sollie
Member
nadia damaris
captain of the sun howler
disquieted
Ne’brék | Forest
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soothe the enemy to protect yourself.
Nadia was built with rigid, harsh materials, unwilling to bend or flex for anyone. But the forest truly made her bow to its will. Like the rest of her crew, she’d grown up on stories from her As’verian friends, from Nana E’tok, and from the others who wished to share their history with the club of exiled humans that washed up on their shores every so often. Wishing to be free of her fear, and in part, some of her humanity, Nadia would puff her chest up as a child, claiming she was not scared of the beings and creatures which lived in the forest and protected As’veria from foreign menaces but with each story, each warning and tale of woe from the forest, a tight coil of dread and fear began to form towards the forest. A fear Cassian could not understand.
Furrowing her brows, she cast her gaze toward him. For the first time since they’d left Okoris, Nadia’s voice was not hostile or demanding. She did not command him in the way she had on the Sun Howler. But instead, her tone was soft, even, and truthful. “What lurks in that forest is far more daunting than a knife to the back. It would be merciful to spare someone the agony of going into this forest. A kind death would be far more gentle than what we will face in that forest, Cassian.” The solemn expression that lingered on her face melted into fear, as if each legend and story of the Forest flashed in her mind all at once.
Tendrils of shadows seemed to creep from the inky blackness of the forest, a warning for any dumb enough to enter to turn away. Even the edge of the forest appeared to be a horrifying illustration from a children's book of scary stories. Unfortunately for the pair, this was very much real. Without another thought, Nadia knew pushing her fear away was the only means by which she could enter the forest and survive with her idiotic companion.
Stalling only a moment longer, adjusting her backpack on her shoulders and coiling her hand comfortably around Cassian’s wrist, the woman stepped forward and onto the earthen path which would lead them through the heart of As’veria, down the winding darkness of the forest, and finally to Ul’denia.
“Those who know As’veria know its legends. And its ancient protectors.” Nadia began as the comforting hum of Ne’brék faded into the rustle of leaves, the chirping of birds, and the buzz of insects in the forests. Light filtered through the dense foliage above their heads, casting soft rays of golden sunlight through their path. “We believe in the Star of Isolde to protect us and guide us. As’verians put their faith in the Guardians of the Forest. They teach their children about the creatures which lurk, strong, noble, otherworldly warriors lying in wait for their chance to protect the sacred island. Isoldians, human, and Vinyamarians, Elf, are outsiders. The blood running through us,” Nadia squeezed Cassian’s wrist with an exhale. “It marks us for dead in this Forest.”
If they continued heading North, eventually, they would come out on the other side of the Forest. What foes they would face, could perhaps complicate that, but until that happened, Nadia would continue fearlessly. What interested her, however, was how struck with fear Cassian was. He revealed the location of the Star of Isolde, yet seemed shaken at their journey. And a shaken, fearful companion was a companion that couldn’t fight. Resentment struck every fiber in Nadia’s body for Cassian, but easing his fear could save both their lives in an encounter.
“The night in Okoris,” Nadia began, her gaze set forward. Relating to Cassian on any front was difficult, but perhaps recalling their first encounter would draw his mind from the fear and dread of what was to come. “You were quite intoxicated before I visited you.” She recalled his words, sick with alcohol. She’s so greedy for money. Cassian slurred when she entered. Luckily you’re my type. Eyes dark and hungry with desire and despair. Can I help you forget, Your Highness? She’d offered. “Why? Do all Vinyamarians drown themselves with wine like that?” A question disguised as interest in the Vinyamarian rather than a crafty way of luring his mind from the shadowy depths of the Forest.
Furrowing her brows, she cast her gaze toward him. For the first time since they’d left Okoris, Nadia’s voice was not hostile or demanding. She did not command him in the way she had on the Sun Howler. But instead, her tone was soft, even, and truthful. “What lurks in that forest is far more daunting than a knife to the back. It would be merciful to spare someone the agony of going into this forest. A kind death would be far more gentle than what we will face in that forest, Cassian.” The solemn expression that lingered on her face melted into fear, as if each legend and story of the Forest flashed in her mind all at once.
Tendrils of shadows seemed to creep from the inky blackness of the forest, a warning for any dumb enough to enter to turn away. Even the edge of the forest appeared to be a horrifying illustration from a children's book of scary stories. Unfortunately for the pair, this was very much real. Without another thought, Nadia knew pushing her fear away was the only means by which she could enter the forest and survive with her idiotic companion.
Stalling only a moment longer, adjusting her backpack on her shoulders and coiling her hand comfortably around Cassian’s wrist, the woman stepped forward and onto the earthen path which would lead them through the heart of As’veria, down the winding darkness of the forest, and finally to Ul’denia.
“Those who know As’veria know its legends. And its ancient protectors.” Nadia began as the comforting hum of Ne’brék faded into the rustle of leaves, the chirping of birds, and the buzz of insects in the forests. Light filtered through the dense foliage above their heads, casting soft rays of golden sunlight through their path. “We believe in the Star of Isolde to protect us and guide us. As’verians put their faith in the Guardians of the Forest. They teach their children about the creatures which lurk, strong, noble, otherworldly warriors lying in wait for their chance to protect the sacred island. Isoldians, human, and Vinyamarians, Elf, are outsiders. The blood running through us,” Nadia squeezed Cassian’s wrist with an exhale. “It marks us for dead in this Forest.”
If they continued heading North, eventually, they would come out on the other side of the Forest. What foes they would face, could perhaps complicate that, but until that happened, Nadia would continue fearlessly. What interested her, however, was how struck with fear Cassian was. He revealed the location of the Star of Isolde, yet seemed shaken at their journey. And a shaken, fearful companion was a companion that couldn’t fight. Resentment struck every fiber in Nadia’s body for Cassian, but easing his fear could save both their lives in an encounter.
“The night in Okoris,” Nadia began, her gaze set forward. Relating to Cassian on any front was difficult, but perhaps recalling their first encounter would draw his mind from the fear and dread of what was to come. “You were quite intoxicated before I visited you.” She recalled his words, sick with alcohol. She’s so greedy for money. Cassian slurred when she entered. Luckily you’re my type. Eyes dark and hungry with desire and despair. Can I help you forget, Your Highness? She’d offered. “Why? Do all Vinyamarians drown themselves with wine like that?” A question disguised as interest in the Vinyamarian rather than a crafty way of luring his mind from the shadowy depths of the Forest.
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