Challenges

[Omio]

Len nodded. "Won't need any more than I took. Any more, and other side-effects start to come into play. All of them are ones we both don't need to deal with." Especially since I'd be a more prime target for falling into the abyss of darkness when I'm imagining stuff, and seeing what isn't... "There's worse causable nightmares than what dream-honey does. Trust me. I've even been tortured by one of them." THAT nightmare was bad; a neverending one, nearly.

[WolfEnchantress]

Saira couldn't really picture nightmares worse, though she knew they had to be out there somewhere. And, if Len had experienced one, then these shouldn't be too bad...right??

"ell, I guess if you're positive that you'll be okay..." She said uncertainly.She knew she probably wouldn't have. But, then, Len was probably more experienced in dealing with things that caused nightmares, at least judging by what he'd said.

"We should probably head out somewhat early," She said. "The night is calm, but judging by the humidity it will rain later tomorrow," She said.

[Omio]

Len nodded. "An hour or two after dawn. I can feel it." And then he managed to find another tree, somewhat nearby, which had a small empty space underneath it. Len cawled underneath. Small, but rather warm, actually... ...not bad at all. Sure, Len was coiled like a semi-ball, but that might prove to be better, since it's so small and confined. "You might not have to worry about me if I'm in here, either. It's not as if it's easy to move in here..."

[WolfEnchantress]

Sarora glanced at the gathering clouds. It would storm tomorrow. Badly. She hoped they would be back by then. A storm on an open field was bad, and one in a forest would be worse.

**

Saira nodded. It would be bad to get stuck in a full-out storm in the woods. They would lose all sense of direction, and then where would they be?

At the next part, she frowned.
"You can take this hole, if you insist on sleeping so far away." She offered. "I'd likely fit in that one better than you will."

[Omio]

Len shook his head. "The tighter, the better - less likely for me to break anything in general. As to tomorrow, you'll have to let me lead - I've been trained to work in the worst of conditions. We'll arrive at the edge by tomorrow unless we walk like pansies." It just means I have to keep a stronger watch on the weather and direction. "A little storm isn't all that bad - typhoons and hurricanes, however, are nothing to joke around in." Don't get me started on the last typhoon we had. I have to say, though, it built a very strong bond of trust among those that were alive... "Anyhow, I'm retiring for the night. Whoever wakes up first has to wake the other." And finally, Len coiled a bit tighter under the tree, taking a few minutes before outright dropping off into slumber.

((Wolf, you have the night-day control, this time. I'm not going to take a pair of scissors to this.))

[WolfEnchantress]

Saira nodded, though still a bit unsure. Blizzards she could handle. It was snow and wind. Then again, rain was just the same, except it was melted snow.

he lay back, staring at the ceiling and waiting for sleep to come, thinking about the dragon and Kimara. She hoped they were okay...Sarora wasn't one to wait, she was rather impatient. She hoped Kimara could keep her in line, if it came to it, but she doubted it would.

Finally she fell asleep, curled into a ball,and dreamed things she wouldn't remember, not sure if the same could be said for the other sleeping not far away.

(('kay))

[HoudiniDerek]

Kimara awoke at dawn, well rested after the several days in the little cove of trees. Storm clouds were massing above the Selkia, but the little island among the trees would stay relatively dry. Kimara stood and glanced over at Sarora.

"You seem antsy. I am sure she will be fine. It's just wind and water." Kimara smiled and then winked mischievously at Sarora. "She can swim can't she?"

Kimara took out some of the food that was left and ate it mechanically. If all went well, Saira and her guest would be there by that night. One more night camped here and then it would depend on what to do after that. Kimara figured that it would be a trip back to the Blaze Mountain and home. Looking over at Sarora, Kimara wondered what would befall her and Saira.

Kimara finished eating and made sure the pack was still tight. There wasn't much to do aside from waiting, so Kimara thought to engage Sarora again on her next destination.

"So where will you head tomorrow, Sarora?"

[Omio]

Len had mild nightmares, but he didn't thrash around as much as he thought he would. He dreamt of undead creatures again, and this one was a bit more sour than the rest of them, but he snapped awake at dawn, sighing as he crawled out of his hole under a tree. He was right - the small spot under the tree was perfect. What thrashing he would've done did confine him perfectly.

Once he was awake enough to get to planning, he had to set out the direction, and picked up the dried bear meat. It was perfect. He went to his backpack, and took out a moderate-sized bag, stacking the dried meat, and putting all eight chunks into the bag - then he tied the bag, and strung it to the belt as he grabbed the said belt, and re-attached it. Once he did that, he walked over to Saira, nudging her lightly with his foot.

"You may wish to rise now, Saira." He said, as he got back to his own work, swapping gear between the backpack and his belt to ensure that he could traverse easily, and yet be ready for whatever came about. And I have a feeling the Book of Moon might be a bit of help now. He kept only that book out of his backpack, and had finished packing and preparing the rest. He picked it up under his left arm. What I have to do with it, however, is beyond me...

[WolfEnchantress]

Sarora yawned, turning to focus her crystal blue eyes on Kimara.
I do not know, She replied honestly. We can't return to the ridge obviously, but maybe whoever is with Saira will provide some influence. It was a pleasant change from her previous attitude towards whoever it was. If this Dragoon traveling with her was in fact a person worth knowing, maybe he would have some input. If not, she would suggest heading towards Lonea Lake maybe.


**

Saira yawned and sat up, hitting her head on the snaggle of roots above her. She shook her head free of cobwebs once remembering that she was under a tree and crawled out to find Len already packed his stuff. She hurriedly followed his example, gathering the few things she had removed from her cloak and replacing them. She then threw it over her shoulders and joined him, eying the clouds above them. The humidity was high, making it muggy and warm.

"Ready," She said, and noticed that he hadn't packed a book, which he carried.
"You're not going to pack that?" She asked. Maybe he was going to practice Alchemy on the way. She didn't know how he would, or if it was even possible, but she couldn't think f another explanation save for that it maybe didn't fit in his bag.

[Omio]

"I have a feeling that I'll have need of my Book of Moon. Don't ask for more details; even I don't know them yet. As soon as I figure them out, I will." But what in hades could I need this for...? It doesn't have much of use... ...wait, maybe it's implying I use a spell or an enchantment...? But what...? ...Gods, you have given me a great puzzle indeed. He seemed to start off, on the route they were following the day before. Len seemed to make a decent pace. Anyone could tell he was thinking, but what of was still unknown.

(( We're going to come across major trouble, but it'll be avoided. Warn of a scent, and I can go from there. ))

[WolfEnchantress]

Saira kept up with his easily, pleased by the time they were making. As they walked, she could feel Sarora's mind growing stronger, despite both of them having closed their connection. And she still wanted to gain more ground before the storm hit.

They walked in relative silence for a while more. Len was obviously deep in thought, and she had nothing of importance enough to disturb him.

With the next gust of wind, however, she frowned, catching something on the air. The rain, maybe? No, the rain had a pleasant smell, like snow but a bit different. As they walked, it got slightly stronger, and it definentaly didn't seem normal.

"Len," She said, reluctant to interrupt his thoughts. "Can you smell that? What is it?" Maybe he would know. And maybe it was nothing. But, you couldn't be too sure.

[Omio]

"Coldwargs. But why would they be here? They're more native to colder regions..." ...Freaking wolf-like beasts... ...I can get by unnoticed, but I'll have to worry about Saira, and she won't be able... ...unless I gave her a tarnkappa! That's it! That's what I was piecing together! Len's attention snapped to Saira, dead serious. "I've just solved the puzzle. Saira, cloak or robe, or whatever; As long as you can cover yourself with it, I don't care what it is - just hand me it, so I can get an enchantment done." And he set his backpack down, grateful that he had his Book of Moon ready - opening it as he got the box of chemistry out, grabbing a few select things along with a large dish.

He mixed a few powders together, and added a touch of some fluid to it. He seemed as if to be in a but of a hurry. It was as if he had little time to do what he needed to. "If you have to go nude, I don't care - anything to keep you concealed for later. I'll explain later."

(( A tarnkappa is a piece of clothing enchanted with Wildmagic to make the user invisible to all beings, except for dragons, and other mages that are more skilled than Len. ))

[WolfEnchantress]

Coldwargs? What in the world was that? She had n idea, but whatever they were they were obviously a threat.

With a calm quickness, Saira removed her cloak, passing it to Len. It was big-she could easily conceal herself inside of it. She wondered what he was going to do with it.

As she stood there the scent grew stronger, and is wasn't a pleasant scent either. She made a face. Whatever these things were, she didn't like them.

Saira stood ready with her hand on her poisoned dirk just in case as she watched Len mix things and look through the book he'd been carrying, her eyes flashing to the forest now and then.

[Omio]

He whipped the cloak through the mixture, and seemed to chant something. He was obviously using Wildmagic, but he was lacing it with something else, too. After the incantation came the spelltrance. However, the cost was something he did not like. Protect that of which you cherish; regardless of cost. I will always protect Saira above myself. That price is as good as paid. Death to those that mean harm to her! And then he tossed the finished tarnkappa to Saira. "Cover yourself with that, remain quiet, and kill them only by throwing your knives. I can dispatch most of them. We're also taking two of the furs; they help in cold climates." And then he lowered his voice, smelling that they were soon. "Coldwargs are alike a wolf, without as much honor to them. They inhabit colder regions, and are quite capable of taking your leg off in one bite. They're larger, and much more powerful. Trickier to kill. too. I'll have to be careful."

He knew better than to stick around. He jumped up to a branch in time to hear their hunting howl. As soon as Saira covered herself with the tarnkappa, she would be fine, and able to do whatever behind it. Even he wouldn't be able to see her. However, he was not only audible, but also scented. He grabbed three vials from his belt crib, and tossed them down, letting the glass smash as the chemicals began to make that area smell strongly of garlic pickled in vinegar for a long time. A scent that would easily overpower his own scent, and leave animals that relied on scent confused.

"Saira, you can't be seen or smelt under that tarnkappa. Wear it, and be careful!"

His Book of Moon, strangely enough, would show itself blank in Saira's eyes - but at least it didn't have the effect on her as it would with most people - most would be flung away with a shock. Even if forcibly opened, the pages would show blank, provided that you didn't get shoved away and didn't get zapped. There were spells of different sorts made in some cities where Wildmagic was banned to reveal the pages' contents, but there was absolutely no change that either Len or Saira would know them.

(( Sorry for not showing for a while. Lots of book writing and editing happening on my end. ))

[WolfEnchantress]

SAira watched Len chanting and mixing with interest before he tossed the cloak back to her .She quickly threw it over herself. According to Len, it would make her virtually nonexistent to these wolf-ish beasts coming to attack them.

She watched as he jumped into a tree and open his book, which, oddly enough, was blank to her, before turning her attention towards the things creeping through the forest. When Len dropped the mixture of whatever it was, it made a smell of garlic and vinegar that made her move a few paces away.

Silently, she removed her Dirk as the first of them came into view, sniffing and shaking it's head when it caught the stench of whatever Len threw down. It's seeking eyes swept over everything, passing right over her. She had to admit, it was rather odd. She wondered if Len could see her.

She again moved, this time closer to the Coldwargs, so she was only a few paces away. She knew she couldn't be seen or smelled, but it still rang warning bells in her mind to be going towards a horde of angry beasts hunting you. There was a lot of them appearing through the trees, and she knelt down, readying her dirk as well as her daggers. The moment one of them came into range, she deftly threw the dagger, sending it lodged deep into it's neck. It mate a grotesque sound, recoiling and looking around for its attacker. Finding none, it stormed forewords, swiping at empty air. She allowed herself a small smile - maybe this wouldn't be too hard. Maybe.