Neko rested herself against the dark haired horse's side. Kratos lay on the other side, peacefully dosing. Neko clutched her legs on her chest in a way to cover herself; she found her naked form not in the least cold and that her current personal issues seemed very far away... almost like a bad dream. She leaned her head back onto the horse and her lids came down over her eyes sleepily.
This... creature, whatever it was, was something amazing. Unlike any other horse. But like Telanis... It was her last calm thought before she fell into a dreamless but peaceful sleep.
Lore: Behind Stone Walls
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Soran Nightblade
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Telanis wheeled on the men, frowning. "Has your own sorrow become so great that you no longer care for the pain of others?" he demanded.
The men blinked at him in astonishment, silent for several seconds. Then they all burst out laughing. "Boy, you take things serious. The teasing's a tradition, heck, it's a right of passage." He laughed, but with less mirth than before. They seemed to understand that their joke hit home harder than intended, but certainly lacked the tact to do anything to improve the situation.
Telanis narrowed his eyes, not understanding what tradition could possibly involve humiliating a tortured girl, but shook his head and stepped forward. The men grudgingly parted a path for him back to the stage, where Telanis brought Laya up to the less crowded platform and knelt down with her.
From across the ship, a howl of pain caught everyone's attention for a second. There were some nervous chuckles. It was Fletcher's voice.
* * * *
Adonis relaxed as the misery of his two wards numbed into the blankness of sleep. Left with only his own sensations at last, he was able to notice that some of the pain had been his own. He had a few gashes from the chase earlier, which Neko had tried to clean. Things had happened too fast to remember. But more than that he was conscious of a dull ache that pulsed through his whole body, partly the after effects of his prolonged exposure to blood. However, it was mainly caused by the use of dark magic, never intended for creatures of his kind to use.
Adonis rarely used spells as powerful as the one he'd used to kill the man who'd been after them. It was like something broke off of him every time he used it, pieces he'd never find to assemble again. Oh well, those were the breaks, he comforted himself with human slang, almost wanting the girl to wake up again, but rethinking it quickly. She was not going to talk to him gently and feed him carrots. Not tonight. Maybe not again.
The men blinked at him in astonishment, silent for several seconds. Then they all burst out laughing. "Boy, you take things serious. The teasing's a tradition, heck, it's a right of passage." He laughed, but with less mirth than before. They seemed to understand that their joke hit home harder than intended, but certainly lacked the tact to do anything to improve the situation.
Telanis narrowed his eyes, not understanding what tradition could possibly involve humiliating a tortured girl, but shook his head and stepped forward. The men grudgingly parted a path for him back to the stage, where Telanis brought Laya up to the less crowded platform and knelt down with her.
From across the ship, a howl of pain caught everyone's attention for a second. There were some nervous chuckles. It was Fletcher's voice.
* * * *
Adonis relaxed as the misery of his two wards numbed into the blankness of sleep. Left with only his own sensations at last, he was able to notice that some of the pain had been his own. He had a few gashes from the chase earlier, which Neko had tried to clean. Things had happened too fast to remember. But more than that he was conscious of a dull ache that pulsed through his whole body, partly the after effects of his prolonged exposure to blood. However, it was mainly caused by the use of dark magic, never intended for creatures of his kind to use.
Adonis rarely used spells as powerful as the one he'd used to kill the man who'd been after them. It was like something broke off of him every time he used it, pieces he'd never find to assemble again. Oh well, those were the breaks, he comforted himself with human slang, almost wanting the girl to wake up again, but rethinking it quickly. She was not going to talk to him gently and feed him carrots. Not tonight. Maybe not again.
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Mizuki
It was Kratos who woke up first in the dead of night before the sun made its way to the sky. He felt stiff, sore, and exhausted. His pain was dull and numbing all other sensations. He looked blearily at the trees, faintly noticing the warmth of the horse and how fear was the last thing on his mind.
"Neko...?" he called out quietly, wondering if she was even still with him. He was rewarded with her soft breathing. Asleep. How'd we even get here? He did not remember the jarring trip, fleeing on horseback through the trees and faintly recalled fighting off soldiers.... or running from soldiers who suddenly stopped dead. Nothing made sense, but if he could just sit up and see Neko, maybe it would. Unfortunately, he was so stiff and exhausted that he had no energy to sit up.
Instead, he looked up at the dark sky, faint outlines of the trees overhead and the sound of water nearby. They were alive, having barely escaped from that hell. His heart beat a heavy rhythm in his chest; Neko had been raped and he had been tortured, and yet here they both were sleeping at a horse's side... where did this horse come from? He recalled they're first arrival at Onegoreth, and the trouble they had with some soldiers about a dark horse. The memory brought the pain of tears to his eyes for the loss of his mother, but looking at the horse now in the faint light he had... this looked like the same one. But...how and why?
"Neko...?" he called out quietly, wondering if she was even still with him. He was rewarded with her soft breathing. Asleep. How'd we even get here? He did not remember the jarring trip, fleeing on horseback through the trees and faintly recalled fighting off soldiers.... or running from soldiers who suddenly stopped dead. Nothing made sense, but if he could just sit up and see Neko, maybe it would. Unfortunately, he was so stiff and exhausted that he had no energy to sit up.
Instead, he looked up at the dark sky, faint outlines of the trees overhead and the sound of water nearby. They were alive, having barely escaped from that hell. His heart beat a heavy rhythm in his chest; Neko had been raped and he had been tortured, and yet here they both were sleeping at a horse's side... where did this horse come from? He recalled they're first arrival at Onegoreth, and the trouble they had with some soldiers about a dark horse. The memory brought the pain of tears to his eyes for the loss of his mother, but looking at the horse now in the faint light he had... this looked like the same one. But...how and why?
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Emora Deen
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Laya losened her grip on Telanis's neck and sat back a little to look him in the eyes. "Thank you," she said softly, with a smile. She had the strongest urge to brush her hand across his cheek.
"Hey, what we do isn't going to be half as cruel as what she does to you!" one of the men said and laughed, but it was cut short as another scream filled the air.
"After all, your position is just a slight bit worst off.... She seems to like you a lot... If you get my drift." He wink and some of the other men laughed.
Laya narrowed her eyes and looked at him. "She risks her immortal soul..."
"I don't even think she has one... or cares for that matter..." another man said.
"She wouldn't dare." Laya breathed.
"She would... and more than likely will."
"Hey, what we do isn't going to be half as cruel as what she does to you!" one of the men said and laughed, but it was cut short as another scream filled the air.
"After all, your position is just a slight bit worst off.... She seems to like you a lot... If you get my drift." He wink and some of the other men laughed.
Laya narrowed her eyes and looked at him. "She risks her immortal soul..."
"I don't even think she has one... or cares for that matter..." another man said.
"She wouldn't dare." Laya breathed.
"She would... and more than likely will."
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Soran Nightblade
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Adonis had finally given in to his exhaustion, leaning his head against a tree growing next to him at a slightly awkward angle to avoid disturbing Neko. He was most asleep when the emotional stirrings of the human male drew him slowly awake. He eyed Kratos without moving, planning to remain 'asleep'.
* * * *
Telanis blinked at the men and then at Laya, not truly understanding what they were talking about. He tilted his head sideways, and some of his long silver hair cascaded over his ear and across his shoulder.
"If she's so shy, I'd settle for him," murmured one of the men. The others looked over at the man critically, eyebrows raised. He fell silent, blushing.
* * * *
Telanis blinked at the men and then at Laya, not truly understanding what they were talking about. He tilted his head sideways, and some of his long silver hair cascaded over his ear and across his shoulder.
"If she's so shy, I'd settle for him," murmured one of the men. The others looked over at the man critically, eyebrows raised. He fell silent, blushing.
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Mizuki
Kratos lay staring up into the darkness and listening to the quite sounds of night. It seemed odd, how the soldiers from the camp hadn't found them yet but then... one shouldn't question good fortune. Deciding he was better off resting, Kratos closed his weary eyes, and slept.
Meanwhile, at the camp of the Warlord's soldiers, the lieutenant knew full well that the prisoners had managed to escape with their lives. Their injuries were extensive though, it would be a miracle if they lived but, they only had had two of the ones responsible for starting an uprising. The other two were still at large somewhere and it would be much easier for him if the two fugitives found their comrades. He ordered only two scouts to trail them and to report back immediantly by Summon Stone once all four of the fugitives were together.
The scouts tailing Kratos, Neko, and Adonis found it odd that the girl was talking to a horse, and that the horse was also... helping? Odd behavior, but then maybe it was a trained horse. And besides, the scouts figured, they weren't ordered to report insanity and a trained horse to the lieutenant. So they left the situation be.
Meanwhile, at the camp of the Warlord's soldiers, the lieutenant knew full well that the prisoners had managed to escape with their lives. Their injuries were extensive though, it would be a miracle if they lived but, they only had had two of the ones responsible for starting an uprising. The other two were still at large somewhere and it would be much easier for him if the two fugitives found their comrades. He ordered only two scouts to trail them and to report back immediantly by Summon Stone once all four of the fugitives were together.
The scouts tailing Kratos, Neko, and Adonis found it odd that the girl was talking to a horse, and that the horse was also... helping? Odd behavior, but then maybe it was a trained horse. And besides, the scouts figured, they weren't ordered to report insanity and a trained horse to the lieutenant. So they left the situation be.
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Emora Deen
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Laya turned towards the man with her eyes narrowed darkly. "No one will touch him, not that foul woman and surely not you..." Laya moved slightly in front of Telanis as if to protect him from there stares. Though, she looked like she couldn't do much to protect Telanis, it didn't mean she wouldn't try.
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Soran Nightblade
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"That's not the way we swing, anyway," grunted one of the men, knuckling the other man fiercely in the head, "Is it, Gabe?"
"Of- of course not," Gabe stammered, truly redfaced now.
At that moment, the door of the room swung open and the captain sidled in. The men feel silent and turned to her reverently.
"Your dear friend Fletcher will not be seeing us for a while," she smirked as she strolled up toward the stage. "I trust you understand that this was an unavoidable circumstance, and no intentional breach of our agreement, she smiled at Telanis. The unicorn wasn't smiling back.
She turned to Laya instead. "My dear, I would like a time alone with your unique acquaintance here," she said suavely. "What do you call him?"
"Of- of course not," Gabe stammered, truly redfaced now.
At that moment, the door of the room swung open and the captain sidled in. The men feel silent and turned to her reverently.
"Your dear friend Fletcher will not be seeing us for a while," she smirked as she strolled up toward the stage. "I trust you understand that this was an unavoidable circumstance, and no intentional breach of our agreement, she smiled at Telanis. The unicorn wasn't smiling back.
She turned to Laya instead. "My dear, I would like a time alone with your unique acquaintance here," she said suavely. "What do you call him?"
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Emora Deen
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Laya got off the stage and walked towards the woman as she spoke. Laya moved quickly and pulled the dagger from the womans clothing and pressed it to her neck. "You can dream about having time alone with him, we're getting off the ship. Even if I have to slit your throat to do it." Laya spoke more darkly than she had to anyone so far. She had spoke to Kron darkly before, but never like this. At the moment she was feeling protective towards Telanis.
"I have seen the look in your eyes, lust can drive a person to break even the most sacred rules. I will not allow you to corrupt this sacred creature... any time you spend with him after this moment will be in my presence alone or I can garentee you will not live to spend time with him period. I'll slit your throat here and now to stop any plans you might have for him." Her voice dripped acid, she was not the least bit afraid at this moment. Her will to protect Telanis brought another part out of her. She stared the woman directly in the eyes.
"I have seen the look in your eyes, lust can drive a person to break even the most sacred rules. I will not allow you to corrupt this sacred creature... any time you spend with him after this moment will be in my presence alone or I can garentee you will not live to spend time with him period. I'll slit your throat here and now to stop any plans you might have for him." Her voice dripped acid, she was not the least bit afraid at this moment. Her will to protect Telanis brought another part out of her. She stared the woman directly in the eyes.
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Eosan Skerra
It was time to admit he was lost.
After catching on with a merchant caravan from the port city of Karelii bound for Iwama, Eosan decided to make his own way to the city halfway along. An adventure, he told himself. See the world - experience new things...well, he was experiencing being lost right now, and he felt like he'd be experiencing panic soon, as well.
He stopped briefly to take a long (and ill-advised) pull from his nearly-empty waterskin. He'd have to find a source of water soon. A stream or river...ocean, whatever. A low grumbling sound rose up from his stomach. And food, he decided as well. Three days of hard tack was binding him up something awful. He needed fresh food - fruits or nuts - maybe he could trap something. But with what? He supposed he could put a wandering rabbit to sleep, and then.....no. The thought of killing it made him ill. Maybe the stream he was searching for would have fish in it. They were ugly.
Another hour of walking brought the sound of moving water to his ears. He trotted towards the sound and, after rounding a rock outcropping, came upon a small brook. Not large enough for fish, but the water looked fresh and cool. he dumped out the tepid remains of water left in his skin and refilled it with water from the brook. He then took time to freshen up himself, trying as best he could to wash away days of dirt and sweat from his face, hair and torso. Shivering but feeling renewed, Eosan stretched and yawned. He spotted a group of blueberry bushes not far from the water, and proceeded to fill his pouch with as much as he could find, popping berries into his mouth as he did.
Soon, his pouch was full, and he felt much better than he had in days. With a renewed sense of optimism, he began marching back along the animal trail he'd been following. Maybe his luck was changing, he thought hopefully. It couldn't be that much farther to Iwama, even if he did wander off slightly. He'd run into someone eventually, and they'd surely help him get back on track. It was only a matter of time.
After catching on with a merchant caravan from the port city of Karelii bound for Iwama, Eosan decided to make his own way to the city halfway along. An adventure, he told himself. See the world - experience new things...well, he was experiencing being lost right now, and he felt like he'd be experiencing panic soon, as well.
He stopped briefly to take a long (and ill-advised) pull from his nearly-empty waterskin. He'd have to find a source of water soon. A stream or river...ocean, whatever. A low grumbling sound rose up from his stomach. And food, he decided as well. Three days of hard tack was binding him up something awful. He needed fresh food - fruits or nuts - maybe he could trap something. But with what? He supposed he could put a wandering rabbit to sleep, and then.....no. The thought of killing it made him ill. Maybe the stream he was searching for would have fish in it. They were ugly.
Another hour of walking brought the sound of moving water to his ears. He trotted towards the sound and, after rounding a rock outcropping, came upon a small brook. Not large enough for fish, but the water looked fresh and cool. he dumped out the tepid remains of water left in his skin and refilled it with water from the brook. He then took time to freshen up himself, trying as best he could to wash away days of dirt and sweat from his face, hair and torso. Shivering but feeling renewed, Eosan stretched and yawned. He spotted a group of blueberry bushes not far from the water, and proceeded to fill his pouch with as much as he could find, popping berries into his mouth as he did.
Soon, his pouch was full, and he felt much better than he had in days. With a renewed sense of optimism, he began marching back along the animal trail he'd been following. Maybe his luck was changing, he thought hopefully. It couldn't be that much farther to Iwama, even if he did wander off slightly. He'd run into someone eventually, and they'd surely help him get back on track. It was only a matter of time.
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Mizuki
It was Neko who next awoke, but from the sound of light footsteps coming their way. 'Dear gods no!' she thought with a pang of pain. How had they found them? She scrambled stiffly to her feet, her injuries still not yet healed. She tried to wake her brother, but he was feverish now, having come in the night. She cursed. If she lost him to this fever... Oh Gods she could not bear it. Losing hope fast, she turned to the dark horse and practically threw herself upon him.
"Oh please wake up!" she cried.
"Oh please wake up!" she cried.
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Soran Nightblade
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Mizuki
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Eosan Skerra
Eosan was popping more berries into his mouth when his sharp Elven hearing caught something on the wind. Was it someone talking? Gods, he hoped so. He was being deliberately noisy while walking through the forest (or at least noisy for an Elf) hoping someone would hear him. Maybe he'd finally found a few fellow travelers. And, hopefully, they were having better luck than he was.
"Hello?" He called out loudly. "Is someone there? Please answer if you are! I've been traveling these woods for days now. I've gotten myself...misdirected." He thought briefly of sending a ball of light up to the canopy to help him see, but dismissed the thought. Who knew what manner of other creatures were lurking around? No need to pinpoint himself.
He marched in the direction of the sound.
"Hello?" He called out loudly. "Is someone there? Please answer if you are! I've been traveling these woods for days now. I've gotten myself...misdirected." He thought briefly of sending a ball of light up to the canopy to help him see, but dismissed the thought. Who knew what manner of other creatures were lurking around? No need to pinpoint himself.
He marched in the direction of the sound.
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Soran Nightblade
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The sound of the voice so nearby made Adonis lurch suddenly to his feet, pulling Neko up with him as she clung to his neck. He looked down at Kratos, whose health was clearly failing. Not that he particularly cared, but it would be a hassle if Neko refused to move ahead without him. "Hey. Up," the dark unicorn breathed sharply, grabbing the back of the man's bloodied collar with his teeth and tugging upward. He glanced at Neko impatiently to help get him up on his back, ears flattening against his head as he listened to the intruder approach. The newcomer was close; at this rate, he'd never get them out in time.