[center][font=cambria][size=7]W E L C O M E[color=transparent]__[/color]T O[color=transparent]__[/color]T H E[color=transparent]__[/color]V E I L [/size]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/ZhCTs7f.png[/img]
The Tangled Wood is known as the darkest region in Sornieth, with some areas having better visibility than others. To say that this particular region had decent visibility would be a lie- the scarce light that does cast its glow here originates with the bioluminescent mushrooms that thrive in this forest, and the entire area is seemingly enveloped in a thick mist as if a veil had been drawn over the land.
You don’t see the ruins until you are practically right on top of them. There are the remains of once tall towers, smaller huts and longhouses built in their wake to create a village. You can make out the vague shapes of dragons going through the regular motions of their everyday life, and they seem to have taken over this secluded hint at history. All seems to be well.
While you are surveying the small city, you don’t notice the figure that has come to stand beside you, the way the mist seems to cling more heavily to his scales. You don’t see the way he moves through the shadows with ease. When you do notice the newcomer, you realize that the more you try to focus on him the harder it is to see him. His existence seems to flicker just on the edge of your vision. You swear that you can hear quiet laughter emanating from this being, but you can’t be sure. You can almost swear that you can hear him whisper four quiet words-
“[i]Welcome to the Veil.[/i]”
[img]http://68.media.tumblr.com/0bdcf3d055bc2fbcc20a8c586b366425/tumblr_inline_o65n6d7SHW1tp73kr_540.png[/img]
[quote=News]May 28th: The fourth chapter has been posted.[/quote]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/yaG2sht.png[/img][/font][/center]
W E L C O M E__T O__T H E__V E I L
The Tangled Wood is known as the darkest region in Sornieth, with some areas having better visibility than others. To say that this particular region had decent visibility would be a lie- the scarce light that does cast its glow here originates with the bioluminescent mushrooms that thrive in this forest, and the entire area is seemingly enveloped in a thick mist as if a veil had been drawn over the land.
You don’t see the ruins until you are practically right on top of them. There are the remains of once tall towers, smaller huts and longhouses built in their wake to create a village. You can make out the vague shapes of dragons going through the regular motions of their everyday life, and they seem to have taken over this secluded hint at history. All seems to be well.
While you are surveying the small city, you don’t notice the figure that has come to stand beside you, the way the mist seems to cling more heavily to his scales. You don’t see the way he moves through the shadows with ease. When you do notice the newcomer, you realize that the more you try to focus on him the harder it is to see him. His existence seems to flicker just on the edge of your vision. You swear that you can hear quiet laughter emanating from this being, but you can’t be sure. You can almost swear that you can hear him whisper four quiet words-
“Welcome to the Veil.”
News wrote:
May 28th: The fourth chapter has been posted.
[center][font=cambria][size=7]T A B L E[color=transparent]__[/color]O F[color=transparent]__[/color]C O N T E N T S [/size]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/ZhCTs7f.png[/img]
[b][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2165238#post_2165238]Introduction[/url][/b]
[b]Table of Contents[/b]
[b][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2165238#post_26686473]Members of the Veil[/url][/b]
All dragons that maintain a permanent residence in the Veil.
[b][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2165238#post_26686478]Territory and Cultural Notes[/url][/b]
A description of the Veil, as well as some customs and traditions that may vary from other clans.
[b][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2165238#post_26686481]The Archives[/url][/b]
A masterpost of all lore works.
[b][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2165238#post_26686489]Pings and Things[/url][/b]
A post containing the pinglist, allies and enemies of the Veil, and resource credits.
[img]http://i.imgur.com/yaG2sht.png[/img][/font][/center]
[center][font=cambria][size=7]M E M B E R S[color=transparent]__[/color]O F[color=transparent]__[/color]T H E[color=transparent]__[/color]V E I L [/size]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/ZhCTs7f.png[/img]
Sol is a child of the Shadowbinder, and serves her in various ways, primary of which is finding new recruits for her army and training them. The Veil stands as the center of Sol's operations, and a place for these recruits to train and live before being sent off to the frontlines.
Aside from a military encampment, the Veil serves as a safe place for many dragons to reside so long as their loyalties remain true to the Shadowbinder. Many come and go, but those listed here plan on staying in the Veil for a bit longer.
[img]http://68.media.tumblr.com/0bdcf3d055bc2fbcc20a8c586b366425/tumblr_inline_o65n6d7SHW1tp73kr_540.png[/img][/center]
[left][columns][img]http://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/38657/3865690p.png[/img][nextcol][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?p=lair&id=70658&tab=dragon&did=3865690]Betelgeuse[/url]; Hatchery Attendant, Warrior
The firstborn daughter of Sol, and thus the grandaughter of the Shadowbinder. A devoted and kind leader, she is often found either comforting the hatchlings of the clan or training them to fight. She takes pride in her work.[/columns][/left]
[columns][img]http://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/38657/3865691p.png[/img][nextcol][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?p=lair&id=70658&tab=dragon&did=3865691]Rigel[/url]; Hatchery Attendant
The firstborn son of Sol, and thus the grandson of the Shadowbinder. Ever the laid-back and forgetful Tundra, Rigel spends the majority of his time caring for the youngest members of the clan and tries his hardest to be a friend to all. [/columns]
[columns][img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/34794/3479308p.png[/img][nextcol][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?p=lair&id=70658&tab=dragon&did=3479308]Gaius[/url]; General; Warrior
A quiet and stoic Imperial. Gaius is the general of the Veil.[/columns]
[columns][img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/53978/5397732p.png[/img][nextcol][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?p=lair&tab=dragon&id=70658&did=5397732]Morgaine[/url]; Witch, Priestess
A cold cynic. Morgaine is a skilled witch and uses her craft to help her clan. She is generally well-respected and carries quite a bit of executive weight in the Veil.[/columns]
[columns][img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/173343/17334246p.png[/img][nextcol][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?p=lair&tab=dragon&id=70658&did=17334246]Skatri[/url]; Huntress
An intense and loyal Wildclaw. Responsible for feeding much of the clan, and enjoys challenging herself by hunting increasingly dangerous prey. Her mate is Nishant.[/columns]
[columns][img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/313510/31350938p.png[/img][nextcol][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?p=lair&tab=dragon&id=70658&did=31350938]Nishant[/url]; Hunter
Nishant is quiet and dedicated Wildclaw. His mate is Skatri, and he accompanies her as a hunting partner. [/columns]
[columns][img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/190799/19079874p.png[/img][nextcol][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?p=lair&tab=dragon&id=70658&did=19079874]Khadija[/url]; Scavenger, Artist
Khadija enjoys finding relics from the past and decorating the clan's facilities. Her mate is Ohanzee.[/columns]
[columns][img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/173343/17334245p.png[/img][nextcol][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?p=lair&tab=dragon&id=70658&did=17334245]Ohanzee[/url]; Scavenger, Smith
A coatl who often has issues hearing and understanding spoken language. He learned metalworking from Nishant, and spends much of his free time in his forge. His mate is Khadija.[/columns]
[columns][img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/311057/31105669p.png[/img][nextcol][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?p=lair&id=70658&tab=dragon&did=31105669]Alcippe[/url]; Warrior
A cheerful Spiral coming from a family of born and bred warriors. She came to the Veil to learn from Gaius and is passing her knowledge on to her cousin, Jocasta.[/columns]
[columns][img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/317907/31790681p.png[/img][nextcol][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?p=lair&tab=dragon&id=70658&did=31790681]Jocasta[/url]; Warrior
The younger cousin of Alcippe, placed in her care to learn the art of war. [/columns]
[columns][img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/311392/31139171p.png[/img][nextcol][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?p=lair&tab=dragon&id=70658&did=31139171]Caraway[/url]; Apprentice Herbalist
A talented young Pearlcatcher taken under the tutelage of Morgaine at the request of his parents. He shows much potential in his studies and is quite committed to his learning.[/columns]
[columns][img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/310127/31012685p.png[/img][nextcol][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?p=lair&id=70658&tab=dragon&did=31012685]Cerin[/url]; ____
A newcomer from the Light Flight. [/columns]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/yaG2sht.png[/img][/font]
M E M B E R S__O F__T H E__V E I L
Sol is a child of the Shadowbinder, and serves her in various ways, primary of which is finding new recruits for her army and training them. The Veil stands as the center of Sol's operations, and a place for these recruits to train and live before being sent off to the frontlines.
Aside from a military encampment, the Veil serves as a safe place for many dragons to reside so long as their loyalties remain true to the Shadowbinder. Many come and go, but those listed here plan on staying in the Veil for a bit longer.
|
Betelgeuse; Hatchery Attendant, Warrior
The firstborn daughter of Sol, and thus the grandaughter of the Shadowbinder. A devoted and kind leader, she is often found either comforting the hatchlings of the clan or training them to fight. She takes pride in her work.
|
|
Rigel; Hatchery Attendant
The firstborn son of Sol, and thus the grandson of the Shadowbinder. Ever the laid-back and forgetful Tundra, Rigel spends the majority of his time caring for the youngest members of the clan and tries his hardest to be a friend to all.
|
|
Gaius; General; Warrior
A quiet and stoic Imperial. Gaius is the general of the Veil.
|
|
Morgaine; Witch, Priestess
A cold cynic. Morgaine is a skilled witch and uses her craft to help her clan. She is generally well-respected and carries quite a bit of executive weight in the Veil.
|
|
Skatri; Huntress
An intense and loyal Wildclaw. Responsible for feeding much of the clan, and enjoys challenging herself by hunting increasingly dangerous prey. Her mate is Nishant.
|
|
Nishant; Hunter
Nishant is quiet and dedicated Wildclaw. His mate is Skatri, and he accompanies her as a hunting partner.
|
|
Khadija; Scavenger, Artist
Khadija enjoys finding relics from the past and decorating the clan's facilities. Her mate is Ohanzee.
|
|
Ohanzee; Scavenger, Smith
A coatl who often has issues hearing and understanding spoken language. He learned metalworking from Nishant, and spends much of his free time in his forge. His mate is Khadija.
|
|
Alcippe; Warrior
A cheerful Spiral coming from a family of born and bred warriors. She came to the Veil to learn from Gaius and is passing her knowledge on to her cousin, Jocasta.
|
|
Jocasta; Warrior
The younger cousin of Alcippe, placed in her care to learn the art of war.
|
|
Caraway; Apprentice Herbalist
A talented young Pearlcatcher taken under the tutelage of Morgaine at the request of his parents. He shows much potential in his studies and is quite committed to his learning.
|
|
Cerin; ____
A newcomer from the Light Flight.
|
[center][font=cambria][size=7]T E R R I T O R Y[color=transparent]__[/color]A N D[color=transparent]__[/color]C U L T U R E[/size]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/ZhCTs7f.png[/img]
The Veil is situated in the southeastern corner of the shadow territory, and exists as a settlement of new structures built into and on top of the ruins remaining from past civilizations.
[img]http://i.imgur.com/yaG2sht.png[/img][/font][/center]
T E R R I T O R Y__A N D__C U L T U R E
The Veil is situated in the southeastern corner of the shadow territory, and exists as a settlement of new structures built into and on top of the ruins remaining from past civilizations.
[center][font=cambria][size=7]T H E[color=transparent]__[/color]A R C H I V E S[/size]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/ZhCTs7f.png[/img]
[size=5]Main Storyline[/size]
[url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2165238#post_26728591]1[/url] - [url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2165238#post_26920895]2[/url] - [url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2165238#post_26964410]3[/url] - [url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2165238/2#post_27481675] 4[/url]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/yaG2sht.png[/img][/font][/center]
T H E__A R C H I V E S
Main Storyline
1 - 2 - 3 - 4
[center][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/4tanp5y4tyh09yi/shadowtop.png[/img]
[font=cambria][size=7]Chapter One [/size]
[img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/gw39cpoxvpk6p1q/shadowmid.png[/img]
To say [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?p=lair&id=70658&tab=dragon&did=31012685]Cerin[/url] couldn't see it coming would be a lie. What was he really supposed to expect when he lit the candles and put them in that formation? What was he really supposed to expect the night that he challenged the gods? To attract the attention of a demigod?
How was he to expect the shadow?
“[i]And who would you be?[/i]”
Cerin wasn’t sure whether he heard the voice aloud or in his head.
“Who’s there?”
“[i]I asked you first.[/i]”
The pearlcatcher spun around, wildly searching for the source of the voice but to no avail. He clutched his pearl closer to his chest before calling out. “My name is Cerin.”
“[i]And how is it, Cerin, that you come to question the very beings that made your existence possible?[/i]”
Fear claimed his voice and he found it impossible to answer. It was then that the shadow entered his periphery, consuming the light cast by the candles strewn about the floor. The shadow was of no dragon Cerin had ever seen before, in the shape of no breed he knew. In place of eyes was white light, shining like lanterns in the night. Every time the shadow spoke, Cerin swore that he could see the glint of teeth in the dim light.
When he did find his voice, it came out as barely more than a whisper. “I’ve never seen a god before. I wanted to know that they were real.”
Laughter filled the air around him, and the sound sent a chill down the Pearlcatcher’s spine. “[i]Rest assured, they’re real.[/i]”
“But you’re not a god,” Cerin said, strength finding its way back into his voice.
“[i]You’re bold[/i],” the shadow commented. “[i]I can appreciate that. You are correct, I am not a god[/i].”
“What are you?”
“[i]The child of a god[/i].”
Such an answer piqued Cerin’s curiosity. “What god?”
The shadow settled in front of him, and smiled. “[i]What god would you think[/i]?”
“I’d hate to make assumptions.”
The shadow laughed again. “[i]And courteous, how quaint[/i].”
“You flatter me, but my question still stands.”
“[i]I am a child of the Shadowbinder[/i].”
Cerin nodded stiffly, narrowing his eyes. “And I called for one of the gods, not a child of the Shadowbinder.”
“[i]And that is where you made your mistake[/i],” the shadow replied, the note of humor remaining in its voice. “[i]The gods do not have time to attend to the wishes of every wayward soul who fancies himself a glimpse of them. You were arrogant to think they would[/i].”
Cerin was stunned into silence, and he redirected his gaze to the flickering of the candle nearest to him.
“[i]I wouldn’t take it personally that none of them showed up[/i],” the shadow said, shifting to a more comfortable position. “[i]It says more about them than it does you, really[/i].”
“Oh, that’s reassuring,” he muttered.
“[i]Oh, don’t be cross[/i],” the shadow chided lightly. “[i]Surely there’s other questions that you’d like answered[/i].”
Cerin returned his gaze to the shadow. “The Shade, was it real?”
“[i]It still is. It lives on in this land in various forms. We do our best to combat it[/i].”
“I was told it was rid from this land.”
“[i]You were misinformed. Has your clan has kept many secrets from you in the past[/i]?”
“What led you to think that?”
“[i]You no longer turn to them for answers and doubt their answers, even on the most basic of questions[/i].”
“And your clan doesn’t keep secrets from you?”
“[i]Fewer than yours would. Never about the things that matter[/i].” When Cerin hesitated, and the shadow spoke again. “[i]We aren’t so different, you know, Light and Shadow. One values knowledge, while the other values truth[/i]."
“The Shadow Flight values truth?” Cerin resisted the urge to laugh outright, but failed to keep the hint of humor from his voice. “Then why the pranks? Why have you muddied the forum?”
“[i]Pranks were originally formed to bring attention to the truth within those being pranked; you can’t slip on a banana peel if you weren’t an inattentive buffoon to begin with. The forum showed truth to those who desired and despised it alike without discretion. It was muddied to protect the fragile minds and egos of many[/i].”
For the third time that night, Cerin found himself without words.
“[i]I fear that it will soon be time for me to leave here, but I like you, and before I go I am going to offer you the same opportunity that I offer many others- come to me[/i].”
“Why would I do that?”
“[i]Because I can offer you what you’re so convinced you’re deprived of- truth. I wouldn’t be the one to keep things from you[/i],” the shadow told him, rising from where it laid. “[i]On the other hand, I may be willing to introduce you to my mother[/i].”
Cerin thought a moment before speaking again. “Where will you be?”
“[i]The Tangled Wood. Leave the Sunbeam Ruins and come to me in three days’ time[/i].”
“How will I know how to find you?”
“[i]I will have someone come to retrieve you from the border[/i].”
With those final words, the shadow moved to leave the way it came.
“Wait!” Cerin called, and the shadow stopped, turning its head back towards the Pearlcatcher. “How do I know I can trust you?”
The shadow’s reply was immediate, and Cerin was sure he could make out the semblance of a smirk on its face. “[i]You don’t[/i].”
[img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/yglin87tc1e2r26/shadowbottom.png[/img][/font][/center]
Chapter One
To say Cerin couldn't see it coming would be a lie. What was he really supposed to expect when he lit the candles and put them in that formation? What was he really supposed to expect the night that he challenged the gods? To attract the attention of a demigod?
How was he to expect the shadow?
“And who would you be?”
Cerin wasn’t sure whether he heard the voice aloud or in his head.
“Who’s there?”
“I asked you first.”
The pearlcatcher spun around, wildly searching for the source of the voice but to no avail. He clutched his pearl closer to his chest before calling out. “My name is Cerin.”
“And how is it, Cerin, that you come to question the very beings that made your existence possible?”
Fear claimed his voice and he found it impossible to answer. It was then that the shadow entered his periphery, consuming the light cast by the candles strewn about the floor. The shadow was of no dragon Cerin had ever seen before, in the shape of no breed he knew. In place of eyes was white light, shining like lanterns in the night. Every time the shadow spoke, Cerin swore that he could see the glint of teeth in the dim light.
When he did find his voice, it came out as barely more than a whisper. “I’ve never seen a god before. I wanted to know that they were real.”
Laughter filled the air around him, and the sound sent a chill down the Pearlcatcher’s spine. “Rest assured, they’re real.”
“But you’re not a god,” Cerin said, strength finding its way back into his voice.
“You’re bold,” the shadow commented. “I can appreciate that. You are correct, I am not a god.”
“What are you?”
“The child of a god.”
Such an answer piqued Cerin’s curiosity. “What god?”
The shadow settled in front of him, and smiled. “What god would you think?”
“I’d hate to make assumptions.”
The shadow laughed again. “And courteous, how quaint.”
“You flatter me, but my question still stands.”
“I am a child of the Shadowbinder.”
Cerin nodded stiffly, narrowing his eyes. “And I called for one of the gods, not a child of the Shadowbinder.”
“And that is where you made your mistake,” the shadow replied, the note of humor remaining in its voice. “The gods do not have time to attend to the wishes of every wayward soul who fancies himself a glimpse of them. You were arrogant to think they would.”
Cerin was stunned into silence, and he redirected his gaze to the flickering of the candle nearest to him.
“I wouldn’t take it personally that none of them showed up,” the shadow said, shifting to a more comfortable position. “It says more about them than it does you, really.”
“Oh, that’s reassuring,” he muttered.
“Oh, don’t be cross,” the shadow chided lightly. “Surely there’s other questions that you’d like answered.”
Cerin returned his gaze to the shadow. “The Shade, was it real?”
“It still is. It lives on in this land in various forms. We do our best to combat it.”
“I was told it was rid from this land.”
“You were misinformed. Has your clan has kept many secrets from you in the past?”
“What led you to think that?”
“You no longer turn to them for answers and doubt their answers, even on the most basic of questions.”
“And your clan doesn’t keep secrets from you?”
“Fewer than yours would. Never about the things that matter.” When Cerin hesitated, and the shadow spoke again. “We aren’t so different, you know, Light and Shadow. One values knowledge, while the other values truth."
“The Shadow Flight values truth?” Cerin resisted the urge to laugh outright, but failed to keep the hint of humor from his voice. “Then why the pranks? Why have you muddied the forum?”
“Pranks were originally formed to bring attention to the truth within those being pranked; you can’t slip on a banana peel if you weren’t an inattentive buffoon to begin with. The forum showed truth to those who desired and despised it alike without discretion. It was muddied to protect the fragile minds and egos of many.”
For the third time that night, Cerin found himself without words.
“I fear that it will soon be time for me to leave here, but I like you, and before I go I am going to offer you the same opportunity that I offer many others- come to me.”
“Why would I do that?”
“Because I can offer you what you’re so convinced you’re deprived of- truth. I wouldn’t be the one to keep things from you,” the shadow told him, rising from where it laid. “On the other hand, I may be willing to introduce you to my mother.”
Cerin thought a moment before speaking again. “Where will you be?”
“The Tangled Wood. Leave the Sunbeam Ruins and come to me in three days’ time.”
“How will I know how to find you?”
“I will have someone come to retrieve you from the border.”
With those final words, the shadow moved to leave the way it came.
“Wait!” Cerin called, and the shadow stopped, turning its head back towards the Pearlcatcher. “How do I know I can trust you?”
The shadow’s reply was immediate, and Cerin was sure he could make out the semblance of a smirk on its face. “You don’t.”
[center][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/4tanp5y4tyh09yi/shadowtop.png[/img]
[font=cambria][size=7]Chapter Two[/size]
[img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/gw39cpoxvpk6p1q/shadowmid.png[/img]
Cerin thought about ignoring the shadow’s invitation. He thought about forgetting the encounter entirely, but he couldn’t. His conversation with the shadow stuck with him, and he found himself dwelling on it more than he should have.
It was when he was talking to the centaur that he became certain of his path.
“What do you mean you met a shadow in the Hewn City and it wants you to abandon your clan to join the Shadow Flight?” Arona asked, her arms crossing in front of her torso as she stared at Cerin.
“Could you keep your voice down?” Cerin urged, quickly glancing around the immediate area to ensure that no one was eavesdropping on their conversation.
She heeded his words, and when she spoke again, it was at a more moderate volume. “Tell me everything.”
“I went into the Hewn City to try to summon a god,” Cerin began sheepishly, and Arona shook her head in disbelief. “Instead, I got a shadow. It wants me to come to the Tangled Wood tomorrow.”
“Are you going to?”
“I don’t know yet. That’s the problem.”
“Well, it must have said something enticing, otherwise you wouldn’t be contemplating going, right? What did it tell you?”
And so Cerin told her of his conversation with the shadow. Arona listened intently, and only offered insight once Cerin was finished.
“This is a chance for you to get answers, for you to learn. If you stay here you’ll be stuck with what-ifs for the rest of your life. You can always come back home, but you can’t be sure the shadow’s offer will still stand after the time it told you to be there. Plus, maybe you’ll like the Tangled Wood! Maybe you’ll find a mate, settle down-”
“Can you not?”
“You’re right,” Arona laughed, taking on a teasing tone. “Who would want to settle down with you?”
Cerin feigned offense, and Arona stuck her tongue out at him. “All joking aside, I think that you made up your mind long before you ever came to talk to me.”
Cerin found himself nodding at her words. “You’re right. I guess I’m going to the Tangled Wood tomorrow.”
“And I’m coming with you.”
“No, you’re not.”
“Yes, I am,” Arona said forcefully. “You can’t even defend yourself from the bumbles in the Promenade, and you think I’m going to let you waltz right into the Tangled Wood without backup? Think again, buddy.”
Cerin groaned but did not argue with her further.
“If we’re going, then you should probably pack a bag,” she told him. “I’ll do the same.”
Cerin nodded again and said goodbye, turning and heading back towards his room.
Cerin did not sleep well that night, as his nerves got the better of him. After packing his belongings (consisting of his favorite clothing, some books, and a handful of trinkets) he had tried to lay down to sleep, only to be kept awake by the warring tides of excitement and fear battling inside of him. When he finally did drift off into sleep, his dreams were troubled and tumultuous, haunted by disembodied shadows at every corner and unknown beasts under every surface.
After a few hours of this, he gave up hope for peaceful sleep and spent his time composing a note to his clan, detailing the circumstances of his departure and his goodbyes.
Upon the first light of dawn, he shouldered his pack and headed out to the courtyard to meet Arona.
“Are you ready?” Arona called.
“Are you?”
Arona laughed, and together they headed for the bridge that separated the shadows from the light.
[img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/gw39cpoxvpk6p1q/shadowmid.png[/img]
@Kavryn
[img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/yglin87tc1e2r26/shadowbottom.png[/img][/font][/center]
Chapter Two
Cerin thought about ignoring the shadow’s invitation. He thought about forgetting the encounter entirely, but he couldn’t. His conversation with the shadow stuck with him, and he found himself dwelling on it more than he should have.
It was when he was talking to the centaur that he became certain of his path.
“What do you mean you met a shadow in the Hewn City and it wants you to abandon your clan to join the Shadow Flight?” Arona asked, her arms crossing in front of her torso as she stared at Cerin.
“Could you keep your voice down?” Cerin urged, quickly glancing around the immediate area to ensure that no one was eavesdropping on their conversation.
She heeded his words, and when she spoke again, it was at a more moderate volume. “Tell me everything.”
“I went into the Hewn City to try to summon a god,” Cerin began sheepishly, and Arona shook her head in disbelief. “Instead, I got a shadow. It wants me to come to the Tangled Wood tomorrow.”
“Are you going to?”
“I don’t know yet. That’s the problem.”
“Well, it must have said something enticing, otherwise you wouldn’t be contemplating going, right? What did it tell you?”
And so Cerin told her of his conversation with the shadow. Arona listened intently, and only offered insight once Cerin was finished.
“This is a chance for you to get answers, for you to learn. If you stay here you’ll be stuck with what-ifs for the rest of your life. You can always come back home, but you can’t be sure the shadow’s offer will still stand after the time it told you to be there. Plus, maybe you’ll like the Tangled Wood! Maybe you’ll find a mate, settle down-”
“Can you not?”
“You’re right,” Arona laughed, taking on a teasing tone. “Who would want to settle down with you?”
Cerin feigned offense, and Arona stuck her tongue out at him. “All joking aside, I think that you made up your mind long before you ever came to talk to me.”
Cerin found himself nodding at her words. “You’re right. I guess I’m going to the Tangled Wood tomorrow.”
“And I’m coming with you.”
“No, you’re not.”
“Yes, I am,” Arona said forcefully. “You can’t even defend yourself from the bumbles in the Promenade, and you think I’m going to let you waltz right into the Tangled Wood without backup? Think again, buddy.”
Cerin groaned but did not argue with her further.
“If we’re going, then you should probably pack a bag,” she told him. “I’ll do the same.”
Cerin nodded again and said goodbye, turning and heading back towards his room.
Cerin did not sleep well that night, as his nerves got the better of him. After packing his belongings (consisting of his favorite clothing, some books, and a handful of trinkets) he had tried to lay down to sleep, only to be kept awake by the warring tides of excitement and fear battling inside of him. When he finally did drift off into sleep, his dreams were troubled and tumultuous, haunted by disembodied shadows at every corner and unknown beasts under every surface.
After a few hours of this, he gave up hope for peaceful sleep and spent his time composing a note to his clan, detailing the circumstances of his departure and his goodbyes.
Upon the first light of dawn, he shouldered his pack and headed out to the courtyard to meet Arona.
“Are you ready?” Arona called.
“Are you?”
Arona laughed, and together they headed for the bridge that separated the shadows from the light.
@Kavryn
[center][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/4tanp5y4tyh09yi/shadowtop.png[/img]
[font=cambria][size=7]Chapter Three[/size]
[img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/gw39cpoxvpk6p1q/shadowmid.png[/img]
They saw Cerin before Cerin saw them.
“Who goes there?” The female Wildclaw called. Cerin’s head snapped up and he spotted her nestled in a tree that overlooked the bridge. Sunbeams reflected off her brilliantly colored flanks, refracting orange hues all around her. Beside her was a smaller male, his own scales reflecting the light to a lesser extent and throwing shades of violet rather than orange. The pair’s eyes were trained on Cerin and his companion, following their every move.
Cerin looked at Arona out of the corner of his eyes. “What do I say?”
Arona shrugged. “Probably the truth, considering that’s why you’re here.”
“My name is Cerin,” he called back, openly glaring at Arona. “I was told to come here.”
The two Wildclaws looked at each other, and the female nodded. Together they dropped from the branches, landing a few feet in front of the traveling duo.
“My name is Skatri, and this is my mate, Nishant. We were sent to retrieve you.”
“Nice to meet you! This is Arona, who insisted on coming with me,” Cerin explained. “Hopefully it’s alright that she came?”
“It should be fine,” Nishant told them. “I don’t see why it wouldn’t be.”
Skatri nodded in agreement. “She will be welcome in the Veil.”
“The Veil?”
“Where we’re going,” Nishant explained. “Our home.”
“We should probably get going, we don’t want to be away from home when it’s dark out. It’s hard enough to navigate while the sun is still high in the sky, I’d rather not be stuck out here once it’s gone. We can talk on the way,” Skatri said, and Nishant gestured for her to lead the way. She did, and the rest closely followed.
Cerin’s mind buzzed with questions, but he decided that most of them were best saved for later times. One question did make its way to the forefront of his mind. He voiced his inquiry to the Wildclaws. “The shadow, does it have a name?”
Skatri scoffed. “Leave it to Sol to not introduce himself.”
Cerin and Arona exchanged glances. “Is that normal for him?”
“No, but you’d expect someone like him to be better put together and not forget such basic formalities,” Nishant answered. “Then again, you’d think that someone like him wouldn’t have to introduce themselves after a while.”
Cerin thought that was a fair observation, and he thought on it. After a few minutes of walking in silence, he realized that neither of the Wildclaw’s eyes matched the tell-tale violet of the shadow flight, and thus he had found his conversation starter.
“You were born in the Light Flight,” Cerin said, speaking directly to Skatri.
“I was,” Skatri agreed. “Nishant was born in Fire.”
“What brought you to Shadow?”
“What brought [i]you[/i] to Shadow?” She challenged, turning to the Pearlcatcher. “We all came for different reasons, but those reasons don’t matter anymore. What matters now is that we’re here now.”
“She came because the shadow promised her a safe place for her brother and her to reside and learn, and opportunities to prove herself,” Nishant told him. “I was wandering the world when Skatri found me. She convinced me to stay.”
Skatri cast a stern glare at her mate, but said nothing else. The party traveled in silence thereafter.
The Tangled Wood got darker and darker the closer that they got to the heart of the territory until Cerin had to squint in order to see where he was going, and he silently thanked the gods for the small amount of light that came from the mushrooms growing on the trees. It was a true miracle that he managed to avoid the thorns that silently threatened with each misstep.
“Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it eventually,” Nishant told him. Cerin didn’t reply, but instead focused on not tripping over the gnarled roots of the pines around him. He would have sworn he saw things moving on multiple occasions, but he couldn’t be sure if there was actually something there or if his paranoia was getting the best of him. He was more inclined to believe the former, as Arona’s bow never left her hands.
After hours of walking, Cerin realized that slowly but surely the horizon was growing lighter. Before long, he could see the hazy outline of a village, it’s walls illuminated by torches and fires. Cerin was too exhausted to pay much attention to the details. Soon they were within the borders of the town, and Skatri and Nishant led Cerin to one of the crumbling towers, welcoming him inside.
“Welcome home.”
[img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/gw39cpoxvpk6p1q/shadowmid.png[/img]
@Kavryn @Metroid @SybilRamkin
[img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/yglin87tc1e2r26/shadowbottom.png[/img][/font][/center]
Chapter Three
They saw Cerin before Cerin saw them.
“Who goes there?” The female Wildclaw called. Cerin’s head snapped up and he spotted her nestled in a tree that overlooked the bridge. Sunbeams reflected off her brilliantly colored flanks, refracting orange hues all around her. Beside her was a smaller male, his own scales reflecting the light to a lesser extent and throwing shades of violet rather than orange. The pair’s eyes were trained on Cerin and his companion, following their every move.
Cerin looked at Arona out of the corner of his eyes. “What do I say?”
Arona shrugged. “Probably the truth, considering that’s why you’re here.”
“My name is Cerin,” he called back, openly glaring at Arona. “I was told to come here.”
The two Wildclaws looked at each other, and the female nodded. Together they dropped from the branches, landing a few feet in front of the traveling duo.
“My name is Skatri, and this is my mate, Nishant. We were sent to retrieve you.”
“Nice to meet you! This is Arona, who insisted on coming with me,” Cerin explained. “Hopefully it’s alright that she came?”
“It should be fine,” Nishant told them. “I don’t see why it wouldn’t be.”
Skatri nodded in agreement. “She will be welcome in the Veil.”
“The Veil?”
“Where we’re going,” Nishant explained. “Our home.”
“We should probably get going, we don’t want to be away from home when it’s dark out. It’s hard enough to navigate while the sun is still high in the sky, I’d rather not be stuck out here once it’s gone. We can talk on the way,” Skatri said, and Nishant gestured for her to lead the way. She did, and the rest closely followed.
Cerin’s mind buzzed with questions, but he decided that most of them were best saved for later times. One question did make its way to the forefront of his mind. He voiced his inquiry to the Wildclaws. “The shadow, does it have a name?”
Skatri scoffed. “Leave it to Sol to not introduce himself.”
Cerin and Arona exchanged glances. “Is that normal for him?”
“No, but you’d expect someone like him to be better put together and not forget such basic formalities,” Nishant answered. “Then again, you’d think that someone like him wouldn’t have to introduce themselves after a while.”
Cerin thought that was a fair observation, and he thought on it. After a few minutes of walking in silence, he realized that neither of the Wildclaw’s eyes matched the tell-tale violet of the shadow flight, and thus he had found his conversation starter.
“You were born in the Light Flight,” Cerin said, speaking directly to Skatri.
“I was,” Skatri agreed. “Nishant was born in Fire.”
“What brought you to Shadow?”
“What brought you to Shadow?” She challenged, turning to the Pearlcatcher. “We all came for different reasons, but those reasons don’t matter anymore. What matters now is that we’re here now.”
“She came because the shadow promised her a safe place for her brother and her to reside and learn, and opportunities to prove herself,” Nishant told him. “I was wandering the world when Skatri found me. She convinced me to stay.”
Skatri cast a stern glare at her mate, but said nothing else. The party traveled in silence thereafter.
The Tangled Wood got darker and darker the closer that they got to the heart of the territory until Cerin had to squint in order to see where he was going, and he silently thanked the gods for the small amount of light that came from the mushrooms growing on the trees. It was a true miracle that he managed to avoid the thorns that silently threatened with each misstep.
“Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it eventually,” Nishant told him. Cerin didn’t reply, but instead focused on not tripping over the gnarled roots of the pines around him. He would have sworn he saw things moving on multiple occasions, but he couldn’t be sure if there was actually something there or if his paranoia was getting the best of him. He was more inclined to believe the former, as Arona’s bow never left her hands.
After hours of walking, Cerin realized that slowly but surely the horizon was growing lighter. Before long, he could see the hazy outline of a village, it’s walls illuminated by torches and fires. Cerin was too exhausted to pay much attention to the details. Soon they were within the borders of the town, and Skatri and Nishant led Cerin to one of the crumbling towers, welcoming him inside.
“Welcome home.”
@Kavryn @Metroid @SybilRamkin
