The Winds of Change

[FinnFerral]

Wowwee - I sound so ... brave

Awesome chapter J!!!!! Need another fix nao!!!!

[Renn the Dreamer]

So this is what J mean by evil twins.... -.-

*shoos Tavvy-tan off to the writing board*

[Silverwyng]

Finn and Denji hunt for their birthday feast! happy birthday, you knuckleheads!



“It’s been a while since I had skale.”

“Yeah. Slow roasted on a spit over a roaring fire. Drunken with juniberry gin, of course.”

“You read my mind, mister Black.”

“And you have made an excellent choice in the menu, mister Ferral.”

“Quit lollygagging and go get dinner!” Ryl’ard barked as he swiped his staff very close to the ranger and warrior.

“I’d better start a fire then,” Shaddow shook his head as he started to gather the dead branches around them.

Vincan watched with interest as each went about their business. Ryl’ard went to get water from the nearby oasis, while Zotran helped Shaddow with the fire. Sule went a few ways off to face the sunset and recite his evening prayers. The monk arranged their belongings by the cliff face and proceeded to take a walk.


“Are you always like this?”

Vincan Somnium stared across the empty space between him and the assassin. Somehow, he expected that it would come to this. Ever since the first day they met, the assassin had always been antagonistic of the monk. It was as if he took greater pains to show the monk that he was an outsider to the group. It was not about the skills and abilities. It was about something else.

Something that goes deeper.

“Your lady back in the monastery. What’s her name, monk boy?”

“Huh? De-Deina. Deina is her name.”

“That’s a weird name.”

“Thanks, I’ll make sure to tell her that,” Vincan spat back.

The assassin did not face the monk but continued on to stare at the vast expanse of the Bluffs. One hand was on his hip and the other was tightening and relaxing at his side. He seemed relaxed, but the monk noticed something simmering just below the surface.

“You’re here because ‘Pop couldn’t make it.”

It was a statement, not an observation.

“I know I’m not one of you-“

“Then you don’t know anything at all,” Akira finished for the monk.

Before Vincan had a chance to retort, the assassin jumped off the small rise where they talked, a few feet off the ground.


“He’s like that. After a fierce battle, he just shuts down and sleeps. You can tell he was really energetic since he ate a lot and just conked out. He didn’t even drink with us.”

“Shaddow, we talked earlier.”

“Oh?” the elementalist turned to the monk.

The fires were starting to die and everyone else was asleep. Only the elementalist and the monk were awake for the first watch.

“Did he ask your ladylove’s name?”

Vincan blushed and nodded.

“Akira is the type of person who takes responsibility seriously. He knows you’re here because ‘Pop is unable to be with us.”

“But he cut me off when I said that I was not one of you.”

“Precisely. You’re in this with us now. No matter how you look at things, you were not with us last year when we did this. You don’t know. Aki sees this mission as something to be done by us. Everyone else is an innocent caught in the crossfire. As much as you have the skills to be of help, the fact of the matter is that you’re one more innocent that needs more protection.”

“Innocent? Protection? I assume you all feel the same way but he’s the one who goes out of his way to try and taunt me!”

“He asked you about your lady friend. Aki had a woman he loved dearly once. She was very strong willed and yet very kind to us and loving to the assassin. She understood what it was like to be in his profession and where his fate would lead him. Aki’s special, and she knew that.”

“And this woman is the one he’s protecting?”

“You can’t protect the dead, my friend. She died when Aki was out on a mission. The Am Fah and Jade Brotherhood were having a turf war that night, and Aki along with several of his guild went out to stop them. Their hall was breached and everyone there was killed. The women were humiliated and tortured and the hall itself was set on fire. Akira came back to find her near death, defeated but not broken. She died in his arms that morning, as the day was greeted with sunlight and a gentle summer shower. they were supposed to get married two days after that incident.”

Vincan could only cover his mouth in shock.

“Aki grew up in fighting. All he ever knew was taught to him by his father. Growing up in the Crystal Desert was no easy feat, especially if you had to contend with the wild life and your own personal prophecy. She was the only semblance of peace in his life and that got taken away. Now, he places the responsibility of every innocent life on his shoulders and he will do everything to protect those who are not involved in any conflict. I think he will die in the attempt. He’s just a man, not a god, after all.”

“And yet he relies on you. He still has friends.”

“Brother Vincan, sometimes the hardest lessons to learn are the simplest. Respect is earned, not taken or asked for. Respect is reciprocated and not hoarded. Back there in Arkjok, you caught him. He gave you a real piece of his mind earlier. You’re slowly earning his trust, as ours.”

“What about my respect? Don’t you have to earn it?”

The elementalist stood up and proceeded to douse the dying flame. He turned to the monk with a smile illuminated by the stars.

“We earned your respect and honor when you chose to accompany us, no matter what ‘Pop said. Deep down, I think you know that.”

Deep down, the monk agreed.

[Ayarie]

ooooooo

Naru

[Firanne]

Silly Vinc. Emotions don't get involved unless the one getting emotional cares :-)

F5!

[Banes Son]

Poor Aki, it's tough to live with fear like that.....

*howls*
F5!!!!!!

[Tavari Tinde]

*tears*

Damn the Jade Brotherhood and the Am Fah!

[FinnFerral]

Sniff.

Winds ... don't ... cry.

*blows nose*

[The Night Whisper]

“I can’t see what your face looks like, but I must imagine it to be contorted into several shades of amusing,” Ryl grinned.

mwahahahaha

Sorry, I have been reading, just not commenting.

I love it J, its brill.... now write more please!!

~W

PS... did I see my baby get a one-liner at the start??

[Silverwyng]

i spent the long weekend asleep! it was lots of fun! i also got to play a bit but not to the point where i met up with people from all timezones. this eotn hardmode shizzle is quite something to look forward to!

enjoy! \o/



“We came as soon as we heard the news.”

Little Tumblepop was staring at the mountain range northeast of the monastery. He half-leaned on his staff and half-propped himself on the balcony. He smiled as he felt the wind on his bald head. Slowly, he turned to the voice behind him.

“Ahai, Devlin Moonshade. Or is it Spearmarshal now?”

“Ahai, Brother Little. It seems like the news about the attack has been embellished, given how you are able to stand.”

“Oh, I had help in the healing. The worst of the injuries are no more, but there are still a few aches and pains,” the monk replied as he walked over to his sun chair.

“Then you should be resting instead of standing around,” the paragon replied as she and her companions eased the massive monk to gently sit.

“I got bored. Lying down and unable to move was worse than getting beaten up.”

Devlin pursed her lips. From her past experience, she knew all to well how painful it was to lie back as the pains from torture slowly healed the physical wounds, but never the wounds to one’s soul.

“My apologies. These are Sunspears-in-training, assigned to assist me in my duties. Narulia Isilra and Vi Tali Ti, this is Little Tumblepop, the Benevolent Witness.”

“You have very pretty Sunspears under your command, Spearmarshall. Perhaps one of them would like to retire to the quiet life of the monastery,” the monk winked.

“I think I’d rather go on exploring and fighting, which is just about the same, Brother,” Narulia, the dervish in pink robes, winked back.

“And what about you, Sister? We could always use another pair of hands here,” ‘Pop smiled warmly at the elfish monk.

“I’d love to, Brother Little, but it seems like for now, our place is not in this monastery yet!” Vi chirped enthusiastically.

“Not in this monastery? And here I thought I’d look forward to a nice vacation for a few days.”

Devlin and her Sunspears turned to the source of yet another voice.

“Ladies, this is Revel Twist, she’s a good friend and has been here to help me recover,” ‘Pop introduced the red-haired mesmer to the group.

“A mesmer? What exactly happened to you to require a mesmer for healing?”

“I’m sure I can think of a few things, Spearmarshal,” Narulia giggled wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

“’Pop was attacked by a mesmer. Physical wounds aside, whatever demon attacked him also managed to put some deep-seated illusions in his mind. I was called to take a look inside the big man’s head and see how the damage can be reversed,” the small mesmer crossed her arms and nodded.

“She’s helped me quite a lot!” the monk laughed.

“That’s good, but I why are you restless?”

The monk stopped laughing and sighed. He turned to the paragon and shook his head.

“It’s been a week since they left. I’m worried about then, is all.”

“Them? Who’s them?” Vi turned. She had been looking at a dust cloud from the plains.

“He’s talking about the seven other Winds who left to find the source of the attack on Brother ‘Pop,” Revel answered.

“So the stories are true then? Back in Istan, the trainees either want to join the ranks of the Winds or fight against them to test their mettle. I never knew Spearmarshal Moonshade knew of at least one of them!” Vi clapped her hands.

“Congratulations, ‘Pop, you’re somewhat of a celebrity,” Revel chuckled.

“They might as well be halfway there, by now,” ‘Pop smiled and then looked to the east.

“You’re worried for them, Brother. Why? If the stories are half-true, then they are very strong,” Narulia placed her scythe squarely behind her head and rested the haft on her shoulders.

“This time, things are different. They’re going there and the demons will be waiting.”

“Those knuckleheads are going to get into so much trouble then,” Revel shook her head.

“So shall we follow them? It seems to me that it is a most logical course of action to take. If you are too weak, Brother, then we’ll be the ones to go on.”

“I don’t think so, Spearmarshal. I’m not going to miss out on the second field trip!” ‘Pop grinned.

“That’s odd,” Narulia softly said as she pointed to the plains.

“What is it?” Devlin turned and scanned the horizon.

“You see it too? That dust cloud. It’s too small to be a pack of mandragors, and it’s like it’s headed this way!” Vi pointed as well.

“It might be trouble. Let’s go meet it. ‘Pop, you stay here,” Devlin turned to the monk.

“Like the Mists I will,” the big man grinned as he leaned on his staff.


The group got out of the monastery gates just in time to make out a human shape inside the dust cloud. Soon, they could see the ends of a white scarf and cloak billowing as the figure drew closer.

“If it’s what attacked ‘Pop, then we’d better get ready!” Devlin assumed leadership and hefted her spear. The dervish brought her massive scythe to the fore and stood in front of the others. The mesmer stayed near the monks and readied her cane.

As the cloud dew closer, they could see that it was a female ranger that ran towards them. She held no weapons, but they could see twin daggers on her hips and two bows on her back. A few feet away, the ranger leapt to the air and somersaulted. She landed in front of the group and disturbed the dust ever so little.

“Don’t be alarmed, she’s a friend,” Little Tumblepop announced from behind the group.

“I’m Tianya Eilysha,” The ranger introduced herself. “I’m your sixth.”

**

Somewhere in near the Fortress of Jahai, at that same moment…

Finn Ferral shivered.

“What’s wrong?” Akira Shinjo looked up at the tall ranger.

“I just had this feeling. Did you ever get those weird feelings that something ominous is going to happen? Like all of a sudden, you’re being followed or hunted?”

“You’re brain is getting baked inside that unwashed head of yours again,” The assassin shrugged and continued to whistle as the eight of them walked on.

From the direction of the monastery, Vincan Somnium felt a strong wind rush past.