Homeward Bound (Closed)

[Wystern]

Wys woke up almost in the same position he fell asleep. His body felt stiff, his stomach rumbled, and the sword's hilt dug into his neck. It wasn't particularly eventful, probably a good thing. He yawned at Aren's and Sam's bickering. And people called Wys the uptight one. He got up, throwing the cloak back over his shoulders and began to check his weapons, taking the time to wipe off the moisture from the dew, to check the sharpness and any chips. He hasn't really said a single word for the last twelve or so hours, he just didn't feel like talking, and no one seemed to disturb that solitude. He took a sip out of the waterskin. They would get back on the move soon, now was a good idea to clean up. Wys looked around, got up and walked over to the stream, taking a look at his reflection. A five o'clock shadow covered his face, he took out a dagger and started fixing that, slowly and carefully squeezing his jaw and cutting the stubble. That skill gets easier if one could not be bothered to search for the razor. He rinsed off the dagger and wiped it off with his cloak. It was a good idea to find out more about the travel plan. "How long are we going to travel, and when will the next campsite be?"

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

Sam was immediately relieved when he saw Aiken's head perk up. He smiled and shook his head. "Everything is fine," he assured him, confident now it would be. To Wystern he said, "We go mostly south by southwest to get to Endrykas at this time of year. It should only take about five days, perhaps faster if we get an escort. Just remember, this is Drykas territory so they'll respect my windmark more than a Syliran knight. No offense, but that's how it is." He looked around to see if everyone else was almost ready to go. Now that he felt a bit more confident in leading, he was excited to get on the move again.

[Aren]

Everything they did, from this moment forward, was a calculated risk in the Akalak's eyes. From speaking, to shuffling their feet, to eating their food warm, as opposed to cold. By keeping unnecessary activity to a minimum, you kept unnecessary attention to a minimum as well. And so Aren wanted to tell Sam that while the fire may have been necessary, his singing certainly was not. He realized that perhaps this could seem reproachful, however, and that wasn't his intention. Sam was, after all, quite young (despite his size), and the mantle of leadership was not an easy burden for anyone to carry. As the young man now more confidently took charge of the situation, the aged (by comparison) Akalak offered him an approving nod. A leader had to, above all, be confident, lest the resolve of those who follow him falter. Of note was the fact that Aren himself hadn't slept all night, and was thus understandingly tired. He figured he'd get his shuteye on the horse, while they traveled for the day, but it wasn't exactly going to be a reinvigorating rest.

[Kegan Emrick]

Kegan woke later than the rest of his party. The only reason that he even woke up was because of Arnett's nudging. Arnett could sense the on coming danger and he knew that Kegan was obviously sleeping in. Kegan blushed when he noticed that he had slept in. He was so used to sleeping until he woke up. He pet Arnett "Thank you Arnett, you saved my butt. Great, everyone is going to think i am a slacker." he muttered to Arnett. Arnett paced around while Kegan shuffled to get ready. Arnett knew that trouble was lurking and he might get hurt or even worse, Kegan could get hurt. This worried him. He and Kegan lived as equals but Arnett knew that he would not be able to live without Kegan. It was as simple as that and if the issue arised where Kegan was in danger he knew that he would give his life to save his human companion. Kegan got everything packed onto Farley, his Frostmarch. He felt his heart beating in anticipation. He was excited but afraid to speak. No one else was talking so he was not sure if he should. He looked down at Arnett and Arnett looked back at him with big worried brown eyes. "We will get through this Arnett." he said to his dog. He really hoped that what he said was true.

[Aiken]

"Right then," Aiken said, his bare form standing in the now rising sun. "I've got nothing here to claim. Might need to hunt soon though, get some fresh meat and all. I thought I smelled some animal, but I'm not sure. I'm too used to forest."

Aiken was particularly excited about being in a new place. It looked, felt, and even smelled bigger than the wildlands ever were. Besides, he was looking for a challenging hunt. He heard everything on the plains was faster and less evasive. He hoped there would be a good chance to go off - either on his own or with Sam - for a deer or rabbit or anything worth killing and eating.

Then again, he had also remembered how the Akalak reacted with paranoia to nearly everything. Survival was the one thought on his mind, apparently. Aiken was so used to 'surviving' that it was second nature to him. First, really, since he'd been living in the wild since before his second year.

"Anybody up for it, while the day is young?"

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

As they all prepared to pack up and go, Sam spoke softly to Aiken. Aren was right: they should be cautious as their numbers were few and none of them was exceptionally familiar with their road. Should they be picked up by a patrol, they would be more secure. Even glassbeaks and other monsters were generally wise enough to the dynamics of power to avoid a pack of armed Drykas. "When we find our next camp, Aiken," he said. "Or if you scent something close and easy to catch, but please don't range too far out on your own. Keep your senses alert for danger. I... wouldn't feel right if you were hurt getting me home again. "Aren," he said, a bit louder. "You can ride Horse for now. I'll walk. I need to be closer to the ground to learn the signs of the grasslands again. It's been too long." That said, he double-checked the weapons he had strapped to himself, keeping his shortbow in hand even as he tightened the straps of Horse's saddle in preparation for his big, blue rider. He shot a friendly smile to Kegan, who was newest to their group and seemed perhaps a bit worried. He glanced at Wystern and nodded, as the young knight seemed stoic enough. Syliran steel could be depended on, he thought. "C'mon, Aiken," he said. "You and me on foot. And Arnett, of course." He grinned, and it looked almost wolfish. Perhaps Aiken was rubbing off on him a bit.

[Wystern]

Wys yawned and rubbed his eyes one more time before awkwardly attaching a saddle on the horse. The relationships always begin with the smallest things, this horse already didn't like Wystern as its rider. Feeling was almost the same, he didn't like animals period. He didn't like some Kelvics, some were more civilized than others. It all depends on a situation and a person, it always does. He got up from his knees, and hopped into the saddle, taking a little time to secure his weaponry. After the quick weapon check was finished, he steadily got the animal to follow the others. Wys hasn't said a single word since what he asked Sam, there wasn't anything to say, and on top of that Aren might freak out again. The walk edged him, and every so often, he found himself gripping the handle of the sword to where the leather on fingerless gloves began to make a sound. He wasn't nervous, it's just that nothing good ever came out of the forests, and they are traveling in a forest of solid grass.

[Aren]

The Akalak eyed the gray mount, wondering what terrible deed the poor animal must have committed to have been named as he was. A horse called Horse; he was certain that had to be some kind of practical joke on Sam's part, but then again... humans were strange. Aren wasn't what you would call a proficient rider- or any kind of rider at all, really- but the weight of his eyelids made him realize that he would have to put his personal preferences aside if he expected to get any kind of rest, as even uncomfortable sleep was better than no sleep at all. Mounting the horse (with about as much difficulty as he dismounted) the Akalak balanced himself on the animal, nervously. After a moment, he felt secure enough in his seat to breath a sigh of relief, and he smiled halfheartedly. As he looked at his companions from Horse, the party seemed to be in good shape. Everyone looked concerned, at least, if not outright nervous. That was a healthy mentality to have, and Aren felt more comfortable closing his eyes with this in mind.

[Kegan Emrick]

As much as it pained Kegan to do it, he hopped up on his horses back. He really did not want to be so far from Arnett but he just needed to trust that his dog would not get injured. Kegan ran his hand down the side of Farley, his horse's mane. Fear was still prodding at his mind but he forced it down. He should save his fear for when it was truly necessary. All of the worrying about what was it come would not stop it from coming. He agreed to come on this journey and if he was going to be of help to his comrades he would have to be brave. A wave of peace washed over Kegan when he saw Sam smile at him. It was a simple enough gesture but it was appreciated. He still was not sure how welcome he was among the collected men. He knew that Aren's warnings were not ones dislike but if concern but it still did not help Kegan's growing worry that the party collected did not think he was prepared for the job at hand. He himself was not sure if he was prepared for the job at hand. There was no backing out though not if he wanted to keep his dignity. He looked to the horizon, he banished the worries from his head. He could worry when he was past the Sea of Grass.

[Tundris]

The band of companions traveled cautiously across the grasses for most of the day, stopping occasionally to adjust their packs or eat, but anxious to continue on their way without too many unfortunate run ins with predators. A distant screech from a pack of glassbeaks alarmed them, making them swivel their heads about violently, searching the landscape for the colourful plumes of the dangerous creature’s form. If they crossed a pack of them, survival was close to nil and in response the men squeezed their weapons and patted their animals in reassurance. The high sun had wilted and begun to climb down towards the grass, attempting to pull the sky with it. A blanket of clouds that had started out as a small puff of moisture grew in size as they traveled - so slowly in fact that the skies swelled unnoticed by the passing crew. Unnoticed that is until the sun began to be smothered out of view by the thunderhead. All around them the air chilled in the absence of the sun. Flowers and plants seemed to coil away in fear, pulling themselves towards the earth in a vain attempt to escape the oncoming wind. Wildlife that dotted the region in the sunlight moments before skittered away into holes and under rocks, and eventually, not even the sound of the glassbeak could be heard over the humming whistle of the wind picking up around them. If the surrounding evidence of the clouds did not alert them to the approaching storm, the rumbling crack of thunder across the sky did. The day, looking darker than normal, deceived the bunch into thinking nightfall was near as huge thunderheads appeared over the horizon. The sun became blocked out by the invading presence of twisting air as it billowed outward in an ever-expanding threat over the sea of grass. A threat shared by all living creatures. Survival depended on whether they could find refuge from the wind. There were ways to weather wind storms but one had to be fairly knowledgeable in such wilderness survival. If not, a person risked the very skin on their body being sanded off by rock in the rush of a hurricane. The traveling companions had less than fifteen chimes before the storm hit their location at incredible speeds and their lives depending on their ability to work together.