Closed Left for Dead - Small Cove

[Lireal]

30th of Fall, 512 AV

Beaten, wounded and left for dead. Lireal pondered in her final moments what had come of it all? Her own race had abandoned her, her true family was dead and all she had now was an elegant sword. In the echoing dismal place, she heard the drips from the ceiling drop. She could taste the saline water pool she was near and knew sooner or later tide would come in and take her breath away.

Coughing up blood she grinned sardonically. Of all the reasons to die, sparing a evil person life was not how she expected it all to end.

He'd killed many people, but he was on trial and her Father had shown a unusual act of kindness and gave her one chance. Lireal had to eat him while her clan watched the worm squirm.

She hadn't been able to do it. So in rage, her Father not only banished her but made sure she wouldn't survive.

All of them, Jakon, Ratr and Uyar her brothers were with the group. They'd made it clear she was nothing to them. Not a sister, not family. The whole clan had been shocked by her refusal and the fact her Father lost the clan's respect was delicious to her.

The dripping was rather calming, like a little metronome. Her true family had been afraid of her, but once they heard the circumstances they'd embraced her. Even told her a bit about her Mother, which is why she really met them. She began to visits them regularly. The clan grew suspicious her father especially and in the night they took them all here. Made her watch them all be killed. The Grandmother look as she saw Lireal there was horrifying. Every ounce of love she gained from them was gone. As they all were killed Lireal for ages couldn't get the screams out her head.

And the those words from the sister echoed back through her head, "Evil witch. You did this. You planned this. It's your fault."

Just as she wondered all this she heard a sound, figuring they were coming back, she closed her eyes and drawing blood from her wounds put it on her lips before beginning the act.

If they wanted to kill her properly, she sure would make it harder than they suspect.

She had never liked them to begin with.

[Kirvan Deepseeker]

Wind rushing past his head, Kirvan had to tie his hair back with a piece of rope to be able see anything. It wasn't stormy by any stretch of the word, though there were a few clouds in the sky, but the wind seemed unrelenting. Fortunately, Kirvan was harnessing that same wind to push his boat northward, the small casinor bobbing in the waves. He'd been following the coastline for a while now, looking for a good place to beach his boat for the night, somewhere relatively out of the way. There were risks to traveling alone. Hoping to get a better view of the coast, he pushed the tiller slightly towards the land and loosened the starboard jibsheets, jibing across the wind. He hadn't seen an ideal place yet, and after that run in a few days ago with some undesirables he was wary of just being out in the open. As he tightened the port jibsheets, he heard a chorus of squeaks from his tavan, Ster. The beluga whale was swimming slowly alongside the casinor, a few feet away to avoid going to shallow. "I know, I know, just choose a spot already, right?" he said, smiling. Even though Ster was a whale, Kirvan usually had a good idea of what he was saying. Another few chirps and whistles. Don't say it, do it, seemed to be the message. "Alright alright!" Kirvan laughed, scanning the coast. There was a cove farther north, the entrance between two giant rocks. The best spot he'd seen so far. Jibing across the wind again, he angled for the spot, throwing Ster a farewell fish as the whale swam back into the sea to get his own rest.

[Lireal]

Hearing voices she tried to stand up, but the strain was horrible and it felt like the bones were crying out in agony. Scowling she eased herself ever so carefully to mouth of cave. Biting her lip she continued to edge towards it, stopping occasionally to writhe in agony, desperately, desperately trying to not make a sound. All her wounds burned and begged her to stop, but she wanted to know who this was, the voice didn't sound hostile, but experience had taught her best be careful in these cases.

Collapsing near mouth of cave she started to weep silently, it was impossible, no doubt her bones were broken and the wounds were bleeding in horrible flow. Everything about her in this situation felt pathetic. No amount of trying could make her move again, seeing her sword over the other side of the cove, she slammed her fists into the rock, everything was over. Best just to accept it.

Looking out she let out a sound which she hoped sounded like help, although might as well had been a gurgled cry of failure. The crimson flow would join the sea and she would become fish food.

Closing her eyes she rested, falling unconscious.

[Kirvan Deepseeker]

Aiming his ship towards the opening, Kirvan reefed his sails when he was a few dozen meters out. The wind had already given him a good boost, and there was no need to sail in at full speed and collide with whatever was there. He also didn't want to crash into the rocks either side of the entrance at full speed either. Of course, he would immediately abandon the sea if he could not make it within the twenty foot gap between the rocks, but he tended to think of the worst so he wouldn't be surprised. Luckily for the Svefra, he glided into the cove no problem and found that it was just as rocky as the exterior. Large flat rocks ringed the watery inlet, and a farther back rose into these small cliffs that prevented anyone from getting out. Good at providing shelter from the wind at least, but a perfect deathtrap for anyone without a boat - especially if the person could swim. Kirvan had nothing to worry about though, as he was covered in both areas. Glad to have finally found a place to rest, he steered his ship alongside one of the large flat rocks at the edge of the cove, hopping off when the casinor slowed down enough. He grabbed the mooring lines and tied the ends around a couple of boulders, making sure the bowline knots were tight and his home secure. Just as he was about to head back to his ship to practice a bit of swordplay, something glimmered out of the corner of his eye, grabbing his attention. Turning to face the source, he saw a hitherto unnoticed cave looming a little ominously over one side of the cove. Wow, he thought to himself. Way to be observant Kirvan. The shine was coming from something off to one side of the cave mouth, something large and straight. His curiosity took over, driving Kirvan towards the the gleaming object, stepping in the shallow water that led to the entrance. The water felt good on his bare feet, but instead of taking a moment to relish the feeling as he normally would have done he kept going. As he drew close, he saw that the shining object was actually a sword, and a well-made one at that, but the sword was where the least of his attention was when he noticed what looked to be a woman collapsed face-down at the cave mouth. "Oh gods!" he exclaimed, abandoning his carefree pace and rushing over. There was something off about her, but whoever this was she had clearly seen some better days. Gashes and bruises covered most of the visible skin, her clothes were torn and ragged, and she was bleeding badly. The person - or people - who did this to her had obviously meant make sure she didn't survive; even if she was still conscious and could walk, there was no way for her to be able to climb or swim out of the cove in her weakened state. Her black hair had crimson stains in it, and the water behind her had turned red, making a trail deeper into the cave. Just as he was about to flip her over, he paused as he realized what had seemed so off about her. Her skin, while pale, still carried a gray tint, not to mention that fur seemed to be growing from a few places. Tentatively, he eased the woman's body around so she was belly-up and saw that her face was covered in bruises and cuts as well. Even more astonishing, however, was the pointed teeth in her open mouth. "Oh gods," Kirvan repeated. "What is she?" As soon as he said that, he chastised himself. It doesn't matter what she is, she's hurt and needs help. Rushing her back to his casinor, he found the spare sail and immediately tore it up into bandage-sized pieces of cloth. It wasn't clean, but it was all he had. He hurried the impromptu first aid supplies back to the injured woman and carefully lifted one arm, eyes drawn to the claw at the end. His horror grew when he felt something shift inside the flesh, and realized that whoever did this probably broken her arms and legs too. Cursing, he proceeded to gently wrap the arm tightly with the sail bandages. He had nothing to use for a splint, meaning that if he wasn't careful he could easily cause even more damage. Weaving the sail bandage back and forth across her arm, he finished it with a tight tie and moved onto another limb.

[Lireal]

Much like a dream it was, everything from the carrying to safety and the bandaging of the wounds. She knew it was only just that and knew it wouldn't be long until she finally expired, still the whole thing felt nice and she was happy to have such a lovely send off. Falling in and out of conciousness in the dream she looked forward to seeing her saviour again. Unfortunately no matter how much she tried, she couldn't see him clearly. Closing her eyes once more, she felt the gentle rocking and could smell the ocean and feel the breeze. As she smiled to herself asleep, she felt the rocking intensify.

Her eyes shot open and she looked around. Lireal appeared to be on the ocean, not only that but the dream, was real, here she was wrapped up with bandages all over.

Puzzled she stretched and looked around, it had to be here, it had to be. Searching around desperately she tried to see the glint or the lovely ornately carved handle with a jewel encrusted pommel or the finely smithed metal blade, weighty but otherwise easy to wield.

Unfortunately nothing could be found. Nothing at all, looking around she finally saw the guy. Not caring about anything else she spoke up, "Where is it?" No doubt he was probably a little confused and normally she could accept this, but being almost killed had made her a little irritable.

[Kirvan Deepseeker]

After finishing wrapping up the strange woman best he could, Kirvan had gone to retrieve the sword - which he assumed was hers - and taken it to his cabin. He hadn't left it out in the elements sheerly because of its beauty. Wrapping the weapon in what tattered remains were left of the spare sail, he placed it on his trunk and left it there, not wanting to leave it leaning against the side of his ship in the case it fell into the water. Since then, he'd been swimming in the cove, relaxing in that small pocket of Laviku's domain and pondering over what to do next. A couple hours later, he returned to his boat, still dripping wet with his soaked clothes, and dropped to the deck and eased himself against the mast. Just what was this woman? He'd heard of various other species and heard their descriptions, but he'd never seen any other than other branches of humans and occasionally an Isur in Kalea. He'd never heard of a blue-skinned people before though, his people not having many stories about creatures from inland. Lost in thought, Kirvan did not notice that his guest was awake and undoing hi careful work until she yelled her question at him. "Where is what?" he asked, bewildered. "Hey, calm down, you'll hurt yourself!" When she refused, still looking wildly around, Kirvan realized what she was probably looking for. "Hang on," he said, stumbling up from his seat at the mast and heading for the cabin. Picking up the sword from the top of his boxlike trunk - tattered sail wrappings and all - he brought it outside and offered it to the strange woman. "I wrapped it up to protect it slightly better, if you don't mind that is. I couldn't leave such a thing exposed to the elements without someone caring for it."

[Lireal]

Snatching the sword she checked it and sighed in relief, "It doesn't matter how it's made, it matters more who made it." with that cryptic comment she sat back down near the mast and stroked the blade bevelled edge, seeming almost lost in thought before she remembered something, looking up she smiled trying to hide her teeth, "Thank you human. I know it's uncommon for one of you to help one of my race. I thank you though." going back to admiring the blade and seeming to be lost in it's sheen she wondered why he had saved her. It almost annoyed her, as she had accepted this was the end. But now here she was, injured but alive, it was strange.

"I am Lireal and this blade is all I have left of my humanity." not sure why she was sharing she continued staring thoughtfully, "I stand by you now as sister in arms. I am very good at fighting and can preform any kills if you wish."

Scowling at thought, she sighed before continuing, "I am not like most of my species, I am the black sheep, but if you want me to travel into cities with you, you must give me something to cover my face."

Going back to looking at the blade she ran her finger over the edge, smiling placidly when she saw it hadn't dulled.

"My clan shall die, that is all I ask human, you help me achieve this and no matter what you have me always as a friend."

Looking away she added, "My oath does allow for favours of a physical variety. I'll accept whatever you wish of me."

[Kirvan Deepseeker]

Kirvan started a bit when he saw her hastily and energetically snatch the sword. "Careful!" he cried. "Your left arm and leg are broken, you're bruised all over, and your cuts haven't fully healed yet. You should be sitting still, lying down preferably, not jolting each and every way like a giddy child." As she began to admire the sword, stroking the edge as if it were a child, Kirvan's curiosity only grew. It did not help that she referred to 'her race' as if everyone was supposed to know it. "What exactly is your race?" he asked, leaning back against the cabin. Listening to her introduction, he began to let his mind wander. Sister in arms? What was she talking about? She owed him nothing, any decent person would have done the same, and he hadn't even done a proper job! Then she brought up her species again as if he knew what exactly she was. He noticed how she tried to hide her elongated teeth when she smiled, and though he found them a little intimidating he figured they probably had an even more fearful effect on anybody who actually recognized what she was. Guessing from the way she talked, she was probably used to being feared, especially how she mentioned needing to cover up her face if she was in a city. His thoughts came to a screeching halt when she mentioned the extermination of her clan. Her oath? Whatever he wished? "Are you raving mad?" he asked aloud. "Listen, I helped you because I'd help any old bloke who laid wounded and dying. Besides, you're not healed yet. I've got no experience when it comes to this kind of stuff, everything I know is from theory, so you still need to see someone who can patch you up. And what clan? Who needs to die and why?"

[Lireal]

"Don't claim you don't know human. I am well aware though I'm a filthy half-breed I am still more than enough Zith for people to loath and hate me." snarling she went back to stroking the blade, so relieved to have it back and so happy it hadn't been destroyed or lost. Still this human was beginning to annoy her at his lies and claims, the Zith were the bogeymen of fairytales, even if you had never seen one, you'd know to kill it rather than save it.

"No you listen human, my word is golden and by helping a Zith (even if I am a half-breed) shows you are willing to look away from previous prejudice. Although I can see just looking around you couldn't keep me going, just let me rest a week here and I'll be out your hair."

With a cursory look around she saw the person was poor and couldn't manage to feed himself, let alone here. So out of kindness she chose to relieve burden, besides a week would hopefully be long enough for worse injuries to heal.

"As for where I wish to stop, let me think about this."

[Kirvan Deepseeker]

"Zith? What are Zith?" Kirvan asked. "All I've ever known is the sea, sailing across the North Suvan from one side to the other. The only other races I've met are from traders and people who we've escorted across the Suvan, and I have never seen your kind before." This woman seemed to think that he already knew, or should at least, and that he should have left her. The way her face contorted, the way she scowled, made Kirvan think that maybe she wished he would have just killed her. "Thanks for your offer, but I really don't have enough right now to support the both of us," Kirvan said, looking around his casinor. It was in nice condition, but the supplies he had weren't enough to feed two people for any extended period of time, not to mention there wasn't enough room in his cabin to fit two people comfortably unless... but only Leisa had done that, and it didn't happen overnight. "I honestly don't know what prejudice you're talking about, you keep insisting I know what you are but I really don't." He saw her cast her gaze around the boat, observing and analyzing it. She probably assumed he wasn't doing well, but he felt a little indignant at this. He could very well take care of himself, it was her he didn't have the supplies to take care of. That said, any small temporary job would work well for him. "Listen," Kirvan said, "you need a healer's attention as soon as possible. I'm just not good enough to fix you up as well as you need to be. Syliras is a few hours' journey from here, I can take you there and look for somebody to take care of you."