Pass to Arnhem [Eastern Border/Post here first]

A dry wind blows. A hunched over creature makes its way down the narrow path, down into the ravine. The figure was moving slowly, and limping It carried a wooden staff, that it relied on every step. Cowl over its head, it was impossible to see the gender or the species. A terrible chant could be heard, spoken in a tongue that would make grown men uneasy. Humanity was far from these words.


The figure continued its descend. Slowly, it would make its way into Nâshagrar, no matter the cost.

"As long as they pose an actual threat... and are actually evil..." She wasn't quite as enthusiastic about killing stuff, but she was anxious to test her new abilities.

Zaltos had taught her a neat trick in the time they had spent in Darkhive, the concept of becoming one with an element. The basic principle was simple. Breath in the elemental energy that you're trying to mold, instead of just casting it. Zaltos himself had specialized in fire, but Jun had attempted all the elements, including light and darkness.

Her meditations on opposing natures had done her quite a bit of good, for it turned out that each element came with a certain personality. Fire was very aggressive and vibrant, water was flexible and adaptive, earth was firm and tenacious, lightning was precise and quick, wind was passive and manipulative, light was benevolent and exertive, and darkness was introspective and selfish. When she breathed in each element, it let her explore a different side of her personality. If nothing else it was a wonderful form of therapy.

She was more at peace with herself than ever before.

"Hey, Zaltos, don't make fun of me. But I'm thinking of becoming an elemental master someday. What do you think? Jun of the Elements? Has a nice ring to it?"

For Doobie, the pass didn't seem as narrow since he was smaller than the humans, he didn't feel any fear walking along it.

"Well something's sure to know we're hear after your shouting!" Doobie chuckled.

The presumptuous rallies of the interlopers reached the ears of Norman, who halted his march to listen. Yeeesss... He would prove himself to Al Mulin and the dark beings by stopping these fools. Norman turned on his tracks and stopped in the middle of the road, his hood covering his face. He continued his chant:


His chant was more hostile and violent now

Rocks fell into the narrow pass upon which the three adventurers walked. It was but pebbles, but they indicated that something was moving around above them. Shrieks and cackle rang out in an unsettling echo, testifying to the fact that something was watching them, and enjoying it.

If Zaltos, Jun and Doobie were to direct their eyes towards the cliffs above, they'd be able to spot a few patrolling orcs watching them. One of them raised a strange object, then blew into it. The sound of a horn being blown traveled far into the pass, echoing off the sides of the mountains. Silence followed, and the orcs scurried off in the distance.

Another horn rang out, although much further up the path. Soon many different horns were blown in the distance, seemingly alerting the area and the fortress of Arnhem that visitors had arrived.

Zaltos chuckled at the orcs above. A small fight, but it was action. He'd listen to Jun, and enjoy the lullaby.

"You know, that music very much embodies my belief...the lives of gods are in mortal flesh."

Zaltos put his sword on his back and picked up a small rock. He'd look up and wait for on of the orcs to show. As soon as one popped back up, he'd ping them with the rock.

"Doobie, everyone has sang something but you. It's your turn."

"Racket?! I'll have you know that war chant's been in my tribe for generations! Why don't you put your voice where your mouth is you white haired little... um... huh... I'm not usually that snappy."

She waved slightly and with an apologetic smirk. "I'm Jun. Nice to meet you. I think we're about to be attacked by orcs but aside from that it's just such a nice day to be traveling with friends and that shady character over there-" She pointed at the suspicious creature a ways down the path with a staff "-was doing his thing and this guy-" she tapped Zaltos on the shoulder "-was yodeling and I wanted to make my contribution you know? ... My voice isn't really that bad is it?"

"Ok, well then, this is the start of a beautiful friendship." Jun said this with a voice a little too high to be sincere.

"I'm not sure. Oddly enough my tribe isn't hostile to orcs, but these people have a nasty reputation. I imagine pretty decent..."

Her aura calmed down a little bit, but she was still ready to fight.

"I mean, this group of orcs IS evil, right?"

Doobie grumbles, "Preposterous! I, Doobie, am no bard."

He thinks of what songs he even knows, in the case that it is insisted upon him.