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Ian · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 521 Location: South Carolina

"Wonderful. A road of bugs." Riding next to the right fork, he keeps the right road on his left, not wishing to risk the horse in a swamp. He keeps his mind on his destination, but occasionally his thoughts return to April. Where was she? What was she doing? Was she with Mom? Concern for her briefly alarms him, but he chuckles to himself, knowing that April can take care of herself.

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 8:05 am Post subject:

A short time later, Ian comes upon a bridge crossing the stream.
After crossing through several more changes, concentrating on his destination, he arrives upon a hill overlooking a village of a mere fifty single-story buildings no taller than he is. He sees four child-sized men patrolling the area. They bear lances and padded armor. The village is crudely fortified, posts and low walls set up here and there.

The road is left down the hill behind him and does not cross through to the village.
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Ian · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 521 Location: South Carolina

He dismounts, to look less tall and less intimidating, and walks his mount down towards the guards, being fully aware that a lance is still a lance, and certainly not overestimating someone short. In fact, he mentally considers the more vertical attack angles he'll have to take, and beneath his cloak, Hollowshade lengthens slightly. When he gets within earshot, he shrugs inwardly and calls out "Good Day to you!"

Ian · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 521 Location: South Carolina

For a moment he is reminded of when he angrily left New Orleans, the last time he saw April. He had taken a motorcycle from a biker bar and driven off into the sunset, literally. Soon he was shifting Shadows, and he recalled vaguely a wish to "kick a little ass". The storm was awful and it was only by the grace of the Unicorn and a little bit of riding skill that Ian survived the Hellride. Suddenly he was sliding and skidding down a muddy hill and eventually dumped the bike. A squad of dour dwarves, with iron in their beards and naked steel in their hands were standing over him. "Friend or foe." They demanded. Ian wiped the mud from his eyes and took in the strange sight. They were around four and a half feet tall, armed with axes and what appeared to be flintlock pistols. "Well, who are you fighting?" They came a bit closer as Ian stood up. "Imperial Demons." Came the reply. "Are you one of their allies?" Ian shrugged. "I don't think so." A horn sounded in the distance and Ian walked behind the running dwarves. Imperial Demon. Sounds nasty. He dropped off a ledge to enter a cave and was faced with three Imperial Demons. "Imps?" He laughed. Behind him, the dwarves, who were negotiating the muddy path with a bit more care told him to be careful. "Hey little fella." Ian mocked. He drew Hollowshade, and the shadows around him seemed to darken slightly, and the imps began making strange gestures with their hands. Ian lunged forth and took a swipe at the first imps head. It ducked and one of its partners hit Ian with a green bolt of energy. "You did not just shoot that green stuff at me!" Hollowshade grew slightly in length and Ian killed the first imp. Another blast of green and Ian heard only his own voice echoing. '...to you.' He awaited the reply of the child-sized guards.

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 9:26 pm Post subject:

Ian notices them eying him as he makes his way down the hill towards the village.

In response to his greeting, the guards whisper among themselves, keeping a wary eye on him, their lances held casually. "Move along, traveler!" says the shortest fellow in a squeaky voice. "We have nothing to sell!"
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Ian · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 521 Location: South Carolina

"Greetings. I'm not buying. Would this be town be Goloah?" He wonders about their casualness with their weapons. Surely they weren't underestimating him. He glances to either side and listens, to ensure ambushers are not sneaking up on him.

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 9:43 pm Post subject:

"This is Goloah. Who makes mention of this place to you and what business do you have?... I see a sword and a well-fitted horse... If you are a warmonger, let me warn you that we're not powerless." The little man does his best not to sound threatening and to remain casual.

The others are a bit less casual in handling their weapon as long as Ian does not make sudden movements or approach any more than twenty feet.
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Ian · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 521 Location: South Carolina

"I am here to meet someone actually." He rubs his forehead, tired, of a sudden. 'I'm no warmonger, either. Is there an inn in your town here? I'd like to get some lunch after I take care of my horse."

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 5:35 pm Post subject:

"Oh," the child-sized soldier says, perking up. "There is an inn, but you will find it ill-suited for your mount. 'Tis best they keep watch of your horse while I escort you to the inn. May I know the name of the person you are meeting?"
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Ian · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 521 Location: South Carolina

"Florimel. The lady's name is Florimel." He walks towards the soldier who spoke to him and takes off his gloves, tucking them into his belt. Once he is within reach of the soldier, he extends his hand. "Ian, of Amber. And whom do I have the pleasure of meeting?"

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 10:23 pm Post subject:

The men grow quiet with the mention of Florimel.

The little man shakes Ian's hand when offered, squeezing his hand with a bit too much zeal, "I am Baron Dournel. Welcome to Goloah, Ian." He is still acting quite casual.

"I'll take you to her now, if you would like to leave your horse here. Baron Clovig will take good care of him," he says pointing to one of the other guards.
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Ian · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 521 Location: South Carolina

"She's already here then. Did she bring her pet dragon? The baby, of course. They're inseparable." Ian grows suspicious of the Barons but continues walking with his escort, wondering if they'll claim the dragon that doesn't exist has arrived. As they walk, he begins bringing the Pattern up within him, in case there is a glamour on the area.

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 3:06 am Post subject:

Baron Dournel looks at Ian curiously as he leads him to the center of town. "I'm afraid the lady has not brought her baby dragon with her... Or if she has it was concealed."

Baron Clovig takes a hold of Arson's reins and ties him to a post.

The village's architecture is stone carved with magic, Ian can feel it. Despite its arcane origin, the nature of the architecture is not particularly ornate.

Dournel looks at Ian sideways, he asks "How do you know Lady Florimel, Ian of Amber?"
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Ian · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 521 Location: South Carolina

Not half as well as I'd like to, he thinks. 'Well, for now, I'm to be her escort." He wonders about the odd architecture and wonders if he hasn't entered some kind of faery village.

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 6:35 pm Post subject:

"Ah, I see," answers Baron Dournel. He brings Ian to a square building with a domed entrance no taller than 4 feet. Dournel opens the door and says as he enters, "Everyone, please welcome Ian, Lady Florimel's escort." Half a dozen little men surround her and her eyes seem to sparkle and she smiles when Ian enters the room. She is wearing spectacles and a walking staff is leaning against the round table next to her.

The inside of the building looks much larger than the outside, unfortunately for Ian, not in height. It is well-lit by dancing orbs of blue and white lights.
Lady Florimel looks particularly resplendent here, in her traveling robes of blue and green. Resplendent enough for Ian to ignore the little men's looks of curiosity and disappointment when they learn the implication of further travels and that the Lady has to leave them.
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