RPG A Sudden Rain

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue]Ravenstorture and I have decided to do an RPG together. Just the two of us. So unless you have something productive to say, STAY AWAY!!! Thank you for your cooperation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~[/COLOR]
[COLOR=purple][i]The sun beat down on the faces of Ananda and Jaudiar...sweat pouring down into their eyes. The elder child brushed a hand across her face, but continued with the work...the harvest had to come in by tonight.[/i]

Jaudiar: This stings.

Ananda: Well, it's either suffer or starve for the year.

Jaudiar: ...*sigh* Why doesn't Kryas help us?

Ananda: She's old. And she's making dinner, lunch, and other things.

Jaudiar: When's sunset today?

Ananda: Um...don't know?

Jaudiar: Whatever, just keep moving.

[i]The two moved quickly, swinging the sickles, stacking the grain onto the wagon....by dusk, the harvest was in, and the cart was slowly rolling home...the two tired girls walking besides the oxen. Once they reached the barn, they unhitched the livestock, set them up...and tossed the grain into the threshing floor. Finally, they shed their dusty work clothes and headed inside, where they knew warm food was waiting.....[/i]

Kyras: How was it?

Jaudiar: It's in for the winter....now we'll have something to do for the rest of the year.

Ananda: And the shepherds delivered the wool?

Kyras: Yes. I'll start braiding it and spinning the rest.

Jaudiar: Excellent.

[i]The three women enjoyed their dinner, washed up, and headed to bed....exhausted, but satisfied.[/i][/COLOR]

[Ravenstorture]

[color=darkgreen][font=gothic][i]
Jaudiar wakes to the sound of a loud thump, and muffled yelling. She leaps up and goes to Ananda, shaking her and calling her awake. Ananda wakes confusedly, but Jaudiar clamps a hand over her sister's mouth, releasing it slowly. Anandar, taking the hint, remains silent and gets up quickly. The two sisters dress themselves, and creep downstairs.

The house was empty, save for a note. Ananda, upon finding it, rushed outside and violently emptyed her stomach while Jaudiar holds her hair back and stokes her shoulders. The note, pinned to Kyras's forehead with a crossbow bolt, read only one word. [/i]Leave.[/color][/font]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]Ananda retched, then wiped her mouth and stood up. This was harsh. Bitter medicene. She returned inside and quickly pulled the bolt out of Kryas's forehead. The old woman's head lolled foreward uselessly. And at that point, both of the sister's tears fell....fast and free.

They carried her body outside and found the place of the willows. With a few softly spoken words, they burried her....and covered her body with branches and flowers.[/i]

Jaudiar: By the blood spilled on this place, we will avenge you.

Ananda: And by the power bested in us, we shall bring all to justice.

Both: Rest in peace...

[i]Then they turned and slowly walked back into the house. Leave. The words were harsh. And grating. But they had nothing more here. The two looked at eachother, then quickly sprang into action. Jaudiar fled upstairs and began packing the bare essentials.

A change of clothes, a good portion of wool, food, and water flasks. While she packed everything they needed into saddlebags, Ananda ran out into the dusky twilight and made a beeline for the stables. Once inside, she pulled down the bars restricting their horses. Immediatly, both sprang out onto the floor, tails plummed, necks arched.

Both were fully developed Kavaiana stallions, strong, clean limbed, and ready to roam forever. Ananda wiped her tears and quickly saddled both up, pressing the bits into their mouths and removing the stirrups. They would not need them. With a quick motion, she grabbed their leads, and snatched the last lantern.....[/i]

Ananda: Are you ready?

[i]The younger sister turned and locked the door behind her. Two saddlebags were in her right hand, in her other were their spears. She nodded and silently tossed one of each to Ananda. The once joyful woman quietly lynched up the bags....[/i]

Ananda: Ready?

Jaudair: Let's make for Blasns. We can choose our weapons there.

[i]They swung onto their hoses easily, practiced, smooth....and with one hand, they gripped their spears. Prepared. At the same time, they shouted aloud and the two horses bolted forwards.[/i][/COLOR]

[Ravenstorture]

[color=darkgreen][font=gothic][i]Jaudiar and Ananda swept through the village like a silent storm, east, towards the barely awoken sun. Tears streamed from Jaudiar's eyes into her long black hair, making it hard to see. The darkness scattered before them and the morning dew began to glisten in the early light as the two women galloped through woody glades and pastures towards nothing and away from nothing. A large boom hit their ears. They knew what had happened, and felt deep sadness and despair for their soon dying townspeople.
Ananda smelt smoke and turned to see it rising in a thick black column over the village in the distance. [/i]"Nothing to come back to..." [i]she muttered, facing forward once more to catch up with her sister. Neither sister knew where they were going, or even why, but they could sense that more than a crossbow bolt to the head awaited them should they have returned, tallied or even disregarded the note. [/i][/color][/font]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]Raising their spears like lances, Ananda and Jaudiar opened their mouths and began to sing the song of death. It had been passed down to them by Kryas herself, and the music flowed, and the horses perked their ears as they galloped. Jaudiar's alto blended smoothly with Ananda's soprano, forming a lilting, twisting song...[/i]

Both: Tantalar, a word for pain,
Effratha, the home of Darkness,
Uthwine, angel of sorrow,
Gorjeouna, we hail thee.
We will have our vengance.

Jaudiar: How much longer?

Ananda: We'll be riding in by sunset. In the meanwhile, we should sleep.

Jaudiar: Of course.

[i]Their songs fadded, and their spears were strapped down into the sadles. The two girls, equally at home in land, air, water, or on horseback, soon drifted into a collective dream.

The agony and weariness of their night flight slowly fadded into a slow burning rage for justice....

Jaudiar's Starseed began it's slow burning.

Ananda's Starseed began it's slow burning.[/i][/COLOR]

[Ravenstorture]

[color=darkgreen][font=gothic][i]Juandiar awoke to the scent of burning flesh. She sat up straight in her seat and rubbed her eyes, peering into the darkness before them. A glow flanked the sisters and their horses. Turning around, Juandiar saw two flaming lumps hanging in the air. Carefull to not wake Ananda, she grabbed the other horses's reins and turned around, walking back the way they came between the portal of fire.
On the other side of the flames, the forms were easier to make out. There were two stakes on each side of the narrow path, each with a flaming horse's head impaled regally upon the sticks like trophies. Like warnings. Juandiar woke her sister softly. Ananda gracefully awoke and peered at the heads, thinking.[/i]

Juandiar: Kalafehr Tribe.

Ananda: Well, haven't we come along way.

Juandiar: Shall we?

Ananda: They can't stand humans, you know.

Juandiar: I know.

[i]The Kalafehr Tribe was a community of centaurs, living deep in the skin of the Central Forest. Although the sister's town nestled on the fringe of that forest, it was so vast that it took nearly two years to get from one side to the other. The Kalafehr were renown for slaying humans for their treatment of the Equine race.[/i][/font][/color]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]She rose to her feet, Ananda was flustered, but unafraind....things would be so bad. She had a good feeling. Jaudiar rose to her feet once more. They stood and waited.... Then Ananda's horse nuzzled her back reasuringly, as if to say,

"Go on, we are unafraid."

The two mounted their horses and swooped forward into the territory of the Kalafehrs.....they continued with a steady speed, moving long and easy. The girls sighed, and made no move for their spears, to do so would result in terrible death.[/i]

"WHO ENTERS?!?!?"

[i]Ananda and Jaudiar continued forward very slowly, quietly, making no false moves.[/i]

"I am Ananda Lethe Sevenstar."

"And I am Jaudiar Nepenthe Sevenstar."

[i]A big male centaur rode onto their path, eyes glittering dangerously, reflecting the light of his torch. The two dismounted and bowed deeply. Long hair brushing the ground. He raised their heads to face him with a spear point. Ananda did not flinch, beneath the harsh countenance, she could sense both understanding, and respect. Jaudiar sensed lust, and a festering hatred for humanity...but not for them. He opened his mouth to speak,[/i]

"You are the girls raised by the old Dorobo witch?"

"Yes, Kryas was murdered by the humans last night."

"Ananda and I have been fleeing ever since."

[i]The alpha male weighed the truth of their words in his mind. The two girls were honest, that was for sure. He smiled, if they were friends of Kryas, this was good. Very good. He nodded, then bid them to re mount their horses...noting that they did not use sturrups or spurs. This weighed heavily in the girls' favor. Then he turned and nodded for them to follow. His hands spread out to his sides, and he intoned in a deep voice,[/i]

"Come one, come all to the Council Edefice. The Two have been found at long last. Come one, come all!"

[i]Ananda and Jaudiar exchanged a puzzled look. The Two?[/i][/COLOR]

[Ravenstorture]

[COLOR=darkgreen][FONT=gothic][i]Ananda and Juandiar followed the centaur into a small village with large, open walled shelters instead of closed dwellings. Centaurs of every shape, colour, size and age mingled about, following the visitors if it fancied them. Plain horses also shared the village, as well as pegasi and even a unicorn, unless Juandiar's eyes were playing tired tricks on her.

The male lead them onto a raised platform in the center of the village, and summonwed an old looking woman from the distance. Once met, they began bickering in an old tounge. The villagers looked as if they had just been brought lunch.[/i][/color][/font]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue]Ananda: ....this is original.

Jaudiar: Can we run?

Ananda: If we could fly, we might have a chance, but even then-

[i]The huge male stamped his spear down on the rocks...and everything became very still. He began to speak. The woman glared at the two of them and spat on the ground. Ananda glared straight into her eyes, rose flickering dangerously against black.[/i]

Old woman: I am not to be threatened!

Ananda: ...I did not threaten you.

Male Centaur: SILENCE!

Old woman: ....ih....

Male Centaur: I am Chiron, master of these lands, if you have a grievance with these children, make it know now.

[i]There were various mutterings throughout the equine people, and the old woman was livid. But nobody came forth to speak, untill the woman stepped forward.....[/i]

Old woman: I am Dainera, Oracle of this place. I say these children are not the Two.

Chiron: What reasons do you give?

Old woman: Do you see a Starseed on them anywhere?!?

[i]Both Ananda and Jaudiar were growing angrier by the minute. To think that they would be insulted and harassed like this was almost unthinkable. Ananda stepped forward, and clenched her teeth.[/i]

Ananda: ....you want a Starseed?

[i]She roared aloud, and her starseed burst from her chest, rose and silver. It hung in the air for a few moments, then began to spin slowly. Ananda hissed through her teeth.[/i][/COLOR]

[Ravenstorture]

[color=darkgreen][font=gothic]Old Woman: And you, child?

Juandiar: Ha, why would I be travelling with her were I not the other?

Old Woman: I don't know, which is why I am inquiring...

[i]Juandiar summoned her starseed, pulling it from herself. She felt the wind on the emerald green and black object, pulsing in the forest-dappled sunlight. Retracting it into her self, the old woman scowled. [/i]

Chinon: There you have it, Yerela. Stand down.

Yerela: I was merely suspicious, my liege.

Ananda: And now for my suspicions - how did you know?[/font][/color]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue]Chiron: Telah and Alamvieve have met in the highest of the heavens. The time was ripe. The signs were a perfect match.

Ananda: ...

[i]So, he was also a stargazer, and a very acurate one at that. She bowed low in respect to the elder. Perhaps they would have some purpose in life.[/i]

Jaudiar: Why have we been brought here?

Chiron: The Dorobo witch was pledged to protect you with her life. She knew that if He ever found you had both been born, there would be hell to pay.

Ananda: He?

Yerela: The Fire Witch. He has risen again, and his sons are roaming the land once more. If the Fire Raisers ever make it here, we will be forced to bend unto his will.

Jaudiar: And let me guess....we are going to risk our lives to save the whole equine race. Is that it?

[i]The old woman hissed and bared feral teeth. Ananda and Jaudiar immediatly went into a defensive position. Chiron banged his spear down once more. He growled through his teeth.[/i]

Chiron: They are not to be threatened either Yerela. Find your place, or leave this Council.[/COLOR]

[Ravenstorture]

[color=darkgreen][font=gothic]Chinon: Not just the equine race, but all races. You know the story, why have one when you can have them all... the equine race is just the channel through which the saviours - namely, you two - can conduct.

Juandiar: Ok, you are a channel?

Chinon: Let me put it this way - your wishes are our commands.

Ananda: It will be of great use to us to have your race on our side. But why you?

Chinon: The Human race would be to ignorant and stubborn to accept that anything was happening until teh firestorms began. We are of a slightly more openminded taint.

Juandiar: And so what are we to do to stop this... fire witch?
[/font][/color]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]Chiron smiled. He bowed his head and gestured to the people.[/i]

Chiron: They have made weapons for you. We will send a guide and a helpmeet.

Jaudair: Another of your kind?

Chiron: No....you will see tomorrow. And when you depart again....

[i]Two huge Shire stallions were brought forward. Both were saddled for batte, yet looked like they posessed the speed of the north wind. Both bowed their heads and arched their necks.[/i]

Ananda: Lovely ones...how old are they?

Chiron: They are 4.....ready to learn the ways of war with the both of you.

Jaudiar: ....*yawn*

Ananda: Diar....

[i]The head of the Council Edefice smiled and pointed down the stairs to two human women. They bowed and followed.[/i][/COLOR]

[Ravenstorture]

[color=darkgreen][font=gothic][i]Juardiar couldn't help but yawn as they were lead through the village to a remote hut buried deep in the skin of the village. The yawns spread. The hut was warm and dry and comfortable, with food waiting on a low table between two reed pallets. The sisters thanked the women, who reminded them that they would remain until Juardiar and Ananda awoke. All four horses were cared for and tethered nearby. Sleep encompassed them like honey, and the sisters slept for eight hours until the smell of burning awoke them. The women who had promised to stay were gone. [/i][/font][/color]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]Jaudiar sat up and nudged Ananda. She rose to her feet and looked around. Nothing. Ananda sighed with resignation and dressed herself quickly, the long dark tunics fitting them perfectly. Jaudiar did likewise, and pulled out the two blades left for them.[/i]

Jaudiar: What's going on?

Ananda: I have no idea.

Jaudar: They said they would be here.....

[i]The two grabbed their belongings and stepped outside. The whole place was silent, like death had just swept through. The fire in the Edifice was burning, but nothing else was happening. The horses were still there. One of the shire stallions dipped his head and whinnyed to Ananda. The two others were lying down, asleep. Jaudiar sighed and mounted the other Shire. The two nudged the beasts, and without any guidance, the horses took off into the predawn.[/i]

Ananda: Where are we going?

Jaudiar: I dont' know....but it can't be so bad.

Ananda: We're fed, armed..[/COLOR]

[Ravenstorture]

[color=darkgreen][font=gothic][i]Jaudiar didn't know what had happened to thier newfound allies, but it scared her. She wasn't quite used to this feeling of apprehension all the time... the forest closed in to a tunnel again, and the light dwindled and failed. It was pitch black and yet the horses continued, at a canter. Jaudiar found herself thinking that this would be an ideal place for an ambush, and sent a mental warning to Ananda. The strong feeling passed to her half sister, and they slowed the horses to a walk.[/i]

Ananda: What will we do if we're cut off?

[i]Jaudiar looked up... she couldn't see anything. Dismounting, Ananda followed and waited with the two horses as Jaudiar motioned for her to stay put and slipped through the wall of the forest. It wasn't as thick a few metres in, and there was no one to be seen. She returned to her sister and slipped under her horse, pressing her lips to Ananda's ear. [/i]

Jaudiar: Let's make a catch of our own. I'm feeling rather... lonely...

[i]The sisters giggled as they led the horses through the forest wall. Ananda fixed the tunnel lining and then followed her sister back about twety paces, where they lay close for the warmth, and silent for the wait.

It wasn't long before the first footsteps were heard.[/i][/font][/color]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]Ananda silently drew her slingblade, then waited. As soon as the male...obviously a human of some sort...had entered, their well adjusted eyes marked him. Both sent their blades through his outer shoulders and they knocked him backwards. A snap of her fingers, and Jaudiar had illuminated the entire cavern. They had caught a younger male, almost their age, his face white with fright....and also bruised. Ananda raised an eyebrow.[/i]

Jaudiar: ....this is our fearsome attacker?

....: I swear I wasn't going to hurt you.

Ananda: ********. You carry poisoned pins in your mouth.

[i]Using her fingernails like pincers, she flicked them out of his mouth and onto the stone floor. He whimpered at the pain, and she then removed the knives. He bit his lip until blood trickled down...and Jaudiar smiled.[/i]

Jaudiar: So...what will we do with you? Boy?[/COLOR]

[Ravenstorture]

[color=darkgreen][font=gothic]Ananda: I say we... [i]torture[/i] him for information, and then keep him for later.

Jaudiar: Sounds good to me.

[i]Knives removed, the boy's eyes darted from side to side but didn't give away any intention of leaving. As if testing this, Ananda stood back from him and waited. The boy didn't move. Scared, or wise? [/i]

Jaudiar: Why are you not leaving?

Boy: Why would I?

Jaudiar: Well, you're losing your freedom.

Boy: I had none anyway.

[i]Jaudiar turned to her sister and smiled.[/i]

Jaudiar: Looks like we don't have to torture him to get him to speak after all....

[i]Ananda laughed and reached out, grabbing the boy's neck and using it to thow him on the ground. He lay there, quivering in response. Jaudiar felt slightly disgusted by this behaviour, but didn't show it. [/i][/color][/font]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]Jaudiar ran her nails down the stone walls, sharpening them to points. Then she snapped them open and stroked his chin with one. He swallowed hard and began to speak. Ananda absorbed the information quietly, taking in far more than her younger sister. Trict Five, a group of insanely powerful men, sent to destroy them by any means possible, starting out small, then progressing to overkill.

They must be more valuable then they thought. Ananda held out her hand and Jaudiar released him. She knelt down next to him, and drew his head up to her face.[/i]

Ananda: ....for your sake, Kennan....you better not be lying to us.

Kennan: I never....

[i]She silenced him with a long sensual kiss, during which she pulled information from his mind directly. When she pulled away, he was gasping for air, lips blue. Jaudiar chuckled softly. Poor thing was going to die and he knew it.[/i][/COLOR]

[Ravenstorture]

[color=darkgreen][font=gothic][i]Jaudiar stood up and stretched, as Kennan lay with his head to one side, watching his spirit leak like steam from his body. He didn't seem too unhappy about it, and so Ananda left him and drew Jaudiar away from the dying boy. [/i]

Jaudiar: So, change of plans?

Ananda: Looking at the orientation memory in his mind, we are heading towards the people who hunt us.

Jaudiar: And do you think that is good or bad, in this case?

Ananda: Your opinion?

Jaudiar: I think it is too early for us to be close. There are things we must do first.

[i]Ananda considered this and smiled, embracing her sister and turning away. Kennan had crawled off, but not made it far before his heart had ceased to aid him.[/i]

Ananda: Things are getting interesting... finally.

[i]Laughing at her sister's absurdly high standards of "interesting", they remounted and walked further down the trail, taking the first left fork they came across.[/i][/font][/color]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue]Jaudiar: Where does this lead?

Ananda: Far away from them. According to Kennan. His mind was blissfully free from flaws and tampering. I think he was telling it as it was.

[i]Her horse quivered slightly and blew the air out through his teeth. He didn't like the scent of blood in the air, and his mistress picked it up quickly. She drew him off the path and Jaudiar followed suit. Both of them rested their hands on their weapons, drawing them out once more, this time, with slightly more apprehension. Two warriors swept down the path, completely ignoring the two women. Ananda and Jaudiar sent out tendrils of thought towards them...finding little animus.

They nudged the horses out onto the path, behind the two men. Yes, men. Definetly. They knew the women were following, and did nothing hostile. Instead, they continued conversing quietly, as if unaware. Ananda and Jaudiar exchanged a quiet glance, doing nothing to provoke.

Men and women rode this way for several miles, until the light grew dim once more. Finally, one turned towards Ananda.[/i]

"Who are you?"

"...I am not at liberty to say. It is not safe."

"And I am?"

[i]Jaudiar snorted and Ananda grinned at him. She gripped her lance with one hand, the other resting on her hip.[/i][/COLOR]

[Ravenstorture]

[color=darkgreen][font=gothic][i]The second rider had not turned around, keeping his eyes on the path. When his partner stopped, however, he too turned around and faced the women. A look of amusement passed over his face.[/i]

Jaudiar: You find something funny?

[i]Ananda shot a warning glare in her sister's direction, but it was not seen.[/i]

2ndMan: Yes, as a matter of fact I do.

Ananda: Listen, we do not want to fight you. Well, she does, but I won't let her. What I want to know is, should we be fighting you?

1stMan: You asking who we work for?

Ananda: If anyone.

2ndMan: (to 1st) Don't tell them, Dom, let them follow and see for themselves.

[i]This seemed a good idea to the first, for after a lingering gaze on the sisters, he turned back and reared his horse, galloping off. The second man followed, glancing back with the same, amused expression. Jaudiar, infuriated, reared her horse also, preparing to follow. Ananda nearly pulled her off her horse.[/i]

Jaudiar: Hey!

Ananda: Are you foolish? We have a mission, my dear. Our lives are important now, and worth protecting.

Jaudiar: Something inside me tells me we should follow.

[i]Ananda stared into Jaudiar's eyes, seeking the truth out of the girl. She found it.[/i]

Ananda: Are you sure?

Jaudiar: Definately. Oh, and there's another thing.
Ananda: Hmm?

[i]Jaudiar pointed ahead into the long, straight tunnel.[/i]

Jaudiar: We don't seem to have a choice.[/font][/color]

[Raiha]

[color=royalblue][i]Ananda shrugged and nudged her horse in the right direction, putting her lance across the saddle diagonally, freeing her up. The two women followed at a brisk lope, quite unconcerned. Although slightly bothered, they wouldn't waste energy with stress.

Inside the tunnel, they could see carvings and paintings on the walls. The men, obviously knights of some sort, said absolutely nothing. Finally, they broke through into a large cavern. A fire in the center, and a council of some sort steated around it. Ananda an dJaudiar exchagned a glance that said: "Oh how cliche." The knights dismounted and led their horses to a nearby alcove. The women stayed on their horses, unless a daring midnight escape was in order. The first council personage stood and walked over. He gazed into Ananda's eyes and she smiled him.

"....Tain Rhen. It's you."

He laughed like a father and held his hand out to her. She dismounted lightly and landed next to him. He kissed her cheek and she bowed back.[/i]

Tain: We've been looking for you. The Trict is coming.

Ananda: ...I know.

Jaudiar: Who are you?!

Ananda: ...This is Tain Rhen. He's the brother of Kryas. She used to tell us to find him.

Jaudiar: And now she's gone.[/color]