The Day...

Discussion in 'The Salty Dog Tavern' started by Oni Neaufire, Sep 12, 2015.

  1. Oni Neaufire

    Oni Neaufire Well-Known Member

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    A portrait is worth... priceless.

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    Each day begins anew, with all of its triumphs and tragedies, waiting...
    How we conduct ourselves in these arenas and in the arena of life dictates our character.

    So, as all other days before, this day begins the same.
    The character shaping begins...
    "Lady Oni."
    It was the voice of Elma.
    "I turned to address her.

    "Yes, Elma. What is it?"
    "Aeritas reports the appearance of a strange green portal near his home.
    He wishes you to come and investigate it."
    "Green portal," I spoke softly, more to myself than to Elma.
    'Huh!" Elma questioned.
    "Oh! A... nothing," I trailed off.
    "Give me a moment to think."
    "Sure," she replied.

    The room became quiet as Elma stood stoically still and quiet.
    My thoughts quickly turned inward.

    I broke the silence.

    "Green portals usually mean that something or someone has opened an area that is not normally accessed from our realm.
    Let us go and investigate, indeed."


    Elma and I hurried out of the Knight's Tower and rode south to the Headwater Region.
    The ostards seemed to sense the urgency and sped on as if the wind was pushing them.

    Moments later we arrived at the Headwater Lodge, and there the portal stood, shimmering in the morning sun.
    I sense of great aura and evil pervaded the portal and the area around.
    I could not scrye through to see what lay beyond the gate.

    "We look through the glass darkly." The Ancient Tome states.

    In this case that statement could not be more true.

    "We must summon aid," I concluded.
    "Ride to the Village of Paws and see if any be their of valiant heart and stout arm, Elma.
    I will send a message to Vlar at Stormhold to see if any there are available.
    This portal must be entered to get a clear picture of where it goes and what it contains."
    "Aye, M'Lady," replied Elma as she turned her ostard South and East and hurried off for Paws.

    I quickly composed a short message and tied it to the leg of a messenger bird.
    The bird flew straight North and slightly East, quickly surpassing my sight.

    Aeritas joined me at the portal, and we began to speculate about what lay beyond.

    "Certainly has an odd feeling about it, does it not, Oni?"
    "Indeed it does.
    No doubt some malevolent force lies beyond this portal.
    We must tread carefully."

    Aeritas chocked his head to one side and studied the shimmering green.
    His veteran ranger eyes peered on suspiciously.
    His muscles tensed.
    I could tell he was readying himself for the journey that lay beyond the mysterious gate.

    The morning passed and afternoon turned to evening.
    Aeritas and I stood vigil over the portal.
    The hours were tenuous and tedious.
    Still we waited with patience and diligence.

    As we stood there studying, the 'messenger' came back from Stormhold.
    The note was clear, concise and brief.

    "Be there soon, Vlar.
    Bringing help."

    Moments later a blue portal opened nearby and out stepped Vlar, Roscoe Redding
    and four magnificent 'valkeries'.

    "allo, Oni," Vlar called out as he cleared the blue gate.
    "Good evening Vlar and Roscoe ," I replied.
    "I am glad you could come and aid us."
    "Always a pleasure to stand with the Knights, he replied.

    As we spoke, Elma also returned riding hard with Shadbak, my great friend, by her side.
    She is an orc from Paws.

    'Greebas, Oni," Shad spoke in her orcish speech.
    "Greebas, my Friend," I returned.
    "Shinnies!?"
    "Most assuredly, I perceive.
    Of course after a bit of, shall we say 'exercise'," I stated.

    She drew her mace and quickly slid the green stained bottle back into her pack and stepped into the portal.
    Everyone filed in behind her.
    Ready or not, the group would face what was on the other side.
    Oni Neaufire_9-11_21.29.jpg
    We stepped out onto an old ship.
    Pirates ran helter-skelter about and began to set upon us.
    The battle was on...
    Oni Neaufire_9-11_21.30-3.jpg Pirates fell before the weight of the party.
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    We worked our way forward and down into the ship.

    "Phew," Vlar let out a deep sigh.
    "These pirates are stubborn."
    "Indeed they are, but we shall overcome," I retorted.

    Determinedly we advanced.

    We reached an area of the ship where the pirates had made the deck slippery.
    Aeritas's horse slipped on the greasy surface.
    Horse and rider came crashing to the deck very forcibly.
    In the fall, the valiant steed was injured beyond help and had to be put down.
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    Aeritas continued to battle on foot.

    We reached the inner cabin area.Two massive doors barred the way.
    Cursings and slanderings echoed out from behind the doors.

    Elma smashed through the last barrier.
    The final onslaught commenced.
    Cries of pain and fury from both sides could be heard above the noise of battle.
    I spent all my energy keeping the three warriors healed as Roscoe and Vlar attended to their 'valkeries'.

    The pirates vainly tried to resist.
    In the end, the ship captain and his minions fell to the weight of the valiant band.
    Shad was able to retrieve many shinnies.
    Oni Neaufire_9-11_22.00.jpg
    "This surely was a day of glory, Oni," shouted Elma.
    "Indeed, twas glorious, Elma," replied Vlar before I could answer.

    I smiled.
    He had taken my words.

    This was The Day..
    The day character was revealed and was purest gold to this one who stood and watched true hearts strong and brave.
    No other response was required.

    The party stepped into the blue portal.
    I paused for a moment..
    This portrait was priceless, indeed.
    A forever moment stored in my memory.
    This was a day of glory: Elma, Vlar, Roscoe, Aeritas and Shadbak made it so.
  2. Elma

    Elma Member

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    Twas a great story Oni
    Vlar and Xander the Scribe like this.
  3. Oni Neaufire

    Oni Neaufire Well-Known Member

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    Was a great adventure, Elma.
    Glad I was there to inscribe the tale.
    Vlar, Elma and Xander the Scribe like this.
  4. Vlar

    Vlar Well-Known Member

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    A wonderful tale to read as always m'lady knight! :)

    Glad myself and Redding could come along.
    Xander the Scribe and Elma like this.
  5. Oni Neaufire

    Oni Neaufire Well-Known Member

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    Loved having you guys along.:)
    The tale was made wonderful by those who came.

    Many thanks for you most kind words.:D
    Xander the Scribe, Elma and Vlar like this.

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