Return from Frostfell: Chapter 4 (The Final Chapter)

Annika · Post by **Annika** » Wed Jan 19, 2005 4:21 am

*In following his tracks, the two Bear Riders, Arthos, Ravinal and Vir-Drake finally spot Donovan at the edge of the Red Ice Plains. Donovan is still, but alert and a visible change has come over him.*

((Okay guys, roleplay this out through PMs/mIRC/telephone, etc. Whatever you need to do this privately and quickly so we can wrap things up!

))

Annika · Post by **Annika** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 12:28 pm

*It is nightfall by the time the rest of the Havenites reach the end of the Red Plains and meet back up again with the two Bear Riders, Ravinal, Vir-Drake, Arthos, and Donovan about fifty yards away.*

*Annika will turn to Don Mayo and Midnight, who have been her escort and indicate the following:*

"I do not plan on using the magical means the rest of your group plans on doing. I just don't think that I am ready. I shall be staying behind and walking the Path that life will lead me. Please go on without me, as I am certain you are anxious to return home."

*As the rest of the group presses forward towards the scouting party and Donovan, the two Bear Riders who had been with Donovan walk back towards the Red Plains boundary (which is distinguished by the red tinge) and bow to Annika, while nodding to the other Riders. Annika will wait until she has a goodly distance so that she can speak privately to the Riders alone. The Riders face looking out of the Plains watching after the people of Haven, while Annika turns her back in towards the Plains to look directly at the Riders and address them.*

Corbyn · Post by **Corbyn** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 4:19 pm

Annika, your guidance out of Frostfell has proven true. Should your Path lead someday to Haven, you will find our offer to reside there in peace still valid. May your travels be blessed.

Arthos, please make ready for us to portal home with the other magi.

*Moves past Annika and asks Donovan to speak with him privately.*

Kidwynn · Post by **Kidwynn** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 4:29 pm

*When they make camp for the night, Kidwynn returns into the fold from scouting ahead. She appears actually worse then before she headed out. It's obvious what is wrong, she is exhausted, but will not admit it to herself, let alone anyone else. When she returns she wraps up in a blanket and heads towards the fire keeping watch at the campsite.*

*She looks over at Anika*

Anika, before you, I guess leave. What was learned about Donovan? By the way, didn't get a chance to do this, but thank-you for sending out a search party for him.

*Kidwynn begins rubbing her hands together desperately trying to warm up.*

Midnight · Post by **Midnight** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 6:25 pm

*Midnight looks disappointed that Annika will not be accompanying them through the portal*

Good company, you have been.

*she tips her head to the side, as is her habit, and smiles*

Journey safely, you should take care to do. Ask one of the bear riders to accompany you, perhaps you should?

Teach you magic, we shall, when make it to Haven, you do!

*smiles as little sparkles of magic tingle at her fingertips, after the long weeks of not using any*

Annika · Post by **Annika** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 7:26 pm

*Annika nods politely to Corbyn, Kidwynn, Don Mayo and Midnight. She then turns to address the Riders. After about five minutes or so one of the Bear Riders hands her her bedroll and camping gear and Annika walks over to a place (still in the Red Plains, approximately 100 yards away from the rest of the group) by two very large boulders and begins setting up her camp. The group of Bear Riders begins trekking back from whence they came.*

McEwan · Post by **McEwan** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 8:44 pm

McEwan trundles after the departing Bearriders, speaks breafly, then offers one his hand.

Annika · Post by **Annika** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 10:23 pm

*After some discussion, all five of the Bear Riders shake McEwan's hand in a forearm-grip style, one after the other and nod graciously to him. If nothing else is said, they walk off back into the Red Plains.*

((I'm giving this thread until Sunday to conclude it, so please roleplay accordingly and expediently.

))

Onimaster · Post by **Onimaster** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 12:36 pm

Shale looks at Annika and the others skeptically. He mutters in a way that is obvious that he intends someone to answer him, “So, Annika is walking back to Haven by herself... Through unfamiliar territories... Unescorted... Does that strike anyone else as a seriously bad plan? I mean, shouldn’t at least one of us stay with her?”

Kidwynn · Post by **Kidwynn** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 12:45 pm

*Kidwynn, noticing the behavior out of Shale, looks up from the fire. Voice cold as if just spaking manner of factly.*

Have a feeling she knows what she is doing. Perhaps she needs the time alone to find herself. Perhaps it's some sort of right of passage. Who are we to judge.

If she wanted to head back with us right now, she probably would. She has had a lot to deal with just like the rest of us.

Besides, she may not be heading to Haven right away. She may have other places she would like to travel to first.

Onimaster · Post by **Onimaster** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 1:10 pm

Shale looks back at Kidwynn, “Who are we to judge? Who are we not to care if someone gets killed in the wastes all alone by demons, bandits, or ‘Light knows what’ without even offering help? How about the Phoenix Guard... that’s who we are.

She may know what she’s doing, but even the best of us shouldn’t be caught alone in these times, on a trek like this, and given who we have on the loose. She may not be coming with us because she isn’t quite comfortable with magic yet, or any number of things.”

Shale looks over at Annika with a gauged stare looking for a reaction or hint what’s going on. “All I know is that Midnight suggested the bear riders accompany her, and they tossed her gear to her and headed out in the opposite direction.”

Kidwynn · Post by **Kidwynn** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 1:16 pm

*Kidwynn looks over to Shale and appears as if she is going to say something and then bites her tongue. Still talking coldly.*

Whatever, I need some air.

*Gets up and begins moving more on the outskirts of the campsite before stopping for a moment to half-turn back in the direction she just left.*

You want to question her judgement, then go talk to her.

Nelkie · Post by **Nelkie** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 2:00 pm

*Arthos nods to Corybns orders and gets to work*

As people are getting ready and the circle is being started, he walks over to Annika and quietly talks to her.

Onimaster · Post by **Onimaster** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 2:15 pm

Shale gives Kidwynn her space and walks after Arthos to see what's going on with Annika.

Donmayo · Post by **Donmayo** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 7:20 pm

*Using more words that he has spoken on the entire rest of the trip to and from Donmayo gives out his advice to the house and guild leaders.

It would seem that we are at an impasse, you see back long ago when we first started out for Frostfell, we sent an initial force to prepare the receiving circle. Who will be making a receiving circle for our trip home, after all we are some weeks past due. Do we trust our fates into the hands of mages left behind that they would have the will to keep casting their circles day in and day out, potentially endangering themselves and the location from which they cast to force unknown such as the wraiths… Further, as of yet no one has stated if the caster of the sending circle can go through the portal he creates. From all I have seen this is impossible. It would seem wise, for us to draw straws or ask for volunteers to go first so we do not inadvertently kill all of us. Then once that group makes it… if they do, they could return straightway and we could all go through. Not to mention that I find it difficult to leave anyone alone out here in the wild, especially one that has been given to my charge.