The Demons of Watchwood Forest 2

[Brnin8r]

Trey eyed the sword in Gregor's hand, "Be wary, boy. You tread a fine line between justice and heresy..." his voice grim, though it brightened, "Remember that, no matter how much power this spirit can give you, only with God on your side can we triumph against the darkness. Perhaps with Courage's assistance we can do all those things you aspire towards." he tussled the boy's hair, breaking the tension. "For now, Gregor, we ride to assist the King's son in Wraith Glen as we planned from the beginning."

Gregor seemed hurt a little, though he couldn't blame Trey. They'd just had a jarring experience...him especially. The cold hilt felt comforting in his hand, "Don't worry. Justice and Righteousness will ever be my goal." he said, holding the blade close to his chest as he hopped onto his pony to follow Trey.

Further South they rode on toward Wraith Glen, intent on helping the King's son and stopping any evil from that haunted place...

[Harri-chan]

Ginny shook her head, long red hair sweeping around her, contrasting with her white dress when asked if she wished to take the scenic route. She watched with a slight frown as the woman captured the attention of any males that were watching the coach, feeling a little jealous that she herself had lost such charms. "Now you're just showing off... ", she complained in a rather quiet voice.

[Blindsense]

Gol is still chuckling heartily, but eventually turns and puts a hand on Nergal's shoulder. "Aye, lad... we are in for some danger. The Underworks are an old series of dungeons carved deep into tha stone 'a Overwatch. All sorts used to run a course through it... an old underground path leadin from here to 'th castle. Used to be quite the bragging rights... well from those what didn't get eaten or spiked on old traps in the dark." His eyes glitter with amusement. "Couple a decades ago... that blighter Arleigh closed it off. Some nonsense about it being too dangerous or something. Well that was the damned point, wasn't it?"

The guard speaks up. "You don't have to take it... the king just wanted me to inform you the option is available..."

There is a pause, then a faint click as Annie stands up from her seat onto shiny black polished shoes. She walks over to the guard. "Sounds like fun! And waiting around here is like, so boring!" She giggles. The guard looks hesitant... then sets his face grim. "Very well... for all who is planning to take the Underworks, follow me. The rest... feel free to wait here until things are settled."

He turns and heads down a passage, Annie skipping along behind him, followed soon by the long strides of Gol.

Nergal grins, a spark of magic flaring within his eyes - not that anyone would notice. "Right, then... Guess I shouldn't have come here without expecting some adventure!" He follows behind those heading into the Underworks. Perhaps he could work this to his own advantage. If he could get Gol and the girl alone, then he could reveal his true self with little risk. The worst case scenario, he reasoned, involved him placing some sort of enchantment on the two to keep them quiet - but if things went well, he'd have two rather powerful allies.

[Vomica]

Ovvar watches this counter attack... Vilehand demonstrating his power, perhaps. But also much of his fighting technique and still. Ovvar draws the longest of his many blades, it counts only as a short sword perhaps... but it is dangerous in a skilled hand. A hand which he considers to be extremely skilled at least. Though the sword is only misdirection... the man is going to have to do more then poke this main with the sharp part of a metal object to win this.

He starts to concentrate, staying attentive to Vilehand... but at the some time drawing the will power to work some of his own magic. You can't kill what you can't see.

[Knight Errant]

James struggles for a bit before his hand finds the walkway. He pushes himself up onto it and flops onto his back, gasping for air when the braziers come alight! Getting to his feet, he strips down, removing his coat, tunic and boots and lays the by one to dry and warms himself by it. Eventually, he walks over to the large wooden door and examines it, trying to open it!

James has quite some time to sit... the gentle rush of the water and crackle of flames being the only sound in the passageway. Finally when he gets moving and to the door, he finds it rather difficult to open... Its just extremely heavy. But slowly the door swings open, revealing a stone corridor lit by more brazier's built into the wall.

Trey eyed the sword in Gregor's hand, "Be wary, boy. You tread a fine line between justice and heresy..." his voice grim, though it brightened, "Remember that, no matter how much power this spirit can give you, only with God on your side can we triumph against the darkness. Perhaps with Courage's assistance we can do all those things you aspire towards." he tussled the boy's hair, breaking the tension. "For now, Gregor, we ride to assist the King's son in Wraith Glen as we planned from the beginning."

Gregor seemed hurt a little, though he couldn't blame Trey. They'd just had a jarring experience...him especially. The cold hilt felt comforting in his hand, "Don't worry. Justice and Righteousness will ever be my goal." he said, holding the blade close to his chest as he hopped onto his pony to follow Trey.

Further South they rode on toward Wraith Glen, intent on helping the King's son and stopping any evil from that haunted place...

The road goes on and on... much of it seeming the same. Cobblestone below... trees above... one could believe they were walking in a circle. This goes on all day... until the stones of a town wall rise to their eyes. Gregor can feel the blade tingle in his hands. "Ah... Underbough... the last town before the Glen. I'd suggest you stock up on whatever you need here..." Comes the ringing voice of Courage. Then a pause.

"Something feels... wrong, though... Be careful..."

Soon the large gates are within shouting distance! They are closed shut, a little hatch with a knocker on it apparently for travelers.

Ginny shook her head, long red hair sweeping around her, contrasting with her white dress when asked if she wished to take the scenic route. She watched with a slight frown as the woman captured the attention of any males that were watching the coach, feeling a little jealous that she herself had lost such charms. "Now you're just showing off... ", she complained in a rather quiet voice.

The seductress grins. "Guilty as charged..." The rest of the ride proceeds uneventfully, and soon they are pulling into the castle courtyard! "Oh this will be such fun... hehehe." Giggles the demonic woman... as she gets from the stopped carriage, guards from the castle hurrying over to meet them.

Nergal grins, a spark of magic flaring within his eyes - not that anyone would notice. "Right, then... Guess I shouldn't have come here without expecting some adventure!" He follows behind those heading into the Underworks. Perhaps he could work this to his own advantage. If he could get Gol and the girl alone, then he could reveal his true self with little risk. The worst case scenario, he reasoned, involved him placing some sort of enchantment on the two to keep them quiet - but if things went well, he'd have two rather powerful allies.

The three follow the guard, who leads them past an old rusted door that looks like it had been shut for some time. Several men begun pulling on a large thick rope, winched to a huge stone trapdoor. It slowly rises, revealing a dark staircase.

Their guide gestures to a row of torches on a table. "Feel free to take one... and good luck..."

Annie quickly skips over to a torch, giggling as the head of it bursts into flame the moment her slim fingers curl around the handle. "Right! This will be fun!" She says. Gol behind her smirks a bit. "That it will..."

Ovvar watches this counter attack... Vilehand demonstrating his power, perhaps. But also much of his fighting technique and still. Ovvar draws the longest of his many blades, it counts only as a short sword perhaps... but it is dangerous in a skilled hand. A hand which he considers to be extremely skilled at least. Though the sword is only misdirection... the man is going to have to do more then poke this main with the sharp part of a metal object to win this.

He starts to concentrate, staying attentive to Vilehand... but at the some time drawing the will power to work some of his own magic. You can't kill what you can't see.

Ismael steps forward, slashing his sword towards Ovvar! The same beam of red slices towards the rogue! Aiming to slice him in half!

[Blaze]

James decides to leave his clothes to dry next to the fire and with a grunt of effort, pushes the heavy doors open! Peeking into the hallway beyond, he notices the lit braziers and grins. That meant people hopefully. Walking through the doors, he makes his way down the corridor, still dripping slightly.

[Harri-chan]

Ginny followed the woman to the door of the carriage, watching her elegant movement with a jealous look as the guards helped her down the step. One hand held her own loose red hair back from her face as she stopped at the top of the step, even the short distance down from the coach to the ground seeming rather large from her new perspective. Chewing her bottom lip, she looked to see if anyone was going to help her.

[Vomica]

Ismael is not rewarded with the satisfying sound of organs of a bisected man falling to the floor. Nor does he receive the splatter of blood that should have followed. He didn't miss, unlikely at least, just rather Ovvar wasn't where he aimmed. Either through deception or translocation...

...the back stabber lets out his breath. That was close. Too close. His cloak trailed behind him -- and much of it was severed and lost. There is no time to rest. No time to think. This mage must die. Ovvar moves like greased lightening.

[Brnin8r]

Trey rode Ambrosious methodically toward the gate. "We'll supply here and be on our way to Wraith Glen by sundown. We need to cover as much road as possible lest we make it to the King's son too late." he warned Gregor. The Knight looked to the ramparts for any watching guards, but seeing none he lifted the great knocker and announced his arrival with a few taps, lifting his visor to make eye contact with he who answered.

Gregor held the broken blade close as he took Courage's advice to heart "Trey, something doesn't feel right about this. Courage suspects something." he spoke (unless Courage speaks to both Trey and Gregor) knowing that Trey was still a little wary of the spirit. If, perhaps, Trey could see that Courage is a benevolent spirit and is telling the truth, he might be able to trust the natural powers as well as God's.

[Knight Errant]

James decides to leave his clothes to dry next to the fire and with a grunt of effort, pushes the heavy doors open! Peeking into the hallway beyond, he notices the lit braziers and grins. That meant people hopefully. Walking through the doors, he makes his way down the corridor, still dripping slightly.

His theory seems well founded... as at the end of a hall is a door, slightly ajar. On the other side he can see a brightly lit room! And what looks like a table laden with food. Even in the hall, he can smell the freshly cooked food... it smells delicious.

Ginny followed the woman to the door of the carriage, watching her elegant movement with a jealous look as the guards helped her down the step. One hand held her own loose red hair back from her face as she stopped at the top of the step, even the short distance down from the coach to the ground seeming rather large from her new perspective. Chewing her bottom lip, she looked to see if anyone was going to help her.

The temptress pauses in her act of charming everyone in the courtyard, looking back to Ginny with a small smile. "Would one of you big strong men be a dear and help my daughter from the carriage?" She says, with a voice like honey. Soon all attention is on Ginny.... the nearest blushing guard hurrying over.

"Alright little miss...hup-ho!" He says, lifting Harri up and gently placing her on the cobblestones with twin clicks of her shiny black shoes.

The woman grins, winking at the guard. "Thank you so much... Come, Lucille." She says, looking at Ginny with a small smirk.

Ismael is not rewarded with the satisfying sound of organs of a bisected man falling to the floor. Nor does he receive the splatter of blood that should have followed. He didn't miss, unlikely at least, just rather Ovvar wasn't where he aimmed. Either through deception or translocation...

...the back stabber lets out his breath. That was close. Too close. His cloak trailed behind him -- and much of it was severed and lost. There is no time to rest. No time to think. This mage must die. Ovvar moves like greased lightening.

The blood mage tilts his head. "Oho... so you have some skill... that's good. But can you keep it up...?" He turns to the side, running his hand down his blade... drawing blood, which begins to glow. "Blood Tide..." Mutters the man... as the corpses around him crack and split... blood beginning to leak out of them and seep into the air.

Trey rode Ambrosious methodically toward the gate. "We'll supply here and be on our way to Wraith Glen by sundown. We need to cover as much road as possible lest we make it to the King's son too late." he warned Gregor. The Knight looked to the ramparts for any watching guards, but seeing none he lifted the great knocker and announced his arrival with a few taps, lifting his visor to make eye contact with he who answered.

Gregor held the broken blade close as he took Courage's advice to heart "Trey, something doesn't feel right about this. Courage suspects something." he spoke (unless Courage speaks to both Trey and Gregor) knowing that Trey was still a little wary of the spirit. If, perhaps, Trey could see that Courage is a benevolent spirit and is telling the truth, he might be able to trust the natural powers as well as God's.

The spirit was keeping quiet for now, in regards to Trey. He figured it would be best to let the man work out his own thoughts in regard to himself. Gregor's words cant help but make something tug in his memory...

Meanwhile, after some time the latch opens up, revealing one of the stoic faces of a man of Watchwood. "Afternoon." He says gruffly. "Who are ya an what ya be wantin? Aint no one come by this road for weeks, and we aint sent no one down it ourselves, neither."

Ah... that was it... he remembers the King's words. The town of Underbough had gone completely silent. No one had heard from, or been to it for months.

[Blaze]

James peeks through the gap and the door and grins, seeing all the food piled up. Deciding to check if the room was occupied, he knocks loudly on the door three times before entering.

"Hello? Anyone home?"

[Brnin8r]

As the King's words came back to Trey, he nodded to the guard's words, "Yes, we've lacked words between the King and Underbough. I've been sent on a mission to Wraith Glen, but it was mentioned that I should look into the reason why we haven't heard anything from you. If you would, as a Knight of the Realm and Paladin of God, I request entry."

(I'll assume Gregor's remaining silent, observing with Courage's help until he is affected or needed by immediate surroundings. Don't get me wrong, explaining how Gregor is being quiet in ten different ways sound fun, but...y'know.)

[Harri-chan]

Ginny blushed brightly from the amount of people that turned and glanced back at her with the woman's prompting. She winced as she was lifted down from the carriage and set on the floor, leaving her gaze up at everyone. Her blue eyes widened at the name the woman used to call her. She figured it would be quite bad to be called Ginny, incase anyone recognised her... but it felt rather embarrassing to have this woman decide her name. Still, she hurried along to catch up with her, feeling nervous due to being surrounded by giants, or at least that's how it felt.

[Blindsense]

The three follow the guard, who leads them past an old rusted door that looks like it had been shut for some time. Several men begun pulling on a large thick rope, winched to a huge stone trapdoor. It slowly rises, revealing a dark staircase.

Their guide gestures to a row of torches on a table. "Feel free to take one... and good luck..."

Annie quickly skips over to a torch, giggling as the head of it bursts into flame the moment her slim fingers curl around the handle. "Right! This will be fun!" She says. Gol behind her smirks a bit. "That it will..."

Nergal grins, surreptitiously catching his thumb upon a particularly sharp rock - generating a small dab of blood. In another barely-noticeably feint, he brings the hand in front of his torch, the blood vanishing to fuel the flame that had suddenly appeared. His little act was likely beyond the vision of Gol - though perhaps Annie might catch a glimpse of his antics... Which is, of course, what Nergal intended. "Fun indeed... I've always wanted to explore such places."

[Vomica]

Ovvar doesn't hesitate, by second nature he flicks his dagger at the man as soon as mage's attention is turned to something else other than Ovvar. Even before the blade hits it mark, if it does that is, he tries to react to this new spell. What can he do? The blood seems to be dangerous. And it seems to be doing... something.

He gets in close. He reasons that the mage might not be willing to bring the stuff close to himself.