Stupid heat...it wasnt good for the Argonian in large sittings like this. He missed his marshy homelands where it was often humid, but the mud kept them cool, lots of shade and water. The large reptilian creature swam swiftly through the large lake, his tail swaying side to side to propell him, much like a gator or croc. Again, his clothing was on the shore, waiting for him when he was done. he came up rarely for air, his large lungs holding plenty of air. The surface would break for a split second, just as his nose came up to release pent up air and get fresh, then dive back down, not showing much of his body. It was as if some abnormal creature stalked the lake now.

Like away from his family wasnt easy. He was, of course, an adult, but when family was such an important factor in your life, especially for survival and support, being away like this was rough. This was the longest time he had spent apart from them. He wondered if they were alright. They all parted ways for their saftey sake, so not to be tracked down again. Hopefully they were not harmed...or worse.

Drask sped up, swimming faster, and opened his mouth to snatch a fish, like a gator, chewing it, bones and all as he swam, filling the empty spot in his stomach. Food wasnt as scarce now, but the outside world didnt supply a lot of his favorite foods like the marsh had. He would have to make do for now. Things would turn out alright.

Eliel watched the forest happily, riding atop Gwen, his Umbra. To him, she was more like a friend than a pet. The umbra had saved his life a few times in the underdark, and countless times above ground. He patted her neck, scratching her ears. The cat was huge, bigger than he'd thought she'd be. Easily seven feet long, and about four and a half feet at the shoulder.

Eliel wore darker clothes today, his piwafwi, black shirt and pants, his black leather boots, and his drow scimitar, made of the blackest steel. He sort of liked the look, a dark warrior atop a huge black beast. Gwen's telekinetic link caught the last bit and she snorted, head held high. Eliel smiled and tried to apologize. The umbra shrugged, nearly throwing Eliel off.

The two laughed a bit, coming to the center of the forest, to the edge of the treeline surrounding the lake. Both of them heard splashing, Gwen first. He looked at the lake, sensitive eyes and ears picking out the swimming form easily.

They broke into the clearing and strode towards the lake, waiting for the lizard man to acknowledge them. Eliel wore his hood up to conceal his dark skin and white hair, telltale signs of his heritage.

“Hello there.”

Submerged fully, Drask halted his movement. He could hear something on the shoreline. His eyes flicked to the side, looking up, seeing through the water easily. He could see someone, mounted on some sort of creature...a feline perhaps. It was hard for him to be certain. It seemed no matter where he went, someone was always finding him. He didnt mind non confrontational get togethers...but it was still odd to be confronted so many times like this. He was used to the seclusion of home.


They didnt seem to be leaving...might as well confront them now. With only 4 powerful strokes from his arms, and a couple sways of his tail, he surfaced and was near shore, picking himself up and standing. He was hunched over, but even still he was easily 6'2. aller if he could force himself straight, which he could not do. Water beads began to roll down his body, down his rough, scaley skin. He didnt seem to have external 'parts', so there was nothing to really be ashamed of showing. His yellow, slitted eyes were locked onto the male and his mount as he walked for his clothing, his muscles visibly working. Thats all this lizard really was. Bone and muscle.

"What do you want?" he asked the new arrival, his voice was deep, yet it seemed almost airy at the same time, sort of like if a snake could talk. "Seems every where i go...someone ends up meeting me." his s's seem to prolong a little to, like a snake, a trait his reptilian kind all shared.

Eliel smiled at the huge creature, looking him over, as if deciding whether or not to feel threatened. He dismounted Gwen and drew his cloak hood back, showing his white hair bound in a ponytail and his obsidian black skin. “I have no quarrel with you. I'm merely here with my friend to swim, as I do every week.” He said, arms swinging wide in an innocent stance. The gauntlet on his left hand was there, ever present, never to come off.

Eliel patted Gwen. “Well, if you come here often, it wouldn't have been long anyhow. I live not far from here, maybe a mile north, In a clearing. I do not wish to fight, good sir.” He said honestly. He wished no fight.

It may seem like he was lying, trying to get him off-guard to kill him easier, due to the reputation of his drow heritage. But as much as he tried, he could not escape it. Perhaps the only people who would understand, the drow, would kill him on sight.

Eliel waited patiently for a response, trying to resist a natural urge to draw his scimitar in case the man's gruff tone indicated a fight.

The Argonian glanced at him now that the hood was removed, and he frowned. Drow. He remembered a few drow had been in the hunting party that killed several of his kind, including his parents. He couldnt blame this one. He hadnt been the one doing the killing. He gave a throat hiss as he began to pull on the one piece garment, managing to fit his large, clawed feet through the leg holes.

"...i see...i just wish for a peaceful home again" he said as he glanced over at the two "i have half a mind not to trust other races. But...i cant not do so either...give me any sign not to trust you...and thats the end of it. I dont take threats well." he said as he slowly lowered himself to the ground, sitting with a deep, yet brief hiss that sounded like his version of a grunt, his hands placed in his lap now.

Eliel nodded. “i have no wish to fight. I enjoy my peace and my friends. Which I hope we can become.” He said, watching the man sit down. Gwen sat down seconds later, keeping a watchful eye on the two. Eliel sat as well, sitting cross legged. Gwen scooted up closer. Eliel grinned and leaned on her.
“I am Eraspeola Usreanac, or Eliel. I prefer Eliel.” He nodded, placing his hands behind himself relaxedly. “This is Gwen.” He looked at the enormous cat behind him.

“You are right not to trust others. It is a dangerous place, Imythess.” He nodded, eyes shut against the sunlight. “But one must have some friends here. You can't simply make it on your own.” He said, body completely still.

Drask eyed them both warily still, but gave a small nod to Eliel. "...Drask...call me Drask' he hissed before looking to the side a moment. "I didnt used to be alone. But things changed that. It was for the better. I have been doing well on my own. Seeking company outside of my race had never been an option. Never understood them. Nor did they understand us. We were better of living separate. Until now."

He looked back at the two "Perhaps it is just because i left my homelands, but the world does seem to be getting more dangerous. As if balance means nothing. Conflict is all the world seems to know. It is disturbing. Especially for me, when peace was highly valued."

Eliel sighed. “ I know what you mean, Drask. Imythess seems to be drifting into a stat e of war. Darker, powerful forces are rising. Quickly. Demons, mostly. I hear Tars is under attack.” He said, opening his eyes. He looked at the large lizard man.

He could prove a valuable ally. He had many, and powerful ones at that, but still, one could not have too many friends. He smiled as he thought of them all, most of them people you wouldn't want to cross swords with.

Eliel watched Drask with curious eyes. He knew little of lizard folk, the closest thing he had ever seen before were the riding lizards of the underdark, occasionally some of the dark lands lizards. But never one like this.

“So tell me about your people.” He said inquiringly.

Draks could again, only nod to the Drow's words. Everything was chaotic, as if no one had any sense of order, and there was no one around to BRING order. He knew he would eventually be dragged into the overall conflict. But he would attempt to stay out of it for as long as he possibly could. But how long that might be was anyone's guess.

"...My people are peaceful. Nomads. We travel the greatest marshlands we could find. We plot out the land into sections. We move to new sections as the season's change, so not to deplete resources in one area. If the mash became unsuitable, we would find another, and let it replenish itself for another year. We did our best to keep out of public eye. Not many ever knew of our existence. Not until recently...it was probably my own fault."

He sighed heavily, sounding like a loud hiss "I tried to follow my uncle's footsteps, and i believe that was what caused them to discover, then search for us. Together we are strong. Appart, i am not certain...our tribes never spread out like this...power in numbers." He looked off to the side, yellow eyes closing "Our tribe was attacked...a group of hunters...we never thought anyone else would survive the dangers of the marsh...but...they did...but they never left..." his eyes opened, his yellow eyes seemed to gleam with anger

Eliel nodded, fairly certain the drow had something to do with it. He himself was not a member of the particular party, but a member of his house may have been. In fact, it was fairly likely one of them was. Eliel frowned.

“I'm sorry for that. I'm fairly certain you know of the drow society, but if you have any questions, ask and I will answer.” He said with a nod.

Gwen began to doze off, all the fur making her overheat in the hot sunlight. He smiled as her fur grew hot. Perhaps she needed to go for a swim soon.

He shook his head slowly "no...i do not wish to learn much about the other races at this time..." he cracked his fingers one by one, looking at the ground in front of him "I wish to find a home. One that is not so hot...even in this forest i overheat and my skin becomes painfully dry. I need a place that wont get quite so hot. The marshes were warm yes...but the air was damp. Not dry like it is here..."

Eliel nodded understandingly. “Well, there's always hauntwood if you want a marsh. It's a bit shady though, if you know what I mean. A bit creepy. I can show you if you like. Not too far from here.” Eliel said, looking in the direction of the marsh.

He patted gwen's head, making her wake and look at him. Evan sent her an image of the lake and shoved her a bit to no real effect. The umbra got up and stretched, back arching. She padded off to the lake and stood at the edge a moment before diving in.

Eliel smiled at her and stood, brushing his pants off.

A marsh? close by!? Drask felt a flutter through his stomach. Finally...some place he could call home. Shadey or not, he was sure he could deal with whomever or whatever was living there. It had to be big enough for one more anyway. If not, they would make room. He couldnt stand this dry air for much longer. he often felt like a common amphibian, but his kind was used to such a moist climate.

"i would be grateful for your guidance" he said with a bow of his head "Im sure i will be able to handle whatever the marsh has to throw at me. I was taught well how to survive." he hissed, watching as the over large feline walked to the water's edge before leaping in with a splash.

"i always thought felines disliked the water" he said, thinking out loud. Drask pushed himself up, getting off the ground, onto his feet, and he to brushed his clothing off. His tail rested on the ground behind him, looking like it could break a bone or two if he swung it at someone hard enough

Eliel smiled at him. “aye. They do. But Gwen isn't quite normal.” He said with an affectionate smile, watching the big cat swim. She could catch up to them later. Best to have someone following anyway, take care of their backs.

Eliel looked to the marsh once more and began walking. “Let's go, then. Best to get there soon, while it's brights out. Things don't enjoy strangers around here, including the bandits. And as petty as it may seem, there's a hell of a lot of them.” He said with a nod.

Eliel walked into the forest's edge, watching for said bandits, or at least any of the spiders he'd encountered with Fefnir.

With a final look at the large, swimming cat, Drask began to follow his new acquaintance, trusting he knew the way, and wouldnt try to dupe him. His eyes hardly went to blink. He wanted to memorize where he was, so not to get lost in case he needed to come back this way again sometime. He also didnt want to be vulnerable to surprise, in case there was an attack by the bandits mentioned just moments ago.

"so...how far exactly is the marsh?" he asked as they walked, keeping a more than healthy distance from the Drow, just to be absolutely safe, just in case...he was acting nice, but the Drow could very well be leading him on. "What kinds of creatures inhabit it?"

Drask was full fo questions about the mainlands, but wasnt going to ask many more. He needed to keep to himself. at least until he knew for sure if this guy was truely a friend, or a very clever and patient foe.

Eliel smiled at Drask, looking back every once in a while to make sure he was still there. “Not too far. A couple miles or so.” He said. He wasn't too sure of the exact distance, he'd never bothered to check. He only went there once in a long while himself, but he knew the locations in the forest like the back of his hand.

Eliel spotted a form moving off in the distance, dark accustomed eyes picking it up quickly. His vision shifted to infra vision, seeing not by light, but by heat. Color became more vivid and details clearer as he looked. In the darkness of the woods, he could see the man clearly, following them. He was sure of it now.

The bandit lifted a bow and aimed it for them. Eliel could hear him pull back the string just barely in the forest noise, and that was because he was paying attention to it.

The arrow was released and Eliel took hold of his cloak's edge, swirling it up to catch the arrow. It had been headed for Drask, the bigger target. He opened the cloak to let the arrow fall out, not making a hole in the drow work. It was woven with the silk of Lolth's spiders.

Eliel's wand flew from it's hiding place beneath the cloak, letting him focus his power to cast faster. An enervation bolt flew from the tip as he finished the incantation. It slammed into the man, throwing him into a tree.

“If you haven't noticed, we've got company.”

"so it isnt that far then...good...i am just eager is all" he hissed with the slightest of smiles comming to his face, if only for a half a second...a twitch at the corner of his lips. First thing he would do is cake his body in the mud to keep himself cooled, and to camo himself. Then he would find himself a crap load of insects to eat. They were harder to find here in the open. He had to go with anything else he could find, but he missed the Argonian delicacy.

Drask's head twitched slightly. He to detected someone was around, following the duo. a hiss escaped his throat when the 'ptwang' from the bowstring was head. Drask was about to react, though Eliel was way ahead of him, using his cloak to stop the speeding arrow.

"I had no idea" he hissed sarcastically to Eliel, and spun quickly, and listened for any others that might be following, his handsat his sides, fists clenched, thick tail swishing, upsetting the dirt wherever it swiped.

Eliel smirked at the argonian's remark. “Keep your comments to yourself, concentrate on fighting.” He said with a hearty tone. Eliel ran over to the body and pulled back the hood he wore. Eliel dropped his head and stood with a scowl.

“Crap. It's a drow.” He said, kicking at the body. It's eyes flickered open, a milky look to them. Eliel drew his blade and slammed it down into it in an instant. He cursed and beheaded it, keeping his head low. The corpse fell limp again and Eliel's hand shot to a piece of paper tied to his belt. He unrolled it and cursed colorfully.

A wanted poster with a drawing of him and in drow sat in his hands. Eliel's eyes skimmed over it and he rerolled it, stuffing it away.

“Be extremely careful. There's more than one. I'm guessing a mage and a fighter. He won't be travelling alone.” Eliel said, eyes flickering over their surroundings. Nothing. A bush twitched and Eliel bent low at the knees, sword swinging out to meet air.

Or so he thought.

The sword stopped dead, buried deep into a man's calf. One second he wasn't there, then there he stood. Invisibility. Eliel had just barely dodged the sword that swung over his head. A fist came down to slam his collarbone, stopped by Eliel's left gauntlet. He squeezed and stood slowly, causing the drow pain.

Eliel willed the gauntlet to grow claws and so it did, shooting deep into the man's hand. Eliel kicked him away and brought his scimitar up to slice his chest open.

Behind him, another man began spellcasting, unseen by Eliel but in plain sight of Drask.