Patrick

“What has happened? Celenia?” – Julak asked again.

 

“…is here.” – she tried to say, but clearly she was totally out of breath.

 

“What? Who is here?” – alarm had started creeping into Julak’s normally calm voice.

 

“The hunter is here.”

 

The statement acted as a bolt of lighting, striking Julak numb with shock. For several long moments he was silent.

 

“All has been in vain then…”

 

“All is only in vain, if you yourself lose hope Julak. You have told me of your mission, and you simply can not lose hope.”

 

“He sent Urgbul?”

 

“Yes. Urgbul is the one, who hunts us. I met him in the tavern. He was asking for information about you.” – Celenia was seemingly regaining her strength.

 

“I am no match to Urgbul. If he finds us, all is over, and I shall have failed in my mission.”

 

“Then you must not let him find you.”

 

“Unfortunately Urgbul has an uncanny ability in finding people.”

 

“I know.” – she whispered. – “He caught my brother when he tried to escape. I was forced to watch while they tortured and killed him. His screams of agony, and his painful face shall forever be etched into my brain.”

 

“I’m sorry.” – Julak said. And he meant it. Despite having saved Celenia’s life and having been with her for more than a dozen years he had never learnt much about the small fairy. Although she could do little to help him with his mission apart from gathering information for him, she did that with such a devotion that it surprised even Julak. When he had asked her why she did it, Celenia said that she had a debt to repay. Although love between them would be something extremely unusual, a very close friendship grew between them, and Julak found that he could tell Celenia things, he had not even talked to himself about before. In a certain way Celenia became Julak’s companion in his times of need, helping him through the crisis’s he faced.

 

“We have to get out of town, if Urgbul is here. Do you know where he went?”

 

“No, I was blown away by the wind.”

 

“Are you okay?”

 

“ I'm just tired, because of my hurried flight. I’m okay.” – she lied.

“Celenia. What are you doing here?”

 

“Julak. I’m so lucky to have found you.”

 

“What happened?” – concern was in Julak’s voice. He saw Celenia’s lips moving, but did not understand what she was saying, as he was swept up in his memories.

 

~Several years ago~

 

“Help…” – the voice was weak, and Julak had nearly not heard it. He turned and looked for the source of the voice. About five feet away, chained to the cavern wall, by the smallest chains he had ever seen he spotted a small creature, barely two inches tall. The creature was chained to a candle, which in a few minutes time would burn down and burn it alive.

 

“I don’t have time, little one.”

 

“Please…”

 

There was something in the voice, it’s pleading quality that made Julak change his mind. He knew if he left the creature chained up that he would forever regret it, and his conscience would never let him rest. Walking the five feet distance, he reached the wall and easily snapped the chains.

 

“You are Julak, right?”

 

“My name has no importance here.” – Julak replied.

 

“I thank you for what you have done. In return let me warn you. What you are preparing to do, no one has ever succeeded in doing. Why would you be the first to not fail?”

 

“You know nothing about me little one.”

 

“Celenia is my name.”

 

“I’m sorry, but I don’t have time to chat. Time is something, of which I wish I would have more.”

 

He turned and started walking away.

 

“Would you take me with you?”

 

Julak turned back, a strange light glimmering in his eyes.

 

“Isn’t it enough if I fail on my own? Do you want me to be responsible for your death too?”

 

“I have heard others in here talk about you. You wouldn’t try if there weren’t a chance for success.”

 

“As soon as he learns that we’ve escaped, he shall hunt down both of us, you are aware of that?”

 

“Isn’t an hour of freedom better than an eternity of imprisonment?”

 

A tear appeared in Julak’s eye.

 

“Come on.” – he said.

 

Freedom was all the little one could think about. In this place it was all everyone thought about. Julak was the only one, who wanted to leave this place because he had been given a mission. A mission, which could change the destiny of the world.

Sounds interesting. I'm in! :-)

Paul of house Mib'Duad (character based on Paul Muad'Dib Atreides of Dune)

 

Paul's father had been killed because the king had seen him as a potential threat to the throne, and everyone thought Paul to also be dead. He returned two days ago to the court, after he had heard the departure of the king. Remaining members of his family had been ruled to be outlaws, but such a ruling hadn't been made against Paul, since they had thought him dead, and thus he can move around freely in the absence of the king. Not many people know however of his return as it wasn't done publicly and only a select few have heard from him.

 

Paul has black hair and matching dark eyes. He is rather tall and thin. He very rarely shapeshifts, but when he does so it varies what form he takes and due to him not having been seen in the last few years, it isn't easy to recognize him in his other forms.

Happy Birthday Nyyark! Ah the memories of twenty years are still close. *reminisces, then remembers easily since they were just over a month ago*

Great game, congratulations to the villagers, pity I had to pull out for lack of time at the beginning.

An owl flew through the portal and landed softly in the sand before stumbling in a small rock and falling on its face. In a flurry of feathers and arms Patham appeared, stood up and dusted off himself as if nothing had happened. He looked around to see whether anyone had seen his small accident.

 

Patham walked to the stage and listened to Cheermynx describing what was going to happen. A beauty contest. Patham although not the most beautiful thought that he did have some charms. And besides it could be fun. He picked up the clipboard and the pen and signed his name at the top of the page. Smiling at the kitten he handed the clipboard and the pen back.

I'm interested in debating and might have a few topic suggestions after thinking about them. Do you want them posted or pm'd?

Morning arrived, but to John it did not bring any salvation after the night's events. After his nightmareish dreams, he had been torn out of uneasy slumber by the horrible news. It would have been his duty to go and inspect the scene of the crime, but he just couldn't bring himself to go there. His own son DJ. Why? Why did he have to die? What had he done to anger anyone? And that other child, Mary. John had seen Derrick with Mary several times before, but what could they have been doing out at night? If only...

 

"If only I could have at least told him that I love him..." - John said half an hour later to the priest.

 

"God loves us all John, and you know that."

 

John had been religious ever since he had known, but this night's events had rocked his beliefs.

 

"If God loves us, then why didn't he save my son?"

 

The priest, slightly at unease, averted his eyes from John.

 

"He must have judged that for Derrick James it was time."

 

"What? Is that all you can say? My son was meant to die? For heaven's sake, he was only 15 years old. He still had several decades of life to look forward to."

 

"There is no use in angering yourself John. God works in mysterious ways and I can not strive to be able to fully understand him, and can not always give you an explanation."

 

"This is a messed up world...seems to me that he has abandoned us. How else would all these wars have happened? How else would my innocent little boy have been murdered? Does God even care?"

 

"Of course he cares. Think of it this way, John. Maybe Derrick James is in a better place, where there is no more suffering."

 

"He wasn't suffering in life. He was living a happy life. You're not helping me, reverend! WHY DID MY SON HAVE TO DIE? Damn you and your stupid god!"

 

John stood up from his chair and strode to the door, which he slammed behind himself. A tear started slowly rolling down his cheek and John did not bother trying to stop it.

It had taken John and several of his collegues more than four hours to gather all the evidence they could find at the murder scene and by that time Robert had already placed Irene under arrest, based upon several witness accounts. The day had been long for John, but still he knew that he had to report to his superior, about all he had seen during the day. He went to security headquarters, and entered the metal structure. Inside he asked for the "boss" and was told that he could go and talk to him. Half an hour later John was nearing the end of his account.

 

"...so the death was probably instantaneous, right?"

 

"Yes sir. At least he died painlessly."

 

"Thank you John. I know you have done much today, but I would like you to take the first watch of the night where Irene is locked up. Try talking to her. I'd prefer to have more to go on than just eye witness accounts."

 

"Understood, sir!"

 

John walked slowly back towards his home. He still had half an hour before he had to go to Irene's place. He had a quick shower and told his wife of the days events. Derrick James was not home yet, but John did not want to argue with him at the moment.

 

Arriving at Irene's home John replaced Robert, who was glad to be able to finally go home. He waited until movement around the home died down and then knocked on the door, thinking he would ask Irene for her version of the facts, pretending that it could help her.

Since John has gone an NPC I'll be making some posts for him, but also feel free to use him in lynching/wolf posts if he is needed (finds bodies,etc...)

"Ni?" - I softly murmered to myself. Was this some different language, or the incantation of a spell? Who could this man be? I decided it would be best to ask him.

 

"Hail knight! What brings you to this cave? Is it for the treasure that you come also?"

As it was his job John rushed to investigate the source of the scream as soon as he heard it, running from the storage past the kitchen until he reached the source of the sound. Many people were already standing there, and after a cursory glance at the body John stood among them listening to what they said. All information he could come by could interest his superiors. A murder had happened. For several minutes John just listened to the gossip of everyone around him, noting some phrases. Then he remembered his duty.

 

"Listen to me everbody! This is a murder scene, and as there might be some evidence around here as to who the killer is, I would not like anyone touching anything. It would even be....it would be better if all of you just go outside. Yes. Everyone go outside if you will!"

 

Two of John's collegues just got there and helped him secure the murder scene while they waited for the arrival of their superior and the doctor, who would need to establish cause of death.

Looks like I am going to get the time to post today, which I didn't think would happen.

I shall be probably missing until wednesday or thursday, while travelling back to Hungary. Feel free to use my character as NPC until then if needed, Vene.

Books? Quill Quest? Vene? Fun? What are we waiting for? I'm in!

OOC: Written collaboratively with Sweetcherrie.

 

"Derrick James! Come and eat your breakfast!"

 

DJ turned around sleepily in his bed when he heard his father call. He was annoyed by the fact that his father kept calling him by that ridiculous name, everybody called him DJ, so why couldn’t that old geek use that name as well. “I don’t want any!” He shouted back. He would move to the kitchen a bit later that day, and get something from there.

 

Cook wouldn’t like it, but she wouldn’t know either. He closed his eyes again and was about to fall asleep again, when he remembered that Mary might be helping in the kitchens. He jumped from his bed, and slipped on his overall. He put on a white t-shirt and tied the sleeves of the overall around his waist.

 

DJ checked in the mirror and, as he run a hand through his sleek hair, decided that he looked cool. He walked to the other room where his father was, and went to leave without a word.

 

John sighed. Why, oh why did Derrick always test his patience? It was as if he did it on purpose, but John knew that it was only the boy's nature to act thus.

 

He finished his breakfast of ham and eggs and did the washing up, putting Derrick's untouched breakfast into the fridge. He left a note on the fridge door for his wife explaining when he was going to get back from his duty, took his gun, issued by the shelter. He had never once drawn the gun from its holster, neither had any of his fellow security guards as far as John knew.

 

He fastened the belt of his uniform and left his quarters, entering at first a small corridor, then the main corridor leading towards the kitchens and the supply area. As he passed the kitchens going towards the supply area, where he had to stand on duty during the morning he saw DJ near the kitchens.

 

From the position he had chosen he could see the kids running away from cook, and her following them into the hallway. DJ saw Kyraine holding cook up with her mindless babbling, and decided that this was his chance to move in. He was just about to slip into the kitchen when he heard his father coming, he straightened up, said hello, and decided he’d have to come back later.

 

DJ wondered where Mary would be, especially since she hadn’t been in the kitchen. He turned the corner in search for her, avoiding any other contact with his father.

Aranix, I think you have it now, this might be your lucky day. - I thought to myself. Gurg, my golem, shall soon finish clearing the rocks from the entrance of the cave and then we shall be able to go inside. The treasure awaits us!

John Doe

 

John was barely three days old, when his father, a soldier, left him at the shelter and went off for war, never to return. He had given no name for the infant and it was thus that the inhabitants of the shelter had named him John Doe.

 

John is now 45 years old. He had married at the age of 24 and had a son, Derrick James, at the age of 30. At heart John likes DJ, as all fathers like their children, but sometimes the boy causes a bit too much trouble.

 

John had previously worked as a technician, but for the last seven years has worked as part of the security team of the shelter.

Happy Birthday to both of you!

Some confusion has been cleared up. In earlier phases of the story the names weren't totally worked out and a mistake had slipped into the names, as effectively we called the god leading the cult under two different names. Now this has been changed and the god of pain and suffering uses only one name, Netkal.

"It shall be made exactly as you ask good sir."

 

The smith smiled inwards. It was not always that he received such a well paying order.

 

"But I shall need a few days, maybe two weeks before it shall be ready. Some of the components are not easy to acquire, and for the frost drake scales, I might have to pay a high price, so if you can give me an advance that..."

 

Julak nodded, while the smith spoke, then interrupted him.

 

"That is completely acceptable."

 

The smith looked surprised, but managed to hide it quite quickly. He had not accepted the man to be so cooperating. Julak handed a small pouch of foreign silver coins to the merchant, who seemed to be more than satisfied by the quantity.

 

"I propose that you come back in a week's time to see whether I have managed to finish. While I can not promise that it shall be ready, I shall try my best."

 

"Good." - Julak said, and the two of them shook hands on the deal.

 

Julak picked up his folded cloak from where he had left it next to the door and opened the door of the smithy, to the sound of thunder off in the distance.

 

"Sounds like a storm is coming." - the smith remarked and then locked the door behind Julak.

 

Julak looked around the street. He could not see anyone who could be spying on him and walked over to the house of Hion Emereus. He could see light coming from under the door, but did not want to disturb at this time of the night. Visitors weren't welcome at this time of the night and his description of what he wanted to the smith had taken several hours, and the time was well past nightfall now.

 

He took out a small piece of parchment from his pack and using a bright red feather, from a species of bird unknown in these parts he scribbled a message on the paper, then folding the paper slipped it under the door.

 

He untied his horse and set out to get the newest information on the movements of the cult and the attempts at stopping their activity, when suddenly he felt something hit him on the right cheek. Thinking it was just a leaf blown by the wind he started brushing it aside, when suddenly he heard the minutest of whispers.

 

"Celenia?"

And you'll even have to blame the random numbers for that vote...

Oh well congratulations to the villagers, baner and seer! Thanks to Quincunx for the great game, shame I couldn't get to choose and kill anything...

There is a certain feeling of menace in the air. Menace directed at me. I had not only surprised them by what I had said earlier, but I had also unnerved them. They disliked me. They were a pretty strange bunch. Starting with the lesbian-oriented woman, the little child, who seemed to be lost in her own world, and all the others, including that suicide-inducing man. Duncan eyed me suspiciously. He seemed not to like me. I flashed a cunning smile at him and then eyed the woman, who seemed to be wanting to show off her body.

 

Might as well enjoy this group therapy. - I thought to myself.