"We'll need to get a soul gem before we can do anything. Without it, the ritual can't be done. I don't know of any locations where they could be found, but they're known for form where there was a mass loss of life," Dara said, preparing to lift off, "Soul gems are usually found near large sources of vermilion. Both are a biproduct of death."

Goldenscale thought for a few seconds before a few places came to mind.  "I know a couple of places where there was mass destruction and murder.  I can go check them quickly to see if there is one in the locations." she said.  She then took off, quickly gathering speed.

Fallowing Goldenscale, Dara used the trees to keep up, eventually keeping pace. "Where exactly are we heading," she asked between breaths, "I hope there's a source of soul gems wherever we're going. While mostly used by necromancers, they're also good for other magics."

Goldenscale loooked back occassionally.  "Well, we are going to one of the places where I know there was mass murder.  Rogue murders.  I don't know i f there are any gems there, so I have a few other places in mind in case there aren't any." she explained.  "After we find a soul gem, I'm going to lead you to a human stable where the jatchling's mother is supposed to be."

(Over the next four days, my posting will be slower or nonexistant as I vist some family. I'll try to post, but no promises.)

"Yet another reason to never trust humans," Dara murmured to herself before looking back up to Goldenscale, "Sould gems form faster than vermilion can since they form by the energy left behind in the wake of several souls leaving. The more deaths that happen in a smaller area in a short time, the faster they form. The energy that forms them acts like water filling a hole fills with water after a large stone is pulled out."

(Okay, I might/might not post as well depending on what's going on.  I have to work on finals and make sure those are done this weekend as well as do chores.  Hopefully as soon as next week is over I can stop worrying about finals.)

"I did not know that.  There should be soul gems there unless demons stole whatever was left, though I highly doubt that.  I do not let anything come that far inside the forest." she said.  They soon reached the first area.  Goldenscale landed in the center, where nothing grew.  "This is one spot.  Everything refuses to grow here because of the tainted blood that seeped into the ground." she explained, using her magic to search for a soul gem.

(Good luck, finals are alwas stressful)

Sitting near the edge of the area, a cluster of dark pink crystals jutted from the groud, the energy within them radiating out as a faint heat.

"Over there, near the oak," Dara said, starting out towards the crystal, "So long as a piece of thecrystal is left planted, it will regrow as it gathers the potential energy of lives lost. It's prevent haunting, and ward off certain types of demons," she said, starting to carefuly cut at the crystal formation, "This isn't a large cluster, but it will provide a gem big enough for us to use."

(Thanks!  I hope you have fun with your family!)

Goldenscale stared in awe at the cluster.  "Well, I can go search for more of them if you want me to." she offered.  She knew a couple other places that might have some more crystals, and now she knew what they looked lime so she would have an easier time finding them.

"This is all we need. One crystal for one soul. All I know about the ritual's success rate is that it only works on those who died before their time. Those who died they way they were ment to, die instantly after revival," she said, using her beak to chip away at the crystal, "With any luck, the hatchling's mother can be brought back. We'll just have to see when the ritual is done."

"That's interesting." she said.  She never would have thought that they would die again after revival.  "Hopefully she can be brought back.  I'd feel sorry for the child if she couldn't have her mother." she said sadly.  She already felt sorry that she didn't have a mother, thus what they were doing now, and she could relate with the hatchling since she as well had no parents for the first year or so after hatching.  

"It just goes to show how much has actually be lost over the years. Necromancers used to be concidered one of the most respectable of magick users. Sometime in the past couple hundred years, necromancer have been given a bad reputation by those who seeked to cheat death rather than help souls complete their lives. People like Archen have been dragging the image down further."

"Which is something that I absolutely despise.  I have respect for all magic users, for those with pure intentions, but I wish those that use dark magic would go by some sort of other name just so that they wouldn't tarnish the reputation of the others..." she said with a frown.

"I've come to despise those frauds myself. These magics are meant to be used to make sure the balance of souls remains as such, not to keep one's self alive beyond their time. When a soul passes before it is supposed to, it prodeces a void of energy that slowly eats away at the lives of their relatives. While there are a few beings that are immune to this, most find themselves dieing faster than usual. Most extinctions are due to this," Dara said, lifting the crystal, "So, where are we heading?"

"To a human settlement, a stable to be more precise." she said as she jumped in the air and hovered in wait for Dara.  It shouldn't take too long to get there, but she did fly as fast as she could to get to the forest before, so she guessed it would take longer.

"IS this the settlement of those that visited the forest earlier today? If it is, then I assume it is the stable of the one they despised themselve," she said, flying up to meet Goldenscale, "I'm glad he's been dealt with if he's the one resposible for robbing a poor hatchling of her mother."