[Flashback:Nanithel, Syllke Skyglow]Blood in the Snow

[Syllke Skyglow]

Syllke wasn’t impressed. The guy was only in this for himself – for money. And he was wanting to pump them for information to further his own ends – and better line his pockets. On the other hand, it would be nice to know that someone was actually looking for the culprit of this heinous violence. They could assume the Icewatch would be, but another set of eyes and another brain working on the problem wouldn’t hurt. “Well, good to know that poor woman’s death has got you curious.” He said sarcastically. “I’m Syllke. From the Skyglow hold. And OK, I’ll tell you what I saw. She’d been gutted, like a fish – only her insides looked like soup – soup that someone had already had a big bellyful, as there wasn’t much left. Her head looked like someone drove a spear through it – a big hole, and more soup, some was on the snow. It didn’t look like anything I’ve ever seen before. If an animal did it – I’d sure like to know what kind, so I can steer clear if I ever run across one. If it was a human that killed her, they must have used magic at some point – to turn her guts all runny like that.” He was being blunt, and he thought for a moment that his words might be more upsetting to Nanithel than they had to be. But he never liked to make assumptions that girls were weaker than boys or needed protecting. “I didn’t get a good look at the tracks around. There were some going back and forth into the woods – and I didn’t see any signs of a body being dragged through the snow. But I didn’t want to mess them up. I figured that was someone else’s job – to go follow the . . . whatever it was.” He looked pointedly at the man. “Guess that means you, unless the bears run you off.” Despite not making assumptions, Syllke shifted on his feet, leaning closer to Nanithel. “I sent Nanithel off to bring someone to help. I don’t think she really saw too much. I went closer while she was gone, but only to about two meters away. I have no idea what happened to her, but I’ll tell you this. She sure looked liked she’d been . . . eaten. Or at least her insides were – unless there was some magic going on.”

[Nanithel]

The stranger, Anthony, spoke quickly in common about his reasons for being in Avanthal making it hard for Nanithel to understand everything he said, but she was quite confident that she´got the majority of what he said correctly. A bounty hunter, that wasn't the worst line of work except that they hunted people, let it be it was mostly bad guys probably, for money and the man seemed so familiar speaking of death and murders it was a bit more than unsettling. His story of his first capture, how much of it was true was an entirely different question, was so far from the lives in Avanthal too, Nanithel had never notice such violence in the peaceful city of Morwen. But listening to the description of Nayayik's mutilated corpse and liquidized insides proved that maybe violence had reached Avanthal. Her mind ran wild with very detail images built upon what little she had seen, for once not happy with her very vivid imagination as waves of nausea hit her at the thought of someone or something actually having eaten that...fluid of innards and more. Thankful for the warm, living presence of her mare Windy who scraped her hoof in impatience, leaving marks in the snow and blowing out clouds of frosty breath as she snorted and tried picking at the reins, Nan's clothes and the snow on the ground with her muzzle.

"My name's Nanithel, I belong to the Frostfawn hold, as did Nayayik." She said as Syllke fell silent, hiding behind a polite facade to avoid showing how much the events of today had affected her. "It's like Syllke said, I was never too close to the body, but from what I saw it didn't look too recent. Maybe from earlier this day or so?" This Anthony said he was here on a trip of sorts, Nan wondered if he had just travelled all the way through the hazardous Northern Reaches on just a trip or if he had some other reason or at least he could have knowledge of beings and magic that maybe was not to common in the icy north. "Do you know what could have done this to her or do you have any ideas?"

[Antar]

At the description of the scene that Syllke told, Noth stopped dead in his tracks for a moment. But just for a moment to compose his thoughts as Nanithel spoke a little more of her thoughts and beliefs. To anyone looking in that second or two pause they would have seen Noth's eyes narrow, and his face betray a sense of wary guardedness at the description of the scene.

For a moment his mind considered, relating the new details back to the incident he was here in Avanthal to investigate... and came across some startling correlations. The description of death was the same, partially melted organs, puncturing of the skull somehow. Pressing his lips together he spoke slowly, "That is indeed... troublesome. The way you are describing it would correlate to acid, poison, or some other substance to help liquify the tissue... there's a few species of animals or one of the races which have such properties, mainly symenestra or perhaps dhani, heck maybe a zith but I don't know if the strength of their bite might work so… quickly and if it was a dhani I'd think there wouldn't have been a body to find."

Unless one had altered themselves in some way, or perhaps very hungry was left unsaid. "Normally though, when it involves females at least, a symenestra is usually involved in crimes of kidnapping. Not a murder, unless they are starving... or something was wrong with the females. A dhani, or a zith… I just don’t know enough about the other two races to hazard a guess. Was this ... girl in good health and mindset? Do you know if she was seeing someone? Anyone who would lure her out into the woods? Can you two think off the top of your heads if there was anyone she having any trouble with; any other vanthans or anyone in her hold or family, who might have wished her harm enough to be a part of this? There’s no reason I can think of her being out here this far into the woods besides there being someone she knew asking her out here."

Thinking back to Syllke’s tone of voice when he replied to him, Antar tried to extend an olive branch. ”I’m sorry if I seem kind of overbearing here with these questions, I should impart to you the fact that I understand that having this unfortunate incident around you must be difficult for both of you. Death seems to be uncommon here, unlike in other lawless cities where it’s hard to go out into the streets without coming across a dead body at least once a weak. So please understand, I know this is affecting you, and I respect your feelings, even if I seem a little cold towards this individual’s death. The effects of seeing the dead just gets… easier after a while after you’ve been exposed to it in your life before. Though the first time you deal with it is usually the worst.”

[Syllke Skyglow]

Syllke could almost sense Nanithel shrinking into herself, turning to her mare for comfort. He wished he hadn’t spoken so bluntly, but he couldn’t take the words back now. So he focused on the outsider’s explanations, his mind a bit overwhelmed by the idea of other races of beings prowling about Avanthal and preying on its citizens. As far as Anthony’s questions went, the boy could only shake his head, looking over to Nanithel. “Sorry, I’m only visiting here. I didn’t know Nayayik.” His gaze went back to the man. “And I understand. If you want to be a bounty hunter, I suppose you have to get used to seeing some really awful things. Like you say, around here, life is valued, and respected. If you want answers, you might want to keep that in mind.” The olive branch hadn’t been completely accepted. Syllke wasn’t usually so surly, but trying to deal with his own emotions after seeing such a sight was enough to put him in a rare sour mood. Turning slightly away from Anthony and towards the girl, he said, “Do you want to answer any more questions? You look a bit pale – you want to go back now?”

[Nanithel]

Nanithel would not be the least bit disappointed if she never had to hear or talk about this ever again but then again she could not stand to be seen as weak, even to herself. Blaming her pale skin on her heritage she straightend slightly and took a deep breath, pushing her feelings deep inside. "I'm fine, it is no problem." She said and her eyes returned from the mix of red and blue to their normal dark blue hue although with a slight hint of purple. "I didn't know Nayayik very well but I don't think she'd go out this far without any company though she is, or was, both friendly and headstrong, and from what I know she was completely healthy in both mind and body." Nanithel tried to remember what she knew of Nayayik but nothing out of the ordinary came to her, Nayayik had been friendly and outgoing and the type of person it is hard to not like.

As Anthony both wanted and seemed capable Nan tried to think of anything that could help and despite being very straight forward and not used to the peace in Avanthal he did seem to be a nice guy. "I don't think she had anyone special or was maybe seeing someone not from Avanthal either but of course her close friends and family will now that better than me." Nan said, a frown on her face as she thought. "She did have her own horse but I don't now if it is in the stables or not, Nayayik was a good rider and interested in tracking but I think that is all I know."

[Antar]

Antar nodded solemnly, his mind sensing the strain in Syllke's words. "Very well, I believe the next step is talking with her family and friends, and a side trip to her doctors just to be thorough. That would be someone in the Whitevines , yes? The horse and tracking information is also good to follow up on. But never mind, no need to answer that, I've put upon both of you enough. I'll ask someone else."

With the time for questioning done, Antar sighed loudly. "If however, there is anything I can do for either of you while I'm here in Avanthal, please do not hesitate to ask. My camp is on the outskirts of the city close to the temple. You both seem to be very nice people, and very helpful to me here. I'd also be more then willing to show each of you a bit of how to defend yourselves if you wanted to meet up somewhere like the archery rane. I hear this town has a good one. For my own piece of mind, would you two permit me to escort you back to the young lady's Hold before we part ways?"

oocGoodbye posts anyone? =) I thank you both very much for doing this thread. You two have been awesome ^-^.

[Syllke Skyglow]

Syllke was suddenly feeling fatigued. He had seen death, animal and man, but nothing like this. He wanted to be away from this place and somewhere that seemed more . . . normal. At the last, the stranger’s words seemed far more gentle – and he seemed as if he was at least trying to be helpful and not just nosy. Of course, someone needed to find Nayayik’s killer. Syllke supposed he should be glad people like Anthony existed. But for the moment, he just wanted to find his parents. He nodded at Anthony’s offer. “That sounds good. If the one who did this is still somewhere close, we don’t need to be running into him – or her – or . . . it.” His gaze went to Nanithel to see if she was alright with Anthony accompanying them back to her hold. Then he turned back to the man, and added, “Thanks. If you are skilled with weapons, then your company would be appreciated. Myself – I’m an artist. I don’t suppose I could do much damage with the stick of wood I’ve got stuck in my pocket.” He laughed just the smallest laugh, though somewhere inside he was feeling quite hollow.

[Nanithel]

It would feel a lot better leaving the murder behind when she knew that both the Icewatch and this stranger was intent on catching the killer, revenge wouldn't lead anywhere but the murderer needed to be put to the law. Though Nan suspected that if Anthony or any other bounty hunter that wouldn't be prioritized as they probably recieved their pay no matter if their target was dead or alive. But at least something was being done and by this point it wasn't much else she could do.

At the mention of her hold Nanithel felt like a popped balloon almost, whatever that had held her up up till now just disappeared like snow smoke for the wind. Suddenly she wanted nothing more than to snuggle down into her furs in her room with some tea, a book and Ita draped around her neck. Or maybe even some family time with her siblings, they were always good at making people forget everything except their own chaotic schemes. At the same time the increasing dark scared her a bit, anything could hide in the shadows without notice so Nan readily agreed to having Anthony follow them back. "Yes, it'd be a relief," Nan said and smiled slightly. "The only thing I could offer as protection otherwise is a quick escape." She said and stroke Windy's neck and scratched the mare's dark grey chin who in turn tried to eat Nan's hair.

[Antar]

The three walked back in silence to the Frostfawn hold, and Noth was mulling over the events. A bit of the outside world had come to Avanthal and he knew what it seemed to be... the target he was sent here to assassinate out of revenge. Worse yet, he knew if he didn't succeed against such a monster he himself would be targeted eventually for failing the contract. It was ironic, sorta, A novicia trained killer hunting a murdering bastard; the gods must be laughing at him for sure.

When he left the children at the hold, he said his goodbyes to part ways and headed back towards his campsite near the temple to tuck himself asleep. It didn't work though, his mind was far too restless and it wandered to wondering just how many more people this may affect before the murderer's hunger had been sated. He didn't know, but he doubted the girl would be the mad symenestra's last victim.

At least the symenestra hadn'e seemed have played with his food this time... the girl had died quickly instead of being tortured and slowly eaten over several days. That was the only solace the rogue could think of as a thankful eulogy for the victim's passing. Staring restlessly at the top of his tent, huddled amidst the furs and blankets of his bedroll, Noth could not help but offer a slight prayer to morwen, to give him the strength to deal with this petching cold long enough to track this sym down, and end him like the spider he was.

[Cheshire]

Character: Antar Experience: Observation +3, Running +2, Interrogation +3, Stealth +1, Tracking +1, Investigation +3, Storytelling +1, Rhetoric +1, Leadership +2 Lore: Praying to Morwen, Hiding Your Tracks, Investigating a Dead Body Character: Syllke Skyglow Experience: Animal Husbandry +1, Observation +3, Investigation +3, Tracking +1, Rhetoric +2, Interrogation +3, Storytelling +1, Leadership +1 Lore: Investigating a Dead Body Character: Nanithel Experience: Driving (Dog Sled) +1, Riding +1, Rhetoric +1, Observation +1, Interrogation +1, Investigation +2 Lore: Investigating a Dead Body Additional Note: Nice thread! It was kinda like watching NCIS. PM me with concerns.