Private Tales End of the Line

[Kasim Areth]

The Hike back was, as he had assumed it would be, utterly boring.

It wouldn't have been too bad really, except for the fact that as night fell the bugs started to come out. Every now and again he would feel a tiny bite, and then he'd smack himself

The routine developed almost within minutes, and as it went on Kasim couldn't help but begin to envy the idea of a fire. Smoke generally kept the insects away, not to mention the heat. Still, he continued to stalk through the forest, using the traps he had carved earlier as a guide.

Eventually he caught sight of the camp, the small fire already lit. "Coming over!"

He called out. "Don't stab me."

 

[Kjaran Mak Aodha]

"Law of the road. You always help a traveller in need" Kjaran said, a little uncomfortable with the praise. "And I might have been bleeding out from an arrow wound earlier if it wasn't for ye and that feisty feline" he gave Erodin a meaningful look there.

The voice from the dark made him jump, one hand automatically going for his sword until he recognised it. "Advance friend and be recognised" he said, rising to meet him. The face was familiar as it came forward into the firelight, Kjaran's sword lowering. "Looks like you were successful then".

 

[Aviana Sabel]

While Kjaran went to intercept Kasim's arrival, Aviana slipped back into the outcropping of rock and she settled onto the ground with a pained grunt. The jester had not been lying, the runes had taken quite a bit of her strength in order to fuel themselves. She was lucky that she'd had Kieran's alchemy bag, or else she might have died from the runes themselves.

There was no small amount of irony in being killed by something that was intended to save your life. Her nose wrinkled at the image.

"Glad you made it back in one piece, Mr. Areth." She called to the two men as they returned to the fire, and she offered a weak smile in greeting.

She hoped that some of her strength would return come morning. They couldn't stay here indefinitely, not with the harpies so close. Not mention whatever else might be lingering in the forest.

 

[Kasim Areth]

"Honestly the runes are basically cheating." A rabbit could see a snare, could even avoid it if it was smart enough, but the runes were more difficult.

He doubted very much that any creature could recognize the magic in them, though there were probably a few that he didn't know about. Not that he ever wanted to meet them, that would likely be an unpleasant thing in it of itself. He frowned for a brief moment at that thought, then shook his head.

"He's not very fat." Kasim said holding up the rabbit. "But he'll feed us enough."

At least for today. "Just need to skin him."

 

[Kjaran Mak Aodha]

Kjaran looked at the animal with interest, "And runes pulled that off?" he sounded skeptical but he wasn't complaining. It was dinner now, no matter how they'd caught it. "And no matter, it'll beat hardtack or cram".

He made room for the jester to come in by the fire. Holding out his hand, the mercenary gave a jerk of his head. "Well if you got him, my turn to get it ready then. You might as well warm yourself". He was no cook but he could skin the animal at least and prepare it for cooking.

"Your patient seems to be recovering" he said, indicating Aviana with another tilt of his head.