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Post by Ursarius on Sept 21, 2013 1:28:33 GMT -6
"An Uninvited Visitor" By Ezira and Ursarius
"Hello?!"
A call rang out from the middle of the forest, scaring away a few ravens from the treetops. "Is anyone there?" The young girl from which the voice came had been wandering around, looking for any sign of life - to no avail. As she scoured the thick - yet devoid of all human life - forest, she attempted to remember anything of what her past travels had taught her. 'You can recall all of this Ezira. What has Master Lao taught you that you can remember at this very instant?' She pondered this question for a moment, thinking back to years before. 'AHA! Moss primarily grows on the...north side of trees, and the brightest star in the night sky also guides you north!' She looked up anxiously, as if trying to find said north star. A cluster of birds chirped overhead as a harsh realisation slid over her face. 'However, moss rarely grows during a dry season, and how can one see a night star in the middle of the day?'
She sighed as she leaned up against the rough bark of an evergreen and examined her surroundings. It resembled every other forest she had visited - and that number was not small. But it contained the same caracteristics that any forest would have; numerous tall trees of multiple varieties, the odd, small woodland creature, a muddy dirt floor, and no identifiable landmarks whatsoever. She took in a breath of fresh air. 'Let's keep walking Ezira. You have been wandering on your own for quite some time. What makes you think that now, in the middle of nowhere, you shall find anyone for your aid? Just keep a steady pace, and maybe, by some chance, you shall find a landmark, or a stream, or something of the sort.'
She removed the old, torn, folded up piece of parchment from her satchel. "So," she mumbled to herself " If you just crossed the Mandrivnik Hills, then the forest you're wandering in should be....the Strongjaw woods? ". Ezira looked up around her, desperately searching for something to help her find out where she was. When, again, she found nothing, she let out a great sigh. "At least it's peaceful here; it's so serene and quiet. Not like the past few days." She refolded her map and put it away.
*CRACK*
"What's that?! Who's there?!" She brandished the grey long sword from the scabbard on her back. "Show yourself, stranger!"
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Post by Ursarius on Sept 21, 2013 1:28:53 GMT -6
The sound of the dry deadfall cracking echoed through a remote radius, the trees were so thick that sound didn't carry very far. But it was close enough now that the Voice of the lost was very clear. Markkus the Druidic Grizzly lifted his head and sniffed the Air. He Lifted his massive paw and halted the Small Triad of Ursanid. "Did you hear that? a Voice..." He placed the deadfall back down on the ground quietly standing to his full height. He turned to Face the other Bears, A Black Bear Scout with green and black leather armors, Studded with silver metals. The Scout nodded slowly and Glanced at the third Bear, Another Scout,Grizzly like the first.
"I'll go," Said the Armored Scout. "Stay here and await my signal..."
"Be Careful." said Marzaeus.
Ursarius walked carefully to the trees where a dirt path was well trodden enough, for those who knew the area. Peering through the trees she caught a glimpse of steal, and a bright glint of sunlight in her eyes. "I mean you no Harm, Lower your blade."
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Post by Ursarius on Sept 21, 2013 1:29:09 GMT -6
Fear rushed through the girl, first accidentally stepping on a dry twig that had shaken her, and then apparently summoning a feared creature. She slowly started to put the sword away, only leaving an inch of gleaming metal protruding, but then suddenly grabbed the worn hilt once more.
"Why should I trust you?" she cried out towards the area of trees from which she could see the large, black, and dangerous looking figure. "Y-you're a bear! A beast! An animal!" She started to back away from the figure. "How do I know you won't hurt me?"
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Post by Ursarius on Sept 21, 2013 1:29:26 GMT -6
The Black Bear scrunched her nose, squinting at the bright light in her eyes for one, but also, at the lack of the Girl's knowledge of Black Bears. Ursa rose to her full height... a staggering eight feet tall and put her paws out to the right and left. She could hear Markkus warning her somewhere deep within her mind. 'Careful Mi'Lady, Even the smallest and most fearful warrior can fell a Bear your Size' Ursa's eyes adjusted to the glare, and a young girl came into focus. Her bright eyes and radiant blonde hair made The Black Bear fearful for her life. She took a step back, paws outward to her side. "Calm Down, Now. I'm not a Bear, Nor a Beast... i'm a Person, just like you. A Harmless Girl, Just like yourself...." Ursa's heart pounded like a drum in her chest. "I promise I won't hurt you, take my honorable word as a Scout."
Markkus the Druid grunts softly, shifting his weight back and forth, Ready to spring into action at any given moment. 'Ursarius, don't be a fool, if it strikes, WE strike...' The Pair of Grizzlies wielding long swords each stepped closer, the second scout strains his legs to get a better view of the stranger. 'What is your Command Princess?' asked Marzaeus.
The Black Bear turned her snout to the remaining triad "Stand down, You'll scare the poor thing." She said calmly.
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Post by Ursarius on Sept 21, 2013 1:29:45 GMT -6
Ezira raised her head and looked at the bear in the eye. The young girl had experienced far too much sadness for her age. After fighting for survival by herself for days, losing all of her loved ones, and now being face to face with a bear, perhaps it was time to accept defeat. As she thought back to what had happened recently, a quote from her mother suddenly entered her head.
"Sometimes when you're all alone, you can find friends in the most unexpected of places. If they do nothing to lose your trust, then they are to be trusted, no matter what they look like or who they are."
She slowly slid her sword back into it's hilt, and lowered her head to face the ground.
"I cannot explain why, but for some reason or another, I choose to trust you. However, if I am instead felled by your hand, let it be known that I tried to succeed. But camaraderie would be nice right now."
She looked up once more. "I am Ezira, from the family of Laodu. You wouldn't happen to know how to leave this forest, would you?"
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Post by Ursarius on Sept 21, 2013 1:30:04 GMT -6
Ursarius peered down at the Girl and realized,'She's not Star...' And the Bear Smiled. slowly her breathing regulated and the small panic subsided. She looked over her shoulder to her large Grizzly companions before looking back to the Girl and giving her a listening ear. "The Pleasure is Mine, Ezira Laodu. I am Ursarius Burdenkeeper, Of the Dauntless Tribe." She could hear the inaudible growls of her brothers somewhere deep within her mind. "I am a Scout that Frequents these woods often. Routinely for hunting, My Ursanid Brethren are my Escorts... for these woods, are not always safe." Ursa's smile Grew.
Markkus and Marzaeus looked at Eachother warily and each bent at the waist to pick up the Deadfall the had handled earlier, gathering it up into their arms, they sheathed their swords and joined ursa at either of her sides, standing each a half foot or more taller than the Sleek black bear. Markkus Spoke First; "Greetings Young Traveler..." Marzaeus bowed his head; "We can Escort you from the Woods, if Our Lady permits it."
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Post by Ursarius on Sept 21, 2013 1:30:24 GMT -6
As the two other bears joined the first, Ezira, a litttle taken aback that there were more bears that roamed these woods, could tell that there was something different about them. Not in their coat of fur, nor manner of speaking, but rather in their demeanor. It was just...colder than the large black bear. A chilliness that she could not explain was surrounding them, as in an aura of sorts. The aura of the black bear however, though it lacked no seriousness, was warmer.
At this point, Ezira had far too many questions, lacked a good sense of direction, and the iciness of the two grizzlies was not what she wished for at that point in time. After a deep breath, she said to the taller bears
"Umm... If it would be alright with you, I wish to stay with Ms, Burdenkeeper for a while." Then, turning to black bear in the center, "I-if that is okay with you, I mean."
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Post by Ursarius on Sept 21, 2013 1:30:40 GMT -6
There was something going on in that Girl's mind that Ursa didn't quite understand. It troubled her for only a slight moment, but once the heaviness in the pit of her stomach began to grow it seemed as though it never stopped. That sinking feeling followed Ursarius wherever she went, no matter who she was with. The Bear had to shut tight her eyes to drive these dark thoughts away, She opened them again when the girl was finished speaking.
Marzaeus began to enter her mind; 'Mi'lady Ursa, it is unwise to adopt travelers-' but was quickly silenced by a sudden glare, 'forgive me, it is not my place.' Markkus remained silent, peering down at Ezira.
Ursa shifted in her fur, 'There is... a Burden here that needs to be carried.' She thought, toward no one in particular, She smiled weakly at Ezira and said "Where is your Hunting party? We can return you to them, assuming you were travelling with someone at some point before you lost yourself..." She laid a massive paw on her shoulder. "Perhaps a Caravan? or were you seeking some other sort of destination?" The Druid and the Grizzly Scout exchanged glances, either slightly annoyed with a side of worry... or with complete expectation of Ursa to disobey direct orders. Markkus grunted and surrendered, if he was charged to defend the Princess, then so be it, Another traveler made no difference.
Ursa awaited Ezira's explanation with 3 parts suspicion and 1 part Maternal Instinct.
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Post by Ursarius on Sept 21, 2013 1:30:56 GMT -6
As she spoke, Ezira tried to look into the large bear's eyes. Instead, the large black eyes clenched up. She unfortunately could not decipher whether the expression was caused by her or something else that had troubled Ursa, but after already trying to tag along when the group must have been doing something important, Ezira assumed that the problem was her fault. As she finished speaking, she looked down, for fear that she had maybe overstepped her boundaries. Suddenly, at the touch of the bear's paw on her shoulder, the girl donned in gray flinched. It was far too familiar a sensation to me comforting. In fact, it was very odd to be feeling any sort of warmth towards her, considering the other party was a stranger. The only people who had really ever shown any affection to her would have been her parents. But, in another way, it was nice. Nice to feel a sort of affection, even if it was from someone she had just met. Yes, this was someone that Ezira could trust. She looked up once more to face the now gentler looking bear.
“Permit me, if you will, to tell you my story.” Ezira took a deep breath, and kept going. “I have no caravan, nor hunting party to call my own. I come from a town four days west of here by the name of Loughlorn. My parents, a farmer and a medicine man, were well renown for being able to heal any disease that any human or animal could have. I, being the only child, as well as a girl, did all I could to help them; I received training in the martial arts in order to protect the herbs and medicine. Being very fortunate in their trades, they were able to treat some very powerful warriors from towns far away. And for every warrior, there are enemies. As such, one very powerful clan, the Sharpsword clan, visited our village; not for treating, but rather seeking revenge for helping heal the leader of their opposing clan. That night, they decided to burn our village to the ground, starting with the house of my family. I was the only one who escaped that night. And only with the clothes that I wear, and the sword on my back.” The young girl, emotional from telling her story, felt a drop of water rolling down her cheek, and wiped away the tear. “I’m very sorry. I-I shouldn’t have bothered you with my burden. It is my own to carry.”
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Post by Ursarius on Sept 21, 2013 1:31:15 GMT -6
Ursarius Listened quietly and frowned with the corners of her maw, her eyes fixed on the girl as she spoke. "I am deeply sorry." was all she could say at first, when Ezira had finished talking.
She glanced to her escorts and began to walk, gesturing for Ezira to follow her.
"I am a Noble woman of the Mountain North of here, Called Ursus Dauntamontis- It means, Fearless Bear Mountain, or Fear Bear Mountain, something of the sort. It's both a Compliment and a Warning depending on how you interpret it. I am the Adoptive Daughter of the Current and Former Kings of Ursanids. These are my Second Fathers Adoptive Sons. It's complicated really..."
Ursa lifted a lower branch for Ezira to duck under as they passed a particularly overgrown path.
"To simplify it, My True Father was once a King, His name was Strongjaw Dauntless. These Woods are his Eponynm. (OOC: Named after him) His Best friend Archon; Son of Arber and Brother of Arzeus defeated My Father Strongjaw in Battle and killed him, thus becoming King. He Adopted his Brother Arzeus' Sons..." She nodded her snout to Marzaeus and Markkus. "As Well as myself. Making me the Princess of Two Different Kings." She smiled, hoping the young girl caught all that. "Age has nothing to Do with Succession on the Summit, it all comes down to a Life or Death battle every two years. I lost Eight times and was disqualified once before I was able to ascend from Bear to Ursanid standards on the Mountain. My Brothers here are older than me, and Elite Ursanid. The Highest standard before Elder."
Ursa shook her head. "My Clan name is Dauntless like My Father before Me, but we Bears can have as many Surnames as we desire until we die, and the name we wear at our death becomes our legacy. For instance, when I was blind, My name was Ursarius Sytless, because I was deemed unworthy of being a Dauntless Ursanid, so I gave myself a name suitable to me. After I died I was ressurected and I finally passed my Ursanrites and was cured of my blindness, so I then took on Dauntless. it wasn't until Just recently I adopted the name Ursarius Burdenkeeper in this new life, because it is my own path I follow apart from my Life on the Mountain. Does this make any sense?" She asked her, smiling awkwardly.
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