[Iron League] The Dancing Stones

[Philomel]

The first thing she noticed was the skin-crawling wind.

Like the genesis wind of an oncoming hurricane it whipped at high speeds and with a bite that could force the mightiest man to his knees. For a faun, thickly furred from the waist down, there was a natural protection for at least some of the body. Yet, it did not serve the rest of her humanoid form. Thus, bending down and trying her best to shelter against the doorframe that opened onto this empty stone dais, Philomel unwrapped part of her many-fabriced belt. Beside her the lithe, russet form of Veridian stalked, his body tense and alert - clearly he was having the same reaction to the wind as she. Fell weather had been their foe many times - and winds like this were always foreboding. They sang the arrival of a devious future, one to be wary of of that stank of deception and harm.

Using part of her as a cover as she unfurled a length of fur and wrapped it around her neck, the golden eyes of the fox peered out over what seemed a large field. It was a land of emptiness, of a void that sank eternally in darkness, save for the stone pillars that stuck up like stalagmites from the gloom. Their tops were flat, and various grasses, dirts and rocks appeared on them - at least he and his companions would not be short of their element. Being the only land between them and an area in the distance that seemed identical, this place was dangerous and likely treacherous. One wrong footing would send any of them plummeting down into the endless nullity beyond.

As Philomel wrapped more fabric around her face, covering her mouth and nose, he relayed this information to his beloved faun, showing her what he did through their immortal mental connection.

Is there anyone else here? she asked, tying the last knot of the wool around her face.

Veridian dared to take a step forward and test the wind. It buffetted harsh against his side, rippling over the red and white strands like a wave - but he found he could stand his ground. His lowness to the earth was his ally here, and the wind, though it was harsh, was not enough to knock him from his paws. The chill also was not enough to quell him, for he felt the fire, born of the tenth of a fire demon living within him, swarm to command and fill him with warmth.

Staring through the cavitied plain he spied two other sizable stone plinths. One was empty, but the other had a being stride through the whispers of the breeze: a two-legged being, dark and mysterious and baring a strange, curved and wicked-looking weapon.

He showed her what he saw. Philomel made a slight face but twisted around, now her purple hair caught back beneath the semi-mask she wore. Her horns protruded still, uncvoered and massive, ready to face their foe. Letting out a slow breath she thought about the best weapons in this situation, comparing the weight of the two hand-and-a-half swords on her back, to the crossbow at her side and the various daggers at her waist. For protection she had her drake-scale half chest-plate and leather gauntlets - they could stay. But for the rest ...

What had led her here was mere curiosity. A new challenger, they had said, was within Radasanth, a man by a name she knew not. A 'William Arcus' of some apparent fame, but a man who she knew little about. At least he was not on the Gilded Lily radar. Whether friend or enemy, Philomel was here to find out. For there were few heroes and villains that she did not know in her home city, who walked the streets and visited the brothels that she herself was Matriarch of.

Perhaps he has just been living in shadow? Veridian suggested, lifting his head up to her. Philomel paused, before reaching into the folds at her waist. From them she drew out the smallest black helmet, that was made to look like a fox's skull. This she fixed over his upper face and jaw, where two small holes allowed for his gleaming golden eyes to peer out.

That should protect your face at least from the worst of the breeze.

Veridian nodded, showing her directly that indeed he could see much better. In fact, his view of the man was quite clearer now that he was not contending with the strain of a hungry wind.

Delath will need to come up here, Philomel said, now sorting through her weapons. Dragging the two swords from her back she winced as she tried to decide whether or not she could take them both. And Mao is with him.

Just what their opponent might say and think when they revealed the final two of their party - a tiny rabbit riding atop a twenty foot earth dragon - was anyone's guess. It made Veridian chitter with amusement as he judged how far he might be able to jump. The closest pillar at least was close, but ones in the distance were further.

Keep both, Veridian answered her unasked question. Get rid of the daggers, but keep the swords. I suspect both the Rabbit and Nameless will be useful.

Comparing the slightly curved, mythril blade to the green-hilted, ivory, straight one, Philomel grunted. Both of them will be, she agreed as she started dropping a volume of throwing knives and daggers to the ground. Until I need.

Veridian nodded. Until we both need to.