The Road Ahead
Chapter 4
Session Start: Sat Nov 07 22:50
Session Close: Sun Nov 08 01:10
Elapsed Time: 3h, 20m
Total Elapsed: 20h, 53m

Cast (In Order of Appearance)

SOLaike as Cobia Windstar as Salah Danny as Cassandra Bahamut as Miriamele Lucca as Audrey

Storen as Lynna Criz as Criz Andrew as Finn Storyteller as Storyteller, Man, Wounded Man, Man 2, Scout,

[Storyteller] After leaving Ramus and the priestesses in the underground exit, you made your way out and up into the wilderness.You swung wide around the temple, making sure not to be followed. Each footstep took you further away from what you once new, and closer to something entirely different. Some of you were going back the way you came, others were going to places unknown. But the place wasn't important, it was the situation. At least you were travelling with companions. For the most part, companions who had proven their worth in a scrape. From here on, things would be very different... very different.
* Lynna walks at the head of the group, the breath of fresh air quite calming after being in the bowels of the temple.
* Audrey sighs and pulls her cloak tighter around her.
* Miriamele, stepping lightly on her feet, quietly minds the path ahead of the group..
* Finn walks near the front moodily, humming under his breath.
* Criz is still thinking about the tragedy he saw recently, trying to put it in the back of his mind, as he breathes in the fresh air and smiles.
* Cassandra looks around at the others.
* Lynna stretches a moment.
[Lynna] Whew...what a day...
[Audrey] No kidding...
[Finn] Tell me about it...
* Audrey looks around.
[Audrey] I haven't been this far from the Shrine in...years...
* Salah doesn't know why she's traveling with these people. Things have gone by so fast for her she has yet understand why and how. Everything changed that night when Meribia was attacked, and her family killed before her eyes. Yet she can't go back there, no, she must move on forward, even with her new found friends. She feels somewhat glad that now she's leaving Meribia, she doesn't know why she has such a feeling, maybe its to get far away from anything that her family once clinged to.
[Finn] How does it feel, Audrey?
[Audrey] ...it's...overwhelming...but exciting.
[Criz] What I wouldn't do for some hot stew right now.
* Finn flexes his hands idly.
[Criz] What a smell, do you smell that? It's called fresh air, it livens me up with a sniff of it. Thank god we're always going to have this air for centuries to come.
* Salah walks quietly in the snow, the only sounds she makes are the steps in the snow.
[Finn] Can you be so sure of that, Criz?
[Lynna] With all the recent goings on I'd like to hope so..
[Cassandra] Are you sure it's fresh air that you're sniffing there, Criz?
* Criz looks at Finn.
[Criz] Well I certainly hope so. What else could it be Cassandra?
[Cassandra] Nevermind.
* Audrey blinks at Cassandra. o_o
* Cassandra shrugs at Audrey.
* Lynna removes her dark hood, and examines the landscape as the group marches.
[Storyteller] Up ahead, the air is tinged with something very faint. It smells metallic, almost coppery.
* Finn smells the air...
[Audrey] Blood?
[Miriamele] ... blood...?
[Finn] Hey Miri...can you see anything?
[Salah] The smell....
[Miriamele] I will in a second...
* Miriamele darts ahead...
[Audrey] Miri! Be careful!
* Finn places a hand on the hilt of his sword.
* Lynna narrows her eyes.
[Lynna] Just when we were having a moment of peace for once...
* Salah shivers, cold? fear? Probably a bit of both.
[Storyteller] Up ahead, Miri finds an area of snow which appears to be stamped flat.
* Cassandra looks at Miri.
[Cassandra] What'd you find there?
* Criz walks up to where Miri is standing.
* Lynna quickens her pace to catch up, looking down.
* Finn jogs up to Miri...
[Storyteller] Pushed up against one side is the carcass of a slain moose. It looks like it was rather expertly gutted.
* Miriamele looks around carefully...
* Audrey jogs behind Finn.
* Criz smiles at the sight.
[Finn] Now, why in the world...
* Cassandra walks calmly to the others.
[Criz] We can eat at least...something.
* Salah lower lip trembles.
[Storyteller] In the center of the flattened area is a section of scorched ground with a few smoldering embers. It appears as if there was a camp here, and very recently too.
[Miriamele] Someone was hunting, I guess.
* Finn looks at Criz, nauseated.
[Lynna] Looks like we just missed somebody.
[Audrey] I wouldn't eat that. You don't know where it's been!
[Miriamele] At least there's no need for alarm. ^_^
[Audrey] ....Mister Criz...First the Rat, now the moose....are you the owner of a slaughterhouse?
* Audrey asks this very innocently.
* Salah takes a few steps back from the gutted moose and turns around, trying to ease her stomach.
[Finn] What if they're still here?
* Criz eyes Audrey.
[Criz] You do whatever you can to survive.
[Miriamele] Well, unless any of you need an animal carcass, I suggest we keep going.
[Audrey] Right...
[Cassandra] So, Finn? What're they gonna do? Attack us for looking at their kill?
[Criz] Good idea, I second that! First off, we don't know if they are the kind that would attack us, or help us!
[Finn] The way things have been going, they could be a tribe of giant vampire hamsters or something...
* Lynna can't help but smirk at Finn's remark.
* Audrey giggles.
[Audrey] No no. Vampire Chu-chus. Do you know what a Chu-Chu is?
[Cassandra] Giant vampire hamsters?
[Miriamele] Well, if you're worried about getting into a fight, it's better we go now, rather than waiting here for whoever or whatever to come back and fight us. :P
* Finn shrugs.
[Salah] They've been here...
[Criz] I don't care who we fight, what we fight, as long as I get to eat! *stomach grumbles*
[Finn] I don't know what a chu-chu is, no.
[Lynna] I would mind it if Imogene was still around...we still have some unfinished business..
[Audrey] Well... A Chu-chu is this animal that's in a children's book. It's really cute, but all it can say is 'chu'. I find that rather annoying.
[Finn] How profoundly disturbing...
[Miriamele] They sound stupid.
[Salah] It, It was they who camped here...
[Audrey] Exactly.
[Finn] Who, Salah?
[Lynna] So it was Imogene, Salah?
[Audrey] The chu-chus...?
* Cassandra looks at Salah.
* Miriamele looks at Salah.
[Salah] No, not Imogene.... the ones from Meribia.
[Criz] The ones from Meribia?
[Cassandra] The people in the black ships?
* Salah points at a quiver of arrows.
[Criz] I don't quite follow...
[Salah] Yes.
[Miriamele] The attackers?
[Salah] Those arrows, they look like the ones that were fired in Meribia
* Lynna blinks.
[Lynna] Those guys that you mentioned razing Meribia?
[Miriamele] I think we should go then.
[Criz] Are they dangerous Salah?
[Audrey] .....
[Salah] Th-They....
* Criz looks at Salah awaiting her answer.
* Cassandra takes the quiver and looks at a few of the arrows.
* Audrey places a hand on Salah's shoulder...:/
[Finn] I agree with Miri...let's get out of here.
* Salah takes a deep breath.
[Salah] ...killed my family.
* Miriamele glances about the woods warily..
[Audrey] Salah...
* Audrey hugs her.
[Criz] I'm...I'm sorry Salah.
* Lynna sighs.
[Lynna] Oh...
[Criz] I know how you must feel, about losing a family. *walks up to Salah and puts his hand on her shoulder*
[Storyteller] You hear a rustling in the woods.
* Audrey jumps.
[Audrey] ...I think they've come back...
* Cassandra hands the quiver to Salah.
[Cassandra] I think you'd be better off with these.
* Miriamele flicks her wrists, dropping knives into her hands!
* Audrey pulls out her Crossbow!
* Lynna shifts her gaze to the surrounding woods.
* Salah tries to look as calm....
* Salah takes a quiver and looks at it.
* Finn unsheathes his sword...
* Miriamele stealthily rushes off towards the rustling!
[Miriamele] Damn..
[Storyteller] A single man comes out of the woods, he's dressed in heavy winter attire and carrying a cross bow. He seems to be lacking his quiver, however.
* Criz quickly goes for his bo-staff.
[Audrey] ...Who...?
[Miriamele] Who are you?
[Man] Oh shit!
* Man turns tail and runs off into the woods.
[Audrey] Watch your mouth!
* Miriamele stops in front of the man.
[Miriamele] Move and you're dead. Who are you?
* Criz chases after the man.
* Miriamele races after him!
[Lynna] What a wimp.
* Audrey rushes behind the others!
* Cassandra runs after the others.
* Lynna replaces her hood, and gives chase.
* Salah stays behind, thinking a few moments...
* Finn lemmings quickly.
* Salah follows everyone else.
* Criz runs as fast as he can to catch up to the man.
* Miriamele lobs one of her throwing knives at the man!
[Miriamele] Stop!!
[Audrey] Wait! Sir!
[Storyteller] The knife catches him in the shoulder... He stumbles, drops his crossbow, but keeps running. Soon after you lose him in the underbrush...
[Miriamele] Dammit! I said stop!!
[Salah] STOP!
* Audrey runs even quicker, putting her whole body into it, despite the fact her legs feel like they're going to burst!
[Criz] Damn!
* Miriamele looks miffed.
* Finn stops running and pants.
* Lynna stops.
[Lynna] Well at least he's a coward with good legs.
* Audrey stops, panting.
[Finn] Well...
[Miriamele] I hope he didn't go for backup. Like I've said all along, we'd better get a move on.
* Cassandra looks at the others and walks calmly to them.
[Criz] Where did he come from?
[Finn] Yeah. :P
* Criz inspects the crossbow he picked up.
[Salah] Whoever he was... I don't think we should continue to follow him, this may be a trap.
[Criz] Salah...
[Salah] Yes Criz?
[Criz] By any chance, if you remember...did those attackers from Meribia use this type of crossbow?
* Audrey ponders looking for the man...
[Lynna] Well, seeing as I'm not in the mood to fight a whole army...we should get going.
* Miriamele starts heading back towards the path.
* Criz shows the crossbow the man dropped to Salah.
* Finn walks behind Miriamele.
* Audrey reluctantly follows.
* Salah takes the crossbow and examines it carefully.
* Lynna heads off with the group.
* Audrey shivers.
[Audrey] Let's keep going.
* Salah follows, still examining the crossbow.
* Finn rubs his forearms and walks a little faster.
* Criz walks ahead leaving the crossbow in Salah's hands.
* Miriamele heads onward.
* Cassandra follows quietly.
* Salah picks up her pace.
* Lynna continues to put some distance between herself and the camp.
[Salah] It-its the very same.
* Criz stops in his tracks.
[Criz] Are you sure Salah?
* Salah nods.
* Criz starts to walk towards her.
[Audrey] I wonder if Imogene and those strange crossbow wielding men are connected...
[Criz] So those attackers you were talking about...are here.
[Lynna] I wouldn't be surprised at all.
[Salah] But where, I mean, how could she get such power?
[Audrey] Imogene, you mean? I have no idea.
[Criz] Money maybe?
[Audrey] ....possibly...
[Criz] All the donations given to the shrine...she could have taken it for her own.
[Lynna] I've always wondered what the clergy does with all that money..
[Audrey] We wouldn't get that much...not enough to fund an entire army with strange weapons.
[Salah] Maybe... maybe she's working for those people.
[Audrey] That's a possiblity.
[Audrey] But what if she isn't?
* Criz spits, as it melts a little hole in the snow, and continues to think.
[Criz] Then she has to have some sort of connections, Audrey.

Further South, Katarina Zone

[Storyteller] You left Nanza at least twelve hours ago. At least you had picked up a fresh set of horses for your wagon on the Katarina side of the Barrier. But you knew Myght would never trust you with another one of his inventions if you were late. Besides, what the hell use would the string lanterns be once the festival was over. To think, you actually volunteered to ride all the way from the Tower to Meribia on your own. You figured he wanted to keep as many people as possible working on Super Mobile Man. And with those nifty "grenade catapults" installed, your talents were unneeded...

So... You got the pleasure of riding between half a dozen smelly animals and a quarter ton steam powered generator and a few thousand string lanterns. At least the ride was peaceful. That is... Until the cart game to a stop when the middle row of horses tripped over the lead horse... The one with the arrow sticking out of it's side.
[Will] ... eeh!! o_o
[Man] Halt!
* Will bumps against the barrier in front of him, looking surprised.
[Will] (w) No... they must be here to get the engine!
[Storyteller] Two or three more men step out of the underbrush, all carrying crossbows with evil looking, black-tipped arrows.
[Man] Where are you going in such a rush, hmm?
[Will] W-who are you? What do you want?!
[Man 2] You're in no position to ask questions.
[Will] I'm- ah- carrying some lanterns for Meribia...
[Man] Lanterns? Oh really... I think I'll have a look see.
[Will] Wait... don't!
* Man takes a few steps toward the cart.
[Man] Why not?
[Man] You gonna stop...
[Will] They're dangerous unless you know how to handle them- stay away!
[Storyteller] In the middle of his sentence a bedraggled figure comes running up. The knees of his trousers are torn, and blood trickles from the wound in his back.
* Will shivers nervously.
[Wounded Man] They're coming.
[Man] From where?
[Wounded Man] Our camp.
[Man 2] Told ya you shouldn'a let him go back for his quiver.
* Will quietly takes out his carpenter's hammer from the cart, his only weapon, concealing it behind him.
[Storyteller] While the three men talk, the lead horse pulls himself up off the ground. He whinnies, the arrow quivering in his side.
[Man] Shut up, will you. How many of them where there?
[Wounded Man] At least half a dozen.
[Man] Women?
[Wounded Man] Most of them... Ach...
* Will waits silently in the cart, waiting nervously.
* Wounded Man flinches...
[Man 2] Here, take the herb and stop acting like a baby.
* Will tries to see quickly if the horses can go.
[Wounded Man] Shut up! I can still whip your ass!
* Wounded Man charges at Man 2.
[Storyteller] The two fall to the ground, the remainder of the scouting party steps to the side as the two roll around. They're all laughing uproariously.
[Will] (w) I'm in luck... they're fighting! If only the horses can manage...
[Scout] Kick his ass! He's been asking for it for weeks!
[Man] Stop this right now!
[Will] (w) Okay... this is it! Do or die!
[Storyteller]
* Man moves to break up the two.
* Will quickly spurs the horses, trying frantically to make the cart speed away towards the direction the wounded man was coming from!
[Storyteller] The lead horse lags a bit, but he still manages to keep moving with the rest of the team.
[Will] Hurry up.... yes! Go!!
[Man, Wounded Man, Man 2, Scout, et al.] Hey! Stop! Come back here! Where do you think you're going?!
[Will] Anywhere!!
[Storyteller] Even with the wounded horse, you manage to make it away from the soldiers.
* Will whips the reins, trying to keep up the pace, his hair blowing wildly.

Katarina Zone

[Storyteller] You all hear a racket up ahead in the woods. It sounds like a horse running at a full gallop... No... Wait... It's a whole bunch of horses running at full gallop.
* Criz looks around to see where the source of the noise is coming from.
[Salah] ...huh?
* Lynna keeps moving, on guard at the sound of the noise.
[Audrey] ....Looks like the army's coming. :/
[Cassandra] I think our friend is coming with some friends...
* Salah looks towards the source of the noise.
[Storyteller] The team charges out onto the path you're on. Will leads it around a corner, but he's going much too fast. The cart tips over precariously.
[Audrey] By Althena!
[Lynna] Well isn't this lovely...
[Criz] Whomever he is...he can sure ride!
[Will] Go, Silver! Avatar! Um... you can be Magi- wooaaah!
* Salah quickly tries to move away from the speeding cart.
[Finn] Ohhh...damn...
[Storyteller] It flies by on half it's wheels before falling over, the team tearing free and running off. *CRASH!* It lands upside down. Will takes 9 damage!
* Lynna dives out of the way.
* Audrey steps back.
[Audrey] Sir! Are you okay? Sir!
* Salah rushes over to the man who fell from the cart.
[Salah] Mister?!
* Will makes noises, but you can't hear them with the crash.
* Audrey follows Salah.
* Criz gets up from the ground when he dove out of the way and heads for the upside down cart.
* Finn follows Audrey, concerned.
* Lynna gets to her feet quickly and dusts herself off.
* Miriamele looks in the direction from whence the cart came..
* Cassandra laughs at Will.
[Audrey] Sir...are you hurt?
* Audrey looks concerned.
[Criz] Sir...are you alright? Are you even alive?
* Salah kneels over besides Will.
[Salah] Mister?
* Will groans, moving slowly from beneath the cart.
[Criz] Should we even move him?
* Lynna makes her way to the fallen man.
[Audrey] Everyone..please step back.  I'm a a priestess after all. Let me heal him.
[Will] Uhh... oh...
[Salah] We should pull him out from under there!
[Criz] Yes we should, someone give me a hand here!
[Lynna] Looks like your department Audrey..but let's get this thing off first, hm?
[Audrey] Yes! Everyone help me lift the cart off him!  ...please?
* Finn stoops down and lifts, his muscles bulging...
* Lynna secures her hands, giving the broken cart a heave-ho with the others.
* Salah pushes the cart despite the fact that her strength is useless.
* Miriamele heads over to help.
* Cassandra helps lift the cart.
* Audrey notices the bulge....
* Criz begins to lift the cart.
[Criz] LIFT WITH YOUR LEGS!
[Storyteller] Combined, your strength is enough to flip the cart over.
* Salah gets slightly distracted at Finn's big muscles.
* Audrey kneels down to Will.
* Audrey keeps going with her chanting, closing her eyes and clasping her hands in a prayer-like fashion.
* Salah kneels back down besides Will, panting.
* Will lies on the ground, now a little out of it.
* Criz stands over Will.
[Salah] Mister...
[Storyteller] A large metal contraption rolls off of Will into a ditch.
* Audrey closes her eyes and chants to herself. When she is done chanting, a blue light surrounds Will, and Will's wounds heal a bit.
[Audrey] ...hope that works.
[Storyteller] Will regains 9 HP.
* Lynna takes a few deep breaths...
* Will shakes his head, his consciousness returning.
[Storyteller] Scattered all over the ground are more of those things some saw hanging from the walls of Meribia. Of course, these particular ones don't seem to be glowing. Especially the ones that are shattered.
* Criz picks one up.
[Criz] What are these things?
[Will] Oh... ugh... what was that... w-wait... who- who are you?
[Audrey] I'm Audrey.
[Salah] Salah.
[Finn] Finn.
[Criz] No need to fear, we're on your side.
* Miriamele glances warily back towards the trail from where the cart came..
* Salah stands.
[Salah] Someone else is coming!
[Criz] We hope you're on the right side that is.
* Cassandra pulls onto Will's arm and pulls him up off the ground.
* Will sighs, relieved.
[Will] Ouch... thanks!
* Lynna looks at Will.
[Lynna] Lynna. Quite an entrance you made, eh?
[Audrey] I'm glad you're all right.
[Criz] Let the...*coughs* doctor help you.
[Salah] They're coming!
[Will] I'm sorry.
[Criz] Who Salah?
[Will] Oh no! Not again!
[Audrey] Who is...on no!

Combat! Round Zero!

[Storyteller] The party is suprised, except Salah.
[Will] The- the people with the crossbows!
[Criz] Will we ever have some peace?
* Audrey pulls out her own crossbow.
* Finn pulls out his sword...
* Lynna whirls around.
[Lynna] Not your friends I hope.
* Will takes up his hammer, lying on the floor.
* Criz quickly goes for his bo-staff as he spins it a few times and then grabs it with both hands as he holds it outward ready for battle.
[Will] No... I was going on the road when they attacked!
* Salah uses the crossbow she just aquired and fires it at the first man.
[Storyteller] Salah hits Vile_Scout A for 5 damage.
* Vile Scout A returns fire... Vile_Scout hits Salah for 5 damage.
* Lynna decides to hit them hard while they're advancing...preparing a Black Beam with the group's name on it!
[Storyteller] Vile Scout B lets loose an arrow at Cassandra. Critical Hit! Cassandra takes 22 damage. The arrow slips between her ribs, grazing a lung.
* Audrey blinks. O_o
* Cassandra glares at the scout.
[Storyteller] Vile Scout C takes aim and lets loose at Miri. Vile Scout hits Miriamele for 2 damage.
* Miriamele shrugs off the attack, and looks angered..
[Storyteller] Vile Scouts D & E each drop to a knee to fire at Criz and Finn respectively. Both attacks do 0 damage!
* Salah clutches her wound.
* Audrey looks at Cassandra and begins to chant under her breath.
[Will] Oh man... these guys are serious!!
* Finn raises an eyebrow...
* Salah glances at the men, counting about seven of them.
[Storyteller] Vile Scout F lets loose a shot at Will. Vile Scout hits Will for 11 damage.
[Audrey] Sir! O_o
[Criz] Pathetic vile scouts, you're going to be no match for us!
[Will] Aagh!
* Will stumbles back a few steps.
[Criz] Sir, what is your name by the way?
[Storyteller] Vile Scout G looks around for something to hit people with, seeing as Salah has his Crossbow.
[Will] I-I'm all right... my name's William.. Will!

Combat! Round One!

* Salah glares at the man.
[Salah] You!
[Audrey] Will...I'm sorry you had to get caught up in this :/
[Will] What do you mean...? They're after the engine! I can't let them get it!
[Audrey] The....what?
* Criz twirls the bo-staff with a speed no one can compare to, as he then charges with it still twirling as it hits Vile Scout B in the gut then in the face. Criz then stops twirling it and drives the bo-staff into the back of Vile Scout B.
[Will] I'll... explain in a jiffy! Let's get this over first!
[Storyteller] Criz hits Vile_Scout B for 17 damage. Criz hits Vile_Scout B for 20 damage. Vile Scout B dies! Third attack redirected to Vile Scout C. Criz hits Vile_Scout C for 18 damage.
[Criz] Pa...THETIC...all of you!
* Lynna collects the shadows around herself, glaring at the men.
[Lynna] You know I really hate surprise guests...
* Will grips the hammer's handle tightly, shifting his grip uncomfortably. Taking a moment to gather momentum, he approaches the front enemy line and swings his hammer at it in an uneven arc! "Hammer Swing!"
[Storyteller] Vile_Scout A takes 44 damage from Will's weapon skill and dies!
[Storyteller] Vile_Scout C takes 45 damage from Will's weapon skill and dies!
[Audrey] Nice!
[Finn] Holy...
[Storyteller] Vile_Scout D takes 40 damage from Will's weapon skill and dies!
* Finn boggles.
* Audrey boggles along with Finn at this point.
[Lynna] Impressive...
[Storyteller] Enemy Back row (E, F, G) becomes Front row.
* Salah would say good job, but doesn't like seeing people die.
* Will stumbles back to his former position, sweat pouring down his temple, and panting.
* Audrey pats Will on the back, and smiles.
[Audrey] Good job, Will. :)
[Will] Uh...? Th-thanks ^^;
[Audrey] No problem.... :)
* Miriamele grins her slightly kawaii, yet wicked grin as she draws her small blades... She charges Vile Scout E, unleashing a volley of the small daggers to clear her path as she charges in to deal two quick blows to the man! Flipping back out of the range of rebuttal, she finishes up with another volley of throwing knives!!
[Storyteller] Miriamele(S) hits Vile_Scout E for 3 damage. Critical Hit! Vile_Scout E takes 28 damage. Miriamele hits Vile_Scout E for 1 damage. Miriamele(S) hits Vile_Scout for 2 damage. Vile Scout E is seriously hurting, but not quite out of the fight.
* Salah clutches her head.
[Salah] Ungh...
* Salah closes her eyes tightly, a sudden white flash eminates from her causing her to float a few inches off the ground, in a brillant flash she returns to the ground the white aura around her gone.
[Storyteller] Salah's Reaction raises by 31!
* Audrey closes her eyes and chants to herself. When she is done chanting, a blue light surrounds Cassandra, and Cassandra's wounds heal a bit.
[Audrey] Let Althena cure your wounds and confort your weariness!
[Storyteller] Cassandra gains 17 HP from Audrey's spell.
* Cassandra coils her whip around her hands, and grins wickedly. She unfurls the whip and lashes it out at Scout F, snapping with a sickening crack!
[Storyteller] Vile_Scout F takes 41 damage from Cassandra's weapon skill and dies!
* Lynna grins evilly at Vile Scout E. "Allow me to put you out of your misery.."
* Lynna releases her Black Beam.
[Storyteller] Vile_Scout E takes 17 damage from Lynna's spell and dies! Vile Scout G picks up a weapon from a fallen comrade. He lets loose an arrow at Salah before turning tail to flee. Vile_Scout hits Salah for 6 damage.
* Lynna gets a sudden rush from the death of the soldier...
[Salah] Aah!
[Lynna] Not again...
[Audrey] Lynna?
* Criz looks at Lynna.
[Criz] Lynna?
* Salah collapses in the snow.
[Audrey] Salah!!
* Audrey fumes angrily...
* Lynna looks at the two....a little out of it.
[Lynna] Nevermind...
* Audrey's head snaps from the downed Salah to Lynna.
[Audrey] If you say so...
* Finn opens his mouth and lets out an extremely loud bass note cascading in sonic waves towards Vile Scout G...
* Lynna tries to push back the soft voices tugging at the back of her mind.
* Criz throws a snowball at the fleeing coward.
[Storyteller] Vile_Scout takes 1 damage from Finn's spell.
* Audrey looks at Finn! O_o
[Audrey] Incredible!...but I fear he ran away.
* Salah coughs, bleeding tremendously.
[Lynna] The coward got away again...
[Storyteller] He stumbles as the wave of sound hits him, but then makes his way off into the forest.
[Finn] Ugh.

Victory!

* Criz kneels down next to Salah.
[Criz] Audrey? Can you help her?
[Audrey] ...Sure.
* Audrey closes her eyes and chants to herself. When she is done chanting, a blue light surrounds Salah.
[Audrey] Let Althena cure your wounds and confort your weariness! Heal Litany!
[Storyteller] Salah regains 17 HP.
* Salah blinks, feeling stronger, slowly she gets up and hugs Audrey.
[Salah] Thank you.
* Lynna stands over the fallen men...with a bit of a far off look still in her eyes.
* Criz notices Lynna.
[Criz] (Boy, this girl is acting weird, it's as if she gets a rush out of all this killing!)
* Salah doesn't want to look at the sight of the dead men, she's seen too much death already.
* Will sighs, dropping like a potato on the ground.
* Salah looks over to Will.
[Salah] What's an engine?
[Miriamele] He got away... *sigh
* I wish he had stopped the first time.
* Audrey helps Salah up.
[Audrey] We did it!
[Will] (w) And I thought this would just be a slow and easy trip...
* Will looks ruefully over to the ditch.
[Will] That's an engine...
[Storyteller] The engine is totalled.
[Audrey] Does anyone need healing?
[Audrey] ...oh...
[Will] Or... was...
[Miriamele] It looks broken..
* Salah walks over to the engine.
[Storyteller] The boiler is cracked and the valve assembly is about ten feet away from the rest of it.
[Criz] An engine...for what?
[Audrey] Can you fix it?
[Will] We worked on it with Myght... it works with steam, and can produce what we call electricity... but..
[Criz] Ele..say that word again?
[Miriamele] It's a lightning maker?
[Salah] Is this like those, string lights?
[Will] I don't think so... we'll probably have to build a new one, judging from its looks.
[Audrey] Incredible...
* Miriamele looks at the pile of scrap.
* Will nods at Miriamele
[Will] Sort of.
* Lynna clears her head and slowly walks over to the rest..
[Audrey] How impressive!
[Criz] (W) Ele...electicity...elastic...electrippity ...!
[Audrey] I wish I could build things like that...
* Salah runs her hand across the engine.
[Will] We're very proud of it. =)
* Cassandra yawns obviously bored of this conversation.
* Audrey looks at Criz.
[Audrey] Don't try so hard...you'll get it eventually.
[Will] And we still have the blueprints, even if we have to build another one, so...
* Will smiles.
[Will] We can always keep up hope I guess.
[Salah] Where were you going, why were those people following you?
* Lynna stands by Audrey and Criz, looking at the engine only briefly.
[Criz] (w)..Electricito...grr...Supercalifragisticexpialadocious...I can say that word but not the electricity word...I said it!
[Miriamele] It looks almost... primitive... no offence. Of course the fact it's a heap of metal now doesn't help any... but still..
* Finn pats Criz.
[Finn] It's okay, don't worry about it.
[Will] I was going to Meribia... they needed more string lanterns and a second engine, but... I guess I'll get there empty-handed, now!
[Audrey] Don't hurt yourself Criz...
[Salah] Y-you can't go to Meribia. It's been taken over by those men.
[Audrey] Meribia's gone, sir.
* Will looks at everyone, confused.
[Criz] I wouldn't say there is much LEFT of Meribia, as Salah has told us!
[Will] Wh... what...?
[Cassandra] Meribia is kinda not gonna be on any maps for a while.
[Audrey] I haven't seen the city for myself, but I have heard from these people...
* Salah sighs.
[Salah] C-can we go now?
[Audrey] Yes. Let's. Before more of those horrible men appear...
[Will] What am I going to do now...?
* Lynna remains silent, still a bit bothered by something..
[Salah] You can come with us.
* Will shakes his head.
[Criz] You're more then welcome to come with us.
[Audrey] Yes! Come with us.
[Salah] What was your name?
* Finn looks at Lynna...
[Will] You mean it...? Come.. with you?
[Criz] Where are we going? I mean I don't even know where we're headed. I'm just hungry! *stomach grumbles*
[Audrey] This is not a time to think about food, Criz!
[Will] Oh! That's right!
* Miriamele stops to think about what we were doing before all this started..
* Salah smiles.
[Salah] Sure, we could use more company.
[Will] My name is William... William Dosyani. But you can call me Will. =)
[Salah] Nice to meet you Will.
[Lynna] I guess another ally couldn't hurt...
[Audrey] It's nice to meet you, Will!
[Finn] It's a pleasure, Will...
[Salah] I'm Salah by the way.
[Will] It's my pleasure... if you hadn't helped me... I would be dead by now, so I owe you. =)
* Criz extends his hand out to Will.
[Criz] My name is Criz, pleased to meet another great fighter like myself.
* Audrey rolls her eyes, finally getting irked by Criz's...ahem. Ego.
* Will shakes Criz's hand, blinking.
* Lynna cheers up a bit, seeing Criz's usual antics.
* Audrey smiles and shakes it off.
[Will] Great... fighter...?
[Salah] Umm, where ARE we going?
[Audrey] Well..
[Audrey] I should check up on my family...
[Finn] Family...
* Salah looks tired, as she hasn't gotten any sleep at all tonight.
[Audrey] Seeing those men here is making me worry..
[Will] Well... when I went through Nanza, Kyle's troops were still there... I suppose we should go and warn them of what is going on...
[Cassandra] I'm going to Nanza to tell Kyle what happened to Meribia, and then I'm gonna go wander around the other side of the Nanza Barrier for a little while.
[Audrey] I cannot go with you, Cassandra...I need to hurry home. :/
[Will] Could you do me that favor and come with me? I promise I'll repay you somehow for all of this. =)
[Salah] Maybe we could go to Konan before we head to Reachdeep Audrey.
[Criz] I just came from there, I was headed towards Meribia, no need to go back to point A for me!
[Audrey] But....
* Audrey figets.
[Audrey] I...I just have this feeling...
[Will] Well... where are you going to go then?
[Salah] Audrey, you know I'll come with you.
[Finn] I'm going with Cassandra...
[Will] I suppose... we could go somewhere else before Nanza...
[Finn] If Cassandra can stomach the idea.
[Miriamele] If you wanna go Audrey, then go. They're family after all. I'd be happy to accompany you. :)
[Audrey] Thank you, Salah...Miri...
[Cassandra] I don't mind, Finn.
[Finn] How gracious of you.
* Criz looks at Cassandra then back at Audrey.
* Cassandra smiles innocently.
[Lynna] I guess I wouldn't mind going to Reachdeep...
[Criz] There is no need for me to go back to Nanza first off...I need to find answers, so I shall go with...the *coughs* the *coughs louder* doctor.
[Audrey] Doctor? Oh! Me! Ahem! Thank you, Criz.
* Will looks a bit crestfallen.
[Criz] As long as you can get me some hot stew.
[Will] So... you're going?
* Lynna smiles.
[Lynna] Perhaps I should go to protect your pantry from Criz, eh Audrey?
[Audrey] Yes...
* Criz walks up to Miri.
[Audrey] I don't think he realizes that the pantry is rather empty..
[Criz] Aren't you cold?
[Miriamele] Not terribly. But I have been warmer. ^_^; Considering the person who found me said I walked out from a glacial area in less, I should say I'm used to this. ^_^;
[Storyteller] Both objectives being sound, the group split in two. If Meribia was destroyed, then Nanza would be the last major strong hold. And, hoping for the best, Audrey would return home. At the very least, she could warn her village of the impending doom flowing across Katarina Zone.
* Salah waves good bye to Finn, Cassandra, and her new friend Will.
* Lynna joins the party heading to Reachdeep, waving a farewell to the Nanza bound group.
[Criz] Good luck Cass!
[Audrey] Good luck! May Althena bless us! :)
[Criz] And don't do anythink kinky with that whip to those men now you hear!?
[Will] We'll... meet again, won't we? Audrey?
[Audrey] Of course!
[Storyteller] Hopefully they would meet up again, perhaps in Nanza, perhaps on the other side of the Barrier. Only time would tell.
[Will] Well... good. Till we meet again!
[Criz] Miri, will you promise me not to dress me up? I have a weird feeling about going with you girls now...
* Lynna chuckles.
[Lynna] Criz..you're too paranoid..