Bowman Woodcroft's Story

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Thaothien had not slept. In fact, he barely ever did. His times of rest were few and far between, and he would often spend weeks, even months, completely awake. It was only after what seemed like ages of uneasy, restless waking hours that Thaothien would receive half a night's fitful sleep. Even then, the respite did little for the Vampiric Lord of the Gavony Township. His dreams, no... his nightmares, were re-lived with every moment of sleep. It seemed that deep within his very soul, Thaothien had not forgiven himself for his actions past. Visions of his inequities haunted him, the memories plaguing his precious hours of rest. Thaothien would fling himself out of bed, covered in a cold sweat, screaming blasphemies into the night. Only the soothing music from Thalia's harp would calm such fits of rage. Her delicate fingertips would dance over the strings, bringing peace into his empty heart.

Last night had been no different. When it seemed that Thaothien would, at last, succumb to restful, recumbent bliss, he was tormented with horrific nightmares. His terrors taunted him, jeering at him, feeding doubt into his fragile mind. Thaothien could remember little of the last time he had drunk of another's blood. What broken visions he did recall made him sick to his stomach. The neck he had ravaged did not belong to any animal. Instead, Thaothien had allowed himself to sink his hungering teeth into the soft and pale flesh of a young woman. She had not survived the ordeal. This time, as always, Thalia rushed to her Lord's aid. His eyes were wild and desperate, like a beasts. He roared and railed, shouting such unholy curses. Like always, Thalia simply sat at the stool next to her Lord's bed and began to play. Her fingers weaving back and forth, rippling across the laughing strings, whose gentle pealing soothed the Lord's aching heart. His flailing stopped, reaching hands finding their way back to his lap. He sat up properly and wiped the froth from the corners of his mouth. Composed, the Lord dismissed his servant to her quarters, ashamed of himself to the very core. As she left, Thaothien turned to gaze out of the window to his right. The sun was rising. A new day was dawning. The road to his salvation was, at last, at hand.

Thaothien rose from his bed, stripping from his nightgown and walking through the manor almost completely naked. The only thing that the Lord was wearing, were his undergarments, which did nothing to ease the morning chill. However, if it was chilly, Thaothien did not feel it. His skin was cold to the touch, cold like the winter's first snow and easily just as pale. He made his way to his private armory and pulled on his newest and finest creations. First was a thin linen shirt, its only purpose was only to keep his skin from directly touching the chain vest and to assist in muffling its clinking. After the vest was another shirt, like the kind he would have worn on any other day. It was white with a pull-string collar that was embroidered with a black, crawling vine. The cuffs of the sleeves were similarly embroidered. Over that went the breast plate, complete with the Bloodstone, which was placed right underneath where his collarbones met. Next came the black linen pants, followed by the greaves and his belts. Finally, over the top went the black, shin length jacket, reinforced with armor plates. While the armor would have been heavy on a human, it felt pleasant for the vampire. A comfortable weight that reminded him he was shielded. The armored cuff and the heart plating were particularly thick so as to guard his vulnerable neck and heart. Finally, Thaothien attached his swords and knives to the belts around his waist. The only thing Thaothien carried with him that wasn't a weapon, was a map, rolled up and bound with simple twine. He placed it and a compass in his pocket and turned towards the door. With that, Thaothien left his castle. He had formally dismissed his servants the week before. Those still living there had nowhere else to go, or simply couldn't bring themselves to leave. Thaothien smiled as he waved goodbye to Thalia, his most faithful and patient servant. If he could ever free himself from this horrible curse, if she was still alive when he returned, if he himself did not perish along the way, Thaothien intended to marry her. He was sure it would cause quite a scandal in Gavony, and chuckled at the thought.

As he had done so many times before, Thaothien began to walk. The dim morning light had not yet brightened Ingotstone, and as the city slept, Thaothien continued on. The twilight hours were peaceful and silent. Thaothien smiled to himself as he journeyed to the Forest. While many would shun the Laerorngwen Forest, Thaothien set himself on a path straight through it. The dense forest would sheild him from the harsh light, and he would be less likely to run into other travelers through the woods as well. Most would, instead, opt to take the road, which Thaothien thought very foolish. Why risk the thieves? Though many would argue that the beasts of Laerorngwen were no better. In fact, most were of the opinion that they were worse. Thaothien couldn't quite see why. Sure some were bigger than most were used to seeing, and perhaps many of them had more teeth that a corn does kernels, and even though very few came back out of the forest alive, Thoathein was sure his path was the best. After all, it led him straight there. The forest path would take no turns, depositing him directly at Farendell, where his salvation awaited. Looking over his shoulder, Thaothien's grin vanished. He was being followed, and not by men either. He turned, allowing himself to grow viciously. "I am no man." Thaothien declared to the predator in the wood. "Your padded footfalls are not beyond my ears, nor your dark hide beyond my eyes." Thaothien threatened, turning directly towards the creature, which stopped abruptly. It had sensed something strange about the man before it. There was no fear in his eyes. Thaothien unsheathed his sword, the steel gleaming wickedly in the light. "I am a monster that all men fear. I will devour even you. Begone." Thaothien commanded, growling deeply. The beast stared directly into the little man's eyes. Though the mighty creature was as tall as two men, its claws like swords and its teeth like spearheads, it felt as if it were standing before a predator, as if it were no more than a cub. The beast felt fear. Fear that it had not felt since it was small. It ran. Sighing, Thaothien sheathed his blade. "What a relief. I don't have to kill anything today." Smiling to himself, Thaothien began walking once more. However, he stopped himself short once more. Footsteps, in front of him and to the right. Two of them, one heavier than the other. One breathed through his mouth with a stench most foul. Thaothien had to force himself not to gag. The other seemed a touch more civilized, if only a little. Thaothien could tell it was a woman before she had even come within twenty feet of him. Her footfalls were light and graceful, unlike her counterpart. She smelled much cleaner as well.

"Well lookie here!" Thaothien heard to his left, the large and smelly one stepped from out of the brush directly in front of him. Though large, the man was obviously directly related to swine, he had the unfortunate facial features and apparent lack of intelligence to match. Although Thaothien did feel a little bad for a moment. Pigs were such fine creatures. He supposed then, that the fool standing before him was only half swine, and the other half was fish. Thaothien nodded, pleased with himself at the classification. "Looks like we got a little traveler off to Farendell." Came the female voice from Thaothien's right. "Can I kill him now boss?" The fat one asked, as a child might beg for presents. Thaothien sighed. I suppose I shan't be living up to that promise... He thought, annoyed. "No... this one appears to be a castle brat. Look at how pale his skin is, how thin his arms are, how frilly his clothes are." The woman said, causing Thaothien to roll his eyes. "Instead, I recommend that we keep him, unlike the other, this one might be worth something." That was the snobbish woman's last mistake. "Excuse me." Thaothien said, drawing his would-be captors' attention. "While you are correct in the assumption that I am travelling to Farendell, your conjecture as to the nature of my status was entirely incorrect. I am far older than fools like you will ever live to be, should you continue to annoy me." Thaothien said kindly, and though he smiled pleasantly, his tone was poisonous and cold. "Weston, did you hear what that whelp just said to his new masters?" The woman said coyly, pretending as if she'd been offered a great insult. "Be a dear Weston, and teach the brat some manners." The woman said with relish, to which the lazy-eyed, fat one nodded vigorously.

He drew a greataxe from its spot on his back, bringing the massive weapon down on Thaothien's head. His hands moving so quickly that they appeared to be a blur, Thaothien drew his longsword. He whipped the blade upward, holding it defensively above his head and spinning in place so his back was turned to his enemy. The axe bounced off of Thaothien's blade, shattering into pieces. Moving quickly, Thaothien tilted the sword down towards the ground, the back towards his foe in a tight, circular motion. Then, with practiced dexterity, Thaothien quickly thrust the blade behind him, aiming slightly upward so as to catch the man beneath the ribs. If done correctly, the weapon would find its mark in the lungs and other vital organs. Thaothien smiled darkly as he felt the sickening crunch of the blade piercing his foe, he had struck true. Just as quickly, Thaothien drew the sword back out from the defeated thug, cleaned it on the man's pants leg, whipped it around his body in a quick figure eight, and then sheathed it. As the sword clacked into place, blood spurted from the wound and the large man fell to the ground, dead. The woman, deeply afraid, backed away from Thaothien, whose back was turned to her. "I warned you." Thaothien said, turning slowly. Only the side of his face was visible to her, but the dim light caught his eyes just right, making them glow. "Now leave before I change my mind about killing you too." Thaothien growled, baring his teeth. The woman, deciding quickly tha she had somewhere else to be, turned tail and ran. His little annoyance dealt with, Thaothien quickly consulted his map and compass before turning back to the direction of Farendell, and beginning to walk once again.

As he walked, Thaothien couldn't help but notice signs of daylight breaking through the foliage. He sighed. He hated the light. It didn't hurt him, but it was so bright and unpleasant. He sighed, only to have his hand fly to his sword. He heard voices, another man, and a woman as well. These voices were different though. It wasn't the same woman as before, no, she was long gone. This voice was different, calming and gentle, but it carried a regal weight that demanded respect. Whoever this woman was, she was no bandit. Thaothien smiled, heading towards the clearing with his hands resting on the pommel of his sword. When he reached the voices, he was shocked. There, next to a boy who was just barely old enough to be a man, was a beautiful woman. She was most likely a fae, her ears carried the telltale points and her bearing was regal yet poised. However, he couldn't tell for sure whether she was an elf or a nymph. The difference was rather important to most, be they either side of the distinction, so instead of calling her one or the other, Thaothien dismissed her race as temporarily unecessary. He bowed his head, as was polite. Though they were in the middle of the woods, Thaothien saw no reason to shirk the niceties of civilization. "Hello Miss," he said simply and respectfully. However, when he turned to the male voice, Thaothien couldn't help but let out a gasp. "Ahh!" Thaothien said, surprised. "The map maker! I purchased this from you just last week!" Thaothien exclaimed, chuckling slightly to himself. "I'm sure the average farmer doesn't need a map of the Laerorngwen Wood. Whatever are you doing out here?" Thaothien asked, genuinely intrigued and smiling gently. He'd made a joke, such frivolity would have to be stifled. Still, it was quite odd. Usually mapmakers were sitting at desks with quills and ink, awaiting the stories of those who were sturdy enough to venture into the dangerous world beyond the gates of Ingotstone.

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The question seemed to trouble the young map maker. He appeared confused and upset. Thaothien frowned sympathetically. He began to raise his hands in a simple, non-threatening gesture, about to tell the boy that if it were such an inappropriate or troubling question, he needn't answer it. Just then, however, the boy surprised Thaothien with an answer. "I'm heading to Farendell. I'm..." He paused for a moment. The hesitation was not lost on Thaothien. The boy was either thinking up a lie on the spot, or trying to find the right way to phrase it. "I'm documenting the events that have been unfolding throughout this time. I'm a...historian, you see. I'd like to make accounts of these dark and exciting times before they should pass." Thaothien nodded. There was some truth in there, but the real reason was beyond Thaothien. He smiled, "Good for you!" Thaothien said, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Most mapmakers and historians would be content to leave such wild adventures to mercenaries or other explorers. It's a fine show of courage. I must say, I'm impressed." Thaothien said, genuine pride in his words. The week before, the boy seemed perfectly content to sit at his desk and draw maps all day. It was good to see him out and about, though the Laerorngwen Wood wasn't exactly the best place for first time adventurers. In fact, 'twas often that men much more grizzled than he had attempted to make the same journey, only to never be seen again. The woods was not a kind, forgiving place. Thaothien would have to do his best to protect the boy. After all, he was young and inexperienced, and those devils walked hand in hand. Though he wanted to sigh, Thaothien simply smiled, watching as the boy scrambled to get his things, and grabbed the knife that was interlocked between the a dead bandit's grimy fingers. Upon seeing the body, Thaothien smirked. 'Twas another fool like the one he had just seen. Fish-swine like them deserved the worst that fate had to offer them. He scoffed softly.

As the two men conversed, the lady listened, with neither perceived interest nor concern. She pulled a cloak over herself and nestled into the wool. Thaothien relaxed ever so slightly. While her nakedness wasn't vulgar, it was certainly astonishing. She was very beautiful, had he lived any less, loved any less, and been less of a gentlemen, Thaothien would have felt the urge to stare. As it was, he simply smiled at her, catching her eye for a moment before returning his attention to the boy. She held some hesitation near him, a certain barrier existed between them, and not just the large cat. She knew he wasn't a man, that much was certain, and the cat knew it too. It was why they had been so startled when he arrived. From his quiet footsteps and strange smell, Thaothien must have seemed like a beast of some kind. He chuckled to himself under his breath. Hopefully, they wouldn't ask about it. After all, it wasn't polite to lie top strangers. Thaothien was removed from his little reverie by the voice of the mapmaker. "I guess we better get going quite soon," he said in an anxiously. Thaothien tilted his head sideways, what could have made the poor boy so nervous? "The others might be coming back soon, and I don't want you both to be caught, like how I had been before you came." He briskly shifted his eyes, investigating the area around him. "Any suggestions as to where we should head out?"

Thaothien was now thoroughly confused. Others? End up like him? Thaothien was about to speak, and ask the boy exactly just what he meant, but the Lady, who was now astride the tiger, spoke. “Petty thugs and bandits are of no consequence to me, quite easily dealt with. I assure you that I am nowhere near as fragile or incapable as I appear.” She gave a dazzling smile and a teasing wink to the young lad before pursing her ruby lips. Thaothien nodded and smiled in comprehension. It all made sense now. Bandits and thugs usually travelled in packs, they must have run into the dead man before he was so indisposed, springing the rope trap, that hung on a nearby tree, in the process. "I assure you, they won't be a problem. I ran into a group of bandits before I met you. A cruel woman and a fat man with a lazy eye? They have been dealt with." Thaothien said with a poisonous smile. Though he did not intend to be wicked or cruel, his memories of the two bandits, who had gravely insulted him, were not his fondest. He allowed the declaration to be completely understood before he was silent once more. The woman spoke again, and though Thaothien was listening, he turned to look at the odd little thing. It was most curious how a tree this small could have trapped a boy like him. Now the boy was no giant, but he wasn't sickly or small either. That left only one solution. Magic. The woman must have shrunk the tree, after killing the now dead bandit, so the boy could escape. That, of course, left Thaothien with only one conclusion. The woman was a nymph. While Elves were no slouch at magic, only the Nymphs were truly connected to the natural world around them. “...If we are all headed in the same direction...I don't suppose it would be too queer of an idea to travel until our paths diverge.” The woman finished. Thaothien looked over to her just as she stopped speaking. "A splendid idea." Thaothien said, smiling. "'Twould be far safer to use our advantage in numbers whilst we traverse the wood. After all, you and I are guests here, boy." Thaothien finished. "I see no reason to wait any longer. If we have no qualms as to the method of our departure, I suggest we begin. Milady, would you be so kind as to lead the way?" Thaothien asked politely.

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At the mapmaker's behest, they were off, and the Nymph seemed more than happy to oblige, though not bothering to offer either of them a ride on her feline steed, for the best really, the cat didn't appear to like him. As they walked, colorful flowers bloomed around them and leaves unfurled, presenting, to Thaothoen's disbelief, fairies, that curiously peered from their hiding spots to see what large people had come so deep into the forest. “Watch out for the Urtińs. They're a bit...Playful. In an aggressive sort of way.” She pointed into the trees, indicating the hairy and colorful creatures that resembled a cross between squirrels and rabbits with wings and long tails but with enormous eyes that might entice one to pet them. Though Thaothien held his hand out to the little creatures, they shirked away from his hand, hiding behind branches and flowers to stay away from him. Thaothien sighed. "It seems that creatures of this world and I simply won't get along. No need to fret, I won't hurt you." Thaothien lamented.

They appeared to be getting close, as their guide stopped when they came upon various warning signs placed near what looked to be a wall covered in vines. The vines parted slowly as they walked on, passing into a tunnel. Finally, the woman astride the tiger lead them into a great opening in the forest, it appeared to be a whole city. At the end of the rocky tunnel was a hill that lead down into a small valley. At the center of that valley was the heart of Laerorngwen Forest; The ebony Laerorngwen tree sitting upon its small island and surrounded by what was once and pond but now moreso a small, circular river. It was a peaceful slice of Nirvana, guarded rocky walls covered in vines on all sides as the tree in the center grew up and out, its branches seeming to spread out over the whole forest. Though Thaothien couldn't see anyone, he harbored the suspicion that they were being watched. He felt their eyes, many inquisitor and prying eyes scouring him for information; it unnerved him. However, all of Thaothien's worries and fears subsided completely as they approached the great tree. It was a city. A massive metropolis that spread out for miles in the canopy of the great ebon tree. Even more astounding, the buildings and homes seemed to have grown directly out of the trees. Rope bridges attached what was not already joined through an intricate system of interlocking branches. It was beautiful, Thaothien gasped at the wondrous sight before him. "In all my life, I have never seen such a wonder as this." Thaothien breathed. His reverie was interupted as the Nymphs he had sensed apprached them, they seemed worried. Hurriedly, they addresed the woman guiding them. "M'Lady! We had heard that you were off to Farendell. Is this truth?"

It was a gathering of people of various species at the base of the hill, worried expressions upon their faces. Their dismounted and gave her tiger a light pat on the side before the massive beast wandered away. She gave a light nod and returned the soft bows of the others as she approached. “T'is true. I would be plagued with guilt if I stayed behind - Halcion's Royal family has shown me great kindness for nearly a century and the Queen is a dear friend of mine. I must make the trip to Farendell and aid in any way that I can.” She pushed her hood down, offering a kind smile as she held out an upturned hand. It all made sense to Thaothien now. She was some sort of leader to these people. Maybe not an official of their government, but most assuredly a spiritual or popular leader. It explained her mannerisms and speech. Thaothien chuckled slightly to himself in embarrassment. How had he not seen it? He leaned over to the mapmaker and whispered. "Methinks we've been in the presence of royalty this whole time..." At that, one of the gathered people addressed the Lady, concern in his voice. “But, if you are gone...Who will care for the forest...and us? Surely once those who wish us harm will strike when it is known you have gone.” There were hushed murmurs of agreement as an elderly lady stepped forward and placed her frail hand within the Nymph's. “You shall, of course. I have faith in our fine warriors that they can handle bandits and thugs; I open my own sanctum to those of you who fear remaining in your own homes during my absence. After I leave I will take necessary defensive precautions to ensure your safety.” They nodded in agreement as they bowed their heads.

Finally remembering that she had brought company, their guide turned towards Thaothien and the mapmaker, gesturing with an open palm. “Oh - These are my new acquaintances; Bowman of Ingotstone, a mapmaker. I'm sure a few of you are familiar with him. And Lord Airekhor of Gavony.” The various forest dwellers gave light bows to her guests. In return, Thaothien bowed respectfully. "Thank you for welcoming us. While I have oft read of the great city in the heart of the Laerorngwen Wood, the petty words in my books do no justice to the sight I see before me. Being invited here, even if only for a passing moment is most assuredly an honor I shall remember for the rest of my days." Turning back towards their guide, Thaothien spoke again. "M'Lady, at the risk of sounding impatient, I must ask if there's anything we might do to hasten our visit here? We're it not for the nature of the quest we were undertaking, I might wish to stay here a while. As it is, we should be off quickly, after all, we aren't the only ones traveling to Farendell." Thaothien reminded.