Selunine hissed in vexation as she watched the girl child slip away into the forest darkness. Instinctually her eyes darted from shadow to shadow seeking the child. Letting out a soft breath she stopped herself, there were more productive ways to find the girl. The fey reached out across the bond that held the witch and turned from the forest to face her thrall. It was then that her eyes fell on Ninian and the emerald fury that smoldered in her eyes.

"So it was YOU! Linus hasn't gotten any new whores for him to use for his own work! He's still kept YOU!" the seemingly timid woman spat the words of rage at the witch.

Selunine watched Ninian closely, and her eyes widened as they fell on razor sharp teeth. There was far more to this woman than the air of frailty she cloaked herself in. Awareness came to her, the witch and child had come for Ninian and they had mentioned a Linus. Now Ninian spoke that name again. She would have to learn more of this man, their presence so close to the conflagration of Badon could not be a coincidence - this man Linus might well be at the core.

Selunine looked to her thrall and placed herself between the woman and Ninian. For now the witch was more valuable alive. In time she would take all she could from the woman's mind, but for now they had to find and stop the child. Selunine reached out into the woman's mind again, her telepathic voice seductive and commanding. You will answer all I ask truthfully, you will conceal nothing from me. If you are very good I will give you a treat.
The fey looked to the fanged Ninian and spoke, "Calm yourself. We will keep you from Linus. And this woman will help us do that. My pet is eager to please me."

She turned to face the witch, "We must stop the child. What do you know of her? Where is she going? How can we stop her?"

The enchantress punctuated her inquiries with a telepathic caress and waited for her response.

Trillion was suddenly aware that her target was no longer in sight. SHe looked about and searched for any sign of the girl. "Did anyone of you see where the child went?"

Trillion takes off flying searching for Nina. She uses the line of travel the girl took to begin with as a direction finder and followed that. In the heavier forest she flew lower what it is sparse she flies higher.

Oh my, Linus you say? Of course Achilles is going to ask the party about using quivering palm on the woman as a gift for later. But he steps back once he says that and let's everyone else do what they want.(I.E. the chest and the books)

Mora continues after the girl, running all out.

Trillion flies around the tree line, looking for the child which had been there mere instants before. However, the girl seems to have simply disappeared into midair. After some time spent searching, Mora shows up to aid in the search, but finds nothing. The trees are thick, and prevent the sun from penetrating the canopy... it is nothing but a shadowy, dense hiding ground. The child is nowhere in sight.

While the two were searching, Selunine turned to Sonia.

She turned to face the witch, "We must stop the child. What do you know of her? Where is she going? How can we stop her?"
Sonia jerks her head up, an empty look in her eyes. She stares at Selunine. Her lips open, and out come the following words:

"My mistress, the child is my daughter. She is named Nino. She is going to the shrine of the ancients. It was submerged, but she has a tool to raise it. You can stop her by killing her, or removing the tool. Those are the only ways I know. My daughter would not betray me. She will not surrender."

Sonia's head lolls to the side, a smile on her face, looking at Selunine, waiting for the next set of questions.

Achilles decided that he was no use out where he was, and that there was no need to stand doing nothing, so he began to walk back, meeting up with Selunine, and standing beside her as she asks her next set of questions.

Ninian, on the other hand, opens her eyes wide and her mouth drops open. Looking hard, you can't see the sharp teeth anymore... perhaps it was just your imagination. "No... no, not the shrine of the ancients... that could only mean... no..." Ninian shakes her head as she speaks to herself.

Trillion hates give up the hunt for the girl, but without a known destination, the girl could be going anywhere and the further she got away the greater area had to be covered and their hope of finding her diminishing with every step she took.

"I am going back there is nothing I can do here any longer. I suggest you return too." Trillion tells Mora.

Trillion flies back as quickly as she can. And drops down near Selinine "i lost her I was on her trail and then she suddenly disappeared and I couldn't find a trace of her. I searched for a time but there was nothing."

Nodding to Trillion she heads back, had she the skill of tracking she could have used her skill as a Shadowdancer to follow the child, but she did not.

Now to return and deal with other matters, one involving Achilles and what he took from the box.

"Oh yes, the amulet. I was hoping it would help me in combat."
Achilles jumps in suggesting that we ask the woman about the chest we found as well.
"Any of you guys figure out what all this stuff is?"
Achilles says at as he puts his other amulet back on and placing the one he put on for combat back with the other stuff, in the chest.

The witch jerks her head up, an empty look in her eyes. She stares at Selunine.

"My mistress, the child is my daughter. She is named Nino. She is going to the shrine of the ancients. It was submerged, but she has a tool to raise it. You can stop her by killing her, or removing the tool. Those are the only ways I know. My daughter would not betray me. She will not surrender."

She then lolls her head to the side, a smile on her face, looking at Selunine, waiting for the next set of questions.
The enchantress listened as her thrall spoke. Selunine narrowed her eyes at the mention on the Shrine of Ancients, something of that name struck her as familiar and she began to search her mind. From the corner of her eye she caught notice of Ninian, the woman had returned to her docile nature and she looked terrified.

"No... no, not the shrine of the ancients... that could only mean...no..." Ninian speaks to herself shaking her head.
As Selunine moved to aid her, Achilles came bounding up with a very violent suggestion. The fey sighed, she was growing tired of deflecting attacks. Did they not see what they could gain from the witch if she lived?

She turned to face the man and spoke plainly, "No, that will not be needed, nor is it desired."

Yet Selunine did consider his words, a thrall could not wholly be trusted and there were needed precautions should the charm break. She would have to disarm the woman as best she could. Once again the enchantress reached out across the telepathic bond. Before we make our way to Nino all weapons, items of power, and items of magic that you have you will remove from your person. You will not use any of them, and you will lay them all on the ground. You will tell me what each is and what it does. You will be truthful. If you carry a spell book you will give it to me. Selunine then stepped back and watched the witch comply with her demands.

As the tattooed woman began to lay out her arsenal in detail Trillion touched down next to Selunine. The winged elf told her of the failed pursuit of the child, Nino had vanished into the shadows of the trees.

Selunine reached out a hand to touch the other woman's arm, "Fear not my friend we will find her and stop her, we will. We know where she is going, and soon we will know what she intends."

Turning from her friend she faced Sonia sending yet more commands into the witch's mind. You will tell us why Nino is going to the Shrine of the Ancients. And you will tell us why you came for Ninian. Selunine held tight to the bond as she continued to stare at the woman with glowing violet eyes.

((OOC: Sorry, meant to make note of this earlier. Selunine is making a knowledge check in regards to the Shrine of the Ancients.))

As Achilles sees to woman forfeit all her belongings, he thinks perhaps he can profit from this.

"Oh boy, the things i can do."

Achilles says
"Woman, empty all of your ale and alcohol onto the ground now, i need it for my personal use. As well as any ropes and chains, Hell empty everything out, Keep only your clothing. No not even you clothing, I will provide something we will know you are safe in."

Achilles pulls out his coldwinter outfit and tells the woman to wear that.

OH, AND WHERE'S MY HORSES?

(OOC: once you post gboy I'll decicde how i chain this woman up.)

Everyone had gathered around the witch by the time Selunine had finished giving her command. Sonia's head spun in a oval pattern, and then stopped, looking at Selunine with a smile on her face. "Yes my mistress. I will begin immediately."

Sonia steps back and takes off a band that was underneath her hair, and lays it on the ground. "That is a headband which grants its wearer great mental insight, and intelligence. It has served me well, and made my magicks more potent."

(OOC: Headband of Intellect +6)

She then takes off the ring on her left hand and places it on the headband. "This ring creates a magical field around the person, hindering anything which is attempting to come into contact with it. It is very good for defense for someone who can't use armour, such as myself, thought it would certainly aid someone who could use it, providing extra protection."

(OOC: Ring of Protection +2)

She takes of a second ring, from her left hand, and places it on the headband as well. "This ring, on the other hand, creates a invisible shield, which floats just off the arm. It is very useful again, giving the shield's protection, while not having to wield it physically. Another protective item."

(OOC: Ring of Force Shield)

Taken off silken gloves, she proceeds to say, "The gloves enhance your reflexes, whether subconscious or otherwise. They also aid in manipulation, and are a very comfortable fit. They never rip, and are a very good for all users."

(OOC: Gloves of Dexterity +4)

Reaching up to her neck she unclips a necklace with what appears to be a large scale as its pendant aspect. "This amulet toughens the skin of anyone wearing it, making it very difficult to injure them. Another defensive boon that will aid anyone.

(OOC: Amulet of Natural Armour +2)

She then pulls off her shirt, revealing a chained shirt beneath it that seems to glow with a faint blue, almost like when the sun has set past the horizon. She begins taking it off, while explaining, "This suit of armour is very rare, and is a great aid to any practitioner of the arcane arts. It provides all the sturdiness of normal armour, however," She holds it out and folds it twice with very little effort. "It is very flexible, almost like cloth, and permits us to move gracefully."

(OOC: +3 Mithral Twilight Chain Shirt)

"Those are all of my magical possessions, and I bear no arms with me. However, as you requested, here is my spellbook."

She produces a think book, with fine bindings, and gold patterns along the cover and spine. Upon skimming through it, you find it is nearly full.

"And this mistress." She takes out a odd shaped item, walks over, and gives it to Selunine. "This is the key. Take it. It will help you find my daughter."

At Selunine's second set of questions, the woman giggles, magical overload seeming to affect her now. "Nino was going to the isle of the ancients to try and bring back the ancients of course. The dragons are supposed to walk this land again, just like Linus said. He is going to control them and use their evil ferocity to control the world, and I'm going to be his queen. Nino has all the necessary components to complete the summoning ritual, except for one."

"And the one she is missing, is Ninian. That's why I was here to get her, Ninian is a crucial part of the summoning, and so we need her. She knows that too, since she already ran away from us once."

"Does my mistress require anything else of me?" Sonia stands there waiting, all of her possessions on the ground except her skirt.

Achilles repeats
"ALE WOMAN!"

He wonders why this is not working. He wonders more why there is a topless woman in front of him. He just wants Ale. And what's this about mistress?

"Ask her for her ale" Achilles says to Seluinne. And gold, don't forgot the gold. TAKE FROM HER EVERYTHING, LEAVE NOTHING."

Wait spell book, Achilles remembers Taori telling him about spell books.

Oh, Shut up,!" Mora snaps with exhasperation at the stupid man demanding ale. "And you can now had over the ring and the book you took, as this is our property and it was found here, so it is ours," she looks to her parents.

She holds out her hands and waits for the two items to be passed over.

Trillion looks to Achilles. "The woman is not yours to command. Selunine will take care of all that is necessary."

"Selunine, I would recommend you have her drop all active spells she has on herself."

Trillion acknowledges with that statement that the woman is Selunine's to deal with and Achilles has no say so in the matter, directly.

(I don't think the woman will respond to Achilles's commands anyway)

"Well, what next. Did she say where the girl is headed."

Selunine stood with her companions before the disrobed Sonia. The fey picked up the glittering chained shirt. Her journey in this mortal world was growing increasingly treacherous and mage armor would serve her well. Selunine loosened the gossamer folds of her robe to let the top fall to her waist. She pulled the chain shirt over her head and smoothed it against her skin before pulling the top of her robes back in place. Picking up the headband she placed it in one of her belt's magic pouches, she wore such a headband herself but the strengths of enchantments varied and she would not know which was stronger without some study.

The enchantress looked to her companions and gestured to the remaining items on the ground, "Take what will serve you best, but do so quickly. The child still goes free."

Sonia stepped forward gazing vacantly at Selunine,"Those are all of my magical possessions, and I bear no arms with me. However, as you requested, here is my spellbook."

The witch produced a thick book, with fine bindings, and gold patterns along the cover and spine. Selunine thumbed through the woman's spellbook and finding it nearly full placed it in one of the magical pouches in her belt. It would remain there for now, but given time she would access all its secrets.

Achilles took that moment to shout for ale and demand that she ask for that and other frivolities from the witch. Hot rage boiled inside her and she nearly rounded on the mortal man but let Mora deal with him. There were more important manners to attend to than giving lessons in manners.

The fey sighed and returned her attention to her thrall. Sonia stepped forward taking out a odd shaped item and gave it to Selunine. "And this mistress. This is the key. Take it. It will help you find my daughter."

The woman giggled, magical overload seeming to affect her now, and responded to Selunine's last set of questions. "Nino was going to the isle of the ancients to try and bring back the ancients of course. The dragons are supposed to walk this land again, just like Linus said. He is going to control them and use their evil ferocity to control the world, and I'm going to be his queen. Nino has all the necessary components to complete the summoning ritual, except for one."

"And the one she is missing, is Ninian. That's why I was here to get her, Ninian is a crucial part of the summoning, and so we need her. She knows that too, since she already ran away from us once."

"Does my mistress require anything else of me?"

Selunine shook her head. Arianna's prediction was coming to pass. These fools sought use the Shrine of the Ancients to return the dragons to the world. The dragons would raze the entire continent and that would not be all that would find its way into the world from that forsaken temple. The temple priests had traveled the planes causing dimensional rifts, countless outsiders would enter this world should the shrine be as it once was. There was no other recourse but to do what they must to stop this.

Beside her Trillion spoke up in a calm tone,"Selunine, I would recommend you have her drop all active spells she has on herself."

The only nodded in response before sending the telepathic command.Any magicks you have cast on yourself you shall now release. You will however hold onto to any whose release would cause us harm, those you will let dissipate on their own. Waiting for the woman's response Selunine fingered the odd key in her hands. The witch said it would help her find Nino. Holding the object up before Sonia she again sent commands into the woman's mind. You say this will help me find your daughter. You will tell me how. Conceal nothing.
Trillion spoke up again, "What's next? Did she say where the girl is headed?"

Selunine regarded her friend a moment before responding, "The girl is going to raise the Shrine of the Ancients off the coast of Badon. For now I am gathering what information I can to head her off at the pass. We do know that she cannot raise it without Ninian."