin at Exile. Ex caught the small satchel and returned to a place beneath his cloak, revealing the presence of at least 6 knives strapped to is rib cage. The boy stood up slowly and then took off running into the crowd. Exile made no effort to pursue the man, letting him get away with the tale of a giant that released him.

Exile returned to the side of Shoneah after the event. "Nobody took anything from you in the confusion did they? Don't take this wrong, but I think they might try to take something from you too. Perhaps, we should get out of this big crowd, somewhere where the eyes are not constantly casing us." Exile turned his head and noticed that atleast 20 people were now looking at the two.

"You said you weren't going back to your village? Where is that exactly? I am from the East. From the Apachu"

Chapter 1-vii
The Weary Wanderers


Shoneah willingly, though she was still confused as to why, followed Exile through the crowded streets. She kept close so as not to lose him in this crowd. She was at very least, intrigued by them, but some emotion beyond intrigue was present that she could not quite figure out. She replied to his question of her camp. "I am camping in those woods just East of here." She pointed out the woods in question.

She watched as he tried to look over the city for what seemed a place to sleep for the night. She doubted he find such a place in the shambles that was this city. "Yes I quite agree. I don't believe there is any inn in this place."

She then jumped back as he suddenly accosted the one who apparently stole from him. She stifled a grin as she thought about the fact of his quick reaction. He'd either been accustomed to being stolen from, or he knew the tricks himself and just knew what to look for. She looked him over and from the looks of her new acquaintance, it was the latter. When he had dealt with the man and they were out of ear shot of him. "Hmm...you seem to know the ways of the theif well, perhaps too well." She winked and then replied to his question. "Yes I suppose it would be good to get out of this crowd."

She then replied to his question about her home. "Er....Well my village is South of here, but like I said, I have reasons for not going back just yet." She quickly changed the subject. "Er...um you are welcome to follow me to my camp and prepare your..." Then she suddenly realized she hadn't finished her own shopping. "Oh....I guess I should finish purchasing my own supplies before leaving the market." Her grey eyes searched his as she turned to head back to the heart of the marketplace. It was still early or mid-morning, however, her stomach was growling at her and telling her she needed to eat soon.

Chapter 1-viii
The Weary Wanderers


Exile continued searching the area just after the disturbance, looking for the crew the thief was probably traveling with. Ex has never visited this city before, but he had heard the stories of the gangs that had taken hold since the fall of the economy. Ex would keep a close grasp on his things for as long as he was close to the city, sticky fingers were surely lurking close. "Stay close" Ex said as he gently pulled Shoneah up next to him.

"The times are so tough in this place. Dont judge these people for the lifestyle they are forced into to survive, but be prepared to protect yourself from it."

Shoneah spoke of her tribe to the south. Exile could see the native blood in her, and once she revealed her tribe, he could better understand the way she was brought up. The southerners were well known for their mysticism and prophecies. Exile's tribe, the Apachu, were a raiding tribe who spent little time with magics, they see these southern natives as crazy story tellers, always under the influence of some substance in hopes of finding meaning in hallucinations.

Shoneah then referenced Exile's seeming knowledge of the ways of a thief. The talk made Exile's squint and his teeth grit. It wasn't until she winked that Exile relented from his uncomfortable feelings. He didnt consider himself a thief persay, just a very skilled at taking other peoples money....

Exiles feeling quickly shifted when she invited him back to her camp. The hustle and bustle of the marketplace was indeed getting to Exile, he longed for the natural world once again, and this time, with a beautiful native girl.

"Oh, well then lets get what you need. The market should be open everywhere now. Lets be quick though, there is something making me feel uneasy about this."

Chapter 1-ix
The Weary Travelers


Shoneah led Exile in and out of several parts of the marketplace before leading him towards her camp. In the mean time her eyes lit up as she chatted on with him about nothing of substance. She talked about everything from the weather to her favorite song and flower, however, she mentioned nothing yet about her tribe or her reason she didn't want to return there just yet. It was probably not obvious yet to Exile, whether or not she ever intended to tell him anything.

As they began to head toward the camp she remarked. "So what again brings YOU out this way, Exile?" Her heart lept as she spoke his name. She still wasn't sure why he had such a profound effect on her, nor could she still determine the actual emotion she was feeling or give it a name. Then she added, "Not that I have really told you anything yet about why I am not returning to my own village. I suppose we could both save that conversation, if you like, for when we are out of earshot of those we may not want to hear our personal business." This was her way of saying that for some reason, that she could not devise, she actually trusted him. She wasn't afraid to tell him her deepest secrets. She didn't know why she felt this way, but she did. For now she'd just continue the small talk.

"So what is YOUR favorite flower, Exile?" She asked, continuing the nonsense chatter. Her eyes met his as she paused for a moment, before resuming walking.

Chapter 1-iv
The Scroll's Enigma
...........................
The sun had already been lifted over Carlin for a few hours now, but the bitterness of the late February air still swept through the cold cobbled streets. Psalms and her sister, Lufea, had already left their hut and needed to make money for dinner that night. Psalms was a potion seller, but all of her materials she required for making the healing potions she had to gather herself from the wilderness.
The two began making their way to the south end of the county, near the Gulf of Thais. Even being only a few miles outside of the city, the sights had drastically changed, for the good. The trees were white with a light snow topping them, rabbits and elk roamed freely while a stream of seemingly endless beauty rushed through the countryside.
Psalms and Lufea followed the stream to an area that Psalms knew all too well, it was her workshop. A small wooden shack with an open front side sat near the creek bed with an unlit caldron a few feet away…

"Ahh...just as I left you!"
Psalsm spoke, referring to her work station,

"Psalms...can I go catch rabbits...please?"
Lufea spoke in her sweet little voice,

"Well kid, you can try..."
Psalms responded,

While Lufea was out playing with rabbits and such, Psalms was vigorously working, draining all of the blood from a hog she had killed the day before. Sweat was dripping from her work worn face, as she continued to ring out every last drop of blood she could into the rusted pot in the wooden shack. A hour or so had passed and she had finally rung the dead hog completely out, carefully she began adding in a small vial of some blue substance into the blood, but only a few drops or so. After taking the pot outside and dumping it into the caldron Psalms closed her eyes and motioned her hands slowly underneath the caldron, touching a piece of the fire wood that laid there...

"Utani vis"
The fire wood was quickly engulfed in flames asa shot of fire flew from Psalms' hand after chanting the spell,

Pslams quickly stood to her feet and began dusting her hands off, a slightly satisfying smirk came across her face, noting a job well done. Psalms stood over top of the brewing concoction and began to slowly stir it with a wooden staff. The young Druid girl began to gaze off, watching his sister play with the rabbits in the snow; she was paying little attention to the healing potion she was brewing...

I don't want her to be right, I don't want what it is that I have...for what I saw last night is much too much for one to comprehend
She thought to herself, thinking of her Grandmother,

Suddenly Psalms dropped to one knee, grasping her head as a vein extremely protruded outward from her skull...her eyes rolled into the back of her head...

Who are those two?
The scene had flashed forward, Psalms saw a Indiana Princess and a giant male Gypsy walking through the woods near her...

They are who must help you Psalms
She heard the voice of her Grandmother

Help...help me with what?
Pslams screamed in agony wither question to Grandmother,

Without their assistance, Seer will be successful...

Psalms jerked, sweating heavily and gasping for air, her nose was bleeding as she looked to see Lufea, the Gypsy and the Indiana Princess standing overtop of her...
"Are you okay?"
Exile concernedly asked, helping Pslams to her feet,

Psalms' eyes widened as she looked away from the two strangers and over at her little sister, disdain owned her face, but Lufea just smiled and nodded at her older sister...

"It's really you two..."
Psalms flopped back down onto the ground and passed out...

Chapter 2
The Dreamless Dream


Shoneah and Exile made their way to her camp. She cooked for him and rattled on about her tribe. She told him of her being the Chief's daughter. She explained that was shy she could not let too many people know who she was. She also explained about her quest to find herself and what it meant to be a good leader.

She shot him looks as she prepared the morning meal, that looked as if she might be flirting, even though it was unintentional. There was just something about him that made it hard to look away. Then they ate while he shared what was comfortable to him as well. She nodded and ate happily, showing extreme interest and intrigue regarding what the stranger had to share.

After breakfast, Exile helped her clean up camp. After talking, they both decided that being this close to the town where that crowded market had been, was not a good idea. They packed things up and decided to move on. While they were walking, they filled each other in on a few other things about themselves. She was smiling the whole time. It was nice to have a companion along on her journey. She didn't state that out loud, because she wasn't sure how he'd take it. She just nodded when he spoke and replied to his questions, volunteering little tidbits here and there about her life history.

Some of her history is that she'd been a willful child. She'd always adored singing and she sang for him, which he appeared to enjoy. Her mother was often cross with her, but her father rarely was. He seemed to understand her more. She did, however, love both her parents dearly. She showed just a bit of concern about how they may be handling her absence.

They eventually came to where Psalms was and after a few exchanges with the sister, they came upon Psalms herself. They were much surprised when Psalms seemed to recognize them. When she passed out, they helped her sister get her home and into her bed.

After a short introduction to Psalms grandmother, they explained to the best of their knowledge what had happened, with bits and pieces filled in by her sister. They then sat and had a bit of small talk with the grandmother, while they all watched and waited for her to awaken. Shoneah hoped she'd be ok, even though she didn't know her.

This was certainly shaping up to be and interesting adventure for Shoneah and she suspected that this was just the beginning.

Chapter 2-i
The Dreamless Dream
..................................

Seer stood above the fields of havoc, watching his armies of soulless skeleton fiends train without emotion. Some were building camps and barracks', while others were engaging in hand to hand combat and fighting to the death, only the strongest were to survive so that Seer could weed out any weak links of his military might. High on a hill he stood, orchestrating this army that had now grown to be over 5,000 strong... they moved based on his thoughts and they acted accordingly to his will...
The sky had grown dark behind Seer, lightning lashed and thunder struck while the wild Druid waved his arms around in the air...rain began to pour over the Ghostlands, and as the sky grew more infested with night, as did the visibility of the gleaming crimson eyes of the skeletons.

"Soon Ossgarad! Soon! Take Carlin I shall! Then the World!"
Seer shouted a loud while the voice of Ossgarad could be heard laughing sadistically in the background,

Pslams erected from her bed, she felt like hell and blood was again dripping from her nose. Her hands was shaking as she quickly jerked her head at the sound of the thunder crashing through the skies...she heard the rain falling down onto her roof.

"Altimac..."
Psalms fell back into her bed, disgusted at her realization,

The Druid laid her arm out of her bed and spoke,

"Shoneah...take my hand."
Psalms had not even looked at the Indian Princess or the Gypsy but knew they were there with her, shocked, Shoneah slowly took her hand.

"Something terrible is going to happen here, I don't know when, but I know that it will...in the name of Altimac it will happen."
Shonea stumbled on her words while Lufea and Exile looked on with wide and confused eyes,

"Wha'...what, is it? What is going to happen?"
Shoneah was starting to worry,

"Seer...Seer..."
Psalms jerked her head as rage filled her eyes looking at Shoneah,
"SEER!"

Pslams flopped back down on the bed and spoke softly again,
"It's the enigma of the scroll...He knows not what he is looking for, so he'll destroy everything until he finds it..."

Shoneah looked back at Exile as he spoke,
"Who is Seer? What is he looking for?"

Psalms chuckled with a bit of madness about her voice,
"The divine blood..."
Exile looked at Shoneah with his jaw dropped, for she was a Princess of Divine Blood,

"Grandmother, you told me that to stop Seer, Exile and Shonea must aid me, did you?"
Psalms spoke laying there with her eyes closed still, while Grandmother simply nodded. Exile and Shoneah both looked on wildly at Grandmother,

"Wait... what is REALLY going on here?"
Exile demanded,

"Like the world you live in do you? Wanting not for your life to end so soonly...for you or your new found love?"
Exile gulped a slight gulp of fear,

"Then rest here you shall, tomorrow comes the day of reckoning with one’s self, and one’s own enigma. Lufea, please prepare our guest corn and herbs for feast, then a bed for rest."
Lufea was scared on the inside, but didn't want anyone to know, so quietly she did as she was told,

Exile and Shoneah weren't too sure just what they had gotten themselves into... maybe the adventure Shonea was looking for, or maybe the redemption of Exile for his sins, but one thing was for now certain, their fate had landed them there, in that cottage with Pslams, the prophetic Druid...

Chapter 2-ii

The Dreamless Dream

Shoneah wore her heart on her sleeve when with Exile, trying to keep her infatuation hidden beneath an innocent smile only making her emotions bubble up more more in Exile's eyes. He did not say much after that, instead letting Sho go on and on about her tribe. As she sang Exile could hear some of the nervousness leave the girls voice, he listened to her serenade matched well with the crisp winter morning, pairing well with the crunch of the snow beneath the travelers feet. As the couple moved through the forest, they came across another camp, this one with an pungent smell emanating from one of the huts. It might have been cooking, but it was not a smell that Exile found appetizing at all.

"I hope you know the people in this camp, because they are still here" said Ex.

As Exile came closer he spotted the woman who had collapsed next to the cauldron. He and Sho rushed up to Psalm's just in time for her to say one thing.

"Its really you two!!" said Psalms

Psalms looked ill and struggling to stay calm in the face of some impending anxiety. Exile tried to help the woman to here feet, but it useless, Psalms was unable to hold herself up and collapsed yet again, this time, for good.

Exile picked up the druid girl and carefully carried her in his arms. He was the only one one suited for carrying among the group, though he could feel Sho's jealous eyes upon him throughout the journey as he made sure Psalms was comfortable. The group took a route that was less noticed so as not to attract more attention. As the entered the cottage, rain began to poor from the winter sky. It made the world miserable outside, mixing the snow with the angry and thunderous rain.

When Psalms woke, she looked even worse than before, she had broken into a heavy sweat and her nose bled for no clear reason. The ways of the Shaman and Druid never sat well with Exile, they seemed too perverse and unnatural.

"Who is Seer?" Asked Exile.

This man had been the cause of the fear in the woman's face. The Psalms Lufea went on to explain who Sho really was, a princess of divine nature. Exile was stunned with surprise, he had heard stories of a divine native blood, but did not expect it to be Sho. The old sooth sayer knew much of the world, and when she made a comment of Exile and Shoneah, he could keep quiet no longer.

"Easy there Grandma, you assume too much."

Exile felt awkward and confused then, not sure why he felt pressed by the old woman's words. He thought Sho was beautiful, but a decade of living away from society had changed him. Exile had grown indifferent to the struggles of man while living in the forest and monastery for years, he did not seem as worried as one might expect from the news of humanities doom. Wrought with emotion, Exile turned and left the cottage, standing outside and looking around the forest for some type of sign. Who were these women really? So sure of the future but so ill prepared to face it.

Chapter 2-iii
The Dreamless Dream


Sho graciously accepted the hospitality of Psalms and her grandmother. She also thanked the sister for fixing a wonderful meal for them all. She agreed they should stay there for the night, even though she had reservations about what Psalms and her grandmother were saying about what her's and Exile's part was to be in this supposed fight against this "Seer" that they kept mentioning.

She helped Lufea set the table and when Exile came in from getting some air, she beckoned him to sit down. He seemed reluctant, but after some prodding from her, he agreed. She also pressed him to accept their offer of a place to stay for the night. It may have been that he sensed that she also had reservations about helping them, that he also agreed to that. Perhaps without knowing that was how she felt, he also believed that this was better discussed in the morning after a better night's sleep.

Before everyone turned in for the night, Shoneah regaled everyone with tales of her tribe. It wasn't anything too personal, just spirit quests and hunting trips and such. She also sang for them. Of course once everyone had heard her sing once, they insisted she do a few more songs. Once Shoneah showed signs of extreme fatigue, her hosts bid her good night, and Lufea showed her where she'd be sleeping and helped her fix her bed and bid her good night herself. "Thank you." She smiled graciously and climbed into bed.

As Lufea left her to her thoughts, many of them were about Exile. She thought about how'd they'd met in the market and how he'd probably saved her from some pick-pockets, yet seemed to be quite knowledgeable about the subject himself. She also noticed how he listened to her so intently, when she spoke of her tribe. She wondered if it was because he was actually interested, or was it just so he didn't have to speak. He struck her as a man of few words. She found his mystery intriguing, however.

Her thoughts eventually drifted to the situation described by Psalms and her grandmother. She did know if she really believed what they were saying about the future depending on her and Exile and that they had to defeat this "Seer". Could she really be that important to the future of the planet? Also, if he was looking for "Divine Blood", wouldn't that put her in danger? Shouldn't she stay as far away from him as possible.

She fell asleep pondering all these things and they jumbled together in her dreams as she slept rather restlessly.

Chapter 3-iii
The Dreamless Dream
...............................

The sun had cracked through the vacant night sky over the city of Carlin, the clouds parted in a way that left the sun to standout on it's own, soaking the sky with beauty. A swirl of purple, blue and orange illustrated the sky while some stars could still be seen.
Shoneah awoke from her pallet on the floor, a few feet from where was Exile snoring like a wild hog. After rubbing her eyes for a moment or so, the gorgeous native princess looked up to see Psalms standing emotionless, peering out through the open window...

"It's been so long since I've heard this here..."
Psalms started talking, still looking through the window,

"...Heard what?"
Shoneah asked,

"Shh!"
Psalms placed her finger over her plush pink lips and then put it up to her ear, as if to hear better,

The birds were chirping, it filled Psalms' ears with a harmony of intangibly vast proportions,

"This is the first time since I was a kid, that the birds have chirped in the city..."
A slight smile came over Psalms' face, as did one over Shoneah,

"Well...I must say, it's not too odd of a sound, I hear it every day."
Shoneah spoke, regretting her words after she had let them ramble,

Psalms slowly turned her head to the Princess,
"I'd much rather be awoken to the sound of this everyday, then the sound of a murder or rape...Princess."
Psalms turned back away, looking through the window,

"Listen..."
Shoneah said, standing back up and making her way to Psalms,

"I'm sorry, that was a really stupid thing for me to have said..."
Shoneah apologized, resting her hand on the Druid's tense shoulder,

"It's quite alright..."
Psalms looked over at Shoneah, then at Exile,

"Look..."
Psalms pointed at the Gypsy who was still snoring and choking on his spit a bit, the two girls, showing their age, began to giggle at the sight of Exile,

"How about walk?"
Psalms nodded in response to the Princesses question,

The two made their way from the cottage and out into the city streets, normally it would be anything but a safe haven for two beautiful young women to be walking through the Carlin alley ways, but as Shoneah would soon find out, these were Psalms' people...

"I do study in a wide field of magic, yes, but healing is my calling. These people..."
Psalms pointed to the sick and dying homeless peasants in the streets, she continued,

"They are my people, they love me, and I love them, they need me, and I need them..."
Psalms spoke as if she were fulfilled,

"With no disrespect Psalms, what could you really need them for?"
Shoneah asked, with legitimate wonder, as Psalms smiled and responded,

"Altianity teaches us that with great power, comes great responsibility...so someone like me, who is granted with such great strength, has quite the responsibility at hand."
Shoneah shook her head, agreeing with the Druid,

"Though my people are of the earth, we believe in much of what you're saying..."
Psalms smiled at Shoneah,

The Druid reached into a small pouch on her side and brought out a vial full of a red concoction and reached down to a sick man who was vomiting in the street.

"Hello Lety, ready for your medicine today?"
The man nodded at Psalms just before she poured the liquid from the vial into his mouth,

"There we are Lety, that should get you through the week..."
Psalms kissed the old man's cheek and stood up,

"Feeling better already, Altimac blesses you Psalms..."
Psalms continued for the next hour or so, healing the sick and talking to Shoneah about her past.

"It's hard to keep tabs on everyone here, so many of them are sick, and in a city of this size you just try and help you can. My mother was the same way, always worrying for others before herself..."

Shoneah was quickly seeing pure examples of what it takes to be a good leader, she would have never of thought that the examples would come from a Druid girl living in Carlin,

"Your mother sounds like a fine lady, what happened to her?"
Shoneah asked,

"Many years ago...she was tortured. On a mission trip down to Thais, to help heal a dying Orc family, she was captured by King Thaisanis and was burned alive on a cross for her dealings in magic..."
Psalms spoke in a soft voice,

"My goodness, how old were you?"
The Princess begged,

"Maybe four, maybe five, I can't quite remember..."
Psalms responded,

"I'm so very sorry to hear that Psalms..."
Shoneah replied, watching while Psalms continued to help the sick people in the streets,

"You really do love this city don't you?"
Shoneah asked,

"I do..."
Psalms said smiling,

"Because I know that it doesn't always have to be like this, this city was beautiful and great once, and so it can be once more...
King Thaisanis wont live forever, change will come, for it is inevitable...but when is really the question."

The two began making their way back to the cottage, the sun was up, so most likely was Lufea, making a morning meal.