Open Chronicles Alliria

[Elliot Aldmar]

Nice of Syvis to offer. But Elliot declined and told her so. He wanted to stay up and alert primarily--he'd push through the fatigue as he had before. But also, if everybody couldn't take small shifts of sleep while they were on the move, then Elliot resolved that he would not. He and Syvis and Dulthir could easily, but with Ceridwen it was difficult. Best if they all went without rest together. There was something to be said of shared suffering.

Badger sniffed out a small lake (or a big pond, it was a borderline case) that was due south of some northerly hills and it was here that they stopped for their brief stop. Elliot drank and drank and filled his waterskins. He ate some of his rations. A hearty meal for the brief time in which they were stopped; there was no telling if they would have time later for it. And before they left the lake (or pond) the evening had become night and the smell of rain was in the air from those clouds which had also snuffed out the light of the moon.

Back on the road, Elliot did not light a torch. It wasn't that the fire would soon be made useless by the rain. He didn't want to give away their position to the Free Company, should they be close enough on their tail to see a small shimmer of orange in the pitch black.

"Times like these, being a full-blooded dark elf would've been useful," he mused aloud as Badger trotted along the darkened road. He lacked the superb nightvision of even other half-drow, truth be told, having lived all his life aboveground. Maybe that'd still be case if he was full-blooded and had lived much the same life.

Still, it left the world to Elliot as only various shapes of black against the only-slightly-less-black backdrop of the clouded sky. Abyssal outlines of the trees about the road stood like a legion of pillars holding up the midnight firmament of the world. Sounds he heard quite well. Ceridwen coming down to land and trot alongside Badger. Karrazark shuffling along in the lead. The quiet, steady rhythm of Syvis's breathing. They would all have to be as Dulthir said of his kin, able to go through the night and then some. This, if they wished to reach Alexia before the Free Company.

Then the rain started. A slow drizzle at first. A steady fall following. Not a downpour, but indeed that steady fall, light but cold, the sound of the droplets pattering on the leaves above and the forest floor below and on the hardpacked dirt of the road came to surround them with perhaps a dangerously relaxing melody that might well tempt their eyes to shut. Or mayhap the coldness of the rain was just biting enough to keep them awake.

Small comforts, as they rode in the rain and in the dark. Elliot and Syvis had the warmth of one another, as did Dulthir and Ceridwen. Small comforts.

Syvis Ceridwen Dulthir

 

[Syvis]

Syvis nodded at his response, it was commendable truly. As they slowed to a stop at the pond she watched everyone drink and eat, herself staying perched on a rock nearby. Drinking and eating could do her well, yet she felt no desire for it so she simply didn't do it. It was likely she would have starved if she was a full born human, due to her lack of appetite or perhaps it was her bloodlines that forced a lack of hunger apon her, she hadn't a clue yet it was something to ponder.

A chortle escaped Syvis' throat as he made a comment about his human blood, it was cynical really yet she herself found statements along similar lines escaping her lips a couple of times in the past, yet more and more she found her lineage nothing to be ashamed of, be it self acceptance or just absence from the Elven courts she'd yet to reflect upon. "I'm afraid I am also of no use." her vision was better than say a human's at night yet it was nothing compared to a species of the night, all she saw were vague maude outlines.

Her ears had still remained alert throughout the journey, it was better for her to be on edge then unprepared, especially when an assumedly pissed gang of mercenaries were on their trail. She didn't wish Ceri to push herself to the point of exhaustion yet the dug up claws of earth worried Syvis, not many animals made such a path. They might as well be doing the work for the Free Company, yet she said nothing, settling her paranoia and keeping herself stiff yet loose should action be required.

The noises of the forest were soothing however, they reminded her of the whispery winds bouncing between the trees back in her home, the forest always a pleasant memory. She heard the rain hit leaves before she herself felt it. At first it was relaxing yet as it progressed it grew colder. Despite having some of Elliot's body heat it was proving a nuisance that she had forgot her cloak forcing her to endure such weather in a blouse. Such is life, at times being unprepared truly will bite you in the ass so there she sat shivering yet silent. Syvis would not whine over something such as this for all it would do is make her appear obtuse and unprepared.

 

[Dulthir]

They came up to the lake. Dulthir slid off of Ceri and rubbed her feathers.
"Rest love. I'm Karrazark and I can rustle ye up some food."
He went over to Karrazark who was still sniffing the air, in between drinks. Dulthir scratched him behind his ears.
"Yer doin good lad. Keep it up. Imma gonna get us something ta eat. Berries for ye and I, perhaps a rabbit for Ceri."
Dulthir grabbed his bow and searched the area. In dimming light he saw a rabbit hopping about. He drew his bow, and released. It was a small squeak, and it was over. Dulthir walked up and grabbed the rabbit.
"Aye, yer a fat one. Cer'll love ya."
He gathered some berries and by luck, found some wild carrots. He came back and dropped a pile of berries and carrots in front of Karrazark. With a carrot hanging out of his mouth like a cigar, he took the rabbit to Ceri.
"Here ye go love. If'n ye want more, I can rustle ye up some."
He grabbed some jerky from his bag,, and filled his skins with water. Once everyone was thru, he looked to Karrazark.
"Alright, brother. Back to it."
Karrazark grunted, and took off, resuming the search like he had never even stopped..
Ceridwen Syvis Elliot Aldmar

 

[Ceridwen]

Ceri landed lightly by the lake and dropped so Dulthir could dismount. She walked into the water, the cold feeling great upon her sore muscles. She was used to traveling but this pace was a bit rough. She dropped into the water, kicking her hind legs out behind her as she lay in the coolness. She lowered her beak into the water while she lay there, taking deep sucks of the water before lifting her head to let the water glide down her throat.

She lifted her head to watch everyone curiously, turning her eyes upon Dulthir as he brought her a rabbit to eat. She stood, shaking the water off as she picked it up and placed her scaled feet on it, sinking a sharp talon deep. She opened her wings, shielding them from the gore as she sunk her beak into it and tore crimson flesh from the animal. She lifted her head, tossing the chunk up and swallowing it whole, bones, fur and all.

She cood softly as she kept eating, lowering her haunches to the ground to sit as she ate quickly, knowing their time was limited. She continued until the rabbit was mostly gone, then she stood, hooking the rest and walking to Karrazark to offer it to him. She knew some swine ate meat, so she wanted to offer. He did not eat it, time had run out anyway and they were to depart again. She swallowed the last chunk and shook off quickly again so Dulthir would be able to ride without getting wet.

She bounded towards Syvis and nudged her playfully, also nudging Elliot Aldmar lightly before dropping her chest to the ground so Dulthir could hop back on.

 

[Elliot Aldmar]

In the saddle, Syvis sat shivering and Elliot was very much like her. Both silent, both enduring what they must. It did remind him though that he ought to acquire a new traveling cloak for times such as these. The general store he had visited had none, and he reckoned that it would not be much of an issue and had resigned it for later. And now he reaped the cold, soaked reward of his decision. If he ever met again the human who had stolen his old cloak--the short-timer in the Free Company, lasting a number of days countable with the fingers of two hands--Elliot was going to put an arrow through his leg.

It rained all through the night, ceasing only an hour or so before the thin light of the coming dawn. Elliot was concerned that Karrazark might lose the scent, but he heard the pig marching on in the darkness still. Good, and especially so since they were depending upon him.

The rain did cease, and the dawn did come.

And it was then that Karrazark let out a few snorts and started to deviate from the road. Heading into the wilderness in a northerly direction.

Elliot perked up. A sign. Most certainly. If Alexia did stop for the night, it was very likely that she would have done so out in the wilderness rather than in the inns of the smaller towns in Alliria's immediate shadow.

"We might be getting close," he said, glancing over to Dulthir and Ceridwen. A dull, faint tug of fatigue had been toying with his eyes, especially in the final moments of full dark before the rising light, but now he was perfectly awake and alert. "Ceridwen, see what you can see." And Dulthir could help with that too.

Badger turned off of the road and followed after Karrazark into the woods. Elliot gave a light snap of the reins and she upped her trot to keep pace with the invigorated pig. And then to Syvis, Elliot said, "We can try parley--see how far that gets us, if at all." She knew what to do otherwise. "It would be best if I did not say much. At least at first."

* * * * *

A MILE NORTH FROM THE ROAD​

(Emmanuel Lubezki)​

There was lowland clearing some distance away from the four of them, on nearly all sides surrounded by gentle downsloping hills and further to the north the blue and black silhouettes of larger hills where behind the breaking clouds was hidden the morning sun. The trees were sparse around the edges of this clearing and in the center much standing water, certainly more than one night's rain would accumulate, and this spotty and scattered shallow water formed something like little islands of slightly higher ground--patchwork in nature.

Down in this clearing and on a larger patch of ground was Alexia and her retinue of nine guardsmen formerly loyal to the House of June, in a threadbare camp of five tents total. Mathew Tillman, de facto leader of the guardsmen given his age and time in service, had relented to Alexia's wishes. They like Elliot, Syvis, Dulthir and Ceridwen (and as well the Free Company) had been riding through the night and through the rain. Alexia, worried that she or one of the men might catch illness, had pleaded and reasoned well enough to convince Mathew that they could stop and rest, get at least four hours of sleep before the dawn came. Peter was dead, wasn't he? The Allirian Guard would likely think he gone east again, wouldn't they? They could go far from the road, off the beaten trail.

And so they did. Settling for the night by the available water sources of the lowland clearing and warming and drying themselves with concealed fires.

But now the dawn had come, and it was almost time to go.

Men were currently donning their armor, rearming themselves. One was tending to their horses, watching them drink and graze. Another was shaving. Two more were starting to break down the tents. Alexia, wanting just five more minutes, was half-awake and half-asleep in one of said tents. Mathew himself ate the last bite of his morning ration.

Ceridwen Dulthir Syvis

 

[Syvis]

Her face curled into a smile as she observed the Dwarf and the Griffin, they truly were a cute couple. The ideal. Her head found its way to Elliot's shoulder once again and she felt her eyelids droop. Her fingers pressed her thumbnail giving her a jolt of pain and adrenaline, she needed to stay awake despite her best efforts.

Syvis nodded. "I'll talk. Women don't respond to men as-" she patted Elliot's head "-sometimes the things you lot say come off thick." The tone in which she spoke was surprisingly energetic and bright eyed despite the sleep deprivation. Her hand made its way back to the saddle horn, his hair was soft from the minerals of the rain water. It was nice.

She eyed the clearing observing the half armoured men she was assessing the weak parts of their armor. What she could stab and what would hurt her should she try. Subtleness was never one of her strong suits so she looked at Elliot, "Be ready." she told him before bringing her fingers up to her mouth to let out a shrill whistle that travelled across the valley. She was soaked, semi-hungry and frankly done. If you wanted something done you just had to do it.

The result is what she wished, a panicked group of men scanning the area to look for them, rushing for weapons and to push on their armor to be at least a little at the ready. Her laugh was one of true enjoyment as she watched the men scramble about, before she composed herself calling out to the group of men. "I AM ELYNA CARSE AND I DO BELIEVE I HAVE SOME INFORMATION YOUR MISTRESS JUNE WOULD BE SO BLESSED TO HEAR!" she'd given them a fake name of course, she was no idiot when this got back to the Free Company her neck wouldn't be on the line. "Fake name." She stated the obvious to Elliot, just to ensure her safety.

With that she gave Badger a kick to the side kicking her into action, "I'd suggest you lead her." Syvis laughed as she kept her hands steadfast on the saddle horn. As the horse moved she grabbed one of her easier access daggers from her stomach and sides and slid it into a boot pocket. It wasn't a perfect disguise for her blade yet for a quick look over it would do. After all, she didn't really need a knife but ripping eyeballs out herself messed with her manicure and that peeved her. Syvis paid fair coin to look this good.

 

[Dulthir]

Dulthir saw the group of men. He began assessing the situation. He didn't want to kill these men. He'd injure them as little as possible, if need be. Ceri was alongside Karrazark. Dulthir leaned down and kissed Ceri on top of the head.
"Stay alert, love. This could go sideways in a hurry."
He stood and hopped off her back on to Karrazark, his axe still sheathed across his back. He wanted to try and keep this a peaceful situation if possible. He let Syvis talk. She gave a false name. He shook his head and thought, "Fooking elves...". He had Karrazark keep pace with Badger and he watched the men scramble. Men... of the nine, only one man was among them. The apparent leader of the group. The rest were boys who probably hadn't even gotten their cocks wet yet. He watched and waited to see what Elliot did next.
Ceridwen Syvis Elliot Aldmar

 

[Ceridwen]

"Stay alert, love. This could go sideways in a hurry."

Ceri nodded softly as Dulthir kissed the top of her feathered head before standing and jumping off of her and onto jumping Karrazark. Ceri opened her wings, slamming them downwards as she kicked off the ground with her strong hind legs, pushing herself into the air. She gained enough air to make sure she was not automatically noticeable to the group they were after when they looked to the other 3 in her group. She would likely go unnoticed but also, she could take out a good chunk of them easily swooping down on them if need be.

She hovered for a moment before moving to position herself over the other group, her sharp eyes watching closely, her ears perked forward also paying strict attention to them. She opened and closed her taloned feet slightly, stretching and warming the muscles as she did so. She tore her eyes from the enemy group, back to Dulthir, Syvis and Elliot Aldmar then back to their enemies. Ready for anything...

 

[Maranae]

"This isn't the best idea you've had, Cade."

It wasn't the first time that she'd said as much, nor the second, nor the tenth. It wouldn't be the last, either, and he knew it. So he simply sat where he was, a cup of dark coffee nestled in his hands while the smokeless fire - a product of Alyse' magic, much like the fact that they were dry was - crackled away. It was the predawn hours of the morning, when the sky only had the faintest pearl to mark the coming rising of the sun. At this time, he always felt at peace.

"Give over on it, sis. The money is nice, and why give up such a simple task to someone else when we're already in the right place, and at the right time?" He glanced over towards the source of her frustration, and smirked. "That this isn't going to go anywhere, and its harmless anyway. Wonder why they want so much for the damn critter."

She threw her hands in the air, and continued on in a subdued - if vehement - voice. "It took damned near everything we had just to knock the bitch out," she hissed at him. It was true that the girl - if it was a girl - had put up relatively little fight, fleeing at every opportunity. "As I recall, she almost knocked you out when we were trying to hobble her."

"It," he said placidly. "It isn't human. And so long as we crack it across the head good and hard every few hours, it will be no trouble at all."

The subject of their conversation was near to hand. They had suspended to pole between two convenient trees, and the pole - stout as it was, sagged under the weight of the baggage it bore. Boyishly slim and tall, with fiery red hair hanging in a tangled mess to the ground, the 'girl' they had captured hung like a rag doll. The chimera was out cold, which was just as well. The ragged clothing she - it - wore was stained with its own blood, and that of the things that it had killed while on its own.

Alyse stared at it with hard eyes. "So long as 'it' decides to not fight, it will not be a problem. Why would you want to go and take up another contract-"

"Bounty," the man said sharply.

"Ok, bounty. Whatever. Why? We have to bring this thing back to Vel Anir to collect the reward for that, first." Alyse regarded her brother with clear eyes, the grey matching the morning sky. She worked absently on honing one of her knives that she virtually never used.

"Because we can? How difficult can one girl be? Even if she has guards, they are human. Or at least they aren't monsters. Can you tell me you are concerned about mundane prey, considering the things we usually hunt?"

"I am just concerned that you are biting off more than you can chew, and we'll end up with neither prize. We have one, why go after more?" She slipped her knife back where it belonged, and stood. She planted her fists on her hips, leather creaking as she did. "Its foolish, Cade McClain."

He shrugged. "Too late to do anything about it now. Already accepted the job, so there's nothing to do but get it done." He took a drink of the dark brew, turned to regard her with cool blue eyes. "Is the camp still there." he asked her, changing the subject. She sniffed at him, and looked off into the patch of trees they had set up their camp in.

"Yes. I haven't seen the girl, but I have seen her guards. There are eight or nine of the-" She cut off abruptly at his sharp look, and her eyes narrowed. "It was dark, damn it. This is your line of work, not mine." He shrugged, and then made a twirling motion with the index finger of one hand, which just made her bristle even more. "Eight or nine of them. They shouldn't pose too much trouble if I can get within line-of-sight of them. I could put them to sleep or befuddle them, and then you can do what you need to do."

Cade smiled. It wasn't a very nice smile, though, and it made his otherwise fair features a little uglier. He stood up, and stretched. He wore light chain and leather, a sword at each hip and several knives secreted about his person. He was no assassin, but he had been chasing bounties for twenty years and knew his business. He was still alive, which spoke a great deal about his capability. He looked sharply towards their captive, who had begun to stir a few minutes prior. With a grim look, he bent over and picked up a chunk of wood that they had been burning and made his way over to the girl.

While she made feeble motions, he bent low...and struck her across the back of the head so hard the piece of wood splintered. There was the patter of blood, but the thing stopped moving almost immediately. He grunted as he tossed the wood aside.

"Well, best be at it then. Morning is the best time for this sort of work, especially when they aren't expecting anything."

It was a shame the pair had no idea about the other four that were nearby; it might have made a significant difference in their plans.

 

[Elliot Aldmar]

I'll talk....

This, along with Elliot sitting quite obscured behind her in the saddle, could work out well. The rest Elliot made no comment on. Frankly, he found the reverse to be just as true--especially in Dornoch.

Elliot and Syvis rode down the gentle hill into the clearing, Dulthir mounted Karrazark again, and Ceridwen took flight, all of them approaching the camp. Elliot held onto the reins as Syvis's kick coaxed Badger into a healthy pace. Water splashed up around them as they dipped in and out of the ankle-deep pools scattered about the clearing and they were set for the camp.

Meanwhile, Mathew Tillman and the rest of the House June guards snapped their attention over to them when they heard the whistle. Mathew let out a small curse. It wasn't much, one horse and one...pig with three riders between them, so far as he could see. But it was perhaps a portent of something worse, no matter what this Elyna Carse had to say. Mathew took up his bow and nocked an arrow as did two others similarly armed; there was but a sole, small tree for cover, so they stood steady in the open. He told one of the other guardsmen to hurry and wake Alexia if she was not already so. Swords were drawn or secured and the rest of the men stood as ready as they could be, half-armored, one with half of his face shaved and the other with the scruff of a beard, but they'd no more time.

"THAT'S CLOSE ENOUGH!" Mathew shouted.

And Elliot made Badger stop, the horse rearing slightly and splashing up more water as her hooves came back down and turning about for a moment before Elliot could make her face the camp head on again--better to keep himself mostly concealed. They were some thirty, thirty-five meters out still.

"We don't care who you are or what information you might have," Mathew shouted across the gap. Worrisome, though, that this Carse woman knew that Lady June was among them. "Go back the way you came! We'll not receive you."

None of the men had looked up yet to notice Ceridwen, their eyes all fixed upon the three before them, and neither were they aware of the new threat perhaps watching from behind them. Alexia, groggily and led by one of the guardsmen, came out from one of the tents and battled sleep from her eyes with her knuckles.

"There. I see her," Elliot said. Though he did not know how Syvis or Dulthir or even Ceridwen might talk the guards down--if it were even possible. Elliot himself, should he have been in one of their shoes and had set himself to escorting Alexia, wouldn't back down at all. But he had his Bow, and he could put into action if such action was indeed (perhaps inevitably) called for. With the Free Company undoubtedly somewhere close behind them, it was not as if they'd too much time for parley to begin with.

Alexia surely would hate them for it. Tough.

Syvis Ceridwen Dulthir Maranae

 

[Syvis]

Syvis laughed at the men telling her to halt. "Oh but good sir, I have not asked for you to receive me. I told you your mistress shall receive me." It was a dangerous move, but with that she hopped off the horse into the knee deep pool surrounding the horse. A waste of perfectly good trousers, she frowned.

"You shall soon see I am not the one that is a threat, a Peter June although..." Her teeth flashed in a pearly white motion leaving her looking as if she was a predator looking at her prey. Syvis' eyes darted around assessing the men with their bows upon her, one of them shaking. It would be a tad of a challenge but she reckoned she could kill them all, but they might have use further on. Although more people, more tracks, a death would be such a sweet mercy. Quite the conundrum she was debating internally.

Finally she made her choice. Best not to act rash, after all Elyna was just a girl, a girl in a pretty flowery blouse. Nothing worth attacking. She walked forward slowly, she gave Elliot a side eye as if saying, "If one of these bastards dare hits me I will kill them all." her small hands were up as she continued her glide through the heavy water.

 

[Dulthir]

The guard told them to stay back. Dulthir shook his head. This was already going the wrong way. Then Syvis hopped off Badger. She approached the guards, hands raised. Her words and tone of voice, Dulthir smiled and leaned down to Karrazark.
"She's good, brother. I almost believe she's a sweet, innocent girl."
He chuckled. But, his hand slipped behind him and gripped his crossbow that was strapped to the back of Karrazark's saddle. He didn't want to, but, he was ready to drop the first one that showed aggression towards Syvis. He cut his eyes upward toward Ceri. She had the best view of the situation and he knew she'd let them know if action was required. He focused back on Syvis and the guard she spoke with. Then he heard Elliot say he spotted Alexia. He looked and saw the sleepy eyed girl emerge from the tent. He made a quick survey of the area, looking for signs of the mercs. Karrazark began grunting, his snout in the air, and began clapping his upper and bottom jaw together. He was faced toward the tree line. Dulthir looked to Elliot.
"Be ready lad. There's something, or someone in the trees over ther."
He motioned towards the tree line, staring in that direction, looking for signs of movement.
Ceridwen Syvis Elliot Aldmar Maranae

 

[Ceridwen]

Ceri's eyes picked up movement from the treeline, her gaze going from the camp, to her group, to the treeline which had a girl hanging between trees, apparently asleep. She tilted her head at the sight, lifting her beak slightly to see if she could catch the scent of that group, but she could not, being in the air quite a ways away. She growled slightly, not understanding why this group had a girl hanging in this position but she had a group of her own to worry about first.

The muscles aligning her flank, her lion half, rippled with anticipation as it hung loosely, keeping her in one spot as her wings slammed downwards to keep her afloat and out of sight. Her eyes scanned everyone quickly, Syvis jumped off Badger and walked in the direction of their prey. She frowned slightly, the corners of her beak curling downwards. She wasn’t sure why… but she had a very bad feeling about all of this. She kept her eyes on Syvis as she made her way through the water, heading towards the men with her hands lifted. Ceri eyed Elliot Aldmar for seconds before she tilted her wings, tightening the muscles aligning her sides to straighten her flank with her upper body once again and moving, following Syvis step for step and staying above her. As it stood, she appeared to be the one in the most danger.

Her eagle eyes caught Dulthir pulling his crossbow as he whispered to Karrazark, though she could not hear what he said, she was too high up. The strong muscles in her shoulders, attached to her strong wings tensed with each long wingstroke. She kept her eyes on their prey, ready to dive in a second if the need arose. Her beak parted as she began panting with the anticipation and adrenaline racing through her body. She knew, her white pelt and feathers would keep her pretty well hidden up here, in the sky, against the clouds of morning, especially with her being so far up. She kept herself close enough that if she needed to, she’d slam her wings shut and gravity would tear her down towards the ground, an attack the enemy would not expect. She would then use the weapons she was born with. Likely, she would shift into her anthro form just before hitting the ground, her strength, speed and agility would be best in that form she guessed. She hadn’t spent a lot of time fighting, EVER…. But she had an animal instinct ingrained in her that she would listen to if it came down to that.

Maranae

 

[Maranae]

She looked upon the camp with grey eyes hooded. She had braided her hair so it would not get in the way in case of any trouble, and then made her way through the woods as quietly as she knew how. She had done everything she could to muffle the chain that she wore over her leather tunic and trousers; it was intricate sorcery but not particularly powerful or power intensive.

It had been the better part of half a mile between their camp and this particular camp, and she had made good time over that ground. The chimera remained unconscious lashed hand and foot to the pole and would, likely, trouble no one at all. No, what troubled her right now was the encampment before her. More importantly, the fact that yet another small group of people had joined the others. It was far too far away for her to be able to hear what it was they were saying, but judging as best she could, it was not clear whether the new group - three that she could see - was necessarily friendly or not with the others.

I hope you use your head, brother. Please don't do anything rash. Please don't die on me today. Hard eyes staring down the shallow slope, hard and cold. There was no room for emotion when work called. She often wondered if Cade ever had such internal thoughts, but suspected that the man did not. He was certainly sure enough of himself, and knowing him as she did, he wasn't necessarily wrong to be so.

She looked to the sky, to the sun just breaking the horizon, and shivered lightly. Looking back down, she knew that it was time to do what needed to be done, whatever her thoughts on the matter. Do I muddle their minds or try to put them to sleep? Magic that affected the mind was terribly difficult to pull off if you did not know the target personally. Even then, it was difficult. She knew her limits, and knew that at the absolute best she might only be able to mislead them for a few moments. She looked down at her feet to make sure the bow and arrows were still there; a dozen arrows had their heads thrust lightly into the soil, easy to pluck, draw, and loose in quick succession if the need arose.

I could increase their distrust, she thought to herself. She began to incant soft syllables that had no meaning - at least no meaning for the purpose of communication. Increase their anxiety, make them more focused on one another and less on us. Maybe start a fight? Unpredictable. Unpredictable at absolute best. But as she had noted before, muddling in peoples heads was the least effective of magics that she knew, for all that so many thought it was the end all, be all of high sorcery.

Soft syllables, the intensely muted thrum of power. She only hoped they had none down there so sensitive that they could pick her up. Perhaps, though, even in failing that it might provide distraction for Cade. She could not see him, nor could she feel him; he was somewhere between her position and the encampment below.

She let the spell fly, and hoped she would get any result at all even as she stooped down to pick up the recurved longbow, plucking a couple of arrows free, knocking one and holding the other between the fingers of the hand holding the bow itself.

And waited.

 

[Elliot Aldmar]

Mathew Tillman's response was immediate as Syvis dismounted and started to approach. He shouted across the gap, "Do NOT! Come any closer! We will slay you where you stand if you do!"

He and the other two guards armed with bows had them aimed on the approaching half-elf. Arrows drawn back. Ready to loose. They held steady, but Mathew could see the quivering hand of the mate on his right--Orrem. Godsdamn it, he just wanted to do right by both Lady Junes, she who had been slain and she who was in their care now, and then get the hell out of Alliria. He and Orrem and the rest of the men. So what if they had taken some coin. It belonged to a son of a bitch, and it would do well for the men among them who had families.

And this half-elf knew of Lord June. Almost spoke in a manner that suggested he wasn't dead. But he was dead...Mathew had seen the body. The blood. He was dead. Of course he was dead. Stop it. Stop doubting. Alexia stabbed him through rightly and that was that. But what if he...wasn't? Wasn't dead? How else would this half-elf and the others with her know to come and find them and to bandy about such names? Shit. Fuck! These could be more hired swords, like those that had captured Alexia and slew her mother. And just where were all the rest of them, then?

Elliot, meanwhile, stayed sat in the saddle atop Badger and eyed Syvis briefly as she was walking through the shallow water. He caught the particular look she gave him, and it was the kind of look he wanted to see in a matter like this. Syvis had guts. No typical thief, as he had thought before. Elliot had no hands poised to grab his Bow, but if the killing started then his hands would be on it and he'd get to work. He wouldn't leave Syvis dangling in the wind out there by herself.

Dulthir then. Relaying a quick note to him. Something in the treeline. Elliot had no idea who or what it could be, or whether it was Karrazark or perhaps Dulthir with a keen eyesight uncommon to dwarves (and uncommon to many races for that matter) who had detected this presence, but he believed it.

"Understood," he said back in a low tone. A brief flick of his eyes toward the far treeline in the watery clearing but he saw nothing. His attention flicked back to Mathew, the guardsmen, and Alexia.

Who had been coming forward through the camp, approaching the front line of Mathew and Orrem and the other bowman. Her eyes squinted, her head at an angle, the "Is that...?" look many wore while confirming for a certainty what they saw. And Alexia did at last recognize Elliot. The surreptitious spell sent like a midnight whisper of wind their way by Alyse certainly enhancing what was already there.

"YOU!" she shouted, coming even more forward and sticking her head out from between Mathew and Orrem's tensed arms and one guardsmen trying to pull her back. "I remember you, Elliot! If that even is your real name! You punched me!"

"I did," Elliot called back. Not I'm sorry, because he wasn't.

Mathew let out another curse under his breath as his fears were practically confirmed. Refocused his attention back to Syvis. Reiterated forcefully, "STAY! BACK!"

"You brought me back to him, you heartless bastard!"

"I did," Elliot called back again.

"And now you're coming back again! What more do you want from me? What??"

Alexia struggled against the guard trying to pull her back, struggled to stay where she was behind the three bowmen and to continue to berate Elliot. Her yelling, her accusations, brought the guardsmen even more on edge. Tense glances bounced from Dulthir to Elliot to Syvis and back again. Hearts beat furiously in the chests of the men. Beads of sweat ran down cheeks, down into eyes.

"I want to help you," Elliot called back flatly, interrupting the dressing down he was received.

"BULLSHIT!" Alexia hollered back.

The situation was getting worse.

Syvis Ceridwen Dulthir Maranae

 

[Syvis]

Syvis stopped. They threatened to slay her. Damn human boars acting as if they could touch her. Standing steady she composed herself it was not time to kill yet, but soon.

Her head shot to the tree line. Magic. Syvis herself never learned the intense abilities of her people when it came to magic as she could never focus despite this she had some spells up her sleeves and like most moon elves she was magic sensitive, Looking at the tree line she snarled. “Come on out weasel!” She screamed. “I feel your weak spell, attempting to make my job harder are we?” Her tone proposed in an enraged manner.

Her anger was only dulled when the girl they were trying to save came screaming like a banshee. Syvis laughed hysterically at her antics before she determined she had enough of her shrieks. “Enough you petulant little bitch. If you’re to kill daddy dearest check his fucking pulse, so I don’t have to get threatened by boys who’s balls haven’t even dropped yet for trying to help you. So what he punched you? Get over yourself many men punched me, do you see me screaming my head off? Drawing attention to myself when I’m on the run? Do you honestly have ANY survival instinct?!?” Syvis hollered at her.

She huffed. As of right now she was hungry and soaked and now fighting off a head ache from a screaming child. In quick movements she threw a dagger towards the shaking man, not in a killing manner she simply nicked his hand causing him to drop the bow instinctively. “Now do you want our information or shall I leave you to let this girl fuck up everything leading to all of you being skinned alive by one very angry lord?” She proposed to the group angrily.

 

[Dulthir]

Dulthir couldn't see anything in the tree line, it was too far off. But, Karrazark's nose had never failed them. Then, a... haze came over Dulthir, for a moment. He shook his head. Then he heard Syvis scream towards the tree line. Magic... Dulthir spit. He had no use for magic. Especially mind magic. From what he knew, it affected weak minded individuals. Dulthir was not weak minded. That, coupled with the outburst from Alexia, made the spell ineffective. He shot a look at Ceri, uncertain how it may or may not affect her. He pulled his crossbow, bolt ready. He didn't know what or who was in the trees, but, all of a sudden, they concerned him more than the guards before them.
Ceridwen Syvis Elliot Aldmar Maranae

 

[Ceridwen]

She snarled slightly, feeling the tickle of magical energy cascading through the air surrounding everyone. She did not know where it was coming from, but it bounced off her like water off a ducks back. Magic of that weakness would have no affect on her as she was a creature made up of magic, but she surely felt it as it attempted to touch her. She turned her emerald eyes towards the treeline, as that seemed to be where everyone else looked before looking back down to Syvis as things began to escalate. She growled deeply, the sound coming from beneath her sternum and rising up through her throat. She was quickly losing the capability of staying put, worry starting to cloud her judgement, concern that her friend was going to get herself killed overwhelming her.

When Syvis threw the dagger, she lost control of her animal side and she slammed herself towards the ground, folding her wings tightly she let gravity shoot her forward and she landed with a massive splash besides Syvis. Her beak parted and she let out a guttural screech in the direction of the obnoxious screaming breezy. She stayed in this form, if things escalated further, she could shift. She hissed loudly as her sharp talons sunk into the mud beneath her scaled forelimbs. She kept her wings open threateningly, making her look far larger than she actually was, her feathers also fluffed up along her head, neck and breast increasing the apparent size of her.

She eyed Syvis slightly before snapping her beak dangerously. Her tail lashed like a pissed off cats, showing her displeasure as she hissed at the enemies. Her ears were perked forward, showing she was not scared in the slightest and her emerald eyes had darkened slightly as she took in each threat separately. The muscles throughout her flank rippled, the short white fur upon her flank showing each ripple, each tightly aligned muscle which would send her shooting forward quickly and easily upon her prey should she need to be upon them. Her talons dug into the ground, a quick yank of her strong shoulder muscles along with the kick off of her hind end and it would take only seconds for her to negate the space between them.

She stood there, waiting for more to happen, keeping her eyes on the group cautiously, waiting, ready to strike and shed blood. The animal in her almost aching for it. She took a deep breath in through her nares before her beak fell open again and again she screeched loudly in their direction as a warning.
Dulthir
Elliot Aldmar
Maranae

 

[Maranae]

A gods-damned griffon, Alyse thought to herself in shock. She had not seen it flying overhead as she unleashed her magic, but the beast certainly made itself known rather quickly thereafter. It made her heart quicken in her chest, but instead of fear it was anticipation. Humans posed little challenge, but monsters? They posed a real threat.

It did not change the fact that this entire venture was one giant folly, and she would dress her brother down properly when it was all said and done. For now, that was unimportant.

Alyse took careful aim on the young Alexia, slowly raising the elevation of her bow as she incanted again. This time, unlike the prior time, the purpose was to still the air, to kill and crosswind so that she could strike true. Their make was the girl, and no other; there was no need to kill anyone else but the designated target. She would have preferred wounding the girl, but in this case there was no dead-or-alive.

Only her head in a sack.

She drew, and held. Her arm remained steady, and she could hold this for several minutes at least. She just needed a clear shot.

---

Cade moved through the trees like a ghost. Like his sister, he had a knack for magic. Unlike his sister, he had a definite aptitude for stealth, which he now used as though his life depended on it. He deliberately did not think of his little sister, standing back there on the tree line, ready to strike the first blow against the party below. Like her, he had been displeased to see that there were others there. Either they were after the girl themselves - and given the tension, he thought that was likely - or else they were simply a further complication to an already complicated problem.

He was on the opposite side of the clearing now, and thus far undetected. Blending into the scenery as he did, he slowed his approach. The denizens were getting a touch hostile, nay, violent with one another. He was not here to hurt anyone but the girl Alexia, but if the two disparate groups wanted to get into a fight with one another...why, he would let them. It would distract both sides from their stated purpose, and perhaps whittle down the numbers until it was more favorable to the siblings purpose.

Somewhere half a mile away, a redheaded creature stirred faintly.

 

[Elliot Aldmar]

The thrown dagger began a cascade of misfortune.

In that fateful second, all save the present moment no longer mattered. Syvis's call to someone or something in the treeline, her own dressing down of Alexia, Elliot's words--gone, behind the explosion of violence to come. A forthcoming explanation of intent after that fateful second did not matter. To Mathew and the men and Alexia they saw only the movement of Syvis's hand, the throw, the flash of steel, and the sharp cry of Orrem who had been struck. In that fateful second they'd but just that--less, even--to decide. Their lives depended upon it. And in that fateful second the language of violence spoke louder than any other. They had been attacked. They would continue to be attacked. They would all die if they did not act. These thoughts crystalized into instantaneous reaction, and it did not matter if these thoughts were true or not, no, not in that fateful second, when the tension had been burst open into a disfigured blossom of battle.

And so it began.

The dagger was thrown. Orrem cried out and dropped his bow and clutched at his hand. Mathew and the other man, whether truly by keen reflex or shock, loosed their aimed arrows at Syvis.

Alexia yelped, and then with her distrust now thoroughly enflamed with the coaxing aid of Alyse's spell yelled out, "I KNEW IT!"

Elliot kicked Badger into action and the mare strafed as Elliot drew his bow.

Ceridwen crashed down and a great splash of water accompanied her intimidating griffonic screech. Several of the guards armed with swords and round shields gasped with fright. Mathew, as he nocked another arrow with the other bowman, shouted with regard to Alexia, "GET HER OUT OF HERE!"

The half-shaven man was pulling her back, and successful at it this time, leading her in a hurry toward the horses at the other side of the camp.

Elliot did not concern himself with how the fight had begun or with matters of blame or any such nonsense. All that mattered to him now was that they were in it. And he would see it through, as far as it needed to go. He had an arrow nocked and from moving horseback he aimed and loosed and the bowman beside Mathew had an incredible stroke of luck, shivering with fright from Ceridwen's appearance at just the right moment in just the right way, and instead of his chest the arrow struck his spaulder with a clang and went spiraling, point tumbling over fletching, high into the air.

Orrem was scrambling to pick up his dropped bow with an injured hand. Mathew loosed his second arrow at Ceridwen. And the bowman beside Mathew returned fire on Elliot. Missing.

And striking Badger instead. The mare gave a pitiful shriek of pain and stumbled in her gallop and went crashing down into the shallow water, throwing Elliot in the process and he too splashed into the water and disappeared. White and red foam bubbled violently where Badger had went down, thin equine legs kicking and pounding in panic and agony. Elliot shot up from the water and wiped at his face, a gash on his forehead where he'd struck a rock, and a line of blood rolling down from it and down the right side of his nose and spilling off of his chin.

Two swordsmen began to charge Dulthir. He was armed with a crossbow, so it would not do well to leave him be and simply be shot at. The other three swordsmen (the sixth being the half-shaven man escorting Alexia) were quite hesitant to charge at Ceridwen, the griffin, and much more keen on standing their ground with their shields interlocked.

All this in the span of a few seconds, after the passing of that first, fateful one.

Syvis Dulthir Ceridwen Maranae

 

[Syvis]

As Ceri landed beside her Syvis stuck out a hand to pet her feathers slightly, a reassurance that she was okay. She did not deserve such affections from the griffon, the pure sorts.

Truth be told Syvis knew the second she threw that dagger it would all go down hill, but it needed to be so. Whatever was casting spells from the sidelines would likely use such a thing as an excuse and well, she was only told not to kill Alexia.

Syvis watched in slow motion as the bowmen hit Badger. “You fucking bastard” she snarled. With that she launched herself on the bowman knocking him down, she took a dagger out to lodge it in his skull. A fit of rage. She stabbed him repeatedly silently. Inside she was screaming but on the outside as the chaos erupted around her and the blood of a man long dead splattered her face she was a stone cold killer. When she finally got off the very dead man his face was a pulp.

She wanted to check on the flailing horse but it would only hurt her so, her heart constricted. Syvis got attached, being attached can do very bad things. Letting one tear fight a path through the red liquid splattered across her face she stood up.

She’d started this, now it was time to slink away. With a bloodied hand she wiped away the red over her eyes. She scanned for Elliot; he was bleeding. Her eyes flashed in a small amount of panic before she looked to make sure Ceri was okay, next she used the chaos to run after the half shaven man and the girl attempting to escape. Alexia wouldn’t be getting herself killed, the idiot had already ruined her whole life. Rolling her eyes Syvis upped her pace as Alexia struggled to run through the waters to get to the spooked horses stationed on dry land.

Mere hours ago she pitied the girl for being stalked but now she wished to knock some sense in her. An obtuse blithering sket. She determined, catching on the duos tail.

 

[Dulthir]

Dulthir saw Badger go down. Then Syvis lunged at the poor boy that that downed Badger. She turned his face into a bloody mush with her dagger. Then she took off after Alexia and the lone guard with her. He glanced to Elliot. He seemed ok, aside from the gash in his head. He saw the two swordsman running toward him and Karrazark. He looked to Ceri. There were three guards in front of her. Without hesitation, he pulled his crossbow and fired. The bolt went into the ear of the guard on Ceri's right side. Dulthir lept off of Karrazark. He looked to him.
"Go help Ceri, lad. I've got these two."
Karrazark grunted and headed toward Ceri and the guards in front of her. Dulthir turned to the two men in front of him, and pulled his axe. The first to reach him attacked, sloppily, whether from inexperience or just nerves. He swung wildly with his blade. He swung it in a downward stroke. Dulthir blocked it with the top edge of his axe. The way the blades curved, Dulthir, with a twist, was able to disarm him. Dulthir then hit him in the nuts with the handle. When the boy fell to his knees, Dulthir head butted him, knocking the boy unconscious. The second soldier was a bit more steady with his blade. He swung at Dulthir's face. Dulthir leaned back at the last second, dodging the attack, for the most part. The tip of the blade grazed his right cheek, slicing it open. Dulthir felt the sting, then he felt the wet, crimson fluid start running down his cheek. The young guard advanced again. Several strikes were made, and Dulthir blocked them all. This young man wasn't giving up. Dulthir blocked one of the strikes and punched the young soldier, knocking him to the ground. Dulthir, holding his axe at the ready, looked at him.
"Stay down lad. We're notta here ta hurt Alexia... we're tryin' ta..."
The young man wouldn't listen. He jumped up and lunged at Dulthir with reckless abandon. Dulthir, out of reflex, evaded the strike and swung his axe. The soldier went to his knees, his head rolled off his shoulders. Dulthir paused for a second. He looked to Ceri. Then the other boy who had attacked Dulthir started to regain consciousness. Dulthir struck him hard with the pummel of his axe.
"Stay down lad."
Dulthir then made his way towards Ceri and Karrazark.
Ceridwen Syvis Elliot Aldmar Maranae

 

[Ceridwen]

Syvis ran her hands through her feathers lightly for a second, the last fleeting second before things de-evlolved so quickly Ceri hardly had a chance to take it all in. Instinct kicked in to keep her going. She heard an arrow hiss past her, the clang it made against Matthew’s spaulder echoing in her mind as the arrow went dancing away.

Orrem struggled to pick up his bow as Mathew grabbed an arrow and aimed it in her direction. She sidestepped to protect her wings, the arrow finding solace in her shoulder with a sickening thud as the other bowman aimed for Elliot Aldmar. Pain rippled through her senses as the arrow hit her and she screeched venomously but inexperience kept her standing in place for a moment.

Until she heard Badger’s shriek, she turned her head quickly around and saw the stead drop mid-run, Elliot being thrown. Ceri didn’t wait to see if Elliot got up, she turned her head back towards Mathew and Orrem, the scent of blood filling her nares and making her anger worse. Syvis besides her bolted towards the bowman. Ceri did the same, kicking off with her hind legs, shooting herself forward towards the 3 swordsmen who held themselves locked behind their shield.

The guards held their shields at an angle that would not save them though, they expected an attack from higher up than what they ended up receiving. As she ran she kept her wings open to distract them and as she got close, she shifted to her anthro-form, melting into a human formed griffin. While they expected her tall massive weight to hit, it did not, instead at the last moment, the last few steps between them, the massive griffin that had bore down on them was gone. She slammed her wings shut as she sidestepped the men, to the left, slipping behind them in their confusion and grabbing the two on the outside by the sides. She sank her sharp talons into their sides, yanked backwards sharply on the flesh within her talons and swinging her arms behind her, while she snapped at the back of the neck of the 3rd, the one in the middle. Sharp edges of her golden beak sliced through flesh and muscle easily, the strong muscles aligning her jaw snapping so tight so quickly that the spine shattered under the pressure and the 3rd buckled almost instantly as his spinal cord was severed completely.

Karrazark came up upon them, taking up the attack on the guard that had been on the left, whom had been tossed bleeding and torn to the side. The guard was struggling to get his sword and Karrazark finished him off as Ceri did the same to the man that had been on the other side. She pounced him quickly, snapping her beak on his shoulder, where the neck and shoulder meet and yanking to snap his neck as well.

Adrenaline was coursing through her veins with her anger and she panted in her Anthro form as she looked around to the damage. Her eyes fell on Dulthir as he walked towards her and she looked around to make sure he was safe. Her white feathers were soaked with blood as she panted and the pain started to tickling her senses from the arrow but she ignored it. She looked to the treeline, for other dangers.

Maranae

 

[Maranae]

An opportunity presented itself. In his line of work, patience was something that was rewarded more often than not. The others were fools, thinking that direct action would solve their problems and allow them to capture the mark. Such a waste of lives, and Cade would take the time to spit on them and curse them once he was clear of this mess. Killing should only have been reserved for the mark, and not for the hapless or, as the case may be, willing bystanders. The guards were just doing their jobs, after all.

Syllables of power, misdirection abounding from the subtle use of magic, Cade struck. He was aware of the murderess that was on the trail of his mark, but with luck he would not have to deal with that worthy; instead, he cut a straight line for the duo of the half-shaved man and Alexia.

Alyse tracked the girl with the tip of her arrow held high, but did not loose. She could feel some strain in her arm, now, but the agreement between them held. An offer would be made, and refusal would mean that the girl had to die. Alyse very much hoped that it was not required.

Cade made his move, and Alyse shifted her target rapidly from Alexia to Syvis, tracking the woman as she approached the others. Still, she stayed her hand; there was no need to kill anyone other than the individual target they were here for. She just hoped that Cade could speak sense to the girl, or else abduct her to ask the question later.

And so he would attempt. Cade was light on his feet, and quiet as a snake. There was no way he could sneak up on someone at full speed, and so he didn't even try, leaping the water further upstream from Syvis with extraordinary skill and landing two thirds of the way across before clearing it and closing on the lone guard and Alexia. He had a heavy bladed knife out in each hand as he came into close quarters, the grips reversed, and he lashed out at the guard. Every strike in that rapid flurry of blows was designed to be non-lethal, to disarm his foe and, hopefully, render them unconscious. If he could manage that feat...

A quickly muttered syllable of power, drawing upon a rune etched into his armor, and a blast of wind slammed outward in front of him in an expanding arc. With luck, it would aid in disarming the guard and hopefully knock the girl off her feet, possibly startle the horses into bolting.

He remained aware of Syvis, rapidly approaching, and hoped that his sister would ward that one off his flank.

 

[Elliot Aldmar]

Some blood rose from the shallow water where the second man who attacked Dulthir had again collapsed. Splashes and waves followed a second later, and the man--with the fresh gash of the pommel strike on his head--came up from the water and gasped for breath. He didn't try to reach for his weapon. Just inhaled air and glanced around with worry and alarm.

Dulthir was walking away. But the man saw something else. "Wait-wait, don't--!"

An arrow struck him in the face from close range and he fell back, twitching and muttering in a fading and panicked hurry his last words which were unintelligible and he floated for a while on the surface of the shallow water. Elliot pulled another arrow from his quiver as he waded through the water and toward the island of dry land where the campsite lay. Badger was still thrashing wildly behind him, but as the seconds ticked on this thrashing became less and less pronounced. Elliot put it out of his mind. He could see Syvis on the shore of the island perched over the bowman who had done the deed, bloody dagger in hand, and that evened the scales well enough. But they still needed to get Alexia. Who knew how close or how far the Free Company was?

Meanwhile, Mathew Tillman--seeing the situation tumble down into absolute shit for him and his fellows, most now slain--tossed aside the arrow he was readying to nock on his bow and grabbed Orrem and hoisted him up and practically yelled at him, "To the horses! Let's go!" Could they make it to the horses? Maybe. Could they escape? Absolutely not. There was a griffin here on their assailants' side and that meant they were fucked. He'd made a promise to Gerda June, Alexia's mother, and he had the sinking feeling that he was going to live just long enough to see himself fail at its keeping. Regardless, he and Orrem ran, retreating from Ceridwen and Dulthir and Elliot--as well as giving Syvis a wide berth. He could only hope now that all the gods and even some of their counterparts damned these mercenaries for what they were doing here today.

Alexia had made a grave mistake: she hazarded a look back. This at the right moment to witness the brutality of Ceridwen and Karrazark butchering the men she knew and the men who risked their lives in siding with her over her father. She saw Ceridwen--the griffin--shift into some kind of thing she could only describe as an even worse monster before the slaughter had begun. And that augmented distrust within her was violently usurped by a stronger, far more blaring emotion: abject terror.

Her legs turned to gelatin and she collapsed in her fright, landing on her rear end and the half-shaven man stumbling as his arm was yanked down by her fall. Alexia screamed out every ounce of that terror pulsing in her chest. She couldn't move. She couldn't look away. She lost control of her bladder and a dark stain formed on the front of her dress.

"Up! UP!" said the half-shaven man. "We've got to--!"

And Cade was upon him. The half-shaven man heard his approach only at the last second, and was caught near-completely by surprise. The defense he mustered was lackluster, and a strike to his chin made his legs similar to Alexia's own, and they wobbled and gave out and the half-shaven man went stumbling back. Cade's blast of wind sent him summarily crashing into a tent that was still standing in the campsite. Slow, dazed movements from him on the ground. The horses belonging to the guardsmen, agitated already and not hobbled nor tethered, started to gallop away as a pack, running off the far side of the campsite island and splashing through another pool of shallow water.

Elliot had made it to the near shore of the campsite island. Saw Cade after squeezing his right eye shut to force blood and water from it. From the distance he could not properly recognize if he was a member of the Free Company or not, but he doubted it--there would have been all the others with him. Yet he certainly did not look to be with the House June guardsmen. Elliot had an arrow nocked but the Bow not yet drawn--what good would it do him? The angle was bad: he could hit Syvis or he could hit Alexia. The spells of his necromancy wouldn't do much good either.

Best option: let Mathew and Orrem engage first. They were already running that way, toward Alexia and toward Cade. Get a better angle while that was going on. Syvis would do what would she would do, maybe securing Alexia, maybe engaging the newcomer. Her as well as Dulthir and Ceridwen.

Mathew, cursing at the sight of Cade and drawing another arrow in preparation to nock and loose. Orrem, gasping, reaching for his hip knife and pulling it with his uninjured hand. Alexia, sat down on the ground and caught in the all-consuming grip of fear.

And Elliot, running laterally to get a better angle for a shot.

Dulthir Syvis Ceridwen Maranae