O, Wise Oak Tree

[Alana]

The night air was a cooling breeze. Crickets were playinh their screeching symphony.cutting through the peaceful silence. In the giant oak tree in the middle of the courtyard, Alana was sitting amongst the trees' foliage, feeling somewhat at home. With a mass of friendly moths fluttering around her, and the fire flies replicating the stars, the scene was magical. This had been a common place to find her. Away from the castle and the people inside.

Curled up like a baby in the limbs of the magnificent tree, she felt like a stranger in her own home. She had been knocked into a coma during The Storm battle, and had no woken for a long time. She had been told by Seth about a battle fought while she was out. All this talk about fighting pirates and the like just confused her more. She had not spoken in a long time, keeping her silence no matter what. She felt stupid for being in a coma. Even though it wasn't her fault, she still felt guilty about not being able to fight. She could just imagine what the other were thinking about her;

"That stupid kid, knocked out by some Orc."

Since she had been out, there were new faces in the castle. It had been about 2 weeks since she woke, and instead of meeting the newcomers, she avoided them at all costs. Were they good? Evil? She didn't know, but nevertheless, she stayed away.

Despite being her best friend, Alana had not spoken even a word to Jym. Even she found this odd. She would think to herself;

"Right, i'm gonna go talk to him"

But when she saw him,she would just smile and turn right back around.

"Whats wrong with me? Why can't i talk to anyone?" she said to the moths, the tree, and anything that would listen. But even the tree with all it's wisdom could'nt answer her

[Gorge]

Noticing a void in the castle, Gorge was worried about Alana. She hadn't spoke a work since she awoke. Gorge had tried to talk to her several times but he couldnt get close enough to even read her thoughts. she had managed to elude most at the castle. Not
even Seth could get near her. Jym had come the closest, getting a smile and a hard to tell wave from her.
As Gorge wandered the castle he notices a gathering of fire flies. never having seen them in numbers as large as this before Gorge decided to go in for a closer inspection.

As he drew nearer to the tree he saw Alana cradled high in the folage. Gorge knew that if he went to aproach her she would run. silently moving to the rear of the tree out of sight Gorge camoflaged himself in a vine he had grow from the roots of he tree. Worried about scaring her Gorge decided to try a different approach, rather than just yelling out or talking to her. Focusing on Alana and her thoughts Gorge listened in and attempted to talk to her

[glow=Green,2,300]"So this is the in-famous hiding spot of Alana. Please dont run im not going to humiliate you. We are all worried about you. You haven't spoken since you woke up please talk to meand if you dont want to talk to me just talk in your head, ican still hear you..[/glow]

Hoping Alana would comunicate in some way Gorge sat in his hollow and waited to see wether she would run or wether she would open up...

<~ Alana Reply ~>

[Alana]

She knew he was there. She was just hoping that if she sat still enough he might not disturb her. But then it came. Gorge knew that she could hear him. She didn't want to talk to anyone but she had no choice but to listen to Gorge. He wanted to know what was wrong, and Alana desperately wanted to tell, but how could she tell him when she herself did not know. It was as though there was a power being held over her, making her not talk, making her alienate herself from the rest of the castle. She expected that at least someone would care, yet she could not find it in herself to talk about it. Ever since she came to, she had been different, and she knew it. It was as though her spirit had been incinerated like the many orcs that had burned the night of the storm. She had no desire to be seen around the others. She just didn't want to be there. It was finally sinking in that this was a place she could not escape. But what was it? The island, or the place in her mind that was numb?

She looked down at Gorge. She knew he just wanted to help, and felt bad that he is worried about her. But she could still not find it in herself to speak out. Instead she just let all of the emotion she had carried with her for months. Her tears just rolled down her face, and she did not move. She looked to Gorge and said in her mind to him;

[glow=red,2,300]Help me....please[/glow]

And with that, Gorge climbed up the oak to where Alana was nestled, and just simply put his arms around her. This was all she needed, someone to care. If at all it was possible at the time, she cried even more and soaked the shoulder of Gorge's shirt. She was embarassed to be crying, but it felt so good....

[glow=red,2,300]Gorge Reply[/glow]

[Gorge]

*As Gorge sat there, shirt filling with the tears of Alana. It hit him, She Felt the same way he did. lifting her head and wiping the hair from her face and the tears from her cheeks he spoke softly..

[glow=green,2,300]"While you were flying you were shot in the back with an arrow. Seth saw you and i caught a glimse of what he was seeing in his mind, Seth flew to your aid and caught you before you hit the ground. As I knelt beside you healing your wounds Bly and Seth fought off the crowds of orcs trying to kill us both.

I managed to get you back to a room in the castle. after that I went down to help Bly. as I did I was flung through the air by the bronze fist. I awoke on a beach Miles from here. with a culture similar to the one I come from. I was there for countless month stuck, trapped with no where to go. I felt so stupid to have let myself get throw so far away from home. and whats worse is I could have been home alot sooner if I had only asked for help. Your lucky beleive it or not, your trapped in your mind. I was trapped on an island. I missed home.. and by home imean here.. in this very castle.

When i returned i felt so stupid and irresposible, the last thing i saw was bly being surrounded by hordes of orcs. Seth was fighting one of the most powerful wizards I have ever seen and gideon and lance were doing there best to keep up.

Can you see what i mean. I know how you feel. I mean i know that being wounded and being flung across the ocean are 2 different things but when you look at it we both felt like it was our fault.

I felt like it was my fault for letting you get hit with the arrow, Bly feels like it was his fault that i was knocked into the ocean and Seth feels like it was his fault because he was the one that brought us all together, he brought all of us, all of the toughest, smartest, most skilled and most reptilian beings ever to this one location. Your not alone and no one inside thinks any less of you. the fact you took an arrow to the back to help protect our new home makes you a valuable assest..[/glow]

Gorge looked Down at Alana and smiled.. hoping she would say something or think something he wrapped his arms around her and waited..

<~ Alana Reply ~>

[Alana]

She never thought of it that way. An asset? Nah, it couldnt be. She was just another personon the island. The only female one at that. She felt so alone before now, but knowing that there was someone who she could talk to was a great comfort. She finally used her mind to talk to Gorge after about and hour of just sitting there, staring at the fire flies;

[glow=red,2,300]"What's wrong with me Gorge? What did i do that has made change so? You know what. Ever since i woke up, i haven't been able to fly. It kills me because at least i could fly away somewhere before but now i have to walk everywhere, and climb up things, like this tree. You are used to climbing trees, i mean, you grow them. But i'm used to flying. I'm sick of being like this. I'm going to ask Seth to teach me, again. I want to learn higher magik. I want to be stronger, i want to fly again. What do you think?"[/glow]

She looked to her comforter, awaiting his reply...

[glow=red,2,300]x-x-x-Gorge Reply-x-x-x [/glow]

[Gorge]

Gorge looked down and smiled, he had finally got her to talk.. thinking about her Idea Gorge spoke..

[glow=green,2,300]" I think thats a great Idea. And you know that Seth has a similar power to mine so you wouldn't have to talk either"[/glow]

*Gorge smiled and moved the hair from Alana's face once again..

[glow=green,2,300] "How how bout I get you out of this tree?.."[/glow]

*with that Gorge took Alana in his arms and jumped out of the tree hovering about 2 meters above the ground then slowly landing. grabbing Alana's hand Gorge started runnign towards the castle....

[Seth]

The two figures ran with reckless speed towards the castle, Alana was a little more reluctant, being half-pulled along by Gorge... They approached the outer expanse of the castle quickly, and its great stone walls seemed to loom suddenly before them, but Gorge did not slow down...

A few hundred feet ahead a dark figure leaned silently against the shadowy archway, hooded and cloaked he watched the two of them out of one eye, barely turning towards them... He had not moved for many minutes, as he was content to wait and watch... For he could see a little of the future when he wished, not much, but enough...

As the two of them sped forward it was as though they did not realize the man was there until they were just a few feet away, and even then it seemed only Alana reacted... She gasped and stopped dead, staring at the man in amazement, however it was as though Gorge had not noticed, and he sped on for a foot or two, the girls hand still in his until both their arms were stretched straight, and he fell, flat on his face on the dusty path as Alana let go of his hand, as Seth walked slowly out of the shade, and seemed to materialize in the sun...

Gorge glanced up with a strange look on his face, like distrust, or even contempt, but neither Alana nor Seth noticed, they were looking at each other, Alana's face was pale, almost like she had been dreading this moment, and Seth was staring at her, right into her eyes with a piercing gaze that felt like it could break stone... After a second or two it became too much, and Alana directed her gaze towards the ground... Gorge wanted to understand, and tried to open his mind to Seth's, but the wizards thoughts were his own today, and all that Gorge could see was a dark mist...

This shocked the warrior for a moment, and made him stand properly, dusting himself off, as the Warlock spoke slowly...

Gorge... Leave us now... There is much to do Alana, and very little time...

This shocked them both, and for a moment all three stood silent, Seth seemed dark and dangerous now, almost angry, and Gorge stared at Seth in return, looking defiant and suspicious... After a long and tense silence, one of them began to slowly speak...

Alana or Gorge reply

[/center]

[Alana]

As Seth walked away from the two youngsters, Alana gave a quick glance back to Gorge, she could tell he was as confused as she was by look on his face. But nevertheless, she followed her Master. They walked at a casual pace for a while. No words were exchanged, although Alana glanced at her Master a couple of times, trying to read his facial expression, but she could not find any one emotion from it.

They walked a little further and in a split second, without any warning, Seth began to run at an amazing speed. Not knowing what to do, she started to run aswell. Not knowing if it was a test, she began to try to outrun Seth. She had caught up to him in a few seconds, and she was running as fast as she could. He was extremely fast despite his appearance. And, if it was at all possible, he ran even faster. Alana looked on in awe. Amazed that she was being outrun by a 6"5 wizard who was 900 and something years old.

Alana was about to give up, knowing she could not keep up with the almighty wizard, when all of a sudden he stopped.

[glow=red,2,300]It isn't enough to WANT to be capable of something, you must KNOW you are...[/glow]

And with that, Seth shot up in the air. Directly above, Alana could see him in mid-air with his arms folded, cape blowing in the sea breeze. Alana closed her eyes, directed all of her focus in doing just as her Master had done. Every thought, emotion, feeling. Every want, need and desire. she opened her eyes again, and looked up to the sky;

[glow=red,2,300]I can do this, I KNOW I can do this...[/glow]

Seth Or Gorge Reply

[Gorge]

As Gorge stood there watching the two run off one thought struck his mind. Why couldn't he read Seth's mind?. Gorge sat there and watched them for a while longer. The only thing that Gorge could think about was how Seth blocked his thought. Gorge knew that his telekinises was and would probably always be stronger, yet, Seth blocked him. Puzzled by this Gorge decided to do some studying.

Slowly watching Seth Gorge couldn't see anything different.. No change in his personality or the way he flew. Deciding that there was nothing to be learnt outside Gorge headed inside the castle. Still thinking about Seth and his possible 'new power' Gorge decided to suss out his chamber. Darting through the corridors occasionally stopping to peer through windows to see where Seth and Alana were.

Gorge arrived at the door to his chamber. Gorge focused and scaned the door for any locks or spells. Deciding it was safe he entered the chamber. As he glanced around the room he noticed that there was nothing special about his room. the only clear difference was the amount of books scattered around the room.

There was one noticable book that caught Gorges eye.. the cover read.

Protection: Mind and body

the rest was faded and the only words in english were the ones on the front cover. the ones one the inside were in a bizzare language Gorge had never seen before. Gorge had a flip through and noticed that the majority of the pages with folded corners or writting on them were ones about protecting the mind. Gorge walked around and noticed a few more books relating to protection of the mind. gorge sat on th ewindow cill and glanced at the room again.

Gorge knew that something wasnt right. Why would Seth be trying to hide his thought from gorge? Was there something that Gorge wasn't supposed to know.

Gorge sat and pondered for what seemd like forever. Gorge knew that if there was something wrong Seth wouldn't tell him. As Gorge sat his anger and frustration grew. Grabing a few of the magicbooks from around the room Gorge left placing everything as it was except for one book. the one that he noticed first. Grabbing a quill he wrote his name on the bottom of the page that was left open and left the room and headed toward his own sanctuary in the forest..

<~ Seth Or Alana Relpy ~>

[/center]

[Seth]

Seth floated in the air some sixty feet above Alana, waiting to see if she could match him, but as he looked down he caught a glimpse of the little man skulking away towards the castle, no doubt to find why he could not read Seth's mind... The little one had grown dark and distant of late, perhaps not to all, but at least to Seth, and the old warlock had felt it was time to seal his thoughts from those who should not be snooping.

In his office, laying in clear sight on the desk was an ancient tome akin to protection spells, it had been placed quite deliberately to throw off any who wished to find the spell he had used...

But now Seth's attention snapped back to his young apprentice as she leaped into the air, it was a mighty leap, nearly forty feet he guessed, but she could not maintain it, and soon fell again towards the ground, she screamed, but was caught by Seth before hitting the earth below. Gently the wizard set her down on the soft grass, and stood before her.

It was as though she were a child again, standing before him pale and scared after seeing for the first time her own potential... For that is the problem with magic, or at least the types that Seth taught, if the magic is not exercised and used it fades away and is forgotten, almost as though it was never there...

You have forgotten your powers Alana... But that is no matter, you are old enough now to learn more powerful abilities... The path is long, difficult and dangerous... Very dangerous if you wish to rival my own power...

We would need to travel far, and endure great trials and hardships, and even then you may discover things that turn you from the path of magic... There is darkness ahead Alana... Much darkness... But the path is not without light, and not just at the end...

I can see you emerging from the trials as a great sorceress... But it will take many sacrifices to achieve... If you are truly prepared to accept this path, and follow it to whatever end then speak now, and we will begin...

But if not, or if you cannot make yourself speak, I fear you may never be the great spellsword that you COULD be...

Now he looked into Alana's eyes with a new expression, it was still hard and cold as stone, but his eyes shone with compasison... All of this information weighed heavily on her mind, but most of all Seth's last words;

"Speak now, and we will begin"

... He wanted her to speak?

Alana Reply (NO-ONE ELSE)

[Alana]

Alana looked at Seth. The look on his face was enough to make a grown man cower. She knows what he wants. He wanted her to speak her choice. No simple nod would be enough for him.

She wanted this. She needed it. Her powers were everything to her, and now she was being told she had forgotten them. And the prospect of her learning even greater powers sounded very good to her in this point in time. She knew it would take a while for her to learn, and much vigorous training lay ahead, but how could she ever fight again without her powers? She could still fight with her sword skills, but she needs more than that now, and under Seth's training, she knew she she knew she would be more powerful than ever. Without looking up, she spoke;

[glow=red,2,300]"OK, I'll do it"[/glow]

She surprised herself when she heard her own voice. Looking up at her Master, she thought that for a split second she saw a small smirk on his face, but only for a split second, for his face then returned to it's normal steely self. He whipped around suddenly facing the Castle.

[glow=red,2,300]"Follow me"[/glow]

Seth said as he began to walk back to the Castle. Alana quickly followed. She knew better than to fall behind her Master. She was walking only a few paces behind him when he spoke again;

[glow=red,2,300]" We will go and inform the others, and tell them of this decision"[/glow]

Alana followed silently. This was it. She was going to learn magic all over again. She wanted more than anything to be stronger than what she could ever be without the guidance of Seth. She wanted to become powerful enough to avenge her parents' murder. But more than anything, she wanted to make Seth proud of her.....

Topic finished-No-one Reply