Murky waters. (open)

[Fane]

Normally Fane would never go into the go into the great marsh alone but she had no other choice. She was chasing a Duvessa
and the dark wizard ran right into the Great Marsh. Though she was not alone she had Fuyuko her ice wolf with her. When they say the dark wizard run into the marsh the pair exchanged glances before nodding and running in. Yes they both new it was fool hardy to run into the marsh with out a full team. But this Duvessa had killed a Torra and must be brought to justice.
As they got deeper into the marsh it got harder to walk much less run. Now Fane and Fuyuko struggling to even walk through the murky water.

" Blasted Duvessa... When I find him he will pay..." Fane said as she looked around for the dark wizard. Fuyuko was now starting to think it was a bad idea to come here now. With all the gases here in the marsh she had lost the sent of the dark wizard She looked up at Fane and whimpered and lowered one ear to tell her she had lost the sent.
Fane looked down at her and petted her with a sigh. " Lost the sent huh girl? Well we should have known all hope was lost when he ran in here.. Now lets try to get out before some the beasts here find us." Fane said as she started to turn around. Little did Fane and Fuyuko know though one of the beasts did spot them and was starting to stalk them.

As the pair struggled to walk the marsh monster was getting closer. And this time Fuyuko heard it and started to growl and bark telling Fane of the danger. Fane stopped and turned to see the marsh monster rise out of the water. It was a huge monster made of mud water and magic. It open its mouth and started to come down on Fane and Fuyuko to try to devour them. Fane held up her staff and cried out " Ambu kousen!" As she held up her staff. Her staff lit up and blasted the monster with light and water shot up to hit it to slow it down or try to anyway. The Monster roared and backed off stunned by the light but only for a minute before being able to see again. Fane and Fuyuko where now running but the marsh monster was catching up to them again.

[Fox]

Tetroneaque was out on another scouting mission. He'd heard rumors that there had been increased Duvessa activity out in the swamps, but he'd been unable to uncover any information on why. This of course interested him greatly, as almost any mystery did. Yet he was starting to second guess his impulse to come all the way out here. The place was a stinking, wet, quagmire with no strategic value or resources.

The buzzing of the biting insects was annoying him to no end, though his robe and mask made it hard for them to find anywhere to actually bite him. Along with his gloves and boots he was totally covered and might have passed as human, as long as no one looked under his robe to see his tails. He let out a defeated sigh, making his way back toward the edge of the marsh. He'd failed to find anything of interest and simply wanted to get out and have a hot meal and a bath. That was when his ears picked up something other than the buzz of insects. Could this be the break he'd been looking for? He hopped from tree to tree, using them instead of trudging through the muck below.

Soon he came across the source of the noise. A young girl and what he assumed was her pet wolf were fighting some hideous construct made of muck. The girl was obviously no mere novice as demonstrated by her blasting the abomination with a beam of light. Tetroneaque had to shield his own eyes even from the distance he was observing them from, and even then he was blinking away spots for a moment or two. When he regained his full sight he noticed the girl and her companion fleeing the scene, leaving the monster stunned behind them. Yet the creature recovered soon afterward and began to chase them again. They obviously needed help. Tetroneaque hesitated to act though, as the smell the creature was giving off seemed to also becoming from another direction... the scent of magic.

"Why would something else be giving off the same magic scent as that beast... unless it's a construct! That means there's someone controlling it nearby. Unless I'm mistaken it's probably a Duvessa. Time for some pay back." The Kitsune grinned behind his mask. He didn't have time to investigate the source of the scent though as the beast was almost on the girl. Instead Tetroneaque focused his own power and created one of his illusions between the beast and the girl. Hopefully the creature was being directly controlled by whoever made it, which would mean it's creator would be peering through the beast's eyes to directly control it.

His hunch was right, as the illusion of a water dragon burst up out of the water between the girl and the pursuing muck monster. The monster stopped in it's tracks, seemingly taken aback at the sudden appearance of such a creature. The fake dragon let out a roar.

"That should buy her some time... now to find whoever is controlling that critter." The masked Kitsune hopped from tree to tree, following the faint scent of magic.

[Fane]

When the fake water dragon showed up the Duvessa was taken a back forgetting whatever attacks his muck monster does not hurt him. He even let out a yelp. The Muck monster backed away from the water dragon looking shocked and unsure what to do. Fane in turn was also shocked to see a water dragon here. They don't normaly live in the marsh. Fane stopped running and looked at the sean before her. After looking at the water Dragon for a few minutes she could tale it was a fake.. Someone must be near by trying to help. Well if she could see it was a fake the Duvessa would be able to. So she had to move fast. Fane then held up her staff and called out. "Izotz!" she thought of the ice freezing the monster completly.

Ice started to apper on the monster and it moved quickly over its body. When the moster noticed it it was to late. No matter how it struggled the ice grew around it. after a few minutes the monster was nothing but ice. After that was done Fane looked at the water Dragon then ran past it with Fuyuko. She had to find that Duvessa.. Though she wished now she would have brought someone with her. Duvessa's have been known to take on a group of Torra's and win.. She only had Fuyuko and a unknown person here. But that was not going to stop her. She would win this fight.

The Duvessa cursed when his muk monster died. He then looked around and saw that no one had spotted him yet. he then took off running deeper into the marsh. The more dangerues part of it. No one dared to enter that part of the Marsh. Not even higher leveled witchs and wizards.

[Fox]

Tetroneaque smirked behind his mask when he saw the girl take some initiative and freeze the monster. Since it appeared she was safe for the time being, and there was no monster around to try and confuse anymore, the kitsune simply let his illusion dissolve as the girl ran past it. He had to admire her determination to take on the Duvessa, but he felt confident that he'd be the one to catch the villain first.

Tetroneaque could smell his target more strongly now, and the swift kitsune was gaining ground quite rapidly. The trees provided a much quicker route around the swamp than trudging through the shallows below. Soon Tetroneaque could see the figure down below, the man seemed to be attempting to make a hasty retreat into the more dangerous area of the marsh. Tetroneaque really didn't relish the idea of entering that area, so this might be his only chance to take the dark magician.

As soon as he judged himself to be within range of the Duvessa, the kitsune leaped from the tree branch he was currently on. Luckily he'd done with sort of thing before and his judgment was pretty spot on. The kitsune pounced on the man, tackling him to the ground before rolling and coming up in a crouch. He didn't want to give the man any time to react from the surprise, so instead he drew out his dagger and closed in. He was on the man before the wizard could react, the kitsune's dagger pressed against the man's throat.

"You're my prisoner now. I suggest you not move a muscle without permission or I'll open your neck without hesitation." The kitsune had to look upwards a bit to make eye contact, being at least a foot shorter than the Duvessa. Yet the green gleam coming from the eye slits in Tetroneaque's mask made it clear that he wasn't someone to trifle with despite his short stature.

Well it seems this mission wasn't as big a waste of time as I first thought. He thought to himself with a smirk.

"If you're out there witch girl, I'm over here and I caught the Duvessa." Tetroneaque called out, keeping his dagger pressed firmly against the man's neck. He made sure to keep his eyes glued to the man's lips. If he started to try chanting a spell or even sneeze, Tetroneaque was going to slit his throat and let the man's life blood leak into the murky waters.

[Fane]

The evil wizard new if he could make it to the deeper part of the marsh he would get away scot free and at a later time would be able to go back to the castle. But this was not indeed the case the next thing he knew he got tackled and rolled for a bit and stopped to find a fox like Creature on him. And holding a knife to his throat. Though this threat did not scare the evil wizard. But he did not want to die eather. So he just glared at the fox thing and not say or try to do anything. He would just allow him self to get caught and later sometime exape...


When Fane ran by the fake water dragon she saw it fade away. after a few minutes of running she heard someone call out to her. Fane looked around then followed the sound of the voice. With in a few minutes she came to the site of a fox Creature pinning down the dark wizard and holding a dagger to his throat. Fane nodded to the fox. "Thank you friend. I shall take it from here." Fane then held up her staff and called out "Sitoa" Then out of her staff came out of magicul binding and they tied themselves tightly around the man from head to toe. The bindings did not effect the Fox though. Then Fane called out. "Vitsi!" And a gag apperd on the mans mouth so he would not be able to speek at all.

With this done Fane smiled and moved her staff and the man started to lift off the ground and flout through the air. Fane then looked at the Fox and smiled at him. " I thank you again friend, If it wernt for you he would have gotten away." she then did a samll bow and started to make her way out of the marsh with the dark wizard in tow and Fuyuko at her side.

[Fox]

"You're quite welcome friend." Fox said, making a small bow of his own. He respected the witches and wizards of Torra, and they were the only allies he really had. Ever since the Duvessa arrived communications between the Kitsune clans had been horribly disrupted, and most had to flee or risk the same fate as his own clan. He wished they'd show themselves to the Torra, but he couldn't make that decision for them... especially since he didn't know where to find the other Kitsune clans now.

"I think I'll accompany you. I was done with my scouting of this area anyway, plus I'd like to keep an eye on the prisoner." Tetroneaque said, casting a sideways glance at the man. The Kitsune sheathed his dagger before giving the man a quick pat down. He confiscated the black wand he found, tempted to snap it in half right then and there. Without this focus, the wizard would find casting a spell very hard indeed... even if he wasn't bound and gagged.

"That was an impressive show you did back there. I'm surprised you're out here all by yourself." He paused a moment as he looked at the wolf by the girl's side.

"Well, alone besides your wolf that is..." Fox adjusted his mask, as it had slipped slightly during his little attack. He brushed some muck off his sleeve as well, finding it quite easy to remove the offending matter from his clothing.

"Ah, but where are my manners? I haven't even introduced myself yet! You may call me Fox." Fox said but kept his mask on. The bugs in the swamp were still a nuisance and he didn't want them bothering him even more if he could avoid it.

[Fane]

Fane nodded when the little fox wanted to come with her. She had no objectes about it. The more the better arouund here. Though this is the first time she had seen anything like him before. But then again she was still learning about all the Magical Creatures. There where a lot of unknown ones still to be found in Yarkona azura. " You may come if you wish." Fane said with a smile while looking at the little Fox. Then when he said she gave a impressive show she blushed a little but just shook her head. " No, Just doing what I had to do." Then when he then said he was shocked that she was alone out her besides Fuyuko. Then when he said is name was Fox Fane smiled.

" Nice to meet you Fox. I'm Fane and this is Fuyuko. The reason I'm out here alone becuse no one knows I'm out here.. Fool hardy I know but that Duvessa killed a torra the other day and I have been chasing him sanse then. I;m going to get a ear full from Rickard though.... And the head masters..' But I least with some help caught him and returning safely home." Fane said Fuyuko looked at Fox and moved closer to him to get a better look and sniff. After getting a better look she backed away from Fox and started to walk next to Fane again.


Little did Fane, fox and Fuyuko know they where still in danger. A real monster of marsh was now following them. And it would be a whole lot harder to take down then the fake marsh monster tge dark wizard made.

[Fox]

"A pleasure to meet the you Fane, and you as well Fuyuko." Fox said with a nod toward them both. It always paid to be polite to your allies and their friends. The presence of a wolf made him a little nervous, but it at least seemed rather tame. Of course most dogs and wolves tended to make him feel nervous, even if he had faced much worse things in his line of work.

"I'm sorry to hear that this villain is responsible for murder, though I can't say I'm surprised. At least we've captured him and I'm sure we should be able to get some useful information out of him. Your success in this endeavor should help soften any harsh words from your superiors, but its quite admirable that they worry for you." He added with a soft chuckle. He wondered if there was anyone left that would worry about him. He hardly knew many Torra even though they were his allies, and most had never even seen his face behind his mask.

"The mere fact that this Duvessa was coming out here to avoid pursuit means that rumors of a hidden outpost might have some merit. If we can get this one to speak, we might pinpoint its location and put a serious hurting on their operations... at least that is my hope." He stated, simply enjoying being able to speak with someone who was friendly toward him.

I'd hate to see the Duvessa do to the Torra what they did to my clan... he commented to himself silently. He wouldn't wish such a fate on anyone. His thoughts were disturbed as an insect landed on his sleeve. He swatted the bug and brushed its remains off his clothing.

"Only a twisted Duvessa would even think to put an outpost in such a horrid area." He growled as he cast a glare at the prisoner.

[Fane]

Fane nodded as Fox spoke. " Yes... She was a friend of mine and I could not save her... I will make sure he pays for what he has done by our laws..." Some people in Torra would have just killed the evil wizard on the spot for there great hate for the Duvessa. But that would make them no better then the Duvessa. Then when Fox said something about her superiors she giggled a little " Rickard is not a superior. He is a head wizard in training as I'm a head witch in training. But he sometimes treats me like he is superior.. But he is nice and means nothing of it." Fane said.

Then when Fox said something about a hidout she stopped walking and looked at him with a shocked look a hidout in the marsh? Fane started to think about it and the more she did it would make saince they would make a hidout out here.. The Torra's never came out here unless they had to. " That could be true... We have to get back to Torra and tell this to everyone! Fane said and started to move a little faster.
the Duvessa glared right back at Fox showing no fear what so ever. They where still in his turf and he had allies here... Monster allies.

A Naga was hiding near by and was licking his chops as he looked at Fane and the little Fox. It had been some time when he last ate anything magicul like a Torra witch. So his magic was kinda low.. If he ate them his magic would come back.. And he could free the Duvessa.. He liked them they gave them magicul things to eat... The most tasty are the torra's.. the huge snake then went under the murky water and made his way over to Fane. She was going to be his main target...

[Fox]

Fox listened to Fane's replies, and let out a little chuckle at her description of her friends. It was a little surprising to find out she was a head witch in training, that meant she'd be one of the most influential female of her race someday. It was a good thing he'd been here to help, but he didn't say anything about that.

"Yes, I was really about to head back and make my report when the commotion with this fellow caught my attention. I really thought it was just a wild goose chase until I ran into yall. This fellow here though will provide all the proof we'll need to locate any lairs out here though. They all talk in the end." Fox said in a rather grim manner. He really hated the Duvessa for what they'd done and felt no compassion for any of them. They were getting what they deserved for invading this peaceful world.

He stopped in his tracks for a moment as he felt something odd. "Wait, there's something not right." Fox said, wondering what was giving him that uneasy feeling. He'd learned to listen to such gut feelings though in the past, and they'd never led him astray yet. He watched the water and thought he saw it ripple oddly, like a large fish or something else was swimming right below the surface. He didn't know of any fish that could breath in such muddy water though, which meant it might be something else.

"We may have company. Be on your guard." Fox said, unsheathing his dagger again.

[Fane]

Fane listened to Fox and wonderd who he worked for? But was glad he was on the same side as her and wanted to take down the Duvessa just as much as the Torra did. Though later she would ask more about him and even see if he was willing to be allie with the torra. They could use all the help they could get. Fane looked at the Duvessa that she had caught and just glared at him. She wished they had never came to Yarkona, for all she knew was war when growing up. She wonderd how things could have been diffrent if the Duvessa never would have invaded..
But there was nothing to be done but fight to save themselves and to keep Yarkona safe.

Fane stopped walking when Fox said they may have company. Fane then got into a fighting stance. She knew the dangers here where not to be taken lightly. Meny of Torra witch and wizards come here and never came back.. She wanted to come back alive and go back home. The Naga saw that they where ready for an attack thanks to the little fox.. No matter he could still get what he wanted. If he came of fast they would not be able to react in time... How how the young witch looked tasty... after a few minutes the Naga came springing out of the water and came right at Fane with amzing speed. Most people would not have been able to react in time. But Fane was not most people. As soon as the Naga came out she jumped out of the way and called out "Rasvjeta!!" And tried to hit the Nada with lighting.

[Fox]

Fox rolled out of the path of the beast, raising his dagger as he did so. His blade caught the monster's side as it sprang past the Kitsune, tearing a long red gash down the long serpentine body of the Naga. Fox's blade cleared the beast just as Fane let loose her spell, catching the beast while it was in midair. The Naga was blasted hard by the lightning and crashed into a nearby tree, the dead wood splintering under the creature's weight. It pulled itself up with it's two hook-like appendages, seemingly dazed from the attacks.

Fox didn't wait for it regain it's senses and instead leaped onto it, driving his dagger into the creature over and over as he tried to hit something vital. The snake like Naga hissed angrily and thrashed, tossing Fox off before slapping him with it's huge tail. Fox let out a yelp at the impact and skidded across the moist ground before coming up in a crouched position. Fox knew he was going to feel the effects of this battle later, but right now he had to try and finish the beast off.

"Try to freeze it! Nagas hate the cold!" Fox called out as he got back to his feet. He clutched his dagger in one hand while flexing his other hand as he assessed the situation.

[Fane]

Fane watched for a minute as Fox attacked the Naga, and when he called out to hit it with ice she did not even hesitate to do so. Even Fuyuko jumped in to help, seeing she had ice magic. Fuyuko then started to call upon her ice magic and the area around them started to drop below zero. This made it very hard for the Naga, he was cold and started to get sleepy and sluggish. Fane then held up her staff and called out. "Izotz!!!" Fane then she imagined the ice over taking the Naga freezing it solid. And the magic did just that. The Naga started to feel the icy burn of the ice magic and started to use his own magic to try to keep the ice from over taking him.


But it was no use, his magic was weak and was no match for the combined power of Fuyuko and Fane. The ice covered the Naga freezing it solid in the ice. When Fane and Fuyuko saw the best was now dead they stopped what they where doing. Fane though fell to her knees breathing heavily, she was now starting to feel the effects of using so much magic. Fuyuko wined in a worried tone and walked over to Fane, her eyes asking of she was alright. Fane looked up at her friend smiled and started to pet her. I'm fine Fuyuko... Just a little tried from using so much magic... Don't worry, I will be able to make it back to Torra.." Fane said. She then slowly stood up and looked at the Duvessa who was now glaring at the group with blood lust in his eyes.

Fane just glared at him though and used some magic to make him flout again, she then started to walk with the Duvessa wizard in tow once more. Fane then looked over at Fox with worry on her face. " Are you ok Fox? You are not hurt to badly are you?"

[Fox]

Fox watched in awe as Fane froze the beast. The ice crept up around it, seeping into the gash Fox had made in it's side. Soon the colors were being leached out of the monster as the ice over came it and he watched as it's eyes glazed over as the life went out of it. He shook his head and let out a sigh of relief, glad that the Naga would never bother anyone again. His ears flicked toward Fane as she asked if he was okay.

"I'm fine... I don't think anything is broken or cracked. Gonna be a bit tender where that thing hit me though, but I've lived through worse." Fox said with a chuckle which immediately turned into a wince as he felt a jab of pain. "Ow. Remind me not to laugh for awhile." He added, as he walked over toward Fane while holding his side where he'd been hit. It was already sore, but he knew it would be better after awhile. He didn't want to be caught out here injured though, who knew how many more things could come out of the swamp at them?

Fox undid the flap on the leather pouch on his belt and took out a small crystal vial with a pink liquid in it. It glowed slightly and looked quite lovely for such a small trinket. Fox simply uncorked the little vial and quaffed the liquid down in one gulp. He licked his chops and put the empty vial away, closing the pouch afterward. Already he could feel the soreness leaving him and he smiled slightly.

"Healing potions, never leave home without them." He explained, though a head witch in training would likely have already recognized the item for what it was. He made a mental note to procure some more of those when he got back to town, glad he had spent the little bit extra to get the ones that actually had a bearable taste.

[Fane]

Fane smiled and nodded when Fox said he was ok, though she did know he had gotten hurt. So that means they needed to get out of here as soon possible. Though Fox took out a Healing potion and used it. When Fox explained what it was she just smiled and nodded, though she already knew what that was. In fact Axella has been teaching her how to make those when she is out on the road. Though healing magic was not Fane's strong point. But if she was going to be head witch some day she needed to master all kinds of magic. " I have some two, fact made them my self. Though they are not very good. healing magic is not my strong point.. But I will master it someday. With the teaching from Axella our head healing witch.

I think you will like her Fox, she is a very sweet person." Fane said with a smile looked ahead of them and saw they where close to the exit if the swamp. " We are almost home free!! I can't wait to get out of here and back home." Fane said with relief in her voice as they got closer and closer to the exit.

[Fox]

"It'll be a relief to get out of this fetid place and back to civilization." Fox said as he smacked a rather large mosquito that had landed on his sleeve. He hated those nasty bloodsuckers almost as much as he hated the Duvessa. "Plus we can turn this guy over for some proper interrogation and make him pay for his crimes." The kitsune added with a bit more seriousness as they continued to trudge along through the swamp.

It was easier going though as they neared the edge of the bog. There was less mud and more solid ground, and soon they was no mud and all solid ground. Fox took a moment to scrap some gunk off his boots, wanting to leave the stink of the marsh behind. He knew the stink would probably cling to him and his clothes until he took a bath and had his garments washed. That would be a nice little luxury after this trip. The thought brought a grin to his face, though his smile was hidden due to the mask he was still wearing.

"Not much too much longer till I'll be able to enjoy a nice hot bath a some clean clothes..." He said with a sigh, already imagining that little pleasure. "After that I'd love to meet your friends, as I guess I simply can't operate from the shadows forever."

[Fane]

Fane nodded agreeing with Fox, she was all to happy to leave this evil place to. And they where lucky, many people who go into the swamp never come back. Still Fane knew she was going to get a ear full for going out there alone. When they where out of the swamp Fane shook off the slime that was on her shoes before going on, man she was going to take a long bath after this. She knew she smelled like swamp water.. When Fox said something about meeting her friends she looked down at him, smiled and nodded. " I'm sure my friends would be happy to meet you. And they would be happy to have an alliance with you." Fane said as they walked.

[Fox]

"Sounds like a plan then. Let's hurry so we're not caught out here when night falls." Fox said as picked up the pace a little to a quick trot. It was already much easier going now that they were clear of the swamp, but a little extra speed would just get them back to town that much quicker. The thought of a hot bath was almost intoxicating to him at the moment. As if to ruin his better mood a rather large mosquito landed on his hand and tried to bite him through his gloves. He smashed the offending insect with his other hand and flicked the corpse away.

"Nasty bloodsuckers... reminds me too much of a Duvessa." He commented, casting a glare from behind his mask at their prisoner.

[Fane]

Fane nodded when Fox said they should hurry. And the only way to do that was to call Atalanta. She was the most fasted and powerful unicorn on Yarkona. Fane held her hands to her lips and let out a loud long whistle. She then looked down at Fox and smiled. " I just called Atalanta, she is my teacher's Unicorn. She will get us to Torra in no time." When Fox said that about the mosquito and the Duvessa she nodded and also casted a glare at the Duvessa they had caught. He would get what was coming to him by their laws.. With a a few minutes the sound of hoves running could be heard. And a moment later Atalanta could be seen and she walked up to Fox, Fane and Fuyuko.

Atalanta snorted in disprovle at Fane, showing she was not happy that she had come out to the swamp alone. Fane just lowered her head though as if to say sorry and petted the Unicorn before jumping up on her back and held her hand down fpr Fox. " Time to go home." Fane said with a smile. When Fox was up and ready Atalanta took off at full speed with Fuyuko keeping up with her.

[Fox]

Fox was a little surprised by the whistle, not really enjoying loud noises like that. Yet he was even more surprised to find out that they'd be riding a unicorn to Torra! That was certainly a first for Fox, as he hadn't ridden anything in his life. It was a little exciting, but also made him a bit nervous. He was suddenly very happy to have his mask on, as it kept his nervousness from showing too much.

Fox gladly accepted Fane's offered hand, letting her help him up to a seat on the unicorn. He put his arms around Fane's waist, not sure exactly how he was supposed to hang on while riding. He guessed it was okay as Fane didn't say anything and soon they were galloping off toward Torra.