Beginnings

"You are tresspassing. If you need help, we can assist you, but you must reveal yourself or we will attack!"

For a long moment, there was silence. And then a loud, odd scuffling down was heard. Rocks were dislodged and a long, insane growl of a cackle was heard from within. And it was getting closer.

All at once, the laughing stopped and there was a glint of steel off some unknown source of light. Then came a snarl and the pale outline of some sort of creature that stood about six feet tall with wiry muscles and mangy fur.

The growling intensified and all of a sudden the dark mass hurled itself toward Golden Drakon with a snarl of a warcry, an outstretched club in its hands, seeking to smash through the dragon's skull.

Wulff snickered when Myst went off to mental lala land at seeing the two men, so off in her own world, she apparently hadn't seen Vi wander off. His eyes danced and he smirked at her when she mumbled embarrassedly and turned her attention to him. Supplies, he'd snagged his own, of course, and he'd become a fairly adept hunter during his stay here, so the most he'd need was water, really, and a forest...

The ear shredding scream made him leap about a foot and yelp in pain, clapping hands over his ears, as he'd been standing next to her when she'd done so. He backed up quickly, as Rhet crowded her out and slunk off to nurse his ears and possibly flush out the annoying ringing that had started up as soon as she'd stopped. He shook his head, muttering irritably as Myst moved back next to him and started talking. He flushed as she pointed out his admiring eye towards the angel, "I was not!" He denied fiercely, though under his breath, as Shadow moved over and spoke.

He bit his lip, mostly to keep from bursting out laughing, how old was this guy? He spoke so... strange, he hardly understood it, and probably wouldn't have, had he not been forced to study Shakespeare at one point in his education (though, seeing as he was from America, and Arizona, his educational experience wasn't all that great). He snickered slightly though, despite his teeth's fierce grip on his lip.

Wulff gave a faint smile, absently playing with the new toy at his side as Myst expressed her desires to leave and he shrugged slightly, "Lead the way, Myst." He said, bounding after her with all the energy of a spritely pup as their adventure began. So exciting!

The growling and snuffling began slowly but became louder..and also sounded a touch..desperate. Fortunatly, with whatever it was within becoming so obvious, it gave Drakon time to prepare. He stood again and squared his shoulders and feet, waiting.

Finally with a cry, the thing finally burst from the dark, weapon in hand. The time for words at an end, Drakon simply reacted, almost as if by instinct. As the beast-thing charged, Drakon inhaled deeply, then exhaled, letting his breath go in a sudden, 'huff'! There was a 'whoosh' as the breath burst out into a brief fireball. The fire died quickly, but the gout of flame had another purpose rather than to maim. The creature, charging directly at him from pitch blackness, was suddenly met by a bright flash of light and heat before its eyes. A second later, Drakon pivoted on one leg, sending the other leg out in a straight side kick. If all went as planned, the creature would be taken by suprise and off balance. In that one second, Drakon's kick was aimed to meet the creature's torso, with all the momentum that the charging beast had, meeting Drakon's own kick, the blow would be bone jarring at the very least.

I stood there for a second, trying to comprehend what had just happened. Myst had just walked out of the hall away from all of them and as I stood there I wondered if she was going to come back. I then realized one important thing about Myst. When she wanted to do something, especially something concerning Wraith she usually just went ahead and did it. I let out a slow breath as I looked at the door and said under my breath, "That woman is going to bring about my death."

I moved quickly towards the door and as soon as I walked out of the hall I watched Myst slowly walking away from the building. I wanted to call out to her, to tell her to wait so that we can at least get some supplies for the journey but something told me that she wouldn't do that so I started to run after her. I knew that she had her mind set on finding out what had happened to her mother and that we unfortunately were along for the ride.

With one hand on the hilt of my sword I moved as quickly as I could to be by her side, ignoring the looks of the people beside the road. I knew that they would wonder what was going on here but the last thing I could do was give them an answer. I was here to be by Myst's side, no more, no less. I would be her protector if she needed that but I knew one thing, I would lay down my life to keep her and anyone else with us safe.

I looked at her, "Where is we are going milady? Do you know what lays before us?"

The snarl ended in a surprised yelp as the Skirl had to suddenly draw himself out of the attacking leap. Simply trying to get away from the intense burst of heat and light, the skirl curled itself almost backwards, its head bent back as it dropped its club.

As it was going back, twisting in midair, Golden Drakon's foot connected. In its arse.

Howling with pain, the skirl landed on its face, skidding to a sprawled halt some three meters away from the draconic man. Scooting to its feet, it bared its impressive array of curved fangs towards the man that had breathed fire and unhitched the wicked looking axe at its belt.

At first the plan had been to beat the man to death and eat him. But now that tenderising was out of the question, the skirl (whose name was Curve Tooth, interestingly enough) thought he'd have to make do with chunks of rough meat.

Growling and smarting from the boot up the arse, Curve Tooth snarled towards the man, not willing to get too close lest some more fire come out of his mouth to singe his already slightly blackened fur.

As skirls were predominatly pack hunters, though Curve Tooth's stomach growled as loudly as he did, the skirl as overly cautious. This was not a single weakling or child that could be picked off at his leisure with back up from his pack mates.

Though primitive, the skirl did know something of tactics and it did learn from its mistakes. So a head on rush was a big no no. However... to learn from those mistakes, it had to make them in the first place and its understanding of one on one battle wasn't exactly advanced.

Growling again, this time it chose a ranged attack. Gripping its axe in one hand, it unhooked from its belt an array of sharp looking metal prongs. These were the size of steak knives and much pointier. They were smooth from all sides and looked to have been smelted in a mould, rather than shaped that way.

Snarling, Curve Tooth stupidly stood before the dragon and threw three of these 'spikes' (which, also funnily enough were the skirl's names for the weapons). After launching them, however, he just stood there and waited to see if the spikes worked as they were intended to.

"Is that everyone?" Akaron asked, putting his helmet on.

"Very well, we will leave at your leisure Myst."

Finally a quest, and perhaps battle, he longed to test his new body in the furnace of battle, to burn away any impurities and to emerge refined, newly forged. Ah yes, he did long.

The creature stood and snarled at him, but Golden Drakon was unconcerned. With the sudden appearance of this hostile new commer, his heart had begun pumping harder, pushing adrenalin along with it. The beast seemed to move in slow motion as his reflexes reacted almost without thought. GD's own heavilly scalled hide hindered his own movement but as his opponent hurlled the first spike, GD's right hand and arm came up in a fan-like motion, swatting the metal projectile away to ping harmlessly off the stone roof a few feet away. The second spike flew past his arm a second later but also pinged off his scaled shoulder and flipped up and into the tunnel behind him. Drakon's hand came back down, reversing the fanning motion he had made earlier and with his open hand, snatched the third spike from the air.

For a brief second, the two combatants just stood looking at one another, then Drakon leaned forward and snarled, his own mouth opening impossibly wide to bear his own sharpened teeth. His arms reached forward, one hand ready to grapple while the other still held the metal spike. His wings flared wide behind him, as far as the enclosed space would allow. As his own snarling challenge ended, Drakon sprang forward, his wings aiding his sudden burst of motion forward as he attempted to grapple with his adversary.

Snarling right back, Curve Tooth allowed the draconic man to come. This was the kind of battle he preferred anyway. All teeth and claws.

With a growl, he swiped towards the hand holding the metal spike. Smart enough, at least, to realise that this could pose a problem in the future. His claws were extended and in the extremely close range, it would be hard to dodge his swipe.

Snarling again, his jaw salivating as he savoured the thought of killing his adversary. He was getting hungry anyway.

His jaws gnashing together, he howled in a berserker fury as he attempted to grab onto his foe and sink his claws deep into what he presumed soft flesh.

Wulff, ever excited, pulled up short and turned, bounding back to Myst, skidding sort of to a stop, his feet going out from under him as he stepped on a rock and landed in the dust. Right in front of the big guy with the red hair. His eyes went wide and he scrambled to his feet, not nearly as tall as the red-headed man, rather feeling like he was half the big guy's height, he backed away, a bit nervous, but after mustering a bit of courage, he flashed a smile at the man, blushing hotly at the scrutiny he was sure to get before he returned to Myst's side, kind of hiding, kind of settling down a bit, his excitment dampened slightly by the seriousness of the other man in armor.

So, he thought to himself, we have spooky vampire in armor and stern Red in armor, spiffy. He kind of hoped Feathers would return and, well, Fluffy was right here, he could hang with the fluff. Maybe he'd get to steal a feather! Oh Reht...

The forest closer to Vale City was densest, with the larger party members having more trouble negotiating the small goat track that Myst led them through. She, like the others, were laden down with packs of supplies. Erick had seen them off and shown himself rather considerate.

Inside each leather pouch were small wrapped packages of foods and preserves. Hard bread and cheese also floated around in the bags as well.

Along side the practical needs such as food and water, were extra clothing, roping, utensils and bowls, clips of various sizes, lanterns, kindling and flint. As well as other odds and ends that would be useful whilst traveling.

He had also armed Myst with a small dagger. It was about a foot long and rather large in her hands. While she tried to refuse taking it, he had sneaked it into her pack when she wasn't looking and she had only found it some hours later, much too late to give it back to him.

Now she wore it strapped to her thigh.

The late sun barely shone through the thick canopy and the forest around them was chattering with the daily noises of animals going about their business. Occassionally there would be a crash, or a feral scream off in the distance, but Myst never once worried about it. She simply kept leading the way.

Myst lead the expedition with Reht following up closely behind. He constantly looked around him with a sense of awe and in halting sentences that really didn't make much sense, he explained to the party that what he was seeing by all rights shouldn't be there.

He explained the colourful history of his ancestors and how the Wilds had soon overtaken the mainland (he explained he lived on a chain of archipeligoes) and they were forced to move away from the sickness of the land. So, here on the mainland, he could not believe that such a thick and lush forest could remain after the devastating crumble of his ancestors lands.

He explained a little about the Aegirans and their social system. He explained that he was of the Artist caste which really designated him to be more of an intellectual and philisophical stand point from the Warrior caste. It was all very confusing the first time around and most of the travelors didn't really absorb most of the information.

It was almost night when the forest began to thin out. Myst emerged first from the thickened canopy into what could only more accurately be called scrubland. Reht followed, having been silent for a few hours now. Wulff was next, along with Alatus, Shadow and Akaron Corvus bring up the rear.

The mountain ranged looked as though you could reach out and touch them.

Myst turned and pointed in a less than vague direction, "We're headed there. I think we should press on in the night." The young woman didn't wait for an answer and simply turned around again, leading them once more down a path only she seemed to know.

It was late that night that they began the treacherous climb up the mountain. Myst helped people to see where the hand holds and footholds were by using a technique that was unique to her. Orbs of light bobbed around each of the travelers heads, lighting their way for them.

Once they reached the small plateau, it was clear to see that Myst was nearing exhausion, but the stubborn glint in her eyes kept anyone even mentioning the word 'rest'.

They entered the tunnel with less light than they had used to climb the cliff face. Slowly, all the orbs extinquished except for the one right in front of Myst herself. Reht could be heard muttering about orbs of light all the way down the long, slippery tunnel.

When they got to the annex itself, they were in for a surprise.

"What?" Myst muttered at the tableau before them.

Golden Drakon could do nothing but let the feral creature come. It was clear that this particular being held all ill will towards him and probably realised by now that he had no back up what so ever.

Ever the patient pacifist, Drakon let the snarling animal bound towards him. Shifting at the last moment and entering the grapple in an advantaged position. Drakon held the more ground, with the steadiest footing. His arms were also in the lower position, with Curve Tooth's claws coming from above. He could comfortably keep himself in this position without exerting much energy or force.

Curve Tooth snarled, his saliva managed to drip onto Drakon's chest. He snapped his jaws at his opponent as his eyes flashed a feral golden. "Mine!" he suddenly snarled and Drakon's eyes went wide at the sound. Not only had the creature spoken, but he had with the distinct sound of intelligence behind the statement.

"I'm sorry," Drakon muttered and suddenly opened his mouth wide. Heat came blasting from his open jaws. Flames were not in evidence, seeing as he wasn't in his ultimate Draconic form, but heat waves did issue from him. Curve Tooth's maw crinkled in the heat and he suddenly began to yelp and whine.

Drakon kept up the onslaught, never actually having done this skill as long as he did now. It was interesting to see what his limits were. He tightened his grip on Curve Tooth and prevented the creature from backing away.

The acrid scent of burning fur soon permeated the air.

Finally, after a few minutes of the intense heat, Curve Tooth's eyes rolled up in his head and he collapsed. Drakon bent down and examined the body. It was still alive, if he judged right from the chest heaving with unconscious breath.

He was sure the creature would be out for a while.

"What?" Myst's voice came into focus and he realised that he was not alone. He simply stood there, motionless and silent as Myst and the others surveyed the scene before him.

Then suddenly, connecting the appearance of all the others and especially Myst herself with the sudden appearance of the hostile creature at his feet, he asked, "Where's Wraith?"

Drakon let the intruder fall, watching as it crumpled into an undignified heap. He was still alive which was good because Drakon was still curious as to what he was doing in this previous undiscovered room in his mountain. There would certainly be questions to be asked, but he hoped that answers would be more forthcoming given the intruder's hostile behavior.

He reached down and grabbed one of the creature's legs, dragging him uncerimoniously along the floor. Almost as an afterthought, he bent down and picked up the axe the creature had dropped earlier. Drakon straightened, and looked up into a crowd of newcomers.

He recognized the look and scent of the Myst-child, Wraith's adopted changeling but he did not know the others. More Valians from the city he supposed. Drakon did not go to the city if he could help it. In spite of his many odd jobs down that way, most of the townsfolk and he did not get along, so Drakon avoided them when he could.

Drakon tilted his head slightly as his eyes swept over the lot them disaprovingly. "Where is Wraith? Why are you all on my mountain?"

Myst's eyes widened and she shook her head as she was forced to sit roughly on a nearby boulder. "I... I don't know where she is..." the young woman trembled with fear.

Reht stepped forwards then, his wings spreading wide, sweeping to each side as he bent himself double at the waist. "I am Reht. I know how to get to Wraith, but I must first attend to this filth,"

Then with an apologetic smile, he bent down to swiftly wrap a tough looking rope around Curve Tooth. It was clear that the Skirl was unconscious but still alive and Reht seemed to handle him with a mixture of hate, fear and disgust.

"We call them Skirls. We don't know if they have a name for themselves. They are a warrior-like race, but much more savage than we ever thought necessary. The Aegirans and the Skirls are at war." He said this all rather offhandedly as he trussed up the 'prisoner'. "I doubt he will come in handy, but I do so hate the taking of life."

With that, he left Curve Tooth in a heap - a restrained heap - on the ground and went further into the cave. A green glow ignited and suddenly the entire party could see the mysterious Ring and the Key tablet which was glowing green. Reht's fingers were skimming lightly across the surface.

Myst sighed, "She was taken from here. Along with his.. umm... wife. That thing there is a portal, or something." She sounded so weary, "We're here to bring her back." She did not mention Reht's companion.

GoldenDrakon blinked at the sudden flood on jumbled information that flew at him. He had been alone for some time, and found that he was not overly opposed to solitude. Now there was a gaggle of Valians standing about on his mountain, poking at things around him.

"Skirls?... Portal? Then this is not a newly arrived Valian? How did it arrive here? What portal?"

His brow creased with agitation and he had half a though to eat the 'skirl' and this Reht person and be done with them both.

He crossed his arms over his bare chest and glared at the winged person as he fiddled with his new discovery.

"I would know what is happening in my home, before you do it, Newcommer."

"Pity, i rather wanted to kill something." Akaron said. "Well met Drakon." he added with a slight incline of the head.

"We're going to rescue wraith, your welcome to assist us, but if you don't feel up to it, stepping aside will be quite sufficient" He said to the dragon man. He then looked down at the bound Skirl. "Lucky for you to meet drakon before you met me." He said with a savage grin.

Wulff, warily eyed the dragon, he'd heard rumours of him, but he didn't really look all that scary, other than the fact that he'd taken out the beastie all by hisself... He glanced over to the other's who were chatting with Drakon, he meandered over to the 'Skirl' crouching down to examine it. He glanced back as things glowed, but for the most part he was more interested in the 'Skirl'. He touched the singed fur, jerking back as his body registered the DNA, flexing his hand. He looked up, the beastie being addressed, by Big Red, but Fuzzy was out for the count, it looked, and didn't respond. He tilted his head, studying the features of the creature, a well-put-together beast, animalistically speaking, from what he could tell, even some human-like intelligence lingered beneath the heavy fur, beyond animal instinct.

He righted, patting Fuzzy's head, and moved back over to Myst and company (heh, they should all do a musical, it was almost TV-enough to do so) scrutinizing the dragon once again, deciding he didn't look too nasty, or all that mean, even, especially if Myst talked to him so casually. Stupid people and their stupid prejudices. But then again, the dragon seemed to have reservations of his own as he stood, his arms folded over a ....well-toned.... shiny chest... he jerked himself away from looking at the dragon too closely, before he was noticed staring, a faint blush dusting his cheeks, which he hid behind his hair. He looked up, hey, Fluffy... He moved swiftly over to Reht and peered over his shoulder at the shining tabletey things, ooo, pretty.

Reht looked over his shoulder at the Dragon's barbed comment. "I am attempting to open the Portal so that you can get your precious Wraith back!" he almost, fairly spat. Then he ran a hand through his purplish hair and his wings lifted apologetically. "I'm sorry. Its just so frustrating..." he trailed off as the Key began to make strange noises, distracting him from the current conversation.

All in all, he wasn't being particularily helpful to the Valians in terms of knowledge. Just who were the Aegirans? And what were the Skirls? Perhaps, once he had opened this portal thing, perhaps then they would have more answers?

Reht only barely noticed Wulf, moving him gently out of the way should the shapeshifter actually get in the way in the first place. It was not an unkind gesture and he smiled whenever he had to do it. He tolerated the kid, mainly because he wasn't bothering him.

Myst stared at Drakon a moment. "Your help would be appreciated. I know you're new here, I know this is going all so fast but..." her eyes began to tear and she only just reined her emotions in in time, "Mother is out there and only Reht seems to know how to get to her. Please, we could use your help. Please Drakon, my mother named you for the noble creature you were, pray, do her justice."

"We're going to rescue wraith, your welcome to assist us, but if you don't feel up to it, stepping aside will be quite sufficient"

Drakon's stance did not change, nor did he turn to face the one who had spoken, but his eyes narrowed a bit in the dim light.

"It is good to know that when I next come down into the city and invade your home without notice or apparent cause, that you will simply step aside so that I may do whatever I wish to do when I ask. I shall have to remember that."

"I am attempting to open the Portal so that you can get your precious Wraith back!"

Again Drakon's stance did not change, but his lips curled as a low growl escaped them, fanged teeth visible. He snorted, expelling whifts of smoke from his nostrils.

"Respect, tinkerer. You forget that you stand in my home...."

Drakon's confusion with this sudden meeting was quickly turning to irritation with these newcomers and their attitudes. Perhaps Myst picked up on just that as she spoke in her soft, childlike tones.

"Your help would be appreciated. I know you're new here, I know this is going all so fast but, Mother is out there and only Reht seems to know how to get to her. Please, we could use your help. Please Drakon, my mother named you for the noble creature you were, pray, do her justice."

He raised an eyebrow at her words. "Do her justice?" He offered the changling a sly half-smile. "I will help you, but not because I need to do justice for my name, but because I remember what Wraith did for me and I am grateful."
He jerked hiead back towards Ret as he continued to tinker. "But I will be owed a story for this...trust. At the very least a story."

Myst nodded at Drakon, "Aye, we are all owed a story, I think. When we came here, Wraith was our only saviour. She was the one that guided us and gave us homes and purposes in a land where we had none. She helped us remember - or forget - our pasts and to find the strengths and weaknesses in our new bodies. We were told there were no others, that we were the ones...."

She looked over at the glowing panel under Rhet's hands, "And yet there he stands. A creature so unlike us and so sure in this world. He says he was born here... that his ancesters were too. But where have they been? Why did Wraith not tell us about them? Or indeed, had Mother even known?" she sighed and for that moment, a deeper sadness called from the depths of her eyes and it was clear there was far more than the safety of her adopted mother in her heart.

Rhet looked up, "Something's wrong. I can't get it to open." He called to them, completely missing the conversation - he had been that intent on his goal.

"I will fix this, I promise. I will." He vowed softly to himself as he bent his head once more to the Key and busied his fingers.

Myst just nodded again, "For now Drakon, Alatus, Shadow, Wulff and Akaron - for now our goal is to rescue Mother. Then we will find our answers." Her voice was solemn, her eyes big and round in the soft glow of her light orbs.

Akaron rolled his eyes and snarled "Duine Diabhal Tu man! We're trying to save wraith! If my home were the key to finding our lady then i would be angry if you didn't do all you could! Get over yourself shell-born!"

Myst rolled her own eyes, "Calm yourself Akaron," already she was sounding much older than her body gave her credit for, worry for Wraith tugging at the back of her mind constantly, "He will help us, that's all we need."

She turned back to Drakon, "Thank you, once again. Once this is over, we won't bother you up here, I promise. Once Mother is safe,"

She called out to Reht, "How is it going?"

Reht didn't reply verbally, just shook his head. Myst sighed and shook hers too. This was taking too long. But she had no choice.

The Skirl began to awaken....

Drakon huffed with impatience at the winged man's inability to make the machine work as well as irritation of some of his new 'guests'.

"I suppose that if I am to be a proper host, I shall have to offer dinner." He said turning on his heel and heading towards the rough tunnel and exit.

"I trust that no one will be further exploring my mountain in my absence. I shall not be long." he added, as he stepped out of sight and onto the small ledge outside.

Wulff offered a quiet snicker as the older people snapped and griped, he kept his position near the 'Skirl' he had nicknamed Fuzzy. He sat in a slightly skewed position, on the flats of his feet, his knees up by his ears and his hands resting and helping to keep his balance, between his feet. It seemed he would not look out of place with big fuzzy ears and a tail, but as of yet, he had not changed, even once, to a single form. He felt no urge from his body, as he had when he collected 'data' from the people and creatures he touched, so it made him wonder from time to time how he would do so. He simply figured his body would tell him in time.

He looked up suddenly as he heard a twitch at his side and he turned his head, Fuzzy was wiggling. Did that mean he was awake? He examined Fuzzy, his nose and his ears noting the changes, the scent of awareness and the change of the other's breathing had given him away. He was indeed waking. "Um..." He said quietly, already knowing that that alone would not alert the others, "Ah... Myst." He said, leaning a bit towards her, though he didn't move away from Fuzzy, "Myst, Fuzzy's awake. Or waking." He tilted his head to her, his eyes darting to the girl as the beastie stirred again. He perked slightly, however, for the moment forgetting about Fuzzy, as food was mentioned, his body straightening slightly. He liked food... But as Fuzzy twitched and woke more, he suddenly wasn't so sure that dinner might be a good idea at the moment, "Myst..."

Wulff's whimpering finally caught Myst's attention. She swung around and saw that the Skirl was indeed coming to. She crossed to it and gave it a massive kick to the side of its head. It blinked, shaking its head and snarled at her, its eyes clear as it stared malevolently at her. She gave as good as she got.

"Reht," she clamped out between clenched teeth, "Can this... thing... have a clue to what you are doing? Can it help?"

Reht paused, hearing the anger in Myst's voice and sympathising, "No, its merely an animal made to kill, feed and mate. That is all." Then he turned back to his tinkering, his movements much more precise now. It seemed that he was finally getting the hang of it.

Myst nodded, "Good." Then she kicked it again and it promptly passed out.

Then she smiled down at Wulff, "Sorry about that... I just... it tried to kill Mother..." she shook her head, smiling in cold apology at the young shapeshifter.

Then she sighed and sat down, "I guess we just have to wait until Drakon comes back and Reht gets the gateway open..." she gritted her teeth and shook her head, her hands clenching into fists.

The light orb flickered and then flared into brilliance... then was still once more, its warm light flooding the small cavern.

"You don't know that." Drakon said, reentering the odd shaped room. He had returned quickly enough and held three or four roughly hewn chunks of raw meat, slightly brownish in color and each as large as a man's fist.

"You only know that this 'Skirl' is here and that Wraith is not. It was likely involved, but what actually happened can only be guessed at."

He offered Myst a chunk of the meat. "I have brought food, but there is precious little here on my mountain that will burn in order to cook it."