Mutual Salvation (Closed)

[Asa]

He was her protector her ally her lover her heart.
She was his lover his salvation his soul his secret.



Left for dead since she was unwilling to yield to the warlord who had taken over her homeland. Her own people allowing her to be cast out to protect their own hides. Death hovered over her till dark primal eyes entered her weakened vision, too weak to tell if they were animal or human her eyes simply fell closed again accepting death if that was the eyes that had stared into hers.

Within his tribe he was... different by the first shift all had found their "balance". He however had not excelling as a warrior but it was not battle that balanced the man and the beast. Magic was not his balance though he could see it... feel its sway in the ethers... Without his balance he could not learn if Love or family was his true balance. Wild an outsider living on the edge though born to lead and to rule them.

He was running... lost in the beast as the sun was falling to its constant death to prepare for rebirth. Unsure why he was running in the direction of the human lands he let the magics he could see in the distance guide him. The beast never cared for magics before but this was different... but why?

Kilana
Nomad
She refused being payment to the warlord who had invaded their lands so her people did the only think they could and banished her turning on her in an attempt to make death come quick and beating her and tossing her to the wilds just outside their borders. She laid there her magics unable to heal her she laid there fading. Her own strong will appearing to be just as her father always told her it would be... the death of her. Her eyes fought to close after what felt like days laying there too battered to move but just as she fought against the warlords demands she now fought against death.

 

[degrepski]

smell. hunt. find. seek. what? why? who? I.

His thoughts were a jumble in this form. Sleek and agile, the wolf ran true, venturing into territory far beyond the pack. With great strides, leaps, bounds, he covered vast distances in only a short time, outpacing any creature that dared to run alongside him. Not that many did. Even amongst his own kind, he was a beast of unparallelled ferocity.

New? Strange? Two legs? Man. woman? Woman hurt. Control. Must find. control.

That was the problem, wasn't it? The beast was too strong within him. Not since the first predator had there been a beast spirit this strong in his tribe. And it was taking everything within him to fight it back, before they reached their destination.

Slowly, arduously, he fought the beast down, finding his center, reclaiming his mind for his own. The beast hungered for the hunt always. But this was strange behavior. Never before had it sought anything besides the hunt, for prey. Instead, it seemed to have found something entirely different.

As his mind regained hold of the beast, like a leash around it's neck, his body returned. From four legged hunter of the pack, he became just another two legged hunter. Tall and fair, Connor of the Vilki was master of himself once more. He shook his shoulder length, white hair out of his eyes, and rose up, testing the air.

He surveyed his surroundings. He was too close to the human lands, he knew that just from the smell. But what really had him concerned was that he was a good spear throw's distance from a village.

Why did that crazy beast bring me so near to danger? he wondered.

He turned his head toward the sound of a moan, his ears twitching in memory. He crept cautiously to where the noise came from, every inch the predator he'd just gained control over. Finally, he spied a woman, battered and broken.

Connor just stood there, watching the woman, seeing what she would do. She was trying to heal herself, this much he could tell, but it wasn't working. If she stayed out here, she would die.

He looked around, making sure no one was around.

Why should I care what happens to one of the Bezduszny, he asked himself.

Still, the beast had brought him for a reason. What is it that shamans told him? Listen to the beast?

He snorted, and gently picked up the poor woman in his strong arms, and carefully began the long track back to his tribe.

 

[Asa]

She was out cold with no realization of being carried. Her frail form like a rag doll as she laid there in his arms. She struggled to hold on to what little life she had left her magics struggling to heal her to hold her to life.

It was almost dream like... was she floating... was she dead... why couldn't she move

 

[degrepski]

It was a long journey, especially on two legs. But Connor didn't want to risk the lady for the alternative.

They traveled most of the night, guided by glimmering starlight and shining moonlight. The moon was two days after full, so most of his brethren should be receptive to the idea of a guest.

Then again, most of them would want her for a meal.

The hills and valley passed quickly, for even on two legs, Connor was still faster than a human. By the time dawn's light began creeping over the horizon, they had arrived.

Connor was home.

The village was a collection of tents in a spiraling circle, revolving around a hilltop. Within the hill was their meeting hall, a cave dug out meticulously. Such caves dotted their lands, and the tribe would move once warmer weather set in, having no need for permanent houses.

Already, the hustle and bustle of tribal life had begun. A baby cried out in her sleep, as her mother grumbled to soothe the child and feed her milk. A few of the warriors were turning in, their nightly watch to be resumed by the daytime guards. A few of them turned and watched him as he carried his burden to the tent closest to the hilltop.

"Szaman," Connor called. "Awaken, Szaman!"

The Szaman grumbled as he poked his head out of his tent, his bent back making his long, gray beard trail the ground. "Connor! What in the name of the First Predator..." He spied the woman in his arms. "Oh, gowna! What do you bring me, Heh?"

"A woman," Connor said. "She needs healing."

The old Szaman nodded. "So I see." He raised an eyebrow at Connor. "You're doing?"

Connor's stony grey eyes answered him.

"Just asking," the Szaman said. "Bring her in, I'll see what I can do."

 

[Asa]

She had stopped floating... why could she not wake up... slowly the voices trickled into her unconscious prison so soft and faint but clearly... male. Had those vermin soldiers of the vile monster of a warlord found her... She had to fight had to wake had to escape.

In her trapped sleep she began to try to move to struggle fighting with all she could to wake to back away panicking. Finally her eyes flying open she looked around weak barely able to move still she tried to see who and what all was around her. Her pale eyes so contrasting to her dark hair and soft tanned form. Her lips parting as if to speak but no sound able to come put.

 

[degrepski]

Their guest was stirring. From the corner of his eye, Connor could see the woman rise, saw her look around, frightened but resolved.

"Szaman," Connor said, indicating the woman.

"Ah!" the Szaman said, moving over to where his patient stirred. "Easy. You must rest now. It took everything I knew to keep you away from Death's Door, and I will not have you diving back into it." He reached for a bowl filled with a bright green liquid. "Here, drink this."

The woman was obviously suspicious, looking around, searching for someone she did not want to meet. When her eyes finally met Connor's, he stood amazed. Her pale eyes were like nothing he had ever seen, as pale and bright as the moon itself. Such a stark contrast from his own.

He moved to the Szaman, and took the bowl from him, drinking deeply of it's contents. He knew he'd get sleepy from it, but he could use a good rest. He offered the bowl to the woman when he was done, silently asking her to drink.

 

[Asa]

This did not look like that monsters camp bit how could she be sure. Recoiling shaking as they neared her she watched the younger one drink as well from what the elder one offered her to drink. Finally taking the bowl she drank slowly wat hi.g both of them warily till sleep overtook her.

A deep intentional natural sleep with barely dream nor image gracing her mind. Now her magic's could finish the job of healing.

 

[degrepski]

Connor watched as the woman's eyes closed in sleep. She seemed so peaceful, and so fierce.

"Well," the Szaman said. "That should give her more time to heal." He looked pointedly at Connor. "And what about you, young Connor? You going to sleep peacefully now, too?"

Connor nodded. "I've been awake nearly two days straight. I could use the sleep."

"Hmm. A very strange condition you have, indeed," the Szaman said. "But, it will resolve itself on it's own." He shambled off to make more medicine for the tribe.

"Of course," Connor scoffed. "It's not like the other hundred members of the tribe haven't tried some remedy or another. Frankly, I'm surprised you haven't forced some brew on me yet."

The Szaman chuckled. "That's because I know that the beast can't be tamed, not this beast, anyway."

"I'll never stop trying to tame it," Connor said, drowsily. The sleep was already pushing past his defenses.

"Lay on the cot with the woman," the Szaman said. "Your own natural healing might bleed off to her, making her recuperation faster."

Connor had already sat down hard beside her. With the weight of exhaustion sleeping in, there was nothing he could do to stop from curling up beside her.

 

[Asa]

A few hour pass and her mind clears feeling someone lying next to her she did all she could to leap to her feet or at least back away from him. Where was she... what was the place and who was this man. She tried to slowly and quietly slip away from him hoping not to wake him as she did. She at least had to try to escape.

Her eyes quickly scanned around to see if anyone else was in the tent with them.

 

[degrepski]

"Quiet, woman," Connor mumbled. "You make enough noise to wake a sleeping bear." He rolled over, his mind foggy. While most could drink the sleeping draught and gain dreamless sleep, Connor's "condition" didn't allow for such a luxury.

"My name is Connor," he said. "I found you nearly dead some distance from here, and brought you to my tribe for healing." He cocked his head at her. "Who are you?"

 

[Asa]

Kilana...

She spoke recoiling staring at him. Where is this place? You are not a part of that demon Grannook nor his vermin warriors... are you?

She was not sure what to do she still felt the almost sleepy calm of the mixture but was far too scared to let it control her.

 

[degrepski]

He nodded. "Welcome, Kilana. We don't usually allow outsiders into our camp, so, consider yourself lucky."

He got up, and made his way to the tent flap. "Make yourself comfortable. You're not going anywhere for a while with wounds like that, and the Szaman will be back with more medicine. I'll go find you some food." With that, he was gruffly out of the tent.

 

[Asa]

She felt a little safer when he left but still with no answers about these people or their place with the warlord she was still fearful. Sleep once more however slithered through her again slowly overtaking her. This time however she relive her ordeal from the firm grasp of that monsters hand on her throat to her father begging forgiveness for her to family and friends turning on her and leaving her for dead. Nightmares that soon had her sitting curled up sobbing softly.

 

[degrepski]

He returned to the tent, bringing bread, water, and cheese made from the tribes cows. But the sight he returned you was not what he expected.

"Gowna," he cursed. He set down the food at the table and made a hasty escape.

But something stopped him at the entrance. He looked back at the woman, curled up and sobbing, not even aware of his existence. With a sigh, he walked back to the table and sat down in a chair.

"Look," he began, running his fingers through his white hair. "I don't know what's wrong or what happened, but you're safe here. For now," he amended. "No one is going to come and hurt you, and my people are not savages that harm women." He grimaced. "At least, they don't try to."

His words seemed to have no effect. He growled. "Look, here's food. Eat and get better." With that, he stormed out of the tent.

He knew he shouldn't have been so gruff with her. But, he had his own problems, not the least of which was the fact that it was already evening, and he'd have to leave before the beast came again.

Pasterzem he prayed. Why do you test me so?

 

[Asa]

She tried to speak again as he left scared but still wanting to be kind.

Th... thank you.

Cautiously she edged closer to the food and reaching quickly taking a piece of the cheese and eating slowly. Were all of the people in this place so easily angered. That worried her and his words both reassured and scared her as she sat eating the food quietly. She bit her lip a little thinking of home realizing that she had no home any more and clearly this man would want her gone as soon as she was well enough to leave. Maybe they knew she was outcast for refusing the warlord. Where would she go though what would she do and how would she survive.

 

[degrepski]

The Szaman walked back into the tent.

"Ah!" he said. "You're awake." He spied the food on the table. "And I see your rescuer brought you a meal. Well done!" He pulled up a chair on the far side of the table from Kalina, and sat with his hands folded.

"I'm sure you have many questions," he said, kindly. "And I'll answer them to the best of my ability. My name is Kazhim, I am Szaman of Tribe Vilki."

He smiled at her, a deep, warm smile that reached his eyes.

 

[Asa]

Kilana...

The smile calmed her some though she had no idea of the tribe name he mentioned. She had never heard of anything like that before.

Where is this place? You are not a part of that demon Grannook nor his vermin warriors... are you? Why is he so angry?

She took another bite of food slowly watching his face and eyes. Relaxing a little more she moved to get a little more comfortable.

 

[degrepski]

"Grannook? Demon?" Kazhim said, stroking his long beard. "Can't say we've heard much about any 'Demon'. We're a long ways away from the...uh...'civilized' lands." He chuckled. "As for young Connor, well, he can be a bit brusque, to say the least." He shook his head. "We're a rather...secretive tribe here, but there's not that much to tell. We travel from place to place. We hunt. We gather. We make babies." He laughed. "Some might say we make too many babies." He wiped a tear of humor from his eyes. "Pardon an old man and his jokes."

He leaned in close. "So, tell me about yourself, young Kalina. And about this...demon of yours. We rarely have visitors, and I'd like to hear news about the rest of the world."

 

[Asa]

They were nomads too. She relaxed a little more around this old man and actually smiled a little hearing him laugh and joke.

We are nomads as well... Until Grannook and his men came to our lands. Taking what they wanted making demands of all kinds Grannook even tried to make a demand that I was his... I refused My father tried to apologize for me I refused again with a log for the fires to his face and my people chose getting rid of me over standing up to him and his men.

She stared down at her arms seeing the bruises still there and sighed.

 

[degrepski]

Kazhim chuckled. "You certainly are a spirited one." His face fell. "I am sorry such tragedy befell you. Rest assured, so long as you're with the Vilki, you are safe." He smiled. "We are quite ferocious at protecting our own."

He held up one finger. "There is only one rule for while you are here. You must never go outside while it is night out. Not for any reason. And especially not when the moon is full." He scratched his beard. "We'll have to figure out something about that."

He got up from the table and made his way to the tent entrance. "I must confer with the chief and the elders. For now, continue to rest here. You are much improved, but still not fully well. Rest while you can." With that he exited.

He spied young Connor sitting by the totem of the spirits, looking up at it's tall, wooden figurehead. A collection of all the beasts of the Vilki tribe, it's crowning totem was the wolf that gave the Vilki their powers.

Szaman Kazhim sighed, and went to sit by his charge.

 

[Asa]

She listened nodding. Trapped inside when the stars are out and when the moon was full upset her... she loved the night but if it would keep her safe and this other person was willing to let her stay here even though it sounded like the one that "rescued" her wanted her gone once she was healed she would do what she could not to wander out of the tent at night.

Finishing her meal she laid back down falling quickly back to sleep still weak from her ordeal. short little naps mixed with wandering around the tent tempted to peek her eyes out the tent flap at least to see what this place looked like that she found herself.

 

[degrepski]

Connor was outside the tent when Kalina opened the flat. Both of them stepped back, surprised.

"Hi," he said, finally. "Um, listen, I...I wanted to apologize for my behavior earlier. It's just...things have been kind of...strange for me, and...well..." he fumbled at his words. "I'm sorry, ok?" He stood, and waited for her reply, feeling very much the fool.

 

[Asa]

It is alright. I am grateful that you found me. Things are strange as well for me. Did the old man tell you what I told him?

She watched him as she waited for any answer but did move in case he was wishing to enter the tent.

 

[degrepski]

Connor nodded, taking the opportunity to enter the tent.

"Yes, the Szaman has told me about what happened to your home," he said. "I am sorry. If I had known..." He stopped. "Well, I'm just glad i was there when I was needed."

He stood around awkwardly before finally sitting on the sleeping cot. "I guess it's only fair that you get to ask your questions of me. We've done nothing but ask you questions since you got here. I'm sure there are things you'd like to know that Kazhim didn't tell you."

He studied her as she moved. There was something about her, some fire within her that has drawn the beast to find and save her.

Whatever the beast's interests, she was certainly getting Connor's.

 

[Asa]

Yes... questions. Why can I not be out amongst the star and moonlight? Who exactly are your people and how could you all not have heard of nor had dealings or battle with Grannook?

She moved to sit down as well still lost in his looks and eyes almost trying to make sense of it all. She had never seen anyone like him before.