Quest for Life

[captainb]

OOC: FeatherLight, I'm intrigued!

IC: At Leroy's words, Yruddry scanned the forest. He didn't see or hear anything unusual, just the cry of a hawk passing overhead. He looked at Leroy. "Keep your eyes open. I think you know forest travel better than most." Leroy nodded and moved back in front of the caravan. The group traveled on, as the leafy canopy grew thicker overhead.

The rain picked up again just before midday, and they stopped to rest and feed. The gray clouds skidded quickly above the branches, and thousands of trickles continually streamed onto the forest floor. At least the trees didn't let the wind reach the ground.

By dusk the weather had broken, and they were rewarded with golden-red beams through the branches as the sun set. Leroy located a comfortable camp site with a small stream running clear and cold about one hundred yards below. Yruddry smiled and said to no one in particular, "Good, we can top off our water supplies at that stream tonight. Two people should be able to handle that job easily."

Later, with the campfire lit and clothes changed, the group was spread around the fire in the twilight, bellies full and wrapped in warm furs while the horses grazed nearby. The captain sat near the edge of the firelight, close enough to feel its warmth but still able to keep his night vision as he gazed at the trees and patches of stars. All of the travelers kept their eyes and ears on the dark woods around them, and murmured quietly among themselves.

 

[Dea Artia]

Cera

Cera hurried to get dress and gathered her belongings. She wanted to get outside and see all the goings on so it didn't take her long to eat. She wanted a word with Yruddry before they left but by the time she found him, she saw he was busy with last minute preperations.

"Cera! Cera!"

Cera turned around and caught sight of her father trying to get past one of the guards. She waved him through and run up to hug him.

"I wanted to say goodbye, before you left" he said, out of breath. "I ran all the way here. I'm glad I didn't miss"

"I'm glad you made it too, father." The two hugged again, and Cera kissed him on the cheek. "I'll try to send word when we stay in a town. Don't be so sad. I'll be fine, and you know it's what I want to do."

"Yes, I know. You're mother would be proud." Tears started forming at the edges of his eyes, and Cera too was holding back tears. She gave him one last hug, and quickly made her way to where Yruddry and Leroy had gotton on horses.
"This one is for me?" she asked Yruddry, patting a white horse with a speckling of brown patches over its hindquarters. At Yruddry's nod, Cera secured her pack, mounted and fixed her sword to her side. She knew Yruddry had planned on evreything, even supplying them with a lance made specially for their voyage, but Cera trusted her sword nonetheless and would not have parted without it.



[Edited by Dea Artia on 04-01-2001 at 11:21 AM]

 

[captainb]

OOC: Sorry we got ahead of you Dea! We're camping now, so take your time and catch up.

 

[BigBadJohnLeroyBrown]

Water bearers

At the campsite Leroy volunteers to get the water so that he may scout the area and possibly catch a glimpse of the person or creature that he felt earlier. After lifting up most of the water skins he starts heading off toward the stream, behind him he hears, "I'll help too" as he glances back he sees Cera lifting the rest of the water skins and halfskipping half running after him "I would love to dip my feet in the water for a bit".
Leroy nods to her motioning for her to follow, as he walks purposefully towards the stream his long legs making cera almost run to keep up. As they walk cera begins to talk asking him questions......

 

[Dea Artia]

Cera

As Cera cought up to Leroy, she shifted the water sacks so they were easier to carry. The last thing she wanted to do was to hike somewhere to get water. It had been a long day and Cera hadn't ridden a horse for that long in years, but she wanted the chance to relax and the temptation of taking a quick swim before dinner made the discomfort more bearable. The pair walked on in silence for a while and Cera's curiosity grew about Leroy.

"I haven't really seen you around Dulla before. Are you new to the area?"

"Aye."

"Where abouts are you from?"

"Over by the next valley."

"I see. And what made you decide to join in on the dragon quest?"

"Thought I could be of some use to the Captain."

Cera looked over at Leroy and noticed how he carried the skin sacks with ease as she struggled to keep up with the large mans steady pace.

"Do much dragon hunting before?"

"Some."

By now Cera was getting fed up with Leroy. She was trying to be polite by having a conversation and he wasn't even trying to be nice to her. She spotted a clearing in the trees with a little path that lead to the waters edge and a big flat rock resting on shore that jutted out part way.

"I think this would be a good place to get water" she said, heading towards the path. When Cera realized Leroy wasn't following her she stopped, turned around and saw him continuing on.

"There's a better spot up ahead" he shouted to her over his shoulder.

"We'll, I'm staying here" she shouted back.

"Suit yerself" he mumbled to himself.

Tired, sweaty and sore, Cera stepped carefully down the path and onto the rock. By now the sun had slipped behind the trees and the rock was cool enough for Cera to sit on without getting burned. Cera removed her boots and socks, rolled up her pants and dipper her feet into the cool water. She sighed and began to relax. Cera undid the buttons on her cotton shirt and rubbed her shoulders. Looking at her reflexion in the water, Cera wondered if she should take a quick dip before heading back to camp. After a quick look around, she took off her shirt and pants completely and slipped into the water with barely a ripple.

 

[BigBadJohnLeroyBrown]

A parting of ways

Leroy walked on increasing his pace now that he didnt have a shadow and a noisy one at that. He trod on until he found the little spring that fed a tributary of the stream, and leaning down he began filling the skins. Hearing a twig snap he stood still and looked around very slowly any passing eye would not discern his movement. after a second he saw the originator of the noise a large squirrel was fighting with a smaller one over an acorn. With a smile he reached into a pouch at his side and pulled out a small travel biscuit and broke it in 2 and threw it near the fighting squirrels, adding a couple chirping sounds. The 2 stopped fighting and went for the bread, after they made a couple chirping sounds of their own they each lifted a half and hurried up seperate trees.
With a slight chuckle Leroy stood up and started heading back to camp reminding himself to pick up his "shadow".
After walking to where they had split up he heard loud splashing, instantly he dropped the skins and ran to the clearing in fear that cera had fallen in and was drowning.
But he stopped just before he broke through the bushes because he heard her giggle.Slowly he moved aside the branches of the bush that blocked his view. and was surprised to see Cera, and Ceras' breasts bobbing in the water. He almost jumped back, but something made him continue watching, and soon he saw what had made her giggle, a small turtle was swimming circles around her and she was splashing it as if it were an old friend. After hearing her tell the creature she had to go now, he carefully stepped back away from the bushes and retrieved his skins. and Waiting to hear Cera crashing along the path back to camp he set out meeting her halfway there.

Cera looks at him and asks "how far was your water source"

Leroy looked at her.

Far enough up to get fresh drinking water from the source of a small stream. We can use yours for the horses, unless you wish to boil yours for an hour first.

With a huff Cera walked on behind Leroy as leroy fought what images played in his mind after this "trip for water"


[Edited by BigBadJohnLeroyBrown on 04-01-2001 at 09:41 PM]

 

[BadForm]

Ghast: The Hidden Woman

As Leroy and Cera left to gather water, Ghast turned to look at their leader, Yruddry. It's words came to his mind: I perhaps, am in the best position to determine who or what is following us. I will return to you once I know.

With that, the bird's corpse took to the air. Ghast scanned the forest, watching and listening for signs of their shadow. It took a while, but eventually it saw them. In the distance, a hawk hovered. It seemed to be watching something, and following its sight, Ghast saw a woman riding a fine, golden steed. Something seemed wrong, or at least different, about the whole situation. Was the hawk really just a hawk, or was it somehow bound to this woman? Ghast watched a moment and took in the way she was riding. It was not the arrogance of a huntsman, or the bullying of a warrior, nor even the gentility of a lady. There was only one person Ghast had seen look like that on a horse, and that was a druid who could read its mind and knew the horse as a true friend and equal.

Ghast had to know more. For a while it wished its abilities went beyond possession and manipulation, such that it could read minds. That, however, was not a skill Ghast had ever had, which meant the only way to find out more was to ride with the woman. The bird was looking more and more corpse-like, as every flap of the wings opened the chest wound caused by the dagger still further. Now parts of its guts were starting to hang loose from the skin. It needed a new body if it was to avoid startling the woman. A moment's search located a bee, taken by disease, dead on a large branch nearby. Ghast shifted it's form over to the new body, leaving the bird to decay to dust in minutes. Then it headed for the woman on the golden steed.

Closer to, Ghast halted. The woman had an uncanny resemblence to Greskith, Ghast's lover of two centuries ago. The pain of the grief which assailed Ghast's mind, memories of a gentle touch long lost, stung like the tail of the bee it rode. But it had a job to do, and hard though it was to see this woman, it had to complete that job to ensure she was not a danger to the quest for the dragon blood which would break the curse.


OOC: No, I am not saying the woman IS Greskith (That was never in Featherlight's plans I am sure, and so is not in mine either) - just that she has a similar look to Ghast. Hey, after nearly 200 years, it's surprising every woman doesn't

 

[captainb]

by the fire

Yruddry turned as Leroy and Cera emerged from the gathering darkness. For all his bulk, the big man moved quietly as he stored away the water they had gathered. Yruddry didn't know what to make of the look that Cera gave Leroy as she moved to the fire. She might have washed herself or fallen into the stream; her hair was wet, and it had soaked through her shirt. She crouched by the fire, and Yruddry inhaled sharply as her silhouette shone through the wet material. Her breasts softly bobbed above her slim belly as she squatted, and her could see the shape of her nipples, erect from the cold water. She was extremely pleasant to look at, and the captain found himself relaxing as the warmth from the fire and food seeped through his body. He motioned a guard over and gave a few instructions, then lay back on his bedroll, eyes half-shut and watching Cera, thoughts idly flowing as he wondered where Ghast was.

 

[BigBadJohnLeroyBrown]

Campfire stories

Leroy sat down near the fire and looked over at Yruddry as Cera bent over. Knowing that the light would give him a most interesting view. Leroy Glanced at Cera remembering the much better view he had earlier, and again felt that stirring within himself. He thinks to himself.

How can I feel this towards.....towards a blacksmiths daughter. A simple country girl.....yet she had been playing with the turtle......so it was only a turtle.....but how many would play with a human.....

He mentally shook his head, and thought.

Nevermind, it's nothing more than being around so many people for so long. I have to get away for a bit, thats all. I never have done well near so many people for so long.

Clearing his throat, Leroy says.

I must scout ahead Yruddry, there are dangers we may encounter tommorow, dangers that only someone skilled in woodsmanship would know.

After hearing Yruddrys reply Leroy set about gathering the things he would need, grabbing one of the water skins from the pile he has just brought. Looking toward Yruddry and Cera says.

I'll be back before dawn, this place is safe but set watch no more than 2 hour shifts we need fresh eyes. With as many guards as we have there are plenty to relieve each other.

With that leroy dissapeared through a thicket of bushes beside one of the wagons, without so much as the snap of a limb to speak of his passing........

 

[captainb]

into the night

Leroy cleared his throat and said, "I must scout ahead Yruddry. There are dangers we may encounter tommorow, dangers that only someone skilled in woodsmanship would know."

Yruddry looked at him. The dark man was already starting to gather the few things he carried.

"I don't think it's wise to wander in the darkness by yourself. If something happened to you, how would we know?"

Leroy glanced at him sideways. "I will be safer going alone than having someone else making noise beside me. No offense meant, but I have been at home in the forest all of my life. Nothing will note I am there unless I wish it." He wasn't so arrogant as to believe that was absolutely true, but where he was going was no place for the unskilled.

Yruddry slowly nodded. Leroy advised the captain on guard shifts, and then seemed to disappear beyond the firelight. Yruddry cocked an eyebrow, listening but hearing nothing of the big man's passage. He looked at Cera, who was running her fingers through her drying hair. "You should get some rest," he said quietly as he rose. "We'll be breaking camp soon after dawn." He scanned the guard's positions. They were instructed already to take two-hour shifts, and Leroy's advice confirmed that decision. But he felt restless and knew he'd just lay awake. He walked to the guard that was settled on the wagon at the edge of the firelight, telling him to sleep and he would be woken in six hours for the dawn shift. Yruddry climbed onto the front bench of the wagon. He settled his sword nearby, wrapping a large fur about him. The night was cold and damp. He scanned the woods as his eyes adjusted and listened carefully, acclimating himself to the forest sounds. He glanced sideways as Cera moved into view, unrolling her sleeping pack. Then he returned to the woods and its soft sounds.

[Edited by captainb on 04-03-2001 at 10:55 AM]

 

[Dea Artia]

Cera

Cera was lost in her own world and hadn't even noticed Leroy was gone until she looked around and saw he wasn't with them. Probably didn't want to be near a woman, she thought. She bent near the fire, letting the warmth cover her like a blanket. She ran her fingers through her hair, untangling the knots. The dip in the water had felt good and she hoped she would get a chance to do the same tomorrow. The encounter with the turtle has surprised her. At first she was afraid, but when the turtle seemed to be friendly, Cera enjoyed swimming around with it for a time. She was sad that she had to leave, but she knew the turtle could certainly take care of itself. She wasn't so sure about herself though.

With Yruddrys words, Cera unrolled her backpack beside the fire. Not to close as to get hit by sparks, but not so far away as to get cold. She was told she didn't have to take a watch, but it seemed to Cera that she probably wouldn't be able to sleep anyway. She lied down on her back, her arms behind her head for a makeshift pillow. Her eyes wandered over the night sky and fell upon Yruddry's still form leaning against a tree.

Sleep would not come. She tossed and turned, and she just couldn't seem to get comfortable enough. Finally, she sat up and braided her hair. Crossing her legs she held her hands in front of the fire, trying to warm them. Someone speaking startled her.

"Can't get to sleep" asked Yruddry?

 

[captainb]

night watch

Yruddry hadn't turned around, but noticed her restless movements. Cera replied, "Oh, I just can't get comfortable. It's kind of chilly. I mean, I've done this before, camped out on hunting trips. But this is...different." Somehow she found it hard to express what she was feeling.

"Why don't you come sit up here. You can help out on watch." Yruddry moved to the outside of the bench, but still didn't look directly at her.

Cera looked at his back, then gathered up her blanket and climbed onto the wagon. Only now did he look at her, his face darkened with her shadow. "Just trying to keep the night vision." She settled comfortably on the seat and looked into the darkness. The dim shapes of trees and bushes slowly resolved themselves, and they stared into the forest silence.

"You remind me of someone," he said quietly. She looked at his profile. "Someone I knew a long time ago. She had a fire in her heart, a heart so full and soft with her love, and it shone in her eyes and everything she did. She was a farmer's daughter and I had just come back from...oh, some war or other. I had a small amount saved and bought a broken-down ranch, and we started raising cows and corn. Even made enough to hire a few hands."

Cera cocked her head in the dark. She'd never thought he would open up like this, and it was nice. But there was something else behind the words, something... She was about to ask a question when he turned to her with a quick smile. "So, tell me about you. Why would a pretty village girl want to go off into the wilderness and fight a dragon, for heaven's sake?"

 

[BigBadJohnLeroyBrown]

Silent night

Slipping through the forest quickly leroy makes hardly any sound as he stretched his senses out to hear, see and feel anything that might cause problems for the travelers. After an hour or so he began to relax feeling no danger beyond a few poisonous snakes, but those would be no problem.
Leroy reveled in the feeling of being alone, he had spent a good part of his life alone, and he always felt more comfortable when no one was around but himself. He thought back to how he felt earlier, and the feelings inhimself were much dimmer now that he was away from Cera, but unusually they were still there. He thought to himself,

What is with this female?.....she's atrractive yes but.....she's not even.....she's so young.....but those breasts......how can I even be thinking of this!

Leroy shook his head clearing the images playing in his mind again. As he did so he heard a sound, at first not knowing what it was then after listeing for a few seconds he realized it was a large bobcat, a few more seconds of being in such deep thought he would have been on top of Leroy. Leroy mumbled slowly to himself and the bobcat stopped in it's tracksand slowly turns around as if remembering he had something else to do.

Good my friend go find your food elsewhere, here you will find only pain.

At that Leroy stands up and slowly walks toward camp, the smell of the fire easily guiding his way. And when he could see the glow from the fire the feelings returned, always when he was withing a certain distance of this woman. What is so special about her..........

 

[FeatherLight]

Further Clues

ooc: s'alright, BadForm. *grins* No harm intended, and no harm done. I'm flexible... in more ways then one. *winks*

bic:

The woman yawned as she watched the camp wearily.

#You are tired, sister...#

She smiled slightly as the stallion's muscles twitched beneath her as he spoke. *I could not sleep if I wanted too, Dermotte. You know that. I swore to him I'd protect this forest...*

#He's dead, sister. You ought to move on.#

*I ought not listen to a horse that houses the soul of a cursed brother, either, Dermotte. Leave me in my peace, if only for the night*

The beast shifted, a display of his annoyance and partial worry for his sibling. She, in turn, stood carefully on his back, and moved into the branches of the large oak beside them. Wrapping her lithe legs around a sturdy branch, she slid her way to a position just above the camp... Perfect to watch from, and to think.

The only woman in their camp, Cera (she thought), was strong and beautiful, a fine warrior to take on a dragon-hunt. Yruddy... he was complexing, mysterious as the Gods of Ireland. Yes, Lugh LongArm... that's who he reminded her of.

Leroy... he was Fergus, all over again. His heigth and gruff exterior reminded her of a man she had once fought beside for only two years. Yet it seemed like so much longer, and only yesterday at once. And, as with Fergus, perhaps there was a softer, inner side to this Celtic giant.

She shifted silently, easing around the leaves as if they were a second skin. She felt oddly anxious... but knew not where the feeling originated. Perhaps it was that bee. It had followed her for a brief while as she rode with her brother and hawk overhead. It seemed familiar in a way... yet new, and different.

Passing the thoughts behind her, the woman waited and watched the conversations below her, thanking the Gods that her hair was a dark enough brown at night to blend her with the shadows.

Eventually, the dawn would come, and she would have to face them head on, to find their true intentions to this Forest.

ooc: Captainb? I live to intrigue, darlin. *blows kiss*

 

[Dea Artia]

Cera

Cera shifted on the bench beside Yruddry. She hadn't expected him to tell her about his wife, for she assumed thats what she had been. Cera poked her boot in the dirt, making a little hole. She wasn't sure how to answer his question. She took a breath, and turned to look at him.

"Something different to do I guess. Most guys don't take me seriously, and I thought being a part of a quest, one to track down a dragon no less, would prove to everyone at the village that I'm just as good as a man." Cera bowed her head, and seemed to concentrate on a piece of wood beside her boot. "Maybe I'm asking for to much. I just want to be concidered an equal, not something less."

Cera looked up sharply when a large dark shadow approached the camp site. She was about to jump up and reach for her dagger when she realized it was Leroy, coming back from where ever he had been.

 

[captainb]

night

Yruddry had seen the appproaching shadow a few moments before Cera. The big man certainly moved quietly, not at all like the bear he resembled.

"Anything interesting out there?" the captain asked.

Leroy shook his head. "Nothing but a few snakes, but they won't bother us." He stared back into the forest for a moment as if in thought, then settled himself at the camp.

Yruddry and Crea finished the watch out, then both went back to their bedrolls as the next watch took over. Yruddry let himself fall asleep fast, hoping that morning would come soon.

 

[BigBadJohnLeroyBrown]

As he approached the camp leroy detoured to come in in direct site or Yruddry and Cera, After answering Yruddrys questions about what was out there, he looked back into the forest remembering the bobcat and says.

Nothing dangerous.....

He noticed Yruddy and Cera going to their bedrolls, and decided he would do the same, after lying down and unsucessfully trying to sleep he decided to take his watch.
He walked around the edge of the campsite slowly listening intently to everything in the forest. Noticing a familiar sound, but not quite placing what it was he looked up into the trees above the camp stareing intently all around trying to place the sounds location. All of a sudden the sound stopped as if knowing I was close to finding the source. He shook his head a little and went towards one of the wagons with the waterskins, and picking one up he began drinking deeply. Useing the drinking to disguise his inspections of one certain tree where for just a second he saw the flash of light off of something metal.
After looking for a few seconds and seeing a figure well camoflaged he lowered the drinking skin, and set it down back on the pile. He walked over to his bedroll and layed down, feigning sleep he ket an eye on the figure in the trees through most of the night.

 

[captainb]

on the road again

ooc: What do you think, folks? About time for a nasty forest encounter?

ic: The dawn sky was clear with cottony clouds. After a quick breakfast, the group was on their way again. Yruddry hadn't seen Ghast for a bit, but would sometimes catch its thoughts when they were directed his way, so he knew it still was with them.

He felt good as his horse trotted down the path. Somehow, sitting with Cera had resorted priorities in his mind, and made them clearer. True, Cera reminded him of Elissa, but the brief fascination with her body had given way to a more general protectiveness. Whatever she needed to prove, to herself or to others, he would fight for her right to do so. He wasn't clad in full armor: that was stored in the wagon. It was far too heavy and hot for regular traveling. But he did wear a chainmail vest, guards for his thighs and shins, plus a light metal cap.

As for the rest of the group, well he was responsible for what happened to them too, at least officially. Leroy could handle himself, and radiated the quiet assurance that he would help any of the group if needed. Of Ghast, time would tell. Yruddry believed the sincerity of the creature, but the only positive thing he had witnessed was its seeming ability to be unkillable. Still, he mused, if it could possess a large beast, even one that was still alive for maximum strength...well he would just have to trust his gut about this. And his gut wasn't worrying. As long as he didn't think about journey's end.

The weather smiled on their travels for the next few days, and the forest green and patches of blue sky kept the spirits of the group high. Yruddry noticed Ghast when it was nearby, but mostly it seemed invisible, blending in with the other small critters that flitted through the trees. Leroy took off on his own occasionally to scout ahead, and generally acted as advance guard.

It was late on the fourth day when Yruddry saw Leroy suddenly stop his horse and look to their right. The captain signalled the rest to stop, and a moment later he smelled it too. Smoke, distant but unsettling.

[Edited by captainb on 04-06-2001 at 07:25 AM]

 

[BadForm]

Ghast

Ghast had discarded the form of the bee almost immediately. Something about the woman on the horse had made it sure she was suspicious, and while nothing about her demeanour indicated she knew Ghast was more than a bee, there was no point in taking risks. A much better form had quickly presented itself also, a flee tangled in the horses mane. The horse was surprisingly clean of vermin, but the fact was, nothing moved through the wilderness for long without picking up occassional lice etc. The flea would seem exactly part of the natural surrounding and, if Ghast remained still, would be unnoticed.

There was something strange about the woman and horse. Even though they were silent, Ghast could detect slight movements, minor gesticulations as though the two were conversing. Could there be a mental link? It was possible, but generally the difference between people and animals souls meant that only a few could readily communicate between the species... unless the horse was not all it seemed. A changeling? Perhaps? A soul trapped in a creature's body? For once, Ghast nearly laughed at the thought. How ironic fate could be.

 

[Dea Artia]

OOC ~ Post # 100!!! whooo hooo *twirls*

IC ~ The silence that hung in the air was broken by a sentry who was shouting "Fire! Fire" and some of the younger guards looked panicked. Cera looked over at Yruddry and the expression on his face told her this was serious. She followed his gaze and then she too saw the smoke rising from the trees.

"Enough" shouted Yruddry. "Its a good day off yet, and we're headed in the oposite direction. There's no need for alarm."

Cera almost believed him, but she could hear the hint of fear in his voice.

"We better get moving" suggested Leroy. "I say we continue along here for another mile, then head down river. It will offer protection if we need it."

Yruddry agreed and urged his horse to continue. Cera looked doubtful. She had encountered a forest fire before. Although she had been young, she remembered the damage it had caused. She rode up beside Leroy, her horse falling in step with his.

"Do you really think it might be a problem? The fire, I mean?"

Leroy took a quick glance at Cera, then out into the forest. Animals were already starting to filter around them, although they kept their distance from the group. "It could be. Fire's got a way of destroying what mother nature has worked so hard to keep alive." Leroy saw the look on Cera's face, and immediately regretted his choice of words. "We'll be ok. We'll stick close to the river and if it starts to get to close, we'll cross it."

Cera gave a faint smile at Leroy. She wasn't really comforted, yet at the same time Leroy's words had calmed her nerves a bit. In the past few days she had started to notice things about Leroy that puzzled her, like the the times when Cera saw him looking at her when he thought she wasn't paying attention. And how every time she went deeper into the forest by herself, Leroy was somehow not far behind.

After an hour, the travellers reached the river and Yruddry made the decision to stop for a while. Cera got off her horse and went to the rivers edge. She dipped her hands into the water and splashed her face. When she looked up, what she saw didn't brighten her mood. The smoke was even closer than before.

"The fire is moving alwfully fast, Captain" mentioned Rolph, one of the Guards.

"So it seems" replied Yruddry.

 

[FeatherLight]

Plight for Help

The voices screamed in her head, cries of pain as the fire raged closer to the bodies of the forest animals. She heard them all, felt a breath of her own escape as a beast's was extinguished forever.

She couldn't breath. The air simply wouldn't stay in her lungs. The hawk was circling above them, pleading for her to do something... save her nest, anything.

Dermotte sensed his sister's pain, and turned toward where the travelers had begun to awaken.

*Dermotte! We... can't. We don't know who they are!*

The horse ignored her, avoiding gullies and tries in his flight. #If you wish to save this forest for Him, sister, you need their help. Learn about them later.#

She couldn't argue... not even if she wanted to. This forest was just as much a part of His memory as the man himself. There: she saw them, closer now, jumping in surprise as she crashed into their "area."

"Come with me. The forest is in danger, and I need your help."

ooc: no, no no no no! *grins* I will NOT let this thread die. It's too fun.

 

[BadForm]

Ghast: The Power of Fear

The fire changed things. Ghast's priority now, if it was to stay with either this woman or the group, was to save what of the forest life it could. Ghast had only one ability which it new could assist the creatures within the forest in fleeing: Fear. That meant changing forms again.

It took a moment to find what it wanted: A she-bear, unable to flee, had been burnt to death. Partly destroyed in the forest flame, it still had enough of the code of life within it for Ghast to take possession. Once in possession of the horrendously deformed cadaver, it could use all powers the creature had when alive.

Ghast sensed a large, nearby group of deer, fleeing together. A moment's observation told it that the group was fleeing from one blaze to another, instead of away to safety. Ghast drove the cadaver through the flames to pass the creatures and emerge ahead. The body it inhabited was not immune to the fire, of course. It crisped and burned. Parts of it began to ooze in molten mass, filling the air with a putrid stench. Still, as long as a cell remained intact, Ghast could tap it's abilities. What parts were missing it could fill in spirit. When it emerged from the fire, it knew this was good.

The deer, seeing such an obscenity before them, turned. The fear of the flames still drove them on, but the shock of the gruesome abhoration before them made them turn to the only escape - and that way lay safety.

Ghast plunged into the furnace once more, seeking another group it could rescue, and changing grasping for another that did not make it as the last of the bear was burnt to ash.

 

[captainb]

OOC: FeatherLight, I just want to make sure what's happening. Is it us you're talking to? Because we're a couple of days later, and paused next to a stream. Do you still ask for our help?

 

[FeatherLight]

*nods*

ooc: si, senor. She and her "horse" rode back. *winks* Haven't told you all about them, and what they can do. *giggles* You'll just have to wait <-- singsong.

lol

 

[captainb]

at the river

So it seems indeed, thought the captain. He could see licks of flame shooting above the trees behind them, and the smoke poured upwards across the horizon with a low, steady rumble. An erratic flight of animals dashed past in the grass, some pausing to look back before bolting onwards. Most of the birds had already fled, but a few were whirling overhead, like that hawk. Yruddry knew his people needed to find shelter, and fast. He started scanning for a rocky outcropping, or even a wide section of river shallow enough for the horses...

Leroy suddenly whirled about just before a horse burst from the trees nearly into their midst. The stallion was lean with a long golden mane, and astride him was a woman, her own mane flying about her head as she spoke. "Come with me. The forest is in danger, and I need your help." She didn't shout, but there was a desperate urgency in her voice.

Yruddry glanced at Leroy, who was holding the stone slung around his neck and whispering while staring at the woman. Cera's eyes were as wide as dinner plates, and the guards held their weapons uncertainly. He looked back to the woman. "How can we help? We're in danger here ourselves. Is there a cave nearby?"