A New Path, A New Day

[Phelan]

Phelan opened his eyes expecting Kaly to be holding his head in her lap. When his eyes did open he froze. Not her, could this day get any worse? He thought to himself. Well I am alive, though it may be easier if I were dead, to late for that. He thought again.

Phelan quickly stood and backed away from her.

" No offense m'lady, it is quite a nice lap mind you, but just not the lap I would prefer to be in. It isn't often you awaken in the lap of a person who was trying to kill you. "

Phelan checked for his swords, he sighed, Aramis would beat me senseless if he knew this is the second set I had lost. He thought. He glanced around to see if they were near by, that is when he noticed Adaun next to her.

" I suppose you sent her after me? " Phelan said motioning to his unconcious sister.

[Nikkii O'seth]

Nikkii stood up brushing the dirt off her purple robe and looked Phelan right in the eyes.

" No, I have not the slightest clue who she is. I am here looking for my student Keyra. These guards brought me to you. I don't suppose we have to be adversaries this time but there is the matter of you are under my employ so why would I wish your death when I could mearly strike you down. And lucky for you I would do it personally no tricks."

Nikkii motions to the gaurd. " Bring him his weapons, I don't believe he will be hostile. "

The gaurd brings the weapons but hands them to Nikkii instead. A worried look comes over his face as she examines his blades.

" These are just normal swords you look as though you are good with them but you should weird something a bit more fitting. "

" And what would that be? " Phalen said still keeping his distance.

Nikkii showed him her glowing mace, then slipped it back onto her beltloop.

" Gyspy weapons hold power we draw apon all races knowledge of the forge and that is what give us another edge over the lycanthropes."

Adaun starts to slowly regain concesness. Nikkii walks up to Phelan and slowly walks around him bumping into him slightly trying to unnerve him.

" Whats wrong now I see that girl left you did she not approve of you.... why do you not want to look at me I am by far more beautiful or is it you her slave? "

" Its not that m'lady there is another that looks like you... "

A look of surprise comes over her face as she stands right infront of Phelan.

" What are you saying? "

Phelan turned his head from her but before she could say something else Adaun sat up and was looking at the two. Nikkii hands him his swords back.

" Well then why don't you ask her who sent her I have waisted too much time here anyway." Nikkii heads back thru the west gate. " And Phelan.... remember that your under my employ."

[Phelan]

Phelan mumbled under his breath as she walked away. He took off through the city putting distance between him and Adaun. The last thing he needed was another fight with her. He had to find Kal, he didnt' think that it had been that long since he fell unconcious. She had only been gone half the day, she shouldn't be to far away.

He knew she was somewhere to the south. Phelan only knew of one place in the south that could be easily and quickly accessed and that was Hazinak. Phelan headed to the docks, he had only been there once a long time ago, one of his first tasks had been to get crab legs for someone in Neriak.

Phelan could sense that Kal was worried but she seemed ok other than that. He wondered if he should take care of the Adaun problem before he went to her. But before he could decide otherwise he found himself in a boat heading south along the shore line.

Phelan thought upon the recent events and fell asleep.

[Phelan]

Again Phelan was standing in that ever familiar elvish glade that was his home. And Aramis standing there in front of him smiling.

" I am proud of you " he said to Phelan.

" Why is that? " Phelan asked, he had almost died.

" Because you showed restraint and mercy, You learned well and have proven that no one is bound by their race to a predispose way of life. "

" Thanks I guess? " Phelan said still a bit confused.

" So where are you off to now Phelan? You have the whole world ahead of you. "

" Not the whole world and some people I know are in trouble I have to help them, but first I have to get Kal. "

" Don't lose her, she is one of a kind my friend. One of a kind. "

" I know and I realize how lucky I am to have found her. "

They both sat down and lounged by a smalll fire that came out of no where.

" Alright Aramis what now? You always have some sage advice for me when we meet like this. What is the next challenge? The next test? " Phelan asked him smiling.

Aramis' smile faded from his face. Tears welled up in his eyes and he gasp a bit holding back sobs. Phelan's smile to faded. Bad news then, I take it he thought.

" Phelan, as much as I enjoy talking to you, my time is up. I have taught you all you can learn from me. I will truly miss you forever my friend. I was granted this one last visit to you and I have one more stop to make, then I am moving on to whats next." He smiled a bit, but tears still rolled down his cheeks. " Just remember follow your heart it will never lead you to a wrong place. "

" Aramis....Why? "

" It is the way of things Phelan, things are dynamic always changing even yourself, nothing is static though it may appear so. At anyrate my friend, have a good life and I will see you in the future. Remember I am with you always. "

" Aramis...A good journey to you my friend and I will see you on the other side when I cross the bridge into the next life. " Phelan said tears running down his face.

Aramis stood and waved goodbye and turned around and began to walk away. As he walked he faded into a fine blue mist and was gone. Instantly the glade felt queer, empty and wrong. Phelan didnt' want to be there anymore but found himself unable to move. He sat there for quite sometime before things began to fade to black.

[Phelan]

Phelan awoke to a dull pain on his head and a human standing over him with an oar.

" You better pay me, I usually gather it up front. I tried to wake you but you wouldnt'." Said the man with the oar who Phelan now reconized as the boat attendant.

" I will pay you worry not about that. Thanks for the wake up call. " Phelan pulled out his pouch and handed him 200 tunar. " wait here for me I have a feeling that I will be heading back with in the hour or so. "

The man nodded and tied his boat to the dock. The human headed straight for the bar. Phelan shook his head as he walked toward Kal, why would she be here? Oh well, guess I can ask her when I get to her he thought.

Phelan walked closer and closer to her untill finally he was standing at the inn. He opened the door and an overwhelming stench hit him in the face. No wonder she is in here, he thought to himself.

[Phelan]

Phelan almost gagged as he walked through the common room of the Inn. He wasnt' used to the smell of trolls and there were only a few here. Kaly seemed to be up stairs so he climbed the stairs and entered the room and there he found her sleeping quitely on the bed.

He smiled and sat down next to her and stroked her hair as she slept. He noticed some tears in her cloak.

" What happened to you today? " he whispered as he sat with her.

He knew that they had to go back to Freeport and help Kals friend. Those occupying the house were definately no one to be tested, but someone had to do it. Hopefully Kal had gotten a hold of her friend. He would see when she awoke.

[Shalandra]

::Shalandra walks into the inn, and she doesnt see who she is looking for.

even though she has never met the person before she has been given some information on what to look for.

she hasnt ever seen someone put stones into their swords before, this is the only thing that she is looking forward to seeing.

she isnt uncomfortable in a place like this because she has been in and out of these kinds of places for most of her life.

she just hopes that she can get this mission over and done with so she can go back and get paid.

she is so very hungry right now, and an ale would be really nice.

well, food and ale later, have to wait for the person right now.

Shalandra heads to a table where she wont be bothered by anyone and sits back to watch the comings and goings of the people. :::

[Phelan]

Kal slept for hours and Phelan decided he was going to brave the smell and go get some food. Phelan ran his hand along her face one last time and left. He could still smell the trolls as he walked down the stairs.

Maybe someone should teach them about bathing once in a while. They arent' even in site yet. Phelan thought to himself as he climbed down the stairs. He walked to a table and covered his nose with his hand. A serving girl came by shortly after and took his order.

Phelan tried to relax, but the days events had taken a toll on him. He lifted his shirt and felt his ribs that had been cleaved not 12 hours earlier. He could still remember the pain. He shuddered, why do I play with death so often, not really a choice as much as being forced into doing so I guess, he mused to himself as he waited for his food.

[Shalandra]

:: the smell of food was driving Shalandra crazy. her tummy rumbled so loud that she thought that the bartender could hear it.

just as she was thinking that she would be here all day she saw a new person come down the stairs.

she watched him make a face at the smell of the place, she almost laughed out loud.

that is when she saw his swords, she was impressed by them.

she realized this is the person who she was looking for.

she waited until after he talked to the wench and her leave him alone at his table.

she got up and walked over to him and said

" i have a message for you. wilkens says to meet her in freeport after dark at the inn where she met you. she will wait there for the next 3 days for you. "

:: after she gives the message she looks longingly at the food coming to his table and heads towards the door::

[Phelan]

"wait!" Phelan exclaimed to her and caught her by the wrist as he stood.

Phelan promptly released her wrist and smiled at her as she turned around.

"first of all, who is Wilkens? and second would you like to eat you look starved? " phelan said to her.

He didn't know if he could eat anyways with the smell of the two trolls that seemed permenately attached to the bar. Phelan wondered if they had died.

[Shalandra]

::Shalandra is shocked when she felt the hand on her wrist.

she doesnt know what to think and she almost missed him asking her if she would like to sit and eat with him.

she looks at him to see if he is serious about his offer and decides that she might as well.

she turns back to the table and sits down.

she smiles at the man in front of her and

" thank you, yes i am very hungry. im also very thirsty.

you dont know who wilkens is?

hmm strange, she is a young human warrior, she said you would know who she is.

she has a face that a person cant forget.

all i know is that she told me to go town to town looking for a person of my race carrying swords with stones.

may i ask where did you get those. they are very nice. "

:: Shalandra grabs the closest plate to her and starts to eat. it looks like she hasnt eaten in days. ::

[Phelan]

" Ahhh so that is her name Wilkens, now I know who you speak of. She said the same inn where we met? "

Phelan was astonished at how fast she had dug into the food and waved to serving girl to come back over to the table.

" as for the swords well, I picked them up in Freeport, they struck me as very much myself."

The serving girl nodded to him to let him know that she saw him. He kicked back in the chair and watched this little wisp of a thing eat like a bear.

[Shalandra]

:: Shalandra sees this guy wave at someone and her first thought is that hes going to get her kicked out of the place.

she thinks to herself well at least i am not goin to go away hungry. ::

" my name is Shalandra, " she says to the man in between bites.

" i have no family and no ties to anyone but wilkens.

she saved my life once and i have not had the ability to repay her that debt, well until today.

once i find her again i am no longer in debt to her.

she also asked me one other thing, a strange question if you ask me.

she asked me to tell her if i knew you once i found you.

but you dont look familiar to me, would you tell me your name so i can tell her at least that. "

[Phelan]

" Oh my name of course, we really didnt' get into introductions when I met her and I was rude by not introducing myself sooner, my appologies. I am Phelan of the house Seladria. "

The serving girl walks up.

" What do you need?"

" bring two more plates of food and three mugs of ale please. " Phelan says winking at the girl sitting across from him.

" as you wish"

The serving girl hurries away. Phelan stare at the girl a long while before speaking again.

" Why do you not have a family if I may ask? I understand this is a personal question if you do not feel like answering by all means just tell me so. " Phelan said quietly.

[Shalandra]

::Shalandra stares at Phelan in wonder.

no one other than wilkens has ever shown her this kindness before.

she thinks about the question he asked. ::

" i never knew my family. i was a young child when i was left in a place much like this one.

i grew up without family and on my own.

not many people trust our kind so i go hungry most of the time.

wilkens and i met awhile back after her sister threw the acid on her.

wilkens was being attacked by some bullies in freeport and i just helped even the odds.

she said i saved her life so i am honor bound to do my best for her.

she tries to make sure i get enough to eat and such and she even invited me to her home but i wont do such a thing.

she is a human, her family wouldnt understand the situation we have.

i thank you for all that you have done for me and i have to say i have nothing to give in return for all this.

unless it is something that only a female can give :: she looks at phelan with some fear in her face :: "

:: the wench comes back with the food and the ale.

shalandra grabs one of the mugs and drinks it down so fast that it looks like shes going to choke on it.

she is frightened that someone will take all this away and demand a payment of some kind. ::