ENDLESS JOURNEYS (O/A)

[Nova Blancke]

Nova let out a weak chuckle despite his hard look.

"Yes, that would be nice. If you are as good as I think you are, it would most certainly help. Alchemy fits a druid." Nova replied with kind words.  

[Rikki Tikki Travi]

Nova Blancke

Nova let out a weak chuckle despite his hard look.

"Yes, that would be nice. If you are as good as I think you are, it would most certainly help. Alchemy fits a druid." Nova replied with kind words.

Alec was about to say yes to Kerana, when a thought occurred to him. This was something that he would do on his own, to prove to both of them that he didn't have to depend on someone all the time.

With an unsteady smile he shook his head, "Naw, I think I got this one."

He then hurried back to the room where his supplies were waiting for him to begin grinding the necessary ingredients.

Kerana

Shara noticed his groaning. "Good you're up....now on your feet." She placed his feet down and continued to hold him up until he didn't need to. "Good work back there. I believe this will take us where we need to go."

The child coughed and hacked a few more stray flies before straightening up and walking unsteadily beside Shara. "I will not be able to do that again for sometime...or much else for that matter. It will be up to you to keep me safe until we can reach Trinity."  

[Nova Blancke]

"Damn it....my eyes are getting way too heavy...I can't...give in yet....too much to do...." Nova muttered to himself.

He was going to use this time to rest but the extra voice unsettled him. This place was covered by a barrier. The Golem would respond to that. No matter what it was that tried to pass. And something already passed. That's why Hasaii and Trinity are with the Golem. And now this? A traveler stumbling upon this abandoned Valkyrie village and coming right here instead of another house? No, too many coincidences. Nova gave a quick glance when they weren't looking and saw the woman and a child. There was something about that child he didn't like. It was hard to place a gender on it. And that woman looked familiar. Nova really had to change that part about Kerana. It's okay to be friendly but use you head in situations like this!

"Alec! We need you and your guardian right now. Kerana let two people into the house. One too familiar women. We might need the help of your spirit." Nova said telepathically to Alec.

"Kerana, I need to speak with you. Now." Nova said to Kerana using the same methods. He wouldn't risk those other two attacking him now.  

[Rikki Tikki Travi]

Alec immediately dropped what he was working on and made his way to the door. He was taken aback by the sudden appearance of Kerana and two strangers, one of whom was a child.

He tried to interject, but found that his mouth had difficulty making the words he needed to say through Kerana's insistence.

What was he to do? Nova's mental message seemed urgent, but the kid in front of Alec wasn't looking so good. With a sigh, he did a quick triage and decided that women and children come first. Besides, Kerana was on her way down. He was sure she could handle whatever it was that Nova needed.

The lady looked familiar, but smelled odd. What really got Alec's attention was the vibe he was getting from the kid. It...unsettled him.

With he sigh he acquiesced and waved the woman and her child in. "You can lay him, er, her over there."  

[Nova Blancke]

Nova heard Alec wasn't doing as he told him. Kerana made sure of that. He knew she means good but that doesn't mean she is doing good. Nova didn't want to alert the two outsiders so he sent another message. This time to both of them.

"We had two intruders who broke through the barrier. Now we have two strangers right here. Most likely the two who broke through the barrier. And if I am correct, which do believe I am. Shara has just fooled you twice. So get back here now. Both of you."  

[Nova Blancke]

"And I wish you would stop being naive and realize the situation you are in. Does someone need to die in order for you to understand that? Don't take things at face value. Everything about a person can be faked. Make-up and hair dye can completely change appearance. Personalities can be made. Scents can be eradicated and replaced by another. " Nova replied actually getting angry but without raising his voice. How could this girl not understand that?! " If there were other people Hasaii would have been informed and I would have known as well."  

[Rikki Tikki Travi]

Nova Blancke

Nova heard Alec wasn't doing as he told him. Kerana made sure of that. He knew she means good but that doesn't mean she is doing good. Nova didn't want to alert the two outsiders so he sent another message. This time to both of them.

"We had two intruders who broke through the barrier. Now we have two strangers right here. Most likely the two who broke through the barrier. And if I am correct, which do believe I am. Shara has just fooled you twice. So get back here now. Both of you."

Alec's hands froze for a moment while he had his back turned to the young woman and her child. Was this woman Shara, as Nova said? Alec had almost killed Kerana as a result of the last time she interfered. He wasn't going to take that chance again.

He discretely pulled a small knife from his pack. The instrument was normally used to chop small plants, but it could be used as a weapon in a pinch. He slid it into his sleeve before he began working with his herbs.

While keeping his back turned, he cleared his throat and asked, "What's wrong with your child?"  

[Nova Blancke]

Nova made an audiable sigh. He was no longer overcome by his fatigue or illness. Right now he was just angry. But he was glad he was filled by this anger. It helped distract him from his pain and potential demise. Kerana might have put up a little mental barrier but he was ready to break that once more if he had to. For now he just let things go on. It was cruel and cold on his part but he would wait until things would go wrong before stepping in. That girl has too much goodwill for her current situation. Too naive.  

[Rikki Tikki Travi]

The child coughed and turned his head toward Alec. It was then that it saw Kerana in the doorway. The situation was continuing toward the master's preferred outcome. The one where Shara is thrown under the carriage to persuade the heroic party feel pity on the helpless child.

The master had grown dissatisfied with Shara. Indeed he felt as thought he may have made an error in using her to begin with. But with the child he would be able to knock out two birds with one stone.

The child weakly turned his head toward Kerana and made an expression of suppressed fear.

Alec began to mix a general malaise remedy. He continued to keep his back turned to the mother and her child. As motherly as she sounded, she still hadn't convinced Alec completely.

"This may not cure what ails...him? Er- but it should help him feel better."  

[Nova Blancke]

"Keep an eye on that foolish foxgirl. She completely disregarded my answer. Protect her from herself, Guardian." Nova sent his thoughts to Alec. Though he wouldn't act until it was almost too late, he would prefer it if it didn't need to come to that.