Seddhiket Pass

[HoudiniDerek]

Kerodi had ridden all day north through the Ularian Ridge, hoping to get home within the next day or so. He rode slowly, trying to seem like another traveler for now while that was still possible. He thought of what he had seen at Elasen and tried to figure out the puzzle of how it happened. After all, he knew WHY it had happened.

The stallion nickered softly in the coming evening air, its breath steaming out in front of it as it trotted along. Kerodi let it trot at its own pace, not needing the distraction. He looked up and saw that the Seddhiket Pass was a few more miles away. That was good. He could get some food and maybe some rest before continuing on tomorrow.

His eyes wandered back down to an ever-changing spot in front of the horse on the trail and his mind relived what he had seen at Elasen. How had anyone managed to get into the house and kill those people? How had they got back out...and him not to have seen it?

Kerodi knew it had to be magic, but he was uncertain of who would have the power to wield it. That it had been done in order to catch him and kill him...he had no doubt. He had enemies that he had created in his life, but none of them had command of magic, especially magic that was powerful enough to hide them from him when he was focused and paying attention. The whole affair made him queasy and he did not know how to begin sorting out the mess.

His horse slowed as they reached the pass and Kerodi looked up again. Seddhiket Pass. It was the last pass through the mountains to a small trading outpost called Quizuze. It was the most remote place possible and the last human civilization in the mountains...or so anyone knew. Kerodi smiled. He lived even farther in the mountains, but it was not easy to get too...especially if you did not know where you were going.

He tested the air and the ground around the opening to the pass to see if others had come that way recently. There was no presence and he urged the stallion forward. Seddhiket Pass was wide at first and slowly shrank at the far end...a mile away. It had no trees at the wide end, but it fought for space with a forest at the narrow end just above the outpost. If he had been followed, the narrow end of the pass was the perfect place for an ambush.

Kerodi sat up now, alert as he had been when he had entered Elasen earlier that day. As he neared the far end of the pass, he sent out his magic again to see if anyone was there. It was too late. Before his horse had taken another step, he was attacked.

[Strazytski]

men seemed to appear out of nowhere, but they came out while drawing sword and yelling, most where already swinging swords at Kerodi, and at his horse. a few archers where in the back keeping watch while watching their backs, they didn't join the fight as they could kill their own men while trying to hit Kerodi, These where Raiders.

Far off Ranith walks though The Ridge then heard some yelling but was far off, and would take some time to get to the location, but didn't rush but did run in a way, and a bit closer to Kerodi is the raiders camp, as more of them are coming to join the fight, as one archer was already heading to the camp to get help if the fight would get out of hand, but today they aren't taking chances.

and far off Ranith coming from Blaze mountain is a Thunder storm, and the thunder can be heard, once the archer met up with the back up he says " we are currently fighting a traveler and has a horse" the backup group leader grins and says "good then lead the way archer!" the archer follows the command quickly as he begins to run back to the fight.

[HoudiniDerek]

Kerodi managed to rear the stallion at the closest men and shy them back before they could stab him. Seeing himself outnumbered, he slid off the horse's back and slapped him on the flanks. The stallion bowled over the men in front of him and galloped away. Arrows from the slopes peppered the ground behind him and the trees beside him, but none could catch him.

Kerodi dodged a spear and magically deflected another. His cape would protect him from most menaces, mundane or magical, but spears at this close range would hurt regardless. Spinning again, Kerodi threw a curse at the two men to his left, ducked and bowled over the three in front of him.

He stood and managed to deflect a hail of arrows from above. They were becoming much more reckless in their attempts to bring him down...whoever THEY were. They seemed to be a military regiment, but he knew not of where they came from.

Suddenly, they backed off warily. Kerodi, breathing heavily, had no idea why. They could have easily overpowered him. What was making them cautious? Before he could turn, he heard and felt the heavy footfalls behind him.

[Strazytski]

Ranith runs though the hills , once he reach partly flat land and saw Raiders in a pack, Ranith growls and charges at them as they didn't have time to defend them selves, quickly Ranith turns around and blows flame at time only few got hit as most held their shields up blocking the blast of fire, with the shields in the way they cannot see, and before they could put the shields down.

Ranith hits the soldiers and thrown then into other soldiers and the most unlucky ones got stepped on and got killed instantly, Ranith turns and swings tail though there numbers hitting many men off their feet at lucky times killing a few.

The group leader growls and shouts " SPREAD OUT AND KILL THAT DRAG-BRAAGHh!!" at that moment Ranith blown fire killed many soldiers and the group leader only over six remain, and they didn't take a chance and fled towards the camp.

Ranith didn't care for the six as he began to run towards where he heard the sounds and stops, as he sees the raiders back off, as one man that doesn't look like a raider stands facing away from Ranith.

Ranith bends his head down and looks at Kerodi, then looks back at the Soldiers, as the soldiers back off a bit more not knowing what to do, Ranith looks back at Kerodi and waits for him to turn around.

[HoudiniDerek]

Kerodi felt the eyes on the back of his head and turned. His breath caught in his throat as he saw the dragon leering at him from only a few paces away. He had heard the commotion behind him, but had not paid it much mind because he had been busy. Now, he knew that had been a foolish idea.

Granted, the dragon could not do much damage because of his magic and alertness, but it could get extremely uncomfortable quite quickly. He had no idea where the dragon had come from nor why he was not just attacking as most dragons were wont to do.

Of course, not many people knew that the dragons were still around. Most thought they had left, but that was not the case. They had gone into hiding several hundred years ago, usually in the bog areas of the Selkia to keep hidden from discovery. Apparently they were either growing bolder, or this was a great facsimile of a dragon.

All of these thoughts flashed through Kerodi's mind as the great beast leaned down to inspect him. Kerodi stood still waiting as did the men behind him, weapons still at the ready in case something untoward should happen. Kerodi looked the dragon in the eye, magic in place, and waited for the dragon to make up its mind about him.

[Strazytski]

the guards stood still and held the shields up, while Ranith looked down at Kerodi then said "i will not harm you unless you give me a reason human." then Ranith slightly bends his head back while moved his eye back to look behind him then looked back at Kerodi , then His massive arm goes back a grabs a raider sneaking up on him, and throws him at the other behind Kerodi, he falls on them and causing a few to fall down, and tried to stand up, while Ranith watches Kerodi as wondering what he will do.


the Guards stand and wonder whats going to happen to them as the dragon is not planing to be hostile to Kerodi, once growls and said " ATTACK!!!!!!!" before most could run Ranith already blew fire but only few get burned or killed as most had shields, but left their belly and legs unprotected as the shields aimed at Ranith's Mouth.

[HoudiniDerek]

Kerodi started when he heard the dragon speak. Most knew how to speak of course being a smart creature, but most chose not too for some reason. Not only was this was speaking, he was speaking in the guttural Orc language of the Selkia, which Kerodi had made it a point to learn after his past.

Kerodi regained his bearings as the dragon whipped an attacker into the ones in front and seared them with his fire. Kerodi knew that had gained him some time because after one or two bursts, the dragon would have no flame left for a while and have to build it up.

Kerodi tore open a bag at his waist and tossed a handful of a strange green sand into the attacking mist. Muttering a word and sending a lance of light blue fire from his hands, the sand exploded and consumed the foremost attackers. Unfortunately, there were more than that large dose could handle.

Regaining his staff, Kerodi parried the swords coming at him and managed to back towards the dragon, who was fighting as well from the sound of it. Kerodi muttered an invocation and sent another stream of fire, reigniting the green sand to cut the others off. Confused they turned and Kerodi dispatched two of them with his longsword in his other hand and managed to finally out battle the other with staff and sword before the fire died down.

Breathing heavily, Kerodi called to the dragon in the Orc language: "There are too many of them to take here. We will have to go roundabout through the mountains or try again later. This pass is lost to us."

[Strazytski]

Ranith Didn't lose his fire, and sent a other blast of fire at them, and Ranith bends his head forward and turns to look behind and sees a soldier charging at him. "grfaaaagh" before the man get past Ranith's leg his tail swings towards the man is running in the path of the tail, and they both collide the force was great and Ranith Took A Step Forward while the mans armor gets torn off from the impact, the man falls to the Ground gasping and dies.

Ranith bends his head back and looks at Kerodi seeing him Breathing heavily, and then said "There are too many of them to take here. We will have to go roundabout through the mountains or try again later. This pass is lost to us." Ranith looks forward and sees the fire blockade, and the soldiers are putting the shields down on the fire and attempting to cross, once was about to but before he could Ranith sent a other wave of fire hitting him and many behind him. Ranith looks back at Kerodi and said "I agree lets go"

[HoudiniDerek]

Kerodi launched another bout of fire from his hands and turned to race down the path. He hurdled the dragon's tail and ran, hoping that the dragon was keeping pace behind him as a rearguard. With those scales, the dragon had less to worry about.

Kerodi dodged a hail of spears and arrows and managed to parry the few blades still left on this side of the widening pass. He made it to the beginning of the pass just ahead of several spears and arrows, which clattered harmlessly to the path. One arrow managed to pierce him in the back, but he stumbled on.

Kerodi dove headlong into a grove of cedar trees just beyond the rim of the pass. He rolled to a kneeling position and looked out. No one was there...including the dragon.

Knowing that he would be useless to help him at the moment, Kerodi tried to look at his wound. It had gone into the fleshy part of his side on the back left and the head was protruding out the front. Grimacing, Kerodi broke the head off and pulled the shaft from behind, choking in pain. He threw the arrow clear and managed to rub a salve on the wounds and bind it.

Kerodi looked up and waited still, knowing that the dragon should have made it by this time, but saw no sign of him. Frowning, Kerodi decided that he would have to go back and face the army again. "Where in Valear did that army come from anyway?" he muttered, grabbing his knapsack and gaining a hold on his staff. Armed, he started back towards the pass.

[Strazytski]

Heres my massive Post enjoy ;D


Ranith Did Follow for a while and felt arrows hit him in the back, leg and his Tail. few pierced him as most did bounce off, and had one hit his neck, as being hit in the neck can cause problems, not to stop his breathing. as Fire is made inside the Dragon and it has to travel up his neck, if it hit the right spot and pierced into the armored tube has its armored to not harm anything in the Dragons body.

If pierced fire can leave and burn inside Ranith, as theres no scales inside him, as flesh burns and Scales do not. Ranith Ran on not stopping, and felt Soldiers get hit by his tail, is he slowing down? or they are gaining speed? Ranith didn't care for the answer as they where stupid to run at Ranith and get hit and not go around him to avoid his tail. ahead Ranith sees a Rock and gets a idea then quickly jumps over it and grabs it with his mouth

once he landed and ran on Ranith turns his neck sharply and lets go of the rock as the rock flew towards the soldiers the rock hit the ground creating a small dust cloud as it it rolls towards the soldiers, once they get hit it seems like they explode, not fire but their helmets, weapons and armor flew off and bounced around as the rock rolls on, and hits everything in its path.

Ranith Suddenly felt himself falling and tried to keep balance but his left hind leg was not responding it just acted like a rag doll. Ranith hit the Ground and took a moment and stood up and looked at the left leg and seeing a arrow in it, and the poison is affecting his leg and feels the poison inching up his leg into the rest of his body, Ranith does his best to turn around and once he did soldiers where coming, Ranith Fights on without fire and not taking a chance on it.

one of the soldiers shouts " kill the Dragon he cant go anywhere with that leg poisoned!" Ranith did not felt arrows hit him now as soldiers are near now and do not want to take a chance to hit their own men. Ranith slashed at them and one got spit into two, The men Surrounded, then Ranith chose to do a very dangerous thing as it could kill him, Ranith pulls his head back and breaths at the same time then thrusts his head forward and blew Fire towards the men and waved his head as to spread the fire and captures more men in the deadly fire, Ranith Tried to get as many men on fire, not knowing if this is his end.

Ranith stood there looking around as most soldiers are dead the remaining backed away and ran off, or is hiding. Ranith waited for the burning feeling in him, as his face is Grim as he waits for it to come and come into his sense, But Never came, Ranith Sighs in relief, and looks at his leg as it slowly comes back to him. Once it did he ran slowly then ran fast where Kerodi ran towards, and hoping hes ok, Ranith caught himself and didn't believe he was worried for the human, and ran on and drops the thought.

Once Ranith found Kerodi has he was about to speak Ranith spots a group of Soldiers and archers in front of him, but are behind Kerodi, the archer fired the arrow and it flew towards Kerodi, and Ranith knew what it was, it was the poison that make his leg not to work, but doesn't know if the affect on her will be worse or same for him. Quickly Ranith swings his hand and attempts to grab Kerodi to push her out of the way, it would and does look like hes going to hit her, but if she doesn't block or dodge the arrow will hit the Ground, as she would be next to it .

[HoudiniDerek]

Kerodi breathed a sigh of relief as the dragon barreled into sight. He noticed that one of the legs was damaged and not working, but that the dragon seemed fine otherwise. He would attend to it as soon as they were safe.

Kerodi stopped as the dragon reared and reached out, swiping one giant leg down at him. Kerodi had no reason to not trust the dragon, but something urged him to move from the descending claw that was trailing blood.

Kerodi backed up and turned, just in time to receive an arrow through his midsection, embedding in the back of the spine before stopping. Kerodi gasped and fell down to the earth, realizing that his magic had not been prepared for that...and that now he would pay the price. He could already feel the poison...he closed his eyes and let the darkness have him.


*************************

The real Kerodi watched from his vantage point some twenty yards behind the stationed men. He had felt their presence on returning and had quickly shadowed himself and hid. He knew that they were waiting on him to leave his concealment again and the approaching dragon gave them another foucs.

Noting that, Kerodi took the time to construct a form from some limbs and branches of the bushes and made a duplicate of himself, realistic enough to be penetrated by the arrows that were sure to be fired. Then, he gave it some air and sent it on its way. No one even noticed that he was not injured anymore.

The dragon had tried to save him now he knew, but his reflection had acted too hastily and been killed. Now, the dragon and the army were facing each other when suddenly the fake Kerodi disappeared. That made them all confused.

Kerodi took advantage to stand and loft a small rune stone into the midst of the men in front of him. It landed and before they could exclaim, it detonated...leaving a twenty foot square crater and peppering the dragon and himself with the shrapnel of arms, legs, and heads.

Kerodi stood up and brushed himself off. He slowly made his way to the dragon and looked up, smiling as he did so.

"Why don't we see about that leg?"

[Strazytski]

Ranith Reached out to grab, but Kerodi didn't trust him well to allow Ranith to save him, as Kerodi backed up and turned Ranith saw the arrow stab into Kerodi and saw her fall, Ranith Frowned as the poison only made Ranith fall weak, but he him it would and is too strong and killed him, and Ranith growled angry as he turned towards the men, they stepped back as they feared him.

Suddenly at Ranith's side Kerodi faded away and he didn't notice but the men did, before Ranith attacked the men infront of him he notices a small rock flew out of the trees and landed in the middle of the ground, then blew up as every one got blown into bits, and arms and legs went everywhere as they hit Ranith they bounced off but left blood behind, the whole area is covered in blood, and so is Ranith, as it felt like it was raining blood, Ranith growled at the mess, then saw Kerodi come out of the woods and towards him, he was surprised and looks around and doesn't see the other Kerodi. Ranith Frowned how he lived and was able to sneak past Ranith so well, then Kerodi said.

"Why don't we see about that leg?"

Ranith shakes his head and said " its fine, but how did you do that?" Ranith knew he mostly could not do it, but just wondered, then Ranith Remembers the other Group that was behind them now, as Kerodi killed the ones in the front, Ranith Turns towards the rest as they stood there in shook and few shook as they where covered in blood and heads and other body parts all around them, one gets a hold of himself and said "KILL THEM WE MUST REVENGE THEM!" Ranith grinned at the fool as he charges towards them.

[HoudiniDerek]

Before Kerodi could respond to the dragon about how he managed to escape the onslaught of the poison arrow, more soldiers arrived from inside the pass.

"Who ARE these guys?" Kerodi mumbled, just managing to move out of the way of the dragon as he happily turned to do battle with them. "For a guy who has one hurt leg, you think he would be against fighting," Kerodi grumbled, bringing his magic to bear once again in a shield.

He watched as the first hail of spears and such were stopped by the dragon's hide and fire. The army was not really advancing...just delaying it looked like. That made Kerodi pause and think back on what he knew to be odd about the situation.

Did they WANT to keep the dragon and himself here? How had they gotten there? How had they gone undetected? Kerodi knew that these answers were imperative and that he and the dragon could not fight tirelessly forever.

"We have to get away from here!" Kerodi yelled in the guttural Orc language that the dragon spoke. "This must be a trap! I can elude them long enough for us to escape!" Kerodi motioned frantically and waited to see if the dragon would follow. If not, Kerodi knew he had to stay...it was a debt of honor...and one he would not forsake.

[Strazytski]

Ranith knew something was wrong they kept on coming, and Kerodi seemed to notice then said "Who ARE these guys?" Ranith had no clue where they where coming from but knew he had to leave, then Kerodi said "This must be a trap! I can elude them long enough for us to escape!" Ranith did not like the idea, but had a other idea, but he did not want to stick around anylonger, Ranith notices Kerodi is facing the advancing army, without him seeing Ranith grabs Kerodi, while Ranith is standing on his hind legs, then flaps his wings as dust and dirt fly around him, Ranith lifts into the air and places Kerodi on his back.

Ranith was flying off, but before he gotten out of their range they begin firing arrows at him, 2 arrows hit him in the chest and once into his leg, and a other near his head but hit his neck, more arrows kept going but kept flying higher and farther to get out of their range,

[HoudiniDerek]

Kerodi had been watching the army advance when suddenly the dragon whirled and grabbed him. The world spun dizzily until he landed, safely on the dragon's back as it leaped into the air.

Arrows began to fly now with ever-increasing force. Kerodi managed to deflect most of them, but some came up under the dragon where Kerodi could not see and struck him. Some had to have penetrated, Kerodi knew.

Gesturing wildly, Kerodi threw another rune stone from his pouch to the pass below. It too erupted, throwing dirt and debris for several dozen yards and giving the dragon time to escape unnoticed. Kerodi tried to motion with his legs, but the dragon flew on absentmindedly, ignoring the directions Kerodi was trying to give nonverbally.

Shrugging helplessly, Kerodi let the dragon fly on.