Jaekob and Saphira Battle Giant Spiders; Saphira Rescues the Cat

Saphira Mistwalker streaks toward Mirkwood, her wings sounding like thunder. A dark look clouds her face because she has heard Aran Jaekob had taken ship east with no guard accompanying him. She curses, "Blood and shadow! After everything I said, he comes over here alone! Mirkwood and the Unseelie Windy are dangerous!"

Saphira Mistwalker remembers the last time she was here. Windy found her by the sound of her wings, so she slows and lands when she reaches the coastline. She will not make that mistake again. She wraps herself with shadow and runs forward unseen. Her senses straining to catch everything around her, she pushes into the forest and makes her way north toward Windy's tree house. "By the Great Dragon Mother, woe be on any giant spider I encounter today," she vows. She did not lie when she told Windy shadow dragons hunted giant spiders, but her proud boast was based on no personal experience. She is only 94 and has never actually killed one herself.

Saphira Mistwalker hears strange chittering sounds ahead. Coming upon a clearing she spots a giant spider crouching over a body. She peers closer, aghast. A still two-legs form lies on the ground, desiccated and drained of life. There is armor.... NO! Elvish armor! A fiery rage fills her heart and she hisses a challenge, drops her concealing shadow and rushes forward. Acting only on instinct, she unleashes a withering gout of dragon fire, magically hot beyond any physical energy. The spider and all within several feet instantly bursts into consuming flame.

Saphira Burns the Spiders

Saphira Mistwalker returns to herself, finding she hovers several feet above the scene. "What happened?" she wonders, looking down. Luckily, the forest floor was damp so the fire has not spread. Within her circle of destruction, soon nothing identifiable will remain. She shudders, because she has not felt the full force of her draconic nature before. She drops again to the forest floor, grabs shadow to cover herself, and hurries on. "This cannot have been the Aran, I would have known," she reasons. She must find him.

Jaekob Faolan growls as yet another spider moves toward him. His eyes scour the ground looking for the staff he dropped while he invokes the earth to rumble and rise toppling over the nearest spider.

Jaekob Faolan doesn't see the one above him in the trees and lets out a loud cry as the spider drops on top of him kocking him to the ground.

Saphira Mistwalker moves closer to Windy's tree house, watching carefully for more spiders.

Saphira Mistwalker startles as she hears a nearby cry and hurries to see who is there.

Jaekob Faolan: "Saphira," he shouts out seeing her. Be careful, they are everywhere. And finding his staff he pushes up to swing it at the nearest spider.

Saphira Joins the Fight

Saphira Mistwalker moves closer, and sees Aran Jaekob surrounded by giant spiders.

Saphira Mistwalker smiles a feral grin and draws her daggers. She cloaks in shadow and rushes the nearest spider.

Saphira Mistwalker slashes back and forth, severing a head here, a leg there. She dare not use fire, with Jaekob in the midst of the spiders.

Saphira Mistwalker moves closer, dropping out of shadow again so Jaekob can see her.

Saphira Mistwalker: "Aran!"

Saphira Proves Herself a Worthy Ally

Jaekob Faolan: As she disappear from sight and back again, the Druid drops to his knee, his staff pushing toward a spider, catching it square in the eye. He pushes the staff hard as the spider tears into his leg.

Saphira Mistwalker moves up, hissing a challenge and slices through the spider attacking Jaekob.

Saphira Mistwalker takes to the air, diving on the spiders.

Jaekob Faolan feels a smile curl onto his lips, knowing the advantage is now theirs and strikes again and again, his staff making their mark as his leg becomes a bloody target for them.

Saphira Mistwalker looks to Jaekob, seeing he is also attacking and smiles, hissing happily.

Jaekob Faolan: "Watch out for the one in the trees," he shouts, turning quickly to slam his staff at another spider.

Saphira Mistwalker looks up to see another spider approaching from above.

Saphira Mistwalker me flies up, and breathes a massive cloud of dragon fire at the approaching spider.

Saphira Mistwalker nods as the spider explodes, dropping in pieces to the ground.

Jaekob Faolan laughs as with the aid of his friend, the spider bodies begin to pile up and the fight is being won.

Saphira Mistwalker lands again and wades into the spiders from behind, slashing right and left with draconic glee.

Saphira Mistwalker hisses victoriously as another spider falls before her blades and claws.

Jaekob Faolan moves through the spider carcasses toward his friend, "Saphira, I do not how how you found me but thank the Ghods you showed up.

Saphira Mistwalker heaves a sigh of relief, "I heard you had come over here, and knew there would be trouble."

 Jaekob Faolan: "Trouble?" he half laughs waving a hand through the air. "I was just a little outnumbered."

Saphira Mistwalker spies Jaekob's leg. "You are wounded, did one bite you?"

Jaekob Faolan nods, "Not sure if its a bite or was just mauled, but I can tend it once I.... we have found the cat.

Saphira Mistwalker frowns. "They have venom, do you have an antidote?"

Jaekob Faolan: "I am a elf," he smiles softly. "Elves are immune to most such things."

Saphira Mistwalker shakes her head. "That is a good thing."

Saphira Mistwalker: "So then, the cat? I assume you have not seen it anywhere in the forest?"

Jaekob Faolan nods, "As I was searching the forest, I thought I heard a mewing sound, but it was very faint at best. I cannot search higher than the ground and I suspect this Unseelie lives higher up."

Saphira Mistwalker nods. "If I remember right from my scouting trip here, her tree house stands north and east of us, toward the mountains."

Jaekob Faolan: "I have seen no sign of her. Might you be able to get close enough to listen for the cat?"

Saphira Mistwalker: "She will not be happy to see us, I fear. Nor will she appreciate the number of her 'friends" we have removed."

Saphira Mistwalker: "Aye, I will fly up. I doubt I can hide from her now, after the ruckus we have caused."

Jaekob Faolan: "Her friend's death is on me. If she took the cat, then I am more than justified."

Saphira Mistwalker: "Meh, I never cared for her friends, and especially not after what I found earlier."

Saphira Mistwalker: "Stay here a moment, I will scout ahead."

Jaekob Faolan swallows hard and nods, "Be safe Saphira."

Jaekob Faolan quickly retrieves a flask of water from his rucksack and pours it over the wound on his knee, the dilluted blood pouring down slowly showing the wound to mostly insignificant.

Saphira Mistwalker flies back down to Jaekob.

Jaekob Faolan: "Anything? Did you find anything at all?"

Saphira Mistwalker: "As I suspected, her tree house is near. I flew around it and did not see her. I thought I heard a faint mewing from within."

Jaekob Faolan eyes widen, "The cat, We must get it  and return it to safety."

Saphira Mistwalker frowns, "It is off the ground, with no ladder or steps."

Saphira Mistwalker: "I can fly up, but I do not know what will happen when I enter."

Jaekob Faolan nods and signs, "Would you be willing to risk it and take the cat safely home?"

Saphira Mistwalker nods. "I will do what I must Aran. Thwarting this particular Unseelie fae will give me great pleasure."

Jaekob and Saphira After the Fight

Jaekob Faolan grins broadly, "If you find him, take him to your cave hmmm? I must let the Aran here know my business is finished and I will come home forthwith."

Saphira Mistwalker nods, "As you wish. Hopefully I will have what it needs for dinner."

Jaekob Faolan laughs, "Am sure he will be delighted with whatever you can provide. Now go quickly or we risk the Unseelie's return. I will head for Mirkwood and then home."

Saphira Mistwalker nods. "I will. Take care Aran, and please, no more spider encounters."

Saphira Mistwalker grins. "We will see if I am the Rogue I think I am, and can enter without leaving sign of my efforts."

Jaekob Faolan: "Oh, I have no doubt of your success," he says softly as she flies away and he turns to make his way toward the great keep of Mirkwood.

Saphira Mistwalker cautiously approaches the doors of the Unseelie Fae's tree house, carefully checking for any obvious magic. She slowly reaches out with her senses and carefully runs one claw along the line between the doors. She senses no magic and hisses laughter and says, "Windy is too sure of herself. She has not spelled the doors." She wraps herself in shadow and carefully opens one side of the double-doors. She peers within and sighs with relief. Windy is not home.

Saphira Mistwalker drops her shadow and calls out, "Kitty Kitty, are you here?"

Saphira Mistwalker scans the room and sees the cat crouching beneath the sofa, backed against the wall with ears laid back. She drops to one knee and extends her hand, palm low and non-threatening. and calls out, "Little one, I have been sent by Aran Jaekob to rescue you and return you to the River Lands. Will you come with me?"

Cheshire cat peers back and meows uncertainly.

Saphira Mistwalker urges, "Little one, we must hurry, before the Fae Windy returns. I promise, I will take you to my cave where she will not harm you and Aran Jaekob can come and get you."

Cheshire cat slowly and warily approaches her.

Saphira Mistwalker lets the cat sniff her hand. She smiles and says, "All right then, if you are willing, I will fly you back to my cave. I must carry you, but I promise you will be safe. I will not let you fall." She holds out her arms, and the cat leaps into them and snuggles against her. She flies out the door, slapping it closed with her tail and grinning.

Saphira Mistwalker talks to the cat as she flies home, a long flight, and the day is nearly spent when they land at her cave. She reaches with her magic, and causes the solid rock slab door of her cave to slide with a rumble into the ground. She smiles to the cat in her arms and says,  "Here we are little one, home for now." She puts the cat down and raises her door. Frowning, she turns to the cat and says, "We are safe here, but you may have trouble with that door. If you need out, let me know." She giggles and adds, "I would certainly not want any 'presents' left on the floor of my cave."

Cheshire cat gives her a withering glance and sniffs in disdain.

Saphira Mistwalker ponders, "Hmm, let me see, I have beef and shrimp left from market day, I hope they will be to your liking. And, I have an old gown I can lay out for you to sleep on." She sets out the items and then turns to her hoard and curls up with a yawn before adding, "Good night little one, sleep well."