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

If April had ever seen this look, she would think someone had possessed her brother. Ian kneels before Flora, and takes her hand. "Your escort has arrived, milady." He presses his lips softly to her hand, and looks up to her, oblivious to all else in the room. "May I add that you are as lovely as ever...perhaps moreso. Lovelier than roses in bloom, brighter than a rainbow."

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 4:53 pm Post subject:

Lady Florimel blushes and says, "You may. You are very kind, Sir Ian."
She sighs and pretends to regain her composure as she turns to her little companions, her hair flowing away from her neck in the proces, she says "Barons of Goloah, it has been a real pleasure spending time with you. You are truly the finest of gentlemen!" Their reaction varies from dreamy-eyed agreement and whiny protest.

She stands up and the Barons chant words in unison, making the ceiling move higher to accommodate her stature. Flora looks at Ian and asks, "Shall we?", with a lovely smile. She doesn't seem as distressed as her letter made her out to be. She moves to the door and the accommodation effect follows her as she exits.
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Ian · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 521 Location: South Carolina

Blinking a few times, he stands quickly, and escorts her outside, thinking that Flora is even beautiful when she blushes. "Of course. Whatever my lady commands." He nods pleasantly to the Barons and follows Florimel.

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 12:02 am Post subject:

The little men let the ceiling return to normal when Ian goes to follow Flora, some of them chuckle as he crouches on his way out.

Outside, some of the villagers have gathered and begin cheering Flora and Ian.
Flora waves and says, "We will return soon, Children of Goloah! May the white dove rest upon your roofs!"
With that, they are escorted back to Flora's horse, a grey, well-bred mare with a familiar patch on its forehead. Arson has been brought here as well and the pair is ready to begin their journey.
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Ian · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 521 Location: South Carolina

Feeling at a bit of a loss, he turned to the gathered Barons and others. Thinking quickly, he raises two fingers in a sign he saw used on Shadow Earth many, many, many times. "Peace." Then he bows to them. "Thank you for everything." Then he assists Flora in mounting, and then hops up on Arson. "Which way, my lady?"

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 10:47 pm Post subject:

Flora seems to enjoy Ian's flair for the local folk and smiles when he gestures to the people of Goloah. "We ride south!" She brings her mare around and begins riding hard into the nearby wooden path. The people of Goloah cheer them both and Ian can hear Baron Dournel yelling for him to come by again.

Once out of sight of the village, Flora slows her horse and lets Ian catch up and ride alongside her. She throws her head back and laughs, then says "You were great, Ian. Thanks for that."

Her expression becomes more serious and she looks ahead, concentrating on her surroundings.
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Ian · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 521 Location: South Carolina

"My mother raised a gentleman, of course." He smiles back at her. "Of course, I do seem to recall protocol and diplomacy lessons from someone a tad more graceful than my mother." He grows silent when he sees Flora begin to concentrate, no doubt to begin shifting Shadow. It occurs to him that in his excitement to see Flora, he hasn't eaten or had a drink, so he takes out some beef jerky from his pack and starts eating lunch in the saddle.

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 7:38 pm Post subject:

She smiles at Ian's remark.

She lets him eat as she concentrates upon Shadow. Very little change occurs at all. The winds pick up and fade, then pick up again. The forest path is well-lit despite the cloudy sky, as the canopy of trees let the light flow down rather freely, as if the leaves weren't opaque at all.

After several minutes Flora says, "I hope you don't mind my early arrival at Goloah. It turns out Eric needed me quite near here..."

...

"As you can tell, I like to begin my travels rather light-heartedly and I found Goloah to be rather fitting for our little escapade. I hope we won't encounter anything of note on our way there, but the Black Road is supposed to be quite awful in these parts. I'm glad to have you by my side, Ian."
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Ian · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 521 Location: South Carolina

"Nasty creepy-crawling things. Umm, not Eric. The Black Road. I stopped on it to examine it and found it quite befouled with insects." She can tell from his tone and probably was informed by Eric exactly how Ian really feels about him. "Any change in plans is of course your own affair. I'm just happy to be here, with you, doing what we can for the Crown. You say you don't expect trouble, is there any decent possibility of that metaphorical demon rearing its ugly head?"

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 12:45 am Post subject:

Flora chuckles at the insect-Eric comment.

...

"Yes, that is a possibility and also why I thought of you when I knew I had to make the trip. You're handy in ways that I couldn't possibly be."

She pauses, looking at him sideways, "Besides, this expedition is not in the name of the crown of Amber, which is also why you came to mind... I suppose I might as well stop being so cryptic about our destination and tell you more about..."

She goes quiet again as changes come about. The Black Road appears to their left as the forest path opens up and widens into a valley of rocky steppes and yellow grass. "Shit."

The road is about a mile or so ahead of them and it is quite wide. Down the road, behind blackened rocks, they can spot smoke and hear chanting coming from the area. "Well, we get to go through or backtrack a bit. What do you think?" she asks after bringing her horse close to a large tree from where they can observe the blighted landscape. Ian can tell this road is the full-fledged danger others have been speaking of, rather than the weird shifted landscape occurrence he encountered before.
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Ian · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 521 Location: South Carolina

"I would not presume to offer an uninformed opinion. If our mission includes finding out what is going on with this Black Road, then we should investigate. If you say we go around, we go around. I am yours to command, as you know." She can see he is rock-steady in the saddle but a feverish light seems to shine in his eyes at the prospect of going to battle. He moves his mount next to hers and looks into Flora's beautiful blue eyes. "I will not shy from battle, but protecting you is my main mission. Where you lead, I will follow. Command me, Princess."

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 11:39 pm Post subject:

Flora looks at the Black Road and pouts her lips, "Let's ride through, the earlier we arrive the better and those chants sound pretty far away. Will you ride ahead, my Prince?" she asks playfully, looking back at him.
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Ian · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 521 Location: South Carolina

"As you wish." His smile eventually fades as he begins riding in the direction they were going. He occasionally checks behind him, to ensure she is still there. But more and more, he keeps a watchful eye on the Black Road, the frequency of its appearance becoming very annoying.

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 11:59 pm Post subject:

The pair rides toward the Black Road, intent on crossing it as quickly as possible. Ian can now see that this section of the Black Road has had a lot more effect over the local area of Shadow. The rocks are crumbling unnaturally, and trees seem to wither. The sounds of chanting can be heard very audibly and Ian and Flora notice a group of huddled figures in cloaks, about a mile down the road to their left. They can also see the glow of some unholy fire.

As Ian gets nearer to the road, he can see the high grass near it has blackened and looks wet. Bushes here sway in the strong natural winds. Flora tries to catch up to him, but Arson seems to be less frightened of the thing than Flora's mare: she has slowed considerably, and Flora tries hard to keep the pace going. Ian is now coming up on the road, about 200 feet away.

The chants continue and it seems the cultists have not noticed or are ignoring the pair of them.
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Ian · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 521 Location: South Carolina

Ian slows, pulling cruelly on the reins. "Slow down, idiot!" He turns in the saddle to ensure that Flora is safe and takes turns watching her progress, watching the chanters, and planning his attack on them, should it become necessary.