ArcticFox
Dreamer
Closed.
Last edited:
Closed.
- Thread starter ArcticFox
- Start date
amongfoxesandfaeries
tired
Athdhea takes a moment to think, to look towards the dirt path that would lead to the world outside her walls.
"Do you know what lies ahead?"
She looks back to the Sergeantmaster, her hands by her side, clenching and unclenching. She's nervous, and who could blame her? Heavily trained, she was, but she had never travelled outside the safety and familiarity of her land.
"Do you know what lies ahead?"
She looks back to the Sergeantmaster, her hands by her side, clenching and unclenching. She's nervous, and who could blame her? Heavily trained, she was, but she had never travelled outside the safety and familiarity of her land.
ArcticFox
Dreamer
"I have spoken to you about this." The Sergeantmaster answered with a slight sigh. "I cannot see your future, my friend, it was always very muddled to my eyes. I don't know if it is the influence of the Archmage or yours, but either way you are your own woman and you will forge your destiny." He moved ahead to escort her to the opened gates, his movements slow and precise. The Sergeantmaster used a spear as his weapon of choice, but he was well versed in other weapons, and he transferred some of her precision and wariness onto Dhea. He was a good teacher and a better friend.
"In front of you are the Shamutanti Hills. There are many villages on the road between you and Khare. My advice is to stop at most of them and rest, when you have a chance for that. Conserve your strength in this part of the road, since it will be readily taken from you once you reach Khare." He gestured toward the horizon, though nothing except the shingled roofs of the first village could be seen. "Beyond Khare you have the Baklands. That is where your journey will get even worse. Baklands are devoid of all life except the most foul of Archmage's servants. Be careful, my friend, your life depends on it."
He gave her another pat on the back, before stepping backwards through the gate. It started to creak and move, closing behind Dhea, shutting off Analand for her, until she came back with the Crown, or until her corpse is brought inside to be buried. Ahead of her was the first stretch of her journey. The village of Cantopani laid an hour of walking straight down the road. To her left were the grass fields and beyond them, a river.
- Go toward the village.
- Go through the grass fields.
"In front of you are the Shamutanti Hills. There are many villages on the road between you and Khare. My advice is to stop at most of them and rest, when you have a chance for that. Conserve your strength in this part of the road, since it will be readily taken from you once you reach Khare." He gestured toward the horizon, though nothing except the shingled roofs of the first village could be seen. "Beyond Khare you have the Baklands. That is where your journey will get even worse. Baklands are devoid of all life except the most foul of Archmage's servants. Be careful, my friend, your life depends on it."
He gave her another pat on the back, before stepping backwards through the gate. It started to creak and move, closing behind Dhea, shutting off Analand for her, until she came back with the Crown, or until her corpse is brought inside to be buried. Ahead of her was the first stretch of her journey. The village of Cantopani laid an hour of walking straight down the road. To her left were the grass fields and beyond them, a river.
- Go toward the village.
- Go through the grass fields.
amongfoxesandfaeries
tired
Athdhea moves towards the grass fields, allowing herself a moment to ground herself before she headed towards the first village. She inhales, her fingers stretching outwards. She feels herself settle and her mind focuses on her task ahead.
She opens her eyes and continues through the fields.
She opens her eyes and continues through the fields.
Last edited:
ArcticFox
Dreamer
The path toward and through Cantopani was long and winding and would have lost her a whole day. So instead she turned to the road to the left that led through a grass field. She strode north, through the knee-high grass. The journey started with a stiff climb that lasted Dhea for a couple of hours. It looked like there was not much of a distance from one side of the grass field to the other, but walking through that monotone land could be deceiving.
Once she climbed the top of a hillock she had a good view of the plains ahead. There was a seemingly never-ending sea of yellow grass ahead of her and beyond that, a small encampment, or a village, surrounded by a fence made out of wooden sticks. The huts of the dwelling were strangely shaped. They did not look like human dwellings at all, nothing she was used to.
To her left was the wall of Analand's outpost. It threw shadows down at her, sheltering her from the warm midday sun. If she looked up toward the top of the wall she could see a familiar figure with its arms raised. The Sergeantmaster stood on the battlements, watching her progress. His eyes hidden behind the mask, but his gaze reaching far further than Dhea's. The wind whispered through the grass, beckoning her onwards. But, there must be rats in these fields. And perhaps even worse things. Going toward the river could be a safer path.
- Continue through the fields.
- Go right to the river bank.
Once she climbed the top of a hillock she had a good view of the plains ahead. There was a seemingly never-ending sea of yellow grass ahead of her and beyond that, a small encampment, or a village, surrounded by a fence made out of wooden sticks. The huts of the dwelling were strangely shaped. They did not look like human dwellings at all, nothing she was used to.
To her left was the wall of Analand's outpost. It threw shadows down at her, sheltering her from the warm midday sun. If she looked up toward the top of the wall she could see a familiar figure with its arms raised. The Sergeantmaster stood on the battlements, watching her progress. His eyes hidden behind the mask, but his gaze reaching far further than Dhea's. The wind whispered through the grass, beckoning her onwards. But, there must be rats in these fields. And perhaps even worse things. Going toward the river could be a safer path.
- Continue through the fields.
- Go right to the river bank.
amongfoxesandfaeries
tired
The thoughts of rats and either nasty things made Dhea think twice about going through the fields, instead she made her way to the river bank, where it was likely safer.
ArcticFox
Dreamer
Dhea begun making her way down the hillside and toward the river valley. The grass started slowly giving out, making way for scree and gravel, with an occasional tick bush that tugged at her clothing. It was surprising to see how the thick grassland turned into a wasteland so quickly. Her feet started slipping on the scree underneath. There was barely any earth here, just sheer rock and the slope did not make things any better.
Then suddenly, her foot slipped beneath her. Dhea lost her balance as the slope turned into a steep drop and she started sliding down. Her descent was rapid. She only had a couple of seconds to decide what to do.
- Try to fall well.
- Try to slow your fall by leaning on the longbow.
- Cast a spell.
Then suddenly, her foot slipped beneath her. Dhea lost her balance as the slope turned into a steep drop and she started sliding down. Her descent was rapid. She only had a couple of seconds to decide what to do.
- Try to fall well.
- Try to slow your fall by leaning on the longbow.
- Cast a spell.
amongfoxesandfaeries
tired
Dhea had been thinking on her strategies on what she was going to do. She was terrified, in all honesty. The idea of not being able to return until she had done this nigh on impossible task. Despite being highly trained, she was still human and she was scared. Of death, of failure.
Perhaps that is why she lost her footing so easily. She was so heavily focused on her internal thoughts that she did not pay much attention to the loose gravel and the way she half-slipped with each step.
She let out a loud noise of shock, eyes widening as she slid.
"Shit!"
With a split second decision, she adjusted herself to attempt to fall well and avoid any major injuries.
Perhaps that is why she lost her footing so easily. She was so heavily focused on her internal thoughts that she did not pay much attention to the loose gravel and the way she half-slipped with each step.
She let out a loud noise of shock, eyes widening as she slid.
"Shit!"
With a split second decision, she adjusted herself to attempt to fall well and avoid any major injuries.
Last edited:
ArcticFox
Dreamer
She still slid down the gravel, dirtying her clothes and stumbling at the bottom of the slope, with a couple of new bruises forming on her backside. Her descent was anything but elegant, but at least she did not faceplant.
Opening her eyes to the view ahead Dhea saw two figures in front of her. They looked at her in bewilderment at first and then they laughed. Though their laughter died down quickly, and faced with a stranger in their midst, they drew their needle like swords, stepping up to Dhea and watching her with suspicion. She could make out their features now. They were about her height and were looking much like humans, but their skin was fair and their ears pointed. They wore leather armour without helmets and their hairs were long and dark. One of them leaned down toward her.
"What are you, careless creature?" He asked in the Common Tongue. Dhea recognised them as Elvin. They looked much like their cousins, Elves, by outer appearance at least, with slightly longer ears and dark hair. But their temperament was much worse. Where Elves were kind and wise, Elvin were fickle and conniving. At least that was what her Sergeantmaster had told her.
- Say you are a warrior.
- Say you are an Analander.
- Say you are a nobody.
Opening her eyes to the view ahead Dhea saw two figures in front of her. They looked at her in bewilderment at first and then they laughed. Though their laughter died down quickly, and faced with a stranger in their midst, they drew their needle like swords, stepping up to Dhea and watching her with suspicion. She could make out their features now. They were about her height and were looking much like humans, but their skin was fair and their ears pointed. They wore leather armour without helmets and their hairs were long and dark. One of them leaned down toward her.
- Say you are a warrior.
- Say you are an Analander.
- Say you are a nobody.
amongfoxesandfaeries
tired
What was the answer that wasn't going to get her killed?
Dhea looked over the Elvin, her brow furrowing for a moment as she thought. As quickly as the frown had appeared, it had vanished. She sat up, wincing slightly as her backside still ached.
She didn't want to give anything away until she was sure that answering about where she was from or what she could do wasn't going to get her killed.
With a half-smile, Dhea held up her hands in front of her, a peaceful gesture.
"I'm nobody."
She made sure to keep her gaze on the Elvin's.
Dhea looked over the Elvin, her brow furrowing for a moment as she thought. As quickly as the frown had appeared, it had vanished. She sat up, wincing slightly as her backside still ached.
She didn't want to give anything away until she was sure that answering about where she was from or what she could do wasn't going to get her killed.
With a half-smile, Dhea held up her hands in front of her, a peaceful gesture.
"I'm nobody."
She made sure to keep her gaze on the Elvin's.
ArcticFox
Dreamer
"Really?" The Elvin moved closer to her, stepping around, his sword ready for any sudden movements. Then he stepped away again and gave her a mischievous grin. "That's for our chief to decide." He raised his sword higher. "This valley belongs to the Elvin. Fools and travelling minstrels are not welcome by our river. You would put us all in danger." The glint in his eyes was dangerous. "Surrender your weapons." He hissed.
- Obey.
- Try to run.
- Attack them.
- Cast a spell.
- Obey.
- Try to run.
- Attack them.
- Cast a spell.
amongfoxesandfaeries
tired
Dhea doesn't fully like the idea of being unarmed, even if she did have her magic, there was always a chance it wouldn't work.
"Alright."
She doesn't blink or even move suddenly as she removes her longbow and dagger. She boots them away, tilting her head slightly as she looks up the Elvin.
"Anything else you'd like me to remove?"
Dhea rose slowly, trying to think of a way where she could make it out alive. She inhaled, reminding herself that obeying the armed Elvin would be her best bet.
"Alright."
She doesn't blink or even move suddenly as she removes her longbow and dagger. She boots them away, tilting her head slightly as she looks up the Elvin.
"Anything else you'd like me to remove?"
Dhea rose slowly, trying to think of a way where she could make it out alive. She inhaled, reminding herself that obeying the armed Elvin would be her best bet.
ArcticFox
Dreamer
"Your top." One of the Elvin responded, but the one that kept talking to Dhea and asked for her weapons cut his companion off with a sharp disapproving look.
"Keep your clothes on." He added as his disapproval rapidly shifted from Dhea to his companion. His hand reached out to take her bow and quiver, slinging it over his shoulder, while he waved her on with his free hand. "I'm glad you are reasonable, at least." He said, nodding in approval. "Follow me." He did not make an attempt to search through her pack and he allowed her to take it and bring it by herself. His companion waved them on as he went in the opposite directin, and Dhea was accompanied by only one Elvin now.
They walked following the river north, passing by a larger group of Elvins, playing on the riverbank. The Elvin that led Dhea called out something to them in their native tongue, and the group of Elvins laughed merrily. One of them pointed to Dhea, saying something more, once again followed by laughter of the others. Dhea could not know what they were talking about, but she sensed that it was not anything flattering.
--
After about an hour of walking in silence behind the Elvin, they reached a settlement. It was a small camp of straw huts and tents. The Elvins leading her did not look at her, nor did he speak, but she knew by the way his muscles were tensed, that he followed her movements. She would not be able to outrun him even if she tried to escape.
He brought her through the fences of the camp and toward a campfire at the center. There were all sorts of Elvins gathered, armed guards and small children, women with long ponytails and wide eyes, all looking at her curiously, all wanting to poke at her, though none made a move. An older Elvin at the front of the crowd with a couple of grey strands in his hair made a step toward her.
"Ruven, you have brought us a guest?" He addressed the Elvin that led her, surprisingly speaking in Common.
"I have, Elder." The Elvin called Ruven answered. "She trespassed."
The Elder squinted his eyes, looking her over. "You are an Analander I see. Tell me, where did your King send you?" And just like that, her cover was blown.
- Say you are just travelling.
- Reveal your quest.
- Stay silent.
"Keep your clothes on." He added as his disapproval rapidly shifted from Dhea to his companion. His hand reached out to take her bow and quiver, slinging it over his shoulder, while he waved her on with his free hand. "I'm glad you are reasonable, at least." He said, nodding in approval. "Follow me." He did not make an attempt to search through her pack and he allowed her to take it and bring it by herself. His companion waved them on as he went in the opposite directin, and Dhea was accompanied by only one Elvin now.
They walked following the river north, passing by a larger group of Elvins, playing on the riverbank. The Elvin that led Dhea called out something to them in their native tongue, and the group of Elvins laughed merrily. One of them pointed to Dhea, saying something more, once again followed by laughter of the others. Dhea could not know what they were talking about, but she sensed that it was not anything flattering.
--
After about an hour of walking in silence behind the Elvin, they reached a settlement. It was a small camp of straw huts and tents. The Elvins leading her did not look at her, nor did he speak, but she knew by the way his muscles were tensed, that he followed her movements. She would not be able to outrun him even if she tried to escape.
He brought her through the fences of the camp and toward a campfire at the center. There were all sorts of Elvins gathered, armed guards and small children, women with long ponytails and wide eyes, all looking at her curiously, all wanting to poke at her, though none made a move. An older Elvin at the front of the crowd with a couple of grey strands in his hair made a step toward her.
"Ruven, you have brought us a guest?" He addressed the Elvin that led her, surprisingly speaking in Common.
"I have, Elder." The Elvin called Ruven answered. "She trespassed."
The Elder squinted his eyes, looking her over. "You are an Analander I see. Tell me, where did your King send you?" And just like that, her cover was blown.
- Say you are just travelling.
- Reveal your quest.
- Stay silent.
amongfoxesandfaeries
tired
Dhea had raised a brow at the disapproving look the Elvin gave his friend, her eyes narrowing slightly in thought.
"Yes, because I was totally going to remove all this armour simply because he said so."
She mumbled it under her breath as they walked away from the Elvin that had 'asked' her to remove her top.
She followed silently, her brain whirring with what she was going to say to the leader of their tribe.
--
When they walked through the village, with the stares and open curiosity, Dhea kept her chin high and her shoulders back. There was no reason to flinch away from people interested in something new. She had already decided on telling half-truths, as to not feel so guilty about lying.
However, when the Elder was quick to blow her cover, Dhea inclined her head in a respectful manner. She would tell the truth. She told him simply about the Crown and the Archmage and that she was sent to retrieve it. She remained still as she told him, her eyes simply focusing on the greying Elvin.
"And that is what I must do. I apologise for trespassing. Had I known these were your lands, I would have travelled elsewhere."
"Yes, because I was totally going to remove all this armour simply because he said so."
She mumbled it under her breath as they walked away from the Elvin that had 'asked' her to remove her top.
She followed silently, her brain whirring with what she was going to say to the leader of their tribe.
--
When they walked through the village, with the stares and open curiosity, Dhea kept her chin high and her shoulders back. There was no reason to flinch away from people interested in something new. She had already decided on telling half-truths, as to not feel so guilty about lying.
However, when the Elder was quick to blow her cover, Dhea inclined her head in a respectful manner. She would tell the truth. She told him simply about the Crown and the Archmage and that she was sent to retrieve it. She remained still as she told him, her eyes simply focusing on the greying Elvin.
"And that is what I must do. I apologise for trespassing. Had I known these were your lands, I would have travelled elsewhere."
ArcticFox
Dreamer
The Elder watched her for a long moment, before speaking. "Your King never sends his people outside the borders. He did not send them when our lands were overrun by Goblins. He did not send them when we were forced to turn our homes into death traps to catch marauders. He did not send them when the last of our kind begged to be saved outside his gates." His voice was chilling, years old anger stirring somewhere behind those words. "We are creatures of sunlight, now forced into the shade. And we were not the only ones to suffer. All because of your King, Analander. The King who lost the Crown. Tell me, why send you for it now?"
There was a tale she heard from the Sergeantmaster. About how the Crown disappeared. The allied Kingdoms used the Crown in turn, each holding it for Four years and not longer. When the Crown was supposed to be given to Analand, the Archmage intercepted the messengers and took it for himself. Analand never got the Crown and the Archmage laid the eastern lands to waste. She knew of it, but she had never before met any people outside of their borders. Clearly many of them felt the consequences.
- Answer.
- Stay silent.
There was a tale she heard from the Sergeantmaster. About how the Crown disappeared. The allied Kingdoms used the Crown in turn, each holding it for Four years and not longer. When the Crown was supposed to be given to Analand, the Archmage intercepted the messengers and took it for himself. Analand never got the Crown and the Archmage laid the eastern lands to waste. She knew of it, but she had never before met any people outside of their borders. Clearly many of them felt the consequences.
- Answer.
- Stay silent.
amongfoxesandfaeries
tired
Dhea takes a moment, trying to think of the words to say that would least likely end badly. She'd already decided against staying silent, feeling it would be more suspicious than anything.
"I am sorry for what happened to you. I know my words sound empty, especially from an Analander."
She lifts her chin again and she balls her fists by her side.
She'd heard the stories, but hearing that her King's mistakes had cost these people more than it should, she felt a fire grow within her and she spoke truly.
"My King is blinded by his pride. He lost the Crown, so he hides behind his walls and ignores the pleas of people that needed help. He only seeks to rectify his mistake because now it threatens him."
She jabbed a finger in the direction of her former home, the action full of determination.
"Once I have completed my quest, once I have gained influence and the ability to make a change, I will get you reparations for him turning a blind eye and the losses it has caused you."
Dhea steps forward, but it is not threatening, not agressive towards the Elder.
"I know they are empty promises, but...what he has done is not right. The world behind those walls is the only world I've known, so that gives me a different perspective. I believe keeping people hidden away is wrong. I believe keeping other ways of life out wrong."
She takes a deep breath, trying to calm herself down from the fervour that she'd gotten herself worked up into.
"I-I...if I cannot get you the reparations you deserve, you may have my head. It would be the least I could do, if I could not fulfill my promise."
Dhea looks the Elder in the eyes again and there is a deep sincerity in her gaze.
"Again, I am sorry for what he has done. I wish to change that."
"I am sorry for what happened to you. I know my words sound empty, especially from an Analander."
She lifts her chin again and she balls her fists by her side.
She'd heard the stories, but hearing that her King's mistakes had cost these people more than it should, she felt a fire grow within her and she spoke truly.
"My King is blinded by his pride. He lost the Crown, so he hides behind his walls and ignores the pleas of people that needed help. He only seeks to rectify his mistake because now it threatens him."
She jabbed a finger in the direction of her former home, the action full of determination.
"Once I have completed my quest, once I have gained influence and the ability to make a change, I will get you reparations for him turning a blind eye and the losses it has caused you."
Dhea steps forward, but it is not threatening, not agressive towards the Elder.
"I know they are empty promises, but...what he has done is not right. The world behind those walls is the only world I've known, so that gives me a different perspective. I believe keeping people hidden away is wrong. I believe keeping other ways of life out wrong."
She takes a deep breath, trying to calm herself down from the fervour that she'd gotten herself worked up into.
"I-I...if I cannot get you the reparations you deserve, you may have my head. It would be the least I could do, if I could not fulfill my promise."
Dhea looks the Elder in the eyes again and there is a deep sincerity in her gaze.
"Again, I am sorry for what he has done. I wish to change that."
ArcticFox
Dreamer
"Brave words from someone who doesn't even know how to climb downhill." Ruven snorted beside her, quite unhelpfully. "Really a champion we need."
The elder Elvin's eyes stared at Dhea as she spoke. His face was a mask of calmness when he let out a small sigh. "Don't think us violent, Analander. We are creatures of joy, though we were forced to forsake our ways."
Then he turned around to the gathered Elvins and started talking in their native language. The faces of the Elvins lightened up and soon enough there were nods and encouraging murmurs. After a couple of seconds the Elder turned back to Dhea to offer an explanation.
"There is no need for grim words. We will let you be on your way." He said with a gentle smile. Then he added. "But first, entertain us!" Hands raised, he gestured at her. "Show us what you can do. You are a brave Analander hero now. Show us what you are capable of!"
- Cast a spell.
- Demonstrate your skill with the bow.
- Tell a story.
- Pick a fight with someone.
- Don't do anything.
The elder Elvin's eyes stared at Dhea as she spoke. His face was a mask of calmness when he let out a small sigh. "Don't think us violent, Analander. We are creatures of joy, though we were forced to forsake our ways."
Then he turned around to the gathered Elvins and started talking in their native language. The faces of the Elvins lightened up and soon enough there were nods and encouraging murmurs. After a couple of seconds the Elder turned back to Dhea to offer an explanation.
"There is no need for grim words. We will let you be on your way." He said with a gentle smile. Then he added. "But first, entertain us!" Hands raised, he gestured at her. "Show us what you can do. You are a brave Analander hero now. Show us what you are capable of!"
- Cast a spell.
- Demonstrate your skill with the bow.
- Tell a story.
- Pick a fight with someone.
- Don't do anything.
amongfoxesandfaeries
tired
Dhea visibly relaxed, she did shoot Ruven a look, before shifting her stance and expression into something more open. She smiled at the Elder, before taking a few steps back.
"I'd be happy to."
She removed her pack and set it aside, before removing her spellbook and flicking it to the right page.
With a soft exhale, Dhea focused on the energy buzzing through her, focused on forming it into the spell. It shimmered over her body and soon, she was lifted from the ground.
Her eyes opened and she did a playful bow, before looking over to Ruven, grinning cheekily.
"What were you saying?"
"I'd be happy to."
She removed her pack and set it aside, before removing her spellbook and flicking it to the right page.
With a soft exhale, Dhea focused on the energy buzzing through her, focused on forming it into the spell. It shimmered over her body and soon, she was lifted from the ground.
Her eyes opened and she did a playful bow, before looking over to Ruven, grinning cheekily.
"What were you saying?"
ArcticFox
Dreamer
"You are a witch!" Ruven hissed, taking a step back and drawing his sword.
The other Elvin did not share his concerns though. A clap rang out. Some of them cheered and some even took a careful step toward her. One child tugged at her cloak and grinned up at her. The Elder gave a hearty laugh, contrasting the atmosphere from before.
"Well, we have a mighty sorcerer here." He spoke, though Dhea was not sure if he was serious, or if he was just messing with her. "Thank you, Analander." He nodded. "You can be on your way."
He turned his attention to Ruven, talking in their native tongue. By the way Ruven spoke and by his angry gestures, it was plain that he did not agree with the Elder. Though eventually their argument subsided and Ruven threw a furious look at Dhea. The group of Elvins left the campfire, each to their own business, leaving the two of them alone in the middle of the camp. Ruven took a step closer to Dhea.
"I don't want to do this, but I have to." He spoke, handing her the weapons. "Apparently I'm your guide now. Until you reach Khare at least."
- Thank Ruven.
- Refuse him.
- Ask him something.
- Run away.
The other Elvin did not share his concerns though. A clap rang out. Some of them cheered and some even took a careful step toward her. One child tugged at her cloak and grinned up at her. The Elder gave a hearty laugh, contrasting the atmosphere from before.
"Well, we have a mighty sorcerer here." He spoke, though Dhea was not sure if he was serious, or if he was just messing with her. "Thank you, Analander." He nodded. "You can be on your way."
He turned his attention to Ruven, talking in their native tongue. By the way Ruven spoke and by his angry gestures, it was plain that he did not agree with the Elder. Though eventually their argument subsided and Ruven threw a furious look at Dhea. The group of Elvins left the campfire, each to their own business, leaving the two of them alone in the middle of the camp. Ruven took a step closer to Dhea.
"I don't want to do this, but I have to." He spoke, handing her the weapons. "Apparently I'm your guide now. Until you reach Khare at least."
- Thank Ruven.
- Refuse him.
- Ask him something.
- Run away.
amongfoxesandfaeries
tired
Dhea takes the weapons and puts them away. She had seen the argument between him and the Elder, and she could see that he was very displeased with the whole situation. She couldn't blame him. She was a stranger and one that had just cast magic in front of him.
"Thank you."
She attempts a smile, before sighing softly. She chuckles under her breath.
"Well, you've seen me skid down a hill on my backside. Think about the other stupid things you'll get to see me do."
She puts a hand on his elbow, grinning.
"At least it'll be amusing, right?"
She takes another step back.
"I'm sorry for freaking you out before. It was the most harmless thing I could think to do."
"Thank you."
She attempts a smile, before sighing softly. She chuckles under her breath.
"Well, you've seen me skid down a hill on my backside. Think about the other stupid things you'll get to see me do."
She puts a hand on his elbow, grinning.
"At least it'll be amusing, right?"
She takes another step back.
"I'm sorry for freaking you out before. It was the most harmless thing I could think to do."
ArcticFox
Dreamer
Ruven stared at her for a couple of moments, before raising one eyebrow, his look rather baffled. "You are a strange creature." Was all the said prior to turning toward the fence and motioning her to follow.
--
The two walked in silence for almost an hour. Ruven was always two steps in front of her, not looking back, but she knew that he was listening for her footsteps, because every time she slowed down, he would stop to wait for her. For a guide he was not the most talkative and it was clear that he was going against his will. But, he did not speak another word of protest, accepting his newfound duty.
They crossed over a rickety wooden bridge on the Simsosa river, following the path slightly uphill. Dhea could then see that the grassy verge was thick with colour and some of the most beautiful flowers that she had ever seen. Threading carefully as to not crush them, they went down the slope, following the grassy road. A flock of gulls flew into the air from a patch of grass nearby as Ruven strode purposefully, slightly startling her. She could not see anything up ahead or around, just more grass and brightly coloured flowers. They had a couple of hours of sunlight left. Her stomach growled.
- Stop and eat.
- Look around.
- Continue forward.
--
The two walked in silence for almost an hour. Ruven was always two steps in front of her, not looking back, but she knew that he was listening for her footsteps, because every time she slowed down, he would stop to wait for her. For a guide he was not the most talkative and it was clear that he was going against his will. But, he did not speak another word of protest, accepting his newfound duty.
They crossed over a rickety wooden bridge on the Simsosa river, following the path slightly uphill. Dhea could then see that the grassy verge was thick with colour and some of the most beautiful flowers that she had ever seen. Threading carefully as to not crush them, they went down the slope, following the grassy road. A flock of gulls flew into the air from a patch of grass nearby as Ruven strode purposefully, slightly startling her. She could not see anything up ahead or around, just more grass and brightly coloured flowers. They had a couple of hours of sunlight left. Her stomach growled.
- Stop and eat.
- Look around.
- Continue forward.
amongfoxesandfaeries
tired
Dhea presses her hand to her stomach. She had been walking for awhile and after her antics at the slope, she'd wasted bit of energy. Rather than focus on it, she pushed forward.
She could rest and eat later, when she wasn't following Ruven.
She would be lying if she didn't admit that the Elvin didn't intrigue her. She did want to know why he disliked magic so much, and why seemed so reluctant to even be anywhere near her.
She could rest and eat later, when she wasn't following Ruven.
She would be lying if she didn't admit that the Elvin didn't intrigue her. She did want to know why he disliked magic so much, and why seemed so reluctant to even be anywhere near her.
ArcticFox
Dreamer
They walked through the entire day. Ruven did not show any signs of discomfort nor was he inclined to stop. Dusk came and went and they passed through a forest in minimum lighting, heading to the east. Dhea's stomach was now giving her even more trouble, she felt occasional pangs of pain and it was getting very loud.
They walked out of the forest after some time to rejoin the road just down the ridge. It led north toward some steep cliffs. A full moon rose over the cliffs, lighting their path. Ruven finally broke the long silence.
"That's the Tauser Ridge. This road leads toward Kristanti from Schanker Mines." He turned around to face Dhea.
As they walked down the ridge, they stepped through bushes that snagged on their clothing, tampering with their progress. However it did not take them long to reach the road. Kristanti was a small town in the middle of the Shamutanti Hills and she would be able to get a room there and rest for the night. But then, Ruven gave her the bad news.
"It's gonna take the whole night of walking to reach Kristanti." He said. Then, suddenly, he raised a hand to stop her in her tracks, body tense like he was listening for something. In a low whisper he murmured. "Something smells bad here." And soon enough Dhea caught a whiff of it. A terrible stench, like something had died in the bushes on the side of the road.
- Continue ahead.
- Look around.
- Make camp.
They walked out of the forest after some time to rejoin the road just down the ridge. It led north toward some steep cliffs. A full moon rose over the cliffs, lighting their path. Ruven finally broke the long silence.
"That's the Tauser Ridge. This road leads toward Kristanti from Schanker Mines." He turned around to face Dhea.
As they walked down the ridge, they stepped through bushes that snagged on their clothing, tampering with their progress. However it did not take them long to reach the road. Kristanti was a small town in the middle of the Shamutanti Hills and she would be able to get a room there and rest for the night. But then, Ruven gave her the bad news.
"It's gonna take the whole night of walking to reach Kristanti." He said. Then, suddenly, he raised a hand to stop her in her tracks, body tense like he was listening for something. In a low whisper he murmured. "Something smells bad here." And soon enough Dhea caught a whiff of it. A terrible stench, like something had died in the bushes on the side of the road.
- Continue ahead.
- Look around.
- Make camp.
amongfoxesandfaeries
tired
Dhea wrinkled her nose and frowned. She intended to go look for whatever was making the stench and remove it. She moved past Ruven, her footsteps careful.
She hoped it was just a dead animal and she could move it away.
Mainly so she could set up a camp and not worry about the stench drawing other animals to the area.
"Ugh."
She hoped it was just a dead animal and she could move it away.
Mainly so she could set up a camp and not worry about the stench drawing other animals to the area.
"Ugh."
ArcticFox
Dreamer
The path climbed up a low hill, the dirt road surrounded by thick bushes and shrubs. Dhea did not get very far with her investigation, because a couple of moments later there was a snap, like a twig breaking. Ruven froze in his footsteps ears perked up as he was listening intently. For a brief moment he stood in one place, and then he motioned for Dhea to follow as he edged around some shrubbery on the side of the road.
As they walked around the shrubs they spotted the source of smell. A large creature the size of a bear was directly in front of them, in the bushes, digging through the ground in search of something.. Its fur was black and yellow and it had a long bushy tail that trailed behind it. It did not spot them still.
"A skunk-bear." Ruven whispered.
- Attack it.
- Cast a spell.
- Try to edge around it (roll d20, Bonus 6.5, Difficulty 8).
As they walked around the shrubs they spotted the source of smell. A large creature the size of a bear was directly in front of them, in the bushes, digging through the ground in search of something.. Its fur was black and yellow and it had a long bushy tail that trailed behind it. It did not spot them still.
"A skunk-bear." Ruven whispered.
- Attack it.
- Cast a spell.
- Try to edge around it (roll d20, Bonus 6.5, Difficulty 8).