Open Chronicles Alliria

[Syvis]

Syvis watched as people started cutting their ‚captives‘ loose. She worked a fine sliver ring with a gem stone off one of her fingers, it wasn’t anything special to Syvis but it could fetch a fair price based off of what Syvis had bought it for. She opened Alexia‘s hand and plopped it in. „Sell it, keep it, smash it, I don’t care. It’s worth something though.“ she told the young girl, not having anything else to offer her.

Syvis slid down and motioned for Alexia to do the same. „Come on, off you pop.“ the elf told her kindly, trying to make the girl seem human again. She’d never seen something so traumatized, as an elf she tended to be removed from most situations but jeez all that had happened was her friends died because they were brazen. Regardless Syvis was trying her best here.

Syvis looked at everyone but Elliot as she gave her legs little wiggles, sorry attempts at stretching them out so they might feel alive again. The pins and needles in her feet told her it was working despite the irritating feeling. Gods above she wanted to go shopping, pick out new clothing, look her best. She frowned pitifully as she daydreamed about boutiques.

 

[Dulthir]

Dulthir slid off of Karrazark. He grabbed Matthew , who was still clinging to life, barely. He brought him over to the "dead" man, Jack and laid him at his feet. He looked up at Jack.
"Now, ye canna try to get someone ta come after us, and, they may or may notta be successful. But, I'd strongly suggest focusing yer efforts on getting him ta a healer. He may yet live. Then you, he and the lass can carry on with yer lives. But, mark my words, ye send someone after us, they'll bury the lot of ya together. Understand?"
He waited for the man to acknowledge what he just told him. He really didn't want to kill anyone else, not right now anyways, but, he'd had his fill of helping this trio. He just wanted to get somewhere and concentrate on Ceri. Nothing else mattered.
Ceridwen Syvis Elliot Aldmar

 

[Ceridwen]

When they got to a spot to stop and off load the additional baggage they carried, Ceri slowly sat and simply watched the progression of getting rid of the excess. She was ready for them to be gone. She was tired of worrying about them, considering what they needed or didn't need. They were not her friends, and her friends are what mattered at the moment, getting rid of them meant they could get themselves gone, out of harms way (hopefully) and to somewhere that they could rest.

Ceri stretched out on her belly, sinking sharp talons into the ground, dragging her flank lazily as she pulled herself to Karrazark and nuzzled him gently while Dulthir talked to Jack. She lifted her head and rested it on Karrazark's shoulder lightly while watching, keeping her eyes on the others just in case. The girl was unlikely to cause any issue, but Jack was another issue. He'd proven he could be sneaking, sly and opportunistic so she kept her sharp gaze on him.

Syvis was overly nice to the girl, an odd thing as far as Ceri was concerned because Syvis seemed to go from sweet to venomous at the drop of a hat... but at least Ceri was on the side of her sweetness and not on the end of aggression.

Ceri chortle slightly to herself, a giggle of sorts as she though about how not a few days ago she was laying in a field of flowers relaxing alone and now... she was with these 3 and though the stress of the fighting had been substantial... she was actually happy to be here with them.

Elliot Aldmar
Syvis
Dulthir

 

[Elliot Aldmar]

Alexia felt the metal of the ring and glanced down toward it in her palm and back up to Syvis. She held it faintly within the natural curls of her fingers, hardly clutching the ring at all. Obediently, she slid with a delicate slowness off of the horse and down onto the road, standing with a rigid stiffness as she watched the proceedings in silence.

Jack adopted some of that same rigid stiffness when Dulthir addressed him. And he was quick to respond, "I hear you. I understand. Just don't...don't."

He left it at that. Jack had never been an especially brave man, and though it was a fluke that he'd gotten his job as a House guard for Lord June, it had been a mostly relaxed affair--enough for him to handle. He was not like Mathew. He wouldn't say or do anything that might jeopardize his own well-being, not without the feeling of his back being up against a wall--which, here, it wasn't. His fellow guardsmen, his friends, would rot out in that clearing, left to be picked apart by carrion birds, and in his cowardice he capitulated completely to the dwarf and would leave them wholly without any form of justice. Another shame to tuck deeply into a dark corner of his heart and drink away in the waning hours of solemn evenings.

Elliot approached Alexia, and the girl's face paled even more than it already was. He stood before her. Spoke quietly, "You wanted to be free of your father." And then he actually averted his eyes, down and off to one side, recalling past misfortune. "There is always a price to pay for such freedom."

Jack--unable to carry Mathew, he being the larger man between them--hooked his arms under Mathew's and painstakingly dragged him along while stooped over. Dragged him over to Alexia. Waited.

Elliot met eyes with Alexia again. Gestured his head toward the village beyond. Said, "You have what you sought. Make the most of it. Now go."

Alexia just stood there, frozen. Glancing first to Jack and Mathew and then to Dulthir and to Syvis, the last as if for confirmation. Elliot said again, "Go."

Jack slipped an arm out from dragging Mathew and touched Alexia's shoulder. She flinched, and snapped her gaze back to him. He said to her, "Come on..."

And, without a word to Elliot or Syvis or Dulthir or Ceridwen, Alexia finally began to move on her own. The ring that Syvis gave her slipped out of her hand, and she seemed not to notice at all, for she had taken hold of one of Mathew's arms and started to help Jack--as best she could with what numb strength she had--drag him slowly along toward the village.

Elliot watched them go for a while. Smaller and smaller they became as they went, the trunks of trees and the reaching leaves of bushes beginning to obscure them as they traversed the small bends in the road and got ever closer to the village. Then, satisfied, Elliot turned around.

He said to Dulthir and Ceridwen, "If it had not been for us, she would be dead. No matter what, remember that." No "good" man could have saved Alexia, for he would never have been there to begin with, never would have known such a thing was happening, the likes of the Free Company beneath his lofty standards of association. So it had fallen to a man like Elliot, to a man like Dulthir and to women like Syvis and Ceridwen, to balance the scales. That was one way of looking at it.

For Elliot, it was his commitment fulfilled. He'd a duty to himself to see this through, to not merely hold a belief in safe confinement within his mind but through right action manifest this belief in the world around him. A teaching from the Dreng'toth: "You are the highest moral authority in your life, and you should act like it. You know right from wrong, and through right action you demonstrate it to others." And so he had. Hard as it was. But what was right was scarcely also easy.

He started to limp back toward his horse. Said in general, "Do what suits you, but I'd advise avoiding settlements in this area for a while."

Recuperating in a bush camp wasn't ideal, but it was the best option in Elliot's mind. And so that's what he aimed to do.

* * * * *​

By the time Jack and Alexia dragged Mathew to the threshold of the village, he was dead. Alexia collapsed down onto him as nearby villagers, shocked and curious, came to gather. She buried her face in Mathew's chest, utterly inconsolable.

The price had been too much.

Syvis Dulthir Ceridwen

 

[Syvis]

Syvis hopped back onto horse as Elliot hobbled to his, telling them to avoid villages. "So that's it huh? You're just going to leave? After everything?" She snorted. "Makes sense." her anger was no longer staying cold it was hot and angry and she was more then prepared to go get into a fight.

She looked over at the village, and her ring shining within the dust of the road. Dumb kid. She didn't bother to pick it up again, it could help someone else. She sat staring at everyone as her horses' rear waggled back and forth, a sign it was restless. She put a hand to the mares sweaty neck, she had a lot of spirit. Good.

 

[Dulthir]

Dulthir looked at Elliot for a moment. Typical fucking elf. He shook his head, then looked to Syvis.
"Well, yer more than welcome ta travel with Ceri and me. We'd be happy to keep ya in our company..."
He looked back to Elliot.
"So, is this it lad. Ye gonna run off and leave us be? Should've expected from ye. Thought ye'd stay with us. It's ma own damn fault for thinking ye gave two shites about us."
He looked to Ceri.
"C'mon love. Let's find somewhere get some rest. Perhaps even get a decent meal and a bath."
He looked to Syvis, Ceri, and Elliot, awaiting each of their responses. He wasn't sure if any of their responses would be to his liking. Well, except Ceri's. He was pretty sure she felt for him the way he felt for her.
Ceridwen Syvis Elliot Aldmar

 

[Ceridwen]

"If it had not been for us, she would be dead. No matter what, remember that." Ceri watched Elliot hobble back towards his horse and he absently said "Do what suits you, but I'd advise avoiding settlements in this area for a while." Ceri tilted her head slightly as she pondered his words in silence, but her own thoughts were cut off by Syvis who’s temper noticeably flared quickly as she yelled in Elliot’s direction.

"So that's it huh? You're just going to leave? After everything? Makes sense."

Then Dulthir looked annoyed with Elliot… Ceri was unsure what she missed, but being who she was, she oft thought the better of people and what Elliot had said did not strike her as “Peace, I am out.” Dulthir turned to Syvis and spoke "Well, yer more than welcome ta travel with Ceri and me. We'd be happy to keep ya in our company..." Then he looked back to Elliot "So, is this it lad. Ye gonna run off and leave us be? Should've expected from ye. Thought ye'd stay with us. It's ma own damn fault for thinking ye gave two shites about us."
He looked to Ceri.

"C'mon love. Let's find somewhere get some rest. Perhaps even get a decent meal and a bath."

“Wait…” She said as she pulled herself to her feet and trotted after Elliot, attempting to nudge her head under his arm to help him to his horse as she looked at Dulthir and Syv. When Elliot and Ceri got to his horse she lowered her forelimb, tucking it neatly under herself , leaving the one closest to Elliot bent so he could use it to easier step up to his horse, along with using her shoulders as she continued to talk.

“He didn’t say he was leaving us… he said we should do what suits us and then suggested we stay from settlements… he never said he was leaving nor that we could not join him or visa versa…” she said softly, she was likely wrong in thinking he did not mean that he was leaving just like that, but she hoped not. She twisted her head around to look to him quietly, blinking her large emerald eyes as her ears twisted backwards listening for any sounds she needed to be aware of.
Elliot Aldmar
Syvis
Dulthir

 

[Elliot Aldmar]

Syvis spoke, and Elliot stopped only briefly, turning his head for a slight glance back. In deference to her wishes he did not speak a reply, not even to clarify. Perhaps it was for the best in this case; she would go her own way, and Elliot would silently wish her well despite how their final interactions had fared.

Yet Dulthir voiced a similar sentiment, and Elliot stopped again beside his horse, brow set in mild bemusement.

Then Ceridwen came forward, helped him up onto his horse, and spoke. There. Ceridwen had understood his meaning, outlined it as clear as a cloudless dawn sky, and for that Elliot was grateful. He gave her an appreciative nod. Mayhap the quality of her being a griffin shapeshifter, of being therefore more in tune with the primal wild inherent in all things (and yes, even in so-called "civilized" people), had allowed her to know without error the spirit of what he had said.

"She's right," Elliot said as he sat now on the saddle on his acquired horse. "You are all welcome to ride with me if you so choose. The decision is yours. If you wish to come with me, all is well. If you wish to set out elsewhere, all is well."

A smile from him--small, slight, but genuine--and he eyed all three of them.

"You're free to do as you see fit."

And with that, Elliot nudged his horse into a trot, heading away from the village at whose border they had dropped off Alexia and heading off of the road and into the untamed wilderness of the surrounding forest.

Syvis Ceridwen Dulthir

 

[Syvis]

Dulthir had offered her a place with him and Ceri. She smiled, her rage wave subsiding slightly as she gave him her answer. "I'd love to ride with you two."

It was then Ceri made way to help the limping Drow. Syvis' eyes narrowed. Damn him, he could limp and wince over there himself. He could slip and fall for all she cared. As the woman spoke she made very valid points, which frankly angered Syvis more. Not only was she mad, now she was 'wrong'?!?

Syvis' eyes narrowed at Elliot as she flashed him a look of acrimony, if looks could kill the man would be strung up by his large intestine on a nearby pine branch. He smiled at her which made her glare even colder as she spat on the ground by his horses hoof. It wasn't very lady like, but he didn't deserve the elegance.

Her face softened as she asked Dulthir in a kind tone, "What say you? Shall we travel with the Elven bastard?" She ended her second question in a sneer that exposed her canines. She agreed to travel with Dulthir, if he agreed to travel with Elliot, she would. If he didn't she wouldn't. That simple. Yet even being here made her antsy, she needed to move.

Like most of her emotions her heartsickness was displayed in plain callous and malicious manner. Hate was easier then loss. Plus her vicious nature would drive him away on her terms.

 

[Dulthir]

Dulthir looked to Ceri as she spoke. What she said was true. His emotions had got the better of him. He looked to Syvis and smiled. He nodded, then walked over to Elliot. He stuck his hand out to him.
"Forgive me, lad. I let ma emotions make assumptions. Apologies. I'd be honored ta continue this journey with ye."
He stood, awaiting the elf's answer.
Ceridwen Syvis Elliot Aldmar

 

[Ceridwen]

"She's right, you are all welcome to ride with me if you so choose. The decision is yours. If you wish to come with me, all is well. If you wish to set out elsewhere, all is well. You're free to do as you see fit."

Ceri watched him quietly before looking to Syvis, who seemed to be fuming, though her features softened as she asked Dulthir "What say you? Shall we travel with the Elven bastard?" Ceri frowned slightly at the woman's apparent sudden disdain for the other elf. She didn't understand and wasn't sure she wanted to. She looked to Dulthir whom nodded to Syvis and walked towards her and Elliot. He offered his hand to Elliot

"Forgive me, lad. I let ma emotions make assumptions. Apologies. I'd be honored ta continue this journey with ye."

Ceri walked to Dulthir and nuzzled her beak into his chest lightly, purring softly as her eyes closed and they waited for Elliot's answer. She lifted her head and settled it higher on his shoulder, her throat vibrating against his shoulder as she purred comfortably. She was exhausted, she wanted nothing more than to curl up with Dulthir and relax.... take a bath and just be comfortable. Her wing didn't even hurt anymore, she was numb to the pain now, until she tried moving it and pain would tear through her in an uncomfortable reminder.
Elliot Aldmar
Syvis
Dulthir

 

[Elliot Aldmar]

Elliot paused his horse's progress into the expanse of the forest as the three conferred on what to do. Looked back and saw Syvis spit and watched the globule land near the hoof of his horse--more evidence that Syvis had meant what she said.

Dulthir came up to his horse, and Elliot had to lean over some and stretch his good arm down to shake his hand. "It's fine." He cast his eyes out through the forest flanking the road. "We'd best be far from the road and any settlements for the time being."

By Elliot's reckoning, it would take some amount of time for the heat generated by their saving of Alexia to cool down. But it would--time eroded care in these matters. And it was altogether possible to outpace this heat, to travel sufficiently far enough from the place in which it occurred that no one local would know nor concern themselves with so distant a transpiring. But Elliot, Ceridwen most likely as well, was not yet ready for longer range travel.

Hence, a few nights resting and recuperating in the wilderness was apropos.

And so Elliot set off.

* * * * *​

Southward.

Not quite to the coast of the Akiva Sea on the Liadain-side of the Allirian isthmus, but close, very close, Elliot felt. The forest became less managed, more wild and overgrown, as they trekked further from settled areas and the orderliness that came with them. The horses, not particularly dispositioned toward such terrain, had a difficult time traversing through or around thick vegetation, fallen trees and old logs, and rocky outcroppings, but not insurmountably so.

What Elliot found by the time the sun's watch was retiring in the sky was a small crescent-shaped basin, steep twenty or twenty-five foot hills nearly enclosing the whole of the area save for the south-facing perimeter. A few smaller trees inside the basin, otherwise clear. No clear evidence of beasts or monsters nesting in the area. It would do nicely.

So it was here that Elliot called for a dismount, and did so himself. With his good arm he pulled down the salvaged equipment from the guardsmen and unrolled the bundle and began to pitch the tent that he had acquired.

Syvis Dulthir Ceridwen

 

[Syvis]

Syvis followed behind Elliots lead fairly quietly throughout the whole trek. She was tired and going to have to sleep outside on the ground tonight, where ever they were going. Gods above she didn't even have a full shirt, a fact that was coldy reminded to her as the wind hit the sweat she had on her midriff sending a shiver up her spine. Great. Fantastic.

They arrived and Elliot called for dismount so silently she did, tying her horse to a nearby tree with a solid bowline knot in the lead. Her lower body ached from the horse ride as she waddled over to the main camp area once again. She watched Elliot set up his tent as she stared at her horses saddle blanket. It was better then nothing Syvis decided as she went to work on removing her horses saddle and saddle blanket, it was covered in horse hair naturally. With a frown the blonde gave the matt a solid thwack that send out a pile of horse hair into the air. It took everything in her not to cough.

With the blanket acquired Syvis made way to a relatively flat area under a tree by its roots. Here'd be a well place to sleep, no rain and hopeful wind protection. She gave a proud nod of her head as she set her hands on her waist happily. If it got too bad she'd sleep in the tree much to the disagreement of her arm cut. She looked down at it and frowned, she'd let these wounds heal properly. If she let them heal they wouldn't scar and she could continue her... other 'profession'.

 

[Dulthir]

Elliot shook Dulthir's hand, and they began their trek southward. The elf was right, they needed to be far from any settlement or civilization for a bit. Dulthir kept an eye on Ceri. She was hurt, badly. They traveled a ways before Elliot finally stopped. Dulthir surveyed their surroundings. Yes, this would do nicely. He slid of Karrazark, his nether region throbbing from the long ride. He took Karrazark's saddle off, and the gear they had. He walked over to Elliot, who was struggling with his limp arm.
"Here lad, lemme help ye."
Dulthir helped Elliot finish putting up his tent. Then, he went to work on one for him and Ceri. Once it was done, he dug thru his bag and found a plain dress that belonged to Ceri. He walked over to her.
"Here lass. Yer gonna have ta change into yer human form so we canna properly tend to yer wounds. Wouldna want ye accidentally slice ma gullet when I rebreak that wing of yers."
He chuckled lightly and draped the dress over her neck. He then walked over to Syvis.
"Ye dunna have to sit over here by yer self lass. Ye can share tha tent with Elliot. I'm sure he'd appreciate the company."
Again, he chuckled, but, stopped abruptly. Unsure if his sexual innuendo would be appreciated or not..
Ceridwen Syvis Elliot Aldmar

 

[Ceridwen]

By the time they got to where they were going, Ceri was mentally drained, so once it was clear that this was where they'd be crashing, she laid down, resting her head on her scaled forlimbs, closing her eyes for only a few moments before opening them to watch Dulthir and Elliot set up Elliot's tent quietly. Once they were done, Dulthir moved to Karrazark's saddle and withdrew a dress for her and headed to her. By the time he was close she was purring softly and she stretched slightly to nuzzle her beak against him lightly.

"Here lass. Yer gonna have ta change into yer human form so we canna properly tend to yer wounds. Wouldna want ye accidentally slice ma gullet when I rebreak that wing of yers."

He rested the dress over her neck and she nodded softly as he walked away. She stood slowly and shifted, she didn't care if Syvis nor Elliot saw her nude at this point, she was too tired to be worried about that, though, as she was taught that it bothered human-kind, she did at least turn her back to them.

She took a deep breath, she didn't know how long she could hold human form, she was already drained, but she felt she had some time stored in ther energy banks so hopefully it held while her wing was tended. She hooked the dress with her beak, hanging it on a branch before shifting to her human form. Her feathers melted into the pale flesh which made up her human form, her long crimson hair tumbling down her back. Her injured wing hanging to the ground rather than being tucked against her back. She grabbed the dress and slid it over herself, though she couldn't get her injured wing out without extreme pain... so she slid back out of it and instead stepped into the dress so the dress rested beneath both wing bases.

The pain was substantial and dizzying, but she hid it well even in human form. She turned and looked to Dulthiras he spoke with Syvis, chuckling to herself as she highly doubted they'd share a tent, Syvis seemed in no mood for Elliot to exist in her world, though Ceri could be wrong.

"Ye dunna have to sit over here by yer self lass. Ye can share tha tent with Elliot. I'm sure he'd appreciate the company."

Ceri leaned against the tree she was beneath as she took a slow breath to hold off the dizziness a little. She could feel her heart beating in her wing and her head and that wasn't helping. The world spun slightly but as she leaned back and took a deep breath it stabilized slighty. She could smell rain and the earthy smell soothed her some and she smiled weakly.

Elliot Aldmar
Syvis
Dulthir

 

[Elliot Aldmar]

Here lad, lemme help ye.

"Appreciated, brother."

Together, Elliot and Dulthir got the tent pitched and, after he got the bed roll laid out inside, Elliot had at last the moment to simply sit down. Rest. And rest he did, sitting beside the tent with his back against a tree and with one leg out and one bent upward, his wounded arm hanging, elbow of his good arm laid atop the knee of his bent leg. By now they had all been awake for over thirty hours, and the clutching of sleep's claws around his eyes Elliot could well feel now. There would be plenty of tasks necessary for the maintenance of survival to attend to, not the least of which would be the tending of copious wounds, but these were things within tomorrow's domain. Tonight, the need of highest primacy was sleep.

But the day was not yet over.

Elliot stood after long. He didn't pay much attention to Ceridwen's shifting, aware of but disinterested in her brief exposure. To his horse he went, taking down his own salvaged pack and also unstrapping the saddlebag from the saddle and taking both with him over to the tent--prudent to take stock of what supplies he had by chance lucked into in the saddlebag.

The smell of rain he, like Ceridwen, picked up on as well, and perhaps they were in store for another shower during the night. Not uncommon on the isthmus connecting Liadain and Epressa. With his waterskin empty, Elliot made a mental note to set up a contraption to collect rainwater before the night came in full.

First though, taking stock. Elliot sat back down in front of his tent and opened the saddlebag. Some tools, used for the maintenance of arms and armor, other general purpose tools and items for traveling, but of most interest were the rations. He took one out, unwrapped the cloth. Dried, salted meat.

He took a bite.

Tasted the salt.

And, as he chewed, he looked down to the fur collar of his chestpiece. Studied the streaks and spatters of blood--his blood--staining it.

Salt.

Syvis Ceridwen Dulthir

 

[Syvis]

Syvis couldn’t help but chortle at Dulthirs suggestion. „That bridge is long burned my friend.“ she told him with a cynical grin. „In fact it’s ashes are floating through the air as we speak.“ she picked at her blanket and laid down. „Besides, who could turn this down?“

The elf paid no mind to Ceri‘s nudity rather her condition. She was struggling, and it was noticed. Yet she fought on, as she should. A feat that was not easy. Syvis flashed her a reassuring smile to match the redheads exasperated one. It’d be over soon.

(replies may be late and kinda short. Sorry I’m advance. <3)

 

[Dulthir]

Dulthir nodded towards Syvis. He walked over to Ceri. He knelt beside her. He looked toward her wing. He knew it had to be rebroken, then set properly. He hated the idea of putting her thru more pain. He looked into her eyes, and gently touched her face.
"Ye know what I've gotta do lass. Are ye ready?"
Ceri nodded. Dulthir grabbed one of the bottles of whiskey he had found and handed it to her.
"This'll help lass. Go on and get a few pulls off of it."
Ceri, again, nodded. She put the bottle to her lips and drank, deeply. Dulthir ran his hand gently over the injured part of her wing. He found the spot, then looked into her eyes.
"Alright, love. On three. One... two..."
*SNAP* He rebroke her wing. Ceri cried out. He winced. Putting her through that kind of pain hurt him, as well. He pulled her close and held her tight. The bottle of whiskey fell from her hand as the pain took over.
"There lass. Tha hard part is over. Now, let's get ye bandaged up proper and I'll find us something ta eat."
Dulthir grabbed the bottle and handed it back to her as he looked into her eyes. He leaned in and kissed her lips gently.
"I'm sorry love..."
He grabbed clean bandages and began securing her wing, properly.
Ceridwen Syvis Elliot Aldmar

 

[Dulthir]

(Sorry it took so long. Been busy. And Ceri ok'd me controlling her slightly in the post. )

 

[Ceridwen]

Dulthir came to her side and looked deep into her eyes and she smiled weakly to him, his hand reaches for her cheek and he touched her gently.

"Ye know what I've gotta do lass. Are ye ready?"

She nodded softly as she looked into his eyes. He handed her a bottle of whiskey and she eyed it slightly as he spoke "This'll help lass. Go on and get a few pulls off of it."

She nodded and took a few deep drinks while his hands tenderly trailed over her wing. She kept drinking until he found the spot, the burning liquid making her empty stomach lurch as it made her eve more dizzy.

"Alright, love. On three. One... two..."

She heard the snap before she felt the pain, for a second she thought he'd broken a branch or something as the pain didn't register, but when it did she she cried out in pain as the world got hazy. She felt him pull her close, holding her tight as she dropped the whiskey to the ground, thankfully not breaking it. His tight grip was the only thing that kept her from passing out, she buried her face against his chest slightly as she breathed her way through the pain, trembling slightly from the adrenalin spike the pain caused.

"There lass. Tha hard part is over. Now, let's get ye bandaged up proper and I'll find us something ta eat."

He said as he picked to bottle back up, handing it to her before kissing her gently. "I'm sorry love..." She smiled weakly against his kiss before he pulled away to wrap her wing securely. She took a few deep drinks again from the bottle as he wrapped her wing, wrapping the bandaid around her waist to secure the wing in place against her body. When he was done she went to their tent and laid down, burying her face in whatever she could find to hide the tears from the pain.
Elliot Aldmar
Syvis
Dulthir

 

[Elliot Aldmar]

SNAP.

Elliot heard the sound of Dulthir breaking Ceridwen's wing, the cry of pain following, and only briefly shifted his eyes to look their way. Then returned his attention to eating his ration. Thinking.

He had parted ways with the Free Company, and that left him with a void of work to be filled. It was not necessary to join with another mercenary company so soon, but in time he would--that or find another means by which to acquire coin and resources. His share of those gemstones that Dulthir had found would go into Elliot's stash, as did most of his pay from his mercenary work. Amassing a small fortune was but one of the pillars necessary to enacting his plan--finishing his unfinished business as it were--and every bit helped.

Elliot took another bite of the salted meat.

Another of those pillars was people who could, for whatever reason so suited them, see the merit in what he was trying to do. Allies. And in Elliot's estimation Dulthir and Ceridwen would not make for such good allies in this particular endeavor--ironically, it was Syvis who would have. But Dulthir and Ceridwen, no. They wouldn't have the stomach for it, the means too much to justify the ends by their lights. Their reactions to Marghast's announcement of the job to kill Alexia was all the proof Elliot needed. For Elliot's plan, despite all the good he knew it would definitively bring, would involve matters far heavier than the life of one girl.

And the blood would be worse than what they had left in the clearing. Far worse.

Elliot finished eating the travel ration. Perhaps he might be wrong about Dulthir and Ceridwen, but he didn't want to trouble them with questions or conversation now. They ought to have their moment, their time. Morning would come and with it plenty of time.

There was not much else for Elliot to do tonight. Upon surveying his supplies and those on the horses, their was no satisfactory tarpaulin for rainwater collection, nor a shovel with which to dig a pit; if it did rain again tonight, perhaps there would be standing water which he could filter. The blood on his fur collar and armor could likewise wait; he sensed that the coast wasn't far, and he could clean and bathe himself there. So it was time to retire.

Elliot cast a final look about their camp in the dimness of the early night, and then crawled into his tent. Sat down on his bedroll. Slowly and carefully took off his leather chestpiece, his elven gambeson, his boots and his gloves, and in his pants he sat cross-legged. Closed his eyes.

And began his nightly self-reflection. Calling to mind what virtues of his code he had upheld, what failings of any kind he had endured, observing how these made him feel and how it might be that he could, incrementally, improve upon himself.

Syvis Dulthir Ceridwen

 

[Syvis]

Syvis heard Ceri's scream. The sound didn't faze her as it should although. Her ears had grown familiar with shrieks of pain from various people. The only difference is Ceri didn't beg for mercy. It was likely her wing was being readjusted, and the act of that hurt like a bitch. The only redeeming factor was that the pain would dull after it was in the right place once again. Hopefully the redhead was given some sort of hooch to protect herself with although.

A gust of wind hit Syvis. She let out a shiver as Dulthir's words echoed in her head about Elliot's tent. She groaned a little as she stood up to pace back and forth. Could she swallow her pride? It was something Syvis struggled with, but she'd be of little use with a cold. Damn. She walked towards his tent before hesitating and turning on her heel walking back to her horse blanket. The blonde did this about seven times before stopping at her final hesitation and breathing in with a gulp. Damn. Damn. Damn. Damn. She winced as she walked towards the tent slowly.

Her slender fingers pushed aside the fabrics slowly, as she made no effort to declare herself. Elliot was like her, he'd likely be able to recognize her scent the way she did his, long before she made way to the tent. Still if he held a knife to her throat it'd be an acceptable reaction she deemed. The tent door opened as she still pushed the fabric away to the side.

Elliot sat there in just his pants, and she had half a mind to feel embarrassed. His legs were tangled into a crossed position as her eyebrow rose, cocking itself. Had he reached reverie? She didn't know Half Breeds could do such a thing... she paused and observed. Her curiosity consuming her, unless he was simply meditating? Although it was inappropriate not to announce one's self so she cleared her throat slightly.. "Elliot.." she said softly into the semi-darkness of the canvas tent.

 

[Dulthir]

Ceri had went and laid down. Dulthir was cleaning up after bandaging her. He looked over and saw Syvis doing... well, he couldn't figure out what the fuck she was doing. Finally, she went into Elliot's tent. He smiled and quietly said...
"There ya go lass..."
After getting everything picked up, night had descended upon them. Ceri needed nourishment. He grabbed his crossbow and walked over to Karrazark.
"Keep an eye on em brother. Imma gonna try ta find some dinner."
After about an hour, give or take, Dulthir returned. He had happened upon a herd of sheep, grazing not far from here. He figured whomever they belonged to wouldn't mind donating one to their cause. He got a fire going, then set to cleaning and butchering it. Once the meat was cooked, he wrapped a good sized portion up and walked over to Elliot's tent. He just reached inside, blindly and placed it on the ground. Along with a couple of water skins He had filled at a small creek he found not far from their camp. He grabbed the other skins and the rest of the meat, and headed into his and Ceri's tent. Ceri was laying down, face first on the bedding. He placed the meat and water skins on the ground by her head.
"I know yer hurtin' love, but, ye need ta eat something. It'll help ye with tha healing."
Dulthir took his armor off, then stripped his clothes. He laid down behind her, and gently rubbed her arm. It felt like it had been months since they... "connected" with one another that night. But, in truth, it had only been a few nights ago, the night before they left out to join the Free Company. But, making love was not what he was concerned with. He just wished there was something he could do to take her pain away. Alas, there wasn't. He leaned forward and gently kissed the back of her neck, then laid back, running his fingers thru her hair, softly.
Ceridwen Syvis Elliot Aldmar

 

[Ceridwen]

Ceri fell asleep after a few minutes, exhaust taking its toll on her, mixed with the pain and liquor she couldn't fight it anymore and she slipped into a deep sleep. She somewhat heard his words, though she wasn't really awake when he said them "I know yer hurtin' love, but, ye need ta eat something. It'll help ye with tha healing." and she gave a soft "uhuh."

She didn't really awaken until he laid besides her and rubbed her arm. She startled slightly and blinked as she looked back to him before smiling and moving to cuddle back into him more. The smell of the meat made her ache for it and while she tried to ignore the hunger, it was impossible. She blinked trying to fully wake up as he leaned closer and kissed the back of her neck, giving her goosebumps. She smiled softly as she moved to sit up and he laid back, running his fingers through her long crimson hair. She grabbed a bit of meat and a water skin. She took a drink, looking to him with a light smile

"Thank you my love" She said softly as she unwrapped the meat and took a bite as she looked to him quietly. She had no clue how long she'd been asleep to be honest and she looked to the tent doorframe. "Are Elliot and Syvis ok?" She asked softly as she took another bite of food and chewed it slowly before drinking some more water. She wrapped the meat, she'd eat more later but for now the ache was soothed, she didn't want to eat more than her body could handle right away so she took her time. She settled the meat and water skin back away and moved to lay on her side facing Dulthir. She scooted close and buried her face against his chest, laying her arm over him gently as she closed her eyes again. She thought to undress as well, she'd be more comfortable in the long run, she knew that, but she couldn't imagine trying to do so right now, it sounded like too much work so she opted not to.

As she settled against him she lifted her chin to look to him and smiled faintly. They'd been thru a massive chunk of stuff since they met but she was happy and comfortable with him and looked forward to seeing where their relationship went, she'd go wherever he wanted to go. She smiled softly and let her eyes close as she listened to his breathing.

Elliot Aldmar
Syvis
Dulthir

 

[Elliot Aldmar]

...it had been rough, but they--the Guardsmen--had stood in his way. And it was their fate to then become the way. Their deaths were necessary for Alexia's freedom, for the fulfillment of his commitment. To conjure to mind thoughts of what could have been was to engage in fruitless foolishness; there was only what was, time a singular path. Idealism, therefore, remained the vain wishing for things not in one's control to contort themselves to that fanciful standard of "could have been, should have been." It was an avoidance to endure the world as it was, a failure to recognize how one truly attained satisfactoriness with life.

It was necessary for those Guardsmen to die.

And it would be necessary for a great many more people to die. Elliot accepted this, for his adherence to his personal ethic was not dependent upon the cost of its maintenance. There was no price so great that it would cause him to abandon his morals. Thus, only time and due preparation separated him from the finishing of what was left undone in Dornoch. But of course--

He heard the clearing of a throat. His name.

Elliot opened his eyes. A mild surprise in seeing Syvis there, her mostly silhouetted form backlit by the scant evening light through the tent flap. He'd reckoned a definitive end to their association after she had said what she had been meaning to say earlier. So this was unexpected. With such in mind, he could but guess at her intention now. But he was receptive to what, if anything, she had to say.

He stayed seated in his reflective posture. Nodded slightly. Said, "Go ahead."

Syvis Ceridwen Dulthir