Midori,+the+dragon+in+the+orb,+meets+Wren+and+Mali

Wren stood on the balcony of their room, overlooking the city. The black night sky was starting to lighten to a deep purple... dawn was starting to approach. She looked over the back of her shoulder to see Kale still asleep on the huge bed in piles of tousled sheets and pillows. Inali was spread out beside him on one of the pillows. Her ear twitched and she lifted her sleepy head to look out at Wren, who was intentionally quiet out on the balcony.

Inali looked over at Kale and back out at the elven witch, she had that look that said she was heading for trouble. Inali looked again at Kale, wondering if she should intentionally disturb the warrior. She leapt to the floor quietly and padded out to the balcony, speaking to Wren mentally, //"Why are you up? Shouldn't you be all cuddly on a nice soft bed like everyone else?"//

Wren smiled down at her, //"I was... but I just can't let it go."// //"Let what go?" // The petite black fox leapt onto the rail and sat down, tilting her head at Wren.

//"The dragon cavern... you know that room with the orb hadn't been opened in a long time... but someone else has been there more recent... which means they likely didn't find that room. What if they go back to pilfer more stuff and find traces of where we went.. that orb could be dangerous. I want to go back and get it... and I want to hide the cavern as best as we can. It should remain a secret. Leira was right... hiding a thing gives it value by the very act of cloaking. It's much more special if the whole city doesn't go trampling through it." //

Inali stared at her, //"So... you shared the secret... and now you want to re-hide it? and ...you want to get the orb... that set off a magic alarm... did you learn nothing from the map in Thay?"//

//"Inali, the room hadn't been opened in a LONG time! The person it belonged to probably isn't even around anymore... I doubt a lich army is going to track us down for a simple little orb that let's us scry close by." //

//"Mmm gee I bet no one thought a lich army would hunt down a map either... and I bet that glass case hadn't been opened in a long time..." // Inali looked at her skeptically.

Wren folded her arms, //"We're not in Thay."// //"No.. no... of course not ... just an ancient dragon cavern... who just might have an ancient cranky dragon who doesn't want you touching their stuff!" // //"They can't come in the city anyway!" // //"Great! So it'll be waiting for us when we leave the city because YOU want to go get it!" // //"Why do you always have to be so ... so.... just go back to sleep with Kale! I'm leaving you here." // //"WHAT?! You can't leave me here! You can't just go off alone to a dragon cave without me!! What if the alchemist - thief - cavern resident - person is there!" //

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren put her pack on her back and lifted off the balcony in flight. //<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"Wren Dreamspinner! If you dare leave me here... I will wake up that warrior, rat you out, and sick him on you!" //<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Inali jumped from the railing onto Wren's shoulder. <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren laughed softly, //"And what exactly do you think that would accomplish you?"// //<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"You're horribly stubborn, do you know that?" // <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren nodded, //"...so I've often been told."//

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">She landed softly on the balcony to Maliumpkin's room. <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Inali blinked down at her, //"Now what?"// //<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"I'm going to see if Mali wants to come and help me... her druidic skills could be priceless for hiding the cavern. She can grow the trees in more and soften the stone to hide or maybe even seal the door." // //<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"Oh thank goodness! Tell her to bring the lion... and maybe the bear.... and the little bear... and the warrior next door... oh and a priestess might be nice..." // //<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"Oh for goodness sake! We already killed the big blue monster... it should be perfectly safe," //<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren pushed Inali into her pack and closed it. //<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"H-hey! You can still hear me you know!!" //

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren glanced into the room where Melleron and Black Fang were sleeping on the bed with Ursus and Mali. //Wow!//, Wren thought as she crept in closer, //It's a good thing the bed is so big!// <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">She whispered a sleep spell over the druid barbarian and his bear so she wouldn't wake them, and she nudged the sleeping halfling.

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"Mali...?"

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Inali poked her head out of Wren's pack, continuing to speak to her mentally, //"You can't wake her up now! For goodness sake it was her first night with her extra large boyfriend... look how adorable they all are!"// <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren glanced back over her shoulder, //"You're going to wait until now to point that out?!"// //<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"I thought you were going to wait til morning!" // //<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"Right... because I landed on her balcony to just hang out there for a few hours because it's more comfortable than mine!" // //<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"H-hey! Don't get snippy! You should've thought of it on your own! Just look at her! She's adorable!" // <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren sighed, //"You're right... she is."// She smiled down at Mali and headed back to the balcony quietly.

<span style="color: #77933c; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Mali stretched like a lazy lion awakening from a long nap. *groggy half yawn* "Wren? Is it time for breakfast? Sausages and eggs and potatoes and cheeses?" *wide awake* " Mmmm elven cheeses! They are so delicious! *grumbly belly* It's early...and you came in the balcony...what’s going on!?! Is Yuki awake? Did she murder Axton for stealing her first kiss?...and I missed it! Aww man, what a bummer. *snuggle into Melleron's mane* These elven beds are so nice. How come Ursus is still asleep.. well I suppose I did wear him out a bit. Wren, are we going somewhere without the others?"

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren paused in her steps and looked back, laughing softly and shaking her head, "Mali, You **are** awake! No, Yuki didn't murder Axton..." Wren giggled again, "At least not that I know of..." <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"I'm sorry I disturbed you so early... Inali has pointed out how rude it is," Wren blushed, "But I can't seem to be able to sleep... I'm very restless about the dragon cavern and the orb. I was thinking about going back... and I thought I'd see if you wanted to go with me. Of course I understand it's terribly late... or early... however you want to look at it... but I thought I'd at least ask if you wanted to come with me. I'd like to keep it secret, and hide it again. Do you want to come help? And we can check the orb again while we're there." <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren walked closer from the moonlit balcony back toward the bed and offered her a warm, cheesy pastry, "I'm sorry it's not quite breakfast time... but I did manage to get you something... even if you just want to snack to go back to sleep." Wren giggled.

<span style="color: #77933c; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"Rude? We were just sleeping. (Though it's good you didn't come in earlier! She thought.) These elven beds are so big and wonderful, we can snuggle with each other AND our companions. Ursus does like to snuggle! *She glances back to be certain he's still sleeping* Mmmm cheese pastry! You sure know the way to a halfling's heart Miss Dreamspinner. /swoon *Mouth full with pieces falling into Ursus's beard* So we're headed back to the cave? That sounds great! I'd wanted to linger but Azarius seemed like he was in a hurry. I mean what could possibly be so bad? It was only a small magical alarm, it was so old, and we haven't seen any liches. *Picks pieces out of Ursus's beard and eats them* We would've seen them by now…right?"

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren loosely covers her mouth with her hand trying to stifle her giggles as she nodded in agreement.

<span style="color: #77933c; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">*Gets up and dressed, grabs her always packed bag and scrawls a note for Ursus*

<span style="color: #77933c; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Dear (thinks for a few moments) Ursus (yeah Ursus that'll do just fine), <span style="color: #77933c; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">I've headed out on an errand, Melleron and I will be back before second breakfast. <span style="color: #77933c; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">XOXO Mal

<span style="color: #77933c; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">*Looks to Wren* "Ok. I'm ready. I'm deviously curious about the orb. I can't wait to give it a second look and I think you're right that we should keep it secret."

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren hugged the little halfling warmly, "Oh, I knew you were the right person to go to!"

<span style="color: #77933c; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">She puts Melleron's collar of shrinking on and gently places him in her bag after giving him a sausage she'd saved to munch on. After memorizing the necessary spells for the trip. Gleefully traipses over to the balcony looks down and back up to Wren. "Shall we?" and leaps off the balcony with her arms spread as she floats gently down with her ring of feather fall to the soft green earth below. *Looking up at Wren* "Waiting on you sugar."

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren laughed softly as she looked down, watching Mali's graceful display. She leapt off the railing to follow her, taking flight. She snatched the adorable druidess's hand and drug her with her on her way by, giggling the whole time.

<span style="color: #77933c; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">*Traipsing through the forest, much easier than before as we've been to the entrance twice now* "Ahh pre sunrise forest. It's my favorite. So fresh and new, awaiting the unknown day to unfold. Don't you think Wren? I'm so glad you came to get me.”

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren nodded in agreement, "It's a beautiful night for walking in the woods. I'm super excited that you agreed to go! It'll be much more fun to share a secret... Thanks for coming to help!"

<span style="color: #77933c; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">“I made sure to memorize all the best spells for the day and if necessary my sweet Esme gave this wonderful staff. Did you know that it has powers beyond the delicious healing cherries? *whispers* I can use it to re-memorize my spells once a day. It was ever so handy when we went to save you and Yuki from the Drow. I had planned on some frue frue princesses stuffs for a day in the palace but I was sure glad I could change plans! Who knows how long you guys would've been stuck in those vines! I suppose I could have just <span style="color: #77933c; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">spoken with the vines <span style="color: #77933c; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> but they may have been in cahoots with those evil Drow and just <span style="color: #77933c; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">puttering  <span style="color: #77933c; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> them out was better I think.”

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren blinked at her in surprise as they walked, "Really?! That IS a very special staff! I'm so grateful you have it... and you used it to help me! Whatever would we do without you? That was a GREAT spell! You gave us the chance to get out, and it stopped that necromantic drow from just throwing out another ball of fire to try and roast us up there! I hope we find your Esme soon..."

<span style="color: #77933c; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">“So what do you think we'll find at the cave?” *Gracefully bounds over some bramble*

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"I'm not sure..." the elven witch shook her head as she casually wove around some branches as they grew close to entrance, "I'd like to look through the pile of treasure in there... see if there's some small interesting token...”

<span style="color: #77933c; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">“Token? You mean loot! I think Thorn is rubbing off on you!”

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren laughed, blushing a light pink, "Well I didn't mean to take it allll... but I am curious about the things a dragon would collect..."

<span style="color: #77933c; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">“Do you think anyone(thing) responded to the alarm?"

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"I'm hoping that maybe it's old and whatever it may have triggered is long gone... Maybe it belonged to the woman in the paintings?"

<span style="color: #77933c; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">“That would be really neat. I’d love to know more about her too. I wonder if there’s some scrying spell we can use to learn more about it.”

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren tilted her head curiously at Mali, "but I would definitely like for you to get to play with the orb a bit...”

<span style="color: #77933c; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">“Oooo That sounds like great fun! I can’t wait!”

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">“I assume it will work the same for you as it did for me... but it will be interesting to find out."

<span style="color: #77933c; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">“It would. I think if it only works for you that it’s meant for you to have.”

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">She pondered that thought for a moment, "Mmm perhaps... but we are both quite different... it might be something that takes elven blood to use... or something weird like that... magic items, you just never know... sometimes they're picky." She shrugged and raised her wrist up, calling down Cirdan and stroking his head.

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren pointed out the lake where the blue-scaled monster had found the back entrance into the cavern, "I think that's it... I usually enter through the door within the city, but... I think it might be safer to take this route, just in case.”

<span style="color: #77933c; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">“I agree. Don’t tell Ursus but I sure do feel safer when he’s around.”

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren nodded and giggled, "I understand. It will be our little secret... I think the cat is way out of the bag for me... I think everyone is well aware that I feel safer when Kale's with me."

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">“I'd like to either hide the city entrance or maybe even seal it and take down the ladder that goes to it... and maybe grow the trees a little differently in that area to help hide it. Do you think you can help me with that?”

<span style="color: #77933c; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">“Oh yeah! No problem! I can make it so no one will find it again but us.”

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren quickly embraced her in a joyful hug, "Perfect!"

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">“I know Azarius and Erevin were talking about possibly telling people to come in and collect what's left of the hoard... but it's such a special place... It seems horribly sad that the whole city might find it and go trampling through it... don't you think?"

<span style="color: #77933c; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">“Yeah I agree. I wonder if we can’t assist Azarius and Erevin in forgetting about it...”

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">She laughed and nodded to Mali, "I love the way you think..."

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">She glanced at the pool of water and looked back for Kale, recalling that he wasn't there... //so silly... just a pool of water... how dangerous can it be?//

<span style="color: #77933c; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Mali follows her gaze and shudders. "Umm dangerous..." Mali casts a water breathing/swimming spell on both of them. "just to make things easier."

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"Mali! I didn't know you could do that!" Wren beamed at her happily, "Today you are my hero!" She grinned at her.

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">She waded in carefully and dipped down to swim through the entrance into the cavern, tossing out dancing lights to illuminate the room. It really was quite pretty with vines and moss along the natural rock, all reflected in the pool of water. Inali leapt down and shook the water out of her fur next to Wren. <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">She folded her arms and looked down at the little fox, "Thanks... now I'm wet AND I smell like a wet fox." <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Inali walked over and sniffed her, //Mmm! You're welcome!// <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren shook her head, laughing, and walked over to stand with Mali.

<span style="color: #77933c; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Air spell to dry us off "I really don't like being wet."

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"I think you're the most handy halfling ever! ...I'm going to drag you with me everywhere!" Wren giggled.

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"Is Melleron very chatty with you sometimes?"

<span style="color: #77933c; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Sad face. "No I can only understand him when I’m in cat form or cast a spell and I’m only in cat form when we’re fighting. Not much time to chat then and my spells are typically used to help us from getting eaten or killed or trapped by a dark necromancer or skinned or.. Ugh we need to stop getting into so much trouble.. I’d really like to talk to Mel a bit more he’s not like your familiar though he’s much more animal.

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren nodded to her, "Inali certainly has her own personality... she's challenging, but I love her. I would probably get into even more trouble without her." She smiled down at the little black fox who was nodding up at her.

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">She glanced at the remaining blue-scaled body and pondered, "Want to get anything made that's resistant to lightning? How are you at skinning? ...I could probably take a few scales to play with in alchemy or to have something small made... but I'm not very skilled if you want several."

<span style="color: #77933c; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">“Well I’m more of an herbalist.. but I’m sure we can work together to get some quality bits and stuffs.” *pokes the corpse while making an eww face* “They would really come in handy.”

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren giggled and nodded, "Well then we wont worry about it much... We can each just take a few. I'm sure Dominic would like to have some of these to play with. He's quite fascinating to work with."

<span style="color: #77933c; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">*Gathers several scales for herself along with a talon.* Really? I thought he just kept to himself, (Well and with Amynta...) but I suppose he would have some pretty nifty tidbits tucked away in that head of his. I should concentrate more on my herbalism and get him some fun rare herbs the play with.

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren nodded and carefully cut away a few of the top layers of scales, Inali collecting them as Wren removed them. The little fox leapt onto her shoulders and hid them away in Wren's pack.

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">She continued on through the little oasis cavern room of vines and moss covered stone up through the doorway into the treasure room. After a careful listen, she whispered quietly, “We should probably scout it out just in case. You two take that way… and we’ll take this way and meet you on the other side.”

<span style="color: #77933c; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Ok. Scouting...nothing bad ever happens when we’re scouting..*sigh, trudge trudge* I should’ve packed more snacks. Scouting makes my tummy rumble.

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren stroked Cirdan lovingly and sent him up over the treasure through the center of the room to scout it out while she and Inali walked together around one side of the room until meeting up with Mali and Melleron on the other side. Satisfied that they seemed to be alone, she set the raven on her shoulder to watch the room while she looked around.

<span style="color: #77933c; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Hey! Nothing bad happened! Man I have to admit I was kinda nervous!

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">She inquisitively poked through some of the piles of treasure, looking at the interesting old copper pieces and shiny trinkets. She giggled as she held up a gleaming fork to Mali, “Because every dragon needs a nice, shiny fork…”

<span style="color: #77933c; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Yes, with rainbows. *matter of factly* *Silly elf, dragons need rainbow forks too*

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">She continued to paw through little things with great curiosity, unrolling a couple of leftover canvases with paintings on them to look them over and pausing when she found a children’s toy… metal rings that lock together in different ways and you had to solve the puzzle to get them apart. Wren giggled as she played with them and set them down with a little care, wondering if the dragon had actually enjoyed the game.

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">She found a small simple figurine of a baby dragon sitting inside a cracked open shell and squealed with delight, slipping it into her pack. She sighed softly, “I could stay here all day and look through this stuff… I find it all captivating… but we should probably check on the orb and go get the city entrance hidden before anyone else comes looking…”

<span style="color: #77933c; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Good call. It looks like all the fancy stuff had been taken, but I did find this great pewter pint! *Holds up a misshapen pint glass of what appears to be made of pewter. It may have been stepped on by a dragon. or it was used as a club. either way its iffy if it will still hold liquid but Mali seems quite thrilled with her find*

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">She glanced over to see Inali had collected quite a pile of shiny beads. Wren laughed, “Do you think you’re a dragon too? We’re not taking all of those… pick one.” Inali sulked. <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren sighed, “Fine. Pick two, but then we’re going.” Inali quickly took a mouthful and leapt onto Wren’s shoulders hiding them in Wren’s various pockets as she walked. <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">“Inali! I said two.” The little fox licked her cheek and Wren just sighed, and petted her head.

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">She flipped the trigger to open the secret chamber with the orb on the pedestal.

<span style="color: #77933c; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">*sharp intake of breath as she waits to see if there’s something scary on the other side*

<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The two young adventures...a curious fox, and a somewhat bored lion looked into the small room revealed by the slow opening secret door. Within...was still...the ornate pedestal that Wren had seen before with the slightly glowing glass orb resting serenely atop it. Both of the girls were slightly...disappointed that nothing seemed to jump out...and try to devour them.. Melleron yawned and padded over to the corpse of the behir...nibbling on it slightly before recoiling...clear not pleased by the taste of its meat. And so he lay down on the floor of the cave, watching as his mistress played with the elven witch.

<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Inali leapt up on Wren's shoulder. "S...see! Nothing at all! Just a old dusty glass ball! We should head back to the palace now!" Her head...darted back and forth a little nervously.

<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">But Wren and Mali could still feel the magic of the orb....potent....washing over their bodies...

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren petted the little fox on her shoulders soothingly, "Relax, Inali... there's nothing here to worry over, so what's the rush?" <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">She looked over at Mali, "Though... is it me? Or does it seem more... awake... now? I can feel it all the way over here." She glanced behind them back into the treasure room.

<span style="color: #77933c; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">I feel it too. It's almost like the air is heavier now. *shiver

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">She pet Cirdan gently, "Come and get me if you see anyone or anything that moves, alright?" She extended out her wrist, releasing him into the room. She spied a large wooden box and pushed it over near the pedestal, so the halfling would be able to reach the orb.

<span style="color: #77933c; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">(Trying to say I'm short?! *hangs head* I am.)

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">She glanced at Mali, "I got to use it once already... still want to try it? ...you just have to place your hands on the orb and think of someone... in Myth Coramanth, or so it seemed earlier..." she took a step back from the pedestal, to give Mali some room, curious to see if it would work the same for the druidess.

<span style="color: #77933c; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">*Mali steps up onto the crate and places her hands on the orb, thinking of Ursus sound asleep and snuggled in their bed.*

<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The orb felt warm as Mali touched it and she felt her vision blur and shift as it almost seemed like...she was flying over Myth Coramanth like a bird. Thinking of...Ursus her vision narrowed down....focusing into the palace...then through the window to his room...then...to his sleeping body, his muscular chest rising and falling...a slight smile on his face. It was...almost like...she were right there! What could...an unscrupulous person do with something like this!

<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"What have we here...a tasty little morsel! It wasn't...a false alarm after all! Someone has found my....orb! Delightful!" A deep...masculine...sibilant voice said in Mali's mind. Old...ancient even...and powerful. "A...halfling? Not an elf? A pity...You'll do..."

<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Mail suddenly found herself in a forest...Thick...Lush...and Green. But...more of a jungle than a forest really...Mali had heard of such places, but never seen them. Warm...wet air...and everything seemed to glisten with water....And the place was alive...with sounds.

<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren...saw Mali slowly take her hands...off the orb, and smile at her. "Neato! I could see Ursus perfectly! You should try it to see if you can see Kale!" Her eyes....glittered with mischievousness...or perhaps...a little...maliciousness...

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren beamed at Mali, reaching out to touch the orb, "Great idea! So it works for you too! " Her hands paused in the air as she caught the strange look in Mali's eyes. The always innocent, cheerful halfling who bubbles with simple joy appeared... malicious? <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">She blinked at Mali for a moment. LIES and DECEIT! Something was wrong... but what had happened? It's almost like something else jumped inside her! She still called Ursus and Kale by name... and yet... something was off. Was it just her imagination? Hmmm... Kale and Ursus were probably mentioned in the room though... She studied the orb for a moment to see if it felt or looked any different, peering into it without touching it.

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">She let her hands drop before touching the orb, and gasped, "Oh no! Speaking of Kale... I forgot to leave him a note... I should send a message with Cirdan before he starts to worry..." she glanced back at the lion by the doorway to see if he seemed to notice anything wrong with Mali, but he seemed to be minding his own business, lazily lounging. She called Cirdan in from the next room.

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">She giggled, looking over the druidess as her stomach growled, "Why don't you make us some cherries real quick from the staff jojo gave you? and i'll get the orb." Wren smiled sweetly as Mali looked at the staff in her hand. She started walking toward the orb. //<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Okay... something is definitely wrong... so... how do I get her back? //<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> She glanced at the orb on the pedestal. //Do... do I go in and get her? And... what's inside her now?! How much danger am I in?...// <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.5;">she glanced back at the lion in the doorway and wondered if he would obey this Mali if she told him to attack her. //<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.5;">Oh... this could be bad... I have to get us out of here... but who... who can help her? a priest maybe? Cast out whatever evil is inside her? ... Yuki is asleep! Shri? Axton? ... Axton is more experienced... //

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Inali was nudging Wren to hurry. //I can't just leave Melleron here... but if Mali seems against her will at all...// she shuddered thinking about him mauling so many people. //I can't get his collar because Mali wears it as a belt. And if I leave with Mali, I can't have him chasing me through the city looking like that! If anyone had any prayer of controlling him... it would be Ursus... He would know what to do... but the odds of me getting her to them fully willingly or without noticing that I know are slim...// // <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Inali... I really don't know what else to do... I think I'm stuck here on my own... I'm just going to have to try to talk to it... and perhaps go into the orb after her. //

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">She petted the large raven and held him close to her face, whispering so only he could hear. "Cirdan, I need you to take an urgent message to Kale. Tell him, ~ I'm in trouble. Returned to the cavern with Mali. She used the orb. Something is wrong, she is not herself. Going to try and help. Please bring Ursus and a priest if you can. Use caution, I may not be me. I love you always.~ then return to me." She sent the raven off.

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">She stood by the orb and looked up at Mali with a serious expression, "Who are you? and what do you want?"

<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Mali smiled up at Wren, giving her the halflings biggest, doe-iest eye look that the witch had ever seen. "I'm Mali of course! Are you feeling all right...you look a little pale! Maybe you should sit down!" Mali snapped her fingers suddenly "I know! You didn't have a suitable breakfast and your hungry right!"

<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"I'll just summon up something that will catch us something nice and juicy to eat!" The small halfling wove her hands intricately, casting a spell and a big...fierce looking hawk appeared...and flew off. "There! He should bring us back something....yummy!" Mali licked her lips.

<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Melleron got up...curious at the two girls talking and padded over softly to stand near Mali. Wren looked at the two a little nervously....but held her chin high, looking Mali right in the eyes.

<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The halfling shook her head, once it was clear Wren knew more than she was letting on. "Mmm...not buying it are you Miss Elf. Clever...clever you are. And dangerous. Too dangerous to live perhaps? You ask me who I am...but you’re the one in my sanctum...trying to steal what isn't yours. Who are you...tasty elf?"

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Tasty? No one ever called her tasty with quite that tone before... it was like it wanted to actually eat her! Threatening and intimidating... but it was talking to her... that was good, right? Wren held her ground, determined. //Mali... I hope you're still safe in there somewhere...//

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren peered at the little halfling closely, "Your sanctum? To be honest, I didn't think the owner was really still around...it seems rather untouched in this room... my apologies for our intrusion... we found your toys quite interesting," she glanced at the orb in front of her for a moment before looking back up at Mali, "My name is Wren Dreamspinner... and you are?"

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren lingered on the back side of the pedestal, keeping the orb between her and Mali. She ran her fingers along the edge of the pedestal as she walked along side it, watching the little halfling, "Other than the supposed owner, of course... and what exactly are you claiming as your sanctum, by the way? This place is rather old... and hidden. I don't think the finder found this room... and... surely you're not the collector... Are you blissfully unaware of what's transpired beyond this room? Some demon someone trapped inside this orb perhaps? Looking for your way out?" She then turned slowly, a little thoughtfully... and walked back the other way with her other hand running back along the edge of the pedestal.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">In the jungle Mali looked around trying to get her bearings. It was difficult...the thick...canopy of trees overhead prevented her from seeing the sky. Brightly colored dragonflies flitted about around her, occasionally landing on one of the large green ferns growing up from the rich soil.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">She was about to strike out when walking down a small path through the trees came an handsome...older elf. Wearing simple forest green and with what must have been dark hair once, but now had been overtaken by snowy white. But still...he had powerful features and broad shoulders.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"Why...hello there...Miss Mali the halfling! I've not spoken...to one of your...race in quite some time! How does a halfling end up with my orb...I wonder! I'd assumed it was still...buried in Myth Coramanth..."

<span style="color: #77933c; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Mali wondered at her surroundings, marveled at the exotic foliage, and smelled the giant flowers. She watched the dragonflies flitter around her and giggled as on landed on her outstretched hand. "Your orb? I'm terribly sorry, I didn't mean to intrude. I was just so curious and the room appeared to have been abandoned for long past any owner's lifetime. What is this wondrous place? These dragonflies are really neat! Since you know my name, though I don't know how, may I ask yours?"

<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The older, handsome elven man smiled "I heard it of course...through my orb....your name that is. I can see and hear things around it. But....well...nothing has disturbed it for years and years, I almost thought...well...the orb had been buried or lost. But now...hear and see...a halfling...and an....elf" It almost seemed like he was spitting out the word 'elf'.

<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"As to where you are...you’re in the orb...of course! You may call me...Midori! So tell me...Miss Mali...how you came to find my orb, is it still...in...Myth Coramanth?"

<span style="color: #77933c; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"Well hello Midori, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. The orb sorta was lost in a long since abandoned cavern. You seem not to care for elves much. Did they wrong you in some way? You know, I'm not the best traveled halfling out there but I've already seen a great number different peoples. Some of the same race but terribly varying practices and views. You could even consider some evil or at least corrupt. So I wonder what could cause such a wise elf to hold such disdain for what at first glance appears to be his own kind, without first the consideration of the heart of those before him." She began with her normal cheerful and naive self to end in what someone well beyond her years would glean from many years of life. "As for where we are, it would seem as if we are inside your orb, as you had said, and not in Myth Coramanth but perhaps not that far from it still."