h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

*dares to laugh, and imitates harsh voice.*

I'll guard the prisoners while you prepare the fastest creature in our stables to leave, mistress!

*actually laughs aloud*

I'll...I'll even guard you from attack while you leave...mistress....

*splutter*

**

*sobers a little*

I bet they are even now expecting praise for a job well done

Yeah!

*Wipes tear from eye.*

I almost feel sorry for them when they tell your father...

...and he realizes...

As soon as the first rays of sun come over that horizon, we're leaving!

Orcs...

*sobers completely when she hears Kazinishi's voice*

Yes...we should be getting ready to leave....KALA

*the beautiful dragon immediately comes out of the cave and nuzzles against Syian*

Hi there Kala, you aren't going to try to kill me this time, are you? </>

*As Lumien moves slowly toward Kala, a grey false dawn appears in the eastern sky.*

*Moves over to the back of Kala.*

*Strokes Kala gently.*

Nice...nice...dragon...you won't hurt me, will you?

*Kala growls at Kazinishi and jerks away from him; however, she seems prepared to accept Lumien as a friend now and bends to accepts her riders*

*before Syian can get on first, though, she rises back up as far as her hind legs and bellows snorting fire...out of the woods around them pour hundreds of orcs*

*Unarmed and taken completely by surprise, it is all Lumien can do to fire off shockwave after shockwave in an attempt to slow the orcs down.*

On the dragon! Now!

*But Kala has no intention of letting them mount her....she roars defiantly and attacks the orcs making sure to keep herself between them and Syian...*

*suddenly there is a lull, all the orcs stop advancing and everything is still; a tall gaunt man walks through the ranks*

Nick: Ah little mage....

*Backs up, into a fighting stance, even though she knows she is completely unarmed.*

Why won't you leave us alone?

~~Syian, you got a plan here?~~

*Syian seems frozen and all Lumien can get from her is a feeling of absolute terror*

Nick: I cannot leave you, little mage. You will make admirable additions to my collection and I don't let people run away. It's a matter of pride

*Kala rears and snaps at Nick in warning*

...Collection?

~~Syian, get on Kala, take Kazinishi, and go to Imardin, it's our only chance!~~

*Lumien hasn't moved- she's thinking of more ways to stall, and planning her own escape on an old map of Yurick in her mind.*

*Kala charges at Nick and bites his arm savagely almost wrenching it off, Nick swears loudly and orders the orcs to attack her...they do so until she is buried under a pile of swarming orcs...she fianlly reliquishes her grip and retreats to nurse her wounds*

*Nick, bleeding heavily from his right arm, moves closer to Syian. He grabs her before she can move*

Nick: Now little mage, do as I say or my daughter will be the next I throw to them

*gestures to the orcs and turns to face Kazinishi*

That goes for you too boy

*Lumien bows her head, but her fists are clenching and unclenching, and in the dim light look more like talons than hands.*

*Syian is shaking but looks at Lumien determindly*

~~Take Kala and Kazinishi, fly away~~

~~And leave you behind? I think not! Look, I know Yurick well enough to be able to escape on foot, and I managed to grab my lock-pick before we left. I will be all right, you can count on it.~~