Only Gelden said anything after he finished speaking, but it was only two words of shared compassion. He smiled at her gratefully as she walked towards their beds, then turned his attention back to Illilli. She still hadn't said anything to him. For that matter, Gelden hadn't really said anything either. His eyes flickered over to Gelden for a moment, who was now looking at him in what he could only call a considering fashion as she bounced a stick on her palm.
Ander's attention returned to Illilli, and he suddenly felt the need to explain more. He had thought they were held together with what they had been through, but maybe he had been wrong. It -had- only been a few days.
He took a step towards Illilli as he started to explain, when suddenly her eyes widened. Ander held up his hands to show her he meant no harm, and only then did he realize she wasn't looking at him.
He turned his head to see what she was looking at just in time to bring an arm up across his body to fend off the flying stick. It clattered to the floor, finally settling under the table Illilli was perched on.
Ander could only stare in shock at Gelden for the first few seconds. The shock quickly changed into a disappointed sadness, and he turned to head towards his pack.
His voice held no animosity in it as he spoke. "If you wanted me to leave, all you had to do was say something. You didn't have to throw a stick at me."
Haven in the Woods
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Ander Valman
- Citizen
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- Joined: Thu Apr 20, 2006 1:26 am
- Race: Human
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Geldenwing
- Citizen
- Posts: 145
- Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2006 12:33 am
- Race: Fairy
"Don't be silly," the fae snapped as she bounced behind the stick, oblivious to Ander's sorrow at her actions. Not that his sadness was unwarranted - one could only assume certain things upon being pelted with small objects - but the fae didn't take this into account.
"If I wanted you to leave I'd say so. The stick was a test."
She reached out to grab his hand, which she yanked toward herself regardless of the direction of his body. She spread his palm out and examined each finger in turn, puffing out her cheeks as she did so. If he continued walking, she'd follow along like a docile little dog, tugging on his fingertips as he went.
Finally the fae dropped his hand with an exasperated cry.
"There has to be a trigger!"
She stood on her tippy toes and tried to stare into his eyes for anything, some flash of magic or other obvious sign of the power within this boy.
"Ander," she cried in a most annoyed tone, "what's the trigger? I thought for sure it was self-defense!"
She scowled and crossed her arms, glaring at the floor and blaming it quite thoroughly for the lack of reaction. What was the pattern? If there wasn't a pattern, that meant the boy really didn't have a lick of control over what he could do - which meant he really could do anything. Which left them in some sort of danger!
But she couldn't imagine him hurting them because he hadn't done so. Maybe it was defense of others? Arg!
This last thought burst from her lips in a frustrated little imp growl. She hated puzzles! She was never any good at them!
"Ander," she snapped again, sounding purposeful and somewhat haughty, "do you remember how you felt before you used the magic? Your emotions? Or did you feel an ache, like - in here?"
She laid a hand against his belly at this point, then pointed up to his forehead -
"Or there?"
This stuff had to come from somewhere. The fae hoped and hoped he would have felt a headache. Oh, how she hoped.
"If I wanted you to leave I'd say so. The stick was a test."
She reached out to grab his hand, which she yanked toward herself regardless of the direction of his body. She spread his palm out and examined each finger in turn, puffing out her cheeks as she did so. If he continued walking, she'd follow along like a docile little dog, tugging on his fingertips as he went.
Finally the fae dropped his hand with an exasperated cry.
"There has to be a trigger!"
She stood on her tippy toes and tried to stare into his eyes for anything, some flash of magic or other obvious sign of the power within this boy.
"Ander," she cried in a most annoyed tone, "what's the trigger? I thought for sure it was self-defense!"
She scowled and crossed her arms, glaring at the floor and blaming it quite thoroughly for the lack of reaction. What was the pattern? If there wasn't a pattern, that meant the boy really didn't have a lick of control over what he could do - which meant he really could do anything. Which left them in some sort of danger!
But she couldn't imagine him hurting them because he hadn't done so. Maybe it was defense of others? Arg!
This last thought burst from her lips in a frustrated little imp growl. She hated puzzles! She was never any good at them!
"Ander," she snapped again, sounding purposeful and somewhat haughty, "do you remember how you felt before you used the magic? Your emotions? Or did you feel an ache, like - in here?"
She laid a hand against his belly at this point, then pointed up to his forehead -
"Or there?"
This stuff had to come from somewhere. The fae hoped and hoped he would have felt a headache. Oh, how she hoped.
Once Illilli had calmed down from the semi-random stick tossing, she stood up and looked at Ander.
"Yeah, I get a headache when I do magic... and my markings" she ran ahead of both Geldenwing and Ander then turned around and looked back over her tiny shoulder, "change colors... Like Geldenwing says, we really should try and figure out what sets you off, if anything. Thing is we don't want you getting hurt, or get ourselves hurt."
Illilli returned and sat on the edge of the table, her tail and wings keeping her ballance neatly with her legs crossed. It looked a little odd to see a human manerism on a radically different body type. Luckily for Illilli her dragon form was more lithe and humanoid in shape rather than squatty and stubby like a lizard.
"We certainly want you to stick around, you are definatly a good person who has had some rough bits in your life."
"I must admit I am also very curious about your magic. At least yours isn't as blatantly obvious as some of ours... If I'm scaly, its kinda obvious I'm not Human... Same goes for Geldenwing with her cute little glow and wings. The largest settlement around here seems to be very scared about magic."
She gave a conspiratal wink. "I kinda feel a naughty rush when I do magic. Where I grew up, magic isn't banned... but no body really did it either."
"I wonder if your magic is feeling based... If you get angry or protective or surprised or something... Wanna try getting angry at what is left of that nasty slime in the pond maybe? I certainly wouldn't miss the stuff..."
"Yeah, I get a headache when I do magic... and my markings" she ran ahead of both Geldenwing and Ander then turned around and looked back over her tiny shoulder, "change colors... Like Geldenwing says, we really should try and figure out what sets you off, if anything. Thing is we don't want you getting hurt, or get ourselves hurt."
Illilli returned and sat on the edge of the table, her tail and wings keeping her ballance neatly with her legs crossed. It looked a little odd to see a human manerism on a radically different body type. Luckily for Illilli her dragon form was more lithe and humanoid in shape rather than squatty and stubby like a lizard.
"We certainly want you to stick around, you are definatly a good person who has had some rough bits in your life."
"I must admit I am also very curious about your magic. At least yours isn't as blatantly obvious as some of ours... If I'm scaly, its kinda obvious I'm not Human... Same goes for Geldenwing with her cute little glow and wings. The largest settlement around here seems to be very scared about magic."
She gave a conspiratal wink. "I kinda feel a naughty rush when I do magic. Where I grew up, magic isn't banned... but no body really did it either."
"I wonder if your magic is feeling based... If you get angry or protective or surprised or something... Wanna try getting angry at what is left of that nasty slime in the pond maybe? I certainly wouldn't miss the stuff..."
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Ander Valman
- Citizen
- Posts: 71
- Joined: Thu Apr 20, 2006 1:26 am
- Race: Human
Ander was tugged back by the little fae, who was surprisingly strong for someone so diminutive. He stopped as the two of them began talking about his magic. Or rather, their thoughts about his magic.
To tell the truth, he wasn't sure what set off his magic. Perhaps it was emotion. He had been surprised and panicked when his mother came into the room, and angry at his father. With the two intruders, he had been angry and surprised. But ... the time he saw the gold in the pond ... he hadn't been feeling anything.
He thought about what Gelden had said too. He had felt a tightness in his stomach, but he thought that might be nervousness and anger combined. His head had felt clear... if a little ... lightheaded?
He frowned as he thought it through. He thought that maybe the adrenaline thing he had heard about might be responsible for that. He glanced up at the two women, and suddenly realized they were waiting for his response.
"Uh...well, I guess I was emotional a lot of the time, but... well, when I was by the pond, I kinda ... um... I guess I kinda flew through the pond and looked at what was behind it. Without actually moving. Some kind of seeing thing, I guess," he said, looking at the two, slightly confused. "I don't think I was feeling anything in particular, then ..."
To tell the truth, he wasn't sure what set off his magic. Perhaps it was emotion. He had been surprised and panicked when his mother came into the room, and angry at his father. With the two intruders, he had been angry and surprised. But ... the time he saw the gold in the pond ... he hadn't been feeling anything.
He thought about what Gelden had said too. He had felt a tightness in his stomach, but he thought that might be nervousness and anger combined. His head had felt clear... if a little ... lightheaded?
He frowned as he thought it through. He thought that maybe the adrenaline thing he had heard about might be responsible for that. He glanced up at the two women, and suddenly realized they were waiting for his response.
"Uh...well, I guess I was emotional a lot of the time, but... well, when I was by the pond, I kinda ... um... I guess I kinda flew through the pond and looked at what was behind it. Without actually moving. Some kind of seeing thing, I guess," he said, looking at the two, slightly confused. "I don't think I was feeling anything in particular, then ..."
So you were born in an electrical storm, took a bite out the sun, and saw your future in a machine built for two.
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Geldenwing
- Citizen
- Posts: 145
- Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2006 12:33 am
- Race: Fairy
Gelden walked over to lean next to where Illilli sat at the edge of the table, pouting at the floor. The tabletop hit her just below her shoulder blades.
Ander's magic seemed to be random, and the only trigger she was positive about was defending someone. He'd used it to kill the badger to defend Illilli and her; he'd used it to threaten both of their wayward visitors to the cave when either man had been threatening. Even though he hadn't done anything, the tension in the air told her that he had been ready to explode out with power.
But now he was talking about doing something by the pond, and he hadn't been feeling anything. Totally random - and totally out of control. This could be a very bad thing indeed.
Still, she didn't feel threatened by him. She thought this might be because he'd learned to trust her - her and Illilli. Even when she'd sorta-attacked him, all she'd gotten was the Teenaged Mopey Face. It just didn't make sense.
The fae was at a loss.
"All I can think is that maybe you'll gain control when you're older...magic matures with the bearer. Maybe now you're just too teenaged to make it work right?"
It was the only idea she had, and it didn't feel very right. She shifted between her feet, trying to think of something better, but nothing came to her. Finally she gave Illilli a shrugging clueless look.
"I got nothin'."
Ander's magic seemed to be random, and the only trigger she was positive about was defending someone. He'd used it to kill the badger to defend Illilli and her; he'd used it to threaten both of their wayward visitors to the cave when either man had been threatening. Even though he hadn't done anything, the tension in the air told her that he had been ready to explode out with power.
But now he was talking about doing something by the pond, and he hadn't been feeling anything. Totally random - and totally out of control. This could be a very bad thing indeed.
Still, she didn't feel threatened by him. She thought this might be because he'd learned to trust her - her and Illilli. Even when she'd sorta-attacked him, all she'd gotten was the Teenaged Mopey Face. It just didn't make sense.
The fae was at a loss.
"All I can think is that maybe you'll gain control when you're older...magic matures with the bearer. Maybe now you're just too teenaged to make it work right?"
It was the only idea she had, and it didn't feel very right. She shifted between her feet, trying to think of something better, but nothing came to her. Finally she gave Illilli a shrugging clueless look.
"I got nothin'."
"I haven't either..." Illilli shrugged.
"I don't know much myself, only I didn't know about this..." She waved a taloned hand in front of her chest, "Until now. And I'm in my twenties..." Illilli tried to find something related to the conversation, yet wasn't too depressing.
"You said you saw something behind the pond?" Illilli gazed over to the only slightly slimy pond. Most of the rocks were still coated with the ooze. But it should rub off and rinse away if one were to take the time...
There were no fish in the little pond. No plants either, all that could be seen were slightly slimy rocks. Illilli looked at where the water dribbled in from about a yard up on the crystal wall. The water kinda oozed and dribbled out over the rocks.
Deciding to take a chance she flew over and perched on the fountain area and started rubbing the slime off the rocks. The water of the pool clouded a little, but the slime had been thinned out enough that it didn't stink too terribly.
She paused and wriggled her taloned hands up where the water source was and was rewarded with an increased water flow. The fountain almost gurgled and chirped with the gentle force of the water. The crystals the water played over almost looked semi-decent.
"Oooh much better!" she exclaimed.
"So, see anything interesting? I don't think seeing things is too dangerous..."
"I don't know much myself, only I didn't know about this..." She waved a taloned hand in front of her chest, "Until now. And I'm in my twenties..." Illilli tried to find something related to the conversation, yet wasn't too depressing.
"You said you saw something behind the pond?" Illilli gazed over to the only slightly slimy pond. Most of the rocks were still coated with the ooze. But it should rub off and rinse away if one were to take the time...
There were no fish in the little pond. No plants either, all that could be seen were slightly slimy rocks. Illilli looked at where the water dribbled in from about a yard up on the crystal wall. The water kinda oozed and dribbled out over the rocks.
Deciding to take a chance she flew over and perched on the fountain area and started rubbing the slime off the rocks. The water of the pool clouded a little, but the slime had been thinned out enough that it didn't stink too terribly.
She paused and wriggled her taloned hands up where the water source was and was rewarded with an increased water flow. The fountain almost gurgled and chirped with the gentle force of the water. The crystals the water played over almost looked semi-decent.
"Oooh much better!" she exclaimed.
"So, see anything interesting? I don't think seeing things is too dangerous..."
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Ander Valman
- Citizen
- Posts: 71
- Joined: Thu Apr 20, 2006 1:26 am
- Race: Human
Ander sat. Right there on the floor. He simply dropped from a standing position into a cross-legged sitting position and put his chin in his hands. He was tired, he still felt weak from the poison, and something about the magic made him feel even more weak and tired.
He had listened while Gelden and Illilli had spoken, but none of it felt right to him. He knew there was something else. However, at the moment, he no longer cared. He wanted to think about something else, anything else...
But everything they seemed to want to talk about always led back to his magic. Or at least it was in this conversation.
Ander suddenly realized that Illilli had asked him a question. Searching back through what he had heard, he turned to watch her staring through the hole above the corner pond.
"I saw ... Well, it was completely ridiculous, to be honest... I doubt it was real." He paused, frowning at the memory, then quickly described what he had seen. "It sort of felt like my eyes left my body and floated down into the water. They went through a hole a little bigger than the one you're in front of, Illilli, and in the same direction. Behind the hole ..."
Ander stopped again, frowning at Illilli and Gelden. He knew he was going to sound like a little kid in the middle of a fantasy, but it was what he had seen in the vision.
"There was a pile of gold coins, with a bunch of diamonds and rubies and other gems spread throughout. It was a big pile."
He looked at the two of them, his head swiveling to take them both in, not sure who to keep his eyes on. After a moment, he settled on Illilli, and even if Gelden spoke, they would remain there.
He had listened while Gelden and Illilli had spoken, but none of it felt right to him. He knew there was something else. However, at the moment, he no longer cared. He wanted to think about something else, anything else...
But everything they seemed to want to talk about always led back to his magic. Or at least it was in this conversation.
Ander suddenly realized that Illilli had asked him a question. Searching back through what he had heard, he turned to watch her staring through the hole above the corner pond.
"I saw ... Well, it was completely ridiculous, to be honest... I doubt it was real." He paused, frowning at the memory, then quickly described what he had seen. "It sort of felt like my eyes left my body and floated down into the water. They went through a hole a little bigger than the one you're in front of, Illilli, and in the same direction. Behind the hole ..."
Ander stopped again, frowning at Illilli and Gelden. He knew he was going to sound like a little kid in the middle of a fantasy, but it was what he had seen in the vision.
"There was a pile of gold coins, with a bunch of diamonds and rubies and other gems spread throughout. It was a big pile."
He looked at the two of them, his head swiveling to take them both in, not sure who to keep his eyes on. After a moment, he settled on Illilli, and even if Gelden spoke, they would remain there.
So you were born in an electrical storm, took a bite out the sun, and saw your future in a machine built for two.
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Geldenwing
- Citizen
- Posts: 145
- Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2006 12:33 am
- Race: Fairy
Gelden didn't notice their charge's separation from the conversation at hand, though she was quickly losing interest in the topic. It wasn't helpful to pour over everything - there was no pattern at all, that was the pattern. She was beginning to wonder if perhaps the magic itself was sentient, and had chosen Ander as its home...
She only half-listened to Illilli's question, but snapped to attention when Ander described what he had seen. That was real, not an illusion. Years and years ago she herself had seen the same thing - long after the dragoness who used to live in this cave had left, but before her own family disappeared in the weight of time.
The fae looked at her tiny dragon-lady friend and felt a hint of protectiveness toward her old friend's things. Should she say? Well...
The fae's innate trust won easily, and Gelden found herself shaking her head at Ander to indicate he was wrong.
"It was real, Ander!"
The fae suddenly brightened again, all thoughts of protecting the previous owner's horde gone.
"Why, we're practically monarchs! We have so much gold, your eyes would just pop...oh Ander, thanks for reminding me!"
As she prattled on and on about the riches she claimed Ander had "discovered," she trotted over to the murky pond and plopped down to her knees, inspecting the water. She was small enough that she'd been able to fit before, and Illilli certainly could, too, but she wasn't so sure about her teenaged companion. She eyed Ander, then huffed.
"Humans!"
She stood, dusting her hands off with loud claps.
"It's Anna...the old owner's horde. She left it to me when she...left. And it's all ours, and it's humongous! Oh Illilli, we shouldn't have bothered trying to steal!"
The fae practically sparkled in the glowvine light as her excitement began to bubble over.
"We can live like kings!"
She only half-listened to Illilli's question, but snapped to attention when Ander described what he had seen. That was real, not an illusion. Years and years ago she herself had seen the same thing - long after the dragoness who used to live in this cave had left, but before her own family disappeared in the weight of time.
The fae looked at her tiny dragon-lady friend and felt a hint of protectiveness toward her old friend's things. Should she say? Well...
The fae's innate trust won easily, and Gelden found herself shaking her head at Ander to indicate he was wrong.
"It was real, Ander!"
The fae suddenly brightened again, all thoughts of protecting the previous owner's horde gone.
"Why, we're practically monarchs! We have so much gold, your eyes would just pop...oh Ander, thanks for reminding me!"
As she prattled on and on about the riches she claimed Ander had "discovered," she trotted over to the murky pond and plopped down to her knees, inspecting the water. She was small enough that she'd been able to fit before, and Illilli certainly could, too, but she wasn't so sure about her teenaged companion. She eyed Ander, then huffed.
"Humans!"
She stood, dusting her hands off with loud claps.
"It's Anna...the old owner's horde. She left it to me when she...left. And it's all ours, and it's humongous! Oh Illilli, we shouldn't have bothered trying to steal!"
The fae practically sparkled in the glowvine light as her excitement began to bubble over.
"We can live like kings!"
"Anna?" Illilli boggled, her mind going down a different track from the riches they merely had to claim in order to make this place truly a comfortable home.
Why did that name sound so familiar?
Growing up, her mother had placed an importance on Illilli's learning her maternal line.
Illilli began to mutter softly, her eyes staring off, not focussing on anything as she remembered.
"I am Illilli, daughter of Anni, daughter of Nailli, daughter of Illina, daughter of Illi, daughter of Nilna, daughter ofIanna, daughter of Shu-ze, daughter of Annillilliana... Thats as far as it goes..."
Illilli tucked her wings tight in thought.
"Grandma would tell stories about a dragoness named Annillilliana... Not all the stories were happy ones though. Some of them she did not tell me untill I was older."
She had not reflected before on the fact that the Annillilliana of her Grandma Nailli's stories might have been the same Annillilliana of her ancestory. Her wings and scales certainly begged that that might be the case now.
Illilli solemly looked toward Geldenwing.
"Could your Anna be short for Annillilliana?"
Why did that name sound so familiar?
Growing up, her mother had placed an importance on Illilli's learning her maternal line.
Illilli began to mutter softly, her eyes staring off, not focussing on anything as she remembered.
"I am Illilli, daughter of Anni, daughter of Nailli, daughter of Illina, daughter of Illi, daughter of Nilna, daughter ofIanna, daughter of Shu-ze, daughter of Annillilliana... Thats as far as it goes..."
Illilli tucked her wings tight in thought.
"Grandma would tell stories about a dragoness named Annillilliana... Not all the stories were happy ones though. Some of them she did not tell me untill I was older."
She had not reflected before on the fact that the Annillilliana of her Grandma Nailli's stories might have been the same Annillilliana of her ancestory. Her wings and scales certainly begged that that might be the case now.
Illilli solemly looked toward Geldenwing.
"Could your Anna be short for Annillilliana?"
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Ander Valman
- Citizen
- Posts: 71
- Joined: Thu Apr 20, 2006 1:26 am
- Race: Human
Ander's jaw dropped to his chest as he stared at Gelden in bewilderment. The treasure was real?!
The little fae began wandering through a one-sided conversation, as she sometimes did, and Ander could do nothing more than stare at her. He was still tired, and didn't feel like moving anymore. Plus, he knew he wouldn't fit through the hole that his magic had shown him, so there was no point in running over to the pond.
In odd contrast to Gelden's quick speech and excited gestures as she exhorted his 'discovery', Illilli sat very quietly. It seemed that she was repeating something, perhaps by rote, but Ander couldn't hear it over Gelden's chattering. He turned and watched the fae wander to the water's edge, then turn and give him a disgusted look as she nearly spat the word "humans".
Ander was a little taken aback, but Gelden immediately went back into her excitement, no matter how confused Ander was. Ander simply shook his head.
Then Illilli piped up, after Gelden had gotten her last exclamation out and paused for a breath. And her question of Gelden baffled Ander more than Gelden's revelation that the treasure was real.
The little fae began wandering through a one-sided conversation, as she sometimes did, and Ander could do nothing more than stare at her. He was still tired, and didn't feel like moving anymore. Plus, he knew he wouldn't fit through the hole that his magic had shown him, so there was no point in running over to the pond.
In odd contrast to Gelden's quick speech and excited gestures as she exhorted his 'discovery', Illilli sat very quietly. It seemed that she was repeating something, perhaps by rote, but Ander couldn't hear it over Gelden's chattering. He turned and watched the fae wander to the water's edge, then turn and give him a disgusted look as she nearly spat the word "humans".
Ander was a little taken aback, but Gelden immediately went back into her excitement, no matter how confused Ander was. Ander simply shook his head.
Then Illilli piped up, after Gelden had gotten her last exclamation out and paused for a breath. And her question of Gelden baffled Ander more than Gelden's revelation that the treasure was real.
So you were born in an electrical storm, took a bite out the sun, and saw your future in a machine built for two.
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Geldenwing
- Citizen
- Posts: 145
- Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2006 12:33 am
- Race: Fairy
Gelden froze at Illilli's question. Completely, utterly froze - so still that even her breathing was shallow. The question caught her so totally off-guard - but it was undeniable. How could her little dragon friend know about Anna? Anna's full name? And pronounce it so well! Gelden had always stumbled over the many syllables until she'd given up and just settled on "Anna."
But Illilli said it like a familiar name, like something she'd heard several times before. How? How could she know?
Gelden hugged herself as a darker mood settled upon her at the memory of a long-lost old friend. She glanced at Ander, who looked tired and worn out, then back to Illilli's small form. Then she sighed and spoke quietly.
"That was her. How...how do you know her name? Her full name?"
But Illilli said it like a familiar name, like something she'd heard several times before. How? How could she know?
Gelden hugged herself as a darker mood settled upon her at the memory of a long-lost old friend. She glanced at Ander, who looked tired and worn out, then back to Illilli's small form. Then she sighed and spoke quietly.
"That was her. How...how do you know her name? Her full name?"
Illilli recited the list of her ancestors, it was a little boring but well presented.
"After you said her name, it kinda clicked that it might be Annillilliana. The stories Grandma told me were about a dragoness with the same name as my ancestoral matriarch..."
She held her wings out and stretched.
"I'm thinking since I go all fire-breath and scaly now, that dragon just MIGHT be one and the same."
Illilli dove into the water of the pool and worked on cleaning a few more rocks along the side as she continued on. She wondered if her ancestress had ever done the same.
What did her ancestor look like? Were the trials and pains of what she suspected was her family origin and legacy real?
"I'm starting to think that maybe some of the other stories passed down to me might have a basis in fact."
She sighed thinking back on some of those stories.
"One of the stories starts with Annillilliana traveling some jungle far, far away from these lands... It was a very green place with lots of fish, birds, and very tall trees unlike those we know."
Illilli paused in her cleaning the side of the pond and flipped on her back, floating with her wings spread out along the surface of the water.
"There was a city in the jungle. A city filled with a war-some people. They kept slaves and often went to war, for more slaves.... and for sacrifices... They often would remove the still beating heart from their victims, and pledge the blood as a gift to their goddess, Ahn-Ghat-Tdann." She paused letting this statement sink in.
"A wizard-priest named Yick'Ti, at least I think thats how grandma said it, cooked up a plan with his fellow worshippers to create a more perfect warrior for their goddess. A warrior worthy of bringing her pain and destruction upon the world."
"Four large blue stones were graven with the image of Her dragon's face. Grandma told me they were said to be roughly the size of my head. Each one was soaked in the blood of twenty sacrifices and buried at the corners of the great stepped pyramid. The wicked wizard called to his goddess to send him the raw material of his dream and offered many lives for a week before he received what he asked."
"Searching for food to hunt, Annillilliana blundered into the magical net set about the pyramid and was trapped. She fell from the sky over the pyramid and was unable to leave the temple grounds because of the cursed stones. The people of the temple called her Ssssisquessssstichtol."
"After you said her name, it kinda clicked that it might be Annillilliana. The stories Grandma told me were about a dragoness with the same name as my ancestoral matriarch..."
She held her wings out and stretched.
"I'm thinking since I go all fire-breath and scaly now, that dragon just MIGHT be one and the same."
Illilli dove into the water of the pool and worked on cleaning a few more rocks along the side as she continued on. She wondered if her ancestress had ever done the same.
What did her ancestor look like? Were the trials and pains of what she suspected was her family origin and legacy real?
"I'm starting to think that maybe some of the other stories passed down to me might have a basis in fact."
She sighed thinking back on some of those stories.
"One of the stories starts with Annillilliana traveling some jungle far, far away from these lands... It was a very green place with lots of fish, birds, and very tall trees unlike those we know."
Illilli paused in her cleaning the side of the pond and flipped on her back, floating with her wings spread out along the surface of the water.
"There was a city in the jungle. A city filled with a war-some people. They kept slaves and often went to war, for more slaves.... and for sacrifices... They often would remove the still beating heart from their victims, and pledge the blood as a gift to their goddess, Ahn-Ghat-Tdann." She paused letting this statement sink in.
"A wizard-priest named Yick'Ti, at least I think thats how grandma said it, cooked up a plan with his fellow worshippers to create a more perfect warrior for their goddess. A warrior worthy of bringing her pain and destruction upon the world."
"Four large blue stones were graven with the image of Her dragon's face. Grandma told me they were said to be roughly the size of my head. Each one was soaked in the blood of twenty sacrifices and buried at the corners of the great stepped pyramid. The wicked wizard called to his goddess to send him the raw material of his dream and offered many lives for a week before he received what he asked."
"Searching for food to hunt, Annillilliana blundered into the magical net set about the pyramid and was trapped. She fell from the sky over the pyramid and was unable to leave the temple grounds because of the cursed stones. The people of the temple called her Ssssisquessssstichtol."
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Ander Valman
- Citizen
- Posts: 71
- Joined: Thu Apr 20, 2006 1:26 am
- Race: Human
Ander sat back and watched, listening to Illilli weaving her story. She explained it well enough that he could imagine it, almost see the pictures, but he didn't have the same moment of clarity he had had when he saw the treasure behind the wall. He pushed towards it, trying to recapture the feeling, but finally sighed and gave it up as a bad deal.
Instead, he listened to the tale and tried to imagine it.
Ander's head looked back and forth between Illilli and Gelden, a frown creasing his face as a thought occurred to him. He didn't voice it yet, but he would have to remember to try to bring it up when he and Gelden were alone.
If Gelden knew Illilli's ... great grandmother? ... from generations ago, how old does that make Gelden? Ander thought. She must be really old!
Of course, to someone as young as Ander, anyone that was older than him was old!
Instead, he listened to the tale and tried to imagine it.
Ander's head looked back and forth between Illilli and Gelden, a frown creasing his face as a thought occurred to him. He didn't voice it yet, but he would have to remember to try to bring it up when he and Gelden were alone.
If Gelden knew Illilli's ... great grandmother? ... from generations ago, how old does that make Gelden? Ander thought. She must be really old!
Of course, to someone as young as Ander, anyone that was older than him was old!
So you were born in an electrical storm, took a bite out the sun, and saw your future in a machine built for two.
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Geldenwing
- Citizen
- Posts: 145
- Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2006 12:33 am
- Race: Fairy
Ander's thoughts weren't far from Gelden's own ideas. Her eyes widened as she listened to Illilli's story - it was a horrible thing, to be trapped among humans when you were meant to be free, but...but if she'd known Anna from so long ago...
Gelden sat down on the floor as the thoughts tumbled in. How long had it been? She'd fallen asleep in the forest, and when she'd woken up everything was gone, and this cavern had been totally overgrown with the glowvines. Dragons lived for a long time, to be sure, but if Anna was Illilli's great-grandmother...
Gelden tried to focus on Illilli's story with varying results. She looked up to watch her small dragon friend float about the pond, pushing aside her own thoughts for the moment.
"That's awful. They captured her for...for a blood god? How awful..."
It all sounded horribly violent and unpleasant. Gelden didn't know where this story was going, and she already didn't like it. But then, she also remembered the feral gleam in Anna's eyes from so long ago...a gleam that spoke of bloodlust.
How long ago?!
Gelden shook her head and refocused on Illilli.
Gelden sat down on the floor as the thoughts tumbled in. How long had it been? She'd fallen asleep in the forest, and when she'd woken up everything was gone, and this cavern had been totally overgrown with the glowvines. Dragons lived for a long time, to be sure, but if Anna was Illilli's great-grandmother...
Gelden tried to focus on Illilli's story with varying results. She looked up to watch her small dragon friend float about the pond, pushing aside her own thoughts for the moment.
"That's awful. They captured her for...for a blood god? How awful..."
It all sounded horribly violent and unpleasant. Gelden didn't know where this story was going, and she already didn't like it. But then, she also remembered the feral gleam in Anna's eyes from so long ago...a gleam that spoke of bloodlust.
How long ago?!
Gelden shook her head and refocused on Illilli.
"The people had plans for their Ssssisquessssstichtol. Yick'Ti was very careful to keep her well bound with the blood magics. She wasn't mistreated, but neither was she free. She could not harm them, or leave the temple grounds. A few times at night she tried to escape by changing to a human form, a sturdy young woman with long silver-white hair that shone like moonlight, but the temple priests were not fooled."
"One night on a new moon, Yick'Ti and his fellow priests approached Annillilliana while she was sleeping. Sneaking ever so quietly, they came upon her and pulled out one of her scales. She awoke angrily as dragons are said to do, as well anyone would do if they had a chunk taken out of them, looking for vengance."
"However, using this scale they cast a spell forced her into her human form. The ritual that had captured her prevented her from harming them directly and they quickly over powerd her and sent for the next part of their evil plan."
"The morning before a jai-lai game had been held and the strongest, most cunning and healthiest men of the winning team were prepared for this special ritual. One by one they had their way with Annillilliana and afterwards left the temple to prepare for being sacrificed to their goddess on the next sunrise." Illilli's voice hickuped and almost broke with the sadness she felt for the draggoness.
"When the priests were convinced their plot would work, they released their hold on her physical body."
"Annillilliana was broken and defiled. She returned to her natural form and though she couldn't harm them, kept the servants, slaves and priests on thier toes with gnashing teeth and gouts of nearby flame."
Illilli ducked under the water for a moment to recompose herself. She always shed a few tears when that part of the story was told.
"Her captors kept her well fed with the small pigs and Cappy-bear-a's that roamed the nearby forrest. Soon her belly was swollen with eggs. Eight new moons passed before she was delivered of six mottled silver and black eggs. Another new moon wheeled over the sky and they hatched, revealing not dragonets, but little baby humans..."
"One night on a new moon, Yick'Ti and his fellow priests approached Annillilliana while she was sleeping. Sneaking ever so quietly, they came upon her and pulled out one of her scales. She awoke angrily as dragons are said to do, as well anyone would do if they had a chunk taken out of them, looking for vengance."
"However, using this scale they cast a spell forced her into her human form. The ritual that had captured her prevented her from harming them directly and they quickly over powerd her and sent for the next part of their evil plan."
"The morning before a jai-lai game had been held and the strongest, most cunning and healthiest men of the winning team were prepared for this special ritual. One by one they had their way with Annillilliana and afterwards left the temple to prepare for being sacrificed to their goddess on the next sunrise." Illilli's voice hickuped and almost broke with the sadness she felt for the draggoness.
"When the priests were convinced their plot would work, they released their hold on her physical body."
"Annillilliana was broken and defiled. She returned to her natural form and though she couldn't harm them, kept the servants, slaves and priests on thier toes with gnashing teeth and gouts of nearby flame."
Illilli ducked under the water for a moment to recompose herself. She always shed a few tears when that part of the story was told.
"Her captors kept her well fed with the small pigs and Cappy-bear-a's that roamed the nearby forrest. Soon her belly was swollen with eggs. Eight new moons passed before she was delivered of six mottled silver and black eggs. Another new moon wheeled over the sky and they hatched, revealing not dragonets, but little baby humans..."