Old friends, new beginnings. A return?

[Kahn]

He had been roaming for some time. His wife still not found, he had thought the worse till that fateful date. Coming home with Krynn and Murrgh, the first thing he noticed was the other animals bouncing around all excited. Fenri and Nocturne were bouncing around as if something...or someone had made them extremely happy. Timber, Nimbus and Dread stood there with grins on their faces..if that were possible..Nightshade and Midnight stood with the smallest one.. the fox Silver in the middle. His dragon companion Streak had gone to spend time with his kin. He may call on him later. His animals had near human intelligence, but he hadn't seen all of them this happy.. Even pride and shriek were actually chirping.

"What in....? Have I been missed that much?"

*Tussling with each in turn,he tosses off the coat and prepares to get something to eat when Dread starts pushing him toward the treasury. Arching an eyebrow he now knows something is up*

"Ok lads and lasses..what gives?"

*All of them had the capability of mindspeech but all he could hear was giggling or chuckling in his head. Murrgh and Krynn were obviously as lost as he was so he looked to then with a shrug. Timber came up to Krynn and starting yipping softly at which Krynn's eyes popped open and tail started wagging wildly. Nocturne did the same to Muurgh. He looked to the two and they shook their heads. Guess they were sworn to secrecy. Kahn stands there and folds his arms and scowls*

"Ok guys this is getting just weird..someone gonna tell me what's goin on?"

*The only response was Dread pushing him toward the treasury again*

"With a laugh he pets the Grizzly's head*

"ok boy..I'm going..What's so important about the...."

*As he approaches the treasury he notices the door cracked and lays a hand on his sword hilt, the other reaching for the new thing he carried..a 45 pistol in a holster.. had to keep up with the times don't you know. Slowly he pushes the door open and spots nothing amiss until he notices a bag of coins missing.. He turns to Dread, eyes narrowed*

"Bloody hell. somone robbed us and you are happy about it? Eledril! Fenthick! get in here!!"

*He hears laughter in his head as Dread nuzzles him further in walking in behind him. At first he thought Dread might shut the door on him. What the hell was going on. Had everyone gone crazy? Half a dozen men rush in the room, Eledril leading the way*

"Eledril..what the hell is going on? I'm away for a bit and the animals have gone crazy. There's gold missing and the animals are giggling about it?"

*Eledril looks perplexed then glances over Kahn's shoulder*

"There might be a reason m'lord.. Look at the wall"

*Turning around he notices the parchement on the wall, knife dug into it.. It was obviously placed there for him to notice. Walking up to it he yanks the dagger out.. It seemed blank on one side, then he turned it over.....there it was. For moments he was silent, eyes starring at it in shock.. then he finally whispers*

"Impossible...is this some sort of trick? She hasn't contacted me in eons.. She has to be dead. If this is some sort of sick game..someone will pay dearly"

*His eyes narrow and shift.. He hated people bringing her up without evidence of her being alive.. For he remembered how he could do nothing to rescue her from Vlad. Jonas was first to speak*

"Kahn..my friend.. relax.. All is in order. It was one of hers..if not herself.. She wore Venis's mark"

*He growled and stalked toward them*

"That means nothing.. unless it had her magic those cloaks can be made to resemble ours!"

*Obviousy they hadn't thought of that for the bowed and shuddered as if they had made a mistake. The animals however remained giddy which made him wonder*

"Timber...you were here.. you sure it was her? By the other gods..how long would it be now? How did she get out? OMG.. Tasha too..what happened to her?"

*Timber would nod then Silver ran in wrapping around his legs yipping happily. He could never stay angry around his companions. Slowly those gray eyes look up to his rangers.*

"Which way?"

"Southeast my lord" *That was Draven.. his best tracker and scout who had appeared from nowhere at which Kahn smiled*

"You're getting almost as good at that as I am..Good. Get the carriage ready. We'll leave the cars.. If we need them we'll come back for em. Not sure what lands lie east of here"

*Draven pipes up again* "You're forgetting the lands Paladin gave to Venis..I believe all types go there. You're choice"

*Kahn nods* "Alright...we're taking a road trip..Krynn, Murrgh.. you're with me.. Sorry guys.. can't fit everyone on this trip.. Draven you're with me tool.. Grab Aroun, Mikael, Selene. Arianna. Natale and Aric. I have to make sure"

*After a quick but thorough packing the enterauge packed themselves into the massive black carriage. Draven and Arianna at the helm. It took hours, narely seeing a soul on the way until in the distance lights of a large inn could be seen. Draven opening the blinds*

"Kahn.. there's a inn up here. It might be a good place to start asking questions.. plus we could water the horses"

*Kahn would look up from staring out the window.. his mind running a thousand miles a minute. 'Is this for real? did they get out? or was this some band of bandits fooling everyone. If it was the latter. A lot of people would die for this insult. Finally he focuses on Draven and smiles* "Do it"

*They would pull into the courtyard of the inn and he could hear Arianna audibly gasp*

"Arianna..what...was is it?"

*Pulling himself to peek through the front he sees what they see and eyes stare, whispering to Draven* "pull up next to it"

*Draven does exactly that, possibly startling those around the carriage. As they stop. The dark lord of death and ice slowly strides out, a mist around his feet, colder than any mountain wind, and he strides up to the carriage, touching the wall, stretching out with his senses, the men and one large timber wolf and one large white bengal tiger stepping out behind him. Bowing his head he tries to feel for her *love...can it be true? have you returned? I am here if you can hear me"

[Guest]

Bo saw the matching coach ariving and he jumped down from his station on the back of the coach. He ran to the front of the coach where Shamus was still seated at the reins and nodding off.

"Shamus, we have company and I think we are going to be in big trouble."

Shamus turns to see the coach pulling up and nearly falls over trying to get up. He jumps down nearly falling on his arse. The coach pulls up next to the one he had been driving. "Bo, go find Manny, he must still be with Lady Epiphany. He has to be told of this ... emediately."

Bo starts running to the Inn, in the door to look for Manny. Shamus see's the coach door open and drops to a knee. Looking down at the ground he is noticably shaken, in fact he is actualy quivering. The coach had been slightly quivering itself ever since their arival at the Inn, but now it was getting worse.

"M'Lord. You grace us with your presence. Please, Lord Jordianthan, what brings you to this place?" He had only met the God of Ice and Death once. He didn't expect him to even remember his name, but he was praying that he wasn't here to do his job, and if he was that Shamus himself was not the target. He was hoping that none of the employees present were the target.

He kept his head down out if respect. He realized that perhaps he was here because he somehow found out that his wife was here. He kept silently praying even though he knew that as God's both Venis and Kahn could hear his prayers.

The moment that the coach was touched it began to shake more than quiver. Shamus began to rub his arms from the cold. The door to the coach looked as if it was ready to breech. The men inside were making sounds of confusion.

Amid all the chaos, Midnight jumped from her pillow and out the window of the coach, as a housecat she didn't take too kindly to all the shaking. Leviathan was making noise inside as well, but being on a leash she couldn't escape the tremors. All Shamus could think was that they were all in very big trouble from both their masters.

((Yes, they have two pets named Midnight, a panther who is at home and a house cat that is at the Inn with Venis.))

[Kahn Jordianthan]

*Looking over to Shamus and feeling the fear and confusion from all the men in the couch he couldn't help but chuckle. His hand slides from the coach as he catches midnight's motion out of the corner of his eye. Turning to Shamus he raises his hand*

"oh..get up Shamus.. I'm nae here in any official capacity. I heard of someone coming to the manor in one of Venus's cloaks. Timber said she smelled of Venis. I musk as...is it true? She had returned?"

*Hearning Leviathan from within he peeks through the window and grins*

"Hey Leviathan..good to see you too girl"

*Then a stark realization hits him.. Midnight? Leviathan? His eyes flutter. These animals NEVER left their masters' sides. His legs get visibily wobbly and he stumbles back. Natale comes to steady him and notice a bloodtear running down his face*

"What is it m'lord.. what's wrong?"

*He looks up to her, smiling* "They're here Natale! They have to be. Midnight and Leviathian would never leave Tasha or Venis's side..they're here! She's back!

*Going over to Shamus if he hasn't risen already he helps him to his feet*

"Shamus.. I need a sit rep. condition.. Tell me all you know"

[Guest]

Shamus took the offered help to his feet. "Thank you M'Lord. How ever did you find us here? M'Lord, she wants no one to know of her being back in Rhy'Din. She has told us all that no one is to know."

Manny and Bo come walking up. Bo bows deep while Manny simply bends slightly out of respect for his friend and employers station. Bo rushes over to the back of the coach and waits, he remembers Lord Jordianthan as well, but isn't quite sure how much trouble he's in so he chooses silence.

Manny on the other hand. "Kahn, how have you been old friend?" Being so close to the Goddess and her family he felt secure enough to speak to him in such a way, after all, Manny's family had been in the employ of the Goddess' family for as far back as when she was a mere infant. His residence in the main castle of her keep and his family's portraits hanging in the grand hall were a testiment to his place in her family.

"I'm sorry I havn't been by in so long. If anyone is to be in trouble for all this let it be me. Everyone was just following her orders. Her Lt. came with her as well as Tash. I'm not sure of the condition that they left Lord Vlad and his castle and keep in, but I'm sure they did a number on him. She doesn't want to see anyone Kahn. She's in pretty bad shape nearest I can figure. Even after all these years, she is even hideing herself from me. She won't let any of us see what she looks like, save for her right arm. And trust me, I know it is her and not someone poseing as her. She speaks to us, but stays wrapped tight in her cloak. Kahn, I think he did something to her physicaly. And Tash is stuck, she's half and half, she's really shaken and won't even speak. She sleeps most of the time, she eats through a straw and only sits around petting Leviathan when she is awake."

He handed a handkercheif to Kahn, not used to giving them to men, but always having one on the ready regardless.

"She is going to be very angry with us for you finding her, and I think Gawian is here as well, at least one of his step-daughters is. So all around I would say that perhaps in a small part, the cat is out of the bag." Seeing Midnight rubbing against Kahn's leg he adds. "No pun intended."

[Kahn Jordianthan]

*Listening to Manny he frowns as he hears the situation and glances inside, eyes darkening. Anger building at Vlad for what he's done to his wife and best friend. Looking down he feels Midnight brushing against him, offers a soft smile and picks her up, starting to pet her, kissing her fur softly*

"It'll be alright sweety. We'll see mom well.. Don't you worry"

*Turns back to Manny a look of more disappointment than anger*

"She doesn't want to see anyone? Not even me. She knows I can probably heal her.. Tasha.. I'm not sure sure about it..well at least about her form. I understand the ordeal she's been through. I thought she was going to contact me so I could join in on the fun on beating Vlad's arse. If she is going to be angry for me having found her.. so be it.. I will bear the brunt of that anger. She never said if I found out not to look for her.. So she can stick that in her logic.

*Sighs softly*

"As for me not finding out? You know how good my Rangers are. You'd have to be a damn good shadowalker just to get by Draven. And then you have the animals to contend with If Timber, Nocturne, Midnight..or one of the others don't pick up the scent... Be glad they don't call Dread. Manny my friend.. I understand you concern.. I will nae place ye in harms way. I will find myself a room and when she is ready to talk to me.. come get me.. Until then I shall make myself inconspicuous as possible"

*Walks over and clasps the mans shoulder*

"You have always been a good friend of the family. You know her physicality means little. If Vlad changed her in some way.. we will survive. I still wish I would've had a little more information than being hidden away like some secret. I should be very angry....but I'm not. Meditation has done me good. "

*points a finger at him, with a crooked grin then a pat on the cheek*

"Next time something like this happens....call me"

*With that he walks past and heads toward the hall of the inn, glancing over to Bo as he walks past, seeming staring him down, like he was a target...then winks at him before heading to the front counter*

[Guest]

A collective sigh of relief as Kahn walked off towrds the Inn, Midnight in his arms and his other animals in tow. His men all greeted the men in her collective and followed him into the Inn as well. Her men stayed at their stations. Bo fell to the ground. "Did you guys see the look he gave me? He scared me half to death for a moment there ... No pun intended."

Manny chuckled. "Bo, he's not mad at us, Just like if the roles were reversed she would not be angry with his men. It's all about following orders. You did as you were told, you are in no trouble."

Shamus whiped the sweat from his forehead and climbed back up onto the coach, grabbing his cloak and wrapping himself tightly within it. "Manny, why has the coach been quivering since our arival and why did it shake so violently when Lord Jordianthan touched it?"

Manny's eyebrows raised and a frown came to his lips as he pondered the question. "Perhaps it is because she is doing it. Prehaps being this close to certain people is causing her to go on a power overload. I guess Lord Cauthon is here after all. You said it was quivering before Lord Jordianthan even got here, so it must be the closeness of her two alpha males causing her to quiver."

He walked over to the coach door and knocked only twice before he called out. "Check on the Goddess and her friend, make sure they are alright." He heard one of the coffins open. Isah called out ... "Lady Masterson is sleeping soundly." Manny heard the coffin close and the other coffin open. Again it was Isah who spoke. "Manny ... Manny, the Goddess ... She's ..."

Before he could finish his sentence Manny was in the door of the coach to check on her. They had sewn a zipper into her cloak and it was zipped over her. Her hood still covered most of her face save for most of the right half. There were tears of blood falling from her eye, her eye that was now open. Her right arm was free through a slit in the side of the cloak. There were marks in the tear trail from her whipeing at them with her fingertip. Otherwise she seemed motionless as if asleep.

It was then that Manny saw the lid of the coffin. Scrawled in blood on the underside of the lid, backwards was the name Gawain. Below that, larger and also written backwards in blood was the name Kahn. Then in large letters, backwards again, scratched into the wood with four fingernails was the word NO.

Obviously, she knew they were here and Manny and his crew were going to be in big trouble. He hoped that Lady Epiphany would find the Lt. soon so they knew where to unload everything. He thought about sending Bo to Lord Jordianthan with a bag of catfood for Midnight figuring she might be getting hungry and wouldn't want to leave his side for a bit. But he figured he would wait on that for a little while.

[Kahn Jordianthan]

*That conversation kind of hurt. Didn't she know no matter what condition she was in he wanted to see her? Just the fact remained whoever put her in that state would soon be in the ninth layer of hell with no way out. Absentlmindely kept petting midnight, till she started mewing at him. He knew what she wanted. She never did like being far from Venis. He blinks, chuckles. holds her up and nuzzles her*

"Go watch over Venis. If you need me.. you know to come get me sweetie"

*Looking around he nods and looks to Draven*

"not bad I do say so myself"

"Aye.. but what does one have to do to get service? stand on one's head?"

*Kahn would shoot Draven and chuckle*

"I'm supposed to be the cynical one...remember?

*Draven would smirk in return*

"What can I say.. you're rubbing off on me"

*He would laugh. a deep rolling laugh that would fill the area as he walks to the counter and knocks*

"helloooo anyone home?"

[De'Ryanna Aybara]

Madeline had gone off to take care of the man who took a seat at the bar. And, just as De'Ryanna was going to answer the Lieutenent about the rooms she saw Epiphany appear, but didn't have time to wonder when she got here or what she was talking about. There was a knock over there at the receptionist desk, and a rather tall and daunting man who needed to be serviced.

"Very busy night. I'm sorry, please excuse me." Spoken to the group at the bar. Gathering her skirts she left the scantity of the bar and started towards the desk and the man who was waiting there.

Determined not to let the myriad collection of people and the events to the evening, get to her, she composed herself -mentally and emotionally - as she approached the bar.

"Good evening Sir, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. As you might have noticed we are a bit busy tonight." And she was calm and composed as she spoke. So close to the door her gaze took in a portion of what was happening outside. Only a bit. Then her attention was again to the man and his companion.

"I am De'Ryanna. How may I help you?"

[Kahn Jordianthan]

*Offers a charming smile and a soft bow*

"My apologies if I disturbed you. I require room and board for myself and my men. Preferably dark.. If you happen to have any suites open. it would prefered. I am unsure how long our stay shall be.. But I do not wish to pose and imposition. My manor is not that far away that if push comes to shove we can hail from there. Also we need food and boarding for our horses.. Money is no object"

[De'Ryanna Aybara]

Men? How many men did he have? Would they each be needing suites or just him? He also wanted a room that was dark.

"Yes Sir, it will not be a problem if you can tell me about how many beds you will be needing." It was during times like this that she was grateful for all the discipline training she had in her younger years. The ability to stay - nearly - cool when situations grew larger than expected. Never be surprised by the unexpected.

"We do have suites available, though currently they are on the upper level of the Inn. If you need it to be dark we can black out the windows especially so no outside light will be able to enter." It was a trick of hers. "It's rather large for those of high standings. Your men will be able to join you there, I can have bunks brought in for them and arrange it in the living area of the suite. That is if you intend to have them in the room with you?" She didn't know the arrangements he wanted to have. The expansion of the Inn couldn't come soon enough. And, with the help of the patrons, they would have the funds.

As she spoke she gathered papers from under the desk and placed them on top. Along with a pen. "There are rooms on the second floor, smaller of course, that your men can stay in. Rooms that can comfortably sleep four people. Will they have to be blackened as well?"

The paper and pen were eased in his direction. "You can this as long as you first sign the paper." There was stress on the need to sign the paper. Must have been important for some reason other than a formality.

[Kahn Jordianthan]

*He listens to the spiel and takes the pen reading it over and signing*

"Everything seems to be in order. 2 suites will be fine.. Only one needs to be darkened...mine. I will have 2 cots in my room. the other 4 can stay in the other.. I will not treat my men like they are beneath me.. they get the same accomodations."

*Beneath her calm demeanor he could smell her tension and hear her heartbeat beatiing a little bit harder than normal. He grins, flashing his pearly fangs before chuckling*

"I will ask one very serious favor. The occupants of the other carriage...are to remain anonymous. Noone except the escort that came with the carriage, myself or any of my rangers are to know.. also anything that happens to transpire with said occupants. I am to be notified...immdediately. Please. It's very important"

[De'Ryanna Aybara]

Two suites. She made a notation of what was taken and what was still left on that top floor. Good man he was, decent if not anything else, for wanting to have his men treated the same as he. That deserved a bit more respect on the chain.

"Very well Mister," pulling the paper he signed towards her so she could read the name from. Kahn Jordianthan. That name was one that she knew from readings when she was a child. In her mother's books. "Jordianthan. By the time you go up to your rooms, they will be ready."

Even as she spoke of his rooms she was opening herself up, enabling her to grasp the magic needed for the task. Doing this also helped to calm her down. Vampire.

Wonderful.

"It will be as you say. If I know, you will know. You have my word."

[Guest]

Bo ran into the Inn and found Lord Jordianthan. He jogged over to him and stopped about two feet from him then bowed.

"M'Lord, Manny has a request. He has made an agreement with an employee of the Inn for added security at all entrences and exits. They are to look like other guests and not be noticably armed. He was wondering if your Rangers could either take the first shift so that we could unload the cargo or if they could help with the cargo while some of us took the first shift? He says we are all on the same team after all."

He hoped that he got it correct. He was always a little nervous around his employers. Especialy Lord Jordianthan.

[Guest]

"Forgive me my rudeness everyone. Lord Cauthon, prehaps we can pick this up later." She rose from her seat and began to head for the door. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Bo standing there talking to someone ... to ... Lord Jordianthan! "Oh great, now I'm truly in trouble." Hopefully she was wrong having only seen him in a portrait that her friend carried with her.

One problem at a time, after all, she was only one person. She continued to the door and saw Manny, Shamus, and Isah over by the fireplace tending to a centaur with another woman there with them. "My word, I take time out of my day for a nice conversation with a gentleman and the entire world goes to Hades in a hand basket."

Manny it was then. "Manny, what is going on around here? I get here and find Lord Cauthon, I'm already in trouble. You get here and a young lady comes to me with this ominous message that I am needed outside. I head outside and find you guys in here with an injured lady. And is that who I think it is? Because if it is than I am definately going to get my arse kicked now."

[Guest]

Manny looks up and see's Seleen walk up. "Thank goodness, it has already been a very long day. We got here as per your instructions, I came in to find you and met that nice lady Ephiphany, she knows everything by the way. So while she and I were comming back in to find you we were found by an unexpected guest. Yes, it is who you think it is. Did I hear you right? Lord Cauthon is here as well?"

Manny lowered his head and shook it to and fro for a moment. "She is going to freak. She wanted to heal before she came face to face with them. Well, Ka ... Lord Jordianthan said that he would take the blame for his presence here. As for Lord Cauthon ..."

Manny looked back to his patient. "This young lady needs to be healed. I offered her the option of magic or natural. Thankfully she chose magic. I shudder to think what harm would befall us if we awoke the healer. Shamus, could you go over there and ask Lord Jordianthan to join us for a moment please. He can heal her right up."

He looked back to Seleen. "When he gets over here you and he can discuss what we are to do next. I already sent Bo to ask him if his Rangers could give us a hand tonight. He seems to be in a rather generous mood. Figured I would take it while I could. He might not be so happy later."

[Guest]

Shamus, always the man to do as he was asked to do, got up and went over to as Lord Jordianthan for some help. "M'Lord, we have a young lady over here in need of assistance. She's injured and she said she doesn't have to have a natural healing, thankfully, becuase we do not want to wake the healer. She's not exactly up to healings at the moment, but you know her, she would try regardless."

They were all refering to her as the healer becuase they were in such a busy area of the Inn and there were so many people around at this point. It was getting harder and harder to maintain secrecy.

[Kahn Jordianthan]

*Looking over to Bo he tilts his head to the side then nods. With simple hand gestures, he raises 2 fingers and points to the front, 2 to the back and then points up. His six people bow and smile. It's been a while since they were actually this active, they almost seemed giddy. He picked up on it and chuckles*

"you have to forgive them bo.. The area around the Manor and my keep have been dreadfully uneventfull for a while. And don't worry.. the guest's wont even know my people are here.. Anybody starts anything.. well.. let's say. My people are good enough it'll be over before it really starts."

*Seeing Shamus out of the corner of his eye and hearing his request his eyes furrow a little and glances past him then waves his hand out to have him lead the way.
"Certainly Shamus. I might be a little out of practice, but I'm sure I can muster something"

*Walking over, letting Shamus lead the way he kneels in front of the centaur and inspects her. Then his glance goes to Seleen for a second*

"Well, well.. Dark eve Lt. Should've known you'd be not too far behind"

*Gives her a grin and a wink then turns his attention to the Centaur*

"Need a bit of healing do we? I hope you're not afraid of the dark"

[Epiphany]

(well... I was going to post in pt2.... but Kahn's post wasn't there. :sweat: so....)

Thankfully the Lt. chose to go and see what the problem was instead of giving her a note. Of course, she followed. In following she put her hand to her head and squeezed her eyes shut for just a moment.

There seemed to be a mess of people there at the front area. She didn't hear everything, but she heard that someone needed to be healed, and asking if that person was afraid of the dark. Curious and feeling the need to go, she headed to the front door.

Epiphany leaned against the door frame. She recognized Vesta, since she had been rooming a day or two already, and then there was a centaur, Manny, the Lt. and another man. He had the strange energy. Possibly... another vampire.

"I can heal her, without subjugating her to the dark. And you all can see about the cargo..."

[Admin]

Since a part 2 has been started, and to help people post there, this topic is being locked to replies. Please Post in part 2

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