Connor Jankro's Story

Connor sighed and shook his head as Meredith told her story but stayed silent. When Cassandra started to talk he looked up and managed a small smile to try to keep moral up. " It's fine Cassie I look at it this way, I can't go anywhere but up from now one." he smiled again and looked at Meredith. " Disease, helluva way to go if ya ask me. If it was me a simple of Hemlocks would ease the pain. " he sighed and grew a few from the ground. " Easiest way to kill someone is through their stomach and these fuckers fit the bill perfectly. " he dropped them into the fire and listened to sizzle of the plump berry's juices. " Cassie I don't see any reason someone would hate you, you seem nice although you 'bout burned my neck. " he laughed slightly then sighed calmly. " We are in simple a band of misfits brought together by a common cause, we need to kill this elf and get out so that we can be out of this hell. " he put his hand over the fire. " You two in ? "

Connor growled when Meredith didn't want to kill him. "Tch fine" he scoffed then listened to the prophecy and rolled his eyes. "Well if you ask me we aren't exactly the brave heroes to face off against the frost army in my opinion but whatever." he watched the blue haired girl walk to the wall and ask for beds. "But of course." he smiled then walked to an open corner of the cave where the ceiling was slightly higher. He pulled a pouch from his belt and threw out a rose petal, a daisy petal, and a piece of grapevine then stepped back. " Stand back a smidgen girls." he said slyly then started to chant " Gabaliņiem ziedu es augt jums gultas uz nakti " the grapevine grew to that of a hanging bed made from wood. The daisy expanded making a yellow bed with a nice white cover and the posts being large green stems. Then the rose turned to a dazzling satin-like bed as the legs made small stems as well. Connor stopped and caught his breath then jumped into the grapevine bed. " The flowers are your guys'es beds decide who get's who okay ? " he said smirking then yawned somewhat.

"I don't want to kill him either," Cassie agreed. "He didn't harm us after all."

She watched Connor create three plant beds at Merediths request, jaw dropping slightly in awe. With a wave of her hand their small campfire disappeared, but that made the cave much to dim for Cassie's tastes. She set up two orbs of fire in the highest corners of the cave, using a plasma-like technique of Fire magic that would allow them to stick there without danger of falling. She then jumped up and walked over to where Connor had made the beds.
"The flowers are your guys'es beds decide who get's who okay ?"

"I want the rose!" Cassie immediately chirped, drawn to the crimson color. She sat on the edge of the bed hesitantly, then drew up her legs and reclined in it. "I'm going to stay up awhile and think. But Meredith, if you wake up and smell something burning, don't hesitate to splash a bit of water over here, okay? I set myself and my bed on fire sometimes while I sleep, depending on my dream..." She quickly realized that made her sound unstable and waved her arms innocently above her head. "I mean, it's totally under control if I wake up, and It's never that big, I just wouldn't want it to spread, as we're all rather close."

With a sigh Cassie settled down, trying to clear her mind so she wouldn't have any avid dreams. Usually her uncanny spurts of fire resulted from her imagination getting her excited or scared, and her body would naturally create fire to counter that. No worries if she stayed calm though. Calm, calm calm, totally calm, though Cassie wondered if the elf would come back while they were sleeping.
Probably with the forth of their little group, if Meredith was right about one from every province. A male air mage, again if she were right. What could the elf want with them?
Perhaps he worked for a witch and she needed control over the elements to curse the land, resulting in a tragic battle between the witch and the Frost King, and-
Woah. Cassie shook her head, turning over onto her side.
So much for trying to keep her imagination calm. Cassie decided to stay awake and stare at the wall of energy imprisoning them. Better not to risk igniting her flower bed in flames. That might be a little insulting to Connor.

Connor slept almost unheard in his sleep on the thin weaved bed. He was used to it although anyone else who slept would say its unfit for human use. It was like own little heaven to him though. He drelmpt quietly but stirred somewhat after about an hour. He saw his mother and him if she hadn't died it was a recurring dream that always ended a different way. In this one he sat at the small table as he did with his mother across from him. She was a few inches shorter and her shiny black hair rested on her shoulders. A sound was heard outside and the two rushed out she grabbing the axe that was hers before but now Connor's. Her son rushed out behind her and they saw a villager fall over dead. Connor nodded to his mother and observed the frostbitten neck and saw a muscular frost mage laughing. The dark haired woman dashed forward at an amazing speed and hacked away at the mage before he froze her in a block of ice. He walked away and Connor fell to his knees by the ice. "No no no. " he screamed then woke up and rolled out of the bed and fell onto the rock hard floor. "Ow " he said lowly as not to awake the others. He shook off the pain and jumped back in the bed and shook himself to get the anxiety away. He never had good dreams unless he was in his tree and his axe in hand which he had neither of currently. He wouldn't attack the elf and he hoped if he played it good he would get it back. The thought of getting it back cheered him up just enough to fall back into a calm sleep.

Connor was still dreaming a slow peaceful dream about the fields with no ice but was suddenly awoken but the rain hitting his face. "Shit" he yelled as he rolled out of bed and fell down and the cloud froze into a thin ball of frozen vapor and landed where his head was. He heard a faint giggle from across the cave and saw Meredith 'asleep' he smirked and started to chant. "Šie ziedu gulta veikta pagājušajā naktī pārvērst tos atpakaļ uz ziedlapiņām, no kuriem tie tika veikti. " he said calmly as the grapevine puffed into a puff of smoke leaving the twig remaining and Connor collected it happily and returned it to his pouch. Next the rose started to change before Connor grabbed Cassandra off and put her on the floor as it turned to a rose petal. He then laughed as the daisy rapidly changed and dropped Meredith onto the floor. He grabbed the white petal and put it in then shut the pouch and smiled innocently. "Mornin how'd ya sleep." he said happily.

Cassandra glanced at the still forms standing next to her before concentrating once more on the glimmering palace below them. The air was frigid, but her presence cast a warm air about the teens, fueled by an unnatural wind to swirl gently around them. "This is it." A voice said, and Cassie nodded in agreement. They began moving confidently, stealthily down the hill, careful not to disturb their surroundings. With their earthen colored cloaks, it was hard to tell they were even there. Cassie ran her fingers over the silver short sword on her thigh, exposed by her hot pants and short tunic. It was comforting to know the blade was there, a second resort if her magic were to fail.
Suddenly, the ground tipped below them. Amid their startled gasps, Cassie found herself tilting on her side,, feeling the familiar prickle in her fire magic as frost magic was used nearby. She opened her mouth in a silent shout of warning-

A thin geyser of fire breath rushed from Cassie's mouth, singeing the wall in front of her where her bed had been, and narrowly missing Connor. She doubled over to the side, coughing slightly and rubbing her eyes before giving them an frightened stare. She noticed Meredith was on the ground and Connor looked rather smug and felt bad to disrupt their morning shenanigans. But she was angry at having been moved in her sleep, as she could have burned one of them.

"Did I not tell you guys I use magic in my sleep!? Who ever moved me scared me so bad in my dream, I didn't mean to almost hit you Connor! I'm sorry, oh, I could have burned one of you badly!" She cried unhappily. Despite the fact Fire magic was generally destructive, Cassie never liked hurting people with it, especially when those people could have been her new acquaintances. That was why she primarily set out to discover new properties of fire, like her solid flames or make-magic, among others.
Cassie stood up, smoothing down her hair as curls bounced all over the place, trying to pat the sleep creases from her dress. She then sighed and gave them both apologetic looks.
"I'm sorry, I'm not much of a morning person."

She flipped her hand to put out the dim fire globes in the ceiling, then moved over to the energy wall, putting gel like fire-gloves around her palms so she could lean on the wall and try to peer through. She could only tell it was morning, nothing else. With a sigh, she returned to the other two, sitting down as her stomach rumbled.

"I wish our stupid kidnapper would hurry and let us out of here, I'm hungry."

Arion was very grateful to Naveah for shortening their journey. He would not be able to accomplish such a feat without extremely weakening himself. "Wonderful," he said happily, then thanked him. He looked at his home in relief, seeing that the entrance was still there and presumably the rest of it. "I made it myself, but recently had to expand it to accommodate the rest of you." He chuckled and motioned for Naveah to enter first. The elf followed after him before loosely sealing the small mouth of the cave.

Within a few moments they entered the main part of the cave, where Arion lived. Off to the side was the 'prison cell' containing Cassandra, Connor, and Meredith. It seemed that they had just woken up and none of them were happy.

He heard Cassandra's last comment and cleared his throat to let them know that their 'stupid kidnapper' was here. "Well, I wouldn't have to kidnap you all if you would have come willingly like Naveah here" He motioned to the teenager beside him as he looked at the three from the other side of his glowing wall. "I will give you food and release you from that room, but first I want you to know that I am not going to harm you." His lights eyes flickered to Connor.

Connor was suddenly abrupt with a column of fire next to his face. Cassandra started to ramble on about their safety and when she calmed down Connor shook his head. "Hey it's okay I wasn't hurt don't worry about it I'm fine." he smiled and looked at her calmly.

Connor shot up at the sound of the elf. He didn't want to truley give into him but he also wanted to eat and get out. He walked up to the wall and talked in his most genuine gentleman voice. "Now my dear elf friend why would I ever hurt you? All I and my compions want is some food and room to breathe that is all, oh and I would very much like my axe back would that be an issue? " he said then smiled sweetly like a man trying to court a woman but his face hid the intention to get it back and walk out the door unless there was a real problem in the world. He then saw the look of the boy. Connor was disgusted. The boy was so trim and proper it made Connor sick to his stomach. Then it hit him, if Meredith was fiesty and water and Cassandra was friendly and fire that must mean this guy is a proper boy and air. He wanted to spit on him but didn't show any signs of anger other than his toes curling in his boots.

MEREDITH
Meredith gasped as Connor almost got burned. "Yikes" she said Quickly. She noticed the elf and ... Other Mage at the door. he had come willingly?! The elf said he wouldn't hurt them... Meredith didn't tknow if she believed that. The mage seemed very... Poised. Hmm. She matched up to te door and bluntly asked. "Why did you kidnap us?" When he hesitated, she asked again. She wanted answers.
(sorry for short post >.<)

Arion was soon staring directly at two angry people. It was a good thing that this wall absorbed any elemental magic thrown at it. "Connor, you and I both know how sincere you really are. Sudden changes in behaviour are automatic warning signs. The last time I talked to you you challenged me for a fight. This time you're almost begging me for your precious axe. If our roles were reversed- thank the gods they aren't- wouldn't you be suspicious?" He smiled slightly. "I will give you your axe back when I believe you can handle it properly."

He then looked at Meredith. "Would you have come with a strange elf freely when Calor is being attacked by these frost magi? If I wouldn't have forcibly taken you three, you may not have come here and I need you here." His voice had lost the mocking tone he'd used with Connor and switched to a very serious one.

MEREDITH
Meredith studied the elf. "How do you need us?" she inquired." we're A strange bunch to have a get together with" She couldn't stand him obviously keeping information from them. "Now one more time, "why did you bring us here?" she had narrowed her eyes and summoned a bit of water in her hand.

Arion remained silent, wondering what exactly she would try to do to him. "As tempted as I am to keep bugging you, I will stop. How are you supposed to save Calor and everyone in it if you don't know about it?" Smirking a bit, he took a step away from the wall to avoid any trouble with these three. He would wait and see how they reacted before giving them more details to their life and death determining fate.

Connor growled. "Very well but if there is a scratch on my axe when I get it back I don't care what happens you will lose an eye." he said growling. The axe was worth more than him to anyone's life. He didn't care about the elf or what he had to say but he had to listen or else he would have to stay here. He hated the thought of losing it and he would personally tear the elf limb from limb if he did not give it back to him.

Naveah, upon seeing his captive "friends" simply smiled and walked up to the wall, placing a soft hand against it.

"This is sturdy magic," he said softly as he took in each of them behind the wall. Two girls and a boy. He could tell simply by looking at them and the way they acted what their elements were. The boy, Connor, sturdy and proud. He was surely earth. The girl, Meredith, forceful yet calm. She surely was water. Finally, the last girl, Cassandra, really nothing like her element, but he could tell by the smoke slowly seeping from her mouth after firing a fire shot moments ago. She was fire. All four major elements in one place.

Naveah moved to the side, and sat silently in mid air as he listened to the elf and the three captives exchange words. He had his eyes closed, but he was indeed listening to them. With Arion stopped talking after informing them that they'd be saving Calor from the frost magi, Naveah simply chuckled.

"I figured as such, do continue kind elf. We mustn't keep them waiting, after all, I'm sure you won't be able to persuade them all, especially the one with earth magic. His head is too sturdy and prideful."

Arion seemed like a lion observing its prey, watching tentatively as Meredith panicked and seemed to lose it beforr regaining control of herself. He made a point to ignore Connor, though he knew it was not an empty threat. He would have to keep an eye on him at all times. He felt like he was playing the role of a father instead of a big brother.

Sighing, he looked to Naveah as he spoke and smiled. The elf had not realized how humorous this young lad was. Turning back to face the others, he continued his explanation. "Many years before we were born, a prophecy was written about four young people who would save Calor from this evil king. 'Four will turn ice to fire, filling up Calor's desire. To battle they'll go to claim the prize, only identified by they're golden eyes. Their shoulders will bear a thousand pounds, as they strike the frost king down,'" he recited perfectly, years of preparation finally at work. "I'm assuming that you have realized that you each possess one of the elements and share those lovely golden eyes." He smiled a bit, weakening the wall that seperated Meredith, Connor, and Cassandra from Naveah and himself. The wall was still there, but would now take attacks.

"I've been the one who has been tasked with helping you succeed. Each of you is strong on your own, but together you will be an unstoppable force. I truly believe that you will destroy the frost magi and the king for the sake of your home, your families, and yourselves." Arion took a step back from the wall in case Connor decided to lash out at him. "Any questions?"

Cassie just blinked through the wall and listened to the others talk. Connor of course was very violent towards the kidnapper elf and his new companion. Meredith seemed to be panicked though quickly calmed down.
'Four will turn ice to fire, filling up Calor's desire. To battle they'll go to claim the prize, only identified by they're golden eyes. Their shoulders will bear a thousand pounds, as they strike the frost king down,'

Cassie nodded to herself, confirming this. It made sense to her, and she would probably be more accepting then the others, considering she already dreamed of fantastic adventures like this daily. She blinked as the wall became slightly easier to see, through, immediately noting that the Elf had probably weakened it. Well, then he trusted them not to attack. Cassie wouldn't of course, but that was no guaranteeing Connor wouldn't.

"Any questions?"

"What shall we call you?" Cassandra asked absently, mulling over this prophecy. It seemed strange that this was a reality, especially considering her dreams for the past couple night had been of fighting the Frost King. However, the only thing she could think to ask was the elf's name. Then she realized the Air Element next to him didn't know any of them.
"Oh, and who are you? Air I'm guessing, but whats your name? I'm Cassie,"

Then she tilted her head and pondered. Bearing a thousand pounds on their shoulders didn't sound that good. Though She supposed it would be a stressful mission. Battling was also not one of Cassie's favorite pastime, maybe strange since her element was fire, but she preferred to think her Fire represented her kindness if anything, definitely not a 'destructive passion'.
Ice to Fire. That however, she could do. Perhaps she could help restore the lands that were frozen over so cruelly, and be appreciated for once. But they're was also the issue of the Ice Kings army.

" 'scuse me, but the Ice King has armies." she mused out loud, hunting for other opinions. "I'm sure no one likes him to much, but I also don't think many will want to help up out, considering if we lose they'll be killed."
She looked back to the elf with wide eyes.
"Does this mean it's really just us four and maybe you?"

Meredith processed this for a minute before nodding. "I agree with Cassie. We can't just march into his palace and murder him" they couldn't after all. This Mage was deadly. After all, No one wants to be impaled by an icicle. She noticed Naveah had his eyes closed. She wOndered if that would help calm herself. She sighed and sat in the dirt. "I think we should make a sneak attack."

Connor was excited whenever the elf mentioned killing frost wizards. He jumped up. "I'm in " he said cockily then sat back down as he shrugged. "Cassie does have a point all we are is a sassy girl, a hothead who can keep the heat down, a bastard, an elf, and whatever that is." he said pointing to Naveah. "We don't really stand much of a chance if you think about it." he said then make a vine grow up from the ground as he sat on it as if it was a big chair.

Cassie blinked at Connor. "Wait, which am I?" She asked confused then glanced at Meredith. "And I agree! If we're super sneaky we might be able to win!"

She stood up, brushing her skirt down, smoothing over the dagger on her thigh. Hm, she had forgot about it. She moved closer to the wall and knocked on it slightly.

"Maybe you could let us out and we can plan more or something?" SHe suggested. She personally wasn't planning on running away or anything. This was way to exciting for that!

Arion turned his attention to Cassie as she asked her questions. He simply smiled. She was bright. "You may call me Arion, or if you can think of something else you may call me that." He closed his mouth as Meredith and Connor spoke up as well, making things a bit difficult for the poor elf. He wasn't royalty nor a deity- he was only here to tell them their purpose.

"I suppose it could be just us, or the entire population of Calor. The only thing set in stone is the death of the king. His army may be strong, but they are limited to only one element. There is also a possibility that my race will help you, though I haven't exactly seen my family recently." He frowned a bit, realizing that he may never see them again. He hadn't given it much thought before due to the extended lives and excellant health that elves possessed.

"I will fight with you if you would like," he continued. Arion hesitated, thinking about Meredith's suggestion. "A surprise attack requires stealth and planning. There is also the risk of the army finding us and brutally killing us after our small victory. However, what you do to save the kingdom is your choice- not mine." He took a step back and let the wall disintegrate, allowing the three to walk about freely. "Don't even think about trying to harm me," he warned Connor.