[Tarrek]

Tarrek/Rhys
Tarrek stepped back as a pair of large leathery wings unwrapped from the downed form, slowely tranforming into an elegant crimson cloak. Rhys sat up and shaded his eyes from the sun with his hand.
"Ya mind closing that window?" He said sarcastically as he made his way to his feet. Tarrek stayed quiet with his sword at the ready.
"Yeah, ya know? I was just blasted with something that I have no idea what it was and feel like I just fought the Tarrasque. I don't think you'll need that weapon if you really intend to kill me." Rhys said.
Tarrek stayed quiet.
"Well, whatever. I've got to go report to the mages guild. You're welcome to come along if you wish. Unless you want to stay here and wait for another one of those things to show up."
"I suppose I'll come with you than. What was that thing exactly?" Tarrek asked.
"I was actually hoping you could answer that for me. With that tattoo and strange magic and all, I thought you'd know a little about it." Rhys replied.
"Well...I don't exactly..." he stopped as he heard the faint sound of leaves rustling from the surrounding wood.
"There is someone watching us." he whispered
"I know, my eyes and ears are better than common folk. I've been able to hear her since I woke up." Rhys replied. "You can go ahead and come out!" he yelled. "I at least won't bite."

[Mirror Gardens]

TWILIGHT
Twilight narrowed her eyes as she watched the people in the clearing. From what she could see the one with the sword was human. The other one she was not a sure about, but she assumed he was some sort of magic user…she sort of liked the cloak and vaguely wondered if was physically attached. She was stirred from her thoughts when the one with the fancy red cloak called out. Apparently the man had good ears. Quietly, Twilight stepped out from behind the tree. The forest was still too quiet for her tastes. Keeping her crossbow up, she kept both men within her sight. She distrusted magic users and while she enjoyed the company of most humans, she was never foolish enough to let her guard down around them, especially ones with weapons.
“Who are you? What was that light?”

[Tarrek]

Tarrek/Rhys
"We aren't exactly sure." said Rhys. "It kind of just appeared. There was some evil guy and some fog, but with my awesome charm and skills I valiantly defeated him."
"Yeah. That's exactly what happened. You weren't smoldering on the ground or anything when I came out and rescued you." Tarrek said sarcastically. "No. No chance of you being pulled to safety by a mere mercenary. Aside from that, I'm Tarrek, and who and what exactly are you?" he asked Rhys.
"Bah. The past is past. I'm Rhys by the way. Half-elf, half dragon. I'm a sorcerer too." he replied, "I know: 'he's half-dragon, such a horror.' I've heard it before. But don't you worry. I'm just as nice as...well, a nice person."

[Mirror Gardens]

TWILIGHT
Keeping her focus more on the one called Rhys now, Twilight kept her crossbow raised. “Normally I would be fascinated at meeting a dragon half-breed, but the fact that you are a sorcerer puts you on my immediate do not trust list.” Which was true, she had met dragons before and hadn’t really had much troubles with them. Glancing at the human she raised an eyebrow. “And you sound about as friendly as a grizzly.” Looking at the two men before her, she finally decided that they did not appear to be an immediate threat, and lowered her weapon, but kept it in hand at her side. “So about this ‘evil guy,’ if you defeated him, where is the body?”

[Tarrek]

Tarrek/Rhys
Tarrek scanned the area looking back to where the gateway had been.
"It must have been pulled in as the portal collapsed. He's dead and gone, and that's all that matters."
"No." Rhys raised his hand into the air and small trails of energy shifted appeared and dissapated.
"He's not dead. Or I guess I should say it. Bahamut knows what gender it actually is. No. It's just been banished back to wherever it came. I coud at least tell that it was a supernatual being of some kind. maybe a demon or devil. Maybe if I could get the mages back in the tower to examine your arm, we could find out."
Tarrek stepped back hiding his exposed tattoo even more than he already had been.
"I don't want any of you flaming mages experimenting on me."
Rhys rolled his eyes and grinned sarcastically.
"Oh, I'm a sorcerer, not a mage, remember? I'm sure we could find some other type of magic user if you don't trust the mages. I don't always trust them myself. You'd trust a cleric wouldn't you? Or maybe a paladin?"
"I've changed my mind." Tarrek exclaimed. "I think I'll just go back to what I was doing. I should make you bloody pay me for pulling you out of there, but I'm gonna get paid for something one way or another. maybe I'll get some answers about THAT flaming thing too." he said pointing at the giant violet orb.
"That's actually why I was out here. Gathering intel. Good luck getting much closer than this though. That thing is putting out more power than the whole mage's guild could ever hope to have. It's a portal of some kind. I'm assuming that it has to do with the gateway and the wierd guy who used the same magic that your arm holds."
Rhys looked away towards the mage guild headquarters.
"I need to get back and see if they've found out any more information. You're welcome to come, though you may have to ride a magic steed to keep up."
Tarrek looked toward the mountain.
"No. I'm getting what I came out here for, danger or not. What about you elf?"

[Poggio]

Eillaf

Eillaf listened to the distorted version of his companion’s voice. There was something about the purple glow that made his entire body writhe with a small pulsing pain. You can pull through kiddo! He let in a deep sharp breathe, opening his eyes to the light of the day as his head bobbed above the water. He could see Aurelian floating just above the current. He had so many questions, that his mind was a frantic mess, not really able to concentrate on swimming. His head dipped below the current invading his lungs with water, which he frantically spat back out. Eillaf! Eillaf! He resurfaced once again to note his surroundings quickly passing by him. Eillaf calm down, the current is tapering off up ahead, you should be able to swim to shore. It was nice to know he wasn’t alone. When Eillaf bobbed to the surface gain he understood what Aurelian was trying to say to him. He let his body relax and drifted with his head above the current. Vaguely aware of what he was doing his body seemed to have slip control from him. Relax Eillaf and let me take over.

The young boy normally had qualms about lending his body to the spirits. It was a thing only reserved for fighting since he feared he would loose his soul to the other world and a ghost take over his body. The ghost forced the body to swim to shore, waiting until he passed under the long branches off a cypress tree near the coast. Aurelian hauled the small body up into the branch, crawling on to the grassy shore before leaving Eillafs body. The ghost left the boy panting to go search for supplies near by. As he came around the tree, a few yards away as he saw a darkened figure with long hair tending to yet another fallen person. He pondered as to how to get the attention of the young Elf, and even if he did would help the child with his impure blood? Aurelian had no way of knowing how the violent light affected Eillaf. Anxiously he made his way towards the two people

[Mirror Gardens]

TWILIGHT
Twilight watched at the two conversed. To be honest the dragon half-breed’s speech had confused her. She assumed he was talking about whatever it was whom they had been fighting. Other than that, all the talk about magic was starting to give her a headache. She did however pay more attention when the human pointed somewhere in the distance. Curious as to what that he was speaking about, she followed the direction in which he had been pointing and saw a large violet orb floating in the distance. How had she not noticed it before? Its glow reminded her of the flash of light that had led her to the clearing…a portal if she had heard the one called Rhys correctly. Studying the orb, Twilight found herself frowning. The forest was still quiet, which disturbed her, and she had a sinking feeling the forest would not return to normal until that thing disappeared.
Again her attention was brought back to the men as the half-breed spoke again of the human Tarrek’s tattoo. She hadn’t really caught it the first time around, but apparently the man’s tattoo was magical. ‘More magic…lovely.’ Twilight continued to listen to the conversation as both parties discussed what they would do next. When asked what she planned to do, the wood-elf could only stare at them for a moment as she processed what was going on. Putting the crossbow away, she shrugged in response to the human’s question. “I honestly have no idea what you two are talking about. But the forest has been disrupted by whatever that thing is.” She gestured towards the orb before looking at Tarrek. “So if you are going that way, would you be opposed to an extra sword?” In honesty, she merely wanted to learn more about the orb, and the best way for her to do that was to get up close and personal with it. Well the best way without having to deal with the magically inclined like Rhys and mages and other members of a magically based society.

[Funkduder]

Tauge Heridon
An explosion startled Tuage as he flashed a look around. Grabbing his bow, he nocked an arrow and pulled back, increasing the tension on the string. Were an enemy to attack, now would have been the best chance...but no one attacked. Tauge relaxed his aim, releasing the tension. Looking towards the mountain, the orb, he had been searching for, had disappeared.
Curse my compassion. Is this one really worth the trouble?
Tauge looked at the hybrid, laying on the grass, stomach up since his back was now bandaged. The half-dragon's wounds were healing up nicely. However, the body was cold; not dead cold, but it was colder than it should have been, indicating hypothermia?
Perhaps he was in the water for a large amount of time.
He concluded that he would need to gain some body heat, if he wanted to survive, so he took off his lab coat, and used it to give the injured man an extra layer of warmth, calculating the danger of starting a fire versus it's necessity.
Tauge looked towards the mountain, tracking the river where he saw him. It was a few miles from the mountain to camp, so he could have been floating for around mile's worth of the average speed of the current. Without knowledge of the area, there were enough possibilities to consider any tragedy or accident, for that matter. With the aura that the ball was giving off, it was more likely to be the earlier conclusion.
But looking closer to the camp, he found that someone was climbing out of the water.
A companion of his, or a foe...
Tauge waited to see his next course of action: the traveler walked towards the camp, as a vague form moved away from him. It wasn't midday but at least that person should have bee identifiable.
Not normal, and likewise not trustworthy.
Tauge pulled back again. Resuming his aim, Tauge pointed at the newcomer, motioning him to step no further, unless he wanted an arrow to the head.
"I've had little trouble with the thieves a few miles behind me. Would you like to join them?"

[Tarrek]

Tarrek/Rhys
Tarrek began to walk toward the mountain.
"You're welcome to come along, just don't slow me down."
Rhys began to run and leaped into the air, his cloak spreading into wings.
"Good luck!" He shouted as he glided away.
Tarrek turned his head as he continued down the road.
"I'm headed to the next town. Hopefully there are some answers there."

[Tarrek]

Rhys
Rhys could feel the immense power of the portal the second he was in the air. His skin was still tender from the attack he had endured, and his bones felt like shattered glass. In his weakened state he knew he would have to take his time as he made his way back to the capital. He didn't get as much info as he liked, but he hoped that what he had would be enough for the mages to make something of it.
After an hour of flying, Rhys had to stop. Breathing heavy, he glided to the ground and flopped onto his side to rest. The pain from his encounter still had not gotten any better. In fact, he felt worse than he had after he had woken up. His bones pulsed in waves of pain, his flesh still burning. He looked at his arm and saw that lines of purple had appeared where his veins lie close to the surface.
Is this poison, or what?
He reached into a pouch he kept at his side and pulled out a vial filled with bright red liquid.
I was hoping to save this for a rainy day, but I need to hurry up and find out what is wrong with me.
He brough the container to his lips drinking the liquid in a single gulp. Immediately the effects took hold. His strength reterned, though the pain was still as intense as ever.
No time to sit here. he thought taking off into the sky. Now that he was more focused, he surveyed the area. What he saw he didn't like. In the distance there was a small walled city. There was a purple glow, from what he could tell from the distance, in the town square.
Guess I'll have to take the scenic route. he thought as he turned toward the town.

[Mirror Gardens]

TWILIGHT
Twilight could only stare again with fascination at the half-dragon’s cloak…wings. If she were a thief she probably would have tried to taken it by now if possible. She still couldn’t tell if they were really wings that changed into a cloak or vice versa. Oh well. Looking back towards the human she noted that he had already began heading down the road and quickly caught up to him. While they walked, she kept a decent distance from the man. She was still weary of him. Glancing at the tattoo on his arm, she debated whether or not to ask about it. “So…Tarrek. You mentioned something about getting what you came for…may I ask what that is? You of course do not have to answer, I was merely curious.”

[Tarrek]

Tarrek
"I'm a mercenary." Tarrek said.
"I took a job escorting a wagon to an undisclosed location. We were paid a quarter of the cost beforehand and were to recieve the rest when we came to the location. The thing is, the wagon exploded and there wasn't a sign of any living thing in the wreckage."
He decided to keep back the fact that something had shot away from the wagon and likely helped create the massive portal.
"Now since this is the direction we were headed. I plan to find whomever I can that is connected to it and get my money as well as some information as to why I was almost killed twice since I took the bloody job."

[Poggio]

Eillaf

Eillaf recovered silently on the bank, while Aurelian went off. He slowly stood up as he heard a man voice ringing out in the forest. He had already encountered thieves. Eillaf fell back on to the grass. His side where the violet light hit him was throbbing in pain but he couldn’t see what exactly was wrong, just a giant swelling of purple and red. He propped himself up again. He could see his ghost friend setting patiently waiting between him and were the voice came from. The man had a voice aimed in Eillafs direction. Aurelian’s voice popped up in his mind “… I think he can see me?” Aureian watched the man through curious eyes. It seemed as though his arrow was aimed at him and not the boy. “ Listen boy, he doesn’t have a reason to suspect that you’re a thief don’t give him one.” The beast warned him narrowing his eyes on Eillaf. The boys mind was on other things however he was coherent enough to understand some one was threatening his life. He raised his hands in a gesture of innocence, stepping out into the clearing so he could get a better look at the man that was aiming at him. “No!” Eillaf answered. Afterwards his body coughed up some water still hiding in his longs. He stared at the man. He didn’t look like the one from the fog. “Do you mean the wagon?” he asked, was this the man that destroyed the area he pilfered earlier?

[Mirror Gardens]

TWILIGHT
“I see...So you have no clue as to what it was that you were escorting? And I hope the price was at least worth almost getting killed for.” It seemed a silly idea to Twilight, traveling with objects or people of unknown origin, no matter the amount paid. She had always been a bit paranoid about jobs requiring secrecy…secrets usually meant trouble. Not the normal get into battle trouble, but irritating political or worse mystical trouble.
As they walked she listened to the woods. As a wood-elf she still felt strongly connected to the trees and wildlife, and the quietness was starting to discomfort her. It made her all the more determined to find out what the orb thing was ahead of them and even more eager to be rid of it.

[Funkduder]

Tuage
Tuage looked confused at the elf-like man.
So he wasn't with the bandits? But if that's true then who is he? was he attacked by another group?
Tuage took the man to be the thievish type, but what bothered him more was the undeniable presence that stood near the traveler. He couldn't see it, but the feeling was there. It was familiar to him, but not in the way it appeared to him now. It was darker. It was more comforting.
Tuage checked his knife before lowering his bow.
"It seems that I am mistaken. You’re obviously not with the men who attacked me, but if that is true, then who are you? How did you end up in the river? Speak quickly; this man's life might depend on it." Tuage motioned to the man while saying this, testing the man's character.

[Poggio]

Eillaf

Eillaf suppressed a laugh. What he was about to say to the man seemed utterly ridiculous had it not actually happened. He cleared his throat, which hurt his side a little. “I was attacked by a fog, and voice. He asked me to join him and when I didn’t answer he kicked my butt with a purple ray, and… I woke up in the stream. That’s quick version.” His beast looked at him chidingly. Eillaf, the man said quickly not dim whittled. The beast walked up to the man circling around him before wondering off to inspect the man that was lying on the ground. He sniffed him. Eillaf didn’t bother introducing himself. Trust was a two way street, and Eillaf rarely trusted anything that lived and pointed weapons at him. He slowly dropped his arms down to his side. A little twinge of regret struck Eillafs heart. Perhaps he should have taken the mysterious mans offer, then he could have just zapped the man with a strange purple beam, looted and carried on as if nothing was wrong. He felt that this interrogation had to end now. Clearly Aurelian was not afraid of this man. So he felt he had no reason to be either. “Look if you could point me to the nearest town or were I can get some herbs I’ll be out of your hair and you can continue fishing corpses out of the river. “ He was sure there would be more. The mysterious fog didn’t seem too happy that Eillaf could not answer his question right away. A question he wasn’t to sure he wanted to answer. He finally dropped his hands to his side. Making a gesture that a master would to his dog. Aurelian came bounding back to his side. “Sorry to bother you but unless you have something for a bruise I need to get to the nearest town”.