Subj:	 [ffml] [MW] (unofficial?) Enter the Stranger
Date:	00-06-17 01:15:07 EDT
From:	larathia@mcs.net (Larathia)
Reply-to:	ffml@egroups.com
To:	ffml@egroups.com

[If it works, use it, if not say so. It being my first try at this I'll
take my lumps.]
*****************

'Elayha', a clear voice uttered softly, and the crystal flared to life.

'See, Lief, how they fight,' it said. 'See their courage.'

The other, Lief, responded, 'But the world is not our world, its fight is
not our fight.'

'It will be, should they fall,' the first voice responded. 'These moogle
creatures, they are some unnatural mating of beast and alu-fiend or
succubus. They can merge magic with their machines. If they win their war,
it is only time until they find us, though worlds or universes stand between.'

Lief put his head in his hands, resting his elbows on the scrying-table.
The light from the scrying crystal flared green in his cat-pupiled eyes as
he studied the battles. 'Yes, they are strong,' he said at last. 'They have
much might. Are we enough to tip the scales, when armies of tens of
thousands battle?'

The other paused, considering this. 'I do not know,' she said at last. 'But
knowing their need, I cannot but think we must do what we can.'

'There are countless worlds, and countless universes. Why does a war on
this one concern us particularly? What do you know that you have not said?'

The other's eyes narrowed as she considered her liutenant. 'Their world has
a gateway, Lief' she stated flatly. 'If they learn of its existence, its
location, and have time to work out how to utilize it, they will enter our
world only miles from our southeastern border.'

'You make many suppositions,' argued Lief, 'and assuming they *did* come
through, on the southeastern border is the nation of orcs; they would not
take lightly to new foes.'

'We take out three orcs to the arrow, Lief,' the other responded wearily.
'These creatures, these moogles - if they brought their machines here,
humans and even dwarves would stand little chance; the orcs would be but a
fly buzzing near the nose of the giant, soon slapped away.'

'My Captain,' said Lief gravely, 'if you order me to go, I shall. Doubtless
I will learn your reasons better there, for I have not observed the world
so long as you. Though it yet rankles that we must ally with humans, who
here are our greatest foes.'

'Humans are an interesting race, my liutenant,' responded the other. 'I
have walked a dozen worlds where humans dominate, and on each one, their
attitudes are different and yet the same. I think that these will welcome
such aid as we can give, for only a few of their armies yet remain. Seek
you the one called Cyan and offer the proposal I have outlined. Should he
accept, you may return here and I will personally see this risk through to
success. I will not ask the least of my guards to undertake a risk I am not
willing to take myself. Should you capture a moogle, or this other creature
- a moogleboar I believe it is called - contact me and I will have the
sages study it. For the rest....you know my wishes.'

'Aye Captain,' said Lief as he stood to attention. 'I follow thy will; let
the nation prosper.' He pressed his right fist to his chest and gave a
shallow bow, then turned sharply on his heel and left the scrying chamber.

The Captain turned her eyes back to the scrying-crystal, absorbed in the
ferocity of the fighters on both sides, making particular note of the
moogles' predatory nature and the valiance of the Norlanders.

-*-*-*-*-

High in the skies over ruined villages, Lief studied the landscape for
castles free of moogles. Occasionally he saw bands of moogles apparently
doing what they did best, which seemed to be making any non-moogle
miserable. He took a few shots to gague their reactions, but made no kills
and the moogles were still looking in the wrong places for him. _Perhaps on
the return trip_, he thought, not daring to fly lower for a surer shot.

Doma castle stood, battered and ancient. Whether there was anyone in it was
hard to tell without exposing himself to missile attack, so he decided to
hold off investigating. Instead he reached into the ultra-enchanted bag
that held just about anything a scout in war-ravaged lands would need (and
he had really had to negotiate hard to get it) and pulled out a scroll of
location. Casting the spell for Cyan, he just followed the spell's trail.
They were not far off, Cyan's bunch, and heading for the castle...thanking
the Blue Lady for the blessing that had the man in the clean outdoors, he
spiraled downward, landing at the perimiter of the day's camp so as not to
draw fire.

'Hold, ye human warriors!' he cried when he realized that the Domans had
quite definitely seen him land and weren't at all happy about it. 'I am
come from afar to bring a promise of aid! I would speak with your king!'

This didn't seem to be working, at least the arrows were still pointed at
him....very very slowly, he decided to unstring his longbow and take out
his archer's-knives and drop them on the ground. Then he spread his hands
out, and for good measure spread his wings too, so they could see he wasn't
hiding anything - at least, not anything they'd be equipped to look for.
The eighteen-foot brown-feathered wingspan seemed to be occupying most of
their attention, but a few guards were looking at his pointed ears and
cat's eyes and doing a mental summing-up. Very, very, slowly, then, Lief
reached into the scout-bag and pulled out another scroll, and this one he
placed on the ground before him. Then he returned to his
standing-spread-eagle stance.

'I bring a message from a captain of my people, promising aid. I will
remain here if you will take the message to your king Cyan.'

One of the would-be barbeque spitters lowered his weapon and walked over,
his eyes never leaving Lief. He put on a gauntlet and picked up the scroll
by one edge. Then he backed towards his companions, turning around when he
passed their perimiter.

Some two hours later, the guards were ordered to quit threatening the
stranger, and Lief was quite happy to stretch muscles that had gone stiff
and furl his wings. He docilely followed the one who'd ordered the others
to stand down, vaguely hoping these humans were civilized enough to keep
track of his weapons so he could reclaim them. No names were offered, and
none had asked him his, but when he was brought into the presence of a
human with a crown, he saluted in the manner he had saluted his Captain;
fist to the heart and a quick bow.

"King Cyan, I presume?"

The crowned one nodded, staring suspiciously, lips tight together as if he
were trying to avoid saying something.

"I am Lieutenant Lief of the Variel Border Guard of the kingdom of Variel
on the world of Seromath, your majesty. I am of the elven peoples, which I
believe have been known on this world."

Cyan nodded, a little more easily this time, and with a little less
suspicion to his gaze.

"My Captain, who is responsible for the defense of our nation, has seen
your people's plight in her scrying-glass, and she feels that your problem
could quickly become our problem unless we act now. Would you have need of
more soldiers, flying soldiers, to your army?"

Keen interest suffused the king's glance now, as he surveyed Lief's slight
form, his utter lack of armor, and his ancient weaponry. "Not to offend,
elf, but exactly how much use can you be? I look at thee and see nothing to
fright a moogle, nor a moogleboar."

"We are a race of wind-mages and archers and scouts, your majesty. We have
magic to counter magitek, and what our weapons lack in sophistication we
make up by being damn good shots, sir. What difference is it, if the bolt
through the eye come from our bow, or from one of your devices? A strike
through the eye kills either way, does it not?"

Cyan nodded, somewhat thoughtfully. "And what would you have of us, for
this aid?"

"nothing, majesty. Our captain has deemed that your moogles must be
obliterated for our own peoples' safety. We would ally with you to make
life easier for both of us, but were you all forgotten names on the winds,
still the moogles would be a threat. We do not ask for repayment when
assisting you is clearly in our best interest."

"And you would fight all alone, against the moogles? You would die, elf."

"So I would, sire. I made modest attacks alone on my way here; I am wary of
getting a closer look. But my captain will come herself if you accept us,
and 300 of our people will come with her."

"300? Your people must be superior fighters if you honestly think so small
a number will make a difference."

Lief frowned. "Like all troops, sire, the success is dependent upon the
skill with which the troop is deployed. Let us fly at night, when we can
see but the moogles cannot, and we will assasinate them by the scores. We
have viewed their depredations in our scrying-crystals; we value the life
of a moogle no higher than that of an orc, on our world our most deadly
enemies. Should you be able to catch for me but one moogle and one
moogleboar, our effectiveness will double, as we devise magics and poisons
to attack them more powerfully."

Cyan's eyes widened. "Catch? They've slaughtered whole villages and whole
towns! We don't 'catch' them, we kill them!" But then his expression grew
thoughtful. "We will catch you your moogle and your moogleboar. You will
produce your captain so I may be sure of this alliance." He nodded
significantly at his men, and a squad immediately set out.

Lief bowed. "When the creatures are brought here, majesty, I will take my
leave. My captain will come in her place, and soon after, our guards."

"You will wait here," Cyan growled. "I will not have alien creatures of
unproven allegience trotting about my camp. When you have earned your
respect you will have it, but not before."

"Surely the offer of aid earns some small respect?"

"Not when it's all words and air, elf. I have seen only you."

After an hour or two, the small squad came back, less a few men, and
bloodied, but the moogle and moogleboar were firmly tied and even chained,
and gagged also. Lief pulled a pair of silvery arrows from his quiver, and
touched one to each creature; the arrows formed into magical cages.

"It's all right now, Domans. I was given forcecage arrows to use, but only
two. I could not risk losing one to a gust of wind." He touched an amulet
on his chest, a white circular pendant that had the image of a black hawk
with spread wings engraved upon it. "Captain, the deal is struck. I have
the moogle and the moogleboar, and the king has - tentatively - agreed to
our aid."

"The gate opens," came the Captain's voice. "The mages can hold it but a
short time. Send through."

A swirling white vortex appeared, and Lief quickly manhandled the
forcecages with the struggling mooglekin through. A moment later, he followed.

Out of the vortex stepped another avariel, this time a female with bluish
black wings and hair, and moon-pale skin. Her green cat's-eyes flicked here
and there as she surveyed the room, making judgements. Seeing Cyan, she
raised her right fist to her chest but did not bow. There was an air of
experience about her; not as though she had been a warrior for years, but
as though she had been a warrior for centuries, and never lost. Behind her,
the vortex swirled closed and disappeared.

"Hail, King Cyan. I am Captain Nighthawk."

[That's it....I thought I'd leave the immediate next bit to the regulars
who can clear up anything I messed up.]

--------------------------
Larathia


Date:	00-06-26 16:54:24 EDT
From:	skyhall@hotmail.com (Sky Hall)

  Cyan inclined his head at the new arrival.
  "Hail, Captain Nighthawk," said the King in a strong voice.
  "As you may well be aware, my people have pledged to aid your Alliance in 
it's war against the moogles. I am in charge of our expeditionary force."
  Cyan nodded.
  "We are most grateful for the assistance your people can bestow on us," 
said Cyan. "This war has lasted for far too long and our resources are 
greatly depleted. Your introduction should be great boon to our cause."
  Nighthawk inclined her head. The formulaic response struck her as very 
typical of royalty.
  "Have you any questions of me or my warriors, my lord?" asked the avariel.
  Cyan thought a moment, looking to his advisors and General Wang at his 
side. "Three hundred warriors can be brought?"
  "Aye, my lord. All volunteers. This war was deemed a very worthy cause."
  Cyan studied the strange humanoid. A cause, thouht Cyan. He had pondered 
the idea of a prophecy surrounding the war, and with the elevation of Tim, 
as he quickly rose through the ranks and attained the fabled rank of Lord of 
All That Kicks Ass.
  "I hope you are aware of the moogles use of magitek armors, which boast 
strong armor, auto-crossbows, and flame throwers. They cannot easily be 
defeated by arrows," said Cyan, indicating Nighthawk's bow and quiver.
  "Aye, we are aware, and feel that our mages will be able to use their 
magic to best effect against the metal monsters."
  "The moogles also have magic users, though not as prevalent. But their 
mages are known for their wind attacks," said General Wang. The wizened old 
man stood with his head bare, only a goatee on his face.
  "I was not aware of such a thing," said Nighthawk, clearly showing some 
puzzlement. "Our scrying glass can only observe so much. Those moogle mages 
may proove difficult."
  Wang nodded. "But like I have said, they have used their mages 
infrequently, and our intelligence incidates that the majority are in 
Vector, with the new Moogle king, Turan."
  Nighthawk nodded.
  "The question now is," began Cyan, "how to best use you and your troops." 
He looked at Wang.
  Wang rubbed his chin thinking.
  "Never in all my years have I had flying troops in my command, nor have I 
even imagined such. And I am sure that none of my commanders in the field 
would fully know what to do with you. And I am not prepared to release you 
in the field without some form of guidance or control."
  Nighthawk nodded. "Of course. You are still wary of me and my warriors."
  Wang looked at Cyan. "Your thoughts, my lord?"
  "Things," said Cyan, pausing, "have been rather strange of late. The loss 
of King of Figaro, the death of Mog... I am not sure." He did not add his 
feeling that a prophecy was at work. It was too good to be true.
  "But I think that of everyone within our ranks, one man would be best 
situated in commanding you and your warriors."
  Wang's eyes opened wide as he understood.
  "Yes, my lord. He would be situated for this new turn of events."
  Nighthawk's ears pricked at the tone these two men were using.
  "How soon can you and your warriors be ready?" asked Wang.
  "I came to confer with you, and will then open a rift through which my 
warriors shall come through," said Nighthawk. "I merely need a location to 
bring them through."
  Wang nodded and turned. He walked to the command tent and quickly 
returned. He handed a few rolled up parchments to Nighthawk and unfurled one 
in his hands.
  "This is a map of Doma," began the general. "Our capital city is here, and 
hold roughly all the land on the northern frontier. Captain Tim was supposed 
to hold this most northwest point here, and follow our line of advance 
south. But he broke ranks and at last reports, has been racing south. He is 
a very capable commander, and we assume that he is aiming to take Hiel Keep, 
which commands communications and supplies with the nations to the east.
  "I assume he is doing this so as to take the keep before the moogles can 
reinforce it. It is a strong, old keep, and has lasted it's fair share of 
battles and sieges. If you can arrive there and aid Tim in his capture of 
the keep, that would greatly benefit our war effort."
  Nighthawk studied the map.
  "This Captain Tim is a good leader?" asked the avariel skeptically.
  "Yes," answered Wang. "He has proven himself beyond measure in his service 
to Doma. He came to us as a volunteer and quickly gained the rank of 
Captain. He is known for his ability in training and using his troops. If 
any commander is more capable of using his soldiers as a fine tool, I have 
not met him. Captain Tim excels at command and battle. All his subordinates 
are very well trained as well. Of anyone, he would be the best choice as 
your liason."
  Nighthawk studied Wang for a moment, and took it that he was sincere. She 
could certainly detect the admiration Wang held for the man.
  "I do not promise if I will recieve this captain's leadership well," said 
Nighthawk, her tones even. "He will need to earn my respect before I and my 
warriors will put our lives on the line."
  Wang nodded. "If Captain Tim continues to succeed as he has done in the 
past, he will not fail your expectations."
  "I expect nothing," said Nighthawk curtly. She closed her mouth, realizing 
her tone.
  Cyan studied the warrior, but said nothing.
  Wang spoke. "Captain Tim's standard is a red lion holding a black sword on 
a white field."
  "And if you find him, and Tim succeeds in taking Hiel Keep, he can 
consider himself promoted to Major," said Cyan.
  Wang looked at his King with disbelief, but nodded his head.
  Nighthawk nodded her head. "Very well."

(you can take it from there, Lara?)

--Sky