Bloodstorm shakes his head and gives Aubri a gentle nudge. "I'm not so sure. The way he's telling it, she just started walking in a line. I don't know of many people who travel in nearly straight lines for so long."

Bloodstorm turns to the scout. "How far ahead did you look after the tracks vanished?"

Aubri lifts his head and snorts. "I do, and she's the one who did it. She probably can't do any magic now, anyway, so she'll be all right."

The scout thinks for a moment and answers, "Just beyond the Pyramid."

Aubri hisses softly, picturing it in his head. "She shouldn't be hard to track down. I'm going."

Bloodstorm narrows his eyes a bit. "The tracks..did they just disappear on rocky ground or such, or did it look like she took off into the air somehow?" He turns to Aubri again, "Magic may be mostly gone from here for now..but look at the signs. Something magical seems to be at work. She's either heading for the Valley or even Raenlocke."

The scout looks at Aubri, puffs his chestfeathers out, and says bravely, "I would be honored to lead the way, to help you find your mate, Sir. To make up for failing you once before."

Bloodstorm nods emphatically. "Don't think for a moment that you're leaving ME out of this!"

Aubri hrrrs softly and nods. "All right. We'll need to pack some food for each from stores, so we can get away from the aerie without needing to hunt--it's pretty scarce nearby. Fish is fine. I'd also like to keep this party small, so don't go spreading the word around except to those who need to know.

Aubri says, "And I don't consider it a failure." He forces a smile. "I know what Dove's like to handle sometimes."

Bloodstorm raises a feathery brow but says nothing about that. "I'm ready to leave anytime. I just know the longer we wait the smaller the chance we have of finding her.."

Aubri's scout nods his head, "I will go gather supplies now, Sir. And I'll speak of it to no one, you're right, the smaller the group, the faster we travel. But shouldn't we take a healer..just in case?"

Aubri hrrs and nods. "Get one of the ones who's never had any magical talent." ?

Bloodstorm says, "Good idea..can't rely on magic anymore for even simple things."

The scout nods and dashes off to gather supplies and healer.

Riversend arrives from her long walk from Argalia, finally. She does not look in the shape to go anywhere else.

Bloodstorm just waits for the supplies and such in general. He wants to leave today.

Riversend cocks her head at the activity on the plateau, looking confused. Her wings twitch, and she casts about for someone to inform her what has gone on in her absence. She confers with one of her rare friends for a moment. She is in open sight.

Bloodstorm points toward the gryphoness. "Isn't that one of the healers..?"

Brina turns as Riversend approaches. Her face lights up as she walks over, "River, it's so good to see you again! You look tired, where have you been all this time?" Her questions continue. Brina seems to be a curious, talkative sort to her friends at least.

Aubri pads over to Riversend as well, grinning. "Hello! Welcome home!"

Bloodstorm follows, not recognizing the gryphoness. He politely introduces himself but mainly stays quiet for now.

Riversend bobs her head to Brina, managing to keep up with the questions. "I've been in Argalia, learning about their healing, there. But, more important what's going on here?" She recognizes Aubri's voice and turns to him. She says, "Thank you. I have missed being here." She calmly introduces herself to Bloodstorm, after she has looked from Aubri to him. Then she turns back to Brina.

Bloodstorm says, "Going on..? We're just about to leave on a trip. And you ARE one of the healers! We were looking for one to accompany us, but you look tired.."

Aubri chirks and nods. "I'm going to go find Dove.." He briefly explains the situation. "Just about to go, after we get our healer and supplies.

The scout eventually returns, laden down with four packs. He walks up to Aubri, "Sir, the healers are unable to spare any of their own who can still heal without magic. I brought a pack just in case, but I was unable to find anyone. Your orders, Sir?"

Riversend nods to Bloodstorm. "Yes. I am. One of the middle range ones, but one no less." Her eartufts stand up stiffly as she looks to Aubri. "Dove is gone again," she murmurs upon hearing the brief explaination. She looks at both the males and says, "Well, I am tired, but I'm going to go with."

Aubri looks surprised. "Are you sure? You look exhausted.."

Bloodstorm nods. "You do. But..as the scout said, no healers to spare. You're up to it? We're going past the pyramid.."

Riversend stands firm. "If it concerns Dove, I am sure," she says to Aubri. To Bloodstorm she says, "I can pull up some physical reserves... and I've been away too long to know what is going on with my fellow healers. They can wait for me a few more days or so."

Bloodstorm nods to Riversend. "Well, we're going now I believe. We have supplies ready..anything we're missing?"

Riversend 's wing fluffs up against her satchel over her shoulder. "I have everything that *I* need right here with me."

Bloodstorm takes one of the packs, donning it. "The scout here will lead the way, at least until the tracks vanish."

Aubri nods to both Riversend and the scout. "Pass out packs, Riversend will be our healer. We'll take it easy until River feels more rested to stand a faster pace. Let's go." The scout does as he asks and hands each a pack. Inside, traveling rations, bandages, and a few other odds and ends, including a water skin.

The scout bobs his head to Riversend and says, "Name's ShadowFeather, pleased to meet you." He readjusts his pack, now that he's pased out the others. He asks River, "You sure you don't want another pack, it has food and fresh supplies. If you've been traveling awhile, your pack must be getting low..."

Riversend narrows her yellow eyes as she considers ShadowFeather's offer, then quickly nods her head. "I could use another pack if it can be spared." She chirrs, smiling.

ShadowFeather nods, handing over the extra pack to Riversend. He steps up, to lead the way. "The tracks defenitely go to the Pyramid. We lost them there. Let's start there and see what we find." Aubri bobs his head, motioning the scout to lead on.

Bloodstorm whips his tail. "I've been laying around too much lately. I've been wanting to go somewhere for a while now, even if on foot." He takes one more look at his home before following

A little over a week goes by when the group makes it finally to the black Pyramid at the center of the Sphere, where a wandering Rycar has stopped to rest.

Base of the Pyramid - Shrilk Crossroads
This is the east side of the base of the mighty obsidian pyramid created by the Core computer. From this vantage point you can barely make out the glittering portal at the top. There is a small clearing surrounding the pyramid, but beyond that is dense trees. Rutted dirt paths run in three directions from here, one east, one north and one south. The air here is cool and refreshing, blowing from the west across the lake which is on the other side of the pyramid. There seems to be a well travelled path curving around the pyramid and leading off west, directly towards Lake Evarim.

ShadowFeather leads a small group of gryphons through the thick trees to the southwest. He seems to be talking to Aubri, pointing out something at the treeline, then swinging his arm to point at the Pyramid. Aubri nods at this, then speaks. ShadowFeather shrugs and just simply looks. Aubri says something to the other two with them and starts padding to the pyramid.

To his small group, Shadow was showing the path they took to follow Dove. The tracks are gone now, but he points out they lead to the Pyramid and asked if she could have gone to the Core...? Aubri shrugs and doesn't know, so they head towards it to see what they find.

Bloodstorm says, "The Core? I've never been there.."

Rycar looks over at the group... trying to see if there's anyone there he recognizes.

Riversend chirrs, "Sometimes, The Core's worth visiting but I don't really think Dove would go there."

Bloodstorm tilts his head. "Why not?"

Bloodstorm says, "We don't know WHY she came out here, in a nearly straight line."

Aubri shakes his head, "She didn't care much for the Core herself. And why she would just go there, in the middle of the night makes no sense." He sits to think.

Riversend shakes her head. "Just call it a feeling."

ShadowFeather also sits, pulling his waterskin out and a bit of travel rations.

Rycar walks a little closer, to get a better look at them. When recognizing a few, he walks over to the group, nodding slightly in greeting.

Bloodstorm says, "Still, I think she was magically compelled to come..I don't know how. Magic still exists here, with Altair as evidence of that."

Bloodstorm stops and nods to the other gryphon."Hello there..seen any albino gryphons around here?"

Aubri looks over as Rycar walks up. He nods in greetings to him, but is still a bit preoccupied with where Dove has gone from here.

ShadowFeather looks over at the newcomer, wondering what his reaction will be to Blood's blunt question...

Rycar says, "Not quite... but I've seen something. Not sure what it was though."

Bloodstorm oohhs? "What was it?"

Riversend listens to the other gryphons talking, but she stays out of the way, hovering on the outskirts of the group.

Rycar says, "I'm not sure... something fast. Couldn't catch up to get a better look."

Rycar says, "It was white, though. Saw it up north... and east, I think."

Bloodstorm says, "Something..fast? Moving alongthe ground?"

Aubri's eartufts perk up at this.

Bloodstorm says, "And..how long ago?"

Rycar says, "It was moving along the ground, yes."

Rycar looks thoughtful... "I'm not sure, but it couldn't have been more than a couple of days ago."

Rycar looks back at Riversend for a moment.

Aubri stand up, steps forward eagerly, "Where did you see her? Show us." He's gotten worried enough to forgo pleasentries at this point. He just wants to find Dove.

Rycar turns over to Aubri and the others, "I'll show you... just follow."

Bloodstorm nods and falls into step behind Rycar.

Another few day's travel brings the questing group to the dreaded Valey of the Damned.

Valley of the Damned
Nestled here among the towering gray mountains is the site of one of the fiercist gryphon battles of their civil war. This place will live forever in infamy. The valley is eerily silent, no trees and very little grass grows here. Here and there scattered among the stones are obvious bone fragments. Pieces of rib cage, skulls with empty eye sockets staring. Thousands must have fallen here, and for so much to be preserved after so long for some reason no carrion eaters must have fed upon the dead. The battle was several hundred of years ago, but the air still has the salty sweet smell of blood upon it. You hear distant noises, battle cries, screams, but when you try and focus upon them the sounds dissappear. Here and there sections of the mountainside and rocks are twisted and melted, huge spaces of earth scarred as though seared with an unimaginable flame. Off the east end of the valley, you can see a small ill used trail leading further up into the mountains. To the west is sylvan forest, underbrush thin enough that you can push through without too much difficulty.

Bloodstorm stops at the Valley comes into sight. "She came here?"

Rycar nods... "I think so."

Rycar says, "I'm not certain... but it must have been closeby."

Bloodstorm shivers a bit. "Not many people like coming here. I thought that when the magic died, these horrors would go with it.."

Aubri starts to pad down toward the bowl of the valley, looking around slowly. "The place is a relic, like.. Dove is."

Rycar listens silently...

ShadowFeather and Riversend stay near the entrance, both unsure about entering this place.

Bloodstorm follows slowly. "Why would she come here though? It's not like this place is a great spot for visits.. I just hope we don't find another one of those dead gryphon weapons like the last time.."

Aubri glances at Bloodstorm and hisses a bit. "I hope we find a live one," he states softly as he leads the group down.

For a moment you can see shimmering ghostly gryphons all around, locked in mortal combat, blood falling like rain from the sky as beaks and claws tear...

Bloodstorm nods, "Only if it's Dove.. But did she come here or just pass...through?" He pauses a moment and swallows at the vision.

You hear a shriek, the sound seems to echo back and forth through the valley... then fades away, making you wonder if it ever really happened.

Rycar looks alert... and a bit unsure of if to continue, or go back.

Aubri says, "Look for tracks, I don't know! We'll just have to search."

Bloodstorm says, "At least..things haven't really changed here."

ShadowFeather nods silently, following orders from his Wingleader. He doesn't look too happy about being here though.

Riversend steps over to Aubri, not liking this place either. Who can blame her? With magic gone and this place stillactive, who's to say it's safe or not?

Bloodstorm starts looking for signs that she's been in the area..tracks, feathers, anything. He unconsciously stays near the others though.

Aubri says, "Let's GO. NOW!"

For a moment you can see shimmering ghostly gryphons all around, locked in mortal combat, blood falling like rain from the sky as beaks and claws tear...

Bloodstorm says, "It's a big place, Aubri.. I don't know if we can find her like this."

You hear a shrill cry and muffled thud nearby, but when you turn to look, there are only scattered bones.

Rycar speaks silently, "I don't like this at all. And the fact that we're stuck on foot..."

ShadowFeather cries out and heads over to a rock. He picks up something there, then stops and looks at the rock itself. He calls Aubri over. "Um, you need to see this sir." In his claw is a ragged white feather, but what really draws the attention is the small trickle/smear of fresh blood on the rock where the feather was. If the feather is looked at, it too, has blood on the underside.

You hear a shrill cry and muffled thud nearby, but when you turn to look, there are only scattered bones.

Bloodstorm dashes over at ShadowFeather's call "This isn't good..she's been here I think, but where's the blood from?"

The rock is just a little larger than Dove, but it's surface and shape does not look like her work.

Aubri takes the feathers, looking at the rock as well.. "Did she pass it, or is she somewhere.. here?

Bloodstorm studies the rock. "She does work with earth magic.. I hope she's not trapped in there somehow. She's been embedded in rock before."

ShadowFeather hrms, thinking on how long it's been since whoever it was passed this way.

Aubri shakes his head. "She shouldn't be able to do magic now."

As the binary suns reach a particular angle the landscape suddenly becomes bathed in red, the colour strangely fluid, seeming to flow over the rocks, and gather in pools.

Bloodstorm nods slowly, "True, but this place is..different."

Riversend steps closer to look at the feather and the blood. "I'd say it's not been too long, about a few hours or so. But the look of that feather worries me. Look how badly it is...she's not in good shape, I would hazard to guess."

Bloodstorm tilts his head. "A fight?"

Aubri rrrs. "Just ragged from bulling through undergrowth, probably." He examines the stone carefully, pushing it a little even so.

Rycar looks up... "I have a theory, but I could be completely wrong."

Bloodstorm looks at Rycar. "Yes..?"

Aubri nods and looks at Rycar. "Go on?"

Bloodstorm thinks it's odd how she'd go through undergrowth instead of around when possible.

Riversend nods with Aubri's thoughts on the feather.

Rycar says, "Dove was a magical construct, right..? And most, if not all, magic, is gone. What is she's... falling apart somehow? Coming here, where things... out of the ordinary, seems to be able to exist?"

ShadowFeather stays quiet. Magic is not his specialty.

Aubri says, "You think the valley radiates magic?.. maybe. I hope she's all right.." He shuffles a little. "Did she pass this point?" he asks the scout.

Bloodstorm blinks. "It's..possible but I'd rather not think that's the case. And this valley radiates SOMETHING."

ShadowFeather shrugs his wings, "It's hard to tell around here, Sir. The ground keeps changing, tracks appear and dissapear. If I had to hazard a guess, I'd say yes, someone's been here in the past day or so...but that's about it." He looks dejected for not being able to perform his job very well. He's a perfectionist, one might think.

You hear a strange clicking noise behind you, and turn, the skeleton of a gryphon has risen together, its empty eyes sockets gazing dully upon you. It takes a step towards you, then slowly fades back into dust.

Aubri kicks a clod of dust at the skeleton and dashes off without a word, following the same line she'd kept this far.

Bloodstorm takes a step back, shivering again. "What about the rock itself?"

As the binary suns reach a particular angle the landscape suddenly becomes bathed in red, the colour strangely fluid, seeming to flow over the rocks, and gather in pools.

Riversend shrugs her wings at Rycar's statement. "It's possible, but the magic here is odd, I must agree with Bloodstorm on that. If magic has gone wrong here, what about Dove...?" She looks around eagerly for more signs of the missing gryphoness...

Bloodstorm circles the stone slowly. "It IS about her size, and we found another gryphon in rock before.."

On closer look, the blooded rock turns out to be one of the rocks that has been worn down through the ages, by winds and weather. It's defenitely not one of Dove's, hers look more recent and fresh.

Aubri pauses and snaps his beak. "I thought you said she passed here."

Bloodstorm gives a shrug at the rock..it's too old to have anything to do with her. Probably just passed by and bumped against it.

Aubri reorients on the line and sharply calls, "Come ON!" as he dashes off again.

You hear a strange clicking noise behind you, and turn, the skeleton of a gryphon has risen together, its empty eyes sockets gazing dully upon you. It takes a step towards you, then slowly fades back into dust.

Rycar follows...

Bloodstorm startles at Aubri's enthusiasm, but he bounds after the gryphon.

ShadowFeather snaps to attention at Aubri's sharp retort, following after him as a loyal gryphon would.

You hear a shriek, the sound seems to echo back and forth through the valley... then fades away, making you wonder if it ever really happened.

Riversend looks startled by Aubri's outburst, she was examining the rock and it's surroundings. She follows Aubri as well, not wanting to be left behind.