“I didn’t want them to.” Elym had been quiet while Cyphren came up beside him on Midnight, letting the man ask questions. He hadn’t intended to reply but as the two riders came over a mound, he tightened his grip in Pevya’s fur “I don’t know.” he admitted finally “I was approaching the watchtower and this…this feeling happened.” how does one describe feeling the emotions of another animal? Of being completely overwhelmed by something that was not them? “It was malignant, rotten, and it was everywhere.” he tried to call back something, anything, but it was like trying to grab the wind “All I remember is being sick. Then Fainne bolted and something hit me. And before I could recover from that, it hit me again.” he scowled as they neared the edge of Hovenia Forest. Smaller brush and roots started to appear, leaves falling as the sun started to travel lower in the sky “I woke up at one point and it was like my ankle was on fire. It was just pain and then I blacked out again.” when his emotions were wild or out of control, because of anger or pain or any overwhelming feelings, animals came to him. Sometimes it was just to be near him, to offer comfort. Barn cats when he was little and crying, mice and bats when he was sick in bed with a fever or worse, horses and larger animals when he was running through the wilds around Isleven and Lunerial “My father was a whisper,” he said, using a loose word for a magickind that could speak to living creatures “I inherited a similar magick but it’s linked to emotions and feelings rather than actual speech. When I was attacked…it’s likely I called for help in that manner. And the nearest creatures responded.” and died. Elym’s expression was full of grief and guilt and shame. That he had been the cause of death, of the deaths of innocent creatures, was worse than the feeling that had assaulted his senses before. And the grief of losing Wilkath and Wyla was doubled with the loss of all those small lives “Can we just…focus on finding Theo for now.” it wasn’t a question. He fell into silence after that, choosing to drop into Pevya’s emotions rather than continue to face the guard’s eyes. It was like a cool wind, the simple emotions that an animal held. Not that they didn’t have complex feelings. But right now, Pevya was feeling joy, comfort, curiosity, at this new experience. That was easier to deal with than what had happened earlier.
They’d reached the dark edge of Hovenia. Elym pulled his mind away from Pevya and eyed the forest with distrust “…” he grimaced, wanting to go anywhere but further in. It felt…wrong. Not like earlier. But something was not right with the forest “Do you see any sign Theo went in here?”
BlackFruity
Posted: Sat May 28, 2022 9:48 pm
『 ♔ 』 "The Bells Will Toll"
Cyphren listened without comment, eyes studying the other man's face as more and more of the recent events were explained to him. It was a lot to take in, but it was easy to accept, with everything Cyphren had already witnessed. It lined up, easing some of the discomfort of the situation, though not all of it. Who and how - why? When Elym was done speaking, Cyphren didn't push the conversation, taking the request as his signal to go back to looking out at their surroundings. The gap between their departure point and arrival was silent from then on, letting Cyphren's doubts and insecurities creep in. He wanted the sure mind of Loren with him. Gard's sharp eye. Talon's unwavering sword. Cyphren hadn't been far from the village when he had come across Elym's horse. His delay at the tower's rubble would have given them time to catch-up as well. They'll be here soon and Cyphren would no-longer feel so alone and vulnerable.
Reaching the edge of Hovenia, Cyphren felt those doubts wane as he was given something to focus on once again. But the adrenaline was gone, so when he dismounted, it was onto shaking knees and unsure feet. He gave himself a second, head bowed forward, to breathe and collect himself before he walked closer to the edge, where hard roots marked the boundary, twisting and rippling the earth. "If he was panicked, he would have run a straight line from the tower to here." He reasoned, looking back from whence they came to make sure it was the most direct line. "Shortest path to cover," He continued, quieter now as he looked down to the fertile earth, trying to pick out any disturbances to the soil. He walked the boundary carefully, his full attention on the earth before him. Twice he dropped to a knee, fingers gently brushing away a leaf or branch, before he would stand back up with obvious effort, needing a hand to brace himself on his own knee, pushing up onto his feet with the creak of leather and armour.
Soon, he stops, feeling surer at this point than he had at the others, dropping slower this time to cautiously lean over a small amount of kicked-up dirt and freshly broken branches.
"Maybe." He said before hauling himself up once again. He went to Midnight and loosely tied the steed to a tree before returning to the spot, walking alongside the trail slowly, fearful he would accidentally cross over onto it and spoil the tracks.
Turning to the other man as he dismounted, Elym noticed the shaking and the moment of pause that the other took. His head tilted, wondering what was causing the discomfort, and then had to deal with his own discomfort as the action sent his mind dizzying. Leaning forward, he pressed his face into Pevya’s fur, centering his mind against the dizziness. He felt Pevya’s concern wash over him and he rubbed his face in the buck’s fur It’s all right. the buck didn’t agree but quieted, stepping carefully over the roots to follow the other man into the forest. While it was rough terrain for a stallion like Midnight or Fainne, Pevya’s small hooves were sure and he kept pace behind Cyphren.
As they moved further into the forest, Elym started to feel worse. His ankle was burning and the forest’s strangeness was starting to get to him. What was wrong with it? He glanced upward, looking at the canopy of the trees, trying to focus his mind “Guard,” Elym didn’t know the man’s name so “guard” would just have to do “Look for the largest trees, elderwoods. They stand even when dead and hollow.” his voice was soft, carrying only to Cyphren’s ears. If Theo had come in here, he could be using one of the trees to hide. The ironwood trees would be useless, as their leaves and branches could cut and maim the unaware. He was so focused on what was wrong with the forest and with trying to find Theo that it took Pevya stopping, a huff of air escaping in agitation, for him to realize. He was trembling, a cold sweat had broken over his body, and he felt his stomach clenching and seizing. Anxious, uneasy, sick. A tremble went through Pevya’s flank as the buck felt the fear that Elym was experiencing unconsciously The forest is empty. there were no birds calling, no animals moving, no life. The forest felt strange because it felt dead. His mouth went dry and he swallowed hard before speaking again “It was here.” there was a small tremble in his words. The feeling he’d described earlier, the overwhelming sense of something. It had passed through this forest, whatever it was. His eyes squeezed shut, unable to stop himself, fighting the rising fear.
Then “E-Elym?” his eyes snapped open and he twisted, nearly completely around, to see Theo peering out from a hollowed out tree trunk about 40 meters from where the two were. Theo had doubled back, walking on roots and rocks to hide his footprints after initially hiding. Now, seeing the two men, he slowly crawled out from the trunk, a short sword clenched to his chest. Seeing Theo, Elym wanted to cry.
…
“Elym.” Tsena stared at the dead animals that the search party had come upon, her gaze rising to the burned tower, the corpses, and her hand fell to her sword. She gripped the pommel, holding it to help ground her, and then released it as Fainne started to trot towards Hovenia forest. She watched the stallion go then spoke to the guards “Is there any sign of your fourth?” while she wanted to go after Fainne, knowing that horse was likely headed to where her son was, she was not the only one present.
BlackFruity
Posted: Sat May 28, 2022 10:36 pm
『 ♔ 』 "The Bells Will Toll"
Cyphren stayed hunched over during the slow trek, his focus completely narrowed to the task at hand. He didn't think of looking up until Elym instructed him on what to look for - a destination that the footfalls could be leading to. And so he kept glancing up, following the maybe-path and looking up to see what direction it could have been leading to. He would glance around, as well, but never look back, making him ignorant of Elym and his obvious trouble. Did not bother stopping even when the deer stopped walking, knowing how slow he himself was moving and thinking nothing of it. It was like being broken out of mediation when he heard Elym speak again, the tremble and fear in his voice affecting Cyphren far more than the words themselves.
The soldier swung around, tilting his head back to peer up at Elym while hand rested on the pommel of his sword, as though expecting the enemy to still be there with them. It was training alone, he assumed, that stopped him from drawing his blade when someone else spoke Elym's name. Not wanting to spook whomever it was, Cyphren stayed still and silent. Having a man in armour draw his sword might send the boy skittering away once again. Slowly, Cyphren released his grip on the sword and forced both of his hands to his sides, still wary from Elym's earlier declaration.
...
Loren drove the horse forward, bringing it right up to the edge of the debris before turning to the side, allowing Gard to better survey the area. He hadn't even needed to dismount, his eye immediately capturing the out-of-place piece of information amongst all of the odd facts the scenario was presenting.
"South." Gard spoke, the word hurried but clear. Loren was immediately moving, guiding the horse around and kicking it into speed, Talon and his horse barely keeping up.
“Theo.” Elym spoke the boy’s name and seemed to set off the waterworks. While the young man was nearing adulthood, at the sound of his name and comfort of recognizing a familiar face, he just started to cry and the short sword fell to the ground. Ignoring how poorly he felt, Elym immediately dismounted and ran to Theo, grabbing the boy in a tight hug. Theo wrapped his arms around Elym, his sobs echoing in the silent forest “You’re okay, thank Sazdos.” Elym whispered, using the name of a long forgotten deity that was once worshipped as a protector of children. It was akin to thanking the stars, just a moment of gratitude that the boy was alive. Pevya, no longer burdened by Elym, nipped at Cyphren before grazing on some of the leaves and grass that covered the forest floor “Are you hurt?” Elym cupped Theo’s face, examining the tiny cuts, looking for any injuries “Nuh-uh. Wilkath and Wyla.” the names evoked more sobbing and Theo buried his face in Elym’s shirt. Elym closed his eyes“I know.” he said softly.
…
Tsena followed the knights, noting that they were following the same route that Fainne was now taking towards Hovenia forest. They were traveling at speed but she kept up, riding easily, like she had done it all her life. As they neared the forest, she watched Fainne snort and dance backwards, his ears going flat against his skull “Wait.” she didn’t shout but her voice carried, authoritatively, to keep the guards from going any further. She knew this forest better than they did. And she knew Fainne. Nothing would keep him from Elym unless “Fainne.” she called and the stallion snorted again, clearly agitated. But then, slowly and with obvious distaste, the stallion started into the forest. Her brow wrinkled, she dismounted at the edge and stared into the forest. Her hand tightened on the reigns and then she walked forward, carefully leading her mare with her.
BlackFruity
Posted: Sat May 28, 2022 11:17 pm
『 ♔ 』 "The Bells Will Toll"
Cyphren glanced up at the deer, appraising the sturdy creature before he went back to evaluating the two villagers' reunion. They needed to head back. "We should go." He said, a few moments after Theo had begun crying again. "Somewhere safer." He spoke in passing, as though that excused his blunt wording. He was already on his way out of the forest, his footsteps calm, meandering almost, so if the two men needed more time they could have it without losing Cyphren completely. And it showed Cyphren was in no rush, either. It was the only mercy he could reasonably offer.
...
Loren and pulled on the horse's reigns, guiding the beast to the left as she did so, turning to face Tsena. Talon did the same, following Loren's lead. Gard was on look-out, his eyes skirting up and down the length of the forest's edges, widening at the shifting black shadow nearby.
"The cart horse," he spoke.
"Min'nigh?" Talon asked, pulling up beside them.
"Take the horses." Loren ordered as they all dismounted. "Wait with them. Send a signal to call us back." She was speaking to Gard. Talon and her moved to follow after Tsena, Gard taking their horses over to where Midnight was waiting, his ears flickering to and fro.
Tsena appreciated the confidence that the woman guard was showing but it was really Fainne who was to be praised for the discovery of the dark cart horse. Fainne had paused only to greet the other stallion before moving on, stepping carefully through the tangled forest floor. She had left her mare behind as well, and, as they got deeper in, frowned at a low soft sound that seemed to echo through the forest. It was the only sound. That alone unsettled her. Hovenia forest was never quiet, not even when the dragons had landed nearby. It had gotten noisier, actually, as the birds had not appreciated the disruption. Now, however, it was only the soft echo, the crunch of the forest floor, and the breathing and noises from themselves and the horses. There were no bugs, no chittering squirrels, no birds arguing, nothing “No forest should be silent.” she said after a moment, the comment directed to Loren and Talon. As they continued to follow Fainne, the soft sound resolved into a sobbing Please. Please not my son. her heart quickened as did her footsteps and she gripped the hilt of her sword again as a sudden figure emerged before her. The only reason she did not draw the sword was because there was no way anything that bright was an enemy. The fourth guard, his armor brighter than it had any right to be.
...
Elym had agreed with the guard’s remarks. Leaving the forest was imperative but convincing Theo was taking some effort. The boy was clinging to him, still weeping softly, and Elym was struggling to keep him moving “We can’t stay here.” he said softly, reassuring him that yes, Myse was okay, yes the village was still standing, yes his mother and siblings were okay. Pevya followed behind but Elym sent a grateful word and the red deer bounded off. Not, Elym noted, back into the forest but rather to the west which would take it away from Isleven as well as away from the forest. Had that been where the other animals had gone? Had they fled whatever had attacked Elym when it came into the forest? Turning his attention forward again, his vision swayed. He blinked, his steps faltering “Elym?” Theo’s voice sounded really far away “Don’t go too far…too far ahead.” he said, frowning as the words seemed to fall out of his mouth. Theo looked at him anxiously, still holding onto his arm and not far away at all, realizing that in his own relief at being found that he had overlooked the state that Elym was in. While most of the blood had clotted and dried, Elym’s limbs trembled as he moved. His skin was burning up and Theo could feel the cold sweat on his skin from where he held the older man’s arm. Elym’s steps started to falter, stumble, struggling to keep moving as the adrenaline from finding Theo quickly left his system. In it’s place, the continued malevolent air that had permeated the forest bore down on him like a mallet “Why is..the sky wrong way up?” he panted before his eyes rolled up and his body finally said enough. Still clinging to his arm, Theo was nearly taken down with Elym as the man passed out “Elym!” he cried out as Elym crumpled to the ground, going down on his own knees as well.
...
“Elym!” her son’s name, Tsena’s eyes moved past the fourth guard and saw her son collapse even as she realized it was Theo who was standing with him. The world narrowed to her fallen child and she abandoned any semblance of patience. With a burst of speed that would have put a deer to shame, Tsena sprinted past the guard, her gaze focused only on Elym as she ran. Her knees hit the ground beside him on the other side of Theo and she leaned over, “Elym.” she spoke his name and, for the first time since this whole ordeal, it was fear that lined her voice. Her hands trembled as she cradled his head, fingers checking that he was still breathing.
BlackFruity
Posted: Sun May 29, 2022 12:02 am
『 ♔ 』 "The Bells Will Toll"
Dark eyes widened slightly as a figure broke out from the leaves of the forest ahead of him - the woman from the tavern dressed in leathers and armed with a sword - and right behind her was the flashes of metal through the darkness. Cyphren opened his mouth to call out to his superiors, relieved they had caught up, but Elym's weak voice had Cyphren spinning on his heels, the memory of blood matting the back of the man's golden crown freshly reminding the soldier that Elym had been moving about against Cyphren's warnings. The youngest soldier was stepping forward to give Elym a shoulder to lean on but the villager quickly crumpled before their eyes, his breathing laboured and skin shinning in a sickly sweat. Cyphren stopped walking, hearing the rush of someone running from behind, and was unsurprised to see Tsena whip past him - though he was taken aback by her speed. Again, Cyphren was left standing, on his own, turning only to look over at Loren and Talon.
"A head injury," He began, looking out over to the three villagers once the soldiers were at his side. "He refused to wait behind - to search for Theo instead." Loren nodded and Talon stepped forward, offering to help Tsena carry the young man in her arms. Looking back up into Loren's eyes, Cyphren continued. "He was attacked when he reached the watchtower." Loren continued to stare Cyphren down, no words passing her tightly pinched lips, angry but relieved.
"We leave." She eventually stated. She turned on her heel, keen to leave the woods, unnatural as they felt.
Barely hearing the words passing behind her, Tsena held her fingers over Elym’s lips, feeling the labored in and out of his breathing “Elym.” she bent over, pressing her forehead to the side of his head, feeling the fever burning. As one of the guards approached, she carefully turned his head in her lap, checking the back of his skull. There was blood but no indication that the skull had been fractured. Turning his head back, noting the pallor of his skin and the sweat on his face and throat, her heart clenched in shared agony as she felt his pain. Theo wasn’t crying any longer, his concern now on his fellow villager, looking up as the guard mentioned that Elym had been attacked “Was he attacked by the fire?” he asked, the words sounding out of place but his earnest and fearful eyes clear “He’s in shock or nearly.” Tsena said, glancing up from her son's prone form as Talon joined her and a brief flicker of gratitude covered her worried features “We must get out of the forest.” she agreed, letting Talon take her son’s weight, taking Theo by the arm to help him along as well. Ahead of them, Fainne had caught up to them and was stamping his hooves angrily “If you can get Elym on Fainne, I can ride him back to the village. One of you can take my mare back.” as they reached Fainne, she turned to the woman guard, leaving Elym briefly to Talon “The village will have seen the smoke from Lunerial by now. They’ll be getting ready to evacuate to Thistlefoot.” Thistlefoot was the closest settlement to Isleven, northwest of the village, a large city-state of mixed human and magickind. It was also neutral to any and all wars which meant it was the safest place to go when there was an unknown enemy about “You are welcome to join the evacuation.” she turned back to Fainne and easily mounted the stallion before turning back to Talon “Give him here. Theo, stay with them till you get back to the village.”
BlackFruity
Posted: Sun May 29, 2022 12:46 am
『 ♔ 』 "The Bells Will Toll"
Cyphren looked at Theo, dark eyes studying the younger man for a long second before the soldier answered. "I saw the injury to his head, and he mentioned his ankle being injured. I don't know how." He revealed, feeling, not for the first time, completely out of his depths in this situation.
Talon carefully took hold of Elym's body, mindful of his head, holding him aloft until Tsena was able to climb up Fainne's back so he could lift Elym up to her, helping drape the younger man up. Free of his charge, Talon turned to Theo, gently gesturing for the villager to walk ahead of him, so Talon could watch the younger man's back.
Loren wasn't ready to make a decision just yet, needing to speak with all of the soldiers first. Too much had happened and she needed to get the information together. The ride back, she intended to ask questions.
Tsena gave Talon another grateful look as she turned Fainne “I’ll wait for you at the tavern.” indicating that she did not expect a response now. But, as their gear and cart was at the tavern, it was a logical place to wait. Carefully, she set Fainne off at a canter, holding her unconscious son to her as she went.
...
Theo watched as they left, anxious to be left among strangers, and jumped a bit when the one who had helped Elym and Tsena motioned for him to walk ahead. Holding his arms to his chest, he looked much younger than his 17 years. Nevertheless, he started walking with the guards “Sir,” he looked at Cyphren, his eyes red from crying. It looked like he too had been sick, the discoloration on his shirt revealing that whatever he’d witnessed had been violent “You said you didn’t know how Elym was injured.” he hesitated, “But, he’ll be all right, won’t he?” they were approaching the horses and Theo’s gaze drifted to the east. The smoke was still burning where Lunerial was and the sight sent a tremor of fear through Theo They must have gone east then. he should have felt sad. Sad for the loss that Lunerial was undoubtedly suffering. But all he could feel was grateful that they had not gone to the village. That his sisters, his mother, his father, might still be safe and he would see them again.
Isleven
Entering the village at a little close to a gallop, Tsena saw the village emptying and only paused to demand the doctor meet her at the tavern and for a covered cart to be brought. Riding to the tavern, she was met there by the doctor and his assistant who helped gingerly get Elym down “Treat him in the cart. I want him moved as little as possible.” she ordered, moving swiftly into the tavern to collect all belongings left behind and the items in the room the guards had reserved. Once collected, she neatly and efficiently tidied the guards cart and stored all the items they had brought into the tavern. Then, she went to her son while another assistant hooked Fainne up to the cart “Valdeyr.” she addressed the doctor as she climbed into the cart. Elym was laying inside on top of linens and a light blanket had been placed on him to keep the fever at bay. His face was twisted in pain though Valdeyr didn’t appear to have begun treating him yet “He’s had two blows to the head, as well as a bad shock of some kind to his internal magicks.” Valdeyr was a tall, brawny man who looked like a blacksmith rather than a doctor. His brown eyes met Tsena’s as he spoke “I think the shock is mostly due to that damage. That, and his ankle is badly injured.” kneeling, he lifted the blanket to reveal the wound. It was like something had tried to twist Elym’s leg off. It was currently in a brace and was being cleaned and bandaged. The same was being done to the wound at the back of his head, wet clothes being soaked in slowly contaminated water as another assistant cleaned him “Tsena, if he was exposed to magickind-” her glare stopped him and Valdeyr pressed his lips together, glancing at the other occupants. Waiting in silence for them to finish, Tsena moved to hold her son’s feverish hand in one and the other brushing his hair form his forehead. Once the assistants had finished, they quickly left to find their own families and finish evacuating “Tsena.” “I don’t know what happened.” the answer did little to make Valdeyr happier “Just, please, do what you can.” she stepped out of the cart as the doctor moved to begin stitching the wound to Elym’s skull, ignoring his mutterings. Standing in the village as it slowly emptied, Tsena wrapped her arms around herself and sent up a prayer to Elym’s father.
BlackFruity
Posted: Sun May 29, 2022 5:50 am
『 ♔ 』 "The Bells Will Toll"
Cyphren felt the exhaustion - and the pain - truly seeping deep into his bones now, threatening his willpower with the way just the simple movements of walking caused the leather of his armour to continue their unrelenting sawing down and past his skin. He knew there would be blood when he disrobed tonight. If they had a chance to disrobe tonight. But he wasn't alone any more. He could close his eyes and feel safe. He was so willing to just hand it all over onto the others, that Theo's words were a haze, something that drifted over him but he didn't acknowledge until he heard Talon call his name.
Dark eyes, looking black now in his exhaustion, looked over the silver of his pauldrons - then down to Theo. He blinks, suddenly recalling that Theo had spoken. Apparently to him.
"Elym is stubborn." Cyphren spoke, sounding asleep on his feet now that he was comforted by the presence of Loren and Talon. "I've only known the man for less than meal's time, but I can say that with certainty. Whatever ails him, he wont allow it to best him without a fight." He couldn't promise Theo anything, and he didn't want to, either. Because he didn't know, honestly, if Elym was going to be okay. His head was beaten and his leg could be infected and he could die tonight or after fighting an infection for several weeks. It was the cruelty of the world.
When the four of them had left the darkness of the forest, Gard greeted them from atop a horse, galloping over with the other steeds. Cyphren greeted him with a tired nod after the archer had dismounted and clapped his shoulder in relief.
"Mount up." Loren ordered. "Gard, ride with the civilian." Talon handed over the reigns to Tsena's horse, having ridden out on Fainne already. Loren went to haul herself up onto a steed as well, but paused when she saw the youngest of the soldiers lean heavily against Midnight's flank, his face drawn tight. "Cyphren." She spoke, causing the man to pull his head up and take a breath before moving to haul himself up once more - but was stopped with a firm hold on his shoulder, keeping him grounded. Without a word Loren began manhandling him, her armoured hands turning and pulling his limbs, giving her access to the straps of his armour - and immediately clicking her tongue before diving in to undo the ties.
A sigh of relief was instant, Cyphren's posture slumping as the wounds in his shoulder had their assailants removed. The armour was dropped onto the ground before Loren took to a knee and worked off the pieces of metal that were strapped to his thighs - each of those eliciting a huff of pain as they were taken off of him, the leather dark with sweat and blood. Finally, the last pauldron was removed, the straps of all four pieces swiftly tied together and looped around the strap of Cyphren's satchel.
"You and Gard will escort the villagers of Isleven to Thistlefoot." She stated, hefting herself up onto her own horse. Cyphren looked up at her from beside the black cart horse, its powerful body unmoving with his weight leaning heavily against it. "Talon and I will inspect Lunerial, to find any survivors. Wait for us."
"The tower was made of Ironwood." Cyphren calls, seeing now that this may be the last chance to inform them of what he had found. "Elym had sensed something malignant in the air before he was attacked, that was when the animals arrived and died, protecting him." Loren processed the information with a pinched expression, her usual face when she was thinking something over.
Loren nodded to Cyphren before she turned to Talon and cocked her head, signalling that they were to head off, the horses bounding north, leaving Gard seated with Theo in front of him, and Cyphren feeling blood slowly trickle down the inside of his thigh. He breathed in, hauled himself once more up onto Midnight's back, and they started off to the west in silence.
Theo knew the horse that he and Gard rode on, taking comfort in the familiar scent. When he was younger, he’d been sent to help Tsena when Elym was away and had worked mostly in the stables. Now, he gently rubbed the back of the horse’s neck to distract himself from the stranger behind him. He was a thin young man, his body built more for speed than stamina, and his hair was a reddish brown and his skin tanned from the days in the sun. His mind was still circling Cyphren’s words, taking some comfort in them “Thank you,” he said finally, rubbing tiredly at his eyes “for what you said about Elym.” he didn’t know Elym that well, despite how earnestly the older man had searched for him. They had passed the time together in the tavern, over shared food and work, but Elym spent most of his time outside the village. That did not mean Theo felt nothing for the other man. But it was more for Tsena that he thanked Cyphren. Her love for her son was legendary in the village.
Lunerial
The village of Lunerial was initially a magickind village. It had been settled by magickind who had wanted to escape the forests and the armies equally but not leave behind the humans who had helped them in the past. As the magickind had built up Lunerial, the humans of Isleven had joined them and helped them establish their home. That had brought about a series of trades that had evolved into a partnership between the two and they had looked out for the other.
Now, it burned. As Loren and Talon approached, they would find the village still burning but not as furiously has it had been five hours ago. The buildings were collapsing, smoking from the inside, and the streets were littered with crumbling carts and evidence of an attempted evacuation. The whole village was quiet except for the crackling of burning wood and the occasional crash of a building collapsing. From the outside, a tower of smoke continued to rise up to the sky from something that still burned in the center of the village. The smoke itself had an odd hue to it, a yellow/green light from the fire that still burned. And the air felt wrong. It was like the whole village was filled with oil that sat on the air, leaving a stench that invaded the senses.
BlackFruity
Posted: Mon May 30, 2022 5:21 am
『 ♔ 』 "The Bells Will Toll"
Cyphren either didn't hear Theo's words, or didn't deign to respond, simply riding atop the pitch-black horse with his now-pauldronless shoulders slumped in exhaustion. Gard chuckled, a quiet, unobtrusive noise. "It's not often my friend there would speak positively of someone. Especially a stranger." Gard tried to open a conversation with the young man riding with him. The archer was riding with one arm resting across the length of his longbow, the weapon acting as a makeshift curtesy barrier between himself and the villager. That and it helped stop the bumping ride causing them to shift and cause Gard's armour to poke the younger man. Gard's other hand was resting on his knee, the reigns loosely held there. Again, however, Cyphren didn't respond.
"Seems he rode harder than he's used to, to help your friend." Gard spoke, far softer this time, almost as if he was only speaking to himself and not to Theo. After a brief pause, Gard shifted slightly, indicating a change in his intent. "Theo..." He started, his voice still soft. "Could I ask what happened? At the tower." Unlike Loren, Talon, and Cyphren, Gard did not wear a helmet, meaning his green eyes were framed by tanned skin and pale brown hair instead of the silver sheen of steel. Gard's armour was also more comprised of leathers than plate, offering manoeuvrability in exchange for protection. Just as he appeared far easier to wound, he also projected a far more open demeanour than his companions. Loren's projecting distrust, Cyphren's distance, and Talon's physique usually pushed people away, so Gard worked at pulling people in.
...
"Poison...?" Loren wondered aloud, he hand raising to cover her mouth and nose. "Or accelerant." She continued. Both Loren and Talon had rode their horses to the village, pulling up to a stop when the strange smell had affronted them. She looked up to Talon's broad figure, waiting for him to cast his magic to try and work out what they had stumbled across. As soldier's for a city rich in magickind, all of them had a touch of it running in their veins, and it was because of their compatibility that they were either recruited or volunteered for their current task; hunting Dragon Hunters. Talon, a street orphan found capable of detecting poison, but his years of street brutality and lack of teachings in etiquette sent him to missions outside of the city, to find and hopefully identify what poisons the hunters were using in bait.
When the horse Talon was riding on had calmed enough to stay still, he worked off a glove and drew a small knife, useless in armoured combat but perfect in peeling fruit. With this blade he knicked a cut into his finger to see if the air caused any irritation, indicating poison or not.
If anything I mentioned was lore breaking, please let me know T^T
Looking over his shoulder, Theo blinked at the comment and glanced at Cyphren curiously, wondering what that said about the man. In a village like Isleven, it was always what people said and did more than what they didn’t. If this young guard was unlikely to behave in the manner he had, then perhaps his manner was less well known to the older guards than they knew “Ah…” his fingers fiddled with the mare’s mane, feeling the rough hair under his touch. It took a moment for him to get started, his lips trembling as he took a breath. He started to recount what had happened, the dragon thunders coming from the east, Wyla and Wilkath’s concerns and telling him to flee to the forest as they took up arms “They had lived through two invasions, see,” Theo said, his words soft as he spoke “They always was cautious when thunders took to the air.” he bit his lower lip, before he continued. Going to the forest, unable to fully hide, then hearing screams. Hot tears marked his cheeks as he, his words shaking, recounted what had been done to Wilkath and Wyla, their hanged corpses still holding hands. He went quiet after that and leaned forward to cry into the mare’s neck, taking some comfort in the strong muscles and warmth of the animal. It was some time before he could continue but he did, eventually, and he recounted the soldiers, the strange fire and the odd beasts that the soldiers rode. How the fire had consumed Wilkath and Wyla’s corpses before taking on a life of its own on the ground “I-I ran away after that.” he said, shamefaced “But I-I think it followed me. The fire. I know it sounds crazy! I do, I know, but I could smell the smoke. And everything in the forest, it fled.” Theo went quiet again then “The short sword that Wilkath gave me…I was so scared. I almost…” he didn’t finish the thought “…I didn’t want to die like that, like W-Wilkath. Like Wyla.” he admitted finally. The trio had nearly reached Isleven at that point, the village’s border in view and a small group waited near a cart. Theo’s mother, father, Myse, and his two younger siblings, refusing to leave until Theo was back with them. As the trio got closer, Theo saw Myse start to run forward, her bright red hair flying loose Thank you for keeping my family safe. he thought, sending his thanks up to whatever god or gods might be listening.
The tavern
Tsena sat on the edge of the cart, her knee brought up to her chest, broadsword resting near Elym’s feet. Her son remained unconscious, despite Valdeyr’s attempts to rouse him. The doctor remained in the cart while they waited for the guards to return, monitoring the young man. Elym continued to tremble as his fever rose, and Valdeyr set about removing his sweat-soaked shirt. It would do no good for him to end up with a worse fever. Using a damp rag, he wiped the sweat from Elym’s brow and around his throat as he lifted the man’s arms, eliciting a groan. Tsena closed her eyes at the sound I can’t lose him too. She stepped off the cart, taking a deep breath “Tsena…” Valdeyr’s voice was low, worried, and Tsena turned to see what was wrong. Elym’s shirt, filthy with blood and sick, had been cast aside by Valdeyr. His skin was hot to the touch but it was what was happening to his skin that concerned Valdeyr. He looked up at Tsena as she looked in, his expression hard. The skin on his shoulders and half down his upper arms was speckled with light blotches of discolored skin. Tsena felt like her heart was caught in her throat “Check his ankle.” Valdeyr moved at her words and quickly lifted the blankets to reveal Elym’s leg. The cast and bandages covered most of the wounded portion of his ankle but above them, near his knee, the same speckling of discolored skin “Magick.” Tsena nodded at Valdeyr’s assertion, unable to speak. She turned away as Valdeyr lowered the blankets again “Tsena…” she shook her head, turning to look back towards the village border. Her arms were crossed tightly as she prayed for the guards to return quickly. Valdeyr scowled as he went back to trying to get Elym’s fever down, knowing that his task was now greatly more complicated.
Lunerial
The air around the knick on Talon’s finger began to darken. Oily streaks seem to hover over the cut, yellow and green mixing sickeningly, twisting as if it sought to draw the blood from the wound. It continued to grow as the air kept gathering at the blood, small tendrils starting to wind out but recoiling before touching Talon’s skin.
Somewhere in the village, the sound of a young girl crying began. Someone was still alive in this ruined village.
