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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2019 0:52:55 GMT -6
Hello Starborn, and welcome to Vagabond Plot 803: Road Less Traveled  Team Leader: Eshana Participants: Jimmu, Abel, Cecilia, Damianus, Reuben 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: Your informants have let you know that the war with Serora has ended, and soon the troops that were occupied in Serora will be back home in full force. But right now, Aodh is at its weakest, their soldiers worn from a costly war and their herd of slaves dwindled by your previous efforts. Now is the moment to strike, but time is of the essence - you must make it to New Valore and back before Aodh has time to reorganize their troops to defend the city. The journey here has been long and difficult, dodging both kirins and Chevalier patrols, and now, New Valore is in the horizon. You can’t let anything distract you from your goal now. Date: October 3rd Time of Day: Noon Weather: Partly Cloudy Location: Southern Eithne, a good few miles from New Valore Your leader is posted!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2019 5:37:30 GMT -6
The path they followed was a vaguely familiar one, and Eshana found her mood souring with every additional hour they found themselves in the land of Eithne. This was a land that had brought her nothing but pain and suffering, and leaving it behind had easily been one of the most joy filled days of her life.
Yet despite her displeasure in being back in the land of fire, a steely, determined glint had taken to shining in her eye. The wispy memories of her last mission still burned incessantly in her mind, raising a sensation of paranoia that kept her glancing over her shoulder every few minutes. But more than that, the memories of the failures of their last mission had plagued her for months, often waking to the terrified faces of their cadets and the smug look of the traitor, Julius, searing in her mind's eye.
The Vindicator's could not afford to lose more, not after their Bunker location had been compromised.
The Chevaliers were getting smarter, more inclined to use what had once been the Vindicator's main stealth tactics. Despite knowing that the majority of their force were elsewhere, having just completed fighting in another war, in another land, Eshana found she wasn't quite able to shake the sensation of being watched.
Eshana gave her head a firm shake as she led onwards, banishing the thoughts from her mind. If the others had noticed her increased wariness these past few days, no one had yet made a comment to her. It was just as well, she thought as she paced forward. Voicing her nervousness, or even her desperation to succeed, could aid in distracting others; and if the past few months had taught them anything, it was they must always be focused on being ahead of their enemies. Right now, little else mattered.
"I think we're starting to get close," Eshana murmured after some time, glancing over to her nearest companions. It was difficult to say exactly where they were that moment, but they had passed the border of Eithne some time ago; New Valore could not be incredibly far off now.
Post 1 | 355
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Post by foalish on Jul 5, 2019 18:19:35 GMT -6
Cecilia
The days were long, her hooves tired and sore as normal; but she barely felt any of that anymore. Not between the patrols and constantly being on high alert. She was admittedly far tired than normal, she felt more comfortable on watch these days, far more than she ever did sleeping. So she did little of the later.
But her heart was beginning to grow heavy, the closer they got to New Valore. She knew now, it was in the wrong spot. It may have had the same name, but it would never be Valore, at least not the one she knew. In the wrong spot, that with every step she took towards it, her heart tried to tell her to turn and find her real home.
It had been a call she’d been ignoring - fighting with, for months. At least after running into the Kirins - learning that her family may be alive. But she had other things to do - missions to complete, it’s why she was here; even if part of her hated it.
She stuck close to Abel; he was taller than her, but he felt more like her shadow than anything. It was hard to imagine any time without him around. But it certainly made the hard parts of travelling easier, far more bearable; to have the single horse she trusted next to her, it eased some of the pain.
”I think so too,” Cecilia returned confidently to the leader’s words. She perked her ears in the surrounding silence, ”I think I can hear the city now,” she mentioned in an offhanded tone.
WC: 270 | Post 1 |
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Post by misttheelf on Jul 8, 2019 10:34:14 GMT -6
Jimmu "...Need something kid?"
Post 1 | WC: 228 The day had been uneventful. That was rather assuring to the old stallion, as he walked alongside his companions for this mission. Jimmu hoped that this mission would go better than the last… It still irked him, and he was sure many others, that there had been a traitor… But the important thing, at least to him, had been the safety of the cadets. But for now, he needed to focus on the upcoming mission. He silently listened to the words of his companions as they walked. The others were far younger than he - and it gave him a small chuckle to see them interact as they did, even on a mission. So long as there wasn’t nearby danger, at least.
“We must move cautiously, then.” Jimmu hummed, when Cecilia mentioned being able to hear the city. The pair of young kirins was an… interesting addition to the mission compared to those he had been on prior… But welcome, in his opinion, for infiltrating New Valore. Though, it confounded him why others were put off by their presence in the bunker at first. If they were willing to fight against Aodh, and free the slaves? He would welcome them into the group.
Reuban, Eshana, and Damianus were all experienced, and gave Jimmu a hopeful outlook for the mission ahead.
Surely, Kaia and Cascade would see this mission succeed. |
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Post by galekxy on Jul 8, 2019 20:49:13 GMT -6
A B E L
Vindicator Soldier
... ...
He was on yet another outing. Each outing made him anxious, no matter how many times he seemed to go out. The kirin was slowly realizing that maybe a life of scouting and possible combat was not the life for him. He felt as if his heart might burst from his chest, and any horse-like shadow made him pause for a moment. He knew that they were going into dangerous territory, and as usual, he stuck close to Cecilia. She calmed his nerves, and he was glad to have her by his side for something like this. They weren't always sent out together- such was the life they led- but he treasured when they were.
Abel had no idea where they were or how close they might be getting. As a vagabond, he had never travelled close to Eithne in fear of getting captured, but now he was going all in. The landscape was unfamiliar, but he pricked his ears, trying to hear what Ce and Eshana might. The kirin looked to Jimmu at his comment, and he pulled his new short sword closer to his body. He also focused inwards, trying to stay calm. He had two blessings at his disposal now, and he actively used Kaia's to make walking easier. It was like second nature now. But Ignacio's was new, and more uncontrollable. But he was grateful to have it- and still a little stunned, but he would never admit that. "Do you think that we'll run into any trouble?" He knew the question sounded naive, and it even made him feel young and small, but Abel couldn't help voicing it.
... ... Word Count: 273 Post 1 |
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Post by notadonkey on Jul 8, 2019 21:25:30 GMT -6
Reuben Vindicator | Explosives Expert
The journey had been as long as he remembered as the party traveled to New Valore. They had a few hiccups, though largely the trip had been an uneventful one. If he was being honest with himself, Reuben welcomed it after the wild chase at the train station a few months ago. He clenched his jaw whenever he thought of the traitor and his smug ass face as he rode off in the opposite direction. He hoped that guy was rotting somewhere.
His eyes flicked forward as Eshana announced how close they were to the city. He gave a nod in acknowledgement, picking up his hooves with a slightly faster pace. He has grown to have a great deal of respect for the unicorn's leadership as well as her judgement, and believes that she was right for the job to lead them to the city.
Jimmu and Damianus he had worked with before and trusts them as well.
The two kirins were new. At least, he hadn't ever had a chance to speak to either of them since they've arrived at the bunker. Reuben watched as the rays of sun filtered through the clouds and gleamed on the scales of their back. They were young, that's for sure. Reuben did not know much about them, but it was clear they had been through a lot, just like the rest of the vindicators. The hippocampus had no reason to dislike or distrust the young kirins, if they were here for their cause then that was good enough for him.
"Agreed" He voiced in response to the old stallion's warning.
His firearm strapped tightly to his side, along with saddle packs of supplies and explosives, he continued forward with his patrol mates and watched the horizon for first signs of their destination.
WC: 301 | Post #1
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Post by Rhaenera on Jul 9, 2019 1:57:43 GMT -6
Damianus;Vindicator Soldier
Raise your glass to Freedom
Three months ago they were staring death in the face just past the Eithne boarder. Three Months later they are back on Aodh soil, testing the generous promise the Kirins had given his small group that day. The Kirins that Murdered a town and could have easily given them the same fate as the Aodhians, as much choice as the Slaves in Valore. Of course, that was why they were here, wasn't it? It would be easy to let the Firebreathers have their way with Aodh, but they couldn't stand by and let them Burn the Slaves alongside them.
He believed that for a time. The safety of the Vindicators meant more to him in the end, but Dinah insisted on this and so here he was.
Chevalier patrols weren't even worth his thoughts, as if he could even worry about anything but the Kirins and their threats lurking from the treeline. A chevalier they could fight and even kill, but they were different. Demented, Deranged as if they didn't fear death. Why would they? They were dead once.
Damianus turned his gaze at the Kirin that stood beside each other when he heard the smaller of the two. As much as he knew it was wrong and misplaced, he almost resented the two of them. The only two accepted by their kind and the only ones that would probably survive at an encounter. How sure were any of them that they could even trust the two.
Eventually, Damianus ripped his gaze thoughts away from the Kirin problem. Setting his eyes on the Horizon where the city stood in all it's bitter grace. That was what mattered. This was what they were. They'd save the Slaves and leave Aodh to the wolves. Back to reality, he was actually able to listen to the conversation between them. "If we do, our free pass has expired. Lizards' words." It had been more of a spontaneous remark, tone as bold and audacious as if he hadn't been paranoid more than half the trip.
WC: 340 | Post #1 |
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Post by Mad-Manx on Jul 11, 2019 20:59:52 GMT -6
Eshana vagabond | vindicator "Strong but exhausted."
Post: #2 | Word Count: 427
"I don't know," Eshana replied honestly to Abel's question, her gaze placed firmly ahead of them.
Despite her efforts, her eyes eventually strayed to the Kirins in their company, darting over their glittering scales and arcing antlers. Age old traditions and warnings still elicited fear that rose in her throat, her hooves unintentionally shuffling her away from their sides. Eshana knew she should be thankful for their presence on this mission; Kirins were revered by the Aodhians, and should they run into any stray civilians or even chevaliers, their company might be enough to talk them out of a tough situation without the need for violence. They were skilled, they were her comrades, and most importantly, they were devoted to the Vindicator's cause.
Somewhere in the back of her mind, her mother's voice whispered warnings of bloodthirsty, scaled monsters.
~~~
The uneven footing of the forest floor eventually fell away to a dusty road, and with a wary glance up and down, Eshana delicately lead them across it. Within twenty paces, she abruptly drew herself to a halt.
In the distance, through the thinning trees, the unmistakable shapes of buildings had come into view. Squinting at the shapes, Eshana could make out that they lacked the grandeur of Valore's fine estates, but were still most certainly the creations of Aodhian craftsmen. One of the outlying villages no doubt- but there was something off about it.
It took a long moment for her to realize why she had not noticed how quickly they had approached civilization; the village was eerily quiet. There was no laughter of playing foals, nor the scents of a bakery of even well groomed gardens reaching out to greet them. The normal bustle of a populated, thriving town was simply absent. Rather, it was replaced by acrid fingers of smoke curled towards the sky, and just barely audible to her straining ears, the crackle of dying embers seemed to emanate from the village. For a moment the soft glow of flames seemed to lick the interior of the outlying building, a flickering gleam gone so quick it may have been nothing more than a trick of the light.
"Heads low," Eshana managed to mutter from the side of her mouth as she cautiously strode forward, back into the shelter of the trees. Uneasily she glanced back to her companions, gaze flicking between them and the ruins of the former Aodhian village.
"Think it was... them?" Eshana murmured pointedly to her comrades, carefully avoiding the gaze of the kirins in their group as she sought the advice of those who had already come across Aodh's newest enemies.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2019 16:06:19 GMT -6
One by one, you arrive at the vantage point with Eshana. There, beyond a rapid river, sits an eerily quiet town. There is even an abandoned water mill sitting on the river, a good distance from the town itself. It seems you have detoured slightly from your planned path; while you aren’t quite sure what village this is, you know it isn’t on the most direct route to New Valore from where you are. You must have gotten slightly off track at some point while hiding from patrols, but from here you can clearly see the main road to the opposite direction from the village, following the river before bending off into the distance. Before you have time to reorient yourselves and head that way, you hear a single, sharp cry for help. Then another. Same voice. Pained. Young. The rough cracks and lower pitch indicate not a child, but perhaps a teenager. Again. It’s coming from the village. A quick look in that direction reveals the river is much too quick to cross either walking or swimming. In the opposite direction of the main road, just at the edge of your line of sight, is a bridge crossing to the other side. A fourth cry for help, anguished. Heading back toward the village will lead you further away from Valore. Even if you travel with all haste, and the village proves little trouble to navigate, you won’t be able to make it back here before dark - and this close to New Valore, it's not safe to travel with limited visibility, much less set camp to rest. Splitting up is not an option this deep in enemy territory. It is one or the other. The screams sound more like wailing now. The village or your mission in New Valore? To press on or to head back? You must choose. |
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Post by foalish on Jul 14, 2019 22:08:42 GMT -6
Cecilia
She swung her head around, watching the horses around her come to their own conclusion. She caught a critical glance or two from other horses around her; which had been something near constant wherever she went. Especially recently, after running into more of her kind. Perhaps she understood, to some degree why, now. But that wouldn’t stop her from barking back at anyone if they ever even thought about voicing their discomfort about her and Abel by their side.
The first scream made her ears perk. And as they continued, for what could only assume from one horse, the grit in her teeth grew stronger and stronger.
Her head turned to Eshna, eyes narrowed into slits by now, at the sound of another faint, anguished scream. She was as close to as a leader this group had.
Cecilia lashed her tail, perking her ears, taking a moment to see if there was any more sound to break the silence again, but after a moment she turned back to the unicorn. ”It’s probably a trap,” she hissed. Perhaps her near lack of empathy was apparent; perhaps it may look cold, to anyone who paid attention. But it wasn’t a lack of empathy truly, just a Kirin refusing to relive the past memories they now were haunted by, to be brought down over a single scream. ”I’m not so naive to think that if there are any of the rogue Kirin around, this deep into Aodh, that they wouldn’t use a hurt horse as bait to lure in any chevaliers or of the sorts.” Her eyes narrowed a bit more, if possible. Her words were only a suggestion, but there was a critical look in her eyes, as if she was judging what choice Eshna and the others would make. She would follow either way, but she perhaps might not be so willing to mourn any dead if they fell because of stupidity.
WC: 325 | Post 2 |
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Post by notadonkey on Jul 15, 2019 23:52:18 GMT -6
Reuben Vindicator | Explosions Expert
Reuben stood at the vantage point, taking in the eerie village. All was...silent. The familiar smell of burning embers passed his nose. His eyebrows knitted together. Something felt off.
Then, the screaming reached them.
The hippocampus subconsciously wielded his shotgun, ready for whatever crazy shit was about to happen. But...nothing. Another scream. Then another. The voice sounded young, pleading and desperate.
And then, silence.
Lowering his firearm, he looked between his patrol mates as he gauged their reactions. They all knew they had a decision to make.
When Cecilia spoke, he nodded in agreement with the kirin. "It would be extremely risky. Especially seeing that there's only one way in from here, and therefore one way out" He motioned to the bridge with his head before continuing. "And I don't put it passed anyone who would use a kid as bait, as Cecilia said."
Despite this, a knot formed in his stomach at the thought that they could be wrong, and that someone could truly need help.
Reuben looked to Eshana, knowing that she too wanted to avoid anymore trickery after having to save the cadets a few months prior. "But I will follow with what you think is best, Eshana."
WC: 206 | Post #2
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Post by Rhaenera on Jul 16, 2019 0:25:08 GMT -6
Damianus;Vindicator Soldier
Raise your glass to Freedom
A thud sounded in his chest. It had every time they'd come to a halt during this trip. It meant something, or someone, was there and they had to tread carefully unless they wanted a fight. In all honesty, a fight would calm his nerves and quiet his paranoia, but that was the last thing he wanted when he saw what alerted the grey mare.
A small town. Burning. At least it had been burning, smoke rising to the clouds from still-smoldering buildings. "Think it was them?" It was a question he didn't have to ask, nor did he really care to know the answer. He didn't want to know if the Kirins had murdered another town, the Slaves and Children they'd burned. He wanted nothing to do with it.
"Looks like it, Aodh wouldn't burn its own village." He responded, quietly. His paranoia spiked. With a burning village, there were kirins, and they could be anywhere. When he had first faced their carnage they'd come from the distance, menacing and entirely unrelenting. His eyes darted around them, waiting for the swarm of scales to catch the sun.
A cry for help was the last thing he was expecting. The voice was young and scared. He felt his heart in his stomach as he tried to decide what to do. The town had been burning long enough for the fire to be dying. It was hard to even believe anyone was alive in that village, but he didn't smell burning bodies.
Again and Again, the voice begged for the support that would save its life. Each time becoming more panicked and eventually turning into a wail. He reasoned it was too late for the stranger, that the wailing was the fire overtaking them. "We should keep moving." His voice was Callous, having to come to terms with the choice he was making. It was the right one, it had to be. "It's too late for them, that village is dead." He wanted to believe Cecelia was right, that he wasn't leaving a child for dead.
WC: 345 | Post #2 |
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Post by galekxy on Jul 17, 2019 14:09:13 GMT -6
A B E L
Vindicator Soldier
......
When he first heard the screams, he stood completely still, heart quickly gathering a faster rhythm. He stopped breathing as his eyes went wide, and his head snapped to look at the others in his group. They seemed to be listening as well, but he was not sure what they thought about it. The kirin took a hesitant step in the direction of the screams, but stopped when Cecilia spoke.
Her words stopped him cold and he turned to look at her. A trap? How could she even- He shook his head, brows furrowing. She really did think it was the monster kirins they had encountered before. But how could any of them be sure, if they didn't check? Ce and him could go. They would be the two least likely to be in any big danger. But Abel could already tell that splitting up wouldn't be an option. The others wouldn't agree to sit and wait, not when they had other urgent matters.
Damianus too spoke up about moving on. Abel squeezed his eyes shut, unsure how to feel. "H-How can you all just leave them for dead? We don't know what might be there, b-but don't we call ourselves Vindicators to save horses?" Abel looked at his group, but avoided Ce's eyes. Her opinion was the only one that he truly cared about, and he was directly going against what she had said. "Do you only care about slaves? What if that screaming is coming from a slave, would that change your mind? A life is a life... how can we waste that?" The kirin's voice was quiet now. He felt as if he was on a losing side, but he had to speak up.
... ... Word Count: 287 Post 2 |
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Post by Mad-Manx on Jul 17, 2019 22:25:06 GMT -6
Eshana vagabond | vindicator "Strong but exhausted."
Post: #3 | Word Count: 385
The stillness following her words was fractured by a single, piercing cry; and then another, and another. Eshana felt her heart drop in her chest as her head snapped towards the village, urgently scanning the village for the source. It was clear they were far too distant to locate it, not without crossing into the village itself.
Her gut told her to rush to the aid of the stranger, to the child; but with a swift heaviness that left her breathless, her mind forced the memories of the Chevaliers into the forefront of her mind. It was a precarious situation, and Eshana's thoughts began to whirl as the others began to speak. The coldness in some of their voices cleaved her chest, but she could not deny the logic in their words.
Their searching gazes were not lost on her, and she tore her eyes away from the village to meet their gazes, one by one.
"If we go to their aid, I don't believe we can reach Valore in time. Our mission will be compromised and there's no way to tell when Aodh will be vulnerable again," Eshana began softly, unable to keep the pained edge from her voice as her eyes strayed once more to the ruined village. "We don't know what awaits us over that bridge."
Their group was built for strategic positioning and stealth, not for combat strength. They were well trained and skilled in battle, certainly; but it would be naive to assume they could out match kirins or Chevalier patrols. Should they be outnumbered, losing whoever was wailing might be the least of their issues.
Last of all, her eyes met with Abel; finding it almost difficult to hold his gaze.
"Our enemies have already shown they are not above using a child against us," Eshana finished heavily. "We may risk more lives by going to aid one."
She knew the logic was sound, that the fate of multiple lives may very well depend on their actions in that moment. Yet still her voice caught on the last words, and Eshana quickly cleared her throat as her gaze shifted to the final member of their group to remain quiet.
"Jimmu?" Eshana spoke quietly.
Whatever their choice, they would have to be united; or as close to it as possible.
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Post by foalish on Jul 21, 2019 20:56:43 GMT -6
Cecilia
She caught Abel’s expression immediately - perhaps something she was prone to, it came naturally. And so did leaning closer to him - her body language suddenly soft and full of empathy she had been holding back before. Her expression was almost meek, her ears pressed back, her eyebrows knit. Her eyes searched her partner’s expression for a few seconds after he spoke - ears flicking as she mostly ignored what Eshana had to say, despite her previous gaze to them, now too preoccupied with Abel.
”It’s not that we don’t care about them,” her tone softly sweet; a completely different composure than what she normally wore around everyone. ”If we walk into this village, we forfeit our mission, and all the good we are doing there. It’s not about the slaves or this horse - we also have to consider all possibilities.” She looked back over to them, then back at him. ”What if we run into a trap? We can’t split up - it’s too dangerous. We can’t put everyone else in danger too, for a horse we don’t know is how badly hurt, if even at all.” She bit her tongue. They could be dead by the time they got there, and they’d throw the mission for a dead body, and risk their life. ”It’s about everyone and keeping everyone alive safe and sound - above all else. Even if it’s a hard choice to do so.”
WC: 242 | Post 3 |
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Post by misttheelf on Jul 22, 2019 14:01:18 GMT -6
Jimmu "...Need something kid?"
Post 2 | WC 278 The burning village gave an acrid smell to the air, and the call for help of the young horse that was in there rang in Jimmu’s ears. It made the old stallion uneasy. The others discussed the two options they had, and he remained silent for the time, adjusting the strap that held his axe, as he weighed the two options for himself. He… did not want to just abandon the poor kid who was in the village. But… their mission was more important. This wasn’t like what had happened at the trainyard, where the trap had already been sprung.
And then Eshana asked him what he thought.
Jimmu sighed, glancing at the unicorn. “...We should continue to Valore.” He pinned his ears slightly, and a note of… regret? Lingered in his voice.
He didn’t like the situation, that much was clear - And anyone who had known him for any amount of time would know how much he cared about the safety of those younger than he was.
“But… in the end, you are in charge of the mission, Eshana. It is your call. I will follow you, whichever way you decide.”
He looked at the two Kirins. “If we had the ability to go and save that kid, and not forfiet our mission, I would have already gone.” He let out a low growl of frustration, before shaking his head with a sigh. “...I do not like this current situation. But we simply do not have the power to save everyone. So we must choose the option that has the higher amount of lives saved… I pray that Kaia and Cascade save the kid who’s in there...” |
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Post by Mad-Manx on Jul 24, 2019 22:04:38 GMT -6
Eshana vagabond | vindicator "Strong but exhausted."
Post: #4 | Word Count: 203
The decisiveness in Jimmu's reply steadied her, and Eshana gave a brief nod in response. He was a veteran Vindicator, and she trusted his judgement; his confirmation of her own beliefs on the subject washed away her doubts.
The reality of the situation was not a pleasant one. If it was possible to accomplish both tasks, she knew they would have, but their group was small and lacking in resources. Their priorities needed to lie elsewhere, where they could accomplish the greatest amount with what they had.
"I'm sorry," she murmured to the young kirin beside her. "I wish we could do both."
Her eyes lingered on Abel for a for more moments before she ripped them away, doing her best to shut the wailing from her ears. Scenarios involving the one they were leaving behind played within her mind's eye, and with a firm shake of her head she forced them out. That cry would haunt her, she knew; but she had to believe they were making the right choice.
Looking around at the grim, determined faces surrounding her, Eshana gave a firm nod of her head.
"Let's move out," she said simply, correcting their path towards Valore without a backwards glance.
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Post by Rhaenera on Jul 25, 2019 2:11:06 GMT -6
Damianus;Vindicator Soldier
Raise your glass to Freedom
Each voice in agreement constricted his heart. Like he wanted someone to voice out against him and force them to go to the village against his better judgment. But it was everyone's better judgment. As much as none of them wanted to accept it.
Abel was the only one to not just voice out against leaving but had the gall to question their priorities. It shouldn't have made Damianus as irritated as it did, but coming from a Kirin it irked him. Abel knew what happened with His Kind. He knew the odds of them getting out alive.
"It sucks. But if we get ourselves killed trying to save someone that's already Dead our mission is Failed and hundreds will die."Damianus said, trying his best to not to sound curt. But this choice was hard enough. It was easy to charge in when you fireproof. "You saw what they did. There is nothing we can do now." Even if time wasn't an issue, the difference between life and death was enough.
He knew Jimmu would take it the hardest. A kind heart that would give his life for the Cadets back home. He heard about the trainyard and it had to be hard on him. Now he had to leave the idea of one screaming for help. Damianus almost expected the stallion to not be able to make a choice, but where he was Kind he was also Wise.
It was with a heavy heart Damianus nodded a response to Eshana, Trudging forward towards Valore. Offering a silent prayer to Ignacio for the child.
WC: 264 | Post #3 |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2019 14:10:43 GMT -6
The choice is not easy, but it is made. You turn your steps towards the main road, and follow it along the riverbank and in the thickets, constantly keeping the road in sight, but avoiding the road itself.
You can hear the screams of help for a while longer, until you turn a corner that puts a forest between you and the village.
Knowing that you are now too far away to be of any assistance eases your mind. Perhaps someone else will go to investigate if it’s not a trap.
For a good few miles, your travel proceeds as it should. There are no more burned villages this far in, and the roads seem quite empty. You make good time, able to travel unimpeded and without hiding.
In the distance, the imposing silhouette of New Valore comes in and out of view as the road weaves through forest and farmland.
Wait!
What is that?
The sound of marching, organized troops is coming from further up the road. You don’t have visual, which means they haven’t seen you either, but by the sounds of it the party is large.
You can even hear a marching song, sung by numerous voices as the troop comes ever closer. Soon the road will bend and your two groups will come face to face.
An encounter that is unlikely to end in your favor.
Make yourselves scarce.
New Valore is just a few miles off, but you’ll never make it there if you get caught now. Looking around, there are a few potential hiding spots:
1. An abandoned small outside storage building stands on the edge of the road, bordering a field. The door is ajar, and it’s dark inside. A few equines could absolutely hide in there as long as they were quiet.
2. The river you followed is quite shallow and the current slow at this point. You could wade down into the still water and let the vegetation shield you from view… Yuck.
3. A small patch of young trees and bushes is right to your left, and if you lay low, you could probably avoid their gaze.
4. You have no idea how much information the traitor Julius passed along, but some of you don’t have much of a reputation as Vindicators or escaped slaves, and could probably just pass for travelers heading to New Valore.
That’s risky, of course.
Choose your strategies and hope for the best!
You don’t need to choose as a team.
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Post by galekxy on Aug 3, 2019 19:49:26 GMT -6
A B E L
Vindicator Soldier
......
He had desperately wanted to go and check on the screams by himself, but Cecilia's voice stopped him. He searched her face, agony in his eyes, but followed in her tracks, quickly starting to lag behind the group.
The kirin felt sick- so sick to his stomach. He would occasionally raise his gaze to those he travelled with, but he could not bear to meet their eyes. He had known why he had joined the Vindicators, but now he wasn't so sure. This isn't what he thought it would be. How could they not help? How could they all just turn away and leave someone for dead? Abel thought he was among good horses, but maybe they were just the same as everyone else.
Cecilia was the only one he wasn't surprised by. She had always been a bit colder, more apathetic. If it had just been the two of them, then Abel might have been able to convince her. He hoped he would have made her see it would have been the right choice. It hurt him too much to think that she would have still disagreed.
Following behind the group, Abel stopped as he heard... what was that? Hoof steps? Taking a step back, Abel looked in the direction they had come from, and then around as well. There was no where to hide. No where that might conceal such a large party of them. The kirin looked at those around him, wondering how they would fare if they just... stayed where they were. If they didn't act suspicious, they had nothing to worry about. And even then, they had no idea who was approaching.
Looking to his companions, he almost felt as if it were karma for leaving that village behind. He could still hear the screams ringing in his ears. Almost spiteful, he spoke, "Someone's coming, and I think we should stay out and see who it is." He didn't want the other Vindicators to hide. He didn't doubt that they would however- they had already shown they were cowardly for refusing to help that child.
... ... Word Count: 350 Post 3 |
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Post by foalish on Aug 3, 2019 22:50:23 GMT -6
Cecilia
She could feel the coldness coming off Abel, immediately as they left, with how they trailed behind everyone else, an expression that wasn’t hard to read, even if the horse could barely tell happiness from sadness.
A feeling of guilt crawled up her spine; as thick and unpleasant as a large spider slowly travelling up her neck, and yet she could not knock it away.
She wanted to leave Abel, as much as she hated it, at least for the moment. As if his anger would disappear with distance, the unsettling feeling would disappear with it.
But she kept her place; doing her best to ignore it all.
She did not speak of her memories she now had; she’d never even told Abel about any of them. But trying to ignore something, and being able to, where two very different things.
Screams, blood sheds, anger, piles of bodies. When war broke out, no matter how old you were, you saw it. Lived with it. And it became the new normal. They could and would not save everyone; but the images of everyone you know, dead, would haunt you far more than letting someone you don’t, to their fate.
Her eyes narrowed at Abel, his suggestion, she couldn’t help snapping back in frustration, ”don’t let your spite cloud your judgment,” she turned her head back to the sound.
As a Kirin, she knew immediately, her choices were limited. And it all depended on who the company was - being found hiding by Chevaliers, would be terrible. But facing Hoplites with everyone else, felt dangerous. ”Everyone should make their own call,” her eyes narrowed; she did not say more.
WC: 280 | Post 4 |
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Post by Mad-Manx on Aug 3, 2019 23:01:50 GMT -6
Eshana vagabond | vindicator "Strong but exhausted."
Post: #5 | Word Count: 384
Beneath her breath, Eshana murmured a prayer for the soul they had left behind; starting first with Agus, and after a brief pause, speaking a prayer to Ignacio as well. As the screams faded into nothing, she too fell into a deep silence; unwillingly and simply not wishing to speak any more of their decision.
Silence prevailed between them, making the sound of marching all the more startling. Eshana's head shot up in alarm, her eyes searching the road in front of them; then suddenly darting to their surroundings, until a voice from behind her spoke.
"Several of us are wanted criminals here," Eshana snapped in return, ears suddenly pinned. "Vagabonds are captured on the spot- and some of us have personally dealt with Chevaliers. They may know our faces."
Even as she spoke, her voice began to change substantially. A tingle raced across her coat as her skin stretched and morphed, her horn growing to a full length and deepening to a deep azure. Her dapples faded and were masked by a nearly jet black coat, glittering sapphire gems raising like goosebumps across her body and her stride lengthening as her height increased.
In the span of a few heartbeats she was no longer recognizable. Eshana no longer stood before them, masked rather as an Aodhian citizen she had met years ago.
It was difficult to know how much information Julius had managed to convey back to Aodh, but she, as well with plenty of others that had been enslaved, had worked all too closely with the Chevaliers before. Her broken horn was, at best, enough to raise suspicion- and at worst a dead giveaway of her past.
Focus.
Eshana's head whipped around, eyes darting to their choices. Cover was unfortunately scarce here, and their options seemed to be limited to an old shed, a murky river, and simply laying low in the trees. None of it was ideal, but Eshana found her eyes straying towards the lazily flowing river.
"They may check the shed for supplies," Eshana spoke quickly, her hooves already carrying her towards the river before abruptly coming to a halt. "The water may be able to hide us until we pass."
Her eyes turned towards her companions; determined to see them to relative safety before finding a place herself.
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Post by notadonkey on Aug 5, 2019 2:00:39 GMT -6
Reuben Vindicator | Explosions Expert
Taking a moment to look out to the smoking village, he turned to join the rest of the group as they moved out towards their original destination. Reuben's eyes were squeezed shut as the distant calls for help began to slowly fade, and soon all that was heard was the wind wisping through the trees. He ignored the pangs of guilt that rang in his chest, reminding himself that their mission would save much more lives and benefit many more horses. With a quick word of prayer he opened his yellow eyes and continued with the small group along the river.
Reuben's long ears twitched in high alert as he too heard the knowing footfalls of a large group. And they were coming right towards them. Shit!
Abel's suggestion made him glance at the kirin in disbelief. They didn't know who this group was, and Reuben wasn't about to stick around for a meet and greet. He also didn't want to see anyone torn apart by Chevaliers, or any others else who would love to see them dead. Thankfully, Eshana voiced the same concerns. "Get to safety, the risk isn't worth it." He urged the young kirin as he made a beeline to the river. The water was...not ideal. But it seemed like it provided the most coverage with the flora around it, so he decided to take the plunge.
Knowing full well that the water would cause his equipment to be damaged, Reuben quickly and seamlessly unbuckled his saddle pack and placed the supplies along with his shotgun in a nearby bush. Once he was satisfied that they were completely covered, the hippocampus took a few paces and dove silently into the mucky river, shifting into his water form as he did. The river wasn't too deep, but he was able to be completely submerged. Reuben drew his ears back as to not have them sticking above the bushes and kept just his eyes above water, jerking his head to his patrol mates and urging them to get the hell in the river.
WC: 344 | Post #3
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Post by Rhaenera on Aug 6, 2019 2:32:39 GMT -6
Damianus;Vindicator Soldier
Raise your glass to Freedom
It was hard moving forward. Each step felt like he was trudging mud or quicksand, pulling him not down, but towards the screaming. It was only when they'd gone too far to turn back had the sound released its grip.
He vaguely wondered why they could still hear it. Ultimately, he decided he didn't want to know.
The rest of the trip was easier having put the village behind them, albeit quiet. Easier didn't mean they'd forgotten. He wasn't sure if any of them would forget anytime soon, a weight they'd carry together, every Vindicator had one or twenty of those.
In the somber quiet he could hear thunder- No, hooves? Damianus raised his head and watched the horizon, ears pressed towards the sound he could not see. The Marching of Hooves could be heard in the distance, he could hear the sickening tune of a War Hymn. It was an Army no doubt, Had the Chevaliers returned early? Had the Kirin scorched and murdered a path this far in? They hadn't known how long that village was burning.. but the smoke and dying embers suggested a while.
Ears pivoted to the Kirins voice, glancing in his general direction but never making contact. His voice was quiet but his tone forward and indifferent. "How do you think an army of Chevaliers will react to Your kind on their front lawn."
"Stay here if you want. But don't drag us down with you when you get caught." He was fairly convinced Abel wouldn't be like one of those Kirins, but Aodh didn't know that. Regardless, Kirins wouldn't be the death (or capture) of a Vindicator. The warning was clear.
His piece said Damianus observed the area briskly, nodding to Eshana's suggestion. It wasn't the most pleasent Option, it would take him weeks to rid the smell, but it was a nessicary evil. So he made haste joining Reuben in the rivers Muck. Hunkering down in the brush, knees pressed in the mud.
WC: 331 | Post #4 |
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Post by galekxy on Aug 6, 2019 10:47:13 GMT -6
A B E L
Vindicator Soldier
......
His eyes snapped to Cecilia, and he frowned at her words. He wanted to say more, but Cecilia wasn't the reason for his frustration. Out of everyone he understood her the most.
Instead, he watched as Eshana seemed to change forms. He wondered why she even had to worry about any Aodh horse knowing her face when she could do this. But again, he said nothing. Reuben darted for the water, an option Abel didn't see as too pleasing, and so he stayed where he was. "If they find us hiding I'm sure it'll be a worst fate! Does that not look more suspicious than travellers on the road?" Abel snapped back at Damianus, "Even then I'm sure they have friendly kirins in their cities." He shook his head and turned to face the sound of the approaching horses.
Planting his feet, he planned to stay and see what was coming. He hoped if anything, he wouldn't be seen as a threat. He took some slow steps forward, knowing he would look more natural if he was moving when the group came upon him. The kirin looked to Ce, wondering what she would do.
... ... Word Count: 194 Post 4 |
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Post by misttheelf on Aug 6, 2019 11:07:15 GMT -6
Jimmu "...Need something kid?"
Post 3 | WC 190 As they left the village behind, Jimmu turned his ears forward.
The sound of marching made him uneasy. After all, it could be Hopilites, or Chevaliers. Either case is bad, but the latter was easier to deal with… They, after all, wouldn’t immediately kill anyone they saw. As the others discussed what they would do, he spoke. “...While some of you may passas Aodhians if it’s Chevaliers comin’ towards us, I can’t. I don’t look anythin’ like anyone who’d call themselves Aodhian. I’ll be in the river… If anythin’ happens, I’ll be back here to aid you all in a heartbeat.” He said, nodding to Eshana. “...You all who choose to stay out in the open, be careful. Yer words still run a chance of given’ us away, even if appearances don’t.” he gave a small warning before headed down to hide in the river. He wasn’t going to risk the bushes near the path -While he was a common horse, he was a large horse. He couldn’t really tuck himself away like some of the young’uns, like Verun or Zahra. To Jimmu, his only real option, was the river. |
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Post by Mad-Manx on Aug 6, 2019 11:35:52 GMT -6
Eshana vagabond | vindicator "Strong but exhausted."
Post: #6 | Word Count: 241
"Neither of you know anything about current Eithne or Aodh. How in the name of the Gods do you expect to pass as a citizen?" Eshana hissed with frustration, eyes narrowed as she regarded the kirins that had planted themselves firmly in place.
Her eyes strayed to road that stretched into the distance, all too aware of the sound of marching hooves growing louder with each passing moment. She wanted to argue more, to make them understand why they should not be seen. But, their time was up.
"Jimmu," Eshana called out, the words murmured beneath her breath before the stallion could pass out of earshot. "If anything happens.... Get the rest of them back to Dinah."
The message was short, but she trusted the stallion to guide the rest of their comrades home safely. He had been a Vindicator longer than any of them- more than anyone he understood the risks of that accompanied them on each and every mission. If something should happen to herself, Abel, and Cecelia, it only made sense for the rest of them to reach safety. Perhaps, if nothing else, their presence would draw attention away from the river and those concealed within it.
As the rest of them settled into hiding, Eshana clambered back up the incline to stand next to the kirins.
"At least act like scared citizens," she muttered from the side of her mouth, "and don't answer anything you don't know."
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2019 12:04:02 GMT -6
The marching draws closer as many of you choose to hide. Soon enough you can see a chevalier company coming around the bend, marching in a most orderly fashion behind their commander. There’s easily a hundred Chevaliers there, way more than any of you have ever had to face.
Quiet, now.
They see Eshana, Abel and Cecilia walking in their direction, and the Commander calls for a halt. She walks up to the three of them, looking to each in turn.
She is an older Commander, easily old enough to be any of your mother. A handsome, muscular unicorn with some grey hairs from age, her bright green eyes survey the three of you with a foreign gentleness.
“Hail, citizens”, she greets you: “I’m afraid the city is closed to any further refugees while accommodations are being organized. But the campsites are just ahead, and we’ll be patrolling around here to keep you as safe as can be.”
She nods her head in the direction she came from.
She looks at the two kirins, especially Abel, sensing that he is upset. She gives him an encouraging smile.
“It’ll all be okay, sport. The city walls are strong. We are strong. And our ballistae can fell that wyvern of theirs”, the Commander says encouragingly, before she nods at Eshana, who seems to be the oldest, and says: “Keep safe, citizens.”
Then she calls her company to move on, and they pass you by without incident before breaking up into two different patrols when they meet a fork in the road.
You wait until they are out of sight before you move on. You come across no more Chevaliers, but after only a mile or so on the road, you start seeing tents.
And as you walk on, the occasional tent turns into numerous tents, everywhere. There are equines milling about in every imaginable direction you look at, but they all seem busy with their own worries, and hardly look at the newest set of arrivals.
The city of New Valore looms large before you, but between you and it are what must be thousands of refugees, as well as numerous volunteers handing out supplies, providing medical aid or trying to unite families. The bustle and noise is as if you are in a city.
Notably, there are hardly any soldiers, and only a few slaves. You notice a pair of Chevaliers - a tall tobiano unicorn and a red coated kirin - dealing out food packets and toys to children. They are only a few feet away from you, but seem completely enraptured by their own duties, and only give you friendly nods as they walk right past your group.
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Post by Rhaenera on Aug 10, 2019 1:27:03 GMT -6
Damianus;Vindicator Soldier
Raise your glass to Freedom
There were so many hooves. From what he could see more than he'd ever faced in any of their raids, counting the crucible. He was sure they were going to have to run, if luck was on their side more of them would live than die; and that was if they'd reach the border before the Kirins found what was left of them.
In any event, Damianus didn't imagine being the one to really know if they made it back. He'd give his life for their numbers and when the fight broke out his resolve combined with size he hoped, would give the others the time they needed.
That was until the most Ignorant Chevaliers in Eithne welcomed them into the protection of the city, or the refugee camps outside it. He stood near staggered when the Unicorn consoled the Kirin standing before them, barely batting an eye at the horns that threatened their city. Kirins that could have been with the efforts to tear it down. Which, wasn't entirely false, he mused.
It took every inch of his conscious will not to boast a laugh, when the mass of amour clad horses passed and he emerged from the river, he did. "That my friends, is first-class security." of all the bullshit they spewed about protecting the refugees, the most unqualified of Chevaliers just invited terrorists into the mass of equines they were meant to protect.
The rest of the trip was uneventful and oddly enough put him at ease. Aodh's chevaliers were so caught up with the threat of Soleil they'd forgotten their previous transgressors and Aodh's military force behind them meant the Kirins weren't this far in.
It gave him time and a clear head to think, to reflect on what the unicorn had said. Ballistae to kill a wyvern. He'd only heard the kirin's wyvern but the rumors suggested it was much larger than Aodh's new-found King's, which was larger than the Wyvern their members found beneath the city. He'd make a note to inform Dinah, she could take it upon herself to pass the information on to Shale. Damianus wanted no part in his presence.
His ears pressed forward alert in approached of the camps. The atmosphere was alive with the hum of a crowd and children's laughter, entertaining each other with an assortment of games and toys. If there weren't so many tents and chevaliers littering the clearing it would almost feel like home.
In the luxury of being blissfully unnoticed this close to the city, he nodded a smile to the passing citizens. Basking in the ability to look a chevalier in the face and they walk right past him. "Well isn't this nice." He offered a look to his comrades, this was going to be easier than expected.
WC: 465 | Post #5 |
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Post by foalish on Aug 10, 2019 21:03:22 GMT -6
Cecilia
She decided to do about the only think that made sense in her mind, especially as Abel did the same, and stood still. Her tense shoulders and held breath quickly turned out to be...completely for nothing.
By the time the interaction was over, she was the one left blinking in shock, confusion and awe, as she watched all the Chevaliers march away.
If it was that easy to get into Valore, why even bother sneaking around? Apparently they could just stroll right in and be welcomed with open teke. But judging by everyone else’s reactions - it was unexpected too.
She shook off her confusion and started to trot back into the city - unease traveling up her back. This place was almost eerie, with how much no one noticed them; but perhaps, in retrospect, that made sense. There was probably much stranger horses being drawn in than them; and when she spotted another Kirin, it was clear that they weren’t the only ones. There were more than just her, Abel, and however many followed Soleil. And she wasn’t sure how she felt about that.
She looked at Eshana, coming up beside her, ”what next? I think we’re safe, considering.”
WC: 201 | Post 5 |
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