Missions(Houdiniderek & Silvarn)

[HoudiniDerek]

Kerodi smiled as Silvarn talked to himself. He was sure the demon within was causing him some ire and Kerodi had not realized how much he had missed this companionship, weird though it might seem.

He ate his meal, listening to Silvarn and trying not to brush against his wounds too much. They would need to heal. He had just taken a bite of soup when Silvarn showed him the book. Kerodi gagged and coughed and waited until Silvarn was done before exclaiming, "What are you doing with that!"

Kerodi coughed again and cleared his throat. "Aren't you worried that he can sense that or that it might open again somehow? How did you find that anyway?" Kerodi looked suspiciously at the book again. "How do you know that is not a replica to fool you so they can easily follow whoever picks it up?"

Kerodi sat back against his knapsack and stared at Silvarn across the fire. "Let's say that is the right book and you have sealed it. We know that Navras is weaker in this plane and weaker now with no book. My magic was able to stop him, but could probably not destroy him. Together, we might have a chance, but we have another problem."

Kerodi shifted and leaned forward. "It's Lyndi. She was just here with Navras a while back and she is still under his command. We would have to fight her. Navras won't risk himself and we cannot afford to kill her. Together, we might have a shot, but even weakened, he is probably stronger than us both."

Kerodi's mind wandered and his eyes zoned out for a minute. "What would we do to him anyway? We can't kill him...and how would we put him back in his book without opening it? If he gets trapped, would Lyndi get trapped too? There are a lot of questions we need to get resolved before we can go after Lyndi. For now, Navras is elsewhere....let's hope it stays that way so we can concentrate."

Kerodi sat back again and looked at Silvarn once more. "Why don't you give me the full history of you, Navras, the tome, the planeswalking, and everything up until I met you? We are going to need to work this out first."

[Silvarn]

"Did I not explain this to you already?" the grey mage sighed, "Very well, here it goes:

"I was born in a plane called Creation, a world created by the Primordials who were overthrown by the Celestial Incarnae. The Incarnae could not actually fight the Primordials, so they bestowed godlike powers onto mortals, Exalting them above their peers. The most powerful Incarnate, the Unconquered Sun, had the most powerful Exalts, the Solars. The Primordials cursed the Solars with their dying breaths. The curse took the Solars' greatest virtues and twisted them over time. The Chosen of the Five Maidens, the Sidereal Exalted, kept track of the Loom of Fate, and a large knot and the end of Creation was forseen. The Sidereal then banded with the Chosen of the Dragons, the Terrestrial Exalted, though better known as the Dragon-Blooded, and corralled the Solars at a banquet. Part way through, they slaughtered the Solars and trapped their souls, their Solar Sparks, into the Jade Prison so that the Solars could not reincarnated. This ended the first age and the Solar reign. Some Sparks managed to escape and the Solars began to make a comeback. I am one such returning Solar.

"I was born with a knack for finding information others kept hidden. I was researching one day when I stumbled across a passage mentioning a Tome and a Twisted Mirror. Indescribable power gifted to the bearer. The power to control most of the world. At that moment, I was attacked by Navras' operatives. At that I moment, I was Exalted. This book I picked up from I disagreeailants' bloody corpses and I studied it. I learned the First Circle of Sorcery from it, though I sacrificed my eye color." He smiled nostalgically, "I was born with blue eyes. I gave them up for sorcery. I gave up them up for grey eyes.

"I found friends in some of my fellow Solars. During our long stay in a town called Thornsburough, I managed to bind Scorcahr's mind to my own. I eventually disbanded from my Circle of friendly Solars to pursue my own goal: to find the Tome and the Twisted Mirror. I found it one day with the inadvertent help of another Solar and I opened the Tome by twisting its lock off with a mirror. I then released Navras. It took time, but the more I read and learned from the Tome, the more Navras began to control my mind. Eventually, I became his slave.

"Another Solar Circle assailed Navras' temple, and I was one of the guardians protecting Navras. I fought my own kind with the help of Scorcahr and his two brothers. They defeated me, and I died. Or, so I thought.

"I awoke one day in a different body. For hundreds of years now, I have awoken to the same dilemma of trying to figure out the plane's laws of reality and sustaining life before I died. Scorcahr was always with me, my one companion, my one grip on reality and sanity. The reason I did not end it sooner.

"And now I am here, in Valear, in my old Solar body. How fitting that I should face the one who led me on this merry voyage in the very form he took from me."

Silvarn sipped some broth to wet his throat, dry from the monologue. "And what about yourself, Kerodi? What makes you so willing to help me and listen to my ramblings?"

[HoudiniDerek]

Kerodi listened intently as Silvarn spoke. When he was done, he sat in silence for a while, watching the fire spark and the wood slowly deteriorate into ashes. Much like life, Kerodi mused silently, mulling over the story Silvarn had told. It was several minutes later when he spoke.

"You gave me a very brief description before and I needed to know more. For now at least, the Tome is safe. As long as you have it, it will remain that way because you know the way it works." Kerodi looked over at the book again beside Silvarn and voiced his concerns again. "You are assuming that is the same book though. How could he not feel you lock it? If he did, why doesn't he care? It makes me wonder if there is something else going on."

A random thought assailed Kerodi's mind. "What happens if you meet Navras? Does closing the book remove the bond between the two of you? If so, why did it not remove Lyndi's bond?"

Kerodi shook his head clear and looked at Silvarn's grey eyes again. "I listened to you because I believed you. I tried to use my mirror on you after we first met, but it did not work. That means you are not from Valear...and it gave credence to your story. The fear on your face when you figured out Navras was near was real too. I listen to those I trust and you have not given me a reason not to trust you yet."

Kerodi took another bite of his soup and drank the broth. He set it down and continued. "In my journey since we parted, I have found out several things...some useless, but some that are worth remembering. One of them regards you and Navras. That same secret...can send you home."

[Silvarn]

Silvarn nearly leapt to his feet, but managed to curb his enthusiasm mostly. Instead, his eyes went wide and his jaw dropped in exasperation. Slowly, the hope in his eyes dwindled.

"I am glad you know this secret, Kerodi, but..."

But...what?! Scorcahr demanded.

"I do not want to go home." he answered to the both of them.

Wait a moment. You are Silvarn Grey-Eyes, correct? The one who does not give a damn about anything besides himself and his demonic companion? And sometimes not even then...I thought you swore to do all in your power to return home. Scorcahr whined.

"I know what I said, Scorcahr, but then things were different!" his voice softened, "I did not have to face Navras then." His eyes dropped to his crossed knees. "I have an obligation, a duty, to end whatever his harming my home, harming Creation. If Navras can planeswalk, then he can return to Creation and continue his reign of evil. I have the opportunity to end it all here. And I do not intend to pass this chance up."

Silvarn looked back up at Kerodi, a defiant flame in his eyes. "Kerodi, I know for a fact that this is the Tome of the Twisted Mirror. I can feel the same shudder of power run my spine every time I touch it as the first time I brushed its cover. Do you want proof?"

Silvarn rose to his feet, yanked down the collar of his robes and held the Tome close to it. "Navras brands his servants. Only the true essence of Navras, be it himself or the Tome, can reveal it." A stylized blue eye faded into life, shining darkly and menacingly. The grey mage discarded the Tome to the ground with an irate flick of hand.

"Why he did not feel the Tome locking, I do not know. Truth be told, I may, actually. In the nest Navras built for himself in this plane, there was a portal that led to the original Temple of the Twisted Mirror. The temple is not located in Creation, Valear, or anywhere. It is its own separate plane. That is where Navras kept the Tome. The gap between the two must be too great for Navras to feel it immediately. Perhaps this is the reason, but for now, I am only speculating. And Lyndi is bound to Navras, not the Tome."

Silvarn stayed standing for a while, clenching and unclenching his body. He managed to calm himself enough to sit back down again. "I am glad I have your trust, Kerodi. You are perhaps the first person who has ever done so, and I appreciate it." his tone took on a hard, serious tone, "But would you give your life to me? I find it hard to imagine you would help me fight Navras."

[HoudiniDerek]

Kerodi listened to Silvarn talk to both him and his demon, but more to his demon. Kerodi had wondered if Silvarn would stay if he knew a way out and had guessed correctly that he would want to stay. He picked up a stick and stirred the ashes while considering how to answer Silvarn's questions.

"I am not surprised at your desire to stay," Kerodi began, looking at the fire and not Silvarn. "However, I wonder if revenge is the course to take. You talk of wanting to stop Navras and face him," and here Kerodi looked at Silvarn, "but can you? Even if he is weak, can you destroy Navras since he is a creature of Creation? You can be destroyed, but does it work the other way?"

Kerodi let the thought permeate for a while as he stirred the ashes. "The portal that gave you the Tome is a mirror of the one needed to send you home." Kerodi looked at Silvarn again and measured each word carefully. "That is why Navras is here. He is looking for power beyond Creation. He managed to siphon off some of Valear's nature power and made the portal to Creation. With nothing on the other side, it will soon close...if it has not already."

Kerodi took a drink of water and set down the stick he was using to stir the flames. "As I said, I can find the source of the portal and send you home...or at least send you relatively close. Navras found that the portal existed, but has not figured out how to harnass it for his own use. That is our one advantage. Only myself and Kimara Severn know the secret of it...it took me months to find it."

Kerodi was quiet for a while, watching Onyx munch grass and swish flies from his tail. Any moment now, Navras could sense the closure of the portal and the closing of the Tome, which could be troublesome for Lyndi. He turned back to Silvarn who was watching him intently.

"I would not give my life to you. I follow who and what I will. I will work with you though. Lyndi is my friend and of my world. She needs my help and I will help her. Valear is my home. I have heard of the deeds done in yours and I do not want them happening here...there are too many things that Navras could gain from Valear that I have found. I will stop him, but I will not work for you...I will work with you. Can you handle that?" Kerodi stopped talking and held his hand out to Silvarn.

[jada]

modified


Lyndi had been rideing hard for the past two days. She had to get Navras away from Kerodi. It was her only thought until now. She was starveing and so thirsty she could drink a river. She slowed and stoped.

"What's the matter with you beautiul?"

Lyndi shifted into her elven form," not enough food and water." She glarred at him. Although now she wished she haden't.

Furry crossed his face. His face became red like a cherry and he looked lke he was about to burst.

"SILVARN!!!!!" he exploded. He screamed for a minute. completely furious. Lyndi wished anything that she could hide from him. but the were in a clearing in the forest so there wasn't much to hde behind.

"YOU, you knew about this didn't you? Your his friend?! you were in on this the whole time! You've just been keeping me away from him!!!!" Navras said comming Lyndi's way. With a few quick stides he was in front of her and grabbed her throat.

Lyndi didn't awnser him. It was the truth. but what had Silvarn done? ...
It hit Lyndi alll of the sudden. He sealed Navras's power. or some of it anyway. He still had strength. His grip was tight around her neck, but she wasn't being choked to death yet.
She gave him a smile and his furry rose and his grip tightened.

"WHAT DO YOU KNOW?" he hissed at her.

"that silvarn will stop you."

Navras threw her to the ground and commanded her to shift into her horse form. "You will ride as fast as you can. And we won't stop until we find them."

Lyndi obeyed him with no choice. She shifted into a horse and Navras jumped onto her back.

"first we ride to find your little friend again. he will make an excilent slave, and then Silvarn will be easy to find and I can make him mine again."

Then they rode on back twoards Kerodi...

[Silvarn]

"Yes, I suppose I can. Although Scorcahr is upset you would not become my slave. Oh, well," he said with a slight smile, taking Kerodi's hand.

"Now, then, how are we to prepare for Navras, when we encounter him again? Obviously, we will have to deal with Lyndi as well, if she is still under his control. He needs his mind to control her, so if we are able to knock her unconscious, then we can deal with Navras himself.

"Which brings up another problem. Navras is a coward at heart, so he may summon up minions to protect him. Maybe or maybe not. I am not sure how he has changed in this plane. If he is able to call up minions, things may get ugly."

Silvarn paused to rub his face with his pale hand. "What am I saying? Things are already ugly."

[HoudiniDerek]

Kerodi released Silvarn's hand and grinned at the demon's ire. It was something to ease the tension of what would be happening over the next few days or weeks, especially as they rushed head-long to their confrontation with Navras.

"Well, we can protect ourselves against some of the dark magic he might call up. I know the creatures of Valear and that knowledge will be very handy. You know Navras and how he thinks. Together, we might make a formidable team."

Kerodi stood and paced over to Onyx and started loosening the saddle around his back. He leaned close to him and whispered a few things in his ear and patted him. Neighing, Onyx trotted off into the night headed towards the Ularian Ridge. He turned to see a quizzical look on Silvarn's face.

"That is just a red herring for our friend. He won't be fooled by me or you very long. Lyndi has been following Onyx. We will let her continue to do so. It is easier that way and gives us more time to plan."

Kerodi took another swig from his canteen and swished some water around in his mouth. Kerodi knew that there were two possible locations from which to mount the offense against Navras, but the problem was: He didn't know which one. He had a suspicion, but was not sure.

"We have two avenues of approach, Silvarn. The two oldest ruins of Valearian civilization are in two different places. One is the Dermun Desert. The other is Blaze Mountain. I don't know which one we should take. I sent Lyndi to the desert because I think the mountain is our best shot, but I don't know for sure." He turned and looked at Silvarn. "Where would you like to start?"

[jada]

Navras called," Beautiful you can rest now."

Lyndi came to a hault and Navras jumped off her back. She shifted into a desert fox and sat paitnely waiting for Navras to let her go hunt. He waved her away and off she went.

She hadn't eaten all day. Her stomach grumbled and she ignored it. she looked around in some brush for a mouse or rabit, something to keep her huger away but she was haveing no such luck. After an hour of searching she found a small stream of water leading back to the mountain. That was her current destination. She drank water enough to keep her body satisfied and returned to hunting. evebtually she found a couple of small mice and had her meal. She was tired now, not really full, but she didn't have the energy to hunt anymore.

She headed back to where she left Navras. He had moved to sitting on a rather large rock. His eyes were closed but he was awake and deep in thought. Planning something.

Lyndi ignored him and curled up nearby. letting the soft sand of the desert be her bed for the night.

[Silvarn]

"That is an excellent question, Kerodi," Silvarn mused, "either one could work. I would like to end this feud as quickly as possible, but part of me is still reluctant to face Navras. Scorcahr, run some calculations, would you?"

As you wish, oh fleshy, incompetent one. the demon whined. His presence in Silvarn's mind became less distinct, and Silvarn could feel a tugging sensation all over ihs brain as Scorcahr manipulated the grey matter.

Blaze Mountain would be our best shot. It would make Navras travel farther, so he and Lyndi would be weaker, especially if we rested at the ruins. Scorcahr informed.

"Scorcahr thinks our best option is to head for Blaze Mountain. Navras, and Lyndi, will be weaker from travel, giving us the advantage." Silvarn rubbed at his suddenly itching and heavy eyelids, then progressed upward to massage his temples. "You would not happen to have some sort of herbal remedy for headaches, by chance? Scorcahr's calculations always seem to take a large toll on my mind."

[HoudiniDerek]

Kerodi grinned at Silvarn's headache. While he did not carry herbal remedies for headaches, he did have something that might work. He pulled out his aleskin and put a pinch of powder in it. He tossed it to Silvarn.

"That might help," Kerodi smiled. Kerodi started packing his knapsack and put out the fire, making sure all of the embers were out and not a danger to the surrounding countryside. "We have a long journey ahead of us, especially on foot. It will take them about a week round trip to the desert and back...depending on when he finds out."

Kerodi put the knapsack on his back and took out a walking stick to help his feet go farther. "Hopefully Lyndi will follow the false trail that Onyx provides to give us more time. It is our best hope for now." Kerodi gestured towards Blaze Mountain, pinned against the horizon by the moon. "Shall we?"

[jada]

Navras opened his eyes. They were red with lack of sleep. He glanced over at Lyndi. She was still in a deep sleep. Navras hardly cared, they would need to get a move on soon. They needed to catch back up to her little frined. He stood up from his place on the rock and streched a bit. He walked slowly to stand over Lyndi. His shadow fell over her sleeping desert fox figure.

Lyndi stirred when the warm glow from the sun disappeard. She woke up with a start when she realised someone was standing over her. It was Navras and he didn't look too happy. Lyndi backed away from him a little and Shifted into her Elven form, "Can I help you?"

"Yes, we are leaveing, shift into a horse and find your little friend. NOW." He said getting straight to the point. He was becomming impatient. He really wanted to get Silvarn back.

Lyndi obeyed him and shifted into her horse form. Navras swung himself onto her back and they were off. Lyndi followed Onx's scent. Kerodi would be riding him to meet Silvarn more quickly. Or so she thought.

The Sun rose slowly over the day. It was hot and sticky in the desert. And very lonely. Narvras didn't say a word, only stared ahead waiting for his goal to arrive. Lyndi just tore on through the desert. The heat was sinking into her and it was becomming hard to keep at a fast pace. She needed water soon but there didn't seem to be any around at the moment. And navras had none so she just needed to find a way out of the desert before the sun climbed to noon. That's when it would be the hottest and she wouldn't be able to canter any further. but for now she flew on over the sand, praying for water.

[Silvarn]

Silvarn gladly accepted the remedy, gulping it down then stowing the skin in one the pockets in his sleeve. He would give it back if asked, but they needed to get moving right now.

Silvarn was about to depart when he heard sputtering and choking sound. He stopped, wondering what and where the sound could be coming from.

You ignorant advanced monkey! I am swimming in minerals as we, Scorcahr began sputtering, speak. After this flood subsides, I will think of something nasty to do to you.

Silvarn smirked at the threat, "Scorcahr, you and I have been together countless years. What else do you have in that twisted little mind of yours that could possibly turn my stomach?"

I have several surprises left for you, O Grey One.

"Oh, and Scorcahr...never tell me I am a monkey again Or I promise I will conjure up the image of the rainbow unicorn in the meadow with fluffy bunnies..."

NOO! Anything! Anything but that horrid picture! I swear I will never do it again, just keep those terrible pink rabbits away, please!

"Well, since you asked so nicely, Scorcahr."

Silvarn went to stand by Kerodi, drawing up his heavy grey hood against the sudden night's chill. "Lead on, Kerodi."

[HoudiniDerek]

Kerodi and Silvarn had made it to the mountain a couple of days ago. Unfortunately, Navras would have learned his mistake by now and be at the camp they had already vacated. Hopefully Lyndi would continue to follow Onyx and that would take them to the Ularian Ridge and some of its hollows rather than the Blaze Mountain.

Kerodi looked out over the small plains that separated the Ularian Ridge from the Blaze Mountain so many miles below. He had been up here leaning against a tree for some time, watching the valley...certain that they would see Lyndi and Navras ride through.

Even though they were reunited again and had a destination in mind, Kerodi was still disgruntled. They had followed Kimara Severn's scroll to the ancient doorway to the ruins. But, as mentioned in the scroll, there was no key to unlock the door. Both Kerodi and Silvarn had tried magic. Even the usually boisterous demon had run afoul of the ancient spell.

Sansrin had returned the day before and Kerodi had sent him out again to watch for Lyndi and Navras. If nothing else, maybe some warning would be nice, especially if they were not going to be able to open the door. Of course, Kimara had warned that it would happen. Men and magicians before had tried to unlock it and had died trying. The skeletons remained as a constant reminder of the presence of greed.

Kerodi stretched and headed back to the cave where the doorway was. Maybe he was going about this the wrong way. Maybe one more look before he bedded down for the night. As he turned away, he missed the form of Lyndi running full out towards the old campsite abandoned days before.Silvarn and Jada: I had to take a couple of creative licenses with the characters to help explain the scroll I had earlier in the threads and story line. I hope you don't mind. :) -

[jada]

Lyndi had been following Onyx's scent for days. She had gotten back to the campsite, the last place she saw Kerodi. She hoped he and Silvarn were ok. Navras didn't alow Lyndi to stop though. He urged her on. She was slowly gaining on Onyx, only because Onyx wasn't being forced to run constantly, he had his own free will to stop and rest and eat when ever he pleased.

In a few days time lyndi had made it to Ularian Ridge. She found Onyx and quickly realised Kerodi was not around. Navras hopped off Lyndi's back. She shifted into her elven form. Navras didn't even have to ask to know that they had been led astray.

"Stupid girl! I can give you that you have beauty, but that is the only thing you have going for you. You are completely worthless. The only thing I have left to use you for is a good horse and as a hostage. Your friends wouldn't want to see you dead. Other then that you are the saddest excuse for a woman I have ever seen."

Lyndi has completly shocked. His words stung. She chocked on them, and swallowed them just to breathe. She couldn't let herself believe it, she had to believe her friends loved her, and she had to believe she wasn't a completly worthless person. She would find a way to help her friends or die trying, Navras couldn't win.

She shifted back into a horse. Navras climbed back onto her. Lyndi approached Onyx, She Neighed to him and asked him where she could find kerodi, but Onyx was a loyal friend to Kerodi and kindly told Lyndi that he couldn't give his location away.

Lyndi smiled at Onyx and hoped to see him again, and she took off back to Kerodi's old campsite now, to hopefully pick up on his scent and find where he went. Navras was becomming impatient, and would soon consider takeing it out on her, which she wasn't looking forward too.