Departure....

[Lady Ashina Mal'orhe Kansior]

~It was near dawn when Ashina woke from her peaceful slumber. She lay there, quietly, listening to the sounds of the castle at rest. Occassionally, there would be a creak, or a groan, and Ashina knew that the servants were rising already to prepare the morning repast for the guests and residents alike. None would mind if she rang for them now. A slight frown marred the perfection of her sleepy features, and she rose slowly from the bed.

Legs swung over the side and she pushed the nightgown that she wore back down, the material having bunched up around her thighs in her sleep. A soft sigh was cast forth into the chilly atmosphere of her room, the castle being cold even in springtime. She glanced to the fireplace that dominated her room, realizing that the fire within had turned to ash and glowing coals. She sat there, pondering all that had occurred overnight in her dreams. She would have to return to Avalon.

That thought in mind, Ashina crossed to the amoire. In Avalon, there was no need for such formality as here in Ulster, and so, she donned her breeches and homespun shirt. Brown, leather boots were pulled onto her feet and then laced up to her calves and the grey cloak was cast about her shoulders and pinned just beneath her chin. The pounded silver brooch she used held the mark of the rowan, the symbol of the Druids and the Royal house of Mal'orhe. Her cousins were the ones who should be travelling to Avalon to rule, but for some reason, Shilnar had chosen Ashina to precede him. She would take her duties as they were cast toward her.

Silently, she moved to the door, and then glanced at the room behind her. This castle had been her home for many years now. It would always remain a place that she could return, and she knew this. For now, however, she must see what state Avalon was in. She turned away from the room, opening the door and stepping into the hallway. The wind tugged at her clothes as if trying to push her down the hall and into Adam's room. Nature wanted her to tell Adam, but she couldn't bring herself to wake him this early in the morning.

Kahlan would know, of course, where Ashina had gone. She would also know where to find the Druidess should she ever need her and how to relay messages to the woman. As for the rest, when the time came, they would be told how to contact the woman. Until then, they would simply have to wait.

As Ashina stepped into the early morning dawn, dew falling around her in waves of chill, she took a deep breath. A new journey was started and she couldn't wait to begin. That thought in mind, she started forth, headed for the direction of the Western Wood. She didn't know how she'd be recieved without Adam by her side, but she needed to let Ban know what was occurring and that he would need to tell Adam how to find her.~

[Adam Masou]

He had been up since just before the sun had risen. Restlessness was taking over him and he was all too ready to get out of here. His 'princely' outfit was set aside and stored in a room for him for if he ever decided to return. He could hear something calling to him on the wind, however and he knew it would be a long time before Ulster saw the likes of him again. Pulling on the standard black tunic, overvest and worn old bandana he felt much more relaxed then he had previously. At least this way he could rest easy that he would not be attacked and swamped by blood hungry courtiers. No, they would stay far away from him today... that is, if they were even up. The soft sound of leather boots on tile echoed gently through the hallways. Somehow he found that this place was not so bad when all of the people were missing from it. Still he prefered the thick foliage and warm scents of his forest. It had been nearly a week since he had been there... and his followers were sure to worry about the fate their Lord had met. Ban and Fuyuki too would be especially worried for they knew that he never strayed too far for too long. In fact, it was only because of Ashina that he really went out anywhere other than to get supplies.

Out of the castle, not bothering to leave a note or a goodbye, knowing that most of the people behind him would be happy that he was leaving, the other portion would know he came and went as he pleased. When he stopped just beyond the gates his eyes caught glimpse of a figure in the early morning light... a cloaked figure... Stooping down to check the soft morning earth he saw a print. It matched her shoe size. He could have sworn he smelled her scent on the wind, too. What was Ashina up to? He'd find out. There was no way she was getting up and running off someplace without even so much as telling him. And so off he went- tracking her.

[ElvenNimruin]

~The night was cruel to him as he studied, alone in his cottage. He was moody with life, not even the trees could confort him now. He had to do something to make him excited. Even the notion of the Queen's acceptance of him into the war, held by the Baron, did not give him the satisfaction of joy. He had not slept in a couple of days, fearing that one once of sleep might take him away from his studies. He read from one book, one book and front one spell. The book was THee book of Necromancy, that he pulled out of Rasitlin's own study.

He knew that he was lonely and the only thing that might express his mood is to see dead mother. Although Kahlan stood in his mother's place sometimes, since he was always either getting scolded or be given a compliment of radiance, he knew that he had to at least see her one last time. The reason he had been studing for so long was because the effects of the spell he was willing to cast was devestating if he were to pronounce one word incorrectly. One tiny sound, one little flinch of wrong gesture could end his life.

The spell was the most commanding spell in all of Necromancy. The ability to raise the dead's soul and speak to them. True, at first he didn't think so, because necromancers could raise the dead, but the dead to fight for them. The difference was that the dead did not have souls. The people who died and them were araise where just mindless fools. He planned on raising her from the dead, for only minutes, and he planned on giving her a soul, so that she could speak to her.

He was not joyed, for his melancoly attitude would not give in. He just had to do it. As he read through the spell over and over again he registered every pronounciation in his magical goldish ring. The ring was given to him by his father when he was only five years old. The abilities it possessed was far greater than any wizard could ever know. It was a list, that if given the correct magical combination of all five major elements he could store up to any amount of spells within its magic. As he releashed the rings power, a list of spells would be shown in his mind. All he had to do was choose one and begin his prepartion to unleash the magic.

Of course that was his Arcane Magic ability. The Will and The Word was a different aspect. It required nothing but a strong will and a commanding voice. He had been meaning to teach the queen this form of magic, but he was not in the mood to see anyone. He was glad to be accepted into the Baron's war. He was an emotional wreck and if pressed wrong, he feared that he would lose control and just go crazy. He figured that if he went crazy on the field of battle, it could turn the battle and make for an instant win. The power of his will and Arcane magic will be unleash and he feared for its coming.

His thoughts strayed again as he stood up. He was willingly ready to accept the sacrifice he must make, to see his mother. He was ready to go through with this event that could very change his life. He knew that this Depression that crept over him so suddenly, could be dangerous for himself and Ulster. He did not want to harm anything in Ulster and he would rather die by his own sword than to lost total control of his power. As he stood up several spies laid outside of his door~

~"NimRuin, Lady Ashina and Lord Adam had been seen leaving the vicinity. Lady Ashina left alone and was heading in the direction of Westwood. Some of our spies say that the trees are even speaking of her coming. Lord Adam was seen right afterwords, he seemed like he was following her." Hunter reported as the shadows seemed fitting on his human skin. Hunter looked at the wizard and a startled face grew there. Nim on the otherhand took the report without an expression. "And they did not even leave a good bye note to me?" He responded stoicly. His face took no emotion as he keep replying to the report. "Let them go, if they do not even have the matters to say good bye than let them leave. What do I care for this." Forming a angry face, he left his cottage and stormed off into the wood. As he was about to disappear he turned around. "Hunter, You and Tara, follow them and see that no harm meets them on their journey. Stay out of sight. When you get to the woods, Do Not enter. It is Adam's domain and i cannot protect you from so far away. Be swift and quiet, and do make sure to Report back to be when you are done."

With that said he turned around and walked away. His face held no anger, not even saddness as he thought about his actions. Lady Ashina would naturally rebuke the eyes of his spies, but of course they must do their job. Moving into the darkness of the woods, he prepared to set up his ritual site. He perferred to do it at least a day's travel away from emain macha. Knowing what was at stake, he disappeared in the darkness.

~Hunter looking at the emotionless Wizard, had a look of conern for his master. "Altamis, Follow him, and do make sure he is safe himself. I sense something, a change. If something goes wrong do not intervene with his casting but take the matter to the High Queen." He commanded firmly. "I don't want him to get hurt."~