Open Chronicles Alliria

[Syvis]

Syvis smiled as Elliot held up the garments, they'd work. Syvis was vain enough to make anything work truthfully. She'd grab them and untie Alexia soon enough. Syvis was upset Elliot went on his own, but she knew she had no control over the male, he did as he pleased. She herself would've done the same, reliance on others was a luxury only fools grew accustomed too. Even your parents would stab you the second you turned if the price was right.

The Elf felt horrid for the mind game she played on the girl, yet that was Syvis' humanity peeking through it seemed. Full blood Elves would've giggled and left but Syvis could not. She'd gotten too close to the girl and a mind game like that placed distance, eliminated hope. The hopeless did not fight. All Syvis could hope for is this making Alexia cold. She casted a sorrowful look at the young thing before hardening her face again, in order to survive in a mans world Alexia needed tough love. You either sting first or you're the one that gets stung, and only being stung can teach a woman to sting first. Syvis was now ingrained in Alexia's story, her trauma, that'd lead to her triumph should she survive her father and her own mind. Only the fittest survived it seemed, and this was all Syvis could offer. All she knew how to offer.

As her attentions turned back to Elliot she jogged her way over to him; stopping as she heard the mess of bodies collapse. Damn. She didn't want anymore death, most especially the one person other than her mother that Alexia cared about. Blood loss. She told them to check on their captives, so this didn't happen. This is why Syvis aimed to teach Alexia to rely on herself so when things like this didn't happen. Syvis turned on her heel quickly and sprinted back to the mess of bodies. She mumbled apologies under her breath as she worked to see the older males leg. There wasn't supposed to be anymore death, she wanted a clean break. Syvis' conscious weighed on her mind heavily yet she worked in silence, trying to do damage control, yet she knew, they all knew, Matthew was as good as dead.

Syvis was no healer, never had been, but the tips and tricks she learned while training or contracts helped her pretend to be. She knew not what to do other then exhaust herself once again, and even then Matthew wouldn't survive without a true healer. If they dropped the girl and Matthew off at a healer in the dead of night with gold the healer would have to help... right? That's what healers did, they helped. They repaired the chaos people like Syvis induced. Gods above Syvis would kidnap these people all over again if need be.

 

[Dulthir]

Dulthir saw the man drop, taking Alexia with him. Syvis was by the pair quickly. Dulthir ran up. He unbound Alexia from the man, then retied her restraints. He was no physician himself, but, he knew what needed to be done, for now at least. He pulled his dagger and stuck it in the embers of the fire. It more than likely was too late for this, and had things not been such a cluster fuck, he may have thought of it sooner. He pulled the dagger, the blade glowing red. He walked over to the man.
"This is gunna sting a bit, lad."
He ripped his britches at the point of the entry wound, and, not so gently, stuck the blade to it, cauterizing the wound. He stuck the blade back in the fire. He let it sit for a moment, then pulled it back out, again, glowing red. He rolled the man over, and did the same on the other side. He looked to Elliot.
"If'n we're wantin' him ta live, we need ta go now. Perhaps we canna find a healer nearby. I dunna know if he'll make it or not."
He stepped back and waited to hear from Elliot, or anyone in their group.
Ceridwen Syvis Elliot Aldmar

 

[Ceridwen]

Ceri paid no mind when the man fell. She was on the side of Elliot... One less ass to deal with. They'd tried to help, their payment was blood loss and pain. Her good will had been worn out for the moment, exhaust and pain now running her animal brain.

She moved a bit away, lowering her head to a muddy puddle and dipped her beak into it, scooping up some water before lifting her head and tossing the water back into her mouth, swallowing it before doing it a few more times. She huffed as she headed back to the group, watching Dulthir in silence as he tried to assist the man. She made no motion to help though, simply lowering herself to the ground to watch. She would do as the others felt needed, if they, her friends asked her to help, she would. Otherwise she would not.
Elliot Aldmar
Syvis
Dulthir

(It's short, mainly cause Ceri DGAF at this point.. LOL)

 

[Elliot Aldmar]

Elliot watched the scene impassively from where he had found Alexia's spare dresses among the fallen tent. He was content to let what had happened with the guardsman Mathew take its course--this in the interest of time and security. He felt no generalized duty of care to the man, no obligation to anyone save those he had chosen to be obliged to. So what did the herd of antelope do with a wounded antelope, the pack of wolves do with a wounded wolf? They left them. Many high-minded ideals had no place in the wild, and that is where they all were.

Elliot meandered over by the time Syvis and Dulthir had done what they could. Mathew remained unresponsive to it all, most notably the cauterization of the entry and exit wound of the crossbow bolt. Alexia had not struggled nor resisted nor made any attempt to run while unbound and while her hands were again restrained--she had simply tried to keep looking at Mathew, eyes wide and glassed with tears. Jack was distraught, this clear in his expression, and he was muttering trepidatious profanities under his breath as he watched it all unfold.

Dulthir looked to Elliot. Spoke. And Elliot just let a single huff of a laugh, as if the dwarf had told him a fairly good joke.

"Why would I want him to live?" Why indeed. Their load had just gotten lighter.

Alexia's eyes briefly slid upward to regard Elliot, her expression one of hollow horror, childlike in its utter, crushing disbelief. He did not see it--he was busy casting a glance down at Jack. And she looked away, wide eyes staring--simply staring--at nothing in particular.

Elliot held out the dress to Syvis. Said, "Here. Get Alexia cleaned up. The rest of us will gather supplies and make preparations in the meantime. And then we go."

The last few things that needed to be done before they could finally get going and leave this waterlogged clearing behind. Elliot held no concern about the Free Company or even guardsman Orrem coming around before they had ridden out, but who knew what unknown third parties were perhaps out there--they'd already encountered one such party in the interfering bounty hunters. This site needed to be left behind, Alexia needed to be released from their custody, before even some semblance of peace could be found.

Ragged as they were in the meanwhile, they'd need every advantage they could get to earn their rest.

Syvis Ceridwen Dulthir

 

[Syvis]

The Blonde elves eyes flashed a look at Elliot and her lip curled up as if she smelt something disgusting as he finished speaking. And she thought herself to be cruel. She refused to look at Alexia due to the facial expression she was sure to have, all Syvis wished was that the girl wouldn't screech, hoot, or make any sort of excessive noise.

Syvis bowed her head as Elliot's hand shoved through the air as he outstretched the dress out to her. Upset she yoinked it out of his hand in a swift jerking movement, the dress left his hand with little resistance but force could be felt nonetheless. "Yes Master." Syvis told him in a sassy mocking voice, with an undertone of hostility. With that she strutted away with far more attitude to the crushed Alexia that awaited her.

Grabbing Alexia gently by her upper arm she gave her a slight smile. "We'll be going to whatever is left of that semi-pitched tent over yonder,-" Syvis declared to the group before needling into the men. "-, if you should need me, shout, and I shall do the same." As the Elf finished she lead the shell of Alexia to the tent she said she would. It wasn't hard to tell that the human that lived within the exoskeleton of the young girl wasn't home, or simply didn't exist. Yet based on her previous actions the Elf determined the girl likely still had the flicker of fight within her, something to watch.

As Syvis reached the tent with Alexia she attempted to close all sides of it to give the duo privacy. "I'll need you to strip, you can sponge bathe yourself, or I can do it." Syvis asserted with a kind voice. "My hope isn't to embarrass you.." she paused clearing her throat, "however, make sure you give your.." the Elf picked at her blouse, "your areas a proper washing." she finished after struggling to place it delicately. "Give me your old dress after you take it off, the fabric can be used as cloth." Syvis said curtly her usual demeanor back.

(forgot to hit post, sorry lovelies!)

 

[Dulthir]

Dulthir shook his head. He hadn't wanted anyone to die, but, it happened. Regardless of what had transpired, he wasn't just gonna let a man die. But, he also wasn't a healer. He'd done what he could, the rest was up to the gods. He began scavenging thru the remains of the camp. Gathering anything he deemed necessary for him and his friends. He came upon one of the collapsed tents that had a crate in it. He pulled the lid, and, there, packed in hay, was 5 bottles. He grabbed one, pulled the cork and took a whiff. He grinned. Whiskey. And not the cheap shit he was used to drinking. This was barrel aged whiskey. Probably from Lord June's personal stock. A "fuck you" from one of Alexia's guards. He took a big swig, then went to put the bottle back into the case, when he noticed something else. He dug in the hay, and found jewels. A large sapphire pendant, some high end rings, and, a large, blood red diamond. He chuckled. He placed the bottle back in the case. He grabbed the case and hoisted it onto his shoulder. He walked back over to where everyone was.
"Well, looka what I found."
He opened the lid and pulled a bottle from the case. He handed it to Elliot. Then he reached down and grabbed the large diamond and held it up.
"And that ain't all, lad..."
Ceridwen Syvis Elliot Aldmar

 

[Ceridwen]

*Gonna be another short one... Ceri doesn't really have anything to say and I have my 10 yr olds bday party tomorrow and don't wanna keep you guys waiting anymore*

She just watched the going's on... not really having much to say. She wouldn't likely help the girl anyway, not right now, not exhausted and more of less stuck in this form that pretty much made her attitude lack human empathy that she preferred to have. She went to grooming her forefeet quietly, mumbling under her breath as she paid little mind to everyone.... though she did stop on occassion to look to her friends making sure they were ok.
Elliot Aldmar
Syvis
Dulthir

 

[Syvis]

(Sorry not my turn but congrats on the birthday! <3 )

 

[Elliot Aldmar]

Alexia did not resist when she was made to stand by Syvis. A tiny, perfunctory nod when she was told where they were going, and she shuffled along stiffly, walking in a daze. Her gaze lingered back over her shoulder at Mathew's still form as long as it could.

Then she entered the tent, what was left of it, ducking her head slightly.

Alexia stood, head hanging and eyes staring down at her filthy shoes, shoulders drooping and arms meagerly dangling. Her nods were again perfunctory, as if the movements of her body were wholly separated from the soul of the girl inside. With newly freed hands Alexia reached back and began to undo her dress. She took it off. Gingerly handed it over to Syvis. There were some light bruises about her body, these now company to the more readily visible red rope marks around her wrists. Off came her shoes and she stood, lightly shivering, not making eye contact.

She just held out her hands, elbows bent and palms up and fingers in their natural curls--such as a beggar might--and she awaited the sponge to be placed in them. Then she would set about slowly scrubbing herself in delicate, fragile motions. Washing and rinsing out the blood, the dirt, the mud. This she did while crying in complete silence. Her trembling hands dropped the sponge once, and she bent at the knees and squatted to pick it back up and continue, her body dutifully carrying out her worldly tasks while her heart and mind were absent in their entirety.

* * * * *​

Elliot thought it a bit odd how Syvis's tone had changed--it had been her idea to clean up Alexia--but he made no comment on it. He did not consider that it could have been anything else that had prompted such a change.

If you should need me, shout, and I shall do the same.

"Very well," Elliot replied. Mathew was done for, and Jack was securely tied, but who knew about Alexia. The girl had had the guts to stab her father; she could try something bold here. Preferable, of course, if she did not. Just a little longer, long enough to ensure that she was safely dropped off in a town instead of left out to the thin mercy of the wilderness, and she would have her freedom.

Dulthir had begun to scavenge through the camp (Ceridwen perhaps too exhausted and injured to aid in the effort) and Elliot set about to do the same. He walked, wincing at particularly harsh flares of pain in his arm, chest, and neck, and went to a flattened tent. Briefly examined it. No damage, just knocked down from the wind spell, and that was just what he was looking for. He was slower than he otherwise would have been in such an endeavor, but Elliot got the canvas of the tent, along with the poles and pegs and the two bedrolls underneath, rolled up into a bundle. He set the bundle by his pack, having carried it along with his good arm.

Then he turned his attention elsewhere. And sauntered over to Jack.

He squatted down by the bound man. Cocked his head. Regarded him. And stated, "You're the man who knocked me unconscious."

Jack, sensing that this was not a yes or no question, pursed his lips and pinched his eyes shut and shook his head. Fuck. Then he looked up at Elliot. "Wouldn't you have done the same, if you were me?"

"Yes." No hesitation. "So I know you understand what's about to happen."

"What--?"

Elliot punched down hard into Jack's face with his good arm, catching him square on the cheek and forcing his head to bounce off of the dirt. Jack blinked rapidly, his mouth wide with surprise, blood from a bitten tongue dribbling out, and he only halfway returned a fearful look to Elliot when Elliot punched him again. The bones of his knuckles, the leather of his gloves over them, crashed into Jack's cheekbone, his left orbital. Jack was in a thick daze. He tried to mutter the word "Stop" but it came out as a slurry of inarticulate sound. Elliot stood up a little higher and drove a final punch down like a mason swinging a sledgehammer, the force of it bringing Elliot back down to one knee. His fist cracked Jack's jaw, and the blow caused the man to black out. Jack's eyes had rolled up into his head, and his bloody tongue was sticking ungracefully out of his mouth.

Elliot, breathing a bit heavily and with new beads of sweat upon his forehead, shoved himself back up onto his feet. Staggered back one step, all the while looking down upon Jack. He said, "Call it even now."

Well, looka what I found.

Elliot glanced over his shoulder. Then turned fully to face Dulthir, his mouth in that moment a tight line of suppressed pain from all of the explosive motion he'd unleashed on Jack and the ravaging that had done to his wounds. He didn't accept the bottle of whiskey from Dulthir, but he did nod in pleased acknowledgement--that could certainly take the edge off once they'd gotten somewhere relatively safe. Then Dulthir showed the diamond.

A small smile graced Elliot's expression, and he said, "Looks like you're getting paid after all, brother."

Syvis Ceridwen Dulthir

 

[Syvis]

Syvis turned her back to Alexia, ignoring the sad noises of a surely crying girl as she cleaned herself. The Elf's ears strained to make sure she wouldn't run.

She cleared her throat. "Never let them see you cry." she told the girl softly, "Our world is heartless, and when they see you cry, they think they've won. Don't give them the satisfaction." her thin fingers gripped the clean dress tightly. "I'm not a good person, that much is very well evident, but I do wish to give you a chance at life, as I believe Elliot does, in his own way. So when you finish Alexia, no more tears. You're a strong girl, hell, you stabbed your father and took part of his guard, weak people don't do such things, they dare not dream of it."

She heard the sponge drop with a plop, and slight noise as Alexia picked it up. Syvis had said her peace, and kept quiet as Alexia finished up.

She turned around to the nude girl behind her, and made way towards her with the clean clothing. She lifted it over her head and dressed Alexia like a child or puppet. "There, much better." she said with a kind smile and a pat to the girl's damp cheek. Syvis then went behind her and braided her knotted hair before twisting it into a bun. "When you get to wherever you're going, you'll need to brush your hair, okay? This will only protect it from further tangles." With that final step the girls were done. Syvis faced Alexia again and wiped away the remaining tears that were on the girl's splotchy face, she looked dead in the eyes and soul.

"No more crying Alexia, you're almost done, almost free." Syvis said softly in a coddling manner. She looked down at her raw wrists, "I won't tie you if you won't run Alexia." she added.

Syvis' ears pricked as she heard the muffles of Elliot and Dulthir and what sounded like meaty thuds. Damn. She held a finger up to Alexia and poked her head out the folds of the tent to see Elliot harming or killing.. Jack? with his fists. Blow after blow landed. She smiled a predatory smile, karma was a bitch. Alas she had to add a stoic face and attempt to keep Alexia away from it, the girl looked one step away from bludgeoning herself.

 

[Dulthir]

Dulthir chuckled.
"Indeed. We all canna get a slice."
He gathered the gear and provisions he had managed to salvage, and, fastened them to one of the horses. He walked over to Ceri.
"Are ye ready ta travel, love? I believe a hot bath, and a hot meal will do us some good."
He stroked the feathers on her head. He did not like seeing her hurt. He wanted to get somewhere so they ALL could start the healing process properly. He put Karrazark's saddle back on. He walked over to Matthew. He was barely alive, but, he was alive. He hoisted him onto the back of Karrazark, then looked to Elliot. He knew the elf didn't care one way or the other if the man died. Dulthir, who was of a mind to agree with Elliot, couldn't. If the man could be saved, then he would do what he could. This Matthew fella was as close as Alexia would get to a real father. Despite the hell they had been thru, Dulthir had to try to save the man. He knew he probably wouldn't make it, but, the extra weight wouldn't slow Karrazark.
"I know ye dunna agree, but, I gotta try ta save him. He'll be no burden ta Karrazark. And, if he doesn't make it, then so be it. But, I have ta try."
He put his right foot into the stirrup, and climbed up on Karrazark. He looked to the others, waiting for them, so they could leave this place of death.
Ceridwen Syvis Elliot Aldmar

 

[Ceridwen]

Ceri looked to Dulthir as he walked to her, asking if she was ready to travel. His promise of a hot bath and hot meal excited her greatly... He stroked her head gently, messing her feathers lightly and she leaned back into his touch. She stood as he moved towards Karrazark and followed him slowly before moving to nuzzle Karrazark and Dulthir gently while they got themselves together. She moved to Elliot and coood softly, giving off the air of trying to reassure him then she looked to Syvis, she'd wait until Syvis was done with the child.


She folded her broken wing the best she could through the pain, the world becoming slightly wavey as she did so due to pain. She would have to have her broken wing rebroken, and set in a correct position... Probably once she had the energy to shift again to avoid her animal instincts from ripping whoever did that, a new asshole. She cood softly to the group as she waited for their words that it was time to go. She looked to Dulthir and his desire to save Matthew if he could. There was honor there, though the man didn't deserve it as far as she was concerned. In the long run, it wasnt her job to make his final judgement.
Elliot Aldmar
Syvis
Dulthir

 

[Elliot Aldmar]

Alexia gave small, obedient nods to Syvis. When she was told to never let them see her cry. When she was told to not give them the satisfaction. This she did and stayed silent as she went through the motions of cleaning herself, rinsing herself. She stood still, as lifelessness as a mannequin, and allowed for Syvis to braid her hair.

One last, tiny nod when Syvis said that she wouldn't tie her if she didn't run.

Then she was dutifully following after Syvis as necessary (stopping and waiting when Syvis's raised finger had told her to do so). Her head was hung, eyes downcast so that she need only look at the ground, and not meet anyone's eyes.

* * * * *​

Indeed. We all canna get a slice.

"I'll drink to that."

It was secondary, the gems and the coin that they could be sold for, to the real reason why Elliot was here. But his commitment to securing Alexia's freedom was made a touch sweeter by the added bonus that had escaped Captain Marghast's notice. The coin from this would have its uses. Elliot did have his unfinished business with Dornoch, after all, and for what he had planned it would take a fortune indeed.

Elliot set about getting one of the two horses ready. It was a struggle with his wounded arm, but he got the tent bundle up onto the horse's back and secured to the saddle, and by the end of it he was breathing heavily again and he had armed more sweat from his brow. From his salvaged pack he withdrew his waterskin and drank what was left of it and put it back.

Dulthir spoke, and Elliot glanced over and saw what he was doing with Mathew, loading him up onto Karrazark. And he simply returned a flash of a smirk and nodded.

"Prudent. Carrying extra food for the pig."

Ceridwen came to Elliot then. Made a soft avian noise, and for a brief moment it was difficult to believe that Ceridwen had ever been in the form of a human-looking woman. Elliot followed the track of her gaze then and saw Syvis peeking out from the tent where she'd taken Alexia. Elliot raised his good hand and waved Syvis over, waiting until she came along with the girl.

Elliot gave a slight gesture of his head to the second saddled horse. Said to Syvis, "Alexia ought to ride with you." Which left Jack to be placed on Elliot's horse, and that was the way it had to be. He would have rathered to travel without the dead weight, perhaps literally in Mathew's case, so that they would have had better options for how to configure themselves. But this was it. It worked out well enough though; if Jack tried something again, Elliot, being close, could just kill him.

"And Syvis," he added, giving her an esteemed look after a quick regarding of the newly cleaned and newly clothed Alexia. "Thank you for doing that for her."

Then he stepped off. Last order of business: getting Jack's unconscious body onto Elliot's horse. Elliot went to the man and strained himself to drag him across the ground and beside the horse, where he'd have to await assistance. With a bad arm, there was no getting the man--who was considerably heavier than the tent bundle--up onto the horse's back all by himself.

Syvis Dulthir Ceridwen

 

[Syvis]

(Sorry for late reply had the kid)

Alexia could ride with Syvis it was not a problem. If she was okay with speed, Syvis was getting out of this cursed place as fast as that horse could gallop. Ripping a piece of willow off of a tree she gave it a crack in the air, she frowned, could be too hard if the horse wasn't whip trained. She'd opt for the rein slap instead.

Elliot thanked her, and she nodded. "Don't thank me for basic decency." she said in a colder tone, the distant tone most of her people had.

She gestured to the horse with her head looking at Alexia. "Hop on, you'll ride front." Waiting for Alexia to get on syvis stuck her boot in the stirrup and have a little hop with her foot that was still on the ground before swinging her lanky leg over the horse's body, her body settled into the saddle nicely. She didn't wait for the rest of the group, they could catch up. She looked at them, before she grabbed the horses reins grouping it before giving it a smack on the rump spooking it into a gallop. She put a hand around Alexia's waist in order to keep her centered, and they were off. Syvis let out an Elvish yip and hollar as the wind whipped at her loose hair. She was a speed demon, and the more distance between Alexia and the camp was the better.

 

[Dulthir]

Dulthir noticed Elliot struggling with the other man. He hopped off Karrazarkand went over to him. He hoisted the man up, a bit at a time due to the fact that being a dwarf made it difficult to do anything with a damn horse, tall bastard. After a bit of work, the unconscious man was fastened to the horse. He offered a hand to help Elliot onto the horse.
"C'mon lad. Syvis'll be in a hot bath before we get started down tha road. Up ye go."
He looked to Ceri.
"Go ahead, love. We'll notta be fer behind ye."
Ceridwen Syvis Elliot Aldmar

 

[Ceridwen]

Ceri watched Dulthir help Elliot get the man onto the horse in silence as Syvis bolted. She watched Syvis' form disappear into the horizon before looking to Dulthir and Elliot again as they got themselves together and up in the saddles ready to hit the road.

"Go ahead, love. We'll notta be fer behind ye." Dulthir said to her and she nodded, nuzzling her beak into his chest slightly and once everyone was saddled she nodded and started running, she could not fly, so by foot it would be. She took long strides as she ran, her flexible back extending and stretching and it felt good to run, though flying would have been so much easier. Sharp talons dug into the dirt as strong hind paws kicked her forward. She kept her ears perked and eyes sharp as she followed the direction Syvis had gone.
Elliot Aldmar Syvis Dulthir

 

[Elliot Aldmar]

Elliot simply glanced toward Syvis, no stranger to the cold tone of her response. He had but sole control over himself, not others, and since he would not compromise on his way of being they would react as they may. And that was it. Either he meshed well enough with a person or he did not--there would not be any deforming of self to conform to the liking of another. All meaningful change of self was prompted from within, not from without. A notion put succinctly into words by the Dreng'toth, but one that he had felt all his life.

He gave a small nod to Dulthir, and together they hoisted Jack up onto the second horse. Alexia, meanwhile, did as Syvis said and, somewhat timidly, mounted the first horse. They were off and running before Jack had even been properly fastened atop the tent bundle behind the saddle.

Elliot's face twisted harshly as he with Dulthir's help got up onto the second horse, particularly from the pain of his chest wound more than the others. He took a moment to breathe, readied himself for the tribulations of riding a horse while in such a shape as he was now, and said, "Alright. Let's get moving."

With his good arm he flicked the reins and his horse took off, not too far behind Ceridwen. And the watery clearing was left behind, the bodies left where they had fallen.

* * * * *​

It took a while to catch up with Syvis and Alexia along the westerly road. They only dropped out of sight for a few moments or so during the catching up when a tree or a bend in the road or a hill would temporarily obstruct view of them. But, now, the two horses and Ceridwen and Karrazark were trotting along in loose formation. Alexia had not said anything nor made any desperate attempt to flee. Jack had stirred back to consciousness on the back of Elliot's horse, but seemed resigned to lay in his bonds and go along with the ride. Mathew was as silent and still as the grave.

The sun above through the forest canopy continued on its daily arc, well past the morning now.

Elliot brought his horse up alongside Syvis's. Said while keeping his attention forward, "If you have something to say, go ahead and say it."

He considered forthrightness superior to keeping tensions left unspoken. Put all the cards on the table, and get through whatever needed to be gotten through. It would be decisive, one way or the other, and that was only beneficial for all involved.

Syvis Ceridwen Dulthir

 

[Syvis]

Elliot didn't bother to look at her as he spoke, so she stared ahead the same. "You're cold." she told him, "You take pleasure in death, and gods above would it kill you to show some sort of emotion? I cannot read you, you do not care if I care for you, you do not care if I do not care for you. I do not know what it is you wish from me. I do not know what you will me to say. What possesses you to act the way you do, what goes on in that mind of yours? Maybe it is I who is the fool for letting myself be so transparent, so I burden you no longer. Consider me a stranger." Syvis told him in an aloof tone.

Her body language was rigid and standoffish as she talked to him. "I suspect it best we never spoke again, because you, you, are a bloody enigma. An enigma, a puzzle, I haven't the time to figure out, nor the desire too. One minute you're scolding me for my compassion the next you thank me for it, one moment you treat me like a killer, the next a silly woman. I will not apologize for acting the same way to you as you do me if that is what you wish from me, but once again reiterated I haven't even the slightest indication of what you want from me."

Syvis looked back at Ceri and Dulthir who was sure to be by her side the first moment he could be. She gave Ceri an exhausted smile. Ceri was a trooper for all she put up with today, Syvis wondered if there was anyone who could help the woman with her wing, or if she was damned to a flightless life forever.

 

[Dulthir]

Dulthir and Karrazark rode alongside Ceri. He watched the two elves, their body language suggesting the conversation wasn't friendly. He chuckled. He looked over to Ceri, and, in a not so quiet tone said...
"Those two need ta fook and get it over with. They'd both be happier."
He looked at Ceri's broken wing and winced a bit. He could only image the pain she was in.
"When we get were we're goin lass, I'll help ye reset that, so it canna heal proper."
He didn't like the thought of doing that. It meant putting her thru immense pain, one more time. He felt a bit guilty. If he hadn't got her involved, she would have never been in this pain and would've still been happy-go-lucky self, the one he met on the road. He reached out and stroked her head. They just needed to get to a town and be done with this whole wretched affair.
Ceridwen Syvis Elliot Aldmar

 

[Ceridwen]

Ceri leaned lightly against Karrazark as they walked, playfully, nuzzling her beak against Dulthir gently as he spoke. She could hear everything the elven said and she smirked slightly at Dulthir’s statement about them.

"Those two need ta fook and get it over with. They'd both be happier."

She chuckled and nodded slightly at the words, lifting her injured wing slightly as the pull of dragging it was wearing on her shoulder. Dulthir had obviously noticed the movement

"When we get were we're goin lass, I'll help ye reset that, so it canna heal proper."

She turned her head to him and bobbed it slightly. “It will need to be rebroken… it will heal, again, by then.” She said softly, ignoring the fact that it was a very strong probability that with the multiple breaks, the multiple times, she would never fly again. Depending on the damage… amputation even would be considered if they could not get it to heal correctly. She continued to nuzzle Dulthir as they walked, her eyes closed as Karrazark was more or less leading her at the moments she closed her eyes. She wasn’t putting her weight on him, he didn’t need her weight on him to. After a few minutes she looked to Syvis again, but didn’t go to the woman… letting them talk in Semi private.
Elliot Aldmar
Syvis
Dulthir

 

[Elliot Aldmar]

Elliot listened. Turned to look at her halfway through with an attentive, considering expression. When she finished, he took a firm moment to contemplate, maintaining his stare.

At last he said, "Then we're done."

There were assessments of him that were accurate, some that were not. No need to correct them now. The cards were on the table, and it had certainly been decisive. Consider her a stranger. That was her decision, and he respected it. Seeing her as something of a kindred spirit, it did pain him, but respect it he would.

Like all pain, it was to be endured, and then it was to be overcome in due time. Elliot wouldn't allow for his happiness, his satisfaction with life, to be contingent upon others. That was the way of his father, the way of feeble dependence, of constantly acquiescing, of unceasing obsequiousness in the eternal effort to please everyone else. True satisfaction came from the self, the raw and powerful ability to be honest with who you were and to be content with being alone if said honesty thus demanded it. If others came along, all was well. If they did not, all was well. His feelings for others--the love of his mother, the love of the Allirian girl and the drow girl--it was necessary for a disciplined life to be able to let them all go. Suffer the pain, and ensure that their absence left no scars.

Elven bastard, Syvis had called him before. It wasn't wrong, in the eyes of many--Alexia surely included.

Elliot looked forward again. Made a small click with his tongue and tugged on the reins, bidding his horse to slow down. And he dropped back from Syvis and Alexia, taking up a middle position behind them and ahead of Dulthir and Ceridwen.

He rode along. Thinking of how many hours they would have left before they ought to make camp. Thinking of how much he would have to ponder come his nightly self-reflection.

Syvis Ceridwen Dulthir

 

[Syvis]

She smirked to herself as he fell back, a condescending look often masked a feeling of hurt. That is what she had told him to do; leave, get gone, 'consider her a stranger.' Yet as it ached her heart still she smirked. She was Syvis fucking Quimaer, any man would've begged her to stay, change her mind, but not that one. So Syvis let out an shaky sigh, such is life: a bitch.

Syvis rested her head on Alexia's shoulder to speak lowly to her "Not a word of this to any of the others." she told the young girl, in a feeble attempt to save face. Syvis would act like this is what she wanted, what made her happy, made her soul sing because that is what a lady does. Her father raised a lady for the Gods' sake. She lifted her head off the girls shoulder and looked ahead, adjusting her posture to look high and mighty.

This was what she asked for. She got it. So she shoved it down, attempting to forget he even existed yet it was torment. She'd lost a friend, might have well killed him. She still could. She let out a low and dark chuckle. There really would be no Elliot for her to worry about then. She'd never actually kill the man yet her fucked up mind tried to find solace in whatever it could. She couldn't help but laugh a little louder, but she put a hand up to her mouth as she chortled. She tried to keep her chuckles low and she herself thought she was doing as well of a job as she could.

Syvis could've been more cruel, she knew she could've but she didn't wish to hurt him through petty cruel insults. Another approach over took her mind, she was just 'protecting' herself, no Elliot no hurt, right? Fuck. She'd get over it if she just stopped laughing and composed herself. Her thoughts were interrupted as she saw a smoke stack in the distance. Part of her wanted to scream "Look!!! PEOPLE!" but that was a fool's mistake.

She silently snapped her fingers at Elliot, looking back at him trying to get his attention. If he looked she'd point to what she'd seen, silently mouthing "Village?" Truthfully Syvis hadn't a clue where they were or if they were wandering into a bad situation. Better to be on edge she determined. She kept her face as invulnerable she could as she looked at him, making sure it seemed he had no effect on her. After all they were 'strangers'.

 

[Dulthir]

Dulthir saw the small village ahead. He nudged Karrazark and he trotted up next to Elliot.
"Ye know this place lad? I havena fooking clue where we are."
Hopefully, this was somewhere they could rest, and recuperate. And, hopefully, they had a healer of some sorts. Mathew was still breathing, barely. He could die at any moment. Dulthir hoped, for Alexia's sake, he could be healed. He looked back at Ceri. She needed tending to as well. They all did. Hopefully, these folks were the giving kind. If they weren't, then rest would have to wait.
Ceridwen Syvis Elliot Aldmar

 

[Ceridwen]

Ceri heard the entire conversation between Syvis and Elliot, but said nothing. It wasn't her place for one, but for two she really wasn't sure what their issues were. Elliot seemed colder than usual, but he was tired just like everyone was. Syvis too seemed to have a colder chill towards Elliot than she had before and when Ceri heard him say they were done, she assumed it meant with the fighting and she was happy with that thought.

As they walked she stretched her head out and rubbed her beak lightly against Karrazark again, purring faintly before she straightened up and kept walking. As they walked the smell of smoke filled her nares and she lifted her head to the sky, inhaling sharply as she looked around. Her sharp eyesight caught the smoke but she said nothing as they got closer, she didn't want to alert them yet until they had some idea of what they were dealing with. A few moments after she noticed, Syvis noticed as well and she snapped her fingers at Elliot to turn his attention to it.

Ceri nuzzled Dulthir slightly before he and Karrazark trotted forward and Dulthir asked Elliot if he knew the place. Ceri stayed behind them all, her sharp eyes scanning the area all around them cautiously as they slowly walked, trying to make sure whoever ran that camp wasn't secretly watching them, stalking them from the sides, ready to attack. She lifted her head to the skies again, taking in another deep breath, letting her beak fall agap slightly as she not only took the scent in through her beak, but through her mouth, letting the air cascade over her tongue to decipher anything her nose itself did not pick up on. Nothing seemed a red flag yet, though she'd learned that ones safety could diminish at the drop of a hat.

Elliot Aldmar
Syvis
Dulthir

 

[Elliot Aldmar]

A snapping of fingers, and Elliot shifted his attention. First to the sound, to the hand which made it, and then up to Syvis herself.

Village?

He took a second to consider the mouthed word, and then through the gaps of the branches and leaves ahead he saw what Syvis had seen, the rising stack of smoke. Not the thick, undulating, dark gray smoke of a flame unleashed, but one that was calmer and clearer. Elliot glanced over his shoulder. Toward his front again. The land about him was foreign to his memory, and going off of distance alone Saif's Bend wasn't this close to where they had been--they still should have been hours out. It was quite possible that in the rush to catch up to Syvis they had gone off onto a side road, taken a detour off of the one he had been expecting.

Improvisation would suit.

Elliot swung one leg over his horse and then dismounted. Said after Dulthir asked openly of their whereabouts, "It's not Saif's Bend, but it'll do. We can let the two of them go here."

Jack's face soured with concern over Elliot saying the "two" of them. Elliot preceded undeterred, pulling Jack off of the back of his horse and the man landing ungracefully onto his feet, stumbling for a second before recovering. Elliot pulled out a dagger and took hold of Jack's arm to steady him (and to a lesser extent to steady himself) and cut loose the bindings of the man's wrists and ankles.

Jack rubbed his aching wrists, glanced over toward Mathew's limp body, and said, "How am I supposed to get him into the village?"

"Figure it out."

Elliot was not keen on going anywhere near that village. Not with Alexia nor Jack nor what was left of Mathew. For all he knew, Orrem could be in there, perhaps ready to sally out with a rallied force back toward the clearing and in vengeful search of them all. Or Alexia or Jack might call out in a desperate plea for help, causing a scene and stirring the locals into action. So far as Elliot was concerned, going into that village might not necessarily be suicide, but it was damned close.

Small gestures of his head to Mathew, to Alexia, and glances to Dulthir and Syvis concerning those two. Get them down, and we'll turn them loose. That was what Elliot thought to be the best idea, for all of the reasons he had previously outlined prior in the clearing.

Alexia made small, timid movements of her head and eyes, looking back toward Jack and Elliot and Mathew and Dulthir and Syvis (and avoiding looking at Ceridwen at all costs) with a mixture of hope and fear. She had merely nodded when Syvis had told her "Not a word of this to any of the others" and maintained that silence now. For fear that any adverse movement, any action taken without the express permission of her captors (thinking them so even now), would lead to the further harm of herself or Jack or Mathew, she dared not act on her own. The full trauma of all that had happened obliterated any spark of resistance in her, rendering her little more than a doll whose strings were the curt commands of her captors.

Syvis Dulthir Ceridwen