THE~MOON~SAGA : of ZARNOTH

Wow I would really like to join this ,but I just registered actually so forgive me if I am a bit.....bad at this.....

Awesome! Love it!

its ok, just have fun with it. You can actually enjoy trying new poetic writing skills too, you don't have to be a pro

For example, to make this as magical as possible:
Alliteration (example) diving dreadfully downward
Rhyme (example....everyone knows this one!)
we came accross a laughing stream whose face was belit by a single moon beam.

and then of course you can play with pattern, line length and whatever you want. Lets make some characters, or, describe some settings and see where characters can spring from. Here goes:
The Night was clear as polished jet over Zarnoth
a land that lied between two great bodies of water
called Alnith and Uhl, the waters of wishes and dreams;
The moths were all that stirred as the night awakened;
Their ashen wings aerial, winding through williow branches
and landing over the cryptic engraven monoliths
that lined the the edges of Alnith, looming, silhouetted
by the band of crimson at the horizon; conclave and of Eld,
that faced the city Zarnath.
Disturbing the just rousing gloaming was a moonbathed maiden.
Her hair was the color of abyss, long down to her knees.
She was fair as a white rose, with garnet eyes
and by the look of her features, ethereal
and by her dark beaded, Milenian garments
one could assume that she was valley nympha
hailed from far, far away.
Behind her sprung an equally beautiful maiden
from out of the dark
whose hair was the hue of silver dust, loose and long about
her gleaming shoulders, smooth as sea stones polished by the ages.
and her skin was as dusky as the other maiden's was fair
This beauty had eyes like ancient amber, vestige of her youth.
The two crouched low in the tangled, gnarled weeds and dead trees
their faces like stone, eyes fixed over Alnith
whose black surface was bespeckled by moonstruck wave arches
and the broken reflection of the marvelous Moon up high.
One could see Alnith in the seperations between the monoliths,
an action that thrilled and filled one with arcane awe.
"This water never sleeps, dear sister Apfel" said the raven haired maiden;
"Indeed, Granat, like a perpetual spell" replied the silver haired, graven.

I'm interested. Something like Beowulf?

EDIT: Structurally, of course.

yes, exactly. You can introduce whatever characters, plots or settings that you want, telling the story of one or more characters, or joining into what someone else has already written. Together they compile to form The Moon Sagas, or, Moonchild Sagas. Whichever anyone agrees upon.

okay let me try;

Somewhere in the waters not far away,
near the waters calm moonlit bay,
a maiden stepped from it soaking wet,
she was too far to tell if she was happy or upset,
either guess would loose its bet.
The maiden turned around at the place she had met.

Her skin was close to crystal clear white,
even if it wasn't lit be the moon light,
Her grey eyes danced over the waves,
then they turned to a sparkling blue,
what colour next no one had a clue,
Her hair was of a silvery blonde
and many thought if they blinked
she would be gone.

No one yet saw her unusual feature,
as she rose from the waves with a cry,
that sounded like a tortured sigh,
Mark my worlds for she flew high above the waves
and as she turned around in the night time sky
she fell from the sky with out a single goodbye,
from the magic that filled and captured her there.

So she fell down diving to the ground
landed in the earth without a sound.
On the ground her blood did run
faster than the rising sun
For now she looked more like a child,
Her clothes were dirty and her hair not neat
Her though held a youthful beauty was stained with mud and blood

The only thing that was unusual about her
was what sprung from her back through torn clothes.
Two wings of a shadow black arched out showing the wound
torn in the midst of their black scales.
She fell not far from the two maidens and with the strength
she still had, she crawled the short length,
She sat quietly behind so still
wondering waiting watching.


It came out better than I expected ,but it still isn't great.....Oh well I'll improve I hope

Amazing! I can't wait to continue on: this time I'll use some rhyme instead of just alliteration.

"Apfel, look thither, a creature does stir!" cried the graven Granat,
Her sister's eyes darted in her pointed direction
first to where the water conveyed moon's waxen reflection
then to the pale beauty lying wounded on the earth.
Apfel, able and the carrier of the sister's bundle
sprinted through the darkness, passed the weeds, withered, damp
and took a wind-fairy from the air to use as a lamp:
She gazed down upon the creature, and began to untie her sack,
unloosed the clothe fastening from her back
and proceeded to remove herbal oils and tying-cloth.
Alighting upon her arm, one of the omen-like moths.
"O' creature, from whence have you come?
From Milenia, Solunaris, or the Zedran kingdom?
What manner of young elf, fye or nymph
art thou lying here, wounded in the wing?".
Before any questions could be answed, Granat appeared
lowering her dagger and her beautifully carved spear.
"Might she be a seraff, fallen from the sky
wounded by a Serpus, whose grip, away from, she did fly?"
asked the cautious Granat, who helped her sister
apply healing herbal oils to the wounded maiden's wounds
quick enough to not attract the dead-flesh hungry ghouls.

She looked at the two and replied with a sigh
that reflected the things she had gone by
She touched her black wings
and a tear rolled down her cheek
as she cried "Woe!"
Her black wings flapped meekly
as she continued her tale

"I hail from a place even I do not know,
I was cherished and loved until...
the day wings of darkness and shadows grew here.
They drove me out of town even my once beloved
gave glares of hatred and disgust.
Oh woe for now my name is forgotten!
I remember none, but only hate!
I remember none."

She finished her story and her gaze lingered
to the spear held in the maiden's grip
and for a moment her concentration slipped.
"If you really wish to finish me now,
I bid thee be quick and swift."
She said in a hushed voice.
Her wings flapped again and a chink was heard
a small tied pouch slipped out of her pocket.

She untied it and opened it to her eyes only.
"Ah...my treasures they are safe."
She reached in the bag and held out her hand.
Two metallic chinks and she revealed
a stone of pure white and a stone of pure green
set in different metals in the form of necklaces
set fit for the two maidens.

I skipped the rhyming for some parts cause the words are hard to rhyme with, by the way love your poem/story.

(This is getting interesting, I'm dying to add danger,mystique and beautiful things. Its okay to skip on rhymes. I may not use it this time around. Its fun to switch it up)

Granat pointed her bejeweled spear towards
the hurting creature before her, and declared:
"Forgotten fae from afar, 'tis you
who beckons me to end your waning life,
but I feel it not in my heart to slay you,
for you offer my kin and I beauteous gifts from your home-land,
a token from a blessed hand".
Granat thus bowed her head and yielded her spear.

Apfel bowed her head, then stooped low before the winged-one
and accepted both pendants for herself and her sister:
"Might there be anything else besides herbal oils
that I can offer you, kind lady from the Unknown?
It was here, to this desolate land you have flown
under an ominous moon to-night
so fragile yet pure of heart, you might be solid moonlight...".
Granat offered the maiden some Milenian jewels;
deep violet-red gems set in ornate pewter.

Thus spoke Granat:
"You must have a name and origin, dear
if we can be of help to you from here,
so be it; for we are traveling away from home.
We hail from Milenia, from the Clan of Nyxyr
and know what it feels like to be sick with longing
for what has been lost.
There are awful things that threaten
to denigrate the perfect order of things in this world--
Apfel and I endeavor to find a home here
for we were exiled from our own.
Our clan was wiped blank from the earth by a horde
of fellow creatures that thought us improperly bred.
That horde grows in Milenia with each passing night
and may find its way here to Zarnoth,
by the power gained from wielding Death like a blade".

Apfel's garnet eyes lowered with transitory despair
and a gloom was cast over her pale features,
and she looked like moribund flower in the dusk and darkness.
Granat however, took her hand to her sister's chin
and raised it up.
She lay eyes upon the nameless winged maiden
and said unto her:
"Please join us if you will it.
For a clan is better than a lonely vagabond
against the dreaded might of an Arcanite Horde.
The Arcanites will surely reach Zarnoth
and will desire to have my sister and I's heads.
By the stars, I cannot see a different consequence,
as even the zephyrs seem to whisper Death to me
whenever I breathe in".

Soon, they heard the sounds of howling
of hellish moans and bleats of suffering from afar,
and Granat's amber eyes widened with fear and loathe.
"Be that them, and I shall lose my maidenly composure
and become as wild as the Seas awakened by the Moon--
arms and legs will fly in all directions!".
Granat, pushed her sister towards the nameless orphan
and bounded in the direction of the bestial bewailing
which seemed to come from victims
of whatever tumult lie ahead.

Apfel leaned closer to the wounded maiden at her side
and shivered like a leaf at the thought of Granat dying.

Night-dark shadows perched on far horizons
Clawed and barbed, with mouthfuls of razor-teeth
Behind her, hair like dark glossed raven feathers
Flew Granat to the demons on the wind

From beneath her travel cloak she pulled free
With a slick metallic ring from its sheath
A blade cut into lethal jagged sides
And plunged her sword into one creature's belly

Underneath the shades' scattering footsteps
Granat caught sight of a nomad's wagon
Smashed to pieces, looted, and left to rot
Its riders dead and mangled not far away

With a cry that froze the blood in their veins
Granat pivoted, eyes flashing, teeth bared
Ready to reap souls in Death's place tonight
Her sword's intricacies reflecting light

The winged child grasp the gems in her hand,
She turned to the maiden still left at her side,
"Oh Yes please I shall accompany you!
So long have i waited for companies and
know my chance is here."
The winged child smiled and her revealed
sharp fangs then frowned and turned away.
"What does tha call thyself? For surely must have
a name."

She turned towards the howls that rode on the wind
before she glanced back at the maiden shivering
by her wounded side.
She touched her hair and a dagger woven in
shifted into her small palm. "Click"
The dagger revealed a long leather whip.
She stood in the moon light and her wound was healed.

"Stay." She said in a voice of old blood and many battled past,
an order not a suggestion so unlike her childish voice.
In the light she felt her energy flow like before.
She felt older, wiser and grimmer than ever before.

Her black wings flapped and their form faded.
They were a solid gas that misted around
blurring her image as she blended into night.
She ran with a fury her wings lifting her ever so slightly.
Her eyes were red and she smiled a deviled grin.
For now and that moment she would be unbound
just for that moment she held and ripped her chain off
her pale neck and hell was released.

She felt the rush and wind, the fury and power,
She was unbound and she loved it so
She faded into the night without a sound
as she crept upon where the other maiden was,
_Flash!_ She felt the creatures upon them both
craving for flesh and marrow of bone.

Magic filled her being, magic of old blood
magic that was the cause of chaos.
She took out many a creature then...
she felt it a deeper energy rise.
She was too far, too far now.
She gripped the chain still in her hand
as the arrow sailed high and pierced her.
Another wound found in her wings again
she thought as the world dimmed.

A young hunter stood in the chaos holding a spear of bone.
"Flee!" He cried to the maiden which he saw.
"Leave the child! She is of no use now!"
He cried as he dashed off to see another maiden shivering
"You must flee with your friend for this is no place for young
maiden like thou." He said to her.

"I fear not, I am Apfel of Nyxyr
a clan of warring mixed-bloods
from the Milenian wilderness.
My sister Granat fights the beasts now,
and has both dagger and spear.
I have faith enough that I wait here;
O' winged one, suddenly so ravenous,
I wonder what thou art!
O hunter, from whence came yee?
Are you native to Zarnoth,
or foreign like me?"

Apfel rose, but did not touch the staff
that was carried on her back;
It was a varnished onyx staff
whose head was a ring, that circumferenced
a glittering teal jewel.
Engraved on its surface, picked out by moonlight
were peculiar and arcane circles
concentric rings that formed what seemed to be a language.
Bangles hung from the main large ring, the staff's head,
and chimed with Apfel's every delicate move.
Unlike her sister, Apfel was frail and wore heavier clothing
as if bitten by the cooling night air.

Soon, something rose from the darkness.
A ghoul wandered through the hazy green mist
its large, bulging eyes
caught light
and casted cold fear in the gentle Apfel;
"I, hailing from Milenia, where ghouls haunt not
have never layed eyes upon one!
O' sister Granat, I wish to fight as well
but I cannot fight with a Solunarian katna!"

Apfel backed away towards a weeping tree
whose leaves were like dripping tears, and watched;
The ghoul stopped: it turned its round, bulbous head
towards the sound of the nearby battle,
and blindly groped in the dark
for a fresh carrion or morsel of wasted warrior.

The world grew lighter but still dark
as the young wing child awoke
from frenzied dreams of old nightmares.
She rushed back to Apfel and saw the hunter
She touched her bloodied wing and an arrow shot through the ghoul
from the hunters bow.
She sighed glad they were safe for a while

The hunter turned and saw the winged child there.
He drew his arrow of bone and bow of despair,
he aimed and readied as he shouted back
"Oh flee maiden for she stands in before us here."
He let the arrow fly but miss his mark
cause of his mis-timed strength

The wing child cowered then stood tall
She walked forward shivering as she felt small
"Alum how could thy be so cold especially to
your kin you were once so close?"
The winged child held the chain on her neck tight
as she waited for his angry reply.

The hunter turned to the maiden fair
and said in a snarl "Flee for while she is bound!
She is a creature bound by her chain
release her and all my work is in vain!"
The winged child let a single tear fall
as she told her story to them all.

"I was found abandoned in a basket as
a child with my chain around my neck
and grew up till thy wings blossomed
full and thee village grew savage for
then they knew I was a spirit so old
that even I forget who I was once as the tale goes.
I am bound by my chain and have no power now
My only will is to escape my tormentor."

the child faced the hunter and in a voice cruel
"Isn't that right my brother Alum Mul?"

Apfel stared wide eyed and nymph-ish
an apple to the eye but timid all the while
perplexed by the altercation taking place
between the two kin now hostile to each other.
"Why, tell me O hunter, why must I flee?
For this winged maiden here, she has protected me.
My sister Granat and I, we saw her fall
from the sky and o how broken she was, what gall
have you to show displeasure
in the presence of this winged treasure?
We have exchanged gifts already this night
and when a Nyxyr exchanges gifts with another wight
the bond between them thus becomes knot-like, how tight.
I shall not flee, for my Granat comes, closer, closer by".
Apfel thus ceased her flow of words,
to bate her breath as she saw
in the greenish haze, coming past the ghoul's corpse
her sister Granat, whose garments glittered with the green gore
of the beasts she had fought.

"What happenes here?" Granat implored.
She cleaned off her spear, looked forward,
then caught the hunter's eye;
"I am Granat of the Nyxyr Clan now gone, hailed from Milenia
and I must implore thou:
Ye brandish thy weapon as if ye will
plunge it into this winged one, to kill.
What happenes here, dost ye not know?
The Arcanaite Clan approaches Zarnoth, here
they will come from Alnith, from Uhl they have conquered
they have spread morbidity, malaise and death
all about the kingdoms, like Earth's mighty breath
swept accross kindoms hither and thither
near and far;
Understand this, listen open and clear as water!
The Arcanite Horde is like no other.
They can hide in the dark, in the light even dimmer;
their weapons are so foreign, so ruthless and horned
that no peoples have availed to bring them to forlorn.
Doom rides on the zephyrs and perches in the trees,
it poisons every fruit, crouches in every weed.
The Arcanites are like no other, wait and see
they murdered the Nyxyr Clan of my sister and me.
There is not time for rivalries-
for the Arcanits approach, they have sent out their beasts".

Apfel ran to Granat's side, afraid
frail as gossamer now seemed the fairer maid.
Granat's selenic silver hair was aglow
and in her fear Apfel saw it as a faery's halo.
Apfel thus spoke:
"Granat, listen to me, my love
my only love, my flesh and my soul's other half,
this hunter here seems to have a story
that pits him against his kin, the winged
who is, O Granat!
An ancient being in her flesh,
and we must honor her, and perhaps
if we follow her, we may find solace, for she is brutal
but graceful and seems full of sleeping power".

Granat nodded, however, she quoth:
"This is all news, since before we first spoke
with this maiden found so hurt and helpless in the lown,
we learned from her that she recalled naught
about her name or background.
What beguilments settle here like venom-varnished stones?
Any further into the trap-nest
and we may find Nyxyr bones.
Do not be so easily swayed Apfel.
Speak thou, winged child and her kin!"

The hunter looked back at met the maidens eyes,
then in a tired fashion bit back a sigh,
lowered his arrow of gleaming bone
and dropped his gaze lower to the ground
all of this done in a second without a sound.

"Long ago in a place far away,
in a better brighter happier day,
a lowly man walked through the woods,
following sounds of a babe crying in a basket.
He found and sought to raise the child,
with his son left and home with his mother awaiting.
He brought the child into my home named her a Serene-"

Here he was interrupted by the winged maiden
'Ah, Is that my mortal name? It shines in my mind so."
He glared at her with brotherly hate
then resumed to tell the story of their fates.

"So as I was was telling i said he raised Serene
along side me and we grew close just like real kin,
but sadly no the happiness wouldn't last.
For the morning as I woke i saw her so
her black evil wings sprouted from her back.
From there I learned in my journey to find her
that the deeds of which her kind has done
and know my only goal is to rid the world of her kind!"

He finished shouting and then screamed now.
"She is a free spirit a magic creature more powerful
than man and only the chain bounds her from her
full powers! She is a wicked being! Leave and let
me end her evil journey!"

Serene smiled and toyed with her chain.
"It is true I am a spirit bound in mortal form,
but this chain only holds my powers.
My full potential is locked away only free by my secret name.
I am the spirit of old magic a sort of which I choose to wield."

She touched the two young maidens on their arms
and felt the surge of power leave her drained.
As she fell to the ground she spoke
"Oh my dear brother if you wish me to be good,
then I shall tell you one good deed I have done today.
I have given powers to these two worthy maidens,
but I say beware for it will only last till the next full moon
there is only one way to help you win this time of dark beings!
Find my secret name and then you will have what you need!"

Apfel and Granat recoiled in shock
their bodies abosrobing the new energies;
energies more ancient and more wise
than that which they were born with as nymphae.
For now, they both opened their eyes
and they saw the world anew--
not just surface or innards, but all things through and through.
The Morning was unfolding his wings, first a pinkish hue
that spanned off into a greenish blue
up towards the zenith.
The sun shone dimly through a nebulous haze
of clouds saturated to solidity, but never rained.
A dim glow was like slime over the landscape.
The two Nyxyrs were weak on the ground
while their bodies took on new power unbound.
Approaching this strange scenery
were curious animals drawn to the smell of blood;
and a cloaked stranger, a vagrant burdened with
what appeared to be blue roses, shrouded in the mist.

A face was not seen,
but the eyes there indeed saw:
the hunter, the maidens and the purple jackdaw
that landed on a branch to sing the morning's song--
but this bird was alone.
Many of its kind had gone.
So its chanting was meager,
and few creatures came out.
Around the stanger, the leaves and tree roots writhed.
As they walked, the fog did abide.

"Undying flora, from Eternity, here!
An thou hath a coin to spare,
please do or else fear!"
cried the seemingly crazed vagrant
in a raspy voice that belonged to neither
woman or man
lad nor lass.
The maidens said naught, and let the vagrant pass.

"A curse falls upon you!
A curse a curse!
A curse a curse a curse!
By Great Muhun a curse upon you, you and you!
O', if thou just hadst a coin,
a coin a coin....".
The vagrant wandered into the fog towards Alnith
and was not seen again;
A bazaar of black moths made a cloud in the air
and landed on the hunter, and all 3 maidens fair.
Soon they passed away and dispersed
"Honorable Granat, it says, a curse.
What curse?" Asked apfel.

Quoth Granat:
"Didst thou not see the plague that came upon us all?
The curse has alighted on us, and we must go
to lift it before Doom heaves us onto our funeral pyres!
We have a power now from the being,
and with it, we may be able to do many a great thing
and beguile any man or beast into breaking our mysterious curse.
We must find one who is great for this
one who can see curses and tell us how
to pluck them from our brows.
Hunter, what are you called?
You are now cursed as well, and should come.
Forget about killing your kin, she is grand.
The Arcanites will have your head, sever your hand--
let us cross Uhl and find a city,
and be purged of our vermon curses".

((at the bottom of each new post, we should post ideas for an official name to our saga before it is complete. When we complete it, it will take a final name. For now, what should be its first name? or should we just keep it at Moon Saga before we give it a final name?))

The hunter looked grim
as he cradled his sleeping kin
"My name is Alum and I may know a way.
There is an old riddle called the "Spirit blessing."
Here his voice said that of another.

"It was said on sabbath day,
as the old ancients would say,
the spirits of the night unite,
and those who were close enough
to behold this mighty sight,
would be asked by three spirit same,
what was each of their first names.
Those who could say the ancient words,
were blessed with three desires.

The first was the ability to soar higher,
to reach the peak of their ability.
The second was of course longlivity,
some say for a hundred years
some say immortal bound sears.
The third was set that in mortal wishes,
be it gold ,silver or treasure the wish,
what ever they wanted it was sought
it was forever on them wrought.

But heed these words for those who fail to tell,
the names of the spirits whose called them so,
then the curse of ancients will have them fell."

The hunter finished and breathed a weary sigh.
"If it is true then on the next full moon when your powers
which my kin said you will lose until her name is found,
then west of the forbidden city and east of the tall tower,
the spirit will gather in their celebrating dance
and there we will have our final chance,
if we can learn their secret names.

Serene opened her eyes as Alum finished his words
then in a weary tired voice said in a pitiful way
"There is only one way to learn a spirits true name.
I think you two must have heard of it from where you hail,
you surely must have and if so please tell Alum
for I am too weak to tell him this soon."

I don't know I like the name Moon Saga ,but if you really want to change then.......how about ....I got nothing sorry all the things I can think of are lame.......thinking......... ..... The travellers? or something like that to sum up a bit of the story.

Granat and Apfel exchanged eclesiac glances.
Granat stood up first, and took hold of her spear
and thus spoke unto Alum and Apfel:
"It is so that we must cross Uhl and find the first city
where we shall be looked over by those who can see curses,
for curses can take on forms like creatures
that dwell upon other beings and taint their wills,
their wishes and the colors of their inner Lunalumis*
and if this is so, expecte abherrations in character
and be wary of treachery, treson and murder.
Let us go, and soon enough, we must take on the challenge
of disclosing the forgotten names of the ancient ones".

Granat of Nyxyr from Milenia concluded her promulgation,
and the winds began to whisper retorts in ancient languages
not understood by the Milenian and her sister.
Zarnoth was then dimly painted by the foggy daylight,
and the corpse of the killed ghoul dried up into dust and worms
and then was devoured by the black loamy soil.
Apfel pulled together her wits, and bent down to kiss Serene
upon her moon-pale forehead in Nyxyr thanks:

"Oh Ancient Being I hope, I pray
that I hath not offended your honor
by showing my gratitude this way.
For whatever power given, this may be,
I am but a lamentful lady with it
and in my frailty and lost faith
I believe I am undeserving and may stray.
Please, ancient one, do not leave us.
If you cannot join us in this beautiful body
please accompany us as an essence through the trees
in the form of a screech or nyctum"
Quoth Apfel.

Now the creatures of the day roamed.
The birds filled the skies pregant with clouds
but they did not sing, but only hung low
like omen-ravens over the mortuary grounds
of the dead or the moribund.
Granat began to pick the fruits of the trees,
the berries, nuts and seeds
to carry along on the journey.
Apfel watched her sister, and kept nearby to Alum the hunter.

Granat knew which were poison and which were not
As long ago, before she and Apfel fled
the elder Granat was duely taught
how to discern fruit from fault
in the foreign lands outside of their peaceful Milenia.
Zarnoth yielded many a good fruit
and many a good harvest of vegetation
but one had to be sharp and wary:
for some plants grew with no regard to other lives around them.

Water was nearby, but it was black
and green with blood
from the beasts and ghouls
that had been killed the previous night.
Granat climbed the trees for forsaken nests
that may have held rainwater
but she came back down with none,

A rumble and a cry deep from within the forest
was carried through the dim obscurity
and heard by the amalgamation of warriors.
Voices filled the air, voices in the tongue
of Zarnoth's main bloodline.
The Zarnothians!
The clink and clammer of metal and bones
can be heard of their approach.
The grunting of beats was near
clear to an elfen ear.

Apfel's keen sense of perception
picked up the smell of boiling herbs
and she moaned in longing for it
alerting Granat who stopped to glance over the black
the blue the green and the misty white of the forest.
A small flying pixie buzzed over a crimson flower.
Its sound coated the sound of the voices momentarily.
Zarnothians were passing by.

"Could they be trusted?
For if they are banded with the Arcanites
then our bones will be made into tools
and our flesh fed to their beasts.
Be on guard and wield your staff, Apfel".
quoth Granat.

Apfel made a retort, her fair features
framed by her long, jetty hair
became marred with worry,
her bright garnet eyes full of apprehension:
"I cannot wield the Solunarian staff.
for it is too blunt to lacerate flesh,
and too light of weight to blundgeon a skull.
I must find the Solunarian who left it
lying by the shore of Alnith.
Sister Granat, give me your dagger to use,
for at least I know how to use it".

Granat produced her sturdy Nyxyr-made dagger.
Its sheath was of a serpus's black skin
and had names and motifs sewed into it
in an amaranth-dyed thread.
Granat handed this elder relic to Apfel
who then tied it to the waist of her beaded coat.
But Granat removed it again,
and held it before Apfel:

"In times of danger when I am not there
think of the crown of jeweled beads 'round your hair
given as mark by our old Nyxyr tribe
be strong using Sakra when filled with that pride"
spoke Granat.
She enclosed the dagger Sakra in Apfel's hands.
"We will find some one who knows how Solunarian katna work,
and then discover how it can be used to destroy the Arcanites".

Apfel accepted her sister's command
and doted upon Sakra, warm in her hand-
then tied it once more to her belt.
Granat wandered off and head of them
over the green, through vine and tendril.

Apfel turned to Alum, and thus spake:
"From where do you hail, Alum?
If you do not know, Granat and I
we come from Milenia of the Nyxyr tribe.
We are fae, as you can see.
My sister and I differ so much in appearence
because the Nyxyr were a mixed clan.
Our father and mother were of mixed blood too.
The Arcanites invaded our caves
and killed us all, save my sister and I.
We fled here to Zarnoth, but now the Arcanites are here too.
They left Solunaris in ruin first.
Solunarians had come into Milenia in droves,
but then they crossed Alnith to come here.
No one of Nyxyr followed them.
Our Clan Mother, the Wise Nal'zeul,
was killed in her own sacred pod
by Arcanites before she could warn us.
Our kindred were destroyed.
Granat and I escaped because we had disobeyed our parents
and had run off to get fruit near a village before the Arcanites came.
When we beheld the blood of our kinsmen,
Granat stole me away and we crossed Alnith to come here.
We have been here seven nights
hiding in the brush near Alnith,
sleeping in a burrow in the ground.
Our burrow is no more:
I am sure beasts now inhabit it,
you know, you were fighting them as well last night.
So, from where do you hail?
I am sorry about the length of my tale".

((Oh my, I guess we will stick to Moon Saga, since this is supposed to be a saga by fellow moonchildren. I am looking forward to them coming upon even more fantastical places, meeting more creatures and more uncanny horrors. Its going pretty smoothly right now. Are you going to describe alum? is he young, old, elf or human? I'd love to know more about his character))

Sure!

Alum shaded his hazel brown eyes from the unforgiving sun,
before he spoke his story which he had so far told none.
"I hail from a place far away and long ago,
I have forgotten its name ,but it was like yours.
It was a place that lived on trade
and as a child I remember running,
yes running to greet passing merchants
and see the treasures they would carry."

Here he stopped and gave a weary sigh
as he missed the old days that had gone by.
"My father ,Zanthe, was a woodsmen,
unlike the others in our humble village.
As you should know he came back one day
where wood should be was a young babe.
My suppose kin ,Serene, my sister.
My mother, Xanath, named her Serenity,
but it was shortened to Serene."

Here Serene smiled and spoke.
"Wasn't it dear brother,
you who gave me my calling name?"
The hunter had a grim smile as he spoke.
"Yes, it is. No hush your lips or this tale will never finish,
Now, as a young babe she captivated almost all,
my mother, my father and those who saw her.
You would think I would be jealous,
but she captivated my sadly too."
Serene gave a smug smile here,
as she played with her hair.

"My parents were both human,
but I had elf blood from my grandmother,
so I always felt distant to them
atleast until Serene came and filled the gap.
She grew up into a fine young lass,
so young and humble with looks to match,
why my parents wondered how many suitors would visit her.
Her Alum stopped and stared.
"Not that I insult such a maiden like you,
for your beauty is something others would kill for."

Serene glanced at them both with a puzzled look.
"One night Serene came to me before bed
and said "Oh brother the night is short
and the next morning I feel
will bear great ill."
The next morning i woke her up
and as she awoke her black wings fluttered.
We tried our best, my parents and I,
to love her and hide her from prying eyes."

He stopped and looked down.
"The day the beast came she was discovered,
we held of many beasts that invaded our home,
but many lost their lives. My father was among the first,
they brought his body home
and all came to mourn,
my sister rushed out to see him one last time.
The others thought her the cause of this
and so she was banished along with my family."

"She left us and so my mother and I were alone.
My mother lived to 34 before her illness killed'er.
I have been traveling since trying to hunt down
my insolent sister." He stopped at last and caught his breath
Serene stopped flying and floated down to walk instead.
The silence drew on and on for long.

"Apfel, I ask you will you not try out your gift?
Let us use this time for practise now. Let me see
your gift was ...water and light and your sister's
is earth and fire and my brothers is of course wind."
Alum looked annoyed "Yes my sister gave me a gift
when she parted from us." Serene smiled
"See I am not of ill will. Now Apfel think of..
water ...rain...rivers...anything of liquid form.
Let the though fill your whole mind
and when it is right let it all go.'

(



(The names set yay! Also if you want you can switch the elements if you don't like the one your character got.

Apfel was dazzled by the hunter's tale;
Her garnet eyes glittered in the dim sun-light.
For many a moment she had no speach
and could only imagine the horrors he did speak.
Then she heeded Serene, the ancient--
she thought of waters, of rivers, of rain
she directed her thoughts away from all pain.

"In Milenia, we people are connected to the natures
but only few of us were ever granted the power
to beseech the elements to use.
In Solunaris, they use katna, like the staff I carry
to summon the elements and direct their paths.
I have never before done such a thing
for I fear that I may be overwhelmed
and dissipate like water that has boiled too long".
quoth Apfel.

They came accross a soliloquizing waterfall
where the water turned a pinkish hue
when it spilled into the lively pond.
In that pond many a pixie and sprite flew;
toothed plant waited to catch flying fruits.
An androgynous, and beautiful dryad was bathing there-
the voyagers only saw its hair,
hair that was like woven glass.
It turned around, and rose halfway out of the water.
It was a male, and his eyes were almost as white as he;
deep in his waxen features, outlandish features.

Granat paused.
The creatures dove into the water,
and then rose back up near the water's edge.
Granat was not frightened, only Apfel made a sound-
like wind passing through crystal wind chimes.

"Can you speak?"
Granat asked, silver hair a-glow
in a shaft of light that poured down between tree canopies.

The creature's expression remained blank.
The eyes searching for something in the words.
Granat then spoke in a different language:
"Can you speak? We are wanderers".
Still, there was no response.
The alluring, beaueous creature rose out of the water
thus Granat stepped back, and took hold of her spear.

"You are not of Zarnoth"
thus spoke the stranger, in a voice like molten silver,
in a language familliar to them all, but not Zarnothian.
"What bids thee to implore me, Milenian?".
(Granat's dusky skin and pale hair gave her away),
But Granat stood steadfast and brave.

"We are trying to cross Uhl.
What city do we first meet
after crossing it?"
Granat asked with precaution,
avoiding any mention of Arcanites.
She was cunning and crafty, and needed to be.

"For what business?
I am not quick to place my erudition
in the hands of a foreign stranger,
for if you were to bend my words
and take them to some enemy
I would be seized and taken"
quoth the mysterious being,
who began to dress in long robes, heavily embroidered.
He took, also, without removing his eyes
from Granat,
a katna: a Solunarian staff.
"I wield here Kazenohana the ancient,
an heirloom of many generations
that, if I would have desired it to,
could pull you apart limb from limb.
My identity will not be disclosed
until I am certain that you mean me no harm".

Apfel sighed deeply.
a breeze blew by, sweet and carried with it
scents from the ocean.

"We are travelers looking to Uhl.
What would a Milenian like me
want to make chaos with a Solunarian like thou?"
Granat demanded.
"We are not in allegiance with the Arcanites.
What does a katna-wielding Solunarian
need here in Zarnoth, a place of death?
Amongst us is an ancient being
a being who gave us powers rivaling yours; beware:
My Earth is good as wind to put you in a snare".

The Solunarian was silent for many a moment
and came close to the travelers, tall and majestic;
glass-clear hair being woven into a braid, weapon rested.
"Forgive me my offensive introduction to you.
I am Ki from Solunaris, and I realize now,
that you may not be a pure Milenian,
for you have amber eyes like an Arcanite--
and among you a human, an Arcanite undercover,
and a woman of birds".

Silence permeated the air with its stifling color
and there was not a sound for many instants.
Granat said nothing, but only held strong.
Apfel wanteds to protest, to voice her relation
but Granat raised up her hand and silenced her.
Apfel kept close to Alum, and thought of water...

Granat spake:
"Take this, open as the seas:
You have been a judge by your eyes
twice now, and you are at fault.
This black haired, pale-skinned, garnet-eyed maiden
is no Arcanite hidden behind a disguise, but she
is my direct sister, and we are of the same blood.
I will put aside my distaste for your ignorance
due to my knowlege that you are indeed uninformed.
We are of the deceased Nyxyr clan,
and with us is a hunter who is not only human
but mixed with elf as well,
and it is the Ancient being
that you have wrongfully called a woman of birds.
It is unlike a Solunarian,
who is but a decendent of a Milenian
to behave in such a way, reveal yourself!".

"As I have already done before you
moments ago, fair lady?"

Suddenly, the Solunarian, in aturn of black smoke
was a beastly and ghstly wretch
who was covered in bleeding ulcers
and sores oozing a sickly moss-colored blood.
Its katna remained, as if stolen from a real Solunarian,
and flies and other demoniacle winged things began to gather.
The blind worms sought the stifling stench
of the creature, the moths its large, bulging eyes.

There was no time for training.
Powers needed to be utilized.

Serene grabbed Apfel's hand and cried
"Do it! Water is near now do it!"
She looked up at the blazing sun,
then a worried look filtered across her face.
"No, not yet." she whispered to herself.
"Apfel I bid thee hurry think of the light!
Its power is strong and gives the others strength,
but I warn you never let others know of this gift!"

She felt her head pound and knew that she needed to leave.
"Brother, I cannot stay here to fight."
She cried as her being seem to shift from solid to gas
and she slowly drifted and faded into the air
leaving black mist and a strange burning smell.

Alum rolled his eyes ,but gave a sigh of relief.
He readied his bow and arrow as he aimed high.
It struck the creature right into its flesh,
but it was as if the creature didn't feel a thing.
He changed tactics and called wind to his aid.

Watching them all Serene did frown,
one hand by her side the other at her chain.
She toyed with it wondering if she should.
"They surely must be able to defeat this beast...
or else I will have to intervene...I just hope it ends well."

Apfel, frightened and in a daze,
was struck down by the creature
who used the stolen katna Kazenohana
to strike the maiden.

"Tell when it began
that my own sister Apfel
becomes weak and like air
in the face of danger???!!!" Granat yelled;
she ran to her sister's aid, then simultaneously
began to strike blows with her spear
at the creature, but to no avail did she fight.

The creature laughed a disgusting, disgruntled laugh
like the sound of thunder falling from the sky
and waking a nest of ravenous beasts.
Apfel unsheathed Sakra the dagger
to protect herself but she, decided to call upon the sun--
she tried to direct a ray of light towards the beast
but she failed and fell to the ground.

In her wild rage, Granat, taking many wounds
continued to fight with her spear,
until she was bleeding, and she removed her beaded garments
under which she wore scanty armor of engraved metal.
Ridden of thew hinderous weight of her garments
she made herself more mobile.

Despite Granat's choice,
the gross and ghoulish creature
added speed to his hideous violence,
and began to attack them all with ease.

"How dare you steal the identity
of a Solunarian katna master!
Where is he that you have killed,
and stolen his likeness, demon?!"
came Granat's angry voice.

"I am here for elfen life-nectar.
I am here to drain you dry
and slice off your flesh and meat
to dry in the sun
and make into morsels.
I have no heart and no soul,
and thus no concern
about what you have implored of me.
Let him rot in my belly
for he is my food now
and will never walk this earth again.
Now, woman, shed your tears;
show your tears like a weak prey!".
The creature spit.

Granat laughed aloud.
The sound cut through the sultry air.
"Human women may drip tears
but there is no Milenian who behaves in such a way.
I am a Milenian warrior, I am a Nyxyr
before I am any kind of puerile child-baring vessel--
A stinking corpse you will be!".

The creature pinned Granat to a broad tree
with her own spear
and her words faulted and fell.
Apfel cried out, and in a storm of grief
she plunged her dagger deep into the creature's back.
The creature turned, bit into Apfel's neck,
tossed her into the water and punced on top of Alum:
He sunk his teeth into Alum's good arm
and began to suck the plasma from him.

Alum struggled and hit the beast with his arrow,
but to no avail for the beast was too strong.
"No!" The cry rang out loud and clear
as Serene ripped of the chain she wore.
It glowed bright blue then faded as it touched the ground.

Serene felt the change wash over her quickly,
her eyes were red as blood and so blood she did cry.
Her hair whipped around her though there was no wind.
Her nails sharp sharper sharpest like claws.
She smiled revealing white fangs gleaming.

"Run now!" She cried in a strange voice
like a mixture of beast and human.
Then something in her eyes faded and she was less herself.
Her black wings seem to become bigger
as she shouted in such a cruel horrible way
"I call upon my darkness! The one who kills for me!"

A dark mist rose from around her like tentacles.
The darkness raced after her brother and the other maidens.
"Stop!" She cried with the humanity she still had
She pointed one clawed finger at the beast.
The darkness swirled knocking it off Alum.

Alum jumped up and ran to check on the two others.
"Flee! She is gone now go before she has lost all humanity!"
He cried loudly as the wind he had called upon died down.
Serene ,no she was not Serene anymore, looked up blankly.
Her eyes held no warmth or happiness just blank darkness.
She felt the darkness attacking the beast over and over again.

She felt a jolt go through her as she turned her gaze to the others.
She tilted her head and spoke only one word "Die!"
The darkness reached for them lashing out at them.
"No....stop now..." Her voice slurred as she came back.
The chain around her once more as she hit the ground.
The arms were bleeding and she was motionless.

Alum stared shocked at his kin not knowing what to do.
He looked back at the maidens and walked to them.
"Are you alright?" He asked them his voice shaking.

Apfel's waxen face could be seen like a mask
floating over the black and green waters.
Granat had loosened herself from what pinned her
to the treenow ruddy with her gore.

"What manner of ghoul..." was all she could pronounce,
and at once she fell to the earth, destitute of strength.
Granat reached out her hand into the shadows,
seeming to grasp for something unseen.
The ground began to move, and conglamerated;
it began to pack close to her body like a coffin of soil.
Her head was left exposed for air.
"Earth, heal me, heal me.
To rest unperterbed, perpetually
it is not my time".

Then she rolled over, and cried in a strained voice:
"My sister, my Apfel, where is she? Where?".

The wretched monster began to crawl
towards the pond from whence it rose first
and again took the form of the alluring Solunarian,
a Solunarian who was now gone from the world,
whose beauty was now being mocked by the beast.
"Apfel, Apfel, help me.
I am the Solunarian, I was devoured by this creature,
but he will not release me from his grasp
a grasp around my soul-essence that is like iron.
Help me, dearest lady, do not slip away into the water.
Come forth and help me, unbind me".

Apfel's eyes fluttered open, staring wide
it seemed to her the man had naught to hide.
Life seemed alas to return to the lady
who was surrounded by water, the element given
to her by the ancient being.
Apfel said unto the man:
"Are you really the Solunarian, or
some reflection wrought in some evil horror?
O', I cannot bare not to look upon thee,
for my heart does battle itself voraciously,
for I am a compassionate creature
and in your face I think of my father....".

"Release me Apfel, if you would just
pull me into the water with you, for I bleed
and I am in dire need of the healing power
of water that surrounds you, O' Nyxyr.
Release me from the iron clasp
of this awful creature that has devoured me,
and I will do what ever you want me to,
for I have the power to bring back the dead
with one swing of my katna"
quoth the Solunarian.

Apfel drew closer and closer to the rim
of the pond where the Solunarian beseeched her.
Granat watched this all from afar and grew angry
but she could not move----!

Alum cried forth in anger,
"Do not believe the beast!"
He raised his hand into the air
and wind came to his aid.
It swirled like a tornado as he threw it at the beast.
"Wretched beasts dare not trick pure maidens!"

The wind swirled around the beast
deepening already made wounds,
but alas he could not bring down the beast.
He picked up his arrow and bow
and mercilessly fired on the beast.

Serene felt a gentle breeze and opened her eyes
to the dim world around her.
She was able to stand,but found she could not move her bleeding arms.
She felt weak and confused.
She turned and so did her gaze sweep upon the beast.
Her hand was able to move slowly to the chain.
"Do I?" She thought. "I've never gone this far.."
Her mind was wandering as she watched the beast.

Thoughts on Apfel she pulled the chain slightly.
Eyes never leaving Apfel she fingered with it.
She waited watching if she had to intervene.
She had never gone this long with her power
It could be dangerous and life threatening,
but for Apfel, the first person she knew as her friend,
the purest she had ever met before, she would risk it.

Wounded further by Alum
it seemed the Solunarian winced with pain
and could no longer crawl forwards.
Apfel reached out her hand:
"Even if this beauty is a facade
nothing but a beguiling mask,
if you could bring back the dead
you might be able to bring back my clan",
quoth apfel, her voice strained with emotion.

Granat unbound herself from her soil casket,
and then began to search for her spear.
The maiden found it and ran to the pond.
A flock of bats blocked her passage,
and began biting into her as she fought them.

"Foul beast! Your doing, this is!
Apfel, do not be a fool. Get out of there
come to me, your sister.
Do not be a fool!
Do you not see that even the hunter is helping?
To free you, apfel.
Do not fall prey to such lies, you're a Nyxyr.
you are strong, you can perservere!"
Ganat cried, longing for her sister.
She moved away from the ravenous bats
and stood by Alum's side.

The Solunarian began to recoil in a showy play of pain
and Apfel cried out, in remorse, in sorrow in pity.
"Are you still alive in there, Solunarian?
Are you trying to break free from the ghoul?"
she implored.
She rose out of the water, clothing drenched
and drew slowly closer to the creature,
with a limp in her gait, her ivory features pained.

"Can you not hear my voice, Apfel?
how could you disobey me, your Granat?
The last kin to your blood?
Though we may look like opposites,
my blood and your blood are one, Apfel.
Do not abandon me now, do not break our chain of fate.
O' Apfel, I am not the only one who wants you to live!"
Granat called after Apfel, whose eyes began to close.

Apfel moved her hands to her belt
and took from its sheath Sakra
and chanted in the dark:
"Nyxyr Clan, mother, father, love
wherever thou art, below or above
I wish to be near you, for eternity
then let my soul go from my body free".

"Foolish little girl !!!
to call you woman, you disgrace Mother!".
Granat cried, and ran forward.
She did not care about the bats that bit her
nor the demoniacal flies that poisoned her.
She pushed for apfel until she fell once more
suffering.

The Solunarian began to fade into ugliness.
His face hollowed, his skin withered
his hair began to congeal into thick white worms.
Apfel took sakra, held it up in the air
and then plunged it into the head of the beast.
It moaned in a thousand foul voices.
Gore oozed from every orifice of its form
it finally lost hold of the Solunarian's image
and began to bubble and melt like a stew of filth
and apfel began to scream at the horrific sight
and released her grip 'round Sakra
and stumbled backwards into the pond once more.

Granat crawled away in pain towards Serene.
Drained of energy she drifted asleep
there on the ground, her long silvery hair awry
all about her body and tangled with bits of vine.
Her slender, deeply hued arms glistened with smears
of the greenish-gold poison of the flies, and there
were also cuts and bruises amongst her tribal skin-markings
symbols of trees, of fruits, of language and the Moon.

The creature boiled into rot, then to dust, leaving bones.
The bats, birds and flies had devoured its gross flesh dry.
Apfel was sitting in the water, wet and trembling.
She waited before returning Sakra to its sheath.
She seemed in a daze, mesmerized, meek.

"I am sorry Granat, Alum, Serene.
I'm afraid I know what had come over me
before I killed this creature suddenly.
I was stolen by a wish to....die, selfishly".
were the small words of apfel,
her black hair wet, and stuck to her skin.
Her beaded clothes heavy, she could barely stand.

Serene bent down over Granat
and in her ear whispered a soft ancient lullaby
before her vision blurred and her strength faded.
Her wings covered her like a thick blanket
as she faded into a strange dream
right beside the other maiden , Granat.

Alum called wind to his aid
and bid the element to help dry Apfel.
"Do not feel sorry fair maiden ,
be strong for your kin and all is forgiven."
He said before walking towards the two sleeping maidens.
He brushed off the vine covering Granat
then inspected his sleeping kin
"Let us camp here for the night and give them
the rest they so need and deserve."

Serene was dreaming of hazy images
filtering on and out of her view.
She heard someone call her though not by her name.
She felt something grab onto her and scratch her.
She woke up with a jolt and her eyes scanned around
before she fell into a dreamless sleep.

Alum looked at the sky then at Serene
He turned to Apfel. "I warn you.
Be careful of her spirit no matter what.
Her mortal soul maybe kind and pure,
but her unbound self will strike you down.
You saw with your eyes how she wished to kill you both.
Stay away from her when she chooses darkness again."
He looked deep into her eyes trying to show he was serious.

Apfel shuddered at the thought,
but she nodded her head in understanding.
"I do not know what I would do
if my sister was also an ancient being
that could decide at any moment
to strike me down with darkness"
quoth Apfel.

The evening and dusk approached quickly.
The Nature seemed to come awake.
The vespertine creatures and soul-essences
began to work and light the dark sparingly.
Pixies and sprites that glowed
competed with the moths for light.
Lizards, snakes, toads and turtles,
nargles, norches, lurks and grouhouls--
All manners of nocturnal creatures awakened.

Apfel drew her garments close to her body.
She took out Sakra to clean its blade
and sharpen it with a flat stone tool
that had a jewel encrusted in it
and familliar tribal etchings.
"When should we cross Uhl?
How long do you think it will take
to reach there by foot?"

Alum answered glancing at Apfel
"I canna say for what obstacles will slow us down
and what creatures may help us if not kill us."
He stared at the two sleeping maidens.
"They best awake soon, darkness is upon us now.
We will be able to stay hidden from prying eyes."

Serene stirred quietly and slowly.
She opened her then large grey eyes
and blinked to clear her vision.
She sat up and it took her a while to remember.
"Apfel? Alum? Where are we?"
Then she looked and discovered
they were where they had been all along.

Alum looked at the sky then back down to earth,
he looked at Apfel then sighed.
"Don't you wish it would all just end?"

"I am afraid, Alum.
For this all to end I would rejoice,
but I have met few to none
who are able to stop Time's crawl
and choose their own fate"
were the solemn words of Apfel.

Granat stirred in her sleep,
and drew closer to Serene unconciously.
Apfel glanced towards her sister quickly
but she turned away almost contritely.
"I have been the cause of much
of my dear sister's agonies as of late.
There must be something that I can do
to make her waking hour as pleasant as nectar"
quoth Apfel, and she took a pixie from the air
kissed it gently and borrowed its light;
She wandered the hanging vines and tendrils
of the vegetation that was abundant all around.
Apfel gathered flowers, fruits and precious seeds,
and thanked the essences of the forest for them all.
She sat down beside Alum once more.

"I shall fashion a gift for her"
quoth Apfel with a dim smile.
"Alum...curiosity has seemed to sieze me;
have you any maiden in your eye, in your heart,
is there anyone that you fight for?
Besides my sister I have never witnessed
such valour, such zeal put into battle
than what I have whitnessed of you this day.
Perhaps my question should not have been asked.
If you do not wish to answer, I shall speak no longer".
Apfel's eyes drifted back to the ground where she sat.
She began to bend grass shoots and twigs
and form a type of basket of leaves,
to display the fruits and seeds that she had gathered.

This looks amazing! When I have more free time I will definitely add some stuff. =)

You are welcome to jump right in and add a character or whatever you want

so far the story is slowing down, and it'd be nice to have some new stuff in it. Good luck fellow moonchild~

Alum felt the blood rush to his face
causing him to blush a bright red.
He stared at the ground then lifted
his face to stare at Apfel as he said
"I have a maiden in my mind,
she is of majestic beauty and grace
and has an unbound realm of kindness.
I hide my feelings from her because I am afraid,
afraid that I will hurt when I try to love again."

He stopped and took a breathe,
before staring into Apfels eyes.
He felt his heart pounding in his chest
as he held his breathe afraid to even move.

Serene smiled at Apfel "I shall help you make a gift."
She said as she broke of her chain.
"Do not worry here right now I can control it."
She said to Apfel before closing her eyes.
This was her favorite thing to do
when she was in control and calm.
She saw it in her minds eyes a flower come to life.
She blew and opened her clutched hand.

In her small palm was a sapphire blue flower
that was shaped like a rose and glittered in the light
The petals were soft and see through like real sapphires.
"This is a special flower made of thin Sapphire,
it won't break when bent and lasts a life time."
She smiled she liked it when her powers were in check.
Her smile faded as she felt that sense of weakness come over her again.
She tensed then relaxed herself
as she noticed Alum.

She clamped her hand over her mouth
to avoid letting loose a giggle or laugh.
Instead she whispered and her voice rode on the wind
and circled and echoed softly everywhere.
"Why dear Apfel this time is yours and Alums now.
Don't waste the chance."
Her eyes darted back and forth as she faded into the night
she was still there of course,but decided to remain unseen
to give Alum and Apfel their privacy.

I decided to add a little spice to this story

(yay! spice to the story!)

Apfel looked at her gift, directing her eyes there--
it seemed as if the soft wind would lift her soul
and parade it around the air if the maiden
would let her guard down for too long a time.
She smiled, and let a nervous giggle escape her.

"Well then Alum, I do presume
that this maiden that you think of
will be lucky if ever you decide
to speak your mysterious mind".
She spoke thanks to the unseen Selene,
and put the majestic sapphire rose with her fruit bouquet.

Then she gathered some leaves, large leaves
and with much work managed to lay out sleeping mats
made from these leaves.
"I should wake Granat, for it is not very good
to fall alseep on grass and soil!"
she laughed musically, but as quietly as she could.
She went to wake her sister who merely stirred
and spoke unto Apfel:
"You are alright....
Everyone is alright aren't they?".

"You do sleep very deeply sister
if you have not heard everything".
Apfel spake.
"Come lie down on the arrangement of leaves
and I will cover you with a blanket in due time.
Fall back into your sea of dreams
and sleep deep enough that the sun
wont be able to pry the night-visions from your eyes".

When Apfel finished assisting Granat
she returned to her spot accross from Alum,
then, ostensibly, hid the gift beneath a nearby berry bush.
She picked a few berries, and put out her hand to share.

Every spice needs some sugar!


Alum took a berry and simply held it in his hand
His gaze dropped to the ground
before he locked his eyes with Apfel again
His brown hazel eyes were brighter and had a new gleam in them.
He dug around in his pocket and produced a ring
with 5 gems in the in the middle.

One was red and had a fiery feel,
the next was blue with a swirl of white
that glinted in the light like the ocean surface.
The third was transparent with milky swirls
and small brown bits that looked like leaves caught in the wind.
The fourth was a deep emerald colour
and one could swear they saw hints of grass caught in it.

The last one was set in the middle
and was the brightest and most elegant of all.
It had swirling patterns of bright dim yellow
,like a soft candle light glowing in the dark,
and dark soft shades of deep violet and black
mixed together to create a gleaming wonder.

"This ring has been passed down in my family
for a long time when my ancestor hunted the world for these jewels.
My father when he was still a young man,
gave it to my mother as a gift and a token of his love.
I received it before he was sent to fight the beasts."
Here he paused and his eyes were wet for a moment
as he gazed at the simple yet beautiful ring

"He told me in that old funny gruff voice of his
"My son, this ring is ancient and special beyond it all.
It is very precious and would not be giving it to you
unless I knew you would take care of it with all your heart.
Treat it like it is a piece of your soul and remember this.
A man only gives part of his soul to the one he loves
with all his heart and will so only give this to the one
who you know is the right one for you understand?"

He stopped again and a tear ran down his cheek
he sniffled then looked away for a moment
to try and recover some of that cool composure.
He looked back and this time his gaze did not linger from Apfel's eyes.
As he spoke again he took Apfel's hand and placed the ring onto her palm.
"That's why Apfel I am giving it to you."
He closed her hand over the ring then took his hand away.

Suddenly he felt his feelings rush out all at once.
'I'm sorry, I know its too soon...but I....I really like you Apfel."
The last words came out in a small childish tone
and Alum felt silly. Here he was a hunter
who had faced many beasts and creatures
yet he was trembling afraid of what might happen next.

Serene watched this all with a twinkle
gleaming in her eye and she laughed softly.
Her voice echoed around the place
as she tried to remain hidden and quiet.
She drifted over unseen to Granat.
She bent down and whispered.
"Oh Granat if only were awake,
but its best you were not now
for you would interrupt this sweet moment.

Apfel's garnet eyes brightened
wing caught her breath,
suddenly every pixie around her was like a star
fallen from the heavens to dance just for she and Alum.
Swept beyond the help of any being
She accepted the ring, brought it to her chest
and locked eyes with Alum for a long moment with silence
but with a demure crescent moon smile that never wavered.

"O Alum, I accept your humble gift,
and though you seemed to struggle with your feelings
rest assured that I shared them as well
and that I see you as the same strong hunter
even with the inevitable show of sentiments
that would accompany giving a family heirloom.
So brave you are, Alum,
so brave so pure and so true!"

Apfel paused, and glanced towards her sister
then she turned back to Alum
and was aware of the darkness once again;
"But my sister cannot know.
She cnnot know that it is my wish
to be with you, and not some Nyxyr
found somewhere in another land....
Look above, what a scintillant moon glows high to-night
for there is no doubt in my soul that her beams
are falling in good spirits upon us.
Still, still we must keep this from my sister....
Alas, Serene! Ancient Being!, she whispered,
Please seal the ears of my Granat".

Then Apfel drew towards Alum
and brought him into an embrace.
Then marveled at the ring in the moonlight
and worry flitted accross her pallid features.
"What value hither lies!
what a good moon we are under,
but her disc seems wondrously ominous somehow,
like the gleaming white eye of a phantom watcher"

Alum felt his breath catch as Apfel drew him into a tender embrace.
He silently thanked the moon and stars
as he slipped the ring on to her slender finger.
"Thank you Apfel, but I ask of you please
protect this ring for it is like a part of my soul
and at least for now wear it before Granat stirs."

Serene held the pale silver necklace in her hand,
there were five stones set into it just like the ring.
She touched it and sighed softly as she placed it into her pocket.
It was the family heirloom she had inherited
and she was wondering if she would ever
find it in her heart to give it to someone else
just like her brother had done so.

Alum looked up at the sky and said
"Get some sleep Apfel, before the morning comes.
I shall keep watch tonight for any wretched beasts
that dare come hurt you or anyone else here."
With that he picked up his bow and arrow
and strode to a stone and sat down
to watch the night.

Serene appeared like a strange fog besides Apfel.
"Come my brother is right, let us rest."
She made two beds of leaves just like Apfel had done
and layed on them and was soon asleep.

Alum watched the night for any unholy movement.
He thought he saw something move inthe trees
and he stood up bow and arrow in hand,
but sat down when he realized it was the wind.
He turned to Apfel and Serene watching them with protective eyes.

Out of the dark quiescence,
the sound of peoples traveling returned.
The smell of smoke belonging to some sort of plant burned
anf filled the balmy nighttime air
and lights seemed to draw the pixies and moths away
from their small camp.
Nearby the leaves rustled, and an animal appeared;
A nocturnal white equus, with a long spiraled horn on its forehead.
It chewed away some vegtation from a bush.
The creature sniffed the air and then neighed softly.
Its hooves hit the ground with a gentle thud.
It tossed its mane, long and silver, like threaded moonlight;
What stirred this beautiful creature?

Out of the bush from which it ate
crawled a small, slender, green-skinned nimf.
Seemingly genderless and ageless, it crawled away
treading on its feet and knuckles.
The unicorn watched the beautiful creature vanish
into another bush nearby.
Then it turned, saw alum and his bow,
then receeded into the dark of the trees.
Its jewel-blue eyes glittered in the dark
reflecting a beam of the moon's crystalline light.

Alum dropped his bow and arrow
as he approached the beautiful creature
slowly and cautiously like any creature would.
He whispered low calming words hoping to soothe
the majestic creature that was here in is midst.

"Don't worry, I mean thee no harm, no harm at all."
His voice rode on the wind and echoed around softly.
He reached into his pocket slowly letting the creature
know what he was doing and drew out some berries
he had been saving for the next morning.
He reached out ,berries in hand, towards the beast.

"Do not be afraid, no harm will come to you here."
He whispered again as he slowly turned
and watched over Apfel and Serene plus Granat.

The lustrous unicorn ate of his hand,
and neighed softly in happy thanks.
It nozzled his empty hand and left its shadows
to come back into the glow of the misty moon.
Around them, pixies began to gather:
The unicorn's horn glowed and gleamed a piercing blue
drawing the pixies like moths to traveler's lanterns.

Apfel stirred in her sleep.
The unicorn seemed to notice, and hid
behind the nearest tendrilous tree.
Still its it glittering blue eyes on Alum.
The creature seemed to be joyful in his company.

The smell of smoke grew stronger,
and in the distance there were voices
and like wind chimes the laughter of children.
The dark shore of the night brought in the tide
of a mysterious future to come.

Alum marvelled at the unicorn
and a distant memory floated came to light
He remembered a while ago when he was a child
his father came home bearing him a gift
that he hid in the stable and he remembered
he ran as fast as he to the stable shed
and then jumping up and down as the mare greeted him.

He had loved her, that great mare of his,
he would ride her everyday and he was just about to name her
when....his thoughts broke as he remembered
when he was driven out of the village with his mother
and the majestic mare was killed as a sacrifice
to appease the village god for letting a demon in.
His gaze flickered to the sleeping Serene for a moment
before he concentrated on the unicorn.

His gaze locked with its mesmerizing eyes.
He saw something in those eyes
something that reminded him of his own horse.
A fire, a wild spirit with a kind heart were in those eyes.
He had seen it before and he tried to remember where.
Then it hit him he had seen it in Apfel, Granat and Serene
all of them had that special fire in their eyes.

He heard the voices grow louder near them
and he spoke to the unicorn mentally and physically
"I bid you majestic creature do not tarry here,
for who knows what hunters could lie here
watching for when you weaken so
that they may cut of your horn to use for trade."

The unicorn gently nozzled him,
and whinnied somberly.
The creature trotted softly on the loamy earth
towards a cluster of tall bushes.
It knelt and l sat down in the grass.
Its blue eyes found Alum once more,
and trusting the kind Alum,
it allowed itself to rest its head
and close its eyes.
It was shrouded by the bushes leaves.

The peoples voices grew clearer.
It seemed as though they had set up camp.
And as the heart of night drew nearer,
alas they lit their lamps.
Many people had gathered here and there
their chatter dying down as time crawled.
A long-haired man carrying a torch
passed by their tree and vine wall.
He stopped at the sight of Alum
his hair was the color of ice.
He stared curiosly and yet guarded
and lowered his torch as if the moon would suffice.

"Is that your steed, sir?
Forgive me if you have taken offense.
We saw it and were going to keep it.
we thought no one was here besides silence".
The elf bowed low, hair falling,
then, with one last glance towards Alum,
he began to leave as a courteuos gesture.

Alum glanced at the unicorn then turned to the man
"Yes, this is my steed, please, you are welcomed to stay."
Said Alum as he eyed the man
"Are your people near here?"
He asked listening to the dying sounds from near.
He bent down and sat on a rock
his hazel eyes never leaving the sleeping maidens.

Serene yawned and opened her eyes
Her gaze fell on the man standing before them.
He looked young even through she say wisdom in his eyes.
She made a small movement and the leaves rustled beneath her.
She lay on her back, her wings carefully hidden.
"Hello, what can I address you as ?"
She asked softly her eyes never leaving his.

Alum glanced at Serene the mumbled
"Ah, yes this is Serenity and the others will awake in due time."
He said not wishing to introduce everyone.
He looked at Serene and was glad her wings
were tucked away hidden from prying eyes.
"As she said who are you traveler?"

Serene tried to move slowly and with haste,
but as she got up with her wings still hidden
a vine caught in her foot and she tumbled.
Her wings spread out automatically to stop her fall.
She stared horrified at the long haired man

His vision was arrested by her great ebony wings,
and he was tempted to turn back on his heel,
yet he was taught never to flee from such things,
and was compelled in her aura to kneel
and he spoke thus:

"I am Ignas, a merchant of Zarnoth,
formidable creatures from afar.
I am with my family, we are off to Uhl,
and I have come upon you thus far--"
I glimpsed a glint in the dark of these woods:
the unicorn's horn like a star".

[[umm, do you know of any really good dark fantasy books? I just finished reading Bones of Faerie by something-Simner (hope I spelled the names right) and it was pretty interesting, a little juvenile for me but still a nice read. Do you have any recommendations? I've run out of books within the genre, as I read mostly Victorian Gothic and scifi...also, Alum has become a really cool central character!]]

(Thanks! Oh and I love dark fantasy myself have you read "Thirst" by Christopher Pike? Its a bit juvenile ,but the story is interesting and also a bit weird and confusing ,but it is quite a good book. By the way thinking of adding a third character if needed.)

Alum stayed close by the unicorn,
straying a little from Serene's side,
but he knew she could take care of herself.
He glanced at the sleeping stallion/ mare
and had his hand on his bow and arrow
just in case the merchant spoke lies.

Serene glanced at the sleeping Granat and Apfel,
before she tried to wake them.
She then took a step forward towards Ignas
and said in an old wise voice
"Do not be afraid Ignas,
we mean you and your family no har-"
She stopped as the air around them felt cold.

Alum could feel or hear something,
he held on tightly to his bow and arrow
and gently gripped the unicorn's mane
as he kept silent and still as a rock.
"Serene." He finally whispered
"What do you feel?"

Serene looked at the sky as she heard a piercing roar,
the ground seemed to shake
as the sound of huge feet padded towards them.
A strange troll like creature with horns and fangs
came into view, its was salivating a lot and
sniffing the air for the smell of its prey.
Looking for the smell of two elves,
two young maidens and the blood of an ancient.

"Its a dire beast!" shouted Alum as he fired an arrow at it.
The arrow bounced off its hard skin
and was left lodged in the ground.
"Run! Apfel!" He shouted as Serene grabbed her chain
She glanced at Ignas and then uttered a single "Run!"
before she tore off her chain
That familiar sense of power fill her,
but she felt a sharp pain course through herself.

"Its too soon." She thought to herself
she hadn't rested enough
she couldn't stop the beast by herself now.
The world dimmed as the power left her
and she fell down to the ground near Ignas

Amaranthus-Myst wrote:
[[umm, do you know of any really good dark fantasy books? I just finished reading Bones of Faerie by something-Simner (hope I spelled the names right) and it was pretty interesting, a little juvenile for me but still a nice read. Do you have any recommendations? I've run out of books within the genre, as I read mostly Victorian Gothic and scifi...also, Alum has become a really cool central character!]]

knife by R J Anderson

It's more on a fantasy side and it's about fairies, you'll might like it. I find it to be a nice read.
Have you read Emily The Strange? It's a more gothic modern day book (series) It is written like a diary and I loved it, the character is very colourful with their swearing (Flamjars, oh bobcarts...etc)

=cyan]Luna-Thirst? I will check that one out, I like confusing stories sometimes. -to Claudia- Yeah! I like books with fairies in them, and I have read Emily the Strange! there is a sequel called Stranger and Stranger, and I read the comic books---quite delectable indubitably~ I will check out Knife as you mentioned]]

Immediately, as if the sky would fall
at any moment upon the group,
Apfel was up, and grabbed Granat's hand too,
and the two took the the trees.
"Serene!" Granat called, and left the shadow of safety,
she grasped her spear and ran to Serene's side.
Ignas unsheathed a great black sword
that glinted in the light of waning dusk.
He glanced towards the hunter Alum;
"Zarnoth is not devoid of such demons,
but it is rare that they come out like this!
There must be sweet blood near by!
Who goes among you?".
At once his eyes darted to-wards the winged one.

"Go yea near her not!
Bind your eyes to the demon,
do not let it from your range of sight
whoever you are-
It must be killed at once"
Granat called in a stern, loud voice.

Ignas' eyes lingered on Granat a few moments
his expression grim and indignant.
Then he plunged towards the troll with his sword
but was thrown away into the air,
and fell down sharply into a cluster of vegetation.
The sounds aroused the others near by.
Soon there were worried voices
and cries of unrest among the unseen sleepers.

No sounds came from ignas who fell unconcious.
Emerging from the trees were children,
and Granat at once became enraged:
"Where are your parents, little ones?
Go to them and be angry with them,
for they let you into the hands of sure death.
Get to your mothers and fathers now!".

The unicorn rose to alum side,
and nudged him to mount it
so that it may help him reach up high
to the core of the troll.
The curious children heeded Granat
and ran away crying loudly.

Alum did not hesitate as he mounted the unicorn,
he rode near the beast and plunged a small dagger he had
into its stony hide, it screamed and swiped at Alum.
Its large claws raked his shoulders and Alum
had to bite back a painful groan this time.
He still continued to fight weaving
in and out of the monsters range.

Serene shook herself free of Granat and shouted
"Go now! Your power is not needed here!
Go and protect those innocent foolish enough to camp here!"
She said thinking of Ignas's family and the children,
then she remembered Ignas was still unconscious in the bushes.
She flew straight to him as fast as she could flap.

Alum called wind to his aid and called it to surround them.
It created a mini tornado like a shield around him,
he aimed sharp bursts of air at the beast.
Suddenly the wind was gone and
Alum was panting hard and felt weak
both mentally and physically , but
he knew he could not stop fighting at all costs.

Serene knelt down beside the fallen Ignas
and shook him hard to wake him
"Its my blood the beast wants right?"
She asked not waiting for an answer,
she grabbed his sword and held it above her arm.
She hesitated before she cut her wrist and let the blood flow.
As her wings flapped and she rose off the ground,
a tiny "chink!" was heard as the necklace
the one just like Alum's ring fell out of her pocket and
right next to Ignas as she flew off.

Alum was ready to give up,
but he kept on attacking the beast.
It swiped at his arm again and
left a long red gash across his shoulder.
Suddenly the beast stopped raised its head to the air
and sniffed the scent that was coming towards it.

Serene flew past the beast,
the blood still dripping from her wound
splattering the ground and leaving a
delicious trail of scent for it to follow.
The beast did just so and ran after her,
Serene flew faster and faster,but
she was getting weaker and weaker.

Alum staggered slowly over to Apfel's side,
ignoring his wound he said softly so Granat could not hear.
"Are you alright? " He then turned towards Granat.
"She bought us some time. We have to get as far away
from here now." He glanced at Ignas and went to him.
"I'm afraid your family is long gone now,
fleeing from here with their children.
We offer you a choice here, stay here and die
or come with us and help us with our journey."
He said kindly.

Serene looked back at the beast,
it was caught in some vines and was tangled up,
it would take a while for him to get free.
Sighing with relief she flew back to the others.
"We have to go now..." She said surprised
at how weak she sounded.