An Aesthetic shows you to a small reading room.

Stories of Ansalon from the view of Wulf.

A little gully dwarf runs by and says 'Wordwrap is at 80. You change? Off 65 80.'
The gully continues 'Eyes hurt? Turn Color OFF!! (regular story dates)

Astinus says 'Enter the main library here to view only the author list.'
Astinus gently places a private journal on the table in front of you.
You note the spine bears the word 'Wulf' scribed in unearthly yellow ink.

Author:    Wulf           
Date:      Fri Apr  3 02:57:17
2009
Subject     Scouting

The sun overhead cast its warmth on the lush
plains close to the boundry
of the forest. The birdsong from the trees added a
peaceful sense to the
area. Yet, the pleasure of nature was foreshadowed by his
quest. 

The cloaked plainsman knelt beside tracks in the grass, almost seeing
the
image of his query. His brow furrowed as the tracks veered off into
the
forest. Cursing under his breath, he continued to follow his
prey.

************** Four long weeks he had hunted the fiends, those
bastards
believed it possible to raid a small village belonging to his tribe,
when
the word spread to his Chieftain, he was summoned. He was the
Chieftain's
hunter and son. First born of his Chieftain's line, he would inherit
the
tribe should his father fall. Yet he knew that was unlikely to happen for
a
long long time. 

Resolute, he proved himself away from his father's name. As
to be expected
of the Chieftain's son, he proved his worth to the tribe, and
solidified his
role as Hunter amongst the tribe.

Years had past, his tribe
prosperous, before the first signs of war shown. A
simple tribal war was all he
thought was upon his tribe. Reknowned for their
battle skill, he took pride in
his tribe. Yet, the rival tribe began their
raids early. As the effects of
Winter slowly faded to Spring, reports came
of sightings of warriors amongst the
forest. At first it was only small
bands, then word from outlying villages began
to stop.

Leading a band of warriors, he was amongst the first to see the true
carnage
these fiends were capable of. ************

The thoughts of that small
village still lingered in his mind, yet he
shrugged them off, focusing instead
on freeing some of the captives those
raiders took.

Flitting through the forest
with born ease, he came to a halt behind the
boal of a tree. Scanning around, he
heard sounds of movement at his front
and left. 

Drawing his bow, he fitted an
arrow and crept from the tree. Eyes sharp to
any and all movement, he made his
way forward. Sensitive to the workings of
the plains and forests of his
homeland, he picked out the faint shapes of
three ambushers ahead.

His thoughts
were abuzz with disgust, these men couldnt even hide themselves
adequately.
Kneeling, he sighted the first ambusher along the shaft of his
arrow. Steadying
his breath, he took aim and let loose the arrow.

Before the arrow made contact
with the first, he fitted another and fired at
the second. Both shots proved
true, hitting the awaiting men square in the
chest. Thrown off by the ambush,
the third fled hastily through the brush.
Putting his bow back in place, he
continued forward following the panicked
man.

Charging through the bush,
leaving such a trail a blind gully dwarf could of
followed, he had no time
following the man. Cautious with the knowledge that
he was moving towards the
raider's camp, he kept his wits about him. He
stopped following the trail as the
sounds of battle drew closer. Dashing
close to the edge of a crop of trees, he
scanned around and grunted in
admiration as he discovered the cause of the
noise.

The captors were trying to free themselves from the raiders. He watched
as
men of his tribe fought unarmed against the guards around them. Some
had
weapons now, retrieved from fallen guards, yet more raiders were
coming.

Drawing his blade, he dashed forward, to the aide of his people.


Author:    Wulf           
Date:      Sat Apr  4 04:15:44
2009
Subject     Liberation

He slid his blade across the belly of the
first raider to cross his path.
Blade gleaming red in the sunlight, he smashed
the hilt up into the nose of
another raider. Making way to his desperate people
he fought beside them.
The tribesmen roared as they saw their hunter enter the
fray, bolstered by
his arrival, they fought on with grim determination. Several
young men
retched at the smell of bile and death around them, this was their
blooding.
around them, this was their blooding. The older, more experienced
tribesmen
formed a half circle around the younger, yet they allowed them more
than
enough chances to attack the onrushing raiders. 

The Hunter glanced around
the battlefield, twenty-five raiders laid dead or
dying around his battling
warriors, yet ten or more continued to fight.
Grunting, he scanned his own
lines, thirty tribesmen fought now, better
armed from the fallen raiders.

It
was over in a flash, he leaned against one tribesmen, clutching his side.
Blood
slowly seeping from a glancing blow from an enemy axe, he knew the
wound would
become serious if not tended, so he rallied the survivors to
him. Kneeling now
against one of the slave wagons, he removed the torn
leather armor from his side
and allowed for one of the tribesmen to tend to
his wound. Glancing around at
the people around him he cursed the raiders.

Men, women, and older children
crowded around their wounded savior, each
looking worse for ware yet hale enough
to fight. Most bore wounds from the
previous battle, and others from their
capture. Cries from the women mingled
with the questions of the men as they all
turned to him.

Looking to his father's people, his people, he thought of the
right words to
say," my father feared the worse for his people when word wasn't
sent from
you or the surounding villages." Wincing as the healer began to
bandage his
wound he continued," you are the first surviving band I have found
yet. I
will return with you all to my father, their you will be safe until we
find
and defeat our enemies."

Men and women muttered to themselves, yet most
nodded in consent. One such
nay sayer spoke up," how can we be safe there, when
your own father cannot
defend his own people?"

The hunter scowled, yet tamed
his anger," we have been fighting these men as
they raid from the woods. We have
also rescued many other bands, yet our
ranks slowly diminish with each battle,
we cannot spare the men to save
everyone." Panning the men and women he
continued on," yet that is why I am
sent, to find those we cannot send aid and
bring them to the safety of our
own walls."

Finding reason in this, many of the
nay sayers ended their arguments, yet
the man persisted," I will not follow you,
and I urge others to not either.
I will go, and barter a better trade than to
flee and wait for death."

Few sided with him, yet each one who left with him
was a personal blow to
the Hunter, sighing he watched as the last one left with
the rebellious
man," our people are becoming too divided," he thought to
himself. After the
healer stood and examined his work, the Hunter stood and
marshalled the rest
of the tribesmen who remained," we go now to my father, and
safety."

Leaving the battlefield behind, after they collected their dead
on
commandeered wagons, they departed towards the Hunter's father, each
weary
with doubt and fear, yet none more than the Hunters'. What can he do for
his
people? What will he do to further aid his father? How will they
survive
this tribal war? Thus plagued by said thoughts, the Hunter continued
onward, back to his father, onward towards fate.

Author:    Wulf     
     
Date:      Sat Apr  4 08:51:28 2009
Subject     Allies on the
Plains

Walking through the plains, he kept his thoughts focused, yet
the
questions still buzzed inside his head. He and those tribesmen
still
following him were half a day out from returning to his father, and
the
questions seemed to mount with each step. He had seen the carnage the
unseen
enemy had begun to bring to his people, his father's forces were all
but
powerless to stop the constant raids from the forests. He knew that
the
tension was rising towards a full blown conflict, soon. A man rides
slowly
on the back of his big shaggy roan of a horse towards the group. He
rode
alone through the Plains, his thoughts elsewhere. The Hunter walked
immersed
in his thoughts, yet soon his thoughts where shattered by a warning
from one
of the group's men. Looking up he spotted a man riding a roan
heading
towards him and his people. He drew his bow and fitted an arrow to
it,
ordering the men, they drew their blades and stood protectively in front
of
the women and young. Calling out to the man," halt." The man shook his
head
and looked around, his hand falling on a throwing dagger at his side.
"Step
aside and let me be on my way." He says, his eyes glinting
dangerously.
Hunter eyed the man wearily, noticing the hand lying on the hilt of
a
throwing knife," remove your hand from your weapon, spy," he ordered.
Casting
a glance at his men," I do not want a fight, we have seen enough
bloodshed this
day."

The man began to chuckle gently and shook his head. "You would order me
to
remove my hand, yet your men have weapons drawn and you have a bow with
an
arrow nocked. Forgive me if I dont. Stand aside and let me be on my way
and
none of you shall die."

Hunter grunts, looking to his men he dipped his
head in a silent order to
sheath their weapons. Putting the arrow and bow back,
he looked up at the
stranger," we are weary, my people were just freed from a
raider camp and we
are distrustful of spies." He watched the man carefully," You
are on the
lands of the Que Kiri tribe, my tribe. My father is Chieftain of
these
lands, and we have been beset by strange raiders as of late." The man
slowly
removed his hand from the throwing knife and looked at the men and
women
before him. "Sad story but im just passing through. I have no intention
on
doing harm to you or your tribe, plainsman. Now let me pass."

Hunter stood
firm, eyeing the man," If you do not intend harm, maybe you
could aid us,
stranger." Looking to his men, he told them to keep going.
Turning back to the
man," My name to foreigners is Hunter."

The man moved his roan to the side so
that the men and women could pass him
on the road. "I also do not intend on
getting involved with tribal
skirmishes, Hunter." He says, but sighs to himself.
He really had nothing
else to do..but he couldnt be easy.

Hunter looked up at
the man," this is not a tribal skirmish as I once
thought, something fouler is
attacking. The men we fight wear strange armor,
not of this area or any tribe of
this land."

The man thinks for a moment and then dismounts his horse. "Why dont
you go
to the Que-Shu or one of the other tribes for help? If these attacks
arent
from other tribes then I doubt there is much I could do for you,
Neighbor."
He says looking him in the e eyes.

Hunter acknowledged the man's
show of respect by looking him on even
ground," my tribe is a proud tribe, we
are respected by the Que Shu, yet we
are not allies in any means," sighing he
looked to his people walking in the
distance." We have been fighting these raids
for months, first in small
numbers, yet now, we fear invasion."

The man glanced
over his shoulder and nods. "Aye." He says and falls silent
for a moment. "My
name is Atael..I will help you as much as one man can
against many." He says
offering a hand to Hunter.

Hunter clasped hands with Atael," thank you, friend.
My name among friends,
my true name is Wulf."


Author:    Wulf       
   
Date:      Sun Apr  5 05:46:38 2009
Subject     Strangers and
Exiles

Wulf and his people, accompanied by Atael, arrived at his his
tribe's
main village. Its wooden pallisade guarded by the elite of the
tribe.
Looking around he spotted his friend, and chief guard, Lorgas. The two
spoke
in quick silent tones in the language of his people," these are all that
I
found," he said as those he rescued filed past him into the village. "What
of
that outsider?" Lorgas warned.

Wulf motioned for Atael to join them," he has
offered to aid us in finding
out who these foreign raiders are," he says in
common. Atael nods gently and
pushes back his cowl, showing his stark white hair
and a strange scar in the
form of a broken circle on his left cheek. "My Name is
Atael And as Wulf has
said, I would like to help you in your problem..."

Wulf
grimaced as Lorgas spoke in their language," we do not need the help
from
outsiders Wulf, we can handle it on our own." Sighing, Wulf turned as a
wagon
filled with the dead of the captives filed past," No my friend," he
says in
common," I think we do need his help." Atael frowns gently and runs
a hand
through his hair. "I believe if you could handle it by yourself then
it would be
handled already and your People wouldnt be dieing." 

Wulf walked between Lorgas
and Atael as he noticed his friend's growing
distrust of Atael," we do not need
to be fighting amongst ourselves Lorgas,
I will vouch for him." Looking to Atael
he speaks," We go to see my father."
Wulf walked in front of Atael, casting a
glance to his sides as he passed
the warriors of his tribe. Known for his own
strange workings, Wulf cast off
the angry looks of the warriors.

Soon both were
stopped by two guards outside of his father's hall," Belgrus,
Dhoma, I need to
see my father, stand aside." Both warriors loosened their
weapons as they
noticed Atael behind him. Smirking Atael glances at the two
warriors. "Easy
boys, im a friend." 

Wulf begins to grimace knowing whats to come," hold my
friends," he orders
as the warriors following them reach out and grab Atael," he
is friend to
me, release him." Atael chuckles and glances around. "You are lucky
i am
here to help you or i would kill you all. Wulf, get these men off me
before
they get hurt." Growling in frustration," enough," he roars in his
tongue,"
he is our ally against these foreign raiders, your Cheiftain needs
this
man's help. Release him and get out of my way," he warns the men around
him
and to Belgrus and Dhoma in front.

Shoving the two guards aside, Wulf
opened the doors to his father's hall.
With Atael in tow, he walks up to his
father's Table and grimaces as he sees
his father's new bride at his ear. "Great
Father, I have found us aid," he
says in his tongue. Atael gets pulled into the
Hall by Wulf after he shoves
the two guards aside. He glances around the hall
and then his eyes fall on
The Cheiftian. Atael bows deeply to the older man yet
stays silent. Wulf
scowls as his father's new bride speaks first in their
tongue," he is an
outsider Wulf, we do not need his aid."

Wulf waves away his
father's wife," you were not spoken to, this is for my
father and myself alone,
your words are not welcome." Wulf's father sat
unmoving during the
conversation," father, he would be of service to us to
combat these raiders."
Wulf's face is alight with shock when his father
remains silent," he does not
heed the words of traitors," his father's wife
hisses," what makes you think he
would snoop so low."

Wulf growls and lunges toward his father's wife," you
great bitch, how dare
you speak for my father....," he begins before being
struck back by his
father. Staggering back, he looks on in shock as his father
bears his sword.
"You have no power here Wulf, I am Chieftain," his father
roars," you do not
bring outsiders here, into my village, and dare to command my
wife." Taking
a step towards Wulf, his father calls for the guards awaiting
outside.

Wulf steps back beside Atael as those he shoved past, and commanded,
charged
into the hall. Hands clamping tight over his shoulders and arms, Atael's
as
well, he looked towards his father, yet more importantly to his
father's
wife. "You are banished Wulf, from this village, henceforth, until pain
of
death," his father growled. Looking onward at her victory, the
Chieftain's
wife smiled sadistically as she saw Wulf's face turn from outrage to
grief.
Wulf mastered his emotions enough to hold from shaking," if it be your
will
father, it will be done." Looking to Atael he bows his head," release us
and
we will leave." 

Wulf and Atael were led forceably from the village, to be
thrown out like
criminals. Wulf looked back as Belgrus and Dhoma closed the
gates to the
village with a vicious grin on their face. Growling in anger, Wulf,
knelt
down, hands clenched. Atael sighs gently and puts a hand on Wulf's
Shoulder.
"Forgive me, my friend. If It had not been for me things might of
been
different for you." Wulf unclenched his numb hands and stood, looking
at
Atael," it would not have, my father's fell to that foul bitch. Things
have
fallen far in my tribe, too far I fear," he said as he looked back to
the
closed gates. 

Wulf sighed and walked over to Atael," yet I will save what
little I can, I
must still find whats killing my people, find who controls
them." Atael
nods. "Then i will help you as much as i can. It is wrong what
theyve done
to you..We will right it." Wulf bowed his head," yes, let us head
back
towards the woods, away from my tribe, and go to the heart of the
raiders."
Atael nods and pulls his cowl back up over his head and his mask up
over his
mouth. "Aye..lets move." 

Author:    Wulf          

Date:      Mon Apr 13 02:29:20 2009
Subject     Thoughts

Wulf
looked around at his land. His Homeland. The birds flew high in the
sky, the
wind swept across the oceans of grass. Yet he knew the darkness he
was facing.
The darkness that threatened to consume his world. Many days of
travel set Wulf
and Atael amidst a flat grassland five miles from the heart
of the raids. Yet
each step was made in silence. Neither man spoke, for
neither were
inclined.

Wulf's thoughts remained inward. His business, his burden. Loathe was
he to
speak of private matters, regardless of company. He was unwed, a ranger
of
his people, the chieftain's son. His concern is for his people and them
only.
Yet he walked now as exile, not from misdeed, but from treachery. His
father's
new bride, outsider, long conceived means to rid the clan of him.

He has seen
through her veil, through the deceit she brings to his people,
sees the malice
and evil spirits surrounding her. First to fall to her
charms was his father,
and then the tribe began to fall apart.

Now he walks, across the plains of his
homeland, in the company of an
outsider, to the source of evil that is bringing
down his way of life. Thus
is the role of Chieftain's son, the role of a man
devoted to clan and kin. 

Author:    Wulf           
Date:     
Mon Jun  1 04:26:45 2009
Subject     Xak Khalan

Wulf flitted his hand
across the black feather fletching of the arrow in
his hand. Placing it against
the bow he crept closer to Atael," there is
voices to the north." Atael creeps
silently next to Wulf, and nods to his
statement, even tho it is barely Visible.
He pauses and glances around,
straining his ears to listen. Whomever was taking
Wulf's people they were
close. Wulf crept past Atael, crawling in the brush to
get a closer glimpse.
Eyes scanning the scene before him, he turns back and
kneels up at Atael,"
there is a large stone ruin ahead, men crawling around it.
The same men who
raid my people."

Atael nods. "How many?" he asks in a hushed
voice, pulling the cloth mask
down away from his mouth. Wulf crept back under
the brush, then quickly
returned," there must be twenty at least in front. Their
marshalling in my
people like slaves," he says as the anger boils inside. Atael
frowns gently
and leans against a tree. "Too many to fight. There is probably
more that we
cant see." He says, mostly to himself and then falls silent. Wulf
sets the
arrow back into the quiver and sets his bow back. Standing, he walks
past
Atael and looks off towards the east. "We should try and work our way
around
them, see if there is a place farther east that we can enter."

Atael
nods and pulls up his mask. "lets move then." He says, already moving
swiftly,
yet silently through the trees. Wulf tips his head in
acknowledgment and walks
beside Atael, mindful not to make any noise. Atael
stops suddenly and glances
around. He quickly holds a finger to his lips and
then points to spot behind a
tree. He moves gracefully like a cat and
quickly climbs up a tree, where he
waits on a branch, perched like a animal
awaiting his prey. 

Which was some
unlucky fool who was making too much noise and was alone.
Wulf watches as Atael
makes the move up the tree, catching his signal, he
kneels down behind a fallen
log, bow and arrow at the ready, just incase.
Atael pulls out one of his
throwing knives and waits until the man had
walked underneath him, then jumps
from the tree and as the man turns with a
startled curse, he hits the man
soundly over the head with the hilt of his
dagger and watches as he falls to the
ground.

Wulf remarks at Atael's skills, mindful of the outlander's grace.
Standing,
he walks next to the man and rolls him over, recognizing the insignia
on the
man's breast he quickly binds his hands with a thick cord. Atael sheaths
his
knife and leans against a tree, sighing almost boredly. Wulf hoists
the
unconcious man up onto his shoulder and stalks away through the forest,
away
from the ruins, speaking in hush tones to Atael," we will find what we
need
from this man, or may the gods pity him." Dropping the man a few feet
away,
Wulf draws a knife and cuts the man below the left eye," wake
scum."

Atael sits down by a tree and crosses his his feet on a long. "Wake me
when
youre through." He says, closing his eyes. Wulf grabs the awakening
man,"
what have you done with my people," he hisses at the man. Brandishing
the
knife against the base of the man's left eye," if you yell I will kill
you,"
he threatens," now where are they!" Wulf watches as the man strains
against
the bonds binding his hands," I will tell you nothing you barbaric
filth,"
the man grunts as he fails to break the bonds.

Wulf growls in anger as
he pushes the blade into the man's eye, stiffling
the man's screams with his
left hand. Jerking the blade up, he felt the
satisfying scrape of the blade
against the man's eye socket. Wulf asks
again," where are my people." The man
gasps in pain," inside, we brought
them inside, to feed it." Feed What?" Atael
asks, not even opening his eyes,
his finger toying with one of his throwing
knives.

Wulf shakes the man, who then blurts out," the dragon." Wulf drops the
man
and looks back the way they came," a dragon?" Drawing his sword, he
turns
back and points the tip of the blade against the man's chest," how many
of
you scum are in there? and where are my people held?"

The man grunts in pain
yet hisses out," theres more than enough to end the
likes of you two, and as for
your people, they are more than likely dead,
fed to the great wyrm." Wulf growls
in anger and decapitates the man,
growling still as the man's lifeless body
falls to the ground, head rolling
to lay at his feet. "A dragon? That is nothing
more than children's stories,
lies." Looking back," what shall we do Atael?"
Atael sighs gently and
stands, looking at Wulf. "You killed him too soon, my
rash friend." He says
quietly as he looks down at the corpse. "The
Uniform."

Atael rolls his eyes at Wulfs nonunderstanding look. "Take the
uniform,
clean the blood, then put it on. You can infiltrate them, and find out
where
your people are. I can not because i will stick out too much." Wulf
nods,
stripping the corpse, he donned the uniform after he cleaned it as much
he
could, and turned to Atael," If I fail, I thank you for aiding me this
far
friend."

Atael smirks and pulls up his mask. "I didnt say i wasnt comming
along, i
just said i wasnt wearing the uniform. Just hold your tongue and try to
act
like the soldiers there. Find them, and then i'll free them.
Understand?"
Wulf nods and sets off back towards the ruins. Taking a final
breath, he
stalks out of the forest into the sight of the men herding his
people. To
his suprise Atael's ruse worked, walking past the main group of
guards he
follows the group of his people. Wulf walks deep into the ruins,
following
the guards sheparding his people, right hand on the pommel of his
blade he
scans the walls for signs. Following closely, he stops as the smell of
decay
hits him in a wave. "Surely the dragon is false," his speaks to
himself.
Atael stalks after Wulf, sticking to the shadows, moving as if he
himself
was nothing more than a shadow. He moves un-noticed after Wulf, and
pauses
crouched low to the ground in a shadow when he stops.

Wulf gets ahold of
himself as a strange fear seeps into his bones, trying to
conquer this fear he
continues on slowly. Hand ready to draw his blade, he
turns the corridor of the
ruins to find three guards on their way back from
escorting his people. Wulf
steps back as the three guards advance, trying to
act normal, he nods his head
as they pass by, quickening his pace as their
bootfalls echo down the hall,
before they abruptly stop, followed by a
shout. Wulf drew his blade and turned
as the first of the three guards made
the corner," your not one of us," the
first guard shouted. "No I am not,"
Wulf growls as he plunges his blade into the
gut of the guard.

"I'm one of the Que-Kiri, the people you
enslaved."


Author:    Wulf           
Date:      Mon Jun  1
04:33:23 2009
Subject     Xak Khalan (2)

Atael hurls a knife at one,
hitting him square in the back and then leaps
out of the shadows, his knife
plunging into the mans back, his hand moving
over his mouth to quiet an outcry.
Wulf stood back, blade still dripping the
first guard's blood, looking at
Atael," fitting end for these scum, now lets
go, my people are up ahead," he
says as he turns down the corridor.

Atael drops the corpse and retreves his
knives. He sheaths them and then
draws his short sword from his lower back and
follows Wulf in a half
crouch.

Wulf crouches after clearing the end of the
corridor, the smell of decay and
rot intensifying with every step. Images of
what may be happening to his
people flare across his mind as he takes a few
steps forward. Wulf covers
his mouth with his hand as he glimpses around the
next corridor, wretching
against the opposing wall he shudders in a ragged
breath. Wiping bile from
his mouth he motions for Atael to glance around the
corner.

Atael glances around the corner and shudders gently at the sight before
him.
He ducks back and shakes his head. "I guess the dragon is real." He says
in
almost inaudible whisper. Wulf cringes at the fate of his people,
preparing
himself to witness the horrors again he stands and creeps around the
corner.
He knelt by the end of the corridor, which opened into a wide
cavern,
remnants of the ruined city filling the wide cavern. Wulf shudders in
horror
as a twisting fear seizes his body. His eyes scan the cavern, watching as
a
massive green behemoth gorges itself on a screaming woman, her
entrails
hanging from its maw. Atael follows after him and shakes his head.
"Theres
No way to get to the others, without being seen by the dragon.." Wulf
looks
back at Atael," we must do something."

Atael nods gently and motions for
them to hide behind a massive rock so they
can plan without being seen by the
dragon. Wulf looks up at the ceiling of
the massive cavern," we mustn't be too
far from the surface," he says as he
glances at the dragon, then past to a pen
of his ill fated people. Atael
glances up and nods. "Aye, we cant be that deep.
What do you have in mind?"
Wulf thinks openly," we could distract the dragon,
get its attention long
enough to get my people out of that damned pen...." he
mutters. Looking back
at the dragon," yet what could we do then to kill it
before it kills us?"
Atael shrugs gently, glancing around. "The ceiling maybe,
but there's no way
to bring it down." Wulf looks around looking for something to
use. "There!,"
he exclaims as he grabs an abandoned spear lying against the
wall. "The
beasts eyes, take out its eyes and we might have a chance!"

"If you
miss, you Die..So its your choice," Atael says. Wulf looks back at
his people,
shuddering as the dragon continues to gorge," I must rescue my
people." Looking
back at Atael, then examining the spear," What I need you
to do is circle around
and free my people as I get the beast's attention,
and then ru n. Atael nods
gently and turns to move but pauses. "It was good
working with you Wulf, Try not
to die." He says before stalking off in the
shadows. He pauses and waits for
Wulf to move. Wulf closes his eyes and
prays to the gods of his father's before
he turns and walks towards the
dragon. Seeing the man walk from behind the
stone, the dragon stops its
feasting and looks at the man, and begins to laugh.
Wulf looks up at the
bloodied face of the green dragon, the fear bellowing from
it rendering him
paralyzed. The dragon looked down at him with an amused,
bloodied grin," you
pathetic mortal, how dare you intrude on my meal."

Atael
darts through the shadows after he sees Wulf move. He hurries toward
the pens
and pauses, to see what watch what was going on.

Wulf shakes from the terror
flooding his bones, looking into the eyes of the
dragon he cringes inward.
Trying to conquer the fear he quickly mumbles
out," I am sorry master, but I was
sent to deliver an urgent message." Atael
shakes his head and continues to the
pens. He puts a finger to his lips as
he nears the gate and turns back to watch
what was happening. * Wulf cowers
under the terrible presence of the dragon, his
mind flooded with a primitive
fear. The dragon blew out a fowl breath of air,"
what is it you were sent to
tell me human," it growls in irritation. Wulf looks
back at his people, the
thoughts of their fates tearing through the fear of the
beast. Steadying his
fluttering heart, calming his shaking hand, he looks back
at the dragon,"
Die," he roars as he launches the spear at the dragon's glaring
eye. Wulf
falls back as the momentum of his throw knocks him off balance. The
dragon's
roar of pain bellows out from the cavern as the spear aimed true
and
embedded itself deep into its green skull. Wulf fell to the ground as
the
dragon threw its massive head back and struck the ceiling of the
cavern,
stone and dust falling from the point of impact. Roaring in pain the
dragon
looked down at the man in untold rage," you will die for that
human!"

Atael curses under his breath as the whole cavern begins to tremble.
He
smashes the lock on the Pens and turns to see the dragon lashing out at
Wulf,
but cries out in pain as a massive chunk of the ceiling falls on its
tail. Ateal
curses again and throws the gate open and points across the
cavern. "RUN!" He
shouts as he rest of the ceiling begins the crumble. 

Author:    Wulf
          
Date:      Mon Jun  1 04:39:01 2009
Subject     Xak Khalan
(3)

Wulf looks to his left, as a last glimpse to his people, expecting
to
die, yet turns back as he hears the roar of the dragon in pain. Watching
as
the massive chunk struck the dragon's tail at its base, the dragon turned
to
free itself. Wulf got to his feet as his people start to run past,
turning
back to the dragon, he watched on awestruck as the dragon finally
managed to
turn the massive stone off of its tail. Roaring, the dragon turned to
Wulf,
who only looked up. The dragon, enraged by the pain, never felt the
massive
ceiling of the cavern fall in upon it. The massive blocks of stone
smashing
scale and bone to a fine dust under its massive weight. Atael skids to
a
stop beside Wulf as the ceiling falls. He grabs Wulf and pulls him along as
he
begins to run again. "Move man!" He yells at him.

Wulf plunges after Atael as
the ceiling begins to collapse around them.
Hurling himself down the corridors,
he hears the cavern behind him fall in
upon itself. Running from the collapsing
ruins, they both make it out into
the open sky. Atael scouts the area around
them as Wulf reunited with his
clansmen. The guards it seemed, were camped over
the roof of the cave and
had died when it collapsed. Ateal finds a paper on the
ground with a strange
insignia on it and takes it back to Wulf," Take a look at
this."

Wulf glances down at the paper handed to him. His eyes scanning over
the
words in common. His hands shake in rage as he recognizes the
handwriting
and the seal at the end of it," that bitch," he roars.

Wulf set
down the paper and finished donning his original clothing and
weapons before
tucking the paper into his shirt," we must head back to our
home," he says to
his people," from there, we shall take down my step
mother, the one responsible
for all of this." Atael nods and falls in beside
Wulf. "She'll Deny it you know.
Probably say its a forgery..And your father
will probbly believe her." Wulf
marshalled his clan's men and women and
began to lead them back towards his
homeland, looking back at Atael," not
this time, the seal on that paper comes
from her ring soley, and that cannot
be reproduced." Atael nods, falling silent
and following after Wulf.

Wulf chats among his people as they trek through the
forests. The grasslands
soon came, as well as a boost in morale to them all as
they recognize there
homeland.

Wulf looked forward as the walls of his village
began to creep closer and
closer. Soon he spied men on the walls overlooking
them, then the shouts as
they were recognized. Wulf shouted out to the men
overlooking them," open
the gates, you have wounded in need of aid," he roars as
his orders are
hastily obeyed. They walk through the open gates, into the throng
of people
turned out to see what has happened.

Atael stays silent and out of
the way, but removes his cowl and mask. He his
white hair stood out in great
contrast to that of the other peoples.

Wulf looks left in right, covered in
blood, grime, and dust from the ruins,
he appears to be a shade of his former
self. The group stops outside of his
father's hall, roaring at the guards,
challenging his father.

Wulf's father and step mother emerge from the hall,
guards lining them at
both sides," what have we here," his step mother chides in
amusement," a
rabid pack of dogs returned?" Wulf growls," hush bitch," he
unfolds the
paper from his shirt and hands it to his father," your time
enslaving my
people are at an end, nevermore will your foul words taint my clan,
or my
father's soul."

Atael stands there, his hand unobtusively on one of his
knives.

Wulf looks on as his father recognizes the handwriting," I cant
believe
this," his father says in shock," this from my own wife," looking down
at
the seal, he then looks at his wife's finger," your ring, my gift, donns
this
report." Wulf shouts as his father's wife lunges at his father with a
knife,"
you will die," she begins to scream in panic.

Atael's hand blurs and he is
already moving as the knife sinks into the
chest of the woman. He grabs her
wrist, twists, disarming her, and then
hurls her quite hard to the ground. He
bows his head, but says nothing as he
steps away.

Wulf lunges, blade drawn to
defend his father, yet hes beaten to it by
Atael's swift movement. His father
steps back as his wife is taken down by
Atael, disbelieving in her
treachery.

Looking back to Atael the Chieftain says," who are you outlander?"
Atael
bows to the Chieftain. "My name is Atael." Wulf sheaths his blade and
steps
before his father, and kneels," I have brought our people back father,
from
the mawl of a dragon, and from the ruins of the forest."

The chieftain
tips his head forward in sorrow, the burden of what has
happened to his people
bearing down on him, yet he looks down at his
kneeling son," rise my son, you
shall never again kneel to me." Wulf rose at
his father's command and turned to
his people," you are all free now, never
again will you be under the heel of
someone, never again will the dragon
people taint our hearts or lands!," he
roars, bearing his sword in the air. 

Author:    Wulf          

Date:      Tue Jun  9 06:24:24 2009
Subject     A Fateful
Meeting

Wulf looked back on the past weeks, the arrival of his new
friend Atael,
the liberation his people from the dragonmen, and the return to
the old ways
of life. Yet soon his thoughts were interupted by a loud knock on
his door.

"Enter"

Wulf looked up as a borderguard came through the threshold.
"We've caught
sight of armed knights heading this way," he says with a tone of
urgency.
"Gather my men and be prepared, we leave now," he orders the
borderguard as
he walks past him heading for his father's chambers. Wulf brushed
past the
guards outside of his father's chambers and opened the door,"
father,
knights have crossed our borders, their numbers are unknown," he
says.
Looking up his father nods," I have recieved word as well." "I have men
at
the ready and I leave now to intervene," he says as he turns to depart
his
father's chambers. "Be cautious my son, change is on the wind, now go,
and
defend your people."

Railen thunders across the grassland, his column of
Knights close behind
him. He was returning to Palanthas, after getting his
kidnapped man and
taking care of the beast that took him. Their Column had to
ride at a slower
pace because of the woounded man who lay on a strecter between
two horses,
But Railen Road ahead to keep a look out for trouble.

Wulf mounted
his black geldling and turned to his other mounted warriors, 30
in all some with
bows," knights are encroaching on our land, we will not
tolerate the same
injustice that had behallen us once before," he roars as
he turns his horse and
speeds from the stables, out past the main gates,
warriors in tow.

Railen waits
at the top of a hill for his knights. He could see a settlement
out ahead of
them and there were mounted men comming up fast. He sighs
gently and looses his
sword in its sheath. He Holds up his hand to halt the
comming column and
waits.

Wulf looked up at the lone knight atop the hill," we've been spotted,"
he
muttered to his captain at his side," arm bows and swords, and be
weary."
Coming to a slow canter he draws his bow and prepares an arrow to
fire,
should he have to.

Railen shakes his head gently as his knights reach for
their weapons. With a
sigh he removes his helmet and hangs it on his saddle
horn. "Wait here." He
says to his knights and then pushes his big roan horse
into a walk, his
hands open to show he ment no harm.

Wulf remains cautious, the
sight of the armored knights lining the ridge
adding pressure to the situation,"
be ready in case of attack," he orders
his men before advancing slowly towards
the unarmed knight advancing. Wulf
comes to a halt a few feet from the knight,
bow still at the ready, his face
a stone mask.

Railen bows his head gently to
the savage looking man. "Lo There Neighbor.
Nice Evening for a ride isnt
it?"

Wulf remained stoic, judging the true motives of the knight, aiming his
bow
at the knight's armored chest," you are no neighbor of my people,
what
business do you have on the land of the Que-Kiri," he says in common,
his
accent thick.

Railen shifts in his saddle, his hand vanishing under his
cloak. "Just
passing through. Im headed for the north coast, so i an catch a
ship back to
Solamnia."

Wulf keeps his aim on the armored knight, aware of his
hand slipping beneath
his cloak," I would not try that knight, my men behind me
are not the only
warriors of the Que-Kiri." Issuing a whistle to his men, they
fan out and
prepare for combat.

Railen chuckles gently as his Knights fall into
place behind him. "And i
have Twenty full armored Knights of Solamnia with me.
Even if that arrow
kills me, They'll surely kill you. So its a no win situation.
So why don't
you just stand aside and let us g o.

Wulf glances past the knight,
summing up the full force of knights. He would
die if such a fight would occure,
yet more so would his men. Releasing the
tension on his bow, he lets it sit at
his side. Wulf issues another whistle
to his men, who form up behind him hands
at the pommels of their blades.
Looking back at the knight," you have crossed
into the land of the Que-Kiri
in force, if what you say is true and you are just
passing, then myself and
my men will escort you to the borders of my land, from
there return at your
own risk for we will not be formal the next time."

Railen
shakes his head and tosses his cloak up over his shoulder to free his
sword arm.
"Afraid im going to have to refuse that offer, Neighbor. Your
thirty men would
slow me down alot more than I have time to be held up.
Stand aside, or draw your
weapon s."

Wulf drew his sword, each of his men following his example, and from
the
back of his lines a horn blared. More horsemen of the Que-kiri appeared
from
the horizon, awaiting such a call," you will either accept my terms of
die
as a trespasser."

Railen eyes the men on the horizon and glances around at
his men who sat
silently and unmoving. "I never said you couldnt come along dear
boy. I only
said thirty of you would slow me down too much. I have pressing
matters to
attend too." "I'm not here to harm your land or our people. I have a
wounded
man who i need to get back to Solamnia. Choose a smaller number of men
and
you can come, or you can kill me and call the full force of the Knights
of
Solamnia down around your ears." Railen knew it was a bluff, but against
the
odds he hoped it would work.

Wulf looked around at his men, each ready. A
fight with this group would
prove costly, yet it could be won. Yet he did not
with to bring further
enemies to his people's doorstep. Wulf signaled for his
men to peel off, the
forces in the background fading into the horizon. Ordering
all but ten to
return, he turns to the knight," then we will come."

Railen nods
and fixes his cloak down around his armored body. "then let us
go." He nods to
his men and then thumps his heels into the flanks of his
roan.

Wulf wheels his
horse around and takes the lead, his men remaining to the
sides in case of
betrayal. 

Author:    Wulf           
Date:      Tue Jun 23
07:57:38 2009
Subject     Arrival

"We have more need of allies
father," he urges," without them we would
not be able to withstand the darkening
tide." Thus was the argument Wulf
found himself in for the third time this day,
the day of his leaving. Many
days had passed since the armored knights departed
Kiri lands, and with them
a promise, aid in the coming darkness.

"You cannot
leave this land," his father stated flatly," they are outsiders
and not to be
trusted!" 

"Father, I must do what I can for my people, your people," Wulf says
as he
seals his pack," with or without your blessing, I will go. I will
follow
those knights and see what can be done."

His father, Chieftain of the
Que-Kiri, was not pleased at the news of his
son, the tribe's protector, leaving
on a quest to follow foreigners into a
strange land. Yet he knew the wisdom in
his son's words. Sighing, he looks
up at Wulf," You have leave to go, but do not
expect the aid of your people
in this quest. This is your sole responsibility
now, begone and be safe, my
son."

That was a week past, looking around at
strange peoples aboard the ship,
Wulf reminded himself of what he set out to do.
He had heard word from one
of the sailors on board that they were close to
landing. He had never been
to what the knight called his homeland, Solamnia. Yet
it is where he must go
to find that knight, to see what the gods have in store
for him. He kept to
himself as the crew docked at the port of the lord city,
Palanthas.
Begrudgingly admiring the majesty of this foreign city, he trudged
on, in
search of the knight. 

Author:    Wulf           
Date: 
    Sat Jul  4 23:27:09 2009
Subject     A lesson in Temperment

Wulf
managed to wind his way through the bustling port city of Palanthas,
wearily
watching the strange comings and going of the city. Several times he
was
accosted by peddlers and beggars, yet he shrugged them off and continued
on. He
was searching for a Solamnic Knight, Railen. A man who had crossed
his lands
with his knights, a man whos words struck Wulf to the core of his
being. After
many hours of searching, Wulf finally managed to track down
another knight who
could direct him to Railen.

Wulf soon found the aide and was escorted to the
compound where Railen
resided. Looking around to the stone structure, he noticed
with a silent awe
the grandier even this simple structure had over the homes of
his people.
Shrugging off the feelings of inadequacy, he stood outside the door
as the
aide knocked and then dissapeared within. Seconds later the aide
returned
and allowed him entry.

Sitting in the middle of the plain common room,
Railen awaited the young
ranger. Knowing the man to be devoit in his loyalty to
his people, Railen
had a certain respect for the man. Yet he was still gauging
the plainsman.
Watching as the young ranger entered, Railen greeted the young
man," hello
Wulf, I see you finally found me."

Wulf scanned the common room and
then turned his attention to Railen," aye I
have." 

Railen looked to the ranger
and asked," what brings you to find me?" 

Wulf thought to himself for a moment
before he replied," I came to gauge the
truth of your words, see about the aide
of the knights for my people in this
darkening world."

Railen understood, for
he knew his words were true in the fact of the Oath
and Measure he spoke with
the man on his way through the Que-Kiri lands. "My
words and oaths are true
Wulf." 

Looking to the ranger and seeing his weapons he noted," do you have
skill in
your weapons?"

Wulf looked at his weapons and back to the knight," aye
I do. I have trained
with the warriors of my clan and I can hold my
own."

Railen nodded and began to stand," alright, tommorrow I head back to
Lemish
to further my fight with the goblins there, come with me to the
practice
yard and test your skill, should you prove worthy, you will come with
me."

The ranger bowed his head and took his place with the knight as they
left
the for the practice yard.

The knight and the ranger squared off in the
practice yard, to the judging
eyes of fellow knights and their squires. Looking
at the young ranger,
Railen judged his skill and decided it time to begin.
Drawing his blade, he
looked to the ranger," draw your blade, ranger, and
prepare to attack."

Looking at the readied knight, Wulf removed his bow and
quiver and promplty
set it aside and drew his blade, looking at the knight's
relaxed guard, he
though it best to launch a quick attack to his unguarded
flank.

Quickly, Railen dodged aside and lashed out at Wulf's unguarded
back.
Grabbing ahold of his tunic, Railen threw down the ranger," don't be
to
hasty young man, patience is the key to victory."

With a growl, Wulf stood
and prepared for another attack. Not
underestimating the knights' skill this
time, he made a quick lunge for
Railen's right side.

Once again the senior
knight struck away the ranger's blow, this time
knocking him flat on his ass,"
never let anger get the best of you."

Feeling humiliated by this knight, Wulf
growled and charged him, roaring an
oath to his god, Kiri Jolith. 

Railen
dashed to the side and tripped Wulf, disarming the ranger in the
process. 

Wulf
grinned," anger is a good tool, makes it easy for someone to
underestimate you,"
he says as he tackled the knight to the ground,
disarming him as well. Wulf now
stood between Railen and his blade, and
Railen knew it. Looking past the ranger
to his blade, he was unprepared for
Wulf's quick dash past him.

Getting in
close, Wulf lashed out at Railen's unprotected back and connected
a solid blow.


Turning Railen retalitated with a solid strike to the ranger's face that
left
him staggering backwards.

Shaking the blow off, Wulf looked up at the knight
and stood, albeit it a
little wearily. Coming in close to spar again, Wulf tried
to attack the
knight again but Railen proved faster.

Soon the ranger was on the
ground unconcious, victim to a savage blow to the
jaw delivered by Railen.
Looking at the unconcious ranger he thought," the
boy has potential." Summoning
two knights to take Wulf to a common room,
Railen made note of the ranger and
departed, making plans for their return
to Lemish. 

Author:    Wulf  
        
Date:      Fri Jul 17 20:30:30 2009
Subject     Why's the Rum
always Gone?

Wulf stood against the railing at the harbor of Palanthas.
Lost deep in
thought, mind mulling over the last few grueling days training with
his Lord
and learning the ways of the knights. He still thought of the times on
the
plains, and the thoughts of his people often came to the surface when
he
spent time alone.

Yet soon his thoughts were disturbed as a rather unsavoury
man staggered
drunkenly towards a post. Taking several swigs from a bottle of
rum he
looked up at the posting nailed to the pole. Reaching up, he tore off
the
sign and threw the crumpled paper to the floor. Turning to leave, he
began
to stumble down the road, rum in hand.

Annoyed that his thoughts were
disturbed on this clear evening, he looked at
the man in disgust. The man should
have more respect for himself than
stumbling around drunk. Walking over and
picking up the paper, he unfurled
it and scanned the person on the wanted ad.
When the recognition hit, the
paper fell and his hand held his blade. "Halt,
pirate. Release your blade
and come with me and you will not be harmed. Failing
to do so, well thats an
option you don't want to take."

The pirate turned and
looked at the warrior with his blade drawn," put your
blade down boy, and have a
drink."

Wulf shook off the temptation to unwind and chose the Solamnic
path
instead," you are a wanted criminal, either release your blade and
submit,
or draw your blade and prepare."

The pirate grinned and drew his
slender rapier. Standing away from the boy
he took a long swig of his rum as the
knight in training attacked.

Quickly saluting his opponent, Wulf slashed out at
the drunken pirate. He
flew past the pirate as he dodged Wulf's attack. Swinging
around he slashed
out again, smashing the rum bottle to shards, spilling the
liquid about the
pirate.

Looking at the neck of the rum bottle in his hand, the
pirate looked back at
Wulf," why's the rum always gone?"

Wulf offered one more
time for the pirate to relent, to no avail. After
trying to unsuccessfully
attack the pirate again, Wulf feigned a retreat.
Turning his sheathed his blade
and took a few steps away.

Seeing the man turn to leave the Pirate had let his
guard down ever so
slightly. Enough for him to be caught in the shoulder as Wulf
turned, knife
in hand, and embedded the thrown blade deep in his shoulder.
Clutching his
wounded shoulder, the pirate turned and fled down the docks.
Heading for an
empty spot in the docks in which to dive. 

"Your wounded pirate,
submit and follow me, you have no where else to go,"
Wulf ordered.

To this the
pirate almost grinned, with a flourish of his unwounded arm, he
bowed with a
flourish of his hat," remember this day knight, as the day you
almost caught
Captain Morgan," the pirate said as he turned and dived into
the harbor.


Scowling at his unsuccessful capture of the pirate, Wulf turned and
headed
back to the compound to report this to his superiors. 

The Storytellers of Ansalon, The DragonLance MUD

Astinus points to the massive wall of books behind him and bids you to make a selection.

Authors: All|A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M|N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z
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