https://www.posetteforever.com/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=2188&p=31918#p31918 ----------------------------------- Visitor Monday, 03 July 2006, 01:14 AM ----------------------------------- [color=indigo][i]Even as Erelin jumped lightly to the left in the little space afforded her to lessen the impact of her attackers and hopefull give her an opening to slay the one closest to her, the light dimmed and a mighty voice sliced through the room and commanded that she be left alone. It was as though time itself stopped and everyone was frozen in that moment, for the voice held great power and threat. A shiver ran through Erelin as the voice was all at once frightening, yet somehow familiar. Everyone, including her three assailants, turned to look at the source of the voice. She hesitated to turn her attention from her attackers, but they appeared to be compelled to heed the voice's order, and they backed away from her. She turned her attention to the one who belonged to the voice. To her alarm, it was the man in the cloak that had been watching her. Erelin watched him reach the door and turn to give further commands for her safety and comfort, except that she was to be denied the very thing she needed most: food and drink. In spite of his daunting presence, her temper flared. He seemed somehow familiar, but the fear his voice evoked in her was not. Who was this man who saved her life one moment, but denied her the food and drink she desperately needed the next, who commanded such awe and fear from a pub full of dangerous miscreants? Before she could assimilate any of the perplexing developments into one coherent picture, an evil looking man approached the cloaked one. His thin face, black eyes, and longish nose reminded her of a crebain. The crowd remained silenced as the drama between the two played out. Erelin watched, almost hypnotized, as the evil one threatened to kill her and the cloaked man as well. Whoever this man was, he apparently did not fear the cloaked one as others did. She shifted uneasily. Her gaze was drawn to the staff the cloaked one put to the evil one's chest, for it seemed to her that she had seen the unusual walking stick before. The memory was just out of her reach...Her thought did not reach it's completion, however, as she was startled to see the evil one slump to the floor, dead. Istari was her first thought as she stared at the cloaked one. Then as he turned to her, he gazed fully into her eyes. He spoke her name and a familiar phrase. Erelin could not see his face well as it was hidden by his hood, but there was no mistaking the unusual green eyes and cultured voice now, it was Pangor, from the talan at Lorien. Before Erelin could speak, he turned back to the door and left. She did not even notice the light return to normal. For several seconds after Pangor left, silence blanketed the pub, and Erelin stood frozen with shock. She was still trying to put the complex pieces of the puzzle together, when a movement toward her caught her eye. The man that had called her she-elf was approaching her, drawing his knife again. Erelin raised her sword in defense, her eyes flashing defiantly. He evidently was not intimidated by Pangor's threats. He raised his dagger to strike, but his two friends restrained him and one said, [/i]Nay, Sven! Not here nor now. You be wantin us to end up like that chap over there? Fergit it![i] Sven hesitated a moment and sheathed the knife. [/i]Yer safe fer the moment, missy, but yer tough guy won't be around ferever.[i] he growled. He stepped closer to her so that his face was so close to hers, she was nearly gagged by his putrid breath. [/i]T'was my brother ya killed t'night, and you'll pay fer it, mark my words. No matter where ya hide, I'll find ya,"[i] he hissed. Erelin stood her ground, because even with Pangor's commands of protection, she knew she could not show any fear. She let her anger rise within her as she brought the tip of her knife remaining in her left hand against the man's short thick throat. [/i]Then when you find me you shall join your brother in death,[i] she replied icily. For a long moment they stared at each other, until Sven backed away from her. Erelin lowered the knife as the three brutes moved back to their table and sat down. Slowly, she sheathed the sword and knife, then picked up her knife that she had dropped earlier. She wished to hurry out of the pub as quickly as possible, but she knew her actions must not give hint of any fear. She was amazed to find that as she walked slowly and deliberately to the door, the crowd parted, leaving her a clear path. Not allowing the curious nor the malicious stares, nor the wave of murmurings that followed her to faze her mask of fearlessness, she opened the door and stepped through. When at last the door was shut behind her, Erelin allowed her self a sigh of relief. She breathed deeply of the fresh morning air and allowed it to cleanse her lungs of the foul smelling air of the pub. Surprised that it was morning already, she beheld a spectacular sunrise glowing orange and pink in the east. Thanking Eru for her deliverance from the pit, she scanned the area for more possible assailants. Although Erelin didn't see anyone, she had the uncomfortable feeling someone was watching her. She whistled for Lorinar, who came to her immediately. For a moment Erelin leaned against the golden horse, as a wave of emotions washed over her. She needed time to sift through all the events of this night, but time was a commodity she could ill afford to spend at the moment. She must get as far from this place as possible and as quickly as possible. She regained her compoure and mounted, scanning her surroundings again. She could not rid herself of the feeling that someone watched her. Erelin heard Lorinar's thought, [/i]He is hidden over there,[i] push through the rest of the thoughts in her head. Lorinar tossed his head in the direction he had observed Pangor withdraw to earlier. [/i]Who is hidden, my friend?[i] she asked nervously. Lorinar replied, [/i]The one you have searched for, the one you call Pangor.[i] She looked in the direction Lorinar had indicated and could see nothing. Listening carefully, she she heard the noise of horse hooves quietly walking through the trees. She decided she would take a huge chance and follow him. Erelin was not sure what would happen when she caught up with Pangor. After tonight, she feared him where there had been no fear before. But he had saved her life and called her friend for the second time, and his eyes held no evil shadow in them. She had many questions she needed answers to and if she were truly honest, she did not wish to ride alone. Her confidence had been badly shaken at the pub, and even the company of this stranger was preferable to being alone. Erelin would take her chances with Pangor. Her mind made up, she whistled again, and Little Cat appeared from nowhere in particular, and jumped daintily to her spot in front of the saddle. Erelin smiled as the cat licked her chops with satisfaction before washing herself, a sure indication that she had been successful in finding herself a meal. [/i]Well, at least one of us got to eat,[i] Erelin murmured softly, rubbing the furry head. Little Cat purred contentedly, closing her eyes to mere slits after settling into her basket. Erelin's stomach growled, reminding of her of her own hunger. Since she was low on food, she had rationed herself to one meal a day for the last three days. As she had been denied a meal at the pub, she had not eaten for a full day. She knew she should grab something to eat, but she did not wish to take time to get anything from her food sack. Erelin started in the direction she had heard the horse's footfalls. The sun was rising, and she realized she hadn't slept since the night before last, but there was not time for rest either. If there was one thing she knew for certain about Pangor, it was that he could move quickly and left little trail to follow. She did not wish to lose him a second time. For awhile, they wove through the trees at a slower pace, until they reached a clearing. She saw Pangor some distance ahead of her. She urged Lorinar into a flying gallop, and hoped that the half of him that was mearas would lend wings to his hooves so that he could catch Pangor's fleet footed steed. [/i][/color]