"Humph." The old man says. "Of course all the difficult questions come out right when I'm ready for bed. Well, this might take a while to explain, and it will probably give you a dozen or so more questions, but here is my explanation."

The man takes a few deep breaths to calm himself. These breaths become deeper and deeper until it is questionable whether or not he is still breathing. And when it is at the point where almost a minute passes between his breaths, he begins to speak again, although this time, something is different. Instead of being calm and serene, as he had been before, you can see the old man slightly shaking as he speaks, trembling maybe.

"You claim to walk this path blind. The fact is: are you blind physically, or mentally? Are you incapable of seeing, or do you choose not to see? The prophecy is unfolding around us. Borghen fulfilled his part, he is the usurper. You four are to eliminate him, and return peace. If you do not, the world will stay shrouded in Borghen's dark heart, and his reign of terror will not end. Ever."

The old man's body begins to shift suddenly. His eyes change to a pure white, his skin paling severely. His height also begins increasing, slowly but surely. His voice also becomes deeper, and has it's own echo now to it. "Your reason is the fact that you four did not meet coincidentally. There was a reason that three of you decided to not be in Fynn, and out on the hill. There was a reason that the fourth met up with you here." The man's shoulder's begin to extrude from his body, and the sound of ripping clothing can be heard. His voice gets deeper still. "Your reason is because without you, the world is doomed. I have seen it. That is why I have intervened, instead of watching you all die painful torturous deaths."

Suddenly, the man's back rips open, and feathery wings protrude from it. Before you, stands an angel, it's goodness easily visible. In a booming echoing voice, seeming to speak in a thousand tones at once, he asks. "The fact is, there is no reasoning to these events. Do you see now?" His ominous presence, while stunning, is rather intimidating. He now stand over 9 feet tall.

Eldarwen looks over the the four indicated by the old man puzzled that she was included in the four mentioned as there were already four there. She catches the eyes of the other elf who nods almost imperceptibly at her and she returns the nod even as she is listening to the old man.

Eldarwen was about to reply to the old man when he asked if there were any more question until she started to transform into something else entirely.

Eldarwen took a big step back not sure what was happening. She keep watching the whole time. The changes in size was more than 50 percent greater than the old man's original height That was strange enough but when his back erupted in wings she knew, or thought she knew that he was a celestial being, a divine messenger. That or it was one heck of an illusion spell. However the aura of goodness that came from him was unmistakable.

Eldarwen's many question died before reaching her lips. It was not a wise thing to question a divine being's message or messenger.

Eldarwen bows briefly to the imposing figure before her.

"I will go with these people to this place you have named. However, I reserve the right to choose for myself what final actions I take.

Arhaedielle looked up at the angelic figure, what once had been an old man. Already the other elf had pledged herself to the fulfillment of the prophesy. Would the others follow in suit? The prophesy was calling for Borghen's death it seemed, and prophesy or no the tree killer had to be eliminated. Her decision was an easy one.
She stepped forward, slowly moving with an languid grace, and extended her left hand out, palm facing upward, a gesture of promise. Turning her head from side to side she regarded each of her companions and then returned her gaze to the colossal angel before her.
She spoke with a soft firmness, "This I swear, the forest will be avenged. Borghen, the tree killer, will be punished. If traveling to Altair will aid in that end then so be it. What must be done will be done."

Pyres tried to ignore the quarelling about prophecies and fate. Who cares about the stupid prophecy? He had decided to kill Borghen before the old man told him to. And if its so urgent that he kills Borgen, why shouldn't they just leave right now? There seemed to be little point to delay the inevitable. He thought he could defeat Borghen, the old man seemed to too, the only problem was the three people who couldn't make up their minds. What was so difficult? Either they could help him kill Borghen or they couldn't, there was nothing more to decide.

It was at this point that something caught Pyres attention. Namely the old man sprouting angel wings. Pyre's eyes widen in surprise. In his entire life he has never seen anything like this. Since he was ignoring everyone till this point he looks around to make sure no one else has grown wings. As he finishes his look he feels comfortable in knowing that as of yet there is only one angel in the room. In the meantime he resolves to pay more attention to the conversations. Despite the flashy angel transformation, nothing else has changed. They still haven't left and to the best of his knowledge, Borghen still isn't dead. He steps forward to speak, "Finally starting to leave are we?" He says impatiently, "Of course I'm going, I decided to kill Borghen before I even heard the stupid prophecy."
(Incidentily he never even heard the prophecy, just that there was one.)

Out of Context: Please view Q&A thread.

Back to our regularly scheduled programming.
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The angel which stands before you smiles. "Wisely have you chosen adventurers. This journey will not be easy, and Borghen not a simple foe to defeat. The threads of time are being unraveled and re-spun as I am telling you this, but I will see a world better than the one which I have seen. But the one who has departed...we shall se where his thread is spun."

The light surrounding him begins to brighten, so bright that you want think you would go blind looking directly at them for too long. Through this intense light, you hear a few fleeting words. "When you arrive at Altair, the term is Water Lily..."

Suddenly, the light flashes out, and the angel is gone, leaving nothing that showed he existed at all.

Looking out the window, you see a black night sky. A maid, different from the one you saw originally, comes bustling from the kitchen and clambers up the stairs, knocking on four doors. There is much bustling going on, then she returns downstairs. "It must be you three then... but I was told four..? Ah, oh well. Your wakeup call is now... but it seems you're awake. Are you heading out so soon? To Altair?"

Ah good morning, It looks to be a fine day just remind me what day it is would you please. The elven calendar is so different from human one." Eldarwen fishes politely for the date. Had they truly missed a whole night without any awareness of time? She did not think if would be longer than since time seem ws so important to what was going to happen. Especially if this Borghen also knew of the prophecy.

Just what was the prophecy the angel spoke of? Eldarwen wished she knew . It might give her some vital information or be totally misleading. prophecies had a way of doing that. Sometimes the ambiguity of their words fit so many different possibilities it was impossible to tell which might be the truth of the matter.

"Breakfast will be appreciated, something we can get quickly and consume or perhaps take with us on the trail," Eldarwen tells the serving girl. with another quick look to the outside to confirm that it ws still early morning.

Eldarwen sign softly, she really wished she knew what this prophecy said.

another thought crossed her mind, the old man mentioned that four would accomplish this prophecy, they were three but they had been four. If Borghen knew the prophecy then he would be looking for the four/three of them.

"Well it was a pleasure to meet you all I will be continuing on back to my home forest. I hope you all are successful with your own endeavors, Perhaps we will meet again one never knows the future. Why don't you join be for breakfast before we all set off on our own paths."

Eldarwen adds a broad wink to each of them and motions for them to sit. She takes out a piece of pater and a stick of charcoal and writes a message on it in common.

The note reads:
_______________________________________________________
|
Let us all go in different directions when we
leave and meet in five miles outside of town in
the direct of this place he named.

_______________________________________________________

When she is sure that no one is near she passes it around to each onr surreptitiously.

After they are done reading it she stuffs in deep in her backpack for disposal later.

"Of course milday, I'll have the chefs whips something up for you right away. Say, wasn't there another man with you? Looked like somewhat of a mage? Where'd he go? Must've slipped out during the night, as he's not in his room... So, breakfast for three?" The woman bustles off. into the kitchen, keeping quiet as it is still rather early in the morning.

Returning with one bag, she says, "Biscuits and honey for the three of you! I even threw in a bit of our apple cider! It's wonderful this time of year. Here you go!" Handing Eldarwen the bag, she continues to speak. "You know, just some advice that I should follow, some details are in plain view, you just need to look hard. It happens to me all the time. I'm usually reading, and all of a sudden I hit a part where it's as though I have no idea what's happening you see? But then I go back, and I read it again, and I find things that I didn't see the first time. Maybe, with all this talk of prophecy and whatnot, you should do the same. Well, best wishes on your trip to Altair you three!"

She finishes, looking from Eldarwen, to Arhaedielle, to Pyres, a broad smile on her face. And with that, she bustles back in to the kitchen. The smell of eggs can be detected, and various spices as well.

At first Eldarwen listened to the women words pretty much matter-of-factly, but something made her stop and listen more closely. She talked of the prophecy and as far as Eldarwen knew she had not been there last night when those words had been spoken.

"You know, just some advice that I should follow, some details are in plain view, you just need to look hard. It happens to me all the time. I'm usually reading, and all of a sudden I hit a part where it's as though I have no idea what's happening you see? But then I go back, and I read it again, and I find things that I didn't see the first time. Maybe, with all this talk of prophecy and whatnot, you should do the same.”
It was almost as if there were another message in her words that if one wasn’t attentive might be totally over looked. It might mean something or if could be nothing but Eldarwen would not ignore them just in case they were important.

Then she seemed to totally ignored Eldarwen’s attempt to mislead these folk by telling everyone they were splitting up.

“Well, best wishes on your trip to Altair you three!"
I don't know where you got that information I am headed back to my woods. I am a ranger not an adventurer. But thanks you for your well wishes for my trip."

Eldarwen watched her leave and turned to the other two with her. “Five mile out on the road towr Altair. I will meat you then in half an hour.”

Eldarwen stops by the heath with a hearty fire burning she drops the message in and watches it until it is consummed taking a poker and scattering the ashes. She leaves the sack of food with the others taking out only her portion.

Arhaedielle reached out a hand to touch the shoulder of Eldarwen, stopping the other woman from parting their company.
"I think we should remain together, it seems the whole town knows we must travel to Altair. Splitting up would not keep any from following our trail and may well create unnecessary complications." She spoke with a soft firmness, her green eyes regarding the other woman for a moment. It seemed they all were tied together, for a time at least. She would not allow them to loose one another now that they had all just been joined.
Removing her own honeyed biscuit from the bag she made her way to the door of the inn. Turning to face the others she smiled and spoke,"Though I do agree departing now would be most prudent. Shall we?" She gestured to the door waiting for Eldarwen and Pyres to follow.

Eldarwen looks into the eyes of the elven woman, yes it probably would be a waste of time and effort to try to dake their departure when every one here seems to know what they were going to be doing.

"Yes it is best we leave quickly. Though, HE could have had the decency to reveal this all in private," Eldarwen states as she turns to follow the elven woman out of the inn. She picked up her pack and settled it comfortably on her shoulders.

Eldarwen tried to figure out how long it would take them to reach Altair on foot. The other might have horses but she didn't. However she was a fast walker. She did a lot of that in her line of work the forest was not a good place to do a lot of riding unless it was light forest or a coniferous forest. Around here it was mostly deciduous forest with a few conifers and lots of undergrowth.

After an eventful night, the the three companions decide that it be best to heed the angel's words, and head out towards Altair. Heading out in the crisp morning light, the three companions decide to travel by foot, as horses would be too large to hide in case the need arise. The sun not even up yet, they leave the southern gates of Bree.

The crisp morning air cool on their faces, the southern travel is much more beautiful than the previous trip south. The air was fresh, no longer filled with the stench of burning wood, and the shrieks of citizens. The world was almost separate from the horrors seen up north.

Around midday, you arrive at a small clearing on top of a hill. Your legs aching, your stomachs growling, this seems like a perfect place to enjoy the meal prepared by the mistress at the inn. You have made excellent time on your way down, and you are able to see a village in the distance, possibly Altair. If you continue at your pace, as hard as it is, you guess you could make it there by about sunset. But with the sun beating down on you, perhaps it is time for a quick rest.

Arhaedielle, Eldarwen and Pyres sit on the top of the hill enjoying the lunches which the innkeeper in Bree had prepared for them. Fynn seemed so far away now... but they knew that they would return one day... and take revenge on Borghen, bring him to justice for what he had done.

Chatter over lunch was now relaxed, and light hearted, with laughter ensuing, about the simple things in life. No more talk of doom, and remorse.

The lunch lasts only a while, but the talk continues for a long time afterwards. Still conversing when they gather their possessions, getting ready to depart, a cry comes from the base of the hill.

"There they are! Traitors to the King! Kill them!"

At the base of the hill are a small group of four soldiers, as well as one frail looking female in fine robes. The soldiers were clad in black from head to toe, their armour clearly showing the red sword splitting a flame: Borghen's personal insignia. The woman's robes also bear the insignia.

As three off the soldiers charge up the hill, one hangs back, standing next to the frail looking woman. She begins moving her hands back and forth, a spell on her lips waiting to come forth.

Just then, the fourth soldier whips around, now facing the mage as she is in the middle of her spell, and thrusts his rapier at her. Being completely lost in the casting of the spell, the woman is helpless to do anything more but scream as the tip of the rapier enters just underneath her chin and exits above her crown. Retracting his blade, the woman slumps to the ground, a lifeless corpse.

The three soldiers, hearing the scream, stop halfway up the hill. They halt their charge, turning to look at what had happened.

Their small group had made their way towards Altair, leaving Bree as the false dawn lit the eastern sky with a dusty rose glow. That there were no clouds herald the possibility of a clear day which certainly a hoped for outcome. The sun peeked over the horizon after they were about a couple miles out of Bree.

Eldarwen hoped their departure and direction went unnoticed. However leaving nothing to chance, she did keep a lookout on their back trail as well as in front of them. Her skills as a ranger she put to use serve the group well as they traversed the wilds. They kept up a good pace for most of the morning and as the sun rose to its apex, they began looking for a place to stop and have a brief break to rest and eat the lunch that the innkeeper wife had provided for them.

A small hill just off the side of the road was decided on as their resting place and they made their way up it. In the distance Eldarwen could make out a village, hopefully it was this Altair.

Conversation was quiet and shared around the circle, the one thing that they did not talk about the strange going on last night. What could one say about that matter? Nothing really that would change anything and so nothing was said. Each of them were handling it in there own way she suspected ot trying to forget it. Eldarwen knew however there was not making it all go away just by not talking about it, b did not bring it up because no one else did.

Without discussion they kept their voices low as they sat down in the tall grasses that afforded them some cover from those on the road. Finishing the simple meal of bread and cheese with a few slices of cold roast beef from the previous night they gathered their belongings.

Eldarwen stood picking her pack that she settles on her back and then takes up her bow.
The group is just about to head down the hill toward the distant village when shouts are heard from below. There is not mistaking their words or tone.

"There they are! Traitors to the King! Kill them!" Eldarwen draw out an arrow and notches it. She draws it back smoothly, the result of long hours of practice and takes aim at one of the men headed up the hill. Her sharp eyes take in all that is going on though and she utterly surprised when the one soldier left below with the frail old warn suddenly draws his sword and runs her through.

Eldarwen lets her shaft fly, straight and true. They have has a definite advantage being at the higher elevation. It will take the soldiers longer to get to them and cost them much effort. Eldarwen might well get several shots off before they can even close to melee range.

Arhaedielle sat on the grassy hill breathing deeply the breeze of the sunlit afternoon. The calm was in the breath. She inhaled again deeply. The three had already traveled far from Bree, every step taking them closer to Altair. Calm deep breathes. The wild predator within longed to be free, held at bay only by the calm. Deep breathes.

She looked to her companions, studying each briefly in turn. Such a trio were they, two elf maidens and a human knight. They knew nothing of one another, and yet here they sat, basking in sunlight as they chattered over nothing. One thing bound them, yet none wished to speak of it. Prophesies and retribution. Arhaedielle sighed quietly, brushing a pale hand through her curly ebony mane as she closed her eyes and drank in the sunny afternoon.

Shouting men pulled her from her meditation, her eyes flashing open as she jumped up with a deadly grace. Clamoring soldiers ran at them, leaving behind them a robed woman. Borghen's men, a low growl emerged from her throat. Treekillers.

Her eyes narrowed and she looked past the charging men to the woman, the gesturing chanting woman. Before the mage's spell could be unleashed the blade of a lagging soldier cut into her and she crumpled to the ground, an expired corpse. Strange, yet there was little time to contemplate this strangeness now. She had spells of her own to throw.

Kneeling to the ground, she touched the earth. Her own rhythms blended with the land, reaching deep into the ground. They were one. The light in her green eyes grew ever brighter as she raised her head to the skies emitting an unearthly, wordless keen.

Ancient roots and vines sprung out from the depths of the land twisting and writhing down the hill. The plants wrapped themselves among the soldiers legs, entwining all they grasped in an immobilizing embrace.

"Thank you my sisters."

(OOC: Arhaedielle casts Entangle)

If there is one thing Pyres can not stand, it is boredom. As of yet he still has no idea as to why they're heading to Altair. The old man did not seem to be too keen on sending him straight to Borghen so he very much doubted that Altair was where he was. His sword was beginning to feel heavy on his back and the urge to pull it out greatened every hour. As much as he tried to distract himself, the faces of people he knew from Fynn kept flashing through his head. Why the old man stopped him from saving them was beyond him. He would gladly give his life for that of another, and he knew he was capable of at least stalling the attack for some time. His stomach began to feel sick the more he thought about it. More than once had he felt the urge to defy the old man and charge back to Fynn to make things right. But deep down he knew that he was too late and couldn't bear to see the dead bodies lining the streets.

There were not words to describe how much he wished he could take his sword and drive it into Borghen's chest. To be honest, anyone involved in the attack on Fynn would have been enough for him right now. As they sat down for lunch he was distracted from his thoughts and regrets. The conversation was to slow for his liking, everyone seemed to be lost in their own thoughts. He could tell from Nimu's expression that the burning of the forest was still engraved in her mind. At first he had thought that her obsession with nature had been slightly odd, but he got used to it and learned to take it into stride. Eldarwen also seemed distracted. Since he had only met her a short time ago there was still a lot he didn't know about her, who was she, where was she from and why was she in the prophecy? For that matter he didn't even know why he was in the prophecy. As he thought back on it he realized he had already forgotten what the prophecy was about.

While trying to remember the prophecy he happened to notice a group of soldiers on a hill. He cared little about them until he noticed the insignia painted into their armor. A smile crossed his face. A cure for his both his boredom and his regrets had been found. As they began their charge he stood up and reached over his shoulder to where he knew his sword was. All of his regrets disappeared as he clenched his fist and drew his weapon.

The ectasy of the fight left him as the enemy's charge stopped. His mouth opened wide in disbelief as woman's dead body hit the floor. Was this man on their side? He could not get over the fact that someone would so easily betray their ally. Even if he was indeed on their side, he had no respect for him. The betrayel of his own father was brought back into his mind. He wanted to teach this man a lesson, but that could wait until after he had slain the other three. His grip tightening back around his sword he dug his foot into the ground and charged towards Borghen's men.