Riverfalls Zith Menace

[Saga]

49th Day of Winter 513 A.V Hate was a pretty powerful word. But it was the only one he could use to describe the way the Akalaks felt about the Zith. He had never had a personal run in with them before but they were shown no compassion from any race. It seemed they were predators on the living. So Saga and Vurik planned for what was to come ahead. There was a kill on sight on all Zith in this area and the next. It seems the scouting group that went out earlier had found a Zith nest preparing an attack on Riverfall. They were preparing for a preemptive strike against the Zith before they struck them. Akalak mainly filled out the ranks with a few humans involved but it was Saga that stood out from the rest. He was the only Akontak of the group. But he did come prepared, wearing his Night Leather armor in case this fight took to the night he would be prepared. They were just waiting for the commander of the party to show. In the meantime Saga, with Vurik's advice. Had drawn small sigils on the back of both his hands. He used quill and ink so that it stay on for what was to come. It had taken a great deal of time to get it right, and he was just finishing the final touch when the commander finally showed up. It had taken about half a chime but it didn't look that bad when he finished. He had drawn them on his palms to help channel his Djed through his palms. It prove useful in the the upcoming battle. An older Akalak beckoned them together for a briefing. He was sporting light leather armor and a wicked looking sword. "Alright stand attention. Volunteering for this is brave but you must remember the enemy are the Zith. They are dangerous and you will be at risk fighting them. We have taken the lead and are attacking first, which is the reason why we are striking in the morning. The night is their ally." Taking one last look at their group which was about twenty strong he decided it was time. "Lets move out."

[Kavala]

The Konti rode up quietly and joined the group with only a nod to the commander in charge. She was fully decked out in night armor that was dyed a deep burgundy and armed to the hilt with daggers, a double bladed longsword that was sheathed across her back, and a crossbow hanging at her side. Two full sheaths of bolts hung on the yvas the stallion wore she rode.

There were two main reasons she was here. First, she'd heard the call and knew it was time to test herself to see how she was coming along in terms of getting back into shape from the birth. Secondly, and perhaps most importantly, she wanted to put the young warhorse to the test and see if his actual training held. He was young... one of Ghosts' sons, and Kavala had high hopes of breeding him into her program with some of the Denusk mares she would breed in 505. Nightwish was big, making the Konti mounted on his back look little, and as fierce as they came in terms of willingness to fight. She'd so far put him up against nightlions, a grassbear, and other men mounted on horseback. Zith, however, he hadn't faced. Kavala hoped to change that. And while she was decked out with enough throwing daggers and ranged weapons in the form of her crossbow bolts to make a dent in the enemy if it came down to a battle... her true test was making sure the warhorse' training held so she could combat cast off his back.

Even now he stood quietly as the Konti checked and rechecked her equipment. He only glanced around, snorting, and dug his hoof into the ground to paw restlessly for a beat or two before going back to standing quietly. Kavala nodded, pleased so far that he could be brought into a group of strange horses and not react badly. Now if he could work with the other horses and warriors that would help equally as much.

Kavala glanced around after her brief conversation with the commander, guided the stallion over to the fringes of the party with her heels, and bade him to stand. She then slipped off his tall back, checked and rechecked his gear, before mounting again. She waited quietly, knowing the commander would give the signal for them to ride out any moment... and glanced around. Her eyes connected with a male Akontak's briefly and she arched an eyebrow in surprise. Then she quickly scanned the assembled group, nodding to a few men she knew from either having healed their animals or having ran into them while in town.

Nightwish shifted, pawing the ground again, and she uttered a sharp command to halt his restless shifting. Then she glanced at the Akontak again, nudged the stallion closer to him, and quietly asked him a question.

"Did he already give the Intel on numbers or direction? I was late getting out of a surgery at the clinic when I heard there was to be a raiding party. No one usually minds if a healer rides along, and it looks like this commander is no different." She said, offering the stranger a companionable nod.

"Kavala Denusk. Healer." She added, then gently thumped the warhorse that had began figiting under her soundly on his shoulder. "Stand." She ordered, and then ran her hand down the black mane the stallion tossed as he settled. The big horse wore no headstall and barely had tack on. He did have a belly band in the drykas style that the konti had a number of packs tied to containing weapons and healing supplies. "This is his first battle. I'm bringing him to test things out... and to see if his training holds. They are all green sometime." Kavala said, shaking her head and suddenly noting the glyph marks on the Akontak's skin. She said nothing, but did in fact raise an eyebrow when she spotted them.

[Vanator]

Thunder was antsy. The young stallion was another of Ghost's offspring that the Denusks have been training for combat. The horse had not faced as many real-life fighting scenarios as Nightwish, but Vanator had selected the sturdy mount because he had worked more closely with Thunder than with the others. They had worked hard with the new warhorses, exposing them to the scent of fresh blood, simulated the cacophony of battle and the frantic nature of a fight in order to strip them of their natural tendancy to flight. The Drykas himself was not used to riding heavier horses, and as he had worked with the muscular beast, Van was learning as well a new way to handle a horse in battle. The horseclans were not an army, and Striders were not warhorses. Faster than almost anything in the grass, mounted Drykas were hit and run at best. Striders were not trained to deal with the chaos of a battle. Vanator was learning to be a juggernaut in battle.

He had taken advantage of the horse's sturdy nature, taking little heed to the weight he added. Van was clad in his dull metal chain shirt, worn over a padded vest, a cloak wrapped around him as an outer garment. A broad dagger and a pair of matching hand axes of Izurian steel were thrust through his belt. Slung from the yvas was a battle ax of the same Izentor -marked craftsmanship. On the other side hung a composite shortbow in a case and a couple quivers of arrows. Behind him, a small, round wooden shield was slung over one of Thunder's haunches. A pack on his back carried sundry supplies, as well as a few pouches on the yvas itself.

Vanator wanted to scan the Web reaching out towards the Zith encampment, without drawing attention to himself. He had guided the warhorse down a small rise that shielded them from view. "Be still." He commanded the young steed. Thunder was compliant, but Van could feel the edgy tension poised in the stallion's bulky muscles. Quieting his mind, Vanator reached out along the strands of djed he found nearby, looking for anything unusual. The Zith were certainly not out and active, but it appeared that no other major predators were either. A familiar, bright signature appeared along the Web, moving up behind the group. Kavala had made it.

Van gathered himself and turned Thunder back towards the group. He knew some of the warriors in the party, having taken part in the companies that defended the archeological dig sites earlier in the year, and as one of the warriors that freed the notorious 'Raid Women' from Zith captives. The Akontak Kavala was conversing with was a stranger to Vanator, however. The Drykas had noted him earlier, knowing well what he was, for his nephews bore the same characteristics. A full grown male Van had not seen. Even more interesting though were the man's hands. Van had noted that each bore a clean scar in the palm, just like he and Kavala. A Reimancer. But the symbols drawn on the Akontak's hands had been puzzling. Though they may have been simple tattoos, Van wondered if there was more to them. He had leafed through the book in Kav's library on glyphing. In it Van had read sigil's could enhance control of djed when marked on the body. It was something Vanator had been curious about.

Bringing Thunder to a halt, Van smiled down at Kavala as she double checked her gear. "I'm glad you made it out of surgery in time to make it, Kav. I am axious to see what that Akalak taskmaster has taught you!" Then his gaze turned to the Akontak. "Sorry to interrupt. Vanator Denusk." Van offered with a nod of greeting.

[Saga]

Vurik had taken control for a few. They were concentrating on new ways to use their new element such as heating the air around them. Vurik was better suited in the new element when it came to these fine tune techniques. They were all in the process of leaving when a woman began to speak to him. He was no stranger to woman of course. But there was something about Konti women that made him crave. A crave Saga also shared in. She is beautiful. Shut you're mouth. You're drooling. It is beneath us. Don't mess this up Vurik. When have I ever? No retort. Vurik smiled as he answered the Konti's inquiries, "Ah yes. The Akalak Commander Anipse has noted that there may be a nest of a force possibly in the twenties. It is hard to get a read on them sense they only stalk at night." He paused before directing his powers on to her, "Kavala Denusk? Beautiful name along with a beautiful character. We would have much need of your skills as a Healer." He wanted to go on but someone came and interrupted his concentration and it faded from his mind when he turned towards the new face. Vurik frowned slightly. Saga noticing his displeasure instantly took control. Vurik was known to be, unevenly tempered. Saga on the other hand. All smiles. Vanator had introduced himself and apologized, Saga looking unhindered said, "Not a problem. But how rude, I haven't introduced myself. Saga and Vurik Otor. Pleased." He noticed both of their horses and was instantly jealous of their steeds. "I believe your steeds are up for the mission. Looks like I'm hauling it by foot." He gestured for them to take the lead towards the crowd that was finally amassing to leave. "I do not know of the spot but its outside the city. It seems they have a base close enough for a planned assault by flight."

[Kavala]

Kavala shifted on the back of the young warhorse. The man she chose to speak too was an Akontak and she couldn't help staring at him. Maybe it was because he was handsome, but she more suspected that superimposed over his face was that of her sons. She wondered if Tasival and Ralac would grow to look like this - tall, noble, composed. He did not have Riaris' stout form nor did he have the thin frame of a human or Tasival's tall father. Instead he was a perfect blend of Konti and Akalak that brought a smile of pride to Kavala's face. Staring at him, she realized suddenly that perhaps this was why the Akalak and the Konti struggled so much. Nothing worth it was easy.

And he stared as well and suddenly she felt beautiful. It was an odd warm feeling that swelled up inside of her. It had the taste of magic to it, but magic was familiar to the Konti and like an old friend in her mind. She accepted the words and nodded to him, taking no offense at what Saga was saying. A slight pink flush darkened her pale cheeks. Such things were not what new mothers heard too often.

Kavala glanced at Vanator. Her expression softened suddenly and she wondered if he knew why she stared at ... Saga and Vurik as she did. She gave him a look when he commented on Anir and then laughed. "He's taught me to fail humbly and work harder than I've ever worked before." She said, looking thoughtful and then grinned. "And how to care for bruised and abused muscles day in an day out." The Konti added with a tinge of good humor.

"It is good to meet you both." Kavala said politely, shifting her attention back to the Akontak. "Twenty adult Zith? It's good The Commander invited folks to join the raiding party and we brought mounts. We'll need all the help we can get. " Kavala said with a grin, fingering her weapons harness. Then when Saga spoke again, she unslung her double bladed sword which was behind her back and shifted it so it laid along the stallion's flank, affixing it to the yvas. Then she held out her hand to Saga.

"He's young. It's good training for him to carry double. No time like the present to get a little combat experience mounted. Had we known, we would have brought spare mounts. These here are being trained to pass to the Kuvay'Nas anyhow. It will be good for him to have two riders. Will you come up?" Kavala said, glancing at her brother and feeling bold for inviting the Akontak to ride pillion.

Vanator could have taken Saga double too, but two adult males on the young warhorses weren't a good idea. Kavala weighed all of a hundred and fifteen pounds. She'd be less weight to double up with than say the Akontak and full armor.

[Vanator]

Vanator watched the interaction between his half-sister and the Akontak. The Drykas did not miss the flash of displeasure in the warrior's eyes when he arrived, a visage quickly replaced with a more amiable countenance. Van had heard the man's compliment of Kavala, the tone of it curious in the slightest way, something the Denusk man could barely call perceptible. But it unsettled Van. Maybe it was something, maybe it was just big brother being overprotective of his sister. Not that Kavala needed it, she could kill about anyone in the group singlehandedly, one way or another. Regardless, no one deserved to be complimented more that Kavala. It had been a rough couple seasons, difficulties before and after the pregnancy, issues with the children's father, had all been physically and emotionally damaging. But Kavala was bouncing back. She looked beautiful, and formidable, and to see her smile lifted Vanator's soul.

Van gave his sister a knowing grin when she caught his eye. Certainly, she may have thought about her sons when she looked at the sturdy Akontak, and what they may grow to become. But Kavala was a Denusk, and a Konti, and he knew well enough that his vibrant sister found the Akontak man handsome.

The man introduced himself, or themselves. The duality of the Akalak, and the Akontak, was something Vanator had come to understand. Van nodded in acknowledgment, leaning forward to stroke the strong neck of the warhorse. "Well met, Saga." He was a bit surprised when Kavala offered to carry Saga on Nightwish with her. The Drykas flashed his sister another wry grin. This was the Kavala he remembered. Daring, ready to fight, and of course heal, and a bit flirty. He would keep an eye on them, the Ankal in him couldn't resist.

He nodded again at Saga. "I would take her up on it, friend. You would be hard pressed to find a better rider in Riverfall, and the more warriors we can move swiftly, the better."

[Saga]

The Akontak looked with unwavering eyes at the subtle exchanges between the man Vanator and Kavala. The blush on her face could be seen by his eyes and it made him smile slightly. It seems that they were well familiar with each other beforehand. It was only when Kavala returned her attention back to Saga did he notice her eyes. They connected briefly before she spoke again, saying it was nice to meet them. She went on to note the force they may have to challenge when they encountered the Zith. Fortunately she had an air of humor to her as well Saga noted well grinning at her jibe at her horse. Kavala however had a weapon he hadn't seen before. A double-bladed sword was her weapon of choice. If he was lucky he would see her in action with it. She made some adjustments to it moving it to the side and held her hand out to him, "He's young. It's good training for him to carry double. No time like the present to get a little combat experience mounted. Had we known, we would have brought spare mounts. These here are being trained to pass to the Kuvay'Nas anyhow. It will be good for him to have two riders. Will you come up?" Vanator had a straight face though he did comment that Saga should take her offer. It would be quicker and much less of a hassle. Saga reached forward and grabbed her hand. Hands that felt smooth to the touch but was used to the fighting of the land. Saga's eyes narrowed slightly as he pondered. How much battle could a Konti see? His mother was nothing like her, though she knew the arcane arts, she never used it for battle. Only to aid the world however she could. Kavala with impressive strength pulled the Akontak on back of her horse. Saga steadied himself by placing a hand around the Konti's waist. They were on the eve of battle but he couldn't help smile slightly as he put his other hand on as well. He took a look at Vanator and then back to Kavala. Leaning forward, he said with a layered tone "Lead the way."

[Kavala]

Kavala could only imagine what the Akontak was thinking. And in a way he surprised her by taking her up on her offer to ride double with him. When he reached for her hand, she heeled the stallion back several paces and drummed her heels into his side, briefly taking her hand out of Saga’s reach and then placing it right back into his reach. Strong but small fingers linked with his and it was the forward momentum of the horse that neatly swung Saga up rather than the strength of the Konti woman herself who couldn’t have done it on her own.

Just as soon as Saga was aboard, the warhorse stopped, pawed at the ground and tossed his head. Kavala patted his neck, grinned at her brother for the perfect execution of the mount assist, and glanced over her shoulder at Saga. He shifted, finding a seat and laid a hand on her hip clasping her waist. Kavala shifted too until their pelvis’ were locked together and they were riding in a position that made it easy for the horse to move under them.

With Saga being 6’6” the Konti fit against the Akontak like a child. Her 5’6” frame was tall for one of her race, but still delicate next to him. Kavala wore night armor as well, only hers was a deep burgundy that was almost the color of spilled wine. And because of it, she felt no violation of space. Armor was armor and they were both riding off to war. But he would notice something else too, perhaps. On the warhorse she was bigger somehow, stronger, faster, and more maneuverable than she was alone on foot.. They both were in fact. The vantage was better and the power he felt beneath him was unquestionable. What was even more unusual was that the warhorse wore no headstall. It’s tack was minimal, though one would have to be a good rider to deal well without stirrups and a cantle and pommel. That was one of the things the Konti was out testing… how good yvas’ were in war. It seemed to her that for the Denusk breed she was crafting, she’d have to also design a special saddle that would hold an Akalak secure and all his gear and weapons to boot.

The Commander Anipse, who arrived with his cohort, gave the signal and everyone moved out. The horses and riders formed two columns while the marchers picked up the rear having to trot to keep up with the walking speed of the animals. Kavala moved easily, guiding the horse into a spot in the column beside where her brother rode. His stallion, Thunder, moved out nicely. And while Nightwish kept cow hopping in his excitement the Konti got him settled down as soon as the fighters got to moving. Once they were doing something, it wasn’t hard for the warhorse to focus. But once the warhorse was focused, it was hard for Kavala’s mind not to wander.

There was an Akontak that was absolutely a stunning example of a male at her back. She was glad suddenly that she wasn’t in the shape she’d been in just forty days earlier where she’d been skin and bone. The last pregnancy had been hard on her, taking her weight and health down. But since she’d rested, and had started being able to keep food down she’d ate everything in sight and trained night and day. She wasn’t back to full strength, not by a long shot, but she wasn’t knocking on Dira’s door either.

“I need to apologize ahead of time…” Kavala said abruptly. She glanced over at Vanator knowing he probably couldn’t hear what she was saying to Saga clearly but she figured Saga should know. “I decided to come today to see how I was doing on my rehabilitation training. I’ve been… very sick lately. I had a child the tenth of this month – twins in fact – and the pregnancy nearly killed me. I’ve been training hard to get back into fighting shape after taking more than a half a year off once the children were too big to really train around. This is my come-back test. I thought you should know… because I might be a vulnerability to you and everyone else here. I’m going to try not to be. I was good warrior before the pregnancy.” She said, twisting slightly on Nightwish’s back to meet Saga’s eyes. She then glanced over at Vanator.

“Vanator is my half brother. We are both members of the same Drykas Pavilion. He’s along because he has a grudge a mile long against the Zith and to keep an eye on me. My trainer cleared me to go… thought it would be good practice. But I just wanted you to know… in case halfway through the fight I’m huffing and puffing and acting like an overgrown merchant with a girth the size of wine barrel. I need to see how far I have come back on the road to good health so I know how far I still need to go.” Kavala said, her words were raw, honest, and a little self depreciating.

The stallion suddenly cow hopped again, seeing a shadow on the ground from a bird passing between him and the sun. Kavala focused her attention forward again, uttered a sharp reprimand in the form of a harsh sound, and the stallion settled down with only a toss of his head.

It was good too that Kavala told him, she decided. Some Akalak and Akontak would get the wrong idea partially wrapped around a young Konti sharing a horse double. And even though she was young, Kavala knew it was still a big wall to erect to protect her and him from getting the wrong idea. New mothers were generally not attractive to young men and that’s the way she wanted it. It was now her time to laugh, to chase the winds, to be free of obligation and commitment and do her own thing and be her own person. She’d promised her brother no more serious relationships. In fact, they’d made a pact to love hard and often and not commit… it would be overall better for them in the long run.

The Denusks, after all, were cursed.

Kavala threw Vanator a grin. She shifted her pelvis on Nightwish and put him into a parade trot that was designed to burn off excess calories and make the horse concentrate. It smoothed out the ride for Saga a bit too having the horse slow its forward motion to concentrate on looking pretty while it trotted nearly in place only moving forward at the slowest of the rider’s walks. The rider in front of her appreciated it too. There was nothing more annoying than a warhorse breathing down your neck crowding you to get by.

The fighters moved forward, heading for the fringe forest and possibly beyond. Kavala had no idea where the zith nest was, but there were only a few possibilities in her mind. A cave system, nothing fancy just one almost sheltering type cave could be found in a rock outcropping on the Sea of Grass about two miles away. If Kavala was a betting woman, which she wasn't, she'd have laid her money on the Zith being there.

[Vanator]

Vanator was indeed impressed with his sister's execution, by using the warhorse's momentum, she made it appear as if she herself hoisted the big Akontak onto her mount. He flashed her a grin and a nod. Saga looked rather fitting on the large steed, dwarfing Kavala nestled in front of him. Nightwish was a sturdy animal, if not a bit anxious, and bore the weight of his riders well.

Van fell in line with the other mounted warriors, feigning a lag to ensure Kavala was riding next to him. The reasons were not so much to keep an eye on her, though he would, she was his beloved sister, and it was not out of some big brother's worry over a man riding with her. He let that go. Maybe she could even enjoy it a bit. No, the reason was the pure joy he felt being out with her again, adventuring, no entanglements, no responsibility other than the mission they all shared. As they rode along, he glanced occasionally to Nightwish and his riders, seeing them converse, the content lost to the thud of hoods and the jangle of equipment.

Kav shot another grin at her brother as she altered Nightwish's gait, to ease the space between them and the mount ahead. Thunder, for his part, plodded along lazily, occasionally glancing over at Nightwish and shaking out his mane. He was responding well to the yvas commands. The gait of the broad-barreled horse was significantly different than a Strider, and Van had the sense of riding a olidosapux rather than a horse. But there was the sensation of power as well, as if he were setting upon a charging wall. Van was anxious to test Thunder, and this manner of warfare.

Van surveyed the surroundings repeatedly, in a regular cycle, including overhead. He too noted the rock outcropping as suspect. He also looked for anything unusual. Reports had suggested the Zith may have actually cobbled something together out in the snow to use as a base. As they drew nearer to the rocks, and the area the scouts had identified, the party started to prepare. The hiss of blades leaving sheaths, the tightening of leather straps on armor, the speculations and boasts of warriors. Vanator remained relaxed. How he prepared depended upon how the Zith presented themselves. That would determine whether he went for the bow or the ax, or fire.

[Saga]

OOCSorry for the wait again. I'm back in action now. Just had trouble posting. It seemed not all was well with the captivating Kavala on their horse ride to the Zith base. In her battles it seems she was inflicted with the troubles of pregnancy. Being a Konti it was actually a deadly ordeal to have a child with any other race besides the Akalaks. Which was why his mother was fortunate to find love in his Akalak father, even more lucky when he arrived. Kavala apologized if she were to be a burden, but Saga dismissed the idea aside. "I hardly doubt you'll be any damsel in distress. But I will have your back no matter what happens out there." It was reassurance that she would be fine, he had trust in his abilities as well as everyone else in the vanguard. But as she explained to him next it seemed that the powerful warrior Vanator was also her half-brother. So the protective like aura he felt emanating from him was clearer. Power siblings were a rare find to him. It'd be interesting to see how they fair on the battlefield. We will not have to wait long for that. But the hiss of blades brought him back to the world as they drew nearer to the destination. The area was covered in snow but the beaten makeshift path paved by Commander Anipse allowed them to get a better look at the giant rock formations. One of which seemed to be sheltering the Zith. Kavala handled her horse with experienced even in this weather. He felt the ride was smooth to him even with the battle looming over his head. "Are you ready for this test? No worries. Vanator and I shall help you cheat it." Saga said with a grin playing on his lips. They had reached their destination.