On The Shores of Despair (Part 3)

[CinderSuru]

Cinder did not like the idea of leaving Biot behind but he had made up his mind that he would make things right. She knew him well enough to know there would be know changing his mind.

She collected her things and helped secured the pack horses, then leaped on behind Adain with his help.

She held his strong waist tightly as he lead the group northward at a swift gallop, she could feel the warmth of the violet lights that surrounded him and she was now within that light and could feel the scence of destiny that he carried. She had not know many drow in her life time being raised around the moon elven community in her Grandmothers remote estate home in the mountains. She could change her skin color to blend with them to a grey blue but by nature her skin took on more the color of her drow father who she never knew. She liked being close to Adain she could feel the presents of the lady Eilistraee who she always knew she was to be given to. And the violet light was some thing her trainer the knight Singing Blade had spoke of to her, Adain would soon enough know he had a loyal friend in her.

[Biot-Savart]

Biot came to the campsite where he last saw his companions and heard a ruffle in the bushes. He saw that it was Meldrin. Cinder must have left her here for me to be able to catch up to them quicker.

Biot got on Meldrin slowly. He has never rode on something for a while. "Go Meldrin, Go let us join Cinder and the rest." Meldrin took off, Biot almost falling of but just manege's to hold on.

[CinderSuru]

They slowed down after they got a few miles away and walked the animals for a wile

As she road Cinder listened carefully to the the sounds of the forest

There was not much more than the sounds of the light wind throw the trees Biot and Verake was not far behind she could defiantly hear him in the distance.

She could not sence much but Biot had mentioned that he saw smoke in the distance when he was up the tree there could be someone else out there.

She tried to get a fix on what ever was out there but either who ever was out there was shielding or there was not any one that she could hear.

" Maybe we should stop for something to eat and wait for Biot " she said " we did not have a chance to eat yet.
" If there is someone out there I think they are shielding from being heard. "

[veraka]

[i:3d2g6bjs]Good mourning, Cinder,[/i:3d2g6bjs] Aurora replied happily accepting the scratching.

Veraka had been asleep beneath his helmet, though he'd remained in an upright sitting position for the whole time; that was until the screech the ice bird let out woke him.

From his helm, he saw that this bird was here for something else than battle; his answer was confirmed when Biot returned what looked to be the creatures eggs. Veraka breathed a sigh of relief as the creature left in peace.

[CinderSuru]

As they continued to ride at a slower pace Cinder suddenly went into a trance, a beautiful women appeared in the distance speaking words she could not clearly understand. She was a beautiful Drow with very long silver flowing hair and was naked, she carried a sword she must have been the dark maid Cinder though when she awoke suddenly to find that Adain had stopped and was speaking something to Pwdn. Cinder was quite stunned and shaken up when the lady dissipated from her sight and she snapped out of her trance. She could hear Adain and Pwdn speaking but could not make any sense of it.

[Adian Novar]

Adian and Pdwn, to pass the time, were having a more-or-less compare-and-contrast about their beliefs...similarities and differences. Adian found the pacifist stance of Illmater admirable--particularly in regards to the discipline involved--but not practical...at least for members of his particular sect.

"The Dark Lady does not enjoy violence," he said. "And neither do I. However, as in the case with the men who tried to kill us, there are threats that will not respect or admire such restraint on your part. They will simply regard you as easy victims and will return again and again. The Dark Lady merely says that when we must fight back, we must do so as swiftly as possible to minimize loss. If we did not then our church would simply cease to exist. We have too many enemies to put down the sword as yet."

[veraka]

Veraka, seeing that his companions are setting out, gathers up his stuff, quickly packs, and sprints off after the group, Aurora flanking him all the way.
The aasimar had a smile on his face as his friend ran alongside him; it was good to have Aurora back.

Veraka took an interest in the discussion going on between Pwdn and Adian.
"And what are two of my fine friends debating today?" he asked as he trotted up to the two.

[CinderSuru]

" There is enough of Pwdn's bread left and some cold ham and cheese to tide us over until we have to stop and camp for the night " Cinder said looking throw the supplies. She sliced up and the rest of the ham giving Aurora a piece, wile Pwdn sliced up the rest of the mushroom loaf. " There are some apples here as well and dried meat if any one gets hungry before we stop for the night. " she said. She was quite other wise giving focused thought to what she had just seen wile they ate there meal. She sat down and ate her bread and ham on a fallen tree twisting her hair throw her fingers. She watched the lights around Adain in silence the dark maids words were becoming clear to her now.

[Ra'Sona Races-The-Wind]

Pwdn responded with a nod, she understood Aidan's stance on violence but she had her own interpretation. "The thing is, it's not just about being an example, or doing the best you can. I will be the first to admit that I am an extreme case even among the imlaterian, but as I see it the suffering god's cause is simply not to protect the innocent or rebuke the wicked; that is the purview of the just gods. I do not restrain myself because I wish to make a point, or because it will help me in the long run, and I don't expect greater acclaim or respect for it nor do I call for anything or the sort. I employ restraint because it is my calling to ease the suffering of others, and no matter ho warranted the combat may be a blow struck is harm brought on another and is in direct opposition to everything Ilmater teaches, everything that am." She tried to think of an example, and then shook her head. "Minimising loss is not enough, a single loss to either faction in a conflict is a loss more than is acceptable. If I must endure their attacks for hours longer it is what I will do, if it means they may live through the combat with me. Enemy or otherwise it is my place to amend the suffering of others and the first step in that is to never, ever cause suffering for others. This to me is the core of everything I hold dear, and cannot change even in the face of certain death. The burdens of others must always be shouldered and their happiness held to higher value and greater urgency than my own." She offered Aidan some of her bread, and smiled. "Of course, that's not to say I'm never tempted or come close to losing my temper, and I'm not unhappy; in fact, even without fame or riches I would say that I have a very happy life. I travel and meet new people, I see the world, maybe one day I may even make a real and lasting difference to the land and change things for the better. That isn't as important, though, as still helping where I can whenever I can. There was a time, a while ago now, that I was with another group and called upon to preserve a village from a barbaric horde. Every day the village was attacked, razed, the earth salted and despite their best efforts the villagers slain. Every day, I gave myself to the land and the people to return them to their home. I have never seen any benefit from the task, and It was at once the most painful, excruciatingly tiring and terrible experience I can even imagine; that is exactly why I would take the same responsibility again if needed, because as long as I kept suffering their torment the people of that village were safe, happy and didn't need to feel that pain themselves.I don't do this because it's right, or better. I do what I do so that no-one else has to."

As Veraka arrived, she turned and smiled. "We were discussing whether my god could beat up your god faster than his god. So far Aidan's winning." She winked and laughed after saying this, letting him know it was just a wind-up.

[veraka]

As Veraka walked up to Pwdn and Adian, he overheard much of Pwdn's statement; he couldn't help but shake his head at her remark. For all he'd seen Pwdn do and say, Veraka knew enough of her to agree with her statement, but his own consciousness would never allow him to sit back and let others die just to alleviate the suffering of others.

Her comment towards him, however, brought a smile to his face; "Oh, really. Last I heard, Ilmater was a non-violent god, and Eilistraee, well, let's just say she has her hands full with Lolth," he retorted in his usual charismatic, humor-box.

Then his demeanor changed to serious; "Lady Pwdn, may I ask you a question about your belief about resisting the urge to do battle. I overheard much of your statement and explanation to Adian, so there is no need to repeat anything."

"You said earlier to Adian that you restrain yourself from combat, because you believe that no matter how much it may be desired or needed, you believe that it will bring more suffering upon this world, correct?"

The aasimar paused, giving Pwdn time to respond, then continued; "if that is so, then take this case into account, and please try to answer in all honesty, no matter how brutal it might be."
"Suppose this: there is a small family of children being harassed, brutalized, and injured by say a group of bandits, or being massacred by an orc raid. Suppose that among the ranks of either of these groups there is a few that, no matter how hard you try, they just wish to see suffering, their hearts are black like ash, or they are a just like an animal, wanting nothing more than to kill, but in either case, they still choose to do it."

"Ask yourself this, Pwdn. Could you, in all honesty, refuse to fight against the groups in either scenario, and remember, among either group, there will be those, who will not see reason, logic, mercy or compassion. They wish to see death, suffering, and pain, and they willingly choose this path. They cannot be swayed by any word, plea or cry. They are also immune to most holding, or psychological-change spells. ((i.e. Fear, Confusion, etc)) The only way to stop them is to destroy them, or incapacitate them to degree where they're no longer a threat to the family or families. Due keep in mind that the majority of these families are children, incapable of defending themselves. Could you, in all honesty, not fight, even though you'd be causing suffering to the attackers. Would you refuse to fight to preserve those families of many children and mothers, most of whom haven't seen an ounce of combat, just to keep their attackers from injury that you might inflict? Would you, Pwdn, attack those that seek to harm to prevent the deaths of many innocents, or would you seek to try and solve the dispute as to avoid suffering on both sides, which I've already outlined in the situation, is impossible to achieve."

Veraka let out his breath, slowly exhaling, then inhaling fresh air; "I will not force you to answer if you are not comfortable with the question, but I am very curious as to hear your thoughts on a situation like that one I've just put forth. The reason I'm curious to your answer, is because I've been in a situation exactly like one that I've drawn out."

[CinderSuru]

Cinders daze was interrupted by a very distant sound in the sky.

Her eyes looked deep into the horizion " There is a snow storm coming it will be here by morning and it sounds serious, I suggest we find a cave of some kind wile we are traveling. We have until night fall to find something suitable we may be snowed in for a day perhaps more. "

Cinders eyes remained distant and focused. She scratched Aurora gently behind the ears and gave her another peice of ham, the wolf seemed to know that she was sorting out something important and nugged her affectionatly.

[Adian Novar]

Adian's attention was diverted by the mention of the storm. He had to rely on Cinder's knowledge of the surface, but since she was connected to the world far more than he her words were almost certainly reliable.

"We'll have to keep an eye out for possible shelter then," he said. "Perhaps there are other caves in the area...or a copse of trees we can use to shelter under."

Another delay...so close to their goal...

[CinderSuru]

" Pwdn can you expand on all of the food supplies we have " Cinder asked her hopefully " if there will be nothing to hunt this will be essential. There may be some winter fruit trees I will watch for them and will collect what i can. There may be some mushrooms of some kind if there is a stream to be found in a cave if we find one, we will be lucky in deed if we do, often there are hot springs in caves. I have some experience hunting and gathering in mountains but not these ones. I assume they are not so different." Cinder was now snapped out of her drifting and got down to the business at hand.
" Pwdn can you sense gapes in the rocks that could be caves? Meldrinus can often sniff out a hot spring, there is usually tasty grasses growing around and in them. I am sure the horse will get a sent of that as well. I will ride with you again if that is ok Adain we should probly move along at a canter.

[veraka]

Aurora enjoyed the attention she got from Cinder, plus the food; a wolf did love meat.
As they continued onward, she made note of Cinder's comment about storms rolling in. A feint, but very familiar scent caught her nose.
[i:72jd45hk]Sulfur; I'm picking up a faint, but very real scent of it from nearby,[/i:72jd45hk] she said to Cinder telepathically.

[CinderSuru]

" it must be a hot spring in which direction Aurora " she asked him in her mind " is there a musty smell around it or can you smell the pines? "

" Adain " Cinder spoke to him in his mind " I am scanning for about a mile around us follow the vibration you will hear it i am moving clock wise, i am trying to find a hollow in the rock it will make a echoing sound. "