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Post by Faljere D'ael Elderbaden on Jun 25, 2014 11:35:46 GMT -6
Breakfast. Just what the Celtic monk needed.
Slowly, he rose to his feet and walked over to where the succulent-smelling skillets rested in their pan, still slightly sizzling. He brushed his now greasy blonde locks out of his face and reached to get one before shoving the entire thing in his mouth, slurping and crunching noisily as the grease ran down his chin. Never had he thought he'd be so hungry, especially for fish, but perhaps it was because he'd starved himself the last few days.
"Tea." He growled. "Yes."
As he sat down, he swallowed the mush of fish in his mouth, bones and all, and reached over for another. He stopped himself and looked up at the girl, his eyes still glazed over with despair.
"We leave in half an hour. Get yourself washed in the pond nearby, I'll pack up camp. We can't stay here for long. Ask me why."
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Idina Doc
Wildgardian
Could we start again, please?
Posts: 258
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Post by Idina Doc on Jun 25, 2014 12:12:16 GMT -6
Brown eyes went wide as Idina saw him reach over and devour his fish. A little horrified and thoroughly disgusted, she put one hand to her mouth and made herself look away, turning back to the water she had.
Before he answered, she reached into a pouch at her hip and took out several fibres that looked similar to straw. It was ginseng: a fantastic plant to help give one energy, she had learned. The blonde tossed these fibres into the water and covered the pan again. This was in no way a replacement for a kettle, but it was alright for traveling.
Half an hour to prepare? That sounded reasonable. The tea should be done well before then anyhow. "Why do we need to leave so soon?" she asked, her tone sounding more like a statement in agreement with his request.
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Post by Faljere D'ael Elderbaden on Jun 25, 2014 21:31:06 GMT -6
"We leave early," begun Clanless as he stretched his arms outwards, "because if we do not, the monsters I spoke of will find our site and slaughter us. If we move, there's a smaller chance that they'll slaughter us. Understand?"
Clearly, she didn't understand how wild their situation was. Not many citizens of Wildgard had traveled up so far out of the city, so they knew not that the dangers of the small shire were dwarfed in comparison to what was in the true wilderness. Creatures so large they could step on you without even noticing, as a human would step on an ant. Monsters so vicious that they would tear a hole in your head quicker than you could even scream. Beasts with jaws big enough to hold an entire army and still have room for Sunday dinner.
They obviously needed to leave soon if they wanted to avoid these dark menaces of the wild, he supposed as he sipped his tea. He grabbed his blade in his other hand and placed it in the sheath on his back as he finished his tea and threw the wooden cup he'd used off to the side. "Go on, go get cleaned up."
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Idina Doc
Wildgardian
Could we start again, please?
Posts: 258
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Post by Idina Doc on Jun 25, 2014 23:24:09 GMT -6
"I understand clearly," the healer replied, gulping hard after speaking. Once again, she reminded herself that the fact the elf had dragged her out here must mean that he trusted her not to get herself killed. Even so, with his talk of the terrible creatures that could spot and slaughter them at any moment... It was natural for one to be nervous, wasn't it?
Yes, getting cleaned up would help cool her off, as well. "Just please look away from me," she asked as she got up to leave: wearing clothes that covered her entire person means that much would have to be revealed in order to wash up.
Relocating the pool she had gotten the water for tea from, she made a quick job of removing all she could for an effective wash. Her cloak, shirt, and skirt lay in a heap a few feet from her once she'd done, leaving a bikini-like top and a pair on mid-thigh length shorts. The girl knew would have to do this quickly; she ducked her head under the water, then brought it out again once her face and hair were thoroughly soaked and dipped her legs in while her hair dripped cold water down her back and arms. She ruffled her hair, scrubbed her legs, rubbed at her face.
In all of ten minutes, she was once again clothed and had come back to the campsite. "Your turn," she said simply upon her return.
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Post by Faljere D'ael Elderbaden on Jun 26, 2014 11:12:27 GMT -6
When the girl returned looking slightly cleaner from her probably freezing bath, the camp had already been packed up by the elf. The tea was finished, and one large backpack rested against the Clanless' back.
"I have no intention of bathing just yet." He muttered softly as he spun on his heels towards his rear. Off in the distance, the mouth of the woods could already be seen, and they'd have to get a move on right away. "Have you got everything? Good. We leave earlier than expected."
With a flash of yellow from his head, he began strutting down the dirt path laid out for them.
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Idina Doc
Wildgardian
Could we start again, please?
Posts: 258
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Post by Idina Doc on Jun 28, 2014 19:10:52 GMT -6
The elf looked pleased that they were ahead of the schedule that he'd come up with. "You are quite welcome," the healer muttered under her breath at that, making certain he would not hear; at least, he would not hear it if he had human hearing. She still wasn't sure whether elf ears were superior or not. Idina grabbed what little was left that she needed - namely her dagger, propped up against one of the logs for the night - straightened her hat and cloak, and rushed to join him.
They would be heading back into the forest very shortly, as she could see its mouth up ahead. While she usually felt a fair bit safer among trees than out in the open, with the Clanless' descriptions of the terrible beasts that could easily be lurking in the woods... Frankly, the girl wasn't sure where she felt less safe now, and being with a man like him didn't help matters.
No, she told herself. He was not a threat. He could've killed her ages ago if he wanted. She had to trust him for now.
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Post by Faljere D'ael Elderbaden on Jun 28, 2014 19:50:06 GMT -6
Clanless turned to Idina at her sarcastic remark that she'd most likely intended for him not to hear; two could play at that game. "Thanks for your cooperation." He grunted sneeringly as he continued his walk.
He treaded forwards through the green grass and away from their campsite, great trees now appearing on their sides: they were reaching the woods. He'd been here many times before, or at least similar places. The Highlands were home to many forested lands, and each with their own beasts. However, from what he'd read, these ones were unique in their own way. Dark beasts that even Clanless might fear.
The elf drew his blade as the forest came nearer and nearer. The mouth yawned invitingly to the two of them, as if beckoning them with its mysterious air. There was a stone pedestal in front of the mouth, signifying where exactly they were. The Clanless stepped backwards and grabbed for Idina, keeping his sword up as he did so.
"These woods...I didn't think that these creatures would be here." He snarled. "That just makes this journey more treacherous..."
He turned to the blonde girl and looked down into her eyes. "Here, you must trust me completely. There are creatures here that I didn't expect, and this is a real danger. If anything should happen, and I tell you to leave me, you will do such. If I am to be killed, you must continue. Do everything I say, understood?"
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Idina Doc
Wildgardian
Could we start again, please?
Posts: 258
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Post by Idina Doc on Jun 28, 2014 22:20:10 GMT -6
She eyed the Clanless' blade, drawn and ready as the trees grew more numerous and densely concentrated. He was simply being prepared, Idina told herself. After all, it would be harder for some nasty creature to surprise him when his weapon was already out. He knew what he was doing.
A sudden step backwards and a hand of his reaching out to her, cuffing her on the side of her head, all on one quick motion, suggested otherwise. Startled, a short cry escaped her lips, but she quickly took hold of her tongue again to listen to what he had to say. His voice was fearsome, with palpable pauses between his words that made the girl all the more nervous. Some sort of new and horrible creature was waiting for them, as must be indicated on the pedestal in front of them...
When the elf spoke again to her, his voice was grimmer than she had heard it yet, and a touch of urgency backed his words. Despite these obvious signs to simply agree, however, a protest swelled in the healer's throat. She had been doing everything he'd asked for a past few days. She could function just fine without being ordered around like a child! Shouldn't she have a say in what she should do? She glared right into his eyes, ready to retort...
No. She had to trust him. Neither of them might know what lay ahead, but he did have a better idea, as well as a weapon and the knowledge of how to use it. And besides, he was counting on her. He had brought her this far because he was counting on her...
His hard green eyes made her words fail in her throat. She wasn't used to seeing those eyes like that yet... Her freckled features softened, and she swallowed hard, as though forcing her thoughts of protesting down. Keeping her gaze in his, she nodded once, twice, deliberately and with focus. He was counting on her.
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Post by Faljere D'ael Elderbaden on Jul 16, 2014 8:41:45 GMT -6
The Clanless stepped into the forest, knowing that Idina understood. She knew that he sensed this place's danger.
Finally, some decent obedience. He supposed. Of course, he felt no regret towards bossing her around. After all, she hadn't even ever drawn her weapon, so how would she know what to--
ROOOOOOAAAAWWWWW!!!!
Clanless's eyes snapped to the right, towards where the trees were rustling and the birds were departing. he swung his body around and looked over in anticipation, his ears open for the next sound.
RRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWRRRR!!!!
It sounded again, this time closer and louder. "Ready yourself." He grunted to Idina. "I know you don't fight, but get ready anyways. Now!"
As if in response to his order, the trees crashed loudly in front of them, and the creature revealed itself: a hulking mass of reptilian filth with a mouth big enough to fit a whole tree and skin the colour of mud. Its wings were spread behind its back like great fans, and its hind legs stepped over the fallen logslike tissue paper. It snorted from its nostrils great jets of flame, matching in colour its piercingly menacing eyes. Along its back and head, strange tattoos that didn't seem natural.
A wyvern, no doubt.
This wasn't going to be easy.
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Idina Doc
Wildgardian
Could we start again, please?
Posts: 258
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Post by Idina Doc on Jul 16, 2014 10:19:49 GMT -6
Idina's hand was already on the hilt of her dagger after the first roar called through the trees. She'd heard a roar like that before, she knew she had, and some memory in the back of her mind was making her blood begin to boil upon hearing it. But she couldn't retrieve it, she couldn't be prepared for whatever this--
Nothing could've prepared her for what crashed through the trees almost as soon as the Clanless had stopped talking. A wyvren! A roaring sounded in her ears again, this time from the adrenaline and rage filling her veins. A wyvren from last fall was what kidnapped her Lila, and though the caribou Kinto had come back safely then and was nowhere near where the healer and monk were now, she was determined to make it pay. Her dagger was drawn, and she was ready.
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Post by Faljere D'ael Elderbaden on Jul 16, 2014 10:28:45 GMT -6
"Run."
That was all that had come out of the monk's mouth.
His weapon was drawn, and so was her's, but he knew neither of them could actually kill the thing. It's jaws were massive, and wyvern's were like dragons, which everyone knew were impossible to kill. The best thing they'd be able to do would be to run from it, with the monk distracting it temporarily, and the girl finding a spot for the two of them to run to while the thing flew about and tried to search for them.
Of course, Idina knew that. Or if not, then she should have.
"Run!" He cried out again as he lunged at the creature, shoving his massive blade into its leg, doing almost no damage as it swung him about.
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Idina Doc
Wildgardian
Could we start again, please?
Posts: 258
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Post by Idina Doc on Jul 16, 2014 10:56:33 GMT -6
The fire in her veins was nothing compared to the fire the wyvren was blasting from its nostrils, and Idina's posture and stance were uneasy. She couldn't face this thing. No matter how much she wanted to, she couldn't face this thing.
The Clanless ordered her to run, and frankly, she didn't need to be told twice. Without thinking of sheathing her dagger, she turned on her heels and bolted as quickly as she could deeper into the woods. She wasn't thinking straight; there could be more of them the farther into the woods she went. But he told her to run, so she ran, over roots and branches, weaving around tree trunks. She turned to look over her shoulder once she'd run a good ways away. Through the trees, the wyvren's long mass could still be seen. The beast's roars could still be heard, and the elf's cries joined them.
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Post by Faljere D'ael Elderbaden on Jul 19, 2014 21:20:42 GMT -6
Idina ran.
She ran, and the Clanless could see her running as fast as she could, relieving him so much. Now I can focus on killing this bastard and not protecting someone else.
He swung his blade upwards into the creature's gut, but his strike was deflected by its hardened underbelly scales. Aggravated, he leaped backwards before spinning about on his right foot. Once he'd regained his footing, he redrew his blade at the wyvern and charged again, this time jumping at its snout. Again, the creature deflected his strike with a swing, sending the elven monk into the thick trunk of an oak tree.
"Delsin in tur hao!" He cursed as he wiped the blood from the back of his head.
The decorated lizard began lumbering forwards, saliva dripping from its mouth as it looked around. The elf was of no interest to the monster, but the running prey was more of a trophy, and so it began its charge into the woods after the blonde.
"No! Dammit!" Clanless screamed as he brought himself to his feet and began chasing after it.
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Idina Doc
Wildgardian
Could we start again, please?
Posts: 258
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Post by Idina Doc on Jul 19, 2014 23:26:01 GMT -6
The colossal crashing sounds behind her were becoming more frequent, picking up speed... Idina dared looking back over her shoulder again. The roaring of adrenaline-rich blood in her ears almost drowned out the sounds the wyvren was making when she realized it was after her. Her breaths became more frantic as she fled, her footsteps heavier.
Instinct told her to change directions, to confuse the beast and perhaps shake it off. She turned sharply, darting squarely to the right of where she had been going. When the sounds of pursuit continued to follow her, the blonde spun to the left. "Please oh please oh please oh please," she muttered in an almost prayer-like fashion, hoping desperately to lose the wyvren.
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Post by Faljere D'ael Elderbaden on Jul 23, 2014 10:44:46 GMT -6
"Run!" He growled, partially to himself as he chased the wyvern and partially to Idina as she ran from the wyvern.
There was no way he'd catch up in time.
There was only one thing he could do.
"Idina!" He yelled as he brought his sword above his head, like a javelin. "Catch!"
At that moment, his sword was thrown right out of his hand and towards the girl, and the elf hoped that it either missed her enough for her to pick it up, knowing she wouldn't be brave enough to catch it, or that it hit the creature.
The most likely outcome was her being impaled and him eaten.
Still, he stood still and wished for the best.
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