Dragon's Egg - Side Treks

((This is the thread dedicated to action happening away from the main group.

Because... stuff! Mods can edit this post later with a better description or the title if the "separated threads for each character" wins.))

[HR][/HR]



Somewhere in the forest
((Starting after #822.
Solo participant: Mauve.))

The trees bend and blur. I shake my head and glance at the ground below. No, I can't fall asleep here or I'll break my neck. I can't sleep on the ground either or they'll catch me. No matter what I must keep my mind busy and stay awake.

Thoughts about my former companions threaten to overwhelm me. I don't want to think about them, it hurts. Fool. I pull my knees closer, trying to keep the merciless cold of the night at bay. It's useless, as soon I've stopped running my blood started to cool down. I wish I had my own cloak.

Survival.

Brood over their treason will do me no good, but discovering how to get out of this will.

The morning will bring new dangers. I know where they should go next, I have one chance before the road forks. It's two days of journey, I still need food. How far can I go before collapsing? I can't remember the town name... Will I be able to find food while I don't catch them? I should... Wait—that's it!

Where am I? Carefully getting to on feet, I turn, hugging the trunk before climbing higher on the tree, trying to get above the canopy. I need to locate myself and I need to know if I'm being hunted. Their lights will give them away, it's perfect!

 

Somewhere in the forest

Is this commotion about me? Impossible, few men went after the ranger, even if that shrew told them about my magic they're being too noisy. Are those savages turning on who the others because I'm gone? Well deserved! I would love to watch them trying to get out of this mess without my help. Or, maybe, Sahuagin? Hah, I hope so, sweet retribution at last. Do you still want my weapons now you bastards?

The chances that my equipment was left in the room I've slept are high; mayhap during a attack I would be able to sneak back and retrieve it. My spear is at the blacksmith shop, some of my writing material was with Baldhart, probably it'll be laying around inside the room too, maybe over one of the beds. I picture myself in the inn, going upstairs, entering the room. Last time the bed where Burnbright was—

Crap, Burnbright and Branwen are still in there!

I stretch my neck and squint my eyes, not only observing the town but attempting to see the ocean. If I can't determine the cause of the agitation from there I'll have no other choice than venture closer to the town. Today is a hateful day.

 

Somewhere in the forest

The sound of my landing seems to be amplified in the night, making me cringe. I turn my head to one side and to the other, making sure no one or nothing is close to hear.

If only I had those sandals I would be able to hide quickly if the need arises.

Lifting my skirts, I start back to the town, each wary step bringing a new curse to my head. Every bush could be concealing an enemy. I search the forest while I walk, more worried about hidden foes than tripping in the darkness. Darkness, it's a blessing, a welcome mantle to protect me from my hunters.

Upon reaching the edge of the forest I stay low, attempting to determine the reason behind the commotion. If it can't be done from my location I climb another tree to get a better view.

 

My body shudders as if I was just afflicted by one of my own spells. Bewildered, I stare at the ranger for some seconds.

Remembering I should answer him, I timidly shake my head. "Something is happening, I do not know what, it is no battle. I need... we? We need to discover what it is and get the children out of this place. It will be hard to get Burnbright to follow us. I also need my backpack, I have no weapons, no food."

Hesitating, I add, "I thought you would be far away now."


((Ankari might have not taken a good look at her eye until now. He wasn't there when she showed it and explained her situation.))

 

"Oh, acknowledgment? Coming from you it's scarier than death threats." My voice is light, but my face barely moves, much less smiles. I fall silent, thinking.

"This agitation could be a measure to deal with us and our terrible allies from the dark lands—or so they think." I bite my lower lip in anticipation to what comes next. "To the hell with our companions. They left me to their fires, they could deal with their own friggin problems for a change."

 

"It was not for lack of warning, ranger. They ignored my warnings so they would be spared from coping with the truth, from feeling guilty after stubbornly making a mistake. It's easier when you 'didn't know'. Pathetic."

Groaning I stand straight, turn away and risk some steps into the forest. I rub my face, breathing heavily. It stings, scratched during my dash through the wood. I turn back to him. "The likely scenario: They will be too angry to hear us. The elf is afraid, he doesn't want to take the blame, and Baldhart swore an oath to the shrew she just met. I made a terrible mistake before, believing they would at least keep quiet. We can not repeat it.

"It's worse than that." I return to his side. "Any plan requires approaching them. I must be honest with you: I do not have enough energy to risk more than one, two lesser spells before losing any control I may have. I am not nearly skilled as you when it comes to walk the shadows, my company will decrease your chances of success."

I lower my eyes. "...oh, unless... A whisper. They must be on my sight and close enough to that work. In my current state I will be sacrificing any offensive enchantment to whisper like I did with you. We can ask for a meeting in the forest." I raise my eyes, awaiting his response before elaborating the plan any further.

 

"It is a possibility, although I expected them by the morning." I nod. "Aye, we need to know, we can not afford to be caught by surprise between these two forces."

Without leaving the edge of the wood I start towards the sea. Good, I'll be able to say if some fish is about to crawl out the water this night. Yet, how would I convince the ranger to not act?

Not attacking me doesn't mean he's suddenly on my side. He threatened me once, talked about tying me and leaving me to be burnt by savages just like these people. The hair on the back of my neck stand up at the new suspicion. I do not forget.

"Elf..." I glance at him. "Why? You are not fond of the little harpy. For all I know you despise anyone and anything that gets in your way, weakness displays included."

 

I cannot hold the incredulous "Hah?" at the ranger's claims of loyalty and trust, but I manage to bite back the retort that would throw him into another fit. In his precious group I was rather a tool than an equal. I still am. It's hard to follow the distorted image he now paints of himself, yet, to placate the deranged elf I should reassure him.

"Yes, you have erred."

What would change if I did it? As soon as the group is reunited he won't be forced to hide contempt he feels for me. Never before he exchanged words with me without accusing me, if not attacking; it's my only chance to be heard.

"The attack was unnecessary. You endangered us, including Burnbright, by creating a new foe when the odds are already against us. You do not trust, you rather act on your own, no matter what consequences your actions will bring. We were to take the girl to safety before the pig had a chance to sink his claws on her." My dress gets caught on something, reminding me to lift my skirts while walking.

"No matter how badly I wished the man dead he was not worth the risk. If I had the opportunity I would have exacted retribution, but if that meant putting everything we bled for at stake, I would not. You should have not done what you did in the way you did."