|
|
Post by brandvandet on Dec 31, 2018 0:44:55 GMT -6
Hello Starborn, and welcome to Serora Plot 704: Fugitives Team Leaders: Cardinal Participants: Acorro, Embryss, Katarina, Kilorn, Sauron, Uluru. Please keep the following in mind!- Posts must be a minimum of 175 words. There is no maximum!- No strict order is enforced, but there must be at least two posts between your own character's.- No god-moding or reading characters' minds (unless your pony is a literal telepath, anyway)
- Always get consent before harming another character!- Your team is precious. Try to interact with everyone. <3- Have fun! Even if your pony isn't. 8'D
Prompt: Months on the run, the Seroran council has been on nearly constant movement through the Sedo wilds to avoid capture from the Aodhians and War Forged still occupying their land. Outfitted with a complement of Warders and Skirmishers, they've been separated from the Sultan for now. Traveling through the Valley of Melodies, there's been sighting of a troop of Aodhians near. The group has to move carefully in order to escape notice. Location: Somewhere in the Valley of Memories Time of Day: Mid afternoon You do not have to wait for your leader to post!
|
|
|
|
Post by Elphora on Jan 4, 2019 4:50:31 GMT -6
Cardinal may the bridges we burn light the way word count: 593 | reference | post 1
It had taken days, weeks of walking south before the smoking ruins of Osulas no longer stained the sky at their backs. It took longer still to erase the fatalistic glow of it from behind his eyelids, lingering there as though burned into the thin translucent skin. But war did not wait for mourning, or for natural acceptance of loss, or for any kind of healing to take place. Aodh's rabid army crawled across the great reaches of Sedo like a plague. Evading the encroaching conflict became a constant anxiety for the council. After crossing the Nuirros River and parting from the Sultan's company, the envoy veered west, trekking further each day in pursuit of the Valley of Melodies. Separated as they were from the protective barriers of the Oasis, the valley seemed a likely sanctuary - the greater canyon was a veritable maze of disorienting stone structures and tunnels carved out by rivers of sand and relentless wind. Each day seemed more exhausting than the last. Hollow-eyed and roughened from weather and the rigorous months of unending travel, Cardinal hardly recognized himself. War had a way of making strangers out of them all, he supposed. Still, he was deeply glad for the company of his fellows - Embryss in particular. Though it had been her great calling that set the meteors to Osulas (such a majestic yet terrible sight, one that he would remember for the rest of his days), the Councillor felt the burden of this decision shared between them, and all who had stood with Baram that day. Sometimes the flaxen-haired mare would get a strange, vague look about her, as though her golden eyes were seeing a different horizon to the one they faced. During these spells he would walk beside her, surrounded by the war-weary entourage of Warders and Skirmishers that the Sultan had delegated to their protection. It was a strange thing, but he felt himself somehow closer to the Sky Mother - closer to salvation - when Embryss was near. Not all their company were so comforting. Though the fiery wings of Katarina sparked a sense of fierce security, and Acorro and Kilorn had proven themselves more than capable countless times during their wayward procession, one in particular deeply unsettled the Councillor. Seeing the kirin among their ranks, day after day, made Cardinal feel sick. One glance at Sauron's curling antlers and glittering scales dragged up the irreverent ghosts that their goddess had planted so deeply in his subconscious: Devastating memories of fire and smoke, screaming, agony and fury intermingled, and death... So much death...As day after harried day wore relentlessly on and they all tired further, the once level-headed Councillor's mood soured. He began to avoid the antlered Skirmisher that Baram had placed in their guard, desperate to allay the confrontation brewing in his own troubled heart. Perhaps it was inevitable that their relatively good luck in evading the enemy would not last. After a few near misses, it became evident that a squadron of Aodhian soldiers were searching the valley for survivors - Or perhaps had even been sent in pursuit of the Councillors' envoy. The young Windracer Uluru proved an adept scout, her impressive speed and seemingly limitless energy suiting her perfectly to the task he had assigned her as a lookout. Still they traversed the sand with great caution, a sense of uneasy trepidation growing with each new dawn. How long until they were found? Had their flight from the devastation of Osulas been in vain? And little word came of the greater war - was it being won, or lost? |
|
pyvern
Nebula
avatar by lemonyh!
Posts: 24
|
Post by pyvern on Jan 4, 2019 11:58:19 GMT -6
ULURU || windracer .. serora .. she/her .. .a wind that blows without direction.
For several months now, after she found herself blocked from entering the Oasis. Uluru had wandered Sedo's empty deserts in search of food, water, safety, but mostly any others who were outside the Oasis' walls. There was strength in numbers, in a way. Little of these were to be found. However, some time ago- she wasn't sure when, it could have been a few weeks ago, or a month- Uluru had come across a relatively large group not far from the Niurros River: The Council members, Cardinal and Embryss; the Warders, Katarina and Kilorn; and finally there were the two Skirmishers, Acorro... and Sauron, the kirin. Though he seemed strong and trustworthy enough, Uluru still wasn't sure how she felt about travelling with him.
Uluru had, over time, learned of recent events while travelling with these new acquaintances- of what had happened to Osulas, especially.
It shook her to the core, imagining it. That she would never see the city as it was again. But notihng could last forever without changing, like Alya's winds: ever-changing and unpredictable.
Having been assigned the role of scout by Cardinal, the young Windracer mostly stayed further ahead of the rest of the group, watching out for Aodhian troops - those ashbreathers - and attemtping to guess their distance from their proposed destination: The Valey of Melodies. There, they had decided, was one of the safest places possible, thanks to its winding mazes of sandstone tunnels and mounds.
Though their journey had been quiet enough, despite a few close shaves with Aodhian patrols, every member of the group was growing wearier by the day, and the mood was beginning to go sour. Uluru, especially, was growing more exhausted by the day - though she did not show it - due to her need to keep ahead of the group. Even with her strengthening Blessing, Uluru was struggling to go much further, and couldn't help wondering how long they would have to be on the move. Forever?
Unfortunately, the near misses with Aodhian soldiers were growing more frequent. Uluru had spotted them many times now- too many, she thought, for them to be simply searching for any Seroran wandering the deserts. There, they would have a better chance, and might be able to evade the enemy squadrons.
She hoped.
Now, as they traversed through the winding sandstone archways of the valley, it seemed they had a chance of some rest - at least some solace for a short time. That was Uluru's hope, until she spotted yet another Aodhian patrol. Calling on her Blessing, she teleported a few strides away until at a safer distance, and raced back to the rest of the group. Upon reaching them, the appaloosa mare warned them, though quietly, "There's another a group of Aodhians nearby. We should be able to avoid them, if we're quiet."
|
|
|
|
Post by buffyandbramble on Jan 4, 2019 14:53:22 GMT -6
When Acorro had first set out with intent of becoming more involved in the war effort, he never would have guessed that he'd end up being drafted into the complement protecting prominent council members. He was pleased to be of use of course and at greater ease now that he knew he was contributing more directly to the war, but when he actually took a moment to think on everything now and then it was funny. Politics. He never thought he'd be anywhere near anything to do with politics, having always assumed that he'd spend his days protecting the main body of the herd and not really having anything to do with the horses that handled the great complexities of overseeing a far-flung herd. It was all much of a muchness to him, the nuances of politics well and truly lost on him. He respected them for the services they provided to the herd, even if he couldn't always wrap his head around what some of those services were and entailed, but the idea of being even remotely connected to what they did? Nope, never considered. At least this was proving an excellent chance to learn from more experienced horses and warders no less. He supposed a silver lining to all of this "on the run" stuff was that he wasn't having to be anywhere near actual politics. Right now, Cardinal and Embryss were barely more than another couple of exhausted Serorans in need of defending from the Aodhian and War-Forged forces. Though all things considered, maybe some of that dull and drab politics stuff would be a nice change from the continual watching marching and evading capture. Just for a day or two. Their journey and the constant need for vigilance was wearing them all down, and it was clearly affecting some more than others. He found himself more and more often casting a worried glance towards the councillors, particularly Embryss. He couldn't say he knew the mare overly well but something still seemed off, as if she wasn't always quite there. He had heard of what had happened to Osulas and mourned the passing of the great city with the others; he could scarce imagine what it must have been like to have to be the one to destroy it. Then there was Cardinal - even Acorro, oblivious as he was, was picking up on growing tension and avoidance of the kirin in the group. He wished there was something more he could do for either of them, but words were not his strong point. All he could do was stand and staunchly defend them as they needed it, and follow where they needed him to go. Speaking of the kirin in the group, he wasn't quite sure what to make of Sauron; he was a fellow skirmisher and Acorro couldn't help but feel some semblance of kinship with the other stallion despite everything. He had been wary to begin with but settled in his company after a little while - the anterled equine had taken up the mantle of a protector of the herd and that stood for a lot in Acorro's book. He knew the stories of the barbarism of the kirins of course, but he was struggling to hold it against Sauron and he did his best to offer him his friendship. He didn't know what the other had done in the past, and surely what counted was what he was doing now? Innocent until proven guilty and all that, and probably something about repentance? No, salvation? Reconciliation? Something like that. His ears pricked as he noticed Uluru returning, trotting forwards to meet her. She'd been invaluable, but her re-appearance probably wasn't great and as she spoke that was confirmed. More Aodhians. "Could you tell how many? Any pegasi?" he asked, immediately interested in the details of the danger lurking nearby. With a quick tug of his teke he loosened the sheath of his sword so that it was ready to draw at a moments notice, and lifted the shield from his pack to keep it held ready. With any luck they'd be able to avoid them, but it was always a case of hope for the best and prepare for the worst. They had to be ready to fight should it come to that.
Post #1
718 words |
|
|
|
Post by FaunaFawn on Jan 5, 2019 15:55:42 GMT -6
 SauronIn the eye of a reckoning
Everyone is a sheep
But I've become the lion’s mouth
So settle in my teethThis was not supposed to be apart of the plan, but the damn kids. Always the children, its because all these sand lickers let them roam like free range cattle. The more he thought about how he got into this mess, the more he seethed and boiled. Sauron shook his head as the group separated all in their own ways, Sauron had found himself here. The only one seemingly greeting him was Acorro, at least it was something
So far the group was lead by Cardinal, and perhaps a bit of Embryss as well? He cared little for who lead the sheep in the flock. It was all pointless in a sense. They either would die out here, get captured of have to flee the sands. All of those sounded so tempting, yet he had someone to get to, his.. Ghost.
Suddenly someone spoke of hearing something, and Sauron was quick to stand still, ears twitching as he tried to pinpoint the sound. So Aodhs were near by, it seemed like plan #2 was coming to fruition. While some would be eager to seek it out, he learned the value of weighing his options, and his options was to get this team away from the danger. Avoid at all cost. They had equines with blessings he couldnt imagine, he did not need Aodh using them how they will.
"Then stay quiet." he remarked ever so soft and coldly to them. He did not want this trouble to come upon them. He prayed no fool was among the group, otherwise he would burn them to ash. For the good of the team of course.
WC:273 | Post #1 |
|
|
|
Post by Kytte on Jan 7, 2019 2:13:06 GMT -6
 What had transpired that day never fully left the woman’s mind. The feeling of weightlessness yet crushing density of the universe being called forth and hurled and scattered across and against their sacred ancestral home. The feeling of quicksilver once more racing through her core, galaxies and stars burning on her hide and the unforgettable feeling of power where, at that moment, Embryss singlehandedly affected the lives of a thousand. It had broken her. Time was cascades doing and Embryss had not felt her presence at her back since she had left Talori. Time had been absorbed and spun into stars that had clouded her mind. There was a blankness in her stare and it grew ever increasing with every step through their home. Ever since Jack had parted ways, her dreams and desire to explore the Astral plane grew. Grew to call to him. To call to Alya for guidance. For forgiveness. If Cardinal had not been by the councillor’s side, she would surely have separated from body and mind a long time ago.
The two walked together, surrounded by skirmishers, warders, wind racers and militants of the like. She was thankful for them for they had wandered into dangerous territory, but also for Cardinal. They had both stood firm on the choice to seek aid. Embryss had torn herself apart for the decision, but wondered what would have become of the people had they not. On moments of composure, she looked to Cardinal but could not find the words. His resolve was impenetrable. He was stronger, stronger than she ever could be at this moment. Cardinal was the councillor the people needed.
The scale-backed Kirin called Sauron, terrifying but brilliant was not far behind them. Embryss could feel the unease that especially radiated from Cardinal. In quiet moments, he had spoken briefly about what he had seen in the uncovering of the Oasis that day. Of a war, of bloodshed, Kirins. She wondered if she should trust him. After all, she had made worse judgements before. Shaken from her thoughts, Uluru informed them of a band of soldiers nearby. Accoro queried how many were visible and Sauron was quick to try and quiet the anger. Although skilled in the ways of wordsmithing and diplomacy, Embryss was clearly out of her reach here. She was no combatant. Not fit to serve in any battle, so for now, she stayed quiet. She sighed, if she had to use her blessing again as a last-ditch effort she would. For now, she would do as the stronger ones said.
|
|
|
|
Post by firebirdfalling on Jan 7, 2019 11:49:00 GMT -6
KATARINA  WARDER Many things had happened in the past few months, almost too many to count, she reckoned. She was always strong and un-moving when it came to such things, but what she had seen, a city in ashes and stardust, a vision from the gods of past failings, that was something she could never get accustomed to. Watching Embryss lay waste to a city - - no, her home -- with a blessing, something she could never fathom in a thousand years. With only a decision and a thought, Osulas was gone, wiped from all maps in seconds. Only gods should be able to do that but she did not blame Embryss for the act. Nor the gods. Only Aodh, for it was them that drove them to make this decision. Even with the loss of the home she had lived in for the majority of her life, Kat was not particularly wary of the kirin among them. Even though she was there when they saw him destroy everything, burning it all to ashes with his fire, she was not frightened, or at least, not out of her mind. She still kept an eye on him, but didn't let it bother her. She was more interested in why he stayed. But she didn't dare ask. Even her wind would only make his fires burn brighter, and hurt the others around her. So she stayed quiet, watching instead of speaking. Ahead, the windracer that could teleport popped in and out of existence, quickly scouting ahead faster than the rest could do. She returned with a report of Aodhians ahead, something that no one wanted to hear. The kirin replied with a quiet voice, warning others to be quiet as well, an undertone of ice causing Kat to look at him, a slight squint in her eye. But again, she did not speak. Instead she moved to a better position to protect the councilors Embryss and Cardinal. Her only goal was to keep them safe, either from the Aodhians or the kirin, only time would tell.
WC: 340 | Post #1 |
|
|
|
Post by Bootless-Box on Jan 7, 2019 11:49:24 GMT -6
◇ KILORN ◇
warder | stallion | he/him
- The wind mother's air was so familiar it was home to him. It had to have been the last few months because their true home was gone. Sedo's beacon of a city was gone. It had affected them all and hit those who made the decision the worst. Kilorn could see it in Cardinal and Embryss, let alone himself. During the past year or so he'd been more outspoken than he had in his entire adult life, but that was gone. Kilorn was quiet. He'd been in several situations with the two councilors and Katarina, another warder, but failed to know any of them as he should. Even now the scarred stallion stood alone, even though he walked next to the group. Meeku, his pesky meerkat rustled about in the saddlebag as the others began to talk, reminding him that he wasn't truly alone, just detached.
- Uluru warned about a group of Aodhians not far off, Acorro was asking for statistics, and the kirin used his silver-tongued words to try and quiet them. While Kilorn agreed with the scaled equine, he did not hide his discomfort towards him. Yet, Kilorn would not voice it either. It was a strange time in Sedo, and Kilorn refused to tip the scales any more than he felt he already had. The less conflict the better. He coarsely muttered, "then let's move." it was not really a suggestion as he picked up the pace, assuming others would as well. He didn't feel the need to seek them out, Aodhians were merciless and upfront, while they were better at using their surroundings, because there are fewer Serorans. It was time to stick to their teachings.
wc: 279 words
post #1
|
|
|
|
Post by Elphora on Jan 8, 2019 3:51:54 GMT -6
Cardinal may the bridges we burn light the way word count: 936 | reference | post 2
Separating had seemed a reasonable enough suggestion coming from Baram's ever-logical mouth. The Councillors and the Sultan's escort moving as one single, large unit made for an impossibly tempting target to the encroaching enemy forces. With one lucky foresight they would have had the majority of the herd's structural hierarchy in reach, or worse - it wasn't as though the Aodhians were known for their mercy, after all. To imprison or execute them all would have been an immediate end to the war, and an immediate end to Serora as it was known. Cardinal had deferred to their judgement at the time, and in his resilient heart he knew the Sultan had been right to part ways with them. They were less vulnerable as many individual pieces moving across the impossibly large chess-board that was Zuisset. But still there was nothing he longed for more than his old friends, gathered together in the comfort of a library now buried under ash and stardust, forever lost to time. He tried not to think about the library much. It was better - less painful - that way. Embryss had just returned from one of her weakened spells when the young windracer reappeared. Cardinal's quiet worry grew daily for his associate. He could see the cosmos twinkling in her faraway stare long after her soul returned from its wanderings; Since the meteor shower, it seemed some part of her had grown intangible and drifted with their great Mother in the celestial realm. Each morning as they rose in the darkness of pre-dawn, he was silently consumed with the thought that today might be the day - today might be the day that Embryss did not return to her body. Though the others were of comfort, to lose her now would have felt impossibly like a herald of doom. So it was that he was walking at the flaxen one's side, his weary red eyes heavy with concern, when Uluru's return unsettled them. At once the group halted, and gathered close to hear the little scout speak; Her reports of the greater terrain around them were absolutely essential to their safe progress, and each onlooker could not help but sense the dread that came with her unexpected appearance. She was not meant to report back for another hour or more; Something must have happened. The news of another nearby military squadron felt like a noose slowly tightening around Cardinal's neck. Ever the pragmatic sort, Acorro's mind went straight to the practicalities of his training, and he began to drill the windracer for greater detail on the everlooming threat. There was something gratifying in the sturdy certainty of the Skirmisher, whose physique and weapons spoke of a trained soldier's skill. The contrast of his helpful attitude to that of the kirin, who coldly and caustically bid them to be quiet, could not have been more stark. Cardinal raised his head. He looked across Embryss' dusted flanks to gaze at Sauron, the deep ruby reds of his eyes brimming with something foreign to him, something that felt like loathing and fear. For a moment it seemed as though he might at last break, the tension he had been holding sharp like a whip in the dry desert air. But then Embryss sighed with resignation at his side, and Cardinal was recalled to his purpose. He could not tear this group apart now, or it might be the end of them. Baram had placed their trust in him to keep his fellow Councillor safe, and in turn entrusted their protectors with this difficult duty. The rough, grainy wind drew fingers through his bedraggled mane, and Cardinal searched inside for the warm glow of his Blessing, using it to find the reservoir of stoic precision that had guided him this far through the war. A calmness stole over him. "Alright," He began, a note of authority holding rich tenor to his quiet voice, "You know the drill - they may have fliers, so we need to stick close to the rock formations and in the thicker dust clouds where possible. Kilorn and Acorro," A quick glance to each of the proficient warriors in turn, "Take up position on both sides, and keep your ears open. We'll hear them before we see them. Katarina," Her red wings resplendent even in the desert haze, the pegasi was a familiar beacon of safety, "If they come upon us, your duty is to protect Embryss at all costs. The enemy must not take her."It was an unspoken pact between them. His fellow Councillor was as ill equipped to close combat as himself - they were politicians, not warriors. But her blessing made her rare. If Aodh could control such a power... It was a dreadful thing, beyond imagining. "Don't go back out there now, Uluru. It will be safer for you with the group for a little while, until they have passed. If we are discovered, use your Blessing to get as far away from here as possible - someone will need to tell the Sultan."Grains of sand grit unpleasantly between his teeth. He wondered where his old friend was now, and if they were safe; He wondered what the motives were of the foe that had been haunting and harrying them all this way. Lastly, Cardinal's eyes swept over to the antlered one once more. Even the flare of his Blessing, tranquil and clarifying though it was, could not quite keep the mistrust from his tone. "And you, take up rear guard. If they think to sneak up behind us... Burn them to ashes. Destroy them. That is what kirins do best, no?" |
|
|
|
Post by buffyandbramble on Jan 8, 2019 6:48:48 GMT -6
Uluru’s approximation of numbers was enough and Acorro thanked her, immediately assessing the information that she had been able to provide, running through his training and experience on how best to deal with this scenario. No fliers had been spotted but that didn’t mean they weren’t there, and then there was the added complication of blessings – it didn’t matter how good a scout was, it was near impossible to identify every horse with a blessing. The situation wasn’t fantastic, but it wasn’t something new. They’d evaded enemy groups before and there was no reason they could not do it again.
He rolled his eyes at Sauron’s helpful comment, tossing his head and snorting softly. “And here’s me thinking now was the perfect time for a song,” he quipped, but there was no malice in it, only humour and it showed in the tired twinkle of his eyes. If the kirin wanted to be cold that fine (though even Acorro saw the irony in a chilly fire-equine), but it didn’t mean that he had to be likewise.
The small smile he wore faded, the nature of their situation not really lending itself to prolonged amusement. He nodded silently to Kilorn as the other suggested they move and at Cardinal’s instruction dropped into position. Nothing they hadn’t done before. He raised his head to glance over the group, eyes flicking from member to member as he double checked their positions. The task at hand was simple in design – avoid detection. Failing that, protect the councillors at all costs. That was all there was to think about right now.
------
Post #2
WC: 266
|
|
|
|
Post by firebirdfalling on Jan 8, 2019 9:59:36 GMT -6
KATARINA WARDER Kat nodded towards Cardinal as he gave the group their orders and she gave a silent vow to follow what he asked. Even though both were her charges, Embryss was the larger concern. The flaxen mare was wandering between worlds inconsistently and should push come to shove, Kat would have to make sure she was taken care of in the chaos that was battle. The others spread out, but Kat moved to the other side of Embryss, opposite of the other councilor. She did not touch the mare, but she was close enough that if danger arose, she could quickly cover themselves from any that came in their direction. One of the others cracked a joke, which brought a faint smile to Kat's lips. Even in the face of certain conflict, at least someone had visible hope. Cardinal's orders to the kirin, Sauron, was somewhat disturbing to her however. Burn any that would think to harm them. But who, in his mind, was considered an enemy? The Serorans or the Aodhians? Or both? Best she didn't dwell on that too much. There is a fine line between being wary and paranoid, and she has been walking that line long enough to know when to stop worrying about things she could not control.
WC: 212 | Post #2 |
|
|
|
Post by FaunaFawn on Jan 9, 2019 14:43:43 GMT -6
SauronIn the eye of a reckoning
Everyone is a sheep
But I've become the lion’s mouth
So settle in my teeth Seething was something that seemed to come so naturally to the Kirin now. He saw their looks, their uneasiness, their eyes pass judgement upon him, without knowing him. He had fought for this herd before the war, fought thunderbirds to ensure the herd survived. Still was never enough was it? He did not ask for this life? To come back into existence on some Gods whim. Yet still he must suffer, suffer for sake of Gods.
Cat like pupils narrowed in on Cardinal as he spoke, the clear leader, which Sauron thought was a good choice, especially seeing the other, Embryss was it? Whoever in some dream like state, gone and here weary and tired. A weak link, one he was shocked to see rise each morning. Nostrils flared, as he gritted his teeth ready to snarl something, but Uluru had to say something to make him whip his head like a crack of lighting.
Words all of them so blessed with silver serpents tongue. Thinking it all a game to mock and sneer. Chest rose as he took in a deep breath, trying to steady his emotions. Cardinal finally had the will to speak to him, to look at him and all that he was. Sauron met his gaze locked onto eyes, dared him to see him for the Kirin he was. The clear abomination their goddess has declared them all. Yet every word Cardinal spat out was a shrike against him once more. He rolled his eyes at Cardinal, assumed he could have some decency, but clearly lost on them.
"As you command." A faint smug smirk on his face as if he knew something they did not know at all. He drew himself to the back of the group, creating a faint distance between him and the group. Sauron looked to the lot before him, a place he would never be welcomed for, even after it all? Even denying the call? The call to come home, for retribution? He stayed, and Gods be damned, at times he did not know why. "Let the fire take whatever it wills." he remarked gently to himself. Let the fire consume it all, let him rise from the enemies ashes, let him be welcomed, but alas he knew. He knew it would never be enough for a life he once lived.
WC:390 | Post #2 |
|
|
|
Post by Kytte on Jan 14, 2019 2:19:33 GMT -6
She was slowing them down. In her dreamlike state – Embryss’s light and frail form dragged like an anchor along the sands. A burden to the group. A brief moment of clarity, the woman smiled as Cardinal – direct and clear helped organise the group and mentioned that she must not fall into the hands of the enemy. She found comfort in his words but wondered if the enemy would even be safe if she were captured. Perhaps not…perhaps. She had heard murmurs of a beast within the walls who could suppress blessings. To have her connection to Alya severed…it would have broken her. “Their cages could not hold the sky mother’s might!” Embryss said quietly and raspily voiced to cardinal. They quite clearly could.
Embryss looked about the group in her moment of calm, noted Katarina’s strong presence, alongside Kilorn’s. Uluru had a keen wit and it was clear that all of the group was getting on the Kirins nerves. Of few words but ample action and presence, Embryss wondered if Sauron would throw her to the soldiers first. After all, she was the weak link. And without a moment to recharge and rest and reconnect with the sky mother – she was useless in battle without her powers. Embryss in this instance had to follow rather than lead. And that was a hard thing for the mare to accept. Still broiling within her core raged a strong desire to turn the tides of the war and reunite with Jack and her family. She wanted her people safe.
“let the fire take whatever it wills” The words of a Kirin whose kind set alight to the world. The stories that Cardinal had told her burst to her mind once more. She offered soft words to the group, following after the Kirin “And may the star-mothers raging solar winds turn them back.”
|
|
|
|
Post by Elphora on Jan 19, 2019 7:25:22 GMT -6
Cardinal may the bridges we burn light the way word count: 255 | reference | post 3
Perhaps clarity of mind would have helped him in seeing the antlered one's frustrations, in dissecting the seething anger to find the heart of things - isolation. A younger Cardinal would have found the opportunity, would have spoken with more care and compassion. Sauron was indeed a valuable asset to the team, but also an individual with thoughts and feelings who had made Serora their home. But the sky mother herself had shown him terrible visions of betrayal by the scaled ones. The bias she had planted in his heart was now impossible to ignore. How could he forgive the forbidden atrocities he had seen? How could any of them commit to trust again? The war raged on, inside and out. Like a well oiled - albeit worn, tired, and dusty - machine, the delegation fell into their separate rolls and resumed their journey. The canyon walls of the Valley of Melodies rose to flank them. Red dirt swirled thick as fog in the air, making for a poor visibility that both aided and waylaid them. Embryss' soft-spoken prayer walked among them; Though the mare was not a Mullah, there could be no doubting the virtuous strength of her connection to Alya. It was a piety and a devotion that Cardinal shared. He had been visited by a vessel of the goddess in the Oasis, and though that day haunted his nightmares still, it had cemented the pillars of his faith. Alya, I beg of you, the Councillor offered up his own silent prayer, let our luck hold! |
|
|
|
Post by Elphora on Feb 4, 2019 6:51:16 GMT -6
|
|
|
|
Post by buffyandbramble on Feb 5, 2019 14:24:34 GMT -6
'I really must get myself a pair of goggles,' Acorro thought to himself as he narrowed his eyes against the rising, swirling dust. 'I think this everytime there's a sandstorm,' he observed pretty quickly as he shook his head and neck in a futile attempt against the sand and dust. He had no doubt that he'd follow his usual pattern of not purchasing any and then remembering why he should the next time there was a sandstorm. Should he get to see another sandstorm of course a treacherous little voice whispered in his mind. There was always the possibility that their luck wouldn't hold.
He found himself drifting closer to to the group as they bunched up under the growing onslaught of the Wind Mother - Acorro couldn't decide if this was an attempt to help them or not. Sure it might cloak them from view but as the group's pace slowed to a crawl, and and a particularly unpleasant one at that, he was starting to see it as a real hindrance. The tiny grains of sand that whipped past stung and it was difficult enough to discern their own group members let alone the presence of any Aodhian aggressors.
He tensed as sounds of their pursuers began to reach them, throwing his head high into the air and squinting against the sand as his ears flicked back and forth quickly, trying to locate the sounds. He tried rearing briefly, tiling his head this way and that in an increasingly desperate attempt to pinpoint a location. Metal-shod hooves dropped back to the floor with a quiet thud as a sense of anxiety settled over him, unease writ clearly on his face. His ears kept flicking back and forth at every little sound, despite the fact that he'd rather have pinned the back as a defence against the swirling sand, just in case he caught a sound that might be helpful. Not being able to pinpoint the enemy's location was a very dangerous situation to be in. Granted they would struggle to track the Seroran party in this weather, but they were still at a significant disadvantage. On top of that, the Aodhians were likely to be better rested and better equipped. He'd never considered himself to be lacking in stamina but even he was feeling the bone-weary effects of unending travel, and even more so the mental exhaustion of forever being alert for signs of potential danger. They'd never be able to outrun an Aodhian party - their tactics were almost solely centered on not being found in the first place. He had a growing sense of dread that those tactics were about to fail, and miserably so.
Their sparse options flicked through his mind, and none of them were palatable. There was no point in trying to run, he decided uneasily. There was no way of telling if there was another group of Aodhians nearby, and it was entirely possible that they'd end up running straight at the very horses they were trying to avoid. He glanced up at the canyon walls. If they stopped... well, he supposed there was the possibility that they'd be passed over completely. And if not, the walls could at least provide them with partial cover... His gut clenched at the thought of standing their ground, knowing it to be a poor option. He didn't much fancy the chances of four tired and under-equipped equines against an enemy search party, and it wouldn't take much for them to be cornered and overwhelmed. The walls that could provide protection could just as easily become their prison. The councillors were in no state for a quick escape either, and even if the wardens and skirmishers could hold off the enemy long enough for them to get away Acorro didn't think that they'd last long on their own. He would have liked to think otherwise, but idealism didn't keep people safe.
He huffed quietly to himself, the gravity of the situation as tiring as all the travel they had done before he steeled his resolve.
"Cardinal," he began, trotting closer and keeping his voice as low as he could. "I... forgive me if I'm speaking out of turn, but I think we need to find a defensible position and stop." He didn't consider himself an expert and he would of course yield to the experience and authority of the warders, but he couldn't keep on without saying something. "We can't outrun them." He wasn't that convinced that they could out-fight them, but with the offensive blessings they had between them and not counting the exhausted Embryss' catastrophic power, they had a better chance at that than running. "Best we conserve what strength we do have. They might even pass us by," he added with a hopeful but dis-believing air.
Post #3
WC: 801
|
|
|
|
Post by Kytte on Feb 6, 2019 1:40:50 GMT -6
Embryss was forged from wind – or so she told herself every moment wandering the Oasis in her moments of clarity. After all, Embryss herself had climbed to the eye of the storm, wind raging as a challenge, only to be met with Alya’s might and embrace, blessed with holy cosmic manipulation. It was a moment that stayed with the mare forever, although every moment that had led Embryss to this point made her question of she was even worthy to hold such a gift. The winds raged on.
The mare was formed from dust. Leaning occasionally against Cardinal for support, she breathed silent, but deep, trying hard to find any and all resolve that she had left. Embryss longed so much to be reunited with Jack and her family, with her child, Moe. The thoughts of her loved ones and being aside her dear friend were the final fading bastions the mare clung to. The storm seemed to increase with each passing hour and it was clear that the band was not in for a tranquil journey back home. Seemingly aimless and all hopes long since eroded, Embryss could feel her last sparks of strength fade. She needed to rest, or stop, and soon, she could feel the other side linger. The Astral Plane call her entirely.
Although her hearing was fading, seemingly blurring, it was clear that the sounds of soldiers were amidst the storm. From which direction she was not sure. These haughty soldiers walked with clang and clamor and glinting steel. Hot, heavy and loud. Foolish. She thought. It was Acorro who spoke and suggested they use the storm to their advantage. Embryss looked to the battle-born Seroran and spoke “You do not speak out of turn. You call your home Serora, never falter your voice friend. It’s your birthright.” She looked to Cardinal and agreed with Acorro “We cannot keep winding into the unknown. We are born from storms like these ones, not the fire-bringers, Cardinal. I….I cant….any….longer…..” Her voice wavered and fell to silence. It was all she had left. She could no longer speak.
|
|
|
|
Post by FaunaFawn on Feb 6, 2019 13:11:27 GMT -6
SauronIn the eye of a reckoning
Everyone is a sheep
But I've become the lion’s mouth
So settle in my teeth The storm was heavy and thick, the sand seemed like gnats all over his body. It was never ending and he was growing weary of this, that was until he heard something far off, but yet so close. Nostrils flared as the stallion stopped. He was the rear the defender, that was his role that was thrust so carelessly to him. The lesser one of the group. Teeth gritted as he stood there and saw the others seemed to stop a bit. Acorro was the first to speak, talking about finding a place to defend, but with their weak link in such a state. Sauron was unsure if that was a wise move. It would not take much to snag her from their grasp.
Soon the weak one began to speak, some reassurance of the sort and Sauron shook his head all the more. "I think its clear choice here." he snorted as rage seemed to boil into his veins. Always so quick to action he was, never learning, but he didnt care, the fight was him, most of what he could remember. He had killed many, why not add more to blood to his damnation. Alya already showed him what he was worth, and he'd have a hell of a good time proving a feather duster of a God wrong.
"I'll fight, its all I know what to do." he laughed in a crude manner. Why not be all thos awful things they all looked at him and saw. They knew he killed many, they knew. So why not for once use it to his advantage. If only for once. "Move onwards I'll stay back, remember?" he looked to Cardinal. He would never measure up, so what, he thought. Why must he try so hard to prove his worth to this lot. If anything they should be thankful to be rid of him.
WC:314 | Post #3 |
|
|
|
Post by buffyandbramble on Feb 6, 2019 14:54:19 GMT -6
He dipped his head slightly at Embryss' words, the a small, sad smile gracing his features momentarily before the worried look settled back into place. He wished he could speak with confidence enough to stave of any faltering of voice or resolve, but right now? He wasn't confident in the slightest. For himself he did not worry - his concern lay with the group. The decision they made could mean the difference between life and capture, possibly even death. He wanted to be sure that they could do something to defend themselves, be it run or fight, but there were great risks with either option and he hated gambling with the safety of others. It was heartbreaking to see the poor councillor mare in such a state, even more so that there was nothing any of them could really do to help her. It did, at least, cement his belief that running was no longer an option.
He flicked an ear and turned his head to look at Sauron when the fellow skirmisher said he would fight, the roan taking strength from the other's (albeit somewhat bitter sounding) assertion of strength. At least for a second anyway, until Sauron spoke again and Acorro jerked his head back and flattened his ears, an angry frown settling over his features.
"What, no!" he rebuffed immediately. Propriety or manners be damned, he was too horrified at the idea the kirin pitched. "We don't split up," he said flatly, voice like iron. It wasn't a concept he would entertain. It wasn't just his skirmisher training that repulsed him to the idea of splitting their force and leaving one behind, but his very nature. It was the Seroran way to stand by and support one and other, through good times and bad. You didn't just leave someone behind in a sandstorm to meet a horrible fate, no matter who they were nor how disagreeable they could sometimes be.
He looked from kirin to unicorn, unicorn to kirin and back again. Neither of them could seriously be considering the idea, could they? The fact that they'd barely make any progress was almost irrelevant in his mind right now, this was about the principle of the matter.
Post #4
WC: 369
|
|
|
|
Post by brandvandet on Feb 19, 2019 13:12:34 GMT -6
COMPLETE
20 AP and 20 CS to Cardinal, Acorro, Embryss, Katarina, Sauron.
|
|
