Seeing Beef stuggle with the density of the undergrowth, Angus gives a reassuring scritch behind the ear.
"Easy now, I'll lighten the load." By pushing the sled, and lifting it when needed, Angus attempts to help the sled past the ancient roots.
Turning back to the group, his eyes focusing on Moz. "For your sake, Emerald Fool, this best not be a clever trap to secure the babe for your fey Lords."
Angus turns to Moz's 'familiar' and with a slight bow, begins speaking in Sylvan.
"Noble Sphinx, will you allow us safe passage through your domain?"
As the glade comes into view Cat-Sith swoops out of the sky and lands in the center of the circle of mouse skulls, atop a small mound. Sitting on his hunches his back tall with the bearing of a king overlooking around his realm. A monarch in his rightful place. Turning his amethyst eyes he stares at the approaching party.
Feigning shock and outrage at Angus's comments " You think I would double cross you! That up till now I have been playing you all for fools, till I can snatch the child and flee into the night like some kind of sneak thief!............ You would be correct to think that normally." Patting the big man on the leg. " But we are a wolfpack now and as your Alpha I wouldn't turn on my pack. What kind of leader would that make me." He then puases and gives Angus a sly smile " Of course that IS what someone would say, if they were going betray someone." Cackling with laughter " Will he, won't he, who knows, certainly not me, but I can't wait to find out." Smiling madly.
Watching Angus approach, the Sphinx fegins disinterest. Listening to his words the enigmatic feline finds them......lacking. Turning his head he yawns and shakes his head, before returning to his fegined disinterest.
Looking at Cat-Sith and Angus's request. " Didn't grow up with cats did you. You need way more flattery than that my friend. Got to storke his ego way more. Let me try." Climbing out of the sled He approaches the circle. With a grandiose flappish bow, he prostates himself before the Sphinx and circle of mouse skulls. " Hail Great King Pusskin, Lord and Master of Skipping-a-Derry road, Guardian of Malkin's Door. We have payed tribute in milk and mouse." He decrees in an over the top way. "I beg you to show your greatness and mercy to one so low as me so I may bask in the radiance of your realm" he snivels.
His head still turned in 'disinterest', his eyes half-closed, the Sphinx curls his lip in a sneer showing a single long fang, but flicks his tail. Acceptable......barely.
Fawning and bow Moz crosses the circle of mouse skulls and looks to the others. " Come on! Everyone has to do it." Holding hand to the side of his mouth " He is kinda of petty like that." He say in a loud whisper.
(Cat-Sith's part, and next few posts are written in consult with DM.)
Rivyre takes into account they shared information that Alorin spots that a horse and rider traveled through here recently. She thinks to herself, "Wow, Sir Lorn is really making good time on his spiritual steed! Perhaps there's a mildly decent chance this war can be avoided. I can't imagine a mortal horse being able to ride that fast w/out resting."
After hearing the mildly heated exchange between Angus and Moz, she walks up to Angus & mutters quietly to him,
"He first willingly participates in the ritual to be blood bound with you & Alorin, then proceeds to steal the ceremonial implement, insult your Druid multiple times, & now is blood cursed to forcefully perform a sacrifice to Kromac for the next month or suffer extreme pain. Yet..., he "still" sees himself as the Alpha of your pack. He's either blind, stupid, or both if he truly doesn't believe or understand why you don't trust him. I honestly can't figure him out, but I think you need to put him in his place. You are a Lochlaan, & by my interpretation "YOU" should be the Alpha, not him. Assert your dominance as the blood pact leader & keep him in line. In dealing with the Faerie Roads however, I would probably give him a little wiggle room if he indeed intends to help us with safe passage, but still keep a close eye on him."
She pauses and asks another question inquisitively to Angus, "Did he reveal anything to you about who or what he is in the longhouse participating in that ritual? I do know he hides his physical form behind an illusion. I discovered it when I was treating his wounds @ your cousin's home after our fight in Kromac's Clearing with the undead." She finishes up & says, "I guess we need to venerate our Sphinx here, owner of this Faerie Road to grant us safe passage. I must admit..., i'm going to be a little rusty at this. Haven't done this type of prayer since I was a child..."
She approaches the circle of mouse skulls & in prostration gets down on her knees, bows down, lowers her head, & outstretches her arms in submission to the Sphinx, "Mighty King Pusskin, Guaridan & Lord to Skipping-a-Derry Road of Malkin's Gate, I have presented you w/ offerings to show we mean no disrespect. On your hearth, I shall refrain from spreading the fires of my faith as all we aim is to pass through peacefully. I ask your enchanting grace for mercy & kindness as we travel your domain."
Valanthe gleefully follows Moz's lead, hops into the circle and kneels:
"Oh, Majestic Pusskin, Keeper of Malkin's Gate. Please accept these tributes that we donate As tokens of our respect and awe. For you, Lord of the Fairy Door. Please grant safe passage to humble travellers such as we. For gold and silver are but dirt compared to thee"
The regal cat turns his head casually regreading the Flamekeeper. Hmmmmmm.... such manners and respect, proper for one born of the Fey but unusal for a bearer of Lugh's light and Nauda's flame...... how intriguing. Turning his head the great cat disregards the Flamekeeper once again but does whisk his tail in silent approval.
Cat-Sith cocks his head to the side as Valanthe approaches. A Daughter of Arcadia.... the Fool keeps good company.... but something more. Standing up with the air of an emperor descending his throne. The sphinx circles the kneeling elf. Stopping in front of her he leans in sniffing. Valanthe reaches her outhand slowly, his nose touching her hand before snapping his head back just as quickly. A Queen to be ... he bows his head slightly in recognition of one royal to another and then just as quickly turns his back on her. Walking back to the center, he dismisses her with a single approving whisk of his tail.
Seeing Beef stuggle with the density of the undergrowth, Angus gives a reassuring scritch behind the ear.
"Easy now, I'll lighten the load." By pushing the sled, and lifting it when needed, Angus attempts to help the sled past the ancient roots.
Turning back to the group, his eyes focusing on Moz. "For your sake, Emerald Fool, this best not be a clever trap to secure the babe for your fey Lords."
Angus turns to Moz's 'familiar' and with a slight bow, begins speaking in Sylvan.
"Noble Sphinx, will you allow us safe passage through your domain?"
Moz the Magnificent
As the glade comes into view Cat-Sith swoops out of the sky and lands in the center of the circle of mouse skulls, atop a small mound. Sitting on his hunches his back tall with the bearing of a king overlooking around his realm. A monarch in his rightful place. Turning his amethyst eyes he stares at the approaching party.
Feigning shock and outrage at Angus's comments " You think I would double cross you! That up till now I have been playing you all for fools, till I can snatch the child and flee into the night like some kind of sneak thief!............ You would be correct to think that normally." Patting the big man on the leg. " But we are a wolfpack now and as your Alpha I wouldn't turn on my pack. What kind of leader would that make me." He then puases and gives Angus a sly smile " Of course that IS what someone would say, if they were going betray someone." Cackling with laughter " Will he, won't he, who knows, certainly not me, but I can't wait to find out." Smiling madly.
Watching Angus approach, the Sphinx fegins disinterest. Listening to his words the enigmatic feline finds them......lacking. Turning his head he yawns and shakes his head, before returning to his fegined disinterest.
Looking at Cat-Sith and Angus's request. " Didn't grow up with cats did you. You need way more flattery than that my friend. Got to storke his ego way more. Let me try." Climbing out of the sled He approaches the circle. With a grandiose flappish bow, he prostates himself before the Sphinx and circle of mouse skulls. " Hail Great King Pusskin, Lord and Master of Skipping-a-Derry road, Guardian of Malkin's Door. We have payed tribute in milk and mouse." He decrees in an over the top way. "I beg you to show your greatness and mercy to one so low as me so I may bask in the radiance of your realm" he snivels.
His head still turned in 'disinterest', his eyes half-closed, the Sphinx curls his lip in a sneer showing a single long fang, but flicks his tail. Acceptable......barely.
Fawning and bow Moz crosses the circle of mouse skulls and looks to the others. " Come on! Everyone has to do it." Holding hand to the side of his mouth " He is kinda of petty like that." He say in a loud whisper.
(Cat-Sith's part, and next few posts are written in consult with DM.)
She finishes up & says, "I guess we need to venerate our Sphinx here, owner of this Faerie Road to grant us safe passage. I must admit..., i'm going to be a little rusty at this. Haven't done this type of prayer since I was a child..."
She approaches the circle of mouse skulls & in prostration gets down on her knees, bows down, lowers her head, & outstretches her arms in submission to the Sphinx, "Mighty King Pusskin, Guaridan & Lord to Skipping-a-Derry Road of Malkin's Gate, I have presented you w/ offerings to show we mean no disrespect. On your hearth, I shall refrain from spreading the fires of my faith as all we aim is to pass through peacefully. I ask your enchanting grace for mercy & kindness as we travel your domain."
Valanthe gleefully follows Moz's lead, hops into the circle and kneels:
"Oh, Majestic Pusskin, Keeper of Malkin's Gate.
Please accept these tributes that we donate
As tokens of our respect and awe.
For you, Lord of the Fairy Door.
Please grant safe passage to humble travellers such as we.
For gold and silver are but dirt compared to thee"
Cat-Sith
The regal cat turns his head casually regreading the Flamekeeper. Hmmmmmm.... such manners and respect, proper for one born of the Fey but unusal for a bearer of Lugh's light and Nauda's flame...... how intriguing. Turning his head the great cat disregards the Flamekeeper once again but does whisk his tail in silent approval.
Cat-Sith
Cat-Sith cocks his head to the side as Valanthe approaches. A Daughter of Arcadia.... the Fool keeps good company.... but something more. Standing up with the air of an emperor descending his throne. The sphinx circles the kneeling elf. Stopping in front of her he leans in sniffing. Valanthe reaches her outhand slowly, his nose touching her hand before snapping his head back just as quickly. A Queen to be ... he bows his head slightly in recognition of one royal to another and then just as quickly turns his back on her. Walking back to the center, he dismisses her with a single approving whisk of his tail.