"I am loyal to none but the forest." Kiana said. "And enemy to those who harm it. Apparently we are both enemies of Manethredon. I will not allow that man to rule. He does not obey the rules of the forest. He hunts just for fun, leaving the only half dead animal alone in the woods to suffer and die. He is cruel and inhumane towards my friends. My friends will help you"

Ziara slowly nodded and sheathed her sword. "We have a common purpose then. You have my thanks. We will need all the help we can get. Right now we are about to embark on a journey to get aid from a group of vampires. You may accompany us if you wish."

"The journey to the mountains are not very hard," Marcius said. "It is the mountains itself that is dangerous. and the Vampires will see us from their citadels. Their leader, who happens to be my uncle, resides at the toppest peak. Once we get to the foot of the mountain, I'll fly up there and talk with him."

_________________

I was cured all right.

may I join?

Name: Denaris Erydera
Gender: Male
Race: Elf
Age: appears around 25 or 30
Profession: Mage

Abilities: Potent mage over the centuries. Skilled in dark magic, some illusions, and necromancy.

Appearance: handsome; sleek long black hair; striking green eyes; tall; slender

Personality: a master of himself and his ambitions; charming and convincing liar when necessary; self-centered and self-serving; tends to be overly sarcastic

History: He was born a low villager in Dashiara, with an unknown father and one younger sister. Found to be a talented and ambitious wizard, he swore fealty to the King and was accepted into his court. However he was not satisfied with the kindly way the King ran Dashiara. Nearing manhood, he found an ancient tome in the library describing the dark arts. He was seduced by its mysteries and found that evil is the quickest way to power. He betrayed his oath to aid Manethredon in overthrowing the monarchy. He now serves Manethredon when it's to his advantage.

_________________

Kiana nodded. "But I will not make my friends fight against thier will. If the wish to do so I will not stop them, but I won't force them to endanger thier lives." Kiana suddenly grinned "However, animals often go unnoticed. They can cause a lot of damage without being seen or heard. Water coult get soiled, food eaten, mounts run away, weapons gone missing. I bring stealth, not force."

The dark elf's green-eyed gaze surveyed the audience hall in one cursory glance. Apparently, it was bored by everything it fell upon, including the man lounging quite comfortably on the throne.

"My lord Manethredon," Denaris Erydera said with bow, albeit a mocking one, and a flourish. "Delighted as I am to bask in your august presence, I would really prefer you to get on with it."

Manethredon's deadpan revealed nothing. "I have a job for you."

Who did he think the dark elf was, his servant? A distinguishable frown line marred Denaris's smooth complexion. "Now is really not the time to ask for my autograph, Lord Manethredon. Forgive my tactlessness."

"You shall be paid in your much-desired amulet, of course."

At this, Denaris managed to shut himself up long enough to listen.

The Dark Lord, sensing the wizard's approval, smiled. "Excellent. Your task concerns the traitor Ziara...."

One month.

One month of stalking the Lareleth Forest, sleeping on moss, scrying for Ziara, and damaging his elegant coiffure. Only the promise of the magical amulet he had sought for decades drove him on. His chaste white robes - the robes of a light mage - shone silver in the sunset.

"Find the traitorous minx. Win her trust. Find her secrets, and relay them back to me."

At last he had found her! The renegade princess and her motley band had hid themselves well. But Denaris's magic had served him better. They stood in the clearing before him, discussing in low tones. A vampire, a sprite-ish humanoid, and two elves. An incongruous lot indeed. It was a miracle they had evaded capture thus far.

What they saw, as he burst from his concealment, was a white-robed high elf desperate to the point of foolhardiness. He stumbled and collapsed at Princess Ziara's feet.

"My lady!" he gasped, not daring to raise his gaze. "Let me come with you!"

_________________

Kiana lept aside as a white robed figure stumbled to the ground. She got herself ready fo shift into a shape, one of the large, spotted cats that lived in the desert, just incase this figure was an enemy. However, he looked up at Ziara and begged to come with him. Kiana lept over to him and pulled him upright, and stared him in the eyes. "Who are you and what is your buisness here?" She did not like intruders.

"This elf is a servant of the Dark One," Marcius said in a low hiss. "He has been kissing the Dark One's feet ever since he came! He is not to be trusted." He unsheathed his long sword.

_________________

I was cured all right.

[ah... can you pretend to go along with my character so he fits into the plot? ]

_________________

Well, my guy's nature is to suspect anyone. He really isn't the trusting person.

_________________

I was cured all right.

[ya, but can you take out the "seen him before" part?]

_________________

He's a guard, remember. He knows almost about everything going on in the palace, but I'll edit it.

_________________

I was cured all right.

Ziara nodded and said to Kiana, "I would not force anybody into anything against their will. I am not like that. My followers follow me of their own choice." She gasped and reached for her sword as a high elf appeared into the clearing and threw himself at her feet. Sword in hand she turned to Marcius who said that the elf could not be trusted. She nodded and once again turned to the elf who was begging to come with them. He seemed vaguely familiar, but she could not put her finger on it. "Who are you?" she asked in a cold tone, "And why should I trust you. Marcius says you cannot be trusted and he has earned my trust. Why should I take your word over his?" She kept her sword ready.

He had rehearsed his answer well. After all, he'd had a month to prepare it. "All gone," he sobbed, turning his tormented expression to Ziara.

Dramatic, aren't I? I should become a traveling minstrel someday.

"The Dark Lord killed them all," he continued in a feverish daze, applying just the subtlest illusions to water his eyes. "My mother, my sister. My name is Idusil, and I would give anything for your cause!"

How sentimental. I'm making myself cry. Still...

_________________

Ziara raised her head and glanced to Marcius. This guy was good if he was lying. She was not sure what to do. Finally she said, "I am sorry for whatever the Dark Lord did to you. But as of right now, I am not sure if I want anymore companions. When Mirima returns the four of us will talk and decide if you can be trusted." She stopped, glanced at him then added haughtily, "Untill then you may rise and take yourself off of my feet."

He gingerly rose and offered his apologies. "A mere traveling mage I am," he elucidated. "I would be more than happy to offer my services to defeat that murderer."

_________________