Ethari sat down on a rotted stump, sweat pouring down his brow from his long hike through the forest. He had just returned from the Sanctuary of Angels and was hoping to reach the Village of Estolad. He knew that it was going to be a long hike, almost from shore to shore. He had hoped to cut through the mountains that divided the two sides, but didn't want to risk walking inside the Swamp of Shadows. He had decided that when he hit the rain forest, he would turn and cross the mountains, which then would lead him to the Misty forest, and from there, it would be easy traveling. He was hoping there would be room to travel to Aluanta Falls and relax, like he had heard many others did.

Ethari stood up again, still sweating profusely from his long journey, and the longer journey still ahead. Tarkin, his Balance priest came from behind, sweating just as much as Ethari, and had a exhausted looking dove, Cataraza, perching on his shoulder. A small new came from behind, moving rapidly, and then it quickly crawled up Ethari's leg, and then perched itself on his back. Ethari chuckled, and continued onward, panting.

After about an hour or so, he saw a strange plant. It was rather tall, about as tall as him, and had an exotic pink flower perched on top. Ethari tilted his head sideways to get better look, and unexpectedly, the flower opened and shot a barb into Ethari's neck. Ethari yelped in pain and quickly yanked it out, and his vision became blurry. He soon found himself plummeting to the ground, unconscious. He could hear the faint cries of Tarkin, shaking him and trying to wake him up, but it was to late.

******** ((Tarkin's view))
Tarkin quickly pulled Ethari away, and placed him on a stump. He notice the plants roots heading towards were Ethari was, but with no luck, since he had moved him. Tarkin sighed, hoping that it was a sign that the effects weren't permanent, and faded slowly, giving the plant time to consume the victim. He muttered a spell and cast heal on Ethari, and Ethari smiled, obvisiously feeling the affects. Tarkin let out a sigh, and flopped down, exhausted.

Sucking on the splinter she'd gotten in her thumb, Shelendri sat in the vee of the base of a branch high up one of the trees and looked around her. She wasn't lost, rather she was just confirming her direction. It would be easy to get lost in such a angle of trees and undergrowth, and it wasn't an experience she wanted.
She was travelling through the rainforest because she didn't want to chance getting lost in the Swamp of Shadows. That certainly wasn't something she wanted to repeat.
One of her legs dangled down from the branch, and she swang it lightly as her gaze continued to travel. Satisfied that she was still going in the right direction, she began to climb down. When she was two metres from the ground, she heard someone cry out. She glanced around quickly to see if she could see who it was, but the trees were in the way. Dropping the last distance, she set off in the direction the cry had come from. Pushing through some thick bushed, she saw Ethari, one of the angles she had met at the Sanctary of Angles, unconcious on the ground with a man leaning over him. She hurried closer, and then something shot out at her from a tall plant. Dodging back, she skidded to a halt and frowned at the plant. Had it just attacked her?
She glanced over at Ethari, who seemed to be coming round. He had a row of welts on the side of his neck, telling her that it probably was the plant that was responsible for his condition. The other man flopped down beside him. Shelendri moved closer, being careful to avoid the plant. "What's going on here? What happened to Ethari?" She had a pretty good idea, but she wanted confirmation.

Zakarias had just finished up an interesting month first he met an Orc named Mongo whom had a desire to kill Ethari he old companion. Later he met the very same Ethari! Wow reflecting back with such glorious memories made Zak forget what he was doing. Below him a tall plant shot a barb in his direction barley having the time to dodge Zak flew to the right and barely managed escape. Or so he thought, the barb had gone through a feather. Nothing severe but still an injury.

Zak realized he must tend to it lest it become infected, so he cast down his wings and careful to avoid the plant he touched down behind a massive tree. He bent his wing to address the wound when in the distance he heard a voice.

on here? What happened to Ethari?"

Ethari?? No it couldn't be the same one, and yet they had only departed a month ago. But something about that voice... Zak followed where he thought he heard the voice come from and low and behold there in the distance was Ethair and Shelendri! Oddly enough they were close to a tree...no that was the same plant he passed. Wow what a coincdence Zak walked into the camp-like congreagation and saw Ethari in quite bad shape, asked what the matter was had no purpose here as Shelendri had already done so he would get his answers soon in the mean time he took to addressing the man that was apparently one of Ethari's followers.

"Have you anything to bring him back around? Surely in your sacthel?"

********(Tarkin's view)
Tarkin finished his heal spell, exhausted from the hike and mana energy usage combined. It had been a long journey, and casting a spell like that made him more tired. He had hopefully healed the wound made by the poison dart, and thinned out the poison in the blood, but it wouldn't be neutralized. It would take a more specialized spell to try and heal poison, but he could help the wound, and protect the body from the poison.

Just as Tarkin reached a relaxing position, Cataraza nudged his head. He looked in the direction she nudged him, and saw the same pink flowered plant firing at another target. Tarkin regained his composure and looked at the newcomer. It was a lady, that he had never meet before, but she bore some similarities to a lady Ethari had talked about from his adventure in the Sanctuary of Angels.

"What's going on here? What happened to Ethari?" she said concerned. Tarkin could see a look on her face, a grim look, like she almost knew that it was a poison from the plant. Tarkin began to speak, but held his tongue as another approached. It was another angel, and looked like another Ethari had described from his adventures. "Have you anything to bring him back around? Surely in your satchel?"

Tarkin said calmly "Don't worry, I think he's going to be just fine. A barb was shot by the vibrant plant, not to far away from here, and passed out, due to the plants natural poison. I have come to the conclusion that it is not a fatal poison, but merely causing him to sleep, maybe for an hour or so. I assume this, for after he was shot, I moved him to this stump, and saw the plant reaching out with his roots immediately. If it were fatal, It would have desintegrated his bones, and kill him. Feel free to rest, and wait till Ethari wakes, and speak if you like. As for what I've done to help, I have healed him with the arts of Balance. Before you leave, I recommend you take an anti venom, by drinking a bit of the poison, to strengthen your own immune systems to it." He pointed towards a small puddle nearby, were a poisen dart had missed Ethari. "A finger of it should suffice" he said, and did so.

Tarkin pulled out Ethari's bed roll from him, and laid it out on the ground and gently rest Ethari on it, so he could have a peaceful rest. He then sat on the stump, and kept watch on him, so no predators disturbed his sleep.

Shelendri looked up with surprise when Zak came into the clearing. "Zak! What are you doing here? Wait, never mind. It's good to see you." Her gaze went back to Ethari as the stranger spoke. So, a poison that caused the victim to sleep. Being a stable master, she knew a bit about using plants to heal, but she didn't know anything that could help here, and her healing magic would just be overkill for something like this. Probably best to just let Ethari sleep it off.
Sitting down, she looked up at Zak again and noticed the small wound on the angel's wing. "Zak, did that plant get you too? You should probably sit down. It tried to get me, but I saw it in time and I've got good enough reflexes to dodge it."
She turned her gaze to the stranger. "My name's Shelendri, by the way. I know Ethari, and Zak, from the Sanctuary of Angels. We fought some demons together. What's your name? And as you are obviously a friend of Ethari's, I hope that you will let me think of you as a friend as well." She smiled at the man, but there was still a slight tension in her body. If that plant tried to get them, she would be ready. An arrow made of flame would be just the thing to deal with it.

Zak listened calmy to this stranger who was clearly a friend of Ethari's.

"Don't worry, I think he's going to be just fine. A barb was shot by the vibrant plant, not to far away from here, and passed out, due to the plants natural poison. I have come to the conclusion that it is not a fatal poison, but merely causing him to sleep, maybe for an hour or so. I assume this, for after he was shot, I moved him to this stump, and saw the plant reaching out with his roots immediately. If it were fatal, It would have desintegrated his bones, and kill him. Feel free to rest, and wait till Ethari wakes, and speak if you like. As for what I've done to help, I have healed him with the arts of Balance. Before you leave, I recommend you take an anti venom, by drinking a bit of the poison, to strengthen your own immune systems to it."


Taking his advice quite grudginly Zak approached the stranger and took a small portion of the venom and drank it as instructed. He could feel a slight bit of exhaustion but it seemed to fade away rather quickly. He stood at his full hieght stretching his wings when it came to him though it may only be an hour before Ehtari woke it could be longer before he was ready for travel. telling this to the stranger he began to turn towards the woods.

"Oh what was your name again?___Oh thank you ___....Shelendri will you come with me?"

((Sorry about this Shel but I needed to assume you would go I need to have a conversation with you but if you have a problem say so))

She rose and came into the deeper woods with him to gather firewood. As they were walking and presumably a good distance from camp Zak spoke to her gently.

"Dear friend I have a problem I need your help with Ethari may judge, I have had quite a few experieneces of late but it has come to me that though I do consider myself a good creature, I continnue to do rash things. I do not think I am evil though it is within me...maybe a neutral approach would be better. Though all my life I have not done so I wonder if it would be better if I became one of balance and justice rather than the pure goodness I try my best to disillusion myself with...?"

What do you think?

******(Tarkins view)((I'm going to assume that the space is were I say what Tarkin's name))
Tarkin watched as Ethari's two friends looked on, concerned. He listened at what they had to say. "My name's Shelendri, by the way. I know Ethari, and Zak, from the Sanctuary of Angels. We fought some demons together. What's your name? And as you are obviously a friend of Ethari's, I hope that you will let me think of you as a friend as well," said Shlendri. She smiled, but seemed tensed, and her hand ready to cast a spell at the slightest hint of danger. That made Tarkin feel safe, for he knew no offensive magic, and was only skilled at hand to hand combat, and would not prove to usefull in combat.

Tarkin returned her smile politely, and said "I'm Tarkin, a Balance priest to help Ethari on his quest for Balance. As for the others," he said pointing towards a dove and newt on a bench ", is Cataraza and Raha." As he finished, the other angel, asked to pull Shelendri aside. He assumed it would be to talk to her about something, presumably about Ethari or each other.

Tarkin began to relax on the stump, assuming that Ethari wouldn't wake for about another hour or so, so he might as well rest and regain his strength, so they continue there travels, and not lose time. If they were to continue there travels, he would definitely have to regain strength.

*****(Ethari's view)
Ethari's eyelids fluttered, as he tried his hardest to wake up. But he was so tried. 'I have to wake up' he thought. He thought he was hearing voices, voices besides Tarkin. Was he in trouble? No, no, it was a familiar voice, a voice of a friend. With that in mind, Ethari rested.

((I have no problem with following you Zak))

Shelendri's smiled widened a bit when Tarkin told her his name, but she declined drinking the plant's venom. She looked up when Zak asked her to go with him, and stood to follow him. They walked for a time gathering firewood, when he turned to her and spoke gently. "Dear friend I have a problem I need your help with Ethari may judge, I have had quite a few experieneces of late but it has come to me that though I do consider myself a good creature, I continnue to do rash things. I do not think I am evil though it is within me...maybe a neutral approach would be better. Though all my life I have not done so I wonder if it would be better if I became one of balance and justice rather than the pure goodness I try my best to disillusion myself with...?"
She frowned slightly, considering what he'd said. "You're not an evil person. If you act rashly some times, so what? Most people do. But if you feel that following the path of balance is what would be right for you, then you should do it. Though I have to admit that I've always found those who stick to being neutral to be annoying. They never get involved in anything. But at the end of the day, it's up to you. Do you want to dedicate yourself to balance? Or are you just thinking about it because meeting up with your brother again has made you doubt yourself?" She said this gently. If that was why he was thinking about it, then she would do her best to alie his worries.

"You're not an evil person. If you act rashly some times, so what? Most people do. But if you feel that following the path of balance is what would be right for you, then you should do it. Though I have to admit that I've always found those who stick to being neutral to be annoying. They never get involved in anything. But at the end of the day, it's up to you. Do you want to dedicate yourself to balance? Or are you just thinking about it because meeting up with your brother again has made you doubt yourself?"

"I suppose your right, but it is not my desire to follow so much neutrality more so than Time itself, recently I have recieved a gift from him.
((Reference to no current Time God))

I can see everything slow down and take its course ever so lightly, and yet in the waking dusk I see the death of life and the end of man-kind. For it is my knowledge that he will last longer than any creation and that when he is gone time will not be existant. I feel forced to follow him. Yes there is the pull from my brother yes but is end will be quick and swift. Though I am powerful enough I still have a stlight problem...Verigo is stronger and no matter my strentgh I cannot defeat him unless I can gain the speed I have never had. I want to ally myself with the TIme God for he is an active neutral a noticable friend." Under his breath he wept a phrase he had spoken before but now it had new meaning,

" Time and tide...." Turning to Shelendri and taking her hand Zak begged her.

" Shelendri I wish to be a servent of the TIme God, do you bless me in this venture?"

Shelendri listened to him, and felt relieved when he said he wasn't doing this because of his brother. So, he wanted to align himself to Time. Well, to each his own. For herself, she would forever and always be aligned to Nature, because of being a druid.
She blinked when Zak suddenly turned to her and took hold of her hand. " Shelendri I wish to be a servent of the TIme God, do you bless me in this venture?"
She blinked again. "You want me to bless you?" She frowned slightly at him. "Why me? I mean, I'm not a priestess, or anything like that. I'm just a druid. And I'm not aligned to Time. Shouldn't you get someone like that to bless you?" She was a bit uncertain. No one had ever asked her to bless them before, and she wasn't sure she was even allowed to. And how does one go about blessing someone, anyway?

Zak stred deep into the dephts of the rainforest to see only darkness and light fighting eachother for what was right....he had to make a choice a wise choice. Time was everywhere it would create not only everything but everyone and their lives would be enhanced by the beauty of time if they knew him. Yet there was still a pain about knowing time knowing when it will end and begin...Zak was scared for the first time since he witnessed his brother fall from grace. Afraid of what might happen to himself or more importantly to his friends if he went down this road. Bowing gently toward Shelendri he began to turn back to camp. It was wrong of him to force this choice upon her, this was his own and it would forever be his own. Darting a glance in each direction Zak left Shelendri there in the forest, afraid of his feelings afraid of what could happen.

So entranced by his thoughts Zak stumbled over a branch...catching himself on a tree trunk Zak experienced the result that was life altering. Masses of light and wondered swirled around Zak and a gentle light stream lead him to a massive door with runes and ornamnets....beauty was massing here for some reason. A true burst of insight lead Zak to realize that it was not he that could make a decision for himself, but the Goddess for he. Logging this into his mind he set on for camp, hoping to find Ethari up and awake.

*******(Tarkin's view)
Tarkin sat on the stump, hands on his eyes, exhaustion overcoming him. He stood up, and laid on the floor next to Ethari, and began to drift asleep, hoping to rest before Ethari wanted to begin traveling again. After about a restful half hour asleep, he heard a sigh, and a rustle in the leaves. Tarkin sat up immediately, and looked around, to find Ethari standing, rubbing his eyes.

*******(Ethari's view)
Ethari heard the peaceful sounds of some one else's breath. 'Oh,' he thought 'it must be my turn to take a watch. I had no idea it was night time.' Ethari stood up, and to his surprise, it wasn't dark out, but rather bright. Ethari turned to face Tarkin, who was also just awaking, and asked "what's happening."

Tarkin looked surprised, and smiled and said brightly "Your awake! Thank goodness, I feared that you would never wake up!" Ethari looked at him strangely, and said "What do you mean..... oh wait! I remember! The plant that shot those darts at me! What happened while I was out. I remember hearing some familiar voices, was it just you?"

Tarkin smiled and said "you have some friends here! A lady named Shelendri and another angel whose name I believe is Zak." Ethari's smiled broadened as he remembered the two. "Great" he said enthusiastically "I've been wanting to see them for quite some time now." Ethari whistled loudly, trying to get his familiars to him. After a minute or two, Cataraza came flying down, and landed on Tarkin's shoulder. Rahu skittered down one of the nearby trees, and climbed up Ethari's back, and perched himself on his shoulder.

"Where are they now Tarkin?" Ethari inquired. Tarkin pointed into the rain forest and said "they went out to talk, I'm sure they will be returning shortly." Ethari began to pace, and awaited there arrival.

Shelendri frowned when Zak bowed to her and walked away. Her hand lifted and she took a step after him. "Zak?" There was no answer. She watched him disappear into the gloom of the forest. His actions confused her. First he asks her for her blessing, and then he walks away before she could give it. And if having her blessing would have helped, she would have given it, as a friend. Shaking her head, she turned and began gathering up the wood they had collected. Maybe he wanted to be alone. She knew how that felt, so she was more then willing to respect his need for solitude. But why hadn't he waited for her blessing? It was strange.
Shaking her head, lifted the wood and she headed back to Ethari and Tarkin. With Ethari in his current condition, Zak wouldn't stray far, and he was bound to come back to the clearing sooner or later. Stepping over a fallen log, she paused for a moment. The events that had happened to her since coming to Arda certainly were strange. She was making friends all sorts of people, and fighting more enimies in one battle then what she'd guessed to fight in her whole lifetime. She smiled slightly to herself and started walking again. Well, she'd just have to keep going on the path she'd chosen to see where she'd end up.
The sunlight in the clearing blinded her for a moment after the dimness of the forest. When her vision cleared, she saw Ethari pacing. Dropping the wood, she ran over and grabbed his hand. "Ethari! You're okay! We were worried about you, weren't we Tarkin." She grinned at Tarkin, then turned back to Ethari. "You are okay, right? No ill effects from the plants poison?"