Solo Bide your time

[Sami]

11st Spring 513AV
10 days, 9 bells and 5 chimes to freedom

"Hold her down! Get the bloody petcher down!"
Sami felt her face slam against the floor as she struggled in his hold. A low growl of rage escaped her as she felt the bindings tighten around her wrists. She gave a glare, teeth clenching as she writhed and fought back.
"Shyke, a real fire cracker this one," she heard the mumble in Common from another "Gonna make it hard to sell her at this rate."
She arched her back and brought her knees up beneath her, her shoulders rolling as she tried to break free once more. She felt the torch light being brought close to her face, a glow in the gloom. She felt the heat of it burn at her face, her eyes wincing through the flames at the holder. She saw the dark scowl as a rough hand grabbed her jaw and forced her eyes to him.
“Better learn to behave yourself,” he spoke as the fire drifted close to her face “Things will get ugly otherwise.”
She heard the mutter of voices in the dark “Get her into the cage, least she won’t be able to run off that way.”

Sami released a screech as she continued to struggle. She threw what little weight she did have into trying to force herself free. She placed a foot beneath her, bringing her up into a crouch as the brute force of the man held her back. She gave a shout, her tongue snapping in Nari as she was pushed down.
“Get down you little Shyke!” she heard one of them shout.
“Come on, get that cage open!”
She could hear the worried mumbles and cries of the other slaves and contained. Of those whose will had been snapped and broken, leaving them as little more than frightened cattle. Currency in the form of flesh. Her head arched round as she twisted once more and bit at the one holding her. Teeth met flesh, and the slaver gave a shout. She scrabbled away, hearing the curses in common reaching her ears. Not that she did not get far before another tackled her to the floor. She gave a screech as they dragged her towards the cage, legs thrashing as she tried to pull herself loose. The grinding of wood and metal sounded in her ears as she was thrown into it, her bindings now secured around her wrists. She felt the rope tighten and constrict, the cage door being slammed shut behind and locked. She threw herself against the bars eyes locking with the slaver. He gave a snort, his back straightening before he turned his back on her. She was no trouble for him now, no immediate threat in his eyes.

She watched him look around quiet words escaping his lips as he talked with the slavers before they returned to the camp fire. She kept her guard up for a little while, a low underlying growl gradually receding into silence as her temper came under better control. It had been an age since the Inarta had laid eyes upon the mountain home. A distant dream since she last was able to look upon the freedom of the soaring eagles of Wind Reach. She rested her forehead against the cool bar of the cage. A year away, a full year since the chaos of the Djed Storm, since the mountain exploded into fire. Since they all screamed out his name in a mass euphoria. Ivak. It had left its mark indeed, the once dormant god of fire having returned and unleashed all that energy. Chaos consumed and lasted. Sami’s eyes stared out into the gloom of the slavers camp, and to the others who had met a similar fate. The only difference between them and her, was the broad chain that kept them tethered and together and to be dragged ever on in their caravan. She shifted her weight in the cage, her wrists flexing in her bindings. Too long had she existed here, caught and bound. Her ears twitched to the sound of a slaver as he came over, and threw in the meagre provisions that were necessary to keep her alive.

“Wonder what the point in feeding her is,” the slaver snorted and crouched down, beady eyes staring back. She met his gaze, pushing down the urge to snap and snarl “She’s too damned violent. No one wants a violent brat.”
There was a low laugh from the camp fire "Don't worry, someone will break her in. One way or another."
"Shut it Dek licker," she hissed in Nari at him. He obviously did not understand her words, the perplexed expression on his face told her that much. The hand shot through the bars and grasped her jaw and squeezed it. She felt the hold tighten, the firm fingers pressing in on the bone and muscle.
"Don't know what you said brat," he pulled her face close enough so the pair was almost touching noses "but I don't like your tone." Sami jerked away out of his prying hands, a snarl on her lips as the slaver released her. Her shoulders met the bars on the other side of the cage. The slaver stood, his knuckles clicking as he looked down upon the girl.
"Nothin' but trouble."

Sami ate the best she could, in the darkness and with her hands bound making it a difficult procedure. Lying on the base of it, and feeling the rough wood against her skin, Sami simply stared into the darkness. Her thoughts growing numb as the cold hand of night ruled. She heard the grunts and groans of another Slaver as he made watch, whilst the others claimed security in their tents. The others like her were left exposed to the elements and whatever else wandered into camp. She could hear the distant cry of creatures in the grass, the sounds of crickets as a low hum. Sami turned her eyes to the world beyond the bars and to the horizon and the moon that hovered in the distance. Nothing could be done currently, she had little choice but to sit and wait for the next lot of judgement to be past down onto her.
At least I don’t have to walk anymore.

[Sami]

15th Spring 513AV
6 days, 8 bells and 37 chimes to freedom

Sami shifted on her spot, feeling the closeness of the cage around her. Her legs had grown stiff from her confinement, days being trapped within. She felt her own thoughts mull about within, a growing urge to escape and break out. But without any means to, she had little choice but to stop and wait for the opportunity. She bide her time, watching the world go past, the seemingly endless sea of grass and this caravan of flesh. The wagon rocked from side to side, a motion that she had grown accustomed to over time. Her mind swayed with the grass, a dazed state of nothing as she thought to herself. She flexed her wrists, feeling the rough rope against her skin. It was a nuisance to say the least, making it difficult for her to eat. She gave a shudder as the crisp wind blew through the travelling caravan, before turning herself so she could face the front. An endless sea of blue and green stretched before her, distant specs of grazing animals on the horizon. Towards the front she saw the front guard of slavers, all upon their horses leading and sheparding their property on. And this was how the girl lived, being little more than an item. Yet even she knew currently there was little she could do.

She twisted her wrists in her bindings feeling the rope give slightly. Muscles relaxed and contracted as she continued to move them. She tensed, and then felt her arms sink and tremble. She had no strength there. Sami leaned against the bars, her eyes glazing over with thought. She could not ask for help from the outside world; the other slaves were too scared of their masters, too broken into fear. None of the slavers had pity on them, and so far in this sea of grass they had seen no others, and none seemed to question or approach. It was only them and the wilderness. It meant that it was left to her to get out. Yet then the question of how came to her. She was bound and caged, a state that hindered her movement. The first task was to get her hands freed, one way or another. By having her hands free she had more to work with, and in turn would open up other possibilities.

Sami looked back to the slavers at the rear and the second wagon that followed closely. There the driver sat, hunched over, grizzled looking with a stern look having fixed itself upon his face. She did not speak to him; she only received the cold hard glare of a man who felt he was wasting his time and tired of this seemingly endless travel. But that was his fault. It was his fault he had chosen the life of a slaver over a normal and more honest occupation. Her eyes turned away, this time to the chain gang that was being lead behind. All five of them had hollow eyes and faces, all scared and quivering. They were weak, unable to think and unable to act. If it was not the presence of the slavers then it was their own fear that kept them prisoners. She gave a snort, if only they had the same fire as her. If only. Then they could of, no, she could have broken out an age ago.

The girl watched one of the slavers ride on ahead, spurring his horse on towards the front. Glances were briefly crossed, and a scowl was given to her. And then she heard the shouting. Angry shouting.
“Call a halt!” she heard the leading member speak.
The caravan pulled to a stop, the groan of wood against the grass marking this. Her eyes turned to the back where there appeared to be a ruckus occurring. She watched the slaver drag out one of the slaves. A weak and pitiful being that was barely able to stand upon their own two feet. It was thrown to the floor next to the leading Slaver, thin bony hands trying to grasp at air. And there the slaver sat, looking down upon the weak being.
“Looks like a weak one,” she heard the mumble “What you going to do?”
There was a snort from the leading Slaver “Do what we do will all pointless flesh sacks. Kill ‘im.”

Sami’s eyes widened as she watched the slavers close in on the slave. She watched the merciless bludgeoning of the man, the screeches of a hungry man filling the air. There was the wail of the other slaves, the fearful cries as the dull thud of weapons against flesh reached her ears. Her face pressed itself against the bars, her eyes searching for that glimmer of hope that the slave would rise, that he would fight back. But when the final gurgle came out, the sickening crack of bone as the man’s skull caved in, did she see the cold fingers of death. She choked, her face going pale as the corpse was kicked one last time. The crew mounted up, one of them spitting upon the dead man as he was left abandoned.

She stared, for that was now all the girl could do. She had seen the dead before; it was not something she was blind to. She knew of funerals and how the dead were treated back home. Back in the far away city of Wind Reach. But this was murder. Pure cold murder. There was no light, there was no warmth. She felt the bitter taste grow in her mouth, her stomach twist as her pulse quickened. These men were not afraid of blood. They were not afraid of killing. For the slaves were little more than items, currency that they could spend and use as they wished. She watched the lead slaver ride off to the front, head held high as he did. She knew what was coming.

They were her rulers now. They could do as they wished with her. They could kill her. And right now, even the girl Inarta with all her fire and self instilled will knew it would only be a matter of time. It would eventually be her turn, and it was a fate she could not escape.

For out here in the endless sea of grass only the strong survive.

[Sami]

16th Spring 513AV
5 days, 11 bells and 13 chimes to freedom

It was little more than a low hum that escaped her lips, of broken notes and words escaping into the night. A poor attempt at singing, but an attempt never the less. Her dry throat tightened slightly as she brought forth an uneven tune. Lips moved as she rested her head against the cool bars, her eyes staring up at the wooden top of the cage. The sounded cracked, a note barely being made as a few more came to her in her mother tongue. She tried to grasp onto a reality a different one before it escaped. She could not think clearly anymore in this world of bloodshed, this endless violence. She sucked back tears; she tried to quell her fear. She needed to stay strong. She needed to survive she kept telling herself.

Her blue eyes turned upon the distant moon, the slither of a crescent barely peaking through. It gave enough light to see the outline of the camp, and to cast the faint shadows across the ground. She let out a whimper, and rubbed her fingers across the small lines that had formed across her wrists. Her bindings may have been cut for now, but it did not mean she was free. She laced them together, and tried to still her shaking form. The words however continued to come, flowing like water as a simple melodic tune. If it could even be called melodic. It was an eerie wail of a girl who stood upon the very edge and could barely cling onto reality. Her eyes turned up once more to the wood grain, as her lips continued to move. Tonight freedom would not be hers; she would not be able to find her escape. She still had to wait and bide her time.

If they did not kill her first that is.

She remembered the lacking mercy they had upon that slave. On how he was little more than trash to them. A weak and defenceless man being forced to suffer simply for existing. And there was nothing she could do to stop them. Her throat had simply closed up as they threw him away.

She curled up on the base of the cage, feeling her numb fingers as she grasped at her hair. She gave another cracking note, this time with a string of words behind it, made up lyrics on the spot. Not that anyone would hear her, the camp had fallen asleep for the night.
“Little bird, little bird,” the tune cracked as she felt herself spilling out nonsense in Nari “Why do you cry?”
She choked and buried her head in her hands, and grasped at obtaining a temporary respite from the world. She tuned it out the best she could and let her mind sink into a state of unthinking. She wanted calm, she wanted to forget, even if it was just for a mere tick. She drew in a deep, laboured breath, swallowing as she sucked in her words. In through the nose, and out through the mouth. She needed to find calm. Finding calm would give her a clearer head in finding a way to survive. Long enough to allow escape.

Sami inhaled the cool spring air, clenching her eyes shut as she stopped herself from crying. She exhaled and let out a choke as she pushed away emotions and feelings, or tried to at least. They kept crawling back into the void that she wanted to create. Fear crept in, its roots clinging in to her before she shook her head. She shooed it away, and it came crawling back. It clung tighter to her this time, and her focus was forced upon it. The girl let out a mournful howl and knowing it to be the beginning of a long and arduous night. She let out the grief that had been rested upon her shoulders; she let herself crumble to nothing but dirt with only the eye of Leth falling upon her. No one else saw her like this, and perhaps it was indeed for the better. For her to show weakness in the face of the enemy would allow them to exploit it. And with that, the battle for survival would have been lost.

She squeezed her hands together and cracked her eyes open at the world beyond. Her lips gave a twitch, a croak escaping as a forced song was brought out once more. That everlasting mournful – and terrible sounding – melody.
"Is it because, you forgot how to fly?" a note was hit once more her ears twitching to it almost in surprise. It did not last though, bitterness came once more when she realised that none would be there to hear it. There was no pat on the head for doing a good job, no call of praise for doing something right. There was nothing.

Home was little more than a distant dream now, and one that she would never achieve. Or so she told herself.

[Sami]

20th Spring 513AV
13 bells and 7 chimes to freedom

Fire. Fire would do it.

The Inarta had been staring up at the wood for a while now, her finger nail scratching at the hard surface with thought. She studied the faint groove that had been left there from it, the tips of her fingers tracing it. She rapped her knuckles against it, ears twitching at the dull sound it made. The girl scratched at it again, before drawing back her fist and punching up at it. She gave a hiss, feeling the sting of flesh as it hit. She winced and pulled her hand down.
"Hey, don't do that," she heard a slaver speak and clang of steel against the bars.
The girl flinched, eyes growing wide as she looked upon him. She rubbed her knuckles, and felt her shoulders hunch in.
"Yeah, better behave yourself," he gave a snarl "remember your place, you're not going anywhere after all. You're just a useless sack of flesh."
Sami's lip twitched, her eyes narrowing at him "what do you know?"
The slaver stared, slightly surprised that she had responded in common "So the monkey speaks? Not that it will help you."
Her hands clenched around the bars, her face pressing between the gap "Who you calling a monkey!?"
The blade tip rickoshaded off the bars, a loud clang ringing out "know your place girl! Or I will put you there."

Sami had heard these words before, and most of the time she had ignored them. Her fiery nature made her stand up to threats and slander. A growl filled her throat, rage filling her face.
"Make me!" she snapped.
Their eyes locked and the slaver withdrew his blade. She continued to growl at him, putting up a charade of being stronger than she actually was. He moved away from the cage, his head shaking as he walked away and spoke quickly in common to the leader. Sami however glared after him for a while, before easing herself back against the bars. She gave a shake as she felt the buzz of adrenal go through her, feeling the brief sensation of panic as she calmed. The what if questions began to rise in her, the worry of what would of happened if the man had reacted, if he had put her in her place. She exhaled, letting her head hang as the early signs of night began to creep in. There was nothing she could do now; short of being grateful that he did not take her bait. It most likely was not worth his time, she mused for a little while.

She tapped her fingers against the side of the cage, eyes narrowing with thought. She had seen enough wood burning in her time to know how it burned, but whether or not the cage roof would burn was still beyond her. And then of course there was the risk of damage to her own self. How much would she suffer? How much would it do? When she did break out, would she be able to have the strength to run and escape? Or would she simply be killed before she had the chance. She knew she had to create chaos. But achieving it was the problem. She cleared her thoughts, banishing away worries as she did. She was not about to let the same antics that had grasped her the previous night take control. She needed to focus, she needed to think.

She only relaxed for a moment however, her eyes sliding shut and cutting out the outside world. She heard the thud of footsteps as a slaver came over. The same muttering voice of the slaver that last spoke to her hover at the cage edge. Her ears twitched, her head turning to chase the noise. Metal turned, the lock clicking loudly. First rose hope, an excitement that she was going to be freed and let loose into the world. But as soon as that thought came, was it chased out by a darker and more truthful one. She was dragged out by the neck, and thrown onto the ground. She made herself scrabble forward, taking the moment of freedom from her cage to escape. Not that she prevailed, she was weak whilst he was strong.

She felt the bludgeoning crack against her, a cry of pain escaping as she struggled. Her jaws snapped at his hands as the slaver released his wrath upon her.
"Put you in your place eh?" he gave a blow against her head "I'll put you in your place!"
The girl hit the ground in an instant, spiralling down. She felt the earth against her head, the dizzying strike stunning her. She felt the set of hands squeeze around her throat, the man towering over her. Her fingers pryed at his as she forced her legs into motion. It tightened, the air supply thinning the pulse slowing as her captor over ruled. The sides of her vision began to dull, slipping into darkness. She wanted to escape.

Sami gave a last wild kick. There was a grunt, the hold released. She gasped, body growing limp as her cells craved much needed oxygen. Her chest heaved as her mind grew giddy on the sudden increase in air. She began to turn onto her front, to push herself up and take a final stab at freedom, but froze when she felt the prick of cold steel against the back of her neck.
"Gods, you're a fiery one," she heard the slaver breath as he placed a rough hand against the back of her head. She heaved, a steady rise and fall of air as she looked to the world out of the corner of her eyes. The weight of him pressed against her and held her down. She began to writhe in his hold, and summoned out her words.
"Get off me! Let me go!" she began before the prick of metal served as a reminder to her.
"Time for a lesson girl," the slaver breathed.

Sami was humiliated. Not just in body but also mind. When she fought she was beaten, and when she struggled she was tortured. It was her lesson to learn, and one that she would not forget any time soon. Her attempted, impulse driven escape had given fruit to failure, and so she suffered the consequences for it. He nearly broke her will, and once pleased with the damage they had caused she was returned to her cage. The girl curled up into herself, her mind cutting out the world, seeking denial of what occurred. Sami regressed, her head held in her hands. Her once bold and fiery nature was snuffed out, and only the weak and pitiful girl remained. She let out a cry, a short intake of breaths as composure finally crumbled.

She was alone, and no one was here to save her now.

[Sami]

21st Spring 513AV
0 chimes to freedom

It was an age to the mind of the Inarta. Day and night was lost to her, time had lost relivance as she simply existed within herself. Lost in her own deep darkness. Yet even within this darkness did things grow. Through the pain and the tears, the silent gasps of suffering did the dulled embers stir. And with that simple turn of embers, which a poke at dying light did cause flames once more spring forth. Sami had finally snapped. The girl felt her djed move within her, her free hands peeling away from her face. She felt the res surface on her skin, her hands now laying flat upon the roof of the cage. She felt the rough wood touch her skin, but she did not dwell on it for too long.

It is time.

It was barely dawn, the sun just beginning to peak above the horizon. The slave camp was still, those who resided there simply being dead to the world. And with their sleeping states filling their minds and body, she chose this opportunity to strike. The res seeped out, a thin liquid soaking up into the wood before her. Her mind grew blank of common sense, the ruling emotions of rage and anger having now bloomed from within. She did not care anymore. She cared not on the harm she caused others. She cared not of her own self preservation. She cared only now for freedom. She let out a gasp as her arms began to shake, and the wood above her grew thick with her own light, liquid res. She found the will within her, a driven desperation, and she acted upon it. She found the fire and the girl did not hesitate. She could not afford to hesitate. For it was now or never.

Only the strong survive.

She found a gasp reaching her lips, Res seeping out around her and filling the air. It may have only been a small distance, but the effect would have been enough. She focused upon the heat; she focused upon the light and crackle of flames as the res slowly, but surely began to spread. She heard the hiss of heat, the escape of moisture as the wood began dry out. She felt her hands ache and tremble as still she continued to pour it in. She felt the heat from within the low crack of wood, as she brought in her focus.

Burn, burn it all.

And so the Inarta did.

It was explosive to say the least, the wood that she had patiently focused all her will power on. It splintered with a deafening crack as the fire burst forth into camp, her hands flinching back as flames burned into the sky. She heard the cry of surprise from the slavers as her fist went back and clenched tightly. She heard the whispers in her mind, the quickening of her pulse as she let the rage burn. Her fist shot upwards, hitting the burning wood, feeling the flames of the fire lick against her skin. Fingers clawed at it, quick and scrabbling as she pulled her way out. She wanted freedom and she would get it no matter what. She heard the clutter of footsteps, the cry of fire, and the shout of the words mage. So long had the slavers been leading her along. But now was her time to rule and return the fear to them. She let out an angry howl as she felt control slip, and felt her hands, bruised and burned punch at the weakening wood. But as her awareness waned, so did her control.

Her eyes turned bloodshot as she crawled her way out, smoke escaping the cage she was in. It has spread to the grass now, and clawed upon rest of the camp. The shriek of the slaves did not reach her ears, as the Inarta felt the bittersweet enjoyment of casting reach her. Her tongue clicked in Nari, her frame already covered in the layer of grime and sweat from the intense heat. Her arms trembled, hatred ruled as the world of the Slavers turned upside down. The splinters that had taken to the air, had struck upon the rest of the camp. The soft canvas of tents ignited, the shouts of the others as panic swept over them. What other res she expelled had turned into the raging fire that now engulfed the scene.

It was now her turn to rule. And just like they did not have any mercy on her and the other slaves, she did not have mercy on them.

The sea of grass turned into a sea of fire. Those who did not escape were caught within it. The horses bolted, the slavers thrown into mass panic as their camp was destroyed. It amazed her young mind on how such a small spark could ignite into such destruction. She watched the world slow, colours flickering in and out of focus as she walked. She felt the heat upon her skin, the sting of pain upon her arms. Her chest tightened as her will over the flames slipped, her throat constricting as she choked. She let the res go her focus on casting having been shattered as the pain grew more intense, and coughed in the black smoke that surrounded her. Pain wracked through her, so loudly that it over threw the sweet whispers in her mind. She buckled her eyes catching the outline of a shape as it caught alight. The scream was little more than an echo, but still it served its purpose. It was a reminder.

She lurched up, willpower grasping at her senses, her hands fumbling in the scene to be put of use and had yet to be engulfed. Her bow, her arrows all bitter memories of Wind Reach. But here they were, and here they still existed. The taste of metal filled her mouth, as the side effects began to grasp at her. So badly she wanted to lay down and to surrender all her feelings. To badly did the girl seek rest. But escape, escape had to come first. Her chest grew tighter as she lurched about, the world around her flickering in and out of darkness, a beat of pulses as she found control over herself a struggle. She coughed loudly, blood having now run into her mouth. She spat it to one side, hands before her as she went forth through the black. She craved the fresh air; she craved the thought of freedom.

The chaos was behind her, the slavers scattering at the thought of a surprise attack, of an ambush placed upon them. Some raced on ahead past her as she waded through the smoke, but they did not stop to even acknowledge her. They were little more than cowards it seemed, uncaring of their stock and of each other. And perhaps it was for the better, for the other slaves it seemed quickly followed suit in the midst of the mayhem.

She forced her broken body onwards; she forced her heavy mind to work. She could not stop, she could not rest. She ignored the pain, as the last dregs of her strength spurred her into action. She did not even pause to see the black plume of smoke bellowing up into the day breaking sky. The girl had simply left, barely walking as her mind dizzied with pain, and caught itself within a fevered dream.

Survive. Survive to reach freedom.

[Jackalope]

Sami

Award

Skill	XP Earned	Lore Earned
Brawling	+1	The Feeling of Being Caged and Beaten
Observation	+3	Insulting People in a Language They Don't Understand
Escape Artist	+1	Scoffing at Cowards
Singing	+1	Having a Will to Survive
Reimancy	+1	The Answer is Always Fire
Running	+1

Injuries: Painful bump on the head, lasts until 23 Spring
Painful handprint bruises on the neck, lasts until 35 Spring
Bruises and general soreness all over the body, lasts until 30 Spring
Minor Smoke Inhilation , painful breathing until 24 Spring



Witty Remark Here

Thanks for this insight into Sami. I think you play the Inarta spirit well, and I'm interested to see how much trouble this young lady is going to cause in the Sea of Grass and elsewhere. Sorry for the long injury list, but you put her through a lot! If you have any questions or concerns regarding your grade, please send me a PM and we can figure it out.