|
|
Post by Queerly on Dec 17, 2016 2:11:25 GMT -6
Hello Starborn, and welcome to Plot 302: Pillage and Plunder!
Team Leader: Ansgar
Participants: Calder, Cormac, Aubrey, Lorian
Ezmerelda, Gosslyn, Chirin, Isa
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: With Vidar seeking glory and riches at sea, Ansgar settled his gaze closer to home: namely, on the resources of the herd which always kept his own down. The War Forged. Why, Ansgar reasoned, should he waste time and risk lives to the tempestuous sea, teeming with Aodhian and Forged ships both, when just inland, there were countless remote, undefended holdings, grown complacent and lax under the War Lord’s law. Along with Captain Calder, Ansgar collected a small group and headed into enemy territory. They came eventually upon a rich meadow, resplendent in the short but vibrant Onean summer. This is a place where herders gather with their herds, to reap the short-lived bounty of rich grass. Their apanas are valuable, and many of them carry the bulk of their family heirlooms and treasures on their person or in their tents.
Time of Day: Evening
|
|
|
|
Post by Queerly on Dec 17, 2016 3:58:39 GMT -6
The Bloody Flanks are not upon the herders just yet! Herders, enjoy your last few moments of tranquility before everything goes to shit. Flanks, go get 'em.
|
|
|
|
Post by BlueUnicornJ13 on Dec 17, 2016 13:39:53 GMT -6
Ezmeralda | War-Forged | Herder
The evening air was already growing chilly as the sun began to fall in the sky, sinking until it appeared to be touching the mountains that Onea was known for. Her green eyes wandered over the quiet meadow where herds upon herds of different flock munched on the flourishing green vegetation under their hooves. While the summers in Onea were short, it didn't take long for the snow to melt and leave room for the grasses to return. Ezmeralda felt a small smile tug at the corners of her lips at the peaceful sight before her. Long gone where the harsh winters and avalanches, and now, the herders sat blissfully watching their herds, making sure no member strayed too far from the rest.
This time of year was always Ezmeralda's favorite. While she longed for the cooler weather, she liked the peace and prosperity that came with summer. The cougars of the mountains were no longer starving and hungry for any sign of a meal, and the flowers that bloomed in the meadows and along the streams were quite the spectacular sight. Ezmeralda grinned at the familiar sight of the young, unicorn herder, Chirin, that had been apart of her group toward Skeldr Town not too long ago. It was a blessing to see him healthy and walking after the events that had occurred on that mountain. The other herders were unfamiliar to Ezmeralda (probably because she mostly kept to herself), but she offered them each a curt nod if they happened to look over in her direction.
The unicorn paint glanced behind her where her sister, Roselia, was setting up their tents for the night, and Ezmeralda went to take out the logs for a fire. Arranging some stones that were lying on the ground in a circle, Ezmeralda placed the logs in the middle of the enclosure, ready to light the fire when the sun eventually went down. Her ears pricked at the sound of one of her sheep call in alarm, and her head lifted in the direction that the sound had come from. It was one of her larger males and one of the more dominant of the group. He was always on guard to protect his harem and normally when he called, it was never a good sign. Ezmeralda gulped, glancing around nervously, but the only thing that could be seen was the rustling of the grass in the breeze. She took a deep breath to calm her nerves, letting it out in a harsh gush of wind from her nostrils. The last thing she needed right now was another flare up of her rather uncontrollable blessing. She didn't want to disrupt this peaceful moment, and so, she returned to her own business, sitting down beside the fire pit and watching her flock meander around a small patch of the meadow. Hopefully, she hadn't been wrong in ignoring the bighorn's warning.
Word Count: 485 | Post #1
|
|
|
|
Post by BlueUnicornJ13 on Dec 19, 2016 7:23:21 GMT -6
Aubrey | War-Forged | Bloody Flank Merchant
She had been tasked to lend a hoof in a raid. Never before had she been trusted to go on a mission so important, and she found herself buzzing with nervous energy. She needed to do her best, to pillage and plunder like any good Bloody Flank. Aubrey stretched out her prosthetic leg with each step, feeling the freshly oiled gears turn smoothly as she flexed it. She wasn't quite sure why she had been chosen for this mission. Her tattered wings and nub of a leg were seen as weaknesses even by the accepting Bloody Flanks. Ever since she was young, she had been told she was useless, ugly, and abandoned over and over again. It felt like she would never truly belong anywhere until the Bloody Flanks had found her battered and bruised after escaped the wrath of her ex-husband. They had nursed her back to health and taught her the valuable trade of blacksmithing. Her mentor taught her how to form blades from steel and other precious metals and taught how to wield them. It had been difficult. For so long she had thought she wasn't capable of anything other than being an item for any stallion that wanted her, but among the Bloody Flanks, they knew there was strength hidden inside of her waiting to be found. She needed to show all of what they had taught her and show them that she was truly one of them.
Aubrey's heart pounded in her chest. She was ready. Her telekinesis tightened its grip on the hammer at her side that her mentor had allowed her to borrow for this mission. Her eyes slid over the other members of the raid before settling on their leader, Ansgar. She had seen the Raider stallion around before but had never spoken to him herself. He was one of the clan leader's sons after all, and she was a mere blacksmith. It wasn't her place to try and chit-chat with him when he had important business to tend to.
Despite the fact that she wasn't very familiar with the crew she was with, Aubrey knew that she would fight alongside of them and protect them at all costs, and she expected them to do the same.
Word Count: 374 | Post #1 |
|
|
|
Post by tarriedsea on Dec 19, 2016 15:20:13 GMT -6
 Alone, she felt. Surrounded by many but battling the pang of solitude.
Her father sent her out alone to this area for a few days. A few of the female caribou were still nursing offspring, but the family's flat & desolate land wasn't enough to keep fat on their bones. Ribs and spines started poking out of their hides, and milk production slowed. They needed the rich grass found here to gain stamina.
Her mother nuzzled her mane before she left, her eyes hurting to join her daughter, but she had to stay. Gosslyn's father wouldn't accept two figures leaving for the trip.
He'd sent her with a scrappy tent frame, a few pieces of cloth, and a saddlebag of halters and lead ropes. "Find water, find forage," he'd grumbled. "And here-" he tossed her a small, dull dagger. The handle was starting to rust. "Just in case."
- - -
That was a few days ago. Gosslyn laid on the grass with her legs folded under her, eyes slowly closing under the drowsy evening sky. She'd stayed on the outskirts of the group, had hardly spoken to anyone. It was so strange to watch everyone come from every direction across the land for this central spot. She knew other herders were bountiful in these areas, but they disappeared into the fog and earth, hidden away in quiet burrows and holes in the landscape.
She preferred to not talk to any of them.
But being alone on the land was a death sentence. Even as strangers, they were all safer together.
She'd tied long lines to each of the caribou that clipped to a small stake in the ground. Losing any of them wasn't an option- her father would kill her. They'd grazed eagerly since the second they set hoof on the meadowland like they couldn't eat enough. The fawns gummed grass beside their mothers, their tails flicking like puffs of cotton.
She pulled a long woven blanket out of her bag with her teeth, draping it over her back. It was hardly night, but a long day of doing nothing was taxing. A few more days of this and she'd be home with her mother & siblings. And other mothers. And father.
Her eyes glinted across the ground to her bag, where the dull dagger sat along the back edge, cast in shadow. She prayed that's where it would remain.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2016 16:20:51 GMT -6
ANSGAR
AND IF I SEEM DANGEROUS, WOULD YOU BE SCARED?
A setting sun lit up the darkening sky, casting an eerie red glow on the land below. The only audible sounds were that of gentle breezes and heavy hooves hitting the ground. Ansgar relished in the feeling of the wind brushing past him, and he flicked an ear as the chill set into his bones.
The large stallion walked at the head of the group, though he knew they didn't linger far behind. Those he traveled with were all familiar faces, though some were far more distinct to him than others. Calder, a longtime veteran and comrade was a welcomed accomplice in his raid. He had fought (and grew) alongside Cormac, and was well aware of the strength his sibling possessed. Aubrey and Lorian were practically strangers to him in a personal sense, but Ansgar knew they each had their own unique talents, and that it would be foolish otherwise to not have them with him.
His pace was brisk and his body was tense- ready for anything. His eyes darted across the expanse field, watching for the slightest indication of movement. Summers in Onea were fleeting, and vibrant meadows like the very one he walked in vanished even faster. He was no stranger to raiding on land, and though the sea was where his heart belonged, this was not an opportunity he could afford to miss. Hira's absence all those months had been the first crack in her otherwise perverse foundation of power, and it was all the Flanks needed to slip in. Vidar and Astrid made the first strike, and now everything was simply falling back into its proper place. Hira's reign was coming to an end, and once more the Flanks would rise from the ashes- it was only a matter of time.
As they traveled onwards he could see a clear plume of smoke rising in the distance, and immediately a surge of anticipation coursed through him. He paused briefly, his ears flicking forward as he spoke. His voice was nothing more than a mere rumble, but that alone cut through the otherwise silent night.
"Stay alert. We won't be alone for much longer."
WC: 359 || Post 1
|
|
|
|
Post by PaganStars on Dec 19, 2016 22:46:12 GMT -6
Lorian | War-Forged | Bloody Flanks (Mystic)
The grass that brushed past Lorian legs felt nice in way, smooth and almost tickling as he moved through it with ease, following behind his fellow Bloody Flanks. His heart drummed loudly in his ribcage, his ears pressed forward and alert. This was the first time in a long while that he was going on a raid, and it showed. Lorian's place in the Clan of the Bloody Flanks was that of a medic; he took care of those who fell ill, treated wounds so that strong warriors could fight once more and brought the children of the Flanks mares into the world, strong and thrashing against the cruel world. Yes, he was a medic in all sense of the word but...Lorian liked to call himself otherwise; he liked to call himself a Mystic. He had gained the title during his travels of Onea, reading the stars and weather patterns to passing ships, but also providing tarot and star sign readings. It had been a way of earning a few coins to keep himself afloat but Lorian had soon realised the Flanks offered much more, especially for one with a hatred of the so called leader of war-forged.
So now, he walked along side his fellow raiders, head hung low as his mask glittered under the moon. He was here to provide medical attention, but to fight as well. A stallion of his size and structure would surely be expected to fight, not that he minded that. Lorian's green eyes shifted to the four other raiders that he trailed behind, taking them in. They were all intimidating really, especially the three captains. The winged one was intimidating just the same but...the Captain's held a certain air about them that sent shivers up Lorian's long tail and spine. Shaking his head, the metal bits of his mask gently clunked together with the movement, quietly breaking the almost silence.
When Ansgar stopped, Lorian did so as well, head still bent low as he usually carried it. He saw what had peaked the Captain's interest and tilted his head, breathing in deeply and catching the faint smell of the smoke. WHen he spoke, Lorian almost mistaked it for the wind but nodded his head once at the older stallion.
Post 1 | Word count 388
|
|
|
|
Post by tallshiips on Dec 20, 2016 0:48:13 GMT -6
Cormac 
The greatest treasure is not of silver nor gold; the most illustrious conquest is the heart.
Soft white clouds danced on the horizon, illuminated by the evening sun's red-tinted rays. The sight triggered a memory in the stallion, of a rhyme taught to him by his mentors when he was but a young opinionated colt. 'Red sky at night', the saying began, 'sailors delight.' And delight they would, surely, on such a raid this evening. No-one was around, excepting the nomadic shepherds and their flocks of livestock, which would sure fetch a pretty penny at market. It was sure to be a simple manoeuvre, a quick attack and then a straightforward raid to pick up the valuable pieces left behind. But this did little to lighten the dark cloud that had settled upon him since he'd been assigned this group. He looked up to his older brother, sure, had idolised him as a young colt, but he resented always being second in command. And yet, to add insult to injury, Ansgar had chosen the aged captain, Calder, over his own brother.
Cormac knew that this anger was irrational, that Calder was vastly more experienced than himself, but that did not do very much to lessen the pain of being forgotten, pushed aside, and having another chosen over him. He'd grown up with Ansgar always that one step ahead of him, that year always making the difference.
The small part of him that was thinking logically gently reminded him that he was behaving like the spoilt colt he'd worked so hard to leave behind. After all, it surely didn't matter where on the team he was, provided that the arrangement was best for the clan. But his heart so yearned to prove himself to anyone and everyone, prove that he was more than just the middle brother, that he furrowed his brows and trekked in silence over the land, shoulder to shoulder with his brother, yet somehow slightly behind him.
Closing his eyes briefly, he muttered a quick, but heartfelt nonetheless, prayer to Kaia for guidance and to help him see past the selfishness of his heart and mind. He should've grown out of this years ago - and thought he had - yet for some reason this injustice sparked something within him. Taking a deep breath of the crisp evening air, he shook his head in the hope that the red mist would clear and he'd be able to think straight again. He'd be no use at all, and wouldn't do himself any favours, if he was distracted by such petty meaningless thoughts.
Ansgar's voice dragged him back to the real world, and Cormac lifted his head to catch the smell of the settlement on the evening wind. He was going to fight alongside his brother in this raid, he assured himself, not for his own glory but for the glory of the clan.
466 words || post 1
|
|
|
|
Post by ebbarie on Dec 20, 2016 6:51:38 GMT -6
Calder | Bloody Flanks Raider What a strange feeling it was to leave his ship and crew behind. It had been years since his last raiding trip on land. His first urge was to support Vidar on his mission, but his older brother convinced him to change his planes. Ansgar definitely had a point, why risking lives and resources when easy prey was only a stone throw away? The group was rather small for a raid, but with an interesting assembly. Ansgar and his brother Cormac were both experienced warriors, he had watched them both growing from innocent children to well respected raiders. Regarding the other two members it was a whole other story. The medic Lorian wasn’t too familiar to him, despite the fact that he was a really good healer Calder new nothing about him, well he couldn’t even remember if he ever had seen him without his mask. And last but not least, Aubrey, the young mare. An aspiring Blacksmith, but that was all that he knew so far about her. She hadn’t the typical warrior-like appearance but that was only a first- and probably wrong - impression. With every minute that passed the shadows grew larger and the air became an icy and crisp touch. Winter was coming and soon even those last meadows would be bold and frozen to the ground. When Ansgar stopped, Calder lifted his head slightly and blinked into the bright light of the setting sun. The sun went down in a hundred shades of red and orange what dipped the whole earth into a warm light for now. After a while the last on he too noticed the plume of smoke in the distance. “Well, let’s hope that this fight will be over quickly” he grumbled into his beard and without addressing the words to someone special. Words 304
Post 1 |
|
|
|
Post by Queerly on Dec 20, 2016 8:49:32 GMT -6
 The sun has begun to set on the unwitting herders, and more than shadows encroach. From the edge of the valley the Bloody Flanks spill forth to plunder, armed to the teeth and hungry for glory. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2016 9:30:54 GMT -6
ANSGAR
AND IF I SEEM DANGEROUS, WOULD YOU BE SCARED?
Ansgar listened as Calder spoke, a flick of his ear being his only form of acknowledgement to the raider's words. He spoke only when he deemed it necessary (which wasn't often), and abruptly continued onward.
The red glow of the setting sun soon began to glint with sparks of silver as the moons took their rise. A quickly arriving night sky offered Ansgar a comfortable layer of protection- the darkness. He had no concerns with the mission (he was well equipped to deal with the defenseless), but it was a safety he had come to relish in. Darkness offered him just that. Safety. He was most comfortable in the night, when bodies were hidden and the only thing that shone were glinting eyes. He had spent endless nights hungry, cold, afraid... Those times were over. He had learned to embrace it, and a rare (albeit wicked) smile crossed over his face when four strangers came into view.
Nothing separated them but the vast field, though Ansgar knew he could cross it in seconds. A fire burned brightly as the strangers sat around it, though he could see that their attention flickered to their herds from time to time.
He assessed everything, his eyes scanning every single detail they could find before he settled into position. Head held high, teeth bared, legs about to spring- by Kaia was he ready.
"Hark, Flanks. Stay vigilant, and show no mercy." He bellowed, voice booming as it split through the still air. When he wanted to be, Ansgar was fucking loud. And right now, that's exactly what he wanted. Get their attention, terrify them a little bit, make them think they had a chance to run.
Ha, he'd like to see them try.
He let the words sink in, instinctively flicking his ears as excitement coursed through him. Nothing like a raid to lift the spirits of the miserable.
He sent a quick prayer to Kaia, and then uttered a ferocious warcry.
"Attack!"
WC: 323 || Post 2
|
|
|
|
Post by kajejackson on Dec 20, 2016 22:41:55 GMT -6
Isa||Herder||Words:296||Posts:1
Isa stood peacefully watching her herd, enjoying the warm summer breeze. Which seemed to compliment the warm swatches of color filling the sky overhead. The appaloosa took and deep breath and sighed, rolling her shoulder muscles in sync. Even with night looming and the unknown faces of other herders close by, the mare was still happy to be out in the meadow, far away from her father. She even considered taking the long way home, just to avoid his gin scented breath and the icey anger that filled her chest whenever he spoke. She could barely stand to look at the old fjord anymore. While he still shared a tent with her mother, sister, and herself, Isa's father had died years ago. Replaced by a lazy drunk. Her nostrils flared with another deep breath, this time to cleanse the thought of her father from Isa's head. ' It's a beautiful night, no point wasting it being angry.' She thought with a faint smile towards one of her baby apana's. She started to take a step towards it, to shoo it back towards it's mother, when she heard a loud voice break the silence of night. At first, she hadn't a clue who spoke, or even what they said, but, with her ears pricked, she picked up the last word perfectly. Attack.Every muscle in her body tensed as her head swung from one side to the next trying to find the attacker. Part of her didn't believe it, why would anyone attack a bunch of herders? Or be dumb enough to announce it? But she couldn't risk her own herd, she had to protect them. Quickly she tried to gather them in as small a space as possible, ready to flee with them at a moment's notice. |
|
|
|
Post by tallshiips on Dec 21, 2016 10:12:08 GMT -6
Cormac
The greatest treasure is not of silver nor gold; the most illustrious conquest is the heart.
The twin moons rose to fill the dark void left behind after the sun disappeared beyond the horizon, softly illuminating the world with their reflected glow. They provided just enough light to to see by, to make out the shapes of the four herders huddled around their glowing fire, and see the outlines of the Flanks stood around his brother, but he could no longer make out the locations of the roaming apana. It was incredible how fast the light disappeared once the sun was gone, but it provided the perfect cover for their operation. The whole thing would be so much easier now they were practically invisible in the twilight air, even if their targets could soon disappear into the dusk too.
The silence seemed to be eternal as he studied his brother's face. His crimson eyes were fixed on something in the distance, studying, evaluating. Cormac followed his line of sight, but saw nothing of great remark himself. He trusted his brother, though, to see something of import in the darkness.
The call came from his brother, shattering the silence and seeming to fill the entire world with noise. Cormac watched the small group of herders intently as they shuffled their feet and looked around, ears flicking. He admired his brother's courage to employ such a risqué strategy, and saw simultaneously its benefits and drawbacks. Again, he trusted his brother wholeheartedly, and waited for the command to ring forth from his great lungs.
"Attack!" There it was. He heard the call, and felt his muscles spring into action almost without having to ask. He sent a silent prayer to Kaia for luck, and felt himself flood with power as he covered the ground, his long, ground-eating, stride matched only by his brother. How fitting, how fitting for them to be going in to battle side by side, the two forgotten brothers.
But, he reminded himself, and really believed it this time, in this moment they were not forgotten. They were leaders, charging beneath the banner of change together. To bring glory to their clan, their families, and Kaia.
Oh, how he loved the thrill of battle.
358 words || post 2
|
|
|
|
Post by Coffie-Buzz on Dec 21, 2016 18:21:12 GMT -6
Chirin
War-Forged | Herder
As the sun was starting to set, Chirin set up camp hear a small hill, sheltered from the mountains' winds. This also gave him a vantage point. Standing atop the hill he could see the entire field, along with his Apana flock he had miraculously brought back from the brink of non-existence, thanks to a single surviving pregnant hembra that hadn't fallen victim to the bridge collapse three months ago.
However, currently, he only had three Apana in his care. One ram, one hembra and one cria. Maple, his Icelandic Sheepdog, was resting on the hill, keeping an eye on the Apana. Every so often though, Chirin found that she would look towards the forest and whine. Chirin knew better than to ignore her instincts. The last time she had done something like this, half of the mountain pass had collapsed, nearly killing him and the other two groups of horses.
Casting the treeline a suspicious look, Chirin got up from the soft grass and sniffed at the air, ears prick, listening for any sound that was not made by nature. He could have sworn he saw the bushes move and the figure of a horse, but the fading light and heavy shadows made it hard to see anything within the woods. Closing his eyes, Chirin listened, blocking all other noises out. A trick that he had gained from being blind in his right eye.
Suddenly he heard it. A voice he didn't know, faintly carried on the wind, “show no mercy.”
A well-taught reaction resounded within Chirin's mind as fear ignited in his chest, 'get the armor'.
Lunging down the hill to a rolled up bundle, Chirin drew forth a Chainmail blanket, fresh from the blacksmith's Armory in Skeldr Town. Throwing it over his back and fastening the straps, he ordered Maple with a sharp whistle to take the Apana flock home.
She herded them away immediately as the roan colt bolted back up the hill, the call of "Attack" echoed from the forest and a group of horses erupted from the shadows.
“AMBUSH!”
345 words || post 1
|
|
|
|
Post by BlueUnicornJ13 on Dec 21, 2016 19:15:24 GMT -6
Ezmeralda | War-Forged | Herder
The night had fallen on the peaceful, little meadow and its occupants, and Ezmeralda lit the fire beside her with a swift flick of a match against the matchbox she carried in her satchel, her pink horns glistening in the fire’s light. You never knew when you were going to need matches, and her satchel held nothing other than essentials for survival in the harsh climate of Onea. That was a downfall about being a herder of something other than the prized apana or something else a little more rare and valuable than bighorn sheep; you had very little possessions. Sure they had a few heirlooms that they had retrieved from their parent’s belongings after they had passed away, but they were nothing incredibly valuable. It had taught her to appreciate the little things though. She knew when times were good and relished in those moments before life took them away again.
Her gaze flickered over to her sister who climbed into her tent to sleep. Ezmeralda would take the first nightshift to watch over the flock and make sure no predators sneaked up on them in the darkness. Her heart beat a little faster in her chest as her nervousness and alertness rose, but she fought to control her anxiety. The last thing they needed right now was for her uncontrollable blessing to use her emotions to call some kind of beast into the sleeping camp. Taking a deep breath, her green eyes turned toward the fire, watching the flames eat away at the wood in its grasp. Suddenly, there was a shout from the hills that left her shaken, but Ezmeralda managed to get to her hooves. Her heart jumped into her throat. Someone was attacking them! Who could it be? “E-everyone wake up! T-there’s someone here!”
Some of the other herders were already up and gathering what of their belongings that they could carry on their backs or trying to herd their flocks away, but as Ezmeralda looked in horror at the horses cascading into the area around them. It was obvious that not all of them would be getting away. “R-Roselia!” The unicorn mare shouted to her sister, turning to face the light colored mare whose face held shocked terror. “Roselia, I-I want you to leave. Find somewhere safe; f-find Muiris if you can.” She pleaded with her younger sibling, turning to make sure that she still had time to run. “Go!”
Word Count: 406 | Post #2
|
|
|
|
Post by BlueUnicornJ13 on Dec 21, 2016 19:21:29 GMT -6
Aubrey | War-Forged | Bloody Flank Merchant
Aubrey could feel the excitement course through her veins, making her heart beat faster inside of her chest along with her growing hunger. She didn’t want to spill blood. Hurting innocent lives wasn’t her thing, but the War-Forged weren’t innocent. They had left her clan for dead, and she’d do what she had to let help her clan flourish and grow. Her ears twitched at the sound of a voice, and her eyes slid over to the source of the sound: Calder. She gave the large stallion a nod of recognition. “I hope so too. Let Kaia bless us with a swift win.” Aubrey muttered quietly, sending up her prayers to the earth goddess.
Her leathery wings clung to her sides, careful not to create too much noise against the vegetation that they were walking through. Her metal leg made a slightly louder sound against the soft earth than the rest of her hooves, but she was sure that no one could hear her from a distance. The sun was setting quickly on the horizon, creating beautiful shades of orange and pink across the sky that she wished she had the time to marvel at, but they pressed onward.
The Flanks came to a stop, and Aubrey slowly slid forward to stand alongside the horses in the front of the group, looking at the sight before them. It was a meadow filled with herders and their flocks. Different herding animals meandered around the field, munching on the grass at their feet as the unsuspecting herders casually looked at them every now and again from their spots around their fires.
She nearly flinched at the sudden boom of Ansgar’s voice, and she reached for her hammer, swinging it in a quick circle in the air beside her. Aubrey was ready to fight. ‘Attack!’ The spotted mare bolted forward, hammer raised to frighten any herder that thought they could escape. There was no escaping the Bloody Flanks. It was then that she say two mares on the edge of the meadow, one pleading with the other about something. There was obvious terror and desperation on their faces, and Aubrey tore toward them. They were not going to think of a second that they could get away from this. Her leathery wings opened quickly with a snap like the crack of a whip, and she beat them hard to carry her quickly toward the two defenseless horses. The one facing her whinnied in surprise and took off running, already gone into the darkness when the merchant got close enough to attack. Aubrey landed, her hooves thundering on the ground after the other mare who seemed about to take off as well. She grabbed the paint mare by her long tail, yanking it back as hard as she could. The unicorn mare screamed in pain, falling to the ground and almost placing her pink horns in the flames of her fire pit. Aubrey grinned down at her, swinging her hammer threateningly. "And where do you think you're going, War-Forged scum?"
Word Count: 510 | Post #2
|
|
|
|
Post by ebbarie on Dec 22, 2016 8:22:00 GMT -6
Calder | Bloody Flanks Raider
Calder raised his head and turned it around in strange angels so he could overlook the whole meadow in front of the small group with the one eye that he had left. Then, for a mere moment, the large stallion stood completely still, no muscle moving, except for his fast beating heart. It was a confusing habit of him, from time to time he just stopped moving, standing there like a statue when he was deep into his mind, thinking about something.
Aubreys voice was what brought his body back to life, with a slight, almost indistinguishable move of his head he focused again on the world outside of his head.
“I hope so too. Let Kaia bless us with a swift win.”
“Well, I don’t think that our great mother will help us tonight. They, us - we are all her children. A good mother will never favor one of her children.” Calder replied ruminatively and turned his head slightly to look at the young mare with the leathered wings.
“But even if we are on our own tonight, is that more than enough, aye?” he added with a resolute grin. Then he addressed his attention back to what lie ahead of them.
When Ansgar gave the signal to attack, Calder let the other Raiders and the Merchant run past him, whereas he took a different direction. Hidden in the darkness he galloped with large strides in a circle around the meadow. He had noticed a small group of Apanas trying to get away under the lead of a sleek dog. They had a small head start, but the stallion was larger than the animals and was able to catch up to them. When the dog barked at him the Raider lowered his head and struck him a blow with the rounded horn on his lower head, not strong enough to hurt the dog, but enough to scare him away for now. Then he repulsed the herd with an encouraging bite in the butt here and there back to the madow. Instinctively the Apanas ran back to their herder, a roan unicorn covered in a chain blanked that slightly rattled with every move it’s carrier made.
Calder looked at his opponent for a moment, then he slightly shook his head in disbelief. “Don’t try to fight against us. How old are you, kid? Get out of here, now. You will have to leave your cattle and valuables behind, but you will go unharmed.” His voice was cold and bassy as he submitted his offer. That was more than most others would get. He was no merciful man and if the young colt would stubbornly reject his offer he would not hesitate to hurt him. That one chance was all he would get from the Raider.
Wordcount 474
Post 2
*I hope it is okay that I brought your Apanas back:'D
[ |
|
|
|
Post by tallshiips on Dec 22, 2016 15:20:50 GMT -6
Cormac
The greatest treasure is not of silver nor gold; the most illustrious conquest is the heart.
Cormac let his stride lengthen as he covered the soft ground, moistened by a summer shower earlier that morning. It provided the perfect cover, absorbing the sound of his hoofbeats and masking them from the herders waiting in the meadow. For a moment he was neck and neck with his brother, but then he was gone, disappeared into the night. He faltered for a second, his stride breaking, as he searched the darkness for a target. As he thought, the Appaloosa mare with the bat like wings rushed past, heading for a pair of herders loitering by the fire pit. He had no doubt that the mare, Aubrey he thought, could take them on herself, so he resumed searching the night.
There. He saw it - a glint of chain mail in the darkness. Eyes sparkling with the thrill, and heart pounding in his chest, he set off at a gallop once again towards the figure in the distance.
As he skidded to a halt in front of the horse, a few metres away, he noticed a fellow Flank on the other side of the figure. Immediately, he recognised the older stallion - Calder. To his surprise, the jealousy did not flare up - he was suddenly calm and collected as he watched events play out in front of him.
"How old are you, kid? Get out of here now. You will have to leave your cattle and valuables behind, but you will go unharmed." He listened carefully to Calder's proposal - it must be the colt's lucky day. But Cormac understood the motivation: he would go home and tell his friends and family, and the fear of the clan would grow. "You'll know what's best for you if you have any sense in that mind of yours." He smiled a wicked smile, nodding at the older stallion in front of him. Perhaps a partnership would be forged on this night, a partnership of honour and blood.
323 words || post 3
|
|
|
|
Post by Coffie-Buzz on Dec 22, 2016 19:42:30 GMT -6
Chirin
War-Forged | Herder
Chirin barely had time to react after he called his warning before a large blood bay stallion stood before him. It was then that he also noticed his three Apana had been herded back and Maple was slinking away behind him to rejoin the flock. She bared her teeth briefly at the stallion and Chirin took note of some ruffled fur on her head. She had been hit.
The colt felt rage take the place of the fear and held the stallion's one blue eye with a venomous glare. The large unicorn stallion regarded Chirin's battle-ready appearance with a disbelieving look and a shake of his head, “Don’t try to fight against us. How old are you, kid? Get out of here, now. You will have to leave your cattle and valuables behind, but you will go unharmed.”
Chirin quirked and eye brow at the stallion's words, tilting his ears back as he heard another set of hoof-falls stop behind him, as another voice spoke up, “You'll know what's best for you if you have any sense in that mind of yours.”
Chirin had heard whispers here and there about a rogue group of horses who were against Hira's right to lead. They pillaged and plundered were they pleased, not caring of the ones they killed. These must be some of them.
Taking a deep, calming breath, the colt straightened out his posture and held his head high. He looked the stallion in the eye, his glare gone, replaced with a frown. Slowly, as to not cause an aggressive reaction, Chirin moved to the side, away from the hill's edge, and turned so he could address both stallions, rather than just the one.
“If you would, sirs, allow me to tell you a bit about myself,” he said in an even and polite tone. “My name is Chirin, sir. I am twelve years old and live in the farmlands nearest to the ocean. I lost my mother to a collapse on a mountain pass when I was only three years old,” he told them, aware of any little shift they made.
“A few years later I lost my father to the mountain cliff he had thrown himself from. I have no family and almost no home. It took my my entire lifetime to get where I am now and I did all of it with no help from the adults. None even offered,” he didn't dare tell him that the family of the Valkyrie, Froya, had taken him in. He doubted that would do him any good.
“With all due respect, sir, I'm afraid I don't understand your reasoning. You, who has more than I, would take what I have and leave me with nothing? It confuses me, sir.” he said, addressing the stallion who had come up behind him. “Forgive me but I fail to see where the honor or glory is in killing a child who is no threat to you, nor anyone who has done nothing to provoke such an attack.”
Taking another deep breath he continued, this time closing his eyes and bowing his head to them, staying respectful of his elders, “I greatly appreciate the offer, sir, but you have yet to give me a reason that promises you would stay true to your word and spare me, be it by Kaia's name or not.”
Lifting his right leg, he struck a hoof to the ground hard, snorting loudly. Raising his head once more to glare at them both, the light from the campfires caught on his horn, refracting the light into a blaze that scattered atop the earth beneath him.
The colt spoke in a voice so cold, he barely recognized it himself, “You have already underestimated me. You abuse my animals and threaten my life. So, sir. I'm afraid I'll have to decline your offer.”
643 words || post 2
|
|
|
|
Post by PaganStars on Dec 22, 2016 23:01:29 GMT -6
Lorian | War-Forged | Bloody Flanks (Mystic)
Eyes wide, Lorian stared straight ahead of himself as they drew ever closer to the unsuspecting herders. Nostrils flaring, he didn't glance sideways when the others talked, his ears perking up at the thought of Kaia. He shared Calder's belief, his head turning and nodding ever so slightly at the Captain. He wanted to speak, to open his mouth and share his own words but fond himself reeling, words stuck in his throat. Shaking his head and turning away, he clenched his jaw. Now was not the time to be acting like a scared child...he needed to focus, to show the others that he wasn't just some whack job in a mask. Taking in a deep breath, Lorian tilted his head up to the sky, gazing long and hard at the slow emerging stars. Oh Kaia, you may not pick and chose your children but I pray that your eyes watch over us, as well as the other proud members of the Flanks on this red evening.
Lowering his head, Lorian exhaled through his open mouth and leant his head forward as he waited with baited breath to attack. When Ansgar called for the Flanks to ready their weapons, Lorian slowly unsheathed his dual wielded daggers; the metal was long, curved and sharp enough to shred paper. Glancing over to the others, his shoulders tensed as he readied himself, ready to prove that he was a strong a warrior as anyone else in the Flanks. When Ansgar yelled "ATTACK!" Lorian launched forward alongside Audrey, eyes glancing at her and eyebrows widening as she used her wings to propel herself forward, the slight wind she created cause his metal chains to jangle together. He followed after her, nodding his head once when he realised she could handle the two young mares. Continuing forward, his eyes scanned over his surroundings, taking in the other herders and who was not currently being lassoed. Narrowing his eyes, he spotted the bloody bay in the darkening meadow, slowing down and making his way over to her. Head bent low, he twirled his daggers and stared at her from behind his mask. He cocked his head as he spotted the infant Apana, his pupils narrowing as he focused his mind and called upon his gift. He may not be able to directly command the Apana, but his emotions could surely call the creature closer. Cooing at the small creature, Lorian lifted his head and gazed at the horse, his cloven hoofs stepping closer to them "Now, let's not do anything irrational, shall we?" he hissed, daggers pointed towards the mare.
Post 2 | Word count 442
|
|
|
|
Post by ebbarie on Dec 23, 2016 2:59:30 GMT -6
Calder | Bloody Flanks Raider
Calder eyed the young colt suspiciously, following every move of his muscle, not because he saw a dangerous enemy in this child, rather than awaiting something imprudent of him.
"You'll know what's best for you if you have any sense in that mind of yours."
Calder turned his head slightly to greet his fellow raider and captain with a wicked smile, showing his bare teeth. If the fuzzy colt had any reason to decline his offer now this reason was gone. He couldn’t really belief that he would survive this. And it really looked like the kid had some sense in his mind, for he gave up his aggressive position. Well they weren’t here for talking but the large bloody bay couldn’t fight back the slightly feeling of respect for the herder. He was foolish for still being here instead of running as fast as he could - but it required some courage to face two barbaric looking warriors like him and Cormac.
Chirin. Twelve years old. Calders ears flickered back as he heard that. As the kid continued with his story, Calders smile faded, but not because he had any pity - no it was anger at the sight of this waste of time.
I'm afraid I'll have to decline your offer.” Decline.
“Enough” he barked out, his voice dark and bassy - he was used to give commands, but usually they weren’t questioned.
“Then so it be. Who do you think we are? Some treacherous Vagabonds? That this is all a big game? Let me tell you something about life, Chirin. Real life is cruel and nasty and it don’t cares a tiny bit about you and your loss - and neither do I. Everyone knows loss, lesser, greater, it don’t matters.” he snorted scornfully. Anger flooded his veins but he resisted the childish urge to stamp one of his hooves on the ground. “So this is how the youth is raised under Hiras watchful eye? I’m not impressed. You think it is courage that makes you stand your ground, but it is arrogance, not courage. You belief that we won’t hurt you, aye?” he asked grimly and started to wander around the colt, muster him from all sides.
“Your chain blanked will not save your life. The protectors around your legs won’t preserve them from being broken. Look at me, look at him” he swung his head slightly around to Cormac. “Do you think we have never heard children scream in pure terror? Never harmed children? Do you think we are named Bloody Flanks for our outstanding humor? Get your fine ass out of here, or you find it out. “ with this words he stopped wandering around and placed himself next to the smoky black stallion. Harsh words, but true ones. There was no bluff, not the try to scare the hell out of Chirin, just truth.
Words 480
Post 3
|
|
|
|
Post by BlueUnicornJ13 on Dec 23, 2016 4:31:06 GMT -6
Ezmeralda | War-Forged | Herder
Ezmeralda felt the hard tug at her long tail and screamed in pain and terror. Her body fell to the ground, trying to keep her attacker from pulling at her any longer. Glancing up, she came face to face with one of their attackers. It was a pegasus mare with a mismatched pelt of dark brown splotches and black spots. Her wings weren't feathery though. Instead, they were leathery and scarred as if she had torn them somehow. Ezmeralda had never in her life seen a pegasus with wings that resemble a bat's before, but the oddest thing about her was the metal prosthetic that glistened in the light of the fire. It wasn't just a small part of her leg that she had had to replace but almost the entire thing! '... War-Forged scum!' The words rang in Ezmeralda's ears. Who were these horses?
The mare yanked her up to her hooves, and Ezmeralda stumbled, looking out into the darkness that surrounded the meadow. Her sister was no where in sight, but Ezmeralda didn't dare show any hint of happiness. She would just have to hold onto that thought that she would find safety somewhere and maybe find her closest friend, Muiris, who should offer her shelter and protection until Ezmeralda returned.
The paint unicorn felt her attack grab her by her mane, dragging her toward the middle of the meadow where some of the other captured herders had already been captured. "P-please, you don't want to do this! Let us go. Take what you want, but don't hurt any of us. We're defenseless." Ezmeralda swallowed as a lump formed in her throat, anxiety and adrenaline coursing through her veins. Now would be such a great time to have control over her blessing. She could call forth an army of bears or muskox to take care of these scoundrels, but she couldn't risk that now. With her very little control over it, the beasts that she called may very well just start attacking the innocents around her if she lost control right then, so instead, Ezmeralda closed her eyes as she was forced to the ground, and she began to pray. Only Kaia could save them now.
Word Count: 368 | Post #3
|
|
|
|
Post by tallshiips on Dec 23, 2016 12:23:00 GMT -6
Cormac
The greatest treasure is not of silver nor gold; the most illustrious conquest is the heart.
The stallion listened, intrigued, to the colt's story. Twelve years old. An orphan with one suicidal parent. A child. The blatant pity-mongering made him scoff in disgust. Who did this cold think they were, thinking the two captains would take pity on him just because of his age, or his story? It made no difference to Cormac. At twelve he was already fighting, thinking, making a path for himself in the world. His mother, too, had been taken from him, but he did not feel empathy. He had never loved her, and she had never loved him. Most of him had been glad when she'd gone. But he'd experienced loss in other ways, felt alone and abandoned as this colt surely had.
The stallion began to draw terrifying similarities between the two of them, hunter and hunted. But similarities were dangerous - this child was a son of Hira's leadership, War-Forged scum, and nothing was similar between them, nothing.
Calder's bark re-asserted the two stallions as those in control of this situation. Chirin was not going to be able to sweet-talk himself out of this one, no. No matter how eloquently the young colt spun his tale of pity and weakness. Disgusting. Cormac had the sudden urge to spit at the hooves of the colt, but he repressed it, instead deftly drawing the dagger he had sheathed behind his foreleg for easy access.
“So this is how the youth is raised under Hira's watchful eye? I’m not impressed. You think it is courage that makes you stand your ground, but it is arrogance, not courage. You believe that we won’t hurt you, aye?” The moon glinted off the polished and sharpened blade as Calder spoke, not wanting to interrupt his monologue but to add an unspoken threat to the colt beyond the blood bay's words.
“Your chain blanket will not save your life. The protectors around your legs won’t preserve them from being broken. Look at me, look at him. Do you think we have never heard children scream in pure terror? Never harmed children? Do you think we are named Bloody Flanks for our outstanding humour? Get your fine ass out of here, or you find it out.“ Cormac began to spin the short blade in the rhythm of Calder's voice, the metal spinning until it became a blur of light in the darkness. His red eyes narrowed as he searched for his target in the darkness, scanning the meadow behind the colt. There. He closed his eyes for a millisecond as he took a deep breath in, visualising his target in his mind. He was ready.
His crimson eyes opened as he exhaled into the night, and the dagger was no longer spinning in his control. It was cartwheeling through the air, tip over handle, tip over handle, tip over handle. He stood, calmly observing its path through the night towards its target. He trusted his aim, honed by many years of practice.
The stallion heard it cut into the ground with a muffled thump, followed by a yelp of surprise from the herding-dog that the colt owned. He smiled again - his aim had been true.
"Next time, I won't be so careful. Perhaps your beloved familiar might lose an eye, an ear, a paw... whatever it is, you can be assured that it will not be painless. Every time you disobey him-" he nodded at Calder, "your precious little puppy will gain another mark." He spat the last word, spittle flying through the air. The colt's defiance had enraged him, and now he was seething. "And if that's not persuasion enough, maybe then we can start on you. You're a nice blank canvas to decorate, my boy." Cormac's red eyes bored into the colts as he stood there, challenging the much smaller herder to defy him.
640 words || post 4
|
|
|
|
Post by kajejackson on Dec 23, 2016 12:38:55 GMT -6
Isa||Herder||Words:236||Posts:2
Isa's heart froze as a wave of horses flooded into the meadow, hooves ringing out like thunder, weapons sparkling in the firelight. Her mind went numb, unable to believe this was real, while her body still mechanically worked to keep her herd together. Even pushing them up the mountain, hoping to remain unseen among the rocks and foliage. But it seems she'd already been spotted, as a masked figure she immediately named as a demon, approached her. Two long daggers by his side.
He hissed a warning at her as he drew nearer, matching her retreat with his cloven hooves. "J-Just let us go. Please." She pleaded, voice breaking on the last word, as her mind fought the panic building within her small body. "I promise I won't say anything to the raiders, if you just let me and my flock leave." Isa swore, with a brief glance behind her at the bleating mob of fluff in question. Who were all seeking safety behind her braids, with the exception of the youngest member, who approached the stranger undisturbed despite his mother's desperate calls.
Oh Kaia, the appaloosa prayed silently, please let me see my family again.That's all she wanted, to hear her mother's voice, smell Frida's sweet bread baking, to be warm and safe, and far, far away from all of this. To see a friendly face instead of the cloaked angel of death before her.
|
|
|
|
Post by Coffie-Buzz on Dec 23, 2016 15:06:45 GMT -6
Chirin
War-Forged | Herder
Chirin never moved from his place as the stallion circled him. He'd been in this type of situation before and the aim of intimidation did not affect him. He knew what it felt like to be hunted. The colt scoffed at the bay unicorn's words,
“I know very well who you are and I know what you've done. Do you think your blunt facts and intimidation tactics scare me? I know you'll kill me, but running away like a coward is not who I want to be. If I die, I'll die fighting.”
He was then acutely aware of the sound Maple made as the blade struck her. A mere flick of his ear in the yelps direction was all his reaction was. He still held eye contact with the two large stallions. Immediately Chirin noticed an advantage.
They were both much bigger than him, wile he was much smaller. They were used to fighting Raiders and Shields. Not children who knew how to land a solid blow. His small size made him faster and more nimble. And there was one other thing. His horn wasn't just an ornament. Last he checked, it had been able to gore a wolf through the neck last time he had used it.
He laughed a bit as the other stallion called him a “blank canvas”, “Chainmail and wolf pelts hide what you can't see. I am anything but blank.”
Then, like a damned rocket, Chirin blitzed around the back of Blood bay Unicorn, using his horn to create a deep gash at the bend of his hind leg, then doing the same to the other leg. The colt jumped away quickly, dodging a kick from the large stallion's hooves. Chirin gave a sharp whistle and out of nowhere, Maple lunged at the smokey stallions' throat, sinking her fangs into it with an iron grip.
Rounding on the stallion, Chirin barreled full force into the stallion's side, just behind the shoulder and slightly above his elbow. His horn punctured the full length and Chirin made sure to withdraw wile cutting upward. Curved horns were the best for that.
Rounding back the way he came, the colt was met with the shoulder of the other stallion as he turned to face him. Noticing the whale hide on the Unicorns back, Chirin aimed lower, landing a firm, deep gash across the stallion's chest as he passed under his neck.
The colt skidded to a stop a few meters away, enough to be well out of their reach, turning on his heels as he did so, raking up clumps of earth as he faced them.,
“Still think I'm just a child!? DO I LOOK AFRAID TO YOU!?” he spat, muzzle wrinkled in a snarl. It was rare to see Chirin so angry. 'Kaia forgive my language' he thought, “You lot are no better than those damned Vagabond PRICKS! You murder CHILDREN! As a child, Kaia be DAMNED IF I LET THAT SLIDE!”
Battle stance ready, Chirin waited for them to attack. 'Stay calm, take a deep breath. If you watch close enough and use the terrain to you're advantage, you could win.'
525 words || post 3
|
|
|
|
Post by tallshiips on Dec 23, 2016 15:34:18 GMT -6
note - post contains violence towards minors and obscenities Cormac
The greatest treasure is not of silver nor gold; the most illustrious conquest is the heart.
Quick as a flash, the colt leapt towards Calder's rear, away from Cormac. The stallion broke into a smile - had they won? - but it was wiped off of his face when he realised what the young colt was doing. His eyes followed the colt's darting movements as he pulled a second dagger from its sheath, sending it flying towards the colt's chest with all the force he could muster. This time, it flew straight, a lethal arrow in the darkness, but he could not tell where it came to rest. All he heard was a yelp of pain from the colt, although he did not know whether it was from his dagger or Calder's hind legs.
A piercing whistle ripped through the grunts and yelps of battle, just as Cormac was drawing his cutlass, leaving only one dagger tucked safely in its sheath. For a sweet moment, nothing moved, everything froze as a tableau. But then this peace was shattered with a blur of orange and the sensation of small fangs gripping his neck. All strategy went out of the window as the stallion thrashed from side to side, only concerned with removing the creature from his neck. Sharp claws buried themselves in his fur as they fought for purchase on his slick, sweat-covered coat, and the soft skin at the fold of his jaw ripped, unable to support the creature's weight. Screaming in agony, the stallion brought his head between his legs, crushing the small canine between until it was forced to release its vice like grip or risk dying. He reared up to his full height, before bringing his front hooves down again and again on the ground, hoping to hit the ginger body of his attacker.
So preoccupied was he with causing as much harm as possible to the canine, he failed to notice the young colt charging towards his unprotected flank. He felt the sharp horn pierce his side, easily pushing through the soft skin. He roared in pain as the colt pushed harder, and he felt the jagged stone sink further into his body. "BASTARD SON OF A WHORE!" he screamed at the colt, running on pure adrenaline now. Blood poured out of the wound behind his elbow, but he was beyond caring. His mind was filled with only one thing - revenge.
He did not wait for the colt to finish his speech, no - instead, he barreled straight into him as he spoke, knocking him clean off of his feet and grabbing a mouthful of his fluffy crest between his teeth. The obscenities were muffled by the fur between his jaws as he wrestled with the colt beneath him. But he was older, heavier and stronger than him, although he had lost his sword in the scuffle. All he had now was one dagger, tucked safely by his side.
Calling on his telekinesis, he pulled the dagger from its sheath with the remaining dregs of his failing strength. His eyes shone with blood lust as he brought the dagger down towards the writhing body beneath him...
511 words || post 5
|
|
|
|
Post by tarriedsea on Dec 23, 2016 15:54:02 GMT -6
She could hardly believe the change in tone as the meadow exploded in screams and wails, the bleats of livestock and the clash of metals on leather. She flew to her feet, the blanket falling off her back. All her muscles instantly contracted.
Frozen.
Her brain screamed at her legs to run but they were rooted to the ground like heavy trees, unswaying.
Frozen.
A smattered pegasus tumbled into another unicorn mare across the meadow. Stallions with deep gravely voices and thick bone confronted the herders. No blood had been shed yet, but Gosslyn could practically smell it in the air, hanging like a low cloud. Ominous.
She knew these intruders with a deep draw of breath. They smelled just like one had before, a certain stallion who had pushed her against a wall with a knife to her throat. Like grit and cold and hard-packed dirt. Like salt air. Like years of simmering retribution.
She scanned the group looking for Vidar. Her heart sank- he wasn't among them. Her presence would probably beg no mercy anyway, but if he were here, maybe he would hesitate.
Her mind snapped back to reality. You idiot! Go!
With her horn she stabbed through the ropes tying her caribou. "Run!" she hissed, lunging at them. With a few bleats and bucks they ambled into the woods behind her. They would slow her escape down, she could only hope and pray that her father wouldn't be too angry with her decision. She could find them later.
Maybe she could slide out too. Everyone else seemed occupied, picking their victims like poisons among a buffet. Night was falling fast, and she cursed her coat for shining like the moon, making her a beacon of vulnerability.
In a second she made her decision. She shoved her belongings into her bag, tied the blanket around her shoulders to help conceal her color, and fled.
You coward. The thought entered her brain like an infiltrate. She had gone a dozen paces into the woods before she stopped and looked back. Through the trees' arching branches she could see the chaos erupting on the plain.
Why? Why was she, of all horses, supposedly destined to come face to face with Onea's dark smudge on its history? She had no training, no combat skills, hardly any social ones at that, nothing to offer them except her life (and she assumed given the opportunity, they'd bat it around like a cat with a fresh kill.)
Yet she couldn't shake the guilt of leaving the others to defend themselves with one less comrade on their side.
Coward.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2016 16:33:25 GMT -6
ANSGAR
AND IF I SEEM DANGEROUS, WOULD YOU BE SCARED?
He sped alongside his companions, savoring the sound of their hooves colliding with the dirt and watching from the corners of his eyes as they veered off into different directions. He didn't bother keeping track of them- he knew he didn't have to.
While they (quite literally) picked their own battles with the other herders, he caught sight of one herder in particular. One who was slipping away, who didn't wait a moment before running off into the night after their herd of livestock. Perhaps they thought no one had noticed their disappearance, or maybe they thought they could somehow escape the inevitability that was meeting Ansgar.
Wrong.
He followed after the stranger, tearing up the earth as he propelled himself faster, entering the woods and maneuvering his way around both the caribou and foliage. He was well off behind the herder when she stopped abruptly, and he could see her looking back.
Was the act to guard herself or see the damage she'd so cleverly left behind? He wondered, padding through the darkness before ultimately stepping out before her.
He was all too prepared to deliver on his promise of "no mercy," but that plan went out the window the moment he really saw her. Ansgar came to a halt, looking her over in utter disbelief. A blanket covered the majority of her frame, and that had hidden her- for the most part, anyways. But now they were staring each other down, and he already knew all too well who she was.
-
He had been on his hill, relishing the feel of cool summer night and the breeze that ruffled through his mane. It was a few ways off from the Bloody Flank camp, and it had become tradition for the stallion to go there before a mission.
To pray to Kaia, to wish for success, and, perhaps most importantly, to speak his brother. Indeed, it was a sacred time for him, where he could be alone and left with only his thoughts.
He heard her before he saw her.
Steady hoofbeats padded along the grass, and he didn't doubt that she wanted to make her presence known. Well, that she most certainly did.
Ansgar flicked an ear in acknowledge as she settled beside his side, irritated that his solitude was disturbed but opting not to tell her.
Whatever Astrid wanted must have been important if she had sought him out this far.
"Ansgar," she spoke, voice steady and breaking through the silence between them. "I... I need to ask you something. A favor." He cast her a sideways glance, still not speaking, though his eyes conveyed his thoughts.
Go on. He urged her internally, mostly due to his own sudden curiosity. A favor was most certainly not what he had expected her to say. Truth be told- he didn't have any idea as to why she would want to talk to him, but a favor... that was interesting.
"I don't know how likely it is but... if you happen to come across a gray mare with a golden horn during the raid- please have mercy on her." She answered, her eyes never leaving his. She must have noticed the quizzical look on his face, for she sucked in a sharp breath before talking again. "Please. It's all I ask of you."
She then fell silent, though kept her eyes on his. She didn't offer anymore information to make sense of her bizarre request, and simply stared him down- half demanding and half pleading that he listen to her.
Ansgar was perplexed, to say the least. He wanted more knowledge, a more solid reason as to why. He wanted to know the significance of this gray mare, and he wanted to know what she had done to become of such importance to the girl before him. He also thought about how Astrid how chosen to approach him- how she went to him specifically. Four other horses were going on this raid, and yet... she had sought him out. Sure, they were siblings, and with that relationship came unspoken loyalty, but he didn't know her- not in the way Vidar did, or the way Ansgar himself knew Odin. No, they were strangers.
And yet, looking at her, Ansgar couldn't help but wish he did know her better. He didn't know what clouded his better judgement - who has mercy on the enemy? - but alas, he submitted.
"As you wish, Astrid."
Perhaps she expected him to argue, for she continued to remain silents for a few more seconds before letting out a deep sigh relief. A small smile lit up her face, and Ansgar wondered if the sudden fondness he felt inside reflected in his eyes.
Astrid was better than most.
"Thank you, Ansgar."
-
Staring at the mare before him, he had no doubt whatsoever that this was who Astrid had been speaking about. When he agreed to her request, he didn't actually think that he would encounter her.
You fucking idiot.
It was just his goddamn luck to make a promise (while not even truly considering it) and now be expected to keep it. Or did he? How would Astrid possibly discover if he did harm the mare before him?
You would know.
He snarled softly, realizing how screwed the situation was. He would know. If he attacked the mare before him - against Astrid's wishes - he would carry it with him. He cursed the way his own unwavering loyalty betrayed him. Astrid's words shouldn't have meant anything to him, and yet, they did.
And he was furious. Mostly at himself for having to be so goddamn righteous, and also for going back on his own damn command.
He had screamed to show no mercy, and while the rest of his Clan went about to do just that, he wasn't.
He sucked in a deep breath before exhaling, his eyes locking with hers.
"Leave while you still can."
WC: 986 || Post 3
Julie gave me the okay to include Astrid in this 8')
|
|
|
|
Post by Queerly on Dec 23, 2016 16:34:47 GMT -6
Help is arriving. |
|
|
|
Post by Silverfallingstar on Dec 23, 2016 16:46:38 GMT -6
The pause had been but a moment after the last valkyrie had given her the unspoken signal. With that she broke into a run, hooves pounding over the turf as her body shifted ever so slightly. Gone were the owl eyes replaced by her own, and returning were the teeth of the bear. Her vocal cords shifted and twisted, allowing for the sound of an animal to replace her own.
SCREE
The call was loud, sharp, and piercing. It was that of a golden eagle, specifically the call of the golden eagle gryphon named Auro, the war lord's familiar. The sound cut through the air and the sound of combat. Vocal cords shifted back to normal as her hooves sharpened and became slightly pointed in several places, resembling the points of bear talons. Purple eyes burned with fury as she charged towards the stallion pinning a herder to the ground. (Cormac)
Orange tinted horns lowered as the Valkyrie broke into a charge in an effort to ram the larger male off the younger colt. As she jerked her head up she snapped out at the space the raider occupied, sharp fangs would injure the hide of the male if he wasn't knocked back by her initial charge.
The Valkyries had arrived.
Post 4|WC: 211
|
|
