Open Chronicles Lost In the Open

[Arumi Shacen]

Furs or a thick coat were excellent attire for this location. Unfortunately, Arumi had not been prepared for arrival at his previously-unknown destination.

The woman's question came without any superfluous chatter; something he could appreciate. Ah, so she wanted something. The winged elf wasn't surprised. He shook his head.

"The air at the peaks is weak and the wind frigid," he offered by way of explanation. Arumi had been following the mountain range for some weeks, but flying near enough to the bases of the great crags that he could easily escape the regular sudden snowstorms.

Focraig failed at being unobtrusive. His voice, his joining of a conversation he had not been part of, his attire, and even his simple presence were unlikable. And it was there again - the man's desperation to be involved. "Of course you have," Arumi muttered under his breath, barely audible, unimpressed. Arumi's feathers lifted slightly, though whether that was to further their level of insulation or because his metaphorical hackles were raised would be unknown to anyone not in his head.

Arumi's gaze and stance shifted to include both the Dreadlord and the ice mage. He trusted neither, but had decided the woman may be of some informational use.

 

[Selene Avar]

Selene considered for a short few moments. The winged man had not made his way to the peaks, though his explanation was a good one. She supposed there was no reason for him to travel there.

Yet if he had made his way around these mountains then he was not utterly useless in the face of things. ”How far have you flown?”

She asked, shortly following up.

”Around these mountains I mean, to the east, west, north, south.” Her thoughts began to drawl on a little bit. There was a man in the camp, a gifted artist. If the winged man remembered much of his travels she could use him to create a map.

There were precious little of those in the Spine. She suspected a few would lay in Belgrath, but there was doubt the Dwarves would ever let her copy one, much less take it. This would offer a decent enough compromise.

When the ice mage interrupted them she frowned a little, wondering if the man had ever been taught manners. ”Then perhaps we’ll speak.”

She told him.

Information was key if she was to succeed, or at least survive. Anything she could get ahold of would help before she reached the peaks.

 

[Focraig'Diin]

When the woman turned to him, the mage inwardly chuckled. Mayhaps he should play the ill-mannered mage act a bit more, to rouse such reaction. He would blame the lack of food and rest for his... immaturity, but sometimes entertainment was to be made by one's hands.

And he was curious about a few things he had heard in the rude manner of his entrance. He would offer his knowledge and see if this Dreadlord would share her own.

"To the northern ranges you will find only a deathly cold, moreso than what you have endured so far." He gestured in the general directions as he explained. "If you are planning to die in the cold, feel free."

"To the east in these mountains are inhabited by animals ferocious and desperate enough to make their homes. Less of a chill, but no less dangerous."

"The South side... I have not traveled there of all the mountains in this area, but tales are abound in that end of these mountains. What they are, I am unsure. Considering that the West is where we are facing right now, in the direction of Belgrath itself, this area is relatively... calm."

He made a reminder to not maintain it for long, this act. Never had he spoken for so long, and in such a manner. Best keep it short and simple. The bit of coughing he went into at the end only solidified his opinion.

 

[Arumi Shacen]

How far had he flown? It was impossible to say. He had flown until his wings could no longer carry him, rested, and then flown further still. He had flown until it felt as though history was no longer relevant, because time was meaningless over such great distances. Great bodies of water had passed beneath him. Sailors had started and pulled their weapons when he silently alighted on their ships for reprieve, but they decided he was not a threat once he perched upon the bow of the ship and did nothing more than sit and watch the waves. As soon as land came to view, the winged elf took to the air once more, leaving the vessel behind without a word.

"I lost count of the leagues. I came from the south and followed the eastern boundary of the mountains." Arumi shifted his weight, his suede-clad feet cold upon the mountain's stone road. He watched the woman, wondering what she was thinking and what she was seeking. There was something more behind her questions, but he was not about to make assumptions as to what that something happened to be. He could tell simply by the woman's demeanor and tactfulness that she did not inquire about his journey as a nicety.

For the first time since encountering Focraig, the man actually provided conversation of some pertinence. Arumi made note to not continue north; he had not desire to freeze to death. There must be more to this land than just the mountains and lowlands he had seen so far.

Monsters to the east, Belgrath to the west... he assumed Belgrath must be part of the ruins they were currently huddled among. The tunnels were expansive and Arumi had not encountered any settlements or really much in the way of other people thus far. He avoided the few he had seen, not ready for questions or idle chatter. He still wasn't, but had begun to realize he would be in trouble if he did not find somewhere to obtain food and new clothing soon.

"The Southern end of these mountains are full of bright plants, birds and strange goats that walk upon the sheer rock walls," Arumi provided. So, the ice mage wasn't all-knowing. "I did not delve among the depths of the peaks, but even if I had I am sure there would be nothing much more exciting than what I saw." The avariel began to wonder if the man actually knew fact of great beasts and other horrible things, or if he simply believed the stories his wet nurse had told in his childhood.

It felt strange to converse, as if his vocal chords were not ready for the exercise. And he was hungry and parched. Perhaps a meal and drink would make the chatter feel less tiresome. The folks of the caravan still occasionally glanced over their shoulders at him, or at least he thought he glimpsed fearful eyes. They may also just be curious about the trio of strangers.

((Sorry for the delay folks! Like has been hectic with the arrival of winter!))

 

[Selene Avar]

Selene listened carefully to every word that they spoke.

This was all important information to her, even if she did not entirely believe that she could trust most of it. Still, listening had paid off, and slowly she made note of everything both the winged man and the Ice Mage had told her.

It would pay due for her later.

Her gaze flickered between the two of them for a brief moment, a sigh escaping her until she nodded and finally spoke. "Thank you."

It was the most gratitude either of them would probably ever receive from her. Selene waited for a moment, then turned towards the winged man with the same blank expression that she always seemed to hold to.

"You." She prompted. "What is it you require?"

That had been the deal after all.

 

[Arumi Shacen]

The woman's satisfaction with Arumi's response was almost surprising. He had anticipated further questions, demands for more details, the altitude and trajectory of his flight.... these all seemed like things that would be important to her.

Arumi shifted his stance subconsciously, sliding one foot cautiously back to a more defensible position, when Selene turned her full attention on him. She radiated power, and danger. That was probably why all these people followed her into the frozen mountains.

He eyed Selene, his attention flickering once to the small knots of travelers, then returned his mismatched gaze to the flame-haired woman. The fire illuminated the ridges ivory of his horns. "Directions to the nearest settlement, enough food to get me there, and warm clothes." She asked what he required - it was more than he had originally bargained, but all of it was true. And Arumi was not about the journey with this group. They would be slow, and were certainly not to be trusted.