Flashback [Kabrin Road] To Catch a Dancer

[Taylani]

Timestamp:69 Summer 513 The sun was sinking to the west, its light fading quickly below the horizon. Gloom was slowly taking over the grassy plains that jutted against the walls of the mighty Bright city of Sylira. The fading light reflected off its walls on one side, but on this one shadows are playing against the stone, causing the imaginative to see figures where there aren't. There is little cloud, and the evening has not begun to cool but already the daytime animals have settled into their dens, and there are noises signalling the night time animals were stirring. The slight breeze that blew the blades of grass, brings the scent of the city causing the lone lady to wrinkle her nose. Taylani makes an odd sight walking along the length of the city wall, stopping occasionally to cast her crystalline eyes across the landscape. It was stupid of her to leave the road leaving the gate when the knights had unceremoniously dumped her, and given her a single weeks ration of food. However, Taylani had heard rumors that there were places -namely sewage ducts and other ways that lead out of the city not normally fit for human passage- that one could get messages to inside or even she dared hoped maybe get back in. She was positive that if she found a way back in the Knights would be none the wiser, it is not as if she was a troublemaker, she just got into an argument with one of the knights. Though as the day grew short Taylani admitted to herself these must have been simply rumors of a playful imagination, of bored children with little better to do but make up daring adventures. Fear started to steal into her heart, causing her throat to constrict and her heart pounded beneath the simple dress that she wore. Pushing her hands through her stick straight red locks, Taylani adjusts the simple backpack that was given to her with her meager rations and searches for the safety of the road. If she has gone too far off the roadways, she might need to find a cranny to weather the night and in the morning try and make her way to the road. Surely if she made it there she would find a caravan either leaving or entering the City that would help her. She was not looking forward to her first night outside of the city walls, all her experience in Dance and Song did not prepare her for this. Impulsively, even though the fading light was making it difficult to see, Taylani begins making her way back toward the road..or where she thinks the road lies.

[Praetorian]

Yorik Swiftleaf and his two eldest sons, Rojer and Quet had joined the band of raiding Drykas for their own reasons, but they had joined together. And so, they rode together. Yorik's Strider was grayed with age, much like his rider whose braided beard was beyond the point of being peppered. His sons were, however, in their prime with dark hair and eyes, mounted upon well-muscled Striders. For several bells they had been waiting only a few miles up the Kabrin Road, waiting... waiting in silence. Waiting for the right person to cross their path. When finally she did, they sprung from the copse of trees that had been their lookout, horse hooves thundering, glad to finally be in motion after standing for so long. They had to be quick, moving before the knights caught on... But, they would try to convince the woman to join them before forcing her to do so... Their first raid had gone horribly awry, ending in the deaths of several Drykas and their beloved Striders... They had died so far from the Web... And now... Yorik stopped that train of thought before it grew too dark again. Times were desperate, men were driven to do desperate things. His people were dying... Their numbers needed the buffing that these "New Drykas" would bring. And so, they quickly surrounded her, trotting their horses in a tight circle around her. She would see their eyes flicking about anxiously before the father spoke in relatively fluid Common compared to some of his kin. "With us... you must come. A new life, we offer you. Life with our people. Life on open land. Life with freedom." The last part may have been an exaggeration, but... times were desperate. "Not want to hurt you... But will... If must..." As his sons continued to ride, he stopped, offering the woman his hand. What she would not see, despite his kind gesture, was the hand on the small wooden club at his side. One way or another, this woman would join his people...

[Taylani]

Moving along, even a novice such as she in matters outside of city walls knew better than to duck her head, Taylani moved through the grass quickly her eyes darting back and forth. What was that? She thought as she turned quickly to the right, but it was just the rustle of the wind, or so she thought as she turned back around. The first thing she noticed was the sudden crash of hooves against the ground, the slight tremor under her feet was registered next, all in a split second before she turned around to see three men on horses bearing down on her. Blue eyes widen as she twirls on the ball of her foot, pivoting nimbly, her loose red hair fanning behind her. But it was already too late and she was surrounded by the beasts and the men that rode them. The smell of the horses was oddly the first thing she thought of, a pungent smell that was not as bad as she had always assumed. Confusion fled over her face, as she turned to face first one then another of the riders, not quite courageous enough yet to try and move through the beasts. His words at first sounded foreign to her ear, her mind jumbling all thought in the haze of sudden fear and surprise. Incapable of processing the events that were unfolding, she gapes almost stupidly up at the man talking. Her pink lips move without making a sound, a thick lump in her throat preventing even a squeak at first to release. Considering the day she had already had , she did not outright refuse at first. The hope of being able to sneak back in, or talk her way back in was slim but it was hope. Hope of seeing her mother again, of holding her father, hope of retaking her life plan of dancing and singing. It was thin, and if it couldn't happen then what would she do? But at least it was hope. Shaking her head, she speaks finally, her voice quavering, pleading "Please...I..I can't.." The words tumbled from her lips, seconds before she attempts to drop down, perhaps hoping to roll beneath the horses though she is not trained at all in daring escapes.

[Praetorian]

"I'm sorry..." Even as the words left Yorik's lips, his club rose and fell upon the woman's head in a way specially taught to knock the enemy unconscious, not kill them. He cringed lightly as the woman fell, turning away as his eldest son dismounted in order to to secure the woman to his Yvas. She was young enough to be his daughter... But that was the point, he supposed. They were looking for women of breeding age, women still young enough to adjust to an entirely new style of living. He could only hope that, as the trio turned and began to thunder back towards their base camp, that she would be one of the few that acclimated well from the start. He did not want to see her bound in iron as she slowly came to accept her fate. Accept her fate... Thinking of it in such a way inspired a pang of pity in the old man's heart, reminding him that some would see this as a fate worse than death simply because of how they were coming into their world. But, if only they would keep their eyes open long enough to see the beauty of the Sea of Grass... of the pavilions flapping in the breeze and of herds of Striders galloping across the plains with speed worthy of inspiring the jealousy of Zulrav's own winds. Almost every evening, she would be able to lay her head down in a new place as the tent city migrated. Never would there be a dull moment for this woman... If only she would be able to see. Ah, the night was late and they had far to ride yet. Shaking his head, Yorik contented himself in becoming lost in the rhythm of his Strider as his powerful limbs propelled them onward. The Next Morning Taylani would wake to find herself in a canvas tent, lain carefully upon a thick carpet. Across the tent, she would see a man sitting quietly, wooden tray of food rested upon his knees. He looked only a few years older than she, but there was an age to his eyes often unseen in any without white hair. He wore no beard and his hair was cut short, setting himself apart from many Drykas. But, then again, he was not a Drykas. Not yet, anyway. Before her was Reaut Varis, shamed squire of the Sylirian Knights. He had sought out the Drykas, seeking a new life among them. And now, he had been trusted to look over their newest captive. Upon seeing her stir, he would smile and bid her good morning, walking over to place the tray beside her. "You might have a headache. The water in the skin over yon," he would nod at the tentpole, from which dangled a worn but bulging waterskin, "should help with that. As will food. Once you're fed, we can get you off to the medical tent."

[Taylani]

The brilliant burst of pain, a white burst of light merely seconds long before darkness descended upon Taylani. The next thing she remembers is a dull throbbing in her head, without opening her eyes she raises a hand to press against the back of her skull, feeling the slight lump. Sitting up, her hand moving to the top of her head, mussing the red locks even worse then they already were as she blearily opened her blue eyes. It was a long moment of blinking, dumbly looking at the man who spoke before Taylani could quite make sense of what he was saying. When her vision finally clears, she sucks in a breath and pushed herself up to a crouched position, her hands on the ground, her feet flat footed and her knees bent so she was still low to the ground, panic starting to set into her blue eyes. Ignoring the food tray, not even bothering to look at it though the hollowness in her stomach told her it had been a while since breakfast that morning...or was it yesterday morning? She backs up slowly, trying to find any form of escape. Her voice was groggy sounding, though she was no longer tired or half asleep, "Wh...Where?" She manages to get out, "Who. Are. You?" She gets out, even as she squints against the low throbbing in her head. It was not the worse pain, the time she had broken her ankle was far worse then this, but it was interfering in her thought processes. Suddenly she remembers, and she glares hard at the other man, "Are you...are you from Syliras?" She allowed a little bit of hope, but the shaggy appearance did not bode well that this was some sort of rescue by the Knighthood.

[Praetorian]

For some inexplicable reason, Reaut smiled at her question. It was not so much happiness, but amusement. He was but a voluntary-captive himself, and yet he could see in this woman's eyes that he was thought to be either a doom or a hope embodied. When she went on to ask about him coming from Syliras, however, his face darkened almost imperceptibly. "My name is Reaut-" he pronounced it carefully as Ray-OH "-and yes, I am from Syliras. Before you ask, I am not, however, a captive like you. I came here of my own volition. Those reasons are my own." "Now. You need to eat. It will help your head feel better." His voice was kind, but there was undeniable iron there, a relic from his days among the Knights. He would speak no more, but he would give the woman 15 chimes - and not a tick more - to start eating. If she continued to defy him, his patience would wear out and he would rise to his feet, take the woman by the upper arm, and begin taking her towards the medical tent. If she ate of her own volition, she would be allowed to walk of her own as well. Reaut would even be hind enough to hold the tent's flap open for her. From the tent in which she had slept, it would be but a short walk to the medium sized tent that served as examination of the new Drykas. Already afflicted with the Pox, these people would take no chances of introducing a new disease to their people. Upon entering the tent, Taylani would be led to a small subsection of the tent - one of many marked off by hanging curtains, rugs, or other sheets of fabric - and motioned to sit upon a stool in the corner if she had need. Not even a tick after becoming situated in the tent, a slender woman with the pale hair and scaled skin that marked her as one of the Women of Mura would whirl into the tent, smiling despite the exhaustion that lined her youthful features. Not wasting any time, she introduced herself as Kiara Whitewind of the Opal Clan and bade Reaut leave them for a moment. "I know that this is hard on you," she said gently, standing in front of Taylani with her hands resting upon slim hips. "But please give it a chance... These Drykas are not so hard and uncultured as you may think..." She pursed her lips, realizing that she did not have a talent for healing with words. And besides, she had a job to do... "Now, I need you to please take off your clothes so that I can give you a quick once over."

[Taylani]

Slowly as Reaut begins to speak Taylani's blue eyes lost the spark of hope, and turned to a hard stone stare. This was worse then the men on the animals that had struck her on the head, and presumably were the ones that carried her back. For they were people who did this, there were rumors about it but Taylani had never given them much credit. But Reaut, he was someone who could have been her neighbor, her kin or her friend, someone from Syliras. It smacked of betrayal of unmitigated proportion, and for the first time Taylani felt cold stark fear. Then the old friend that always seemed to get her in trouble, the stirring of anger in the pit of her stomach.

Glancing toward the tent flap and then back to Reaut, she judges the distance too great. So instead she settles back, sitting now once more, crossing her arms in a very defiant fashion. Though her head ached, and her stomach growled at her, she bites her lower lip but otherwise shows no signs of anything other then stubborn anger. Pointedly she stares at the other man, her dark lashes framing eyes that shot daggers, for fifteen chimes she does not move or even acknowledge the food nor the water. She might regret it, as she often does when her stubborn pride and anger causes her to make rash decisions, but it was with a satisfied sound that she allows herself to be half dragged up, moving easily once on her feet with him toward the medical tent, her arm in his hand but her body not resisting him.

It was harder then she thought, to not speak to him, to not beg him to just let her go, to not question what they wanted with her. However she manages, and when he 'escorts' her into the subsection she simply stands beside the stool, refusing to give any more advantage to the enemy. Her hand rubs her arm, but he had done no damage, would not even leave a bruise for all that it was a steely grip. She crosses her arms over her breasts, taking a defensive stance with her legs spread just slightly beneath her simply made skirts, glowering but no longer staring at the traitor. Which was all the well because shortly came the strangely scaled woman that sent the man out and coming to stand in front of Taylani. The red head drew herself back, not quite taking a step back but straightens her torso and elongates her neck in a openly suspicious gesture. "Even the most civilized and soft are still nothing but assailants when they kidnap people by hitting them upside the head." Her words were hard and cold, her fingers digging into her own upper arms, threatening to bruise her own skin more so then Reaut had when leading her here.

She does step back at the Konti's next words, immediately a flush raises in her pale cheeks and her foot kicks the stool unintentionally. "Why? What do you want..what do they want?" Just a tinge of panic colored her words, she had of course visited those who treated illnesses, but she had never undressed completely in front of anyone else. There had been no need.

[Praetorian]

"Even the most civilized and soft are still nothing but assailants when they kidnap people by hitting them upside the head." At this, the Konti cringed delicately, shaking her head. Add another thing for her to check, why don't they. She sighed, mainly to herself, wishing that the plight of the Drykas were not so desperate. But, as she had seen her fellow wives' children dying in their arms, she understood why they behaved so barbarically. A whisper of a sigh escaped her lips once again as she looked for the right words to say before deciding to move on. The healer was not at all surprised by Taylani's reaction, but sympathy shone forth with an honest light from her pale eyes. "It's not what we want... but what we need, darling... Our people are dying," odd to hear a Konti call Drykas her people, but the woman had spent most of her time living among the horse clans; nowadays, she allied herself with their culture than her native Kontinese culture. A gentle smile graced her lips. "We've sought every other alternative... But without new people brought in to replace those lost, our culture will die. Entire pavilions died; that's an entire family with aunts, uncles, and so many children in your world. Consider that... I know that this is not easy. It probably won't be easy for a long while... But this is your life now. If you don't do your best to make the most of it, you will be miserable." A mother's steel came to her tongue, betraying her age despite her still-porcelain features. "Now. We need to look you over to make sure that you weren't hurt too badly last night and that you carry no foreign diseases," she crossed her arms as she spoke, hating what she would say next but knowing its necessity. "If you do not disrobe on your own, I will have someone come to sedate you, and we will examine you while you sleep. It may sound like a better alternative, but no one likes the thought of their body being invaded while they sleep... Be wise, my dear..." Could Taylani tell how much it hurt the healer mentally to be so harsh? But... it was what was necessary... Her people needed a future.

[Taylani]

As the other spoke, Taylani shakes her head sullenly, her arms tightening across her body almost as if she could shield herself completely from this harsh reality. Her heart thudded frantically, though as a performer she was able to maintain ...somewhat normal breathing though it took a large effort on her part. Her throat dry, her stomach still complaining over her petulant decision to not partake of the food and water provided, like she was some sort of pet to be watered or fed.

"And so, because your people fall upon desperate times that completely overrides my life? Your people die, so in turn you effectively kill my life?" Her voice was still on the edge of panic and some my say hysteria, though a hard edge of anger tinged the edges. Almost as if the anger and outrage kept her pulled together, kept her from flying apart...for the moment.

Despite the soft voice of the healer, the almost kind words, Taylani was not in any frame of mind to care what affects any of this had on this healer. It was clear that she was on their side and thus an enemy. "Invaded?!" Taylani sidestepped to her right, without even realizing that her body was poised and ready, the fight or flight instinct kicking in heavily. She was tunneled visioned now, seeing only the Konti woman, her head buzzing loudly and throbbing relentlessly. "Invaded?" She repeated, licking her dry lips nervously. Finally her blue eyes slides off the healer to the partition where Reaut had disappeared, and with a shudder but no other word her arms move mechanically. Her fingers shake and her eyes are trained directly on the ground, her breathing catching gently in her throat as her fingers clumsily undo one button at a time that line her dress to the waist.

She is slow, not really being deliberate or methodical, but because her body did not seem to want to listen to her commands. Fear invaded every fiber of her being, but this only drove the anger to the surface further. Her slowness was simply her trying to control herself. Once every button was undone, she takes a choked breath before she pulls first one arm out of the sleeve of her dress then the other, then slowly bending to let the dress fall, so that she could step out of the simple garment.

Beneath she wore a very plain shift, thin straps that held the white cloth up over the tops of her small breasts, the cloth falling to the very top of her thighs. The bottom undergarment was again, simply made white cloth that covered and protected but with no frills. She folds the dress carefully over the stool, then crosses her arms again but not in the normal fashion. Her right arm is bent over her breasts, her hand laying on the upper part of her left arm. Her left arm is crossed over her belly, her left hand clasping over her right hip. She is not completely nude, but she was more exposed then ever, with her long dancers legs muscled and toned on display. Her arms were similarly bare, not even freckles that plague so many redheads mar her flesh. Though a very red blush rises from the top of her chest all the way up her neck, to color her face.

"I am not diseased." Her voice was husky, trembling and it sounds as if she is talking between clenched teeth. "I can not stop you." Her blue eyes, for the first time since she began to disrobe, glittering hard as she continues, "But if you touch me..I can make it difficult for you.." Her threat might have came across a little more serious if her voice hadn't squeaked at the end. Squeak or no she does not move to make any examination easy, even her eyes drop once more her lips pressed in a thin line.

[Praetorian]

At this point, the Konti was getting annoyed. Did the girl not see the lack of logic in her plan- it had already been a long day. After a few steadying breaths, Kiara returned to a center of peace. Her words were slow, measured in such a way that, skewering the young woman with her light blue eyes, the Healer would be understood. "If you make this too difficult Reaut will have to come in and restrain you. You don't want that. The sooner you're done with this, the sooner you can go back to your tent and rest." Without pause, the pale woman would then start to instruct Taylani, having her hold her arms out to the side, then over her head, having her balance on one foot, squat and stand, along with various other tests before moving on to examine her physically. Kiara put a hand on either side of her joints and rolled each one experimentally, testing the range and smoothness. Any attempt to struggle would be met with a harsh glare and, if Taylani decided to resist too terribly, the Konti would be forced to call Reaut in to help control the woman. Bruises would be pressed upon gently, any cuts would be examined ever so carefully. With fingers as light as feathers, the pale-skinned woman would examine the captive's head, paying close attention to the swollen bump denoting where she was hit. From there, she would check her eyes and then, making an "aaahhhh" sound with her, her throat. After all of that, she would take a step back and nod gently. "You're alright. You can dress again." She sagged back, sinking down onto the stool. When was the last time she had slept? So many people, so much commotion, a Healer's work was never done. "When you're done, Reaut will take you back to your tent so that you can eat. A small, knowing smile darted across her delicate features. Hopefully, this would be the worst of the woman's troubles before entering her new life. OOCI'll post my grade after your next reply.