Madness In the Darkness Chapters 1&2

Chapter One: The Dark Revealing

The sky was as black as en empty soul, large clouds threatened to drench the City of Firewind in a storm that farmers had been praying for. On the outskirts of the new capital, a small pub was packed to the brim with drunken farmer blessing the rain. After twenty years, the Kurlfire Empire finally began to gain the trust of the other Drenothian empires. This particular pub was run by some dwarves of the Icepike Empire, none could beat their ale and the humans loved it. Inside the "Bearded Woman" rightfully named after its owner, drunken chaos ensued as the drunken humans thrashed around in a manner that rivaled an angry dwarf. One amongst them however sat still, his pointed ears and long silver hair revealed him as the proud elf he was. A green sleeveless jacket sat upon his chest and a darker still green cloak that flowed to the ground hung from his back. Dual sword from his homeland sat upon his belt, the elves could forge a sword better than any being in all of Drenoth and it showed. Dark runes ran along the curved blade of the first telling its origins, the scimitar was one of the most deadly weapons when held in a trained hand. The other sword was straighter but was very long looking more like a hand and a half, runes covered it as well. A lioness sat next to him on the ground sleeping peacefully, her golden coat shone beautifully even in the dim light of the bar and more than a few people eyed her nervously. Loose leather pantaloons covered his legs, they gave him good cover and allowed him greater dexterity than any others he had worn. Beneath his tunic he wore another shirt, this one shone in the light when the candle hit the top of the tunic the right way, the mithrill gave him a better guard then anything he had ever worn. The features on his face were rugged, he looked as if he had not shaved in years which in reality he hadn't. A mark under his left eye revealed him as an outcast of his family, though no one had ever had the gald to ask him before. "Sire elf, I’m gonna to have to ask ye to take ye kat outside" the bartender said. Like most dwarves was short, built like an ox, and had more facial hair than he had skin. He had a dirty apron on and had a smell of whiskey that you could grab from a mile away. "She is well behaved, you need not worry about her" the elf said calmly taking a sip of his preferred wine. "The issue is not up fer debate, take yer damn kat and git out o' here" he also had the stereotypical dwarven mood swings. Such a pity he seemed well mannered at first. "If you would like to try and move her be my guest but if you savor the fact that your innards are still in I would leave her Bea" the elf never made a blank threat and a lot of people knew that. The bartender walked away frustrated now wanting to deal with it. A deep voice came from his left side, it rang with a almost unearthly hum. “I take it you be Tharivol Kersale” it said revealing his identity, though it was never truly hidden. The elf looked to his left and saw a hooded figure about a head and a half shorted than he and with only one arm. The figure wore a dirty cloak that covered from his head to his knees. He wore black leather boots that reached up to his mid leg, he could see a couple of throwing daggers in them.
"Aye that be me, who be the hooded face that ask” Tharivol said.
“An old acquaintance that wished to see you” The figure took a seat at a stool. “Some ale barkeep”
"Ye better not have a cat" the sleeping lioness growled a little bit at the dwarf’s obvious prejudice.
“Don’t push it” Tharivol said shooting him a glare, the dwarf returned to his work cursing silently under his breath as he poured the one armed companion a mug of ale.
"So why is it that you wish to speak with me on a night that most wish nothing more than the grip of a drunken stupor" Tharivol asked. The figure took a large gulp of his ale and began
"My name and business are not important as of now, I come to you for I wish to tell a story" Tharivol was somewhat curious but was being cautious all at the same time
"Alright curious stranger, humor me its been a moon and a half since I hear a drunken lullaby". Tharivol knew that he recognized the voice but he could not tell from where, though the more he thought of it the more he got a feeling that something was not right. “ It is a very dark tale this one, a very dark and deadly tale, it was a night much like this one though I believe it rained even harder" he took another drink of his ale and shook off the powered effects of it “It was in the middle of the southern plains of the Kurlfire empire about 5 years past, a little cottage on the highest hill east of Plethregar, such a great trading town” he continued swirling the ale in the cup. Tharivol’s memory began to stir a little, suddenly his heart skipped a beat.
“Is it possible the son lived...there's no possible way anyone could have survived that” he thought to himself recalling the night he tracked down a dark knight to a small cottage home, he had been far too late.
“It was a peaceful night so far, the rain had just came to relieve a very nasty summer drought. The cottage was my home, I lived with my wife and son. I was bout to depart so that i may hunt for food to have a feast, when I opened the door a figure stood in my path that was darker than the clouds in the sky” he continued taking another large sip of his ale. Tharivol now joined him downing his wine not believing the words he was hearing
“How can it be” he thought to himself as he realized who it was that was sitting next to him.
“You know who I speak of elf, you know of the Dark Knight Arlon” the mere mention of the dark knight was enough to make most cry.
" Kalraden how in the hell are you alive" Tharivol asked the figure trying his hand at his hidden identity, there was enough tension between the two to cut with a knife. Tharivol had his hand on his throwing knives knowing that a battle was imminent. Kalraden threw his dirty cloak back showing the rest of him, he wore black leather armor that looked like it was thick yet agile. He had three belts loaded with knives going across his chest and stomach, they were much like the elf’s. His face was decently young despite his actual age, a head full of gray hair gave away his true self.
"You think that I live, this is not living, every night I lay to sleep and remember how you killed my entire family" his voice was escalating now.
"Your memory must be daft; it was Arlon that slew you kin, there's no one in all of the world that could have helped them from his dark blade". Kalraden slammed his fist down on the table as hard as he possibly could shattering it, this showed his rage level. “That’s me counter, you better be willing to fix it you daft bas…” his words were cut short as a small dagger entered into his throat spraying blood everywhere. Tharivol now stood ready to fight with a throwing knife in his hand. With quickness Tharivol had not seen in a long time Kalraden jumped back hooking the stool with his foot and then kicking it and sending it at Tharivol. The elf went into a turn grabbing the stool with one hand and a knife with the other; he flung the knife at him and then launched the stool at him. This caught Kalraden off guard, he managed to dodge the knife, but he took a full force hit from the stool which knocked him over. Tharivol took advantage, jumping onto the bar counter with swords drawn in a downward strike which he knew Kalraden would easily dodge, which he did. When Kalraden rolled out of the way and drew another knife he found a face full of boot as Tharivol hit him with a sharp kick. Kalraden stumbled back in pain and Tharivol jumped from the counter walking forward, Kalraden drew a short sword that was not previously visible, there was nothing special about the sword as all it looked like it was an infantry weapon. The one armed assassin swung in a downward swing which he knew would be blocked. The hit was easily blocked as planned, but hit with a force that did not fit his appearance. The sound of clashing metal rang through the air as everyone was now looking on and cheering, though the crowd could not tell the severity of the strike that had just been delt. There was a small imprint in the floor from where the force of the sword drove him down. The two exchanged blades for a few rounds striking with a grace that left even the most intoxicated man breathless. It was a beautiful dance of flesh and steel, one of the like Tharivolhad not seen in a very long time. Never had anyone seen one with one arm be able to block and parry two swords at the same time, especially in elven hands, while still striking with such a power that the sword looked as though they threatened to break. Tharivol took advantage of the curved blade of the scimitar as he parried another of swing turning the sword along the edge almost disarming him. This threw sparks that distracted Kalraden for a second while Tharivol delivered another kick, this time to the chest. Kalraden flew across the room and through the pub wall; Tharivol had a battle prowess that was nearly unmatched all throughout Drenoth. The lioness that previously stayed restful now pounced to life and dived through the wall to meet the assassin, her master was not far behind. Kalraden stirred as the lioness was almost upon him, her muscled mouth and wicked claws ready to tear him to ribbons. Kalraden was a lot swifter than either the lioness or the elf expected. He held his hand out and let a scream loose, Tharivol thought him to be screaming in terror until he saw a dark green light explode from his hand. Though dark in color the blast was very bright and Tharivol had to cover his eyes. “Dark power!” Tharivol thought to himself. The Dark Power as it was simply called was likely one of the most destructive forces in all of Drenoth, it was alos one of the rarest.“How the hell can he do that” Tharivol thought to himself, being a human in his later years the toll on his body shoud have been more than enough to kill him. The elf’s heart dropped suddenly as the green glow faded and he saw the bottom half of the lioness fall to the ground in a bloody mess. Kalraden quickly got back to his feet and climbed the nearest tree with inhuman speed. Tharivol felt his heart fill with rage and he saw the lioness that been his companion for years he had not counted laying a pool of her former self. “You’ll pay for that” he screamed. Aided by his boots which had a magical enchantment on them he easily landed on the roof just as Kalraden landed, their dance of steel continued this time much more fierce than before. Kalraden jumped back with a flip and flung his sword at Tharivol, he easily dodged it and it went through the roof and into one of the drunken humans stomach. While he was still in the air Kalraden threw a volley of knives three in each hand. They were thrown with such might that Tharivol barely saw them, still his elven reflexes were more keen that that of a cat and he deflected a few, dodged a few, and then caught a few and threw them back at him along with one of his own. Kalraden was caught by surprise and his reflexes were not nearly as keen as an elf and he was pierced in his arm under a rib, he screamed in the pain as warm blood poured over the cold steel. Kalraden knew he had to escape cause the knife would slow him down and made him vulnerable. He shot the elf a dirty look then jumped from the roof into a nearby tree. "How does he jump like that" Tharivol thought to himself, then he remembered "Dark power". Tharivol took a second to take a breath and then followed him rage still coursing through his veins. The elf sat upon a branch of the tree looking around for where he could have gone, he launched himself around the tree and landed on another branch. Tharivol’s eyes nearly launched from their sockets as he realized that there was a gunpowder bomb sitting there where he has landed, it was at its wicks end. Tharivol turned and went to jump but there wasn't a being alive that could have been saved from his situation. The trap exploded launching Tharivol back onto the roof of the pub and nearly through it.
"Master of the wilds and you cannot tell a trap from a tree" Kalraden said snickering at his successful plot. Tharivol was in immense pain, he felt that the fire had licked the small of his back and he had wounds all over that he could feel, still his rage kept him going. Kalraden was standing over him with his hand extended "Die you damn elf" he said as his hand began to glow again. Tharivol had to do something so he took advantage of his position and kicked his legs around tripping his attempted assassin. The green blast shot off and took out the chimney of the pub crashing through the roof and nearly collapsing the whole building. Tharivol immediately mounted him holding one of his knives to his throat, the blast had knocked the swords from his hands. "Why do you fight me, I remember the night just like you do and it was Arlon that slew them" Tharivol yelled over the pounding rain. "Arlon brought them back, I had my family back but you made me suffer and loose them again", Kalraden screamed almost crying.
“They were not your family anymore” Tharivol had never claimed to be good with words and this was no different. Kalraden grabbed Tharivol’s arm and flung him off of him with inhuman force, nearly sending him through the roof again. Tharivol nearly laughed as he made the trip for he realized Kalraden’s foolishness, he must have forgotten there was a dagger at his neck. Tharivol looked up to see how much damage had been done and he saw a sight that nearly made him faint. Kalraden grasped the bloodstained dagger in his neck and pulled it out, the blood spray was gigantic, but he also saw a dark green light burst from the wound and the edges adhered together. "We will meet again" he said, Tharivol went to stand up so he could chase him but the assassin kicked him in the chest, his foot was lined with the green energy, and sent him down through the roof. He jumped off the roof and was on ran off into the darkness westward. Tharivol lifted his head and smiled, the kick must have gave him a fine hallucination because he saw the most beautiful elf that the mind could perceive. Though as soon as he saw her his eyes went blurry and he fell into darkness and let the rain fall upon his unconscious body.

Chapter 2: Recollection

Violent images flooded Tharivol’s mind, images of the night that had sent the one armed assassin upon him. Tharivol saw the Dark Knight Arlon in all of his terror as much as he could remember. Though his armor was the color of his soul his skin was deathly white as was his long hair. The images of the old mans family screaming in terror as his wicked blade bit into them. Then he saw Kalraden himself standing before him in front of a swirling blackness and he held his only hand out. A dark green light shot from the end of it and enveloped all that he saw then he awoke. Tharivol lay in a soft bed with a wooden roof above him, the sun shone directly on him giving him a sense of comfort. The comfort quickly diminished as he remembered the previous night, he was still in the pub.“Damn it all” he said to himself as he began to sit up, he realized that the dwarves would likely want him to either pay for or fix the pub. Tharivol felt better than he knew he should but he also knew he would likely feel the soreness when he stood up. The next thing he though of almost made him blush, he was laying in the nude. His memories jumped back to the previous night again as he thought of the beautiful hallucination. He inspected his own body for wounds, he found none. “Now I know they want something out of me” he said to himself. The Dwarf was an interesting creature not only were they the best smith's in all the land and made the most powerful mead, they also were very talented healers. Tharivol looked around for his clothes and equipment and found all of it neatly folded in one corner, his swords were placed neatly next to them and his throwing knives all in one big pile. There wasn't a single dwarf in the entire world that was that neat, as talented as they were dwarfs weren't the cleanest or neatest beings the world had ever seen. Tharivol stood up to go get his stuff and leave, but the sore muscles nearly crippled him on the spot. Just then the door opened and a figure walked in with a bath basin. Tharivol nearly fell again as he realized that it was the beautiful hallucination, or rather that it was not really a hallucination. Her face was that of the most elegant beauty, he slender figure accompanied her pointed ears. One of the most obvious facts about her was the fact that she had raven black hair that reached down to almost the small of her back, very rare for an elf. Also Tharivol noticed that despite her torn and ragged clothes she smelled of lavender. The maiden’s beauty was so overwhelming that Tharivol forgot the fact that he was in the nude. She wore a very short dress which showed off her beautiful slender legs, but the dress if you could call it that was torn and ragged revealing her a slave. The maiden looked up and was shocked by both the fact that he was up and that he was naked. She let out a small shriek of embarrassment as she dropped the basin and turned quickly while crouching down "My apologies sir, I was not aware that you were awake". She said in a shaky voice as if she was afraid. Though small and skidish as it was it resounded through the room like a ballad through a theatre "You’ve nothing to be afraid fair maiden, nor do I think you have anything to be embarrassed about. Both the fact that I am in the nude in the first place and the fact that despite my ordeal i am cleaned say that you have been in here to wash me before." she turned slowly her face flushed with embarrassment "And you were planning another" he said pointing at the spilled water. The maiden stood straight now though her hands covered her eyes still, she was of an average height. "You must be a jester to call me a fair maiden" that was the nail in the coffin as far as he was concerned, slight anger swelled inside him. Tharivol had his pants up and positioned, he decided to play a small game. "You can uncover your eyes" she peeked before uncovering her face though the sight of his muscled chest sent chills down her spine and she turned red all over again. "So what is your name...fair maiden" he said, he was enjoying himself quite thoroughly. "A jest or gentleman I am not too sure but my name regardless is Keyrala Shalrina" she said as lightly as a mouse, he barely heard her. "Your not a bad cleric" he said as he realizing it must have been her that healed her."Thank you" she replied just as lightly, he now pulled his shirt on, though his game had not yet ended. “It means a lot, I do not often find people that are this kind to me” she said looking as though she would cry. Tharivol went into a deep bow "My pleasure fair maiden". He then realized again that his muscles were sore and collapsed to the floor.Keyrala jumped forward to try and catch him but to no avail, his shoulder hit the ground with a sickening thud, the pain did not bother him however. "Here lay down for a moment" she said, her voice now was louder and more commanding. Tharivol had not problem obliging. Keyrala reached into her pocket, which Tharivol had not even seen initially and pulled out a seed. Tharivol saw the seed for what it was, she put the seed between her hands and closed her eyes. Keyrala muttered a few words that Tharivol recognized as druidic, he knew a little bit of it and knew she spoke a spell of healing. She then put her hands over Tharivol and let a soft green glow lay upon him. This was much more pleasing than the last green glow he had seen. Tharivol felt a relaxation that almost put him into a sleep, his muscles all relaxed and he felt within him go back into place.
“Your no priest, I have been blessed by a druid this day” she blushed again, or rather she had not stopped blushing.
“You flatter me good sir, yes I prefer the forces of nature, but I haven’t been outside in so long they have began to subside”. Tharivol understood now, druids were very powerful beings and she could have killed everyone in that bar, they were peaceful however. “Keyrala, have you been a slave” he said continuing to gather his gear a look shot across her face as if not wanting to admit the title. “They’ve treated me well enough kind sir” then an idea came to her.“What is your name kind sir” Keyrala asked.
“Tharivol Kersale” he said as he finished putting his cloak on and belting his sword. “Who was the man that you fought yesterday, I have never seen a human that could defeat an elf” she asked curiously, when Tharivol have it a though he had never heard of it either.“There was more at work than just his own flesh and bone, his name is Kalraden Senvan” he said not knowing why he remembered the name so easily. “Why does he hunt you” she asked with an obvious hint of concern on her voice.“Kalraden was a farm man, he lived east of Plethregar. His home was attacked by Arlon during his dark Expedition. I had been the one hired to hunt down Arlon, I am a mercenary understand, its not my favorite line of worl. Arlon is the epitome of evil in this world. He had been searching for a place to sleep for the night and he knew that if he went into the forest then I would find him no matter where he went. The house seemed the perfect place and after a weeks worth of hard running he needed his rest” it pained Tharivol trying to remember all of this but he figured if he said it aloud he may be able to find something out about this whole plot. “The only reason I knew he was at that house was because Kalraden was laying unconscious on the side of the road from his house, he told me that a knight was in his house and he then passed out, I thought him dead” he laughed to himself inside for the irony of it all “When I got to his house his wife and son lay slain on the table, cold blood rested in that house that day, I ran upstairs to fight Arlon and I did find him, but he is a very powerful though he is human. I underestimated him, he must have sold his soul to the Abyss because he help possession of the dark power, a very destructive force that most have forgot about. Arlon had a vast proficiency of the dark power and overcame me without too much effort, though I didn't make it easy one him” he laughed to himself again remembering the nasty scar that he put across his face. “As he escaped he found Kalraden at the door, who foolishly tried to fight him, the fight was over before it started and Arlon left one final gift. He raised his wife and child as the undead. Kalraden had no clue though and just saw that they were alive and tried to rejoice. He doesn't know but they almost killed him, I went downstairs and re-killed them. Turn out even if their flesh is rotting they have great strength” he finished his story with a somber look upon his face. “I mourn kind sir, seems a terrible past you live” Keyrala said, her kind heart hated to hear sad stories, though living in a pub she had become used to it.
“You have no idea fair maiden...my apologies, Keyrala” he corrected himself, he knew her name he may as well use it.
Tharivol suddenly had an idea. “You rather dislike your current living condition correct” he asked remembering that she was a slave.
“Its not as bad as it seems” she said knowing what he was planning, though as she looked at Tharivol she caught a glimpse of his eyes. Behind his rugged features she saw a pair of light blue eyes that wanted nothing more than peace. She saw kind loving eyes that were more loyal than a beast. “But I would love to see the outside again” she said deciding to follow Tharivol.
“Follow me, its time you go outside” he said. There was a sharp knock at the door.“Damn it wench whats taking ye so long, ye washin that damn elf again” he yelled, his accent was likely as thick as his mead. Tharivol walked up to the door not trying to be discreet, he drew his swords making sure that the ringing of steel was heard. Tharivol heard a gasp from the other end of the door right before he thrust his sword through the door, as he retracted it he heard the body hit the floor with a thump. Tharivol opened the door ready for anything, he saw that the dwarf was not completely dead yet so with a quick slash he ended his misery.
“Let’s move” he said. Keyrala walked lightly not knowing what to think at this point. A dwarf came up the stair grumbling to himself.“Send that dumb bastard up here, and I bet he tripped and knocked himself cold” he looked upon the elf and the bloody body on the floor “Ill be taking your maiden now” Tharivol said coldly.
“Me boy” he said tears forming in his eyes. Tharivol had a sudden feeling of guilt. “Great now I feel like an ass” he thought to himself.
“You killed me boy you bastard” he said in a low growl, he pulled an axe from seemingly nowhere and ran at Tharivol in a howl of fury. Tharivol dropped his sword low and impaled the charging dwarf and kicked him off the sword so that he lay next to his son. Tears were streaming down his face as he lay next to his dead son, it was all Tharivol could do to stop from crying as well.
“I am truly sorry sire” he said, then overwhelmed with guilt he turned and walked down the stairs,Keyrala was close behind him. The pub was in shambles from his fight, there was even a mark in the floor from when Kalraden kicked him through the roof; the memory wasn't a good one. “Finally wench we got thirsty people” one of the dwarves had said, their determination was impressive nonetheless. “This elf will aid you in slavery no more dwarf, we take our leave” Tharivol yelled across the room “Pardon me” the dwarfs tone was very acidic. "We are leaving” he shot back. The look that the dwarf have hi shot chills up his spine.
“First ye wreck this fine pub in yer little fight the other day, then we reluctantly heal you wounds because the honorable Tharivol Kersale would help fix the damage. To repay us you wish to take our wench” the dwarf started in a low growl and went into a crescendo. “Is there anyone brave enough to try and stop me” Tharivol said, he would not again do a pre-emptive strike though.
No sooner had he said this did he hear footsteps behind him, he cursed himself then spin around to meet the dying dwarf, he was much quicker than he though for his axe was nearly upon him. Tharivol ducked to the side but the edge of his axe got him in his cheek, a thin line of blood fell from the scratch. The dwarf spun around and swung his axe again, Tharivol had just barely got his swords out so he was forced to spin out of the way again, the axe met his arm this time. Tharivol faced him now ready and cursed at the sting in his arm. Tharivol was thrown into an immediate defensive as the dwarf went into a blood lust swinging that axe quicker than anything he had ever seen, Tharivol was at a great disadvantage because the dwarves were cheering him on, and if he fell they would follow. The fight was a fast paced one and Tharivol knew that the dwarf would not hold for long with his wound, on an upward swing that was meant to take his arm off he dodged it leaving his side open and slid his scimitar between his ribs. A gasp emanated from the crowd as he fell into his final sleep. “Anyone else” Tharivol screamed, he cursed his bad luck as a pair of short stubby arms burst through the wall behind him, grasped him around the waist and pulled him through the wall. Tharivol regained his sense on his back laying in the grass, warm sun lathering his skin. Tharivol jumped up and was almost cleaved in two by a gigantic war axe, there was nothing but luck that saved him that time. Tharivol jumped up and used the edge of the axe to push off, his boots were a wonderful thing to have. Once a good distance away from them he looked up to survey his situation. Two dwarves stood before him, they were in full battle gear which stood a bit of a problem. The dwarven smiths were so talented it was hard to find a opening in their armor, there was always one around the face though. The suits of armor looked identical, jet black in color with spiked shoulders that matched the one coming of the helm. An insignia of a barrel of ale being cracked open by a hammer sat upon both of their chests. The only difference between the to was that one held the war axe that nearly killed him and the other held a wicked looking mace. Two battle hardened dwarves was alot for anyone to try and fight off elven or not. Tharivol looked beyond them to the hole in the pub, that place looked as though it was going to fall apart from all the hell it had been through the past couple days. Keyrala outside the hole, she looked up to the sky with her arms spread taking in the sunlight. "Git her inside, Damala will have all of our heads" the dwarf with the warhammer told his comrade. The name sent a shiver up his spine, though he did not know why. " That name sounds familiar " he thought to himself, his thoughts aside he realized that the dwarves were running at her. Tharivol used the fact that elves always have and always will be a lot swifter than a dwarf to his distinct advantage, he easily caught up with then and jumped over them blocking their path. "I told you, I am taking the girl" he said with a snarl, he would not try and look intimidating for he knew it would not work. "Kill him" the dwarf with the hammer seemed to be saying all the orders, this gave the elf an idea. The strategy was simple they wanted to flank him on both sides, which Tharivol allowed. The circled for a moment like buzzards waiting to get their prey, then in unison they struck. Tharivol jumped over the hammer and slapped at the axe with the flat of his blade landing just as the hammer came around in a deadly arc, a sharp kick to the jaw stopped that dead in its tracks. Pain ran through his foot as he realized that may not have been a good idea to kick dwarven steel. Tharivol sidestepped the axe that was meant for his head and was almost taken in the ribs by the war hammer, they had done this strategy before. "Not bad for an overgrown gnome" Tharivol said mocking them, if there was one thing you do not call a dwarf that would be it. The rage that appeared in their eyes was a scary sight, with a primal scream they both ran at Tharivol. This was just what Tharivol wanted. The axe came in high again and the mace came in low, the sheathed his sword and then jumped behind the dwarf with the mace. Tharivol grabbed the spike on top of his head pulled it back and lifted his body upward. It was so quick the other dwarf had no time to react and the wicked edge of the axe embedded itself deep into the chest of the lead dwarf. As the lesser dwarf looked upon his comrade in horror Tharivol had enough time to hoist the war hammer in the air and caught him in the side of the head, the effect was brutal and made Tharivol wince. His thoughts turned suddenly to Keyrala, he saw a dwarf behind her preparing a net. She had not moved from her position where she had been taking in the sunlight, Tharivol went to scream "WATCH OUT" but he need not have. As soon as the dwarf went to toss the net a vine shot from the earth and caught the net. Afterward another vine shot out and wrapped around his throat then lifted him into the air. The scene was a frightening one, the dwarf screamed in terror as more vines came forthe to bind a different appendage. The vines receded eventually and the dwarf fell to the ground a bruised and beaten shell of himself, Keyrala had a green glow emminating from her eyed as a loud echoed voice came from all around her screamed in druidic "I have returned". She collapsed to the earth as the dwarves left in the bar fled to the opposing side. Tharivol walked forward and brought Keyrala up on his shoulder and began to walk off, though the sight he had just seen scared him beyond belief he had a feeling deep within the pit of his stomach that he should save her, she would be somehow important. Tharivol headed north as quickly as he could, he would figure out more once he was at home