Chapter Four: Barren Wastes of the Desert

Sigurd looked at the wolf for a moment... Close to the other side of what? It didn't matter right now. He looked at Ashwyn and nodded "river, blue mushroom and maybe this finder can find Lopiena." Looking back at the wolves he nodded to them "your help is appreciated... Let's go, we don't have time to waste."

Taking her hand he headed off towards the river.

Still too tired to really pay much attention,  Lo smiles back at all these nice people. So many of them watching her is starting to make her uncomfortable, but she'd been taught since childhood that one should always be polite around strangers and these are no different. Besides, this is Twilight, right? Perhaps the usual rules don't apply here...perhaps in the land of dreams she can breathe underwater, or transform into a creature that can swim! Grinning now, Lopiena thinks about a creature that would be able to swim in these deep waters and tries to take its shape....but she's so tired that even trying to experiment in the land of dreams barely holds her attention for more than a moment. Concentration broken, Lo forgets about trying something new and smiles at the lovely people.
"Seeing the water with you...sounds amazing. Thank you for the help." Allowing herself to be pulled into the center of the water, all resistance is gone. The pool is just so lovely, the people so friendly...

Ashwyn bowed her head towards the wolves and turned to leave with Sigurd. They continued on the path until the sound of water could be heard. Ashwyn hurried forward until the creek came into view filled with red mushrooms. She frowned.

"Red... but not blue." She mumbled. She moved closer to the water but remained on the path. As she tipped her head over she saw the single blue mushroom sitting low on the stream wall and she frowned. She reached forward to the edge and felt the rocks with a finger.

"Slick." She began looking over the edge and plotting the best way to reach the mushroom... when something occurred to her. She turned to Sigurd. "Sig... Lo isn't exactly.... agile. Do you think she could reach that?" She asked, pointing to the mushroom. "What if she fell in?" She turned her head and leaned forward a bit to scan the path of the river with her keen eyes. It disappeared into the trees and she frowned.

"Maybe we should follow the creek."

---

As Lo was pulled into the center of the pond the mermaids on the shore dove in and began to circle her until she was in the middle with the male and the one female holding her arm.

"Hold your breath darling love." The female holding her arm said and began to dive herself, slowly pulling Lo down with her.

Sigurd was still looking at the wolves at they walked, while he didn't sense any ill intention from them, just the overall feeling he was getting was weird. Following Ashwyn he scanned the mushrooms with her. At her question he instantly pictured every moment Lopiena lacked the best skills in acrobatics.
"Not a chance... she'd be about half a foot too short..." he sighed.

Without so much as a word Sigurd started off alongside the creek "lets go. I'm not convinced she can swim either..."

Following alongside the lovely merpeople, Lopiena grins, completely at peace. Something about this place put her mind at ease, though she can't really think why. Some distant memory tells her that young hearts are more open to this sort of thing, though what that has to do with anything is beyond her at the moment. Sure, she feels young at heart here! Nothing to fear, and the pool is so lovely.

Smiling back at the beautiful mermaid holding her arm,  Lo obediently takes a deep breath but just before submerging all of the air in her lungs escapes in a fit of giggles. Something or someone tickled her! Whatever, whoever...she's beyond caring about such trivialities. Interestingly enough, the sensation brought up an old memory of playing in the river with her mother as a child. She remembered playing, splashing...and howling like wolves, making a giant ruckus just for the fun of it. Well why not! She's in such a good mood right now all the usual self restraints are gone. Letting out a high pitched howl for the sheer pleasure of making noise in this peaceful place, Lo catches her breath again and finally submerges, keeping her eyes open under the water. This is going to be so fun!

Ashwyn nodded, suddenly even more nervous about Lopiena's situation. Her eyes followed the creek in the direction of the water flow. "It means leaving the path." She stated as they stepped off to keep near the edge. "Stay sharp." She added, her eyes instantly scanning the area around them, remembering what Lamont had said about leaving the path.

---

The mermaid tugged on Lopiena as she began to submerge, pulling her deeper. The male smiled happily along side her keeping her attention.

--

It took some time, but slowly the creek began to open up and become wider and the cliff wall lowered until it became level with the water level. Eventually they turned a corner and came across the pond. The mermaids were still dancing in a circle in the water around a still rippling surface.

[Ashwyn Knowledge Check: 19. Success]

Ash paused just before becoming visible to the water creatures and pulled Sig down into a crouch with her. "Mermaids." She hissed. "I've never actually come across one... but my father spoke of them. They're tricksters and extremely dangerous." Then her eyes widened and she gasped. "They could have Lo!" She immediately reached for her bow only to be sorely disappointed in her lack of weaponry here.

---

[Perception Check for Lo!! Let's see what she sees down there ]

Perception 14+2=16

Sigurd squatted beside Ashwyn and stared. He had read about mermaids which told him enough to be cautious but his eyes caught a glimpse of a head of black hair decending into the depths, guides by two merfolk. The male still looked human enough, however the female's shape began to twist and change until she looked more fish like.

Growling, Sigurd took quick stock of himself, no weapons, no magic, and trying to shift felt strained. It was going to just have to be his human body. Even so he was a fighter, his body in any form was still a weapon. Standing up, he took a few steps back before leaning fully into a sprint towards the water. When he was close enough he leapt from the ponds edge and flung himself in. From air to water he had a fleeting ng thought. I wonder what mermaid tastes like...

The mermaids gasped and scattered as Sigurd dove in the middle of them. All but the two holding onto Lo. The female clutched Lo's arm tighter and hissed at Sig, sending bubbles out of her mouth.

The male looked up and glared at him, his form now changing to be more monsterous. His grip on Lo's wrist grew tighter and they began to push further down into the pond, which now seemed to be bottomless.

Meanwhile, up top, Ashwyn had charged to the water's edge and as the mermaids scattered from Sig she grabbed them by the wrists and yanked them from the water . She managed to get 4 beached before they caught on to her and the remaining moved back to the center of the water, hissing and turning monster-like.

The 4 on the beach flopped their tails, but Ashwyn was quick with the nearby vines. She tied their hands and tied them to a trunk away from the water and each other. "You'll be fine. We'll release you once we get our friend." She informed them, speaking loud enough so that the ones in the water could hear.

Eagerly peering into the water, Lopiena looks all around in wonder at the shimmering lights under the water surface. The twinkling lights of Twilight are beautiful on their own, but enhanced by the shimmering pool is so amazing! Grinning at her companions, Lo is at first struck at their colorful scaled tails but as her eyes adjust to the water she’s able to get a closer look. There’s something…strange…about them, and though she can’t quite put her finger on it some distant internal alarm starts taking notice. Looking closer, she starts noticing how their forms are shifting from beautiful, colorful scales to...something else. Something...something very wrong...

A splashing over to one side of the pool gets her attention, and she automatically turns towards it…or tries to, the strong arms carrying her under the water are holding her very tightly...and getting tighter. The internal alarm going off in her mind is becoming a little more insistent, and even though Lopiena is still too tired to really think clearly she's starting to resist their strong arms, trying to turn towards whatever is making all of that splashing.

Sigurd dove and swam towards Lopiena, he was sick of this place, it felt like they had been in the twilight for months. As he approached his sinking comrade he grabbed the merman's shoulder and throttled him in the face before wrapping his arms around Lopiena ripping her away from the fish people and headed back to the surface and water's edge.

Pulling the Druid on the shore, Sigurd stared at the water waiting for them to follow.

The complete change from beautiful merfolk into something monstrous finally snaps Lopiena out of her dazzled state.  Realizing that she's in very real danger here, Lo starts struggling against the merfolk pulling her deeper underwater but isn't strong enough to resist them.  The mysterious splashing is getting closer, and even though her curiosity is still making her turn towards it Lo is suddenly afraid that these merfolk are dragging her towards some great beast that eats travelers foolish enough to wander away from the path...

When something suddenly appears at her side and rips her away from the merfolk, Lo nearly panics.  Struggling weakly against the unknown creature grappling her, her resistance doesn't even slow her captor as she's dragged away towards certain doom...and...the shore?  Gasping for air, Lo struggles with renewed vigor until pulled out of the water by the strong arms of...Sigurd!!!  But how...?  He shouldn't be here!  Unless...perhaps he's a spirit?  Looking up at him, Lo reaches out a hand to touch him, touch his face...his arms had felt real enough underwater, but you just never know with these things.  He seems real enough, which only makes her more concerned.  If he's a spirit now living in Twilight, does that mean he's no longer in the land of living?  If he'd died on the surface while she was playing with mermaids she'll never forgive herself!  And what of Ashwyn?  Looking around, the spirit of Ashwyn is also there, fighting mermaids.  No!!!  It can't be!  A wash of horror and unspeakable sadness nearly overwhelms her, but the screeching and hissing of the fighting merpeople snaps her out of it.  If Sigurd and Ashwyn gave so much of themselves that they would come to her defense even in death, she will not allow their sacrifice to be in vain.  Slowly rising, Lopiena looks around, trying to find some way to help her friends.  Perhaps a downed tree branch or something...

The merman reared back when punched and released his hold on Lopiena. The female gripped tighter, momentarily contemplating pulling back, but decided against it with Sigurd's fierceness and disapeared into the depths.

Once on the shore, the merfolk hissed and growled at him but didn't come ashore.

Seeing them safely back on the shore, Ashwyn untied the vines and stood back while the merfolk hauled themselves back to the water. They growled and hissed before disappearing into the depths.

Ashwyn signed in relief and walked around the pond to where Sigurd and Lopina were laying. "Next time," she said, kneeling next to them. "Can we just not go in the water?" She smirked.

Suddenly Lamont's voice echoed throughout the wood. "Hurry friends. The spirits grow restless. You must return to the path."

Ashwyn looked up into the trees when the voice sounded and then nodded. She offered a hand to Lo. "Come on. Let's get you back to the path and back to the land of the living." She smiled.

Surprised and relieved that the merpeople didn't follow or fight, Lo stops looking for a weapon and grins at Ashwyn's comment about not going into the water. "Well, I did need a bath."  ...but grows sad when she hears Lamont's voice. Ashwyn's comment about taking her back to the land of the living...only her, not all of them...just serves to confirm her fears. "But how did you come to this place? What happened that you...your spirits..." Unwilling to even say it, Lo pulls them both into a soggy hug.  "Once we get to the path, I'll never see you again...I'm not ready to say goodbye...."

Sigurd relaxed when the merfolk failed to emerge and follow them to the shore. Shaking his head to get the water out of his eyes, he was caught off guard by Lopiena's hug and mention of not being ready to say goodbye to them, talking as if they were dead. "What are you talking about? We're all going back together. We came to get you the same way you came here. Why would you think we were dead??"

He looked at Ashwyn confused. "We can hug later, we have to go."

Ashwyn was confused by Lo's words too, but Sigurd was right. They had to hurry and get out of Twilight.

"Don't be silly." She told her as Sigurd explained that they weren't dead. She looked at the druid and smirked. "We can explain later. We need to move." She grabbed the girl by the hand and began pulling her along the path she'd taken before.

Eventually they had found their way back to the path and could hear Lamont again. "I'm bringing you out now. Hold tight."

With a feeling like thick gel running the length of their bodies, they'd feel as though they were entering a dark room. Then slowly their senses would come back to them and they'd feel themselves sitting around the circle again.

Opening their eyes, they'd see several of their friends pacing back and forth and others worriedly rocking in their place. Outside, the sounds of battle could be heard.

The battle sounds snapped Ashwyn to consciousness. "What's happening?" She turned towards the sounds.

"We got a few visitors while you were asleep." Jaquelyn said with a grim smile. "Leif and Brinoff are finishing them off now."

Still a little befuddled by the effects of Twilight, Lopiena doesn't resist when Ashwyn takes her hand to lead her to the path.  Slowly churning over what Sigurd said, what Ashwyn said...the mental fog is slowly starting to lift, and the closer to the path they get the more she's able to remember what happened.  Backtracking from the mermaids...falling in the stream...the blue toadstool...finding the Finder...the wolves...Kakerot.  The one mission she'd been given, and she'd failed.  That realization alone was bad enough, but she still hadn't quite processed the fact that Sigurd and Ashwyn are in fact very much alive (even after Sigurd himself told her as much).   They're right though, the mission must come first now and always. When they reach the path, she pauses a moment as though to say something, but before she can form words the voice of Lamont echoes in the forest and they were gone.

Coming back out of Twilight...the gel feeling is very reminiscent of coming in and out of Shimmer Hollow, interestingly enough...Lo finds herself back in the circle, now very different from how she remembers it from before.  Looking around at all their worried faces, she looks at Lamont with a stricken expression.  "I am so so sorry..."

The sounds of battle get her attention; whatever happened is going to have to wait until...wait, Ashwyn?! She's alive! And Sigurd is sitting right next to her! Reeling with shock while her emotions tried to catch up with her brain, Lo rebounds from overwhelming sadness to incredible joy in a matter of seconds. She's still very confused about what happened in Twilight, but being able to see her friends again gives her the strength to overcome anything. Looking around the circle, seeing faces of friends and strangers alike, Lo smiles.
"Whatever it is, we can face it together."  Squeezing her hands around those to her right and left, Lopiena glances around at all their worried faces. Must be pretty bad if they're all so worried...smile sliding into an expression of grim determination, Lo looks up at Jacquelyn. "We can heal the wounded if they're brought to this circle, but it might be better to go to them. Is it safe to break the circle and get up? I'd like to help, if you'll accept me."

Sigurd got to his feet and quickly shifted into his hybrid form, he was relieved at the ease of shifting again after not being able to in the twilight. His ears twitched and looked as if they were scanning the area, "if they're just finishing up then we have nothing to worry about... However, I don't trust anything out here"

With that Sigurd didn't wait to be invited to help, he just walked out of the cave, back into the village.

Just as Sigurd was exiting the protective cave area of the city, he was met by Brinoff, Leif, Zexink-tik, and  Rezto-cha. The minute Zexink-tik saw Sigurd, he rushed forward and bowed his head.

"Master Sigurd return from Dark Places! Zexink-tik very glad of this, Sir."

Brinoff huffed and rolled his shoulders a bit. "I'm getting too damn old for this nonsense." He grumbled as he stalked towards the overhang.

Ashwyn stood and approached them. "Everyone alright?"

Leif nodded. "For now. No sign of anything new yet."

Brinoff saw Lopiena awake and sighed. He walked over to her and rubbed the top of her head. "I'm glad to see you found your way back ,kiddo." He said affectionately.

Ashwyn turned to look out into the city with a sigh. "This isn't over..." she mumbled, scanning the horizon.

Rezto-cha joined her. "Something in air. Can feel." She said softly.

Ash nodded. "I feel it too."

As they watched, the sky began to turn dark. "Uhm.... guys...?" She called. Outside the city a funnel of clouds began to form.

Lamont walked up to Ash to see what she saw. "Something is coming."

Leif nodded. "Somethign big."

Jacqulyn nodded. "Okay. Leif, you and I will stay here to defend the people. Everyone else get your asses out there and stop whatever it is from destroying the city."

Ashwyn reached behind her and gripped her bow, grateful to have it back now. Not having it in Twilight was very disconcerting. "Copy." She said, glancing to Sigurd and giving a nod. She took two strong steps towards him and he caught her foot on the third step and launched her upwards. She flipped and landed  with a roll on the nearest rooftop. From there, she hopped from one roof to the next towards the funnel.

Zexnik-tik and Rezto-cha followed behind her on the rooftops.

The others followed along on foot until they reached the place the funnel was forming.

Watching Sigurd shift and leave, Lopiena barely resists the urge to follow him immediately.  Battles are usually best left to the warriors, and while her confidence has grown she still tends to follow someone else's instructions rather than trusting herself.  Though the fact that the circle is officially broken now means she can get up, at least.  Grinning up at Brynoff when he rubbed her head, Lo nods and blushes at his comment.  "I didn't mean to cause such a bother...I hope someone else was able to figure something out, because I sure didn't."

Following everyone out of the protection of the mountain, Lo blinked in surprise at the forms of...giant bug things???  Glancing from them to the familiar way Ashwyn, Sigurd, and Brynoff are standing next to them, Lo puts on her friendly face to attempt introductions but is interrupted by Jacquelyn's firm instructions.  Grabbing her staff and doing a quick mental check of what...if anything...she can do against large cloud funnels, she watches Ashwyn step up on Sigurd and leap to the top of the building as if this sort of thing happens every day.  Such confidence shown by Ashwyn (and seeing them alive!!!) helps Lopiena find her courage again.  As the group follows those on the rooftops, Lo quiets her fears until at last they all stand boldly at the edge of the city, ready to take on anything.

The funnel swirled and howled as it grew bigger and bigger. Those looking on preparing as best they can for whatever would appear.

The funnel touched the ground and kicked up a torrent of sand around it. From within the spiral a figure formed. It came closer and as it stepped from the spirals it was clear it was a man. He was average height, standing 5'10" and had short, straight black hair and deep brown eyes. He looked frail and spindly and had pockmarked skin but he walked with a hidden strength in his stride. He has an oval, unremarkable face and a large piercing on his left ear and a piercing on his right ear.

"Kakerot." Brynoff spat, his fingers curling into a fist.

"Good evening, Brynoff." Despite the wind, his voice seemed flat and unimpressed. "So glad to see you're daughter is doing well." He grinned towards Lo causing Brynoff to growl.

"That's enough of your games, Kakerot! We end this today!" Brynoff shouted, stepping towards him.

"Oh I do believe we will end it today, Brynoff." He answered calmly, the storm behind him still spinning angrily. "I do not believe you will like the result however." He grinned.

Behind him in the swirl another figure began to appear. This one was larger.... MUCH larger.The shadow within grew before their eyes. The size of a building at least. As the shadow gained form, the storm abruptly stopped.As the wind vanished, the sand being thrown into the air slowly settled. Before them stood a very large red dragon.

Zexnik-tik and Rezto-cha faltered, taking a step backwards in shock. Brynoff tensed and shifted into his hybrid form, ready for the beast to attack.

The dragon shook the sand off his back and looked up out at those surrounding it.

Ashwyn's grip tightened on her bow for a moment..... but something seemed.... familiar. "Arvan?" She asked uncertainly. "Arvan The Unchained?"

The dragon eyed her carefully, then scanned the crowd until he found Sigurd. Suddenly it burst into laughter. "Damn the gods to hell, can't I ever be rid of you people?" He laughed.

[Post from Sigurd]
Sigurd takes a step back as the sands fall away from their scaily friend. Relieved to see him Sigurd walks forward with a smile "Arvan! Not to put to fine a point on this but once again we must ask too much from you. You see we are in the middle of a fight and could use some overkill, yeah? Could you lend us a hand?" He asked, pointedly motioning over to Kakerot.
[End Sig Post]

The dragon glanced towards an obviously confused Kakerot and then grinned, his large teeth shining in the sunlight. "I WAS feeling peckish..." He chuckled.

Kakerot faultered. "I... I summoned you beast! You will do my bidding!"

Arvan laughed again, the boom echoing throughout the village. "I will do my OWN bidding, fool wizard!" He shouted before lunging forward towards Kakerot. In the scuffle more sand got swung up and it was difficult to see. When the sand settled down, the dragon was left standing there with a disgusted look on his face.

"Ugh... I think that guy had turned...." He grumbled before burping and Kakerots hat came from his mouth and fell too the ground.

Ashwyn smiled and, jumping from the rooftop, ran to Arvan's side. She stroked his chest affectionately. "It's good to see you again."

Sigurd shifted back to his normal form after the dust settled. He sighed and attached his sword to his back, happy that the battle ended surprisingly fast as he still felt a little dizzy from coming back to the normal world. Walking over to Ashwyn he wrapped an arm around her waist. "A little anticlimactic but a win is a win" he grinned.

Though it wasn't really possible, Arvan appeared to blush when Ashwyn pat his chest. "Yeah well...." He shifted a bit uncomfortably and then cleared his throat. He turned to Sig when he approached. "Meh. Whoever said it needed to be climactic?" He chuckled.

Ashwyn snuggled into Sigurd's arm as he held her, glad that the action ended easily and no one was hurt.

Brynoff shifted back into his human for and sheathed his sword. "You folks know a dragon? Well... if wonders never cease." He chuckled.

Arvan puffed up his chest. "They're just lucky I wasn't hungry." He scoffed, but when Ash laughed he visibly blushed again.

Lamont approached the dragon and smiled. "Well... It's an unexpected guest but a guest nontheless. Welcome friend. We are greatful for your services."

Arvan shrugged. "It's not like I planned to help. That wizard just made me angry. Imagine, summoning me here! I was halfway to the coast! I could smell the water!" He grumbled irritably.

Watching the funnel cloud form, Lopiena slides closer to Leif and Lamont. It had taken Jacquelyn's guiding hand to help her calm the sandstorm earlier in the day, and she's not entirely sure she can handle another one. When Kakerot appears out of the storm, Lo narrows her eyes. First of all, how did he do that?? Something to think about later; flashy tricks are just another way to intimidate and control. Seeing him in the daylight has a dramatically different effect on Lopiena than the first time she'd seen him, though. Last time her hands had been bound; she'd felt helpless and terrified...but this time? Underwhelmed. She can see now why he's resorted to tricks and magic to make his statements, but as a magic user herself she isn't about to underestimate the power that stirs behind those cold, unkind eyes. Not even bothering to respond to the insults, Lo readies herself with one of the strong stances Sigurd had taught her as the shadowy form resolves itself out of the storm...and...

"Arvan??" Glancing from Arvan to Sigurd and Ashwyn, a slow happy smile creeps across her face. Still not wanting to interrupt, Lo lowers her fighting stance, listening as Sigurd makes his request and Kakerot realizes his doom...well that's one way to end a fight!!! Raising her arms to fend of flying sand during the scuffle, Lo takes the moment to grin at Leif and Lamont. "He's a friend, met him at the edge of the forest! He's great! ...I mean...uhhh...fierce and powerful, a dragon to be respected!"

Laughing when Arvan burps up Kakerot's hat, Lo bows to him with a flourish. "He most certainly had turned! We are grateful for your willingness to put up with such indigestion." Approaching him where Ashwyn and Sigurd are embracing, Lo grins up at the dragon. "I don't know how to take you back to the coast, but if there is something I might be able to help you with..." pausing to think a moment, Lo looks up at their scaly friend. "How's your side with the scale? Would a little healing help?"

Sigurd sighed and rolled his eyes, this dragon was such a child sometimes. "I'm sorry your trip was interrupted but really, your assistance was appreciated" he walked over to Kakerot's hat and picked it up. Sniffing it, he snorted and tossed it back on the ground "pathetic...." Sigurd growled, "All that pontificating and he was done in by a backfiring summon."

Turning to Ashwyn he smiles softly. He was glad no one got hurt but deep down he wanted to rip Kakerot's throat out himself. The thought sent a pang of hunger through his whole body, it shuddered slightly as chills ran down Sigurd's spine.

Checking the missing scale on Arvan's side...seems to be healing nicely...Lo grins at Sigurd's observation but is oblivious to his frustration. "Well I for one am grateful. Arvan, are you planning to stick around or would you rather get back to your trip?"

Walking back to Leif and Lamont, Lo keeps her voice down in the hopes that the dragon's hearing isn't as good as...well, probably everyone but her. "Uhm. Do you know anything about transportation spells? Or...I don't know if the lizards we fought earlier are enough meat for a dragon, but it seems rude to not ask him to stay for tea..." Glancing from one brother to the next, then expanding her glance to include Cirro as a fellow magic user, Lo hesitates. None of the ceremonies and formal training she'd received over the years has prepared her for a moment like this, but it feels weird to not do something.